Chapters The sun shone down on my rainbow hair as I walked to my usual table. It was the first day of school for the year and I was finally in my second year at Ponyville High School. I had already suffered through the first four classes today and it was now lunchtime. Good for me since I was already starving.
I reached the table on the far side of the school rooftop and sat down on the seat furthest away from the other students. I placed my food on the solid surface and dropped my blue backpack next to my chair.
It wasn't long before another girl placed her tofu burger on the table opposite me. "Hey, Flutters. Was your break as boring as mine?"
Fluttershy looked down at her feet. "Um, I just volunteered at the animal rescue centre." A lock of soft pink hair fell from its place behind her left ear and dangled in front of her eye. "None of the animals got adopted though. I think it's too cold or something."
"I don't know, the weather seems pretty warm to me, darling." Rarity sat down next to Fluttershy, followed by Applejack, who took a seat beside me.
"Hey y'all!"
"Sup?" I gave Applejack the peace sign and winked. "How's the farm?"
"It's doin' okay. The weather ain't helping, though."
"I can't believe it's actually supposed to be winter right now." Rarity fanned herself with her right hand. "It's too humid."
"So, Dash, I see y'all are still on that diet." Applejack smirked at my salad.
I smiled, "yeah."
"Hey, Dashie!" My vision was suddenly blocked by an energetic girl with bright pink hair. I pushed the girl away from my face.
"Good morning, Pinkie." Fluttershy grinned.
"Hey, girls!"
I turned my attention to a piece of lettuce and flicked it off the table. I never liked leafy vegetables. I smirked at the rest of the lettuce on my plate, they would meet the same fate.
Just as I lifted my hand above the table to rid my lunch of the ugly lettuce, another girl holding a book in one hand and a paper bag in the other sat down at the table. "Sup egghead."
Twilight Sparkle frown and continued reading her ridiculously thick book. "I'm studying."
"WHAT!?" Pinkie jumped up from her seat, "You can't study at lunchtime. Lunchtime is supposed to be fun, Twi. Besides your always doing smart things."
Twilight glanced at Pinkie and sighed. "There are many reasons as to why my grades are better than yours, and this is at the very top of the list." Knowing Twilight, she probably actually had a list.
"Come on, Twilight! You've had the whole break to study, study, study! Now, it's time to have some fun, girl!" Pinkie pulled Twilight up from her seat. "You've been really gloomy all morning, so guess what I decided to do?"
"Ugh... Throw a party?"
"Nope!"
"Pinkie."
"Noooo!"
"Pinkie Pie."
"No! Twilight come on, it's not that hard."
"PINKIE!" Twilight yelled into Pinkie Pie's face. Then she glanced at our awkward gazes and the students staring at her from the other tables and bit her lip. Twilight sat back down and looked back up at Pinkie. "I'm sorry, Pinkie Pie. I just seem to always lose my patience around you. What have you decided to do?"
Pinkie just stood emotionless for a while and then a smile formed on her pink lips. "I am going to plan a school dance."
"Do you even have the authority to do that, darling?" Rarity did her famous hair flick, "I don't want to object to the idea, but last time I checked, you couldn't just run a school event without permission from the princess." Rarity referred to Princess Celestia. She ruled Equestria, but also served the role of the principal of our school. She was the founder after all.
"I already asked her actually and she said yes!" Pinkie gave a broad smile, "Now all I need is a committee and it'll be all sorted."
"I hate to ruin your dance, Pinkie, but I don't have the slightest clue as to how this is going to help me." Trust egghead to butt in with her pessimistic views.
"Silly, I haven't gotten to the best part yet!"
"Well what is it then?" Applejack leant towards Pinkie.
"I already have a date, but you'll have to wait to find out who he is." Pinkie bounced up and down on the spot.
"You mean... You have to attend a public event, where anyone could see you, with a boy who might not even like you." Fluttershy's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, this is so bad!"
I smiled at my friends. It seemed like only yesterday we managed to harness the power of the Elements of Harmony. The whole experience was what brought us together as friends and strengthened our relationship. I slowly ascended from my chair and quietly left the group. So far my reactions towards Pinkie's idea was mixed. I was excited because Pinkie Pie throws the most amazing parties and I was sure her dance was going to be even better.
I walked down the school hallway towards my next class. The word had spread quickly about Pinkie's idea, but I didn't overthink it since it was Pinkie Pie I was talking about. Unfortunately for me, a few boys had already asked me to go with them. I just told each of them that I needed time to think and hadn't made up my mind. Which is true. I started to hum the tune of a catchy song as I roamed the hallway trying to find room 167, when something shiny in the distance caught my eye. Or more precisely; a rainbow, glittery banner that was hung from the ceiling. And then my harmless humming turned into the song of death.
I continued walking casually down the hall, pretending I didn't notice yet. Maybe if I could sneak past the crowd gathered in front of it, waiting for me to show up. Or maybe I could just avoid it all by 'accidentally' taking another wrong turn. There were many ways to prevent another potential admirer, but when I saw the boy standing nervously at the front of the crowd, I knew I couldn't avoid it this time.
"Thunderlane, what are you doing? You should be in class." I approached the riot carefully. "And why is there a rainbow banner hanging here?"
"Um...." Great, just what I expected from Thunderlane. He's too shy to ask me out. "I wanted to ask you something."
I just looked at the floor. I had to do this. Treat him like I would Fluttershy. He's not someone who takes rejection easily, you have to let him down lightly and in this case that means I'm going to have to listen to another boy try to score a date with me. Although I am pretty awesome, it was too much to handle. "Yes, Thunderlane?"
"Ugh." Thunderlane bit his lip. "Will you go to the dance with me?"
The moonlight reflects off the pavement as I walk through the night. The quiet is a very different from the usual business of the day. I feel the cool wind against my face as it throws my hair into crazy shapes. Most people stay inside at night, but I don't. I don't really care what time it is as long as I have a reason to stay distracted from what always greets me when I come home.
Although most people think I'm rich, I'm not. I can only just afford to keep my house, thanks to the local weather station. But it's not my empty bank account that keeps me away. It's something that happened eleven years ago.
When I was two, my mother became very ill. I never say her much and my father was left to take care of me. But around my fourth birthday, my father was diagnosed with the same disease. I was left with the responsibility of taking care of myself. I never took it seriously though. After I turned four, something horrific happened. I remember coming home from my latest flying session, it was a clear day and I planned to go flying some more after lunch. I went straight inside, not even realising how empty the house was and made my way to the kitchen. Long story short, my parent weren't home and they never came home. For all these years I've assumed that there're dead. I believe it's the most logical theory. Nobody knows about it yet and I'm going to keep it that way. If I tell anyone I'll look weak and I, Rainbow Dash, am not weak.
I continue following the empty road towards Rarity's house. I need her advice and I don't want the other girls around because it's already embarrassing enough when it's just Rarity. I can almost imagine her high-pitched swoons and squeals. Honestly, Rarity has access to way too much drama that goes on in other people's lives.
Finally, I reached Rarity's front door. Every light was off except for the one in the entrance to the boutique, which meant Rarity was still awake making some kind of accessory or dress. I walked around the back of the building and casually opened her back door. I stepped into the dark hallway. I could see some light contrasting the dimness of the room so I followed it. The light led to a large arched doorway with a gold frame. I walked in and leant against the wall.
"Hey, Rares."
Rarity, who was sewing two pieces of fabric together, jumped in surprise upon hearing my voice. She turned her head towards me and frowned. "Rainbow Dash, why are you in my house. It's the middle of the night and I have a very important project to finish before I can get my beauty sleep. I don't need any distractions."
"Relax, I just need help with something."
Rarity smiled as soon as I mentioned needing her help. That girl changes moods too suddenly. "What is it, darling?"
I took a deep breath. "I can't decide who to go to the dance with."
"Well, has anyone asked you?" Rarity pulled a pink, leather chair next to the one she was sitting on and patted it for me to sit down.
"Yeah, a few boys." I slumped onto the chair. "No one significant."
"Well, who do you prefer?"
"I don't know." I bit my lower lip. "The only one I really know is Thunderlane."
"Oh." Rarity looked at the ground. "Well if he's the one you want to go with, then you simply must darling." Rarity glanced at me. "I think you should."
"But Rares, don't you like him?" Rarity had entrusted myself and Fluttershy's with the secret of her crush a while ago. Although, she didn't exactly want to tell me...
Rarity was silent for a while and then stood up from her chair heroically, "I will have none of that, dear. You are going to accompany Thunderlane to the dance and you will have a simply wonderful time."
"Who are you going to go with then?" I looked up at Rarity from my position below her. "You never had a crush on anyone else before."
"I'll find someone, darling. Many boys at this school would absolutely love to join me in this annual celebration." Rarity pouted at me and sat down again. "Does that solve your problem, Rainbow Dash?"
"I'll go with Thunderlane then." I stood up from the chair. "Thanks Rares."
"Happy to help." Rarity's attention switched back to the piece of fabric she was cutting. "Now where did I put that pin."
As For left the building I could hear my friend's tired humming. If she didn't get any rest soon, she would be exhausted tomorrow. "Try to get some rest." I muttered as I closed the back door behind me and locked it.
In the outskirts of town, where no one could hear, two shadows sat, stiller than statues. The soft glow of the moon reflected off their rough skin. The tallest shadow leaned towards the other and whispered a word only audible to her companion. "Soon."
I sat down beside a large tree outside the school. It was a Tuesday, the day I have no electives and mathematics is the first class of the day. I leant against the tree's hollow trunk. I was the only one outside and the sky was completely clear. The perfect day for flying. Just as I stood up to lift myself into the air, I heard an ear-piercing scream. One you only hear in horror movies and death fights. I stumbled back onto the grass as my brain tried to comprehend what the scream could have been caused by. A determined smirk formed on my lips and I started flying as fast as I could towards the source of the noise.
Of course, because it's me, I reached my target quickly. The scream had come from the pool area, I was sure of it. I landed in front of the door to the building that contained the pool and pushed it open. Inside there was nothing unusual. Same huge pool. Same stuffy changing rooms. Same dim light. But what really caught my eye, the only peculiar thing inside the building, was a small speck of dark red on the floor. Out of instinct, I walked towards it. After closer inspection, I realised exactly what I didn't want to believe when I first saw the spot. Blood.
Most people would be shocked and even frightened by a spot of blood, but this is the kind of mystery I've been waiting for for my entire life, so I'm not going to let a little fear get in the way. I leant forward and touched the blood, which was mysteriously grower darker and darker. I assumed it was drying, but when my fingers met the crimson liquid, the blood instantly disappeared. I frowned at the blood as it began to slowly vanish from the stone ground. "That is not blood."
I'm not into forensics, but I've had enough experience with my own cuts and wounds to know that blood doesn't just disappear and dissolve into thin air. And why did it vanish when I touched it? There's blood in my own body, it isn't right that a little blood would disappear before my eyes. I rubbed my hands together and turned around to leave the pool. It was getting pretty cold. I wasn't done yet, though. I planned to see if anyone else had seen anything weird tomorrow. After a good nap, of course.
"Um..." Fluttershy looked at me strangely. "What scream?"
"Didn't you hear it? It was pretty loud." I frowned at her.
"Maybe you were just hearing things. Perhaps your coming down with something, darling." Rarity pouted at me sympathetically.
"Oh no! That's a symptom for the flu. Don't worry, I'll get you straight to bed, Rainbow." Fluttershy grabbed my wrist and attempted to pull me away from the cafe we were sitting outside of, but with her weak strength, she ended up falling sideways.
"I'm not sick." I banged my head on the table. "There was blood!"
"Sugarcube, ya sure y'all didn't just cut yourself or somethin'? You do crash a lot with them wings ya got." Applejack questioned me as Twilight shook her head from the other side of the table.
"I don't think that's it, Applejack. I think Rainbow Dash is just going through too much stress and needs a way to fix it."
"Oooooh! I know! Pick me, pick me!" Pinkie Pie jumped up and down on her chair.
"Yes, Pinkie?" Twilight played along with Pinkie's antics.
"She should come to Sugarcube Corner and eat lots of cupcakes and yummy pastries and cakes and chocolate and pie and BE UNSTRESSFUL!" Pinkie slammed her palms onto the table. Fluttershy flinched as Pinkie did so.
"Oh, Pinkie Pie, you startled me."
"Pinks, I don't think that's what RD needs." Applejack put a hand on Pinkie's shoulder. "I reckon y'all should all come over to the farm and y'all can stay over for the night. I'm sure my folks won't mind."
"Oh, YES!" Pinkie agreed to the suggestion. "I'll bring the frosting..." Pinkie sung softly.
"I'm honoured to accept such a wonderful opportunity to spend time with my best friends." Rarity spoke up from across the table. "And Pinkie, darling, why on Earth would we need frosting at a sleepover? Unless your baking, but knowing you it's probably for something else." Pinkie just grinned and bounced her eyebrows.
"I'd love to come, Applejack." Fluttershy smiled.
"Count me in too!" Twilight showed almost too much enthusiasm.
I groaned. "That's not what I need."
"Come on, Dashie. It'll be fun." Pinkie gave me her sad face. "Please?"
I crossed my arms. "Not working, Pinkie Pie."
"But Dashie it's not fun when your not there."
"Darling, I'm sure we'd all appreciate you joining us." Rarity batted her eyelashes at me. "Besides it would be the perfect time to take your measurements for your dress."
"What would Rainbow Dash possibly need a dress for?" Twilight glanced at Rarity. "I know for a fact that she doesn't like dressing up."
"Twilight!" Rarity stared at Twilight, mouth agape. "Don't tell me you forgot about the dance."
"Oh, yeah the dance." Twilight smiled sheepishly.
"Rainbow, please can you come and stay at Applejacks house with us." Fluttershy looked at me. "If you don't mind."
"Look ill come, but only because I have nothing better to do." I snorted. "It's not like I want to come or anything."
"Dashie your such a tsundere." Pinkie said as she bounced up and down in her seat.
"Y'all can come tomorrow night." Applejack grinned at us. "We got nothin' on then."
"See you then." Pinkie saluted us and walked away.
"I must get going to darlings. I have an important project to take care of." Rarity stood up and waved to us before leaving as well.
I watched my friends leave slowly. I stood up to go home myself, when Fluttershy hugged me. "Remember to get some rest, Rainbow. It's the best cure for disease."
"Thanks, Flutters, I guess." I forced a smile. "See you girls later." I waved to my friends, who returned the gesture.
As I walked away from the cafe, I muttered a sentence only audible to myself; "I'm not sick."