It was so sudden, so quick. Every motion, every sight was blurred and lines of speed itself trailed behind each action, desperately trying to catch up to the present. Color faded from the world and seeped into the darkness, akin to water giving life to planted flowers and crops. Swirls of sounds reverberated in her ears as she clung to the clock, squeezing as much as she could out of those last few seconds.
Time itself seemed to stop. The endless and annoying tick-tocking of the clock halted until the sound was non-existent, leaving behind an empty silence that said it all; the world has ended, but not for all. This place… It was so surreal, she wanted out! To exist! Why won't it let her! Did she do something horrific, to deserve this fate?
Or was it simply her time?
Rainbow Dash exhaled slowly, her hot breath trickling through the neutral air; neither hot… Nor cold, a perfect balance. She found it unsettling, much like the sensations gnawing at her body. Well, can she really say body? She sighed shakily at the thought… Even simple questions such as that really brought things into perspective for her. The pegasus didn't want to believe it, how could she? She was Rainbow Dash, the fastest… No, it's not working. Not this time.
The mare studied her surroundings with focus that could rival her egghead friend, and no matter how many times her eyes scanned the room at an agonizingly slow pace, going over each and every detail, nothing changed. It was still the same old rustic town, the one that she has spent her whole life in! There was still even that same dent in the old oak tree in the middle of town from when she crashed into it during another routine.
However, even as Rainbow Dash surveyed her immediate vicinity, none of the ponies spared her a single glance. Their eyes, their gazes were focused on other things; not to say that the mare was begging for attention at the moment, but they would still say ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ or something along those lines! But, here… It's like she doesn't exist. This single thought sent a sense of panic surging through the young athlete's mind, and she decided to test this theory.
Walking up to a yellow-coated mare with a frizzy orange mane, Carrot Top is what she thought her name was, Rainbow Dash waved her hoof in front of the oblivious mare's face sporadically, hoping for any kind of reaction. “Hello? Carrot Top… Can you hear me?” Rainbow Dash inquired slowly, her voice growing quiet after gauging that what she thought was true; she was non-existent, much to her dismay.
She backed away slowly, scrambling back until she yelped and fell backwards, harshly landing on her back. Her chest rose up and down heavily and swiftly as pieces of her mind began to unravel like the tightest knot. A cacophony of distorted screams resounded in her mind similar to a hive of buzzing bees, the sound never stopped, it never ceased, and it never slowed.
Every memory protruded through the wall of screams, announcing their presence. Every moment in her life; picnic with friends on a sunny day, soaring through the open sky with the wind whipping at her fur, a session under the covers with wanted company. Everything. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and concentrated on those memories, on those moments, on everything that made her.
The screams faded and the mare was left with a feeling of tranquility, like resting by a lake after a day of exercise. All of her aches and pains were lifted, and she allowed the ghost of a smile to grace her lips. Helping herself to her hooves, she inhaled slowly and repeated the same when she exhaled. For the first time since this started, she was totally at peace. It was nice.
The sound of a hoof slamming into the ground behind her caught the pony’s attention.
She turned around and was met with the sight of nicely dressed stallion, his coat being a pristine white, like the most comforting blanket of snow. His mane was a golden brown, which was swept to the side, to be kept out of his peculiar eyes; one being light blue… The other being a dark red. He was covered by a black suit, and his fetlocks were uncovered. She couldn't see any signs of a horn or a pair of wings, so she guessed he was an earth pony.
Rainbow Dash pointed to him and then to herself in disbelief, as if she couldn't believe the stallion’s presence. The odd pony chuckled at her reaction and stepped forward, performing a curtsy bow. He reminded her of one of those snobby Canterlot royals. Pursing her lips, the pegasus chanced a conversation with the stallion.
“W-Who are you, the Grim Reaper?” Rainbow Dash asked hastily, attempting to keep her bravado, but the creeping fear etching itself into her tone said otherwise. Her only talking buddy in quite some time laughed at her assumption, and gazed into her eyes before wiping his face of any emotion, his mood seemingly souring.
“If that is what you choose to call me, then so be it… Rainbow Dash, if you do not know already, you have died; you sacrificed yourself to the Leviathan in order for your friends to successfully defeat it.” A heavy silence hang in the air that was deafening, and the young mare didn't know how to take it.
In some small way, she already knew… But, to hear it… Despite herself, Rainbow Dash sensed tears streaking down her cheeks, and against her better judgement, she allowed them to; no matter how much she tries to deny it, she's gone. Even the mighty Rainbow Dash isn't immune to death, it seems. She always knew she would die, and she accepted it, but for it to be so soon.
“Lemme’ guess… You're here to bring me to Paradise or Tartarus or whatever, right?” She asked him in a whisper, not meeting his gaze. She wasn't ready… No, not yet. She had so much to say, so much to do! Her friends… What about them?
She seemed so invincible.
But, the truth is so cold.
“Yes. It's time, Rainbow Dash. Please, all-”
“Wait,” the desperate mare pleaded. “Let me see my friends one more time, then I’ll go, promise!” Reaper pursed his lips before he sighed somberly, lifting his hoof up into the air. It felt like an eternity before it rammed into the ground once more.
The world around them shifted and churned, transforming the scenery from the cheery town of Ponyville to the depressing and somber cemetery. Two magenta orbs rested on five familiar mares, all of them silently sobbing around a tombstone. Grass crunched beneath their hooves as Rainbow Dash and her Reaper approached them until the former sighed shakily.
R.I.P.
Rainbow “Loyalty” Dash
1989 - 2011
Lifting her head, the pegasus turned to her friends and knowing that she can't hear her, she spoke.
“I love you, guys… But, I’ll see you when he lets me… I may have not been the best I could… I have so much to say, but you're all so far away… Please, don't let me see any of you eggheads here anytime soon.” She chuckled humorlessly as the stallion rested a hoof on her shoulder.
“It's time, Rainbow Dash.” He said silently.
“Goodbye, you guys.”
“For now, anyways.”
The End.
Author's Note
Google Docs is a prick.
I apologize for the formatting.
