What Lies at the End of the Rainbow
"I'm going out, Rainbow Black. I'm gonna meet with whoever I'm gonna be pitted up against."
Rainbow Dash looked at the colt. She was about to make it towards the town hall, where she would have a friendly chat with her competition and fans. This was, after all, the very finale in the Annual Racing Tournament. Rainbow Dash had fought long and hard to make it up the ranks, in a desperate effort to get validation from the Wonderbolts. And the finale was to go down in the Ghastly Gorge, where the winner would receive a hefty prize, both materialistically and spiritually.
In truth, Rainbow Black didn't have any legitimate reason to care. All he could do was passively watch as Rainbow Dash's life unfolded in front of his very eyes. Through the windows of the Rainbow Factory, in which he resided. Unbeknownst to almost everypony, Rainbow Dash had a pastime that included performing quite basic scientific experiments in a crook of her home that was generally left unexplored by visitors. One day, however, she decided to do something quite ambitious; With the help of a magical potion, she made an imperfect clone of herself in male form, whom, on account of his mysteriously black fur, was named Rainbow Black.
This incredible marvel of pony technology was kept private, however, as the potion came from none other than the sketchy zebra Zecora; An outlaw, according to Ponyville's Mayor Mare. Hence, the truth behind Rainbow Black's existence was concealed, and Rainbow Dash simply claimed he was her twin brother. This was no convincing truth, and therefore he scarcely left the boundaries of their home.
"Yeah, yeah, have fun, I guess," Black said, drowsily. "I'll just sit here and do nothing, the usual."
Dash's face fell.
"Look, if it were up to me, you'd be out there paintin' the town red, but sadly, the way things are now, it's up to a xenophobic politician."
"I know how things are, Rainbow Dash. Don't make them any less wrong."
"If you're bored, go play with Blueberry Boom! You two always have a good time."
She wasn't wrong. Rainbow Black and Blueberry Boom went way back. This is, of course, because the foal Blueberry Boom was a bit of an outcast herself, choosing dedication to her magic tricks rather than the hunt for a healthy social life. For that very reason, she was the only other pony to know about Rainbow Black's true origins. Sure, maybe he should hang out with her. Why not?
"I'll think about it. You go have a good time now."
Later that day, whilst Rainbow Dash was in town, Rainbow Black went to the recognizable glade in the outskirts of town, where he'd always be certain he'd find Blueberry Boom. And sure enough, there she was. A tiny, purple pony with huge eyes, freckles here and there, and a green, cheap cape. Black was sure he'd never seen her wear anything more or less than that green cape. It suited her, so there really was no problem with it. Still, it erased any doubt about her ambitions. When Blueberry Boom noticed the dark horse, she excitedly sprang to her hooves.
"Rainbow Black! You came just in time for my newest magic trick!"
Rainbow Black casually sat on the grass next to her, not remotely fazed.
"Yeah," he muttered. "Let's see it."
With great concentration, Blueberry Boom managed to emit some sort of weird glow that was disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Rainbow Black didn't even get time to register what had just occurred.
"Cool, huh!" she exclaimed.
"I'm not sure what that was, but it was flashy," Black dryly responded.
The foal didn't seem to mind the unimpressed undertones of his response, as she was too busy excitedly hopping around in some sort of juvenile victory dance. She was young, beyond a hint of doubt. She hadn't even gotten her cutie mark yet, a clear sign of her lacking life experience. But her dedication to her craft was respectable, and Black had a sneaking suspicion that she would not breathe her last before everypony in Ponyville knew her name.
"I've read about so many cool tricks," she continued under her breath. "I can't do some of them because I don't have fingers, but some I think I'll be able to pull off soon!"
"Oh yeah? I'm looking forward to that."
Admittedly, her joie de vivre was contagious, but Rainbow Black couldn't shake the thought that, no matter how much he tried, he would never truly be able to accomplish his dreams, for he would never be able to truly be himself. He wasn't even sure what his dream was. Did he want to be better than everyone else? Did he want to have a Stable relationship with some beautiful mare? It didn't matter, he wasn't gonna get there anyways. Not as anything other than Rainbow Dash's twin brother, at least.
"Where's Rainbow Dash?" Blueberry Boom asked, now sitting in front of the gloomy horse.
Rainbow Black needed a moment to react to this, as he'd been lost in thought.
"Uh, she's in the town hall, gettin' good with her fans and letting her opponent know what's what."
"Ooh, is she ready for the Big Race?"
Black pondered for a second.
"I'm not sure, I heard the other finalist's got an impressive record. I think she'll be fine, though, no worries."
"Yeah, she can take on any old racer," Blueberry Boom squawked.
"I have faith in her. I just don't think she has."
"Tell her what I always tell myself: You just gotta believe!"
"Words to live by, Blueberry. Words to live by."
