How Heavy The Downpour
Since the dawn of creation, rain and darkness have covered Equestria. This darkness was not one of malevolence, but rather, one of sorrow. When the pony race was first formed, they were intrigued by this phenomenon. However, as time went on, the lack of light caused a shift in their minds. Many grew weary of the dreariness surrounding them. In the modern day, few remain who care enough to leave their homes. In fact, only seven close companions remain in the small town of Ponyville who still interact with each other on a regular basis. Many regard them as strange because they are commonly seen walking through the soaked streets together, often wearing hoodies depicting heavy metal logos. Their names are Twilight Sparkle, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Spike.
"How are you guys holding up," Twilight asked.
"Same as usual," Rainbow responded.
"Yeah. I hear you."
The crew walked together in a close formation. Their eyes were only half open, indicating the overabundance of melatonin was at work.
"Do you think things will ever get any better, Twi?"
"I wish I could respond with a yes, but chances have always looked slim. I just try to keep a positive attitude about it, ya' know?"
"I can tell. It's just so hard sometimes."
"That's what we have metal for. We're not the only ones who are tired of this."
"I don't really understand," Spike stated, "We know about the water cycle now, so why can't we do anything?"
"If we break that cycle's natural stages, it could disrupt Equestria's resources and overheat the planet, not to mention what it could do to our mental states. All we can do is wait for it to pass, if it ever does," Twilight replied.
The rest of Twilight's companions remained quiet.
"Don't worry guys. Once we're at the library, we can relax for as long as we want. The light will help make us feel a little better."
"Who's turn is it to pick out a record right now," Twilight asked.
"I think it's Pinkie's," Rainbow replied.
"Yep. It's mine."
"I must admit," Rarity stated, "I'm not very fond of most of the screaming, but that one album you played last time was an exception. What did you say it was called, darling?"
"Theories of Despair by Renounced. Actually, I have their other records too. I'm gonna' put in the one they released before that. It's called the melancholy we ache."
"The last one made me sleepy," Fluttershy said softly.
"That was kind of the point," Pinkie responded.
"Why would a metal record make someone feel tired," Twilight inquired.
"Renounced puts a lot of emphasis on melody and emotion during certain points in their albums. Melody is naturally calming, isn't it," Pinkamena asked her knowledgeable friend.
"Yeah, it is."
"We should probably go to sleep while we listen. We need all the energy we can get. Maybe we'll have good dreams while we listen at a low volume."
"That's not a bad idea."
"The leaves on the album cover are as red as our apples on the farm."
"They're autumn leaves. I'm not really sure what kind of trees those are though," Pinkamena mentioned.
"Anyway," Twilight interjected, "We should probably rest up now. Sixteen hours a day is no small amount."
"Right," Rainbow agreed.
"Goodnight, everyone."
"Goodnight," Twilight's friends replied simultaneously.
Pinkamena loaded the album into the CD stereo and turned down the volume. Everyone got their sleeping gear afterwards. Within minutes, they were all out like lights, ready to be embraced by the merciful land of dreams.
Something strange happened that night. Modern science would describe it as a shared dream experience, or SDE, but one could argue there was a much deeper and more spiritual reason for it. When everyone opened their eyes, they were in a sunlit meadow with beautiful autumn trees scattered about. The leaves were orange and red colors.
"Twilight, what the heck is going on," Rainbow Dash asked.
"I already know," Pinkamena intervened, "We're dreaming."
"How can you tell," Twilight requested to know.
"Look at the ground."
When they all realized what they were standing on, they were dumbfounded.
"Red...Grass," Twilight asked herself out loud.
"There's something else too. Look at the sky."
It was truly a sight to behold. There were no clouds. The sun beat down on them ever so warmly.
"This all feels so strange; so...Hopeful...," Twilight spoke.
"Well how about that," Applejack voiced.
"We can do anything we want here," Pinkamena stated.
"Honestly, I just want to stay here for a while," Rainbow Dash responded.
"What kind of dream is this," Twilight wished to know.
"A shared lucid dream," Pinkamena replied, "We know we're dreaming and we're sharing the dream. This is really difficult to do."
"How did we do it?"
"It just happened randomly this time. I know a little about lucid dreaming as a skill."
"Why do you think it happened?"
"We were extremely relaxed and in touch with our inner worlds. Those are two of the most important things."
"So we can do anything," Spike asked.
"Yes," Pinkamena reassured him, "but I don't think you should this time. Just go with it right now."
"Why?"
"Dreams like this are a way to talk to your inner self. If you get too excited, you'll wake up."
"Inner self," Twilight wondered out loud again.
"The inner self is the part of your mind you can only reach out to in a lucid dream. It knows who you really are and what you want."
"Does it know everything?"
"I can't say. I've never tried to talk to it. All I know is it knows everything about you."
"Do you think we need to talk to it?"
"It's hard to tell. I think we all have a pretty good idea of what we want."
"Yeah..."
"Flutters, Rarity, you've both been quiet. Are you alright," Pinkamena questioned.
"We're a bit uneasy, darling. We're still not sure where we are," Rarity answered.
"I know where we are. This is the artwork from 'The Melancholy We Ache'."
"Wait," Twilight halted her, "you mean the record you played while we were falling asleep?"
"The exact same."
"Why here of all places?"
"Good question. I've dreamed about this place a few times. My guess is our subconscious picked up on it, and being in the same place increased our lucidity."
"I guess that makes sense. Still, they're right. There's something odd about this place."
"The art itself was supposed to be symbolic. It represents the last safe place for the brokenhearted."
"Does living in the real world affect you so much that you had to recreate this place in your mind?"
"It does."
"I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do..."
"Don't worry about it. We sleep most of our lives away anyway. The least we can do is try to find whatever comfort we can."
"PInkamena."
"Hm?"
"When we wake up, I'll bring this to an end; for all of us."
Twilight's friends stared at her.
"Twilight, are you saying what I think you're saying," Rainbow Dash inquired.
"Yes. The clouds are about to disappear. The world will know light. What do you say? Are you and Fluttershy up for it?"
"Are you crazy!? We might die!"
"Then we'll all die together. We deserve better than just withering away in the dark."
"I'm scared...," Fluttershy said weakly.
"Don't be. If we're going down, we're going down fighting."
"...Alright, we'll do it," Rainbow relented.
"Then it's settled. Let's enjoy what might be our last night on Equestria," Twilight said.
All of her friends nodded in agreement. When they woke up the next day, the battle for the future awaited them.
"So this is it...," Rainbow said as she stared at the rainy sky.
"No matter what happens, I'll never forget the times we shared," Twilight spoke.
Everyone in the group hugged each other simultaneously. Without another word, Rainbow and Fluttershy began gaining altitude.
"Hey, Fluttershy."
"Yes?"
"You were the greatest friend a Pegasus could ever ask for. I'm sorry if we ever treated you different because you didn't fly much."
Fluttershy smiled.
"You were kinder than you realized, Rainbow Dash. I knew from the beginning you had a big heart under your tough exterior."
"I wish I would've shown it more. Oh well, too late for regrets I guess."
"Don't frown. If we go out, we go out happy. Deal?"
Rainbow Dash developed a smile of her own.
"Deal."
With all words spoken and an uncertain fate awaiting them, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash Joined hooves and burst through the clouds. They began to erase them at extreme speeds. Back on the ground, their friends had collapsed and passed away from the intense heat. The rest of the world would soon follow. The planet died off bit by bit, but there were no tears shed, and there was no fear. After their Job was completed, Rainbow and Fluttershy died as well. The world had ended, but it ended knowing the light it had wanted for so long. Now the universe was quiet, destined to one day return from where it came.
