The Secret of a Rainbow

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8

Chapter 1

By Little Brave Heart

A sequel to "The Rainbow Factory." By Aurora Dawn.

Scootaloo was on her last link of sanity, like her dear friend Rainbow Dash. Well, not really anymore. She half forgave and half hated the cyan peagasus. They had always promised each other that no matter what problem or challenge or bad thing they had done, they would always forgive each other. But murder? "I just need some time." The orange filly muttered under her breath. "Maybe I'll be able to forgive her completely if she ever has the bravery to tell her friends shes a murderer. She also needs help so she can regain her sanity."

The word 'murder,' brought back horrible memories that nopony her age should even have the slightest thought of thinking about, and experiencing it was out of the question. She remembered breaking free of the chains in anger, and with the thought of being murdered and never flying again. She was lucky that the big spectrum machine was so old and still hadn't gotten much needed repairs on the chains and gears. The second reason was that training with Rainbow Dash had made her ten times stronger and faster. She shook the thought away, frightened of becoming like Rainbow Dash; insane. Maybe that's what made the poor pony go mad, thinking of killing ponies, trying to push away the thought of herself being an actual murderer? But Scootaloo didn't want to think about it anymore. Her last resort was telling anypony about her secret, she couldn't even tell Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle, knowing they probably couldn't hold the secret in either.

That reminded her of something. She needed to tell Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle how the test went! Scootaloo decided she would not tell them the truth, she would just tell them that she passed the test with a perfect score, and describe the excitement of the test, making it convincing, and tell them that Rainbow Dash was so proud of her for passing the test, and that she knew she could do it. The orange peagasus sighed. "If only that were the truth." She said as she walked down the dirt road in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

Scootaloo had reached the little family farm, which she had visited so often with her friends. It brought back good memories of them crusading, sometimes angering Applejack, but then they all laughed about it afterwards. This brought a smile to the fillies face. She knew with good memories and friends, she would stay sane; at least she hoped. Scootaloo flew over to the apple orchard, looking for Applejack, knowing that she was a round the clock worker. Sure enough, she found the farm pony bucking an apple tree. The orange filly trotted over to greet the apple farmer.

"Hi Applejack. Do you know where Apple Bloom is?" Scootaloo said casually. "Scootaloo? What happened to ya?" Applejack replied examining the scars and bruises on her forelegs. The wounds were caused by struggling and eventually breaking free of the chains. "Oh, nothing really." "Then what are these scars from?" Applejack questioned her, giving her a concerned stare. "I....kind of had a bad landing?" The peagasus gave a smile, sweat dripping from her forehead. Applejack continued to stare at the filly. "So...wheres Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo gulped, quickly changing the subject.

"Well, I'll let that one pass, being the dare devil ya are. Ya'll been acting like Rainbow Dash more and more!" The farm pony said and rubbed the little ponies head, ruffling her hair. "Apple Bloom is in the club house. She was really worried when she found out that if ya didn't pass yer test, you'd be deported! But that didn't happen, cause yer here. I reckon you better flap those wings and get over there." "Okay, thanks Applejack!" Scootaloo said before flying off as quickly as she could. She wiped her head with her hoof as she said, "Phew. That was a close one."

Scootaloo flapped her wings as best she could, there was a cut alongside her wing, but she ignored the pain. The tree house eventually came into view. Scootaloo had been flying faster than she had realized. She landed promptly on the ground and walked up the ramp to the club house, her hooves making a little clicking sound. Scootaloo peeked in the doorway, seeing Apple Bloom sitting on the floor with a piece of paper. "Hey, Apple Bloom!" The yellow filly instantly looked up upon hearing her friends voice.

"Scoot! Ya passed the test! How was it?" Apple Bloom said giving Scootaloo a hug. "Oh, it was great! First, I leaped off the platform, and then I had to clear the clouds! Then, I had to fly, and at the last second, open my wings, then land." The orange peagasus said going into every detail, putting a huge smile on her face. "Wow! Impressing me with one of yer flying stories as usual. But, what are those scars and bruises from?" Apple Bloom asked suspiciously. "Oh, well I kind of had a bad landing, but I still passed because I cleared the clouds before the time was up." she replied casually. "Ah get it, see, ah always thought the landing platform was a cloud. Is it?" "Well, yeah, it is. But you would be surprised what damage it could do if you land with an impact. One pony broke her wing with a bad landing!" Scootaloo knew she was referring to Aurora. She wondered what happened to her, she would never know, she couldn't risk going back in the factory.

"Well, we better go see Sweetie Belle and tell her every things alright." Apple Bloom said breaking Scootaloo out of her thoughts. "What? Oh, yeah. That would be good." The yellow earth pony cocked her head at the orange peagasus. "Ya'll sure every things alright Scoot? Ya'll seem a little....different." "Nope, every things fine!" Applejack was right, she really was becoming more and more like Rainbow Dash, she was the element of loyalty, and she NEVER lied, and when she did, she had a very hard time doing so. But now that she re thought it, she had lied to all her friends about her job, very easily. She was the only worker in the factory allowed out in public.

"Are ya sure? Cause, ya'll look a little sweaty." Apple Bloom once again interrupted her thoughts. "I told you, everything is fine. These cuts just need some bandages. I'm trying to hide the pain." Scootaloo made up a lie, which she thought was pretty convincing. "That sure is you, Scoot. Trying to be so tough, Rainbow Dash's personality is really rubbing off on you." Apple Bloom sure bought the lie, and Scootaloo heaved a sigh of relief. "Well, maybe ya'll should stop at the doctor before we tell Sweetie Belle the good news." "Yeah, sure." The two friends walked out of the Cutie Mark Crusaders clubhouse and out onto the dirt road. Scootaloo was still thinking of good memories of her friends, and only one thought was going through her head: "I need to keep this secret."

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Secret of a Rainbow

"Well, its nothing too bad. You shouldn't fly too much for at least a week." The doctor pony told Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. "A week?!" The orange peagasus squealed. She had just began flying and was beginning to practically fly everywhere, now she would have to stay grounded again. "I'm sorry Scootaloo, but it could have been worse." The blue unicorn levitated a clipboard over to himself. "Now, about your scars on your forelegs. I'm going to apply some bandages, and you'll have to come back in a week to have them taken off. Then you'll be fine, and you can fly again." "Sorry Scoot, but ya have to do what the doc says." Apple Bloom said patting her friends shoulder.

"I know, I know." Scootaloo mumbled. The doctor wrapped some white bandages around Scootaloo's forelegs. "Alright, I'll see you in a week." He said as he exited the room, the two fillies following along. The two ponies exited the building, in the direction of Rarity's boutique. "Sorry ya can't fly for a whole week Scoot." Apple Bloom said with a frown. "Oh, I think it'll be alright. I couldn't fly for years, whats another week?" Scootaloo said trying to keep her confidence, and still trying not to think of the bad memories of the Rainbow Factory, that, and Rainbow Dash. "Well, I guess your right. But sometimes ah wonder what its like to be a peagasus. If ah were one, ah think I would be like Rainbow. Fly everywhere. I remember how excited you were to start training with Dash, to finally start flying."

Scootaloo smiled at the memory. "Yeah, well, some peagasai don't even fly at all, or fly very little. Like Fluttershy." "Oh yeah. I guess. But yer not like that." Apple Bloom argued. "I'm sure I'll be fine." Scootaloo spoke in a firm tone. "Alright." The yellow filly sighed. Neither of them spoke the rest of the way to the boutique. Pretty soon a small building with a circus tent like roof. Sure enough, it was the Carousel Boutique. They both walked inside.

"Oh, Sweetie Belle!" Came the familiar voice the two fillies knew as their friends older sister, Rarity. The younger sibling was probably trying to help her older sibling with her dress making, but she always failed at doing so. Instead of running inside, as usual, they both walked in. "Scootaloo! Apple Bloom!" Squealed the filly unicorn. "Hey." They both said in a awkward unison. "You two alright? You seem a little down." Sweetie Belle said with a look of concern.

"Well, Scoot had a bad landing on her flying test, so her wing has a cut so she can't fly for another week. But she still passed!" Apple Bloom informed Sweetie Belle. But Scootaloo knew that what she was saying was a lie. "Oh, that explains why shes a little sad, and her bandages." Sweetie Belle said rolling her eyes at herself. "But its good that she passed the test, I don't know what the Cutie Mark Crusaders would be like without you, Scootaloo."

"Yeah, We need to stick together." The orange peagasus smiled. "Well, I think I should get some rest like the doctor said. No crusading for today." "Aw...." Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle said at the same time. "Don't worry, I'll think of ideas that will be safe." Scootaloo assured her two friends. "For once we'll be able to crusade without getting hurt." Sweetie Belle laughed. They all did and the two fillies waved good-by to their friend.

Scootaloo heaved a sigh of relief. She was happy to be away from her friends for once, she couldn't take the secret anymore, she knew she had to be alone. The peagasus walked slowly home, getting weaker by the minute. The doctor was right, she really did need rest. She eventually reached her home and limped inside. She crashed onto her cloud bed and drifted into a deep, deep sleep.

The filly dreamed that night. It wasn't a dream though. It was a nightmare. Scootaloo dreamed that she was getting killed by Rainbow Dash, trying to escape, but couldn't. The chains seemed to be stronger in the nightmare. No matter how much she struggled, it was no use. To her avail she only found that it put scars on her forelegs. The orange peagasus was thrown into one of the vats, facing unbearable pain. It only lasted a second, but it was still horrific. In a minute it was over, and the spectrum machine pumped out bright oranges and purples. It was beautiful, if only they didn't have to kill ponies to make such spectacular spectrum.

Scootaloo awoke with a jolt, her heart pounding with fear. She held a hoof to her chest and took several deep breaths. Then she buried her head into her cloud. "No, no, no." Scootaloo spoke to no one in particular. "I can't have these nightmares. I'll never get any sleep. I'll become like Rainbow Dash! Should I tell somepony? I can't tell her friends, what will they think of her then? But almost everypony knows Rainbow Dash, it would be hard to find somepony that doesn't know her." The peagasus rolled over onto her back. "Well, no more sleep tonight. Its almost sunrise." Scootaloo got out of her bed and walked outside, smelling the fresh morning air.

"This would be a perfect day for flying." Scootaloo mused. She had no choice to fly, she had to if she wanted to get up into her cloud home. "Wait....Then wouldn't flying even the slightest bit make the wing more injured? Maybe I could stay with Apple Bloom. I do want to fly in a week, and no more than that." Scootaloo sighed. "I'm talking to my self again, am I?" The peagasus walked back inside her home and packed her belongings, then she flew down for the last time she would do in a week. By that time the sun had begun to rise on the horizon. The orange filly yawned, she wondered how Applejack could get up this early everyday. This was a good time to go to Sweet Apple Acres, the whole Apple family would be up, all except for Granny Smith and Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo walked down the dirt roads of ponyville, only a few ponies awake. The rest were sleeping. Scootaloo didn't know why, but she felt...safer here. With other ponies, the birds and the comforting sunlight. Like she was out of the darkness and into the light. She knew it would be easier to sleep on the farm, because a bunch of other ponies lived there, and the best comfort in the world would be the comfort of a friend. She kept thinking good thoughts and memories until she reached the farm.

Scootaloo spotted Applejack walking out of the barn, looking wide awake as usual. Scootaloo trotted over to her, the saddlebag on her back rattling a bit. She skidded to a halt. "Hey Applejack." The peagasus said casually. Before the farm pony could say anything, Scootaloo shoved a hoof in her mouth. "Yeah, yeah. I know. I know why your wondering about my wing and my forelegs, Its because I had a bad landing on my flying test. But that's okay, I passed it anyways." Scootaloo lifted her hoof away from Applejack's mouth. "Well, that explains it. But why are ya here on the farm? Apple Blooms still asleep." The earth pony pointed out. "Well, yeah. But I live in a cloud home, and I can't fly for another week. So, I figured I could stay with you?" The orange filly said putting on a smile. "Well, I guess. I can't let ya stay out on the streets. Go and get some rest. The guest room is next to Apple Blooms room. I gotta lot'a work ta do here on the farm."

Scootaloo nodded, and walked off the orchard to the family house. "That was easier than I expected, and Applejack's the first that didn't question me." She mumbled to herself. The filly made her way up the stairs and into the hallway, then entered the room next to Apple Blooms. She was extra careful not to wake her friend, knowing she would be right next door to her. She flopped down on the bed and pulled up the red bed sheet, and easily drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Secret of a Rainbow

"Scootaloo! Hey, Scootaloo, wake up!" Apple Bloom whispered softly in the peagasai's ear. But all she did was roll lazily onto her stomach. "Come on Scoot, we have crusading ta do!" Scootaloo slowly opened one eye, and then the other. She grunted. "Fine, you woke me up." "What are ya doing in my house? Not that ah don't like having ya here, but...." Apple Bloom trailed off. "Don't you remember? I can't fly, and I need to fly to get up to my cloud home. So, I need to live here until I've recovered." Scootaloo suddenly spoke, wide awake.

"Oh yeah. I forgot ya lived on a cloud." Apple Bloom replied giggling slightly. "Well, We still have crusading ta do, I reckon we better go and get Sweetie Belle." "Oh, yeah. We got a whole day of things to do to try and earn our cutie marks!" The orange filly spoke confidently. "That's the spirit!" Her friend encouraged her. Scootaloo got out of her bed and followed Apple Bloom out the door and downstairs. They brushed their hair and freshened up, then walked out the door onto the farm. "Alright, Sweetie Belle would be awake by now right?" Scootaloo inquired. "Well, I guess so. Ah don't see why not." Apple Bloom replied in her western accent. "Well, there's only one way to find out, go there." With the peagasai's last quote, the two walked down the dirt road in direction of Sweetie Belles house.

The two had reached Rarity's boutique, and they walked inside. For once they didn't hear the cry of Rarity yelling at her younger sister. They both looked at each other with confused looks at the silence. They went into the dress making room, and saw Rarity on her sewing machine. "Hey, Rarity!" Scootaloo called out to the white unicorn. She looked up from her work, and turned her head to see who was in the doorway. "Oh, hello girls. If your looking for Sweetie Belle, shes upstairs in her room." Rarity informed them, then turned her focus back to her sewing machine. They both nodded and then walked up the stairs to find their friend.

The fillies turned the corner and walked into the room labeled "Sweeties Room." They saw the white filly with a needle and thread and two pieces of purple fabric. "Uhg!" The filly groaned in frustration. "I'll never be as good as Rarity! I need to learn how to get this stupid horn to work!" She said as she tapped a hoof against her white horn. "I'm sure Twilight could help ya with that." Apple Bloom spoke up. Sweetie Belle gasped and turned around. "Scootaloo! Apple Bloom!" The unicorn squealed with delight. "Ya know, ya'll should see Twilight if ya wanna learn spells." Apple Bloom suggested again.

"Well, I guess so. I do want to find my special talent, and Rarity says a unicorn does that by doing something that has to do with magic, like Rarity levitates things to make dresses. I think it would work!" Sweetie Belles face filled with a huge smile. "Yeah, that can be our crusading for today." Scootaloo suggested. "Hey, Scootaloo, what happened to your wing and forelegs?" Sweetie Belle questioned. "Oh well, uh...." "She had a bad landing on her flight test, but she still passed." Apple Bloom interrupted. The orange filly let out a sigh of relief. It was getting harder and harder to keep her secret in, she didn't want to lie to her friends. Hopefully some good, fun crusading will clear her mind.

"Well, that's good. Good that she passed her test, not that she got hurt of course!" Sweetie Belle said breaking the silence. "I guess we should get to Twilight's. I'm not gonna get my cutie mark just standing around here!" "Oh yeah, lets get going!" Apple Bloom said confidently. Scootaloo just nodded her head. They walked down the steps and to the door quickly. "By Rarity!" Sweetie Belle called. "Huh? What? Oh, um, yes dear. Have fun!" The white mare replied, clearly focused on her dress making. The three fillies nodded and walked out the door, onto the dirt path.

"So, Twilight is probably at her house, studying." Scootaloo said rolling her eyes. "Most likely." Sweetie Belle agreed. "Well, what are ya'll waiting for? Lets get to it!" Apple Bloom implied. They both nodded their heads and trotted off in the direction of the library.

A big tree house known as where the lavender unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, resided. They knocked a hoof on the wooden door. "Just a minute!" A voice sounded from inside. In a few seconds, a purple mare appeared at the door. "Oh, hello girls. Scootaloo! What happened? This is a lot more injuries than usual." Twilight questioned. The small peagasus was sick of having to tell the story over and over, every time lying to somepony. So she stayed silent, and so did Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.

Twilight Sparkle shuffled her hooves awkwardly. "Well, I guess you don't want to talk about it." The lavender unicorn eventually said. "Come on inside, and then you can tell me why you came." She said gesturing a hoof inside. The threesome walked inside the hollow tree house. They all sat down on a couch, and Twilight sad on a chair across from them. "So." The purple unicorn began. "Why are you here? To check out a book?" "Well. No. You see, I want to learn how to use magic. So, we came to you, because your the best unicorn we know at magic." Sweetie Belle explained.

Twilight Sparkle blushed slightly at the white fillies admiration. "Well...my books tell me you are old enough to begin using simple spells like levitation. Should we get started now? I know you three have crusading to do." Twilight suggested.
"Well, that IS our crusading for today." Scootaloo informed her. "Oh really? Well, okay. lets get started. You two can watch." The purple unicorn walked over to a book shelf and picked out a book with a yellow cover. Its title was "Simple spells for beginner unicorns."

She flipped a few pages with her magic and placed it carefully on the coffee table. "Levitation spell..." Sweetie Belle read. "Alright. Close your eyes, and imagine the book floating." Twilight instructed the filly. She did as she was told. She shut her eyes tight, but not too tight. "Rrrrggh..." Sweetie Belle let out a frustrated moan. But soon, a very light colored purple white light illuminated from Sweetie Belles horn. Her two friends and Twilight Sparkle gasped as the book slowly began to float off the table, but then it landed with a thud as Sweetie Belle opened her eyes and let out a big breath.

"D...Did I...Do it...?" Sweetie Belles voice came in tired rasps. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Now I know how proud Princess Celestia was when I preformed that spell!" Twilight's face lit up with a huge smile. Seeing happiness and for once, not ending up in a hospital or with scratches for their crusading missions, made Scootaloo forget about her secret, maybe it wouldn't be so hard to keep after all, as long as she had her friends.

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Secret of a Rainbow

Twilight Sparkle and Sweetie Belle practiced and practiced the levitation spell as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo watched in fascination. Then came the greatest moment of the whole teaching session.

"Alright Sweetie Belle. This time, your going to get to watch the levitation spell done by you!" Sweetie Belle looked confused. "You see, your going to keep your eyes open this time instead of closing them. Just do what I told you last time, just with your eyes open." The purple unicorn explained. "Oh, I get it. Let me try!" The white filly focused, and her light purple and white magic began to glow from her horn. The book slowly began to lift off the table, and she gasped in surprise.

"I did it! I did it!" Sweetie Belle squealed in delight as she walked around the room with the book following her. "Ah knew ya could do it!" Apple Bloom said. "Yeah, now you can use one spell, and maybe she can teach you another one!" Scootaloo suggested, wanting to keep her mind off the Rainbow Factory. "Oh, no girls. Its really late, see?" Twilight said levitating a clock over to her. "Eight o'clock!" The little pegasus screeched. "Yeah, we've been working on it a long time, you best hurry home!" Twilight said pushing them out the door.

They walked down the dirt path as Sweetie Belle levitated anything she could find like rocks, flowers, or scraps left behind.
They all yawned. "I guess we should go back home, no more crusading for today, and the doctor says I need rest." Scootaloo told her friends. "Well, okay." Sweetie Belle sighed. They waved good by and all went their separate ways. Scootaloo was lost deep in thought, luckily Apple Bloom said nothing.

She hoped greatly that she wouldn't have another nightmare when she went to bed. But Scootaloo already knew that having a nightmare again tonight was likely. Apple Blooms farm was a long way away, so the orange filly thought of how to keep her mind off of the horrible Rainbow Facility. Well, she had her friends, but that wasn't enough, she couldn't just forget it so easily. Maybe some good sleep will help. Or flying? No, she couldn't do that for another week. I guess she would have to settle for a lot of bed rest and sleep to help cope with her problem.

Many thoughts like this circled the fillies mind, and before she knew it, she was at her temporary home; Sweet Apple Acres. The two fillies walked through the entrance and onto the property. Applejack and Big Macintosh were already done with their farm work for the day, no where to be seen in the orchard. "Big Macintosh and Applejack are probably inside." Apple Bloom figured. "What? Oh, yeah. I guess." Scootaloo said, still thinking. "Scoot? Ya'll okay? Your acting weird." The yellow farm filly gave the pegasus a questioning look.

Sweat began to drip slowly from Scootaloo's forehead. "Nope, everything's great!" She gave a smile. "Scoot. Look at me." Apple Bloom demanded firmly. She looked at her friend. "There's nothing ya'll gotta hide from me. Ya can tell me anything." Scootaloo gulped. "I'm not hiding anything." The orange filly said lowering her head, not bearing to look her friend in the eye.

"Ya know, ever since ya came back from the flight test, ya'll been different. If ya can't tell me anything, then leave me alone!" Apple Bloom said trotting into the house. "Apple Bloom, wait!" But it was too late. The small filly ran into her house, slamming the door behind her, but luckily not locking it. The peagasus slowly walked over to the unlocked door. She opened it gently with a hoof. Inside she found a shocked Applejack, Big Macintosh and Granny Smith. "Whats gotten into that filly?" Granny Smith weakly asked. "Ah don't get why shes so mad and sad!" Applejack piped up. "Eeyup." Big Mac said as usual.

Scootaloo sighed. "Its because she thinks I'm hiding something from her, but I'm not. I think we both need some rest." Before anypony could respond she rushed upstairs and into her room. She flopped onto her bed, curled up, and fell into a deep, deep sleep.

Scootaloo, sure enough, had another nightmare. It wasn't as bad as the last one though. She was running through the confusing twists and turns and zig-zag halls of the Rainbow Facility. Rainbow Dash was right on her tail, catching up with her more and more, seemingly getting faster. "Leave me alone!" The orange filly yelled. "Never! Your spectrum will be beautiful, and you can't go around carrying the Cloudsdale name when you failed your flight test!" Rainbow Dash harshly replied. Scootaloo started to fly faster. She knew she had to get away.

But Rainbow Dash was too fast, she reached a hoof toward her tail, and grabbed it. The filly struggled, but Rainbow Dash was stronger. She was pulled away into the darkness, still struggling. "No! NO!!" She screamed as she was dragged.

She finally woke up, but she woke up screaming, to find Applejack by her side. "Scootaloo! Whats gotten in ta ya?" The farm pony said with a look of concern on her face. "Huh? What? Oh, just a...um, bad dream." The peagasus told her. "We all get those Sugar cube. Mind tellin' me what it was about? It will make ya feel better." Scootaloo's blood ran cold. Telling her what the nightmare was would reveal her secret, and what would Applejack think of one of her dearest friends as a murderer?

"No! I...I don't want to." Applejack looked at her with a confused look. "Why not? Ah won't be upset with ya'll. We all have crazy dreams, but they aren't real." But this nightmare was real, Rainbow Dash was a murderer, her wounds were not from a bad landing on her flight test, and getting dragged back to the second floor was real! "No, I...can't." Scootaloo managed to say. "What do ya mean ya can't?" Applejack protested. This was going no where. But she knew she shouldn't tell her about the rainbow factory.

"I told you I can't!" Scootaloo said, tears welling up in her eyes. "Well, alright then! Sorry, but ah thought it would help." Applejack said and turned to walk out of the room. "Ya can either get up, or get some rest sugar cube. Ah'll be out bucking apple trees." The farm pony walked out of the room. Soon, Scootaloo saw her from her window out on the apple orchard. The orange filly let out a sigh of relief.

She knew she couldn't go back to sleep, she'd just have another nightmare, wake up screaming, then she would really have to explain herself. If she kept on having nightmares, then the secret would just spill out, which she so desperately wanted to happen, so all this could end, but she didn't want anypony to find out, it would be chaos! "Maybe....just maybe....I could tell Apple Bloom? Other wise I won't sleep for weeks. She can keep a secret!" Scootaloo reassured herself.

She got out of bed and walked to the door next to her, seeing the familiar sign that had the name Apple Bloom on it. She gently opened it with one hoof, knowing that the door was really creaky and old, but she was supposed to get a new door soon. The door made a small creak, but not too loud, and there was enough room for Scootaloo to slip through the small opening in the door. Apple Bloom was up, which was a surprise to the orange filly. She was staring out the window, watching Applejack on the apple orchard.

"Apple Bloom? What are you doing up so early?" The pegasus questioned. She simply just looked at her, obviously still mad. "Your still mad huh?" Apple Bloom nodded. "That's what I came here for." She informed her friend. "Sit down, this is gonna take a while." They both sat down on the white bed with a apple shape stitched onto it. "So. The reason I've been acting so weird lately is because I didn't really pass my flight test. I escaped from the Rainbow Factory. I know this sounds crazy, but they kill pegasi for spectrum there. Rainbow Dash is the boss there. I've been having horrible nightmares about it.

I escaped, but I can never return to Cloudsdale because of it. Or else they'll send me back and I'll be back. Also, the cuts and bruises are because I almost did get killed, but I broke free from the chains, thanks to training with Rainbow Dash. So, now you know, can you understand?"

Apple Bloom looked at her with a scared and surprised look on her face. "I understand why ya couldn't tell me. Ah know Ya have never lied to me before, but Ah'm having a hard time believing ya. But ah think ah'm gonna believe ya, cause that explains the cuts and scrapes, ah knew a cloud couldn't do that much damage." The two hugged each other. "But you can't tell anypony. If I wake up screaming, its because of a nightmare. Come wake me up, I don't want Applejack coming in, otherwise I'd have to tell her the secret. That's one of the last ponies I want to tell."

"Ah promise!"

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Secret of a Rainbow

After Scootaloo told Apple Bloom everything, she felt like she had a huge weight off her back. Like telling somepony would resolve the issue. She knew that wasn't true, but she held on to that thought. The purple haired filly just hoped that her friend Apple Bloom could keep the secret, knowing how hard it was for her to keep the secret in the first place. If she told Sweetie Belle, Sweetie Belle could tell Rarity, and Rarity was one of Rainbow Dash's dearest friends, and one of the elements of harmony.

The pegasus still couldn't quite understand that Dash would commit something as treacherous as murder, her being the Element of Loyalty. Committing murder and lying to her best friends certainly wasn't loyal at all. But then again, none of this made any sense. But at least she could maybe sleep again. She decided she could trust Apple Bloom, being one of her best friends, and never breaking a promise. Scootaloo held onto that thought, the only link to her sanity, that, and her good memories of crusading that she had to think constantly about now.

The orange filly was tired, but she couldn't fall asleep. She was afraid she would have another nightmare if she managed to fall asleep again. The sun was starting to rise in the east, bringing comforting sunlight into the small bedroom. It wasn't enough to forget about her fears, but it was enough for the filly to have a smile on her face. She got up out of bed, seeming hungry all of a sudden. Scootaloo figured to go wake Apple Bloom.

She opened the door, not caring if it creaked or not anymore. To her surprise, when she whipped the door open, there wasn't the slightest creak. "Maybe I should have done that the first time." Scootaloo whispered. Apple Bloom was just getting up. The yellow earth filly stretched and yawned. She got to her hooves, and opened her eyes. "Oh, hey Scoot. Ah was just about to come and wake ya up. We got another big day of crusading ahead of us!" Apple Bloom said with joy, grabbing her Cutie Mark Crusader cape. "Oh yeah! I brought my cape too. I better go get that."

Scootaloo could focus more on crusading instead of keeping her secret to herself, and not letting it slip out, and so far Apple Bloom was doing a good job keeping it. The orange filly went inside her temporary room and grabbed her saddlebag. She figured that she should just bring her whole saddlebag. But first she opened it and but her cape on, then put her bag on her back, then trotted out of the room. Scootaloo found her red haired friend standing in the small hallway.

"Listen, Scoot. Ah now its probably hard knowing yer mentor is a murderer, but ah know that it would make it worse if ah tell anypony. Ah'll try my best to keep yer secret." Apple Bloom said with softness and understanding in her eyes. "Thanks. I knew I could count on you." Scootaloo replied. She knew that if she told one of her closest friends, it would be okay. "But just one thing." Apple Bloom interrupted the orange ones thoughts. "We can't tell Sweetie Belle. She's the worst at keeping secrets. But if ah start acting weird around her, ah'll tell her the secret. There's no point in hiding this!" The yellow filly said looking side to side.

"Your right. Why don't we just tell her in the first place? I can't live with this secret anymore! I mean, I'm just a filly. No filly should have the slightest thought about any of this!" Scootaloo said, letting it all spill out of her mouth. "We have to tell Sweetie Belle, then she'll tell everypony even if we don't tell her to." "Scoot, ah don't think that would be a good idea." Apple Bloom insisted. "No, I don't care what you say. We need to do this. I'll begin to become like Rainbow Dash if I live with this any longer, insane." Scootaloo persisted. "Well, ah don't wanna see that happen to one of my closest friends. Ah guess we'll have ta do it."

"So. That's the story. I didn't really pass my flight test.... I almost got killed in the Rainbow Facility, and they really kill innocent ponies there. The bruises and scars are from breaking free of the chains, not from a bad landing from the test. A cloud can't REALLY do that much damage. So now you know, but you can't tell a single soul about this." Scootaloo told Sweetie Belle after finishing her story about the Rainbow Factory.

The white unicorn filly sat there in silence for a moment. The only thing they could hear was the soothing birds chirping, and the breeze rustling their hair and the trees green leaves from outside. Then she finally spoke. "Guys! I can't handle this secret, you should know that! I need to tell Rarity!" Sweetie Belle ran out of her room before Scootaloo or Apple Bloom could respond. They tried to run after her, but thanks to her new levitation spell, she closed and locked her door from the outside in a fraction of the normal time.

The two fillies banged on the door. "No, ya can't do this! Ya can't tell Rarity, what will she think of Rainbow Dash after ya tell her!" Apple Bloom yelled through the door. "Yeah! She's right!" Scootaloo agreed. But Sweetie Belle ignored their pleas. "I'll let you out after I'm done telling Rarity the whole story!" She called. "No!" The two fillies said in unison. The white unicorn went down the stairs and into Rarity's dress making room.

"Rarity! Rarity!" Sweetie Belle called. "What is it NOW Sweetie Belle?" Rarity's annoyed voice came from the other side of the room. "Rarity! I need to tell you something!" "Okay, but don't take too long. I need to finish five dresses for a prestigious top-notch fashion magazine in Canterlot. Go ahead, tell your story." Rarity said looking back at her sewing machine. "I'll sew while you speak." Sweetie Belle began her story, starting with what they do with the failures in Cloudsdale, then onto the Rainbow Facility. She told her about what happened to Scootaloo, and where Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were right now.

Rarity's emerald eyes were wide open in shock. "No. Rainbow Dash couldn't be a murderer! She is the element of loyalty, no matter the cost, she would tell us!" The purple haired unicorn said looking away. "I don't know, but Scootaloo didn't get hurt on her flying test, a cloud can't to much damage." Sweetie Belle informed her. "Well, if you didn't want the secret to get out, you made a mistake telling me. I must tell my other friends, its the only way to save Rainbow Dash from further mental illness." Rarity said and trotted out the door.

"Rarity! Wait! You can't do that!" The younger sibling called out, but it was too late. The older mare was now in full trot, heading in the direction of Twilight Sparkles house. She heard banging on the door, from upstairs. "Oh no! I forgot about Apple Bloom and Scootaloo!" The white filly ran upstairs and to her bedroom door, unlocking it with her magic. The two fillies came running out.

"How could you do that! I thought we could trust you, even if you aren't the best at keeping secrets!" Scootaloo said in fury. "Scoots right. What'll happen now?" Apple Bloom chimed in. "I know, you guys were right. I'm really sorry. But we have more problems, Rarity is going to tell Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie pie, and Twilight about Rainbow Dash's big secret!" Sweetie Belle said with a look of fear. "We have to stop her!" Scootaloo said. They all nodded their heads and then trotted down the stairs and out the door, pursuing the unicorn mare, Rarity.

Chapter 6

"I can't believe this! My dear friend Rainbow Dash, a murderer? I don't even know if its true or not, but that does explain Scootaloo's scars and bruises." Rarity said as she began to trot faster. She was nearly to Twilight Sparkle's house. Then she could tell her the secret. This was for the best, they needed to help their friend, because she needed it. Rarity knocked on Twilight Sparkle's door. A lavender unicorn appeared at the door step when the door opened.

"Hello Rarity. Is there anything I can help you with?" The Canterlot pony said with her usual tone and greeting. "I need to tell you something very important! I'm not sure if its true or not, but it involves Rainbow Dash, she needs our help." Rarity explained. "Rainbow Dash? I haven't seen her around lately. Is she hurt?" Twilight said with a new tone of concern. "Well, no. Its a long story, actually..." The white mares voice trailed off. "Please, come in. Tell me the whole story." Twilight said gesturing a hoof.

Rarity gave a weak smile and whispered a thanks and walked into the hollow tree home. The two sat down on the couch, Twilight Sparkle looking at her anxiously. "Well, lets see...where should I begin....Well, first things first, Scootaloo didn't really have a bad landing on her flight test. She failed it. Then she was sent to a place in Cloudsdale called the Rainbow Factory, known for making rainbows. What, nopony knows actually is how they make the rainbows exactly. Its a horrible way, and Scootaloo almost faced that horrible fate. It was death, killing peagasai who failed their flight test for spectrum, then made rainbows out of them. Fortunately, she escaped. The big spectrum machine needed repairs, and training with Rainbow Dash must of made Scootaloo stronger. Then she tried so hard to keep the secret, not to tell anypony. But it just spilled out! Sweetie Belle told me, and shes not making this up, I knew something was wrong with that filly when I saw her return from her flight test." Rarity told Twilight what she wanted; the whole story.

Twilight's eyes were full of fear, shock and concern. "How could I not know about this! But how could it be true? Surely Rainbow Dash couldn't do such a vile thing! Let me see, I think I have a book on the Rainbow Factory somewhere in here...." The purple unicorn said looking through the many shelves. "Aha! Here it is!" She said after a good five minutes. She opened the book with her magic. "Lets see....It says here, that in the Rainbow Factory, peagasai mix spectrum in vats together, forming a rainbow along with the help of some unicorn magic. Many flight schools visit this place for education on the making of rainbows in Equestria. However, the second floor is strictly forbidden for entrance to the public. Nopony knows why, but it seems they are hiding something behind the doors of the second floor..." Her voice trailed off as she mumbled the rest to herself.

"How could ponies not even ask what goes on there!" Rarity wailed. "They simply ignore it, somepony could have stopped this! A worker, maybe!" "Well, I don't know. But the story Sweetie Belle told you must be true if they really are hiding something on the second floor. I think we should consult Princess Celestia about this issue." Twilight announced. "But we must get the others first." "Then lets go!" Rarity said full of confidence. "We have no time to loose!" The pair of unicorns charged out the door, looking for their other three other friends.

"Ahem. Everypony, we have gathered you all here today to tell you about the Rainbow Factory."

Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were almost to where they were now, they already checked all their houses, so they went to the main six's usual picnic and gathering spot.

"Horrible things happen there! They kill innocent peagasai, just because they have failed their flight test!"

They were almost there, soon, Scootaloo would show them living proof.

"I know its crazy, but our dear friend Rarity told me this!" murmurs ran through the crowd of three ponies.

The group began to come into view, soon she would show them that the Rainbow Factory is real!

"Stop!" Scootaloo yelled as she interrupted Twilight. Everyone gasped. "What shes saying is true! I escaped from the Rainbow Factory, and a bad landing on a cloud cannot cause this much damage! We need to stop this!" Scootaloo said letting her feelings spill out. "But...Why wouldn't ya tell us this?" Applejack piped up. Because I didn't know how you would think as Rainbow Dash as a murderer. Your her best friends." Scootaloo told her. "Rainbow Dash? A murderer? Is this true?" She looked up at Twilight and Rarity. They nodded their heads, as did all of the cutie mark crusaders. "Dashie? A murderer? I'm not very happy with her!" Pinkie pie spoke.

"Oh....my... Surely the princess wouldn't allow this...." Fluttershy said in a very soft tone. "That's it! We need to tell the princess! She'll do something about this!" Twilight spoke up. "She already knows, and she allows it. She handed the job of making rainbows over to the peagasai when she had to control the moon when Princess Luna left for one thousand years on the moon." Scootaloo announced, followed by a long pause. "But....But...she's so nice and sweet, and cares for other creatures....Surely she wouldn't allow murder of ponies? I.....need to find out.....for myself...." Twilight ran off in the direction of the royal city of Canterlot in tears. "Wait!" The other four friends called out to her. But it was too late. She was running faster than ever before.

"Ya'll stay here. We gotta go help, Rainbow Dash needs our help. Come on ya'll!" Applejack told her friends. They nodded, and they trotted off after the lavender unicorn. Of course, the cutie mark crusaders didn't listen, as usual. The three fillies went after the mares after they were out of sight. The journey had begun for all of them.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Secret of a Rainbow

The group of mares were trotting further and further towards their goal. They didn't even stop to catch their breath. They needed to be there as soon as possible. As they were running, they knew more and more failures were getting killed. They had no time to loose. The royal city came into view as they picked up their pace. "T...Twilight? What do....you think....the princess will think about this?" Fluttershy said out of breath, starting to fly. "I....don't know..." The purple unicorn replied. "Ah think we'll...just have to see." Applejack chimed in.

Canterlot was very close to them now. Just a couple more miles, and they would be in the city. They picked up their pace even more, they needed to get there. The cutie mark crusaders were now close behind Fluttershy, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie pie and Rarity. "We've caught up to them!" Scootaloo said with joy. "Ah think ya'll being there will get them to stop this kinda thing!" Apple Bloom said with a smile. "Yeah! They need all the help they can get!" Sweetie Belle said. They began to trot faster, nearly by the group of mares side.

The elements of harmony charged into the city, the three fillies following behind. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were running out of breath. Luckily for them, the mares stopped. "Anypony hear something behind us?" Twilight Sparkle asked her friends. They all nodded their heads yes. They all looked behind them. "Apple Bloom!" Applejack yelled at her younger sister. "Oh, Sweetie Belle! Why did you come her with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom?" Rarity whined. "Ya'll need all the help ya can get big sis. Having Scootaloo with ya might get them to realize that what they're doing is wrong!" Apple Bloom replied.

"Yeah!" Sweetie Belle told Rarity. Applejack and Pinkie pie chuckled a little. "Well, ah guess we didn't consider that!" The farm pony said nudging the pink earth pony. "Ah think it'll help a lot. Now come on everypony! We've got no time ta lose!" Applejack said. The Cutie Mark Crusaders and The Elements of Harmony began walking toward the royal palace, which wasn't too far from where they were.

On the stone ground, their hooves made a clicking sound. Walking gave them a chance to catch their breath too. Nopony spoke, all they did was take heavy breaths. The white. purple and gold castle was coming closer and closer into their point of view. They walked up to the gates, and met two royal guards guarding the gates of the castle. "Halt! Who goes there?" The guard on the left spoke in the royal Canterlot tone.

"I am Twilight Sparkle, the princess's royal student. These are my friends." Twilight said gesturing a hoof toward the bunch of ponies. "May we come in? We need to report something to Princess Celestia." The two guards looked at each other and nodded. "You may pass." The one on the right said. The gates opened, and the five mares and three fillies walked through.

Scootaloo began to look nervous. "Hey, Scoot, ya'll alright?" Apple Bloom asked. "Well, not really. What if I get sent back to the Rainbow Factory? What if I get killed?" Sweat began dripping down the orange fillies forehead. "Don't be silly Scootaloo. The princess is understanding and would never do such a thing." Twilight Sparkle chimed in, taking notice of their conversation. "Well....okay...." The peagasus replied, but still a little uneasy.

They were now walking through the inside of the huge palace. Everypony stared in amazement at all the beautiful vases, pillars and royal artifacts. This soothed Scootaloo a bit. At the head of a long hall, sat Princess Celestia on a bright pink and gold throne. "Hello Twilight. I was informed you have come to tell me something? You even brought The Cutie Mark Crusaders, but where is Rainbow Dash?" The white alicorn said with a look of concern.

Scootaloo gulped. She approached the princess. "Um....shes at....the R-Rainbow Factory." She stammered. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle gasped. "Well, yes. That is her job, to help with the making of rainbows and the weather patrol, nothing more." Celestia said taking a sip of tea from the side table. "No! Its more than that! Just because a peagasus fails his or her flying test, doesn't mean that his or her should be killed!" Scootaloo yelled. The princess nearly spit out her tea. Sweat was now dripping down her forehead. All of them knew something was up.

"Princess? Is this....true?" Twilight said looking deep into Celestia's rose eyes. "Why should I hide it? Yes, it is true." Everypony gasped. "You see, when Luna was banished, I had to take control of rising the sun and the moon, and I couldn't make the rainbows anymore. I didn't have enough magic. So I handed the job over to Cloudsdales weather patrol. They devised a plan that would make beautiful rainbows that were real, and much better quality than when a unicorn made one. It was sick, but I accepted it and allowed it. Then Luna came back. I couldn't stop the rainbow production then, because then a lot of ponies would loose their jobs, the building would be demolished, and the secret of the killings would get out. What kind of princess would I be then?" Celestia said letting tears flow from her eyes.

"But.....can't we use unicorns to make rainbows instead? The ponies in the factory could just mix the spectrum. They wouldn't lose their jobs, they would just have a different job! Please? I don't want this happening." Scootaloo said. "I....never thought of it that way...." "Then Rainbow Dash IS a murderer? How could she!" Rarity chimed in. "Because I made her!" The princess retorted. Twilight and the others gasped at her sudden remark. "I'm sorry....but....I made her. I made her become a murderer. Don't be mad at her, be mad at me." Celestia told them. "But....Rainbow Dash is the element of loyalty...." Fluttershy pointed out.

"Yes, but I still made her." She informed. The rest stayed silent. "You had no choice princess. What would Equestria be without rainbows?" "No! I did have a choice. I could have said no to the weather patrols idea, but instead I said yes. I could have prevented this. This is all my fault. I need to fix it." Celestia flew to the balcony, where all of Canterlot could be seen. "Attention! Attention citizens!" Everypony looked up at their princess. They all gathered at the castle gates, murmurings rippling through the crowd.

"The only time she announces something is when something horrible happens! Not once was it ever something good." A elderly purple earth pony said. "Whats she gonna say?" A blue unicorn asked her friend. "Silence!" Princess Celestia yelled at the top of her lungs. The murmurs quickly stopped. "Now, I have gathered you all here today to reveal a devastating secret." Scootaloo watched in horror as her secret would be announced to all of Equestria. What if somepony working for the Rainbow Factory was listening if the princess announced that Scootaloo escaped? What if Rainbow Dash was listening? But she didn't stop her, she would be embarrassed in front of hundreds of ponies.

"Most of you pegasai know about The Rainbow Factory. The place where the rainbows are made. But what you all don't know about it is HOW exactly they make the spectrum for them. Most of you think unicorns help, but that is not the case. They kill peagasai, the ones who fail their flight test. Scootaloo almost faced this horrible fate, but she escaped. Rainbow Dash is the boss of the Rainbow Facility, and is also Scootaloo's mentor. Rainbow Dash IS a murderer, but do not be angry with her, be angry with me. I made her do it, she had no choice." Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd. Some cried, knowing some of their siblings or family members had failed the test and that's where they were sent.

"Ah can't believe its come to this." Applejack said, lowering her head. "Whats gonna happen to Dashie!" Pinkie pie said, a fresh tear flowing down her cheek.

"So, do what you want with me." The princess announced. "This isn't true!" Said a green pony. "The princess wouldn't lie to us about something like this! She has never lied!" A brown unicorn said. "But, wait!" The murmurs stopped again. "We are going to stop this! At all costs!" Scootaloo's eyes lit up, as well as the others. She stepped away from the balcony, the ponies below cheering. "Lets get to the Rainbow Facility."

Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Secret of a Rainbow

Princess Celstia was riding in one royal chariot, The Elements of Harmony and The Cutie Mark Crusaders in another. "Time ta confront those monsters!" Applejack retorted. "Well, Rainbow Dash isn't a monster." Fluttershy pointed out. "Well, yeah." Applejack said blushing a bit. "This has really gotten to you, huh Applejack?" Twilight Sparkle questioned. "Ah just hate to see this happening." Applejack replied. They all stayed silent, lost deep in thought. They didn't know what was going to happen.

In the other chariot, Princess Celestia was all alone. Except for the guards, but they were in the front flying. She was too lost deep in thought. She sighed as the chariot soared through white clouds.

"So are you saying that you still don't get why Rainbow Dash 'had' to kill ponies?" Twilight Sparkle asked Rarity. "Yes! I mean, why did she absolutely HAVE to do it? What would Celestia have done to her if she didn't?" Rarity replied. "Ah bet its just cause if she wanted to kill her, she would have if she wasn't the element of loyalty!" Applejack said harshly. She was the element of loyalty, she was expressing her true feelings.

"Applejack! The Princess had good reason!" retorted Twilight. "Yeah! What would Equestria be without rainbows? That's how I discovered my cutie mark!" Pinkie pie piped up. "See?" Twilight added. "Well, ah guess, but she could'a prevented it." The other friends just shook their heads. Applejack was going to have to have time to recover from this sudden news of her friend being a murderer. They all fell silent again. No pony talked for the rest of the way, Scootaloo still lost deep in thought, completely ignoring what the five other friends just said. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were patting her back as she curled into a ball.

Cloudsdale was starting to come into view now. At first it looked like a white splotch. But then it became more clearer. Scootaloo looked out the window. Seeing Cloudsdale brought back horrible memories of riding in the bus into the Rainbow Facility. She couldn't look, she curled back up. The two chariots landed on the cloud city. Princess Celestia walked out and murmurs were sent through a crowd of ponies. Twilight Sparkle cast the spell where earth ponies and unicorns could walk on clouds on every pony except Fluttershy.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders stayed put. "Girls? Are you coming?" Twilight asked. "Ah think we'll stay here with Scoot." Apple Bloom replied. "But-" Twilight was cut short when Celestia spoke. "Leave her there. She would be a threat to our entrance. They'll take her away to kill her." She whispered in the purple unicorns ear. She cast the cloud spell on Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, nodded and walked off with her other friends.

The Rainbow Facility started to come into view. It was a shorter walk than they thought. They looked up at the massive building. Something like a scream could be heard. A chill of sheer horror ran down Twilight's spine. "You know, if you want to get up there, your going to need some wings." Princess Celestia said. "You don't mean...." "Oh, I mean." Rarity's face lit up with excitement. The princess's horn started to glow, and a brilliant burst of light appeared, blinding the other ponies for a minute. When they could all see, Applejack, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie pie all had wings.

Twilight's were lavender with a white outline, and were shaped like a phoenix's wings. "They're beautiful!" She exclaimed. Rarity's were the butterfly ones from the time they visited here for the best flyers competition. Applejack's were orange with a tinge of red. They were shaped a little like a maple leaf. "Well, golly! Nice!" Applejack said. Pinkie pie's were like Twilight's, only bright pink. "I've always wanted to fly!" Pinkie pie said with excitement. "Alright my little ponies, fly!" They flapped their wings as best they could. "Hey, this is pretty easy!" Said Pinkie pie.

Before they knew it, the mares were soaring through the air, and they landed gracefully on the cloud above. "Woo! That was fun!" Exclaimed the pink mare. "Yeah!" Twilight said. "Ah never knew that flying would be that fun!" Applejack agreed. "You'll get to fly again soon. Lets focus on getting in the factory." The princess said seriously. They all nodded their heads and walked into the factory. The first floor was open to the public, but when they went up to the second floors entrance, they found two suited ponies blocking the entrance.

Even though it was the princess, they didn't let her through. She gave them a look, staring deep into their eyes. Her horn started to glow, and there was a burst of light. The suited ponies looked dizzy. They quickly fell to the ground, unconcious. The others gasped, but Twilight looked rather impressed. The doors opened, and what they saw was horrible. Ponies from Cloudsdale in lines, getting thrown into vats and ear piercing screams were heard all around.

A pony in a black mask was standing on a balcony. The Elements couldn't believe their eyes. The tail was rainbow, and the hoofs were cyan. When she glanced over, the unmistakable kind loving rose eyes stared at them. Though these eyes were not kind and loving. They had no compassion, and no emotion. When she saw the ponies getting killed, she didn't care. Though sometimes she shed a tear, as if part of her didn't want this. "Dash! No! Don't do this!" Applejack yelled, flying over to Dash.

Rainbow Dash took off her mask. "Applejack? I'm so glad your here, I've been having to work overtime on this horrible job! Its truly awful, seeing ponies get killed. I was about to go completely insane! I....I don't wanna be here!" The cyan mare cried into the orange earth ponies shoulder. Applejack patted her friends back. "Its okay...Its alright. Princess Celestia said ya'll not gonna have to do this job anymore. We've thought of a way to do this without killing ponies." She informed her. "Really? But....No! Stop! Shut up, shut up!" Applejack looked scared.

"Dash? Are ya okay?" Applejack was beginning to look very confused and scared. "Ya see....uhg...There's these stupid voices in my head....that tell me its okay to kill ponies....rrgh...I went to see a therapist and he said the only way.....to get away from the voices was to get away from whatever is causing the stress! Nrgh......You....have to get away from here.....while you still can! I don't....want to h-hurt you!" "No! Ah'm gonna....get you outta here!" Applejack grabbed Dash by the neck and flew with all her might over to the princess and the other elements of harmony.

"Let me go! No! She's gonna save me! Killing ponies is fine! You need to stay here! No! Its....its wrong!" Rainbow Dash was now having a conversation with the voices in her head. The failures below saw her talking to herself though. Applejack was now hovering above the group. She landed and let go of Rainbow Dash. "Get....get me outta here! No! You must stay! Kill! Shut up!" Rainbow Dash was trying to drag herself out.

Princess Celestia stared in horror. "I....didn't...realize how much damage I caused on this innocent pony...." She said. "You better believe it! No! She had no choice!" The five friends dragged their friend out of the horrible environment. "I'm....free....I think it worked..." Dash gasped. "Wait, I'll be back." Twilight Sparkle teleported to Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "Your safe now. Rainbow Dash is out." Scootaloo's eyes filled with fear. "No! I'm not gonna go out there!" Before she could run away, Twilight pounced on the three fillies and teleported all of them at once.

Scootaloo found herself next to Rainbow Dash. She tried to run, but she picked her up in an embracing hug. She was very surprised. "I...I thought you went insane!" Scootaloo said flailing. "No, no squirt! It was because I was in that factory all the time. Its okay." Dash said. "Now I won't have to worry so much anymore!" Scootaloo replied, embracing the hug.

"I think I have an announcement to make." Celestia told them. She walked over to the end of the cloud where every pony could see her. "If any of you know, the rainbows are made out of the failures of the flight test! Its not right! I made Rainbow Dash do it. But this shall not happen no more! What we will do, is go back to having unicorns make them!" Murmurs of surprise rippled through a crowd of ponies, then finally cheers. Celestia's voice was so loud that the workers from the factory came out. "We don't have to kill anymore ponies?" A yellow one said. "We don't have to get killed!" A pink failure said.

They too cheered. "Hang on squirt." Dash flew into the air, and preformed a sonic rainboom. Scootaloo's eyes were filled with joy. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom patted her friend on the back. "I knew that we didn't have to do this, killing ponies is wrong. Now I won't have to live with the secret of a rainbow."