Dash's Distortion

by Rewan Demontay

Rating: teen
Tags: Horror, Violence, Alternate Universe, Twilight Sparkle, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Rainbow Dash
Length: 1102

Despite being the Element of Loyalty, even Rainbow Dash can be twisted.

As the newly donned Element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash is entrusted to protect Equestria. What that means, however, can be skewed. A new acquaintance reveals a friend in a different light, leading her down a dark path.

This was written for "A Thousand Words Contest II".

Published 2023-06-14 00:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2023-06-14 00:20:01 UTC

Judgement

Rainbow’s jaw clenched.

What is wrong?

“I’ve realized you’re right.

Are you sure? Two weeks is-

“I am confident.”

My unjustified concerns-

“No, you’re right.”

What now?

“She tried to take power. We must protect the princess.”

Conversation

Yawning, Dash tucked in. The void appeared.

How is the fourth week?

“The heat spell drains me.”

Ah, I teach well.

“Yep.”

How are your friends?

“Desperate…, depressed…. ”

*You must feel bad.

“It… is necessary.”

Only truth matters.

Rainbow returned to lucidity

Black tendrils crept through her room.

Strengthend

The Wonderbolts’ lobby echoed. Looking up, Spitfire smirked. “Again? You-” Her faze froze.

“You there?”

“Your feathers…”

“Oh, these?” Rainbow flashed her wings, embroidered with black feathers.

“Feels concerning?”

“Loyalty magic and monthslong training.”

Nodding, Spitfire looked over Rainbow’s application. “Welcome aboard, ‘Shadow Bolt.’”

Despite Rainbow’s unnerving smile, Spitfire saw exponentialimprovement.

Somehow.

Glimmer

Frustration swelled. “Nothing is working!”

Take away her sense of self.

Awaking, Rainbow grabbed scissors and sped off.

She silently snipped Twilight’s mane.

Eventually, a word. "You deserve nothing."

Twilight spoke with compassion. “You can still-”

“I’ve told you not to!-” Anger flaring, Rainbow accidentally stabbed Twilight’s shoulder. "-Sorry!”

Twilight chose to conserve energy for coagulation. Rainbow lightly patched the wound and then provided water. Parched, she accepted. Was not speaking a mistake?

As Rainbow stole her magic to heal the injury, Twilight swore Rainbow’s shadow flickered.

Elevation

The void materialized.

What’s her status?

“Four months in, she clings on!”

Unusual.

“We need… drastic measures.”

That…. is a dark path.

“You’ve taught me well, no?

Indeed.

“Then understand.”

I do.

“Then we do it.”

Of course.

Control

Twilight could hardly breathe. Gurgling in, gasping out, of icy water.

“It’s not late-” She went in.

"Admission is less tortuous!”

“Please-”

“What? Change my ways?!”

Suddenly, Twilight decrepitly stared. Scarred, deprived, yet still hoping. “Yes.”

Enraged, Rainbow dunked Twilight until she blacked out.

Weaving

The Element of Magic’s crown sat in Rainbow’s room. Tendrils explored it. It required its power. Access would be difficult.

But first, her host needed modification. Focusing Twilight’s magic, she furtively inflicted the pegasus.

Blaze

Dash structured kindling materials. Twilight somnolently watched. She felt her magic drain, unwillingly causing ignition. Yellow flames licked and sizzled. Dark gleams in Rainbow’s eyes reflected dancing fire.

“You refuse to comply.”

“You… don't….” Twilight struggled to talk. “You… mustn't..”

“You’ve left me no choice."

Though weakened, Twilight fought on as the heat came closer. But to no avail. She coughed profusely, dragged into smoke.

Cast into the inferno, her left face peeled. The searing flesh reddened in the heat. Her left vision burned out as she screamed into unconsciousness.

Affliction

That night, nightmares besieged a convulsing Rainbow. Mysterious gray wisps wafted from her heart. Giggling jubilation sounded. Tendrils emerged from the crowns.

They struck.

Merging with the gray mist, dark light pulsated as essence funneled into the sleeping pegasus. Blue sparks erupted in futile resistance. The seeping soon finished

Reams of corruption, fully ripened.

Resplendence

Twilight breathed slowly. Thunder sounded outside. With her good eye, she scanned the basement. Dust exposed flesh stung. Positive thinking was the key,

Alone and weakened, she had to fight on. No matter the pain. She laughed wretchedly in boredom. It almost felt numb…

A surprise burst of air lashed at her. Electricity and smoke dissipated. An alicorn appeared chanting; earrings jangled.

Abruptly, Twilight felt violently shaken to her core. The horn ring disintegrated. Spotting her chance… nothing happened. Her magic was gone.

As Twilight's mind scrambled, the princesses teleported in, furious.

“I am Dark Resplendence,” the creature grinned.

They spoke together. “We fight together."

She cackled. “I’ve a pegasus and your beloved student. They might... die!"

Dark Resplendence laughed uncontrollably as they hesitated.

Twilight quivered in fear.

You shall die. And I win.

Author's Note

If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading. This took far, far longer than it should have been for a mere one thousand words. It is as pristine as it will be.

It would have been too grand a story idea to type out in a long draw, so meticulously crafting it in short form felt right. Much lies in inference, so consider it a miniature story.

Transformation

Groaning, Rainbow rolled out of bed. She felt lighter than usual. Looking in the mirror proved nothing. Yesterday’s spell might be the cause. Doubting her resolve would not. Still, something else felt off.

Moving her hoof to the mirror, it phased through. Rainbow felt weightless. Glancing again, she gasped. It couldn’t be her. She couldn’t move.

Yet her slim wings unfurled. Her body was regally sized and sleek. Bodily magic leaked. An inky-rainbow mane waved autonomously. A horn spiraled. Glowing cyan eyes combined with a smirk.

Thank you.

“How-”

Last we met, I partially imbued my soul. Farewell!

With a boom, Rainbow felt herself vanish.

Everything went blank.

Awakening

Rainbow wearily flew home from Summer Sun Celebration cleaning. Setting her elemental crown down, she fell asleep. Under midnight’s moonlight, an icy presence breathed to life. She awoke to a void, shuddering.

“Who’s there?!”

An acquaintance with a question.

“Creepy... But ask.”

What is loyalty?

“Helping others, staying true. Why ask?”

I fear your friend isn’t.

“I doubt that!”

I’ll show you.

Specific memories cycled.

I’m afraid she’s using you.

“That… can’t be right…”

Crossroads

The morning newspaper arrived, disturbing many. Rainbow read nervously; she sighed in relief. Trekking away, she reached an abandoned building. Going down a stairwell, she brought a rod.

Basement lights brightened. The rod violently swung, tipping a metal chair. Twilight awoke, chained and bleeding.

Panicked eyes widened. "Dash? What?!"

Another swing. "Pity. I believed you were good, taking down Nightmare Moon."

"What?” she cried in pain. “We defeated-”

Rainbow bashed a knee. “A sloppy attempted usurpation! Your ploys don’t phase me.”

She leaned in, tapping the ring on a writhing Twilight’s horn

“You’ll confess-” Dash motioned to her earrings. "-And your power is mine."

The room became feezing. Twilight shook with visible breath. The door shut her in darkness.

Cyan eyes watched.

Tension

“This isn’t you. Let me help-”

Rainbow slapped. “You can help me..”

Twilight’s voice cracked. "The Element of Loyalty-"

"I am loyal, unlike you!”

"That's not what it means!"

The rod rammed Twilight's face. "Wrong!”

“Why would I-”

Dash hooved Twilight. “Shut it!”

"You're confused!” Twilight wailed.

"Stop your snake tongue!” Rainbow generated small bolts and struck.

Twilight’s defiant gaze remained despite mild electrocution. As it happened, she saw a cyan sheen blaze over Dash’s eyes.