Equestria Noir
Side Story
“Raiden Rainbow”
Perspective: Rainbow Dash
I tapped my hoof impatiently as I sat in my living room. I used to live all by myself until I took Scootaloo in while her grandma is recovering at the hospital. You gotta love that kid. She was so polite the first day I brought her in. You’d think my home was Canterlot Castle the way she walked in it.
Right now though I just wish she’d hurry up. Raiden was going to appear on TV for the first time since he moved to Ponyville. I’ll admit I’m kind of wondering what he’ll say about me. I mean he did save Scootaloo last week with that awesome lightning bolt. Since then he’s started living in Ponyville waiting for me every time I flew down from Cloudsdale.
We talked about a lot of stuff; you know the Wonderbolts, his career in music, and just how awesome we both are. I felt like I hit the gold mine with this one. I mean he’s kind of cute, knows a lot about flying, and is just plain awesome all tog-
“Rainbow Dash, are you blushing?” I heard a voice speak next to me
I gasped and looked over. I let out a breath when I realized it was only squirt. Her violet eyes looked up at me curiously. I never told squirt about how I felt about Raiden. I wasn't about to lose my cool now.
“I uh, just had some hot sauce earlier…anyways how was school today?” I said quickly to change the subject
“It was alright I guess” She said setting her saddlebags on the floor. “Rainbow can I ask you something?”
“Sure kid” I said smiling at her “You know you can tell me anything”
It was squirt’s turn to blush now “Can you keep a secret?”
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye” I said making the motions of the pinkie promise. You never broke one of those if you wanted to keep your soul. Applejack learned that the hard way…
Scootaloo scooted (no pun intended) over to me and motioned for me to move closer. I leaned in and got close to her. She met my eyes and confessed “Tailspin kissed me…”
“You what?!” I said falling back in shock “When!? Where?!”
“Yesterday at his house” She confessed looking down at her hooves to hide her blush. She went on to explain that Tailspin had written a note to her. That note got intercepted by Diamond Tiara (I want to punch that kid every time squirt mentions her) and she told Rumble about it. Thunderlane’s brother always had a bit of a temper and took things out on Tailspin.
“He beat up Tailspin?!” I said my jaw dropping “I outta have a word with Thunderlane about that! Nopony beats up one of my fans!”
“Miss Cherilee already punished him” Scootaloo reassured me “ I'm just glad Tailspin wasn’t hurt too badly…”
She moved on to explain that she found the note and went to Tailspin’s place. I liked the little guy a lot. It was nice to see him get the courage to ask Scootaloo to the dance. That’s what ultimately led to the kiss.
Scootaloo looked down after telling me her story “But…if I really think about it how am I going to dance with him? He can’t walk or fly on his own…”
I put a hoof on her shoulder and smiled “Kid, it’s not going to be easy but you’ll figure it out. You’re smart; I know you’ll figure something out so that you two could dance together”
“Thanks Rainbow” She said with a smile “I feel alot better now”
______________________________________________________
Perspective: Raiden Bolt
Outfit? Check. Shades off? Check. Cameras rolling? Triple check.
Raiden Bolt was ready to take the stage.
I walked out to a roaring crowd as the studio audience saw me enter. Today I was to have my first interview since I left the life of fame behind. I wonder if Rainbow is watching this right now? I did tell her when it was right?
I rolled my yellow eyes. You have nothing to worry about Raiden. She’s probably watching you right now, completely taking in the awesomeness that is Raiden Bolt like everypony here.
My host Danny Letterpony was clapping with his hooves himself. I smiled and took a seat in the chair beside his desk. Letterpony was an older earth pony stallion with short graying hair and a pair of brown eyes behind a pair of glasses. He smiled upon seeing me
“Hey Raiden welcome to the Later Show” He said shaking my hoof
“Great to be here but to be honest I was expecting a smaller crowd” I said returning his smile “I guess everypony is eager to hear what their favorite star is doing”
“Still the same old Raiden I see” Letterpony mused “So Equestria is dying to know, what is a rock star like you doing leaving tour to suddenly drop everything and move to small town Ponyville”
Cut to the chase huh? Well I guess there was no real way of avoiding it. I think I should give him the usual answer “Well after being on the road for a long time a star needs his rest”
“Uh huh” Letterpony said sitting back in his chair “Rumors are spreading though that you helped out in the recent case against the Loftwings?”
“Yes” I answered with a nod “I was the one who got Themeara Loftwing to the hospital when all hell broke loose”
“Was she hard to carry?”
“Oh she was terrible for the first few minutes” I imitated the old noble “You gotta get my granddaughter! You got to let me down, on second thought keep me up keep me up!”
The audience laughed at my joke. Letterpony let out a chuckle “She’s recovering at the hospital right?”
“Yeah though I gotta say those doctors should get paid a very large sum for the work they do” I smiled a little cheekily “Elements of Harmony, you’ve met your match when it comes to the bravest ponies in Equestria contest”
Letterpony laughed “So speaking of the Elements rumor also persists that you saved the life of Rainbow Dash”
I hope nopony saw the flush that came to my cheeks. I figured Rainbow would come into the conversation soon. Nopony knew I was dating her except Private and his friends in Ponyville. The public was looking for answers…
“Yes” I said with a nod “Yes I did save her life from the culprit in that case”
Letterpony nodded “It’s also rumored that the reason you’re staying in Ponyville is because of her. Can you say why?”
“Because…she’s my special somepony”
___________________________________________________________
Perspective: Rainbow Dash
I can’t believe he actually said that!! On national TV!! Raiden just told everypony in Equestria that we liked each other!!!
I buried my face into a cushion on my couch to keep squirt from seeing me blush. I was embarrassed beyond belief. I can’t believe Raiden would do that…
I felt somepony nudge me on the leg. I looked up to see Scootaloo looking at me concerned “You okay Rainbow Dash?”
I sighed “No I’m not kid. I can’t believe Raiden would just announce to the world that he and I are…” I buried my face in the cushion again
“But I thought you and Raiden liked each other? What’s wrong with everypony else knowing about it?”
“You know what kid?” I said standing up straight “I’m overreacting, if anything this will only help my rep sky rocket. Raiden may have let me get famous without trying!”
“That’s the spirit Rainbow Dash!” Squirt shouted encouragingly
I flew up into the air and turned off the TV. I looked over at squirt as she rubbed her eyes. It was getting late and she should’ve gone to bed a few hours ago. But then again she did want to watch the interview with me so I guess I could let this slide.
Scootaloo tried to leap off the couch and fly to her bed. She managed to get a full two feet of flapping like crazy before falling to the floor. I chuckled “You’re getting there kid” I said picking up squirt and putting her on my back.
She crossed her hooves grumpily “I’ll never be able to fly…”
“You can’t have that attitude squirt” I said as I ascended the steps to her bedroom. Really it was just my own room that she was staying in. I slept on the couch while squirt had my bed to herself.
“But no matter how hard I try…” She said almost in defeat
I set her down on the bed and smiled at her “Kid, you’ll fly one day I’m sure of it. You’re getting better every day”
“You mean it Rainbow?” She asked as she sat on my bed.
“I mean it kid” I said with a nod “You just got to keep practicing. Who knows? You might even be half as good as me someday”
She smiled at me “I hope one day I can be as cool as you Rainbow Dash”
“Eh you need to be about 20% cooler before you can reach that point” I said with a laugh.
Squirt laughed a little and looked up at me “Rainbow…I was hoping…”
I looked at her with a raised eyebrow “What’s up squirt?”
“Could you…” She looked down at her hooves “Sleep with me tonight?”
I smiled and crawled onto the bed with her. I lied down on my belly and lifted up one of my wings “Come ere kid. I don’t want you freezing…”
She smiled with absolute glee and ran to me. I felt her press herself into my side as she found a comfortable position against me. It felt…awesome to have somepony want to be with me this bad. I looked down at Scootaloo as she pressed her head into me as she lied down “You’re awesome Rainbow Dash…”
“No kid” I said with a smile “You’re awesome…” I nuzzled the kid on the head as she closed her violet eyes sleepily. I put one of my wings over her like a blanket. I really loved this kid. She was always there whenever I needed her and was always an encourager no matter what I did.
She may not be my real sister but she may as well be. I nuzzled her on the head again and slowly began to sing a lullaby…
Hush now, quiet now…
It’s time to go to sleepy head…
__________________________________________________________
16 years ago…
“Mommy I’m not tired!” I complained as I was tucked into bed by mom.
Her blue eyes looked down at me with bemusement “Rainbow Dash if you don’t go to sleep you won’t grow strong”
“But there’s so much to see mom!” I said looking up at her “I want to stay up and keep playing!”
“Always on the move” She said with a laugh “Just like me when I was your age”
“Mom…”
“Yes Rainbow dear?” She said looking at me
“When I grow up…I’m going to be a Wonderbolt like you almost did…”
I looked up as my mom crawled onto the bed and nuzzled me “Rainbow, you should follow your own dreams. You don’t need to fulfill mine”
“But mom!” I retorted “You were going to become a Wonderbolt! You were going to be a huge athlete…then I came along and ruined everything…”
“Rainbow…”
“Yeah mom?”
“Don’t you ever say you ruined anything”
“But Mom…”
She shook her white head. Her rainbow mane cascading down her head as she looked at me “You are something special Rainbow. I wouldn’t trade you for anything. Not even the Wonderbolts. I want you to become what you want to be. I want you to do what you desire”
“What I want and desire is to be a Wonderbolt! I’m going to become the best flyer in Equestria Mom!” I said with determination “I’m going to make you proud!!”
She nuzzled me “You already have…”
______________________________________________________________
The next Present Day
Perspective: Rainbow Dash
I can’t believe I dreamed of her last night. It’s been so long since I really thought about mom. First when I met Raiden now with Squirt? I needed to stop eating right before bed.
I flew down to Ponyville and landed by Rarity’s place. She said she wanted me to try out some new flight suit designs for the show two weeks from now. I was expecting a simple walk in, get measured, and get out before anypony saw me walking into the girliest place in all of Equestria.
What I didn’t expect to happen was a mob of reporters to intercept me before I could enter my friend’s house. Cameras blinded me as they took pictures of me. Many fired off questions left and right
“Miss Rainbow Dash? Is it true you and Raiden are dating?”
“Any confirmation to the rumors about you and him doing it on the clouds?”
“How long have you two known each other?”
Under normal circumstances I would’ve loved to answer these questions. But instead of asking if I was the one who performed the sonic rainboom or the triple flip…all the questions were about Raiden and me.
I got sick of it after about ten minutes. They started asking some really personal questions about what I did with Raiden when we were together. How I kissed him, how I flew with him…a lot of personal questions.
I finally just flew inside the Boutique before they could swarm in. Rarity saw me enter with a raised eyebrow “Darling what’s wrong?”
“You gotta hide me!” I said flying into one of her closets “I’m not here! Get rid of them!”
“Rainbow Dash avoiding the spotlight?” Rarity said with both eyebrows raised “Next thing you know Pinkie will go on a diet” She walked to the door and told the reporters I went out the back entrance and was running like mad toward town.
That got them away quickly. I opened the closet and smiled at Rarity “Thanks I owe ya”
“You can start paying off that debt with an explanation” Rarity said firmly “What is going on?”
I hung my head and explained to Rarity all that’s happened. She blinked and her jaw slowly dropped “You mean to tell me that you are dating Raiden Bolt?!”
“Yes I told you that three times Rarity! It’s no big deal”
“No big deal!?” Rarity said like I told her I was a princess in disguise “You realize you’re dating a celebrity Rainbow! Not some Pegasus you met at the bar!”
She did have a point. Raiden was famous after all…”I gotta get some air, if any of those reporters come back tell them I’m not here”
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye”
We both laughed a little as the Pinkie Promise was made. I flew out of Rarity’s window in the hopes of getting away without drawing suspicion.
I hoped to fly across town without drawing suspicion to myself. That worked for a glorious ten minutes before I ran into a group of Pegasi that crossed my flight path.
Cloudkicker, a lavender colored mare with a blond mane spoke up “Rainbow Dash so good to see you!”
Blossumforth, her friend I think looked at me with wide eyes “Is it true that you’re dating Raiden Bolt!?”
“Uh…” was all I could get out before I was surrounded by them.
Cloudkicker spoke again “You think you could get us into one of his parties?”
“Did I say how much I liked your mane?” One tried to compliment
“Is it true he sings in his sleep?” Another asked
Finally I just snapped “EVERYPONY BUCK OFF!!!!” I shouted at them.
They all grew quiet as I fumed “What Raiden and I do alone is our business! I perform Sonic Rainbooms going straight up! I save children from that death cliff! I fly around doing all of this without asking for much! You guys didn’t fling yourselves at me when I did all those things!! Now I date one guy and suddenly you guys are all over me like a starving parasprite?! You know what I see here?! A bunch of bucking phonies!!!!”
I flew off and didn’t look back.
_____________________________________________________________
Perspective: Raiden Bolt
Where are you Rainbow? I thought to myself as I looked around the area. I can’t believe I just let it slip! She’s probably freaking out right now! Stupid Raiden!
I flew around Ponyville trying to avoid the paparazzi that set up shop here. Luckily I’ve mastered dodging them and managed to look all over town. That’s when I saw a rainbow colored streak away from town. Only one pony made that streak that I know of.
I flapped my dark wings to their full length. I had to catch up with her if it kills me. I zoomed at full speed towards the Rainbow blur. Rainbow would never admit it but I can keep up with her.
I got within yelling range and shouted “Rainbow stop!”
She looked back at me with those beautiful magenta eyes of hers. I found myself flushing as she looked at me. But then I noticed the rage in her eyes and that flush faded “Back off Raiden! I’m not talking to you!”
“Rainbow wait!” I said keeping up my pursuit “Just stop and listen to me!”
Anypony that saw us on the ground would’ve seen a rainbow blur flying in the sky being chased by a black and yellow blur. Both streaks flew far out of town until we got to the hilly areas surrounding Ponyville.
“Can’t you take a hint!?” Rainbow shouted behind her “I’m mad at you!”
“I know but I want to apologize!” I shouted desperately, my wings were starting to tire from this chase.
“For what!?” She said flying backwards glaring at me “For telling the whole world I’m dating you!? For having all these phonies show up!? How could you possibly apologize for that?!”
“Like this!” I suddenly zoomed into Rainbow and tackled her. We both crashed onto a nearby cloud and I held her down before she could fly away. She struggled a little but I held my weight on her.
“Get off me!” She growled
“Not until you hear me out!” I fired back “I’m sorry okay?!”
Rainbow didn’t look convinced. Damn it even when she was mad she looked hot…focus Raiden!
I kept my yellow eyes on her “I’m sorry…I know I’m not good at this. It’s just…”
“Just what?” Rainbow said meeting my eyes with hers
“It’s just I’ve never had a real marefriend before” I confessed “I didn’t know how to handle it…I was being stupid…Some boyfriend I turned out to be…”
She blinked “You’re really sorry…”
“Of course I am!” I exclaimed “I betrayed your trust like that! I should’ve told you this would happen if we dated! I knew ponies would react this way!”
She looked up at me and slowly a blush formed on her face. Then…a tear?
“Raiden…I’m sorry for yelling at you” She said wiping away the tear with her free hoof. “It’s just…I got so mad that everypony was only talking to me because I was dating you…”
I reached down with my wing and wiped her eyes with the tip of it. “Rainbow…I wouldn’t blame you if you hate me right now…”
“That’s the thing…” She said looking up at me “I can’t hate you…I can be mad at you but I can’t really hate you. You were only getting something off your chest. It was only a matter of time before somepony found out…Figured sooner rather then later...”
I got off her and she stood on the cloud facing me. He cyan coat glowed in the sunlight. Her rainbow mane seemed to sparkle as sunlight swam in it. I found myself simply staring at her for a minute. “Rainbow…”
“Raiden…” she said slowly “I can’t hate you because I want to be with you…I don’t want to end up like mom and…” She started to tear up “Be alone…I hate being alone…”
I walked to her and put a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up at me with those wonderful eyes of hers. “Rainbow…I know it’s hard to be in the spotlight like this. But don’t you ever say that you’re alone in it…we’re a team you know?”
“Was that supposed to be a pep talk?” Rainbow said laughing a little…she had a nice laugh.
“I guess, Private was always the one who gave the awesome speeches. I just caused trouble but I can help out when I'm needed”
She smiled at me and moved closer to me “Raiden…thanks…”
“You’re welcome Rain-“I was cut off when Rainbow suddenly pressed her lips to mine. I felt my wings go Spring! Before I could do anything to stop them. Here was the most beautiful and wonderful mare I know…she was kissing me for the first time.
Sure we flirted on dates and stuff…but this was the first time she kissed me and I wanted to savor it.
I returned the kiss and wrapped my hooves around her. I felt her cyan coat mix with my own dark coat. Her own wings spread wide as we kept kissing. She suddenly pushed on me and I found myself on the cloud as she gasped for air.
“Raiden…did we just?” She said putting a hoof to her lips
I smiled at her “Not only can you fly good but you can kiss like a champ…”
She flushed a little then punched me in the leg “You crazy stallion…” I rubbed where she punched me as she chuckled.
I pressed my muzzle to hers “Rainbow…I really do care for you. If you want we can just fly east and not stop…just us two”
She returned my nuzzle “I wouldn't leave Ponyville hanging. Besides somepony has got to get work done around here”
“Look who’s talking” I said chuckling “I guess we really are good for each other”
Rainbow smiled and kissed me again this time on the forehead. I felt myself flush…she really did make me lose my cool. I didn’t care…
She put herself on top of me and we just laid there on the cloud together. I wrapped my wings around her and pressed the mare I’ve grown to care for to me. I can’t think of any other time I’ve ever been truly happy.
I looking back I realized how hollow my life was. The fame, the fans…it wasn’t worth it…in the end…she was…
____________________________________________________________
Perspective: Rainbow Dash
“Raiden?” I said as I set myself in his warm embrace. I had no idea Raiden could be so gentle and…sweet? Dang it I’m getting all sappy over this! But it felt nice…
“Yeah Rainbow?” He asked, I felt him move a little as he looked down at me. I pressed my muzzle into his chest and smiled.
“I’m happy we met. I’m glad you’re the first stallion I’ve truly fallen for” I looked up into those yellow eyes of his “I really am…”
He smiled at me and kissed me. Sweet Celestia he was a good kisser…I kissed back warmly.
After he stopped I just put my head on his chest and smiled “Don’t let me go Raiden…”
“I won’t let you fly away a second time Rainbow…” He said into my ear “I care about you too much…”
We just sat there on that cloud. I don’t know how long we were there. It didn't matter though, I was with Raiden…everything else could wait.
So this is love…
Author's Note
Next Story: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/54284/equestria-noir-case-11-picture-perfect
