The next day dawned with the promise of a new beginning for Rainbow. The morning was a blur of excitement and nerves as they packed up their things and headed to the train station. The staffmare at the shelter had warned them that dogs weren’t allowed in the passenger cars, so Rainbow found herself being led into the cargo hold. The smell was intense. A mix of hay, engine oil, and something she couldn't place. It was a tight space, filled with crates and luggage. Rainbow looked around, her ears drooped as she realized she’d be spending the journey in there.

The door slammed shut with a heavy thud, and the world outside grew quieter as the train started moving. Rainbow whined a little, feeling the vibrations of the train’s engines beneath her paws. It was eerie, being in such a confined space, surrounded by strange noises and smells. She felt so... small. So helpless. Not like Rainbow Dash at all. She chastised herself when the thought What would Rainbow Dash do? crossed her mind. You’re Rainbow Dash, dummy! And what you’re going to do is not panic, not cry and certainly not wet yourself! Scootaloo made sure you went before getting on the train. Oh, thanks brain! I totally never want to forget one of the most humiliating parts of my life!

The journey was long and uncomfortable. Rainbow tried to sleep but the constant jostling of the train kept her on edge. She could feel the anticipation building with every passing moment, her muscles tense with the need to be out of this metal box. She missed the open sky, the feel of the wind in her cyan coat. She missed flying. She missed being Rainbow Dash. Right now all she had to help her cope was a plush teddy bear. She managed to ignore it for about five minutes before finally deciding to give a chew toy a try to calm her down. Rainbow was embarrassed to admit to herself that the act was sort of helping. Still, it kind of felt like she was a foal sucking on a pacifier to keep her from wailing.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the train screeched to a halt. Rainbow’s ears perked up at the sound of hooves and voices outside the cargo hold. The door slammed open, and the blinding light of Ponyville’s sun filled the space. Rainbow Dash was relieved to see Scootaloo already waiting for her, leash in hoof. Rainbow Dash had other plans, though. She didn’t want to upset Scootaloo with her plan but it had to be done. She’d understand soon enough.

Keeping a passive look on her face Rainbow patiently waited for Scootaloo to unlock the cage door. The second she heard the unmistakable click of a lock being undone, Rainbow burst out with such force it knocked Scootaloo on her flank, and she was on the run. Rainbow heard Scootaloo calling for ‘Storm’ to stop and come back along with the urge to listen. No, she had to do this. Fluttershy’s cottage wasn’t far from the train station. She could make it. She had to.

The wind felt strange blowing through her fur as she sprinted through the streets of Ponyville. Rainbow felt a bit of pride knowing she was probably the fastest dog in the town. At least she still had that. The town looked different from this perspective. So many more things to sniff and pee on. Wait, what? Focus, Dash! Ignoring the yells of surprise from the ponies she rushed by, Rainbow had to focus harder to block out Scootaloo’s voice. She sounded close but Rainbow wasn’t going to chance looking back to see what would most likely be a look of hurt and betrayal.

It took her less than five minutes to reach the cottage. Rainbow’s legs burned from the exercise and she panted heavily. She was severely out of shape. This whole being a dog thing was really ruining her cardio. Forcing herself to push past her exhaustion Rainbow leapt up at the front door and began frantically scratching followed by immense barking. Barking for regular pony folk but Rainbow knew Fluttershy would understand she was yelling for her to open the door.

“Fluttershy! I need your help! Open up! It’s me, Rainbow!”

The door swung open and standing there was Fluttershy, looking as lovely as ever. Rainbow’s heart soared. She was home! Fluttershy yelped in fright as Rainbow pounced upon her friend and began frantically explaining her situation.

“Fluttershy, it’s me! Rainbow Dash! I’ve been turned into a dog, and I need your help! Don’t be scared, I know I look different, but I’m still me!” Rainbow’s barks were a flurry of hope and desperation.

Fluttershy took a step back, her eyes wide in shock. Rainbow’s hope began to dwindle as she watched her friend’s expression shift from fear to confusion. Did she not recognize her? Or was she just so out of her element that she couldn’t comprehend what was happening? Rainbow felt a cold droplet of doubt trickle down her spine. What if Fluttershy couldn’t understand her? What if none of them could?

Then Fluttershy spoke, “Rainbow Dash?”

Her voice was a whisper, but it washed over Rainbow like a cool breeze on a hot day. Relief flooded her. She had been heard. She hadn’t lost everything.

But before Rainbow could bask in the sweet victory of being recognized, she heard the sound of hooves thundering towards them. Rainbow turned to see Scootaloo, panting and out of breath. She had been chasing her this whole time. Rainbow felt bad for making her run all this way, but it was overshadowed by the fear of not getting back to normal. Knowing they were short on time, Rainbow looked back at Fluttershy.

“Fluttershy! Please, I need your help!” Rainbow begged. “You need-“

“Gotcha!”

Scootaloo had finally caught up with her and snapped the leash back onto her collar. Rainbow felt the cold metal tighten around her neck, and she knew she was in deep trouble. No, I’m not in trouble! I’m saved! Fluttershy knows it’s me now! All hope of that was snuffed out when Rainbow looked back at Fluttershy to see a scared look on her face. No… she heard me. She understood me! She said my name! My real name!

“Fluttershy?” Rainbow whispered, feeling scared. Not because she had made Scootaloo angry with her. It was because Fluttershy was showing no sign of willing to give the help she so desperately needed. “Flutters? Please.”

I can’t believe you did this, Storm!” Scootaloo snapped, yanking Rainbow away from Fluttershy’s doorstep. “Just what were you thinking? I’m so sorry, Fluttershy! I just got her from Trottingham and I think the train ride spooked her too much. No prizes for guessing why she would feel safe here, huh? Funny she knew how to get here though.”

Rainbow’s heart sank. Fluttershy was looking down at her with disbelief and pity. Not recognition. Why? Why won’t she help me? Fluttershy closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them and faced Scootaloo. Was she going to help her now? Did she just need a second to process seeing her old friend was a dog now?

“It’s okay, Scootaloo. She’s just overwhelmed. Poor girl,” Fluttershy said, her voice gentle despite her obvious distress. “I’m sure she’ll start to relax once you take her home. And if you don’t mind me saying: she needs to put on some weight. Dobermans aren’t meant to be this skinny.”

"Will do, Fluttershy! And sorry again for the disturbance."

Fluttershy's words felt like lightning strike to Rainbow's heart. Her pointed ears flattened and she slumped, defeated. As Scootaloo pulled her away, she threw a pleading look over her shoulder. Fluttershy remained in the doorway, watching them leave with a sad expression that spoke volumes of her disappointment. Anger began to rise in Rainbow’s chest. She had just been betrayed by someone she knew she could count on. The absolute nerve of that yellow-bellied Pegasus! That turncoat!

“I know you heard me, you traitor!” Rainbow barked furiously at her. “I trusted you! I hate you! I hate you!”

The words have done what Rainbow wanted them to do this time. She watched in satisfaction seeing tears begin to well up in Fluttershy’s eyes. Then the satisfaction was quickly diminished as Rainbow’s dog ears heard a soft sob and the slam of her door. The sound of her crying still reaching her. No, she had to fix this. She didn’t know why Fluttershy wouldn’t help her. There had to be a good reason. Rainbow tried to pull back on the leash to get back to Fluttershy; Scootaloo’s grip wasn’t going to allow her weak puppy body to do so. Tears began to well up in Rainbow’s own eyes now.Oh, Fluttershy, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

“Come on, Storm, let’s go home,” Scootaloo said, seeming to be happy there was no serious harm done. “Everything will be okay. I promise.”

Home. Rainbow had thought she had just arrived there, yet she hadn’t. She was in a town she hadn’t been to in a body she hadn’t wanted. And she had no idea how to get back to being herself. She had thought that getting to Ponyville would be the end of this nightmare, now she knew it was just the beginning. Rainbow’s head hung low as she let Scootaloo lead her away from the cottage. The anger was gone. It had been replaced with a sadness so deep it felt like it was going to swallow her whole.

As they walked, Rainbow took in the familiar sights of Ponyville. Everything looked so different. So much had changed in the short time she’d been gone. New stalls had popped up, new faces in the crowd. And yet, it was all so... the same. Like nothing had changed at all. The irony wasn’t lost on her. Rainbow had been the one who was always looking for the next adventure, the next thrill. Now she was stuck in a body that couldn’t even get her to the clouds she called home.

They arrived at the house and Scootaloo led Rainbow into a cozy looking room with a large bed, a bowl of food and water already waiting for her. Scoot’s aunts must have known they were coming. Rainbow felt tired beyond belief. Maybe it was the running or maybe it was the weight of her failure. Either way she didn’t resist as Scootaloo guided her to the bed. She curled up into a tight ball. What now? Was she going to live out the rest of her days as a dog? Would she ever get to tell her friends the truth? Would she ever get to tell anyone the truth? Rainbow’s stomach twisted at the thought. She had to find a way to tell them. To get them to understand. Right now it felt like any plan she could think of wouldn’t work. So for now she was done making plans. There was something more important to take care of anyway. She needed to make things right with Fluttershy. And Scootaloo. I need to stop being so reckless. I may not be her big sister in this body, but I’m always going to be her friend. No matter what I look like.

Scootaloo sat by Rainbow Dash’s side, her eyes never leaving Rainbow’s. Rainbow hoped she could see how sorry for taking off like that. She didn’t deserve it. She didn’t deserve to have her emotions toyed with. Rainbow closed her eyes and took a deep breath, willing herself to take a much needed nap. When I wake up maybe I’ll try giving this puppy thing a shot. For now.

Upon waking up Rainbow found herself in the middle of the Ponyville park. She was laying on her back on the grass with all her friends surrounding her looking down with concern.

“Y’all took quite the tumble there, sugarcube,” Applejack said.

“Just what were you trying to do anyway?” Twilight chimed in.

Rainbow took a second to clear the cobwebs from her mind. Then one by one she looked at all her friends' looks of relief on their faces. In turn Rainbow felt massively relieved herself. I’m back! She raised her hoof over her eyes to see her sweet, sweet blue hoof. A wide smile spread on Rainbow Dash’s face. It was all just one big nightmare. I’m gonna have to send a letter to Princess Luna about the length of my nightmares. Right now she was all too happy to be back with her friends.

“Yeah,” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, smiling ever so brightly. “You know how expensive vet bills can get? It’s crazy!”

Rainbow Dash’s blood ran cold. What did she just say? Before she could ask Pinkie to repeat herself Rarity spoke up.

“Honestly, Darling, anyone watching that reckless stunt one could have sworn you were trying to fly. The absurdity of it all! A dog thinking it can fly!”

No…

“No, guys! I’m not a dog!” Rainbow scrambled to her hooves. “Look at me! I’m obviously a pony!”

The girls all looked at Fluttershy as if she was Rainbow’s translator. Fluttershy cleared her throat and responded confidently, “She said she was pretending to be a Pegasus and got a little carried away with the act.”

“What? No! I-“ Rainbow’s protests were cut short as her tongue fell out of her mouth. It was now long, flat and slobbery. An icy cold fear instantly overcame her.

Rainbow shot her hooves up to her mouth trying to push her tongue back in. The feeling of sharp teeth came to greet her. Tears began to roll down her eyes. The humiliation of the transformation of her mouth and crying in front of her friends burned like fire.

“I think Sunshine has had enough excitement for today,” Fluttershy said, walking towards her with a leash.

My name’s not Sunshine! I’m Storm! Wait, I mean Rainbow Dash!

The words remained stuck in Rainbow’s throat as she felt the cold metal of the leash clip onto the collar she didn’t know she was wearing. This isn’t happening! This isn’t real! This isn’t real!

Fluttershy began to lead Rainbow away while their friends waved and called goodbye to them. The words of them yelling out how she was such a good girl today felt so mocking. The fact that they sounded genuine made it worse.

Why was Fluttershy acting like this? Why wouldn’t she help her? Rainbow felt the anger rising again, and she began to struggle against the leash. Fluttershy’s grip was firm, and she pulled Rainbow back into line with surprising strength.

“No, Sunshine, no pulling. You know better than that,” Fluttershy said, her sickly sweet.

Stop calling me that! A deep, angry growl emitted from her muzzle promising a world of hurt. You want to treat me like your dog? Fine, I'll be your dog! Rainbow launched herself at her friend and knocked her down to the ground. Not giving her a chance to even guess what happened Rainbow was on her front, her muzzle continuing to make savage growls. The fear on Fluttershy’s face was pleasing to Rainbow Dash. This was gonna be so much fun.

Rainbow eyes snapped open, swiftly trying to push herself away from Fluttershy; she didn’t notice she was still laying down in her dog bed and Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen. When her mind began to understand it was all a bad dream Rainbow felt so disgusted with herself. Despite knowing one can never really be in control of their actions in dreams Rainbow still felt ashamed of what her mind had made her see.

Thankfully, she had woken up before she could act upon the evil deed, but not before she heard Fluttershy’s terrified scream.

As much as she hated the feeling, Rainbow felt the need for someone to hold her. Tell her it was all going to be okay. She noticed Scootaloo was in the next room sitting up at the table appearing to be in the middle of writing something. Shoving back her pride as far as she could, Rainbow slowly walked towards Scootaloo’s side and rested her head against her lap, adding a soft whine to let her know she needed comfort.

Scootaloo paused her scribbling, looking down at the sad puppy beside her. Rainbow watched as she put the pen down and slid off the chair. She knew what was coming next and she didn’t fight it. Scootaloo’s forelegs wrapped around her in a gentle hug, which was more than Rainbow could have ever hoped for. It was soothing and comforting in a way that the fluffy bed wasn’t. Rainbow leaned into the warmth and felt the tightness in her chest ease up.

“Still feeling scared, huh, Storm?”

Rainbow involuntarily nodded with her head over Scootaloo's shoulder so neither of them noticed.

Scootaloo patted her back once more and pulled away from her, “Well, maybe this will cheer you up.”

She reached for the paper she was scribbling on and brought in front of Rainbow’s eyes. The sight before her wasn’t squiggly notes she couldn’t read but a sketch. A sketch of what appeared to be of a shield with what Rainbow guessed to be chaotic lightning in the middle of it. Assuming that’s what it was, Rainbow looked at Scootaloo for clarification.

“It’s gonna be your new collar,” Scootaloo explained, happily pointing at the sketch. “Cause my Cutie Mark is a shield and your name being Storm I thought this would be the perfect design. Also, I’m thinking the collar should be purple but I don’t know if that’s your color. Maybe dark blue. There’s still a lot of time to decide since I still need to collect the bits to get it made.”

Rainbow felt a warm feeling in her stomach, a feeling she hadn’t felt since she was in her own body. It was a feeling of belonging. Scootaloo had accepted her, even went the extra mile to make sure she felt she was at home. Rainbow looked into her eyes and gave a gentle lick on her cheek. It was all she could do to express her gratitude.

It looks great, Scoots.

There was a sudden knock at the door, and Rainbow’s head swung back. She began to bark, the sound echoing through the house. Her tail wagged nervously, and she jumped to her paws, ready to protect her home. It wasn’t until Rainbow got to the door that she realized what she was doing. Why did I just lose myself there? I mean I know why, but why?

“Back up, Storm,” Scootaloo nudged her away from the door so she could open it. “Oh… hi Fluttershy. Is this about Storm?”

Fluttershy was here? I need to see her! Forcing herself between the doorframe and Scootaloo she was stopped by her hoof before she could fully get out. Rainbow’s body was too weak to outmatch her strength. “Whoa there, girl. It’s okay, calm down,” Scootaloo soothed, pushing Rainbow back gently. Rainbow still tried to push past but stopped when she saw Fluttershy's eyes. She had clearly been crying. I did that to her. Rainbow suddenly didn't want Fluttershy to see her anymore. I don't deserve her help. Not after what I did.

“Well…” Fluttershy spoke, looking more nervous and timid than usual. “Yes.”

Author's Note

It’s chapters like these that make furious when the author leaves it incomplete and never comes back. Even though I understand how life gets in the way of what we really want. That being said if this story goes untouched for about two weeks it means I’m dead