Rainbow Faded

A week passed and Monochrome had to go through the potion again, though this time, it didn't hurt as much as the first. Earthy Touch had to do the second time… Petal Wind simply had not the guts to drop the potion over the foals eyes again. In fact, it took a lot of conversation to convince her that it would be a bad idea to go to Ponyvile and beat the hay out of that doctor. But she swore that if Monochrome vision didn't come back, nothing would stop her from teaching the doctor the lesson of his life.

Despite that little inconvenient, the second week went by without any trouble. Monochrome enjoyed the life in the farm, even though he could not help due to his blindness. He spend most part of his days near the crops, making company to his foster parents while they worked in the fields. Part of his memory had come back to him, most of it was images and sensations of him flying… So he enjoyed the days with a lot of wind. He liked to spread his wings and imagine himself flying again.

Day after day went by and finally the family was walking back to Ponyvile to visit the doctor. As they did before, Earthy was in one side and Petal was on the other side, guiding Monochrome in the road but letting him walk alone. After two weeks living in the darkness, the foal was confident enough to make the way towards Ponyvile quicker that the last time. Soon they all arrived at the clinic and after short minutes of wait the doctor called them in. Petal stood up and made a sign for Earthy to wait as she walked into the doctor office alone.

It took only five minutes of wait and the door was open again. The doctor called Earthy and Monochrome inside… The doctor was pale and a little bit shaky. The yellow stallion looked at her wife and she gave an innocent smiled to him.

"O-Ok… let's see how your eyes are..." The doctor said, still recovering from whatever Petal did to him.

The purple foal was put on the examination bed and the doctor unwrapped the bandages around the foals eyes and, slowly... Monochrome opened his eyes and blinked a few times. He turned his head around and then looked at his own hoofs…

"I… I can see… I can see again!" The foal shouted and spread his wings, smiling widely. "but… but I can't see your colors…" He said looking at Petal and Earthy a little bit confused.

"Well… as I said, your vision wouldn't be good as it used to be…" The doctor said and pointed to a card board, full of different "E" symbols, each one of them pointing to a different direction. "Can you tell me where those symbols are pointing?"

Monochrome looked at the cardboard for a second and started to say the directions with 100% of precision.

"Good… well, looks like the only problem here is that he can't see any colors… maybe it will get better in time, but I wouldn't be so optimist. Recovering his sight was a miracle already, I had no idea if the potion would wor-…" He stopped when he saw Petal glaring at him and cough lightly.. "I…I mean… of course the potion was going to work… heh.. heh…" He corrected himself. Petal smiled and the doctor sighted in relief.

"Thank you doctor… I… I don't know how to thank you enough!" Monochrome said with his eyes and heart full of joy.

"I only did what I had to do... Taking care of foals like you is my job" He said and rubbed a hoof over Monochromes head.

Petal Wind and Earthy Touch hugged each other, admiring the joy of the foal and how he explored the doctor's office, full of curiosity now that he could see again. The little family left the clinic and went to a famous bakery called Sugar Cube Corner to celebrate. For Petal it was still a shame that the foal couldn't see colors at all, but he himself didn't seems to bother that much.

On the way home, the sun was going down and the couple was having a bit of difficult to keep Monochrome on the ground. Now that he was able to see again all he wanted was to fly.

"Please Monochrome... why don't you walk with us? It's almost night and if you fly too far we won't be able to catch with you..." Petal said to the foal that was flying in circles above them.

"She's right Mono... Come back to the ground, tomorrow you can fly to your heart's content." Earthy said.

The dark purple foal landed between them.

"hehe.. sorry... Is just... I'm so happy that I can see again and be able to fly!" Monochrome chirped still bursting of joy.

"We know, we know..." Earthy said rubbing a hoof on the foals head.

The minutes passed and soon they were almost on the house. The sun was already gone and the moon was high in the night sky.

"Wow... the night is so pretty..." Monochrome said looking at the sky.

"How's your vision Mono?" Petal asked before they went inside the house.

"Perfect... despite the lack of colors I guess... But I can see really good too... is almost bright as day to me... the moon must be really bright this night." He commented.

"Actually..." Earthy Touch started "I can barely see on this dark... the moon is not that bright."

"Really?" the foal asked a little bit confused.

"Yes darling... maybe is some kind of collateral effect?" Petal said looking at her husband. The yellow stallion simply shrugged.

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Day after day passed... Soon turning into months and then two years... Monochrome was proving himself really useful in the farm now that he could see and fly. The couple didn't had to depend on the weather company to make rains over their field anymore since the foal learned how to drag clouds around and make them rain.

Usually he just dragged a few scattered clouds and tied them to his stepfather with a rope. The earth stallion then dragged the cloud around the field while Monochrome jumped on it to force the water to come out... though he had to be careful to always jump really hard on the cloud a few times to empty it from any lighting. Earthy Touch still had the brunt marks on his tail after the first cloud with lightning inside it.

On that morning Monochrome was doing his usual chores. Grabbed a few clouds that they would use on that day and arranged them all close to Everfree forest. He then flew really high and closed his wings, starting a free fall towards the clouds. Since he was not full grown he was too light and needed to gain a good amount of speed so the impact could force the lighting out. Luckily for him, the clouds were really soft and he barely feels any impact.

His body hit the big cloud and a strong lighting came out, making a really loud thunder echo through the plains. He did it again and again, until not a single sparkle came out. When he was about to separate the big cloud in smaller ones he heard a thundering voice yelling at him.

"HEY YOU! What do you think you are doing!?"

The foal looked back in startle. He saw a strong stallion pegasus with a grayish green coat and dark green mane and tail approaching fast and landing on the clouds that he have gathered to empty the lightings.

"Ahm... I'm just... you know, preparing these clouds to be used?" Monochrome said a little nervous by the presence of the adult male. The pegasus had a simple but aerodynamic helmet and some kind o of jacket with a medal on it indicating that he was some kind of officer.

"And why are a blank flank like YOU gathering clouds without permission and WORSE! Skipping the classes from the flying academy!" The stallion scowled the foal. Monochrome lowered his ears in fear of his attitude.

"B-but... but I do this to help my parents on the crops! And I don't even know what is this Flying Academy" Monochrome said on his defense.

"HA! A citizen of Cloudsdale that DON'T KNOW what the flying academy is!? Don't try to fool me boy! I'm taking you with me back to Cloudsdale!" He shouted and charged at the foal.

Monochrome jumped, avoiding the officer and started to fly towards Everfree forest. Right behind him, the stallion was getting closer and closer... there was no way that a foal could even think to compete with an adult. So Monochrome did the unthinkable, the dove in that ocean of trees.

"WAIT! NO!" The officer shouted as he watched the foal dive in the trees. Everypony knew how that forest was dangerous, and the last thing that the stallion wanted was the foal to get hurt.

The officer dove behind the foal, chasing him to rescue. It was almost pitch black under the trees and the officer saw himself unable to fly properly. It would be really easy for him to hit a tree since he was almost blind in there. Monochrome in other hand kept flying at his top speed. His eyes instantly got used to the darkness and he could see as clear as day in the forest. He kept flying until he thought it was safe to stop. The purple foal landed near a tree, going in between the salient rots and sat on his haunches to rest. The three was simply huge and the rots grew out of the ground, making some kind of small cave, a perfect hiding spot. He never flew so fast in his life and his wings were a bit sore.

Long minutes passed and the foal kept hidden... After almost forty minutes of wait, Monochrome thought it was safe to get out of his hiding spot and fly back home. But when he stepped out of his hiding spot he was facing three wolf-kind creatures. Their bodies were made of what looked like branches and sticks. Their fangs were razor sharp and the eyes were yellow. The three creatures growled towards the foal... he was an easy prey.

Monochrome stepped back, shaking in fear. He spread his wings and jumped to fly away but one of the wolfish creature jumped on him, biting his tail and pulling the foal hard on the floor. The dark purple colt was completely surrounded now. His heart was beating so fast that it hurt. He felt difficult to breath and his head started to spin... All he wanted was the warm hooves of his foster parents... he absolutely didn't wanted to die!

When one of the wolfish creatures were going to attack all of them stopped and lowered their ears looking at something behind the foal. Monochrome looked back and saw a silhouette of what looked like a pony, a bit taller than the average pony... he had two long horns on his head and his eyes was shining. That was the last thing that the foal saw before he blacked out... the whole situation was far too stressful for him, and his mind simply shut down.

Monochrome started to awake. First thing he felt was that he wasn't in a forest anymore... he was in some place really soft and had something like a blanket over his body. He could feel a soft smell of herbs all around. He blinked a few times and saw a natural stone wall. Looking around Monochrome concluded that he was in a cave and the whole place was illuminated by torches on the wall. Carved in the stone was a fire place with a metal caldron suspended by a hook over the flames.

Many kinds of runic paints all around the walls and several sleeves with books and some flasks. Not too far from the bed he could see the entrance of the cave covered by a curtain of vines... The curtain moved softly as what looked like a tall and slim pony passed through it. He had a dark greenish blue coat, black mane and a short black tail. On the top of his head there was what looked like a pair of horns. The horns looked like wood. Several branches all tangled in each other. The eyes of this pony was bright green and he had no cute mark.

Monochrome stood silent, pretending to sleep as he watched that strange creature. Something on his mind was telling him that the fact that an adult pony didn't had a cute mark was a very wrong thing. The creature walked near the caldron and the foal widened his eyes as one of his horns moved! It started to move, growing in length and bending like it was made of... some kind of soft wood? The tip of the horn spread in five smaller branches as it were fingers and it grabbed a wooden spoon that was near the caldron, starting to mix whatever was inside.

The creature bought the spoon to his mouth, trying what looked like some kind of soup and then the other horn started to move, growing in length and reaching one of the flasks on the near sleeve. He dropped some of the content inside the caldron and mixed with the wooden spoon.

"Hmm... Now it's at the right point... I just need to put some parts of the foal in here. Do you mind giving me some parts of yourself... my little guest?" The creature said looking at Monochrome with a maniacal smile.

Monochrome felt a strong shiver running down his spine and started to shake in fear... his eyes filled with tears as the creature started to get closer and closer to him. Those horns stretching as claws... Monochrome closed his eyes shut, shaking violently now... He didn't wanted to die, but he knew this was it... any second those horns would catch him and the foal could only hope that his death would be painless. The creature got really close... Monochrome could feel his presence few inches away...

"OUCH!" Monochrome yelped and jumped as the those weird horns grabbed two feathers, one from each wing and pulled them out.

"There there... this will be enough..." The creature said walking away to the sleeves. He put one feather in a pot and the other he cut in half. One half was thrown inside the caldron and the other in the same pot as the first feather. "Now... this potion will make you strong as you never felt before..." the creature said chuckling. "There is no better tonic than one made with parts of those who will drink it... and feathers of a blank flank pegasus have some nice properties too!"

Monochrome looked at the creature a little stunned. He didn't know what to think about the whole situation.

The horned creature filled a cup with the potion, still using those weird horns, and brought it to Monochrome.

"Here... drink it all... You will feel better" The creature said with a less maniacal smile on his face

The foal didn't waste any time and got the cup with both hoof. Afraid of offending this weird pony, he drank it all with a single gulp... not half bad. Tasted just like fruit juice but without any kind of sugar on it.

"So my little crazy foal... what is your name, and what are you doing in these parts of the forest?" The creature asked putting the cup away.

"I... I was being chased..." Monochrome said a little hesitant.

"Must have been a really scare guy... not many would simply get in this forest full of monsters to escape some random chaser..." The creature chuckled. "but I'm being rude here... Let me introduce myself, my name is Nevarius and I live here in the forest..." The creature said bowing his head a little.

"Ahm... Nefarious?" Monochrome asked a little hesitant.

"No... NeVarius..." The creature said again. "I'm not THAT evil to have Nefarious as a name" He chuckled. "what about you?"

"I'm Monochrome..." The dark purple foal said, avoiding to look on Nevarius eyes. "And... what... what are you? You look like a pony but... you have those horns and no cute mark..." Monochrome said. As any other child, he asked out of pure curiosity, not thinking that those questions could easily be offensive. Luckily, Nevarius didn't look like he cared.

"Well I'm... ahm... let's see... I knew what I was yesterday... Damn it!" He said with a frown. Monochrome arched an eye brow, looking at that weird creature. "DONT SAY IT!" He shouted, making the foal jump in startle. "It was... ahm... what was the question again?" The creature said looking a bit confused.

Monochrome just facehoof at that whole situation.

The pegasus foal stayed for the night at the cave. Nevarius warned him that the forest was twice as dangerous at night and that he couldn't guarantee the foal's safety, so Monochrome agreed to stay there over night.

At the morning, the weird creature approached the bed where Monochrome was still sleeping. He used his horns to grab the pegasus body, lifting him gently in the air.

"ngh... Nevarius?" Mono said lazy. The boy didn't have the time to even think when it happen. Nevarius dropped the foal in a huge bowl full of cold water. The water immediately soaked the foal's coat and wings. He yelped and screamed, waving his wings and legs in despair. Nevarius used his horns to pull the foal off the water after a few seconds, smiling softly.

"There you go... now you are all clean to meet your parents again!" That weird creature said happily.

Monochrome was panting heavily and shaking in cold... his mane and tail, wings and coat... all dripping wet now.

"W-why d-did you do THAT for!?" Monochrome glared at the horned creature that was holding him up.

"You are going to meet your parents aren't you?" Nevarius said innocently. "So, I just gave you a bath!"

"THAT'S NOT HOW WE USUALLY BATH!" The foal screamed in anger.

"Jeez... ok then you ungrateful foal!" Nevarius said looking offended and dropped the foal back in the bowl. Monochrome yelped again and jumped to get off the ice cold water... mentally cursing the creature.

"Here use this to dry yourself." Nevarius tossed some kind of towel on the foal's face.

After Monochrome was dry and had a breakfast of fruits and some kind of weird salty juice made of vegetables... The foal ate it all while looking at the shelves full of books and flasks... he had many questions to ask, But the horned creature seems to evade every single question. Eventually, Mono gave up... After breakfast, him and Nevarius started the journey through the forest.

"Tell me again... why can't I just go flying to my home?" Monochrome asked

"Because you won't be able to pass through the branches and leaves up there..." Nevarius said pointing up. "And I'm kind of lazy to make an opening for you right now…".

Monochrome rolled his eyes but didn't complain at all…

The forest was really dark, even though it was morning there was only a dark green light coming from some points... If Monochrome didn't had the ability to see in the dark, he would probably trip after a few steps.

"So, how did I get inside here in the first place?" Monochrome asked.

"This forest allows one to enter, but you must be REALLY strong to get out, especially at this point of the forest, where is almost impossible to fly out, unless you can brake some branches thick." Nevarius explained.

"I hope that the he got out safe then..." Monochrome said thinking about the guard.

"Who? The one that chased you? Why you say that?" Nevarius asked curious.

"Well... he's not a bad pony, he just wanted me to go to some... classes. I just fled because I got too scared." The purple foal admitted.

"Ohh... I see... hehe... Well, you don't need any kind of classes, I mean... I never attended to any class and look what I became!" He smiled at him.

"Personal mental note: Attend to every single class I can..." The foal thought.

They walked for long minutes in the dark… Soon both were outside the forest and the foal ran towards the sun, feeling its warmth. Nevarius didn't came out of the forest though... he stood in the shadow, watching with a smile while the foal enjoyed the sun.

"Hey... aren't you coming too? I wanted to show you to my parents." Monochrome said looking back.

"Sorry kid, I'll have to refuse the offer... My place is in these woods and is not wise for me to leave it." Nevarius said smiling.

"What...? Why?" Monochrome got closer to him.

"Well... let's just say that everypony have its fears... While most of them fear to enter these woods, I fear to leave them." The horned creature said still smiling. Monochrome opened his mouth to say something but Nevarius spoke before any word came out of the foal. "Whenever you need me, just call, ok? And if you ever find yourself in danger, come to the forest... Here you will always find shelter and protection... Goodbye Monochrome." Nevarius said and stepped back... The purple foal could swear that he saw the horned creature melt in the ground... but on second thought, that was impossible.

Monochrome took off, flapping his wings and went back to his home. Few minutes of flying and he could see his house and the planting fields on the horizon. He flew faster and faster to reach his destination but suddenly an aura of magic engulfed the foal and pulled him down. He screamed in surprise, thinking that he would hit the ground. But instead, he felt the warmth of his foster mother hug.

"Oh Celestia! I thought I had lost you!" She said hugging the foal really thigh. Monochrome just hugged her back.

"Sorry mom... I'm... I'm sorry... but I'm fine now!" He said looking at her. He felt the spike of guilt hit his heart as he saw her teary face.

"Fine!? Do you know how much me and your father worried when you didn't came back!? And when we started to look for you we talked to a pegasus guard that told us that you had entered Everfree forest... I... I thought that I had lost you..." Wind Petal said shedding a pair of tears.

"Monochrome!" The foal heard the voice of Earthy Touch, his foster father. As he looked to the side he saw the yellow colt running towards him and hugging him and Petal. "Thank Celestia you are alive!" He said with his voice full of emotions. Monochrome closed his eyes, feeling safe between the two adults there... Feeling how much he was loved and how much he loved the couple that had taken care of him until now.

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A/N:Here you go, second chapter. Before any of you guys say anything, yes, that is my OC over there… and I regret nothing! xD

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

Don't forget to vote up and leave your thought about the story, I like to read comments! ^^

Broohof!