Chapters It was a day until the Summer Sun Celebration, and since last year was ruined by the return of Nightmare Moon, the celebration is being held in Ponyville- again.
The train, that was heading to Ponyville, was not as packed as one would have thought. Truth was that there was only one carriage.
By the window, sat a musky turquoise pegasus. She had cream pink hair with a white stripe and it was put up in a milkmaid braid style. Her eyes were a deep sea blue. Her wings were not like ordinary pegasus wings, they usually have one colour, whereas, she had pink tips and edges. Her hooves and left ear were pink as well. Her tail spread across the seat but still kept it's silky glow. Her cutiemark was a paintbrush and pencil doing swirls. She was an artist. And a pretty good as well.
Her name was Watercolour. The name of her favourite painting style.
She was on her way to Ponyville, to get inspiration and to draw or paint the celebration.
She would love to paint Celestia's silhouette against the sun as she flew up to raise it. With the oranges and yellows and golds it would be perfect. And the green field background. Marvellous.
But, that's not the only reason Watercolour was heading there.
She used to live Cloudsdale before setting up a shop in Canterlot.
She owned a little art and crafts shop as well as a gallery. She loved seeing the little fillies and colts buying paints and clay.
But unfortunately, she had to stop and close. You see her brother was a drunk and drug mess. No matter how many times he said he would quit, he would just carry on. He ran out of money to buy his alcohol and drugs. So he asked Watercolour, but she refused, hoping he would quit. He didn't. He went to gang, a bad gang- like the Mafia- and borrowed money. He never had a job so he couldn't pay back. So he was murdered. But the gang knew Watercolour and demanded money. She said no. But they kept harassing her. She went to Celestia but nothing worked. Each and everyday it got worse. Instead of threats, they set fire to her shop, threw rocks at the windows. The fillies and colts were to scared to come in. So she eventually closed. Packing her faithful art box and pad, a scarf from her mother, a locket from her farther, a pouch of bits and a couple of apples. And she went to start a new life.
What she didn't know was that a member of the gang saw her boarding the train to Ponyville.
She fell asleep on the the window sill as the sun began to set.
"Miss. Excuse me. Miss."
A green earth pony, working on the train, prodded Watercolour on the arm.
*yawn*"Huh?!"
"Miss, the train has entered Ponyville station."
"Oh no!" She quickly grabbed her saddled bags and trotted to the exit.
"Thank you!" She waved.
The pony blushed. Not everypony he helped said thank you. Especially, the pretty ones.
Watercolour fluttered to the Center of Ponyville. She gazed in amazement.
Ribbons and bunting hung off the houses. Flowers organized in colour order. Market stalls out. The sight was amazing. What was better was the smell. Freshly baked goods, fresh fruit, flowers. She loved it. She couldn't wait to live here. The houses looked so cute and traditional. Unlike the ones in Canterlot.
She was about to walk forwards when a pink pony with wild pink hair bounced in front of her.
"Umm, excuse me but I-" Colour started.
"Hey, are you a new pony? Of course your a new pony because I've never seen you around here and this means a welcome party! Oooo, I love parties do you you of course you do everypony loves parties especially me because its my talent. What's your talent? Wait! I almost forgot. Hehehe! My name is Pinkie Pie! What's yours!"
"Um, Watercolour."
"Wow! That is such a pretty name!"
"Thank you." Colour smiled.
"Is it okay I call you Colour? Everypony I know have nicknames."
"Yea sure. It was my nickname in Canterlot."
"Your from Canterlot?"
"Yes."
"I've got a friend from Canterlot. Come on!"
"Okay, Pinkie."
KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
"Oh hello Pinkie!" Greeted a lavender unicorn.
"Hey Twi! Meet my new friend Watercolour! She's from Canterlot!"
"Hey!" Colour smiled sheepishly. She never got this much attention.
"Hello, I'm Twilight Sparkle. This is my home and the Ponyville Library."
"Wow! You live in a library!"
"Pretty fun! I've read every book here three times!"
"Woah! The only thing I read was an instruction sheet on how to put a table together." She giggled.
"So Watercolour,"
"Call me Colour."
"So Colour. Are you on holiday or staying?"
"Definitely staying. I never want to go to Canterlot again!"
"Why not?"
"Long story." She muttered.
"Since your staying would you like to meet our other friends?" Twilight asked.
"Oh yes please, Twilight?"
"Yep that's my name."
She closed the door.
"Sooooo, what is your talent?" Pinkie questioned.
"Huh? Oh, I'm a artist."
"Cool!"
"It's amazing how many pegasi aren't into flying."
Colour tilted her head.
"Our friend Fluttershy prefers the ground than sky."
"I do like flying, I just love art!"
The three mares approached a small cottage next to a dark wood.
"What is that?" Colour pointed a hoof at the forest.
"That's the Everfree Forest."
"Looks spooky."
"It is spooky. Oh hey! It's Fluttershy! FLUTTERSHY!" Pinkie yelled.
"Oh hey girls." The cream coloured pegasus fluttered up. Her face was covered by her rosey Pinkie hair.
"Fluttershy, this is Watercolour. Watercolour, this is Fluttershy." Twilight introduced.
"Hi!"
"Umm, hello."
"You have a very sweet name."
"Oh thank you." Fluttershy smiled. "You have very nice hair. Um, girls. I've got to give Rarity her sewing set back."
"We'll come too."
Knock. Knock.
"Oh good afternoon girls. Oh Fluttershy, you have my sewing set. Thank you." A white unicorn mare with indigo hair answered the door.
"I also see we have a new friend. Hello dear, I'm Rarity."
"I'm Watercolour."
"Oh my! Your hair! It's fabulous!"
"Thanks."
"I should consider using milkmaid braid style."
"This place looks beautiful!" Colour stared at the building.
"This is Carousel Boutique. Where every garment is chic, unique and manifique!"
"Wow!"
"Well darlings, as much as i would love to chat, I've got to go to the market."
"Oooo! Can we come? Can we? Can we? Can we?" Pinkie pleaded.
"Sure. I could do with some company. And I could talk to Watercolour." Rarity glanced at Colour. "Oh my word!"
"What?! What is it?" Colour frantically asked.
"Your hooves and wings! They are beautiful!"
Watercolour flapped her wings.
"Turquoise blue with pink ends."
"Thank you. I'm sorta mixture of my mother and father."
"Wow! Just wow!" Rarity just stared at her wings.
"Um, you-hoo. Equestria to Rarity. Come in Rarity." Twilight waved a hoof in front of Rarity.
"Oh yes. Sorry. The market. Come on girls."
They walked down a path that had beautiful flowers around it.
"This town is lovely! So cheery and colourful!" Colour went to sniff a pink flower.
"And the flowers are-are- aaacchhhooooo!"
The others giggled.
Colour blushed as she rubbed her nose.
The four mares entered the market area.
"Wow!" Colour was going to really love living here.
She scanned the stalls and read the signs in them.
Carrot Top's top Carrots, Rose's roses, Derpy's muffins, Bonbon's bonbon sweets and....
"SWEET APPLE ACRE'S APPLES!" Watercolour's wings flared open and zoomed to stall.
"Omigosh! Omigosh! Omigosh!"
"Ah guess ya really like ma apples!" An amber pony grinned.
"Yes! In Canterlot, they only have ten apples at the shop per month. They're sooo yummy!" Colour's mouth watered.
"They are three bits each!"
"Hang on!" She opened her saddle bag and brought out a little pouch.
"Oh no! I must have spent the last of my bits on the train ticket! I only have one left." At that moment, her stomach rumbled.
"Here ya go."
"What?"
"It's free."
"Thank you!" She took a bite from the apple. "Mmmmm! They are even fletter when the are wesh!" She said with her mouth full.
"So Applejack, I see you have met Watercolour." Twilight said as the others walked up.
"So ya name is Watercolour?"
*Gulp* "Call me Colour for short."
"Applejack, have you seen Dashie?"
"Dashie?" Colour repeated.
"It's a pet name Pinkie has given her." Rarity said.
"Who?"
"Rainbow Dash."
"Heh! Somepony called."
A cyan pegasus flew down. Her hair was a vibrant rainbow, hence the name Rainbow.
"Are you Rainbow Dash?" Colour asked.
"The one and only!"
"The Rainbow Dash who can perform the legendary Sonic Rainboom on demand?"
"Yes! That's me!"
"Omigosh! From what I saw at the royal wedding, it was beautiful. A giant ring of bright colours. If i could paint it."
"You were at the wedding?" Twilight asked.
"I was at the front while they said their vowels. I got asked to paint them a portrait. But once I had finished, I had to leave. I saw the Rainboom as I left."
"Hmm. You said you wanted to paint my Rainboom."
"Yes." Colour said.
"Well, the Summer Sun Celebration is tomorrow morning. I could ask Celestia if i can perform it after she raises the sun." Rainbow offered.
"Wow! You'll do that?"
Rainbow nodded.
"I can picture it now! The vibrant colours in the golden background." She got out her art box. It had Watercolour's name across it.
"Your name is Watercolour? Sweet name!"
"Thank you!" So many friends and compliments in an hour.
"Well, I've got enough paint, chalks and pencils to last me two weeks."
She put the box back in her bags and fluttered her wings.
"Awesome wings, Colour." Rainbow said.
Colour smiled. "So Rainbow, I heard you've got a record of 17.5 wing power."
"Yes."
"Do you think you can beat my 17.9 wing power?"
Rainbow's jaw dropped. "17.9?!"
"Yep. Been practicing ever since you were won the Best Young Fliers competition. So wanna race?"
Rainbow's cheeky smile grew into a sly one. "You're on! Meet me by Ghastly Gorge at noon." And she zoomed off.
"Gha-Gha-Ghastly Gorge?" Fluttershy whispered.
"Do you think you can beat her?"
"My farther was a Wonderbolt. He wanted me to be one, but I became a artist."
"Come on. We better get you ready. Let's go to the Gorge." Twilight levitated the saddle bags and placed them on Colour's back.
It was noon, and at Ghastly Gorge was seven mares.
"So, ready to eat my dust Colour?"
"And vise verca!"
"Don't go all egghead on me! I've had enough from that one!" Rainbow pointed to Twilight.
Twilight came over. "Are you ready, Watercolour?"
"Yep!"
"Are you ready, Rainbow Crash?" Twilight sneered.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!" Rainbow's usually magneta eyes went deep scarlet and her wings flared open.
"umm. Rainbow Dash." Twilight whispered.
"Hmphf!"
"Woah! Temper much, Dash." Colour giggled.
"Ha ha! Now are we going to race or what?"
The two pegasi stood ready at a painted red line.
"On your marks." Rainbow said.
"Getsetgo!" And Colour zoomed off.
"Hey!" Rainbow quickly followed.
Zipping through cracks and flying over rocks, northern of the pegasi showed signs of slowing down.
Rainbow wished she could do a Sonic Rainboom, but the imense force will create a rock slide. She didn't want to end up in one of them again.
Colour was winning by a nose.
As the finish line came closer into sight, Rainbow urged her wings to go faster.
Just as Colour was about to cross the line, a rainbow streak bashed into her. Causing both of the racers to tumble to the ground.
The others came running over.
"Oh Celestia! Are you two okay?"
Their reply were giggles and laughter.
"That was the best race ever! And I don't say that to everypony!" Rainbow got up and brushed off any dirt.
"I would say the same! But one question!" Colour said.
"What's that?"
"Do your ribs hurt?"
"Ow! Listen, I have an idea you can stay at my place if you want."
"Really?" Colour put her saddle bags on.
"Sure. You're a great pony! And an awesome flier!"
"Thank you!"
"Come on, I'll show you where it is and it's a pretty big house. See you later girls. We will be back for the celebration! Bye!"
"See ya girls!" She waved to the others.
"What a nice pony!" Fluttershy said as Watercolour left with Rainbow Dash.
"Such perfect style!" Rarity commented.
"Let's go girls! It's celebration time!"
"YEAH! PARTY TIME!!" Pinkie yelled as she jumped away.
"So this is your room." Rainbow pointed to a empty room with a cloud bed and table.
"Wow! When you said it was big, I never thought it would be this big. Or be cloud house." Watercolour gazed at the interior of the house.
"Well, there are not many pegasi here. And the ones here live in brick houses."
"Yeah, but why so big?"
"Before me and Fluttershy met the others, she used to get scared a lot during storms. So she stayed at mine." Rainbow walked down the hallway.
"What about your family? Don't they come over to stay?"
Rainbow suddenly stopped. She just stood there and lowered her head.
"Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry. I-I-"
"It's okay. It's not the end of the world." She resumed to walking down the hall.
"You know, my family are dead as well."
"Really?"
"Really! My mother died from an illness, my father died in a storm and my brother... got murdered three weeks ago."
Rainbow fluttered over to Colour. "Listen. Life throws you in difficult positions and takes loved ones, but you won't have a life if you wallow in pain and misery. When a door closes another opens. If my family hadn't died, I wouldn't have moved to Ponyville. And met all my friends, or helped defeat Nightmare Moon or Discord."
"Thank you, Rainbow. You're a good friend." Colour smiled.
"Well, I am the element of loyalty for a reason." Rainbow posed.
"Don't we have a party to go to." Colour chuckled as she placed her bags on the bed.
The two pegasi mares landed in the center of Ponyville. It was getting dark. That meant party time.
But before they entered Sugarcube Corner, Colour stopped. "Indigo?"
Standing by the tree library talking to Derpy, was a blue pegasus- unicorn. Her hair was a deep indigo. It dangled down her neck. Her eyes were emerald green. Her wings started off blue but faded into purple at the tips. Her cutiemark was a book and quill. She was mainly an author but she loved traveling and having adventures.
"Watercolour? Is that really you?" Indigo Dazzle hug Watercolour.
"Are you here for the celebration?" Colour asked.
"Yes. And because I needed to top up on supplies. I'm going to Hoofson Bay tomorrow. So how are you?"
"Fine! But I thought you were living in Cloudsdale."
"Phft! Way too boring! Besides, I may have caused a couple of cloud buildings to catch fire." Indigo giggled.
"How does that work?"
"I have no clue! But why are you here? What about your shop?"
"I closed and left. I wanted to start afresh! New town. New friends."
"Are you painting the sunrise?"
"Yes! And Rainbow Dash is going to perform a sonic rainboom as well!" Colour squealed in delight.
"I bet your paintings will be the best!"
"What about your books?"
"Three are already published and I'm half way through one."
"What are they about again?"
"They're about this colt, who lives with his uncle, aunt and cousin. And he goes to Wizard School. His name is Harry Pony!" Indigo beamed a smile.
"I'll buy them tomorrow! When I get some money. And a job."
"Ask Pinkie or Rarity. Pinkie could use some help with the bakery. And Rarity needs a new model. And from what I heard earlier, she really likes your hair style!"
"Thanks."
Suddenly, a big bang shattered the windows of Sugarcube Corner. Ponies were running out either laughing or screaming.
Applejack came out with a blank face on.
"Err, Applejack?" Indigo waved a hoof in front of her.
"Remind me not ta give Pinkie a whole bottle of Dandelion Vodka! It ain't good for tha doors. Or tha floor boards. Or tha windows. In fact, next time Pinkie gets drunk, I'm running to Germaney!" Applejack walked back to Sugarcube Corner.
The two mares burst into fits of laughter.
"Oh Celestia! I'm going to love it here!" Colour could hardly stand up. So her and Indigo Dazzel lay on the ground giggling.
But secretly, watching Watercolour- was a brown unicorn. The same unicorn from the Canterlot Platform earlier. He walked back into the darkness.