There Is No Pink In A Rainbow

It happened faster than anypony had predicted. It wasn't anything like a Sonic Rainboom, fast, but spectacular. It was too quick to predict, but it seemed like time had slowed down. Pinkie had found a perch to sit upon, a small cliff-like area with a waterfall near it, and a small pool, or pond-like, area. She stared down at the pond, her heart weighing heavier with each passing moment. Then, it happened, a loud scream pierced the silence, followed by an explosion of water and fear. Pinkie stared at the pond, no longer in silence, but in a deafening attempt, she jumped into the pond. She swam as if she'd never come back from the rescue. Rainbow, a bloody and beaten stature, sunk, lifeless, towards the bottom. Pinkie swam through the tears and blood, and eventually, managed to re-surface the pegasus. She laid the pony on the shore-line near her, then, immediately got on land and attempted to revive her. Rainbow coughed, and Pinkie's eyes almost lit up with the same glow they used to hold. Then, Rainbow reached a slow, shaky hoof towards Pinkie's cheek.

"...Dashie...?"

"H-Hey.. Pinkie Pie.."

"Dashie! You're okay! R-Right...?"

"..You.. Know it.."

Rainbow coughed a second time, but this time, a small puddle of blood had spilled onto the grass, staining it. Pinkie stared in horror, before she wrapped her forelegs around the Pegasus desperately.

"You can't leave me, Dashie, you can't! Can't, can't, can't!"

"...It's.. Okay, Pinkie.. I'm always.. Gonna be there..."

Pinkie sobbed loudly, her snout buried into Rainbow's neck. Rainbow gave her a weak nuzzle. This only added to Pinkie's desperation, as she had started to shake. The two laid like this for some time, but it felt like only seconds. Rainbow Dash gave her friend a weak hug, and in that instance, Pinkie had looked down at her and actually studied her face. She looked weak and scared, but a smile that almost seemed comfortable was plastered in the gory image. In that instance, Rainbow Dash pulled the pink mare down. She pressed the gentlest kiss she could muster against her, then Pinkie felt the life slip away. She held the body for a few more moments, before she built a grave for the pony. She cut some of her tail off, and in a very shaky attempt, she decorated the grave with her tail.

The pink pony trudged out of the Everfree Forest, her thoughts in a thousand places at once. What happened to Rainbow Dash? Who did it? Why? She wanted to know all of these, and more, but she didn't know where to start, if anywhere at all. She decided the first place to go would be Twilight. She always knew what to do in these moments. With an air of finality, and a load of guilt heavier than any cake she'll ever bake, she started on her way to Twilight's library.

Fluttershy giggled softly as she trotted up to the door of the library. She moved to knock on the door, but a split second before she did, the door swung open. Fluttershy shrieked in surprise to see her friend, Pinkie Pie, standing in the doorway. Her mane appeared to be in a tangled and twisted mess, draping down over her face. Her eyes were still visible, with a slight red tint indicating she'd been crying. Her snout wasn't plastered with a usual happy smile, but haunting, with a frown larger than she thought was even possible for Pinkie Pie.

"Oh.. Um.. Hello, Pinkie Pie.."

".....Hey Fluttershy...."

Fluttershy felt awkward, seeing her party friend like this. She tilted her head slowly, her peach mane shifting with each movement.

"..Um.. Is there something.. Bothering you..?"

The pegasus knew her question was downright foolish. But still, she hoped that the notion would at least make her friend realize she wasn't alone. Pinkie Pie looked up into the blue eyes of the pegasus, and Fluttershy stared back into Pinkie's. For a moment, Pinkie Pie cracked an innocent smile, as if she were oblivious to the disasters of life, as if the pain and sorrow didn't affect the pink mare. But immediately, Pinkie turned away, a tear escaping.

"Pinkie? Why's the door still-"

Twilight poked her head through the doorframe, blinking at the sight of Fluttershy standing there. Pinkie gave a quiet sigh and stepped out of the way. Fluttershy glanced at Pinkie with a confused and questioning look.

"Go on in. That's what you're here for, right?"

"Well, um... Yes, sort of... Twilight, can I talk to you for a moment... Um... In private?"

Twilight glanced at Pinkie Pie, and the two gave each other a quizzical look. Pinkie looked away, tears brimming at her eyes. She wanted to get this over with. All this pain and sorrow, it was too much for the party pony. Her glance remained towards the ground. Fluttershy looked like she may cry herself, but before she could burst into tears, Twilight dragged her in the library, shutting the door lightly.

"What do you need, Fluttershy? I need to get to helping Pinkie."

"...Twilight... Pinkie... She's becoming... Um... A problem..."

"What do you mean 'a problem'? She's just... Distraught... Like the rest of us..."

"...I..."

Fluttershy looked away, unsure of what to say. Did she miss Rainbow Dash? She thought she did. The rainbow pegasus had been there for her since flight camp during their filly days.