As days go by...

(Rainbow dashes thoughts in blue to avoid confusion ^_^)

While the familiar lick of cold returned to your nerves there were two distorted voices echoing through wherever it was you were. You could barely make it out but there was something about a 'he' and 'time'.

Suspicion would have to wait, there was a far more important thing for you right now. "Rainbow?" Once you had motor control back you did all you could. You walked. The almost irritatingly repetitive sound of your steps over what must've been concrete let on no sign of progress or purpose. "Rainbow. Rainbow!" Maybe you were sleep walking, in any case finding her wouldn't be a bad thing.

The sound and feeling of the hard stony floor under foot had now instantly changed to that of, dirt? On top of it, the chill disappears "Oh great, what now?"

"S-stay away from her!"

"What?" Was that-

"I-I said stay back!! Please I don't want to hurt but I WILL."

After a second to process what you saw, it chilled you to the bone. Twilight standing between you and a battered Rainbow Dash, horn sparking with restrained magic

"Twilight? What happened, who-..." As you took a step toward them Twilight quickly raised a shield, but that wasn't what caught your attention. Your hands were covered in blood, dripping from your knuckles. You couldn't have done this, there was nothing that could ever make you hurt Rainbow.

Whilst the tears pushed at your will power a voice forced them back.

"RILEY!"

Rainbow?

"RILEY, ANSWER ME!! WAKE UP OR I SWEAR I'LL KICK YOUR FLANK!"

Well, she IS a persistent one I'll give her that much.<

***

Everything changed in an instant. Rainbow was no longer in her home, but instead what had to have been the Canterlot throne room, but why was she- "Rainbow!? Rainbow, help!"

Before even a millisecond to process what was happening Rainbow took off for the voice, after all she'd been through one of the many things she learned was to prioritize. Although she thought it a bit odd that her whole body was nearly entirely numb {Doesn't matter, he'd be doing this for me}.

The large lifeless halls she ran through now began to darken. Only flickers for several moments but was now near pitch black. Only the slivers of moonlight through the cracked windows illuminating her way. >You won't save him.<

"Shut up." Rainbow puffed and sped up, hoping to outrun her nagging voice of fear.

Awww, it's so cute when you try to fight a hopeless battle<

Rainbow dash just gritted her teeth and kept up her search, albeit with a bit more concern.

***

"Taunting them won't work the way you think it will."

"What do you mean, they'll let their emotions blind them and give me-...US the perfect window of opportunity to-"

"You ignore his determination. Even though he doesn't know how to utilize any of his skills it does not mean he will not be a severe threat."

The two malicious entities stared one another down for a moment, then returned to the matter at hand.

"Oh and just remember who let you out next time you think about interrupting me."

***

"Rainbow, please...help."

{Hold on, I'm coming} Rainbows now frantic running had lead her to a pair of enormous, dust ridden, crystal doors. Much like what she had seen in the crystal empire only these were far more decorated along with eerie depictions of ferocious battles. But fear was only going to slow her down and she had no intention of letting that happen...not now. Riley's pleas for help were getting softer and slightly garbled, Faust knows what had happened to him and now was the worst possible time for it to happen...because of what she'd put off telling him for too long. "Rainbow? Are you here?"

She reared her hind legs, ready to put all her power into the kick but before she could to doors had begun to creak open. In the massive dead end room, Riley sat against the far wall clutching his chest with struggling breaths. "RILEY!!" Rainbow practically screamed, galloping to his side. "Riley are you okay!? What happened!? Who did this!!?"

"Rainbow..." Riley whispered, gently bringing his hand to Rainbow's cheek "...I'm sorry, but we both knew this was coming. This was the deal."

"Deal? What deal?" Rainbows tears were postponed by the sheer confusion over her lovers words.

"My life for yours...I just thought it would stop THEM too, but n-nothing can."

Rainbow felt something warm flow around her forehooves, but she didn't need to look. "Riley, please...just hold on and we can get help-"

"It won't matter Rainbow, they'd just come for me again...there's nothing left." Riley's skin began to cool and his breaths grew shallow.

"What do mean NOTHING!!? You took an oath, you have friends...you have a family. Please I-I can't lose you...y-you promised me you'd-..." Rainbow lost all control and collapsed into Riley's arms, crying hysterically.

"Ah, it's about time he realized how stupid he was. He couldn't stop me, Faust couldn't stop me...not even your precious little trinkets could. It's over, bow before me and you will be spared. But no matter what I WILL reclaim my throne." The booming demonic voice was enough to get Rainbows attention but still did not drag her away from desperately trying to keep Riley from deaths grip.

But it wasn't enough, she couldn't feel his staggered breaths anymore and through her teary eyes saw that his were closed the pool of blood no longer growing...but instead was flowing.

Now that Rainbow turned around she could see the large relatively slender stallion behind her, from the looks of it he was a unicorn. But his horn was cracked, serrated and was dripping with something she didn't want to think about. She had also figured out what was moving Riley's blood, he was absorbing it somehow and a deep crimson shroud grew around him with each passing second.

Rainbow was frozen in fear, the only pony she'd ever seen with power anything like this was Riley. As she weighed her options Rainbow threw all rationality out the window and charged the mysterious figure. Hell bent on exacting her revenge, or die trying.

***

Somehow you had found your way home, or at least a dream of home. In the stormy evening the normally beautiful clouds gave off an eerie atmosphere. For the moment all you could do was stand outside and stare at it, until the echoing scream in your head returned "YOU DID THIS!!"

You cringe at the volume and decide against your better judgment to enter your seemingly abandoned abode. "Sure would be nice if I had those weapons right now..." you reach the door and feel an incredibly sharp pain hit your chest "...or maybe some painkillers. Fuck." Surely all this pain wasn't necessary, not to say it wouldn't be worth it but if Tia's plan didn't work you were gonna be pissed.

Whilst the front door creaked it's way open you cautiously peered inside. Cobwebs, and dust covered almost every square inch of the room. The only break in it was the hoofsteps leading to the stairs. {Okay}

[Bad move man]

{Shut up I'm busy}

Throwing all caution to the wind you move towards the staircase as sobbing reaches your ears. Sobbing and tearing fabric. "Okay, on second thought caution doesn't sound so stupid anymore."

Slowly but surely taking the stairs step by step you've almost reached the top when you recognize the sobbing. "Rainbow?" no response. You rush to the door "Rainbow what's wr-"

She sat, hunched over at the end of your bed splattered with blood. Her wings seemed broken in several places she had open cuts almost all over her. She didn't move, you couldn't even see her breathing...but she still managed to whisper to you. "Why did you do this?"

As hard as you tried no words came out. Seeing her like this was so surreal, there was no way this was real but you still believed it. "I-I d-..." Every part of you was screaming to reach out and hold her close, to try and fix this.

"I trusted you and you still did this. I stood by you for so long." she leaned forward and dropped down onto her hooves. "After everything I saved you from." She looked up, directly into your eyes. And it was easily the most terrifying thing you'd seen in your life. Those once magnificent, rosy gems that you could lose yourself in now jet black pits of horror and despair. "YOU TOLD ME YOU LOVED ME!!" While the ear piercing screech stunned you Rainbow tackled you with unprecedented strength, knocking the wind and any hope you had out of you.

"Rainbow stop! You're not thinking straight! If we can just-" She ceased your pleading with a painful punch to the ribs. But you didn't want to let a few loud cracks stop you. "This isn't you-" Rainbows damage becomes apparent as you enter a coughing fit, spitting blood every few seconds.

"You're pathetic. I don't need you, I never needed you. YOU'RE THE REASON THIS HAPPENED!!" Before you could return the air to your lungs and beg her to stop, she had raised her hoof and already brought it back down.

***

"Huh?" Finally able to open your eyes, you frantically look around for Rainbow...who is still curled up on the bed sound asleep. You appear to have not moved either. The entire ordeal seemed like hours, but you were still damp from the shower you had minutes before hand. {Fuck this, I'll worry in the morning} You slowly lift the covers and crawl in beside your lovely mare.

Risking waking her up you snake your arms around her and pull her close. And just your luck, she stirs and looks back at you with her adorable sleepy eyes. You nuzzle her neck and try to lull her to sleep "Sorry, just couldn't help it."

She smiles and lays her head back down, holding your hand while she gets herself comfortable "Don't worry babe." {Thank Faust that was a dream}

{What the fuck was all that about?} There's no need to worry Rainbow more than she already is, but discussing it with Celestia might help.

Drifting off once again, you plan for the busy day tomorrow, thankfully there shouldn't be much bustle in Canterlot. {Get train, get answers, come back, say hi to girls, pick up Scoots...} your mental checklist is interrupted  as you are suddenly made aware of an approaching storm {...pick up Scootaloo from Rarity's, relearn magic} Being a parent seemed a lot harder back on Earth.

-outro-