Starting Over

Chapters

Chapter I - Starting A New Life
Chapter II - The Rainbow Racer
Chapter III - Screams In The Night
Chapter IV - Introductions
Chapter V - The Hunt For Spectra
Chapter VI - Vinyl's Club
Chapter VII - Dinner And A Fight
Chapter VIII - Manehatten Tales
Chapter IX - Chaotic Memories
Chapter X - Visiting Royalty
Chapter XI - Night In Canterlot
Chapter XII - Chance Of A Lifetime
Chapter XIII - Estrus
Chapter XV - Pinkie Promise
Chapter XVI - Rainbow's Cousin
Chapter XVII - The Hardest Decision
Sequel!
Chapter XIV - Happy Birthday Spectra!
Chapter XVIII - Epilogue

Chapter I - Starting A New Life

Spectra was a dark blue coated pegasus pony. He had a brown coloured mane with 2 barely visible black streaks, blood red eyes, and his cutie mark was Yin & Yang.

Spectra was tired of his life. Tired of selling drugs to ponies who needed their fix. Tired of being treated badly his whole life. Tired of Manehatten.

Spectra was lying on his bed in his apartment, staring at his ceiling. He had bags on his bed next to him, and a ticket to a place called "Ponyville" in his hoof. Spectra also had his guitar case with him. He would never play in front of other ponies. He's too shy.

That's the strangest thing about Spectra, he loves competition and thinks himself to be the best flier in Equestria. And yet, he can be incredibly shy and he can get very emotional easily.

Spectra gets up, picks his bags up, and walks towards his door. When he opens it, he finds one of his customers standing in front of the door. "Hey, Spectra my man, what's happenin'?" Spectra shakes his head.

"Ed, what do you want this time and how much of it do you want?"

Ed was a red coated, blue maned, green tailed unicorn with a weird top hat on his head with swirls decorating it.

Ed hoofs Spectra 150 bits. "I need some weed man. Things been getin' stressful 'round my place." He looks over to the case Spectra was carrying. "What's with the bags?"

Spectra walks over to his closet, grabs the last bag of weed, and tosses it back to Ed. He answers him with an emotionless look. "I'm leaving, dude. I hate this place and it hates me." Ed looks sad at first, then his frown turns into a smile. "Well, where ya headed, man?" Spectra smiles back. "Ponyville. I've heard good things about that place and decide to start my life over. Get a job, get a place, maybe find a marefriend and hopefully live the rest of my life in happiness."

Ed walks up to him, and holds out his hoof. "It's hard to see my favourite dealer leave, but nonetheless, I hope you have a great life."

Spectra brohoofs him with a grin. "Thanks, dude." Ed shrugs. "Well, take care, man."

With that, Ed walks out the door. Spectra walks over and closes it. Spectra looks at the ticket in his hoof. "My new life...." Spectra could hardly contain his excitement! He walks over to his bed and lies on it.

He had a good hour before the train leaves. Spectra decides to set his alarm clock and fall asleep. He knew that the nightmares would torture him, but he couldn't care less.

He has gotten used to the nightmares. The Nightmare. He see's a pony, screaming his name, face covered in blood. It was his mother.

He was there when his parents were murdered. He was only 2 years old. He is currently 28 and continues to have this nightmare ever since he was 8. The details of the killer were a little hazy. All he remembers from the nightmare was a deep laugh. When he woke up, he was sweating, and his alarm was going off. He switches it off and puts it in his bag.

He gets up and heads towards his door, opens it and leaves. Not taking a second glance at the place he called home for years. He exits the building, and sets off for the station.

-----Manehatten Train Station, 12:46pm-----

Spectra boards his train and takes a seat. He looks out the window as the train leaves. Watching Manehatten fly by without a care. Spectra had a good feeling that Ponyville will be great new start to his brand new life. "Ticket, please." Spectra turns to see the conductor. Spectra hoofs him his ticket. "Thank you, sir." Spectra nods in acknowledgement, as he walks down the car.

It was a 4 hour trip, and all Spectra brought with him was his guitar, so he brings it out of his case, and starts to play one of his favourite songs.

Ponies start looking over at him in awe, Spectra was completely unaware of their presence, he just got on the train as fast as he could and didn't notice his surroundings.

As he ends the song, he starts packing the guitar away, until he notices the other ponies staring at him. Spectra quickly gets stage fright. "OH! Um, sorry! I didn't know you were there! I'll stop now."

The other ponies thought he was amazing, but didn't push the subject further. Spectra fell asleep the rest of the way. Same nightmare. He woke up, sweating like a pig and with the train in Ponyville. He collects his things, gets up and exits the train. He takes a deep breath, and exhales. "My new life. It starts now!" He begins to walk, until a cyan coloured blur rams into him, knocking him out cold. The last thing he see's before slipping into darkness, was a blurry pegasus with a rainbow coloured mane.

Chapter II - The Rainbow Racer

"......-mygoshomygoshomygosh! Please wake up! Please?"

Spectra woke up to the sound of a mare apologizing to him. 'Thats weird. Why is she....wait a minute....she crashed into me!'

The mare held out a hoof to help him up. Spectra looks up at her to get a decent look.

Her coat was cyan coloured, she had a rainbow mane and tail, along with a lightning bolt cutie mark that was rainbow coloured. 'I bet myself 50 bits I can guess this mares name' Spectra thought to himself.

He grabs the hoof and stands up. "Thanks, Rainbow." The mare looked shocked at first, but then got a smug look on her face.

"So ya heard of me, huh?" '*Mental Facehoof* Great now I owe myself 50 bits.'

"No, actually. I guessed your name. My name is Spectra Speed." He holds out a hoof. Rainbow then brohoofs him back.

"Hey, Spectra! The name is Rainbow Dash! I'm the fastest pegasus in Equestria!"

'Wait WHAT?!?!'

Spectra laughs so hard he starts rolling on the ground. Rainbow looks at him quizzically. "What's so funny?"

Spectra stands up and recomposes himself. "Oh ho ho. Thats cute. You think you're faster then me? What a joke! I'm the fastest flier in Equestria!"

Rainbow glares at Spectra. "Oh yeah?! Then how about a race?!"

Spectra just glares back. "Bring it on!"

Rainbow points towards the giant floating cloud house in the sky above Ponyville.

"First one to my house wins."

Spectra thinks hard, then he hatches a brilliant plan. "Alright. Lets make it interesting. As you can see, I just arrived in Ponyville. So I need a place to crash. If I win, then I can stay with you at your place until I get my own place."

Rainbow thinks hard for a second. Then she agrees. "Alright but WHEN I win...." She looks around for something and notices Spectra's guitar case. "....you have to play a song for me!"

Spectra looks shocked at first, then quickly gains confidence. 'Please, she can't beat me!' "You're on!"

They stand side-by-side, in a starting position, they both count down at the same time. "3....2....1....GO!!!

They both rocket off, knocking down anything and anypony in their way. Rainbow looks behind her to see that nopony was behind her. 'Hehe. Told him that I'M the fastest!'

She hears a voice ahead of her. "Is that all you got?" She looks in ahead of her to see Spectra way out in front!

'What?! How is HE ahead of ME?! Alrighty then! Time for the big guns!

Rainbow flies faster and faster trying to catch up to Spectra, who just smiles as he rockets ahead.

'Almost there.....come on almo-WHAT THE LIVING LUNA?!'

Rainbow shoots ahead, developing a cone of air around her, as she shoots forward, sending a massive blast of colour in the sky.

Spectra could only just stare with his jaw hanging. 'Did she just do a Sonic Rainboom!?! No way! They're just a legend!

Well, by the time Spectra reached Rainbow's home and went inside, she was already inside making a dandelion sandwich. She spots him and gives him a smug smile.

"See? I told ya I'M the fastest flier in Equestria."

Now, Spectra was furious. Remember when I said he can get emotional easy? Well that includes easy to anger. But, Spectra respects ponies when respect is due. And this mare deserves it.

He grabs his guitar out and sits on the couch. Rainbow zooms in front of him and lands on the floor in front of him, eager to hear him sing. 'I just know he sucks. After a few chords, the lyrics to the song came up.

'Omygoshomygoshomygosh! He has the most dreamy singing voice!'

When the song ends, Rainbow slowly opens her eyes. "That was amazi-"

She spotted Spectra packing his guitar and advancing towards the door.

"Wait! You can stay!" Spectra turns to her with a suspicious look.

"Really? Even though I lost the race?"

Rainbow nods her head. "Yeah, your voice is amazing to listen to!"

Spectra blushes. "Umm...well...t-t-thanks Rainbow."

Rainbow flies towards the hallway. "No problem!" She points to the first door to the left.

"That's the room you will be staying in. Wait, do you need a job? I can get you a place on the weather team if you want?"

Spectra looked happy with his big stupid grin. "Thanks, Rainbow!"

Rainbow shrugs. "Any time! It's what friends do for each other! Good night!"

Rainbow flies into the right door and closes it.

Spectra still stands where he was, shocked at the mares remark.

'She's my friend?....I've never had a friend before....'

Ed was never Spectra's friend, more like a regular customer.

Spectra flies towards his room, with a grin that stretches from here to Fillydelphia!

He flies in, places his bags on the floor, flops on the bed and falls straight to sleep with a big stupid grin on his face.

And then The Nightmare comes along....

Chapter III - Screams In The Night

Rainbow was woken up in the middle of the night. There were screams coming from Spectra's room!

She bolts out of her bed, zooms into the hallway, smashes Spectra's door down to find him...

Sleeping. He was screaming and sleeping at the same time.

Rainbow flies over to Spectra's bed and starts shaking the hay out of him.

"SPECTRA! WAKE UP!" Spectra's eyes snap open, and look over to Rainbow.

"......I was screaming, wasn't I?"

Rainbow nods her head. "Yeah, that must've been some nightmare. Wanna talk about it?"

Spectra shakes his head. "Not really. It won't help them go away."

Rainbow sits down on the bed next to him. "Well, sometimes talking to a friend can really help."

Spectra hesitates at the word "friend". He turns his head towards her. She had a worried look on her face.

He lies back on the bed, and closes his eyes.

"When I was 2 years old, my parents were murdered in front of me. The nightmares I have are those memories resurfacing. In the nightmare I see my mothers face, screaming my name covered in blood. And I also remember a deep laugh. I've been to doctors to seek help but they never work."

He sits up, with his eyes still closed. After a few seconds, he opens them and looks at Rainbow. She had tears in her eyes. She wasn't crying, she was feeling sad for Spectra.

Spectra turns away, he couldn't stand to see her like this, otherwise he will start bawling his eyes out. He was going to lie back down, until he felt something around his chest. He looks, to see that Rainbow was hugging him around his chest with her forelegs.

Spectra was surprised. Even with his foster family (who hated his guts), Spectra has never been hugged. Ever. When she lets go after a few seconds, he turns around to face her.

He stares into her eyes for a few seconds, before wrapping his forelegs around her. He was crying heavily. Rainbow just patted his back. "It's ok. Shhhh. It's ok."

After about a minute or 2 of crying, he pulls away. He looks into her eyes. No more tears, just a happy face.

At this, Spectra smiles, and gives her a quick hug. "Thanks Rainbow, I needed that."

She flies up. "No problem. Like I said, anything for a friend!"

And with that, she flies back into her room. Spectra didn't hesitate at her saying "friend" this time.

With a grin on his face, he lies back onto his bed, and falls asleep.

But this time, there was no nightmare. He was dreaming about soaring the skies, with Rainbow Dash by his side. Racing each other, having fun.

-----Rainbow Dashes Home, 10:24 am-----

Spectra was woken by the smell of pancakes. 'Must...eat....PANCAKES!'

He flies outta bed, and zooms into the kitchen. He see's Rainbow putting plates of pancakes on to the table.

She looks over to him. "Oh! Morning! I would ask if you slept well, but..."

Spectra waves a hoof. "Actually, after you calmed me down, I had the best sleep for the first time in 20 years."

Rainbow grinned at him. "You're welcome! Anyways, its time to chow down!"

Spectra takes a seat, and starts gobbling down pancakes.

After they both stop eating, Rainbow speaks up. "OK! Its time for you to start your new job!"

Spectra gets excited. "Cool! It will be better then my last job for sure!"

Rainbow cocks her head to the left. "What was your last job, anyway?"

Spectra's grin turns into a frown. He looks left and right. "Promise not to tell anypony?"

Rainbow nods. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" and while she said that, she made a cross over her heart and stuck her hoof in her eye.

It took about a minute for Spectra to process what just happened, but he shrugged it off.

"Ok, my last job was a dug dealer. Jobs were hard to find in Manehatten. It was the only way I could live."

Rainbows expression never changed during the talk. But then she giggles. 'What's so funny? I sold illegal drugs!'

"Thats it? Seriously, I would be more shocked if you came out of Manehatten as a business pony! Manehatten is full of crime, Spectra. And before you ask, it doesn't change my opinion of you. That was the past. This is now."

Spectra thought those words over in his head for a few seconds. 'She is right! My new life is now!'

Spectra nods. "Ok then. Lets get to work!"

Rainbow nods as well. "Ok, we have to go to Town Hall. Lets head over now."

-----Town Hall, 10:58am-----

Besides Spectra and Rainbow Dash, only 1 other pegasus was present at Town Hall. She had a grey coat, a blonde mane, and bubbles for a cutie mark. Spectra quickly took notice of 1 other thing. Her eyes. They were....well....crossed.

Spectra didn't mention them, he respects others privacy.

Rainbow and Spectra land in front of her. Rainbow puffs out her chest. "OK! Everypony is here! Lets start off today with an introduction!"

She exhales and her chest goes back down. "Derpy, meet Spectra!" Derpy raises a hoof to Spectra.

"It's nice to meet you, Spectra!" Spectra brohoofs her. "Same here, Derpy."

"Ok, now that's out of the way..." Derpy and Spectra both look up to Rainbow, who was hovering above. "...here's the weather today, Spectra has to go make it rain over Sweet Apple Acres."

She hoofs Spectra a map of Ponyville and points to Sweet Apple Acres. "Derpy, you have to make it sunny over Fluttershy's cottage." Spectra put a hoof to his chin.

'Fluttershy? I bet myself 50 bits she will hide from me IF we ever meet.'

He lowers his hoof. "And I will be making it cloudy over Ponyville. Everypony understand their jobs?"

Derpy and Spectra nod at the same time. "Great! Let's get started!"

-----Sweet Apple Acres, 11:13am-----

Spectra was busy putting the last rain cloud over Sweet Apple Acres, when he suddenly hears a voice calling out.

(Authors Note - Forgive me if I get AJ's voice dialogue wrong. Also don't expect Zecora in this story. I suck at rhymes.)

"Hey! Hey there! Over here!" Spectra looks down to see a pony with an Orange coat, a blonde mane put into a ponytail, and a cowpony hat. When he flies down he notices that she has 3 apples as a cutie mark.

"Howdy there, partner! Mah names Applejack! Ah've never seen ya 'round here! What's yer name?"

Spectra lands down onto the ground in front of her. "My names Spectra. I rode in from Manehatten. Rainbow gave me a job on the weather team."

Applejack nods her head with a smile. "Well, since ya know Rainbow, I'm sure ya must be a nice pony! Catch ya later!"

Spectra flies off. "See you!" Spectra flies towards Town Hall. A good days work done. He was happy he wasn't selling drugs any more.

-----Town Hall, 11:26am-----

Spectra flies over to Town Hall, when he notices that Rainbow and Derpy were talking to 3 stallions.

When he flies closer, he hears some conversation.

"...So Derpy here told me that you told her that you crashed into a random stallion from Manehatten, raced him, won and let him sleep at your place? Wow. That my boys, is what you call desperate! How many times have you screwed him? Twice?"

Rainbow was holding back the tears. "NO! I-I-Its nothing like that!"

The stallion just laughed. "Well, Rainbow Crash, I hope you used protection! Don't litter Equestria with your sick and stupid foals! I mean, who in there right min-!"

He was cut off when Spectra landed in front of him, knocking everypony to their flanks. When the stallion looked up, Spectra had the most furious look that would make even Celestia break her calm look at once.

"Now, boys..." Spectra spoke, without any emotion. "....I want you 3, to leave town, and go far away, understand?"

The stallion looked to his friends, and started laughing. When he turns to tell Spectra to take a hike, Spectra had already smashed his right hoof into his lower jaw, knocking him out cold.

Spectra turns to face the other 2. "Pick him up and leave. NOW!" They both do as they're told, pick up their friend, and race off with him on the back of one of them.

Spectra calms down, puts a cheeky grin on his face and turns to Rainbow Dash. She to, wore a massive smile. She walks over to him, and gives him a hug.

"Thank you, Spectra." Spectra hugs her even tighter. "Hey, what are friends for?"

Chapter IV - Introductions

Rainbow and Spectra were walking down Mane Street. Dash was walking to the library, where she told all her friends to meet up at, to introduce them to Spectra. Although, she hasn't told either him or her friends this. She knew he can be shy and didn't want him rejecting the offer to see her friends. She didn't tell her friends because she wanted it to be a surprise!

After a few minutes they finally reach the library. Rainbow turns to Spectra. "You go in first." Spectra just shrugs and walks in. Inside the library, were 5 mares.

One of them was a unicorn, she had a purple coat, a purple mane and tail with a pink streak going through it, and a star burst for a cutie mark.

'What in the name of Celestia can her special talent be?'

The one next to her was an earth pony, with a pink coat, pink mane and tail and had 3 balloons for a cutie mark. She was bouncing up and down with a huge smile on her face.

'Attention HQ, we have a hyper-active pony. Orders? Over.

This is HQ we suggest staying away from that one. Over.

I happily agree HQ. Over and out.'

The next one was another unicorn with a white coat, a beautifully styled purple mane and tail along with 3 diamonds as a cutie mark.

'She must be a jeweler or something'

Spectra couldn't see the face of the next one, she was a pegasus, like Spectra and Dash, she had her pink mane in front of her face. She had a yellow coat along with 3 butterflies as a cutie mark.

'150 bits says this one is Fluttershy.'

The next one Spectra already had the pleasure of meeting, Applejack. Rainbow flew next to Spectra and landed next to him."Girls, I would like you to meet Spectra."

"Uh..Hey everypo-" He was cut off when a pink blur tackled him. 'Huh. 2 tackles in one week? That's an academy record.'

"OhmygoshyoumustbenewherebecuaseIknoweverponyandifIdon'tknowyouthatmustmeanthatyournewhereomygoshwehavetohaveaWelcomeToPonyvillepartybecauseyournewherea-"

She was cut off when Rainbow put a hoof in her mouth. "Pinkie, calm down! He's been here for 3 days! Give him some breathing room."

'Attention HQ. We have failed to avoid pink pony. Orders? Over.

This is HQ. We now suggest getting the buck out. Over.

Roger, HQ. Over and out.'

As Pinkie gets off Spectra, he turns to the door. "Well, this was fun and all, but I forgot to turn off my washing machine."

He makes a mad dash to the door, only to have Rainbow hold him by his tail. Rainbow lets go so Spectra can get back up. He turns back around to face the ponies in the library.

'HQ We have failed once again. Orders? Over.

This is HQ. We now suggest going along with it. Over.

*sigh* Roger that. Over and out.'

"My name is Spectra Speed." The purple unicorn steps forward. "Hi Spectra. My name is Twilight Sparkle. So, where did you come from?"

"Manehatten. But I don't wanna talk about that place."

Twilight cocks her head to the side. "Um, why not?"

Rainbow intervenes. "Twilight, trust me. Leave him alone about that place. It has a dark history with Spectra." Spectra turns to Rainbow and mouths 'Thank you'.

Rainbow winks back at him. Twilight takes a step back. "Oh, I'm sorry. I won't ask any further."

"It's Ok. So what do you do Twilight?"

She smiles. "I'm in charge of the library here. I am the student of Princess Celestia and I have been sent here to study the magic of friendship."

Spectra was shocked. 'Princess Celestia's Student!?'

"Well, I hope you do a good job, Twilight."

She steps back. "Thanks, Spectra."

Then suddenly, Pinkie was inches from his face.

"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! I work at Sugarcube Corner! I make cupcakes! Wanna try one?"

Out of nowhere, she pulls a cupcake out and hoofs it to Spectra.

Spectra wasn't as shocked as you think he might of been. He met some strange ponies when he was a drug dealer. Not many of them compare to Pinkie, but some were stranger.

He grabs the cupcake."Thanks Pinkie." He takes a bite. The cupcake was strawberry flavoured, Spectra loved strawberry! It wasn't long before he shoved the whole thing in his mouth and swallowed it whole.

"Pinkie Pie you just gained a life time customer." Spectra said with a huge grin.

"YAY! I like making new friends! Come by later and I'll set up a party just for you! It will be called "Welcome To Ponyville Party!"

Spectra nods. "Sure, Pinkie. I'll come by!" She hops away.

'These ponies love making friends. Huh. Better get used to it I suppose.'

The white unicorn steps forward. "Hello, darling. My name, is Rarity." She finishes the sentence by flicking her mane up and holding out her hoof.

'WARNING WARNING WARNING! HQ WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE FANCY TYPES! ORDERS! OVER!

THIS IS HQ! WE STRONGLY SUGGEST ABORTING! OVER!

GOT IT HQ! OVER AND OUT!'

Spectra brohoofs her. He tries to end the conversation as fast as he could. "Hello, my name is Spectra. Nice to meet you."

Rarity then walks off, but not before saying "Come by the Carousel Boutique if you need any clothing! First one is free!"

Spectra is glad ponies don't wear clothing all the time.

The yellow pegasus steps forward, still hiding behind her mane. "Umm...hello. My name is-"

Spectra cuts her off.

"Fluttershy, right?"

Fluttershy looks shocked.

"H-h-how d-did you k-k-know?"

'Well, cause you're shy. By the way, thanks for making me lose 150 bits.'

Spectra shrugged. "I guessed."

Fluttershy, still hiding behind her mane, gets a smile.

"Umm...Do you like animals?"

Spectra grew his own smile. "I love animals! Although, I can never get a pet. Too much responsibility for my taste."

Fluttershy came out from behind her mane with a huge smile. "Oh! I have many animals at my cottage! You can come over whenever you want....um....if thats ok with you."

Spectra is grinning ear to ear. "Yeah I'd love to come over!"

Fluttershy steps back, still holding that smile.

Applejack steps forward and holds out a hoof. "Well Howdy Spectra. You already know what mah name is."

Spectra grabs her hoof. "Yeah Applejack right? How are yo-"

Applejack shakes his hoof very fast, causing Spectra's brain to be scrambled after she stops.

Spectra's eyes were spinning in their sockets. When they stopped, he looked at Applejack.

"I'll take it your doing good then?"

Applejack grins. "Ah'm doing alright. Come by the farm when ya can, alright?"

Spectra smiles. "Sure, AJ."

Applejack steps back. Rainbow steps forward in front of Spectra, facing the 5 mares.

"Girls, Spectra saved my flank from these stallion who were teasing me. You should've seen it! He just smashed the guy in the mouth, he knocked him out in 1 hit!"

The others looked shocked, except for AJ, who was staring at Spectra.

"If'n ya can do that, sugarcube, come on down to the farm! We could use a stallion as strong as ya!"

Spectra shrugs. "I only get strong when I'm angry. Like this one time, I got mugged and this guy wa-"

He put a hoof to his mouth, realizing what he just said.

Twilight was shocked. "WHAT!? Why were you mugged?!"

Spectra backed away. "I'd rather not talk about it..."

Twilight stepped forward. "What could you possibly have that would make somepony mug you?!"

Spectra was getting annoyed, and it showed. He stood his ground and glared at her. "Twilight, I don't wanna talk about it!"

Twilight was about to ask him again, but Rainbow flew in between the 2. "Twilight back off!"

Twilight was surprised Rainbow was taking Spectra's side.

"But why in Celestia would he be mugged?! Did he have 1 million bits or something?!"

"Yeah, you could say that." Spectra mumbled, hoping it would go unheard, but Twilight heard.

"What do you mean by that?! Are you rich!? If you were, why would you-"

Spectra had it.. He saw that she wouldn't stop. So he went to tell her the truth, but he was pissed.

He moved past Rainbow Dash and walked up to Twilight. His eyes full of rage.

Twilight looked scared. She tried backing away but failed to do so with Spectra advancing towards her.

"Do you wanna know why he was mugging me?! He saw me selling drugs to a pony and thought 'Hey, this kid has some drugs! Guess I'll mug him!' so he walks up to me, pulls a knife out and demands that I hand them over! Do you know what I did?! I grabbed the knife off him and snapped his neck!"

Spectra turned away, and left the library.

'Arrrghh! I just screwed my friendship over with Dash! Damn it...I'll just go pack and get out of her life. I'll find somewhere else to stay...'

-----Rainbow Dash's Perspective, Library-----

Rainbow just saw her newest friend go off at Twilight and left. Twilight was crying. Everypony else was angry. AJ looked furious.

"He sold drugs?! And he made Twilight cry?! That does it! He ain't gettin' any where near mah farm!"

Rainbow turned to face them. "Girls! Hang on! Yeah he went a bit too far, but I can explain why!" Everypony sat down, Twilight got up and sat next to AJ. Twilight had tears in her eyes, but she looked serious.

"We're listening."

Rainbow started. "Well, ya see when he was about 2 years old...."

-----One Extremely Long Explanation Later-----

"...and he came to Ponyville to forget all that."

All the girls had calmed down. They were shocked at all the things Spectra had to go through.

Twilight stood up, no tears were in her eyes. But worry was all over her face.

"We have to go find him! Where does he live?"

"He lives with me."

Twilight nodded. "OK girls! Lets go!"

-----Rainbow Dash's Home, 3:46pm-----

The 6 friends were on the hill that resides below Rainbow's cloud house.

Rainbow flew up and went through the doors.

"SPECTRA!? SPECTRA! We want to talk to you!"

No answer. She flew into his room to find all his bags were gone and a note on the bed.

'Oh no...'

She picked up the note;

Dear Rainbow Dash,

I understand if you now don't want me to live with you anymore. Don't worry. I've already left. I decided to go to that forest I saw near Ponyville. Please don't come looking for me. Don't let your friends come and find me to kill me or something.

From, Spectra

Rainbow re-read it. She couldn't believe he was gone. But she flew down to the others and hoofed them the note.

"He went to the Everfree Forest."

Chapter V - The Hunt For Spectra

-----Spectra's Perspective, Everfree Forest-----

Spectra was walking through the forest near Ponyville. He just made the only friend he ever had in his life hate his guts. 'I can't believe how stupid I am! Grrrah!' Spectra kicks the nearest tree, causing him to fall over. Spectra gets back up on his hooves and starts searching for somewhere to stay for the night.

'Hmmm.....come on...there has to be somewhere I can stay....HA! A cave!' Spectra walks into the cave and places his bags down near the entrance. He lies his head on his guitar case. 'Rainbow.....I'm so sorry...'

Tears well up in Spectra's eyes. He doesn't bother wiping them away. 'I might of lost my job to. Great. I'll get a job somewhere else I guess.'

-----Rainbow Dash's Perspective, Entrance To Everfree Forest-----

Rainbow was pacing back and forth in front of her 5 friends, who were lined up like soldiers. "Alright! Listen up! My buddy Spectra is somewhere..." She waves a hoof over the forest. "...inside the Everfree Forest. We will look until we find him. I'm not letting my friend get turned into Timberwolf chow. Everypony ready?"

All of the mares shout "YES, MAM!" in unison. Rainbow turns to face the forest, with a determined look.

"Then let's go!"

She flies forward, everypony else following behind. Rainbow looks down at the ground and whispers

"We will find you, Spectra..."

-----Spectra's Perspective, Everfree Cave-----

Spectra was lying on the ground, sleeping. He was having nightmares, which is normal. The only thing wrong was the beast behind him in the cave....

-----Rainbow Dash's Perspective, Everfree Forest-----

Rainbow and her friends were looking everywhere for Spectra. 'Come on Spectra! Where are you?' Rainbow was starting to lose hope. "AAAAAGGHHHHH!!!" A scream echoed off from the distance. Rainbow took a minute or so to process that scream.

'Where have I heard that before? Hmmmm......OH NO!' Rainbow points to where the scream came from. "I'd recognize that anywhere! That's Spectra! Come on!" The 6 friends start sprinting. Rainbow was out in front. 'Hang on Spectra, we're coming!'

-----Rainbow Dash's Perspective, Everfree Cave-----

Rainbow and her friends were shocked at the sight before them. On the ground, was Spectra, and he was knocked out. He had a massive wound in his chest. But behind Spectra, was a manticore. It slowly walks up to the 6 friends. Everypony but Rainbow looked scared. She looked very pissed off.

She flies at break-neck speed and picks Spectra's unconscious body off the ground, and retreats back to her friends with Spectra. The manticore advances towards the 7 ponies. Rainbow examines the wound on Spectra. 'The wound is all green....Oh no....he got stung by the manticore tail....' Rainbow turns to face the manticore.

"WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO DEAL WITH YOU!" She flies up to the manticores face in less then a second and smashes it in the face with her hoof. The beast staggers backwards. It was going to retaliate, until Rainbow flies up and smash its face in over and over until it finally falls down. Rainbow faces the group, whom were all still in shock from witnessing their friend take on a manticore. Rainbow was crying. Tears flowed down her face.

"We HAVE to get Spectra help NOW! He's been stung by the manticore!" They just stared back at her. "Ugggh! Meet me at the hospital!" And with that, she throws him onto her back, and starts flying very fast towards the exit of the Everfree Forest.

"...Rain...bow?"

She turns her head to see Spectra looking at her. "Don't worry Spectra. You'll be fine! Just stay with me! Don't fall asleep!" Spectra nods at her as she looks ahead.

They both exit the forest, and Rainbow flies faster then ever towards the hospital. "Stay with me, stay with me, stay with me..." Rainbow chants. She bursts through the front doors of the hospital, stops and throws Spectra onto the reception desk.

"Listen to me, he needs immediate medical help! He got stung by a manticore!" The receptionist nods her head, and calls the doctor. Spectra is wheeled away into another room. Rainbow slumped back into a chair behind her, slides off, and passes out from exhaustion.

-----Rainbow Dash's Perspective, Ponyville Hospital, Spectra's Room, 5 Days After Attack-----

Rainbow did not leave Spectra's side once in the past 5 days. He was in a hospital bed, the heartbeat monitor is...steady, but not looking great. He has been given several doses of Anti-Venom, and he has a bandage wrapped around his chest.

Rainbow's mane was a mess, her eyes were puffy and red, she has been crying. She wasn't sure whether to be angry or happy. Angry, that he was stupid enough to go into the forest, even though he didn't know it was dangerous, or happy that he's alive.

Rainbow had her head resting near his foreleg, with tears streaming down her face. She didn't care who saw her like this. She was worried about him. She is afraid that he might not make it...

The door to Spectra's room opened and Rainbow's 5 friends walked into the room, all surrounding his bed where he lay. Rainbow lifted her head from the bed. "....Hey girls...."

Rarity walked next to Rainbow. "Darling, you must head home! You haven't slept the whole time Spectra has been here." Rainbow shook her head.

"No, I feel fine. Seriously." Applejack steps forward.

"Now, sugarcube. Ah know ya care about him, but he wouldn' want ya ta stay by his side in here. "

Rainbow glares at Applejack. "I'm the only pony he considers a friend! Of course he would want me by his side!"

Twilight steps forward. "Rainbow, have you even eaten anything?" Rainbow waves a dismissive hoof.

"I don't need food, I'm not hungry."

Rainbow's gut immediately betrays her, by making a grumbling noise. "...Alright. I might be a bit hungry."

Pinkie appears right next to Rainbow. "Here! Have this!" Pinkie hoofs Rainbow a box, and disappears back on the other side of the bed.

Rainbow opens the box, to find a "Get Well Soon" cake for Spectra.

Rainbow faces Pinkie. "Thank you Pinkie, I'm sure he will love it."

Pinkie was grinning from ear-to-ear.

For about 10 minutes , nopony said anything. So, everypony left and went home. Everypony except Rainbow. She stayed by Spectra's side, resting her head next to him on the bed. 'Please don't die on me...please....'

-----Spectra's Perspective, Ponyville Hospital-----

Spectra was surrounded in darkness unable to feel any of his body, until a bright light filled the area, blinding him. When he re opened his eyes, he was in a hospital room. He looked for a clock on the wall.

He could barely make out the time. 'Ummm....it's....2:21am...huh. Wonder how long I've been out for?'

Spectra hears a soft groan next to him. He looks, to see Rainbow Dash, with her head lying on the bed. 'Oh, Rainbow...' He see's the tear stains on the bed.

Spectra was shocked. Nopony has ever cared about him this much before.

He nudges her. "Psst. PSSSSST! Rainbow! Rainbow Dash!"

Rainbow lifts up her head and looks at Spectra. She gains a massive smile on her face, reaches out, and grips Spectra in the tightest hug in Equestria.

"Omygoshomygoshomygosh! I was soooo worried! They kept saying you wouldn't make it!"

Spectra, was slowly dying from lack of oxygen."RAINBOW....can't....breathe!"

Rainbow quickly lets go, and Spectra takes in a big amount of air.

Rainbow smiles at Spectra, and Spectra smiles back.

Spectra breaks the silence. With a grin, he asks "So, do you still hate me?"

Rainbow responds by grabbing Spectra by the neck, and slowly pulling him closer, until their lips met, and they kissed.

Spectra didn't know what to do. He never had a mare kiss him before! And he didn't even think for a second that Rainbow was interested in him!

Although, he couldn't say he wasn't interested in her. He always thought she looked hot, and she was his first friend. So of course he liked her!

The kiss was magical. Spectra felt happier then Pinkie Pie in a world made of sweets and rained chocolate all day where you party all night long!

When Rainbow pulls away, she puts on a sly smile. "Does that answer your question?"

Rainbow jumped up onto the bed next to Spectra, and rested her head on his shoulder. Spectra starts slowly brushing Rainbow's mane, Until she fell asleep.

Spectra was looking at her sleeping form. 'What was it I told Ed I was looking for? A job, a place to live, a marefriend, and then live in happiness.' Spectra grows a smug smile. 'Well, my life is great.'

He turns to his left, to see a box on the bedside table, with a tag saying "To Spectra, From Pinkie Pie". He opens the box, to find a cake with the words "Get Well Soon" in icing. Spectra was happy that Rainbow's friends no longer hated him.

'My life isn't great. My life is awesome!'

Chapter VI - Vinyl's Club

The day after Spectra woke up, the doctors said he could go. He just had to wear the bandages and have somepony help him replace them once every 2 days. After signing some papers, Spectra grabbed his bags and guitar case, ready to head home. He and Rainbow walk out of the hospital and begin their walk to the cloud house. Spectra couldn't fly long distances due to his injuries, but flying for a few seconds is alright. On the way home, a white coated unicorn with a frizzy electric blue mane and a music note on her flank walked up to Spectra.

"Hey, dude! Is that a guitar?"

Spectra notices that she was wearing some strange purple tinted sunglasses.

"Yeah, it is. Why? It's not for sale if that's what you want."

The unicorn shakes her head. "Nah, man, nah. I was wondering if you would wanna come down to my club and play tonight? Names Vinyl Scratch."

Rainbow had a fangasm. "Omygoshomygoshomygosh! The Vinyl Scratch? Equestria's best DJ?"

Vinyl nods and grows a smug grin. "So ya heard of me?"

'Holy Celestia, why does that sound familiar?'

"Are you kidding? Who hasn't heard of Vinyl Scratch, DJ-Pon3?"

Spectra slowly raises his hoof.

"I haven't heard of Vinyl before now."

Rainbow looked like her jaw would fall off.

Spectra raises his hooves defensively in the air.

Vinyl steps forward. "So, ya interested in coming down and playing?"

Spectra thinks about the offer. 'In one hoof I am stupidly shy and hate going in front of crowds, in the other hoof I want to impress Dash and Vinyl....hmmmm....'

Spectra turns to Vinyl. "Ok, where's your club?"

Vinyl points down Mane Street. "It's the big black building near Sugarcube Corner, ya can't miss it."

(Authors Note: According to my non-existent map of Ponyville, Town Hall, Sugarcube Corner, and Twilights Library are on Mane Street.)

Spectra nods. "Ok, later Vinyl!"

"Woah, dude hang on!"

"What?"

Vinyl lowers her shades. Spectra was completely shocked at what he saw.

Vinyl had the same eye colour as Spectra.

Blood red.

Now normally, for any other pony, it wouldn't be such a big deal.

But, Spectra's eye colour is classified as one of Equestria's rarest eye colours.

Anyway, back to the story.

"Do you know how to use a turntable, dude?"

Spectra puffs out his chest a bit. "I know how to use one, yeah. But I prefer guitar."

Vinyl looks disappointed. "Well, dude. It's a party club. You need to play club music."

Spectra waves a hoof. "Don't worry, I'll find a song. See ya Vinyl!"

Rainbow waves. "Bye, Vinyl!"

(Author's Note: Not much Dash in that conversation, eh?)

Rainbow turns to Spectra. "I can't wait to hear you voice again! It was so good the first time I heard it."

Spectra looks away, he was blushing and didn't want Dash noticing.

(Authors Note: DAAAAAWWW.)

Spectra and Dash reach the cloud house in about 10 minutes. Dash lets Spectra fly up first, in case he falls. Thankfully, he doesn't. Rainbow follows her coltfriend up to her house and inside.

Spectra was sitting on the couch, waiting for her to come and sit next to him. She does, and puts her head on his lap.

Spectra and Dash just sit there. Spectra brushing her mane with his hoof, and she was just feeling lucky to have him.

"Uhm...Rainbow..."

Rainbow looks up.

"Yes, Spectra?"

"....I don't know how to say this, so I will just say it, ok?"

Rainbow feared the worst. 'Oh no! He's dumping me?!'

Spectra blushed, but this time he didn't look away.

"You....you have a wingboner."

Rainbow took her head off his lap and sat up. And sure enough, both of her wings were fully erect.

If this was a week ago when Spectra was just friends with Dash, he would be rolling all over the place laughing his head off.

But they are no longer 'friends'. So they were both quiet embarrassed.

"uuuuhhhm...."

"um......"

Rainbow lies back on his lap.

"Look, who cares? No one's around to see it."

"Hey Rainbow?"

"Yeah?"

Spectra gets off the couch, Rainbow gets off his lap.

"Can I see some of your moves?"

Rainbow looked at him suspiciously. "We only just started dating."

Spectra chuckles. "No,no no no. I meant your stunts. Ya know, the ones you practise for the Wonderbolts."

Rainbow flies outside, Spectra following.

"Sure! I need to practise anyway"

The 2 of them just raced each other and performed stunts in the air until night time came.

"Wanna head on over to the club?"

Spectra shrugs. "Sure. Lets go."

As they're flying down Mane Street, Spectra was having confidence problems.

"Just pretend no one is watching....keep cool, keep cool...."

As they stop outside the front of the club, Rainbow see's Spectra looking nervous.

She sighs, reaches over, and snaps his neck.

lol jokes

She pulls Spectra into a big hug.

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to do it." She whispers.

Spectra whispers back. "I want to do it."

They break the hug. Spectra gives Rainbow a small kiss on the cheek, and they both walk inside.

What can I say, I hate describing rooms.

Anyways, pretend there is no one in the picture. Thats what the room currently looks like, except Vinyl is on stage getting her equipment set up.

Rainbow rushes ahead to meet up with Vinyl.

Spectra nods his head. 'Dat flank....'

Spectra gets a grip and goes on stage.

"Alright! You said you can play music with a turntable, right? Well here. Give it a go!"

Spectra gets behind the turntable, Vinyl and Dash are standing in front of him.

Spectra grabs a vinyl record, and places it on the turntable. Then a wicked beat comes from the turntable.

Vinyl and Dash are cheering him on as he plays. When the song finishes, Vinyl steps forward.

"Alright, lets hear how you are with a guitar."

Spectra retrieves his guitar and sits down on a stool. He preps the guitar on his lap and plays a song that he loved for ages.

(Authors Note: I'm running out of songs here! DX)

Spectra get's off the stool and looks at the mares star struck faces.

"I think you will do a great job tonight, Spectra. Oh! Here they come!"

Ponies of all kinds start flooding the room.

Now go back to the club photo. Thats what the room now looks like except the people are ponies.

Spectra gets behind the turntable and looks out over the crowd. He starts feeling nervous until his eyes land on Rainbow Dash. She wore a massive smile and mouthed "Show them what you can do." He grows a big grin.

"Let's do this!"

Chapter VII - Dinner And A Fight

Spectra and Rainbow Dash were flying around their cloud house. Racing each other, performing stunts and tricks, basic flight training for Rainbow Dash.

Spectra had never done any training in his life. Spectra just was naturally fast. He can catch up to Rainbow in a race with ease, but not before she flies faster, then he catches up again. Spectra theorized he got so fast from having to escape trouble back in Manehatten. But even before he arrived in Manehatten, Spectra was fast. Rainbow figured if she could train Spectra hard enough, not only would he be faster then the Wonderbolts, he would be able to do the Sonic Rainboom soon enough.

She watched as Spectra flew from the other side of Ponyville and back, trying harder each time to break his record.

As Spectra was finishing his 7th lap (with a time of 5:39 (MM:SS), Rainbow began thinking.

'We have been dating for a week now and we haven't gone out anywhere...'

As Spectra comes back (Time of 5:41), Rainbow looked sad about something.

Spectra flies up to her. "Hey, what's wrong? I'm trying my hardest, I swear."

Rainbow shakes her head. "No, Spectra. It's nothing to do with your training. Which is going great, by the way. It's just that we haven't gone out on a date once."

Spectra puts a hoof to his chin. "Well, how about tonight? I'm free."

Rainbow thinks it over. "Same here. Where should we go?"

Spectra shakes his head. "Ah, ah ah! It's a secret. Just sit back and relax, and I'll deal with the details."

Rainbow giggles. "Ok then. What time are you picking me up?"

Spectra thinks it over. "I'll pick you up at 7, sound good?"

Rainbow nods. Spectra claps his hooves together. "Great! Now I'll go get everything sorted!"

Spectra zooms off to Ponyville. Rainbow can hardly wait for tonight! She smiles and flies back up to her house.

-----Spectra's Perspective, Ponyville Library-----

Spectra knocks on the door to the library. "Coming!"

Spectra does a double take.

'Ok, that did not sound like Twilight.'

The door opens to reveal, a small dragon.

"AAAAH! A dragon?!"

The dragon faceclaws. "Hi, I'm Spike. I'm Twilights assistant."

Spectra has been terrified of dragons for a few years. Long story short, if your a drug dealer in Manehatten and you don't have any cocaine for a dragon, you'd better grab some bandages and some burn ointment.

Spectra holds out a hoof. "Hey, I'm Spectra. Nice to meet you Spike."

Spike broclaw/hoofs Spectra.

Spectra looks behind him. "Hey, is Twilight home? I need to ask her something."

Spike nods. "Yeah, she's home. I'll go get her."

Spike walks back inside the library, and comes back with Twilight by his side. "Here ya go."

"Hey, Twilight. I need to know if there's any good restaurants in Ponyville."

Twilight puts a hoof to her chin. "Sure, there's a restaurant I can suggest, but why do you need to know where a good restaurant is?"

Spectra smiles. "I'm taking Rainbow out on a date, so I needed somewhere nice to take her."

Twilights eyes suddenly grow wide. Spectra was confused at first, but then he realized something.

'Oh ponyfeathers! I forgot to tell Rainbow's friends about us!'

"That's great! I'm so happy for the both of you! You make the cutest couple!"

Spectra nods. "Thanks Twilight. So, where is this restaurant your talking about?"

-----Rainbow Dash's Perspective, Cloud Home-----

Rainbow was thinking of what she could do to impress Spectra while they were on their date.

Rainbow starts pacing in the air. "Hmmmm.....what should I do? I know! I'll go ask Rarity to make me a dress!"

(Authors Note: Writing that bit reminded me of the fanfic 'Rarity's New Dress'. *Shudder* Do NOT read that.)

Rainbow flew out her door and within moments she was standing outside the Carousel Boutique.

She walks up to the doors and knocks.

"Just a minute, darling!" Rarity poked her head out the door a few seconds later.

"Oh, hello Rainbow Dash. Do you need something?"

Rainbow nods. "Yeah, Rarity. I need a dress. Spectra's taking me out on a date and I want to impress him."

Rarity's eyes grew wide. 'What's she so....OH HORSEAPPLES! I forgot to tell my friends me and Spectra were dating!'

Rarity recomposes herself. "Why, darling, that is wonderful news! When I saw how you 2 got along I knew that something like this would happen! Oh come in, darling! We must use our time wisely!"

Rarity nudges Rainbow into the building and closes the doors.

-----Spectra's Perspective, Cloud House, 7:03pm-----

Spectra was waiting at the front of Rainbow's home. Waiting for her to walk out the door. She asked Spectra to step outside and that she had a surprise for him.

"Come on Rainbow! What have you got to show me that takes so long to get ready?!"

Rainbow shouts from inside the house. "Ok, I'm coming out now!"

When she steps outside, Spectra's jaw had dropped to the cloud floor.

She looks amazing.

She grins. "My head is up here."

Spectra breaks out of his trance.

"Sorry that what I'm wearing doesn't look as great as your dress"

Spectra was wearing a simple tuxedo. He got the tux from someone in Manehatten, but that's a story for another time.

Spectra holds out his foreleg. "Ready?"

Rainbow grabs his foreleg. "I was born ready."

-----Le Cheval Hunfry, 7:28pm-----

Spectra had chosen a table at the back of the restaurant. Spectra doesn't know why, but whenever went out to eat, he always went to the back.

Rainbow and Spectra had taken their orders, a salad for Spectra, and a dandelion and tulip soup for Rainbow.

(Authors Note: I forgot if tulips were poisonous or not. Or was that dandelion? Ah, well. It doesn't matter. Magical talking ponies are 70% anti-venom and 30% adorable.)

"So, Rainbow, I've told you about my past. Wanna talk about yours?"

Rainbow nodded. "Ok, seems fair enough. But only if you play some music in front of our friends."

Spectra flinched a bit at the word 'friends'.

Rainbow noticed this. "Are you alright?"

Spectra nods. "Y-Yeah. It's gunna take a while, maybe even years, until I get used to having friends."

He flinches again.

"It's gunna take even more time to be able to say it without having a spasm."

Rainbow giggles. "You have the rest of your life to get used to it."

Spectra smiles. "I guess. Alright. It's a deal. So let me hear it."

Rainbow smiles. "Ok. I grew up in Cloudsdale and attended flight school for a few years....."

-----Mane Street, 8:23pm------

"....I still find it hard to believe you of all ponies got kicked out of flight school."

Rainbow shrugs. "It wasn't my style."

Spectra chuckles. He was so lucky to have somepony like her.

The couple were on their way home after a nice night out at a restaurant.

"Well, well, well boys. Look what we got here."

3 stallions walked out in front of Spectra and Rainbow, the both of them instantly recognizes the 3.

The one who spoke had a light brown coat, a slightly darker brown for his mane and tail, and his cutie mark was a weight.

Another was grey with a black mane, and a left punching glove for a cutie mark. The last one was red coated with a light yellow mane, and a right punching glove for a cutie mark.

"Didn't I knock you out in one hit?" Spectra asks with a smug grin.

The stallion looked angry at Spectra.

"You and I have unfinished business."

Spectra looks at Rainbow, he had a very serious looking face. "Run. Get out of here and go home. I'll take care of these clowns."

Rainbow doesn't move. "I'm not leaving you here!"

Spectra grabs her in a tight hug. "If anything ever happened to you, I don't know what I would do."

Rainbow hugs back tighter, she whispers into Spectra's ear. "I love you.."

Spectra takes a moment for this new information to sink in, before he realizes something.

"I love you to." Rainbow breaks the hug, kisses him on the cheek, and flies off.

Spectra takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and exhales.

"Alright, boys..." Spectra opens his eyes and turns to face the leader. (Look we will call him Hop to make things easier on both you and me.)

".....show me what you got."

The other 2 stallions (Ugh. Thing 1 and Thing 2 are these guys names.) charge at Spectra, but Spectra merely side-steps, making them miss and fall over.

Spectra turns to face Hop, only to find himself punched in the mouth. He staggered back and looked up at Hop.

"Oh I will enjoy this..."

Spectra nods. "Not as much as I will enjoy it."

Spectra turns around and bucks Hop in the face, making him fall back on his flank. Spectra felt something smash into his side. He looks to see Thing 1 running into him. Spectra raises his hooves, and smashes them against the sides of Thing 1's head.

"1 down, 2 to go." Spectra is suddenly smashed in his right hind leg, making him fall down.

Thing 2 walks up from behind him and stomps his hoof on Spectra's face.

After the slight dizziness wears off, Spectra jumps back up and punches Thing 2 in the muzzle very hard, knocking him out.

"That just leaves you and me, buddy..." Spectra turns around and see's Hop, standing about a metre away.

Spectra and Hop stare at each other for a few seconds. Spectra and Hop both charge forward at the same time, when they made contact, Spectra had smashed his hoof into Hop's forehead, while Spectra only got hit in the side. They stood still for a few seconds, before both combatants fall over.

Spectra was slowly slipping away into darkness, but not before hearing a voice call out his name.

"Spectra!"

It was Rainbow, she never left him, she was hiding and watching from a distance.

She looked so worried, she walks up right next to him. "Don't worry! I'll go get help! Wait here!"

She gallops off, and Spectra faints from exhaustion.

Chapter VIII - Manehatten Tales

Spectra woke up and found himself in someone's bed. He got up and had a look around and instantly guessed where he was.

'I'm in Twilights bedroom?'

He went up to the door that leads to the main room, he could hear voices coming from the other side. Spectra presses his ear against the door to listen in on the conversation.

He instantly recognized Rainbow's voice.

"I hope he will be alright. I don't know what I would do if he was hurt badly."

Spectra heard Twilight speak up. "Well, I hope you had a great night, except for the fight."

Spectra was about to open the door when he heard Rainbow continue to talk.

"Twilight, I told him I loved him before the fight."

Spectra heard a gasp. "Are you serious? That's wonderful! What did he say after you told him?"

Spectra opens the door, revealing himself to the 2 mares. "I said 'I love you too'."

After the shock of Spectra just suddenly walking in on their conversation, Rainbow walks up to Spectra and looks him in his blood red eyes.

Rainbow grew a massive smile.

"Did you mean it?"

Spectra grabs her in a tight and loving hug. "I meant every word."

Rainbow pulls away and kisses Spectra on the lips.

"Get a room, you two." The couple ignore Twilight and stop kissing. Rainbow looks at Twilight.

"Twilight, could you bring all our friends over here." Like normal Spectra spasms at 'friend'.

Twilight nods. "Sure, Rainbow. You mentioned the deal you made with Spectra and I can't wait to hear his voice."

Spectra blushes. Twilight notices. "Awwww. How cute! He's blushing!"

This just causes Spectra to blush even harder.

Twilight giggles. "Alright, I'll head over and gather them here. See ya in a bit!"

Twilight leaves the library. Rainbow looks over to Spectra.

"I want to hear about the things you did in Manehatten. I wanna know more about my special somepony, even if their history is dark"

Spectra stares off out the window, thinking about whether or not to tell Rainbow and her friends about the types of things he did. 'She deserves to know.'

He looks over at Dash. "Alright, but I'll only talk after playing a song." Rainbow hugs him. "Deal."

-----Twilights Library, 2;22pm-----

The 6 friends were gathered in the main room of the library. Spectra walks in from another room with his guitar on his back.

Spectra turns to face the 6 mares. "I want to tell you all about my life before I came here, just to get it off my chest. But first I'll play a song."

None of them say a word, but watch as he takes a seat, pulls his guitar off his back, and starts playing a song.

After the song was over, everypony cheered and clapped their hooves. Spectra puts the guitar to the side of him.

"The first story I'm gunna tell you is how I got this guitar. The reason it's so special is because this guitar is enchanted. The user can change the type of music the guitar plays to. Be it, electric, country, rock, your choice. Anyway...."

-----Manehatten, Spectra's Apartment, 9 Years Ago-----

A 19-Year old Spectra was lying back on his couch fast asleep. A knock came from the door to his apartment.

"Huh? Who in Celestia's left cutie mark would want me? I've visited all my customers today."

Spectra gets up and opens the door, on the other side of the door was none other then Ed.

Spectra facehoofs. "Ed, I don't know how high you are, but I already gave you your order."

Spectra starts closing the door, until Ed sticks his hoof in the frame.

"Nah, man. Just listen! Me and a few boys have planned a massive robbery! We got some information saying a guitar worth 200,000 bits was coming to town and is to be displayed in Manehatten's mueseum!"

Spectra opens the door and looks Ed dead in the eye. "Look man, that sounds like a pile of horseapples. I mean seriously, why would a guitar be worth that much?"

Ed walks in the apartment with a sly grin. "Man, it has an enchantment on it that makes it so the player can play any type of song. Its priceless to the right sellers."

Spectra nods with a grin. "Ok, I'm in. So what do we do?"

Ed looks left and right, like he was expecting a cop to bounce out from somewhere.

"The guitars name is Mélodie Harmonique, just so ya know. Ok, here's the plan...."

-----Outside The Manehatten Mueseum, Midnight-----

Spectra was waiting for one of the men stealing the Mélodie Harmonique to come out. Spectra's job was the lookout.

Spectra hears the door open and it reveals to be a stallion unicorn wearing a suit that looked like it was for ninja's, while also wearing a mask.

He looks left and right. Behind him encased in a mint green aura. was the guitar. "Ok,now, you take the Mélodie Harmonique and-"

Spectra cuts him off. "Woah what?! Why do I take it?"

The ninja hoofs him the guitar. "Plans have changed."

Spectra grabs the guitar. "Changed how?"

The stallion takes off his mask and grins an evil grin. "Security was chasing me."

And with that he runs off.

It took a minute for Spectra to realize what he just said. Spectra's jaw hit the floor. He looks to the night sky

'Celestia why do you hate me?'

"There he is! Get him!"

Spectra turned to see 3 stallion earth ponies with security uniforms. Spectra turns 180 and sprints as fast as he could. It took him at least an hour of running and being chased by security to realize something. 'Wait a minute. I'm a pegasus. I can fly and- Spectra your an idiot.'

And with that Spectra spreads his wings and flies off, using the darkness of the night as cover, as he flew back to his place.

He lands on the floor, after crashing through his window.

"Thank you, Luna and your night. Without it I would have been bucked."

Spectra sits on his couch and puts the Mélodie Harmonique next to him on the couch.

He got bored so he picked it up out of it's case and got a look at it up close.

"This doesn't look very enchanted." He started strumming randomly, then he started singing 'Master Of Ponies' By Maretallica.

He didn't realize that Ed was in his door way. "So, I take it you like the guitar?"

Spectra jumps up a bit, but grins.

"I think I'm gunna keep it, alright with you?"

Ed nods. "Sure thing, man. What are ya gunna name it?"

Spectra puts his hoof to his chin. "I think I'm gunna call it...."

-----Twilights Library, Ponyville, Present

"...Melody."

Everypony was staring at Spectra the whole time with a look of awe, but now their gazes were on Melody.

Twilight spoke up. "You STOLE the Mélodie Harmonique?! That guitar has been lost for 9 years and it's been here the whole time?!"

Spectra nods. "Yeah, what did you expect me to do? Hand myself in? Twilight, I was only 19."

(Authors Note: who spotted the reference?)

Spectra looks out the window. "Twilight I was young and stupid. I was also scared. Why would I hand myself in?"

Spectra sighs and shakes his head. "We will do this again another time. But for now, it's late. See ya everypony."

After everypony said their goodbyes, Rainbow and Spectra leave the library and head home. Rainbow turned to Spectra.

"Hey, if you want to, we can sleep together in my bed."

Spectra gives her a look that just screams 'Woah slow down there'.

Rainbow laughs. "No I mean we can just hug and sleep."

Spectra punches her in the shoulder jokingly. "Don't get all sappy with me.Sure Rainbow. I'd like that."

The couple get home and head to Rainbow's bedroom. They got under the sheets, and Spectra holds Rainbow in a hug. She kisses him on the cheek. "I'd say 'Pleasant dreams', but..."

Spectra holds her tighter. "Hey, don't worry about the nightmares. I'm sure I'll get over them."

Spectra kisses Rainbow. "Good night."

Spectra falls asleep. He fully expected to have the nightmare, but instead he was in total darkness.

"What the...?" He suddenly hears a strongly deep laugh.

"Oh, Spectra! I haven't seen you in about 26 years. My, my how you have grown..."

Spectra suddenly recognizes the voice. "It's you! The one who laughs in my nightmares! Who are you?!"

Suddenly, a figure materializes in front of Spectra. The being looked like a sort of dragon, but also many other things at once. It had a goat antler, a single fang, a bat wing, just a mess of animal parts.

"Oh, so sorry Spectra. I should re-introduce myself. My name, is Discord."

Chapter IX - Chaotic Memories

Spectra looked Discord right in his eyes.

"Why do I hear your laugh in my dreams?!"

Discord looks at Spectra quizzically. "You mean you really can't remember? Oh, well. Fine. I will tell you. Take a seat, Uncle Discord is going to tell you a story."

Spectra sits down on his flanks.

"I'm listening."

Discord grins. "26 years ago you and your parents lived in Canterlot. That's right Spectra, your parents were high class ponies from Canterlot. Now...."

-----Canterlot, 234 Noble Road-----

Mr. Neos Speed and Mrs. Nexus Speed were sitting down, enjoying a nice dinner with their foal, Spectra Speed.

(Author's Note: Imagine Spectra's parents having an Australian Accent. It kinda fits considering I am technically his father and I myself am an Aussie.)

After they were all finished, Neos stands up. "Hey, who wants to go and take a walk around Canterlot?"

Nexus raises her hoof. "I'm in! What about you Spectra?"

Spectra giggles and shoves his hoof in his mouth, then he farts.

Neos stares at his son for a few seconds, then he just shrugs. "Sounded like a yes to me."

The Speeds were not as rich as the rest of Canterlot, but rich nonetheless. But unlike all the other rich ponies of Canterlot, the Speeds weren't snobbish or down right insufferable. Far from it, they would have fun whenever they can. They were frowned upon from the rest of Canterlot, but they didn't care. They were one big happy family.

Until......

The Speeds were taking a stroll through the hedge maze of Canterlot. Neos was pointing out various statues and they're meanings.

"...and that one represents Victory! Oh! This one over here represents Leadership!"

Nexus points a hoof over to a strange looking statue. "What's this one mean?"

Neos turns to see where his wife was pointing. He grew a smile. "That's Discord. He's the disembodiment of chaos and disharmony. This guy knows how to have fun!"

The family walks up to the statue, Spectra was staring at the statue. He found it curious.

Suddenly, Nexus was grabbed from behind, and a knife was drawn to her throat.

"Nopony move, or the bitch gets it!"

Neos looked furious, but he was too worried about his wife's safety to get angry.

"Calm down, mate. You don't have to do this. Just calm down and-"

"Shut up and hand me all the cash you got. Jewellery, bits, gold, anything that I can sell."

Neos shakes his head. "We don't carry money with us on walks!"

The mystery pony chuckles. "Well then, this bitch dies!"

He slices Nexus' throat. She falls over and lands in front of Spectra.

"Spectra....." She reaches out a hoof to her only son.

"Spect........" She dies right in front of her son.

Neos was already wrestling the mystery pony. Whilst that was happening, the statue of Discord was glowing slightly.

"Aaaah! It's not everyday somepony causes chaos near me. Oh? What's this? Hahahahahaha!"

That laugh would turn out to be the laugh that haunts Spectra's later years.

"Hahahaha! Oh? Why hello there little foal! If what I recall from hearing from that dead mare, your name is Spectra, right?"

Spectra had tears in his eyes, staring at the statue. He wasn't old enough to speak, or to understand sentences, but he somehow understood what was happening right in front of him.

"Ahhh! Spectra!" Spectra looks over to his father, he was lying on the ground with a knife in his chest, the mystery pony was looting his pockets. He looks over to Spectra and shakes his head.

"I ain't no monster. I'm not murderin' someponies foal. Later, son."

And with that he walks off.

Discord sighs. "You probably won't remember this day kid, but I'll explain what just happened to you."

Discord almost sounded pitiful. Almost.

"That mystery pony just caused enough chaos for me to be able to communicate. But it's not enough to break me free yet. One day somepony stupid will break me free, I can feel it. Anyway, bub, your parents caused enough racket for the guards to come over here. Until we meet again!"

And with that, 2 guards walk up to Spectra, who was lying on top of his dead mother, crying his eyes out.

"Oh jeez. Poor kid. What do we do with him?"

"Out of my way."

Princess Celestia walks through the 2 guards to find a foal and his recently murdered family.

"Your Majesty, what do we do with him?"

Celestia raises a hoof to her chin.

"These were the Speeds, were they not?"

"Yes your highness."

"Very well. We shall set up a funeral for the parents. The child, however, must be put into a foster home."

"Princess, there are no families willing to take a Speed, trust me. I have heard what they say behind their backs."

"Very well then. Where shall we send him?"

"May I suggest Manehatten, Princess? They have plenty of couples over there dying to find a foal."

Celestia thinks it over. "Very well. One of you stay with Spectra until a couple come along and take him. Tell the couple his name, and make sure to not mention how the parents died. It would shatter him later on in life."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

-----Dark Corner Of Spectra's Mind, Present-----

"I hear everything that happens around me, Spectra. If you're wondering where it is I currently am, I am still encased in stone. But to put your thoughts at ease, they found your parents killer. He left his knife in your fathers chest, they ran a DNA Scan spell, found him and executed him in the palace maze."

Spectra was having a very hard time digesting this.

Spectra looks up to the gods face. "How are you communicating with me now?"

Discord laughs. "My power is slowly growing. It has been ever since that night 26 years ago. I've gained enough power to talk with you, be it only temporary."

Spectra closes his eyes.

"Now, Spectra. I can communicate with you whenever I feel like it, just in case you need a shoulder to cry on."

Spectra raises his head and glares at the god. "I don't need you. I have Rainbow!"

Discord shrugs. "Nevertheless, I will still be in touch. See ya later, masturbator."

And with that, Discord snaps his fingers and a blinding light fills Spectra's vision. When he came to, he was in Rainbow's bed, with Rainbow looking at him with worry.

Spectra looks up at Rainbow, sadness all over his face. "Wanna go to Canterlot?"

Chapter X - Visiting Royalty

Spectra and Rainbow were riding the train to Canterlot. They were joined with Rainbows 5 friends, since they wouldn't take no for an answer.

Rainbow was talking with her friends the whole way up to the big city. Spectra however, was staring out the window, avoiding conversation.

Rainbow turns to Spectra. "Hey, is something wrong?"

Spectra turns to her. "I need to see something with my own eyes. And only the Princess can show me it."

Twilight speaks up. "What's so special that you need to ask the Princess for it?"

Spectra looks up at the ceiling. "The graves of my parents."

The 6 Mares gasp. Throwing a barrage of questions at Spectra, but he only ignores them. He looks back out the window. The 6 eventually give up trying to force any information out of their friend. The whole group is quiet the rest of the way.

-----Canterlot Train Station, 2:48pm-----

The group hops off the train and heads straight for the palace. They were following Spectra the whole way. When they arrived at the castle, 2 guards blocked the doors.

"Halt! Who are you and what is your business?"

"Tell the Princess that Spectra Speed wishes to speak with her."

The guards start laughing very loudly.

"Nice try, kid. Everpony knows the Speeds were murdered 26 years ago in the Canterlot Hedge Maze."

Spectra hears a collection of gasps behind him.

"You can leave now, kid! Scram!"

Spectra starts getting angry at this guard. He walks right up to him, about an inch from his face.

"TELL PRINCESS CELESTIA SPECTRA SPEED IS HERE NOW!"

At that point, about 10 guards surround Spectra.

"Stop. Guards, leave him alone. Let him in."

Spectra turns to his left to see Princess Celestia walking up to them.

All the guards back down and kneel. Even Rainbow and her friends kneel.

Spectra kneels, but only after about 5 seconds of his brain trying to figure out what just happened.

"Rise, my little ponies. Guards, let Spectra Speed and his friends into the throne room."

"Yes your highness."

Celestia lowers her head to Spectra's level. "We will talk, but only in the throne room."

Spectra nods. Him and his friends enter the throne room. Celestia sits on her throne.

The room is quiet for about 30 seconds before Spectra speaks up.

"I think you know why I'm here."

The Princess sighs. "Unfortunately, yes. I do know the reason you are here. But let me first ask, have you told your friends about it yet?"

Spectra shakes his head. "No, I didn't want any more pity for my past then what I've already got."

The Princess looks at Spectra with confusion. "What ever do you mean by that?"

Spectra looks up at the Princess. "Oh, we will discuss that terrible decision, later. But for now, we have to talk about my parents."

Twilight speaks up. "Why would the Princess know anything about your parents?"

Spectra looks at Twilight.

"Because she saw their dead, bloody bodies on the ground."

Twilight and the rest of the group gasp.

Celestia turns to her student. "His name is Spectra Speed, Twilight. Remember? You read about them."

Twilight's eyes grow with shock. "Thats impossible! The Speeds were murdered! All of them! I just assumed Spectra changed his last name to Speed!"

"You told all of Canterlot that I died with my parents?!"

Celestia looks down at Spectra with a sad look. "It was the only way to explain where you were. We couldn't tell all of Canterlot that the child of the infamous Speeds moved to Manehatten."

Rainbow and her friends walk up to Spectra and stand next to him. "What is she talking about, Spectra?"

Spectra sighs. "I'll explain everything I know."

"My parents and I lived in Canterlot. We were rich, but we were also hated by everypony else."

Rarity walks up to Spectra. "Why would you ever think that darling?"

Celestia speaks up. "Because, Spectra and his family were known for their addiction to fun. They hosted some of my birthday parties. Those were the best times of my life. But the day they were murdered was the worst day of my life."

Twilight steps forward. "How did his parents die?"

Spectra was shaking. Tears were forming his eyes.

Celestia fails to notice this. "One day on a walk through Canterlot, the Speeds were mugged in the Palace Gardens, near the Discord Statue. The pony in question was named Double Edge. He murdered the mother first, then stabbed the father in the chest. He left Spectra alone. The reason why, we don't know."

Spectra raises his head and looks at Celestia. "I know why."

Celestia just looks back, poker face and all. "How would you remember? You were only 2 years old."

Spectra lowers his head a bit, thinking whether or not to tell them the truth.

'Don't tell them about me, Spectra. Just tell them you see it in your nightmares. Your technically not lying.'

Spectra nods. He looks back up at Celestia.

"I see the event in my nightmares. Ever since I was 8 I've been seeing their dead faces in my sleep."

Celestia suddenly looks very saddened. "I'm very sorry for you. So why didn't Double Edge kill you?"

"He said he didn't want to be a monster, and that he shouldn't kill someponies foal."

Rainbow hugs Spectra, he was crying. Not like "screaming" crying. Crying without making a noise.

Twilight steps forward. She looked angry.

"He thought it was wrong to kill a foal!? What about a foals PARENTS?! If I got my hooves on him!"

Celestia stands up and walks over to her student. "He was executed, Twilight. That is the punishment for murder."

Twilight sits down, still angry. Spectra looks up to Celestia with tears in his eyes. "Can I see the graves?"

Celestia nods. "Of course. Follow me, I will lead the way."

-----Canterlot Graveyard, 4:30pm----

"Here is where your parents lie, Spectra."

Spectra takes a step forward. There were 2 gravestones in front of him. He read the engravings;

Here Lies Neos Speed,

Loving Father, Loving Husband

Date Of Death

27/5/19XX

(Authors Note: That's my birthday. In Australia, the system goes DD/MM/YY.)

Here Lies Nexus Speed,

Loving Mother, Loving Wife

Date Of Death

27/5/19XX

Spectra just couldn't handle it, he breaks down crying. "T-t-t-they died o-o-on m-my b-b-irthday!?"

Spectra just sits on the ground, with Rainbow giving him a loving hug, crying his heart out.

Chapter XI - Night In Canterlot

(Authors Note: Agggh. Writers Block SUCKS! I had it when trying to figure out what I was going to write this chapter about.)

The group of ponies exit the graveyard and head back to the castle. Celestia offered them to spend the night in the castle. It was night out and the trains were not running.

Spectra was in a horrible state. His mane was ruffled, his eyes were full of tears, and he just found out that his parents died on his birthday. When Pinkie found out that his birthday was in a few days, she insisted on hosting the party.

"There's going to be balloons, and cake, and games, and cupcakes, and punch, and sweets, and-"

Spectra cut her off. "Pinkie, I don't want a birthday party."

Pinkie gasps. "Why not? Who doesn't love a birthday party?"

Spectra turns to Pinkie, with tears rolling down his cheeks.

"All the party would do is remind me of the night my parents were killed, Pinkie. I don't want to be at a party on my birthday, or anywhere with anypony. I just want to be alone."

Pinkie shoots out in front of him and starts walking backwards.

"Why would you want to be alone when you have us! It's what friends do for each other!"

Spectra twitches at the word 'friend', like he always does. Pinkie takes notice.

"Why do you do that when I say 'friend'?"

Spectra once again, twitches. "Look Pinkie, I'm not used to having friends yet. It will probably take a very long time until I'm used to it."

Pinkie stops walking backwards and moves next to Spectra and keeps walking.

"Come on! Let me host the party! It will be so fun!"

Spectra gives up.

"Fine, Pinkie. But don't expect me to be in the brightest mood."

Pinkie frowns. "Awww. But you're meant to be happy at a party!"

Spectra shakes his head.

"Pinkie, the party will be held on the day my parents were murdered. It's like we are celebrating their death or something."

Pinkie, to the surprise of everypony, gives up.

"Oh. Ok then. You don't have to go."

Spectra looks over to Pinkie. Her mane was straight and she was a slightly darker shade of pink now.

'Oh, come on, Spectra! A party is where you go to forget your troubles for a while, and then you remember them after the party is over! Hahahaha!'

Spectra rolls his eyes and mumbles under his breath.

"Gee, thanks Discord. You know how to motivate a pony."

'It's a gift, really.'

"Ok, Pinkie. I will go to your party."

Spectra swears he heard a 'poof' noise. When he turns around to face Pinkie, her mane was back to it's poofy self.

"Great! Your gunna have soooo much fun!"

The group keeps walking until they reach the castle, nopony said a word the rest of the trip after Spectra agreed to go to the party.

-----Canterlot Castle, 11:47pm-----

Spectra and Rainbow follow Princess Celestia and the group down the hallways of the castle.

After she shows the rest of the group their rooms, she leads Spectra and Rainbow to the last door.

"You two will be sharing a room. Is that ok?"

Rainbow steps forward. "Princess, we have been sleeping in the same bed for a few weeks now. I'm sure one night together won't be any different."

Celestia giggles.

"Alright then. Good night, my little ponies."

Rainbow bows. "Good night, Princess."

Spectra just walks into the room without saying a word.

Celestia and Rainbow share a look of worry.

"Rainbow Dash, please try and cheer him up. I hate seeing him like this."

Rainbow salutes. "Count on me, Princess."

Celestia walks away. Rainbow closes the door and goes to sit next to Spectra on the bed.

"Spectra, do you think you could cheer up a bit? At least you have me, right?"

Spectra looks to his cyan marefriend.

"Yeah. And I'm happy to have you. But honestly, Rainbow, when you just found out your parents were murdered on your birthday, it will make you sad. Don't worry, I'll feel better soon."

Spectra gets up and heads to the bathroom. "I'm gunna take a shower."

He enters the bathroom and closes the door. Rainbow flops down onto the soft bed.

'How can I cheer him up? He seems so down. But he has a point. I would be sad as well. Hmmmm. OH! Thats perfect!'

Spectra gets out of the shower 10 minutes later. After drying himself off he opens the door to the main room. He see's Rainbow standing up with a huge smile on her face.

Spectra looks at her with confusion. "What got you so happy?"

Rainbow walks up to him. "I challenge you to a race. If I win, you have to promise me that you will try to cheer up. If you win, I will teach you how to do The Sonic Rainboom. Deal?"

Spectra's brain switched from "Emotional Mode" to "Competitive Mode" and he instantly forgot about his parents. It must of shown because Rainbow's smile grew bigger.

'Hehe, he hasn't changed one bit since we met. This time, I won't use The Sonic Rainboom. I wanna give him a fighting chance after all.'

Spectra walks up to her face, determination in his eyes and a grin on his face.

"Your on!"

-----Wonderbolts Raceway, Canterlot, 2:03am-----

Spectra and Rainbow were lined up at the starting line. They had to sneak in to the Stadium, but for Rainbow it was worth it.

"Ok, on the count of three, the race starts. First one to do 1 lap wins. It's a huge stadium, and I don't wanna be here longer then need be, ok? We'll count down together. Ready?"

Spectra looks back at Rainbow with a smug grin on his face. "I was born ready!"

Rainbow nods. "3....2....1....GO!!!"

And they both rocket off the starting line. Spectra is in the lead at first, until the corner. He lost control for a bit and almost smashed into the wall of the stadium. In that moment, Rainbow had flown into first place. Spectra took quick notice of this. He shoots forward after Rainbow, just a few feet behind her.

The obstacles come up, and Rainbow dodges the first few with ease, but knocks into a pillar, allowing Spectra to shoot in front. She recovers and races ahead to catch up to Spectra. Spectra was caught up in the wind tunnel of the raceway. It was making it hard for him to fly straight. He eventually got through, but he noticed Rainbow was ahead of him.

She must of flown past in the tunnel without him noticing. He catches up to her quickly, just flying behind her. They make it to the last bit of the race, the hailstorm. Spectra was used to cold weather from his time in Manehatten, so the cold was nothing for him, but the hail slowed him down considerably. Same with Rainbow Dash. Who ever would win this race would be the one to recover from the hail storm first.

Spectra flaps his wings as hard as he can, trying his best to get through. He was almost at the finish line, before a familiar cyan pegasus flew ahead. Rainbow was taking the lead, but Spectra wanted to win it!

With all his might, Spectra flapped his wings as hard as he could. He zoomed past Rainbow and crossed the finish line.

-----Wonderbolts Raceway, Canterlot, 2:20am-----

"I can't believe I lost! How did you win?!"

The couple was walking out the stadium to get back to their bedroom.

Spectra grinned. "If you set your mind to it, and try hard enough, you can do anything."

Rainbow took a second to digest this, then nodded with a smile.

"Hey you two!"

Spectra and Rainbow turn around to come face to face with Spitfire and Soarin.

Chapter XII - Chance Of A Lifetime

Spectra and Rainbow were frozen in place, unable to move. They just raced around Wonderbolts Stadium for a bit of fun, then all of a sudden Spitfire and Soarin were in front of them. Spitfire walked over to Spectra.

"That was an amazing race! I've never felt my heart beat so fast with anticipation! That was truly spectacular! Would you and your friend here follow us?"

Spectra and Rainbow nod. They follow the Wonderbolt duo to what looks to be an office of sorts. There were 2 chairs in front of a desk, with a bigger and better looking chair behind the desk. The walls were adorned with hundreds of certificates, awards and pictures of Wonderbolts. Spitfire sat down in the big office chair while Soarin stood next to the desk.

"Sit in those chairs."

The couple do as their told.

"Now, I have an offer for you. I saw how fast you can fly, and I gotta say, I'm impressed. Here's the offer."

Spitfire hoofs Spectra a letter. Spectra opens it up and starts reading.

'You have been invited to attend the Wonderbolts Academy to better your skills and train to join the Wonderbolts.

The rest of the letter was information on accommodation, food, supplies and the sort. Spectra looks up to Spitfire with an excited look.

"I can't believe it! I'm thankful and all, but what about Rainbow Dash?" Spectra points a hoof towards his rainbow maned marefriend.

Spitfire shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. You pushed yourself further then she did. I saw it when you passed the finish line. You used all you got at the end of the race to win it. That's what impressed me the most."

Spectra turns towards his marefriend. She had some tears in her eyes, but was forcing a smile.

Rainbow nods her head. "What are you waiting for? Go for it!"

Spectra turns to Spitfire, puts the letter on the desk and slides it back to her. Rainbow and Soarin looked shocked, but Spitfire looked disappointed.

"May I ask why you refused?"

Spectra turns to Rainbow, then back to Spitfire.

"I may be fast, I'll admit that, but racing and performing stunts isn't what I want to do."

Spitfire looked to his flank, then back to him.

"So why did you race?"

Spectra looks to the ground.

"I.....I am easy to challenge. If I refuse I feel like everypony thinks of me as weak."

Spitfire nods. "Ok, then explain to me why your cutie mark is Yin and Yang."

Spectra looks at his flank. It had the Yin and Yang sign on it like Spitfire said.

"My special talent is reasoning. It's used in arguments and debates. When I win the argument, I create perfect balance and harmony, compared to the start of the argument when there was chaos and disruption."

'But chaos is more fun then harmony! Can you make chocolate rain with harmony?'

'I bet Twilight will find a spell that does that. Now be quiet, it's hard for me to talk to 2 ponies at once.'

'Oh, whatever. Fine, I'll leave. Until we next talk, arrivederci!'

Spitfire nods in agreement.

"I see, so why not become a lawyer?"

Spectra shrugs. "Too boring. My cutie mark doesn't mean I HAVE to do a job that relates to my talent, it just shows what my talent is."

Spitfire smiles. "Well, maybe one day from now, we can race. I really wanna see how you do when your forced to push yourself to your limit."

Spectra nods. "Sure. When I find the time I'll fly on down."

Spitfire gets up and walks around the table to meet Spectra.

"It was nice meeting you. I didn't catch your name."

"It's Spectra Speed."

Spitfire holds out her hoof.

"Your name fits well, if I do say so myself. Take care, Spectra."

Spectra brohoofs Spitfire. "Thank you, Spitfire."

Spectra and Rainbow exit the office and close the door. When Spectra turned to face Rainbow, she looked angry as hay.

"What? What did I do?"

"Why didn't you join the Wonderbolts Academy?! If you can beat me in a race, I have no doubt in Equestria that if you joined and trained hard, you would become the fastest Wonderbolt OR Pegasus to have ever even EXISTED!"

Spectra pulls Rainbow into a hug.

"What I said about me not being a speed freak was true, but also because we're going out, and If I joined the Wonderbolts Academy you would get jealous of me. That would lead to you not liking me and eventually us breaking up."

Spectra let go of Rainbow, but she hugged him back tighter.

"I would never leave you just because you were in the academy, I would just try my hardest to get in to!"

Spectra does a restricted shrug, due to Rainbow still latching onto him in a death grip.

"Well, still. Like I said I'm not really much of a Wonderbolt. I'm fine with doing weather work. Maybe one day Equestria would need me to help with a great cause. But, until that day arrives, I'm perfectly happy with my life."

Rainbow pulls away and gives Spectra a kiss.

"We should head back to the Castle now, it's like 4am. And I'm tired."

Spectra chuckles. "Yeah, we better head back."

-----Canterlot Castle, 4:50am-----

The couple walk inside the castle, trying their best to not wake everypony up. They sneak through the hallway and reach their room at the end. They both flop onto the bed and instantly fall asleep.

-The Next Morning-

"RAINBOW, SPECTRA, WAKE UP!"

Spectra and Rainbow sit up very fast, causing them to be dizzy.

Spectra's brain took a few seconds to boot up before he could say a word.

"Wah-za-ta-ja-ma-What?"

Pinkie Pie was bouncing around the room.

"The trains leaving in 30 minutes! Come on and get up! We can't leave without you!"

Spectra tries to remember last night. He suddenly realizes something.

'I didn't have a nightmare? Woah what? Why not? Not that I'm complaining.'

'Since you asked in a manner where nopony around you that doesn't have telepathy would hear, I will answer your question. When you sleep in the same bed as Rainbow, you feel safe around her. You feel like she is your new family! But when you are alone, you feel weak, and scared. So, the nightmares can easily manipulate you.'

Spectra grunts, he didn't notice Pinkie had left already and Rainbow was up and about.

'Believe me, I can read your mind, Spectra. I saw how you felt when you were sleeping.'

Spectra scoffs. 'So you have nothing better to do then to spy on sleeping ponies all day?'

'Well of course! You try being trapped in stone for nearly a millennia!'

Spectra agrees. 'You have a point there.'

'Of course I do.'

Twilight sticks her head through the door.

"Spectra, Rainbow! Come on! We gotta catch the train back!"

She then zips off.

"I'm ready to head home, what about you Spectra?"

Spectra nods. "Ready as ever. Hey, do you think it would be alright to keep what happened last night secret?"

Rainbow smiles. "If you want to, sure. I can wait for you to be ready to tell them. But why do you want it secret?"

Spectra shrugs. "They might think differently of me if I told them I refused an offer to go to Wonderbolts Academy from Spitfire herself."

Rainbow nods. "Yeah, I can see how that would make you think like that. Alright, lets head home."

-----Rainbows Cloud House, 2 Days Later, 10:24am-----

Spectra wakes up in Rainbows bed. He looked down to see Rainbow standing in front of the bed with a seductive smile.

"Oh hello there, Spectra. How is my little coltfriend doing?"

Spectra is a bit surprised by this, but overlooks it. "I feel fine Rainbow. So, what do you want to do today?"

Rainbow slowly walks over to his side of the bed. "Oh...." She starts rubbing his chest and leans in. ".....I have a few 'ideas'."

She giggles.

'Why is she acting like this? I don't wanna rush things and I don't think she does either. What could be-'

Spectra's eyes grow wide as he realizes what's going on.

' Estrus.'

Chapter XIII - Estrus

(Authors Note: It's a bit ironic that the estrus chapter had to be the 13th chapter. For those among us that didn't know, estrus is a cycle in a female animals life where she gets SUPER MEGA horny and goes sex crazy. This will be an interesting chapter... )

"Rainbow, just calm down, ok? Let's be reasonable and- WOAH!"

Spectra got tackled into bed by a very horny Rainbow Dash who has had very strong feelings for him.

This will turn out just great.

"Now, now Spectra. Just lie down and relax. I'll take care of the rest."

Spectra was terrified right now. He has heard rumours of stallions who decide to stay behind at their place or just forgets that estrus was coming up. They do it so rough that the stallions had to go to hospital for re-constructive surgery.

Spectra did not like the sound of that.

Spectra decides there is only one way to avoid Rainbow Dash.

Getting. The. Buck. OUT OF THERE!

Spectra shoves Rainbow off and flies as fast as he could out the window. He turns around to see Rainbow catching up to him. He flaps his wings as fast and as hard as he could and he eventually loses Rainbow. He was now in Ponyville.

"Buh...how...what....How did I get here?"

"Hey Specky!"

Spectra's blood ran cold and his eyes went from blood red to white for a few seconds.

'Oh, please don't tell me that's who I think it is.'

Spectra turns around to see Pinkie Pie staring at him with a huge insane grin.

"Hey, Specky, I need to ask you a favour."

Spectra slowly backs away. "Ok, Pinkie. What do you need me to do?"

Pinkie follows him at the same pace.

"Oh, it's nothing really. I just need you to BUCK THE HAY OUTTA ME!"

Pinkie leaps after Spectra. Spectra side steps and flies off leaving Pinkie to fall on the ground. He looks back at Pinkie, who was hopping around with an angry look staring up at him, and gives her a smug grin.

"If you can figure out how to fly, I'll be waiting on a nice and soft clou- OOF!"

Spectra accidently ran into something. He turns to see he ran into......

Oh thank Celestia.

It's just Fluttershy.

"Um, hey Flutters. Umm, what do you want?"

Fluttershy was staring at him seductively.

'You have GOT to be bucking kidding me.'

"Spectra, would you mind coming back to my cottage and BUCK ME!"

Spectra zooms up high into the sky. He knew Fluttershy was afraid of heights, so he used that to his advantage. He was very high up. He lies back on a cloud and takes a breather. When out of nowhere, Fluttershy was above him.

"AH! I thought you were afraid of heights!?"

"I am normally, but I really need your help."

"NOPE!"

Spectra rolls off the cloud and flies down as fast as he can. A cone of air suddenly appears around him.

'Wait a minute....isn't this when- OH SO COOL'

The cone suddenly gets smashed, as Spectra enters super sonic speeds. He did it. He did a Sonic Rainboom.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH! YEAH!"

Spectra forgot completely about estrus and just enjoyed the speed. That's when it hit him.

'Huh. I guess I only like going fast if I'm breaking the sound barrier. Oh, well.'

He does a 90 degree turn and heads for Twilights Library.

'I hope Twilight has put a spell on her that gets rid of the effect of estrus on her.'

He arrives at Twilights with a dead stop at the front door without slowing down. In reality, he would've broken every bone in his body into a million pieces. So why did he survive? Magic. That's why.

Anyway, he knocks on the door to the Library.

"Hang on a second!"

He hears rummaging in the tree and the door opens to reveal Twilight with her mane in a mess.

"Twilight, I need some help. I forgot it was estrus and- WOAH!"

Twilight levitated him inside. She had a very big grin on her face.

"Oh BUCK ME!"

"Oh don't worry, I will."

Spectra groans. He was starting to get seriously angry.

"CAN'T ANY OF YOU BUCKING CONTROL YOURSELVES?!"

Twilight drops Spectra in shock of his sudden outburst. He takes this opportunity to fly out through the window. He had cuts all over his body, but he'd rather cuts then a reconstructed di-

"Hello Spectra!"

Spectra was flying very fast through the air, which can only mean 2 things.

He wasn't flying fast, he was drunk at home in Rainbows house on the couch dreaming all this up and she decided to say hello to him.

Or,

Rainbow was flying right into his side with a Sonic Rainboom.

"One Sonic Rainboom deserves another! I'm proud of you, Spectra! Let's get home so I can reward you!"

Spectra was in Rainbows death grip, heading towards her cloud house. He didn't have a choice. He just gave up. He's tried and he couldn't get away from them.

'Spectra, I bet you 500 bits that you can't get away and head to the Everfree Forest to hide out for the week. But, you don't have to do that. But I'll think you're weak.'

Spectra has now exited "Normal Mode". Now initiating "Competitive Mode".

Spectra breaks out of Rainbows grip and flies as fast as he could to the Everfree Forest. He reaches the forest with Rainbow tailing him, but he was in the forest before Rainbow could stop him.

Rainbow paces in front of the forest, Spectra was hiding out in a bush near the entrance where Rainbow was. She turns around and starts walking to Ponyville.

"Fine! I don't need you! I'll go find another stallion!"

Spectra's mind just realized something. If he didn't stay with Rainbow, she might end up doing it with another stallion. Oh, Spectra did not like that one single bucking bit. He was her coltfriend and he will do his job.

'Oh, but you will lose the bet! Are you willing to do that? You're weak if you fail the bet!'

Spectra stands up out of the bush without any hesitation.

"Rainbow Dash means more to me then some stupid bet."

'Oh, phooey. I'm leaving. You're no fun.'

Rainbow turns around and sees him walking to Rainbow. He gives her a big hug.

"Lets go home, Rainbow. I give up."

He breaks the hug. "I probably won't like it, but I might like it. It doesn't matter to me, as long as you're mine and your happy, then I'm happy."

(Authors Note: I know I would give up the usage of my manhood temporarily just to make sure my partner stays loyal to me. What about you?)

Rainbow smiles. It wasn't seductive, it was a genuine smile.

But it quickly turned seductive as soon as it was there.

"Alright. Follow me, lover colt."

She walks ahead and as she walks she waves her flank back and forth.

'Dat flank.......This is gunna be fun.'

-----Rainbows Cloud House, 4:45pm-----

Rainbow lead Spectra into her bedroom. She lies down on the bed.

"Ok, show me what you've got!"

Spectra walks on to the bed.

"I love my life."

Chapter XV - Pinkie Promise

Spectra was running through Ponyville, zooming past everypony on the streets. He was trying to escape the wrath of Pinkie Pie. He broke a Pinkie Promise. And if anypony breaks a Pinkie Promise, well, you might want to run.

Anyway, Spectra was tearing through the streets, looking behind him once in a while to check if Pinkie had given up the chase. She hasn't. She was in hot pursuit, chasing him down with anger in her eyes.

'Holy Celestia! Who knew she could be this vicious!? I need to find out how to lose her! Hang on, I'm a pegasus, and she- Spectra, even after 9 years you never learn. Spectra, you're an idiot.'

Spectra spreads his wings and takes off to the sky and sits on a lovely little cloud just above Ponyville. He closes his eyes and lies back.

"Hehe, if Pinkie can find a way up here, I'll give her my wings."

"Oh, that can be arranged."

Spectra's eyes snap open to reveal the pink mare right next to him in a hot air balloon. She had a straight mane and her eyes were still full of rage.

"AH! Holy buck!"

Spectra rolls off the cloud and, just like during estrus, he rockets down and does a Sonic Rainboom. He races off towards Rainbows house, hoping that his marefriend could help him.

When he arrives at Rainbows house, he forgets his breaks and smashes into the front door.

"Oooooow."

He slides off and sits on the cloud steps. The door opens and Rainbow was looking at him from inside.

"Hey, Rainbow." He walks inside and sits on the couch.

Rainbow walks over to him and sits next to him. "Is Pinkie still after you?"

Spectra nods. "Is this what happens when I try to make friends?"

Twitch.

"They go crazy and try to bucking kill me? Huh. Same thing happened to me in Manehatten once. But it was a griffon and an argument over a bag of weed. Hehe, that was not a fond memory."

Spectra rubs his chest. "Griffon talons aren't there for show."

He looks to Rainbow, who was nodding in agreement. "I hear ya. I knew a griffon a long time ago. We haven't spoken in years, though."

Rainbow stands up and walks over to her fridge and pulls out an apple.

"So, what are you gunna do about Pinkie Pie?"

Spectra puts a hoof to his chin.

"Hmmmm....I've got nothing."

"I have an ideaaaaaa."

"What's your idea Rainbow?"

"Spectra, I didn't say that......look."

She points to a window, outside was Pinkie Pie, in her balloon. Spectra sighs.

"Ok, Pinkie. Do your worst. I give up. Just kill me or whatever. Pretty sure nopony would miss me anyway.

Rainbow looked saddened. "That's not true! I didn't kiss you in the hospital because I hate your guts! I actually care about what happens to you!"

Spectra looks over to Rainbow with a smile. "I care about you to."

The couple exchange a smile. Spectra looks back over to Pinkie Pie.

"Ok, so what do you want from me?"

Pinkie leans in the house. "I want you to apologize!"

Spectra blinks. "Wut."

"You heard me! Apologize!"

Spectra shakes his head in confusion. "Seriously? I thought you wanted to kill me!"

Pinkie looks shocked. "What!? Why would I wanna do that?" Her mane poof's back up.

Spectra shakes his head again, trying to understand what just occurred.

"Ok. Pinkie Pie, I, Spectra Speed, apologize for missing your party."

Pinkie grows a massive smile.

"Okie Dokie Loki!"

And with that she retreats back into her balloon.

"That's seriously all you wanted from me?"

Pinkie reappears from the balloon. "Of course! If a friend really means it, they apologize."

Twitch.

'I need to get tested or something.'

"Ok, Pinkie. See ya later."

Pinkie waves. "Bye Specky!"

Pinkie floats her balloon back down to Ponyville.

Spectra sighs. "Well thank Celestia that's over."

He looks to Rainbow, who had a smug look on her face.

Spectra looks at her with confusion. "What?"

Rainbow walks forward. "So, Specky, huh?"

Spectra chuckles. "Watch it, Dashie."

Rainbow flinches and retreats back into the kitchen.

Spectra flies out the window and performs a few stunts and tricks until it was night time and went to bed with Rainbow by his side.

-----Twilights Library, 3:24pm-----

Spectra and Rainbow were with Twilight in her library, who was charging a spell up.

"Ok, Twilight, so run this by me again? All you said was you needed to try a spell on me to see if it works."

Twilight looks up to Spectra, but doesn't stop charging the spell.

"If this works, then you should turn into a unicorn and lose your wings. But, this has been untested so anything could happen."

Spectra's eyes grew wide. "Wait a minut-!"

Before Spectra could protest, Twilight hit him with her spell. Spectra felt a tingle-y sensation all around his body and he was glowing and levitated up. When the glowing stopped, he dropped to the ground with a loud thud.

"Uggghhhh...."

'That was weird, that doesn't sound like my voice. What happened?'

"Twilight, what's wrong with my voice? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Twilight and Rainbow were staring at him with shocked expressions.

"Ummmm.....Have a look....."

Twilight levitates a mirror over to Spectra. He was frozen in fear at what he saw.

He has been turned into a pegasus mare.

Chapter XVI - Rainbow's Cousin

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!?"

Twilight recoiled from Spectra's outburst.

"How was I meant to know it would turn you into a mare!? I can fix it! Just give me until tommorow and I will have found the spell to fix it!"

Spectra looked furious. "TOMMOROW?! I HAVE TO STAY AS A MARE UNTIL TOMMOROW?! Ugggh. Fine. I can deal with this. But we have to settle on a story in case somepony asks who I am."

Rainbow puts a hoof to her chin. "Artceps Dash, my cousin from Cloudsdale who came by to visit for a day."

Artceps shakes her head in confusion. "How did you think of all that so fast?"

Rainbow shrugs. "Beats me. It just came to me."

Artceps rolled her eyes. "Fine. My name is Artceps Dash and I'm here for a visit. Happy?"

Rainbow shakes her head. "No, I'm not happy. I'm furious at Twilight for turning my coltfriend into a mare."

Rainbow shoots Twilight a dirty look. "But, if I only have to wait a day, then I guess it'll be ok."

Artceps and Rainbow walk out of the library and start heading home. Rainbow notice Artceps squirming and she had an uneasy look on her face.

"Not used to being a mare yet?"

Artceps shakes her head. "I mean no offence or anything, Dash, but I prefer being a stallion to a mare. I miss my old gear, if you know what I mean."

Rainbow blushes. "Uhhh...Y-y-yeah.."

"Hey, I have an idea! When we get home, I can start a shower, and then-"

Artceps was cut off by Rainbow's glare. "Uhhhh...Never mind."

The couple walk down the street, trying to avoid anypony in case they recognized Artceps to be Spectra. Artceps didn't look all that different from Spectra. Just a smaller build, different mane and tail and some eyelashes and that's about it!

They were almost near Rainbow's home, when Pinkie Pie jumped in front of them, followed by Applejack and Rarity.

"Hi! Who are you? Are you related to Spectra? You look a lot like him!"

"Uhhh....."

Artceps looks to Rainbow, who steps forward.

"This is Artceps. She's my cousin from Cloudsdale! She's only visiting for a day."

Applejack steps forward. "Well, howdy! Nice ta meetcha, Artceps! Mah names Applejack!"

Rarity steps forward. "Hello, darling. My name is Rarity. Pleasure to meet you."

Pinkie stayed where she was standing with a smile.

"Isn't Artceps Spectra backwards?"

'Uh-oh.'

"Ummm....Who's this 'Spectra' guy you all keep telling me about? Rainbow tells me that he is the best coltfriend to have ever existed. I can't wait to meet him!"

Pinkie eyes Artceps suspiciously.

But then it turned into a smile.

"Oh, Spectra is amazing! You should hear him sing!"

'DING! I wonder how my singing sounds now? Time for a test.'

"Oh, Rainbow told me about that. You know, I can sing to. Wanna hear some?"

Pinkie jumps up and down. "Sure!"

Rainbow steps forward. "Let's head to Vinyl's. I wanna hear how you sing to!"

Artceps nods and the group head to Vinyl's Club.

-----Vinyl's Club, 5:40pm-----

"So, let me get this straight, Rainbow Dash."

Vinyl was standing in front of the group of ponies, talking directly to Rainbow.

"This mare over here has a singing voice that can be as good as Spectra's? Sure! Lets hear it!"

Artceps goes up to the microphone, while Vinyl goes behind her turntable, also equipped with a microphone.

"Alright, Artceps! Do you know this song?"

The start of one of Artceps' all time favourite songs come up. She nods and faces the crowd and sings her heart out, even Vinyl joined in!

When the song was over everypony was staring at Artceps with their jaws on the floor.

Pinkie Pie's jaw was LITERALLY on the floor. She steps forward with a massive smile.

"That. Was. AMAZING!"

She flies up and hugs Artceps.

'How the flying buck can Pinkie fly?'

'Because magic, that's why.'

"Thanks, Pinkie. Didn't think you would like it that much."

Pinkie pulls away. "Like it? I LOVED it!"

Everypony left the club and headed to their homes.

On the way back to Rainbow's cloud home, Artceps was blushing the whole way. Rainbow took quick notice of this.

"What's wrong?"

"Ummmm.....I don't know how to say this....ummmmm...."

Artceps leans forward and whispers something into Rainbow's ear. Whatever she said, it made Rainbow have a wingboner.

"No way! I'm not into mares!"

Artceps looks saddened. "Awww. But I'll only be a mare for a day! Can't we try it out once? Pleeeeeeeeeeease?"

Artceps gave Rainbow the best puppy dog eyes she could muster.

Rainbow facehoofs. "Ok, fine. Only. One. Time. Ok?"

Artceps smiles and nods violently.

Rainbow shakes her head. "Ugggh. This will be a night to remember."

"Oh, yes it will."

Artceps gives Rainbow a grin and a wink.

-----Twilights Library, The Next Morning-----

Artceps and Rainbow walk into the library.

"Twilight!? Twilight!? I'd like to be a stallion again if it's no trouble!"

"Hang on, I'm coming down!"

Twilight walks down the stairs.

"It took me forever, but I found the spe- What's wrong with your manes?"

The two mares look away and blush.

"It's.....a long story."

Twilight sit's down. "I've got the time to listen."

Artceps steps forward. "Let's just say...." She looks back to Rainbow, who had a smile on her face. "....I was curious."

Chapter XVII - The Hardest Decision

Spectra was sleeping quietly, when suddenly, he was shaken awake by Rainbow.

"Ugggh....What is it, Rainbow?"

"A letter came for you. It's marked with a Cloudsdale seal."

Rainbow hoofs him a letter, and sure enough, the Cloudsdale Seal was on it, adorned with a cloud and lightning bolt.

"Wonder what it is?"

Spectra opens the letter;

'Dear, Mr. Speed,

We have been told by Spitfire and Soarin themselves of your amazing speed, agility and stamina.

Now, we know your not interested in racing, but we want to offer you a job.

We offer you the position of Cloudsdale Cloud Factory CEO, as you must have high intelligence in

the field of weather work to be a fast flyer. Unfortunately, this means moving out of

Ponyville and into Cloudsdale. However, I can assure you that Cloud Factory CEO gets paid a lot of bits. It's the top paying job amongst pegasi.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely....

Below were scrawled out signatures of the leaders of Cloudsdale. Spectra was in shock at what he read.

"Well? What did it say?"

Spectra hoofs Rainbow the letter. She reads it and her face goes slowly into a frown.

"Well, I guess we better start packing."

Spectra shoots up at this. "You're not the one making the decision here. I won't allow you to abandon your friends."

Rainbow looks back at him with a pleading look. "But Spectra, Cloudsdale Factory Owners get paid top bit! You have to take this job!"

Spectra facehoofs. "Well, I don't want you to leave your friends and I don't wanna leave you and vice versa. So, what do we do about it? AGGGH! I can't decide!"

Spectra holds his head in his hooves.

Rainbow opens her mouth to say something, then closes it, and walks out the door.

"I'm sorry.....take all the time you need.....I'll be training......" Rainbow takes a look back at Spectra.

"I love you...."

Spectra stays on the bed for about half an hour before stepping over to the window and flying out. Rainbow see's him, but leaves him to his thoughts.

'He has to make a tough decision. I'll leave him be for a while until he has made a choice.'

Spectra was walking through Ponyville with a depressed look on his face. He had to make a massive decision. But he needed help. He needed help from....

...his 'friends'.

Spectra walked down to the market to find Applejack and Applebloom at their stall selling apples.

"Well, howdy, Spectra! Care fer some apples?"

Spectra looks up at the mare, he was staring at the ground the whole time. Applejack put the apple down with a worried look.

"Woah, whats wrong, sugarcube? Ya look terrible."

Spectra nods. "Yeah. AJ, I need some advice, you see I got an offer to go to Cloudsdale for some work that pays top bit, but I have to move to Cloudsdale to do it. But I want to stay with Rainbow! And now I can't decide on whether or not to leave or stay!"

Applejack holds a hoof to her chin. "I think ya should think about what Rainbow needs, and what she wants. Then compare the two."

Spectra nods. "Ok, thanks AJ."

Spectra leaves the stall to head to Twilights Library. Spectra knocks on the door, and it opens to reveal Twilight..

"Hey, Spectra. You look like a mess! Did you and Rainbow....ummm...."

"No Twilight, this is important. I need your opinion on something."

Twilight steps to the side and lets him in. "Ok, so what's wrong?"

Spectra sighs. "I was offered a job as Cloudsdale Cloud Factory CEO. Problem is, I need to move to Cloudsdale."

Twilight ponders this for a moment. "Well, just keep Rainbow in mind when you decide. Sorry I couldn't help out more."

Spectra waves a hoof. "No, no. It's fine, Twilight. See ya."

Spectra leaves and heads down the street to go to the Everfree Forest to find Fluttershy.

'Ok, so both Twilight and AJ tell me to think of Rainbow when I decide.

Spectra stops in the middle of the street. He looks up and flies to a cloud that sits very high up and lies back.

'Ok, brain, Discord, let's do some brain storming. This is where my talent could help out.'

'Do I really have to be involved in your personal life everyday?'

'Why not? You've been in my head for the past 3 months or so, haven't you?'

'I guess so. So! Let me start off by saying that you've had the best times of your life here in Ponyville. So, take that into consideration. Now, in Ponyville you live here with your marefriend who you love dearly and she you, both of you just to shy to admit it, and all your friends....'

Spectra twitches.

'.....have been with you through thick and thin, so give them some credit.'

Spectra nods.

'You sure can be helpful when needed, Discord. Now, hear this. Going to Cloudsdale, I can see new things and learn even more. Now, if I save up a lot of bit's, I can live a decent life in luxury, but without Rainbow by my side. I don't want her abandoning her friends either so, what do I do?'

'Hmmmm.....How about this! Now, before you say anything, hear me out! If you move to Cloudsdale, save up for at least a year or two, then come back to Ponyville, not only will you have enough money to be set for a loooong time, but you will also be back with Rainbow Dash! Sound good?'

Spectra took all of what he said into great consideration, then, he made the decision. He rolls off the cloud and zooms back to Rainbow's house.

-----Rainbow's House-----

Spectra flies inside to find Rainbow making some sandwiches.

"Oh, hey...."

"....hey, Rainbow..."

They stand in silence for a bit, before Rainbow sets the food on the table and they munch away.

"So, what did you decide?"

Spectra looks up from his food.

"Someone gave me a few tips here and there, but I have a game plan. You might not like it, but it's for the best."

Rainbow raises an eye brow. "Go on."

Spectra sighs. "I will go to Cloudsdale, alone, and come back after a year or two. Depends on how much money I gain. Then I return here with money in hoof. That way, we get set for a while, but I won't be gone forever. I promise you that I will come back, Rainbow."

Rainbow's expression never changed during the explanation. She get's up, walks over to Spectra and holds him in a tight hug and cries.

"I-I-I p-promise that I-I will w-wait. I-I'll miss you s-s-so much."

Spectra couldn't handle it. He bursts into tears to.

"I w-will miss y-you to."

The couple just stand there hugging each other and crying for a while. Spectra finally lets go, walks over to the table and gets a letter ready, he writes his letter and looks it over.

'Dear Leaders Of Cloudsdale,

I accept your offer, I will be there in a few days.

From Spectra Speed.'

Spectra looks over to Rainbow and smiles. And in spite of everything, she smiles back. The couple walk to bed, and Spectra closes his eyes, before they snap open to reveal Rainbow kissing him. When she pulls away, she grins.

"Let's make tonight a night to remember."

Spectra grins and nods, and enjoys one of his last nights in Ponyville.

-----Two Days Later-----

(Authors Note: if you want it to be even more sad then it will be, listen to this.)

Spectra and Rainbow were at the hill Rainbow's house floats over. They were joined by their friends, well, Spectra hadn't accepted them as friends yet. Spectra was wearing saddlebags with his cutie mark on them, covered in jewels. Rarity insisted. Inside was some food, water and some bits.

Spectra steps forward and faces the group.

"The Leaders have given me a house to live in. I don't have to make any payments until next week, though. I just want you all to know that you all have shown me the light side of life. From my danky apartment I owned in Manehatten all those months ago, to a brighter and better life here in Ponyville, with all of you. Now, I still can't accept you as my friends...."

No twitch, Spectra wanted to say this.

"....., I instead consider all of you, my family. My parents may have been murdered, but at least they loved me. Like all of you have. But, mostly you Rainbow Dash, showed me that."

Rainbow was on the edge and almost bawling her eyes out.

Spectra looked confident. "I have loved every single second of being here, in Ponyville, with all of you. I will miss you all."

Spectra steps forward and walks up to Rainbow. He holds her in a tight hug and kisses her passionately. Rainbow pulls away and leans in his ear.

"Come back to me soon."

She leans away to see Spectra wink.

He walks to each of the ponies in this lovely little family, and gives them a hug. Spectra turns, walks to the peak of the hill, and faces them again.

He grows a massive smile.

'Ready, Discord?'

'Do I really have to do this? They can't hear me anyway!'

'Yes! Give me one last hoorah!'

'Oh, FINE! On 3. 1....2.....3!'

Spectra waves his hoof high in the air.

"UNTIL WE NEXT MEET, ARRIVEDERCI!'

And with that, Spectra spreads his wings, and flies off. The group cheer him on and wait until he is just a speck in the sky. Everypony turned to each other with a sad look, but put on a smile. Rainbow was standing on top of the hill, looking off into the distance where Spectra was flying.

"Good bye, Spectra. I'll be waiting, right here, for you to return. I will always love you."

A single tear rolls down her cheek and onto the ground.

Rainbow turns to the group with a massive smile.

"Hey! Who wants cupcakes from Sugarcube Corner?"

Everypony looks glad that she was over it so fast. Only one thought kept her from screaming out and flying out to hug and kiss him all day. The thought, was that he promised he would return.

It wasn't a Pinkie Promise, It didn't have to be a Pinkie Promise. It was already binding.

It was a promise between lovers. And she will wait for him.

Sequel!

The sequel is already out, if ya wanted to read it!

Starting Over 2: Returning Home

I want to thank a lot of people for making this series possible, but just check out the blog I posted I'm too lazy right now =P

Chapter XIV - Happy Birthday Spectra!

It was the day after estrus was over. Spectra was with Rainbow the entire time doing....well, each other. Spectra wasn't in total agony like the rumours said. They must of been trying to keep stallions from getting some or something like that. Spectra actually enjoyed it! Except he was a little nervous the first night. Mainly because-

"Ohmygoshomygoshomygosh! Spectra! I am SO sorry! I had no right tricking you like that into getting into bed with me! Can ya forgive me, pleeeeease?"

Spectra and Rainbow were sitting on the edge of their cloud bed and Spectra was tired, Rainbow was sad and afraid Spectra wouldn't forgive her. Spectra waves a hoof.

"Rainbow, I forgive you. There was a slight problem with what you did though...."

Rainbow looks worried. "What's that?"

Spectra turns to Rainbow. "It....it was my first time....."

Rainbow suddenly looks MEGA bucking sad and regretful.

"I....I....I didn't...I'm so sorry...."

She looks down at the cloud floor. "I am so sorry Spectra. I know that won't change anything but I truly am sorry...."

Spectra grabs her in a tight hug. "I'm glad my first time was with you, Rainbow. Even if you weren't acting normal."

Rainbow returns the hug. "How can I make it up to you?"

Spectra breaks the hug and puts a hoof to his chin.

"Hmmmmm.....You don't need to, silly filly! I forgive you!"

Rainbow grabs his shoulders. "No, I need to make it up to you somehow!"

Spectra pushes her of his shoulders and looks deeply into her magenta eyes.

"Rainbow. I. Forgive. You. Because. I. Care. About. You."

And with that, Rainbow bursts into tears, and grapples him into a tight hug.

"T-t-thanks S-S-S-Spectra."

"Hey, no harm no foul. Now...." He breaks the embrace and looks back into her eyes. "....gather up your friends. Tell them to meet me in the library. We need to talk."

As usual, he twitches when he says friend. Rainbow ignores it.

Rainbow flies up and salutes. "Count on me!"

And with that, she flies out the window. Spectra walks downstairs and sits on the couch in the lounge room.

(Authors Note: Aussies call living rooms 'lounge rooms' for some odd reason.)

"And now, we play the waiting game. Hey Discord! Wanna talk?"

'What do you want, Spectra? Oh and thanks for the information on your friends that resides in your mind. That will be quite useful if I meet them one day.'

Spectra flinches at 'friend'.

"Even if you meet them, something in the back of my mind tells me somepony will kill you anyway."

'Oh, trust me, Spectra. If somepony takes me down, I will make sure that he or she will go down with me!'

"Ok, I don't wanna talk to you any more."

And with that, Spectra sat in silence awaiting Rainbows return.

-----Twilights Library, 1:36pm-----

Rainbow and her 5 friends were in the library, waiting for Spectra to come in.

Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were all looking very nervous. AJ and Rarity looked confused on why they were there.

"Why do we have ta wait fer Spectra ta git here, anyway? What happened?"

Twilight looks to AJ then back to the ground she was staring at.

"....I have a good idea of what he wants to talk about....."

AJ now looked confused.

"Consarn it, Twilight! Jus' tell us what happened!"

Spectra bursts into the door.

"Good evening, everypony."

Nopony returned the greeting.

"Well, I'm pretty sure Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie know why I'm here."

Everypony looks to the 3 mares.

"On the first day of estrus, I was flying away from Rainbow, afraid she might break me or something. Then, all of a sudden, Pinkie Pie here tries to jump me so she could buck the hay outta me."

Everypony but Pinkie Pie, Twilight and Fluttershy looked shocked.

"Then, moments after that, Fluttershy appears out of nowhere asking me to come to her cottage to buck her."

Everypony was now looking at Fluttershy.

"And THEN, I head to Twilights place, thinking a smart mare like her found a spell to cure the effects of estrus. When I arrived, she levitated me inside saying that she will buck me."

Everypony didn't even bother looking at Spectra or anypony else any more.

"After that, Rainbow convinced me in the Everfree Forest that if I didn't stay with her she would go after another stallion. I forgive her because I care about her. I'm angry at all of you because your her friends.." Twitch. "...and should not attempt to buck her coltfriend."

Pinkie Pie walks up to Spectra. "I'm sorry, can we still be friends?" Her mane and tail were straight and she looked sad.

Spectra twitches. Then he begins laughing. The others take this as a good sign. "Friends? Pinkie I NEVER considered you my friends and I highly doubt that has changed!"

Twitch.

Everypony looked saddened and shocked.

"WHAT?!" All the mares shout in unison, making Spectra temporarily deaf.

"I always considered you one of Rainbows friends."

Twitch. 'Celestia damned that HAS to be treated or something.'

Pinkie Pie gets right up in his face. "We can make it up to you! Pleeeeease let us make it up to you and we can be friends! I can host your birthday party!"

Twitch.

"Everypony stop saying 'friend'!"

Twitch.

"CELESTIA DAMN IT. Ok, fine. I promise to go to to my.....birthday party? Pinkie my birthday was on the first day of estrus. I got a great present to."

Spectra winks at Rainbow, who blushes.

'OH MY GOD THE LEVELS OF CUTENESS.'

Pinkie's mane poof's back up and she smiles. "Pinkie Promise that you will come to the party!"

Spectra shakes his head in confusion. "A what?"

Pinkie then crosses a hoof over her heart, waves a hoof high above her head, then sticks her hoof in her eye.

"Cross your heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Spectra shrugs and does the movements. "Sure, sure whatever."

Everypony then left the tree, except for Rainbow, Pinkie and Spectra.

"Ok, come by Sugarcube Corner at 7pm! Dashie can show you where it is!"

Pinkie exits the tree and heads to the bakery.

Spectra chuckles. "Dashie?"

Rainbow flies right in front of him with an angry look.

"I don't like the nickname anyway, Rainbow."

She smiles, kisses his cheek and follows him outside.

-----Rainbows Cloud House, 7:21pm-----

Spectra and Rainbow were performing stunts and racing, mainly for Rainbows entertainment. They had lost track of time long ago. Rainbow looked to where the sun was and gasped.

"Oh no....We missed Pinkies party..." She then points a hoof towards Spectra. "....and you Pinkie Promised you'd be there....oh no....this is bad!"

Spectra shrugs and grins. "Come on Rainbow! If we tell her that we lost track of time I'm sure she'd be fine with it."

Rainbow still looked worried. "I hope so...."

The couple fly into Sugarcube Corner to find the place empty except for a pink coated, pink maned mare sitting on the floor. Her mane was straight, same with her tail.

Spectra flies up to her. "Ummm....Pinkie? We're sorry we were late. We lost track of time."

Pinkie looked up to him with a glare that could end armies.

"You. Pinkie. Promised."

Spectra nods. "I know, I can make it up to-"

"YOU PINKIE PROMISED!"

Pinkie leaps after Spectra. But he dodges it and looks to Rainbow. She just mouths "Run you fool."

Spectra races out of Sugarcube Corner with a very angry Pinkie Pie on his tail.

"YOU PINKIE PROMISED ME SPECTRA!"

Chapter XVIII - Epilogue

Spectra had been looking over some files sent in from HQ, when he noticed a cloud was jamming the machine.

Again.

He looks over with an angry look. "Oi! Watch where you're putting that! Clouds don't just grow on trees, ya know!"

It had been over 3 months since Spectra left Ponyville. He didn't think of Ponyville a lot, because he didn't want to feel the pain of leaving. He doesn't regret leaving, by far. He was one of Cloudsdale's richest pegasi. Anyway, he was seated in an office which gave him an over head view of the area, writing off papers.

"'scuse me, mate!"

Spectra was shocked. 'Hmmm..,His accent sounds a lot like mine, just thicker.'

He looks up to see a pegasus with a brown mane, green tail and a grey coat.

'He reminds me of Ed. Heh.'

"Yeah? What's up?"

The pegasus pulls a letter from his saddle bag.

"I 'ave this 'ere letter from a Missus "Rainbow Dash'. Take care, mate."

He drops the letter on the desk and flies off.

Spectra stares at the letter, then picks it up and reads.

" Dear, Spectra.

I couldn't wait a year or two to tell you this. You probably already know, but I want you to hear it from me.

I love you with all my heart. It aches to know you're so far away. I am almost begging that time just skips ahead.

I miss you with all my heart.

Hope to hear a reply,

Rainbow."

Spectra had a blank expression after reading it, but it was VERY quickly replaced by a smile. He grabbed the nearest piece of paper and starting writing a reply.

"Dear Rainbow,

I have always loved you as well. I wish we weren't so far away. I just want to hold you and kiss you all day! I've been wanting to visit, but, like our plan, I've been saving up the bits. Hopefully nothing stupid happens like the city catching fire and I lose all the bits.

With all my love,

Spectra. "