Twilight sat a hospital canteen, somewhere in Cloudsdale. She and her friends had traveled up to see Rainbow Dash, who had been incapacitated there for some months now. She was worried - more so than usual.
Some months ago, there had been a huge scandal as the secrets of Cloudsdale's Rainbow Factory had been released. It had turned out that, like some twisted, horrifying nightmare, the process of making a rainbow involved murdering young foals who failed their final flight exam. Twilight remembered back to the day when, live on television, she had watched the staff of the Rainbow Factory pulled away, kicking and screaming...and, in the midst of it all, Rainbow Dash, in a straight jacket, half-demented and giggling like a madmare. They'd been coming to visit her ever since she had been deemed mentally incapable for trial and placed in the hospital Twilight now sat in.
However, there had been a strange development. Somewhere in the last 9 month gap between their visits, Rainbow had somehow become pregnant and delivered a foal. She had been named Spectra, as her mane was the same as her mother's. Her coat was pink, and every day she was allowed to spend an hour with Rainbow Dash. Twilight and her friends had watched Rainbow stroking the filly's mane, who seemed entranced, and whispering quietly into her ear.
Spectra didn't seem to listen or like anypony but Dash. She became frightened if she so much as saw another pony and would scream, shout and cry hysterically. That was why Twilight was worried.
She was worried that Spectra would turn out just like Dash.
...........
After several months, Dash was released and had gone back to Ponyville. Spectra was under the care of her and Twilight, and the factory had a new way of making rainbows, through small glass prisms enhanced with magic. Foals who failed spent a hour trying to get a strong colored rainbow with these prisms, then we're sent home. But both Twilight and Rainbow Dash were worried about the hyperactive filly. She would try to go with Dash to work and tried to take over when Dash was sick, but the two mares held her back, or more specifically, Twilight did. Dash always had somewhere to be; the psychiatrist, the factory, courts, Canterlot with the princesses, or at the police station for questioning. But she needed to have more of an impact on Spectra, because none of them knew what the crazy filly was thinking, and needed to lose her desire to go to the factory.
Spectra listened carefully to the filly's testimony.
"I have been taught that if you obey your leaders, you will be recognised. And if you are recognized, you are respected and respect show you are worthy of life. I know the basics at mechanics, computer programming, and have a photographic memory..." She explained her skills carefully. Spectra listened with close intent. When the filly was done she finally spoke.
"Well. We shall go see my mom for the final disicion. She will decide your fate." The two pegisi flew to Rainbow Dash's house.
"SPEEEECCTRRRRRAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she walked in with the filly. "Why did you bring a failure in here?!"
"Mom. She deserves a second chance. Please give her one."
Rainbow saw the look of sincerity in Spectra's eyes. She did have a heart even if she grew up in The Rainbow Factory.
"Very well, Spectra. She can retake her flight test. I will judge her. If she fails she goes back to the Factory. GOT IT!"
"Ok mom. Can we do the test now?"
