//------------------------------// // Bursting the Bubble // Story: The Colours of Dusk // by Gallifrey //------------------------------// The Colours of Dusk by Gallifrey Chapter Ten Bursting the Bubble Dusk turned to face an empty bed. The curtains rustled in the breeze by the open window. "Blitz?" he saidsoftly, reaching a hoof out over the empty space that Blitz had occupied not five seconds ago. With a sigh, Dusk picked up Blitz's abandoned book and set it on the cabinet beside his own. Staring at the ceiling, he frowned. He felt... funny; he couldn't exactly put his hoof on it, but Blitz's sudden departure left him feeling slightly hollow inside, and he didn't like it. He didn't say goodbye... A gentle tapping at the door distracted him. It was Spike. "Hey, um, are you guys okay? I just bumped into Dawn and she looked upset." "I... yeah. I'll go talk to her... what's for dinner?" "Tomato soup, it'll be ready soon, so you better hurry it up." "Right," said Dusk distractedly, getting to his hooves and trotting up to the guest room. "Come in," said a small voice after Dusk knocked. He took a calming breath and entered the room to find Dawn perched on a chair by the open window, morosely batting the dragon bell flower Dusk had given her between her hooves. "Hey," she said, without turning around. "Are... are you okay?" asked Dusk uncertainly. Dawn sighed and looked up at the shining mountains in the distance. She'd done it again, meddling in affairs that weren't hers to meddle in. She'd tried to help Rainbow Blitz, and she'd only made it worse for him. I wonder when I'll learn? She turned to look at him, his face coloured with uncertainty and concern. "I'm fine," she said briskly. "I expect I'm still tired from the magic." Dusk approached her and conjured a chair out of thin air, taking a seat next to her. "You know..." he began quietly, staring out at the shimmering spires of Canterlot in the distance, "Sometimes, it's like I don't understand anything in this world. Do you ever have that feeling?" "What's brought this on?" she asked. "But I think I know what you mean. Like the more you learn the less you know kinda thing." "Mmm," said Dusk, nodding. "Precisely that. In ignorance we know nothing, in wisdom we know that we know nothing." He gave his head a little shake. "Whoa, that's too deep for me." A prismatic blur streaked the flawless blue sky. Both Dusk and Dawn felt their hearts sink at the sight. They watched as the rainbow sped into the west, disappearing into the summer haze. Dusk wearily pressed a hoof to his face and rubbed his eyes. "Hey," he said,trying to curb his mind to other topics. "You wanna go for a ride in my hot air balloon tomorrow? The weather's supposed to be great again and it's very peaceful." "You have a hot air balloon?" said Dawn, surprised. "I'd love to! I've never been in a hot air balloon before!" "You'll enjoy it," said Dusk, suddenly feeling much happier. "That is, if you've recovered from the magic." "I'm sure I'll be fine," she said, waving a hoof. "Excellent." "Dusk! Dawn! Soup's on!" "Perfect timing," chuckled Dawn, leaving the room, a suddenly hungry Dusk in tow. Blitz slammed roughly into the ground, which was not wise when the ground was made out of cloud. He stood in front of his house and stomped in. Hurt and upset, he could barely contain his fury, fury at Dawn, at the world, but himself most of all. He'd been so stupid. As if he could compare to Dawn. He roughly opened his bedroom door and went straight to the bottom drawer of his dresser and extracted his bottle of emergency firewhiskey. He looked at it intently, teetering on the edge of a decision so badly he was like Schrödinghoof's famous feline. He hadn't felt the need for it for a long time, not since he'd come out to his father those years ago... He put a tentative hoof on the lid of the bottle, and shoved it back in the drawer. Cursing, the pegasus threw himself onto his bed and let his anger simmer for a while. The face of a white mare swam into his mind. "Stupid mare, thinks she can one-up me, she can think again." He bitterly wished he had someone to talk to, but he also wanted to be alone. A nice catch twenty two indeed. He tossed and turned, trying vainly to get comfortable. He then tried falling asleep, he then tried reading a book to distract himself, all to no avail, Dusk and Dawn weighed heavily on his mind. In the end, he started to meticulously clean his bedroom, just for something to do, but he didn't stop there, and soon his entire house was spotless. He fluttered up to his roof and flumped down upon it, exhausted. Night had fallen, and the stars sparkled overhead. It hadn't worked. He scooted down into his room and grabbed the bottle of whiskey and flew back to the roof. He took a great swig of the honey-brown liquid. His face scrunched up as it burnt his throat, but he immediately felt all warm inside. "Man that's good," he said to himself, laying back under the stars. He could already feel his mind slowing down, and was grateful it was. He took another gulp. "Tomorrow... I need *hic!* to see... um..." He thought hard. "*Hic!*" And thought harder. "Elusive! Yes... m-maybe I should see him now. It's not too, um, late." He made to stand up, but all of a sudden, there didn't seem to be any ground beneath him. He hiccoughed and puzzled over this for a second before he realised he'd fallen off the roof. He braced himself at the last moment and felt his front garden slam into his face. "Ow!" he said lamely, rubbing his head. "I-I think I'm too... drunk to *hic!* fly..." He started giggling. Rainbow Blitz tried to stand again and collapsed. He took one last drink of whiskey and fell asleep at his front porch. The sound of hoofsteps echoed along the marbled corridors. A door opened silently, and the steps continued. Princess Celestia was on a mission. She strode past ornately decorated windows, dark in the night. She quietened her steps as she drew closer to her destination, this was too important. She opened the ebony doors that stood before her and snook stealthily into the room, she could hear the tinkling of water and a soft melodious voice emanating from the bathroom, confirming to the alabaster alicorn that Luna was bathing. Putting her plan into action, Celestia raised a wing and withdrew a whoopie cushion she'd been carrying, placing it on a certain spot under Luna's bed. Giggling silently to herself, Celestia hurried to a corner of the room and hid behind an armchair, waiting patiently. Eventually, her patience was rewarded, as Luna exited the bathroom, running a towel through her flowing mane. If only she didn't sit on the exact same spot on the bed every time, she could have avoided Celestia's devious flim flams. Nonetheless, she sat her rump down on the edge of the bed, and the resultant sound made her jump so badly that she slipped off and tumbled to the floor. "'Tia!" Celestia, trying her hardest not to laugh, couldn't hold back any longer, collapsing to the floor and giggling wildly. "Why, 'Tia?" asked Luna exasperatedly. "Because–" Celestia wheezed, "your face! Ahahahaha!" "Hilarious, I'm sure," said Luna, lifting her bedsheets and flinging the cushion in Celestia's direction. "True comedic genius." "Oh come," said Celestia, getting to her hooves and sitting beside her. "Sometimes I wonder where your sense of humour is." "I could say the same to you," said Luna dryly. "Was there anything you wanted? Other than to play practical jokes?" "In fact, there actually was, fancy that: I'm a little concerned at the lack of letters from either of our two students. I would have thought they'd have written by now." "Is that all?" said Luna. "Celestia, forgive me, but I fear you have forgotten what it is to be young." Celestia looked thoughtful. "You think so?" "Perhaps. Ponies are forgetful in youth, they, for wont of a better phrase 'live in the moment'. Let them be, and do... whatever it is that they do." "It seems I am not the only one who has forgotten," said Celestia. "Shut up." Beams of golden sunlight bathed the early morning land as the Sun rose above the horizon, waking every pony except one. Rainbow Blitz was fast asleep. The birds that had tried to sing outside his house had given up in trying to make themselves heard over the cacophony of his snoring, and a small puddle of drool lay on the ground beneath his cheek. An eyelid fluttered, a voice-box groaned, a pair of lungs yawned and a brain throbbed painfully. Rainbow Blitz awoke and sat up, clutching his head. "Urgh, good goddess, what did I do last nigh– oh yeah," he said, noticing the bottle beside him. Getting gingerly to his hooves, he trudged into his house and made several cups of very strong tea to help clear his mind. It sort of worked. He was stirring sugar lump into his fourth cup, when a thought came to mind. "I need to see Elusive." Stretching his stiff wings, he ran outside and threw himself off the edge of his house, gliding down to Ponyville town. Dusk reached a hoof out in his sleep, as though he were trying to touch something, or someone. Vainly he grasped at thin air, until he overextended and tumbled out of bed, waking with a start. From his world of tangled blankets, he wasn't completely sure which way was up, his head popped out and he found he was upside down, and that the door had just opened. "Morning," said Dawn. "We heard a bang and Spike asked me to check it out. You alright?" "I'm fine," said Dusk, extracting himself and stretching. He sniffed. "Can I smell eggs?" he asked hopefully. "Yup! I guess you want some?" "Please," he said gratefully. "I'll just, you know, have a wash and whatnot and I'll be straight down." Dawn nodded and made her way back downstairs. "He'll be down in a little bit," said Dawn to Spike, who was standing on a stool, cooking eggs merrily. Ten oil spitting minutes later, Dusk came down the stairs sparkling clean and ready for his breakfast. "Morning, Spike," he said happily as he made a cup of tea. "Hey, you're in a good mood today." "Well, I am looking forward to a ride in the hot air balloon later," he said, sitting down opposite Dawn. "Aw, can I come?" asked the little drake, looking hopefully at them both. Dusk glanced at Dawn, who nodded serenely. "Of course you can," said Dusk briskly. "You've been very good lately after all, you deserve a treat." "Can I bring some ice cream?" he added. "Don't push it now," said Dusk, grinning at Spike's nerve. After breakfast, the trio ambled out into the back garden, and Dusk dragged open the heavy shed door, revealing a large mound of rich purple fabric. He laid it out with his magic and turned to Spike. "Would you like to do the honours?" Spike padded up to the burner and lit it with his breath. The green sparks leapt into great golden tongues of flame that licked up and filled the balloon with air. After a short while, the balloon looked ready. "Right, hop in!" said Dusk cheerfully, already in the basket, his hooves on a length of rope that was tethering them to the ground. "Here we go!" A bell tinkled elegantly. A pony grunted in their sleep. A stallion approached. A yelp was emitted. Rainbow Blitz, for a joke, had jabbed a slumbering Elusive in the stomach, startling him greatly. "Ah! Oh, good morning Rainbow! Uh, what brings you here today?" asked the social extraordinaire curiously, running a hoof through his glossy mane. "'Lucy, I need some advice," said Blitz, cutting straight to the chase. "Oh, you don't say," said Elusive, his eyes sweeping round to ensure they were alone. "What's troubling you my friend?" he whispered conspiratorially. "It's about Dusk and Dawn, what's–" "Mmm, would you care for a jelly baby?" Blitz was caught off-guard. "What? Oh, go on then. But Dusk and Dawn..." "What exactly is it about them you want from me?" asked Elusive placidly. "I was just, you know, wondering how they're getting on and stuff," said Blitz casually, meandering over to a half made suit that was resting on a mannequin. "Just curious..." he said, while gently touching the dark blue fabric. Elusive's eyes furrowed. "I don't understand, weren't you at Dusk's yesterday afternoon?" Blitz felt a lick of anger as the memories returned. "I, yeah..." he said shortly. He didn't know how to finish that. "You know, I can't figure them out myself," said Elusive thoughtfully. "Dusk insists that they're just friends to me." Blitz was looking at squarely at the subtle starry patterns in the cloth of the suit, but his ears were pointed at Elusive, hanging onto his every word. "Yes, but something's telling me you don't one hundred percent believe that..." said Blitz, feeling his heart reach new depths in his chest. "It's not a question of Dusk's sincerity, it's just that there's some apparent evidence to the contrary." "WHAT?!" Blitz roared, head snapping round so fast it hurt. Elusive sat in shocked silence. "What evidence?!" demanded Blitz, panic flooding him. "I-I thought you said you were just curious..." said Elusive weakly, his heart hammering in his chest. Blitz walked over to Elusive, fear and anger evident in his eyes. "What evidence?" he growled. A bead of sweat fell from Elusive's forehead. "You know, p-perhaps this was a bad idea, I wouldn't like to say–" "Tell me, or so help me I'll hold you down and shave your mane off," said Blitz. It was an empty threat, but Elusive's pupils shrank at the mere thought. "A-Alright," he said nervously. "Uh, the other day, when they went to the spa, I walked in on them, and ah–" He swallowed nervously. "Yes?" Blitz pressed. "Dusk was on top of her... they said they had stumbled and ended up like that." "Likely story," Blitz spat. "I think it probably is," Elusive said desperately, trying to be reasonable. Blitz snorted and looked at the suit again. "This thing you're working on," he said suspiciously. "Whose is it?" Poor Elusive felt wretched. Things were going from bad to worse. The look on his face was confirmation enough for Blitz. He looked behind the suit and his fears were realised in the form of an outline for a powder blue dress. "Now, Blitz," began Elusive carefully. "No!" he shouted, rage taking over. "I don't wanna hear it! I can't take any more! This isn't fair!" He aimed a kick at the dress. "Please!" said Elusive with a strangled cry. Blitz struggled with himself, his face contorted, as if on the brink of tears before flaring his wings and shooting straight through the door, shattering the glass and woodwork. "Blitz!" yelled Elusive, scrambling to his hooves and darting to the 'door', but it was too late. "Oh goddess..." He jumped over the splinters and broken glass, galloping in the direction of Blitz's rainbow trail. "Oh! It's all so pretty from up here!" Dawn was peering over the edge of the balloon's basket, her eyes wide. "I know, it's great to get a different perspective," said Dusk happily. "Meanwhile, I'm down here and can't see a thing!" complained Spike, hopping up and down, trying to see over the edge. Dusk chuckled and knelt down. Spike clambered up onto his back. "Better?" asked Dusk, straightening up. Spike was speechless as he looked over the landscape. It was so peaceful up there, thought Dawn, still and silent except for when Dusk had to use the burner. Floating effortlessly above Ponyville, it was very therapeutic. At least it was peaceful until the oncoming storm met them through the clouds. A single silver tear rolled down his cheek. "A-All I want is Dusk..." Blitz shoved his face into the cloud and yelled in frustration. Everything was wrong, this was not how things were supposed to be. "Stupid fucking Dawn, stupid Dusk! Aargh!" A Rainbow Blitz who feels helpless is a dangerous Rainbow Blitz. The time had come for drastic measures, if he couldn't have Dusk, no-one could have Dusk. Thoughts discharged through his head and anger lanced through his body, powerful muscles flexed in his torment. What to do, what to do. Malicious thoughts of framing, sabotage and trickery bubbled up through his seething mind, he allowed himself a grim smile as he thought of ways to carry them out, followed immediately by waves of shame. "I can't just stay here," he hissed to himself. It was time to do something, anything, to take his mind off how shit life was. He made to stand up, but he was caught by a huge purple mass that breached the cloud layer from beneath him. Blitz found himself spread-eagled on top of Dusk's hot air balloon. As his initial shock wore off, his ears twitched, he could hear voices. "I just wish he'd leave me alone sometimes, you know?" said Dusk. "Mmm, I know exactly what you mean," returned Dawn's voice. "I mean, it's great and all, and I couldn't live without him, but still..." "Perhaps you should let him know?" suggested Dawn tentatively. Blitz's blood was threatening to boil in his veins. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He heard a laugh. "Aha, nah. He only means well. He just does my head in half the time." "I don't blame you. If I knew him better I'm sure I'd understand more." Something snapped inside Blitz. The red mist had descended over his eyes. There was no longer any doubt in his mind that Dawn was nothing more than a manipulative bitch who wanted to make Blitz's life a living hell while she sat there acting innocent. He raised a trembling hoof in unthinking incandescence and threw it into the skin of the balloon in his rage. "Oh shit." A blast of hot air hit him in the face, sending him reeling into the air. "Fuck fuck fuck!" he hissed as he tried vainly to plug the resultant tear in his panic. There was a loud ripping noise. Meanwhile, down below in the basket, panic also reigned. None of them had seen Blitz, but all of them saw how the Everfree was coming up to greet them. "Throw the sandbags out!" Dusk roared over the wind as they began plummeting out of the sky. It wouldn't make much difference, but he had little choice. The cards were laid before him, and right now they all seemed to be jokers, a two, and the rules of Bridge. He closed his eyes and tried to perform a levitation spell to slow down the descent of the balloon, it appeared to be working. Back up above, a terrified Blitz was desperately trying to keep the sinking airship afloat. He had a mouthful of balloon and was flying with all his might upwards. His anger had been temporarily replaced by terror as he flexed his powerful flight muscles. Despite his efforts, the balloon kept adhering to the laws of gravity. Blitz suddenly felt the tops of tree branches whipping his face. This is not happening. This is not happening. There was a loud cracking sound as the basket crashed through a bough, snapping it clean from the tree. Dusk, Dawn, and Spike were catapulted from the basket and thrown to the mercy of stray branches, tumbling, ragdoll fashion through the air. Blitz's chest collided with an arm of an oak, winding him, and he slammed face first into the ground hard. Tears streamed to his eyes as he heard much crashing through the undergrowth as the others landed roughly around him. The skin of the balloon fell over him. Dusk wheezed heavily, having also been winded. He got gingerly to his hooves and touched his face. He hissed through his teeth at the stinging pain he felt. Withdrawing his hoof, some of his fur was stained crimson, but that was the least of his concerns. "Is everyone alright?" he shouted urgently. "Yeah," said two weak voices from nearby. "Are you?" Dusk just gasped, limping over the source of the voices as fast as he could. Dawn was clutching her head in pain. Blitz lay motionless, too petrified to move, and his jaw throbbing too much for him to think. "Dusk! You're bleeding!" cried Dawn. Blitz heard a scurry of hooves. "It's fine," said Dusk dismissively, though his voice was shaky. "Spike, you okay? Good. Listen to me. That balloon runs on propane, we need to get well clear of it in case it explodes– now don't panic, I'm going to run back to Ponyville and fetch help, we don't want a forest fire." "But Dusk, you're hurt–" began Dawn. "No, I won't hear otherwise," he said firmly. "We're all shaken, and I can't ask one of you to go running off on my behalf." He made to gallop off, but a rustling in the undergrowth held him back. "Get behind me!" he ordered, powering up his magic lest it be a timber wolf, or worse. In fact, it was a very sour-faced Elusive. "Why oh why did you have to crash amongst all this icky muck?" he demanded. "Are you all alright? Dawn! Are you okay?" Dawn merely blushed and nodded meekly. "Yes, thank you," said Dusk. "Wh-What brings you out here?" "Why, I was out, looking for Bl– a friend, who'd I'd arranged to meet you understand, and I saw your balloon falling out of the very sky! I couldn't just ignore that now can I?!" "Well, thank you," said Dusk sincerely. "I'm going to go back to town and get some help, so–" "Oh, I'll do that," insisted Elusive. "No offence intended my dear Dusk Shine, but I'm a little more athletic than you, and besides, I can't wait to be rid of this horrid place." Dusk did some quick thinking. "Very well. We'll need a supply of water in the event of a fire, someone with the know-how to dismantle a burner safely, and a few strong pegasi to help lift the wreckage away." "Pegasi... hmm," said Elusive, putting two and two together. No, surely it's a sheer coincidence! Blitz would never– "Elusive?" "Sorry. I'll be back soon!" he declared, saluting Dusk stoutly before galloping off into the trees. "Right, I guess all we can do now if keep an eye on it and lick our wounds," he said, looking down, he noticed another paper-like cut on his hoof; he suckled on it surreptitiously. "My poor balloon," he lamented, his lips trembling. Dawn reached to pat his shoulder but he collapsed, the shock finally overwhelming him. "Dusk! Are you feeling okay?" asked Dawn frantically. "I'm fine," said Dusk weakly. "I just need a lie down." Under the canvas, a train of thought twitched horribly. I have to get out of here. Not even the keen eyed Dawn Star noticed a very meek, slinking blue figure sneak out from under the balloon and steal away into the darkness.