//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Sterile Apathy // Story: Color of Insanity // by Surprise The Pegasus //------------------------------// The next day... The repair pony rubbed the excess plaster onto his overalls, then opened the door for an alabaster Unicorn. "Rarity?" "Hello, Fluttershy." "I'm sorry about yesterday, I-" "Hush!" Rarity stuffed a hoof into Fluttershy's mouth, promptly silencing her. "Yesterday's events weren't your fault, and you shouldn't feel bad. I still do expect an apology from Applejack, however." "Mmph?" "What was that, dear?" asked Rarity, removing her hoof from Fluttershy's mouth. "...So...you're not mad at me?" "Why ever would I be mad at you?" "Because of what happened...with Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy trailed off, bringing the blankets up to cover her muzzle. Rarity pulled up a chair, then sat and took Fluttershy's hoof in her own. "As I said, what happened with Rainbow Dash wasn't your fault. But...Fluttershy?" "Yes, Rarity?" "I feel terrible for asking this, but do you know of any reason why Rainbow Dash would do this to you?" Color of Insanity Written by Surprise The Pegasus Chapter 2: Sterile Apathy Fluttershy's eyes started to water. "N-no, I don't..." Rarity took out a quill and notepad, and scribbled something down before noticing Fluttershy's wet eyes and wobbly lip. "Oh, dear, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked." Rarity quickly put the notepad back, stroking Fluttershy's mane comfortingly. "N-no, it's ok. What's that notepad for?" "Oh, that's nothing. I'm just taking notes is all. You see, I'm your prosecution attorney for Rainbow's court ruling on Tuesday. But, I bring other news as well." "What's the news?" "There's good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?" "The good news, please." "The good news is that you're almost well, and you'll be released the day after tomorrow. The damage to your home has been repaired, but if you don't want to go back quite yet, the Boutique's guest bedroom is always open." said Rarity, giving Fluttershy a light kiss on the forehead. "Oh, Rarity, I would love to stay at the Boutique, if it's not too much trouble..." "Why of course not, darling! You're welcome to stay for as long as you like." "Thank you...what's the bad news?" "Oh...well...the bad news is that the girls...aren't handling the situation very well. I wouldn't recommend going near Applejack or Twilight, but Pinkie Pie is just a bit depressed." "Does she have the straight mane again?" asked Fluttershy, a twinge of fear in her voice. Rarity bit her bottom lip. "...Yes...she does." Rarity replied, her voice so quiet even Fluttershy could hardly hear it. "Oh..." after that, Fluttershy fell silent, leaving an awkward silence hanging in between the two mares. After a few moments, Rarity pulled out a vase of violets and set them on the bedside table, arranging the flowers' position with her magic. After she was satisfied, Rarity gently kissed Fluttershy's forehead, and then left. Meanwhile... Tears fell down Rainbow Dash's cheeks as she sat on the cell bed, two voices engaging in a heated debate in her mind. "You're a stupid bitch, Rainbow Dash! She was right there the whole time, and you just couldn't do it, could you!?" "Be quiet! At least she tried." "'At least she tried', ha! That murderer Fluttershy is still out there, idiot! So is Pinkie Pie." "The real Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy aren't murderers. They were replaced by killer Changelings months ago, and you say that the real Pinkie and Fluttershy are the killers. It's the Changelings, not them! I guess they fooled you, too." "Don't you think I would notice if they were replaced by Changelings!?" "Both of you, just stop it!" Rainbow shouted, her voice echoing throughout the empty cells. "NO!" the voices snapped in unison. "B-but why not!? What did I ever do to you!?" Shut up and quit your bitchin', bitch!" "What she said. Also, you didn't have the guts to kill Fluttershy, which is pretty much putting everyone you love on the guillotine! Stay out of this. Go fucking kill yourself." At this, a fresh wave of tears cascaded down Rainbow's cheeks. She scooted herself over so her back was against the wall, and then she hugged her legs close to her chest. Her rosy eyes scanned the empty holding room, but grew wide when she saw the security camera. "They're...watching me..." Rainbow mumbled, trying to scoot back more. Seeing as there was nowhere she could hide, she threw the blanket over herself, and buried her head in her knees. "Did I not tell you to shut up!? Anyway, what makes you think they're CHANGELINGS!? That's fucking ridiculous..." _______________________________ Fluttershy's ears perked up at a certain pink pony as she walked up to the bed, blue eyes misted with tears. "Pinkie...I'm sorry." Fluttershy whispered, brushing a strand of Pinkie's now straight mane over her ear. Pinkie said nothing: she just wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy and began to cry into her shoulder. "It's j-just not fair, Fluttershy! It's not fair..." "I..." Fluttershy paused, unsure of how to react. After a moment, Fluttershy returned Pinkie's hug. It wasn't a crazy hug of death, it was a gentle, warm, genuine hug, which felt rather strange coming from the party queen of Ponyville. "...I know." "W-why w-would Dashie d-d-do this to you?" Pinkie sobbed, Fluttershy's shoulder now a bit damp. "I thought s-she was our friend!" "Pinkie...she is our friend." said Fluttershy, but almost hesitantly. At this, Pinkie let Fluttershy go and looked into her eyes. "...H-how can you s-say that after...after what she did to you? Sometimes, Fluttershy, you're too nice! Friends don't- don't- don't..." Pinkie's voice gradually grew quieter, until it was nothing but a small whisper. "Friends don't try to kill each other." "She did...try to kill me, but that doesn't make her any less of a friend to me that she was before. I don't think it was her fault." "Then who's fault was it!? Whoever blackmailed her into doing this, i'll kill them!" Pinkie suddenly grew loud and stood up, her mood switching from depressed to furious in the span of about two seconds. One of her eyes started to drift to the left, and she grabbed Fluttershy by the shoulders and brought her close, close to the point that their foreheads were touching. "You deserve this." Fluttershy shuddered as Rainbow's words played over in her mind. For a brief moment, Fluttershy saw the same glint in Pinkie's eyes that had been in Dash's, the same murderous intent. "Pinkie, please stop...you're scaring me." Fluttershy said quietly, trying to get Pinkie to release her death grip. Pinkie, realizing what she was doing, let Fluttershy go, only to shoot her a glare. "Fine, don't tell me who blackmailed Dashie! I'll go talk to her myself." With that, Pinkie turned around and cantered away, leaving the door wide open. "Pinkie...that's not what I meant." ______________________________ Pinkie Pie trotted into the Ponyville Police Station, eyes fierce with determination. "Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie. May I speak with Rainbow Dash?"