(Needs heavy proofreading)
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It is now almost time to pick up Rainbow Dash. I sit on the balcony, now on day fourteen or more specifically, hour 352 since the incident. The five friends decided they wanted to come and get Rainbow Dash with me. I couldn't persuade them to stay for the fear of their safety, but they were dedicated enough to cancel all their plans for tomorrow and stay the night at Twilight's. They should be fine as long as I keep them close. I stand up over the balcony looking at the night sky. The friends were inside sleeping to get ready for the trip. It shouldn't take to long. I think it would be best to check up on Rainbow and make sure she is okay. I look down and disappear from the balcony.
It was a beautiful day in the country where Rainbow lives with the man. The sky was a clear shade of blue with clouds that made the day brighter. I look across the small road that separated me and the house. I jumped behind a tree when I saw a car coming down the road. It was the man. He pulled into the driveway of the house and got out. He opened the back door and brought out a bag of groceries. He then proceeded to the door.
“.... I have to tell him. I can't just take Rainbow back like this.”
The thought crossed my mind as I walked out from behind the tree. The man walked into the house and shut the door behind him. I walked across the street towards the door. I just stare at the door for what seemed like hours before I lifted my hand to knock.
Before my hand reached the door, Rainbow Dash flew out a window on the second floor with great speed. She had tears streaming from her face as she flew away. I am shocked and begin to question what is happening. I look over to a window that was open. I walk over and look in. Inside was the man picking up groceries that have been dropped on the floor. His eyes full of tears as he picks it up.
“What the hell is going on!?”
My question is immediately answered as I look up to the television. On it was the cartoon world I just came from being played on the screen. It was Rainbow Dash being picked up by four of her five friends with the crown she won for the best young flier competition.
“So the MLPFIM dimension is based on a TV show from my world? Makes sense. Most dimensions are based off this one.”
I was so focused on the TV that I didn't notice the man looking right at me. He got up and walked to the door. I hear the door open and turn towards it.
“What do you want!?”
He is teary eyed as he looks at me. I just stare at him with a blank expression.
“Sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. I shall go now.”
I turn and walk in the direction of Rainbow Dash.
“Wait!”
I turn towards the man.
“Did you see anything?”
I turn back around a begin to walk again.
“I saw nothing.”
I walked for hours looking around the country side for Rainbow. I ended up in a forest like area. If I didn't find her, she could be captured or killed because of what she looks like. I find a tree with a couple clouds over it. They were hanging lower than the others. Only about a hundred feet off the ground. It would be a perfect place for Rainbow to rest. I yell up to the clouds hopping for a response.
“Rainbow Dash!!”
There was silence for a long time. I was about to give up before someone responded.
“How do you know I am here!?”
I smile that I had finally found her.
“Lucky guess!”
She looked over the cloud to see me standing there under her.
“Who are you?”
I realize I have to re-introduce myself.
“I am The Assistant! I am here to help!”
She looks around to see if anyone else is looking. We were in a big field with only a couple trees. She saw no one and flew down.
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“How many people have you met that just know your name and walk up to you?”
She taps her chin with her hoof as she ponders that?
“I guess you're right.”
She hovers a little off the ground to meet me eye to eye. She still kept a look of suspicion as we continued to talk.
“What do you want to help me with?”
I lose my smile and become serious.
“It is almost time to go home.”
She crosses her arms and looks away.
“That isn't my home anymore! I don't want to see him again!”
“I don't mean there.”
She looks back with a semi confused look.
“Oh...”
“I think you should head back to your home here.”
She looks back again.
“I can't see that liar again!”
“What did he lie to you about?”
She turns towards me still with a frustrated look.
“I am a cartoon character and he never told me!”
I sigh and look up towards the sky. The sky seemed to be getting dark. It must be getting late.
“It looks like it is going to be dark soon. You should rest.”
She immediately flew up to the clouds and disappeared behind them.
“I am not going back to the house! I am staying here until it is time to go back to my home world!”
I have nothing left to say. I can only leave her be so she can recover from her anger. I turn around and walk back towards the house.
I end up back at the house where the man lives. I become invisible so I don't startle the man like before. I look in to see him just sitting in darkness. He was hunched over and crying. Rainbow must have meant a lot to him. I look around the room that he was in. It was hard to see the things, but some I could make out. There were pictures of him and Rainbow doing multiple things. One was Rainbow covered in water and soap. Another was Rainbow dressed as a dog. I couldn't help but laugh at that one. She looked angry and cute at the same time. The man then got up and walked towards the door. He opened the door and walked toward the road. He then continued down the road. I watch him slowly disappeared over the hill of the road. I couldn't do anymore to help him or Rainbow. I leave the world and appear back on the balcony.
I think for a little bit before I decide to check up on both the man and Rainbow.
“Rainbow is angry at him for lying, and he is sad for Rainbow it is hard to think about. This kinda problem can solve itself, but I better make sure nothing bad happens.”
About 7 minutes passed while I think about what to do. I look down and head back to the world.
It was a cloudy day. There were signs of rain in the sky. I appear across the street from the house as I see the man walking away from it. He was headed toward the direction of Rainbow. I become invisible and ran ahead of him to see if Rainbow was alright.
There was the tree that seemed to stick out of sight. I looked over to it and saw a rainbow colored hair sticking out from behind. I walk over to it and see Rainbow sleeping on a branch. She looked so relaxed and cozy. Tears can still be seen on the side of her face. She was a mess. She had burrs and sticks in her mane. The man walked by and I looked over to him. He was looking down at the ground as he walked away from me and Rainbow. I look back up at Rainbow who was twitching a little bit. She must have been dreaming. It has been a while since I last dreamed. I see no point in sleeping if I never get tired. I always just wait. It gives me more time to focus and concentrate. Rainbow quickly kicked awake with heavy breath.
“Daddy!?”, She said in a questioning tired voice.
She most likely had a bad dream and needed the man.
“He is not here, but I am.”
She quickly looked around with wide eyes.
“What!? Who's there!?”
“Me Rainbow, Assistant!”
She still looked around trying to find the source of the voice.
“Where are you!?”
“You need to calm down so we can talk.”
She stopped looking around and took a breath.
“Okay. What do you want?”
Rain started to pour from the sky.
“Hey!”, Rainbow said startled by the rain.
She flew into a thick bush of leaves that hid her well. She couldn't be seen through the thick leaves that tried to keep her dry.
“Rainbow. Do you really hate your.... dad?”
No response.
“Are you okay?”
She lets out a long sigh.
“I've had some time to think. I think I overreacted.”
There was a short silence between me and Rainbow. I heard a branch snap and turn. I see the man slowly approach the tree for cover from the rain. I jump up into the tree silently and land a little ways from Rainbow.
“Listen, Rainbow.”, I whisper to her.
“Don't mention me. I don't want the man to know about me.”
“Why do I need to do that?”
“I'm so sorry...”
Rainbow pokes her head out and looks over to see the man sulking next to the tree. She begins to tear up.
“I'm just so sorry, Dashie.”
He continues to sulk and Rainbow losses control of her tears. She jumped down and landed on a branch with a loud “Crack!” The man looked over to Rainbow Dash with shock. Rainbow didn't say anything. She just walked over to the man and sat down.
“I... I heard you, and I'm sorry too.”
From this angle above them it was hard to tell, but I see a small smile across his face.
“Dashie, you have nothing to be sorry about. It's my fault, simple as that.”
She looks up to him with a sorrowful face.
“Dad. Do... do you still love me?”
The man immediately reacts and grabs her into a hug.
“Of course, Dashie. I've always loved you. I still love yo, no matter what. Not even a small fight such as ours could ever change that.”
I begin to feel sad for this man and Rainbow. They were going to be separated soon. I can't take it anymore. I teleport back to the balcony and wait for the final hours.
It was time. Time to put things back where they belong. Time to set things right. Celestia wanted to go with me and the group just in case any trouble would happen. Me and the others sit in the middle of the library main room. All six of them tapping their hooves impatiently.
“Come Assistant! I want to see Dashie!”, Pinkie blurted out.
I look over to the excited and worrying Pinkie Pie.
“Just a couple more minutes until she is finally ready.”
She stopped tapping and looked at a watch that she pulled out from her tail.
“Now why didn't ya let us eat before we go again?“, Applejack asked me.
“It is easier to teleport with an empty stomach.”
Applejack responds with a small nod and lays down like the others. Pinkie was still looking at her watch. She didn't take her eyes off it for a second. Celestia was sitting opposite to me waiting like the others. She wore a blank expression. She always seemed to have it when something big was about to happen. She then began to speak.
“Assistant. Are you sure this is what was supposed to happen?”
I smile at the sun goddess.
“I am always right when it comes to what is right and what is wrong.”
My head began to ring. I checked a quick map in my head of where it was coming from. Sure enough, it was my home world.
“It is time.”, I say as I lose my smile.
The six then stood up and walked over to me. I stand as well.
“Okay everypony.”
I reach both my arms out.
“Hold on.”
The ponies all nodded as they put a hoof on my arm. With that, all six of us disappeared from the library.
The five friends were stumbling when we arrived. Celestia seemed unfazed from the quick way of travel. She just kept her same look. She looked at the world around her. She then spoke.
“This world doesn’t look so bad.”
I look over to her.
“You are seeing the country side. This doesn't represent the entire world.”
She looks over to me.
“Rainbow is in that house over there. I suggest you hurry up.”
She nodded and looked down at the five ponies. They were still recovering. Pinkie was the first to get up.
“WOW! This place feels weird! Is it always like that with teleporting!? Look at the open area here! Is Rainbow over there!? YAY!”
She was about to lunge forward towards the house, but I quickly caught her by the tail.
“Easy now. You six need to walk over there together.”
“You six?”, Twilight said getting up.
The rest of the ponies finally shook of their dizziness and regained their balance.
“I will stay outside. I don't want to startle the man.”
“The man?”, Applejack questioned.
I looked down at her.
“You'll see. I think it is time for you to go over there now.”
Without hesitation, the six started to walk over to the house.
“Please don't be to rough on the man.”, I think as they walk away.
Celestia knocked on the door. I still stood across the street watching them. The man took his time before he finally opened the door. He didn't seem to shocked to see the princess looking directly into his eyes. Either he has totally accepted his insanity, or he seemed to expect this day would come. He allowed Celestia to enter. He did look surprised as the other five entered. He was about to close the door but he quickly saw me. For about five seconds he just stared at me. I returned the favor with a blank look. I waved my hand in a “go on” motion to have him go in. He still looked at me, but while slowly closing the door.
I waited about ten minutes before I crossed the street to see what was happening. I approached the window that shone into the living room. Once I looked in, I immediately regretted it. Inside was Rainbow and the man in a tight embrace. They were crying on each other as were the others. After some exchanged words incoherent to me, they released and backed away from each other. Twilight began to walk towards Rainbow. Her horn was glowing. She must have been told to use the memory spell. The man looked worried as Twilight approached. He looked down and away from Rainbow
“Wait!”, Rainbow yelled.
The man looked over to Rainbow as she backed away from Twilight.
“Before I go, I want to get something.”
She darted up the stairs and returned almost as quick. She held a shoe box and a piece of paper with a pen on top of it. She placed the box down and wrote something on the paper with a pen in her mouth. She finished and looked over to the man with a teary smile. Twilight then began to speak.
“I'm so sorry Rainbow Dash. I... I honestly wish there was another way to do this. I wish I didn't have to do this. But...
“Can't...”, Rainbow began.
“... can't he come with me?”
I began to tear up. How I wished I could bring my friends and family with me. Being like me, you wish everyone was immortal and you would never be alone. Even with friends in this state, I felt alone.
“Rainbow Dash.”, Celestia started.”He cannot join you in our world much like how you cannot stay in his. This was all never meant to be, and the world around us was not made to house you. And yet... ”, She began to survey the room. A smile appearing on her face.
“... and yet, something beautiful happened here. Something I cannot explain in full.”
Celestia then looked back to Rainbow.
"When I was told where you ended up, I expected the worst. I figured you to be ruined, tainted and tarnished from this world's cruelty. But now, I see that it's quite the opposite. That here, this man that has raised you, shows me that you were in good hooves- Or, hands as it were."
Rainbow then looked more relaxed. She slumped down a little; UN-tightening her muscles. Celestia then looked over to the man.
"I cannot speak for you, but from what I see in front of me, the amount of love you both share and have shared together, tells me that you raised her as if she was your own. Even with the obvious differences, you still raised her UN-biased as to her species, her origins. You raised her as your daughter, which only makes this entire ordeal so much worse. So, I must say to you, dear sir, please do not hold my student accountable for this. It was never her, nor anypony elses intention to cause this much hurt to either of you. If you must blame somepony, I would ask you to blame me.”
The man was in a deep sob as he looked away from all the ponies. He began to speak.
"...Just how could I blame somepony? For sending Rainbow Dash here? These have been the best fifteen years of my life. So, if anything, I feel quite the opposite; I wish to thank you, Twilight, and the rest of you. Thank you, for what you did, though not intentional. Thank you, for all that came out of this. And finally thank you, for all my years, my life, and my love... with Dashie.”
I couldn't stand it. I backed away from the window so I couldn't hear them inside. They were to familiar for me to take. Losing loved ones without my power to stop it. The man was right about something that stuck in my mind.
“The best fifteen years of my life...”
I look up to the window to see Pinkie jumping up on the man for a hug. The man chuckled a little at the acts. He looked over to Rainbow as Pinkie descended. Rainbow was smiling as well. Twilight's horn began to glow again. Rainbow looked over and nodded as Twilight approached. I had to react quickly. I have to teleport them out as soon as Twilight's horn touched Rainbows head. It was the only way to insure that the problem was fixed. Twilight's horn came in contact with Rainbow's head. I made a bright flash in the middle of the room to make them unable to see. I opened the door and ran in. I quickly tagged all the ponies with my hand. With that, I teleport all of us out of there. I open my eyes to find something of a surprise. I am still in the living room of the man.
I look behind me to see him uncovering his eyes. His eyes shot open when he saw me.
“HUH!? Who are you!? Why are you here!?”
I turn around fully to face him.
“I am The Assistant. I was the one who helped them get here to acquire Rainbow back. I...”
I lose concentration as I look around. The room was missing things. The man seemed to notice to. He then shot up the stairs and into an unseen room. He came back down a few minutes later with a grimace look.
“Did you make Dashie's stuff disappear?”
I look around a little more.
“I think it was Celestia. She most likely didn't want Rainbow's existence to be to obvious.”
The man sighed as he sat down on the couch. He then saw something on the coffee table. It was a photo album. He reached for it and opened it up. He flipped through pages and pages of it, until he stopped on a certain page. He picked up a piece of paper from the page. It was the thing Rainbow wrote before I teleported her back home. He began to read it to himself. He placed it down in the page and flattened it with his hand. He looked over to me.
“Did you put Dashie in the box?”
I smile to try and cheer him up.
“Yes, it was me. It was never my intention to have you suffer like that.”
He then smiled as he looked down at the note.
“I never suffered. These were the best years of my life. I would like to thank you.”
I walked over to sit next to him.
“So, would you like to send a letter to Rainbow?”
I finally was able to teleport back to Equestria. I see the five friends hugging Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was still crying. She then noticed me standing a little ways away. She pushed the friends off her and trotted over to me.
“Hey Assistant...”, She started slowly losing her tears and looking down.
“... thanks for bringing me home.”
I smiled as I reached into my pocket. I pulled out the letter the man made.
“Here Rainbow. The man wanted to give you a note to remember him by to.”
She looked up immediately and stared at the note. She quickly grabbed it with her teeth and unfolded it. She began to read it aloud.
Dear Dashie,
For fifteen years, you provided me with something I never thought I would have. A daughter. I was an empty shell of a person until you showed up. You gave me life and love. I never thought I could find my place in life. You helped me find which way to go. I just wanted you to know that I will never forget you. This note is made so you know that. Whatever you do, never forget your roots.
Your father always
Rainbow was now smiling. Her father still remembered everything. She jumped up and tackled me into a hug.
“Thank you Assistant!”
All I could do was hug back.
“You're welcome Rainbow. He will always remember you.”