//------------------------------//
// Rainbow Dash: Turn Left 
// Story: Turn Left 
// by MysteriousRevenger 
//------------------------------//

RAINBOW DASH: TURN LEFT

She didnt like spending too much time on the ground, but even Rainbow knew that the shopping she had to do was better in the marketplace of Ponyville than the offerings of Cloudsdale. She wandered aimlessly, trying her best to remember exactly what she was trying to get.
"Let's see...food for Tank...some snacks..." She never had memory problems, except for those rare moments where she had to do things that she really didn't want to. 
Shopping was one of them. She didn't want to do this.
"You look lost," a voice came from her side. She turned to see the striped muzzle, a little too close as Rainbow suddenly jumped back.
"Zecora?"
She shook her head, a yellow bead bobbing in a long lock of mane. "No, my friend. I am just a wanderer. It seems that Ponyville does give me some more interesting things to see, though. Like you, Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow beamed. "So. You've heard of me?" Finally, she was getting the reputation she desired.
The zebra, again, shook her head. "Not in the way you expect." When the confusion and disappointment on Rainbow's face showed, she smiled. "I saw your path, and you will soon face a new challenge. I offer to show those ones the things that are not, at least now they aren't."
"Just what does that mean?" Rainbow really began to question the 'stability' of this pony.
"Would you like to see for yourself? I know of your past. The Sonic Rainboom. Applauable, to accomplish at such a young age. But, what if you had succumb to your fears? Waited? Another opportunity, of course, presents itself. What if you had taken it then?"
Rainbow felt something well up. Something she thought was limited to eggheads.
Curiosity.
"And just how do you intend to show me that?"
The zebra smiled. "Join me on that bench. I'll show you exactly what I mean."
They walked over to the bench, its back to a fountain. 
"Who are you? What is your name?" Rainbow questioned.
"I have told you who I am. My name is lost. Just sit. You have other things to worry about."
Rainbow sat, and the zebra joined her. "Just close your eyes. Only focus on my words. Nothing else exists, save for you, me, and my words."
A nod, then Rainbow closed her eyes.

Walking the path that time posed
to other paths, the way is closed
Show the world that choice theft
when this one...turned left

Dizziness struck hard, dropping Rainbow Dash in an instant.
--
Her eyes shot open, now on level with the ground. Rainbow sat up, feeling the dizziness leave her. She looked around, realizing she was alone on, or by, the bench. 	She stood, looking around for the mysterious zebra. Seeing nothing, she checked her bags. All her bits and food was there. Except for Tank's food.
"Why would a zebra knock me out to take lettuce?" Rainbow's annoyance was obvious, but she needed to save her bits for other things. Right now, though, she wanted to get home.
She took to the air, not flying with speed, just with the happiness she felt every time the wind caressed her wings. It was almost disappointing when the all too familiar cloud structure arose in front of her.
She pushed open the door, stepping into her familiar home. Nothing was different. 
"Tank! Tank, where are you?"
She really didn't expect to get a response. But, the empty silence that filled the house also crept into her heart. She would at least hear the propeller that kept him aloft.
"Okay, don't hide on me. I dont like this. Come on out, buddy."
Nothing.
She shot around in a blur, opening doors and peeking into anything that could fit the animal. No sign of green anywhere.
She streaked into the living room, panting hard. She scanned the room, maybe thinking that she had left the windows open. She saw other things, though.
"My Daring Do collection! It's gone!"
The bookshevles were bare, save a few manuals on aerial maneuvers, of course written by the Wonderbolts.
"I've been robbed!" She bolted out the door, the mulit-colored contrail streaking all the way to Ponyville.
The library quickly appeared in front of her, prompting her return to the ground. She pounded on the door. "Twilight! Twilight! Someone broke into my house and stole my books and Tank!"
The figure that opened the door scared Rainbow.
A light red pony, whisps of blonde mane over her magenta eyes met her horrified expression. "I'm sorry, Rainbow. There's no Twilight here."
"What? Who are you? Where's Twi?"
"I've been the Ponyville librarian for years, Rainbow Dash. I should be shocked, except for the fact that you rarely ever even step hoof near here."
Rainbow back-peddled, suddenly shooting into the air. She looked around, the Carousel Boutique standing out. She shot to the door. 
"Rarity! Are you here?"
She pushed open the door, and was greeted by a familiar face.
"Oh. Rainbow Dash. What an unusual surprise." Rainbow could have cried at hearing that voice speak to her, but teared up for the next thing said. "Why would you be coming here?"
"Nonononono! Not you too! We're friends! We've been through so much!"
Rarity took a step back. "Darling, as much as I'm flattured that you think we're friends," the last word spoke had venom behind it, "but, you and I have never socialized. I shudder to think about spending any amount of time with you..." She then did visually shudder. She turned away from the speedster, only to have Rainbow notice one more thing missing.
Rarity's Cutie Mark.
--
Rainbow barely had her legs under her as she stumbled through the market. Tears streamed from her eyes. Her whole world had collapsed, as suddenly her legs did too. She sobbed, not caring for reputation, how pathetic she looked, or anything.
She was heartbroken. And, all of Ponyville knew it.
"You have left an impact, Rainbow Dash. Not as a flyer. But as a pony."
She immediately looked up into the sea-blue eyes of the zebra, the yellow bead hanging by her ear.
"Where are the others? I don't want to look. I just want to know. Are they all blank-flanks?"
The zebra shook her head. "Applejack bears hers. By attrition only. You bound yourself to the fates of many others. Your fame is not measured by your acrobatic skills, or your power of flight. It is by your heart that you are legendary."
"Why did you show me this?"
"Because we do not often get the benefit of knowing what would have happened had we, say taken a new path, or taken one action instead of another. You will question yourself. You will stumble. But you must always look at these as learning experiences. And know that you do not walk alone. Pride before the fall, tis true. Only humility will allow us to stand again. Now, Rainbow Dash. What will you do?"
She stood, smiling to the zebra. "Turn right..." The dizziness caught her again, once again bringing the darkness.
--
Her eyes were heavy, but they opened finally. She looked around, suddenly seeing a pair of hooves next to her. 
"Rainbow Dash! Are you alright? I was told you needed help!"
"Who..." She looked up to the purple coat, violet mane, and the horn. "Twilight!" She hugged the bewildered unicorn tight, feeling her tears well up again. "I have never been so happy to see you!"
"Rainbow...what's wrong? You're acting like you haven't seen me for a long time."
She fought back tears, sniffling. "It feels like it. Can you join me to Carousel Boutique? I wanna see Rarity."
Twilight's confusion was apparent, but she nodded. Rainbow moved, and a piece of paper fluttered down. 
"What's that?" Twilight levitated the paper to eye level, and the two ponies read it.

Lightning struck six places
Aligning hearts, and steadying faces
Alone, you will never fight
And, remember, you chose right