//------------------------------// // Chapter Five: Rainbow In The Dark. // Story: The Edge of Insanity // by Shadow Wind //------------------------------// A few days had passed and Scootaloo was exhausted. Not because of lack of sleep due to Misery plaguing her dreams or anything of that sort. She was used to Misery by now, albeit she can still bring a good jump-scare in her dreams. The reason she was exhausted these past few days is because of the late night concerts. The Mayor has paid for Vinyl and Octavia to stay in Ponyville for an extra week. The two musical legends have been bringing many tourists to the small town, and things were going great. She would always show up early for the concerts, just to talk to the musicians. They were forming a decent friendship, which surprised her because the first night she did nothing but babble about her favorite songs by them. The second night they talked over dinner just about anything and everything. Scootaloo actually had many genuine laughs over Tavi's stories about Vinyl's antics over the passing years. Last night was pretty hectic because many fans showed up early as well, so the two decided to have an autograph signing. They later apologized to her for being so busy, but Scootaloo understood. They were famous and she would be foolish to think she'd get them just to herself. Tonight they are off to rest up. Scootaloo was contemplating visiting them in the evening but decided against it. She didn't want to be a nuisance, and they deserve time alone. She sighed as she rolled lazily onto her other side, having spent the majority of the day in bed. She looked out her window. The day would be over in a couple hours, and the sun would set. As she stared her mind wandered to Night Shade. She hadn't seen the unicorn since he rescued her. She wondered what he was doing right now. Probably studying or re-shelving books, or any other menial tasks Twilight had for him. That is if she accepted him as an apprentice. "Ugh." Scootaloo groaned as she sat up. "Why am I thinking about him?" She reflected on her conversation with Misery and chewed the inside of her cheek mindlessly. "'A mare hopelessly in love'? Why did I say that? I don't love him, I don't even know him." She shrugged her shoulders. "Heat of the moment response I guess." She sighed again as she rolled out from bed. "I may as well do something today. I wonder if Applebloom is busy, the day's about over." He gave herself a nod, deciding visiting her old friend would be her course of action. Without looking in the mirror, as to avoid Misery, she straightened out her mane so her bangs fell over her crimson eye. Stretching her stiff wings as she went, she grabbed her jacket and put it on. On her way out she bid farewell to Pinkamena, who was busy in her workshop and headed out the door. On the walk to Sweet Apple Acres, her mind went back to the flashback of Rainbow's death. Her filly self burst through the back door in a panic, and saw Rainbow laying in her own blood, gone. Pinkamena was standing over her corpse. Scootaloo furrowed her brow as she tried to remember more. Slowly, like an old machine starting up, the still image started moving. Pinkamena crumbled onto the ground next to her dead friend, her wild mane beginning to sag. She reached down and placed her hoof on Rainbow's cheek and tears rolled freely from her blue eyes. She began to speak in choked sobs; "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Dashie." She gasped for air as her unruly mane finally fell flat around her face. "I wish I could take it back. I wish I could take back everything. That I said, or I've done, or even thought of you." Her pink frame rocked and shook from the strength of her sobs. "I never wanted it to end like this, with the last memory you have of us being in an argument over simple fucking balloons. I'm so sorry..." Scootaloo released the breath she didn't realize she was holding, causing her to snap back to reality.What could she have been so sorry for? She thought. She was acting so... guilty. Wait. No. NO. Not guilty. She seemed more full of regret. Like she had so much more to say.Her words, her voice. Even as a filly I could tell that her words were meant for Rainbow's living ears. She tried to muddle up any sort of relative thought, but failed miserably. Perhaps she should ask Pinkamena some day about what really happened. But, what would happen to her fragile sanity if she did? No... I can't do that to her. This is something I have to discover on my own. --==-- The sun was almost set by the time she reached the farm, casting everything in a warm orange glow. She smiled at the sight. The farm was beautiful this time of day, ad she had forgotten. The trees cast dynamic shadows on the ground, making it seem almost like a fantasy. Their bright red fruit reflected the sunset, turning them golden. The air smelled of the sweetness of apples, and the dirt path she walked felt remarkably calming under her hooves. As her eyes wandered she spotted the mare she had been looking for. Her coat was a pale yellowish tan color,over muscles developed from hard work, with a bright red mane in contrast. Her mane was tied in a braid, much like her sisters, and secured by a small bow. Upon her flank was a single red apple with a claw hammer behind it. Around her neck she wore a green bandanna, which had become her trade mark, much like Big Mac's harness or Applejack's stetson. She was busy gathering a few buckets of apples, which gave Scootaloo a good view of her hindquarters as she bent down. She found she could not help herself. "Hey sexy, you seen Applebloom anywhere?" "D'wha?" Came Applebloom's startled reply as she whipped around, eliciting a laugh from Scootaloo. "Easy cowgirl. It's just me." She snickered. "Darn it, Scootaloo. Y'all scared me." The farm pony huffed. "And y'know Ah don't swing that way." Applebloom said sternly, but soon her serious demeanor crumbled and she chuckled. "So how ya been, Scoot's? Ain't heard from ya in quite a while." "I could be better, I suppose. But I could be much worse. So I guess I'm just kind of 'meh' right now." "Ah can understand that," Applebloom said, "It's been rough this past year without Granny." Scootaloo's ears flattened slightly. "I heard about that. I'm sorry, I really am. And I'm sorry I wasn't here to help out." "Ain't nothin' for you to get all mopey about, Scoots. Everypony has their own situations, and Ah know you have it rough." She smiled. "We're survivin' though. Big sis got a good head on her shoulders, and Rarity has helped us with the financial side o' things, until we got the hang of it." "That's good, at least. And you should be getting decent business with the tourists in town and the Concerts every night." Applebloom nodded. "Ah reckon so. We've sold a lot of apples and cider. Thing's are starting to calm down now. But there is this new unicorn that comes up every so often. He's supposedly Twilight's new student. Or somthin' like that." "Wait, Night Shade comes up here?" "Ah do recall that bein' his name. Why d'ya ask? Know him?" Scootaloo nodded. "Sort of. He pretty much saved my life." At Applebloom's puzzled expression she continued. "Well, I was in the market area when I first saw him get off the train. Bastard's strong for a unicorn, you should of seen his saddlebags. Anyway. I bought this jacket from Rarity and started walking home. You know me, I keep to the allies. Well, it just so happened that this colt from the train decided to get the jump on my flank. Literally. When I refused, he tried to kill me." Applebloom grit her teeth in disgust. "He ain't no real colt if he has to get pleasure that way. He's better hope he never comes across me." "Hold your apple cart, I'm not done. Anyway. I cut his shoulder pretty good, but he got me by surprise and fractured my jaw. I thought for sure I was a goner at this point. He had me on the ground and I was waiting for the final blow. When it didn't come I opened my eyes. Lo and behold he's floating up in the air and get's slammed into a brick wall. Next thing I remember is Night Shade's helping me with my bag." The farm mare let out a low whistle. "The hero type huh? Ya sure know how t' pick 'em, Scoots." "Wha- what does that mean?" Scootaloo asked, flustered. "Well, y'all talk about him with this goofy look on your face." Applebloom closed her eyes half way and batted them, whilst having the dumbest smile. "Shut up, I have blunt force trauma!" She retorted. "For all I know I could have a mental disability now." "Nah. You're just hopeless." "Ugh!" --==-- Scootaloo yawned as she walked from the Apple family's barn house. She had spent the day with Applebloom, catching up over the past years. She had laughed so genuinely with her foalhood best friend, and in those precious hours it reminded her of how her life had used to be. Between the two of them and Sweetie Belle, they were always getting in trouble over finding their true talents. She chuckled to herself as she glanced up to Applebloom's bedroom window and watched the light turn dark. "Sweet dreams, old friend." The life of a farm pony, they weren't much for being night owls. She had been walking past Rainbow Dash's hill when a soft sound hit her ears. A gentle melody floating through the air, telling a story of both extravagant beauty, and deep sorrow. She looked up at the small path leading to the ancient oak that shaded Rainbow's grave. Slowly she started to ascend the dirt trail, and the sound grew stronger with each step. As she crested, she felt her breath leave her body. The electric blue and white DJ, and the fair ash and coal Cellist, stood in somber attention. Octavia had brought her cello with her, but her bow was not to the strings. The melody did not come from her, for it was from a wind instrument. Scootaloo's eyes went to the headstone, and behind it stood the strong and smoke colored Unicorn that had saved her life. He stood there with an ocarina enveloped in his magic and his yellow eyes closed. From him resonated the perfect melody. As the song died, his eyes opened, and she stood there before him with a tear running down her cheek. A tear of happiness and sorrow. The corner of his mouth lifted in a sad smile, and he finally spoke. "I've heard stories of her and I wanted to pay my respects. The passing of an Element and legend such as she, she deserves to be honored." "Me and Vinyl came here to play a song for her, but Night had beaten us to it. We were both captivated. I have never heard of any pony, even a Unicorn such as he, play the ocarina with such perfection." Octavia spoke with a soft voice, and here eyes were glassy from un-shed tears. This time Vinyl spoke. "Me and RD go way back. We've been trough a lot together. She was one of my first fans back when I just performed in seedy bars and taverns." He gave a sad little laugh. "Always so stubborn and never letting me quit. I just had to visit her again." These three ponies, whom she had just met within the past week, all share with her one thing; Rainbow Dash. She had touched so many lives without realizing it, and all of the praise for the rainbow mare threatened to choke Scootaloo with pure emotion. After a bit of effort she finally managed to say two little words; "Thank you." The other ponies smiled to her, those two words all they needed. As Scootaloo made her way over to sit next the headstone, both Vinyl and Night Shade's horns flashed. Confused she looked up in the sky and gasped. In the night sky in front of the glowing moon sat a beautiful rainbow. A rainbow in the dark. As she stared up at the beauty, the Night Shade's melody started to play again, and Octavia's cello accented it this time. It was without a doubt the most beautiful thing she had ever experienced.