//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 // Story: End of Loyalty // by SteffaniStar //------------------------------// Twilight hugged Rainbow tightly in her embrace, her tears were dripping on her cyan fur. Each tear was one pray that this was dream or just a prank, and she will wake up and everything will go back to normal, but with each passing second, which seemed like an eternity, her hope was fading away. Luna rushed through the door, searching for her sister. She was foolish not to stop Twilight, and she couldn’t leave them alone, but somepony needed to find Celestia. Time stopped. Nothing was important. She didn’t care about Celestia, about Deathmist. She didn’t pay attention at the rest of her friends who were sobbing with her. Her soul was slowly crushed by guilt and anger. Strong wish for vengeance was rushing blood through her hooves. Looking at her best friend, dead because of her, made her tears run faster. Her horn was touching Rainbow’s forehead, but the dark spell was still casted on her horn, making her magic powerless against anything. Twilight laid Rainbow, her head in her arms. She was brushing her rainbow mane with almost faded colours. Twilight was shocked when she saw Rainbow’s back legs hurt and bruised from escape, and her wings hanging by the side, muscles still tense from the flying. Applejack took off her hat in the sign of respect and let the tears fall freely. This wasn’t the time to act tough. She turned her head away from Rainbow, hoping that will help to delete what happened. If you can’t see it, it’s not real, but she couldn’t deny the painful truth she was facing with right now. Fluttershy and Rarity were hugging each other. Fluttershy was hiding her head in Rarity’s warm embrace, comforting her, but her heart was aching. Losing somepony so meaningful to her was too hard to handle so she was looking at least some kind of escape. Rarity was looking in shock, her legs bruised and grey from the heavy chains. She felt she was going to pass out, her legs shaking, but she didn’t move because of Fluttershy. For Pinkie, this was the last straw. The whole experience was too tragic for her anyway. She felt sick and weak. Her steps slowly broke the silence in the room as she was walking to Twilight and Rainbow. Looking at her, she dropped on the floor next to her, hoping to die with her. She closed her eyes and put her hoof on Rainbow’s chest. Twilight placed her hoof on Pinkie’s, feeling Rainbow’s heartbeat slowing. But, they all stepped away when they heard Rainbow’s heartbeat drastically rising. “Tia! Where are you? Tia!” Luna was searching around the castle, looking for Celestia. She couldn’t ignore insults, especially from her student. Luna found her behind the tree next to the river, crying. She rushed to her, and gave her a warm hug, soaking her tears. “Tia, she didn’t mean it…” “But it is true! All she said now and all he said in the castle is true!” Celestia leaned her head at Luna’s shoulder, folding her wings. “I’m nothing but a coward! How could I let this happen? I broke their friendship, I ruined lives of many ponies! I even banished you, my own sister, to the Moon! I made so much mistakes, Luna! How can I correct them? How can I even call myself Princess, or the ruler? I’m just a coward! Nothing but a selfish coward!” “No, you’re not, Tia! I don’t want you to say that anymore! We all make mistakes, and you are no exception. But no matter what they say, they need you, Tia. We need you. I know how much pain and suffering you’ve seen in your life, and I know how hard it is to deal with it, but I will help you. And I know we can get through this, but now, we need to focus on Deathmist. Now with Rainbow Dash gone, we need to go back to the castle. This isn’t the time for tears Tia. Please, hold on. For me. For Equestria. For Rainbow. Please Tia, I know it’ll be hard but I need you to hold on. Please, Tia” Luna looked her in the eyes. Celestia managed to calm down, and returned the hug. Why would she always have to cry in hard times? Is she weakening? Celestia slowly nodded, once again hugging Luna, and then slowly walked towards the castle. ------------ Twilight’s heart skipped, and Pinkie opened her eyes and gave her a weak smile, standing up. “Rainbow?!” Twilight screamed along with others. “I’m sorry, I promise never to fight with you again! I’m so glad you’re alive!” Twilight gave Rainbow another warm embrace, but her skin felt cold at touch. Rainbow furiously broke their embrace. “Rainbow? I know you’re angry at me, but please…” “Don’t say a word” she responded angrily. Rainbow stood up on her hooves and slowly walked towards the door and locked them. Everypony stood in shock. “R-Rainbow, are you okay?” Rarity asked her, her voice shivering from fear. “Of course I am, but why are you speaking like that?” Rainbow said, still not turning her head to look at them. Her voice sounded deeper than her normal voice. “You fear me?” Rainbow turned around, her eyes dark blue with a burning flame. Black smoke surrounded her, and Twilight and the rest could only watch in terror. When the smoke cleared, in revealed tall dark Pegasus with a flowing rainbow mane, staring at them. “Rainbow, snap out of it! This isn’t you!” Twilight screamed, wanting to run towards her, but instead she stood still along with others. What did that monster do to her? This can’t be true. They are trapped. Deathmist is now using her as his puppet, but how are they going to cut the threads? “Oh, Twilight, don’t you recognize me? That’s very odd for you, being the “Princess of Friendship” and all that, but you help other ponies more than your friends. Quite ironic, don’t you think?” Rainbow laughed, scaring her best friends. “I think we should play around a little. We’re all going to have fun. But, mostly me. Shall we start?” Rainbow looked at Twilight, who hid her friends behind her lavender alicorn wings. Rainbow enjoyed seeing their fear. She noticed angry Applejack, tapping her hooves. “Oh Applejack, what’s the matter? Do you have something you wouldn’t like to share with us? Well, I think it’s not healthy to keep all that anger bottled up like Twilight did, and then pay for some terrible consequences” Applejack and Twilight looked at each other, but Applejack didn’t have time to speak. Rainbow continued, and Applejack turned her head to side. “I will say it for you, because you need to save your breath for “honest words” oh, honest Applejack” Rainbow laughed. “Don’t you know, Twilight, how much pain you’ve caused to Applejack? What disaster did you make? Judging by your face, I’m guessing you haven’t even thought of it, am I right? What, you never thought about how much is Applejack needed at the farm? Every time you went on a mission to save Equestria because of Celestia’s laziness, Big Mac would have to work double to keep farm from bankruptcy. You think being a farmer is easy? You think they get much profit? You think they can afford some fancy stuff to make their work easier? Applejack didn’t even get a proper schooling! Not to mention Big Mac. He had to drop out of university in Manehattan to help at the farm after their parents died. He was one test away from finishing it, and he was one of the best students there” after that words, Applejack was sobbing. “And nopony appreciates what she does! Twilight has loving family, Twilight’s always the hero, Twilight’s always the best, oh look, Twilight became a frickin’ Princess, Twilight has a castle, Twilight’s the personal student of Celestia, Twilight saved the world, Twilight helped ponies, Twilight saved the world once again, Twilight, Twilight, TWILIGHT! And what are you? Just an earth-pony who can’t even spell Twilight’s name! And not to mention Rainbow Dash. You were always jealous of her too, weren’t you Applejack? She did the Sonic Rainboom countless times, she is a living legend, captain of the Wonderbolts, and what does she do? She takes naps and crashes into trees. Ah, Rarity is another great example. Having her own boutique… pardon, TWO, the most popular fashion designer in Equestria, and what does she do? Whine and cry. For some reason, you hated Pinkie as well. You found her annoying and crazy, but yet, everypony likes you, while they mock you for your accent and your job. The only thing you comforted yourself with was that you are better than Fluttershy, because EVERYPONY is better than her. What, she liked animals and is afraid of EVERYTHING? Seriously?” Rainbow circled around, mocking them. Applejack didn’t dare to look in the eyes of anypony, especially Twilight. She knew everything she said was true, but how could she read their minds? Or maybe she’s really bad at hiding it. “Now that we mentioned Fluttershy…” Rainbow turned to her. She was hugging Rarity, sobbing harder than before. “Would you mind telling them about that rope you have in your closet? The one you keep away from your sight, yet it is the first thing you see when you open it?” Rainbow knew she hit the nerve. Fluttershy was now hiding behind her mane, still hugging Rarity. “I noticed it that day when I flew through your window. It was early afternoon and I was begging you to see my new trick. You said you very busy but I was persistent so I waited in your room. I looked around the room and saw your closet had a weird knot at the top. When you came, I hugged you so tightly and started apologizing, then I just flew back. You never knew why? You never suspected anything? You hate yourself, you hate how weak you are, how fearful you are, you fear how will others judge you if you make a mistake, but also, you are afraid your talent is meaningless. Sure, you convinced Discord, you saved your friends couple times thanks to your animals skill, but other than that, you had no use of it. Everypony was using their talent for something-Twilight became a Princess, Rarity owns two boutiques, Rainbow became a Wonderbolt, Applejack won rodeo competitions and is the head of the farm, Pinkie is known for her randomness and party skills all over Equestria, but you? What are you doing with your talent? Feeding Angel Bunny, who is the worst animal ever. He never listens to you, he never respects you and he always throws his food. You started your pet clinic, but nopony was coming and you closed after a few days. It was hard but you moved on like nothing happened. And when you finally wanted to apply to some animal competition or whatever is it called, you couldn’t because of Shining Armor’s wedding. You thought you’ll make it, but it was already too late. And you blamed Twilight for it. Sure, she couldn’t predict changelings, but you could’ve travelled a day earlier. You never wanted to be in that “Elements of Harmony” mess anyway. And the only things keeping you alive is your element and your friends’ love. And hope you’ll find your talent” Fluttershy sobbed. How did she know all that? And how could she say it out loud? She…she threw that rope weeks ago anyway. No need to worry Fluttershy, this isn’t Rainbow. This isn’t her, this isn’t her… “Oh, Rarity… I’m gonna be short on you. How the hell are you Element of Generosity? Sure, you make dresses and stuff, but seriously? When was the last time you gave somepony something, but you wanted to give it to them? And how cruel is to use Spike to be your slave, just because he has a crush on you? Do you even care about others? Start from somepony closest to you-your sister. Every time she tries to help you or impress you, you shout at her and get an emotional breakdown because of the mess she made. And then you whine and cry and she feels guilty. That camping trip you had with AJ and Rainbow and their sister? You made her do everything for you. “Sweetie Belle! Do me a favour and get some fresh flowers for my vase! Oh, what is that smell? I enjoy spending time with my little sister!” Sure, she just LOVES to carry your three tons luggage. And then Rainbow is the bad sister. Not to mention you like to show off more than her. Did you forget the Young Fliers Competition? And I don’t even wanna start counting the rest, we’ll be stuck here for eternity” Rarity was ashamed by her words, also looking away. She thought this was all a nightmare, but it was very much real. “You, Pinkie, are quite interesting, but don’t you know that dealing with depression all alone isn’t going to help it?” Rainbow pointed at the pink earth pony, hiding in the back. “When nopony’s looking, you go in your room and hug that two pictures you have on your nightstand. The one of your family, and the other one of a Pegasus pony with a puffy yellow mane similar to yours. I believe her name is Surprise. You never told anypony about her or the strange relationship with your so-called “family”. Did you really believe her when she said Maud Pie and the rest were her real family? All of them have cutie marks related to something with rocks and they are all similar shade, earthy colours, but you are vibrant pink. And you never wondered why she bounces so much? Why you see her sometimes tie balloons to her and just let them fly freely in the air? That Pegasus mare was your sister. Your real sister. There were parents and just the two of you. She was older that you. But one day there was an accident and your parents died. Your small fragile wings were broken, and they had to remove them, even the bone that connected them to your spine. That’s why you have no weird bones sticking out of your back. You barely survived, your sister too. She broke her neck and front legs, but she survived. Since you didn’t have any relatives, one Pegasus family adopted her and raised her as their own. She had a decent life. She probably told you everything in the letters and when you met in Canterlot four months ago. You were sent to the people you call “family” because they needed another pony to work with them on the farm, but shortly after you got your cutie mark, you moved to Ponyville. Two months ago, your sister died. Nopony knows how. Just few days before you decided to make her a surprise party and invite her to Ponyville. Since you didn’t have wings, you tied the balloons and flew with her. So on that day, you tied them again. You never told anypony about her and fell into deep depression. How sad” Pinkie was now sobbing, ashamed. She couldn’t believe how cruelly Rainbow could just expose that to others. Just about when Rainbow wanted to give them a final punch, there was a loud bang and the door opened.