> Where the Rainbow Begins > by Alizilith > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > %Chapter 0% The War > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- NightMare Moon was taking over all of Equestria, no pony had control as Celestia fought to maintain order and balance, as hards as she might, she was losing. With a heavy heart she had formulated a plan, but said plan had such flaws, the elements of harmony required more than one pony to wield them, if she wield them herself, who knows what will happen, she might not have the strength to lift the sun! she would have made a solution but she was far too busy trying to fend of Nightmare Moon and her minions of Night Dwellers, so as a last resort, she had left the plans to her followers, the Pegasi, Unicorn, and Earth ponies alike, hoping they would help aid this part of the war. > %Chapter 1% Her Dream > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow’s POV I work so hard everyday, working along side me was my co-workers who consisted of DawnGuard the Unicorn who had bright green and yellow mane with a pale yellow for her coat and matching green eyes as Plain Swifter the Earth Pony was blue and a yellow mane with steel grey eyes, I went by the name of Rainbow, just Rainbow. i received that name at birth because of the color of my mane, rainbow stripes that complimented my blueish grey coat. Each day i work harder and harder, trying to get the physics right and bending metal to create my ideal machinery. My idea was making a machine that would extract vital colors from a certain object so that we could create the perfect rainbow, as others would just mainly work with pure magic, i looked at the scientific side of things. Other ponies thought me insane for thinking i could make a rainbow when only a princess herself could make them, but i knew deep down that i could, with hard work and science, i would make the impossible possible! I piece of shrapnel came loose and came clattering down, i beat my wings furiously to get out of the way as it clashed to the ground. as it clanged down i had to stand back up. i look at my wings with a sad look, i was a really weak flyer, it was so weak that i could hardly hover. i shook my head and began glaring at Plain Swifter “what the hell! that thing nearly killed me! your job was to make sure this thing doesn’t fall apart, what good is an earth pony without any strength!” i exclaimed She glared at me “Yeah, well what good is a Pegasi who couldn't fly to get away huh?” A pain struck my heart as i turned away, my tail curling up at the side making a hypnotic rainbow swirl. slouching, i just couldn’t bare it, me, a proud family of pegasi, couldn’t fly. Plain Swifter saw what she did and she sighed as she nudges my side “look, sorry Rainbow, it was my fault, i was wrong, i mean, i did forget to bolt that piece in, just stop being sad please?” she states, taking a step towards me I shook my head “no you’re right, i’m pathetic” i then opened my wings, inspecting them and looking at the color of how my greyish blue coat gave off slight rainbow shimmers in the light “what good is having beautiful wings if you can’t use them right” Dawn Guard went up to my side, sitting down and placing a hoof on my shoulder “come on then, it ain’t all that bad, i mean i can’t use my horn properly, all i could do is levitate and power stuff up, you have brains Rainbow, something other pony’s don’t get” “You’re quick on you feet and always there to help us” PlainSwift states smiling at me i couldn't help but smile myself, “you’re right!” i then got up “thanks guys, i just, lost it there for a moment” “hey no prob for a friend ey?” Plain states it wasn't the first time that i felt down because of my flightless abilities, it was more worse when i was with other pegasi, especially my family, they kept on asking why, why were they stuck with me when my younger sister had so much more potential. i shook my head and continued on, no need to dwell on the past i suppose, though it still bothers me like hell. But with my friends by my side silently cheering me on i will move on and change history itself! > %Chapter 2% Progression and Aggression > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I inspected the blueprints closer this time, making sure each mechanism was proportioned the right way and the perimeter matched with the surface area…. science stuff that other pony’s won't touch… i was walking home when i notice three pony’s approaching me, i noticed them right away as the light flickered once on one of street lamps, i turned to the side and began walking the other pathway when they stopped me, it was easy for them to do so as all they had to do was fly over me. “where do you think your going Rainbowcrash!” one of them shouts, cornering me “home, now if you don’t mind, i’d like to get there” i stated, turning away, only to meet the head honcho, Storm Dancer, he had a light grey coat with blue and green mane and yellow eyes, i glared at him and he only smirks “what a pathetic pegasi, can hardly flutter with those wings” he states, making circles around me i closed my eyes “nice to see you too brother” i then felt a swift blow to my stomach “you don’t ev the right callin em your broda, you useless trash” on of his friends states, “yes, quite, can't fly yet her blood is pure pegasi royalty, what a travesty” the other one states in a hoity tone. i sighed, better get this over with “just jealous that i’m the prettier of the bunch? Or that i’m the smartest of the bunch, because not only are you guys an eye sore on hooves, but you completely have no brain” they lost it then, i was beaten an inch of my life, but this was a daily struggle, avoid my big brother, and making the new rainbow machine, so much bucking fun. i struggled to get up but as i wiped the side of my chin, red crimson droplets followed suit. i watched, in a daze like state before turning away, limping home where no one i knew to be there . this has been going on for so long, and i knew i wasn’t the only one, i felt sadness when i see all the other pony’s who couldn’t fly be subjected to the same treatment that i have been going through, if only i had a way to end their suffering. i lost track of days, performing new tasks to achieve a higher goal, getting chewed out by other pony’s, pointing and laughing, i’ll show them, i’ll show them all. after time had past i stopped going outside all together, my friends were worried about me and told me to get some fresh air, i bit back at them, spouting nonsense that i had no idea what, just to get them away, i have to accomplish this, no sleep, she’ll only get to me. i was taking a test subject, an apple, looking at it and how red it was i placed it into the machine, trying not to scream out i had DawnGuard power it up. the machine buzzed and it various things sputtered until it stopped, a small purr of the engine it was working! excitement in my veins i tossed the apple in, practically running to the other side to see it being crushed, the apple being sucked of its color until finally it came out. my eyes grew wide at this i held out a hoof to catch only one droplet of red before it disappeared, evaporating into nothingness and leaving me to wretch in my own mind. “Rainbow, i’m so sor-” Dawn began but was interrupted “NO!” I screamed out, peering in to the machine, “how can this be!!?! i measured it perfectly, to the very last molecule just for to give me one drop of evaporated juice!!” i then tossed my head up, letting a scream exit out of me Dawn and Plain came to my side, giving me an embrace “Rainbow, shh, its alright, we’ll just make a better one, learn from our mistakes” Dawn states “come on Rain, it ain’t that bad, we made it further than the other pony’s right?” i didn't notice i was crying until Dawn places a handkerchief on my cheek, drying away my tears “B-But” i sobbed “no matter what, i always end in a failure, i thought i found my purpose when i delved into my technology but in the end i can’t even get that to work” i stated i then turned away, walking and staring ahead of me “a failure at birth” i mimicked what my brother would say i then felt a sharp pain on my cheek, i held it and looked up, looking pained i saw that it was Dasheroo, a fellow pegasi who couldn't fly well, “Don’t think that way of yourself Rainbow!” She shouts, looking so determinedly at me “you’re better than that, you are cool, and awesome, always standing up for others, and if my hero thinks that lowly of themselves then where does that leave me!” She exclaims i was silent for a moment before i chuckled, “yeah, thats not really cool of me huh?” i stated before walking along side her, i couldn't help but watch her as she had grown from the small filly i knew a year ago. ~~~~~~ “Hey featherless freak, come on and get it!” a dark brown pony exclaims, holding up a blue ball with a ring of silver on it, “hey come on man, thats not cool” a small filly exclaims, thin and yet held herself high she had a pale orange coat with mulberry mane, she was looking furious as the older pony was picking on her “your nothing but a waste of space Basheroo” he states flying a little closer to her Dasheroo growled and jumped up at him, “It’s Dasheroo!” she exclaims, flapping her wings furiously only for her to hover for two seconds, and fall. The other pony began to laugh as other spectators did, thats all they did and Dash began to feel sadness, when. whoosh, a high flying kick came and hit the brown pony square in the face “Agh!” he screamed as he scrambled away i grabbed the blue ball and tossed it up, bouncing it off of my head for a bit “you know it’s rude to treat a lady like this you scum bag” i stated, tossing the ball up and bucking it, making it go flying towards his head, he quickly ducks so it misses “ha! who the hell are you!” he shouts getting up i just simply watched the ball fly by and bounce on a surface cloud when it came crashing into the back of the stallions head, the ball flew up in the air and i jumped up to it, grabbing it and balancing it on my hind right hoof. others were amazed by this, this was one of those rare moments i have where i could do something like this, i bounced the ball up and let it balance on my nose before allowing it to slide off of me, down my neck and back and onto my tail before it made it home to Dasheroo “you alright kid? that sure looks like it hurts” i say, noting the bruise on her cheek Dasheroo shakes her head, “i’m fine” she states flatly turning away i chuckled a bit “i think a thanks is in order Dasheroo” i stated “you know my name?” she states i nodded my head “i keep tabs on pony’s who aren’t great flyers” i stated “oh” she states, turning away “so you keep track of the losers so they won’t get hurt huh?” she states i busted out laughing, she just glares at me, i then walking in front of her, showing my pathetic wings “the reason i keep tabs on all of you is not only to watch over you, but to let you know that you’re not alone” i stated “as if, you could probably travel a hundred miles on those things” she states pointing at my wings i rolled my eyes “yeah if pigs could fly, i can hardly hover on these things” i complied, giving them a flap “but you came from the sky, kicking that bully” she states back “true, but i did that from jumping off that roof over there” i stated, pointing at a tall house with a strange device on top “what where you doing on the roof!” she asks astonished i grinned “i was checking the trajectory of the sun and its effects on clouds, you see water consists of a mirror like particles and if you look closely you can see different colors on how the sun is pointed at them, it’s really fascinating” “wow” Dasheroo states going cross eyed by the science applications. i looked at her then the device, then back again “you wanna see?” i asked, not even sure if she was interested “would I!” she states i smiled and she trotted right next to me, she was the only one that I really ever cared for. ~~~~~ i looked at the device once more, the object was too small, no, it was inconsistent, not enough for this machine, it needs more, but of what? i paced back and forth, thinking over and over on what to do, i need test subjects, not only that, but power, i’m going to ask a lot out of both my friends… > %Chapter 3% CloudsDale Incident > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- i was asleep on a single cloud, so soft and comfortable, when i heard a high pitched scream that shook me from my dreams, or what was thought it to be, but what i saw made me believe it was all just a nightmare. a ferocious red dragon was terrorizing the cloudsdale population, pony’s ran rampant as the dragon thrashed and shook, spitting fire and beating his wings, destroying the fragile clouds to nothing. i heard the screams of young filly’s as the fell out of the clouds and onto smaller lower clouds, panicked i rushed down, trying to figure out what to do. I couldn't fly and roping them one at a time would take too long, in that time one of the pony’s might fall! i looked at the dragon, then the rop, and then the ponies, i had then formulated a plan, though it would require some sacrifices. looking sadly at my machine for analyzing clouds, i ripped it open, creating a netting of a sort out of its electrical wiring while it was still attached to the device. i ran quickly as i took the rope i had and strung up between two buildings, making sure the net for rounding the clouds was in place where the filly’s were before i grabbed the second rope and tied it to two poles, the dragon was wild, as all the ponies that could fly were far too busy with the beast that those who were not able to fly were at the very mercy of the dragon. Making sure everything was in check i quickly bucked a rain cloud, making rain come out and drizzling on the dragon when i kicked it once more, the results i wanted came as a clash a lightning struck the beast, and his attention turning towards me. i gulped as i rushed away, galloping as fast as i could as he was high on my tail, leading it to the trap was all i wanted when a sudden crack of lightning struck and four fast ponies flew over my head. “Hey flightless! Quit getting in the way and let the real pegasi’s handle this” Brother’s voice rang A sense of hope filled all the ponies as the powerful the four thunderous ponies flew over us in a quick pace, another burst of lightning as a pony flew by, his name being Lightning Strike, smoke trailing one, being Fire Rocket, with her twin Sky Rocket with a white fog following him. and in the middle was my brother, dressed in the wonderbolts get-up, Storm Dancer, with clouds of black following behind him. “brother! Wait!” i exclaimed but it was too late, the dragons attention drew away as it focused on the four fast pegasi. The dragon stormed off, once more creating havoc and causing a small filly to fall off the edge, panic rose in me as i went to go save her but i knew i wouldn't make it, when suddenly a streak of pale yellow and rose dust pink flew by, the filly disappearing and reappearing on the clouds surface. i sighed in relief when i saw it was Cloudshy, i hailed her over towards me, needing her help. “Thank Celestia you got here in time” i say while looking up to her. Cloudshy was the only pegasi that could fly astoundingly to be my friend “look, we don’t got much time, all i need is his attention so we can lure him to this, can you help?” i asked her, determined she gave a quick look towards the dragon, then back at me, she gives a small whimper before agreeing “just tell me what to do” She states softly I dashed over towards the net and bucked the machine “i need you to get me a storm cloud, once done get the wonderbolts out of here” i exclaimed, making the rope taut. Cloud got me the one i needed before setting off but i stopped her for a moment “just lead them here, the dragon will follow suit” i stated and she nodded firmly before taking off “be careful” i whispered after her I watched as cloudshy gathered the bolts, a difficult task but she managed as the dragon was heading this way, finally the dragon reached the checkpoint, i grabbed the rope and dashed towards the other side, trying to wrap the beasts legs. i was only half way there when the rope was pulled from me “Hey!” i shouted at the unknown perpetrator “Let the Real Pegasi’s take care of this” A haughty voice rang in my ears with familiarity that annoyed me to no end I scowled at my big brother as he flew away with the rope “No! the rope was suppose to trip him! Note contain him!” I shouted as He flew the rope around the dragons arms Only when did they thought they had won, the ropes tightened as the Dragon used full force to break the ropes, he slashed out with razor sharp talons, trying to strike the wonder boltz, just as the dragon slashed a scream erupted from below, it was a small pegasi who had slipped off the edge, another young filly was trying to desperately to hold her up. the scream distracted my brother for only a brief moment, but that moment was vital as the dragon slashed one last time, making contact to RainDancers side. He screamed out in shock and mostly pain before falling onto the clouds surface. Panicked i quickly formed another plan, rushing out i called Cloudshy down “just get the wonderbolts to hurl clouds at him okay? just to distract for now” i stated before rushing off i grabbed the remnants of the rope, it wasn't long anymore with it breaking but it was enough to wrap around one of the dragons legs, and that was good enough. working quickly i began to wrap around the large beasts leg before i tied it tightly around a lighting pole, i looked up to see the dragon being belted by clouds it takes a step backwards when the rope held his foot back, throwing him off balanced, finally my plan was in session. the dragon fell and with that he flailed his arms out, catching the rope that was between the two buildings, that rope swung downwards, unleashing the net, capturing the ponies that were unable to fly and flinging them upwards like a sling shot, right onto the safety of cloudsdale. the wired machine was then freed from its place and began to swing around the dragon, i quickly bucked the storm cloud, hitting the machine and making it into live wire as it wrapped more around the dragon, causing an electrical current to run through its body, shorting his nerves as it stiffened, the wire wrapped tightly around him and over his wings, making it incapable of flight. the dragon finally fell, it was going to crash right through the clouds and- “Aaah!” a shout was to be heard i look to see RainDancer, still injured, and right underneath the fearsome dragon, threatening to take anypony down with it. with no time to think i darted forward, no matter what he did, what he said, he was still my big brother. i jumped forwards and with a flap of my wings- “Big Brother!” i shouted He looked over at me and a memory came to me, i was a young filly, outside in the warm sun when i jumped up to Rain “hey Big brother?” i inquired “yes lil’ sis?” he answers “Will i ever fly as good as you?” i’d ask him “of course you will, and once you do we can fly together” he smiles “that makes me so happy!” i smiled brightly I would then tackle him and we would both laugh, together, and enjoying each others presence I knew i would never have that moment again, create another memory with that same warmth, and with that i pushed him as hard as i could so that he was out of the way. he only looked back with a shocked look ‘Bye’ i mouthed the word with no sound before i was hit an intense pain hit me on my back and a sense of falling filled me. i watched as the dragon created a large hole on the clouds surface, he seemed to fall faster than me, but at this point i didn't care. all the ponies that couldn't fly were on safe clouds, cloudsdale was safe, i needn’t worry anymore, i’m sure some other pony would finish my machine. I looked up to the sky, the night glistening with beautiful stars that shone brightly and the faint blue that seemed to dance in the sky, i saw the moon, illuminating the ground and making the clouds seem like they were iridescent, i looked really closely to the moon, and i saw it, that beautiful spectra that surrounded the moon, At least i can go after seeing something so beautiful. “RaaaaaaaaiiiiinnnnnnnBoooooooow~” a long and loud shout cam Startled my eyes shot open as i knew that voice, and sweet celestia i prayed that it wasn't true. peering up, an orange bodied filly with arms pointed out towards me and beautiful purple eyes, looking determined as well as scarred, mixed emotions that made her eyes shine ever so brightly. a memory flashed in my head, one of me and Dasheroo on a cloud, just staring out at the sky as i was examining the stars “Hey Rainbow why are always out at night? its so dark, as well as cold, and dark” the little filly shivered i chuckled as i placed a wing over her, pulling her closer “don’t think so lowly of the night dear Dasharoo, for the night holds wondrous things that Princess Luna worked hard on” i say simply gazing up at the sky once more Dash tried to look closley at the sky, but she wasn’t really looking at the sky, but only at the dark emptiness, “I still don’t see it” she mumbles i took my hoof and tilted her head towards the moon “what do you see now?” i asked She only rolled her eyes “the moon, if you ask me it looks like a big wheel of cheese in the sky” I laughed at this “it may look like that to you but if you look closely, during the full moon, you can see a ring around the moon, unlike the sun you can gaze at the moon all you want, and because of that you can see this ring, created by the light that the moon gives off, now do you see it Dashy?” i asked curiously Dash suddenly stood up “i see it, i see it!” She exclaims “its- its an array of colors! so many like us pony folk” she states excitedly I nodded “yep, that is a rainbow of a sorts, a spectra that holds power, in my recent studies this may be able to help aid Princess Celestia, as Luna used this power to create the stars and help stop Discord, the spirit of Disharmony and saved all of us. now that Princess Luna has changed to Nightmare Moon, she uses this power to overpower the day, creating clashes between the two sisters.” i pulled the filly closer to me as i wrapped my hooves around her “you see, the night could hold a lot of beauty, you just have to open your eyes and really see” i say while putting my hooves over Dasheroo’s eyes. “Rainbow” Dash laughed as she removed my hooves i sighed as i looked up at the sky with Dasheroo “you know, the night is kinda pretty” she admits, i only smiled Now here she was, throwing herself off of the edge of cloudsdale and heading straight for me “you idiot! what are you doing?! you’re going to kill yourself Dasheroo, open your wings and get out!” i shouted Dash only shook her head “no way, not without Rainbow” she shouts, finally reaching me I felt tears well up as she states this and i couldn't help but wrap my hooves around her “idiot” i whimpered but i held her closer I didn’t know what to do, i mean i have a filly here who can't fly well let alone a grown mare. i looked everywhere but i just couldn’t figure out what to do. sighing, i had no choice, it couldn’t be helped, i opened one of my wings to turn both me and Dash around, Dash looked up but i payed no head, i then slowly began to open my wings, fighting the wind resistance as our descent started to decrease as we reached the ground but we were far ways there and already it happened. i cringed as pain twinged in my back, it was dull at first before it became excrutiating, i was forced to close my wings once more “i’m sorry Dashy” i whispered, tears rolling down my face “i’m so, so sorry” i held her tighter to me as i readjusted the both of us, “it’s going to be all right now” i whispered to her “as long as you survive” “Rainbow wait~!” I opened one of my wings once more to flip us over, I made it so that Dashy would land on top of me, my last ditch effort to protect her as a mare, seeing how I couldn't save her as a pegasi "hey Dashy" I whispered to her "yes Rainbow?" she asks meekly "when you get out of this, admire the night for me, no one else will see the moons rainbow unless you show them" And with that I closed my eyes "Rainbow wait!" Dashy shouts but the only comply was me holding her closer to me The last thing I saw was the color of Dashy's mane with the moon in the distance, shining a reluctant and vibrant color of Dashy's hair, I smiled at this, I can see the beginning of the rainbow. Dash could only cry as she tried to open her wings, trying with all her might to hold onto her closest friend, to hold onto what she herself called her sister. as hard as she could it was all in vain and all she could do now was hold onto her sister tears streaming, she would keep her promise. All seemed lost when i looked saw something glint in the sky, it was as if Dash’s prayers had been answered, a fall swoop and they were on the ground, and to both of their surprise, unharmed. i opened my eyes immediately only to see a grateful smile on Dasheroo’s face, she wrapped her hooves around my neck and hugged tightly. i could only look up to the rescuer of my little sister. i gasped at what i saw. “P-Princess Lun- i mean Nightmare Moon” i gasped in surprise She only looked down at me, her dark coat clashing with her cerulean armor, her green eyes staring down at me as her hair matched the stars. she said nothing as she only nodded to me, she then opened her large black wings, and disappeared from our sight. in a matter of minutes the others arrived to see two fainted figures on the ground, with no injuries. > %Chapter 4% Wings Comfort > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I listened to the constant chirps of the birds as I awoke, one of them noticing my movement and flew away to alarm any other birds nearby as i only watch them scatter away. I was groggy but as I sat up I notice a brace around my back, I grimace at this as i knew i couldn't hide it anymore, there was a reason why I couldn't fly and it was simply put a birth defect. I tried to stand up but as soon as I tossed my hooves over the side of the bed two nurses immediately stopped me "I'm sorry miss but under instructions of the Doctor we request that you stay in bed" They stated simply I eyed them wearily, I saw that one was a Unicorn and the other Earth, the earth pony obviously there to, ehem, restrain any defiant pony's. What am I some insane pony here? I thought bitterly but I bit my tongue as I laid back down, I was tired when I remembered something. "Where's Dasheroo!" I exclaimed bolting upright I winced slightly at my back but I didn't care, I scanned the room to no avail. The nurses push me on to my back "The filly is fine, you are not" The earth pony said gruffly, as if annoyed "Hey get your hooves off of me" I snapped His eye twitched as he went to say something when another earth ponies voice interrupted him "Now wait in Tarnation there Nurse Brave" the familiar female voice rang "you can't just jump Rainbow like that, especially in her condition" I peered around the nurses to spot PlanSwift, DawnGuard, and riding on the back of Swift was little Dasheroo, i smiled with a sigh of relief at the sight of said little filly. I relaxed as I allowed myself to lay back down as my friends entered the hospital room along with the Doctor who followed behind, ushering the two nurses out as he took my vitals "You are very lucky indeed Ms. Rainbow, at that height anypony would be long gone, just how did you manage to survive without a scratch!" He exclaims checking my blood pressure I peered at Dashy who only looked at me with an expectant look, I only smirked. "By a miracle of the Night" I stated simply before pulling Dasheroo into a hug "thank the Princess’s you're alright Dasheroo," I stated as I hugged the poor little filly "Hey save your strength Rainbow" She states pushing away, I looked at her questionably when it hit me, she knew. My ears flatten against my head as I looked down "I take it you know of my condition?" I started sending a silent glare at the Doctor "I-Its my fault Rainbow" PlainSwifter states stepping up "I was asking the doctor about it when Dasheroo overheard, I felt terrible when she was asking more about you and I- well," she then took a step back, ears flattening as she lowered her head "I'm terribly sorry" "Its alright" I stated simply "You can be too honest for your own good Swift" I stated chuckling slightly My condition was rare, no one had ever experienced such a thing, there was a hairline fracture that was on the base of my wings, right where my Wingermus connected to the spine if I were to fly erratically the fracture could easily snap myself in half, fortunately the pain was enough for me to stop any attempts of flight, making my once dream a distant memory. Unfortunately no Unicorn magic or medical practices could fix my problem, they had feared that tampering with my spine may risk breaking it, it didn't help that i was a pegasi, if our bone structures weren't difficult enough it was the fact that our bones were more weaker than most to gain the ability of flight. "I lived this far without a brace why am I starting now?" i asked as i peered over at the Doctor "Well with a fall like that we don't want to take any chances, we want you to keep that brace on for at least two weeks minimum and we want to keep you at the hospital for a week, just to keep up regulations and see if you are perfectly fit" the Doctor explains but he grimaced at my disapproving look "Hey I have a project to work on, I mean the entire fate of Equestria are on my hooves alone" I shouted getting back up "If you continue any further you just might live in a wheelchair for the rest of your life" the Doctor complies "Than so Be It" I exclaimed, now glaring at the Doctor There was a long drawn out silence and the tension was high, I wanted to say something but i couldn't find words that could describe my situation, I HAD to get back to my project, I can't quit, not when I'm so close! The Doctor just opened his mouth when another figure entered the room, making all of our jaws slack and loss for words as the one and only Princess of the sun stood before us, in my hospital room, actually here. As we recollected ourselves everypony went to bow before her, I tried to get up so I could bow properly but she stopped me with a gentle hoof. "There is no need for that Rainbow" she proclaims in a voice that rang with royalty and yet was filled with kindness. "What brings you here my Princess" I asked as I slouched back on the bed Celestia turns towards the Doctor and lowering her head slightly to look at the Doctor directly "May i speak with your patient in private?" Celestia asks The Doctor overwhelmed made no hesitation to nod his head "Y-yes your highness, perhaps you could talk some sense into her" He smiled though it looked nervous, he then proceeded to usher everypony out of the room. I was then alone with her highness peering down at me, her pure white coat making the white walls of the hospital seem dirty and her flowing mane glowing with the softest of pink. "To who do I owe for this wondrous visit your Highness" I ask trying to act the closest of normal I could She chuckles softly "The pleasure is all mine, I ask forgiveness for not visiting so often" "You are busy your Highness, you don't have time to dwell on the common rabble" I stated simply "I don't think of My Little Ponies like that, and I should make time in visiting you, I heard you earlier that you were willing to injure yourself to finish a quest i was suppose to fulfill" The Princess inquires "I know you are tired Princess" i stated simply "I see it in your eyes" Yes, she was indeed tired, she was pushing herself so that she may remain vigilant and help with this war that swept the valley, Nightmare moon was gaining power and persuading pony's all over Equestria to join in her War banter. Celestia tried to hide the fact that she was tired but even a goddess herself couldn't hide that fact from me, even though as broken as I was, in my profession i had to be observant to everything, and I recognized those eyes as they reflected my own tired and worried ones. She sighs wearily as she sits down, loosening her bonds of professionalism "In deed I am, but I do not have time to dwell on such inquiries, I came here with a task at hand" She states finally "What is it that you ask Celestia?" I asked her now getting well acquainted with the Princess "DawnGaurd had informed me your progression in the Rainbow device, I'm sure that you'll figure a way Rainbow" She states calmly "and for your efforts I want to present a gift" She smiles softly at me "Not only is this gift for you as a thanks of your research but as well as saving CloudsDale, if it weren't for your fast thinking I dare not think of what could have happened" She states, shaking her head slightly she looks me dead in the eye "But this gift is no ordinary gift, for which you may receive and dispose of, oh no, this gift is a wish, whatever your hearts desire I shall grant thee" As her words hit me my mind reels in to thought, anything, I could really have anything, well I want my damn machine to work but that's something completely different, I don't think even a Princess could make that come true, my back throbbed as if ebbing me towards something, I look down at myself and saw my wings strapped down to my body, the brace preventing any risk of a further fracture when it was then that it was decided for me. "There is only one thing I wish My Princess" I stated simply She peers down at my wings then back at me "For the Gift of Flight I presume" she states raising her eyebrow slightly. I nodded and she began to get up, powering her horn with a gentle glow "But" I stated, stopping her midway through "It is not for me your Highness" I then looked out the window and into the hallway of the hospital, there were my friends but amongst them was a little filly, a filly who has bigger aspirations of flying I ever had "It is for her" Celestia follows my gaze to stare at little Dasheroo, she smiled at this "And so it will be so" she then turns towards me, levitating me up so that i was now standing in her presence. Though the pain was still there, with the Princess there I stood proudly and smiled at her, she returns the smile as she puts the tip of her horn to the small of my back, before I could say anything there was a surge of a bright light and the pain seemed to vanish altogether. "Wha- What did you-" I tried to ask but she spoke once more "I simply strengthened your bone structure Rainbow, though it had taken the pain away, i am sorry to say that your wings can no longer carry you like a pegasi you are suppose to be" She states with such sorrow I only laugh softly "That is no worry for me Princess, I have given up flight a long time ago, instead i strive to be a better pony in mind than body" My ears ringed in delight as I heard the Princess laugh "Perhaps I should be your student Rainbow" I laughed, just the thought of Celestia behind me taking notes alone made me laugh "Only in my grandest of dreams" i laughed The laughter had alerted the others as they soon entered the room once more, when they looked at us questionably i could only laugh harder as I saw Celestia dawning glasses. "Bwaha-ha-ha" I couldn't contain it as I fell over, sending the doctor in a panic and the others looking at us strangely "What in tarnation?!" Plain asked befuddled Still giggling I got up and strode up to them. "Come on guys" I then bucked in the air, the straps and brace loosening before breaking off "We have work to do" The doctor was confused and didn't know what to say or do as he stared with his mouth agape. We all began to pass by him, even the Princess until finally it was Dawn who was the last to be out. "Cheer up Doctor, you just met the princess" She smiled as she used her magic to close his mouth before cheerfully trotting off. I was walking down the street, DawnGuard and PlainSwifter had went home, Princess Celestia had returned to her royal duties at Canterlot so the only one remaining was little Dasheroo. She was walking next to me, or rather sauntering as she seemed lost in her own mind. This bothered me so I cleared my throat. This seemed to catch her attention so I tried to pull a conversation out of her. "So how was it to meet your first Dragon?" I asked only to bite my tongue, unsure if that subject was touchy or not. "Well to be honest.... It was quite scary" She stated, a bit unnerved but some tension was loosened from making convers "Yeah, I met a different Dragon before" I stated simply as I continued to trot along the Cloudsdale cloud road "What?! really? how did you survive? what was it like?" She asked, her attention now fully on my and off of any discerning thoughts she might have had. I chuckled a bit "Well, I'll tell you what he was an exact opposite of the Dragon we faced, in fact He was quite regal" Dasheroo compiled by cocking her head to the side in confusion "Huh?" "Dragons are a superior race for which many fear but in all honesty they are just misunderstood creatures." I looked down the road to see a sign, I was taking Dashy the right way right? "They favor any shiny trinkets of a sort and for that they are quite known to be full of greed, collecting gems and bits of gold anywhere they could. The more they had the more stimuli they release in them, making them believe that the more they have the more of them they had to be to protect their precious items" "I remember the size of the Dragon i faced, he was the largest of any Dragon before him, with deep red scales lining his body and green spikes upon his back. He bore no wings but held something much greater, knowledge. He was a rare breed of dragon, instead of relying on Flying like his kin, he relied on what most notable being Dragon magic." "Dragon Magic? you mean like the breathing fire they can do? what makes him so different?" Dashy asks trotting a bit closer to me. “All dragons breath fire” I chuckled "Yes he could breath fire but it bore mysticism, He was able to breath fire that could not harm another, but simply flow over them in a warm feeling. The next thing I knew I was on his right, the next I was on his left, apparently he was able to breath fire on an object and that item would be... transported to somewhere else." Soon me and Dasheroo appeared before a sweets shop "You wanna continue this story over some sweets? i know i could go for a bit" i say smiling down at her "Would I?" She shouted so excitedly My heart felt warm at the sight of Dash being happy once more, a filly like her shouldn’t remain down in the dumps like she was, but rather in taking the life all around her. “Good, my treat” I continued as I went to open the door, only for it to be already opened “Allow me miss” a pale orange pegasi stated while smiling at me. I was dumbfounded at the least, i mean no pony was nice to me, but I shook it off as I galloped inside, thanking her for the hospitality. Glancing around I spotted an open booth in the middle of the Sweets Shop, being nicely placed so that ponies could look outside through the window against the City itself. Sitting down I smiled when the waitress pony had already given our menu’s and now asking for our drinks. “Two cups of Hot chocolate with milk and the sweetest whipped cream on top” I replied, already getting comfy. “Anything you want Dash, Its on me” I was in a really good mood and I felt like I could care less of anything that may be going around us, as if the goddess herself had given me a day off of the tedious working of life and allowed me to, well, to do anything I guess. We ended up getting two Chocolate cupcakes, two vanilla cupcakes, and two carrot cakes topped with grated walnuts and carrot shavings. “You know, Hospital food isn’t the best” I grimaced at the thought “But I can take a cupcake, any day” “Me too!” Dashy excitedly declares, she then fidgets in her seat, her wings twitching before looking back up at me “So~ what about that dragon?” She states, having her patience already growing thin. I chuckled at this before nodding “of course” I got myself well adjusted to my seat before continuing “Now, this dragon who breathed fire like no other and bore no wings, went by the name of Leviath” “There is a reason why there isn’t any books written by or about dragons, these creatures are what most call, olden times” I Chuckled at this “They didn't believe in writing their stories or history, what has been made must be said, those were his exact words, I wasn't alone when I met this dragon, six other ponies went with me, though we weren’t friends but colleagues with a similar interest, I went because i heard a dragons scale could shimmer brightly in the sun or the moon with different variations of color. Of course this was only a ponies tale as I had seen myself” Dasheroo giggled at this, the mere thought of a dragon shimmering like a ray of different colors would be ridiculous. “In dragons tongue they believed by writing down their history it would leave a reason to forget the tales of their ancestors, fortunately me and my colleagues had managed to talk Leviath into it, he was an old dragon, carrying many centuries under his scales and had only one offspring who was still an egg. The mother had passed and he knew he couldn’t take care of the young egg, and so we struck a deal, he would speak little words of his people and we would take the egg under our care, or rather Princess Celestias care” I then remembered the egg itself “It was a purple and green egg, far larger than that of a chickens egg, the dragon stated that it could still hatch without the heat of its mother, but it would take centuries before doing so, and he knew our princess was well enough of live that long.” “So wait, you actually carried a dragon egg?!” Dashy exclaimed, shocked at this turn of events “me personally no, but I was in charge of checking in on its safety to Princess Celestia” I took a chocolate cupcake into my hooves and stared at it for a while, “We spoke of many tales that night and the dragon then turns towards me when he finished with the other ponies. He breathed a thick smoke through this nostrils and i gagged at it, it startled me and I just didn't know how to react, was this a part of his culture of greeting or something worse, but in a sense he did it with no real reason, ‘And what, little rainbow pony, are you here for?’ he had asked,” “I remembered that moment, he was staring at me with Emerald eyes and I could feel the heat of his breath upon me, A twinge of fear prevented me from stating that I was there for his scales, to inspect and see if the pony tales were true, but I saw he knew that wasn't the full reason of my being there.” “Though that wasn't the only reason I went, but as I heard of this dragon who had no flight, I wondered if he was picked on, if he had endured what I have, though these were personal curious reasons I really wanted to know and he smiled down at me. He left me with a parsing gift, two scales pierced by the sharpest diamond so that it would become a necklace. Surprised I had asked him why such a gift? He laughed a bit, before laying his head down before me so that i was staring easily into his eyes” “Because Rainbowed pony, these scales are far stronger than that of any dragon and my fire reaches further than any magic could wield, I have become something that every being has denied, and as such I am happy with the life I had lived and would be satisfied with the life I leave behind, I may not be able to fly but that is a small price to pay as I was able to hone all of my other abilities that much more. You may not be able to fly once more, but you can hone your own skills so that you may be the sharpest sickle in the field and that my pony, is far greater than flight” “And with that the Dragon walked right outside his cave, lifting his head towards the night sky and billowed out a fire like no other, it was burning emeralds that screamed with such magnificence that I felt like looking away, he breathed the fire into the air until he breathed it out onto himself, allowing it to engulf his whole being, i was amazed at the very sight of such a thing and when the fire dissipated, it left his scales scorched, being darker than any pit of darkness, but that wasn't it, as if making one last proclamation, he roared at the sky, it was so loud that it shook the very earth, his arms were slightly open as he stared over the small valley we were in. I knew then that these were his very last moments as the wind blew, it blew away the black ash that had covered his scales to reveal a stone structure, and before I knew it the dragon himself was nothing more, than a simple stature, looking over the valley as if he, as if he was a guardian, and I don’t believe that's very farfetched either” “WooooW~” Dasheroo Exasperates, amazed by this grand tale “So Dashy, wanna tell me why you were so down in the dumps” I say as I was balancing the vanilla cupcake on the bridge of my nose, Looking right at her. Her pupils shrunk in the slightest and I could see that she remembered just what had been bothering her. She looks down at her cup of hot chocolate with a lone marshmallow floating around it. Her ears now flat against her head she stutters “W-well i just” she fumbled with her words “I’m so sorry” she stated and she gave out such a pained look that I thought I even saw tears. “Sorry?” I stated confused “Sorry about what?” “I’m sorry, I had no idea that you couldn’t fly because of an illness, I thought that you just didn't know how or, or that…” Bitter tears were now evident on her face “I’m sorry you can’t fly, I know you want to fly so badly, I'm sorry, I'm sorry” I stared her for a moment, unsure of why she would feel so sorry, but when I saw her crying there I knew I had to do something. Scooting out of my seat I stood up next to the table, Dasheroo thought for sure that Rainbow was going to leave her there but was surprised when I scooted into her seat, sitting right next to her. Wrapping a hoof and wing around the small filly I pulled her into a hug. “oh come on squirt, no need to get all mushy on my” I stated pulling away so that I could look at her “I mean what's there to be sorry about? i know for sure that you weren’t the one who busted my wing am I right?” I say giving her a playful noogie “Yeah but, it’s not fair I-” she starts but I cut her off “You need to understand” I stated smiling softly “I can’t fly, end of story, I have known this since I was a little filly, and sure I had hard times but it was because of my incapability of flying to be able to become the mare I am today, now where would you be if I became a hot shot flyer? I'd probably let it all get to my head and become a completely different mare than the one sitting right next to you, I’d be so into flying that I would probably end up ignoring you” As I stated that her eyes widen at this, as if fearful of losing a friend, or rather a sisterly figure to her “That… that would be even worse!” She stated, but then thought about it “But you would be happy wouldn’t you?” I chuckled at this “I don't know, I'm not that pony, I am me and I am here, end of story, you can't change it, only think about it, let it shape the pony who you are, and I'm sure glad that I'm like this, otherwise I wouldn't have met such a great little sister like you” I stated, nuzzling her. She brightened immediately after that “Yeah, I guess so” She then lightened up a bit, as if coming to a conclusion before jumping right on top of the table itself “Alright, then from this day on I'm not even gonna bother trying to fly, I'm going to stay grounded, just like you” She exclaims The thought was cute but it rubbed at me the wrong way “Oh no you don’t” I Stated, gripping her tail with my teeth and pulling her down and off of the table, I then spat her tail out “You’re still growing and have a heck of a chance of flying than I'll ever have” I then used my hoof to guide her face towards me so that our eyes met “I am willing to do just about anything for you as any big sis would now and I know you want to fly far more than I ever have, promise me that you won’t give up, no matter what” We stared at each other for a while before she nods “Alright” she states, smiling I smiled back at her “I would do anything for you Dashy, and in return I want to ask something of you” “What's that?” she asks curious “Fly so far that you can see the great lands of Equestria, Fly so high that the stars shimmer all around you and fly so much so that you would come back to me and tell me everything about it Dashy, and be my wings,” “I will Rainbow, and you will be my big sis” We then embraced “Yes Dashie, be my wings and I will be there for you” Forever. > %Chapter 5% Sibling of Mine > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unicorn magic was certainly amazing, to be able to do a lot of things that are deemed impossible for an earth pony or a pegasi, but I was not surprise that Celestia was able to give me the gift of painless wings, of course I could not use them but I didn’t care. I opened my long wings and gave them a flap, bracing for the pain to come only a small gust of wind to grace the ground. I gave them one more flap and I felt so much pleasure in just doing this task, I just couldn’t help but smile. Looking around myself I made sure no one was around, breathing a sigh of relief I was assured that I was alone. Cracking my neck I stretched my wings as far as I could and rising them to the highest extent. Muscles that I thought long dead moaned as I stretched and it was so pleasing to feel this. Taking a deep breath I tried flapping my wings, over and over again, my body knew what to do and I proceeded with such precision that my task was unavoidable. But such a thing was a long forgotten dream, I was only successful in raising myself an inch before falling back to the ground. Snorting I tried once more with such determination that I had to do this, I had to at least try. I began flapping my wings once more and this time I beated them more fervently, my desire fueling this attempt, in any other ponies eyes it would have look ridiculous, i mean I was beating my wings as if I were a humming bird. I rose three inches this time but my wings seized, unused for so long and the magic that once embedded in them had run dry, fusing into my bone frame and becoming that of earth. I chuckled to myself, a new feeling overwhelming me that I surprised myself. I felt joy. It had been so long since I was able to use my wings and that I was ever happy to get myself to hover. “That’s surprising” A colts voice rang out into the room Surprised I turn my head towards the direction of the voice only to be greeted by my brothers face. I winced, using my wing to cover myself. His hoof gently pulled the wing away to look at me. Normally I would be looking at the ground, not wanting to look at him so that I wouldn’t provoke him in any way but something in me made me stay, to stare him right in the eye. I looked up at him, as if expecting something, yearning to hear words that I had dreamed of but long buried. I had given up those dreams as well when I was just a young mare but now, I felt small. “What's so surprising to you?” I asked, trying to put my usual spiteful voice in it only to falter. He steps closer so that he stood right in me, Strom Dancer looking not intimidating but, somber? I don’t know, I never saw this look on him before. “Well I’m surprised because you, well, I thought you would be breaking down or something” He mutters “Why would I do that?” I ask now tucking my wings away. “Well, you’re finally able to use your wings and everything and I mean, you’re a Pegasus, and you still can’t fly” He states, as if trying to piece together a puzzle. My ears flatten “Yeah, I know, you’ve been telling me that since my flight test” I stated bitterly, he was only here to poke fun at me once more. “Well I-” He begins but I cut him off “Stop” I demanded “Just stop” I pulled away from him and began to head towards the door “I’m tired StormDancer, so many times I had wished you would come to my aid, to be my bbbf again and tell me its going to be alright, but I’ve had it.” I turned towards him, flaring my wings, knowing full well that he couldn’t do the same “I am a Smart mare, I am a scientist, I have a lab, I am looked up to, I have true friends, And I have a little sister who treats me like blood more than you ever had” I took a step towards him but stopped myself “I was sought after for Celestias personal helper, I am looking after a project that could very well turn the tables of Solar Eclipse Siege, I don’t have time to dilly dally with your own ignorance,” I then tucked my wings away, they were no longer apart of me, as with any memories that involved them “I am Rainbow, and I am moving on, You may be the fastest flyer in cloudsdale but look where it landed you, a broken wing and shattered pride, let me ask you this, have you ever experienced friendship? Have you endured the pain as well as laughs with those who you deem closest to you?” I was looking him dead in the eye, waiting for an answer “I-I. I’m” “Tch” I turned my head away “Of course not, if you had true friends then where are they? why don’t they visit you in your injured state” and to emphasize I look outside to see a clear sky being cleared by pegasi, “They’re all flying away carelessly and seeing who could replace you” I took a deep breath and expected myself to be happy that I finally told him off, to tell him what I felt for so long, that I was in a better place than he ever had been. But I didn’t. I felt hollow, if this was what all those bully’s felt when they told off others then why do they continue to say such things. I even felt like crying at that moment, but I held it in. My wings were limp, grazing the cold floor as I took a deep breath “I’m tired StormDancer, I tried so hard to get accepted by other ponies and especially my family but it’s breaking me, I almost became a pony who wasn’t me when I was finally able to open my eyes, the friends I have now are my friends because I am who I am so…” I turn weakly towards him “So just, just stop.” With that I turned away, ready to walk away. “I’m Sorry” In that instance my ears perked up, flipping behind me as if I had heard a dragon shriek itself. I went to look at Storm when I saw the look on his face, it was that of sorrow “What did you just say?” I asked taken aback “I’m Sorry Rainbow” He states more clearly and stepping closer to me “I know this is long over due and you may even reject it but I’m sorry Rainbow, I should have been there for you but my pride got the best of me, I had that one set in mind, fly and fly fast, that was always our family’s crest and when I saw that you couldn’t fly it was as if you were betraying me, and well, mom and pop acted as if they were denouncing you so I only followed suit” He bowed his head “I don’t think I could ever forgive myself but when you saved me that day, I, I realize that I was such a foolish colt. And I am willing to do anything to make amends with you. I’ll understand if you reject me, but at least, consider.” I stood there, not knowing what to do and it was as if my heart stopped, trying to decide which way to beat its rhythmic tune, but I already knew the answer. Turning around I raced right at him, he jumps in surprise as hooves wrap around his neck. He looks down to see me hugging him tightly. Hesitantly he wraps his hooves around me. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I said those things” I cried out threw his grey coat. “You’re sorry, I should be the one saying sorry, all those thing you said were true and I was the ignorant one” He beckons back Everything was silent and I was just happy that i had my brother again “You know I was kinda hoping you would have been moping about your wings being, well, unflyable and all” He laughs nervously and I gave him a skeptical look “Well I mean, if I caught you when you’re down, I could swoop in and, you know, be a big brother and comfort you” He states while rubbing the back of his head with a shaky hoof. I snorted at this “You really think I would still gripe on that?” I asked pulling away. “Well yeah, we’re pegasi and flying is everything!” He exclaims, he winced when he tried to move his wings. “Not to me” I stated simply “I gave up when the doctor told me there was no way for me to ever fly” “I never heard that” “Of course you didn’t, Mother and Father tried there best to keep me a secret, an unwanted child who couldn’t keep up the family’s legacy” I frowned at the thought “they would have kicked my under the rug if i weren’t so memorable, i’m thankful for once that I have a Rainbow mane” “Well you can’t really blame them either, both of their side of the family raised them to think flying is the number one thing over everything so its permanently on there mind.” “I know” I said with a little more venom I thought there was going to be, I sighed at this “I know” more calmly than the last for sure, but it held an air of sadness. “Be the fastest there is Rainbow, you hold the weight of all pegasi Rainbow, one day you’ll be taking our place in the records of flight camp Rainbow, they’ve drilled that into my mind that I would have went insane if it weren’t for my friends” Then, there was silence, we both didn’t want to speak anymore of our parents, and we didn’t really have anything else to say, it felt too awkward to talk to him anymore. I sighed sadly at this, it was too late. After all this time he finally reaches out, but then again I was at fault as well, I should have reached out as well, now I don’t think we could reach each other from the riff that separates us. I looked up to see him looking at me, staring deep into his eyes I could see turmoil, is he thinking the same. I shook my head while closing my eyes, too late, it was all too late. Standing up i moved towards the door. “Rainbow wait.” He calls back Mere hoof steps away from the door, I stayed, my ears flipping back and forth, trying to figure out what to do or say. “I think…. I think it’s too late Big Brother” I stated while staring at the door “For years I have waited, and I guess I was at fault as well but there’s still going to be that gap in our lives, a void that would only harm us” or me I thought bitterly “Come on Rainbow” He trotted behind me, getting close “Just, just give me a chance, I mean, I could make it up to you, you know, uh, I could help with your devicy thing, or uh, I could,” He was thinking hard now, trying to think of what I liked or something like that, I nearly chuckled at this as he knew nothing about me, what I liked or disdained, and he knew I knew this fact “But come on Rainbow, one chance, that’s all I ask, ok?” He was now standing next to me, he was really close to me now and I was simply lost, sighing I looked at him “I don’t want to hurt anymore” I stated simply to him, and at these words I saw pain cross his eyes and I was slightly taken aback at this, I smiled just a little “And I would hurt worse if I never gave you a chance” He brightened up immediately as the words rolled off my tongue, he then jumps up, wrapping his hooves around me “Oh you won’t regret this little sis, I'm sure I'll be the BBBF you deserve” He shouts ecstatically. “Ok, ok I get it” I stated shoving him off. “You shouldn’t be so hopped up you know, don’t you have to take care of your wing?” I stated while poking at his side “Hey now” he states, pulling his hind leg up to cover his sore wings. “I only need this brace for three more days before i’m fully recovered so I think I'm fine” He states while sticking his tongue out at me. I blew a raspberry his way before we begin to laugh. I then peered at his wings once more “You know” I stated while putting a hoof to my chin “If you’re so set on making up to me Stormy, you could lend your wings for a bit” “My wings?” He uttered out surprised “But you can’t-” He then stops there for a bit “This wouldn’t happen to be related to a little sister you were talking about earlier is it?” He asks mischievously while grinning. “Maybe~” I drew out while walking out the door. “Hmm, I can’t wait to see the mare you deem more of a sibling than blood” He states trotting after me. “Good, because you’re going to make her the best flyer there is” I said while grinning, heading outside. A pony who would fly us to a brighter future I hope. > %Chapter 6% The Birth of The Rainbow Factory > --------------------------------------------------------------------------         Useless. I thought Bitterly as I glared down below me, such a thing does not deserve to grace me with its presence.         Two guards were repeatedly breaking down a once beautiful machine. I only grimace at the once elegant design. Two familiar ponies trotted in, staring in shock at the odd display.         “Stop” One of them cried out.         I simply look to see Dawn and Plain trying to stop my guards from destroying the elaborate metal frame.         “What do you think you’re doing?” Plain growls at them         “How can you destroy this device Rainbow worked so hard on?!” Dawn exasperated, wondering if she was even capable of trying to piece the thing back together.         “We’re under orders to demolish this madams” One of the guards stated urgently as his face was stoic as ever.         “Orders under who! Who the hay has authorities to demolish this here contraption?” Plain demands the Stallion.         “They’re under my Orders” I stated while going down a flight of stairs         “Rainbow?” They gasped and I only look at the machine disdainfully         “I’ve had it with this machine, there is no use saving it” I simply stated, I then nodded for the stallions to continue on with their work “If it won’t work,” i stated while i watch one stallion grip a platinum sheet “Destroy it” and with that the stallion ripped the metal sheet off, tossing it aside with a loud clang.           It irked me how the stallions were taking so long to tear the thing down, grimacing I then realized that the girls were still there. Looking towards them I coughed into my hoof.         “So” i stated turning my attention back to the destruction “What are you gals doing here?” I asked while my attention was still on the crumbling device.         “Oh my, we were worried about you dear” Dawn states, walking closer to me, but for some reason, kept her distance. “I mean you have, eh~ well, to put it bluntly”         “We’re worried about ya hun” Plain states, sitting on her haunches. “You’ve been in this place for over a week”         As i heard that my ears perked, swiveling to the side before flipping back, “Damn, I didn’t think I was this behind” I gritted my teeth at the thought. “I was hoping to find a solution by now but as you can see this is a major set back, granted i already have a new machine devised to be set up but we can’t be spending precious time with the war still raging” I stomped my hoof before trotting off to a different vicinity, the girls following me behind as I tightened my lab coat to pull out a clip board.         “Flint! Steel!” I shouted for two ponies to rush up to me, one being that of a dark gray color and the other a silver         “Yes ma’am!” They exclaim, saluting me         “This isn’t a war zone” I Growled “I need this machine’s equipment accounted for yesterday!” I grabbed a blueprint from underneath my wing when i noticed something on the blueprint, searching all over me before I found my pencil tucked behind my ear i grabbed it and furiously scribbled something on to the blueprint, naming the types of metal and all the different fuses we’re going to have to use “Short Fuse! We need those fuses now!” I shouted above me to see a pony working on the upper deck of the lab         “On it ma’am!” She shouts before scrambling away         Throwing the blueprint at the head engineer I ran into my own office to look for something, I briskly remembered that the girls were still there         “Sorry girls, i can’t do anything today” I went towards a drawer to grab something when i tripped over the new piece to the device, growling i kicked it and it slid out of the room, only for steel to catch it in his teeth, now piecing together the new and improved magnificent device.         I grabbed another blueprint, one that was not meant for the prying eyes of others as I moved my hoof at them, shooing them away “Go on ahead” I Say now putting two hooves on my desk as I read and reread the blueprint “I’m not leaving here any time soon”         I then thought a moment “Dawn, seeing how the new machine isn’t up you can take the leave, but it wouldn’t hurt to have more subjects, i already released the other inmates, they were too terrified for me to do anything to them so just go for any other creature will ya Plain?” I asked her without even looking         “You got it Rainbow” She states tilting her head at me         “And i shall assist you, it’ll go much faster if i come with” Dawn said happily         “Good i can use the company, are you going to be alright Rainbow?” Ps asks as she peers at me worriedly         “We’re all not going to be alright if i don't finish this” And with that my eye twitched as I tried to think more         The girls didn’t know what to say after that so they excused themselves out of my vicinity as I griped over my blueprints. I couldn’t help but fall forward before I caught myself, standing back up I shook my head, I couldn’t remember the last time I had slept. “You’re going to injure yourself if you continue on like that” A cool voice rang through the room, looking up I saw a  dark purple pony, her coat being that of a dark shade of purple and her main being midnight blue with a lighter shade of blue streaking through it         “Should you be working on other affairs Midnight?” I asked as I smoothed the curved edges of the blueprint         “My research if just fine Rainbow, it's yours I'm worried for” She states walking closer to me         “You think i can’t do that” I stated, it wasn’t even a question         “Oh no, I believe you can do this, but not without a little help” She states looking at me         I finally looked away from the paper, my interest peaked “And what can you do to help?”         “Upon further study I saw that I can sustain a pony with a long duration of time with no intervention of sleep, if you let me i can…” She was behind me now “Help you keep away the wicked tiredness that plagues you”         My eyes grew wide as I heard this “You can!” I exclaim and without hesitation “Then do it! We have no moment to hesitate” I ordered         She inspects me for a bit before smiling “Alright Rainbow, have it your way” Her horn began to glow as it connected its spark to me, enveloping me in a violet glow.         It was like I was being revitalized as new found energy envelopes me before I found no need to sleep.         I looked at my fore hooves before smiling “Yes, I can feel it, Now i can work even more efficiently!” I exclaim         I now peered back at my work as new schematics entered my mind, “Good, we can’t have our main mare passing out before she could finish her work, the fate of Equestria rests on your shoulders, you don't have time to dilly dally on other ponies affairs.”         My mind then went straight to Dashy, i grimaced at this         “Yes even her” I heard her voice echoes through the room, looking up i saw that she was gone, sighing I decided she was right, this was for her sake as well, i couldn’t fail to do this, I had to do this! And when this is all over we can be together, we can spend as much time as we can together and I can even help her become the Pegasus she deserves to be!         I then went straight to work, unknown of the magic that was working under the seams.         I lost track of time, sleep evades me as I saw no suit to it, putting the machine up with its new features i had even added more during the process of its progression. More gears and I had even added grinders, making sure everything was well oiled i turned towards a pony and nodded, they took a strip of fur that had belonged to a critter unfortunate enough to fall through the cloud and met its end at the bottom of the cliff. Dropping the small thing into the machine and I watch with great intensity as it had done so.         The machine whirring into life as it in took the small thing, smashing it and twisting it as it took every bit of matter it could take and turning it into the very thing i sought after, soon the spectra separator was in issue as the color brown was separated into different main spectra that belonged to nothing more than a rainbow. “We did it ma’am, the very first batch of Spectra!” The colt exclaims and i couldn't help but smile in pride. I was excited until a voice rang through my head         ‘It’s not going to work you know’ it mocks         I grimaced at this ‘what makes you so sure?’ I spat back         ‘I know because it wasn’t alive’         ‘What difference would that make?’         ‘Spectra is vibrant and alive, this spectra looks… dead’         “Or so we think” I stated grimly, making the colt stare in surprise         Blinking i looked into the vat, reaching in another pony tried to stop me but I flared my wings in protest, telling them to back off without me having to say a thing as I put my hoof into the mixture, pulling it out I inspected the now newly created red mixture and just as i thought, it was not ‘alive’. I growled at this as it was proven even more as it dissipated in an instant         “No” I rang out coldly “We failed… AGAIN!” I growled in frustration, now lashing out as i kicked at the vats of fake pigment. They fell over and soon dissipated in another instance         “We can add something to the pigmentation, make it so they’re more lively and preserve for longer amount of time” The colt rang out         My eye twitched “If we had done that in the first place we wouldn’t be in this mess,” The colt recoiled as I stepped closer to him “You think this is easy? I spent countless time to build this machine and your so called ‘bright’ idea was so simple that I hadn’t thought of would be permitted to exist!? I-I- UGH” I growled i then stared at the now empty vats, pulling them back up “These pigmentations are not… alive” And it was then a dark thought hit me, blinking I came to a revelation         “IF dead specimens create dead spectra…. then…” I then turned toward the colt once more, now determined “Grab the next test subject” He got up and went to retrieve it when I called out once more “Bring it back… Alive”         A cold chill ran down his spine as he trotted off towards the species kennels as I turned back to the machine, smiling as I had once more came up with such a great idea         “This time for sure” I Stated, putting a hoof onto the vat that showed my reflection perfectly “Soon Dashy, just wait a little more, Please, wait for me”                  The pony returned with a bird this time, I stared at it astonished, i then nodded my head towards the machine, the pony held the bird above the machine, he was shaking, he closed his eyes and tried to drop the thing when the bird chirped and he looked at its pleading eyes.         “I-I Can’t Miss Rainbow” He recoils as he brought the bird back         “You WHAT!?” I growled, stomping my hoof         “This is wrong! This is so Wrong!” He was crying now as he held the bird to his chest         My eye twitched “So let me get this straight you would throw the whole fate of Equestria for a little bird!” I growled         He sniffs as he looks at the bird “but taking in another life is horrible, no matter what! and in such a way” He whines         I whinnied as I rose my two front hooves up and slammed them down right in front of him as he recoils in fear         “You didn’t seem to have a problem ‘putting them to sleep’ before? The hell is the problem now, what these creatures are doing is serving a better purpose and saving the equine race!” I then snarled at the pony “Now, throw the bloody bird into the machine, now!”         “N-no” He takes a step back         “CloudTrotter, Drop the bird, Now” I growled lowly, so threatened that it made his blood run cold         he then puffed his chest out “No! I will not!” He said so defiantly         “You’re just like a foal, not doing what they were told, such ignorance will not be permitted in my vicinity!”         “Then I quit! I’ll tell Celestia of what you're doing and I’ll reveal to everyone the horrible things you’re doing!” He shouts         “You think i do this out of fascination of seeing creatures below me die!? NO, if there was another way i would gladly take it but this is the only way, now unseized the bird before I take it from you” I pawed at the ground ready for the fight         The bird chirped so pathetically as it thrashed in his hold, He opened his wings and began to beat madly for the door when I inhaled a good amount of air.         “GUARDS! Seize him!” I shouted         “Yes ma’am!” They billowed out, flying after the colt as they were dead set on their mission. I paced back and forth as I watched the Colts and Mares go after CloudTrotter before they finally caught up to him. smiling I stood with my chest puffed out as i had won this little excursion.         “Now, CloudTrotter, i give you a choice, throw the bird in there, or you're both being thrown in there” I called out mercilessly         Even the guards looked at each other and i glared at them only for them to stand cold still, remembering their place.         “You can’t keep doing this Rainbow! This is too horrible, and if you throw me in there you’ll be no better than Nightmare Moon!” He shouts         My eye twitched at that before a smiled “There is an old saying CloudTrotter, You die young as a Hero” I say while looking right into his eyes, i then peered at the machine “Or live long enough to see yourself become a villain, no matter what, good will triumphant, so when this whole war is over i will gladly take the role as the villain for the sake of pony kind” I growled “I will taint myself over and over again it it means i can protect the ponies most closest to me, and i will not have that all taken away from me because some colt deems it necessary to throw all MY hard work in the gutter, now are you going to throw the bird in there or am I going to throw your whole carcass in there!” I Shouted         Tears sprang from his eyes as he looks at the bird, there was such a long moment of silence the only the hum of the machine was to be heard as the tension in the air was so permeating that you could choke on it. He soon got up and the guards let him go, although the kept their guard up as they readied themselves should he try to make a break for it. Slowly he trotted towards the machine, holding and coddling the bird he rubbed his face to it.         “I am So, so sorry” he cooes so sadly that it moved my heart.         Hardening my heart i watched him closely as he held the bird out, with a moment of determination he drops the bird into the machine, it's horrifying shrieks penetrating the air as it was pulled and pushed in all different directions as the grinder was now enacting before small arms reached out and grabbed ahold of anything it could latch themselves to as the bird traversed down the beautiful machine. CloudTrotter looked away in horror before I grabbed his chin roughly and forced his head back.         “These are the sacrifices we have to bare for the betterment of Equestria, do not look away as you had helped paved way for this event, it would be a disgrace if you were to look away from the pegasi’s greatest creation” I called out         Soon pigments began to bleed from the machine, the spectra separation machine finally enacting as we got a wonderful hue of blue from that one bird. Taking a clipboard I wrote down notes before I flipped the page, marking down a blue jay from the list.         “I keep tabs of all the animals that were brought to this machine, so that when this is all over, I will put of a memorial for them all, I might even come out and reveal these horrible deeds, so hold tight CloudTrotter, we mustn’t dwell on our own morals as there are filly’s out there that need protection from the wicked Nightmare Moon, I think the sacrifice of our moral and sanity is a good enough sacrifice for their safety.” I then put them at ease, letting them go be free and to continue their duties.         CloudTrotter sauntered slowly away with his head hanging low before he stops in mid hoof step.         “From this point of Rainbow, you have my every attention, I will follow you until the end” he states before turning away “Just to see you fall when this all blows over” he says with such determination         I smiled at this “I will look forward to it CloudTrotter” I then peered over at Midnight who was watching the whole spectacle, “It's a pity that I don't like to leave loose ends that threaten the fate of Equestria” I sighed before nodding at Midnight         “Wait, what?!” He exclaims as he was lifted into the air         “You said you will follow me no matter what? Well, your loyalties seem to sway in every which direction so you appear as if you are a loose cannon to me, something I don’t like should it point at me, so I'll just enhance the loyalty to me and nothing more, you will serve a higher purpose than anypony here” I then nodded before Midnight's magic took hold of him         “Please, no!” He exclaims as he tries to fight back, I then peered all around me to see those spiteful eyes of my guards, how they were watching me, thinking I was growing dangerous and pondered upon telling Celestia herself, I saw it, it was written on all of their faces. My eye twitched when I saw this.         ‘They’re going to get you’ the voice started up again         ‘They’re all going to take my research away!’ I screamed in my head         ‘You have to make them understand’         ‘This is for their own good!’ I tried to reason as I was becoming more unhinged as I pointed my hoof at the next guard, Midnight's magic now looping toward them         ‘I have to do this, they’ll understand, they all will!’         I began to laugh as each guard and work pony was put under a spell, each of them having their mind warped to be that of only work, to help the Factory any ways they can, i got up to the podium as I Stared at my new group of followers.         “I couldn’t risk the chance of losing a single pony here, each of you represent something to help hold this whole operation a float, so please, give all your all to the further production-” i then stared at the empty wall behind me as I grinned “To the Further Production of the Rainbow Factory!” I exclaimed.         And I was rewarded with cheers and whoops from the work ponies below, the guards now standing at full attention with eyes glazed over, watching for any trouble and the rest of the ponies working with so much more vigor.         “No matter what, you will not fight against the Rainbow Factory, for it is part of the Pegasi’s new crowning jewel, a symbol that will over take Equestria in hopes of setting it free from the reign of Nightmare Moon! Together we will be the superior race!” I chanted as my eye twitched with such delight. I then began to laugh as they all followed suit.         The Rainbow Factory had been born... > %Chapter 7% Dashing For Rainbows > --------------------------------------------------------------------------         Dasheroo hadn’t seen Rainbow in such a long time and she felt anxious to see her, but no matter what Rainbow’s two friends kept on persisting on not letting her see her, she wanted to see her so bad, but no matter what she knew that Rainbow was an important pony and that they needed her whole attention to help solve the crisis of Equestria. Sighing she couldn’t help but watch the moon as it clashed with the sun above. She wonders if Rainbow is staring at the very same moon….         I have to do this ‘You have to do this’ My voice rang out in my head, no turning back, this is a new breakthrough and i will not waste time on small things like moral. It happened by accident, one little critter fell into the vat and it had produced the one thing i was looking for, pigmentations of spectra danced into existence before dispersing so effortlessly just as it came.         I was holding a red fox as i stared at its luxurious fur, “This time for sure” i spoke to myself         It squirmed in my grasp, trying desperately to get away. It knew, for some reasons all the animals knew, or rather they could at least sense something was amiss. The little fox flung itself to the right before the left, it was trying so hard to get away. It then curled up in a ball, i thought it had finally gave up when its mouth shot out, twisting its body caught me off guard as it sunk its teeth into my hoof. I wince before throwing the thing off of me, I smirked as it landed right into the machine. It seems that I have gone deaf as the little fox screamed in pain. I looked away, pushing my thoughts away as i stared at the end of the machine, waiting for an existing red that would last forever.         It was then I heard a loud gasp permeate the room, my eyes shrunk as I heard this and my ears swiveled back. Slowly, I turn to see who was behind me, and there stood two mares, staring in shock and horror as they were in the room that no pony was permitted in.         The room was filled with countless bodies of mangled animals as each of their essence was extracted them all the while they were alive to bring forth the spectra that I so desperately craved.         My friends stared agape as they saw the countless animals being strung up         “This whole time…. you’ve been making me give up countless creatures, leading them here, only for you to slaughter them!!” Plain Swifter shouts         I rolled my eyes “Yes, yes, but all for a good cause, i mean how else was i going to get my perfect machine to work without experiments, but of course each animal you brought lacked in color, each giving the effects that i don’t want, so it caused me to pursue into larger intake of creatures, the more the merrier, for the betterment of Equestria”         Dawn was crying as she was laying on the ground, “all this time, i was using my magic for… for” she chokes up         “Oh get over it!” I shouted, my eyes growing wild “we are on the verge of eternal night and possibly the end of Canterlot and CloudsDale, do you really think that the cost of some animals for ponies is so wrong!” I exclaimed         i then turned away “either way, i am in control here, this is my domain so i call the shots, Guards!” I exclaimed as they were getting on my nerve         Immediately two Pegasi came to my side “Apprehend them and put them in the brig, i want them to continue on with their duty” i ordered         “Yes ma’am” the exclaimed, racing towards the Unicorn and Earth Pony         “Rainbow!” Plain shouts “we’re your friends!” She shouts         i then looked over my shoulder at them, a glint in my eye “yes and seeing how we’re such good friends i’m sure we’ll work harder than ever to get this machine to work properly, I'll be having Midnight magic to look at you two” i stated walking away         “Rainbow” they shouted out after me “RAINBOW!”         then the large doors were closed, i sat there, alone, contemplating on the next step of my beautiful machine. They will just become better work ponies after all, they’ll come to understand, I know they will, i mean it worked for the other ponies, it’ll work for them and we can work even closer now that I don't have to hid this horrible truth from them, i smiled wickedly as a cackle entered my head, I will do as Celestia asks of me and bring forth a rainbow so spectacular that it’ll help rejuvenate the elements of harmony and Blast Nightmare Moon far away! I couldn’t help but race towards the Brig to see Midnight work her magic on my friends, We’ll get to know each other so well now, no more secrets, no more hiding, i can be myself as they help me enact the beautiful machine!  I finally made it to the brig to see Midnight in front of the other two ponies, they cowered beneath her as she charged up her magic, Dawn tried to flair her magic only for Midnight to dispel her in an instant, she wasn’t Celestia's prodigy for nothing. Plain tried to fight back as she bucked at the mare only for two colts to come in and hold her down as one colt held down Dawn.         I was so giddy as Midnight did her magic. It went on for a while, i watched as Midnight raised her magical powers and touched the forehead of two of my closest friends, there eyes flashing white as their minds were being controlled, i placed a hoof over the glass and lowered my head, a realization hits me as a part of me was resurfacing, I was literally taking the will away from my pony friends, and here they were kicking and screaming, trying to dissuade Midnight’s magic as if it were for their very lives.         “I’m sorry” i whispered, turning away         ‘hey what are you sorry about!’ a voice rang out and i shook my head         ‘my friends, i hypnotized them to this’ i then lowered my head “and for what”         ‘for the betterment of Equestria of course!’ the voice rang ‘i mean, if you didn't do this, who will? if the machine wasn’t completed then who will save Equestria? you’re saving them, and we care a lot about them and this is for there own good’         ‘you’re right,’ i called back         ‘I'm always right, i am you, and if they break away and tear your trust, then only one option will remain’         i sighed ‘i know’ was the only reply before i trotted back to the lab         “for the betterment of Equestria” I kept telling myself, over and over again, it had become a mantra now as it helped me sooth my ever growing insanity...         i watched as more and more creatures were subjected to the machine, some remained alive once they exited but was put back in as a sort of mercy and experimental process, to see how we can receive different color variations from the animals. I'm not proud of this, but my machine demanded more of it, only giving dull colors and sputtering the constant color of red. in frustration i slammed my hooves down         “WHY Won’t you WORK!” i exclaimed         everything was perfect, the set up, the extraction, i saw Plain Swifter about to drop another bunny into the machine when i opened my wings, signaling for her to stop         “Enough” i say, begrudgingly,         she looks at me confused but once she saw the look on my face she understood         “these are futile, i need more products, things larger than a mere bunny”         “then what Rainbow?” Plain asks         I need more, something colorful.” i then thought a moment I need… a manticore” i stated “it may not be easy, but with its large body I'm sure we can get some color” i stated before turning away, “so that is your next target, now Go!” i ordered         i watched as Plain swifter ran off, going beyond her plains she frolicked in, and into the forest of the Everfree. i looked at the source of energy, making sure there was a constant source of energy flowing through to power my machine, giving it the energy to press all of those creatures. i looked up to see DawnGuard, strapped up in a metal saddle, holding her up with multiple cords and metal wires to her horn, it glowed a bright yellow as it energized the machine, i sighed softly         “sorry but with this I don't have to worry about losing power, and i don't have to worry about annoying ponies always running out of magic in the process, your magical supply is much more supple than that of any other pony, it is part of your talent after all, so hang in there” I said softly as I trotted off, now expecting a new shipment of Creatures soon to go into the machine...         I had worked so hard, Sleep was never an option, since Midnight had casted her little spell I was always awake and alert, but with each passing day it seemed my wall of sanity was chipping away more and more, becoming nothing more than rubble as my objectives became blurred as I mercilessly threw in a cockatrice with my eyes closed, I listened helplessly as it crowed and hissed, crying out in pain as its entire being was becoming nothing more than Spectra. I had collected different hues of colors, mixing them and matching them to their right form of Pigments, out of all the colors Purple was the most difficult as there wasn’t that many critters that shared those colors, and getting a dragon was way out of the question.         Using process of elimination I ended up setting up a team to combine the pigments red and blue together to get the final product, but that just meant that i had to sacrifice more critters that shared the color of red and blue, meaning more animals were to be ready for death. I found that the process was more profitable if the specimen were alive a long time ago but it wasn’t enough, I ended up having to strap new equipment to the machine and removing some items to lengthen the extraction process as that showed more results than before.         I had Midnight work on the combination process of the spectra as she tried to weave the colors together without combining the colors. But with each try it ended up a muddy brown color that made me look upon it in disgust. Midnight's magic is wonderful and there was no flaw so it was all in the spectra that the equation befell upon…         “The Spectra you provide me with lacks an element that grows within us all, it lacks magic” That was what Midnight had told me.         Magic, i was at a lost for words, I couldn’t think of a creature that had contained magic in their being and would produce the amount of spectra i needed.         ‘I know of one’ the voice said coolly as i wince         ‘shut up’ i growled back         I paced back in forth as I called out for  and Ursa minor, its large stature would surely produce what i need, of course we had to tranquilize the Ursa major as that one will follow suit after this beast. For the young ones I had allowed them to tranquilize it, I had some tact of sanity in me as the cub was torn asunder in the new and improved machine. I watched as the pigments of blue began to usher out of the machine as i smiled happily for Midnight to get to work, who graciously took the job whole heartedly.         “Bring in the Next Specimen” I barked as CloudTrotter grabbed a caged Chimera, all three of their mouths gagged as they ushered it to the edge of the podium where the steep drop would surely land in the clutches of the Machine.         I nodded before the cage was opened, CloudTrotter grabbed an electric prod and jabbed at the beast, pushing them further and further out of the cage before it plummets to their destined end. So many pigments and yet none held the magic that I needed.         Grimacing I inspected the chart as I wrote down another critter now checked off of the list. My ears perked up as I heard the sound of hooves racing into the room.         “Rainbow!” It sounded so excited before turning into horror as that small voice gasped “Ra-Rainbow?”         My eyes shrunk to mere pinpricks as my ears splayed back, slowly I turned towards the voice as she was just behind me.         “D-D-Dashy? Wha-What are you doing here” I held my hooves up as well as my wings as I tried to cover the visage of the device with all its gory bits still intact.         “Wha-What is this Rainbow?” She asks, taking a step back as her eyes were glued to the machine, forever burned in her memory as the workers went on as if nothing was going on between the Head mare and her little sister.         “Um, this is, uh, ah, an accident! yes, well, the chimera was doing some tests and well, eh-heh, fell in” I tried to come up with meek excuses as I walked closer to the filly         She was shaking her head as she spotted the cage and CloudTrotter with the electric prod, more tears were presenting themselves on her precious face as she looked so torn, her friend, her hero, her sister, was doing all of these heinous acts and… and… and she knew nothing about it.         “how can you do this Rainbow? i looked up to you, i thought you were my sister,” Dasheroo whimpers as she was huddled away from me         “Dashy, i am Your sister” I tried to explain but she shakes her head         “This is just too… just too horrible!” She cries out         “Dashy, you don’t understand, this is for the best for everypony” i stated, taking a step towards her         she huddles further back “No! this is wrong, you’re not the real Rainbow!” She exclaims, she went to make a run for it when i stopped her in her tracks         “Please Dashy” i pleaded         the only pony who was keeping me sane, the only one who keeps me, me, was breaking away from me, no! i don't want this, i don't want to lose her!         “Don’t call me that!” she shouts at me, now anger burning in her         “Dash” i tried once more only for her to ignore me         “You’re nothing but a monster, i thought we could relate but i was wrong” she shouts         ‘you know, you gave everything to this brat’ that one voice spoke again to me ‘and this is the thanks we get?’         ‘no, you’re wrong!’ i complied         it only laughed ‘just accept it, that brat didn't love you from the start’         “NO!” i shouted, finally breaking, i didn't care anymore, i just wanted it all to stop “I gave everything to you Dasheroo, i tried to give you what i never had when i was little, a friend, some pony to depend on and give you helpful advice, and this is what i get!?!” i shouted, stepping closer towards her         she returned to cowering, the look on her face would have worried me if i were my old self, but this is the new me, the one who she called a monster. that look only drove me further insane as it proved the fact that she doesn't recognize me.         “This device here, this is the future, i work day and night so it would work cause this thing is going to save Equestria! This is going to save you!” i then got right in her face once she was cornered “do you know how many living things i had to put down, how many were experimented on to create the different armament of colors, only for it to fail in the end! I'll tell you, 4,591 creatures have been in this machine and all came out with the same result, dead and no rainbows” i withdrew, glaring down at her “my whole life I've been nothing but a failure, but this time, i will become victorious, i will create the perfect rainbow, to save Equestria, and no pony is going to stop me!” I shouted         Dash quickly ran to the side, going around me and made a run for it, i quickly jumped towards her with a flap of my wings, giving me only the smallest of boosts so i could tackle the filly,         “you’re not going anywhere!” I shouted, a hoof on her shoulder “you’re going to understand, your going to learn so much more with me!” I shouted         i went to call out for Midnight when she pulled away, she jumped up and tried to flap her wings as hard as she could only to hover, she started to move forward but i snarled,         “Oh no you don't!” I shouted, reaching out and grabbing her tail with my teeth, she yelped out in pain “No pony is to know of my beautiful machine”         Soon Dasheroo grew tired and fell from the air, the extra weight made me slump down as she was dangling from the side, right over the Pegasus device. my heart began to beat rapidly as i tried to pull her up when thoughts entered my mind         ‘she’ll understand, all i have to do is tell her, make her understand’         ‘and when will that happen? you saw her try to run away from you, like you were some monster’         ‘well, she has a reason why’         ‘yeah, and you’re doing this for the betterment of Equestria, now that the brat is where you want her, why not just drop her huh? it’ll save so much time’ it quips         ‘No! i would never do that to Dasheroo’ i shouted out at the voice         “Don’t Worry Dashy” I said with her hair in my mouth, making it muffled “I’m going to save you, I will never let anything happen to you” Tears were now streaming down my face         ‘come on, this thing will never love you like you love her, she’ll just rip your heart out and spread terrible things about our machine, the thing that's going to save Equestria’         ‘but-’ i thought as i stared down at the helpless filly i knew         ‘this is the very thing that's going to save her’ it states, getting at me ‘so just drop her!’         “Never!” i shouted, pulling hard at the tail and swinging her up         i swung Dasheroo up and practically threw her against the railing that separated the edge of the walkway and the long fall into the machine, i began to felt different once i accomplished that.         ‘Damn it I'm sick and tired of this’ i then felt a sharp pain in my head, making me wince ‘I'm taking over now, i was nice enough to let you have control but now it's my turn’ it states as i got back up on my legs ‘I'm going to make this machine better with a new test subject’ the voice rang, the pain spreading in my head as I held my hooves up to my head, screaming in pain i tried to get it to go away, to prevent it from invading my body but it was far too late, i was weak, with lack of sleep or food i was practically a carcass for the buzzards.         ‘no!’ i gasped but as defiant as i was, i couldn't control what i once thought was my body.         i looked down at the filly, smiling so gleefully as i placed a hoof onto her chest, adding pressure and i could hear the cries that she made,         ‘i was the one that had to do the dirty work, hearing the screams, making sure the animal went through nicely, only to get awful results’ it stated         this can’t be happening! why is this happening, this is madness!         ‘Madness? yes it quite is but the only reason this is the way it is, is because of this stupid little filly’ and that pressure was added onto the little ponies body         “once i rid you of this world, then I'll be in control” i said, but it wasn’t me saying it! It was dark and malicious as my eyes Dilated to mere slits.         slowly but surely she was taking control, my hoof adding more pressure as Dasheroo was against the railing         ‘please no’ i begged, ‘this is the only pony that was keeping my sanity’         ‘no more!’ it shouted ‘the only reason you exist is because of this little shit, and once she’s gone I'll be all alone! not only that but I'm positive that this is the perfect test subject for my machine, with vibrant colors I'll rid cloudsdale of a flightless pegasi!’         With that a spark ignited in me, ‘Never!’ i shouted         i regained control once more as i moved away from Dasheroo, i thrashed my head about, trying to shake the feeling of her trying to take over         ‘I'm going to win this, not you!’ she shouts         “NO!” i shouted out loud         i bucked in the air, my hoof colliding with the railing and making it come loose, the guards were confused as to why i was thrashing and came to my aid, i looked at them and only saw them as obstructions         “LEAVE ME!” i shouted at them, they quickly dashed out and i recoiled to the ground, putting my hooves on my head, trying to quell the battle raging inside me         “rainbow?” a soft voice asked in a small whisper         with that both of us got riled, hatred from her as love in mine reacted from that voice, pain struck once more as i thrashed my head, hitting up against Dasheroo and making her lose her balance         “Stop it! Stop IT Stop IT!” i growled         ‘No’ it complied ‘Never!’         i got up on my legs once more when i heard a scream, i looked up to see Dasheroo losing her balance, teetering on the edge, i rushed forward         “DASHY!” i shouted, reaching out for her         But just as i reached her she fell backwards, i fell forward onto my chest. with one last ditch effort i reached far off the edge, hooking my leg to the railing until i finally grabbed the young filly's hoof in mine.         i was panting, the machine merely feet away and i was holding as tightly as i could. i looked down at the helpless filly as she looked terrified beyond belief         I-its alright.” i panted, pulling her up slightly "I got you, i will always have you” i stated as i tried to pull her up         tears began to flow out of her eyes as she look behind me, then right in my eyes “no.” she states quietly “you don’t”         “Dashy?” i questioned         But with that the railing i was holding onto jerked and i was slumped forward, nearly losing my hoof on my Dasheroo         “come on, we can make it” i say, grunting as i pulled even harder, but a sharp pain hit my back and i whimpered softly         “Rainbow?” Dasheroo says softly         i looked back at her with pleading eyes “Don’t” i pleaded         “You know this can’t hold us”         “It can! so Don’t!” i shouted         With that the railing inched even more “Rainbow, i always thought of you as an older sister, i was happy that we were together. but… but i don’t think i know you anymore, this was probably all my fault anyways” she states         A sudden burst of adrenaline hits me, i pulled her up so that she was face to face with me “we are sisters, i can fix this, i’ll stop the project, even if it ends Equestria, just stay with me”         Dash only shakes her head “You always had beautiful eyes” she states before letting go of my hoof         Being against this i held on as hard as i could, “Don’t give up on me Dashy” i stated pulling her up “Please” i begged as tears were constantly going down my face “You’re the only one keeping my sanity, you’re the only one i care about,” i choked up “you’re the only one i Truly Love!” i shouted         Dash only smiled, as my consciousness slipped, i felt myself grin evilly, ‘finally that brat gave up’ and with that, my grasp slipped         “NO!” i screamed as Dasheroo fell down, seeming to go in slow motion she spread her wings one last times with such a peaceful look, before going right into the machine         “DASHY!” i hollered, attempting to let go of the railing when some pony else grabbed me from behind, pulling me up “DASHY, DASHY, DASHY!” i screamed         But nothing came back, nothing at all. i went to go shield my ears, but it was futile, the pony who was holding onto me tightly wouldn't let me, my arms were secured under hers as the scream finally came. it was so blood curdling and full of so much pain, i gritted my teeth and turned away, tears forcing themselves out of my eyes as i heard the pained and withering pony. the machine did its work as Dasheroo was forced into the multiple contraptions, draining her of the beautiful color she once had.         Finally the machine stopped, the screaming had died down and i slumped down, it was Midnight who was holding me back and she finally let go of me once i had given up. Midnight approaches me from my side. i look towards her without moving         “Go get her” i stated simply         “But Rainb-” she starts         “Just Do IT!” i barked out.         Begrudgingly Midnight left, using her levitating powers she lifted up the mangled body, being careful not to move to suddenly so the body wouldn't tear or break, she brought her to me. I pulled her into my arms when Midnight saw something, her eyes growing wide as she went up to it, i only sat there, staring at the only thing that kept me, me.         “I can’t believe this” Midnight says astonished, “this- this” she utters         i sighed as i expected for her to pity me, to say it was going to be alright, or something, but what came next was the last straw         “This is wonderful!!” Midnight shouts Holding up the vat that held the bright hues of orange and magenta “This pigmentations, this spectra, its perfect! Not to mention the magic that is literally radiating from it!”         My eye twitched as the voice in my head cackled ‘Bwahahahaha! You See!? You SEE! I told you!’ It taunts         My breathing was becoming ragged when my ear twitched Wide eyed i looked down at the mangled body. To my horror and slight Delight she was still alive. Barely breathing wish cuts all around and broken bones with one of her wings missing. I nearly gagged at this when i tried to look into her eyes only they were scraped and was barely even there. It was so horrifying to see such a beautiful young filly in such a state.         “No more” I whispered “I am so Sorry Dashy, I wish I was there for you more and not on this.. this… rust bucket” I spat I then held her close and winced when i heard her moan in pain.         A new idea came to mind as I sighed sadly, looking at my coat i soon smiled “Together forever right Dashy?” I said as I got up and went towards the edge of the balcony.         The bloody mess barely nodded “This will be the last time the machine will be used Midnight!” I ordered         “But, Rainbow, we still need the other colors!” She shouts         “You will receive them” I said as tears fell from my face “Equestria without Dashy is no world of mine” I then cuddled the poor filly “Maybe in the next life we can actually be sisters Dashy, and even if we aren’t I will find you, and I will love you in every aspect of yourself and never leave your side”         “Rainbow Wait!” Midnight shouts         But before anything could happen I took one last step, falling to the side of the edge, and straight into the jaws of the machine.         “I’d Like that Rainbow” She was barely audible but I managed to understand her as I held her closer, wrapping my wings around her as I tilted my head down towards the machine         “Together”         “Forever”         The machine I worked so hard to achieve had finally claimed its final victim, relishing in the new source of flesh as I was being broken and torn apart, Dashy Died in an instant as I remained, but no matter what, I held onto her as tightly as I could as my colors were being bleed from me. I guess this is where the Rainbow Begins, as well as its end…. > %Chapter 8% A New CloudsDales Reign > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Midnight Watched in horror as Rainbow threw herself into the machine below before it began to eat the entirety of Rainbow and the young filly but she casted her own feelings aside as she watched the machine do its own magic. She was about to light up her magic to combine the different spectra when she saw that the spectra was moving on their own, lifting up in the air she gasped as they combined to form into that of a vibrant rainbow, both Dashy’s colors and Rainbow’s Colors combined and were being lead straight out of the room and into the air, cascading the clouds it reached all the way to Canterlot where Celestia was battling it out with Nightmare Moon, Sensing something Celestia summoned the elements to her, Nightmare Moon laughed at this, thinking they weren’t going to work. The elements swerved around Celestia as she rose into the air, taking aim she whispered a small apology to her dear sister as the Rainbow now cascaded down onto her royal highness, wrapping around her in a warm embrace the Rainbow was tainting her Pink mane, changing it into different hues of spectra before blasting force the powers of friendship right at Nightmare Moon who only screamed out in fright and shock, being banished to the moon and restoring order to Equestria. Panting Celestia placed the elements back on to their mantle, the last bit of magic from the friendship she shared with Luna was now severed, turning them to stone and she only looked at them in sadness, she soon felt another source of sadness, looking upon her mane she felt that a great battle had waged far from there and that the outcome was not so satisfying to her taste. She will give her condolences to both of the family’s as she pegged it to the Nightmare army taking out her prized researcher pony along with her dear little sister. “Your Death Will not be Forgotten My Little Pony, it shall be remembered forever” She calls out as she sits down on to the ground, watching the moon one last time before she began to lower it, ever so slowly… “What a shame” A cold mares voice rang as she looked at the mess before her “Well serves her right, or rather the both of them they were only a waste of space” A colts voice rang with a snout in the air. “Oh you are right dear, but what of the machine?” the mare persists “Well you saw the amazing spectra that came forth from it right? we can use this” “My oh My, just think of all the rainbows” She persists “But it appears as if they only work on Ponies, or rather Pegasi” the male continues Then the Mare began to laugh wickedly “Why, don't you see? All of our problems are solved! No more will our Proud City be plagued by pitiful ponies that claim to be our Kin!” “You don’t mean-” The colt trails off “MY oh My i do~ Can you imagine all the money we can save, i mean think about it we don't have to pay for any more stupid flightless pegasi’s homes down on the ground and just send them to the machine where we can make even more profit!” “Oh you are a dark one my love of a wife” The colt rang back “And the best way to see who are the best is through the Flyers test, instead of sending the rejects to Equestria below, they’re ‘deported’ to here!” He smiles maliciously “Isn’t that just grand LightningBlitz?” “As good as any plan will ever get ThunderBlitz” She calls out now trotting to the side of the factory "It Was so Lovely of OUR daughter to pave way for a perfect CloudsDale" "At least she was In some use" And then they both began to laugh so horrid that it made every ponies blood go cold. And that One Device that was soon later moved to CloudsDale became the heart of it all despite Rainbow’s wishes as it was Now dubbed The Pegasus Device, all thanks to Lightning and Thunder taking control of it, i mean they were the main leaders of CloudsDale, it wouldn’t be too hard to persuade some followers, besides little to any ponies knowledge, every pony in that factory was still under Midnight’s spell, they were once loyal to Rainbow but with her dying in the device they now became loyal to the factory, Midnight had returned to her studies which lead to her disappearing in the Everfree as every other pony breed their loyalty into their next of kin, and the seeds of the Rainbow Factory was Truly Born… > %Chapter 9% Some Where Over the Pegasus Device > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Over the Pegasus Device Somewhere over the rainbow Way up high And the screams that you created Once in a beautiful device Somewhere over the rainbow Pegasi fly so high And the screams that you created Screams that terrify me in my Dreams~ Someday A pony will wish Wake up where the clouds are hiding the truth Where horror reigns down like the rain High above the clouds cover tops That's where you'll find me Oh, somewhere over the rainbow pegasi fly And the scream that you dare to shed, Oh why, oh why would I? Well I see foals of red colts of blue, I'll watch them die for me and you And I think to myself It's For Equestria Well I see mares of red And I see colts of blue And the darkest of days I hear the screams And I think to myself It's All for Equestria