> Dashie and.... Splashie? > by Sapphire Harmony > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1- The News > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The sun peeked through the window of the giant cloud home, where a certain rainbow-maned pegasus awoke with a yawn. "Ugh. I hate mornings." Rainbow Dash said as she stretched. She looked over at her tortoise, Tank, as he slept peacefully. "Sometimes I wish I could be you." She chuckled to herself. Rainbow walked down the stairs and gotten some breakfast. As she rested her head on her hoof while eating, she was thinking about the event that occurred just last night. -Flashback- "Pinkie, what do you mean I have a sister? I know you are random and all, but this is just weird. I'm an only child, no brother, no sister. You got that?" Rainbow said as she sat in her chair. Pinkie had just come in the castle announcing that she had met a mare who claims to be Rainbow's twin sister. "Dashie, I wouldn't lie about this, I Pinkie Promise! Her name is Paint Splash, she just moved here, and she looks just like you, too! Only, her mane is red, yellow, and blue, and her coat is light teal, and her cutie mark is a teal splash." Pinkie said. "Okay, Pinkie, you say what you want. I'll believe it when I see it. Well, I better go, it's starting to get late and I'm pretty sure Tank is missing me by now." Dash said as she flew off. -Flashback ends- Rainbow then put her bowl in the sink and went on her morning flight. "If I have a sister, why wouldn't mom and dad tell me? I mean, Scoot is sorta my sister, but not my TWIN sister." She thought to herself. She then landed in front of the castle, where all her friends were. "Hey, girls! What's up?" Rainbow said as she sat in her own chair. "Nothing much." The rest of her friends said. Rarity spoke up after a brief moment of silence. "Rainbow, darling, are you okay?" Rainbow had a curious, yet nervous look on her face. "Of course, Rare, why?" She said, acting casual. "Because you look like someone tied your wings and slapped you on top of an apple tree." Applejack said. Rainbow shrugged. "It's nothing, really. I was just thinking about last night and all." "Because after I told you about your sister you're questioning why your parents never told you leaving you with a headache and curiosity that keeps building every second?" Pinkie said in one breath. "I guess," Dash said, knowing not to ask how she knows all of that. Just another hunch. Rainbow shrugged while shaking her head. "I really don't know if this Paint Splash is who she says she is. Why would she come to you, but not me? She obviously knows what I look like. And why wouldn't my parents tell me?" "Maybe something tragic happened when you two were very little. I'm positive that they mean well." Fluttershy said. Twilight spoke up as an idea hit her head. "Pinkie, so you know where Paint Splash would be?" Pinkie thought for a moment. "She said she lived near city hall, I'll find her if you want!" "Okay, you find her, and try to bring her back here." Rainbow's eyes widened. "Twilight! What are you doing? When did I say I wanted to meet her?" "You have these questions that I'm positive she knows! You need to meet her and get the answers you need, whether you like it or not." Rainbow nodded in agreement. Twilight was right, her friends don't know why Paint Splash was kept in secret, but she would know. She would definitely know if she's going around saying she is Dash's sister. > Chapter 2- Meetings Come With Questions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow waited impatiently. Any minute now her life would change forever. She wanted to believe that Pinkie just saw something that wasn't there, that this whole thing was fake. But as she doubted the whole idea of having a twin, she also believed it, for when she was just a filly and begged for a little sister or brother to hang out with, her parents would always change the subject. Her thoughts stopped when she heard a quiet voice talking to her. "Um, Rainbow? If you don't mind me asking, what do you think your sister will be like? You can take your time, if you want that is." Rainbow looked at Fluttershy, than gazed at the floor. She never actually thought abou this. "I guess she, she would be cool. She sounds like someone who likes to paint and all that artsy stuff." She shrugged. "What if she was the opposite of Rainbow Dash? Think about it, since Rainbow Dash is the tomboy twin, I wouldn't be surprised if she was, I mean this in a nice way, a lady." Said Rarity. Rainbow's ears folded back. She doesn't want to deal with ANOTHER mare who is into fashion, let alone her sister. Spike walked in the room where the others were and overheard some of the conservation. "Don't worry, Rainbow. I'm sure you two will be best friends, regardless if you two were the same or polar opposites!" "He's got a point, Sugarcube. Try not to look at what she likes, and look at if she has that good heart you have." Applejack said. This made Rainbow felt a lot better. It was nice, no, AWESOME to have the girls as her friends. Everyone stopped talking as they heard a noise. The door opened. And there stood Pinkie Pie with the biggest smile ever made, and a shy pegasus, that looked JUST like how Pinkie described her, stood behind her. "Everypony, meet Paint Splash!" Pinkie announced. Rainbow gulped. Pinkie was right, there was a mare named Paint Spalsh that looked exactly like Rainbow. Twilight nudged Rainbow with her wing. "Come on, say hi. I didn't know you were the shy one." Rainbow rolled her eyes playfully as she took a deep breath and walked up to the new mare. "Um, hi, Paint Splash. It's me, Rainbow Dash." As soon as Paint heard Rainbow's voice, she perked her head up and had just as a big smile as Pinkie plastered on her face. "Oh my Celestia! I found you! You don't know how many cities and towns I visited, how many ponies I questioned! I'm so glad after all these years of being separated, you're standing right here in front of me!" She pulled Rainbow into a hug. Rainbow froze in the hug. She gave the hug back to Paint. "Now that we got that out of the way, I'm pretty sure we both have questions that need answering." "Right." Twilight thought for a moment before speaking. "You two sure do have many questions, so how about you guys go fly around Ponyville, get to know one another." They both nodded with agreement as they flew off. "Do you think they will get along?" Asked Fluttershy. Twilight smiled as she looked at the two silhouettes shaped as pegasi fly off. "I'm sure of it." ----------- "So, I need to know, why were we separated? I mean, why did our parents not want to tell me?" Rainbow asked as they sat on a cloud. "It's actually pretty scary, you sure you want to hear it?" Paint asked. "Of course!" "Okay, well it started out as a normal day. We were just fillies flying around, playing, having as much fun as two sisters can have. Then we decided to have a race. Not just a normal race, but with obstacles, hard ones for any filly or colt to accomplish. I was about to win and you, being your competitive self, sped up and hit an obstacle. One that made your wing bend in wrong places. I heard you scream and turned to see you falling to your death, straight to the Everfree Forest. I rushed to save you, but just as I was about to get your hoof, you hit a tree with your head, and you were knocked out instantly." Paint paused to take a breath. Rainbow looked scared, this actually happened. She listened once more as Paint continued. "I pulled you up to our house with all my might, and told mom what happened. Your head was covered in blood, you looked dead to me. You were rushed to the hospital, and we waited hours and hours to hear from the doctors. Once they came out, they told us that you had gotten amnesia and wouldn't remember ANYTHING! not your name, where you were, everything! It broke my heart, I was a filly, I didn't know how amnesia worked." Rainbow looked down from the cloud as she processed everything she was just told. "Then, how come I never saw you until today?" Paint sighed, and looked down from the cloud as well. "I was so scared and upset that you forgot who I was, that I wrote a fake suicidal note saying that I was going to fall in the Everfree Forest, but I ran away, and never looked back. I left to live in Fillydelphia. From then on, they believed I killed myself, and I stayed far from Cloudsdale. Then I heard about the Elements of Harmony, and how you represented Loyalty. I thought it was disloyal to hide myself from you, so I decided to travel Equestria to find you, and to make things right." "Do mom and dad know you're alive?" Asked Rainbow. Paint rubbed the back of her neck. "Heh, I guess I forgot to tell them that." Rainbow then looked away from Paint and saw the night sky. "We should probably head home, even though you have one, my house is much closer. Wanna stay there for the night?" Paint smiled at Rainbow. "That would be beyond awesome!" > Chapter 3- Sleepovers and Suspicions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, Dash, what's new?" Asked Paint as they sat on the cloud couch watching "Ponygeist". "Well you already know I'm in the elements of harmony and I fight every single villain." Rainbow answered. Paint then smiled. "I'm surprised you didn't fangirl yet." Rainbow cocked an eyebrow as she looked at her twin. "What do you mean?" Paint rolled her eyes. "I mean, I'm always hearing that you want to be a Wonderbolt. I'm surprised you didn't know I was a Wonderbolt myself." Rainbow's eyes widened. "YOU'RE A WONDERBOLT AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME?!" Paint then fell to the ground in a fit of laughter. "You actually believed I was a Wonderbolt?! Oh my Celestia, THAT'S PRICELESS!" Rainbow then got an annoyed look on her face, then it changed to a smile and she playfully rolled her eyes. "Whatever." All night, they talked to each other as if they were never separated, as if they always hang out everyday. They both felt good. Earlier that day they were complete strangers, but just fifteen minutes of talking, they are sisters. The next morning after breakfast, they decided to go for a morning flight, something that they both did when they were apart. "Hey, I was wondering something." Paint said as they flew over Ponyville. "Yeah?" "How come we are so close together when we just met yesterday?" Rainbow shrugged. "We're just that awesome." They both laughed as they reached the castle. "TWILIGHT THEY'RE HERE!" Screamed the pink party pony. "Nice to know Pinkie is on the lookout." Paint joked. "Oh hi, Rainbow. Hi, Paint!" Said Twilight as she put her book down. "Hey!" They both said in unison. "Wow! That twin telepathy thing really DOES exist!!!!!" Pinkie said as she bounced around. "No it doesn't." They said in unison again. "Stop it." "I said stop it." "Stop." "Stop!" "STOP!" The rest of the Elements of Harmony laughed as they watched the two twins saying the same thing. Then Rainbow sat down as Paint pulled up a chair next to her. They all talked to one another about nothing in particular. Rainbow and Paint talked about stunts and what they did, Fluttershy and Rarity talked about dressing up the animals for a fashion show. And Twilight, Applejack, and Spike talked about some of the things going on down at the Apple farm. But most of all, they were talking about Rainbow and Paint. It was nice to see that the two were close. But oddly enough, Twilight knew something was going to happen. And it wasn't good. ----- "Oh, I should get going. I gotta take care of something." Paint said as she began to fly away. "Do you need help with anything?" Asked Rainbow, as she flew up next to Paint. Paint stopped Rainbow when they got to the door. "Um, I should take care of this myself. It isn't too much, but I should take care of it before it does become a huge problem." She quickly rushed off. "Huh. What's up with her? You would think finding your twin sister after years of searching she would want to hang out more." Rainbow said as she flew back to her friends. Applejack looked in the direction of the door, that was still open. "I'm goi g to be honest here, as usual. Something ain't right, but I just can't put my hoof on it." "I don't mean to sound rude, but, Rainbow, Applejack does make a point. I mean, she left in a sort of suspicious way. But I'm sure there is a good reason behind that." Fluttershy said with a nod. "You're right. Hey, Pinkie. You're good at sneaking around right?" Rainbow said as she turned towards Pinkie, who was playing Godzilla on the Cutie Map. She randomly popped up right in front of Rainbow as she saluted. "It's one of my specialties!" "Good. I need you to follow Paint. I wanna know what's she's up to, but I'm pretty sure my rainbow mane will give my cover up." Pinkie ran out the door faster than the speed of light. "You got it boss!" > Chapter 4- The Ship Sails... Roughly > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pinkie snuck around Ponyville as Paint flew to a café. She then saw Paint going towards a table with a stallion with a brown mane with a blue streak and a blue coat sat at. Pinkie got a table close by to listen in on the conversation. "I'm so glad you moved here. I wish I knew Rainbow lived here as well, that would've saved you plenty of years." Said the stallion. "Don't worry about it. I know how busy you are. Plus, it was kinda fun traveling the world, going new places and meeting new ponies." Paint said. Pinkie called the waiter over, and began whispering in his ear. "Listen, I'm on an important business. See the teal pegasus with the blue pegasus?" The waiter nodded as he looked over. "I need you to get that stallion's name. Don't leave until you do!" "Yes ma'am. You will get the information you need." Said the waiter as he walked over. "Well, that was easy." Pinkie said to herself as she began eating, looking over once in a while. ------ "Sir, my supervisor has asked me to take a random customer survey. Please just fill this paper out. There isn't too much on there." The waiter gave the stallion the paper. After he wrote it down, the waiter left as he and Paint carried on with whatever they talked about it. "Here you go, ma'am." Pinkie took the paper and looked it over. She finished her meal and left without Paint or the stallion noticing. -------- Rainbow flew around in the castle with an annoyed face. "I don't get it, what is SO important that she would just leave?" Applejack rolled her eyes. "Calm down, Rainbow. You sound clingy." The others nodded in agreement as Pinkie bursts through the doors into the throne room. "I...got....everything....you....need to know!" She panted as she held the paper up. Rainbow snatched it as Pinkie caught her breath and continued. "Paint was there with this stallion, they met before, and that's everything about him!" Rainbow read the fake survey. "So his name is Blue Streak, he lived in Fillydelphia, moved here about a year ago, and has been with--" Rainbow pauses. "--Paint? For two years? And she never told me?!" She had an angry look on her face as she threw the paper down. She sat in her chair as Rarity picked the paper up and looked over it. "Rainbow, darling, I'm sure that she was going to tell you soon. You two JUST met, for crying out loud!" Rainbow rolled her eyes. "We spent all night talking to each other, she should've told me! Plus, if she was going to tell me, why would she act all suspicious earlier?! What kind of sister does that?!" She flew away as Paint walked in, looking at Rainbow. "Um, Rainbow? What's wro--" Rainbow cut Paint off. "I'll tell you what's wrong! My own sister lets me believe that I can trust her when she keeps the biggest secret of all!" She yelled as she flew off. Paint sat there with wide eyes. "She knows about me and Blue Streak?" The remaining friends nodded. "No! I was going to tell her last night but it slipped my mind!" She groaned as Fluttershy flew over. "I'm sure if you apologize, she would forgive you!" Paint shook her head sadly. "I know Rainbow enough to know she's more stubborn than a rock. She doesn't easily forgive." ------ At Rainbow's home. Rainbow was ranting to tank. ".... And then I find out she has a coltfriend, and NEVER EVEN BOTHERED TO TELL ME!" Tank nodded slowly as he sat through the rant. No, he wasn't listening. He just wanted this to end soon. "Come on, Tank. It's getting late, and I'm not in the mood to pull an all nighter!" She picked up tank and she flew to her room. > Chapter 5- Meet The Boys > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Rainbow? I know you're in here!" Paint yelled as she entered her sister's cloud home. She looked around as she waited for a response. Paint rolled her eyes after a moment of silence before walking around the house. She accidentally tripped over Tank, who eventually got sick of Rainbow ranting. "Oh hey, what was your name? Rock? No. Boulder. No. Tough-- Tank! That's right. What's up? Do you know where Rainbow is." Tank nodded his head slowly as he looked in the direction where Rainbow's room was. "Thanks!" Paint said as she flew. "Rainbow?" Paint said as she walked in. "Go away. I shouldn't have trusted you. Some sister, huh?" Rainbow said without looking. Paint rolled her eyes and scoffed. "I was going to tell you last night, but it completely slipped my mind." "I doubt that." "Look Rainbow, I know you. You're stubborn, and you don't forgive easily. But I don't get why you're so upset! Remember all the secrets you told me that you don't want your friends to know yet? Because you don't know how to tell them, how they will react?" Rainbow was silent as she listened to her sister talk. She then sighed in defeat as she turned over from her bed and walked towards Paint. "I guess you're right. I know that you didn't know how to tell me you had a coltfriend. And I guess I overreacted, but it's just..." Rainbow paused as she put her head down. "Just what?" Paint asked. "It's just, I don't know, I feel like when things like this happen, no one tells me because they think I won't care. That I would just say a simple 'Okay' and move on." Paint put a hoof over her sister's shoulder. "To be honest, I knew you would care, I just thought you would be angry. Kind of how you already did..." She trailed off. Rainbow laughed a little. Paint smiled. "I knew I could make you happy! How about this, I properly introduce Blue Streak to you and your friends tonight?" Rainbow smiled and nodded in agreement. They then flew off to the Friendship Castle, and made sure everyone was there before Paint left to get Blue Streak. ----- "I'm glad to see you and Paint Splash are back to talking to each other." Twilight said as the girls were waiting for Paint and Blue to come. "Yeah, I totally overreacted, but I'm glad she talked sense into me." Rainbow said. Paint then opened the door. "HE IS THE FIGHTING MACHINE! THE TOUGHEST PONY AROUND!!! IS MORE FEARED THAN FEARED ITSELF! ITS.... ELECTRIC SHOCK!!!!!!!!!!" She yelled as if she was a boxing announcer. A dark grey unicorn with a short black mane that had green and purple streaks in it walked in. They looked at the unhappy unicorn then looked straight up at the horn. It was broken. "Um, is this your coltfriend, Paint?" Rarity asked. Paint laughed as Electric's pupils shrank. "No, that's his brother. We had to drag him along, long story! This is Blue Streak!" She said as Blue Streak walked in, playfully rolling his eyes. "Thanks for the introduction!" "You're welcome!" Rainbow flew over to Blue Streak, and looked him over. "Huh, nice to know my sis landed with a good looking dude." Her friends looked at her with shock. "What? Did you guys forget I'm a mare to?" Rainbow said with an annoyed voice. > Chapter 6- Love Triangles > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blue Streak, Paint Splash, and Electric Shock all sat down as they all talked, well except Electric. "So, Electric! Or should I call you Shockie? Or E Shock? Or Shock? Which one do you like? Huh? Huh? Huh? Huh?" Pinkie rambled in Electric's ear. "Please shut up." Electric grunted. Pinkie hopped and smiled widely. "Ooh! Shut up! I'll call you that!" Electric rolled his eyes and got up. "No! Don't call me Shut Up, Shockie, E Shock, or Shock! Just leave me alone before things get ugly!" Pinkie sat there staring blankly. Pinkie flew over and pulled Pinkie away. "Yeah, try to leave him alone. He hasn't been in a good mood since his horn broke." Fluttershy then spoke up. "Um, Paint, if you don't mind me asking, how did his horn break?" Paint looked over at Electric as he sat there staring at the floor with a glare on his face as she sighed. "I don't know, but from what Streak told me it was more scary than what happened to Rainbow Dash and I when we were fillies. Every time I ask Streak, he just says he doesn't want to talk about it, and of course you're not gonna get anything out of Electric." On the other side, Rainbow was talking with Rarity and Streak. "So, Streak, how long have you been dating Splash?" Rainbow asked. "About two years, we met in Fillydelphia, and I let her stay in my place during a huge storm. We got along and hung out and I guess some spark lit between us." Streak said. "Awwwwww! It's like a fairytale come to life!" Squealed Rarity. Rainbow rolled her eyes. "I didn't think a twin of mine could be all sappy." Rarity shot a glare at Rainbow. "Rainbow Dash! You can't say that! Every girl can get sappy, erm, romantic at some points! It's part of life!" Rainbow put her hooves up. "Sorry, jeez, Rare." As the day went on, conversations went about, facts about each other were spread to another, and Rainbow finally got used to Streak. She still felt weird about the idea that her sister was dating, but she knew she would get used to it sooner or later. At last, Luna rose the moon as all the ponies said goodnight to each other and headed their way to their homes. "Hey, Rainbow, wait a second!" Shouted Paint as Rainbow was flying away. She landed and turned around. "Yeah?" "Thanks. You know, for getting to know Streak and forgiving me. Im glad you're my sister." Rainbow smiled. "I'm glad you're my sister to." However, just as they all thought their problems were solved, a pony hid in the bushes, just waiting to split the new bond between the twin sisters for good. --------- The next morning, Paint woke up next to Streak, who had let her move in with him when she said she was going to Ponyville. She went to get the newspaper as Streak snored and saw a picture of Rainbow Dash on the front. "Huh?" This is what it read: Flyer and Daredevil Rainbow Dash Talks About Sister and Her Sister's Coltfriend Just a few days ago, life seemed normal for the prismatic pegasus Rainbow Dash. However, a new pony arrived in Ponyville, with the name of Paint Splash, a twin sister who went missing when they were fillies. After hearing this, we sat and talked with Rainbow on her thoughts of the news of having a twin sister. "She was cool at first, but then she got boring. Nothing exciting about her, minus her coltfriend, Blue Streak. He's the real deal. I'm surprised I haven't met him before last night, and I don't mean to sound sappy here, but I felt a spark lit when he kissed me before I left." Is this a love triangle forming, or is there more to the story? Paint froze as she read the last sentence Rainbow said. "I felt a spark lit when he kissed me before I left." She flew in her and Streak's bedroom and woke him up. "You kissed Rainbow?!" "Huh? What are you talking about? I was one of the first to leave!" "Of course you were, because you didn't want me to catch you while you were smooching with my sister! That's it! I'm done!" She flew outside and left for Rainbow's house. Paint was going to give her a piece of her mind, and didn't care how bad she will make Rainbow feel. > Chapter 7- Whodunnit > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- POUND POUND POUND Rainbow woke up to the sound of someone pounding on her door. She rubbed her eyes, stretched, said good morning to Tank before opening it up. She smiled when she saw Paint. "Oh hey Pai--" "Who do you think you are?!" Rainbow stared blankly at Paint. She was confused, what did she do? "Um, Paint? Whats wrong?" Paint, in a sarcastic tone replied. "Oh nothing really, just that my sister thinks she can make out with my coltfriend! Thanks to you I had to break up with him!" Rainbow's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Paint, I never kissed him, I wouldn't hurt you like that! Who told you I did?" Paint then dropped the newspaper at Rainbow's hooves. "Right there on the cover, you said you felt a spark light when he kissed you before you left. They don't lie about this, Rainbow!" Rainbow looked over the paper, she never kissed Streak! As she looked, her eyes fell to the writer. She rolled her eyes. "Gabby Gums wrote this. So, I didn't kiss Streak." Paint was confused. "What do you mean?" "Gabby Gums was a gossip writer who went around Ponyville, took pictures of everyone living here, and made a fake and embarrassing story about them. Yeah, Streak and I talked last night, but she cut out Rarity who was right there. And the whole 'spark' thing was something he said about YOU last night. I don't know who is the real Gabby Gums, because the Crusaders ended that a long time ago. If you don't believe me, ask Rarity. She was next to me when Streak left." Paint sighed. "I'm sorry, Rainbow. Something took me over and made me become defensive, and forced me to break up with Streak. What's wrong with me?" She began to cry as Rainbow pulled her into a hug. "I don't know, Paint. But I think you're just in love. You got jealous over one little thing and overreacted. Trust me, we all been there." Paint sniffed. "Really? Even you?" "Uh, um, well, I uh, don't, I d-don't know what you're talking about." Rainbow said, trying to hide her blushing. Paint gasped dramatically. "The great Rainbow Dash of Equestria has a SOFT SIDE?! Has the world spun off its axis?" Paint burst into laughter. Rainbow put her hooves up to her sister's mouth. "You can't say this to ANYONE! Deal?" Paint calmed herself down before speaking. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Rainbow laughed. "You spent way too much time with Pinkie. Anyways, I think we should get you and Streak back together before you two are being more depressed than Electric, and find out who wrote this." Paint nodded her head as they flew back to her house. "By the way, aren't you a little worried what the ponies are gonna say about this?" Rainbow scoffed. "Please, it's not the first time Gabby Gums wrote a story about me being in love or dating another pony." ----- A few hours later, All the ponies of Ponyville were grouped together in the center of the town. "Okay, as you all know, another love story about me has gone around. Not surprising, I'm too awesome!" Rainbow said with her usual cockiness. Twilight cleared her throat dramatically. "Uh, right. Anyway, to start it off, I never kissed Streak, and I don't have any feelings for him! I need to know who wrote this, anypony know anything? You don't want to do it my way." She finished as she scanned the crowd. All the ponies muttered about each other and Rainbow huffed. "Okay, we'll do it my way." ----- It had been hours of interrogating the ponies, Carrot Top, Roseluck, Rainbow's friends, Streak, Electric, the Apple Family, everyone. The last ponies were Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. "Okay girls, I'm gonna make this easy for ya, only if you cooperate. You tell me who did it, and I'll let you walk out of here with no further questions. Or, we break you girls up, and I ask you a bunch of questions, and we could be here all night. It's fine by me, I have off from work tomorrow." Rainbow said while eyeing them carefully. The Crusaders sat in the chair, sweating nervously and thinking of the pony who did it. Finally one of the girls spoke up. "I did it!" It was Scootaloo. Rainbow's eyes widened and her mouth opened. "Why would you do this? Don't you remember what happened last time a rumor like this went out? I was scared to death, I canceled your flying practice for those following three weeks, and I shut myself out, thinking people would think I was a stallion's toy?" She shivered at the recap of the last story. Scootaloo lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash, I really am! It's just, I didn't want Paint to distract you from me. I guess I just got jealous. I promise I won't do it again. Plus, that one story from before, I only made that up for fun, I didn't actually think it would hurt you!" Rainbow sighed. "Scootaloo, it did. It really did." She said with a sad tone in her voice. She flew away to her home where Paint looked at Scootaloo. "I know you're a filly and all, but you have to think before you act. Rainbow is a tough bolder on the outside,nut in the inside, you poke her feelings and she shuts down. I don't want to see another Gabby Gums story again, and if I do, you will be in serious trouble. You're very lucky to have Rainbow Dash as you're sister. You got that?" Scootaloo nodded her head slowly. "Good. Now, I'm going to talk to Rainbow, and you three better go home, it's getting late." > Chapter 8- Interrogations > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paint knocked on her sister's cloud door. "Huh, I seem to do this a lot." She said to herself. She waited for a minute and, before she could make another knock, she saw a rainbow-colored tail next to the home. She flew over to see Rainbow lying on her back, hooves behind her head, gazing up to the sky. Paint sat next to Rainbow. "You doing okay?" "Whatever, I guess." Rainbow said without looking at her. She then sat up. "I don't know. Scootaloo has done stuff before that got me mad at her, but, she never did that same thing twice. If she told me she wrote the first rumor about me before this all happened, I would be mad at her, but I wouldn't be THIS mad. I just don't get why she would want to make everyone in Ponyville think I was, you know, THAT kind of pony." Paint sighed. "I don't know. She said she was sorry, though." Rainbow rolled her eyes and snapped. "Yeah, you think that will fix what they think of me? I basically watch over Scootaloo every day! All of Ponyville wonders why she knows what she knows! This isn't something you can just say 'sorry' and move on! This could last forever!" "Rainbow, everyone knows you, you're not that kind of pony." "Everyone knows you're not that pony after one rumor, but two? That's when things get suspicious around here. I gotta get to sleep." And with that, Rainbow flew into her home, and left Paint still sitting on the cloud. "Since when did Rainbow ACTUALLY care about what other ponies think?" She then flew off towards Fluttershy's home, hoping she wasn't asleep. ----- Paint landed in front of the kind mare's home and looked around. She then heard a pony singing and followed it, where Fluttershy was giving her chickens their dinner. "Hey, Fluttershy? Can I talk to you about Rainbow?" Fluttershy turned to see Paint standing at the gate and smiled. "Of course! You can go inside and sit down if you want, I'll be right there." Paint then walked into Fluttershy's cottage and sat down. Fluttershy came in shortly after and sat down next to her. "So, what do you want to talk about?" "It's Rainbow. I understand why she is mad at Scootaloo, but I don't get why she all of a sudden cares about what everyone else thinks! You grew up with her, so do you know?" Fluttershy thought for a moment. When did Rainbow actually care about what ponies thought? Then the answer struck her. "It actually wasn't that long ago. I think it was around the time the first rumor went around, I'm sure Rainbow told you." Paint shrugged. "Bits and pieces." "Well anyway, when the first rumor went around, ponies gave her dirty looks. They were calling her dirty names, made fun of her, and, well, just completely humiliated her. After that, she shut herself out for months, but continued her flying lessons with Scootaloo after a few weeks. Poor girl wouldn't talk or look at anyone!" Paint thought for a moment. "What exactly did the rumor say?" Fluttershy began petting Angel as he hopped onto the couch. "I don't want to get too much into it, but when Rainbow was hanging out with a few stallions she was friends with back in Flight School, a rumor went around saying that she used them as toys, you know what I mean?" Paint nodded. "That's awful. Why would Scootaloo do that? I don't think it was for fun like she was saying." Fluttershy shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe in the morning you should ask Scootaloo. She and her friends stop at Sugar Cube Corner before heading to school." Paints smiled as she began to fly away. "Thanks, Fluttershy!" Fluttershy waved. "No problem!" ------- Paint went into her home where Streak was eating an apple. Electric was in there to, for he couldn't see his way home in the dark. "Hey, guys!" Paint said with a smile. "Hey, Splashie!" Waved Streak cheerfully. Electric just grunted. "Wow, Electric! I think that's happiest mood I seen you in ever!" Paint said sarcastically. "So, where were you?" "I went to visit Rainbow, just to see how she was doing after finding out what Scootaloo did. She's really depressed. Afterwards I went to Fluttershy's home and talked to her for a while." "FLUTTERSHY?!" Electric said looking up. "Um, yeah. You know, the pink maned one with the light yellow coat?" Paint said. "What did she say?! Not that I care anyways." Electric said, going back to staring into the abyss. Paint giggled. "Looks like your brother's got a crush on Flutters!" Electric shook his head, looking at her. "No, I don't! Just," he sighed, "I'm going to bed." Paint and Streak then laughed for a while before they both calmed down, cuddling with each other. "Do you think everything will work out? That Rainbow will forgive Scootaloo and She will go back to being herself?" Streak sighed. "I think so, but it's just going to take some time." After a few moments of silence and cuddling, Paint and Streak fell asleep. > Chapter 9- Rumors Lead to Actions > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2 months later) Rainbow sighed as she flew over Ponyville. Everyday was the same day-- ponies who saw her whispered to each other, laughed, gave her dirty looks, and would insult her from time to time. It always ends with her snapping at them and fly away or have her self-confidence go down and fly away. She's never been this depressed before, not even the last rumor got her depressed. Was it because ponies knew that Scootaloo wrote the rumors? Her train of thought ended as she heard her name. "Hey, Dash! I was wondering something." Two mares flew up on both sides of Rainbow. "Who's your stallion-toy this week?" she sneered. "Ha, ha. Very funny, Rock Heart. You know I don't do that kind of stuff." Rainbow rolled her eyes. Rock Heart continued to laugh. "Then how does Scootaloo, of all fillies and colts, say that about you? Doesn't she idolize you?" Rainbow shrugged, trying to keep her cool. "She does, but she's also a filly. She doesn't know any better, but she thought I do those things that is all over the world." Rock Heart than flew over to the other mare. "I find it amazing how she says that the rumors were lies, yet she still gets very defensive. What do you say, Neon Ice?" Neon looked at Rainbow. "I also find it amazing. If this rumor was fake AND about me, I would simply go on with my life, no care in Equestria." Rainbow was slowly loosing her cool. "Can you guys just go away now?" Rock Heart acted shock with a dramatic gasp. "Is she... going down? I didn't know the Great Rainbow Dash can go down WITHOUT a fight!" Rainbow than turned around to face them both. "Okay, what do you want so bad? To insult me over and over again?" Neon flew up next to Rainbow and put a hoof around her. "You see, Dash, all Rock Heart here is saying is, well, Ponyville will be better off, you know, WITHOUT you." Rainbow definitely got hit in the heart with this one. She loved the town she lives in, she met her best friends here. Rainbow pondered this for a few moments, then nodded. "I guess you're right." and with that she flew off. As Rainbow flew, she passed Twilight. "Oh, Rainbow! I haven't seen you in forever! Are you okay? Do you want to talk about it?" Rainbow shook her head. "No, I'll be fine. I just gotta take care of some stuff. But, Twilight. I need you to do something." Twilight was curious, very curious, she nodded her head and acted oblivious. "Sure, what do you need?" Rainbow took a deep breath. "I need you to tell everyone that I forgive them on how they treated me theses past two months. Tell Derpy to never give up and she is the coolest pony around. Tell our friends that they really are the best of friends a mare could have.Tell Fluttershy to watch Tank and take good care of him and read him Daring Do stories. Tell Paint that she has been an awesome sister, and tell her that I hope her relationship with Blue Streak goes on forever. And Twilight, this one is for you. I'm sorry for calling you an egghead, boring, nerdy, whatever I called you that wasn't nice. you really are a cool friend." and with that, she flew off. Twilight nodded and watched Rainbow as she flew off. "Something's not right. I better go see what she's up to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Okay, Rainbow. You can't turn away now. This is it, you can't be scared. You're not the only one who has done this." Rainbow said to herself as she stood on a high cloud over the everfree forest. "Fluttershy has Tank, so he'll be in good hooves." She took a deep breath, tears streaming down her face, and closed her eyes. "You got what you wanted, Ponyville. I'm gone." She then leaped off the cloud, falling straight for the forest. Twilight looked up as Rainbow fell, and she flew as fast as she could. Right as Rainbow was about to meet her death with the sharp trees, Twilight zipped and caught Rainbow. "Gotcha!" She flew down and laid Rainbow down in the grassy field. "Rainbow, are you okay?" She didn't respond. "Rainbow?" Nothing. Then, the remaining Elements of Harmony ran up to Twilight and Rainbow. "Twi, what in tarnation happened here?" "She isn't waking up." "Well, darling, um, you should probably see this. I think I have the solution." said Rarity as she pointed at a red liquid beneath Rainbow's bangs. Fluttershy's eyes widened at she saw the wound. "WE NEED TO RUSH HER TO THE HOSPITAL NOW!!!!!!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ They all sat in silence as they waited for the nurse or doctor to tell them the news. A few moments later, Nurse Redheart walked out of the room, grabbing Rainbow's friends' attention. "Well, to let you stop waiting, Ms. Rainbow Dash will make it. Her wounds, however, were quite severe, but can be healed. The wound on her forehead was most likely caused by a branch that could've easily gotten her without anypony noticing. We also found a few wounds on her wings, which has grounded her for about two weeks, and her right hoof has some wounds, but could easily be solved with a band-aid. She'll have to stay in the hospital for about three or four days for safety. Afterwards, I suggest a family member or a loved one should take care of her until she is able to take care of herself." "Is she going to be okay?!" yelled Paint as she zipped into the hospital waiting room, with Blue Streak and Electric Shock behind her. Pinkie nodded. "Yep! Nurse Redheart says that Dashie can leave the hospital in three or four days!" Paint sighed in relief. "Oh, thank Celestia!" "But..." Paint's eyes widened. "uh uh uh wh-wh-what what what do you mean 'but'?" "Due to the wound on her forehead, she is in an unconscious state, but should wake up most likely tomorrow. You all can stay here overnight in case she wakes up before hoof." And with that Nurse Redheart left, leaving the Mane 6, Blue Streak, Electric Shock, and Paint Splash waiting. And hours they waited, yet no sign of Rainbow waking up. Soon after many hours of waiting, one by one each pony in that room fell asleep, all hoping for Rainbow to wake up. > Chapter 10- You Did... What? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 10 Paint woke up to the sun in her face. She looked around to see everyone sleeping. She looked over at Rainbow to see she was still knocked out, and left to get some breakfast in the cafeteria. As she walked out of the room, she bumped into Streak, who had just gotten there. “Hey.” greeted Streak. “Sup?” “Is Rainbow gonna be alright?” Asked Streak as they walked to the elevator to get food. “Yeah, she just hasn’t woken up, though. The nurse says she should at some point today.” “Do you know what happened?” They got off the elevator and walked into the line in the cafeteria, grabbed some food, and walked to a table. Paint shook her head. “Twilight saw her fall, and didn’t see anypony else.” “Maybe she just lost control from one of her tricks.” Paint shook her head. “I don’t think so, Twilight told me she was acting strange right before the incident, so something’s gotta be up. I just don’t know what.” They finished their food and headed back to Rainbow’s room. When they got back, everyone else woke up and smiled as Paint and Streak walked in. “So did Rainbow wake up yet?” Asked Paint. Applejack shook her head. “Nah, but she was stirrin’ a little while you were out.” Then, everyone turned their heads to Rainbow as she was waking up. She opened her eyes groggily and looked at the faces staring at her. “Wh-where am I?” she asked. Paint smiled and squeezed Rainbow. “Yay! You’re finally awake!” Rainbow patted Paint’s back as she tried to breathe. “Paint, no air! Let go!” Paint let go of Rainbow and smile sheepishly. “Heh, sorry!” Everyone else in the room greeted Rainbow and hugged her. “Okay, now where am I?” “The Ponyville Hospital, but the real question is what happened?” asked Twilight. “Why were you acting so strange?” Rainbow looked away. “I rather not talk about it.” Rarity then spoke up. “Is this about that rumor that’s going around?” “No.” Rainbow said, hesitantly. “I think you’re lying to me, Rainbow. Please tell us, we’re your friends. Right?” “Yeah, but I don’t want you guys worrying about me.” “Worrying? What do you mean?” asked Twilight Rainbow looked at Twilight. “If I told you what happened, you guys would never leave me alone.” “We’ll give you space, Dashie. Just tell us what’s wrong.” said Pinkie with concern. Rainbow sighed in defeat as she thought of what to say. “I tried to kill myself.” Everyone just stared at Rainbow with wide eyes and dropped jaws. Paint walked up next to Rainbow’s bed. “You did what?” “I tried to kill myself.” “Why would you try to do something like that?” Rarity asked. Rainbow shrugged her shoulders as if it was obvious. “Ponyville would be happier, Equestria would be happier.” Steak shook his head. “You know that’s not true. Who told you that?” “Nobody.” Rainbow lied. Fluttershy spoke up. “Rainbow, stop lying to us. Who told you that Ponyville and Equestria would be happy if you died?” “Rock Heart and her friend.” “And you’re going to listen to them?” Rainbow then got defensive. “What was I supposed to do? Everyone basically hates me. All of the whispering about me, insults, faces. I just want it to end!” She put her head into her front hooves. Paint sat on the bed and rubbed Rainbow’s back to give her comfort. “I know Dash, but that doesn’t mean you should just kill yourself. Just ignore them.” Rainbow sighed and looked at Paint. “How can I? I can’t even step outside my house without having ponies insulting me.” Rarity then spoke up. “Well, she does have to stay home for a while after she leaves the hospital. Perhaps everypony will leave her alone by the time she recovers.” Rainbow shook her head. “I hope so.” Nurse Redheart than walked in. “Oh, it’s good to see you finally awoken. You’re wounds from the fall were both severe and minor. You have a broken wing, so you will be grounded for quite a bit. You have some cuts and bruises to, but those should heal quickly. Also, visiting hours are over.” Everyone looked sad at hearing this, but began walking out of the room. “Well see ya later Rainbow!” “Get better!” Bye Dashie!” “We’ll be back tomorrow!” Paint stayed behind as everyone left. She walked over to Rainbow once again and hugged her. “Please don’t kill yourself, You’re my sister, and I love you.” Rainbow hugged her back. “I’m sorry, Splash. I guess I didn’t really think it through. I love you to.” After Paint went home, Rainbow stared at the door. If she wasn’t saved, she would’ve been dead, and she would’ve never seen her sister or friends again. Her friends and sister would’ve been in tears. “I don’t even know what I was thinking.” Rainbow said to herself as she started to fall asleep. > Chapter 11- Apologies > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The next few days went by slowly. It was mostly the same thing; Rainbow’s friends head over to the hospital, talk for two hours, and leave. Now today, however, was different. Rainbow was going to leave the hospital, and stay at Paint’s house for a few weeks because of her wing injury. “You ready to go?” asked Paint as she arrived in Rainbow’s room to pick her sister up. Paint was both excited and kind of sad for Rainbow. Paint was happy to take care of Rainbow while she recovered, but Rainbow was allowed to leave the hospital, but couldn’t even go to her own home? “Yeah.” answered Rainbow. They both walked out of the room, signed out, and went home. They then went inside, and went to the guest bedroom where Rainbow was going to sleep. “Rainbow, what were you thinking when you jumped off that cloud?!” scolded Paint. “I don’t know okay? I was stressed out and I didn’t know how to handle it! If the entire town hated you, wouldn’t you have down the same thing?!” “Ponyville doesn’t hate you! None of them do, they don’t know if they should believe you because of how old Scootaloo is! Speaking of which, have you even talked to her?” Rainbow looked away from Paint. “Uh…. No. She needs to learn a lesson?” Paint scoffed and rolled her eyes. She looked out the window to see Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom following a depressed Scootaloo. She pulled Rainbow over to the window and pointed at the three fillies. “I think she learned it by now, it HAS been two months you know. Just look at her, she looks more unhappy than Shock! And I know she tried to talk to you, more than once, basically every day. She tells me everything! Stop acting a like a freaking foal and talk to her! And to make things easier, I’ll bring her to YOU!” Rainbow sighed in defeat. “Fine.” Pant then flew over to Scootaloo and her friends. “Scootaloo, please stop being sad all the time!” said Sweetie Belle. “Yeah, I’m sure that Rainbow will forgive you!” reassured Apple Bloom. Scootaloo rolled her eyes and turned to her country friend. “You said that two months ago, and look what happened!” Paint walked up next to Scootaloo. “Scoot, I talked to Rainbow, and she said that she’ll let you talk to her.” “Told ya.” Scootaloo looked at Paint with a smile. Rainbow will actually talk to her? Forgive her? She happily followed Paint into her house where Rainbow was waiting. As they walked into the room where Rainbow was lying on her bed, Paint turned to Scootaloo. “I’ll be down stairs, you got this?” Scootaloo nodded. “ “Great.” Scootaloo walked up to her idol and spoke. “Um, Dash? I know you, um, sorta hate me right now, b-but I,” Scootaloo sighed, “I’m sorry, Dash. One of the kids at school said the only way I can be cool like you is if I make up a rumor that you did stuff with a bunch of guys. I didn’t know it would hurt you.” She folded her ears and put her head down. Rainbow continued to lay there, listening to what her adopted sister had to say. She then sighed. “Listen Scoot, I should’ve been the one to apologize. You tried to since I got mad, and I never listened to you and because of that, I got hurt, literally.” “Does this mean you forgive me?” Scootaloo said with hope written all over her face. Rainbow smiled and pulled her into a hug. “Of course it does, squirt.” After a few weeks, everything regarding to the rumor have died down, and life was turning back to the way it used to. Rainbow was having her first good day since things went downhill for her. She was finally able to have the cast removed from her wing, and was able to go home. Not just that-- she was going to hang out with her friends and sister, without any problems on her shoulders. Until the biggest problem of all was created for the Elements of Harmony… > Chapter 12- Leaving Everything Behind > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow and Paint were talking about the Wonderbolts when they walked into the castle. “I’m just saying that one day the Wonderbolts will ask me to join their team once my awesomeness hits them.” “Whatever you say, Dash.” They both stopped when they saw everyone else involved with the Elements of Harmony surrounding Twilight. “What’s up?” asked Rainbow. Twilight levitated the message she was reading over to Rainbow with her magic. “Read it.” Dash began to read it, and got more shocked by each word. Dear the Holders of the Elements of Harmony, This is an urgent message. Tirek escaped his prision and has returned for revenge. We need you to stay at the Friendship castle until further notice. We will try to keep you updated on anything that happens. Until then, Princess Twilight will tell you the plan she has in mind. Sincerely, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadence” “Tirek is back?” asked Rainbow. “I thought we got him for good!” Applejack shook her head. “We all did. We were wrong.” “THIS ISN’T RIGHT! HE’S AN EXTREME PARTY POOPER!” Pinkie yelled. “So, what’s the plan?” asked Rainbow. “You read the letter. We have to stay here until further notice.” “What kind of further notice? When he is about five seconds away from winning? Like we always do it?” “No, I have a plan for that, but I’ll need Paint’s help for this.” Paint then got shocked. “Me? What do I do?” Twilight walked over to Paint and gave her a train ticket. “Here. You’ll need to go to Canterlot, where I’m certain Tirek will be.” Paint then got worried and nervous. “By myself? You guys aren’t coming with me?” Twilight shook her head. “You won’t be by yourself. My friend, Sapphire Harmony, will be there, she already knows you and what the plan is. You need to stay on guard and watch out for anything that might be linked to Tirek.” “Are you sure this will work?” “We should be fine. If anything happens, write to us immediately, and we’ll do the same if anything happens here. Got it?” Paint looked at the ticket and thought over everything Twilight said. She then looked back to Twilight and nodded. “Good. Now pack up, and say your goodbyes. I don’t know how long this will go on.” ~~~~~~~~~~ Few Days Later “Do you really have to go, Splash?” asked Streak. It was Paint’s last day in Ponyville before she had to go to Canterlot. “Yeah, I don’t want to, but you know how dangerous Tirek is.” “Exactly, so why do you have to go?” “Because of what he did to Equestria, remember? He basically killed everyone. Plus, Twilight needs me to do this, I can’t turn back now.” Streak folded his ears and looked down. Paint walked up and hugged him. “I’m going to miss you. I love you.” “I love you to.” They hugged until the clock struck 12:00, the time her train would be arriving. “Bye.” “Bye.” When Paint got to the train station, the train had already pulled up. Her sister, friends, and Shock were waiting for her. Rainbow looked like she was going to cry, Shock just stared, and everyone else either sat and waited for Paint or tried to comfort Rainbow. Paint walked up and waved to get everyone’s attention. “Do you remember the plan?” Twilight asked as Paint approached. “Yeah. Stay on guard with Sapphire until Tirek gets there.” Rarity then walked up and handed her a bag. “This has some nice clothing I made in case it gets cold while you’re there.” Paint hugged Rarity and took the bag. “Thanks.” Applejack and Fluttershy then walked up. “We really are going to miss you.” Applejack said. “I’m going to miss you to.” Fluttershy said, looking a little sad. “I’ll miss both of you.” Paint said as she pulled them both into a hug. Rainbow just sat on the bench, where Paint walked to. Rainbow began to speak, but didn’t look at her. “I’m going to miss ya. You really are an awesome sister.” Paint hugged Rainbow and patted her back. “I’m going to miss you to, but don’t worry. I’m sure this will end soon and I’ll be back home before you know it.” Rainbow smiled a little at this as her sister began to make her way to Shock. “Are you going to say anything, or are you just going to sit there?” Shock stood up and looked at Paint. “You owe me for making me stay here with a depressed Streak.” Paint laughed and hugged Shock. “I’ll pay you back, I promise.” As she walked to the train, she looked back at her sister and friends, who were waving to her. She waved back and got on the train. She watched as the train began to move. “This is it, the day I never thought would happen. The day when even though it’s sunny, it feels like it’s raining… The day I would be leaving everything behind.”