Chapter 28: Your are a Monster you know?
While Zek was struggling with his internal monsters. His body was also in danger from another threat. In the Princess’s Emergency Command room Zek was in danger of Celestia’s wrath.
“For the last time Twilight Sparkle. Zek is a danger and an enemy. He has to be destroyed.” Twilight and her friends (besides Time Turner) where all standing between Celestia and Zek.
“No, Princess Zek is different from the rest of the Daleks. He has emotions. He protected us against a Dalek!” Said Twilight.
“All the more reason not to trust him!” Countered Celestria. “He turned on his own kind! What makes you think he won’t turn on you? He has already done it once what makes you think he won’t do it again?”
“For the record. I never trusted him.” Said Time Turner.
Twilight was stuck on this. She had no good counter argument, but she refused to move because she knew that they could trust Zek. He was their friend. Celestia had enough of this nonsense.
“Alright, since you refuse to corporate I have no choice, but to destroy the Dalek by force.” Princess Celestria prepared her magic. Twilight half-heartedly powered up her magic, but she knew it was futile. She couldn’t stand against the Princess.
“Dearest sister. Isn’t there another solution to this problem?” Said Princess Luna suddenly walking in through the door.
“Instead of destroying the Dalek why not imprison it in the castle dungeon? You can always deal with it after the war, when your head is less clogged hostile thoughts. Besides everypony deserves a second chance, just look at me. ”
This was perfect timing Luna was probably the only pony that Celestia would listen to right now. Celestia thought it over.
“As you wish sister.” Said Celestia. “I trust you will take responsibility for the Dalek?”
“Yes I will. I can synthesize anypony that is trying to change his ways. I’ll take it to the dungeon.” Luna said. “At least it’ll be better then the moon.” She said under her breath. Luna, Time Turner, Twilight, and the reminder of the main six walked to the dungeon. All of them: that is except for Fluttershy.
“Um… P-Princess Celestia?” Stammered Fluttershy
“Yes, Fluttershy? What is it? Asked Celestia
“Well Princess it has to do with-” Fluttershy was suddenly interrupted by Dalek Lez over a microphone.
“GREETINGS RESIDENCE OF CANTERLOT. THIS IS DALEK LEZ SPEAKING. YOUR CITY IS ABOUT TO BE INVADED IF YOU SURRENDER NOW YOU WILL BE USED AS SLAVES, BUT YOU WILL SURVIVE. YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES. THEN WE INVADE ”
“Darn them.” Said Celestia. “They’re getting ready to attack. Excuse me Fluttershy I have to see if Shining Armor is ready with his protective spell.”
“But Princess—” Said Fluttershy.
“Not now Fluttershy I have a war to fight.”
“But it’s about the Doctor” Said Fluttershy.
The name “The Doctor” rung through Celestia’s head.
“I’m listening.” Said Celestia.
“He wrote, in his letter, for me to ask you to show me “The Eye of Harmony.” You wouldn’t happen to know where it is would you?” The Princess thought about it.
“Well if the Doctor wants you to go see it I guess I’ll have to show you… follow me. But be warned it will not be safe.”
***
Rainbow Dash was still on her way to the Rainbow Factory. It was long flight after all Cloudsdale is far away from Canterlot. Rainbow would never tell anyone this, but she was nervous.
Why was she nervous? Well for one thing she was on the way to the most important fight of her life. And yes her role models the Wonderbolts had been kidnapped. But most concerning was the Rainbow Factory itself. Rainbow Dash had known the truth about how the rainbows came from ever since Spitfire had brought her there after her second sonic rainboom. That perfect day had turned into one of terror….
***
Two years ago.
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, I’m spending the day with my idols the Wounderbolts, thought Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe it was true. Her body was sore from preforming the sonic rainboom, but she didn’t care. She was with the Wonderbolts. Did she mention The Wonderbolts the best flying team in the world?
She spent her time discussing the finer tips of flying. They talked about flying maneuvers that Rainbow Dash had never even attempted before. But mostly they asked questions about her sonic rainbow. How many times had she done it? Could she do it more then once a day? It had been, as Rainbow Dash would say. "The best day ever!” But she should have seen something was wrong. The way they kept obsessing over the rainboom as if it was the answer to their problems.
The day was almost over now. And Rainbow Dash was about to head home. The day had been exhausting for Dash despite the fact she was exited to meet the Wonderbolts.
“Alright you guys I’m going to hit the hay.” Said Rainbow Dash. “I’ll catch you at the Gala right?”
“Wait Rainbow Dash.” Said Spitfire. “We have one more thing we need to show you.”
“Can’t it wait until—” Rainbow Dash took a look at Spitfire’s face. It was serous now.
“I’m listening.” Said Dash. She didn’t know what Spitfire wanted to show her, but what ever it was, if they took it serous then Dash would too.
“Follow me. The rest of you, go home.” Said Spitfire. She led Rainbow Dash through the city of clouds. Rainbow could barley keep up. She was so exhausted from her sonic rainboom earlier so she could barely fly. But Spitfire was not in a hurry. So she slowed down.
Young foals learning to fly, played below her. Soon they would be taking their flying test. Rainbow Dash remembered her test. A perfect score, but would you expect anything less from the best flyer in Equestria? Others fillies though, well they weren’t as lucky. One of Dash’s friends had failed the test. Rumor had it that they were exiled from Equestria, but no one knew for sure exactly where they went. But no one cared anyway they where looked down upon by all pegasi including Rainbow Dash.
At last Spitfire and Rainbow Dash arrived at the weather factory.
“You have something to show me here?” Said Dash. “I’ve been here before. Actually, I was her early earlier with my friends.”
“We’re going to a different section.” Said Spitfire. They proceeded to the upper part of the factory. This section was made of pure storm clouds. The building was gated but Rainbow Dash recognized it right away. The acre 51 of Cloudsdale. The Rainbow Factory.
“You're giving me a tour of the Rainbow Factory?” Said Rainbow Dash excitedly. No one was allowed in or out of the factory. Rainbow Dash knew that rainbows where made of specta, the magical life force that all ponies have. But nopony knew where the specta used to make rainbows came from. But Rainbow Dash was about to find out.
“This is so cool!” Said Rainbow Dash. “I’m going to find out how they make Rainbows aren’t I! This is going to be awesome!”
Spitfire did not share her enthusiasm.
“Yeah kid we are.” Spitfire held out a piece of paper. “Please sign here. It’s a magical contract that confines you to secrecy. If you break it they will know, but I’m not worried. You are the Element of Loyalty right?” Said Spitfire.
Rainbow read the contract over carefully. She did a double take when she read that violators will be killed. This was serous business. But Rainbow Dash didn’t plan on telling anyone. She signed her name.
“Good, we can go in now.” Spitfire led the exited Rainbow Dash into the factory. They traveled though the halls of the factory on their way to the main room. The black storm cloud walls where covered with motivational posters and yellow smiley faces. For example When you feel sad remember a happier time and put on a smile. They passed several factory workers, but none of them made eye contact with them or even said hello. This struck Rainbow as odd. You would think they would at least be exited to see one of the Wonderbolts. They passed a room full of a bunch of nervous looking fillies having a pizza party. That was weird, thought Rainbow Dash, I wonder why there were kids here. Could they be the factory workers kids?
At last they arrived into the main room. A brightly lit room full of pipes of specta leading to large vats of different color specta, one for each color of the rainbow. All the pipes led to a single machine that read Super Filly Squeezer 6000 a rusty grinder with conveyor belts with many other contraptions leading into it. Someone had decorated the room with smiley faces trying to lighten up the room. The attempt was in vain however the machinery gave the room an industrial feel.
Rainbow Dash guessed that the ingredients, what ever they where. Would be put on the conveyor belt and would then go to the grinder. From there the specta would go to the vats where it would wait until it was needed. Then it would be pumped to the lower floors of the factory, what Dash wanted to know was what the ingredients where to make the specta. She was about to find out.
“Ah, is this the young lady you told me about? The one that can make rainbows?” Asked a golden haired pegisus with a white coat in a white lab coat. She had a smiley face for a cutie mark. She seemed friendly but rather… unstable.
“Yes, Project Director. This is Rainbow Dash, the one from the flying computation.” Said Spitfire.
“Welcome Miss. Dash. My name is Mrs. Sunshine. I would like you to preform one of these “sonic rainbooms” for me right now. Could you do that?” This was sudden. And Rainbow Dash was so tired she could barely fly. There was no way she could pull off another rainboom today.
“Err sorry. I would love to show you the rainboom but I’ll need to rest first.”
“How long?” Asked the Project Director.
“I don’t know, like a week?” Said Dash.
Spitfire and Mrs. Sunshine gave each other a look.
“Rainbow Dash… do you know why we create rainbows at this factory?”
“Isn’t it because they are cool?” Said Dash.
“No.” The Project Director was not amused. “Rainbows provide Equestria with specta radiation. This is necessary for creatures that use magic such as unicorns or dragons or any other creature that uses magic. Without our rainbows they would not be able to use magical powers. So we have no choice but make them but the process is a little… messy.
“What do you mean by messy?” Asked Rainbow Dash.
“I mean…” Mrs. Sunshine taking a deep breath. “We grind up Pegasi that fail the flight exam. This is where they are brought, not some exotic far away land. This is Equestria’s largest killing camp.”
Rainbow Dash’s brain did not process this. What did they mean by “grind up Pegasi”? Rainbow Dash started to laugh.
“I think I heard you wrong.” Said Dash still chuckling. “I thought you said you grind up Pegasi for the rainbows.”
“You didn’t mishear Miss Dash.” Said Mrs. Sunshine. “That’s what I said.”
“Ha that’s a good joke ha ha ha ah ha ah… ha… ha.” Laughed Dash. The Project Director gave Rainbow Dash an icy stare. Rainbow Dash looked at the Super Filly Squeezer 6000. It was not covered in rust as she previously thought. It was covered in blood. The gears in Dash’s head began to turn.
“Ha ha… ha….ha… Oh Celestia you’re serous aren’t you?” Said Dash horrified at her realization.
Both Spitfire and Mrs. Sunshine nodded their heads.
“Oh god, how could you do this? This is so messed up! How does Celestia let you get away with this! How could—“
“As I said before Miss Dash the production of rainbows in necessary for the survival of many creatures in Equestria! No one even misses these pegasi! They are failures that are not a use to anyone except for us! They are lucky, I work here at least I try to make their last moments happy ones! The last Factory Director was all doom and gloom. See the smiles?” She pointed to the walls where the brightly painted smiley faces were. “My own personal touch. I wanted their last memories to be a happy one. I even throw them pizza parties before we kill them!”
Somehow this seems more cruel.
“But there must be a better solution!” Objected Rainbow Dash. There must be some other way to make rainbows!”
“That’s why we brought you here! We where hoping you could do at least one rainboom per day. That way less Pegasus have to die every day and we can store them for latter. After all there have been less and less failures lately, I think they need to make the test harder.”
Rainbow Dash was blown away at the cruelty. Yes, those who failed the test deserved to be looked down upon, but they didn’t deserve this.
“You’re a real monster you know that?” Said Rainbow Dash.
“I know. Can you help us?” Asked Mrs. Sunshine. Rainbow Dash thought about this. She wanted to save those Pegasi, she really did. But there was no way she could manage to do a rainboom every day. It would kill her.
“I’m sorry but I can’t help you.”
“That’s a shame.” Said Mrs. Sunshine. “Feel free to put down a job application on your way out.”
“I’ll never work for a twisted place like this.”
“That’s a pity we could use a pony like you.” Mrs. sunshine said to Dash. Then she yelled to her workers. “Alright you guys bring in the failures. Time to get started.”
“I think it’s time we get out of here.” Said Spitfire.
Dash agreed.
On the way out Dash made eye contact with one of the fillies walking into the main chamber. So full of life. The fillies stomach was still churning her pizza. Even as dash looked at her, the cells in her body was working with the proteins from the food to repair the injuries she received when she crashed during her exam. But she would be dead in a few minutes, so the food was wasted.
Rainbow Dash felt sick. The room was spinning. Dash and Spitfire where about half way out of the factory when the screaming started. Rainbow Dash couldn’t hold it in she threw up.
“I know. I know.” Said Spitfire. “That was my reaction when I heard about this place.”
***
It had been 2 years since then. But Dash still couldn’t get the sounds of those screams out of her head. And now she was going back there. It was like a nightmare, but she had to get the storm clouds to protect Equestria. She also wanted to avenge the Wonderbolts. Nopony not even a Dalek messes with her idols and gets away with it.
She arrived at the gate to the Rainbow Factory. The storm cloud structure loomed over her like a thunderstorm. She gulped.
She opened the door. And started her trek down the long dark hallways of the factory. It was different now. Gone where the inspirational posters from the halls. They where torn off the walls. Somepony had scratched most of the smiley faces off the walls too. You could tell it was done recently. Bodies of factory workers where occasionally seen
“Oh please don’t!” Rainbow Dash heard Spitfire beg. Spitfire was alive, but from the sound of it not for long. Her voice was coming from the main room. No doubt the Dalek was torturing her.
“Hang in there Spitfire!” Yelled Rainbow Dash. Dash started flying down the hallways in attempt to save Spitfire
“Why are you doing this?” Spitfire asked somepony unseen.
“Leave her alone!” Yelled Dash.
“I’m sorry, but it’s the only way.” Said a Dalek.
“No please, please don’t do it again.” Said Spitfire.
Rainbow Dash was almost to the main chamber now. She need only a little more time.
“No no no no! Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaahh haahhaahhahaha! Stop it ha ahahhahahah please ahahahahha.” Laughed Spitfire. What the? Was she laughing?
Rainbow had arrived on the scene. The room was darker then it was last time she had been there. But that’s not what was important. Spitfire was tied up with rope above a vat of green specta. A Dalek stood next to her on a walkway holding a feather. Bodies of factory workers where lay broken on the floor. She recognized Mrs. Sunshine beaten to a pulp.
“Rainbow Dash thank goodness you’re here. This Dalek has been tickling me for hours.” Said Spitfire.
The golden Dalek Caan turned and faced Rainbow Dash.
“Well well if it isn’t the birthday girl! It’s good to meet you whoareyou. I’ve heard and seen a lot about you… you’re a real monster you know? No matter how bad you thought Mrs. Sunshine was, you will be a thousand times worse…” Said the all-seeing Dalek Caan.