This Grey Path We Walk

by ElectricDream

Not a single soul......

"STOP RIGHT THERE" Boomed a voice, so commanding, so graceful, so familiar....

At that point in time, everyone in the room was confused, they all knew who's voice it belonged to, everypony did, even though few in that room had ever met this particular mare. At this point in time, most in the room were wondering, why is this mare here? How did she get in? Am I going to die? Infact, everypony in the room were thinking these exact things except, of course, Butterwings, who only has on his mind, "I wonder what their serving in the cafeteria today?" Of course this is normal behaviour for him, even his own mother describes him as being the greediest pony she ever knew.

But anyway, back to the story.

Even before the last decibel had died away inside the echoing room, everypony had turned around to find them staring at none other then Princess Celestia her self, and, of course, and entire cohort of her Personal guard (all pegasi of course).

This was the last thing anypony in the room was expecting, and quite frankly, Rainbow Dash was on the verge of passing out from shock.

Silence fell upon the room for several minutes as the gravity of the scene sunk into everypony. The Royal Guards where paralyzed in their shock, never imagining that something like this would ever be condoned in their home city. Rainbow Dash was in a panic trying to come up with a lie that could convince the goddess in front of her but she knew it would be no use. She could see rage silently building in Celestia's eyes; she would have to face the consequences of her actions.

This silence though, was broken by one little pony.

"Someone...... please help me...."

At that, the royal guards kicked into action, detaining all the factory security, not that they needed to be, as they were still in shock from Celestia’s sudden appearance.

But the one pony who was not touched, was Rainbow, as Celestia had begun walking towards her with a look of pure anger, and hurt upon her face.

As Celestia moved towards Rainbow, not a single sound was made, except for that of Scootaloo, as she was freed from the shackles by the guards, sobbing silently, partially because of the realization of what almost occurred, but also because of relief, to be safe, free from the feeling of impending doom.

Then finally, after what felt like eternity, Celestia spoke.

"Why, why Rainbow Dash, how could you do such horrors, how can you do this, killing innocent ponies, what happened to the Unicorns, why aren't they making the individual Spectra, why......."

Silence.......

In the end, it was not Rainbow that spoke; it was in fact Scootaloo, "HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME, YOUR OWN STUDENT, I HATE YOU!"

Silence.......

Nothing, not a word, Rainbow Dash was too ashamed, too disgraced, only now, after all these years, had she realized the truth, that she was a monster, as a small filly she remembered first being told of the unearthly method used by the pegasi to create rainbows, but with time, this twisted her, defined her, made her who she is, and now, only now, had she actually thought of what she did was wrong, but she still said nothing, she was too ashamed, too disgraced......

It was another 5 minutes before another word was said, "I can't remember the last time I have said this but...... take Rainbow Dash to the royal dungeon......." Said Celestia, in the kind of way that lets you know something is serious.

At that, 2 royal guards come up to Rainbow Dash and dragged her away, as she put up no resistence.

When she was gone, Celestia walked up to Scootaloo, and said, "I am so sorry this happened to you, what has occured here can not be erased from the mind, I am so sorry..." Scootaloo looked up at the Princess, the look in her eyes made Celestia feel uncomfortable, but at the same time sad, extremely sad, as those were the eyes of a pony that had lost their innocence, but instead of bursting into tears like she looked she would, she stared Celesita in the eyes and whispered, "It's alright, I will never forget this day, but it's alright."

Celestia smile, she had underestimated this filly's strength, it warmed her heart to know that she would eventually be fine, that soon she would be back with her friends and family. She revealed in this feeling for a while, but then remembered where she was, and her purpose there. She turned to the royal guards and shouted to them, "This place is a disgrace to this land, destroy it, from every pipe, to every vat filled with this unclean Spectra, and detain anypony, you find, this place must not continue to exist, after all that has happened here!"

And at that, she left, with Scootaloo in tow.

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"So, um, Twilight, do you know exactly were Rainbow's got to?"

"Huh? Oh, no, I don't, it's not like her to be gone so long."

"Oh, okay, well, if you find were she is can you tell me, she, well, promised to help me out today with rounding up the chickens, they always go a bit mad at this time of year."

"Of course I will Fluttershy."

As Fluttershy was about to leave, Spike rushed down the stairs so fast he tripped and fell down the rest of the flight.

"Oh my, I hope he's okay?"

"Don't worry about me, " Exclaimed Spike, "It's this letter from Princess Celestia you need to worry about, I really think you should gather everypony around, but be warned, this isn't exactly something you'll want to read on a full stomach."

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"Oh my..........." Squealed Fluttershy.

"But, how could our darling Rainbow do such a thing, this is not like her."

"I know, Rarity, but Celestia isn't the kind of pony to joke around, especially about things like this.........."

"Nah, I don't believe it Twi, none y'all can possibly believe it, can you?"

"Maybe the Princess has been replaced by AN EVIL TWIN!"

"Oh do shut up Pinkie, you’re not helping one bit."

"I think we should all head up to Canterlot, we just have to find out what on earth is going on."

"I agree Twilight!" Shouted Spike from the toilet, as his stomach was unable to comprahend what was going on and had decided to deposit his breakfast, consisting of 3 rubies, that, well, were bright red, but had gone a greeny chunky kind of colour.

"Well then, we have to go now, I just can't think that Rainbow Dash would be such a monster as Celestia's letter describes her to be."

"Well then y'all, it's settled, let’s find out what is going on!"

To be continued...