//------------------------------// // A Dash of Color // Story: Long But Not Forgotten // by Sedgewick //------------------------------// Authors note: So since I'm adding more to this story, do you guys think I should just stick with this story title and picture, or change it? Also a big thanks to Sith_Dreamer for pre-reading! “I’ll drop on by and help you with your animals tomorrow then!” “Oh, alright then. Thank you, Pinkie” Fluttershy embraced me, in which I returned. I waved a hoof goodbye as she walked out of Sugarcube Corner. It’s been a week now since we reunited. I couldn’t be happier. I met all kinds of animals that she was taking care of, though one rabbit; Angel, seemed to be a sort of a rebel amongst the rest. He meant well though, always helping Fluttershy when nopony else was around to help her. The day seemed to have dragged on and on, I guess because I was excited to head over to Fluttershy’s cottage and help around again. I always enjoyed spending time with her, and I’m sure she did too even though I may be too hyped up for her at times. Finally a few hours had passed and Celestia’s sun began to fall, Luna’s moon taking it’s place in the sky above. I flipped the sign so it would show ‘closed’ to those outside and began to put away materials and other assorted things that were strewn about the kitchen. The clock struck 10pm and bounded my way upstairs to meet my bed for a good nights rest. *********************** A light shone through the window, causing me to open my eyes. It was early morning, and Celestia’s sun had begun to raise not long ago. My eyelids felt like heavy weights, opening them was almost a chore to do, and then just to be blinded from the bright waves penetrating through the nearby window. Groggily, I sat up to get out of the blinding light, slowly shuffling myself off the bed to get ready... and to close those blinds. I yawned as I made my way towards the bathroom. Once inside I picked up a brush and look into the mirror in front of me, taking a glance of how my mane looked. I glanced to the brush, then to the mirror, then back to brush. “Silly me!” I exclaimed, tossing the brush over my shoulder, landing in the bathtub nearby. The aroma of breakfast soon filled my nostrils. Waffles, was it? I couldn’t tell from upstairs, so I bounded my way down the stairway, slightly startling Mrs Cake when I reached the bottom of the staircase. “Well, good morning, Pinkie. I hope you don’t mind having waffles for breakfast.” Called it. “Nopey dopey! I don’t mind Mrs Cake! Waffles are awesome, though not as good as cookies or cake but they’re still really good!” I took my seat at the table, waiting for the said waffles to be finished. Glancing around the room I tried to find something to occupy myself for the time being, in which I found myself gazing upon some salt and pepper shakers and other various objects on the table I was at. “They’re d- oh...” Mrs Cake suddenly paused as she saw a tower of salt shakers, pepper shakers, pots and other random assorted things stacked on top of each other into the shape of a tower. I looked over at her, awkwardly smiling as a few of the shakers on top tumbled down and crashing onto the table surface. “Right... well the waffles are done,” She stated as she went back to putting waffles on a plate, picking it up with her mouth and setting it on the table. “Thanks Mrs. Cake!” I exclaimed, taking a rather large bite out of the waffles. And by large, I mean the entire thing, one bite and all. Mrs. Cake just shook her head and went back to making some more for Mr. Cake for when he would appear. “I’ll be back later, I promised Fluttershy that I would help her with the animals today!” I exclaimed, getting out of my chair and bouncing towards the front door. I slammed the door behind me, causing the tower I had made to collapse into a messy pile atop the table, causing Mrs. Cake to sigh. I continued down the street, taking in the sights of the town, all the ponies calmly and joyfully going about their business. I glanced over, taking notice of a couple mares selling apples in the marketplace, but I paid it no attention at the time, I was gonna be late if I didn't keep pressing forward. In the distance was Fluttershy’s cabin, with all the animals playing around and eating and other activities. As I got closer though, saw not one, but two pegasi flying about. I couldn’t figure out who the other one was, for I was too far away at the time. As I got closer to finally was able to see that the other was a cyan pegasus with a mane that replicated a rainbow. “Hey, Fluttershy! I’m sorry I’m a little late!” I called over to Fluttershy as I trotted up to the pair. “Oh, don’t worry Pinkie. I was just catching up with my friend he-” She was cut off by other mare. “So you’re the one she was talking about? The name’s Rainbow Dash! Fastest flier in all of Equestria!” Or so she dubbed herself as. “Yup! My name’s Pinkie Pie! I help run Sugarcube Corner back in town!” I exclaimed, watching Rainbow and Fluttershy touch down in front of me. “Sugarcube Corner eh? nice little bakery right?” I nodded. “Awesome! I may have to drop by and pick up some snacks sometime,” she stated. “I’ve known Rainbow Dash for most of my life actually. She helped me around back in flight school,” Fluttershy noted. “That’s awesome! It must be great to be able to talk to her again after so much time has passed. It was just like us! You know when you were in that forest and I was worried so I stayed with you all night to keep you comfort and then your family took you away and then I-” I was cut off this time by the rainbow maned mare. “Whoa there! I can hardly keep up with what you’re saying you’re talking too fast.” “Oops, sorry,” I stifled a laugh and grinned. “Well we should probably get to work around here. Lots of animals around left to feed,” Fluttershy stated. Dash and I nodded, getting right to work. *********************** It was a long day helping around the cottage for Fluttershy. The sun began to fall again, casting red and orange streaks across the sky. We all finished the work around the cottage and went inside to talk, Fluttershy supplying us all with tea. “So tomorrow, I’m gonna try a new trick I’ve been thinking about.” “Oooh,” Flutterhy and I said in unison. We looked at each other, laughing a bit before turning our attention back to Dash. She explained that this new trick would consist of several flips and rolls, as well as some things with the clouds that I had no idea what she meant by. Actually, I didn’t catch half of what she was talking about, but I sat there and listened anyway. It sounded all pretty cool. “That seems a bit dangerous, Rainbow, do you think you can do it?” Questioned the timid mare, which Dash replied with a snort. “In my sleep! I got this in the bag, just you wait!” She puffed out her chest, stomping her hoof for emphasis. “Oh, OH, can I come watch?” Dash recoiled a bit, seemingly not to enthused about me going along to watch. “I don’t know...” she put a hoof to her chin. “Oh c’mon, Rainbow. It’ll be fun. I’ll with too,” Fluttershy piped up, trying to convince Rainbow let me tag along. I looked at Dash, with a grin from ear to ear, hoping she would let me do so. She let out a groan. “Fine.” “YAY!” I couldn’t contain my excitement anymore. I jumped and hopped around the cottage, stopping to look at Dash just in time to see her bring her hoof to her face and shake her head. *********************** A new day brought forth new surprises and excitement and this was no exception. Fluttershy and I were standing out at a large grassy field watching the skies as Rainbow did several warm up tricks and other things that I had no idea what were. She paused for a moment waving a hoof at us, which we waved back, probably signaling that she was ready to do the trick she was talking about and that we were ready to watch. Then she started, darting from cloud to cloud, doing flip after flip. I stared up in awe at the act. I believe it was the first time I’ve been too much in awe to say anything at all. The next thing I know though, I hear a gasp coming from the timid mare next to me and looked back up in the sky to witness that something had gone wrong and Rainbow was plummeting towards the ground. I panicked, not knowing what to do, but then it was too late. Rainbow Dash crashed into the ground with a sickening crack and skidded to a halt not far from us. Fluttershy jumped up and rushed towards Rainbow Dash in which I followed closely behind. The rainbow maned mare was covered in dirt and mud from the fall and her wing was bent in an unnatural fashion. Fluttershy listened closely, and instantly perked up and looked at me. Dread was plastered across her face. “She’s still alive, but we need to get her to the hospital and quick!” she yelled out. I wasted no time, picking up the unconscious mare and draping her across my back. My heart pounded as I galloped for the hospital and worrying for the mare that was on my back. We finally made it to the hospital, Fluttershy bursting through the doors yelling. The doctors jumped out of their chairs when they saw me trot in with the injured mare on my back. Some more doctors came into the room with a stretcher, taking Rainbow off my back and setting her atop it. They took her out of the main lobby, leaving Fluttershy and I to hope for the best. *********************** A couple days had passed since then and I was sitting in the room that they were keeping Rainbow Dash in. Fluttershy wasn’t around, she had to tend to her little animal friends. I sat in the room, not knowing what to do. Looking out the window I could see the sun starting to drop behind the horizon. I sighed and glanced over at a nearby table that had some books and magazines atop it. Equestrian Inquirer? Nah. Equestria Daily? Maybe. I picked up this one but then began to hear a groan as the mare behind me stirred. I turned around to see Rainbow Dash struggling to sit up, but she managed it and looked around. She fixated her gaze on me; all I could do was smile. “What are you doing here?” “Oh I’m here to keep you company silly! After that crash we just had to bring here, but Flutterhy is at the cottage taking care of here animals, so I stayed back here to make sure you were A-OK!” I exclaimed throwing my hooves in the air, then looking at Dash again. She smiled, despite her probably not being to thrilled about being stuck in a hospital for a while. “Well... thanks, Pinkie. I guess I owe you guys one,” she stated, looking down at her hooves. I placed a plate that had a cupcake on it, with a ‘get well soon’ card on it, signed by Fluttershy and I. Rainbow looked over at me, then back to the cupcake and the card. She picked it up, taking a bite out of it, a larger smile appearing across her features. She swallowed, and glanced back to me. “You know what? You’re actually not half bad, Pinkie.”