//------------------------------// // What does this forest hold? // Story: Rainbow Dash's Un-wanted Adventures. // by Nater-Grey //------------------------------// Back On Equestria -------------------------- Twilight stood looking around the park confused and scared. Rainbow just up and vanished in front of her eyes, and where she went she could not tell. Looking back to Trixie who had regained consciousness Twilight walked off toward her home in a huff. Trixie watched her leave and growled, getting herself up, and using her staff limped back to her house. The sun had descended the sky leaving a spray of orange and red across the sky. A spring breeze blew through the girls purple hair. She was in deep thought and had no idea where to start on finding Rainbow. Entering her Library like home she went to her bookshelf's and began scouring her collection on how to begin searching. Rainbow Dash was lost, and there were no clues to begin searching. 'This was going to be one long night' Twilight thought to herself as a tear dropped down her cheek. Stupid Trixie, always trying to best her even though she'll never win. Her magic is to restricted. That's when she noticed her young pet dragon Spike come in and she just smiled, wiping the few tears from her eyes as she told him about the afternoon of events. --------------- They made it to the Forest, dashing into the thick trees, the guards still not sure where they ran off to. That ploy wont last for long but it lasted long enough. The duo traveled deeper into the forest as the day wore on, the sun starting to set on the horizon. Both Serineity and Rainbow dash tired from the travel over the rigged terrain of the forest. When the sun had almost but set, Serineity spoke up. "We need to find a place to rest in the trees, the hunters of the night will be out soon and they are ruthless as they are ugly." Rainbow nodded and shivered the cold air pierced her bare skin. They looked up and into the canopy questioningly as they scanned for a suitable spot to rest. "Grab some sticks, i know a little trick to keep us warm tonight." She smiled as she climbed a tree briskly and located a few sturdy branches. Rainbow looked at her and quietly gathered some branches and sticks per her request and slowly ascended the same tree trying to keep all the sticks in tow. As she climbed she saw Serineity fast at work with a contraption. a few rocks and well placed sticks and leaves made a solid platform. "alright, now lay the sticks here and lets get us some warmth." She balanced herself on one of the branches lying back on the tree trunk as a fire sparked to life in front of her. It was a small fire, but warm enough to keep the chill at bay. Serineity laid her back against the tree trunk next to Rainbow and just let out a relaxed sigh as the sun set, clouding the forest in darkness, the fire crackled a small light for them. The night rolled slowly on as the winds blew gently across the skies. Leaves rustled above them as the moons light pierced through the canopy lighting up sections with soft white. Rainbow dash sat on the tree branches looking about, cold nipped but the fire kept enough at bay to a point she was able to handle it. She let a sigh out as she pondered what had happened in such a short time. She played that scene back in her head over and over, Trixie and Twilight fighting, suddenly a large burst of pure arcane energies. A falling sensation... one like she was flying... Free through the sky with strong wings and a determination to be the fastest. A sudden image flashed through her mind but its as if time slowed down. She saw a Blue Winged Pony flying through the sky, of some world, free and smiling, it looked at her, with the same Magenta eyes she had, her mane was colored like that of a rainbow. It flapped its wings once, and spoke in a soft tone. "Your Friends are with you Rainbow dash, And though it seems like you may be lost, you will always find your way back. Do not give up and keep fighting." Then with a sudden acceleration of time she watched the pony explode in a giant rainbow off into the sky. With a shock she jutted awake looking around the forest that was bathed in moonlight. The small fire crackled as Serineity lay asleep on the branch beside her. what.. was that.. and why did it look a lot like me...? That pony kept coming back, that determined smile. A smile that said "I know I can do it, and I am going to keep doing it no matter how hard it looks." With a sigh she laid back on the trunk to try and gather what little rest she could before the sun came out. Rustling was heard below and suddenly a loud crash of something hitting the tree. Rainbow nearly lost her balance and went tumbling out as she grasped the branches she laid on tightly. Below her she saw a large Fanged animal, who's coat was black as night, its eyes pierced her like arrows. It looked at her with a growl in its voice as it tried to figure out its way up. Rainbow looked around but did not see her new acquaintance she had met yesterday, growing even more frightened she grasped the branches firmly. The Beast slammed the tree once more, a crack was heard below her. It had immense strength and this smallish tree was not going to last long against it. Again once more it slammed into the tree, a bone billing snap was heard as the tree started to give away at the enormous beast. Rainbow dash held on to a large branch for dear life. She struggled to regain her footing as the tree started to tumble, the ground was coming to meet her head on quickly. With a soft thump, the tree shattered across the ground. Rainbow laid on the dirt ground, her head rung like a bell as she had wood splintered everywhere. Hair Ames she rubbed her head and was met with a pair of golden blue eyes that pierced her like arrows. Fangs as shard as swords, and as long as a small human child, she was mere inches away from death. It sniffed her, inquisitively, and then a few more times. Suddenly a big wet tongue licked rainbows face and sent a deathly clod shiver Dow. Her spine. Fwump! It suddenly sat at her feet and tilted it's head at her. Rainbow confused at the sudden change in demeanor looked at it confused. "Soooo you're not going to eat me?" It shook its head softly. "Why... Not?" She said sounding stupid. "Because she's my friend goof. Granted I was hoping to find her before she took the tree down.." Serina huffed as the creature turned and practically pounced the red haired maiden. "Alright, alright. Geez Olandra. I missed you to. Glad to see you are safe." She had the big cat in a bear hug. "You know that thing?" Serina nodded. " I do I do. She's a Larl, sabercat. She's a furious little thing. Very protective of her mother to." She giggled as the cat was purring and practically engulfing Serina in her fur. "Found the poor thing hurled by its dead mother some years ago. She was a little afraid at first, but well. Here we are, some seven seasons later. She grew up fast." Rainbow could still not believe how such a big creature, which was ready to eat her moments ago... Maybe, is like a big kitten when Serina showed up. With a shiver, rainbow began to clean herself off. "I don't think a days going to go by I'm not completely confused on this planet. Speaking of which, what planet is this?" Serina actually looked confused. "Come to think of it, I never asked..." Rainbow smacked her face hard. "You're no help." With a sigh she looked around. "Well, now what?" Serina perked up. "Hey sweetheart," she spoke to Olandra, "you mind walking us to our special spot, maybe let rainbow ride on your back? Seeing as you did knock her out of a tree..." The poor Larl groaned, being guilt tripped it huffed. With a soft grumble serina smiled. "Thank you sweetie!" Olandra stuck her tongue out, Serina did the same. Rainbow watched, inquisitively. "It's like she's your child, never seen a, Cat of her stature act like that before." With a cocky grin, "well when you raise them right they are model citizens." Olandra sat in a proper salute and had a visible smile. "I doubt it's those guys style of "Model Citizen" she joked to the pair. Both stuck their tongues at rainbow. "We don't care about their standards. I only care about my standards. And she's 100% perfect." Rainbow had an unimpressed smirk. "What do you know anyway." Rainbow stood up a little wobbly. "Well let's get going. Before they try to find us." Olandra sat down before rainbow, still she was a little uneasy about this, "just be gentle, and it's like a big fluffy bed." Nodding rainbow got onto Olandra's back slowly, and after a moment she sat comfortably. "All ready to go just be careful, and don't pull on her fur." With that, Serina began to lead the pack through the forest. It was tough, and Rainbow was thankful to be seated on this magnificent beast as it trekked the terrain with ease. Serina seemed to know these forests well as she was walking with confidence and seemed to know exactly where she needed to go. The sun was rising in the far sky as the forest was becoming lit up. "Damn it, i was hoping to get there before the sun rose. It'll be harder to avoid the patrols." Serina cursed softly. "Hang on Dash, We got to make time up and fast." Olandra flexed her shoulders, Dash held on as tight as she could not hurting her, and they took off. Serina and Olandra were dashing swiftly through the forest trying to outrun the sunlight. They seemed to never tire, hopping branches and navigating through the trees they were approaching a cave swiftly. As they darted in hiding out of sight quickly, was when Dash heard the roar of horses in the distance. "They arn't so happy about what we did at that coliseum. They wont give us up easily, especially insulting the Emperor like I did." Dash slid off Olandra and nodded. "Seems like I'm in it till the end now. Isn't much I can do, and you seem to at least know how to survive here." Kind of halfheartedly she chuckled, looking rather depressed all of a sudden. Serina came over, hugging Dash softly. Dash just broke down and began to cry softly in her arms. "I want to go home..." The horse's thundered closer every passing second. "Come on Hun, lets get safe and you can let it all out." Wiping her eyes Dash nodded as Serina took her hand and began to lead them into the heart of the cave. ------Back On Equestria------ Twilight was skimming over every book she could get her hands on. "No... no.... Definitely not. No. Not even close." She was tossing books, the young dragon was picking them up behind her. "Twilight, you might want to get some rest its pretty late." She sighed and sat down. "I know Spike, but Dash is missing and I don't know where to even start looking." He set the books aside, "I know, but wearing yourself thin won't do you any good. Nor Dash any good. Get some rest, and we can talk to the Princess's tomorrow and see if they have anything that might help you out." Twilight nodded, "You're right Spike, alright I'll go to bed." She got up and went up stairs getting ready for bed. Showered, brushed her teeth and got in her Pj's. Getting into bed she curled under her blankets, How am i going to tell everyone what happened, what if I can't bring her back? Will I ever see Dash again... She thought as her mind finally ended up fading out sending her into un-restful nightmares that left her shaking to and fro in her bed. ------------- Dash being led be Serina through the cave noticed a wall made of wood they were approaching. "HALT!" On the top of the wall a handful of women had Bows drawn and pointed at them. "State your name!" Serina stood in front of Dash. "Serina Valoria" The bows were dropped, "Serina?! You're alive!?" The gates nearly flung open as the handful of women rushed out and trampled poor Serina. "We thought you were not going to come back after that last raid. We were worried sick!" They all were in a large group hug. "Don't worries girls, It takes more then a battalion of men to stop me." They then noticed the Rainbow haired Lady that stood behind her kind of unsure. "And Whos the newbie?" the other Ladies asked inquisitively as they eyed her over. "This is Dash, Rainbow Dash. Comes from somewhere else. Helped me escape from that damned arena." Dash kind of half smiled, still kind of uneasy and slightly hiding behind Serina. "Oh she did? She a good fighter?" Serina chuckled softly, "Not exactly. She's not really a fighter." The Ladies got the message by Serina attitude. "oh, okay. Well, Welcome to our village Rainbow Dash!" They all began to walk into the village, Olandra had been lagging behind watching to make sure no one followed, catching up as the group of ladies made way, she happily hopped into the village as the gates closed behind her. "Welcome to My village of Free Women of Galamora. Sanctuary to all those who just want to live freely. Though its a little dark around here, Its Quiet, and the men tend to leave us alone. For the most. Come on, I think its time for a well earned shower, and maybe some new clothes." Dash smiled, those sounded like amazing ideas right now. The armor was nice and all, but it was starting to chafe a bit. Serina practically dragged the poor dash through the village toward her new home, and maybe a new life, at least for now.