//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven: Allies // Story: Rise of the Razorwing // by ChaosKnightMatthew //------------------------------// ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 7: Allies ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A blue Pegasus pony came out of the forest, toting two small light red buckets on his sides, his water drop with a crescent moon shaped Cutie Mark appearing to shine a little in the moonlight that seeped through the treetops. The carrying straps pinned his wings down but he almost spilled the bucket’s contents stopping suddenly at the sight of two fellow Pegasus, the yellow one spooked while the blue one was cowering, hooves in front of her face like a shield. “That was close… almost lost it there.” The blue pony said with a chuckle. He got a better look of the two in front of him. “Wait… what are you two doing in the forest this late at night?” He asked the two after regaining his balance, looking at the two with his surprised hazel eyes. “Um… I… I could ask you the same thing too! … If it’s ok…” Fluttershy said, her nervousness kicking in at full swing. She stood between the two, doing her best to be brave for her best friend. “You know… if you’re lost I can take you back to-” The lighter blue Pegasus started to say before he realized who it was that was cowering from a quick glimpse of her cutie mark. “R… Rainbow Dash?!” He set the buckets down and moved backward to remove the harness. “What happened to you?” Before he could approach her, Fluttershy stepped between the two again. “Stay… away from her.” Fluttershy said clearly and calmly. Her wings had locked up on her, but it didn’t stop her from protecting her friend. She took a few steps towards the other pony. “Stay away? Rainbow knows me! My name is Waver, Lunar Waver. I’ve talked with her after that attack at the bakery. I had been to her house before. She can vouch for me if you would just back down for a second.” Waver said, trying to get Fluttershy to understand, but she stood her ground. “Wait… Waver… I know that name.” Rainbow Dash said with a shiver. Panting a little she looked up and saw the familiar blue pony, standing on shaky legs. “I remember you. Nice advice you gave before...” “Please be careful Rainbow…” Fluttershy said, resuming her position at her side. She glared at Waver, not completely trusting him just yet. He wasn't sure how to respond to Fluttershy at first. “I was going to come tomorrow to bring you a present but I guess they let you out early.” Waver said as he looked over Dash’s wings. “What-” “Don’t ask about my wings.” Rainbow Dash said quickly. “I need to get to Zecura right now. Let’s go Fluttershy.” The two started down the path while Waver just continued to stare at Dash’s wings. “Well, I was going to ask what they’re made of.” Waver said with a chuckle. He went back and looped his saddle back over his back being careful not to spill the water inside. He followed the other two, but they continued to keep their distance. It was easy as Waver was trying to keep his supply intact. “They looked like daggers at first. I knew you were a wild one Rainbow Dash but to give your wings that kind of an edge… How fast can you go now with those?” “Can you shut up?!” Rainbow Dash snapped aloud. She pushed herself off of Fluttershy and turned around, her eyes narrowed as she strained to keep what little composure she had left. Her wings opened full spread as she got nose to nose with Waver. “I’ve enough on and in my mind right now and the last thing I need is a headache from someone who won’t be QUIET!” Dash shouted the last word as loud as she could, loud enough for an echo to reverberate through the forest. Waver, dumbfounded and surprised, backed up slowly to give her some room. Rainbow Dash growled then huffed, turning back to walk quickly down the path once more, her anger giving her extra strength at this point. Fluttershy, the more surprised of the two ran a little to catch up to her friend. “I am sorry… I just figured if we’re going to the same place I thought we could talk for a while…” Waver said, lowering his head to check his harnesses and continued down himself. “Same place?” Rainbow Dash stopped to look at Waver as he approached. “You’re going to Zecura’s place right? So am I.” Waver said as he passed Dash and Fluttershy. “Let’s go together, but I’ll be quiet- Whoa!” Waver stumbled over a small stone on the road, causing him to shift his weight and some of the water sloshed out of the right side bucket. He corrected himself quickly before it could get on his skin. The little that landed on the ground sizzled and steamed a little, burning through a leaf. This certainly caught the other’s attention. “What’s in those buckets?” Rainbow Dash asked, still angry but also a bit curious. “It’ll make more sense from Zecura than it would from me.” Was all he said as he led the two down the path, not that they had a choice. The three safely made it to the Tree house, the Timber Wolves appearing to keep their distance from the three this time around. The vines had grown a little more but other than that the gloomy aura was still there. Waver went over to the door, tapping it a couple of times. “Zecura, I’m back with the special water you need!” He shouted. The door soon opened, showing the exotic zebra pony inside. She smiled. “I see you have returned, with much of the water that burns.” She said, looking into one of the buckets. Zecura glanced up and saw Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. “You also brought friends too. One looking more sad than blue.” Zecura backed up to give everyone room to enter. “Set those in the back, next to those red sacks.” Waver carefully went in and sat the buckets towards the back of the room. Fluttershy was a little nervous entering, not knowing what the other two were up to. Dash followed with her watching with curiosity. “Will this be all Miss Zecura?” Waver asked, panting a little. “Yes, this should be enough for your brew.” Zecura’s expression became serious. Her cauldron frothed a green liquid around the rim at the center of the room. “You will have your potion soon.” Using her magic she pulled a metal ladle from her counter and scooped up some of the clear liquid from the bucket Waver brought. It dripped a little as it hovered slowly to the cauldron, the droplets sizzled a little steam on the wood floor. With a wave the acid went into the mass of green liquid. It made a small explosion staying localized to just the cauldron with a quick containment spell by Zecura, the water bubbling wildly before turning red, then pink as it settled. Everyone had backed up except for her, who approached and examined the contents. Another flash of her horn brought a flat piece of metal to her and she slowly lowered it, running the top edge across it. “Did it turn out right this time?” Waver asked in anticipation, excited that things are progressing. Zecura looked over the metal. The part that was exposed to the potion had appeared to dissolve and break it down a little, only dissolving within the affected range. “Looks to be a success, especially for this test.” Zecura said with a smile. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think a Unicorn was under those feathers.” She said with a chuckle. Waver blushed a little at the comment. She pulled a cloth from a nearby table and dipped it inside the cauldron. When she lifted it the liquid soaked into the fabric but wasn’t dissolving it like it did the metal. Rubbing the cloth on the other side of the bar hard, it dissolved so fast that the cloth went through it. Trying again lightly it did the same effect as she had done before, thinning the metal into something like a blade. “I knew the PolySharp Solution had to be real… Looks like my father was onto something after all.” Waver said surprised as he watched Zecura treat the metal with it. “Can you handle the Solution without magic?” “Skin it no longer harms so there is no alarm.” She added as she lifted the soaked cloth with a hoof. “Wood it not affect, metal it will eat.” Zecura said, setting her supplies down. “Cloth can move it but… this is truly neat. Too hard and it will kill. Too light and it bends to your will. This will only work on metals, yes?” “I can’t say for certain Zecura. The recipe I know by heart but the effects I never knew until now.” Waver said, looking at the pink liquid lightly bubbling in the giant pot. Zecura looked to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. “Hello Fluttershy, hello Rainbow Dash. It has been a while since I’ve seen you two last.” Zecura said with a short bow. “I apologize for my rudeness at the door, but this potion I’ve never seen before.” The two ponies went to see what the other two were working on. “Were… you a success?” Fluttershy asked meekly. Rainbow Dash was amazed at how this pink water could bend and change the shape of the earlier complete but now ruined metal bar. “More than a success, but I must confess. It was Waver who supplied the item almost divine. As you saw here on the way, his talent is truly useful this day.” Zecura said. She picked up a stray bottle with her mouth and a few more with her magic, putting up anything that was unused. She put on a pair of wooden lids made of the same materials as the containment buckets that Waver brought on the two buckets to preserve the liquid for further potions. “So what brings you two here at this late hour?” “I need to talk to you Zecura.” Rainbow Dash said, approaching her. “I know we haven’t seen eye to eye since that Poison Joke, but there are some things I think only you can answer.” Zecura nodded in response then headed to a backroom. “Come with me, and so shall we see.” Zecura said, motioning past the door so they could be alone. “Fluttershy, please wait out here with him.” Rainbow Dash said. “I know you want to help protect me but these things I need to speak to Zecura only for now.” Dash stood there in front of Fluttershy for a moment before walking to her smiling, giving her a hug with wrapping around her metal wing like an arm. Fluttershy gaped in surprise, standing shocked from this unexpected action. “Thanks for all the support…” Dash let her go and went to the back room, Zecura closing the door behind her. Fluttershy looked on, a blush under her eyes and a smile on her mouth. Waver, who was watching on the side, walked up to Fluttershy. “Hey uh… Fluttershy was it?” Waver asked, stopping almost in front of her. “I just wanted to say I am glad Rainbow Dash has a good friend like you. Always at her side and very relia…ble…”Waver narrowed his eyes at her. He waved a hoof in front of her eyes. “Fluttershy, are you alright?” She just continued to stare at the door Dash went through. Zecura sparked a candle alit and used its flame to light up the others in the room before entering the one Dash went into. The light spotted along the walls but it was enough to show an open area with the same wood walls like the main room also decorated with various masks. A bed sat at a back corner with a nightstand next to it, where Zecura lit the last few candles. Rainbow Dash sniffed the air, a strange, but pleasant scent reaching her nose. “These candles should help your stress; make it go away more or less. I sensed it when you came in. Something that was there that should not have been.” Zecura said as she took out two pillows for her and Dash to sit on. Rainbow was a little amazed with what Zecura could already tell with her. She accepted the pillow, sitting down on it and relaxed her wings for a moment letting them rest limply next to her sides. Zecura sat on the one across from her. Silence hung between the two for a while. The scent candles appeared to have a calming effect to those that breathed it in. Rainbow Dash, breathing lightly, soon became more relaxed than she has been in a long time. Zecura spoke up first. “Now… what is it you wish to discuss?” “Have you… ever did something that you’ve regretted doing afterwards?” Rainbow Dash asked her slowly. “There have been some things in the past, of course they never last.” Zecura responded. “Er… what about if it’s something so serious that your friends may never forgives you?” “If you keep avoiding the question’s source you may always feel remorse. What’s truly going on Rainbow Dash?” Zecura asked calmly. Rainbow Dash sighed, and let it out all at once. “I’ve been having dreams the past couple of months of Pinkie Pie killing and dismembering me while I’m alive for her next batch of cupcakes which has kept me up all night since. A while ago it looked like the dream was becoming real as I was at the Bakery and Pinkie gave me the same kind of cupcake from the dream and before I could fall for her trap I… stabber her with a nearby knife.” Tears were beginning to form in her eyes as she was remembering, her wings lowering to her sides. “The worst part of it all was… I think I liked it.” Her wings did a light chime as she readjusted them. “The power of using a blade… the screams… I was so ensnared by every aspect of it like how I am when I’m flying. Beyond that I can’t remember what I was doing until I was standing outside the Bakery chasing after Sweetie Belle and her friend Scootaloo. I flew home to try and make sense out of all of it but even now I’m still unsure what to do.” She looked up to Zecura. “Does… would something like this get me banished like how Nightmare Moon is? I don’t want that but I don’t know what to do.” Zecura took a deep breath, taking in the incense of the air. “Have you tried talking to Pinkie Pie about those dreams in the night? I don’t see such an energetic pony like her leading the path of darkness and fright.” Rainbow Dash looked down at her own hooves. “I’m afraid to...” Her head dropped a little, the Pegasus’ vision getting a little blurred. “Perhaps all you really need is dreamless rest, if you want to present her with your best. I have a potion in mind if you wish for it to be.” Zecura said to her, getting up from her pillow. “Sleep… if you think it would help.” She shook her head a little before standing up to clear her vision a little. “I’ll start on it immediately.” Zecura led Rainbow out of the bedroom and back with Waver and Fluttershy. Fluttershy went to Dash’s side. “Are you going to be ok Dashie?” She asked caringly, worried for her friend. “I’m not going to die; I should be alright after I rest for a little while.” Rainbow Dash said with a weak smile. Fluttershy smiled with her, giving her a wing hug in the process. Rainbow placed a metal wing of her own over Fluttershy’s back, hugging her back. Fluttershy jumped a little in surprise not from the coolness from Rainbow’s metal wing, but of another set of wings, still not used to receiving a hug in return. The two saw Waver, trying to get in on the hug. “Hugs are still good right?” Waver asked with a chuckle, looking at the two as he lowered his wings around them. Fluttershy let out a nervous chuckle as she walked back from him while Rainbow backed away as well. “They’re good… but not that good.” Rainbow Dash said proudly. “They’re better from a friend. Don’t feel bad about it.” Rainbow said. Waver shrugged. “I’m used to it…” He said before looking out the window. Rainbow noticed the pot that caught everyone’s attention earlier with the pink liquid inside. She went over to it for a better look. The contents still continued to bubble lightly. She didn’t say anything as Zecura came next to her with a solid wood container to hold the PolySharp Solution safely. “I must contain this brew first before I begin yours Rainbow Dash, to make sure my own metal will last.” A flash of her horn started a trail leading from the pot to the barrel. “It’s cool.” Rainbow said with a yawn. “I’m going outside while I wait.” When Rainbow Dash went outside the first thing she did was opened up both of her wings. Since leaving the hospital she never had a chance to really look them over. Looking as far as she can turn to her back, she can see where the bandages were still wrapped but was now loosened from everything that’s happened. Her wings appeared to be bigger than before as she raised and opened them up. They reminded her of ones that an Alicorn would have from the length of the make-shift feathers, like a set of ‘Princess’ wings. She spent a little time flapping and stretching the many feathers of her wings, preparing to fly for the first time or at least try to, but the bandages were in the way. The metal feathers looked weird to Dash as every normal mental command she gave them, they followed. Another fact she noted was that they still felt like normal feathers to her as she felt a light passing breeze with them. Grabbing a flailing end of the bandage she tried to take it off herself, but was having little luck flipping it over. A yellow and violet head came into her line of vision, startling her and forcing Dash to let go. The head flipped the bandage around her side, unraveling them and carefully keeping them away from the feathers. Rainbow saw that it was Fluttershy. She stayed quiet as her friend assisted in removing the torso bandages. Once they were off Dash could still see some dried blood on her back around the wing joints where they operated but where the metal met with her skin it almost looked like it was melded or fused together. Fluttershy noticed this too. “What did they do to you in there…?” She said lowly, her eyes transfixed on that point. “Your guess is as good as mine Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash said as she stepped away from her friend slowly flapping her wings. “Let’s see if I can still fly with these.” She took a jump in the air, moving her wings harder as she did so. She did take flight but it took more movement to stay airborne than before. She went five feet out then in before dropping hard and panting. “That was very good Dashie!” Fluttershy said as she ran to her friend. “Well… not going to be in any races any time soon, but it is a start.” Rainbow Dash said as she took off again. She learned it wasn’t the weight that was making it harder to control, but the way the wings moved. This time she went even higher and was soon over the tree line leaving her rainbow trail behind her, but the outside of it had the same color as her wings. Before long she started dashing back and forth over Zecura’s tree house for a little while before landing, panting a little more than before. “That was fun… but tiring.” “Um…” Fluttershy started to say, approaching Rainbow Dash as she came back to the house. “Has… she been coming back?” Fluttershy asked, concerned. Rainbow shook her head slowly, but didn’t realize this at first that she hasn’t seen or even heard the whispers of ‘Evil Pinkamena’, since her arrival. “I haven’t seen or heard her once since we got here. I wonder if this place is the reason why…?” Rainbow said, thinking aloud and looking around. “There was something else too…” Fluttershy said, looking at Rainbow Dash. “Do you remember the Best Flyer Competition that you were in before?” “I do. Your cheers needed work at first, but in the end you were the loudest pony in the arena.” Rainbow Dash said, chuckling. Fluttershy smiled, blushing a little from what she said. “Well… I became so loud because I was so proud of you for making the Sonic Rainboom. Because I felt so happy to see you accomplish something you couldn’t do except once before. What I’m saying is you can do anything you set yourself to. If you can do a Sonic Rainboom… then I know you can overcome this completely.” She said, although most of it was in a low tone of voice, Rainbow Dash understood what she was saying. She walked over to Fluttershy and gave her another hug, which this time she didn't flinch like she did before. Even though she was this close to Rainbow Dash earlier, the feeling she felt now was making her mind spin for a moment. “Thanks Fluttershy, I needed that.” Rainbow Dash said. “Just err… don’t tell others about how soft I’ve been this evening ok?” “O… Ok. I won’t tell anypony.” Fluttershy said, nodding as Rainbow Dash left her and headed to the Hut. Fluttershy followed behind her. “Ah well, time for some shut-eye. I’m done for now.” Rainbow Dash said, resuming her usual tough girl attitude, or least trying to, as she went back inside to Zecura’s hut. Fluttershy smiled and followed close behind. “Still a little while, before I can make a vial.” Zecura said as she added a few more ingredients and waited. “Not for long now, you’ll be sleeping in favorable clouds.” She added with a smile. “Hey Rainbow…” Waver said. Rainbow Dash turned to him. “I noticed- Er- Fluttershy?” Fluttershy resumed the defensive, standing between him and Rainbow Dash. She blushed a little again from the action. “Oh… sorry…” She said with a chuckle, backing away. Waver and Rainbow Dash chuckled a little. “Well, as I was saying, I noticed your flying earlier.” Waver said, approaching. “If your wings were a little more narrow you could nail some good speed.” “You think so?” Rainbow Dash asked, liking the idea. “Yes. I could try to use the new PolySharp Solution to do it… if you can trust me with your wings while you’re asleep later.” Waver said, motioning to the new glass bottle with the pink liquid inside. “I can watch over… if you want me to Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy said meekly. “Thanks, but you don’t have to watch over me. You’ve done more than I could ever want to be honest.” Rainbow Dash gave her a little peck on the cheek. Rainbow blushed a little from that, but she thought it might help with easing Fluttershy’s mind. Although… it did a little more than that as Fluttershy’s face lit up like a red light. “She… you… Dashie…” She stuttered a little before fainting. “Well… didn’t expect that… but if you want to try your idea on my wings, go for it.” She said to Waver, who beamed with a smile. “Awesome! You won’t regret it!” He said as he went to prepare. Zecura came with the Sleepwavy Potion a couple of minutes later. After she drank it she felt the effects almost immediately. Zecura led the sluggish Dashie to her room and to a makeshift bed in the center of the bedroom, the incense candles still lit. Waver came from behind after Zecura backed away, noticing that Rainbow’s eyes were still half open. “Sleep well Rainbow Dash.” Waver said as she closed her eyes completely, flattening her wings out from her sides. He opened the glass jar, dipped his cloth and began working on his newest project, Rainbow’s body fully relaxed thanks to the potion’s effects. Later on when he was finished, Waver helped Fluttershy to the same room that Rainbow Dash was sleeping in. He thought it would help Rainbow Dash rest better if a friend was with her tonight and Zecura agreed. She slowly went to Dash’s side and lay down next to her. Waver left the room to give them some privacy. Soon, Rainbow Dash started to move in her sleep, as if she was fighting off something. Her dream started again full force despite the aid of the potion she was under, slowly shouting out for 'Pinkamena' to stay away from her. “Dashie… Dashie…” Fluttershy said, nudging Rainbow Dash slowly to try to wake her up. Rainbow opened her eyes slowly. She couldn’t quite get awake but she could tell who was with her. Fluttershy hugged her friend close. “I won’t let that evil pony get you again.” She whispered to her, a light blush on her face producing from being so close to her idol. A smile came across Dash’s mouth as she closed her eyes once more. For the rest of the night it was a peaceful sleep, the first true one Rainbow Dash has had in months.