//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Secrets of the Rainbow // by HappySalesman //------------------------------// Chapter 4: Rainbow Dash groaned as she laid upon her bed. Frustration and anguish coursed through her, and she alternated between blaming herself for her fate, and blaming nearly everything else she could imagine. Rainbow curled up tightly, hugging her forelegs around her as a sob escaped her lips, a small cry following as pain lanced through her heart. “Rainbow Dash? Are you okay?” Twilight called through the door, giving a small knock. Dash wanted to say no. She wanted to open the door and tell her friends everything. She knew, deep down that it would probably be for the best. But she couldn’t. Her pride, and her unwillingness to burden her friends with problems she created stopped her. “I-I’m fine,” she called out, trying to sound as normal as possible. “Well, we’re all here for you. We were about to go out to dinner, did you want to come?” “Uh… no thanks, I’m not really hungry,” Dash called back, grateful for once that she had a slightly scratchy voice to begin with, all of her crying was definitely not helping. “All right, well we’ll pick something up for you for later,” with that, Dash heard Twilight turn and walk down the hallway to the staircase. Furiously, Dash rubbed at her eyes, trying to stop the stream of tears. To no avail, they kept coming. Dash glanced at herself in the vanity by the restroom, a disheveled, puffy-eyed Rainbow Dash looked back, looking miserable. “Is this my fault?” She asked. “Hey Crashy,” Cloud said, walking up next to me. I shot him my customary glare at the stupid nickname, to which he responded with a smirk. “What do you want Cloud,” I deadpanned, hating that stupid smirk more than the nickname. Still, despite myself, I felt a small warmth grow in my chest at his presence. “Just wanted to see how you were. How did your test go?” I glanced away, a small amount of shame rising in my throat, “Not as well as I had hoped.” A hoof was placed on my shoulder, “Dash…” he started, I gave a small groan, knowing what was coming, “did you study?” “Yes?” I said, hoping he’d buy it. A look from him forced the truth out, “Not as much as I should’ve,” I muttered, looking down to the floor. Cloud sighed, rubbing his snout with a hoof. “Dash, if you want to become a Wonderbol-“ “I know Cloud,” I snapped, “I get enough lectures from my dad. I don’t need them from you.” Cloud frowned, “I’m just trying to help.” “Well find some other pony to help. I don’t need it.” Cloud snorted loudly, I looked back up and glared at him. “What was that?” I asked. “Dash,” he started, but seemed to change his mind. “Nevermind.” “No. What were you going to say?” I demanded. “Nothing,” he said, glaring at me. “Tell me,” I said, glaring back. “I said it was nothing, drop it!” He snapped. “No!” I yelled, “If you think you’re so much better than me, why don’t you just say it!” ‘You know, getting in a fight with the colt you like, who was only trying to help, is really not the best way to go about things.’ I paused as the words slipped past the cloud of anger invading my mind. I relaxed and let out a small sigh. “Just… ugh. I’m sorry Cloud.” Cloud took a step back, not expecting me to just deflate. I huffed, feeling the rest of my anger melt away. I glanced around, noticing that most of the ponies in the hall had stopped to stare at us. “What?” I snapped, glaring at them. As one, they all seemed to come out of a trance and went back on their way. I looked back to Cloud, who I could tell was still upset. “Look… our classes are done for the day. Can we talk about this somewhere else?” Cloud nodded, then turned and started walking towards the exit. I gave a small sigh, not looking forward to what could be another big fight, and follow after. --- “So,” I said, breaking the silence between us. We’d sat atop this cloud for nearly five minutes, neither of us saying anything. Far below us, Cloudsdale bustled with activity as ponies went about their daily business. “So what?” Cloud said, a slight edge to his voice. “I’m sorry,” I said, trying to look as apologetic as possible. Cloud’s face only hardened further. “You do that a lot,” he said calmly. “Do what?” “Apologize like it’ll fix everything.” I frowned, “What do you mean?” Cloud shot me an irritated look, “You fly off the handle, say all sorts of stupid things, then apologize and expect it to just go away like it never happened.” I instinctively opened my mouth to apologize, but caught myself, knowing full well it would just make the situation worse. Instead, I just hung my head, my multicolored mane falling in front of my eyes. “You’re so… impulsive Dash.” I glanced up at him, the memory of my horrid morning with Gilda resurfacing. “You react so quickly without thinking. You’re a great pony, and an even better flier, but when you get excited… you stop thinking about how your actions are going to affect everypony around you.” I looked down again, guilt welling up in my chest. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I know you are Dash, by Celestia I know you are. Everypony knows you don’t mean it, but that doesn’t mean it hurts any less.” More guilt piled up, and I buried my face in my hooves. “Hey now,” he said, “It’s not all that bad. You just gotta stop and think more.” I let out a sigh and moved my hooves to my cheeks, staring glumly at the cloud we were sitting on. Suddenly, a light green hoof appeared in front of me. “C’mon,” Cloud said, shaking his hoof slightly, “let’s go get dinner. I’m starving.” I nodded, the pangs of hunger in my stomach overriding the pangs of guilt. I took his hoof, and together we glided down until our hooves touched the street. “Cloud…. Can I ask something?” “Sure Dash,” he replied. “Why… back when we were in training, during the last competition, you saved me from crashing. Why?” Cloud laughed, “It’s taken you nearly two years to ask that question? Oh my Dash. Why wouldn’t I help you?” I fixed him with an odd look, “You hated me remember? You took every opportunity to torture me.” Cloud blushed and scratched the back of his head nervously, “Yeah… about that. I never really hated you. I was just way too intimidated to approach you, so I came up with that stupid nickname as a joke. I didn’t think you’d take it so harshly. After that… well it kind of escalated.” I stopped dead, “Wait, you were the one who came up with Rainbow Crash!?” Cloud looked away and nodded, “I’m really sorry Dash. I didn’t think it would stick.” I glared at him, then relaxed, “It’s fine Cloud, don’t worry about it.” He stared at me as I shot him a smile, then shrugged and continued walking. I hung back a little, making sure I was out of his line of sight before I scooped up a hoof-full of cloud and dove at him, aiming for his face. “I’ll give you Rainbow Crash you mint-green slowpoke Pegasus!” Dash let out a chuckle, relishing in the memory of her antics with Cloud. However, the warm feeling that had grown in her chest didn’t last long as the knowledge that she would never get to enjoy a moment like that again resurfaced. A wave of sadness crashed over the cyan mare, threatening to pull her down and drown her. Dash wrapped her hooves around herself, trying to find some comfort amid the misery and pain that racked her heart. “This isn’t fair,” she said as tears stung her violet eyes, “I expected it to be like this, so why does it hurt so much?” Sobbing now, Dash found her way under the sheets, pulling them tightly around her. “I’m sorry Cloud,” she whispered, “I’d do anything to change it.” --- “Y’know, RD was right. This here is the best grilled oat sandwich Ah’ve ever had.” “Mmhmm!” Pinkie agreed, her mouth full of food. “Very. I almost wish they would open a restaurant in Ponyville. Ooh that would be delightful!” Rarity smiled, taking a dainty nibble of her sandwich. “True, but that probably won’t happen Rarity,” Twilight said, putting her sandwich down, “The cost of buying a building and renting out a lot in Ponyville, then hiring staff, then teaching them how to make food just like they do here, when in fact the instruments are probably different, given that practically everything here is made of clouds, as well as paying different taxes since it’s in a different town an-“ “Twi!” Applejack barked, causing the purple unicorn to jump slightly. “Sorry,” Twilight said, blushing. The group gave a small laugh before turning back to their food, eating in relative peace. Around them, many other ponies sat, chatting amongst themselves. One conversation a few tables over stood out to the group as a few choice words made themselves heard above the din. “Cloud! Who was this Rainbow Dash mare? Tell me about her.” As one, the group turned to stare at the table. There sat a lavender blue Pegasus mare with a yellow mane sitting across from a light green stallion with a sky blue mane. “I knew her from Flight Academy,” the stallion said, looking uncomfortable, “we were friends.” Twilight’s eyes widened as realization sparked in her brain. Behind her, she heard the rest of her friends scrambling as she slid off her stool and dashed across the restaurant, coming to a skidding half in front of the other table. “Uh… can I help you?” The mare asked, staring quizzically at Twilight. “You…” Twilight faltered, realizing she had no idea what to say. “I?” The mare responded. “You guys know Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie yelled, coming to another skidding halt by Twilight. Both the stallion and the mares’ eyebrows rose, being nearly hidden by their manes. Glancing at the stallion, the mare scooted back a little, “He’s the one you want. I don’t know any Rainbow Dash.” “Thank sis,” he muttered, shooting her a glare. Looking warily back at the small crowd that had formed around his table, he swallowed before speaking, “Uh… I knew Rainbow Dash… back in Flight Academy. Why?” “She’s a friend of ours. Um,” Twilight glanced around, “D’you think we could discuss this somewhere else?” “Here, you guys can share this table. Cloud, I expect some kind of explanation about this later.” The mare slid from her seat and offered it to Twilight, who apologized rapidly before accepting. --- “So, you have no idea?” Cloud Chaser shook his head. Several other chairs had been pulled up for the large group of ponies, who sat staring intently at Cloud. “It’s like I said, one day, everything was fine. Next day, she’s gone. Her dorm was empty; she’d withdrawn from the school, even her friend Gilda didn’t know what was going on.” Twilight let out a small sigh as she slumped in her chair. “Applejack, you said she was upset when she arrived at the inn?” Applejack nodded, “Eeyup, wouldn’t even look at me when ah spoke to her.” “I wonder what happen- Oh by Celestia’s mane I’m an idiot,” Cloud said, hitting his forehead with a hoof. The six mares stared at him, “What?” “Earlier today, after practice at the coliseum I could’ve sworn I saw Rainbow Dash.” “So?” “Well… right before that Cloud Kicker was practically hanging on me and… well Dash never knew I had a sister.” Pinkie frowned, “So? Just because sh-“ Pinkie’s eyes widened to an astronomical size, “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! No way!” Four pairs of eyes turned and stared at Pinkie Pie. “Uh… No way what, Pinkie?” “Guys!” Pinkie shouted, “Rainbow Dash likes Cloud!” Four pairs of eyes turned to Cloud for confirmation, who gave a small shrug in response. “I always thought she did… I mean… I never confirmed it but…” The group sat in stunned silence for a few moments, before Rarity cleared her throat and gave Cloud a pointed look. “Well?” Cloud looked at her, “Well… what?” “Do you have feelings for her too?” “Oh! Uh… I don’t know?” The group deadpanned, and Rarity placed a gentle, but firm hoof on Cloud’s shoulder. “Cloud darling, now is not the time to be uncertain. Do you like her, or do you not?” “W-well I don’t know. It’s been such a long time and…” Cloud trailed off as Rarity increased the pressure from her hoof. “H-hey! It’s not that easy! You have someone walk out of your life and abruptly reappear after five years and tell me how you feel!” Rarity’s face remained stoic as she pressed harder, “Of course. You see, it’s just that Rainbow Dash is a very dear friend of ours, and we don’t want her to be hurt.” Cloud let out a small sigh, “Look… I can’t guarantee I’m going to have feelings for her. Back in the Flight Academy I was still unsure. What I can guarantee is I won’t do anything to hurt her further.” “Good,” Rarity said, then burst out into a huge grin, “Oh this is going to be lovely! To lovers, torn apart and reunited again after five years! Oh we must get a move on! Poor Rainbow Dash is probably miserable right now!” --- Dash stirred as a tentative knock came at her door. “Rainbow Dash? Are you in there?” Dash groaned and sat up, cracking open one eye to find her room cast in darkness. Her eyes itched uncomfortably from the dried tears caked around the lids. “Just a sec,” she groaned, climbing out of bed. She walked over to the door and pulled it open, coming face to face with a familiar set of golden irises, partially covered by a light blue mane. Dash’s eyes widened as recognition set it, and she immediately slammed the door. “Uh…” Cloud said, glancing at Twilight, who only mouthed ‘Talk to her’. “Dash? Um… hi?” Behind him, Cloud heard the sound of a hoof smacking into a face. On the other side of the door, Dash sat numbly, staring at the dark space of wall in front of her. “Uh…” she managed. “Excuse me,” she heard before, “Rainbow Dash? Darling its Rarity, do you think that I could come in?” Dash stared at the door, but before she could voice any form of protest, the door was open and Rarity was slipping inside, gently shutting the door behind her. “What say we get some light in here?” With a faint glow, a spark emitted from Rarity’s horn and drifted over to a burnt-out candle on the nightstand. With a soft flare, the candle lit and bathed the room in a yellow glow. “There,” Rarity said, smiling at her handiwork, “that’s not so bad is it?” Apart from the unmade bed and a handful of items on the counter near the vanity, the room was rather clean, though the bundle of cyan and rainbow at her hooves was a different matter entirely. “Oh my,” she said, putting a hoof to her lips. “Uh, Twilight?” She called through the door. “Yeah?” “Why don’t you and the other head downstairs? Rainbow Dash and I are going to be a few minutes.” “Ugh, alright.” Rarity smiled despite her friends’ words. Twilight meant well, but when it came to matters of the heart, she was wholly unequipped to deal with them in a proper manner. “Alright my dear, let’s get you cleaned up.” Five minutes later, Rarity had Rainbow Dash looking almost her normal self. Unfortunately nothing could be done about her bloodshot eyes, and some of the puffiness had refused to go down. “Well, that’s the best I can do,” she said, studying Dash critically. “Whoo,” Dash deadpanned. “Oh come now Rainbow Dash,” Rarity admonished, a grin on her face, “This can’t be all that bad.” Dash glared up at her grinning friend, “What’s got you so happy?” Rarity’s grin quickly disappeared, “Oh nothing dear. Now, I promise you, nothing is as ever bad at seems,” stealthily, Rarity started backing towards the door. “Oh yeah? And what do you know about this?” Rarity giggled in spite of herself, “Oh, I know a few things. Now dear, I’m very sorry for this.” Dash frowned, “Sorry for what?” Rarity’s horn flashed and shot a bolt of magic at the lone window of the room before she dashed out and fired a similar bolt at the door. “Rarity? What the heck is that?” From the other side of the door, Dash heard Rarity’s nervous chuckle. “It’s uh… well it’s a spell I know that I use to lock up my boutique after hours. Right now those windows will only open for me and the door… well it’s much of the same.” “Why did you lock me in here!?” Another nervous chuckle, “I swear it’s not as bad as you think dear! I’m so sorry!” Dash dove towards the door, banging on it with her hooves. “Rarity! Let me out!” Dash let out a groan as she slumped against the door. “Well, I guess there’s no way out of it now.” --- And thus, Chapter four is finished :D