//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10: The Tainted 6: Rainbow Dash 
// Story: Wanderer's Journey: Brony War! 
// by LonesomeWanderer 
//------------------------------//

In front of the ravine in front of Cantorlot.
It was dead silent, no one was in the ravine. Not even the hustle and bustle of the city was heard. "Dekari! Wherever you are, I'll find you!" Wanderer yelled out toward the seemingly empty city.
Suddenly Rainbow Dash approached from behind, "Sup? Why you yelling at Cantorlot?" However that wasn't her speaking. It was the griffin standing next to her.
"Because..." Wanderer began, then let out a sigh, "It doesn't matter anyways...two questions: who are you, and how do I infiltrate Cantorlot?"
"Excuse me?" The griffin asked, "Nopony is supposed to go in there. After Ditzy Doo told us that something dangerous happened, we had to evacuate." She pointed a talon at herself, "I'm Gilda by the way."
"If you evacuated, then why are there no humans down there?" Wanderer asked.
"The Doctor finally got a psy-beam producing device working. Twilight fixed the humans, but now Cantorlot screwed." Rainbow Dash answered grimly.
"Don't have to put it like that, geez..." Wanderer complained.
"Point is, you can't go in that city anymore!" Gilda snapped, "I heard from one of the troops that a building collapsed and the death toll was at least in the triple digits!"
"Th-That high!?" Wanderer replied shocked. Isn't this place supposed to be a safe wonderland? I hate stories that go over the deep end! Wanderer thought to himself.
"Yes!" She said in an annoyed tone, "We're heading back to the camp, so come on!"
"Rainbow Dash..." Wanderer began, "Where's Derpy now?"
"Why are you asking?" She asked in an annoyed tone, "I banished her from the camp."
Wanderer's heart almost fell dead, "I-I-I..." He tried to utter a single sentence, but ended up lost by the shock of it all.
"Calm down, she'll be alright on her own. Come on, let's go ba-" Rainbow Dash began.
"Wh-Where is she? She doesn't deserve to be banished!" Wanderer shouted out.
"Whoa dude, calm down! She is the reason all of this happened!" Gilda pointed out.
"Where is your proof?" Wanderer asked.
Rainbow Dash pulls a rock out of her saddle, "This fragment of a bomb."
"...That's a rock," Wanderer pointed out.
"What are you talking about?" It seemed what Rainbow Dash saw was exactly as she described it; It looked like the fragment of a bomb to her. However... in reality, it was just a rock.
"Listen... I see a rock when you see a bomb fragment. So... there's something wrong with your head." Wanderer stated nonchalantly.
"Oh, just shut up already!" Rainbow Dash suddenly snapped, "I've had enough of your lies! Now prepare to die!" Her eyes turned red in the center and black everywhere else.
"CRAP!" Wanderer jumped back before she struck. He almost fell into the ravine.
"Now then, we're going to fight this out, and you're going to give in simply to your defeat!" Rainbow Dash charged into Wanderer and sent him over the edge.
He landed with a hard thud. The surrounding area had been reshaped for a battle that only RD could fight in with an advantage. "Well... aren't I screwed?" Wanderer said to the empty air.
Rainbow Dash dived down to where Wanderer lay. She had her hooves out in an attempt to land on his chest. "Whoa!" Wanderer suddenly yelled before rolling away from the targeted area, the ground under her hooves is shaped like a bowl now.
She charges in to fight in close quarters combat. However, Wanderer is prepared for the situation, "No thank you ma'am!" He yelled as he deflected each and every blow. This went on until RD went into a kick combo.
Wanderer tried to back away, but was unsuccessful! The kick combo sent him flying! RD followed his flight and grabbed him, then threw him into the ground below. She slowly came down and asked with a devilish smile, "Do you give up now?"
"To the devil's smile? No thanks," Wanderer smugly answered, "Besides... if I let you go out free, I'm basically dooming this universe. So, how about you give me your full cooperation?"
RD laughed at this, "You're an idiot! Worse than that ditz!"
Wanderer pulled out a card, "Stop insulting my friend!" He suddenly breaks the card as if it was glass, "Let's do this! Super-power up!" Wanderer's eyes glowed blood-red and his clothing reacted as if he was in an anime in a hyper powered mode (his clothes looked like they were fluttering in a strong windstorm).
He and RD charge at each other and initiate an unending combo. Blows were given, taken, and deflected in mere blinks of the eye. The pair seemed to be evenly matched until the super power on Wanderer wore off.
Meanwhile... above the ravine.
Gilda simply stared as her friend tried to kill this stranger. The stranger tried to keep the fight in his advantage, but if no one intervened, then the battle was as good as over. They would lose the energy to keep fighting eventually.
Gilda looked at the 'bomb fragment' one more time, "Th-This is a joke! It's just a stupid rock!" She yelled in frustration. She then realized, That guy was right, there is something up with Rainbow!
Back with Wanderer.
No, this isn't good! She's fueled by my brother's rage towards me! I need her restrained or else she'll kill me for sure! Wanderer realized.
"Ready to give up yet?" Rainbow asked.
"N... not really," Wanderer panted, "I... I... I've still got some energy."
"Okay, I'll make sure this time that you're dead!" She replied.
"Would someone come and restrain you already?" Wanderer asked quite obviously.
"Sure, why don't I do it!?" Wanderer looked behind Rainbow and saw Gilda approaching swiftly. She grabbed Rainbow from behind and yelled at Wanderer, "Whatever you're doing, do it fast!"
"Alrighty then," Wanderer pulled out a card, "Mind fixer!" He placed the card on Rainbow's forehead and entered her mind.
In Rainbow Dash's mind.
Wanderer dropped onto what looked like a raceway. Literally, he dropped into the middle of it, and the racing pegasi were coming at him. He quickly ran towards the finish line, while the pegasi were on his tail. He somehow got to the finish line first, even though the pegasi were like speeding bullets to him. He turned to look back at them and saw that they were charging at him!
"Yo, don't kill me!" Wanderer shouted. None of them listened. Since none of them listened, Wanderer tried to run away towards the stands, but was grabbed by the cyan pegasus whizzing by, then put down on a platform.
"What are you doing here? Don't you know it's dangerous to be on the track?"
"Well... I guess I just wanted to beat you guys at speed." Wanderer shrugged.
Rainbow Dash looked at him questioningly, "We travel about five hundred kilometers an hour and you wanted to beat us at speed?" She giggled.
"Hey! Don't laugh at someone's dreams! Uncool..." Wanderer looked away blushing.
"Heh... sorry... anyways, do you need my autograph?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Sorry... I don't accept autographs, but I do have something to tell you!" Wanderer began, "You're causing a rampage in the real world!"
"What? It looks like someone's high again." Rainbow joked.
"This isn't a joke! What you're seeing here is just an illusion!" Wanderer tried to convince her.
"What I see here... is a crazy kid." She joked again.
"Cut that out! What would the other five think of this kind of behavior!?" Wanderer exclaimed.
"Other five? What are you talking about?"
"Y'know, that whole mane six business." Wanderer explained.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"What?" Wanderer looked very confused, "You don't remember Twilight, Applejack, or Pinkie Pie? Not even Rarity or Fluttershy?"
"Well... I remember Fluttershy, but she was just another mare in my flight class." She shrugged.
Wanderer couldn't believe what he was seeing. Rainbow had the memories of her friends forced out and is now in her own paradise. "So... what are you doing these days?" He asked in hopes that he would get something out of her.
"Huh? That's a little off topic, but I am the leader of the wonderbolts." She suddenly smiled, "Jealous?"
"Actually, no... I don't care for racing." Wanderer sighed, "But now that I think about it, I have a friend that is much faster than you."
"No you don't, I can clearly see that you're lying!" RD smiled.
"Honestly, are you a racing horse, a wonderbolt leader, lie detector, or none of the above?" Wanderer asked.
"What are you trying to say?"
This is getting way off track. "How about we stop here and I show you something?" Wanderer asked.
"What?"
Wanderer pulls out a deck of cards, "Pick one, and I shall see your future." Rainbow pulls out a random card reluctantly, "That one? Maybe you should look closer at your choice..."
On closer inspection, the card showed no hearts, spades, diamonds, or clubs. It showed a picture of what was going on out in reality, Rainbow Dash was struggling to get out of Gilda's arms ineffectively. "Wh-What kind of joke is this?"
"It's not a joke, skittles." Wanderer remarked, "That's you trying to kill me. Thank goodness the griffin is there though. Remember her, and how much fun you'd have together?" Wanderer had no idea if it was true, but he said it anyway to see her reaction.
"I-I can't believe this..." Rainbow shook her head, "What's going on?"
"A certain fellow put locks on your memories. Now in reality, you are actually a sleep-walker or flier in this case." Wanderer explained, "If we don't get you out of this world made from your desires, then I can't guarantee that people and ponies are safe around you."
Rainbow stayed silent.
"Ignore me all you want, but if you really want to kill that friend of yours and me, then stay here. I'm sure you might break her wings and other body parts..." Wanderer put on a devilish smile, "Have a nice day Ms. Dash!" He turned to walk away.
"Wait..." Rainbow Dash began, "I don't remember who that is, but I don't feel like she deserves to die! What do I do to stop this thing that I am in reality?"
"Well... first you have to-"
"Don't leave us, Rainbow Dash..." A chorus of voices called out. The crowd was getting out of their seats and walking toward RD. They looked hollow, but angry at the same time somehow.
"Alright, first we need to find the core of your memories! Let's see, um..." Wanderer scratched his chin in thought. "Wait... all your friends live in Ponyville! Get there now!"
The pair ran past the crowd and Rainbow Dash flew them the rest of the way.
Ponyville's remains.
The town looks like it has been hit by a bomb shower and then smashed repeatedly. The center of town had a giant tree standing as if nothing had touched it. "That must be it! Your memory core!" exclaimed Wanderer.
"How come it's a tree?"
"It's many branches symbolize memories." Wanderer explained, "Sometimes though, it'll depend on the pony at hand."
They both ran to the tree, while the hypothetical air was full of a certain suspenseful feeling. When they got to the tree, Rainbow Dash asked, "What do I do?"
"It's actually really simple actually, touch the tree," Wanderer instructed, "Then you should remember everything!"
She did as Wanderer instructed. A light emanated from the trunk of the tree and shined down upon her.
"Right... I'll see you in the real world!" Wanderer waved goodbye, then disappeared.
Back in reality.
Wanderer's eyes shot open and he stood up. He looked down at Rainbow Dash, "Hey buddy, you still want to kill me?" he asked sarcastically.
"Wh-What happened?" Rainbow managed to ask.
"Gilda, it's fine to let her go now." Wanderer told Gilda, "You were brainwashed basically. I helped you out of it, but there's not a whole lot of time left. Where is Derpy?"
Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head, "Ouch, that hurts. Um... Derpy probably went somewhere in the Everfree forest to drown out her sorrow. She seems to do that after she encountered a bully on the street."
"Alright, goodbye!"
"Hey, hold on buddy!" Gilda exclaimed, "Are you concerned for RD's safety at all?"
"I would be, but she can stand on her own or with her friend. I've got to go and see Derpy now!" With that, Wanderer ran out of the ravine and towards the Everfree.
At the edge of the Everfree.
"Yo, Derpy! I need to talk to you!" Wanderer yelled at the depressed-looking mare, "There's-"
"Go away!" She yelled before running into the forest.
Why must they always run away? Wanderer thought to himself. "Derpy, stop running! You have wings! Not the point though!" He ran after Derpy as quickly as his legs could carry him. He kept shouting at Derpy to get her attention, but inevitably so.
He finally cornered her at a tree house. She looked angry, scared, and confused at the same time, "Y-You got me in trouble! I don't want you to be near me any more!"
"You don't understand," Wanderer exclaimed, "That wasn't me, that was my evil twin brother! I know that it's hard to believe, but please trust me!"
She still didn't move with the same expression stuck on her face. If I move any closer, I endanger what little trust she has in me. What do I do? Wanderer scratched his chin in deep thought.
"Are there visitors outside? On what business do you abide?" Zecora came out of her house dressed in a robe, "Come inside with stride! Lest you want to become a feast to some plight."
The pair still didn't move, Zecora stared in silence. Wanderer kept his hand to his chin, while Derpy looked ready to run at any moment. I have her cornered, but she doesn't want to try to run away or beg for mercy... how do I get her to stop being afraid?
A growl is heard from behind Wanderer. When he turns around, he sees a giant bear made of mostly stars. It roars in his face, then circles the frozen protagonist. "A-Ahh... it's a bear." he said silently.
Zecora looked at Wanderer confused, "What are you doing? It will make you its stomach filling!" she called out silently. 
Wanderer answered by looking back with sweat beading down his face, his expression quite clearly said, "Help me..."
The bear looked like it was about to pounce, "Wanderer! Wake up!" Derpy suddenly yelled.
Wanderer came back down to Earth and prepared for the bear's attack, "A-Alright, you stupid mutt! C-Come and get me!" he was so scared that his insults weren't as good as usual.
The bear charged at Wanderer and jumped so that it would land on him. Wanderer pulls out a card, "I hope you enjoy fireworks! Meteor strike!" a meteor came out of the card and struck the bear, "YES! Home run, baby!" Wanderer shouted as the bear flew off to another part of the forest.
Derpy watched as the bear trailed off into the night sky, but said not a word when Wanderer looked back.
"Look... Derpy, I'm sorry for what happened to you. And to prove it," Wanderer stated with a serious stare, "You can hit me in the jaw as your way of releasing frustration. Go ahead..." Wanderer approached, kneeled, and spread his arms in a 'come at me, bro' sort of fashion.
Derpy released a fury-filled punch into Wanderer's jaw, but he didn't respond to the hit. "You coming into my life has made it terrible to live each minute! Nobody cares that I've left! Not even Fluttershy would!"
Wanderer looked her in the eyes and smiled, "I cared..." he weakly stated, "If you got hurt, then it would be like I failed to protect my loved ones. Speaking of which... where's Katherine? Is she...?"

Derpy's eyes widened, "I-I don't know... she might be..."
Wanderer closed his eyes and remained silent. He got up and went towards a tree, "What did she do?"
"She stopped some person from attacking Dinky and me."
Wanderer opened his fury-filled eyes and fiercely punched the tree, "KATHERINE!!!!!" he kept punching the tree leaving an impression on the tree's trunk, "YOU IDIOT!!!!" he stopped punching, his fists now bloody, he fell to his hands and knees, then sobbed, "Y-You know he's too much for you... but you still tried to fight him. WHY!?"
"Calm yourself! You cannot stop what she has done now!" Zecora exclaimed.
"SHUT UP! You just... don't understand..." Wanderer sobbed heavily. He stood up, "I'm... I'm sorry... I'm just... tired of all this." He waved goodbye, "Derpy, take your time here if you need. I'm heading back to Ponyville to dry up my sorrows. I'll see you later." he left soon after saying that.
Wanderer has found out about his sister fighting Dekari. Now he's going back to Ponyville to "dry his sorrows" as he called it. However, Rainbow couldn't have been the only pony tainted by Dekari's spell. There may be a surprise awaiting our hero next time on Dragon Ba-dang it, I did it again. On the next chapter of Wanderer's Journey.

Now would be a good time to save. Pick your option now!
Let's save now!
OR
I still don't want to save! NO!!! Don't save for me!!! (Saved anyway, hehehe!)