Chapter 11- Friends
Rainbow walked with Shadow through the center of town. She wore the cloak and her watch hung around her neck. Shadow Flare had returned late last night. He had searched the entire remaining perimeter of Ponyville. The two ponies decided that it may be easier to ask around for clues.
Rainbow had not told Shadow of the events that occurred the night before. As they walked, she tried to find a way to bring the subject up. However, it was rather confusing to her as it was. How would she ever explain it to him?
“You rest up good last night?” Shadow asked.
“Yeah, I guess,” was Rainbow’s reply.
Silence again. There was no way to ease into this. She would just have to be outright with it.
“Something bad is going on,” she began. Shadow gazed at her with a curious look. “There was this unicorn named Chrono visiting the library yesterday. I don’t know why, but I instantly sensed something strange about him. Then, later, Dash showed up looking for a book and Chrono showed up again. He was trying to persuade her to turn against me. He’s planning to do something. And now Dash wants to prove that she’s better than me.”
“Okay. Why didn’t you tell me last night?” asked Shadow.
“I don’t know. The pressure of all this is overwhelming. I just want to go home and forget all this.”
She caught a hurt look cross Shadow’s face, but it was gone before she could say anything.
“HAY GUYS!” yowled an ecstatic voice behind them.
Rainbow and Shadow turned to face Pinkie Pie.
“What’s up you guys? Are you doing anything fun? I love your new cloak Dashie. Where’d you get it? Did Rarity give it to you?” Pinkie Pie barraged them with an onslaught of questions.
“Pinkie, have you seen a smooth, white stone with my cutie mark carved on it?” Rainbow asked.
“Nope. Wait! Uh, yeah. No. I’ve never seen a stone like that,” Pinkie answered confusingly. “Why? Lose it or something? I bet you could make another easily.”
“That’s fine Pinkie. Thanks anyways,” Shadow said.
“Okie dokie lokie then. I’ll let you know if I find it,” she said as she bounced off. Rainbow and Shadow both turned and walked off.
They walked in silence and asked a few passing ponies if they’d come across anything. Nopony claimed to have seen the stone before.
“How ya’ll doin’?” called Applejack. She was walking down the street with a wagon filled with apples. “I’ve come to town to sell some fresh apples from Sweet Apple Acres. Care for a bite?”
“No thanks, AJ. We’re looking for a certain stone. Perhaps you’ve seen it? It’s white and has my cutie mark engraved in it,” said Rainbow.
Applejack shook her head. “Ain’t seen a stone like that before. Why? Surely a stone like that is easy to replace.”
“Well,” said Rainbow, “I’m not gonna lie. But you’d never believe me if I told you the truth.”
“Try me,” said Applejack stubbornly.
Shadow butted in, “Listen Applejack. It’s probably best if you didn’t know this. It is rather hard to believe but the truth could cause more trouble than it’s worth.”
Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Well I trust your judgment Shadow, but if something funky starts up, I’m looking for you two.” With that, she cantered past the two ponies.
“Man, I wish I didn’t have to see Applejack like that,” said Rainbow glumly.
“It will all be okay. You’ll see. Soon enough, you will be back in your own time, and everything will be fine,” Shadow encouraged.
“I sure hope so. I’ve never been so scared and nervous my entire life. I used to be able to stand up to anything without fear. But the end of the world? That’s a bit more than I can handle,” she admitted.
Shadow sighed, “It’s been tough for me, too. Not a second goes by without me imagining how it’s all gonna end. I can’t sleep without nightmares of death and destruction haunting me. But one thing has made it all bearable.”
“What?” said Rainbow, “If you say it’s me, I’ll punch you right in the nose.” They laughed at that.
“I’m sorry, but it is you. I’ve never really talked to anypony much, let alone made a friend. But, these past three days, I feel more comfortable knowing you’re around. I never knew how much it’d help to have a friend. In that way, I don’t want you to go back. Even if it did mean the end of the world.”
Rainbow smiled, “I know what you mean. Having a friend does ease the pain of having problems. But you’ll have more friends. And what about Dash?”
Shadow shook his head. “It’s not the same. As weird as it sounds, I see both of you as separate beings. You have qualities Dash doesn’t have, like being yourself.”
“Hold up. I’ve always been myself. I may hide it when I’m scared or have a problem sometimes, but I’ve always been me,” Rainbow objected.
“I’m sorry to say this, but since Dash joined the Wonderbolts two years ago, she seems to think she’s superior to everypony. She talks down to ponies a lot. If only she’d realize that it’s not the title earning her respect but herself, she’d be a bit more likable. The only ones she really treats with much respect anymore are me, her old friends, and Scootaloo.”
“Scootaloo?” asked Rainbow.
“Yeah. They’ve been like sisters since as long as I can remember. Whenever Dash isn’t busy with the Wonderbolts or her friends, she’s usually with the young pegasus.”
“Really?” said Rainbow. Something was clicking in her head.
“What is it?” asked Shadow.
“I think I know where to find the Fate Stone.”