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// Not A Thing Has Changed 
// Story: The Long Lost Rainbow 
// by Ribe_FireRain 
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Rainbow Strike carried on his way towards Ponyville from Sweet Apple Acres, contemplating his surroundings as he trotted down the trail. From what he knew, not a single thing had changed since he left, well, not to mention more animals than usual and more of a nice climate. Apart from that, he couldn't even remember what Ponyville looked like, weather it had changed or was the same, he wasn't sure of it, but he will found out soon enough.

Only one thing crossed his mind as he was nearing the town: would Rainbow Dash freak out? Would she think its a joke?
Would she think he was crazy?

No. It would be noticeable enough that he had a rainbow mane, just like the rest of the family, after all, it was a family trait that ran in the family for centuries, so why wouldn't she know he was related? He really did hope she knew it when they see each other.

'*heavy sigh* Celestia, I hope she doesn't freak out when she knows the truth...' 

Finally after minutes of trotting down the long, muddy trail, he found Ponyville. From what he could tell now he was closer, it looked as though nothing had changed in the past 13 years of going 'missing' from home.

He looked around as he slowly walked into the town, far enough that he wasn't unnoticeable to any of the towns residents.
One thing caught Strikes attention as he walked along: residents were all glaring at him, wondering if he was related to Rainbow Dash, if he was a long lost family member or somepony else who just had their hair dyed to look like it was a rainbow mane, but little did they know, he was for real.

He simply ignored them, moving along until a certain pink pony with a fluffy, ping tail that was just a tad darker than her fur stopped him in his tracks, giving a big, friendly grin.

'Hey, Rainbow's dad! Whatcha doing in town? Are you going to the shop, to the bakery, or maybe to the...'

Strike shoved his hoof over her mouth, stopping her in mid-sentence, just to stop her talking any further. What was it with ponies confusing him with his dad? They looked nothing alike! (Apart from the rainbow mane and tail)

'Stop...just stop right there, alright?' He released his hoof from Pinkies mouth, leaving her cute, blue eyes frozen on his own gleaming green eyes.

'I'm not my dad, I'm his son and Rainbow Dash's brother. Who are you and what do you want? I just want to find her, so make it quick...please.'

Upon saying that, her jaw literally dropped. Her eyes unfroze and looked at him in excitement. Oh, Celestia, he knew where this was going...

'You're...Rainbow's....brother?!' She bounced in excitement, barely containing her joy as Strike rolled his large green eyes at the annoying party pony.

'Jesus! Do you ever shut up? Try keeping your voice down!' Strike growled at Pinkie through gritted teeth, causing her to stop her playful bouncing, all emotions erased from her face and being replaced with a saddened frown.

'If you must know, I'm looking for my sister. Do you know where she is?' He asked glumly.

'Oh...Rainbow? Ummm...I think she's at home in Cloudsdale. I haven't seen her in a while today...' Pinkie spoke sadly, upset by his attitude toward her.

'Look, sorry about that...its just that I can't risk any talk about me being spread around town...if that happens then....'
Strike stopped himself, before he spilled the beans about the truth of the past. 'I mean...forget what I said...It meant nothing!'  He spoke almost immediately.

'Oh..okie dokie lokie. Well, if you were looking for Rainbow, she should be at her house, just on the outskirts of Ponyville, or knowing her, up in a tree sleeping as usual. By the way I'm Pinkie Pie.'

'Wait...Pinkie?' Rainbow Strike tapped his chin a few times as he tried to think of where he'd heard that name before. He was sure he knew somepony by the name of 'Pie' but where?

'Pinkie Pie, huh? I remember that name, now. I used to know your mother. She was such a nice pony.' He gave Pinkie Pie a smile that was almost as bright as his eyes that seemed to shine with the sun light.

'You knew my mother?! Mother Pie has been gone for years! How could you know her?' 

Rainbow Strike gave out a long sigh through his nostrils as he glared back at Pinkie.

'It was 13 years ago, Pinkie. I assume it was before you were born? She used to foal sit for me when my mum and dad went out. I really loved her. She was just so nice, even in the times when a kid would misbehave.'

'Wait...' Pinkie began but was stopped by Strike.

'Look, I gotta go, Pinkie, maybe we can talk later about this? I really need to find Rainbow Dash.' And in an instant he trotted off, not giving a chance for Pinkie to say anything else.

'Phew! Glad to not be stuck with her...she was driving me crazy...' He quietly said to himself as he tiredly walked onward to continue the search for Rainbow Dash.

He walked past the mayors office and the Golden Oaks Library and as he was about to turn the corner, he heard two voices, one a beautiful feminine voice that sounded sweet, and a masculine voice that sounded threatening and tough.
He stopped and peered around the corner and saw another rainbow maned Pegasus with a cyan coat and beautiful magenta eyes and a white cloud that had a rainbow lightning strike shooting from it.

The other pony, however had a white coat with a leather hunting vest. His mane and tail were black, along with a shabby mustache and a pair of sunglasses with a dark purple tint and his cutie mark had a six-shooter with a lasso surrounding it.

Him and the mare seemed to be arguing, but at the same time the stallion appeared to be threatening the mare.

Rainbow Strike could only think of one thing as he spotted the beautiful cyan mare being threatened by the stallion.

'Is that Rainbow Dash?'