//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: For Whom The Belle Tolls // by Darksonickiller //------------------------------// For Whom The Belle Tolls Chapter 4 The very first thing Rainbow was aware of was the light. It pierced her eyes like a knife, blinding her, stinging, causing tears to roll down her cheeks. Sunlight spilled down upon her from the jagged holes in the roof. Next came the pain. It was excruciating, as though her body were being saturated in agony. There wasn’t a single part of her that didn’t hurt. She wanted to scream to vocalize the torture she was being put through, but no sound escaped, her throat was dry as a desert. Once the light subsided, she could see faint figures looming above her, and distant yelling. Eventually some of the words began to register in her mind. “Don’t move her yet, get the rocks off her legs first!” A commanding voice shouted. “What are we going to do?” “I could fly her back.” A scared yet determined voice offered. “I’m sorry Fluttershy, but I don’t want to risk her falling, and I don’t think there’s anyway you could hold her without putting her through more pain. The faces came into focus. Her friends stood around her crowding, and anxious. Almost all of them were crying. Even Rarity. She tried to speak, to ask what happened, but all that came out was a muffled sounding groan. All the mares looked down on her. Twilight knelt down swiftly, putting a soft hoof to her forehead. “Rainbow, don’t try to move. We’re going to get you out of here, to a hospital, please stay still.” The purple unicorn stood back up. Suddenly it all came back, the wall, Applejack. She began to understand her own pain, and she moaned again. “Fluttershy, you’re still the fastest, I need you to fly back to town and tell the hospital what happened, make sure they’re ready to receive Rainbow.” The pegasus didn’t hesitate, taking off with as much speed as she could muster. “Rarity, I’m going to lift her out, I think magic is the only way we can move her without harming her. I’m going to need you to help me keep her steady.” Swirls of purple and blue began to envelope her and she began to float towards the sky. Her vision swam then disappeared, and the pegasus faded into darkness. “Fluttershy, I can’t thank you enough for this favour, it means a lot to me.” Rainbow expressed to her yellow friend, as she carried a small box into the little cottage. “Oh, it’s no problem Dash,” The shy mare replied from behind her, carrying her own little package. “When I heard you were coming to town I figured it would be a nice way to catch up. Besides, Ponyville only has one inn, and it’s pretty run down.” “Speaking of which, how much do I owe you?” Rainbow grunted as she let her box down on the hardwood floor. Fluttershy set down the other with a confused look on her face. “Owe me?" “Yeah for letting me stay with you. I know it can be a pain to take in a houseguest and-” “Rainbow, we’re friends, you don’t owe me anything! I’m happy to take you in.” “Really? Are you sure, because I can pay you, I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage.” Rainbow said, quite shocked by Fluttershy’s kindness. “Of course I’m sure.” Rainbow pulled the mare into a hug. She’d been stressing her money situation for a long time, and knowing that she didn’t have to pay for lodgings was going to make things a lot easier. Fluttershy’s face reddened by the unexpected contact, but she wrapped her forelegs around her all the same. “It’s great to see you again Rainbow.” “You too Fluttershy.” “I-I’m sorry about what happened to your parents.” She said, doing her best to look Rainbow in the eye. She looked almost scared for saying that, as though it would make her angry. But Rainbow put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “Me too Fluttershy. But don’t worry about it. You know me, I’m tough as nails.” She put out a friendly smile, and Fluttershy smiled back, obviously happy to have that conversation over with. The kind pegasus showed her around her cottage. The rooms were full of animals, but very well kept considering. Rainbow didn’t mind that too much; it was a small thing to deal with for getting to stay without rent. The cottage was small; much smaller than she was used to, but it was homey, and warm, and it would be nice to have somepony she knew so close to her as she adjusted to the change. “And here’s where you’ll be sleeping.” She opened a door to a large room, with a comfortable looking queen sized bed and beautiful decorations. It was the only room she’d visited so far that didn’t have a critter in it. “Wow Fluttershy this is amazing! Thank you so much!” “You’re quite welcome. Sorry it’s nothing special, but I only have the one bed. But I cleaned up as best as I could, and I even animal-proofed the door, so you don’t have to worry about any unexpected visitors." Rainbow smiled, but it dipped a little as she played back what the other pegasus had said. “Wait, one bed? Where are you sleeping?” “Oh, I was just going to take a blanket down to the couch and sleep there.” “Oh, no, no, no. Fluttershy, I can’t let you do that." “It really is fine, I don’t mind! I couldn’t ask you to sleep on the couch.” “Yes you could, that’s actually what I expected. Seriously Fluttershy, you’re already doing too much for me, you keep the bed, I’ll take the loveseat.” “Well, if you really want. But I won’t be able to keep the critters off of you. I mean they’re all harmless, but I know most ponies don’t appreciate waking up to mice snoozing on them.” As unsavory as the mouse prospect sounded to her, Rainbow refused to take such a kind ponies bed. The two descended the stairs again. The cyan pegasus felt very grateful. It had been nearly two years since she last saw Fluttershy. A lot of things had changed for Dash since then, but thankfully her friend hadn’t. The yellow pegasus smiled and giggled as they talked, and blushed when she said anything remotely negative. While they were reminiscing about their days as fillies back in Cloudsdale, Rainbow felt her stomach growl, and Fluttershy gasped. At first the blue pegasus giggled, thinking the noise from her stomach startled the timid mare. But Fluttershy got straight up from her chair and took off into the kitchen, with Rainbow tailing behind her. “Rainbow Dash, I’m so sorry! I was so busy getting the house ready for you, I completely forgot to buy groceries, and I’m out of food." “Don’t worry about that Fluttershy. What do you need?" “Oh Dash, I couldn’t ask you to do that, you’re my houseguest, I want to make you feel welcome, not send you out on my errands.” “It’s really no big deal. I really can’t believe you’d do all this for me, I feel like I owe you something. I mean, groceries won’t totally pay you back, but consider it the first of many repayments.” “But, you don’t know where the markets are. I would go with you, but I have a sick patient and I’d really prefer not to leave the house.” “I’ll just do a quick flyby, it can’t be too hard to spot.” “Are you sure? I’d hate to impose.” “Oh, of course I am. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to see a bit of the town, see what’s going on." “Alright. But remind me later and I’ll be sure to give you a proper tour of the town.” The light stung her eyes again as they slowly opened. Swirls of purple and blue slowly passed in her line of vision, like clouds moving across the sky. Her head was still facing the sky,the sun and sky beaming down on her- or perhaps she was looking down upon the sky. The pain made it hard to tell, hard to care. Her head felt like it was being crushed in a press, and her entire midsection felt like it was being stabbed with hot blades. She tried to writhe her body, see what still worked, if there was any muscle that didn’t feel as though it was being torn out of her. But she was held in place by invisible restraints. She heard a low humming, then a gurgling sound like a fast moving river. Then voices, coming from below her. She was floating. “Twilight! Watch her back right!” A pony with an accent called. Applejack. “We are, her leg is bent wrong!” Twilight shouted back in an aggravated voice. Rainbow tried to open her mouth, tell them not to shout, but her mouth was frozen like the rest of her body, and her voice couldn’t be found. The voices below went silent, except for one who only whispered. “Please be okay. Please be okay.” Pausing only to suck in gasping breaths. Rarity. Even without seeing, Dash could tell she was crying. Again she tried to speak, tell her something comforting, but even if she could, what comforting words could such an uncomfortable mare give? The leaves of the forest consumed the sun as Rainbow’s lidded eyes closed once again. Rainbow had to admit, she didn’t expect the marketplace to be as big as it was, especially for such a small town. She walked the trails, with the list her new roommate had given her in her saddlebag. It was going to be a while before the pegasus got used to the feel of solid ground beneath her hooves again, it had been a long time since her last trip from Cloudsdale. Walking on clouds was a lot easier on the hoofs than the dirt and rocks of the ground, but she would cope, she was an adaptable. She walked to the stalls she could find and asked directions to those she couldn’t. “Excuse me,” She said to an orange earth pony with a mane to match. Her ears perked up. “Do you know where I could find the celery stand?” “Oh, sure! New in town huh?” Her tone was jubilant and friendly. “Just walk that way, turn left and you should find it two or three stalls down on your right!” Rainbow memorized the directions and thanked the mare. The pegasus looked back as she walked away. It was rare she ever met somepony so friendly. But the more she walked, the more she realized friendly attitudes weren’t rare around this town; quite the contrary. Ponies would walk up and say hello to each other as though they were the best of friends. Coudsdale wasn’t like that at all, ponies would hardly give another the light of day, but maybe that’s because it was too big. Maybe Ponyville was just so small, everypony knew each other. Of course there were exceptions, some would say hello with a bit of venom in their voice, and very few wouldn’t even turn their heads when they were being talked to, though for the most part the townsfolk seemed very amiable. Rainbow had been a bit concerned at first about moving to such a remote town, but the attitudes of all the ponies here alleviated a lot of her fears. Her list was almost complete, and already she was thinking about all the tales she would have to tell Fluttershy, when she slammed head first into somepony. Rainbow was knocked back to the ground by the impact. She gently rubbed her hoof on her head. That would leave a goose egg. “Oh my goodness darling, are you alright?” She heard a rather elegant voice speak to her. “Yeah, I’m good.” She opened her eyes to see a white hoof extended out to her. She reached her own out and allowed herself to be helped up to a standing position. “Thanks, I-” She paused, her eyes gazing upon the mare she had run into. Her purple mane was styled with care and precision, her forelock curled above a unicorn horn. The white mares eyes were a deep blue, and filled with a mixture of concern and compassion. Her coat practically sparkled, it was so well taken care of. Rainbow found herself at a pause at the unicorn’s beauty, but there was something else. “I’m so sorry, I really should watch where I’m going, but I was just so excited to get home and…” As the unicorn spoke her voice trailed off more and more, until she too was silent, and her face, while maintaining her look of concern, also displayed a certain curiosity. She tilted her head and made a face as though remembering something. Rainbow knew she was noticing the same thing. “You look really familiar… Do… I know you?” Rainbow was pulled to consciousness much more violently this time, gasping for breath. Had, she been slipping? She could still hear the voices below her and see the melding auras of magic that held her. “Rarity, I think I can hold her on my own, can you focus your magic enough to keep and even pressure on that cut? She’s still bleeding.” The blue aura slowly trickled from her vision until it was completely purple, as Rarity wordlessly accepted the responsibility given to her. The cut must have been bad if Rarity knew exactly which one without asking. Suddenly, the side of her chest felt as though it had been set aflame. Rainbow’s purple sight turned red, and she struggled violently against Twilights restraint. Rainbow would have gritted her teeth and tried to hold it in, but being unable to move, she couldn’t stop herself from crying out in pain. Rarity began to sob again aware she was causing the pony she loved such pain, and Twilight groaned under the stress she was being put under. Rainbow coughed, sending spikes into her skull. She felt tears welling as the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. She wanted to spit, but couldn’t. She felt sick. “We’re almost there hang in there!” Rainbow couldn’t tell who Twilight was talking to. “What are you saying?” Rarity demanded. “We still aren’t even close to Ponyville!” “All I need is to be close. Once we near town, I can teleport us the rest of the way. But we have to wait, because I need to be accurate, my magic is already strained, and if I try to go too far, I’m not sure which direction I’ll go!” Rainbow stopped screaming, instead breathing heavily. Then softer, and softer. She felt tired, she wanted to rest. She wished for a soft blanket to curl up with, on a fluffy cloud in the clear blue sky. She didn’t hurt so bad anymore. She felt a hoof against hers, and a voice speaking. “You have to hold on Rainbow, please hold on.” Hold onto what? She thought distantly. I’m floating… Rainbow walked with the mare she’d come to know as Rarity. It had been six day’s since they met, but it felt like she’d known the unicorn for a lifetime. They talked and laughed and spent time together. They were on their way to the boutique, Rainbow had yet to see the inside of her friend’s shop. She’d passed Carousel many times of course, and if the interior was half as beautiful as the exterior, Rainbow would be far past impressed. Rarity held open the door with her magic, letting Rainbow enter first. She could hear a little bell ring as she made her way in. Rainbow had never really been one for dresses, being the athlete she was, but even she was amazed at the works on display. “Oh my gosh Rarity!” “I know it isn’t much, but all the outfits here were hoofstitched by me, and only my favorites make it to the mannequins.” “Not much?” Dash exclaimed. “Rarity this is crazy! You made all of these?” The unicorn nodded, not bashful in the slightest. She showed her around the shop which doubled as her home. She made Rainbow some tea, which the blue pegasus had never tried before. Rainbow continued to fawn remorselessly over all the hard work Rarity had put into her business, and the white mare smiled and thanked her, and explained whenever she had a question. Rainbow felt great when she was with this pony. The first day had been confusing and a little scary. She wasn’t sure about how she felt about the mare she’d bumped into, she didn’t trust some things she said. But now, after only a few days the two were inseparable, and Dash hoped it stayed that way. The visit was going well, she heard hooves knocking on the door. “Hello? Rarity? Are you home?” A stallion’s voice called from outside. Rarity dropped her cup to the floor. The porcelain frame shattered upon impact, making Rainbow jump. Rarity looked almost ready to cry. “No, no, no. Why today, of all days, why today?” She sounded distant, getting up frazzled and looking around the house. “Rarity, what’s wrong?” Rainbow asked worriedly, her first thought was that the mare was being robbed. But the voice at the door sounded far from malicious. “It’s them, he can’t know you’re here!” It took Rainbow a moment to process what she was hearing. “Wait, you mean ‘them’?” The knocks on the door continued. “Yes, mother and father sometimes drop Sweetie Belle on me for a couple hours so they can do errands.” She stood up and pranced on the spot, thinking unsure what to do. “You’re sure you don’t want him to see me?” Rainbow asked, more out of courtesy than anything. She didn’t look forward to meeting the unicorn’s parents. From what Rarity told her, he wouldn’t approve of all the time they had been spending together. “No, not now Rainbow. Nopony can know about us!” “Alright,” She nodded, secretly glad. “Do you have a back door I could slip out of, hell, I’d go out a window.” “Well, yes there is a back door, but I would prefer if you’d stay.” “I thought you said-” “Yes I know, but I just need you to hide, my parents won’t even enter the boutique. There is somepony I want you to meet.” Another knock on the door. “Hey Rarity!” The voice called again. Knowing who was at the door now, the sound of his voice made her cringe. “Just stay in the kitchen, around the corner, and please don’t come out until I shut the door.” Rarity’s voice was so commanding, Dash doubted she would be able to refuse even if she wanted to. She waited where she was told and listened as the door opened. “Hiya there kiddo!” Rainbow heard a stallion’s voice that she remembered all to well. “Hello father, hello mother. Hello Sweetie.” She said the last name a little sweeter than she did the others. “We were hoping you wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on your sister for an hour or two while your mother and I run some errands. “No of course not, Sweetie’s always welcome to stay. How are you Sweetie Belle?” A small voice responded too quietly for Dash to hear. “Thanks a bunch Rarity.” A mare’s voice said this time. “We shouldn’t be out too long, but she hasn’t had lunch yet.” “Not a problem, I’ll be sure to find us something to eat.” “Alright bye you two, love you!” “Love you too!” Rarity called. A smaller voiced called out. “Wuv you.” Rainbow heard the door close and she stepped out. In the entry way, the white mare knelt before a small filly. She couldn’t see much of her with Rarity in the way, but she was white with a purple mane just like her sister. “Sweetie, there’s somepony here I’d like you to meet. A… dear friend of mine.” She stood up, and Rainbow got a good look at her. Her mane was curly and coloured with two shades of purple. She was a unicorn,probably about three or four years old, but Rainbow wasn’t very good at guessing ages. Her big green eyes sparkled with youth, with a touch of mistrust towards the new pony before her. She ducked behind the legs of her sister. Rainbow wasn’t sure how she felt. She was beautiful, an adorable, innocent filly. But knowing what she was supposed to be to her, the thought made her stomach churn. Still she put on a brave smile and knelt down where she was, not wanting to scare Rarity’s sister. “Hi there Sweetie, I’m Rainbow Dash.” She found herself choking on the words. Dash had never been too keen with children. Rarity looked down to Sweetie. “Say hello, Sweetie.” She whispered gently beside her ear. “Hewwo.” She finally said shakily, not looking the pegasus in the eyes. She held tighter to her sisters legs. Rarity giggled. “Still haven’t gotten the hang of your ‘L’s yet hmm? You can run along now, I left your colouring book in your room, why don’t you draw a picture for me?” The fillies ears lifted and she took off without another word to either of them. Rainbow watched her go, listened as she ran up the steps. A slight chill ran down her back. “She’s very shy,” Rarity said distantly. “Thank you Rainbow.” “For what?” She said with forced nonchalance. “For everything. Meeting the family is always stressful it seems.” “You know, you parents are going to see me eventually, I make the weather, they’ll see me flying.” “Yes of course, but it’s not like they’ll approach you. I just don’t want anypony to know about us. And please don’t take that the wrong way, it’s not that I’m embarrassed of you it’s just, I’m not ready for ponies to know yet.” “It’s no problem. Your sister, she’s very… cute.” Then Dash felt something overcome her. Maybe it was the sight of the little filly, how affectionate she was towards the mare she cared for. Rainbow cared for her too, so why couldn’t she do the same? She wrapped her hooves around the white unicorn, pulling her into a hug. She was very warm, and soft. Rainbow felt her face warming, when Rarity returned the embrace. Then to the surprise of them both, Rarity spoke up with words Dash didn’t expect to hear. Well, she wanted to hear them, but she didn’t think it would come so fast. “I love you.” “That’s it, I have to risk it, we can’t waste any more time!” Twilight's magic must have been weakening, Rainbow began to tremble violently. “Twilight, if you go in the wrong direction, your effort will have been for naught!” “We’re out of options Rarity! She’s fading!” “I’m with Twi, we have to risk it.” Applejack said. Rainbow felt herself being lowered, the cold hard ground upon her back. Once again, her friends loomed above her. Rarity knelt down and planted her lips upon her cheek. The tired feeling that had enveloped her was gone, pushed back by her will power. How could she have been so selfish, letting herself fade away? How could she let herself die with the ponies she loved watching, trying so hard to save her. She would hold on, she wouldn’t fall asleep. As Rarity pulled away, Rainbow watched as Twilights horn illuminated. She looked to her side. Applejack was staring at her, guilt plain to see on her face. The ground beside Rainbow’s face began to soak with blood. With a sudden pop, the Everfree Forest disappeared.