//------------------------------// // Anything to survive // Story: The Pony Games // by Eternal Flame //------------------------------// The silver parachute sailed towards the two unconcious ponies soundlessly. Only when it dropped to the ground with a clatter did the two ponies notice it. Rainbow Dash soon realised what it was, and stood shakily to her feet, wobbling and stumbling as she went. She picked up the container, and opened it. Inside was six flasks of liquid. On the sides of the flasks were little labels telling you what they were. The description told Rainbow that it cleared all smoke from your lungs. Rainbow sipped out of one then set them aside carefully, and looked in the container for anything else. There was something else. A large piece of paper, with what looked like water splattered all over it. It was letter- from Fluttershy. To Rainbow, I'm scared. I don't know what to do. Rarity and Pinkie are dead and gone- It will never be the same again. I got these in hope that they will save you and AJ- but... I can't do anything about it. I'm sorry about the messy handwriting and the water. I've been crying, crying ever since it started. I'm glad Twilight is here with me- but she is nowhere near you when it comes to comforting me like best friends do. The medicine clears your lungs of the smoke and ash. You must take it slowly... There is side effects of breathing problems otherwise. I.. Rainbow.. I can't live without Rarity and Pinkie.. And I know that either you or AJ will die. Or both of you. I can't bear it anymore. I've made my decision. I can't change that some of my friends have died... And.. If I because I can't, I might as well join them. Yes. I am saying that I am going to commit suicide. Please, Rainbow, I need to do this. Apart from the dwindling hope that you will survive, I have nothing left for me in this life. Goodbye Dashie, Your friend Forever, Fluttershy All Rainbow Dash could do was stare down at the note in disbelief and complete horror. Applejack had managed to crawl to the flasks and sip some of the medicine, and with a sigh of relief she managed to stand up and see Rainbow Dash weeping over a letter of some sort. "What in Tarantion? What's the matter, Rainbow Dash?" "J-Just read this-s" A horrible silence swept across the cave for a moment, but soon Applejack joined Rainbow in her tears. Nothing was said. The only friend they would have if they returned was Twilight, now. "We should get down the mountain. Avoid the smoke before this runs out." Said Applejack, finally recovering from her tears and picking up the flasks. "You're right," said Rainbow Dash, "No point staying here." They both took a sip of the medicine and started to walk to the bottom, because Rainbow still couldn't fly. Because the flasks were quite small, it wasn't long before they were on the last flask. They started to get desperate. They were not even halfway yet. The sips had to become smaller and smaller- until there was only a couple drops left. They were used up leaving both ponies choking on the ash and smoke. "Applejack, I think- I can fly. But only a little." Said Rainbow, struggling for breath. But she didn't know that Applejack had collapsed in the smoke, the life draining out of her faster by the second. A cannon sounded. "APPLEJACK!? ARE YOU STILL THERE!?" Rainbow shouted, but to no answer. "APPLEJACK, CAN YOU HEAR ME?! Still, there was no answer. Rainbow Dash searched for Applejack's body and she found it. It was unmoving. Rainbow took off, with a mixture of severe coughs and tears. She just wanted to be alone. Now she understood Fluttershy. She knew how she felt. Rainbow searched the sky- and there they were, thee career team, hovering above the river. She didn't care if she won anymore. She just wanted to end this, so that she wouldn't have any grief or worry. Rainbow was going to sacrifice herself to the careers. Surely that would be rebellious to Celestia. They deserved every bit of rebellion that they were given. They deserved more, for creating these vile death matches. Rainbow took in a deep breath, and with a powerful flap of her wings, met her fate.