//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Rescuing Rainbow // by Autum Breeze //------------------------------// Epilogue _____________________________________________________________________ Kanto “You saw the video, Ash!” Misty’s face said from the video phone screen. “Five other talking Pokémon, just like Rainbow Dash came.” “What do you think they wanted?” Ash asked, turning to Brock, who was standing behind him. “Hmm,” Brock said, rubbing his chin. “They probably came for Rainbow Dash. Maybe her story about being from another world is true.” “But that can’t be,” Misty shook her head. “She spoke perfect English. If she was from another world, wouldn’t she have spoken differently?” “Not necessarily,” Brock shook his head. “Maybe their world’s language is similar to ours.” “I... guess,” Ash said, frowning. “And, now I think of it, you weren’t exactly the nicest trainer to her, Misty.” “What?” Misty was offended. “I was trying to make her a strong Pokémon.” “But, you were a lot meaner than trainers normally are, Misty,” Brock folded his arms. “You told us you always had her on a leash at night.” “Well... she was going to fly away otherwise,” Misty said, seeming to realize how pathetic that sounded even as she said it. It had been over a week since the stadium had been guested by the five ponies who’d talked so coldly to everyone present there at the time. When Misty had woken up, Rainbow Dash was gone, as were the other five. Search teams were still trying to find them. The idea that six new types of pokmon, all similar to Rainbow Dash, had all of Kanto hyped. But Misty didn’t feel hyped. Far from it, in fact. The look in the eyes of those other five, they’d been so cold. What could have made them feel that way towards humans? “So... do you think they took her back to their world?” Ash asked, cocking an eyebrow. “I guess,” Misty said, her shoulders slumping. “Maybe... maybe she wasn’t a Pokémon after all.” “I went over some of the footage of your battles with her,” Brock said, frowning. “I noticed, in a lot of them, she was crying.” “I... I thought she was just really happy she won the battles,” Misty said meekly, looking away. Brock shook his head. “I don’t think their world works like ours does. It must have been too much to take.” Misty was silent as she thought about this. “Sure,” she said eventually. “Um, where’re May and Max?” “They’re talking with their parents via another phone,” Ash said simply. “Oh,” Misty said, looking away. “Well, tell them I said hi. Gotta go guys.” The screen went blank, ending the call. “You think she’ll be alright?” Ash asked, turning to Brock. Brock gave a small smile. “Give it time, and I’m sure she’ll be fine.” _____________________________________________________________________ Misty sat in the backyard of the Cerulean Gym, looking at the spot she’d left for Rainbow Dash to sleep with some of the other non-water type Pokémon. She buried her head in her knees. “I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash,” she whispered, a few tears leaking from her eyes. “I’m... I’m so sorry. I hope you’re happy, back in your world and never have to worry about us ever again. I didn’t deserve you.” _____________________________________________________________________ Equestria “How’s she doin’?” Applejack asked. They were standing in front of Twilight’s library. It had been a month since Rainbow Dash had been returned. In that time, she’d been staying at Twilight’s house. Every time Twilight left, even if only for a few minutes, she’d come back to find Rainbow wrapped into a tiny ball at the edge of the library. When Twilight would make herself known, Rainbow would spring up and pulled Twilight into a tight hug, sobbing. “That world must have been more horrible than we even knew,” Rarity said, shaking her head. “The fact that they did this to our friend makes me so angry!” Applejack said, stomping a hoof. Right now she was so mad she could’ve faced Discord and Nightmare Moon together all alone and left them begging for mercy. Twilight nodded, sadly. “It’s going to take a long time for Rainbow to recover from this. Trauma rarely goes within a single month.” Her friends nodded. “She doesn’t even wanna party these days,” Pinkie said, her voice quiet. Her mane and tail were straight and had been for a few days now after she’d learned not even parties were going to help her cyan Pegasus friend feel better. “Can we... do you think she’d want to talk? If it’s not too rude to ask, I mean,” Fluttershy said, then hid behind her mane. Twilight shook her head. “I’m barely able to get her to talk as it is,” she turned and looked mournfully at her library. “I think she just needs some more time, girls. we just need to wait.” The other four mares nodded, said their goodbye, wishing Rainbow well and left. Twilight went back inside and her heart sank when she saw Rainbow curled into a ball in the corner. She walked over and gently nuzzled her distraught friend. “It’s okay, Rainbow,” she said softly, Rainbow stiffening when she heard the voice. “You’ll be okay. We’re all here for you and we’ll never leave you again.” Rainbow wrapped her hoofed around Twilight and held on tight as she sobbed. Twilight held the sobbing mare, letting her cry all her sorrows into her. It was still a long road ahead before Rainbow Dash would get over what she’d been through in the world of Kanto, but Twilight was going to remain by her side until the end. She was never going to leave her friend again. That, she promised to herself. She would help rainbow get through this and would always be by her side from then on.