//------------------------------//
// The Games Begin 
// Story: Alternatives 
// by Shock__Wave 
//------------------------------//

At some point in her sobbing fit, Rainbow Dash had fallen asleep. She dreamed of some cataclysmic event that destroyed all of her friends. She could almost hear Fluttershy and Pinkie pie crying out for her help, but she could never fly fast enough to get to them. She could see Twilight's face, shaking her head in disappointment as she failed to reach her friends.
“NOOOOOOOO!” She cried out, bolting upright, her hoof reaching nothing but air.
She wiped her eyes, remembering what happened. “What am I going to do?”
“You're not going to freak out is what you're gonna do.” Rainbow heard a deep gravel-like voice in the dark.
She immediately took a shaky battle stance. “W-who's there?” She demanded.
“Just call me Som.” The unicorn colt stepped into the light.
“Who're you? Are you the reason for everypony disappearing??” She picked up and threw a stray rock in his direction. She was about three feet off.
“No. I'm just as confused as you are!” the black unicorn raised his hoof in an innocent gesture.
“Why should I believe you?” She asked suspiciously.
“Because we're two of the only ponies in this pocket dimension.” Sombra said, stepping closer to the rainbow maned pegasus.
“Stay back!” She shouted, stepping back a few paces. “You seem to know more than you're letting on. And what do you mean, two of the only ponies? Are there more ponies?”
Som sat down next to a pillar. “There is another unicorn somewhere nearby. I encountered him as I came to the castle. I thought maybe the princesses could help, then I found you crying out in your sleep.”
“I was not crying!” Rainbow said defensively, wiping her muzzle. “And I don't trust you!” She flew past the red maned unicorn and out of the castle.

Discord materialized from the shadows. “Well that went swimmingly. Great job winning her over by the way.” He clapped. “I do believe it is my turn now.” He smiled, snapping his fingers and morphing into a brown unicorn with a green mane. 
“Oh do shut up.” Sombra mumbled.
“Wish me luck.” He grinned, disappearing.

Rainbow Dash found a cloud hanging over Ponyville and curled up on it, trying to keep herself together. “Come on Rainbow Dash! There has to be something you can do... Maybe you can fly fast enough to get out of this pocket whatcha-ma-callit thing. Yeah... Maybe that can work! Now if I could just-”
“Hello? Is anypony there?” She heard a somewhat soft voice from below.
Rainbow peaked over the edge of her cloud, observing a green maned, brown unicorn.
“Hello?” The unicorn called again. “Is anypony there?”
“Who are you?” Rainbow demanded from her cloud.
“I'm.... Chao.”(pronounced kay-oh) The mysterious unicorn said. “Who're you? How did we get here?”
“I'm Rainbow Dash.” She said hesitantly. “and I have no idea how I got here. One minute I was at my house with everypony around. Now... there's nothing.” tears sprang into her eyes again.
“Please don't cry Rainbow dash. Maybe we can help eachother.” Discord said calmly.
“a-and why should I trust you? You might be like that creepy Som unicorn.” Rainbow wiped her eyes with the back of her hoof.
“That colt that went to the castle? I don't think he's so bad. Just scared like we are.” He said soothingly.
Rainbow sighed. “Not like I have much to lose....” She flew from her perch and landed near Discord. “Apparently we're in some dimension thing-a-mabob, whatever that means.”
“Oh a dimension pocket?” He sat down. “I read that its like an alternate reality next to our own but smaller with no natural elements, like trees growing or anything.”
Rainbow Dash tilted her head. “Huh? What does that mean?” She sat down next to him.
“Basically its like we're stuck in a pocket of time, not really moving forward, but not frozen in time. So we have everything from Equestria, but nothing will age.”
Rainbow began to laugh.
“What's so funny?” Discord was confuzed.
“You sound just like Twilight.” She giggled. “I know I shouldn't be laughing, but you're just so funny, Chao.”
Discord was aghast. “I-i wasn't trying to be.”
“Sorry.” Rainbow wiped her eyes, getting serious. “How do we get out?”
“That I don't know for sure,” he scratched his mane. “but I think something needs to be helped before we get out of here.” 
Rainbow looked around thoughtfully. “Maybe we need to help Som!” 
Discord smiled. “Maybe.” His stomach growled, and Rainbow laughed. “But first we need to find food.”
She looked toward the vendors and Sugarcube Corner. “Let's check over there. Maybe the food is still good.” She gestured with her hoof.
“Sure. Sounds better than sitting around.” They walked over toward the middle of town, hoping for something to fill their growling stomachs.