//------------------------------// // Dreams and Reality // Story: A Harsh Unforgiving World // by Starbolt Sunshine //------------------------------// I find myself standing in the falling ash.....its heavy...and weighs me down...and then...I am falling....I flap my wings....but they are to heavy....the ash keeps me from the momentum I need.....Why....where did the ground I was standing on go....and how can I breath in this cursed soot...then.....a voice.... “This is a dream Rainbow Dash....For too long have I been locked in this prison trying to get word to somepony” My eyes widen and I once again feel the ground beneath me.....and before me standing...is somepony I have not seen in many moons...Princess Luna.... “Luna...how could you and Celestia let this happen...I thought-” She raises a hoof to silence me mid sentence...and I understand...I need not have asked... “Celestia has banished me to the moon....but did not restrict me of my powers....I am just trapped...” Her words hit me like a stone...and I frown....but...she...she is smiling and I can tell...she is overjoyed just to see somepony.... “but...why....how....” I stubble and fiddle with what I should ask my head swimming with all kinds of questions... “Please Rainbow....Flim and Flam have corrupted my sister...and used her to bring Equestria to the brink of ruin... I will help put you on the path to fixing it....but you will need help along the way....” I smile softly....I know who she means....and I wouldn't have it any other way.... She fades from my view and I find myself flying....fast....nearing the rainboom stage.....and between my forehooves is a large metal spike...and beneath me....is...that accursed factory...... then....it happens... I break the barrier...and I find myself flying towards this demon building and then...I let go of the spike before pulling up....I look over my shoulder to see it.... the blaze of redemption....that building....exploded....and the rainboom clears the air of its foul taint....the sun....by Celestia the sun is shining.....and I...I can fly!.....I can fly!! the feeling brings tears to my eyes then.... I land....at the site of destruction....and Luna stands beside me.... “This is a dream Rainbow Dash....but this Dream you must make Reality...once this building is destroyed...you and Twilight must free me...she is an Alicorn...the magic is within her to do it....” Her eyes weigh on me and I can feel them....I gulp...knowing the task will not be easy.... “promise me...please....” I sigh...knowing it is a promise I must make.... “I promise...” Her smile is the last thing I see as my vision fades...and I wake...still clutching a sleeping Twi...I know what we must do....and it will only be us....but...we can do this....I feel....stronger...a strength I haven't felt in Celestia knows how long.... I close my eyes...not sleeping...but resting...the task is big....and I will need to be ready..... “is everything fine Rainbow?...” Twi's voice causes me to open my eyes...and I see her looking at me.... “actually....great....know what I.....we...have to do to save Equestria....” her eyes get a flair...one of....determination...and anger....it scares me at first....but I know its not directed at me...and she smiles.... “just tell me what we need to do.....” I return the smile and finally pull myself from her glaring out the window...then to a light post nearby.... “first....we need a spike.....” She looks at me....I can now hear the hesitation in her voice.... “A...spike?” I nod....my eyes filled with the same determination.... “I am going to destroy that building...” I see now...a sparkle in her eyes....one of readiness as she beats me out the door and I can see her through the window uprooting the post and shaping it into the tool of destruction from my dream.... She sets it outside the library before returning to me.... “Will that do?” The...upbeat nature of her voice....Celestia I missed it....I nod...and know my next task... I hurry outside and grip the spike....stretching my wings feels strange....not like it usually does....this time the fear of falling is gone...and all I feel is the strength of the impending victory... With one powerful flap I am sent into the sky, my wings beating almost as fast as my heart....this...rush....its like the first time all over again... the spike weighs me down.....but I don't care...my muscles are tense...powerful...and ready for this... once at height I glare down at my target.... Vengeance...and victory...the sweet taste is almost mine.....ours.... it's time...I launch myself at the ground....a fire in my eyes.... it...ends...today for her.....for myself....for the others....for Equestria....I cannot fail now... The wind through my wings....my mane......my tail....its great...and as I pick up speed...I know whats coming....what I use to relish in....the thing that got me my cutie mark.... The Sonic Rainboom.... My speed increases and then.....boom....well..Rainboom to be exact....I feel the wind...I am the air...and I see the ground getting closer and then...its time...I release my package....my weapon....my tool of freedom... then....fire....the glorious fire of redemption....and....then...the sky...the...blue sky....the clean air....the blue water.....by Celestia....Ponyville....you are free... I fly...without fatigue...and then...I see her....my love....my heart.....my sparkle...and the tears of joy.... I land in front of her...and before I can speak...she latches onto me...and I return it...joining her tears are my own.... I shake my head free of this and then look at Twi... “we have to free Luna....” her eyes widen as she hears my words...”free....Luna....wait....what” I explain to her and before I even finish she is tugging me off to the ruins in Everfree. Into the library I am drug and we get straight to work...book after book.....page after page we read... And...nothing.....but we cant give up...I made a promise....then....Yes! Here it is! “here Twilight! I found something...” I hand her the book and float above her....to fly again....my prayers were answered.... after a few moments I watch Twilight work her magic....quite literally.... out of the portal steps Luna....and...before we can even speak she is clutched to us....hugging us both.... “thank you both!....I am free....” I nod at her smiling as she releases us...and for the first time I feel my old self again.... “of course....I keep my promises....Element of Loyalty duh...”