//------------------------------// // A Rainbow Displaced // Story: Angels in Ponyville // by advocateofpants //------------------------------// “Are we there yet?” Rainbow whined. “No, we're not,” Twilight replied. “Just like all the other times you asked.” Rainbow Dash and Twilight were passing down an alley in pursuit of something of interest, but found nothing, just as they had for a while now. Every so often, one of the two—usually Rainbow—would break the silence with a comment or two, and a brief conversation would occur. This had been going on for close to an hour now, and the two were both growing weary. “Ugh, this is ridiculous!” Rainbow groaned. “You'd think we'd find something by now.” “I know,” Twilight sighed, “but whining about it won't help.” “I'm sorry… I'm just…anxious, you know?” “Yeah, I do.” The two friends continued the exchange as they found their way into one of the town's older neighborhoods. Aside from a bit of trash in the middle of the street, there was absolutely nothing there. The eerie silence weighed so heavily, Twilight and Rainbow Dash could almost hear their own heartbeats. “T-Twilight?” Rainbow asked. “Y-yeah?” she replied. “I'd say we've found a good place to start. I mean, this place feels like a graveyard.” “I know what you mean. It's like the place has been abandoned. There aren't even any stray pets running through here.” “So what do you say? Should we start searching?” “Yeah. The sooner we find something, the sooner we can leave.” “Great minds think alike. I certainly don't want to be here longer than needed.” After gathering their courage as much as possible, Rainbow Dash and Twilight headed for the house closest to them, and carefully stepped in. Upon entering the abandoned dwelling, the two froze, suddenly unsure of themselves. “Now what?” Rainbow asked. “Now we explore a bit,” Twilight answered. “Sounds good.” With that, the two began walking. As they passed through one room after another, the pair nervously looked all around them, as though they could sense someone following them. Upon reaching the kitchen, the two looked around a bit and agreed to take a bit of a break. “This 'wait-and-see' business is not my style,” Rainbow confessed, “especially when we've got statues that come to life following us around.” Twilight let out a small laugh. “That wasn't really meant to be a joke.” “I know. It's just…I get where you're coming from. Usually, I have the patience to sit around for something, but this is getting old—even for me.” “Check out that garden,” Rainbow said, gesturing toward a window behind the sink. “See something out there?” “Can't tell; too many weeds.” Twilight looked in the direction her friend had gestured toward, and strained her eyes in the hopes of spotting something in the jungle outside. After a moment of that activity, she shook her head and sighed. “There's nothing there, Rainbow. Let's go.” “Yeah, sure.” The two left the kitchen down another hallway, and eventually found a split in their path. One way headed upstairs and the other just led toward another set of rooms. “Now, we've got plenty of ground to cover,” Twilight mused. “I'll check down that hallway,” Rainbow said, “and you can check upstairs.” “I really don't think we should split up, but whatever… Just remember what I said before: be cautious of everything around you,” Twilight warned. “Yeah, yeah, I know. If I see a Weeping Angel, just back away and don't blink.” “That's right; if you see one of them, find m—“ Twilight's train of thought was derailed by the whoosh of air and a streak of rainbow-colored light. “Typical Rainbow…” Twilight whispered as she stared in the direction her friend had headed. “I was afraid of this. Well, I had better catch her before she gets herself into yet another mess.” Twilight wordlessly walked forward and shifted her gaze all around her as she tried to find her friend while keeping an eye out for any other signs of activity. Just when we had finished talking about her impulsiveness, Twilight thought as she continued her search. Twilight noticed nothing out of the ordinary and actually began to doze off, lost in her own thoughts. She had closed her eyes and pondered a few matters, particularly the current crisis, and wondered about why danger always seemed to follow her. “Ahhh!!!!!!” came an echoing cry some distance away. Twilight's eyes shot open in response to the cry and she looked all around her as panic set in. “Rainbow!!” Twilight exclaimed. “Rainbow, are you alright?!” No response. “Oh, no…” Twilight whispered as she urgently set off toward the sound of her friend's voice. After having searched every possible inch of the house and coming up empty, Twilight fell apart. “Rainbow, where are you?” she asked through the tears that fell from her eyes. “Where are you?!” Common sense quickly took over Twilight's mind as the alicorn shook herself back to reality. “I have to stay positive… More importantly, I have to be smart about this.” With a sigh, Twilight did the only thing that seemed to make sense. “It'll be better if I have some help in searching for Rainbow,” she said as she flew away from the scene. Some time later, Twilight had returned to the house she and Dash and visited, though now she was accompanied by her other friends. “So the two of you went inside…there?” Fluttershy asked. “Yeah,” Twilight answered. “This neighborhood's practically been abandoned, so we figured we'd search it one house at a time, starting with this one.” “Then what?” Rarity asked. On cue, Twilight recounted the events that had transpired only moments ago as the five friends entered the dilapidated house. “So Rainbow went and took off without you,” Applejack noted. “What else is new?” “It's the fact that after she had screamed like that and I couldn't find her anywhere that has me worried,” Twilight replied. “Don't worry; we'll find her,” Applejack said, calmly. “Yeah, Applejack’s right!” Pinkie exclaimed. “We'll find Dash before you know it.” After doing what they could to reassure themselves, Twilight and company dispersed among the house in the hopes of finding their friend. After roughly a few hours of searching, the five friends regrouped outside the old house's entrance, exhausted and worried. “I didn't find her anywhere,” Rarity confessed. “Did one of you see anything?” “N-no,” Fluttershy shakily answered. The remaining three had the same response; though they kept their eyes peeled for any sign of Rainbow Dash, they found nothing. “Maybe we should just get back to the library,” Twilight suggested. “She'll probably show up wondering why I left her behind.” Twilight made that last comment with a small laugh, but unlike before, the laugh was one of grief and fear, and died as soon as it was uttered. Nevertheless, Twilight's suggestion was met with approval, and the group of friends returned to the library. The walk back to Golden Oaks Library seemed to take longer than usual. Not just because of how far from it Twilight and the others were, but also because of the stress of their friend's sudden disappearance. After releasing a heavy sigh, Twilight opened the door to her home. Seeing the faces of Spike and Time Turner should've filled the group with relief, but this time, that didn't happen. “What's wrong?” Spike asked as the others made their way to the center of the room. “Rainbow Dash is gone,” Twilight answered, trying to maintain her composure. “What?” Time Turner asked. “What do you mean, 'gone'?” Spike asked, worriedly. “Gone where?” “I don't know,” Twilight choked. “Wasn't she with you?” Spike asked, his voice now filled with concern as well as confusion. “Yes, she was!” Twilight snapped. “She was with me, but then—then she wasn't.” “Maybe we should start from the beginning,” Time Turner sternly replied. “We've established that Ms. Dash has disappeared, but we don't know how or why. Could you ladies please fill us in on what happened?” “Of course,” Twilight whispered as she wiped her eyes. Twilight and the others took a few moments to summarize the incident in question. Once they had finished, they awaited a response. “You say you heard a scream, and after that, you couldn't find Rainbow anywhere. Is that correct?” Time Turner asked to Twilight. The alicorn nodded. “Did you see anything…odd or what have you?” “Rainbow seemed interested in the garden we saw outside the kitchen windows, but it was really nothing more than a mess of tall weeds. I'm not sure if she noticed anything or not, but I certainly didn't see anything.” “I see. So when did she disappear?” “Rainbow was with me up to the point when we had reached a staircase. She got the idea to scout the rooms ahead of us and left the upstairs to me. It was shortly after she charged ahead that I heard her scream. I searched the part of the house she had went toward, but found nothing. That was when I went and got the others, like I said already. I swear, we practically tore the damn place apart but didn't find her anywhere!” Twilight's last remark was met with wide-eyed stares and gasps from everyone except Time Turner. “Relax, Twilight,” the time traveler said as calmly as he could. “I only asked because I needed to be sure there weren't any accidents or anything else you may have missed.” “As I said, there were no traces of her even being in that house! The place was like a grave site!” Twilight replied, her frustration mounting. “Twilight, please calm down,” Fluttershy begged. “Your childhood friend has just vanished without a trace, and I'm at my wit's end about where she could've gone, and you tell me to calm down?!” Twilight spat. “Twilight, please…” Applejack began, “…please don't do this to yourself. Gettin' all worked up and turnin' on us ain't going t' bring Rainbow back.” “You're right,” Twilight whispered after releasing a heavy sigh. “I'm very sorry, you guys.” “Aside from Rainbow's disappearance, did the rest of you find anything?” Time Turner asked. One by one, Twilight's friends shook their heads calmly. “I see,” Time Turner replied. “Not to worry; we'll find something, sure enough. Until then, I do believe we—“ The statement the Time Lord-turned-pony had started to make was suddenly drowned out by the sound of thunder looming outside. “Just when things weren't bad enough…” Twilight sighed. “As I was about to say,” Time Turner began again, “I think we—“ Another burst of thunder, this one louder than the last. “Of all the nights it had to rain,” Rarity complained, “why tonight?” “Before I finish my thoughts,” Time Turner mused, “I believe I shall let nature share its own thoughts, first.” After that remark, he went to the window and looked up at the dark gray clouds gathered in the sky. Not even a moment later, the sky was lit by the flash of lightning and almost immediately afterward came a loud blast of thunder, sounding not too far off from cannon-fire. “I think…you guys had better stay here for the night,” Twilight said as she turned toward her friends. “Sounds like it's going to be a pretty rough storm out there.” True to Twilight's instincts, the howl of the wind and the sounds of heavy rainfall were soon fully audible. “Better make yourselves comfortable,” the librarian remarked. “We're in for a long night.” “I'll find some extra blankets and pillows,” Spike said as he headed upstairs. In a matter time, the storm outside had become merciless, while Twilight had a fire in the fireplace and everyone else made themselves comfortable in the mess of bedding Spike had retrieved. In an effort to keep their minds off the downpour, Twilight and company delved into a discussion about whatever thoughts entered their minds beyond those regarding their missing friend. Almost two hours had passed, and the group of friends were still deep in conversation and laughter until a knock on the door got their attention. “Y'all hear that?” Applejack asked. “Hear what, darling?” Rarity asked in response. The question was met with another series of knocks against the library door. “You've got to be kidding me,” Twilight muttered. “Why would someone be out in this mess?” “Better see who it is,” Time Turner advised. “Could be important.” With a sigh, Twilight went to answer the door, and gasped when she saw the stranger standing on the other side. “What the— Who are you?” she asked. “Get in here before you catch pneumonia or something.” “Thanks,” the stranger breathlessly replied. After the two made their way to the fireplace, Twilight aided the visitor in getting his cloak off. Twilight was mentally preparing a lecture to give him, but when she and the others got a good look at his features, a series of gasps was all they could utter. After the brief shock, they were able to speak again. “He—! He—! He looks…just like Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy gasped. “He does look like Rainbow,” Rarity agreed, “except for the Cutie Mark and a few…other details, of course.” “Thanks,” the stranger replied. “You're Twilight Sparkle, correct?” “I am,” Twilight answered, “but who are you, and why are you here?” “My name's Stormchaser,” the stranger replied. “The reason I'm here… Well…” He carefully pulled out a package. “My mother asked me to give you this.” “Why should I trust you?” Twilight asked with a slight laugh. “I'd trust him,” Time Turner calmly said. “I'd say it's in your best interest.” “Are you sure, Doctor?” A nod from the Time Lord was all the princess needed to lower her guard. Without a word, Twilight accepted the parcel and opened it after setting it on the table in the middle of the room. As curious as usual, she carefully picked up the envelope resting at the top of the pile of stuff, and read. Twilight, If you're reading this, then you know something really messed up has happened. I trust you've met my son; he's always come through for me, so everything's turning out just like it should. Twilight shook her head at the odd introduction, and continued reading. Anyway, I owe you a tremendous apology. That bright idea of mine to charge into the unknown has finally cost me, but even though I screwed up, I feel like I can still help you. Don't forget the stuff you kept saying about sticking together and keeping your wits about you. In the stuff I've experienced in what's been quite a few years for me, I've had to change the way I've lived, and your advice has helped me do just that. Now, I want you to finish what we started; get rid of those statues for me. I've done just about all I can do between that and everything else. I've lived a good life, raised a family, and followed my dreams. Now, it's up to you and the others. Again, I'm truly sorry I was always so reckless and immature. You've done so much just by being there whenever I needed a friend. Thanks for never giving up on me; most others out there wouldn't have put up with me the way you guys did. I can't really say much more in this letter, so I'll just let my son and the contents of the package he brought talk for me. I love you and the others, and I wish all of you the very best. Your friend, Rainbow Dash Twilight didn't know what to think: she wasn't sure exactly where her friend was, but she knew that she was somehow safe, and she was grateful for the apology written in the letter. However, she also had a great deal of suspicion about the letter and the one who brought it. After carefully returning the letter to its envelope, Twilight set about interrogating Stormchaser. “How do I know you didn't forge this, 'Stormchaser'?” Twilight seethed. “How do I know you're not trying to trick us somehow?” “What—? I—!” Stormchaser stammered, suddenly about to cry. “I can explain, Twilight.” “Let's hear it then,” the princess sternly commanded. “My mother wrote that letter and packaged it with that other stuff and had me give it to you.” “You're lying… Rainbow Dash would never write a note like that! Yeah, she cares about us, but that didn't sound like her.” “Twilight!” Applejack cried. “This Stormchaser fellow ain't lying!” “What—?” Twilight began, stopping when she saw what her friend held. “That's the…Element of Loyalty…” “Mom made that when I was young; called it a good luck charm,” Stormchaser said, calmly. “She'd say it reminded her of a life she was forced to give up.” After accepting the circumstances that had befallen Rainbow Dash, Twilight and company sorted through the package and every so often, Stormchaser would say something about the pictures and stuff his mother's friends were sorting through. After a smile toward fond memories, Stormchaser cleared his throat, getting the attention of the others. “I'm sure I'll get a better explanation of what's up at a later time,” he began, “but I need to tell you that Mom had hoped to see you guys, at least once more.” “Where is she?” Fluttershy asked. “Cloudsdale Memorial Nursing Home,” Stormchaser answered. “I just left from there a while ago; Mom gave me that package to bring to you guys, and mentioned that about wanting to see you again. I'd advise you to get there as soon as you can because she doesn't have much time left.” “We'll go there first thing in the morning,” Twilight said. “We at least owe her that.” The others agreed, and Stormchaser was given permission to spend the night at Golden Oaks Library. “I'm truly amazed you flew down here from Cloudsdale in that mess outside,” Twilight remarked. “A flight of that distance is exhausting as it is, but to try and fight a thunderstorm like the one out there now…” “I know I shouldn't have been flying in this weather,” Stormchaser admitted, “but I had no choice. My mother's dying, but even if she weren't, there's no way I'd put off something this important. There's no way I'd let her down like that.” “I understand,” Twilight whispered. The group of friends looked back through the pictures of Rainbow Dash and shared memories of time they had spent with her until sleep had called them. The next day, everyone woke without delay, knowing what they needed to do. Not a single word was spoken as Twilight and company prepared for the trip to Cloudsdale. With the hot air balloon ready, those who couldn't fly hopped in, and the group was off. After arriving in Cloudsdale, Twilight applied the cloud-walking spell as needed, and the group made its way toward Cloudsdale Memorial Nursing Home. With Stormchaser leading the way, the walk to the nursing home didn't take very long, even though it felt as though it lasted an eternity. Once inside, Stormchaser spoke to a receptionist, and he and the others were granted permission to visit Rainbow Dash. As another staff member escorted the visitors to the room where the pegasus in question stayed, she spoke about some of the stuff she had heard over the years. Upon reaching their destination, the staff member encouraged the visitors to take whatever time they needed and to find someone should they have any concerns. With an exchange of gratitude, Stormchaser and company entered one by one with a heavy weight on their hearts. “Hey, guys,” an familiar voice from by the window called out. “'Hey,' yourself,” Twilight softly replied as she and the others reached the source of the voice. “Thanks for making it,” Rainbow calmly said. “I'm glad my messenger reached you.” “Hey, you know you can always count on me, Mom,” Stormchaser replied. “I know,” Rainbow confirmed, smiling proudly at her son. Without missing a beat, Twilight and friends each tried to ask their own questions. “Are they treating you right?” Fluttershy asked. “Have you been gettin' enough to eat?” Applejack asked. “Has it been warm enough for you in here?” Rarity asked. Chuckling to herself, Rainbow raised a hoof in an effort to get her friends' attention. “One at a time, you guys,” she laughed. “Rainbow,” Twilight began, “how have you been since you've been staying here?” “I can answer all the personal concerns, but I'm not sure how much beyond that I can answer,” Rainbow replied. “I've clearly seen better days, but other than that, I've been doing well enough. Food, warmth, and stuff like that has never been a concern. The staff here's really nice, some of the other patients are pretty easy to get along with, and I've had plenty of visitors since I've been here.” “That's good,” Twilight whispered. “I should tell you that she hasn't been here that long,” Stormchaser cut in. “Ten years is a long time, even for someone my age,” Rainbow remarked. “It may not seem like much, but trust me, son; it is.” “Doesn't feel that long,” the younger pegasus muttered. “So you've been here for…ten years?” Rarity asked. “I was getting by pretty well on my own,” Rainbow began, “though Stormchaser helped me from time to time. Thing is, losing my husband took a lot out of me, but nevertheless, I kept on going. As hard as it was, I pushed onward, one day at a time, because that's what he would've wanted. It was fine until I just started getting really sick for no reason.” “I remember that,” Stormchaser cut in. “It was one of the times I came over to visit. At first, it was like you were catching a cold. You insisted you were fine as much as I suggested seeing a doctor. Maybe a couple days later, you couldn't even get out of bed, and I had to have you rushed to the hospital because you had passed out. Believe me, having you sent here wasn't an easy choice to make.” “I know, son,” Rainbow replied. “You did the right thing. I probably wouldn't have lasted very long if I had stayed home.” “So you've been here since then?” Applejack asked. “Yeah,” Rainbow answered. “As I said, I've been here for ten years, but my husband's been gone for just a bit longer than that—almost twelve years, to be exact.” “What's it like, havin' someone by you for so long, only to just lose them?” Applejack asked with concern. “It's hard,” Rainbow admitted. “It was hard back when it first happened, and it just gets harder over time. It's a kind of loneliness you just can't put into words; sure, I've got my son to keep me company, but it's not the same.” “Rainbow, I'd like to ask you about the letter and stuff you had Stormchaser bring us,” Twilight said. “I prepared all of that because I wanted to share what I've experienced with you guys the best that I could,” Rainbow explained. “I apologize for any confusion that caused.” “It's fine,” Twilight replied. “I did have my doubts, but they were all sorted out. The thing is this: there were some things in that letter that I want you to explain.” “I know what you're getting at,” Rainbow mused. “I'm sorry for the way I aggravated you guys. You've stuck by me again and again, and you've bailed me out of a tough spot; most of the time, you've had to clean up a mess that I made. You guys are true friends; you've been like the family I never had.” She sat up. “Doctor, could you come over here for a moment?” The pony in question approached when asked. “Yes, Ms. Dash?” Time Turner asked. “I know I didn't get a lot of time to get to know you, but thanks for your help, in any case,” Rainbow replied. “Back when you first showed up and told us about the Weeping Angels, I had mentioned to Twilight how unfair it was that something so threatening had such an innocent-sounding name. I'm trusting you to continue helping them deal with those monsters.” “I promise, I won't disappoint you,” the Doctor said, reverently. “Excuse me,” Stormchaser cut in, “but what're you talking about?” “These 'Weeping Angels',” Rainbow replied, “are things that look like statues, but move when you're not looking at them. If they catch you, they throw you into a different time period, and leave you there. By doing that, they can more or less make themselves immortal.” “Creatures that move when you don't look at them, and trap you in a different time if they catch you?” Stormchaser asked. “That sounds like science fiction, if you ask me, Mom.” “The Weeping Angels are far more than science fiction,” Twilight said as she approached Stormchaser. “From what Time Turner has told us, they are incredibly dangerous, and if we don't get rid of them, then we're in a lot of trouble.” “This is ridiculous,” Stormchaser muttered. “Son?” Rainbow cut in. “Yeah,” Stormchaser replied, “what is it?” “I want you to help these guys deal with the Weeping Angels,” Rainbow answered. “I'm in no shape to fight, but I'd like you to help them as a final favor to me.” “Don't talk like that,” Twilight sternly begged, “please.” “Twilight, all of you, look at me; you can see how weak and frail I am,” Rainbow replied. “About all I can do is maybe give you advice, but I would be repeating stuff you've already heard.” “Like what, Dashie?” Pinkie asked. “Stick together the best you can, stay strong, never give up, and don't be stupid or reckless,” Rainbow said. “Twilight, that day that you and I were wandering around that old house, I had charged ahead, even though it was a bad idea. You heard me scream, but found absolutely nothing.” “That's right,” the princess whispered. Rainbow continued. “You can probably guess what happened to me, but I'll just go ahead and tell you: I saw one of them.” “I was afraid of that,” the Doctor whispered. “I tried to get away,” Rainbow confessed, “but it seemed like that thing was everywhere; I tried backing way, but each path I took was a dead end. Just one of those creatures, and I was trapped…” “I honestly don't understand what's going on here,” Stormchaser began, “and I may never fully understand it, but if you want me to help them, then that's what I'll do.” “Thank you, son,” Rainbow whispered, smiling. “Mom?” Stormchaser asked, worriedly. “Yeah, son, I hear you,” Rainbow answered. “Twilight, just as I want my son to work with you and the others, I want you guys to take care of him. Stick together and everything, just as I already said, and take care of my son for me.” “We will,” Twilight answered, tearing up, “and we'll give the Weeping Angels what they deserve while we're at it.” “Twilight?” the Doctor whispered. “What is it?” Twilight asked. “What's one thing Ms. Dash is known for?” the Doctor asked in return. “I can answer that,” Stormchaser said, proudly. “She never gives up, no matter how tough things get.” Rainbow managed a weak laugh. “Hear that, y'all?” Applejack asked. “In her…final moments…and she's still able to laugh.” “You guys are the best,” Rainbow weakly whispered. “I love you guys…” “Mom…” Stormchaser whispered. “Excuse me, guys…” Carefully, he made his way to his mother and gave her a heartfelt embrace. “I love you, Mom…” “I love you, too, son…” Rainbow whispered, weakly returning the gesture. “We all love you, too, Rainbow,” Twilight added, crying softly. Though he wanted the moment to last forever, Stormchaser gently let go of his mother and placed her back in a comfortable position. “I know I can't…stop what's about to happen, but that doesn't stop me from wishing I could,” he said as he faced Rainbow Dash. “Thanks for everything you've ever given me, Mom,” he added with a heavy sigh. “It's no…trouble at all…my son…” Rainbow whispered as she closed her eyes. “Rainbow?” Twilight cried. Rainbow Dash didn't respond. “Rainbow!” Twilight exclaimed. “Twilight,” the Doctor whispered, “there's nothing you can do for her now except fulfill those promises you just made.” “She can't be gone,” Twlight whispered, crying softly. “She just can't…” “I never thought we'd be sayin' goodbye to her so soon,” Applejack said, solemnly holding her hat against her chest. “I know,” Fluttershy sobbed. “Dash and I have known each other since we were kids. It just isn't fair.” “I've had to say goodbye to a friend on multiple occasions,” the Doctor confessed, “and it never gets any easier.” “So now what do we do?” Rarity asked. “We press on,” Stormchaser calmly answered. “Remember her, and in the process, we stay strong like she told us to.” “Remember her by remembering her advice… Very good,” said the Doctor. “What else do you remember about her?” “I remember a lot,” Stormchaser replied. “So do the rest of us,” Pinkie added. “Like the time her and I first met, and the time we got the Elements of Harmony, and the time we battled Discord, and a lot of other things.” With that, Stormchaser and company share memories of Rainbow Dash and do what they can to comfort each other in the light of their loss. Twilight, however, was in her own world, lost deep within a maze of her own thoughts and numb to the world around her. It was supposed to be a thoughtful gift, Twilight thought, but that 'thoughtful gift' has just taken one of my closest friends away from me. “Twilight?” asked the Doctor. No response. “Hmm,” the Doctor hummed, shaking his head. One by one the group left the room; naturally, Twilight and the Doctor were at the back of the procession. Celestia told me she had never heard of any kind of creature like the Weeping Angels, and even went so far as to tell me that the castle library didn't even have anything, Twilight thought, her eyes closed and her ears shut to the world around her. “Hey, Twi, you alright?” Applejack asked with concern. Again, Twilight didn't respond. “Best we not press the issue too far,” Rarity whispered; the suggestion was met with a small nod. “I'm going to go and…find a staff member,” Stormchaser said as he turned away from the others. “We'll be out in the lobby,” replied the Doctor. The group of friends, sans Stormchaser, returned to the nursing home's waiting room, found their own gathering spot, and resumed their recollection of time spent with Rainbow Dash. “She was always the first one to spring into action,” recalled Applejack. “In some cases, she really was the bravest out of all of us, if not the craziest.” “She may have seemed mean, but she could be really nice or gentle when she wanted,” Fluttershy said, trying not to burst into tears. “You don't have to hold it in, darling,” Rarity soothingly whispered as she draped a hoof around her friend. “All our hearts are broken by this.” “Some more than others,” the Doctor added, motioning toward Twilight. “Perhaps she blames herself for this,” Rarity mused. “She is blamin' someone, but it ain't herself,” Applejack countered. “I fear you may be right,” the Doctor lamented. Without warning, Twilight stood up and released a heavy sigh. “I'm sorry guys,” she whispered, “but I have to go.” “Go where?” asked Fluttershy. “Canterlot,” Twilight bitterly answered. “There's some business I need to tend to there; besides, I just need to get away from this place.” “Twilight, please don't do anything rash,” begged the Doctor. The alicorn merely glared at him in response and stepped outside. After looking skyward, Twilight spread her wings, and took off in the same manner as Rainbow Dash, her heart set on the city of her origin…and her former mentor.