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// 19) Red on Rainbow 
// Story: Fact or Fiction 
// by Mocha Star 
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	Rainbow Dash kept her gaze away from Daring Do. The pith helmet wearing mare sighed and moved back over to where the rest were huddled together. Rainbow Dash turned her back to them and hugged her chest tightly.  

Living out here was terrible, this 'great adventure' she expected to have was becoming a whole new kind of nightmare. She was in a constant state of anxiousness, never knowing what the next moment would bring. If they ran out of rations they would eat the grass they walked on, grass! Winter was so much different than it was back home, it really felt as if everything was dead. Not to mention that their 'guide' was as unstable as a leaky tank of propane at a bonfire. Though Rainbow Dash was intimidated and even afraid of Pea Gravel at times, she respected her. This strange mare seemed to carry the weight of the moon over her shoulders with the dark night trying to drag her away. 

Rainbow Dash felt a warm drip run down her face, she realized she was crying. Pea Gravel never backed down from keeping her and Daring Do safe, even eating less rations and taking extra night shifts so they would feel the least bit more comfortable. When Pea Gravel fought with the cyan pegasus, it was to help her become a better fighter, not to beat her into submission. This strange, short fused, cyber legged grey mare was in trouble and Rainbow Dash felt she had a debt to pay.

Rainbow Dash pulled the fur coat over her body tighter. Pea Gravel had made an impromptu little strap so it would hold on tight. Wearing such a thing churned her stomach. The creatures out here, even ponies, were fine with wearing another's skin for warmth and protection. Though Rainbow Dash preferred being nude she couldn't help but feel exposed without something on.


Rainbow Dash looked over to the others. They were dozing off to sleep, they'd all be out shortly. The unicorn wasn't in their huddle, he sitting outside of their cramped snow dug-out as their watchman. Rainbow Dash plotted what to bring on her rescue mission and how she was going to get past him. Seeing that the rest were asleep, she crept over to their bags and pulled out one of Pea Gravel's flintlocks. She had watched how to load it, kind of. Without fingers it would be very difficult. 

She tried to funnel the gunpowder into the barrel in vain. Spilling a hoof-ful on the ground she internally panicked. Scuffing some snow over it, she sat in thought. She wasn't sure if it was the best idea but she decided to have the unicorn help. She gathered up the gun and ammo along with one of the fur coats for warmth. She went outside and shivered. It was much colder in the open air and once she looked around her breath was taken away.

The night sky was still so different out here. The clouds were gone and the moon was a sliver in the sky. It felt so...empty. What light it shed glimmered dimly over the expanse of snow. Near to the entrance was the nameless unicorn, still as a statue. Rainbow Dash was afraid he was frozen, she whispered to him. His gaze went over to her tiredly, steam coming from his nostrils showed he was still breathing.

"I see you're awake," He said without turning, "There's no wind tonight. That's an omen...of ill tidings."

"Omen? Gah… never mind" Rainbow Dash whispered, "I need your help."

"I'm happy to," His calm voice responded, "What is it?"

Rainbow Dash rushed over to him. She shoved the gun up at his face, "Load this."

The unicorn blinked at it. He cocked his head to the side, "This is a dangerous weapon. What reason do you have to wield it?"

Rainbow Dash groaned, "I'm gonna go rescue Pea Gravel and I need something to defend myself."

The unicorn shook his head,"Not with that you're not."

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth, "Why not? Don't think I can hit anything with it?"

"It is too loud," He said simply, "You will have a whole battalion to deal with."

"Then what should I use, my hooves?" Rainbow Dash huffed.

"No, that's suicide," He pulled out a steel dagger from under his blanket, "If you need to take a life, use this. It's quiet… as long as you are."

Rainbow Dash stared at the blade. It seemed alien to her, most things out here did. The dagger had a guard on in so it could be gripped by hoofed creatures. She set the pistol down and took the dagger. While she inspected it, the Unicorn hid the pistol under his blanket. 

"How do I use it?" She asked. Not sure she wanted to hear the answer.

"That depends," The unicorn said coldly, "I've used it more than once for the same reasons. It's best if you thrust it here," He placed a hoof over his neck.

A chill went up the mare's spine,"It… it won't hurt them too long will it?"

"There's an old saying I've heard, 'You can't scream with two mouths'," The unicorn sighed. He gazed out at the still winter night, "You're really going to do it...go after her?"

Rainbow Dash hugged herself, "I… I have to. Nopony else will."

The unicorn smiled slightly, "You're a very loyal mare, diving head first into the beast's belly," He looked back to her, "I beg of you, be careful."

Rainbow Dash hugged the unicorn, "Thanks, I really mean it."

He patted her back, "I'm simply repaying the debt I owe you and your friend."

Rainbow Dash hugged him tighter and pulled away. She spread her wings, the fur pelt sliding between them on her back. She made a running start and glided close to the ground. With one look back she saw that he was waving to her. She pulled her gaze away and targeted the camp. Their campfires shown against the snow brightly. Flying closer she saw a handful of minotaur guards looking out into the empty fields. She stopped flapping her wings and glided to a halt. She looked for a guard that was asleep or a gap in their watch. She inched closer through the cold snow. Thankfully it was a dark night or else her rainbow mane would show out.

Perhaps the unicorn's charm really did work, none of the guards were looking in her direction. She crept closer and closer into the small town of tents. Avoiding the campfire light and prying eyes of the burly inhabitants, she thought back to home. She remembered sneaking into the hospital to get her Daring Do book and how the chase went down. It seemed like a mild game of tag to what she was surrounded by. Passing by different tents she felt the warmth from inside thaw the cold. There she saw all sorts of things;

In some were the servants and slaves (defined by their collars) sharpening swords and polishing armor. There was a set of long tent with a din of a hungry crowd and odd smelling food, probably meat. Some creatures, who resembled a inscription of Scorpan, were fluttering around with crates and baskets. Some tents had small shrines with a bronze or gold figure vaguely resembling Tirek. Vaguely because of how majestic it's details were. In these tents were groups of Centaurs, minotaurs, gargoyles and any other creature owned by them kneeling and mumbling prayers to the statuette.

After what seemed like forever, she passed by an odd looking barrel. It was completely made of metal with a deadbolt across the lid. Whatever was kept in there must be dangerous...or tried to kill an important centaur. Rainbow Dash slowly inched up to the barrel and tapped the side.

"Hello?" She whispered, "Is anyone in there?"

"Somepony is," A very tired voice groaned from within the barrel.

A wave of relief went through Rainbow Dash. She smiled as she opened the deadbolt, "Looks like I found a can of peas, eh?"

"Very funny," Pea Gravel groaned as she stood up to get out. Every movement she made, she winced in pain. Rainbow Dash had never seen her so damaged before.

Pea Gravel wobbled on her hooves one free. She looked down to see Rainbow Dash's tracks, "Come on, we gotta get going."

The pegasus shook her head, "Don't walk, I'll carry you. I can fly out of here in no time."

She fluttered up over Pea Gravel and hooked her arms under the metal ones. Pea winced again but nodded for Rainbow Dash to take off. The rainbow maned pegasus pumped her wings until the two were airborne. Her renowned speed back home struck again and they flew off, away from the camp. Rainbow Dash was exhilarated, she did what the others said was impossible, even Daring Do.

The closer they got to the dugout, the more dread gripped Pea Gravel's gut. Rather suddenly she pulled downward and sent both of them to the ground. They crashed and tumbled in the snow several yards away from the dugout. Rainbow Dash was surprised and frustrated at the mare she had just saved.

"Hey! I just got you-" her rant was cut short by Pea Gravel covering her mouth. She tried to protest but the cyber mare's emerald eyes were locked onto the dugout.

"Did you cover your tracks?" She asked coldly. Rainbow Dash shook her head. Pea Gravel pulled her hand away from Rainbow Dash's face and cursed, "Thank's for getting me out… but you may have led them to our team."

What Pea Gravel said was true, a horse sized centaur came out of the dugout. His dress was similar to the assassin that tried to kill Celestia. He had Dew Berry and Cardinal under one arm and a leash to Wheat Biscuit with the other. His face was hidden behind a brass mask that only had a few holes to see out of, leaving a chilling look to anything that saw him.

Another, dressed in black and masked, held up Daring Do like a new kitten. Admiring how fine her features were despite her squirming to escape. The unicorn wasn't where he was before, he was laying on the ground a few feet away. What they did see was a limp silver shape, weather he was alive or not they didn't know. Rainbow Dash was overcome with guilt and rage, she had compromised the whole team… just like they said she would.

She took the dagger and slipped it on, it fit like a glove over her hoof. Pea Gravel couldn't stop her as she flew out towards the centaurs. She aimed for the one holding her idol, she aimed straight for the neck. Without thinking she rammed into him, thrusting the blade deep under his mask. He dropped Daring Do from the impact and reeled back, with Rainbow Dash now out of control. He tried to grab him, but he had begun to lose too much blood.

Once Rainbow Dash realized what happened, he was dead on the ground. Daring Do was surprised and terrified. Rainbow Dash, however, was completely mortified. She had killed another being. She had killed out of anger, it felt as if the flower of her innocence had wilted… or grew thorns, she couldn't tell.

The other centaur dropped his prisoners and drew a sword from his side, it's length longer than Rainbow Dash entirely. He smacked her over the head with the flat of his blade. She dropped unconscious immediately. Daring Do rushed to her side, checking if she was alright, the centaur grabbed one of her wings and yanked her away. She screamed and struggled to get back to her friend, only to be knocked unconscious as well.

He plucked Rainbow Dash up and set her over his back, along with Daring Do. Wheat Biscuit put his son over his back as well and nodded for Dew Berry to comply, know they were defeated. Dew Berry didn't move, she glared up at the centaur dressed in black. She had a look of burning hope.

"You may have gotten us now, but just you wait," She said with a smile, "The Hellion will hunt you down and tear your head off, I promise."

One of the centaur's front legs swiftly kicked the red mare. She was knocked back with a nasty bruise. The centaur growled at her, "Don't speak of that demon, or karma will tear your head off."

He yanked her up and held her in the crook of his arm tightly. He picked up their packs and bags easily with the other hand, now looking like a pack mule. Walking back to the camp, wheat biscuit followed. He passed Pea Gravel only by a yard or so, it amazed her that she remained unseen. She had lost too much energy trying to survive the winter night, too many broken bones to fight. She lay low, scarred at what she had seen. Was it her fault that Rainbow Dash had the skill to do that, to kill?