//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Spirit of Loyalty // by Matthew Penn //------------------------------// It didn’t take long for everyone else to realize Rainbow Dash never completed the last part of her stunt. Celebration was replaced with confusion and anxiety. All eyes were glued to the sky, everyone wondering what have happened to her. Even as sunset approached, nobody had left the park. Many chose to camp out in case search parties found Rainbow Dash. Nurses and doctors were present if she was severely injured. Rainbow’s friends tried everything to bring their hopes up, but it was easier said than done. The sunset gave way to the stars. Twilight tried to find a logical explanation for what happened. Rarity sat with Fluttershy in a secluded area in the park to comfort her. Pinkie played soft but uplifting tunes on her accordion to ease tension. She tried not to think about Rainbow Dash too much. After all, this was the same pony who kicked a fire-breathing dragon in the face. A couple of broken bones will not be much of a problem for her. Applejack approached Twilight with her head down and tear stains on her cheeks. “I’m sure Rainbow Dash will be okay,” Twilight said, although not sure of herself. “She’s used to getting out of dangerous situations.” “I told that girl… “ Applejack paused, closing her eyes tightly. “Twilight, this is what happens when you’re boastful. You end up hurting yourself and those around you. She always had to outdo herself, always had to prove she’s the best at everything. Now look what happened!” Twilight could hear her voice crack. Applejack covered her face with her forearm, not wanting to appear weak. Twilight affectionately rubbed her muzzle against her’s, and pulled Applejack close. Scootaloo never looked away from the sky, even when it turned into night. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were with her, and they all waited for someone to find Rainbow Dash. As the night went on, there was yet any sign of Rainbow Dash. The search parties returned with empty hooves and despair hanging over them. The leader of the pegasi search party spoke with the mayor in a private area. After ten minutes the mayor returned to the center of the arena. She motioned for everyone to pay attention to her. The Mayor took a deep breath. “Mares and gentlecolts… it is with a heavy heart that I must say the search parties were unable to find Rainbow Dash. We do not know where she is or what happened to her.” She stumbled on her words for a moment. “... However, we have come to the conclusion that the powerful force of the sonic rainboom, in addition to the high speeds of which she flew… had decimated her. So… on this day, Thursday, the 21st of May, on 3:45 p.m. Rainbow Dash has passed on.” The Mayor walked away from the center. The ponies were too stunned to react. Finally, the night air was filled with wails. Scootaloo buried herself onto Pinkie Pie. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle held on to their sisters for comfort. Twilight sat on her flank, her hooves covering her face as she wept. Spike was at her side weeping with her. Fluttershy, overwhelmed with grief, retreated from the park, away to her cottage. For everyone else, those who came to the show remained under the moon and cried throughout the night. Eventually, many began to leave the park so they can mourn in their own homes. The park became empty, but Rainbow Dash’s friends remained and cried in a circle. Nobody said anything to each other. Pinkie was the first to leave. She simply walked home. Her poofy mane was deflated. Rarity and Sweetie Belle were next to depart, then Twilight and Spike returned to the Golden Oaks Library in silence. Only Applejack, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were left. They tightly huddled together. Applejack felt there was a giant hole in her heart. She gazed at the fillies she held in her arms, but mostly at Scootaloo. How unfair it was that the only pony gave this young girl’s life any meaning was taken away from her. Why must fate be this cruel to her, Applejack thought. What kind of higher power would do such a helpless child? Applejack stood. “Come on, Apple Bloom,” she said softly. “We best be getting on home.” She began to walk, but stopped and looked back. Her little sister refused to let go of Scootaloo. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks. Scootaloo had nowhere to go. Applejack silently asked her sister to step aside, rubbed Scootaloo’s head, and gave a sad smile. “It’s getting dark now, sugarcube.” Scootaloo raised her head and stared at Applejack with glassy eyes. “I have nowhere to go.” “Yes you do. With us.” Applejack helped her to her hooves, then wiped her eyes dry, but more tears fell down her cheek. She held the two fillies close together and walked back to Sweet Apple Acres. Scootaloo gazed straight into the night. “Why did you leave me?” she whispered. Darkness was everywhere, but faint voice was calling for Scootaloo. She felt her body being rocked back and forth by a soft hoof. The small voice became louder, but it was gentle at the same time. Out of the darkness was a ray of light. Scootaloo opened her eyes and she was met with a pair of golden iris looking at her. “Scootaloo, it’s morning,” the eyes said. “Apple Bloom?” Scootaloo mumbled. She sat up, stretched, yawned, then rubbed her eyes. Her head was spinning, and the sensation gave her a throbbing headache. Two things were on her mind: how she ended up in Apple Bloom’s bed, and the strange dream she had the other night. The images were vivid, and it involved Rainbow Dash. Then she realized what happened to her was not a dream. “Scootaloo, are you okay?” “... No. No I’m not,” she whispered. Scootaloo wanted to bury herself underneath the blankets. If she had her way, then she will never get out of bed. There was no point in living anymore. The only pony that mattered to her was gone. Apple Bloom’s hoof touched her’s, but she did not react. Apple Bloom’s hoof curled over Scootaloo, then she squeezed it. She wanted to say Everything is going to be alright, but what good will that do? So she decided to stay quiet. Applejack had not slept the entire night. Instead of dreaming she stared at the ceiling, then cried, then stare at the ceiling some more. Now, in the early hours of the morning, she chose to sit at the play swing on top of a hill next to Sweet Apple Acres. She used to sit on that swing many times when she was a filly. It had a wonderful view of the river and valleys beyond Ponyville, but there were some things the beautiful hills could not fix. Life will never be the same, and she didn’t want to adjust to a life without her best friend by her side. The sun was rising, and it was officially the first day in a world without Rainbow Dash. Although she never looked, she knew somebody was coming up the hill. Applejack can always tell when it is her brother approaching her. As much of a giant he was, he made the softest hoofsteps better than anypony she had known. McIntosh found his little sister on the swing, her head down. She was not wearing her favorite stetson. “I knew you’ll be up here,” he said. She said nothing. “You always came up here everytime ma and pa were fighting.” McIntosh wanted to sit on the spare swing next to Applejack, but decided not to, fearing it will not support his weight. He brought his face close to Applejack, but her head was still down. He did not know if she was sleeping or she did not know he was here. He placed his hoof on her arm. She finally looked up. Gazing into her brother’s eyes her bottom lip shook. Her was distorted with grief. “Mac… why did this happen?” “I don’t know. Maybe it was her time.” “Don’t you say that,” she said sharply. “Don’t you dare say that.” “I’m sorry. I wish I knew the answer, but I don’t.” Applejack lowered her head once more. McIntosh saw little drops of tears fall to the ground. She gritted her teeth and whimpered. He couldn’t stand to see his sister like this. “Why does this keep happening to me?” she said through her stricken voice. “Why do I keep losing those I love?” “That ain’t true, and you know that,” McIntosh said. “You still got me, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom. You still have the whole dang family.” “Rainbow Dash was my best friend, and she’s dead! I’m alone! I have nopony!” McIntosh held his sister’s head which was stained in tears, with more coming in. He looked directly in her eyes. “You’re not alone. You are a strong young mare, Applejack. You have your whole family right here behind you every step of the way. We’ll get through together, as a family, like we always have. Even when ma and pa passed on, we were always right here with you.” “... I don’t know if I can. She was my best friend, Big Mac. I miss her so much!” she cried. “I know. I’m going to miss her too.” They embraced each other, and a single tear flowed from McIntosh’s eye. Later that day, Sweetie Belle made an emergency visit to Sweet Apple Acres. When Apple Bloom opened the door for her she was a wreck of a filly. Apple Bloom found bags under her eyes when she examined them closely. She revealed that herself and Rarity spent the entire night crying themselves to sleep. Now Rarity refused to get out of bed. She would not respond her, not even to their parents. It was so depressing she had to get away, hoping Sweet Apple Acres will have a slightly better atmosphere. Sweetie sat on Apple Bloom’s bed and Scootaloo laid her back on a corner, and stared out the window. Apple Bloom remembered a long time ago when Granny Smith told her that one day ponies will look to her for answers to difficult questions. She had no idea it will be much sooner than she expected. She approached Scootaloo. Talking to her may not fix anything, but she knew best friends always help each other. Scootaloo turned her head to see Apple Bloom sitting next to her. “Can I talk to you?” Scootaloo shrugged her shoulders. It was going to be difficult to choose words to console a grieving friend. What if she said the wrong words? “Scootaloo, there’s nothing I can say to make you feel any better about this. In fact, there’s nothing nobody can say. I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose somebody close like Rainbow Dash.” Scootaloo said nothing. “... I just want you to know that we’re all here for you. Me, my family, Sweetie Belle; everyone’s here.” “Thanks.” The fillies were silent, then Apple Bloom thought of something. It might not be an appropriate subject to talk about with someone in Scootaloo’s situation, but it could not hurt to at least try. “Have you heard of a place called Elysium?” “What?” Scootaloo said. “I think it’s just a story, but for those who do believe, Rainbow Dash is in a place called Elysium right now. It’s a place where good souls go when their time here is up. There’s no pain, no sadness, the grass is painted gold, and every tear is wiped from everyone’s eyes, and the sunlight is glorious and everlasting.” Scootaloo stared at her questioningly, but Apple Bloom gained her attention. Sweetie Belle also gazed at Apple Bloom. She was, too, interested in this wonderful place. “Like I said, it’s probably just a story. I thought i’ll make you feel better.” Scootaloo returned to gazing at the world through the window. She could not bring herself to believe such a place Apple Bloom described existed. It was still a nice story.