//------------------------------// // Worrying Friends // Story: End of the Beginning: Darkness Falls // by NerdyByrd //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash, Twister, and Lightening made their way down the dirt path the led straight to Twilight's castle. Rainbow Dash really wanted Twister and Lightening to meet her friends, well, the rest of her friends. Running into Pinkie Pie was practically inevitable. When they enter the castle, Rainbow Dash found a little surprise waiting for her. "Oh Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy ran towards her, giving Rainbow Dash a tight hug," Are you okay?" "Yes Fluttershy, I will be once you allow me to breathe again", Rainbow Dash manage to grunt out. When Fluttershy released her, Rainbow Dash gasped for air. So you really can be hugged to death, Rainbow Dash thought while she gazed across the room. All her friends were there... and seemed very worried. "Pinkie Pie told us you were sick", Twilight explained. "Pinkieeeeeeeeeeee", Rainbow Dash groaned. "You didn't make me Pinkie Promise anything", Pinkie cried in defense. "She also said something about a coltfriend", Twilight added. "PINKIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE", Rainbow Dash growled through a clenched jaw. "It slipped out", Pinkie whined. Rainbow Dash sighed," I will start from the beginning." After about thirty minutes of talking about what had happen on the mission to the strange wall, everypony began to get even more worried about Rainbow Dash. "Wait, ya mean your sick", Applejack said with concern. "And they don't what it is", Rarity gasped. "And you been having strange nightmares", Twilight asked with interest. "And you been attacked", Fluttershy said in a high pitched voice. "And there was foal pictures of you", Pinkie whined. Everypony just starred at her. "Should of been there", Pinkie said shaking her head. "Pinkie, you're missing the point", Twilight snapped," Rainbow Dash could be in life threating situation!" "I know, but... the foal pictures! Rainbow Dash probably looked adorable", Pinkie pouted. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. She was terrified about what was happing to her, and if she had her way, her friends would've never found out. Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably, mostly cause she didn't what was going to happened to her. "Hello, little brother forgotten down here", Lightening called out. Rainbow Dash forgotten all about him," Sorry Lightening." "Lightening", Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow. "Little brother", Applejack asked, mimicking Twilight's reaction. "Um... yeah", Rainbow Dash laugh nervously. Applejack seemed a little mad about this," Rainbow, ya got lot of explain' to-" "Oh will you look at the time", Rainbow Dash said nervous, ushering Twister and Lightening out the door. She knew she had to face this problem eventually, but she just now realized she wasn't ready yet. "Rainbow, ah wasn't finished speaking", Applejack scolded, jumping in front of them," You're not going anywhere until you tell us what's goin' on 'cause ah know you ain't telling us somethin'." Rainbow Dash faked left and went right. She faked right and left, but every way out was blocked by a very stubborn earth pony. Rainbow Dash frown. Unlike Applejack, Rainbow Dash knew when to give up, even when she was totally against it. "Fine, I will tell about where I came from. Backstory and everything.", Rainbow Dash growled. After another thirty minutes, the Story of Rainbow Dash had basically been told, and Rarity started to fake cry, although it seemed real. "How c-could you not us something like t-that", Rarity sobbed. "Rarity, you're bein' a little overdramatic, don't ya think", Applejack said giving a slight flick of her ear. "Are you not a little upset", Rarity asked, her crying stopping her fake crying in a split second. "Yes, ah'm a little mad, but mostly concern", Applejack said sadly," Why would you lie to us?" "Well, I didn't mean to. Honest! I just forgot mention them for awhile, and then forgot so long it was hard to bring up", Rainbow Dash said guilty. "But sugar cube-", Applejack try to reason. "Well... what was I supposed to say! Hey Applejack, you need help with that apple cart! By the way I have a secret family I never told you about! Hey look, there's Twilight", Rainbow Dash yelled. "Rainbow ah... ah'm sorry. Ah didn't realize how hard this must of been on you", Applejack said apologetically. Rainbow Dash let out a heavy sigh," No, I'm sorry. My life is just... screwed up right now." Rainbow Dash looked up at Twister and Lightening. Twister shifted from side to side awkwardly, while Lightening sat there with big, sad eyes, taking everything that his sister just said in. "Can we go home now", Lightening asked. "Yes", Rainbow Dash turn around, looking at her friends," Bye." Rainbow Dash, Twister, and Lightening took to the air. Then Lightening asked a question that broke Rainbow Dash's heart. "Dashie, why doesn't your friends know about me? Do not like me?" Rainbow Dash shook her head," No Lightening, I love you. It was just misunderstanding that needed to be solved. I will explain it later, okay? It not you, and don't you ever think I don't like you." "Okay", Lightening said, looking a little bit more happy, but Rainbow Dash could still tell he was hurt. Twister raised his eyebrow, also wondering about the 'misunderstanding', but Rainbow Dash shook her head slightly as if to say not now. Twister seemed to get the message and looked away. When the got home, Rainbow Dash got really tired all the sudden, like all her energy just zapped right out of her. Twister noticed this right away. "Are you okay", Twister asked, holding Rainbow Dash up right," I think you need to get to bed." "It's not even that late", Rainbow Dash protested. "You're right", Twister agreed, looking at the clock that sat on the coffee table," It's 2:37 p.m., but you're tired. I can tell, and you need to rest. After all, the doctors said you need to rest and take it easy." "Fine", Rainbow Dash groaned. Rainbow Dash staggered to her bed, and laid there. She stared at the ceiling, feeling her eyes get heavy. Why? Why is I'm suddenly getting tired for no reason? Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, ready to face the colt who was haunting her dreams. *** Rainbow Dash open her eyes, finding herself in a deep, dark cave. She frown at the new scenery. "My head loves putting me in strange places." "Actually, it's us doing this to you", a familiar voice said. Rainbow Dash turn around, and found three colts staring at her. There was Smoke, the first colt she met when her strange dreams first started to come. The other colt was the same one from her last dream, yet to be named. The third colt had a grey coat and blood red eyes. He also shared two similar qualities with the other two colts; his rainbow mane and the fact of being an Alicorn. His rainbow mane was full and complete, like hers. While the first two were probably Scootaloo's age, the third colt was older, but not as old as Rainbow Dash. Maybe... thirteen at the most. Rainbow Dash didn't remember meeting this colt yet. Smoke was the first to speak. "Rainbow Dash, we have met already. This my brother Fractured Light", he said pointing to the black Alicorn," And this my nephew Color Streak." Rainbow Dash gave him a look," Ummm... aren't you a little young to have a nephew. One that's also older than you." "Magic got involved. Made things complicated", Fracture Light replied. Rainbow Dash shrugged," Makes sense to me." "We need your help", Color Streak said, worriedly. Smoke nodded," You may be worried about Nightmare Moon's return, but she isn't the real threat. The threat is that all the evil that the Elements of Harmony defeated in the past will return with a vengeance. Nightmare Moon is just a variable in that equation. You are what they are all after." "What", Rainbow Dash yelled," Why me? What makes me special?" "The reason why you can communicate with us. The reason why we are in your head. Because you have a power within you. A power so powerful, if in the hooves of evil, could destroy everything. You are the one that they all want. Rainbow Dash you have to be careful", Fracture Light explained. Just as Rainbow Dash open her mouth to ask about Nightmare Moon, the cave began to shudder like there was an earthquake. Rocks began to fall from the ceiling, one almost hitting Rainbow Dash. "What's happening", Rainbow Dash screamed over the rumbling sound. "You're departing from the Dream Realm! You're waking up", Smoke yelled back. "But what about Nightmare-" Before Rainbow Dash could ask, the cave slowly grew dark. Each of the colts disappeared one by one leaving Rainbow Dash alone to face the depths of the darkness. *** Rainbow Dash open her eyes. Twister was standing over her. "Rainbow Dash", Twister said softly. "What", Rainbow Dash mumbled. "You're late Wonderbolt practice", Twister said bluntly. "What!" Rainbow Dash jumped up and ran to her bathroom, knocking everything over in the process. She put on her uniform and goggles.Practice didn't start until, 7:00 a.m.! I couldn't sleep that long! I couldn't be late! How I be late! Why wasn't I woken up! "Twister, why didn't you wake me up", Rainbow Dash yelled frantically. "I tried, but you wouldn't get up", Twister defended himself. Rainbow Dash flew out the door, leaving Twister and Lightening at the cloud house. Rainbow Dash raced through the sky, leaving a colorful rainbow behind. She soared down to the headquarters, making a quick land on the runway. She trotted up to Spitfire, ready to apologize. "Spitfire, I am so sorry I'm late. I-" "Oh it's okay Rainbow Dash. You're excused", Spitfire "Umm... okay", Rainbow Dash said hesitantly. "Come on. We need you to get ready so we can practice for the show that will be preformed at the Grand Galloping Gala." Rainbow Dash and Spitfire walked up to the others, ready to take position, but the last pony Rainbow Dash thought would arrive came. Princess Luna walked up to Spitfire and her, she donned a serious expression. "Spitfire, I'm here to sadly inform you that the show that the Wonderbolts put on every year is cancelled." Spitfire eyes widen," What! Why!" Princess Luna shook her head," My sister fears of Nightmare Moon's return, and she fears for your safety. It would be a shame if you were hurt. After all, you reported that a group known as the Shadowbolts attacked you near the Wall. Perhaps, they will return with back up this time. We need you to be ready for them." Spitfire stared in confusion," Princess Luna, shouldn't the Royal Guards be focused on that issue." "Well, yes but it would be wise to have you keep a watchful eye as well. Besides, the Wonderbolts, at a time, were a specialize flight team that was specifically organized for aerial combat. Although, the skills were never taught to you, because over time the need for the Wonderbolts decreased, reducing you to simple stunt flyers", Princess Luna said flatly. "Hey", Rainbow Dash said, offended. "No offence", Princess Luna said with a shrug," Rainbow Dash I would like for you to come with me. You need meet up with your friends to discuss the matters of Nightmare Moon, but I also need to talk to you. In private." Rainbow Dash heard murmurs and whispers break out across the Wonderbolts. She felt like a little filly, being called out in front of class. The way all fillies and colts would quietly talk about her, coming up with ideas. Rumors to spread. Lies to tell. It was a very uncomfortable feeling. Rainbow Dash followed Princess Luna, taking flight to the air. Once they were out of earshot, Princess Luna began talk something surprised Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash, what dreams have you been having lately." "Wait, what", Rainbow Dash asked startled by the question. "I know it sounds intrusive, but I ask with concern." "Well, nothing extremely frightening. Why?" "As Princess of the Night, I watch over all ponies dreams. I have notice that your dreams bring you great uneasiness and stress, but I can not enter your dreams." "I don't follow." "I can not access your dreams, for something or somepony is keeping me out. So ask again, what dreams have you been having lately. But do answer at your own time." Rainbow Dash took a deep breath," I been having dreams about three colts. Only one of them came into most of my dreams. The other two didn't come until later." "Any specific names?" "Smoke, Fracture Light, and Color Streak." Princess Luna nodded," When we get to the castle and meet up with the others, I would like for you to give a description, then tell your friends and I every aspect of your dream. There may be something about your dreams, for it is the most peculiar set of dreams I have ever come across." Rainbow Dash nodded as well, while a small shiver went down her back like somepony was watching.