//------------------------------//
// Data Swift 
// Story: A Rainbow in the Dark 
// by Misty Green 
//------------------------------//

Rarity couldn't quite get a read on Data Swift. He seemed happy and so full of love in some moments, only to become bitterly angry in others. It seemed like the two emotions were fighting each other for control of the stallion, and causing Rarity to be suspicious of him. Why would he be so conflicted on seemingly everything, but help them when they needed him most? It was as if even choices that should have easy enough make rightly put him on edge, like he no longer knew what the right thing even was. How long would he actually help them? Could Data turn on them as easily as the flip of a bit?

"I thought Celestia said the four of us princesses were the only alicorns in Equestria," Rarity heard Twilight say. "If this is truly the case, then where are you from?"

"Equestria, same as you," Data cheerily answered. "I just like to keep to the shadows. Few, if any, know I exist."

"Whyever would you do that?" Rarity pressed for answeres. "Doesn't it get lonely?"

"That's a long story," Data warned. "It's necessary that I remain hidden."

Twilight wasn't satisfied with that answer. "But why is it necessar..."

"That's none of your business!" Everypony jumped. Rarity supposed it was fair for him to yell. But it still didn't help how she felt about Data, but then she noticed a single tear on his cheek. Perhaps there was more to his behavior than she knew, but she decided to leave it, and from the null in the conversation that followed, she guessed her friends did the same.

Rainbow was the one to break the silence, "So, that magic you used back there. It's awfully similar to that rainbow power we used against Tirek."

Data chuckled. "Of course you'd be the one to recognize it, Rainbow Dash. Although, it's not what you think it is."

"Well, what is it then?"

"It's simple really. Rainbow Magic, as it's called, is the most powerful form of magic in Equestria other than the Elements of Harmony themselves. However, it isn't used like traditional magic. Instead of spells, it bases its effects off the will of the caster. So, really, anything could happen, within certain bounds. This includes the ever-spectacular sonic rainboom."

The look of surprise on Rainbow's face lightened the mood a little. "You mean, I can use rainbow magic?"

"Not only can, but have been!"

"Ohhh!" Pinkie commented. "It all makes so much sense now. Rainbow might be a little less awsome now that we now just about everypony could potentially perform a sonic rainboom, but wow! A pegasus who can use magic!"

Rarity was rather enjoying their excitement, but she couldn't help but notice Fluttershy. She was obviously scared, and was trying to get every pony's attention. Poor thing, Rarity thought, being assertive must not come naturally to all ponies. She was sure the new alicorn unsettled Fluttershy as much as he did her.

"Fluttershy," Rarity asked, loud enough to grasp every pony's attention, "surely you have something to say?"

Everypony turned toward Fluttershy. A couple of them apologized.

"Uh, yes. Um. Shouldn't we tell Princess Cadence Sombra's back? And, uh, can we go back to Ponyville?"

Data was quick to respond. "I can take care of the message, and I assure you, as long as you're with me, you are safe in the Everfree Forest. Heck, you've been here on your own before."

"How do yu' know that?" Applejack questioned.

"I'm the guardian of balance in Equestria. It's my job to watch it as much as I can, especially those who have a firmer grasp of its fate." He looked at each of the friends while he said that. "I'm surprised you haven't noticed my presence in the past."

"However long have you been watching us?" Rarity was a little creeped out.

"I have kept to the skies, intently watching your adventures since Nightmare Moon. I'd say the most obvious of my interventions would have to be when Discord reversed your personalities." He turned toward Twilight. "Did you honestly think Celestia knew you were defeated while also cooped up in her castle?"

Twilight's eyes widened. "You sent all my letters back to me?"

Data smiled through the corner of his mouth, and gave a single nod. "Of course you haven't needed much of my help. It was more so the bad guys who needed it. For instance..."

"IT'S A TRICK! EVERY PONY RUN!" Pinkie screamed and started running in circles around the clearing.

"I'm the embodiment of balance, remember!? I've never done anything to get anypony killed, nor am I against you this time in any way. Well, I had been the one to send you the note that lead you here, but..."

Rarity gasped. "You impersonated Spike?

Data was slow to respond. "Yes. I had thought the enemy needed more of my help than you guys. That is usually the case, after all. But I can see now that I was wrong. So I'm on you side, 100 percent."

Everypony was silent. They weren't sure whether to believe that or not. There was a reluctance in Data's voice as he'd said that, as if no piece of evidence, no matter how strong, was enough to prove his claim. He did seem to give Applejack a run for her money in honesty, but his emotional carousel screamed he was hiding something.

"Look. I'm not the best pony around, nor am I even good at my job. But you have to believe me! I've always been on your side. I have to help balance things out, or else I'll change." His own hoof immediately lodged itself in his mouth.

Pinkie appeared in the group seemingly out of nowhere, apparently done screaming her head off. "Change? Like, into candy or something?"

Rarity saw Data release a slight shiver, as if he remembered something he didn't at all like about candy. "Uh, forget I said anything."

Pinkie threw a hoof over Data's shoulder. "Ah, come on. You can tell us anything. Who else to help little fillies like us, than a good pony like you!? I'll trust anything you say. Except a lie, of course!"

"NO!" He wheeled around and sat with his head hanging low. Rarity listened to his sobs. She couldn't help but wonder what the deal was with this pony. Anything pointing to his past brought on anger, or he ignored it entirely. But why? He couldn't have done anything that bad, could be?

Fluttershy slowly approached the crying horse. She looked to others for approval. Reluctantly, they all nodded. So she wrapped a wing around him, and began to comfort him.

"Shhh. Please stop crying. You can tell us anything. We won't bite. No matter how bad it hurts, if you tell somepony, anypony, you will feel better." She whispered.

Data wiped a tear from his eye, but he otherwise didn't move. Slowly, he began to speak. "Being the embodiment of balance isn't all sunshine and rainbows, as I've already told you. You're forced to make sure both sides have an equal chance at winning. Both sides have to have the same level of power, or else I face the consequences."

He paused for a moment as his breathing intensified. "It's just so frustrating!" He yelled with the stomp of a hoof. "I don't even know what the right thing is anymore! I feel the need to help the good side, but if I go to far, it'll all be for nothing!"

Suspicion confirmed, but Rarity was still surprised. Fluttershy didn't even flinch! Instead she calmly pushed him on. "It's okay. Do you want to tell us how it'll be for nothing?"

Data took in a deep breath. "If I take my actions too far to either side, I'll change. I'll become the polar opposite of balance, as well as the inverse of who I want to be. I would become a tyrant far worse than Sombra, Tirek, or any of them. I would be the worst enemy Equestria has ever seen, and in a sick and twisted way, be forced to re-establish balance. That is why I help the bad guys so much. Because I never want to become a monster. Never again."

Rarity took a moment to let the implication sink in. Had he really changed before? How many times? She had so many questions, but she didn't want to push him any further for fear of going too far herself. Not to mention every answer they received left them with more questions. Fortunately, she didn't have to try.

"I don't remember any record of a tyrant capable of using rainbow magic, putting aside the fact I've never heard of rainbow magic either," Twilight stated.

"That's because there isn't any," Data said while trying to hold back more tears. It was clear he wasn't going to say any more about the subject, or he'd cry a river. Rarity felt she had to say something to make sure no pony inquired more from Data. She wasn't ready to have her head burst from question overload.

"Fabulous! Well, I do believe we have a few princesses to warn, so we can hold off on any more details for the time being. Besides, who knows where Sombra plans to go with his evil scheme." She saw the corner of Data's mouth curve up again, though only slightly.

"Yes," Data announced as he quickly stood, "Sombra might still be after the empire. We must warn Cadence at once!"

His horn flashed rainbow as three multi-colored rectangles appeared in the air in front of him. After a moment, the colors shifted to form the images of Cadence, Celestia, and Luna. Two of the images were Cadence and Celestia sleeping, which creeped Rarity out even more. How intently was this pony watching us?. Then, to her surprise, the image of Luna screamed in surprise. Apparently, the other two heard.

"Good evening, my princesses," Data announced. The look of revulsion on their faces didn't phase him. "I am Data Swift, and I am here with the princess of friendship. We have dire news that requires your immediate attention."

Twilight finished the announcement after a nod, "Sombra's back! Not only that, he's stronger than ever."

Celestia was the first to recover from her revulsion. "How came this to be?"

"I'm not sure, princess. My only theory is that the Crystal Heart couldn't kill him, so full of love as it is," Data answered.

"How certain are you of this information?" Luna asked. Rarity noticed the way she and Data were looking at each other. Why wouldn't she? She had shared the same look with Spike before. Oh, dear Celestia! Is there anything about this pony that isn't confusing?

"Entirely. The eight of us saw him first hoof."

Everypony voiced their agreement with Data.

"This isn't good. The empire needs protection," Cadence said. "Shining Armor, get up! Sombra's back!"

"Huh!" Came a male voice from behind Cadence. "You're dreaming Cadence. There's nothing to worry about."

"No, Shining Armor. It's true," Twilight told her brother.

"Twili? How did you...? What are you doing in...? Are you sure?"

"I wish it were false, lord Shinig Armor, but she and I have already faced him in battle. He kidnapped Spike, apparently for revenge, and nearly bested Twilight before I intervened."

But also after, Rarity thought to herself.

"You must protect your empire with your shield magic. It won't last near as long as it had before he got his new power; however, you certainly will last longer than facing him head on," Data instructed. "That way I will have time to reach you if Sombra attacks the Crystal Empire."

"Sir, are you absolutely certain the Crystal Heart won't dispel him as it had before?" Shining Armor questioned.

"Yes. Sombra has learned to use black magic. Its only equal is rainbow magic, which I use. Of course, the Elements of Harmony could dispose of him, but their locked away. And as for the rainbow power they bestowed on Twilight and her friends, I don't think they even know how to reactivate it."

Celestia closed her eyes. "This is truly dire news. Do you know where he is now?"

"No. He got away."

"You said he kidnapped Spike," Luna noted, "but you're also having the Empire build its defenses. Have you his intentions, or simply covering all possibilities?"

"I'm taking every precaution I can, which is why the eight of us will come to your castle. That is if that's okay with the two of you. After all, he might also want revenge on the two of you for sending the empire away a thousand years ago."

There was a null in the conversation as Celestia thought it over. "Very well," She said gently. "If what you say is true, and the element of magic couldn't even fight him, where this rainbow magic can, then I suppose it would be wise to have you in our castle. That is also taking into consideration Shining Armor's mastery in defensive spells, though I fear it won't be enough for you to get there in time."

"Ten minutes is all I need to reach the Crystal Empire from Canterlot using mach speeds and teleportation."

Celestia nodded. "Very well. Let's discuss further details once you've reached our castle."

"Yes ma'am!" With that, Data ended his spell, and the eight of them got into the hot air balloon.