• Published 2nd Jan 2013
  • 5,885 Views, 169 Comments

Rainbow in the Dark - Sayer



A pony moves to Ponyville in search of a new life, and in the process finds the mare of his dreams

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Chapter 1: Welcome to Ponyville

Edited and revised by kalash93. Thanks for everything, pal!

Chapter 1: Welcome to Ponyville

I found myself waking up from a deep slumber inside a blue train car with white seats. Crimson curtains hung in front of the window, blocking my view of the outside. I took this train about two days ago, making thousands of stops and watching ponies coming and leaving all the time until I was the only one left. The car was wholly empty and lifeless besides me, my belongings, and a few bits I had saved up to find a new home.

I put on my glasses and rose out of my seat, blinking a few times to adapt my eyes to the darkness of the car before heading to one of the windows. I opened one of the curtains, only to find total darkness as if the train had been swallowed and was now placed inside the belly of a dragon. Looking upwards, I couldn't find any stars from Luna's mantle until the sun shined again. It was then I realized that we had been passing through Saddle Lightning mountain, which was underneath Canterlot.

“Well, that means that Ponyville is a few hours of travel. It’s about time.” My voice echoed inside the car, reverberating and fading into oblivion. I was talking to myself, like countless times before.

I headed straight to the bathroom and spent a few minutes trying to open the damned door. These round doorknobs weren't designed for Earth Ponies, forcing me to use my mouth to open it. Cold metal’s taste shocked my tongue. Gross. Once inside, I took off my glasses and filled the sink with water until it rose to an acceptable level and submerged my face in the sink for a few seconds, resurfacing in search of air. I felt fresh and renewed as the last stragglers raced across my mouth towards their demise.

I looked in the mirror. It spat back the image of a half-asleep pony with glasses, a brown coat and a spiky black mane. Two brown eyes were staring back but I quickly looked away, focusing on my favorite Iron Mane t-shirt and stopping at the blue jeans that kept my Cutie Mark hidden.

When I returned to my seat, I found a pony sitting in front of my place. She was a purple unicorn with a lavender mane featuring a band of purple and pink stripes. My unexpected companion was reading a book about Equestrian history. I tried to see her Cutie Mark, but a saddlebag blocked my view and I wasn't in the mood for talking to strangers.

She had probably gotten on board during the last stop while I was in the bathroom, I thought to myself. I tried to sleep again so that the rest of the travel wouldn't feel so long and boring, but I was quickly interrupted.

"Excuse me; are you going to Ponyville, too?"

I sat up and opened my eyes. I quickly noticed the book placed on the seat besides hers, now free to focus all of her attention on me.

“Yeah… Why do you want to know that?” I was a bit irritable after spending the last two days travelling aboard the train and being confined to the uncomfortable seats around the clock.

“Well, I was curious because I’m heading there, too. Are you looking for a job?”

A grin crossed my face. “You must be some sort of psychic.” Silence- damn! So much for humor. “I'm moving out of my parents' home and I was told that Ponyville is a nice place to live," I replied. “I'm guessing that you're coming back home because none of those rich ponies would leave their mansions unless it's for a party at another.”

The mare was giving me a seriously odd look. "Wow, you have some..." She shrugged, trying to find an answer. "You have some interesting ideas about the rich."

My old grudge came to the surface. I exploded. “Well, the rich haven’t worked a single day. All they do is spend the money they inherited from their fathers after wasting their entire lives to make an empire, only to have their descendants come and start wasting their money on throwing parties while they exploit those who work in their factories.” I really should see a therapist.

“Not all of them are like that. I mean, yeah, most of them like parties. But a lot of them do a lot of important work. Princess Celestia is always busy, having to control the sun and the whole country. And many of the nobles are administrators, ministers, and diplomats- they don’t just sit around all day.”

I tapped my hoof on the carpet. “If she wasn’t our ruler and had to control the sun, then I bet she would attend a lot of parties. But yeah, that’s only my opinion. I don’t want to bore you with my image of the rich, miss…”

“Sparkle. Twilight Sparkle,” she replied with a smile. “I should have introduced myself earlier.”

“Oh, Twilight Sparkle…” That name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t remember why. “Twilight Sparkle- Wait a moment, I know you! You're one of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony," I exclaimed. Her expression of fear and shock told me that she didn't expect such reaction. “I can’t believe it! Can I have your autograph?”

I couldn’t contain my excitement, like a colt who had received a NeighStation 3. The adventures of the Elements of Harmony were very famous in Hollow Shades, and meeting Twilight Sparkle has been the most amazing thing to have yet happened in my life. Well, maybe behind getting my Cutie Mark. Maybe.

“Certainly, it’s my pleasure. It’s very rare that someone asks me or my friends for an autograph,” she replied, taking out a pen and paper from her saddlebag. “To my greatest fan…” She stopped writing and looked back at me. “What’s your name?”

This was gonna suck. “My name, yeah… I bet you’re going to laugh when I tell you.” I looked away, remembering the laughs other ponies had gotten from jokes about my name.

Surprisingly, Twilight looked nonplussed. “Oh, don’t worry about it. We have ponies in town with weird names. Trust me, you’d be surprised.”

“If you say so…” I looked back at her and gulped very loudly. “I’m Brownie..." My voice gradually faded away as I mentioned my name, expecting to hear a laugh or some kind of joke, but that never happened.

“Brownie? That’s a nice name. I don’t see the problem,” she replied, handing me her autograph.

I raised an eyebrow and retorted, “Well, you’ve obviously never visited my hometown. Everypony there makes jokes about my name, like, 'Hey, shouldn’t you be in the bakery?'. Or they'll say, 'Yesterday, I ate your sister. I think she was called cupcake.' And it only gets worse.”

“Don’t worry, Ponyville is a great place. Yeah, when I met the ponies living there I thought they were crazy, but they’re very nice. Besides, my friends are living in Ponyville, too.”

“Wait, what? You and your friends live in Ponyville?” My surprised stare was probably priceless.

“Of course! I thought everypony already knew that.” Her amazed tone was evident in every word.

“Well, I can’t talk about others, but where I come from, nopony knows where you guys live. I always thought you’d be in Canterlot, or in a luxurious place instead of living in a small town like a normal pony,” I couldn’t believe it. One of the most famous ponies in Equestria was leading a normal life, without using her fame for her own benefit. “I mean, it’s not something bad, but if I were you I’d probably do a lot of things, like getting a big mansion, buying a lot of fancy stuff. You know, live like a fat mule. No offense to mules, of course.”

She seemed to regard this with slight curiosity. “Well, I can’t speak for my friends, but I love Ponyville and wouldn’t change it for anything.” Did I see a flash of anger, or was it just my imagination? “My friends are worth more than anything.” She was leaning forward with each word, and I knew that she was being completely candid.

“If everypony was like you, Equestria would be a lot better,” I spoke without thinking. Panicking, I realized how stupid and cliché that sounded; I couldn’t help bursting into laughter. “Sorry, I promise not to say that again.”

“Don’t worry, you’re excused," she replied with a small chuckle. “Oh yeah, before I forget, I’m in charge of the library, so if you ever need to borrow a book you’ll find me there. I hope you have a great time in Ponyville.” As if prompted, she picked up her book and started ruffling its pages.

I blurted, “I will. I mean, I met you on the train to Ponyville, and your friends are living there, too. I hope that everything is really happening instead of having a dream where I will wake up and discover that nothing happened.” Why can’t I be sensible for once in my life?

We talked all night long about her adventures since had she arrived in Ponyville and all about her friends. I couldn’t help but envy her. She was famous, with a lot of friends and a job she loved- unlike me. As the sun started to rise, I watched the silhouette of Ponyville appear on the horizon as the golden dawn brought warmth and light back to the world. This was the first day of the rest of my life.

The wheels screeched like a thousand nails on a thousand blackboards as the train stopped, savaging my eardrums in the process. The doors soon opened and I grabbed my suitcase, waving goodbye to Twilight. After asking a brown stallion with an hourglass Cutie Mark for a few directions, I managed to find the town hall. The sale negotiations had already been made, and all I had left to do was to pay the two thousand and five hundred bits to claim it.

A mare with a mane that looked suspiciously like toothpaste guided me through the process. The paperwork was quickly finished and I was handed the keys, a map and the owner’s deed. My new home was around the outskirts of the town, perhaps only fifteen minutes from the market. On my way there, I stumbled against a pink pony with puffy hair and blue eyes pulling some kind of weird carriage I had never seen before. It looked as if it was the survivor of a rampaging candy and party store attack.

I thought she was building a stage for a concert or something similar and I didn’t want to disturb her, so I simple trotted by her side without saying a word. The next thing I remember, I was on the floor with the pink pony standing over my body and talking so quickly I barely managed to understand what she said. Farewell virginity, I thought for a moment there, but I already knew that was something that wouldn't happen even in my wildest dreams.

“Hey, you’re new in town, aren’t you? I know because I remember everypony who lives in Ponyville, and I’ve never seen you before around here. Are you visiting the town? Or maybe you’re passing by? Where do you come from?” I even imagined for a second that she was emitting fire and flames from her mouth.

I was rescued when a very musical, western voice suddenly demanded, “Pinkie, what are ya doing to that pony?” From my position I couldn’t see the other mare, but all I could think at the moment was how lucky I was for being saved. “Let him breathe. You’re going to scare him away.”

The pink pony giggled as she bounced off followed by a spring sound that I swear came from her legs. I stood up and searched for my suitcase, but it was nowhere to be found.

I turned my head to the left and saw a pony grabbing my suitcase. “Looking for this, sugar cube?” The other pony passed it to me with a smile plastered on her face. Her cowboy hat, yellow mane and orange coat with those ghostly freckles didn’t go unnoticed by me. “What’s with that face? Did ya see a ghost?”

My voice trembled. “You’re… You’re Applejack, right? Then that means…” I looked back to the pink pony, realizing her true identity. “You’re Pinkie Pie? Oh my Celestia, I can’t believe I just met another two of the Elements of Harmony!”

Pinkie Pie giggled, “Oooh, so you’re one of those fans,” as she crushed me with a bear hug, choking me. “Welcome to Ponyville,” she chirped. “You’re going to love it here! But wait, that means that you don’t have any friends? Of course! You need a welcome party to meet other ponies and make new friends! Wait! I don’t know your name.”

I bit my tongue. It couldn’t hurt to say. “I’m uh, Brownie.” She nearly exploded with excitement.

“I love brownies, I-” Applejack saved me by slapping a hoof over her mouth. I wish I know what she was on and where I could get some. And with that sentence, she quickly left the scene, pulling her carriage so quickly that nopony would believe me if I told them.

Applejack said to me, “Excuse her. She’s always like this.”

“Where… Where did she go?”

“Don’t worry, Brownie, she does this whenever a new pony comes to town. Ah’d like to give you a tour around, but I have to keep working at the farm. See ya.”

She trotted down the street and disappeared around a corner, leaving me alone. I thought it was a bit weird, but I was new to the town and I barely knew anything aside from the fact that they’re famous and what they looked like. After a short walk, I finally reached my new home and tried to open the door. I was so eager that I almost swallowed the key, but after a few tries I succeeded in gaining entry.

“SURPRISE!”

I hit the deck. At the exact moment when I opened the door, I found myself greeted by a crowd of ponies stuffed inside my new home holding a welcome party. Needless to say, I hadn't expected this. Suddenly, Pinkie Pie appeared from nowhere and started to talk as quickly as when I met her earlier. I staggered inside as she followed me, bouncing and chattering all the way.

“Do you like it? It was a bit hard to pull it off because everypony was scattered all over the town, but I know you would like it, so I quickly brought them here! The hardest part was finding the directions, but I asked Town Hall and they told me everything I wanted to know. Do you have friends? Well, I don’t think so since you just arrived, but don’t worry, I’ll introduce you to everypony here!”

“Ehm… Thanks?” This was going to be a loooong night.

“Come on, Pinkie. You’re scaring him.” Twilight Sparkle appeared at her side, managing to stop Pinkie’s verbal onslaught. “When Pinkie told me she was making a party for a newcomer, your name quickly came to mind.”

A distinctive mare’s voice sounded in my ear. “Yeah, a pony wearing clothes ain’t very common in this town,” Applejack added, standing on my left. “When Twilight told me about a stallion she’d met on the train, ah thought it might be you.”

From within the crowd, a white unicorn with a curly purple mane and sapphire eyes emerged. This must be Rarity, element of generosity. She stared at my clothes and I couldn’t help but feel as if I were being scrutinized like a bug under a microscope. She circled around my body thrice before stopping in front of me with a look of distaste.

She gasped, “These clothes are so vulgar! The shirt is riddled with holes everywhere, not to talk about the hideous monster portrayed on it! And let’s not talk about how deteriorated your jeans are- How long have you been wearing them?”

“I can’t remember… About two or three years, more or less…” I hadn’t the foggiest idea.

“Two or three years? Oh, what a disgrace! You need new clothes as soon as possible!” Definitely Rarity. She was so melodramatic that for a moment there I thought she was pulling a prank on me. Well, either that or faint. “But don’t worry, I will gladly make you a new set of clothes. After all, I am a fashion designer.”

“Thanks for the offer, miss Rarity, but I don’t want new clothes. These were a gift from my family, and I don’t want to get rid of them. Besides, these holes are like a medals for metal head." Being part of the Heavy Metal cult was something sacred for me, and knowing Rarity, she probably didn't share my opinion.

“Well, if you’re alright with it, then I don’t mind. Anyway- So, you recognized me? Twilight said you were one of our fans, but that you knew next to nothing about our appearance.” How in the world had all this information traveled so quickly? Did she have a dragon sending messages for her?

“Well, your speech and observations about my clothes betray your knowledge of fashion, so you’re definitely a designer. It was an easy guess.” I gave a kind of shrug.

“Why, thank you. It’s very hard to find such a gentlecolt like you. I assume you haven’t met Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash yet, right?” I nodded.

“Come on, Fluttershy! Get out here and meet the new pony," Pinkie Pie shouted as she pushed what appeared to be an oversized cream-colored lump. Upon closer inspection, I could spot a pink mane and a yellow body with a group of three butterflies on her flank. Fluttershy was hiding her face behind her mane, as if I were a monster trying to eat her for breakfast. Wasn’t she some sort of war hero?

For several moments, I just stood there, unsure of what to do. Applejack reassured me, “Don’t worry, she’s always afraid of anything that’s not a small animal.”

“Yeah, I heard some rumors, but I never expected them to be true…” The yellow pegasus let out a few squeals before hiding under one of the tables. “Well, maybe in a few months she won’t get shell-shocked from looking at me.” The joke fell flat. It was not a good day for comedy.

A voice barked at me from the ceiling. “We don’t make jokes about that!” I looked upwards to see a stunningly beautiful vividly-colored pegasus. “Don’t worry, she’ll get used to you. Just wait a while.” The rainbow-maned, blue-bodied pony that descended from the ceiling caught me by surprise, but had I already expected her to appear eventually. “I assume that I don’t need to introduce myself, right?”

What do you think? “Yeah... you’re… Rainbow Dash, right…?” I tried to talk, but no sound came out of my mouth. After containing my excitement from meeting the rest of the girls, I couldn’t contain it anymore after Rainbow Dash talked to me. She was my favorite, and I was talking to her. I couldn’t believe that it was really happening! My knees gave out and the world turned black.

“Hello? Anypony home?” When I came back to my senses, Rainbow Dash was knocking on my head like a door. Fluttershy was looking at me with an expression of such pure concern. Element of kindness indeed, I smiled. Could be worse.

I shot up. “Sorry… It’s the excitement, you know…?” At that moment, I only wanted to dig a very deep hole and disappear underground. “I never acted like this before… You know what I mean, right?” If I didn’t die from the excitement, then it would be from embarrassment.

Rainbow casually dismissed it with a flick of her trademark mane. “Nope, I don’t get it." Pow, right in the kisser. "Come on, it’s your party! Have a drink, eat some cake and have some fun! We’ll introduce you, don’t worry about it.” I found myself being dragged by the fastest pony of all of Equestria, and boy was she fast.

The party went on through the entire day and was not finished after Luna’s mantle of stars had enveloped the sky and the moon was watching over us, unblinking and staring at the town below.

Pinkie Pie provided the entertainment for the party with a lot of games while Twilight tried to make everypony follow the ‘party protocol’ or something like that; I assumed that it was some sort of Ponyville tradition. Applejack brought a lot of cider and even offered me a mug, but I refused to drink since I don’t like that sort of thing and Rarity gifted me an old bed to sleep in until I could buy a new one. She even had thrown in a free set of sheets and blankets with a pillow, showing why she was the Element of Generosity after all.

Needless to say, living in Ponyville has proven to be my best decision so far.

Author's Note:

My first try at doing a romantic story involving Rainbow Dash and my original character, Brownie. This could be considered an experiment since I never tried to write a romance before, so please, be gentle. EAnd at last, thanks to kalash93 for helping me with this chapter.