Color of Insanity

by Surprise The Pegasus

First published

Rainbow was administered as a patient at the Canterlot Asylum after trying to kill Fluttershy. Now, the friendships of the Mane 6 are put on thin ice, and more lives may be on the line if this doesn't end. Will the Mane 6 live to love?

"Hello, this is 911. What's your emergency?"

"My best friend's trying to kill me! Please, help me!"

"What's your address?"

"1124 Southeast Featherfree avenue, Ponyville! Please, come as fast as you ca- Rainbow, please! Just put the knife dow- AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

Rainbow "Danger-Pofessionalism" Dash, to say the least, is insane. Rainbow was administered as a patient at the Canterlot Asy- Psychiatric Hospital after trying to murder Fluttershy. Now, the friendships of the Mane 6 are put on thin ice, and more lives may be on the line if this doesn't come to an end. Will the Mane 6 live to love another day, or will the colors of insanity blot out the grey? Only time will tell.

*hit the top charts on the 17th of February, 2014

Chapter 1: The Day Yesterday and the Day Before

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"Hello, this is 911. What's your emergency?"

"My best friend's trying to kill me! Please, help me!"

"What's your address?"

"1124 Southeast Featherfree avenue, Ponyville! Please, come as fast as you ca- Rainbow, please! Just put the knife dow- AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

Color of Insanity

Written by Surprise The Pegasus

Chapter 1: The Day Yesterday and the Day Before

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Fluttershy screamed as she felt the sharp kitchen knife slide across her side. A wave of warm, sticky blood coated her fur and dripped onto the floor, causing her to slip and fall on her injured side. She bit down hard on her front hoof, trying desperately to stifle the deafening scream that boiled in her throat.

Fluttershy expected another assault, but nothing happened. The Pegasus's teal eyes worked their way up the slim body of the mare standing before her, settling on her face. The face of Fractured Loyalty, Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy couldn't comprehend her situation. Dash was just standing there, watching her squirm.

"You deserve this." was all Rainbow said, bringing the knife high above her head. All Fluttershy could do was react. The yellow Pegasus swept her hind leg in the way of Rainbow's own, causing her to loose her grip on the knife and fall backwards.

Fluttershy had about 10 seconds before Dash could strike the killing blow. Her eyes quickly scanned her home, and lit up when she saw her bedroom door. It was at the end of the hall, however. It would take her longer than 10, now 6, seconds.

Getting to her hooves, Fluttershy began to limp towards the door that offered her salvation. Dash was up and on her hooves seconds afterwards. The rainbow-maned mare lunged forward, grabbing a lock of Fluttershy's long tail. With a low growl, Dash yanked on it as hard as she could, easily pulling the injured mare back.

Fluttershy screamed in pain when Dash pulled her tail. Her hooves came out from under her, and despite a fresh wave of pain and blood on her flank, she managed to get up quickly. Pulling forward herself, there was a loud tearing sound, and the feeling of blood trickling down her hind legs. With one final burst of energy, she ran towards the door. It was so close now, she just needed to jump in and close the doo-

Rainbow was faster. Dash launched herself forward, pinning Fluttershy to a wall. Once again, she brought the knife back, aiming it right at Fluttershy's heart. Which was when Fluttershy brought her hind legs back and kicked Dash directly in the stomach, causing her to stagger backwards. This was it. The final sprint. Jumping, Fluttershy landed on her hooves, spun around, and slammed the door shut. Her blood-soaked hooves fumbled with the lock, but it soon clicked into place. The last ounce of her energy was expended, and she collapsed in a bloody heap on the floor.

............

Fluttershy could feel herself losing consciousness. The world around her was slowly spinning, and beginning to grow darker. With each repetitive bang on the door, another object was lost in the inky black. Bang. Bang. BANG. BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG.

BANG.


BANG.


BANG.

Fluttershy looked up at her door, her heart beating so fast she couldn't feel it in her chest anymore. A short crack formed in the wood. BANG. The crack grew. BANG. A bit of the wood started to implode. BANG. The wood gave way, giving Rainbow enough room to unlock the door from the inside. The doorknob turned, and the door swung open, creaking on its hinges. Rainbow Dash stood in the doorway, bloody kitchen knife held between her teeth. Fluttershy struggled to keep her eyelids open, but her attempts were in vain. The world walked away.

.............

Fluttershy opened her eyes, but closed them again as harsh chemical light assaulted them. Reopening her eyes, she took in her surroundings. She was on a bed, her wounds were bandaged, and the pain was far less than it had been. It only took her a second to realize she was in an Ambulance, though her vision was still very blurred. She tried to catch a glimpse of Rainbow Dash, but the other Pegasus was nowhere to be seen. Fluttershy was alone. Her head started to race with questions. Where was Rainbow Dash? What had they done with her? Was she alright? Would Fluttershy ever see her again? All these questions blew in and out of her mind, but one prominent question remained.

Why did Rainbow Dash try to kill her?

She felt the Ambulance come to a slow stop, and saw two ponies open the doors. The world started to fade into darkness once more.

............

Beep!...............beep!................beep!.........beep!...............beep! Fluttershy awoke to the sound of a beeping heart monitor. A mask was now strapped to her muzzle, and sharp needles were stuck in her forelegs. Once again, her eyes scanned the room for Rainbow Dash. And once again, there was no sign of her. Not too long after Fluttershy woke up, Nurse Redheart came into the room.

"Nurse Redheart?" At the sound of Fluttershy calling her name, the Nurse smiled and looked down at her patient.

"It's nice to see you're awake, Fluttershy. What do you need?"

"Where's Rainbow Dash...?" Fluttershy wheezed. Nurse Redheart grew tense, and adverted her gaze. "Nurse Redheart, where is she?" Fluttershy's voice was more demanding, and she attempted sitting up.

"Rainbow Dash is in guard custody." Nurse Redheart replied, her voice almost mechanical.

"C-custody!? No! She doesn't deserve to be held captive! She's my friend!" Fluttershy tore the needles out of her forelegs, then removed the air mask and set her back hooves on the tiled floor. Bracing herself to the best of her abilities, Fluttershy planted her front hooves on the floor and limped towards the door.

"Fluttershy!" Nurse Readheart yelped, rushing forward. Fluttershy could already feel her legs threatening to give way. Her tunnel vision began to return. Nurse Redheart managed to catch the young Pegasus as she tripped over her hooves.

"R-Rainbow..." Fluttershy's eyelids began to grow heavy, and her hooves felt like lead blocks. Nurse Redheart helped her back into bed, strapped on the mask, and stuck the needles back into her forelegs.

"Fluttershy, you cannot pull a stunt like that again in your condition. You were nearly bled out when we got to your home! Just rest, alright?" The Nurse tucked a few strands of her light pink mane back into her bun, and blew out a loud puff of air. "I know it's hard, but I can't do anything for Rainbow Dash, and I don't think you should see her. It's all up to the Princesses and Guard." Nurse Redheart forced a smile, then turned around to leave.

"Nurse Redheart-"

"Yes, Fluttershy?"

"Do Twilight and the girls know about this?"

"No, not yet."

"Would you please tell them? I would really appreciate it..."

"Of course." With that, the Nurse left, slowly closing the door behind her.

............

The door of the Ponyville hospital flung open, four ponies rushing inside afterwards. An Alicorn, a Unicorn, and two Earth Ponies. The Alicorn walked up to the front desk, her face stricken with concern.

"Greetings, Princess Sparkle. How may I help you?" The secretary pony bowed his head at the Princess. Twilight quickly dipped her head in return and fluffed her wings, clearly in a state of distress.

"Greetings to you as well. I need to know which room Fluttershy is in. Yellow Pegasus, about yay high. Loves animals, got here last night." Twilight stated, positioning a hoof in the air that came up to the middle of the Princess's eyes. The secretary pony nodded.

"Yes of course. Right this way." The secretary pony turned and led the quartet through a series of hallways, passing through a door that had the words "Intensive Care Unit" on a small sign next to it. They stopped at room 406, and the secretary pony opened the door. Twilight's jaw, along with everypony else's, took a trip to the floor. Fluttershy was asleep on a large hospital bed, hooked up to an oxygen tank, blood bags, and a heart monitor. The girls gathered around the bed, Rarity and Pinkie holding their breath.

"Fluttershy? Hello? It's me, Twilight." Twilight said quietly, hesitant to reach out and shake her slumbering friend. Teal eyes widened at seeing Twilight's face soon after.

"Twilight? Applejack? Pinkie? Rarity? What're you doing here?" Fluttershy asked. Rarity and Pinkie exhaled loudly. Twilight was confused at first, but it came to her that the anesthetics must have jumbled her memory a bit.

"Y'all gave us all a good scare, Shy." said Applejack, stepping forward. Then, it all came flooding back like a tidal wave. One that she wasn't prepared for. The knife. Her wounds. This hospital. The girls. Nurse Redheart. Murder. Blood. 911. Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy's chest started to rapidly rise and fall, and her quickening heartbeat was displayed on the monitor. The girls exchanged worried looks. Rarity took Fluttershy's hoof in her own, and gently stroked her pink mane.

"Fluttershy dear, calm down. It's alright. We're here for you." Rarity cooed gently, smiling her warm, loving smile. Fluttershy's breathing began to slow, and her heart rate lowered a fraction. Pinkie tried to join in the calming, blowing into a kazoo she had brought with her. Rarity shot the party pony a glare, and Pinkie put the kazoo away with a sheepish smile. After a few moments, Fluttershy had regained her calmness.

"Now, would you care to tell us what happened to you? All Nurse Redheart told us was that you called last night, and then they brought you here from your house, and that you were hurt badly." asked Twilight, her amethyst eyes filled with concern. The Alicorn fluffed her wings again, a few stray feathers drifting lazily to the laminate floor.

It was still too much to take in. Fluttershy adverted her gaze, and shook her head slowly, shifting a bit. Twilight knew that Fluttershy may still be in shock, but on the other hoof, knowing what had happened could benefit everypony. So, Twilight pressed on.

"Fluttershy...please, please just tell us. We won't think of you any less than we do now, I Pinkie Promise. We're trying to help. Everything could be so much better if you told-"

"Twilight Sparkle, that's enough!" Rarity snapped. "Can't you see Fluttershy doesn't want to talk!? She's obviously distressed! Fluttershy, you don't have to tell us if you don't want to." Fluttershy looked at Rarity, then at Twilight, then back at Rarity.

"N-no, Rarity, it's ok. Twilight's right. It would be good for all of you if you knew. B-but before I t-tell you girls..." Fluttershy's somber, almost pained gaze made its way to Applejack, who took a step forward.

"Yes, Fluttershy?" asked Applejack.

"Applejack..." Fluttershy shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.

"What?"

"I'm sorry...I'm so, so sorry."

"W-what makes 'ya say that?"

Fluttershy took a deep breath in, bracing herself for whatever was to come next.

"…It was Rainbow. Rainbow-" Fluttershy gulped, beads of sweat streaking down her face. "Rainbow t-tried to k-k-kill m-me." The girls' mouths hung open in disbelief. Applejack clutched her hat, eyes squeezed tightly shut.

"That...that ain't possible." Applejack growled through gritted teeth. The three remaining ponies stepped back towards the walls, preparing for Applejack's rage to be unleashed.

"I know you d-don't want to hear it, but it's the...the truth." Fluttershy persisted. Applejack glared daggers at her.

"Ah' said it ain't possible! Nurse Redheart said you were hurt pretty bad, so maybe you were just seein' thangs! She wouldn't, she couldn't! Especially if it was you!" Applejack shouted, tears threatening to leave her eyes.

"Applejack darling-"

"SHUT UP, RARITY!" the farm mare picked up the bedside lamp and threw it at the Unicorn, full force. Rarity ducked before it shattered against the wall behind her, and put a hoof over her open mouth as she stared at Applejack. She began to cry as she galloped away, slamming the door behind her. Pinkie ran after Rarity almost as soon as she left, leaving just Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy.

"Applejack..." Twilight seethed, her head lowered. More purple feathers fell onto the floor.

"What, Twi!?"

"Get out." Applejack's anger faded as soon as it had bubbled up.

"What? Twilight, why would ya' tell me ta' get ou-"

"Get out before I kick your teeth in."

"But Twi-"

"GET. OUT." Twilight commanded, her head still aimed at the floor. Applejack took a shocked step back, and put her hat on before leaving. Finally, Twilight looked up, and pulled a chair up to the bed.

"Fluttershy, why would you EVER accuse Rainbow of doing something like that!?" Twilight hissed.

"Because she did it."

Twilight's right ear twitched a bit, and her mane started to become frazzled. "Fluttershy, you don't need to hide anything from me. Just tell me who did this."

"It was Rainbow Dash, I'm telling you the truth!"

"Stop lying!" Twilight shouted, voice filled with desperation. Twilight looked into Fluttershy's eyes, trying to find something- anything- that said it wasn't true. All she found was grief, sadness, and the slightest hint of fear. The Alicorn quickly backed off, mumbling to herself.

"Twilight, a-are you ok?"

"No, no, no, no, no, NO! I AM MOST CERTAINLY NOT OK!" Twilight screeched at the top of her lungs, undoubtedly riling up the staff members. Twilight looked around the room, picked up the chair, and threw it against the wall. She started to take in deep, ragged breaths, and her eyes grew small. She ran towards the door.

The door slammed shut behind her, leaving the room cold and empty with lavender feathers, shards of glass, and bits of plaster strewn about on the floor. Two distinctive damp spots now dotted the hospital blanket.

Chapter 2: Sterile Apathy

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The next day...

The repair pony rubbed the excess plaster onto his overalls, then opened the door for an alabaster Unicorn.

"Rarity?"

"Hello, Fluttershy."

"I'm sorry about yesterday, I-"

"Hush!" Rarity stuffed a hoof into Fluttershy's mouth, promptly silencing her. "Yesterday's events weren't your fault, and you shouldn't feel bad. I still do expect an apology from Applejack, however."

"Mmph?"

"What was that, dear?" asked Rarity, removing her hoof from Fluttershy's mouth.

"...So...you're not mad at me?"

"Why ever would I be mad at you?"

"Because of what happened...with Rainbow Dash..." Fluttershy trailed off, bringing the blankets up to cover her muzzle. Rarity pulled up a chair, then sat and took Fluttershy's hoof in her own.

"As I said, what happened with Rainbow Dash wasn't your fault. But...Fluttershy?"

"Yes, Rarity?"

"I feel terrible for asking this, but do you know of any reason why Rainbow Dash would do this to you?"

Color of Insanity

Written by Surprise The Pegasus

Chapter 2: Sterile Apathy

Fluttershy's eyes started to water. "N-no, I don't..." Rarity took out a quill and notepad, and scribbled something down before noticing Fluttershy's wet eyes and wobbly lip.

"Oh, dear, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked." Rarity quickly put the notepad back, stroking Fluttershy's mane comfortingly.

"N-no, it's ok. What's that notepad for?"

"Oh, that's nothing. I'm just taking notes is all. You see, I'm your prosecution attorney for Rainbow's court ruling on Tuesday. But, I bring other news as well."

"What's the news?"

"There's good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"

"The good news, please."

"The good news is that you're almost well, and you'll be released the day after tomorrow. The damage to your home has been repaired, but if you don't want to go back quite yet, the Boutique's guest bedroom is always open." said Rarity, giving Fluttershy a light kiss on the forehead.

"Oh, Rarity, I would love to stay at the Boutique, if it's not too much trouble..."

"Why of course not, darling! You're welcome to stay for as long as you like."

"Thank you...what's the bad news?"

"Oh...well...the bad news is that the girls...aren't handling the situation very well. I wouldn't recommend going near Applejack or Twilight, but Pinkie Pie is just a bit depressed."

"Does she have the straight mane again?" asked Fluttershy, a twinge of fear in her voice. Rarity bit her bottom lip.

"...Yes...she does." Rarity replied, her voice so quiet even Fluttershy could hardly hear it.

"Oh..." after that, Fluttershy fell silent, leaving an awkward silence hanging in between the two mares. After a few moments, Rarity pulled out a vase of violets and set them on the bedside table, arranging the flowers' position with her magic. After she was satisfied, Rarity gently kissed Fluttershy's forehead, and then left.

Meanwhile...

Tears fell down Rainbow Dash's cheeks as she sat on the cell bed, two voices engaging in a heated debate in her mind.

"You're a stupid bitch, Rainbow Dash! She was right there the whole time, and you just couldn't do it, could you!?"

"Be quiet! At least she tried."

"'At least she tried', ha! That murderer Fluttershy is still out there, idiot! So is Pinkie Pie."

"The real Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy aren't murderers. They were replaced by killer Changelings months ago, and you say that the real Pinkie and Fluttershy are the killers. It's the Changelings, not them! I guess they fooled you, too."

"Don't you think I would notice if they were replaced by Changelings!?"

"Both of you, just stop it!" Rainbow shouted, her voice echoing throughout the empty cells.

"NO!" the voices snapped in unison.

"B-but why not!? What did I ever do to you!?"

Shut up and quit your bitchin', bitch!"

"What she said. Also, you didn't have the guts to kill Fluttershy, which is pretty much putting everyone you love on the guillotine! Stay out of this. Go fucking kill yourself."

At this, a fresh wave of tears cascaded down Rainbow's cheeks. She scooted herself over so her back was against the wall, and then she hugged her legs close to her chest. Her rosy eyes scanned the empty holding room, but grew wide when she saw the security camera.

"They're...watching me..." Rainbow mumbled, trying to scoot back more. Seeing as there was nowhere she could hide, she threw the blanket over herself, and buried her head in her knees.

"Did I not tell you to shut up!? Anyway, what makes you think they're CHANGELINGS!? That's fucking ridiculous..."

_______________________________

Fluttershy's ears perked up at a certain pink pony as she walked up to the bed, blue eyes misted with tears.

"Pinkie...I'm sorry." Fluttershy whispered, brushing a strand of Pinkie's now straight mane over her ear. Pinkie said nothing: she just wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy and began to cry into her shoulder.

"It's j-just not fair, Fluttershy! It's not fair..."

"I..." Fluttershy paused, unsure of how to react. After a moment, Fluttershy returned Pinkie's hug. It wasn't a crazy hug of death, it was a gentle, warm, genuine hug, which felt rather strange coming from the party queen of Ponyville. "...I know."

"W-why w-would Dashie d-d-do this to you?" Pinkie sobbed, Fluttershy's shoulder now a bit damp. "I thought s-she was our friend!"

"Pinkie...she is our friend." said Fluttershy, but almost hesitantly. At this, Pinkie let Fluttershy go and looked into her eyes.

"...H-how can you s-say that after...after what she did to you? Sometimes, Fluttershy, you're too nice! Friends don't- don't- don't..." Pinkie's voice gradually grew quieter, until it was nothing but a small whisper. "Friends don't try to kill each other."

"She did...try to kill me, but that doesn't make her any less of a friend to me that she was before. I don't think it was her fault."

"Then who's fault was it!? Whoever blackmailed her into doing this, i'll kill them!" Pinkie suddenly grew loud and stood up, her mood switching from depressed to furious in the span of about two seconds. One of her eyes started to drift to the left, and she grabbed Fluttershy by the shoulders and brought her close, close to the point that their foreheads were touching.

"You deserve this." Fluttershy shuddered as Rainbow's words played over in her mind. For a brief moment, Fluttershy saw the same glint in Pinkie's eyes that had been in Dash's, the same murderous intent.

"Pinkie, please stop...you're scaring me." Fluttershy said quietly, trying to get Pinkie to release her death grip. Pinkie, realizing what she was doing, let Fluttershy go, only to shoot her a glare.

"Fine, don't tell me who blackmailed Dashie! I'll go talk to her myself." With that, Pinkie turned around and cantered away, leaving the door wide open.

"Pinkie...that's not what I meant."

______________________________

Pinkie Pie trotted into the Ponyville Police Station, eyes fierce with determination.

"Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie. May I speak with Rainbow Dash?"