> Alternatives
>  by Shock__Wave
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> What's going on?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

There once was a land called Equestria, where Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth ponies lived in harmony, and in this land of harmony there was a town called Cloudsdale, where most pegasi lived. In Cloudsdale there was one particular pegasus mare who was feeling particularly bored. This pegasus had a blue coat of fur, and a rainbow mane and tail. Her name, respectfully, was Rainbow Dash, and she was the greatest flier in all of Equestria! Unfortunately there was nothing exciting going on on this sunny Wednesday afternoon. So the Blue pegasus decided to fly down to Ponyville to see what interesting things her friends were up to. Little did she know her world was about to be turned upside down.
Rainbow Dash landed in Ponyville and looked around. The whole town seemed to be deserted. 
"Where is everypony?" She wondered aloud. 
The Rainbow maned mare wandered through town. Everywhere was the same. Not a single pony of anykind anywhere.
"HELLO??" She shouted, hoping somepony would answer. Nothing. 
She stopped by sugarcube corner, Pinkie Pies usual hangout, the Boutique, Raritys home, The library, Twilight Sparkles abode, Fluttershys cottage, and even Sweet apple Acres. Nothing. Nopony anywhere.
"IF THIS IS SOME KIND OF CRUEL JOKE, ITS NOT FUNNY!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, tears in her eyes. "Where has everypony gone?"
She decided to check Canterlot Castle to see if the princesses knew what was going on. It took her a few hours, and while she was flying, Rainbow dash scanned the ground and air. There was nopony to be seen anywhere. She was begining to panic, thinking that something awful had happened to everypony. 
"I'll never see anypony ever again." She began to cry, not caring about her reputation as a tough pegasi anymore.
Finally she arrived in Canterlot. The scene was the same here as in Ponyville. She touched down and walked through the deserted town. It was as though everypony had just disappeared. There were still open signs and street vendor stalls open. There was even hot food still sitting at tables, uneaten. She walked, feeling more and more hopeless, until she arrived at the castle.
"HELLO?" She cried, only hearing her echo. She had given up hope. 
Rainbow kicked at a rock, watching as it hit the throne room door. She pushed open the doors, realizing they were heavier than they looked. She was used to the unicorn guards opening the doors. She stepped into the empty throne room, sighing as her head fell, and she walked toward the throne. Not even the princesses could help her. 
"WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS?!" She cried in anguish, dissolving into sobs on the floor, curling into a ball.
_____________________

A certain someone was watching Rainbow Dash's anguish in amusement, but at the same time he wanted to comfort her. Unfortunately, he had to wait. That was the temporary rule. A cruel game between the Draconniquis Discord and the evil unicorn King Sombra. All of Equestria hung in the balance of this little 'game' they were playing. One of these two 'eternal' beasts had to win the pegasus heart before this pocket reality collapsed, and whoever did won the fate of Equestria. Won for peace and happiness, or lost to slavery and disharmony. While they were playing their little love game, the reality of Equestria had forgotten about the pegasi named Rainbow Dash, and her element of harmony. They also were in a state of perpetual peace until this ordeal was over.
“We begin now, Discord.” King Sombras gravelly voice spoke menacingly. “And remember, she cannot know who you are.”
“Yes. Let the games begin, Sombra.” Discord sighed begrudgingly.
> The Games Begin
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At some point in her sobbing fit, Rainbow Dash had fallen asleep. She dreamed of some cataclysmic event that destroyed all of her friends. She could almost hear Fluttershy and Pinkie pie crying out for her help, but she could never fly fast enough to get to them. She could see Twilight's face, shaking her head in disappointment as she failed to reach her friends.
“NOOOOOOOO!” She cried out, bolting upright, her hoof reaching nothing but air.
She wiped her eyes, remembering what happened. “What am I going to do?”
“You're not going to freak out is what you're gonna do.” Rainbow heard a deep gravel-like voice in the dark.
She immediately took a shaky battle stance. “W-who's there?” She demanded.
“Just call me Som.” The unicorn colt stepped into the light.
“Who're you? Are you the reason for everypony disappearing??” She picked up and threw a stray rock in his direction. She was about three feet off.
“No. I'm just as confused as you are!” the black unicorn raised his hoof in an innocent gesture.
“Why should I believe you?” She asked suspiciously.
“Because we're two of the only ponies in this pocket dimension.” Sombra said, stepping closer to the rainbow maned pegasus.
“Stay back!” She shouted, stepping back a few paces. “You seem to know more than you're letting on. And what do you mean, two of the only ponies? Are there more ponies?”
Som sat down next to a pillar. “There is another unicorn somewhere nearby. I encountered him as I came to the castle. I thought maybe the princesses could help, then I found you crying out in your sleep.”
“I was not crying!” Rainbow said defensively, wiping her muzzle. “And I don't trust you!” She flew past the red maned unicorn and out of the castle.

Discord materialized from the shadows. “Well that went swimmingly. Great job winning her over by the way.” He clapped. “I do believe it is my turn now.” He smiled, snapping his fingers and morphing into a brown unicorn with a green mane. 
“Oh do shut up.” Sombra mumbled.
“Wish me luck.” He grinned, disappearing.

Rainbow Dash found a cloud hanging over Ponyville and curled up on it, trying to keep herself together. “Come on Rainbow Dash! There has to be something you can do... Maybe you can fly fast enough to get out of this pocket whatcha-ma-callit thing. Yeah... Maybe that can work! Now if I could just-”
“Hello? Is anypony there?” She heard a somewhat soft voice from below.
Rainbow peaked over the edge of her cloud, observing a green maned, brown unicorn.
“Hello?” The unicorn called again. “Is anypony there?”
“Who are you?” Rainbow demanded from her cloud.
“I'm.... Chao.”(pronounced kay-oh) The mysterious unicorn said. “Who're you? How did we get here?”
“I'm Rainbow Dash.” She said hesitantly. “and I have no idea how I got here. One minute I was at my house with everypony around. Now... there's nothing.” tears sprang into her eyes again.
“Please don't cry Rainbow dash. Maybe we can help eachother.” Discord said calmly.
“a-and why should I trust you? You might be like that creepy Som unicorn.” Rainbow wiped her eyes with the back of her hoof.
“That colt that went to the castle? I don't think he's so bad. Just scared like we are.” He said soothingly.
Rainbow sighed. “Not like I have much to lose....” She flew from her perch and landed near Discord. “Apparently we're in some dimension thing-a-mabob, whatever that means.”
“Oh a dimension pocket?” He sat down. “I read that its like an alternate reality next to our own but smaller with no natural elements, like trees growing or anything.”
Rainbow Dash tilted her head. “Huh? What does that mean?” She sat down next to him.
“Basically its like we're stuck in a pocket of time, not really moving forward, but not frozen in time. So we have everything from Equestria, but nothing will age.”
Rainbow began to laugh.
“What's so funny?” Discord was confuzed.
“You sound just like Twilight.” She giggled. “I know I shouldn't be laughing, but you're just so funny, Chao.”
Discord was aghast. “I-i wasn't trying to be.”
“Sorry.” Rainbow wiped her eyes, getting serious. “How do we get out?”
“That I don't know for sure,” he scratched his mane. “but I think something needs to be helped before we get out of here.” 
Rainbow looked around thoughtfully. “Maybe we need to help Som!” 
Discord smiled. “Maybe.” His stomach growled, and Rainbow laughed. “But first we need to find food.”
She looked toward the vendors and Sugarcube Corner. “Let's check over there. Maybe the food is still good.” She gestured with her hoof.
“Sure. Sounds better than sitting around.” They walked over toward the middle of town, hoping for something to fill their growling stomachs. 
> the king has arrived
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow Dash had just finished her third hay burger when Discord finally spoke. 
"So since we're here, do you wanna get to know each other better?"
Rainbow finished chewing and then swallowed. "If it'll pass the time. What do you want to know?"
"Well," Discord scratched the back of his mane. "What do you do for fun?"
"I love to fly. If I could fly forever, I would! The rush of the wind through my mane and tail! It's the most amazing feeling in all of Equestria!"
"That sounds like a lot of fun." Discord smiled.
"What about you Chao? What do you do for fun?"
"Well I like some good chao-" He caught himself. "I love racing and studying magic."
Rainbow laughed. "You're sounding more and more like Twilight."
"Tell me about your friends." Discord said casually.
"Well, Twilight Sparkle is a total egghead and loves to study, shes absolutely amazing with magic, and she introduced me to Daring Doo, which is this amazing book series about a brave pegasus who goes on amazing adventures!" She blushed. "Sorry. I can get carried away."
Discord waved his hoof. "It's okay. Continue."
"Well," She continued. "There's Rarity, the best clothing designer ever. At least in my opinion. She's very generous and she owns that boutique over there." Rainbow gestured. "And Fluttershy takes care of the animals around here, like she can totally talk to them. She's a very kind pegasus."
Discord smiled, reminiscing good memories with Fluttershy.
"Applejack works on her farm, Sweet apple acres. Shes the most dependable pony around. She never lies to anypony. Finally there's Pinkie Pie. The craziest party pony. She always makes me laugh and she's great at pranks too." Tears rose to her eyes. "I miss them all so much."
Discord patted her shoulder. "There, there. Don't cry. We'll be out of here in no time." 
They heard hoof steps out in the town. Rainbow wiped her eyes and jumped into an offensive stance. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
'If it isn't the king.' Discord thought.
"It's me, Som. I'm unarmed!" He stepped into view, holding up a hoof. "I come in peace." 
Rainbow narrowed her eyes. "Well i guess since you're stuck here with us, i suppose i can trust you." she smiled, holding out her hoof. "I'm sorry for the way i acted before. I'm just so scared."
Sombra shook her hoof. "It's alright. I was scared too. Nearly zapped Chao over there into a million pieces." He looked to Discord. "Sorry, by the way."
He shrugged. "Don't worry about it."
Rainbow sat down. "Do either of you know a spell to walk on clouds?" She asked.
Discord shook his head. 
"I do." Som said, raising his hoof. 
"Okay. you're coming with me to Cloudsdale." I don't want to be alone while i go grab something."
Sombra nodded. 
"I'll look around Ponyville for any clues to get out of here." Discord walked away. 'Good luck, Sombra.'
"I can carry you to that cloud over there. Can you cast the spell now?" Rainbow pointed.
"Yes." Sombra concentrated and cast the simple spell, smirking inwardly. 'Childs play.'
"Okay. Here we go." Rainbow hooked her hoof under Sombras shoulders and took off to the nearest cloud. 
She set him lightly on the cloud, making sure he wouldn't sink through before releasing him. She flew to the back of the cloud. 
"Hang on tight. You're in for a ride." Rainbow smirked, temporarily forgetting what was going on around her. 
Sombras eyes widened as he dropped and clung to the cloud when Rainbow took off at top speed. She laughed without a care in the world, flapping her wings hard, loving the look on Sombras face. Finally she stopped at Cloudsdale.
"Here!" She laughed again. "You should see your face!"
Sombra shook his head laughing. "That was terrifying and fun all at the same time!" He shook his head again. 'What am i doing? i shouldn't be enjoying this.'
"Come on Som." Rainbow was already flying off. "Ya snooze ya lose!"
Sombra stepped off the cloud. "Get it together Sombra." he mumbled to himself. "Coming!" He trotted after her, but she was out of sight. "Where did that pesky pegasus go?" He looked around, not seeing her.
"Boo!" With a crack of lightning, Sombra nearly jumped out of his skin. "Son of a-! Oh." He put his hoof over his heart, trying to slow it down. "It's just you."
Rainbow was rolling on the cloud laughing. "You're a laugh! The look on your face was priceless!"
Sombra rolled his eyes. "Aren't you looking for something?"
Rainbow stood up and cleared her throat. "Right." She walked beside Sombra. "So what do you do for fun?"
"Me?" Sombra looked confused. "What is 'fun?'"
Rainbow stopped in her tracks, mouth agape. "You don't know what fun is?" He shook his head. "the ride to Cloudsdale was fun! My prank with the cloud was fun! Yeesh you need to get out more, Som."
"That was.... fun?" Sombra scratched his mane. "It's... different." They resumed walking.
"Yes, and if you hang out with me more, you'll have more fun!" Rainbow hovered, inches from the ground as they moved forward.
"This fun might be... interesting." Sombra said, mostly to himself.