A dark path

by Kunama Windrider

First published

What path will the Element of Loyalty walk? The dark... or the light?

Rainbow Dash has a dark secret... and an even darker path to walk. Will she choose friends over freedom? Or is the call of the wild too strong?

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Ahhhhh...... how good is this? thought Rainbow Dash as she glided through the crisp, blue sky, dreaming of the golden sunshine that warmed her back in summer. She was excited to push away the winter and welcome the spring. It was one step closer to the golden sunshine of summer. Her heart throbbing with adrenaline, she picked up pace and zipped past the Golden Oak Library.

"Hey, Rainbow!" cried Twilight Sparkle. "Waaaaaiiiiiittt...." Her voice faded away as Rainbow Dash sped off into the distance. She shot past Fluttershy's cottage, frightening the animals into hiding. She flew as fast as a bullet past Rarity's Carousel Boutique, rippling the hems of the dresses inside. She arched over Sweet Apple Acres, knocking apples straight into the buckets.

"Thanks, Rainbow!" cried the Apples. Rainbow Dash did not acknowledge them. She doubled back to Fluttershy's, feeling foolish.

"Hey, Flutters!" she said as she knocked on the door. Peering out cautiously, Fluttershy breathed a sigh of relief to see it was only Rainbow Dash. "There's something I have to tell-"

She was cut off by a mighty roar. "Gotta go. Bye!" Rainbow zipped off like a lightning bolt.

Go where? thought poor Fluttershy.

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Ahuizotl leered at the ponies cowering in fear under the table. "Go," he whispered to his apprentice.

"This is ours, knuckleheads!" cried Thunder Dash. "Buzz off! Scoot! Skedaddle!"

"Maybe I'm mistaken, madam, but I believe it is mine," hissed a new voice. Nightmare Rarity filled the doorway, blocking the sunlight. Thunder Dash sped over to her and punched her crazily, landing many good blows. The sour tang of blood filled Nightmare Rarity's mouth as it pooled down her face, coating her eyes in a crimson layer. Her tongue darted out, licking the sticky, red substance from her eyes. Ahuizotl hissed in annoyance.

"Let's take our loot and go, kid," muttered Ahuizotl through clenched teeth. However, Nightmare Rarity blocked his escape.

"I think you'll want to hear me out, loser," she snarled. "And if you don't? Well then, too bad, sucker." Her eyes blazed with red-hot fire.

Disloyalty and theft,
Will come together as one.
The elements have been deceived!
It's time for evil's fun.
King Sombra will bow down to thunder,
Chrysalis will bring you wealth.
The princesses will be their slaves
And they will have bad health.
The world will be all rotten.
The world will all be theirs.
They will live forever,
They will kill all their heirs!
Their hearts are black as coal
Blacker still, even.
They will be the greatest rulers
Until then...
They'll be greater than the greatest
Evil will rule
They will be better
Than a silly old mule!

Thunder Dash was confused. "Better than a mule?!?!?!"

"It refers to other ponies," explained Nightmare Rarity. "Good day!" Watching Rarity go, Thunder realized she had stolen their loot.

"Aw, man!"


Creeping into bed that night, Rainbow reviewed that day's events. It was strange, that song that What's her name had sung. What did it mean? She didn't really think too much.

She was too busy sleeping.

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Thunder Dash was slipping into her bandit costume when a scroll fell to the floor. From your mentor, Ahuizotl. it read. Quickly undressing, Thunder Dash tore of the seal, her eyes blazing like the red-hot sun.

Dear student. You will be pleased to find that you have been graded and moved up a level. However, you are stil my student and I expect the best. Here is your new timetable, rulebook, handy tips guide and loot list. Alas, you have 3 weeks of summer holidays until your new training begins. Your new training is more dangerous (yay) and fun.
Have fun, student!

Thunder Dash quickly grabbed the timetable and read it.

  1. Theft: advanced
  2. Rudery
  3. Fighting
  4. Obstacles
  5. Evilness

Then she read her rulebook.

RULES

  1. No telling what we do or steal
  2. Dedicate yourself to theivery
  3. Be evil (although that should be natural)
    The end!!!!!!

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Rainbow Dash was sad. She wanted to tell Fluttershy about this, who wouldn't react dramatically. But she couldn't, not unless she wanted Ahuizotl after her skin. Her heart slowed, and when she looked up, she was different. For some reason, she was so very thirsty for evil. And that wasn't the only difference. A major change had come over. She looked down and saw silver shoes studded with dazzling, yet evil-looking, rubies. Her hair was longer, and limp and curly. And when she looked in the mirror, her eyes were stuck between pink and red. Just as I am, they're forced to fit in, thought Rainbow. But if I picked a side... I would fit in with whatever side I chose! But I feel, maybe, um, how do you say? Oh yeah, evil and manical, wahahaha!!! Suddenly, there was a flash of light and Rainbow Dash was gone. All that was left was Thunder Dash.


Twilight Sparkle looked out of the window. It was a dark, stormy day. and she hoped it would pass soon. A bolt of lightning streaked past, but the weird thing was it was HORIZONTAL! How is this possible? thought Twilight. I'd better record it in my storm journal. She hurried over to the journal and opened it to a blank page. She began to write.
Lightning
Lightning is usually vertical or slightly diagonal, however, today I saw horizontal lightning. It was static, but I couldn't...


Fluttershy heard a knock at the door. She opened it and what looked like Rainbow Dash came in. Fluttershy screamed and hid under her bed. Hoofsteps came up the stairs and searched for her.

"Fluttershy? Come out..."


Twilight heard a scream from Fluttershy's cottage. She finished her sentence and sped off to get the rest of the girls. They were all so widely spread that it took her quite a while to reach Fluttershy's cottage.

"Okay girls, Fluttershy is in trouble."

"Ah "eard 'er scream from Swait Apple Acres," commented Apple Jack. The others followed suit.

"Where's Rainbow?" asked Twilight. The girls shrugged, confused. "We'll just have to go without her." Little did they know that the problem was Rainbow Dash.


They were too late. Fluttershy was gone.

"Who took her?" asked Rarity. They didn't know. Not a clue.