The Chaos That Killed Kindness (MBFD)

by ChillyKitty

First published

The dead ask for some of the strangest things

Rainbow Dash, a royal maid, is mourning the death of her dear herbalist friend, Fluttershy. Little does she know that Fluttershy has chosen Rainbow to fulfill her last request. She wants Rainbow to kill her coltfriend.

(a/n Title was previously 'My Best Friend Died so I'm Killing Her Boyfriend')

The loss of a friend ~ Chapter 1

View Online

Fluttershy died.

Rainbow dash still couldn't believe it as she sat in the graveyard attending her dear friend's funeral. It’s always hard to lose somepony you care about, Rainbow knew this, but it seemed especially hard when the pony lost was one that you had expected to spend your entire life with.

She had such a kind heart, despite her shy nature she made plenty of friends. The royal tailor, the local farmer, the castle's event organizer, the royal assistant and even the fourth princess herself all showed up to mourn the pegasus' passing.

They still didn't know how she died. And what hurt Rainbow the most is that it could have been murder and the culprit would likely get of scott free due to the fact the the guards and investigators haven't found a single lead.

Fluttershy and Rainbow dash were as close as sisters. They'd grown up together and had been each other's only friend for the longest time. They both applied for castle jobs at the same time and cheered with glee when they found out they'd both been hired. Fluttershy as a herbalist and Rainbow Dash as a maid.

Rainbow wasn't the dainty type. She wasn't the ideal maid. But she knew how to clean well enough and could serve hot tea when requested. She secretly thought that she only got in because the royals wanted more diversity in their staff, if you looked at all staff in the castle's grounds you would definitely notice that unicorns were favored.

However Rainbow hardly cared. Though she wouldn't be flying as much as she'd liked, she knew she wasn't cut out to be a guard like she dreamed as a filly and was willing to settle. Besides, she didn't care what her job was so long as it allowed her to see Fluttershy as often as possible.

Rainbow looked around to see the other attendants. Fluttershy's brother sat on a distant seat, he normally flirted with Rainbow every time he saw her but now sat staring at the ground, numb to the world around him. Next to him sat his parents, weeping over their daughter's death. Several more staff members, a few guards, Fluttershy’s fellow herbalists and all her friends from the gardens of both gardener kind and animal kind.

A coldness struck through her as she looked back on the guards and saw a calm pony. He was noticeably strong, icy lavender eyes staring straight forward, dark under eye bags over a dark gray coat, his mane was black and the only bright thing about him was the few purple and blue streaks through his hair and his cutie mark of course. Though he currently wore the same dark robe that he had on most of the time. His name came into her mind and almost made Rainbow gag. Spirit Wind.

He was a unicorn 'guard' but don't get confused. He didn't guard anything. Everypony on castle grounds knew him as the royal's assassin.

He was cruel, foul, and disgusting, he was a manipulative jackass, he was the pony in charge of the investigation into Fluttershy's death and he was her coltfriend. Rainbow hated him. Not just because he was successful where she was not. Rainbow knew and accepted that Fluttershy would never be into mares and that was fine but why did she have to end up with this cold prick? The way he serenaded her, the way he made her laugh, the way he disgusted Rainbow with every inch of his being.

How dare he sit calmly at her funeral, making an expression as if nothing happened. He killed her and Rainbow intended to prove it.

The service ended after a while. Basically everypony had given a speech, except for those who were to occupied crying over it. Rainbow let out a few tears as well, but her emotions were stuck on anger.

She sighed as she trotted. She was given the day off due to her loss but she didn’t feel like going to her room yet so instead she loitered in the gardens. She, like many others, lived on the castle’s grounds, living in the same area as the other maids and butlers. Fluttershy lived in the herbalist’s cottage, there were only a few ponies who lived there. Fluttershy’s two higher ups and the apprentice.

Rainbow took a little tour towards the cottage. A sinking feeling within her came when she realised that she wouldn’t have an excuse to just go there whenever she pleased, but instead only when she was sent for medicine or she herself felt ill. She turned around, unable to think of a reason to go inside, practically tripping on a little yellow filly.

“Oh Miss Dash.” Her accent showed through. The poor girl’s ears seemed to be glued down as she hunched over a particular plant.

“Hi Apple bloom.” Apple bloom was the herbalist apprentice. She was the youngest in a family of apple farmers but showed the most interest in herbs and Fluttershy was the one who insisted that she joined the rest of the herbalists at the castle.

Rainbow sat next to her, not wanting to disturb her work but wanting to console her. “I take it you didn’t get the day off.” Rainbow tried to lighten the mood.

“No, Zecora said Ah should go home with mah family.” She picked a few small white flowers and wrapped them in a clean rag before placing them in her saddle bag as to keep them separated from the rest of the herbs. “But Ah wanted to work. Ah figured if Ah went home the only thing Ah could do is apple buckin’ an’ Ah’m not that good at it yet. Ah’d be more help pickin’ lilies for Zecora.” The filly stated as she got up to go to another plant.

Rainbow followed her, “That’s nice but you shouldn’t overwork yourself.”

The filly paused, glancing up to Rainbow before looking down at her hooves, “It’s easier t’ work.” Apple bloom spoke, then after adjusting her white bow and trotting onward, she continued her work.

Rainbow found herself at a loss of words, she tried to keep Apple bloom some company, offering to carry herbs or pick something for her. She eventually had to give up and opted to just find something else to do. She said her goodbyes to Apple bloom and started trotting away

“Wait! Miss Dash..” She turned to see the filly looking after her.

“Yes?”

“Uhm..” She pawed the ground before looking back up to the pegasus, “Thank you for trying to cheer me up, I git that you’re probably more upset than anypony else so.. If you ever want to come back to the cottage just t’ talk it’d be nice..”

Rainbow smirked, trotting back to Apple bloom to pat her on the head and ruffle her mane a bit, “Thanks kid… I’ll make sure to visit.” She smiled.

This was the first time Rainbow saw the foal smiled since Fluttershy’s death. It was heartwarming. Until Apple bloom came back to her senses. “Ah’d best git back t’ work, see ya later Miss Dash.” She said, as she turned and headed for the cottage.

Rainbow waited until Apple bloom disappeared inside the cottage before turning herself around and finally choosing to trott towards her room. She adjusted her wings, something she did out of habit despite the fact that she wasn’t wearing her mildly uncomfortable uniform today. Slowing placing one hoof down she started her journey back to her room.

It felt unnatural everytime she went back to her room without Fluttershy. Fluttershy usually accompanied her to her room and then proceeded to speak of her work day or talk about an animal she’d met in the village. Sometimes she would insist on having a tea party, though it was rare because she knew it wasn’t Rainbow Dash’s favorite thing. Right now, Rainbow would give anything for that tea party.

On her way she came across the royal tailor, Rarity, in the hallway. Right in the area between the maids’ and butler’s quarters and the tailoring room. As prim and proper unicorn, she always had her head held high, but not now. Now it drooped. She straightened herself up when she notice the pegasus, “Oh, Rainbow Dash,” she spoke, a strong canterlot accent resonated in her voice, “My apologies, I didn’t see you there, darling.”

“That’s alright,” Rainbow used a hoof to emphasize the point, “How you holding up?”

Rarity showed a weak smile, “I suppose I should be asking you that.” she said, “I’m just as fine as I could be. I’ve a dress to finish but it.. It just isn’t working out today.” Her eyes drifted down to the floor as her ears dropped, within a moment she shook her head and looked back to Rainbow, the polite smile returning, “Like I was saying, how are you doing, dear?”

Rainbow paused, deciding to use Rarity’s words rather than her own, “I’m as fine as I can be.” she smiled, weaker than Rarity’s smile, and it didn’t last as long, “I’m heading to my room for the night, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Rarity nodded, “Yes, see you soon, darling, rest well.”

Rainbow nodded as she passed, “You as well.”

She didn’t have to travel far before she eventually reached the hallway containing her residence. It was long and it did take Rainbow at least a minute to trot all the way to her door. A journey that felt longer without her friend by her side. She sighed. If only she could see her one more time. If only she could fulfill one last request or make her smile once more. Rainbow paused before she opened her door. She’d do anything to see her friend again, if only she wasn’t six feet under ground.

She heard the door creak open as she gripped and pushed on the handle. A cool chill ran down the pegasus’s back as she looked up and froze in place.

“Hello Rainbow Dash.”

She’d give anything to see her friends again. How ironic it is that she didn’t have to give anything at all.

A Friend's Request ~ Chapter 2

View Online

She was beautiful. As beautiful as the day Rainbow first met her. Prettier even.

When they first met they were fillies. A few girls were picking on the poor pony when Rainbow spotted her out of the corner of her eye. Her first thoughts were on how pretty the yellow filly was and her second thoughts were on how she'd beat up the bullies. She did that of course and got into immediate trouble. She didn't care though, because when Fluttershy sheepishly trotted up to her, smiled and said, "Thank you." It was all worth it. And it was at that moment that she fell in love.

Which she got over of course. Fluttershy was into stallions. She saw the appeal, Rainbow happened to like both. Nothing had changed throughout the years and just about now Rainbow decided it didn't matter whether her childhood friend liked mares or not.

It didn't matter because the dead mare in question stood in front of her, still in her herbalist uniform. She was pale and was.. See through? Rainbow could see the small table that was in the center of the room through Fluttershy's chest.

"Oh my! Where are my manors? How terrible of me." She ostracized herself, "I'm blocking the doorway to your own home.. Well I suppose you could just walk through me."

Rainbow was certain that her face showed pure and utter shock. She somehow proceeded to step inside and close the door once Fluttershy had stepped out of the way. After minutes of staring at her peaceful, smiley face Rainbow finally spoke, "But you..you're dead."

"Mm-hm," she hummed, "dead as can be."

"And... Wh-why are you here?" Rainbow had heard the common tales of restless souls staying in this realm to take revenge rather than move on. "Isn't there.. I don't know, someplace like elysium? Why aren't you there...? Do you have unfinished business?" Rainbow's heart suddenly soared, what if the unfinished business was with her? What if she couldn't move on without telling the pony she loved about her feelings? Was this her long awaited confession?

No. No it was not.

"Oh it surprised me too. There is no realm for the dead, we just wander around here with the living! It's quite lovely, being able to trot around with no living pony trying to talk or stare at me. Though I do wish they'd stop mourning me, not that I'm ungrateful, it's so kind of them to miss me so much but I wish I hadn't had to cause them any sadness." At some point she seemed to stop talking to Rainbow and started talking to herself. “In any case,” she shook her head to focus back on Rainbow, “I’ve been speaking to the other ghosts here and they say that I could allow one creature to see ghost so that I can ask for one final wish, so long as the wish was strong enough.” She smiled softly, her voice almost sounding numb to emotions.

Rainbow felt her tense muscles loosen, her mouth that was once open was now closed, and her whole being slowly yet surely melted away from shock. “You mean to tell me..” She spoke, “That I.. Am going to fulfill your last wish?”

“Oh yes, if you wouldn’t mind.” She said sweetly, the same soft voice as always, the same voice that Rainbow loved. Platonically.

“Oh. my. Gosh.” Rainbow practically whispered, every emotion swirling around her, the sorrow of losing Fluttershy seemed to evaporate while she was starting to fill with energy and.. Hope? “This is going to be awesome!” She jumped as she spread her wings in excitement, “I’m going to help a ghost! It’s so cool!” she looked back towards Fluttershy, “What’s your wish? What can I do? I’ll do anything!” She explained, a wide grin growing on her face.

“Rainbow,” she smiled a little, “I’m so glad that you’re happy. I was kind of worried that you may be scared, some of the other ghosts said you would be but I just knew you’d be fine.”

“Yes yes yes! Of course I’m fine! My best friend just came back from the dead to ask me for a favor! Now what is it? How do I help?” She was giddy with happiness that she was the one chosen to help. Fluttershy chose her, not her coltfriend. Because she was more important, she was better.

“Oh I won’t ask for much,” she said, “Could you kill Spirit Wind for me please?”

...What? Rainbow blinked, did she hear that right? She couldn’t have. “I’m sorry but what?”

“Could you kill Spirit Wind for me please?” Fluttershy didn’t falter, Rainbow did.

“Huh? Bu-but wha- wait. No okay so...” Rainbow stuttered, “So you. You came back from the dead, yes?”

“Not really, I just allowed you to see us spirits.” She corrected softly.

“Yes, so you um.. Did that. And you did that so you could tell me to kill sompony.” She looked back to Fluttershy who responded in a smile and nod, “And that somepony you want me to kill is your special somepony.” she nodded again, the same sweet smile plastered to her face, “...Why? Did he kill you?”

“Oh, I can’t tell you.” The ghostly mare replied.

“Why not?” Fluttershy used to tell her everything.

“I don’t know.” She said simply, like it didn’t bother her at all, “All I know is the other ghosts said I can’t, but I could try if you’d like.”

Rainbow stared at her unusual, deadly calmness, “Yes. Do that.”

“Okay well~.....” Fluttershy’s lips continued to move but no sound came out. Like she was pretending to speak, rather than actually making a noise. every once and awhile a few words escaped the silent curse like, “But,” “Although,” and “Still,” just to name a few. It lasted a solid few minutes before Fluttershy seemed to finish her explanation, “... And that’s it, did you hear any of that?”

Rainbow shook her head as she plopped down onto her rump. What was going on? Fluttershy came back as a ghost, which was awesome, but now she wants Rainbow to kill Spirit Wind. Which in all honesty, she’d take pleasure in doing but what was bothering her was purely the fact she didn’t know why and apparently Fluttershy couldn’t explain.

“I don’t need an answer immediately.” Fluttershy’s soft statement halted Rainbow’s thoughts, but only for a moment.

Could she even kill Spirit Wind? He was a trained guard, and an assassin at that. Didn’t that mean he was extra levels of sneaky? “How am I supposed to kill him?” She looked to Fluttershy.

“Oh, I can’t tell you anything with the intent of helping you.” She explained, “You could easily kill…. Or if you…. Or you could…. But of course you’d only know that stuff if you asked a herbalist.” She smiled, “I wish I could be of more help.” It actually didn’t sound like it bothered her much at all.

“It’s fine, Fluttershy.” Rainbow responded, not entirely sure if it was fine. She sighed, it would be hard, really hard. She hadn’t gotten in a fight with anypony since she graduated school, she had slowed her exercising, many of her muscles getting smaller due to the fact that she only worked out on weekends. Could she even do it? Could she kill for Fluttershy? She’d do anything for Fluttershy. Besides, she’s wanted to give Spirit Wind a hoof sandwich ever since the day she met him. “I’ll do it.” she finally said, “I’ll kill him and it’ll be awesome!”

An Awesome Curse ~ Chapter 3

View Online

Rainbow woke with a start. A sweet, slightly see through face staring at her. She jumped, of course, who wouldn’t after being startled like that? She now sat up in her bed with an utterly terrified look on her face. Until she remembered. She slapped a hoof to her face, “Right- the whole ghost thing, I forgot, sorry.” She spoke as she got out of bed and trotted past Fluttershy.

“Huh?” Fluttershy responded.

Rainbow Dash turned to look at her, promptly yawning as she spoke, “What is it?”

She paused before responding, her face as unreadable as ever, she smiled, “Oh, nothing. Good morning.”

Rainbow nodded, “G’ morning.” She said, remembering every detail from last night’s talk, and the agreement she made.

It’ll be awesome. Rainbow knew it would be.

“I’ll start coming up with a plan as soon as my shift ends.” She said in her maid uniform as she put on her cufflinks.

She thought it was a stupid design. She wasn’t wearing sleeves so why did she have to wear bracelets that looked like a dress shirt’s cuffs? When she asked Rarity about it she responded with “Fashion, darling.” which made Rainbow promptly role her eyes and earned the fashionista a scoff every time Rainbow put on the outfit.

“Right so uniform is on and I am ready. How do I look?” She asked.

“Like you do everyday.” Fluttershy said sweetly.

Rainbow paused for but a moment, it was still chilling whenever Fluttershy responded with something indifferent. But Rainbow had been shrugging it off, must be a dead pony thing. “Okay, so I’ll see you later.” she said as she trotted to her door.

She’d spent the previous night talking to Fluttershy. She struggled through her conversation with her monotone friend but she did learn some interesting information. The coolest things being that Fluttershy had a little bit of blood on her uniform, which Fluttershy couldn’t explain how it got there but was awesome nonetheless. And the fact that she can lift small objects. Her hooves would end up going threw anything too heavy but it’d be so cool for a prank. The most helpful.. Yet disturbing, piece of information was that Spirit and Fluttershy spent their lunch break together, eating under a particular tree in the gardens. When Rainbow asked if he still went there Fluttershy tried to nod but was stopped by some invisible force. Rainbow took it as a yes.

As she trotted through the halls, she was greeted by many familiar faces. Some of her co workers stopped her to say their condolences which reminded Rainbow that she should probably be acting sad, it wasn’t until she trotted into one maid that something seemed off. Trotted into? No, no, trotted through would be more accurate. Rainbow froze. She practically jumped as she turned around and locked eyes with the pony who seemed just as shocked. She stared for Celestia knows how long before a voice snapped out of it.

“RD? What are you staring at? You look like you saw a ghost.” The mare ended her statement with a laugh. “You okay?”

Rainbow whipped her head around to see Lucky Star, a pink mare with a blonde mane and tail. “Oh um, sorry..” ghost. Can she see all ghosts now? She glanced around nonchalantly trying to see if there were any other see through figures. None. She glanced back to Lucky Star, “Sorry, uh yeah, I just have a terrible headache.”

“Oh well then you should go to the herbalist’s cotta-” she caught herself, “S-sorry, maybe you don’t want to do that, I can get the herbs for you if you want?”

Rainbow smiled, “Thanks, but no thanks.” she was heart warmed by the fact that she was surrounded by caring ponies. She’d never been the nicest, not that she was outright rude but she had heard ponies refer to her as ‘cocky’ but she was confident and Fluttershy wasn’t the most outgoing but she was kind to everypony or creature she met. No doubt that she’s the reason that Rainbow had any friends at all. “I’ll head over there if my headache gets worse.”

Lucky Star gave her an understanding smile and trotted off. Of course it wasn’t that understanding, Rainbow wasn’t torn up by Fluttershy’s death at all, well maybe a little, but her being a ghost was totally awesome and so it made up for anything that she no longer had. Like the ability to touch others or talk to whoever she wanted. But she wasn’t that social to begin with so Rainbow guessed she wasn’t missing much.

As she trotted out the hallway she heard the daily rumors spread by her coworkers. Apparently Captain Amour had taken the day off and a few ponies heard high pitched giggling coming from Rarity's workroom. Rainbow pretty much ignored the news as she stopped her trott at the corridor’s corner. A purple unicorn mare stood, wearing a special version of the made uniform. Special being that it was a slightly different color and had some extra ribbons and buttons on it that matched her cutie mark. Rainbow stepped towards Amethyst Star, joining the few other maids and butlers who came to her. With her job simultaneously being the head maid and the royal organizer’s assistant she always seemed to be in a hurry.

“Oh Rainbow Dash!” She said, “How are you doing today?” She spoke quickly, her eyes locked to a scroll she was holding up with her magic.

“Um I’m fine.” She said.

“Alright then, if you’re okay with working we could use some help in Pinkie’s Office. I’ll be there around noon of course but she’s bound to have me go and get things for her so it’d be good if someone could be her to clean her mess. Of course that’s if you’re feeling up to it.”

“Yeah, I’ll head over there right now.” Rainbow replied to the mare’s rambling.

“Oh really? Thank you.” She spoke before moving on, informing Meadow Flower to assist the kitchen staff and Lilac Links to head to the guard’s break room along with the butlers, Dark Moon and Hors D'oeuvre because ‘they’re always oh so messy.’

As Rainbow trotted her wings itched as they always do when she has a distance to trott. She would be flying if there wasn’t a rule on flying indoors. It’s also insisted that maids and butlers should avoid flying altogether. She despised the rule, it was no doubt the worst part of her job. After quite a bit of time passed trotting on her hooves, or maybe it was just a minute, she could never tell, she had passed Rarity’s workroom, and soon after was attacked by Sweetie Belle, Rarity’s sister.

Well attacked isn’t the best description. It was more like Sweetie Belle just happened to be carrying a wooden sword in her mouth as she collided into Rainbow but that wouldn’t stop Rainbow from making her own life a bit more interesting by entertaining the filly.

“Oh woe is me! The power knight Sweetie Belle has striketh me down with her mighty sword.” Which did earn her a giggle from the filly.

“Sorry Dash.” she’d dropped the sword but continued giggling, that is until somepony cleared her throat behind Rainbow’s back, after that the filly straightened up and spoke properly, “Um! Sorry Miss Dash!”

Rainbow turned to see the pony who’d scared Sweetie Belle into a proper apology, Rarity. As she was distracted she was hit yet again. She looked down to see Sweetie Belle had fallen onto her leg because another filly had rammed into her flank. “Sweetie! Why’d you stop-” the filly froze, “Oh.. I’m sorry.. Miss.” her ears flopped back as her face reddened in embarrassment.

“Sorry about that Rainbow,” Rarity said, the pegasus turned her head to look at her when she spoke, “My little sister was scheduled to come in today and she insisted on taking her friend with her.

“My name is Scootaloo!” The filly said, any embarrassment she had felt was now gone. Replaced with a grin. “And sorry about before.” she laughed, clearly less anxious this time.

“Hey! You owe me an apology too!” Sweetie stomped her hoof down, “You were the one who ran into me!”

“Nuh-uh! I’m the beast! The beast doesn’t apologize to the runaway knight.” Scootaloo said, baring her teeth and stretching out her tiny wings as she pretended to a be a beast.

“I wasn’t a runaway knight! I was..” She paused, ”I was leading you into a trap!”

“Oh yeah?” the little pegasus replied, “What trap?”

“Um, uh Rainbow Dash! She’s a ferocious beast! More ferocious than you!” Sweetie responded.

“We’ll see about that!” The filly charged towards Rainbow but she was prepared.

Letting out a rawr, she knocked Scootaloo over and started blowing raspberries on her stomach. “Om nom nom” she said in between the tickles, “It is I, Rainbow Dash, coolest beast in all the land!”

Scootaloo, laughing hysterically, started tapping Rainbow’s face with her hoof, “Okay! Okay I give up!”

“Ha ha! I stand victorious!” Rainbow cheered as she let the filly go.

“Yay! Thank you great beast, for defeating my foe~” Sweetie said, suddenly into character again.

“It was my pleasure.” Rainbow responded.

“Now now girls, I think we should let Rainbow get off to work now.” Rarity spoke from behind the group.

“Awe.” both fillies complained.

“Come on, I’m sure you can play with her later,” Rarity cooed, “Rainbow, darling, where is it that you are going?”

“Oh I'm heading to Pinkie’s ‘office.’” she said, putting office in quotes with her hooves.

Rarity giggled, “Not much of an office is it? Oh you know what? Can you take the girls with you? Pinkie loves foals and it should keep them out of the hallway and away from my needle filled workroom.”

“Sure.” Rainbow said, within a second both of the girls were cheering and practically climbing onto her.

“Rainbow will tell me if you two misbehave.” Rarity said sternly, scarring the girls into submission.

“See you later.” Rainbow called to Rarity as they took off.

“See you, dear.” she replied and went to walk back into her workroom.

It was a significantly shorter walk with both of the playing fillies to keep her company. They continued their game of beast and knight. Sweetie’s sword muffled her battle cry though Rainbow still had to shush her once, promising that they could make whatever sound they want when they reached Pinkie’s.

The office was a distance away from the bedrooms for obvious reasons, although this did mean that no maid or butler could be there early enough to avoid colossal damage. Rainbow stifled a sigh as she realized that she’d be the one to clean the mess.

She finally trotted up to the door with Pinkie’s name, carved into a silver plaque, on it. She raised a hoof to knock and was met with the sound of a muffled explosion. She flinched for but a second before she continued her action and knocked, ignoring the foal’s sudden excitement over the fact that Sweetie explained, “Pinkie’s playing with explosives again!”

“Hold on!” A high pitched voice came through the door, followed by a sound that could have been compared to a herd of elephants trampling through a field of kitchen utensils. “Hiya!” She spoke as she swung open the door. Revealing not only her but another mare as well.

This other mare in question looked exactly the same as Pinkie, well she would look the same if she weren’t see through.

Some Needy Guards ~ Chapter 4

View Online

Rainbow tried not to stare. She tried and failed. The ghost Pinkie didn’t look exactly like her, but it was pretty darn close. The only difference Rainbow could spot was a few gray hairs in her mane, a generally thinner face, and a dim green light that seemed to be glowing off her. She was no doubt an older relative.

After a moment of trying to avoid eye contact, the ghost Pinkie must’ve realized that Rainbow could see her because she smiled right at her.

“Whatcha lookin' at?” Pinkie asked.

“Oh um.. Sorry I was just staring off into space. I got a headache, that’s all.” Rainbow replied, rubbing a hoof on her head to mimic a headache.

“Oki doki~!” Pinkie grinned, turning her attention to the fillies, “Hi Sweetie Belle! And Scootaloo? What are you doing here?”

Rainbow politely stepped passed Pinkie as they spoke about how Pinkie sometimes ran events in the local village and the girls always attended. Rainbow used the excuse of wanting to see what damage had been done, which made Pinkie giggle, but it was actually because she wanted to talk to that ghost. She trotted to the back of the office, past the conference table and most of the mess, and starting picking confetti up, a few glasses were knocked over and several papers laid skewed around the room, but they were ignored as Rainbow turned her back to the door to hide her face.

“Hey. Ghost.” She whispered as the ghost Pinkie had come to watch her work.

“Oh deary! You can see me! Hello Rainbow Dash.” She smiled, “I’ve never met with a cursed living pony before, it must’ve been recent, I’ve seen you here sooo many times before and you never took notice.” she buzzed with energy, just like Pinkie.

“Yeah, my friend came back last night.” She spoke quietly, trying to make it look like she was mumbling about her work, “What’s your name? And why do you look like Pinkie?”

“I am Diane Pink Pie, Pinkie’s grandmother, her parents named her after me since we look so much alike.” She flipped her mane to show off the similarity, “I died rather young, but without many regrets, although I wish I could curse Pinkamena so she could see us spirits.” Her mane had deflated a bit, much like Pinkie’s did when she was sad. Before a moment passed the mare’s mane poofed up again as she spoke, “But it’s okay! I get to watch my dear Pinkie work and make other ponies smile.”

Rainbow opened her mouth to respond but was cut off by a very enthusiastic Scootaloo. “Watch this!” The filly was standing at the table, ready to take flight. For a moment, Rainbow thought of telling her about the no flying rule but figured it’d be fine. Sweetie and Pinkie would be the only other living witnesses and neither of them would tell.

The little pegasus took to the air, flapping her wings furiously and subsequently starting to fall. Rainbow paused for just a moment in realization. This filly couldn’t fly. She threw out her wings and used them to blast her toward Scootaloo, just in time to catch her.

Now she held the filly, hovering in mid air for a bit before setting her down on the ground. “That was awesome!” She cheered, “Again! Can you fly with me again!?” She jumped, apparently not upset at all by that fact that she almost fell.

Rainbow breathed, “Maybe later kid, I gotta work.”

“Okay! Later then.” Scootaloo smiled, which made Rainbow sigh when she realized that Scootaloo would probably hold her to the deal.

Time passed quickly as Rainbow worked. Every once and a while she’d stop to play with the fillies when Pinkie was to busy, and sometimes Pinkie would ask about ideas she had for the events she scheduled. At some point she held up to pieces of fabric.

“Should the curtain accents be bumblebee yellow or navy blue?” She pondered.

“Oooh I like the blue.” Scootaloo said.

“But they’re both nice colors.” Sweetie said, which made Scootaloo nod profusely in agreement.

“Tell her to use ox blue!” Rainbow heard Diane say, “It’ll accent the golden tiles in the ballroom!”

“Uh-um.” Rainbow didn’t question the ghost but did pause for a moment, “Um maybe you should use a different shade of blue? L-like ox blue?” She didn’t know what she was talking about, clearly, but Diane did.

“Oooh! Smart Rainbow!” Pinkie dropped both colored pieces of fabric to pick up a small card with the color on it, “It’ll accent the gold in the tiles!”

Rainbow let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding in. She looked over at Diane to see her smiling proudly at her granddaughter, happy to have helped.

Not long after, Savoir Fare came in from the kitchen to bring a fruit platter for Pinkie. Which just meant more cleaning for Rainbow. Pinkie did offer food to her guests, both fillies accepted with no hesitation and after some, but not much, convincing, Rainbow took an apple.

After they finished their meal, Rainbow looked to the grandfather clock placed in the back of Pinkie’s office, Amethyst would be done with her head maid work and would be arriving soon. The pegasus glanced around the room, she somehow managed to keep it somewhat intact. That is except for the food scraps and leftovers that maid on the once full fruit platter. She trotted up to the platter, she lifted it with her for hoof and started trotting out the room, “I’m going to take this out to the barrels.” she explained to the others, the barrels were kept in the garden, where the leftover food would be composed and used as fertilizer there, anything not used would be donated to the local farms.

She exited the room but suddenly halted in her tracks. There stood two royal guards, wearing daylight amour. They must’ve been on their lunch break because daylight guards were typically at their posts, even when on break they usually went to the guard’s breakroom, not to the event organizer’s office. After her initial shocked she straightened herself out, “Oh hello,” she said, “Sorry, you surprised me, do you need Pinkie Pie for something?”

“Oh, no miss,” One guard replied, a unicorn stallion with a dark mane, “We were hoping you could help us.”

“...Me?” Rainbow asked.

“Yeah,” the second guard stated, this one was a pegasus and was definitely taller than average. He stepped closer and spoke with his hoof, “The break room's a mess and no maids showed up, maybe you could help us out?”

Rainbow raised one eyebrow, really? Could they not do anything themselves? She shrugged, “I guess Amethyst Star didn’t send anypony over there yet, sorry about that.” She stated her apology like it was read off a script, “Give me second.”

She turned and popped her head into the office. “Heya Pinkie!” the pony in question turned her head, “I’m gonna head over to the guard’s break room, they said no maids were sent.”

“Oki doki loki!” She chirped, turning back to her ‘work’ which looked to be an arts and crafts project she was doing with the fillies.

She turned back the guards and nodded to them to signal that she was ready, food scraps platter still in hoof. The guards trotted in front of her, leading her to a destination she had already been to countless of times.

She admittedly wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, a left, then a right, and then you go straight for a bit and then ...left? Her mind snapped back to reality, weren’t they supposed to go straight and then, further on, turn right? “Um guys?” She stopped, “I’m not sure if your new but I’m fairly certain we went the wrong way, I ca-”

“No we went the right way.” the unicorn trotted around Rainbow, sporting a devilish grin.

Rainbow stepped backwards, only stopping when she hit a wall. She glanced behind her, she’d literally walked into a corner. Great. “W-what?” Her voice faltered, her eyes switching between the two stallions rapidly, “What in tartarus are you doing?”

“Oh we’re not doing anything… yet.” The unicorn spoke.

“What we will be doing is having some fun.” The pegasus stepped closer to emphasize his words.

“Oh.” Rainbow suddenly realized their intent, she straightened herself up and stood her ground, “You really must be new.” She lowered herself into a battle stance and shot forward. Pushing her wings back to propel her forward, she aimed right for the pegasus's smug grin.

He stepped back and spread his wings in fear, however his sickly grin returned when Rainbow froze mid air. Rainbow cursed herself silently, she should’ve gone for the damn unicorn. He didn’t have the strongest grip, she only felt the magical force on the front half of her body. Like she was half submerged in thick molasses.

No matter how much force she put into her flight she was stuck in the same place. “Oh look at the tough little maid.” The pegasus smirked cruelly, “Like a little filly trying to rebel,” he nodded to his friend, “this’ll be plenty of fu-”

“Hey, what are you guys doing over there?” the voice that came from a distance wasn’t the loudest but it was enough to distract the guards. As they both swung their heads towards the sound, Rainbow saw an opportunity.

A Crying Princess ~ Chapter 5

View Online

Sadly, the distraction wasn’t enough for the unicorn to loosen his grip but it did allow her some wiggle room while she wasn’t in his sight.

Rainbow rotated her wings to allow her to push herself backwards with all her strength. This, of course, caused the unicorn to swing back his head when he felt her slip out of his magic’s grasp. Right as they locked eyes, Rainbow’s hind hooves landed on the ground, she then used her wings along with the step of one hind hoof to swing her left forehoof and smash the leftover food scraps, along with the platter, into the bastard’s face. No doubt leaving a bruise that he wouldn’t forget anytime soon.

He let out a grunt as her front hooves returned to the floor. She reared herself up and kicked with all the strength in her hind legs. Now she was no Apple but when she heard the crack of the pegasus’ jaw as he turned towards her, she knew she bucked hard enough.

Her hooves landed down on the ground. She grinned in pleasure, until she heard another crack. This, however, was not the crack of a bone but rather the shimmering crack of magic.

Somepony just teleported onto the scene.

Rainbow shrugged, he was probably the pony who distracted the guards just long enough to allow her to get the upper hoof. She turned around to thank her savior and- oh. “Hi Spirit.” she spoke in a monotone voice, he stood there, silently accessing the situation. “Hate to say but some of your underlings are kind of dumb.” she sneered.

“You and I both know that newbies don’t always pay attention to their briefing.” he sighed.

“Yeah.. I’ll tell Twi later, they said no maid showed up to the break room and I better get to work.” she stated, “Well maybe I should break the other one’s jaw first.” She rubbed her front hooves together, seeing as the color drain from the poor imbecile’s face.

“Who are you anyway, dude?” the unicorn asked, causing Spirit Wind to sigh and rub his hoof on his head.

Rainbow laughed, “Wow, look! I’m not the only one who finds you forgettable.”

Spirit ignored her statement, “Now I am absolutely certain that you didn’t pay attention in your briefing.” he paused for a moment before he turned, “Come on, we’re all going to go tell the captain what you’ve done.”

Rainbow followed him as he trotted out of the corridor and into the main hallway again. Only stopping when the two idiots didn’t realize they were supposed to follow, which cause them both to have ropes made from Spirit’s magic tied around their necks. “Wait, you mean Captain Armour?” Rainbow spoke up, “I thought he took the day off.”

“He did,” Spirit confirmed, “to console his sister after..” he trailed off. He didn’t need to continue for Rainbow to know what his next words were going to be. She almost felt the need to console him. She shook off the thought immediately, why would she console Fluttershy’s killer? The pony Rainbow was going to kill. “No,” Spirit’s voice tore Rainbow away from her thoughts, “Today we are going to talk to Temporary Captain Strongiron.”

“What?!” Rainbow gasped, “Him?! Why don’t we just go to the Princesses?”

“Think logically Rainbow,” he didn’t even look at her, “Even if we went to the Princesses they would tell us that we should’ve went to Strongiron first.”

“Yeah but! But he’s him! Strongiron, he’s worse than both of those bastards combined!” Rainbow shouted.

“You’re not wrong.” He said, stone faced as ever.

Rainbow stared for a moment, was that it? “Ugh!” she moaned.

“I ink you broke ma jaw.” the pegasus complained from behind them.

“What was that?” Rainbow asked, slightly cheered up by his slurred speech, not bothering to look back she spoke, “I couldn’t hear you over all the blood in your mouth.” She grinned when the guard’s only reply was a moan. Sure, she was being escorted by a jerk with more jerks to meet an even bigger jerk but at least she could still have fun.

Rainbow hated Strongiron. He was a silver coated unicorn with a yellow and orange mane. He was obviously strong as seen from his muscles, he was no doubt a unicorn who considered brawn to be above brains or even magic.

As the group trotted up to him, he took on a cold glare. His eyes bore into Rainbow, she honestly didn’t know why he seemed so bothered by her presence. She rolled her eyes, not even trying to hide her annoyance.

The only good thing about this whole situation is that they didn’t have to enter the guard’s break room, for he stood just outside of it. “What did you do to my guards?” he asked coldly.

“Wha? Why would you assume I did this?” Rainbow asked, “Well I did but a dainty little maid couldn’t possibly-”

“Sir these two guards had clearly not paid any attention in briefing. I know this to be a fact being that they don’t know who Rainbow Dash or I am.” Spirit explained.

“And who exactly is this Rainbow Dash?” he spoke her name like it was slime.

“Sir,” Spirit spoke, “These guards cornered and attempted to attack Rainbow Dash-”

“Not that they could even a lay a hoof on me.” Rainbow cut in.

“And as I’m sure I don’t have to remind you, Rainbow here is close friends with Princess Twilight Sparkle.” Spirit stated.

“Yeah and I’m dating Princess Cadance.” Sarcasm filled Strongiron’s voice, “If she’s so close with the Princess why doesn’t she just complain to her?”

“I normally do!” Rainbow defended, “But somepony insisted that we go and talk to a moron first.”

Spirit seemed unaffected by the fact that Rainbow was annoyed with him, “Why don’t you go tell Princess Twilight now?” he eyed her, “And let’s not waste the good Strongiron’s time, you have my permission to fly to her.”

Rainbow scoffed at him. Who was he to tell her when to fly and when not to? Well, of course she didn’t want to trot all the way to Twilight’s sleeping chambers. She crouched down and took off. Her wings carrying her as fast as she could without flying into a wall as she turned.

Before long she exited the building via a window and flew in through another one for a short cut. Within moments she was inside the corridor that contain Twilight’s room. She landed on the ground and raised a hoof, knocking on her door as Rainbow caught her breath.

“Who is it?” a stallion’s voice responded, which surprised Rainbow for a moment before she remembered that Shining Armor was probably consoling Twilight.

“It’s just me. Rainbow Dash.” She called back.

The door was opened with magenta magic, inviting the pegasus in.

She trotted onward, looking around the dark room, she spotted the alicorn sitting on a couch in the distance next to her brother and a small dragon. Her head was hung, and she was.. Crying? “Twilight..?” Rainbow flew towards her friend, temporarily forgetting her mission, “Are you okay?”

“Okay as I can be.” she laughed a tiny bit, “I guess I should be more worried about you though.”

“I’m fine Twi.” She landed in front of where the princess sat. Pulling her into a hug as she sobbed softly.

“I-it’s just, it doesn’t feel real.” her cries were muffled by Rainbow’s shoulder, “And every time I think about her I remember that she’s.. She’s gone.”

Rainbow felt her heartache. An unbearable sense of sadness washed over her as her stomach twisted into a knot. She felt as though she was keeping Twilight, along with anypony who cares for Fluttershy, from having any sense of relief. Rainbow thought for a moment, prying herself away from the dread and trying to ignore the alicorn she cradled in her arms. For some reason she felt like she couldn’t tell anypony about her curse before but, she now felt like she needed to, even if she shouldn’t. “Twilight, I need to tell you something.”

A Secret Said ~ Chapter 6

View Online

“I need to tell you something.” Rainbow stated, which caused Twilight to pull back from the hug.

She wiped an eye with the back of her hoof, “Oh is that why you came?”

“Actually I came to tell you something else, but we’ll get to that later.” Rainbow said, she paused, “And the thing I’m going to tell you may seem insane so I’d appreciate if the audience either left or swore not to laugh.” She glanced between Shining armor and Spike.

Twilight shook her head, “They won’t laugh. What is it?”

“Um..” Rainbow froze from being put on the spot, but she breathed and looked down at her hooves, perhaps it’s be easier if she avoided eye contact. “I am cursed.” She looked up, “But it’s not like a bad curse! It’s actually totally awesome!”

“And the curse is…?” Spike asked.

Rainbow grinned in response, “I can see ghosts!”

The air seemed to chill around them as what Rainbow said set in. Twilight opened her mouth once, and then shut it before opening it again, “..When did you get cursed?”

“Last night, Fluttershy came to my room to ask for a favor.” she explained.

Twilight’s ear fell back, “Rainbow… I know that Fluttershy’s death was hard but you don’t have to make things like this up.. She’s gone.”

Rainbow’s ear dropped this time but raised again a moment later, “I’m not making this up.” she said, “It’s not just Fluttershy, I saw a ghost maid earlier and Pinkie’s dead grandma.”

Twilight sighed, “I want to believe you but, Rainbow.. You’re just making this harder, for everyone.”

“Twily’s right,” he brother added, “It may be hard but it’s best to just move on.”

“No, it’s not like that! Its...” Rainbow’s eyes widened as she realized something that should’ve been obvious, “Twilight!”

“... Yes?”

“Twilight you have every right to not believe me... But, I’m fairly certain you’d believe one of your egghead books!” Rainbow shot upward, creating a gust of wind that messed with Twilight’s and Shining’s manes, “Where’s the section on ghosts?” She started searching around Twilight’s bookcase that could probably fit half a library’s worth of book in it. To make it worse, it was filled to the brim.

“Rainbow, this is..” she trailed off.

“A waste of time?” Rainbow asked, “I’m sure it’s not that much time wasted, you can find a book and read it faster than anypony I know.”

She sighed and took to the air, albeit in a much more peaceful way than Rainbow’s burst of energy, “There isn’t a section on ghosts, but there is a small section on paranormal activity.” She flew towards the section in question.

“Right,” Rainbow said, joining her at the section, “That’s what I meant.”

Twilight eyed her for a moment, a small smile showed on her muzzle, “Here,” she said, levitating a few books with her magic, “I’ll read from these books and ask you questions and if you get them right, I’ll have to believe you.” she explained, landing on the ground.

Rainbow followed her, “Sounds good!”

After a minute or two of the alicorn reading and the pegasus distracting herself by looking around the room and tapping her hoof on the floor, Twilight finally looked up.

“Okay, so you said Fluttershy appeared last night, right?”

“Uh huh.” Rainbow nodded.

“What did she look like?” Twilight asked.

“Uh she was see through, generally like, tinted blue..” Rainbow said, “She was still wearing her uniform oh and she had blood on it.”

“Blue..” Twilight mumbled, before reaching for another book with her magic, “.. How much blood?” She inquired.

“Not much, just a little on her chest.” Rainbow patted herself in the same place that Fluttershy’s blood was.

“How was her physical state?” Twilight asked.

“Her what now?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

Twilight rolled her eyes, “Could you walk through her?”

“Oh! Oh yeah, she said I could but I didn’t try.” Rainbow said, “And she could pick up light stuff but anything to heavy would just fall through her.”

“And did she say why she came to you?” Twilight was now fully distracted, cross referencing between several books.

“Uh yeah? To ask a favor.” Rainbow repeated herself from earlier.

“And…? What is this favor?”

“It’s.. Well..” Rainbow was now stumped, “I… I don’t think I should tell you? I think you’d tell me not to do it..”

Twilight closed one book and levitated it to it’s place on the shelf. “I won’t tell you not to do it.”

“Um okay.. Well she asked me to kill Spirit Wind.” She explained, “and she can’t tell me why but I think it’s because he killed her.”

Twilight stared at her, confusion plastered on her face, “Could you say that again?”

“Sure?” Rainbow said, “She asked me to kill Spirit Wind.”

Twilight’s eyes widened, she flipped through one of her book’s pages, “Why did you do that? Did you read this book?”

“... Why would I read...” she squinted, “‘The Theories of The Dead and Guide for Communicating with the Deceased?’ The title’s even wordy. Besides what was I doing?”

“You were talking but not? No sound came out..” she explained.

“Oh! Cool!” Rainbow smiled, “ Fluttershy does that whenever she talks about her death, wait.. Does that mean I’m dead?!” She started feeling herself, and looking at her hooves and wings to see if they were see through, “Awe, no I think I’m alive.” her smile faltered.

Twilight stared at Rainbow, and then at the book, and then to Rainbow again, “You….You’re telling the truth.”

“Yeah, that’s what I was telling you,” Rainbow grinned, “It’s so cool, right?”

“N-no.. You can’t be. That’s impossible!” she stressed, “Ghosts aren’t real.”

“Um.. yes they are.” Rainbow stated.

After a moment of Twilight’s frantic reading, Rainbow suddenly remembered why she came, “Oh yeah! Spirit sent me to tell you that some new guards cornered me so I gave one a black eye and broke the other’s jaw. Plus Strongiron was being a jerk about it.”

“What?” Shining Armor stood up from his seat on the couch.

“Why didn’t you lead with that?!” Twilight dropped all her books, staring at Rainbow in shock.

“Oh yeah, ‘sorry you’re crying over our dead friend that I can still see but I need to tell you that I beat up two guards because they tried to lay their hooves on me.’” she scoffed, “Sorry that I thought this was more important.”

“We’ll talk about the ghost business later, for now come here.” Twilight grabbed Rainbow by the wing.

Spike stood up and ran towards the group,“Hey! Wait for-”

Flash

And suddenly Rainbow, Shining and Twilight all stood in the guard’s breakroom.

Another One ~ Chapter 7

View Online

“Oh! Rainbow I needed to tell you that I sent maids and butlers here so the guards were just making that up and-” Amethyst Star stopped herself, “Princess Twilight! Hi...” she turned her attention back to Rainbow, “When I got to Pinkie’s she told me what happened so I galloped here to tell you it was a trap and.. I guess you figured that out.” The mare stood on the other side of the doorway, next to Spirit and Strongiron.

The teleported trio trotted out towards the stationary group, seeing that the two injured guards were now slumped against the wall made a small smile show on Rainbow’s muzzle. Strongiron straightened himself up and saluted when he saw Shining Armor. The captain returned his salute with nothing but a side glance and two hesitant words, “..At ease.” he turned back to Rainbow, “Could you tell me everything that happened?”

Rainbow nodded and went through her story quickly glossing over the part where she was tricked and making sure to perform a full one pony show when describing her heroic fight. “And Spirit helped too I guess,” she turned to the dark unicorn to finish off her tale, “Congrats, you are good enough to distract a couple of idiots.”

“Thanks Rainbow.” he stared at her as he spoke, a deadpan look on his face, which she promptly responded to by sticking out her tongue.

“Is this true?” Twilight asked the two guards, who both looked down in shame.

“And is what she said about you true?” Shining glared at Strongiron.

“W-well I...” He faltered, “I obviously couldn’t believe that a maid was friends with the princess.”

“..Do you not know that many refer to Twilight as the Princess of Friendship?” Shining asked.

“Oh y-yes but I just assumed...” He smiled nervously.

“That I discriminate on whether somepony can be my friend because of their job?” Twilight asked, her high and mighty alicorn-ess shining through.

“N-no of course not..” He looked to the side, avoiding eye contact.

Twilight sighed, “What shall we do with you?”

“No-nothing?” He grinned.

“Perhaps you could relieve him of his duty?” Spirit suggested, “Even if it’s only temporary.”

There was but a moment’s pause, “Yes that sounds right,” Shining agreed, “Strongiron will be going on an unpaid break for a month.”

Rainbow watched as what little color that was there drained from the stallion’s grey face. She glance over to Spirit who was showing a satisfied look on his face. In fact it was the first time she’d seen him show any emotion since Fluttershy’s death. That’s why he made Rainbow go to Strongiron first, wasn’t it? He had planned on getting him in trouble.

“Now that that is taken care of,” Twilight turned, “Rainbow, would you take these guards-” she nodded at the two injured ponies slumped on the wall, “-to the herbalist cottage. I’ll visit your room later, we’ll continue our talk then.”

“Alright,” Rainbow trotted over to them, “Get up, you’re going to the herbalists.” The pegasus moaned, a bit of blood dribbling from his mouth, “Ooh be careful, we don’t want to make the maids clean up your mess.” Rainbow spat with a grin.

She lead the two guards out into the gardens, as soon as she felt the sun hit her wings she spread them and took to the air. She flew just a few feet above them, watching as they limped with a satisfied smug on her muzzle.

“Hello Rainbow, and what have we here? Why do you have two injured guards so near?” A zebra had opened the door when she knocked and greeted her in a common way.

“Hey Zecora,” She responded to the rhyme, “I beat up these two.” She said confidently, “In self defense of course.”

She eyed the guards, “As I can see, they were no match for your fight. I wouldn’t want to cross you with such might.” She joked and signaled the three to come inside.

“Oh sweet Celestia! That looks bad,” Red Snow rushed over to the guards, she was overly caring, like Fluttershy, and it showed whenever she did her work. Rainbow liked this mare, despite being a unicorn and looking utterly nothing like Fluttershy in color, she did have similar mannerisms, as they were very close friends when she was alive. Red immediately started examining the damage, “Really Rainbow? Did you have to hit them that hard?” Well, Red was little more sarcastic than Fluttershy.

Rainbow took a step back before standing her ground, “Of course! I was only protecting myself. Not that they stood a chance in the first place.”

“No of course not.” She didn’t look at Rainbow, “They were foolish to go after you of all ponies.” she said, which then earned them both a scoff from the unicorn guard.

And that is why Rainbow liked Red Snow. Her red mane and tail were styled like Fluttershy's, and her eyes showed that same kindness. Her cutie mark was even gained in a similar way. For Fluttershy, it was when she first spoke to animals, for Red, it was when she first tried gardening. The berries on her flank were holly, according to her, though Rainbow dash couldn’t confirm on account of the fact that she knew next to nothing about plants, the most she could think of is that it’s the same stuff ponies use to decorate during Hearth’s Warming.

“Dash, could you go grab some more aloe?” She spoke, not taking her eyes of the pegasus’ bleeding jaw.

Rainbow quickly responded with “Yep!” before a moment’s pause and her question, “Which one is that?”

Red still didn’t turn but just hovered a sword shaped leaf towards Rainbow. Which gave her enough of an idea to go through her shelves and shelves of herbs.

“Fixing that break won’t be that hard. I’ll do it so you can conjure ice for this guard.” Zecora said, stepping in to take over the work Red was doing.

“Oh! Yes, I’ll do that.” She said quickly. She levitated a pewter cup which likely had water in it. She proceeded to dump it out onto a table and focused on it until, in a flash, the water became a solid object. Red used a hoof to wipe of a bead a sweat that appeared just under her horn and then levitated the ice chunks onto a cloth and gave it to the guard. He put it over his eye wordlessly just as Rainbow turned back to her own work.

She eventually found a cupboard that might have had it, although she couldn’t be sure. She didn’t understand how the herbalists decided to sort their supplies and seemed to just be going in circle at this point. She swung the cupboard door open and- FINALLY! A jar containing only one aloe leaf in it sat just in front of Rainbow.

She grabbed it quickly and brought it over to Zecora, “Sorry I took so long, and there’s only one,” she pointed out, “Is that enough?”

“Worry not, we’ll have more soon. They are being gathered as we speak by Apple bloom.” she explained, putting some of the leaf’s gel on her hoof and rubbing it into the open wound.

Almost as if it was planned Apple bloom stepped through the doorway. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed the two guards. She trotted towards Zecora when the zebra gave her a wave of her hoof and helped her with the aloe she’d just picked.

“It won’t do much to sooth the pain, but it will do while we get this jaw back to the same.” Zecora informed Apple Bloom.

The filly put the leftover aloe leaves in the jar and set it down, shoving it a bit towards Rainbow as she said, “Can you put this away? Ah gotta help Zecora.”

By the time Rainbow had a chance to respond, Apple bloom had already turned back to her work with Zecora. So Rainbow just wordlessly grabbed the jar and trotted it over to the cupboard, opening it and going to place it in.

It wasn’t until after she set down the jar and pulled her hoof back that she finally looked up and saw a pale white face staring back at her. Really? Another one? How many ghosts were in this Celestia damned place?

A Long Night Ahead ~ Chapter 8

View Online

Rainbow took a step back, staring blankly at the new ghost in front of her. She didn’t know how long she was staring for before the ghost must’ve realized that she was being seen. The pale pony blushed hard, “C-can you see me?” she said in but a whisper.

This was just enough for Rainbow to notice that she wasn’t acting exactly natural. She glanced around the room and breathed a sigh of relief. Nopony had noticed her as they were all too distracted with their own work with the guards. She locked eyes with the ghost again and nodded, she would’ve spoken too but she shut her mouth just before any words escaped. The cottage was small and even if she made the smallest of whispers, somepony living would hear.

The ghost slapped both of her hooves over her muzzle and Rainbow was certain that she was making a quiet ‘squee’ noise. Her whole being seemed to be tinted pink from blushing and Rainbow could see the smile in her eyes, despite her hooves obstructing the view of her mouth. But within a moment the mare’s eyes widened and she seemed to blush harder, although it was more difficult to tell now.

When Rainbow first saw her she assumed the ghost’s coat was white and only looked pink do to her heavy blushing. She was still blushing, no doubt about it, but now coat seemed to be gray, in fact her whole self seemed to be dimmed, as if she suddenly stepped into a dark room. It was only a second before the ghost's eyes slammed shut and she turned, fading through the wall and away from the living.

Rainbow was quick to discard this with a mental word; ‘Weird.’ before turning back to the bloodied guards getting treated.

By the time Luna raised the moon, Rainbow had returned to Pinkie and the fillies and was finishing up her last bit of work.

She straightened each of the chairs that surrounded Pinkie’s table with Diane watching her rather intently. Pinkie had fallen asleep on her desk chair and the fillies sat dazed in the corner, it was too quiet to talk to the ghost without the threat of waking up one of the sleeping ponies. She looked to the pink pony bathed in a green aura as she finished, Diane’s only response was a big grin.

Rainbow returned it with a small smile of her own and then trotted over to the corner. Sweetie stirred at her approach and eventually opened one eye to look at her. Rainbow knelt to whisper, “C’mon, let’s get you to a real bed.” Sweetie nodded absently in response and something told Rainbow that the filly didn’t really acknowledge what she said. Rainbow rolled her eyes and quietly urged the girls to climb onto her back.

It was hard to give a pony back ride to two fillies at once, though Rainbow managed despite being rather tired herself. She did have to spread her wings once or twice to help with her balance but none of her stumbling seemed to affect the heavy sleepers on her back.

She trotted towards Rarity’s workroom and spoke to the very tired mare who worked there. “What time is it?” she yawned.

“Late.” Rainbow whispered, “Where are they sleeping tonight?” She nodded to the fillies on her back, “I can carry them there.”

Rarity stood up from where she’d previously been staring at a piece of fabric. “Don’t..” she yawned again, “Worry about it, I can handle them.” She said as she stepped over and levitated the pair from Rainbow’s back to hers. Even once they laid on the unicorn’s back she didn’t let go of her levitation spell, likely to keep them balanced. “It seems like everypony and their mothers needs a new dress for that ball Pinkie’s planning.”

“Does that ‘everypony’ include new dresses for the maids..?” Rainbow asked wearily.

Rarity gave her a cold stare before stepping past her to leave the room, turning a lantern off with her magic as she trotted out, “I’m not awake enough to convince you to wear another dress.” She scoffed, knowing that Rainbow was dreading the thought of another maid get-up.

Rainbow laughed awkwardly, “It is a bit late.. Goodnight.” She told the mare as they split off into different directions.

“Goodnight Rainbow.” Rarity replied.

Rainbow trotted quickly back to her room, most of the maids had started their way to their rooms as well, so the hallway was more on the crowded side. She glanced around and eventually spotted that ghost from earlier. She stood close to Lucky Star as she opened the door to her room, stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Rainbow tried not to stare as the ghost stepped through the door to follow her. The pegasus noted that the two looked similar and that they were likely related.

Rainbow might’ve passed other ghosts before she reached her room, but she didn’t really pay too much attention. She placed a hoof on the doorknob and pushed.

Inside the room awaited two mares, one living and one dead. For a moment, Rainbow had forgotten that Twilight was supposed to visit her. “Oh,” she spoke, “Hey girls.”

Twilight practically jumped as she stood from where she was sitting immediately, “‘Girls’?” she repeated, “Is she here?”

Rainbow nodded, “She’s right next to you.” she pointed with a wing to Fluttershy who sat beside Twilight, looking at the book that the alicorn was levitating.

“Rainbow, this book is very interesting.” she stated, not noticing that Twilight was now staring at where she was, clearly unable to see her.

“..She says your book is interesting.” Rainbow said.

“Oh.. I-is that so?” Twilight said, carefully putting the book so it was still open on the floor and trotted over to Rainbow.

She stared wearily at Rainbow, her eyes flickering to the book every second. “So..” Rainbow started, “What exactly did you come here for?”

“Oh! Yes. Um.. I was thinking… of testing out some things.” she said, instantly teleporting herself away only to return a moment later with several alicorn wingfulls of books in her magical grasp. The weak grin on her face changed to more excited expression as she began looking through her books, “Don’t worry, there's more. I just figured we’d start with a few.”

Rainbow gritted her teeth in an attempt to smile, “Believe me, I wasn’t worried.”

Her comment went mostly unnoticed by Twilight who seemed to have chosen a book to start with. “Alright. I think the first thing we should test is how she functions with the real world. Or should I say the living world?” She asked herself before turning to Rainbow “You mentioned that she could pick up objects that weren’t too heavy?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I’d like to see it in action. What type of thing is light enough.. A bit? Or a feather? Or…” The alicorn raised a hoof to her chin in thought.

“How about a page from a book?” Rainbow offered.

“Is that light enou…” Twilight trailed off from her question as she followed Rainbow’s gaze. Her jaw dropped as she saw the page turn by an invisible hoof.

Rainbow Dash took one look at her friend’s horribly shocked face and sighed. 'This is going to be a long night.'