> The Day Cloudsdale Burned > by Scootaboom1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash When I made my way through the maze Discord had set up I eventually came across Discord himself. He was right there lounging around in a hammock. I challenged him to a hoof fight then and there rearing to go. He let out a yawn in response and asked if I was really as loyal as my element claimed. I scoffed at him and I was loyal to my friends. He then began to chuckle and asked about my loyalty to my home. I told him that I would never betrayed Ponyville which only caused him to laugh at me even more. Then he asked about my other home. I was a little confused and asked what he was talking about and he continued to laugh. When I asked what was so funny he offered to a chance to forfeit and have my wings returned and if I did not I would regret it. When I asked what he meant by that he chuckled and created a image of Cloudsdale as it crumbled. No he wouldn't... No he couldn't... No... I refused to believe it. I refused to accept the offer and Discord glared at me. Before he flashed away. I had no time to wait when I made my way through the maze. I arrived at the center at the same time as the rest of my friends. The Elements were each located on a pedestal in the center of the clearing and after quickly greeting each other we put on our respective elements. When the final one clicked the maze walls sank beneath the ground. I heard a slow clapping from behind me and saw Discord floating there with a smug grin, complementing us. We readied the elements and fired the rainbow laser at him only for it to do nothing. We were shocked as Discord laughed saying that the elements would no longer work now that one of the bearers had betrayed their element. No... No... No... Was it my fault? Discord let out an evil laugh and said that it was time to hold to his promise before moving to the side revealing Cloudsdale. No... No... No... One of my friends asked me what Discord was talking about, but I was not sure who, probably Applejack I think. Then Discord snapped... "NO!" I screamed. Cloudsdale was engulfed in fire as in crumbled. I ran straight for it from the open grass field, but no matter how fast I ran I could never get any closer. Despite how far away I was from the city I could hear the sound of the city as it crumbled. And the screams... The screams... I could clearly see all the pony I knew from Cloudsdale as they fell to the ground burning. The splatting and crunching as they hit the ground. Mom, Dad, the Wonder Bolts, Gilda, Scootaloo, the other crusaders Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were falling too. And many others... They were begging and pleading for me to save them but I was not going to be able to reach them. Flying next to me were my friends each with a familiar pair of cyan wings. They were angry with me. I betrayed them... I betrayed Cloudsdale... I betrayed Equestria. Eventually my legs gave out and I collapsed to the ground crying as my friends told me how much they hated me. I woke up from my nightmare soaked in sweat with tear filled eyes. As I curled up to continue crying a flash drew my attention somewhat. A large body laid next to me wrapping me in a wing. The familiar voice of Princess Luna said to let it all out. Princess Luna apologized for not being able to stop the nightmare. It had been a busy night and by the time she noticed I was already waking up. It was okay and I didn't hold it against her. I continued to cry into her and she told me that it had been quite a while since I had that nightmare. Princess Luna said that I should probably talk about it with one of my friends. She was probably right... No... I knew that she was right. I could not keep going on like this, but I did not want to bother any of them with this problem. Especially now... Princess Luna sighed and looked me in the eyes. She said that if I continued to put it off she would talk to them herself. I sighed and said that I had never planned to put it off for so long but when Fluttershy befriended Discord it became harder. And when the rest of us started to finally start to get along with he it became even harder. Princess Luna said nothing for a while before she sighed and then made a humming sound as though she had thought of something. When I asked what she had thought up she suggested that I go speak to Discord. I suppose that she was right about that and since tomorrow was Tuesday I knew where I could find him. When morning finally came I did my normal morning routine before I left heading towards Fluttershys' cottage. When I arrived in front of the cottage I took several deep breaths before pounding on the door repeatedly while calling out for Fluttershy. When the door opened I saw Fluttershy and behind her a slightly annoyed Discord. I gulped and said that I needed to talk to Discord... Alone... Fluttershy was a little confused and Discord asked if it could wait. I said that it could before I flew off. Some time later Discord appeared behind me and commented that I had ruined the mood before asking what I had wanted. I took a deep breath and sighed before I explained the recurring nightmare I had been having. One of Discords' eye brows raised it was out of view before a new one grew. Discord asked me why I was so bothered by a choice I didn't even pick. To be honest it was a little embarrassing but still. Discord let out a sigh and said that since the outcome would have resulted in the end he would have not had any reason to follow through and actually destroy Cloudsdale. I wouldn't say that it made me feel better but I did feel lighter. Discord also pulled a cloud out of my ear and ate it. When I asked what he did he said to not worry about it. I guess that at this point any time will tell if I will have to nightmare again.