- >You look down below, the soft glow of torches moving towards the barn.
 - >You want to stay, but you know you couldn’t help much.
 - >Mainly because of this fucking leg.
 - >You grip your knee, trying to soothe the pressure that stems within.
 - >Please say they packed you a bottle of the good stuff.
 - >You reach into your bag, fumbling about with the contents.
 - >Its surprisingly full. You didn’t remember having this much stuff.
 - >You feel the shape of a bottle and pull it out.
 - >Damn, no alcohol this trip… just some painkillers.
 - >Thank fucking Twilight for that.
 - >”Pills here.”
 - >”Excuse me?”
 - “Just a joke, sorry.”
 - >She flies a bit faster leaving Sweet Apple Acres in the… gust?
 - >You swallow three pills rather than the recommended two cause you’re a badass like that.
 - >You rest your head back, the sun setting beneath the clouds.
 - >The clouds radiate a vibrant red-orange, and you don’t mean to sound like a woman or anything.
 - >But it’s one beautiful sight.
 - >A pig-fuckingly large cloud lies ahead of you.
 - >Wait, that’s no cloud, that’s a god damn mansion.
 - “You live *there*?”
 - >”Not up to standard?”
 - “Not up to- Are you kidding? That place is fucking awesome.”
 - >”Rainbow Dash only deserves the best after all.”
 - >You fly in low, getting closer to the entrance way.
 - >She parks the chariot and jumps off taking a deep breath.
 - >”Home sweet home.”
 - >Sweet is the correct term.
 - >You pull out your bag and fling it onto the cloud.
 - >Rainbow catches it in an instant.
 - >”Don’t want to lose your stuff on the first day do you?
 - >You forgot that she didn’t enchant your bag as well.
 - “Thanks. I had already forgotten.”
 - >You’ll have to leave the bag in the chariot.
 - >At least you’ll get some cardio.
 - >You swivel your hips off and touch your feet down on the cushioned floor.
 - >It seems to have worked after all.
 - >You sigh in relief, planting your crutch down as well.
 - “OH SHI-“
 - >Your crutch dives straight through the cloud, pulling you as well.
 - >You fall on your chest, not moving any further.
 - >All you can see is white.
 - >So she enchanted everything but your crutch, that’s nice.
 - >”You alright there?”
 - >You sit up, brushing bits of cloud off of you.
 - “I’m fine, thanks for asking.”
 - >Now how are you going to walk about without the aid of your crutch.
 - >A lightbulb goes off in your head.
 - >You don’t have to lose the crutch.
 - >You grab hold of your sleeve, looking to the floor.
 - “Forgive me Rarity for I have sinned.”
 - >Tearing off the sleeve, you wrap it around the crutch’s tip.
 - >Great success!
 - >You heave yourself up, leaning on the one side.
 - >”Quick thinking there.”
 - “Just who do you think I am?”
 - >”Good job regardless, shall we?”
 - >You follow her up the pathway, the painkillers starting to kick in.
 - >It starts as a subtle itch before filling your body with an even warmth.
 - >It feels good.
 - >You pass through the pillars, whether they’re made of stone or cloud is unknown, but you can take a guess.
 - >Dash closes the door behind you, striding towards the middle.
 - >”So, which part do you want to look at first?”
 - “I think, you, should show me, sleep time.”
 - >She struggles to contain her laughter, “You sure you’re okay?”
 - “Perfect, as, bumble bee.”
 - >Okay, maybe taking three was a bit much.
 - >She catches you as you start to stumble over.
 - >”Let’s go sleepy head, the bedroom’s upstairs.”
 - >You can’t remember much of the trip, but you find yourself in a nice plush bed.
 - >”You sleep tight now, I’ve still got some errands to run.”
 - “Alright mommy.”
 - >You pull the blankets around you and snooze off.
 - >Rainbow giggles before you pass out.
 - >”What a weird guy.”
 - >You wake up refreshed and ready to go.
 - >It’s already morning by the looks of it. How longer were you out?
 - “Rainbow Dash?”
 - >She must be off with her-
 - >You called her mommy.
 - >Jesus Christ Anon, how fucked up were you?
 - >You take your time to explore the house.
 - >The first thing you find the kitchen.
 - >It’s nice and all, and you have no idea how any of the machinery is supposed to work.
 - >Seriously, how the hell does a cloud oven even turn on?
 - >Whatever. You find yourself some fruit in her cloud fridge and take a tangerine from the looks of it.
 - >You keep moving around finding her bathroom, which is surprisingly plain.
 - >She did strike you as a tomboy though, so that could explain it.
 - >She’s got a living room as well, which isn’t more than a couple couches and a window.
 - >Maybe this place isn’t as cool as you thought.
 - >You’ve got the backyard as well, which in her case is the fucking sky.
 - >Still though, it’s got a reasonably large porch and terrace.
 - >The view is outstanding as well.
 - >There’s only one room left, and you’re not particularly thrilled.
 - >Overall the house is pretty norm-
 - “My god…”
 - >You step near the edge, digging your hand in the water.
 - >Or should you say rainbow.
 - “This girl has an indoor swimming pool/waterfall filled with liquid rainbow? How come I never heard of her!?”
 - >Maybe you could, it’s not like she’ll be back anytime soon.
 - >Just one small-
 - >”Like what you see?”
 - “Shit you scared me.”
 - >She laughs, pulling you away.
 - >”Don’t fall dead on me now.”
 - >She cooks you some food, the technical know-how still beyond you.
 - >”Any plans for the day?”
 - >Not really. It’s not even like there’s a lot to do here.
 - >Though you still want to try that Rainbow Pool.
 - “None that come to mind. You?”
 - >”Nah, just gonna try out a few new tricks. Wanna watch?”
 - >Don’t be a douche now, or do, just say yes.
 - “Why not?”
 - >She perks up a little practically pulling you away.
 - >You rest on the terrace, plopping down on a pillow cloud.
 - >Cloud cloud cloud cloud.
 - >”So which do you want, the Rainbow Twist or the Sky Screamer?”
 - “Which one do you think I’ll prefer?”
 - >”No, I meant which one do you want to watch first.”
 - >So she’s going to be like that.
 - >You recline backwards, eyes on the sky.
 - “Surprise me.”
 - >She dashes, heh, dash… into the sky.
 - >All you have to do is lie back and enjoy.
 - >She pulls off some pretty interesting stuff, but nothing mind-boggling.
 - >You enjoyed it when she turned an ordinary cloud into a tornado.
 - >Otherwise it’s basically just her doing loops and flying fast.
 - >You never got into NASCAR.
 - >Before long she tires herself out, the sun setting on the horizon.
 - >”That was a workout alright. With you here I can try out all my new tricks.”
 - “Can’t wait.”
 - >”Is that sarcasm I just heard?”
 - “Me? Nah it must’ve been someone else.”
 - >She just laughs to herself.
 - >”Well come on in, we better head to bed.”
 - “Mind if I stay out here for a bit longer?”
 - >”Not at all.”
 - >You move to stand up, your right leg practically igniting.
 - “Shit!”
 - >”Did you take your medicine today?”
 - >”Not yet. Dammit!”
 - >She bursts off, returning and popping the pills in your mouth.
 - >”You really shouldn’t forget about these.”
 - “Phew… I won’t, thanks.”
 - >She leaves you on the terrace.
 - >You rest you leg on the makeshift sofa and let your other dangle off.
 - >You do a few curls to test your limits.
 - >The painkillers act fast, and you work on your other leg.
 - >It’s still plenty painful, but progress isn’t easy.
 - >When you’re done with your little exercise you wrap yourself up with some of dat cloud.
 - >Feels all soft and shit man.
 - >You could probably just fall right asleep on-
 - >Rainbow’s house is the perfect place to just relax.
 - >Nice view, comfortable ‘furniture’, just an overall peaceful place to live.
 - >Not that you can do that though.
 - >You spend your time exercising as much as you can.
 - >You’ll never be able to achieve the form you had before, but damn if you aren’t going to try.
 - >Upper body was easy, the lower half was the problem.
 - >That piece of shrapnel in your knee is a constant reminder of just how weak you had become.
 - >And you’re going to be better for that reminder.
 - >You clench your teeth, sweat dripping down your neck.
 - “37…38… 39…”
 - >Your leg falls limp to the floor.
 - >40 isn’t a bad number for now.
 - >You pop a few pills and move back inside.
 - >”Working hard I see.”
 - >You merely nod and get some food from the kitchen.
 - >Sitting down on the couch you exhale deeply.
 - >This shit is exhausting.
 - >She opens her mouth to speak, but you silence her with your own.
 - “Yes I do have plans today.”
 - >You can see the disappointment in her eyes.
 - >She tries to talk again.
 - “No, I won’t change them.”
 - >”Well fine then.”
 - “Sorry RD, but I don’t have time to just watch you.”
 - >”You have to do something besides working out; it’s not good for you.”
 - “Do you see the irony here?”
 - >”For buck sakes do something else with your time.”
 - “I would, but *someone* won’t let me use their pool.”
 - >”If I let one person use it, everyone will want to use it.”
 - “I’m not going to debate this. I need to work on my strength.”
 - >”At least let me give you another option.”
 - “I told you-“
 - >”Not the tricks. Just… wait here.”
 - >She flies out of the room, leaving a trail of cloud particles behind.
 - >You just sigh and lean back.
 - >Relaxing is what you need right now.
 - >”Heads up!”
 - >You look just in time to catch a bulky blur coming at your face.
 - >The object collides with your head and falls to the floor.
 - >You grip the side of your head, already feeling the bump begin to grow.
 - >”You got it?”
 - “You could say that,” you chuckle, still in a fair amount of pain.
 - >She strides back in, quizzically looking over you.
 - >”Why’d you drop it?”
 - “Why’d you throw it?”
 - >She plops down next to you.
 - >”I thought you’d catch it. You need to work on those reflexes.”
 - >She presses on the bump with her hoof.
 - “Aah please don’t do that.”
 - >”Just let me get some ice.”
 - “You have ice up here?”
 - >”We will in a minute.”
 - >She leaves you once again to nurse your bump.
 - >A brush of air hits you, likely form whatever the hell she’s doing.
 - >You pick up the book and put it in your lap.
 - >The room gets chillier.
 - >The walls begin to solidify further, an icy coating layering them.
 - >You look at the book and can’t help but smile.
 - >It’s been a while since you read this.
 - >”I hope you like the cold,” Rainbow says as she comes back in, “It’s the only way to get some ice.”
 - >She sits next to you.
 - >”What’s with the grin?”
 - “What? Oh, it’s nothing.”
 - >You flip open the book and begin to read.
 - “An, acquaintance, of mine read this to me some time ago.”
 - >”I mean, it’s an alright book and all.”
 - “The thought was what mattered, even if the prick did almost kill me.”
 - >”So it’s *that* type of acquaintance.”
 - “At least he tried to make amends for his actions. I can’t remember when the last time anyone did that back home.”
 - >”You mean Los Pegasus?”
 - >You lightly chuckle, closing the book.
 - “Not exactly.”
 - >”Want to talk about it?”
 - “Another time, maybe. Another time.”
 - >You make it a habit to read more of the Daring Do books again.
 - >You didn’t pay attention the first couple of books, and now you get a chance to read them over again.
 - >Rainbow Dash left that night to visit her friends.
 - >It was Nightmare Night, and she had some folks to scare.
 - >Apparently it’s something like Halloween, but not really.
 - >They sacrifice their candy to Nightmare Moon so she doesn’t eat them.
 - >Sounds like something straight from some children’s show.
 - >But whatever, it gives you a bit more alone time.
 - >A series of knocks echoes through the house.
 - >You get up from your seat and grab onto your crutch.
 - >Limping your way to the door, you look through a eye-sized hole in the door.
 - >It seems to be just a couple of kids.
 - >They probably want some candy.
 - >Dash told you this might happen, so she gave you a little bowl.
 - >You were hoping to have that to yourself, but you know what Pinkie says.
 - >You gotta share...
 - >You miss that mare.
 - >Bowl in hand, you open the door, earning a few shocked gasps from the kids.
 - >”What are you supposed to be?”
 - “I’m a uhh- medical patient.”
 - >”Why are you so tall?”
 - “I ate my vegetables as a kid. What’s it to ya?”
 - >They just stand there.
 - >You really don’t have time for this.
 - “You want candy or not?”
 - >They nod, mouths agape.
 - >Fucking kids…
 - >You deposit some candy in each of their bags.
 - “Have a good night kids. Stay safe.”
 - >”We will…”
 - >You shut the door, popping a pill into your mouth.
 - >Seems like the pain is always going to be there.
 - >A welcome friend in your life.
 - >You can hear the voices of the children as they fly off.
 - >”Did you see that bro? He was all big and stuff! He was weird.”
 - >Your heart sinks a little at that last part.
 - >Stay strong and keep your chin up.
 - >They’re just kids.
 - >You find your way back to the sofa, starting off your exercises.
 - “17, 18, 19, 20…”
 - >Another burst of knocks hits you.
 - >More kids… how fun.
 - >The knocks get louder and louder as you get closer.
 - “I’m coming, I’m coming. Hold your horses.”
 - >You open the door, an older but still young Pegasus there.
 - >”Wow you really are weird looking.”
 - “Didn’t know I was a mirror.”
 - >You shut the door, not even bothering to give him any candy.
 - >Little bastard didn’t deserve any.
 - >Now back to your excercises.
 - “45, 46… 47.”
 - >Someone knocks heavily on the door.
 - “Come on!”
 - >You power-limp over to the door, swinging it open.
 - >”Whoa, you’re ugly.”
 - >It’s a teenage looking Pegasus, probably about 17 if you had to guess.
 - “Aren’t you a bit old for Nightmare Night?”
 - >”Those kids weren’t kidding.”
 - >You slam the door in his face and get back to the couch.
 - >You breathe in and out, venting your anger.
 - >Keep it calm, just continue your workout.
 - “52, 53, 54.”
 - >”Look at his arms, he’s all limby.”
 - >”Shut up, he’ll hear you.”
 - >You look over to the terrace, the kids staring at your from outside.
 - >You stand up and move over to the entrance.
 - “Go away.”
 - >You pull the clouds shut, but that doesn’t stop them.
 - >”What’s the matter? You a filly or something?”
 - “Just go away…”
 - >”Filly freak, filly freak, stay indoors. Don’t go out with a face like yours.”
 - >The others join in, “Filly freak, filly freak, stay indoors. Don’t go out with a face like yours.”
 - >You laugh it off in hopes that they stop.
 - >But they don’t. They just circle the house chanting that stupid sentence.
 - >All you wanted was some rest. That’s all you wanted.
 - >You try to finish your exercises, losing count amidst their yelling.
 - >You try to read more Daring Do, unable to finish a sentence.
 - >Sleep escapes you; all you can hear anymore are their voices.
 - >You grip your ears painfully, trying to drown out the voices.
 - >Nothing works…
 - >You want to… No Anon. Stop it.
 - >Hurt them, squeeze the life out of their necks, clip their wings.
 - >It would be so good…
 - >They’ll pay for angering Anon, you’ll make them.
 - >You sigh, unclenching your fist.
 - >Not anymore.
 - >You walk outside, the kids chanting.
 - “I think it’d be best for you kids to go home now.”
 - >”We aren’t afraid of you. You can’t even fly.”
 - “Oh, but I can reach you still.”
 - >”You- You’re bluffing.”
 - >You shrug your shoulders and laugh.
 - “I guess you’ll just have to find out the hard way.”
 - >You close your eyes and flex your muscles, growling louder and louder.
 - >”BUCK ME!”
 - >They fly away in a hurry, allowing you to relax.
 - >”What a couple of fillies.”
 - >Rainbow lands next to you.
 - >”You ok?”
 - “You know the answer to that.”
 - >You go back inside and move to the bedroom.
 - >Sitting on the bed, you catch a glimpse of Dash’s costume.
 - “What the hell are you wearing?”
 - >”Like it? I personally thought last years costume was better, but I can’t complain.”
 - >You’d seen that thing before, but it suited her better.
 - “I’m surprised you didn’t just go as yourself.”
 - >”It was close, but this one won out.”
 - >She slips out off her costume, placing the purple hat on your head.
 - >”It suits you.”
 - >She chuckles and flops on the bed.
 - >You pick up her costume, the sight taking you back to that night.
 - >Your body weak and vulnerable…
 - >The pounding on your chest.
 - >You grip your chest for good measure, just in case.
 - ”So who is the Mysterious Mare Do Well?”
 - >”You going to try and hunt her down?”
 - “Her?”
 - >She facehoofs.
 - >”You seriously thought she was a guy? It’s in her name, Mare.”
 - >Well, that makes sense, but if he’s a she…
 - “Are there more than one?”
 - >”Well you get the occasional copy cat, but no one stands up to the original.”
 - >You’re surprised she didn’t take on, ‘except for me.’
 - >She doesn’t even sound envious.
 - “Why’s that?”
 - >”Most do what she did for fame, but that wasn’t her purpose. She wanted to teach a valuable lesson to a p0ny.
 - “She sounds like she was something.”
 - >”She was. She taught me to do what’s right, not for glory or to be adored by, but just for doing what needs to be done. She was a true hero.”
 - “Sounds a lot like someone I know.”
 - >”Or knew.”
 - >Indeed.
 - >You gasp for air as you breach the surface.
 - >”Enjoying yourself.”
 - “More than you’d know.”
 - >You backstroke to the edge, getting a feel for things.
 - >”Make sure to stay on the surface. Wouldn’t want you plummeting to your death now.”
 - “Pretty sure that’s bad.”
 - >She lays out the towel on the floor.
 - >You climb aboard and dry yourself off.
 - “I haven’t swum in years. Feels good man.”
 - >You slip on your shoes and walk to the door, picking up your crutch on the way out.
 - >”Seems you’ve made some progress.”
 - >You can feel the pain coming back and start using the crutch again.
 - “If only I could get this piece of shit out of my leg.”
 - >You join her out on the terrace.
 - “In a few more days I’ll be as good as new, except for the leg.”
 - >”And what then? Plan on sticking around?”
 - >You recall the day Twilight took you out of that hospital.
 - >Three rules to follow. You only cared about the last one now.
 - “I have a promise to keep.”
 - >”You can’t just up and leave like that. What’ll everyp0ny think?”
 - “Twilight made me promise that when I got better that I’d leave.”
 - >”But what about Fluttershy, Twilight, Pinkie Pie and the others?”
 - “A promise is a promise. I won’t go back on my word. They held up their end of the bargain, and so will I.”
 - >”After all we did for you-“
 - “Don’t think that I want to go anymore. I’ve grown a bit attached to your little town, thugs and all.”
 - >”Then…”
 - “I leave because I must. I’m doing what’s best for everyone.”
 - >She bows her head in silence.
 - >You two just sit there for a spell.
 - >She breaks the silence first.
 - >”Before you leave, do you think I can show you something?”
 - “Shoot?”
 - >”One last trick, I… haven’t shown it to you yet.”
 - >You nod.
 - >”Just… nevermind.”
 - >She takes off into the sky.
 - >You almost felt… sadness.
 - >She ascends to an impossible height, before looking back down at you.
 - >You only need to nod for her to begin.
 - >She zooms full speed towards the ground.
 - >The very air slices in two at her ferocity.
 - >You didn’t know going fast was a trick.
 - >When you think she’s going to stop or turn she doesn’t.
 - >She just keeps going.
 - >A sharp whistle builds up almost making you cringe.
 - >You can see the air pushing out from in front of her.
 - >You sense something that you haven’t felt in a long time.
 - >About six months past.
 - >The air cracks before her as she reaches her peak.
 - >Your eyes go wide as you realize what’s happening.
 - >Her speed increases ten fold, a rainbow bursting through the air.
 - >That sound…
 - >That effect…
 - >It was her.
 - >It was her all along.
 - >She touches down on the other side of the terrace.
 - >She doesn’t look at you.
 - >”Now you know…”
 - >She walks through the door, “I don’t expect you to forgive me, but for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
 - >She’s gone.
 - >It… it can’t be her.
 - >It just can’t.
 - >The more you try and disprove it, the more you have to accept it.
 - >It all fits.
 - >The Daring Do books, the costume, that ‘trick.’
 - >It was always her.
 - >You stand up, moving back into the house.
 - >Rainbow is waiting for you.
 - >”I guess my time is up then.”
 - “That’s one way of putting it.”
 - >”I won’t fight back.”
 - “I know.”
 - >You walk towards her, her eyes shut.
 - >”Just make it quick will you.”
 - “I don’t think so.”
 - >You throw down your crutch.
 - “I waited a long time for this moment.”
 - >”I’m sorry.”
 - “Don’t be.”
 - >You wrap your arms around her and hold.
 - >You place your head on her neck.
 - >Too long you wanted to do this.
 - >No more.
 - “Thank you.”
 - >”W-wha?”
 - >You stifle a few tears, holding her tight.
 - “I said thank you.”
 - >”I- don’t understand.”
 - “Silly Rainbow Dash.”
 - >”I thought you hated me.”
 - >Hate her?
 - “You gave me what no one else could. A second chance, a chance to change. How could I hate you?”
 - >”I hurt you. I caused your suffering.”
 - “And you caused my revival.”
 - >You release her, a steady flow of tears escaping her.
 - “How about some dinner?”
 - >She wipes the tears off her face.
 - >”You going to help you lazy bastard?”
 - >You chuckle and lead her off towards the kitchen.
 - “If it’ll make your food taste better.”
 - >She punches you in the arm, joining you in a laugh.
 - >”I’m glad you’re here Anon.”
 - “And I’m glad that you’re glad.”
 - >That night over dinner you had a nice conversation.
 - >She told you more about herself and her friends.
 - >She told you about how they stopped eternal night when they defeated Nightmare Moon.
 - >You were astounded with their defeat of the chaos god Discord.
 - >Their conflict with the changelings and how Queen Chrysalis was defeated.
 - >They solved problems big and small with only each other.
 - >They didn’t need a strong arm or powerful weapon.
 - >All they needed was their friendship to get them through.
 - >They were what you should have been.
 - “I came here looking for adventure y’know. I wanted that monumental battle with a balrog atop the peak of Zirakzigil. I could die easy then.”
 - >”This must’ve been quite disappointing then.”
 - “At the start it was to be sure, but now that I think about it, my dream was never going to come true.”
 - >”You have another chance now. You can get back out there.”
 - “No, not even if I wanted to. Besides, it seems all the good adventures have been taken.”
 - >”Now Anon, we didn’t-“
 - “You did what you had to do, not for fame or glory, but to teach the world a lesson. You and your friends taught me that lesson. You are the only adventurers Equestria needs. I can die easy knowing that.”
 - >She sets down her plate, wiping it off on the cloud.
 - >”So where are you going to go?”
 - “I don’t know. I might drift from town to town. Might see what’s up in the griffon kingdoms. So much I could do.”
 - >”You sure you don’t want to stay?”
 - “Want. Can’t.”
 - >She nods in understanding.
 - “Los Pegasus… I think I’ll settle down there. I heard they still had work there.”
 - >”Will you ever come back?”
 - “Let’s head to bed Dash.”
 - >You set your stuff in the chariot, the pegasi impatient.
 - >”Twilight pulled some strings with the princess, so you should be safe on the way there.”
 - “Be sure to thank her for me.”
 - >”Last chance Anon.”
 - >You give her a brief hug and board the chariot.
 - >”Do you want me to tell them anything?”
 - >You think long and hard about it.
 - “Tell them to let go.”
 - >”It was nice knowing you Anon.”
 - “Goodbye Rainbow Dash.”
 - >Goodbye Ponyville…
 

