Adventure Anon: Chapter 8 (Rainbow Revelation)

>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…