>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…