Dash's Darkest Hour

As Rainbow Dash had opted to patrol today, Twilight had to break up the teams a little differently this time around. Spike was teamed up with Applejack while Fluttershy went to get Rainbow Dash, who oddly didn't show up at the library. Twilight was concerned, but she couldn't be too worried about Dash as she had other problems to deal with.

Like spending the entire day with Rarity.

They were silent for most of the walk to the Orphanage, and remained as such for a long while keeping an eye on the building. Understandably, it wasn't Twilight who broke that silence.

“Rainbow Dash has a personal reason for being so invested in this place, doesn't she?” Rarity asked.

“It isn't my place to say,” Twilight said, “She's my friend, so I'm not going to betray her trust.”

“You don't have to,” Rarity said, “I sort of figured out what was going on. I wonder if this has anything to do with her magic being blocked.”

“What do you mean by that?” Twilight asked, finally turning to the mare sitting next to her.

“For some reason she's not able to release her magic,” Rarity said, “She keeps it confined within herself. I've been trying to figure out what's holding her back for the longest.”

“Really? I thought the main thing on your mind was screwing Spike,” Twilight said harshly. Rarity turned to Twilight with a smirk.

“I'm a mature lady,” Rarity said, “I'm not thinking about Spike 24/7. Also, whenever he and I get together we tend to discuss things concerning the team. But I'm curious Twilight,” Rarity adjusted herself so she was leaning on her side and resting her head on her hoof, “Does it bother you… the idea of me and Spike having sex?”

Twilight frowned at Rarity, “Not at all. After all, I'm the most important mare in Spike's life.”

Rarity giggled, “You're so cute Twilight. I just love how innocent you are, thinking that you have the advantage in our little game.”

“Game…?” Twilight asked, not sure if she liked where this was going.

“You're not fooling me, Twilight. I see how you look at him, the way you say his name, how clingy you are with him. To anyone else, they may think that you and Spike are just good friends, but I know. You want him, Twilight.”

“If you know that, then why…?” Twilight asked, her heart racing as Rarity lied on her back in a manner like she was presenting herself.

“Because I want Spike too,” Rarity said, “I've become quite attached to Spike, you see. He makes me feel special, and I like being special. I just figured it was time you and I finally came out in the open about our feelings, for Spike and each other.”

Twilight was seeing red again. This mare was intolerable. What was this “Aurora” thinking in making her the Element of Generosity? Still, she had to stake her claim to Spike. She wasn't going to let this “unicorn” win.

“Well, since we're speaking out in the open then,” Twilight said taking a deep breath, “You can't have him. Spike is-”

Rarity cut Twilight off by laughing out loud, “Oh that is so adorable! You actually think that's going to stop me from pursuing him?” Rarity sat up and looked at Twilight with a dangerous smirk, “You may be the Chosen Pony, and you may be team Captain, but you are not the boss of me outside of labyrinths and nightmare hunting.”

“You're not going to take him,” Twilight said adamantly, “You've only known Spike for a week. Spike and I have been together for years.”

“Ooh, I'm so scared,” Rarity taunted, “Darling, you have to wake up and realize that this isn't a fairy tale.”

“What does that mean?” Twilight asked as Rarity stood up and sauntered off a bit before speaking again.

“This isn't a children story where the delicate wallflower gets the boy for being pure and chaste,” Rarity explained, “You're cute, Twilight, but that's it. Cute. I'm a grown mare, and I showed him that.”

“By spreading your legs for him?” Twilight asked harshly, “Spike's too good of a person to fall for someone just for that.”

“You give Spike too much credit,” Rarity said, “Spike is a great guy, don't get me wrong, and you're right that it would take more than me sleeping with him to make him love me,” Rarity turned and walked back over to Twilight, “But sex is a nice way to seal the deal and make up for the “advantage” you have.

“You see Twilight, I already knew you were counting on your history with Spike, but that's not going to cut it forever. Spike could easily see you as his little sister, but he'll have no choice but to see me as a potential love interest.”

“You don't love him,” Twilight said getting in Rarity's face, “You can't possibly love him. You just met him a few days ago.”

“It doesn't take much to fall in love,” Rarity said, “But if you must know, I'm not sure how I completely feel for him. All I know is that he's important to me, and he's not someone I really want to live without anymore. He makes me feel special. You know what I mean, right?”

Yeah, she knew exactly what Rarity meant. Spike made Twilight feel special all the time. That was just the kind of person he was. Back in Canterlot, almost every mare at school swooned over Spike, but none of them stood a chance. In the end, Spike always put Twilight first, and none of them ever approached Spike too much.

But Rarity was different. She was older, and wasn't just infatuated with Spike. She actually wanted Spike, and had every intention of getting him. She had fallen the same way every unicorn who saw Spike did, only she had the means to actually take him.

“I'm not going to let you take Spike from me,” Twilight said, “I actually love him, and I'd give my life to him ten times over.”

“As wonderful as that is Twilight, there's one little problem,” Rarity said walking past Twilight. She then lightly flicked Twilight with her tail, making Twilight immediately recoil and fall back, “You can't give Spike everything that I can.”

Realizing what Rarity was implying, she wanted to haul off and slap her, but what if she was right? She and Spike were clearly intimate. Was that actually important in a relationship? If that was the case, what chance did she really have against…

No! She wasn't going to let this mare get under her skin! Rarity was sexy, and she was powerful, but in the end she was just a floozie after Spike's heart like all the ponies in Canterlot. Twilight didn't lose to them, and she wasn't about to lose to Rarity either.

“I'm not intimidated by you,” Twilight said, “Sure, you can sleep with Spike all you want. In fact, I don't care what you and Spike do. Spike, for some reason really likes you, so I trust Spike. But Spike is mine, Rarity. I'm not asking you to back off, because I know you won't. I'm telling you that you're not going to take Spike away from me. If you're determined to see this as a game, then fine, I'm playing. But I'm playing to win.”

Rarity closed her eyes and smiled softly, “That's what I wanted to hear, Twilight. Then by all means, let the games begin.”

Rarity turned her attention back to the Orphanage and left it at that. If Twilight didn't know better, Rarity almost looked relieved for some reason. It didn't matter though. She wasn't about to lose to this cheap slut.

Spike was hers, and Rarity was going to learn that before Nightmare Night.

Rainbow Dash guided Scootaloo all through the shopping district and the residential area. Since she needed to keep comparing every pony they saw to the picture, she was actually sitting on Rainbow Dash's back as she walked.

Geez, if I had known she would have gotten so strung out, I… who am I kidding? I would have still done it.

Even though they hadn't seen any sign of who they were searching for, Scootaloo hadn't given up hope. In all the years Dash had seen Scootaloo, she had never seen her look so determined and full of life.

“See anything, kid?” Dash asked.

“Nuh uh,” Scootaloo said shaking her head, “I don't think my Mom is any of these ponies.”

“Ya wanna take a break for a bit?” Dash asked.

“Yeah, I think we should. Could we go to the park?” Scootaloo requested.

“Sure,” Dash said with a soft smile, “I'll fly us there.”

Dash took to the skies, careful to not drop Scootaloo, but she made sure that the ride was exciting. Hearing the little filly laugh in excitement was worth it for Dash.

When they arrived in the park, they were pleased to see that the park was pretty much deserted. Scootaloo jumped off Dash's back and sat down on the grass looking at the drawing. Rainbow Dash knelt down next to Scootaloo and instinctively wrapped her wing around Scootaloo, who immediately looked up at Dash with a raised eyebrow.

“Um, Dash? Not that I mind you being so close to me, but…?”

“Oh um, sorry,” Rainbow Dash said immediately folding her wing and looking away slightly. Scootaloo shrugged and put her focus back on the picture, running her hoof on the picture with a loving smile.

“Mom…” Scootaloo said softly.

“You… really believe in your mom now, huh?” Dash asked.

“Truth is, I feel like a part of me always believed in her,” Scootaloo admitted, “The nuns at the Orphanage gave me a key chain that belonged to her, and they said that she wanted me to have it. I always felt like she loved me, but Diamond Tiara got to me a little…”

“Well, your Mom isn't in your life right now,” Dash said sadly, “It's understandable that you would lose faith in her a little.”

“Thing is, I felt guilty.”

“Guilty?” Dash asked, “W-why?”

“Because I knew better,” Scootaloo said, “I let Diamond Tiara get to me, and for a split second I thought that my mom threw me away, but you reminded me that my mother loved me. Then the following night I actually see my mother? She wants to be in my life, Dash, and I want to be in hers.”

“She… might not be as amazing as you think she is,” Dash said somberly, “She might just be afraid, you know?”

“Afraid?” Scootaloo asked, “Of what?”

“Well, think about it,” Dash continued, “She hasn't been in your life for seven years. She may have had a reason to leave you before, but when she came back she saw that you had grown up without her, and she was ashamed of not being there for you. Once again, I'm not saying that she's not an alicorn or that you didn't see her two nights ago, but you might be giving her too much credit.”

“Even if she's afraid,” Scootaloo said, “I know that she's an amazing pony. She'd have to be to become an alicorn. I bet she's the kindest, most loyal pony in the world.”

That killed Rainbow Dash, who could barely keep herself together. She closed her eyes and turned away from Scootaloo, hiding her tears.

“Dash?” Scootaloo asked, “Are you okay…?”

“Y-yeah...” Dash said wiping her eyes, “Just thinking a bit about what happened to me earlier.”

“You mean the friend that betrayed you?” Scootaloo asked, “He's a dick for hurting you,” Scootaloo snuggled up next to Dash, “I'm still hear though, right?”

“You are...” Dash said, “Scootaloo, this is going to sound really odd, but… I love you, kid.”

Scootaloo looked up at Dash wide eyed, “That… was random.”

“I know, I know, but I'm serious. You're a great kid, and well, the truth is… I-” a sudden sense of dread came over her, like something was close by looking right at them, “No… no… NO!”

“Dash? Are you okay?” Scootaloo asked suddenly.

“We have to get out of this park!” Dash said suddenly standing up.

“What are you-”

“Just listen to me!” Dash ordered frantically, “Something dangerous is coming, and I don't-” the area around them was getting wavy, “Goddamn it!”

“Dash…!” Scootaloo said backing up, “What's going on…?”

“Look at me, okay?” Dash said getting in front of Scootaloo and placing her hooves on her shoulders, “SCOOTALOO!!!”

“Y-yeah…?” Scootaloo asked, her focus now on Rainbow Dash.

“I promise, I'm going to protect you, okay?” Dash said, “Nothing is going to hurt you!” Scootaloo nodded, and Dash stood up, closed her eyes, and reached out to everyone.

Hey! Something just drew me into the park! I think its the nightmare! I can't transform right now, so I need you guys to come quick!

I'm on my way!

Fluttershy, who was flying over the east side of Ponyville, turned around to fly in the direction of the park.

Spike an' Ah are on our way!

Applejack turned to Spike, “It's in the park!”

“Let's go then!” Spike said. The two of them ran out of the shopping district and in the direction of the park.

I have Twilight with me. Don't do anything reckless until we get there.

Rarity stood up, “The nightmare found Dash,” she said seriously.

“Where is it?” Twilight asked.

“The park,” Rarity said, “Let's move.”

Twilignt nodded and followed Rarity to Ponyville Park.

After calling the others, Dash lead Scootaloo to one of the ruined buildings in the labyrinth, “Alright, I need you to stay here.”

“W-what are you going to do?” Scootaloo asked. Her question was answered by a loud bird caw.

“Don't worry about it. Just promise me that you're not going to leave this spot, okay?” Dash ordered. Scootaloo reluctantly nodded, and Dash ran out into what appeared to be the town square. Flying overhead was a giant bird monster with fancy red and orange feathers and two red demonic eyes. It's beak was golden, and its talons were actually bladed.

First making sure Scootaloo didn't see her, she shifted into her alicorn state and pointed her horn at the monster. Oddly though, she couldn't even manage as much electricity as usual.

“What the?!” Dash asked, “What's going on with my magic?! I can't-” the nightmare dropped down onto the ground knocking Dash back.

One by one, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Spike, and Twilight all ran into the labyrinth. Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy all transformed into their alicorn forms, and the three of them along with Spike took to the skies. Twilight saw Rainbow Dash lying on the ground and galloped over to her.

“Dash!” Twilight called out, “Dash, are you okay?!”

“Scootaloo…!” Dash said, “Make sure… my daughter… is safe…!”

“Your daughter is…” Twilight asked, turning to the building Dash was pointing to. She ran over to the building and saw Scootaloo trembling behind the building.

“Hey! You're Scootaloo, right?” Twilight asked.

“T-the librarian…?” Scootaloo asked, “W-what's going on?! Where is this place?!”

“That's really complicated,” Twilight said, “Just know that everything is going to be okay,” Twilight ran back out to view the fight, watching the enemy as it moved.

Applejack created large stone spikes out of the ground as the Nightmare flew around, but none of her attacks could reach high enough.

“Damn it! My magic's useless against it!” Applejack fussed.

Rarity tried setting lasers to fire at it, but the nightmare was able to quickly dodge out of the way of all of the attacks before they could hit.

“Shoot! He's too fast for my lasers!” Rarity said.

Spike tried tackling it in the air, but it flew out of the way. He breathed his green fire at it as he flew off, but his flame couldn't reach it from that height.

“Ladies, we have a problem!” Spike said nervously.

Fluttershy flew in the monster's face and for a while matched its attacks using the wind to create blades, but eventually the Nightmare flapped its wings hard knocking her onto the ground.

“Nothing is working…!” Fluttershy said forcing herself to her feet, “Dash! We need your electricity!”

“My… electricity…?”

“It's a flying monster!” Twilight said, “Your magic is the only kind that can hit it while in the air! You have to shoot it!”

Dash nodded and pointed her horn at the nightmare, once again focusing on her horn. Just like always though, the magic was caught within her body, and she was unable to release it. And it still wasn't enough. She knew she could hold a bigger charge than this!

“Come on! Come on!” Dash cried, “Fire the damn spell already!”

“What's goin on with ya?!” Applejack asked, “Why ain't ya firin?!”

“I can't!” Dash cried, tears forming in her eyes, “I can't use my magic! I don't know what's happening to me!”

“Oh Dash…” Fluttershy said somberly. The look on her face said she knew what was wrong, or she at least had an idea.

The Nightmare flew over Dash landing next to the building Scootaloo was hiding behind and knocking Twilight back.

“Twilight!” Spike called out. He flew into the Nightmare's face and breathed fire at it, but it used its wing to knock him into a building.

“SPIKE!!!” Both Twilight and Rarity cried out at the same time. The Nightmare looked at Scootaloo, who was frozen looking up at the beast. The monster slowly reached a talon to grab Scootaloo, who screamed at the top of her lungs.

“MOM!!!”

Something awakened within Dash at that moment, and her entire body charged up with electricity.

“STAY AWAY FROM MY CHILD!!!” Dash screamed, galloping over to the Nightmare.

“Hold on! That's too dangerous!” Fluttershy called out, watching Dash run into the Nightmare. She jumped up, turning into a bolt of lightning and tackling the monster, knocking it back and releasing all of the magic within her body. This attack did major damage to the Nightmare, as it cried out in pain, but the blast also knocked Dash back into a building, knocking her out.

“RAINBOW DASH!!!” everyone screamed in unison. The injured Nightmare flew off, and the labyrinth vanished, returning everything back to normal.

Scootaloo was traumatized, unable to move or process anything. Rarity walked over to her and placed a hoof on her shoulder to get her attention.

“Y-you…!” Scootaloo stuttered, “Y-you're… Sweetie Belle's…”

“Shh…” Rarity shushed, her horn glowing, “There's no need to remember any of this. This was nothing more than a bad dream, alright?”

Scootaloo's eyes glazed over, and she slowly fell to the ground asleep. Rarity then turned to Spike, who was being helped by Twilight.

“I'm fine,” Spike said, “Really Twilight. You don't have to worry.”

“I'm going to worry,” Twilight said, “You're not as resilient as the Elements.”

“Twilight is right,” Rarity said walking over to them, “I'm glad that you're okay, but you need to be more careful.”

Spike sighed, “You're right. I'm sorry for being so reckless.”

“Speakin of reckless,” Applejack said looking down at the still unconscious Rainbow Dash, “Why didn't she fire earlier?”

“That was weird,” Rarity said, “She was struggling way more than before. Did something happen?”

“Actually, something did happen,” Fluttershy said, catching everyone's attention.

“Go on,” Applejack pressed.

“Let's get Rainbow Dash back to her place, I'll tell everyone there,” Fluttershy said.

Spike volunteered to take Scootaloo back to the Orphanage while all the others went to Rainbow Dash's cloud house. Twilight used a spell on herself to stand on clouds, and they took Dash to her room, where Fluttershy finished explaining to everyone what happened.

“The poor thing,” Rarity said, everyone minus Rainbow Dash had reverted back.

“She was so happy yesterday,” Applejack said, “She said that he made her feel loved. That still don't explain what happened to her magic though.”

“Actually, it does,” Twilight said examining Rainbow Dash.

“You're thinking the same thing as me then,” Rarity said. Twilight nodded.

“She was betrayed, which is affecting the flow of her magic,” Twilight said.

“You see,” Rarity continued, “Our alicorn magic is tied to the Elements we represent. As long as we hold true to the meaning of our respective Elements in some way, shape, or form, our magic flows naturally.”

“Ah see,” Applejack said nodding, “But when Soarin cheated on Dash, her view of loyalty was shattered.”

Rarity nodded gravely, “Which is why her magic got so much weaker.”

“So basically, you're saying I'm useless now,” Dash said sadly, still in her alicorn state and sitting up in her bed.

“Not at all,” Twilight said, “You're a part of the team, Dash.”

“Don't lie to me,” Dash said darkly, “You don't want to hurt my feelings, but I know the truth. It was bad enough before, but at least then I could use my magic close quarter. Now, I can't use magic at all. You guys are right. My sense of loyalty has been completely shattered.”

“Dash…” Fluttershy said, “We're sorry about what happened.”

“Yeah, well sorry doesn't fix anything,” Dash said lying back down in her bed and turning to her side, “I wish that stupid bird would turn its beak on Soarin instead of Scootaloo.”

“Dash, ya don't mean that,” Applejack said seriously.

“Don't I?” Dash asked, “I loved him with my whole heart and soul. I wanted us to get married one day. And the bitch he cheated on me with? I gave up my dream, and completely ruined my legal record her. That's the reason I can't get custody of Scootaloo,” Dash stiffened as she closed her eyes and tears of anger flowed, “He promised me that he'd help me get custody one day! But in the end I was just a cheap fuck for him! That's all I ever am to anyone! I hate him… I HATE HIM!!!”

Seeing Dash like this was heart wrenching for everyone there. Besides Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash was probably the nicest one on the team. She was essentially the heart of it, and always saw the good in anypony. Hearing her curse someone's name was devastating.

“Girls,” Twilight said with a sigh, “Let's go.”

“Hold on!” Applejack said, “We can't leave her like this!”

“She was betrayed,” Twilight said evenly, “Not by just anyone either. By ponies she put her absolute faith in. I know exactly how she's feeling right now,” Twilight looked back at Dash as she sobbed into her pillow, “She doesn't need to hear that she should get over it. Right now, the best thing we could do is leave her alone for a bit.”

Rarity sighed and walked out of the room. Fluttershy placed a hoof on Rainbow Dash's back before walking after Rarity. Applejack grimaced, but sighed and left the room, leaving it just Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

“I'm sorry…” Dash sobbed, “I know you're ashamed of me right now…”

“No Dash, I'm not ashamed,” Twilight said, “I went through exactly what you're going through right now. I wouldn't wish this on anypony. Not my worst enemy, let alone my best friend. Take as much time as you need, okay?”

With that, Twilight left the room, leaving the sobbing alicorn to her thoughts, which were getting pretty dark as time went on.

Author's Notes:

Since I finished typing this arc, I'll be posting the remaining chapters of it daily.

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