Chapter 4: Gone
…Six months later…
Snow was falling outside. The wind was ice cold. Hearth's Warming was only a few days away. Rainbow Dash had taken Scootaloo shopping. Harmonic and Atmospheric had stayed behind. A grim reality was setting in for both of them. They didn't have much time left.
"Atmospheric?"
"Yeah?"
"I can feel it creeping up on us like a shadow."
"I feel it too. We'll be gone soon."
"Are you scared?"
"No. Are you?"
"Not really. I just wish it didn't have to be this way."
"I know. We just have to accept what we can't change."
"Do you think Scootaloo will be okay?"
"I believe she will."
"I want to make a song for her."
"I think that would be the best thing you could give to her."
"Let's go record it now. I don't want to write anything down."
Atmospheric nodded and they both headed upstairs.
Scootaloo and Rainbow dash were walking through the aisles of the store. This place was huge. It was even bigger than town hall. They were having a conversation about the changes that had taken place over the last six months.
"So Scoots, what's been up on your end?"
"I've just been at home with dad mostly."
"Since when did you start calling him dad?"
"I don't know. It just kind of happened. I guess I got so used to him taking care of me that I started calling him dad."
"I gotcha'. He been helping you with flying practice too?"
"Yeah."
"Cool."
"He seems a little different than he used to be though."
"Different? What do ya' mean?"
"He's a lot quieter now. He doesn't say anything unless someone talks to him. Atmospheric is like that now too."
"Sometimes ponies like a little quiet. No harm in that."
"You're probably right. It's a little scary sometimes though."
"Don't worry about it. He'll be back to his old self at some point."
"What about you Rainbow Dash? Anything new?"
"Not really. Just been doing some reading."
"Yeah. I guess it's a little cold to fly outside right now."
"Yep. By the way scoots, I think you need a haircut. Your mane is starting to grow over your eyes."
"I don't really want a haircut Rainbow Dash. I kind of like it. It makes me look more mysterious."
"Really?"
"Mhm."
"Whatever you say, kid."
"By the way, are you going to be at the Hearth's Warming Eve party at town hall?"
"Yeah. You guys goin'?"
"I think so."
"Sweet. I guess that's where I'll see you next. I'm not doin' anything else until then."
"Neither am I."
The two continued talking as they walked through the aisles. Meanwhile, Harmonic and Atmospheric had finished recording.
"May god have mercy on our souls."
Atmospheric had nothing to say in response. Harmonic turned towards her.
"Let's make the party at town hall as memorable for her as we can."
Atmospheric nodded, and they both went quiet. Several hours later, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo returned to Harmonic's house.
"Thanks for taking her out. It meant a lot to her and us," Harmonic told Rainbow Dash.
"No problem."
"I guess we'll see you at the party then?"
"Yeah. It's gonna' be awesome!"
Rainbow Dash turned to head home, but stopped and turned back around, her look more serious and concerned than before.
"Hey can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Scoots said you've been kind of quiet lately. Is everything okay?"
"I'm sorry. I've had a lot on my mind for a few months now."
"It's cool. I was wondering what was up is all."
"Listen. I'm going to need to speak with you at the party. There's something I need to ask you."
Rainbow felt uneasy, but courteously replied and left. After she left, Harmonic turned to Scootaloo.
"Sweetie, come here."
"What's up dad?"
Harmonic wrapped Scootaloo in a tight embrace. Tears were welling up in his eyes.
"I'm so sorry. I know I haven't been the most attentive father lately. Just know I love you with all my heart, and I'll spend the rest of our time together making it right."
Atmospheric watched as the scene played out before her. She smiled. This was the uplifting spirit that dwelled within her and Harmonic at work, and she knew it.
…December 24th, the night of the party…
"Hey guys! You made it," Rainbow Dash said with a smile.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Harmonic replied.
"Hey Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said with joy.
"Hey squirt. How's it hangin'?"
"It's going good!"
"Glad to hear it."
"Scootaloo," Harmonic interjected, "I need to talk to Rainbow Dash alone for a minute. Wait here for me or Atmospheric, okay sweetie?"
"Okay dad."
"Let's go outside Rainbow."
"Alright."
Harmonic and Rainbow went outside of town hall.
"I want you to listen very closely to what I'm about to tell you."
"I'm listening."
"I and Atmospheric won't be here much longer."
"Why?"
"It's not our choice. It just kind of worked out that way."
"What about the kid? That's your daughter in there, right?"
"Blood relation or not, that little girl brought me back from the edge of despair. She will always be family to me."
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Over the course of time we've been together, I've come to realize how much she cares about you."
"Me?"
"That's right. You were the one she looked up to the most."
"Why me, though?"
"I dunno. Guess you always seemed strong and determined to her, and she admired that."
"Wait…What are you getting at anyway?"
"Scootaloo can't come with us where we're going. I want you to take her in."
"What!?"
"That's right. I believe you can do it."
"But…I've never taken care of a filly before."
"Lots of parents would tell you it's about helping them with homework and taking care of them, but it goes beyond that."
"Beyond?"
"I've come to learn the secret of caring for others. Love unconditionally. That's what she needs. I know you're more than capable of giving unconditional love to her."
"How could you possibly know that when we barely know each other?"
"Easy. Underneath that tough attitude lies a heart of gold. The older I got, the easier it was for me to see through outward appearances."
"…"
"Just take some time to think it over, okay? I need to get back inside. I have a transgression to atone for now."
Harmonic went back inside town hall, leaving Rainbow confused.
"How could he put so much faith in me? I don't get it."
Rainbow snapped herself out of it. She needed to get back inside too. It was cold out.
After the party was over, Harmonic, Atmospheric, Scootaloo, and Rainbow Dash all left together. They were laughing their flanks off, and Scootaloo was riding on Harmonic's back. Once they reached Harmonic's house, Atmospheric and Scootaloo went inside. Harmonic stayed behind briefly to say one more thing to Rainbow Dash.
"Hey, before you go, I have one more thing to tell you?"
"…What is it?"
"I believe in you, even if you find it hard to believe in yourself right now."
With that, Harmonic went inside as well. Rainbow was feeling highly emotional at this point. Something felt like it was stirring; something that felt like it had been there all along, but had been lying dormant up until now. She headed home with a new determination. She had been entrusted with that filly's life, and she wasn't going to let the one who entrusted it to her down.
…December 31st, the final day…
One week after Hearth's Warming, It was finally time. The end was near for Harmonic and Atmospheric.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah. I guess all we can do now is pray."
"Did you leave the envelope for Scootaloo?"
"…Yeah…"
"Don't be sad, okay? We want to leave this place better off."
"I know."
Just then, they heard a knock at the door.
"Is that you Rainbow Dash," Harmonic asked.
"Yeah, it's me."
"Come in."
Rainbow Dash did as she was instructed.
"It's time. Please play this in the stereo for her as soon as she wakes up."
Harmonic gave Rainbow Dash the envelope. There was a tape inside. Rainbow Dash wanted to question it, but decided against it.
"…Alright."
Harmonic looked at the filly that was sleeping on his bed.
"Goodbye…"
With those last words, Harmonic and Atmospheric left the house and vanished into the endless open field. Rainbow felt enraged inside. Scootaloo was going to be completely heartbroken. All she could do now was wait for the sleeping filly to rise. About an hour later, it all came full circle.
"Rainbow Dash, is that you," Scootaloo managed to ask through a groggy voice.
"Yeah kid, it's me."
"Where's dad?"
"He's gone. He wanted you to hear this…"
"Gone? What do you mean?"
"He can't be here anymore. He wanted me to play this for you."
"I don't understand."
"Just listen."
Rainbow dash put the tape in the stereo near one of the walls. A message began playing.
"Scootaloo, if you're hearing this, that means I'm not with you anymore. I wanted to tell you, but I couldn't bear to see the pain this scenario was going to cause you. I've instructed Rainbow Dash to play this message for you. Atmospheric is here with me. We wanted to let you know that we love you. To us, you were the daughter we never had. We've recorded a special song for you on this tape. It's something to remember us by. Please be strong for us. We love you. Goodbye…"
After the message, the song began.
"SO LONG AGO IT SEEMS SINCE YOU KISSED OUR WOUNDS! I COULD NOT SEE PAST THE DARK! MY DAYS WERE FILLED WITH DISAPPOINTMENT IN MYSELF FOR NEVER ADDING UP! YOU CAME AND TOOK US…To a place where we could live in peace.
YOU GAVE US STRENGTH BEYOND MEASURE! WE WILL NEVER FORGET THE HEART WITHIN YOU! WE LOVE YOU, AND WE MISS YOU! WE'LL STAY BY YOU IN SPIRIT UNTIL THE VERY END…And forever after.
WE'VE REACHED THE END HERE! I'M SORRY FOR THIS ALL!
GONE!
THIS WON'T ALL BE FOR NOTHING! I PROMISE WE'LL FIGHT TO FIND OUR WAY BACK TO YOU!
WE WILL FIND A WAY!
Our hearts rest with you now! Find the strength within to grow!
GOODBYE!
GOOD-BYE!
GONE!
SO SORRY!
GONE!…"
The song faded out. Scootaloo was sobbing now. She couldn't understand what had happened, and Rainbow Dash was just as lost in the dark as her.
"Don't worry Scoots…It'll be alright," Rainbow Dash told Scootaloo as she wrapped a foreleg around her.
Truthfully, Rainbow Dash wasn't sure either, but she knew the two now lost souls in that recording were counting on her.
"Come on Scoots. Let's go home."
The two ponies exited the house. Everything about it felt distant now. It felt like shadows were ready to devour everything inside. It was empty now. No memories, no dreams; nothing.
This was the end…Or…Was it?