Disclaimer: I own no characters but Grey and Grox.

"A Rainbow Connection"

Chpt. 4

Rainbow and Grey with Grox between them, walked through a barren landscape, scarce with vegetation, in the dimming light. They had been moving since they had escaped from Murky's, stopping only to rest and eat. Rainbow and Grey alternated riding on Grox and allowed Grox to walk rider-less after the short sprints they made to cover more ground.

"I've never been this far into the Pits before. I don't recognize any of this," said Rainbow.

"I've been out here once before a long time ago. There is a crevice in that rock face up there that we can squeeze into that leads into a cave. I had set up camp in there, so we can stay there for the night. With any luck the supplies I left are still there."

The sun had set before they reached the cave, but Grey was used to walking in the dark and Grox had very good night vision. They squeezed through the crevice, which was just wide enough for Grox, into the cave behind. Grey was pleased to see that nothing had been disturbed from his previous visit. He quickly set about making a fire and preparing a meal. Rainbow pulled out the bedrolls and spread them out on the cave floor, which was covered with soft sand instead of being hard rock. She sat down on one of the beds and looked around the cave. The walls were smooth and had a crystalline formation streaking through them. The crystal seemed to absorb the firelight and spread it throughout the cave. The cavern they were in was large and the ceiling was very high too. Every now and then Rainbow thought she could see the firelight pulsing through the crystal way above where the light did not reach. Far on the other end she saw a tunnel leading deeper into the mountain.

"Strange isn't it?" said Grey as he handed Rainbow a plate.

"Yes it is. How far down do you think that tunnel goes?"

Grey sat down with his own plate after giving a chunk of meat to Grox. "Oh I'd say it goes on for about three or four miles. It comes out on the other side of the mountain. I went down it that time I came out here, all I saw out there was a wide open field. There weren't even any trees, just open expanse as far as the eye could see. It was green though so I think this is the outermost edge of the Pits."

"All the times I flew over Rainbowland, I never noticed any other part beyond the Pits. I wonder what's out there? Do you think there are any people living there?"

"I don't know. I turned around after I got to the end, but we will find out tomorrow." As they continued eating Rainbow asked Grey about his explorations. He told her of all the strange animals that lived down below the surface of the Pits and about the time he found Grox. Rainbow was quite surprised to hear that despite how the Pits looked from the outside, that life had adapted and was thriving underneath the surface. "Even in the most desolate of places life finds a way to make hope live on," said Grey. After they were done eating and the dishes cleaned and put away, they went to sleep.

Rainbow woke up to the sound of someone talking. The voice was barely audible so she couldn't make out what was being said, but when she became fully awake the talking stopped. She looked around the cavern, the fire was low but provided some light. Standing at the tunnel entrance on the other side was Grey. She could only make out his shape as the crystal in the wall lit up, but it looked as if he was listening to something. Grey turned around and saw that Rainbow was awake. "We need to go." He jogged back to the campfire and begun to put things away. "Wake up boy it's time to go." The large creature moaned and whined and got up to receive the bag after Rainbow handed Grey her bedroll.

"Who were you talking to?" Rainbow asked.

"I wasn't talking to anybody. Why do you ask?"

"I heard voices and I saw you standing over there talking to someone. Is something wrong?"

Grey looked up at her. "You heard it too? Someone talking to you? It's always just as I'm waking up when I hear it. It was always faint, but this time I heard my name. It felt like it was coming from that tunnel. It was calling for me, urging me to go that way."

"Is that why we are leaving now? Can you trust it?"

"Yes," Grey stood up. He picked up a stick from the fire and got it burning bright. Then he kicked sand onto the dying fire to extinguish it. "I know I can trust it. I have been hearing it since I was out here last. It sounds so familiar and welcoming. I don't think there is anything it will do to hurt us, cause if it wanted to do that it would have already."

"Okay then, I trust you, so if you can trust it, I will trust it."

Grey held up the torch and headed down the tunnel, Rainbow behind him and Grox behind her. "Have you ever heard them before?" asked Grey.

"You mean the voices we heard?"

"Yeah, you know when you're half-asleep and you can just hear someone calling out to you."

"I think I used to, but that was a long time ago. Before I came to Rainbowland."

"I've heard it so many times that I couldn't ignore it when it called my name, or the name I told you to call me. I think it's destiny that's calling."

"I think your right," agreed Rainbow. "I think when I heard it long ago it was calling me to Rainbowland to become Rainbow Brite."

"Oh?" Grey said, "Who were you before?"

"My name was Wisp. It was after I restored Rainbowland that I was named Rainbow Brite."

"Really? Would you mind telling me about that?" Grey asked.

Rainbow began telling Grey about the time she first came to Rainbowland. As she told her story a thick fog started rolling into the cave tunnel and no one noticed at first. Just as Rainbow was finishing her story, she ran into Grey who had stopped. She looked around trying to focus her eyes, but all she could see was fog. It was so thick that she could barely see Grey standing in front of her with the torch. "Where did this fog come from?" Rainbow asked.

"No idea," said Grey. "It just appeared all of a sudden. This tunnel is pretty straightforward, but it does have its twists and turns. This fog makes walking through here very difficult. Do you think your belt could help us out a bit?"

"It won't hurt to try," said Rainbow. She felt around in the bag Grey had given her and found the color belt and the star sprinkles. She put the color belt on and used a star sprinkle to create a rainbow. A short burst of colored light was all that was made. "The fog is too thick for the rainbow to work. Sorry."

"That's okay kid, it was worth a shot. Guess we'll do this the old fashioned way." Grey handed the torch to Rainbow and pulled the spear off his back. He untied the lashing that was holding the tip on and placed both the tip and the string in a pouch around his waist. He took the torch back from Rainbow, "Get a hold on Grox and then get a good grip on me." Rainbow grabbed the strap that Grox was wearing and then grabbed a hold of Grey's cloak. "You ready?" he asked.

"Yes," Rainbow replied.

"It's going to get pretty dark so make sure you don't let go of either Grox or me. If you lose me Grox will help you find me. If you lose Grox he will find us. All right here we go." Grey blew out the torch and tossed it to the side where it hit the wall. The sound echoed through the darkness that enveloped them. Rainbow redoubled her grip on Grey and Grox. Grey started swinging the pole across the floor and moved forward slowly. Rainbow listened to the rhythmic swishing of the pole sliding over the sandy floor. When ever it hit rock Grey would tap around it to find if it was a wall or a stone in the path and adjusted accordingly.

After what seemed like hours Rainbow noticed a change in the sound of the swishing. It sounded kind of hollow, like a sand on wood sound instead of a sand on rock sound. "There is something different about the sound of the ground," she said. "It sounds like wood now." Grey tapped the pole on the ground. A hollow woody sound replied.

"Hello," said Grey. He swung the pole to either side and hit a wooden barrier, but it only came up so high. "I don't remember a bridge being here before."

"Look up ahead," said Rainbow. In the distance they could see a light as the fog rolled away. When it had cleared off they saw they were standing on a bridge suspended in the air. Behind them the fog was as thick as ever, but what was in front of them was shocking. The bridge was connected to an island that was floating in mid air. They could see the underside of the ground which looked like upside down mountains. As they got closer stars started to appear in the sky above and below them, and a waterfall from the island was flowing over into nothing. Rainbow and Grey tried to look at where it was going, but it disappeared in the distance below. Upon reaching the island they were amazed by its beauty. The greenest grass Rainbow had ever seen covered the land. A dirt path led up to a stone street, lit by street lamps, which wound its way up a hill to a stone building. In the center of the island was a small lake with a large fountain in the center. The water from the fountain overflowed into the lake, which at this point they could see encircled the building, which in turn flowed into a river and over the side.

"What is this place? It's so beautiful here," said Rainbow.

"I don't know, but it makes me feel like I've come home after a long journey."

They made their way to the building on the hill, crossing over a small bridge onto the hill. On the other side they saw another bridge and path leading off to the other side of the island. The stone building wasn't very big, but it wasn't small either. It was big enough for one or two people to live in comfortably, but it looked as if no one had been here in ages. There was a thick layer of dust everywhere inside, but nothing seemed to be in disrepair.

The first room was empty except for a pedestal with a basin that was standing in the center of the room. Rainbow and Grey walked across the floor, leaving footprints in the dust, to the basin. Grox stayed outside, he was more interested in the lake. Rainbow looked in the basin, which came up just above her waist, and saw that it was filled with water.

"Now who would put a birdbath inside?" Rainbow said. She touched the side and the water began to ripple. It started in the center and out to the edge, as the ripple slowed down an image began to appear. "It's Rainbowland!" said Rainbow, "But look at it. It looks so bleak and depressing, like it did when I first saw it."

"This lets you see Rainbowland? I wonder who lives, or should I say lived, here." Grey looked around, "I'm going in the back, through that door over there."

Grey turned and left Rainbow standing over the basin looking at the image in the water. Soon the image faded and left only Rainbow's reflection. Rainbow was startled a little at first, before she realized she was looking at herself. She knew she had a more grown up body, but this was the first time she saw what she looked like in a mirror. She had been told before that she was beautiful, but she wondered what they would say if they could see her now. She stepped away from the basin to go look for Grey, but the image that was still in her mind hinted at some long forgotten memory.

As Grey stepped through the door a light came on automatically. This room wasn't as large as the front room, but it was just as empty. The only thing in the room was a table and a single chair pushed up underneath. Three more doors and a hallway encircled the room. Grey entered the hallway where a light came on to reveal a kitchen. He looked through the cabinets where there were dishes stacked inside. He started swiping his arm across the counters knocking the dust off them. "This place needs a serious cleaning before anything can be cooked in here." A breadbox was sitting on the counter and after it was dusted off, Grey opened it. Inside sat a half of a loaf of bread. Grey poked at it to see how hard it was and was surprised to find it was soft. He pulled it out and looked it over. There was no mold growing on it anywhere inside or out. After some mental deliberation, he tore a piece off and ate it. "Wow, talk about shelf life! I wonder why it's still fresh?"

He walked back into the other room and checked the door on the other side. Here he found a bathroom and closed the door. The one next to it revealed a workroom. A workbench sat against one wall and a barrel of wooden sticks sat on side. Hanging on pegs on the other side was a bow and a quiver full of arrows. Grey pulled an arrow out to look at. The arrowhead was made from a white crystal Grey had never seen before. The edge on it had been chipped in he saw, but then it had been filed for a smoother look. He pulled the bow down, checked the string for wear, and strung it. He drew the bow testing the weight then placed the arrow and shot it at the wall. The arrow shattered as it hit the wall, shaft and all, and emitted a brief flash of light. The wall however showed no sign of the impact. "That was cool, but I have to ask what the purpose is." He unstrung the bow and replaced it on the pegs.

He opened drawers on the workbench checking what was in them. What he found was pretty much what he expected too. A tool kit for cutting the arrowheads, feathers and a cutting tool for making the shaft. In one drawer though he found to bowls filled with crystals. One had the white crystals like the one on the arrow, and the other had a strange dark multicolored crystal. Grey checked the quiver again and saw there was a separation in it and that there were two colors of feathers on the arrows. The ones with white feathers had white arrowheads. The ones with red feathers had multicolored arrowheads.

Grey inspected this crystal carefully by holding it up to the light. "Wait a minute!" Grey pulled out his goggles and held them up to the light as well. "Would you look at that? It's the same thing. It's a mixture of all the color crystals but it looks like it is naturally made." He put the goggles away and once again strung the bow and shot the arrow at the wall. As with the other arrow, this one shattered upon impact leaving no trace and emitted a flowing glow of colors on the wall that quickly faded. "Interesting, but I would like to know where this came from and who made these." He put everything back where he found it, took one of the multicolored color crystals, and left.

As Grey exited the workroom, Rainbow entered from the front. "Rainbow, glad to see you. I was just about to come and find you." Grey noticed that Rainbow's face was a little flushed. "Is there something the matter?"

"No, there's nothing. Could I ask you a question?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"How do I look to you?"

"I'm sorry, do what now?"

"How do I look to you? If my friends saw me now, how do you think they would see me?"

"The same way I see you, with my eyes." Grey laughed at the expression on Rainbow's face. "You're wanting to know if you are recognizable how you are now compared to how you were then. You then want a judgment based on that, if your friends will recognize you. Correct?"

"Yes," said Rainbow.

"To answer your first question, 'how do you look to me compared to how you were?' I would have to say you look like a lovely young lady. As to would I be able to recognize you, that one is difficult to say. I know who you are so I know what features to look for. Your friends however I cannot say for certain. Lurky recognized you somewhat, so I will hazard to guess that they will recognize you. Plus with you wearing the color belt the chances of that are even better."

"That's good to know. How long will it be until I return to normal?"

"About a day, another week, but not any longer than that."

"Good."

"Why do you want to know?"

"No reason."

Grey moved his face close to Rainbow's. "You're blushing you know," he said then turned around and walked away. "I'm going to look in this last room okay. I've got something to show you though when you're ready."

Grey entered the last room and closed the door behind him. "What are you thinking kid," he said quietly. "Of course, a bedroom what else could this have been." It wasn't a large room, consisting of only a bed with the sheets missing, a wardrobe, a dresser, and a nightstand. A book was sitting on the nightstand. Grey picked it up, turned to the first page and read it.

Note to self in case I forget,

or to my successor if I get one.

The Haven is a timeless place,

nothing grows old here.

Time is meaningless so

putting a date on the pages is pointless.

"Okay that explains the bread, but what about the dust." He thumbed through the book; there weren't many entries, it was only half full and a few pages in the back had pictures drew on them.

"You have something you want me to see?"

Grey shut the book and turned to Rainbow. "Yes, have a look at this crystal and tell me what you think." Grey handed the multicolored crystal to Rainbow.

"It looks like a color crystal, but not like any I've seen before. Where did you find it?"

"In the other room. Our absentee host was using these and another crystal to make arrows with. Harmless arrows as far as I can tell."

"What could they have been used for?"

"Not sure, but I bet this can tell us." Grey handed the book to Rainbow. She took it and Grey went and opened the wardrobe. Inside were the sheets and pillows for the bed, a few changes of clothes, and a broom. He pulled the broom out and started sweeping the floor. "We can do a little cleaning in here at least," he said to himself.

"Listen to this," said Rainbow. "The Guardian of Color has been defeated. I was unable to find her, but I did find the color belt and hid it in a cave for safekeeping. The Overseers are looking for a new Guardian of Color, so until then I will be covering that position as well. That means that now instead of just playing Cupid I will be pretending I'm a painter. They have a lot of faith in me fulfilling both jobs. I just hope I can or Earth will suffer."

"That explains the use of the color crystals and I guess the other ones are the cupid arrows."

"The Guardian of Color, the last owner of the color belt. The person who lived here tried to find her; I wonder what really happened to her."

"I bet the Overseers know," said Grey as he dusted off the bed. Rainbow looked around the room. While she read the book, Grey had cleaned the room and was now making the bed.

"Wow you work fast, but why did you do it?" she asked.

"I figure we can rest here for a little while since we didn't get much sleep. You can use the bed and I will be outside with Grox. Only thing is I don't know how to turn the light off." Rainbow and Grey now found themselves standing in darkness except for what little light came in the small window. "What did I say? Was it light off? Light on." The light came back on.

"Now we know. Are you sure it's all right for me to use the bed?"

"Yes I am sure. Camping out is fairly common to me, besides it wouldn't be right for me to sleep in a bed when a lady is sleeping on the ground. Now go ahead, I'll be outside." Grey left the room.

Rainbow sat down on the now clean bed and opened the book again. she turned it to the back and glanced at the pictures. One in particular that caught her attention was the one of a young girl who was wearing the color belt. "That's her, she's the one before me." She looked at the picture a few minutes then put it down on the nightstand. She took off her boots and cloak, got under the cover, and turned off the light.

Rainbow woke up on her own. She sat up and turned on the light and put on her boots. The smell of food was wafting through the air and was making her hungry. She picked up her cloak and then reached for the book, but it was not there. She knew there was only one place it could be so she went out the door. Grey was sitting at the table reading the book.

"Sleep well?" he asked.

"Very well, and you?"

"Fair enough. I decided to let you sleep, so I cleaned this place up and cooked a little breakfast. Oh, and I grabbed the book and read some more." Grey stood up, "Here, sit down." Rainbow sat down in the chair and Grey went into the kitchen and brought out a plate with eggs, bacon, and toast. Another trip into the kitchen brought out a kettle and a pitcher. "I found some tea in the cabinets if you want some, and there is juice if you want that."

Rainbow smiled happily as he placed it in front of her. "Thank you, it all smells wonderful." She poured out some juice and began eating. Grey sat down on the floor next to the wall and began reading the book. "Did you find anything interesting in there?"

"Nothing yet, all there is written is some of the more exiting parts of his job." He turned the page, "Hold on a second. I think I know where our next destination is." He got up and placed the book in front of Rainbow. Rainbow read what was written.

The Overseers have found not one, but many new Guardians of Feelings. There are 25 by my count, but most of them are still young. My burden will be lessened nonetheless, but since there is no Guardian of Color yet my main job is almost nonexistent. Can't keep apart what isn't there.

"My guess," said Grey, "Is that we must go to the Guardians of Feelings and there we may find your friends."