#14

Back in the Colour Castle, there's a constant buzz of activity. Violet never left the base for the two-ways, continually monitering their connection with Rainbow's and Krys' sets. Sprites were in and out constantly with batches of star sprinkles, while Storm and Moonglow were coming back quite frequently for their own shares. While it exhausted Moonglow to work during the day as well as the night, it seemed as though each trip back to Rainbowland energized Stormy and Skydancer. Red was taking over Twink's duties up in the mines, while Blue continued the overseeing of the making of the star sprinkles.
"Ooh, it feels like we're getting no where!" exclaimed Lala, who was sitting around the console in the Castle with the other kids who didn't have another duty. "We'll never figure out a way to heal all of those poisoned patches."
"Don't say that, Lala," Canary said with a frown. "We have to find a way; Rainbow's counting on us."
"But we don't even know what kind of poison this is, or what it's doing to the earth."
"That's why we can't stop to worry. We don't have the time," Indigo said.
Brian, who was sitting with them as he had little else to do, spoke up timidly. "I-I could go back to Earth, collect some soil. That could help, right?"
The girls exchanged glances, then Patty spoke up, worried look on her face. "I don't know, Brian... Rainbow said you should stay here-"
"Unless it's absolutely necessary, I know. But don't you think this is necessary? Without a sample, you girls are just shooting in the dark, and exerting a lot of energy to do it."
"The Earth kid's right, you know," said a voice at the door.
"Stormy..." Pink mumbled as they all turned to see her waltzing in, empty saddlebag over her shoulder.
"I'll take you. That way there's a quick exit on Skydancer if we pick the wrong spot to go digging."
Brian smiled and rose to his feet. "Good idea."
The other girls hopped up, still looking awfully worried. "But, Stormy, I really don't think that's a good idea," Indigo said.
"Why not? It's a fine idea. The kid wants to help, and he found a way to do it."
"But what if that creature comes after you?" Lala asked.
"I already said that's what Skydancer's for. We don't use a rainbow to get around. He won't be able to follow us. Now chill out. Earth kid, let's go."
The others sank back down into their seats, while Violet came over and gave Brian a few bags for the soil samples. He then followed Stormy outside.
"Thanks," he said as she vaulted up onto Skydancer's back. He took her offered hand and pulled himself up behind her.
"Eh, don't mention it. I know what it's like to feel helpless, as well as how good it feels to do something useful." She smiled back at him. "Now hang on."
He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding on tight as Skydancer practically rocketted into the air.