#22

Another dimension crossed, and another world in ruins.
"This is terrible," Rainbow mumbled from Starlight's back as he ran through the field of debris.
"Do you think they'll all be like this?"
"I don't know. I hope not. I truly hope not." She dropped ehr head back down to his mane, squeezing her eyes shut. "Do we even stand a chance?"
"You're Rainbow Brite," Starlight said simply, as though that explained everything. And maybe it did.
She smiled softly and touched her face to his neck. "Right. Stupid question. Think we'll find Orin first?"
"That would be nice. But look at our luck so far?"
She sighed. "You're beginning to sound like Stormy."
"And she was right, wasn't she?"
"Hm...that's a good point. I'll keep an eye out for him anyway, though, if it's all the same to you."
"Oh, sure, be my guest."
"Thank-you."
"You're quite welcome."

But the time Krys returned to Rainbowland, the Castle itself seemed to be losing its colour. There was little nearby that was near as vibrant as it usually was. As On-X touched down, Stormy and Skydancer landed with a frustrated clap of thunder beside him.
"Nothing's working," she said with a huff.
Krys looked up at her with a worried smile. "We'll find a solution. What are the others working on?"
"I don't know. I came back and dropped Brian off then got to work. All I know..." she trailed off with a dark look on her face.
Krys waited for a few moments, then urged her on. "What is it?"
"Dismal and the lug are here, they're not tied up, and I think they may be helping. If that's possible."
Krys' expression quickly matched hers. "Somehow, I don't see that happening."
The two exchanged another look before quickly heading to the Castle. Just as they crossed the last bridge, the castle doors flew open, revealing Violet and Dismal both in quite the get-up. Two canisters each were strapped to their backs. Dismal held his gun, while Violet held a rather nicer-looking replica. Hoses ran from the canisters to the guns, and they both had a pair of goggles on their heads.
"Oh, good, you're both here," Violet said with a simple smile. "Mind giving us a lift?"
"A lift?" Stormy asked in shock. "A lift to where?"
Dismal pulled his gun down off of his shoulder, pointing with it up towards that bird, which was passing unscathed through Stormy's clouds.
"We're gonna spray a little gloom on him," Violet explained as Krys got his first sight of their monster.
"You think that's gonna work?" Stormy asked.
"Well, we're sure gonna try. If you take us up there, that is."
"Of course," Krys said as he looked back over. "Gotta try something."
"Great," Violet said and walked over to Skydancer. Stormy helped her up behind her, and she adjusted the gun. Krys hesitated as Dismal approached, flashbacks of Dismal stealing On-X popping into his head. But a screech from that bird brought him back to the present. He had to let go. For now. He reached down and Dismal took his hand, rising up onto On-X with ease.
"Let's go, while he's still close," Violet said, one arm around Stormy's waist, the gun propped on her hip.
In the next moment, they were in the sky.