• Story: Rain without Rainbows (Update Complete!!)


    [Normal][Grimdark]

    Author: Leoshi
    Description: Driven by her dreams of fame, Rainbow Dash makes a wish that earns her the skill she needs. But the price she pays for that wish is more than what she, or her friends, can bear.
    Rain without Rainbows (All Links)(New Part 18!)

    Additional Tags: Regret, Comfort, Struggle, Long, Serious

    72 comments:

    1. I've got a feeling I don't want to read this, but....damn it. It's too late.

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    2. Hmmm This seems a bit of a strange one, Your using a name referenced in the Helsing Anime but Alucard there would not have paid any attention at all to the likes of Rainbowdash simply because she is alive and not actively attacking him.

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    3. @Luna Epona

      Alucard backwards is Dracula, so there is a good chance that this isn't a reference to anything.

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    4. more chapters needed!!!!

      only one chapter found!

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    5. Usually when I think of Alucard, I think of Castlevania. The name has been used for quite a long time though (looking like 1943 was the earliest case), in various media:
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alucard

      So it's probably just "easy name for a vampire".


      I don't usually read grimdark, but this story seems pretty interesting (I read chapter 1 on FF.net when it was posted the other day, and it's given a "Drama/Friendship" tag there).

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    6. The Alucard in question is the OC pony that my co-author had made some time ago. His backstory for Alucard is quite involved, and makes for a wonderfully sadistic character.

      I'll give you all a little insight: this story's Alucard has nothing to do with the Hellsing anime, or vampires in general. So don't go thinking this is a vampony story. Alucard has his own agenda, and yeah, it's a big one.

      I've got a large story planned out, maybe as much as eighteen chapters' worth! Chapters two and three run very close to each other, so I may release both at once. We'll see.

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    7. Hmm. I'll keep an eye on this to see where you're going with it.

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    8. But, why? (sadface)

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    9. If that picture is any indication of the direction the story is going to go...I want more!

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    10. *Stating the obvious* Chapter two is finally uploaded. Took me long enough... -_-;

      Thanks for all the support, guys. Chapter three is in the works as I type this, so it shouldn't be quite as long a wait this time around. :)

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    11. I'd forgotten about this one, I was hoping it'd come out soon

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    12. I wonder what happens next

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    13. Chapter two almost seems like it should be chapter 1, but looking at the first, I remember, "oh it's that fic". Looking forward to more, certainly on the more 'interesting' side of the grimdark spectrum.

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    14. can't wait for chapter 3!!

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    15. Gotta admit, I'm not much into the fanfics but I'm actually pretty interested in this. Touches on the 'temptation' element I kinda liked in the second episode, and Rainbow Dash is a prime character for the temptation of having her dreams fulfilled.

      Looking forward to future chapters, consider me a guaranteed reader.

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    16. I have a very strong feeling about this story. Keep up the awesomeness!

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    17. Wow...

      If there were ever a story that personified the lesson of "Be care fore what you wish for" this is it

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    18. :( It won't let me view the new chapter somehow...

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    19. Poor Rainbow Dash. This is worse than the fanfics where she loses her wings.

      Incredibly well-written, though. Looking forward to more...although I know it's gonna make me ;_;.

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    20. @Anonymous

      I have copied submitted as googledocs as well. Chapter 3 is here:
      https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Dx6RnfC35GdVWK4a2-YTO8aJv705I-6A76BWuRj6x-g/edit?hl=en_US

      If you need the other two chapters, there are here:

      1 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pP000W7KBe6A6w2VpBg8oIBwkwJobYuGjKGdAa-PQqA/edit?hl=en_US
      2 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mKQ39pf4-hHayF5f8Umt0SvhagJVLjXE2fH-vS-3_os/edit?hl=en_US

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    21. Interested to find out what happens in Chapter 4. 4/5 for now.

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    22. any idea when part 4 will be out?!!?
      and please tell me it will explain wth just happened...

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    23. @burntfish44

      Chapter 4 is actually already written - I'm just waiting on input and comments from my co-author. We're still fine-tuning the chapter to make sure it'll work well. But also note that it's an interlude - very short, and serving mainly to give closure to a few more minor story points.

      Chapter 5 will pick up again after the interlude, and the story will go pretty quickly from there until chapter 10. Then some calmer entries in chapters 11 and 12, then 13-18 will be very quick as the story ends.

      That said - I'm not gonna reveal too much on the story through this page (though I did email seth updated tags and a new summary...). If you all would like, however, I'll be happy to write up a full summary document and put it up on google. It will have spoilers, but nothing that'll ruin the story.

      ...you know, I'll do just that. I'll comment again when the document is up.

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    24. Rain without Rainbows complete summary:

      https://docs.google.com/document/d/15bvi4qh0CgdzwFJIy7zGnI4RCp9bJf51B3uMAftXIK4/edit?hl=en_US

      Document is designed to be updated as story progresses. Everything you'll need is there, though, so enjoy. :)

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    25. PLEEEEEASE make more I check every so often to see if it has gottein more chapters and there never was!

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    26. @Bonnie the Random pony lover More chapters incoming! Sorry for the delay, but my main game project took hold, and I had to avoid all things internet when a traffic ticket happened. I'm working on getting chapters four and five done before the end of the week, though!

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    27. MA GUSTA THIS THING ACTULLY GOT UPDATED
      OH WELL THAT WAS FAST

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    28. Finally, I´m so happy, thanks Leoshi :D

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    29. Don't worry, Spike can be the new Rainbow Dash.

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    30. @Nine Hahaha, Spike isn't nearly badass enough. Plus there's the fact that he's not rainbow-colored, can't fly, and oh yeah, isn't the right species. :P

      Anyway, thanks everyone! This is the first of two updates...chapter five is VERY close to completion, and will be going up tonight if it kills me! It's a long one, also, already hitting eleven pages on Word. Hope you're ready for some action!

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    31. Waiting 4 months for 3 pages update
      waiting half a day for 12 pages update
      i.. dont

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    32. @Freezey Hahaha, just be patient for a little while longer. I literally JUST finished putting in the last line of content. I'll get my co-author to go over it and provide his comments tonight, and it'll go up shortly after!

      I just hope to Celestia that I don't take this long to update this story again. It's not fun, waiting and fighting writer's block. :P

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    33. AH NEED MAH PART 5.

      Great story. AMAZING STORY. LOOVVEE IITTT.

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    34. For those who are keeping up with the fanfiction.net versions, I finally got around to updating them with the googledoc revised versions. There's not a lot that has changed - mainly a bit of dialogue and detail.

      I plan on including hyperlink "next" and "previous" buttons in the googledoc versions later tonight. I've always liked those in other stories, mainly because I read them on my phone, and it's a real pain to go back and forth just to find a specific chapter. :)

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    35. REMEMBER ADMIRAL ACKBAR'S WORDS, RAINBOW DASH!

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    36. - Well its a good thing none of those other Wonderbolts have names, identities, or souls.

      - LOL I believe that's the first time someone has straight-up sucker punched Pinkie Pie.

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    37. @mycutiemarkisagun

      -Bwahahaha, this is true. Although it's a bit aggravating to write for nameless ponies. ;)

      -Yep. I think Pinkie forgave Spitfire in this case. Any other day, and Spitfire would have incited the wrath of Pinkamena Diane Pie. Oooooo~

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    38. I am likening this story a lot, good to see a well writtin piece. Can't wait for more

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    39. I like where this story seems to be going, a fairly dark outlook and you have me all ears for when the significance of Rainbow Dash for the grand master plan is revealed be it sooner or later.

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    40. @Sun Ray Ooh yeah, their common sense sort of failed beneath time and lack-of-evidence. Applejack is still faithful to her friend, though. ;) But don't worry, there's much more of this tale to be told. Everything will come to a head eventually...sooner if I quit web-surfing and get back to work on this damn monster! D:

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    41. I last commented November 6th?!?
      I'm to much of a dedicated fan

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    42. @Travis Smith Yep, my update speed makes dedication a must. Thanks though! It's nice to know I have a following.

      Chapter seven began just a few hours ago, and has some nice progress on it already. With any luck (any at all), I might have a finished one available very soon.

      Can't promise anything though - I need to go job-hunting too. ;)

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    43. @Sun Ray It's *SPOILERTAG*, of course!

      [Leoshi is now being brutally murdered by Cyros for spilling a bean. Please excuse our mess. Love, Cyros Lugoth.]

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    44. Leoshi is totally claiming ownership of the My Little Pony franchise! He told me so in private. Spread the word.

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    45. Hey, RwR fans! Just a quick update that chapter eight, the second interlude, is just about completed! But like the last interlude, Kevin and I are going to hold off on posting it until we get chapter nine finished up. That way, you won't be left with a four-page update for the next week or two or ten.

      Stick around - you'll see dear Dashie soon. I promise.

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    46. @Leoshi
      Well that's good to hear, I was starting think you were planning a hostile take over of Hasbro.
      Better to spend time writing then running a multi-billion doller company

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    47. @Travis Smith the Shadowbolt Takeover, yes. Hostile, no. I simply went up to the Hasbro employees, told them "Broom closet, five minutes, no pants," and changed their PC passwords to "trollolol."

      In other news, I'm having a sale on new and used pants. Two bucks each. Any takers?

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    48. @Leoshi I take twelve.
      (I'll also take that update) ;)

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    49. @Luna Epona Alucard could ALSO be refering to Alucard from the Castlevania series. So he might be referencing that instead.

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    50. @Mr. Fancy Trousers Not quite. I touched on the story's Alucard when I commented here (alternatively http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/story-rain-without-rainbows.html?showComment=1310151288042#c3198861923109318257), which gave a little insight. Since you mention it, no, this Alucard is not related to the Castlevania series (sadly, I've never played it).

      Generally, the Alucard in Rain without Rainbows is an original take on the name - a sadistic s-o-b with a rather involved plan for Equestria. No part of his plan involves vampirism, although some may find a likeness to it in chapters ten and thirteen.

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    51. Woo update for the only story still connected with Shadowbolt like stuff! What I really like is that your still going strong
      Readin time

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    52. A correction request for chapter eight (the googledoc link was derped) has been sent, as well as the links for chapter nine! Are you folks ready to see Rainbow Dash again?

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    53. @Leoshi
      Yes I was quite happy to see her again, and I will also say thank you for providing a possible solution to a problem I've had with my story

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    54. @Travis Smith the Last Shadowbolt
      Solution to a problem, you say? Well, I'm glad to have helped out in whatever ways I have. :)

      Also, a personal thanks to you, Travis, for sticking with this story and taking some time to comment on it regularly. Comments and reviews are like a drug to me, and you're like my street-side dealer! ;)

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    55. AMAZING chapter! I think that you executed their meeting of Dash perfectly; I wouldn't have wanted it written any other way.
      I'm very glad to see that this story is back on its way.
      Keep up the great work!

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    56. So I have an interesting question for any/all devoted readers of this story. In particular, for anyone who has kept up with the story so far, from start to current. Let me give you some context:

      Yesterday, I got a very well thought-out review from a reader whom I am growing to HIGHLY respect. His main point of irritation was how I handled the "Next Chapter" segment at the end of chapter nine, specifically how I openly revealed that Rainbow Dash will be healed.

      After speaking with him a few times, I'm curious to hear opinions from other readers. Here's my question:

      In regards to the "Next Chapter" teaser at the close of chapter nine, do you find any problems with the revelation of Rainbow Dash's imminent cure?

      For the record, I don't plan on altering the teaser, because there's a MUCH bigger plot point that will take center-stage in chapter ten. But his concern has gotten me curious, as I've said.

      So what do you think? Is the teaser done well, or do you think it was a mistake?

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    57. @RDash
      Thank you kindly! As I stated in the Author Comments of the chapter, that one very nearly kicked my ass. Action is my strong suit, not drama. No wonder I like Rainbow Dash so much...everything needs to go fast!

      If I promise you anything, it's that the next chapter WILL leave you wanting more. I've had one specific scene written out for seven months, just WAITING for chapter ten to come around.

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    58. Well this is good news! Thanks to a surge of time on our end, Cyros and I have managed to cut down a full five days' worth of writing! We're estimating the release of chapter ten, Defiance, on the 23rd of this month. Four days away!

      As it stands, we're done with writing out the scenes, and the chapter is in the final stages of proofing and detail. Get ready for a massive leap in the tale!

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    59. :/ The folks over at EQD keep missing my Google Docs links, it seems. That...is a shame.

      "But Leoshi, you know what kind of a workload they have to put up with every single day, don't you?"

      I'm not saying they're WRONG. I won't say THEY suck. I'm just stating that the fact that the last three chapters aren't shown on Google because they've either missed them or ignored them. And THAT is a shame.

      ...bah. I need to sleep.

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    60. I did wince a little at your Villain's name.

      In any case, he should be more worried about the Elements than the Sisters...

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    61. Chapter eleven is up and ready! And I finally got a response on the links for this post! The fanfiction link has been replaced by the FIMfiction version.

      Much better, in my opinion. I like how FIMfic handles its' submissions, even if I don't like having to add-in the paragraph spacing on my own. Still, it's a grand step forward.

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    62. Wow, don't think I've EVER seen an author just free the beast on the back of a commenter's head like that. Guess its a good thing I forgot to voice my own reservations about THAT NAME....

      Yeah. I'm not even a Castlevania fan (at all - I've only played the 1st one's 1st level), but I rolled my eyes hard - REAL HARD - when I saw it. Alucard. Aw, geez. Its Dracula spelled backwards. Its used in just about every vampire universe in fiction. Its a cliched stock name for a villain, like I dunno..........let's say "Doctor Death". Obviously you *can* do it, but don't be surprised when people wince and roll their eyes at it. *shrug*

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    63. @mycutiemarkisagun Don't get me wrong, I have no issues whatsoever with people having their reservations about Alucard. (Hell, I was the same way when Cyros, my co-author, gave the name.) Were it up to me, I'd go with something more akin to what my stories are known for. However, since it's not my OC, it's not my call, and I'm happy with the Alucard in this tale.

      No, my problem isn't with people voicing concern over the use of Alucard. It's when people claim that I lack originality as a whole, JUST because of one small thing. When they look past all the work I've done and instead focus on the one minuscule thing that's digging at them, THAT'S when I have a problem.

      You all are free to believe that the name of Alucard is overused - I feel the same way. But please, PLEASE, do not claim that I lack originality (and, by extension, that I cannot write). When you do, then it means you're completely overlooking EVERYTHING else I've done to make the story enjoyable, and that's an insult to my effort.

      If you're only concerns are with the name's usage, that's okay. If you're claiming I lack creativity, that's not. :)

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