A confirmed suspicion pt.1

Sunset~ What do you mean where's Rainbow?

Dante~ I mean where's Rainbow?

Sunset~ Hold on I'll be right back I'm giving the phone to Applejack. Applejack here I have to go check something.

Sunset gives the phone to Applejack

Applejack~ Hey can you tell us what happened?

Dante~ We caught someone at the park because we thought he or she could know something about Rose. This person was masked so we didn't know who it really was. We ended up bringing them back to an apartment where we pretty much stationed ourselves and found out that person was Rainbow. She's not at the hideout, she's still in the city where it's dangerous.

Applejack~ There's just no way…

Sunset returns and grabs the phone.

Sunset~ I check her room and she's not there. Her window was wide open and none of her things were unpacked. She's gone…

Applejack~ What do we do? We can't just let her stay where she is.

Dante~ All I know is that if me or my brother tries to return her to you then Rose might take that as an opportunity to kill the ones we're trying to protect. We can't risk leaving the city.

Sunset~ So what are we gonna do?

Dante~ Nothing… We can't do anything about it. She has to stay here with us.

Sunset~ But-

Dante~ We don't have a choice. Look she told me she was looking for someone so check all the other rooms and call me back.

Sunset~ No problem, we'll talk to you soon.

The phone call ends and I walk back into the dining room. I sat down across from Rainbow looking at her in disappointment.

Dante~ I'm upset right now, upset and a bit furious. You knew it wasn't safe to come back here and you did why?

Rainbow~ We were worried about you and we felt like you needed our help.

Dante~ Who's we in this situation?

Rainbow~ You don't wanna know-

Dante~ I wanna know who is we.

Rainbow~ Me and… Rip decided to come back.

Dante~ Wait RIP IS HERE TOO!?

Rainbow~ Yeah…

Dante~ What happened and why the hell were you looking for him!?

Rainbow~ After we came back to the city we went to the Park to see what was up. We found out about the missing person earlier tonight and we wanted to find something to help you and anonymously send it to you.

Dante~ Where's the last place you saw him?

Rainbow~ By the lake by the park playground.

Dante~ I'm heading there now. Rainbow you and I will talk later in the meantime you stay here and do not move. Donny you stay here with Rainbow and make sure she doesn't go anywhere.

Rainbow~ What about you? It's dangerous out there.

Dante~ Wow you think? Like I said, don't move.

I night traveled back to the park leaving my brother with Rainbow.

Dante~ He's gotta be around here somewhere. RIIIIIIIP! RIIIIIIIP! ARE YOU! UGH!

I ran around the area looking for my best friend. I checked all around the place Rainbow said he was at last but no luck. Some time passed and I checked the entire park and couldn't find Rip. I was gonna head back to the apartment but I heard a rustle in the bushes. I slowly but surely tiptoed towards it until I jumped at it and tackled someone in it. I pinned whoever was in it to the ground and forcefully tore off their mask. I look into his eyes and he looks into mine.

Rip~ ...…..

Dante~ Care to explain why you're here and not at the hideout?

Rip~ Ummmmm… you're mad at me, are you?

Dante~ I'm more than mad. Come on, you're coming with me.

I night traveled us to the apartment and sat Rip down next to Rainbow. I sit across from them in total anger. I slam my hands on the table trying not to yell at them.

Dante~ I have no words… I just can't tell you how furious I am. Why did you come back? You know you could have been killed especially if you don't know where Donny and I are.

Rip~ It was all me. I told Rainbow I was coming back because I wanted to be right next to my friend when Rose is stopped.

Dante~ You haven't even found your power yet and you want to put yourself in harm's way.

Rip~ Powers or not you and I are a duo. We've been through thick and thin together our whole lives.

Dante~ Rip you need to realize this is too dangerous for you to put your nose in. I understand you want to help and you want to be by my side as a good friend should but we can't risk you getting hurt or even worse knowing it doesn't have to be that way.

Rip~ Are you saying I can't defend myself?

Dante~ I'm saying it's not a good idea to put you in harm's way knowing you can be safe by getting you away from the problem. I'm not saying you can't defend yourself because that's not true. I know you can and so do you.

Rip~ I'm sorry but I'm not going anywhere out of the city knowing I can help you. I just want you to give me the chance to do so.

Dante~ No you're staying in this apartment. Until we know it's safe you can't go anywhere.

Rip~ You can't keep us here forever!

Dante~ I'm not planning to!

Rip~........

The room went silent, so silent all I could hear was the AC unit running. I looked Rip directly in his eyes until he walked away from me. His location in the apartment was unknown to me after that but I wasn't worried about where he was in the apartment. As long as he was in the apartment I knew he was safe where he was. I looked at Rainbow, still really upset with her.

Dante~ You two are under lockdown for the time being. You are to never leave this apartment under any circumstance until you have the ok from me or Donny. Sooner or later we are gonna get you two back to the hideouts and you two will not come back until Rose is caught and dealt with. You might as well make yourselves at home for the time being.

Donny~ Hey, imma go check on Rip and see if he's ok.

Dante~ No problem, I'll show Rainbow to her room.

Donny left the room along with me and Rainbow. Rainbow and I made our way to get room. We enter the room and Rainbow sits down on the bed.

Dante~ It's not much but it's something.

Rainbow~ This is a really nice room. Can we really stay here?

Dante~ You don't really have a choice honestly. You know it's dangerous out there and now is a terrible time to get you back to the hideouts.

Rainbow~ Really should have considered that before we left huh?

Dante~ Yeah. Hey you said you were looking for someone and that someone was Rip right?

Rainbow~ Yeah why do you ask?

Dante~ Well you said he needed you. Do you want to explain what you meant by that?

Rainbow~ Oh ummm… it's hard to explain.

Dante~ Try the best you can.

Rainbow~ Well me and Rip kinda…

Meanwhile with Donny…

Donny~ There you are… Why are you out here on the balcony?

Rip~ I don't know… it was just calling to me.

Donny~ I understand sometimes I climb tall buildings for no reason.

Rip~ I don't think that equals standing on a balcony.

Donny~ To me it does, wow the city looks beautiful at night.

Rip~ Yeah… it does doesn't it…?

Donny~ Yeah I mean I've seen it lots of times but even when a dangerous killer is out there you can't ignore it. It's just breathtaking.

Rip~ Donny… I regret this.

Donny~ What do you regret?

Rip~ I regret coming back… Dante is right, it's too dangerous for me and Rainbow to be here and I angered him by doing the opposite of what I was supposed to do.

Donny~ I mean you did pretty much go behind everyone's back and do your own thing instead of going through with the plan. Which was made to keep you safe.

Rip~ Yeah… I know and I hate the fact that I did all of this just to end up angering my best friend. Everyone else is probably mad as well.

Donny~ Even Twilight?

Rip~ Oh god she'd kill me and Rainbow.

Donny~ Heh kinda expected if you ask me even a really nice girl like Twilight would have a thing or two to say after all of this.

Rip~ Donny, why did you come out here?

Donny~ I wanted to check on you but I also wanted to talk to you. Look, Dante may be a little angry right now but at the end of the day he just wants what's best for you and the others. He always puts you guys before himself and that's what makes him an amazing friend. Don't you think it's nice to have someone that cares about your safety?

Rip~ Yeah... you're right and all I did was argue with him. I didn't listen to a single word he said…

Donny~ You're lucky to you and Rainbow. If we hadn't known about what happened earlier tonight you two could have been found by Rose and killed. I understand you want to help but you have to realize protecting you is by far the most important thing we have to do besides look for Rose. Dante would never want any of his friends to sacrifice their life knowing something could happen to them. Think about it, that's just who Dante is.

Rip~ *sigh* I'm a terrible friend aren't I…?

Donny~ No you're the best friend I've ever seen Dante have and I know you are but you have some things to think about.

Rip~ I'll be thinking for a long time huh?

Donny~ Yeah *sigh* Hey, can I ask you a question?

Rip~ Yeah what's up?

Donny~ Rainbow was looking for you and she said "you needed her" what's that about?

Rips face turned bright red.

Donny~ Your face is red, that only means one thing.

Rip~ It's hard to explain.

Donny~ Try your best I've got all night.

Rip~ Well…

Back with Dante…

Dante~ You did what?

Rainbow~ We kinda kissed and things lead to another and…

Dante~ Wait hold the phone you mean you, and Rip…

Rainbow~ We did some things, yes.

Dante~ WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN!?

Rainbow~ It was after Rip healed from his injuries long ago. We were at his house chilling and I tripped on something and landed on him and he wrapped me in his arms to catch me. We looked into each other's eyes and… I kissed him.

Dante~ But how did you two… you know.

Rainbow~ After I kissed him we kissed again then that led to being a make out session. Then that quickly escalated and we just did it. Dante are you ok?

Dante~ WELL DAMN! You two are moving faster than Twilight and I!

Rainbow~ Wait, you mean you haven't done anything yet?

Dante~ Not talking about that. So have you two been dating ever since then?

Rainbow~ Yeah pretty much we didn't want you guys to know especially since we'll Donny was around.

Dante~ I don't think Donny would be mad about this honestly.

Rainbow~ What makes you say that?

Dante~ I know him enough to know that he doesn't really hold grudges anymore.

Rainbow~ You sure about that?

Dante~ Trust me it's fine.

Back with Donny…

Donny~ Ok… wow I didn't expect that at all.

Rip~ Yeah…

Donny~ Like wow ummm how long ago this happened?

Rip~ When I healed from my injuries long ago.

Donny~ Oh, well congrats lil bro.

Rip~ You're not mad?

Donny~ Why would I be mad? Any friends of Dante are friends of mine and I respect any decision they make as long as it doesn't get you into trouble.

Rip~ Well you used to date Rainbow so… I thought you would be kinda pissed.

Donny~ Eh Rainbow isn't ever on my mind that much plus after how I treated her I deserve to be forgotten by her anyway.

Rip~ Oh… ok ummm any advice?

Donny~ Sorry lil bro it was long ago she's a completely different person now. All I can say is treat her right and not to be deceptive. Anyway imma be on my way I gotta figure out a plan to find Rose.

Rip~ Alright…goodnight.

Donny~ Goodnight lil bro.

Back with Dante…

I walked back to the dining room still trying to process that Rainbow was dating my best friend. I mean I'm happy for them but it's just really unexpected for me and to make it even more surprising they did things on the first day of their relationship. I entered the dining room finding Donny back in front of the laptop.

Donny~ Hey Dante, yo… what's up with you? You look like you saw a ghost.

Dante~ Let's just say I was notified about something really surprising.

Donny~ What is it? Wait… oh OHHHHHH! Are you jealous or something? HA!

Dante~ wait YOU KNOW TOO!?

Donny started laughing so hard he couldn't remain in his seat.

Donny~ Yeah! Rip just told me everything that happened between them! What about it surprises you the possibility you and Twilight haven't done anything or the possibility that you might still be a virgin?

Dante~ I don't see you doing anything with anyone!

Donny~ Why should I? I have no reason to fool around with anyone.

Dante~ Anyway! What are you doing?

Donny~ We need a plan if we're gonna stop Rose. You got anything?

Dante~ No not really. Maybe I can get some more info from Rick.

Donny~ You can try but I doubt he'll talk more than he already has.

Dante~ I'll be right back.

I left the room and made my way to Rick's room. I unlocked and opened the door, finding Rick sitting on the bed. After I closed the door again I turned to Rick and started questioning him.

Dante~ Like it here?

Rick~ maybe if I wasn't being held here against my will. What do you want? I already told your brother I wasn't saying anything more than I already have.

Dante~ Look you have a chance to redeem yourself and you don't even realize it. All you have to do is tell us everything and you won't go to jail when this is all over.

Rick~ Why should I? At the end of the day I'm going to become a Rogue and I'll get the pleasure of killing the ones who wronged me.

Dante~ You really want to become a Rogue? If that's your goal then you might as well give up now. Rogues were once Night Owls that wanted to seek revenge on other Owls or regular people. You can't just become a Rogue, you have to be an Owl first.

Rick~ Then I'll ask to make me into an Owl then seek revenge on the ones who nearly ruined my life.

Dante~ You say that like it's that easy, you have to demote your life to being a Rogue and give up your soul. You'll be an empty, walking savage who will kill anyone in your path. Even your own mother Rick.

Rick~ You're bluffing… that's not true!

Dante~ Wanna see it in action? I can get my brother to show you.

Rick~ You mean he's a Rogue as well? But he isn't like Rose at all so everything you said is a lie.

Dante~ Rogues have to use the power that all Rogues to reach their full strength. He gave up that power long ago. Donny can get stronger but it will take years to reach the level of power he had before. He relies on his own power now meaning he's a reformed Rogue who doesn't want to harm anyone. He locked away that dark power deep inside him and doesn't use it anymore. Granted he's still as strong as Rose but he and I know there's a reason why he needs me by his side. I think you know that reason as well. Still think becoming a Rogue is worth going to jail?

Rick~ ...….

Back with Donny…

Dante enters the dining room.

Dante~ Hey, I know where she's hiding.

Donny~ Just like that? How did you-

Dante~ I have my ways.

Donny~ But what about the four locations?

Dante~ It was all lies like usual. We can't trust Rick at all.

Donny~ Then what makes you think you know where she's hiding?

Dante~ Because this place is somewhere I know she would never let go unless she had to. Let's go, we're going right now.

Donny~ Where are we going?

Dante~ Donny just hold my hand and I'll show you…

Rip~ Wait! Before you go I just wanted to say I'm sorry… you wanted to protect us and I should have taken that into consideration. If anything happens please remember your promise to Twilight.

Donny~ What promise?

Dante~ I told her that I'll be ok no matter what. I wanted her to know that I will survive and come back to her when this is all over.

Donny~ That's a lot to ask for but I'm sure you can do it lil bro. Come on, let's get going.

Dante~ Let's go big bro.

Rips POV...

Donny lightly held onto Dante's hand and night traveled out of the building. I wanted to check on Rainbow so I walked over to her room and found her laying down in bed. I closed and locked the door before walking over to her, getting in bed and spooned her.

Rainbow~ Rip?

Rip~ Yeah?

Rainbow~ I know he said he'll make it back but what if he doesn't? What are we gonna tell Twilight?

Rip~ I don't know… we know we can't keep it a secret so we're gonna have to be blunt with her. We can't just casually tell her. We can't just casually tell her that Dante is… possibly dead...

I started to tense up my grab a little. Rainbow then turned around and gave me a light kiss on the lips. It was after that I sat up trying to calm down. I even tried to hide my own tears but it was really hard to stop myself from crying but I knew for her and my best friend I had to stay strong until the very end. Rainbow then caressed my chest looking at me in sadness.

Rainbow~ I forgot… not only is he Twilight's boyfriend but he's also your best friend… you've known him longer than any of us. I can only imagine how you feel right now…

Rip~ We've been friends ever since elementary. He's always had my back and I always had his. It was his personality that helped me get out of trouble as a kid. Unlike him I was always getting bullied and I got into a lot of fights. I lost most of them and almost always came home with bruises. My parents are always busy with work so they could barely pay attention to me. Unlike my parents who thought work was the only thing in life Dante was always there. I remember it clearly the last fight of elementary school; it was the last and possibly the worst fight I was in as a solo. Everything was broken… I couldn't even move my own arm and get off the ground. Needless to say but I got my ass beat that day. Unlike everyone who recorded it and posted the video online Dante was the one who helped me get up and rushed me home. My parents saw me and immediately took me to the hospital. My arm, leg and foot were completely broken.

Rainbow~ I… I didn't know you had it really bad back then… What happened after you were hospitalized?

Rip~ I was stuck there for ten months to an entire year. I thought nobody would come and visit me but I was so wrong. Dante came to visit me every day the whole time I was in the hospital. Each and every day we talked and joked around. I felt like he was a brother to me and to this day he's still a brother to me… just as much Twilight hopes nothing happens to him I do too… It's hard for me to see him risk his life because that means he could die and I could never see him again… he was always there when I needed someone to talk to… he was there whenever I was hurt… he was there when… when…

Rainbow~ When what?

Rip~ He was there when I almost died… nobody knows about this because we choose never to talk about it around anyone but… when Dante and I first enrolled in middle school something happened.

Rainbow~ What happened?

Rip~ It was long after I stopped fighting. I was walking home because I didn't want to take the bus. Dante was still at the school because he had detention for coming to class late for the tenth time.

Rainbow~ Kinda sounds like him.

Rip~ Yeah, I was walking home and the same kids who put me in the hospital in elementary were following me without me knowing… They grabbed me and threw me against multiple walls. They stomped on my hand and bashed my arm into a door. They also took my most prized possessions and burned them right in front of me… to make things worse my arm was dripping in blood. I lost so much I nearly passed out. I thought nobody was coming to help me… until I heard the largest bang I could have ever heard. I opened my eyes only to Dante standing right in front of me and the kids who beat me were all on the ground in serious pain. I'll never forget what he told me when he picked me up and brought me back home.

Rainbow~ What did he say…?

Rip~ "Even miles away I knew something was wrong so I had to check up on you… I wanna let you know… nobody messes with my best friend without dealing with me."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I cried right in front of Rainbow without hesitation. Rainbow then hugged me and held me right in her arms.

Rainbow~ This is a side I've never seen from you… you're always really tough and fearless.

Rip~ I try to be tough and fearless because Dante is. I wanted to be just like him…

Rainbow~ You look up to him. That doesn't mean you have to be just like him though. We're human just like Dante. You have emotions just like everyone else, you shouldn't keep them locked up.

Rip~ Rainbow?

Rainbow~ Yeah?

Rip~ Do you ever feel alone, even when there's people around you…?

Rainbow~ Yeah… it was long before I reunited with Twilight and the others. Everywhere I went they were on my mind. Even in my dreams I saw them every night. Even though I had my family and "friends" around me at the time I still felt like I was all alone. Even though I was still mad at Applejack about what happened I still wanted her to be my friend again but I was too stubborn to let go of the past.

I wrapped Rainbow in my arms lightly caressing her. We played back down together enjoying the warm and relaxing feeling of us cuddling together.

Rainbow~ Rip?

Rip~ Yeah Rainbow?

Rainbow~ I know I'm not the sappy type but you make me feel warm inside and I wanna let you know even if Dante is gone I'll always be there for you. Even if you want to be alone I'll follow you the entire time because I love you and I want you to feel as warm as I do.

Rip~ Thanks Rainbow and I love you too and I want to keep making you feel the way you feel right now.

Rainbow~ Thank you Rip.

Rip~ No problem, let's get some rest.

Rainbow~ Ok goodnight.

Rip~ Goodnight.

Back with Dante…

We appeared at our location. The location where I knew Rose was hiding.

Donny~ What is this place?

Dante~ Roses' hideout not only the one place we didn't expect but the one place she won't let go of. This is the place you chose not to come to and live where we could have started over. The place where I was lied to almost all my life. The place where Jamie used to live.

Donny~ You mean this is…?

Dante~ Yup… this is her house which is also my home.

Donny~ Why would she be here?

Dante~ It's the place where she sheltered me and lied to me all those times. It's also the place where she tortured and nearly killed Jamie. Nobody would want to come back which is why she stayed here.

Donny~ Are you sure about this?

Dante~ I've never been more sure in my entire life. Somewhere in that house she's hiding and she wants us to find her.

Donny~ Well, if you're up for it then I am too. Let's go catch a wild Rogue.

Donny and I enter the house using the spare key. The house is well lit up but almost everything was covered in blood.

Donny~ Well shit, this place is a literal blood bath.

Dante~ It's gotta all be Jamie's blood… she was in critical condition when I found her that night.

Donny~ I know she was an Owl just like you but how much blood do Owls have this whole place is covered.

Dante~ Like I said she was in critical condition.

We made our way inside the kitchen and found a note on the kitchen table. I picked up the blood covered paper and read it out loud.

Dante~ " It's hard to look back at the times we had.I did nothing but harm you mentally and I'm sorry for it. For you I would have stopped but my true colors have been shown and I can't go back now. If you're reading this it means you found my hideout. Don't think you found me so easily though I have plans with… you know. It's been fun while it lasted Dante but you refused to turn them in to me and I can't wait any longer… Good luck with the demons that will haunt you each and every day. I will say it's not too late, you can still come with me by your own will and become my Rogue son. Make your decision my son. I'll be waiting at the top of the highest building in the city with Holly and her mother ready to kill them at any moment. I have to warn you I don't like to wait."

Donny~ .....

Dante~ She… she played us…

Donny~ This was all just a big distraction to get to Holly and her mother. She used Rick as a tool to get us to find her hideout in a flash and sent us over here to find her just so she can grab Holly and her mother. She probably got to Rip and Rainbow along with them.

Dante~ I have to go… I have to make my decision… tonight… I don't know what choice I'll make but I have to make it.

Donny~ What are you gonna do? We played right into her hands. The only way we catch her now is if we give her what she wants. The problem with that is we either have to sacrifice two people or I have to give you up?

Dante~ She doesn't want you to give me up Donny don't you see that? She wants me to give up on you… she wants me to forget everything my friends and family just be hers… she wants me to become a Rogue.

Donny~ What are you gonna do?

Dante~ I have to go to her first. After that… I don't know. All I know is I'm gonna make a decision that I'm not gonna like…

Donny~ We should head towards her location and fast. She said the tallest building which means that's gotta be the central tower.

Dante~ Yeah let's go before it's too late.

Donny and I left the house making our way to our mothers location. I can tell you we weren't prepared for this at all. First off we had a week to turn over Holly and her mother to Rose then she completely goes behind her word and pulls the most underhanded trick she could have ever pulled. This wasn't easy for me at all. I had mini panic attacks and was almost completely lightheaded from how anxious I was. I stopped to gather myself before I ended up collapsing from anxiety. Donny saw me having one of my mini panic attacks but didn't stop to see if I was ok. Honestly at a time like this I'm just slowing down the process. I have to get to that building as fast and soon as possible but it's hard to do so when I can't even focus long enough to make it happen. I look around before taking off again slowly catching up with my brother. Donny stops in front of me looking up at a building ten blocks away from us. That building was the central tower. I stop and see what was up with Donny.

Dante~ Hey, what's up with you?

Donny~ I feel like this is something you must do alone…

Dante~ No way! I'm not doing anything alone. You and I are in this together. We face any obstacle together.

Donny~ You don't understand… Rose… well… Mom… only wants you now. She wouldn't give two shots about what happened to me. For all I know she wouldn't bat an eye if I was to die right here and now.

Dante~ Are you saying you think that she thinks you aren't important?

Donny~ Pretty much…

Dante~ Bullshit! Donny no matter what she thinks or says you are important maybe not to her but to me. Even when you hated me I always thought of you as my brother instead of my rival. Regardless of our past you're always gonna be important and I'll argue that for the rest of my life. Even if I have to give up on what makes me a Night Owl.

Donny~ Dante… When we get there, at least let me stand behind you.

Dante~ as long as we handle this together then I'm fine with that.

Donny~ One more thing… I think this is a choice you and I should make together… something we both can agree on.

Dante~ Not a problem big bro.

Donny~ Ok… let's go.

Donny and I continue heading towards the building. The building is so high we could see it from the outskirts of the city but the closer we got the bigger it grew. This was no ordinary building though the only people allowed in this building are people who work taking care or protecting our city. Soon we finally made it to our location. Now we just needed to go up a lot of stories before we could meet up with Rose. We gazed at the enormous building in total awe. We've never been this close to it before so of course we took a second to admire it.

Dante~ Wow… this is amazing.

Donny~ They say this building took decades to build. Probably from when dad was still alive. Chances are we weren't even thought of at the time.

Dante~ Wouldn't be surprised. Come on, Rose is waiting for us.

Donny~ All we have to do is get to the roof. You know where we have to go, can you night travel the both of us up there?

Dante~ Grab my hand.

Donny grabs my hand and I night travel us to the very top of the Central Tower. Before we got to the building I had a feeling in me saying that I was gonna find out why tonight felt so off and that I wasn't gonna like it at all…