Rainbow Brite and the Mirror of Shadows

[Watercolor]

The following story was written years ago by me, Enjoy!

Rainbow Brite and the Mirror of Shadows

Story by Watercolor

Based on the Television children's classic "Rainbow Brite"

The morning dew still hung on the star shaped bushes outside the Color Castle like small diamonds twinkling in the morning light. Rainbow Brite sat upon her windowsill looking out to the east watching the purple sky become a brilliant blue. She let a small sigh escape her lips as the warm sun touched her impish face. So much beauty in the world, but not as lovely as her beloved Rainbow Land.

Then, a small twinge hit her stomach. She had not felt it in many years. The silent memory began to soak in to her mind. She shook her head softly as she stood from her seat.

"Knock it off, Rainbow," she whispered to herself.

She stood before her dressing mirror and straightened her bright blue skirt and tosses a golden curl from her view. She smiled and the shining image of herself stared back at her, but suddenly her room ran dark and the mirror began to glow. She looked at it, and saw only herself...but wait. This image was different. This girl was different. The color from her form was almost gone. The pale lemon color of her hair, the gray blue of her eyes, and upon her cheek...was nothing. Rainbow touched her cheek quickly to feel the purple star, but as she did you noticed the image's movements did not copy her own. It stood there looking at her with a disappointed look. Her small brow pinched in sadness as she tried to speak. But Rainbow could only strain to hear her words.

"Raaaaiiinbow" the image said. "Suuuuch color. Your woooorrrld. Soooo lovely."

"Thank you" Rainbow replied.

"I guessss I successed my queeesst." It said back Rainbows word caught in her throat. She was looking back at herself. Her very own silent self, so unsure of the world then. But brave to take the quest that would give her a new home. A new life, a new name.

"Wisp." Rainbow whispered to herself. Her name she had all but forgotten. The figure in the mirror smiled briefly at the sound of its name.

"Howww loonngg hasss iit beeen?" It asked.

"Over 800 years." Rainbow replied, astonished at the reality that it had been that long. In that time she had saved Rainbow Land, defeated the Monstromurk. twice, and even saved Spectra. But it seemed like only a moment looking at herself there in the mirror.

Wisp's eyes grew large with wonder at that moment. Perhaps the thought that she could live that long with "the light's" blessing was more then she could imagine. Perhaps if she were in those same shoes again Rainbow would think the same.

"Why are you here?" Rainbow asked.

"I doo noottt knooww." Wisp replied. "I haavve waatcheddd frroomm thiss glaasss foorr so long, perhaps I myseelf haavve foorrgottennnn the timmme."

Rainbow nodded, although she did not fully understand. Wisp put her tiny hands upon the glass from the other side, as though wanting to touch the world that lay beyond and once again the sadness crossed her face.

"Why have you come here now?" Rainbow asked

"I don't knowww" Wisp said desperately "I justtt came to the glasss todayy and yoouu saw meee. Never have you seennn meee, yet I have alwaysss beennn herrre. I so want to feeel yourrr wooorld."

Rainbow walked closer to the glass. She called to the image of herself noticing the color fade even more from view. "What can I do?" She called.

The image tried to speak, but the words were gone. Rainbow put her hand against the glass as though trying to grab hold of Wisp on the other side, but met only the cold chill of the shiny surface. She looked around herself and noticed the light had past, and the morning sun was beaming through her window once more.

She glanced back at her reflection and saw herself, the real Rainbow, with shining stars and vibrant color staring back.

"Rainbow!" a smiling voice called. It was Twink, Rainbows beloved friend and faithful sprite. His white fur puffed around the stars upon his head, which swayed as he ran cheerfully toward her. "Another spring!" he said brightly. "Another wonderful spring! Stormy and Starlite are waiting!"

Rainbow sighed. At least she would no longer have to battle with Stormy for another year. Since the battle to protect Spectra, she and Stormy had become good friends. Rainbow nodded masking her puzzlement with a smile and followed Twink down the corridor to the lower level of the Color Castle.

Waiting just outside the door was her loving and faithful stead Starlite 'the most magnificent horse in all the universe.' And he made sure no one forgot it. He stomped his hoofs energetically, tossing his shining multi colored mane up in a brilliant wave of shining color. He loved springtime and all that came with it.

Rainbow stepped into the sunlight and glanced toward the color caves where the Color Kids where managing the sprites in the mine. They waved at her from the tall peak smiling. She waved back still keeping the bright smile on her face.

Stormy stood near by, Skydancer not to far behind her. Around her shoulder a sack of star sprinkles hung. She tossed them to Rainbow who caught them quickly so not to spill them upon the ground.

"Spring time, Rainbow." She said. "Sleeping in?"

"No!" Rainbow said quickly, almost too quickly. Starlite looked at her, tilting his head to the side like a curious cat, as though to look at her this way may shed some light on her peculiar behavior.

Rainbow quickly pulled the pack over her shoulder and walked to Starlite's side. He knelt to let her on and rose high above Stormy. Rainbow reached a hand down and pulled Twink up behind her where he griped her waist so not to fall.

"Stormy, you and Krys keep an eye on the Color Kids. Make sure there are plenty of star sprinkles for when I get back." Stormy nodded and backed to Skydancer who lowered so she too could mount.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like help this year?" Stormy asked. Rainbow shook her head.

"I can do it. I have a few stops to make on the way. But I'll be back soon, just keep the mine ready in case I need it, Okay?"

Stormy nodded reluctantly and watched and bright band of color bend to Starlite's feet and he ran quickly over the clouds and out of sight.

"I wonder what's wrong with her, Skydancer." She said to her horse. "I've never known her to avoid us like this." Skydancer whinnied in understanding and began to walk toward the color hut Krys lived in.

Rainbow and Twink sprinkled the ground below full of color, the water a brilliant blue, the grass a soft green, the bark of the trees a warm brown. Each sprinkle that touched the frozen earth below melted its winter hold and released the warmth of spring to every living thing.

Rainbow stopped a moment as Twink continued arranging star sprinkles by color on the rainbow they stood on. Starlite, still concerned about Rainbows behavior looked over at her thoughtfully. Rainbow stared down at the earth below, trying to remember it, as it had been when she first saw it, but the memory was gone. She had never actually walked the earth as other had. Never had she really stopped to enjoy the work she did bringing color to all those around her. "I will this time," she whispered under her breath as though answering her own question.

She turned to Twink and Starlite.

"I would like to take a few minutes alone down there if you do not mind." She said to them.

"But Rainbow, there is so much left to do!" Twink said urgently. Starlite stomped his hooves behind Twink, as though to get his attention.

"No, Twink. I believe she has earned a moment." He said. Twink looked at him puzzled, knowing how much work was still to be done. But when he saw the look on Starlite face he knew that he ought to listen. He buttoned his lips then, not saying anything.

"Thank you Starlite." Rainbow replied and she touched her color belt, which cause another color band to appear beneath her feet and carry her off. Where she was going, Starlite was not sure, but he knew not to question. There was already too many questions in Rainbow's mind, and if a moment on earth would help answer some of them, he was going to let her have it.

Read all the following chapters here: Rainbow Brite and the Mirror of Shadows