This is my first time writing a story in the Rainbow Brite fandom, and I'm very pleased with it so far. I always depend on my readers for feedback and comments, so if there's anything out of place you might see, just let me know! I hope to be able to update pretty often as I see it right now, but I don't know. I'll soon be subbing, but we'll see how things turn out. I do have the entire story written out in a basic plot synopsis so the only thing to do is flush it out! Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: Considering I was born shortly after this show ended, I truly don't own it or any future chapters.

Chapter 1: An Ingenious Concoction

It was another beautiful Spring in Rainbow Land. Flowers were in bloom, the bright colors radiating across the fields as birds and other small woodland creatures fed their young ones. The sprites were happily mining away in the color cave, while the Color Kids sat diligently working inside the Color Castle. Rainbow, Starlite, and Twink were off on Earth, spreading color in the more dismal of places. On this day, they found themselves deep within a forest, the leafy foliage letting patches of sunlight through to the soft ground below.

"Oh wow," exclaimed Twink. "It's beautiful."

"Yes it is, Twink, but it still needs a little bit of help. Do you see that squirrel family over there?" asked Rainbow as she pointed to a nearby oak tree. "Look at their color."

Twink glanced up and saw the family, which moved slowly around the branches. They were dull grey in color. "They don't look very happy."

"They aren't as lively as they would be," added Starlite.

"We'll fix that," stated Rainbow. "Let me have some star sprinkles, Twink."

Twink handed over the star sprinkles and watched as Rainbow inserted them in her belt and let loose a rainbow beam that engulfed the squirrel family quickly before fizzling out. A bright brown pattern emerged on the squirrels' bodies and they scampered about happily, chattering to each other.

"That's much better," said Rainbow as she watched the family scamper off. She climbed aboard Starlite and pulled Twink up behind her. "We've still got more work to do before we can call it a day, Twink." She pressed her belt and Starlite galloped off on the rainbow beam that shot forth.

Meanwhile, deep in the Pits, Murky and Lurky were once again at work on another plan to get rid of Rainbow Brite and take over Rainbow Land. Murky sat hunched over his lab table, toying with various beakers and test tubes as he read quietly from a large tome he'd found deep within his lair. It had been one he'd not recalled having, but as he had flipped through it, he realized that it contained powerful concoctions that would almost certainly help him get rid of that color brat once and for all.

"What are you doing, Murky?" asked Lurky as he sat in a corner, playing with a football.

"I'm working on a plan, banana brain. I've got to get that Color Belt from Rainbow Brite. If I get that, then I can take over Rainbow Land and get rid of those disgusting colors!"

"But Murky, what if this one doesn't work? Like the others?"

Murky growled to himself. "Quiet you dolt! This one won't fail. It's practically foolproof." He poured two beakers together into a large container as Lurky made his way to the table to investigate. Lurky pressed his face close to the container that now held the combined concoction. "Murky, that's nothing new," declared Lurky as he poked at the container. "It looks like gloom water."

Murky snatched it away from him. "What would you know about my potions? Anyway, it's something new called the gloom shadow. With this, I can attach it to Rainbow Brite and slowly drain her of energy. The shadow will slowly grow bigger and darken her whole outlook on the world!"

Lurky scratched his head. "But Murky, what if they see it?"

Murky began to chuckle softly. "That's where this comes in," he replied as he snatched another container off the table that Lurky had not seen before. "This new book I found has given me the secret key to making my gloom inventions invisible. If I combine the two, Rainbow will never know there's a gloom shadow attached to her, and neither will those silly Color Kids. Each day, she'll weaken until I can easily take away her Color Belt and make the Color Castle my own home."

"Gee, Murky, it sounds great. But what about the Color Kids?"

"If you'd let me finish bean bozo, you'd know. I can easily capture those Color Kids once Rainbow is out of commission. She won't be able to stop me if she's taken over by the gloom shadow, now will she?"

"Okay, Murky…if you say so," responded Lurky with a shrug of his arms.

"Tonight will be the beginning of the end for Rainbow and her colorful little world!" shouted Murky gleefully. He went back to his book, double-checking his handiwork. He added the gloom shadow to one bottle and corked it, before adding the invisibility concoction to another bottle, corking that one as well. He glanced out the window that faced Rainbow Land. "I can't wait to see this world decked in its true colors. Then it shall be cheerful indeed!"

~~~~ That Evening ~~~~

Rainbow covered her mouth to stifle a yawn. It had been a long day for her, Twink, and Starlite. Springtime was perhaps one of the busiest seasons, as the Earth was just coming to life again after the dreary winter season. It was indeed a rebirth of colors and life, bringing the Earth people out of their depressive wintry moods and causing them to look forward to the new life sprouting around them. Earth depended on the color to be spread about the planet, even if the inhabitants had no idea where that color truly came from.

"Look at the sky, Rainbow," chirped Twink.

"I know…Moonglow has been pretty busy these past few weeks. I'm quite certain spring is one of her favorite seasons to decorate the sky."

Rainbow yawned again and turned away from the window. "I think I'll get to bed early tonight. I need to be ready for tomorrow."

"Okay, Rainbow. I'm going outside for a bit."

Rainbow smiled at her sprite. "Goodnight, Twink," she called as she pulled back the covers on her bed and crawled in. Puppy Brite and Kitty Brite joined her at the end of the bed, each curling into balls of fluff. Rainbow yawned, her eyes growing heavier and heavier with sleep. Slowly, she drifted off into her colorful dream world, eager to begin her work all over again tomorrow.

As night passed on, all of Rainbow Land slept, dreaming of colors and happiness. The sprites were tucked away in their houses, while the Color Kids, Rainbow, Puppy Brite, Kitty Brite, and Twink slept in the Color Castle. Moonglow worked on making sure the night sky shone brightly across the land and on Earth. No one suspected what was about to befall each and every one of them, twisting the future that they knew and expected.

Meanwhile, in the Pits, Murky worked on putting the finishing touches on his latest plan. He wrapped each bottle in cloth, not wanting to risk them breaking on the ride to Rainbow Land. He didn't want his plan to be foiled before it'd even begun to unfold. "Luuuurky!" he called. "Get the Grunge Buggy ready. It's time to head to Rainbow Land."

Lurky peeked around the corner. "Can I ride Rainbow's horsey while we're there? You always promise!"

Murky grinned to himself. "Once I've taken over Rainbow Land for good, you can ride the horsey all you want."

Lurky clapped. "Oh goody, Murky. I can't wait!"

"Now go get the Grunge Buggy so we can get moving! Or there won't be any horseys for you to ride!"

Lurky saluted Murky. "Yes, sir, Murky!" He scampered off clumsily. "Oh boy oh boy oh boy…" could be heard echoing off the walls.

Murky gathered his bottles together and headed off down the stairs to meet Lurky and the Grunge Buggy. His head was filled visions of a black, grey, and white Rainbow Land, with him as the ruler over all the sprites and Color Kids. He could imagine himself watching over the sprites as they mined deep within the Color Cave, mining color crystals that he could infuse with his own gloomy creations to create a dismally lovely Earth and Rainbow Land. He felt light on his feet as he walked down the stairs, his dreams carrying him forward.

The Grunge Buggy rumbled and sputtered to life as Murky entered the cavern. "All set to go!" called out Lurky.

Murky gently placed the wrapped bottles inside the sidecar trashcan of the buggy and climbed in. "Let's go then. By now, they should all be sleeping deeply. They have no idea that I'm heading to destroy their world!"

"And take their horseys to ride!" added Lurky gleefully.

Murky smacked his forehead. "Just drive, bumble breath," he grumbled.

Lurky sped off in the Grunge Buggy, bouncing and rolling over the rocky terrain as they headed toward Rainbow Land. The closer they got, the larger Murky's smile became. The brilliant Color Castle and all that lay within it would soon be his for the taking. "Drive slowly and carefully once we cross into Rainbow Land, Lurky. We don't want those brats to know we're here."

"Gotcha, Murky," nodded Lurky as he continued driving, slowing as he came closer to the border of Rainbow Land.

Murky kept a close eye on the landscape as the Grunge Buggy drew closer and closer to the Color Castle. He kept an eye out for Moonglow, remembering her annoying ability to become invisible whenever she desired during her nighttime work. The memory almost made him sick to his stomach. Slowly, they crept by the sprite homes that were darkened and down the path straight to the castle. "Park behind that bush," instructed Murky in a hushed whisper, pointing out the desired location.

"You got it!" replied Lurky, not bothering to lower his voice as Murky had done.

"And keep it quiet, turkey gizzard! If Rainbow and the others know we're here, then the plan won't work, and you won't get your precious horseys!"

"Gee, sorry Murky," answered Lurky, now whispering.

With the Grunge Buggy hidden, Murky gathered his concoctions and jumped out. "Come on. You keep an eye out for anyone who might stop us."

The duo tiptoed toward the castle, Murky careful to make sure his bottles were secure in his arms. Lurky followed behind him, constantly scanning the immediate area in front of them, a serious expression on his face. They crept up to the castle, and cautiously peeked inside the front door. Noting that no one seemed to stir from within, they continued to the room they knew was Rainbow's. Murky peeked in the doorway and noted that both Puppy Brite and Kitty Brite were inside on Rainbow's bed.

Murky put a finger to his lips to keep Lurky quiet. "We have to get rid of those two," he whispered. "Keep quiet." Murky pulled a toy ball from his pocket and attached it to a string. "I'll use this toy to get those two out." He tossed the toy into the room and handed the string to Lurky. "Pull it slowly and once they're out of the room, keep them away! Get back to the Grunge Buggy in five minutes, got it?"

Lurky nodded silently and began jiggling the string. The ball began to move and both Puppy Brite and Kitty Brite woke at the sound. Their eyes focused on the new toy as it wiggled about on the floor. It began moving toward the door and they crept off the bed, sneaking off after it. Murky hid deep within the shadows as he watched the two animals take off down the hallway after it. Certain they wouldn't return, he dashed into the room and to Rainbow's bedside.

Setting his bottles down, he first uncorked the invisibility potion, then the gloom shadow one. He poured the invisibility into the gloom shadow bottle, corking it and beginning to shake it up. As he shook it, the gloom shadow seemed to disappear right before his eyes. Grinning widely, he uncorked the now invisible gloom shadow and poured the entire thing over Rainbow's visible body above the blankets. As long as the shadow hit some part of a living being, it would attach itself. Murky put the bottle away, certain it was completely empty. He then watched Rainbow's face, soon seeing a darkened shadow cross her face before disappearing. He rubbed his hands together in glee. His plan was in place; now all he had to do was wait patiently for it to take full effect.

Murky crept backwards out of the room, his now empty bottles in hand. Before he turned to head back out into the dark night, he took one last glance at Rainbow, who looked no different than she had before he had arrived…that anyone could actually see that was. He took off at a gentle pace, heading back to the bush and to the Grunge Buggy. As he arrived, he saw Lurky already waiting for him.

"Did you get rid of those animals?" asked Murky.

"Course. I went round and round with the toy and we played, Murky. I dropped it somewhere in the castle though and came back, just like you told me to."

"I'm guessing they didn't see you, since no one found me. Head back to the Pits, Lurky. We're going to play the waiting game."

"Oh boy! I love games, Murky. How do you play?"

"You wait around for a few days and watch what happens to the Rainbow brat, got it?"

"Gee, Murky, that sounds stupid."

"Don't insult my genius, bozo brain! Get back to the Pits before someone finds us!" instructed Murky. Lurky sped off toward the Pits. Murky half-heartedly kept an eye out for anyone who might see them, but he really didn't care at this point. It didn't matter if anyone saw them. It would only appear they were wandering around Rainbow Land, up to no good, but there would be no evidence this time! It was perfect. Even if they find that stupid ball and string, it won't matter. They won't see what I've done. I could have dropped that anywhere in Rainbow Land and those pesky animals toyed with it all the way back to the Castle. After all, that's their "nature". He giggled quietly to himself.

Sunlight filtered across Rainbow Land, the sky bedecked in oranges, yellows, and reds as the sun rose over the mountains. The sprites rose from slumber and got ready to work in the Color Caves. The Color Kids prepared to set forth watching the creation of star sprinkles and keeping an eye on the Color Console. The sunbeams that danced across Rainbow's bed woke Puppy Brite and Kitty Brite, who yawned before pounced on Rainbow's sleeping form. Rainbow began to stir and rolled over, groaning to herself. She slowly opened her eyes to find Puppy and Kitty Brite atop her and yawned. She sat up and stretched before throwing her legs over the edge of the bed. "Oh my… I feel so tired still…even after going to bed early last night…" She yawned again before reluctantly setting her feet on the floor.

Puppy and Kitty Brite watched Rainbow exit the room and wondered at Rainbow's strange statement. That wasn't usually like her at all. She usually bounced from bed, acknowledging each of them and the brand new day before setting off to do her job. They shrugged and walked out after her, easily catching up to her slow steps as they listened to her yawn once again.

Let me know what you think. Reviews are always a welcome source of feedback for me to continue to critique and change my work.