//------------------------------//
// The return 
// Story: The Journal of Raiden 
// by Cloud Shimmers 
//------------------------------//

	After a lovely dinner with her friends, Twilight's dreams drifted to the mysterious journal of her ancestor; Raiden. What form of magic, could possibly allow you to view memories of the past, especially those that weren't your own? Perhaps tomorrow she would confront her teacher about such things, but Twilight almost didn't want anypony but her to know. It was her family's, her's! She wanted to learn about this more than anything else in the world; even friendship. Being reminded of Raiden's written words almost scared her. How would he know about the founding of Equestria? From the point of view in the journal, Twilight felt like this a was a time before the great feud between the three nations. Twilight's dreams were also filled with how much she resembled Clover the Clever, and from this she could determine that Raiden's courting had been a success. But she wanted to know every detail, she wanted to feel bad for Raiden when his feelings hadn't prevailed. She wanted to know how it all ended for him. Why wasn't her ancestor featured in any of Equestria's history? And why would it seem that this important piece of her family history was hidden away?

Celestia's sun shone brightly through Twilight's curtains. The warming feeling gently awoken her, to a face that was all too familiar. "AAHH!" She shrieked. "Rainbow Dash were you watching me sleep?!" She huffed at her friend.
The speedster laughed, "I'm sorry Twilight, but the others sent me to wake you up." She smiled, "But you just looked so sleepy and peaceful, and after all, I'm quite a big napper myself, and I would HATE it if somepony woke me up when I was asleep." She sat down on the bed, "Anyway, we're all going to a WonderBolts' show, its start at two so we were going to walk around, and grab some lunch, you in?"
Twilight sighed, "Well I would love too but-" She heard an echo in her head The fact that she is too concerned with her studies almost worries me. The words of Raiden referring to Clover, "Yes, I would love to. But first let me get ready, okay?" She smiled at her friend.
"'Course," Rainbow smiled, "See you soon, egghead." She closed the door softly.

Twilight walked the streets of Canterlot with Rainbow Dash, "So were are the others Dash?" She asked her friend, it was well past lunch time and almost two. "We're going to miss the show if we don't hurry up and find them."
Dash sighed and stopped walking, "Look, Twi. I sort of asked the others to give us some alone time, ya know?" She had on a pair of puppy dog eyes that would melt even the cruellest of hearts.
"Is something the matter Rainbow Dash? Are you okay?" Twilight walked over to beside her friend. "Did you want to talk to me about something?"
A tear formed in the rose coloured eyes of the pegasus as she simply nodded. She wasn't sure wasn't sure why she was so filled with emotion right now but she was. Dash led Twilight to a small cafe, where there were very few patrons at all. It was nice enough just in a bad location. The smell of pastries was travelling through the air; for some reason or another, the smell of baked goods helped Dash to calm down. A probable reason as to why her and Pinkie were such good friends. "I- I'm pretty concerned about something Twi." Rainbow began but was stopped.
"Oh no, it something bad isnt it?" Twilight knew that Rainbow Dash had recently been through a weather team physical, as they occurred every month, "Are your wings sprained? Do you have a terminal illness? Is there a cure? How much longer do you have? Oh don't sugar coat it Dash!" She banged the table with a hoof."
Dash blinked a few times, her ears were lowered to a discouraged level, "No, its nothing like that." She took a deep breath. "I-I-," She exhaled, "I don't know how to say it." She began to cry a bit, her, Rainbow Dash, the bravest pony in Equestria and beyond, was simply crying. "Do you remember, when you thought AJ and I were fighting and I was destroying her barn?"
Twilight nodded, "I went pretty crazy back then." She rubbed the back of her neck. 
"And do you remember what you told me?" Rainbow squeaked out. 
Twilight nodded.
"W-w-well, I think-" She took a very deep breath. "I like mares." Rainbow Dash practically whispered.
Twilight was shocked, I mean she had thought Rainbow was to busy with athletics to worry about sexual preferences. "Wow, that's uh- That's big." She said without much hint of emotion.
"Do you hate me?" Rainbow Dash asked simply. She was asking her best friend if she hated her; it made her feel pathetic.
Twilight scoffed, "Hate you?!" She went over and sat next to her friend. "Rainbow Dash, you're my best friend. How could I possibly hate you?" She gave Rainbow a hug. "In fact, I'm honoured that you told me first."
Rainbow Dash smiled and wiped the tear away from her rose coloured eye. "Then you should know Twi," She hugged back; "I love you."
Twilight's eyes opened as wide as they could, "Uh, er, I uh." She let go of Dash, "I just remembered, the princess really needs to see me.
"Twilight can we talk about this?" Rainbow Dash asked, tears reforming in her eyes.
"Yeah, just now's a bad time. We can talk later but right now I'm running late!" Twilight lied ever so casually, she didn't want to talk about this whatsoever, she needed time to clear her head entirely.
"Well what about tomorrow? We'll be on the train ride home and have plenty of time to talk." Rainbow Dash smiled lightly.
"Yeah, tomorrow, train, gotta go!" Twilight sprinted as fast as she could back to her room. How could Rainbow Dash say that to her? She locked the door, and the windows, pulled the curtains closed and laid down on her bed. "What do I do?" She asked the journal that was on her nightstand. She needed to get away, and what better way than to read?

Clover's birthday has come and gone, despite my efforts, she has not changed whatsoever. Her studies must come first according to her, and it makes me angry. We used to be inseparable; but now I hardly ever see her. What's worse, is that I'm losing my feelings for her. I honestly thought I would love her for ever, but she's driving me away. I'm not even sure if she feels any form of emotion any more, she loves her damn books more than anything else and looks at me with annoyance when I try to speak with her. I just don't know what to do! 

This wasn't helping Twilight, if anything this was making her feel worse. She continued on to the next page, dated a week later.

There was a landsmeet today. A gathering of all the great powers of the three lands; Chancellor CiderBrain of the earth ponies, whose antics always bring joy to these meetings. Along with our King SilverHeart; whose daughter will never be ready for the responsibility of the throne and Commander Storm; fearless leader to the pegasi. Who brings his daughter to these to most likely serve as an example to any other female of what true power is. She is both beautiful and strong. They were all meeting to discuss the future rationing of food and such and all was going according to plan for them. Meanwhile, Princess Platinum was calling out the Commander's daughter to act more ladylike. I recalled Hurricane telling our princess to "Shove off". I think I'll get along with her quite well as their parents stay here for the next fortnight.  

Twilight found this entry particularly interesting. A young Commander Hurricane and Princess Platinum were already throwing blows to each other. She wondered why Raiden was with them to begin with but decided to continue. As she turned the page she saw the glowing words once again. She braced herself for what was about to occur.

"Dearest Raiden," The princess called out, "Whist would you want to converse with Hurricane? She seems to be a rabble rouser!" She motioned him over, "And why do you ignore my letters to you? If we were together than you would never have to worry about studying again!"
Raiden moved away, "To be fair Highness, I love to study, and you are not my type." He quickly left the room as he heard a vase shatter behind him. He travelled the courtyard of the palace and saw Hurricane fighting against one of the jousting dummies. "Um excuse me miss-"
She turned around, "That's Major Hurricane to you! And what do you want?"
"Well you see," Raiden said, "Your crippling yourself against dummies, why not find a real opponent to spar with?"
"Hm," Thought the major, "That is a fine idea." She surveyed all of the unicorn knights in the courtyard. "I pick.... you." She pointed at Raiden. "Prepare yourself for a mighty thrashing!"
Raiden's eyes widened, "Are you  kidding me-" He stopped talking, "Yes Major!" He saw an exiting look in her eyes and was scared.

It was over in seconds, Raiden lay on the ground with out a clue of what just happened. The Major was standing over him with a stern look, that slowly changed to laughter.
"Not so tough without your Unicorn tricks eh?" She continued to laugh.
Raiden got up, "No major, I am not." He stretched himself.
"You can call me Hurricane, you've more than earned it." She smiled at him, "And you are Raiden, a pupil to the wizard?"
"Yes Ma- er Hurricane." Raiden smiled back. He was surprised at how easily he was beaten, "I was wondering, If you could perhaps show me some of what you did there?" 
"T'would be my honor!" Hurricane said.