//------------------------------//
// Claire and Skyflare's Storytime-"I'm Just That Awesome!" 
// Story: What the Future May Hold 
// by DougtheLoremaster 
//------------------------------//

The show was spectacular. Sitting in that seat under the astral expanse of the heavens, watching the special glow-in-the-dark coated Wonderbolts perform tricks, simply gave Luna exhilaration. She was delighted at the way the newest recruits followed orders under the command of Captain Skyflare. Truly he had whipped them into shape. She would be proud to be sure, Luna thought. Looking at the orange winged pegasus soaring side by side with the other pegasi, griffins and dragons, Luna smiled. If only she could be here, to see the changes she had caused, no doubt her response would be-
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK!" The sound of Claire's rage-induced shout shattered Luna's thought process, and she started towards the sound of the commotion. Another voice, a rather taunting male, replied: "She never existed and if she never existed then there is no way you could ever be related to her, you freak!"
Rounding the corner, Luna surveyed the scene. Claire was backed against a wall and was surrounded by three pegasi colts. They were making her feel bad and teasing her about her wings. Luna stamped her hoof and in the rarely used Canterlot voice, she bellowed, "QUIET!" the sound from her voice shook the entirety of Cloudsdale, and you could have heard a pin drop. She glared angrily at the colts, who stood there cowering, before turning to look at Claire with a softened look in her eyes. 
"Are you alright?"Luna asked gently. Claire opened her mouth but instead of sounding hurt, she sounded angry at Luna! "Hmmph! I thank you, Princess Luna, but I don't need your pity! I could have handled it myself!" With that remark, Claire angrily pushed past Luna and began to trot away, much to the princess's dismay.
What an ungrateful-, her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar raspy voice chortling, "Ha! She really is just like me, isn't she?" Luna's eyes widened, for there in front of her hovering in the air, was none other than Rainbowdash herself. The rainbow-maned pegasus saluted her, "863rd Commander of the Wonderbolts, Rainbow Dash, reporting for duty ma'am!" Luna couldn't believe this!"I-how did-what?" 
Rainbow Dash laughed and said, "I'm just that awesome!" However, upon seeing Luna raise a rather skeptical eyebrow, Rainbow Dash took on a more apologetic tone as she explained, "Okay, okay, what actually happened was this: Pinkie Pie told me how she ran into you and her future descendant and how they seemed to be just like her. So, I asked her if she could do me a favor and use her weird abilities to allow me to see mine. I'm glad I did, too! She is awesome! Though a tad brash, and rather hotheaded, oh and - what?"
Rainbow Dash was staring at Luna who seemed about to speak. She then went completely slack-jawed as Luna responded with a grin, "Oh I see the resemblance for sure now." Looking very indignant Rainbow replied, "Oh, haha, very funny, I believe I mellowed out a tiny bit in my later years. Anyway, want to go follow her?"
Luna's mind was racing. Rainbow Dash had been laid to rest two thousand years ago. She had personally seen and lowered her beneath the soil that day. Yet here she was, hovering before her. A scene flashed in her eyes. The still body of Rainbow Dash lay before her as Luna's tears fell. Her cyan blue wings had been shorn clean off and nothing remained but red stumps where they had been connected. A scream tore itself from Luna's throat. Then just like that, the scene faded and Luna faced her once more. She then spoke, a playful grin on her muzzle, "yes let's follow her I am a bit worried if she truly is just like you."
Rainbow Dash looked about to speak, but it was if the words wouldn't come. Blinking and blushing bright red, she spoke to Luna, in a rather flustered tone, "let's go then." Together they started off after the young pegasus but not before Luna turned and said with a caring smile, "It's wonderful to see you flying again Rainbow."
Meanwhile, at the lifeless plateau
"Twilight, Don't leave me!"
Starshine awoke with a start at the scream Celestia had given and now looked at her mom. She was crying again, though still asleep and tossing and turning something fierce. Starshine examined her position. It seemed as if her mom was desperately trying to wrap her hooves around something, to pull it closer. She wasn't sure what to do. Should she wake her up? Or would waking her up just cause her mom to be distressed even further? 
Outside the tent, thunder could be heard, heralding the coming of a storm. Inside the tent, Starshine had sat upon her haunches and pondered what to do, drawing her forehoof up to her chin in deep thought. Time passed ever so slowly as she sat there thinking and soon a torrential downpour announced the storm had arrived.
Sighing heavily, Starshine focused her mind to perform a spell her mom had taught her in order to prevent the rain from penetrating the tent, protecting those within. As the bubble of purple light surrounded the tent, Starshine turned to look at her mother. Celestia was still writhing in terror, unable to wake up from the terror she was facing. 
It was then Starshine decided what she would do. She trotted over to her mother and wrapping Celestia in a warm hug, settled in next to her one thought and only one thought in her mind: when her mom was ready, she would listen, the alicorn may claim not to be her true mother but, she had raised her. Caring for her, teaching her life's lessons and just because she may not have been born to the Princess's bloodline Celestia would always be her mother. 
Back in Cloudsdale
Claire was sitting beneath a rainbow waterfall, watching as Princess Luna approached from down the hill. Who is she talking to? Claire could hear Luna chatting as if to a close friend, but no one was in sight. "Rainbow, wait up, you know I am not as fast as you!" Luna's voice carried to Claire, whose ears were perked up in intrigue at the sight.
Rainbow? Who was Rainbow...more importantly, where was this Rainbow? Claire sat there pondering this until Princess Luna stood before her, panting and wheezing heavily. The night mare was completely out of breath but looked a tad more cheerful than when they had met. "Looks like you won the race, again, Rainbow," Luna spoke with a smile of pure admiration on her face. What exactly was going on?