//------------------------------// // Rainbow Dash Finds Something in the Dark // Story: The Hidden Story 2.0 // by Cryogenii //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash rose through the crisp night air, the moonlight casting a silvery glow on her vibrant blue feathers as she left a lavish society gathering at Canterlot Castle behind. The cool night air, a welcome contrast to the stuffy atmosphere of the hall, rejuvenated her for the long, late night flight home. Performing her duties as a Wonderbolt at these high-society events had never been her jug of cider, and tonight was no exception. The guests were the upper crust of Equestria's elite, a crowd Rainbow Dash wouldn't ordinarily choose to be around. Their conversations, filled with refined eloquence, felt distant and unrelatable. As she curved over rooftops, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but reflect on how these gatherings were not what she had imagined doing when she became a Wonderbolt. The fancy food was a nice distraction, but she longed for the exhilaration of pushing her limits in the sky rather than mingling with the stuffy crowd below. The uncomfortable truth was that she preferred the roar of the wind in her ears over the cultured murmurs of the elite. Her Wonderbolt uniform, designed for the chilling winds of high-speed flight, felt hot and constricting amidst the teeming crowds of formal gatherings. Rainbow Dash had a distaste for the formalities that came with these events, where standing around in crowded soirées was a stark contrast to the dynamic energy she thrived on during her flights. As she zipped into the night, the cool breeze providing a welcome contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the castle, Rainbow Dash couldn't shake the feeling of relief. Her wings cut through the air, and the familiar thrill of flight replaced the uncomfortable stiffness of being crammed in a room filled with ponies whose world seemed a bit too refined for her tastes. Tonight's event was over, and she was free to return to the skies where she truly belonged. As she climbed into the nighttime skies Rainbow Dash's keen eyesight caught the glimpse of a solitary figure in one of the smaller side-gardens off the sprawling castle grounds. The dark-furred figure blended seamlessly into the shadows cast by the high walls, nearly invisible to the untrained eye. However, Rainbow Dash was no ordinary pony: her vision was as sharp as her flying skills, and she easily picked out the mysterious presence below. Intrigued by the solitary figure and curious about their presence in the secluded castle garden, Rainbow Dash altered her flight path. She descended gracefully, her wings cutting through the air with precision. As she approached, the subtle details of a dark-furred pony came into focus, revealing a silhouette that seemed to be a part of darkness. Rainbow Dash's curiosity kicked in, and she couldn't resist the urge to investigate despite the delay to her journey. With a few smooth flaps of her wings, Rainbow Dash circled quietly downwards, her keen eyes scanning the darkness to confirm that no royal guards lurked nearby. The last thing she needed was to be bundled into a holding cell for the night for trespassing on royal grounds. Assured that the coast was clear, she descended gracefully. To her surprise, the solitary figure in the side-garden turned out to be none other than Princess Luna herself. Alone under the cold moon, Luna sat motionless on an opulent looking rug, her eyes fixed on the stars above. In the shadowy darkness, Luna could almost be mistaken for a statue carved from black marble, were it not for the constant rippling of her shimmering mane and tail, a telltale sign of the regal alicorn. Rainbow Dash gently touched down on a small lawn near the entrance of the garden, her hooves making a soft landing on the grass. Her curiosity deepened. It was indeed unusual to see one of the royal sisters out in the open without the usual retinue of attendants and guards. The moonlit scene held an air of quiet contemplation, and Rainbow Dash couldn't help but feel a sense of privilege at stumbling upon such a rare and personal moment for the princess of the night. Wondering what had brought Princess Luna to this secluded spot, she approached cautiously, respectful of Luna's solitude. Uncertain of how to attract the attention of the princess immersed in her quiet reverie, Rainbow Dash hesitated for a moment by the entrance archway through to the sweetly scented garden. The utter stillness of the moment unsettled Rainbow Dash, a pony accustomed to constant motion and vibrant energy. The contrast between Luna's solitary contemplation and the recent hustle and bustle of Canterlot's high-society events left Rainbow Dash feeling light headed. With a furrowed brow and a sense of uncertainty, she pondered whether to approach the enigmatic princess and disturb the tranquillity of the her night. She was just about to speak when the princess called out softly in her melodic voice, "Well met under moonlight, Rainbow Dash. What mayst We do for you this eve?" Rainbow Dash paced around to the side of Luna and bowed deeply before speaking, "Erm. Are you ok, your highness?" "We are well, thank you. Art thou concerned for Our wellbeing?" The alicorn raised an elegantly shaped eyebrow and looked sidelong at the pegasus. "Well yeah, you're out here all alone and I kinda thought you'd be busy fighting nightmares or something," Rainbow Dash winced at her choice of words. Luna displayed a melancholy smile. "The citizens of Equestria sleep well tonight. There art some who quiver with fearful dreams, but none that require Our remediation." "Awesome! You get a night off, Princess," came Rainbow Dash's light-hearted if slightly forced reply, "what're you going to do?" "Some quiet reflection is a welcome change, We don't often get to visit our garden of Moonflowers and Night Jasmine," replied Luna gravely looking around the gardens, after a moment's pause. Now the pegasus pony looked uncomfortable, seeming embarrassed at having intruded on such a private moment. She averted her gaze, somehow unable to meet the princess's sad blue eyes. She started to tense her wings, in preparation to say her excuses and depart, when the princess spoke again. "We do not mind the interruption, Rainbow Dash", Luna continued, “if thou wouldst keep Us company we would be pleased.” The petite blue pegasus sat beside the much taller alicorn on the soft grass. “I can hang out and chillax a little,” Rainbow said, settling on her haunches and gazing at the beautiful flowers nodding in the moonlight. “Thank you, Rainbow Dash,” Luna continued, "We are happy to share this hour with thee, but know that We should not delay thou too long tonight." "Huh? I've got nowhere I need to be, Princess." Rainbow frowned, unsure of what was on the alicorn's mind. “Oh?” replied Luna, with a coy smile on her lips, “Thou hast been performing thine duties as a Wonderbolt, and were welcome to stay in a suite at the castle with thy comrades, instead of venturing abroad at such a dark hour.” Rainbow Dash shrugged her shoulders, feigning an ingenuous attitude, “ah, those guys snore like you wouldn't believe.” Luna now spoke with a light smile, her words carrying a warmth that surprised Rainbow Dash. "That could be remediated with earplugs, is it not that thou wishth to be abed with thy true love, Applejack?” Rainbow Dash's magenta eyes widened in shock, caught off guard by Luna's astute observation. For a moment, she seemed ready to stammer out a denial, but before she could utter a word, Luna continued, her voice taking on an even more gentle tone. "We are the Princess of Night, the keeper of dreams," she asserted, "We know countless secrets. There are many ponies who dream fondly of thou in thine handsome Wonderbolt uniform, Rainbow Dash, but only one who truly knows thy embrace." The cyan colour pegasus blushed deeply. The idea that ponies dreamt about her romantically seemed to catch Rainbow Dash off guard. Recovering from the surprise of Luna's insightful revelation, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but joke about it. "Erm, fond dreams about me?" she chuckled, her magenta eyes reflecting both amusement and discomfort, “sorry if you've had to witness that.” Luna, with a playful glint in her eyes, responded, "thou art quite the celebrity, Rainbow Dash. Many ponies enjoy watching thee perform as a Wonderbolt. The sky is thy canvas, and thou paint it with the colours of both admiration and desire." Rainbow Dash laughed uncomfortably at Luna's description, her feathers ruffling gently in the dark. Then, a mischievous twinkle entered her eyes as she added, "do ponies ever dream fondly about you, Princess? Mysteriously flying through the night, and all that?" Luna's regal composure softened into a smile at Rainbow Dash's question. "Indeed, some do," she admitted with a modest nod, “although most often at slightly smaller scale than Our true stature.” Rainbow Dash looked up at the taller pony and couldn't help but giggle at the thought, her magenta eyes now sparkling with mischief. "It must be quite awkward if you ever dreamwalk in on a pony having a romantic fantasy about you," she teased, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. Luna's expression shifted to one of bashfulness. “Diplomacy is a necessary skill in Our endeavours," she replied with a wry smile, "but when a pony genuinely needs Us, whether out of loneliness or admiration, We view it as Our royal duty to accommodate them. Dreams are a realm where emotions are laid bare, and it is Our calling to offer comfort." Rainbow Dash’s jaw dropped open, her teasing expression softening into genuine astonishment. That Luna had openly shared such an intimate secret was deeply surprising, given her more usual reserved and distant personality. “I guess you've seen some things…” she said quietly. “Thou hast no idea,” replied Luna, rolling her eyes skyward and grimacing, “verily.” As a few nebulous clouds drifted across the moon, casting a veil of ethereal glow, Rainbow Dash and Luna lapsed into silent contemplation. The elongated pillows of iridescence created a mesmerising dance in the night sky, adding a slightly unreal sensation to the moment. The cyan colour Pegasus eventually broke the silence with a question, "Erm, Princess... You are a keeper of secrets too, right?" "Naught shall hear of it from Us," the alicorn tried to be as reassuring as possible, "Although We believe it is uncommon to hide good news.” The two ponies sat quietly, side by side, their gazes fixed upon the celestial expanse above. The night enveloped them in a tranquil hush, broken only by the soft hissing of the wind through leaves and the occasional chirp of a cricket. A canvas of stars stretched overhead, each one a pinprick of light in the vast cosmic tapestry. After a moment Luna cleared her throat and cast a quizzical look toward Rainbow Dash. The moonlight reflected off Luna's regal features, her eyes holding a spark of curiosity as she prepared to break the silence that had settled between them. The night seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the words that would bring the quietude to an end. “May We ask thee a question, Rainbow Dash?” she asked demurely. Rainbow Dash, sensing the princess's reticence, sat up a little straighter and shifted her expression to one of seriousness. She wanted to convey a sense of respect and openness, making up for the teasing moments earlier. With a nod and a sincere look in her magenta eyes, Rainbow Dash assured Luna, "Hey, Princess, you can ask me anything. I'm an open book. Fire away.” Luna took a breath and quietly asked, “why doth thou not want thine other friends to learn of thy romance with Applejack?” Luna's question hung in the air, the weight of it settling between them. Rainbow Dash, caught off guard by the directness of the inquiry, blinked in surprise. The moonlight cast a gentle glow on Luna's features, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity. After a moment of contemplation, Rainbow Dash let out a sigh. “Erm, it's not that I don't want them to know," she began, her wings twitching with a mix of nerves and vulnerability. “I really want to be able to show how I feel about AJ all the time. I guess we worry they might treat us differently or that it could change our group. I don't want things to be awkward or different between all of us.” Rainbow Dash's words hung in the night air, a glimpse into the complexities of her thoughts and the delicate balance she sought to maintain with her friends. Luna listened attentively, understanding the nuances of friendship and the challenges that came with navigating its ever-evolving landscape. "Have no fear, Rainbow Dash," Luna continued, her voice carrying a comforting assurance. "We are certain thine friends will be overjoyed wenst thou'st share the glad tidings." Rainbow Dash, despite Luna's reassurance, couldn't shake the vulnerability she felt in that moment. She looked down, her colourful mane cascading over her eyes, and when she spoke again, there was an obvious undercurrent of pain in her voice. "Keeping secrets like this doesn't feel right for AJ or me. We want to tell the fillies, but there just never seems to be the right time." Rainbow Dash's admission carried a weight of emotion, revealing the genuine fears that lingered beneath the bravado of the intrepid Wonderbolt. "Thou two are indeed known for thy honesty and loyalty," Luna agreed, "However some conversations have to occur at the time of thine own choosing. The shared joy will not be diminished by the waiting.” “Sure, and I guess nopony would be surprised about me ‘coz I've always been a tomcolt,” sighed Rainbow Dash, “but AJ comes from such a traditional background. I'm worried about what ponies might say about her.” Luna, sensing Rainbow Dash's vulnerability, extended a consoling hoof and rested it gently on Rainbow Dash's withers. The physical contact carried a sense of understanding and support, a gesture that transcended the boundaries between princess and pony. "Rainbow Dash," Luna began, her tone carrying a mix of wisdom and compassion, "amongst the things that have changed in Equestria during Our absence, We have observed a welcome shift towards a more liberal and accepting society. Ponies have grown to embrace diversity and the uniqueness of each individual. We are confident that in the light of such progress, nopony would harbour a poor opinion of thy lover." Luna's words were spoken with a sincerity that aimed to alleviate Rainbow Dash's fears. The two shared another minute of silence, each gazing up at the night sky and lost in their own thoughts. Eventually the alicorn withdrew her foreleg from her companion’s shoulders and spoke again. “The stars were friends to Us for so long," Luna mused, gazing upwards, "We miss their voices, for they cannot be heard from here on Equestria." Rainbow Dash absorbed Luna's words, a sense of empathy etched on her face. After a moment of reflection, she responded with genuine curiosity, "You are glad to be back home, though, with your sister?” Luna let out a quivering sigh, the weight of past conflicts evident in her words. "We were… less than cordial for a while. However, by her reckless actions, the pony known as Starlight Glimmer managed to get Us to recognize that We did not wish to serve Equestria in the manner that Our counterpart did." Rainbow Dash nodded in understanding. "I get it," she said, her voice carrying a hint of empathy, "you don't want Celestia's job.” There was another pause, as the alicorn carefully considered her words. It seemed as though, under this moon and in this company, Luna felt the time had come to speak honestly about her feelings. "We do not wish to perform those duties as Our sister does," was the eventual reply, Luna's voice carrying a mix of contemplation and resolve, "and were it possible, performing those duties in the manner We would choose to would not serve Equestria adequately… It has taken a long time for Us to reach this conclusion, likewise We feel that our sister has realised that she did not fully address the needs of my domain whilst We were banished." A quiet understanding hung in the air, the weight of centuries and the intricacies of royalty and sisterhood unfurling in Luna's words. Once more, a period of silence embraced them, its nature oscillating between companionable and awkward. Maybe it was both, but for a while, neither pony saw fit to break it. Then, with a tinge of sadness in her voice, the alicorn continued. "We have spent… lost so much time rebelling against something, only to find that the niche which was made for Us… The one We fought so hard against being placed into, was that which We were the most comfortable occupying," Luna spoke, her words carrying the weight of regret, "Those who We knew have lived and died without Us, and for a while, the world forgot of Our true existence, for naught but the stubborn pride of two young fillies who could not share the throne.” Rainbow Dash looked at the princess, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. She couldn't fathom that Luna would be anything but overjoyed after what happened when her banishment ended. Expressing her surprise, Rainbow Dash blurted out, “You are happy though? I mean, this is better than what would've happened if…” Her voice trailed off in an uncomfortable diminuendo. Luna's gaze remained steadily fixed on the sky as a mix of emotions played across her features, a testament to the complexities she harboured within. The moonlight accentuated the shadows on Luna's face, casting an enigmatic aura around the alicorn as she pondered how to convey the depth of her sentiments. “Did the sight of Our solitary figure not spark pity in thine heart tonight, Rainbow Dash? Is it easy to forget that We once were every bit Our Sister's equal?” spat Luna through clenched teeth, “now we just are another of the lesser alicorns. Nay, that is poor of Us… thy friend Twilight Sparkle and Mi Amore Cadenza earned their ascension through their actions. This might well be considered nobler than being born into it.” Under the cold moonlight the alicorn's expression appeared to harden, as if the next few thoughts were old wounds, long inflicted and yet to fully heal. "Thy friend Twilight Sparkle has proven herself as Equestria's fiercest warrior, but the events that led to it were a machination known only to Our sister. Naught has happened that she didn't set in motion, and thine friends did play thy part, innocent and unknowingly. Our sister is wiley, and We have no doubts that the wheels of her schemes turn still, whether we perceive them or not. We are all pawns on her board, played by her rules.” But, but, but…," stammered Rainbow Dash, her tone sincere, "we weren't forced together! We, we, were just there. Together, in Ponyville. I can't believe that we're all just pawns in some game. Twilight's ascension couldn't have been planned, or at least not every detail. I've seen her work hard, face tough challenges, and grow into the pony she is… we all have. Yeah, maybe we didn't know everything that was going on, but that doesn't mean we were just pieces on a chessboard. We're friends, not puppets. And I know Twilight… she couldn't be fooled like that." "Do thou believe thy roles occurred by mere happenstance? Coincidence? Nay, t'was ordained by Our sister placing thee in the correct position at the time of her choosing. We were played too, in her grand gambit. T’was Our guiding hoof was that unwittingly brought thou to the place where thy friends could cripple Us by another betrayal of trust from Our sister, who never intended that We should return as her equal.” Rainbow Dash maintained a defiant tone, unwilling to question the authenticity of the bonds forged in their adventures. She looked back at the moonlit night, as if seeking reassurance from the celestial bodies above, and continued, "We may not understand everything, but I'm sure we're not just pieces in some grand scheme. We're ponies, living our lives, making our own choices. And no matter what games Princess Celestia might be playing, we're in control of our destinies." Her words hung in the night air, a declaration of solidarity and a refusal to accept the notion of being mere pawns in a larger game. Princess Luna chuckled, her laughter swallowed in the quiet night, and asked, "Rainbow Dash, dost thou truly believe there is a difference between thy having free will or merely the illusion of having free will?" Rainbow Dash's expression tightened, her eyes twinkling from a sudden accumulation of tears. "I don't know, Princess Luna. But what's the point of anything if we're just being controlled?" Luna regarded her with a bemused smile. "Perhaps, my little pony, contentment is all that truly matters. How one arrives at it may be immaterial in the grand scheme of things. As long as thou art content, does it truly matter whether it is by thy own design or by unseen forces that govern our lives?" The moonlight bathed Luna in an otherworldly glow as she spoke, her words carrying a subtle wisdom. Much like the moon emerging from behind a cloud, Luna's dour demeanour changed as she realised that she should not be so harsh with her company. "However it came to pass, We have been lucky enough to form a new bond with the ponies of Equestria beyond that which was previously imagined. A more intimate connection than that of Our sister, where We provide comfort in the darkest of times. We make merry, on the celebration of Our imprisonment and torture, with the foals who are too innocent to know what their revelry is truly about. It seems to Us that this is far more fulfilling than directing matters of state, only seeing the ponies as a mass and not engaging as individuals.” Princess Luna's words resonated through the night, her voice carrying a mix of understanding and forgiveness. "Fear not, for the pain of being enslaved to my sister's tyranny, that thou'st friends and thee inflicted upon Us, is forgiven. We understand now what it is to be loved. Our sister is idolised, which is a comparatively poor and impersonal emotion. Thy accolades have been earned by thy own hoof, even if by unseen forces were thy opportunities conjured." Luna turned to look at Rainbow Dash's shocked and ashen face. She smiled gently and spoke again, "Thine lover sleeps restlessly without thee. Fly away Rainbow Dash, and be assured that all that appears terrible in the darkness will be gone as the sun rises.” As the first rays of dawn painted the sky over Sweet Apple Acres with gentle hues of pink and orange, Rainbow Dash stealthily made her way through the creaky halls of the old farmhouse. The events of the night had left her mind in disarray, and the weight of the disturbing conversation with Princess Luna bore down on her like an anchor. Arriving outside Applejack's room, Rainbow Dash hesitated for a moment before gently pushing the door open. The room was dimly lit by the soft glow of the approaching sunrise. Applejack stirred in her sleep as the petite cyan pegasus slipped into bed beside her. Half-awake, Applejack could feel the shivers running through her marefriend, concern etched her features as she murmured, "Wassa matter Dashie? Y’all shaking like a leaf." Rainbow Dash, her mind still wrapped in the shadows of the unsettling talk with Princess Luna, merely whispered, "Hold me, AJ." Her voice carried a vulnerability that Applejack had seldom heard before. Without questioning further, Applejack pulled Rainbow Dash into a warm embrace. The farm pony could sense the turmoil within her marefriend, and her heart ached at the feeling of Rainbow Dash quivering as if she'd flown in the midst of a wintry storm instead of a warm summer night. Applejack's strong, reassuring hoof gently stroked Rainbow Dash's vibrant mane, soothing away the anxieties that lingered in the air. In the quietude of the room, the two ponies lay together, finding solace in the shared warmth of their embrace. As the dawn continued to break, painting the sky with hues of gold, Rainbow Dash gradually succumbed to the fatigue that clung to her like a heavy cloak. Applejack continued to hold her close, whispering words of comfort and love that mingled with the rustle of leaves outside the window. Rainbow Dash drifted into a restless sleep, seeking refuge in the limbs of her lover.