//------------------------------//
// The Parting of the Rainbows 
// Story: Doctor Whooves Episode 9: Triple Rainbow 
// by Doctor Perseus 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 8: The Parting of the Rainbows


Eagle Park, Feathersville, The Griffin Kingdom, Gaia, Summer, 1021 C.E.

The Doctor, Twilight, Derpy, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy couldn't help but sigh as the TARDIS gave one final lurch to the right. 
"Now are you absolutely positive that we've made it back to the correct time?" Twilight asked.
"I'm positive this time! I'll probably have to try more dimensional travel in the future so that the TARDIS can hone in her new abilities," the Doctor replied. The five ponies then made their way out of the TARDIS. They were surprised to find that it was daytime outside.
"Well it looks like you didn't come back at the exact moment we left," said Derpy.
"Okay. Maybe we're just a few hours off."
"Not quite," said a familiar voice. They turned to see the elder Rainbow Dash walking towards them. She was accompanied by Spike, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Gilda, and Scootaloo.
"Rarity! Applejack! You're all okay!" Fluttershy said happily. "How did you heal from your injuries so quickly?"
"Well y'all gave us enough time to heal," Applejack said with a smirk.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.
"The night you left when the evil Rainbow Dash attacked us happened nearly a week ago," said Rarity.
"We were nearly an entire week off?!" Rainbow the younger gasped. Twilight, Derpy, Rainbow, and Fluttershy turned back towards the Doctor.
"Will it make you four feel better if I apologize?" the Doctor asked.
"Rainbow Dash. We don't have much time," said Scootaloo to the elder Rainbow Dash.
"I know," said Rainbow the elder.
"What's going on?" Derpy asked.
"The Gailenean 1000 starts today. Dash has to be at the starting line in less than an hour," Gilda replied.
"Can I stay and watch?!" Rainbow the younger asked as her eyes grew wide.
"You'll see the outcome of this race someday, little Rainbow, but not today," replied Rainbow the elder.
"But why?"
"I think you know why."
Rainbow the younger sighed as she nodded her head.
"So it's time to head off again?" Twilight asked.
"I guess so," said the Doctor as he shrugged his shoulders. Spike ran forward and gave Twilight a big hug.
"I hope you're not going to start a habit of making me wait a long time for you to return," he said with a smile.
"I'll try not to make a habit of it," Twilight replied.
"So where to next?!" asked an excited Pinkie Pie.
"Anywhere at anytime!" said the Doctor. Pinkie jumped forward and gave the Doctor one of her bone-breaking hugs. "Pinkie! I can't breath!"
"Oops! Sorry, Doctor!"
Pinkie let go of the Doctor and bounced back into the TARDIS. Twilight, Spike, and Fluttershy walked in after her.
"Goodbye then!" said Fluttershy as she walked back into the TARDIS. 
"Can we please try to avoid trouble at our next stop, Doctor?" Rarity asked.
"I'll try my best," the Doctor replied with a chuckle. Derpy and Rarity walked back into the TARDIS together. 
"I guess this is goodbye then," said Rainbow the younger as she looked at her older self, Scootaloo, and Gilda.
"For now, yes," replied Rainbow the elder. "Remember. You'll be in my hooves at one point."
"Yay. I get to go through all of this again."
"That's exactly how I felt."
The two Rainbows approached each other and shook hooves. Rainbow then hugged Scootaloo and Gilda.
"I guess I'll be seeing you two pretty soon," said Rainbow the younger as she backed away.
"You know it!" Gilda replied with a wink.
"I'll be waiting for your job invite!" said Scootaloo.
"I'm glad that you have a good life in the future, Rainbow," said Applejack as she looked between Rainbow the younger and Rainbow the elder.
"Wait. Before I go, can I ask one question?" Rainbow the younger asked.
"Sure," said Rainbow the elder.
"Do I...do I have-"
"A special somepony?"
"Yeah."
Rainbow the younger blushed a bit. Rainbow the elder smiled happily as she looked at her younger self and Applejack.
"As a matter of fact, I do. They're waiting for me back in Ponyville."
"Who is it and why aren't they here?"
"You'll find out soon enough. Don't go worrying yourself about love right now. Go and enjoy your time with the Doctor. Trust me, you have many wonderful adventures to look forward to!"
"Thanks! Goodbye."
Rainbow and Applejack then walked into the TARDIS. The two mares couldn't help but smile happily. 
"Good day to you all! Good luck in the Gailenean 1000, Rainbow Dash!" said the Doctor.
"Doctor, wait," said Rainbow the elder.
"Yes?"
"I suggest you start looking into those rifts. Trust me. Knowing those rifts is the best thing you can do at the moment. Knowledge is key when it comes to what you and the others are going to face."
"I'll make sure to keep that in mind. Don't worry. Whatever happens, I'll make sure that nothing happens to you or the others. I swear with all my hearts."
"I know that, Doctor. Goodbye."
The Doctor smiled as he walked back into the TARDIS and closed the doors behind him. Rainbow the elder, Gilda, and Scootaloo watched as the TARDIS let out its signature sound and disappeared back into the stream of time.
"I could tell that you wanted to tell him everything right then and there," said Scootaloo.
"I did...but I couldn't," said Rainbow.
"It's good that you didn't. Let time run its course," said Gilda as she placed a claw on Rainbow's shoulder.
"I guess you're right."
"Come on then! You've got a race to win and a special somepony to make proud!"
"Right!"
Rainbow, Gilda, and Scootaloo then raced off towards the starting line as the morning sunlight shone down on them through the canopy of leaves. 
To be continued...