“But… How… Why d-…” Rainbow was at a loss for words. How could she be looking at herself?
“Well, well. Loss for words, I see.” Future Rainbow stated. Rainbow could sense a little sarcasm in there, so she regained her composure and spoke.
“How did you get here? What do you want from us?”
“Excellent questions, my dear Rainbow. Allow me to explain.”
***
Date: Unknown
Location: Canterlot Caverns
“Come on, Twilight. You know I don’t have all day!” Rainbow said, flying above her purple friend. She was using her illuminated horn to guide them through the caverns that Celestia had asked them to explore, for the caverns recently opened back up after being closed for a millennia.
“I know, Rainbow. I realize your dream has come true. You are finally a Wonderbolt. After years of preparing and practicing, hard work and sacrifice, you got what you longed for. However, we can’t just go back and not do what the princess ordered us to do.”
“I have to meet them in an hour!” Rainbow felt a tugging on her tail, and was pulled backwards. She turned to see Applejack, who then spit out her tail.
We are moving as fast we can, Rainbow! We won’t be here much longer.” She said. Rainbow rolled her eyes and looked back at the others, who were slowly walking behind.
“Hey girls, I found something.” Twilight called. Rainbow was the first there, looking at the strange… thing… that lay in front of them. By the looks of it, it was some form of skeleton. However, this one was… well, as Twilight put it, a bipedal skeleton. Twilight picked it up, and one of the arms came off, being stuck under some rocks. Twilight estimated it was six feet tall, and wrote it down on a sheet of paper.
“Rainbow, could you grab that other arm?” Twilight said, focused on what she was writing. Rainbow walked over to the arm, poked it a little bit, then pulled on it with all her might. It wouldn’t budge. She pulled on it one more time, and it came out, making her lose her balance, and slamming her against the wall behind her. She let out a blood curdling scream. Twilight immediately put her attention on Rainbow, who was trying not to cry. Twilight looked at her wings, which were completely bent out of shape.
Her wings are completely broken.
Before Twilight could say anything, the cave began rumbling, and rocks were falling from up high. Applejack and Fluttershy immediately ran to Rainbow’s side, helping her stand up. They needed to get out of there. Twilight leading the way, they ran through the cavern, looking for the way out. Rainbow felt her wings dragging across the ground as she ran. When the found the exit, Rainbow was at the end of the group, and something hard hit her on the head. She fell to the ground, couple meters from the exit. They all kept running.
“No, wait…” Rainbow said weakly. Right as the last pony exit the cavern the exit closed and Rainbow passed out.
***
“When I awoke, I was under a pile of rubble.” Future Rainbow said, teary-eyed, “For two weeks, I was stuck in there. Two bucking weeks!” She paused. “And not once did anypony try and find me. After I got out of there, I went to Ponyville to be told that my so-called friends were in Canterlot. Upon arrival, I went to the castle, and saw them, talking to the princess. When I got close enough, I lunged at Twilight, hitting her repeatedly. After two or three hits, I was subdued by three of the guards. I broke free, and jumped at Twilight again. However, Applejack kicked me in the side, making me go across the room. Holding my side, I was picked up by the guards and was dragged out, looking at the ponies who betrayed me. I spent four months in the Canterlot Prison…” Future Rainbow looked at Rainbow, and smiled. “Then I broke out. However, the news reached Ponyville before I did, and they fled. So, I left the town and went to an old friend of mine, and he gave me an amulet.” She puffed her chest out, showing the purple amulet that was around her neck. “That is how I got here. However, I lost one of my eyes due to a side effect. No matter. I am here to enact my revenge on these five. Nothing is going to stop me!” Future Rainbow laughs maniacally, while the others sat there, mouths agape.
“What about me?” Rainbow asked. Future Rainbow looks at her, a big smile on her face.
“Why, you are going to help me of course.” Future Rainbow stated. Immediately, the other ponies began talking.
“Like she would ever help you!”
“Don’t listen to her Rainbow!”
“SILENCE!” Future Rainbow shouted, the sound echoing through the room they were in. The room was immediately quiet. “Let her decide.”
Rainbow looked at the ground. She didn’t know what to do, or who to side with.
“Well, are you with me, Rainbow?” Future Rainbow asked.
Rainbow winced at the sound of her name. She looked up at Future Rainbow, and sighed deeply.
“I’m with you.” Rainbow said.