//------------------------------// // 26 Summer Sun Celebration // Story: What's Really the Most Important? // by KrishnaKarnak //------------------------------// Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep! Rainbow Dash stretched out a hoof, tapping absentmindedly along her bedside table as the blaring noise pounded throughout the room. Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep! Dash swore loudly, whipping around to face the table and slamming her forearm against the top of it. Although the alarm did fall silent, Dash happened to knock the clock itself to the floor. She gave a tremendous yawn and glanced over to see if Scootaloo was awake. She was. And what was more, she was grinning wickedly. “Wow, you handled that one like a c-c-chaaamp, Sis!” Scoot yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Aaah, shaddap!” Dash smiled, rapping her hoof playfully over Scootaloo's head. “Abusing a filly, too!” Scootaloo giggled. "How awful!" Dash rolled her eyes and wrapped a wing around the child, giving her a tight hug. It warmed her heart to see that Scootaloo was in much higher spirits this morning than she had been the previous night. The pegasus slipped out of bed and picked up the alarm clock, placing it back on the table and stretching. Dash opened up the window blinds and was momentarily startled to see that it was still pitch dark out. “Oh!” Dash laughed, sitting back on the bed. “Totally forgot about the Summer Sun thing!” “That doesn't surprise me.” Scoot said loftily, wrapping her arms around Rainbow Dash's torso briefly before jumping off the bed herself. “You be nice!” Dash yawned again, sweeping her wing softly across the filly's rump as the orange pegasus ran around the bed. “Naaaw!” Scootaloo grinned back at Dash, shaking her head. “I'm gonna go get ready; the other Crusaders should be here soon!” As Scootaloo tore from the room, Dash gave a sigh and turned to look back out of the window at the darkness of the morning. She clicked on her lamp as she tried not to think about The Shadow. This turned out to more difficult than she imagined as she yearned to see the sun come up. Deciding to use her fear as some motivation, Dash decided to write to her father. Joining Scootaloo downstairs shortly thereafter, Rainbow Dash sat down at her kitchen table with a sheet of parchment. As she tapped a pencil on the table, trying to decide how best to start, Scootaloo walked over to her. “Whatcha doooin'?” Scootaloo asked, biting into an apple and leaning over the table. “I'm writing to your grandpa!” Dash said, frowning at the blank parchment. "I haven't dropped Dad a line in awhile.” “Oh!” Scootaloo giggled, smirking at the blank sheet. “It was so obvious just by looking at it!” “C'mon now, Scoots. Be good right now...” Dash trailed off as she bent over to write. “Oh... sorry, Sis. I was only playing around...” Scootaloo said uncertainly. She seemed worried that she had upset the older pegasus. “It's not a big deal, kiddo!” Rainbow explained, looking up again before she even started to write. “Dashie's not mad! Writing to my dad is important, that's all!” Dash gave Scootaloo a swift smile, which the filly returned. Dash returned to the parchment and began to write. Dad, I'm so sorry I haven't been writing as much as I should be! My life has been sooo hectic since I wrote to you about the airshow try-outs! But I really wanted to write to you today, because I gotta go play superhero again with the Elements of Harmony over in Saddle Arabia. I really don't wanna worry you, but I can't lie and say it's not going to be legitimately dangerous or even life-threatening. Had to make sure you hear from me before I go, though! I should be alright, Princess Luna will be with us all. I'll ask Princess Celestia to send this over through her magic rather than the regular post, so you should get it in time to say a prayer for me. I'm thinking I'm gonna need it. Y'know, just in case... but, yeah. We're going to Canterlot for the Summer Sun Celebration today, so I'll see the Princess then. The try-outs went awesome, as you might expect from your baby girl! I got to be Soarin's partner and we performed for like 55000 ponies and other creatures after a week or two of training. It was the most tremulous thing I've ever experienced, if that's the right word for that. Best of all, though, Soarin and I started growing pretty close and he spent the night after the show! The Wonderbolts are going with us to Gymkhana, the capital city of Saddle Arabia. So that's pretty awesome... sorry, I'm trying to sound braver than I actually feel, Daddy. To be honest, I'm actually pretty anxious about everything. I wish I had you here with me. Thankfully, I've got Scootaloo! She's done with school and she did amazing! I can't wait for you to meet her, Dad! She's so wonderful! Cheerilee said her only problem in school is a weaker vocabulary, and who cares about that?! Otherwise, Scoots is pretty smart. We usually act like sisters when we're together, but I feel our deepest nature is that of mother and daughter. I love her as though she's been my little girl for the last seven years. I can't believe it's only been a few months, but I've always wanted to look out for her even before I adopted her. I just wouldn't have believed, a year ago, that I'd have a daughter right now. It's just something I thought would never happen, due to my illness when I was a filly. Biological or not, she's the brightest gem in my life right now. Scootaloo had a really bad anxiety attack last night, since she's afraid of what I've gotta face. It was so scary, Dad, I didn't know what to do. It was like nothing I said or did could calm her breathing or crying down and I felt powerless to help her. I wanted to break down and cry, it was horrible to see her in such a state. She's okay now, though. I just hope she stays that way while I'm away. I pray I'll be safe, I really do... but I know that if anything does happen to me, Scootaloo will never be alone. I'm ashamed I never thought of you when I was first thinking about who would care for Scoots if I died in the desert. I'll make sure Celestia knows my wishes in that respect. If you could handle me of all ponies when you were younger, you can easily handle Scootaloo right now! Wish me luck, Daddy. I love and miss you so much. I'm hoping I get to see you again soon. I wish I could take your guidance with me, but I have your love and I know you'll be with me in spirit. And I've always, always got Mom in my heart. Lots of love, Rainbow Rainbow Dash finished writing and rolled up the parchment into a scroll. She stuffed it into a saddlebag hanging over the edge of another chair and stood up, stretching and taking in all the noise in her house right now. While she had been writing, the other Crusaders had arrived ahead of their sisters and they were making a terrible racket in the living room. She had roared out to them to keep everything clean and tidy, because she didn't expect to return to this house until after the mission in Gymkhana. “Rainbow Dash, you have nothing good in here!” Sweetie Belle was saying as she peered into the fridge. “Where's your vanilla-flavoured milk, filly?!” “I'm an athlete, Sweetie! That's waaay too fattening for this house!” Dash laughed. “Scootaloo, you poor thing! You've gotta live with that!” Sweetie Belle said in horror, frowning over at Scootaloo, who was standing in the entrance to the kitchen. “What Rainbow Dash isn't telling you is the fact we keep all our junk food in the drawer at the bottom of the fridge!” Scootaloo grinned. “No junk this early in the morning! You kids are crazy.” Dash rolled her eyes. “Eat the fruit and stuff, the things that would spoil while we're away! Honestly, there's like forty apples in there... go nuts.” “Apples are pretty darn awesome!” Apple Bloom agreed, squeezing into the kitchen behind the orange filly. “You only think that because they're in your name!” Sweetie Belle retorted, closing the fridge door. “Nu uh!” Bloom frowned at her. “I like apples!” Scootaloo chipped in. Knock, knock, knock. Rainbow Dash groaned in relief. “Finally! The voices of reason have arrived!” Dash said happily, waving the fillies aside so she could leave the kitchen to answer the door. “Gud mornin', sunshine!” Applejack said as Rainbow Dash opened the door wide. She was standing side by side with Rarity, who was looking simply radiant as always. “Hey, you two! I'll be ready to leave in a few minutes, come on in. Your sisters are already destroying the house, so...” Dash grinned, stepping aside to let them in. “They were quite eager to meet with Scootaloo! They wouldn't wait for me to pack my bag.” Rarity shrugged, tossing her mane. “Have you been feeling any better lately, my dear? You're still looking waxen, Rainbow!” She was peering critically into Dash's face. “Ear-wax-what, now?” Dash asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look sallow!” Rarity said gingerly. “Of course!” Dash said uncertainly as Applejack gave a guffaw. “Ride the train with us instead of your boorish flying and I'll give you a complete facial and hooficure! I have all the essentials packed in my bag for the mission already!” Rarity beamed, clapping her hooves together and positively bursting with excitement. “That sounds fun, eh, Rainbow Dash?” Applejack chuckled. “I'm mighty jealous!” “Oh my gosh! Applejack, I would be simply delighted to offer you the same treatment!” Rarity cheered. “I'll do all the girls! We will arrive for the Summer Sun Celebration as the most resplendent mares Equestria has ever seen!” “See what ya got started?” Dash groaned to Applejack as the three of them entered the living room. They started to laugh at the outraged look on Rarity's face, however. “What's so funny?” Sweetie Belle asked as she entered the room, walking over to give her big sister a hug. “Barbarians, my dear!” Rarity said sweetly, jerking her head at the pegasus and earth ponies. “It's okay, your big sister will make them beautiful!” “Phew... anyways, y'all best go grab your gear!” Applejack said once the laughter had died down. “Train leaves for Canterlot soon.” “Right!” Dash nodded, raising her voice as she made to leave the room for the hallway. “Scoots! Make sure you have everything you need for Canterlot!” Before long, it was time to go. Dash had packed any necessities that she would want to take to Saddle Arabia the previous day. She would certainly be packing light, however: a toothbrush, a hairbrush, some soap and shampoo, a pair of books, and the photograph of herself and Scootaloo they had taken on that very first day as a family. She considered this the most important thing to pack. Rainbow Dash knew Scootaloo had a copy of the photo herself, so she wasn't worried about taking it if something went wrong. Rainbow Dash wondered if she'd ever be seeing her front door again as she closed and locked it behind her. She remained close to Scootaloo as they all walked to the station to meet up with Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. Her mind was beginning to race with worries again as the darkness of the morning lingered, awaiting Princess Celestia's sun-raising ministrations. Dash was thankful that Scootaloo's anxiety seemed to be under control as the filly laughed and spoke with her best friends, but Dash accepted that it was going to rekindle when she had to part from the child. As Rarity had requested, Rainbow Dash did not fly up to Canterlot but rode the train with Scootaloo. While she was fine with riding the cramped locomotive, packed with other ponies off to the celebration, Rainbow wasn't fond of the prospect of not getting one last fly with the orange filly. Dash made a mental note to attempt one later. “Twilight, dear!” Rarity said as she laid out cosmetics and files in a semi-circle around her on the bench next to her, sitting on the rumbling floor of the train. “Are you unquestioningly sure you would not like to join us?” “I'm fine, thank you!” Twilight smiled brightly as Rarity leaned close to Applejack, horn glowing blue and clutching her hoof-file like a knife in a madman's hands. “This will be so exciting, though! I love watching the Summer Sun Celebration in Canterlot, just like my first time ever seeing it!” “It's so awe-inspiring whenever the Princess raises the sun! We are so blessed to get to experience it first hand!” Fluttershy beamed. “It's pretty cool, yeah...” Rainbow shrugged, her eyes fixed upon Scootaloo at the far end of the carriage. The three fillies were sitting apart from the other mares, possibly discussing how they might attempt to force their cutie marks to appear while in Canterlot. Every few minutes, she would catch Scoot's eye and her heart would melt at the sight of the filly's smile. Rainbow Dash wanted to relish in these last few moments of peace before they had to attempt to mete out their justice to The Shadow. “Your turn, Rainbow Dash!” Rarity sang ten minutes later, holding up a mirror in front of Applejack. “Applejack looks simply glorious!” “I've gotta admit, it wasn't as painful as I was expectin'!” Applejack laughed. “C'mon, Dash! Don't y'all wanna be 'resplendent'? Dash rolled her eyes, slipping off her seat and walking over. “Fine, fine...” Rarity was bursting with joy as Dash took Applejack's seat. Throwing a glance over to the fillies again, Dash noticed all three of them were looking over with grins on their faces. Rainbow Dash groaned. “Thank Celestia there's no more Gabby Gums...” she mumbled, sighing heavily as Rarity seized her leg in a surprisingly powerful grip, the file floating along with her levitation magic. It was nearing 11:00 AM as the train pulled into the Canterlot train station. As the crowd piled off, Dash spotted all sorts of ponies with coats and manes of every colour of the rainbow. Dash followed them on softly-beating wings. Landing on the edge of the platform, she turned to watch her friends disembark. Her cheeks were a rosy red from the makeup and her hooves felt sore and raw from the hooficure. “This is the second time I've had makeup on in like a month. If I'm not careful, I'm gonna turn into a girly girl! Hold me, Scootaloo!” Rainbow Dash joked, swooping down and scooping up Scoot as she left the train. “I think you're pretty!” Scootaloo smiled at her, though her voice was so quiet, only Rainbow Dash could hear. “Pretty scary, you mean!” Dash whispered back, squeezing her tight. “But I'm not as beautiful as you, Scoots.” “You aaare!” Scootaloo challenged back, kissing Rainbow Dash on the cheek. “You're the best, kiddo...” Rainbow sighed happily. “Are you two coming, or what?” Sweetie Belle called back. “We won't get good spots!” “Oh!” Dash said in surprise, realizing that she and Scootaloo were the only two left near the train. Flapping her wings hard, she flew after the group, deciding that now was the best time for their flight. Once she was hovering over her friends, Dash allowed Scootaloo to scramble up on to her back and nuzzle into the rainbow mane again. One tell-tale buzzing noise later and Rainbow Dash was beaming. “Rainbow Dash, are you flying ahead?” Fluttershy asked in concern, floating up to meet them. “We'll just circle overhead as you girls move toward Canterlot Gardens!” Dash explained, jabbing a hoof in the direction of the location in question. Canterlot Gardens was the common name given to a large park in central Canterlot. Whenever the Summer Sun Celebration was held in the seat of the Regal Sisters, thousands of ponies would gather in the park to witness Princess Celestia using her magic to raise the sun into the heavens. As Dash swayed from side to side, cutting a swishing path through the air to delight the filly on her back, her eyes fixed upon the mass of ponies already moving to the Gardens. Rainbow Dash flew up high to get a full view of Canterlot proper, keeping her body horizontal to avoid her saddlebag slipping off her flank. No matter how often she found herself in this white and gold city, the sights never ceased to amaze her. She could feel Scootaloo twisting around to get a good look at everything as Dash herself continued to drink in the sights. As it was still dark out, glowing orbs atop silver pillars and candle-filled lanterns dotted every nook and cranny below, keeping the city glowing brightly. Glancing down occasionally to keep her friends in view, Rainbow Dash flew slowly over the cobbled streets, savouring what could honestly be the last flight she would have with her child. She wondered if she was being too anxious again, but it was pointless to pretend that the danger was not there, even if she didn't fully understand what the strength of The Shadow was. “Scootaloo?” Dash said into the darkness, twisting her head around to try and catch a glimpse of the younger pegasus. “Yeah?” Scootaloo replied, leaning around Dash's neck to peer into her eyes. “I love you, Scoots. I just want you to know that.” Dash said, her throat beginning to constrict. “But I already know that!” Scootaloo said in surprise. “I'm not dumb, Sis! I love you too!” “I know you aren't dumb! Sometimes it's nice to tell somepony special how you feel, that's all!” Dash explained patiently. “Well... thanks, I guess!” Scootaloo said happily, nuzzling her face into Dash's mane. “I'm really happy that you're my big sister, Rainbow Dash. You were always my idol!” Rainbow reached around her head to get a firm grip of Scootaloo. Twisting over in midair, she brought the child in close to her chest, catching the saddle bag by the strap by bending back of one her legs. Floating along on her back, wings beating softly, she pressed her lips to the filly's forehead. “You're not the only one with an idol, you awesome, awesome kid!” Rainbow Dash choked, feeling her emotions stirring as she hugged Scootaloo tightly. “Gosh, don't crush me, you dummy!” Scootaloo protested playfully. “I bet your idol is Soarin! He's so cool! Is he your boyfriend yet?” “Soarin's not my idol, you silly filly!” Rainbow laughed. “YOU are!” “But I can't even fly!” Scootaloo asked in surprise. “You don't need to be able to fly for your big sister to look up to you and see exactly what makes you so amazing, Scootaloo.” Dash explained, feeling the warmth spreading through her chest and lungs as she looked into Scootaloo's face, illuminated as they flew over a group of glowing orbs. “And no, Soarin's not my boyfriend yet! Maaaybe when we get back? We'll be doing another date, I think!” “But you guys kiss! I saw you two at it, like you were trying to eat each other! Doesn't that mean you're in looove?” Scootaloo giggled. “Two ponies who like each other can kiss! And I don't think you're old enough for us to be having this conversation, missy!” “I don't think you're old enough to be kissing colts, missy!” Scootaloo giggled again. “Um... where's Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom?” Scoot peered around Dash's body, scanning the ground. “I don't see Rarity or Applejack or Twilight or anypony!” “Horseapples!” Dash groaned, reaching down to grab the saddle bag with one of her front hooves and giving Scootaloo a little push to make her start crawling. “Let's flip over and find them!” As Dash twirled right-side-up again, Scootaloo scrambled back on top. Dash could feel her winding her hooves into her multi-coloured mane as the older pegasus dived toward the crowd, zooming over them in a quick glide, her own eyes darting left and right for a sign of her friends. Finally, Rainbow Dash spotted them approaching two large pillars twisted with ivy. Landing with a clatter of hooves, Dash sprinted forward to catch up to them, speaking to Pinkie Pie as she arrived. “Sorry, got distracted!” Dash panted as Scootaloo slipped down off her back. Taking the filly by the hoof, Dash walked three-legged next to the pink earth pony. “Holy cupcakes, I don't think we even realized you two weren't still flying above us!” Pinkie Pie gasped, bouncing at the sight of them. “I'm so, so, sooo excited! The sun will be here soon! And then we get to go to BALTIMARE and take a BOAT!” she squeed, her voice climbing higher and higher. “How come you guys aren't taking a boat from Canterlot? Don't they fly?” Scootaloo asked, wings buzzing happily when she caught sight of her friends through a momentary break in the crowd. “They can, but Canterlot zeppelins aren't made for travel over the ocean. The ones in Baltimare are made for both air and sea.” Rainbow explained. “You can run ahead with your friends if you want to, Scoots!” Scootaloo shook her head, her fuchsia mane flopping side to side. “I'll stay with you! I'm just happy I can see them!” “Aww, thanks, kiddo! Hopefully we can see Soarin here!” Dash said, giving the hoof a squeeze. Finally, the swelling crowd seemed to stop in the middle of the park. As Dash and her friends crowded around a large platform erected in the centre of the clearing, there was a momentary glow that lit up the dark sky. Lifting Scootaloo to her shoulders, Rainbow Dash stood up on her hind legs, inciting a few angry grumbles from ponies behind her. Scootaloo's rapidly buzzing wings could be heard clearly through the sea of gasping ponies as Celestia descended on to the raised platform, the glow from her body seeming to tear away from her and fling into the sky as a shower of sparks. As the sparks fell upon a pond behind her, Celestia smiled brightly at her subjects, inclining her head at the crowd as a large and golden statue of the outline of a sun began to raise out of the platform behind her, towering above her. “The eternal sun shines forever,” the alicorn spoke in a loud and clear voice, her horn glowing brightly, “though the darkness dims its wonder. As you all enjoy the festivities of the carnival just beyond the Gardens, know that Equestria will never again experience eternal night. Although there may always be conflict and evils in this world, there will always be the light to combat it. Over a thousand years, I have made this vow true. And I will continue to do so for another thousand to come. Behold! The glory of the sun! Bask in its warmth as it fills you with life!” Rainbow Dash glanced over at Twilight to see that she looked like a filly viewing this for the first time. As Celestia stood up high on her hind legs, her ever-flowing mane rippling around her body, there was a sharp intake of breath from every soul gathered. Her incredible wings flexed and began to flap as her horn began to glow, shimmering with golden light. The Princess rose into the air, almost eclipsing the statue as she spread her body out wide. The sky seemed to flood with colour as though a giant paint bucket was spilled throughout the heavens. The giant, burning ball of flame ascended over the horizon that was visible beyond the tall buildings of Canterlot as Equestria shone like the star that lit it. Dash could see the divide between night and day sweeping over them, feeling the heat hit her chest. “That never gets old...” Dash could hear Applejack saying in admiration. “Did you like that, Scoot?” Dash asked the filly, preparing to down back down on all fours. “I remember the first time I saw-” Dash stopped short as she caught sight of a thick beam of black magic, roaring through the sky and heading straight for her and Scootaloo. It split into two a split second before striking them both. Dash could feel her body contract as though she were being squeezed through a tube. Rainbow Dash could not breath as the light of the late dawn faded from her vision, everything going black. All she could hear before sound was extinguished as well was Scootaloo's surprised cry of fear as the pair of them vanished.