“Red Star, are you sure you know where you're going?” Twilight had to ask, Red's been guiding her all over the castle for what seems like a while.
“What!? You think that just because I am drunk I don't know my way around my own castle?!” Red aggressively asked Twilight.
“Don't worry, Twilight,” Blue Garnet reassured, “Red knows her way around these halls. After all, we've only walked in circles twice this time; that's something.”
“... did you just use sarcasm?” Red seemed surprised.
“Yes...” Blue answers as she adjusts her glasses.
“Pftaww, my little lieutenant grows up so fast! I could cry...”
“Can you just get us to where we're going?” Blue playfully insisted, “after all you begged me to let you have all those drinks, so just keep your end of the deal.”
“Hmph! You sound just like Cyclone,” Red pouted.
“Does she usually do this?” Twilight finally asked.
“Yes...” Blue teased, “but no pony really likes to do anything about it. After all, she is the second highest commanding officer.”
“So things really haven't changed, huh,” Twilight giggled.
“Don't judge me!” Red exaggerated, “like you don't sometimes drink your horn off at parties, Twilight! And sure, Celestia taught you the importance of responsibility, but I taught you how to have fun while she isn't looking!”
“That was one of your first lessons...” Twilight murmured to herself, remembering back to the times when she was a little philly.
After a few more minutes of roaming around the castle, the three mares finally made it to their destination, Red's room. They went in, and as soon as they entered the bedroom bedroom, Red started to get in the mood for a drink.
“Well, girls, the night is still young...” Red reached under her bed and pulled out a large bottle of wine, “who's up for a drink?” she asks while wearing a goofy grin.
“You're kidding,” Twilight and Blue Garnet say in unison, both of them unsurprised.
“Come on, Twi,” Red insisted, “this will be the first time we've ever had a drink together. Just humor me. After all, what better way for the master and the apprentice to bond?”
“Well, when you put it that way, then of course I'll have a drink.” Twilight happily said.
“That's the spirit!”
“Are you sure I should be doing this?” Blue Garnet asked, worried about getting drunk in front of her commanding officer.
“Hey, I am your boss, and I say join me for a drink. Stop worrying about your job for once and have some fun, Blue.”
“Well...” Blue smiles, “alright, what the hell.”
“Awesome!”
-----
“That was so awesome!” Rainbow Dash claimed, “we have to do that again sometime.”
“We totally should,” Spitfire agreed, “right now though, the rest of the Wonderbolts and I need to call it a night. We had a great time, though.”
“Okay, I totally get it. I'll be seeing you then.”
“Totally. Later, Rainbow Dash.”
The Wonder Bolts wave their goodbyes to the prodigal blue pegasus, and launch way from the hoof-ball field they were all hanging out and practicing in. Rainbow can only wonder how much longer until she can finally become one of those idols. After all, she has more than impressed everyone of them today.
“So, did you enjoy your time with the Wonderbolts?” Cyclone asked jokingly, standing next to Rainbow.
“Are you kidding? It was awesome!” Rainbow exclaimed, “This was so much better than I thought it would be. I got the chance to show them my moves and now I am certain they will make me a Wonderbolt soon!”
“Hehe, I'll say,” Cyclone agreed, “but tonight you should rest. It's starting to get very late.”
“Oh, alright...” Rainbow spread her wings and was ready to fly, but she delayed her launch to ask, “hey do you know where all my other friends are at?”
“Most of them are inside, but I think one or two of them are in the castle garden.”
“Must be Fluttershy... can you make sure she makes it back safely? She can get kind of... scared. And I've got to get going.”
“Will do.”
Rainbow readied herself to fly, but once again she was delayed when Cyclone asked, “would you like me to escort you to your quarters?”
“Uh, no thank you,” Rainbow was confused by the question, “I think I can find my way.”
“You sure?” Cyclone insisted, “the castle's halls can make any pony very... uneasy at night.”
“Well it's not like I scare easy,” Rainbow said with her usual grin, “I'm sure I'll be fine on my own.”
“Alright. I'll see ya later.”
“See ya.”
Rainbow flies away, leaveing Cyclone impressed with the work out she and the Wonderbolts went through.
-----
“Oh my, this is the most relaxed I have felt in months,” Rarity said.
“You said it,” Applejack agreed. Both of the mares occupy themselves in the spa, getting massaged and pampered like royalty.
“Oh boy, I can get used to this,” Spike says. The baby dragon got a silver bowl of gems to go with his treatment.
“I'm glad you all are enjoying yourselves,” Cadence says from the warm bath opposite the other ponies, “after all, isn't it nice to not have to worry about saving Equestria?”
“No argument there,” Applejack said, “it's pretty nice that we can just hang out together in Canterlot like we used to do.”
“That party we had last night was a perfect example of that,” Rarity added.
“Oh right that,” Spike laughed, “I never would have imagined the highest ranking officers in Equestria play drinking games with the princesses...”
Cadence laughs at Spike's surprise. “Hey just because we're powerful royalty with duties doesn't mean we don't know how to have fun.” Rarity and Applejack giggle while trying to suppress their surprised looks. “And besides,” the princess proceeds, “Red Star, Cyclone, and the princesses have history together. They go back a long time...”
“Really? What's their history?” Rarity asks on behave of everyone’s curiosity.
Cadence didn't answer immediately, rather she took a moment to wonder how she can answer that question, “... well, a while ago before Twilight Sparkle, Red Star was Princess Celestia's first pupil. Like Twilight, she was very advanced for her age, showed great promise, she pretty much idolized the princess... And they were the closest as two best friends can get...”
Everypony including Spike paused for a moment to take in the fascinating fact they just learned.
“Is there more?” Applejack asked, not able to hold her curiosity.
“Can you tell us?” Rarity also insisted.
“... oh there's always more to a story,” Cadence continues, “but I think that story can wait. After all, it's not my place to reveal secrets like that...” she sinks herself further into the tub until her head was barely sticking out of the water, “let's just enjoy this time before we have to go back to our rooms and call it a night.”
Applejack, Rarity, and Spike look at each other. They both seemed very interested in hearing more. However they each decided it wouldn't feel right to insist. Instead they decide to enjoy the time they have.
“Hey,” Applejack says, “have any of you seen Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy anywhere?”
“I think they might be in the Canterlot Garden,” Spike answers, “but I'm not sure.”
“In the Canterlot Garden?” Applejack scratches her head, “what can they be doing there at this time of night?”
-----
“Are you sure we should be staying out here for this long, Pinkie?”
“Oh don't worry, Flutters. Auntie Pinkie Pie will protect you from all the ghosties.”
“That's not what I'm worried about... I'm worried that we might get lost wandering around The gardens like this in the dark...”
“Do you really think the garden is that big? Ooo! What if we find a lost tribe of ponies here!?”
“D-do you really think we can find a lost tribe?”
“Totally, if we look hard enough! Do you want to help me look for them?”
“O-okay, if it's okay, I want to help.”
“Hurray! And who knows we might discover some new species of animal or plant or plant-imal or maybe a human.”
“W-what's a human?”
“I don't know, but by the way my friend Lyra describes them, they sound awesome.”
“Oh, well I want to find a human.”
“Follow me, I think I know where to look.”
“Okay...”
-----
“Pour me another, please,” Twilight asked, her voice a bit slurred.
“Here you go, Twi, just try not to spill anymore on my bed, you little lightweight,” Red filled the lavender pony's glass with wine.
“This is some pretty strong stuff,” Blue Garnet noted, “how old is this, Red? I've never heard of this brand before.”
“Oh I got this the same day I was assigned to be Twilight's magic tutor,” Red gazed at the bottle, running memories through her head. Then she looked at Twilight, “I've kept this exact same bottle for all these years under my bed, waiting for that one day where I can share it with you, Twilight.”
“Really? You kept this just for me?” Twilight was delighted to know that Red would do such a kind gesture, “aww that's so sweet of you, Red Star!”
“Yeah don't get any ideas,” Red said, her tone returning to be blunt. “Oh, and Blue, you've never heard of this brand because I made it myself.”
“Really?” Blue was only half surprised.
“Yeah, really.”
“Huh...”
“Anyways... Twilight, anything 'particularly' interesting in your life?” Red left a trail of lustful implication in her tone.
“Well... not really,” Twilight's volume shortens as she tries to ignore Red's innuendo, “oh, I'm trying on some new experiments to improve on my medical magic... that's new...”
“Oh, sweetie, I meant is there anypony special in your life? You know: a colt... or a mare?”
Twilight choked on her drink a little as she tried to control her blushing, “w-what... n-no I haven't met anyone like th-that. I don't need a colt and I haven't met a colt lately.”
“Did I ever told you how cute you become when you try to lie to me?” Red plainly pointed out, her head tilting a bit.
Twilight lost control of her blushing and Blue Garnet couldn't hold in her laughter.
“Come on, Twi” Red continued, “it's me your talking to. I can see it in your eyes, you've got a colt to play around with. Who is he? Come on, you can tell me.”
Twilight took a moment to breath and collect her thoughts, ending her nervousness so she can answer Red's question.
“Well...” she began, the other two unicorns lay still to listen, “his name is Midnight Shine, but we aren't actually together.”
“Is he hot?” Red asked.
“H-he is very attractive...” Twilight mused.
“Alright, Twilight, tell me everything from the beginning. Leave out no detail no matter how trivial. I want to hear every little thing you two have done so far...”
“Oh, I just know this will be fun to hear,” Blue giggled.
“Uh I-we didn't... okay...” Twilight submitted and began to talk, “it all started a few days ago when...”
-----
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash wanders around the dark halls of the castle in an attempt to remember where her room is. The only light the pegasus has to move in is the moonlight coming through the windows.
“... you would think they would at least put some torches on the walls...” she commented. Despite the fact that no pony is around, Rainbow tries to act as if she isn't scared, so as not to compromise her bravado. “Come on, Rainbow Dash, there's no way you can be scared of a very... very creepy castle at night... I wonder if Twilight ever mentioned this place is haunted...” the cyan pony wanders for what seems like a while.
Eventually, she comes to a balcony. Deciding to take a peak at the view, she opens the door to the balcony and trots to the edge. “Wow!” she is amazed by the view. From the high balcony she can see the entire Canterlot Garden. A seemingly untouched forest landscape surrounding a huge lake. It's beauty outlined in the moonlight is indescribable. After a long moment of gazing, she said, “wow! If only all my friends were here with me to see this...” not long after she make her comment somepony spoke in to her left ear.
“Who are your friends?” an unfamiliar voice asked from nowhere, “you mean the other Elements of Harmony?”
“Jeez!” Rainbow flew upward from her position, being surprised and half scared by the sudden voice.
When she looked down to investigate, she saw another pegasus. A mare. She had a yellow coat, a dark purple mane and tail, and right from the start Rainbow notices she seems young for the stern voice she has. But what has Rainbows attention the most is that the mare had the brightest red eyes she had ever seen. “Wh-who are you?” the frightened mare finally asks.
“Well, you can call me Light Speed,” the mysterious mare said as she gazed at Rainbow with curious eyes, “just like I can call you Rainbow Dash.”
“How do you know my name?”
“Every pony is talking about you, back at the barracks. Not just you but the other elements of Harmony too. They talk about how you've been spending time with the generals, the princesses, and the Wonderbolts.”
“Really...? Well what are you doing here?”
“I came here because I really wanted to meet you...”
Rainbow suddenly seemed intrigued by this mare. She doesn't know why, but Rainbow has an itching feeling in her head telling her she knows this mysterious mare. Only thing is, she has no idea where she can know this mare from. To properly investigate, Rainbow lowers herself back down and decides to talk to the mare.
“You came here just so you can meet me?” she asked; Light Speed nodded. “Why me?” she asked.
“I've heard some interesting things about you. Like how you are the very first pegasus to pull off a sonic rainboom; how you claim to be the best flier in all Equestria; and that you're even an element of Harmony. I could go on...”
“Oh, if you do, we can be here all night,” Rainbow boasted. “So what, are you like a fan or something?”
“More or less,” Light Speed giggles, “to be honest, I'm kind of a big deal around the barracks too. I'm actually somepony the Wonderbolts can consider adding to their group...”
“Oh you're competition, eh?”
“Friendly competition...” Light Speed corrected with a smile.
Rainbow grew a grin. She's really starting to like this mare. Though, she still can't put her hoof on what Light Speed reminds her of... maybe it's just the fact they have the same manecut.
“You wanna go for a ride?” Light Speed asks as she propped herself ready to take off, already knowing what the answer will be.
“Totally,” Rainbow Dash readies herself to fly too.
“You sure? They don't call me 'light Speed' for nothing.”
“Bring it on.”
The two pegasus take off at high speeds in unison.
-----
“I don't think we're gonna find any humans...” Fluttershy said.
“Yeah you might be right,” Pinkie Pie admitted.
“I'm tired, and it's getting really late, can we go back to the castle?”
“Sure, I'm tired too anyways.”
The two mares started trotting back to the castle. Good thing Pinkie had the idea of leaving a trail of rocks behind them while they roamed around, otherwise they would easily get lost. Pinkie would've used cake crumbs, but Fluttershy said the animals would eat them.
Several silent minutes pass as they walk. Later on the way, Fluttershy kept hearing rustling in the darkness. She tried to think it was just some woodland creatures, but for some reason she can tell that that's not the case.
“Wait a minute,” Fluttershy suddenly spoke, getting the other mare's attention, “Pinkie, do you feel that?”
“Feel what?” Pinkie asked, not taking her eyes off the trail of rocks.
“Like... somepony's watching us...?” Fluttershy looks around to try to confirm her fear.
“Actually, now that you've mentioned it... I keep hearing something...” Both the mares stop and look around in the dark of the forest, hoping they can spot what they keep hearing.
Fluttershy, for a moment, started to think she was worrying over nothing after all. She sighed and turned back to tell Pinkie to keep moving. But Pinkie was gone.
“Pinkie?!” Fluttershy loudly whispered in panic. She looks around and finds not a trace of her friend. “Okay, don't panic, Fluttershy!” To avoid anymore terror, Fluttershy curls in a ball, lays on the ground, and doesn't try to peak through her hooves.
Meanwhile, not far from the frightened yellow pony, Pinkie follows the echoing sound and the sprinting shadow only she can perceive.
“Hellooo?! Anypony there?” she whispers loudly. Pinkie's trying her hardest not to be scared right now. Thankfully, this isn't the first situation she dealt with that involved a possible ghost.
Suddenly, a weak yet clear whisper said, “Can you find me...?” Pinkie froze in fear, not knowing where the voice came from or who was saying it. “Find me...” it said again.
“Is anypony there?...” Pinkie cooed. There was no response. It was complete silence, the wildlife was also too quiet. But then Pinkie was stunned by what she saw next.
A shadowy figure started coming out of the base of a tree not far from her, and it crawled across the ground toward Pinkie. It had no form; it was just a disfigured, stretched blob and there was nothing around that could have formed it. Frozen in a mix of fear and confusion, Pinkie stands and waits for the shadow's next move. It slowly comes closer to her almost like it's trying to reach out to her.
Once it got very close, inches away, Pinkie suddenly felt a tap at her shoulder and somepony asking, “Uh, Pinkie? Are you okay-” the voice was cut short when Pinkie burst with fear and jumped high up.
“Ah! Who are you?! Don't eat me ghosty!” Pinkie screamed, still in the air.
“Wow, relax, Pinkie it's me, Shining Armor,” the colt tried to calm her down, “is something the matter?”
“Th-the shadow! Right there!” she earged, but when she looked back at the tree, the shadow vanished. “Wha-” before she can say anything she fell back down to earth.
“Shadow? What are you talking about?” Shinning Armor asked.
“There was a weird shadow growing right in front of me and I think it wanted to attack me or something!” Pinkie insisted.
“Pinkie, there was nothing there when I got here,” Shining explained, “you were just staring at nothing when I found you.”
“Are you sure? I could have sworn I saw a shadow...” Pinkie's tone died down halfway through the sentence as she started to doubt the fact she even saw what she saw.
“Yes I'm sure, I'm sure you were just imagining it.”
“Yeah, I guess I did... Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Well, I was sent to get you and Fluttershy back to the castle,” he explained, “it's getting too late at night to be out here.”
“Wait now that you mention it, where is Fluttershy?”
Still curled up in a ball, Fluttershy still has the fussing feeling she's being watched.
“Hello?” she whispers, “is anyone out there?”
There is no response. It was silent. After finally getting enough courage, Fluttershy takes a peek from behind her hooves. She sees nothing at first, but when she looks around and realizes that there is a young colt standing right in front of her. Gazing curiously at her.
In a sudden panic Fluttershy gave a high pitched squeal and scurries away until her back met with a tree.
“Oh!” the colt began, “I'm sorry. I did not mean to scare you.”
“Who are you?!” Fluttershy asked, still a little scared.
“Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you.” The colt gets closer.
“Y-you promise!?”
The colt is in front of Fluttershy again and he kneels to get in eye level with her. “I promise,” he gently says. The colt appears to be nice, so Fluttershy starts relaxing again.
She analyzes him: Fluttershy notices he's a pegasus; he seems young and may be a bit younger than the yellow mare; his coat is a bright white color; his turquoise mane is long enough for him to have bangs that cover his right eye; and lastly, his most interesting detail, his eyes are the color of a bright pink that can rival even Pinkie Pie's coat.
“What's your name?” the colt asks.
“I'm Fluttershy...” the mare slowly says.
“Well, Fluttershy, what are you doing here in this forest so late at night?”
“I was... just about to-” Fluttershy stops when she notices the forest she's in now isn't the one she was in a second ago. This forest looks dead, gray and withered. There weren't any signs of life in it. “Wh-where am I? Who are you?!” She began to panic again.
“You are in the Dead-colt Flora,” the strange colt says, following a wolfish grin, “and I am its prisoner... now so are you...”
“What? No, this is a dream. I have to wake up!” scared and confused, Fluttershy doesn't know what to do. She clovers her eyes and tries to 'wake up', “Wake up... wake up!” she tells herself, “Wake up, Fluttershy!” She's persistently screams, “Wake up!”
“Wake up!” A familiar voice breaks through, “Wake up, Fluttershy! Are you alright?”
Fluttershy frantically stands up from her position laying on a tree. She looks around, and she's back at the Canterlot Garden. The only colt who was there was Cyclone trying to wake her up.
“Cyclone?” the mare says.
“Yeah it's me. Are you okay?”
“Yeah I'm fine but... what happened?”
“What happened? What happened was Shinning Armor and I were sent to find you and Pinkie because it's getting too late for you two to be here. But when I found you, you where passed out laying on a tree.”
“Really...?” Fluttershy says, “so it was a dream...”
“Huh?”
“Nothing... it's nothing,” Fluttershy tries to change the subject and forget the sudden 'bad dream', “where's Pinkie Pie?”
“I'm sure Shining Armor found her by now. But let's just start getting you back to the castle.”
“Okay...”
-----
“Well that was fun,” Red says as she stretches her limbs, “unfortunately though, Twilight's still a lightweight.”
“Yet she likes a good drink almost as much as you...” Blue adds. Both Red and her are the only ones still conscious in Red's bed. Meanwhile Twilight is vast asleep next to them, and neither Red nor Blue have decided whether she passed out from the drinking or if she simply got tired.
“I know right, I taught her so well,” Red remarked with a silly smile, “they grow up so fast!”
“Oh my goddess those snores of hers are adorable,” Blue comments.
“Ooo! Watch this-watch this...” Red tries to hold in her laughter as she slowly moves her hoof closer to Twilight. Red reaches the back of the lavender pony's left ear and rubs the base of it. The result being Twilight started kicking her hindquarters back and forth similar to a dog or a rabbit. At the same time she starts moaning in annoyance to Red Star's touch.
“Awww!” Blue and Red emitted in unison, following a chain of muffled laughs.
“That is so adorable!” Blue loudly whispers.
“I know right!” Red says, “I've been doing this to her since she was a really cute little foal. The funniest part is she never wakes up from this!” she laughs even more.
“Oh just let the poor thing sleep in peace. What do you want to do now, Red?”
Red pulled back her hoof and wondered what else to do now that Twilight passed out.
“I don't know....” she said at first, but then gets momentum, “Ooo! I almost forgot to ask: you've met all of the elements, right?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Well, which one do you you like so far?”
Blue raised her brow, surprised at the sudden question. “Oh... Do you really want to know now?” she blushed.
“Absolutely!”
“Fine... hmm...,” Blue was reluctant to answer, “Twilight's nice and all, but I really feel I have a lot in common with Rarity...”
“ Ah! I figured!” Red boasted and tried to act as if she knew that from the start. “After all, you two are pretty fashion-conscious. And more importantly, you're both kind of greedy with gems and stuff!” she added.
“Th-that's not-... true...” Blue tried not to admit that Red was right.
“Haha! Yeah, right. You still prefer to be paid in sapphires! And damn, you overdo it when it comes to 'special occasions'!” After a few moments of laughter and then collecting their breathes Red changes the subject completely, “but anyways...” Red starts to carefully climb out of her bed, “let's go check on Luna; see what she's up to.”
“Right behind you,” Blue starts getting off the bed too. But when she gets down and starts walking she loses balance and fell on the ground with a loud thud.
“Pfthaha!” Red laughed, “still a bit tipsy from the drinks, sweetheart?”
“Shut up, and help me up.” Blue growled in pain and held her hoof out, waiting for Red to pick her up.
“Here...” Red at first looked like she's offering her hoof, but instead she touches Blue's horn and a magic glow comes from Red's hoof.
“What the...?” Blue says in confusion.
“There! You feel better now?” Red asks after the red glow of magic dims down.
“The heck...?” Blue stands and feels as if she was never drunk to begin with. “What did you do?”
“I sobered you up. What? You think that after all my hangovers I wouldn't have thought of finding a way to solve my problem?” she laughs.
Blue rolled her eyes and murmured, “Drunkard...”
“Aw, I love you too!”
“Grr, can we just get going?”
“Sure, babe.”
“Ugh! Don't call me b-”
The two unicorns teleported before Blue could finish her statement.
-----
Fluttershy slowly opens the front bedroom door and whispers, “Uh, Pinkie Pie? Are you still awake?”
There was no response. Fluttershy enters the room, closes the door behind her, and goes up to Pinkie's bed; all as carefully as she could. Pinkie was dead asleep. Outlined by the moonlight, she was crawled in a ball cuddling the sheets that were also made into a ball. She looks very peaceful. Fluttershy will feel bad for having to wake her up.
The yellow mare nudges the sleeping Pinkie in the shoulder, trying to get her to wake up, “Pinkie? C-can you wake up, please?...” she whispers.
At first nothing happens, but a few moments later Pinkie starts to wake.
Pinkie gives a long, exaggerated yawn and looks up at Fluttershy with half-closed lids. “Huh? Fluttershy? What are you doing here?” she asks.
“I'm really sorry to wake you up,” Fluttershy hopes her apology is accepted, “but I was wondering if I could sleep here tonight? If that's okay with you...”
“Oh totally, Flutters!” the pink pony summoned enough energy in her to respond in her usual excited manner. “Here, you can sleep here next to me,” Pinkie scoots over to give her friend some space to sleep on.
“Oh thank you, Pinkie!” the shy mare lifts herself with her wings and gently lands on the bed. “Again, I'm really sorry to have to bother you. It's just I'm a little scared to be alone tonight...” she admits. She was worried about getting another nightmare like the one she had in the garden.
“Oh it's okay, Flutters,” Pinkie starts to wrap her hooves around Fluttershy's chest and cuddles her, “you don't have to be scared anymore. I'm here,” she says in an almost unrecognizably soft tone.
Fluttershy smiled, her involuntary blush refusing to falter, “goodnight, Pinkie,” she says.
Both mares found a comfortable position, close their eyes, and quickly drifted to sleep.
-----
Meanwhile, in the highest balcony, Princess Luna watches over the castle grounds using her telescope. Standing vigil outside her room, she closely inspects the night.
Red Star and Blue Garnet arrive just behind the princess.
Luna turns around to greet the two unicorns, “hello, Maroon Mars,” she says in her usual formal, deadpan tone, “and hello, Blue Garnet.”
“Hi, Luna,” Red says; Blue simply bows her head. “So,” Red continues, “anything worth mentioning?”
“No,” Luna seems disappointed, “there have been no disturbances, no irregularities, and certainly no breaches of any kind anywhere.”
“Is that so?” Red shared the same disappointment, “you're absolutely sure then?”
Luna shot a grimace at Red, “yes I am certain. After all neither of use has sensed anything ever since the elements arrived here.”
“Yeah that's a bit strange...”
“Did you learn anything from Twilight?” Luna asks as she starts focusing back to her telescope.
“Actually, yes,” Red started to get excited again, “apparently, there's a new colt that arrived in Ponyville just a few days ago. His name is Midnight Shine.”
Luna was intrigued enough to focus back on Red again, “Really? Do you think this 'Midnight Shine' has some involvement?” she asks.
“I'm not sure. Though, his timing couldn't be anymore curious. But I really don't have much to go on to do anything, and apparently he's back at Ponyville according to Twilight,” she sighs. “Is there anything else you need to report?”
“Well...” Luna closes her eyes, calmly exhales, and focuses on what she can sense, “every one of the elements are in their quarters...” she starts, “all except for Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash...”
“Well, Twilight's passed out in my room,” Red says, “but I don't know about Rainbow Dash.”
“She's... flying above the Canterlot Garden... she's flying with...” Luna's eyes dart around in her closed lids, “... she's flying with... a mare...?”
“A mare?” Red asks, “Who?”
“I do not know... it's a...” Luna opens her eyes and calmly inhales. “It's an out of uniform soldier, apparently,” she says.
“Oh, I guess one of Rainbow's fans must have skipped curfew just to meet her,” Red figures with a smirk.
“Should we do something about it, sir,” Blue Garnet asks.
“No, let them be,” Red says, “at least we know Rainbow Dash is relatively safe with one of our soldiers around.” After trailing off for a moment Red changes the subject. “You know what, Blue,” she looks at her lieutenant with a smile, “why don't you take the night off for now?”
“Uh, are you sure, sir?” Blue was surprised by the suggestion.
“Of course I'm sure. I'll let you know if I need anything, but until then you're free to go.”
“Uh... okay, I guess,” without a second thought Blue left using a teleportation spell.
Just a moment later, Red Star sensed Celestia presence from behind her.
“You put a lot of faith in your warriors...” Celestia passively comments. Red turns around and sees the princess touring over her wearing a fragile smile. Red is unsurprised by the sudden appearance. Meanwhile Luna stopped caring and went back to gazing at the stars with her telescope.
“Is that so?” Red says, “well I don't put anymore faith in my soldier than you put in your student...”
“Really?” Celestia raised a brow, but a part of her expected that kind of response from Red.
“Yup!” Red moves back a step to get a better look at the princess. “You didn't just come her to say hi,” she stated, changing the subject, “why are you here?”
“I came here because...” Celestia looked down, as if rethinking what she's going to say, “I think it's time... we tell Twilight what's going on...”
The proposal shocked Red Star, and it even got Luna's attention. A moment passes as none of them knew what to say next. Red Star opened her mouth, but it took her a few seconds to get the words out.
“Uh-o-okay,” she stuttered, “it's a little sudden and soon but okay... are you sure about this, Celest? I mean why now?”
Celestia's brows meet downwards, her expression was all it took to answer Red's question.
“Right,” Red says, “just the two of us, right? Then let's get going...” she is the first to teleport away, not waiting for Celestia. It was obvious Red didn't think it was a good idea. But she also was glad that she can finally tell the truth.
“It's a beautiful night you created, sister,” Celestia says to Luna.
“I know, Tia” Luna said in her quiet tone.
“Keep me informed if anything turns up.”
“Likewise...”
Celestia leaves. Luna smiles as she wonders who else is looking at the stars being awed by the night’s beauty. Then she goes back to work after a moment of marvel.
-----
“Think you can keep up, Rainbow Dash?”
“Oh now you're asking for it!”
Rainbow Dash boosts her speeds close to her limit as she races Light Speed across the landscape. They've been neck-in-neck for most of the race and the longer they went the more they each realized they might end in a tie.
Eventually, they were getting close to the cloud they agreed was the finish line. Reaching high speeds they both have the intense competitive looks on their faces. They focused on the imaginary finish line as they got closer. Just moments later, in the split second moment, they see that they both arrived at the line at the same time. It was a tie.
They both stop soon after they finished the race, and then began complementing each other.
“That was so awesome!” They spoke at the same time drawing giggles from the both of them.
“It's been too long since I've had a good race like that,” Light Speed says.
“I know right,” Rainbow says, “I mean not even the Wonder Bolts put up that good of a match!”
“Is that so?...” Light Speed was surprised.
“Yeah, I don't think I would ever say this to another pegasus, but you might be my equal.” Rainbow was more than ecstatic by the realization.
“Really? To be honest I feel kind of the same way,” Light Speed started growing a grin.
“But hold on a sec,” Rainbow scratched her head, “if you're this good, how come I've never heard of you?”
Light's grin dimmed down, then she sat on a cloud. She gestured Rainbow to sit in the cloud too, so the cyan mare does sit and listens to what the yellow coated mare says. “The reason I never let myself become known is because I don't need other people to know how good I am,” Light says, already Rainbow is intrigued, “I mean I figured I'm better than the Wonderbolts or anypony else whether or not ponies know it, right? And if I really wanted fame, I can get it whenever I want...”
Every aspect of Rainbow Dash's self is screaming that is not true, she is total odds with that idea. However, she tried he best to keep a light smile, and she tried to calmly speak her mind. After all, Light Speed did seem like she wanted to hear what Rainbow had to say. “No offense, Light Speed,” Rainbow begins, keeping her gentle tone and smile, “that's a very stupid way of looking at it.”
Light Speed raised a brow, but also seemed interested to hear Rainbow's reasoning.
“You see,” Rainbow continued, confident in her words, “what's the point of being the best if nopony knows? I mean, what reason would you have of trying to be better if you don't show off?”
Light Speed took a minute to seep that in. “A valid point,” she said, “but there's just one issue: fame brings arrogance; if you become arrogant, your pride can consume you.” Rainbow's expression turned to one of confusion, not understanding what the mare meant. Before she can respond, Light stood up on the cloud stretched her wings, and said, “let's race to the highest cloud, up there,” then she flew off.
It took a moment for Rainbow to realize what just happen, “wa-wait for me!” she called. It didn't take long for her to catch up to Light Speed. “Hold on a minute,” Rainbow said once she was flying along side Light Speed, “what do you mean you said that?”
“I meant exactly what I said,” Light Speed said, trying to keep her eyes on where she's flying, “fame brings a reason to be arrogant; and that brings pride; which becomes corrupt. Considering the line of work you and the rest of the elements do, I thought you would agree...”
Distracted by the last remark, Rainbow didn't stop in time after they both arrived to the highest cloud, making her end up hovering over Light Speed.
After floating down to sit next to Light Speed in the cloud, Rainbow had to ask, “how do you know about that stuff?...”
“Well, only the highest ranking and trustworthy officers are permitted to know about the stuff you and the other elements have been through,” the yellow pegasus spoke in a bland tone, as if she wanted to change the subject, and she wasn't really looking at Rainbow the whole time. “I just happen to be a trustworthy, high ranking officer. I know everything you've had to face over the last few years with your friends.”
“Really?” Rainbow said, her positive tone offering to change the subject, “so what do you think? Do I have what it takes to be a Wonderbolt?”
Light Speed looks at Rainbow Dash, both of their red eyes like lit rubies make eye contact. Light's look of curiosity and wonder counteract Rainbow's expression of prideful joy.
“Why do you want to be a Wonderbolt so badly, Rainbow Dash?” Light finally asked. “After all don't you get a bit carried away with your pride for your own good?”
Rainbow paused for a moment, the question at first didn't really make much sense to Rainbow. I mean who would question her desire to want to join the best fliers in Equestria? But for a second, Rainbow took a bit to reflect and ask that herself. A long pause lasts while she gathers the words to answer the question?
“I want to join the Wonderbolts... because ever since I learned how to fly it has been my very purpose,” Rainbow grew back her grin and confident tone, meanwhile Light looked very interested by the statement. “I have always loved the feeling I get when I fly,” Rainbow continues, “but it's the feeling I get when I compete or when I am challenge that makes it worthwhile. Flying is all I know, and honestly, everypony has to leave their mark on the world somehow. Being the best flier to ever live is what I want to be remembered by, not the fact I am an element of harmony. I just don't want to be forgotten, therefore it is my purpose to be the best. I'll do anything for that glory and fame of being the ultimate best.”
Light Speed was left with a smile and raised brows by the speech, and Rainbow was left excited by it.
“What happens once that pride of yours becomes too strong to the point any villain can use it?” Light Speed asks, her questions seemingly endless. “After all, stuff like that has happened before...”
Rainbow looks at Light Speed with a blank expression. “I'll cross that bridge once I get there...” is all she says, her dimmed tone just as plain as her expression. Rainbow can't think of anything else to do but to lay down on the cloud and gaze at the beautiful night sky.
Light Speed had nothing else to ask, and she was satisfied by the speech. So she laid back to join the cyan mare.
-----
Back in Red Star's bedroom, Twilight just started gaining consciousness not a moment ago. Slowly she responds to her headache and dizziness. She tries to lift herself up, but she doesn't seem to have the energy. She is aware of where she is, but she's too tired to really care.
“Ugh...” she groaned, tossed and turned as she tried to go back to sleep until she was completely layered in sheets and blankets. For a moment Twilight had a chance of a peaceful rest. She closed her eyes and yawned. A few minutes pass before Twilight's sleep was interrupted.
“Heey, Twiiilight,” Red Star hummed, trying to wake the mare.
Twilight reluctantly opened her eyes and saw her old mentor lifting the sheets above her head. The lavender pony moaned in annoyance, “Red Star, just let me sleep,” she said in an exhausted tone, “my head hurts.”
“Sorry, Sleeping Beauty,” Red joked, “but I need to talk to you about something.”
“Can't it wait until morning?” Twilight groaned.
“Nope,” Red tried pulling on the sheets, but Twilight wouldn't let go of them.
“Noooo!” the lavender mare resisted, pulling back on the sheets.
“Am I gonna have to force you up!?” Red said, slowly getting frustrated.
“Maybe...” Twilight moped, “or you can just go to sleep too.” Twilight was too hungover to pay attention to each word she said.
“You're asking me to sleep with you?...” Red leaned in close, to Twilight's surprise, their muzzle inches away from each other. Red's expression is blank at first, “you're putting me in an awkward position, Twi,” she continues while a grin slowly grows in her face, “because I'll be honest; you're not the first mare to ask me that while laying in my own bed...” Red's tone was soft and unrecognizably seductive, and to finish her statement she slowly let her tongue roam across her upper lip.
“Th-that's not what I meant!” Twilight shouted; she pushed Red Star and threw her blankets at her. Twilight's blush growing brighter as she tries to get a certain thought out of her head. “Geez, fine I'll get up, just please st-” Twilight got up in a hurry, but froze when she noticed Celestia standing at the end of the bed. Meanwhile, Red Star lost control and rolled around the floor laughing. “Pr-princess,” Twilight stuttered, “what are you doing here?”
“Well...” Celestia cracked a smile and tried not to laugh, “I came here with Red Star because we both wanted to talk to you about something important.”
“Huh?” Twilight looked at Red Star who was still laughing her horn off, “why didn't you just say Celestia wanted to talk?!”
“Be-because it wouldn't have been as funny!” Red said between laughs, “T-tell her, Celest! Tell her about our little bet.”
“Well...” Celestia grinned, “maybe later, but right now we need to get serious.”
“Oh alright,” Red seemed disappointed, “but I totally won that bet!”
“Wh-what bet?” Twilight asked, not having a clue what they're talking about.
“Never mind that,” Celestia said, her tone slowly getting strict again, “come with us to the Hall of the Elements. We have to tell you something.”
“Tell, me what?...”
“You'll find out soon enough,” Red's tone seemed to get serious too. “But first...” she leaned in to touch Twilight's horn, and a faint red glow occurred. “there, now you're sober again!”
“Umm...? What did you do?” Twilight stood up from the bed and felt good, rested, and more importantly, sober.
“Just a bit of my own magic. Now let's go.” Red touched Twilight's horn, only this time she teleported both the lavender pony and herself to their destination. Celestia followed along.
-----
Celestia, Red Star and Twilight Sparkle arrived at the Hall of the Elements. Twilight still didn't know why she was brought there.
“Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia declared, “we have something we need to let you know.”
“Walk with us, Twi,” Red Star lead the way as they all started walking along the hall. Twilight was just following along and was prepared to listen to whatever they had to say. After all, it must be important if they needed to talk in the middle of the night and alone.
“There are some things we haven't been very honest about,” Celestia begins.
“And there are some things we have kept secret,” Red continued, “completely hidden from even you, my dear student.”
“Wha-what things?” Twilight became submissive as she had no idea what to expect.
The princess and her court wizard look at each other, exchanging a silent agreement. Then they look at their student. They stopped moving and stood next to each other in front of Twilight.
Red star started off, “you don't remember this, Twilight. But on the second day we accepted you to become our student, something of seismic, cosmic proportions occurred...”
“What are you talking about?” Twilight still not having a clue.
The two mentors look at each other one last time before Red Star continued.
“We found incontestable evidence that the elements of Harmony have been reincarnated into ponies for the first time...”
Red started to explain everything to Twilight.