//------------------------------// // Celestia's Vacation // Story: Dash to The Sun // by Solar Flare_28 //------------------------------// **Chapter 1** Rainbow Dash slowed to a glide to land smoothly and flawlessly, making the transition from flying to sitting awesomely. Basically like she did anything. She found herself on a fair-sized (yet slightly drizzle-y) cloud and waited waited for her sisters, Rainstorm and Solar Flare, to show up. The three were almost twins. Only, Solar Flare was a cream color, her mane being a spectrum of different shades of orange and yellow. It was styled almost the same way as Dash's, and Solar Flare's eyes were dark green. Rainstorm's coat was snow-white, with an also-similarly-styled blue spectrum of a mane with similarly sky-blue eyes. They were meeting up for practice, to qualify for the next Wonderbolts tryout...which was probably far away. Dash groaned inwardly at the thought of the daunting year until the next tryout. She had broken her wing (and accidentally discovered the awesomest book series ever) just in time to miss the chance of her life. This time Dash groaned for real, recalling the event. About the only good things about the experience were, of course, discovering the Daring Do series, and the fact that Solar and Rain had somehow refrained from going by themselves. The rest of the girls had told her that keeping them away had included a garden gnome, a turtle, and a book full of bedtime stories. Dash wasn't sure she wanted to know... The sound of wingbeats sounded from behind Rainbow Dash. "Hey, Rain. How've you been?" Rainbow called to her white-furred sister, by her nickname, as Rainstorm descended onto the cloud, falcon atop her shoulder regally. "Just fine, Dash. Hey, where's Solar?" The sisters had come up with nicknames for each other when they were fillies, and it was the only thing anypony ever called them. "Dunno. Thought you might've seen her." Though Dash hated it she had to admit being late was something Solar did a lot, due to her countless pickpocket and let's-rob-the-nation-of-its-deepest-secrets escapades. That mare could sneak up on...whatever normally snuck up on ponies. She was well known for being an almost-sort-of-maybe-not stalker. "Nope. Flare probably had to do something or other." Both mares jumped as a voice, who sounded suspiciously pensive, came out of seemingly nowhere. "Yeah, just snuck— had a meeting with Luna, you won't believe what I found out!" interfered a cream-coated Pegasus as she landed surprisingly quietly for a pony that was panting so loudly. "Wow, Flare, watcha doin', panting like that?" Rain said. Flare looked uncomfortable for a long pause, rubbed a foreleg, then gave a sigh and said all at once, "Weeeell... I know I'm not supposed to sneak around anymore but I couldn't help myself and found out that Princess Celestia's not a the Seapony's realm, she disappeared and so Luna's gonna take some of the best 'guard'--" she rolled her eyes at this part, as they all agreed the guard did nothing "--with her to save Celestia." She panted a bit more from talking so fast. However, seeing as everypony else was too stunned to answer (and she probably just felt like talking), Solar continued the conversation. "Well, do we tell Luna th- wait, no, never mind, if she catches me sneaking again..." She trailed off with a gulp. Dash got over her shock, though. Ish. "Wait, we've got to tell Luna, I mean, she's practically our aunt, she won't hurt you. Ohmygosh, how are we gonna save Celestia?! We've gotta save her--!" She cut off and stared wide-eyed at the sun. As much as Dash's outburst surprised her young sisters, they all broke into pure panic as they saw what was in the sun. "Do you see it?!" "Oh my what?!" "What the heck?! The three decided that, no matter the consequences, they would have to consult Luna about Celestia's 'disappearing act'. They didn't know if she knew about that certain...detail yet, but either way, they were taking a flight to Canterlot. *~~~~~~~~~~* "Well, Solar Flare, it seems that since you and your sisters have given me an idea of what's going on, I won't punish you for sneaking yet again." The bedraggled, puffy red eyed moon princess gave a sigh. "I just hope we can find them in time..." Rain gave a confused, "Huh?" "Wait, who? Who are 'they'?" Dash demanded. "Some old enemies of Celestia's," Luna said tiredly. "Enemies? Who?" Solar couldn't stand suspense. "Meet me here in an hour. I'll explain everything." Solar angrily snorted and opened her mouth to protest, but before she was able to speak, Princess Luna said, "Oh, and, this can count as your punishment, dearest Solar Flare, thinking about how you handle suspense." She smirked. Dash arched an eyebrow teasingly. "Remember that story Mom told us once? How you tore, like, half your mane out when she wouldn't tell you what happened next!" Solar gave another angry snort and was about to mumble an equally angry retort through clenched teeth, but once again got cut off before she was able to say anything. A laugh came out unsuccessfully stifled out of Rain's mouth. "Awww, not you, too, Rain. Here I was, thinking you were decent." Solar Flare flatted her brow. But, a smile was reaching Solar's mouth, and soon everypony but Luna (she smiled broadly) was laughing historically at the mention of some other funny stories about the three sisters' childhood.