Who Else Could It Be?
Approximately nine hundred years after Nightmare Moon was sent to the moon thanks to the Elements of Harmony, scientists announced that she was the first pony in space. One hundred years later, Nightmare Moon was freed thanks to the stars, and she set Princess Celestia to the sun. After she became Princess Luna again, Princess Celestia came back to Equestria, and scientists announced that she was the second pony in space. However, they were wrong.
It was nine hundred and two years after Nightmare Moon was banished, two years after the announcement that she was the first pony in space. A pegasus from the somewhat new city of Las Pegasus decided that she wanted to be the second pony in space. She did this without anypony's knowledge or consent, so nopony would try and beat her.
It was nine hundred and three years after Nightmare Moon was banished, one year after this pegasus decided that she wanted to go into space. After extensive research, she only knew of two ways to get into space: get banished by the Elements of Harmony, or fly into space herself. She chose the more logical option, and decided to fly into space herself, and not risk the wrath of magical elements.
It was nine hundred and four years after Nightmare Moon was banished, one year after this pegasus decided to fly into space. She had obtained a special suit, that could withstand temperatures at two degrees Kelvin. She had also obtained a tank filled with oxygen, which she attached to a helmet that came with her suit. When she would breathe in, she would get oxygen, when she breathed out, the carbon dioxide she exhaled would be filtered out.
It was nine hundred and five years after Nightmare Moon was banished, one year after this pegasus obtained her special suit. She was almost ready to fly into space. She had obtained a special metal encasement for her wings, protecting them from the coldness of space, but allowing them to still flap at maximum speed. She had installed a parachute that would come out when she hit select buttons, so safety was covered. She was almost ready.
It was nine hundred and six years after Nightmare Moon was banished, one year after this pegasus obtained her wing encasement. She was ready to fly into space. She had a camera installed in her helmet, so she would be recording the entire time. She needed to have proof, so the scientist would believe her when she announced that she was the second pony to ever go into space. It was time to fly.
"Oxygen tank filled? Confirmed. Carbon dioxide filter active and working? Confirmed. Emergency parachute available for use? Confirmed. Suit sealed? Confirmed. Wing encasements allowing movement? Confirmed." she pulled on her helmet and made sure that it was secured, "Helmet secured? Confirmed. Rainbow Dash, you are ready for takeoff."
Rainbow Dash stood up tall on the cloud she was on, and looked up towards the sky. She checked that her camera was rolling, before flying straight up at a normal speed. She began to accelerate as the air around her thinned, and the sky darkened. With a burst of speed, Rainbow found herself flying with no resistance, as she left Equestria behind her.
"Exited the atmosphere, oxygen tank at ninety percent." she announced, slowing down using her wings, "Carbon dioxide filter working fine."
Rainbow smiled as she looked down at the planet below her. It seemed so tiny. When she landed, would she even be anywhere near where she landed? Dang, she had forgotten about trajectory...
"Relative location unknown." she said in irritation, "Minor difficulty. Can be solved easily."
Rainbow began to fly around slowly, being careful not to let the planet leave her sight. She wasn't quite sure what she was doing now, except maybe collecting data.
"Body temperature normal. Pulse at average. No injuries."
She gave another smile as she looked at the planet again. It looked so small! She was one of two ponies to ever see the planet so small, to see the sky so up close.
"Oxygen tank at-" she started before everything went wrong.
A meteor struck Rainbow's side, and she began spinning out of control. She heard a small cracking sound, and her helmet formed a crack across it. Her suit held for the most part, but her wing encasements had a section of metal torn off.
"Oxygen tank at sixty percent." said Rainbow quickly, trying not to panic, "Wing encasement chipped, body temperature falling at a rapid rate. Pulse slowing. Carbon dioxide filter failing. Risk of death... ninety five percent."
Rainbow looked at her wing, and saw that it was starting to become encased in ice. She felt the ice spread from the area where her wing encasement was chipped, to her other wing, and her body.
"Ice encasement forming!" said Rainbow, beginning to panic, "Oxygen tank at fifty seven percent, carbon dioxide filter inactive! Risk of death imminent!"
She tried to flap her wings, but they were fully encased with ice. She felt her suit rip away, as her body was encased in ice. The ice began to creep up her neck, and Rainbow heard her helmet crack. Before Rainbow could say anymore, she felt her mouth become frozen over. Her helmet also fell away as Rainbow became completely encased with ice. Essentially, she was dead.
Nightmare Moon had been banished to the moon nine hundred and ninety eight years ago. However, Princess Luna lived on the moon, completely free of the shadows that had corrupted her. The shadows were trapped in the stars around her, but Luna could not escape. The Elements of Harmony had done something to hold her on the moon; she was unable to fly home or even teleport. She was trapped.
As an immortal alicorn, though, Luna didn't have to eat or drink. She could make food and drink, but she reserved her magic to try and go back to Equestria. She planned on only using it for that purpose. But then she saw something extremely odd.
"What in Equestria is that?" asked Luna out loud, looking at the odd blue object in the distance.
The strange blue object floated nearer to the moon, and Luna gasped out when she recognized what it was. It was a blue pegasus pony that had a rainbow mane and tail. She was in a flight pose, but was completely encase in ice, with a look of fear on her face. The pegasus didn't move at all, and was at the mercy of gravity.
"What happened?" asked Luna, still speaking out loud, "What happened to this innocent pegasus?"
Luna continued to look at the pegasus, until something made her gasp again. A large meteor was heading towards the pegasus. If she was hit by it, she would surely be destroyed. Luna couldn't let this happen. She could see that the pony had a word forming on her mouth: help.
"Elements of Harmony, let me save this pony!" cried out Luna before flying into the air towards the pegasus.
Luna felt as if she was free from the magic that had held her on the moon. If she wanted to, she could just fly home now. She could go back home and ask for forgiveness. But... Celestia wouldn't forgive her if she let an innocent pony die. Luna flew straight towards the pegasus, and pushed her out of the way before the meteor hit her. She held the pony in her magic, and flew back towards the moon. Celestia would be happy of her choice.
"Ouch..." muttered Rainbow, "Ugh, I feel so cold... What happened?"
Rainbow opened her eyes and looked around. She realized that she was in a dark blue bubble, with was floating a few inches above a dusty surface. She looked up to see the planet, far away from her. She was on the moon.
"You're awake." said a voice from behind her.
Rainbow got to her hooves slowly, and looked behind her. A dark blue alicorn with an even darker, flowing mane stood behind her with a look of relief. She knew who this alicorn was, from history books and the old story.
"Are you... Princess Luna?" asked Rainbow.
"Yes. I am Princess Luna. I am know as Nightmare Moon as well." said Princess Luna, "But who are you? How did you end up in the middle of space?"
"My name is Rainbow Dash. I wanted to be the second pony in space." said Rainbow confidently.
"Second pony in space?" asked Luna.
"Yes. Several years ago, it was officially announced that you were the first pony in space. I wanted to be the second."
"Who were you working with to accomplish this?"
"Nopony. I came into space all on my own."
"Did you just fly up as high as possible?"
"No. I had a suit and helmet. I lost them after a small meteor chipped off a piece of my wing encasement, and I became increased in ice. Though that makes no sense."
"Actually, you were just floating around and nearly got destroyed by another meteor."
"Really? I don't remember that... Do you know what the date is?"
"I only know that it is the nine hundred and ninety eighth year I have been on the moon."
"I think the scientists announced that you were the first pony in space after you were gone for nine hundred years. And I went into space six years later. That means that I've been encased in ice for around... ninety... two... years..."
Rainbow slowly sat down on the bottom of the bubble with a look of shock on her face.
"You have been encased in ice for ninety two years?!?" asked Luna in shock, "How are even alive? I am alive because of my magic, but you, by all logical means, should be dead!"
"I don't know!" said Rainbow, "But I'm alive, and talking to you!"
The two ponies remained silent for several minutes before Rainbow broke the silence.
"Um, what's with the magic bubble around me?" she asked.
"You would be dead from the cold air and lack of oxygen," said Luna, "It is keeping you warm and providing oxygen, as well as filtering out the carbon dioxide you are exhaling."
"You made something that took me years to make..."
"But what I made was merely from the use of my magic. You used science. That is much more impressive."
"Really?"
"Really and truly."
"Wow, that's huge compliment coming from an alicorn."
"I suppose it is."
"So how have you been surviving up here?"
"I am an alicorn. I do not need food or drink, though it is rather painful to not consume anything. The cold air may be a bit annoying, but it cannot freeze me like it did to you."
"Speaking of, me just freezing like that doesn't even make sense!"
"How so?"
"Just because it's cold doesn't mean that everything freezes! It's completely illogical!"
"If I may offer a suggestion, would it be magic? Was anything you had with you enchanted?"
"No... At least I pretty sure that nothing was... I checked everything over and it all seemed perfectly fine!"
"An enchantment is not the easiest thing to see by only looking. They must be sensed, and then found."
"Alright, so may there was an enchantment on something. That still doesn't explain why I was frozen over after my wing encasements chipped."
"Magic works in strange ways."
"I guess you're right about that."
"Just wonder, though, how old are you? Ignoring the fact that you've been in ice for ninety two years."
"I'm..." Rainbow trailed off, as she seemed unable to remember, "I can't remember... I'm pretty sure that I'm at least seventeen..."
"It is fine that you are not sure of your age. In truth, I do not even know how old I am anymore."
"Heh, that's kind of funny!" Rainbow suddenly realized how hungry she was, "Do you have any food? I haven't eaten in ninety two years!"
Luna gave a smile before lighting up her horn and summoning an apple. She put it into the bubble with Rainbow, who immediately demolished.
"Thanks!"
"It's no trouble at all."
Nightmare Moon had been banished to the moon thousand years ago. It had been two years since Princess Luna had saved Rainbow Dash's life. Luna made sure that Rainbow was always surrounded by the protective magic field she had conjured up, and always made sure that she got food and water throughout the day. The two of them had races often, with Rainbow Dash winning most of the time, and Luna felt less lonely than she had been for years.
But she knew that both she and Rainbow wouldn't stay on the moon forever. The pegasus had even told her of a story that said Nightmare Moon would return on the longest day of the thousandth year, with the stars aiding in her escape. Luna knew what day was coming up, and she didn't want Rainbow Dash to have a chance of being left on the moon.
"Rainbow Dash," said Luna to the pegasus encased in her dark blue magic, "I believe it is time for you to go back to Equestria."
"What do you mean?" asked Rainbow, "I don't want to leave you stuck here and alone!"
"But the longest day of the thousandth year is coming up, and I can sense that the shadows trapped in the stars will escape soon. They will consume me and I will return to Equestria, but I cannot be sure that you will not be left behind."
"But that's just an old pony's tale!"
"And it will be a true one. I have stored up enough magic to send you back. But I will also return, as Nightmare Moon. I am sure that my sister has a plan to cleanse me of the shadows that corrupted me, so I will stay. I will not be lonely for long."
"But-"
"We will see each other again soon, Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow saw a flash of light, and she found herself lying down on some grass. Grass. She hadn't felt that for years. She realized that the magic that had surrounded her for the past two years was also gone, and she was breathing in fresh air.
"Luna..." she said softly, "You're alone now..."
"Hey!" called a voice from behind Rainbow, "Just what do you think yer doin' lyin' in the middle of our orchard?"
Rainbow pushed to her hooves and looked behind her, to see an orange earth pony with a blonde mane and tail, green eyes, a stepson hat, and three apples for a cutie mark.
"Are ya gonna answer me, or are ya gonna just stand there silently?" asked the Earth pony.
"I-" started Rainbow before she cringed and fell back on to the ground.
She realized that the bright sun, fresh air, and heat was all hitting her at once, and it was just too much to take. She heard the pony talking again before she fainted.
Applejack smiled as she trotted through her orchard, examining the almost-fully-grown apples. They were going to be ready in time for the Summer Sun Celebration, which her family was catering for.
"These apples are gonna be perfect for the celebration!" she said happily.
She turned back towards the house when she noticed something rainbow colored on the ground. She went towards the rainbow colored item to find that it was a pegasus' mane. The pegasus was light blue, and looked like she was taking a nap.
"You're alone now..." she said softly
"Hey!" snapped Applejack, annoyed that some random pegasus was taking a nap in her orchard, "Just what do you think yer doin' lyin' in the middle of our orchard?"
The pegasus got to her hooves slowly and turned around to face towards Applejack. She stood in completely silence, and was looking at Applejack oddly.
"Are ya gonna answer me, or are ya gonna just stand there silently?" asked Applejack.
"I-" started the pegasus when she then started swaying as if she was going to fall over.
"Are you okay?" asked Applejack right before the pegasus fainted, "What in hay just happened?"
She tapped the pegasus to wake her up, but she was ice cold. She pulled her hoof back in surprise before deciding that the best course of action would be to bring the pegasus to a doctor. Ponies aren't supposed to be ice cold and laying in the middle of apple orchards. Without a second thought, Applejack placed the pegasus on to her back, and took off towards the nearest doctor's office at a run.
"Now don't 'cha worry!" said Applejack to the pegasus, "Yer gonna be fine!"
"Applejack, where are you goin', and who's that?" asked Apple Bloom, blocking Applejack's path.
"Ah found her in the orchard, but she's as cold as a cup of cider in winter! Ah'll be back later, sis, but Ah'm bringin' her to a doctor!"
Applejack ran around Apple Bloom and continued on her way towards the doctor. What had happened to this pegasus?
...
"Miss Applejack?" called one of the nurses into the waiting room.
"Yes?" asked Applejack.
"The doctor would like to speak with you about the pegasus you brought in."
"Sure thing."
Applejack followed the nurse into the room where the pegasus was lying down on a hospital bed. She was covered in blankets, and had strange devices surrounding her. The doctor was scribbling on a clipboard when her noticed Applejack and place it down.
"Thank you," said the doctor to the nurse before left, then her turned towards Applejack, "Can you tell me where you found this pegasus?"
"She was lyin' in the middle of Sweet Apple Acres," replied Applejack, "Why do ya need ta know that?"
"Well, years ago, there was a pegasus who went missing without a trace of where she went. Nopony knew what had happened to her, and after a few years, there were no leads found, and the case was dropped."
"You think that she's the pegasus who went missin'?"
"Well, the description of the missing pegasus was that she had a light coat, a rainbow mane and tail, magenta eyes, and a cutie mark that matches the one she has."
"And her name?"
"Her name was Rainbow Dash, and she was seventeen years old at the time."
"She's seventeen?"
"No. You see, this pegasus went missing years ago."
"How many?"
"Ninety two."
"Ninety two years ago?!? She's over one hundred years old?!?"
"Again, no. After some tests, it turns out that she is nineteen years old."
"Yer jokin'."
"I am not joking. She matches the description perfectly, but she's only nineteen years old. Nopony here knows how."
"Wow..."
"I was wondering if you could try and help us figure out who exactly she is. Could you please try asking ponies if they've met her?"
"Ah'm sure Ah can do that."
"Thank you."
Outside, Applejack began asking everypony she saw if they knew a light blue pegasus with a rainbow mane. Nopony knew her. After going around the market and town square, Applejack decided to visit Pinkie and ask her if she knew. She walked to Sugarcube Corner before finding Pinkie right in front of her.
"Hi, Applejack!" said Pinkie happily.
"There ya are, Pinkie! I was lookin' for ya!"
"Ooh! What do you need? Cupcakes? Balloons? A paaaarty?!?"
"No, Ah just need to know if you know a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane."
"Hm... Nope! Why? Is she moving to Ponyville? Yay!"
"Ah don't know, but Ah found her in the orchard and she was ice cold, so Ah brought her to the doctors, who can't figure out who she is."
"You know what this means?"
"Let me guess. A pa-"
"A party!" Pinkie Pie dashed off leaving a cloud of dust behind.
"...Ah think Ah'll ask Fluttershy."
Applejack reached Fluttershy's cottage quickly and knocked lightly on the door. It opened a crack and Fluttershy looked out carefully.
"Um, who is it?" she asked nervously.
"It's just me." said Applejack, "Can Ah come in?"
"I guess so... If you really want to, I mean..."
Applejack entered, making sure she was carefully not to step on any animals.
"Um, did you need something?" asked Fluttershy.
"Ah was wonderin' if you knew a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane?"
"A blue pegasus with a rainbow mane? Well I do know of one, she defended me in flight school from some bullies. Her name was Rainbow Dash."
"You know her?" asked Applejack in surprise, "Well, she's in Ponyville right now!"
"Really?"
"Yup! Ah found her in the orchard and she was ice cold, so I brought her to the doctors."
"She's at the Ponyville Hospital?"
"Yup."
Fluttershy immediately flew out the window at a rather fast speed.
"What just happened?" asked Applejack.
Fluttershy reached the hospital within a few minutes and entered quickly.
"I'm here to visit Rainbow Dash, can you tell me where she is?" she asked the nurse at the front.
"She's in room three."
Fluttershy walked slowly to room three and walked up to the bed where a pony was lying.
"Rainbow Dash?" she asked nervously.
"You know my name?" asked the pegasus.
"It's me, Fluttershy."
"Fluttershy? I recognize that name..."
"You stood up for me in flight school?"
"Not ringing any bells, but your name is familiar."
Rainbow sat up in her bed and looked at Fluttershy. She suddenly held her head in her hooves and winced.
"Rainbow are you okay?"
"Fluttershy..." said Rainbow, opening her eyes and looking at her again, "I... I think I've traveled through time!"