> Sunshine and Rainbows
>  by Saro0fdemonz
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A secret revealed(Revised)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ponies in the room stared in shock at the two before them.

"Uh...so...when were you planning on telling us about this?" Rarity asked, wincing as Applejack punched her shoulder gently.

"Don't mind her none, but uh...this is kinda suprisin Dashie, why didn't ya say anythin t' us sooner?" Applejack asked.

"Well would you guys have believed me?!" The rainbow maned pegasus demanded of them. Four of them glanced at each other, realizing Rainbow Dash was right. None of them would have believed her. They turned their attention to the fifth pony who had frozen in shock as the announcement had reached her ears. Twilight Sparkle had been known to overreact on several occasions, though this one could be somewhat justified.

"Hey look, i'm really sorry I didn't say anything sooner but...you guys wouldn't have believed me and I woulda just looked stupid. I don't like talkin about it anyway." They could tell it was hard for her to speak of it even now.

"But...but..." Pinkie Pie mumbled trying to find the words to say and failing. Rainbow lowered her head, surprised as the figure beside her rested a wing over her shoulder comfortingly.

"So why tell us now Dashie? After all this time, what would make ya spill yer guts?" Applejack asked softly.

"Well...ya see...Theres this big family reunion coming up...all of my relatives and their friends are gonna be there...and...well...I kinda HAVE to go and..."

"But first, somepony should help Twilight"

"I got it!" Pinkie Pie walked up to the frozen mare and gave her ear a slow lick, making the pony shiver and blush, quickly shaking her head. She stared at Rainbow Dash for a moment, opening her mouth to speak, only to have it slam shut on her, open again and once again slam shut.

"Twi..." Rainbow bit her lip.

"No, I'm not mad at you Rainbow Dash. I understand your reasons. But you..." Twilight turned her attention to the figure beside Rainbow Dash.

"Why didn't you tell me Rainbow was your daughter Princess?"





It was just like any other day in Ponyville. The cutie Mark Crusaders crashing into a bush together and laughing as if they hadn't almost broken their necks yet again, Pinkie Pie bouncing about merrily, delivering happiness and sweets to any who passed by her, Rarity working on a 'fabulous' new dress, Applejack preparing for Cider Season and Rainbow Dash taking a nap. Twilight smiled as she turned her gaze away from the window, letting it fall upon the rows and rows of books that lined the walls of the Library in which she resided.

She wasn't the tallest of mares but she wasn't quite the shortest either, her purple bangs broken by several stripes of lighter shades near the middle. A soft smile touched the lavender mares lips as she walked through the Library. Today was just like any other day, though unlike most days Twilight had no schedule for today, due to her excellent planning and time management skills she had finished ahead of schedule by two whole days. The thought made her smile grow even wider. 

To think that she was getting ahead of even her own schedules, it was foalish of her but it excited her to know she was doing so well that she could even outdo herself.

"Look at me, boasting like Rainbow Dash." she thought aloud with a small chuckle. Twilight blinked as a scroll appeared in front of her. 

"Huh? A letter from the Princess? But...why didn't she send it through Spike?" she thought aloud as she unwrapped it in her magic.

Twilight Sparkle, you are cordially invited to the Royal Family Gathering in Canterlot one week from Today. As an honorary Member of the Royal Family we look forward to seeing you and your friends there

That was all it said. It didn't have The Princess' signature, nor the writing Twilight had come to recognize as that of her mentor. This wasn't from the Princess herself, this was most likely sent by somepony under her though.

"Wait, Royal Family Gathering? Honorary Member? Friends?!" Twilight screamed and rushed out the door, bumping into Pinkie Pie and her friends.

"See?! I told ya she was gonna freak out!" Pinkie Pie said, helping Twilight to her hooves.

"Pinkie! Letter! Canterlot!" Twilight's thoughts were moving faster than her mouth could and thus instead of a well thought out explanation she appeared to be babbling nonsense. Pinkie put a hoof to her mouth and nodded.

"Deeeeeeeeeeep Breath Twilight" She said soothingly. Twilight took a deliberate slow breath and let it out to calm herself.

"Good, now tell us whats going on" Twilight nodded and quickly explained the letter, showing it to them.

"Hey, this looks kinda like that paper ya'll threw away Rainbow. Did ya'll get an invite too?" Applejack asked. Rainbow coughed and shrugged.

"Uh, well, I dunno. Maybe they just gave it to the wrong pony." She said quickly, keeping her gaze focused anywhere but the eyes of her friend. She jumped in surprise as a letter appeared in front of her in a poof of magic fog, landing at her hooves. The letter carried the seal of Princess Celestia herself.

"Uh..." Dash looked at her friends and lifted up the letter, opening it and reading over it slowly. Pinkie Pie slowly peeked over shoulder, only to be shoved away. Rainbow's face paled as she read over the letter, quickly crumbling it up.

"What was that about Dashie?" Pinkie asked.

"Its nothing! Geez! Why won't everypony just leave me be!?" she huffed.

"Rainbow Dash, that was a letter from the Princess herself, I know it was. I get letters from her all the time. If she sent it then it must have been important. What did it say?" Twilight asked.

"Its none of your business!" she yelled, flaring out her wings and taking off. The five remaining friends all looked at one another in confusion. Just what did Celestia say in her letter to Rainbow Dash?





Rainbow sighed heavily as she rested on a cloud, another letter appearing out of the air in front of her. She glared at the closed letter, knowing full well another would appear as soon as she destroyed this one. She had run away from this for her entire life and even with her speed she couldn't run from it forever. With a sigh of defeat she opened the letter.

Rainbow Dash, I know you don't want to read any of these letters and I know you don't want everypony to know the truth. But this is important and time is short. There is more to this reunion than everypony knows. I am sure you remember the changelings and the threat they posed to Equestria, they have sided with the Gryphons and are planning to return. I have received word by way of Gryphons still loyal to us that the Gryphons will be joining us on the day of the reunion to talk peace terms. They will be bringing with them their Crown Princess and expect us to do the same and be on equal terms with one another. Luna and I cannot do this as the Gryphon King sees us as more than Princess'. You are my only option Rainbow Dash, I know I promised I would leave you be to live your life, but I need you. Equestria needs you, now more than ever. I'm sorry and I hope you will help me. If not for me, then for your friends, for Equestria. With Love. 


Signed - Your Loving mot. Mom.  Princess Celestia


There were bits and pieces of the letter that had been scratched out. As she squinted to make out the scribbled words she could just barely make out 'with love' and 'my daughter'. Things that upon reading over them Celestia must have thought would only anger the pegasus. As she thought of it, seeing such things might have made her angry, though after having read the entire letter, a small part of herself wished she hadn't removed them. She rolled the letter up and stood up on the cloud she rested on.

She didn't have a choice anymore. She had to help, she had to go. She wouldn't be the Element of Loyalty if she abandoned Celestia to the Gryphons. Though she was dreading meeting a certain Gryphon again, as well as revealing her darkest secret to her friends. A deep breath and a slap to the face later, she dove off her cloud and took off towards canterlot, her Sonic Rainboom loud enough to draw the attention of her friends and lead them right to her.





Twilight gasped as a massive boom outside threw her off her ladder, Spike quickly snatching her out of the air and setting her down gently on the ground. She sighed in relief, grateful for the growing drakes wings for once.

"Heh, and you said all these were good for was knocking over books and lamps" he said proudly, standing upright, his left wing knocking over a lamp, which he deftly caught in his claw with a sheepish chuckle.

"Well they are good for that and for saving my neck." The unicorn said with a small smile, though it faded away as her gaze fell outside the window behind Spike. Through it she could easily see a rainbow trail headed towards Canterlot.
Twilight zipped downstairs, her friends already heading for the door. Rainbow Dash was hiding something from them, and they were going to find out what.





Guards rushed into the garden where a large crater sat, smoke drifting up from it. From the crater came a single Rainbow Maned pegasus, a bit dazed, but otherwise unharmed.

"Stand down." Celestia commanded her guards, smiling a little.

"Have...have you decided to help me?" Celestia asked, fearing she would say no.

"Well...to be honest...I don't feel like I have a choice." Rainbow admitted. 

"Guards, leave us, let nopony disturb us." Celestia ordered the guards, keeping her gaze on the young pegasus before her. The guards nodded, quickly leaving. Celestia waited a moment longer to be sure everypony was gone before pulling Rainbow into a gentle hug.

"I've missed you..." she whispered. Rainbow grumbled something under her breath and sighed.

"I guess I missed you too...Though I really really really don't want anything to do with all this princess stuff."

"I know...I hate to break my promise..."

"But who knows Gilda better than me huh?" Rainbow asked halfheartedly.

"My reports tell me her father intends to cause a war between us, she seems to have kept him from doing so, but I cannot be sure what HER intentions are. Perhaps you and your friends can turn the tide of this." She said with a smile. Rainbow Dash froze.

"M...My friends? Y...You aren't gonna tell them are you?"

"Well...as the Elements of Harmony they are all invited to the Reunion. Twilight would come anyway, being my student and Royalty by way of her brothers marriage to Cadence. She is as much family as any of us."

"Oh please don't say that..." Rainbow mumbled. Celestia smiled a little to herself.

"Oh? Could it be you have a crush on Twilight?" Celestia mused, earning a quick glare from the pegasus.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." She sighed and sat down.

"Rainbow Dash..."

"I might care about her but thats none of your business...i'm just here because I can't just walk away. I can't leave anypony to face something this big alone. It just wouldn't feel right."

"I understand..." Celestia said softly. Rainbow sighed and stood in front of her stretching her neck up enough to rub her cheek against Celestia's. The elder mare smiled returning the gesture.

"I know you think I hate you. But thats not true. I just hated the thought of being a Princess or being like Blueblood...I just wanted my own life." Rainbow said softly, never leaving the embrace.

"I know...I wish it hadn't come to this. You seemed so happy in Ponyville." they sat there for a while together in silence, Rainbow Dash eventually speaking up.

"Well...we might as well get started. I dunno the first thing about being a princess and the reunion is only so far away." That wasn't completely true. She had been primped and pampered as a filly and had a basic understanding of what would be expected of her. Though a refresher course couldn't hurt.

"Then we should hurry and get you ready."

"Ready fer what?" Applejack asked. Celestia and Rainbow Dash turned to find four ponies out of breath, the fifth still bouncing slightly with a serious look on her face.

"Um...hey guys...uh...how long ya been there?" Rainbow asked.

"Jus' got here actually, mind tellin us whats goin on here?" the work pony asked, speaking for the others as they tried to catch their breath. Rainbow Dash looked up at Celestia who gave her a small nod. The pegasus sighed and took a deep breath.

"I'm...a princess..."
> A mothers nightmare (Revised)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

All was silent between them. Finally Celestia spoke up.

"I am sorry my faithful student, But I had promised I would never speak a word of this to anypony." Celestia admitted, ashamedly. Twilight's eye twitched.

"Just how long ago did you make that promise?! I've never seen the two of you together before! Did you even take care of her as a filly?!" Twilight shrieked. Celestia hung her head.

"Hey Twi, let up already! You wanna know the truth!? You wanna know what happened!? I RAN! I ABANDONED MY OWN MOM AND FAMILY! ARE YOU HAPPY?!" She screamed. The ponies fell silent as Rainbow panted a little from her outburst.

"w..why..." Pinkie asked softly.

"I never wanted this. Any of it. As a little filly...before I met Fluttershy at Flight school. I was just another pony being pampered in the castle and I hated it. I couldn't fly anywhere without guards dragging me around or telling me it was improper to be flying around like a foal when there were royal whatevers to be done. And to top it all off I rarely even had anytime with Celes..my mo...the Princess..." she mumbled. It was still hard to speak up about such a thing.

"One day...we went to a Wonderbolts show...it was amazing. I got to sit right next to her and watch all the tricks they did and they even offered to teach me some. But the guards wouldn't allow it cause I was so small and had to be the princess everypony was expecting me to be. I was sick of it. So...I left a note and ran..."





Celestia bit her lip as her eyes scanned over a stack of papers. Her thoughts were elsewhere, on her daughter who had thrown a massive tantrum that day when the guards refused to let her fly with the wonderbolts. She could have told them to leave her be, to let her fly. But she worried that the pegasus was too young to fly just yet. She could hurt herself and there was too much riding on that young pony's back. 

She felt horrible thinking that way. She had to be the mother that foal needed and she was going to start doing the right thing, right now. She shoved the papers aside and threw her doors open, taking a detour through the kitchens to snatch up two cupcakes and matching cups of hot cocoa. There would be no work, just a mother and daughter enjoying an evening together. She stopped at the doors to her daughters room. She smiled at the rainbow stripes that marked the door and gave a gentle knock.

"Its me, may I come in? I brought you a cupcake." she said gently through the door, though she heard no answer.

"Are you awake?" she gently nudged the door open and gasped, the cupcakes and cups falling to the floor. She stared in horror at the empty room and open window. Her eyes scanned the room frantically for any sign of the pegasus, hoping that it was just a prank. But deep in her heart she already knew her daughter was long gone. Her eyes stopped on a note on the bed. She lifted it in her magic and began to read.

Mom...I can't take being here anymore. I wanna fly, I wanna have fun! You're always so busy helpin' everypony an doin' court stuff...I'm sorry but I just can't do it anymore. I dun' wanna be a princess, no dresses, no makeup, no shoes, none of it! I wanna be a Wonderbolt! I'll show those guards and I'll make you proud someday. Just...promise you won't come after me...Not until I've become a Wonderbolt and made you proud. 

I know I can do it. I can make it to the flight school in Cloudsdale and I'll become a really amazing flier and then I'll show the Wonderbolts' what I can do! You'll see! But I don't want anypony coming after me. so...please don't tell anypony who I am. I wanna do this myself without getting my way 'cause I'm a princess. I wanna earn it and prove I'm not just a pretty face stuffed in a clingy dress. I wanted to say goodbye...but you were busy...so I just left this for you. Goodbye...

The paper was soaked with tears in several places and at the bottom a single tiny blue feather had been stabbed into the page. Just after the word goodbye was a kiss mark from the lipstick her daughters maids had put on her. She could see a smudge of it on the side of the bed where she had wiped it off before leaving. She folded the letter with her magic and composed herself as she left the room with the feather and letter tucked under her wing.

"Guards, remove everything from this room, including the door. Nopony is to ever know it was here. Do not speak of the one who lived in it and do not search for her. She is away performing her duties and is not to be bothered by anypony and you are not to come near her, make sure this is known to everypony in the castle. Am I understood?" the guards nodded, making quick work of the young princess room.

Celestia managed to keep her calm facade until she reached the safety of her own room, slamming the doors shut and collapsing onto the floor as she held the letter to her chest. It was impossible for her to hold back the flood of tears any longer as the realization that she had lost her only daughter set in. If she had only acted sooner, she could have kept her from leaving, if she had only seen the signs.

She had been so blind, so stupid. She should've learned her mistake when she lost Luna and now she had lost her daughter. Finally the tears subsided, leaving her whimpering and sniffing as she pushed to her hooves. She opened a small chest with her magic, tucking the feather and letter inside, placing a magical lock on the chest and hiding it under her bed.

"I promise...make me proud..."





"It was only two years later that I discovered you Twilight. I had known your parents already, with your brother training in the royal guard and quickly proving his worth. But I never thought another star would come from your family so quickly. I had lost myself in wandering that day and a certain sonic rainboom as well as a giant dragon caught my attention. 

I must admit...I became quite attached to you Twilight. I wanted a chance to make things right, to raise the daughter I never had a chance to raise. You are very special to me Twilight, I do not think I would have made it through the years without your compainonship."

"So...you...used me...to fill the emptiness Rainbow Dash left?" Twilight asked in shock. Celestia hung her head once more and sighed.

"I admit I did, though I still wished to teach you to control your magic. Yours truly is the most powerful I have ever seen. None since Starswirl the bearded possess as much magic as you do, not even Starswirl himself. If left alone it could have been dangerous, hundreds of thousands of ponies could've been hurt."

"So ya'll fixed two problems at once, nothin' t' be mad 'bout Twi'. Ah'm sure ya'll woulda done th' same in her place." Applejack said to ease the tension in the air.

"Ok so this still isn't adding up I'm afraid. We know you took in Twilight as your student and in a way your daughter and that Rainbow Dash is your...real daughter? As in...well..blood related?" Rarity asked.

"Yes..." Celestia said, not sure what Rarity was getting at.

"Well what about her dad?!" Pinkie Pie interjected.

"Well..." Rainbow began, her head low.

"Lets not dwell on it. When the time comes we will tell you. There is much to be done. We have only a week to prepare."

"A week? Why is this reunion of yers so gosh darn important Princess?"

"Its not just a reunion AJ. This is the time when they gotta redo all those peace treaties and keep everypony happy so they don't start a war. If a treaty is broken before the fifty years is up then basically you just declared war on everypony and they are all comin after you. But this is when all bets are off and anypony can do anything. If i'm not here then the Gryphons will take advantage of us not bein on even terms." Rainbow explained, a little proud she knew at least this much from her forced studies as a filly.

"While a few things have changed since you were here, you are for the most part correct Rainbow Dash. The Gryphons will attempt to seize more land, seeing it as rightfully theirs to begin with but if we are on even terms it will be a bit harder for them to push us."

"To be honest Princess...I don't understand." Twilight said.

"Gryphons see power in numbers my faithful student. They have a king, a queen, and a princess. The king and queen see Luna and I as their Equals but as we have no other with us they believe that since they are the greater number..."

"That they should have more than everypony else." Rainbow finished. Twilight sat down, letting it all sink in.

"So...what do we do?" she asked.

"Well Twilight, unlike Rainbow Dash, you have experience being in royal gatherings. As her friend I will need you're help to prepare her for the Reunion." Twilight was silent for a moment, looking at her friends, noticing for a moment that Fluttershy had been extremely quite during the entire conversation before turning back to Celestia.

"Alright, lets get started." She said quietly. Celestia nodded, Rainbow gulped. It was going to be a long week.





As they entered the castle, Rarity paused and pulled Fluttershy aside. It didn't take much, a simple flick of her magic and a gentle yank of the pegasi's tail was enough to get her attention.

"Fluttershy, I've known you for quite a while and in that time I have learned to tell when there is something you are hiding from us. You knew about Rainbow Dash, didn't you?" she asked softly. The pink maned pegasus lowered her head, hiding behind her mane and squeaking quietly.

"Fluttershy, I am not angry with you dear, just a little peeved that you would hide something like this." She admitted. Fluttershy seemed to shrink a bit more, trying to back away from the unicorn. Rarity sighed and chanced a glance around the corner, smiling when she saw their friends hadn't noticed them yet. 

The unicorn stepped forward, placing her hooves on either side of the pegasi's face and gently pressing her muzzle to hers, unable to hold back the moan that coursed its way through her body as the mare before her gave a squeak of surprise. She smiled as she pulled away, looking into her marefriends eyes.

"I understand your reasons darling, I just wish you could've said something about it sooner. Then we might've been better prepared for this."

"B..But Rarity..." the pegasus said softly, her back to the wall and her wings giving a light twitch as her eyes met that of the unicorn.

"I...I just couldn't tell anypony...Rainbow didn't even mean to tell me...it was an accident. I couldn't betray her..." she managed to say, her voice falling into squeaks and mumbles near the end. Rarity sighed with a smile. Fluttershy would always be Fluttershy, but thats why she loved her.

"Fluttershy, its ok. Its simply a sign that you are indeed a true friend" she said comfortingly, gently nuzzling the pegasus until she smiled.

"Now, we have work to do dear, our friend needs our help." Rarity smiled, walking alongside Fluttershy and quickly catching up with their friends.

It must have been difficult for Rainbow to admit such a thing...she truly is a brave mare...now if only Fluttershy and I can tell the truth about our own relationship...
> To be Prepared
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Now hold still Rainbow" Rarity said, holding a few 'tools' in her magic.

"Oh for the love of..." Rainbow held her breath as Rarity went to work, combing out her hair and slowly working out all the knots, another comb struggling to do the same with her tail.

"I swear, its as if you haven't done this in ages Rainbow."

"Well all I usually need is a cloud or two in the morning..." she mumbled under her breath. Rarity gasped in shock and doubled her efforts, powdering the pegasi's face and taking extra special care of her wings. She had learned quite a bit during her Spa treatments with Fluttershy. Wings were sensitive things and even just the little brush of magic she used to straighten and remove feathers could make Rainbow uncomfortable. 

Though the pegasus was already far beyond that. She had returned to her old life and she hadn't even accomplished her goal. In her mind she had failed her mother twice. It hurt, more than anything had ever hurt before. The thought brought a tear to her eye, Rarity seeing this thought herself to be at fault.

"Oh Rainbow I'm sorry!" She quickly apologized. Rainbow shook her head, wiping away the tear and smudging the make-up Rarity had just finished putting on her. The unicorn held back the urge to scold her.

"No..i..it wasn't you. I'm just..."

"I understand Rainbow. Well, I suppose I don't, but know that as your friend I am here for you and will do whatever I can to help you through this." Rarity said with her signature smile, making quick work of Rainbows smudged make-up.

"Alright, that is all I can do with those dreadful knots in your mane. Now for the finishing touch." Rarity opened a chest with her magic, several items floating out of it and in front of Rainbow who gave an exasperated sigh. Held in Raritys' magic were a golden Tiara with matching shoes and a breastplate emblazoned with a sunset underneath a bright rainbow. 

Reluctantly the pony let the items be placed on her, slipping her hooves into the shoes and holding her head up to keep the tiara balanced. Rarity had to admit to herself that she was impressed, not only by her work with the Tom-colt, but by the mere fact that Rainbow could be so poised when she wanted to be. Though she could see the pegasus most definitely did not want to.

"You look simply marvelous darling. Its all up to Twilight and the Princess now. I don't think I have the talent needed to make you a Princess beyond appearances." she admitted. She prided herself in her abilities to impress the upper-crust of Canterlot, but teaching another pony was beyond her. Especially a pony like Rainbow Dash. The pegasus gave a small nod, careful not to let the Tiara slip as she walked around the unicorn. Experimenting with the added weight and keeping herself poised.

The lessons of her foal-hood echoed in the back of her mind.  Eyes front, head high, small smile but no teeth. Only teeth when the occasion calls for it. You are a princess after all. One hoof after the other, tail slightly raised but not too high. You are Royalty, not some two-bit pony on the corner of an alley. Only now did she realize what that last part meant. 

As a foal she just went through the motions. Rainbow smiled a little to herself, Rarity was always boasting about her talents with Nobility, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to upstage the unicorn, even if it was just her and Rarity in the room.

"I do apologize for my earlier behavior Miss Rarity. I found myself lost in memories of old and found that I could not hold back my tears. I do hope you do not think any less of me for it." Rainbow fought to hold back her grin as the unicorns mouth fell open in shock. Of course, with her friend in such a state, she couldn't help but chuckle a little.

"Hey, I was forced through the same routine everyday Rarity. I can do this, i'm just a bit rusty is all. I've been living my life my way for so long. I just need some time is all..." her smile vanished as she sighed. Rarity put a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

"You'll do wonderfully dear. I'm sure you'll make Twilight's job easy." She said without a doubt in her mind after seeing Rainbow's display only moments before.

"Thats just it Rarity...I know I can do this...thats what scares me...After all of this is said and done i'll be stuck with it for the rest of my life."

"Rainbow, i'm sure we can talk to the Princess and..."

"No! We can't! You don't understand! If I had stayed, my coronation would have been two years ago! As soon as the reunion is over they are gonna start planning it. theres no way out! I won't get my chance to be a wonderbolt, I won't get my chance to make her proud! I failed!" Rainbow collapsed on the floor in a heap of tears, sobs racking her body and ruining half of Rarity's work.

Thats not important right now Rarity, your friend needs you  She sat beside the pegasus, scooting close enough for Rainbow to lean against her and let out all of her pain.

"There there darling, let it all out." she said softly, forcing herself to ignore the tears and snot staining her white coat from her friends crying. It was a sacrifice she was willing to make to comfort the pegasus. Her entire life had been turned on its head after all. Finally Rainbow managed to calm herself, sitting up and taking a slow breath.

"S...Sorry about that Rarity..."

"Don't be. You can't keep everything bottled up dear and you've been holding out on us for as long as we've known you, longer than that. You need this and I am glad I could be here for you." Rarity said with a smile. Rainbow chuckled, seeing that it was a little strained.

"They've got a bath in pretty much every room in this place. You can use mine while i'm learnin from Twi." Rainbow told her once she noticed her stained coat. To her surprise her wailing had only disturbed some of her makeup and a few strands of hair in her mane which Rarity was quick to fix before taking off for a well needed bath. Rainbow took a slow breath and pushed the doors open, stepping out into the hall where her friends and several guards waited.

"Well...how do I look?" Rainbow asked, a little fearful when everypony stared at her in silence.

"Ya look..." Applejack began, trying to find the right word.

"Amazing..." Twilight finished. Luna gave a small smile.

"I agree with Twilight Sparkle. Your friend Rarity truly is talented. Though I do not know how much we must teach you Rainbow Dash." She said stopping in front of her Niece. The Princess had been shocked to discover her sister had never told her about this, but didn't pressure her about it. Rainbow Dash sighed softly and lifted her chin and to Luna's amazement began to walk around them slowly, her hooves making only a small scuffing sound as the shoes ran over the tiled floor.

"While I may appear to be the tom-colt among my friends I am not a lost cause. You may try to tell me this is not what was on your minds but I can see it in your eyes my dear friends and I wish you would not worry yourselves so much over me. I admit I am quite rusty and there is still much about Canterlot I must learn, but I can control my behavior with my previous teachings as a filly. There. is that what ya wanted t' hear?" Rainbow said, her voice holding a bit of an edge to it. Luna flinched.

"I am sorry Rainbow. I did not mean..."

"No...no its fine. I'm just...a bit upset is all..."

"Thats understandable sugarcube...yer life just went all topsy-turvey. Anypony'd be on edge."

"Thanks Aj...I mean...Applejack...I guess I should keep workin on it..."

"You'll do fine Rainbow. But you'll need to learn how to address ponies and gryphons and there are bound to be others there as well if this is about those peace treaties. The Manticores, the Wolves from the Everfree forest and probably even a zebra or two. You've gotta know how to speak to them."

"uh...ok...so...how do I talk to em?" Rainbow asked

"Well the Gryphons are all about power. You would address the king as 'Your Royal Majesty' and the queen as 'Your Royal Highness.' While you would speak to the Princess as your equal. In the same way she would call you Princess Rainbow you would call her Princess uh..." Twilight paused, somewhat emberassed she didn't know the name of the Gryphon princess.

"Do not worry too much about that. I have been made aware that proper introductions will be made the day of the reunion. Fifty years is a long time and this will be my first since my return. You will not be alone in this Rainbow Dash." Luna said with a small smile. Rainbow nodded, still pulling herself together mentally for the task at hoof.

"Ok, what about the Manticores?"





They worked late into the night and early into the morning hours, drilling Rainbow Dash in keeping her face calm as well as her words. They would struggle at times as Rainbow would transition back to herself in the middle of a sentance when put under stress.

"We'll have to work on it more later Dash." Twilight yawned. Their friends had gone to bed hours ago, wishing them luck. Celestia entered the room, relieving her sister and taking a seat. Rainbow gave her a small smile which quickly turned into a loud yawn.

"You can't keep yourself awake through the night Rainbow. You need your sleep, as do you Twilight."

"I know princess I know. But we've only got six days left. While Rainbow can walk like a Princess and talk like one, she can't do it under pressure." Celestia nodded.

"Why don't you get some rest my faithful student? I will take over from here."

"Are you sure? I can stay up a bit longer, I've gone a few days without sleep before, I can..."

"Twilight, go get some rest." Celestia said putting a hoof on her students shoulder. Twilight looked up into her eyes, a pleading look on the Princess' face. Twilight took it as a hint that Celestia wanted to be alone with Rainbow and nodded.

"Alright Princess. I'll leave it to you. Good night Rainbow and good luck." Twilight made her way out of the room, leaving the two alone. Celestia's magic closed the door quietly, leaving the two of them together. Rainbow Dash gulped as Celestia moved over to a nearby table, flipping open a small box, inside rested two rainbow frosted cupcakes. She smiled as she lifted them in her magic, holding one in the air for Rainbow Dash.

"Huh? whats this?"

"Its a cupcake. That day...I was too late...I tried to bring you one but you had already left...I want to make up for the time we've missed. I want to be the mother you deserve even though I know I never can be..." Celestia watched as Rainbow forced herself to take a smile bite of the cupcake rather than eat the entire thing in one bite. Celestia held back a giggle and took a big bite out of her own, Rainbow staring at her in shock.

"Its not all about being prim and proper Rainbow. You recall the Gabby Gums article about me do you not?" She asked the pegasus with a smile as she licked a bit of frosting from her lip. The pegasus nodded.

"Yea...sorry about that, we shoulda' figured it out faster and put a stop to it and when we did find out we overreacted..."

"Its fine Rainbow. None of it was your fault and those three fillies learned an important lesson on their own. Its not the first time the press has found its way into the castle, and I doubt it will be the last. I want you to be comfortable here...I know you don't want to be here..." Celestia blinked in surprise as the pegasus nuzzled her.

"Thats not it at all, well not all of it. Its not that I don't want to be here with you. Its that I don't want this to be my life, to be a princess and have all this responsibility. I'm not cut out for it. This is ALL of Equestria we are talking about. What if I mess up? What if I ruin everything? What if I cause a war?!" The pegasus rambled on, letting her panic show in her voice. Celestia draped a wing around her and gave the pegasus a smile.

"I'm going to tell you a secret. I worry about the same things every day. Its a hard job and a hard life, but it has its rewards. In time you will see, but for now, You have a cupcake to finish." the two smiled at one another and in that moment they weren't Princess'; Only a mother and her daughter.
> Storms Gathering
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Little by little the walls fell away and Celestia was able to truly see her daughter in the pegasus before her. They spent hours together that day, laying in the massive bed, Rainbow cradled in Celestia's hooves as she told another tale of how she had come up with an amazing trick. Celestia listened with a warm smile, nuzzling the pegasus lovingly.

"Princess! that tickles!" Rainbow squealed, quickly clearing her throat.

"I mean..uh..." she said, quickly putting on her tough pony facade. She couldn't let anypony hear her acting like that, especially Celestia.

"Rainbow, you don't have to act this way. Its okay to be a little girly sometimes and...you don't have to call me Princess." Celestia sighed, hoping Rainbow wouldn't close herself off again.

"I guess that would be kind of weird when everypony shows up huh? so...Should I call you...mom?" they both lay there for a moment in silence. Rainbow worked her mouth over the word a few times, feeling strangely comfortable with it.

"Mom? mommy? mother?" Rainbow tilted her head back to look up at the Alicorn who held her. She was surprised to see tears in her eyes, letting out a quiet 'eep' as Celestia hugged her.

"Rainbow...its been so long...I'm so sorry..." she said softly. Rainbow nuzzled the Alicorn's neck and closed her eyes.

"Its not your fault. Its not like you could help being busy, you are who you are." Rainbow said, trying to assure her, though the sun goddess would not be swayed. She remained silent however, clinging to Rainbow, repeating to herself that this was real, that this wasn't a dream. A faint knock on the door and the head of a certain Alicorn Princess pulled their attention away from one another. Luna couldn't help but smile at them as she entered the room.

"I had thought I would find you here sister, though I thought you would be teaching rather than cuddling. I must admit this is certainly cute but we have work to do." Luna lectured her elder sister. It was hard to stifle a laugh as the two, mother and daughter, rolled their eyes and groaned in unison. 

Together they stood, Celestia helping Rainbow to slip into her vestments and showing her the proper way to walk, how to hold her wings, how to hold her head and where to keep her eyes.

"We never look down on anypony Rainbow, everypony is special to us." Celestia said with a smile.

"I know that, I could never look down on anypony!" Rainbow argued.

"We know that Rainbow Dash, but it is about appearances. You may recall Nightmare Night when I visited Ponyville. I still had much to learn of how the times have changed and while I held the same poise as you do now I unintentionally cast my eyes down upon the ponies there. I am ashamed of my behavior that night but I am thankful for Twilight Sparkles guidance and everyponies eventual acceptance of me." Luna said from her seat nearby. 

"The point she is making Rainbow, is that you have to pay attention to anything you might do to cause anypony discomfort or accidentally insult somepony." Celestia explained

"oh...I guess I'm gonna need more practice..." she said, thinking on what they had said. Hearing it from both of them and thinking back on their time together she realized they were right. 

Celestia and Luna were taller than most ponies so it was hard not to look down on them. Though they somehow managed to stay eye to eye with their subjects, putting themselves on the same level of the ponies they protected. They were rulers simply in name. It eased her mind a bit, not much, but a bit.





Just outside Canterlot, creatures were gathering, chariots arriving and tensions rising. As it had turned out, the Gryphons weren't the only ones sending their respective leaders earlier than expected. Almost everyone had hoped to catch the others off guard by their early arrival, only managing to surprise themselves upon seeing each other. Of course the first thing they did was bump heads, mainly referring to the Gryphons and Minotaurs..

"Well, it seems even you bunch of idiots managed to get here on time this time around. Whats it been? five decades since you've managed that?" The king of the Gryphons said with a sly grin. To his surprise the Minotaurs had nothing to say back.

"Nothing on your mind? Pity, I suppose that's an everyday experience for your kind."

"I suppose you've never heard of keeping your mouth shut when you've nothing kind to say." The Minotaur Tribe leader spoke up with a small grin of his own, leaving the Gryphon baffled by his behavior as he made his way to the castle. 

Little did they know, it was thanks to a certain yellow pegasus that the Minotaurs had learned kindness and to think before they acted. One by one the groups entered Canterlot, followed by their respective others, servants and whatnot. 

All of which hoped to at least catch Celestia off guard. Many others were curious if the rumors of Luna's return were true. Not many had seen the return of Nightmare Moon, only those within the castle that night and within Ponyville knew it to be fact. The rumors proved to be true as Luna herself welcomed them as they neared the castle

"Welcome friends! I do hope that we can still address you as such even on days such as this. We only wish to keep peace and harmony throughout these lands."

"Last I heard you wished eternal night upon these lands." the Gryphon king remarked.

"It is true I had lost my sight and turned on my own blood. But with the Elements and time, I have learned my lesson and it is not one I will soon forget. But that is old news. We have more important business to attend to, my sister and Niece await you inside." Luna said with a small smile, turning to lead them inside the massive castle, a group of her Night guard following close on all sides.

Unlike Celestia's Royal Guard, these guards were prepared to take a life to defend their princess and had trained for decades, even while their Princess remained imprisoned within the moon. Kept alive only by hope, a hope that burned within Celestia's heart as well, that one day their Princess would return as herself. 

Luna stopped and stepped aside, her Guards keeping a ring formation around her as she allowed the Leaders inside the Throne room where Celestia awaited them.

Each took a seat, the Gryphon King the first to speak, an eyebrow raised as he scanned the room

"So where is this Daughter of yours you mentioned Celestia? It would be a shame if she were merely made up or a figment of your sad imagination."

"It is a pleasure to see you again as well King Niare, please allow me to introduce my daughter. Princess Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty." Rainbow entered from behind Celestia's throne, chin slightly lifted, a small smile on her face as she sat down beside Celestia, Luna taking her place on her own throne.

"LIAR!" A voice screamed out. All eyes were cast on the Gryphon Princess as she stepped forward.

"I know for a fact that Rainbow Dash is no Princess! She's not even worthy of the title!" the Gryphon spat.

"I'll have you know Princess, that Rainbow Dash is in fact my daughter, by blood. At an early age she left the castle to pursue a life of her own and has returned to fulfill her duties as  Princess of Equestria."

"Don't give me that crap!" she screamed. Rainbow stepped forward.

"I understand your hate of me Princess. We were once friends, you and I. But your actions so long ago destroyed that friendship. Now here you stand with a chance to redeem yourself and instead you dare to insult my mother and call her a liar in her own Royal court?!" Rainbow stamped her hoof, staring into the Gryphons eyes. The Gryphon Princess gulped but stared back.

"Do you wish to know the truth Princess? I ran from my responsibility before because I did not want it. But now that I am needed I cannot abandon my Mother nor my land. I will stand by my Mother and my Aunt and I will not allow you to get away with insulting her! Now I ask that you return to your seat and allow her to continue before I decide to act." Rainbow raised an eyebrow, waiting for the Gryphon to react.

"You won't get away with this Dash, I dunno who you think you are, just cause you can walk and talk like a Princess doesn't mean you are one and I'm going to prove it." the Princess growled in a whisper.

"Do your worst." Rainbow gasped as the Gryphon tackled her to the ground.
> The Weight of the world Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rainbow rolled and bucked her hooves, throwing the angered Princess off of her and leaping to her hooves, leaping backwards and flapping her wings as the Gryphon swiped at her once more. In a matter of moments both Royal and Night guards had surrounded the Gryphon Princess, spears and swords held in magic and near her throat.

"Attacking a Princess is an act of war. The Treaties Term has not yet ended. Do you wish to declare war for your people?" Shining Armor said somberly as he walked past one of the guards. 

"ENOUGH!" Celestia called out.

"Guards, stand down. Princess Gilda. Please return to your seat."

"But I...!"

"SIT DOWN!" Niare screamed at her. The Gryphon was quick to obey, her head hanging low. Rainbow managed to keep herself composed, though only thanks to her training throughout the day and the fact that Celestia and Luna were counting on her not to screw up. Though she was sure she had already done that. Celestia's magic was quick to straighten Rainbows mane and Tiara as the pegasus took her seat once more.

"If your Daughters Episode is finished King Niare, we will begin talking terms while there is still some semblance of peace among us." Luna spoke up. 

The Gryphon king merely nodded, knowing he had lost the upper-claw so to speak as Gilda had turned all eyes to them, making them Enemy number one, rather than Celestia as had been originally planned. He would not have his way this year and he feared handing over his kingdom to the Gryphon that had cost him that chance. The Minotaur Tribe leader stood first.

"After speaking with the Tribes, the Minotaurs have come to an agreement. We wish to keep peace between ourselves and the Royal sisters as well as the creatures of Everfree. And while we do not wish to be on the same terms as the Gryphons, we have learned that every creature is deserving of a second chance. It is thanks to the Elements of Kindness, Generosity, and Laughter that we have learned these lessons. 

We have learned much from them and never had the chance to properly thank them. The only other thing we wish is for our message to be passed along to them." He spoke up with a grin.

"I will be sure to let them know and I am happy to hear the news." Rainbow replied, still a bit shaken from the attempt on her life moments ago. The adrenaline was still pumping through her body, her wings aching for her to take to the air and her body screaming for her to fight back. But she had to keep still, she had to be the Princess that Celestia needed right now.

Celestia smiled as a Timberwolf was next to stand, its head held high and a scraggly moss beard clinging to its chin. The wolf was wise and unlike its younger counterparts was not prone to attacking ponies without good reason. Even in his old age he was agile and limber, capable of holding his own against anyone in the room.

"After much debate and the loss of several wolves, we too wish to continue a reign of peace. We only wish to keep our forest as we have since the day you took your place on the throne. I see no reason for debate between us unless you wish to take back The Ruins."

"The Ruins are yours Elder. They hold too much pain for my sister and I and I am happy they still have purpose in this world." Celestia addressed the wolf, both giving a nod before the wolf took his seat once more.

"What of you King Niare? Do you have anything to say?" Luna asked, barely hiding a smirk.

"I will hold my tongue for now Luna. The Gryphons are undecided and there is still much to be thought about, especially after my daughters outburst."

"But dad!"

"Be quiet girl!" the younger gryphon shrank at her fathers rage. Rainbow felt a little bad for her. A little. Gilda had been one of her closest friends in Flight School, though she had always had a mean streak towards Fluttershy.

"I understand your Majesty, your rooms have been prepared for you and you are welcome to roam Canterlot as you see fit, as per our agreement." Celestia said to them with a nod, dismissing them from the Throne room. Rainbow Dash waited until only her, Luna, and Celestia remained to let out a long held back sigh of boredom and anxiety.

"Finally! I thought that was gonna take forever!" She said, blowing a few strands of multicolored mane out of her face. Luna giggled a little.

"Rainbow, we have only just begun. But do not fret, Celestia and I will be here to help you." she assured the Pegasus with a smile.

"Alright I guess..."

"Rainbow, there is something more I would like to say. Your coronation..." Rainbows eyes went wide as she turned to Luna.

"Y..Yea?"

"Well, With things the way they are, we will have to perform it soon. The best time to do so would be before the Reunion." The room fell silent, save for the sound of Rainbows heart pounding in her chest.

"B...But thats less than a week! I've got less than a week before I'm stuck like this forever?! Thats 'forever' forever! as in actually FOREVER!" Luna put a hoof to her shoulder.

"Rainbow Dash, we need you. I know its a hard decision..."

"No! You don't know! and you aren't even letting me decide anything! This is why I left in the first place!" she yelled at the Lunar Princess, blinking as Celestia pushed her way between them.

"I'll give you until the Reunion to decide Rainbow. You can go back to your old life, to your friends and Ponyville and the weather team. I know its what you want and I won't lose you again because you are being forced into something you don't want."

"Celestia! But we...!" Celestia raised a hoof to stop her sister, keeping her attention on Rainbow Dash.

"I forced my sister to deal with her problems alone and to handle the night while I kept watch over the day. We were shut off from one another and I didn't listen to her pleas. In the end I lost her and almost didn't get her back. I made the same mistake when you were just a filly and look where its gotten us. I won't make that mistake again. I will leave the choice to you Rainbow." Celestia said nothing more, leaving the Throne room without so much as a glance back at her sister and daughter, lest she change her mind on the matter.

Rainbow sat there in shocked silence, Luna watching the doors, hoping Celestia would return. Though it was becoming painfully obvious that Celestia would not return. She had to do something. Celestia needed Rainbow Dash and Equestria needed Celestia.

"Rainbow Dash, I cannot change my sisters decision and I cannot decide your fate. But allow me to say one thing more." Rainbow only gave a small nod.

"Celestia needs you Rainbow. Not for Equestria, but for herself. We Alicorns are beings of magic and our emotions can affect more than just our attitudes. Magic is a mysterious thing Rainbow and it works in strange ways. I know she doesn't want it out in the open but you have to know, as her daughter you deserve that much."

"Know what?"

"She's dying Rainbow."
> The Weight of the World Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"D..Dying?! N...NO! She can't be!" Rainbow screamed, her throat suddenly very dry.
"I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, but she is." Luna repeated.
"How?! She's suppose t' be immortal or whatever!" the pegasus continued.

"I told you Rainbow Dash. Our emotions affect more than just our attitudes. When she lost me...it tore her apart inside and only the thought of the ponies she would abandon in death managed to keep her alive. But with my return and the loss of you, there isn't much left to keep her going Rainbow Dash. She has managed to survive like this for far longer than any other Alicorn could manage and I am sad to say she could pass at any moment."

"Well there's gotta be something we can do!" Rainbow yelled, Luna putting a hoof to her mouth.
"Not we. You." Luna said, pointing a hoof at Rainbow.
"M...Me?" Rainbow asked, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"Yes Rainbow Dash. There may still be time to save her, but she needs You. It has to be you. You're all she has in this world that she can truly call her own and she's never had the chance. We can't force you into this decision and I know she didn't tell you this because she knew it would force you to help her." Luna paused for a moment and sighed.

"But I am not her and I cannot allow this to happen. Sadly, this is all I can do in the hopes that you will at the very least be the daughter she needs. Maybe not a Princess, but at least her daughter." Luna finished and left the throne room without another word, leaving the pegasus to stare at nothing in particular.
"She's dying...and its all my fault..."





Twilight skimmed book after book, reading about the past Treaty signings and noticing a distinct pattern. More and more land being hoofed over to the Gryphons and Minotaurs while the Everfree forest forever remained just the forest. If the pattern continued Equestria would be ruled by Gryphons. The unicorns mouth fell open in horror at the realization. 

Had Celestia known this would happen? Was that why she needed Rainbow Dash? It was all adding up. Twilight felt a surge of rage fill her. Celestia was just using Rainbow Dash, though it was for her kingdom and the safety of her subjects, she was still using her.

"Just like she used me..." Twilight mumbled. She slammed the book shut and marched towards the Throne room where the Princess would most likely still be as well as Rainbow Dash. She was going to put a stop to this. Nopony deserved to be used. 
"Princess!" Twilight burst into the throne room, finding only a multicolored mane curled around a pegasus as she cried silently.

"R...Rainbow! whats wrong?!" Twilight rushed to her friend, looking around.
"Rainbow?!" Twilight nudged the pegasus gently, causing her to jump to her hooves in surprise.
"T..Twi? what the hay are you doin' here? oh wait...you're suppose to be here..." Rainbow mumbled.
"Dash, are you alright?" Twilight asked, ignoring Rainbows rambling.

"Y..yea...No..." the pegasus sighed and hung her head, wiping away some of her tears.
"I'm turnin' into such a wimp..." she muttered, taking a deep shuddering breath.

"You are not a wimp Rainbow Dash. You're the bravest and toughest pony I know. This doesn't change that." Twilight said with a smile, sitting down beside her friend.

"Re...Really? You don't think i'm all girly or anything?" Rainbow asked quietly.
"Of course not Rainbow. Its not the fancy make-up that makes a pony who they are, its the pony themselves. The make-up is just a formality. But the rest is all you, tough, brave, wonderful Dash." Twilight said with a smile, her cheeks lighting up for a moment before she cleared her throat.
"Wow Twi, you really think i'm that awesome?" Rainbow asked with a grin.

"Well, awesome isn't the word I would use but yes. Its already a proven fact Rainbow Dash so I can't argue any different anyway." Twilight explained, earning herself a snicker from the pegasus.
"You are such an egghead Twi." She said, wiping away the last of her tears.
"How do you feel?" Twilight asked.

"A little better...but I'm still worried...and I've got a big decision to make and I don't know what to do."
"Well I'll help you. Thats what friends are for Dash." the unicorn smiled at her.
"y..yea...friends..." Rainbow said with a sigh. just friends...





Luna bit her lip as she finished raising the moon.
Perhaps it was wrong of me to reveal Celestia's condition to Rainbow Dash. She deserves a chance to make her own decision and I have probably only made it harder for her.[/i the alicorn berated herself before stopping

No! I did what I had to. I cannot allow my sister to simply pass away. There is still much left for us to do, so much we have all missed out on. I do not even have an heir of my own... Luna paused and put a hoof to her chin. There had never been a pony that had caught her eye, at least not one with which she could have an heir to her throne.

Oh don't be absurd Luna, an heir is not your top priority at the moment. You have a niece and sister to help right now. You can worry about matters such as that once you have made everything right. Though it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye out for a unicorn powerful enough to... Luna smiled, clapping her hooves together.

"Oh how could we have been so blind! The Element of magic! She would be perfect!" Luna giggled to herself. Twilight was a good friend, her very first after her return and she had shown the ponies of Ponyville that Luna wasn't the terrifying Mare in the Moon anymore. How had she not seen it before? She would speak with Twilight later about it, for now she had other things to tend to.





The Princess watched as her father paced the room angrily, all of his plans ruined due to her outburst.
"You bring shame to us Gilda." Her father said for the hundredth time in his angry ramblings. Finally he stopped and turned toward her. 

She wished she could have been anywhere but there, she would've happily gone back to the flight academy and done that stupid cheer a million times if it meant she didn't have to be the target of her fathers rage. 

"You are not worthy of the throne. Perhaps I will adopt a son, give him the crown and let someone I can TRUST rule in my place when I die!" he yelled. The Princess said nothing. They both knew her father wasn't long for this world. This was to be his final glory, his triumph over Equestria's ancient rulers and the rise of a new rule. The chances were slim, but there was still a chance he could pull it off.
"You claim that pegasus is not Celestia's daughter. Why?!"

"Because she isn't dad! She's just some loser pegasus I met at the flight academy. She dropped out and all she was ever good at was the stupid weather team." her father put a claw to his chin.
"Perhaps Celestia is using this pegasus, pretending this girl is her daughter. We will need proof." her father turned to her once more and she grinned.
"I can get proof."





A/N

Sorry for this being so short, but to be totally honest, I had no idea what more I could add to this chapter. Hopefully The Weight of the World P3 will have more in it. I especially wanna apologize to  The Dark Lord Link, who has been reading this story from beginning to end and has been my number 1 fan on it. I wanted to add more to it but I couldn't think of anything and I hated holding the update back for so long. 

This apology is mostly to him and as way of further extending said apology I would like to ask that anyone reading this go check out his story "Cries of Fluttershy" and "The Bloody Hooves" both of which have been an inspiration to me and my writing. Thanks for reading!
>  Decisions Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Luna sat outside her sisters room, hoof hanging in mid-knock. What could she say to her? I told your daughter your dying. That will sit well with her won't it? She sighed and shook her head, lowering her hoof.
"Come in Luna, I know your out there." Celestia called out weakly. Luna bit her lip and gently pushed the door open, stepping inside.

"How are you feeling dear sister?" She asked, noticing several feathers in her wings already fading to black. Celestia chuckled a little and sighed, laying her head back down onto the multitude of pillows behind her.
"I am not sure how much longer I have Luna...I'm sorry, but it seems it will fall on you to continue maintaining peace in Equestria."

"No, I'm not going to lose you sister. I...I told Rainbow Dash that you are..." Luna blinked, finding that Celestia had moved and was now muzzle to muzzle with her, staring into her eyes.
"Luna, why would you do such a thing? Why would you tell her? She deserves to make her own choice!"
"This is about more than just her Sister! Sometimes we have to make sacrifices to protect the ones we care about. Rainbow Dash is no different."

"Luna, you know she will stay now. She won't even be able to make her choice now."
"Perhaps, but it had to be done sister."
"Why!? Are you afraid to rule alone? Are you just unable to accept that I will pass on someday?"
"No! Equestria can't lose you! I Can't lose you!" Luna screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Luna..."

"I betrayed you so long ago sister...and now...now that we are finally together again...i'm going to lose you...Rainbow Dash is the only chance of saving you...i'm sorry..I..I just..." Celestia pulled her into a gentle hug, sighing softly.
"I understand why you did what you did Luna. I'm still upset that you told her...And I have something to ask of you."
"Anything sister..."
"I want you to tell her that i'll be fine. That i'm not dying."
"B...but you are!"
"I know, but she shouldn't know that."





Rainbow sighed as she stared into her mirror. She sat alone in her room.
"My room..." she sighed again and stared at the dress that had been prepared for her by Rarity. She had less than three days to decide. Would she leave her mother to die? Or would she seal her fate forever and leave behind everything she had worked so hard for? 

The choice was obvious, but she couldn't bring herself to make it. She had worked so hard and now it all meant nothing. Rainbow shook her head and stood.
"I shouldn't even have to think about this. I know what I have to do." She walked over to the dress, regretting each hoofstep, a knock at the door stopping her.

"Uh...Come in." She called out, not surprised when Luna made her way into the room.
"Rainbow Dash. I have come to apologize."
"You don't have anything to apologize for Princess. I just need some time...no..." she sighed, putting a hoof to her forehead.
"I don't need to think about this. I know what I have to do and I'm gonna do it."
"Rainbow....I..."

"No. I don't care what more you have to say Princess. I've made up my mind."
"But Rainbow Dash!"
"NO! I don't care anymore. Even if she wasn't dying! I'd still stay...for her...for all the time we've missed. I wouldn't be Loyalty if I left her now. I'd just be running away again. I can't do that to her twice. Now...can you help me get this stupid stuff on? I have some stuff I need to say." Luna's mouth snapped shut and she smiled, helping Rainbow into her vestments and following her out of the room.

"Guard!" Rainbow called out, a guard saluting.
"Alert the guests and everypony in the castle. I have an announcement to make, have everypony in the Great Hall in twenty minutes."
"yes princess!" Luna merely watched in surprise. Rainbow paused in mid-step causing Luna to stop as well. She peeked around Rainbow and spotted what had stopped her. A lone unicorn. Twilight Sparkle.
> Decisions Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"What the buck am I gonna do?!" she yelled at herself as she walked through the castle. Her father was counting on her to prove Rainbow and the Princess were lying and she had nothing. Nothing! 

She had already dissapointed him once, if she failed again...she didn't even want to think about it. Sadly that was all her mind could focus on, at least until the pegasus she had been searching for came into view. She grinned and took a calming breath as she approached her once best friend.

"Dash, why are you wearin' all that stuff? Quit playin' around." She said playfully.
"I apologize Princess Gilda but I do not have time for your antics today. I have an important message to deliver to everypony. Did you not get the summons?" Rainbow asked, making Gilda grit her teeth.
She's good...but I'm not gonna give up that easily!
"This is so not you Dash"

"Yes well...Certain events have required...changes in my lifestyle." Rainbow answered, her head low.
this is my chance!
"So why keep pretending?" She said as loud as she could, drawing the attention of the guards and everypony passing by.
"You are right Gilda."
Score! and everypony is watching. This couldn't be any better!

"I've been pretending all my life that I was just another pegasus, living the life of a pegasus who was wild and free to do whatever she wanted. I can't keep doing that. My mother needs me, Equestria needs me. And so I have decided I will remain here in Canterlot, and do what must be done. Now if you'll excuse me." and just like that, all of her hopes came crashing down. Rather than bring Rainbow down she had instead given her a boost up
I'm screwed...





"Rainbow, you don't have to do this. The Princess..."
"Is dying Twilight." Rainbow said, never stopping to look at her friend. Twilight froze.
"w...what? What do you mean dyi..." Luna put a hoof over the unicorns mouth, shaking her head.
"You must keep silent Twilight Sparkle. Equestria is not ready for this. We would not survive were the Gryphons to learn of it."

"Princess Luna...you knew? and you didn't tell me?" Twilight fumed.
"Because I knew how you would react Twilight Sparkle. We need you with a level head..."
"So your just going to use me like your using Rainbow right?!" she screamed. She blinked as everypony turned to look at them once more.

"What was that? There just using Rainbow Dash?" Gilda called out triumphantly.
"See?! its all a lie! She's just being used!" Gilda grinned and Rainbow Dash turned to face her.
"Do you wish to tear me down so far Princess Gilda?" she asked softly, walking towards her. Her grin began to fade slowly as the mare came closer.

"Despite what my FRIEND, might think. I am here of my own choice, here because I am needed, not to be used!"
"Prove it! All members of the Royal Equestrian Family have magic. If your really a princess then do some ma..." she screamed as a bolt of lightning struck the ground in front of her. Rainbows wings spread wide and sparks dancing over the feathers, a light chirping sound filling the air against the crackle of lightning bouncing off itself along her wings.

"I am the Runaway Princess and you are no longer considered an honored guest. Do not speak to me again." She said turning her back on Gilda and marching towards the throne room. She was the only one moving, everypony else merely standing there in shock, even Luna.
"Perhaps we should follow..." Twilight nodded and shook herself, following at a safe distance.





Rainbow stood in front of Celestia's throne, Celestia herself sitting in it with her wings folded behind her to hide the dying feathers. Rainbow turned back to her and smiled.
"Can you use that voice spell for me?" she asked. Celestia nodded weakly, her horn glowing dimly, the glow filling Rainbow's lungs and throat with power.

"Ponies of Equestira! Honored guests of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I have come here today to make an important announcement. For years I have remained in hiding, running from my responsibilities and trying to chase a foals dream. But now I am needed. Most of you must not realize it, but my mother is Dying." everypony gasped, Celestia's eyes wide.

"But do not be afraid. We will not lose her or any other Princess. For on this day I take back the name of my birth. I take back that which made me a Princess." she hung her head as Luna stood beside her, several cloaked unicorns surrounding them.

"Rainbow Dash, Runaway Princess of Canterlot. Doth thee swear to protect these lands with thine life? To guide and defend the ponies of this land? For as long as thee shall live?"
"I do." Rainbow's eyes began to glow along with the glow of the circle around her. The circle began to hover around her, lifting her into the air with them, her entire body swallowed by the glow. 

"We remove thy false name of Rainbow Dash, and giveth thee the name of thy birth. Princess Chroma of Equestria!" the glow faded and Rainbow was lowered to the ground, a bit taller than she had been moments ago and a horn sitting in the middle of her forehead.
"Princess of the Skies."
> Cause and Effect
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Slowly, Princess Chroma opened her eyes, twin pools of swirling magenta scanning the crowd of creatures gathered there that day.
"Remember this day everypony. For it is the day that our family is reunited." The ponies stomped their hooves and cheered as The new Princess, or rather Old Princess Returned, held her head high. 

Her friends wore varying faces of surprise and shock, not sure how to react to their friends new attitude. Slowly the cheers died down, Niare stepping forward.
"Did you say, Celestia is dying?"
"Yes. She was dying."
"Was?"

"I am afraid I do not know enough to properly explain it to you. But in time my mother will be well again."
"What about the treaties? You attacked me in the hall Dash!" Gilda yelled, collective gasps filling the air. Chroma's mane flowed along behind her as she walked down the stairs toward Gilda and Niare.

"Allow me to be perfectly clear on this. You, Gilda. Princess of the Gryphons. Provoked me in front of my aunt and demanded I perform magic to prove my place as a Princess of Equestria. I obliged you, providing nothing but one,simple,small bolt of lightning as proof of my royal heritage. And now you dare to claim I attacked you. I thought I made it clear before." Rainbow kept her voice level and calm as she paused for a moment, glancing about the room before turning her gaze back to Gilda

"You are no longer an honored guest and as of this moment you are a traitor in this land. You already attacked me once and we let it pass, but now I will not stand for your attempts to dethrone us. You have until the end of the day to leave Canterlot or I will have the guards escort you out. As for you King Niare, you are still a guest of my mother, but if your daughter does not keep a level head YOU will be joining her." She turned her head back to Celestia and Luna.

"Does that sound fair?" she asked them. They both looked at one another and then back to her, giving a small nod.
"It is decided. Guards, please keep an eye on the Gryphon Princess." the guards saluted as Rainbow turned, making her way back up the stairs.

"No you don't Dash!" Gilda screeched and leapt forward, tackling Rainbow to the ground, both of them rolling as Gilda dug her claws into the Alicorn's wings, drawing screams of agony from her. The Royal Hall fell to chaos, guards trying to pry Gilda off of Rainbow, ponies panicking and running about, and friends doing their best to help, stopped by guards who blocked their path.

"ENOUGH!" Twilight screamed, her eyes glowing brightly and her magic surrounding the entire room. Everyone froze as they were caught in the unicorns magic. Slowly Twilight made her way through them, pushing Gilda off of Rainbow and into the path of the guards. With a sigh her magic fell, as did she. 

Twilight lay beside Rainbow whose wings had been torn to shreds by Gilda's onslaught. Luna was the first to recover from the horrific incident.
"GUARDS! Throw her in the dungeons!" She called.
"You can't!" Niare screamed.

"She attempted to murder Princess Chroma and would have managed to do so if not for the Element of Magic. We suggest thou keepest thine silence, lest thee feel our wrath Niare." Luna said, falling back into her habit of speaking in the Royal We. 

He stepped down, defeated as Luna's Night Guard slammed Gilda beak first into the ground, cuffing her claws behind her and placing a metal collar around her neck as well as a muzzle over her beak, pulling her along toward the dungeons. Gilda never pulled her gaze away from Rainbow who slowly forced herself to her hooves. Soon Gilda was too far to see her and hung her head, simply being dragged along toward Luna's dungeon.





"Twi'? C'mon Twi' get up." Rainbow said quietly, nudging the unicorn. Twilight mumbled, slowly opening her eyes.
"Ugh...my head...RAINBOW! Your wings!" Twilight gasped, Rainbow shook her head.
"They'll be fine Twi'. You used a lot of magic back there. What the hay were you thinkin?!" she yelled.
"She was tryin t' save yer hide. Ya'll should be a little more grateful Rainbow!" Applejack fumed, jabbing a hoof into her friends chest. Rainbow nodded.

"Yea...I know. I just thought I had everything under control. I..." she hung her head and sighed.
"I wanted to prove myself..."
"I believe you did Rainbo...Princess Chroma." Luna said as she sat beside her.

"heh...thats gonna take some gettin used to..." Rainbow sighed
"Don't worry none, yer always gonna be Rainbow Dash t' us." Applejack said with a smile. Rarity and Fluttershy nodded in agreement.
"Of course it is going to be a bit strange with all these changes Darling. Your a Princess now." the unicorn rolled her eyes.

"Rainbow Dash, a Princess of all things. I never thought I would see the day she would become anything more than a rambunctious bundle of bravado, dirt, and pride." Rarity chuckled

"I'm honestly not sure what to think right now. Everythings still spinning..." Twilight put a hoof to her head and blinked as Celestia sat beside her.
"Princess Celestia...I..."

"Please be silent a moment Twilight." Celestia turned to Rainbow.
"How are your wings?" she asked softly. Rainbow looked back at them and regretted it instantly, her heart falling. 

Barely any feathers remained. She should've been in extreme pain if not for her nervous system having shut off on her after the initial attack to protect her from going into shock. Though the sight of her wings was almost enough to do that.

"Uh...well..." she was at a complete loss for words.
"Do not fret, we can repair them quite easily now. We are lucky she did not attack you before the Coronation Spell." Luna said with a small smile
"...I don't get it..."

"Thats right...Your an Alicorn now Rainbow. Your body is Eighty-six Percent raw magic now!" all eyes turned to Twilight.
"What? A True Alicorn is born of Magic, the raw power of Equestria itself, thus their bodies are made up of almost nothing but magic. All that has to be done is the reform the magic that is the base for Rainbows Wings and we can fix them as if they were new!" she smiled, clapping her hooves a little. Rainbow smiled and winced a little as she spread the remains of her wings.

"Would you do the honors Twi'?" Twilight blushed.
"Huh? Me? Really? But...Wings are very personal to a pony, its rare to have anypony else touch another ponies wings, except for parents and lov..." Twilight blinked, her brain slowly throwing the pieces together before the whole picture came crashing down on her.

"Um..I..I would be honored..." she mumbled.
"I'll need a minute...and some room." the ponies gathered around her stepped back a bit as Twilight called upon her magic. For a moment, Rainbows wings vanished, everypony gasping.

"Twi' ya'll were s'pose t' fix her wings! not take em away!" Applejack said in shock.
"Applejack, please be quiet, I need to concentrate."
"But...!"

"Aj, its cool. Twi's an egghead, she knows what she's doin and I trust her. We're all friends here right? Then give her a chance." Rainbow said calmly. Slowly her wings began to reform in patches as Twilight struggled with the frame. She had never had a chance to truly observe a pegasi's wings. 

All she had to go on as a base was what she had seen of Rainbows wings and Princess Celestia's. A deep breath in and out and the wings began to take on a more ethereal shape, the feathers fading into one another flawlessly in a rainbow pattern, the very tips of her wings tinged white. Slowly Twilight opened her eyes and gasped.

"Oh shoot! I didn't focus on the color! Rainbow I'm so sorry I..." Twilight quickly apologized
"What are ya talkin about Twi'? These are awesome!" she flared them open proudly, the colors swirling into one another slowly as the sunlight hit them.

"Though...whats with the white?" Rainbow asked after a moment.
"I think I know." Celestia spoke up, holding out one of her wings to show the tips of hers matched that of Rainbows new wings. Twilight stared at the wing in shock, noticing several black patches in it.

"Princess...your wing...so its true...are you...?" Twilight couldn't bring herself to say it. That one word, the thing she thought impossible for her surrogate mother.

"It is true My faithful student. With Rainbows return...I am not sure what will happen now. I do not know if my condition will improve or worsen." She admitted
"B...but why?!" Rainbow asked.

"I came back, I became a princess. I'm here for you mom!" she yelled, tears in her eyes. Celestia smiled.
"Yes...you are Rainbow. But you are only here because I asked you to be here. You gave up everything you ever worked for to be here for me. I am so proud of you..." Celestia stepped forward to embrace her and collapsed onto the floor, her breathing ragged and quick.
"MOM! GUARDS! ANYPONY! HELP!"





Rainbow hung her head as she sat beside Celestia. She had yet to awaken since collapsing in the Royal Hall. Though through it all she wore a smile. Twilight, after some complications, had been allowed in and sat on the other side of Celestia's bed. Rainbow sniffed, wiping away a few tears.
"She said...she's proud of me...but all I've done is mess up..."

"Rainbow, parents will always be proud of their children. Everypony messes up, its what makes us who we are. Even Celestia and Luna make mistakes. But I don't think you've messed up at all Rainbow." Twilight moved beside her, smiling a little.

"She's proud of you, because even when you had almost everything you wanted, when it came down to it, none of that mattered to you. You gave it all up to do what you thought was right and you did an amazing job up there Rainbow."

"Really? I can't help but think your just sayin all of that to cheer me up." Rainbow grumbled.
"Rainbow, how many ponies would just throw away everything like that?" Twilight asked
"You?" Rainbow said. Twilight shook her head.

"Rainbow, most of my life was spent here. Of course I'd come back here, Canterlot pretty much is my life besides everything thats happened in Ponyville. But you spent your life in Cloudsdale and then the rest in Ponyville. You were only here for a few years. You were gonna be a Wonderbolt. Dash...there isn't any other pony like you. Shes proud of you because of everything you've done and everything you'll do. Thats what its like being a parent."

"How would you know Twi'? Your not even a parent yourself." Rainbow pointed out, though Twilight only laughed.
"No i'm not. But I've been caring for a child for nearly all my life." She said with a smile. Rainbow blinked and just stared at her confused.

"Spike. I hatched him, I cared for him, fed him, raised him." She explained. It was Rainbows turn to laugh.
"Heh, I guess you are a mom, in a weird sort of way."
"Ha, got ya to laugh." Twilight teased. Rainbow snorted and rolled her eyes. For a while they sat there in silence, watching as Celestia's breathing evened out, her chest rising and falling slowly.

"Rainbow look." Twilight pointed a hoof at one of the spots on Celestia's wing.
"I know already Twilight..." Rainbow sighed.
"No, Look!" Twilight urged, Rainbow looked to see the spot was slowly fading away, little by little as time passed.
"Does that mean...she's getting better?" She asked softly.

"I don't know. Maybe. Whats important is that we are here for her. I don't know much about Alicorns other than the obvious. Their bodies are quite different from anything else in Equestria. While an earth pony has a dense and powerful skeletal structure, pegasi have a light skeletal structure, allowing them to easily hover and fly or even just glide over air currents. A unicorns entire body is a confusing array of nerves bound tightly to the skeletal structure and leading up to the horn. Even the muscle structure is different. Then there is the secondary nerves and then third and fourth sets. All of which tap into the horn eventually and help with the flow of magic. But an Alicorn possess' a bit of each of these. Their bodies are strong but at the same time light, allowing flight. And their nervous system is just too complex to even begin to understand. Whats more..."

"Twi' i'm gonna stop you there. my head is already hurting." Rainbow said, putting a hoof to her head. Twilight laughed a little and sighed.

"Alright i'll explain it better. Earth ponies are strong. Pegasi are light and can fly easy thanks to that.And Unicorns like me are complicated so we can use magic."

"...That makes sense. But what about Alicorns like Luna and...my mom...and me?" She asked
"Well, your all a bit of everything. I don't understand how it all fits together, the only explanation is magic. Its something that nopony really understands and thats what makes it what it is." Twilight smiled a little.

"Twi'...theres somethin I've been meaning to tell you..." Rainbow bit her lip
"Your a princess, yea I already know Dash." Twilight joked, rolling her eyes.
"Its not that Twi'. I uh...well..." Rainbow hung her head, scuffing the floor with her hoof.

"Oh...this is...about your wings...right?" Twilight asked, moving a bit closer. Rainbow nodded and looked over at her, blinking as she found her muzzle in her face. Celestia smiled to herself, watching the two through half-closed eyes.





Slowly the door to the dungeon opened, the Gryphon locked up below raising her head and chuckling a little.
"That you Dash? Come to gloat? well I don't care! I don't care if you can use magic, or what you think of yourself! Your still not a Princess and you never will be!" she yelled.

"Aww, thats so mean Gilda. But luckily i'm not Dashie and i'm not a princess. Though i'd like to be a Princess someday, but it'd be kinda boring, I mean come on. No fun parties, all those stuffy uptight noble ponies." Pinkie slowly came into view, her mane flat against her body.

"And everypony would be watching me. But luckily, nopony is watching." She said quietly, opening the door to Gilda's cage. The Gryphon screamed and pulled on her chains as the pink earth pony drew closer.
"Nopony messes with my friends."
> The Alicorns Curse
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"N...No more...ple..please..." Gilda begged, looking at the pink mare through her good eye.
"I'm sorry, you'll have to be louder than that. I don't think the guards can hear you." Pinkie placed her hoof against Gilda's remaining wing, having already ripped the first in two.

"No...please NO!" Gilda screamed as Pinkie pressed her hoof harder against the wing.
"You tore apart Dashie's wings Gilda...I'm just returning the favor!" she grabbed the wing tightly and pulled, Gilda screaming.

"QUIT IT!" Gilda screamed as Pinkie pulled her forehead away from the Gryphons, the nightmare slow to fade away.
"Oh come on Gilda, I haven't even done anything."
"You're evil! I knew there was somethin' wrong with you the first time I saw you!" Gilda yelled
"Tsk tsk, do I have to put you back in time-out?" Pinkie asked, moving her head a bit closer. Gilda gulped.

"NO! NO! You keep that thing away from me!" she screamed, pulling on her chains and trying to break free.
"Gilda, those things could hold a dragon. Not a dragon like Spikie, they'd never put him down here. He's too sweet, but not sweet like candy, I wonder what Dragons taste like...hm...Anyway, we're not done yet! One more time!" Pinkie pressed her forehead to Gilda's and the nightmare continued.

"GAAAAAAAAAH!" Slowly the wing was torn away by the claws in Pinkie's hoof and chucked aside. Pinkie grinned, licking the blood from her claws and held one in front of Gilda's eye.

"No...no not that...i..its just a dream...ITS JUST A DREAM...ITS JUST A DREAM!" Gilda's chant grew louder and louder as the claw drew closer to her eye. All Pinkie could think of was how it was a shame the guards couldn't hear Gilda's wondrous screams of horror. Again she pulled away from the Gryphon, leaving her sobbing against the dungeon wall.

"If you ever, EVER, hurt any of my friends again. It won't be just a dream Gilda. And it won't end so quickly." Pinkie warned, leaving the Gryphon to her tears and marching up the stairs to leave the dungeon, her mane poofing up and a smile lighting her face as she vanished out of sight. Finally with Pinkie gone, Gilda let the tears flow, wailing like a newborn foal as the nightmare played out in her mind again and again.





Twilight blushed as Rainbow slowly pulled away, both of them simply staring at each other. The silence dragged on for what seemed like ages, finally Twilight broke the silence.
"w...Was that...what you wanted to say?" she asked. Rainbow laughed a little and nodded.
"Somethin like that, yea." Rainbow said softly
"I'm still a little confused Rainbow..." Twilight said, scooting a bit closer to her. Rainbow smiled, placing a wing over her.

"Well...maybe I can try explaining it again..." Rainbow suggested, leaning towards the unicorn.
"SISTER?!" Luna burst into the room, rushing to Celestia's side and causing the other two mares in the room to quickly pull away from one another.

"Sister! please awaken sister..." Luna nudged her elder sister gently, the Alicorn slowly opening her eyes.
"I am trying to rest Luna..." Celestia mumbled sleepily, bringing a sigh of relief from the younger sister.

"I apologize..." Luna stopped as Celestia raised a hoof, shifting to a sitting position.
"There is no need for that Luna. You were worried and...given the circumstances you had every right to be. But as for you two." Celestia cast a smile on her daughter and student.

"It is rare a mare tries to court a Princess." Celestia said to them, laughing as they both blushed.
"Sister, what are we to do now? Surely Niare will not simply sit still and allow his daughter to remain in the dungeons." Luna spoke up. Celestia nodded and turned to Rainbow.

"What do you think Chroma? She was once your friend and you are the one she attacked." Celestia asked.
"Me? You want me to decide what we do with her? Send her home or somethin I dunno." Rainbow shrugged
"Rainbow this is serious. Gilda could've ignited a war with that attack." Twilight said

"Then perhaps simply sending her home would be best. It would show that Ra...Chroma, is merciful and forgiving." Luna suggested.

"But that will also show Niare that she is merciful and forgiving, things the Gryphons are not. They'll think she's weak and that won't get us anywhere." Twilight spoke up.
"Well then what the buck am I supposed to do? Have her executed?!" Rainbow yelled. Blank stares answered her.

"Y...You aren't serious...You can't be serious...You want me to kill her?!" Again she was answered with silence. Rainbow turned to Twilight, hoping the unicorn had an answer. Twilight opened her mouth to speak, glancing over at Celestia and closing her mouth once more.

"Twi'...not you too..." Rainbow shook her head and rushed out of the room.
"Rainbow wait!" Twilight called after her, blinking in surprise as Luna blocked her path.
"She needs to figure this out on her own Twilight Sparkle. Sometimes we must all make hard decisions."

"This isn't fair! Thats her friend! What if Celestia asked you to execute me?!" Twilight yelled. Luna's expression never changed as she spoke.
"If it were for the good of everypony..." Luna began, interrupted by Twilight

"I can't believe this! You would really do such a horrible thing?" The unicorn screamed
"Twilight. We are Rulers and have many ponies to protect we cannot worry about simply one pony alone" Luna tried to explain.
"But there are other ways." Celestia said quietly.
"And Rainbow will find a way to save her friend."





Slowly the door above opened once more. Gilda took a deep breath and prepared herself for the return of the Pink Menace that had spent hours putting her through nightmare after nightmare. To her surprise it was none other than Rainbow Dash who came to see her.

"C...Come to gloat?" she asked, cursing herself for stuttering.
"No. G...they want me to kill you...its that or start a war against your dad." Rainbow said sadly, hanging her head. Gilda just stared at her.

I'm gonna die...she's gonna kill me...
"But I'm not gonna kill you and I won't let them kill you. You may be a jerk G, but you were my best friend once." She stepped forward and Gilda flinched.

"You alright? what the buck did they do to you?" she asked angrily. Gilda opened her mouth, her answer caught in her throat as a figure stared at her from the shadows. She closed her mouth, shaking a little.

"N..Nothin Dash...I'm just not use to spendin all day chained to a buckin wall." She said quickly, the figure slowly vanishing from the shadows of the dungeon. Rainbow sighed and her horn began to glow dimly, the locks opening and dropping Gilda to the ground. The Gryphon shook herself and looked into her ex-best friends eyes. 

"Yo...You're just gonna let me go? Just like that?" Gilda asked.
"No, not just like that G. They have to believe this is a punishment, and in a way it is. If your dad see's me bein a weak scared little filly then he'll start a war, and if I don't kill you then Luna is going to kill you or start a war. Theres no other way around this. I'm sorry G."  Rainbow said quietly.

"What are you apologizin fo..." Gilda blinked, finding herself on the ground, having been flung into a wall by a spell from Rainbow. She groaned in pain as she was lifted in the Alicorn's magic and carried out of the dungeons, guards surrounding the two of them as they made their way toward the Grand Hall where a feast was just beginning. Rainbow flung the doors open, slamming them into the walls as she made her way inside, throwing Gilda onto the massive table.

"FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, GILDA, PRINCESS OF THE GRYPHONS, SHALL FOREVER BE BANISHED FROM CANTERLOT AND ANY LAND OWNED BY MY MOTHER AND AUNT. IF ANYONE WISHES TO QUESTION THIS DECISION, DO SO NOW." Rainbow spoke up, everyone staring at her and the wounded Gilda in shock. Rainbow flapped her wings, landing on the table and pressing her hoof to Gilda's throat gently, careful not to apply to much pressure.

"Now wait just a minute!" Niare yelled, rising from his seat, his claws digging into the table.
"What do you intend to do with her?" he demanded.
"I will send her back with you and she is never to return." Rainbow declared

"No! I cannot take this...this...disgrace back with me!" Niare yelled. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth, her hoof digging deeper into Gilda's throat as she let her anger slip, the gryphon gasping for air under her hoof.
"She either returns with you or she dies." she said simply.

"She shall not be returning princess" Niare said with as much distaste as he could muster. Rainbows anger snapped and she stepped forward to give Niare a piece of her mind hearing a loud crunch under her hoof. She blinked and looked down, staring at her hoof soaked in the gryphons blood and her friends eyes staring at her, screaming at her 

Why over and over. All she could do was stare as the blood pooled around her. The hall fell as silent as the Gryphon pinned to the table by her hoof. Rainbow's eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open.
"GILDA!" Rainbow screamed





Twilight blinked as Rainbow rushed past her, sobbing loudly.
"Rainbow!" Twilight spun to chase after her, stopping as her hoof landed in something wet. She looked down and gasped, finding bloody hoofprints where Rainbow had run past her.

"She's hurt! Rainbow wait!" Twilight pushed her body, chasing after her marefriend, a blush appearing on her face as the word entered her mind

Am I that close to her? No time to worry about that! She's hurt! Wait...why am I running? her horn began to glow dimly, teleporting her in front of the Alicorn and gasping as Rainbow crashed into her, the two of them tumbling down the hallway and finally coming to a stop with Twilight standing over Rainbow.

"Rainbow, whats wrong? Please tell me what happened." she looked at the blood soaked hoof, her mind slowly working out that it wasn't Rainbow's blood.
"G...Gilda...I...I j..just wanted...to set things right..a..and..I killed her!" Rainbow said through her sobs, tears filling her eyes.

"Y...You what...Dash..no you wouldn't..." Twilight stammered
"BUT I DID!" The troubled Alicorn screamed at her.

"I didn't mean to do it...I was just puttin on a show for everyone an...and...I pushed too hard a..and..." again she fell into tears, her words just barely understandable apologies. Twilight sighed and hefted Rainbow to her hooves, leading the mare out of the hall as she tried to think. After a while Rainbow finally stopped crying, though she didn't seem any better. 

Her eyes held an empty stare, as if she had been completely drained of all emotion, her coat even seemed to have become a darker shade of itself. Twilight yelled in surprise as Luna appeared in front of them in a burst of light.

"Rainbow! Oh no...we've got to get her in bed." Luna said, snatching up the Alicorn in her magic, teleporting the three of them away without giving Twilight time to ask what was going on. 

Twilight shook herself, not use to having somepony else teleport her somewhere. She would have to apologize to Spike the next time she saw him. Luna quickly placed Rainbow down on a bed, her magic remaining around her.

"Thank goodness...I caught her just in time..." Luna mumbled.
"Princess! Please tell me whats going on. Whats wrong with her?" Twilight asked

"I am not sure if you heard earlier Twilight, but as you know, Alicorns bodies are mostly composed of pure magical energy. Their emotions are very powerful and affect everything about them. But mostly their health. Rainbow went from happy, to stressed, to extremely depressed all in one day." Luna explained
"W...What does that mean?"
"She's going to die."
> A second chance or False hope?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight blinked and looked around, Pinkie walking past her, having lightly brushed against her. Her head spun with what had just happened, her eyes quick to scan the area. She looked up to see Rainbow slowly being lowered by the circle of unicorns.

The coronation? But this already happened... Most ponies would have been inexplicably confused by what had just happened, but Twilight Sparkle was not most Ponies and her brain quickly threw together an answer.

This is a second chance, it has to be. But what caused it? Was it a vision? a dream? me freaking out over things that couldn't possibly happen again? Whatever it is I can't let Rainbow die! As her inner rant ended she realized she was already too late to prevent the events to come, finding Gilda atop rainbow and trying to rip her wings off.

"ENOUGH!" she yelled, throwing her magic out as far as it could go, stopping everyone in their tracks. She pushed her way through the ponies as she had done before, pushing Gilda into the guards-ponies grasp and collapsing next to Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow..." she said softly. Everything was playing out just as it had in her mind, or vision, or whatever had come to pass. She didn't have time to figure that out right now. She had to warn Rainbow and prevent Gilda's death. She tried to lift her head, tried to speak up, though her body refused to listen and she found herself losing consciousness.





"Twi...Twi c'mon get up" Rainbow murmured as she nudged the unicorn. Twilight groggily opened her eyes, her thoughts slow to form.
"ugh...my head...RAINBOW! You're wings!" the Alicorn shook her head, a sad smile on her face.

"They'll be fine Twi'. You used a lot of magic..." Twilights mind drifted off as Rainbow continued, realizing this had already happened. 

Everything was repeating itself. Was it going to repeat again if she failed to save Rainbow? Or was this her only freebie? Just the whole scenario made her head hurt. She couldn't piece together any of it. 

Why was all of this repeating to begin with? Had a future version of herself used some sort of time spell to send her back to this point? That made sense, but wouldn't she remember something like that? Maybe it would be an aftereffect of the spell, but why would she still remember everything happening if that were true?

"Rainbow Dash, a Princess of all things. I never thought I would see the day she would become anything more than a rambunctious bundle of bravado, dirt, and pride."

"I'm honestly not sure what to think right now. Everything's still spinning..." Twilight put a hoof to her head and blinked as Celestia sat beside her.
"Princess Celestia...I..."

"Please be silent a moment Twilight" Celestia turned to Rainbow as the mare closed her mouth. Her mind played out the scene in sequence as it had happened before. Would she endanger the time-line if she didn't do it exactly as it had happened before? She would have to make a change at some point if she wished to save Rainbow, but when and where? 

For now she would play it safe, speaking when she was suppose to, just barely managing a blush and being very careful to make Rainbows wings exactly as she had before. 

It still hurt to watch her mentor collapse and to watch Rainbows panicked reaction. Again she argued with the guards and was let inside, though instead of sitting opposite Rainbow she sat beside her, keeping a bit of distance between them as the alicorn cried.

"Rainbow..." she said softly, gently nuzzling her friends neck. Rainbow sniffed and blushed, returning the gesture. Twilight smiled a little as she pulled away.

"She's proud of you, because even when you had almost everything you wanted, when it came down to it, none of that mattered to you. You gave it all up to do what you thought was right and you did an amazing job up there Rainbow."

"Really? I can't help but think your just sayin all of that to cheer me up."
"Rainbow, how many ponies would just throw away everything like that?"
"You?" Rainbow said. Twilight shook her head, she had to do this speech right, she remembered it had really managed to cheer her up.

"Rainbow, most of my life was spent here. Of course I'd come back here, Canterlot pretty much is my life besides everything thats happened in Ponyville. But you spent your life in Cloudsdale and then the rest in Ponyville. You were only here for a few years. You were gonna be a Wonderbolt. Dash...there isn't any other pony like you. Shes proud of you because of everything you've done and everything you'll do. Thats what its like being a parent."

"How would you know Twi'? Your not even a parent yourself." Twilight laughed a little, she really liked this part, it gave her that strange warm and fuzzy feeling when she thought of it. Her being Spikes mother.
"No i'm not. But I've been caring for a child for nearly all my life." She said with a smile. Rainbow blinked and just stared at her confused.

"Spike. I hatched him, I cared for him, fed him, raised him." She explained. It was Rainbows turn to laugh.
"Heh, I guess you are a mom, in a weird sort of way."
Its not all that weird... Twilight mumbled to herself internally

"Ha, got ya to laugh." Twilight teased. Rainbow snorted and rolled her eyes. For a while they sat there in silence, watching as Celestia's breathing evened out, her chest rising and falling slowly.

"Rainbow look." Twilight pointed a hoof at one of the spots on Celestia's wing. This was her chance to change things, her chance to make Rainbow truly happy.
"I know already Twilight..."
"No, Look!" Rainbow looked to see the spot was slowly fading away, little by little as time passed.

"Does that mean...she's getting better?" here it was, all she had to do was say it and everything would be ok. Wouldn't it? Would hearing that Celestia would live change everything?

No...that isn't what sent her over the edge, Gilda's death caused that. I have to keep Gilda from dying, not telling Dash a bunch of half-baked lies. she held back a sigh and gave as honest an answer as she could.

"I don't know. Maybe. Whats important is that we are here for her..." Twilight continued on, giving the same lecture on the different races and giggling at Rainbows reactions to each explanation. Though she was surprised as Rainbow stared into her eyes, finding herself drifting toward her and all of her thoughts and worries vanishing as their muzzles met in an inexperienced but passionate first kiss.

Though technically its my second... her brain mumbled in the background. Rainbow slowly pulled away, giving Twilight time to regather her very scattered thoughts.

"W...Was that what you wanted to say?" she asked quietly.
"Somethin like that."
"I'm still a little confused..."

"Well I could try explaining it again..." Twilight let out a happy sigh as Rainbows wing draped over her. Though her brain was slow to remember what happened next and her reaction was genuine as Luna burst into the room and awoke Celestia.

Oh no...not this again...What do I say to her? She's going to ask me what to do...she's going to look to me for help and I have nothing to say to her! She turned to Rainbow, the Alicorn looking back at her. Twilight turned to Celestia for help, for some kind of answer, quickly closing her mouth as she realized Celestia couldn't help her here.

"Not you too Twi..." Rainbow said softly, pushing past her.
"Rainbow wait!" Twilight tried to chase after her, Luna getting in her way.
"Princess I don't have time for this. She needs me!"
"Twilight Sparkle..."

"'She needs to figure this out on her own', yea yea yea, yada yada, look I've heard that already and its not gonna work!" Twilight quickly teleported away, chasing after Rainbow and leaving a pair of completely confused alicorn's in her wake.

"Sister...did she...just predict what I was going to say?" Luna asked as she turned to face her sister. Though the Alicorn only wore a small smile and had no answer.





Twilight panted heavily, running down hallway after hallway, her memory a blur as to where Rainbow would be now. She was running out of time, it would only be a few more minutes before Rainbow came running out of...Twilight smacked her forehead and teleported herself outside the Grand Hall just moments after Rainbow's announcement that Gilda was banned from Canterlot. She had to figure out something quickly. 

Gilda's death was only moments away. She wasn't sure she would get another chance and acting out all of that again would be too exhausting anyway. No, she had to solve this now while she had the chance. But how? Rainbow's hoof settled on Gilda's neck. There was no time left to think, she had to act. 

She rushed into the Grand Hall and flung herself at Rainbow moments before her hoof crushed the life out of Gilda. The gryphon gasped for air, guards quickly prying Twilight off of Rainbow and holding her in mid-air in their magic.

"Wait! You don't understand! I'm trying to help!" she tried to explain. Rainbow stood, looking at Twilight in shock.
"You...attacked me?" she asked in disbelief.
"No! I didn't mean..."
"SILENCE!" A guard shouted at her, his horn glowing brightly. Moments later Twilight Sparkle was unconscious. 
> The Unicorns Fate Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rainbow didn't know what to think or what to say.
"Princess, what do you wish to do with her?" the guard asked. Rainbow shook her head, glancing around the room, her eyes meeting Niare's. She had to be strong.

"Lock her away, I will deal with her personally." She ordered. The guards nodded and left with Twilight on tow. Rainbow forced herself to turn away. She could only hope Twilight would forgive her. She knew Twilight didn't do anything without good reason and she had learned to trust Twilight no matter what. 

Especially after the way Cadences' wedding had gone...She hated remembering that, but it was a good way of telling herself that Twilight was always right. She turned her attention back to Gilda who was clutching her throat and panting heavily. She hadn't been putting that much pressure on her neck...had she? Anymore and she might have killed her! 

thats why you did it...you did it to save Gilda. But why save her? You were sitting there agreeing with Celestia and Luna about killing her...or were you just afraid to speak up in front of her? Rainbow shook her head and stood tall, casting her gaze over Gilda and the Gryphon King.

"Luckily for you my anger is now directed elsewhere. Gilda, your life is spared this day, be thankful for that and do not let me see you again." She spoke softly, but all heard her words and understood. The Princess was in no mood for games or nonsense. 

Gilda glanced over at her father and instantly regretted it. There was no way she could go back and she wasn't welcome here anymore. What was she going to do? At the moment Rainbow didn't care. She had more important things to tend to. She made her way out of the Grand Hall and quickly caught up with the guards dragging a half asleep Twilight away to the dungeons.

"Forget what I said earlier. Take her to my Chambers and tell no one of this."
"Understood Princess" the guard murmured, changing direction. Time seemed to drag on forever as they made the slow trek to her room. 

The guards could have been more gentle as they tossed Twilight into the room, standing guard outside and ready to enter at a moments notice if needed as their Princess walked into the room, gently closing the doors behind her. Twilight slowly came to, rubbing a hoof against her head and wincing

"Twilight." Rainbow said softly. The unicorn spun, fear in her eyes.
"Rainbow I'm so sorry! Please just let me explain! I wasn't attacking you, I swear!"
"Twi' calm down. I know."
"But I wa...huh?"

"Twi'...after what happened at the wedding, its kinda hard not to believe you. The one time I decided not to listen to you ended in Equestria almost being taken over by changelings. Where would that get me if I ignored you now?" Twilight let out a sigh of relief, as if a massive weight had just been lifted off her shoulders.
"I just wanna know one thing. Why? Why did you save Gilda? You an everypony else seemed like you all wanted her dead"

"Rainbow...its really hard to explain, I don't want Gilda dead anymore than you do, trust me on that."
"I already told you I do Twi'."

"Its kinda...weird...I had a sort of...vision. I don't know what it was but it was horrible."
"Why didn't you just say something?"
"..." Twilight blinked, staring at Rainbow and realizing she should have just done that from the start.

"Heh, you might be an egghead but you can be pretty dumb sometimes Twi'. But theres still one problem, the guards and the Royal guests all expect me to give you some kind of punishment for tackling me in the middle of a public showing."
"Um...well..." Twilight looked down, not sure what to say. Rainbow sat in front of her and smiled.

"I'm sure we'll think of somethin Twi'. But right now i'm just really tired. Can you help me out of this junk?" She shook her hoof, knocking off one of her shoes. 

Twilight giggled, gently grabbing hold of the vestments in her magic and removing them one by one, her magic ever so gently brushing against the Alicorns' wings. Rainbow blushed as they gave a light flutter against the invisible brush and cleared her throat.
"T...Thanks Twi'." She stood up and took a slow breath.

"Guards!" she called out. The guards rushed into the room, ready to pounce upon command, glaring daggers at Twilight and not even noticing Rainbow no longer wore her vestments.

"Stand down, her actions were with the best intent and have helped me to see something very important, make sure we are not disturbed unless summoned by my mother or Aunt." The guards nodded, making their way outside and distancing themselves from the door to give them as much privacy as a Princess could get. 

Once she was sure the guards were far enough away she sat in front of Twilight again and smiled before leaning forward and stealing a quick kiss. Twilight blinked and stammered, falling backwards. Rainbow laughed and shook her head.
"Geez, whats with you Twi'?"
"Y...You kissed me!"
"Um...yea...we kissed before so...I thought it was ok..." Rainbow mumbled, looking away. Twilight  stood up and cleared her throat.

"W...Well yea it was just...so sudden..." 
"ARREST THAT UNICORN!"A voice rang out, Shining Armor bursting into Rainbows room.
"What are you doing?!" She demanded as guards surrounded Twilight.

"I am sorry Princess, but this unicorn has broken several laws and must be judged for her behavior."
"She's your buckin sister!"
"Shiny..." Twilight tried to say, a quick glance from her brother silencing her before she could begin.

"It is not a matter of Family princess. Its the law and it must be upheld. I'm sorry Twilight." he said softly as he turned, Twilight being dragged along.
"You can't do this! I order you to stop!" Rainbow yelled. Shining Armor stopped in place.
"Princess, I don't want to do this. But it has to b..."

"HORSEFEATHERS! Nothing HAS to be done! You have a choice in this Shining Armor. You can let Twilight go or I can take her back myself." Shining Armor turned and looked into her eyes.
"Twilight Sparkle is to be arrested under the order of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."
> The Unicorns Fate part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Sister, are you sure about this?" Luna asked softly. Celestia watched as Shining Armor left her chambers and nodded.
"Rainbow cannot handle something like this. Even if it is for only a few days, we must keep up appearances sister."

"But this is your student, you are sending her own brother to throw her in the dungeons!"
"We, sister. It is under OUR orders that he do so." Celestia sat up weakly.

"You have changed sister. The Celestia I knew would never do such a thing to somepony so dear."
"What would you have me do Luna? With the Gryphons still undecided my hooves are somewhat tied. I cannot allow myself to appear weak or picking out favorites."

"She is the Element of Magic! Surely that accounts for something?!"
"It will be enough that I won't have to fake her death and that merely locking her away in the dungeons will keep Niare happy until he leaves."

"From what I have heard he is never happy. Least of all with his daughter according to recent events." Luna mumbled, trying to calm herself. She didn't like the thought of locking up the first pony other than her sister to accept her, but there didn't seem to be any other choice with Niare around. 

The Gryphons could be sneaky when they needed to, that was how Niare took the crown to begin with. His genius and deception had lead to the slaughter of the former royal family and any guards who had even a tiny shred of loyalty to them. It was a dangerous game Celestia played, but she had been playing it far longer than Luna had. 
Perhaps these are just the rules of the game, but it is not a fair one. Luna mused.

"Can we at least let Twilight Sparkle know?"
"No, she will figure it out on her own if given time. I only worry about..."

"HOW COULD YOU?!" Rainbow screamed as she burst into the room, guards trying to calm her. Tears stained her cheeks, her eyes red as her body shook with held back sobs. 
"Wait, Rainbow Dash please allow us to explain." Luna said, standing before her.

"You better be quick about it" the distraught mare mumbled, making her anger known simply with her gaze at both Alicorns. Luna took a slow breath and was quickly interrupted by Celestia.

"Twilight attacked you Chroma. As you know such an offense is punishable by death, something we haven't done in over thousands of years. Due to her importance and her rank she will only be placed in the dungeon for a few days."

"A few days...she shouldn't be down there to begin with! I've seen what its like down there! They had Gilda down there. I've known her a long time and Gilda isn't scared of anything, but when I came near her she flinched like I was gonna beat her to death! Just what the buck do they do to them down there?!" Rainbow demanded.

"I can assure you, nopony touches a prisoner without orders." Celestia spoke up.
"That doesn't make me feel any better. That just means whoever was screwin' with her had your permission."
"I gave no order for anything to be done to Gilda." Rainbow blinked.
"You're lying."

"She is not Rainbow. She has spent the majority of the day resting. She was only just awoken with the news of what occurred in the Grand Hall. While I personally do not approve of the actions being taken towards Twilight Sparkle, I have to agree it is for the best. Her brother will see to it that no harm truly comes to her. But in order for things to go as planned she must stay in the dark."

"Buck that! I'm going to go see her." Rainbow turned and stumbled as Luna's magic surrounded her, her eyelids feeling heavy.
"I am sorry, but I cannot allow it. Rest, and when you awaken know peace."





Twilight sighed, not even bothering to struggle as a small metal clasp was placed over her horn to hold back her magic as well as a metal collar placed around her neck and bound to the dungeon wall by a metal chain. She kept her gaze down, unable to look into her brothers eyes.

"I'm sorry Twilight." He said again before leaving her to the darkness of the dungeon.
"Well...at least...at least Rainbow is ok..." she said, trying to cheer herself up.
"What are they going to do to me..."

"Well they will probably just keep you locked up in here until the Princess recovers, and then she'll probably come down here for both of us personally." a figure said from the shadows. Twilight screamed in shock and tried to run from the voice, choking as the collar pulled her back to the wall.

"Don't be afraid. I couldn't hurt you even if I wanted to. I'm a bit 'tied up' as it were." the voice said. Slowly Twilights eyes adjusted to the darkness and she could make out the figure of a pony chained to a wall close to her, though he was literally chained to the wall, hanging upside down with his hooves tightly held against the wall.

"So, what did you do to end up here?" the pony asked. He seemed a bit TOO happy. As if this were just another day for him. The thought scared her. Would she be down here that long? Would she lose all sanity and end up like the stallion before her?

"Don't worry, I'm not crazy, its just the blood rushing to my head. You really shouldn't think aloud." the stallion said with a chuckle. Twilight sighed and lowered her head.
"It doesn't matter..."

"Of course it matters. Everyone ends up here for a reason. I'm not sure what I did just yet. Time travel is weird like that you know."
"Time Travel? Wait! You're a time traveler?" Twilight asked the stranger.

"Well yes I suppose you could call me that. I should be coming to get me out of this at some point, though that would be a bit stupid of me. I'd probably send someone else to do it. Can't risk ruining the time line just to get a look at my own face without having to use a mirror."
"Who are you?"
"Well they call me a lot of things. But my friends call me the Doctor."
> The Fading Light:The Surprise Attack
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight stared at the colt held against the wall, realizing she recognized him.

"Wait...Time Turner?" she asked.

"Ah, so you remember me! Odd, nopony else has. Must have something to do with that ripple I came across earlier. Oh look there it is now." he said and as if on cue a wall of blue energy appeared between them.

"What...is that?" Twilight asked.

"Something that shouldn't be there. A curtain between realities. You see Twilight, I am of your realm of existance but have crossed over into this reality by mistake. A reality where Celestia lost to Nightmare Moon and her mind is warped beyond repair." He paused for a moment

"She is a dark ruler here Twilight Sparkle and I fear that the meddling of one of your friends is causing the realities to meld into one another." He explained quickly, glancing around as the sounds of keys rattling rang out throughout the dungeon.

"You need to find the source of the abnormality and make it stop." he finished, turning his gaze to the door on his side as it opened up. An Alicorn whose coat was as black as a solar eclipse entered, followed by several Lunar guards. 

Twilights eyes widened as she realized the Alicorn was Princess Celestia.

"I will ask you one last time. How did you get here?" she asked Time Turner.

"You know, its actually a funny story." he laughed, giving her his best smile. 

"I was walking along, minding my own business and walked straight into this curtain of time energy. Now I was certain walking through it would be the end of me but instead I wound up in your chambers, funny story right?" he chuckled, groaning as one of the guards slammed a hoof into his gut.

"ENOUGH JOKES!" Celestia yelled.

"STOP IT!" TWilight screamed. Celestia paused, turning around slowly and spotting Twilight through the curtain

"Impossible..." the alicorn mumbled in shock.

"RUN!" Time Turner yelled, grabbing something in his teeth from under his tie. The strange object whirred to life and Twilights restraints came loose. Twilight blinked and ducked as a Lunar guard launched itself towards her, the unicorn deciding to make herself scarce and ran up the stairs with two guards on her tail. 

Twilight froze as Celestia appeared in front of her, the darkness attached to her coat seeming to melt away slightly as she shook on the spot.

"I don't know how you are alive Twilight...but you must run...please...I beg of you...AHHH" Celestia screamed, clutching her head.

"I could not bear to lose you again Twilight...NOW RUN!" She screamed, pushing the mare past her and throwing a bolt of magic at one of the advancing guards, the second tackling her to the ground. 

Twilight bit her lip, wanting desperately to help the Princess, even if she was of another reality, she was still Princess Celestia and she still cared deeply about her. Enough to risk her own life for her.

Thats right...she does care about me...and Rainbow...How could I have been so stupid?! Twilight berated herself, gasping as one of the guards tackled her over the edge of the bridge they stood upon.

"TWILIGHT NO!" Celestia screamed as the unicorn slammed into the ground, her eyes snapping open, Pinkie Pie brushing against her and walking past her. Twilight felt dizzy, sick, confused, lost. So many words ran through her head she simply fainted.

"TWILIGHT!" Rainbow called out, rushing to her side, only to be tackled by Gilda, the Gryphon tearing out her wings. The sounds of her friends screams were enough to wake Twilight from her momentary slumber, the unicorn scrambling to her hooves.

"no...STOP IT!" Twilight yelled, unleashing as much magic as she could muster, the entire room freezing in its tracks. Twilight decided to take action this time, pinning Gilda to the ground, focusing her magic on keeping the Gryphon pinned, the rest of her magic reaching out to Rainbow and repairing her wings almost instantly.

"Twilight, you need to calm down!" Shining Armor yelled over the rush of power filling the air. She glanced around the room, seeing the worried looks of her friends, most of all, the look on Rainbows face. 

Twilight let go of her magic and collapsed into her friends hooves. She reached up, placing a hoof on her friends cheek.

"Rainbow..." she managed to say before passing out.





Celestia was the first to react.

"Guards, restrain Gilda, escort our guests to their chambers." she said quickly.

"We will finish out discussion later my friends, for now I must tend to my subjects." she offered them before they could argue. Celestia quickly made her way to Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

"I feel weird...like..." Rainbow said quietly.

"This has happened before." Pinkie Pie interupted.

"But it hasn't, not exactly." she continued.

"Pinkie Pie. I trust you had something to do with this?" Luna asked softly.

"um...maybe?" the party pony said almost in a whisper.

"I remember...I killed Gilda...but Twilight stopped me...she was thrown in the dungeons...ugh...my head hurts..." Rainbow mumbled.

"What in th' hay are ya talkin 'bout?" Applejack asked.

"I apologize Applejack. Only ponies strongly intuned with the magics that be are aware of the situation. Rarity may come to realize it herself in a moment due to the power of her magic but as an earth pony it seems you are not connected to the magical spectrum. Though you Pinkie Pie, have some explaining to do." Luna said as she turned to the pink earth pony. Pinkie Pie opened her mouth to speak, quickly closing it.

"Lemme guess, a Pinkie Promise?" Applejack asked with a flat look.

"Its a promise I haven't made yet but I still can't break it." Pinkie explained quickly.

"That would explain the strange headaches I've had of late. I thought it merely a symptom of my passing..." Celestia sighed.

"Maybe Twi knows something?" Rainbow suggested, still cradling the unicorn in her hooves. Celestia smiled.

"Rainbow, why don't you take her to your chambers so she can rest? I will handle things from here." Celestia said with a smile.

"A-Are you sure?" Rainbow stammered, her cheeks flushed.

"Positive, now go. She deserves a friendly face when she awakens. I sense she has been through quite an ordeal." Celestia smiled. Rainbow blushed and hefted the unicorn onto her back.

"ok then..." Rainbow mumbled, guards surrounding her as she made her way to her chambers. Celestia watched her go, waiting until she was out of the room to turn her attention back to Pinkie Pie. 

She stood, prepared to question the Earth Pony, suddenly finding herself on the ground with her sister and several ponies hovering over her.

"Sister!" Luna panicked. She remembered this. It had happened at least twice, perhaps more? It was so confusing. All she knew was that she wasn't going to lose her sister. She had more than lost Twilight to Rainbow, but that was something she was willing to sacrifice. 

She had no say in that matter anyway. She called for the guards who carefully hefted the weary Princess of the sun onto a stretcher, pulling it along, Luna following after them.

"Elements of Harmony, I beg of you to get as much information from Pinkie Pie as you can. I must tend to me sister." Luna said quickly before they were gone. All eyes turned to Pinkie Pie, demanding an explanation.

"I-I wish I could tell you girls but...I Honestly don't know myself." Pinkie Pie said sadly. The light seeming to fade from the room, the girls huddling close to each other to avoid the growing darkness, a pair of glowing eyes peering at them through the darkness.

"Of course you don't. But I do."





Floating.Darkness.Cold, falling...falling...

"Rainbow!" Twilight screamed as she sat up, panting heavily.

"Hey, i'm here Twi, relax." Rainbow said softly, nuzzling her cheek. Twilight sighed softly, tossing her hooves around the alicorn.

"I...I..." Twilight sobbed. Rainbow wrapped her hooves and wings around the lost unicorn.

"Shhh, its ok Twi'. Just take a sec and tell me when your ready, 'kay?" Rainbow said soothingly, running her hoof up and down Twilights back. Twilight nodded wearily, inhaling Rainbows scent. The smell of fresh rain mixed in with Applejacks trees and something else...lilac? Twilight giggled quietly.

"Were you cuddling me?" Twilight asked, sniffling quietly.

"Shut it egghead, you freaked me out back there." Rainbow mumbled. The two sat there, practically clinging to one another.

"I'm sorry Rainbow...I just lost myself...I think I'm going insane. I've repeated this day.."

"Three times, right?" Rainbow asked. Twilight blinked.

"Wh..huh? How could you know that? I was the only one who remembered before..." Twilight groaned, putting a hoof against her head.

"I don't know Twi'. When you flipped out all these memories just popped into my head. Applejack didn't seem to remember anything. But mom and Luna did. Pinkie Pie knew something though" Rainbow explained. Twilight gasped, holding her head in her hooves.

"Time Turner..he said...there was a tear between realities. That somepony on this side was causing it." Twilight mumbled. Rainbow rested her hooves over Twilight.

"Stop playing detective for five minutes, ok? We'll figure this out together Twi'. Right now you need to relax before you blow a brain cell or somethin." Rainbow chuckled, though her worry was obvious in her voice. Twilight gave a sigh of defeat, leaning against her friend.

"I just don't know what to think anymore Dash...I feel so lost..." Twilight all but whimpered against her chest. 

For the longest time she had been their strong powerful leader. Here she sat, reduced to a whimpering filly. Just what the heck did you see Twi... Rainbow thought to herself, kissing the unicorns forehead gently.

"Twilight..." she whispered, the lavender unicorn raising her head and looking into her eyes.

"Aw what a touching moment." a voice rang out. The two mares spun, finding a cloud of darkness hovering before them. Slowly it began to take shape. Slowly four shapes appeared before them, two more in front.

"no way..." Rainbow mumbled. Before them stood a pitch black Celestia and next to her stood Nightmare Moon.
"So this is where you have been hiding, my dear little Niece."
> The end and thats that
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, a lot of people have been asking me about this story despite the canceled tag so obviously sitting there. I don't understand everyones fascination with a story that nearly drove me into literal insanity over people loving everything about it for five minutes and then hating it for three weeks only to love it for another five minutes and repeat the endless cycle of hate. So, this is the end, right here, right now. I'm going to toss all fucks out the window and spoil every god damn detail of this madness.

FIRST AND FOREMOST

The story degrading? The lack of proper editing? It was a simile for the crumbling of the realm around Twilight.
The one interferring? Pinkie Pie.
The mentioned Pinkie Promise? was to herself that she would make things right after fucking it up and causing the world to loop from the start.
How'd she make it loop? She's Pinkie Pie, don't ask me these things damnit.
Those four ponies near Celestia and Luna from evil world? The remaining living mane six from that realm. The Twilight of the world was killed by Nightmare Moon and the Rainbow of that world died trying to avenge her.
How the fuck do they get out of that cliffhanger? Sweetie Belle is in on the loop, having been repeating her entire day alongside Twilight. Anyone with strong magic in them was affected and Sweetie Belle was awakening to her powers. She dashes in, having done so four times already and knowing the patterns, convinces Twilight to teleport them out, regroup with the imprisioned mane six, grab the Elements and do the whole "we fixed it" gimmick with the magic rainbow of deathfriendship. There were going to be a few chapters of Sweetie Belle's looping that might've been a side story on its own. Twilight and Rainbow hook up - DUH Rarity and Fluttershy come out of the closet, Pinkie apologizes and helps set things right, etc, etc. Sweetie Belle has to explain herself to scoots about that shut-up kiss, as in several of her loops poor Belle died and didn't want to go out without expressing how she felt. Celestia lives, because happy endings assholes. 

OH! and Time Turner? That was a cameo for "Courting Ditzy Doo" another story I haven't had the chance to work on that I really should. It is a direct scene from that story and was only tossed in as a means of giving Twilight a hint to her dilemma and to make a nice little "See myself without a mirror" joke. BUT YOU ALL HAD TO THROW A BITCHFIT OVER IT. There, now leave me the fuck alone about this stupid pointless story I wrote!

Oh and its officially my birthday, yay me -_-