Chapter 1
Rainbow smiled as she felt the wind in her hair. Fleetfoot was flying alongside her when she sharply turned left, the rainbow pegasus following suit just seconds before Misty Fly did the same.
Tomorrow they had a big show in canterlot and were currently practicing for it. It was the biggest show of the season, so it was very important they get everything right.
"Alright guys!" her captain, Spitfire, shouted over the wind. "That's it for today!" Several sighs of relief echoed around her as they descended from the sky.
"*Pant* Geez Spits, you really wore us out today!" Fire Streak said as he ran his hand through his messy hair. "Just a little more than the usual," Rainbow said in reply.
Spitfire ignored their comment as she walked up and down the line they had formed. "Tomorrow is the big show so we need to make sure everything is perfect. The train leaves at 6:00 AM so you better be up and ready by 5:30 max. You will travel in pairs: Lightning Streak and Fire Streak, Rainbow and Soarin, Thunderlane and Silver Zoom, Misty and Wave Chill, Surprise and Blaze, High Winds and Rapidfire, and Fleetfoot with me. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am!" they saluted immediately. "Good. Now GO HIT THE SHOWERS!" Spitfire barked, her tone changing abruptedly. Everyone quickly scurried away, not wanting to disobey Spitfire directly after practice.
"Hey sis!" Soarin shouted from behind her. "Ready to have the best train ride of your life with your big brother?". "Your only older by two years," Rainbow said. "Still older though," Soarin said as Ranbow rolled her eyes before the siblings laughed it off. They had often been paired up together since they got along so well and complimented each others abilities. Rainbow was the fastest and most agile one on the team, despite her being smaller than the average person. Soarin, however, was the strongest, having the most wing power on the team thanks to his huge, powerful wings.
"HI GUYS!" Surprise shouted as she appeared between them out of seemingly nowhere. "Geez Surprise, you nearly gave us a heart attak!" Rainbow said. Despite being on the team for a few years, she never really got used to the human form of sugar that was her teammate.
"After the show tommorow everyone is crashing at Spitfire's for a sleepover. Wanna come?" Spitfire was the only one who actually lived in Canterlot so they usually stayed there after shows or when they were on tour.
"Sure thing!" Soarin replyed enthusiastically while Rainbow just nodded.
"Great! See ya!" Surprise said before walking away.
The Next Day - Backstage
"Alright everyone!" Spitfire said as they entered the locker rooms.
"Great show today! All that's left to do is sign autographs and you can have the day off at my place. You earned it!"
Cheers filled the room but were quickly silenced by Spitfire. "We still have work to do so get your butts out there!" Spitfire shouted as groans filled the room instead.
They all exited the locker room and took their places on the tables. As ponies of all ages flooded into the open area, Rainbow Dash realized she had forgotten her bag in the locker room. "Hey Fleet," Rainbow whispered to the pegasus sitting next to her. "Can you cover for me while I get my bag?". "Sure!" Fleetfoot replied as Rainbow walked to the locker room.
After retrieving her bag and leaving the locker room, the rainbow pegasus was headed to the area where they were signing autographs. However, she wasn't looking in front of her when she accidentally bumped into someone. Looking up, she saw a woman with royal purple, barrel-curled hair that was stopped at her upper back, pale skin, blue eyes, and a white horn on her forehead.
'Oh no' Rainbow thought. Judging by her clothes, she was definitely a noblewoman. Rainbow groaned internally. All of the nobles and noblewomen she had met were snobby and rich, only cared about themselves and had no sense of loyalty whatsoever. The thought angered her.
"Terribly sorry dear, are you alright?"
Sorry? She's apologizing? That can't be right...
"Are you okay?" The woman asked again, worry clear in her voice. "Yes I am, it's just that..." Rainbow trailed off. The woman chuckled knowingly, almost as if expecting this reaction. "You expected me to lash out and shout at you for ruining my clothes or something like that, didn't you?" Rainbow nodded. "Well I assure you darling I am not like that, even though my status and appearance my say otherwise. My name is Rarity" the woman, Rarity, said, reaching out to help her up.
Rainbow hesitated to take her hand, knowing that she may be lying, but then again...
Everything happened too quickly. The minute she touched Rarity's hand, she felt a strong sensation at the back of her mind, almost like it wanted her to remember something from another universe. A picture flashed, showing an image of herself and Rarity. Only they weren't in Canterlot, they seemed to be in some kind of town hall in an old-fashioned town. Rarity was hanging decorations with her magic, not noticing the rainbow pegasus enter the hall.
"No, no, too shiny, too dark, too sparkly, way too glittery... PERFECT!" Rarity exclaimed once she finally found the piece she was looking for. Only now did she notice Rainbow entering, smiling when she saw her. "Hello darling, are you looking for anything?" Rarity asked once she saw her come in. "I'm new in town and looking for a place to stay, do you mind helping me?" the pegasus asked, looking around the well-decorated hall.
"Of course darling. There's a hotel down the street where you can stay until you get on your feet, and if your looking for a home just speak with Mayor Mare about it. She's in the room over there," the unicorn said, pointing in the direction of what Rainbow asumed was an office. "Thank you," Rainbow said as the vision ended.
Before she had the chance to interpret what any of this means, the ground decided to give her a hug.