Rainbow Dash takes a trip through time to undue the tragedies of her past.
After accidentally discovering her ability to gallop through time, Rainbow Dash uses this newfound opportunity to save her family from the tragedies of the past. And accidentally restarts a war.
The repetitive pattern of a wall hung clock rung in Rainbow Dash’s ears as she stood in line at Sugarcube Corner. An unusually busy day was ahead for the bakery as a line up of ponies had formed at the counter and through the door. Rainbow was rapidly tapping a hoof as her position in line slowly crawled forward.
‘I save these ponies’ flanks a million times and I still have to wait in lines?!’
After what seemed like the hundredth order for a lemon meringue cupcake with blueberry icing- ’gross. and oddly specific.’ -Rainbow had finally arrived at the front counter.
“Heya Mrs. C, is Pinkie around here? I got something super important to tell her.” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Oh sorry dearie you just missed her, said she’s got important, umm, “fondue related business” to attend to.” Mrs. Cake regrettably informed.
“Ah darn it, I’m getting real sick of that excuse. Well since I’m here, might as well get myself an angel food cupcake, with strawberry icing of course.” Rainbow requested.
“Of course dearie, coming right up!”
Rainbow stood at the counter, humbly waiting for her order. Waiting. And waiting. And waiting…
’I’m owed some major action after all this waiting or there’s gonna be-
At that moment, Rainbow’s cutie mark glowed, indicating she’s needed immediately at Twilight’s castle.
’No! No! After! I said AFTER the waiting!’
“Uhh heya Mrs. C.. y’know I’m kinda in a rush, all of a sudden, so I’m just wondering how it’s going back there.” Rainbow awkwardly chuckled.
“Just a few more moments, it’s still rising in the oven.”
“Oh. Ok. Yeah cool, cool. No rush.”
’NOT ok. NOT cool. Big BIG rush!’
Rainbow glanced back to her flank, then to the kitchen, to her flank, to the kitchen, flank, kitchen, fla-
“Oh screw it.”
Rainbow Dash bolted out the door and wizzed to Twilight’s castle in record time. Drifting past ponies and perfectly maneuvering between houses before finally flying through the front gates and up to the map room.
“Why hello Rainbow, would’ve been nice to have you here ten minutes ago.” Twilight Sparkle huffed.
“Save me the lecture and let’s just get to whose butt needs kicking.” Rainbow said as she hovered down into her chair.
“Well as you can see we’re all needed in Las Pegasus, so let’s not waste anymore time and get going!” Twilight gave a determined smile as she faced her friends.
“Who-wee! That’s what I like to hear!” Applejack said.
“Race ya there!” Pinkie shouted as she raced out of the room.
“Oh now you’re available!?” Rainbow yelled in frustration, following behind Pinkie.
_______________________________________________
“I uh, I think I found the.. “friendship” problem.” Fluttershy muttered, gesturing to the large building in the middle of the city that was currently crumbling to the ground.
“I swear this map is getting more and more ridiculous with each mission!” Rarity hissed.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this in the bag.” Rainbow gloated as she flew forward and snatched any ponies at the building’s ground floor. “C’mon get a move on! Get as far away as quickly as possible!”
A carriage suddenly blew by, throwing Rainbow Dash out of focus.
“Hey! I think those are the ponies that did this! Hurry up they’re getting away!” Rainbow called to the rest of the Mane 6.
“Looks like it’s up to me and you Fluttershy!” Pinkie said as grabbed her yellow coated friend.
“Are you sure you don’t wanna take Rari- AHHHHH!!” Fluttershy attempted a protest before Pinkie ran off after the criminal carrying carriage.
Rarity and Twilight were catching the falling debris with their magic, while Applejack was bucking any they missed into a fine dust. Rainbow Dash scanned for anymore civilians in the area before a row of glass panes shattered near the top floor. The building tilted forward before being caught by Twilight and Rarity’s magic, which unfortunately did not take into account anything inside the building as rows of bassinets rolled through the broken window.
“Holy horsefeathers.. are those-“
“RAINBOW DASH CATCH THOSE BABIES!” Twilight manically screamed in horror.
Rainbow immediately took a head count and bolted off into the sky.
“Ok 1.. 2.. got 3.. 4, 5, 6 aaaaaaand… where’s 7? Shoot, shoot, SHOOT WHERE DID 7 GO?!” Rainbow freaked out. She scanned all around her and spotted filly #7 way down below her.
“AHH! OK OK I’M COMING!” Rainbow zoomed directly down like a missile, clutching the fillies in her hooves. Coming ever closer to #7, Rainbow felt the wind wrap around her, a pulse running through her and a charge take over her system. Inching and inching closer, Rainbow finally caught the colt in her hoof and immediately changed her trajectory to shoot straight forward, leaving a loud boom behind her and a rainbow colored path in her wake.
The shockwave of the rainboom soared all through Las Pegasus and to the roads leaving town.
“Wooooaaaah look at that!” A pony pulling a carriage turned to see the sight behind him.
“WHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT PINK FREAK IS RIGHT BEHI-“
The carriage suddenly crashed into a light post, flinging the ponies in it into an oncoming building.
“Hello there..” Fluttershy greeted the newly injured ponies. “You two wouldn’t happen to be having a friendship problem would you?”
“Psh, like I get any “friendship” out of this guy.”
“Hey what’s that supposed t’mean?!”
“Sounds like a yes to me! Now why don’t you two talk to us about it.” Pinkie said as she pulled a notepad out of her mane.
_______________________________________________
“Woooohoooo! Did you see me out there?! I was all like *whish* and then I did a *fwoosh* and then *kaBOOM* and I totally saved the heck out of those babies!” Rainbow celebrated.
“Yes Rainbow, it was very impressive. But we still have a friendship problem to figure out.” Twilight reminded.
“Don’t worry about that, me and Pinkie got it all sorted out.” Fluttershy smiled as she returned to the group.
“Uh huh! Turns out these two rude dudes, Nailer and Lockpick, just would not listen to each other’s ideas, and it was hurting their friendship super duper bad!” Pinkie summarized.
“But we taught them a very valuable lesson.” Fluttershy nodded.
“Always hear out your best friends, and never make them feel like they’re less than nothing!” Pinkie recited.
“And that they’re going to jail, for life.” Fluttershy lowered her head.
“Oh thank heavens, I don’t know how much longer I could’ve stayed in this dreadful town.” Rarity sighed in relief.
“Welp, my butt’s not glowing which means I’m going. I’ve got a cupcake with my name written on it.” Rainbow said to the group.
“See ya Rainb-“ Applejack tried to wave goodbye before Rainbow Dash bolted out of sight.
“I hate when she does that.”
_______________________________________________
“Aaaaaaaand done!” Mrs. Cake announced. “I hope that didn’t take too long for you.”
“Just in time.” Rainbow Dash responded, hoping Mrs. Cake didn’t notice her walking through the front door. Rainbow grabbed the paper bag holding her treat and trotted out the door. Rainbow spread her wings and took off to Cloudsdale looking to finish the day in the comfort of her own cloud. As she set hoof and made her way down the sidewalk, a familiar looking house took her attention.
_______________________________________________
“This isn’t fair!” A rainbow maned filly complained.
“What isn’t fair?” Windy Whistles, the filly’s mother, responded as she washed the dishes.
“This stupid flying test question! ‘How many different wing positions are used in advanced flying.’ what kind of egghead would know that?!” The filly complained further.
“It’s 28.” An older mare replied as they entered the room.
“Thunder Streak you can’t keep giving Rainbow Dash the answers, she needs to learn on her own.” Windy scolded.
“What the difference between her sister telling her this and a teacher telling her this?” Thunder retorted.
Windy Whistles simply rolled her eyes and went back to the dishes in response.
“Well I’m heading out to practice, I’ll be home late. And RD, don’t forget about our training sesh tomorrow.” Thunder Streak called out.
“You got it sis!” Rainbow Dash jumped in her seat excitedly.
“Wait wait wait Thunder before you go.” Bow Hothoof, the father of the house, interjected. “Your mother and I have something to show you.”
Bow pulled a small box out of his shirt pocket and gave it to his eldest daughter. Thunder Streak unfolded the lid and pulled out the contents, revealing a short necklace with the Wonderbolts logo attached to it.
“Oh you guys, this is beautiful!” Thunder expressed her appreciation.
“We are just so super duper proud of you.” Bow teared up. “Oooooooh I told myself I wouldn’t cry!”
“Don’t you start crying cause then I’ll start crying!” Windy told her husband as she also teared up.
“Guys c’mon you’re gonna make us seaponies.” Thunder laughed. “Now suck up those tears so I can hug you.”
The three ponies embraced in warmth, with a smaller fourth one trying to squeeze in.
“Don’t worry we didn’t forget you.” Thunder chuckled as she pulled in Rainbow Dash.
5 HOURS LATER
*knock knock*
Windy Whistles got up from the living room and checked who was at the door. She opened it and found Quick Wit, captain of the Wonderbolts.
“Hello, Mrs. Whistles. I have… unfortunate news, about your daughter.” Quick stuttered, a hint of distress in his voice. He grabbed Windy’s hoof and gave her a familiar necklace.
Rainbow Dash peaked in on the conversation, unknowingly to the two grown ponies. As she heard what the Wonderbolts captain had to say, she felt her whole world shatter. She weakly stumbled to her room and instantly broke down upon closing her door.
_______________________________________________
Rainbow Dash shook her head to rid of the painful memory and turned away from the house. She huffed and continued to walk down the street. Her walk quickly became a gallop and eventually turned into full on flight. She flew straight forward, gaining more and more speed until eventually everything passing by was nothing but blurs of light.
Rainbow screamed to the high heavens in rage as she continued to go faster and faster. She suddenly felt a burst of energy around her as everything in sight began to warp and then fade away before another burst hit her and she found herself encased in an energy field in an empty void, her wings now flapping backwards. Visions of the past 24 hours then passed her by as she continued to fly in reverse. Rainbow skidded to a halt and slowly walked forward, her head poking out of the field and finding herself catching the babies from that morning. Her heart began to race at the sudden realization.
_______________________________________________
“You went back in time?”
“Yes! I’m telling you Twi, I went all the way back to this morning!”
“Ok, let’s just imagine that you can fly through time. Don’t do it. It is way too dangerous and incredibly irresponsible. Trust me, I speak from painful experience when I say it’s nothing but trouble.”
“Ugh, I knew you were gonna say that.”
“Well it goes without saying. I mean, any minuscule change to the past can cause horrific consequences for the future.”
“Yeah yeah I know. The Fluttershy effect or whatever.”
“Butterfly.”
“That’s what I said. Whatever, the point is that I could fix everything!”
“Or destroy it.”
“I could save Luna from becoming Nightmare Moon, I could stop Tirek from ever returning, I could save.. my… my sister..”
“…Look, Rainbow. There are moments in life that will destroy you, that will try to take everything from you. But you can’t let those moments define you, control you.”
“What if they do define me. It made me an element of harmony.”
“It also made you hide who you are.”
“What do you know about who I am.”
“I’m starting to think I know it better than you do.”
“…yeah, ok, fine, I won’t time travel. Happy?”
“As I can be, now why don't you go home and try to get some rest.”
“Tell me not to go back in time, she thinks she’s so smart. ‘Oh Rainbow if you go back and interact with anyone you could destroy the future’ yeah right, what does she know…”
Rainbow Dash tossed back and forth on Twilight’s couch, wrestling with the complication of everything.
“..hey wait a minute.. if Thunder never leaves for practice that night then she can’t get into that accident and then she won’t..”
Rainbow got to her hooves as her mind raced with plans and theories.
“Twilight said I can’t interact with anypony, but this doesn’t really count right? Just quick in quick out, like I wasn’t even there! That’s how I can save her!”
Rainbow ran out of the library and continued forward as fast as possible and before long was back in the energy field from before. She continued going back further and further until finally she met the sight of her sister getting ready for practice in the morning.
“Ok, ok, how do I stop her from going out. Come on think, think, think!”
Finally, the bulb turned on in her head.
“The only time she’d willingly miss practice is whenever I was sick..”
Rainbow stepped out of the field and was transported right outside her childhood home, 13 years in the past. She quickly flew down to Ponyville below, searching through every flower field and garden. Rummaging through another field, her nose twitched to a familiar scent.
“Ugh, sorry about this little me..”
She plucked out the flower and flew back up to her old home, grabbing a pot off a passing balcony on her way up. Rainbow placed the flower in the pot and put it on the window sill of her fillyhood room.
“This better work…”
Without a second thought Rainbow Dash sped off at blistering speed to make her way back to the present. As she reentered the energy sphere she was met with images passing by of a life unfamiliar to her, a life with her sister by her side. She stared in wonder with each life defining moment. Every birthday, every graduation, every new friend, all with Thunder Streak.
Suddenly, a tear appeared just outside the field. Rainbow slammed to a stop and watched it slowly rip across the void surrounding her. The tear then suddenly changed direction and ripped right through the field holding Rainbow Dash and began to pull her out.
“Oh shitshitshitSHITSHIT!”
Rainbow backed up as far as possible but was still forcefully removed from the energy field, sending her who knows how many years back. Rainbow rolled across the ground as she was spat out of time. Unable to react in time, she watched as the void closed, leaving her stranded.
“What the hell was that about?!”
Rainbow got to her hooves and took in her surroundings. All around her were the familiar buildings of Cloudsdale. She began walking through the streets, looking for any clue as to when in time she was. As she scanned every building it was all just painfully plain and familiar.
“Huh, I guess I did make it back to the prese- ow!”
“Ow! Oh, I’m sorry man, I wasn’t paying attention.”
“No worries, I wasn’t.. either…”
Rainbow Dash recovered from her collision and realized who she had bumped into.
“Hey y’know what? You look exactly like my little sister. Except she’s ten and you’re.. not.” Thunder Streak pointed out with mild amusement.
“I, you and, and, and I and… I do?”
“Uhh.. yeah..”
“Haha, oh wow that’s, isn’t that funny, heh.”
“Hey are you like, new around here? There’s not a lot of Pegasi I don’t know up here so it’s refreshing to see a new face.”
“Yes! Yes that’s it, uh huh yep just call me new face Andy with how.. new.. I am.”
“Right.. well, I’ll uh, see you around I guess.”
“Waitwaitwaitwait! I uhh.. I uhhhhhhhhdont have a place yet, to stay, actually, so I was, um..”
“Say no more pal, I catch your drift. Why don’t you come over for dinner?”
“Oh! Oh, oh really? Thank you so much Thu- imeannameidontknow!”
Rainbow flashed a cheesy grin, waiting for the agonizing awkward pain to end her.
“Right.. my place is over this way, come on.”
Rainbow followed closely behind Thunder, merciful for the pain to be over.
’Who the heck is Andy?!’
_______________________________________________
“Knock knock! I brought a guest over!” Thunder Streak called out from behind the door.
“Oh well bring them in honey!” Windy Whistles responded as she opened the door. “We just love having guests ov- oh, oh wow, you are not gonna believe this but you look exactly like my youngest.”
“So I’ve heard.” Rainbow chuckled.
“Well hello, my name is Windy but you can just call me the head chef for tonight.” Windy laughed to herself. ”Now come over to the table dear, we’re having pancakes!”
“Don’t let her friendliness scare you, everyone can get pretty excitable around here.” Thunder whispered to Rainbow.
“No worries, it’s the same back home with my folk.” Rainbow winked.
“Hey hey hey, I heard we have a guest!” Bow Hothoof called, entering the kitchen. “Now who do we got h- oh, oh wow, honey doesn’t she look exactly like our little Dashie? Like wow it is spot on! Anyway, I’m Mr. Hothoof, Bow Hothoof. It’s a pleasure to meet you Ms…”
“Well it’s a pleasure to meet you Ms. Cash!” Bow shook hooves with ‘Randy’.
“Hold on! I’m coming!” A small voice called from upstairs. “Did I miss anything? Did you save my se- oh, oh wow, they really do look like me.” A rainbow maned filly stared in wonder.
“Rainbow! What have we told you about staring.” Windy whispered to her daughter.
“Oh! Right, sorry.” Rainbow apologized as they climbed to their seat.
“Oh it’s alright really, I can only imagine how it feels to see somepony that looks just like you sitting at your dinner table.” ‘Randy’ chuckled.
“You got that right, Y’know this reminds of this funny story from work where-“
“Dad. I’m telling you. We’ve heard every single one of your work stories.” Thunder cut in.
“Ah come on you didn’t even let me start!”
“Is it the one with the hammer and the mongoose?”
“…yes.”
“So, Randy, how are you liking Cloudsdale?” Windy inquired.
“Oh Cloudsdale is great, it’s like I’ve been here my whole life.” ‘Randy’ chuckled.
“It’ll have that effect on you!” Windy laughed to herself.
“Where’d you live before here?” Thunder asked.
“Oh, in uhh, Ponyville, of course.”
The table fell deafeningly quiet.
“Oh.. I’m so sorry, I-I had no idea. I wouldn’t have asked if I knew..”
“What? What are you apologizing for?” ‘Randy’ asked more confused than ever.
“Well it’s just, I hope you didn’t lose anybody in the attack.”
“What attack?”
“You know, the attack of Nightmare Moon. When she took over the land of the earth ponies.”
Her heart sank. She didn’t know what to think. The attack of Nightmare Moon? Why didn’t Celestia stop her? Is Celestia even still alive?
“I-if you’ll uhh, excuse me I have to use the, uh, the bathroom.” ‘Randy’ excused herself.
“Third door down the hall!” Rainbow called from the other end of the table.
_______________________________________________
“OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH. WHAT DID I DO?! HOW- WHEN- I- WHO- UGGH! Ok, ok, ok, ok, calm down Dash. You can fix this, just gotta find Celestia. Right, find Celestia. Easy.” Rainbow Dash paced in the “lawn” behind her fillyhood home.
“Why would you want her?” A curious voice asked from above.
Rainbow looked up and found her younger counterpart poking out her bedroom window.
“Oh, hey there, Rainbow was it? Yeah I just need to talk to Celestia about… things.”
“Good luck with that, her sister tried talking to her and see what happened to her.”
“Princess Luna? Luna became Nightmare Moon because she.. talked to Celestia?”
“What? No, she got permanently imprisoned by her sister, Nightmare Moon.”
There’s that sinking feeling again.
“I must got clouds in my ears cause it sure did just sound like you said Celestia became Nightmare Moon.”
“Uhh, yeah? Did you.. not know that?”
‘Randy’ was too stunned to respond.
’WHAT?! HOW DID- BUT SHE- AAHHH HOW DOES NOTHING MANAGE TO MAKE SENSE AROUND HERE?!’
“Y’know I’ve been thinking, what kind of name is ‘Randy’ anyway? Like what even is a Randy?”
“Well it’s, it means uh, oh to hell with it listen here kid. I’m gonna tell you something, and it’s gonna sound ridiculous but trust me, it’s the least weird thing about today for me. I, am you, from the way far future.”
“…I knew it!”
“The thing is, everything in the past is different. Where I come from, Luna was the one that became Nightmare Moon and Celestia was able to defeat her and bring peace to Equestria.”
“Blech, sounds too happy.”
“And now I have to get back to the future and find a way to fix all of this.”
“Damn I grow up to be cool.”
“Hey! Watch your mouth young lady!”
“Hmm, maybe not. Oh! Oh! When do I get my cutie mark?”
“You don’t have it? That’s weird, I got mine by the time I was six and you’re like, what, ten?”
“Hey are you making fun of me? Cause that'd mean you’re making fun of yourself and that would make you pretty stupid.”
“No, no, it’s just.. whatever, I got my cutie mark in a race at summer flight camp.”
“No way! My first day of camp is tomorrow!”
“Wait, if she never gets her cutie mark, then she might never do the sonic rainboom, and would that mean I’d technically never learn how to do it? Which would mean I’d lose my only way back home?”
“The sonic rainwhat?”
“The rainboom, it’s like this super big rainbow explosion thing, the point is, it’s super awesome and we’re the only pony that can do it and it’s how we time travel. If you don’t do it tomorrow then we might never do it and the future may be erased forever.”
“Thanks for sugarcoating it, there totally isn’t any pressure.”
“Don’t you give me lip I’m saving your blank flank right now!”
“Ok so I just go to camp tomorrow, do the rainbow super boom or whatever and the universe is saved?”
“Pretty much, maybe, hopefully. We’ll see how it goes.”
“What do you mean ‘We’?”
“Well I gotta make sure you do the rainboom and it’s not like I can do it from your backyard, I mean, our backyard.”
“Ugh, fine. But don’t embarrass me in front of my friend.”
“Embarrass you?! I AM you!”
“Yeah, old me.”
“O-Old!? I’m only 24!”
“Scratch that then, you’re ancient me.”
“Ohohoho you think you’re real funny huh? We’ll see how funny this is when you’re a slave under Nightma-“
“I’m going to bed I can’t hear you!”
The filly disappeared to her room and promptly shut the only light that was shining in the night, signaling she was done chatting.
“Was I really that much of a brat?!”
“I heard that!”
_______________________________________________
“Sorry I can’t stay sweetie but you know how work can be, I’ll be off in time to pick you up though.” Windy planted a kiss on her youngest’s forehead. “You have fun now!”
“See ya mom!” The filly waved as her mother flew off to work. “You can come out now weirdo.”
Rainbow Dash popped out a nearby cloud-bush.
“Ok, let’s do this thing.”
The tiny mare rolled her eyes. The two Dashes approached the entrance to the camp with determination in their eyes.
“Wait a moment.” A wing suddenly sprung out in front of them. “Ma’am are you related to this filly?”
“Are you kidding me.” Both Rainbows said in unison.
“Hey it’s just protocol.”
“Yes, I’m related to her. I’m her… aunt. Four times removed.” Adult Rainbow sighed.
“Alright, just sign her in on the roster and you can go in.”
As her adult self signed the form, the younger Rainbow looked past the entrance and saw the scope of the camp. Complete open air with activities and obstacles placed everywhere.
“No way.. This. Is. Awesome!” The filly absentmindedly wandered in. She did a full rotation to get a full grasp of all the possibilities at her hooves. As she scoped the area she spotted a familiar pink mane from across the camp.
“There she is!” The filly took off to the sky.
“Ok squirt let’s save the uni…. where the hay did she go?” Rainbow searched for her past self in a panic.
“Now I see why you’re four times removed.”
_______________________________________________
“Yo Flutters!”
A yellow coated filly looked up from the spot she was sat and saw her rainbow haired friend rapidly approaching.
“Oh, hello Rainbow Dash.”
“I didn’t expect to see you here Shy.”
“I didn’t expect to be here, but my parents thought it’d be good for me to ‘get out’ and ‘meet ponies that aren’t your brother’.”
“I’ve been there before, well, not really, but I get it.”
“Are your parents here with you?” Fluttershy asked.
“Nah. They had work so now I’m stuck with my future self watching me.”
“That’s a shame. Wait what?”
“Yeah she showed up all like ‘if you don’t do the super rainbow explosion bomb then the universe is doomed’ and it’s totally cramping my style.”
“Oh. I’m, uh, sorry?”
“Yeah it’s a drag. Oh! Do you wanna see me go through all those hoops?” Rainbow pointed up at a long lineup of ring shaped clouds positioned above them.
”Definitely! Just, please be safe.”
Rainbow shot up into the air and began to maneuver through each ring, taking every turn perfectly.
“Yo Flutters! Are you seeing this?” Rainbow asked through the wind blowing in her face.
When there was no response she slowed down for a second to see if Fluttershy was still watching. When she looked over to where her friend was sitting she saw two other fillies closing in on her.
“Now who the hay are those two?”
Rainbow abandoned the hoops and immediately diverted to where Fluttershy was.
“Leave her alone!”
_______________________________________________
“Hey have you seen a blue filly around here? Kinda looks exactly like me actually.”
“Sorry to say I haven’t.”
“Ok, thanks anyway.”
’Yeah, thanks for nothing.’
Rainbow continued searching for her past self through the sea of Pegasi with increasingly annoying results. Just as she was losing hope, she heard the sound of a familiar shouting match from across the camp.
“You think you’re such a big shot? Why don’t you prove it!” The nasally voice of a prepubescent colt challenged.
“What do ya have in mind?” A youthful but raspy voice shot back.
“A race, through the whole camp.” The colt proposed.
“You’re challenging me to a race? Now you’re just asking to be embarrassed.”
“Not just me. If you’re so ‘awesome’ then you’ll have no problem beating me and my bro here. I mean, unless you’re chicken.”
The young mare saw fire in her eyes.
“Chicken?! Ok buster, get your flank to the starting line right now and let’s settle this!”
“Woah, woah, what’s going on here?” Rainbow Dash cut in after finally finding her filly self.
“Who’s this? Is she your babysitter?” The colt teased.
“Actually she’s Rainbow Dash from the fu-“
“Shshsh! Fluttershy that’s a secret!”
“But you told me about it.”
“Because you never talk to anypony else!”
“Oh, that makes sense.”
“If you’ll excuse me I have to talk with my NIECE in private for a second.” Rainbow said as she pulled her younger self aside.
“What do you want? I was just about to totally destroy that guy!”
“You told Fluttershy?! It’s kinda hard to keep a low profile if you’re going around telling everypony I’m from the future!”
“We’re keeping a low profile but I also have to preform an impossible stunt that’ll literally change history? Kinda contradictory don’t ya think?”
“Ok listen just, just try to stay low for now. You’ll know when it’s time to do the rainboom when you just… feel it, y’know?”
“Fine.. now let me go destroy that guy.”
_______________________________________________
The silence was sharp. Three fillies stood at the starting line, wings at the ready. Their hearts starting up like a jet engine. Fluttershy stood before them, raising the checkered flag into the air. After a tense pause, she waved the flag down and all three racers shot forward. Rainbow took the lead and tightly took the first turn. Checking behind her, Rainbow saw the two opposing colts keeping closely behind. She took a sharp right turn, throwing off one of the colts and causing them to crash into a cloud pillar.
Rainbow continued to hold the lead as she shot forward with the wind blowing past her and adrenaline running through her. In all her days of flying she’d never felt anything quite like this. While Rainbow was wrapped in her own thoughts the remaining colt took the opportunity to slam into her and knock her off course.
“Later Rainbow Crash!”
“Hey!”
Rainbow darted forward as fast as possible. And then went faster. And faster. No matter how much she pushed she still managed to gain more and more speed. She felt the air wrap around her as she reached unprecedented speeds. Everything around her became a blur of color until she felt an explosion of energy that shot her up with a rainbow trail following behind her. She flew through the finish line and above all of Cloudsdale.
“Yes! She actually did it!” The adult Rainbow cheered.
The younger Rainbow came in for a landing.
“Do you see me out there?! I went all *fwoosh* and then *bwush* and then *kaBOOM* I did the super rainbow boom bada just like you said!” The filly celebrated to her older self.
“Hell yeah you did! And you got yourself a pretty sweet cutie mark.”
“I sure di- wait I got WHAT?!” The filly looked back to her previously blank flank and saw it was now adorned with a coveted cutie mark.
“OhmygoshohmygoshohMYGOSH!! That has to be the coolest cutie mark anyone has ever seen! It’s just like your- uh.. didn’t you say you got your cutie mark?”
“Uhh, yeah? What you can’t see it’s right theWHERE DID MY CUTIE MARK GO?!”
“So the Rainboom gave me my cutie mark, but took away yours somehow?”
The two Rainbows were back at the filly’s house trying to make sense of the day’s previous events.
“That’s what it looks like. I’m not very knowledgeable about the magical rules or whatever so I don’t know why it did, but maybe if we find a unicorn or, by some miracle, an alicorn, we can get this fixed.”
“Fat chance, as far as I know Nightmare Moon’s the last alicorn and I doubt she’s gonna be very helpful.”
“Well are there any powerful unicorns out there?”
“Why would I know? I’ve never even felt the grass down there.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this but.. do you have a history book I can borrow?”
“Ew you’re really about to learn in front of me? I have one from school, it’s under my bed.”
“That’s not a great place to keep it.” Adult Rainbow raised an eyebrow judgmentally.
“History books don’t help me fly, so why bother with them.”
“Well spoiler alert squirt, you actually like reading when you’re older.” Adult Rainbow flashed a playfully devilish smile.
“Yikes, and my universe is supposed to be the messed up one?” Filly Rainbow giggled as she handed over a thick book entitled ‘The Modern History of Equestria’.
Adult Rainbow cracked it open and skipped forward to a chapter called ‘The War of The Moon’. She quickly skimmed through it until a name stood out to her.
“Here! ‘Starswirl the Bearded, known as the most powerful unicorn mage in history. He’s said to have trained the two sisters themselves’. If anypony can fix this mess it’s him!”
“Um, one problem, he’s ancient, missing, and probably not even real. So there’s actually three problems.”
“Well, says here he was ‘known to reside in the tallest mountain of Ghastly Gorge when not in Canterlot.’ and I think I saw a map of Equestria when I was flipping through the pages, so now we know where to look at least.” Adult Rainbow pointed out as she placed the book into Filly Rainbow’s school bag and strapped it to her back.
“What a clichè.” Filly Rainbow scoffed. “So we’re just supposed to walk into this guy’s creepy cave house and ask him to do your job for us?”
“Uhhhhh, yeah?”
“Sounds good to me, let’s do it!”
“That’s what I like to hear! Oh, you better leave a note or something so your parents know why you’re gone.”
“Good idea.” Filly Rainbow grabbed some crayons and a paper and crudely wrote down ‘hanging wit flutter’ and taped it to her door.
“Ok, let’s get going!”
The two Rainbows revved their wings and shot out the bedroom window. Or, at least one of them did. Adult Rainbow promptly got a face full of wall.
“Ow! What the hay?!” Adult Rainbow stumbled back as she held a hoof to her nose.
“You ok down there?” Filly Rainbow asked as she hovered outside the window.
“Yeah, must’ve just got caught on something.” She revved her wings again and promptly slammed into the wall again.
“Son of a-“
“Are you injured or something?”
“My wings feel fine, I just can’t take off right for some reason.”
“Are you not taking off fast enough?”
“Pssch, am I not going fast enough? Remember who proved the Rainboom was real in the first place?” Adult Rainbow scoffed as she carefully hovered out the window.
“Well if you’re as ok as you say you are, why don’t you race me there?” The filly challenged.
“Sure, if you promise to not throw a fit when I beat you.”
“You’re on old timer!”
“I’m literally from the future!”
“Can’t hear you I’m too busy winning!” Filly Rainbow sped off in a flash.
“You’re on kid!” Adult Rainbow flew off forward………. at a moderate pace.
“…this is just getting sad.” Filly Rainbow said as she watched her adult self meander in her direction.
“So, it would seem there are side effects to losing your speed themed cutie mark.” Adult Rainbow sighed when she finally caught up.
“This is going to be a long trip.”
_______________________________________________
“Being… slow…. SUCKS.” Adult Rainbow said through labored breaths as she flopped down onto the mountain cliff side.
Filly Rainbow softly landed next to her and observed the cavernous entrance before them.
“The nightmares I get from this better be worth it.”
Adult Rainbow grabbed two sticks off a dead tree near the entrance and rubbed them together until one of them caught flame. She held the newly crafted torch in her wing and cautiously led both of them through the cave’s opening.
“Not much for interior design..” Adult Rainbow muttered to herself.
The two ventured deeper into the cave until a dim light became noticeable in the distance.
“Hey, I think I see a fire over there, somepony must’ve been here recently.” Adult Rainbow pointed out.
“What would he need a fire for? Is there not like a body warmth spell or something.”
“I don’t know, maybe it’s magic fire.”
“Magic fire?”
“Y’know, fire used in magic.”
“That’s not a thing.”
“What would you know you’re like 6.”
“10.”
“Same thing.”
Their ears perked up as the sudden sound of galloping echoed throughout the cave. Adult Rainbow turned around and was met with a hooded figure swinging an hoof across her face. Filly Rainbow stared in confusion as the hooded attacker then bucked a rock in her direction. She reacted by using her newfound speed to grab it midair and return it to its sender, who stopped it with magic and threw it behind them, hitting Adult Rainbow in the head again.
“Ow dude! Not cool!” Adult Rainbow sprung up and attempted to attack from above by flying over. Her wings were then encased in magic and she was dropped back down to floor. The hooded figure broke a stalactite off the ceiling with their magic and dropped it above Adult Rainbow, who rolled out of the way in a panic.
“What is your problem dude?!”
The figure swung the stalactite towards Filly Rainbow, who narrowly ducked under it. The stalactite swung back around and hit Adult Rainbow in the back of the head. Filly Rainbow jumped back and flew forward at full speed, promptly smacking into the hooded figure. The figure tumbled back and crashed back first into the cave wall.
“I’d like to see him get up from that!” Filly Rainbow spat mockingly.
“I’ve seen some quick pegasi in my time, but never anything quite like that.” The figure’s hood fell back, revealing an old unicorn stallion with a grey coat and long white beard.
“Holy shit.”
“Language!”
_______________________________________________
“So, it would seem that you’re an older version of this filly here, and you hail from the future of an alternative timeline?”
“Pretty much.”
“Hm. Quite the anomaly.”
“Tell me about it, why is it that I only went back a couple years but it changed stuff from before I was even born?”
“Well, when you go back and change certain events, time doesn’t just go forward as normal. It starts from scratch, constructing a whole new set of events. So if one changes the future, they also change the past. And you’d have to be quite the fool to do so.” Starswirl explained as clearly as he could.
“If Twilight explained it like I definitely wouldn’t have gone back.” Adult Rainbow groaned as she rubbed a hoof on her forehead.
“Who?” Filly Rainbow asked.
“Don’t worry about it. Look is there anyway you can get me my cutie mark back?”
“I’m afraid not. Two of the same cutie mark simply can’t exist in the same timeline.”
“Well can I get like a.. temporary cutie mark? Preferably a speed related one.”
“I hate to disappoint but only alicorn magic can grant a pony a new cutie mark, and I hardly believe the tyrant of the moon is just handing them out.”
“Oh come on! You taught that tyrant everything she knows about magic! If anypony is magical enough to fix this mess it’s you!”
“Things have changed since that day.. I’ve disavowed any advanced magic after I introduced that fiend to it. I’ve wiped all memory I had of those spells so I can no longer bear the curse of knowledge upon this world. So I apologize, but I can be of no help to you.” Starswirl solemnly said as he removed himself from the conversation and exited the cave.
“What a drama queen.” Filly Rainbow scoffed.
“Back to square one… I’m sorry for dragging you around kid, this really isn’t your problem.” Adult Rainbow sighed.
“Hey, I’m only here cause I want to be here. Anyone messes with you they gotta go through me first.” Filly Rainbow jokingly puffed her chest out.
“That’s what I’m afraid they’ll do.” Adult Rainbow softly laughed as she pulled her filly self closer. “…you’re a real lucky kid, you know that? When this is all over, you fly back home and you give your sister the biggest hug you possibly can.”
“That’s the best plan you’ve had yet.”
The two Rainbows chuckled to themselves as they slowly drifted off to sleep for the day.
_______________________________________________
Starswirl returned to his domestic cave, finding the two rainbow maned mares sleeping humbly. He sighed to himself and dropped his saddle bags. Venturing deeper into the cave, Starswirl casted a spell onto an engraving on the wall. The marking began to glow blue as an opening revealed itself, a collection of books and a matching hat and robe on the other side.
“You knew this day would be coming..”
_______________________________________________
Adult Rainbow weakly opened her eyes, finding a coat over her head and a robed unicorn standing above her.
“If you want a cutie mark I suggest we leave soon.”
“H-huh? Leave where?”
“The dungeons of Canterlot castle. I’ve tracked alicorn magic to the area.”
“You found Celestia!?”
“That is what I’m hoping.”
“What’s going on?” Filly Rainbow asked, rubbing her eyes awake.
“I shall assist in locating this alicorn, but that is as far as my help goes.”
“How’d you trace this magic anyway? I thought you didn’t do that stuff anymore.” Adult Rainbow questioned.
“Tis hard to put down a good book, as one would say.” Starswirl smiled. “Now put those coats on, I find it beneficial to keep a low profile when breaking into a warlord’s home.”
“Wait we’re going wh-“
_______________________________________________
“-ere?!” Filly Rainbow questioned as she suddenly found herself teleported to the outskirts of Canterlot Castle.
The castle loomed over any and all ponies at its feet, its previously inviting atmosphere replaced by a threatening and commanding aura. Dark clouds swirled over Canterlot at all hours, casting a never ending chill over the land.
“The castles a little.. bigger than I remember, but maybe that’s just the dread talking.” Adult Rainbow commented.
“If we enter in from that eastern tower we should be able to traverse to the dungeons without detection.” Starswirl instructed.
“Last one to Celestia is a dragon egg!” Filly Rainbow shot up to the tower as Starswirl teleported himself and Adult Rainbow. The three ponies carefully traversed down the spiraling tower until they reached an open hallway.
“Stand back.” Starswirl whispered as the sound of clanking armor closed in on their location. As the guard approached a blue glow emanated from Starswirl’s horn and glided over the guard’s eyes, causing him to collapse over. Starswirl caught the guard in magic before he could crash to the floor.
“What’d you do to him?” Adult Rainbow questioned.
“A simple sleep spell, now put this on.” Starswirl said as he floated the guard’s armor over to Adult Rainbow.
“It’s a little big for me ain’t it?”
Starswirl glared back at her.
“Ok ok, geez.” Rainbow grumbled as she slipped into the armor. “Alright, where to now?”
“Around this corner, fourth door on the right. You’ll lead the way.”
“Then let’s get a move on.” Adult Rainbow commanded in a deep voice.
“What’s with the voice?” Filly Rainbow raised an eyebrow.
“I dunno, just getting into character.”
“Getting into what now?” A guard asked turning around the corner.
“Uhhh just um.. j-just getting these trespassers into the dungeon, yep.” Rainbow stumbled through her facade.
“Smooth.” Filly Rainbow muttered.
“Alright then, let me lead them ther- holy horsefeathers is that Starswirl the Bearded?! Commander Luna will want to see this immediately!”
“Oh that won’t be necessary, this isn’t Starswirl its uh.. it’s just some crazy old pony that thinks he’s Starswirl. I mean just look at that phony beard.” Adult Rainbow tugged harshly on the beard.
“Ow! Watch it!”
”It’s really glued on there y’know? Anyway I gotta get these two to the dungeon immediately so I better get go-“
“Hold on. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around here. What’s your name and rank?”
“Oh, its.. its umm..”
“Oh for the love of Celestia I can’t do this anymore!” Filly Rainbow shouted in annoyance. Everything slowed around her as she began to fly around the guard. She turned his helmet around on his head and pushed him to the edge of the staircase they came from, she teetered the guard forward and returned to the group.
The sound of crashing and yelping echoed throughout the room. Adult Rainbow and Starswirl glared down at Filly Rainbow, who stood there with an innocent smile.
“So much for discreet, let’s get outta here.” Adult Rainbow lead the group down to the Canterlot Dungeons. The trio entered the damp corridors where several empty cells sat untouched.
Starswirl drew a light from his horn and ventured deeper into the cellar. Upon reaching one of the last cells the figure of a weeping alicorn with a strange device around their neck came into view.
“Is that Celestia?” Filly Rainbow asked.
“Wait a minute.. Princess C-“
“Hey! Why is the dungeon entrance open?!” The far away voice of a guard called out.
“Shoot! Quick, free her and let’s get out of here!” Adult Rainbow shouted.
Starswirl activated his horn and teleported all four ponies out of the castle. The guard came rushing down the stairs and was met with an empty cage where an alicorn used to be.
_______________________________________________
Approaching the entrance to the throne room, a guard took what he anticipated to be one of his last breaths and opened the doors. The nearly pitch black room stretched for what seemed like infinity. The grueling walk down the rolled out carpet was bookended with the throne itself, where the ruler of Equestria sat surrounded by the only lights in the room, that being dim purple flames.
“Your highness, it would seem the prisoner has somehow escaped.” The guard knelt before the throne. He held his breath as he awaited his master’s response.
