> A Rainbow at Dawn. > by kioraid > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1. Good morning > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As an average day started to approach Ponyville everypony was just starting to wake up to Celestia’s beautiful dawn, that is all but two ponies that is. Twilight Sparkle looked over to the corner in the back of the library’s main room. “Rainbow! Stop trying to look if I have any new Daring Do, and finish helping me prepare for the princesses visit!” The cyan mare looked over her shoulder towards the lavender pony. “I don’t see why I have to help you rearrange your whole house just because I was visiting.” The lavender mare looked over with a little frustration mixed with worry towards Rainbow. “Well if you didn’t barge in here while I was just getting a letter explaining that princess Celestia and her sister Luna were coming to Ponyville you wouldn't be here right now!” “I don’t know Twi’ that still sounds a little unreasonable how was I supposed to know that it was a letter for a surprise visit that is only going to be here at your house.” Rainbow went down to get a book off the floor. “Well Rainbow the fact that you came barging into my home, then took the letter I had and read it out loud made you in my debt.” “Catch!” Rainbow hurled a book towards Twilight, stopping the book with a soft purple glow around it only inches from her face. “Ok you win Rainbow if you are not going to help me then just get out!” A large feeling of guilt started to rush over the pegasus. “I’m sorry Twi’, it’s just that we have been at this all night. Just look out the window it is sunrise.” Twilight looked out the window just beside her ‘fiction’ bookshelf. “I guess we have been working for a while.” The Pegasus took a slow flight next to the lavender unicorn. “A nap would be the best thing we could do right now. I will just take my place on the couch.” Before the unicorn could even mutter a word, rainbow had already taken a sprawled out position on her couch. A nap would be nice right now. -----------------------------------------------------------------kioraid----------------------------------------------------------------------- “Sister why on Equestria must we ride on the train!” the midnight alicorn looked up to the regal Celestia. “Luna must I remind you that you cannot name your royal guard anything you want.” Luna looked off of the chariot to see four of her royal guards flying them to Ponyville. “I don’t see why not. They were so merry when I first saw them that I called them my gay squad but to you made that a no go.” “I also made insignificant pigs and children eaters a ‘no go’ too.” “Okay admittedly I now realize that those titles have been banned ‘unsavory and tasteless’ but I had a squad of many happy stallions before somepony locked me in my own moon.” Celestia looked down at her younger sister. “Yes, but times have changed and I can only guess that the new name for your guard has something to do with those ‘novels’ you have been reading recently.” A pout formed across Luna’s face. “Hey. Those trains loved each other very much!” Celestia looked toward their drivers. “You may stop now I will be teleporting Luna and I in.” ------------------------------------------------------------------kioraid----------------------------------------------------- Twilight opened her eyes to the almost blinding light coming from her bedroom window. “Oh Celestia what time is it!” she whirled around towards her alarm clock. “Dang it, it’s midday, the princesses will be here any minute!” Twilight quickly enveloped the brush on her nightstand with an aura of purple. Making her way down stairs while getting the last few knots out of her mane she looked up to see rainbow in a completely clean room. “Hey Twi’ I felt kinda bad for what I said so when I thought you were asleep I went ahead and did the rest of the cleaning for you.” Twilight could see a soft hue of red come onto Rainbow’s face. “Oh Rainbow that is so thoughtful, Thank you.” “Whoa hey I do not want any thanks. I kinda was being a jerk when I got here and then you started getting stressed so I just had to take all the credit of cleaning for myself.” Rainbow puffed her chest out and looked to the sky…roof. “Well it was no problem being the fastest pony in all of Ponyville. Speaking of fast I need to get out of here before the princesses arrive.” Twilight looked down to the floor. I can’t just shove her out of my home after I took a whole night of sleep away from her. “Wait, Rainbow.” The cyan Pegasus turned toward her friend. “Yeah Twi’?” “Why don’t you stay here and meet the princesses. It would be easier than telling them what you did through a friendship report if you just told them yourself right?” “Well yeah I guess but isn’t that like your special time with them?” Twilight looked back up to Rainbow. “No, Celestia always wants to meet you and the rest of the group. It is just that if word ever gets to Pinkie or Rarity the whole town will know that Celestia is coming.” Rainbow looked over to the clock then back at Twilight. “I guess I could spare a few minutes for the princesses” Rainbow’s magenta eyes focused in onto Twilight’s. “In the mean time I can think of some things we can do to pass the time.” -------------------------------------------------------------------Kioraid-------------------------------------------------------------------- A bright light flashed in the foyer of the library. Celestia looked around the room but there was no sight of Twilight Sparkle. “AAHHHHHHHH!!!” Celestia quickly turned to the stair case. “Luna come that scream was from Twilight’s room!” Luna and Celestia quickly charged up the stair case Celestia swiftly opened the door to Twilight’s bed room revealing two mares sitting at a small study table with a piece of paper in front of them. “How are you doing this Twi’? It is Tic-Tac-Toe, but you beat me every time!” The lavender unicorn simply smiled at her increasingly frustrated friend. “Oh Rainbow don’t tell me that you have never heard of skill.” “No, it isn’t skill because we played rock, paper, scissors before this and you still whooped me! Ok how about we see who can spin the longest and not get dizzy.” Celestia and Luna stared for the longest time before Celestia reached her hoof up to clear her throat. Luna quickly pushed her hoof back down and whispered into her sister’s ear “No, no, Let this play out they will soon start to see each other in a more dramatic light slowly telling them….hey girl she totally wants some of that flank.” Celestia turned to her sister with a bewildered look “Luna!” The sudden shout from the princess made both Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle turn around. “Oh! Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, I didn’t hear you come in I guess I lost track of the time.” Twilight quickly got on all her hooves to bow before the regal sisters. Coming back up she caught view of Rainbow just lazily flying above the ground. “I think you have met Rainbow Dash before.” Celestia looked towards Rainbow. “Yes, she is the young pony who won the best young fliers competition.” Luna looked up towards Rainbow Dash as well. “I don’t think I have had the honor of meeting you yet.” Rainbow’s ears perked at hearing the words honor with meeting her. “Well I would hate to void you of the chance of having a rainbow brighten your life.” Luna chuckled at the confidence booming from this little pony. Meanwhile Twilight and Celestia were engaging in conversation themselves “So my little pony how has Ponyville been treating you?” Twilight’s eyes widened making the purple beam in them brighter than ever. “Oh Princess I cannot imagine living anywhere else. My friends make me feel like nothing in the world can affect us. Pinkie Pie will bring my imagination to life, and Rarity has shown me that we always strive to fit our own goals. Applejack taught me to always be truthful to your friends while Fluttershy showed me true kindness.” Twilight looked up towards her teacher who still seemed to still be interpreting what she was saying. “Well Twilight that is great…are you forgetting anything?” Twilight suddenly felt a huge warmth come over her face. She felt like she was getting a test to which she didn’t know the answers too. Rainbow Dash was flying right over Luna’s head showing her the ability that Rainbow had of tight turns and maneuvers. “And that is about the time I realized that if it wasn’t for the sonic rainboom that I had created my friends would never have gotten their cutie marks.” Luna looked at the spinning Pegasus. “Well that is an amazing story but don’t you think that it is a little selfish to claim all the credit to yourself?” shades of red seemed to attack Rainbow Dash’s face. Luna just smiled “Ha! That fits your personality so well! You would be the perfect character for some of the books that I read!” Rainbow’s face took a state of curiosity. “What do you mean that fits my personality so well? And what is that second part supposed to mean?” Luna immediately navigated her view away from Rainbow. “Oh I was just thinking aloud.” Twilight looked around the room as if it would provide some answer to the question she put in her mind. “Twilight?” Celestia looked down to the lavender mare fidgeting around her seat. “Are you alright?” Twilight looked back up “Oh Celestia I feel like I’m forgetting someone important to tell you about.” “Twilight, you need not worry. It is not like this is a test or anything.” Luna couldn’t stop laughing at Rainbow Dash’s comment. “Hey, come on! What I said cannot be taken like that.” Luna got back off the ground still holding her side. Two large black wings seemed to shoot from her sides. “Ok Rainbow Dash let us see if your statement is correct.” Rainbow shot up into the air. “Oh bring it on. I told you that you couldn't beat me in a race, and now you’re just letting me prove it!” A smirk came across Luna’s face. “If you are so certain that you will win maybe we should put a wager down.” “And what would that be?” Luna looked right into Rainbow’s magenta eyes. “I will decide when I beat you.” Twilight looked over too Rainbow and Luna who seemed to be in a heated debate. “I just get confused at times and I don’t know why.” Celestia looked down to the seemingly shyer Twilight. “Well a great sort of confusion or stress can come from an outside source.” Twilight looked up longing for an answer. “What do you do when you’re confused?” Celestia looked to the still open door leading to the main library room. “Well I always enjoy a good book and warm tea.” She looked down at Twilight and smiled, Twilight couldn't help but smile back. Yes! I get to show Celestia some of my favorite books…hehe maybe Rainbow is right about me being such an egghead. Just as Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia started for the door a black streak went by them with a rainbow one not far behind gushing wind enough to blow Twilight’s mane into a mess. Celestia looked down the stairs as a torrent of wind was blown through. "We might have to wait on the tea Twilight." > Chapter 2. Those weird novels > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Luna!" Celestia called out. No answer returned from the midnight bolt flying around the library. “Rainbow, STOP!" Twilight had a near infuriated look on her. The two flowing bolts seemed to ignore everything as they sped across the home. "Twilight would you please stand back please?" Celestia's horn started to glow with a radiant aura. Twilight's anger turned to worry. "Celestia what ar-" Twilight's sentence was cut off by a large wall of light appearing before them, and stretching down the hallway. Luna came racing around the corner. "What the!" Luna flared out her wings, but inevitably ran face first into the wall of light. Rainbow soon followed the same demise. Twilight started to giggle. "Wow, that had to hurt." Celestia dismissed her magic, and looked over to the mares on the ground. "I would imagine so, given they seem to be unconscious.” Twilight looked down to the princess of the night and her friend, Rainbow. “They will be okay.....right?" Celestia put on a smile, and walked to the kitchen. “I’m sure they will after we have tea prepared." Twilight looked back up to her mentor. "Uhhh, does this normally happen with you and Luna?” "More than you would think, and I would hope.” Celestia looked around the kitchen for a while before picking up a pot. “You’re really determined to have this tea, huh?" Twilight's attention barely on what the princess was doing. Celestia levitated the tea pot to the stove. "Well, actually yes. A few days ago Luna there took all of our kitchens tea bags and put them somewhere. Therefore rendering me tea-less!" A purple aura wrapped around a cabinet behind Celestia pulling out a tea bag. “I hope black pomegranate will be okay with you." "Yes, that actually is a favorite of mine." "Aaauuuggghhhh" Rainbow Dash's vision slowly started to return to her as she opened her eyes. She rolled over to where her head faced the roof except there wasn't a roof there. Luna stood right over Rainbow's head almost muzzle to muzzle. "Wha--- Luna, why are you above me?" Rainbow said in a low raspy voice." Luna smiled, "Oh I wanted to see your face when I say this. Luna crept closer to Rainbows ear, "You lost." Rainbow's ear twitched and eyes sprang open. Her mind racing for an excuse to why she lost. I was going easy on her because she is a princess. Or, or, or I didn't want to go too fast in Twi's house... wait we hit a wall... Rainbow quickly flipped around to get on her hooves. "Luna, how did you win if we both hit a wall before we finished?" Luna started to back up keeping a mischievous smile. "Well if I remember correctly I hit the wall first." "Wait what?" Rainbow looked around scanning the surrounding area. "Luna, hitting the wall wasn't the finish line." Luna tapped Rainbow on her muzzle. "No, but the library foyer was, which is where this wall was." Luna looked away from Rainbow. "The wall was a magic shield that my dear sister summoned." Rainbow sprang into the air "What why in the world would she stop our race, because of her I lost!" "The first step to recovery is acceptance, Rainbow. Now if I'm correct here, which I am, you're in my debt." Twilight's voice came ringing from the kitchen. "Hey Rainbow, Luna, tea is done if you would like some." Luna walked to the kitchen seemingly to have completely forgotten about Rainbow. "No thank you, but if you have any extra tea bags I will gladly take those." Celestia turned with a begrudging expression. "No Luna I'm afraid that Twilight here doesn't have any more tea bags." "Oh then I don't care. Rainbow come we shall read a novel that I have been saving." Luna walked briskly past Twilight, Celestia, and Rainbow Dash whom turned towards Twilight. "Is the tea black pomegranate?” Twilight smiled, knowing that Rainbow had slowly fallen in love with even the aroma of this particular tea. "Yes, would you like a cup?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Celestia looked over to where the two mares were standing. Hmm, Twilight seems to really enjoy the company of Rainbow Dash. Yet she seems to be the least mentioned in Twilight's letters. Twilight turned her head towards the princess. "Oh Princess I almost forgot you were there with you not saying anything." She seems to take notice of how time just seems to dissipate when she is with her. I wonder if- "Rainbow! I found the novel." Rainbow turned at the sound of Luna's near Canterlot Royal voice tone. "Ah, That's my cue see you in a bit Twi'!" Rainbow hurried off to the main foyer of the library. Twilight slowly made her way back to princess Celestia. "Is something on your mind Twilight?” Twilight took a seat across from Celestia. "I would like to say no, but the truth is I don't feel so well...and I'm out of tea." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow flew over to Luna, who was seated on the couch. "Oh Rainbow, I do think that you will enjoy this. It is a collection of many stories so we can pretty much start anywhere we want." "I want to start the race over." Luna scowled at Rainbow's comment. "I'm quite certain that if we did it again I would just win again." Rainbow felt the excitement of being able to wipe away the fluke that was the last race. “Is that a challenge I hear?" Luna quickly looked into her book, and back at Rainbow Dash. "No, I want to read my novel." Disappointment rushed over Rainbow. "What? Come on, you totally lead me to think we were going to have a rematch... and can't you just say book?" Luna started to scan through her novel. "Well I could, but that would be incorrect. Now, you can choose from: One: A story of two cheerleaders finding love. Two: A lonely pegasus finding true comfort in his best friends arms. Or, Oh! Three: A lovely story about trains!" Rainbow Dash looked at Luna questioningly. "Umm, are all these stories about gay ponies and...trains?" Luna scooted over on the couch. “What no! ...Only the best ones are." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight continually stared down at the floor." I don't know if that is correct Celestia." "Well Twilight if I'm wrong, then what is correct." Twilight thought for a moment. “I just don't think that kakorrhaphiophobia is an actual word." Celestia smiled at the bewildered unicorn. "It is the fear of failure." Twilight smiled. Oh, I can think of somepony that would apply to. "OH CELESTIA! NO! TRAINS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT!" Celestia turned to the hallway leading into the foyer. “It sounds like Luna, and Rainbow are getting along." Twilight chuckled as the thought of Rainbow's reaction. “I guess we should go check if she is okay." "No! I. Will. Not!" Twilight's eyes widened as a feeling of warmth rushed over her face. Luna had pinned Rainbow onto the floor with her mane covering their faces. Oh Rainbow...what are you doing? Twilight stepped forward about to say something. "Justh reagh tha shory!" Luna quickly blurted. “Wait...What?" Luna turned her head providing a clear view of her, and Rainbow. Dangling from Luna’s muzzle was a book. "Yeth?" Celestia then came into the room, “Twilight you just completely left in the middle of our scrabble ga-..." She quickly observed the surroundings, and then turned around back to the kitchen. Twilight felt the heat intensify across her face Wait! Why did she leave? "Hey, I don't want to be rude or anything, but I am, so get off of me." Rainbow started to push on Luna, but only got a book shoved in her face. “Hey, Twi' do you think you could lend me a hoof?" Twilight's horn glowed with a soft purple hue, snatching the book from Luna's mouth. “Luna, technically you can't make Rainbow listen to this" Twilight smiled slightly "What why? I won the race, and the bet!" Luna lifted off Rainbow. "Well yeah, but did that really count as a race?" Luna lifted her gaze. "What do you mean?" Twilight started to walk to the front door. “Well, a real race would be outside where you can go as fast as you please, no holds barred." “Yeah!" Twilight turned around "Be quiet Rainbow." "Aww." "Augh! Fine! But then I get to finish this novel!" Luna started out the door. ”No! Wait, Luna!" Twilight closed the door in front of her. "You can't go outside looking like yourself unless you want everypony in Ponyville to freak out." Luna stared at Twilight as her horn began to glow. "Umm... Princess...W-What are you doing?" Before Twilight's eyes Luna's magic swirled around the both of them. When Twilight had the courage built up she opened her eyes to see Twilight staring back. Wait...what? The Twilight staring back at her finally spoke up. "There, is this look more fitting?" Twilight couldn't say anything. Luna smiled. "Good, Rainbow come." Rainbow came back from her pre-race stretching. "Okay, Twi." She flew right past the real Twilight without even noticing her. Twilight closed the door behind the oblivious pegasus. "What just happened?" Twilight started back for the kitchen. Celestia's voice rang from the kitchen. “Oh, Spike that idea sounds lovely." Wait. Spike? When did he get here? Twilight rounded the corner. "Hello, Spike welcome back." "Thanks." Spike finally spoke up Celestia leaned down to him. "Spike, why did you thank her? You have been here the whole time." Spike whispered "Yeah, but whenever Rainbow comes over Twilight seems to not even notice that I am here. I just look at it as a break." Celestia perked up. "Oh, I see." Twilight was humming a tune as she put up the cups and pot from making the tea. "Is she always this...happy when Rainbow comes over?" The little dragon closed his eyes "No, actually sometimes she is really rude or short tempered when Rainbow leaves." "Oh I see." Celestia examined the room. "Twilight where are Rainbow and Luna?" Twilight turned to face the princess "Oh, they went outside for a race." Celestia’s expression grew panicked. “Luna went outside? I don't want everypony to start breaking down your door just because Luna and I came to visit." “Oh no Princess, Luna disguised herself as me so no pony should expect anything.” Celestia looked Twilight over carefully. "Well how do you feel about her spending time with Rainbow?" Twilight felt her body tense up. What is she trying to imply... and why am I so tense?!? "I really don't mind." Celestia responded in a curious tone. "Oh, really?" > Chapter 3. Hey, listen! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash walked briskly behind Luna who was disguised as Twilight. “Hey, Twi' where are we going? I kinda need to be back at your place to race Luna." Twilight turned around to look at the drifting pegasus Hmm Twi', so she has a nickname for her... that is so...perfect! Can she not tell that I am Luna? "Uhhh Rainbow? I just wanted to-" "Ohh Twi'! Look at that sunset!" The disguised princess stumbled back. "Or it can wait a bit." Rainbow flew high into the sky lazily preforming barrel rolls in the orange glow of the sky. A cyan beam seemed to bounce off Luna's eyes as the pegasus preformed in the sky. "Hey Twi' come up here. I want to show you something." Rainbow looked over at her distracted friend. "You can perform that wing spell thing, right?" Luna felt embarrassment flood her body. Wing spell? Great, something that I would never find a use for... Oh well, I've got this covered. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight was rearranging the books in her history section, changing the order from alphabetical to chronologically. She worked diligently as the princess stood watch. "Spike," The princess looked down to the tiny dragon scrambling after Twilight. "May I talk to you privately?" Spike turned his head rapidly. "Yes, please." Celestia went through the main hall to the staircase. "I can't help but see that Twilight's mood has been changing all too quickly for the past hour. I would like to know what you think of this." Spike looked around cautiously, answering only when he was certain no-one was within earshot. "Well to tell the truth princess, I really have no idea what is wrong with Twilight... Is there something wrong with Twilight?" Celestia paused for a moment, considering the question. “I don't think that there is something, how you so lovingly put it, ‘wrong’ with her. Either way I think we should let her simmer down for a few minutes." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I am so sorry Luna!" Rainbow Dash hovered over the princess of the night, who seemed to place herself in a ditch. Luna looked up towards the sky avoiding direct eye contact with Rainbow. "Oh no, don't be like that I just thought I could try to seem like Twilight a little more if I tried to do the same things as her. I didn't know that you actually thought I was Twilight." Yeah, that’s great Luna. Just lie to her, ugh I should be put in the moon. Rainbow hovered over her. "I'm sorry Luna, it's just last time Twilight and I were here she pranked me and I vowed to get revenge. Unfortunately I am rather bad when it comes down to revenge." "It's fine. Although, I am curious now, was the dance part of the prank?" Rainbow pouted. "Don't make fun of my revenge dance." Luna slowly removed herself from the gutter she found herself in. "Rainbow, we still have a race, do we not?" Rainbow's wings surged downward, creating a strong gust of wind that blew the dust away from the area. Her eyes brightened as she was now a few feet higher than she was before. A smirk ran across Rainbow's face. "You ready to lose?" Luna, still disguised as Twilight looked over towards the sunset that Rainbow was so eager to get closer to. "First we need to set up where we shall finish the race." Luna raised a hoof towards the sunset sparkling off a nearby lake. "That is where we shall end the race." Rainbow looked over towards the lake. Her eyes half closed as thoughts raced through her mind of all the vibrant colors reflecting off the body of water. Rainbow started to walk towards it like a beckoning call she could not resist. Wow, it is so pretty...Wait why am I drawn into this stupid sunset? Rainbow quickly snapped herself back into thinking normally. Okay, no matter what I shall win this race! Heh, I wonder what Twilight would think? "What do you think of that course?" Luna's face beamed with anticipation for Rainbow's answer. Rainbow looked at the lake and back at Luna’s every growing smile. "Uhh... yeah totes... But don't you think that is a little long with you being disguised as Twilight and all?" Luna looked at the lake and turned back to the town. She began mimicking the course of the race as though she was racing already. A few more rotations of her head later, she turned to face Rainbow. "Hmm, I suppose you're correct." Rainbow exhaled a halted breath. I am really glad that worked. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Ugh, I will never find anypony to talk to in this stupid town." Twilight Sparkle was in her hot air balloon hovering just below the clouds. "At least there is a really pretty sunset." She looked around for a place to land her balloon. "Boo." Twilight's heart jumped. She backed up and touched the edge of her balloon. "Wow new mare you're jumpy" Rainbow Dash stayed still in the air next to Twilight "Oh my gosh! What is wrong with you! I could have fallen and died!" Rainbow tilted her head down "Oh, I am sorry I guess." Twilight started to lower the balloon down to a nearby lake. "Hey! Where are you going?" Twilight quickly descended towards the ground "I'm landing and getting away from you!" Rainbow circled with the balloon all the way to the ground. "Hey I'm sorry I just wanted to say hi to you." Twilight sighed as her balloon touched down. She looked up to see a rainbow mare flying away. "Hey Rainbow, come back." The pegasus seemed to come back like nothing happened sporting a silly grin on her face. "Good to see you remember my name." Twilight looked over to a tree. "Yeah, sure. Will you help me tie this thing down?" Rainbow grabbed the rope within her mouth. She twisted around the tree a few times before attempting the knot. Glancing around, Twilight climbed out of the balloons crib. "Sorry about yelling at you." Rainbow's head shot from around the tree. "Oh, that's okay new girl... By the way, completely hypothetical, this knot...how does it go?" "What? Really, you don't know how to tie a knot?" "No, I mean yeah I do, just a question." Twilight started to walk towards the tree. "So you wouldn't mind me coming around to check? I mean hypothetically of course." "Well there might be a problem with that... Hypothetically." "Okay let me show you how to tie the knot." As Twilight started around the tree, Rainbow shot up the tree with the rope. "Oh come on Rainbow can't I just tie the knot?" A rainbow mane shot upside from a branch revealing huge magenta eyes. "Who said I wasn't done with this knot?" Twilight glanced at the rope going up the tree. "Is this hurting your ego?" "What!? Nothing ever hurts my ego! I mean me!" Twilight giggled at the comment "I bet falling from that branch would hurt pretty badly." Rainbow darted back up into the tree "Nah. That couldn't hurt me if it wanted to." "That makes no sense." Twilight went over to the hanging rope and pulled it down. A cyan blur smacked against the ground, rope falling all around. "Ahhhhhhh, ow ow ow." Twilight walked over to the rope and finished a knot around the tree. "That didn't hurt did it?" Rainbow sat up, popping her back on her way up. "Only hypothetically... Oh! New mare look at the sunset!" Twilight looked to the bright lights bouncing off the lake coming from the half cloaked red sun. "Wow that is beautiful. Oh and before you forget again my name is-" Rainbow quickly cut her off. "Is Twilight. ... I never forgot." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The memory kept replaying in Twilight's mind. The scene of the sunset and the lake she had sat by with her friend. "Twilight! Come over here quick!" Twilight's memory sequence was quickly broken when she heard Spike's voice call out. Realizing that it had come from upstairs she hurried up the flight of stairs. When she opened the door she was witness to a huge display of magical flux. Celestia's horn glowed with a majestic magic, waves of light radiated through the room, reflecting off of the surfaces she knew all too well. "Wow..." Spike looked up at Twilight, who seemed just as amazed as he was. Twilight found herself being drawn in as Celestia's magic grew. Her eyes widened as she could see Celestia slowly putting her magic into the sun to make it fall. Twilight now found herself right next to the Princess. Celestia opened an eye, her concentration not slipping for an instant. "Oh, Twilight I didn't expect to see you so soon." "Princess... you’re lowering the sun." Celestia poured the rest of her required magic for the sun to lower itself. "There now it will only be about 30 minutes until Luna's night comes." "Princess, your magic… it’s breath taking." Celestia yawned. "Come Twilight, we need to find my sister." "But what about your... appearance?" Celestia gave a condescending look to Twilight. "Did you seriously just ask that?" Twilight was overrun with embarrassment. "Umm, well I, uh, do you?" "No! Not at all, but I will find something" Wait... did she just lead me on? Celestia walked away. "Ok Twilight, we will leave in just a little bit, get ready." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow stared at the ground, which contained scribbles in a strange box formation. "Okay, I think I get it. First, we go from here to Sugarcube Corner. Then we proceed to Sweet Apple Acres, and end at the lake over there." Luna was smiling at what she thought was a perfect course. Rainbow looked back up at her. "You do realize that we have to hoof this, right?" Luna looked at the 'map' and back at Rainbow Dash. "What? Why?" Rainbow touched Luna's side. "You're disguised as Twi', and I defiantly don't see or feel any wings here. We should probably revise the plan." Rainbow snickered as they turned around only to see another plan scribbled on the ground. "We should also move." "Yeah I suppose you're right." Rainbow stood up then saw Luna far ahead of her. "Wha- Luna where are you going!" A faint call answered back. "I never agreed to revise it!" What? That is so cheap! Rainbow started a sprint behind her. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight was by the door. She had been waiting for Celestia for almost 10 minutes. “Celestia, may I ask what is taking so long? A few seconds passed until Twilight decided to check on her. Twilight approached the door leading to her room where Celestia was getting ready. "Celestia?" Celestia burst out the door wearing a giant banana costume, a huge smile running across her face. Twilight's heart jumped as she fell on her flank. "So, what do you think?" Twilight looked up after calming her rapidly beating heart, trying to recover any semblance of dignity she had left. "You have got to be kidding me. Do you really think that will work?" "Oh please Twilight, don't be so condescending, and no this was more for a joke than anything else. What I have been doing is learning a quick spell to disguise myself as somepony." Twilight got up and followed Celestia to the door. "Oh good, it’s nice to know you won't be wearing that costume in public." Celestia turned around with a pout. "I'm keeping the costume." What? You have got to be kidding me. Why in the world would she want to keep the banana costume on?!? ...I have been talking to myself a lot lately... I wonder if that is a problem. Wait, Celestia is talking! Oh crap, oh crap why are you not listening to her? Why are you still talking to yourself?!? Celestia turned away from Twilight and started to head into the foyer. "Ok Twilight, let’s find a picture." Twilight froze. "Uhh... yeah sure." As Twilight followed behind Celestia she looked at some of the pictures scattered across her home. Her eyes drifted from one to the next until her eyes fell on a picture of her and Rainbow at a lake. Wow, what a coincidence. I was just thinking of this. "Hey Celestia how about this?" Celestia walked over towards Twilight. "You want me to transform into you or Rainbow?" Wait... that’s what the picture is for? "Uhh no… I just wanted to show you the picture." Celestia tried to hold her confusion back. "Okay? Thank you Twilight." Twilight put the picture back where she found it. Right, now I know what to look for. Now all I have to do is find a picture of somepony that would be appropriate in a Banana costume. "Pinkie Pie!" Twilight grabbed a picture she had of Pinkie and the rest of her friends at the first sleepover she had with all of them. "Here Celestia, this should suffice.” Celestia looked at the picture focusing at the one pony jumping over the rest. A magical aurora wove its way around Celestia’s form, surrounding every inch of her body. Twilight took a few steps back as a wind started to pick up around were Celestia stood. Celestia's magic soon dissipated into the air, at the center was... Pinkie Pie. Twilight approached her delicately. "Celestia, is that you?" Pinkie smiled back. "Pretty good for a first time spell, huh?" Twilight examined the shape shift body. "Yes actually, it has almost no flaws." "What flaws are you implying?" Twilight headed to and opened her front door. "Oh, nothing much. It's just that your eyes stayed the same color...and the banana costume covers most of your body anyways." Celestia walked outside first. "Well I suppose everything couldn't be perfect." Twilight soon followed after locking her door. "Yes, well where do you think we should look for Luna?" "Well I would imagine it would be somewhere not many ponies would be." "You have to remember though, Rainbow is with her. They could be in the middle of sugarcube corner." Celestia stopped dead in her tracks. "This isn't going to be easy, is it?" "No, probably not. I will go to sugarcube corner, you head to the outskirts of town. We don't need to risk Pinkie seeing you." Celestia started to hop away. "Okie dokie lokie!" Geez, I think she did that a little too well. Twilight turned towards the path leading towards Sugarcube Corner. As she approached Sugarcube Corner a pony started to wave her down. "Twilight! Twilight!" Who is tha- oh it's Lyra. "Hello Lyra, do you need me for something?" The mint coated pony ran up to Twilight, her pale cyan and white mane falling in front of her eyes. Slowly she regained her breath. "I wanted to know who won." What? What in the world is she talking about? "Umm, why?" Lyra finally seemed to be at full energy again. "Oh, I forgot you didn't know! Bonbon and I made a bet on your race." "Ah, the race... I might tell you, if you can remember where I was heading." Lyra looked at Twilight puzzled. "Umm, to the lake I think." "Oh, yes! Thanks so much!" Lyra looked at Twilight even more confused. "Uh yeah, no problem... are you all right?" "Well, no not really. Today has been really stressful." Lyra smiled comfortingly. "Well I don't want to cause any problems, so the race info isn't important. But, we should have lunch tomorrow!" Twilight looked over the overexcited pony's face with bewilderment. "Sure, I don't have any plans, and I suppose we really need to catch up." Lyra started to walk away, turning to talk over her shoulder. "Okay, see you tomorrow Twilight!" Twilight turned away from Sugarcube Corner, and looked towards the lake's entrance. Okay, if Lyra was correct they should be at the lake. I better find Celestia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow was just ahead of Luna, and the finish line was just in front of her. Rainbow felt her muscles ache as she used the last of her strength to get past the finish line. She passed the makeshift finish line seconds before Luna. Out of breath she turned to the princess, who was still disguised as Twilight. "I... told you... you can’t win... against me." Rainbow fell right on her flank from pure exhaustion. Not only did she have to win a race on hoof, but Luna got a huge head start. Luna went over and sat next to Rainbow. "Yes, I suppose you did win, but I am not nearly out of breath as you are." Rainbow looked over towards the lake. The sunset had sunk even lower into the trees, oranges and reds danced off of the water. "Wow... Luna, look at the lake." Again with the stupid scenery, what is going on with me today? Luna glanced over as colors seemed to surround the sky and water. She seemed to get lost in the scenery until she gasped and seemed to start a panic. Rainbow still staring at the lake spoke up. "What's wrong?" "With the race distracting me I completely forgot to raise the moon!" “Oh.” Luna initiated her magic as swirls of dark blue filled the air around them. Rainbow looked away from the lake back over to Luna, but didn't see her. Instead of Luna, she saw Twilight with her eyes closed as colors reflected off the water right at her. The twist and turns of the magic acted as a mist around her, blurring reality and imagination. Rainbow started to lean in and practically whispered into her ear. "Twilight?" Rainbow felt a tingling sensation coursing through her body. She leaned in close to Twilight and pressed her muzzle softly against Twilight's. Slowly, she felt Twilight begin kissing her back. Rainbow couldn't help putting more and more force into the kiss, Twilight's lips separating slightly as it deepened. Rainbow opened her eyes to see Twilight's half lidded eyes and a blush to rival Big Mac’s coat. Only, one detail seemed off about this. Rainbow's eyes shot wide as the realisation struck home. Seeing the color of Twilight's eyes, the comforting purple she expected was instead replaced by a light teal. Oh, Celestia! I'm kissing Luna! Rainbow quickly backed away from Luna, the thin trail of saliva connecting them both breaking all too soon. Luna paused, recovering quickly from the sudden kiss. "Well that was not expected. Some advice though, the ending was a little abrupt." Rainbow sat in complete shock, her mind in disarray. Something caught Luna's attention. She smiled and waved. "Twilight!" Rainbow felt every instinct to fly out of the lake which felt like an enclosing box. "Hi Rainbow, Luna." Rainbow turned around and saw the real Twilight standing right behind her. It felt as though thousands of tiny needles shot through her body. Barely able to string words together, she tried to greet Twilight without tripping over her own words. "H-hi, Twi... light." Twilight turned around to reveal Pinkie Pie behind her. Luna smiled. "Hello, sister." A bright flash revealed that Pinkie was in fact Celestia. "What, how did you know it was me?" "Because I know you. Also the giant banana suit helps." "Ah, I suppose that would help you." Twilight sat next to Rainbow. "What are they talking about?" "I-I d-don't... know." Twilight turned to Rainbow with a quizzical look. "Is everything okay, Rainbow?” "YES! Everything... is fine." Rainbow started with a shout, the words quickly diminishing into a mumble as she tried to regain her composure. "Uhh, if you say so." Another flash signalled Luna’s transformation into her original form. "Goodbye Rainbow, Twilight. We must depart, I wish thee a pleasant night." Celestia smiled to Twilight. "We should do this again." Luna smiled at Rainbow. "Yes, we should." Rainbow felt shivers going down her spine but a strange warm feeling run across her face. With another flash both Princesses were gone. Twilight looked over towards the sunset, but the sun was now gone. "You know Rainbow, it's getting late. You can stay at my place if you want to." Rainbow comically shooting up into the air shouted, "No! Sorry, I mean I've got stuff with things to do." Rainbow shot off towards her cloud home. Twilight slowly stood up and started the long walk back towards the library. Well that was weird. > Chapter 4: Encounters > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A calm night air was interrupted as a flash of colors tore through the cloud in a jagged formation. Rainbow Dash was at the front of the dispersion. Why?! Why did you do that bucking idiot?! Rainbow straightened into a straight line angling upwards. Tears worked their way into her eyes. Closing them, she flew faster until the air was closing in around her. It can't catch me if I just speed up! Tears started to stream from Rainbow's closed eyes as she gained speed and altitude. The air was closing tightly around her as she pushed herself to go faster. With a final effort the air's grip on her suddenly released. Rainbow felt herself tearing away from the thing she felt trapped by. A large shock wave shook the air behind rings of rainbow colors. Rainbow tried to scream, but not a sound came out. I hate myself. I hate.... hate..... hate....... so much. Suddenly Rainbow started to hear herself crying. Slowly the sobs grew louder until another noise broke through. Air started swishing around Rainbow's ears. She slowly opened her eyes to find herself high above the clouds, and starting to come closer to them. Her tear drops flew around her, shinning in the moon's light. Twilight...augh! I can't even talk to her right now. What would I even say to her? Hey, I think I like you so I made out with Luna?! But she was you, but not you at the same time. Argh, why is this so hard. Wait, why am I thinking like this in the first place? I don’t even like well... anypony. Rainbow slowly fell into a complete free fall. As she fell her sobbing slowly stopped as her eyes flowed to look at her surroundings. Clouds soon covered her body slowly dampening her coat and mane. It...it kinda feels good...falling like this. The ground below slowly coming into view through the bottom of the clouds jolted her out of her reverie. Okay, I really need to start flying now. Rainbow moved her wings to level out but they were caught in the rushing wind. This ‘correction’ causing her to spin out of control. Come on! I have flown out of free fall countless times! Why can't I get my balance?!? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Angel, I'm going to the store do you want anything?" A butter colored pegasus with a light pink mane covering one eye, smiled towards a bunny. The bunny jumped and snatched the bag from around her back, and threw it to the ground. "No Angel I'm not staying home. I need to get some groceries." Angel kicked the pegasus three times, and pointed upwards. "Oh, yes the sky is pretty today. Okay, I will see you when I get back." Angel pulled on the mare's tail to no avail. Angel sat and seemed to ponder until he jumped onto the mare's back. "Angel, what are you do-" Before she could finish her sentence Angel grabbed her head and pointed it towards a rainbow streak in the sky. "Oh, that must be Rainbow Dash... Flying straight down." Angel seemed to pull a pair of binoculars out of nowhere, and put it over the pegasus' eyes. "That sure is an awkward flying position....Mostly because that isn't a flying position!" Angel pointed at Rainbow with a stern look on his face. "Oh what do we do? Come on Fluttershy, think of something!" Fluttershy's legs started to shake, and she fell to the ground. Tears started to flow from her eyes. Angel looked at Fluttershy and backhanded her. She looked at the bunny as he kicked at her wings. Her wings seemed to bolt to her sides as she covered her face with her hooves. "No, I can't do that! I will never make it!" Angel pushed Fluttershy's hooves from her face. A look of pure exasperation that ate away at Fluttershy’s fear. "You’re right Angel, I have to try." Fluttershy shakily stood up, and her wings shot from her sides like daggers. She closed her eyes and gulped, "Wish me luck." As soon as Fluttershy opened her eyes, she shot off into the night sky leaving a pink trail behind her. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash felt her speed increasing as she was falling. She kept flailing her wings, but they couldn't catch the wind. She looked back to the clouds, shrinking away in the distance as she fell. No! I can't do anything! Her speed increasing at an alarming rate, she plummeted toward the ground, the wind buffeting her around like a leaf in a gale, struggling to think as she tried again and again to control herself. Quickly she noticed a pink streak in the air heading towards her. What the... what is that? Oh no, it's heading straight towards me! Rainbow felt her wings finally have enough strength to catch some of the air slowing her down little by little. As quickly as the strength came, it left. Her wings went limp at her sides and she started to gain speed again. What? Is that...Flu- Rainbow's eyes opened almost as wide as they could as she saw at the tip of the streak was her butter colored friend. "Flu- Fluttershy slow down!" She...she's not slowing down! Rainbow closed her eyes, but nothing happened. She peeked one eye open to see Fluttershy falling next to her. "Really?...Really!" Fluttershy grabbed onto Rainbow. "Oh, Rainbow it was you falling I was so scared andthenangelhitmeandandand-." "Fluttershy! I don't mean to ruin you rant or anything, but we are still falling. Pretty fast too." Rainbow felt Fluttershy's grip suddenly get tighter, and her heart seemed to skip a beat. "Rainbow fly!" "Uhhhh... I can't." "WHAT?!" Rainbow looked below them, the ground now encompassing her entire view. Panic slowly setting in as she turned to her friend. "Uh Fluttershy? I suggest you start flapping those or we'll die... like really quickly." A sudden jolt went through Rainbow's body at a sudden slow in her inertia. "Oh, no Rainbow! I'mnotagoodflyerandandandohno!" Rainbow felt the feeling of falling evolve into flying. "Fluttershy you're doing it! You’re flying!" "Huh, what? I- I am?" Rainbow looked at Fluttershy who had her eyes tightly closed. As soon she opened her eyes they plummeted about five feet until Fluttershy caught wind under her wings again. "Fluttershy, control yourself!" "Bu- but, but we're going to fall!" "Not if you actually fly." THUD. Fluttershy's vision was hazed as she looked around. Trees towered over her and she had a cushion of impacted dirt beneath her. "Rainbow?" Fluttershy slowly stood up but fell back down through an intense pain in her front right leg. "Flu-tt-shy." Fluttershy's ears perked at the sound. She looked around the area, but couldn't find her friend. "Rainbow! Rainbow where are you?" She waited for a moment but nopony answered. She started to limp over to where she thought the noise originated. She limped almost fifteen feet from where she had crashed when she immediately fell back on her haunches. Tears started to well up in her eyes. "R-Rainbow?" Blood covered cyan feathers were scattered across that ground. Rainbow's body was curled around a tree's base with blood dripping from her mouth. Tears fell to the ground as she started to crawl closer to her friend. A shaky whisper was all she could manage. "Rainbow can you hear me?" Fluttershy finally reached her friend's body. She was able turn Rainbow on her back. Fluttershy felt her heart nearly jump out of her when she saw Rainbow had her eyes open with a trail of blood running from a cut on her forehead. Rainbow’s eyes looked down as if she was trying to see something. Fluttershy traced were Rainbow was looking. Rainbow's hooves covered a portion of her mid side torso. Everything in Fluttershy's mind went against what she felt her hoof moving towards. As Fluttershy carefully moved one of Rainbow's hoofs away, shivers went down her spine. A small piece of branch had impaled Rainbow and had gone through both sides of the torso. "Hold on Rainbow we are not so far from my cottage. First we will get there then I will call the doctor." Rainbow couldn't even move her head in acknowledgement, but her eyes looked up at Fluttershy as her vision dimmed until her eyes closed and darkness ensued. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Time seemed to drag on as Twilight made the slow walk back to her home. As she approached the door it swung open with Spike standing in the doorway grinning. "So, how did it go?" Twilight walked inside barely even acknowledging the dragon greeting her. “How did what go?" "Oh come on you were out for over an hour and a half. Something had to have held you up." Spike closed the door behind her and walked over to where Twilight had just laid herself on the couch. "Spike, the reason I was so late getting back is because Rainbow and Luna are idiots." "And however did you come up with that assumption?" Twilight threw her head down in exhaustion. "Trust me, It isn't an assumption." Spike started up the staircase. "Okay don't tell me, I don't care. I'm going to bed, there is some food in the kitchen if you're hungry." Twilight closed her eyes. "Mhmm" As time passed Twilight felt herself going in and out of sleep but she couldn't shake the feeling of unrest. She peeked one eye open and looked over to the kitchen. Maybe I am hungry. As Twilight started to drag herself away from the couch her hoof hit something unfamiliar and soon her face hit the floor. "Oww!" Twilight looked over to what she had slipped on discovering a book lying on the floor. What? I don't remember owning this book. As she picked it up realization flowed seamlessly into her mind. Oh, this is Luna's 'novel'. What is in this anyways? Twilight flipped the book over to its back and glanced at the summary. "A collaboration of short stories written by the fans of the popular shows, Filly Titans, Powerpuff Foals , My Little Equestrian Girls, and much more... That, truly sounds awful." Twilight laid the book down on the couch and walked over to the kitchen. On the table was a simple dandelion sandwich. Twilight used her horn to put the sandwich on a plate and levitated it towards her new found spot on the couch. A yawn escaped her as she turned off the light to the kitchen and sat next to her meal and Luna's book. "I wonder what's the big deal with this boo- err I mean novel, anyways?" Twilight opened the book and turned to "My Little Equestrian Girls" section. "Well I've never heard of this before so it can't be to scaring." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy raced from one side of her house to the other carrying gauze, washcloths, and bottles of medicine, transporting them to the bedside of Rainbow Dash. "There. I have gotten materials to suppress the bleeding until the doctor gets here. Don't worry Rainbow, Nurse Fluttershy is here!" Rainbow laid on the bed in the same curled position that Fluttershy first found her in. Okay, Fluttershy just remember what Nurse Redheart said to do. Suppress the bleeding. Fluttershy started to move Rainbow's hoof away from the injury. Rainbow's body shook violently as she screamed in pain. "Oh, I'm so sorry Rainbow! Bu- but I need to help you!" Fluttershy pinned Rainbows arm to the bed with her hind legs as she got an anti-bacterial gel to put around the broken branch. "I'msorryI’msorryI’msosorry" Three knocks echoed through the air. Oh, that must be the doctor! Thank Celestia. "One second." Pinkie Pie burst through the door, confetti seemed to appear from nowhere. "One! Hiya Flutters." Pinkie bounced right over to Fluttershy and hugged her. Fluttershy still bent over Rainbow looked at Pinkie, whose eyes were closed while in the embrace. "Uhhh, hello?" Pinkie opened her eye and her smile slowly started to fade. Fluttershy looked at Rainbow then Pinkie. "Um, this isn't what it looks like?" Pinkie stepped back a few steps. "Well it looks like Rainbow had an emotional breakdown while flying which made her fall. While falling you tried to help, which ended with you both crashing and Rainbow being impaled, and now you're trying to help as much as you can before the doctor comes." Fluttershy had a completely blank expression on her face. Pinkie put her hoof on her chin while resting her foreleg on her other hoof. "But since you said that it isn't what it looks like... Oh. My. Golly. Gosh. You stabbed Rainbow Dash! I always knew there was something dark under your peaceful, and slightly attractive eyes! Oh no! Now I'm next!" Pinkie fell on the floor and started to bawl. Fluttershy was now sitting down next to Pinkie. "Wha- what no I-I-I." Fluttershy fell to the ground and started to bawl. "I'm so confused!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight sat on the floor next to her couch, with her nose almost buried in a book. The candles around her were now almost non-existent. Her magic quickly flipped to the next page in minute intervals. "Wait- What?" She lifted the book and turned through the pages. "Where is the rest of the novel!" She discovered a small amount of text. "Continued in the next volume? What? I need to know if Faith Summers and Roxy Dodgers are going to kiss!" Twilight closed the 'novel' and looked back up. "I'm going to have to ask Luna for the next volume." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A pure white pony with a pink mane made her way towards Fluttershy's cottage. As she approached the cottage she knocked three times. "Hello, Ms. Fluttershy? I'm nurse Redheart." She waited for a minute before she heard something really interesting. She pressed her ear against the door. Is someone crying in there? Nurse Redheart opened the door to see two ponies laying on the floor crying in fetal positions. "Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, what's wrong!" Pinkie immediately sat up. "Fluttershy stabbed Rainbow Dash!" Nurse Redheart looked Between Fluttershy and Rainbow who was still on the bed. "Uhhhh, no. She didn't." "How do you know?" "She stopped by the hospital and explained everything to the doctor before we could send someone over here." Nurse Redheart walked to the bedside and started to pull medical equipment out of her bag. "She didn't mention it was Rainbow Dash though, I swear this pony comes in almost every time we send her out with broken wings or something like that. Why in the world does her insurance company keep her? She must be rich or something." Fluttershy looked towards Nurse Redheart. "Are you going to hurt her?" "No, I just gave her a shot that will keep her asleep for hours." She tapped on Rainbow's head. "It's happy dreams from here on out." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cloudiseum was filled to the brim as the Wonderbolts flew through the air. Spitfire gave a wink to Rainbow Dash as they flew past her seat. "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" Rainbow's eyes darted back and forth, following the performers actions. When the show was finished and Rainbow started to head home, a pegasus stopped her. Rainbow looked up, recognising it as Spitfire. "Why don't you meet us in the backroom? We would love to know about the sonic rainboom." Rainbow's eyes widened in surprise, her wings fidgeting in excitement as she struggled to come up with a reply that wasn’t incoherent squealing. "Yeah, sure!" Rainbow followed closely behind Spitfire until she got a tap on the shoulder. As she turned around she gasped, Luna smiled at her with her mane flowing majestically in the wind. "Hi, Dash." > Chapter 5:Confusion. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna's smile didn't waver as Rainbow stood solitary in her pace for an uncomfortable amount of time. A questioning look seemed to start to break the smile on her face. "Uh... Dash?" Rainbow's eyes followed Luna's as she examined her face. What is she doing here? Am I just imagining her or is she really starring me down right now? Did I do something wrong? Oh, crap I'm just staring at her, quick say something to break the silence! "Uhh, am I dreaming? Idiot! Luna giggled "Here let me show you something." Rainbow tried to argue, but couldn't seem to force the words out. She shut her eyes and threw her head down. "F-fine." Why? Why is this happening to me? All I want is- CRACK! A swirling vortex of wind and debris emanating from below started to surround the Cloudiseum. "No!" Columns started to break and fall, going straight through the cloud layer. The sky started to turn black, covering the surrounding area in darkness. "No, no, no!" A large gust of wind picked up Rainbow and effortlessly threw her below the cloud layer along with the debris from the columns. "No! I- I don't want to-!" Twilight's voice broke through all the surrounding noise. "Don't want to what Rainbow?" Rainbow quickly lifted her head, and looked around. The Ponyville town square was stretched before her. The faint sound of crickets echoed in the background dissipating into white noise. She turned back to Twilight, her lavender body shining radiantly in the moon light. Twilight looked straight at Rainbow, with her teal eyes, and fell into a deep kiss. Rainbow felt her body go limp. Wa- wait her eyes! Twilight has- Rainbow retreated from her kiss to see Luna smiling, soon disappearing like sand into the wind. "Ahhhhhhggggg!" Rainbow dropped to the floor, throwing her head down. Ponyville began to sink away until rainbow was laying atop a hill. A timid voice soon broke the silence. "Da- Dash? Are you feeling well?" Dash looked straight at Luna, anger seemed to emanate from her very being. (Unclear antecedent?) "Don't you dare talk to me right now." Dash stood, "I don't care who or what you are, if you're a stupid figment of my imagination or if you are actually you, but leave." "Uh- Dash, if I may." Rainbow snapped her gaze back to the princess, Luna forced hers away. "Why in the world are you trying to talk to me right now? Is it not clear that I want you to leave, or are you to dim to even understand simple signs of aggression or frustration?" "Well I-" "SHUT UP!" Luna let out a small 'eep' before Rainbow continued on her tirade. "Why!? Why are you here? Is it to make some sick game out of how I react? Do you find this fun, or are you ‘just trying to help’? Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I don't want any help from you! Is that not clear or do I have to shove it into that dense head of yours?" Luna's head sank lower. "You’re still here, Why? Please explain why you’re still here, it must be a thrilling tale of GO AWAY!" When the tirade of questions and insults came to an end, Luna looked up at Rainbow for the first time that night, since the transgression started. "I get the impression you are troubled dear Rainbow Dash" Luna said quietly. "Oh really? What gave the hint? Was it the constant berating and shouting that tipped you off? Or was it the look of pure rage on my face that gave it away?" Dash spat, barely even acknowledging her presence, let alone looking at the princess of the night. "I will not answer that, but please, I am here to help, seeing you run off twice after the same incident suggests you are troubled with what has transpired in reality, and in this dream of yours." Startled, Dash turned to look at Luna with wide eyes, and asked the question that suddenly crossed her mind. "This is a dream? I'm dreaming, right, the second time didn't really happen then?" "Only in your mind, Rainbow Dash." "That's... uh... comforting I suppose." "Why is it comforting for that to have transpired?" Rainbow jumped at the last remark. She looked from side to side only to let out a small mutter. Luna looked on dazed and confused. "I'm sorry, but what was that? I didn’t quite catch that." Rainbow slowly looked back at Luna. "Well you see, I uh, I think that I'm..." Dash couldn't help but to pause in the middle of her sentence. Crap, I can't think of anything to say to her. This whole deal is just rotten. "Dash," Luna let out a comforting smile towards Rainbow. "If I may interject your self-indulgence, you have had your friends worrying." Rainbow looked at the princess and looked back to the ground and continued to ramble to herself. A very blunt expression played across Luna's face. "You have been out cold for two days." In a flash Rainbow jumped into flight, caught off guard by the blunt statement. "WHAT?!?" Luna looked to her hoof. "Yes, if you want to be chronologically correct you're nearing your sixty eighth hour, or close to three days." "No, there is no way that I have been out for three days. I don't believe you." "That is fine by me, but you might want to check on your friends." With a smile and a wink Luna disappeared into the crisp night sky. Rainbow stared questioning towards the sky. "What the heck does that even mean!?!" A light from high above blinded Rainbow's vision, which was soon consumed with an unbreakable darkness. Dash slowly opened eyes, the afterimage of the blinding light still burned upon the blurred scene in front of her. Blinking a couple of times until a distorted image sat before her. A wooden ceiling stared back at her; the sound of birds whistling causing the slightest of nauseous feelings. Ugh where am I? Rainbow leaned forward to get a better view of her surroundings, but as soon as her abdominal muscles received the stimulus a piercing pain sent her backwards into the bed. A shout had escaped her as she hit the bed. Dash looked at herself, upon examination a surplus of bandages had enclosed her lower abdominal. Oh, yeah... that. Rainbow moved her head around to gain a better observation of her surroundings. A minimal room with white walls surrounded her. The decor included a beautifully crafted cabinet and a few bird houses, with a window at Dash's right. "Fluttershy?" Rainbow said softly, her throat burning with the effort. Aghh, it hurts to talk. I guess I will have to wait to see if she is home. Rainbow slumped back down, her head looking to the right. From the corner of her eye she saw a single rose on the nightstand. Under the rose was an envelope. Who would leave me a flower... it looks freshly picked. Also, I wonder what’s in the envelope. Rainbow slowly lifted her hoof towards the small pieces of sentiment. Pain shot through her body as she reached the items. This reaction knocked both the rose and envelope to the ground. Oh, that’s just great. Rainbow found herself once again slumping into the bed. She stared back towards the ceiling. I wonder what the group is doing right now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 56 HOURS EARLIER Twilight looked around her room. The sun glimmered through her blinds slightly filling her room with light. "Spike? Spike are you in here?" Twilight waited for a response, but one did not return. Huh, I guess he's downstairs. As she headed downstairs she saw Spike resting on the couch. "Spike?" Twilight said as she poked the dragon. "Did you sleep down here?" The drowsy dragon opened an eye. "Wha- yeah. You didn't seem to be in the greatest of moods last night." A grimace spread across Twilight's face. "Yeah, well that is a story for another time. Go on up and you can sleep in your own bed or mine. I'm sure that either of them is more comfortable than that couch. I will wake you with some breakfast after I take a bath." "M'kay" Twilight smiled as he made his way up the stairs. She followed him up soon after and headed into the bathroom. After she had gotten her bath ready, she stepped in, enjoying the slight burn he water gave her. Her mind ablaze with thought, she groaned. "Ugh, I don't want to think right now." She let her mouth sink into the water with her nose slightly out of the water. The warm water seemed to penetrate straight through her, making her whole body warm. I've got stuff with things to do! Twilight could feel the anger slowly beginning to rise. She threw her forelegs into the air, splashing water around the room. "What does that even mean!?!" Twilight looked over to her mirror. Her reflection shining back at her seemed to enlarge the bags under her bright purple eyes. Sleep was not a welcome customer the previous night. She spoke as if only to convince herself. "All I'm saying is that ‘stuff with things to do’ is not a good excuse." Twilight continued through her daily routines during her bath time, and soon exited with a towel wrapped around her body and mane. She made her way over to her mirror and unwrapped the towel from her head to start brushing her mane. Why am I even contemplating this situation so much? Is it because I don't want to see my friend in such a perplexing mood? Twilight sat and brushed her mane three more times. "Yeah, that must be it." She couldn't quite understand it, but a feeling of disappointment washed over her. Twilight smiled as she exited the bathroom and made her way into the kitchen. She started to make a dandelion sandwich, but looked over to a small box secluded on the top of her pantry. I guess I could treat him today. A faint purple magic enveloped the box and pulled out a small ruby, placing it next to the now prepared sandwich. "Spike! Time to get up!" A soft murmur replied her from upstairs. Twilight made her way to the couch that sat next to her fireplace, when she noticed a misplaced book next to it. As she lay down and look to the book she remembered. "Oh, I really need to return this... also that sequel..." As she started to open the book an ecstatic yelp echoed through the room, and Spike soon entered the room and held his plate in front of her. "Twilight did you mean to put this here?" Twilight smiled down to the small dragon. "Yes, Spike. I thought that you deserved it for all the hard work that you have shown recently." "Oh thank you Twilight!" Spike gave Twilight a hug before disappearing into the kitchen. Twilight couldn't help, but to give out a light giggle. Slowly, the average early morning talks began between Spike and Twilight, going over what needs to be done today, before Spike broke Twilight’s train of thought. "When is that lunch you’re going to have with Lyra?" Twilight looked over to the clock placed across the room. "Oh, it's in about five minutes." Spike looked at Twilight as she turned back down to her book. "Uhh, Twi'? Do you realize what you just-?" Twilight's smile broke as easily as her posture. A panicked squeak left Twilight’s lips. "Oh, no no no. I'm late. I'm heading out now Spike. Watch the house." Twilight screamed as she fiercely closed the door and galloped her way down to the shopping district in Ponyville near sugarcube corner. By the time she had arrived she could easily spot the mint green pony in the most awkward of sitting positions. As Twilight made her way over to her, Lyra spotted her and waved. "Sorry, I'm late." Twilight said in a low apologetic voice. "Oh, it's fine. I was honestly about 50/50 on whether you would come or not," replied Lyra. Twilight perked up to this as she took a normal seated position, unlike her company, around the small circular table. "And why is that?" "Well, you always seem kinda secluded to everyone who is not in your circle." "That's not true!" Twilight retorted. Lyra simply smiled. "What is the mayor's name?" Twilight looked perplexed for a minute. Shyly she spoke up. "It's uhhh, it’s not Mayor Mare?" A deep blush ran across Twilight's face as Lyra burst out with laughter. Twilight soon spoke up, desperately trying to avoid going any further down this current conversation. "I- I did not come here to have my social interest mocked." Lyra looked up and let out a comforting smile. "I'm just joshing you." "Joshing me?" "Yeah you know, like joking. I find it very useful in bringing conversation up." A waiter pony brought out a milkshake, and placed it in front of Lyra. "Oh, look they brought two straws! We can share if you want." Lyra left the sentence with a slow blink. Twilight felt a warm sensation run across her face. "That- that is part of your 'joshing' right?" Lyra let out a smile. "You caught me." Twilight let out a sigh of relief. “I'm not sure if you’re annoying or not." Lyra looked over from her milkshake. "You know, Bon Bon says the same thing to me." "Bon Bon?" Lyra smiled. "Again, think back to our first conversation." Twilight looked over to the pony. "Oh, shut up. That's not what I meant." "Well," Lyra placed a hoof on her face and looked off into the distance. "Bon Bon is somepony very special to me." Twilight's eyes glittered, and she looked down. "Uh.... how would you say you figure out somepony is very special?" Lyra looked over, and couldn't help but to snicker at the innocence that radiated from the look on Twilight's face. "Well...." As the day grew longer Lyra's and Twilight's conversation grew. It lasted until late in the afternoon, and shared many laughs. Twilight looked over to the road that would take her home, as her and Lyra finished their conversation. Lyra perked up and said. "We should do this again sometime." Twilight looked back and smiled. "Yeah." As Twilight made it back to her library she opened the door with a shock. Nurse Redheart and Spike stood side by side. Twilight looked nervously around expecting the worst. Nurse Redheart spoke up. "I'm afraid I have some bad news for you." It was easy to see the desperation in Twilight's eyes. Swallowing, she finally asked. "What happened?"