The Rainbow Pigment

Chapters

Chapter One: Realization
Chapter Two: Awakening
The Celestial Trials: Green
The Celestial Trials: Red
First Interlude: Luna
The Celestial Trials: Yellow
Second Interlude: Luna
Rainboom Aftermath
The Yellow Trial Part Two
The Celestial Trials: Orange
The Orange Trial Part Two
The Celestial Trials: Blue
The Origins of the Rainbow Pigment Part One: The Wasteland
The Origins of the Rainbow Pigment Part Two: Luna's Recount and Dash's Struggle

Chapter One: Realization

The Rainbow Pigment

By: X-Ray One in collaboration with Luna Silverscale

Chapter One: Realization

I'm still wondering where to begin, even after the past year, my thoughts are still swimming with questions, with answers being seaponies after a shipwreck. Even though smarts isn't my normal repertoire, I'll try to make this as intricate as possible. See? I can talk like an egghead from time to time.

Well, I guess it's better to start at the beginning like a normal author would. But keep in mind, I don't have a quill and parchment as a Cutie Mark, so forgive me if I make a mistake... or two. Sit back, relax and grab a cold daffodil shake or something, because this is gonna be one hay of a ride.

The year was 1324, (I don't feel like writing out one thousand three hundr... Damn.) Anyway, the day had finally come where I was gonna show my stuff as the newest addition to the Wonderbolts. It was only three in the afternoon and I was starting to get extremely nervous...

The locker room of the Cloudeseum was cluttered with the flailing wings and loud conversations of her teammates as Rainbow Dash zipped up her brand new Wonderbolts uniform. The mirror in the back of her locker reflected the image she had longed to see ever since her first airshow with her father. She smiled again as she realized for what she thought was the trillionth time that day as she remembered: Her dream had come true.

The rest of her team was already headed toward the entrance to the stadium while Dash hung back a ways. The anxiety was beginning to grip and tug at her already pounding heart. She knew she was more than capable of keeping the routine in check, but even the slightest thought of failure was sending her confidence reeling. She felt the light embrace of a large wing around her shoulders as she stopped.

"C'mon Dash, its your first show! I wouldn't be late if I were you," Soarin said. His voice was unusually soothing.

Rainbow turned to look him in the eyes. Those bright green eyes that always seemed to melt away any shred of doubt no matter the situation.

"Yea sorry, I'm just a little nervous," she chuckled uneasily.

"Oh come on, a flier of your caliber was meant for this. I know you can do it." He flashed his trademark grin, further reassuring the the ailing mare and washing the butterflies from her stomach.

Dash began to blush furiously as Soarin locked his eyes with hers. Those green irises always seemed to have a direct line to her inner mood dial. It wasn't until he had cleared his throat for the second time that Rainbow snapped out of her stupor.

"huh, wha-" Rainbow stumbled.

Soarin found her predicament quite amusing and expected. He had known about her crush for weeks now, but wanted to see if his hunch was correct. This little episode all but proved it.

"So, dinner on Friday?" he asked.

Dash froze, but a smile was creeping uncontrollably onto her face. She had waited for this moment ever since the night at the Gala those years ago.

"Y-yea! I'm totally up for d-dinner on Friday... W-with you..." she stammered. A whole *week** away? Why not tonight?*

"Well alright then," he whispered, "I'll pick you up around eight, but right now," he looked out to the entrance to the stadium, "we got a show to put on!"

He began flying toward the entrance, waving his foreleg for her to follow. Even with all the anxiety... and total heart tug... She could tell today was going to be the best day of her life.

Now lined up, the Wonderbolts were now ready to begin. As the announcer outside began his introduction, Spitfire gave the command to "open wings". The team systematically opened and stretched their wings, mentally going over the routine. This was it. Rainbow Dash's moment of truth. She was finally going to be a real Wonderbolt! The sheer joy had extinguished the fire of anxiety and she was now preparing to live out her dream.The chatter from the crowd outside erupted into cheers as Spitfire flew from the entrance closely followed by the rest of the team. The light outside nearly blinded her as she followed at the rear, saving her entrance for last. Luckily, her eyes adjusted quick enough for her to keep track of her team in front. Judging from the crowd, the rainbow colored streak from her tail seemed to highlight the team's entrance quite nicely.

"MMMMares and gentlecolts! Please join me in welcoming... the Woooooonderbolts!" The announcer exclaimed. "And for the first time ever performing in the team, let's stomp our hooves for the newest member: RRRRRainbow... Daaaaaash!"

Rainbow was following the intro perfectly as the rest of the Wonderbolts all barrel rolled around her, creating spirals of smoke that extended from the entrance all the way up into the sky. They ended their dizzying spiral with a massive explosion of sparks in the shape of Rainbow's cutie mark. Rainbow was left hovering in the center of her mark, waving to the crowd with both forelegs.

The roar from the crowd intensified as she hovered, taking in the newly found attention. She even spotted a group of very rugged stallions with each letter of her name painted on their chests in all colors. A large blush formed on both cheeks as she watched them go crazy along with the rest of the crowd. Bright flashes of cameras were everywhere and they all seemed to be focused on her.

"So Dash, how'd ya like your first introduction?" Spitfire yelled over the crowd.

Through her emotion-filled waving, Dash yelled back, "Nothing short of awesome!" with tears in her eyes.

Spitfire beamed and lowered her goggles, motioning for Dash to follow. Dash pulled down her own goggles, flying to her place at Spitfire's left flank. The entire team did a smooth fly-by over the stands, then climbed into another steep arc. This was where things were supposed to get really interesting.

As the Wonderbolts reached the top of the arc, they leveled out, rolling over the top and flying level on their backs toward the center of the stands. Dash wasn't quite used to flying upside down while level, but her determination and pride would not see her fail. She remained level and focused, remembering what the next move was. They reached the stands, pushing up into a climb from their upside down positions. Simultaneously, Spitfire activated the cartridges of smoke on her flanks followed by Dash and Soarin. As a shock to the crowd, the remaining three members broke off, smoothly flying back into the opening from where they had first flown out. This left the two most experienced fliers... alone with the rookie.

Dash wasn't as easily fooled as the two veteran fliers would think. The change in air density and noise was enough to tell her that nothing was following her. She was alone with her idol and love interest.

THIS should be interesting, Rainbow thought.

They were nearing the center of the stadium again and now was time for the real show to begin.

"Team, reverse slide!"

As soon as Spitfire's words met their ears, Rainbow and Soarin broke off from her flanks, banking into each other. Rainbow yawed over Soarin, resulting in a perfect crossover behind their leader. They both completed the roll, becoming level again. Upon doing so, they were now perpendicular with Spitfire and pulled up at the exact same time. The trio then began another upward spiral before activating their smoke cartridges to create three corkscrews of smoke. They eventually rejoined, flying level with the ground and nearing the center of the Cloudeseum.

Rainbow was painfully aware that exceeding her teammates' speed was strictly off limits. The second stage of Wonderbolt training all but drilled that into her head. But soon she would get the chance. Her chance to attempt what nopony in history had ever attempted. She would warp and control the Sonic Rainboom into a dazzling display of light with nothing but her speed. She called it The Counter Rainboom.

Dash's subconscious nearly slapped her as she began veering ever so slightly away from Spitfire's proximity. The quick maneuver she used to negate the drift was smooth enough not to be detected by the crowd watching below. Spitfire finally angled up, activating the sparkler nodes on both flanks. A brilliant trail of sparkles shined between the silvery columns of smoke as the trio rocketed up into the bright blue sky.

Soarin, and Rainbow Dash deactivated the smoke, leaving spiral pillars in perfectly aligned height with bright sparkles fizzling out between them. They came together again, Rainbow at the lead this time. They were unnaturally high, and all were having trouble breathing. Rainbow looked back to her right flank, where Spitfire soar. They locked eyes, Spitfire nodded, and the signal to start the finale was given.

With a smile that stretched across her face, she adjusted her goggles and shot straight down. The fans watched in heavy anticipation from the Cloudeseum as the rainbow streak flew ever closer to the ground.

Being this high, Dash could see the Cloudeseum as one of Joe's doughnuts as she looked down. Spitfire dived, closely followed by the rest of the team, leaving Rainbow hovering. The plan was to count to ten, do a few more aerobatic maneuvers for the cameras, then initiate the final trick of the day. She went over the trick in her head

"Oh no... no no NO NO NO!!"

She was approaching her correct speed too late. She was in the exact center of the Cloudeseum when the familiar sound and release of energy was heard and felt. She immediately pulled up, unnaturally shattering gravity's pull in the process. Startled fans seemed to watch with glazed eyes partially expecting to be obliterated. But the wave of prismatic energy did not reach them. In fact, it seemed to be condensing back to the point of it's summoning.

She instantly regretted not practicing this outside the show, but Spitfire insisted on her ability to do it. Dash was beginning to think her Idol might have been wrong as the enormous ring of prismatic light began pushing her nearer and nearer toward the stands. No! Please, somepony, *ANYpony, **help!* She could feel tears beginning to grip at her eyes as the air between her and the energy lessened in density. She also knew that if the energy were to touch her, she would be completely mangled. She had to stop

NO! I won't let this happen! Thousands of innocent ponies...

Dash could feel something beginning to stir within her. Something she had never felt before. Her vision was getting clearer, she could feel the strength within her wings begin to amplify, and the speed in which she was orbiting the lethal energy wave was increasing exponentially.

I *WILL** save them, even if it costs me my life!*

The fabric of her suit was beginning to smoke as the friction from the air began to superheat it. Dash let out a final yell just before increasing her speed further.

A blinding flash of light, a massive pressure concussion, and and a towering column of light later, the scenario was over. Dash back winged, slowing to a stop to admire her work. The energy from the Rainboom was shooting upward into multiple swirls of prismatic light

"Heh. Close call there," she sighed with relief.

The crowd began to cheer, but their cheers were short lived, replaced by gasps and murmuring hushed tones. Rainbow paused for a second wondering why her vision was no longer obstructed by her goggles. She reached a hoof up to rub her eyes, when she took notice of her new color. Her pupils reduced to pinpricks as she took notice of the glowing white appendage in front of her face.

"What the HAY?! I don't remember bleaching my coat!"

Her voice was louder than she anticipated, making a very visible blush cover her now white cheeks. She examined herself further, rubbing her mane in confusion... nothing met her hoof. She felt... bald?! It was then she took notice of the thousands of cameras that were still flashing. Despite this, she suddenly felt stronger than ever in her life, like she could move mountains, fly around the world, or maybe even go into space! She examined her body, to find her uniform had somehow vanished, leaving her naked and her fur glowing an unnatural white. She looked down, or tried rather, when something around her neck stopped her chin. She could make out a red tip outlined with gold when she looked down as far as she could.

"Strange, what is the Element of Loyalty doing on my neck?"

She patted it, hearing the metallic clang of hoof on metal.

"Fire!" somepony from the crowd yelled, "Rainbow Dash is on fire!!"

Rainbow immediately began flailing her forehooves, feeling nothing but the flowing of her mane, that wasn't even there as far as she could tell. Through her flailing, she accidentally hit herself in the face. Hard. Her vision swam for a moment, making her flying more erratic than a hover. It was then that Soarin and Spitfire had joined her in the middle of the Cloudesium.

"Rainbow Dash... is that you?" asked Soarin

The look on his face clearly suggested he was staring at somepony else. He hovered closer, before jumping back, seemingly in pain.

"What the... what's with that heat?

Rainbow was now even more confused, realizing Spitfire was also staring with pure awe. Rainbow suddenly felt the urge to fly. Fast.

"Uh, gimme a sec."

Rainbow flapped as hard a she could, straight up. The result was an immediate sonic boom, knocking Soarin and Spitfire into the stands and making sitting ponies fall to their backs. She was flying up with inpony speed, shattering any cloud within a dozen feet of her mach cone. She flapped upward, halting her mach seven climb. She looked out over the world, whose atmosphere was clearly visible from the dull dark blue she found herself in.

"Sweet Celestia..."

After taking in the scenery, she flapped hard again, parallel with the world. She angled down, still flapping with strength that she could only describe as... super. Before she could blink, a mountain had appeared in her line of sight a mountain had become one with her face. Expecting a very painful collision, she snapped her eyes closed, but to her surprise, the mountain didn't stop her. She simply went right through the rock, leaving a pony-sized smooth tunnel. In her shock, she stopped midway into the mountain, and lost her mind.

"Sweet Celestia's flank, what's going on?! I'm literally chest deep in the middle of a freaking mountain!"

Her breathing was comparable to that of a pony who had been holding theirs for a minute or so.

She still felt a small heat radiating from her body, and the surrounding rock began to glow a dark red. She was still in her flying position, forelegs and hind legs stretching fully in both directions.

"Ok, gotta stand," she said to herself.

With little to no effort she stood, her body and extended wings carving into the bedrock. She also took note of the fact that she wasn't breathing, but felt great. The new Rainbow Dash-sized enclosure was starting to turn a dull red, absorbing the intense heat radiating from the mare. She rubbed a rock with the forward edge of her hoof, and the space was lit with a shower of sparks.

With no warning, she suddenly began to feel weak, and the heat began to make her sweat. A thought occurred to her about her new appearance and the sudden burst of energy. Was she... special, in some way?

Rainbow lifted the quill from the parchment, thinking.

"Pfft, 'course I'm special. Although I'm still wondering why I'm writing this in third pony... where was I? Oh yea..."

All at once, the white glow began to fade, leaving the red hot rock's glow to take it's place. Her hooves began to feel hot, to the point of pain. She scrambled to get off the hot rock, but as far as she could tell, she was trapped in an oven. She knew she wasn't back to normal yet, but when she was, she knew she would burn alive. The sudden change in state seemed to offer a degree of invulnerability, but it seemed to be running out.

In her panic, she began beating on the rock face opposite of the small tunnel. The strange alabaster hooves in her view began to fade, and she could feel her strength begin to drain. Her hind legs felt as though they were candles, her hooves being the wicks. Being essentially bone, they could withstand the heat, but not forever. She poured what little strength remained into one final blow, connecting both forehooves with the rock. She was rewarded with a loud crack, followed by her falling forward.

Again Rainbow put the quill down, imagining the light from the cracks as her freedom was assured. Looking back, she knew stopping in a mountain for a panic attack wasn't the best option, nor was it the right time as her power was nearly diminished. She knew her abilities well now, but she was a foal in the scale of knowledge back then.

She tumbled out of the hole, her coat now completely normal. The opposite slope of the mountain was steeper than most, so she slid on her belly down the face. She began to feel strange, as the world began to swim in her vision. A curtain of black began falling over her view, and she finally lost consciousness.

Now, I don't remember much after I woke up, until I found myself lying in some sort of cage...

"Uhh... mfg... what, whats goin on?!"

Rainbow snapped awake, fully aware she was in a very enclosed space. She jumped to her hooves, staring into a very black room. Stepping forward, her muzzle hit something solid, making her fall back. She reeled around, regaining her jelly-like stance. Her gaze came face to face with a mirror. What she saw was unlike anypony she had ever seen in her life; That pony being herself. Her reflection was... was...

Rainbow released the quill, thinking hard on the image that had managed to burn itself into her mind in all of the two seconds she stared.

A matted mane, a portion of witch was slightly cut, and a large bruise spread across her left shoulder. She looked away into the darkness as a sound reached her ears. Flicking involuntarily, her ears traced the direction of the sound, and sure enough, the dark outline of a pony stood mere feet away. She let a menacing low growl escape her muzzle, readying for a spring.

"Calm, my subject..."

Rainbow's face instantly released it's tight scowl and her body eased as Luna's voice graced her ears.

"Princess, what's going on, where am I? Does this have something to do with what happened earlier?"

Luna raised a hoof, silencing Rainbow, "You are needed in Princess Celestia's keep. It would be wise to not keep her waiting, as she has very important matters to discuss with you."

As she turned to leave, Rainbow stopped her.

"Princess," Luna stopped and turned to the captive pegasus, "why am I in a cage?"

Luna's gaze hit the floor, before a bright flash of magic opened a hole in the cage.

"My apologies. Celestia was worried that you might try to leave as soon as you were awake. The matters are that important I'm afraid."

Crap, gotta get more ink...

Chapter Two: Awakening

Chapter TwoAwakening

The palace was quiet as Rainbow Dash exited the confined room. Luna had vanished, and she was left to find her way to Celestia's keep alone. Having been there only a few times in the past, she wasn't exactly sure where she was going, especially in the darkness. She looked around the moonlit hall and saw the thousands of cobwebs lining the ceiling, cracked glass windows, and ones that were completely blown out, lining the walls. The place looked ancient.

Ah, I remember this well...

Rainbow froze. A voice, seemingly from nowhere, had echoed quietly throughout the corridor... or so she thought

"Who's there?! If anypony tries to sneak up on me they're gonna have a bad time!"

Nothing returned her threat. Only the sound of wind blowing lightly through the battered windows filled the hall. Her bruised shoulder and flank pulsed with every step, making her seethe as her jaw clamped shut. She fumbled to the wall of the hallway, taking some of the weight off her injured shoulder by leaning up against it as she walked. Several attempts to blow her unusually matted mane from her eyes ended in failure and she resorted to using the wall as a makeshift comb.

Having cleared her mane from her face, she continued to traverse the seemingly endless hallway. After a few minutes of walking rather painfully, Rainbow's shaken mind remembered her wings. She attempted to extend them only to be brought to the ground by a lightning bolt of pain unlike anything she had ever felt before. Her scream echoed throughout the hall as she collapsed into a pain-ridden heap. The muscles that powered her wings felt like they were ripping apart as she struggled to return them to their folded position. She fought to hold back the tears as her wings fell limp to her sides. The attempt was futile as tears began falling to the floor.

After laying there for what seemed like minutes, the pain in her back and wing roots gradually withered away and she attempted to stand. She again accomplished this by using the wall as support and using her good foreleg to hoist herself up. The hallway was still mind bogglingly long, and she had a ways to go.

"I still don't understand what happened earlier and why," she said in a half whimper and whisper to herself. The questions still continued to cloud her mind as she slowly walked down the hall. The moon shone through the symmetrical windows along the hall, providing some form of light. As she walked, her head began to feel slightly congested and the hall started to contort slightly.

Questions and answers, questions and answers...

Rainbow immediately stopped again and looked around.

"Who's there!?" She yelled.

The only reply was the echo of her own voice.

I see, we still haven't met. Allow me to introduce myself.

Rainbow's head was reeling from the voice's constant change in volume as she began walking faster, trying her best not to stumble over her hanging wings. She couldn't tell where the voice was coming from, but from what she could tell, it wasn't hostile.

My name is Star Prism.

Rainbow stopped. The voice had evened out in its volume and she could tell it was a stallion.

"Uh, Rainbow Dash," she replied hastily.

I know, the voice said again, I've been waiting for this moment for a long time now.

Rainbow's head was beginning to even out again as the voice talked, but it was still pounding. Rainbow stumbled again as she resumed her walking.

"What are you talking about? Better yet, who, or what are you?" She asked, looking around the hall.

The voice chuckled before answering, If I told you, you wouldn't believe me.

Rainbow frowned a little at the answer, "Believe me. After the day I just had, I'm willing to believe anything," she assured.

For longer than she hoped, the only sounds she heard were her hoof steps on the marble floor and her slightly labored breathing.

"You still there?" She asked.

I've always been here, it replied. And as to the matter of what I am... You'll find out soon enough, it said reassuringly.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and kept walking. The end of the hall was in sight, and a large double door loomed before her. The ever so annoying mane again fell into her view, and she didn't try to move it again.

"Jeez I hate this thing!" she suddenly yelled.

But it does hold the key...

The voice was back again.

"Key? Key to what? All I see is a red, orange, and yellow mess!" She seethed.

Details, details. In due time Rainbow Dash.

Her head began reeling again as the doors came closer. She began stumbling away from the support of the wall and she was forced to use her injured shoulder to keep from falling. She quickly realized pain was something she could only deal with if she had the right mindset. Now wasn't the time.

She fumbled with a pain ridden gasp to the floor, landing square on her injured shoulder. She cried out in pain, and she lay still for a little while.

"What happened to me?" She asked aloud.

I think you mean, What almosthappened to you.

Rainbow blinked a few times wishing for the hall to stop contorting.

"AND WHY IS EVERYTHING SPINNING?!" She screamed.

The voice seemed to sigh before answering.

The side effects after the first time are quite painful and disorienting, aren't they?

"How in Tartarus would you know?!" Rainbow instantly retorted.

Passing out on the slope of a mountain isn't exactly the best idea, the voice stated, But you did get lucky on account of the fact that certain species of bear like to "play" with their food. You were lucky your pegasus friends were able to find you before it had exhausted its fun.

Rainbow bit her lower lip only to taste blood. In the dark room before she couldn't see the finer cuts and bruises on her face and chest. She brought a hoof to her mouth and rubbed her chin. She brought said hoof into the moonlight from a window to see dark and shiny red against light blue. Using her good leg, she hoisted herself up and again leaned on the wall shaking her head in an attempt to clear the dizziness. Although the attempt failed, she still relaxed a bit, knowing that her injuries could have been far worse. She silently thanked whoever saved her.

"You never answered my question," Rainbow said.

Her tone was now even as the doors came within spitting distance. The edge of her attitude was beginning to dull.

Like I said, in due time.

"Typical, mysterious voices that withhold the truth until some huge and dramatic self realization occurs," she thought.

She swore she heard a faint giggle.

Out of all the novels she read and the "rules" that accompanied them, the main character always had some sort of self realization following a dramatic, horrific, or peaceful event.

Dash's curiosity was giving the silence little time to linger.

"How long has it been since what happened?" Rainbow asked. She knew the voice would answer this time.

Just a few hours. That is why you are still injured.

She sighed an inner sigh of relief. As she finally approached the door, the size was beginning to become overwhelming. How was she supposed to open a several hundred pound door in her condition? Her wings were useless, her shoulder was still in agonizing pain, and just the fact that her head was swimming made it so that, even if her other injuries weren't there, it would be next to impossible to coordinate an effective kick. Another quick glance revealed there were no handles.

"Great, now what..." Rainbow pouted.

A short silence.

"Hey, whatever you are, you seem to have a lot to say. And now, when I need a way past this door, you aren't saying a thing. What gives?" She asked in annoyance.

More silence.

"Oh come on! I know you're some super mystical spirit or whatever! Can I get a little help or something?!" She yelled, flailing her good leg.

Your constant babbling won't do anything to open this door, the voice replied cheekily.

"I'm willing to bet a hoof to the face will..." she thought.

Unfortunately no, it won't. Do try to be a bit more serious about the matters at hoof, hmm? The voice annoyingly stated.

"So you can read my thoughts, you obviously know more about this whole situation than I do, and I can't see you. Do you know what that makes you?" Rainbow growled.

I don't know, nor do I care at this point, Rainbow Dash. All I know is that you have a task to complete. By which I mean opening this door.

Rainbow began to speak, but the words caught in her throat. It was true that the voice had done nothing to be considered wrong by her, but just its sudden appearance at this time was enough to arouse suspicion. This 'spirit' or 'ghost' also had quite a mouth and sense of humor; one that she herself seemed to share. She turned around and put her back to the right door and slid down to her haunches, wondering what to do next. The voice finally returned.

Do you remember what exactly happened back at the Cloudeseum?

Rainbow probed her brain for the information the voice needed.

"I messed up real bad on the stunt I was doing for the finale... Then I remember trying to stop the wave from reaching the crowd. I knew if it did, every pony there would have been killed. So I used my speed to keep it back, but I realized I simply couldn't do it. I called upon anything or anypony who was listening for help... and something answered my call. I felt something within me unlock, and I suddenly began filling with a strange, I don't know, energy? Power? I don't even know what to call it!"

Strength.

"Yea, whatever. All I know is I started to feel really strange... and everything went all bright. I could feel this surge of energy I've never felt before and I could fly faster than I ever had in my life! I used my new found speed to drive back the Rainboom and complete the trick. When whatever happened... happened, I could do what I couldn't do before, which was saving those thousands of ponies."

Rainbow paused for a little bit, anxious to hear what the voice had to make of all that. She turned her gaze back to the towering doors, and placed her good foreleg against it. She pushed lightly, but as expected, the door held firm. She pushed as hard as her undamaged foreleg would allow, but still no movement, not even a creak. She looked around the wall surrounding the door for any means of passage. Nothing met her eye.

"Darn it! How am I supposed to open this thing?!" She yelled.

You can't.

Rainbow quietly mumbled something incoherent to anypony that might be listening.

You know, petty insults will get you nowhere. Do you know why your mane is the way it is?

Dash flicked the hair from her view with her free hoof and simply scoffed. "Why would I care?"

Your mane is far more special than you think, Rainbow Dash. Let's visit some friends.

Dash's left brow shot up, "Wha- huh?"

The corridor once again began to twist with a sickening motion. She felt light headed as the hall began to transform from an ancient broken down mess into a vast open room before her eyes. The walls of the hall expanded and dissipated while the ceiling, as tall as it already was, began lifting into a sea of black. The windows that weren't already broken shattered and the glass rained down over the mare below. Dash quivered under the glass as it came down, unable to use her wings to shield herself. Moments after the initial change, the moon slowly faded and the new area was now nothing but an inky black. The walls, glass, and ceiling had now completely faded, leaving only the bare floor and the mare that stood on it unchanged.

From within the blackness, a light appeared. Dim at first, but increasing in size and intensity. Dash looked at it from a distance, and decided to move toward it. As she did, it moved higher, and higher, before exploding into a massive sphere of radiant white light. From the ground she heard a dull clanking sound, followed by three large pillars rising from the floor. She looked around at the new bright area, her curiosity now boiling.

"Hey, what just happened?" Rainbow asked, hoping the voice would have some kind of answer.

Just watch, the voice answered with a newfound sense of optimism.

Rainbow watched as three ponies faded into view mere inches from where she was standing. Out of instinct, her ears dropped flat and her face put on a scowl that could melt iron as she tried to look as aggressive as possible.

The first, bore a dark red gilded cloak that utilized a long hood to shroud its face. It was tall and rather bulky, but she could see a horn. She assumed it was a stallion by the thick muzzle that was barely protruding from the hood.

The second, bore a simple light blue carapace, showing its slender sky-blue legs. It looked to be shorter and more compact than the other two, so Dash assumed it to be a mare.

The third, stood tall and lean with tight fitting, smooth lemon-yellow armor. His hood matched his red counterpart, so Rainbow couldn't see his face.

Rainbow calmed a little as they stood before her. They hadn't tried anything to label them suspicious.

"And who exactly are you three?" Rainbow barked.

They simply stood still, only the slight breeze ruffling their robes and hoods.

"Hello??"

Dash walked up to the one in red slowly, watching and waiting for an attack to come. Up close, Dash could hear him mumbling something, but she couldn't tell what.

"Hey spirit dude. Star Prism?"

Back away.

Rainbow used her good foreleg to jump back to a respectable distance.

"Why? What's gonna happen?" Rainbow whispered.

You are looking at three of the Six Celestial Mages, the voice haughtily stated.

Rainbow eyed the three ponies looming before her. "Why just three? Where are the others?"

These three are the ones that you are most attuned with. The others will be awakened when you are more attuned with your other abilities.

She raised an unamused eyebrow, "What now?"

The voice let another audible sigh echo throughout her mind, I'll explain later.

Rainbow sunk to her haunches, absolutely peeved at the fact the she would have to sit through another boring lecture. Still, Twilight's little episodes could make this guy seem like a kindergarten undergrad in comparison.

She looked out, back at the three ponies. Something oddly familiar loomed about them as they stood motionless. Their heads were sunk as they continued to mumble incoherently. Dash again brushed her mane from her face, sitting and watching them.

She could feel something strange begin to surround her as she sat. The air around her was growing warmer and more course. She noticed something emanating from her left; directly from her wounded shoulder. Her eyes widened as the throbbing in her shoulder began to gradually cease. She slowly looked over to see an unnatural purplish glow surrounding her shoulder and flank. She attempted to struggle out of the magical grip, but she couldn't move. The glow began to intensify as the three ponies' horns began to glow brighter and brighter. She looked down to her shoulder to see the bruise begin to fade and mend. The pain was now non-existent as the aura left it.

She could feel the warmth spread to her back and wing roots as the tempo of the ponies' voices changed. She clenched her jaw as the muscles began to heal and reattach to each other. She breathed a sigh of true relief as her wings began responding to her mental commands. The aura shifted again to her forehead for a mere second before separating into a bright yellow, sky blue and dark red. The thick strands of magic then flowed back to each of the three ponies' horns.

Dash sat there, completely shocked. "Did they... Did they just-"

Heal you? Indeed they did. We couldn't have you going through the Trials as you were, now could we?

Rainbow's expression deadened from amazed to suspicious once again as the word "trials" graced her ears.

"...Trials?" She groaned.

I believe an explanation is in order. Kuvvet?

"Indeed it is," A voice from her front stated.

Rainbow's ears shot up, and she flew into a high hover as the unknown voice was heard.

"Quite the speedy one eh? Looks like Velocita's practice has a strong influence on her."

"Are one of you three down there talking?!" Rainbow called.

"Yes. We used our magic to mend your wounds and revitalize your body," the same voice said. "My name is Kuvvet, and I am the Red Celestial Mage."

The red-cloaked muscular unicorn looked up and removed his hood. A large red stripe lined the forelock of his light blonde mane.

His voice was deep and clear, accompanied by a slight ghostly echo.

"I am Velocita," the cyan unicorn used her magic to levitate her hood, "I am the Blue Celestial Mage." Her bright blue eyes descended upon the pegasus before her, and she smiled. Her light scarlet mane bore a long blue stripe from follicle to tip, from what looked like the exact position Dash's blue stripe was situated on her mane.

The final Mage, adorned in a slender yellow armor, removed his hood to reveal himself as another unicorn. His brown mane was highlighted with a bright yellow stripe down the left portion of his forelock, much like Rainbow's.

"Hey red guy, what's your name again?” Dash asked.

"Kuvvet," he replied. He seemed to be slightly annoyed.

Kuvvet's stripe was on the right of his mane, while Velocita's was on her neck mane. After mentally putting their colors together, Dash knew something was up. She allowed her mane to fall into her view again, and each color from right to left, yellow, orange, and red aligned with the three Mages standing before her. The only thing that didn't add up, was the blue being where orange was.

Star Prism's earlier words echoed through her mind: "Your mane is far more special than you think..."

"So you guys are the reason behind my mane?" Rainbow asked.

The Yellow Mage walked forward slightly, using his magic to brush her mane from her view. "Do you know why Star Prism brought you here?" He asked.

Rainbow put on a very unamused look. "No, that's why I'm utterly confused right now." Rainbow sarcastically stated. The reply brought three eyebrows up in question.

She sighed heavily, "Of course I don't! I don't even know who you three are or what happened earlier!" Rainbow yelled, "All I know is I'm awkwardly stuck in this room with three--"

Four, the voice corrected.

"FOUR ponies I don't even know!"

She landed on all fours at Kuvvet's hooves, looking up at the muscular unicorn.

"Surely you can tell me what's going on?!"

The large stallion looked down at the pegasus addressing him. He tilted his head down, looking into Rainbow's rose colored eyes with his own fiery red ones.

"The colors of the rainbow were not always as they are," Kuvvet began, "When the last great war was fought, Celestia had attempted to fight the griffon king, Camalus, many times. However, every time they fought, Camalus would succeed in wounding Celestia to the point of her being incapable of maintaining consciousness. Many times we thought she had been killed, but her magical influence never ceased to amaze us, and she would be back on her throne in as little as a day."

Rainbow's curiosity was once again piqued as she listened. A question soon wormed its way into her mind.

"But if the griffon king wounded Celestia, why didn't he finish the job? How did she escape so many times if she was unconscious?" she asked, a sense of urgency lining her words.

Kuvvet seemed happier at Dash's sudden spike in interest, and he continued.

"We were attuned to Celestia's physical well being through a magical link. Every time she was in danger, we would intervene and take her away. Her soldiers would always find a way to fight off the remaining assault."

Dash was a mixture of thoughts and feelings as what he told her sunk in.

"If you guys are 'all powerful' unicorns or whatnot, why didn't you just take care of the griffon king yourselves?"

Kuvvet's eyes became narrow as he looked down at the pegasus addressing him. "You speak of matters you do not yet have the mindset to understand," he growled.

His voice, accompanied by the ghostly echo, brought Rainbow Dash down a few pegs, and she returned to listening quietly.

"After much debating and many trials, finally we created the power to eradicate the Griffon Faction and restore peace to the world."

Kuvvet sunk a little where he stood.

"But to do it, we needed a soldier. A soldier of the highest caliber in strength of mind and soul. One that could bear the enormous task without backing down. A soldier like Star Prism."

"I'm flattered really," a familiar voice to Dash's right said.

She jumped a bit before looking over to see a white stallion, about her age, standing there. His yellow irises looked like rings of gold around the pupils. One thing that Dash immediately noticed was his wings. They were large compared to hers. She wondered how he was able to move them at all. His mane was a very dark blue, almost black and straight with a light yellow highlight down the middle.

"Ah, Star Prism, there you are," Mahiri said.

Dash stared questioningly. "That's the dude in my head?" she thought. Her eyes raked across his body, taking in his well-built frame and corded muscles. His Cutie Mark was quite intricate: A six colored shield with two strangely shaped wing-like objects sticking from the sides. She raised an eyebrow, bit her lower lip, and smiled slightly. "Looks like Soarin might have some competition," she thought.

Unseen to Dash, Star Prism's face lit up in a bright red blush at her thoughts, and he cocked an eyebrow. You aren't bad to look at either, Rainbow Dash...

The yellow adorned unicorn finally took a step forward to embrace the young pegasus, the motion to which he returned. Rainbow spotted a sort of flash in Mahiri's eyes as his horn exploded in a bright yellow flash. The magic encased his body, somehow allowing him move with incredibly sharp motions. He began side jumping around Star Prism with a sheen of delight on his face.

Rainbow stepped back, watching with pure awe. The Yellow Mage was so fast and accurate that his motions seemed to blur into a circle of yellow transparent light. She could see Star Prism in the middle, seemingly asleep with a small smile on his face.

"Been a while since I've done this..." he whispered.

Without warning, Rainbow began to feel light headed and saw a glow of yellow begin to emanate from her forelock. A slight pulse of air centered on Star Prism blew outward in a small ring of air, and a stripe of yellow manifested itself on his mane. It seemed to pulse with a strange power, and Star Prism opened his eyes to reveal them to be a bright orange. He extended his hind leg out behind him with a stream of yellow light following it so fast and accurately that Mahiri was hit. Right. In. The. Face.

With a loud "OOF!" The Yellow Mage was sent cartwheeling across the floor, violently slamming his head against it over and over as he went. Rainbow's jaw dropped as Star Prism looked over at her and smiled, closing his eyes. As he did, the yellow stripe vanished from his forelock, and his eyes were again yellow when he reopened them. Rainbow noticed that the glow from her own lock of yellow had faded, and she again felt normal.

"That was some move, Star Prism!" Mahiri called from the darkness. "You might've drawn blood that time, Congratulations."

Star Prism himself couldn't help but chuckle as Mahiri walked into the light once more to reveal he had lost a boot, his helmet, and hood. Even Kuvvet and Velocita seemed amused.

"Too bad," Star Prism stated, "But I'm not the one in need of training."

He looked over to the cyan pegasus, and gestured for her to come over. Rainbow complied, hesitant at first, but the fire of pride was beginning to catch and she absolutely had to show them what she could do. As Mahiri returned to his place among his kin, all three looked at Dash. Red, blue and yellow eyes sized her up as she made her way over to Star Prism, and he draped a foreleg around her neck.

"This," he rubbed Rainbow's mane with his free hoof, much to her annoyance, "Is the one I was telling you about. Extremely competitive, athletic, fast, agile. She also bears the mane."

"Star Prism, you know that merely having a colorful mane does not make her the chosen one," Velocita stated dryly. "Do you not remember the other? The stallion with the yellow eyes? You tried to prove to us that he possessed the power, but he never did. He failed every trial, was nearly killed and we had to erase his memory!"

Star Prism raised a hoof to silence the disgruntled mare of speed, "I've seen her use it."

All three mages exchanged glances, and looked at Dash.

"Can you?" Kuvvet asked, "Can you harness the power of the Pigment?"

Now it was Rainbow's turn to be confused once more. "Come again?" She asked.

Star Prism brought a wing to his face and scratched his forehead.

"Rainbow Dash, do you not remember what happened? The speed, the heat and the mountain? What about the fiery mane and white glowing coat? Did that not strike you as odd? During that short time, you had done what nopony in over one thousand years had been able to do. You brought out the Rainbow Pigment and used it to its full extent!"

Rainbow was again staring in awe, half not knowing what she was being told. She did indeed remember the strength, her coat turning a vivid white, the unnatural speed, and even the equine drill she had become just afterwards. In a way, she kinda felt sorry for the mountain. She looked at the three mages, wondering what was going to happen next. Her wings were practically aching with suspense.

Kuvvet stepped forward, bowing slightly. His magic encased Dash's right shoulder, and he mumbled something under his breath. A small flash and tiny painful pinch later, something had appeared on her shoulder. She looked over to see a small symbol of a six pronged circle. Each prong was a different color of the mages, and the yellow, blue and red ones were pulsing lightly.

"This seal is in tune with your current comprehension of your power. As you can see, your current talents lie in speed, strength, and agility," Kuvvet stated.

Dash couldn't help but stand a little taller and spread her wings halfway, showing off her expertly preened feathers.

"However, those traits alone do not make a true hero in the eyes of the Six. One must be in tune with all aspects of the prism if one is to gain unreachable power. These trials will ensure that you truly are in tune with our teachings."

"Teachings?!" Rainbow blurted. "You haven't taught me anything! All we've been doing is standing here and talking about things that happened a few hours ago! How is this supposed to --"

"You obviously haven't been paying attention," A mare's voice called from behind.

Dash was suddenly aware that the blue mare was missing, and she whirled to see Velocita inches away from her muzzle. She backpedaled, only to watch her disappear and bump into something at her back. Using her wings, she flapped hard once, sending her flying several feet skyward. But again, something hit her back and her heart sunk. She whirled to see Velocita smiling down at her.

"My, my, a single flap and you're this high? Quite a feat," she laughed.

Dash didn't know whether to feel pride or insult at her constant giggling, but her thoughts were interrupted by a violent connection with her abdomen that left her breathless. All Dash could do is watch as the blue mare's hind leg sank further into her belly, and all she could do was let out a painful "Huh!"

Velocita's smile turned from playful to serious as Dash recovered and grabbed her leg with both forelegs. The prismatic mare had recovered far quicker than Velocita had expected, using her strength to send the unicorn flying with a hard throw downward. Dash smiled as the flailing unicorn was sent tumbling down to the ground.

Hm, the fact that she could recover from a kick like that is astonishing, Velocita thought as she tumbled downward. Looks as though I'll have to pick it up a few pegs--

Before Velocita could blink, Rainbow Dash was following her down, face to face. The Blue Mage could see the blue stripe in her mane begin to shine as her eyes faded from rosy red to a very light cerulean. She was getting serious.

She DOEShave it! she thought, her mind screaming at her to move before her adversary could connect a hoof to her face.

With a squeak of fear, Velocita teleported back to her starting position beside her stallion counterparts while Dash pulled up from her dive and skidded across the floor to a halt. The blue stripe faded back to its normal glossy appearance and her eyes returned to their natural rose color.

Star Prism looked at the panting Blue Mage and shook his head slightly. A smile formed on his lips and he looked over to the snarling Rainbow Dash.

"You wondered what teachings Kuvvet was talking about? Well that was one, the teaching of speed."

Dash's mood evened out slightly as Star Prism attempted to add some sense to the sudden outburst. However, despite his attempt, Dash's attitude again descended into anger at the claim.

"What do you mean speed?! All she did was teleport!" she yelled. Her mane was beginning to glow ever so slightly and ruffle from an unseen breeze.

"The art of true speed and teleportation are two very different concepts, Rainbow Dash," Velocita quickly stated. "I just move too fast for you to see."

"Oh really?! Wanna try that again?!" Dash yelled as her mane began to rise further and a sheen of white energy began swirling around her.

She couldn't stand losing, and she wanted to get back at the mare that made her do so. She remembered the power from earlier that had made her nearly invincible... and she wished for it back so she could teach her a lesson in Rainbow Dash 101. She. Did. Not. Lose. Unfortunately for her, the power was lurking just beneath the surface, more than ready to take her up on her request.

Kuvvet stood a little taller, recognizing the power within Rainbow Dash beginning to surface.

"Calm, Rainbow Dash,” Mahiri called. "We did not wish to anger you. We simply wished to see your power. Now that we have, it is time to put it to the test." The Yellow Mage shuffled a little where he stood, fearing the power would overwhelm the trembling pegasus.

Dash was having trouble concentrating as she felt a massive build in strength begin coursing throughout her body. She could see a faint white glow surrounding her vision and she looked down at her hooves. They were becoming lighter in color and the feeling of her mane was beginning to disappear. The ground beneath her hooves began caving in, sending swirls of dust around her in eddies of gray. She was feeling absolutely amazing as the euphoria of power began to grip at her mind, filling it with ideas that only a supreme being would think to do. Her eyes began changing from light rose to dark red and her teeth were clenching so tightly that blood was surfacing from the gums that held them. Her lips began curling into a twisted smile.

"Star Prism!" Kuvvet shouted. "You MUST calm her before she loses complete control!"

Prism was already running to the ailing mare before Kuvvet had said anything as he was fully aware of the growing severity of the situation. He stopped just shy of the growing sinkhole beneath Dash.

"Rainbow Dash, can you hear me?!" Star Prism yelled over the rushing wind.

Dash began to float slightly as the eddies of air began rushing under her partially folded wings. Her eyes snapped open, casting their bright red gaze over the pegasus addressing her. Her coat was becoming encased in white, the soft glow spreading slowly downward from her brightly glowing mane.

"I was once like how you are now, young, volatile, and open to any and all possibilities that power had to offer..."

The white glow had fully encased her wings.

"Trust me when I say, the cost of choosing power over comrades is not the way to wield the power inside. I know... I hurt somepony close to me very badly when I first fell to the temptation..."

The glow was now creeping along the length of her back, halfway between the base of her wings and the beginning of her flanks.

"I learned that day that any power can corrupt the user, whether it be light, or dark!"

Dash's mind was beginning to break free of the sudden block as Star Prism's words began reaching her. She thought of her friends, how they never let her down, and how she would never abandon them. She thought of Scootaloo. How would she react to seeing her idol like this? At the mercy of something she was born to control?

"That power has a mind of its own, twisting its host like a virus into a tool for its own use! You MUST be stronger than its enticing influence Rainbow Dash!" Star Prism yelled once again, silently praying that his words were getting through.

These new thoughts began to clear her mind of the invasive power's influence, letting her come down from her power-crazed hype. Her mind was fighting furiously against the alluring thoughts the power had voraciously implanted into her mind. She could feel the power nagging at her with the promise of unlimited power; at the cost of losing her friends. Images of the throne, money, power danced across her vision. However, the prospect of perfection left out a crucial part of her being: Her friends weren't in any of the visions. "Not... HAPPENING"

"I... will NOT... be the one... to betray my... FRIENDS!" She shouted over the wind.

She was fighting for control with every ounce of mental power she had, gradually forcing the power back from the trigger that released it. She could feel something forming around her neck, starting from the rear of her mane and moving down both sides of her neck. She was winning the fight.

Star Prism looked back toward the mages, who were wide eyed and standing like statues.

"She's doing it! She's winning the fight!" He yelled. He nearly jumped with glee at the sight and sound of the Element of Loyalty forming completely and securing itself with a loud click!

A bright flash of light was seen as the white glow suddenly left her by contracting into the Element itself. The Element of Loyalty was pulsing with a dull red light as Rainbow remained hovering. She slowly began to drift down, but all at once fell onto her side in the hole she had created. Star Prism was silently thanking anything that might of helped her win the fight, and he slid down into the hole where Rainbow Dash lay.

"Uhhng..." Dash moaned as her vibrant rose eyes fluttered open. "Why does my head feel like somepony took a jackhammer to it?" She weakly called to nothing in particular.

"You have done it. You have passed the first test in your trials. The battle for control of your power was won, and you will never have to face it again. It is yours."

"So I can shoot lasers and buck through concrete now?" She groggily asked in a half jokingly manner.

"However, you will still have to unlock its more in-depth aspects, but I know you can do it. The trials ahead will be difficult and harrowing, but know this; no matter what you face, I'll be there by your side, in spirit." Star Prism began to fade as Rainbow Dash got up from her earlier collapse.... and mind.

He was now completely gone, and the three mages were walking up the hole.

"I am shocked that a pony of your mindset was able to resist the Pigment's call," Kuvvet said with disbelief.

"Yea yea, I'm not gonna let some thing take me over. That would be Soooo uncool," she haughtily stated.

Still a little disoriented, she extended her wings and sloppily flew from the hole, landing a few hooflengths from the three mages.

"From the Six," the three stated in unison, "we grant you permission to begin the Trials."

The Red Mage held out a hoof. "Take this," a small red glow began pulsing from the stripe in his mane, "Those doors can be heavy," he winked.

Rainbow Dash extended her own hoof out to touch his, and the red in her forelock lit up with a bright glow.

"What is th--" She was cut off by Mahiri, "Good luck..." All three mages began to fade and Dash simply nodded, still unsure of what to do.

The massive room regained its hall-like appearance as the mages faded completely. Rainbow Dash was again in the massive hall where she had first encountered the doors. She got up from her haunches, turned toward the towering doors, and sighed.

"Great. I STILL don't know how to open these!" She yelled, slamming her hoof as hard as she could into one.

To her astonishment, her hoof sank through the door as if it were merely a thick cloud. The red in her forelock was glowing just enough to cast a very faint glow on the new crater. Her eyes bulged as she ran a hoof over it.

"So this is the power..." She whispered.

She composed herself, stepping back and preparing a barrage of hits for the doors. If they wouldn't open cooperatively, she would make them open. She took aim at the door again, this time turning around for a solid buck. She reared up, striking the doors with a massive hit that caused her hind legs to disappear into them. She huffed and blew her partially glowing mane from her face while she yanked her hind legs from the steel in which they were embedded. She needed another solution.

"Oh come on!" She yelled. "There HAS to be a way to open these things without taking forever!"

Upon completing her rant, she rammed her head into the doors out of frustration. What happened next startled her. When she removed her head, there was an imprint of it bent into the metal. She couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, time to pony-up and take these things down!" She yelled, spreading her wings.

She could almost hear the doors begin to mock her as she flew back toward the entrance of the hall. She braced, ready to put every last ounce of her one hundred and ten pounds into the next blow.

She took a deep breath and took off, wings beating as hard as they would allow.

"Oh man, this is gonna hurt..." she thought.[/center

The Celestial Trials: Green

The Celestial Trials Part One: Green

Written by LunaSilverscale in collaboration with X-Ray One and edited by SolidFire.

Rainbow Dash flew towards the double doors that barred her path. The same doors that had defied her earlier attempts at opening them. The red stripe in her mane and tail was pulsing brighter with every wingbeat as she approached her goal. While executing a perfect high-speed turn at the end of her flight run - just in front of the doors - Dash unleashed two double kicks against both her targets. Using the second door as a springboard for her return flight, Dash flipped herself back over and landed to view the results.

Each attack hit home, her hind legs carving deep imprints, the direction of Dash's turning movement still visible in the first. The first door struck fell away - ripped off its hinges, bounced off its twin, landed on the floor behind and then rocked to a stop on its newly created craters. The second hit had lost a small amount of Dash's original momentum, but still contained sufficient power for the blow to warp the metal. The springboard and the secondary impact did the rest - the pressure proving too great for all but the top-most hinge.

The second door hung limply, bent and twisted around the point of impact - the last metal hinge stopping it from joining its twin on the floor. The hinge whined in complaint at the weight, but as the door settled into its new location, the noise stopped.

"Whoa." Dash exhaled as she looked at the results, the red stripe losing its light as she approached the now-open doors. Or what was left of them.

She finally got a good look at the doors' true size. Not only were they taller than the clock tower that graced Ponyville's town hall, each door was as wide as Applejack's new barn. The material was almost as thick as the ancient oak that was Twilight Sparkle's home and the library of Ponyville. To anypony less than Rainbow Dash, they would have been impossible to move.

Those doors had withstood millennia of use. You could have been a little more careful... Star Prism admonished, with a mix of pride and awe.A gentle push with the powerwould have been enough.

Dash simply blew her fading mane from her eyes again and huffed. "Shouldn't a' got in my way," she smirked.

She flew up and landed on the door that had completely fallen, the metallic clang of hoof on metal ringing out and echoing into the blackness ahead. Beyond the doors, Dash could see little of the room beyond - the moonlight of the corridor windows couldn't penetrate the darkness inside. She paused and looked down at the doors, noting a red glow outlining her hoof prints all the way at the base of the indents.

"Well, let’s get this over with.... the suspense is killing me."

Dash wasn't sure whether she was referring to the Trials or as to why Princess Celestia had deemed it important enough to hold a meeting at night.

The suspense won't be the only thing that tries to kill you. Prism observed drily to Dash.

After a few minutes of walking a normal pace, she finally came to the end of the tall overturned door. Were it not for the full moon shining through the windows behind her, she would have fallen flat on her muzzle. She jumped less than gracefully, using her wings as a brake to cushion the fall. Unbeknownst to Dash, the attempt at braking had strewn waiting dust about in a large cloud. She inhaled some, causing her to cough and sputter. She silently cursed under the wing she brought up to shield her nose and mouth. Wanting to leave the area, she walked ahead.

As Rainbow Dash continued into the unlit room, leaving the remnants of the ancient doors behind her, she pondered what could await her in the darkness ahead. Despite what Star Prism had said - that he couldn't remember the nature of the tests she was about to face - she figured it would be worth a shot.

Hey - Prism! How many tests can I expect to face? Dash asked, probing for any information she could get.

A short, musing silence followed.

Now that depends.

Depends? On What? Dash interrupted with a tone of challenge.

It would depend, on whether or not that door was a large enough obstacle to count as a sufficient trial.

Rainbow looked back and eyed the doors with an eyebrow raised in astonishment.

"Are you kidding!? Those doors were heavier than... than-"

Than what? At a loss for words already Rainbow Dash?

She could hear a light chuckle and the clearing of a throat.

However, I can tell you this - there is one challenge to be faced for each of the Celestials.

Star Prism fell silent after this - almost as if he'd already said too much or perhaps was really limited on the aid he could give. That would have been a rather unnerving thought for anypony - anypony other than Dash that is. The internal fire of pride that had flared up during Star Prism's little display bolstered her, giving her a sense of confidence that, whatever was thrown her way, she could overcome it. She hoped - remembering that the mare of the mystical group had implied that another had tried these tests - with less than successful results.

Her own thoughts were interrupted by a glowing something falling in front of her. She pulled back before realizing that it was a small object and took a closer look. It was a green gem - that was shining from an inner light.

An emerald? I bet Rarity would be able to tell what it is.

Rainbow Dash didn't think much about the consequences of her next action. As the gem seemed to be the only light source in a pitch-black room, Dash moved to pick it up. She needed the light the gem provided to see.

As the tip of her hoof brushed the surface of the gem - its light flashed. Dash blinked the magical green light out of her eyes. She felt strange for a split second before realizing something other than a mere flash had occurred.

She found herself - not inside the palace, but somewhere else. The walls weren't the marble-like stone of Canterlot Castle, but were of rough textures and a sandy hue. Lining the walls, held in rusted cages, were wooden torches ablaze with flame.

Dash reared back in surprise before looking around for the green gem. It was nowhere to be found.

Oh no. No, no, no, no ,no. This cannot be possible.

What can't? Do you not believe your eyes? Can eyes lie? This was stated with barely hidden amusement.

Dash wasn't amused, and had half a mind to show it. She had just been taken from Canterlot to someplace - where the hay is this place anyway? - rather different. Her hooves shuffled slightly as she tried to get her bearings, disturbing the thick layer of dust that lay all around.

No answer was forthcoming, so Dash took it upon herself to find out. The question was where to start? Another quick glance around her confirmed that she was in a torch-lit corridor - which apparently hadn't been cleaned for decades, if the floor dust was anything to go by.

Not seeing anything that distinguished one way from the other, Dash mentally shrugged and started heading in the direction, that she thought, she had originally been traveling in. Her hoofprints were left as the only defined marking on the ground.

Dash walked slowly, keeping a look out for anything that could tell her where she was. The walls maintained their silence and monotonous looks throughout the labyrinthine complex. The only way she could tell where she had been from where she hadn't were her own tracks.

Great. I'm going around in circles. Dash thought as she spotted tracks ahead of her. She paused by them. Wait.... those aren't hoofprints...

The dust had been disturbed by a single furrow that implied something had either slithered or been dragged along. Since it was the only other sign of anything being here, Dash looked both ways along the marking to see if she could work out which direction to head in. As she did so, a wall torch highlighted an object lying alongside the furrow.

Dash moved closer to it. The object was a helmet - a very familiar one. A violet helmet, with a pair of white racing stripes running over its crest. Scootaloo's helmet.

What? How? A tentative hoof reached out to pick the helmet up as Dash automatically looked around for the distinctive scooter - as well as the filly - that normally went with it.

"Scootaloo..." the name slipped out quietly and unbidden when the search turned up nothing. A flicker of movement caught Dash's eye. A shadowy cloaked figure was just slipping out of the range of the last visible torch.

Dash's eye twitched and she launched herself after the figure, her wings beating double-time, kicking up the thick dust in two outward gusts. Scootaloo's helmet was clutched close to her torso by one foreleg. She wanted answers - and she was going to get them. No matter what.

Dash lost count of the number of turns they had taken during the chase, but she had to finally admit defeat. The mysterious figure knew the area much better than she did and had disappeared from view. The ground held no clues either - at some point they had gone from a dusty, easily marked surface to an area that had been recently cleaned.

Having little other choice, Dash continued ahead - where a large lit opening awaited.

Through the opening, Dash could see a wide open cavern lined with sandy pillars - each pillar had a blazing torch attached. Above was a circular opening that exposed the night sky - through which a full moon was creeping into view. Directly below this eye was a raised altar-like platform surrounded by bowed figures in cloaks - similar to the one she had chased.

One of them looked up - not at Dash's side corridor, but through the opening towards the moon.

"It's nearly time. We should retire to our solitary meditations." Every cloaked figure left silently - except for the one that had raised their head and spoken. That one looked back at the altar and spoke once more before leaving.

"I'm sorry - but know this. You will always be remembered for your sacrifice."

Dash's coat began standing on end at his words.

With the last of the cloaked figures withdrawn, Dash could clearly see what lay chained on the altar. The small unconscious form of an orange filly. Scootaloo.

Dash flew towards her - but paused as she noticed something else. Six circular discolorations were evenly spaced around the altar. Two of them were glowing silver from the moonlight, the other four remained black against the light brown. Linking each circle and the altar was a thin line.

Dash knew they were important - but how and why? She racked her brain. As she did so she looked around - wary of the fact the mysterious group could return. In a way, she hoped they would so she could teach them a ...permanent lesson. Now she was paying more attention to her surroundings, she could see that Scootaloo was dead-centre to the circles.

That can't be good. Wait.... a central altar directly underneath a window to the sky... I know this one... Dash looked closer at the altar, looking for a specific detail... a tiny hairline crack that formed a smaller version of the altar-shape. Ah, there it is. It formed the mini-altar with Scootaloo still central to both versions.

Now to see if.... Dash paid attention to the two pillars closest to the altar.

As Dash studied the pillars, the third circle filled with the same ominous, silvery light.

Tiny wires - barely visible in the moonlight - linked, not just the nearest pillars, but all of them to form an intricate net over the altar. The parts that Dash could see gleamed like razor-edges. So definitely not going to swoop in.... that could be painful....

The whole layout was now too familiar to Dash - apart from the minor detail of it being night rather than day. Daring Do and the Eclipse Diamond!

Huh? What?

You know - Daring Do - the most awesome explorer/archaeologist ever! She faced something similar to this - when she had to rescue her guide from a mad cult that believed that only a sacrifice could stop the sun being devoured by the Demon of Darkness?

Can't say I do know that particular one.

Lame...... Well, she did it by switching out the trapped guide for a saddlebag filled with pebbles to prevent the weight trigger from going off. I don't have one of those... so time to improvise.... Dash looked around before carefully placing Scoots’ helmet on the ground. She'd need all hooves free for this.

The fourth circle filled.

The orange, purple-maned filly started to stir. Still groggy from whatever had knocked her out, she tried to clear her head. All she could see was the moon overhead. Then she could hear a tapping noise from the side, she turned her head that way. There was her idol - Rainbow Dash - attacking the ground with her hooves. Blinking a bit, Scootaloo tried to clear her vision - both the red and green stripes in Dash's tail and mane were glowing. They didn't glow normally. Scootaloo wanted to ask Dash what she was doing, but her tongue was still furred up from the prolonged forced lack of awareness.

Dash finished what she was doing, and picked up the broken flagstone. That should do it.... now to switch this for Scootaloo. She turned to the altar, where she could see Scootaloo was staring at her with both awe and curiosity burning in her eyes.

"Don't worry kid. I'll get you out of here."

Keeping her flight low - to avoid the odd netting, Rainbow crossed the distance between them. She frowned at herself for forgetting the chains. That was easily fixed. Placing her replacement weight down, Dash snapped the chains in her forehooves.

"Keep still Scoots." Dash hoped that the filly would do as she was told and not trigger - whatever it was - that was waiting.

Once the chains were broken, Dash pondered the next problem - the actual switch. Daring Do had it easy - the filled saddlebag only took one hoof while the guide could use the other for support during the switch. Dash was using the two for the flagstone fragment. Floating backwards a bit, Dash tested the weight if it was tucked in one foreleg. It would make for some awkward flying, but it wouldn't be for long.

"I'm going to flip you on to my back, Scoots. Get ready to hang on."

Scoots nodded as the fifth circle lit up. The after-effects of her sleep were beginning to wear off to be replaced by adrenaline.

"Ok. Go!" As Dash spoke, she flew forward, grabbed Scoot with one hoof, and flipped her onto her back while using the other hoof to slide the flagstone into place. Not waiting to see if it worked, Dash streaked out - feeling Scoots settle onto her back and get secure. The only pause she made was to pick up Scootaloo's helmet and pass it up to her passenger with one smooth scoop.

Making her way to an area free of thin threads, Dash prepared to make the escape. As she made her careful ascent, she asked.

"How did you get here?"

"I was foal-napped!" Scootaloo replied indignantly, while tying on her helmet one hoofed.

"Foal-napped!?!" Dash exclaimed. Internally, a war started between with the need to punish the foal-nappers and to get Scootaloo back to safety - slowing her as they approached the hole in the roof.

"Yea. I was riding my scooter on the way to visit Zecora when a bunch of cloaked figures started to follow me. I didn't hear what they were saying, but their gestures made it clear enough that they were up to no good. I sped up - giving them a workout and getting some of them lost in the Everfree. They were fast - but not as fast as me!" Scootaloo explained as Dash finally made up her mind to get Scootaloo out of there. "I thought I'd lost them when a green spinning-thing appeared right in front of me. I braked and swerved to try and avoid it. But it got me anyway...." Scootaloo's voice turned sad and angry, "I heard my scooter get wrecked on something on the other side."

"Never mind that kid. I'll get you a new one. It'll be twenty percent cooler than the old one and a lot faster too." Dash said.

"Really? That would be so awesome!" Scootaloo practically cheered before going back to her tale.

The pair flew out of the hole into the night sky. Their combined shadows were cast onto the altar below.

"Those creepy cloaks were there, and they got me as I was crawling from the wreckage. They dragged me into a weird looking cavern where one of them tried to chain me to a big rock thing - but I kicked that one's flank."

That's my Scoots. Dash thought as Scootaloo really got into her retelling.

"But after that, a group of them came in and gave me something. Next thing I know - you're attacking the ground something fierce and your mane and tail were glowing red and green."

A small flash of pride shone in Dash's eyes while behind them, in the cavern, the last circle lit silver. The lines started to glow and the altar itself absorbed that light before reflecting it up to the full moon. Then it was consumed by a blast of green light. The same green light that teleported Dash.

Before Dash could say anything, green light filled her vision again.....

What now?

Some distance away, a single green-cloaked unicorn watched events unfolding with bright emerald eyes and a satisfied smile on her face. The night air ruffled her cloak, revealing a dark green coat and a golden mane and tail. A long green stripe lined the portion of mane on her neck and tail.

She had been worried that this subject wouldn't have been prepared for the Trial of Insight. She was glad she was wrong - even though it wasn't often she liked being proved wrong.

Her contemplation was disturbed by the approach of a red cloaked figure, the Red Celestial Mage, Kuvvet. Though his face wasn't visible, she could tell he wasn't in a good mood.

"Kavrama - you overstepped your authority. You placed the life of an innocent foal in jeopardy. That is not in any of our practices."

The green-cloaked mare considered her next words, knowing full well she had upset her leader.

"But it is our job to test those who potentially bear the Pigment. It wouldn't be a true Trial if nothing was at stake."

"It is true that our job is test the Bearer." Kuvvet fixed Kavrama with a harsh glare, "I trust you have not forgotten why. The Pigment was created to protect the innocent, not to threaten them."

Kavrama blinked at his vehemence.

"I do not forget. Do you really think I'm so heartless that I would allow harm to befall a foal?"

Kuvvet slammed his hoof down, creating a deep crater; the red streak in his mane glowing fiercely.

"If you so much as harm a feather on that foal's wing," Kuvvet tapped Kavrama's horn roughly with his hoof, "I'll make sure you will never perform another spell again."

He turned, allowing his power to subside. His flowing cloak grazed Kavrama's nose as he did, making her flinch.

The scowl that parted the Green Mage's muzzle could have shattered a vanity mirror with the sheer rage emitting from it.

At least she passed...

She huffed, before vanishing in a bright green flash.

The Celestial Trials: Red

The Celestial Trials Part Two: Red

The Celestial Trials Part Two: *Red***

A series of green flashes lit the room where Rainbow Dash was sent. She came out of the portal, letting a yelp of surprise as she saw a wall headed for her face. She extended her wings in a vain attempt to stop herself as the portal behind her sealed. knowing she was going far too fast, she finally turned to her side allowing her back to take the brunt of the collision. She hit the wall of rock hard, bouncing off backwards slightly and falling a few feet to her side. The dimly lit space was small to say the least, about the size of Applebloom's bedroom. Small candles lit the way into a pony-sized tunnel in the wall.

Shakily, Dash rose to her hooves. "Owwww..." she moaned as she rubbed her back with her wing. She was surprised to find her wing was uninjured. Her thoughts immediately went back to the orange filly that was supposed to be on her back.

"Scoots?! Scootaloo!!" she called out.

The room was lit enough to let her see that her only company was the settling dust. Her heart sank.

Was that fun? Star Prism asked trying to hold back laughter.

"Sh-shut u-up.." She stammered, trying to get her regain her bearing.

Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers... He couldn't help but giggle, Rainbow Crash.

"What..." Rainbow was practically fuming.

You heard me.

"For your sake I'm gonna pretend I didn't," she growled.

Looking into the makeshift hall, she could see an opening near the end that seemed to blossom into a far bigger room. If she was anywhere, Scootaloo would be there. She swallowed what little fear was left in her, and trudged forward.

Kuvvet paced through the enclosed area that was the site of the Red Trial. He gave everything a last look over, making sure all testing material would work correctly and at the time it was supposed to. The test of physical and mental strength would be like no other she would face, and he wanted to make damn sure Rainbow Dash would master his practice. From the exit of the room, a bright green flash shined through followed by a yelp and a muffled thud.

"Looks like she's here," Kuvvet sighed. "Time to get to work."

From outside, Kuvvet could hear a faint feminine voice.

"And so it begins..." He used his magic to close off the tunnel at both ends as she entered it. He could hear the yells of anger and fear as he began closing them toward one another.

"HEY! WHAT GIVES!?" She squealed as the walls inched closer.

With each passing second, the two walls closed in another five centimeters with a ground shaking rumble. She could make out a faint red glow coming from the two sides. She thought of the red unicorn from earlier. The Red Trial.

"Red.. red.... What the hay is red?!" she racked her brain for the information.

Thinking back, she remembered the muscular stallion adorned in a red gilded cloak. Tall, muscular... Strong!

"That's it! Strength!" She yelled.

Kuvvet smiled as her voice reached him through the rock. Although very muffled, her realization was enough to make him feel some pride for his "student".

"Alright... If I can just stop these things from...moving..."

She ran up to the stone in front, bracing her forelegs against its surface while digging her hinds into the loose gravel that made up the floor. She pushed, but the wall still kept coming. Harder and harder she pushed, but her hooves simply made the ground streaked with two lines of disturbed gravel. She needed another way out, and fast.

She quickly jumped to the middle of the enclosing space and sat down. She tried her best to drown out the fear of being crushed in order to think about what to do. Despite her concentration, the rumble of the walls nearing her flanks and muzzle began to strip her of her nerve, and she began to panic.

What would Scootaloo think if she saw you like this? Star Prism suddenly asked.

His question seemed misplaced among the intense moment, but it did begin to make sense. Rainbow Dash... Scootaloo's idol. The all go, no quit, hard flank, rainbow maned pegasus of pegasi cowering in the middle of a small room?! No.. I won't let this be the end...

She could feel the power begin to stir within as the red stripe in her forelock began to glow dimly.

**Let it go Rainbow Dash. The power to stop these rocks is within, you just have to release it! Make your body able to stop them!

Images of her friends, of Scootaloo, of her mother and father, and of Soarin graced her mind as she slowly stood, opening her eyes. To anypony standing to her front, her eyes would have been a fierce shade of red. Her forelock was glowing brightly with a pulsing light, and her legs felt like they could move a mountain. She calmly approached the rock, and with one quick motion, slammed her hoof into it. The blow punched through the dim aura, stopping both rocks cold.

Kuvvet reeled at the sudden blow to his aura. His concentration on the telekinetic spell driving the rocks was broken, and he knelt slightly from the magical backlash. Oh my, she's far stronger than I thought... he thought in a panic.

Dash smiled slightly as she bashed the rock again. It was cracking and splitting like a peppermint under her teeth.

"Hm," she breathed, "one more should do it."

An idea crossed her mind as she positioned her hoof for the final strike. Whoever was moving these things had to be on the other side, and unicorn magic relied on line of sight and intense concentration. She figured the caster was just on the other side of this rock. Her smile turned evil as she turned around and lined up for a massive buck.

Kuvvet was finally able to stand up as he heard another slam echo throughout the area. He saw the hairline cracks in the stone growing as yet another blow shattered it further. He concentrated on the spell again, using his power to hold the rock together and push it back.

Dash was met with yet another red aura between the cracks. it seemed to be mending the cracks and pushing the rock at the same time. She would have none of that.

She extended her wing, using it to stop the rock in its track. She then spun, connecting the back of her leg to the rock. Again, the red aura shattered and the rock completely exploded this time. Kuvvet was taken off guard as the rock -now in pieces- hurtled toward him. He involuntarily created a barrier of red, deflecting the larger pieces. He then lowered the shield, looking at the entrance to find a very annoyed and very strong Rainbow Dash. The red stripes in her mane and tail were glowing brightly. she began walking slowly

"Alright, "Kuvvet", just what the HAY is the big idea with you trying to crush me?!" Dash yelled. Her voice was far louder in the enclosed space, but both were too out of it to notice.

Panting, Kuvvet rose to his hooves again.

"I'm impressed... You used your bare hooves to crush solid granite. Not even Star Prism could do that his first ti--"

"Can it, "Mr. Red," Either you tell me what happened to Scootaloo or I'll do what I did to that rock to your face!"

Kuvvet flinched slightly at the threat, before letting a smile of challenge cross his muzzle. He was hatching a plan to truly bring out her inner strength.

"What did we do with whom?" Kuvvet innocently asked.

Dash let a snarl escape her lips, eyes boring into Kuvvet with an extreme desire to kill. "Don't act like you don't know who I'm talking about..." Dash spat so hard it shattered a nearby rock.

Kuvvet could feel his own power emanating from the prismatic mare... and it was interesting to say the least.

"You know, addressing me in that tone of yours will not get you any closer to your answer..." Kuvvet mocked.

Dash was practically thinking of many different ways to kill the stallion before her. Her rage at herself for losing Scootaloo and at the ponies responsible for foalnapping her was beginning to climb to unbearable levels. She needed release, and she was about to unleash all of her rage upon Kuvvet's skull.

"Oh come now, Rainbow Dash, do you really think your strength can surpass mine?" Kuvvet asked the fuming mare, sharpening her desire.

Rainbow Dash simply stomped the floor, creating a crater so large that she had to hover to avoid falling. Several rocks fell from the ceiling, cracking over her head. She simply shrugged off the blows and continued staring at Kuvvet with murder in her eyes.

Kuvvet's smile only widened at the little display. "So you're ready then?" He asked, widening his stance and taking off his robe and revealing his hulking muscles. "Let's see what you can do."

Dash snapped as her forelock and tail streak of red began pulsing wildly. The Red power of strength coursed through her forelegs, and she blasted from a hover into supersonic flight, straight toward Kuvvet. She reared her left foreleg back, steeling herself for a massive punch to Kuvvet's nose. However, as soon as Dash brought all of her rage forth into her hoof, Kuvvet's horn lit up once again and he lifted his own left hoof catching hers. The force of the collision was so massive that the ground behind Kuvvet's hind legs was blown apart and the wall behind him was caved in so hard, coal formed on the spot. Dash simply remained hovering, mouth agape and her sense of power suddenly dwindled down to that of a filly.

"That's...not..possible.." she gasped through labored panting. "I put everything I had into that hit!" She yelled.

Kuvvet, still holding Dash's hoof, looked behind him to see the glittering coal now lining the wall. "If all you can make with your strength is a little coal, you really aren't worth my time." Kuvvet deadpanned.

He then pushed Dash hard all the way back to the entrance of the tunnel, where her back impaled the rock.

"A hint?" Kuvvet called over.

Dash mumbled something under her breath as she peeled herself out of her personal indention in the rock face.

Ohhhh, good one, Star Prism laughed.

"Shut it," Dash commanded.

Kuvvet laughed to himself, seeing the raw potential before him. This could get messy... he thought.

Dash landed on all fours, undamaged by the collision. She again looked over at Kuvvet, who was standing unmoved in front of the now ebony-black wall. She decided on another attack, still wanting to see the red unicorn in pieces. Knowing she would have to change her tactics, she thought only deception would be the key to a successful, painful attack.

"Alright Red, what's your "hint"?" Dash called over, her voice itching with suppressed rage.

Kuvvet smiled. "Anger will get you nowhere. The purpose of the Pigment was to protect the innocent, and you just tried to murder an innocent."

The amusement radiating from his smile was almost sickening. Dash spat again, this time blowing a hole in the far wall of the massive room. "You call yourself "INNOCENT"?!" Dash roared. "You foalnap my little sister, you ponynap me, you would have KILLED Scootaloo if I hadn't stepped in, I have this random stallion poking around in my head, and NOW YOU'RE saying I'm WEAK!? You're anything BUT innocent!!"

Kuvvet's brow furrowed at the accusations. "I take responsibility for the actions of my kin, I am sincerely sorry for Scootaloo's earlier," he cleared his throat, "predicament. I have conversed with Kavrama personally, and I can guarantee that she will not be brought any harm."

"Who's this "Kavrama"?" Dash interrupted. "Is that the pony that foalnapped Scoots?! You better hope I don't find her until I see Scootaloo is safe, GOT IT!?"

You're so funny when you're angry, you know? Star Prism stated. Oh the drama, it almost *burns***!

"Well, if we're done with the formalities..." Kuvvet stomped the ground, "what do you say we get down to business..."

Dash grinned. "Let's."

Kuvvet and Dash tore after each other, hitting both pairs of forehooves dead center of the room. The ground erupted underneath the pair, forcing them down into the earth. Kuvvet was holding back a considerable amount of his power, but he needed to teach Rainbow Dash, not kill her.

With a short burst of strength, Kuvvet threw Dash into the side of the newly formed crater, sending dust erupting into the air like a concave volcano. Dash coughed, recovering and nailing Kuvvet in the cheek with a hard punch. Kuvvet couldn't feel any trace of his magic in the blow, indicating that Dash was still hot with rage. He needed to defuse the ticking time bomb he was exchanging blows with before her mind was consumed by hatred.

Recovering from the blow like it was nothing, Kuvvet grabbed her foreleg, and put it into a lock. He then used his hind leg to pin her wings to her sides and the position was rather... compromising. Dash struggled in vain to get Kuvvet off of her, cursing loudly and flailing her unpinned legs.

"Rainbow Dash, you must listen to me! The Pigment is directly affected by the emotions of the wielder. The rage you're feeling right now is affecting your ability to control your power!"

Dash stopped flailing, straining to lift her head from the dirt and look at her captor.

"You must let go of your anger if you are to pass this test, and you will be able to control the power within at will!"

Dash considered for a moment, attempting to let go of the anger that bound her. She relaxed, physically softening under Kuvvet's weight. The Red Mage released her and jumped from the crater, watching as Dash's breathing slowly returned to normal. He could feel a small glimmer of his power beginning to surface, as Dash carefully converted her anger to sheer determination. The red in her tail and forelock began glowing slightly, before exploding in a bright flash to a constant radiant glow.

Dash could feel the emotions flowing away as she picked herself up, and she noticed her mane was glowing fiercely. She turned, locking her gaze with a proudly smiling Kuvvet. Dash felt like she could take her new found power further, and decided to test it. With a menacing smile of confidence, Rainbow Dash lunged at Kuvvet; his expression changing from admiration to dead fear. Kuvvet barely had time to use his own power before accepting the blow Rainbow Dash had wanted to give him since arriving, and instead of being ripped apart, the Mage of Strength was sent careening into the coal-lined crater.

Kuvvet's impact was nothing short of devastating, sending him deep into the rock. When Dash exited the crater, she looked into the hole he had created, seeing a bright orange glow lining the entirety of the "tunnel". Unbeknownst to her, Kuvvet's impact was so powerful that the friction had superheated the coal, and his body had compressed it into a massive diamond in the shape of his toned back. Rarity would have died from astonishment right then and there.

A faint grunt echoed through the tunnel as Kuvvet regained his composure. "Most impressive, Rainbow Dash... Most... Impressive."

Dash couldn't help but feel a sensation of pride. As she did, the red in her mane and tail returned to its normal glossy sheen. Kuvvet was walking back through the tunnel, carrying something on his back. His face and horn seemed to be carving through the rock as he walked. Dash could see a small trickle of blood from his lip as he neared the entrance, and he simply walked carved through the rock, jumping down. The diamond he was carrying was easily worth a few million bits.

"Congratulations, Rainbow Dash, you just used my back to make your first diamond."

Dash's mouth was agape as Kuvvet slid the back-shaped diamond off his back and onto the ground with a loud thud.

"That's...mine?!" She stammered.

"Yes, and you've effectively mastered my teachings..." Kuvvet trailed off, preparing himself for one final blow.

This blow would be the deciding factor, determining if Dash actually had his teachings down. Without warning, Kuvvet reared his right hoof back, let his power come forth at maximum, and let fly a mighty punch. Dash caught his hoof; her mane again glowing brightly along the red seams. Again, the pressure between their hooves caused the ground to crater and crack beneath them, but this time, neither adversary moved so much as a millimeter. Kuvvet was truly putting everything he had into this battle, but Rainbow Dash simply smiled and put out just as much power as he did. She was ready to move on.

Between the two, the pressure was only increasing as they pushed harder and harder, forcing the ground below to warp and crack. Kuvvet began breathing heavily as his horn began to pulse brighter.

"What's wrong Red? You look like you're having trouble keeping up." Dash whispered.

Kuvvet lowered his head, blasting a bolt of red into the ground between them which was still being forced together with their combined strength. The ground began to twist into a spiraling whirlpool of glowing red and dirt. Kuvvet's horn lit up in a blinding red flash- the sign he was laying the last of his strength down on the proverbial table.

"I...am not finished...yet!"

Kuvvet followed his words with a final massive push that sent Rainbow Dash sliding backwards into the side of the crater. Dash's surprise turned to awe as she looked past Kuvvet, resting her view on the spiraling earthen disturbance.

"If... you cannot keep... our combined strength over... that... this entire place will come crashing down... and NO amount of strength will be able to keep those rocks from... crushing us BOTH."

Dash's expression changed from awe to horror over the time it took Kuvvet to utter those strained words. Behind him, the spiral was becoming more and more unstable, spreading out and covering a larger portion of the still growing crater. The walls began to shake as the disturbance widened further. Dash realized she was still being held back, and the clock was ticking.

"You're insane!" She yelled, returning her gaze to match Kuvvet's.

"On the... contrary... your inability to... defeat me is.. INSANE!"

He pushed even harder, maxing out his strength. Dash's face contorted with strain as the red in her mane began to fade slightly.

"What's the matter... Rainbow Dash? Is my power exceeding yours?! Will you let yourself die tonight... all... because of your own... failure?!

That was it. Rainbow Dash was NOT called a failure by ANYpony. The red in her mane again flared as cracks began protruding from the spiraling hole in the ground. She regained her composure, pushing back with all her might.

"You might wanna..." Dash was finally gaining ground, pushing Kuvvet's hind hooves over the disturbance, "Brace yourself!"

Kuvvet had finally reached his limit. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he had trained in the past, no matter HOW much power he had inside, Rainbow Dash was finally overwhelming him. He smiled a little inside, knowing full well he had accepted his defeat, and needed to inform her of the awaiting trials... and the gem.

"You thinkin' about... rrg... losing yet?!" Dash yelled.

Kuvvet closed his eyes and let a smile cross his muzzle. Dash continued pushing, now holding Kuvvet's forehooves firmly over the disturbance. The resulting pressure radiating from their combined power was containing the eminent death bearing cyclone beneath them. In fact, it seemed to be condensing back to its point of summons.

"You are doing it... Rainbow Dash..."

Kuvvet opened his eyes to see the spiraling red begin to rotate faster as it was drawn into a single point. The point grew into a small, crystalline rock, and that was when Kuvvet began fading.

Dash could feel Kuvvet's hooves losing strength, and she opened her eyes to see him smiling and fading. The area had ceased its rumbling and rocks had stopped falling. Everything was quiet save for the shimmering mage in front of her.

She released her hold on his hooves, falling weakly to the floor of the crater. Her blurring vision fixed on a small red gem, pulsing with a red light.

"Congratulations Rainbow Dash, you have proven that your power of inner strength far exceeds my own. You have proven that you can draw from this power using the mindset it was intended for: Determination. You have passed the Red Trial."

Dash's eyes fluttered for a moment, trying to hold on to consciousness in order to hear what Kuvvet had to say.

"Be warned, four more trials await, and they will be just as challenging as mine. I wish you the best of luck."

Kuvvet's voice was growing more ghostly as he faded halfway.

"Before I go... I must mention the gems. Each trial's reward harbors a gem that when acquired, will unlock full access to the specific power of the color it represents."

Dash looked up at Kuvvet, smiling dumbly and reaching a weak hoof over to the waiting gem. She touched it, and it flashed wildly before flooding her mind with the information she required to use the power at will.

Before Dash finally gave in to her weakness, a thought crossed her dimming mind as Kuvvet smiled and disappeared completely: What happened to the green gem?

Before she could figure anything else out, sleep wrapped itself around her like a warm blanket, gently removing her from consciousness.

First Interlude: Luna

First Interlude: *Luna***

Princess Luna stalked through the halls, her mind less on her route and more on previous events. Her posture, flared wings and a glare that would put a cockatrice to shame, made sure that no-pony would bother her in her musings.

Her guards had been too intimidated by her mood to escort her from the Royal Solar Antechamber. Perhaps they figured that none would dare to approach the Night Monarch while she was displaying such an unwelcoming disposition. Or perhaps they were afraid that they would cause Luna to relapse into Nightmare Moon if they provided an unwanted escort.

Her elder sister burst into her domain - waking her up in the process. Instead of her normal very vocal complaining at being woken up early - well five o'clock in the afternoon was early for the Night Princess - she considered her sister carefully. It seemed her normally calm sister was worried about something. That wasn't good.

"Why do you wake me before time?" Luna finally said, her drowsy tone betraying her irritation at the disruption of her sleep.

"Forgive me, sister, but something has come up. I need your aid."

That brought Luna to full awareness - Celestia never had admitted to needing aid from the alicorn of the night before.

"What is it, sister?"

"I'll tell you on the way - follow me." Celestia led the way to her antechambers, Luna a few steps behind.

"I don't know much in the way of details at this time, but a peculiar event has occurred within our borders." Celestia began, "Lulu, would you hold the fort and coordinate the responses while I seek out the source? I will most likely need one of your caging spells as well."

Luna couldn't believe her ears - it sounded too good to be true.

She snorted derisively. Of course it had been too good.

"Of course I will, sister. You can count on me." Luna focused one of her cage spells into a remote section of the castle. A section that wasn't used by the general populace. "If you need the cage, its behind the last door of the West corridor. Third floor." It took some doing - she hadn't cast spells beyond her line of sight for a millennium or so. But she knew that section of castle rather well - it was the part her quarters were in after all.

Celestia smiled in relief, "Thank you so much." A golden glow around her horn produced a tottering stack of papers on the desk. Luna could only gape at them and use her own dark blue aura to prevent them falling as Celestia's magic withdrew. Celestia then teleported away, before Luna could object.

'Well I said I'd do it.....' Luna walked over to the pile, her thoughts slipping into the old form of address due to irritation, 'though we should have known that 'coordinating the responses' was Tia-speak for paperwork.'

Luna's attention was brought back to the present, most of that paperwork was actually done after releasing Rainbow Dash - she hadn't realized how many interruptions Tia had during the day. Though it did make a change from the usually quiet Night Court.

"I'm not going to complain of being bored due to lack of visits ever again." Luna muttered, deciding she preferred the serenity of her Night to the hectic business of the Day Court.

Though the reports of a multicolored comet striking a mountain within Equestria's borders was disturbing. There weren't any comets scheduled for today - let alone on a path that would hit Equestria. She knew that - she was the one that controlled that particular astronomical phenomenon after all.

Luna had lost count of the number of reassurances she'd written to those that lived in the shadow of the afflicted mountain; that it was still stable, it wouldn't collapse and most certainly wasn't a sign of the end of the world. Each of those letters had been dispatched by Royal Courier, escorted by team of guards. Luna had made sure there was a geological expert in each group, to available to answer any questions posed - as well as to provide professional reassurance to those her word wasn't enough.

She still hadn't issued a formal statement about the event, apart from informing the officials in residence that Princess Celestia had taken it upon herself to investigate and further information will be available in due course. Luna didn't want to issue any information that could be proved false in her sister's investigation.

She had learned the hard way that making proclamations before all sides could be considered led to, what Tia referred to as 'tabloid fodder', only in private, of course. Luna already had a lot of bad press due to her past as Nightmare Moon, she didn't need any more Public Relation disasters.

I wonder if Rainbow Dash found her way to that meeting... Luna thought, feeling guilty that one of her cages had been used to hold her, as well as for the fast abandonment to get back to the paperwork. She would never have guessed that Celestia would have caged one of the Element Bearers. Her wings relaxed and folded. Her glare softened into a distant gaze as she pondered both the reports and Dash's current condition. I should have at least summoned an escort for her - that wasn't fair of me - expecting her to find her way while injured.

Luna decided to seek out Dash, if she wasn't still in conference with Celestia, - and try to apologize for the cage - again.

That course of action resulted in a discovery. Luna found the double doors rendered completely unusable. The left door was twisted and leaning, the top hinge being its only support - though soon that would buckle and fall to the strain of holding up the heavy door. The twin on the right was already on the ground - though in a similar state - bent from some unknown force.

Luna slowly approached the doors - not wanting to believe her eyes. Her silver-shod hoof gently prodded the downed door. It was solid. As much as it could be with all the damage it had sustained.

Her shoes weren't true silver, of course, for that metal was too soft and malleable to support an alicorn's weight, but were made of an alloy that had been affectionately termed 'moonsilver'. Moonsilver maintained the shine of true silver, but had the strength of steel and were as light as clouds. It was a difficult alloy to make - mainly as enchantments were weaved into it during the forging process. That was the only way the metal could have durability as well as the low weight.

Luna mentally cataloged the state of the remains - for they couldn't rightly be called doors in their current condition.

Both had sustained multiple indentations consistent with being struck by hooves, whether in frustration or anger, she couldn't say for sure. Luna paused to compare her own hoof with these. Smaller, so not the work of a fully-grown alicorn...

Alongside the hoof indentations in the fallen door was an imprint of a - is that a face? - Luna blinked at that, not really believing that somepony would not only head-butt the metal, but leave such a dent. The more she studied it, the more that disbelief was overtaken by amusement. Her face crinkled up as she tried to contain bubbling laughter.

A small snort, I wonder how Tia would react if I placed an image of a face on the moon?, followed by a few filly giggles escaping, before Luna managed to block them with one of her moonsilver shoes. Her eyes widened, as she remembered the cause of her mirth. The damage on the double doors still needed to be cataloged in full. She already knew that they couldn't be repaired, but knowledge of the damage and what caused it would be important for the replacement set.

Turning her attention back to the fallen door, Luna went back to the task of assessing the totality of the damage.

Further along was a gouge, that ran to the inner edge of the door, indicative of applied directional force. A force that was powerful enough to rend this door from the hinges - the remains of which displayed signs of sheering. That last must have hit both of these doors....

Luna glanced over at the left one, there was clear secondary damage from the ricochet of the first colliding with it on its way down. Leaving her inspection of the right remains in favor of studying the less damaged - though not by much - door, Luna continued her list. More deep indentations of the same kind as the first set were the first to be added - looks like this door was hit by a well-aimed back-kick, though that was not the final blow that opened the doors.

About the same height as the others trench was the continuation of the directional blow. Shallower, easily assumed to be the result of the loss of momentum and power on the initial strike that took out the first door. But still strong enough to create a distortion of the metal... Slightly deeper indents were located at the end of the strike. Extra force had been applied there - maybe to provide an extra boost to escape the other doors path. Luna shook her head, that theory seemed wrong somehow, the secondary damage wasn't close enough to be the true reason.

Luna frowned as she took final stock. That damage was rather immense, considering the doors had been made of metal thicker than most of the palace's support columns, she did wonder if some magic had enhanced the attacker's strength. Her horn lit up - her dark blue aura running over the scars, into the open wounds of the metal and into the blackness behind seeking traces of any enchantment.

She found something she did not wish to see. The deepest part of each strike pulsed red. In the room beyond, a small green spark flared up and then died. Luna's eyes widened in shock as her mind recognized the powers that answered her search.

A little known fact of magic was that every caster left a unique signature - that could be read by another. Mistakes were possible - especially if multiple casters had combined spells and formed an overlay in the area, but since these resonating 'after-images' were separated and this section of the castle had been relatively magic-free for so long - there was no chance of making a misidentification.

This meant that Luna was able to identify the sources, no matter how much she wished it was not so. A trickle of worry crept around her mind, causing her to douse her magic. Though what she had already observed was not so easily erased.

"The Red Mage's aura - Kuvvet's blessing did this....," Luna gasped, staring wide-eyed at the doors, before her gaze drifted to where the ember of green had briefly glimmered in the darkness. "And that was Kuvrama's, the Green Mage.... for both to be seen in close proximity can mean only one thing. The Pigment is free!"

Her damage report on the doors and the recommendations for the acquisition of replacements slid from her mind as terror coated her thoughts in ice. The Pigment is on the loose! Bad, Bad, Bad. How? What? Really, really bad.

Luna seemed unaware of the little shuffling dance her hooves performed - she was subconsciously hopping from one to the other as her thoughts melted and descended into chaos. Her subconscious movement took her from one door to the other - her eyes darting about as if scanning the shadows. The Pigment is free - but that can't happen. No! No, no no, nononono ! And its here - inside the palace! That power should never have been contained and concentrated. Now its out - here! There's a super-weapon inside the palace.... and its already started to destroy....

Luna remained frozen with indecision - apart from the nervous hopping of her hooves Multiple courses of action tumbled around her mind.

No. I must think clearly. For the sake of Equestria. Luna took a deep steadying breath. It helped. A little. Her thoughts weren't acting like out of control pinwheels anymore , but her hooves just wouldn't stay still. Her wings were also twitching, another physical sign of her agitated state. Luna took another breath as she formulated possible plans.

Action Plan One: Alert the Royal Guards.

Pros: More ponies to look could help locate the Pigment faster and contain it.

Cons: The Pigment is a super-weapon, and very dangerous. It has also been kept secret from the general populace. Alerting the Guards would almost certainly create a panic in the citizens.

Action Plan Two: Go after the Pigment myself.

Pros: Limits knowledge of the problem, therefore less chance of generalised panic.

Cons: It is a super-weapon. Not a good idea to face one alone.

Action Plan Three: Inform Celestia of the Pigment's 'activities'.

Pros: I'd have back-up. Plus the extra advice would be helpful.

Cons: Celestia's in a meeting with Rainbow Dash. She stayed up for that - therefore it is important and I cannot interrupt. It is also Night, my domain - how can my own sister trust me to rule, if I cannot act solo and run to her for aid over every problem?

Luna blushed slightly at that. She had relied on her sister a lot in the few years since her return. The changes caused by time had taken some adjustment to get used to. It was about time she did take charge and lessen the burden on her elder sister. So that leaves...

Action Plan Four: Find a way of stopping the Pigment.

Pros: Finding a weakness would enable a more positive resolution. Understanding how the Pigment was contained would ensure a stronger prison this time around.

Cons: I Don't know how much time it'll take.

Once decided on a course of action, Luna transferred her energies into expeditious movement. Luna galloped along the corridors, thinking furiously. There must be some way to stop it. A distant memory resurfaced, that of a particular item that Celestia always kept sealed away in the Vaults. And I think I know where the answer is...

She exited onto the nearest balcony and hurled herself into the air. For a moment, she hung suspended in the night sky, then her wings unfolded. The stars twinkled above and the moon dimmed slightly as she wrapped her wings in borrowed magic, her flight carrying her swiftly and silently towards the part of the castle that contained the hidden Canterlot Vault.

Knowledge of and access to this hidden Vault was strictly controlled, it was not the one that contained the Treasury of Equestria - and only the jewel in her crown combined with her magic aura provided the key. Well, one of the keys anyway - her sister's crown jewel and magic made up the only other.

She soon reached the hidden door of the vault, located just behind Celestia's throne. Using her right forehoof, she tapped a certain tile on the floor, the moonsilver channeling Luna's magic into it. What followed would be considered by the common pony to be impossible. Luna sank through the ground; magic opening and sealing the floor as her body slid through.

On the other side, she ended up on all fours, as if she had risen from the floor she was currently standing on. She shook herself lightly, not being accustomed to that vertigo-like feeling. What lied ahead of the small, candle-lit room was a massive pair of doors, split only by two small circles. Trotting over to them, Luna encased her crown's gem in her magical grip, popping it out and inserting it into the bottom hole. Dull clanking and ground shaking thuds thundered all around within the walls, and the doors slowly drifted apart.

Luna knew what she was looking for, and soon located it. A white-covered book that had no title or author, only a circular design with six equal segments each colored in a different shade. Red, orange, yellow, blue, green and violet wedges taunted Luna with a promise of answers within.

Re-inserting her crown's main jewel, Luna flicked through the book with her magic finding nothing but frustration. The written words inside defied her comprehension. She stomped her hoof, before a smile crossed her face.

What better pony to solve this mystery than Twilight Sparkle? Tucking the book under her wing, Luna left and resealed the vault. Now all she needed to do was send this book to Ponyville Library, where its custodian awaited.

Once the book had been sent on its way, Luna went back to the destroyed doors. This time accompanied by most of the castle's cleaning staff. She pointed a silver hoof towards the mess,

"Would you be so kind as to clean this up for us?" Luna asked, before continuing past the revealed archway into the darkness beyond. On her way to find Dash, apologize and return to her normal Night duties of watching over the dreams of ponies.

The cleaning staff gaped at the mess and wondered how one Alicorn Princess could cause so much damage.

Luna didn't think much of her use of the royal plural, after all it is in my section of the castle, but it was *your** creation that caused it Tia.* She did however make a note of the names of the staff she had appropriated for the difficult task, and resolved to ensure their next bonus reflected the service they were doing. She may even manage to ensure their silence on the matter with some extra vacation time...

The Celestial Trials: Yellow