The Masked Mare of Mystery

Chapters

Familiar Faces
Upon a Deathbed
Death and Fortune
Troubles Ahoof
Expanding Ops
A FlutterDash Anniversary
Unexpected Help
Rainbow's New Sister
A Villian is Born
More Preparations
Surprises
Gearing Up
The Gremlins
A Plot Twist of Some Kind
A First for History
A Much Needed Break
Memories of a Villian
Crime and Punishment
Getting Serious
Tying Up Loose Ends
A New Home and a New Daughter

Familiar Faces

It was a dark and stormy night. (Wow, talk about an original beginning, but a storm from the Everfree forest did roam into Ponyville.) All of the residence of Ponyville were asleep in bed. All but one. Rainbow Dash. She was looking trouble from the rooftops. Night always seemed to bring out the crooks that find their way into usually peace and honest towns, at least, in every super hero comic book Dash ever read. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case right now. That was hardly ever the case for Ponyville.

“Another slow night.” Dash yawned from beneath her mask.

After her friends took it upon themselves to teach her some humility for bragging about being a hero with the mask hero, the Mysterious Mare Do Well, the rainbow maned pony had decided to take up the act. She couldn't help but think back to her first night, when she caught a thief and really help Granny Smith.

It was funny how Dash would sleep all day if you gave her the chance, but tonight she was restless. She had wanted to visit her beloved Fluttershy, but didn't think the other pegasus would appreciate being woken up at midnight, so opted for patrol, even though the Mare Do Well alarm would alert her of any crimes going on.

Just as Dash had decided to call it a night, she heard the sound of glass breaking. She looked over to see it a robbery. The target was Sugarcube Corner. Dash could see a unicorn stallion with the safe held in a teal aura.

“At last, some fun.” Rainbow chuckled to herself as she flew down and landed on the thief with a hard THUD, causing him to drop the loot.

The thief levitated her off. “You again?” he roared.

“Hey hotshot, you gonna go quietly this time, or you want more face time with the rock?” Mare Do Well asked.

“What do you care, or better yet, who in the name of Celestia are you?” the thief asked.

“Haven’t you heard of me? No? Well, I’m the Mysterious Mare Do Well. And you?” The masked hero replied.

“I’m…” the stallion started, only to get a hoof square in the muzzle, followed by a roundhouse punch across the jaw.

“...the loser again.” RD laughed.

Just then a light came on within the bakery. Rainbow Dash turned to see three ponies coming out to see what was wrong. Mr. and Mrs. Cake look shocked.

“I can’t believe we nearly robbed, thank you Mare Do Well.” Carrot Cake.

“No problem sir.” Mare Do Well said in a monotone voice.

“Ooh, we need to have a thank you party for Mare Do Well…” Pinkie Pie started, only to have the hero silence her with a hoof.

“Thanks kid, but I do what I do for the ponies, nothing else.” The masked mare said.

It hurt Dash to she the look on Pinkie’s face. It was like those words shot the pink party pony through the heart. Maybe it was being denied a reason to through her famed parties, still, it seems the pink earth pony understood. Pinkie nodded.

“You folks go back to bed, I’ll deal with this guy, I just need something to tie him up.” The Mysterious Mare Do Well said.

“Oh, I have some rope I keep around for pleasure, but you can have it for justice, I’ll bring it down.” Pinkie said cheerily. It was amazing how almost nothing ruined Pinkie’s constant good mood.

The Cakes (with their safe back in their possession) and Pinkie went back inside. Rainbow Dash turned back the crook. How did he escape Canterlot prison?, getting out of a cell was a feat in of itself.

“Here you go!” a voice uninterrupted Dash’s train of thought, bringing her back to the reality of the current situation. She turned to see Pinkie holding a coil of rope in one hoof.

“Thank you, now please get back to bed.” Mare Do Well ordered as she took the rope from Pinkie.

Pinkie wanted to ask her who she was under the mask, why was she doing this, and was it really worth doing it “only for the ponies”, but instead turned to head back inside. She looked back to see Mare Do Well tying up the thief who tried to rob them earlier.

“Hey Mare Do Well.” Pinkie called.

The hero looked up at her.

“Thanks”

“Your welcome kid.” The masked hero replied with a warm tone.

Pinkie Pie smiled as she went back inside.Dash sighed. It was hard enough having to keep the truth from her friends, much less put up with crazy criminals, but the way she can help ponies, give them a sense of security made it all worth it.

“I love this job.” Dash though to herself as she carried the thief to town hall.

Last time, she had just left him there to be locked up, but since he seemed to have given them the slip at the prison, no doubt he can do it here. She decided to stay with him here until morning. Just as a measure, Rainbow made sure to sleep on top the thief, so if he tried to make a break for it, she’d feel something. This proved unnecessary, but better safe than sorry. If Mayor Mare was surprised to find a crook at the door at town hall there first time, she was shocked to find the crook AND the hero at the doorstep the next morning. After Mare Do Well explained the situation, the thief was lock in the holding cell, with a guard watching him. Relieved, RD headed home.

“Tank!” Rainbow called as she entered.

The tortoise flew up to his owner. “About time you got back,what happened?” he asked.

“It was the same pony from last time, I had to say with him so he didn't get away again.” Rainbow said as she took of the hat and masked.

“Did he give you to much of a hassle that you can’t feed me my breakfast?” Tank asked.

Rainbow Dash sighed as she made her way to her bedroom. After she took off the costume, she made breakfast for the two of them. As they ate, RD looked at the calender.

“Yuh, Cider Season starts tomorrow, I wonder what I’m going to do for our one year anniversary?” Dash wondered out loud.

“ The anniversary of you and Fluttershy getting together?” Tank asked.

“Yeah, best day of my life, I didn't care for having to find Angel bunny in Everfree Forest though.” Dash laughed.

After they ate, Dash went out to start work. Ten seconds later, the sky was clear, for now. Wild clouds from the Everfree often stray into Ponyville skys, so the sky wouldn't stay clear all day. Until the clouds made it to Ponyville, pegasi can’t do anything to them.

“Why can’t those clouds just stay where they are, like regular clouds? Dash asked herself.

She though about a time when she flew over to the Everfree and tried to busts clouds there so they won’t go into Ponyville. To her surprise, her hoofs passed right through it. Strangely enough, she could walk on it.

“Hey Dash!” a voice called.

Rainbow Dash looked over to see it was her marefriend.

“Hey Shy!” Rainbow said. The two pegasi nuzzled muzzles in greeting, followed by a kiss.

“You know cider season starts tomorrow and…” Shy started.

“Hey don’t worry, I’ll show my little cutie pie a good time for our anniversary.” Dash reassured her lover, which earned her a light kiss on the cheek.

“Did you hear about the attempted robbery last night?” Fluttershy asked.

“Let me guess, the Mysterious Mare Do Well saved the day.” RD said sarcastically.

“You know, we did it for your own good, besides, we can’t help it if somepony took it upon themselves to be a hero.” Fluttershy replied annoyed.

“I know…” Dash said, then lowered her voice to a whisper, “… don’t tell the others, but you made the best Mare Do Well Snuggy.”

“Awww, you’re to much Dashie." Fluttershy said softly, pulling Dash in for a kiss. When they had finished, Rainbow wrapped a wing around the other pony and the two went on their way.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash arrived at Golden Oaks where Pinkie as excitedly talking to Twilight.

“She said she does it for the ponies, nothing else.” Pinkie said while hopping in place.

“Wow, sounds like true selflessness.” Twilight mussed.

“I know, she even turned down one of my parties!” Pinkie Pie continued.

Twilight’s eyes widened at this. When Pinkie Pie offered a party in your honor, you took it. You’d have to be out of your mind to refuse her.

“Dashie, Fluttershy, did you hear? Mare Do Well stopped a robbery Sugarcube Corner.” Pinkie told the couple when they entered the library.

“Yeah, we heard.” RD replied, slightly upset. After the Mare Do Well incident, Dash developed a dislike for hearing about her good deeds.

“Yes, apparently it was the same pony who tried to rob Granny Smith all those months ago.” Twilight added.

“Hey everypony!” a voice called.

The four ponies looked to see Applejack and Rarity walk in.

“Yall know that cider season starts tomorrow, so I was wondering if yall can help us again?”

“Of course we will, just this time, let’s not bust out the Vodka.” Twilight laughed.

“Hey, it was time for celebration, they would have been nuts not too.” Pinkie said defensively. Only she could party so hard as to keep some level state of mind after 30 mugs of spiked cider.

“Your right their Pinkie, we did beat Flim and Flam at the contest, but yall did get slammed, especially Rainbow.” Applejack teased.

“Hey, I had to wait three days for one mug, and everypony knows it tastes better spiked.” RD said defensively.

“ Alright, come on girls, we gotta set for tomorrow.” Twilight said.

With that, the six mares left for Sweet Apple Acres.

Upon a Deathbed

Two days earlier.

Rainbow Blaze was in his office when he heard a loud splash. He looked out to see what had happened. He gasped at the sight in front of him. His father was in the rainbow mix pool, struggling not to drown.

“Hang on Dad!” Rainbow Blaze called.

He raced over to the mix pool before anypony else could, managing to pull his father out of it.

“Somepony get a medic and a fill in for my father!” He ordered.

A mare named Rainbowshine raced off to do just that. The other workers gathered around Rainbow Blaze as he laid the older stallion on the ground.

Rainbow Blaze looked down at his father. “What happened Dad?” he asked.

“Oh son, I tripped over my own hoof and ended up in there.” Rainbow Strike said weakly.

“Somepony called for a medic?” a voice asked.

“Yes, over here.” The rainbow maned stallion called.

“What happened?” the medic asked.

“My father fell into the spectra mix pool.” Rainbow Blaze explained.

The medic grew silent. Direct exposure to the spectra that make a rainbow have fatal effects on a pony’s body. Pinkie Pie was only so lucky not to have tasted some without getting her tongue burned off.

“Somepony call an ambulance, he need to get to the hospital.” The medic ordered.

While a stallion did so, the medic did what he could, which wasn’t much. He injected Rainbow Strike with some magic potion, which did seem to help, but not that much. Fortunately, the ambulance arrived and RS was rushed to the hospital. Rainbow Blaze could only watch helplessly as the ambulance raced away. He would have to wait until after his shift to see his father again. Unfortunately, they didn’t let him see his father that day due to the degree of operation he was undergoing. He could see his father the day afterwards either because he was having the potion the medic used earlier pumped into him all day. Apparently Rainbow Strike consumed a dangerous amount of the spices.

Present Day, 4:30.

“We’d like to see Rainbow Strike.” Rainbow Blaze told the receptionist.

“Down the hall, first room on the left.” The receptionist replied, not even looking at the couple.

“She was rather rude.” Firefly snorted as she and her husband made their way down the hall.

They arrived at the room. Inside they saw a light blue stallion with the trademark Rainbow Family mane. He also bore a three color lightning bolt cutie mark, hence his name, Rainbow Strike.

“Son, come closer” the old stallion said weakly when he noticed the two pegasi standing at the door.

The two younger ponies approached.

“Where’s Dashie?” he asked.

“Ponyville Dad.” Blaze replied.

The old pony sighed. “I need all three of you here, don’t worry about me, I’ll hold on for another day, bring Rainbow Dash with you tomorrow.”

Both husband and wife looked confused by this, but before they could ask their father what he meant, a nurse came in and told the married couple to leave him to rest.

“What did he mean by “I'll hold on for another day?” Firefly asked her husband.

“I can take a guess…” Blaze said quietly.

“No, …, he can’t…not yet!” the pink pony said alarmed when realization hit her.

Blaze said nothing. He turned and continued on. Firefly sighed and followed him home.

The First Day of Cider Season

Two ponies where making their way to Ponyville. When they arrived, they were surprised to see ponies going the same direction. Bifröst stopped a blue unicorn with an hourglass cutie mark.

“Excuse me, where is everypony going?” he asked her.

“To Sweet Apple Acres for cider season.” Minuette replied.

“Can you lead us there?” Firefly asked.

“Sure, follow me.” The unicorn replied.

She led them to the large apple farm. Once they had gotten there, the couple thanked Minuette and searched for their daughter, calling out her name. Looking through the line until they got to the front, they saw an orange earth pony wearing a cowboy hat stood behind a stand.

“Yall lookin for Rainbow Dash, she’s over there with Big Mac.” Applejack said, pointing to Rainbow and Big Mac running on a treadmill connected to a machine juicing apples. They went over to them.

“Dash” Firefly said.

The speedster looked over at her parents.

“Hey Mom, Dad.” She said cheerily.

“We need to talk to you, it’s a family matter.” Rainbow Blaze said seriously.

Rainbow could tell something was up. “Go on without me, this may take a while.” She told the big red stallion.

“Eeyup.” Was the short reply

The Rainbow Family walked over to an empty space.

“What’s up?” Dash asked.

“My father is on his deathbed, he needs us all there, mostly likely to tell us something important.” Blaze said.

“WHAT!? Grandpa is dying!” Rainbow exclaimed.

“Yes, and we have to go see him now.” Firefly explained.

Dash looked sad. “Let me explain what’s going on before we go.”

The parents watched as she walked away and called her friends together, two unicorns, two earth ponies (one of them was the orange earth pony from earlier), and a Pegasus they recognized as Fluttershy.

"Guys, we have situation. My grandfather is dying in the hospital and by the sounds of it, he doesn't have much longer." Rainbow explained.

Gasps came from the other five mares.

"Oh Daring, that's horrible, I'm so sorry." a white unicorn with a royal purple mane said.

"Thanks, my parents and I have to go see him before..." Dash started before she was cut off.

"Take all the time you need Sugarcube, losing a family member isn't any easy thing to get over. Ah was pretty down in the dumps after Grampy died." the orange earth pony said understandingly.

"Dash, if you need anything, we're here for you." a lavender unicorn said encouragingly.

"Yeah, if you ever need a cheering up party..." a pink earth pony said quietly,

"I know, thanks guys." the rainbow haired pegasus told them.

After a group hug, the others remained quiet as they went back to work, leaving Dash and Shy alone.

"Sorry if..." Dash began.

"Dashie, it's okay, don't worry about us. What's important is you go spend some time with your grandfather before his time is up." Fluttershy said softly.

"I love you Fluttershy." Rainbow said quietly.

"I love you too Rainbow Dash" Fluttershy replied.

Both ponies leaned in and shared a kiss, much to the surprise of Blaze and Firefly.

“Alrighty, let’s go.” Rainbow called as she made her way back to her parents.

Her parent starred dumbfounded at her. At first Rainbow was confused, but then realized they saw her kiss a mare on the lips, and not just any mare.

“Yes, I’m gay and I love Fluttershy, I was going to tell you sooner or later, but…” Dash sighed before she was cut off.

“Now’s not the time, let’s get going.” Rainbow Blaze said with a huff as he took off.

RD looked at her mother. Firefly sighed at smiled at her.

“Come on!” RB called from above.

The two mares took off after him. The trip to Cloudsdale was a quiet one.

“So Dashie, how did you two fall in love?” Firefly asked, trying to make conversation as the trip was getting boring.

A grunt came from the stallion.

“Well, it’s like this. Fluttershy told me she liked me asked me out on a date. It could have gone better, but that's besides the point. Our relationship was getting on her pet bunny's nerves and causing tension between them, then it came to a head one day and Fluttershy offered him a chance to leave, which he took. After that, Flutters was devastated, so I search for her pet bunny and brought him back. When she asked why I did it, that's when I realized I loved her. ” Dash explained.

Firefly “Awwed” at the story.

“Dad, I know that…” Dash started.

“It’s okay, I would prefer you to be straight but, if you like mares, who am I to stop you.” Blaze said in an annoyed yet tolerant tone.

Rainbow was relieved her father accepted the fact she was lesbian. She had been worried he parents would disown her for her sexuality, but now she could breathe easy about it. However this good feeling didn’t last long. When they reached Cloudsdale, Dash couldn’t help but shutter.

Death and Fortune

Things didn’t get any better as the trio approached the hospital. After the spoke to the receptionist (who was rude again, much to Firefly’s dismay), they found Rainbow Strike looking weaker than he was yesterday.

“Good everypony‘s here.” He said cheerfully.

“Dad…” Rainbow Blaze started.

“Son, my time is running out. Now listen. Do you know why you were named Rainbow Blaze?” Rainbow Strike asked.

“No.” Blaze replied.

“It’s because you mother’s family and my family had an age old feud that lasted for quite a while. One night, at a party, we both got wasted and did it. We wouldn’t know the fact until the next morning, and surprisingly, neither of us got mad, maybe because we both knew we couldn’t undo it, or we realized we loved each other. Odds are it was the latter, I can’t remember anyway we both agreed to keep it quiet, but three months afterwards, White Glory got morning sick and we had to fess up. Our families immediately settled their differences and prepared us for the child. When you were born we gave you a named Blaze because both our parents wanted a grandchild named Blaze, and because of that similarity, you brought the two feuding families together.” RS said.

Bifröst stayed silent. He remembered whenever either side of the family got together, they got along so well, that anything that even hinted they were once enemies never cross your mind. All because of one pony.

“Firefly.” Strike said.

“Yes Dad?” Firefly asked.

“I remember when Blaze brought you home to meet us for the first time. I remember the look Glory’s face when she first saw you, she wasn’t ready to hand over her little colt to another mare yet, that’s why she was a bit hostile the first time.” Strike told her.

“I remember that day well.” Firefly replied.

“But after you left, she had to admit Blazy did pick the right one. I knew it from the start of course I told my boy, you did good son, she’s a pretty nice catch.” Rainbow Strike said.

“I knew it too.” Firefly said.

“And was beyond proud when you two had a foal. Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow Strike continued.

The youngest pony stepped forward.

“When I first met you, I knew you were going to take after me and your father as one of the best flyers in Equestria. But I never would have guessed you’d be the first pony to pull of the legendary Sonic Rainboom, much less three times. Then throw in the fact you bare the element of loyalty.” Strike said amazed.

“Aww Gramps, please don’t inflate my ego.” Dash said with a hoof behind her head.

“And modest?, well, were did that came from?” Firefly asked.

“I’d rather not talk about it.” Dash replied.

“My time has come, listen closely. I’m giving you two keys, one opens the door to my house. Under the desk in my study, there’s a loose floorboard. Under that floorboard is box which the second key opens. Within its contents is my will. I trust my last wish will be carried out?” Rainbow Strike asked his son as he held out the keys.

“Yes Dad.” Blaze replied as he took them from his father.

“Good. Then it’s time for me to go, see you all later.” Strike said as he laid his head on the pillow.

“Wait Gramps, you don’t have to…” Dash cried out, but it was too late. Rainbow Strike had flat lined.

The family departed the room in silence with tears in their eyes. Once they told a passing doctor what happened, they set of for the now dead pony’s home. Doing as the elder pony had instructed them, they did indeed find the box and the old pony’s will. Bifröst read it out-loud.

"I Rainbow Strike, wish to be buried in Ponyville alongside my late wife White Glory. The reason being I lived there for a time, the house I lived in at the time I leave to my son Rainbow Blaze and his spouse Firefly. In addition, I also leave to them and their daughter Rainbow Dash…”

Blaze stared at the paper with his jaw fit to fall off his face.

“What?” Firefly asked. She looked over at the will and fainted.

What did he leave us?” RD asked.

Rainbow Blaze showed her the document.

"...my bank account containing.... OVER THREE TRILLION BITS!!!!!!!!!” Dash exclaimed.

Blaze continued to read, “No doubt wondering how I came to accumulate such a fortune. You see, before I met White Glory, I traveled to the ground, and worked for a rich pony for a while in Manehattan, as a butler. He was hermit at the time, so I became his only friend. At sixteen, he inherited the family business after both his parents were killed in a mugging after going to an Opera. After working for him for some time, I decided to move to Ponyville, and never heard from him again. About a month after White Glory’s passing, I got word he had died as well, and left me his fortune, which I now pass onto you. Let me leave you with the words he left with me, spend it wisely.”

There was a silence in the room.

“Wow, all that money, why didn’t he tell us earlier?” Dash asked.

“Because money can corrupt even the most honest of ponies. Rainbow Strike was right to only tell us after his passing.” Blaze concluded.

Rainbow Dash was quiet for a moment. She seemed to be thinking about something.

“You can’t tell anypony about it, understand?” Rainbow Blaze asked.

“Yes Dad, it’s just that, I live on my own and…” Dash replied.

“You want to divide it evenly among us, don’t you?” RB asked.

Dash nodded.

“Okay, you’re and adult and I trust you, just do as Dad asked and be smart with your trillion bits, okay?”

“Yes Dad, I will.” Rainbow promised.

“Uuuuuuuggggghhh?” a groggy voice asked.

The two rainbow maned ponies look down to see Firefly start to come around. When she recovered, she got up on all four hooves.

“What I miss?” she asked.

Troubles Ahoof

Six days earlier.

Fillydelphia appeared in view. Lightning Dust was relieved to be home after a two day flight. She still couldn’t believe she lost the race to Rainbow Dash

“What is a Sonic Rainboom anyway?” she asked herself.

As she landed, everypony in town didn’t bother to look at her.

“Great, outcasted in my own hometown.” Dust though to herself.

She made her way to her house, cursing out the one who had done all. When she made it to her front door, a newpaper hit her head.

“Ow, who threw that?” Lightning asked.

Nopony answered.

Lightning Dust picked up the paper turned and entered her house. The inside was just as she left it, messy. She sighed and started cleaning up. As she did, she found an older paper; on the front page was the pony Lightning Dust despised most. She threw it away in disgust. Another paper from that day featured a mare wearing a purple costume.

“The Mysterious mare Do Well did do some pretty amazing rescues, just like Rainbow Dash…” the green Pegasus thought to herself.

“Wait a minute; Dash does all that heroic stuff in one morning, then this hero shows up that afternoon. Coincidence? Not a chance. How could those fools not realize Rainbow Dash IS the Mysterious Mare Do Well.” Lightning Dust realized.

She looked for another paper that was printed the next day, then found some hero comic books.

“Yes!, now I can get back at Rainbow Dash and everypony else who dares to stand in my way.” Dust said menacingly, followed by the classic evil laugh.

“Enjoy it while it lasts Rainbow Dash, for soon I’ll truly have my revenge.”

Five days earlier

A guard came into view with keys held in a blue aroua.

“Okay, somepony paid your bail, now get out.” He ordered as he open the cell door.

Pitch was surprised. Ever since he tangoed with that masked hero Mare Do Well, he wanted revenge, but was afraid he’d never leave the prison. He walked out of the cell and down the hall to the front entrance. There waiting for him was a green Pegasus pony with a two tone yellow mane.

“Hello, Perfect Pitch. I’m Lightning Dust, and we have something in common.” Dust said.

“And what is that?” Pitch asked.

“We both want to get even with the Mare Do Well.” Was the confident reply.

“Keep talking.” Pitch asked interestedly.

“I happen to know who’s under the mask, but I need you to help me confirm.” Dust explained.

“What’s in it for me?” Pitch asked.

“Your freedom, but you already got it.” Lightning Dust replied.

“Alright, I’m in.” Perfect Pitch said at last.

“Great, all you have to do is get her to come to you.” Dust said.

You already know how that went down. What you didn’t see was what Lightning Dust was doing there.

The green Pegasus watched from her hiding spot as Pitch broke into the bakery.

“Ah, Sugarcube Corner. It seemed like only yesterday my date with Octavia Melody went sour after that cupcake eating contest. At least I won.” She heard Pitch say.

“Come on Dash.” Dust said to herself.

At last, the mask vigilante appeared just as the thief walked out of the building. Mare Do Well made short work if the former violinist, which Dust expected, but did mind. After the hero had a brief conversation with the victims, Lightning, careful to remain out of sight, followed Rainbow to town hall. She was frustrated when Dash lay on top of Pitch.

“Great, now I have to spend the night in Ponyville. I hope it’ll be worth it.”

Lightning Dust wished she could go to sleep, but she needed to be ready when Dash returned home. Finally after hours, the mayor showed up and Mare Do Well explained the situation, after which she left town hall.

“Here we go.” Dust said to herself.

She follow Mare Do Well to a cloud house decorated with a rainbow running through it, rainbow spice waterfalls, and a sign over the door bearing Rainbow Dash’s cutie mark.

“Hmm, no doubt who lives here.” Dust thought to herself

“Tank!” Rainbow Dash’s voice called.

“About time you got back,what happened?” a voice that must have belong to "Tank" asked.

“It was the same pony from last time, I had to say with him so he didn't get away again.” Rainbow said.

Peeking through a side window, Lightning Dust watched as Mare Do Well took of the hat and mask, revealing a rainbow mane.

“I knew it!” Lighting Dust said to herself.

With that, she flew away, already plotting her next move.

Present Day

Rainbow Dash stood in front of the two graves. One was there before. Her grandmother, White Glory, passed away in a flying accident when Dash was but two years old. The other was a fresh grave for somepony Rainbow had been close too, her grandfather. The funeral had ended just moments earlier, only six mares remained. The other five who stood behind Rainbow Dash were her closest friends.

“Well gramps, I guess you don’t me to grieve now that you’re with gramma again. I wish she lived long enough for me to get to know her, but I’m sure she’s as awesome as you said.” Dash said quietly, tears forming in her eyes.

The other remained quiet as Rainbow took a brief pause.

“I just want you to know you did me a real favor, I only wish it didn’t come at the cost of your life. So, thank you and rest in peace.” Dash said finally.

She turned around to face her friends.

“Let’s get back to Sweet Apple Acres.” Dash told them.

“Listen Sugarcube, Ah don’t think…”

“Applejack please, I’m fine, I just need something to keep me busy for the time being.” Rainbow said patiently.

Fluttershy stepped forward and hugged the cyan pony, which she returned, prompting the other four to join in. after the touching moment, they all pulled away.

“Thanks guys, I needed it.” Dash told them.

With that, they returned to Sweet Apple Acres. A long line of ponies wainting for cider greeted them when arrived. No time was wasted in serving them the sweet foaming beverage they so desired.

Thanks to the extra hooves on the job, what would have been and four hour tasked took only half the time, and a good thing too, the ponies had other things to do that day than serve cider, especially Rainbow Dash. She had a lot to do now that she had aquired a trillion bit fortune, which she intended to put to good use.

Expanding Ops

Rainbow Dash stood in front the store that received the least business in town, looking at the sign that hung above the door, which read “Gizmo's Computer and other tech”.

“I know this guy works for Equestria Laboratories, but seriously, why are the goods so expensive?” Dash asked herself as she entered.

“Hello, welcome to Gizmos.” A nerdy looking earth pony behind the register greeted her.

“Yeah, hi I shopped here before…” they cyan Pegasus began.

“Wait, I remember you Rainbow Dash, you came in and asked for a computer, a box of spy cameras, the alarm system and a thought translator system.” Gizmo said.

“Yep, that’s me. What I need from you now is a super computer, an automatic door with a hoof and face scanner, and a mobile communication device.” Rainbow replied.

Gizmo looked at her like she had grown another head.

“I’m sorry, just how are you going to pay for those? You still owe me for the first batch of stuff I sold you.” he asked.

Dash tossed a huge bag of bits on the counter.

“Does that answer your question?” she asked.

Gizmo stared at the bag. “How much…? ” he asked.

“There’s two hundred bits in that bag and plenty more where that came from, I assure you.” The rainbow maned Pegasus said.

“I’ll get you set up. You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re some kind of superhero of something making a HQ.” The earth pony joked as he took the bag and went into a back room.

Rainbow Dash smiled, but it soon faded when she though back to the day decided to become the Mysterious Mare Do Well.

“Wait Rainbow, don’t worry about that letter now, we have bigger problems right now!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed.

“She’s right, yall just chased Mare Do Well off stage and into the town, their gonna want to know what happened.” Applejack said.

“Okay listen girls, we have to get the hay out of here, and the sooner we get rid of these Mare Do Well costumes, the better. Dash, you have to explain what happened.” Twilight said.

“Right, don’t worry, I’m on it.” Dash reassured them.

She watched as her friends raced off to Sweet Apple Acres. She herself flew back to the stage where Mayor Mare was trying to calm down the crowd.

“Excuse me, Mayor?” the cyan Pegasus asked.

“Rainbow Dash, what happened?. No better yet, what was your problem with Mare Do Well?” she asked.

“Is it okay if I address everypony at once?” the cyan Pegasus asked timidly.

The mayor nodded.

“Excuse me, everypony?” Dash asked.

The dispersing crowd gathered again to her what the local speedster had to say.

“The reason I chased Mare Do Well of stage is because…I was jealous of all the attention she was getting for being a hero, attention I got that morning and wanted back. I got angry with her and decided to unmask her in front of the town, had her cornered. But when she told me being a hero is more than the praise, I decided to let her go.” Dash explained.

“What did Mare Do Well say?” a voice asked.

Rainbow Dash looked upon the sea of eager faces, realizing that, like it or not, they needed Mare Do Well. Sure today was a “one off” day, but who’s to say a day just like it would never come around. The cyan Pegasus thought about the times she saved ponies from trouble. That feeling of knowing you prevent what could have been an ugly ending. Somepony has to ready should such a time arrived. Who was going to bare that burden?

“She said we haven’t seen the last of her.” Dash said solemnly.

This was met with loud cheers.

“SILENCE!” a loud voice ordered.

The ponies looked to see it was the Mayor.

“Mare Do Well deserved that, but let’s not forget who put her life at risk before Mare Do Well arrived.” Mayor Mare said firmly, turning to Rainbow Dash, only to see she had gone.

Nopony had noticed the rainbow maned Pegasus slip away while the mayor had them distracted.

“What have I done?” she asked herself, even though she knew. She just took it upon herself to be the hero they all adored, and she had no way of telling what came with that.

“Excuse me?” a voice asked.

Rainbow snapped out of her thoughts to face Gizmo again.

“Yeah, sorry, my mind wondered.” She said quickly.

“That’s okay, anyway, here’s the mobile device. It hides in your ear.” The earth pony explained, holding out a hoof with a small silver device in it.

“What about the other stuff?” Dash asked.

“They’ll take time…and bits.”

“How much?”

“Your purchase comes to 1200 bits, but you already put 200 down.”

“No problem, I’ll pay you as soon as possible.” Rainbow said, putting the device in her ear.

“I’m sure you will, anyway, thank you for your business, I don’t get much.” Gizmo replied.

“Maybe you should try selling something cheaper.” Dash suggested as she walked out, leaving the nerdy stallion wondering.

***

The spot was not far from her house, hidden behind one of the mountains was a waterfall. Rainbow Dash had discovered a cave behind the waterfall.

“I knew this would make the perfect spot for a secret lair.” Dash said to herself.

Looking around, she noticed something carved on a wall she never noticed before. It was RS+WG in a heart.

“Rainbow Strike and White Glory!” RD exclaimed, “They must of found this place before me.”

“Hello!?” a voice called from the house.

Rainbow flew out of the cave and returned to her house, where a covered wagon was waiting.

“Yes hi, are you here with the stuff I ordered?” RD asked.

“Yes, we…”

“Great, follow me and you can start setting it up.” Dash interuppted, leading them to the cave.

The deliver pony were confused as they pulled the wagon behind a mountain and more surprisingly, behind a waterfall, only to discover a cave within.

“Why…?”

“It’s not any business of yours, just get my stuff set up!” RD snapped.

They started at her.

“I’ll pay all of you double if you get it done within the hour.” She said.

That got the tech ponies moving, fifteen minutes later, the computer and door were ready for use.

“Great, thanks, you’ll get your bits in the mail, bye now.” Dash said as she pushed the techies out the cave.

Once they had gone, Dash walked over to her saddlebag, resting on the floor. Reaching in, she pulled out her Mare Do Well costume and put in on. Going outside the door, she established Mare Do Well as the only one who can enter the lair with a face and hoof scan of the costume. Once she entered the lair, Dash walked to the super computer and turned it on.

“Time to see if the rumors are true.” Dash though said to herself.

Rumors had been going around that a satellite had been launched into space without the public knowing. Just how has puzzled everypony, so it was assumed that no such even occurred. As RD typed, the computer began to pick up an unfamiliar signal. While the computer and indeed this new thing called “the internet” was available to everypony in Equestria, most ponies simply couldn’t afford it. Rainbow herself had to make several monthly payments just to pay for her first batch of tech. However, since she got a computer, she was getting familiar with what was out there. But as she started to connect, she found the signal was secure. Fortunately for Dash, this kind of tech was in its infancy, so the signal wasn’t hard to hack. Once her computer was synced to the satellite, Rainbow Dash could see all of Equestria on the screen.

“Just as I had hoped, the Mysterious Mare Do Well isn’t limited to Ponyville anymore.” RD thought to herself. “After all, Ponyville isn’t the only town in Equestria to need a hero.”

Dash looked out the window to see a star lit night sky.

“ I’d better get ready to pick up Shy for dinner tonight and we can’t be late.” Dash thought as she left the lair.

A FlutterDash Anniversary

Rainbow Dash’s POV

I had made a reservation for us at the fanciest restaurant in Canterlot, the Golden Crown, nothing but the best for my little Fluttershy. Hopefully after dinner we can get some good sex in.

When I got to the house, a thought struck me, “What if something comes up during dinner?!” the odds are slim but could I really take that chance?

“Tank!” I called.

My beloved turtle flew up to me.

“Are you going to your anniversary dinner in the suit?” he asked.

“No, but could you hold it for me, you know, just in case?” I asked.

Tank looked at me with a “really” expression.

“Hey come on, Mare Do Well was needed when Granny Smith was out on that evening walk. If I hadn't been there and didn't give Mare Do Well any more thought, that night could have been worst for her. I don’t want to know what she was doing out so late, point is, who’s to say the somepony isn’t going to need my help during dinner?” I asked.

Tank looked thoughtful.

“Alright, put the costume in your saddlebag and I’ll carry it.” he said at last.

I was so happy I hugged him. I had the right, don’t judge me! Anyway, I took of the suit and put it in my saddlebag, then hung my saddlebag on his shell.

“Stay close, but out of sight, okay?” I asked.

A nod was his response.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Fluttershy’s POV

Do you ever wonder what a rainbow smells like? It smells like roses and vanilla. I know because that’s what Rainbow Dash smells like. Well, maybe I should start from the beginning.

Not long after we had finished serving the customers their cider, Rarity and I headed for the spa. Lotus and Aloe were glad to see us, and asked why we were late. After Rarity explained the situation, it was business as usual. Our treatments were nearly over when Rarity cleared her throat.

“Fluttershy Daring, can I ask you something?” Rarity asked me.

“Um, sure what is it?” I asked.

“You know how Rainbow Dash and yourself got together? How did it happen?” she asked.

“Well, it happened after Angel ran off. Rainbow came back with him later, and I asked her why she brought him back. She said because she couldn't stand to see me sad. I guess that's when she realized she loved me, and we went from there.” I replied.

“Oh, well you see, you know how Spike…feels about me?” Rarity asked.

I nodded.

“Well, I recently realized the feeling …is mutual.” Rarity said unsurely.

“Really? You like him that way?” I asked.

“No, I LOVE him. I asked Twilight how old he was and she told me he was 12. As you know, a pony is a legal adult at that age, so we could be a thing, so to speak, which I really want. But I don’t know how to get us started.” Rarity said.

I smiled. “Just tell Spike how you feel, and the rest should work itself out.” I said reassuringly. Strange how Rarity said she was an expert on romance, and she asked me that. I guess she either forgot or realized her methods only worked in trash romance novels.

Rarity smiled. “Thank you Daring, I will.” She replied.

By now, we were finished and headed out. Rarity said goodbye and left to find Spike. I, on the other hoof, didn’t have to go far to find my true love. I just had to turn around to see Rainbow Dash waving to me. I walked over to her and started nuzzling her, savoring her scent.

“You smell like roses and vanilla, I like it.” I said.

Rainbow Dash turned her head, maybe to hide her blushing.

“Hey pretty pony, how would you like to accompany me to the Golden Crown?” she said casually.

My eyes shot open at this. That was the most expensive restaurant in Canterlot.

“Dashie, how did you..?” I asked.

“Let’s just say my dear old grandfather left behind a few extra bits for me.” She said in a mischievous tone.

“I would love to.” I replied, continuing to nuzzle her.

“Okay, I’ll pick you up at eight, alright?” Rainbow asked.

“Okay.” I replied.

A quick kiss and we went our separate ways; we’d see each other later. I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised. It was our anniversary after all, but I’m pretty sure Dashie is still trying to get over her grandfather’s death, her parents are, they made the decision to move to Ponyville after his funnel that morning, maybe so they can be close. All I know is I’ll always be there for my Rainbow Dash if she needs anything.

Regular POV

Fluttershy heard a knock on the door that night. When she opened it, there was the most beautiful Pegasus pony (in her opinion at least) to come out of Cloudsdale with a rose in her mouth. She bowed slightly when she saw the yellow Pegasus, make the latter shyly turn her head.

“Excuse me miss, I’m here to escort you to the night of your life.” Rainbow said.

“Oh, well, please let me take that for you.” Fluttershy said, turning back to take the rose from her lover’s mouth.

Once she had it, Fluttershy carefully broke off most of the stem and place the flower in her mane.

“Aww, you just made yourself twenty percent cuter.” RD said.

“Why thank you Sweetie.” Fluttershy cooed, giving Rainbow Dash a kiss on the lips, who gladly kissed back.

“All right, let’s go, we can’t be late.” RD said pulling away.

“Okay.” Shy said, taking Dash’s hoof.

They made their way to the train station. The train ride was uneventful, except for a couple of Pegasi who got lost in each other eyes and didn’t come out of their trance until the conductor announced they arrived in Canterlot. Said couple got off and made their way to the Golden Crown.

“Welcome to the Golden Crown.” The host said.

“Thank you, we have a reservation. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.” Dash told him.

The host check the reservation list.

"Ah yes, follow me please." he said and lead the pegasi to their table.

Once they were seated a waiter came to the table.

"Can I interest you in a drink?" he asked.

Dash looked at Shy, wanting her to choose their beverage.

"Hard Cider please." she said with a smile.

Dash couldn't have agreed more. They owed it to hard cider for starting their relationship. They're cider came, and they placed their orders. As they ate, they reminisced about their first date and how awkwardly it had gone. They spoke of other things until they had finished their meal. That was when Dash cleared her throat.

"Hey Shy, I got something for you." the rainbow maned pegasus said placing a small box on the table.

"Oh Dashie, you shouldn't have." Fluttershy said as she took the box and opened it.

She gasped at it's contents, a necklace with her cutie mark, the three butterflies made from small jewels.

"Dashie, this must have cost a fortune!" the yellow pegasus exclaimed.

"Actually, I got a generous discount for being the element of loyalty." the cyan pegasus explained.

"So did I, I got this for you." Flutters said as she gave her lover a box as well.

Rainbow took the box and opened it. Inside was necklace with her cutie mark, made from gold, rubies, pearl and sapphires.

"Wow Flutters, I don't what to say." Dash said.

"How about we pay the bill and go somewhere more... private." Fluttershy cooed quietly with a naughty look in her eye.

Rainbow's POV

I leaned in and planted my lips on Fluttershy's, but our kiss was interrupted by a beeping in my ear. I had used my super computer to link the Mare Do Well alarm to my ear piece. I pulled away quickly.

"Sorry Flutters, I have to used the can." I apologized.

"Oh okay, go ahead." the shy mare said.

I got up from the table, and made my way to the bathroom. Once I got there, I opened the window and crawled out. Tank was waiting for me outside with me costume.

"What was wrong?" I asked him as I put on the costume.

"I saw a group of unicorns putting on body suits planning to rob the restaurant." he answered.

"Geez and on our anniversary. Don't worry, their not walking out with a bit." I promised.

Fluttershy's POV

Just as Dashie had gone to the bathroom 3 unicorns wearing full body suits stormed into the establishment demanding everypony had over their valuables. I hid under the table, clutching my new necklace close. It was only a few minutes when the table was turned over and a large unicorn stallion looked down at me. However, just as he was about to rob me, the mysterious Mare Do Well knocked him out with punch to the head.

"You okay ma'am?" she asked in a disguised voice.

It wasn't disguised enough however, because I knew what that voice really sounded like. It was the voice the called me "Baby" every time we went to bed.

"Yes, I'm fine." I replied.

"Good, you'd better get out of here before these thugs come around." Mare Do Well said.

Getting up, I could see she had knock the thieves out, but for how long? I ran out the restaurant. Once I got outside, I could see Princess Luna's royal guards approaching, which made sense since it was about 10 at night. Those guards are always so scary looking, I don't how other ponies can even look at them. They went into the building and came out the crooks in cuffs.

"Fluttershy!" a voice called behind me.

I turned around to see my beloved Rainbow Dash, body stripped of her costume. I ran up to her and hugged her tightly.

"Babe, I sorry tonight..." she began, but I silenced her.

I know tonight could have been better, but one good thing came out of it. I got my own super hero. I wanted to tell her I know her secret, but then I'd be making myself a target for any criminal who wants to get close to her. Besides, I know what could make this night better.

Regular POV

"Hey Dashie, I'll race you to Sweet Apple Acres." Fluttershy said when finished hugging.

"Okay Babe, your on." Dash said, and they took off full speed.

Rainbow was surprised how fast Shy was going for a pony who had a wingpower of only 5. She guessed Fluttershy could really move when she wanted to. Rainbow couldn't blame her. Who wouldn't go that fast when there's sex at the finish line.

They two pegasi playfully race through the night sky, guided by the light of Luna's moon. In a matter of minutes, they could see the large red barn of Sweet Apple Acres. When they got to it, Rainbow opened the door and they flew to the upper level. It was covered in hay.

"Oh maybe this was a bad idea, what if somepony finds us up here?" Fluttershy asked nervously.

"What in all this hay, not likely, now come over here." Rainbow said lying on her back.

The other pegasus crawled on top of her and made herself comfortable.

Hey Dashie, you remember the time we first tried making love." Shy asked as they snuggled in their makeshift hay bed.

"How could I forget?" Dash chuckled. The pegasus couple couldn't help but think back. Since neither of them have any experience, they had to consult a book to get started. "It left alot to be desired."

"I know, I wasn't really satisfied at the end either, but looking back, I wouldn't change a thing."

"Why not?"

"Because I know you where putting my needs before your own."

Rainbow Dash didn't know what to say, so she pulled her lover in for a kiss. Their kissing became more passionate, each pony moaning loudly until they started to make love.

Unexpected Help

Rainbow Dash's POV

I woke up to a roster's crow. Looking around, I noticed we had kicked hay everywhere during our...roughhousing. Then it just hit me that the Apple family would wake up to start work.

"Shy?" I whispered, but the pegasus got no response, she just slept peacefully on top of me.

I wiggled until I was no longer under Fluttershy, picked said mare up in my hooves and carried her out the barn towards her cottage. It was still early in the morning when we got the cottage, so I was careful not the disturb the sleeping animals. I laid her on her bed. She's so cute when she sleeps.

"Love you Shy." I whispered and kissed her check.

She stirred a bit, but continued sleeping. I turned and left the cottage. When I got home, there was somepony waiting for me at the door.

Princess Celestia's POV

"Princess!" a voice I recognized called.

I sighed. Honestly, sometimes it just not worth being royalty. I'm sure regular ponies have their problem, but those problems look easy to deal with compare to what I have to go through each day.

"Yes Captain?" I asked uninterested as the voices owner entered the throne room.

"The satellite has been hacked."Captain Excalibur said.

Now that's a serious matter. Nopony is suppose to know of the satellite, it's for top secret use only.

"Do the tech ponies know who did?" I asked.

"No, did they do know from where." Excalibur said, producing a map that was marked where the hack had taken place.

"This is a place in Ponyville, I'd better check it out." I said.

"But Princess..." the Captain started.

"No buts, go to Luna if there is anything else that is needed in my absence." I ordered.

Excalibur saluted me and marched out. I got up from the throne and made my way to the exit. The place on the map was pretty close to Rainbow Dash's cloud house, of course, I can't jump any conclusion. Still, a trip to Ponyville would do me some good. It's a rare occasion I get to leave the castle, and even then it's a business trip.

When I got outside, I decided fly to Ponyville myself. I as flew from the sky, I noticed ponies stopped what they were doing to watch me go by. I really wish they'd realize I was a pony, just like them. It hurts when ponies act all different around me, I know I'm a princess, but I'm not THAT special. I'm not above anypony else, I'm an equal, the only difference is I run a country for a living is all. Not wanting them to watch me, I sped up.

Being an alicorn means my wings are far stronger than the average pegasi's. In fact, if I wanted, I could make the tornado to funnel water to Cloudsdale all by myself. Within minutes, I arrived at my destination and knock on the door. No answer. I was about to go into town to look for her when I heard a strange noise. I only ever heard like it at the best young flyer competition, and only one pony made those noises when she flew. The pony who won the competition. Needless to say, she was surprised to see me there.

Regular POV.

"Princess!" Dash exclaimed and bowed.

"Good morning Rainbow Dash." the princess said warmly.

"What bring you here?" Dash asked.

"Well, we launched a satellite into space recently, and I got word it was hacked. The hacker's signal was traced here." Celestia explained.

Rainbow Dash blushed. "Yeah, it was me, but I had my reasons." she explained.

"Such as?"

"Well, maybe it's better if I show you. If only I knew... ah here he comes now!"

Sure enough, Tank arrived, his helicopter looking ready to fall apart, no doubt a result from trying to keep up from the fast flying couple.

"I gotta upgrade that thing." Dash said to herself as she took her saddle pulled out the costume out of her saddlebag.

"Could you give me a second?" she asked.

The princess nodded and Rainbow Dash went inside. Moments later, she stepped out as the mysterious Mare Do Well.

"Oh , I see, you became the Mysterious Mare Do Well." the princess of the day figured.

"Yes, follow me please princess." Dash said, leading the alicorn to her secret lair.

"Why Rainbow Dash?" Celestia asked.

"I like helping ponies in need." the pegasus replied.

"Even after..."

"Yes, even after, my friends burned their costumes, but I got Rarity to make another. Besides, I'm over it now."

Dash opened the door and showed the princess the lair, which wasn't much. Just the computer.

"This computer allows me to see all over Equestria all at once." Dash explained.

The princess looked interestingly at it. "You want to protect all of Equestia? You'll need more than this. I can help you if you like." she offered.

Rainbow was amazed. "Wow, thanks, I would like that."

"Good, of course, my assistance comes at a price, but I'm quite sure you'll pay me back ten fold." Celestia said.

"No worries princess, Equestria is on good hooves, I promise you." Dash replied with a salute.

"Very well Rainbow Dash, I'll contact you when I have anything for you." the princess said as she made her way out.

"Thanks again Princess, bye." Dash said with a salute.

Celestia smiled and flew away at mach speed, surprising and impressing Rainbow Dash.

"Wow, I may be the best flyer in Equestria, but she's the best flyer who ever lived. Not surprising since she had forever to improve her skilled." Rainbow said to herself.

"That is no doubt true, but what about me? I have to be able to fly too you know." Tank said behind her.

"Okay, I'll get that thing upgraded so you can fly faster, I just have to take off this costume first." Rainbow Dash replied, as went off to do just that.

Rainbow's New Sister

Third Person POV

After adopting Scootaloo, Firefly and Rainbow Blaze took her back home to get to know her better. To Firefly's delight, Scootaloo behaved a lot like Rainbow Dash when she was her age.

"What I don't get is why you chose to move to Ponyville." Scootaloo asked her new parents confused.

"Because my parent are buried here." Blaze replied sadly, "My father had passed away recently, and I was very close to him as was Rainbow Dash."

"But why did you adopt me?" Scootaloo asked.

"Losing somepony you love is never easy. We adopted you to help us and Rainbow Dash get over it." Firefly answered.

"What? Rainbow Dash upset? I've never seen Rainbow cry before." the filly said shocked.

"Believe me, she's pretty down in the dumps, but why don't we go cheer her up with her new sister, shall we?" Firefly asked.

"Yeah!" Scootaloo replied excitedly.

***

Rainbow Dash made it a rule to cry in front of another pony, she had a reputation to keep up, and if anypony saw her shed a tear, she'd be seen as weak, and that's the last thing she needed, and right now, she was crying like a new born foal. so much that to say she missed her grand-father was an understatement. As she sobbed, she heard a knock at her door. Drying her tears, Rainbow Dash opened it to her parents.

"Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"We adopted a foal, so we want you to met your new sibling." Firefly replied.

The next thing RD knew, something tackled her down. She looked up to see who her attacher was, revealed to be none other than Scootaloo smiling at her.

"Hey Dash , you're parent adopted me..." Scootaloo cheered excited until she was cut off by Rainbow Dash.

The cyan pegasus had her forehooves around around the filly, hugging her tenderly. Scootaloo was more than happy to return the hug.

"Well, why don't you two show us around town?" Rainbow Blaze asked.

The sisters looked at each other with knowing smiles.

"Sure Dad." Rainbow laughed.

***

Rainbow Dash's POV

Scootaloo and I showed Mom and Dad the whole town. By the looks on their faces, I could tell they were starting to like it here in Ponyville. Of course, they were going to get the chance to meet everypony in town at Pinkie's "WeIcome to Ponyville and Sorry for your loss" party. I alway enjoy Pinkie's parties, But I know I was going to enjoy it more with my new awesome sister. I guess she did too, because during the tour, Scootaloo never left my side and I didn't want her too.

Despite Ponyville being a town, it took the rest of the day to show our parents everything. In fact, the sun had gone down by the time we reached the house.

I have to admit, I found it surprising that Rainbow Strike chose to live in a regular house rather than a cloud house. The inside was your typical modern house, with the exception of the addition of a television, a grievence gift no doubt. Anyway, it was straight to bed with everypony.

Scootaloo's POV

"Good night Scootaloo." Mom said and kissed my head.

"Goodnight Mom." I replied.

I waited till mom was out of the room. Listening closely, I waited until I heard another door close. When I was sure Mom was in bed with Dad, I got out of bed and crept out of my room to the guest bedroom. I know I should have just stayed in my room and went to slept, but who could sleep when the coolest pony ever is in the next room.

I quietly opened the door and stepped it. I could see my big sister sleeping peacefully in bed, facing me. I had gotten two steps further when Rainbow opened her eyes, catching me off guard. I gasped, afraid she was going to be mad at me for disrupting her, but to my surprise, she smiled and raised her sheets to let me in.

I walked over and jumped in bed with her. Dash hugged me tightly, much to my delight. I think she went back to sleep, but I had to stay up to enjoy the moment. When I first asked Rainbow to take me under her wing, I only wanted her to be LIKE a big sister to me, but I never would guessed she would become my sister. I swear, I have to be the luckiest filly alive and that's because I have the coolest big sister that ever lived.

***

Rainbow Blaze's POV

I have to admit having Scootaloo in our lives has made me feel a bit better. Yesterday was one of the happiest since Dad died. The feeling I got when we went around town as a family made me smile. I guess that therapist knew what she was talking about. Anyway, I got up to make breakfast when I noticed the doors to Scootaloo's and the guest bedroom where slightly opened. Looking inside Scootaloo's room revealed an empty bed.

"Dear Faust no." I prayed, assuming the worst.

I went over to the guest room and opened the door more, sighing with relieve. Inside, Rainbow Dash was hugging Scootaloo while they slept. No doubt they'll get along fine.

I didn't notice Firefly join me in watching the heartwarming scene until she awe'd at the sight.

I remember the times she and Dad did that whenever he visited or we visited him. I looked over at my wife. I could tell she was thinking the same thing.

"Let's make them breakfast." I said.

We're on the road to recovery.

A Villian is Born

Lightning Dust's POV

The first part of my plan would be the hardest if I hadn't saved Pitch from the guards. There's this place called "Equestria Laboratories" in Canterlot that specializes in advance technology. So what does that have to do with my plan. Simple, have them build for me a suit that'll allow me to combat Mare-Do-Well ,at horn-point if necessary. Even if Pitch is a musician, any unicorn pony can shoot magic blasts for offensive or defensive purposes. After Pitch's arrest, I followed the guards to Canterlot, and took them out before they reach the prison. Freeing Pitch, we made our way over to Equestria Labs. From the outside, it was just a large square building painted white with windows at regular intervals along the sides. At the front were two glass doors.

"Okay, how are we going to do this?" the stallion asked.

"We go in and demand what I want, and if they refuse, you blast them." I replied.

"Seems kind of crude." he commented.

"Crude, but effective." I replied.

We walked casually into the build and straight to the front desk.

"Excuse me, where do we go to order a metal combat suit?" I asked.

The pony stared at me like I was crazy. She pressed a button on a box on her desk.

"Security needed at front desk." she said into a box.

"Blast her!" I ordered.

A blue blast knock the secretary out cold.

"Come on, before we have company." I ordered.

Pitch and I ran through the facility, looking for anything that could help us. The inside wasn't much different from the outside, white tile walls with windows that showed what was going on inside the rooms. One sign read "Testing Track" above us, and inside I could see a red pegasus wearing a jumpsuit and strange braces on her hooves holding some kind of gun.

"Wait, let's see here." I said

We watch as the red pony shot something blue from the gun at the wall. The blue ammo made a blue circle on the wall. Then she shot orange ammo on another wall, making an orange circle that you can see through, also,you can see through the blue circle now. She then went through the blue hole and came out the orange one.

"Oh, I get it, it's some kind of portal device." Pitch said excitedly.

"Great, but not what we need, keep moving." I replied.

As we ran through the halls, I saw another sign that read "Hazardous Environment suit". We stopped and looked into the room. Something that looked like a pony wearing black and orange armor with guns on its back was shooting at pony shaped targets.

"Bingo!" I cheered.

We walked into the room. Two scientist had their backs to us.

"I don't think it needs guns." a large brown stallion said.

"Do you not know what "hazardous" means Dr. Brown?" a donkey retorted.

"Yes Cranky, I realize that some danger will require fire power to be dealt with, but this suit is mean to help somepony survive areas were the air is poisonous and can hurt you inside and out." Dr. Brown replied.

" Dr.Time Turner, what do you think?" Cranky asked.

The pony wearing the suit took off the helmet. I recognized him as the pony I met when I first went to Ponyville.

"Actually Cranky, I changed my name to Hooves." Hooves said.

"Dr. Hooves? Did you change name because of your side job as the protagonist on that TV show Dr. Whooves?" Cranky asked.

"Yes, once I got home from my audition and got the lead, the new got back to Ponyville and nopony would call me by proper name, so I got my name changed. I wanted it to be "Whooves" with a w, but the name was copyright, so I settled for "Hooves" without a w, on the basis that they sounded the same." Dr. Hooves explained.

"Great, now Hooves, do you feel the HEV suit need guns or not?" Dr. Brown asked.

"Guns are fairly new technology, and many ponies aren't going to know how to use them. Maybe when this kind of weaponry is more common we add them to the suit, but for now, I feel it would be best to leave them out." Dr. Hooves replied.

"Alright, the guns come off, at least until ponies are more familiar with them." Cranky said.

"Oh, I beg to differ." I cut in.

The three scientist turned at looked over at me.

"An intruder!" Dr. Brown exclaimed.

Dr. Hooves pointed the guns at Pitch and I. Pitch got his horn ready.

"Alrighty, listen, just hand over the suit, and nopony gets hurt." I replied.

"Why should we?" Hooves asked.

Pitch, somehow reading my mind, took a shot at him, knocking him out, along with the other two. I walked over to Hooves and took the suit off him. Putting it on suit, I had Pitch make a few adjustment, including making holes for my wings, and changing the color scheme to green and yellow. I walked over to the window and looked at my reflection.

Third Person POV

To say Lightning Dust was happy was an understatement. She was BEYOND happy, so much she laughed. Manically.

"Um, Dust?" Pitch asked

Dust looked over at the unicorn.

"My name isn't Lightning Dust anymore. My name is...Takedown."

"Okay, so now what do we do?" Perfect Pitch asked.

"We? You've served your purpose Pitch." Takedown said pointing her guns at the stallion.

"WAIT! I'm not worth the kill, please spare me!" Pitch cried.

Takedown stopped an considered.

"Your right Pitch, the only blood I want on my hooves is Rainbow Dash's. Well, I suppose a jail cell will suit you fine." Lightning Dust said, glancing over at a spool of wire sitting on a nearby table for some strange reason.

More Preparations

Celestia's POV

I returned to the castle with a young cadet at the door to greet me. He was an orange pegasus with blue hair.

"Welcome back Princess." he said with a bow.

"Thank you, and your name good sir?" I asked.

"Flash Sentry, your highness." he replied.

"Well Flash, can you tell Captain Excalibur that I have the situation under control, he'll know what your talking about." I told him.

With a salute, we went off. I entered the castle and went back to my throne. No sooner had I sat down did a wisp of purple sparkling smoke, which then took the form of a letter.

Dear Princess Celestia

I'd like to thank you again for your help in my mission to save Equestria from evil. While I'd hate to ask anything from my princess, I do require a few thing I'm afraid I can't obtain on my own. They are the following:

A means to change into my costume in an instant

A means to teleportation

Some kind of uncuttable steel cable

Some kind of weapon that can be used for offensive and defensive purposes

If I think of anything else, I'll to get it on my own, otherwise, these are the things I require. Thank you in advance, and this won't become a habit, I promise.

Signed,

Your subject, Rainbow Dash

I sighed sadly. My subjects will never talk to me normally. Just then, a regal red bird flew into the room. I stuck out a hoof for her to land on. Philomena always did know when to cheer me up. Like me, the phoenix can live forever, so her companionship is always appreciated. She was especially help for the 1000 yrs Luna was away.

"At least you treat me normally." I told her.

Philomena only squawked in reply.

Oh well. I might was well contact Equestria labs and get the cable and the weapon for Rainbow Dash, the costume and teleportation problems can be dealt with a spell.

"Instant Message!" I called.

A yellow pegasus stallion walked into the room and bowed.

"You call Princess?" he asked.

I quickly produced a piece of paper and a pen and wrote down my order.

"Yes, I need you to take this to Equestria Laboratories." I replied, sending it over to him. He took it and stuff it in his saddlebag.

"Of course, Princess." he bowed and flew out.

Third Person POV

Rainbow Dash flew over to Golden Oaks library, racing through the door, just narrowly avoiding crashing into a shelve.

"Ever heard of knocking Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked annoyed.

"Yeah, but don't like knocking, I prefer to just make an entrance, you'd see it's me." she replied.

"And what if you walk into a less than desirable scene?" the purple unicorn asked.

"That's on me." Dash replied.

"What can I do for you Rainbow Dash?" Twilight asked with an eye roll.

"I need Spike to sent this to the Princess." Dash replied, producing a letter.

"Why? What does it say?" the egghead asked suspiciously.

"With all due respect Twilight, it's none of your business." the speedster retorted.

Twilight yanked the letter from Rainbow's hooves and restrained her with magic. Twilight opened the letter and read it interested.

"Care to explain?" Twilight asked in a mischievous tone.

The rainbow maned pegasus sighed. "I'm the one who took up the act of Mare Do Well."

"I knew it. Who would suspect a pony who hated the hero." Twilight said triumphantly.

"Okay, now can you sent the letter?" Rainbow Dash asked annoyed.

"Spike! I need you sent this to the princess!" Twilight called.

The little purple dragon walked into the room. Twilight handed him the letter and he sent it off.

"Why did you do it Dash?" Spike asked.

"There's going to be a disaster somewhere in Equestria. Somepony has to be ready for it. But the main reason is, the ponies needed somepony to look out for them. I took it upon myself to do so." Rainbow Dash replied.

"And how, prey-tell, did you get Princess Celestia to help you?" Twilight asked, wondering why her mentor would do such a thing.

"You know those rumors about the satellite?" Dash asked.

"Yes."

"They're true. I hack it to see all of Equestria at once from my computer. Somepony found out and informed the princess. She can to see me, and I explained my intentions." Dash explained.

Twilight was silent for a moment.

"Okay Rainbow Dash, your secret safe with us.But I'm pretty sure the others have figured it out by now, after all we did burn the rest of our friends have figured it out." Twilight warned.

"Okay, thank for the heads up, find me as soon as you get as soon as you get a response." RD said seriously.

Twilight nodded.

"Oh, and don't forget to come to the party Pinkie's throwing for my parents. You wouldn't believe what happened when I told her they adopted Scootaloo." Dash chuckled.

"What?"

"She hyperventilated, stared at me, and fainted. When Pinks came to, she was muttering something about a quadruple celebration and wondering why the author subjected her to such a thing." Dash said confused.

"Well, you know Pinkie, it's best to not even ask." Twilight said reassuringly.

"Well, there is one pony we could ask, but I doubt she could help us try to understand her mind, anyway I'd better get going, see ya Twi." Dash called as she flew out.

"Bye Rainbow!" Twilight called as the pegasus flew out.

"A pony who can understand the mind of Pinkie Pie, that'd be the day." the purple unicorn thought to herself.

Surprises

Pinkie Pie's POV

Okay, let me start by answering a question I know all you bronies and pegasisters ask yourself when you see me on screen. How can Pinkie do all those crazy things. I would think the answer is obvious to you, since I can break the fourth wall and all. Hehe, wall and all. Anyway, the reason I can do all those crazy feats is because I know I'm a character in a TV show, and if you know your "reality" is fake, that allows you to manipulate your surroundings. Everypony got that? Good, now I can stop being serious and be myself again. Are you happy Silver Sprinter?, you asked me to be serious for two minutes, so you'd better portray me right, you Pinkie Promised. Okie Dokie Lokie, let's get this show on the road.

A double celebration is one thing, but this party is for not three, but four things. It's a welcome party for Dashie's parents, a party to help cheer them up from the death of Dashie's grandfather, a party to celebrate them adopting Scootaloo, and party for Scootaloo for finding a family. How can the author of this fan-fic put such a challenge on my shoulders? Never the less, as a party pony, it is my sworn duty to at least try to pull it off, because Pinkie Pie doesn't kid when it comes to parties. Hey, don't switch perspectives yet, I didn't get enough...

Third person POV

Later that day, Sugarcube corner was a hive of activity. The bakery was decorated to perfection, and full of ponies enjoying it, and meeting Rainbow Dash's parents.

"Mom! Dad!" Scootaloo called as she ran up to her parents.

"Yes Scootaloo?" Firefly asked.

"This is Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom." Scootaloo said excitedly.

"Hi" the two other fillies said in unison.

Firefly giggled. "Hello."

"Nice to meet you." Bifröst said.

"Wow Scootaloo, you weren't kidding, they are Rainbow Dash's parents, if he didn't a rainbow mane, I never would have believed you." Sweetie Belle said.

"Yay, and they're my parents too." Scootaloo said proudly.

"Scootaloo." Firefly warned in a motherly voice.

"Aliright mom, we're going to the pin the tail on the pony game if you need me, okay?"

Scootaloo informed them.

"Okay, have fun." Firefly replied.

The couple watched at the fillies ran off.

"Are you enjoying your party Mr. and Ms. Rainbow?" Pinkie asked as she walked towards them.

"Why, yes we are. You sure know what you're doing." Firefly replied.

"Well, you'd be surprised at what you'd learn when you're exposed to a sonic rainboom's shock-wave at five years old." Pinkie explained.

The older couple could only stare at the younger pony. Meanwhile, at another corner of the room.

"Dash, I forgot to mention you seem to be doing better." Twilight said.

"Yeah, that's because my folks got a little sister for me. Having her for a real sister has cheered me up a lot." RD replied.

"By the way, what happened to Tank's helicopter. He showed up after you left, and the thing was pretty worn out." Twilight recalled.

"Oh, yeah, I meant to ask you to upgrade that thing, you see..."

"I don't need to know, I already upgraded it, Tank should be able to fly faster now." Twilight interrupted.

"Thanks Twi." Rainbow replied.

Twilight only smiled.

"Dashie!" a voice called.

Rainbow Dash turned around only to have Pinkie Pie right in her face.

"Gah! Pinkie, don't do that!" Rainbow exclaimed.

"Sorry Dashie, anywho I hope your enjoying the party cause your folks sure are." Pinkie said.

"Pinks, of course I'm having fun, everypony has fun at your parties." Dash replied.

Pinkie blushed at the statement. She was about to respond when the door slammed open.

*insert needle scratch noise here*

Everypony turned to the figure standing in the door way. The figure was green and yellow with a Mohawk style mane.

"I want the one named Rainbow Dash." the figure demanded.

Nopony noticed Dash had slipped away.

Rainbow's POV

I could tell by the mane that Lightning Dust had returned. Good thing I was ready for an emergency like this. I had went out the back door and found my saddlebag in the bush I had left it. I put on my Mare Do Well costume and ran around to the front.

"Well?" the villain demanded.

I tackled the masked pony, and we tumbled into the bakery.

"I don't know what your problem is, but I'm going to solve it for you." Mare Do Well replied.

"Actually Mare Do Well,I'm glad your here, you only wish you can handle the likes of Takedown."

Takedown? Is she for real?

"I KNOW I can handle you, Takedown." I replied.

"Oh really? Let's see, shall we?" Takedown said and opened fire.

"Everypony get down!" I ordered.

While the other ponies took cover, I ran around the bakery, just barely missing the bullets. Fortunately, it wasn't long before Takedown ran out of ammo.

"Darn it!" Takedown exclaimed as her guns clicked.

I flew as fast as I could at her, however, Lightning Dust fled the scene. As much as I'd like to have chased her down, I had to make sure nopony got hurt in the fight.

"Everypony okay?" I asked.

Ponies slowly poked their heads out from their hiding places. Nopony seemed to have their head blown off in the gun fire, so I ran out to take off my costume.

Pinkie's POV

Well, that was rather rude, cutting me off like that. But I detest, small holes where all over the walls and the Cakes weren't happy about that.

"Pinkie Pie, who was that pony who saved us?" Bifröst asked.

"That was the Mysterious Mare Do Well, she's been protecting Ponyville for quite some time now." I explained excitedly.

Bifröst looked thoughtful at that statement, but then again, who wouldn't think about their town being saved by a mask hero, I mean, you got somepony who'll be there when you need help...I was just informed was going into an endless ramble and that the author couldn't write it all.

"You know, she sounded familiar, almost like Rainbow Dash." Firefly said, with Scootaloo held tight in one hoof.

She must have scooped her daughter up during the attack. Hey, why am I making so much sense all of a sudden. What's wrong Silver Sprinter, can't handle the Pinkie Pie?

"No she didn't." a voice called behind us. It was Rainbow Dash herself.

"Dash is right, maybe you heard things in a panic." I suggested.

I case you haven't figured it out, I know Dashie is Mare Do Well. I was just covering for her, like any good friend would.

"Well, I suppose we should all go home and recover from this experience." Bifröst suggested.

That must of sounded like a good idea to everypony else because they began to leave.

"Sorry about the party going south so fast." I apologized.

In all my 12 years of partying, I never had one of my parties end in disaster, so this is going to look pretty bad on my track record.

"Don't worry about it Pinks, it wasn't your fault." Dashie said as they walked out.

It didn't take a genius to know Dash was going to make Takedown pay for what she did.

Gearing Up

The next day

Rainbow Dash's POV

I was only so lucky that last fight. It could have gotten ugly pretty quick. No doubt Takedown is going back for more ammo. When she returns, I have to be ready for her. I can only hope the stuff I asked for comes soon,I'm going to need them, that suit she was wearing gave her the upper hoof. Anyway, I was resting on a cloud when a voice called out to me.

"Excuse me?" the voiced.

I looked down on a brown earth pony with a spiky mane and an hourglass cutie mark.

"Hello Doctor Whooves." I joked.

"Yep, that's my name, don't wear it out,and you don't spell it with a W." Time Turner replied.

"Wait, are you telling me you changed your name to Doctor Hooves?" I asked.

"Yes."

I stared. "Why did you change your name?" I asked after a while.

"Well, nopony would call me my proper name after I got the lead role, so I just changed my name to what everypony was calling me." Dr. Hooves replied.

You could say that's weird, but stranger things have happened around here. Still, our local time keeper really is a doctor because he had a PhD in clock mechanics, however, more recently, he finished a PhD in computer engineering and was going to Canterlot on occasion for TV shooting or his other job at Equestria Labs.

"Okay Doc, what can I do you for?" I asked.

"I was asked to bring you to Equestria Laboratories for some equipment you request." the Doctor replied.

I flew down from the cloud.

"Wait here, I'm be back." I told him.

I flew to my house, and pack my Mare-Do-Well Costume in my saddlebag, and flew back, all in 10 seconds flat.

"Okay, lead on." I said when I returned.

We went to the train station and took the next train to Canterlot. After the train ride, he lead me to the edge of the capital, where a white building stood.

"Excuse us if other employees seem distracted, we had a robbery here earlier, and one of the thieves left the other to take the heat." Dr. Hooves apologized.

I nodded and we entered the building. Dr. Hooves led me past rooms until we got to one at the end of the hall.

"You did ask for uncutable cable and a weapon, right?" Hooves asked.

I nodded. We entered the room. To my surprise, Princess Celestia was there.

"Hello again Rainbow Dash." she said warmly.

"Likewise,Princess." I replied and bowed.

"Right, let's get on with it, shall we?" Dr. Hooves asked, holding out a coil of cable on a spool. "First, the uncut-able cable. Made from Graphene, this cable is 1000 times stronger than steal and has all the flexibility a regular rope. The enchanted spool insures you never run out of it."

I took the cable from Hooves and examined it. This will be good for tying villains in. Next, Hooves produced a red gun like thing with a star painted on it.

"This is our latest invention in advanced weaponry, the shock pistol. It has two functions. The offensive function shoots a bolt of electricity to stun your enemies. The defensive function makes a shield of electricity that can deflect magical blasts or other projectiles." Dr. Hooves explained.

Other projectiles? That would include bullets, right?

"Thank you Doctor, now, if you would leave us alone." the Celestia requested,

"Of course, Princess." The doctor bowed and left the room.

"I'll need you to put on your costume."

I didn't dare question why, though it did feel strange to dress in front of the princess. Once I had it on, Celestia lit up her horn and lowered it. There was a blinding flash that lasted only a moment. When it was gone, I wasn't wearing my costume anymore.

"You still have your costume, you put it on with your mind." Celestia explained.

Sounds easy enough. I took a stance. All that was left was to deliver a cool line.

"It's go time!" I exclaimed.

Suddenly. a big letter M appeared from my chest, flew around my body and returned to my chest. Now I was dressed in my Mare Do Well costume.

"Cool." I commented.

"Do the same to take the costume off." Celestia explained.

"Aw yeah." I said.

The M return and went around me, removing the costume.

"The costume magically stored in your body when your not wearing it, any clothes your wearing will do the same should you transform." the princess informed me.

"Alright, and teleportation?" I asked.

"I was getting to that, I'll need you ear piece."Celestia replied.

I dug my communication device out of my ear, and the princess took it with her magic. Concentrating on it, she seemed to cast a spell on the device.

"There we go, now it's also a teleporter. It works same way a unicorn teleport spell works." she said, passing it back to me.

"Just know where I want to go?" I asked.

The alicorn nodded.

"Princess, I can't thank you enough for this." I said.

Celestia smiled. "It's you who should be thanked Rainbow Dash, taking on such a responsibility on your own is quite admirable and selfless, though I must admit, I do worry about how this will affect your life."

"Well, between you and me Princess, I'm no stranger to a double life." I smirked with a wink.

Celestia's smiled shifted to an uncertain frown for a moment, but the smile returned after she decided it was better not to ask. I bowed my goodbye and flew out of the lab, ready to face Takedown properly this time.

The Gremlins

Lightning Dust's POV

I can't believe I ran out of ammo during that fight, as quick as it was, I had a good chance to finish Rainbow right there. I wish I hadn't sold Pitch out now, he could have helped me, maybe there was some spell that can prevent me from running out of bullets. With no other chose, however, I was forced to retreat back home, at least until I could get more ammo.

About five months ago, everypony in Equestria was issued this thing called a television, which worked by showing you moving pictures in a box, something fairly new to Equestria. As soon as I turned mine on, the story of the assault at the bakery was on the Pony News Network. Ugh, at least the helmet the suit came with covered my face. I turned off my TV and took off my HEV suit. I needed to clear my head.

I went outside to see a cloud blocking the sun. Seriously, where's the weather team when you need them. I flew up to the cloud, about to bust it when a head popped out.

"Great, another one!" it cheered.

"Another what?" I asked.

"Another pony for us to defeat over and over to make us stronger." another head that popped up replied.

I now I just stared. "Who or what are you?" I asked.

"We're gremlins." they said together.

"And where you talking about?" I asked.

"The town we came from, we used a cloud to block out the sun. without the sun, the equines got depressed. We draw power from negative emotions, so we were getting stronger from their sadness. This blue pegasus with rainbow hair kept trying to beat us so they'd get the sunlight again, but she only made us strong with every loss. Eventually ,however, she did win in the end." the smaller one said.

"So you just came here to Fillydelphia, after that?" I asked.

"Yep, so now, we feed of your misery." the bigger one said.

"Wait, what if I told you you could make it big, without having to do this?" I asked.

"Make it big? Like, we can become rich?" the bigger gremlin replied.

I nodded.

"Keep talking." he continued.

"You'll have to do something for me first, but if you do, I'll show you the way to great wealth." I promised.

It was an empty promise, of course. But my confidence was shaken when the gremlins seem to see through me lies.

"You double cross us, and your precious town will never see the light of day again. UNDERSTAND!?" the smaller asked.

"Sure." I said. Looks like I just got two practice targets.

"What do you need us to do?" he asked.

"First, get rid of this cloud, or at least move it out of the way of the sun." I replied.

After they did, I lead them to my house and showed them the bullet shells that had stayed in one of the guns for some reason.

"I want you to bring me bullets, they'll come in casings like this." I said.

"Where do we find these "bullets" you need?" the bigger asked.

I'm going to take you there." I replied.

I lead them to Equestria Labs. For creatures who came off as idiots, their approach was actually pretty smart. They used clouds to create a fog within the facility, then went in undetected, coming out with boxes of bullets. They did this until they couldn't find anymore (or so they say). Just as they had finished, who should show up but Rainbow Dash herself.

"Hey, what's going on here?" she asked.

"On no, it's her." the short gremlin cried.

"Hold your horses, I'm not looking for a fight, I just want answers." RD replied.

"I'll humor her, just take care of the stuff." I whispered. Then lead Rainbow away from the gremlins and the stolen goods.

"I know you got them to steal that stuff.I'm not going to stand by and let a crime go" Dash grunted.

"Don't worry Mare Do Well, after I advertise the Hazardous Environment suit for them, they'll have more business than they'll know what to do with. In a way, I actually paid them for it." I snickered.

Rainbow still wasn't amused.

Rainbow Dash POV

Is she for real? Well, the stolen ammo isn't what I'm afraid of.

"Look, you don't know what your doing dealing with gremlins. They're dangerous, I should know, I had to deal with those guys when they blocked the sun with a cloud. Given the correct circumstances, they'll get stronger and harder to defeat." I warned.

Dust only snorted. "I have a way to deal with them."

I raised an eyebrow. "And how, pray tell, do you intend to do that, Takedown?"

LD smirked. "I'm going to kill them after this." she whispered.

Nopony deserves that, even if they are gremlin.

"Look Dash, you said it yourself, they're dangerous. They way I see it, we only make Equestria a safer place shedding their bad blood. I'm practically doing your job for you." Lightning said.

I glanced behind us, the gremlins were carrying the boxes of ammo for Dust. I turned and flew away. When I was sure Lightning won't see me, I pulled up along side the cloud gremlins.

"What do you want now?" the bigger one asked.

"Lightning Dust is going to kill you when you get to her place." I warned.

They looked at each other. They seem to believe me, but at the same time, they didn't trust me, and I don't blame them, but would they really risk there lives?

"We don't believe you." the short one said.

They would risk their lives.

"Okay, don't say I didn't warn you." I said as I flew away.

Third Person POV

As the gremlins and Lightning approach her house, the pegasus contemplated whether to dump the corpses in the local dump or be polite and bury them. As they entered, Dust began to reload the turret guns on her suit.

"Okay, we did what you asked, now for your end of the deal." the short gremlin said.

"Of course, first stay were you are." Dust replied as she put on part of her HEV suit that held the guns.

"Alright, now what?" the bigger one asked.

"Now DIE!" Lightning exclaimed and opened fire at them.

Suddenly, an electrical white circle appeared in front of the gremlins and deflected Dust's bullets. Lightning Dust stopped shooting and the shield disappeared, revealing Rainbow Dash standing between the two gremlins.

"How did...?" Dust pondered aloud. While she did, Dash pulled the gremlins out the house and they flew away. Dust was steamed, but decided to let them go. She and Dash would met again. This time, it was going to be more interesting since Dash got some new tricks

Rainbow Dash and the gremlins came to rest on a cloud when they were sure they were out of harms way. After a moment of awkward silence, one gremlin spoke up.

"Um, thank you for saving us from that pony, we figure she was all talk..." the smaller one started.

"But given our history, we weren't willing to trust you." the bigger one finished.

"That's okay, I'm the same way sometimes." Rainbow laughed.

A moment of awkward silence followed.

"You know, we never learned each others names, I'm Rainbow Dash." Dash said.

"My name is Big Boy." the bigger gremlin replied.

"And I'm Runt." the smaller one added.

"So you guys got a place to call home? You're welcome to come to Ponyville with me if you don't?" Dash offered.

"No thank you, Big Boy and I are drifters at heart. We'll find somewhere else to live." Runt replied.

"Just so long as I don't have to come and do a Double Rainboom." Dash joked.

They exchanged goodbyes and their separate ways. As Rainbow Dash flew away, she couldn't help but reflect on her history with the gremlins. She never imagined she'd save their lives one day, and yet, she had, and gained them as friends, and yet, here she was. She smiled and speed up to mach one, leaving a boom and a rainbow in her wake.

A Plot Twist of Some Kind

Rainbow Dash POV

After I got back, everything seemed normal, but you can still feel the anxiety in the air. The attack at Sugarcube Corner had really got Ponyville on edge. As I walked towards my parent's house I was stopped by Breaking News, the founder/reporter for the Pony News Network, or PNN for short.

"Miss Dash, what are your thoughts on the recent attack on Sugarcube Corner?" he asked pointing the mic at me.

"I think it was something that could have been worse if it weren't for Mare Do Well." I said with a serious tone.

"Aren't you afraid that something like this will happen again?" Breaking asked.

"There is really no telling, even if it does, we can only do so much. Maybe I'm not the pony to say this, but it seem have to put our faith in one pony."

That got me a look. It wasn't the first time something like this occurred, and he was there to witness it.

"Are you saying we should trust the Mysterious Mare Do Well to take care of this problem?" Breaking News asked.

I nodded.

"Thank you, Miss Dash." Breaking said, and turned to the camera. I continued on my way. When I arrived, Mom answered the door.

"Oh, it's you Rainbow Dash, come in." Mom invited,

I nodded and entered.

"Rainbow, we just saw you on the news!" Scootaloo exclaimed as she run up and hugged me.

"I know Squirt."

"Do you really think we really have to rely on Mare Do Well?"

"Yeah, but like I said, we can only do so much, and that mean we can do something."

"Like what?"

"Stay safe, and don't do anything reckless, can you do that for me Squirt?"

"Yeah, Cutie Mark Crusader...stay safer, Yeah!"

We all had to laugh. After the news, we watched an episode of "Dr. Whooves". Truth be told, despite being all eggheady with science and what-not, it's pretty entertaining. The idea of a ponies from another planet, Gallopfrey, can come back to life after death as a different pony, a process known as regeneration, is a pretty original one. These ponies, also known as time ponies, were apparently very smart, because they figured out how to make ships that can travel through time, space, and other dimensions called a TARDIS, Time And Relative Dimension In Space, a blue public call box which is somehow bigger on the inside than the outside.

Tonight's episode seemed to offer some advise for me. Dr. Whooves has to face off against another pony wearing a metal suit. I'm not going to go through the whole episode, but for Whooves, the key seemed to be to take the helmet off first, then focus the exposed head. After that, it was Scootaloo's bed time, so Dad took her to bed, leaving me with mom for a while.

"I heard that the stallion playing the Doctor is leaving the show." Mom brought up.

"Yeah, I heard about that too. Apparently, he found himself." I replied.

The story goes that some "extraterrestrial visitor" visited him a few days ago.

"You know, it's funny how the Doctor had to go against somepony with a metal suit, and somepony with a metal suit is terrorizing us." Mom pointed out.

"I won't worry about it too much, Mare Do Well to care of her before, she can do it again."

"I sure hope your right Rainbow." Mom said in a doubtfully tone.

***

I spent the night at my parent's house and was on my way home the next morning, thinking about my next time I may face off against Takedown. Since the trick is to go for the head, it would make sense to get rid of the guns first, which I'm sure I could just shoot off the suit.

When I arrived,who should be at my front door but the criminal scum herself.

"Shall we go through the formalities or should we just cut to the case?" she asked tauntingly.

"I think...It's go time." I said. The M swirled around me and Takedown took a fighting stance.

"So be it, Mare Do Well." Takedown growled, and lunged at me.

She landed on top of me, and I kicked her off. We circled around before she attacked me again. I dodged and pulled out my shock pistol as she sped past me. I fired the first bolt which knocked off one of the turret guns. I tried to do it again, but Takedown dodge and went for a round house punch which connected. I fell to the ground disoriented for a moment. When I had regained a grasp on things, Takedown was on top of me, about to fire her good gun when I rolled out of the way. The bullets came anyway. I had dodged them as I looked for my weapon. Switching it to the defensive function, I made a shield. Bullets bounced off the wall of electricity for a full minute until Takedown realized it was a lost cause. When she stopped, I switched to offensive mode and shot the other turrent gun off. Takedown growled and charged at me. As she approach, I threw an uppercut, which did knock her off her hooves, but the helmet she was wearing hurt mine.

"Ow!" I cried, shaking my hoof for it to heal faster, but LD was already up and changing again, I decided to take this fight to the air and way from Ponyville.

I took off and led her to my house. Taking a look back, I could see that the suit had slowed Lightning down drastically. Using it to my advantage, I charged at her, only for Takedown to throw another roundhouse at my jaw. I dodged it but she struck my neck, sending me down. I landed on the ground with a loud THUD. I rolled on my back, Takedown dive bombing for me. I knew I only had one chance. As she came down, I picked myself up on my hooves. Timing it right, I bucked Dust right in the chest with everything I had. Lightning went flying in arch towards my cloud house. I stood where I was to catch my breath for a minute when I heard a loud SPLASH, and that could only mean one thing. I flew over to where I heard the noise to confirm my suspicions. Lightning Dust fell into a spectra pool.

A First for History

I hurried over to the pool Dust had landed in.

"She's wearing that suit. Surely it has spared her from death's door." I thought to myself.

I flew over to Dust, pulled out some cable, and lowered it in her reach as quickly as I could. She was lying in the spectra on her back, but I could see it eating away at her suit at some spots and had melted the suit into her skin at other spots. Lightning grabbed the cable with her mouth and I pulled her out. She groaned and closed here eyes.

"Don't worry Dust, I'll get you to the hospital." I told her as I slung her on my back.

I flew as fast as I could, but Lightning Dust weighed me down, slowing our journey. Still, we managed to get there in the end. I just hoped we got there in time. We burst through the doors, surprising the receptionist.

"She fell into a spectra pool." I told her.

The receptionist called for a doctor. In the meantime, Nurse Redheart led us to a room, where we lay Lightning Dust down on a bed.

"What happened?" she asked.

I explained what had happened and the nurse ran some test, the results of which proved Dust was alive, thankfully. She then called for more ponies who began to pump some potion into her as Doctor Horse came in and looked Dust over.

"She'll live, if it wasn't for that armor she was wearing, she'd be as good as dead." Doctor Horse said gravely.

"Good to here." I signed with relief.

"You know, this is the first time I've even seen the super hero bring in the villain to a hospital rather than justice. Tell me ,Mare Do Well, why bother?" the doctor asked.

"Being a hero means saving everypony in trouble, even if they are as rotten as Takedown. She landed in a Spectra pool on a local resident's cloud house, and I heard that an elderly stallion died from the same thing recently. I replied.

Dr. Horse nodded. "I see, well we'll do what we can, but we don't that much about her."

"Her real name is Lightning Dust, she use to be enrolled in the Wonderbolts academy. That's all I know." I replied.

"Hmm. Thank you Mare Do Well."the doctor replied and returned to his patient. I turned around and walked out of the hospital an made sure the coast was clear.

"Aww yeah." I said weakly, and the M spun around me. Decided to go see my beloved, everything that had just happened was depressing. I took off and slowly flew towards Fluttershy's cottage, a purplish blur shot past and cut me off.

"Hey! Watch where you going!" I called.

The blur stopped and Cloudchaser flew over to me.

"Sorry Rainbow Dash." she apologized.

"It's okay. So, how was the graduation party at the academy?" I asked.

"It was okay, probably would have been better if you where there, but I think I know what you weren't. After you left, I realized I didn't want to be apart from Flitter for long periods of time. I guess it was the same for you and your friends." she replied.

I nodded. I guess that's understandable, you can't really separate twins. I was surprised to see her there by herself.

"Oh yeah, Spitfire asked me to give this to you." Cloudchaser continued, hoofing me two envelopes. One was address to me. the other to Lightning Dust. I open mine to find psychological test results. While I was applying, I had to be interview by a stallion, I guess he was evaluating me on my mental state. The results basically said I could never be a Wonderbolt because I was too much of loose canon with a big ego to be a Wonderbolt because I lacked the discipline to follow orders without question. If that's so, and if I know Lightning Dust, it's most likely the same case for her. It didn't seem fair, I could take orders, I have in the past. Still,my disappointment must have been written all over my face. Cloudchaser put the clues together and come to the obvious conclusion.

"You know, maybe it was for the best. The Wonderbolts are performers after all, even if they do have military duty for Equestria, they'll barely called for it. They get instructions from somepony behind a desk go gets calls and arrange performances for them. They're called coordinators, real uptight pencil necks and the biggest jerks you'll ever meet. I should know, I meet one of them, and Spitfire told me they're all like that." Cloudchaser told me.

Now this was news to me. I guess I spent so much time idolizing the Wonderbolts that I never took the time to see how they work behind the scenes. I mean, I can take orders from somepony I trust like Twilight or Spitfire, but to have to do what some snob behind a desk tells me, I wouldn't last a day knowing that.

"I gotta go, thanks Cloud." I said, and speed off.

"YOUR WELCOME!" Cloudchaser called backed.

Third Person POV

As Rainbow Dash speed threw the air, she couldn't help but think about what she had just learned. She reflected on the many years she had spent idolizing the team of elite flyers, thinking only about how cool they were and how cool it must have been to be one, that she never bother to stop and think about how they worked. Even worse, she based all her hopes and dreams on an illusion of what she thought her heroes where, rather than what they actually were. Her thoughts were interrupted when she slammed into something.

"Sorry." Dash said when she recovered.

"Oh, it's okay Dashie, but you should watch were you're going." the quiet voice of Fluttershy replied.

This was a surprise to Dash, usually, it would be Fluttershy would be apologizing for not watching where she was going. Maybe Flutters was getting a little tougher.

"Where were you going in such a rush anyway?" Fluttershy asked.

" I was looking for you, where were you going?" Dash asked.

"Rarity called for the rest of us to meet her at her boutique, she has something she wants to announce and asked me to get the others. I just told Pinkie and was looking for you." Fluttershy replied.

"Anypony else we have to tell?" Dash asked.

"No, you're the last one." Fluttershy replied.

"Alright, let's get to Rarity's" Dash said, and the two pegasi flew toward the Carousel Boutique.

A Much Needed Break

As the two pegasi flew threw the air, Rainbow Dash sighed.

"What's wrong Dashie?" Fluttershy asked her lover.

"I learned I couldn't be a Wonderbolt even if I didn't have the element of loyalty." Rainbow replied.

"Oh, I'm sorry Dashie." Fluttershy replied.

"It's not your fault."

"It's just that, you haven't been yourself since your grandfather died, and this could make it worse."

"Who says I have to be brash and cocky all the time? Even Pinkie Pie feels sad and angry now and again."

"I know, it's just that, I'm starting to..."

A cyan hoof cover Fluttershy's mouth. She looked at her lover, who smiled knowingly. Then they noticed that they had arrived at their destination and descended. They went straight in since it was business hours for Rarity.

"Ah, good, you two made it. Okay guys, I got a letter from Hoity Toity this morning. He has called me to Canterlot for what says is an extremely important matter. I think I have an idea of what it is, but it's a worse case senerio. However, if it does come to the worse case, and given my recent trauma, I'll need you guys there for emotional support. I know I can't ask all of you to put your lives on hold for me, so I'm asking if any of you are available tomorrow." Rarity told them.

"Shoot gal, we're your friends, I think I speak for everypony when I say we'll all go with ya." Applejack said after a moment.

"Anything to help Rarity." Spike put in.

"Thank you everypony." Rarity replied, teary eyed. "We have to be there all day tomorrow,so we'll to take the 9 o'clock train"

"Right, we'll be there." Twilight reassured.

With the agreements made, the six ponies and dragon went about preparing for their trip.

The Next Day

Six mares and a baby dragon stood on the platform at the train station. As they waited for the train, a voice called out to them.

"Hey guys!" the voice called.

The ponies and dragon turned to the source of the voice, a red pegasus with blue hair.

"Hi Triple Threat! How 've you been? What have you been up to? What are you..." Pinkie yammered until Triple covered Pinkie's mouth with her hoof.

"Nice to see you again too, Pinkie Pie."

"Rainbow, this is the pony who covered for you while you were at the Wonderbolt's Academy." Fluttershy told Dash.

"It's an honor to met you miss Dash." Triple Threat said excitedly.

Rainbow looked upon the new comer. The new pegasus was clearly younger than the six heroine, probably still twelve.

"So you took over for me, huh? Seem a bit young to be a weather pony."

"Only part time. I'm also a rainbow specialist at the factory."

"YOU CRUSH PONIES FOR A LIVING!?" Pinkie asked in disbelief.

The other gasped in horror. Triple only laughed. "I've heard that rumor too. No Pinkie, rainbow's aren't made of ponies, they're made from spectra, a liquid we get from refracted sunlight."

"Oh good, I was afraid I had tasted ponies that one time."

"Tasted Ponies?"

"It's a funny story really. I...

"All Aboard!" The conductor interrupted.

"You know what to do, right?" Dash asked the red pony.

"Don't worry, I got it." Triple replied.

The six ponies and dragon got on the train. Soon, they arrived in Canterlot.

"Canterlot. I never get tired of coming here." Rarity cheered.

"Really? Even though most of the ponies here are snobs who are full of themselves?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"That is a stereotype, madam." an upper class voice interrupted. As per his letter, Hoity Toity had come to meet them at the train station. "Not all ponies who live in Canterlot are like that. Though I will admit, that mentality does tend to get the better of most ponies."

"My apologies." Dash replied.

"Not at all madam." He turned to Rarity. "Come, we've much to discuss." Hoity led them through the city to a large studio building. "This is my "HQ" as it were. Most of my most important jobs are done here."

"So, you have an important job for me?" Rarity asked.

"Yes, in fact, it's my most important order ever, and I can only trust my top designer to fill it."

"TOP DESIGNER!? Sir, you flatter me. What's the job?"

"To design Gala dresses for the royal sister."

Rarity froze. "D...D...Did you just say design dresses for the royal sister? Don't toy with me sir, it's my life long dream to design for Princess Celestia." she asked in disbelief.

"I kid you not, Miss Rarity. I was asked by Princess Celestia herself to make dresses for herself and Princess Luna for the Grand Galloping Gala."

The white unicorn went silent, taking it all in, a blank expression on her face. She remained as such for a full minute until a loud THUD broke the silence. Five friends watched their friend as she lay on the floor.

"Drama queen. I'll be in town if you need me." Rainbow Dash said as she walked out the door.

She flew up to a cloud, fluffed it and lay comfortable on it. Dash sighed. "I needed this."

Memories of a Villian

Lightning Dust POV

The world seemed to be coming down on me when Spitfire ripped of my leadpony badge and pointed her hoof to dismiss me. The guards escorted me to my room.

"Pack your things, you're done here." one said.

That was it. I would never become a Wonderbolt. As I packed my things, Spitfire walked in with a disgusted look on her face.

She glared at me before speaking. "Your behavior was unacceptable. No Wonderbolt ever puts another pony at risk just for their own gain."

"Yes ma'am." I replied.

"Just count yourself lucky it happened now rather when your on the team. You'd make us look bad if you did and gotten yourself kicked out."

I nodded.

"She's not allowed on the premises for the rest of the week." Spitfire said as adjusted her shades and walked out.

That hurt alot. I finished packing my saddlebags and was escorted out of the school. I turned back for one last look. I could see Rainbow Dash and the other cadets doing drills. Rainbow Dash. Doing drills. Getting closer to becoming a Wonderbolt. Closer to living my dream. Her, living MY DREAM. Why should that rat live my dream? Sure that twister had nearly killed those other ponies, but nearly was the key word there. Besides Dash's rescued them in the end.

"Buck, I never meant to hurt anypony. Yet I'm antagonized over one incident." I thought to myself. "If anyone is the villain here, it's Rainbow Dash."

Yes, Rainbow Dash. She'll pay for what she did to me. It'll be worth waiting a week for vengeance.

One week later

After a week of plotting, I was ready to make Rainbow Dash pay for her crime. Shame given that the time I had, my plan came out so simple, but it should be very effective. Rainbow Dash had told me she lived in Ponyville, so I made my way there.

"Where is Rainbow Dash?" I asked a brown stallion with an hour glass cutie mark impatiently.

"Sleeping on a cloud somewhere in the sky most likely." he replied, and hurried off.

Looking around, I found my target doing just that.

"Good, now for my plan." I thought to myself.

I looked around and saw a white unicorn with purple hair. I recognized her as one of Dash's friends, so I followed her to a carousel like building. I walked up to the front door, saw an hours sign and walked in.

"Hello, welcome to the Carousel Boutique. Can I help you?" She greeted as I walked in.

"Yes, you can." I said, then uppercut her, knocking the unicorn out.

I wrote a note and taped it to the front door. Then I scooped up her body and carried her towards a gorge I saw on the way over. After an uneventful flight, we arrived at the gorge.

"Hmm, what's going on?" the unicorn asked as she woke up. She looked down and gasped. "What's going on? Why are we at

Ghastly Gorge?" She demanded.

"Well miss.."

"My name is Rarity!"

"Rarity, I kidnapped you. It's nothing personal, I just need something to get to Rainbow Dash. Speaking of which, here she comes now."

Sure enough, Rainbow Dash came speeding towards us.

"One flap closer and she's eel food!" I called, pointing to the quarry eels below.

Rainbow stopped and scowled at me. "Let her go."

"Only if you meet my demand."

"Which is?"

"We race, loser has to do what the winner wants, no questions asked."

"Let her go first."

Looking back, it was a pretty cliche villain moment. Maybe then I should have realized that was when I was destine to be a super villain. I threw the unicorn over to her. Rarity screamed loudly as she sailed through the air until Rainbow caught her and took her to safety.

"Where do we race?" Rainbow asked.

"Across the town and back." I replied.

We went to a large apple farm. By now, Dash's other friends had come to support her. They had a quick conversation before we lined up. A lavender unicorn got in front of us.

"Okay, on three. One, Two, Three!"

We took off at blinding speed. For the most part, we were neck and neck. We came to the edge of town where a forest began. Turning in perfect sync, we headed back in the same fashion. Since it look like Dash and I were evenly match, I decided to break the supposed tie. I rammed my side into Dash's, causing her to lose control and fall to the ground.

"Victory is mine!" I thought.

Just then, I heard a loud BOOM! behind me, and a rainbow shot past, knocking me out of the sky. I crashed into the ground suffering just a few scrapes thankfully. I recovered quickly and raced back to the barn. Of course Dash was there first.

"Wha..How did you do that?"

"Sonic Rainboom."

"A what?"

"Doesn't matter, got out of town and NEVER put any of my friends in harms way again, got that?"

"Fine, but this isn't over Rainbow Dash, not by a long shot!" I promised, and flew away.

***

I found myself in a hospital as my eyes flicked open. Looking to my right, I was hooked up to some machine.

"Doctor, she's waking up!" a female voice called.

A yellow unicorn stallion with brown hair ran into the room.

"What happened? Why am I here?" I asked.

"You fell into a spectra pool. It would have killed you if it weren't for that suit you were wearing." the doctor replied.

I looked at my body. The HEV suit seemed to have melted into my body, becoming one with it.

"I need a mirror." I said bluntly.

The doctor nervously levitated a hoof mirror to my face. A half pony half robot face stated back at me. So this is what became of me. Doomed to be a cyborg for the rest of my life. There was only one way I could live with myself like this.

"Lightning Dust, what are you doing?" the doctor asked as I got out of the bed.

I turned around and uppercut him. The doctors cry attracted attention of some other ponies, presumably nurses based on the hats they were wearing and a filly also wearing a nurse cap for some reason.

No problem, really.

Crime and Punishment

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Getting Serious

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Tying Up Loose Ends

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

A New Home and a New Daughter

Firefly's POV

Rainbow Blaze hasn't been the same after Dad's death. After the funeral, he fell into a deep depression. I can feel his pain though, not long ago I lost both my parents to old age. We went to see a therapist about his condition, and she suggested we move to Ponyville so we can be close to him.

"Remembering that pony and the good times you had with them always helps." she said.

Along with that, she made another suggestion, that we adopt a foal to raise. I think the idea was either to occupy our our minds, or to fill the hole that came with Rainbow Strike's death. Anyway, I'm all for it. Once you've raised Rainbow Dash, you can easily bring up any other foal out there. (yes, she was that bad)

I looked at the boxes now full of our stuff. I going to miss old Cloudsdale, but if we want to move on, we have to move out. Ponyville isn't far away, so I'm sure we can visit every once in a while.

"You ready?" a voice asked asked behind me.

I turned around to see my husband, saddlebag on his back.

"Yes, let's go." I replied.

Since the movers knew where to go, we flew ahead. About an hour or so later, we arrived in Ponyville, and more importantly, Rainbow Strike's old house. It was it was pretty good shape when we got there, not surprising though, since we asked the Mayor to spruce it up for us after the funeral. She was more than happy to oblige, we even got it for free, out of pity no doubt.

"Well, what do you think?" I asked.

Blaze was silent for a moment. "It needs a family." he said at last.

"It has a family." I pointed out.

"Then it needs a bigger household." he replied.

***

Scootaloo's POV.

"Well, any ideas?" I asked.

Class had just finished as we outside, trying to think how we can earn our cutie marks.

"Well, we could ask our class mates how they earned their cutie marks." Sweetie Belle suggested.

"Yeah, maybe they could give us some ideas." Apple Bloom said with spirit.

We ran to the CMC mobile (my scooter connected to a wagon) and we rode off to find our class mates. The first foal we met was Twist.

"Hey Twist!" Apple Bloom called.

Twist turned around to face us.

"Oh, hey guys, how goes the crusade?" she asked cheerfully.

"Great, do you mind telling us how you got your cutie mark?" I asked.

"Sure. Well, I always had a thing for making candy, I did it every time I got the chance. One day after school, I made some peanut brittle and let my mom have some. She told me I always made the best sweets she ever tasted, then it appeared on my flank." Twist explained.

"Oh yeah, you told me the day you earned it." Apple Bloom remembered.

"Yeah, but we tried candy making, remember?" Sweetie pointed out.

Man, did THAT not end well. I'm still surprised that Twist didn't flip out on us for making a big mess and burning the goods.

" Oh right, well, thanks anyway Twist." Bloom said.

"No problem guys, good luck with the good fight." Twist said as we rode off.

Next we ran into Snips and Snails.

Hey Snips, Snails, can yall tell us how ya got your cutie marks?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Sure, I got my cutie mark when discovered my talent with using scissors. One day, I made a heart shaped card for my mom for her birthday, said it was the prettiest thing she ever saw." Snips said, patting his flank proudly.

"What about you Snails?" I asked.

"I got mine when I was practicing levitation and accidentally discovered a spell that slows down time." Snails replied.

We could only stare at him.

"It's true, I'll show you." Snails cried defensively.

His horn lit up with a yellow aurora. The spell clearly required a lot of effort since Snails was sweating already, but true to his word, everything around us began to slow down.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

Snails stopped casting the spell. "Yeah, but it takes a lot of energy to cast." he panted.

"Man, I wish it could get my cutie mark as easily as you guys did." I commented.

To my surprise, the colts laughed.

"Scootaloo, when I was cutting the paper that day, the last thing I expected to happen was me earning my cutie." Snips said.

"Me too, I was trying to levitate a book, not find a spell that changes the speed of time. The less you try, the closer you get." Snails put in.

"What?" the three of us crusaders asked together.

"He means the answer could be right under your nose. You'd never know because it's so obvious. You talent could be something you do well everyday." Snips explained.

Now there was food for thought. Well, I ride my scooter everyday, and I can do pretty cool tricks, but there's no way that's my special talent, anypony can ride and do tricks on a scooter.

"Thanks fellas." Apple Bloom said climbing back in the wagon.

"Your welcome, good luck." the colts called as we rode off.

Going down the road, we saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon ahead.

"Let's not bother." I suggested.

"Normally, I'd agree, but maybe they can help us, and we need all the help we can get right now." Sweetie Belle said.

Agreeing I slowed down next to the two snobby fillies.

"What do you want blank flanks?" Diamond Tiara asked annoyed.

"Yeah, should you losers be somewhere else failing to earn your marks?" Silver Spoon added.

"Hey, no need to be rude, we just want to know how you got your cutie marks?" Apple Bloom replied.

For some reason, the two rich fillies got quiet.

"Well," Silver Spoon began after a moment of silence, " I got mine after some colt asked my how much he could sell an old collection of baby books for. I guessed about seven bits. We went to a dealer, and when he said he'd take then for seven bits, I got my mark."

Diamond Tiara took off her tiara. "I got mine when I made this with my own two hooves." she said simply.

Whoa, that explains why she was wearing it when she came to school with her cutie mark.

"So you make jewelry?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Yes, and and don't tell anypony that I labored like a lower class worker, cause I had to sweat to make it." Tiara said sternly.

We promised, said thank you and rode off. By now it was time, I had to take Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle home. After I dropped them off, I rode back to the orphanage, my home. I never had a family like they did. I spent my whole among other foals who had nopony to love. That's why I was so happy when Rainbow Dash took me under her wing, she became the big sister I never had, but always wanted. When I got home, I was surprised to see a couple with our caretaker. Even more surprising was the pegasus stallion had a rainbow mane.

"Wow, I though only Rainbow Dash had hair like that!" I exclaimed.

The couple turned to face me. A pink pegasus mare with blue hair walked over to me.

"You know my daughter?" she asked.

"Yeah, she's like a big sister to me." I replied.

The mare looked back at her husband who nodded.

"How would you like to have Rainbow Dash REALLY be your sister?" she asked.