The Masked Mare of Mystery

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."