The Nexus

Disclaimer: I do not own MLP:FiM. Just my ideas.

Chapter 1: Root of Rage

Rainbow Dash, the self-proclaimed fastest flier in all of Equestria, scowled dangerously at the Royal Guards sent to escort her to Canterlot. They had shortly arrived after Rainbow Dash had finished her job at the local weather station, ridding the sky of a few unwanted clouds, bringing rain to the Apple's orchards and sending a nice, cool breeze through Ponyville. She had planned on flying over to the local library, a.k.a Twilight Sparkle's house, to get the latest edition of the epic series, Daring Do. However, the arrival of the Royal Guard blaring their horns at her had interrupted her plans of a quiet evening reading and possibly helping Scootaloo learn to fly before heading over to Pinkie's for a sleepover. The nineteen year old Valkyrie all but growled and loudly exclaimed to the guards, and all of Ponyville, that she was too cool to need an escort to Canterlot. She was, after all, Rainbow Dash, the coolest Valkyrie to ever exist. Period.

The guards had not taken kindly to her little announcement. The leader of the squadron of Royal Guards, a big beefy Valkyrie that had no chance in Celestia's name of flying with all the muscle he'd put on, had all but dragged her butt through the streets of Ponyville while she kicked and screamed, hollered and cursed, and ultimately grumbled underneath her breath at the unfair treatment she was being given. She was the freakin' Element of Loyalty! She'd kicked Nightmare Moon's butt to the Griffin kingdom and back, battled the living God of Chaos and Discord without so much as blinking an eye, and here she was, being dragged upon the dirt roads by her cyan wings towards a chariot, driven by pegasi. Her pride was as hurt as her wings and butt were. Without ceremony, she was tossed into the golden chariot bearing the mark of Celestia, the Sun Sovereign. Rainbow Dash could only huff at the haughty behavior of the guards, and she mentally berated herself for sounding like Rarity. If the princesses really wished to talk with her, then wouldn't they have contacted her via Twilight Sparkle via Spike, Twilight Sparkle's intelligent dragon/assistant?

The leader of the Royal Guard had assigned two guards to watch her while the rest and him left to do something else that Rainbow Dash hadn't been paying attention to. She had really stopped listening when they had bound her wings, practically hog-tied her arms and legs and dragged her through Main Street for all of Ponyville to watch in amusement. Listening, for Rainbow Dash, was no longer a priority. The one Terran and Alchemist that had been assigned to her eyes the Element of Loyalty warily. She could easily see the distrust in their eyes along with awe.

Well, duh! Rainbow Dash smirked. I'm awesome!

Shifting her cyan wings as much as physical possible with the ropes chaffing into her feathers, Rainbow Dash scowled. One could not keep this amount of awesome bound for long. Much less with two ice cubes standing stiffly at the entrance to the chariot. She gnawed the inside of her cheek. Brows knitted, Rainbow Dash yelled in annoyance and boredom. This was outrageous! She was the freakin' Element of Loyalty, one of the Mane Six, winner of the Best Young Flyer's Competition, and all around badass! In the back of her mind, Rainbow Dash realized that she could have been at Canterlot by now if she had not insulted the guards, flown around all of Ponyville with the Royal Guard on her tail, and been dragged across the middle of Main Street to the chariot at the outer rim of Ponyville.

But another voice, a larger part, chimed that she wasn't Rainbow Dash for nothing. That if it took the Royal Guard, protectors of the Sun and Moon Goddesses, could not keep up with her, taking most of the day to catch her, then it was their fault. Their fault for not being good enough.  It was the same voice that had been whispering to her for the past couple of months. Though Rainbow Dash had not voiced her worry concerning the tiny, disembodied voice that offered mean- frankly cruel and dangerous- suggestions to her friends, the Mane Six. Feeling as if it was none of their places to decide whether or not Rainbow Dash was going insane, she quietly berated the voice. The Royal Guard was the Royal Guard for a reason, right?

Her musing was interrupted when she caught sight of the guard marching towards her in their shining armor- no relation to Twilight Sparkle's brother, the captain of the Royal Guard. Between them, standing next to Mr. Big-and-Beefy was Twilight Sparkle. The younger girl, seventeen compared to the nineteen year old, looked less than amused at Rainbow Dash's current situation, and Rainbow Dash didn't have the energy or mental resources to stick her tongue out at her. She also spotted Spike gingerly wrapped around Twilight's neck like a purple and green scarf.

"Twilight!" called out Rainbow Dash.

The other girl just frowned and shook her head, a wave of deep purple moving in response.

"Rainbow Dash, what in Celestia's name did you do now?" Twilight asked.

"I did nothing! These guys just show up, yelling at me to come with them to Canterlot for no apparent reason! Then they tie me up and throw me here! And they leave me!" grumbled the hog-tied Valkyrie, struggling against her bonds. "See what I mean!"

"I see, Rainbow Dash." Instead of coming to the aid of the ailing Valkyrie, Twilight motioned to the leader of the Royal Guard squadron, who was smirking proudly. "This is Captain Iron Shield. He was ordered by the Princesses to come and get us."

"What?!" deadpanned Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah, didn't you get my letter last week telling you of the Princesses' meeting?"

If looks could kill, then Twilight Sparkle would have been at the center of the earth by now with the look Rainbow Dash was sending to her.  "No, no I did not get a letter, Twilight."

"I thought I gave Derpy the letter to give to you." Twilight Sparkle frowned.

"Derpy, Twilight,...Derpy."

"Oh."

"Yes, Twilight. Oh." Rainbow Dash growled, startling both Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle.

The rainbow haired Valkyrie's magenta-bordering-on-crimson eyes were wide in surprise. She had never growled at someone before, and it terrified her. This was Twilight Sparkle, her best friend, resident egghead and the Element of Magic. She had helped save the world more times than Rainbow Dash could count. If anything, she owed more to Twilight Sparkle than all of humanity owed Celestia and Luna. Rainbow Dash swallowed uncomfortably as she muttered an apology. Reluctantly, Captain Iron Shield cut the rope bounding her and without another word, they took off.

An uncomfortable silence reigned supreme over the two Elements of Harmony. Twilight chose to compile an exaggerated list of things she needed to order for treehouse library with Spike. Rainbow Dash –wallowing in her self-produced misery– flew in synchronization with the pegasi, never straying away from the ever watching eyes of the Royal Guard; Iron Shield had been extremely adamant about her not leaving their sight. Why? They had not given a reason but the nervous eye twitches to everything in the sky and ground that wasn't them told her- and the little voice, not to disobey them.

The feel of the brisk wind in her vibrant colored hair, whipping it back, was like nothing Rainbow Dash had ever felt before. She had never flown after twilight due to the dangers it presented. However, as Celestia's brilliant sun settled just behind the treacherous mountains of Canterlot, and the golden rays cascaded her cyan wings in a field of warmth, Rainbow Dash felt more alive than when she had accomplished the legendary Sonic Rainboom. Off in the distance, beyond the peaks of the mountains that the magnificent Canterlot, the trees of the Evergreen Forests, the skyscrapers of Manehatten and the Lunar Princess' beautiful moon, she spotted the first star peaking out of the veil of eternal darkness. Magenta eyes widen as Luna painted the approaching night sky with a dreamscape of wonders. Constellations presented themselves. Rainbow Dash tried to remember the names of all the stars that her father had taught her before his untimely demise in a Rank 7 hurricane. There was Sirius the Dog, Orion the Great Hunter of the Sea, Perseus the Son of Neptune and Ba'al the God of Storms. The others she couldn't recall or care to remember.

She landed inside the chariot when they neared Canterlot. Captain Iron Shield looked as if he was going to burst at Rainbow Dash's little escapade. He said nothing, though, because before they knew it they were in Canterlot, right in front of the Princesses' castle. The stark walls appeared far more intimidating than Rainbow Dash remembered and a surge of hatred welled in her core. It sent a shiver down her spine. She couldn't remember why exactly, but Rainbow Dash could have sworn she saw a crack in the massive double doors to the palace. Iron Shield talked to one of the guards at the entrance. They were emitted without another question as the golden armored guards gave a respectful salute to the two Elements of Harmony. They had, let it be said, saved all of Equastria from certain doom more times than requested. Heck, they weren't even asked to save Equestria. The dang Elements of Harmony were, and if they weren't the physical embodiments of the jewels, then no one would have given them a second glance. All except for her. Maybe Twilight Sparkle. After all, Rainbow Dash was the one to perform the Sonic Rainboom. Not the freakin' Element.

Rainbow Dash downed her sudden fury with a grin. She followed Twilight into the main hall of the palace with the Royal Guard in tow. The stained glass windows depicting the ancient history of Equestria, from the three great clans of humans: the Valkyrie, the Alchemists and the Terrans, coming together to form Equestria, to the battle against Discord, the living God of Chaos, to the original battle of Day and Night, to the birth of the Elements. The most recent window was of the Elements: Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, Honesty, Loyalty and Magic, with the Elements of Harmony around their necks and head. A hint of pride and accomplishment squashed the anger.

"Presenting Twilight Sparkle, student of Princess Celestia and the Element of Magic." one Terran, the royal announcer or something, announced to everyone in the throne room. He paused when Rainbow Dash sent him a glare. "And her friend, Rainbow Dash."

"Her friend?" hissed Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow Dash, not now!" harshly whispered Twilight, nudging her in the side. Rainbow Dash, however, paid no mind to the harsh nudge. The voice wanted retribution for the lack of a proper announcement. She was Rainbow Dash, for cryin' out loud!

"Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash," smiled Princess Celestia, rising from her throne to greet the two Elements. For once, Twilight was glad for the Princess's immaculate sense of changing the topic, "I'm glad you're here now."

The Sun Sovereign, in all her glory, regally ambled towards the duo with open arms. Her perfect white dress gently flowed in the gentle breeze that seemed to always be there, ready to blow her multicolored hair to the side. Princess Celestia hugged Twilight Sparkle first because Twilight was her student. Then, she moved to hug Rainbow Dash. It was a rigid hug that Rainbow Dash didn't return because of her ire. It wasn't uncomfortable. No, Rainbow Dash noted, it was actually quite nice. The Princess of the Day was soft, like a Princess should be. It was warm, soft, comforting. It was safe, it was—

She pulled away as swiftly as possible, tearing herself away before she completely lost it.

"Rainbow Dash?" whispered Twilight, concern easily visible in her eyes.

She wanted to run away, far away. As far as possible before her rage consumed her. But her feet wouldn't move. Her wings wouldn't flap. Every muscle in her body was on fire. She wanted to run-

"Rainbow Dash?"

Princess Celestia's hand fell upon Rainbow Dash's shoulder. It calmed her.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." grinned Rainbow Dash, faking a smile and flapping her cyan wings just enough to lift her a few feet in the air.

"Rainbow, what happened?" Twilight inquired.

It was the genuine concern in her friend's eyes that terrified Rainbow Dash. It was the look reserved only for emergencies like when Rainbow Dash had been thrown aside by the might of Nightmare Moon or when Discord had transformed her into an alternate version of herself. She had only seen that look on two people's faces three times. Two times with Twilight, and one with Princess Celestia when she had confronted Rainbow Dash about the events of Discord. This time, however, it only made her mad.

"Why does it matter, huh?" snapped Rainbow Dash. "I already said I'm fine!"

"I only asked you a question!" huffed Twilight.

"And I gave you an answer! Just leave it!"

"You don't have to yell!"

"Who are you to tell me what to do? You're the freakin' student of Celestia! Who the hell am I? "And her friend, Rainbow Dash"! I've done more for Equastria than you've done studying with the Princess!"

"Rainbow Dash." interrupted Princess Celestia, but Rainbow Dash turned on her just as swiftly.

"And you!" growled the infuriated Valkyrie. "Your goons decide to kidnap me because you're too lazy to actual cone to Ponyville. How many things have we done for you that you'd resort to sending middlemen instead of actually coming to talk to us? Are we nothing more than weapons for your personal amusement?"

The benevolent Sun Sovereign remained solemn as Rainbow Dash continued her rant, her almost ruby eyes remained focus upon the Valkyrie.

"I don't give a crap if you're the freakin' ruler of the sun! You're immortal, we're not! We can't wait forever to see subjects come and go with their petty needs! Blue Blood, the cocky little son of a bitch, gets more audiences with you than we do! And what has he done? Jack shit, that's what! We get the freakin' Elements of Who-Gives-A-Crap inside us, save this entire continent from your bitchy, lunatic sister and your insane ex-lover, and you can't even give us the freakin' time of day! How many times have we saved this freakin' kingdom when all you did was sit on your arse? Huh? More times than you have! I'm sick of playing second fiddle to everyone! I'm freakin' Rainbow Dash! I was the one who did the Sonic Rainboom, who up until now, was a legend! Without me doing that, no of them would have got their freakin' cutie marks! A freakin' SONIC RAINBOOM! WHAT THE FUCK OF HAVE YOU DONE BESIDES SITTING ON YOUR ASS?"

Wide eyed and nostrils flaring, Rainbow Dash sent a death glare at both Celestia and her prized student. Her chest heaved with her labored breathing as she turned to stalk out by the Royal Guard was already on her by the time she pivoted on her heels. Surrounded by the guard, Rainbow Dash had to tilt her head upwards to avoid the spearheads directed at her. A low growl originated at the back of her throat at the guards.

"Release her, Iron Shield." calmly ordered Princess Celestia.

"Can't kill me, huh?" smirked Rainbow Dash. "You can't have the Elements of Harmony without me."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean you get off scotch free, Rainbow Dash." she frowned. "You insulted your friends, screamed at your ruler and disrespected everyone. That is enough to spend the rest of your life in the dungeon."

Rainbow Dash swirled around, hands clenched into tight fists and pursed her lips together in a frown. "So speaking my mind is a criminal offense? No wonder Nightmare Moon tried to overthrow you."

It was Celestia's turn to be positively livid. "Do not speak of something in which you are ignorant, Rainbow Dash."

"Well, for being pretty ignorant, we did manage to defeat Nightmare Moon with no problem when you failed a thousand years ago. Sucks, right? Knowing that you were the one to poison the thoughts of your sister, transforming her into a creature of your design. Poor little Luna, always being in the shadow of her big sister. It's your fault she turned. It's your fault she tried to kill everyone. It's your fault," Rainbow Dash hissed, "that she was pushed to insanity."

"Rainbow Dash!" screamed the horrified Twilight Sparkle. But, Rainbow Dash couldn't hear her, not in her rage. Stalking up to the Solar Sovereign, the rainbow haired Valkyrie all but spat in her face.

"You're the source of all our problems. Couldn't leave the sun to the Alchemists, could you? Your need to show everyone how superior you are just because you're a Celestial is what sent Equestria to its knees. No wonder Luna and Discord tried to kill-"

Her head abruptly jerked to the side as the sound of flesh and flesh echoed in the massive chamber and halls of the royal palace. Rainbow Dash fluttered to the ground in shock as she reached a tentative hand to her burning cheek. She tried to swallow her shock, but her body wouldn't allow it. Slowly turning her head towards the furious Celestia, Rainbow Dash tried to take a hesitant step back. However, the sudden grip of the Princess's hand around her forearm held her in place. Cold perspiration and trepidation formed as she stared anywhere but at the angry Sun Goddess. The tiny voice was silent.

"I tolerate many things, Rainbow Dash, but how you're behaving is not one of them." Princess Celestia growled, her ardent eyes burning holes into head. "Look at me when I speak, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash couldn't. Ever muscle in her body was trembling in fear of the wrath of Celestia. She feared that if she looked the Princess in the eyes than she would die. Die a horrible, gory death because she couldn't keep her thoughts to herself. Die because she had insulted the most powerful being on the Celestia forsaken planet and her sister. The confident and super awesome Rainbow Dash was a puddle of prismatic hair and cyan feathers.

"Look at me, Rainbow Dash." she ordered, the grip upon her upper arm tightening, the nails almost breaking the skin.

"I-I can't." stammered the terrified Rainbow Dash.

"Look at me, Rainbow Dash."

Her once melodious voice was now low and threatening, just above a whisper but below a murmur. It sent cold shivers down her spines as her wings flapped uselessly.

When Rainbow Dash couldn't, she brought her other hand and gripped the quivering Valkyrie's jaw into her hand and forced it to turn; Rainbow Dash's eyes were anywhere but at the angry Celestial. She tried to tear her head out of Princess Celestia's grip but the Princess wouldn't have any of it. If anything, the grip upon her only tightened until Rainbow Dash was positive it would fall off dead.

"Look at me."

The reluctant Valkyrie could do nothing else than obey. Celestia searched her face for a second before their eyes locked in a battle of wills that ensured that Celestia was going to be the definite winner. Let it be said, however, that Rainbow Dash was able to keep her stare without blinking longer than anyone else who had faced the fury of the Sun Goddess.

"You are many things, Rainbow Dash. Confident, intelligent, brave, loyal and a good friend. But you're acting like none of those things now. You're abrasive, selfish, cowardly, idiotic and in no way, shape or form, loyal to your friends or country. You insult your friends who've saved your life, tossing them to the side like they're nothing. You think themselves incapable of anything without you being there. Yes, you created the Sonic Rainboom, but it was also the work of the Elements that you got your cutie mark when you did. Without the Elements, you would have been just another Valkyrie." explained Celestia. "Then you insult my sister, Discord, the God of Chaos, and I. Yes, I have made mistakes but I was able to learn from them to help create a better kingdom. What happened to my sister and Discord was truly tragic, but it was not my selfishness that caused it. The Elements of Harmony were the ones to decide their punishment, not me."

She paused to calm her breathing. It did not mean that she wasn't angry, though. If anything, her fury only increased.

"I called you here for a specific reason but if this is how you want to act, then maybe the dungeons will be a good place to start. You're right, I can't have you killed because you host the Element of Loyalty. However, I doubt it'll stay in you for long with the way you're acting. I don't care if you rolled off the wrong side of your bed this morning. How you're behaving is abhorrent! Not even my distant nephew wouldn't behave this way!"

"Princess." interrupted Twilight.

"What is it, Twilight Sparkle?"

"Rainbow Dash has been like this for the past couple of months. Not as fierce, though."

"What?" exclaimed the startled Princess, releasing her hold on Rainbow Dash's face. "How long? When did it begin?"

"When we pretended to be Mare Do Well." Twilight Sparkle explained. "Four months or so, I think."

"Why didn't you mention this in the letters, Twilight?" blanched Celestia.

"I thought she was just being her usual arrogant self."

Celestia stared at her prized student before turning to Rainbow Dash. "Is this true?"

"I-I don't know." Rainbow Dash exclaimed, trying to pull her arm free. "Mare Do Well was so long ago that I don't remember when the voice started!" Rainbow Dash promptly shut her mouth.

"Voice? What voice?"

"It's...um...nothing! Really!"

"Rainbow Dash, answer the question! What voice?" snapped Celestia.

"The tiny voice in my head that's always saying how it's unfair that when everyone else does something wrong, all they do is get a pat on the wrist, and when I do something wrong, it's all like, "look at Rainbow Dash! She's so arrogant and self centered! I wonder why she got the Element of Loyalty, she's a failure! Instead of Rainbow Dash, it should be Rainbow Crash! Guess we all know why her mother's an abusive alcoholic and her dad committed suicide! What a freak!" And it's not fair!" screamed Rainbow Dash, tears freely streaming down her red cheeks, stinging where Celestia had backhanded her. She roughly rubbed the tears away as best as possible as she turned away, still held in place by Celestia.

"Rainbow Dash, I didn't...I didn't know.." whispered Twilight Sparkle, shocked at her friend's exclamation.

"I don't need your pity. Just let me go." she shouted.

"Rainbow Dash." murmured Princess Celestia, bringing the crying Valkyrie into her arms.

The Sun Goddess held her close as sobs raked Rainbow Dash's trembling body. Openly sobbing into the Goddess' arms, Rainbow Dash wasn't concerned about how uncool she looked or anything else. The voice had kindly taken to the highway as Celestia rubbed circles into the crying Valkyrie's back.

"Why? Why does it always happen to me?" demanded the crying Valkyrie, pulling away from Celestia. "Twilight has you, her brothers and both of her parents, Rarity has her younger sister and parents, Pinkie has the Cakes, Fluttershy has both of her parents and all the animals, and Applejack has her little sister, Big Mac and the rest of her giant family!"

"You have all of us, Rainbow Dash." Twilight offered.

"But where were you when my dad committed suicide? Where were you when my mom decided to start beating me? Where were you when I nearly had my wings cut off by her? Where were you when I nearly died at the Rainbow Factory? WHERE WERE YOU?!"

"Rainbow Dash-"

"THAT'S RIGHT! YOU WEREN'T THERE. NONE OF YOU WERE!"

"But we're here now."

"NOW'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" screamed Rainbow Dash, barreling out the throne room on cyan wings.

"RAINBOW DASH!" yelled Twilight, running after her broken friend.