The Start of Something New
Electric sparks shocked the darkness with an instant of blinding light. Deep in the forgotten catacombs of the Ponyville library, research was happening. A light purple alicorn worked silently in the candle lit dim, carrying on her somber experiment. She worked quickly; using her telekinesis to weld shut the exterior of her ominous device. As she stared at her finished product, a wide grin grew on her face.
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Rainbow Dash was having a good day. A totally awesome day, she might say herself. She had already finished clearing the clouds earlier that morning (indeed, a first), and had just finished showing off her new moves to Applejack, who was at this moment lounging by the river. Rainbow considered settling with her for a while, having worked hard at her tricks and exercises all day previous, but, even though she was tired, she still had plans.
She desperately needed the new Daring Do book, and stat. All that week she was unable to go get it from the Ponyville library, because the Cloudsdale Department of Weather Control was working her like a dog, having her drench all of Ponyville awash with early autumn rain. Clearing the clouds earlier in the day made her extremely happy, their disappearance meaning that she had the rest of that day off.
Rainbow Dash quite literally had her head in the clouds that early, brisk morning. She got up early just so that later that day she could finally see exactly how Daring Do got the Crystal Dagger out of the criminal hands of Ahuizotl, before he could use it as a key to unlock the secrets of the ghost King Ragnok, the leader of the long abandoned Empire of the Lost Souls. Rainbow had to admit, the story was getting a little hard to follow, but she was in it for the action, and couldn’t wait to find out how exactly the previous story will end, and how that will flow into the remainder of the next.
Rainbow dashed over to Twilight’s windowsill, completely skipping over decency and privacy in exchange for knowing sooner how the final blow was dealt, and by whom. Dash was stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Twilight’s familiar pink aura surrounding the library in a dome barrier. She circled the tree down to the front door, wondering why Twilight would shield herself from the harmless folks of Ponyville. As she pondered this, she also realized that if Twilight sealed the outside world from the library, she would have to wait even longer for the next Daring Do tale.
Rainbow sighed in defeat and was about to turn tail when her eye caught a glimpse of a note, hanging off the side of Twilight’s mailbox. Rainbow came closer and read, “To all my friends. I am pleased to announce that my months of research have finally paid off. I will be showcasing my invention to the Canterlot Court, after which I will be happy to oblige in having a little private showcase for all of you. I will see you all in the library at 7:00 sharp this evening, and I hope you will all be here. I thank you in advance for being the most kindhearted, loyal, and loving friends I have ever had, and I do hope you will like it. To a brighter tomorrow, your friend, Twilight Sparkle. P.S. I left your next book in the series and the one after it in the mailbox, Rainbow. I know how you’ve been waiting patiently to read them.”
Rainbow Dash ignored the rest of the note, which was all addressed to the remainder of her friends, who must have stopped by earlier for one thing or another or would later in the day. Rainbow Dash threw open the mailbox lid, took the precious novels, and sped away to her floating abode, where she would spend the rest of the day with her muzzle in a book, but of course, not just any book. This was Daring Do! Rainbow was playing it in her mind already, forgetting about the note and everything pertaining to it, completely absorbed in her playful obsession. She didn’t even notice Rarity’s rather frantic waving, nor what happened immediately afterward, that changed their life forever.
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“Of all the possible things, this is The. Worst. Possible. Thing!” Rarity whined in response to Fluttershy’s comment. “What do you mean, you’re moving away?”
Fluttershy mumbled a bit, and kicked at the ground. Rarity couldn’t hear a word she said, but she already knew what it was amounting to be. “Th-They need me up there. Rarity, I kn-know that you like to go to the spa with me, and visit me during tea parties, and, and I like it too, but they are forming a bird reformatory and veterinary clinic up in Cloudsdale, and they said I was perfect for the job. I have to go, it would be horrible if those cute little critters didn’t get the help they deserve. Besides, I’ll st-still visit often. I’m not going to leave my friends behind, especially n-not you, Rarity.”
Rarity was still quite flustered over the news, but she was calmed a little by Fluttershy’s cute stutter when she was nervous. “How are you going to tell the others? I was trying to call down Rainbow when she was flying by but, I guess she didn’t see me. Oh, I know! How about we tell Pinkie Pie, and she arranges a little going-away party? Of course, you’re not going away forever, but it’d be the perfect time to make you a new dress! Your old one is quite old-fashioned by now.”
Fluttershy thought this was the perfect idea, and said so herself. “I think that’s a great idea Rarity, but, do you really think I’m old-fashioned?”
“Oh of course not dear, only your dress. I’ll get started right away on the new one! What do you think, Jade, or Emerald?” As Rarity pondered the design for her soon to be distant friend, Fluttershy cantered unhurriedly over to Sugar Cube Corner to break the news, and maybe share a few cupcakes with Pinkie.
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