Wishing is Magic

Rainbow Wishes settled on the plush train couch and pulled a dark blue book from out of her blue pink saddlebag. Princess Luna had given several books to her on the way, so Rainbow Wishes wouldn't be bored.

"Let's see, Old Equestrian Legends? Sounds like an interesting book." Rainbow Wishes flipped the book open to the first page.

"'The Story of the Time Wizard Minuette,'" she read quietly, casting a quick glance around to see if the other passengers were disturbed by her read. When all of them seemed content with their own business and unaffected by what she had said so far, Rainbow Wishes continued, "'Once, a thousand years ago, there was a young Unicorn mare named Minuette. She grew up in Canterlot, during times of great trouble. Everything she did, it seemed to be a mistake. So Minuette began to practice time travel magic.

"'Over time, however, Minuette became dark and cruel. She did not play with others or even associate with them. She was so focused on fixing her past mistake she forgot it was of consequence. When she finally went back in time and then returned, several lives were lost, and Equestria was much different than Minuette had anticipated.

"'Princess Luna and Princess Celestia realized what Minuette had done. They forced her to go back and return everything to the way it was. She did so, but when she returned Minuette began to mess with time. She would back it up several seconds, or make time move so slowly.

"'Princess Luna and Princess Celestia figured out what to do, and they-'" Rainbow Wishes frowned as she was confronted with a dark brown splotch that looked like coffee, or maybe dark chocolate.

"I have to get a new copy for Princess Luna," Rainbow Wishes muttered, smiling slightly for whatever reason. She added the task to her mental checklist of things she needed to do when she returned, the picked up the story where it began after the coffee spill.

"Um, 'Princess Luna and Princess Celestia then imprisoned Time Wizard Minuette in a magic hourglass. But they knew that on the thousandth anniversary of her imprisonment, July 14th, Minuette will escape to seek revenge, much more powerful than before.'" Rainbow Wishes stared at the page.

"Hey! July 14th is only six days from now!" She exclaimed. "But this is just an Old Mare's Tale, so there's nothing to worry about!" Her eyes drifted back to the legend.

She wound it back up several seconds. A feeling of worry washed over Rainbow Wishes. Like when I spilled the ink? When I was back at the entrance? Suddenly, Rainbow Wishes wasn't sure this was just an Old Mare's Tale.

"What are you reading?" A voice behind her asked.

"Aaah!" Rainbow Wishes screamed, jumping back. Several other passengers gave her dirty looks.

"Sorry," Rainbow Wishes apologized to them sheepishly. They grumbled, but returned to their previous engagements.

"I'm sorry for scaring you," the other mare apologized to Rainbow Wishes.

"It's alright," Rainbow Wishes promised.

"Good! I'm Star Swirl," the mare introduced herself, sticking her hoof out.

"I'm Rainbow Wishes," Rainbow Wishes answered, returning the hoof shake.

Star Swirl was a light blue Earth Pony, a light blue that reminded Rainbow Wishes of cotton candy. Her poofy mane was a mixture of bubblegum pink and bright purple. Star Swirl's eyes were the same bubblegum pink and they held a friendly and cheerful look. Star Swirl smiled.

"So, what are you reading?" Star Swirl asked again, plopping down on the seat opposite of Rainbow Wishes.

Rainbow Wishes held the book up in her blue aura. She explained, "It's a collection of Equestrian Legends." Star Swirl eagerly raised her hoof, as if to touch the book, but hesitated. After a moment, she set it back at her side.

"Is it interesting?" She asked

"Well, I've only read the first story," Rainbow Wishes admitted. "Although... I think I'm done for the day." She opened her saddlebag and gently placed the book inside.

"So where are you from?" Star Swirl asked.

"I'm from Canterlot," Rainbow Wishes told her. Star Swirl brightened.

"Really? I am, too!" After a moment, she added, "Well, I was born there. I live in Ponyville now, but I was visiting my parents this week."

"Maybe you can show me around!" Rainbow Wishes suggested. Star Swirl nodded eagerly.

"I'd love to help you meet new ponies!" She exclaimed. "Just wait, there are so many amazing ponies in Ponyville!"

"They all sound awesome!" Rainbow Wishes replied. "Even though I haven't heard about them yet." The two mares laughed together.

"Shush!" A nearby Pegasus quipped.

"Sorry," Rainbow Wishes apologized. Turning back to Star Swirl, she asked, "What do you like to do?" Star Swirl's smile wavered.

She hesitated before she answered, "I like to play with my friends, and practice, um, tricks." She looked out the window. "Oh, look! It's Ponyville's sign! We're almost there!" Rainbow Wishes watched a whitewashed sign fly past them.

"This is going to be so fun!" Rainbow Wishes exclaimed. "I'm here on vacation, and I get a super nice pony to..." She trailed off as, Once again, the Ponyville sign flew by. "Um, Star Swirl? Ponyville has two signs, right?"

"No," Star Swirl replied with a confused frown. "Is something wrong, Rainbow Wishes?"

"Everything's fine!" chirped Rainbow Wishes. In a lower, almost inaudible voice, she added, "Nothing you need to be worried about, Star Swirl."