Wishing is Magic

Rainbow Wishes, Forsythia, and Sassaflash walked back to Golden Oaks later that day. They had just finished cleaning up the spa, and though she hadn't caused the mess, Forsythia had insisted on helping her friends.

"That was hard work," Forsythia commented.

"Yeah," Rainbow Wishes agreed. "That mud got really stiff after a while."

"Good thing there was three of us!" Sassaflash added, flapping her wings. Rainbow Wishes and Forsythia nodded in agreement.

"So Rainbow Wishes, what other friends have you made in Ponyville?" Forsythia asked.

"Oh, a lot!" Rainbow Wishes answered, eager to talk. "I met Star Swirl on the train, and then Sassaflash here. Star Swirl introduced me to Star Dash, and we met Lucky Dreams. And now I've met you, Forsythia!" Forsythia laughed.

"Did somepony say my name?" Lucky Dreams popped up behind them.

"Hey!" Sassaflash yelled, jumping several feet in the air. "You're scary Lucky Dreams!"

"Sorry," Lucky Dreams apologized. "I heard somepony say my name."

"Rainbow Wishes was just telling me about her other friends," Forsythia explained.

"Hi Forsythia!" Lucky Dreams exclaimed. "Didn't see you there. Well, I did see you, but I didn't see you see you. You know?"

"Yes," Forsythia answered.

Just then, a scroll popped out of the air and landed on Rainbow Wishes's nose.

"The Princess must have replied!" She exclaimed excitedly, unraveling it with her magic. "Give me a minute, will you?"

"Sure," the three replied in unison. Rainbow Wishes walked a few feet away, and with a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure they were listening, she began to read aloud.

"'Dear Rainbow Wishes,'" she murmured. "'I will gladly set up a shooting star for your friend. As for your concerns about Minuette, she is just an old mare's tale. Do not worry! Even if she did return, the Elements of Harmony would stop her! Your princess, Luna.'" Rainbow Wishes frowned.

"Old Mare's Tale? Old Mare's Tale? Princess Luna saw herself the effects of Minuette, the first time it happened!" She stomped her hoof on the ground. "How could she pretend this is not happening?" Rainbow Wishes snorted to get the anger and confusion out. Then she took a deep, calming breath and turned to face her friends.

They all had confused, slight worried expressions plastered on their faces.

"Is there anything wrong, Rainbow Wishes?" Forsythia asked, her bright pink eyes brimming with concern.

"It helps to be honest with your friends, you know," Lucky Dreams added. Rainbow Wishes forced a smile.

"It's just some business with Princess Luna. Being her assistant and all has some issues I need to clear up." She glanced at the scroll again. "Anyways, everything is fine. Do you wanna go back to Golden Oaks Library? Maybe we can find some secret passages!"

"That sounds interesting," Sassaflash agreed.

"I'd love to!" Forsythia consented.

"I'm sure it will be fun!" Lucky Dreams added.

"Then let's go!" Rainbow Wishes exclaimed. The four ponies walked back to Golden Oaks Library.

"Hey Rainbow Wishes? What makes you sure there'll be secret passages?" Lucky Dreams asked.

"What building doesn't have secret passages?" Rainbow Wishes answered confidently. "Wait, don't answer that."

"Should we spread out?" Forsythia asked.

"Sounds like a good plan," Sassaflash responded.

"I'll check upstairs!" Rainbow Wishes volunteered. The girls spread out as Rainbow Wishes trotted upstairs.

"Nothing under here," she murmured, raising the bedsheet and peaking underneath. All that she saw was some dust bunnies.

"Where else should I look?" She asked herself, letting the bedsheets fall back to their proper place. A she looked around her loft, the book from last night caught her eye. The Elements of Harmony.

"I have to read this!" She exclaimed at the exact moment Sassaflash called, "I found something!" Rainbow Wishes set the book back on the table. It would have to wait until later. Besides, she couldn't just ignore her friends and read it.

Rainbow Wishes cantered down the stairs. "What did you find, Sassaflash?"

"She found a secret passage!" Lucky Dreams interrupted. Rainbow Wishes stepped closer. The other three were looking into a tiny hole in the wall.

"I just pressed a spot on the wall," Sassaflash explained, "and this spot was revealed."

"Can I see?" Rainbow Wishes asked. She peeked inside. It was a small room which was surprisingly bright, considering it has no windows. In the center, the one thing inside made Rainbow Wishes gasped.

It was a giant hourglass.

"She'll be released in here," Rainbow Wishes muttered.

"What?" Forsythia asked.

"Um, that's a bright room," Rainbow Wishes lied, turning around. "Um, I have some business to take care of. By myself. Sorry guys. I'll see you later."

"I understand," Sassaflash said, taking flight. "See you around, Rainbow Wishes." She exited the library, Forsythia on her tail. Only Lucky Dreams remained.

"You know, it's good to be honest with your friends," she said simple, her expression nonchalant. Rainbow Wishes's gaze slid to the left.

"It's nothing... that you need to be worried about," she responded. Lucky Dreams cocked her head.

"If you say so," she responded. Flapping her wings, she rose several inches into the air.

"See you later, Rainbow Wishes."

Rainbow Wishes watched her leave. When she was sure Lucky Dreams was gone, she shut the door and let out a sigh.

"Maybe I should tell them. They deserve to know.

"But it could put them in danger," she reminded herself. "Now, I'm going to check out that book."