Chapters Rainbow Wishes mumbled into her pillow as her cuckoo clock began to chirp, signalling the start of a new day.
"Two more minutes," Rainbow Wishes groaned, rolling over.
Wake up, Wishes ! a voice in her head scolded her. You're Princess Luna's personal assistant, you have to be ready to get up and go !
"Alright, alright!" Rainbow Wishes rolled over again- and onto the floor. In another second she was at her mirror, examining her blue and purple mane.
"I have a serious case of bedmane!" She exclaimed cheerfully, her sluggishness gone. Picking up a brush, she began to stroke her mane into its usual straight style.
"Good morning, cuckoo!" She chirped, patting the yellow wooden bird on the head. "I forgive you for waking me up!" She grinned and trotted out of her bedroom.
Being Princess Luna's helper meant everything to Rainbow Wishes. She loved bringing in the princess's fan mail for her or helping review the day's schedule. It was never too boring. Another wide grinned crossed Rainbow Wishes's face as she remembered several instances where Princess Luna had let her read some of the fan mail.
"Good morning, Rainbow Wishes!" A passing kitchen helper called.
"Good morning to you, too!" Rainbow Wishes replied happily. She couldn't wipe her smile away. Life was just so happy!
Rainbow Wishes ducked into a corridor that led to the kitchen. She could smell the scent of fresh waffles and moon cakes coming from the busy place.
"Princess Luna is expecting you in the dining hall soon!" Fresh Scent called over the noise. She was the pony prepared Rainbow Wishes's breakfast every morning.
"Thanks, Fresh!" Rainbow Wishes answered, taking a bowl of strawberries off the plate Fresh presented her.
"Whoops!" Rainbow Wishes exclaimed as she nearly collided with a marble counter.
"Watch yourself, Wishes!" Fresh added.
"I will," Rainbow Wishes agree sheepishly, rubbing her mane despite there being no injury.
Rainbow Wishes bit into a strawberry as the doors to the dining hall opened.
"Come in, Rainbow Wishes!" Princess Luna sat at the end of a long, narrow table that could seat, by Rainbow's count, a full thirty ponies. Rainbow Wishes nodded and trotted down to Princess Luna's end of the table.
Suddenly, Rainbow Wishes was back at the front of the hall.
"W-what just happened?" She asked, looking around, confused. She looked up at Princess Luna just in time to see a shadow of fear flash across the princess's face.
"You must have had a double vision," Princess Luna suggested. "Do not dwell on it. Now, come over. We have much to do."
Rainbow Wishes made her way over to Princess Luna, more hesitant this time. She sat down several chairs away from Princess Luna.
"Come closer, Rainbow Wishes," Princess Luna told her with a gentle smile. Rainbow Wishes smiled back. She stood again and reseated herself in a chair right next to Luna's.
"What are we doing first today, Princess?" Rainbow Wishes asked respectfully. Princess Luna looked over the table.
"The same as usual, dear Rainbow Wishes. Please, fetch me my quill and ink."
"Of course, Princess Luna!" Rainbow Wishes pushed her chair back and cantered out of the dining hall.
"Now, where is the ink closet?" She asked herself looking left and right as she wandered the halls. "Ah, here it is!" She used her magic to pull the door open and remove a bottle of ink, as well as a silver quill, from the collection. Rainbow Wishes started walking down the hall when her hooves got away from her.
"Aah!" She cried as she tripped and fell. Shocked, Rainbow Wishes failed to catch the ink as the pitch black liquid splattered over the dark indigo carpet that lined the floors. "Oh no !"
Not a second after she said that the ink well was suddenly back in her telekinetic grasp, and Rainbow Wishes was standing where she had been seconds ago. The most peculiar thing, though, was that the ink stain had completely disappeared . Rainbow Wishes's bright cyan eyes widened in shock and confusion.
"Princess Luna!" She called, running back to the dining hall. "Princess Luna, the weirdest thing just happened!" Princess Luna looked at Rainbow Wishes.
"What happened, my assistant?" She asked. Rainbow Wishes opened her mouth, then closed it, unsure how to describe what had just happened.
"Well, I tripped and I spilled the ink," Rainbow Wishes explained, deciding to go with the simple answer. "But a few seconds later, I was back right before I had tripped! It was like gone back in time!" Princess Luna nodded.
"Rainbow Wishes, I have been thinking."
"What about, Princess?" Rainbow Wishes asked, setting down the ink and quill in front of Princess Luna.
"You do not spend much time outside the castle, do you, Rainbow Wishes?" Princess Luna asked.
"Well, I." Rainbow Wishes stopped herself. "I haven't really. No, Princess. I don't go out much."
"I have decided you should have a vacation." Princess Luna stood.up as Rainbow Wishes's mouth dropped open.
"But, Princess, I-"
"Do not worry, Rainbow Wishes," Princess Luna consoled her. "You'll only be away for several days. Meet some new ponies, tour some sights. You deserve it."
"Thank you, Princess," Rainbow Wishes replied, bowing her head in reverence. Princess Luna smiled.
"You should pack now, shouldn't you?" She asked, shepherding Rainbow Wishes out into the hall. "I have just the place for you. A little town called Ponyville."
Author's Note
Why the heck. Did I just write that.
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."
When the train reached Ponyville, Rainbow Wishes and Star Swirl trotted off together. They had been chatting for the remainder of the ride.
"Here we are!" Star Swirl announced, spreading a hoof before them. "Ponyville!"
"It's so... quaint!" Rainbow Wishes exclaimed. "That's not a bad thing, of course." Star Swirl smiled.
"I know.
"So, where will you be staying while you're in Ponyville?" Star Swirl asked as they began to walk down the street. Rainbow Wishes cocked her head, trying to remember.
"Um, Princess Luna said something about a library? She said I could organize it to my heart's content."
"That's got to be Golden Oaks Library," Star Swirl answered confidently. "Come on, I'll show you where it is." She led Rainbow Wishes down the road to a giant tree house.
"I'm staying in a tree ?" Rainbow Wishes was surprised. "Well, oakey dokey!"
"What do you- oh!" Star Swirl laughed, apparently having just caught on to Rainbow Wishes's pun.
"Hey Star Swirl! Unicorn!" A turquoise head appeared in Rainbow Wishes's line of vision.
"Eek!" She cried, jumping back. The turquoise pony, who was a Pegasus flying upside down, giggled.
"Sorry, Shooting Star," she apologized. Rainbow Wishes nodded.
"It's all good. My name isn't Shooting Star, though." The Pegasus mare shrugged.
"I was just using your Cutie Mark," she explained. Rainbow Wishes glanced at her flank. On it was a pink shooting star with a multicolored tail.
"Rainbow Wishes, this is Sassaflash," Star Swirl introduced the mare.
"Hi!" Rainbow Wishes exclaimed. Sassaflash grinned and shook her hoof. As soon as she had let go of Rainbow Wishes, she did a loop in the air to right herself.
"Awesome to meet you!" She exclaimed. Rainbow Wishes smiled. Sassaflash's mane was shaggy, colored electric lime. Her eyes were a piercing orange.
The three ponies turned to the door. Rainbow Wishes used her magic to turn the knob and open the door.
Her face went slack as she looked inside. Books were scattered, dust bunnies lay everywhere, and cobwebs were strewn about in the corners.
"On second thought, maybe I'll just call a hotel," Rainbow Wishes suggested. She began to back away.
"Not so fast!" Sassaflash exclaimed, trotting into Golden Oaks and looking around. "Hey, I'd love to help clean this place up!" Rainbow Wishes was already shaking her head at the proposition.
"No, Sassaflash. You don't have to do that-"
"But I want to help!" Sassaflash interrupted, picking up a book that lay near her hooves. "It would bee easy, and no trouble at all!" Rainbow Wishes cast a doubtful look at Star Swirl. To her surprise, Star Swirl nodded.
"Don't throw out a friend's generosity," she advised. "Sassaflash loves helping others." Rainbow Wishes looked back inside the library. Sassaflash was looking at her expectantly. She smiled.
"Alright, Sassaflash," she agreed, joining her new friend in the library. "Thanks for helping me!"
"No problem at all!" Sassaflash exclaimed, flapping her wings. Dust bunnies scattered in the breeze she created. Rainbow Wishes set her bags near the front of the door.
"Let's get to work!" She declared.
Half an hour later, Rainbow Wishes was sweeping the last of the cobwebs into the street.
"Thanks again for your help, guys," she said, gently placing the broom back into the closet.
"No problem!" Star Swirl and Sassaflash replied in unison.
Rainbow Wishes was suddenly standing right outside the closet, broom in hoof, like she had been a few seconds earlier.
"Uh, what just happened?" Star Swirl asked nervously. Rainbow Wishes smiled broadly.
"What happened?" She asked. Sassaflash and Star Swirl shared twin looks of confusion.
"It's like time reversed!" Sassaflash described, flying higher. "You didn't notice?"
I have to do some research tonight , Rainbow Wishes thought before responding, "No, I didn't." Star Swirl twirled some of her mane around her hoof.
"Well, let's get going! You want to meet some new ponies on your break, right?" Star Swirl asked. Rainbow Wishes's fake smile turned into a genuine one.
"Yeah, let's go!" She agreed. Turning to Sassaflash, she asked, "Are you coming?" Sassaflash shook her head.
"I promised Berry Punch I'd help her in her vineyard later," she explained. "Sorry."
"I understand!" Rainbow Wishes answered. "Don't worry!"
"See you around, Sassaflash," Star Swirl called as Sassaflash flew off down the street.
"Definitely!" Sassaflash responded, turning around mid flight and flying backwards.
Once Sassaflash had disappeared from view, Rainbow Wishes asked, "So, where are we headed?" Star Swirl looked around.
"How about the Ponyville Observatory?" She suggested. "I know a pony who goes there to look at shooting stars. Maybe she's there."
"Shooting stars?" Rainbow Wishes repeated, casting another glance at her Cutie Mark. "Sounds like my kinda place!" Star Swirl giggled.
"You make me laugh, Rainbow Wishes," she admitted. "Come on, let's go!"
The two mares began to canter across Ponyville, Star Swirl leading the way.
"There's the spa," she noted, pointing at a building as they passed. "Oh, and there's Sweetie Swirl's house! She makes the best ice cream!"
Very little time had passed when they arrived at the observatory. It was a little wooden building painted a silver gray color. Rainbow Wishes could see a telescope peeking out of the roof.
"Come on in," Star Swirl called.
"Oh! Right!" Rainbow Wishes realized she had stopped to stare at the building while Star Swirl had continues walking. She hastily ran to catch up with her Earth Pony friend.
Star Swirl led Rainbow Wishes through the hallways, which were lined with pictures of the stars and constellations, until they finally stopped at a room. A pink Earth Pony stood with her back to them. Her yellow and blue mane was tied in a loose ponytail.
"Hi, Star Dash," Star Swirl said softly.
"Oh!" Star Dash turned around. "Oh, um, hi, Star Swirl." Her purple eyes darted to Rainbow Wishes.
"I'm Rainbow Wishes," Rainbow Wishes explained, smiling. She extended her hoof. Star Dash smiled slightly and shook Rainbow Wishes's hoof.
"I'm Star Dash," she answered. Her voice was soft, and a the image of a cloud popped into Rainbow Wishes's head. "Um, did Star Swirl tell you a lot about me?"
"Nope!" Rainbow Wishes replied with a shake of her head. The two ponies turned to look at Star Swirl. She smiled sheepishly.
"I mentioned you like to spend time here!" She defended herself. "But I know you're shy around New ponies, so I didn't say much." Star Dash nodded.
"Thanks, Star Swirl," she said. Star Swirl shrugged, like it was no big deal.
"So, Star Dash, what are you looking at?" Rainbow Wishes asked, stepping closer to the telescope. Star Dash gestured at a notebook lying on the counter beside her.
"Look in there," she suggested. "I haven't seen much, just some starlight changing colors." Rainbow Wishes picked up the notebook and flipped through it.
"Are you the only one that writes in this?" She asked. She glanced up to see Star Dash shake her head.
"I wrote in it once," Star Swirl commented, reading over Rainbow Wishes's shoulder. "And their are more regular ponies that write."
"Comet Tail, for instance," Star Dash added, her voice sounding louder and bolder. "Several other ponies."
"This is cool," Rainbow Wishes commented. Star Dash nodded.
"I haven't seen as shooting star yet." Her voice was wistful as she bent down to peak in the telescope again. Rainbow Wishes cast a sideways glance at Star Swirl.
"I'm certain you'll see one soon," she assured Star Dash. Star Dash looked back up.
"Thanks, Rainbow Wishes," she answered. "I'm sure I will."
"Wanna go to a restaurant with us?" Star Swirl asked her. "You've probably been staring at that thing all day." Star Dash nodded.
"Sure," she agreed. "I could use a break. Rainbow Wishes, what's your favorite food?"
"Waffles with moon syrup," Rainbow Wishes answered promptly. She blushed as expressions of confusion spread over her companions' faces. "Or, uh, sunflower seeds on rye is fine."
"The Seed Is a good restaurant," Star Dash offered. "It has sunflower seeds."
"Then let's go!" Rainbow Wishes exclaimed. She followed and Star Swirl and Star Dash out.
And it happened again. It was subtle, so Swirl and Dash didn't mention it. But Rainbow Wishes noticed she was suddenly several inches farther away from the doorway.
"So, Star Dash," she said, trying to take her mind off the time warp thing. "What else do you do, besides the telescope?" Star Dash glanced back.
"I like reading," she replied.
"Are you going to drop by the library?" Rainbow Wishes asked. "I'm staying at Golden Oaks for the week."
"I didn't know Golden Oaks Library was still in business!" Star Dash exclaimed with wide eyes. "I'd love to stop by late this week!"
The three mares began to talk about their favorite books and stories as they walked down the road. They were so absorbed in their conversation that they didn't realize they had reached The Seed .
"Star Swirl!" The girls were interrupted by a green Pegasus mare who flew up to them. "By any chance, are you and your friends going to The Seed ?"
"Yeah!" Star Swirl replied cheerfully. "How'd you guess?" The mare's gaze turned to the sky.
"You know, just had a feeling you were missing your stop," she responded. Star Swirl nodded. Star Dash giggled.
"Hi!" The mare said to Rainbow Wishes. "I'm Lucky Dreams! What's your name?"
"I'm Rainbow Wishes!" Rainbow Wishes responded. Lucky Dreams smiled. She landed on the ground and folded her wings.
"Nice to meet you, Rainbow Wishes," she answered. "I had a feeling I'd meet a new friend today."
"So you're psychic?" Rainbow Wishes guessed. Lucky Dreams laughed.
"Could I say that, Star Swirl?"
"Not sure!" Star Swirl answered. "I guess you could.
"Lucky Dreams is, well, lucky ," she added to Rainbow Wishes. "She has a sixth sense about practically everything." Rainbow Wishes grinned.
"Lucky Dreams, are they going to run out of food today?" She asked in a fake accent. Lucky Dreams giggled.
"I cannot forsee such frivolous matters!" She teased, tossing her pink and blue mane. The group laughed at the hoity toity gesture.
"She's also one of the most honest ponies I know," Star Swirl added, whispering into Rainbow Wishes's ear.
"So, why are you in town?" Lucky Dreams asked Rainbow Wishes.
"I'm on vacation," Rainbow Wishes answered. She briefly wondered how much to tell before she sounded like a self-obssesed bragger. "Um, Princess Luna decided I needed a break."
"You work for Princess Luna?" Lucky Dreams asked excitedly, flaring her wings suddenly. Rainbow Wishes nodded in confirmation.
"Oh, tell me all about it!" Lucky Dreams exclaimed pleadingly. "She's my biggest idol!"
"Alright," Rainbow Wishes agreed.
"Um, want to talk about this over a sandwich?" Star Dash asked, pointing her hoof at The Seed .
"Good idea," the other three agreed.
Rainbow Wishes wasn't really surprised when she realized they were the first clients of the day. Even if she had never been to this place before, she had enough sense to realize ponies didn't come this earlier in the morning, especially after a storm.
"Regular, please," Sassaflash told the twin mares in the front. At least, Rainbow Wishes assumed they were twins.
"So much for not coming here often," Rainbow Wishes snorted as the mares led them back to a pastel room filled with several cots.
"I'm very picky when I do show up!" Sassaflash defended herself, holding a hoof up. She lay down on one cot. "They remember my demands. Right, Aloe?"
"Yes," the mare, Aloe, confirmed with a slight giggle. "You need your cucumber slices exactly three and a half inches in diameter." Rainbow Wishes smiled as she too lay down on the cot. She closed her eyes as Aloe's sister put cucumber slices on them.
She hadn't realized her shoulders had been so tense until another spa pony began to massage her back.
"Ah, that feels good," she breathed, relaxing her shoulders.
"It's good," Sassaflash agreed from her cot.
Rainbow Wishes's concerns and worries melted away as the massage continued. All she could focus on was the massage.
"We're done here," Aloe said gently, prodding Rainbow Wishes's shoulder as the massage ebbed away.
"Really?" Rainbow Wishes whined, lifting up one of cucumbers to peer at Aloe.
"Don't worry, Rainbow," Sassaflash interrupted. "We've going somewhere else."
"Alright," Rainbow Wishes agreed, standing up.
"Follow me," Aloe instructed. Sassaflash and Rainbow Wishes followed her into another room. This room was walled with oak wood panels, with a pit of smooth, grey stones in the middle.
"A sauna," Rainbow Wishes realized. Sassaflash nodded in response and flew in.
"We'll pick you up in exactly seven minutes and forty-five seconds," Aloe called. Rainbow Wishes stared at Sassaflash. She grinned sheepishly.
"Are you sure you aren't some secret fashion pony?" Rainbow Wishes asked, narrowing her eyes in a joking way. Sassaflash laughed.
"I doubt it!" As she spoke, her mane fell in front of her eyes from the steam. "Hey! I can't see!" She scrambled to pull her hair back up. Rainbow Wishes laughed.
Suddenly her hair was in her eyes again. Rainbow Wishes's care free feeling vanished in an instant. She was sitting exactly like she had been only several seconds earlier. Luckily, Sassaflash didn't notice.
How can I relax in a spa if a time wizard is going to be released in a matter of days ? She thought.
"Well-" Sassaflash was cut off by a knock at the door. An indigo unicorn poked her head inside. Her hair was wrapped up in a pale rose towel.
"May I join you?" She asked.
"Sure!" Rainbow Wishes replied. "The more, the merrier!" The unicorn nodded and stepped inside.
"I'm Forsythia," she introduced herself. "I know you, Sassaflash. What's your name, flower?"
"Flower?"
"She calls everypony that," Sassaflash explained.
"Oh! I'm Rainbow Wishes!" Rainbow Wishes responded. "Nice to meet you, Forsythia."
"Pleasure is mine!" Forsythia beamed as she sat down next to them. She used her magic to pour a pitcher of water into the pit. The whole room was filled with steam. Rainbow Wishes felt the individual drops on her muzzle.
"I love meeting new friends!" Forsythia continued. "Where are you from, Rainbow Wishes?"
"I'm from Canterlot," Rainbow Wishes explained. "I was sent on vacation to Ponyville for a week."
"I'm so glad!" Forsythia exclaimed. "I get to meet you!"
"Did you grow up here?" Rainbow Wishes asked. Forsythia shook her head. "I grew up in Appleloosa." She shuddered. "I don't want to speak badly, but it wasn't my taste. I'm into the lush greenery of Ponyville."
"Extra lush after the rain," Sassaflash added. The three of them laughed.
At that moment, Aloe chose to open the door.
"Sassaflash and guest," she called.
"That's us," Sassaflash said, standing up.
"See you later, Forsythia," Rainbow Wishes said, smiling as she exited with Sassaflash.
"I'm sure I will!" Forsythia responded, waving good bye.
"Where are we headed next?" Rainbow Wishes asked, trotting down the hall behind Sassaflash and Aloe.
"Mud bath," Sassaflash responded simply. Rainbow Wishes cocked her head. Mud bath? Ponies actually bathe in mud?
The trio entered another room, but in the center of this one was a large pool of mud. Sassaflash flopped right in, causing a little splash. Aloe's nonchalant expression indicated this was Sassaflash's usual.
"Come on in!" Sassaflash exclaimed. "It feels good!"
"I will!" Rainbow Wishes agreed, slipping into the brown goo. She laughed.
"So this is what a mud bath is!" She scooped up some mud and splashed Sassaflash with it. Sassaflash grinned and poured some on Rainbow Wishes's head.
"Hey!" Rainbow Wishes giggled as the mud oozed down her face. "You're going to pay for that!"
"Stay calm," Aloe commented, but Rainbow Wishes and Sassaflash were already engaged in a fun mud fight.
After a few minutes, Forsythia entered the room.
"Oh my Celestia!" She exclaimed. Rainbow Wishes looked up from her fight. The walls were splash with mud, as was a disgruntled Aloe.
"Oops," she said sheepishly.
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."
Rainbow Wishes lay on her belly, kicking her hind legs in the air as she read about the Elements of Harmony.
"'There are six Elements of Harmony," she read aloud. "'Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, Honesty, Loyalty, and a sixth one which is unknown to ponykind. The Elements are used in times or dire need, such as the escape or release of a harmful villain." Rainbow Wishes read on, learning about the previous bearers of the Elements and even read the sections that, in scientific detail, explained exactly how the Elements' power was channeled and how they were powered.
"'It is said that when the bearers of the five known Elements join together, the Sixth one will be revealed.'"
Rainbow Wishes rolled over and stared up at the ceiling. "I think I killed my eyes. I barely understood that scientific nonsense!" She glanced at the book out of the corner of her eyes. "Now I just have to find the bearers for the Elements." She laughed and asked herself, "How hard can that be?" Rainbow Wishes set the book into her saddlebag. "I'd better start now. July 14th is only in five days!
"That's a pony a day!" She added, trotting down the stairs. As she began to walk through the door, Rainbow Wishes froze. "I'd better write Princess Luna back." She ran back upstairs to jot down a letter.
"Dear Princess Luna," she dictated to her little quill, "I must ask you to take my concerns about Minuette seriously. Surely you must have felt her power that day in the dining hall. In any case, I am going to find the Elements of Harmony, because Minuette's hourglass is right her in the Ponyville Library, Golden Oaks! As your assistant, I will assist you in ridding Equestria of this evil. Your faithful assistant, Rainbow Wishes." Sam as before, Rainbow Wishes sealed the letter and it sent it on its way to the princess.
"She has to take me seriously," Rainbow Wishes muttered to herself as she resumed her walk out the door. "Now, who should I start with?" Still feeling she should not bring her friends into this, Rainbow Wishes decided, "I'll walk up to a random pony and I'll learn about their positive traits!" She giggled. "That won't be too awkward, would it?"
Looking around, she spotted a small building with a sign outside portraying intertwining ribbons.
"I'll start there," she decided, trotting in. A bell chimed, announcing her entrance.
"Hello!" The mare in the back exclaimed cheerfully. She had a cream coat and a red mane, and her that was the same opal color as her eyes. "I'm Crimson Cream, owner of Bows for Business ! What can I get you?"
"Wow, you a have bow-utiful store!" Rainbow Wishes commented. Crimson Cream laughed.
"Thank you," she responded, coming out from behind the counter. "Now, I think I have some ribbons over there that would match your Cutie Mark. Make an excellent hair clip, I'd say." Rainbow Wishes nodded in response.
"Would you consider yourself a generous pony?" She blurted. Crimson Cream's hoof froze picking up the ribbons.
"Are you trying to get me to give you a free item?" She asked, a suspicious expression on her face. Rainbow Wishes shook her head quickly. Guess she's not generosity.
"I would never do that!" She assured Crimson Cream. "I was just wondering. I'm just, um, taking a poll around Ponyville. What are ponies' best qualities?" Crimson Cream's expression didn't leave her.
"Oh, is that so?" She asked. Rainbow Wishes nodded, though her face was starting to feel heated under the pressure. Crimson Cream began to say something, but she was interrupted by the bell at the front of the store. Rainbow Wishes, along with Crimson Cream, turned to see Star Swirl standing in the doorway.
"Welcome to Bows for Business !" Crimson Cream said cheerfully. Star Swirl smiled.
"Hi, Crimson! I'd love to shop, but I'm here for Rainbow Wishes," she responded. Rainbow Wishes was surprised.
"M-me?" She asked. Star Swirl nodded. Her eyes were serious despite the small smile on her face.
"It's important."
"Alright," Rainbow Wishes agreed, trotting up to Star Swirl. She turned to Crimson Cream and added, "Sorry for bothering you!"
"Quite alright. Have a nice day!" She waved as Star Swirl and Rainbow Wishes left the shop. Rainbow Wishes followed Star Swirl into the dim alleyway next to the shop.
"That's not how the Elements work," Star Swirl said simply. Rainbow Wishes was startled.
"How did you know?" She asked. Star Swirl looked up.
"I know a lot about the Elements. I do a lot of research about magic," she explained. "I... I have this ability. It's like a mix up that allows me to have Unicorn abilities. Watch." Her hoof glowed green.
Rainbow Wishes's jaw dropped as a quill appeared out of thin air.
"That's amazing, Star Swirl!" She exclaimed. "Oh my goodness, how is that possible?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Star Swirl smiled.
"I don't like to publicize my ability," she explained. "But as an Earth Pony, you should understand I want to know everything about magic. So I know about Minuette. I know about the Elements."
"Well, okay," Rainbow Wishes replied, unsure what to say.
"You should have been honest with us." Lucky Dreams flew out of the shadows. One by one, Forsythia, Star Dash, and Sassaflash emerged from the shadows as well.
"You think we'd let you defeat this evil yourself?" Forsythia asked, stepping forward.
"You could hurt yourself!" Star Dash added."I couldn't let that happen!"
"I'd gladly help!" Sassaflash exclaimed. Rainbow Wishes looked at each of them. She had only known them for a few days, but they were already her closest friends. As Princess Luna's assistant, she didn't have much time for bonding with other ponies.
"You'd really help me?" She asked, smiling.
"Of course!" They replied. Rainbow Wishes gathered them in a hug.
"Thanks so much, guys!" She exclaimed.
The rest of the week flew by, in Rainbow Wishes's opinion. She spent most her time with her new friends. Forsythia had convinced Rainbow Wishes to forget about the Elements and Minuette and focus on the present.
"We've got a solution," she had said. "The girls and I will stand by you to defeat that evil wizard. Don't worry." Rainbow Wishes agreed.
Star Dash was ecstatic when, on Wednesday, a shooting star appeared right outside the observatory. When questioned, Rainbow Wishes smiled mysteriously.
"I'm glad you've finally seen one!" She told her friend happily.
"Me too!" Star Dash responded. The two girls hugged and looked out the telescope again.
On Thursday, Rainbow Wishes stayed home at Golden Oaks Library and reorganized the shelves, with Sassaflash's help, of course.
"You want to head over to Star Swirl's place?" Sassaflash asked when they were finished.
"Sounds good to me," Rainbow Wishes replied, sliding in Zinnias, Zebras, and other Z Words onto the foals' shelf.
The girls walked, or, in Sassaflash's case, flew, to Star Swirl's house, which was down the road. Rainbow Wishes knocked on the door.
"Hi guys!" Star Swirl exclaimed when she opened the door. "Come in!" At the invitation, Sassaflash and Rainbow Wishes trotted into the foyer.
"What can I do for you?" Star Swirl asked curiously. Rainbow Wishes looked around the house.
"I was wondering about your magic," she explained. "I mean, you only gave a brief explanation in the alley." Star Swirl nodded in understanding.
"I owe you an explanation," she agreed. "And you don't know much either, do you, Sassaflash?" Sassaflash shook her head in confirmation. Star Swirl added, "Let's go in here to talk." She led Rainbow Wishes and Sassaflash into a room on the right. It was adorned with several paintings and furnished with several plush couches. Rainbow Wishes fell back into a lavender one.
"This feels so good!" She exclaimed, giggling. Star Swirl laughed.
"I just love it," she responded. "Now, I'll explain as best I can." She took a deep breath. "I guess it's like a genetic mutation. It's possible, but very, very rare for a pony of one race to possess the magic of another race. I can use unicorn magic-" she waved her left foreleg around "- and my hoof acts like a physical channel, similar to a horn. But in compensation, I can't use my Earth Pony magic. I can't manipulate objects with my mane and tail."
Star Swirl glanced up at her frizzy lavender mane before continuing, "Magic, Unicorn magic, is my talent and my joy. And since I never had it in the first place, I don't miss out on my hair powers." She smiled again. "What do you think, Rainbow Wishes?" Rainbow Wishes had been listening with an awestruck expression on her face, her eyes round in wonder.
"That is amazing!" She exclaimed. "And you keep it a secret?" Star Swirl blushed and shook her head.
"It makes me different. Difference isn't a bad thing, obviously. It's awesome, let me tell you. But ponies, if they knew, they'd be coming from all over to see the Earth Pony that could use magic. So, I just use it when nopony's around. Chores, cooking, that sort of stuff."
"You're extraordinary, Star Swirl," Sassaflash commented.
"Thanks, Sassaflash," Star Swirl replied.
After that, Rainbow Wishes explored Ponyville and just relaxed. Even if she was preparing to face an evil villain from a thousand years ago, it was still her vacation! She visited the pool, Sugarcube Corner, and the Roller Rink.
On Friday night, before she drifted off into drramland, Rainbow Wishes realized two things. The first thing was the realisation that Minuette hadn't pulled anymore time warp tricks that week. The second thing: Princess Luna had never responded to her letter.
~
Rainbow Wishes awoke to the sound of wood falling.
"What happened?" She asked, jolting awake.
"We're here to protect you!" Forsythia yelled, bursting into Golden Oaks with Sassaflash, Star Dash, Lucky Dreams, and Star Swirl on her tail. "Is that horrid mare released yet?"
"I don't think so," Rainbow Wishes replied, rubbing her eyes sleepily.
"How does one go about defeating an evil villain?" Forsythia questioned. Rainbow Wishes straightened her mane and trotted down the stairs.
"I don't know," she admitted. "Princess Luna never responded to my letter."
"I wonder why," Star Dash mused. "She must be concerned for you, Rainbow Wishes."
Rainbow Wishes was suddenly back in bed.
"Minuette's coming!" she cried, recognizing the time leap. Forsythia and the others rushed into Golden Oaks again. Rainbow Wishes didn't even bother straightening her hair this time. She ran down and pressed on the wall that activated the secret room. The six of them peered into the room. It was enveloped in navy, silver, and light blue swirls.
"Very observant," drawled a ponys's voice.
"Minuette!" Rainbow Wishes yelled into the whole. "Come out right now."
"I don't think so," Minuette laughed. She had no physical form yet, but Rainbow Wishes felt her presences in the room. Golden Oaks Library was suddenly colder.
"What do we do?" Lucky Dreams asked. Rainbow Wishes looked around. The swirls from the other room were seeping into the library.
Once again, the time loop struck. Rainbow Wishes was back in her loft.
"I don't know yet," she told Lucky Dreams.
Rainbow Wishes yawned as she unrolled a piece of parchment that night. She held up a quill in her magical grasp.
"Dear Princess Luna," she began. As she talked, the quill wrote onto the parchment. "Thank you for sending me to Ponyville. It is very enjoyable. I have met several new and friendly ponies here." She paused, thinking about the events that had happened earlier in the day.
"However, there is trouble underhoof. I have discovered the Time Wizard Minuette is going to return from her thousand year prison on July the fourteenth. I have already noticed how her power is beginning to influence time again. How will Equestria be protected from her threat? Please let me know.
"Your assistant, Rainbow Wishes," she finished, adding an extra swirl on the final s .
As an afterthought, Rainbow Wishes added, "P.S. Is it in your power to send a shooting star around Ponyville this week? My friend Star Dash would appreciate it. Thank you." She smiled and sealed the letter. Using the spell Princess Luna had given her several days earlier, Rainbow Wishes watched the letter disappear in a flash of blue light.
A scene suddenly appeared in Rainbow Wishes's mind: the scroll falling onto Princess Luna's muzzle in the middle of a tasty dinner. Rainbow Wishes laughed out loud, imagining the princess's surprised expression.
"Goodnight, library," she said as she climbed into her bed and nestled herself among the pale purple sheets.
~
Rainbow Wishes scrunched her nose nervously. She was alone at a small, rusty playground, one from her foalhood in Canterlot. After surveying her surroundings, Rainbow Wishes took a seat on the swings and began rocking slowly back and forth. A breeze blew her mane back. It reminded Rainbow Wishes of the calm before the storm.
"You can't make anypony happy!" Jeered a filly who suddenly materialized next to Rainbow Wishes.
"That's not true!" Rainbow Wishes jumped off the swing to defend herself. "I cheer my friends up! And Princess Luna!"
"Sure you do!" Taunted the filly. "But you'll never be good at it. You're not an Element of Harmony , after all!"
"A what?" Rainbow Wishes whipped her head around as cruel laughter filled her ears. Suddenly, it was raining, and Rainbow Wishes was sprawled in a mud puddle.
"Look at her!" This time, it was a colt's voice that mocked her. "She's so out of the loop!"
"She'll never amount to anything!" The filly from before added.
"Yes, I will!" Rainbow Wishes defended herself, struggling to get back on her hooves. Every time, she slipped and fell back down. The other foals laughed again.
"Hey!" Rainbow Wishes yelled. "Stop lying!" Thunder rumbled overhead.
~
Rainbow Wishes's eyes snapped open.
"Weird dream," she muttered. In the distance, Rainbow Wishes heard the crack of thunder. When she checked the clock, it was 11:43.
"What did that filly say?" She asked herself, propping her head up on the pillow. "Elements of Something?" Rainbow Wishes pulled herself out of bed and stumbled over to a bookshelf.
"Elements, elements, elements," she murmured. "I need to alphabetize these shelves later." Rainbow Wishes squinted her eyes. She could just barely read the names on the books' spines.
"I need a light," she decided. She grabbed a match from across the room and struck it against the table. A tiny flame flickered to life. Rainbow Wishes brought it closer and transferred it onto a wax candle.
"There!" She exclaimed confidently. It was much easier to make out the names of books now.
For the most part, the books were alphabetized. There were several misplaced books, but, in Rainbow Wishes's care, didn't stay misplaced for long.
"Here we go!" Rainbow Wishes exclaimed when she found the book she was looking for. Pulling it off the shelf, she read its title. "The Elements of Harmony." Rainbow Wishes flipped through several pages.
"It isn't that interesting," she murmured. As more thunder rumbled in the distance, Rainbow Wishes stifled a yawn.
"I'll save it for tomorrow morning," she decided, gently placing the book on her nightstand. "After all, it can't be that important."
~
The next thing Rainbow Wishes knew, it was morning and somepony was knocking on her door.
"Coming!" She yelled, leaping out of bed and rushing down the stairs. She pulled the door open to reveal Sassaflash.
"Hi there, Rainbow Wishes!" Sassaflash exclaimed. "I was thinking, do you want to go to the Ponyville Day Spa? It's on me."
"That sounds like a great idea!" Rainbow Wishes replied, a smile lighting up her face. "Give me a moment to get ready, will you?" Sassaflash nodded, and Rainbow Wishes ran back upstairs to brush her mane and floss her teeth. No harm in not looking like a total slob when she showed up, right?
When the two girls left, Rainbow Wishes noticed how damp and muggy the air felt.
"Some storm last night, right?" She asked as they walked. Sassaflash nodded.
"Oh, yeah! I woke up twice during the night! I figure a spa treatment might do me so.e good after getting zero beauty sleep!" Sassaflash smiled and added, "But it's not like I'm a Fashionista or anything."
"I get it," Rainbow Wishes responded, giggling. "There's nothing wrong with a good spa treatment."
"Exactly!" Sassaflash threw her hooves in the air. "No pony believes me! They think I'm some sort of beauty obsessed fashion critique!" Rainbow Wishes laughed again. Sassaflash joined her.
"Well, here we are," she said after they had finished several seconds later. "The Ponyville Day Spa."
