Discovery of Something Old
Waking up, Rainbow Dash stretched, then a sharp prick in her side caused her hoof to immediately grab whatever it was. Bringing up the feather she barely registered it. It was regular, some feathers fell out every now and then. Dismissing it, she walked out of her room then into the bathroom, taking out the toothbrush she always used, and the toothpaste she always used.
After brushing her teeth she walked out as usual, but against the white cloud floor, something new caught her attention. Something...cyan. Looking down, trailing from her room was a small trail of many feathers. Many. She opened her wings slowly, looking at them Sure enough, they were beginning to lose all their feathers.
Rainbow Dash panicked. She screamed out as loud as her vocal cords would allow, then stopped herself.
"Don't panic Rainbow Dash, maybe your just sick, yeah, that will do! I'll go see Twilight."
Blasting out of the side of her house, she zoomed as fast as she could, but no sonic rainboom. She made it to the library, bursting the door down, tearing it's hinges from the wall and breaking it in two. Twilight, scared by the act, jumped, throwing her books in the air. The each landed near her.
"Twilight!!! You've gotta help me!! I'm dying!!!"
"What? Rainbow Dash, calm down."
"No, really! See!"
Rainbow Dash showed her wing to Twilight, who plainly saw as feathers floated down lazily just from the force of opening the wing.
"Rainbow Dash, you're probably just molting."
"I molted fourteen years ago! I'm seventeen, there is no way I'd still have my filly feathers!!"
"Ok, ok!! Just calm down, maybe you're sick, lets bring you to the doctor."
Entering the doctor's office, Rainbow Dash was as tense as much as she was shaking, a thin trail of feathers behind her. The doctor sat her down and examined her like usual. It was a usual check up, the doctor barely asked any questions. How much sleep did she get, how much was she eating, how much exercise does she get.
"Ok, I've got the results. You're not ill in any way, you're just going to lose all your feathers is all."
"WHAT?!?!?!?!", Rainbow Dash screamed out, "I can't lose my feathers!!! I can't stand living even ten minutes without being in the air!!!!"
"Well, it looks like you will have to get used to it sooner or later Rainbow Dash. There is no way to stop something as natural as this."
"NATURAL?!!?!?!1?!1!1 Do you see this naturally in Pegasi seventeen years old?!?!?!"
"Well, no, but-"
"Where is your proof!!! Where!!"
"Rainbow Dash! there is nothing I can do about it. Your extreme amounts of exercise have caused this. Or atleast how fast you fly. We see this every now and then, they just lose their feathers, it's not a big deal. And above that, most are fine with it, as they've had one too many crashes."
Rainbow Dash began tearing up, "But...I never even got to audition for the Wonderbolts..."
Very shortly after, Rainbow Dash burst into tears, each streaming down her cheek as another quickly took place.
Patting her on the back, Twilight helped the Pegasus up, "I'm sorry Rainbow Dash."
Twilight took an hour getting Rainbow Dash to stop before they left, and even then, he was still sniffling till they got to the library. Twilight had never seen Rainbow Dash this sad before, or sad at all for that manner. She was always smiling or upset, never sad though.
"Are you going to be ok, Rainbow Dash?"
She shook her head, "No, do you really, honestly think that I'll ever be fine knowing that I won't even have another chance to audition for the Wonderbolts, much less go back to Cloudsdale?! I'll never be able to see another Wonderbolt show in a cloud seat again, I'll never be able to meet them after each, getting another autograph from each..."
Rainbow Dash broke down again, the tears coming much more softly this time.
"Do you...Would you...*sigh* Nevermind. I'll add on a guest room."
Using her magic, Twilight morphed a branch out of the trunk of the tree, forming a new room, fully furnished too. Rainbow Dash didn't see the great magic at work, but she knew it was there, though her mind was set on the fact that she'd never fly again soon.
A pegasus without feathers, is just an Earth pony.
"Rainbow Dash? Are you coming out today? I haven't seen you leave in the past three days."
The day after she got the news, she didn't speak a single word.
"Rainbow Dash?"
I thought she just didn't want to speak, but she cried till she could not utter a sound anymore.
Twilight began walking upstairs.
Every night was silent after that. Twasn't till the fourth day that I realized she was crying as loud as she could, her bed was in pieces, multiple buckings which were muffled, I heard those, and the mirror, shattered, pillows shredded.
Twilight opened the door to Rainbow Dash's room. It was claimed Rainbow Dash's room, as she didn't go back to her cloud house after that day, three weeks ago.
She sulked, stayed quiet, never spoke a word during dinner, breakfast, or supper.
"Rainbow Dash. I've got someone for you to meet."
I gave her a writing pad to use while her voice was out, and she used it, as she apparently wasn't going to get it back for a while.
"I don't care if it's the Wonderbolts, that didn't work last time, it won't work again!", Rainbow Dash wrote down in response.
I even got the Wonderbolts to come and see her, she wasn't happy at all, even locked herself in her room for two days.
"It's not the Wonderbolts, it's someone else. I know she doesn't mean that much to you compared to the Wonderbolts, but I'm hoping for the better."
"Who?"
"You can come in now."
A light brown mare walked into the room, her green, multi-pocket shirt and her adventuring hat marking her as the story character from her famous books. It was Daring Do. Rainbow Dash approached the pegasus, sorrow in her eyes. She dropped the writing pad and hugged Daring Do tightly, crying once more. The Brown mare put a hoof around her, embracing the cyan pegasus.
"It's not every day that I get called in for help."
"I called you in for a museum."
"You'd be surprised how many museums really invite me."
Daring Do parted from Rainbow Dash, "I assume you are the Rainbow Dash that has sent me seventeen letters, twenty two packages, and eight get well cards for every predicament from my stories, no?"
Rainbow Dash nodded.
"Thank you. Every fan I have had has asked for another book, complained about how awful it was, or something else. No one, and I mean no one has shown as much respect and care for me as you. And for that, I have something for you. I need to go get my saddle bag."
"Allow me.", Twilight interrupted.
Bring the bag up with her magic, Twilight set it down in front of Daring do, who opened it and took out a golden pendent necklace.
"It's a little something I picked up from an ancient pegasus race. As a great traveler, they gave it to me, didn't refuse to let me even see it, they just welcomed me and handed it over. They knew something though. They told me that it belonged to a great warrior, Silver Wing. He was a pegasus, like you, lost all his feathers, like you. But he spent two years forging perfect silver feathers, then laid one on his barren wings a night. Each grew in, and soon, he had his wings back. He then went on doign that which he loved to do. He helped others, and even fought in a war to protect the race he was one of. He went to great lengths to do small things. He was loyal, like you. I wanted to give it to you, because I was told to give it to someone like him. You are loyal, caring, and you have lost your feathers, just like the stories of him. And so, I give you this necklace."
Daring Do put the necklace around Rainbow Dash's neck, the gold giving a mirror-like sheen to the dank fur which adorned her chest already.
"Thank you.", Rainbow Dash whispered, unable to use her voice.
"Now, if you two don't mind, I have traveled about two days to get here, haven't really found any hotels near here. Mind if I stay for a night to gear up for the trek back home?"
"You can't stay?", Twilight asked.
"Sorry. As much as it is a great pleasure to meet someone like Rainbow Dash, I still have to go. The business meetings I have to schedule without will, are very punctual, and not far in time from each other. I wish I could stay, but if I did, I'd be out of a job as an accountant."
"Accounting? I thought you went on wild adventures."
"I used to. But there isn't very much of treasure left to be found. All of it is in the most hidden of places that even I can't get to now."
"Didn't you save any money?"
"I lived off of a small salary for the past few years, sold all the treasure I gathered and donated it to charity."
"You have a heart of pure gold."
"I do not. I'd like to reserve that for those truly dedicated."
"Well, I can make another room for you to stay in."
"No need, I'll just crash on the couch."
"We don't have a couch. It's just the library, my room upstairs, and Rainbow Dash's room across from mine. No furniture except in the rooms."
"Make the library bigger and you could have a couch."
"Thats more of a hassle than making a guest room."
"Well, it's still a good idea, I mean, it'd be more alive here than you, Rainbow Dash, Mr. Who, and cool dragon dude downstairs."
"Well, you have a good point. But I really don't have enough books, maybe in a week though."
Using her magic, Twilight once again stretched a room out of the tree trunk, making one fully furnished for Daring Do.
"Well, thanks anyway, I mean, really, you just accepted my request to stay right off the bat. For that, I'll make supper for us all."
"You cook?"
"Of course! You didn't think I'd pick up something from somewhere?"
"Well, ok then."
As Twilight set up the table, the aroma of the cajun foods drifted throughout the tree. As the last chair was added tot eh table, Twilight used her magic to set it, putting out bowls for everyone. Entering the Kitchen, Daring Do was sitting in front of a large pot which was boiling visibly, lots of steam rising like a geyser.
"So you say bowls are better than plates?"
"Yeah, Gumbo is a stew, or soup, or something. I'm not quite sure which it would be, but if I had to guess, soup. Though, it's served with rice, and you had none, so I used some of that Braz'Jalen rice I picked up on the other side of the planet."
"I could have gotten you some. And, I've heard of and read of gumbo. You made a big pot in two hours, but the book says it takes several more hours to cook completely, getting the flavor correct."
"Well, I know that, but, if you learn how it's made for kings and queens, you learn shortcuts. It tastes a tad different, as it has a few more spices, but thats because I know they taste good in the gumbo."
"You didn't tell me how you got it done so fast."
"Just go with it, it's discouraging to know why."
Twilight was about to speak, but someone knocked on the front door. Walking out of the kitchen, she opened it with magic, showing Pinkie Pie.
"Who's making gumbo?!", her serious face made less by the fact that it was Pinkie Pie.
"How do you know it's gumbo?"
"Because I've had it before. Duh! Who doesn't love gumbo anyway!"
"Well, if you must know, none other than the famous Daring Do is."
"Oh, her? Well then, I'll tell the others that it's not Cajun Pete."
"Others?"
"Like seven more people are right behind me."
Twilight leaned to the left, taking a look at all the ponies waiting outside of the library, each sniffing the air, licking their lips, or carrying a bowl of their own.
"Well then. That was kind of unexpected."
"I know, I came walking here to ask who was cooking, maybe even get a bowl, then they just started following."
"Well, I will go ask Daring if we have enough to feed eleven ponies."
Walking back in, Daring Do ran out of the kitchen, Grabbed a vial from her saddle bag, and rushed back into the kitchen, followed a few seconds later by a purple magic explosion.
"Daring! You ok?"
Daring coughed as she left the kitchen, "Yeah, I'm ok. Duplication spell in a bottle, not a good thing to use indoors."
"What did you sue it on?"
"The gumbo. Now we have about enough to feed the whole town!"
"Why are you so extreme?"
"I'm Daring Do! Why wouldn't I be?"
"Good point, I'll tell the others outside that we have enough, and make the table bgiger again."
"So you are as nice as Rainbow Dash told me. But a little too soft."
"Well, I'm not going to be mean to anyone.", Twilight smiled.
Opening the door, Pinkie Pie bound in as well as several more than were there already. She counted how many there were, then recounted again, two more joining the crowd.
"I guess I'll just do the deluxe package."
Stepping onto the table, she called out.
"Attention! Could I get everyone to stand against the wall, please."
Everyone quieted and stood closer to the wall, staring at Twilight. She took a deep breath and cast her spell, the magic light engulfing the tree house. As it finished, it burst, the tree being bigger than before and set with several tables, each with many chairs. Soon after, many more people began showing up, each being seated at a table to wait for the food to be finished.
Looking over the entire main area, Twilight didn't spot the wingless cyan mare which was the reason why Daring Do was even here in the first place. Walking up to her bedroom, Twilight opened the door without knocking. Rainbow Dash jumped, unable to scream.
"Oh, sorry Rainbow dash. Are you going to come eat in the kitchen, or stay in here?"
"Stay in here.", she wrote in reply."
"I'll bring your food as soon as it's done."
Closing the door behind her, Twilight came face to face with Pinkie Pie.
"Is Rainbow Dash ok? I haven't seen her in like, a week."
"She's gone deeper. But, she'll be fine. you can see her if you want."
"Ok."
Pinkie Pie walked in. Not bounce in, walked into the room.
Twilight was serving the tables, bring a big bowl of gumbo to each table, aided by Owlowicious and Spike. Soon, all the pots were empty and everyone had their fill of the spicy cajun food. Walking upstairs, Twilight had two bowls on a tray, one for Rainbow Dash, and one for Pinkie Pie, who hadn't come down yet.
Upon entering, Rainbow Dash was in the middle of answering yet another question, but quickly put down the writing pad to hurry over to Twilight.
"Wow, that looks like mud in a bowl.", Pinkie Pie remarked.
"It's called gumbo. It's really good though."
"I know, it just looks like mud in a bowl."
Pinkie Pie took her bowl and went downstairs. Rainbow Dash, on the other hand took the tray, setting it on the table set up in her room, rainbow Dash began eating quickly.
"It's really good isn't it?"
Rainbow Dash nodded.
"I'll tell Daring you liked it."
Heading back downstairs, the main room was starting to be cleared and Daring Do was cycling through the tables, stacking bowls while Spike and Owlowicious sat by and watched.
"She's very generous and nice. When people started to leave, she stopped us and said she'd get all the dishes, even wash them.", Spike told Twilight.
"Well, I don't see why not, I mean, she did completely take over, she wants to do it, so I see no need to stop her. She's modest too. A wonderful mare. Too bad she leaves tomorrow."
"Yeah, even Rarity is not this nice."
"Rarity is Generous, not nice."
"Good point."
Walking back up to Rainbow Dash's room, the spell to the lower tree wore off and it returned to a small bookshelf filled room. It was a quick night. Magic used freely by both unicorn and pegasus, Daring Do was here. Twilight smiled.She atleast got Daring Do here, and her next goal was to get Rainbow Dash to atleast smile.
Though opening the door, Twilight was rewarded with a sleeping Rainbow Dash. The only thing which disturbed the sight was the two pink, barren wings she had. Twilight approached and pulled the covers over her, noticing something different.
Rainbow Dash was smiling. Smiling as she slept soundly. And it was from a visit from Daring Do, and Twilight figured that Pinkie Pie had a hand in it. Twilight smiled herself, then left, slowly closing the door behind her.
Downstairs, Daring Do was finishing up with everything, even putting the dishes back in the cupboard.
"How do you get this done so fast?", Twilight entered.
"Twilight, some things I can't say, and doing a quick job is one of em. It's best to just go with it.", Daring replied.
"But it's like a thorn in my side."
"Well, the most I can tell you, is that magic is involved."
"So you're an alicorn?"
"Not quite. I do use nearly as much magical items to make up for it though."
"So you're using magical items?"
"You can say that, yes."
"Well then, why didn't you say so?"
"You're not that interested are you? Seeing a pegasus use magic is something that you don't see every day."
"I know, but I'm a unicorn. Magic is part of my every day life."
"I get it. Well, I'm done here, so I guess I'll go to bed."
"Well, you can, you deserve it after what you did, for everyone. Thank you."
"Well, it's nothing much, really. I've spent a few months with many poor ponies in different parts of the world, playing chef. I've done this once or twice, in this form exactly, but nonetheless, it's something I know."
"Well thanks anyway. You've made Rainbow Dash smile for the first time in weeks. I'm very grateful."
"Happy to make my most caring fan happy again. I was kind of worried when I didn't get my weekly mail from her. She had made a vow to continue writing back after I asked if she'd continue. I live alone, you see, not very many people go to a temple high in the mountains. Even pegasi don't travel as high as that."
"We're ever so grateful."
"Well, good night, I'm about to pass out, quite literally."
"Well you do that."
Nodding to Twilight, Daring Do made her way up to the bedroom which was set aside for her, but stopped outside Rainbow Dash's room. A soft bright light glowed under the door. It was golden light, beautiful, but at the same time casting new fears into Daring Do's mind. Opening the door, the light spread to her, taking her in, and shutting the door.
As she opened her eyes, Daring Do saw the figure of Rainbow Dash. Though, her wings were regrowing and the pendent glowed as bright as the sun. Each feather, though, was silver, shining almost like a mirror. Daring do began walking towards it, but was repelled back. Forcing her way to the pendent and Rainbow Dash, she could hear the familiar whispers of the ancient tongue.
"Rainbow Dash!"
The sleeping figure didn't wake. And just as Daring reached the two, it was too late. The spell locked in the pendent took effect, transporting the two to a far forgotten time. A time of fighting, and a time of sorrow. Though, Rainbow Dash, as soundly as she slept, was awakened by Daring.
"Rainbow Dash!"
She lifted her head, looking at the mare that looked down at her from and angle. Though something changed, Daring's hair was multi colored, like Rainbow Dash's were.
"Your hair."
"I know, my hair is a rainbow like yours, happens every time I go back to my teen years."
"What? Wait, I can talk!"
"Yes! that's good, but we have a bigger problem."
"Whats so big...about...", Rainbow Dash looked around her.
The tree was gone and replaced with forestry.
"Where are we?"
"In my teen years, by the color of my mane, so, I'm guessing we are over a thousand years in the past."
"How can you tell that by your mane color?"
"Because, do to my curiosities towards exploring caves, temples, and such, I contracted an ever-life curse. I can't die through old age, I'd have to die through someone else's, or thing's, hand."
"So that's why you spend so much time exploring caves and temples?"
"Not exactly, curiosity just gets the best of me."
"So where...when exactly are we? And how did we get here?"
"If I have counted my years correctly, one thousand, and seventy nine years in the past. It's the year that Silver Wing falls and the two hundred year war starts between Equestria and it's neighboring kingdoms."
"But there is no two hundred year war."
"That's because you and I came back in time. Though, I'm not sure how I will get you back to your time. I mean, I feel terrible for giving you that pendent."
"But it was a good gift, it made me feel better knowing someone else out there had the same conditions."
"But it's the cause of this. Why we are here, in this time, and why your wings are over a hundred pounds heavier."
"What? My wings aren't heavy at all. they are just nubs."
"No, they have silver feathers all over them. The pendent bestows upon he or she of Silver Wing's bloodline, his wings. But you must give up flight to achieve them. Several of those I have come across have begun losing their feathers, like you. But greed for attention just caused them to bloodily rip their feathers out and then the magic not work. They had to get their wings amputated as well."
"That...sounds horrible."
"It's horrible being forced to watch because they do not reason with you."
"One more question. Your hair is a rainbow, like mine."
"That's because you are one of my blood line. I was the first mare ever seen with rainbow hair. It was then revised as a very dormant gene. you just got lucky."
"Wait, so we're actually related?"
"By one thousand, and about fifty years, yes."
"That's so cool! But what do we do?"
"First, we fly."
Rainbow Dash checked her wings to see that Daring wasn't lying and smiled.
"Lets fly then!", she smiled confidently.
