Destiny, it's a funny thing. Some think it may already be written. Fixed with no changing it, much like a cutie mark. But what if something came between you and your destiny before you could reach it? Just those few steps away from your goal and then... It's gone. No-one should ever experience this... yet...here she was.

She stood alone. Funny how life can turn out so ironic. Years of bearing the element of loyalty dismissed as all that surrounded her was darkness that rode on the thick smog in the air.

Coughing slightly she took her place on the next step. Her magenta irises focusing on the bright light that shone from the other side of the door causing silhouettes to dance around the hall. The old entrance seemed to glow itself for a while as another impact occurred from behind the wooden plank. To even call it a door at this point would be strange. There were many holes and gaps in it which allowed the light to burst through in an array of reds, whites and oranges.

Beautiful as it was, Rainbow looked at it with tear filled eyes. She knew what lay behind it.

Raising a shaky hoof up to the next step she blew out a long breath closing her eyes to banish the tears. Rainbow Dash doesn't cry! Yet why was she still shaking? And why did she have faint lines on her face indicating that the salty water had laid its tracks to make way for more?

She didn't want to do this. There was no simpler way to put it. She was scared. She was fragile. She was mortal.

Slowly, she raised her head up to face what lay in front of her.

Stairs. Ten to be exact.

To anypony else, 10 mere stairs were simple, an old invention to get earth ponies, well, upstairs. But to this rainbow maned mare, these were a countdown. A countdown to what you ask? Well it's a long story.

Flashback

Night had fallen over the towering castle. Luna's brilliant moon shone bright over the slumbering citizens of Ponyville as the stars and sky awoke. For many this would indicate the end of a hard day. For others it would indicate the preparation for tomorrow. But for the six element bearers, it meant the start of a slumber party and if it involved Pinkie Pie (which it did!) Would last till dawn.

Inside the mass of crystal, sat Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Rarity exchanging spooky story's by the light of a lone lantern. Lined up against the edges of the room were Twilight and Fluttershy taking turns in gazing through a grand telescope.

Fluttershy, having no interest in being scared witless for the rest of the night, decided to help Twilight with her stargazing.

The group of mares sat behind them let out a scream which lasted about 2 seconds before descending into giggles.

"Girls," Twilight begged "I am trying to see if I can navigate the strange object I saw in the sky today. Can you please keep the noise level to a minimum."

"Sorry Twi," Applejack chuckled "ah will try not to make Rainbow jump out of her skin."

"Hey I was not that scared!"

"Come on Dashie, we all heard you scream." Pinkie giggled while imitating Rainbows face, causing another round of laughter from the surrounding mares.

"I thought you turned the most delightful shade of white, darling." Rarity added with a smirk.

"I-I must have had something caught in my throat...or-or something." Rainbow stuttered, failing miserably to brush it off and opening herself up to more kinds of teasing.

"Girls...please?"

"Sorry Twilight..." They all said in unison.

"Thank you, Fluttershy can you mark of these co-ordinates here please?" Twilight said returning to her telescope.

"You know Rainbow," Rarity turned to her with a grin. "I do believe you act the same way around Soarin..."

"Don't go there Rarity!" Rainbow warned her wings and nostrils flaring.

Ignoring the threat from the small mare in front of her she continued "...I do have to wander wether you have a cru..."

" Rarity!!! "

"Fine! I shall not push this issue any farther..."

A relieved sigh came from the blue Pegasus as her wings and head drooped in a comical relaxed state.

"...if..." Rarity continued causing Rainbow to groan and look at her with pitiful eyes. "...you can say his name without blushing! That way you can prove that you totally don't have a crush on Soarin." She finished with an evil grin.

"D-do you really think that it's necessary?" Seeing the expecting look on the mares face, she knew that she wouldn't take no for an answer."Fine..."

Rainbow dash sat on the cold floor and straightened her back as if preparing for what she was about to say. Pinkie and Applejack had also dropped their own conversation to listen in. It was now or never.

"S-S-Soarin..." She spat out her face such a bright shade of red that it put Big Macintosh's coat to shame.

"Aha! So you do like him, yes?" Rarity questioned (though already knew the answer to).

"Shut up!" The Pegasus sulked while trying to hide the remains of a blush.

Pinkie Pie practically bounced around the room, squealing with excitement.

"Awwww! That's soooooo CUTE! Could I plan your wedding? I'm thinking rainbow themed and...OH! Can you name your first foal after me?"

"WHAT! No no no no no NO!" Rainbow shook her head in quick succession while glaring at the pink mare. She had just crossed the line.

Rainbow decided it was better to leave this conversation entirely and see if she could maybe help Twilight instead. That would also prevent the others bringing it up anymore than it had already been mentioned. She didn't think she could handle that.

Landing next to the purple alicorn, Rainbow plastered on her trademark cocky grin.

"Hey Twi, need any help?"

"Aaahhh!" The alicorn jumped "Rainbow! I am trying to stargaze, and if I lose my place because of you I..." Twilight stopped suddenly, all of the anger draining from her body, beginning to be replaced by a different emotion.

Her eyes went wide yet her pupils stayed at pinpoint size. Her mouth grasping on the words that she could not force herself to say. It was as if time itself had stopped and she was frozen in position. It was scary to say the least.

"Um... Twilight...are-are you ok?" Fluttershy asked grabbing all of the other mares attention.

As the rest of the girls gathered around the frozen mare, something suddenly clicked in the lavender mares mind.

"I need to see the Princess..." She said trying to search for the right words.

"Twilight are you su-"

"YES! I am sure! We need to speak with her, NOW!"

It was not question. Something had spooked Twilight through that telescope. If only the others had any idea of how much it would influence their lives at this point, they would not have had the courage to go to Celestia's castle. Or get past the guards. Or even see Celestia's reaction to the news. Many things had the element bearers faced but this would turn out to be a trail on everyone's part. They had no idea what awaited them in their future and frankly, that was a good thing too.

Author's Note

Dun dun duuuuuun!

I know I left it on a cliff hanger but I will carry on writing and editing it as I go. I really hope that the tags and everything are right as am still getting used to the controls of Fimfic and all it's uses...

Anyway, thank you for reading this and please comment below (constructive criticism only please otherwise I will probably cry )

I will update soon but till then, Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! ( I know Christmas is gone but I thought the happy New Year would get lonely )