Wavering Magic

"All aboard who's comin' aboard!"  The conductor shouted on the platform of the Ponyville train station.  The six friends, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight Sparkle galloped into the first car to await their arrival to Canterlot.

"Oh darling, you are going to love this place, Fancy Pants said it is going to be THE top in entertainment and cuisine in all of Equestria."  Rarity boasted about the place she wanted to take Twilight to.  It was hard to believe that she and Fancy Pants had officially become business partners over the past year.  While not exactly what she had in mind, she was at least selling more dresses than ever before.

"Umm, I hope it will be fun."  Fluttershy mumbled.

"Come on, Shy, it's gonna be a hoot!"  Applejack proclaimed.  "Why, I bet there will be singin, dancin, fancy eats, and maybe even a few critters in there."  Applejack had been reading the pamphlet she had received from Rarity a few days before Twilight's birthday.

"And parties!"  Typical Pinkie Pie attitude.

"Sounds like fun, everypony."  Twilight chuckled as she took a seat by the window.

Rainbow Dash flew over to her and sat down.

"Hey Twilight, can we talk?"  She motioned her head towards the other carriage.

"What about?"

"Just something that's been on my mind, that's all."

"Ok, we have time."  Twilight smiled.  The two mares made their way to the second car.

Twilight sat down as Rainbow Dash flew overhead.  At first Twilight thought it was going to be her asking about another book, but a look of genuine concern flashed in Rainbow's eyes.

"Ok, what's up?"  Rainbow landed down in front of Twilight.

"What do you mean?"  Twilight asked.

"I overheard you and Spike before I left, something about dreams every year on your birthday, your element 'betraying you' and Spike praying he doesn't lose you."  Rainbow inched closer to Twilight's face.  "What gives?"

"Look Rainbow."  Twilight said with a sigh, plopping down onto the floor.  "It's not a dream."

"What do you mean not a dream?"

"Well,"  Twilight began.  "Ok, you gotta promise me you won't tell anypony about this, Element of Loyalty, got it?"  She demanded, while Rainbow Dash just nodded her head.

"About a month after I got my cutie mark, on the day of my birthday, something happened at the castle.  My family and I were staying with the princess as a sort of happy birthday present."  Twilight began.

"Well, that night, something happened, and some kind of creature began pounding at the door.  It kept saying 'Bring her, bring her' and my father told Shining Armor to take me and get out of there.  I don't think the creature hurt anyone, but it did come very close to breaking down the door.  As me and my brother fled the castle, the pounding stopped, but I still heard the voice in my head."

Rainbow sat there listening intently.  "What then?  What was it?"

"Princess Celestia had this theory, before I got my cutie mark, I was failing the entrance exam to her school, badly.  When your Sonic Rainboom hit, it caused me to lose control of my magic and I went nuts.  She had this theory, that that much concentrated, raw magical energy in one place, could draw something."

"Like what?"  Rainbow dash questioned, now looking even more concerned.

"We don't know, no one does.  But every night before my birthday, the same dream happens.  I don't know what it is, but Spike seems to think it's a warning.  Stay away from Canterlot on my birthday."

"Stop the-!"  Rainbow Dash tried to shout, but Twilight grabbed her by the snout and held her down.

"Listen to me, you can't tell anypony!  Ever!"

"But Twilight, what if Spike is right?

"What if he's wrong?"

"If he's wrong, we have nothing to fear.  If he's right, we may lose a great friend."  Rainbow cried.

"I just want to know what's supposed to happen, Rainbow, and it's nothing we can't handle."

"Twilight..."  Rainbow began to say, but she became choked up by the tears.  "Don't you bucking die on me, got it?"  She playfully punched her on the foreleg.

"Ow!"  Twilight gasped, "I think you may cause that before any monster will."  They both laughed.  "If it helps I'll stay by you guys the whole time, ok?"

"Fair enough."  Rainbow said, and with that they left the car.