The Second Pony to Become an Alicorn

Chapters

Locked & Running Away
Don't Make the Same Mistakes
Forgiveness
Welcome, Starlight!
Preparing for the Festival
Princess Panic
Looking Into It
Onto the Next
Same Smiles and Cutie Marks
Within Everfree

Locked & Running Away

Rainbow sat in the corner of the tiny cottage, as "helpful" advice on how to "become equal" flooded out of the speakers endlessly. Her friends were pacing around the room, except for Spike, who was asleep. Her cheeks were wet with tears, and still more were pouring out.

"It's all my fault that Starlight took our cutie marks..." said Rainbow. "I should of had a better plan. I should have know that she would be able to do it to Spike. After all, it's not a cutie mark removing spell, it's a magic limiter. The cutie marks just get taken away so the magic can be limited more easily. But I thought it was okay, and now I don't know what to do!"

"Rainbow, it's okay." said Fluttershy, walking over to comfort her friend. "We'll find a way out of here, and we'll get Starlight to see the right path while we're at it."

"But none of the townponies are going to help us, so the only way out is to pretend that we've decided to 'become equal' and give up on our old lives entirely!"

"We could try that." said Twilight. "One of us could pretend to join in Starlight's philosophy and then get our cutie marks back! Then we can show the ponies that cutie marks don't force you away from other ponies, but brings you closer together!"

"Who could we send out?" asked Rainbow. "Clearly Starlight wouldn't believe that I want to join in with her after one day!"

"What about Pinkie?" asked Rarity. "She was saying how nice it was to see everypony so happy."

"Are you crazy?" cried Pinkie, jumping into the air, but then landing with a dull look. "No, you're not crazy. That would be a bad thing."

"Well, Ah definitely wouldn't be able ta." said Applejack. "Ah'm an awful liar."

"Their smiles are still too creepy..." said Fluttershy.

"So Pinkie, you seem like the best option!" said Twilight, turning towards her. "Do you think you can find our cutie marks and fool Starlight?"

"Erm..." Pinkie paused to think. "I hope I can fool her..."

"I just hope Starlight doesn't get to upset..." said Rainbow nervously. "Then she might run off..."

"There's only one way to know..." said Twilight.

"Good morning, everypony! And dragon!" said Starlight with a large smile. "Does anyone want to join our village today? There are so many friends to be made once you realize you don’t need your cutie marks, or the talents that come with them."

"We have a welcome ceremony for new friends!" said a pony in the crowd. "The whole village joins together to build you your own cottage."

"Not interested!" snapped Rainbow, her temper getting to her.

"Y’all don’t understand, do you?" asked Applejack. "You can’t force nopony to be friends. It don’t work like that."

"Please! Join us!" called another pony in the crowd. "We love new friends!"

"It’s all right, everypony!' called Starlight. "This is a perfectly normal part of the equalization process for those who haven’t quite seen the light yet. We’ll try again tomorrow," she turned towards Rainbow and the others, "Once you’ve had a bit more time to consider our philosophy."

The seven turned to go back in, when Pinkie sprung forward on cue.

"I'd like to join!" she said with a smile. "Lots of friends, and everypony is happy sounds great to me!"

"Pinkie?!?" cried the six others in mock surprise.

Starlight's grin grew, and she shut the door behind Rainbow as she crossed over the threshold

"We have a new friend, everypony!" called Starlight, turning back towards Pinkie. "Although, I would like to ask you something so you could prove that you're intentions are pure."

"Okay!" said Pinkie, her smile widening.

"Who told you about our Cutie Vault? Because it's not exactly something we should just tell anypony! You never know if they're going to be awful and break the vault open, releasing everypony's awful cutie marks!"

"I don't know. They never told me their name."

"Oh, then just point them out! We may be equal, but do look a little bit different!"

Pinkie did everything she possibly could to prevent her smile from fading away. She could instantly see the pony in the crowd, but didn't want to point her out. But she had no choice, so-

"It was me!" called out the pink unicorn suddenly.

"Sugar Belle?" asked Starlight.

The pink unicorn walked forward, her head down.

"I'm sorry, Starlight!" said Sugar Belle. "I shouldn't have told strangers about the Vault. I'll spend the day in the Equalization Cottage so I can win back all of your trust!"

"Very good!" said Starlight, shutting the door tightly as Sugar Belle walked in.

"What was I thinking?" cried Sugar Belle as soon as she entered. "I shouldn't have told you about the Cutie Vault, and now-"

"Just calm down." interrupted Twilight. "Pinkie is going to return our cutie marks and then you-"

"She's converted to our way! Soon you all will! There is no hope!"

Sugar Belle collapsed onto the ground, and everyone backed away from her nervously.

"I really hope Pinkie hurries..." whispered Fluttershy.

Pinkie held her smile as Starlight closed the door to her room, but dropped it as soon as she left. Apparently all new ponies stayed with Starlight until their cottage was complete. That make sneaking out much more difficult. But by Celestia, she was Pinkamina Diane Pie! She was going to get back their cutie marks no matter what! Pinkie glanced around the room, and saw that the chimney was empty. A real smile formed on her face.

Moments later, Pinkie popped out of the chimney, covered in soot. She jumped up onto the roof, and shook her coat and mane out. Now, all she needed to do was to get to the Cutie Vault and-

"Thank you for bringing them, Double Diamond!" came Starlight's voice from the ground.

Pinkie quickly looked over from th edge of the roof, and saw Starlight unload seven jars from the cart Double Diamond was pulling, and brought them inside. Pinkie realized that the jars must be holding their cutie marks, and her face fell.

How am I going to get our cutie marks back now? she thought. I can't just swipe them out from right under Starlight's nose! Think, Pinkie, think! What did Dashie tell you about Starlight that might help?

Pinkie sat up as she remembered so very useful information, and then dove back down the chimney into her room.

We're gonna get our marks back! she thought. I just hope that Starlight doesn't run off...

"Good morning!" sang Starlight as Rainbow and the others stepped outside. "Has anyone decided to join us today?"

Sugar Belle sprinted outside to Starlight, and looked up at her with a pleading look.

"Starlight, I'm so sorry!" she cried. "Can you forgive me?"

"Of course!" said Starlight with a smile. "Also long as you've learned your lesson!"

"I have! I really have!"

Starlight's smile grew, and she turned back towards Rainbow and the others. "Anyone else? No? Guess we won't have any new friends today!"

"Hey!" piped up Pinkie suddenly. "Can I lock them in?"

Starlight paused, but then nodded. "Now that's the spirit, Pinkie Pie!"

Pinkie walked up to the door, and she and Rainbow caught each other's eyes. Pinkie flicked her eyes towards outside, and Rainbow made a barely noticeable nod.

"Wait!" cried Pinkie. "We might have somepony new joining us today!"

The crowd gasped as Rainbow stepped outside. Starlight stepped forward, a look of disbelief on her face.

"Is this true?" asked Starlight.

"I have a question." said Rainbow. "Would I be allowed to stay with my cutie mark?"

"Of course not! That would destroy our entire philosophy!"

Pinkie looked at Rainbow, who caught her eye. The look in Pinkie's eyes said, Dashie, I'm sorry if this makes everything worse, but Rainbow simply nodded. She had no ideas on what to do. Pinkie suddenly ran up to Starlight, licked her hoof, and then swiped it across Starlight's cutie mark. In this action, she wiped away a majority of the makeup covering Starlight's real cutie mark, causing all of the townponies to gasp.

"Wh-what are you looking at?" cried Starlight, trying to block her cutie mark from view.

"You said cutie marks were evil!" cried Double Diamond, "You said special talents led to pain and heartache!"

"They do!"

"Then why didn't you take away your cutie mark, too?" asked Sugar Belle.

"I had to, you fools! How could I collect your cutie marks without my magic?"

"The staff has all the magic we need!" yelled Night Glider.

"The Staff is a piece of wood I found in the desert! It’s my magic that makes all this possible. You’d all still be living your miserable lives, thinking you’re better than everypony else, if it weren’t for my magical abilities! I brought you friendship! I brought you equality! I created harmony!"

"You lied to us!" yelled Double Diamond.

"So what?" Starlight smiled nervously. "E-Everything else I said is true. The only way to be happy is if we’re all equal!"

"Except for you!"

The townponies all took a step towards Starlight, but Rainbow suddenly flew in front of Starlight to block them.

"That's enough!" yelled Rainbow, surprising everyone. "I may not believe in Starlight's philosophy, but she at least had the right idea to not tell you about her cutie mark! See what just happened after you found out?"

"But she lied to all of us and took away your cutie marks!" cried Night Glider. "How can you be defending her?"

"You're just trying to trick me!" snapped Starlight, causing Rainbow to turn around in shock.

"What?!?"

Starlight's horn suddenly lit up light blue, and created a hemispherical force field, expanding it suddenly to shove everypony back. As soon as the barrier collapsed, she dashed off towards her house, slamming the door behind her. Not missing a beat, Rainbow flew after Starlight, as one of the townponies cried out for them to go get their cutie marks.

"Starlight Glimmer!" cried Rainbow, trying to open the door. "Starlight!"

The others quickly ran over to Rainbow, and attempted to open the door.

"I'm sorry, Dashie." said Pinkie. "I know you didn't want this to happen..."

"That doesn't matter right now!" said Rainbow. "I can't let Starlight run away and then try and get revenge! I won't let her make the same mistakes!"

At that moment, an explosion of light came out of the cave where the Cutie Vault was kept, distracting the seven of them.

"That's absolutely beautiful!" cried Rarity.

"The cutie marks were released!" said Rainbow with a smile. "Now we can-"

"Starlight has our cutie marks!" yelled Pinkie.

"WHAT?!?" cried the six others.

At that moment, Night Glider flew back over, and Rainbow looked up at her.

"Break the door down!" she cried. "Starlight had our cutie marks and we can't let her get away!"

"On it!" said Night Glider, diving down and smashing the door open.

Everyone ran inside, but Rainbow instantly sprinted into Starlight's room. The others quickly followed her, to see that there was an escape tunnel under Starlight's bed. Rainbow zipped down into the tunnel, her horn glowing red to provide light. Night Glider, Sugar Belle, Double Diamond, and some other pony Rainbow didn't know ran past her, as they weren't constricted by the equal cutie marks.

"Don't worry!" yelled Sugar Belle. "We'll catch her! We'll back your cutie marks!"

Rainbow simply nodded, and continued running, her friends following her. The tunnel seemed so long. They finally exited, just in time to seven glowing beams zip backs towards them.

"Our cutie marks!" cried Twilight happily, as their cutie marks were returned to them.

"I need to get to Starlight!" said Rainbow. "Sorry guys, you have to catch up!"

Rainbow quickly flew towards where she saw Starlight off in the distance, now being able to fly at her her full speed. Starlight's horn was glowing, and she was aiming it at the four ponies who had gone to get Rainbow and her friend's cutie marks back. Rainbow landed in front of them just in time to throw up a shield spell, which blocked Starlight's spell.

"Hey!" yelled Starlight.

Rainbow dropped the shield, and looked at Starlight. Starlight glared furiously at Rainbow, who just looked worried.

"Starlight, don't run away." said Rainbow. "Revenge isn't the way."

"Shut up!" yelled Starlight. "And don't try to push some stupid friendship stuff on me!"

Starlight's horn flared, again, and there was a flash of white light. Rainbow shielded her eyes, and the light faded away. Starlight was sprinting away into the cave next to her.

"We'll never find her in there!" said Night Glider.

"NO!" yelled Rainbow, shocking everypony around her. "I won't let Starlight go down this path! I promised!"

Rainbow quickly ran into the cave after Starlight, ignoring everypony's calls to her.

Starlight Glimmer, you aren't going to make the same mistakes! thought Rainbow, as the cave became darker and darker.

Don't Make the Same Mistakes

Starlight's hooves tapped against the ground, the sound echoing through the cave. A second pair of hooves resonated from behind her, going faster. Starlight increased her pace, but stumbled over something in the darkness. She hadn't had her horn lit so whoever was chasing her couldn't see her. A bright red light suddenly pierced the area, and Rainbow Dash ran up to Starlight, her horn glowing.

"Starlight!" she cried.

"You get away from me!" yelled Starlight, her horn lighting up threateningly. "You destroyed my entire village and ruined everything!"

"And I'm sorry about that."

"Oh, be quiet! You don't care one bit!"

Rainbow stomped her hoof against the ground. "I do care! Starlight, do you think I wanted everypony in your town to gang up on you? Do you still think I was trying to trick you when I went to defend you?"

"Shut up!" Starlight blasted a beam of magic towards Rainbow, who dove out of the way just in time.

"I'm not going to fight you." said Rainbow, the glow of her horn diminishing. "I just want to talk."

"I don't care!" Starlight's horn flared up.

"Why did you take away cutie marks to compensate for Sunburst leaving?"

"How do you know that?!?"

"I asked you before if you believed in the multiverse for a reason! Starlight, I've met you before, but it was a different version of you! She made the same mistakes you're making, and she asked me to prevent you from making them!" some tears trickled down Rainbow's cheeks. "But you've made all the same ones because I messed up! I thought I had a plan and everything, but you've made almost every mistake except for the biggest one!"

"Well, I..." Starlight trailed off as Rainbow collapsed onto the ground in tears. "... What's... What's the last mistake she... I made?"

"I-in the other universe," said Rainbow sadly, "Basically the same events happened up to the point when you ran into these caves. But nopony followed you. No one knew where you had gone. And several months later, you showed up in Twilight's cas- house after hearing about a 'cutie mark bond' she and the rest of us shared. So you went back in time to prevent my Sonic Rainboom that caused that 'cutie bond'. And that created alternate timelines."

"Alternate timelines?" asked Starlight, in a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

"Alternate universes that ended up with alternate outcomes. A lot were created. None of them had good outcomes. But then Twilight got you too see the light of friendship after you told her about Sunburst and why you hated cutie marks. That caused the alternate timelines to have alternate timeline, except these ones were resolved. Our universe is one of the resolved timelines.

"To make an long story short, I managed to go back to the original timeline, and met the other version of you. And I told her that I wasn't going to let you make the same mistakes as her, no matter what. So I want to ask you, Starlight: are you going to say that all of the stuff I just said was a lie and then run off to get revenge? Or are you going to believe me?"

Starlight stared wordlessly at Rainbow, unable to find what to say.

"Well, what are the odds?" suddenly hissed a voice in the darkness.

Rainbow instantly got to her hooves, and her horn flared up. Starlight looked at Rainbow in confusion, who was looking around in the cave.

"Sweet Luna, do you ever go away?!?" yelled Rainbow angrily. "You were blasted by the Crystal Heart, how are you still here?!?"

"Rainbow Dash, I'll never leave!" sang the voice tauntingly. "I'll be here forever and ever and ever!"

"Rainbow, what's going on?" whispered Starlight.

Starlight's horn suddenly flickered out, and Rainbow's significantly dimmed. Rainbow gritted her teeth, and a small shield formed around her and Starlight. Her eyes continued to look around through the darkness, but saw nothing.

"Shadow..." hissed Rainbow. "They're an entity of pure evil and cruelness... Don't talk to them-"

"Oh, now who is this unicorn?" Starlight saw two eyes appear in the darkness, and they were staring right at her. "You poor little thing. You think that Rainbow Dash is telling you the truth. Can't you see that she's lying?"

"Starlight, don't listen!" whispered Rainbow.

"She just doesn't want you to know the truth: that I can give you power beyond your wildest dreams!"

"They're lying!"

"Just come over to me and I can make you strong, unicorn!"

Starlight's eyes flicked between Shadow and Rainbow, unsure of what to do. Rainbow had been saying completely crazy things about alternate timelines and universes, but Shadow could just as easily be lying. She could easily tell that there was a poor history between the two of them, when she realized something: Rainbow Dash was an alicorn Princess. That didn't exactly scream "liar".

"Rainbow," whispered Starlight so Shadow couldn't hear, "Let's leave. I... I don't want to make the same mistakes as, well, myself."

Rainbow's eyes widened. "Just like that? You're convinced?"

"Yeah. I am." she eyed Shadow warily. "They made it a bit easier..."

Rainbow smiled, but then flinched as her horn suddenly flickered out. Starlight whipped around to look at Shadow, but only felt a swirling wind spin around her.

"Why did you take my offer, unicorn?" hissed Shadow angrily. "Friendship is only ever a lie and doesn't help you!"

Starlight nervously took a step back in the darkness, and bumped into Rainbow.

"Starlight," whispered Rainbow quickly, "Can you teleport?"

"I've never tried." whispered Starlight.

"Do you think you can?"

"Erm... Maybe?"

"Teleport us out of here."

"What?!?"

"I'm no good at magic! Just teleport us out of here! Shadow is going to try something, and I don't want to stick around to see it!"

"O-okay!"

Starlight felt her horn flare up, but no light was added to the darkness. She gritted her teeth, and closed her eyes. She just needed to teleport both herself and Rainbow Dash out of the cave. And she had only seconds to do it.

"You're really good at magic!" whispered Rainbow. "If anypony can do it, it's you, Starlight!"

Starlight took in a deep breath, and then tried to teleport. She kept her eyes shut tight, and felt her surroundings change. She nervously opened her eyes, and realized that the opening of the cave was just metres away. She and Rainbow both dashed out of the cave into the snowy area, where nine ponies and one dragon stood waiting.

Forgiveness

Starlight nervously walked out of the cave behind Rainbow Dash, her ears flattened down. Sure, she knew that she had more magic than all of them, which Rainbow herself had said. But Rainbow knew a lot about her, and she was positive that she wouldn't tell anypony about herself for no reason.

Plus, considering what she did to a Princess, it was probably illegal in some way. And if she ran away, she could be considered a threat and then being hiding from the Royal Guard, other ponies, and the Princesses. Not running was a far safer idea, even if it was a bit nerve-wracking.

"You're back!" cried Pinkie happily.

"And you found Starlight!" said Twilight with a smile.

Starlight took a step back as Sugar Belle, Night Glider, Double Diamond, and Party Favor all threw a glare at her. Rainbow defensively threw a wing out in front of Starlight, which happened to be the one with her metal encasement, and looked back at Starlight. She realized that Rainbow wanted her to apologize to the other ponies, which they probably did deserve. Rainbow lowered her wing, and Starlight stepped towards them.

"I'm sorry for taking away your cutie marks." said Starlight, nervously pushing her hoof around on the ground. "I just wanted everypony to happy, and not be able to be friends with other ponies just because of their cutie mark." she paused. "It's just that when I was younger, my best friend moved away because he got his cutie mark, and I thought that it was unfair. And... I'm just sorry for what I did."

Sugar Belle smiled first, and walked up to Starlight.

"You just wanted us all to be friends, huh?" she asked, with no spite. "That's actually really nice of you, Starlight. Even if you didn't go about in the best way."

"Th-thanks, Sugar Belle." said Starlight, surprised by her kindness.

"Huh, I guess you were always trying to do the best for us." said Night Glider.

"If anything, I think we're the ones who should be sorry." said Double Diamond. "We shouldn't have gotten so angry at you for trying to do something right."

"Thanks, everypony." said Starlight, a small smile on her face. "Just... Thanks for letting me have your forgiveness."

Back in the village, Starlight had apologized to the other ponies, who had also forgiven her. Granted, that didn't mean that they were all perfect friends, but nopony particularly hated Starlight. Distaste for what she did at most. The villagers had actually set a party to celebrate them truly meeting for the first time: with their cutie marks and not equal symbols.

Rainbow let out a breath of relief as she grabbed a vanilla cupcake. She had been worrying about Starlight for so long, that it was nice to just relax. She looked around at all the happy ponies, and smiled with satisfaction. Applejack and Sugar Belle were talking about homemade recipes; Pinkie Pie and Party Favor were playing around with several balloons, with their creations becoming more and more complicated; Fluttershy was talking with the few foals about animals, and Spike was also with them; and Rarity was talking with Double Diamond about something fashion related. Twilight and Starlight had gone off to clean up the destroyed cutie vault.

"Hey, Princess Rainbow!" said Night Glider, landing next to Rainbow.

"You don't need to add the 'Princess' part." said Rainbow, taking a bite out of her cupcake. "You enjoying having your cutie mark back?"

"Yep! I just wanted to thank you for helping us out here! If you guys hadn't showed up, we still would have those equal signs!"

"It's no problem." Rainbow looked up to see Twilight and Starlight walking back from the vault. "So are all of you going to stay here?"

"Probably. I mean, we have lived here for a while and stuff."

Night Glider flew off as Twilight walked up to Rainbow. She noticed that Starlight wasn't with her anymore, and took another bite out of her cupcake.

"Well, Rainbow, we finished cleaning up the cave and threw out the staff." said Twilight, grabbing a cup of punch with her magic. "So we've finished everything we need to do."

"Nice." said Rainbow, finishing off her cupcake. "So... We should probably make sure we catch the train, huh?"

"Yes, we should leave soon."

"Yeah... Can you go tell the others? I want to go talk with Starlight before we go."

Twilight nodded, and Rainbow flew off to find Starlight. She flew up above the village, but didn't see Starlight anywhere. She decided to go check Starlight's cottage, and peeked her head in through the door frame (they still needed to put the door back up from Night Glider breaking it down).

"Starlight?" she called.

"In here!" called Starlight from her room.

Rainbow flew upstairs and into Starlight's room. She was holding several items in her magic, and there were a pair of saddlebags lying on her bed.

"Hey, Starlight." said Rainbow. "What are you doing?"

"Just packing my things." said Starlight, putting several bits in the saddlebag.

"You're leaving the village?"

"Yep."

"But why?"

"I just don't really feel like I belong anymore. It's not anypony's fault or anything, but I just don't feel like staying here. Where is it that you live?"

"Ponyville."

"Guess I'll go there!"

"Wait, what?" asked Rainbow in surprise.

"Well, where better to go than the place where the pony who knows me best live?" Starlight turned towards Rainbow with a nervous look on her face. "Er, unless you'd rather not see me again after all the trouble I've caused for you..."

"What? No, of course you can come to Ponyville!" Rainbow smiled. "That would be great!"

"You're sure? You don't hold a grudge or anything?"

"Of course not! Starlight, I completely and totally forgive you!"

"Really?"

"Absolutely!"

Starlight smiled, and continued packing. Rainbow was so happy, that the thought of Shadow slipped right out of her mind.

Welcome, Starlight!

Shadow moved silently through the pitch-black cave, satisfied with the lack of light. There wasn't a single sound, which would intimidate most others, but not an entity such as themself. After several minutes, Shadow stopped walking, and glanced around in the darkness for signs of movement. There was no one else around.

"GYAAAAAH!" screamed Shadow, smashing their hoof into the ground. "That stupid pegasus just can't leave me alone! She only ruins my perfect plans due to the luck that those wretched Elements give her! I was going to have all of that idiotic unicorn's power, but that pegasus is so annoyingly steadfast that she just won't give up!"

Shadow paused from their ranting to condense into an orb of black magic with wisps of red. They were too weak to maintain any other actual form, much to their annoyance. They needed more power to be able to do that.

"That. Is. It." said Shadow angrily. "I'm going to Everfree. That place should have plenty of magic for me to obtain somehow. I don't care how close it is to Rainbow's home town, none of the stupid residents go into Everfree. They're all just too scared. As they should be."

The orb of black and red zipped down the cave, laughing madly to itself.

Starlight shivered in the cold as she and six other ponies and one dragon stepped off the train. The ground was covered in snow, and flakes were falling from the sky. It was significantly warmer in her village.

"Time to get the party set up!" cried Pinkie suddenly. "It'll be a Triple Party!"

Pinkie zipped off towards Sugarcube Corner, leaving Starlight stunned.

"Uh, what exactly is Pinkie doing?" asked Starlight.

"She's setting up a party for you." said Rainbow. "Well, a triple party, apparently."

"Why is she setting up a party for me?"

"Pinkie throws welcome parties for everyone! She also throws parties for half-a-bazillion other reasons."

Starlight nodded. "That does seem very... Pinkie-ish."

Rainbow snickered a bit at that. "Okay, so do you want to go to Town Hall to see if there's any houses you can buy?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."

Rainbow and Starlight walked towards Town Hall, with Starlight looking around at everything in Ponyville.

"What's that large thing in the sky?" asked Starlight, pointing at something near the edge of town.

"Oh, that's my house." said Rainbow. "Luna sent it to me after we changed her back from Nightmare Moon."

"You don't have a castle?"

"Nah. I like my house. A castle would just look all out-of-place and wouldn't feel like home."

They walked up to Town Hall, and Rainbow opened the door with her magic. She and Starlight walked in, and almost ran into Mayor Mare.

"Oh!" she said in surprise. "So sorry, Rainbow Dash."

"No, no, it's my fault." said Rainbow.

"Did you need something?"

"Yeah. My friend Starlight was looking to buy a house." Starlight smiled nervously. "Are there any open ones?"

"I'll need to go check the papers, if you'll wait just a minute."

"Sure thing!"

Mayor Mare walked off into another room, leaving Starlight and Rainbow behind.

"Rainbow," said Starlight nervously, "What if there aren't any houses open? What do I do then?"

"You could stay with me or one of my friends!" said Rainbow. "There's no need to worry, Starlight."

Mayor Mare walked back in, holding several papers. "Looks like there's several open!" she said, giving Starlight the papers. "You can go look at them and come back if you've found one you like."

"Thank you." said Starlight.

"It's no trouble!"

Starlight and Rainbow walked back outside, where the snow was falling more lightly.

"So, are you going to-" started Rainbow, before a loud bird call cut her off.

"Kak!" cried Captain (Rainbow's falcon), flying up to Rainbow with a note in his talons.

"Heya, Cap!" said Rainbow, taking the letter in her magic. "What'cha got for me?"

"Ka-kak!"

Rainbow opened the letter, and a large smile appeared on her face. Starlight cocked her head in confusion.

"What does it say?" she asked.

"We're finally having the Winter Moon Festival!" said Rainbow gleefully.

"The what?"

"It's like the Summer Sun Celebration! And Luna wants me to help out in it!" Rainbow looked back at the paper, and her smile faded a bit. "Although... It is in Canterlot... So I need to leave for a while..."

"But you should go!" said Starlight. "You don't need to worry about me or anything!"

"Said the pony who was just worrying."

Starlight sighed. "Yes, I get it. I've been getting too nervous. But you definitely should go if Princess Luna wants you to."

Rainbow smiled. "Thanks, Starlight. Although... There is something you can do while I'm in Canterlot."

"What?"

"Can you and Twilight get everything organized for the Festival here?"

"Er... I really don't think that I should be in charge of something..."

"But you're a great leader! And you'll be working with Twilight! Come on, Starlight! Please?"

"...Okay."

Rainbow flew into the air with joy. "Yes!"

"Starlight!" said Pinkie, popping up in front of her abruptly. "You're invited to A PARTY!"

"Wait, how did you-" started Starlight, before Pinkie cut her off.

"Are you coming?"

Starlight hesitated, and then nodded. "Of course, Pinkie. I don't want to miss you party!"

"Yay! It's party tiiiiiiiime!!!"

Preparing for the Festival

Rainbow carefully tightened her saddlebags, and made sure the pockets were securely held shut. Her Element was in one of the pockets, and she didn't want to drop it.

"You know that you can take the train, right?" asked Twilight.

"Of course I know that!" said Rainbow. "But sitting on a train is no fun at all! I've got wings, so I'm gonna use 'em!"

Twilight sighed. Rainbow turned around towards Starlight, who looked less nervous than usual.

"If you need something, just ask Spike to send me a letter." said Rainbow. "It might accidentally go to Celestia or Luna, since he's never tried to send any to me, but they'll give me the letter!"

"But what if something terrible happens and I can't get to Spike to send a letter?" asked Starlight.

"That's called a worst-case scenario. Starlight, don't worry! Nothing terrible is going to happen while I'm in Canterlot." She tightened her saddlebags a bit more with her magic. "Now I'd better get going. Don't want Luna to be worried about the planning for the festival alone!"

"Be careful flying!" called Twilight as Rainbow took to the skies.

"Twi, don't forget who you're talking to!" called back Rainbow, breaking through a cloud and flying out of hearing range.

The cold wind didn't bother Rainbow as she flew through the winter skies. The light flurries of snow was what was annoying her, as they kept getting in her eyes. Her horn sparked up with bright red magic, and a thin layer of magic covered Rainbow's eyes. Sure, everything now had a red tint, but she wasn't getting any snow in her eyes.

I've got to work on the Earth pony part of my alicorn magic. thought Rainbow. Since I'm already an expert on the pegasus part and pretty good at the unicorn part. I should know all of my strength.

Canterlot gradually came closer into view, and the wind started to pick up. Rainbow smirked, before accelerating faster until a distinct rainbow trail could be seen behind her. She could go fast, and she was going to.

"So how did Rainbow Dash become an alicorn?" asked Starlight as she and Twilight walked towards the Golden Oaks Library. "Did she preform a special act of magic or something?"

"Rainbow was a pegasus, not a unicorn." said Twilight.

"Oh, she was? I guess I should have figured that out from how good of a flier she is... So how did she become an alicorn?"

"Honestly, I'm not quite sure. We were in the Crystal Empire to protect it from King Sombra, and she protected the Crystal Heart from being destroyed by him. Then she was surrounded in a red light, and then landed on the ground as an alicorn."

"And how did she react to that?"

"The first thing she did was fly over to everypony to make sure that they were okay. She didn't even notice that she had a horn until I pointed out!"

"She didn't notice that she was an alicorn?"

"Well, it wasn't her main concern."

Starlight nodded as they walked into the library. To her, Rainbow Dash could be really odd.

"Everfree is such a lovely place." said Shadow as they floated through the forest as an orb of magic. "So much fear is devoted towards it. But I need something better than a mere emotion... Something like actual magic!"

Shadow continued through the forest, not worried about any dangers. None of the monsters in here could hurt them without magic. And any pony that came in here was as good as dead.

"Maybe there's something left in that stupid castle..." muttered Shadow. "If I could find it."

Shadow reformed into an alicorn shape, and stomped angrily throught the forest. However, they heard a voice, and quickly condensed back into an orb.

"I need more ingredients for my potions." said the voice. "Otherwise they will simply be odd lotions!"

"A zebra?" whispered Shadow to themself. "Maybe they have something good that I can use..."

Shadow quickly zipped through the forest, until coming upon the zebra that had been talking. She was gathering some plants outside of a large tree that appeared to be some sort of house.

"This, I can say, is enough for now." said the zebra. "To stay out long in this forest is something I will not allow!"

The zebra turned and walked into the house-tree, making sure to shut the door behind her. Shadow quickly went over to the door, and looked inside. There was much of interest, except for one box that was radiating a powerful field of magic.

"Now what do you have in there?" whispered Shadow. "No matter, I want it. But how to safely get it?..."

"Who is there? Reveal yourself!" called the zebra, turning around. "I warn you, I have many potions upon my shelf!"

Shadow had moved out of the way before the zebra saw them. The orb of magic that they were hovered close to the ground, where a thin layer of magic was emanating from.

"What do we have here?" asked Shadow softly. "I can sense some magic from those blasted Elements, but something better below it..."

Shadow quickly floated down through the layer of magic from the Elements of Harmony, down where there were may black vines with blue spikes.

"Oh, Discord. Thank you ever so much. These plunder vines are sure to be of great assistance to me..."

"-and then I come flying through?" affirmed Rainbow.

"Yes." said Luna with a smile. "It will surely make this first Winter Moon Festival very memorable! I tried to see if Cadenza could also come, but she is still working things out in the Crystal Empire."

Rainbow nodded, and then let out a large yawn. "Heh, sorry." she said, glancing outside at the moon. "Whoa, how late is it?"

"Around midnight. I suppose I got a bit caught up in my excitement. You should go to bed."

Rainbow simply nodded and walked over to the bed that was in the tower she was staying in. "We can continue planning tomorrow."

"Yes, of course!"

"G'night, Luna." Rainbow laid down and closed her eyes. "Beautiful night out..."

Luna smiled, and quietly exited the tower, closing the door behind her. She began walking towards her bed chamber, when a small noise caught her attention.

"Is somepony there?" asked Luna, before something suddenly wrapped around her hoof. "Wait, what is-"

She was cut off as a black vine with blue thorns yanked her out of sight.

Princess Panic

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes tightly as the sun shined through her window and over one of her eyes. She eventually gave into the morning, and opened her eyes. She looked out the window at the sun, but noticed that the sky looked a bit odd. She flew over to the window and looked outside, and her mouth dropped open: both the sun and moon were in the sky.

"Wh-what?" asked Rainbow out loud. "The sun and moon in the sky?!?"

She jumped out the window and flew over to Luna's tower, where the usually guards weren't standing. She glanced inside, but didn't see anypony. Rainbow flew back to her tower, and ran downstairs, colliding with some guards on her way.

"Where's Luna?" asked Rainbow.

"Princess Rainbow! That's the problem," said one of the guards nervously, "We don't know!"

"What about Celestia?"

"She's gone, too!"

Rainbow's eyes widened in shock, before she spoke. "Do you have a team out looking for them?"

"Of course, your Highness!"

Rainbow nodded, and paused to think. "Alright, you head downstairs. I'll be down in just a minute."

The guards nodded, and Rainbow flew back upstairs. She quickly grabbed her Element out of her saddlebags, and put it on.

Alright, Princess Rainbow. she thought. Cadence is all the way in the Crystal Empire, and Luna and Celestia are gone. You need to be the Princess in charge so nopony panics.

Rainbow flew back downstairs, where there were several guards that appeared to be waiting for her.

"Princess Rainbow!" called a theresal guard, running up to her. "News from Ponyville!"

"What is it?" asked Rainbow nervously.

"The Everfree Forest is invading!"

At this, Rainbow froze with a look of worry.

"Okay..." she said, coming up with a plan. "We need to get a message to Princess Cadence so she knows about the situation. Right now, I need to get to Ponyville to deal with the Everfree invasion. For now, continue looking Luna and Celestia."

"Yes, your Highness!"

Rainbow nodded, and then ran outside, holding her Element in her magic as to not drop it. In a single wingbeat, she took to the snowy skies and flew towards Ponyville as fast as possible.

In the Golden Oaks Library, Twilight, Starlight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Spike were flipping through books to find something about the invading vines. However, the vines messed with unicorn magic, so Twilight couldn't look through her books at her usual lightning speed.

"Do you think the vines got to Canterlot and are affecting Princess Celestia and Princess Luna's magic?" asked Starlight. "That would explain why the sun and moon are both in the sky."

"That could be it." said Twilight. "Which means we need to find a way to get rid of these vines more than ever!"

"Ah hope that Rainbow's okay." said Applejack. "After all, she's in Canterlot, too."

Rainbow suddenly ran into the library, quickly shutting the door behind her. "Next time, could you be a bit more specific as to what way the Everfree Forest is invading?" she asked.

"Rainbow, do you know why the sun and moon are in the sky?" asked Twilight.

"Celestia and Luna are missing!"

"WHAT?!?" cried everyone in response.

"M-missing?" asked Twilight nervously. "As in they're gone with no trace as to where they are?"

"That's what missing means, Twi!" cried Rainbow, putting a hoof to her forehead. "Gyah! Everything is just so chaotic and out-of-control and-" she abruptly stopped, and he eyes widened. "Discord."

"What about Discord?" asked Fluttershy.

"This is all so Discord! Everything is nuts and the Princesses are missing and it's probably his idea of a joke!"

"That would be a good explanation for everything..." said Twilight.

"You really think it's Discord just like that?" asked Fluttershy nervously.

"We going to ask him if this is his fault first." said Rainbow. "And if it isn't, he's going to help get rid of all these vines! Everypony get your Element so we can get Discord here!"

"Who's Discord?" asked Starlight.

In the Everfree Forest, Zecora quickly grabbed as many items as she could and placed them into her cart. When she was sure that she had grabbed everything that could be helpful or was dangerous to be left alone, she hurried outside and ran towards Ponyville. She struggled to avoid the vines.

"Everfree has gotten far too crazy!" said Zecora as she ran. "Even for somepony as resilient as me!"

Unbeknownst to her, a small vine had grabbed a small box out of her cart, and slipped it away to parts unknown. A strong magical signature was coming out of the box, as it held none other than the dreaded Alicorn Amulet.

"Everypony ready?" asked Rainbow as she and her friends stood in formation. "Then let's go!"

Rainbow's horn flared up, and she activated her Element. A rainbow stretched out to the ajacent Elements, until a full hexagon had been formed. The rainbow then pointed out from each Element to the center of the six ponies, and there was a bright flash of light. Discord appeared lying on a couch with a a deck of cards in his paw.

"Oh, and I was just about to deal the deck!" said Discord, the couch vanishing and him floating up into the air. "Ponies, it's so good to see you!"

"Discord-" started Rainbow before her interrupted her.

"My dear Fluttershy, it's best to see you." Discord flew over to Fluttershy and gave her a flower that matched her eye color. "A little present just so you know that I care."

"Thank you, Discord." said Fluttershy with a smile.

"And let me introduce myself to the new mare!" Discord teleported in front of Starlight and shook her hoof. "So nice to meet another reformed villain!"

"I- What?" asked Starlight in confusion.

"Nopony has told you about me? Well no matter! I'm Discord the reformed spirit of chaos and disharmony!" There was another flash of light, and Discord held a medal out to Starlight. "And here's a medal for you, since you have 'reformed' status, too!"

"Discord!" snapped Rainbow, flying over to him. "We didn't call you here to mess around! Now tell me the truth: are you behind the cause of these vines?"

"The truth can be so boring sometimes, Rainbow Dash! Or should I call you Princess Rainbow Dash?"

"I'd prefer if you didn't. Just answer my question! Are these vines your doing?"

"Well, I'm reformed! Surely you don't think-"

"Give me an answer or you won't be meeting with Fluttershy for your weekly tea."

"Oh, Rainbow Dash, always so harsh!" Discord teleported over to Fluttershy. "You couldn't possibly take me away from my dear friend, Fluttershy!"

Rainbow glared at Discord. "If you keep avoiding answering, I'm going to assume that this is your fault."

"But why would you automatically think that I would do something-"

"Okay, so this is your fault. Fix it."

Discord suddenly was holding a hammer and wearing a hard-hat. "In that case, what should I start on?"

"Just get rid of the vines!" yelled Rainbow, her temper snapping.

Discord was about to say something else, when Fluttershy gave him a quickly glare. He sighed, and his hammer and hard hat vanished.

"Oh, alright then." said Discord, snapping his claws.

There was a flash of light, but nothing happened.

"That's odd.." muttered Discord, snapping again, but still nothing happened. "That normally works..."

Rainbow finally landed on the ground, her eye twitching slightly.

"Rainbow, are you okay?" asked Starlight nervously.

"Just peachy." said Rainbow, sounding very panicked. "Celestia and Luna are missing, it's day and night, the Everfree Forest has gone insane and Discord can't do anything! Everything's fine!"

"Why don't you go ask your zebra friend for help?" asked Discord, pointing at Zecora as she hurried out of the forest.

Rainbow glanced over at Discord before running over to Zecora with the others. They helped her set down her stuff gently on the ground, before Zecora spoke.

"From my home, I have had to flee!" she said, sounding somewhat panicked. "The forest has grown too wild, even for me!"

"Any idea why all this is happening?" asked Rainbow.

"I'm afraid it is a mystery to me as well, but I may have something that, if combined with a spell..." Zecora pulled out a container with a purple liquid in it from her cart. "I do not dare to use it myself, the results would be tragic. It only responds to alicorn magic. Princess Rainbow, you can turn the potion from purple to white. After a sip, you may see why the sky is day and night."

Rainbow carefully grabbed the potion in her wing, and frowned nervously.

"I don't know if I can change it..." said Rainbow. "Twi, can you help me out?"

"Definitely." said Twilight.

Rainbow's horn glowed with her red magic, and Twilight with her dark blue. Twilight carefully crossed over her magic with Rainbow's, and the potion with lifted up in red and blue magic. Using Rainbow's alicorn magic as a channel, Twilight's horn flared up brightly as she forced the potion to change. A moment later, the potion was placed back down on the ground, now a pure white.

"Thanks." said Rainbow, before grabbing the potion and taking a sip. "Uh, is something supposed to-"

Rainbow was cut off as her eyes glowed bright white, and everything around her faded away. Her eyes flicked open, and Rainbow found herself standing in what looked like the interior of an old castle.

Where am I? thought Rainbow, looking around in confusion. And why is only the sun in the sky now?

"Not another step!" cried Luna, walking out in a front of a throne on the far side of the room.

"Luna!" said Rainbow, running over to her. "You're okay! But I don't understand... Where are we? Why did you and Celestia disappear?"

"Did you really expect me to sit idly by while they all basked in your precious light?" asked Luna angrily, seeming to ignore Rainbow.

"Luna? What's going on?"

"There can only be one princess in Equestria!" she cried, stamping her hooves on the ground and her horn flaring up. "And that princess..." She became engulfed in dark blue magic. "Will be me!"

Nightmare Moon appeared where Luna had been standing, and let out a cackle. Rainbow's eyes widened in shock, as the sun was covered by the moon in the sky.

Looking Into It

"N-Nightmare Moon?" asked Rainbow out loud in shock. "Shadow?"

Without responding, Nightmare Moon blasted a beam of magic up at the ceiling, cutting a large hole in it. The stone fell down, and Rainbow quickly dove out of the way of it before it could hit her. She quickly flew up to Nightmare Moon, with a nervous look on her face.

"Luna, what's going on?!? Why is Shadow in control of you again?!?"

Again, Nightmare seemed to ignore her, and looked pasted Rainbow.

"Luna!" Rainbow turned around to see Celestia with a sad expression. "I will not fight you! You must lower the moon! It is your duty!"

"Luna?" asked Nightmare. "I am Nightmare Moon! I have but one royal duty now," her horn flared up with magic, "To destroy you!"

She blasted a beam of magic off at Celestia, who flew into the air to dodge it. She zipped out of the hole in the ceiling, and Nightmare grinned.

"And where do you think you're going?" she asked, spreading out her wings to fly after her.

"Don't!" cried Rainbow, quickly reaching out and grabbing at Nightmare's leg. However, her hooves simply moved through her leg, and her eyes widened in realization. "This is a vision..."

Nightmare took to the sky after Celestia, and Rainbow followed after her. Nightmare continued to blast beams of magic at Celestia, which were continually missing and instead destroying the castle below. She finally managed to hit Celestia, who let out a cry of pain before crashing down into the castle. Rainbow's first instinct was to dive after her, but she paused when Nightmare's head abruptly jerked.

"Celestia?" asked Nightmare, but in Luna's voice. "Sister?"

Nightmare's head jerked once more, and she let out a cackle. Rainbow flew down towards where Celestia had crashed, just in time to see her shakily standing up. Celestia frowned sadly, and walked over towards the center of the room she was in.

"Oh, dear sister." said Celestia out loud. "I am sorry, but you have given me no choice but to use these."

Her horn lit up, and an odd contraption came out of the ground. It opened up, and Rainbow's eye widened in realization.

"The Elements..." she said softly, as Celestia grabbed five in her magic. "This must have been the night you banished her..."

As soon as Celestia had the five Elements of Harmony, the sixth one came out. It was identical in shape and color to Twilight's cutie mark. A tear slid down Celestia's cheek as she flew into the sky, the Elements spinning around her to form a rainbow ribbon. She flew into the air until she could look Nightmare straight-on, and Rainbow followed into the sky. Nightmare blasted huge beam of dark blue magic towards Celestia, who quickly put the Element of Magic in front of her, and centered the magic of each Element of to it. A beam of rainbow-colored magic blasted out to meet Nightmare's magic, and it began to push her's back. Nightmare's eyes widened in realization as the magic of the Elements met up with her.

"NOOOOOOO!!!" she cried as she was abruptly blasted high into the sky by the Elements, with a shock wave similar to the Sonic Rainboom. A pattern of spots appeared on the moon, that exactly matched the pattern of the Mare in the Moon.

Rainbow blinked, and a moment later she found herself back in Ponyville. Everypony was staring nervously at her, and Rainbow blinked in confusio

"Uh, why are you all staring at me like that?" she asked.

"It's just... you were mumblin' to yourself." said Applejack.

"And you cried a bit at one point!" said Pinkie.

"We were just really worried about you." said Fluttershy.

"Well I thought it was so underwhelming." said Discord casually. "Honestly, you only had one tear the whole time!"

"I did?" asked Rainbow, putting her hoof to her cheek to check. "Huh."

"What did you see?" asked Twilight. "Do you know what we need to do?"

"Well... I saw something from a long time ago... It was when Celestia had to banish Luna to the moon..."

"Perhaps farther back still are the answers you seek." said Zecora, holding out the potion to her. "Another sip of the potion will give you a peek."

Rainbow nodded, and quickly took another sip of the potion. Discord abruptly appeared in front of her with a camera, and a cheesy photographer's outfit.

"Oh, I do hope you break into song this time!" he said with a grin.

"Not a chance." said Rainbow, before her eyes glowed white once again.

She blinked, and found herself standing on a checkered ground, with a magenta sky above her. A school of fish swam by her, and Rainbow sighed.

"Discord..." she muttered, before turning around to see Celestia and Luna walking up towards him, each with loaded saddlebags.

"Oh, this is so much fun!" said Discord, abruptly pulling out something that resembled Celestia's tail. "Who wants to play pin-the-tail-on-the-pony?"

Luna glanced back to see that Celestia's tail really was gone, and gasped in surprise. Celestia glanced back, and also gasped in surprise, before turning back towards Discord.

"Playtime is over for you, Discord." said Celestia angrily.

"Oh, I doubt that." said Discord, who was casually munching on a bunch of black seed-like stuff. "Hungry?" He tossed some over to Celestia and Luna, who simply glared at him. "Suit yourselves."

Wait a second, thought Rainbow as the three continued talking, Black seeds?

She walked over to where Discord had just thrown some more of the seeds, and watched as they buried themselves in the ground, sprouting out thin black vines with tiny blue spikes.

"Vines..." she muttered angrily. "Discord, I can't believe you..."

A flash of light from behind caught Rainbow's attention, and she turned around just in time to see the Elements turn Discord into stone. There was another flash of light, and Rainbow found herself standing next to a large, crystalline tree with five gemstones on the branches.

"The Elements?" she asked out loud, as Celestia and Luna walked up from behind.

Luna gasped in surprise at seeing the tree, and spoke in awe. "The Tree of Harmony..."

The Tree of Harmony?

"Are you sure?" Luna asked Celestia nervously.

"We have managed to discover the only means by which we can defeat Discord and free the citizens of Equestria." said Celestia, carefully taking out the gems with her magic. "Even without these elements, the Tree of Harmony will possess a powerful magic. As long as that magic remains, it will continue to control and contain all that grows here."

A star shape in the center of the tree opened, to reveal the sixth Element, which matched the star shape.

Those both look like Twilight's cutie mark! How did I not notice that before?

In an instant, Rainbow was brought back to Ponyville, where her friends were all staring at her anxiously.

"What did you find out?" asked Twilight.

"The Tree of Harmony is in danger." said Rainbow.

"The tree of what-now?" asked Applejack.

"It's where the Elements came from. It's in danger because of these stupid vines!" She angrily turned towards Discord, who was just casually floating in the air. "And you're the one who planted the seeds!"

"Rainbow, you shouldn't just accuse Discord like that..." said Fluttershy.

"I saw him in the vision! He was throwing black seeds everywhere!"

"Why, I was just having a snack." said Discord.

"Then why did the seeds bury themselves and start growing?!?"

"Well-"

"I don't want to hear it!" Rainbow stamped her hoof on the ground. "Just make the vines go away! You planted them, now you need to get rid of them!"

Discord laughed nervously. "Actually... You see, I did try that to get rid of one of the vines, except... I can't get rid of them."

"And why not?"

"Some other magic has been infused into them, and I can't get past it!"

"What kind of magic?"

"Dark magic."

Rainbow's pupils shrunk to pinpricks, and she stopped moving around. Starlight walked up to her, and gently placed a hoof on her back.

"You can just use the Elements to get rid of the dark magic." she said comfortingly. "It's not an issue."

"Can't use the Elements unless the Tree of Harmony is okay." said Rainbow. "And do you know what it means when there's dark magic? Do you know who's always behind it?"

"Rainbow, I'm sure it's not-"

"It's always Shadow!"

The vines all glowed in a dark red magic in response.

Onto the Next

"How did this happen?!? They had given me a plan, and I was ready to go through with it, but this was never supposed to happen!"

"Calm down! You'll come up with something! You always do!"

"But not this quickly! I usually think stuff over first!"

"..."

"You... You have an idea?"

"What?"

"You have an idea. I can tell from your expression. What is it?"

"Well... It's... It's not a good idea..."

"Just tell me! I'm blanking on anything I can do!"

"... Okay... Here's my plan..."

Rainbow Dash stood facing her mirror, examining her appearance. Her metal wing encasement remained on her left wing, but she had ditched wearing the rest of the outfit. It had just become a bit too inconvenient. However, she did leave the rest of her space suit hanging in her closet, next to her various dresses.

"Kak!"

Rainbow looked up to see her pet falcon on the top of her mirror, holding a slip of paper in his beak.

"Hey, Captain." said Rainbow with a smile. "What'cha got for me?"

She gently took the paper in her magic, a simple act that still delighted her, and unfolded it.

Rainbow, are you ready to go? - Twilight

Rainbow rolled her eyes, and turned to fly down to the ground. "Wonder why Fluttershy didn't just fly up..." she mused.

"Kak-kak!" cried Captain.

"I'd say that your guess is as good as mine, but you probably know why." said Rainbow. "Anyways, you be good while I'm good, okay?"

"Kak!"

"Atta, boy."

Rainbow flew outside, and landed on the ground, where only Twilight was standing. She quickly glanced around, but didn't see any of the others.

"Hey, Twi!" said Rainbow. "Where is everybody else?"

"They're waiting at the train station." replied Twilight. "Everypony was wondering where you were, so I came over."

"Gosh, did I really take that long?"

"You're probably just nervous."

"I'm not nervous!"

Twilight sighed. "Rainbow..."

"Fiiiiine." said Rainbow. "I'm nervous..."

"It's going to be fine. You said it yourself that she hasn't done anything 'evil' yet, so she's just a normal pony. Er... Normal-ish pony."

"But I think I'll blow it by thinking that she's the... other one..."

"I know miss her, but you know what? She probably got your letter by this point and is trying to figure out how to send it back!"

Rainbow smiled. "Thanks, Twi. You really know how to make me feel better."

Twilight nodded and smiled back. "Now, we'd better hurry. The train isn't going to wait forever!"

Rainbow stared out the window as the landscape became more desert-like and less forest-like. She nervously tapped her hoof against the seat until Fluttershy came over and gently placed her hoof on Rainbow's shoulder to calm her down.

"Rainbow, it's going to be fine." said Fluttershy, "You're just meeting a new pony who you happen to know a lot about."

"Thanks, Fluttershy." said Rainbow with a small grin. "I just hope that she's going to listen to reason..."

"Even if she doesn't, we've got Plan B!" said Spike happily. "That's what I'm here for!"

"Nopony expects the Dragon Inquisition!" yelled Pinkie.

Everybody stared at Pinkie, who stood smiling with her hoof in the air.

"Alrighty, then..." said Applejack slowly. "Any who... How long do ya suppose 'til-"

The train screeched to a halt, and Rainbow stared intently out the window.

"I'd say we're there." she said. "I can see the village from here."

"Why would anypony choose to live all the way out here?" asked Rarity as the group stood up and headed to the door.

"So nobody can stop what you're doing."

The group of seven stepped off the train, and started towards the far-off village. Rainbow had chosen to walk, so they wouldn't be as noticeable. Her right wing was nervously twitching, much to her annoyance.

"Rainbow, are you alright?" asked Twilight.

"I'm fine." said Rainbow, not believing her own words. "Just a wing spasm. The alicorn magic increases the power of my natural magic, and I'm still getting used to having alicorn magic that's actually mine." That part was true.

Twilight's eyes narrowed, but she didn't ask any further. However, Rarity chimed in with her suggestion.

"Rainbow, darling, if you keep having wing spasms then you should definitely consider coming on one of me and Fluttershy's outings!" she said.

"Fluttershy and I." said Rainbow and Twilight automatically.

"I will assume that means yes, then!" said Rarity with a smile.

Rainbow sighed and rolled her eyes, but then stopped in her tracks. The village was up ahead, and nopony had noticed them yet.

"Well..." said Rainbow nervously. "We're here. Everybody ready with the plans?"

"Yes!" said everybody.

"And then we can have a party!" cried Pinkie.

"What kind of party?" asked Rainbow.

"A 'We Just Stopped Somepony From Becoming Evil' Party!"

Rainbow nodded, and then started towards the village, with everybody following. She took in a deep breath to calm her nerves.

I'm sorry this has taken so long. she thought. But I'm finally going to fulfill my promise, Starlight.

Same Smiles and Cutie Marks

"Welcome!" called a dark blue pegasus as they walked up to the village, an unnerving smile plastered on her face.

"Where's Starlight Glimmer?" asked Rainbow instantly. "I need to talk with her."

"You... You know Starlight?" the pony's smile faded away in surprise.

"Not exactly, but I need to speak with her."

"Well, uh, she's in her house right now. If you'll follow me, I can bring you to her!" the smile returned.

Rainbow nodded, and turned back towards the rest of the group.

"You guys can hang out here while I talk with her." said Rainbow. "You know, just in case something happens."

Everybody nodded in response to Rainbow, and the dark blue pegasi looked at the group in confusion. Rainbow turned back to her, and nodded.

"Okay, I'm ready to go talk with Starlight."

"Just this way!"

The dark blue pegasus flew towards the isolated cottage, and Rainbow followed her. She didn't even bat an eye as everypony she passed by called out a welcome, and held their unnerving smiles.

"Starlight!" called the dark blue pegasus, knocking on the door of the cottage. "There's somepony here who wants to speak with you!"

The doorknob was enveloped in light blue magic, and the door swung open. Starlight stepped out with a smile on her face, but it wasn't as unnerving as the other ones.

"Yes?" she asked joyfully.

"Are you Starlight Glimmer?" asked Rainbow, though she knew perfectly well that she was.

"Yes, I am!" said Starlight, walking up to Rainbow. "And who are you?"

"My name's Rainbow Dash."

"Would it be correct to assume that you're Princess Rainbow Dash?" Starlight's eyes lit up.

"Yes. I need to speak with you, right now."

"Of course you can! After all-"

"In private."

Starlight paused, but then resumed speaking, "Oh. I can assume you that anything you need to say to me can be said in front of anypony else in our lovely town!"

Rainbow hesitated, before speaking, "Taking away other pony's cutie marks doesn't make up for events in the past."

Starlight froze, and her smile faded away. The dark blue pegasus looked at Starlight and Rainbow in confusion.

"Night Glider," said Starlight. "Why don't you see if Sugar Belle can make some extra muffins?"

"Uh, okay!" Night Glider flew off towards one of the cottages.

"Why don't we step inside to speak?" asked Starlight, gesturing towards her cottage.

"Sure thing." said Rainbow, making sure to keep her guard up as she walked inside.

"Hello, everypony!" said a pink unicorn, holding a notepad in her blue magic. "What can I get for you to eat? We have: muffins."

Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Spike all looked at each other nervously, before Pinkie spoke up.

"Six yummy muffins!" she said with a smile.

"Sure thing! I'll be right back with them!" she walked into her cottage, and out of sight.

"All of the smiles are scaring me..." whispered Fluttershy.

"Why would anypony give up their cutie mark?" whispered Twilight. "It's like giving up a part of yourself!"

"Well," said Applejack softly. "Ah reckon that if ponies feel like their cutie mark messes up somethin' in their life, then they'd wanna get rid of it so they'd feel better. And they wouldn't stand out because the other ponies all have the same cutie mark that doesn't mean anythin'."

"That's... Very plausible..." whispered Twilight. "But what if ponies don't want their cutie mark removed, but it still gets taken away?"

"Rainbow did say that's what Starlight did to our counterparts..." whispered Rarity.

"Hey, but I'm here just in case!" said Spike with a grin, "No cutie mark to remove, means to equal symbol to restrict me!"

"I'm back with your muffins!" said the pink unicorn, walking back holding a tray of muffins in her magic.

"Yes!" cried Pinkie, grabbing a muffin. "Delicious muffins, you're gonna be my snack!"

Pinkie chomped down on the muffin, and she froze. Her ears flopped down, and she placed the muffin down on the table they were sitting at.

"Is something wrong?" asked the pink unicorn.

"Uh, nope!" said Pinkie, forming a phony smile on her face.

"Okay!" she walked off.

"Pinkie, is something wrong?" asked Twilight.

"These muffins are terrible!" cried Pinkie, but quiet enough that nopony else could hear. "They're just so bleh!"

"Oh, come on!" said Spike, grabbing a muffin. "They can't be that bad!"

Spike took a bite of the muffin, and his eyes widened in disgust. He placed the remaining muffin back down on the table.

"Okay, so they are that bad." he said.

"Uuuuuuuugh..." moaned Rainbow, suddenly walking up and sitting down.

"How did it go?" asked Twilight.

"Terrible. Starlight wanted to know how I knew about her past, so I asked her if she believed in the multiverse."

"And?"

"She doesn't believe in the multiverse!" cried Rainbow, lying her head on the table. "So I don't even know what to do now! I can't just force her to stop taking cutie marks, then she won't learn anything!" tears started to form in Rainbow's eyes. "Now I won't be able to keep my promise to Starlight..."

"Rainbow, Ah'm sure I'll be fine." said Applejack. "So yer first talkin' with Starlight didn't go over quite how ya wanted it to. Just think over what yer gonna do ta try an' convince her!"

Rainbow nodded, and reached for one of the muffins, but Pinkie slapped her hoof out of the way.

"Trust me," she said. "You don't want to eat those."

"Okay..." said Rainbow, leaning away from Pinkie. "So what do we do now?"

"Um, excuse me?" asked the pink unicorn, walking back over to the table. "I was just wondering how it is that you all have different cutie marks, or none at all, but are still all friends?"

"Just having a cutie mark doesn't prevent you from making friends." said Rainbow. "It's more fun to have a group of diverse friends, anyways!"

"By the way," said Twilight. "Where are all the cutie marks kept?"

"In the Cutie Vault!" said the unicorn. "Do you want to go look at it? I'm sure Starlight would be fine with that."

"I’m delighted you’re interested in our cutie mark vault!" said Starlight with a smile. "We hope someday, everypony in Equestria will make a pilgrimage here to our little village, to have theirs removed too, and our message of perfectly equal friendship can finally spread across the land!"

Rainbow was glancing around to see if anypony was following them, but didn't see anyone. She had opted to fly, so she could see around better. Starlight stopped outside of a cave, and everyone else also stopped.

"Just through here!" said Starlight, gesturing into the cave.

The group entered, and Rainbow landed on the ground. Starlight proudly pointed up at the end of the cave, and Rainbow's mouth dropped open in shock. Starlight was pointing at vast grid of square compartments, a cutie mark housed in nearly every one. The entire assembly was held within a vertical frame, and topped by a blue-glowing equals sign. In front of this vault was a pedestal, on which a wooden rod was balanced.

"Behold!" said Starlight. "Our Cutie Vault!" she picked up the wooden rod in her magic. "And here is the Staff of Sameness! It was one of the great mage Meadowbrook’s nine enchanted items."

Rainbow's eyes narrowed, along with Twilight's. They both knew that Meadowbrook only had eight enchanted items, not nine.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have it here." said Starlight with a broad smile. "This is the tool that allows us to free ourselves from our marks! I’m curious. How did the subject of the vault come up?"

"I asked somepony where the cutie marks were kept." said Twilight. "And she told us that they were kept in the vault."

"Oh... Is that all?" Starlight's smile grew wider, "Well, how about we have your cutie marks in the vault, too! Wouldn't that be just lovely?"

A dozen ponies stepped out of the shadows, and encircled the group. Starlight held the staff tightly in her magic, and it began to glow brightly.

"Twilight, shield!" yelled Rainbow.

Twilight's horn glowed dark blue, and a bubble shield popped up around the seven of them. A line of light blue magic blasted out from the staff, hitting Twilight's bubble. Twilight flinched, and poured out more magic.

"Twilight," whispered Rainbow. "Starlight's going to break through. When she does, you guys run. I'll block her."

"But-" started Twilight, before the barrier was destroyed, and Starlight's magic came flying in.

The beam was aimed at Twilight, but Rainbow instantly jumped in the way, spreading out her wings so Twilight couldn't be hit. Rainbow cried out as her cutie mark was slowly pulled away, and closed her eyes in pain. Within moments, she felt her cutie mark get ripped away, and collapsed on the ground. She saw the equal sign appear on her flank, and then heard several more cries of pain. Starlight had everyone else held tightly in her magic, and was pulling away their cutie marks.

No, no, no! thought Rainbow.

Her friends collapsed onto the ground, and Rainbow's eyes widened when she saw that Spike also had an equal sign.

I-it affects Spike? thought Rainbow, Oh no, this is bad! This is really, really bad!

"Oh, I don’t blame you for what you tried to do here today." said Starlight in mock pity, "You’ve spent your whole lives thinking those marks are a good thing."

"Give them back!" yelled Rainbow, standing up.

"Well, now you can spend the rest of your lives here, with us! And we’ll teach you just how much better life can be without your cutie marks!"

The ponies who had surrounded them ushered Rainbow and her friends outside, who all had equal looks of sadness and shock.

"No..." whispered Rainbow, barely audible. "No..."

Within Everfree

Considering the current circumstances, Shadow was likely the happiest being in Equestria at the moment. Some of that cruel joy was being fueled by Discord's magic in them, while the rest was true. Well, as true as it could be for a being of literal evil.

"Isn't this day just perfect, Luna?" they asked to one of two piles of vines next to them. "And this night is also wonderful."

The four kinds of magic that Shadow held in them were that of their own, the power of the Alicorn Amulet, a splash of Discord's magic from the plunder vines, and the amount they retained from King Sombra. They added up to a being in the shape of an alicorn with a ink-black coat, midnight black mane with streaks of red, eyes that were in a bizzare cosmic blue as well as orange, and accessories of purple.

"Oh, you don't need to worry." continued Shadow. "I know that I won't be able to hold you two captive forever. And I know that Rainbow Dash is smart enough to figure out that this is my doing. Don't you worry, because she'll bring the Elements back to that tacky tree and your little infestation will be solved. But I'll be long gone before any of that."

Glows of blue and yellow showed from each pile of vines, but Shadow's horn lit up a threatening deep red, and stopped the glows.

"Don't think I'm letting you escape. In fact, I'm keeping a closer eye on you than Rainbow." They grinned wickedly. "You can tell how serious I am, considering that she's my nemesis and all that. But you still don't need to worry. Not right now, that is." Their eyes glowed red with cruel glee. "Just wait a little bit, and then you'll really want to worry. You'll just love what I'm going to do."