The day before the Gala

Meanwhile earlier that morning in Canterlot Shining Armor was walking into the throne room to meet with the princesses to talk about tonight. “Good morning princesses” he said bowing.

“Oh good morning Shining” Princess Celestia said looking over from her sister to him.

“Princess what is the plan for tonight?” he asked looking and standing back up.

“The same as last year don’t you think sister?” she asked looked back over to Luna.

“Yes I think that will do nicely” Luna said nodding.

"Very well I will take my leave then” Shining Armor said bowing and leaving the throne room. Just then a cloud of smoke came into the throne room and turned in to a letter.

“Oh we have a letter from Twilight” Celestia said opening it. As she read it she started to smile.

“What is it Sister?” Luna asked trying to read over her sister's shoulder.

“Well it’s not from Twilight it’s from Rosethorn it says that the mission was a successful and that she is on her way from the Everfree Forest to Canterlot and should be here soon” she said looking over to Luna.

“Oh that good to hear” Luna said smiling.

After about an hour later the doors to the throne room open with no one there. “Leave us” Celestia said to her court they nodded and left the throne room and dimmed the room. Once the doors close she spoke “Ah Rosethorn it’s good to see you again” standing and walking over to them followed by Luna. The same mare that meet Twilight walked out from the shadows of the room.

“It's good to see you too princesses” Rosethorn said removing her cloak at reveal that she was a light gray Pegasus with a black mane and tail with red and gray strips with a scar on over her right eye and a three piercings on her ears with a black sheild with two scythes as a cutie mark wearing black leather with a purple crescent moon on the breastplate.

“Rosethorn did you get the book on the herbs too?” Luna asked.

“Yes Luna” Rosethorn said smiling revealing the book under her wing and hands it to her.

“Rosethorn how did the mission go?” Celestia asked looking back to her.

“Very good Princess we will not be seeing any attacks from the changelings for quite some time so the Gala should go off without any problems” Rosethorn said turning her attention back to Celestia.

“Rosethorn you don’t have to be so formal when it’s just us” Celestia said putting a hoof on her shoulder.

“Sorry Celestia” she said with a small smile.

“So will you be attending the Gala tonight?” Luna asked.

“Well the Gala isn’t really my kind of thing and besides I really want to get back to work” Rosethorn said shrugging.

“Rosethorn, you remind me so must of your father, he was just as much of a workaholic as you but you need a break” Celestia said in a concurred tone.

“I know but I’m so close to finding were Sombra's lair is” Rosethorn looking back at the princess.

“Rosethorn you have been at this for a long time now, I know you want revenge for your father’s death but you need to move on, he would not want you to waste your time trying to avenge him, and beside we have not really seen anything from him since then, you need to take some time to relax and have fun once any awhile, if you won’t do it for me do it for him” Celestia said in a caring tone.

Rosethorn sighed “Ok I will see you tonight” turning to leave but stopped at the door. “Celestia” she said turning around.

“Yes?” Celestia said turning back around.

“Thank you” she said as she opened the door and then the light from outside the door hit her turned in to a shadow.

“Your welcome” she said smiling as she sat back down on the throne and brighten the room again.

Meanwhile back in ponyville it was about noon and a Pegasus with rainbow hair was lounging on a roof when she heard a voice below calling her. “Hey Rainbow are you up there?” the voice asked.

Rainbow rolled over and looked over the edge to see Twilight. “Oh hey Twilight wants up?” Rainbow asked standing up.

“I was wondering if you wanted to grab a bite to eat before?” Twilight asked.

“Sure that sound good” Rainbow said jumping down. They walked over to a café and order some sandwiches and fries and sat outside to enjoy the nice summer afternoon. As they ate Twilight was still wonder about the mare from last night.

“Hey Rainbow do you know a mare with gray fur and black armor by any change?” Twilight asked finishing her food.

“Why?” Rainbow asked a little confused at the sudden question.

“She stopped by the library last night but she didn’t say her name so I was wondering if you know her and because she was acting little bit like you” Twilight said standing up.

“The only mare around here that I know that gray around here is Octavia but she doesn't have armor” Rainbow said throwing her trash away after Twilight.

“That’s what I thought too but she did not act like Octavia” Twilight said as they left the café.

“I have no idea who she was sorry Twi but I got to go see you at Rarity’s” Rainbow said about to take off.

“It’s ok I just though you would know that’s all” Twilight said as started to walk away.

Rainbow flew as fast as she could without doing a sonic Rainboom towards Fluttershy’s house. “Sorry I’m late Fluttershy” she said landing.

“Oh it’s ok I really down mind” Fluttershy said softly. After helping Fluttershy for an hour she started to feel uneasy. She stopped what she was doing and started looking around.

“Rainbow is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked looking up from a squirrel.

“I just feel like we are being watched” Rainbow said still a little uneasy.

“Oh really” Fluttershy said looking around.

“Yeah but there is no one around” Rainbow said looking back at Fluttershy.

“Let's not worry about it right now and get some lunch” Fluttershy said a nervously.

“That’s a great idea I’m starving” Rainbow said going over to a tree and sitting down with Fluttershy following.

“Here Rainbow” she said handing Rainbow a daisy sandwich that she pulled out of a picnic basket.

“Thanks” Rainbow said taking a bite. They sat quietly for a few minute enjoying their meal and the weather. “Hey Fluttershy do you remember that mare that was in our class that just disappeared one day?” rainbow asked.

“Why?” Flutters asked tilting her head in confusion.

“Did you ever hear what happened to her?” Rainbow asked.

“No I’m sorry Rainbow I never heard what happened” Fluttershy said sadly.

Rainbow’s ears fell onto her head and she lowered her head “its ok Flutters no one knew what happened some don’t even remember her.”

“Rainbow is everything ok” Fluttershy asked noticing her friend’s mood change.

“oh everything is fine I’m just a little tired its almost time for my afternoon nap” Rainbow said trying to sound happier.

“oh its time for me to meet Rarity at the spa join us if you want to that is” Fluttershy asked.

“No but thanks for the offer though Fluttershy I will see you later” Rainbow said taking off.

“ok bye Rainbow” Fluttershy said leaving for the spa.

“she remembers me” a shadow said coming out of the branched of the tree and follows Rainbow.

Rainbow found a fluffy cloud to take a nap not far from Rarity’s “why am I so sad about this, maybe a nap would help get over her” she said curling up but she could not but replaying memories in her head.