Dashie: A Hero's Tale

Rainbow woke up the next morning feeling completely refreshed and energized. She got out of bed and went to brush her teeth. She washed her face with a towel and got a good look at herself. That's when she noticed something odd.

"Did Fluttershy put something in my tea yesterday? I don't remember being this easy on the eyes."

Rainbow's fur had somehow transformed into a slightly darker shade of blue overnight. The colors in her mane and eyes were more well-defined and evenly toned. She didn't feel ill at all. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Her muscles felt fully healed, and her wings were relaxed. They even felt a little lighter than usual.

"I'll ask Twilight later."

Rainbow finished her morning routine and went to check in with the other weather ponies.

Rainbow arrived at Twilight's castle early in the afternoon. The change in her physical characteristics was still bugging her. She opened the door. Twilight was sitting in the grand hall.

"Hi, Rainbow! What's up?"

"Hey, Twi. I'm having kind of a weird day. I was wondering if you can check me over."

"Is something wrong?"

"No. That's why it's so strange. I've been breaking personal speed records all day, and my colors changed this morning."

"Now that you mention it, you do look a little more blue; literally."

"All I've done between yesterday and today is visit Fluttershy and do weather stuff. I don't know if the tea she gave me had magic in it or what."

"I don't think so. Potions that enhance physical capabilities don't change your outward appearance."

"What if it was mixed with a transformation spell?"

"No transformation spell in all of Equestria is this subtle."

"What about...You know...The dark arts?"

Twilight burst out laughing.

"Hey! This is serious!"

Twilight dried the humorous tears from her eyes.

"Sorry. That was just too much. The dark arts are designed for torture! Any evil spell would've backfired by now."

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.

"Fine. Maybe I got a bit ahead of myself."

"Come on. I'll scan you and see if I can find anything."

Twilight continued to giggle. She led rainbow to the library. Once there, she strapped her friend into the same device she'd used to study Pinkie.

"You really need to redesign this thing. It feels like an execution machine."

"Good point. I'll work on that soon."

Twilight set the scanner and started the analysis.

"Anything?"

"Hold on a second...What's going on here?"

"What's wrong?"

"Your frontal cortex is off the charts!"

"What's that mean!?"

"You're experiencing some kind of personality change! I've never seen anything like this before!"

"Are you pulling my leg? I'm the same as I've always been."

Are you absolutely sure?"

"Of course I-"

Rainbow stopped. She thought about where her mind had gone throughout the day.

"Actually...I've been keeping a closer eye on the other weather ponies today."

Twilight saw the same look on Rainbow's face that Fluttershy had the day before.

"Why...?"

"Fluttershy got injured getting food for her animals yesterday. I dressed the wound."

"Was she in pain?"

"Not really. She didn't feel it."

Rainbow Dash chuckled.

"She always seems so happy..."

"Rainbow..."

"...What do you think's happening to me, Twi?"

"Something powerful."

"I'm scared."

"We'll look out for you. Don't worry."

Rainbow met Twilight's gaze. She managed to muster a single word.

"Thanks."