The End of the Rainbow

After the efforts of Twilight, both her and Fluttershy had managed to get Rainbow Dash back to the hospital for care; and based on the diagnosis given to them, it was not a moment too soon. Unfortunately, the visual effects were still clear to see. Rainbow had become anything but so, her coat and mane were near faded to grey again, and her energy near sapped entirely. Dash lay in the hospital bed, IVs above her front left hoof to give her a massive amount of fresh fluids into her body in an attempt to dilute the contaminated fluids she had ingested by mistake.

After some time, it appeared to have worked and Dash's vital signs appeared to return to normal. The other positive was unlike before, she was conscious and alert. Though barely any words Dash said since Twilight and Fluttershy found her. Only the short one word answers, or a occasional moan and groan with a nod or shake of the head, plus whenever a word was said it was extremely difficult to make out unless really listening carefully. Over time her condition continued to improve. Twilight stayed by Dash's side to give her company as she did before, just as a doctor came in to see his patient, with most of the other Mane Six following behind.

"Well, Miss Rainbow, your second trip to the Ponyville hospital today...only one shy of your record." The doctor gave a chuckle, though quickly stopped realizing the humor landed with a thud, he cleared his throat and went on embarrassed. "I think we're going to keep you here overnight, so fortunately for you, you won't be breaking that record today. Just try to get some rest and I'm sure you'll be fine." The doctor quickly paced his way out as Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack came up to the bed to check on Rainbow Dash.

"I suppose this wasn't how you wanted to spend the rest of your day." Applejack said. It was only responded with a soft sigh from her bed-ridden friend. Pinkie then jumped on top the bed next to her.

"And here I was all ready to throw you a "Getting out of the Hospital" Party, now I'll just have to wait until tomorrow to do it all over again!" Pinkie noted jumping up and down on the bed, trying to contain her dilemma, as the others had to pull her down.

"Right..." Was the only word Dash said. Her lack of enthusiasm made Pinkie's happiness deflate, along with the rest of her body to boot.

"How are you feeling Dashie? You look even worse than when we saw you last night." Rarity asked her, seeing the pale look on Dash's face. Though recovered slightly, still no where close to fully healed.

All Rainbow gave was a soft. "Terrible..."

"Fluttershy doesn't even want to come up here, she feels horrible about what happened..." Twilight told everyone, just to explain why her absence was noted. The event had completely traumatized her, added on the fact that Fluttershy felt responsible for what happened.

"Bet it's still not as horrible as I feel..." Rainbow replied to it, which sadly probably wasn't far from the truth. She then went on after a slight pause. "Can I have minute?"

"Alright, but I'm keeping count!" Jumped Pinkie onto the bed, but Twilight slowly her off so.

"It's alright Pinkie, let's give Rainbow Dash time to recoup." Twilight telling her, but as the group was going to leave, they were stopped.

"Twilight." Came Rainbow's voice. "I...I meant I need a minute with you Twilight."

Twilight wasn't quite sure what the issue was, but she came over and sat back Dash side. Rainbow looked over to the others for acceptance of the request. Rarity nodded in approval.

"We'll be right outside, call us if you need anything Dashie." Rarity obliged. Applejack came followed up before exiting. "And Dash, we're real sorry about what's happening. We wish we knew what to do..."

"Don't apologize. I know you're doing all you can...plus you're just sounding all sappy." Rainbow teased them. The smiles on their faces gave a sense of approval to Dash's reply. Soon it was just Twilight and Rainbow in the hospital room with nothing more but a flickering light of sun setting on the horizon. Twilight was expecting to have a typical conversation, or at least the typical Rainbow Dash convo.

"Well, at least you haven't lost your sass." Twilight said to Dash, though when she turned around to look at her, Rainbow gingerly laid to her side to hide the pain she was in, perhaps physically and emotionally which made Twilight realize. "Oh...you were faking it." She followed up, Rainbow sighed at the obviousness of the answer. There was an awkward silence between the two of them, it seemed like Rainbow Dash couldn't come to ask her question on her own, so Twilight decided she needed to nudge Dash on the path. "So...I guess you're not planning to talk about how the weather is?"

Rainbow's ears perked up, and she decided to pick herself in her bed to sit up. The frown her face couldn't be anymore noticeable, and didn't seem possible she could look any more depressed than she already was. But Dash said she needed to talk, and being quiet wouldn't get anywhere...

"Twilight, what's happening to me?" Dash asked the only other pony in the room. Twilight didn't know how to answer the question sadly, but she gave the best effort. Twilight owed Rainbow Dash that much.

"I'm not sure Rainbow. If what the Princesses said is true, this rain from Raindoom has some sort of magical properties that seems to be draining the very life force from you." She explained what he believed to be the case, even though there wasn't complete fact of it. Twilight held up Rainbow's hoof that looked like was continuing to replenish in color even by the moment. "You seem like you've been able to recover from it over time, yet I don't know how, or even if you'll be able to keep doing it."

The only thing that made sense to them was that nothing made sense at this point. Only one pony could stop this thing, but it could do the same thing or worse back to Rainbow Dash. Nopony else was affected by the magic Raindoom caused, but could no one could do anything back? It's like logic was crumpled up into a little ball of paper and tossed aside.

"I don't know what to do Twilight. If what Princess Celestia and Luna said are true, I'm the only one who can do anything to save Equestria. How can I possibly help if a few drops of water puts me in a hospital bed? W-What's gonna happen when he comes back? What if I'm not ready?" Rainbow's speech and words were quick. Rushed but thought out, and every word said was heard by Twilight.

"Rainbow...it's alright. Everything is going to be alright." Twilight assured her friend, but Dash didn't seem to have the same belief, who tried to sit up in her bed, with sluggish results.

"How is it going to be alright Twilight? This isn't something we can just say we're gonna fix, and then "POOF"...it's fixed! I mean, it's not like you could just give me your magic or..."

She paused, and a look befell Rainbow Dash unlike any Twilight had seen. Dash looked as if she had seen a Windigo, gazing straight ahead.

"Rainbow? What is it?" Twilight asked her tranced like friend...after a pause.

"Twilight...remember earlier when you cast those magic spells on me today?"

"Remember? I could I forget doing something so utterly ridiculous?" Twilight huffed in the mere reminder of failure, she rarely spook on things that didn't belittle success, so Dash's mention of it did not help matters. But Rainbow was gathering thoughts, while staring through the wall in front of her, giving no eye contact.

"Yeah, about that...what if you went a step further..." Clapping her hooves together lightly.

Twilight didn't understand where this conversation was going... "Those spells resulted in a catastrophic failure. What do you mean "A step further"?" Almost fearing what Dash had in mind. Rainbow was known to come up with insanely outlandish ideas, and now the look she had made Twilight fear the worst of them yet was coming. Dash started stumbling on her words, it was clear she didn't know how to put what she was about to say.

"What if you umm...actually gave me your magic?"

The words Rainbow spoke triggered Twilight so fast, Rainbow Dash barely had a chance to finish her sentence before the Princesses' rebuttal.

"No...no no no! You can't be serious?!" She yelled.

"Of course I am. The princesses did it for you, you said so yourself." Dash countered back, Twilight facehoofed as a result. She understood that Rainbow didn't understand what had happened; she wasn't there. Twilight's Alicorn Magic Transfer was one of the most painful experiences of her young life. The fact that Rainbow Dash would speak of it like it was a simple task was bad enough, Twilight tried her best to maintain her composure, while trying to explain why this was just...well dumb to her frankly.

"That was totally different!" Twilight began, hooves up on the side of Dash's hospital bed. "That was Alicorns transferring magic into another Alicorn. Transferring Alicorn Magic into a Pegasus? That's not only unfathomable, it could be extremely dangerous."

"Dangerous, oh please. That's just the worry-wart in you Twi." Rainbow came back, Twilight was beginning to get more frustrated at her friend's mere dismissal of the matter.

"I'm serious Rainbow! You saw first hoof, it took months for me to learn how to effectively use my Alicorn Magic. You don't even have a Unicorn's horn, h-how would you even be able to control such powerful magic?"

Rainbow for the first time in a while had to stop her thought process, and not because it made her head hurt at the moment. While she didn't quite comprehend everything Twilight spewed to her, it certainly gathered enough that she knew what she talking about. Dash didn't really know how to respond to Twilight after her retort. "Okay, I admit I didn't think that far ahead."

"More like you didn't think at all. Forget we're even having this conversation." Twilight turned and stared out the window, still not believing the idea her friend said. But Dash was still confident.

"Well I think you should ask the princesses what they think." She spoke up again, this perked up Twilight's ears. Yet one more act of verbal foolishness Rainbow Dash spoke, only Twilight's opinion of course.

"Are you kidding me!?" Trying to contain her emotions, Princess Twilight did a fairly poor job of. "Well, I did think of this idea. Didn't I?" Dash answered with her own question. This had become too much for Twilight to take. She understood Rainbow Dash cared, but reckless care would do no one any good, especially Dash herself. Twilight calmed herself with several deep breaths, giving one final exhale, she told Dash the following...

"Alright Rainbow Dash, tomorrow when you're healed up and released, you and I will go to Canterlot so you can tell Princess Celestia and Luna your looney idea." As she got in Dash's face, though not to point to hurt her of course, Dash was still a patient after all, but Dash was sure of the response she'd get until Twilight continued... "And when they say "No", or "That's crazy", or "That's not possible"; I'll tell you "I told you so"."

After giving it a bit of thought, Dash nodded in agreement. "Fine..." And the two tapped hooves and shook to agree to the proposal. Dash knew though she had nothing to worry about. She was certain the higher up Princesses would side with her.

(The next morning at Canterlot Castle...)

"No!" Hollered Princess Celestia with a sharp gasp.

"That is crazy!" Luna followed up quickly.

"I-I'm not sure that's even possible!" Celestia continued afterward.

"WHAT!!!? OH COME ON!!!" Came a cry from a visually healed Rainbow Dash which Twilight responded to... "Told you..." Twilight Sparkle's reminder of what happened made Dash drop her head in shame with a depressing sigh. But Celestia was willing to give an explanation on their reluctance.

"While my sister and I appreciate the lengths you wish to go to help Equestria Rainbow Dash, this is something we simply cannot allow."

This discouraged Rainbow Dash. It may have been more that Twilight told her it would happen, rather than it actually happening altogether. She probably should have known better, and perhaps expected better. It still didn't make her feel any better though, as her emotions seemed to get the better of her.

"But why?! Why is this such an issue to not even try?" She protested, stomping her hoof on the floor, startling Twilight slightly. "Why won't you even help me?"

Celestia gave a small sigh. She always respected Rainbow's courage, but courage and stupidity were two different things. Dash's stubbornness did not help matters either, the Princesses knew convincing her otherwise would be difficult.

"Please understand young one, it is not a matter of wanting or not wanting to help; we do not do this to discourage you. Even if we were certain this could be done, Alicorn Magic is NOT to be taken lightly." Celestia urged the Rainbow mare, Luna followed up with her own stance.

"With no experience wielding any form of magical intake, taking on the magic and power of an Alicorn would be extremely dangerous to not just yourself, but all of Equestria." Luna said with a stern voice.

"Princesses...your majesties, whatever you wish to be called." Rainbow gathered herself, took a breath and continued. "With all due respect, if I can't stop Raindoom, Equestria is in extreme danger one way or another. Our options are hardly any to put it mildly. W-Why can't you just train me how to use Alicorn Magic?"

"Because you're not an Alicorn Rainbow!" Princess Twilight rebutted with harsh demeanor. Speaking in a tone that Twilight Sparkle rarely if ever spoke in. "That would be like you trying to train Applejack how to fly. She CAN'T fly, she DOESN'T have wings! You don't have a horn, how can you use magic!? Alicorn Magic at that?"

"Twilight is correct Rainbow Dash..." Celestia added, agreeing with her fellow Princess. "While I'm sure this upsetting for you to hear, please understand that we're saying this because it is important to know the risks to you. We simply cannot let this happen."

The reality had finally hit like a ton of bricks. Rainbow Dash was truly dejected, but she felt more so by the fact that the Princesses looked to take no pleasure in it. They clearly wanted to help, but to be frank, this seemed like a plan that could never succeed. Rainbow began to slowly pace away, Twilight just gloomfully looked at her in sorrow, knowing this was coming and knowing she could do nothing about it. Dash had almost got to the giant door to exit, ...then she paused and turned to her superiors.

"You know what...you're right. You probably can't teach me to use Alicorn Magic, just like I probably couldn't teach Applejack or anypony without wings to fly. But if they really were committed to learn, I would at least try to help them, even if I knew I couldn't. Because that's what a friend would do." She gave a sigh before giving one final claim. "I just wish my friends would try to do the same for me, when I need them the most..."

With that, Dash turned back to the door and began to pull it open to leave, but before it widened to the level to allow her exit, a giant white hoof closed the door back closed. Dash was surprised to look up and see Princess Celestia by her side, with a smile on her face.

"Rainbow Dash...We will attempt to transfer our magic to you."

Rainbow Dash just looked up to her majesty in a bit of shock and awe, her royal sister then approached from the other side and lay a hoof on her wing.

"And we will try to teach how to control them." Luna finished.

Rainbow stood in silence, a rather awkward one at that. This had been what she had hoped for, the Princesses nearly expected Dash to soar the halls until her wings fell off; but her reaction was quite the opposite. After a bit, she finally gathered the thought to say something after the wonderful gesture they were making.

"But, why are you choosing to help me now?" Rainbow asked in confusion, Twilight then slowly trotted to her with a smile. Rainbow had fully expected to see her go crazy after the Princesses chose to do something Twilight would have imagined, but instead she seemed...happy. After looking to both her fellow royals, she looked back to Rainbow Dash and gave a gentle embrace.

"Because just like you said, that's what a friend would do." With those words, it was clear they were all on the same page. But the time for being generous and happy was over. They present ponies knew that serious matters were now needed in order to make this vow worth it. Rainbow Dash was about to attempt something that was never attempted before, and may never happen again. A Non-Alicorn being would successfully possess Alicorn Magic. The mere thought of it seemed impossible, and no amount of friendship would make it more possible. One thing was certain, tomorrow could perhaps be one of the most important days in Equestian history; they only hoped it would be for the positive.

***

It was night once more in Equestria, though this was a much different experience of most evenings. Because of the Princesses' spell to shield their presence to the outside world and dangers, the sky did not have the same look or feel as usual. It almost dare say looked artificial; the stars that traditionally shined bright above were now no where in sight to any pony eye, it merely had a dark grey appearance that looked quite phoney. But sadly, it was all that could be done to protect them all.

The Princesses still needed to use their abilities even during a time of sleep, which made doing either objective most difficult. Since the spell, each Princess attempted to get a few hours of sleep a piece while the other kept guard, after some time the sleeping would awake to allow the other gain the needed rest to keep their own strength to fulfill their end of the magical ritual.

Princess Luna for the time held guard for her elder sister who laid in slumber in the royal quarters. Despite always being awake during the evening, Luna was quite tired herself, for sleep had become quite scarse for the two since the threat emerged. The younger had to put on a brave face despite the fear at hand, not just because her sister expected it, but the ponies of Equestria needed it. The elder tried to take advantage of the brief time to sleep, the two would need to be as rested as possible to aide the young Rainbow Dash in the envious task she asked for in the morning. But as her slumber became peaceful, something interrupted it...

Or perhaps, someone...

In the back of Celestia's dream she could hear a broken up, dark ominous laughter that would become louder and more vivid in moments of her slumber. Then as quickly, it would fade back to a distance of her slumber. Then once more, it would return. The Princess of the day was not used to an internal disturbance waking her during any point of her life, so this made her become most confused. Though after a moment to calm her passing nerves, she would return to sleep.

Though again, a time later, the laughter returned. This time however, the had a voice she instantly realized, and when she did...it spoke to her.

The words were quite cryptic in their statement, ones like: "Equestria will fall!" or "The end will come!" It made the Princess shake her head to attempt to clear her mind, but to no avail. Then the final words shook her, words that made her tremble within...

"You cannot protect her! She cannot save you! You are DOOMing her to peril!"

With that, a loud crack of lightning and thunder stormed so loud in Celestia's thoughts, she jumped out of her sleep in panic; so much so she for a brief moment nearly lost her focus on the spell she and her sister needed to remain cast. As she finished reestablishing her connection to the spell, the door slammed open with her younger royal emerging with haste.

"Sister! Are you all right!?" Her sister Luna spoke in a combination of disturbance yet regal voice.

"No Luna..." Celestia responded back, gaining the attention of Luna. "I felt like I could hear Raindoom my in slumber. I know it was just a dream, but his presence...felt so real..."

Without warning, Luna said back. "You have heard Raindoom in your dreams as well?"

Celestia gasped at the redirect of the question. And thus began a collaboration of the two telling of each other's time of this cloud entity's encounter in their sleep. Luna even spoke of a time that she was now convinced of was the voice of Raindoom, even before he had returned to the land. The two royals spoke for some time of the continuing events that occurred separately with themselves and these internal messages from their foe, and could only imagine if they were the only ones to see them.

After the talks, the two stared out to the off putting dark sky from inside the castle.

"The magic transfer sister..." Luna asked her elder. "Do you believe the young one can be successful?"

The older sister paused, there was no way to be sure. She looked back out the giant window they gazed upon before responding to her sister. "For the fate of Equestria, I certainly hope so sister..."

It was the only thing she could say, what else could she possibly say? What if these encounters they were experiencing from Raindoom were not visions...

What if he knew what the ponies were planning?

But how...

***

Morning came to Canterlot as the light took over the night. In the Canterlot Castle, Rainbow Dash was allowed to stay and sleep in the castle quarters to prepare for the upcoming day's plans. Unfortunately for her, she wasn't able to take advantage of the wonderful accommodations to get the much needed sleep she could have used. The combination of worry, doubt, and surging adrenaline kept Dash awake most of night. On occasion her complete lack of energy allowed sleep to befall her, but only for brief moments at a time. Dash would then wake up and have to go through the whole ordeal again. After several times over, Dash decided enough was enough. She sat in front of one of the massive mirrors in her room as gazed at her reflection, trying to pep herself up for upcoming..."ritual" would seem to be the best term. An Alicorn magic transfer into a Non-Alicorn being had never been attempted before; no pony knew if it was even possible, or how dangerous it could be if possible for that matter. Whenever those thoughts crept into Rainbow Dash's head, she did her best to talk them out; usually before a deep breath and exhale.

"Don't worry Rainbow Dash, you totally got this..." She told herself, for what seemed like the twentieth time in her head. Soon came a knock on the giant door to her guest room, it slowly creaked open to find The Princess of Friendship behind it. Twilight Sparkle also remained at the castle in case she was needed. Twilight walked in and looked towards the dark premises of Dash's room where she sat.

"Rainbow Dash?" Twilight called to her. "It's time..."

Rainbow looked at Twilight in the reflection in front of her and turned to face her. "I'm ready." The two smiled to one another and headed out to the grand hallway that would lead to the Princesses' Chambers.

The stroll for the two ponies was a quiet one, only a sight noise could be heard from the occasional ruffle of a hoof along the royal carpet behind. Rainbow was remaining calm throughout the stroll, even giving a light whistle of a tune, the other pony however...not so much in the calm department.

"So...just your everyday quiet stroll down the halls of the Canterlot Kingdom before your ordinary, casual, life altering, potentially extremely dangerous Alicorn Magic transfer. No biggie." Twilight struggled through the speech, sweat beading off her forehead and muzzle, and twitching ears.

"Twilight, just chillax." Rainbow assured, breaking out Twilight's worry from her mind. "Everything's gonna be just fine. You said so yourself after all."

Twilight exhaled before giving a nod of agreement, but even she had noticed that even for Rainbow's standards, she was quite...chill. Which didn't go unnoticed from Twilight. "I have to say Rainbow Dash, what you're doing is incredibly brave."

"...Ah come on, you did it once. Can't let you have all the fun." Rainbow said with a chuckle, the lighter mood certainly made Twilight feel better. And luckily for Rainbow, her plan to make Twilight do so helped herself too. If Twilight knew what Dash was really thinking, the conversation would have been much different for sure.

Both ponies placed a hoof each on the massive doors before giving a nod to one another, and opening them to enter.

"SURPRISE!!!"

The word was heard loudly followed by a blast from Pinkie Pie's Party Cannon, covering both Rainbow and Twilight in confetti. Upon removing the colored paper from their eyes, Rainbow Dash was surprised to see not just Pinkie, but all her friends present; Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity stood alongside the other Princesses Luna and Celestia. Dash was at a loss of words trotting over.

"But...what are all of you doing here?" She questioned.

"Well, Twilight got a message to Spike about what was going down, and he told us that being here was probably something you'd appreciate." Applejack told her, the answer made Dash look back to Twilight who gave a smile and a little wink in return. "We decided that you could use some support." Flutterfly continued on, then Rarity followed up after that. "Fortunately, all of us got here on time..." Herself and the others looking over to a certain party pony.

"What!?" Pinkie said. "I just found out..."

*FLASHBACK*

(One Minute Ago)

Pinkie Pie was busy making a delicious chocolate ganache for a tasty dessert she had prepared baking for the Cakes in Sugarcube Corner. Though while working at her traditional Pinkie Pie pace, the pony noticed a letter that her pet alligator Gummy had in his mouth with an apparent message on it. Quite curious of the note, she happily received it from her pet and quietly observed the note. And her eyes popped at the message...almost literally.

Girls,
The Princesses and I are sending out this message as quick as we can. We are going to attempt something very complicated, and we could all use your support here. Please come to The Royal Castle in Canterlot at morning. Hope you're all there.

Your friend,
Princess Twilight Sparkle

Upon finishing the message, she looked up at the clocks in the room she be in, seeing that she had a mere thirty seconds left before the time approached near. She screamed in horror what she had done.

"I HAVE TO GET THERE BEFORE I'M TOO LATE!!!" In a frantic panic, she began to spin her legs as fast as the eye could see. But then stopped, and slowly began to trot to the hidden broom closet in the back of the housing. Opening the door to a very dark and dim path that had another door at the end of the very short hall passage.

Pinkie Pie then proceeded to open the second door in the mysterious broom closet and walked through it, and without warning appeared in the main chamber of the Royal Castle, where all her friends and the Princesses looked on in pure befuddlement.

"Sorry I almost didn't make it, I just found out." She stated to a continued look of confusion from all ponies present. Just then a thought came to mind. "WAIT! I FORGOT TO TURN OFF THE OVEN!!!" And then in another fake out sprint, began to slowly prance back to the unexplained door that came out of nowhere. "Be right back..."

And left once more as Applejack, Rarity, among others hoofpalmed their faces as the door closing could be heard from a distance.

*END FLASHBACK*

Pinkie Pie just smiled cheerfully, while most in the chamber looked quite unamused. A bit of a chuckle came from the rainbow mare herself.

"Yep. Typical Pinkie Pie. Thanks for all of you coming. This really means a lot." Dash told them all, after a big nod of agreement, all them gave one group embrace. Then the words of Princess Celestia could be heard.

"Well, I don't believe there is any point to wait any further. Rainbow Dash, we are prepared to begin this process...I assume you are prepared?" She said, with her Royal Sister Luna by her side.

"I Guess so..." Was the response of the rainbow pony, who walked towards them, closer to the center of the main room. Rainbow listened closely for the Princesses were sure to instruct her on the upcoming transfer. Luna spoke first.

"Now Rainbow Dash, transferring Alicorn Magic into a non-alicorn is not something we have any knowledge or experience in. We are not still even entirely sure this is possible; so we cannot promise you this will go smoothly."

"I understand." Rainbow agreed to the task with a nod. Twilight then walked up and gave more instructions.

"Just remember, we don't really know if this is safe to try; so please Rainbow, if at any point you feel like something's wrong and you can't control the transferring magic anymore, don't hesitate to say so."

Rainbow gulped, perhaps a way to figuratively and literally swallow her fear. "Right..., so how DO I control it exactly?" Asking the sixty four thousand bit question.

"Well, we would simply use our horns to harness the magic, but sadly, you do not have that luxury. All I can suggest is try to remain calm and attempt to focus it somehow." Celestia replied in her calm, soothing voice as she often did. "To be safe, we will on go the transfer one at a time, but we NOT give you all of our magic."

The news of this was quite shocking to the remainder of The Mane Six. It was pretty clear that Twilight didn't perhaps explain EVERYTHING that was going to happen.

"Wait? You're all going to transfer your magic to Rainbow?" Rarity barked out in a shade of panic. The comment made Fluttershy cringe in fear as well. "Oh, I hope this is safe." She clinged onto Rarity upon saying so.

"Well, at least I came prepared..." Pinkie cheerfully claimed, the others turned to her seeing she had a big bag of popcorn in hand, shoveling a mouthful in her mouth, ready for the show to go on.

Rainbow Dash then quickly intervened to ask. "Wait, what do you mean you're not going to give me all your magic? Isn't that the point of this?"

Celestia understood Rainbow's question, but it was clear she did not know the severity of what would happen. "There are two issues with doing a complete power transfer Rainbow Dash. Firstly, transferring all our magic would give us no way to get our magic back from you if something were to go wrong. You would potentially have multiple Alicorns worth of magic trapped within you." Luna then followed. "Secondly, even now we are using our magic to keep the Invisibility Spell working to keep Equestria protected. By transferring all our magic, you alone would be responsible to keep the spell active...Unless you can convince us you would control all this magic and keep the spell afloat in a instant right now..." The smug look on Luna's face told Rainbow to say the right answer.

"Okay...fair enough. Not ready or able to do that. Just thought I'd ask." Rainbow conceded, and took a step back to let them do what they needed to do.

The lightness of the room became serious, it was time to commence. The three princesses present stood side by side by side; Twilight by Celestia by Luna. The Princess of The Day looked down to her once pupil and began to instruct directions.

"Twilight Sparkle, whenever you are ready..." Celestia stated. Twilight gave a nod and then looked to her friend who took a defensive stance, wings spread; Rainbow was ready almost looking like she wanted Twilight to get on with.

"Stand back everypony!" Twilight ordered the room. The others in the room took several hoofsteps back to give more room. Then Twilight's horn began to glow, her eyes brightened in light, and a surge of magical power released in the direction of Rainbow Dash, hitting her full strength. All covered their eyes at first from the sheer brightness that engulphed the room.

Rainbow's teeth gritted as she took the impact of the magic absorbing into her. Whether or not Rainbow could use it was still a question, but she could definitely feel it becoming stronger by the second. The others looked on with severe nerves while Dash was shaking, making the occasional deep wince.

"Rainbow! Are you alright!?" Twilight called out her name as the remains of what Alicorn Magic she could disperce was transfered to her friend.

After some faint cries of gasping exhales, she spoke. "Keep...going!"

"OH, I can't watch..." Fluttershy cried out in emotional suffering while she looked over to Pinkie, who now was wearing sunglasses to tone down the light, scooping more popcorn in her mouth, making Fluttershy roll her eyes...

Once Twilight had finished her sequence of magic, it was time for the second. "Whenever you're ready Luna." Princess Celestia told her younger sister, who spread wings and began the process herself. The magic came out swift and direct, also making impact on Dash in full. The impact felt twice as hard as the first. Rainbow felt like she was doing well, what she didn't know was the tip of her wings were starting to turn red, a glowing red at that, the magic also made her begin to float in the air without even the usage of her wings. It caught the eye of Twilight as well as Celestia; it wasn't certain if it was a good or bad sign, or if it was even working or not. The pain Rainbow was feeling became harder to hide as well, even though Dash knew she should say something like Twilight told her...she knew she couldn't. Pain was for the weak, a strong and brave pony would fight on...and so she did. Rainbow Dash may have been trying to hide it, but it wasn't working; the whole room could she the anguish on her face at this point, becoming worse and worse by the moment; soon Rainbow would have two Alicorn's worth of magic to have to control, which she continued to do an amazing job of. The others were getting concerned, Twilight especially, unsure if all was well.

"Rainbow, say something!" Twilight called out to Dash, hoping for any kind of answer. After what seemed like the length of a moon.

"Don't...stop! I can...take it!" Rainbow yelled out, the pain in her voice was clearly heard.

Twilight didn't know what to do, Celestia began to prepare as Rainbow wished. Twilight Sparkle turned to her mentor to see the worry and sorrow of what she was about to begin. "Princess, are you sure about this???"

"No..." Was Celestia's only word of responseWith a pause, Celestia's horn began to glow a bright yellow; and soon she did the same as the two Princesses before. But it seemed almost instantly, and soon as the force of magic connected at Rainbow Dash, the room emitted in a blinding light, making all the ponies shut their eyes tightly.

The light illuminated extremely bright, but before it could dim, the ponies could hear Rainbow call out for help.

"TWILIGHT!!!" She yelled out. Twilight left the side of Celestia to gallop and race to her friend in need. Luna held back the others with her little available magic to try as well to ensure their safety.

"Rainbow Dash! I'm here!" Twilight held Rainbow to comfort. Dash's wings went from the tips turning red to now her entire wingspan began to glow as bright as the room and engulf her entire wingspan.

"IT'S SURGING, WHAT DO I DO!? I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN..."

Suddenly, Dash's eyes turned pale white and an incredible energy blasted from her wings, careening Twilight aback. Luna used what little magic she had left to create a shield to protect the other Mane Six, and Celestia stopped her transfer to protect Twilight. The energy Rainbow was emitting was astounding, but unstable. Shattering glass window panes and other nearby objects.

Celestia called out to her sister and once pupil to assist her. "Luna, Twilight we must extract the magic, quickly!"

"NO!!" A cry from Rainbow could be heard, to tell them not to intervene, but it was for Dash's protection and the others as well. The Princesses had to, it was for everypony's well being. After what seemed out an eternity, the Princesses absorbed the Alicorn Magic to their rightful possessors, leaving Rainbow Dash once again magicless; the exhaustion of trying to control the power she had made Dash collapse to the floor below. Now safe from any danger or fear of danger, Rainbow's friends ran over to help her; other them a slight shiver she let off, Dash appeared to be fine.

"That...was...incredible!!!" Pinkie Pie gave with an enthusiastic cheer.

"Ohh...I don't think it was for all of us..." Fluttershy looked to her with worry for their friend.

"Dash, are you alright Sugar Cube? Say something..." Applejack gave a helping hoof to Dash getting her back to all fours. Rainbow had a bit of spaghetti legs, but gathered herself.

"...why?" She moaned to the Princesses before her, wondering why they stopped the magical transfer. To Rainbow's surprise though, the Princesses did not have any look of pessimism. In fact, quite the opposite reaction was given.

"That was very good Rainbow Dash." Celestia announced in a proud voice of confidence to the young filly. But Rainbow was frankly insulted by the kind words.

"Good!? How can you say that was good? I failed...epically." Rainbow moaned, making a stomp of her hoof in frustration.

"But why? You make it sound like you did bad darling?" Rarity told her. Rainbow huffed at the remark.

"Well, I did didn't I..." Everyone then chuckled at the comment that Dash made. She looked around at all in the room in pure befuddlement at their reaction. "What's so funny?"

Twilight then approached her with a look of pride. The other Princesses followed close behind.

"Rainbow Dash, you managed to take in the magic of three Alicorn Princesses." Twilight told her.
"And you were able to use that magic without hurting yourself or anypony else." Celestia then followed. Luna then also added. "What you did was truly amazing!"

Rainbow thought hard about what the Royal Sisters and her friend told her, and they were right. She never truly realized the immense pressure she had put upon herself to get everything right, that just getting on the right path was an awesome feat enough.

"Seriously daring, you didn't REALLY think you were going to be able fully control three alicorn's of magic on your first try, did you?" Rarity asked her with a raised eyebrow; Rainbow gave a quiet little chuckle at the question.

"Well, I guess I did..." Dash admitted. The pride of Rainbow Dash was undeniable, but pride she learned sometimes also brings unrealistic expectations upon yourself.

"Rainbow, remember what I told you..." Twilight told her friend, putting a hoof down on her shoulder to help her up. "Seriously, you did better than I did in my first trainings. You should be very proud of yourself."

"Twilight, I get that it took a couple months for you to learn completely, but I only have a couple of days. I need to learn how to use this stuff, and fast."

"You must have patience Rainbow Dash." Came the words from Princess Celestia, garnering the attention of all present. "We will continue to train you as long as you wish. You can even stay here in the castle if you choose to."

Rainbow apricated the gesture that was given to her, probably the closest thing to a grant of immunity she may ever get in her life; and she certainly greatful for it.

"I'm sure you're discouraged, but remember, you must learn to trot before you gallop. It will take time, but you're sure to improve with that time."

And with Celestia's final statement, the royals decided that it was time to let their guest recover. The Princesses went on their way while the Mane Six left the opposite, until a thought came to Pinkie.

"Wait a minute...Rainbow Dash already knows how to trot. What did that even mean?" The others just shook their heads at the lack of Pinkie not getting an analogy. Rainbow tailed back behind the group and came to a stop to observe her surroundings. To say the past day had been eventful would be a quite silly comparison of what a normal day would be. Dash was going through things that could only be rivaled to an actual Alicorn Ritual, but in ways it was just as rare and unheard of. She literally went through something no Non-Alicorn ever experienced; and would surely have to do it again multiple times to come. Uncertainty clouded her mind of thought, but these weren't the typical clouds that she could just buck away to create a clear, sunny day. Her pondering made her unaware that the others were looking back at her, wondering if she was lost in her head or not.

"Uh Dashie?" Rarity asked her friend. "Are you coming with us darling?"

Rainbow looked to her friends and then outside to the horizon, the imaginary illumination of a sky that was protecting Equestia from Raindoom as they stood, keeping the dose of reality at the forefront. Dash turned back to her friends.

"You go ahead. I think I need some time by myself."

While they were disappointed, they obviously understood her request. Most of them would need to return home before the night's end, but they knew that they could still be in conversation later in the day; there was still plenty of time to enjoy themselves. So the rest of them, including Twilight left Dash on her own; although Twilight did give one last glance back to Rainbow staring out the giant castle panes, slightly cracked along others shattered from the turn of events, she would so join her other friends. Rainbow Dash was now by herself, her thoughts to her own, knowing that the intensity of what had just transpired today was only the beginning...