Hours Once Gone

Rainbow bowed before her majesty, stained glass windows lining the walls in the beautiful throne room. Iridescent light poured through the windows, bouncing off Rainbow's multicolored mane.

"Thank you for coming so quickly. I was about to deliver a message to Spike in order to summon you, but it seems you found your way to me on your own." Princess Celestia smiled, standing in front of Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow stood up, immediately flapping her wings and springing off the ground. Her manners lasted for all of about thirty seconds. "So what's the deal? Somepony causing you trouble? I'll handle them for you. The map clearly brought me here so I could beat somepony up for you."

Celestia maintained her smile in the face of Rainbow Dash's eager attitude. "Unfortunately, my little pony, it's not quite that simple…" Celestia turned her head and levitated an object to the two of them.

It was strange. It had the appearance of a disembodied unicorn horn, but it wasn't normal. The coloration was red like blood, and it curved backwards like the horn of a rhino. The malformed shape and crimson hue were somewhat unsettling. It almost felt as if Rainbow had seen it before. Her eyes were glued to the object with interest.

"This horn once belonged to someone I knew," Celestia said. "A unicorn who I thought I'd never cross paths with again… I thought that by removing their horn, they wouldn't cause anymore trouble. However, they've returned, and I fear it's without good intentions." Celestia's expression grew somber as if reminiscing about this pony was painful.

Rainbow put a hoof to her chest confidently. "Hey, just tell me where this hornless unicorn is and I can show them what's up! What threat can they be without a horn?"

Celestia shook her head, before levitating the horn back to the container she took it from. "Somehow, she's stolen the Alicorn Amulet from it's hiding place. Normally, without a horn it would be useless… however, she's taken it through the Crystal Mirror."

Rainbow's eyes widened. "What, you mean she's trying the same thing as Sunset Shimmer."

"I'm afraid this is a much more dire situation, but…" Celestia glanced at Rainbow's cutie mark. "If the map puts its faith in you to solve this… then I will as well."

Rainbow felt her heart jump in her chest as if it wanted to take off and fly. Her eyes lit up, feeling those words echo through her. Princess Celestia was putting her faith in her to stop a great evil. Really, it didn't get much more exciting than this. Rainbow squealed before pumping her hoof into the air.

"Alright! You got it princess, I won't let you down." She smiled from cheek to cheek. "Whatever this pony is planning, I'll put a stop to it no problem!"

A smile found its way onto Celestia's worried face. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash. Before you go…"

Celestia levitated a small chest over before opening it. Inside was a pair of goggles, somewhat similar to the ones used by the Wonderbolts. Although, it looked kind of antique. The rims were gold with a black strap. On the right side of the goggles was a small cog wheel that could be turned.

"These were the goggles used by the Wonderbolt Light Speed, said to be enchanted. What they're enchanted with… I don't know, but I'm sure it will be of use to you." Celestia gave them over to Rainbow.

With those goggles in her hooves, Rainbow's wings began to flap even faster with excitement. "Wait, hang on, you mean the legendary Light Speed? The super duper world famous Light Speed who broke every record of her time? And these… are the goggles made famous by the Wonderbolt's outfit designer Yester Hay?" Rainbow Dash stared up at Celestia, who nodded in response. "Oh. My. Gosh."

Rainbow's heart was beating in her chest. It was a childhood dream fulfilled to be holding such an awesome relic. Her wings fluttered even faster and faster as she looked down at the accessory.

"I don't know what to say, this is awesome!" Her voice squeaked with joy. This would be a day to remember.

"The one you're after is named Scarlet Snow," Celestia interrupted. "It's very important that you keep your guard up around her, especially now that she has the Alicorn Amulet in her possession."

Rainbow nodded. "No problem, Scarlet is as good as dealt with!" She laughed, before putting the goggles on her head and twirling around like an overexcited filly.

Celestia lowered her head and smiled. "Right, I have faith in you…" She then turned to face a particular stained glass window.

The image depicted two alicorns working together to remove the horn of a unicorn below with beams of magic. That unicorn with a mane black as coal and eyes as red as rubies.