Luna's Revenge

On a typical day, Rainbow Dash could be seen lazing about in the clouds. Or by some stroke of luck, actually doing her weather duties. Today was different. The daring pony had decided to race around the lands and practice her skills. Maybe even set off a sonic rainboom. The sky was literally the limit.

On her excursion, she noticed something out of place. Ahead of her, a purplish alicorn was also maneuvering through the clouds. Except no one ever came out here. No one except Rainbow Dash.

I wonder who that is? Looks familiar but…nah, it CAN’T be Luna! She smirked and banked left, slowly gaining altitude for a possible sonic rainboom. Yet that thought still nagged her. A princess out here in nowhere. What business could she possibly have?

Ugh, I just have to know! Even if it’s not my business. I could just say I was looking out for her.

Rainbow Dash abandoned the sonic rainboom and declined back to a lower altitude. Of course she had lost sight of the mysterious pony but it wouldn’t be that hard to find her again. Rainbow Dash was fast, fast enough to zip around and locate the subject of her curiosity.

A glimmer just happened to catch her eye down below her some 100 feet. The glint of that same purplish mane. Dash made quick little spirals and alighted smoothly onto a cave ledge. By now the alicorn was nowhere to be seen.

Well there’s nowhere else to hide out here. She probably went into that big, dark, s-scary cave…NO, you are NOT afraid of a cave. You are Rainbow Dash! The fiercest, bravest pony ever! If Princess Luna is in there, it is your, no, MY job to make sure she is safe. Get your hindquarters in there!

Dash dragged her hoof along the ground twice and snorted before yelling, “CHARGE!” and sprinting into the cave.

“Princess Luna! Are you in here? Luuuunnnaaa. Uh, hello? Anyone home? You know, I SAW you come in here. So don’t try and hide.” Dash frowned and tried to peer through the darkness surrounding her. She could just barely see her own hooves beneath her.

Ohmygosh, this is kinda scary. I know I’m supposed to be brave but this is a little too weird…

“WHO DARES INTRUDE UPON OUR BUSINESS?! FURTHERMORE, WHO DARES TO STALK US?!”

“Er, uh, OH! Me, Rainbow Dash! I do! I didn’t know if you were safe or not so I came to check up on you. You know, ‘cause you’re a princess.” Dash grinned meekly, in the hopes that Luna would see her innocence (okay, she was prying) even in this dark cave.

“Oh, is that you, Rainbow Dash? Well I suppose I can let you in on what I’m doing. Just come further into the cave, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh, uhhhh okay. If you say so.” As soon as Dash trotted off to find Luna, the cave became illuminated—but the entrance also became sealed by an iron gate. A metal grate slid over the front of it to prevent anyone seeing in. Or out.

Uh oh. This is not looking good. But you’re brave, you can do it!

What Dash didn’t know was that the cave was vastly huge and had many rooms and turnoffs. She rounded the next right and saw Luna patiently waiting for her. Luna looked regal and divine. Her hooves were crossed and her dark mane was flowing.

“I want to take you on a tour of my, er, second home. Yes, I visit this cave frequently. It’s not even really a cave, more like a home. What with all the modern accommodations I’ve made.” Luna looked back at Dash as she walked, a pleasant, somewhat-knowing smile aimed at Dash. Luna giggled slightly and then turned her head back around.

“Oh that sounds great. But uh can we hurry this up? I haven’t cleared my quota of clouds today and I think there’s some big things schedule—.” A purple hoof was jammed into Dash’s mouth, a grim gaze locked onto the mare’s violet eyes. Tension crowded Luna’s face.

“Oh don’t worry about such things. There are plenty of efficient ponies in Cloudsdale that will handle your clouds. One pony missing won’t be noticed.” At this Luna squinted her eyes, her cheeks tilted up into something cunning and mysterious. Suddenly Luna reverted back to her happy, royal self. “Now, come on! We’ve got a lot to see and do, my friend!” She trilled. Her hoofsteps reverberated off the cave walls, sounding light and happy despite the foreboding feeling Dash was getting. She gulped and mustered up some remaining bravado before following after the quirky princess.