Dark Memoriesby Firo BlazeChaptersNo Time For NowJust FlyingChains of DeterminationNo Time For NowRainbow Dash awoke with tears running down her face, soaking the cloud she was perched on. It was the middle of the night, and the only other pony up would be the princess of the night. Rainbow Dash wiped at her cheeks with a cold hoof. Why did she have to be such a cry baby? It sickened her and she would have scoffed at herself, but didn't have the energy. She was exhausted from the hours spent trying to muffle her desperate sobs. Rainbow didn't want to be caught looking like this, so she told her friends that she had over trained yesterday morning, but in reality she was in need of some alone time. She needed time to shed her emotions, to forget about what happened, and about what will happen. Rainbow stretched her wings and invited the cold air inside of her cloud. Fully awake, she decided to take an easy fly around Ponyville. She wiggled out of the cloud pocket she buried herself into, then flapped her wings until she was sure they would hold her. Her mind kept telling her how lame she was. Pathetic, loser, immature, heartless, crybaby... She hadn't realized how fast she was flying until she opened her eyes. Rainbow stopped and turned towards Ponyville only to see that it was nothing more than a speck in the distance. It dawned on her that she could leave if she wanted to. She had nothing to take with her, she didn't own much except the dress Rarity made for her for the Grand Galloping Gala, which she sent to her father. Her wings moved automatically, though, and slowly carried her back into town. She made her way onto the ground. Rainbow Dash landed and walked along the rivers bank. Those red eyes radiated in her mind once again, making her heart beat erratically. Why would she do that to Dash? That pony was Rainbow's hero, but then turrned into her nightmare. She was gone now, but still a threat. Rainbow just hoped that she wouldn't get any ideas to come back to get her, or her friends. She just had to push through it. Pretend that nothing bad was going to happen. She survived Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra and even when the abundance of Pinkie Pies were placed all over Ponyville. Could that even compare what's to come, though? She thought. While walking along the bank of the river, she heard a branch break in the science of the night. She whipped around and charged blindly ramming into something solid. She tumbled around for a bit, but in the end she was standing over her stalker, both hooves pressed into the pony's shoulders. Her eyes were determined, unafraid, but still puffy and red from crying. Rainbow glared at frightened emerald eyes. It only took her seconds to realize who it was. It was Soarin from the Wonderbolts. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" She exclaimed as she hopped off of him. Keep it cool, she reminded herself. She helped him up onto his hooves before acing a fake glare. "Why were you following me, and why are you up in the middle of the night?" He stared her on, which seemed weird to her with his kind eyes. "I saw you and thought maybe something was wrong, and besides, what are you doing up so late?" He pointed. Rainbow bit her bottom lip and viewed her options; fight with Soarin and most likely never be able to join the Wonderbolts, or restart on a better note. She knew what to choose, even if it means giving part of her pride up. She answered, "how about we just start over, my names Rainbow D-" "Dash," He interrupted her. "I know who you are, you have saved Equestria countless times." She rubbed her cyan hoof in the grass and starred down at it. What am I doing, she thought, if I continue to waist my time... She swallowed and looked up at Soarin. "Um... I-I got to go." She said turning around, ready to leave. "Wait!" Soarin called after her, "Is something wrong? You look like you were cr-" She faced him with sudden anger in her glossy eyes, and said, "I don't cry." She turned around and ran as fast as her legs would allow her to. After a while her sprint had turned into a painful trot, as she wandered the lonely streets of the town. She sat in the ally of two shops, filth getting on her coat, and there she thought about everything at once. How to help her friends, get stronger, move faster, fly higher, and able to run longer and faster was now added to her list. Her ears twitched back and forth as she closed her eyes, stinging with fresh tears. Why was everything put on her? Rainbow Dash sobbed into her arm and did so until she felt herself being lifted off the ground. Her eyes were too blurry from tears to see correctly, so instead she leaned her head on the strange pegasi and slowly drifted off to sleep. White and golden light of Celestia's glorious morning sun was shining down, piercing Dash's sweet slumber. She used her hooves and rubbed the morning from her eyes and did a cat stretch to loosen her muscles. She opened her eyes and found herself in a trance; she was in a home, not a random cloud or a tree, but an actual Cloudsdale house. A memory of blood scattered on the soft, white cloud walls forced her eyes closed, and her knees buckled underneath her. "Are you okay, Dash?" A male voice said. She opened her eyes and saw Soarin slowly walking up towards her as he held onto a pan with both hooves. He placed a pie on the bed next to her very cautiously. Dash looked strangely at the pie until he explained, "I know it doesn't look edible, but it's my apology from yesterday to you. I felt bad when you ran away, so I went out to find you, and when I did," he looked down at the floor and scratched his leg with his own. "I'm sorry I never asked you, but I didn't want to leave you alone in the ally out there." He looked up at her and she let out a long sigh and stared out the window. "I've been upset for a while now, and I know that you're just being nice to me so you can find out what, but I can't tell you. It would hurt too much," Rainbow never kept her eyes away from the open window. She gave her wings a little flap, then they suddenly contracted, and she swallowed a gasp. The pain in her muscles seemed to double over night, but she stood and forced herself to walk up to the window. Without saying another word, she flew out the window, not giving a second look behind her. Even when her stomach growled like a wild creature from the Everfree Forest, she never stopped moving. Rainbow knew there was no leisure anymore, because if she took one second of time away from training on anypony, it could cost several ponies their lives. Just FlyingFive mares looked up at the clear blue sky in wonder, none of them sure what to say. Rainbow Dash cleared all the clouds before most ponies were up and walking. The five looked up at Dash as she flew around one single cloud in the sky. She hit it, flew away, then dove from above to pierce it from above. "What's she doin' Twi?" Applejack asked. They all looked back up at Rainbow as she cursed at the cloud. Twilight stared at the cyan pegasus and answered, "I'm not sure. Fluttershy, can you fly up there and ask her to come down to talk?" The shy pegasus nodded and few up with caution. As she approached Dash she noticed her coat was covered in sweat that dripped off of her. Fluttershy swallowed, "Um... Dashie? C-can you, um, talk to us? If that's alright with you." She hid in her pink hair as Rainbow Dash flew up next to her. Fluttershy looked into her eyes and was shocked by the sadness inside of them, "Not now, Shy. Maybe another time, I have to-" she cut herself off to find the right words "-I'm just flying, that's all, I'll catch up with all of you later, 'kay Shy?" She rubbed a hoof through Fluttershy's pink mane and few off without saying another word. Her heart twisted inside of her chest, and tears brimmed her eyes once more. Maybe I should train my friends to fight too, she thought. Don't be crazy, Rainbow Dash, this is your issue and I'm sure you don't want to concern them anymore then they already are. With that Dash's mind was set, a closed door that wasn't going to open for anyone. If she is going to save everypony she must train. She gained speed until she passed sound speed, Dash tried a second time, but failed. Disappointed she set her mind for the goal of the day: to make two Sonic Rainbooms in less then a minuet from one another. With the goal in her head she flew off with determination. She said she was "just flying", but she looked so sad. Like when Amy, my otter, loses her ball in the deep part of the river." Fluttershy looked around the table of her friends as they sat at Sugar Cube Corner. "I've noticed something," Princess Twilight frowned and sipped a cup of hot chocolate. "I know it doesn't sound logical, but I've felt like something bad is going to happen. Not just that, but I feel very... I don't know how to put it, doubting myself would be the best way. I don't feel so sure of what I'm doing, but I guess it could be because of the whole princess thing." She took a small bite of her food as Pinkie sighed while staring at her own. "Pinkie? Are you okay?" The girls looked at the hot pink maned pony. She stared at the cup of full cup of chocolate in front of her. "I've feel... Sad. Even laughing hurts, but I don't know why. Even Discord dressed in one of Rarity's dresses with ants crawling underneath it doesn't even tickle me in the least." She let out a long sigh as her hair suddenly flattened and a shadow loomed over her. A loud boom carried through the streets and into Sugar Cube Corner, no pony sure what to think the conversation continued. Twilight turned her attention to the other ponies around the table, and landed on Applejack. "Jack, is your cider warm enough?" Applejack shook her head, "Nah! It 'tis colder then the middle of winter!" The corners of Twilights mouth fell, "Applejack, are you lying?" "Me lie? Come on Twi, you're talkin' to the Element of Honesty." "Well, I know that I'm talking to the Element of Honesty, but Jack your cider is steaming." She pointed a hoof towards the steaming cup of cider before Applejack. A laps of silence followed, then a boom filled it and the building and ground shook slightly. No mare at the table noticed, they all watched Applejack as her greens eyes slowly cleared over. The mares around the table looked wearily at the stunned Applejack, "Ah am mighty sorry, y'all. Ah didn't notice one bit, it felt natural to meh." Twilight's expression went sour, "I need to confront Celestia about this, if you'll excuse me girls?" The four watched as the purple mare left two bits on the table and flew out the door with her newly found wings. "I hope her wings get cut off, or burned," Fluttershy mumbled with an angered expression. The other three around the table didn't speak a word, instead they sat looking at their pastries and steaming cups. Fluttershy gasped suddenly, "what is wrong with me? That was such an unkind thing to say." Rarity looked up at Fluttershy and said in her posh voice, "I wish I had your mane. It is so natural and light, plus with the extensions it looks so magnificent." Pinkie Pie abruptly sat up from the table and walked over to the stairs. Just before she left she said, "Girls, look at yourselves! You're falling apart as we speak, get your minds together, you're going to need them..." Pinkie walked up the stairs sluggishly, like all her energy was sucked out of her. Slowly, the others went on their ways, leaving a few bits on the table along with their half eaten pastries. Their cups were already starting to cool down as well as their hearts, each mare losing a piece of the love they thought they had. Chains of DeterminationNightfall came by the time Princess Celestia came out from a meeting to see the young aspiring Princess. Both walked down the hallway in cold silence as they waited for the Princess of the Night. Celestia had seen this day coming for years, but she had put it off, expecting the outcome to be less of an impact on the Elements. Then again, this had never happened before, so who could say what would happen? A blue mare walked up to the two in silence, then after walking down a few hallways they entered a large area of the castle that was filled with untouched grass. Twilight gave a look of confusion, and turned up to her mentor. "Princess Celestia, what are we doing here?" The Princess sighed, then started to hum like she was lost in a fantasy. After a few moments she asked, "Can you bring the other elements here? Using your magic, please." Celestia didn't look down at Twilight instead looked up at her sisters growing night. The stars were shinning their own melody one twinkling after another. Twilight looked confused, but did as the Princess said. She made her stance strong, then pointed her horn towards the empty field. A feeling swirled around her that tingled her sides and spread like a wild fire. She felt a power rip through her body as she started to float off the ground. Just as the power was at its peak she used it, think of her friends. The purple alicorn fell on the ground with a large thump, she looked up as Princess Luna snickered to herself. "The force that is to come is affecting the part of you that you need to live Princess Twilight," Celestia looked back at her student just as her sun falls behind the horizon and her sisters moon rises high in the sky. "Your magic is already failing you, it will only take a few days until it stops working all together." Twilight stares at where her friends would've been standing and sighs, not saying a word. Celestia puts a hoof on Twilights back as she sits next to her, "this time I will help you." She points her horn towards the open area with the thought of love and friendship in her mind. A glow beams from her horn and as if there was no effort, the five ponies where suddenly in front of the three alicorns. No pony could say a word before Celestia used her magic once more on the grassy area. As her golden magic swarmed across the area a large dome structure built itself up from the ground. It was white with blue trimming across the roof, wild flowers of several colors growing up the sides and a mysterious light from the inside shinning out. Rainbow Dash landed on the ground with anger in her heart, "Why did you bring us here, I don't have time for this." Princess Celestia ignored the Pegasus's quick anger and walked into the hidden building with the others following her. The walls were lit with torches along the dark, stone walls, spreading a dark vibe over the group. "This, my friends, is what we call the Training Meadow. Now, for several weeks you will spend your time in here with my lovely sister or I." "Your majesty," Rarity said bowing to the ground, "Why must we train in this filthy, dark, and unimaginative place?" She looked around while holding her right hoof from the ground. "Rarity, this is no time to be prissy." Rainbow blurted standing next to the white mare, "if you have a problem with a little dirt on your coat then you might as well dig your own grave." "Unfortunately the young Rainbow is correct," Celestia said gaining the eyes of her subjects once more. "It was a very long time ago when we last used this place and the time has come once more for its assistance. Would you like to tell the story Rainbow Dash, or would be fine with me explaining-" She was stopped short by the cyan mare who slowly floated to the ground. "I have to be the one to explain it. It was my fault in the first place." She swallowed hard and walked around the room until she reached the window seat in the back of the round room. Rainbow laid down and looked out to the night stars. "I was a little filly, curious, and always determined to find an answer to everything. I got that trait from the stallion who raised me, my father. I've always asked him why I never had a mother, but he never answered. One day I was sick of him not answering me so I went out to find my answer. There was this story about a mare who lived in the forest who could grant wishes, so I set out to find her. I spend two days in the Everfree Forest scared out of my mind, but my determination, and pride only grew until it swallowed me whole. "I found my answer as I entered this dark cave. I felt like I had to be there, like it was calling me, and as soon as I went in I regretted it." She paused to wipe a tear off her cheek, "inside was my mother tied to the wall with large chains. I wasn't sure how I figured out it was her, but it was a feeling I had deep inside of me that I just knew who she was. She was so beautiful, her coat was as bright as my eyes, her hair was the brightest blue, and I loved her. I just loved her so much that I never thought twice about why she was chained up. As soon as I ran up to her she looked down at me with these bright red eyes and smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back. One thing that I noticed right away was her lack of wings, but she wasn't a pegasus like I thought she would be, she was a unicorn. To me that didn't matter, I finally found my mother and I would get her out of there no matter what." Rainbow Dash looked Celestia in the eyes as the nodded to each other in understanding. "I found the key hanging on the wall, so I unlocked her. She walked with me outside of the cave and that's all I can remember." She left out the part of the screams and crashes she heard trying not to frighten her friends. Celestia walked up next to where Rainbow laid and said, "Her mother almost killed our Rainbow. She is strong and that's why Rainbow has been training, because she can feel her mother comming to take over Equestria. I'm not sure how much time we have, but we must get to work immediately. Now girls, do you want to continue?" She looked down at the arrangement of mares. They all felt like they where slowly loosing themselves, but at that moment they felt like their normal selves long enough to answer truthfully. Rainbow looked away from her friends and at the stars and she thought, I don't want my friends to be hurt. I will do anything to protect them, mother. If you hurt anypony I will find a way to destroy you and I will, no matter how long it takes. Rainbow walked out of the dome without a word and took off flying with determination in her eyes and inside of her heart. It wrapped around her like heavy chains, refusing to be unbound. Author's Note ... So, if you have an idea for the name of Dash's mom that'd be pretty great... Something dark too, you know... If you don't mind and stuff...
No Time For NowRainbow Dash awoke with tears running down her face, soaking the cloud she was perched on. It was the middle of the night, and the only other pony up would be the princess of the night. Rainbow Dash wiped at her cheeks with a cold hoof. Why did she have to be such a cry baby? It sickened her and she would have scoffed at herself, but didn't have the energy. She was exhausted from the hours spent trying to muffle her desperate sobs. Rainbow didn't want to be caught looking like this, so she told her friends that she had over trained yesterday morning, but in reality she was in need of some alone time. She needed time to shed her emotions, to forget about what happened, and about what will happen. Rainbow stretched her wings and invited the cold air inside of her cloud. Fully awake, she decided to take an easy fly around Ponyville. She wiggled out of the cloud pocket she buried herself into, then flapped her wings until she was sure they would hold her. Her mind kept telling her how lame she was. Pathetic, loser, immature, heartless, crybaby... She hadn't realized how fast she was flying until she opened her eyes. Rainbow stopped and turned towards Ponyville only to see that it was nothing more than a speck in the distance. It dawned on her that she could leave if she wanted to. She had nothing to take with her, she didn't own much except the dress Rarity made for her for the Grand Galloping Gala, which she sent to her father. Her wings moved automatically, though, and slowly carried her back into town. She made her way onto the ground. Rainbow Dash landed and walked along the rivers bank. Those red eyes radiated in her mind once again, making her heart beat erratically. Why would she do that to Dash? That pony was Rainbow's hero, but then turrned into her nightmare. She was gone now, but still a threat. Rainbow just hoped that she wouldn't get any ideas to come back to get her, or her friends. She just had to push through it. Pretend that nothing bad was going to happen. She survived Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra and even when the abundance of Pinkie Pies were placed all over Ponyville. Could that even compare what's to come, though? She thought. While walking along the bank of the river, she heard a branch break in the science of the night. She whipped around and charged blindly ramming into something solid. She tumbled around for a bit, but in the end she was standing over her stalker, both hooves pressed into the pony's shoulders. Her eyes were determined, unafraid, but still puffy and red from crying. Rainbow glared at frightened emerald eyes. It only took her seconds to realize who it was. It was Soarin from the Wonderbolts. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" She exclaimed as she hopped off of him. Keep it cool, she reminded herself. She helped him up onto his hooves before acing a fake glare. "Why were you following me, and why are you up in the middle of the night?" He stared her on, which seemed weird to her with his kind eyes. "I saw you and thought maybe something was wrong, and besides, what are you doing up so late?" He pointed. Rainbow bit her bottom lip and viewed her options; fight with Soarin and most likely never be able to join the Wonderbolts, or restart on a better note. She knew what to choose, even if it means giving part of her pride up. She answered, "how about we just start over, my names Rainbow D-" "Dash," He interrupted her. "I know who you are, you have saved Equestria countless times." She rubbed her cyan hoof in the grass and starred down at it. What am I doing, she thought, if I continue to waist my time... She swallowed and looked up at Soarin. "Um... I-I got to go." She said turning around, ready to leave. "Wait!" Soarin called after her, "Is something wrong? You look like you were cr-" She faced him with sudden anger in her glossy eyes, and said, "I don't cry." She turned around and ran as fast as her legs would allow her to. After a while her sprint had turned into a painful trot, as she wandered the lonely streets of the town. She sat in the ally of two shops, filth getting on her coat, and there she thought about everything at once. How to help her friends, get stronger, move faster, fly higher, and able to run longer and faster was now added to her list. Her ears twitched back and forth as she closed her eyes, stinging with fresh tears. Why was everything put on her? Rainbow Dash sobbed into her arm and did so until she felt herself being lifted off the ground. Her eyes were too blurry from tears to see correctly, so instead she leaned her head on the strange pegasi and slowly drifted off to sleep. White and golden light of Celestia's glorious morning sun was shining down, piercing Dash's sweet slumber. She used her hooves and rubbed the morning from her eyes and did a cat stretch to loosen her muscles. She opened her eyes and found herself in a trance; she was in a home, not a random cloud or a tree, but an actual Cloudsdale house. A memory of blood scattered on the soft, white cloud walls forced her eyes closed, and her knees buckled underneath her. "Are you okay, Dash?" A male voice said. She opened her eyes and saw Soarin slowly walking up towards her as he held onto a pan with both hooves. He placed a pie on the bed next to her very cautiously. Dash looked strangely at the pie until he explained, "I know it doesn't look edible, but it's my apology from yesterday to you. I felt bad when you ran away, so I went out to find you, and when I did," he looked down at the floor and scratched his leg with his own. "I'm sorry I never asked you, but I didn't want to leave you alone in the ally out there." He looked up at her and she let out a long sigh and stared out the window. "I've been upset for a while now, and I know that you're just being nice to me so you can find out what, but I can't tell you. It would hurt too much," Rainbow never kept her eyes away from the open window. She gave her wings a little flap, then they suddenly contracted, and she swallowed a gasp. The pain in her muscles seemed to double over night, but she stood and forced herself to walk up to the window. Without saying another word, she flew out the window, not giving a second look behind her. Even when her stomach growled like a wild creature from the Everfree Forest, she never stopped moving. Rainbow knew there was no leisure anymore, because if she took one second of time away from training on anypony, it could cost several ponies their lives.
Just FlyingFive mares looked up at the clear blue sky in wonder, none of them sure what to say. Rainbow Dash cleared all the clouds before most ponies were up and walking. The five looked up at Dash as she flew around one single cloud in the sky. She hit it, flew away, then dove from above to pierce it from above. "What's she doin' Twi?" Applejack asked. They all looked back up at Rainbow as she cursed at the cloud. Twilight stared at the cyan pegasus and answered, "I'm not sure. Fluttershy, can you fly up there and ask her to come down to talk?" The shy pegasus nodded and few up with caution. As she approached Dash she noticed her coat was covered in sweat that dripped off of her. Fluttershy swallowed, "Um... Dashie? C-can you, um, talk to us? If that's alright with you." She hid in her pink hair as Rainbow Dash flew up next to her. Fluttershy looked into her eyes and was shocked by the sadness inside of them, "Not now, Shy. Maybe another time, I have to-" she cut herself off to find the right words "-I'm just flying, that's all, I'll catch up with all of you later, 'kay Shy?" She rubbed a hoof through Fluttershy's pink mane and few off without saying another word. Her heart twisted inside of her chest, and tears brimmed her eyes once more. Maybe I should train my friends to fight too, she thought. Don't be crazy, Rainbow Dash, this is your issue and I'm sure you don't want to concern them anymore then they already are. With that Dash's mind was set, a closed door that wasn't going to open for anyone. If she is going to save everypony she must train. She gained speed until she passed sound speed, Dash tried a second time, but failed. Disappointed she set her mind for the goal of the day: to make two Sonic Rainbooms in less then a minuet from one another. With the goal in her head she flew off with determination. She said she was "just flying", but she looked so sad. Like when Amy, my otter, loses her ball in the deep part of the river." Fluttershy looked around the table of her friends as they sat at Sugar Cube Corner. "I've noticed something," Princess Twilight frowned and sipped a cup of hot chocolate. "I know it doesn't sound logical, but I've felt like something bad is going to happen. Not just that, but I feel very... I don't know how to put it, doubting myself would be the best way. I don't feel so sure of what I'm doing, but I guess it could be because of the whole princess thing." She took a small bite of her food as Pinkie sighed while staring at her own. "Pinkie? Are you okay?" The girls looked at the hot pink maned pony. She stared at the cup of full cup of chocolate in front of her. "I've feel... Sad. Even laughing hurts, but I don't know why. Even Discord dressed in one of Rarity's dresses with ants crawling underneath it doesn't even tickle me in the least." She let out a long sigh as her hair suddenly flattened and a shadow loomed over her. A loud boom carried through the streets and into Sugar Cube Corner, no pony sure what to think the conversation continued. Twilight turned her attention to the other ponies around the table, and landed on Applejack. "Jack, is your cider warm enough?" Applejack shook her head, "Nah! It 'tis colder then the middle of winter!" The corners of Twilights mouth fell, "Applejack, are you lying?" "Me lie? Come on Twi, you're talkin' to the Element of Honesty." "Well, I know that I'm talking to the Element of Honesty, but Jack your cider is steaming." She pointed a hoof towards the steaming cup of cider before Applejack. A laps of silence followed, then a boom filled it and the building and ground shook slightly. No mare at the table noticed, they all watched Applejack as her greens eyes slowly cleared over. The mares around the table looked wearily at the stunned Applejack, "Ah am mighty sorry, y'all. Ah didn't notice one bit, it felt natural to meh." Twilight's expression went sour, "I need to confront Celestia about this, if you'll excuse me girls?" The four watched as the purple mare left two bits on the table and flew out the door with her newly found wings. "I hope her wings get cut off, or burned," Fluttershy mumbled with an angered expression. The other three around the table didn't speak a word, instead they sat looking at their pastries and steaming cups. Fluttershy gasped suddenly, "what is wrong with me? That was such an unkind thing to say." Rarity looked up at Fluttershy and said in her posh voice, "I wish I had your mane. It is so natural and light, plus with the extensions it looks so magnificent." Pinkie Pie abruptly sat up from the table and walked over to the stairs. Just before she left she said, "Girls, look at yourselves! You're falling apart as we speak, get your minds together, you're going to need them..." Pinkie walked up the stairs sluggishly, like all her energy was sucked out of her. Slowly, the others went on their ways, leaving a few bits on the table along with their half eaten pastries. Their cups were already starting to cool down as well as their hearts, each mare losing a piece of the love they thought they had.
Chains of DeterminationNightfall came by the time Princess Celestia came out from a meeting to see the young aspiring Princess. Both walked down the hallway in cold silence as they waited for the Princess of the Night. Celestia had seen this day coming for years, but she had put it off, expecting the outcome to be less of an impact on the Elements. Then again, this had never happened before, so who could say what would happen? A blue mare walked up to the two in silence, then after walking down a few hallways they entered a large area of the castle that was filled with untouched grass. Twilight gave a look of confusion, and turned up to her mentor. "Princess Celestia, what are we doing here?" The Princess sighed, then started to hum like she was lost in a fantasy. After a few moments she asked, "Can you bring the other elements here? Using your magic, please." Celestia didn't look down at Twilight instead looked up at her sisters growing night. The stars were shinning their own melody one twinkling after another. Twilight looked confused, but did as the Princess said. She made her stance strong, then pointed her horn towards the empty field. A feeling swirled around her that tingled her sides and spread like a wild fire. She felt a power rip through her body as she started to float off the ground. Just as the power was at its peak she used it, think of her friends. The purple alicorn fell on the ground with a large thump, she looked up as Princess Luna snickered to herself. "The force that is to come is affecting the part of you that you need to live Princess Twilight," Celestia looked back at her student just as her sun falls behind the horizon and her sisters moon rises high in the sky. "Your magic is already failing you, it will only take a few days until it stops working all together." Twilight stares at where her friends would've been standing and sighs, not saying a word. Celestia puts a hoof on Twilights back as she sits next to her, "this time I will help you." She points her horn towards the open area with the thought of love and friendship in her mind. A glow beams from her horn and as if there was no effort, the five ponies where suddenly in front of the three alicorns. No pony could say a word before Celestia used her magic once more on the grassy area. As her golden magic swarmed across the area a large dome structure built itself up from the ground. It was white with blue trimming across the roof, wild flowers of several colors growing up the sides and a mysterious light from the inside shinning out. Rainbow Dash landed on the ground with anger in her heart, "Why did you bring us here, I don't have time for this." Princess Celestia ignored the Pegasus's quick anger and walked into the hidden building with the others following her. The walls were lit with torches along the dark, stone walls, spreading a dark vibe over the group. "This, my friends, is what we call the Training Meadow. Now, for several weeks you will spend your time in here with my lovely sister or I." "Your majesty," Rarity said bowing to the ground, "Why must we train in this filthy, dark, and unimaginative place?" She looked around while holding her right hoof from the ground. "Rarity, this is no time to be prissy." Rainbow blurted standing next to the white mare, "if you have a problem with a little dirt on your coat then you might as well dig your own grave." "Unfortunately the young Rainbow is correct," Celestia said gaining the eyes of her subjects once more. "It was a very long time ago when we last used this place and the time has come once more for its assistance. Would you like to tell the story Rainbow Dash, or would be fine with me explaining-" She was stopped short by the cyan mare who slowly floated to the ground. "I have to be the one to explain it. It was my fault in the first place." She swallowed hard and walked around the room until she reached the window seat in the back of the round room. Rainbow laid down and looked out to the night stars. "I was a little filly, curious, and always determined to find an answer to everything. I got that trait from the stallion who raised me, my father. I've always asked him why I never had a mother, but he never answered. One day I was sick of him not answering me so I went out to find my answer. There was this story about a mare who lived in the forest who could grant wishes, so I set out to find her. I spend two days in the Everfree Forest scared out of my mind, but my determination, and pride only grew until it swallowed me whole. "I found my answer as I entered this dark cave. I felt like I had to be there, like it was calling me, and as soon as I went in I regretted it." She paused to wipe a tear off her cheek, "inside was my mother tied to the wall with large chains. I wasn't sure how I figured out it was her, but it was a feeling I had deep inside of me that I just knew who she was. She was so beautiful, her coat was as bright as my eyes, her hair was the brightest blue, and I loved her. I just loved her so much that I never thought twice about why she was chained up. As soon as I ran up to her she looked down at me with these bright red eyes and smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back. One thing that I noticed right away was her lack of wings, but she wasn't a pegasus like I thought she would be, she was a unicorn. To me that didn't matter, I finally found my mother and I would get her out of there no matter what." Rainbow Dash looked Celestia in the eyes as the nodded to each other in understanding. "I found the key hanging on the wall, so I unlocked her. She walked with me outside of the cave and that's all I can remember." She left out the part of the screams and crashes she heard trying not to frighten her friends. Celestia walked up next to where Rainbow laid and said, "Her mother almost killed our Rainbow. She is strong and that's why Rainbow has been training, because she can feel her mother comming to take over Equestria. I'm not sure how much time we have, but we must get to work immediately. Now girls, do you want to continue?" She looked down at the arrangement of mares. They all felt like they where slowly loosing themselves, but at that moment they felt like their normal selves long enough to answer truthfully. Rainbow looked away from her friends and at the stars and she thought, I don't want my friends to be hurt. I will do anything to protect them, mother. If you hurt anypony I will find a way to destroy you and I will, no matter how long it takes. Rainbow walked out of the dome without a word and took off flying with determination in her eyes and inside of her heart. It wrapped around her like heavy chains, refusing to be unbound. Author's Note ... So, if you have an idea for the name of Dash's mom that'd be pretty great... Something dark too, you know... If you don't mind and stuff...
