An unexpected surprise

Chapters

The start
A dark reconnection
A past recollection
More problems
The End

The start

It started like any other day in Ponyville; Rainbow Dash was clearing the clouds for another beautiful day. She was anxious to get done, for this was the two-year friendship anniversary of her and her friends. They were to meet at Sweet Apple Acres around noon to have a picnic and have some fun. She cleared the sky in ten seconds flat, and then went to their favorite tree at Sweet Apple Acres. Considering she was ahead by an hour, she decided to take a small nap while she waited for the rest of them to show up.

***

Rainbow yawns. She gets up, stretches, and then opens her eyes. What she saw she couldn’t believe. She was still at Sweet Apple Acres, and the sun was setting. Her friends never showed up.

“What? Why didn’t they show up?” Rainbow said. Her immediate reaction was to the nearest place: Sweet Apple Acres. She went up to the front door and knocked. Normally, Applejack would answer the door, but Big Macintosh answered instead.

“Is Applejack here?” Rainbow asked.

“Nope” Big Mac said.

“Do you know where she is?”

“Nope”

“Do you at least know where she headed last?”

“Nope”

Rainbow groaned as she flew off to Sugarcube Corner. She went inside and saw Mrs. Cake.

“Oh, hello, Rainbow Dash. What brings you here?” Mrs. Cake asked.

“Have you seen Pinkie Pie? I can’t find her anywhere.” Rainbow asked.

“I’m afraid I haven’t. I would tell you if I have, but I haven’t seen her all day. Sorry I can’t be of help.”

Rainbow then heads out the door to Twilight’s tree house. After knocking on the door for about five minutes, Spike answers the door.

“Is Twilight here?” Rainbow asked

“No, I haven’t seen her all day. I’m getting worried.” Spike said.

“Well, would you happen to know where they went?”

“Last I saw, they were heading towards Town Hall. Does that help?”

“Yes. Actually, that does help.” Rainbow Dash flew over to Town Hall. She couldn’t believe she didn’t realize it earlier. They were having the party at Town Hall. They must’ve come looking for her at her home, but couldn’t find her considering she was at their tree. Though she felt stupid, she burst through the Town Hall doors with a smile.

“Don’t worry girls, I’m-“

The room was dark. Not a sound, not a pony.

“Here.” She was upset. She sighed as she shut the door behind her. She went back to the tree house and knocked on the door again. Spike came out.

“Twilight?” He said hopefully, and then saw Rainbow Dash. “Oh.”

“Sorry, Spike. I can’t find any of them anywhere. I don’t know where else to look.” Rainbow said, disappointed, “This was supposed to be our two-year anniversary of our friendship. Where could they have gone?”

“I wish I knew. Twilight doesn’t usually stay out this long. Who else could know?”

“I’m… not sure. Who could I ask?”

“Well, what about Octavia and Vinyl? They might know.”

“That is a possibility.” She then flew off to their home. She got to their home and knocked on the door. Of course, Vinyl was playing her- dub step, as she called it- and it was too loud for anyone to hear anything; especially her knocking on the door. So she kicked it open and saw Octavia trying to play some music on her cello, but couldn’t concentrate because of the dub step. Vinyl Scratch, seeing Rainbow kick in the door, turned off the dub step.

“Hey, Rainbow Dash. Why you bustin’ in my door for?” Vinyl asked.

“Well, I’m trying to find my friends. I was hoping you knew where to find them.” Rainbow said, “And I was knocking for, like, five minutes.”

“That doesn’t give you any reason to kick our door down.” Octavia stated. Rainbow hated her voice. Rainbow and Vinyl have been friends since they were fillies, but when Octavia moved in, she didn’t come around as often, but considering they both loved music, Vinyl let her stay, which was a complete mystery to Rainbow, how two opposite types of music can live under one roof.

Rainbow sighed then spoke.

“Well, would you two happen to know where they are?”

“I don’t. Sorry, Rainbow,” Vinyl said, “What about you, Octavia?”

“I can’t say that I have. Sorry I can’t be of any help.” She said.

“I mean, Twilight did stop by earlier, but she didn’t stay very long, and she didn’t seem like she was in trouble.” Vinyl said.

“Well, thanks anyways.” Rainbow said, slowly going out the door and shutting it behind her. After she shut the door, the dub step started almost immediately after, giving her a fright. After catching her breath, she started going door-to-door, pony-to-pony, trying to find anything she could. Anything. Then she remembered: There were three more places she could look; The Boutique, Fluttershy’s cottage, and the park. She immediately flew to the park. It was almost dark now; she could hardly see. Considering her place was on the way to the park, she stopped by her place to grab a headlamp. After putting it on, she flew to the park. After searching and searching, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Excited, she looked over there. It was a bunny. “Oh, man. What am I gonna do? I wish I cou- Wait. A bunny?” She looked over at the bunny. It was a pure white, and it was eating a carrot. It was Angel. Rainbow flew over to Angel and nabbed him up.

“Please tell me you know where Fluttershy is.” Rainbow said. Angel, being unable to speak, simply shook his head.

“Well, ok. Let me take you home.” She said as she started flying towards Fluttershy’s cottage.

***

After checking Fluttershy’s cottage and Rarity’s Boutique with no luck, she went back to Twilight’s tree house. Before she knocked on the door, she was hit over the head and was knocked out. A hooded figure stands over her with a wicked smile.

A dark reconnection

Rainbow Dash awakes with a gasp. She immediately jumps up and starts flying, looking franticly around the room. She is in a dark room. Where, she doesn’t know. Though her night-vision is exceptional, she could not see a thing. Eventually, she spots some light. Without a second thought, she flies towards it. When she arrives, she sees some sort of device. The device was large; it went up close to the light that was shining down on it, which was, as she estimated, a mile up. It curved up in an arch. It almost reminded her of a crane because of how big it was. There were wires coming up from the ground, which came up to a helmet, which was above a chair, but the helmet wasn’t suspended. Somepony was hooked up to it. Rainbow couldn’t tell who it was; the pony was bound and blindfolded and wearing a solid black suit. Strangely, the only thing showing was their flanks and their muzzle. She had to look at the flank, though, because there is no way to identify a pony by their muzzle. Slightly blushing, she looked at the pony’s flank. She gasped.

She stared in horror as she realized it was Twilight.

“Hello? Who’s there?” Twilight said softly. Immediately, Rainbow took off her blindfold to reveal Twilight’s eyes. Her eyes were closed, her face twisted with terror. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up to Rainbow, who was starting to become very emotional at the state her friend was in. Twilight’s face was bruised under her eyes and on her neck, and her nose was bleeding; the bright red flow of liquid freshly dripping off her muzzle. Along with the tears, Rainbow started filling with rage; she wanted to know who did this, and she wanted to know now.

“R- Rainbow?” Twilight said, “Oh, thank Celestia you found us!” She then looked around in the small light that they had. “Where are the others?”

A small chuckle echoed through the room. More lights came on, temporarily blinded the both of them. After being able to see again, she turned around and couldn’t believe her eyes. There were four more of the same devices that Twilight was hooked up to. She gasped as she realized it was the rest of her friends: Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie. Looking up, only five more lights turned on, creating a flower-like shape on the ground. The rest of the room was still dark, though. She took off all their blindfolds, and they all started talking at once.

“Hey, it’s Rainbow!”

“We’re gonna be ok!”

“Oh, thank goodness!”

“Please hurry! These chairs are so uncomfortable!”

Rainbow wasn’t really paying attention to them, though. She was more focused on that chuckle she heard. Who was it? Are they the one who did this? She then regained her focus and spoke.

“Don’t worry, girls. I’ll get you out of here”

“Don’t you touch them!” A gruff voice said. She looked around and didn’t see anyone.

“You see those devices they are hooked up to? With one push of a button, they will be dead. Don’t think for one second I won’t do it.”

“Who are you? Show yourself!” Rainbow shouted.

“Oh, you don’t know?” A hooded figure walks into the light. The hooded cape was a dark gray, tattered and torn. Immediately, the hood was thrown off, revealing the pony. It was a Pegasus; the wings were dragging across the floor, indicating they were broken. The pony’s coat, mane, and tail are completely frizzled, and she was completely dull of color. The pony was also wearing bandages around its waist and forelegs. Also, the pony was wearing an eye patch, a small trail of blood coming out from under it. Rainbow and her friends gasp in shock.

“Y- You’re… me?!” Rainbow said.

The pony chuckled and smiled.

A past recollection

“But… How… Why d-…” Rainbow was at a loss for words. How could she be looking at herself?

“Well, well. Loss for words, I see.” Future Rainbow stated. Rainbow could sense a little sarcasm in there, so she regained her composure and spoke.

“How did you get here? What do you want from us?”

“Excellent questions, my dear Rainbow. Allow me to explain.”

***

Date: Unknown

Location: Canterlot Caverns

“Come on, Twilight. You know I don’t have all day!” Rainbow said, flying above her purple friend. She was using her illuminated horn to guide them through the caverns that Celestia had asked them to explore, for the caverns recently opened back up after being closed for a millennia.

“I know, Rainbow. I realize your dream has come true. You are finally a Wonderbolt. After years of preparing and practicing, hard work and sacrifice, you got what you longed for. However, we can’t just go back and not do what the princess ordered us to do.”

“I have to meet them in an hour!” Rainbow felt a tugging on her tail, and was pulled backwards. She turned to see Applejack, who then spit out her tail.

We are moving as fast we can, Rainbow! We won’t be here much longer.” She said. Rainbow rolled her eyes and looked back at the others, who were slowly walking behind.

“Hey girls, I found something.” Twilight called. Rainbow was the first there, looking at the strange… thing… that lay in front of them. By the looks of it, it was some form of skeleton. However, this one was… well, as Twilight put it, a bipedal skeleton. Twilight picked it up, and one of the arms came off, being stuck under some rocks. Twilight estimated it was six feet tall, and wrote it down on a sheet of paper.

“Rainbow, could you grab that other arm?” Twilight said, focused on what she was writing. Rainbow walked over to the arm, poked it a little bit, then pulled on it with all her might. It wouldn’t budge. She pulled on it one more time, and it came out, making her lose her balance, and slamming her against the wall behind her. She let out a blood curdling scream. Twilight immediately put her attention on Rainbow, who was trying not to cry. Twilight looked at her wings, which were completely bent out of shape.

Her wings are completely broken.

Before Twilight could say anything, the cave began rumbling, and rocks were falling from up high. Applejack and Fluttershy immediately ran to Rainbow’s side, helping her stand up. They needed to get out of there. Twilight leading the way, they ran through the cavern, looking for the way out. Rainbow felt her wings dragging across the ground as she ran. When the found the exit, Rainbow was at the end of the group, and something hard hit her on the head. She fell to the ground, couple meters from the exit. They all kept running.

“No, wait…” Rainbow said weakly. Right as the last pony exit the cavern the exit closed and Rainbow passed out.

***

“When I awoke, I was under a pile of rubble.” Future Rainbow said, teary-eyed, “For two weeks, I was stuck in there. Two bucking weeks!” She paused. “And not once did anypony try and find me. After I got out of there, I went to Ponyville to be told that my so-called friends were in Canterlot. Upon arrival, I went to the castle, and saw them, talking to the princess. When I got close enough, I lunged at Twilight, hitting her repeatedly. After two or three hits, I was subdued by three of the guards. I broke free, and jumped at Twilight again. However, Applejack kicked me in the side, making me go across the room. Holding my side, I was picked up by the guards and was dragged out, looking at the ponies who betrayed me. I spent four months in the Canterlot Prison…” Future Rainbow looked at Rainbow, and smiled. “Then I broke out. However, the news reached Ponyville before I did, and they fled. So, I left the town and went to an old friend of mine, and he gave me an amulet.” She puffed her chest out, showing the purple amulet that was around her neck. “That is how I got here. However, I lost one of my eyes due to a side effect. No matter. I am here to enact my revenge on these five. Nothing is going to stop me!” Future Rainbow laughs maniacally, while the others sat there, mouths agape.

“What about me?” Rainbow asked. Future Rainbow looks at her, a big smile on her face.

“Why, you are going to help me of course.” Future Rainbow stated. Immediately, the other ponies began talking.

“Like she would ever help you!”

“Don’t listen to her Rainbow!”

“SILENCE!” Future Rainbow shouted, the sound echoing through the room they were in. The room was immediately quiet. “Let her decide.”

Rainbow looked at the ground. She didn’t know what to do, or who to side with.

“Well, are you with me, Rainbow?” Future Rainbow asked.

Rainbow winced at the sound of her name. She looked up at Future Rainbow, and sighed deeply.

“I’m with you.” Rainbow said.

The End

Rainbow closed her eyes. Lights shone through her eyelids as the sound of electricity cracked in her ears. Her ears fell down to her face, and tears were shed. It was done. There was nothing else she could do. Her ears started ringing louder with each crack of electricity.

She faintly heard maniacal laughter.

Next thing she knew, the electricity stopped. She couldn’t bear to open her eyes. She did not want to see the gruesome picture of the remains of her friends. She didn’t know what to do. Then she remembered the amulet. She remembered Future Rainbow telling her that the amulet sent her through time. She opened her eyes slowly, her vision hazy from her tears. She saw the shape of Future Rainbow standing next to her, smiling. And not paying any attention to her.

Perfect.

She slowly stood up, trying hard not to look over at the now blackened machines that sat in a circle around her. She stayed focused on her target: the amulet. She reached for the amulet, ever so slowly, and when it was within her grasp, she snatched it off Future Rainbow’s neck.

“Hey!” Future Rainbow said, and then she gasped. She held her neck, gasping for air. Before Rainbow could do anything, Future Rainbow fell to the ground, twitching slightly. Her skin began melting off, leaving the now bare muscle. Her muscle began bubbling violently. Rainbow knew what was going to happen. She ran behind one of the machines. Upon ducking behind the machine, Future Rainbow’s skinless body exploded, sending blood and guts everywhere. Rainbow looked up, and she saw the head rolling over to her. It stopped in front of her, and the eyes fell out, both touching her hoof, both eyes pupils up, looking directly at her. Rainbow jumped back, and then turned around. She looked down at the amulet. It was gold with a large purple gem in the middle, the gem in the shape of a square. She slowly put it on, and closed her eyes.

After a minute she opened her eyes again. Nothing happened. She couldn’t believe it.

“How does this thing work?” She said to no one. She tapped the gem twice, and it lit up. A voice in her head said, Think of your time and place, and you will receive it. She thought long and hard. 9:15 PM. Same place.

She opened her eyes with the sound of someone talking.

“Ha! Revenge is mine! No one can stop me now!”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

The light turned on, and Rainbow was blinded by the bright light. Rainbow remembered what happened: Celestia came to rescue us. After her vision cleared, she looked back out.

“It’s over. Time for you to go back into your own time” Celestia said.

At this, Future Rainbow snarled, and the amulet began to glow.

The battle has begun. Looking around, she spotted herself, lying in a crater. She ran to her side, and helped her up. The Rainbow of the past looked up at her. However, she wasn’t as surprised as Rainbow thought she would be. Rainbow looked over at Future Rainbow and Celestia. The battle was almost over. Without a second thought, Rainbow put down Past Rainbow and charged at Future Rainbow. She collided with her, barely stopping her from turning Celestia to stone. Rainbow looked at Future Rainbow, who was lying on the ground. She turned to Celestia, who was panting heavily. Celestia looked up to her and nodded slightly.

It was go time.

She turned back to Future Rainbow who was now on her feet.

“You know,” Rainbow started, “This is not your time. You need to go back. Now.”

“All I did was try and protect us… From them!” Future Rainbow said.

“I don’t need protecting from them! They would never do that to me!” Rainbow looked back at her friends, who were smiling, free from the machines, thanks to Celestia. The Past Rainbow was nowhere to be found. She looked down at her neck. The amulet was gone. She didn’t care at the moment. She had more important things to do.

“I’m glad to call these five ponies my friends. They are everything in the world to me. And you know, even if this ever did happen, it would be a sweet ride ‘till then!”

“The future is closer than you think, Rainbow.” Future Rainbow said. She tapped her amulet twice, and before anypony could do something, she was gone. Rainbow looked back at her friends, and then to Celestia, who had walked up to them. At that moment, her eyes were glowing white, and everything when black.

Rainbow awoke in her room with a gasp. She looked around the room. It was just a dream, she thought, as she crawled out of bed. She heard a knock on her door. She opened the door to see a mailpony.

“Morning, kid.” The mailpony said, handing Rainbow her mail. She stuck the mail in her mouth and flew off, shutting her door behind her. She arrived at Twilight’s tree house mere seconds later, and took the mail out of her mouth. She knocked on the door, and then started looking through her mail.

Coupons. I’ve been waiting for these, she thought. She groaned as she saw three bills. Then she saw a white envelope with no writing on it. She turned it over, and saw the Wonderbolts symbol for the seal. She gasped softly. She opened the letter instantly, and read it.

“Dear Rainbow Dash, It is my honor to invite you to the Wonderbolt Academy for your coronation to join the group. Be here at 5 PM today. Congratulations. From, Spitfire.” She had a smile on her face so big. She also didn’t notice that Twilight had opened the door about five minutes ago.

“Congrats, Rainbow.” Twilight said. Rainbow jumped, and looked at Twilight.

“Hey, Rainbow, will you help me gather up the rest of our friends? Celestia wants us to check out these underground caverns by Canterlot.”

Rainbow’s smile disappeared.