A Secret That Was Meant To Be Hidden

"Omigosh! I can't believe it's your birthday, Dashie!"

"Yes, Pinkie. I know it's my birthday. You've repeated it for the past ten minutes!!" Rainbow huffed.

"Yes darling, I agree with Rainbow. As soon as we stepped hoof on the train, you haven't, I do put it politely, shut your trap!"

"I know, Rarity! But it's been soooooooo exciting!! Twilight is now a princess and Rainbow is now 21 years old!"

"21, eh? Tha youngest out of all of us!"

"Yes, Applejack, I know that!" Rainbow moaned as she stared out the window.

"Darling, is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't it be? I'm happy. I mean, I'm now 21 years older."

"Well, you're going to be really happy when you get your presents!!" Pinkie bounced up and down, causing the carriage to rock.

"Oh, um, Pinkie Pie, can you please stop that, if you don't mind?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"Don't you worry, Fluttershy! You Auntie Pinkie is here!" The pink pony patted the rose hair of the pegasus.

"But, Pinkie, I'm a year ol-oh, never mind."

"Rainbow, is there anything you need to tell us?" Rarity asked.

"Yes! I mean no."

"Rainbow?"

"I know what will cheer you up! A card from your family! My family at the rock farm always send me a card and some rocks!"

Tears formed in Rainbow's eyes, but she instantly wiped them away.

"I mean, nothing is better than knowing that your family love you."

Rainbow, who was now staring out the window, had her wings drooping by her side and her ears lowered.

"And them sending you lots of hugs and kisses on your special day."

"Please Pinkie. Please be quiet." Rarity whispered.

The four mares watched as tears fell from the vibrant pegasus' eyes.

"Dashie."

"Rainbow, please tell us wha's wrong." Applejack pleaded.

"I'm fine." She said quickly. Not making eye contact with anypony.

"Rainbow, are ya sure ya'll okay?"

"Yes dear. You seem very upset."

"I-I-I don't know."

Fluttershy walked over and hugged the crying mare.

"I don't have a family."

"What do you mean, Dashie?"

"I'm an orphan. Never had a mother or father. And I was always abused by the owners of the orphanage. Always hit, thrown about, had my wings clipped and broken, there was even one time when one of the staff tried to rape me."

The others gasped in shock.

"Did he?"

Rivers of tears now fell down her cheeks.

"Aw, sugarcube, why didn't ya tell us before?"

"You never asked."

"Dashie, don't be upset." Pinkie hugged Rainbow.

"I'm fine Pinkie."

Pinkie looked at her friend and wiped her tears with her own hoof.

"It's your birthday. Enjoy it while you can." She smiled.

Rainbow hugged Pinkie Pie tightly.

"Thank you. Thank you for being my friend."

The train suddenly stopped. Flinging the standing ponies all over the floor.

They all looked up at each other before laughing, filling the carriage with joy.

But as they got up and left out the door, no-pony realised that Rainbow's coat was now paler than usual.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Four mares and an alicorn yelled.

Rainbow's grinned.

"Thanks guys!"

Yellow and pink streamers hung from the ceiling, confetti coated the floor and the tables, food flooded the table, and a giant cake stood in the middle.

While the others danced around the hall, Twilight trotted over to Rainbow.

"Why, hello, Princess Twilight." Rainbow said as she attempted to put on her poshest voice.

"And a hearty hello to you to. Enjoying your birthday?"

"Pinkie made it! Who wouldn't?"

Twilight laughed.

"Yeah, I agree."

She sniffed the air.

"Are you drunk?"

"Hey! Four bottles of *hic* doesn't coun' as bein' drunk!" She slurred.

She stared at Rainbow, before realising that her physical appearance was already changing.

Her coat was alot more whiter, her hair was slightly longer and looked more glittery and her wings were larger.

Twilight knew what was going to happen. And it was going to happen soon. She must tell Celestia.

"I must tell Celestia!"

"Err, Rainbow?"

"That's my name, don't wear it out!" She smirked.

"I've got to P-"

"Princess Celestia. Yeah, whatever. *hic* You go an do ya princessy stuff!"

"Are you going to be okay? Must of the others have gone to sleep upstairs. I mean, look at Pinkie! She is physically falling asleep."

They both looked at the crazy pink pony who was dancing and asleep at the same time.

"Yeeeeah, I might hit the stack." Rainbow began to fly to the castle guest rooms. "I guess, I'll go with tha girls."

"Wait!"

"Huh?"

"Celestia has reserved you a room."

Rainbow's eyes lit up.

"A whole room? Aww, yeah!" And she zoomed off.

"I'm gonna..." Rainbow was unable to finish her sentence as she flopped onto the 'queen' sized bed asleep.

"Shh. I think she's asleep."

"Yes, thank you so much Twilight!"

"When does it start?"

"Midnight."

"That's a minute from now."

The white alicorn walked over to the sleeping pegasus, and stroked her bright hair.

"Oh my beautiful one, you will soon be with me."

Light began to radiate off the tips off Rainbow.

The tips of her wings, hair, hooves and eyelashes began to glow with white light.

"It's starting."

They stared as little twinkles of light span around Rainbow's head. But the sparks mainly span around an area of her head as if there was a horn there.

Then, the magic really begun.

A light blue glow began to shine.

Soon, Rainbow Dash was completely engulfed by the glow.

"We should wait till tomorrow, Princess."

"Okay." Celestia leant forward and kissed Rainbow's forehead. "Sleep well, Iris."