Dashie Come Home (A "My Little Dashie" fanfiction)
It had been nearly a week since Rainbow Dash had left her father to come home to Equestria. Her memories had been restored, but none of her memories with her father were gone. Princess Celestia had let her keep all her things from her life with him, but since none of it would stay on a cloud, she had a home built for herself down on the surface near the forest and Fluttershy's house. Sadly, she hadn't left it since the moment it was built.
Rainbow Dash leans against her upstairs window from, gazing out at Ponyville from her room. She sighs and grumbles, noticing Twilight Sparkle is approaching her house, a small bag tied to her side. She rushes downstairs and puts her back against the front door just in time to feel and hear a knock. "Rainbow Dash, it's me, Twilight Sparkle."
"There's no Rainbow Dash here," replied the grumpy mare. "So go away, Twilight."
Twilight scowls and says, "It's been nearly an entire week Rainbow Dash. I know you miss your father, but you need to come out of there sometime. We're all very worried about you."
"Well I didn't ask you to be worried. Now go away." Rainbow's ears fold back against her head as she walks away from the door. "I just want to be alone right now."
Twilight backs up and rams the door, knocking it open and shocking Rainbow Dash. "You may be able to ignore your friends, but I know one pony you can't possibly ignore!" Her horn glows as she pulls a rolled up parchment out of her bag. "Here, it's a letter from Princess Celestia herself!"
Rainbow Dash gulps and walks over, letting Twilight open it and hold it in the air before her. She looks it over and blinks in confusion. "The princess has summoned me? But what could she possibly need me for?"
Twilight rolls it up and sets it away. "I'm not sure what it is. All I know is that it's urgent. If you take the morning train to Canterlot, then you should get there by noon. Now hurry up and get moving!"
Rainbow Dash smiles and says, "Why take a train? I'm the fastest flying pegasus in all of Equestria. I'll just fly there in half the time!" She grabs her goggles from a nearby table and makes her way out the door in a hurry, flying off into the sky towards Canterlot. Twilight Sparkle smiles, happy to see her friend out and about again. Deep down though she worries over what the urgent matter could be for Rainbow Dash.
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Rainbow Dash flies straight over the entire city of Canterlot as she arrives; only landing once she had reached the palace gates. As she approached, the guards recognized her immediately and stood aside. They gaze at her with looks of inquiry and wonder, as if they were curious of something and unwilling to speak of it aloud. Rainbow Dash blinks under these looks she receives, walking through the palace until she reaches the queens chamber. Once she arrives, she can see the princess waiting for her on her throne. As she approaches the princess says, "Good, you have come Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow Dash pushes her goggles off and rushes towards her and bows at the base of the steps leading up to her throne. "You wanted to see me your majesty?"
Celestia stands and walks down the steps as she says, "Raise your head and follow me at once Rainbow Dash. There isn't a moment to lose. I'll explain along the way." She maintained a calm and dignified tone, but in her eyes Rainbow could see a look of sorrow and worry.
Rainbow Dash takes to the air and quickly follows Celestia as she makes her way down a side passage to the throne room. As the Princess rushes as fast as she can, sure the speedy equine can keep up with her, Rainbow Dash asks, "What's going on princess? Why did you summon me so urgently? And why did you only call for me princess?"
Celestia makes her way down a spiraling staircase, into a section of the castle that was dark and unkempt. Celestia is quiet for a moment before she answers, "Because this involves you alone Rainbow Dash. I hate to bear such ill news, but your father from the other dimension is in danger! If we do not take action quickly, he could die."
Rainbow Dash freezes in mid flight, staring in shock at those words. She snaps out of it as quickly as she can, shaking her head in disbelief as she follows twice as fast to catch back up. "What are you talking about? Why is my father in danger?"
Celestia sighs, looking down at the ground as it rushes by beneath her. "It is my fault. Though he could've gotten by with the memories I left him, I felt the need to leave him the photo album of you two as well. I thought it was small enough to go unnoticed, but I was wrong."
Rainbow Dash looks confused by her words, unsure of what the princess was talking about. "You say unnoticed, but by who your majesty? Who or what is after my father?"
"Death herself is after your father." Rainbow Dash gasps, speechless and shaken by these words. "The photo album is a breach of inter-dimensional law. If he keeps it, no matter how small, it can cause a time paradox and destroy his dimension. Not only that, but they know he has his memories because of it. The only way they see fit to rectify this is by eliminating your father from his dimensions existence." Celestia's horn glows as the passage grows too dark to see, lighting a line of torches along it. It continues to glow as they approach several layers of walls, moving them to the sides of the passage to allow them entry.
As they approach a brightly glowing entry way at the end of the hall, Rainbow slows to a stop, making the princess stop as well and look back at her. Rainbow Dash stares up into the princess's eyes and says, "How do you know all this, your majesty?"
Celestia stares back at her, turning to face her. "I know because I am the guardian of this dimensions' Secret Door."
Before Rainbow Dash could ask what that was, the princess motioned for her to follow as she walked into the bright light. As Rainbow Dash followed, she gasped in awe as they walked into a shining polished white and black room. In this room is a pair of stone golems, polished like the room. One was black, and one was white, and they stood parallel to each other on both sides of the checkerboard path leading down the middle of the room. They stand silent as the two walk along the path, which at the end laid a door. This door stood not against the back wall, but alone in the middle of open space, and towered several stories above them. It was split down the middle having two doors to its passage, and was covered in chains and locks with glowing runes all over them. The door was diamond shaped, and the base tip floated inches above the ground. The sides were covered in arrows, pointing in every direction possible as they twisted amongst each other. Rainbow Dash was almost too speechless to ask, "Is this the Secret Door?"
Princess Celestia nods and says, "It is a doorway that can lead to other planes of existence within our dimension, as well as other dimensions in general. It is a powerful relic that connects everyone and everything, but to ensure nothing can alter other dimensions and cause trouble, each door of each dimension has its own guardian. When a guardian fails in its duties, the messengers of death seek out violators and erase them. Not of their lives, but of their existence, to rectify things. I thought your father could go unnoticed, but this morning I awoke to a frightful vision. It is only thanks to my magic I left with him that I can foresee these dangers, and you may be able to save him."
Rainbow Dash's ears fold as she continues to stare up at the door. "But what could I possibly do Celestia? How can I possibly help my father where nopony else could?"
Celestia smiles and kneels down so her face is closer to Rainbow Dash's. "I know this sounds dangerous, but you're the only one that has a connection to your father. You'll be able to make him out in a world of grey, and you'll see how important that is soon enough. Not only that, but you truly are the fastest pony in Equestria. It is urgent that you get to him before Death can."
Rainbow Dash gulps staring at the door as the princess's horn glows, bringing the door downward. The base of the door flows through the floor like it isn't even there, and stops once only half of it is left above the surface. The locks begin to vanish bit by bit as Rainbow Dash asks, "So what exactly do I need to do princess? I get the feeling this is more than a get in and get out type of thing."
Celestia nods and says, "When you walk through these doors, you will be in limbo, the realm in between all realms. You must convince the guardian of the core door to grant you access to your father's dimension. Only then will you be able to find him and help him. But remember, the core guardian is the key to everything you need." The doorway slowly folds open, and through its passage seems to be nothing but fog. "Now go Rainbow Dash and hurry! And may the guardians be with you!"
Rainbow Dash looks between the princess and the door, and takes a deep breath, running through. The clop of her hooves switches from the sound of running on marble tile, to the sound of running on a stone road. The sound of a door slamming behind her catches her ear and she turns around, blinking as all she can see is a small white door that looks no bigger than a door to a house. The doorknob was golden, and there was a red question mark crudely painted on the front of it. This couldn't be the door she had come through, could it? That's when she noticed it was at the end of some sort of stone bridge that ended abruptly, a bridge she was standing on this very moment. The road was wide, and she walked to one end to peek over, seeing nothing below except fog. It was such a mysterious place, devoid of all sound, which sent a chill up her spine.
The silence was broken as an unfamiliar voice said, "What are you doing here?"
Rainbow Dash whips around and looks around the area, before she notices a green wolf curled up on top of the door that hadn't been there before. It breathed like it was asleep, and she walks closer staring up at the oddly colored creature. "Did you just… talk to me?"
The wolf perks and ear and gets up, stretching on the doors frame as it yawned. It sat upright and looked at her as its muzzle opened to say, "Not at all mam, I was talking to the fog. What are you doing here fog? Go away. You're not welcome here." It laughs as it slowly vanishes, reappearing beneath her as it pops its head out from beneath her legs. "Of course I mean you!"
Rainbow Dash leaps back with a shriek, having gotten a better look at the creature. Its eyes were green like glimmering emeralds, and its pupils were red and blue, shaped like the symbol for yin and yang. Rainbow scowls, not appreciating the scare, as she says, "Are you the guardian of the core Secret Door?"
The wolf wags its tail, leaping up and walking on air as it circles the door, flashing a toothy grin to her. "I am Xam, guardian of the Secret Door and all those that pass through it. What is your name little mare?"
She gulps and says, "My name is Rainbow Dash, and I seek passage to another dimension."
The wolfs tail goes upright and waves back and forth like a pendulum, walking down an invisible staircase to be face to face with her. "Interesting, I've never seen one of your kind cross to other dimension in a way like this. Why come through the Secret Door? Why come through me."
Rainbow's ears fold back as she gets a good look in his mouth, his sharp teeth dripping with drool as he stares her in the eyes. "Because I was told to, and it's the only way I could on my own. Besides, I was also told that I need your help. You see, my father from another dimension is in danger-"
"Did you say father from another dimension? Ahhh, I see what's going on her." The wolf grins and circles her. "You met someone from another dimension, and your influence on them has potentially hazardous effects. As such Death is going to try to find and erase him, yes?" He strokes his scruffy tail along her face and brings his muzzle close to hers, staring into her rosy eyes.
Rainbow Dash's brow furrows as she nods gently. "I don't know how you look at things, being such a high and mighty being. But please, help me save my father. Try to understand how much he means to me."
Xam blinks and sits back, raising his rear paw up and scratching his head behind his ear. "You talk about me like I'm some sort of uncaring god figure. I'm right here in front of you, you know. That hurts, considering I'm a family man myself."
Rainbow Dash blinks and blushes, stuttering out an apology. "I don't know anything here! I'm sorry, I just don't know what to-"
The scruffy green wolf holds up a paw, flashing a grin like a cat that ate the canary. "I'm messing with you Rainbow Dash, and its fine. I understand what you're trying to do, and honestly I think it's pretty noble of you. Somepony of your capabilities going out of her way, throwing caution to the wind, to protect someone she loves and cares about. I'm willing to help someone like you out."
The cyan pony tilts her head in confusion and says, "Wait a minute. Did you say somepony of my capabilities? What do you know of my capabilities?"
Xam motions her to follow him with his head as he walked back towards the door. "I know all things about all dimensions living realms. Only their afterlife's are off limits to my knowledge. The only reason I asked your name was because it tends to creep people out when you just spurt out their name, leading to the same cliché questions and blah blah blah. But you're in a hurry, and there isn't a moment to spare." The Secret Door's golden knob turns as he approaches, opening to an unfamiliar setting to Rainbow Dash.
Even so, she followed the wolf through. Feeling a flash of wind hit her as they stare out over a familiar city, Rainbow Dash found herself at the top of the highest sky scraper in her father's hometown. She looked out over the city that was drenched in an unfamiliar shade of grey. "What happened to this place? Why is it so grey and dark?"
The wolf looks back at her and says, "Because this is a parallel plane of existence. It's the astral plane where spirits, good and bad, exist and sometimes tamper with the mortal one. It is from here that you will be able to make out where your father is, and even protect him." A cracking noise echoed through the air as a pair of draconic wings erupted from his back, and he fluttered into the air. "Ugh, been too long since I used these things. I'm cramping like an old man."
Rainbow Dash stares in awe at his wings and fluttered her own, hovering up to be next to him. "How will I be able to find him? Where do I start looking for him? If I remember how time flows between our two dimensions, it's been nearly seven years since I last saw my father. He could be anywhere."
"I'm gonna put my money on him being somewhere over that way." He points his paw to the distance, pointing out vast number of moving shadowy figures. Some of them flew around, up and down, towards the sky and back to the ground. Some of them crawled around, a few larger than the rest. They moved around like an army of ants in the distance, as if searching for something. The perimeter of the army of darkness was slowly growing. "It looks like we're a little late for the party."
Rainbow Dash gasps and stares in horror with a tear in her eye. "Oh god, are we too late? Do they have my father?"
"If they had him they wouldn't be looking for him. So if you have an idea of where he could be at the very least, it might be helpful knowledge at this point."
The mare shakes her head and says, "But I thought you knew all things! Can't you see where my father is? Can't you lead me to him?"
The wolf shakes his head this time and replies, "I'm afraid it doesn't work like that. I know people, or in your case ponies, and accomplishments. Even objects I can identify, but that's all from outside of the realm. I can't tell where they would be without some sort of connection to them, and right now you're the only one with that. Look down."
Rainbow Dash blinks and floats to the edge of the roof, peering down over the city. She squints her eyes and says, "What am I looking for?" Xam's pupils spin and twirl as he looks down as well, and Rainbow Dash's vision increases exponentially. She can see the people of the town, as if they were right in front of her, and she gasps in shock. Every person was grey marionettes, like well drawn stick figures. "What's going on? Why does everyone look like that?"
His pupils came to an abrupt stop, as well as her far sighted vision. "That's just it Rainbow Dash. We don't have connections to anyone in this dimension. When you first came here it was a fluke, an accidental breach of law that was resolved in time. Because of the bond you built with that man, you will be able to see him clear as day in this field of grey. That's how we'll find him. Now think where he would be!"
She looks around, remembering their home in the forest and wondered if he would still be there. She scanned the horizon and found it, only to take on a look of dread. It was not far beyond the growing field of demons. "Um, I think he's just past that crowd of darkness."
Xam blinks and makes a hissing noise as he cringes. "You don't say. Well, it would take too long to go around them."
Rainbow Dash scowls and slips on her goggles with a look of determination, Xam smirking like a Cheshire cat again. "Then I'll just go through them."
The draconic wolf tilts his head and says, "Mind if I join you?"
She laughs in response and grins back at the wolf. "Sure, but only if you can keep up, fluffy." And with that she took off as fast as she could, directly towards the growing evil. The wolf folds in his wings and darts after her, managing to keep up with her speed. The wind flies past her at high velocities, all the figures slowly forming into monstrous shapes of black with glowing white eyes and teeth. "Out of my way you freaks'!" She rears a hoof back and pounds one in the face to get it out of the way, its head exploding into black smoke as it flies backwards. The rest howl in anger, but before they can give chase they erupt into a field of green flames. She stares back for a moment in shock, before Xam bursts through the fire and dashes to her side. "How in the hay did you do that?"
"You can't tell from the wings? I'm part dragon!" He spits a green fireball into another shadow demon that lunges for them. "I got several tricks up my sleeve just in case!"
"You just got twenty percent cooler!" Another demon, this time with wings comes dive bombing down after her from behind. She hears it screeching and bucks it backward, gaining a little momentum off its face. "Back off ugly!" she exclaims, returning her attention forward with a shock. She bobs and weaves through the creatures as they come after the two now, Xam picking off the occasional one with his fireballs. "There's too many up here on the roofs!"
"Then let's hit the road!" He to the side of the building and makes his way to the street, Rainbow Dash following his lead as the demons begin to jump and fly over the ledge after them. She begins to pant as the creatures catch up to them, beginning to get nervous. "Hey Dash, how good are you reflexes?"
The mare stares at him for the odd question at a time like this but responds, "They're pretty good I guess, but I haven't been practicing. Why?"
"This." A stone hand erupts from the road before them, and she yelps dodging to the side of it, the majority of the demons chasing them crashing into it before it grips them and pulls them underground. Rainbow Dash laughs and says, "That slowed them down, but not for long!" She goes wide eyed and begins to slow down. "And it looks like our time is up."
She skids to a halt as a giant demon covered in spines comes crawling from around the corner of a building, glaring at the pair as its throat thrums with rage. It roars at them as the swarm of smaller demons catches up and surrounds them. "Rainbow Dash, get out of here and I'll handle this." Xam looks straight up to the sky.
Rainbow Dash blinks and says, "What about you?"
He grins that wicked grin and says, "I'll be fine. Go save your father."
A soft smile slowly forms on her lips as she nods. "Thank you for helping me. I won't forget this." She looks up and accelerates as fast as she can, flying straight for the sky. A magic circle of glowing blue light appears on the floor beneath Xam before he howls to the heavens, an explosion erupting from beneath him that engulfs the area. The force from it gives her a boost as she doubles in speed and plows through any airborne demons that get in her way.
As she goes up, she scans the forest for her home only to see something worse than the giant demon. It looked like a colossal dragon of black, a small figure barely visible riding it's head, and it was nearing her father's home! "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! My dad is in danger! What can I do?" That's when she notices a nearby cloud that's a darker shade than the rest. She blinks and thinks for a moment, taking a deep breath. "Looks like I need to learn a new trick."
She notices a group of the flying demons are as persistent as ever on her trail, and goes straight up high above the clouds. She stalls for a moment, letting the creatures get closer. When she can hear them howling like ravenous monkeys loudly and clearly, she takes a deep breath and scrunches up her body. She pushes off the air with all her hooves and her wings as hard as she can, and immediately forms a sonic rain-boom there on the spot! The rainbow shockwave slams into the shocked demons, and they give off a brief shrill cry before they disintegrate. Rainbow flies forward with the rainbow trail behind her as she goes directly for the storm cloud, whispering to herself, "I seriously hope this works…"
She closes her eyes for a moment and begins to spin, spiraling into the black abyss of the cloud. The cloud thunders in anger as lightning sparks from it, slowly forming around her as she spiraled. More and more of the electricity began to cling to her as she span faster and faster through the cloud, some of it spiking into the rainbow trail behind her. She stopped her spinning and kicked off the air again, and the electricity mixed with her tail, forming a giant rainbow lightning bolt around her as she roared through the sky.
As she erupted from the cloud she aimed direct for the dragon in the distance, traveling faster than she ever had before, her eyes glowing from the sheer power she was giving off at this point. Her goggles began to disintegrate before flying off her face as she grits her teeth angrily at the beast growing bigger as she approaches. The figure on its head was clearly visible at this point as a female humanoid draped in a black cloak and aiming the scythe directly at a figure not far ahead. Rainbow Dash had a momentary glimpse of the individual, and that's when he saw him in every detail and colored like she knew him, a huge contrast on the world around her. She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Leave my daddy alone!"
"Huh?" The figure on the dragons head looked back at her in shock, but it was too late. As the dragon reared its head back as if to gash at the man with its massive maw, a surge of pain flung through its back. Not even a second passed as lightning of all colors erupted from every direction within its body before it suddenly exploded, evaporating into dust as the woman that was riding it flew off and rolled along the ground nearby.
As this took place, the man became suddenly aware of a loud noise behind him, and twisted around in shock. A ball of rainbow electricity blinded his vision before a familiar figure erupted into view. Holding open his arms despite his shock, he was knocked to the ground by his charred and unconscious daughter. He stared down at her confused for a moment, but seeing the condition she was in her hefted her up as best she could and made his way toward his home, a home that used to be hers as well. "Hang on Rainbow Dash!"
She quietly regained consciousness long enough to see he was okay, and smiled as the world around her was ablaze with color once again. She muttered a simple, "Daddy," before passing out once again.
The woman from before slams the blade of her scythe into a tree, using it to pull herself to her feet. She glares at the man carrying the mare, and grins wickedly. "Looks like I get to kill two birds with one stone." She rushes towards them, eerily floating over the grass, and swings at them horizontally, only to have it meet the sound of steel. She glares at the man before her, green hair and the ears and tail of a wolf, and a pair of familiar yin-yang eyes. "Xam! I should have known you'd be behind this angel! How dare you interfere with inter dimensional law! You as the core should be upholding it!"
His hand was covered by a white gauntlet with green gems in the knuckles, holding the blade of her scythe just out of reach of the father and his daughter. "It's also my job to make the rules, and Rainbow Dash here completed a loophole in inter-dimensional law, Death. So back down, that's an order."
The woman rears her scythe back and flips her hood off, revealing her yellow cat like eyes and short raven hair. "Explain yourself guardian of limbo, because these two are on my list."
The man before her smirks and takes out a sheet of paper and a pair of reading glasses. "As it states here, one willing to sacrifice themselves for a loved one from another dimension, and brave enough to give their life for them, shall be granted favor for their deeds. As such, it is the arch-angel Xam's choice on what to do with them."
Death rolls her eyes and snatches his glasses, crushing them in her hand. "Honestly? You don't even need glasses. And I found a loophole in your loophole. She needs to have died protecting her father! She's still…" She pauses as she gets a familiar tingle up her spine. "Oh my… Out of my jurisdiction? You mean to tell me…" Xam nods crossing his arms. "I see. That's rather interesting. Very well then, do as you see fit. But know this; my superiors will not be pleased."
"Are they ever when it comes to me?" Xam shrugs with a chuckle.
Death chuckles as well and says, "Nobody is ever pleased with you, oh master of dimensions." She snaps her finger, and sinks into a purple portal on the floor, waving him farewell.
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Rainbow Dash slowly opens her eyes as a flood of light hits her, cringing as the world comes into focus. She blinks a few times, trying to make out a figure next to her. She realizes who it is and hugs him as best she can in her exhausted state. "Daddy!"
The man smiles and hugs her back, avoiding the bandages areas from the charred marks he wrapped up with anti burn cream. "Hello my little Dashie. It's been so long. I missed you."
"I missed you too daddy!" Tears flood from her eyes, joining her father who had apparently been in tears for a while before her. His own tears were renewed as he held her and didn't want to let go.
"I just love a happy ending." Rainbow Dash blinks hearing a familiar voice say these words, and looks at the arm of the couch to see a familiar green wolf peeking over it with a toothy grin. "Oh don't let me spoil your moment."
Her face beams as she shouts, "Xam! You're alive! I can't believe it! What happened?" Her father blinks and stares at the creature shocked, but not enough to be frightened by him. Dashie seemed to recognize him, so he figured Xam was just a character from an episode he hadn't watched.
"You tore a hole in the fabrics of reality and came through the astral plane to the mortal plane. Very impressive, but there's good news and bad news. The good news is, you saved your father! Death has backed down and won't be bothering you two anymore."
She smiles in excitement and says, "That's great! So what's the bad news?" She asked feeling like nothing could bring her down at this point.
"The bad news is your dead."
Rainbow blinks and stares at him for a moment before laughing. "That's a good one dude! I didn't know you were such a jokester!"
"Oh I'm very capable of being humorous, but not at the moment. You died with that little stunt you pulled back there."
Rainbow looks shocked, as does her father who asks, "But if she's dead, then how is she here with me now?"
The wolf trots from around the edge of the couch and sits down before the both of them. "Long story short, your bravery and self sacrifice earned you leeway with the fabrics of the dimensions. I have full jurisdiction on your fate at this point, and decided to pull you and your father from reality for a moment to discuss what happens next. This world is frozen for the time being."
Rainbow Dash blinks and notices a nightstand by the couch, pushing a lamp off of it only to watch it stay still in mid air. "Awesome…"
Her father blinks and says, "Who or what are you? And why are you doing this for us?"
The wolf examines his paw as if looking at nails and says, "Wouldn't you like to know. Fact is, Rainbow Dash is the most loyal pony I know from her dimension, and I respect that. Not only that, but she needs a father to love and care for her. With all this in mind, I'm letting her live, and I'm letting you two finally be together."
They both go slack jawed as Rainbow Dash says, "You can do that?"
Xam nods and says, "Yes but there's a catch. You can only be together in one dimension. So you need to decide: Is Rainbow Dash going to stay here and become a human, or is her father coming with her to Equestria to become a pony?"
Dash's father sees the shock and uncertainty in his daughter's eyes and says, "Just give us a moment to take this in. We may need to discuss this."
"Take all the time you need." The wolf walks into their kitchen as the two stare into each other's eyes.
Rainbow starts the talk by saying, "Can you believe this? I have the opportunity to stay here and be human! I can be a real daughter for you and everything."
Her father shakes his head and says, "You never needed to be human to be my daughter. And besides Dashie, your friends need you. You need to go home to Equestria where you belong."
She blinks and folds her ears back sadly, a tear welling up in her eye. "Thanks daddy, but what about you? Doesn't this dimension need you too? Maybe a special someone is in your life?"
The man laughs and says, "I've made my mark on this world believe it or not. I dated someone for a few years while you were gone, but it just didn't work out."
Rainbow Dash sits up going wide eyed and says, "Does that mean…" Her father smiles and simply nods. "Oh my gosh, daddy, you're going to love Equestria! I promise!" She tackles him to the ground and they both have a good laugh, the wolf peeking back into the room.
"Is it safe to assume you've reached a consensus?"
The two of them nod as Rainbow exclaims, "He's going to come back with me to Equestria!"
Xam walks over and says, "Very well then. But first a small change." He walks over and presses his muzzle against the man's forehead, watching as his entire body glows with a bright light. When it dims down, he looks around, staring down as his hands and feet are replaced by hooves. "Congratulations sir, you are now a cartoon pony."
The man is speechless as Rainbow Dash squeals in excitement. "Looking good dad!"
The wolf walks to the center of the room as a familiar door appears and opens for him, the familiar setting of the castles hidden room on the other side. "Don't worry about your things. I'll make sure what can be legally transferred will end up at your new home. As for the rest, well, think of it as a new beginning."
The new pony gulps getting to his feet, Rainbow Dash able enough to walk next to him as they smile and walk side by side towards the door. Celestia was visibly waiting for them with a look of surprise and joy. Xam winks at the house, and all traces of the man that once lived there vanish, leaving it empty and rather lonely. But it no longer mattered as the two ponies came through the door and were greeted by Celestia. "You made it back Rainbow Dash! And it's a pleasure to see you again sir."
The man smiles and says, "The pleasure all mine your majesty."
Rainbow Dash giggles and can't stand still. "This is so exciting dad! Wait until you meet mom!"
He chuckles and says, "I have to admit, this is a lot to take in." His brow furrows and he looks at Rainbow Dash shocked as he exclaims, "Wait, did you say mom?!"
Xam cackles and shouts "Enjoy your new life!" and with a slam of the door it vanished, and he was gone.
THE END
Dashie Come Home: Epilogue
Rainbow Dash felt herself awoken with a hoof to her side, her eye crawling open as she stared at her room. She got up staring down at her drool covered pillow, and then took a look at who had been prodding her in her sleep. It was her father, who had a rather stern look to his face as he said, "Dashie, what do you think you're doing? The sun hasn't even gone down yet and your mom's working on dinner. Wake up!"
Rainbow Dash grumbles and tries to lie back down, gasping as a wave of cool air hit her when her father yanked the bed sheets off her. "Aw come on dad, I've been working all day! Can't I take a nap in peace?"
Her father spits out the sheets, not quite used to doing everything with the same thing he eats with. "You're not fooling me you lazy mare. You were out playing with your friends all day while others took care of your work. Now get up and get out of bed!"
He shoves her with his hooves, sending her flailing off the opposite side of her bed with a loud thud. "Alright, alright, I'm up already! Yeesh…" Her father smiles and nods triumphantly, trotting out of her room. "What are we having for dinner anyways?"
Her father said from outside, "Flower bouquet casserole and spinach burgers, with your mother's special honey glazed biscuits for dessert!"
That got Rainbow Dash up. She hated spinach, but her mother's casserole and honey biscuits were the best in town. She hurries past her father and down the stairs to the kitchen where her mother, Honey Dew, was indeed cooking the aforementioned meal. Honey Dew was a tall elegant looking creamy furred mare, with long flowing rainbow colored hair. She wore pink eyeliner around her eyes that were blue as a clear sky, and a blue sun hat with a purple ribbon around the base, which she kept off to the side on the counter while cooking. Her cutie mark was a big pink heart, with five multi-colored rain drops falling from it like rain.
Rainbow Dash notices a bowl of her mother's honey on the counter, and brings her wings in close as she sneaks over towards it. Her body close to the ground, her ears folded back. She slowly and cautiously reaches for the bowl, only to have her hoof met with a wooden spoon. She yelps and hugs her hoof with a whimper, looking at her mother who was glaring daggers at her with the spoon in her mouth. "Rainbow Dash that honey is for dessert, and I will not have you spoiling your appetite!"
Rainbow groans and as she's scolded and says, "Aw, come on mom, it's just a taste!"
A knock at the front door catches her attention, but she can hear her father answering it so she turns back to her mother who still looked a little upset. "No dessert. Think of it as ransom to make you eat your spinach burgers tonight."
Rainbow Dash crosses her front legs and sits there with a pout. "I hate spinach. Why couldn't we eat something tasty like carrot dogs, or apple pie, or broccoli?"
Honey Dew giggles and sets down the spoon, nuzzling into her daughter. "Spinach is good for you, silly mare. Now stop acting like a little girl before I treat you like one."
Rainbow Dash blushes and sighs in defeat. "Okay mom." She nuzzles her mother back as her father peeks into the kitchen.
He says, "Dashie, there's a royal guard her to see you. Said something about a message from the princess?"
Rainbow Dash blinks and says, "I wonder what it could be." She shrugs and makes her way to the door to find a green pony wearing Princess Luna's royal guard armor. His eyes were a deep blue and his mane was an even darker shade of green than his body, and his wings were as draconic as the rest of Luna's personal guards. He said in a deep tone, "Miss Rainbow Dash I presume? I have come to check up on your current living conditions, by order of Princess Celestia and Luna."
Rainbow couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something familiar about this stallion. "Don't I know you from somewhere?" The guard doesn't answer, staring forward blankly as if he was on duty. She waves a hoof before his eyes and walks around him, examining him. Then she notices his cutie mark and goes wide eyed. It was a white door with a golden knob, and a red question mark on it. "No way, it can't be…"
The guard looks back with green eyes, along with red and blue yin-yang pupils. "See something you like back there Dashie?" came a familiar tone.
Rainbow Dash jumps and shouts, "Xam! Oh my gosh, what are you doing here? And why are you a pony?"
Xam chuckles and turns back to her saying, "I can take a form based on the dimension I'm in. As for what I'm doing here, this dimension is rather peaceful and I needed a vacation. I'm now one of Princess Luna's royal guards."
Rainbow Dash blinks in surprise and says, "That's some interesting news. I seriously never expected to see you again."
Xam sits and shrugs. "I can be more random than your friend Pinkie Pie sometimes. Anyways, the point of this visit is to find out how you're doing! How you been Dashie?"
Rainbow smiles and sits in front of him, having to look up at the slightly taller pony. "I'm better than ever. My mom's still getting used to living on the ground, but my dad lived that way before so having this house built worked out great. I had to build an extra room for my parents though."
Xam smirks raising an eyebrow and says, "Not extra 'rooms'?"
Rainbow Dash blushes and chuckles nervously. "Let's just say they've really hit it off since we got back and leave it at that. So did you really come here on orders?"
Xam shakes his head and says, "Nah, I just snuck away for a minute."
Rainbow perks up with a look of confusion and says, "How do you just sneak away from the palace for a minute? Isn't it all the way in Canterlot?"
Xam rolls his eyes and says, "Hello? How do you think I got to this dimension in the first place?" The core Secret Door appears next to him.
Dash gasps and says, "Oh yeah, you got that door thingy whenever you want it!" Rainbow Dash fidgets a little and says, "I'm actually kind of curious about something. Twilight was talking about some egghead stuff, and it made me think of you and how you can do this door thingy. I was wondering… can you show me what the fabric of time and space looks like?"
Xam laughs and says, "A very odd request, but you know what, I like you Rainbow Dash. If it wasn't you I'd say no, but I don't see why not. You got time though?"
Rainbow Dash grins and nods vigorously rushing to her front door to call into the house, "Mom, Dad, I'm going for a quick walk with my friend! I'll be back in time for dinner! Okay let's go!" she said excitedly as Xam opened the door to what looked like a swirling vortex of various colors swirling about with numbers floating amongst them randomly.
"Ladies first," he said, lowering his head and offering her way.
Rainbow Dash approaches cautiously, staring inside trying not to get dizzy. She rears back, and leaps in, finding herself flying forward through the vortex. Her body began to change color rapidly like a rainbow strobe light, and she felt like she was being stretched like warm cheese on a pizza. All the odd feelings flowing through her body came to an abrupt stop as she found herself panting on a black and white checkerboard floor. She almost pukes as she manages to stand up, looking around to see an indigo sky casting a similar hue on the floor, which seemed to be wobbling and unsteady like an ocean current. Xam walks up beside her in his wolf form and says, "What do you think?"
Rainbow Dash has a hard time walking straight as she says, "What is this place?"
"The fabric of time and pace, just as you asked." He pulls a pair of half moon reading glasses out of thin air and puts them on, his eyes turning red. "The fabric of the universe is written out in black and white, white being the light that gives the universe life and color, and black being that which takes it away. The checker pattern means that everything is evenly distributed amongst itself and balance exists. But the universe is always active and moving."
Rainbow Dash blinks and says, "How do you do that with your eyes?"
He smiles and responds, "My eyes can be red, green, or blue. I like changing them depending on where I am to suit the mood."
Rainbow Dash looks around, and notices a section of the floor missing, a similar rainbow vortex circling in the square shaped hole in the floor. Next to it was an odd yellow sign with writing on it. She tilts her head and says, "What is that?"
Xam looks to where she was looking and walks over. "Oh this thing? It's called a wet floor sign. I don't know, I thought it would be funny, I mean just look at this floor."
Rainbow Dash shakes her head and says, "Not the sign, that portal!"
Xam chuckles and says, "This is the way we came in. You can find an assortment of these throughout this area that lead to different parts of time throughout the history of Equestria, hence the 'time' part in time and space."
Rainbow dash blinks looking at it and says, "That's pretty cool. So do you live here or something? Or do you live in that foggy place, what's it called, limbo?"
Xam shakes his head and says, "Nah, I live outside of reality." The Secret Door appears and he walks through it, changing back into a pony. "Come on, I'll show you."
Rainbow Dash didn't need to be told twice, she'd had enough of this weird place. She hurries through the door, and gasps in marvel at the sight before her. A stone path led through the air to a structure that raised several stories up to a glass dome top. It has several sections branching off of it into separate wings, structures, and balconies. The surrounding area was wide open space leading off to an area surrounded by waterfalls that lead down into a basin below, and the sky was blocked out by the roots of what seemed like a large tree that glowed brightly enough to light the area like the sun. "This is amazing! You live here?"
Xam looks back and says, "Of course I do. I made it myself, just for me and my wife. But it gets boring without visitors every now and again."
Rainbow Dash blinks and says, "You're married?"
Xam laughs and says, "No, I'm not surprised you made your own reality Xam. Tell me more about your life partner." Rainbow Dash scowls and blushes from his comment. "Yes Dashie I am indeed married. Want to meet her? Follow me." He spreads his wings and flies towards the home, Rainbow Dash quickly going after him. He lands on the balcony to one of the upper floors and walks in, Rainbow following to see another pony. She was blue, and had long blonde hair styled similar to her friend Fluttershy's. She was a slightly chunkier pony, mostly in the flank, and wore a small pair of glasses. Her cutie mark was an X-box 360 controller, but Rainbow Dash had never played one even when she lived in the human world, so she didn't recognize it. The mare was dragging a large plasma screen TV with her teeth, grunting and struggling. "Rainbow Dash, meet my wife, Alice."
Rainbow waves and says, "Pleasure to meet you?"
Alice grunts through her teeth, "Charmed!"
Xam blink and says, "Love, wouldn't that be easier if you took a different form?"
Alice growls and let's go of the TV to say, "If we're going to be staying in a pony dimension then I need to get used to doing things as a pony! Even if I don't have wings or magic or any of that other stuff, I can figure things out. I am the smartest girl in the universe after all."
Xam rolls his eyes and says, "Obviously."
Rainbow Dash tilts her head and walks over, recognizing the TV to be a similar model to the one her father got when they moved to their new home. "What are you going to do with this thing anyways?"
Alice smiles and says, "Well, if you must know, thanks to Xam's new job I'm friends with Princess Luna. I thought tonight would be perfect to introduce her to video games. I've invented a modified version of a three sixty controller to better accompany hooves. I've got it in my bag with my need for speed game."
Xam groans and says, "Love, if you're going to convert Luna into a gamer girl, could you at least use a game that's not boring? Like Borderlands! That game is fun and cool and exciting!"
"And violent," Alice adds. "I'm not taking anything to such a peaceful dimension that could warp minds. And need for speed is a very fun game, and without any violence."
Xam smirks and says, "Sure, vehicles travelling at speeds over the sound barrier enhanced by explosive chemicals crashing and ramming into each other for right of way is completely non-violent."
Rainbow Dash blinks and says, "Actually that sounds pretty fun!"
"HA!" Alice exclaims pointing a hoof at him.
Xam grumbles and says, "Yeah, have your moment. Just shut up and get us something to drink."
"I'm not your maid, get it yourself." She bites the edge of the TV again and continues to drag it off and out of the room.
Rainbow Dash giggles and says, "She's a keeper."
Xam chuckles with her and says, "You can see why I fell in love with her. Anyways, I think you've been gone long enough. We don't want you to miss dinner."
Rainbow Dash frowns and says, "But I like hanging out with you. This place is so cool, and I'd love for you to meet my friends. How can I keep in contact with you?"
Xam blinks and rubs a hoof over his chin in thought. "I got it!" He squints his eyes, and a key on a necklace morphs into view, wrapping itself around Rainbow Dash's neck. "There you go. Use that key on any door, and when you open it, you'll come here! That way you can visit anytime you please. And to get back you simply do it again. Go ahead and give it a try." He walks over to the door to the room and shuts it. Rainbow Dash lifts the key to her mouth with a hoof, and grabs it in her teeth to press it into the keyhole. She gives it a turn and plucks it out, opening the door to see her bedroom. The sun had gone down and everything was dark. "Alright, off with you then, I have to go to work. I'm probably late because of you." He places his hooves on her flank and shoves her through the door.
Rainbow Dash walks into her room and looks back at him with a smile. "See you again soon, Xam!" The green stallion winks at her and shuts the door. She opens it again to test it, and she could see her house. She removes the necklace and hooks it on to a bedpost, smiling as she went downstairs where the lights were on. "Is dinner ready?"
Her father notices her and smiles nodding. "You're just in time."
She hurries in and sits at the dinner table where her mother had set up their meal and dinner plates. Honey Dew smiles at her daughter and says, "So how was that walk you took with your friend?"
Rainbow Dash blinks and tries to think of a way to describe it. "It was… interesting." She giggles as her father joins them. She looks between her parents with a happy sigh. Between her parents and her friends, as well as everything she knew at this point, Rainbow Dash was happy. She didn't fear or worry about the future at all, everything was good in her world… Well, everything except spinach.
THE END
