Chapter Text
Chapter One, Celestial Summons
Celestia glides high above the land, even above the cloud layer, surveying her domain as she drifts on thermals. Although she departed Canterlot with little fanfare and elected to travel without escort, she can still detect a fair number of ponies pointing them out and gathering to watch the monarch as she gently flaps her wings. The princess's visage is iconic and distinctive enough that even from a substantial distance, she is quite recognizable.
Celestia smiles imperceptibly, as she thinks about those on the ground, imagining the conversations as they would question whether they had really seen the Princess of the Sun. But as she flies, the sight of Equestrian civilization gives way to the wild, and that smile disappears. Beneath her now is the Everfree forest.
Celestia can't help but gaze northwards to the castle poking out of the immense forest with a twinge of pain. It has been years since she had last seen it, and centuries since she had visited. Patience. Celestia thinks, steeling themself to present the calm and regal princess that her subjects expect. You've waited centuries; you can wait another hoofull of years.
Celestia puts those thoughts from her mind and focuses on the task at hoof. Flapping her wings harder, she picks up speed. For most of her reign, the vicinity of the Everfree Forest has been completely deserted, the subject of dark rumor and superstition. But now, there is a small village on the edge of the Everfree, named Ponyville. A village that, to the princess, is practically brand new. It’s by far the closest anypony has gotten to the monarch's old home since that fateful night nearly a millennium ago.
But that village is not her destination. Rather, a far older and more familiar city is. Floating above Ponyville is the pegasus capital of Cloudsdale, performing its typical weather service for the agrarian settlement below.
Banking in flight, Celestia wheels around the cloud city before gliding down to a landing at trotting speed on a plaza near the Wonderbolts academy. The ponies around show the typical deferential, awed expressions that Celestia is used to seeing, magnified by surprise at the princess’s visit. Folding her wings up, Celestia strides up to the guardpony on duty; the Wonderbolts are technically military personnel after all, so their compound is always under watch.
"Y-y-your highness!" The nervous guardspony gulps and lowers his head in a steep bow.
Celestia takes the panicked reaction in stride and smiles at him reassuringly. "At ease, guardspony. May I know your name?"
"U-um, I'm Blizzard Feather." The pegasus certainly looks the part, with his blue coat and white wingtips. Celestia nods encouragingly.
"Well, Blizzard Feather, it is a pleasure to meet you." Celestia smiles at her subject warmly. Though this is essentially padding to get to the point, she isn’t lying; Any day they are able to leave court at Canterlot and see her subjects going about their daily lives is a good day, as far as Celestia is concerned. "Perhaps you can help me with something. There was recently a magical surge over half of Equestria, I'm sure you must have seen it. It could only have been a sonic rainboom, and I would very much like to see the pegasus who accomplished such a feat. Do you know who it was?" Celestia asks, keeping her tone pleasant and casual.
"I, um, don't know. Your Majesty," the pegasus says, keeping his head bowed.
Celestia cocks her head to the side curiously. "You don't know? Were you not stationed there when it happened?"
Blizzard Feather shakes his head. "No. I mean, yes, I mean... I was stationed here, but the rainboom didn't come from here. It came from the lower levels."
Celestia pauses. They had just assumed that the rainboom must have come from a Wonderbolt—after all, she is the most talented fliers in all of Equestria. But here she is, hearing that it had come from the lower levels. That... makes no sense. The lower levels are largely for cargo containers, shipping, and flight camp. Why would such a talented flier be there?
Nonetheless, it’s a lead to go off of. So, Celestia kicks off the ground once more, and nods her head at Blizzard Feather. "Very well. Thank you for your help, Blizzard Feather. Oh, and give my regards to Windrider. I particularly enjoyed his last performance in Canterlot," Celestia states warmly.
"Y-yes, ma-am! I mean, sir! I mean, princess!" Blizzard Feather salutes as Celestia takes off once more, ascending away from the long airstrip and cloud base that serves as the Wonderbolts headquarters.
[hr]
As she survey the flight camps, a hubbub of attention catches Celestia’s eye. There is a large group of excitable fillies, and one gryphon, all gathered together, cheering. Ah. These must have seen the Rainboom. Celestia thinks to themself before gliding down to join the group.
"Good morning, my little ponies. Can any of you tell me where the wave of light an hour ago came from?" Celestia asks. As the young fliers turn their attention to the newcomer, the lot of them gasp in shock in unison.
"Is that... who I think it is?"
"P-P-Princess Celestia!?"
"I-I'm talking to the princess! T-the princess is talking to me!"
Celestia waits patiently for the awe of the ponies around them to fade, while a lone, cyan-toned filly with a messy prismatic mane struts up to the princess. "It was me!" The filly announces. Unlike the rest, she wasn’t even a little bit nervous or deferential, instead puffing out her chest proudly, standing upright and tall. "I was racing to protect Flutters's honor, an' I made the rainboom happen by going so fast to the finish line!"
Celestia carefully suppresses a giggle as she lowers herself to eye level with the filly. Not only is the filly bold, but she has quite the imagination as well, staring into the alicorns eyes with fierce pride writ upon her features. "Oh? And what is your name?" Celestia asks.
“Rainbow Dash!” The filly announced with all the gravitas she can muster, putting her chin up in the air and flaring her wings out to the side in a heroic pose.
What a feisty little pony. Celestia thinks approvingly. It is a nice change of pace, compared to the normal deference—even fear—her presence usually instills. "Well, Rainbow Dash, are you sure it wasn't somepony else? Maybe one of your instructors had to catch you…?" Celestia asks.
Rainbow Dash looks up at the princess, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "What're you tryna say? You calling me a liar?" The filly stomps her hoof on the cloud belligerently.
Some of the other fillies cower in fear or dive under clouds, as if worried that Celestia will reduce the rebellious filly in front of them to ash on the spot, but the princess just shakes her head. But before she can say anything, another of the ponies works up the nerve to stand up on wobbling knees, giving a surprisingly proper military salute.
"U-um, she's telling the truth, sir!" The pony says in a tone of voice Celestia has heard many times— not that of a frightened filly, but that of a subordinate talking to her commanding officer. Just a moment later, the gryphon of the group also takes a spot by the two fillies.
"Yeah, it's true! I saw the whole thing!" The gryphon pipes up, triggering Celestia to arch her brow in interest. Young gryphons in Cloudsdale are a common sight, ever since they’d been integrated into Equestria following the Relic Wars centuries ago. That being said, it is unusual to see one willing to stand up for a friend like this, and it makes Celestia’s heart glow with a spot of pride.
Celestia turns back to look at Rainbow Dash, appraising the filly in a new light. Could it actually be true? It seems impossible, yet... "May I ask where your instructor is, right now?" She would hold off on any judgments until she had heard from an adult.
Rainbow Dash ponders, then shakes her head. "Nu-uh, no clue. We organized the race ourselves," Rainbow Dash explains.
Well, that sure is convenient... Celestia thinks, still doubtful. "Very well. May I have your permission to perform a quick evaluation?" Celestia asks the filly, who looks up at the alicorn's horn warily.
Rainbow Dash had never been near a unicorn nor alicorn before, but she knows about how powerful they are; suddenly, she feels very aware that if Celestia wills it, she could easily reduce her to ash on the spot. Had she done something wrong? Is the rainboom illegal? Gulping down that anxiety, Rainbow Dash jerkily nods her head. “Um, I mean, I guess.” The filly clenches up, hoping that the ‘evaluation’ will not be painful.
She needn’t have been so worried; all she feels is a slight buzzing sensation as the alicorn’s magic seeps through her body. As she opens her eyes again, she finds Celestia staring down at her in astonishment with a newfound sense of respect. “Starswirl’s beard... You really did it.” The princess mutters. “Rainbow Dash, you have accomplished something today that no other pegasus in history ever has. Your potential is, frankly, unrivaled. It would be my honor if you would come to my school in Canterlot, that we might hone your gifts to their fullest potential."
Rainbow Dash blinks in surprise at the offer. Her...? Being extended a personal offer by the Princess of the Sun themself? She knows she’s awesome, but... that awesome? "But... Everypony knows Celestia's school of magic is for unicorns!" Rainbow Dash blurts out.
Celestia gives the pegasus a sly smile and spreads her wings wide. Wingtip to wingtip, they’re far broader than any pegasus Rainbow Dash has ever seen. "These aren't just for show, you know," Celestia remarks, a playful tone to her voice as she suddenly rocket up into the sky and perform a hairpin midair loop before halting in place. Somehow, her ethereal mane and graceful form look even more elegant, backlit against the bright blue sky, and Rainbow Dash's jaw drops in awe.
"I have had over a millennium to hone my flying skills, and I’ve flown alongside the best fliers in Equestrian history—Flash Magnus, Shadow Kicker, Firefly, Purple Dart, and Fairweather, to name a few. I think I can manage to teach a filly some tricks," Celestia gives an amused smirk as she glides back down from the clouds, lightly booping the fillies nose before turning more serious."But in all honesty, there is far more that I would teach you than simply flight. Harnessing your pegasus magic can do great things, both for yourself and Equestria at large. Such raw talent deserves to be explored."
Rainbow Dash's mind struggles to keep up, but even to a filly, the weight of what is being stated is readily apparent. An offer from the Princess of the Sun themself is no small matter, and it could easily change the course of her entire life. And yet...
Rainbow Dash glances at the other ponies near her, and more generally, at Cloudsdale. It’s home, and it always has been—high in the sky, above the earth, where flight is just a natural part of life. And more importantly, it’s the home of the Wonderbolts. Her dream to join them had only just been formed, and now another option is bludgeoning its way into her life. Seeing Rainbow Dash's hesitation writ plainly on her face, Celestia nods. "You don't need to make a decision right now, my young pegasus. For now, you should think it over. It is, after all, not a decision to be taken lightly.”
"What? Don't tell me you're seriously considering turning them down?" The gryphon asks Rainbow Dash incredulously. "You're always going on about how awesome you are, and now the ruler of all of Equestria shows up to acknowledge it!" They prod Rainbow Dash from the side.
The other pegasus pipes up. "Yeah! It's not like you to hesitate on something like this!" she jeers. "What's the matter? Just take the offer!"
Rainbow Dash shakes her head. "It's not that simple, Cloud Kicker! I'd be leaving Cloudsdale..." she states fiercely, before looking back up at Celestia. "I'd have to talk to my parents, too."
Celestia looks on approvingly. The pegasus before them, though rowdy and rambunctious, also has a surprisingly good head on her shoulders, from what she can tell. "Of course. Regardless of your decision, you've accomplished a great feat here today, and you should be proud. May I meet the parents of such an extraordinary young filly?"
Rainbow Dash beams. Though she isn't sure about changing her whole course in life on a dime like that, it doesn't take a second thought to realize that having the Sun Princess visit her home personally will give her bragging rights for the rest of her life. So, she nods her head enthusiastically. "Uh-huh!"
Celestia lowers her head oddly deferentially, stifling a giggle at the filly's enthusiasm. "Well then, Rainbow Dash, lead the way."
Rainbow Dash turns around to say goodbye to her friends. "I'll be sure to let you both know what I decide. Catch you later, Gilda. Bye, Cloud Kicker." Rainbow Dash hoofbumps each of her friends in turn before wheeling about and taking off.
As Celestia follows, she is able to get her first good look at the filly's flying technique. Though it is... unrefined, it is easy to see the raw talent possessed; she moves with agility, confidence, and grace, though her technique is somewhat sloppy and can use some work. Nothing that a few afternoons with the premier flight trainers in Equestria won’t hammer out, though. Celestia thinks to themself.
Upon reaching the mid-layer of the cloud city where her house is, Rainbow Dash touches down. She could fly straight there, but she wants as many ponies as possible to witness the monarch of all of Equestria following her around.
Slamming the door to her house open, Rainbow Dash struts inside confidently. "Mom! Dad! I'm home! And I brought a visitor. They'd like to talk with you!"
"Oh, sweetie, it's so good to see you're home! How did your day go?" Windy Whistles calls out from the other room as she quickly trots towards the front door to see her daughter. "Did you beat any records toda...y" The pegasus quickly trails off and halts in place at the sight before her, eyes going as wide as saucers.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Princess Celestia greets the slack-jawed pegasus. "To answer your question, your daughter has in fact set a record today. May I come in?"
"B-B-Bow, get in here." Windy stammers out. "C-C-Come right in, P-P-Prin..." She doesn't seem to be able to finish that sentence, but Celestia gets the message and nods her head gratefully.
"Thank you. My, what a cozy home you have here," Celestia remarks as she sits down at the table.
"Dear? What is it?" Bow Hothoof calls out from upstairs, trotting down the stairs, only to find the surreal image of Princess Celestia sitting down at the family dining table, patiently waiting for him.
"Dear Celestia..." Bow prays under his breath. "It's Celestia."
[hr]
It takes some time for Rainbow Dash's parents to pull themselves together enough to string together a coherent statement, and once they do, it’s largely just to start asking if the princess needs anything. It isn't until cups of tea have been made and they all sit down at the table that they stop vibrating in awe long enough to introduce themselves and hear what Celestia has to say.
"This morning, your daughter accomplished an extraordinary feat," Celestia explains. "She became the first pegasus, and second pony, in all of recorded history to have performed a Sonic Rainboom. Even if she were an adult, that would have been an astonishing feat, but as a filly it is doubly impressive."
Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles look at each other, and then back at Celestia. "Our Dashie," Windy starts, "performed a sonic rainboom?" Bow finishes.
Rainbow Dash winces as the living room is overtaken by a cacophony of parental cheering and pride. Somehow, in her eagerness to show off that she had attracted the eye of the princess themself, she neglected to consider how embarrassing her parents could be. Before she can escape the couch, she is overtaken by a massive bear hug between the two of them.
"If any pegasus could do it, it would be our Dashie!" Bow gushes. "She's always been such a phenomenal learner!"
Celestia smiles with warmth and sincerity as shes takes a sip of her tea. It's good to see that she's well loved. "Now, onto business. I have extended your daughter an offer to come to Canterlot as my personal student, that she might learn how to best harness her abilities." Celestia explains. "If she should decide to take me up on my offer, she would learn from the best that Equestria can provide. But as she would be studying so far from home, she would have to live at the palace with me while she was studying."
As if everything else that had been told to them wasn't enough, this latest revelation sent fresh waves of excitement through her parents. "Our Dashie, being mentored by... By Celestia themself?" Windy Whistles utters in astonishment while looking over at her husband. "Where do we sign up!?" Bow asks, elated.
"Not so fast!" Rainbow Dash shouts, prying her muzzle out of her parents' grasp for long enough to speak up. "I haven't made up my mind yet. Princess, I have some questions." The pegasus announces, crawling out from between her parents and standing fiercely on the couch with wings spread out as if she thought she was getting ready for battle.
"Ask away. I wouldn't expect you to make such a large decision without full knowledge first. In fact, I wouldn't permit it." Celestia announces, firmly. Even though she seems calm, there is a certain gravitas to that last statement which makes Rainbow Dash swallow nervously.
"Well, um, first off... What would I be learning? I'm not an egghead, I like flying and speed. And the Wonderbolts academy is here, in Cloudsdale, so if I want to learn from the best, wouldn't I be better off staying there?" Rainbow Dash asks.
Celestia nods. "In some ways, yes. If you wish to only focus on your flight abilities, you would be better served staying in Cloudsdale. But I believe you have far more potential than simply being a racer or stunt pony. To assuage your concerns, the military school in Canterlot has some of the best flight trainers in all of Equestria, perhaps second to the Wonderbolts Academy, perhaps not. But you would also be trained by me, personally. So your flight training would not be lacking. But there is far more that I would teach you. Navigation, leadership, survival skills, harnessing your pegasus magic... And, of course, academics." Celestia adds the last one as if it’s an afterthought.
Rainbow Dash groans. 'Academics.' Just about anything else is preferable over that. But she still has one more major concern. "And... How would this affect my chances of getting into the Wonderbolts?"
Celestia's gaze softens, and she speaks more gently than the previous, more formal answer. "I will be honest, if you take me up on my offer, it is unlikely you will ever become a Wonderbolt. You will likely take on greater responsibilities that will conflict with Wonderbolt training, and would be away from Cloudsdale too often to compete." Rainbow Dash looks like she is going to turn them down on the spot in response to that statement, but Celestia continues. "But I believe your destiny holds greater things for you than being a mere performer. I understand that is your dream, and if you wish to pursue it I will not hinder you. But with your potential, I know you could be so much more."
Celestia's words touch Rainbow's pride just right, leaving her once again uncertain. What Celestia describes is so different from how she imagined life going, such a departure from all the goals and hopes she has for herself. And yet... Rainbow Dash sighs, looking down at the ground. "Can I... Think it over?" She asks, finally, eliciting gasps of shock from both of her parents. Celestia nods gracefully.
"Of course. Having said that, I'm afraid I cannot stay while you do. Duty calls." Celestia offers a hoof bracelet to Rainbow Dash, emblazoned with the royal seal on the front. "If you should choose to take me up on my offer, present this to the guards at the royal palace in Canterlot and they will let you in."
Rainbow Dash takes the signet, turning it over in her hooves. It's strange; She has just accomplished the greatest feat of her life and been told that she has nearly limitless potential, yet all she feels is a strange sense of trepidation. “Alright. I'll think about it." She finally responds.
Celestia nods. "I would expect no less. Take your time to make your decision, it is not one to be made lightly." The Sun Princess states with delicate emphasis, before nodding to each of Rainbow's parents in turn. "It was good to meet you two. Regardless of what choice they make, you should know that you've raised an extraordinary young filly. You should be proud."
And just like that, the alicorn is gone, leaving Rainbow Dash with a confounding storm of warring emotions inside of her head for the rest of the day.
[hr]
Rainbow Dash's eyes shoot open, not knowing where she is, as a flash of light emanates around her. It is only after the resounding boom of thunder passes through her that she realizes the light came from stormclouds hanging overhead. Where am I...? Rainbow Dash wonders in a daze, looking around at the crumbling stonework all around her. She seems to be in a massive, ornamental hall, badly weathered by the ages. The vaunted ceiling stretches up high above her, almost invisible in the darkness until another flash of lightning crashes through the sky above.
Rainbow Dash flinches reflexively, before cursing herself for doing so; she’s not supposed to be so easily scared! But despite telling herself that, she can't help but shiver in a combination of fear and awe. She looks up and around, seeing massive sections of the ceiling that are caved in, the rubble strewn across the floor, while vast stained glass windows on either side let in the dim light from outside.
Suddenly, a booming laughter, as loud as the thunder that was crashing through the hall, resounds. It hits Rainbow with a wave of physical force like a shockwave that blasts her backwards. She desperately flaps her wings in flight to catch her balance before she falls to the ground, landing in a combative stance. "Who's there?" she shouts, her voice filled with bravado that her heart doesn't match.
"Your fate." The voice calls Rainbow from down the hall. "Come and face it, if you dare." The voice continues to resound from all around her, speaking with all of the intensity of the thunderclouds hanging outside.
Rainbow hesitantly glances around. There are no side passages, and the hall just seems to fade into black darkness behind her, so she nervously gulps and begins walking forwards. Chunks of ancient stonework, still grandiose even in their ruined state, jut from the ground around her.
Rainbow Dash isn't sure how long she walks, but at some point, shivering in the cold air, she comes to the end of the hall. There are many such windows lining each side, but the two stained glass panels here are the only two that catch her eye, because she recognizes the ponies depicted within.
On one side... Shadow Kicker, her friend Cloud Kicker’s distant ancestor, armored wing to hoof. An ancient hero from a bygone era.
And on the other, illuminated by a flash of lightning in the thunderstorm raging in the background, is a pony from far more recent history. In fact, one who is still alive. Wind Rider, captain of the Wonderbolts.
Rainbow Dash shakes her head and shields herself from the biting wind with her wings. Though she is technically inside, the numerous cracks and shattered glass in the hall let the storm winds in with little resistance. "What is this? Why are you showing me this?" Rainbow Dash shouts out, looking around in the darkness for her tormentor.
Booming laughter echoes once again, and Rainbow Dash involuntarily cowers under its weight. "You have a choice to make, my young subject. Stay in Cloudsdale if you value your life, for if you follow your fool of a princess, you shall share the fate of those who came before you!"
Rainbow Dash's eyes widen as the scenes in the stained glass seem to come to life. Shadow Kicker, impaled by a dozen spears and laying dying in a pool of her own blood. And Wind Rider, soaring high on the wings of a storm, without a care in the world. Cracks like sparks of lightning crawl across both paintings, from the bottom towards the top, even whilst the figures in them continue moving. Wind Rider ascends up, up, until he’d left the painting entirely, while Shadow Kicker's last, pained breaths cease.
A forked tongue of lightning crashes down from the stormclouds above, piercing each painting and shattering them into pieces along the cracks that had formed. Rainbow screams and jumps back, only for a sudden gust of wind to sweep her through the air. Though the pegasus filly tries to catch herself on the shattered glass where the paintings had once been, she finds herself plummeting down into the darkness before her. Soon enough, she can see nothing, feeling only the biting wind in her fur and her scream fading into the rumbling of the storm beyond.