MY LITTLE PONY: EQUESTRIA UNLIMITED

CHAPTER ONE: WARNINGS FROM THE ORACLE

The scared creature looked around in the darkest of voids, only blackness around her, no ground to walk on, no sky to look at, just black emptiness. Though it was dark she still could see herself just fine, like there was no darkness. She was still what she was supposed to be…she was a dark blue winged horse with a horn…an alicorn. Her mane is partially translucent and ripples and sparkles, like her mane was a wisp of smoke…she had a mark on her flank that resembles a crescent moon on a black night-like background and her eyes were a light blue. She had a black crown on her head, a piece of black chest armor with a crescent moon mark and silver objects on her hooves that could be described as special slippers for horses.

"Who is there?" she asked nervously. Though there was a black void as far as her eyes could see, she sensed someone was there. Normally she can see in the dark, just like it was clear as day, but she could not see through the darkness of this void. "Show yourself!" she demanded in a very loud voice. Her throat hurt slightly, as she normally doesn't use this loud voice anymore.

"Don't you remember me, Luna?" a voice sounded, though the mare called Luna couldn't hear where it came from…it's like it came from everywhere at once. It was no deep, booming or roaring voice, but a soft, almost whispering voice but the tone in which it spoke made it creepy nonetheless.

"Should I?" Luna asked suspiciously. The voice sounded familiar indeed but she couldn't put her hoof on it.

"Of course, you were quite the different mare when we last saw each other…or rather heard." The voice muttered. Out of nowhere, in front of Luna a mirror appeared. But the reflection she saw was different…a tall black alicorn mare with light blue armor on her hooves, chest and head. The eyes were blue like hers and the mark on the flank and the chest armor were a moon, like hers. "…Nightmare Moon." The voice finished.

"NO! I'm no longer that demon! I'm no longer…that!" Luna wanted to look away, and the reflection in the mirror mimicked her every move like any reflection. The Nightmare Moon had the same scared sad look Luna had now and had her hoof in front of her face just like she had. "That's not me!" Luna said softly and sadly, almost whispering.

Luna was then shocked to see that the reflection broke away from the pattern and moved on its own, and an evil scowl appeared onto her face. "Oh really?" the mare in the mirror replied. "Am I not part of you? Wasn't I born from the jealousy and hatred for your sister? How you always were in the background and how the night you cherish wasn't favored?" Nightmare Moon then actually stepped outside of the mirror and moved towards Luna, who staggered back, scared out of her wits. "Am I not the real you?"

"NO! NO! NO!" Luna said as she covered her eyes and her ears with her hooves.

"Face it, Luna…she is the real you! I showed you that before…I can show you again, in case you've forgotten!" the voice whispered again.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Luna shouted as the void around her disappeared, and the voice and the image of Nightmare Moon disappeared alongside it. She no longer found herself in the void, but in a room. She was sitting near a desk of mahogany wood, scrolls, books and tomes covering the desk. She looked around, and sighed in relief to find herself in her room at the Royal Palace.

The entire room was painted and styled in her colors and motive, the dark blue and the night. Walls, carpet, bed sheets, all in various dark shades of blue, and the ceiling was decorated with various stars and the moon of course. As she was Princess Luna, mistress of the night, and protector of dreams…Ironically she couldn't protect herself from these nightmares she had.

A knock was heard on her door. She sighed as she moved towards the door and opened it. A white alicorn mare, much like her stood in the doorway. She was taller than Luna, had a pure white fur, and her mane and tail were wavy and sparkly, but in light blue, pink and green. Her eyes were violet, her crown and the armor on her chest and hooves was golden and the mark on her flank was that of a sun. "Luna? Is everything all right? I heard you screaming…"

This was Princess Celestia, Princess Luna's olders sister, and mistress of the day, responsible for raising the sun and co-ruler of their kingdom, the land of Equestria. "Just having a nightmare…I know it's quite ironic." Luna muttered.

"Having 'just' a nightmare? You don't look that good, Luna. There is something more about it. I heard you scream your lungs out. You are the mistress of dreams, so if you yourself have nightmares it's not a good sign. " Celestia stated. Luna didn't look well indeed. Her face looked sweaty and she had bags under her eyes. "So be honest with me, Lulu…How long do you have these nightmares?" Celestia asked her sister.

Luna bit her lower lip as she spilled the beans: "Something over a month now." she admitted. Her sister was worried for her, she could tell, she couldn't bring up herself to lie because what her sister said was true. Her nightmares weren't normal indeed. And she wanted them to stop.

"Did you do anything a month ago, around the same time the nightmares began?" Celestia asked her.

Luna sighed as her horn glowed and in a bluish aura, some of the books and scrolls she had been delving into floated in front of her sister. "A month ago I started some research…" Luna said.

Celestia looked at the books and scrolls. There were star charts among them, showing the positioning of the stars of the last year. Among the books she saw several familiar titles like 'The Mare in the Moon', 'Magical creatures believed to be extinct' and 'Legends of the Crystal Empire.'

"What are you looking after, Luna?" Celestia asked, still confused. Luna turned the pages in some of the books, showing the pages in the books concerning several creatures the Princesses and the Elements of Harmony had faced. The first book showed during which events Nightmare Moon would escape her prison on the moon, an entry in the book of extinct creatures about changelings and draconequus, and the book of the Crystal Empire about Sombra.

"Luna…these threats have been neutralized. Why are you still looking into them?" Celestia asked.

"These events happened shortly after one another, four major threats in the course of a single year…we didn't have something like that in a thousand years. It cannot be coincidence. When I was Nightmare Moon, I escaped…shortly after Discord broke free…the changeling race, which was believed to be extinct resurfaced after a thousand years to ruin Cadance's wedding and shortly afterwards the Crystal Empire returns…" Luna stated.

"Though I see your point, each of these were contributed to several factors. The star alignment for Nightmare Moon, us having forsaken the Elements for Discord and the curse on the Crystal Empire was powerful yes, but it wasn't eternal." Celestia said.

"It didn't explain how the changelings came back. There wasn't as much of a sighting of them and they came back out of nowhere. Queen Chrysalis was especially powerful, even with Shining Armor's love fueling her, she shouldn't be that strong. I was out of commission during the invasion because my drink was spiked with Mandragora …how could the Changelings know that us alicorns can be affected by that substance? And that curse Sombra cast…it was magic no normal unicorn or even alicorn can just cast…and us being unable to break that curse for the past thousand years shows it was nothing ordinary. I believe something else is behind it." Luna stated.

"What can be behind it? What can be so powerful to manipulate you, a spirit of chaos, a race of shape shifters and a unicorn king like this?" Celestia asked.

"I don't know…I told you I remember little of my time as Nightmare Moon…enough to feel regret for it…but I've recently recalled something else. A whispering voice that had spoken to me prior to my fall into darkness. It had steered me. I had forgotten about it, but it came back slightly…though it's mostly blurry." Luna stated.

"A whisper…a voice that spoke to them?" Celestia asked. To her it seemed all the more confusing.

"Think about it…all these evil forces; they were neutralized a thousand years ago, each one by the Elements of Harmony. Then no such similar events happened for a thousand years, up until last year. Something was forced into hiding or slumber cause the elements could harm him, it was hurt…it was licking its wounds. Nightmare Moon, Discord, the Changelings and Sombra…each one tried to incapacitate the potential of the Elements in a different way. I tried destroy the Elements, Discord warped the users, the changeling target one of the wielders' relatives and Sombra tapped into the fears of your student." Luna stated.

Celestia let it all sink in, though as hard as it seemed to believe…but something Luna said did make sense. "Your theory holds valid points…but nothing up until now we can see as real proof as of yet."

"What? After all I've shown you, how can you still have doubts?" Luna asked a bit upset.

"Nothing ever suggested that any of these evildoers had acted out nothing else of their own personal motives, no hint at someone else pulling the strings. Your time as Nightmare Moon was blurry, as you've said yourself." Celestia stated.

"Tia, please! You know how much we both had lost a thousand years ago? You want us to lose more? We can't take the risk. We need to inform the Wielders of the Elements of this." Luna spat.

"Tell them what? How can we tell them to watch out for something if we don't even know ourselves what it is?" Celestia reminded her.

"At least we'll be able to do something this time. You've kept yourself from interfering with the battles the Wielders have fought, and prevented me from doing the same. They had come out on top every time, yes…and it's true it was up to them to deliver the finishing blow. But we could have done more then stand and watch all those times… it was always too close for comfort. But what if they run out of luck next time? No, they need to be prepared for everything…" Luna stated.

"You know I've been foretold our interference would do nothing in the long run, that it was always up to them. I had to stay out, not because I wanted to…cause believe me I wanted to. You think I'm not worried when Twi…I mean the Wielders go on a mission? You don't think I wanted to do something. But I couldn't…because…"

"Because what? Because that stupid statue told you? Tia, I don't think it's wise to listen to the Oracle. I find his methods…questionable. I don't know if we can rely on him." Luna stated.

"He has never been wrong before. Everything he warned me about has come true. He foretold your return as Nightmare Moon, the return of Discord, the threat against Canterlot that would turn out to be the changelings, the return of the Empire… He was right on those." Celestia said.

"But was he right to say we couldn't do as much as stick out a hoof ourselves? I trust your judgment so I did as told and interfered little, but we can't keep this up. Are you going to keep listening to him? You should be there for them. Twilight is your student…though it's clear to you she's more than a student, isn't she? You care for her like a daughter, I know you do. Can you really bear to lose her too? Like you lost me before? Before you lost your true love? How you lost…her?" Luna asked.

"That's the reason I need his help. I don't want my actions to have consequences. So I always need to know what happens before I can act. So that's why I couldn't do anything before…" Celestia said sadly.

"I call bull on that, Tia! Every action has consequences. What I mean to say is that you shouldn't let anyone else but yourself let your future set in stone." Luna told her.

"I'm sorry Luna, but I need confirmation…I need to be sure. I need to talk with him on this matter." Celestia stated.

"How can you call yourself a ruler if you let yourself be destiny's puppet?" Luna shouted as Celestia left her room. Celestia pretended to not hear, but she was left with an empty feeling.

Celestia made her way to a secret quarters of her castle. No one knew this room existed, no one knew except her and Luna knew what housed it. No one even knew how to get in there. The room was so well hidden that even Discord wouldn't have found it. The room looked different from the bright white and amazing architecture of the rest of the castle. This room was dark and except for three objects nothing was in the room; not even decorations or paint up the wall, just an empty stone brick chamber.

Celestia now stood in front of what appeared to be a golden statue of a three-headed alicorn, two torches at either side lit to illuminate the dark room…they were the only objects there. "You haven't come to see me in a while. You want another prediction, Celestia?" the statue spoke in three unified voices at once, with an echo effect added.

"Oracle…we have reason to believe that… something dark is ahoof. The reappearance of dark forces thought long point that out, but I can't say a thing for sure. You who see the future in an inevitable way, you can tell me if it's true!" Celestia asked.

"Though I'm nearly all-seeing, there are few who can shield themselves from my sight. Though I wouldn't rule out that something more is behind it. But you have reason to believe so as it's really unsettling. But that's not the main reason you come to me, do you?" the Oracle replied.

"Yes…I don't want to be passive about this anymore. I can't bear putting down the Elements in situations like this anymore while just watching. It's too much. Isn't there really another way for me? To fight alongside them when the need arises." Celestia asked.

"Is it about the Elements, or about your student? Do you care so much about her? Is it because she reminds you off…" the Oracle asked.

"I ask the questions, Oracle!" Celestia said firmly.

"My apologies, but I'm just expressing worry if you should get so attached to this unicorn? She is skilled yes, but her power is raw and powerful, nothing like you've seen before…is she even aware of the power she possesses? She has potential for great things, but also as much potential for disaster…" the Oracle continued.

"Enough…just answer my question!" Celestia said loud and firm.

"Very well…you must know, the Element Wielders themselves must be the ones dealing the final blow in the end. To assume their destinies they must learn on their own, you can't always leave breadcrumbs behind. Like with those letters when Discord came along, or when you sent your student that letter before she first faced Nightmare Moon…You can only meddle if it's about the investigation, but not in the battle. Otherwise…the future might be lost." Oracle replied.

"For someone who doesn't see the future related so clearly anymore, you're pretty sure of a future that is doomed." Celestia pointed out.

"If the Elements do not get stronger, it will be a matter of time anyways before they fall…evil never dies, and if it's not one force of darkness, then it's another one." The Oracle answered.

"I still have doubts, but I believe you for now Oracle. You were most helpful." Celestia noted.

"It's my duty to serve the royal alicorn line!" the Oracle replied. Celestia turned around and left the room, which darkened upon her leave, though the only thing still shining bright were the cold empty eyes of the Oracle…

Celestia strolled back through the white polished marble hallways of the castle. No one has seen her go in or out the room like always. Her face hung down and she looked sad. It pained her to talk to the Oracle every time. She understood Luna's distrust in the being. But his abilities were useful so she had kept it around. But it was nothing more than a machine, not taking any emotion in account. To the Oracle, the preservation of the future was above anything. He didn't live in the present, just for the future.

The future was important, but the past and the present were as well. The path the Oracle always predicted was a straight one, though there were ways that took a detour, but Celestia felt fearful about taking those. Though she was powerful…she wasn't powerful enough in her own eyes.

Thousands of years, that long she has been alive. She has seen a lot of wonderful things during that time, but also saw many bad things, things she wouldn't rather think about. How helpless she felt when Luna had fallen into darkness, and how she had lost her lover, and also several other important ponies that had come in her life…

She moved onto the balcony of the highest tower, and worked her magic. The time to set the sun had come for the day and she let the sun go down slowly, making beautiful shades of orange and red appear on the horizon as she did.

"Tia…" Luna's voice sounded softly next to her. Celestia turned around, without letting go of the sunset spell of course. "I didn't mean to snap at you earlier. You're not a puppet. It's just…you're not the only one who had lost someone. But believe me when I tell you, whatever I said was not to have you worry or anything…"

"I know…you are actively busy with the safety of our kingdom. I can't bring up anything less than respect for such determination. I'm not mad at you, sister." Celestia said as the sun had completely set down.

"So what did threehead say?" Luna asked as her horn glowed and she made the full moon rise from behind the horizon, it's white surface reflecting the sun's rays to illuminate the night.

"The Oracle wasn't able to answer all my questions. If there is anything out there, it can shield itself rather well." Celestia stated.

"You do believe me, do you, Tia?" Luna asked as the moon was anchored in the sky and she started working on making the stars appear.

"I do…but I'm concerned about what the future might hold. If such thing as…the Whisper exists, will the Elements of Harmony be enough in the long run as they are now?" Celestia wondered.

Luna finished of the last of the stars as she replied: "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"The Elements have to reach their next level. We might not have been able to do so in the past…but the current wielders have done things we couldn't have. They destroyed Sombra and reformed Discord. I'm sure they might unlock the true power of the Elements too!" Celestia stated.

"So do we tell them their Elements have more power than they thought?" Luna asked.

"We can't…cause you know what it takes to unlock their true power. And it's an issue that can be considered delicate. Emotions can't be forced. And that's what they might do once they know." Celestia explained.

"Cadence has no problem with it." Luna argued.

"She cannot truly affect emotions, she can reach out to them, but not change them. She can bring out positive emotions to end a lover's quarrel, or break a mind-control, but she can't create them. No one can." Celestia explained.

"Okay, but who says that'll happen anytime soon. They seem content with their lives as it is, you think that they have an urge to commit anytime soon? What should we do when it's not going fast enough?" Luna asked.

"Then we must gather our most powerful allies for as the time comes. Luckily, thanks to Fluttershy, we already regained Discord as an ally. Though he's still rough around the edges. But there's a lot that still has to be done." Celestia answered.

"Don't worry, sister. I'll be at your side the whole way…and so will the Wielders of the Elements." Luna stated.

"I know…but nothing is as easy as it seems…"

TO BE CONTINUED

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Hello everyone! I deleted my old fanfic 'Final Coltdown' because…it got off to a very bad start. I had ideas for the middle of the fic, but I started out the fic horribly. I wanted to start off with something all six of the Mane cast are central, but it was mostly improvising that didn't go as I wanted it to, and the first story arc led to nothing as I couldn't think of how to continue.

But now with the revised and renamed version, I do it as it was meant to be, it's going to be back, better than ever and I really hope to improve with this one. So I start of fresh now. And I hope this time you'll be able to enjoy it.

The fanfic is mostly set after 'Games Ponies Play' and will be an alternative universe from that point onwards. Nothing against the season three finale, but I want to take it in another direction. That's all.

MY LITTLE PONY: EQUESTRIA UNLIMITED

CHAPTER TWO: DARING MOM, PART I

Princess Celestia just sat on her throne looking into some documents, sporting a special pair of reading glasses and scratching things of a list with a quill. "Blueblood has been so wasteful with his royal funds, no way he's getting an advance for next month. Seriously, what do I have to do with that guy?" she muttered to herself.

In a burst of green flame, a scroll appeared in front of her. "Ah, another report from my faithful student. I hope this will distract me a bit." She thought to herself. She grabbed the letter and read it.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I'm not currently contacting you on a report of friendship…or kind of, but not really. I don't know how to explain this. But when studying the Elements you've given me, I noticed that the Elements of Loyalty and Kindness react to one another…do Kindness and Loyalty go hand in hand? Or is it that Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were friends since childhood that their elements react strongly to one another?

I'm not sure, but I'm investigating the matter and hope that this might learn me more about the Elements themselves and about the friendship between Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. They've been friends the longest so maybe that's why their elements react this way. I'll continue my research and who knows? We might find out more about what the Elements are truly capable off.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.

Celestia had a smile on her face. "Maybe Luna and I won't need to worry so much. It looks like two of the elements are on their way to reach next level already…"

"Best day ever!" Twilight Sparkle was shouting out in a giddy way, as she was at the Ponyville's Annual Literature Conference. Anything related to books made her so giddy. She, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had gone to the convention together. Too bad Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie had too much work going on at their respective jobs to join them, but the latter two weren't much of book enthusiasts anyway. Spike also stayed clear as he has seen enough books for a lifetime after living in the library for a long time.

Rainbow Dash was mostly here because of the author of her favorite book series (though the only one she actually read so far), Daring Do, was here to sign. Rainbow Dash had brought all of her Daring Do novels, ready to sign. "It's going to be so awesome, I'm finally meeting the author of my favorite books. I really want to see the genius behind these books!"

"I also want my novels signed…but I'm afraid that I won't be able talk properly to her. But Rarity is counting on me, she handed me her novels to sign too while she's busy and…oh dear." The timid Pegasus said as she looked to the ground and fumbled around with her hooves. She carried two saddlebags full of books with her.

"No worries, Shy! It appears both our authors are next to each other, so while we're waiting in line, I'm still close to you, so I'll mutter some encouragement when you need it!" Rainbow Dash assured her.

"T-t-thanks Rainbow…you know, I'm quite glad we have a chance to hang out again. You've been so busy lately we rarely have time to do stuff together…at least between the two of us." Fluttershy said.

"Yeah…I've been quite busy. My job on the weather team, my training with the Wonderbolts, not to mention my pranking sprees with Pinkie, Scootaloo's flight training and Applebloom's Kung Fu training keep me occupied a lot. I really need to ask Twilight's help into helping me manage things, cause it's getting hectic. I'm awesome and fast and all so I manage, but making things easier for myself could never hurt." Rainbow noted as she took place in line for the Daring Do sign sessions.

Fluttershy took place in the line next to Rainbow's. It was then that she was shoved aside by another mare, who took her place in the line. Rainbow Dash saw this and wanted to do something, but Fluttershy raised her hoof, asking her to stand down. Fluttershy spoke to the mare: "Excuse me, but that was my spot. It's really rude to cut ahead in line." She said.

"Listen, I've been waiting for this all week, so every mare for herself. Get back in line, doormat!" the mare shot back rudely.

Fluttershy took a deep breath, moved in front of the mare and gave her the Stare. "I…was…first!" she said firmly.

The mare took a few step backs, clearly startled by Fluttershy's ability. "Er…sure…I'm sorry, I was rude." She said. She stepped back and even let two other ponies go before her, just so that there would be space in between her and Fluttershy.

"Whoa Shy…I always forget you took those assertiveness lessons. They do good for you." Rainbow said impressed.

"Thanks…though you didn't want to see me when Iron Will was teaching me." Fluttershy stated.

"I found it hard to believe when Pinkie and Rarity told me. But maybe it's better I didn't see it. Though why are you so shy in the face of an author while you are able to put that rude mare into her place?" Rainbow Dash noted.

"Because I needed to. I can only be assertive when push comes to shove…" Fluttershy answered.

"Oh Shy, you're something." Rainbow said, rolling her eyes but still smiling. Though a smile was across her face, something in Rainbow's eyes eyes betrayed something.

"Rainbow…is there something?" Fluttershy asked.

"No…or actually…yes…but it's stupid." Rainbow noted.

"You can tell me, I won't laugh." Fluttershy assured her.

"I miss the time when I still had to stand up for you…I kind of being enjoyed being something like…a shining knight in armor. And I feel a bit…I don't know, I feel that you've grown a lot and you'd probably not need me anymore." Rainbow muttered.

"I'd always need you as a friend Rainbow. You are my best friend." Fluttershy assured her with a smile.

"Er…you two continue to make out or are you going to let your books get signed, we are waiting here too!" a stallion behind Rainbow Dash said. Rainbow and Fluttershy saw they had left a gap in the line while standing around to talk. Both muttered 'sorry' as they moved forwards to fill the gap.

While Fluttershy's turn came to have her romance novels signed, Rainbow Dash saw the unicorn stallion in front of her, who was using his magic to levitate a quill to sign the books. He had a orange coat, black neatly combed mane, wore a pair of glasses and had a book for a cutie mark. This was Quincy Scribble, author of the Daring Do books.

"Next, please!" the stallion muttered as he called the next one. Rainbow Dash moved in front of him. Rainbow Dash had a twinkle in her eyes as she stood in front of him. Though to her surprise, the author gave her an odd look, his eyes narrowed as he adjusted his glasses.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! I can't believe I'm actually meeting you! You know I wasn't much of a reader until I read your awesome stories and you won't believe how Daring Do inspires me and…why are you looking at me like that?" Rainbow Dash said, at first excited, then baffled by the look Scribble gave her.

"I'm sorry, you just remind me a lot of someone I know…though without the blue fur and rainbow mane." The author said. "She was the inspiration for these books you know."

"Really? I look like the one whom you based Daring Do off?" Rainbow asked happily.

"Indeed. She was such an amazing mare. She was strong, loyal and adventurous. I looked up to her, so I started to write these series to honor her." Scribble stated.

"Who is that mare? Where is she now?" Rainbow asked him.

"She's gone…such a shame, she was such an inspiration. But she lives on in my work…I'm sorry, I get sentimental at times. For who can I sign this?" Scribble said as he took one of Rainbow's books and prepared his quill.

"Rainbow! Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow said proudly. However, the author seemed startled and then accidentally knocked over his jar of ink, spilling it over the book. "Oh, I'm sorry…clumsy me…that book must have cost a few bits…you know what, take this one free of charge!" Quincy said as he handed Rainbow a different copy of her book and then quickly signed it: "For Rainbow Dash, from Quincy Scribble…" he muttered, repeating what he noted down. "There!" he said as he handed it back to her.

"A personal gift from you? I feel honored. Thank you!" Rainbow said amazed.

"You're welcome…now go along, there are others waiting. Just…good luck. Hope I'll be able to inspire you more in the future." Scribble said nervously. Rainbow nodded as she left with a giddy look on her face. "Dash…Dash…the same family name…can't be a coincidence, can it? She looks like her…" he thought to himself before he snapped out of it. "Oh right, who's next?"

Rainbow and Fluttershy met up with Twilight again, who was pulling a chart filled with books with her magic. "Oof, as much as I love books, having so many to be signed is a chore…Luckily I got my Daring Do books signed last year already. Speaking off, you met Mr. Scribbler?" Twilight asked Rainbow.

"Indeed. You know what? He told me I look like the mare who inspired Daring Do…though he got clumsy as soon as I mentioned what my name was." Rainbow then dropped her smile. "Is that a coincidence?" she wondered.

"Daring Do is strong and brave, like you…why can't it be a coincidence?" Fluttershy asked.

"I dunno, I have an odd feeling feeling about this. Twi, you can hold on to my books for a while, I really need to have another word with Mr. Scribble." Rainbow said as she put her book on Twilight's stash.

"I…" Twilight muttered.

"Thanks! You're the best!" Rainbow said as she rushed off.

Twilight sighed. "Well, that's Rainbow for you. Hey, Fluttershy, you can help me with these books?"

Fluttershy nodded and helped Twilight pull the cart full of books. However, Fluttershy's eye fell on a familiar looking Pegasus stallion in the crowd. She recognized him immediately, because his color scheme was hard to miss. He was a light blue and had a rainbow-colored mane and tail. His cutie mark was a meteor, with a rainbow colored tail. "What he's doing here?" she wondered. "Twilight, I need to tell Rainbow something, I'll be right back." Fluttershy said as she zoomed off too.

"Hey! What about my books?" Twilight said, as she was left behind with the heavy load. She sighed and hung down her head.

Rainbow Dash was rushing all over the place looking for Mr. Scribble. He was no longer at the table he was to sign books, because the signing session was over, but Rainbow Dash looked around to see if she couldn't catch a glimpse of him. "A celebrity like him can't be so hard to find…" she muttered. However, then she noted another familiar face in the crowd. The same one Fluttershy saw earlier. He hadn't seen her, but he looked around. He then noticed something in the distance and moved towards him. "What he's doing here?" she asked herself, annoyed.

Then Fluttershy caught up to her, panting heavily. "Dashie…your father…" Fluttershy wanted to say, but Rainbow cut her off.

"My father's here! I know!" she replied. "But what is he looking for? He never leaves Cloudsdale…let's find out!" Rainbow said as her gaze intensifies.

"I'm not sure that's a good id…eep!" Fluttershy wanted to say, but Rainbow dragged her along by her leg and flew behind her father.

They followed him around, up until they came across a trailer outside of the Literature Conference. It was Mr. Scribbler's personal trailer, as the motive of Daring Do was painted all over it. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash kept a safe distance. "What is he doing?" Rainbow asked herself.

"M-maybe he wants an autograph too?" Fluttershy asked.

"No…my dad never liked those books. Beats me why…" Rainbow noted. He then saw her father knock Quincy's door. Quincy opened up, and gave him the same gaze he gave Rainbow, like he recognized him. But then Rainbow's father pushed Quincy back inside and followed him and shut the door. "And I'm going to find out what it is!" Rainbow said as she flew closer.

"Rainbow, I…oh dear!" Fluttershy moved behind Rainbow, not sure if this was all going to be a good idea. Both mares moves closer to the trailer, close enough to listen in on the conversation going on in there.

"Meteor Dash! It has been ages…" Quincy said, trying to sound cheerfully, though he sounded a bit scared at the same time, mostly due to the angry intimidating look Rainbow's dad gave him.

"How dare you disgrace her memory by turning her into your own publicity stunt! It's downright disgusting! Using her memory for money." Meteor Dash belted.

"Meteor, I swear…I'm not in it for the money. I looked up to her, I just want to keep her memory alive, she was my friend. My reasons are far from selfish." Quincy argued.

Meteor grabbed Quincy by his throat and pushed him against the wall. "You never asked for my permission." He growled.

"Who was the treasure hunter again? It wasn't you! Besides, you wouldn't have given me the permission anyways. But she never minded me noting down her adventures, but she never asked me to glorify her. Everything I wrote down was what really happened. I wanted to portray the true her. But you wouldn't know cause you couldn't be bothered to read before you'd judge me!" Quincy noted.

Meteor just tossed Quincy hard into the couch that was in the trailer. "You know how much painful memories you bring back? It was painful enough to lose her, and even more painful to hide everything from my little Rainbow…" Meteor looked close to crying.

"Rainbow? Rainbow Dash…so the last name and the likeness weren't coincidence." Quincy muttered.

"You know my daughter?" Meteor asked shouting.

"I signed her books earlier today. But she seemed so obvious about something. Does she even know?" Quincy asked, now starting to sound annoyed at Meteor.

"How could I tell her? She is already so much like her…she might turn out like her, and the same fate might come to her." Meteor said, sounding less angry and more saddened.

"Oh for Celestia's sake! So Rainbow Dash never knew who her mother was? Even after she had read all the books based on her adventures?" Quincy asked, now starting to sound angry himself.

Rainbow couldn't believe her ears…the books of Daring Do…based on the adventures of an actual pony, and turning out to be her mother. She gasped loudly for air as she struggled to stay on her feet as she felt like falling over.

"Rainbow Dash was barely a year old when Aurora disappeared. She never came back from her last treasure hunt. What did I have to tell Rainbow? That her mother left and never came back? I didn't want to see her hurt…" Meteor said.

"She'll be hurt either way, but by your stubborn selfishness that you'd never had told her anything about her mother. The girl has the right to know!" Quincy shouted.

"You don't understand…you're not a father!" Meteor shouted.

"No…I'm not…I was never good with the ladies, and I know it. But I at least think things through. Your decision was rash, and being so stubborn to not come back on it was a bad idea." Quincy spat.

"I'm done talking to you…all I have to say is one more thing. If you dare to publish one more of those books about my wife, I'm going to bucking kill you!" Meteor said as he kicked the door of the trailer open and left.

Quincy poked his head out of the trailer and he called out something behind him: "I'd like to see you try, Meteor! Be glad I didn't use my magic on you!" before he slammed the door shut again.

Fluttershy has heard everything, just as much as Rainbow had. Fluttershy was shocked, not as much as Rainbow of course. Rainbow looked so vulnerable, so sad…so unlike her. "Dashie…" she muttered.

"My…mother…is Daring Do…or Daring Do is based on my mom…dad never told me…she left us…didn't she want us anymore?" Rainbow Dash asked. A million thoughts went on inside her head, but she couldn't spell them out all at the same time.

"Oh dear…" Fluttershy didn't know what to do. She realized how much of an emotional shock this must have been to Rainbow. She didn't know what to do or say to make Rainbow feel better. "But maybe he can…" Fluttershy said as she got an idea. She grabbed Rainbow Dash's leg and pulled her along, as she knocked on the door of Quincy's trailer.

Quincy angrily opened the door and shouted: "Haven't you done enough, Meteor Dash?" he then noticed it wasn't Rainbow's father at the door. "Oh…I'm sorry, thought you were someone else. If it's for autographs, I'm sorry. You'll have to come back tomorrow." He said as he wanted to shut the door, but Fluttershy put her hoof in between the door, preventing him from shutting it.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Scribbler. I'm not here for autographs…I'm here for my friend." Fluttershy gestured towards Rainbow Dash behind her. Quincy recognized Rainbow Dash of course. "We didn't mean to, but we overheard your talk with Mr. Dash…and now she doesn't know what to think anymore. Please, can you fill her in? Can you tell her about her mother?" Fluttershy asked, forgetting her usual shyness due to the seriousness of the situation.

"I'm not sure if it's my place to say…" Quincy muttered.

"But you knew her mom, you can at least tell her something…you at least owe it to her daughter. The way you talked about Rainbow Dash's mother shows you used to know her well…So please, do it for her." Fluttershy begged.

The softness in Fluttershy's voice, her natural cuteness, and those begging eyes. Quincy couldn't help but to give him. "You and your friend get inside. I hope you like tea. Cause there is quite a lot to talk about…" Quincy said as he opened the door to let Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash in.

"No worries Dashie, I'm with you." Fluttershy said as she dragged Rainbow Dash in, barely able cause Rainbow barely had the strength left to stand. Though they got in anyways and were ready to listen to Quincy's story.

TO BE CONTINUED

XXX

I had this planned out for so long, this storyline. I can't believe no one else thought of this, due to the similarities between Daring Do and Rainbow Dash, but hey! I hope you guys can wrap your head around the idea. Won't say much else cause that would spoil future chapters.

Please fav and comment! Good criticism only helps me to write better stuff in the future!

MY LITTLE PONY: EQUESTRIA UNLIMITED

CHAPTER THREE: DARING MOM, PART II

Scribbler just had poured tea into the cups he had placed for Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Rainbow was still shaky. Of course she would be, after what she just had experienced. She had just learned the pony Daring Do was based on was her own mother. Scribbler sat down in his couch as he sighed. "Now…where should I begin?"

"At the start would be nice…" Rainbow said dryly.

Quincy had a small smile on his face as Rainbow said that. "The sarcasm…typically your mother. Now…as you've figured from the books, she was a treasure hunter and a really good one at that. In fact the best there was. No mountain was high enough, no desert too hot, she lived for adventure, she would nothing slow her down, she would give her full hundred percents once she set her mind on something." Quincy said, starting to smile at the memories of Aurora.

"Just like Rainbow." Fluttershy noted.

"She sure is her mother's daughter. Personality and looks, but with her father's coloring. But now I'm getting off-track. Aurora was a great mare. While she could be a show-off and rash, she could think her way through a brick wall and she was very loyal. Though she loved her life as a treasure hunter, she cared little for the treasure itself, every time she got something she would donate it to the museum or something. That attitude insprired Daring Do's catchphrase; 'It's not about the riches, it's about the adventure.'" Quincy said.

"But where do you come in? How did you know my mother?" Rainbow asked curiously.

"I at the time worked as a reporter. I was assigned to chronicle down her adventures. I went abroad a lot in my line of work, but I didn't get into the adventurous stuff until I started working with your mother. And believe me, the first few trips made me afraid to leave my hotel room for a few weeks." Quincy said, laughing as he finished that last statement.

"Wait…the reporter that joins Daring Do on her quests in the later novels…Live Report…that was you?" Rainbow asked. Quincy Scribbler nodded. "Then every character in the book is based upon a real-life person too?" Rainbow Dash continued asking.

"Indeed. Even Ahuizotl. Ahuizotls are no longer common nowadays, but they did exist, and he was a true rival to your mother. He used to be top dog in treasure hunting until your mom came along. And it's good she did, Ahuizotl's methods were less…pure then your mom's. He wouldn't care who got in his way, or what he needed to destroy to get his treasure, he was all about the treasure. Your mom's opposite in fact." Scribbler continued as he sipped his tea.

"How did she met my father then? I don't recall Daring Do meeting a love interest in any of the novels, unless you had one planned for the future…" Rainbow asked.

"I haven't…because after the events of the latest novel…she met your dad. She just got back after her last crusade and wanted a bit of rest in between two quests. But then she met your dad, by accident. He was on his way to his job at the cloud factory before he literally flew into your mother. It was a nasty bump, but they laughed it off…they started talking, and started seeing each other often after that…and one thing led to another." Quincy said.

"Oh, that's so romantic!" Fluttershy said delighted.

"Not the way I'd imagine my parents meeting…but who am I to complain, if it didn't happen I wouldn't be here." Rainbow muttered. "But it still doesn't explain what happened to her."

"Ahuizotl happened. When your parents were married, and Ahuizotl couldn't cope that Aurora would abandon her life as a treasure hunter for that." Scribbler answered.

"Wouldn't Ahuizotl be relieved Rainbow's mother would no longer be in his way?" Fluttershy asked confused.

"You'd think that…but Ahuizotl didn't forget how Aurora humiliated him again and again. He was no longer obsessed with treasure, all he wanted to do is best Aurora at her own game, and prove himself the best treasure hunter. And Aurora retiring meant to him that she was cowardly running away from him." Scribbler said.

"My mom wasn't a coward!" Rainbow said, stomping her hoof on the table, nearly making the tea spill… "Sorry…I mean, my mom wasn't scared, she just wanted to be with my dad, that's understandable." Rainbow stated.

"Indeed, but Ahuizotl didn't care. He would threaten her, but when she refused, he started to threaten your father. They wanted to step to the police, but Ahuizotl used his riches and connections in the underworld to cover his tracks. So there would be no evidence against him. And when you were born, that's when your mother really started to get worried." Scribbler continued, his face nearly turning pale.

"What did she do?" Rainbow asked, she now wanted to know more than ever what happened. Scribbler looked like he barely had the guts to continue. "Please, tell me. I've been in the dark about her for so long…" she begged him.

Quincy sighed. "She made a deal with Ahuizotl. They would compete one more time. They would go after the biggest and most valuable of treasures…this one would finally determine who would be the better treasure hunter. Your mom had no intent of winning, she just hoped that once it was over, Ahuizotl would leave her alone for good. They both left, neither of them telling where they had gone…but since then neither of them have been seen again. She only left a note, telling she would settle things forever, but nothing to indicate where she went or what she would be after." Quincy said, looking sad.

"Has no one tried looking for her?" Rainbow asked.

Quincy shed tears as he took of his glasses and took out a handkerchief. "I'm sorry… I…we did what we could, but she had vanished of the face of the planet. No one knew where she went, no one knew where to start looking…" Scribbler said as he wiped his tears away. "I'm sorry I'm not able to help you any further. I have said all there is."

Rainbow Dash sighed, still seemingly upset, but part was relieved for having some answers. "It's okay…thanks, for shedding some light of a part in my life that was kept in the dark." She stood up as she prepared to leave, but before she did she asked one more question. "One more thing: if you and my mother were so close, why did you never come and visit me and dad? I thought that because of what mom meant to you, you'd like to be part of her daughter's life?"

"I considered, but the memory of your mother…just is so painful to me. I really loved her…as a sister I mean." Scribbler said, that last part a bit too quickly.

"Then why you wrote down her adventures in those novels?" Fluttershy asked.

"I wanted to honor her memory…" Scribbler replied.

"Thanks…for everything." Rainbow said as she strolled outside the trailer. She didn't even bother to fly anymore. She didn't feel much like flying anyways. Fluttershy was walking next to her by her side.

"Rainbow…you feel a bit better now?" Fluttershy asked, though she already knew the answer to that one.

"No, I'm not! I can't believe Dad never told me! He always had me believe my mom was a simple housemother!" Rainbow said annoyed.

"He…was just trying to protect you…I mean…if you were in your father's place, how would you bring it up?" Fluttershy noted.

"I don't know…but I wouldn't have waited until my daughter was an adult already." Rainbow growled.

"W-what are you going to do now?" Fluttershy asked.

"Simple, I'm having a talk with my father. I'm leaving for Cloudsdale right away!" She said.

"Can I come too? I know this is personal, but I…I just want to make sure nothing happens both of you will regret." Fluttershy muttered.

"So you're going to be the mediator? Well…Element of Kindness I guess…I must warn you, I'm quite cross with my dad. And dad isn't very happy with me since he never liked the decisions I made in life…so perhaps it's for the best if we have you around." Rainbow noted.

"Oh…Rainbow. There is one more thing…you also think something doesn't make sense about Scribbler?" Fluttershy asked.

"What do you mean?" Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't really understand…why would he continue to write about your mom, whom he cared for deeply, but at the same time not keep in check with her family, supposedly because 'the memories are too painful'…it doesn't make much sense to me." Fluttershy explained.

"I don't understand either, but he has been more honest with me then my dad has over the years. And I'm getting some answers from him soon!" Rainbow responded.

Rainbow would later fly straight to Cloudsdale that day. Cloudsdale was still as it always had been…true to its name it was a city in the clouds, many buildings drawing inspiration from something that comes out of Greek culture. This city also had rivers of rainbows and water flowing through it, logical since the Pegasi controlled the weather…these streams of water and rainbow would go over the edge of Cloudsdale and fall down in waterfalls to the surface world below.

She came across a cloud house that didn't look any different than the others. In fact, if you weren't a Pegasus, you would have a hard time to keep all the cloud buildings apart. But Rainbow recognized her childhood home right away. She didn't look particularly happy, and the sadness and anger hadn't faded from her face. "Here it is…I'm not sure I'm ready for this…" Rainbow muttered.

"No, it took this long to find out about my mom…and I don't want to wait any longer." Rainbow said. She took a deep breath and knocked the cloud door. Just a minute afterwards, someone opened the door. And that someone was the stallion that they saw at the book convention earlier, and the one that had threatened Scribbler, Rainbow's dad, Meteor Dash. "Hi dad…" Rainbow said in a monotone, no emotion in it at all.

Meteor didn't know how to respond. He just stood there, dumbstruck. Rainbow and he weren't exactly on speaking terms… "Rainbow…" he muttered, one part of him was glad to see her, but another part was terribly confused.

"I'm getting straight to the point here…I came to talk about my mom. Yes, I know, Dad. I know who she really is." She said it, just like that, no façade, no empty words…that's how Rainbow rolls.

Meteor sighed as he put a hoof to his forehead. You could only guess what was going on in his head…and all the emotions he felt at the same time: anger, confusion, though also somewhat happy… "All right…please come in!" he said, the same monotone in his voice as his daughter, as he let the Pegasus mare in.

Meteor had poured in lemonade for Rainbow Dash. He also had a bowl of cookies…filled with rose petal jelly, Rainbow's favorite. Meteor apparently always had a few in case his daughter would come to visit him again.

"So you know…" Meteor said, still in monotone. Rainbow nodded. "Who told you? Was it Scribbler?" when mentioning the writer's name, you could hear a bit of anger in his voice. He obviously didn't like him.

"Yes…I was there, at the convention. We saw you as well…we overheard your quarrel. Afterwards, he told me all he knew. But now I want some answers from you as well." Rainbow said firmly, her face showing no emotion. "Was my mother really a mere housemother? Or was she really a treasure hunter?"

Meteor sighed, looking down to the cloudy ground. "You must know Rainbow…everything I told you about your mom was true. I really met her by bumping into her as I returned from work…she was every bit the wonderful mare I told you she was…"

"But you omitted facts about her…I grew up never knowing her, and I always believed her to be a typical mother who cleans the house, prepares the meals and takes care of the baby while dad goes to work! And that she supposedly vanished in thin air one day." Rainbow said, raising her voice.

"Does it make any difference who your mother was? She was a loving wife and a great mother…her treasure hunting days had nothing to do with it. She gave it all up, because she loved me, and she loved you, and wanted us to have a peaceful life, were we could enjoy time with each other." Meteor said, raising his voice as well.

"Well if it didn't matter, then you could have told me. What harm would it have done? Why choosing to lie instead?" Rainbow growled.

"Because I didn't want to lose you too! If you knew about your mother's early life, you might have gone down the same path, choosing a life of dangerous adventures. I couldn't bear a life where I have to worry for your safety all the time." Meteor's voice was still loud and angry, but also sad.

"Too late for that now! I have become one of the Elements of Harmony, I've fought shadow monsters, timberwolves, dragons, spirits of chaos, changelings and other evil creatures. And I'm a Wonderbolt in Training…you never approved of my dream to join them. But I'm an adult mare now and I've chosen my own path in life." Rainbow said.

"Do you blame a father for trying to protect his daughter? Those stunts the Wonderbolts do are not always safe…the way you spoke of them was the same way your mother spoke of her days as a treasure hunter. You're so much like her, and I didn't want it to end for you the same way." Meteor's voice wasn't as loud anymore, but still sounded really sad.

"If you had just told me from the start…You thought I wouldn't have understood? I don't blame you for trying to protect me, but I blame you for never telling me the truth about the mother I never knew. That you lied to me!" Rainbow said, practically screaming, tears welling up in her eyes.

"How was I supposed to tell you? 'Hey daughter, your mother was a treasure hunter, but one day she left to find a treasure because she was threatened and never came back'!" Meteor said.

"I don't care how, I had the right to know! You think I couldn't handle it? I've handled the forces of evil, I've handled being with the Wonderbolts, I've handled being by myself on my own just fine!" Rainbow shot back.

"After you ran away from home! You know how worried sick I was? It wasn't until I heard you got that weather job in Ponyville that I finally was able to calm down." Meteor shouted back.

"You kept me on a short leash! So that's why I had to leave! I wanted to lead my own life. The life I wanted to live. The dreams I wanted to come true. I can understand you trying to protect me…but it doesn't matter. I was meant to be an Element of Harmony…so my life will be dangerous anyways." Rainbow said. Her voice has softened, but both anger and sadness were still present.

"I know…I've heard of your great deeds. And while I feel proud for you having become such a well-known hero…" Meteor said, surprising Rainbow as she said that. "…but I can't help but to think of your mother whenever I see your name in the newspaper after you fought the next force of evil…and I'm afraid that I might lose you too!" The anger and sadness were both present in his voice as well.

Both father and daughter both continued staring at each other, the angry looks and the tears in their eyes still visible. Both of there stood there, unmoving. But then both seemed to calm down, still teary-eyed but their faces showed no more anger.

"I'm sorry…I never told you." Meteor said sadly.

"I'm sorry I ran away." Rainbow replied equally as sad.

"Your mother wouldn't have wanted us to be like this…I wanted to protect you from the dangers this world has, but you are just meant to face them. Though I wanted it differently, you have to walk your own path…" Meteor noted.

"I know I gave you reason to be worried. I know I'm brash, I know I'm reckless…but I didn't want to hurt you. I just wanted to feel free. But I wasn't thinking how it'd affect you and…"

"Thing is…" both started at the same time, before they finished at the same time: "…I'm sorry!" they both said. With that, both father and daughter embraced. Both could be stubborn, both were proud, but both were willing to admit their mistakes in the end.

"Rainbow…it's about time I showed you something…" Meteor said as he and Rainbow broke the hug. "Of course, when I hid the truth of you, I also hid a few of your mother's possessions from her 'Daring Do Days' if you will…I think it's about time I show them to you." Meteor said.

TO BE CONTINUED

XXX

Hi everyone! I finally managed to update this after a while. Sorry, but work and writer's block are both a bitch. I personally am satisfied with the bits with Scribbler, but not with the Meteor Dash bits. But I try to improve upon the next chapters (it's my first pony fic after all)