Author's note: The fact that Rainbow Dash didn't do the Sonic Rainboom is because the 2 events changed were from episodes "Dragonshy", season 1, episode 7, and "Fall Weather Friends", season 1, episode 13, as "Sonic Rainboom" was season 1, episode 16.

"Twilight, you're-you're trippin'. Don't you remember the Sonic Rainboom? I did it at the competition!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"No you didn't! This isn't you! You're never this arrogant! Matter of fact, you're never arrogant!" Twilight yelled back.

"What? I'm perfectly normal! This is exactly who I am! Fluttershy, I need you for a sec!" Rainbow yelled to Fluttershy, soaring in the air low to the ground.

"Oh sure Rainbow. What'cha need?" Fluttershy asked.

"I'm sorry, but I need help. Did I ever do the Sonic Rainboom at the Young Flier's Competition?" Rainbow asked.

"I do not remember that. You were sitting on the cloud with me, watching." Fluttershy said.

"But I -- omigosh. Oh...my...gosh! Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh, omigosh! I never saved Rarity's life?! Or spent the day with the Wonderbolts?!" Rainbow asked in a panic.

"No, and no." Twilight and Fluttershy said in unison.

"Me, Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity all came to watch. We all used the cloud walking spell." Twilight said.

"And all 6 of us watched it. Don't you remember?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, y-yeah. I must've just been having a nightmare or something." Rainbow said.

"Maybe you should just stay home and take it easy. And aren't you going to be late for your cloud-kicking?." Twilight asked.

"What?! But...don't I clear the sky?" Rainbow said.

"No...you work in a cloud factory. I gotta go, I need to study." Twilight said, before trotting off.

"Rainbow? Why don't you tell me what's going on?" Fluttershy asked.

"You wouldn't understand." Rainbow Dash said.

"I could try." Fluttershy said, and the two then flew up to Rainbow's house, before both of them laid on a blanket.

"Ok...so. I'm from a changed timeline. I died and went to the Gateway to Heaven, and Discord was there --" Rainbow started.

"DISCORD?!" Fluttershy screamed, before creeping under the blanket.

"It's ok, Shy. Discord's changed, I can tell. Trust me. He told me I needed to change some things in my life. Like...during the Dragon mission, and the Iron Pony Competition." Dash continued.

"What do you mean? You were super-supportive to me during the mission, and you gave Applejack the win. You're really patient and apologetic." Fluttershy complimented.

"R-Really? Cuz from my original timeline, I kinda...wasn't that nice to you during it. And I cheated during the Competition." Rainbow Dash said.

"Wait? You're from a different timeline, and you say you're nothing like who you really are?" Fluttershy asked.

"Apparently so." Rainbow said, before Fluttershy started to shake.

"Oh...my..." Fluttershy said.

"Do I still work as the weather manager in Ponyville?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes. But you're downgraded to Weather Patrol; chasing clouds, collecting rainwater, sewing clouds into other clouds, the really low-level jobs."

"WHAT?!" Rainbow screamed.

"That's not the worst part. You said how you met the Wonderbolts at the Best Young Flier's Competition?" Fluttershy asked.

"Y-yeah...why?" Rainbow asked nervously.

"You never met them. In fact, they don't even know your name." Fluttershy said. Rainbow Dash's heart sank a bit.

"I'll be right back." Rainbow Dash said, beforing running up the stairs to her bedroom. Reaching over to a dresser-top, she grabbed her PonyPhone, and called her friend.

"Hello?? Hello!" Rainbow Dash yelled out.

"Rainbow? Is dat you?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, it's me. Listen, uh, do you need a cloud over at Sweet Apple Acres? I really need to talk, too." Rainbow asked.

"Sure. I'm always here, Rainbow." Applejack said, before ending the call. Flying down the stairs, she flew out of her cloud house.

"Thanks for listening, Shy! I'll be back!" Rainbow yelled.

"Oh, uh...no problem." Fluttershy said, before returning to her cottage. About 15 seconds later, Rainbow Dash was on her way to Sweet Apple Acres. Flying at top speed to the barn, she was suddenly stopped by the fast opening door.

"Rainbow?" Applejack said while Rainbow was being hit by the door.

"OWWW! That hurt, AJ!" Rainbow whined in pain.

"Mighty sorry there, RD. Mah fault." Applejack apologized.

"Ugh. It's ok. I just really need a friend right now." Rainbow said.

"C'mon in." Applejack said, putting a hoof around the cyan's shoulder, walking her into the barn. They two then sat on opposite sides of a hay bale.

"Ok RD. I'm all ears." Applejack said, with two shucks of corn in her hooves, prompting a laugh from Rainbow.

"Ok. Listen, AJ. This is 2012, right?" Rainbow asked.

"Yeah?" Applejack said.

"And we're in the present day, right? We're both in Ponyville?" Rainbow continued.

"Uh, yes ma'am." Applejack replied.

"Good, good. What's my track record?" Rainbow asked.

"Rainbow, can ya please just tell me what's eatin' at ya? You're not actin' like yaself." Applejack said.

"Yeah, my track record's 1 minute, 12 seconds, by the way." Rainbow stubbornly said, prompting a facehoof from Applejack.

"Rainbow, please." Applejack pleaded.

"Ok. I'm not the real Rainbow Dash, I mean, I am Rainbow Dash, but from a different timeline, me and Discord changed the timeline, so--" Rainbow Dash started.

"Discord?! You're all buddy-buddy with that slippery varmit?!" Applejack asked in shock.

"Trust me, he's kinda mellowed down a bit. He's the God of the Afterlife, so he wanted me to change my timeline. You see, the original timeline had me being a bit of a...jerkface. I wanted to change it to go to Heaven, but I decided I want it to be back to normal." Rainbow Dash said.

"Somehow..." Applejack began.

"What?" Rainbow asked.

"Somehow Ah just knew there was more to you than a cloud-kicka'." Applejack said, hoof-bumping Rainbow's arm.

"Thanks, Applejack. That means alot coming from you." Rainbow said, pulling Applejack into a hug.

"No problem." Applejack said.

"So, what do you think I should do?" Rainbow asked.

"Ah just think you should do what you think is right. It won't really affect any of us, so you'll be ok." Applejack. Before parting ways, Rainbow hugged Applejack again, and then she was off. After rounding up her friends, she was in front of Twilight's Library.

"Well guys. I-I guess this is it. I'll be back in a while. Im pretty sure I'll set things right. I know I'll probably be changing alot of life around here, make myself arrogant, a little impatient, you know, but it'll be alright. I'm gonna miss you guys." Rainbow Dash said.

"We'll miss you too, Dashie-Washie!" Pinkie Pie said.

"I'll miss you too. And don't worry, Rainbow. Everything will be ok." Twilight said.

"Do come back as soon as possible, I have the most fantabulous dress for you to wear." Rarity said.

"Uh-oh. Not a dress." Rainbow mocked.

"Rainbow, it'll be ok. I have faith in you." Fluttershy said.

"Eeeyup. C'mere, y'all." Applejack said, about to start a group hug. Suddenly, Rainbow Dash felt the warm embrace of her 5 best friends in a group hug, as all 6 of them laughed.

"Aww, I love you guys!" Rainbow Dash said. The others then grinned happily to her as Rainbow Dash opened the door to the library. Closing her eyes, she spoke to someone.

"Did you have a good laugh, Discord? Does it amuse you to think of me as Rainbow Dash, the simple cloud kicker of Ponyville?" Rainbow Dash asked. Opening her eyes, the familar white land returned, with Discord standing a few feet away from her.

"I gave you something most mortals never experience: a second chance at life. And now, all you can do...is complain?" Discord scolded the light blue girl.

"I can't live out the rest of my life as that pony. That pony is nothing like me! She lacks in passion, and imagination! That's not who I am!" Rainbow Dash yelled back.

"Au contraire. She's the pony you wanted to be. Somepony who was less arrogant and undisciplined, somepony who was less like me. The Rainbow Dash you wanted to be, the one who had not done the Sonic Rainboom, never fully expanded her flying skills, never coming face to face with her own abilities. Never realized how strong her potential could be. So her life never came into focus, she drifted through much of her career as a simple cloud-pusher, no plan or agenda, going from one cloud cluster to the next, never seizing the opportunities that presented themselves. She never led the Weather Team as Leader during Winder Wrap-Up, or take charge of the Summer Sun Celebration when Golden Blaze broke his wing, and nopony ever offered her a job as Weather Manager. She learned...to play it safe, and she never...ever, got noticed by anypony." Discord lectured the cyan pegasus so much that her head spun. As he slowly walked back, Rainbow Dash spoke back to the omnipotent Draconequus.

"You're right, Discord. You gave me the chance to change, and I took the opportunity, but I admit now, it was a mistake!" Rainbow Dash said. Discord turned his back to face her again, his expression unchanged.

"Are you asking me for something, Miss Rainbow Dash?" Discord asked.

"To turn things back to the way they were. To make my life the same as it was." Rainbow explained.

"You want the past to be changed so your life can be changed?" Discord asked.

"Give me a chance to come back, to be a better mare." Rainbow Dash said.

"You simply want to go back? To the life you lived?" Discord asked.

"I would rather die the mare I was, with true friends, then live the life I just saw." Rainbow Dash said.

"Well Rainbow Dash, considering how I've seen you handle the situation, I'm sure you've got the situation down-pat. I'm sure getting into Heaven will be a snap!" Discord said, snapping his fingers accidently, summoning two cups of chocolate milk.

"Care for some?" Discord asked, handing a glass of chocolate milk to Rainbow.

"Thank you." Rainbow Dash said, eyeing the drink with an arched eyebrow.

"Something wrong?" Discord asked.

"You didn't rig this to blow up in my face, did you?" Rainbow Dash asked suspiciously.

"Heavens, of course not. I can't kill you if you're already in the Afterlife. I may be a spreader of chaos, but I would never kill anypony! Taking the life of another soul?! That's where I draw the line!" Discord said defensively.

"I'll take my chances." Rainbow Dash said, slowly bringing the cup to her lips, bringing it slower and slower by the seconds, while playing dramatic music. After about half a minute of the nonsense, Discord, with a completely bored expression, grew rather impatient.

"Oh for the love of the Chaos Continuum!" Discord shouted impatiently at Rainbow Dash, before tipping the glass, making the chocolatey contents flow into her mouth. Rainbow Dash's eyes instantly widened in surprise, she had never tasted chocolate milk before. It was better than the first cider she ever tasted. The taste was delicious. Rainbow Dash quickly perked up with energy and agility, hovering a few feet above the ground.

"Omigosh! Omigosh! That's, like the best thing ever!" Rainbow Dash shouted happily.

"Oh Celestia, first you troll the Master of Trolling, now you pull a Pinkie Pie. You ponies surprise me every day." Discord said to her.

"Heheh, yeah. She's kinda rubbin' off on me." Rainbow said, blushing.

"But so you know, Miss Dash, you can't always act the way you used to, there's always a consequence." Discord said.

"Yeah, yeah, ok Mom." Rainbow said.

"I mean it, Rainbow. If you had kept acting the way you used to, bad things would happen." Discord warned.

"Oh yeah. How bad?" Rainbow Dash asked, before feeling her head start to ache.

"What are you doing?" Rainbow asked in pain.

"Know yourself. Know the mare you will be!" Discord shouted in an echo. Rainbow Dash's world began to swirl into dark clouds.

"Rainbow Dash, please!" Twilight said, being lifted off her feet, grasping her throat in pain.

"You were my sister, Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy screamed, about to bring down a hoof onto Rainbow Dash.

"You have beautiful eyes." a voice said.

"I HATE YOU!" Rainbow Dash could hear herself scream to her former best friends.

"No...no! No! NOOOO!" Rainbow Dash screamed in agony as she saw a vision of herself, with a dark cloak, red eyes, blood spattered on her cheeks. The vision soon faded.

"You forced me to do that, Miss Rainbow Dash. You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become a villan." Discord scolded.

"Ok! I get it! Seriously!" Rainbow yelled.

"So long as you get the message. Remember that, always." Discord said, before snapping his fingers, creating a blinding white light, whiter than the land itself, engulfing the entire area. Rainbow Dash and Discord were returned to Equestria, the same old one they had left.

"Discord? I-Is this...?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yes Miss Dash, this is Equestria. The same old Equestria that you left, it is completely unchanged. I see no change in the future." Discord said.

"Oh thank Celestia. We better go find the others. They must be bawling their eyes out since I died." Rainbow Dash said.

Somber music played, as hundreds of ponies were gathered outside Celestial Castle, around a large picture of Rainbow Dash. Everypony from Ponyville had come, Lyra, BonBon, Rose, Daisy, Big Macintosh, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, all of them. At the front of the mass of ponies, stood the Mane 5, tears streaming from their faces. Among them were Princess Celestia and Luna. Princess Celestia rose to speak, although tearfully.

"W-We gather here t-today to mourn for the sacrified life of Miss Rainbow Dash. The Element of Loyalty, helper in the redemption of Nightmare Moon and defeat of Discord. The only pegasus pony capable of every doing the Sonic Rainboom, short-lived heroine of Ponyville, the one who died to save all of existance, all of Equestria, and we can only remember her for the beautiful mare she was. If there is anypony who wants to say something about her, please stand." Princess Celestia said, to which all 5 mares stood in unison. Twilight walked first, followed by Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy.

"I only have to say that Rainbow Dash was a great friend. She was such an independent, strong mare. We all loved her, even if she was a little stubborn, a bit arrogant, but nevermind that. What she's done for Equestria throughout her life has made her flaws insignificant. Celestia bless you, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said, trotting away from the podium, sobbing. Next followed Applejack.

"Hey everypony. All Ah have to say 'bout Rainbow is that she was a good friend, all rainbow-y and fun-loving, always up for a race, and just bein' epic. She loved my apple cider, she did. All she did was help me during her time, and I can only mourn for her now. Bless you, Rainbow." Applejack said. Pinkie Pie followed.

"Rainbow Dash was the best prankin' buddy ever! She was my bestiest bestest friend! We ate cupcakes together, drank cider at Applejack's place, played "Pin the Cutie Mark on the Pony", everything! I'll probably never be happy again!" Pinkie sobbed, tears flooding from her eyes, no longer bouncing away, and following her was Rarity.

"Hello everypony. Rainbow Dash was a great friend as well. The fact that she would sacrifice herself to save all of us is a truly loyal and grateful thing, and I will forever praise her for that. We may not have had much in common, but we were close friends! And I only wish she could be with us now!" Rarity said, leaving the podium, finally leaving Fluttershy.

"H-H-Hello everypony. All I can say is Rainbow Dash helped me through everything. And while sometimes, she was a little impatient, I know she meant well. I loved Rainbow Dash just like a sister, and I never wanted to see her die! Please, don't leave me, Rainbow Dash! You're my bestest friend!" Fluttershy cried. Fluttershy then felt tears fall on her head. The tears came from a certain cyan pegasus in the clouds.

"You don't need to mourn, cuz I'm right here!" Rainbow Dash asked, up in a hole in the cloudy sky.

"RAINBOW DASH?!" everypony all screamed.

"Yup! It's me, alright!" Rainbow said.

"R-Rainbow? Are you...a g-ghost?" Fluttershy asked.

"Me? No, no, no, of course not!" Rainbow Dash said, before swooping down. She was then swamped by her 5 friends in a bone-crushing hug, and the fact that Princess Celestia, Luna, and the rest of all of the population had joined in, with Rainbow Dash in the very center of the massive hug, she felt squashed.

"Whoa, everypony! You're all startin' to kill me!" Rainbow Dash warned, causing everypony to back away quickly.

"Sorry, Rainbow." Twilight said.

"It's cool. Phew..." Rainbow Dash, gasping for air.

"How did you come back?" Applejack asked.

"I was brought back, by a certain somepony." Rainbow Dash said.

"That somepony is me!" Discord said gleefully, appearing out of nowhere, causing the ponies to gasp.

"Discord?!" the Mane 6, except Rainbow, screamed, as they expected cotton candy clouds to appear. Wincing, they saw nothing happen.

"Discord, what are you doing here?! I thought you were in stone!" Celestia asked.

"Because of the vast amount of time-travel, I was set freed. After Rainbow was killed, I brought her back to life. She's quite noble." Discord said.

"How do we know you're not playing a game?" Twilight asked.

"I promise on the Chaos Continuum! Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Discord recited, prompting a gasp from Pinkie Pie.

"You never break a Pinkie Pie Promise! He must be serious!" Pinkie said.

"Discord! What are you doing here?! And what are you planning?!" Celestia yelled in anger.

"Hey, I just came to drop off Rainbow Dash. But if you want to turn me back to stone, do it then. Maybe I'll do a new pose." Discord said, trying out the pose of a serial killer, then to a murder victim from Psycho.

"Gladly." Celestia said, charging up her magic, firing a stone spell at Discord, only for the shot to be deflected by Twilight Sparkle herself, before she trotted in front of Discord, facing Celestia.

"Twilight Sparkle, what are you doing? Stand aside." Celestia said sternly.

"...No." Twilight said.

"No?" Celestia asked in disbelief.

"She said no." Applejack said, walking over to Discord. "Anypony who helps one of mah friends is a friend o' mine."

"Very well. If anypony else wants to stand up for him, please do." Celestia challenged.

"I say no too." Rarity said, walking to Discord.

"He Pinkie-Promised!" Pinkie yelled, bouncing over to Discord.

"Um...I'm taking his side too." Fluttershy said.

"Anypony else?" Celestia asked.

"I say no too." Rainbow Dash said, flying down to Discord. This was when multiple stallions and mares started taking Discord's side.

"I can trust Discord. He did help fight Darkness Flash." Dr. Whooves said.

"So can I" Derpy said.

"I can too." Lyra said.

"YEAH!" Snowflake screamed.

"So can I!" the Mayor said.

"Eeeyup!" Big Macintosh simply said. Soon almost everypony was standing hoof in hoof by Discord, bringing a tear to his eye.

"Everypony, you would side with me...after all I've done to you?" Discord asked.

"Everypony deserves a second chance, and some friendship," Twilight stated, "because that's what Ponyville does! We love and tolerate!"

"Hmm. Your loyalty is admirable, Twilight Sparkle. I am so proud of you." Celestia said.

"Thank you, Princess." Twilight said.

"You're all very loyal, I respect you all. I must be off now." Celestia said.

"Where are you going?" Rainbow asked.

"I have to prepare an awards ceremony for you. Be at the Castle in about 1 hour." Celestia said with a wink, before taking off.

"Wow...how perplexing." Discord said.

"What is?" Rainbow asked.

"How easily everypony stood by me, took my side, fully aware of what I have done in the past." Discord said.

"Everypony heard about how you helped. We can't thank you enough for helping Rainbow, holding off Darkness Flash, and bringing Rainbow Dash back to life." Twilight said.

"I am the God of the Afterlife, Twilight Sparkle. I simply follow the orders of the Chaos Continuum. But I do make...exceptions to those I've gotten to know..." Discord said.

"Discord, are you saying you want to be my...friend?" Rainbow asked.

"What?! No!" Discord shouted, only to be stared down by the Mane 6.

"C'mon Disco, you know you wanna be Dashie's friend!" Pinkie Pie said, bouncing over to the Spirit.

"Pinkie's right, in her own weird way. You're kinda more tame than ya were back when you were just a statue." Applejack said.

"I am not tame. I simply choose my own methods. Those methods may be helpful to others, some may not." Discord tried.

"Nope, not buyin' it." Twilight said, to Discord's further irritation.

"Come on Discord, we all need to be shown a little kindness." Fluttershy said, petting Discord's head.

"Oh Fluttershy, not you. This simply isn't fair." Discord complained.

"Who's a good Draconequus? You know you wanna be our friends." Fluttershy continued, rubbing the black mane running down Discord's neck, Discord then broke out into a sob.

"Oh, you're all...t-too much for me. Just too much." Discord sobbed.

"Oh c'mon everypony." Applejack said, as everypony walked over to the weeping Spirit. The Mane 6 soon wrapped around Discord's long centipede shaped torso, squeezing him all over.

"I'm so sincerely sorry everypony. For all the heinous things I've done to you and your special bond with each other. I only want to be loved by my somepony, but the chaos had consumed me, made me insane." Discord said.

"It's ok, Discord. We forgive you." Twilight said.

"Your tricks were somewhat humorous when you think about it." Rarity said.

"Ooh yeah! Like when Discord made it rain chocolate milky goodness!" Pinkie Pie said happily.

"Or when he made those apple things come to life." Applejack said.

"You could say I was pulling the strings." Discord joked.

"Or when he made me almost have a full-on boxing match with him. That was prime." Rainbow Dash said.

"Do not forget when he made a simple boulder appear as a diamond." Rarity said.

"I thought ya said ta never talk 'bout it again." Applejack scolded.

"It's ok when I talk about it." Rarity said.

"I think that's enough reminiscing. There's a celebration to go to in about an hour." Rainbow Dash said, to which the Mane 6, except Twilight, ran off to get ready, with under Discord and Twilight to themselves.

"You did a good thing, Discord. And here I thought you were a monster, but you're actually pretty sweet. How'd you change so abruptly anyway?" Twilight asked.

"It's all complicated, Twilight Sparkle. Whether it was love that changed me, the amount of friendship you and your friends exhibited, or maybe it seeing Darkness's hoof about to strike Rainbow Dash, and I couldn't let that happen. So I intervened. Something made me change." Discord said, unsure of himself.

"Well, whatever the cause, we're glad you're on our side." Twilight said. Instead of brushing her off or gagging in response, Discord did something Twilight wasn't used to him doing. Twilight soon found herself in Discord's arms, being squeezed a bit.

"You can consider me...a...friend." Discord said, feigning a struggling tone. Twilight soon walked away, staring back at Discord with a grin. Discord soon followed. As he walked the streets with Twilight, he noticed many ponies staring at him with surprised expressions and some, happy grins, to which his only reaction would be a smile back to some.

"Hey Pinkie? Do you have a spare Party Cannon I could have?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Sure, Dashie!" Pinkie said, pulling out a Party Cannon, pushing it over to her friend.

"Thank you. I just need some paintbrushes now..." Rainbow Dash said, before trotting over to find some. The door opened in Twilight's Library, and Discord and Twilight soon followed suit.

"Well now, look who's finally here." Applejack teased.

"Ha-ha. Aren't you funny?" Twilight said.

"Oh yes, that's very comical. You just made my ribs hurt from it." Discord teased back.

"I say, this celebration is going to be marvelous." Rarity said, brushing her mane.

"I can't believe it's in honor of you and Discord. It makes me happy." Fluttershy said.

"Aww c'mon, you're sugarcoating it. I couldn't have done it without Dr. Whooves' and Derpy's help. But if I do say so myself, I handled it alright." Rainbow Dash said, taking a breath from painting.

"You've made quite a impression on me, Rainbow Dash. I thought you were this super-arrogant pony who loved to brag about her skills." Discord said.

"Well I may be a greatly-skilled pegasus, but I may not be the best, and I'm certainly not good at baking, or studying, or...modeling." Rainbow Dash said.

"At least you're good at one thing." Fluttershy said.

"What's that?" Rainbow asked, curious.

"Being the best flier I've seen, and the bestest friend ever." Fluttershy said, hugging Rainbow Dash.

"Only because I have the bestest at taking care of others and being the nicest." Rainbow said, smiling.

"Doesn't this just tug at your heartstrings, Discord?" Twilight asked.

"It's certainly beautiful." Discord answered.

"So, everypony ready?" Applejack asked.

"Let's do this!" Rainbow Dash said.

"Take my hand, everypony. We'll get there quicker this way." Discord said, snapping his fingers, teleporting everypony to the train station.