Mirror's Image

Chapter 12

Rainbow Dash returned with the biggest, baddest, darkest raincloud that she could find. She was pretty sure that she needed a license to operate it. Thank Celestia that her superior wasn't here right now, she'd probably blow a gasket.

"Ah know Ah asked ya to bring a big one but that's one heck of a raincloud," Applejack said, eyeing the massive nimbus cloud suspiciously. "You sure it's safe?"

Rainbow Dash looked at the swirling mass of water particles. It looked ominous, perhaps even evil. As if everything bad and worse was packed inside its fluffiness. This thing wasn't just a cloud anymore, it was a monster. The kind of thing that ponies would build temples for, to stave off its eternal vengeance. "Sure, why not?" the Pegasus said confidently. "Trust me, I'm an expert."

"Of course you are," Applejack said. "If you'll excuse me, Ah'm gonna stand over there."

Applejack hurried towards a safer spot as Rainbow Dash lowered the cloud over Luna's head. "Hey Applejack, you think she'll be mad about this?" the cyan Pegasus asked.

Applejack shrugged. "Probably," she answered.

Rainbow Dash landed on the cloud and jumped. All hell broke loose the second her hooves touched the fluffy surface again. Lightning flashed, thunder rumbled and Rainbow Dash was blown off of the cloud and was thrown into a nearby tree.

Applejack watched in horror as the cloud erupted in a torrent of rain, washing over the slumbering princess. Large bolts of thunder struck the area around her, blackening the ground and setting fire to the dry grass.

Fortunately those flames quickly succumbed to the veritable flood of rainwater that washed over the ground. Luna's sleeping bag, along with its occupant, was lifted up by the raging water and carried away.

"That was awesome!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "Did you see that?"

"Ah saw it," Applejack said. "Not sure Ah believe it though." She frowned. "Shouldn't we go after the princess now?"

"Right," Rainbow Dash said. "She can't have gotten far."

-

"I'm sorry but visiting hours are over," a nurse said to the group visiting Shining Armor. "Despite his miraculous recovery, our patient needs his rest."

"Can't we stay for a bit longer?" Twilight asked hopefully.

"Rules are rules," the nurse said as she pushed the door open entirely. "Even for princesses," she said as she noticed Princess Celestia and Princess Cadance in the room as well.

"Of course," Princess Celestia said with a soft smile. "Come Cadance, I'll take you back to your room."

Cadance opened her mouth to protest but Shining Armor cut her off. "You need your rest just as much as I do," he said. "I'm sure they can arrange something by tomorrow?" He looked expectantly at the Earth pony nurse, who nodded.

"Of course we can," she said with a smile before turning back to the visitors. "Now scoot, all of you."

"See you tomorrow, B.B.B.F.F." Twilight said before leaving the room. "Sleep tight!"

Twilight's parents said their goodbyes too, as did Princess Celestia and Cadance. The pink Alicorn took a bit longer than the other, taking the opportunity to whisper some sweet nothings to her beloved.

"Excuse me," the nurse said, noticing Night Light and Twilight Velvet. "But I think I remember you two."

"I sure remember you," Night Light said. "You're that mare that tossed me out of the delivery room."