A/N: This is an old fan fiction that I am brushing up as I post. It is completed, so expect another part on Friday.
I actually cannot remember what season (maybe four) I wrote this to be in, but Twilight is an alicorn, and Rainbow Dash is still in the reserves.
It started out as a normal day for Rainbow Dash. She was zipping back-and-forth across the sky cloud-busting. Halfway through a complex aerial backflip, she noticed a pony walking below her. It was only a quick glance, but Rainbow Dash always saw details best while flying.
The pony, a unicorn, had dark blue skin and horn, and her even darker blue mane and tail were short and mussed. Her cutie mark was a closed book with a brown cover. Saddlebags stuffed with books hung from the pony's sides. An aura of blue surrounded her horn and the book hovering in front of her face. Not just any book, but a Daring Do book!
Rainbow Rash finished her backflip with a flourish before zooming down toward the stranger, who didn't even slow as Rainbow Dash landed on the path beside her. Rainbow Dash matched her pace.
"I see you're reading Daring Do there," Rainbow Dash commented.
The pony kept walking as if she hadn't heard. Rainbow Dash took a peek at the book again, delighted to see that it was the latest of the Daring Do books, the very one that Rainbow Dash herself was included in.
"You know, I was there during that adventure. I was Daring Do's sidekick," Rainbow Dash said, trying to stay casual.
Still no response.
Rainbow Dash looked at the stranger curiously. How did she see where she was going with that book in her face? She decided to change tact.
"So, are you headed to Ponyville? This road leads right there."
The stranger merely turned a page. Rainbow Dash caught a glimpse of purple eyes before the face was once again hidden by the book.
Rainbow Dash held back a snort. This pony was about as talkative as Maud, Pinkie Pie's laid-back and rather unexcitable sister. Well, she was nearly done with the book. Maybe she would be more willing to talk then.
After a few more moments, the pony halted. She closed the book and turned to put it into a saddlebag. As she faced forward again, Rainbow Dash got her first good look at the pony's face.
Her eyes were not purple, but sky-blue. The red rimming the blue had made them appear purple. Her eyes were half shut and had dark shadows underneath.
"Um... are you okay?" Rainbow Dash asked, as the pony swayed on her hooves.
The pony blinked slowly and turned to Rainbow Dash. She mumbled something about a comet before collapsing.
Rainbow Dash stared wide-eyed at the pony. "Guess not."
A/N: Cue theme music.