Chapter 4 Darkest before the dawn

September 5

The bugeler's call awoke everypony on the base "Why do they have to wake us up at five in the morning on a saterday?" moaned Rainbow Dash. "Saterday's for sleeping in!" "Well look on the up side Dash." Twilight said. "Todays our last day in the medical hut so tommorow you can fly your plane again!" "I'm afraid not." said the doctor standing near their cots. "Miss Dash is going to have to stay out of that plane for a few days till her leg's better. Sorry Dash, I know you love to fly but this is for your own safty." "Well if it makes you feel better Dash we dont have a mission planed till next week." Twilight said trying to cheer Rainbow Dash up. "Are y'all feelin' better?" came Applejack's voice from the door to the hut. She stepped inside and six more ponies followed her into the hut. Crow, picking up the rear, sat down on the edge of Rainbow Dash's bed and planted a kiss on her cheek  making Dash blush. "Dashie and Crow sittin in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Pinkie shouted, grinning the whole time. "Pinkie stop." Applejack said gently elbowing Pinkie. "AJ it's fine. Let her have her fun." Rainbow Dash said. "After all if me and Crow are going to be dateing then i may as well get used to it." "Command got you a new plane. One that doesn't look like swiss chesse." Crow said. "What's the point?" Dash asked. "The doctor said i cant fly for a few day's." "Well just cause you cant fly your plane doesn't mean its the end of the world." Crow said. "But there is good news. The Princess' heard about you being hurt and decided to give you the first P-51D to be sent into combat." So they gave me a newer Mustang?" Dash asked. "Yeah. Tell ya what, we'll check you and Twilight out of the hut and you can go see it." Crow said with a smile. A few minutes later when the girls were done with the paperwork, they all went outside to see Dash's new plane.  When they rounded the Edge of the hanger's there was the Mustang with the only paint being on the tail and nose. Ooooo, Shiny!" shouted Pinkie and she ran over and began making face's in the bare metal skin. Dash noticed some fimiler looking filly's around and in her plane. "What are they doing?!" an alarmed Rainbow Dash asked. "Relax RD." Applejack said calmly. "Applebloom and her freinds signed up for the youth training so they could see us everyday." "Applebloom! Hit the ignition i wanna see how the engine looks!" The ponies turned and saw Big Macintosh walking towards the plane pusing a small step ladder. Most of them were suprised as this was the most they had ever heard Big Macintosh talk up to now. "Ok.!" Applebloom shouted as she climbed up onto the wing and into the cockpit. Big Macintosh pushed the ladded up to the plane and lifted the engine cowl. "Start her up!" came the order from Big Macintosh. Seconds later the engine caughed and roared to life. "She sounds beautyful!" Crow said. "And just think Dash you're the frst pony to have one!"

September 10

Dash slowly put on her flying suit, wincing in pain as she pulled her boot over her nearly healed wounds. "Need some help?" Crow asked. "No just bumped one of the spots." Dash replied. "Well be careful Dash. The doctor said one of those 'spots' could get infected if you arn't careful." Crow said with a worried tone in his voice. "Relax Crow i'm fine." Dash said. Within minutes Dash was on the runway and was soon in the skys with her new plane and for the first time in over a week Dash felt truely at home. She had leared that week that it's always darkest before the dawn.