Chapter Two: Picking up the Pieces

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Early Morning.

Twilight awoke when the early morning sunlight shone through the window of her old dorm and right onto her eyelids, as she lay there a rush of thoughts came back to her; thoughts from the evening before. She was struggling with herself internally about the responsibilities of the things to come - she wasn't a filly anymore; she had to lead her subjects through these perilous times...Wait, her subjects? No. She didn't like the idea of everypony being subjugated; it made her feel like they were owned by the crown...Even if there was no harm meant by the terminology used it still didn't sit right with Twilight. These ponies were her constituents...No...These ponies were more than that, they were her friends, and she felt indebted to them for helping her achieve her title as a princess of Equestria; she would almost go as far as to say she was their subject for she truly wanted to see the citizens of Equestria happy.

It was right after that thought that she realized she didn't feel the presence of her usually late-sleeping cyan friend on the bed where she had passed out the night before, and with a thought of what she could be up so early for caused her to crack her groggy eyes open as the sunlight still beamed onto them. Twilight's vision was filled with the bright morning sun for a few moments as her eyes adjusted; only to find the inanimate silhouette of one Rainbow Dash looking out into the morning sky on the left side of the window, not moving as much as a hair. Twilight knew that Rainbow was probably stuck with similar thoughts as she had just been put in a position she was most likely not ready for, and maybe even doubted herself in.  Truth be told, it slightly concerned Twilight to see her usually tenacious friend in such a perplexed state.

Twilight quietly got out of bed and made her way over to sit next to Rainbow - who was still staring out into the horizon; a near emotionless look on her face.

"Good morning." Twilight said tentatively.

"Morning." Rainbow droned.

"Listen Rainbow, I know you're stres-" Twilight was abruptly cut off.

"Stressed, Twilight? Stressed doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling right now; my anxiety is through the roof, I'm nearly having a panic attack for pete's sake. Of all ponies why would Celestia pick me? I mean, there have got to be others that are already high up in the ranks and have some sort of experience. So why me, Twilight?" Rainbow asked almost desperately.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us, Rainbow. Celestia sees that in you and so do I. I know you still have questions but I do too and today I plan on getting them answered. First let's grab a bite to eat so we can focus."

Rainbow simply nodded once and then they were off in the direction of the dining hall.

"So Twi, I've been thinking, why can't we just use the Elements on these evil doers?"

"That's a question I had as well and the more I thought about it the more I realized it's not that easy; I'm sure this was well discussed by the others at the meeting yesterday before we showed up...You see, while the changelings are mostly evil, it would take a considerable amount of effort to use the Elements on an army of them. Now on the other hoof, you might have ponies who are coerced into fighting for these tyrants and in that case they may not actually keep hatred in their hearts, so the Elements wouldn't work correctly or they may not work at all. Again, it would be very exhausting to use them on every individual we are fighting against. As for the leaders, we would never get close enough to use the Elements before being cut down and that's knowing where they are...We don't even know where the leaders of our opposition are, Rainbow..." Twilight trailed off, looking as if she was lost running through hypothesis after hypothesis.

"Ah - I see, it makes total sense and I almost feel stupid for asking...Keep your head up, Twi. We'll give these tyrants the what for." Rainbow tried to reassure her, almost looking lost herself - How could she lead a military if she couldn't even draw up a hypothesis on how using the Elements wouldn't work the way they all wanted them too?

"Heh - I'm pretty confident in our ability as a people that we will persevere over our enemies; just a little nervous, that's all...I AM worried about you thought, Rainbow. Almost anypony can tell when you're not yourself and your friends know you better than that. Rainbow, you can tell me if there is something you need to get off your chest, if something is bothering you..." Twilight said in a very candid manner.

Rainbow usually didn't care for talking about the "Sappy" stuff, but hiding under a tough exterior all the time can take it's toll, as Rainbow began to speak her eyes seemed to be getting misty.

"I-I...Twilight, what do I do?! I'm scared, Twilight! So many ponies are going to be depending on me, so many whom I love and hold dearly, Twi! It's not fair!..it's not fair..." She trailed off, a few select tears finding their way down Rainbow's face.

Thought Twilight knew Rainbow was holding something back, something that was bothering her considerably, Twilight didn't expect it to be delivered in such a manner, and was a little shocked at the depth behind Rainbow's words but she had to quickly collect herself for Rainbow's sake.

"Rainbow..." Twilight said in a consoling tone.

"Things are going to happen...Ponies will die...There will be a lot of lonely nights, a lot if painful moments, and times of despair ahead, but whether or not that some of them happen is up to you...Things happen that we can't always control..." Twilight let her head run her mouth again and soon realized that what she said didn't do much to comfort Rainbow, it may have even made it worse. In realizing this she quickly thought a little more from the heart.

"It's that love for others that makes us different, Rainbow. Always know that and know it close. It's that same love you have towards others that makes it possible to fight evil, no matter the odds." Twilight's current approach seemed to do something as a look appeared in Rainbow's eyes, a look of realization, then, of tenacity and defiance...A look that said she was willing to do whatever was required of her to protect and defend her friends, her family, and her country.

With Rainbow quickly wiping her tear stained face with a leg Twilight and Rainbow appeared in the main hall; again, Celestia was nowhere to be seen but maybe she was in the dining hall? As they made their way into the dining hall just off the main hall, they found that it was nearly empty as only Luna occupied the space.

"Oh. Good morning, Luna." Twilight stated; confused. Whenever Twilight had been there before, the dining hall had at least three or four ponies in it.

"'Tis indeed. Good morning to you two as well, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash. Please help yourselves and have a seat if you'd like." Rainbow was already heading to the buffet by the end of Luna's sentence in which lit Luna's face with a small smirk.

"Thanks, Luna. I gotta say, I'm famished; I don't think neither Twilight, nor myself have eaten since yesterday morning. We kinda left Ponyville in a hurry, you know?" Rainbow said while she loaded a bowl with apple cinnamon oatmeal and filled a glass with orange juice.

"It's quite alright, Rainbow; don't hold back by any means, for we have plenty of food this day." Luna said; gesturing a hoof to the empty and ghostly quiet dining hall.

Twilight found this an opportunity to tend to her confusion while she loaded some plain oatmeal into a bowl and filled a glass with orange juice as well.

"About that. It seems offaly quiet in the keep this morning."

"Yes. I am to relay to you that, once finished with breakfast; Rainbow is to report to the war room to where she shall be greeted by Celestia, Shining Armor, and Blueblood. Shortly after leaving Rainbow with the warriors to get her caught up in the arts of war, Celestia will resume her presence here and we shall go over any lingering questions."

"Sweet, this is going to be so awesome!" Rainbow stated; her brash self returning.

With a small smile from Twilight and yet another smirk from Luna, the three finished the rest of breakfast over some small talk. Thereafter, Rainbow Dash found herself back in front of the doors to the war room shoving the last of her anxiousness aside, as she made entry. It was inside where she was greeted by Celestia while the two warriors were discussing over by a pin board.

"Good morning, Rainbow Dash. May I ask, how is our hospitality?"

"Oh..The beds may not be as soft as clouds but the food was great!"

Celestia let out a small chortle. "Well that's good to hear. If you would be so kind as to follow me, I have a gift I want to give to you."

"O-Okay." Rainbow tripped over her words as she was a little taken back by this.

The two walked to the back of the room where some narrow doors led to small armories, the one they entered seemed to house relics of sorts, unique weapons and armor, and something pony shaped with a purple silkish cloth draped over it.

"Miss Rainbow Dash, it would be an honor to present to you-" Celestia whipped the purple cloth away, revealing a mannequin with!? "-the armor of thee Commander Hurricane." The falling cloth revealed some ancient; battle worn, yet very well-preserved obsidian armor with polished gold trim accenting the edges of the overlapping plate-mail, a gold lightning bolt in the center of the breast plate to finish it off. Much like the replica version she wore during her portrayal of Commander Hurricane during the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant.

Rainbow sat, staring in awe, almost unable to grasp this proposition.

"Well? Do you accept or are you content with staring at it?" Celestia laughed.

"W-Wow, Princess. I don't even know what to say..." Although Rainbow didn't like the idea of fate, of not being in control of her life, she knew at this moment that this was her destiny. "I accept your most generous offer, Princess; although I believe the honor is mine. It would be a shame for this baby to stay stashed away." Although Commander Hurricane had had his mishaps, he was exalted among all pony tribes as he was one of the greatest of all pegasi warriors.

"Ah - Wonderful, and to the "Stashed away", as this is pegasus armor; we have not had a commander for the Pegasus Combat Wing since Commander Hurricane. After his death, the Pegasus Combat Wing became a detachment of the Royal Guard, being lead by the captain thereof. All this was simply due to the fact that Equestria had entered peacetime and alliances were made, so we saw no need to keep our forces separated but now with the size of our current threat we need more officers to command our growing forces."

"Now let's get you into this armor so we can make sure we don't need to make anymore adjustments...Before you ask, I collected your measurements from our good friend Rarity last night and had our smiths work on it while you slept."

"...Geez, I know I must sound like a broken record, Celestia, but wow...How did you know I would accept this?"

"You could say I had a feeling..." Celestia had a childish smirk on her face and with a raised eyebrow from Rainbow she gave in. "I jest Rainbow, you have all the positive qualities that Commander Hurricane had, and then some. I knew him as a friend and whenever I speak with you, you remind me of him in ways."

By now Rainbow was filled with emotions she couldn't put into words, as all of this justed seemed so surreal.

Rainbow awkwardly nodded; awestruck with how quick everything was fitting together. With that, Celestia held the armor over Rainbow so Rainbow could position herself under it correctly, and without a fight, the armor settled onto her graciously with it hugging her features snugly and comfortably so. After donning the helmet, legplates and a set of wing blades, all the appropriate straps were tightened and Rainbow looked like she was ready for war, truly.

Celestia eagerly approved of the stunning display and with another nod from Rainbow they removed all but the cuirass before heading back out into the main room. Surprisingly enough, Shining Armor and Blueblood were standing at attention waiting to see the new commander appear.

"So it all fits then?" Shining Armor asked with hopeful anticipation.

"Yep. Sure does, Captain. Perfectly so I might add." Rainbow stated; sticking her chest forward in an audacious pose.

"Quite beautifully too; milady. If I do say so myself." Blueblood remarked in a well mannered tone.

Rainbow didn't know whether she should blush or scoff.

"Heh - Thanks, Knight. I guess I would have to agree with you on that one." Rainbow said; a little flustered.

Celestia cut in; she wanted to meet up with Luna and Twilight as soon as time would allow, to discuss any pending matters or concerns Twilight may have.

"Ahem - May I please have everypony's attention?" With that, the three were now focused on Celestia.

"I would like to dedicate this moment to officially dub Miss Rainbow Dash;" Celestia's horn lit a brilliant gold for a moment before a golden Labrys (symmetrical double headed axe) with Celestia's cutie mark on both sides appeared. "Commander of the Pegasus Combat Wing of Cloudsdale." Celestia then leveled the right blade of the axe with Rainbow's right shoulder, and the left blade with her left shoulder.

If the circumstances were different, Rainbow would have been muttering her excited "omigosh" - not to say she didn't still feel that way..

Rainbow quickly bowed along with Shining Armor and Blueblood.

"Please, you have no need to bow." Celestia said sincerely and bowed herself a moment before resuming.

"Rise Commander Rainbow Dash, Captain-General Shining Armor, Knight Blueblood. I would like to bid you all farewell, as I have other matters that need to be addressed at the moment. I am honored to have you amongst our ranks, Commander Dash."

"The honor is mine, Princess." And with that Celestia left to meet up with Luna and Twilight.

"What'd ya say, Commander? Let's start hitting the books - hmm?" Shining Armor asked, eager to start tutoring Rainbow.

"Right! So where do we start?" She said enthusiastically. The more she knew, the more prepared she'd be, and if she had to read for days on end so she could protect and defend her home, then so be it.

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Dining Hall, Canterlot Palace.

Mid morning.

"So I take it Rainbow is studying then?" All seriousness aside; Twilight humored the thought of Rainbow actually taking the time to study.

"She is indeed, Twilight. She will be for a while at that. That gives us time to consolidate and for me to bring something else to attention." The sound of dread creeping up toward the end of Celestia's sentence.

"What exactly does the latter part entail?"  Twilight asked; she never liked the apprehension that came with waiting on the details.

"Hmm - I guess there is no way to put this lightly so here it is. After the Trixie incident a few months back when Rainbow Dash handed the Alicorn Amulet off to our armed escort, we had to send out a search team because the escort never made it here. Now when we did find the escort we found a wrecked armored stagecoach and four ponies, three of whom were dead when we got there...The one pony who did survive told us that changelings had attacked them in the form of the Royal Guard, and that they barely had enough time to realize what was happening before they were already taking casualties. We had no idea where the culprits were hiding until the rumors started and Spitfire went on that reconnaissance mission with Braeburn; which gave us a general idea.

Twilight hated the feeling she got when her gut feeling was right, and she knew first hoof how dangerous the amulet could be, and with her thoughts racing 'King Sombra or Queen Chrysalis with the Amulet? Did they have more allies? What was their ultimate goal?' she now had an uncomfortable knot in her stomach and was starting to visibly sweat.

"This is also why we are sending out another reconnaissance team today; spotting the Alicorn Amulet will be one of their main goals aside from getting visuals on key ponies, assets,  logistics, routines, etcetera."

"I also want to inform you that we have a very...experienced...mage working on a spell to prevent the changelings from using the code of a pony's genetic makeup for their own ends. I have received news that this spell is almost complete and when it is, we are going to teach it to several select mages of the Royal Guard who will then head to all of our cities, towns, and villages to cast it on every citizen of Equestria. Twilight, it is most imperative that you do not tell anypony about this as only Luna, the mage, Cadence, Shining Armor, you, and myself know of this. If our opposition were to intercept our mages it would severely increase our casualties and hinder our combat effectiveness."

"You can count on me, Princess. I won't fail you. When will we be telling the public about the war; won't they be skeptical when the Royal guard starts casting spells on them?" Twilight was concerned that if the public did not know until it was at their doorstep, they would feel like they were betrayed and lied to by their government, and the last thing they needed was to lose the trust and support of their countrypony.

"As soon as our new reconnaissance team gets back; in fact they should be departing right about now, and seeing as it takes  about 24 hours to reach Heliopolis in a straight shot I would guess somewhere around four days if everything goes according to plan. We are sending in some of the best we have available."

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War Room, Canterlot Palace.

The three ponies were quickly pulled from their studies as the doors to the war room opened and two pegasi entered.

"Lieutenant Soarin reporting for duty, Captain." Soarin stated in a textbook military tone.

"Senior Airpony Lightning Dust reporting for duty, Sir." Lightning couldn't help but look at Rainbow out of the corner of her eye. After all, she wasn't aware of Rainbow's new position, and nor was Rainbow aware of Lightning's.

"At ease, airponies. I have been requested by Cadance to give these enchanted focusing crystals to you for your reconnaissance mission." Shining Armor said while holding them out in a hoof. "They are prototypes and you will be the first to test them. While you ponies are gathering intelligence you will wear these in your ears; they will absorb your voices and transmit them to the opposite crystals, allowing you to communicate from a distance. However the distance in which they work correctly has not been fully evaluated so keep that in mind; they have been tested up to 500 meters, but it's anypony's guess to what could happen beyond that. Your normal equipment is in the pair of big brown saddlebags just inside the first armory in the back of the room."  Shining Armor instructed. "Any questions?"

"No, Sir." Soarin replied; taking the crystals and heading for the armory.

"Sir, may I ask what Rainbow Dash is doing here?" Lightning asked. Still feeling bitter from Wonderbolt Academy, Lightning Dust was annoyed with Rainbow for making her feel like a villain but she was more upset with herself for actually being the 'villain'. Lightning was now at a complex, and did not know what to do about it; she just felt disgust toward the entire situation.

"Sure thing. Mind you; that's Commander Rainbow Dash now. A small conference was held and Celestia ended up deciding Rainbow Dash made a good Commander; one good enough for the Pegasus Combat Wing of Cloudsdale. Now we are just getting up to speed on some things."

Lightning Dust was almost sick with the idea of what she just heard at first, but as a few moments passed she accepted it and acknowledged Rainbow Dash's natural leadership. Still, Rainbow Dash; Commander of the old Pegasus Combat Wing?

"So I guess this means I will be taking orders from her after this mission?"

"Well since we are all in this together, the operation orders will be discussed among the officers first and then handed down accordingly. You would only be taking direct orders from Commander Dash if she could not get in contact with other officers or did not have the time too. Even so; I am sure she would make the right decisions." Shining Armor concluded.

"I'm sure she would." Lightning said with tension as she rounded to leave; heading toward the Canterlot train station to leave for Vanhoover, a port city in which Soarin and Lightning would depart on a grain export to Heliopolis; the same method used last time.

After Lighting left the room Shining Armor looked at Rainbow with curious eyes.

"Heheh. Long story short; while I was at Wonderbolt Academy I ended up being paired with her, and she ended up being the team leader of our two pony team. She made some bad decisions and I ended up team leader." Rainbow said; vividly remembering the horrific events that led to her friends nearly dying. "So what's her story? Is she a Wonderbolt now?" Rainbow asked with curiosity.

"Ah - I see. She does have a thick head on her shoulders doesn't she?" Rainbow reluctantly nodded, she would have liked Lightning if she were a little more tame. "No, she is just part of the PCW and is working to become a Wonderbolt yet..."

Soarin just returning from the armory took advantage of the momentary silence.

"Commander Rainbow Dash, may I speak with you for a minute, privately?" Soarin asked sternly.

"Sure, what's up?" She asked curiously; following him toward the door. "I'll be right outside guys, just for a minute." She added.

"No worries Commander, Blueblood and I will gather more study material in the meantime."  Shining Armor said while Blueblood nodded. Rainbow and Soarin entered the hall shortly after.

"You can just call me Rainbow, or Dash, or both..." Rainbow said jovially but was quickly brought down a notch by Soarin's somber expression which made her anxious and worried just a bit, 'Now what?' she thought.

"I'm a little hurt you didn't tell me about such huge news."

'Was that it? Was that all he brought me out here to talk about?'

"Uhh - It was just last night this was decided and I have been kinda busy ever since." She said; a little confused.

"I'm kidding," Sorin let out a dry laugh "that's not the real reason I brought you out here, Rainbow. Congratulations though, I really am happy for you. Look...Can you wait here a second, Dashie?" He asked as he made his way out of the palace; still slightly somber but mixed with anxiousness or nervousness, Rainbow couldn't tell.

"Uhh - Sure." She said; still confused. 'Wait, what the hay, did he just call me Dashie? - Only my close friends call me Dashie.' Now she was even more confused than before; why was Soarin calling her Dashie? Did he not mean anything by it? Did he not know only her closest friends called her by that name?

Soarin arrived a few minutes later, something tucked under his wing.

"Hey, dude. Only my close friends call me Dashie so I'd appreciate if you didn't. Okay?" Rainbow said in an understanding tone; maybe he didn't know?

"I-I'm sorry, I just..." Rainbow picked up on the small sense of hurt her words caused; for whatever reason.

"Heh - Just forget about it. It's no biggy." Rainbow tried to lessen the impact of her previous words.

"Right...Well, you see the thing is...Even though we have only hung out a few times...Last year at the wedding you and I spent nearly the whole night together and I have to say I really enjoyed it, Rainbow. I really enjoy your company..." Soarin said with a small hint of adoration.

"Yeah, I enjoyed it too, you're pretty cool to hang out with yourself." Rainbow said; oblivious to his most recent sentiment and anxious to get back to studying. Soarin could tell Rainbow didn't understand his last bout of words and wasn't about to let the moment slip by without her knowing.

"No." He nearly yelled in which got Rainbow's full attention. "I'm sorry I had to raise my voice...But Rainbow, what I mean is I like your company. Rainbow...I like you. You've been on my mind on and off since the sonic rainboom and I'm not leaving here today without you at least knowing that." He said in a determined tone

Rainbow wasn't ready for these emotions right now, and for Soarin to be saying things like this, it really threw her through a loop. She thought that they were only hanging out at the wedding because of the occasion, and because they met each other previously at the Best Young Flyers Competition and the Gala. 'Okay, what in the hay is going on here? I'm I going crazy or is Soarin getting all sappy on me?'

"...So you see...I was hoping we could become close friends...Or maybe something more than that after all this is over..." Soarin said with an expression of prospect, as if the future were bright and everything had played out just the way he imagined it. He looked somberly optimistic if there were such a thing.

It was at this point that he unfolded his wing, revealing what was under it; a red rose, picked from the Canterlot garden at the last minute.

"I don't know what's in store for this mission, so I want you to have this, Rainbow Dash, just in case. At the very least I can rest easy with you knowing how I feel for you."

"I-I-..."'A red rose? Why me? Why would he love me? Damnit!' Rainbow's emotions from that morning were coming back and she couldn't handle anymore of that, not in front of anypony that she wasn't close to. Just as her vision started to become blurry she took off in the opposite direction; shutting herself in an empty office room near the end of the hall.

"I'm sorry, Soarin, I'm sorry!" She muttered under her breath; not loud enough for him to hear.

Soarin let out a melancholy sigh; he saw a look in her eyes as she turned to run that said something - but it was something he couldn't place at the moment...Soarin went over to the door of the office room and set the rose on the floor.

"I'll figure it out, Rainbow. I promise." He nearly whispered, and with that he headed toward the train station.

Rainbow waited a few moments after hearing him trot away just to be sure he was gone; she collected herself - fighting back those old tears once again, the tears of loyalty, and with one final breath she opened the door and took a step out, but only to find herself stepping on the stem of the rose; looking down with a startled gasp she soon found herself stuck in her thoughts again, a plethora of emotions coming back for the umpteenth time that day, and with another breath she picked up the rose; looking at it pensively for a few moments before she bit off the majority of the stem and stuck the rose in her mane above her ear.

Rainbow arrived back in the war room just as the captain and knight were laying maps out on a big table.

"Ah - Just on time, Commander. I figured we will go over some geology and how it coincides with some of the things we have already learned; Blueblood is a cartographer of sorts so this should be a breeze." Shining Armor noticed light tear streaks on Rainbow's face and the rose in her mane; he decided to stay out of it unless mentioned; he knew that it probably dealt with Soarin, and Shining Armor knew more than enough about relationships; that they normally iron themselves out.

"Alright, sounds good. Just gimme a sec to get out of this cuirass; it's starting to get a little hot." She said, ready to get back to work.

___________________

Dining Hall, Canterlot Palace.

Afternoon.

"Hmm - So basically you want Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Fluttershy to be support elements for now?"

"Yes, I know they all have the drive to combat evil as well as the resolve, but they may lack expertise in the actual physicality of life or death fighting." Celestia said reluctantly.

"Well they did hold their own during the wedding attack didn't they?" Twilight questioned; just wanting a sound explanation.

"Yes, Twilight. Although we face the same enemies now I think their goal then was to capture you without harming you. That even further strengthens my request; we cannot allow any of the element bearers to be captured or killed, for the power of the elements is our greatest strength against evil."

Twilight still wasn't sure if this was the best way of going about the matter but she would decide to go with it for now for simplicity's sake. Celestia had requested that the other four element bearers stay back and help with logistics, Applejack and Pinkie Pie would help with food rations while Rarity would help with smithing high quality armor and weapons, and Fluttershy would help with medical treatment.

"Hmm - I suppose I can't really argue with that, but there is still the matter of Rainbow Dash. Why would you promote her to such a high ranking military position right off the bat if you wanted the element bearers to stay back for the fighting? Do you know how stressful that's been on her?" Twilight started to get a little flustered; for her friends' well being meant everything to her.

"I am aware of the burden it's put on her, Twilight, and it pains me to see her suffer too, but I think that burden pales in comparison to what she'd feel if she watched her fellow countrypony die and did nothing about it. What is her main virtue, Twilight?" Celestia spoke genuinely.

"Loyalty." Twilight said with a sigh; knowing well what Celestia was getting at.

"Exactly. You know she wouldn't be content with anything other than staying true to that virtue, Twilight. Her leadership aside; loyalty is a strong thing and I think this is the best way for her to exert it."

"Right..." Twilight knew how dense Rainbow could be; especially with her loyalty toward others, so there was no convincing her otherwise if she had her mind set on something. 'That dumb mare is going to end up killing herself one of these days.' "So when should we tell the other elements? Don't you think we should let them know the plan before hoof so we can keep things organized and under control?"

"We will tell the rest of the elements as soon as you can get to Ponyville, my sister Luna will escort you. You are just to tell them that they are needed at the palace. We will go over the finer details after we get them settled in,"

"Understood. Are we ready to leave, Luna?"

"We most certainly are, Twilight, as long as you are." Luna said while finishing off an apple, core and all.

___________________

Vanhoover Harbor.

Approximately 3 hours after Luna and Twilight left for Ponyville.

Soarin and Lightning had just finished packing their supplies into the ship they would be riding in and were now below deck relaxing with a few drinks at a card table as the dockhooves were readying the ship for departure.

"Did somepony kill your dog or something? Why do you look so down all of sudden? Lightning asked; as Soarin was usually pretty upbeat.

"No, Dusty. It's just...Forget it. It's nothing." Soarin puffed morosely.

"It's Rainbow Dash, isn't it?" Lightning asked; looking at Soarin with knowing eyes.

"Hmph - How'd you figure that one?" Soarin asked; fiddling with a mug as he sat there still downcast.

"Well for the most part I guessed, but I could put two and two together; it wasn't that difficult to figure out...After I left the War Room I heard you two talking, none of which was discernable mind you, I was already too far away. But after that was when you started acting mopy...You never told me you two had a thing, what happened?"

"Heh - I gotta say; more perceptive than you lead yourself on to be, but Rainbow and I don't have a thing...We're just...friends." 'Are we even that, Rainbow?' Soarin wasn't sure if Rainbow ever wanted anything to do with him again, but that look in her eyes as she fled told him there was still some sort of hope.

"Hmm - I'm not buying it, but I'll leave you alone. Wouldn't want to intrude on somepony's love life." Lightning said with a smirk.

Soarin fixed Lightning with a sour glare for a few moments before briskly getting up and heading to one of the ships stays.

"Wait, where are you going? I don't mean anything by that." Lightning said; mentally facehoofing for running her mouth again.

"I know you didn't, but I'm calling it early. I'll see you predawn...Try to get some sleep too." Soarin waved a dismissive hoof over his shoulder as he walked away.

Lightning took another drink and looked at one of the empty beds and decided it would be best to head in as well. They had planned on getting up early so they could review the mission planning before they reached their destination tomorrow.

___________________

Undisclosed location.

Time unknown.

"So you say they have two more coming tomorrow?" A shadowy, malevolent voice asked.

"Yes, Lord Sombra, that is what our sources tell us. Shall we eliminate them on arrival?" A changeling spoke.

"No, no, there won't be any need for that." Sombra said in a sinister tone. "It actually works out better if they live..."

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Author's Notes:

This song kinda helped me with writing Rainbow's parts.

Youtube Video

Also, Rainbow is best pony.