The Takeover

Rainbow Dash gasped for breath under the hot sun. Her wings were throbbing from flying too much, her hooves were aching from restraining Scootaloo. The cyan mare fell out of the sky and onto the flaming-hot ground. The fillies on Rainbow Dash's back awoke from their slumber, wondering what was going on.

"D-Dash?" Scootaloo stammered. "Where are we?"

It was nothing but desert as far as the eye could see. Rainbow Dash has flown too far and now they were stranded in the middle of nowhere.

"Don't worry, squirt..." she began. "We can get back to civilization easy once my wings recover."

Rainbow Dash stood up, discovering that the ground was too hot to walk on. The remaining Crusaders danced around, trying to avoid getting their hooves steamed.

At least we're safe from the takeover... oh no!, Rainbow Dash thought. I have to get these fillies somewhere safe, or else they'll die from the heat!

Pondering about what to do, the mare paced back and fourth anxiously. Meanwhile, the fillies were still trying to find a way not to get their hooves burnt. Suddenly, a dark figure walked over to them, sides sticking out as if the pony had wings. Rainbow Dash sprang into action, throwing her wings out in front of the Crusaders protectively. She just knew that the army had made it over to the desert, and was bound and determined to kidnap Apple Bloom.

"Looks like you've got yourselves in quite a pickle over there!" a country voice chuckled.

Rainbow Dash examined the figure; it was Braeburn! She immediately untensed and started laughing at her own mistake. Those wings weren't really wings at all! They were just the sides of Braeburn's jacket!

"H-hiya, Braeburn!" Rainbow Dash choked out between furious laughs.

The fact that she'd mistaken Braeburn for a Pegasi was no longer funny. It was now a nervous laugh, trying to make things seem a whole lot better than they really were.

"Rainbow Dash... do you need help? You seem a bit..." Braeburn trailed off.

***

The ponies arrived in Appleloosa.

"Thanks Braeburn... this whole takeover thing is just making me a bit messed up in the head." Rainbow Dash sighed.

"Now, explain to me what happened again?" Braeburn said, walking into the bar.

The Crusaders could barely get up on the bar stools. Rainbow Dash and Braeburn easily slid onto one. Rainbow Dash ordered her and the fillies some water.

"You see..." she began slowly. "The Pegasi are planning to take over Equestria by enslaving everypony, except for other Pegasi."

"Well, shoot! That's another problem Appleloosa has to deal with! But, if they're taking over Ponyville as we speak, then why are you here?" Braeburn asked.

"I had to get the squirts away from that mess... it's too much for them to handle." Rainbow Dash sighed as she watched the Crusaders joyfully play. "I need a place for them to be safe, just until I can deal with the situation."

"You can leave em' here in Appleloosa! They lil' ponies are safe with us!" Braeburn offered.

"T-thank you, Braeburn. I need to get moving, my wings feel better. I'll go talk to the fillies before I head off." Rainbow Dash replied.

Braeburn nodded, and the mare walked over to the giddy Crusaders.

"Squirts, I'm going to leave you both here. So you can be safe with Mr.Braeburn." she said quickly.

"But, Rainbow!" Scootaloo jumped to her hooves. "I want to go with you! I want to fight against the Pegasi!"

"No, Scootaloo. It's too dangerous..." Rainbow Dash replied with a sigh.

The ponies walked out of the door and to the edge of town. They passed under an arch that read, "Now Leaving Appleloosa" on the inside and on the outside, "Howdy, Ya'll!" Rainbow Dash glanced back at Scootaloo one more time. She wasn't crying, in fact, the armored filly was enraged. Apple Bloom and Braeburn wished Rainbow Dash farewell, but, Scootaloo just stared at her angrily. With a sigh, Rainbow Dash zoomed off.

"Now, lil' fillies!" Braeburn began with a smile. "Let's move along now!"

"Um... Braeburn?" Apple Bloom called the older pony's name. "Make that one filly."

Braeburn looked next to him, there was no Scootaloo.