Staying Loyal To The Creed

by rainbowbot3000

Rating: teen
Tags: Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Soarin, Rainbow Dash, Other, Romance, Adventure, Twilight Sparkle, Crossover, Dark
Length: 75331

The Sequel Of Loyalty Of The Creed. The pegasi lords have turned against the unicorns and earth ponies. Leading them into war. And only a small hoof-ful of ponies can stop this. Including a certain rainbow pegasus

The Lords of the Pegasi have turned against their land brethren. Raging war against the unicorns and earth ponies. The Royal Sisters have no power over the pegasi due to a treaty and their old laws. With the Equestrian Air Force constantly attacking non-pegasi ponies, Equestria is split into a blood staining war. However, a small hoof-ful of pegasi are tested their loyalty to their friends and their leaders. And they are against the clock to save Equestria, including a certain assassin.

Sequel of Loyalty Of The Creed

Other characters included, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, The Wonderbolts, a bunch of new ponies, the Cutiemark Crusaders and a very very jealous Captain of The Wonderbolts.

Published 2013-08-07 22:50:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-01-31 22:57:09 UTC

Chapter 2

"The unicorns and earth ponies are not worthy of us. We are the dominate species. Without us, they would not be able to feed themselves. Yet they turn their noses up to us. Especially the princesses. When have they ever visited us? Once. For that stupid flying competition. But they never visit us for our political needs. When has Celestia ever cared for us?"

"Yes. I agree."

"What do you suppose we do?"

"War. War on the princesses. War on the land strucken. War on the unicorns and earth ponies. That way, they will listen to us."

"Yes. Brilliant! War! And we have the Air Force. Equestria's second greatest defense!"

"War is the best."

"Then a war it shall be!"

~~~~~~

"Oh shut up, Applejack!! I get it!! Your apple pies are better than pear pies!! Just please. Shut up!!" A cyan blue mare shouted with a hint of frustration and annoyance in her voice.

"Alrigh' sugarcube. No need ta shout. Ya coulda jast said." The orange earth pony huffed as her angry friend yelled at her.

The pegasus sighed.

"Listen. I'm sorry, AJ. Okay? I didn't mean to. I've been a under a lot of stress lately. Our numbers are decreasing rapidly." The cyan pegasus mare apologised. Her wings fluttering with frustration. The two mares were heading towards Golden Oaks Library of Ponyville. The residence of their friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle. They were going to see her for some help with Applejack's barn. As Rainbow Dash had accidently sent storm clouds, instead of rain clouds, and ended up wrecking the roof. Rainbow wasn't able to help as the planks were stuck and too heavy. And they thought a little unicorn...sorry...alicorn assistance could help. And Applejack didn't really want to walk in silence with the pegasus, so she decided to talk about her arguement with the spanish family that came over to Ponyville last week. Arguing about which fruit was better, pears or apples. It was obvious that the pegasus got annoyed about her friend dribbling on about nonsense.

"Tha's mighty fine, Rainbow. Ah understand. It's not tha best thing ta be frustrated." Applejack smiled to her friend. Who surprisingly smiled back.

"I'm glad I have friends like you lot. I don't know what I would have done."

The two mares arrived at the door of the great tree. Applejack knocked on the old wooden door. The sound of the knock vibrating throught the hollowed out tree. The taps of hooves gradually got louder as the pony inside opened the door.

"Can't you see the closed si-Oh! Applejack? Rainbow?" A purple alicorn sheepishly smiled. "What can I do for you two?"

"Twi. Ah need help with tha barn. Tha roof's broken an Rainbow can' help as they're stuck." Applejack explained.

"Oh. Sorry. But I have visitors. Maybe later. It's not to damaged is it?"

The orange mare shook her head.

"Not too bad for now, but it would still need repairin'."

"Good. I'll be there later on. And Rainbow. I have somepony to speak to you." Twilight creaked the door open. Revealing the identities of the ponies inside. The cyan pegasus staggered back in shock.

"S-Spitfire? Soarin? A-ha. What a pleasant surprise." Rainbow smiled nervously.

"Rainbow. You are a rookie, training at the Wonderbolt Academy. Please explain your absence." Spitfire said sternly as she rose to her hooves.

"Sorry. I've been busy."

"Busy with what? Unless you have a valid excuse, then I-"

"I quit." Rainbow interupted.

Spifire and the four other Wonderbolts gasped.

"Q-Quit?" Soarin squeaked.

"You can't quit. You're our best flier. I refuse to let you quit." Spitfire's anger began to rise.

"Sorry, Spitfire. I cannot do. I wish to leave the Wonderbolts." Rainbow trotted into the library, followed by Applejack, and sat down.

"But...you've always wanted to join us. Why push it all away?" Soarin inquired. He didn't want her to leave. He was going to be her teacher. Her trainer.

"Because. I have bigger responsiblities. Sorry again, Spitfire."

"No! As your captain, I refuse to let you quit! I am your captain!" She barked at the calm looking Rainbow Dash.

"Actually, Miss Spitfire. I have a higher authority than you. So technically, I could boss you around." Rainbow pointed out. Not even making eye contact with the angry yellow mare.

"What?! No you don't. You're just a weather pony." Spitfire's expression twisted into one of utter confusion.

"I have bigger responsiblities than flying around in circles. As the personal protector of Princess Twilight Sparkle and The Elements of Harmony, it my duty to stay by their side and make sure no harm comes to either of them. That and I am the leader of The Assassins Creed."

Spitfire's mouth hung wide. Along with the four other pegasi.

"Wait. So you were....the one Equestria was going all about one? The assassin who risked her life to save Princess Twilight, Princess Luna and the rest of Equestria? The leader of...Assassins Creed?" Silver Lining gawped at the rainbow maned mare.

"B-b-but....what? If you are an assassin, why did you come to the Academy? You know that wouldn't be able to join."

Rainbow sighed before answering.

"I guess...I guess I was being selfish. I wanted to know what it felt like to be a normal pegasus. Without the weight of everything else, like protecting Twilight and training the other assassins. I just wanted to be free for a day. A day where I could forget my troubles and work towards the dream I wanted as a filly." Rainbow kept her eyes to the floor. Her head lowered.

"Tha's wha confused me. Ya said tha ya always wanted ta be a Wonderbolt, but you're an assassin." Applejack rubbed her head as she tried explain her confusion. Only making her more confused than before.

"I've always wanted to be a Wonderbolt. When my father took me to see my first Wonderbolt show, I didn't realise that I had to become an assassin. As I grew up, I knew more that I couldn't continue my dream of becoming the greatest flier of Equestria. I argued with my parents, begging them to let become one, but their only reply was, 'once an assassin, always an assassin.'. I was born into the family. I was born as an assassin. So I used 'wanting to become a Wonderbolt' thing as an excuse for why I was away all the time."

"Hang on. That means that you can kill us. Right now. Holy crap!! She's gonna kill us!!" Surprise panicked.

"No. I don't kill ponies willy-nilly. I get a request to kill that pony, either from the Lords or Celestia, they give me a valid reason then either I kill them or I send another assassin out."

Surprise began to calm down. With the help of her friend, Fleefoot. Silver Lining rubbed his temples as the new information bashed into his head. Soarin on the other hoof, he had mix emotions. He was shocked, surprised, upset but most of angry. His parents were killed by assassins. And he never knew why. He just watched helplessly as a dark blue pegasus in a black cloak slit his two loving parents. The ice blue pegasus stood up. His anger rising by the second.

"You've got to be bucking kidding me!! A rookie. Our friend. Is a bloody assassin." He shouted at the colourful prgasus. Who in return just stared with a confused look.

"Okay. I understand not everypony has the same outcome when they've been told somepony they know is an assassin." Rainbow explained in hope to calm the stallion.

"No! I hate assassins! Bloody hate them!! An assassin killed my parents!! An assassin destroyed my foal hood!!" Soarin screamed. Tears pouring out of his emerald gem eyes. Soaking his powder blue cheeks.

"What?!"

Twilight and Applejack stood by Rainbow. In complete surprise to the stallion's sudden outburst. The same could be said with the four other Wonderbolts. Three of them just sitting there while their usually tranquil friend had a rant, and Spitfire had a smug look on her face. Seeing this as a chance to win Soarin over.

"I watched as a blue pegasus stallion in a black cloak slit my parents throats! And I was completely helpless!" He slumped to the floor, remembering his mother's cries and the blood dripping onto the floor.

"Father would never kill inoccents. Never. Your parents were not innocent." Rainbow tried to remember pieces of information that could help her right now.

"They were!! They were a loving family!!" Soarin cried as he wiped away his tears.

"Wait....wait. Your last name is Skies. The Skies family. They weren't innocent. They were smuggling terrorists into Equestria. Wanting to kill Princess Celestia." Rainbow explained.

"What?! Don't be so stupid!!" Soarin spat.

"Us assassins follow the pony that we have been assigned to kill. To gather enough evidence to kill them. It's true, Soarin. They only had you as a disguise. A disguise so ponies believed that they would be looking after you, but instead, would be betraying their land." Rainbow gave a comforting smile to the saddened stallion.

"...I....I....can't believe a filthy assassin. What's the point of assassins? They just go round killing ponies. It's pathetic."

"The Assassins Creed is the best defence Equestria has got. Then it's the Elements of Harmony, then the Equestrian Air Force. Then it's the Royal Guard. Without us 'filthy assassins' Equestria would be a land of dismay and death. Innocent ponies would be ruthlessly killed by our enemies. I'm sorry Soarin." Rainbow lowered her head as if his parents death was her fault.

"Why....why are telling us this?" Fleefoot questioned.

"I believe you can help me. Seeing as you are part of the Equestrian Air Force." Rainbow stood up. "You know the Pegasi Lords?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't we? Every pegasus serve under them." Spitfire pointed out.

"Well, they've chosen to go to war. With the unicorns and earth ponies."

Everypony staggered back from the statement. Twilight and Applejack gasped while the Wonderbolts just had the same look of shock and confusion.

"What?!" Twilight yelled.

"I've had a couple of my assassins sneak in on them. We found out their master plan to take over Equestria. Believing that the Princesses do not care for them."

"A war? Equestria can't have a war!" Spitfire stamped her hoof onto the wooden flooring. "I will not let this happen!"

"Good luck. They won't listen to you. You're just a captain of an elite flying team. But, yet again, they won't listen to anypony." Rainbow Dash huffed. Giving her wings a couple of flaps.

"Can't you just kill them? Seeing as that's what you do." Soarin mumbled. All the pegasi in the room gasped in shock.

"No. Even though they're our leaders, I can't kill them. It's against us assassins. And anyway, we can't do anything. We serve them." The pegasus mare gritted her teeth as her plans were easily destroyed due to a simple matter.

"Don't you have a high authority though? You could talk them out of it." Surprise added. "I know we pegasi serve them, but....I don't want to kill anypony. My cousin, Pinkie Pie, is an earth pony. And many of her friends are unicorns and earth ponies." Surprise hugged her blue friend to comfort herself.

"Applejack. Get the others." Rainbow whizzed round to the purple alicorn with a sly smirk on her face. "Twilight. We're going to Cloudsdale."

Chapter 3

"Why are we going to Cloudsdale, Twilight?" A soft and smooth voice asked. The voice came from the ever so shy butterscotch yellow pegasus. Her long, silkly rose pink hair draping over her face. Covering her large aquamarine eyes.

"Well, something about war and the Pegasi Lords. But I've never heard of these, Pegasi Lords." Twilight pondered. Her and four other mares sat in the pink basket of Twilight's balloon. It was being pulled by five of the Wonderbolts, including the captain of the Wonderbolts. It was being pulled up to the grand floating city in the sky. The city where many famous pegasus ponies came from. Including the world-wide famous, The Wonderbolts. It was also the home of the Equestrian Air Force. Equestria's second best defence apart from The Creed and the Elements of Harmony.

"If I may ask, darling, why are the Wonderbolts taking us to Cloudsdale? All I managed to hear was Applejack jibbering on about, the Wonderbolts, Rainbow, Pegasi Lords and war." Rarity complained as she glared at the orange farm pony. The unicorn flicked her perfect indigo curls to emphasise her point. The curls bouncing swiftly around her face.

"Excuse me, Miss Rarity. Ah was in a hurry. Rainbow told me ta be quick." Applejack said snidely as she smirked at the white unicorn. "Where is Rainbow anyway? Ah haven' seen her since tha library." The amber mare turned towards her alicorn friend. Who just shrugged her shoulders as a reply.

"I wouldn't know. It's Rainbow Dash, remember. " Twilight weakly smiled. Remembering what the pegasus had said earlier. About the war. And how the pegasi have turned. It's only been two years since the last big threat to Equestria. So far, there have only been small threats like terrorists and rebels. And Rainbow had made sure they knew their place. There would be times where Rainbow disappeared for weeks. All her friends worried for her safety, but as she returned, she assured them that she is fine. That they don't need worry about her.

"Yoo-hoo. Twi. We're here." A bouncy pink pony sang. Twilight blinked numerous times as she was brought out of her thoughts.

"Sorry. Let me just put the spell over you, Rarity and Applejack." Twilight quickly explained as her horn lit up with a rose pink light. Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie's hooves lit up with the same aura.

~~~~~~

"Wow. I haven't seen this many guards since the Royal Wedding. I think that there's more." Rarity stared at the rows of pegasus stallions in white and light blue armour.

"Yeah. It's kinda creepy really." Applejack turned to the Wonderbolts in front of them.

"It's usually like this. Cloudsdale have a lot of guards. I guess we just haven't really noticed the increase until now." Silver Lining pointed out to the mares behind them. The group of ponies arrived to a set of grand white doors. Patterns and swirls were engraved onto the cloud doors, giving them a unique and eye catching design. Two pegasi guards stood by the sides of the doors. Holding spears that crossed the doors.

"Your purpose for entering the House of The Pegasi Lords?" One the stallions boomed.

"We shan't tell you as it is classified, but let us pass." Twilight ordered. She was used to giving guards orders now, since she has been a princess for two years. But the guards shook their heads.

"Sorry, Your Highness. By the orders of the Lords, we cannot let you pass." The other guard explained.

"What about us? Let us pass!" Spitfire demanded, her yellow wings flared out.

"I am sorry yet again, Miss Spitfire. You and The Wonderbolts are not allowed to pass. Your ranks are not high enough."

Spitfire groaned.

"Not bucking high enough?! I am the Captain of the Equestria Air Force!! Now bucking open the bucking door before I kick your heads in!!!" The pegasus mare yelled. The guards not flinching at her loud and harsh voice.

"No can do ma'am. Orders are-"

"To obey the commands given to you by the higher authority. That includes Captain Spitfire Speed, co-captain Soarin Skies and Princess Twilight. And me." A voice instructed. Everypony turned to the source of the voice, and saw a pegasus mare in a long, swift black cloak. Soarin growled as he saw his dream mare wearing a similair cloak to the pony who killed his parents.

"Disobeying orders to them is a high offense. You're lucky I am not going to report this." She glared at the guards who gulped. Knowing how dangerous it would be to get the leader of The Creed mad. Nopony wanted to be near Rainbow when she was angry. She's like Spitfire....but a lot worse.

"Yes ma'am." The two guards nodded, put their spears down and opened the doors with their large white wings. "Sorry ma'am. Sorry your highness."

"Rainbow. 'Bout time you got 'ere. Where were you?" Applejack grinned. But when she saw Rainbow's expression, her grin fell. The shadowed pegasus did not smile. Instead she frowned. Many things were stressing her out before. And now war, she wished to the times where it was peaceful. With nothing to worry about, and to be a care-free pegasus.

"I...was...just busy. I was busy. Sorry." She weakly smiled to her friends. Applejack had an idea what she was on about. She had mentioned it earlier. A few days ago, the pegasus explained to her honest friend that her fellow assassins are leaving and disappearing. Making The Creed smaller and smaller each day. Yesterday she said there was less than fifty around Equestria, and less than five outside of Equestria.

Rainbow lead the others down the corridor. She remembered the last time she was here. And she wish she didn't. Remembering the fight here. She shuddered at the thought. Rainbow lead them up to another grand white door. With a completely different pattern. One with pegasi bowing down to five elders with large wings. There were no guards. Rainbow sighed before opening the doors.

"Back again? Hmm, what is it this time, Rainbow Miriam Dashery?" Somepony asked with a hint of evil laughter in his tone. Rainbow's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Oh crap." She croaked.

Chapter 5

"Urrg!! I wish I could just stab them in the face!! Such bloody jerks!! Maledicat pestilentiam in animas eorum stupri. Si habent unum." A cloaked pegasus muttered as she paced the room. But was loud enough for everypony in the room hear. The girls and The Wonderbolts returned to Golden Oaks Library. The famous fliers decided to stay with the Princess and the assassin. But one stallion was still mad.

"Rainbow! Don't be so rude!!" Twilight replied. Rainbow rolled her eyes. In the two years of her knowing her friend's proper occupation, Twilight had learnt Latin. She had learnt to read it. And when Rainbow says anything, she would know. Trouble was, she couldn't speak it. It was too complicated. And she gave up trying.

"I wish they wouldn't do this. But we have no control. Not even Celestia. She signed a treaty, allowing the pegasi still live under her rule but follow the elders." The alicorn explained.

"I don't wanna fight! I don't wanna kill anypony! I want to hide in my closet with my teddy bear!!" A yellow pegasus wailed. Ever since they returned, she started to cry. Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie had tried comforting her, but with no luck. The mare kept on crying. The Wonderbolts sat in silence. Still trying to process everything.

"Please! I don't want to fight!" She cried. She didn't notice the cloaked mare walking up to her.

Rainbow sat next to Fluttershy, and hugged her.

"I don't want to fight either. But Fluttershy, you won't have to fight. No one is going to fight. Because this will end before she begins." She smiled to the butterscotch pegasus. "I promise, Shy. You will not fight. Okay? You'll go back and see your little animals, and Angel, and be happy." Fluttershy sniffed and smiled weakly to the assassin. "Please. Just don't cry. I hate it when you cry. You deserve to be happy."

"Thank you, Rainbow." She squeaked as she hugged Rainbow Dash. "Thank you." She released her friend from the hug and stood up. She wiped away a few tears. "Twilight. I'm going to see my animals. It's lunch time and they'll be terribly unhappy if I don't feed them. Especially Angel bunny. So, goodbye girls." Fluttershy waved as she left the library.

"Bye, Fluttershy!" Twilight waved back. When her friend was gone, she turned to Rainbow. With a confused expression.

"This will end. Before any bloodshed." Rainbow stood up and walked out the library. Her cloak swaying swiftly with her movements. Soarin stared as she left. And sighed sadly to himself as the mare of his dreams was a cold blooded killer. An assassin. Wearing a same cloak of the pony who killed his parents. And apparently, that was her father. Why does life have a way of twisting itself into the most cruellest situations?

Spitfire noticed his expression and saw that he was deep in thought. She guessed that he was thinking of Rainbow again. But still, if Soarin hates assassins, he must hate her. The yellow pegasus giggled to herself. Now it was her chance. Her chance to win Soarin over.

~~~~~~

"We can't go back. If we go back, the Lords will kill us. The other Wonderbolts have gone to their family and friends around Equestria. Seeking refuge from the Lords." Fleefoot stated.

"The Cloudsdale guards tried trapping the trainers and rookies and setting HQ on fire." Surprise added.

"Do you have any where to go?" Twilight asked. She stood in front of the five pegasi. Pinkie and Rarity had stayed in the library, while Fluttershy and Rainbow had returned. But this time, the rainbow maned mare did not wear her cloak. She thought it would be safer and less intimidating for The Wonderbolts. Also, the had their suits off. Seeing no point to wear them as they wouldn't be doing any shows for a while.

"Well, I'm staying with my cousin,  Pinkie Pie!!" The white pegasus cartwheeled to her pink relative. The ponies watching at how the two mares were exactly alike, their bouncing hair, their randomness, their love for sweets, wanting to keep everypony happy. If it wasn't for the different last names, they could be sisters.

"Umm, I offered to take Fleefoot and Silver Lining. They said they both like little animals and cottages." Fluttershy smiled to the two ponies behind their captain. Who beamed a grin back.

"I love little critters. So cute!" The white maned mare squealed. Rapidfire nodded.

"My sister is a vet. So I've kinda grown up with animals."

"And what about you and Soarin?" Twilight pointed to the captain and co-captain.

"I don't know. I have no family available." Spitfire groaned.

"I don't have family." Soarin said bluntly. Rainbow's expression softened. She felt sorry for the ice blue stallion.

"You can stay with me. My house is big enough to house the whole team. It's a nice big cloud house." Rainbow offered. Soarin's face lit up. But he still had mixed feelings. He was still angry with Rainbow being an assassin, however, he was willing to forgive her. It wasn't her that killed his parents. And was happy, no, delighted that she offered them a place to stay at her house. Before Spitfire could reject he sprung up.

"Yes!! That'll be brilliant!!" He cheered. "Umm, I mean...that's cool. Yeah sure." He sheepishly smiled as the ponies shared confused looks from the stallion's sudden outburst of happiness. Rainbow smiled sweetly. Soarin's heart fluttered. Forgetting his previous feelings. Seeing her smile so innocently. Not to mention cutely. Spifire however, was cursing under her breath.

"You bitch!! He's mine!! I hope you get bucking killed!!"

"Yeah. Thanks, rookie." She grinned to the prismatic pegasus. Masking her anger behind an innocent smile.

"Well, with that settled. Let's all hit the sack." Twilight yawned. "Spike!! Bedtime!!"

"I'm already in bed, Twi. Nearly three hours ago. It's midnight." A young voice shouted from the top of the stairs.

"Come on, Surprise! We're having a sleepover!!" Pinkie bounced towards the door.

"Yay!!" Surprise cheered as she bounced too. Following her pink cousin. Flapping her white wings for an extra bounce.

Fleefoot, Silver Lining and Fluttershy bid their farewells to the others, and walked home with Rarity tagging along. As her boutique was in the same direction.

The cyan pegasus turned to the violet alicorn.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"It's one night, Rainbow. Besides, if there is any trouble, Spike and Owlicious are here. Not to mention that if I scream, I'll wake the whole town up."

Rainbow chuckled at her friend's statement.

"Well, good night Twi."

"Night Rainbow." Twilight waved as the three pegasi fluttered off. Rainbow was leading the way while Soarin stared at her. The way the glittering moonlight danced over her sleek, athletic body. The light revealing her curves. Reflecting off her rainbow mane. And shinning off her rose gem eyes. Making them sparkle in the night. The stallion gazed at her. Forgetting everything as he was lost in the land of rainbows and rose.

This only made Spitfire madder. Her anger rising rapidly.

"Assassin or not. You're dead by tomorrow night!" She growled to herself. Not even being noticed by the two other pegasus ponies.

Chapter 6

"And this is your room, Soarin."

"Woah. This place is...is amazing." The light blue stallion gawped at the interior of the grand cloud house. The patterns and swirls engraved on every pillar and on the ceiling. The spacious rooms with the most beautiful of views. And the Greek like design, with it's key patterns. Blue and white vases holding potted fern. And the electric lights giving the house an elegant glow.

"You like it then." A cyan pegasus mare smiled as she walked into the room the stallion had just entered. "Made the whole house from scratch."

"No way."

"Yes way." Rainbow teased. "Saved up for a while before buying the cloud. And made it myself."

Soarin stared at the blue mare in amazement.

"Really? Why?"

"I wanted something unique. Something that reflects me. And why not? It's not that hard. And I can change it when I want to. Last year it was a bungalow." Rainbow fluttered up to a high cupboard and pulled out a blanket and pillow.

"It's a thin blanket so you won't get too hot or too cold." She passed the items to the stallion.

"Thank you." Soarin placed the blanket and pillow onto the bed.

"I'll be making breakfast at nine. Okay? And I think I have pie in the fridge." The mare winked as she walked out of the room. "Good night, Soarin."

Soarin stood frozen in his stop. He was in the house of his dream mare. She was going to make breakfast for them in the morning and she offered pie for him. Could his life get any better? Yeah, she was an assassin, but, Rainbow was still Rainbow. He sat on the soft cloud bed, looking out of the window. Staring at the scenic view outside. The moonlit fields and the apple orchard. He could smell the sweet fragrance of juicy apples, and the musk of the night. The stars decorating the dark indigo and blue sky. Soarin slowly nodded off as he continued to dream. His final thought before finally being asleep was him and Rainbow, flying through the night sky.

~~~~~~

"Spitfire? You okay?" Rainbow knocked on the closed door of the bedroom in which Spitfire was staying in.

"Hmm? Yeah. I'm fine." The mare replied from inside the room.

"Okay then. Good night." Rainbow trotted upstairs towards her room. Finally falling asleep as she hit her queen sized cloud bed. Her covers flung up into the air as she jumped onto the soft paradise of a bed. She fell asleep within seconds. Letting the covers gently fall onto her body.

~~~

"Right. I can't attack her. After all, she is the leader of The Creed. And the most skilful fighter. And she probably kill me on the spot." Spitfire talked to herself as she thought up plans to get rid of that pesky Rainbow Dash. But, nothing came to mind. Rainbow is a master assassin. Taking her on is suicide. It'll be like wrapping gems around you and standing in front of a hungry dragon. "Unless, I attack her from behind. I'll surprise attack her. Yes. Brilliant. Now all I have to do is wait for the right time to come." Spitfire began to laugh manically before falling asleep. "Soarin is mine. And he will stay as mine."

~~~~~~

It was now late afternoon. Rainbow, Spitfire and Soarin sat in the library, along with Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Twilight. Rainbow still didn't wear her cloak. Even though it's more risky, she'll still be able to fight off somepony. Weapons or not. The princesses were discussing the problem with the pegasi Lords.

"There's nothing I can do. I signed a treaty stating that I will not interfere. I'm sorry, Twilight." The grand white alicorn apologised.

"We must do something! We can't just sit around!!" Rainbow stamped her hoof as she stood up. "I don't care if it's against The Creed, I will kill them if I have to!!"

"Rainbow. There must be another way." Soarin hushed.

"There isn't!! I've already fought with them before, and I'll gladly do it again!! And this time, I won't fail!!"

Twilight looked up to her mentor with confusion. Celestia sighed before she spoke.

"I wanted the Lords out. They were abusing pegasi. You see, before me and Luna were born, the Lords before them were the most cruelest ponies ever. They slaughtered their own kind. Their brothers and sisters. Their mothers and fathers. Every time a foal was born, they would test and check it. If the foal was weak and ill, they would kill it. If it was healthy, they were kept."

Twilight gasped in shock. No words could describe how surprised she was. She never knew of the pegasi's history. There were never any books on it. But she never knew they would be so brutal.

"And the lords now, still do it. That's why many pegasi have fled. Not wanting their foals killed because they were weak then. But the pegasus race was starting to shrink. Less and less pegasi were being born, in fear that they would be murdered by the superior ones. The Lords only wanted strong pegasi. To make the race seem dominating." Luna added.

"B-But...Derpy....Fluttershy..." The violet alicorn stuttered. "They aren't exactly strong fliers."

"A-ha. Funny story. If it wasn't for my mother and my father, they wouldn't be here. Along with lots of other pegasi." Rainbow pointed out. "My parents argued with the Lords, saying that their tests were cruel and unfair. And they said an option would be, instead of killing the foals, but to send them and the family to the ground. To different towns. The parents of the foals would be able to choose whether their filly or colt would go to a flying school or a school in their town. That way, not only would the pegasi race grow again, it would spare the pain for the parents. Both Derpy and Fluttershy went to Cloudsdale school. But they lived on the ground. Fluttershy lived in a village near Cloudsdale called Pegasus. And Derpy lived here. In Ponyville."

"Wow. I didn't know your family made such an impact." Cadence mumbled. Her purple orbs opened wide. She was once a pegasus. Is that why she lived on the ground? She tried questioning her parents before they died, but the wouldn't say. Her mother was born in Cloudsdale. Did she flee for her unborn foal?

"Still. What can we do?" Spitfire piped up. She was still to busy thinking up ways to attack Rainbow.

"I'll go to the Canterlot Archives. See if there's anything in there." Twilight and Luna said in sync.

"Celestia and I will check the Crystal Archives. And Shining Armour could help to."

"I'll stay here. I'll keep on guard, but I'll send out a few of my own to keep an eye you. Just in case. The Lords have twice as many guards than the Royal Guard." Rainbow pointed out.

"And they still have the Equestrian Air Force." Soarin added.

"Yes. Indeed they do. Well, Twilight and I should get to Canterlot while you two go to the Crystal Empire." The blue alicorn pointed to her sister and her younger niece. The two alicorns nodded in reply and disappeared in a golden glow.

"We'll see you tomorrow then, Rainbow."

"See ya, Twi. I'll tell the others where you've gone."

"Thanks." Twilight and Luna waved as they sat on a gleaming gold chariot. Pulled by two white pegasus stallions in golden armour. Rainbow and the two Wonderbolts began to walk towards Sugarcube Corner. The home of the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie. And the temporary residence of Surprise McParty.

Rainbow turned to the light blue stallion.

"You've cheered up then. Why's that?"

"What? Oh! Nothing." Soarin quickly muttered.

"Nothing? Yesterday, you were screaming at me because I was an assassin." The pegasus mare lowered her head. "I'm sorry about your parents. I really am. But father meant well and-"

"I forgive you."

"What?"

"I forgive you. Even though there's nothing for me to forgive. It wasn't you that killed them. So it's okay. I got over the fact that my parents died." Soarin gave a reassuring smile to the pegasus mare.

"I wish I could." Rainbow mumbled. Keeping her head down. Soarin noticed this but said nothing. The three pegasi walked in silence. Walking up to each of their friend's houses. And finally, up to Rainbow's house. Soarin quietly fluttered up to his room. And Spitfire followed and turned towards her room.

"I'll be in the bathroom!!" Rainbow yelled before she slammed the bathroom door shut.

Spitfire's eyes lit up as an idea dragged itself into her mind. An evil smirk grew onto her face. Once Soarin was in his room, Spitfire slowly and very quietly crept up to the bathroom. Ready to put her plan into action.

~~~~~~

Chapter 7

White, fluffly bubbles spilt over the sides of the marble white bath. The scent of lavender swimming around the bathroom. Clean white towels folded neatly on shelves on the far wall. A cyan mare stood in front of a slightly steamed up mirror, brushing her ratty, rainbow mane. She rubbed a hoof on the steamed mirror, so she could see herself again on the blurry reflective glass. The mare put the brush down and trotted over to the filled bath. She quickly turned both the taps off, before dipping her hoof in.

"Ah. Perfect. Not too hot, and not too cold." Rainbow sighed happily as she grabbed a clean towel. She loved these moments. Ones where she could relax and forget all her troubles. Forgeting that she is an assassin, and letting herself dream. Dreaming about being free. She placed the towel on a holder, near the bath. Rainbow's ear twitched as she heard flaps. She stopped, and put the towel next to the sink. She quickly trotted to the door and unlocked it.

"Spitfire? Soarin?" She called.

"Yeah!! What's up, Dash?" A male voice replied, from the kitchen.

"What are you doing?"

"Making a sandwich! I got hungry!"

"You're always hungry!!" Rainbow teased.

"Yeah! You're always sleepy!!"

"I have three jobs, Soarin!!"

"Oh...yeah."

Rainbow laughed at the Wonderbolt's stupidity. She closed the door, not noticing the pegasus who was hiding on the ceiling. Rainbow locked the door and walked over to a cabinet of bottles.

"Hmmm....feathers need a clean up....and I'll choose...this one." Rainbow mumbled to herself as she pulled out three different bottles. One white with a feather on it. And the two others, exactly the same. Apart from the words 'shampoo' and 'conditioner'. She placed them on a low shelf next to the bath and towel rack. The pegasus dipped her hoof in the water again.

"Damn. It's gone cold. I seriously need a new boiler." She muttered as she turned the tap back on.

Rainbow didn't notice the golden coated mare quietly land behind her. She didn't notice the mare walking up to her. Rainbow was about to turn around, but was pushed into the water. She started to kick whoever pushed her, but the pony held her down. Rainbow tried to pull herself out of the water. No luck. She couldn't breathe. Water flooding her lungs as she was pushed into the water. Spitfire giggled to herself as the cyan mare's movements became slow. But she didn't see the water spilling out of the overflowing bath and onto the floor, seeping through the cloud floor.

Rainbow had fallen unconscious. She wasn't moving anymore. Spitfire dragged the pegasus out of the bath, her body limp. She smirked to herself as her plan had worked. Staring at the lifeless mare on the soaked floor.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Rainbow. Are you okay? Water is leaking into the kitchen and out of this door. Rainbow?" Soarin banged his hoof on the cloud door. But when he got no answer, he began to panic. He reared onto his front legs and bucked the cloud. It disappearing into little puffs of white fluffiness. Not seeing the golden blur whiz out through the window. No. His eyes were stuck on the mare on the floor. Rainbow lay on the floor with her wings limply outspread. Her eyes gently closed. Her whole body soaked through with the water from the bath. He quickly ran over and cradled the pegasus. Her chest wasn't moving. He bent down and leaned his ear on her chest. He could barely hear the delicate thumps of her heart. He carefully placed on the floor. And opened her mouth. Soarin took a deep breath as he put his mouth over hers. Spitfire watched from the open window. Growling as Soarin attempted to wake Dash.

"Come on, Rainbow." He urged. He placed his hooves on her chest and began to push down. "Spitfire! Spitfire! Help me out!!" He shouted.

The golden pegasus whizzed through the window in the hallway and galloped up to the bathroom.

"What? What's happening?" She pretended to panic.

"I don't know. But just turn the taps off." He instructed as he continued to give CPR to the assassin. As Spitfire turned the tap, Rainbow coughed. Spluttering up water as she tried to breathe again. She slowly fluttered her eyes open.

"What?" She mumbled. Soarin grinned as the pegasus he loved was alive. Resisting the urge to hug to her, he failed. He picked her up and squeezed her tight to him.

"Thank Celestia you're okay!!" He stroked the blue mare's back. Rainbow wanted to push herself away, but it felt so good. Feeling his fur against her own. She felt happy. But not happy as in 'I've won' or 'friends' happy. No. She felt something else. Something deep. The last she had felt like this was when she was with....

"Oh no."

"Rainbow. Are you okay?"

Rainbow pushed herself away from the handsome stallion. Wait, handsome?! She stares into his emerald green eyes. The assassin wanted to attack him so badly. To push him down and kiss him.

"Snap out of it, Rainbow!! Don't get distracted!! You don't want to be heartbroken again, do you?"

"I'm sorry. I've got to go." Before anypony could object, she zoomed out of the house. Leaving behind a confused stallion and a very very furious pegasus mare.

"Dammit!!! She was a goner!!! I guess I'm just gonna have to try harder." Spitfire growled and mentally hit herself. She flew into her room, slamming the door.

"Spitfire? Rainbow? What the?" Soarin rubbed his head. He had headache from all this commotion. He stood up and trotted towards his room. His mind fluttering. He could still feel Rainbow's body pressed against his own. Staring into her beautiful gems for eyes. Those wonderful rose hue eyes that had a burning fire behind them. Burning with confidence and determination. But, something was hidden in them. He could not only see the happiness, but the pain. He could see that clearly. He wanted to hold her and let her tell her pains and sorrows. And tell her that everything was okay. He finally fell asleep. Dreaming of Rainbow, yet again. The blue pegasus fell asleep with a smile on face. Knowing he was that much closer to being with the mare he loved.

Chapter 8

The cyan pegasus flapped her wings as hard as she could. She had to get away from the house. Tears forming in her eyes, her mane still wet. She was an assassin. Why was she fleeing? She wasn't even fleeing a proper fight. Only a fight with her emotions. Yes, somepony had attempted to kill her while she was not bearing weapons. But she didn't care about that. Heck no. It was Soarin. The ice blue stallion with dark blue wind swifted hair. Large emerald green eyes. Eyes which Rainbow could stare in forever. Getting lost in shades on green. She sighed happily. She quickly put her hooves over her mouth. No. She was not going to. She couldn't. But she wanted to. She loved Thunderlane. And while she was in hospital, he was killed by her own brother. Unable to help him. Unable to save him. Or at least be there for him as he took his final breath. She didn't cry at the funeral. She couldn't. No. Thunderlane wanted her to be happy. But how could she be happy. Rainbow mentally shouted at herself. Telling her emotions to go away.

While she was fighting her emotions inside, she didn't realise what was going on outside. She didn't see where she was going. She didn't care. Her eyes were blurred with her tears. She could faintly make out a large tree. Surrounded by houses shops. Rainbow opened her eyes wide and turned her wings. To avoid the tree.

She turned enough, but not quick enough. She avoided the tree...but not the balcony.

~~~~~~

Fast asleep. The only noise that filled the silent library was the gentle snores of a young dragon in a little wooden basket. Next to the basket was a large, singular bed. With covers bearing stars and moons. A small figure of a mare was buried in the covers. Only her head and violet wings were viewable. Her straight purple, pink and blue hair gently waving as the mare slept. She had returned from Canterlot. After being extremely disappointed about not finding anything to stop the Pegasi Lords. To stop the war. They couldn't find anything. But, she still slept soundly. Her wings twitching from time to time. She was dreaming about books. A lot of books. Ones where she could pass right through it and into it. Entering the story. She giggled and laughed and shouted with excitement as she went to the Romane times and to the building of Ponyville. She was happy in her little dream land. And nothing would wake her.

*BANG!! CRASH!!*

Almost nothing would wake her.

Twilight shot up. The sound vibrating throughout the hollowed out tree. She rubbed her purple gem eyes as she climbed out of bed. She quickly glanced at the basket, cradling a small dragon, and saw he was still sleeping. The alicorn smiled to herself as trotted to the source of the sound. The Balcony. She opened the glass doors and walked outside. Dust rising. Twilight coughed. As the dust began to settle, she saw bits of wood lying on the floor. As she walked further onto the balcony, she saw cyan feathers.

"Rainbow. Rainbow? Is that you?" She instantly recognised the feathers. And she called out for her friend.

"S-sorry....about that, T-Twi."

A figure stumbled towards the princess. Bits of wood buried into her coat. And one of wings hanging limply by her side.

"Rainbow. What happened? Oh dear. Let me get you cleaned up." Her horn lit up as she dragged the pegasus inside.

~~~~~~

"Right. Rainbow. Tell me what happened." Twilight said sternly.

"Nothing. I'm sorry about your balcony." The pegasus mumbled.

"Please, Rainbow. Why did you crash?"

"I wasn't looking where I was going. And I guess I was going fast than I thought. When I realised where I was, I saw your tree. I swerved to avoid it. I guess I didn't turn enough." Rainbow weakly laughed. But Twilight was concerned. She had so many questions to ask her friend, but as she saw the pained expression on her face, she pushed them aside. She could clearly see that something was bothering her friend. Something big. However, she left that as well. Instead, she hugged Rainbow.

"It's okay, Rainbow."

"Errr...Twi...I've got to go." The pegasus quickly pushed the princess away, who looked hurt by the gesture. And before Twilight could reply, she flew out. Into the night sky. Leaving a rainbow trail behind her.

Twilight fluttered back into bed. Unable to sleep. Her mind was now on overdrive. Something happened to make Rainbow crash. She's the best flier in Equestria. And she doesn't crash without reason. That and why were her wings damp. Was it raining? She wished she could do something right away to help the pegasus, but, Celestia and Cadence would be returning tomorrow. Maybe with information to stop the Lords. Rainbow will turn up tomorrow. She will. She will. She will. Twilight's eyes slowly dropped as she carried back into the land of sleep. Filled with books and cookies. The alicorn licked her lips as she ate the delicious treats in her sleep.

"Mmm....books....cookies....books and cookies." She muttered happily to herself. Although she was happy in her dreams, she couldn't stop thinking about the assassin who crashed into her balcony.

"Rainbow. For the love of Celestia, just tell me what's wrong. I'm your friend I can help you....can't I?

Chapter 9

"Twilight. Do you know where she could have gone?"

"No. I'm sorry, Celestia. She crashed into my balcony. I tried talking to her and she flew off."

Four princesses, five Wonderbolts and four mares sat in the grand library. They were supposed to be discussing options for what to do with the oncoming war and the Pegasi Lords. While the rest of the Wonderbolts and the girls were confused with what everypony was talking about, they reverted to talking among themselves. Soarin and Spitfire decided to not to mention last night's event.

While Soarin hoped the pegasus was okay, Spitfire wished she was dead. She was hoping that Rainbow either crashed and died or was murdered. Then she could take Soarin. For her own. Soarin deserves better than a low life assassin. He deserves a mare who could make him happy.

Soarin was breaking up inside. He wanted Rainbow to be here. Either yelling at Celestia or sitting quietly. He just wished she was okay. Not some mangled body on the road, or unconcious in a forest. No. She was an assassin. She was a strong mare. A mare who doesn't give up. The stallion stayed silent. Not talking to anypony. Not even to his friends or the princesses. He didn't want to talk. He wanted to hug the cyan mare he dearly loved. Like last night. But something scared her. Was it him? Did he scare her? Or did she think he tried to kill her? Oh sweet Celestia!! Is that why she flew off? He needed to find her. Tell her it wasn't him. And comfort her.

The co-captain stood up. Everypony watching him like a hungry predator stalking their helpless prey before they attacked it.

"Soarin?" Spitfire questioned. She would start shouting at him, but the princesses were here. And the other Wonderbolts. She couldn't risk blurting out her plans. She couldn't risk telling Soarin it was her that tried to drown Rainbow.

"I'm going to look for Rainbow. She wouldn't just disappear. Not just like that." He said sternly. Celestia and Cadence noticed his sudden change in mood. And they both had an idea why.

"You'll be surprised, dear. She would disappear without anypony knowing and she wouldn't return for weeks on end." Rarity added. Being concerned for the pegasus' safety.

"Yes, but that was because she had to. She had to do her job. But, she doesn't have to kill anypony yet. She's just disappeared." Twilight pointed out. She was very concerned for Rainbow. She crashed into her balcony. And it was a pretty bad crash. She was worried that she dropped out of the sky because of her injuries.

"And that is why I'm going to look for her."

"Going to look for who?"

Everypony turned to the front of library. The door was wide open and standing in the doorway was, the one and only Rainbow Dash. Her left wing was wrapped up in white bandages, along with her left front hoof. Cuts and bruises were marked clearly among her athletic body.

"Rainbow! Where tha bloody hell have ya been?" Applejack demanded.

"I was in the hospital, Applejack." Rainbow kicked the door shut and trotted up to Twilight. "I am really really sorry about your balcony, Twi. I'll pay for the damages and everything."

Twilight smiled to herself. She was glad her pegasus friend was okay.

"That's fine, Rainbow. You don't need to apologise. And you certaintly don't have to pay for anything."

"But I do! I damaged your property. I need to pay you back. I have to." Rainbow sat next to the purple alicorn. Trying to convince her that she had to pay for the damages she had caused.

"Rainbow. You pay enough to me. You don't need to pay for anything. And that's an order." Twilight didn't like ordering Rainbow, but most times called for it. Like when the the pegasus mare refused to rest. Or properly eat. The girls and the princesses were concerned then. She was a wreck. But Twilight had ordered her to make herself healthy again. And Rainbow had to agree and follow. After all, it was her duty.

Rainbow opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. She then closed her mouth and nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Rainbow Miriam Dashery. What was your location last night and this morning?" Luna ordered.

"Hospital, your highness. After I crashed into Princess Twilight's balcony, I went to the hospital as my left wing and hoof were injuried. I'm sorry if I caused any concern." The cyan pegasus apologised.

"Yes well, you should have at least contacted one of us. About your whereabouts."

"I am sorry for my mistake, Princess Luna. But the hospital did not discharge me till this morning."

"What time?"

"Half eight." Rainbow Dash replied.

"But it's past noon!" Rarity pointed to the clock on wall.

"Yes. Well....I had....to go....somewhere...." Rainbow looked like she would burst into tears any second.

"Where?" Spitfire demanded.

"None of your business."

"Rainbow. You scared the crap out of me last night. With you flying off and the-"

"Do not speakth of what happen last night!" Rainbow growled at the pegasus stallion. Who cowered back in fear.

"Yes. Okay." Soarin nodded. Spitfire stared at Rainbow.

"Don't you dare talk to him like that, you whore!! I don't care if you are a bucking assassin, that gives you no right for you to speak to him like that!! You're just a bucking object!! Nopony wants you!! Nopony loves you!! Nothing!! To the ponies you protect, you're nothing!! I don't get how you have friends!! You worthless bitch!!"

Everypony, except Rainbow Dash, gasped at Spitfire's outburst of anger. Spitfire's eyes were lit up with complete anger and fury. She didn't want some worthless bitch shouting at Soarin. Soarin deserves better than her.

"I guess you're right." Rainbow muttered.

Everypony gasped even more at Rainbow's reply. The pegasus looked up with tears streaming down her face. Her crystal rose eyes welled up with her salty tears.

"I guess I am just a whore. I mean, I am just an object."

"Rainbow..." Twilight whispered. Her confident friend was long gone. She was now a broken wreck. Nothing more than a heap of broken and smashed emotions. Along with pain and sorrow chucked in.

"That's what I am. To everypony. Just an object. To the Lords, I was just a pawn in their games. To...Night Stinger....I was nothing but an object. To my brother, I was nothing. To....Thunder....Lane...I....am pathetic...I can't do this anymore. I can't even stop a war and that's part of job...what's the point of me?...." Rainbow trotted out of the library. Her tears dropping onto the floorboards. Spitfire sneered as the prismatic mare left. Soarin shot up.

"Get the buck out!"

"What?"

"Get the bloody heck out of my face!! Get out!! I don't want to see you, or your face!! I'm sick of you!! Constantly shouting at everypony!! Just to get your own way!! Now, get out!!" Soarin pointed his hoof towards the door. Spitfire just stared in shock at her crush. She closed her brown eyes. Her own tears running down her golden cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Soarin." She croaked.

"Too late!! Now get out, captain!!"

Spitfire slowly fluttered out of the library. The Wonderbolts and the princesses staring in absolute shock. As she left, Luna cleared her throat.

"I think it'll be best if we return later tonight."

Everypony left in silence. Only murmers of confusion to each other.

"Soarin." Celestia called. "Soarin. Come here." The white goddess beckoned the ice blue pegasus over. Soarin stuttered a reply, but reluctantly trotted over. Twilight and Luna sat on pillows, to the side of Celestia and Cadence.

"Yes. Is something wrong?" He whispered. Freaking out and believing that he down something wrong. Very wrong.

"Do you...do love Rainbow Dash?" Cadence asked. Her voice soft and sweet like cotton candy.

Soarin began to blush furiously. And it clearly showed through his pale blue coat.

"Err....y-yes...yes I do."

"It showed very very very clearly. Especially when you started shouting at your captain like that. You defended her."

"And when you said you were going to look for her, you showed great confidence and great worry. It clearly showed that you were very concerned for her." Cadence added to her aunt's statement.

"How do you know this?"

"I'm the princess of love. I gained my cutiemark through learning the great powers of love." Cadence pointed at the blue heart on her flank. The same heart as the Crystal Heart in the Crystal Empire.

"Soarin Skies. You are to be warned." Luna boomed. Her voice stern and full of concern.

Soarin shuddered as the princess of the night yelled.

"Why?"

"Mistress Rainbow Miriam Dashery....is a delicate soul. Though she seems as tough as titanium, she's actually more frail than glass." Celestia sat down in front of the stallion. "She's already been smashed. Many times. Through the death of her parents and her cruel past. And the battle with her brother and....the death....of her special somepony."

"Special somepony?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, due to some....misfortunes, he was killed. By her own brother."

Soarin's mouth hung wide. First the news with her being an assassin, now all this. Death of her parents, of her special somepony.

"Soarin. If you want to be with Dash, you must reach out for her." Twilight soothed. "She puts up a defensive guard. making her seem heartless and mean. When she's actually quite the opposite. And that guard is breaking. Cracking up like a dam. And she needs somepony to be there for her. Please Soarin, help my friend."

The stallion slowly nodded.

"Great. Now the princesses now about my crush. And now, I have to be with Rainbow Dash. But, who can complain about that?"

"Yes. Of course I wouldn't want Rainbow to be hurt anymore." Soarin began to dream of his future with the mare he loved. Cuddling on clouds, flying around, and having dinner together. Stroking her rainbow mane as she fell asleep on his chest. He sighed as continued to dream of the pegasus. Twilight and Cadence giggled at the lovestruck stallion, while Celestia just beamed a smile. Luna, however, just rolled her aquamarine eyes.

"Stupid stallion. Now go. Mistress Dashery is out there." Luna ordered. "Assassin or not, she still has feelings."

Soarin shook his head madly. As if emptying it, and saluted.

"Yes, your highness. Thank you." And zoomed off. Leaving nothing but a blue trail and dust. Off to find the distraught assassin he oh dearly loved.

Chapter 10

"Dammit, Rainbow. Where are you?" Soarin mumbled to himself as he soared the skies. He spent at least an hour looking for the rainbow maned mare. And with no luck. He had asked around town, but all he got was "It's Soarin the Wonderbolt!!", "Please sign me an autograph!", "Sign my flank!", "Take my foal!". He even asked a drunk mare. Which was a bad idea. The stallion shuddered as the mare tried to get off with him in public, and then started screaming that he assulted her. He was about to give up when he heard a quiet sobbing, by the Everfree Forest. He slowly made his way down. Trying not to crash into any trees and not to disturb the pony.

He quietly walked through the forest. His hooves squelching as he stood on the damp dirt. As he walked further, the sobbing became louder and louder with each step. Eventually, he walked up to a large clearing. And right by the far side was a huge, dark mansion. Windows smashed, tiles fallen off and vines growing around. It's original rich brown coat, peeling off as nature took back what was their's.

Soarin trotted up to the house and gazed at the patterns engraved on the rotting porch. He noticed a rusted plaque on the side of the door. He wiped the dirt and moss off of it and read the engravings.

Dashery Family Residence

Home Of The Assassins

Home Of The Creed

Our Life Is Made By The Death Of Others

Nothing Is True. Everything Is Permitted.

He staggered back as he realised where he was. He began to imagine the house in all it's glory. With it's rich brown paint, and the shiny, clean windows. The lights inside and out, lit up giving the grand house a homely glowing. The smell of homemade food like bread and soup, wafted out the open window. Soarin's stomach growled as he remembered he forgot lunch.

He snapped out his daydream as a pony spoke up.

"Hey. What are you doing here?"

Soarin turned to see Rainbow Dash. Her hair knotted and untamed. Her beautiful rose eyes puffy and red from her many tears. Her cyan wings ruffled by her sides.

"I asked you a question." She croaked.

"I was looking for you."

"Why?"

"Cause I can."

"Why are you looking for me?"

"Well, I'm not looking for you anymore, as I'm staring at you right now." Soarin smirked at his own joke. But Rainbow sighed.

"Why? What is it you need?"

"Nothing."

"So why did you come to find me?"

"Because...I'm worried for you."

"What?"

Soarin trotted over to the mare.

"I'm worried for you. Not only me, but your friends. But, I'm more worried for you. How Spitfire shouted at you. You didn't deserve that." He gently placed his wing over the pegasus mare. Rainbow stared at his friendly gesture. As much as she wanted to punch him in the face, it felt....nice. She felt herself warm up. Especially her cheeks.

"Why would you care? To everypony, I'm the pony that just fights for them. For their freedom. I'm nothing but an object. I lost my meaning for life when he died." Rainbow gently pushed Soarin away.

"You do matter, Dash. You matter to everypony. And you matter now. Everypony needs you. The assassins need you to lead them. Twilight and the girls need you to fight fot them. You still have a meaning for life and a destiny, and that is to be the one how brought Equestria it's peace. To save everypony and grant them their freedom."

"W-Why...why are you saying all of this to me?"

"Rainbow.....I love you. Since the day I set eyes on you. I can't stop thinking about you. Your bright rainbow mane. Your soft cyan blue fur. Your elegant wings and your sleek body. Your confidence and brash nature. Your determination. And," Soarin looked up to Rainbow's eyes. Still sparkling despite the tears of pain. ",and your beautiful rose eyes. I love you, Rainbow Dash. I need you in my life. I don't care if you're an assassin, you are still the mare I love!!" He shouted out passionately.

Rainbow staggered back with shock. She loved the stallion, but she was still confused with her feelings. She was resisting the urge to run over and kiss him. Tackling him to the ground. Feeling her fur against his soft light blue coat.

"I-I-I...."

"Rainbow. Please." He began to walk away "It's okay if don't. I'm fine wi-"

"Wait!!"

Soarin quickly twizzled around. Rainbow walked up closer to him and nuzzled his neck. Soarin's whole body tingled as the mare of his dreams was nuzzling him. Right there. In a clearing in The Everfree Forest.

"I'm not sure, Soarin. I'm still confused with myself. But I'll give you a chance. But no kissing or hugging. I don't want to grow attached by you."

Soarin was snapped out of his little daydream.

"What? Why?"

"If grow attached to you, you'll die." Rainbow looked up to him. Staring into his emerald eyes. Getting lost in a sea of green. The stallion's expression softened.

"I won't die, Rainbow. I'll be here. For you. Forever."

"That's what Thunderlane said!!" The mare wailed. "He said we'll be together. Forever. But then he died." Rainbow crying into the stallion's chest.

"Shush shush now. Just cry it all out." He hushed as they both sat down. Soarin stroked the mare's mane as she cried on to his shoulder. Crying out her sorrows.

~~~~~~

Chapter 11

"I'm sorry. But we couldn't find anything in The Crystal Archives or the library." A pink alicorn apologised as she lowered her head in shame. Feeling guilty as if this whole event was her fault.

A large pearl white wing was wrapped around her. Cadence looked up, into her adoptive aunt's musk rose eyes.

"There is nothing to be sorry about, my dear Cadence. You did your part to help." The elder alicorn smiled sweetly to the younger princess. "You did what you could do."

"But, auntie, if there's nothing, we can't do anything to stop the Pegasi Lords. Then there will be a war. Millions of innocent ponies killed for nothing. And....and..." Cadence spluttered as she began to cry. "...and....my Shining Armour...I don't want this war to happen! I don't want anypony to die! I don't want to lose Shining!!" The pink pony cried into Celestia's white chest. Her tears soaking the clean white fur.

"Hush, Mi Amore. Hush now. There's no need to cry." Celestia soothed as she stroked Cadence's mane.

"But there's nothing we can do, Sister. I agree with Cadence. I don't want a war among our ponies, but what can we do? We can't find anything." The nightly princess slouched down. Next to her sun sister. Twilight sat by her desk. Her straight midnight blue, pink and purple mane tangled. Heavy purple bags hung under her violet orbs. Her large lavender wings rustled and hanging by her sides. Piles of books surrounded the alicorn. She spent the whole night looking for a flaw in the treaty between Celestia and the Lords. But found nothing.

"Twi. You need to sleep." A short purple and green dragon poked his friend.

"No sleep....must....find...something.....waffles." Twilight muttered under her breath.

"Waffles? You hungry? I'll get breakfast then." Spike ran down to the kitchen to make five lots of breakfast.

"Thanks, Spike."

"Daisy coffee with three sugars, a dash of milk and a spoonful of honey coming up." Spike called from the kitchen.

"What would I do without you, Spikey Wikey?" Twilight placed the books back on their shelves. Each book lit up with pink aura. The princess sat down, next to Luna. Who sighed as the purple pony sat down.

"There is nothing. Nowt. Zero. Zelcho. Equestria is doomed."

Suddenly, the library door swung open. Waking the princesses out of their sleepy daze. A pegasus mare stood in the doorway with a confident smile on her face, and a surprised stallion behind her. Her wings flared out in confidence.

"There is something. And I know where to find it!"

~~~~~~

Four mares, four Wonderbolts, four princesses and an assassin trotted through the dark and dank Everfree Forest. A unicorn mare with indigo curls squealing each time she stepped in something.

"This is absolutely disgusting!!" She whined.

The girls simply rolled their eyes at their friend's over dramaticness. Vines hung over the thick branched trees, blocking most of the sun light. Luna lit up her horn, lighting the path ahead with ominous blue glow.

"Rainbow. Where are we going? You never said anything. Just to follow you." Twilight complained. It felt like they were walking for hours, where it was only three minutes. But she felt tired. And weak. Spike's waffles filled her up but didn't wake her up enough. She felt like she was going to fall asleep any second.

"To my house." Rainbow called from the front of the group.

"But Dashie. Your house is on a hill, south of Ponyville." Pinkie bounced next to the quivering butterscotch pegasus. Who was squeaking at each sound or movement.

"To my....family's house."

"Silly filly! You don't have a family. Well, except us. But, you said your family died. Killed by those meanie weanies who hated your family and assassins, and they kidnapped your brother and you watched them die and they watched the meanies ra-"

"PINKIE PIE!!" Rainbow yelled. Her wings flared out. The pink pony stopped bouncing and lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, Dashie. I didn't....I didn't...." Pinkie began to cry. Rainbow's angry expression softened as she fluttered over to her pink friend.

"Hey. I'm sorry for yelling. Okay? Now cheer up. You're just being Pinkie. Now, don't cry. I don't that incident to happen again." Rainbow chuckled as she hugged her friend. Pinkie snortled as she remembered that incident a couple of weeks back. The pegasus smiled and quickly trotted to the front of the group. Soarin was confused with Rainbow's moods. First she's calm, upset, angry then happy. Soarin just shook his head.

~~~

The group had been walking for five minutes when Rainbow stopped.

"We're lost, aren't we? Brilliant! Lost in giant creepy forest. Great going master assassin!" Silver Lining moaned as he waved his forelegs in the air. Everypony just stared at him in confusion.

"Silver Lining. Shut up." Soarin demanded, now being the one in charge of his colleagues as the captain had gone walk abouts.

"Yeah. What are you talking about? It's right there." Rainbow pointed to the grand house. Everypony, except Rainbow and Soarin, gasped and gazed at the beautiful house. While the others towards it, Celestia slowly walked up to the cyan pegasus.

"Are you sure you'll be able to go in there?" The white alicorn whispered.

The pegasus closed her eyes.

"Yes, your highness. I have to face it some time. It might even bring me peace." She grinned to the Princess.

~~~~~~

Just open the door. Just open the door. It's just a door. Nothing else.

While Rainbow's mind screamed at her, she shakily opened the door. It creaked loudly as it was swung open. Bits of paint fell of as the door finally moved from it's long sleep.

Don't go inside, you stupid mare!! It's killing you!!

The pegasus moved to the side of the door.

"After you." She smiled to the ponies. Her mind still screaming and shouting.

Twilight nodded and led the others inside. All of them gawping at the beautiful patterns engraved on the large, rotting mansion. As everypony went in, the assassin stood at the front door. They were too busy staring at all the stuff that was left inside. Like paintings, photos, furniture and books.

"My my, Rainbow Dash, darling. You sure lived in style. This place is enormous. And so beautiful." Rarity complimented. She gazed at a particular portrait of two elder assassins. One female and one male.

Soarin noticed the pegasus mare still standing in the doorway, and fluttered over to her.

"Rainbow?"

"I'm not sure....it's been so long...since then." The mare muttered. The blue stallion gently smiled to her and out his hoof. Rainbow looked at his hoof, before looking at him. He gave a reassuring smile to her.

"Come on. You can do it."

Rainbow gulped before she placed her hoof on his. She smiled to the Wonderbolt.

"Thank you."

While everyone was exploring around the house, two alicorns looked onto the scene. Cadence 'aww'ed and Celestia just beamed as the stallion helped Rainbow out.

"She has friends to help, but she needs someone closer." Cadence whispered.

"Well, Soarin told me that she's accepted him as a friend. For now."

The pink alicorn giggled.

"So cute!"

"Rainbow!! Do ya tink we can git some light in ere? It's way too dark!!" Applejack shouted from some faraway room.

"Yeah. Sure." Rainbow trotted to a cupboard near the door. She flicked some switches, hoping the generator in the cellar still worked.

The lights fizzed before giving off a homely golden glow.

"Thanks, Sugarcube!!"

~~~~~~

"So, Rainbow. Why didn't you want to come back here? This place is wonderful." Soarin asked. The two pegasi trotted around downstairs. Looking through books and cupboards. For anything that could stop the oncoming war. Or at least delay it.

The assassin sighed. She was still scared. Scared of being back. Remembering all the happy things here. Many Heart Warming days, birthdays, everything. And then, those memories faded. The thoughts of her parents deaths screamed throughout her mind.

"No. She's only young!"

"Leave my daughter alone!"

"Rainbow? Rainbow!" Soarin waved a hoof in front of the mare's face. Hoping to wake her from her trance. The pegasus shook her head as she returned to reality.

"Huh? Yeah?"

"I said, why didn't you want to come back here?"

"It's...it's were my parents died." Rainbow bumped her head on a loose shelf. Knocking various items like pots and pans. Them falling to the fall with clatter that vibrated throughout the house. Soarin quickly flew over and supported Rainbow before she fell. But, they both tripped over on one of the loose floorboards. The two ponies fell onto the hard wooden floorboards.

Soarin opened his eyes and rubbed his sore head.

"Ow." He moaned. His emerald green eyes opened wide in surprise as he saw Rainbow underneath him.

The cyan pegasus moved a hoof up to a cut on her forehead.

"Aaa." She yelped as a head began to sting. She fluttered her pink eyes and saw the pony on top of her. They madly blushed. Not moving at all.

"Are two okay? We heard-oOooo." Rarity and the others blushed at the scene in front of them.

The two ponies on the floor glanced at the others in doorway.

"E-errrr.....n-nothing is happening." Soarin stuttered.

Silver Lining began laughing.

"Whoo! You get them fast, don't ya Soarin! But in an abandoned house? Meh, it's not my ideal stop."

"S-shut up! We fell. Okay?" Rainbow's cheeks burnt as she she blushed furiously.

"Sure ya did, Sugarcube." Applejack teased.

"I FOUND SOMETHING!!" Twilight yelled from upstairs. Drawing the attention off the two fallen ponies.

"Come you two lovebirds. Upstairs." The ponies trotted away and towards the staircase.

Soarin turned back to the beautiful mare under him. Staring into her sparkling gem eyes. He smirked at the assassin.

Rainbow opened her mouth to talk but no words came out. The stallion moved his snout closer to Rainbow's.

"COME ON YOU TWO!!" Pinkie shouted. The two pegasi jerked up.

"Yeah. We're coming." Rainbow replied. Soarin got up and pulled the mare up.

"Come on then." Soarin fluttered over to the staircase. Grumbling about how close he was then. The pegasus mare giggled. An unusual thing to happen to Rainbow. She giggled at the stallion's sudden grumpiness.

"Dammit Rainbow. Stop falling for him."

"But he's so kind, loving and not to mention handsome."

"You promised yourself! Remember Thunderlane!! He'll only hurt you!!"

"But-"

"But nothing!! As lovely as he is, he'll only break your heart!!"

"He's already taken it."

"Urrg!! You stupid mare!! You are an assassin!! Don't let your feelings get in the way!!"

"Bu-

"Lorem ipsum! si cor tuum sit errantem placerat necabo! Sed redeo ad illud munus ne siet?"

"Imo."

"Good!! Now get to work."

Rainbow sighed sadly before following Soarin into the damp, rotting library. Fighting with emotions while nopony noticed.

Chapter 12

"About time you two got here, look at what the princess found." A white hair mare pointed to a torn scroll and an old crumpled book.

"I found the treaty and a book on old pegasi laws." Twilight lifted up the objects with her magic. Each of them glowing bright pink. The scroll however, started to glow blue. And hovered towards the princess of the night. Her eyes scanned the paper as it unravelled.

"Blah blah blah blah.....keeping old laws...blah....pegasi ways....war against the Princess...blah blah....Signed by Princess Celestia Solaris. There's nothing. No flaws or errors. It's all secure." Luna passed the scroll to her sister. Celestia sighed.

"I was afraid of this." Celestia held the scroll in her magic. It glittering bright gold. "The Pegasi Lords made sure it would be completely fool-proof."

"I cannot believe you signed this, sister. Not only do the Lords abuse their own, they can rage war anytime. Why sign this?" Luna huffed at her elder sister. Celestia just shook her head.

"It was the only way. The were going to start a war. And with me, by myself, it was rather difficult. I didn't want war on my hooves. I was still broken from sending my sister to the moon, rather than helping her. And I was still getting used to the fact that I was now controlling both sun and moon. Once you gone Luna, the Lords saw that as a chance for war."

"So...so this my fault?" The blue alicorn squeaked.

"What? No!" The white goddess moved over and hugged her sibling. "You never knew. It was not yor fault. It was really mine. If I wasn't concentrating on running the kingdom, I would have seen you. I would have seen your jealously, anger and sorrow. I would have helped you. And this whole thing could have been avoided."

"Is there anything in the book?" Cadence asked as her two aunts embraced each other. The purple alicorn shrugged her shoulders.

"I haven't looked. But-"

"Ssh!"

"What?"

"Ssh!"

"Pinkie, I-"

"Ssh!" The pink pony shoved her hoof into her violet friend's mouth. Suddenly, her whole body began shake.

"Is she having a seizure?"

"No, Fleefoot. It's her Pinkie sense." The white pegasus turned to her cousin. "Doozy?"

"BBBBBad dddddddooozzyyyy!!" The pink mare continued to shake. "Ponyville!! Ponyville is in trouble!!"

Everypony gasped before galloping out. Luna, Rainbow and the Wonderbolts took to the skies.

"We'll meet you there, sister. We'll be quicker by flying."

"Sure. We'll teleport." The others on the ground were surrounded by a golden glow. Before disappearing from sight. The flying ponies sped up. Towards the little town.

~~~~~~

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"

"Run for your lives!!"

"Let me go!!"

The screams of ponies echoed throughout Ponyville. Screams as pegasi in white armour attacked them. Houses and shops were filled with smoke. Windows were smashed and ponies were running around. Escaping the clutches of pegasi. The pegasus ponies that lived in Ponyville were confused, and tried to stop the armoured ones. But with no luck. They were either taken, beaten or pushed aside.

"Take every pegasus!! Traitors to our Lords!! And beat the unicorns!! And earth ponies!!" A elder pegasus in blue armour shouted over the screaming. Unicorns fought back with the skills they had. A yellow stallion with blue hair, also know as Comet Tail, shot stars. That once hit the ponies, turned to sparkles. A purple unicorn with a short purple hair levitated various items and threw them. The earth ponies like Carrot Top and The Cakes did what they could. They grabbed buckets of water from the well to put out the fires.

Beams of orangey-gold blasted at the leader. A mint unicorn smirked as she hit him. And she galloped away to help her friends. A purple pegasus mare with a combed back blonde mane stood beside a beige earth pony with midnight blue and hot pink curled hair. The both of them dodged and attacked the attacking pegasi. Being trained assassins, it was no wonder. But, there were too many. Eventually, Bonbon got ambushed. Unable to help her friend, Cloudkicker continued to fight back. The same mint unicorn skidded over, by her friend's side.

"Where's Bonbon?" Lyra shouted over the screams and cracking of fires. She shot several beams at different guards.

"She got taken."

The unicorn's golden eyes opened wide in fear. Her loved one had been taken by these scoundrels and she couldn't do anything to help. Heck! She wasn't even there to witness this.

"Ponyville. The home of the Elements of Harmony. The home of Princess Twilight Sparkle. The home of that bitchy assassin." The leader hissed. His chunky armour-although cloud-clanked and bashed around as he moved.

"I'm only bitchy when I need to be." A voice said calmly.

The pegasus stallion stopped and whizzed around. Seeing a cyan pegasus mare. Her long rainbow hair, covering her face. He could only make out a sly smirk. Her wings neatly folded by her sides as she stood proudly.

"Great. Another traitor. Tell me assassin, what does feel like to betray your own kind? Hmm." He asked as he trotted over to the mare. She stood still. Not moving or making eye contact with him.

"Stupid really. What's the point? Of an assassin? Or the Creed? Pointless really." The stallion scoffed as walked circles around the mare. "Who are you really protecting? Fighting for the peace of Equestria? Puh-lease! Equestria has no peace."

"Equestria does have peace. Not many ponies see this through the darkness filled alleys and grubby roads. But Equestria has the peace to allow the ponies and creatures within happiness. And to lead a good life. A free life."

"Really? Celestia is pathetic. Her sister is no better. Cadence? A princess of love? Give me strength! A weakling! Oh! And what about Princess Twilight Sparkle? The one you protect?"

"I protect all princesses and the bearers of The Elements of Harmony. Along side of the Royal Guard."

"Great. You protect some stupid, weak, pathetic ponies that have pretty necklaces. And Princess Twilight. She's pointless really. Who would care if she just dropped dead? Look! I'm a pweety pwincess with pwetty wings. I used to be a snobby Canterlot unicorn, but now I'm a even more a pathetic pwincess!" He huffed as flapped his large white wings.

"Don't you dare disrespect our rulers!! They do so much for us yet you still turn your nose up at them." Rainbow pointed a hoof at the stallion. Who just slapped it down.

"Oh shush you. The Pegasi Lords will be Equestria new leaders. It's only a matter of time till-bleurgh!!" The pegasus coughed and spluttered up blood as he was bucked in the chest. He fell to floor in a crumpled bloodied heap. She leant down to him and whispered into his ear.

"Who's weak now?"

He only groaned a response as he tightly clutched his chest. His armour only made it worse as crushed down onto his injury.

"Guards!! Stop this instance!!" She yelled. All the pegasi in armour stopped and turned to their leader. Curled up on the floor.

"As the highest authority here, I order you to release your prisoners and retreat back to your base."

"But ma'am. Orders were to attack."

"Orders now are to retreat. Now is there anypony that doesn't want to obey my orders?" She glared at the stallions. Who vigorously shook their heads. They quickly released the unicorns and earth ponies that they had caught and helped put out the fires. Two stallions fluttered over and picked up the now unconscious leader.

"What do we say to the Lords?"

"Tell them there's an oncoming storm approaching them. And they will be the ones caught in the eye of it." She grinned as she trotted away. Whipping her rainbow coloured tail in the process.

"Attendite, domini mei. Ad id bellum ... incepit."

Chapter 13

"Stupid rainbow freak. Walking out crying like a wimp. To think I would be friends with...Lame-bow Trash." A golden pegasus mare grumbled. She strolled through an apple orchard. Not caring a bit about her location. Ever since the incident at the library, Spitfire was left in a sour mood. She hated that assassin. She was taking Soarin away from her. After Soarin yelled at Rainbow about him hating assassins, Spitfire saw this as a chance to get closer to him. But now she's further away than before.

"Bloody assassin! Can't Rainbow just drop dead?!" She screamed. Not noticing the three young fillies behind her.

"Hey! Don't say mean things about Rainbow Dash!" A young tomboyish voice yelled. Spitfire span around to see three fillies. A pearl white unicorn with purple and pink curled hair and green eyes. A yellow earth pony with a puffy red mane, tied in a large red bow. And the little orange pegasus, with scruffy fuchsia purple hair, who called out. Her purple eyes glistening with anger as the mare insulted her adoptive sister and idol.

"Rainbow Dash is the most awesomeness pony ever!!" She snorted. "I don't care if you're a Wonderbolt, Rainbow Dash is better than you."

"Oh shut up, you scrawny little chicken. Sweet Celestia! First it's Soarin and now some brat!! Why? Why is this happening me?!" The pegasus mare yelled out in frustration. Her burnt gold coloured eyes brimming with tears. The fillies noticed how upset the mare was, and softened their expressions.

"I-I'm sorry, Miss Spitfire. It's just that you were being mean about Rainbow Dash. And she's my hero and my big sister." Scootaloo apologised. Her purple eyes wide. Hoping the Wonderbolt would forgive her.

Spitfire stared at the little filly.

"Fine. Whatever." She muttered. Instantly making the young pegasus jump around with joy.

"Yay!! I got forgiven by The Captain of The Wonderbolts!!" She sang as she continued to jump, skip and flutter around the golden mare. Who gave a confused stare at the pegasus filly.

"Don' mind her. She's jast a big fan of ya an Tha Wonderbolts." The earth filly rolled her eyes as she smirked.

"Glad that somepony still likes me."

"What do you mean?" The white unicorn squeaked. Her glimmering green eyes staring into the Wonderbolt.

"Well, my team hates me. The princesses hate me. The Elements of Harmony hate me. And that bitchy Rainbow Dash hates me. Not that I care about her." Spitfire growled.

"Why? What ya do?"

"I yelled at Rainbow, and then my co-captain shouted at me."

"Why did you shout at Rainbow? You know she's capable of slitting you throat." Scootaloo stated without a hint of emotion in her voice.

"Scoots!"

"What? It's true!!"

"She's right, Bloom." Sweetie argued. The yellow filly sighed in defeat.

"Yeah, ah guess ya are right. She is an assassin after all."

"Riight. Okay. I better....go." Spitfire began to trot away, but stopped as the orange pegasus stood in front of her.

"What did she do? After you shouted at her? Did you two fight?"

"No. She just cried." The elder pony said blandly.

The three fillies hung their mouths in shock.

"She cried?"

"Yeah. She said some random crap, saying she was pathetic and just trotted out crying. Then Soarin started yelling at me to get out." She huffed. "Excuse me, girls. I've got to get back. As much as I hate that bitch, I've got to apologise to her. Otherwise I'll have nowhere to stay." The captain fluttered off. Her swift golden wings flapping as she gain flight. Leaving the three fillies below to reek havoc among the inhabitants of Ponyville.

~~~~~~

"That...erm...that leader dude wasn't very...strong." Silver Lining spoke up. Breaking the silence as the ponies drank ice tea. The four princesses had helped the citizens of Ponyville by casting spells that rebuilt the burnt and destroyed buildings, after the attacking pegasi had left. The girls and the Wonderbolts helped with what they could, by reuniting young ones to mothers and lost items to owners. After everything had settled down, they returned to the library. Drinking ice tea. A popular drink among the Wonderbolts. But all was silent. No pony said anything. Only a quiet 'thank you' as a purple dragon had handed out the drinks. The Wonderbolts sat in a group by the door, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie Pie sat by Twilight's desk. Who was sitting at her desk. Celestia, Cadence and Luna sat nearest to the kitchen. Luna's idea really. Closer to the kitchen, closer to the food. While the others laughed at the alicorns cheekiness, Celestia scowled her like a little filly. Twilight didn't mind Luna taking food. If she was hungry, she can eat.

"It's only fair, Tia. The night before the....battle....between...." The blue alicorn glanced at a prismatic pegasus. Who sat furthest away from the others, with Soarin by her side. "...after I told you about my Moonshine, my moonshine, half of it was gone!"

Celestia's cheeks began to heat up and shine red as she remembered that particular night. Her blush very clearly showed through her white coat.

"I-I...err....well...."

"Sister, half the cellar. Half a bloody cellar. 20 barrels of Moonshine. Yes, there's a low alcohol content but 20 barrels."

"25...actually. I took five back to my room." The sun princess smiled sheepishly, as her younger sibling facehoofed. "What?! It's really sweet. And I have a sweet tooth."

"No duh. Seeing the amount of cake you go through a day, I'm surprised you still have that figure." Luna sniggered.

"Just because I'm a princess, doesn't mean I don't exercise. Besides, a fly around the castle is nice."

"You actually use your wings? Tia, have you banged your head?"

Celestia snorted.

"What's so funny?"

"Let's see. You have large white wings to your advantage. But instead, you use chariots or teleportation." Luna argued.

"What do you expect, Luna?"

"I don't know, using your wings and getting your fat flank off the ground once in a while. Or is it too heavy for you?" Luna smirked evily at her elder sister. The library filled with 'ooo's as the ponies were being entertained by the arguing princesses.

"..." Celestia's mouth hung wide. While her sister just grinned.

"What's the matter, Tia? Run out of cake?" She teased.

"Alright, alright. That's enough now." Cadence stood between the two alicorns. "To think you two are over a thousand years old, yet you argue like little fillies."

"She started it!" Luna flung a hoof at Celestia.

"No I didn't! You did!" Celestia retorted. Although her voice soft and stern, her inner foal came out. Making her act more like a foal than a princess.

"No I didn't!"

"Yeah you did!"

"Nuh uh!"

"Uh huh!"

"Stop! Now!" Twilight yelled. The two sisters stopped immediately and turned to the purple alicorn. "We are supposed to be sorting out this war, and you two are arguing like you never grew up! Celestia. No cake or alcohol for a month."

"What?!" Celestia screamed out in terror. Luna stuck her tongue out.

"Luna. No snacking and definitely no Stardust."

"No Stardust!? But it's the best sweet ever made!"

"Tough. Both of you, grow up." Twilight ordered. Celestia and Luna nodded. Although goddesses, once in a while, they acted like foals. Waterfights. Pillow fights. Pranks. Makeovers. Arguments. But Twilight had enough. Two years she had to put with the endless slippery corridors, or the electric doorknobs. Buckets of water on doors or flour bombs. Twilight smirked as she bossed the two alicorns. Taking away their favourite foods, and they were like putty in her hooves. Especially Celestia and her cake. But enough is enough. They were off topic. And time was running out. Soon enough, the pegasi would attack more towns and cities. Rainbow and a few of her assassins kept them at bay, but with only a small hoofful of them left, the task grew harder and harder. After reading the book they had found, there was still nothing. They all ran out of options.

"I will....have to assassinate the Lords."

"What?!"

"But it's against the law!! Killing our elders!!" Soarin coughed. He knew the punishment for killing a Lord. The rest of your life in a prison deep underground. No sunlight or fresh air. And to be continually tortured every second. With any method. The laws of freedom were gone as you enter the dreaded, Ianua Tartara.

"I know. But if the Lords are gone, there will be no war. I don't care if it costs my life, Equestria is more important." Rainbow defended. The princesses watched as Soarin's face dropped. Like he was about to cry.

"But Dashie....I don't want my bestest friend to go." Pinkie Pie squeaked. Her voice saddened and her blue eyes begging.

"Can' ya change tha laws or jast let Rainbow kill them?" Applejack asked. Celestia and Luna shook their heads.

"We do not make the laws. The Equestrian Lords do. And they are very strict. They create good laws to keep everypony safe. But they won't allow me to change one law." The sun raiser explained. Her head down.

"One shall not murder any Lords contained on Equestrian land. Including the Pegasi Lords. Punishment would be sentenced to the Ianua Tartara prison. To be tortured till one's dying breath. This does not exclude Assassins Of The Creed. Thus the punishment will be doubled." Luna added. Her voice filled with concern and sadness for the young assassin.

"I will still do it." Rainbow stated as she stood up. "There is no other option. I will kill them at dusk." And she trotted out. The stallion that sat by her burst out into tears. His colleagues fluttering over and comforting him as he cried. There was nothing to change Rainbow's mind. There were....no other options.

~~~~~~

Chapter 14

The cyan pegasus trotted through town and by the park. Everypony stayed inside after the event earlier. Still shook up and scared. The mare stopped abruptly as she heard a faint shout.

"...ainbow...ash!"

The prismatic pegasus twizzled round to see a yellow mare trotting up to her. Rainbow snorted and began to walk away again.

"Rainbow Dash!" She yelled again. She galloped up to the mare. "Rainbow. Stop."

But the blue mare did not listen and continued to walk. Spitfire groaned and flared out her wings.

Rainbow stumbled back as the golden coloured mare stood right in front of her.

"Rainbow. Stop." She huffed.

"What is it?" Rainbow grumbled. Looking away.

"I'm sorry."

Rainbow's head turned towards the pegasus in front of her.

"What?"

"I'm sorry. For shouting at you."

"I forgive you."

Spitfire slowly nodded accepting the forgiveness. Surprised that the cyan mare forgave her so quickly. Although she would rather spit at the pegasus in front of her, Soarin would just push her further away. She decided to walk with the assassin towards the cloud house. Feeling very awkward in the silence, Spitfire decided to strike up a conversation.

"Soo...did you find anything to stop the war?" She asked uneasily.

"Nope."

"What's going to happen then?"

"I'll kill them." Rainbow said blandly.

"What?! You're going to kill the Lords?!" Spitfire shouted.

"Brilliant. Shout it to the world why don't you." The assassin mumbled, trotting away towards her cloud house. Which was now coming into view.

"B-but you can't kill the Lords."

"Why not?"

"They....they...you...you will be sent to that deep prison....What's it called?"

"Yeah. It's not like you care. You hate my guts."

"Yeah...wait what?!"

"I can tell. The way you act around me. And the way you act around Soarin." Rainbow turned to Spitfire, who was now starting to blush. "You love him."

The captain opened her mouth to speak, but quickly closed it. Her cheeks began to burn as she blushed. Her cheeks a very dark shade of red as it showed clearly despite the darkness.

"The way you defended him. The way you always want to be close to him."

"I...I....damn. You're good....but...do you know that...Soarin...likes..."

"Me. I know. He told me."

"What?!"

"Earlier. He told me in the Everfree Forest." Rainbow began to trot away again. Leaving the shocked pegasus behind her.

"And what did you say to him?"

"Nothing special. I said I'll consider him as a friend and nothing more."

"B-b-but...he admitted his feelings to you. And you turned him down." Spitfire began to growl.

"Kinda. I didn't turn him down. Just said we will be friends. And nothing else."

Spitfire jumped up and attempted to push the rainbow mare, but landed face first into dirt as Rainbow moved. She lifted up her now sore face and spluttered up dirt that she swallowed.

"Really? I'm an assassin. You think that I wouldn't know what you were going to do." Rainbow laughed as she fluttered away from the fallen pegasus. Spitfire's anger rose to breaking point. Her golden coloured wings shot up and in a flash, she zoomed towards Rainbow. Rainbow Dash only had enough time to turn around. The two mares fell to ground. One growling and on top of other.

"You are a real bitch!!"

"Says the spoilt brat."

"Shut up!!" Spitfire screamed. Although Rainbow could just kick her off and easily over power her, Spitfire was a innocent pony. And anyway, Rainbow wanted to see where Spitfire was going with this.

"Soarin is a good stallion. A kind stallion. A caring and loving stallion. With a big goofy smile and a love for pie. He loves apple pie. He loves flying around in the sky after performances. Without a care in the world. And the wind through his mane. He puts effort into everything he does and cares for everyone around him. And he's loyal to everypony. And that's why I love him." Spitfire choked her tears as she described the stallion she loved. Her eyes tightly shut and her voice hoarse from shouting. "But...he doesn't love me...only you. Why does he love you?! What's so special about you?!"

Rainbow just gave a reassuring smile to the crying pegasus.

"Love is a dangerous, confusing thing, Spitfire. It's a painful emotion."

"Shut up!! How would you know what love is like?! I've been used in every relationship. Nopony loved me for me. Only for my bank account!!" Spitfire cried more tears as she remembered her past relationships.

"I would know. I've had my heart ripped out and thrown at the ground before. And then I found that one pony to make me happy. I've never felt like it before. And I loved him so much. But then....fate had it's own decisions. While I was recovering in hospital, my brother killed him. I wasn't even there to be with him. To hold him while he took his final breath." Tears filled Rainbow's sparkling rose eyes. But she held them back. "But he told me, he told me not to be upset. Not to let his death drag me down. And thanks to my friends, I managed to bounce back. Well, as far as I could."

Spitfire blinked back her tears as she stared at the assassin below her.

"That...that gives you no reason to act like you do! You didn't have the right to push Soarin away!!" Spitfire raised her hoof and slapped Rainbow hard, across the cheek. Drawing blood on her cyan fur. Rainbow wasn't shocked by this action. She just rolled her eyes.

"Listen, Spitfire. I've got to go." She pushed the crying pegasus aside and began to walk away again.

"You stupid pathetic mare!! I wish you stayed dead when I drowned you!!" Spitfire shouted, but quickly regretted it. Rainbow stopped immediately.

"What?"

Spitfire didn't speak. Just whimpered. She didn't see the stallion behind her. The shocked stallion.

"You were the one that tried to kill her!? You?!" Soarin whispered. "I thought you were my friend, Spitfire."

The golden pegasus turned around.

"Soarin? I'm so sorry."

"You tried to kill somepony, Spitfire!!"

"I'm sorry."

"Not just anypony. But an assassin. A master assassin. Leader of The Creed." Rainbow pointed out. "And that is a high crime. Punishment can be from imprisonment to death."

Spitfire began to cry freely again.

"I don't want to die." She whispered.

"Well. You deserve it." Soarin snapped.

"But, you will not be punished."

"What?!" Soarin looked up to Rainbow.

"I've got bigger things on my plate than dealing with you. So I will dismiss this. For now. But, if you commit anymore crimes, you will be severely punished." Rainbow trotted away. Spitfire looked to Soarin with sorrow filled eyes. He stared daggers at the mare.

"I hate you." He growled as he fluttered away. "And don't come back. I don't want to see you."

Spitfire collapsed to the ground. Crying. Her emotions everywhere. Anger, sorrow, hurt.

"I'm sorry, Soarin. I'm sorry." She covered her face with her hooves. "I'll kill you, Rainbow. I will. And Soarin will be mine." She hissed through her tears.

Chapter 15

It was dawn. The gentle indigo sky slowing glowing with orange and gold flames as a great bright orb began to rise into the moonlit sky. A light mist rose from the hills and the the critters began to wake. Dew drops sparkled under the light. A scent of wet grass and morning mist floated around every town. Barely anypony was out this early into the day. A couple of shopkeepers and ponies readying the market. Fillies and colts were still asleep, waiting and dreading the next day of school. A certain boutique, although a complete mess of stray material, it was filled with sparkling sequins and beautiful dresses on white mannequins, it was awfully silent. And so was a bakery in the middle of Ponyville. And a cottage by the Everfree Forest. An amber earth pony was wide awake as it was normal for her to be this early. Along with her brother. And started to work with trees in the dear orchard they own and love. A large hollowed out tree sat quietly, near town hall. Bearing two sleeping alicorns, a dragon and two princesses awake as they welcomed the new day. A large cloud house floated atop of a small hill. Inside was a sleeping pegasus stallion and a pegasus mare. Who was now wide awake and was placing a black cloak over her. The shadowed mare glanced at a slightly ajar door as she trotted out. She quietly and slowly opened the fluffy white door. As soon as her eyes met the pony the within, her heart melted.

Laying belly down on a bed was Soarin. His wings twitching and spread out, across his ice blue body. His usually windswept mane, ragged and drooping over his gently closed eyes. His foreleg hung over the edge of the bed and his mouth was slightly open. Saliva dribbled from his mouth and onto the pillow. Rainbow managed to make out what the stallion was mumbling in his sleep. Words like 'apple pie' and 'with a crusty pastry'. Dash smiled sweetly at the scene but mentally slapped herself.

"Quit it, you stupid mare! You're going soft!"

"Am I?"

"Of course! You haven't properly killed anypony in weeks or months. And this stupid stallion is just making you softer."

"I don't think-"

"You don't think? You don't think?! Open your eyes!! You are falling in love with this stallion. Stop it!"

"But-"

"But what? Hmm? Do you want to have heart ripped out?"

"What? No. It's just that-"

"Just nothing! You the think you're tough and cold and all, but you're not. You're like glass, Rainbow. And you've barely put yourself together again since the day Thunderlane died."

"..."

"Listen. Your heart, it's weaker than glass. Weaker than the most thinnest glass ever. And it was already cracked. When Thunderlane died that was the breaking point, Rainbow. You smashed completely. And although you and your friends tried to pick up the pieces and put them back into place, it wasn't right. It always fell apart again."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that if you let Soarin into your life, into your heart, it would break. Smash. And it wouldn't be repairable. Wasn't the pain from your family and Thunderlane enough?"

"...yes."

"So, leave him. He's nothing but another friend. Another pony who is innocent in this whole thing. Along with everypony else. Now save all of them before it's too late."

"Okay then."

"What's that Fluttershy? I can't hear you!"

"Yes yes! Of course. Now bugger off. I've got work to do."

"Now that's the assassin, I know."

Rainbow shut the door and quietly fluttered out of the house. But she stopped at the doorway.

"Goodbye...Soarin." She whispered before jumping down and gliding through the crisp morning air.

~~~~~~

A bright light peeked through the nearly transparent curtains that were gently blowing with the breeze. The light danced through the curtains and onto the sleeping pony. His snores filling the emptiness of the lone cloud house. The sun's light warmed his skin. He fluttered his outstretched wings in delight. He then began to stir. His emerald green eyes snapped open and he shot up.

"Crap! What time is it?" The stallion tumbled out of the bed and fell down the stairs to the kitchen.

"Thank Celestia, this is a cloud house." Soarin muttered as he rubbed his wing. He quickly jumped up and zoomed out of the cloud towards the library.

~~~~~~

Meanwhile, on a small white cloud sat a golden mare. Her fiery orange mane messy and dangling over her face. Her strong wings rustled and drooping over her sleek and athletic body. Her eyes were red and sore. Her throat dry and croaky.

"I'm so sorry, Soarin. I just want you to love me." She croaked as she began to cry into her hooves. "I must have you."

~~~~~~

Knock-knock-knock.

"Sorry! The library is closed for today!" A feminine voice stated. "Please come back another day!"

"Princess Twilight! It's me! Soarin! Soarin Skies!! The Wonderbolt!!" The pegasus stallion frantically banged on the old wooden door. The knocks vibrating throughout the hollowed tree. "Please let me in!!"

"OHMYGOSH!! IT'S SOARIN!!"

"SOARIN!!"

"THE WONDERBOLT!!"

Soarin gasped as he banged his fist harder on the door.

"Your highness, please!" He begged as he leaned against the door.

"SOARIN WE LOVE YOU!!"

"SIGN MY FLANK!!"

Suddenly, the door opened. And Soarin fell inside, onto the hard floor boards. A bright pink light surrounded the tree, and as the screaming mares and stallions ran over, they hit the pink glowing barrier. Soarin rolled over and saw Princess Twilight. Her horn fizzed as it lit up with it's elegant magic. She smiled towards the young Wonderbolt.

"Please. Just call me Twilight. I'm a friend, not your superior." She soothed.

"Thanks, your high-I mean, Twilight. You saved my flank." Soarin shot up and glared at the mad ponies banging and screaming at the shield. All shouting his name.

"Urrg! They can be really annoying."

"Tell me about it." Twilight rolled her eyes as she giggled. The ponies trotted inside, ignoring the screams and shouts of the others outside.

"...w-where's Rainbow, Twilight?"

"She's gone. I haven't seen her all morning. She supposed to drop by. Oh, and Spitfire seems pretty upset." The purple pony hovered over cups of honey tea. Soarin nodded as he grabbed the cup with his wing.

"Don't mention her. I hate her." He growled before he sipped at the piping hot contents of the cup. Twilight gasped at this.

"What's happened? Why do you hate her?"

Soarin just mumbled under his breath. Twilight didn't hear what but just politely nodded her head. The two ponies sat in silence as they finished the contents of their cups.

"So...do you think Rainbow has killed them yet?"

"I have no idea. Neither do the others. Celestia and Luna returned to Canterlot. Cadence went back to the Crystal Empire. And the girls went home, along with the rest of The Wonderbolts. But I've heard nothing." Twilight turned away. Soarin gazed at the young princess. He could hear her slightly whimpering.

"Hey. Are you okay?" He asked in concern.

"I-I'm fine." Twilight sniffed. Soarin fluttered over, obviously not fooling for the princess's little lie, and hugged the violet alicorn. Who was surprised by the act. "W-what are you doing?"

"Don't cry, your highness."

"I can't help it. We've nearly lost Rainbow many times before, but..." Twilight pushed the stallion away. "We might finally lose her."

"You don't know that."

"Of course I do." She sighed. "We all love Rainbow. She's such good friend. She's loyal, determined, strong hearted, confident...she's everything. And although her harsh nature, being an assassin and all, she's still a lovely pony. We love to watch her perform her tricks and fly. Even though she doesn't train for the Wonderbolts. I-I just don't want her to go. Nopony does. We depend on her. Ponyville depends on her. Equestria depends on her. I-I-I...and I can't even help her. I feel so useless." Tears flowed freely down Twilight's cheeks. Soarin gave her a reassuring smile but she just continued to  cry.

"Twilight. Rainbow...Rainbow is a good pony. And I'm sure she wouldn't want you to be upset over her."

"But she nearly died last time there was something this big! And I couldn't do anything! I'm a princess! And I can't even help my friends!! I'm useless!!" The mare sobbed. The pegasus sighed and patted her back.

"I felt useless the other night."

"How?"

"I'll tell you, just don't tell Rainbow I told you. And don't tell anyone else." Soarin whispered. Twilight snuffled but did the actions for a 'Pinkie Promise'. Crossing her heart, patting her back, and then placing her hoof over her eye. And nodded afterwards.

"A couple of nights ago, when Rainbow, Spitfire and I arrived at her house, Spitfire stormed off to her room, I went to my room and Rainbow went to the bathroom. She said she was going to be in there for awhile and I heard water running. After a while, I got hungry and went to get something to eat. And as I went to the kitchen, water was dripping through the cloud ceiling. I went upstairs and knocked on the door. When she didn't answer, I panicked. I then kicked the door door down. Rainbow was laying on the floor, completely soaked. Her eyes were shut and she wasn't breathing. But, I managed to perform CPR on her. She coughed up a lot of water and sat up. And I hugged her. I could tell she liked it but she flew off. Leaving me and Spitfire." Soarin explained.

"Oh my. Attempted murder of a master assassin is a very high offence. I bet it was the Lords. Trying to get rid of her." Twilight stood up and trotted to her desk. And began to levitate various objects like quills and paper. "I'll tell Celestia right away."

"No!"

The quills stopped scribbling and Twilight stared at the stallion.

"What?"

"It wasn't the Lords."

"What? Who was it then?"

"Spitfire."

"Spitfire?!"

"She confessed last night."

"She confessed?!"

"Yes! I saw Spitfire holding Rainbow down, but she wasn't struggling. Then I heard Spitfire saying that I was a good pony and stuff. And she slapped Rainbow. That's when she confessed."

"What did Rainbow do?"

"She said she would deal with it another time. She said she had bigger things on her plate."

"Indeed she does. But whatever she's planning, she won't succeed. She's weak." A voice teased. The two ponies turned to a shadowed pony by the doorway. "Rainbow Dash will lose. And The Creed will crash and burn along with her."

Chapter 16

"What did Rainbow do?"

"She said she would deal with it another time. She said she had bigger things on her plate."

"Indeed she does. But whatever she's planning, she won't succeed. She's weak." A voice teased. The two ponies turned to a shadowed pony by the doorway. "Rainbow Dash will lose. And The Creed will crash and burn along with her."

The princess and the Wonderbolt stared at the pegasus pony at the doorway. His curly blue locks swaying in front of his ice blue eyes. His smirk plastered across his violet face. His purple coat glimmering clean.

"Who are you and how did you get through the shield?" Twilight demanded. Her horn gently glowing in case of an attack.

"Easy. I had a fellow unicorn help me. Or shall I say I forced her." The pegasus slammed the door shut as he trotted in. "With her special somepony behind bars, she was like putty in my hooves. Isn't that right, Lyra?"

"Lyra?!"

An injured mint unicorn slowly walked in. Her head down in shame. Her foreleg gently dripping blood.

"I'm sorry, your highness. I failed to protect you."

"H-How?! No average unicorn can be able to even touch this shield." Twilight was confused. Her mind trying to make sense over something so implausible.

"I...I went to Celestia's School as well Twilight. I may have been behind a bit but I can still do strong magic." Lyra croaked. Upset about how her school friend forgot about her.

"I know but....wow. You must be pretty strong. Nopony can come through this shield."

The unicorn smiled weakly at the complement. But the stallion moved forwards. Towards the princess.

"Enough! Without Mistress Dashery I can freely talk to the Princess without being pummeled to death."

Soarin fluttered in front of the princess. His wings flared out as he stood his ground. Protecting the violet alicorn. He glared at the servant of the Pegasi Lords.

"Back off. Just because Dash isn't here doesn't mean you can just barge in here demanding whatnot. Now get out." Soarin growled. But the unwelcomed guest just trotted closer. Then, Twilight's eyes widened in surprise. Something clicked in her head. She knew this pony.

"Well well well. Isn't it Miss Rainbow Dash? Long time no see."

"Oh get out of my way, Thunder."

"Pttf. Attitude much."

"Lords. We have visitors."

Twilight pushed past Soarin.

"You're Thunder, right?"

"Of course. Thunder Blast, servant of the Pegasi Lords." He bowed before the princess.

"How do you know Rainbow?"

"Pardon?"

"How. Do you. Know. Rainbow?" Twilight asked sternly.

"Well...umm...."

"Tell me or I shall send for my personal protector." The alicorn smirked. "You said she'll probably pummel you to the ground."

Thunder gulped. And then sighed. Admitting his defeat.

"She used to be my closet friend. That was until...the event."

"What happened?"

"I don't have to tell you!! It's private!!" The purple pegasus yelled. Anger glistening over his ice blue eyes.

"Yes you do. Otherwise, I will have to get Rainbow."

"Fine." He grunted. "I'll tell you. Just don't tell her I was here."

Thunder Blast sat down. His eyes on the floorboards.

"We were the bestest of friends. Me and Rainbow. My family knew her family, so we were always close. I was her first friend. Beside Fluttershy. I only met Fluttershy a couple of times. And the more I grew up with Rainbow, the more my feelings grew for her. But I couldn't tell her. I was a coward. Then finally, I had the chance. It was a week after her parents had died, and she took control of The Creed. She was...a complete state. She was broken inside. Hurting. But she always put up her little guard. I tried to comfort her, but it never worked. I remember the one night she stayed at mine. I've never seen her cry so much. She was still young. She stayed in my room. And I heard her crying and wailing. I've never felt so upset for her. She was crying, 'it hurts', 'Make them stop.' and finally 'please don't leave me.'. She was obviously on about her parents. You see, I was the only pony that knew about Night Stinger. The whole Creed knew about the deaths of their leaders, just not the raping of their new leader. She thought if anypony knew, the would see her as a weak pony." Thunder Blast looked up to the now sitting ponies. "She was hurting so much. And I couldn't do anything. Then, she had a mission to do. And that was to kill one of the Lords."

"I thought that was illegal."

"It is. But this Lord was accused of abusing pegasi. Verbally and physically. Had killed at least ten pegasi."

"Oh my." Twilight gasped.

"Yes. Well, it didn't end too well for Rainbow."

~~~~~~

A young cyan mare flew through the fluffy white corridors. Her hooded black cloak swaying madly as the pegasus flew. She couldn't quite soar as the ceilings were too low, but she could still glide. Every so often, she would gallop. Losing altitude as she glided. Behind her, hot on her tail, were five stallions in white armour.

"Git back ere, ya ittle wrench!!" One of them growled. His large blue wings beating beside him. But the mare would not stop. Although injured, she couldn't stop. It would mean nopony to protect Equestria. Celestia. And her young student.  Her body screaming out in pain. Her mind screeching at her to stop. She did the opposite. Her hooves and parts of her cloak were stained scarlet red. Blood both from her victim and herself dripped onto the clean white floor. Her rose gem eyes searching for a form of escape. A window. A door. Anything. But no. There was nothing. She had only been a master assassin for a week and this was her biggest mission. She was about to give up. Her body aching with pain. Then she saw it. A door. Now she had an escape, she had to get rid of the stallions.

Suddenly, her wing completely clammed up. She wailed out in agony, as hot pain ripped through her wing muscles. Then she fell. The assassin lost her balance completely. And fell to the floor in sore heap. The stallions hovered over and held the weak pony down.

"We've got her now! She's a goner now!" One of the guards cheered.

"You will be dearly punished for your crime, assassin of the Creed." The blue stallion hissed. He twisted the mare's now broken cyan wing, and she cried out in pain.

"Hey! Don't do that! The Lords will punish her, not us."

"Whatever." The guard stood up. "Ya can leave her, ya know. She's too weak to do anything." He sneered. The other guards hesitated, but stood up.

The bloodied pegasus shakily got up. Madly shivering with pain.

"T-Traitors. Equestria is...our home. And a...all you want to do is d-destroy it." She spat.

"Oh shut it, you stupid mare!"

"You're the traitor. A coward. A weakling." They teased. But two of the guards coughed up blood. Staining their coats. Their eyes rolled to the back of their heads before collapsing to the ground. Lifeless. The three remaining guards looked over to the assassin, who now help a bloodied dagger.

"Get her! Get her now!!" They yelled. But they were no match for the mare. Although injured and weak, she was still quick on her hooves. And sliced the guards throats.

She stood in the middle of the grand corridor. Bodies of guards, laying around her. Their warm blood draining onto the floor. She quickly slid her dagger back into it's holster. She coughed. Pain wrapped around her. Burning throughout her small body. Her lungs dry and burning. Her breathing hard and laboured.

"Rainbow!! Rainbow Dash!!"

Rainbow quickly turned around to see her old friend, Thunder Blast. His curly hair bouncing around his face as he galloped up. Not even using his violet wings.

"Rainbow! Are you okay? What are you doing here? What happened to the guards?" He frantically asked as he hugged her.

"I-I-I killed them..."

"Why?"

"Cause...I...cause I...killed Sir Ice Wing."

"What?!"

"I-I-I had to. He...he was-"

"Shut up!!"

Rainbow was stunned by her friend's sudden yelling.

"How dare you kill our elders!! Our leaders!!"

"They aren't leaders!! They're selfish! Cruel!!"

"Dammit Rainbow!! Why?"

"Why are you so mad, Thunder? Ice Wings was just bully. They all are."

"Cause they are masters. I am their ever faithful servant. And you killed one of my masters." Thunder growled.

"Servant? No. Thunder. You can't."

"I can and am! Guards!! Assassin!! I have found the assassin!" He yelled.

Rainbow's ears flattened and she staggered back.

"I thought....I thought we were friends, Thunder."

"Not anymore. Guards!!"

"Damn you, Thunder!!" She cried out as she bucked her friend. Knocking him into the wall. His snout broken and bleeding.

Rainbow's ears twitched as she heard the clanking of armour and loud hood steps. A large group of guards galloped towards her. Rainbow quickly trotted to the door. She locked the door and blocked it with a nearby table. Banging and yelling could be heard on the outside of the door. The mare searched her surroundings. It was a room. With a bookcase, desk and stool. And a window. Although crying, she smiled. She bucked the windows open before looking down. She was pretty high up. And with her wing completely shattered, she was doomed. She heard the banging on the door as the guards tried to break in. But these doors are enchanted. Even though they are cloud, they act like a normal wooden door. Hard and bulky. Rainbow gulped as she outstreched her bloodied wing. Whimpering in pain. And then jumped down.

By the time the guards broke in, she was gone. Nowhere to be seen. Thunder trotted in and stared out of the window. Tears welling up in his ice blue eyes.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow."

Chapter 17

"I betrayed my best friend. That's why she hates me so much. I betrayed her." Thunder mumbled. He hated how the princess had forced him to tell his relationship with Rainbow, but it felt good to tell somepony. He wished he could just tell the cyan mare how much he still loved her. She was still hurting. And she needs somepony with her. To hold her. And stroke her pretty mane and tell her everything will be okay.

Twilight had lowered her shield as Thunder was telling his story. Although an enemy, she wanted to know more about Rainbow's past. But the assassin shut it all up. Not allowing a peep of information out. She let the shield down, knowing there was no threat. Knowing that Thunder only came to send a message from the Lords. But she had also received a message from Celestia. Asking why she had the shield up anyway. Worrying for her student, believing that she was under attack. Twilight just simply explained that Soarin came over and was hoarded by fans. She felt bad about not completely telling the truth to the sun princess, but, she wanted to know more about Rainbow. And her past. Her relationships. Her friends, family, everything. She was her friend, she needed to know more.

"Well. I must go." Thunder rose to his hooves. "The message I carry from the Lords is for Miss Dash."

"And that is?"

"You will not win, Mistress Dashery. The Creed is weak. You are weak. You will not be able to defeat us. Nopony will. We will take the throne, and lead Equestria into a land of the pegasi." Thunder repeated the message told by his masters. "Now, I must go. If Rainbow found out I was here, she would bloody kill me. So goodbye. For now." Thunder fluttered out of the grand tree library. Leaving two gobsmacked ponies behind.

~~~~~~

"Bloody hell!! Who the hell do they think they are?! Sweet Celestia!!" An angry pegasus mare growled. She paced around the library. Everypony watching her every step. Her midnight black cloak swiftly swaying as she walked around. Her cyan wings fluttering with frustration as she continued to go on about their enemies.

"Please Rainbow. Calm down. You've only just got back." Twilight tried to reason with her friend.

"I don't care! Okay? The Lords....those bucking lords!! How dare they attack my first hoof pony!! Lyra is the bestest assassin I've ever seen! How did they...how did he get hold of her?!"

"Rainbow!!" The alicorn yelled. The pegasus immediately stopped. "I order you to shut up, sit down and calm down. At this rate, you'll probably kill yourself. Understand?"

Rainbow Dash slowly nodded before sitting next to Soarin. She sighed.

"I am sorry, your highness. My temper took hold of me."

"It's not tha first time." Applejack sniggered. Rainbow glared daggers at the farmer pony.

"Right. Before anything else, Rainbow."

"Yes, Celestia."

"When are you planning to...assassinate the Lords?"

"This afternoon. During their grand speech."

"B-but....why?! They're in the public view. Everypony will see you and your mission will fail." The nightly princess stated.

"You do realise who you are talking to, right?" Rarity pointed out. Trying not to sound too rude towards the blue alicorn.

"The Lords are more vulnerable out in the public. They have less guards out. And this might be only chance. Before a war does break out."

"It's true. The Lords believe nopony would attack them in the view of the public. So they don't bother with too many guards." Fleefoot stated.

"Very well then. This afternoon I will assassinate the remaining Lords." Rainbow stood up. Standing confidently in the middle of the room. She was determined to finally kill the Lords. To end their reign at last.

But, the ice blue stallion's heart was being ripped apart. When Rainbow said she was going to kill the Lords at dusk, that meant he could have a whole day with her. Before she would be doomed to that terrible prison. He was planning to finally make her reveal her feelings to him. To make her love him as much as he loved her. But now that plan was gone. As Rainbow was due to kill in less than three hours. There had to be another way. There had to be. Soarin shot up. Standing in front of Rainbow.

"You can't!! There must be another way!!" He blubbered.

"I'm sorry, but there isn't."

"There has to be!! There's always another way!!"

"Soarin! There isn't any other way. Our choices our very limited. Either to choose that we just sit and watch the Lords attack, or stop them before anything gets worse." Rainbow plainly stated. She was starting to get really annoyed with this stallion. Every minute, he frustrated her. Her heart was madly falling in love but her mind pulled her away. Now she was becoming confused. Upset. Angry. With everything else happening, she was like a balloon ready to pop.

"How about....how about...we let the Lords attack. Thinking they have won, then you can strike them." Soarin quickly thought.

"For the bloody love of Celestia, Soarin!! That would make everything worse!! Innocent ponies would be killed!! Not only that but you want me to somehow to strike them!? I'm an assassin, you freakin' moron!! Not a bloody superhero!!!" She yelled.

"Yes...well...well..."

"Well what?! Anymore bloody good ideas, Wonderbolt Soarin? Or is your head stuck in the clouds too much?!"

"Rainbow. Please. I'm just trying....I'm just trying to help." Soarin whispered.

"Help? Help?! All you've done is cause me nothing but grief!!" She shouted. The stallion staggered back. He didn't mean to upset Rainbow. But all this time he's done is cause her grief?

"I'm sorry, Rainbow. I-I didn't know...I didn't mean to."

"Of course you didn't!! Nopony did!! I'm just so bloody confused, Soarin!! Everything is just running around in circles. Not getting anywhere." Rainbow Dash sighed and looked at Soarin. Staring into his emerald green eyes. Her feelings for him blasting inside of her. "I'm sorry for yelling, Soarin. I'm....I'm just....I'll just go..." The assassin fluttered out. Leaving the others behind. And leaving one heartbroken stallion.

~~~~~~

Chapter 19

It was a grand white building. Made completely of fluffy cloud. This certain building was the centre of Cloudsdale. Being right in the heart of it. Cloudsdale Houses of Law. Not the home of the dreaded Lords, but their place of work. And besides, it could be classified as their home as they rarely go to their own homes. Concerntrating on 'trying' to rule the pegasi. Now, they were trying to rule the whole of Equestria.

Crowds gathered around and under the large balcony. It wasn't a big crowd. As ponies were too scared to come, but a crowd at least. Chatting and muttering among themselves. Half of the crowd were guards. Soldiers. While the rest were just simple ponies. Well, almost simple ponies.

At the back of the crowd, sat the two Solar Sisters. Princess Celestia Solaris and Princess Luna Eclipse. Sitting proudly on the pearl white cloud thrones. Beside them, were the younger alicorns. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Princess Twilight Sparkle. Next to both of the princesses, were also the Elements of Harmony. And the remaining of the Wonderbolts. A cyan pegasus sat closer to Princess Twilight. Being her personal protector. But she was here for something else. To end the Lords' lives. She sat quietly beside her purple friend. Her eyes gently closed as she tried to gain calmness. Being calm and mediated before a kill was crucial in the assassins life. It meant that there would be less chance of their emotions running amok. If their emotions showed through their heartless exterior, it was a sign of weakness. Rainbow sat quite motionless. Concerntrating on her inner self.

But, that was short lived. As a ice blue pegasus kept interrupting her.

"Rainbow. Are you sure you can do this?"

"Of course. I'm a bloody assassin. It's what I do." The mare snorted. Her eyes still closed and her head lowered.

"Yes well, this must be pretty big for you."

"Hardly. The biggest I've dealt with was attempting to kill my brother."

"Your brother?"

"Long story short. He joined an evil organisation, became their leader and wanted me to battle him in Canterlot Arena."

"Right...okay...well. It must be-"

"Just be quiet, Soarin. Please. " Rainbow quietly begged. Her beautiful rose eyes opened wide. The stallion stared straight into them. His heart fluttering. He didn't want her to do this. He wanted her. To keep her safe. But, he couldn't even do that.

"I'm sorry, Dash." He lowered his head. Why couldn't he think of another way? Another way that would not take Rainbow away from him. He glanced at the cyan pegasus. Watching her long prismatic mane sway in the gentle wind. Her glimmering cyan feathers rustling as the delicate slender fingers of the breeze flowed around them. He noticed her ear twitched.

Rainbow turned to Twilight. Who sadly nodded in return. The others watched as she stood up trotted away. Soarin felt like crying. Not being able to be with Rainbow for the rest of his life. And to make it worse, while he would be flying in circles and swirls in front of thousands of fans, she would be in pain. As she would be tortured till the day she dies. He could hear a cracking of a whip and her cries at the back of his mind. He pictured her, in dirty, rusted chains. Her elegant wings bound beside her. Blood dripping from various wounds as she was constantly tortured. Her shining rose hue eyes, dull and dead. Lacking the fire of confidence, determination and passion from before.

Twilight hugged him. Feeling the pain he was feeling. They all were. But Soarin took it worse. Not being able to be with the one he loved. Watching his heart get ripped out as she trotted away. Out of sight.

~~~~~~

"And thus, we will conquer Princesses and rule the land as well as the sky!!" An elder stallion boomed with triumph. Most of the soldiers cheered. Some of them didn't. They didn't want to do this. But they were stuck. To serve the Lords till death.

Five elder pegasus stallions stood proudly on the cloud balcony. As they shouted their plan to everypony. The princesses wanted to just zap them. Banish them. Send them to the moon. Send them to the sun. They growled. But they cautiously waited for their dear friend to work her magic. To kill the Lords.

Soarin was now internally shouting at himself. To see the mare he loved again. To hold her. To hug once more. If Rainbow was going, he had to do something before she went. Something important. He stood up and flew off in Rainbow's direction. Leaving the others. Either confused with his actions or not even noticing that he was gone.

"We will enslave the unicorns. We will enslave the earth ponies. We will make them bow before us. Their true leaders." The taller lord cheered. He reared onto his back legs. His arms open as he cheered. "We will be the dominate species!! We will kill who ever will get in our way!! And we wil-" The Lord began to cough. The other Lords shaking their heads.

"How embarrassing." One of them whispered. To cough, sneeze or whatever during a great speech was the most awkward and embarrassing thing ever. Yet, they didn't see the crucial thing.

The Lord spluttered up scarlet red liquid. Red began to drip from his chest. His yellow eyes rolled back before he collapsed to the ground. Two guards and the Lords surrounded the limp pegasus. While everypony gasped. A small dagger was placed deep into his chest. The Lord now lay in a pool of his own blood as it gushed from his chest. The remaining Lords had an idea who did this, and dagger confirmed it. The dagger was plain. A simple blade with a simple black handle. But on the handle was a peculiar symbol. That of the Assassin's Creed.

"Assassin!! Find where she is and bloody drag her here!!" One of the Lords demanded. The guards saulted before fluttering off.

Not noticing the pegasus mare. Hiding in the shadow of another balcony.  Between her teeth, a small dagger. Similar to the one in the dead Lord's chest. Her ear twitched as screams of terror erupted from the crowd. She didn't notice the pegasus stallion zooming up behind her.

"Rainbow!!" He called.

Rainbow Dash quickly turned around to face Soarin.

"What the hell?! Why are you here? Go!!" She demanded through the dagger in her mouth.

"No, Rainbow. I can't leave you."

"What?! Just go, you stupid stallion!! I've got work to do!!" She moved closer to the edge. Trying to aim towards another Lord. Who was now trying to calm the crowd. She took the dagger from her mouth and lifted her fore-leg.

"Rainbow please. I just want to be with you. Don't do this!" He ran up to Rainbow. But the mare slipped to the side. He fell forwards. Forgetting about his wings. His mind panicking. He grabbed onto the closet thing. Which unfortunately, was the end of a certain black cloak.

Rainbow yelped as she was dragged down. The motion of her getting dragged down was too quick for her to realise what was happening and to open her wings. So the two pegasi fell onto the large balcony below. The one with the Lords.

"You!! I knew it!! Guards!!!" The green Lord yelled. Pointing towards the assassin.

Rainbow Dash pushed Soarin away and quickly got up. The dagger that was in her hoof a minute ago was long gone. Stallions in white armour surrounded her. Attempting to down the mare. Soarin groggily got up. Four Lords and a guard around him. He saw Rainbow trying to fight off the other guards.

"A Wonderbolt? With an assassin? Now I've seen it all. Don't worry. You can watch your little friend die. That would make you happy, won't it?" The eldest Lord grinned evilly. Soarin growled. He saw the dagger laying on the floor. He quickly picked it up, before throwing it at the Lord. He expected to scratch the Lord, cut him. Injure him. But no. The dagger planted itself into the Lord's throat. Soarin's green eyes opened wide as the Lord choked and gasped before falling to the ground.

"He killed Sir Alto Cumulus!! Get him!!"

The guards leapt at the young Wonderbolt. Who bucked and kicked the guards around him. He saw that Rainbow was beginning to lose her battle with the other guards. They had her pressed against a wall. She stabbed three guards and slit two others' throats with her bracer. She flew over to Soarin to help him out.

"Once I've killed them. I'm going to kill you." She growled as she kicked another guard. Soarin gulped. But no sooner, Rainbow stopped dead in her tracks.

"Rainbow?"

The assassin fell to floor. A red dart in her neck. Her cloak spread out, across her body. And her wings outstreched.

"Rainbow!!" Soarin yelled. But a guard overpowered him. Forcing him against the wall. Another guard picked up Rainbow Dash and put her limp body on his back. The three remaining Lords trotted over to Soarin. Who spat in their face. "What did you do to her?!"

"She's just unconscious. Don't worry. You and her will be in the same cell. In Ianua Tartara!! Hahaha!!" He laughed manically as the guards carried away Soarin and an unconscious Rainbow Dash.

"We have finally got the leader of The Creed!! Huzzah!!"

~~~~~~

"Oh no! They've got Rainbow! And Soarin!!" Rarity wailed. While the event unfurled in front of them, they had no power to do anything. Celestia held her head down in shame.

"Equestria....is no longer a land of peace and happiness." She whispered.

"But now, a war ridden sight. We have failed to rule this land peacefully." Luna finished. The ponies sat in silence. Watching the guards carry away the only hope they had left. The hope Equestria had left.

And now it was gone....forever.

And so was the Creed.

Chapter 20

Her whole body felt sore. Sore to the bone. Her coat was cold. So very cold. And her head. Oh dear Celestia. It felt like somepony had whacked around her head with mallet. She raised her hoof to examine her head to find something weighing it down. She slowly flickered her eyes open, to see straight away...nothing. Nothing but darkness. The mare saw a glimmer of orange light at the corners of the....where ever she was. She squinted through the thick blanket of shadows. She could faintly see rusted bars. As her rose eyes grew used to the gloom, she could see slimy, dirty walls. Chains connected to the walls. Then, something close moved. She quickly turned to the unknown object, to see the outline of a creature. An ice blue creature.

Then it hit her. Hard. Not the fact that the mare was in some prison, but she had failed her task. Her mission. She had failed everything and everyone. Her friends. The princesses. Countless ponies' lives. She had failed them all.

The pony laying next to her yawned. And then sat up. He lifted a hoof up to his face and rubbed his eyes. Then he turned to the mare.

"Rainbow! You're awake!! Thank Celestia!!" The stallion hugged Rainbow Dash. Although chained, he could still move. He was a stallion of course. A strong stallion. A strong, caring, handsome stallion.

"Wait, what?!"

"You heard me."

"Are forgetting something?"

"What?"

"He's the reason why you failed. You got caught before you could finish the Lords off."

Rainbow's eyes snapped open wide.

"I was so worried. You were unconscious for so long and were so cold. I thought you were gonna die. So I stayed close to keep you wa-" His sentence was interrupted as a pair of hooves pushed onto his throat. Rainbow was on top of the Wonderbolt, pushing down on his throat. Ridding him of any air.

"You bastard!! You screwed everything up!! You made me get caught!! You made me fail!!" She yelled as the stallion choked.

"I-I...I'm....s-s-s...orr...y." Soarin spluttered.

"Sorry? Sorry?! You cost me my chance to kill the Lords!! My only chance!! Now it's gone...." Rainbow slipped off of the stallion. Soarin coughed and spluttered as he gasped for air. Rainbow slumped to the ground. Her chains clashing. The metal rubbing her skin raw. Unlike Soarin, she was weaker. A mare. The chains were heavy. And it took more effort to move. To make it worse, she was already weak. She hadn't slept properly in weeks. She hardly ate and she worked herself till she would collapsed. She lay on the floor. On the verge of tears. But she couldn't cry. Crying doesn't solve anything. When Soarin managed to breathe again, he looked over at Rainbow. Her head was in her hooves. He felt guilty. He blindly cost Equestria's only chance to regain peace. He had doomed the land he loved.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow. I guess...I guess...I'm an idiot." He muttered

"Yes. Yes you are!!"

"Oi!! Stahp a'guein' ya stinkin' brats!!" A black bulky unicorn grunted. His horn glowed green as the barred door. "'Ey there. Ya a pretty mare. It's a shame tha ya doon ere. Nasty place." He trotted up to Rainbow Dash. "Ya won't last a week, Miss. A mare like ya-self never last."

Rainbow snorted.

"Why? What's wrong with me?"

"First of all, ya'll an assassin. An assassins are hated around ere. Second of all, tha masters are really mean. Ah mean real mean. An ya look ill. Very pale. Ya'll be lucky ta stay awake through tanight."

"BUSTER!!" A voice boomed. "DON'T TALK TO THE PRISONERS!! YOU SIMPLE MINDED FOAL!!"

"Yes sir. Sorry sir." Buster replied.

"AND BRING ME THE ASSASSIN!! AND THE WONDERBOLT!!"

"Yes sir!"

~~~~~~

The room was no better than the cell they came from. Dirty, grimy, stuffy. It was hard to breathe. Rainbow dash was chained to the floor. Four sets of rusted old chains around her hooves, held her firmly to the ground. And these chains were heavier than the ones before. Also, her wings were opened wide. But were also tied. As if the master wanted them open. Soarin was chained to the wall. His hooves were already bleeding from the previous chains that rubbed him raw. His expression held nothing but shame. He brought shame upon himself by endangering the whole of Equestria.

The large metal door creaked open, and another unicorn trotted in. Unlike Buster, he was an average size. He was deep red with a fiery red mane. His eyes bright yellow. A smirk adorned across his face. And much to the two pegasi's surprise, a certain purple pegasus walked in.

"Thunder?! What are you doing here?" Rainbow demanded.

"Silence!!" The unicorn boomed, a crack echoed in the room. The chained mare yelped in pain as searing hot pain struck across her side. She felt blood trickle down her now grubby coat.

"You shall not speak unless told!! You understand assassin!!"

"I speak when I shall."

"Then you shall face the consequences!" The unicorn held a whip in his orange aura. It was already dripping with blood. Again, a crack echoed and Rainbow yelped. But refused to give in to pain.

Soarin winced each time he heard the whip. He was forced to watch the mare he loved in pain.

The unicorn lowered the whip and cleared his throat.

"I am Master Flicker. Flame Flicker. And I the owner of this part of this prison." His harsh gruff voice was sore against the others' ears. "Me and my brothers each own parts of this prison. Torturing each and every pony in sight. And you," He pointed at Rainbow, "are accused of murdering three of the pegasi Lords." The whip lit up again. This time, more force was used as it made contact with Rainbow's delicate body.

"Ah!" She wailed. The pain was unbearable. She could feel the sharp metal pierce her skin. The stinging sensation as it created a new wound. The warm red blood, trickling down her.

"T-Thunder. Why are you here?"

"Shut up!!" Flicker shouted. The whip cracked again. The mare wailed again. She thought she could be strong enough to resist the pain. But it hurt so damn much.

"No Flicker. I'll answer." The purple pegasus glared at the unicorn before turning to Rainbow. "I am here to be a witness to your punishment. To see if you are truly getting punished."

"B-b-but..."

"I said shut up!!"

"Ah!!" More blood poured from her side. Slashes across her flesh where the whip had made it's mark. Flicker hovered the whip in a different direction. Aimed towards the mare's elegant wings. Soarin opened his eyes wide in shock as the unicorn lifted the item.

"No!! Stop!! Please!! Don't hurt her anymore!!" He begged. Flicker and Thunder looked up at the chained stallion. Rainbow stared at him with tears welling up in her eyes. Flicker smirked.

"You don't want me to hurt her, hey?"

"Please!! Torture me all you like, just leave her."

Rainbow stared at Soarin. Gobsmacked by his demand to protect her. Even though he shouldn't be the one to be punished.

"Well...sounds like a good offer."

Soarin weakly smiled.

"But, I love it when mares cry out in pain." He manically laughed as he flicked the whip as hard as he could. Hitting her wing. Tears poured down the assassin's cheeks. Pain exploded throughout her body. Her wings. The most delicate part of her body. She worked them so hard they became more sensitive. More sensitive to movement. So she could fly better. She cried out in pain each time the whip hit her. She felt weak. She was supposed to be an assassin. Yet here she is. She failed her mission. Her friends were in danger. Equestria was doomed and The Creed wad gone. Thunder and Soarin winced each time Rainbow cried in pain. Soarin's cheeks were now drenched as he cried for Rainbow.

"I'm sorry, Dash. It's all my fault." He croaked. Unheard under the noise of the whip.

~~~~~~

Chapter 21

He was cold. So very cold. The hard floor gave no comfort to him whatsoever. And the heavy chains were starting to tire him. Dry tears stained his cheeks. Although he was not physically tortured, he watched helplessly as the master hurt the mare he loved. She was laying beside him. On him to be precise. Her head rested against his side. He used his wing to keep her close and warm. She had fell unconscious due to the blood loss and pain. He hated Flicker. The horrible things he did to her. And the worst part, it will never stop. Slashes were marked across her sides from the whips. Even her wings were in very bad shape. Feathers hung limply. Barely clinging onto her bloodied wing. He can only imagine the pain she was in. Physically and mentally. To be abused both through her mind and body. He wanted to protect her. To stand up for her. But he couldn't do anything.

The unconscious mare began to stir. Soarin slowly lifted his wing. Both the ponies' wings were untied. Flicker said that Rainbow would be too weak and Soarin wouldn't even try to fly if the threaten to kill the mare. Rainbow's eyes fluttered open. She slowly lifted her head and looked towards Soarin.

"How long was I out?" She croaked. Her throat sore and dry

"I don't know. About a couple of hours." Soarin shrugged his shoulders. It felt like they had been down here for hour, days. The two had been in the prison for about two days. And on both those days, Flicker would only hurt Rainbow. By whiping her, drowning her, everything.

Rainbow slowly nodded in reply. She felt weak. Even breathing now took effort. She couldn't stand up. She would collapse instantly. Usually, a master assassin like herself wouldn't give in to pain so easily.

"You're going soft. You're growing weak."

"I know."

"You'll be lucky to survive tomorrow."

"I feel so sore."

"Yes well, that's because he's only torturing you and not Soarin."

"I don't...I don't want Soarin to get tortured."

"He's the reason why you are in here!!"

"I know. But...but..."

"Rainbow! Open your eyes!! He's a disaster!!"

"My eyes are open. I see him. The stallion I'm falling in lo-"

"No!! Don't do this to yourself!!"

"I need to be with him!!"

"You can't Rainbow. He'll get snatched away!!"

"But he loves me. He told me."

"Lies. Remember hearing Twilight and Cadence two days ago. When you were supposed to be getting ready."

"...yes."

"He's just a tool. So you can give your guard. To see you weak."

"They wouldn't do that."

"You don't know that!! They could be on to this. They could be supporting the Lords."

"Shut up!!"

"..."

"If Soarin didn't love me, why did he save me? When Spitfire drowned me? Huh? Why did he hug me afterwards? Why does he act sweetly around me? When I just turn my nose up at him?"

"..."

"I love Soarin!! And he loves me!!"

"But...but what if the whole Thunderlane thing happens again?"

"It won't."

"You don't know that."

"Yes I do. Thunderlane wanted me to be happy. I've got over Thunderlane. Yes he was my first love, but my love for Soarin is stronger than ever. I feel...connected to him."

"You're sure you want to do this?"

"Of course!! I want to be with him!!"

"Fine. But if he walks out or dies, I won't help you."

"He won't die...he won't walk out..."

Tears streamed down the cyan mare's face. Her inner argument between her heart and mind. Her mind yelling no but her heart screaming yes louder.

"Rainbow? Are you okay?" Soarin asked in concern. He unfurled his wing and covered Rainbow with it. The assassin turned towards Soarin. He stared into her eyes. Her rose eyes that were now dull. That lacked that flame of confidence. But something else was there. Something stronger.

"Soarin....I never thanked you for saving my life. When Spitfire tried to drown me."

"It doesn't matter. The fact that you're still alive is enough."

"But...Soarin...." She turned away. "You've been there for me. Even when I was in the Academy. You helped me no matter what. You came looking for in the woods. You helped me face my fears of my past. And all I've done...is push you away."

The stallion sat there shocked. "Rainbow?"

"Soarin. I-I...I think....I." It was harder than she thought. To admit her feelings to Soarin. She needed to, but couldn't. Soarin smiled sweetly and turned her head towards him with his open wing. Rainbow stared into his emerald eyes. That were still glistening with love and care.

"I know what you are thinking Rainbow. You don't have to say anything. Just show it." Soarin edged closer to Rainbow. Both their snouts touching. The eyes connected to each other and never leaving.

"I love you, Soarin." Rainbow whispered. Soarin pushed himself forwards. Their lips meeting. The two pegasus ponies embracing their love for one another. Pressing themselves closer to each other. Their love that they had bottled up for so long, now burst into full blown passion. Soarin was overjoyed. He was finally kissing the mare he so dearly loved. A flame of passion, love and excitement lit up inside the two ponies. The world around them, blurring up as they concentrated on each other.

As their lips pull apart, a gentle breeze flutters over the flame extinguishing the desperate heat. Their breathing comes out in short, desperate gasps. The intensity has washed away. The rest of the world is slowly coming back into focus.

Soarin and Rainbow sat there, staring into each other's eyes as they regained their breath. Not saying a word.

~~~~~~

"We must do something."

"Rarity. There isn't anything."

"But..." The luscious white unicorn threw herself down. Next to her dear friend, Applejack.

"Ah've gotta agree with Rare. There's got ta be somethin. Somethin ta stop tha Lords an rescue Rainbow."

Twilight sighed.

"The Lords have already started attacking. Manehatten. Fillydelpha. Applelosa." The alicorn sat down on a fluffled up pillow. "They're using assassins as well."

"What?"

Celestia nodded in agreement.

"Their leader has gone. Now the Lords are the leaders."

"Oh dear." Fluttershy whispered. She sat quietly beside her brother. Who had flown from Cloudsdale. Fleeing from the Lords.

"There's nothing." Celestia admitted in defeat. Her musk pink eyes filled with great shame and sadness.

"Wow. For the great goddess of the sun, you sure give up quickly. But no need to worry, I am here. At your service." A mysterious voice. Stated. Everyone turned to the doorway. Yet again, there was a confident shadowed pony standing behind the light. While the others were confused over this new pony, Twilight grinned madly as the determined stallion stood proudly.

"Whatever his plan is, it better work. We need to save Rainbow and Soarin. And Equestria!!"

~~~~~~

Chapter 22

"So..."

"Thunder. The name's Thunder, your highness."

"So Thunder, why are you helping us now?" A dark midnight blue alicorn asked. Her voice stern and regal.

"I'm supposed to be the monitor of Rainbow Dash. Now that's she's in Ianua Tartar. Once you are in there, somepony is chosen to be a witness. A witness of their torture. To see if they are really being punished." The purple pegasus explained. "And...I don't know why, but the master of the area that both Rainbow and the Wonderbolt are in, only tortures Rainbow. He just let's Soarin watch. To make it worse, she's gets twice as much. I hate it. She tried not to show her pain at first, but she finally snapped. It's horrible. I don't want to watch her in pain. I want her to be safe." The stallion began to cry slightly. As the cries of the cyan mare rang throughout his mind.

"Yes. We all want her safe. But there's nothing we can do." Rarity coughed. Learning now that her loyal friend was gone. Although they weren't particularly close, the both of them had their similarities. After Rainbow had revealed she was an assassin, she had opened up a bit. Knowing that she could trust her friends. Well, Rainbow had started to act more mature than she normally did. She was still her confident self, just more mature. Now the both of them observed the finest of detail and quality. Rainbow had even became more interested in fashion, but told Rarity to kept it quiet. And the pearl white unicorn had learnt many things from her friend. Like how to sharpen most of her senses. How to tune out to concentrate more. They had gradually got closer in the years. And Rainbow had done so much for her. If only she could repay her...somehow.

"She's most likely to die before tomorrow though." Twilight muttered. But everypony heard it. And was shocked at the statement.

"Why do you think that?"

"Well, she wasn't in the best shape when she went in. She hadn't eaten in a week. She hadn't slept in five days and she's been working non-stop. Rainbow was also mentally exhausted. Now she's getting tortured everyday but receiving twice the amount, her body will give out before tomorrow night." Twilight replied. Feeling saddened about her friend's near death. And this time, she won't be there to help.

"She did fall unconscious this morning. From loss of blood." Thunder added. The remaining Wonderbolts, the Princesses and the Elements of Harmony cried internally to themselves for their fellow Wonderbolt and assassin.

"We need to get them out. The Creed needs Rainbow back. To take control."

"I agree." A feminine but croaky voice echoed throughout the library. Everypony turned to the source of the voice. Twilight growled with anger while the Wonderbolts gasped.

"Captain? Where have you been all this time?" Silver Lining frantically asked.

"Yeah! Soarin is gone! He was taken to Ianua Tartar along with Rainbow Dash!" Fleefoot added. The captain of the Wonderbolts sighed a long and dreary breath.

"I've been busy."

"And what would that be, hey?" Twilight snapped.

"Huh?"

"Drowning more ponies? Trying to kill another assassin?"

"Wait! How do you-"

"Soarin. Soarin told me. He told me everything. What happened that night. How you confessed as well. You do realise that you are big trouble."

"I'm sorry okay!!" Spitfire cried. Her burnt gold eyes dripping with tears.

"You shouldn't be apologising to me, Captain Spitfire!! The pony you should be apologising to is a prison getting tortured!! You've also got to apologise to Soarin for lying!!" The princess of magic yelled at the upset pegasus. "Why Spitfire? You knew that you would be in big trouble. That and if she did die, The Creed will be no more and the Elements of Harmony won't work without her."

Spitfire looked down at the floorboards in shame.

"I just...I just wanted her out of the way. So I could have Soarin for myself. I wanted Soarin!! But he was constantly crushing on her!! Her?! She was just a low life flier!! Another crazed fan!! I thought I had my chance. But this whole thing has only brought him closer to her." The mare stared at everyone with tear filled eyes. "B-but....I just want him to be happy. And even if that means that he'll be with her, I'll do anything to help. Equestria needs to be saved."

The princesses smiled sweetly to the crying pegasus mare.

"Thank you Spitfire."

Suddenly, Thunder jumped up.

"I've got it!! I've bloody got it!!"

~~~~~~

The two weak pegasus ponies sat close to each other. Very close to each. One leaning herself against the other. She was feeling ill. Very ill. Sick to the bone. She felt cold and every part of her was sore. She leaned against her partner for comfort. The chains attached to her legs just brought her down. Weighing against her small and slender body. Her wings were outspread. Limp and bloody. The mare's breath was ragged. It was very hard to breathe down in this horrible place. It smelt stuffy and damp. She lay against a pale blue stallion. While the mare slept against him, he opened his wing and covered her with it. He didn't care about his feathers getting coated in silky red blood. As long as he was with the mare, he was happy.

Soarin stared at the sleeping pony. She kept drifting in and out of consciousness. She fell asleep straight after her last punishment. He wished that the disgraceful unicorn would harm him rather than Rainbow. Yes she was an assassin, but she's just as innocent as every other pony. She's just being loyal to her country and protect the creatures within. Rainbow murmured every now and again. Muttering under her breath.

"Please....no....why are you leaving me....stop....mother....father....they're hurting me....help me please..."

"Rainbow. Rainbow wake up." He gently shook the mare. Who fluttered her eyes open. Her pain filled eyes.

"Soarin? Is every okay?" She croaked.

"You were just talking in your sleep. Bad dream?" He hugged Rainbow, despite the chains.

"Nothing out of the ordinary." Rainbow Dash turned away. "Do you think we'll ever get out?"

"I don't know Rainbow."

"I don't want to die, Soarin. I maybe an assassin but I still don't want to die." Rainbow began to cry. Slowly, she revealed more of herself to Soarin. She was finally letting her guard down. Letting everything that pained her, go. She felt safe around Soarin. She felt warm around him.

"It's okay, Dash. It'll be fine. We'll get through this." He hushed as he stroked her prismatic mane.

"I feel so tired. So very tired." She whispered. Her eyelids heavy. Her body numb.

The two ponies heard hooves echo. Gradually, they got louder and louder. Getting closer and closer to their cell. Soarin panicked.

"Oh no! Flicker! Not again! It hasn't been long since last time!"

Then, the sound of wing flaps could be heard. Rainbow's ears twitched. Now, two shadowed ponies stood by the cell door. One hoovering and one standing.

"Rainbow? Rainbow Dash?" The voice called. Rainbow instantly recognised the voice.

"T-Thunder? What is it?"

"We are here to help you." The stallion replied.

"We?" Soarin whispered.

Another pony came into view. The hoovering pegasus. The torches along the wall lighting up her golden coat. The flames flickering matching her windswept mane.

"Spitfire?!" Soarin coughed.

"I'm so sorry for before. But please. I want to help you. To get you out." The captain apologised again.

"We're breaking out?" Rainbow squeaked. "How? It's impossible. I've tried but everything has failed."

"But you don't have the keys." Thunder teased.

"How-"

"Buster. He thinks I'm fixing your chains." The stallion grinned as he unlocked the door. Loud clinking and clanging echoed as the hefty door opened. Both Spitfire and Thunder trotted over. Spitfire unlocked Soarin's chains while Thunder did Rainbow's. As soon as Soarin was free, he leapt up and hugged his captain.

"Thank you, Spitfire! Thank you so much!!" He hugged her tight. The orange pegasus blushed and bashfully smiled.

"Hey. Soarin. Help me out here. I don't think she can stand by herself." Thunder whispered. Calling the other stallion over. Rainbow was half unconscious. The world was spinning around her. Soarin trotted over and helped the mare to her hooves. But instantly, her legs buckled beneath her. Thunder caught her before she hit the cold, hard ground.

"Rainbow? Do you think you will be able to walk?"

"That's a stupid question, you idiot! Of course she can't walk!" Soarin snapped at  the other stallion.

"I-I can. I can walk." Rainbow croaked. She shakily stood up. Wobbling as her legs ached. Soarin let Rainbow lean against himself. For support. "I just haven't walked in a while."

"Okay. Are we good to go?" Spitfire asked. Still hovering beside Soarin.

"Of course. Let's get out of here." The purple pegasus trotted out the cell. Followed by Spitfire. Then Soarin and Rainbow walked slowly. The cyan mare nuzzled the stallion's neck. Soarin's heart fluttered with joy.

"Thank you." She whispered before they went down a dank corridor.

Chapter 23

The corridors were cold. Even with the flickering torches upon the walls burning, it was still cold. Everypony winced as they heard the cries of stallion. And the clunking of metal. The cries got louder and louder till there was a loud splatter sound. The clunking and clanging stopped. Then silence. Spitfire vomited. By the side of the wall. This place was horrible. It was dark. It was cold. It was disgusting. And the smell of blood and vomit wafted into everyone's noses. Thunder walked with Spitfire. Making sure she was alright after removing the contents of her stomach onto the dank floor. Soarin supported his weak lover. Who nuzzled his neck in gratitude.

"Ey! Wot you lot doin'?" A gruff voice demanded. Stood before them was Buster. His body towering over the smaller ponies. Casting a shadow over them.

"I've been instructed by Flicker to take the prisoners up." Thunder lied. Hoping the thick stallion would take the bait and leave them.

"Wot for?"

The violet pegasus bit his lip. He didn't think of a reason. He thought Buster would pass them off.

"He wants to punish Mistress Dashery again. For....snappy behaviour." Spitfire squeaked. Although being the heartless captain of the elite flying group and of the Equestrian Air Force, she was shivering from this stallion. He was just so big. He could probably snap a pony's neck with only a flick. Seeing somepony more powerful than her made her scared. Really scared. But he needed to help Thunder. By saying whatever came into her head first.

Buster glared at the ponies for along time. Staring at the weak pegasus mare next to the ice blue stallion. With strange beady eyes. Then he smiked.

"Fine by me. If tha's wot master wants, master gits." The large stallion trotted back down the corridor he came from. The ponies sighed in relief. Thunder smiled to Spitfire.

"Thank you." He whispered as they began to walk.

Spitfire blushed. But it couldn't be seen under the curtain of darkness.

"I just wanted to help." Spitfire drooled over the purple stallion. His luscious blue hair. His bright purple coat. And he was so polite. As much as the golden mare loved Soarin, she was starting to fall for somepony else.

~~~~~~

It took them five more minutes to reach the only entrance and exit of Inaua Tartar. The air around them became clearer and fresh. It was now easier to breathe for the ponies. Except for Rainbow.

The cyan pegasus began to cough and splutter. Her lungs burning and her throat aching. Blood dripped from her mouth and nose. Soarin panicked and held her close.

"Rainbow. Stay with us okay." He soothed to her. But the mare was slowly falling into the darkness. Soarin held on to her to stop her falling on to the cold, hard ground.

"We've got to be quick. We've got to get her to Princess Twilight's." Spitfire snapped her wings open.  As they neared the exit

"Wait. Why Twilight's? We've got to take her to the hospital." Soarin defended. Thunder shook his head. His long blue locks swaying around his face.

"We can't. They'll take her back here. Everypony knows that the leader of The Creed was taken here. As soon as we enter, they'll arrest us."

"Besides, the Princesses can help her." Spitfire added. The pegasus ponies know reached the gates. On these large metal gates, was inscriptions in Latin. Translating into 'Gates of Hell' and 'To Burn In Life'. Shivers ran up their spines. But they were all surprised with the lack of guards. To think that a prison like this would be heavily guarded. The ponies slipped through the gates and trotted up the last corridor, leading up.

~~~~~~

"Finally!! We're out!!" Spitfire cheered. Flapping her wings in excitement. Soarin breathed in the fresh cool air. Sighing with relief. Thunder grinned madly but as he turned to Rainbow, he quickly trotted over.

Soarin shook her gently. The mare was fully unconscious. Her body nearly limp against Soarin. Her eyes gently shut and blood dripping from her mouth.

"Rainbow. Oh please Celestia. Don't be dead. Please." He cried

The mare's ears twitched.

"...guards....t-the guards are coming...." She whispered before finally falling lifeless. The ponies looked up. In the distance were fully armoured pegasi. All running and flying towards them. A group of guards ran up from Ianua Tartar. With Flicker leading them.

"There they are!! Catch them!!" He bellowed. He held various objects in his sickly aura. From rocks to a whip. Spears to small knives used for his gruesome ways of torture.

Thunder quickly placed Rainbow's slender and limp body upon Soarin's back.

"You're a stronger flier. You'll be able to fly and hold her."

"Damn right I am." Soarin grinned as the three ponies galloped. Around them were mountains. Plain rocky mountains. The guards gradually got closer. But the three pegasus ponies began to take to the air. It took longer for Soarin to fly as his wings were stiff and sore. But he eventually got to a safe height. Now, it was a matter of speed.

The pegasus guards hollered and yelled at the ponies in front of them. Telling them to stop or they'll shoot them out of the sky with the weapons they have. The problem was, the pegasi they were following were trained flyers. Even Thunder. Weaving in and out of the trees and hills, they finally lost the guards. They saw Ponyville in view. It was so close now. The Town Hall. The School. Sweet Apple Acres. And the library. They were so close to the library now. They all grinned as they achieved their task. However, five remaining guards zoomed over. Three behind them and two in front of them. All of them bearing long white spears. They got closer to the flying ponies, pointing their spears at them. The guards grinned evilly.

The last thing Thunder, Spitfire and Soarin saw as they landed, was a bright pink light. Blinding them. Until they all fell unconscious. Falling into the land if darkness.

Chapter 24

The surface he was laying on felt hard and uncomfortable.

"Great. We're back in than damn prison."

But something felt soft. Something his head was on top of. Then their was something silky on top of him

He felt warm again. Whether this was a dream or for real, he didn't care. He was cosy and at ease. Pictures of fluffy cloud beds and thick blankets filled his mind. Then the stallion's head filled with something else. Something more worrying. In front of him was a grubby cyan mare. Her now dirty and dull mane covered her face. Her wings drenched with blood. Feathers were no longer attached to them. Scarlet red liquid dripped from her mouth and snout. Slashes were marked across her body. Dribbling with more blood. Her eyes. Her usually bright and beautiful eyes were now grey. As if drained of it's fire. Tears streamed down her cheeks. The mare opened her mouth to speak but was struck down from an unknown object. Now she lay dead in front of him. A unicorn stood over the lifeless mare. His evil grin beaming down onto the lying stallion. Suddenly, chains were around his legs. The blanket and pillow disappeared and his pale blue wings were now bound against his sides by a strong metal and leather belt. The unicorn glared evilly at the bound pegasus. His yellow eyes burning through the pegasus. Then he began to laugh.

"Your precious one is dead!! And there was nothing you could have done to save her!!" He cackled.

The pegasus stallion cried and tried to reach for the dead mare but his hoof couldn't reach her. The unicorn laughed and laughed some more.

"Don't worry, Wonderbolt. I made sure she was punished before she died. I love it when mare's beg. Especially when she begged for your freedom." His manic laughed echoed throughout the cell. The Wonderbolt cried as he called out the mare's name.

"Rainbow...."

~~~~~~

"Soarin. Soarin wake up."

"...no...Rainbow...don't...leave her alone..." The ice blue stallion muttered under his breath. Talking while he slept. A cyan mare gently shook him. Concerned for the stallion. He tossed and turned under the midnight blue blanket.

"Soarin. Wake up." The light blue mare whispered. Hoping to wake the other pony. But he wouldn't wake up.

"Soarin! Shift your flank and get the bloody hell up!!" She demanded. The stallion shot up with a worried and confused expression.

"Huh? Rainbow? Wait. Where are we?" Soarin frantically asked. He scanned the area. He was in a big room with bookcases. Two beds and a small basket. On the left of the room were large glass doors, leading up to a large balcony. He was sitting in a wooden bed with plain blue sheets. Opposite was another bed but the sheets was coated with white stars.

"We're in Twilight's, Soarin. We made it out." Rainbow leaned forwards towards the stallion. Both of their lips touching. Their mouths connected to each other. Rainbow leaned onto Soarin. Drawing them into a hug. Soarin wrapped his forelegs around the sleek mare. Their tongues wrestling inside their mouths as they shared their passionate love. After a couple of minutes, the two ponies separated. A string of saliva connecting between them. The two ponies stared into each other's eyes. Gazing into the sea of either sparkling rose or glimmering emerald.

"But how? The guards surrounded us. You were unconscious. Dead nearly."

"Yes, but we had a little help."

"The princesses helped us?"

"No. Not the Princesses. Somepony else. Well, someone else."

"Who?"

"You'll find out soon enough. He's downstairs helping the others. Now come on." Rainbow jumped out of the spare bed. Bandages were wrapped her injured wings. Scars from her punishment were still visible on her sides. But were slightly covered with blue make up powder. Soarin reluctantly followed but as soon as he fluttered out, Rainbow stopped dead in her tracks.

"Soarin. I know we're together. And I do love you. But...don't tell the others." She pleaded.

"Why not?"

"We can tell them after all if this mess. After this war. The rest of the Lords have already attack half of Equestria."

"Still."

"Soarin. Please. Just kept it quiet for now." Rainbow stared at Soarin. Her eyes begging for him to agree with her. Soarin's expression softened and he nodded.

"Okay. I'll keep quiet."

"Thank you!!" The assassin ran up and hugged her loved one. Embracing his warmth.

~~~~~~

The two ponies trotted down the stairs. Their hoof-steps echoing as they tapped the wooden staircase.

"Rainbow! Soarin! You're awake! Good!!" A purple alicorn hugged her blue friend. "Spitfire and Thunder are still asleep but they're in Rarity's boutique. But Rarity is still here. Spike is over there. And it wasn't particularly hard to get them there." The egghead princess smiled and bounced off towards and sat next to three other alicorns and an unusual creature sitting upon a pink cloud.

"Hey Discord." Rainbow waved nonchalantly to the draconequus. Who waved back. But Soarin stood there. Frozen to his spot. His mouth hung wide. Staring at the spirit of chaos upon his cotton candy cloud. Which Pinkie Pie was licking her lips at.

"D-D-Discord?! But....but.." He stuttered.

"Yes. What is it, Wonderbolt? Never seen a draconequus before?" Discord clicked his claws and a glass of chocolate milk with purple whipped cream and glitter on top appeared next to him. He smirked as grabbed the cup.

"B-b-but...I thought he was encased in stone. The last time I saw him, he was a statue at the Gala." Soarin uneasily walked next to Princess Twilight. "And you're evil!"

"Urg! I'm not evil. I'm mischievous. Completely different. What Sombra and Nightmare Moon wanted was evil, I just simply wanted a bit of chaos in the world. Oh, and do I look stone to you?"

"...but...how?"

"Fluttershy reformed him." Pinkie Pie skipped up to Discord's cloud and instantly took a giant bite out of it. Discord glared at the pink pony. He murmured to himself before clicking his claws again. Another pink cloud appeared. Pinkie's big blue eyes lit up with happiness. She looked up at the god of chaos. Her mouth bulging with cotton candy.

"Pinkie. You must stop eating the furniture. It's bad enough with me eating the books." He chuckled. Twilight gazed up as he mentioned eating books. She hugged the bookcases. In fear of Discord eating her precious books.

"O-okay then. But how did you stop the guards? The last thing I remember was bright pink light." The extreme flier sat beside the assassin. Who was now talking to her orange friend.

"Well, the pink light you saw was Twilight teleporting. And you lot fell out of the sky. I guess that you fell due to both exhaustion and shock. The guards continued to go towards you and attack. Discord caught you and turned the guards into potted peonies." Celestia explained. She pointed to the five pots of flowers on the window sill. Three of which were pure white, one purple and one blue.

"Thank you Discord. May I be forever in your debt and service." Rainbow bowed to the spirit of chaos.

"Yes, well, you dragged me out of Canterlot for a reason. Now what is the reason?" He asked.

"Well, the Pegasi Lords have raged war among Equestria."

"Oh haven't they always. The Pegasi Lords are so annoying. They're constantly thinking they're right." Discord huffed. He hated the Lords. Hated them so much. Back when Discord, Celestia and Luna were young, the Lords used to constantly badger them. One time they forced Luna to perform a solar eclipse. And Discord to turn Canterlot into cloud. But he turned them into fluffly pink clouds instead. Also, he turned Cloudsdale into a floating pink city. All the clouds rained chocolate milk. While he and the young princesses laughed at this, the Lords attacked various places. Afterwards, Celestia and Luna's parents, Queen Saturn and King Neptune had settled the Lords. But not for long. When the King and Queen were assassinated-not by The Creed-The Lords tried again. But the Solar Sisters kept them at bay.

"Yes well, I have assassinated tw...three of the Lords." Rainbow quickly changed her wording. She had only killed two as Soarin had accidentally killed the third. But the young Wonderbolt didn't want everypony to know that he had committed a murder. So he let Rainbow take the credit.

"Three?" Rarity piped up. "You only killed two."

"I killed the first Lord many many years ago. A week after I took lead of The Creed. Sir Ice Wing."

"Okay, you've killed three, there's three left. What do you want me to do?" Discord inquired. Rather confused why the Princess of Magic dragged him away from his activities.

"We need all the help we can get. We have no other options. Rainbow and Soarin can't go outside. The Guards are everywhere. The treaty has nothing. The-"

"Treaty? What treaty?"

"Oh! You don't know about the treaty, do you?" Twilight's horn lit up as an old scroll hovered through the air. She passed it over to Discord, who held it in his own golden aura. A set of black spectacles appeared in front of his yellow and devil red eyes. He scanned the paper. His chin resting on his paw.

"Celestia, oh why would you sign a treaty between these fools, I don't know. You are such a idiot." He remarked. Celestia growled at the draconequus. Glaring at him but said nothing. "Blah blah blah. Blah blah. Give us rights

Ruling our own kind. Not under the rule of Celestia. Oh my. Now this is interesting." He murmured to himself.

"What? What is it?"

Discord opened his mouth to speak, but was quickly interrupted as a white pegasus stallion in golden armour burst through the doors.

"Your highnesses! The Lords are attacking Ponyville!! The Air Force!! The Assassins of The Creed!!" He yelled. Rainbow's eyes shrunk to the size of pinpricks. Her assassins were with the Lords.

"Get Shining Armour this instant. Get him to bring his squad from Canterlot and surround the whole of Ponyville. Also, get Lieutenant Midnight and her patrol. And the rest of the night guard. Not a single pegasus guard shall get through. Understand?" Celestia ordered.

"Yes ma'am." The stallion slammed the door shut.

"Celestia!!" Rainbow wailed.

"Rainbow? What is it?" The white alicorn asked in shock from the pegasus' sudden outburst.

"Tell your guards to not harm my assassins!! Not a single assassin should be killed!"

"I'm sorry Rainbow. But your assassins are not under your rule. The Lords still believe your are still in that horrible prison."

"Then that must mean I've got to get them back." Rainbow stood up and trotted to the door. But a light blue aura surrounded her.

"Rainbow Miriam Dashery. You must understand. If you die now, the Creed will have no option but to follow the Lords." Cadence hushed.

"I don't bloody care. My assassin levels are low. If any more die, Equestria won't have it's highest defense."

"I agree."

"So do ah."

All the ponies and the draconequus turned to the now standing farmer and fashionista. Now beaming with confident grins.

"What?"

"Rainbow. You have done so much for us, dear. Fighting for us. For our freedom to live. And also being our friend." Rarity smiled.

"And we wanna repay ya. Ya've been goin' on about ya assassins disappearin'. So, ah an' Rare would like ta become part of Tha Creed. Ta serve ya and Equestria."

Everyone stared at the two ponies, gobsmacked. Eyes widened in surprise. The aura around Rainbow disappeared and the pegasus trotted towards her friends.

"Are you sure? You have families and jobs. Are willing to risk it?"

"If it means we contribute to saving Equestria, then yes."

"Wha she said."

Rainbow smiled.

"Very well then. We shall go through all the yip yap later. What are your main aspects in defending and fighting?"

"Ah'm pretty good when it comes ta hoof ta hoof combat. Strong as well. One punch an they will be down." Applejack flicked her Stetson as she smirked. The prismatic pegasus nodded and turned to the pearl unicorn.

"I'm a very good archer. My uncle used to teach me when I was young. And my skills as a fashion designer has made my movements more elegant and swift." Rarity grinned.

"Brilliant. I'm still not sure about letting close friends in, but, the more the merrier."

The others just stared at them. Not even moving.

"Okay. But if you would all listen, I could tell you that the treaty states-" Discord was interrupted again as screams erupted outside. Crying, wailing, smashing. Clashing and clanging.

"Attack everypony!! Attack all!! Capture them all!!" A stallion bellowed.

"Protect the Princesses!! Protect Ponyville at all cost!! Do not let your guard down!!" Another pony shouted. Who was instantly recognised as the Captain of The Royal Guard and Prince of The Crystal Empire, Shining Armour. Cadence and Twilight shared a look of concern. Twilight didn't want her brother hurt and Cadence wanted her husband safe.

"Come on. No time to waste. Tueri et serviemus. Hac pugna vincat." Rainbow ordered. Soarin trotted up to the pegasus mare. Everyone stood up as they opened the door. Ignoring the draconequus at the back. Attempting to get their attention.

"Eck! Ponies! Something important comes up and you push it away. Maybe some chaos will get your attention." Discord grinned evilly. "I'm not evil. Just mischievous." He whispered as he disappeared in a flash of golden light. "Who doesn't love a bit of chaos every so often?"

Chapter 25

It was like last time. But worse.

Houses were burning. Windows were smashed. Blood was streaked among the walls and ground. Young colts and fillies screaming and running for their lives. Bulky pegasus stallions in now bloodied white armour, attacked the poor, defenceless ponies. Many were badly injured. Many were taken away. Many were trapped in the burning house. To make things worse, ponies who did not belong with the attackers, were forced to join them. Many refused but ended up watching others beat young ponies. These ponies, refusing to fight, to attack the ones they know and love, were Assassins of The Creed. Instead of their elegant white cloaks, they wore strong white armour. Although they looked like cloud, the armour was in fact metal. Just under the illusion of clouds.

"Burn every house! Capture every stallion, mare and foal!! Beat them!! Beat them to a bloody pulp!!" A tall elder pegasus yelled over the screams of terror. He also wore armour, along with his two colleagues.

"Stop right there, you evil bugger!!!" A high voice screamed. A yellow pegasus mare glared the three elders. Her burnt brown eyes burning into the Lords souls. That's if they had souls. She stood in a fighting stance. Her wings wide open. Behind her, a worried but angry purple stallion. His wings also outstreched.

"Captain Spitfire? And little Thunder Blast? Isn't that cute? You lost your rank the day you quit. And Thunder, I'm very disappointed in you."

"I have finally joined the right side. The side serves the princesses. The loving, caring side. And I'm going to defend Equestria against you. You are no longer my masters!!" He screamed out. Spitfire grinned.

"Very well, Thunder. You'll be dumped into Ianua Tartar with that disgraceful assassin." Sir Typhoon Wind bellowed back. His large blue eyes scowling towards the younger pegasus.

"You will not win! Equestria will be safe!! And you'll be gone!!" Spitfire cried out. Thunder nodded in agreement. Still glaring at the Lords. The two ponies had only just woken up when the scene of horror and dismay appeared in front of them.

~~~~~~

Two bodies of ponies were outlined under the red silk blankets. Their eyes closed gently. A few bloody marks were dotted around their bodies, but were no big deal. Their chests slowly rising and falling rhythmically. The golden coloured mare was turned slightly. Her wings outstreched. The stallion beside her was laying on his back. He stirred as he felt the warm tickling sensation of feathers and the sun's light. His eyes fluttered open. Blurred as he took in his surroundings. He felt the presence of another pony. He gently turned his head to be met with the sweetest sight he had ever seen. Spitfire lay on her side, her wings drooped over her athletic frame like a delicate blanket. Her fiery windswept mane hung over her closed eyes. He smiled at the scene. Forgetting about his location. Although he had feelings towards a certain assassin, Thunder was now growing feelings for the Captain. They had only met a couple of times in the past. A few when they were very young. At Cloudsdale High School. They never said anything really. But they were in the same class. Then he met her when he became the Lord's servant. And when she became Captain of the Wonderbolts. But now, they started seeing each other more. With this whole situation.

Spitfire groaned as she raised her hoof up to her head. She yawned before blinking multiple times.

"Hey. Where...." She turned towards Thunder. Who was gazing at her. "Wait...what?" She shot up. Getting the wrong idea. She was laying in an unknown bed. In some unknown house. With a stallion she barely knows. And with no memory from before. Her brown orbs widened in shock. "Did we...did we..." She gulped.

"What? No. Of course not. The last thing I remember was flying towards Golden Oaks Library." Thunder defended as he jumped out of the bed. Spitfire moaned as she stumbled out of bed.

"Not a morning pony then."

"Who is?" She grunted.

"I have to. Well...I had to." Thunder trotted around the unknown room. A large dressing table with all sorts. Make up. Hair brushes, hair products, clips, curlers, some stuff he didn't know. There was also some sketches of dresses and outfits. He gazed upon the elegant and detailed drawings. Spitfire opened a door which was an en suite bathroom. She quickly closed it, not wanting to be nosey.

Suddenly, the two ponies froze as the door handle turned. It quietly creaked open. Revealing a shortish purple and green dragon.

"Hey. You're a awake. I thought I heard something." He said cheerfully. The pegasi were totally confused. And the small dragon read the expressions.

"Oh sorry. I'm Spike. I'm Princess Twilight's number one helper. And best friend." The two nodded. "And you're in Miss Rarity's boutique. Twilight said that the library was already full, so teleported you here. Okay?" His voice was young, but had a hint of maturity. Thunder knew that dragons aged at least seven times slower than ponies do.

"OooOoo! I know you! You gave out the drinks after Ponyville was attacked." Spitfire pointed out.

"Yeah. I haven't been out of the library really. Twilight didn't let me. I've been mainly hanging around with Cutiemark Crusaders."

"Right....wait. Is Soarin alright?"

"And Rainbow?"

"Last time I checked which was a couple hours ago, they were still unconscious. They could be awake now, I dunno. But they're back at they library. Do want a coffee or anything?"

"Nah. I'm fine."

Screams from outside were faintly heard. The room turned silent as they attempted to hear for it again.

"Was that..."

More screams. Louder this time. Yelling and clanging too. The front door downstairs blasted open. Making the building vibrate.

"RARITY!! RARITY!!" A young filly screamed. A thunder of hoof steps could be heard as whoever ran upstairs. "RARITY!! PONYVILLE IS U-Spike?"

Three fillies stood at the doorway of the unicorn's room. While Thunder was confused with who they were, Spitfire instantly recognised them.

"Hey. It's you three. Scooter, Apple Tree and Ring a Bell?" She guessed.

The panicked fillies looked at the mare. They would have burst out laughing if it were not for the event happening.

"Nono. This is Scootaloo, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle." Spike smirked. He turned to the girls. "What's up then? What's with all the screaming?"

"Pegasus ponies in armour. Burning houses. Hurting ponies." Scootaloo gibbered.

"There was blood on the walls. Roseluck and Lily were lying in an alley. I don't know if they dead. Their chests still went up and down." The white unicorn cried. Thunder and Spitfire panicked.

"Spike. Look after the girls. Stay inside at all times. Until one of us comes to get you. If somepony you don't know comes in, hide in a cupboard or something. Just stay inside." The yellow mare ordered. The purple dragon nodded as the fillies shivered behind him. Spike knew what was happening. He may be a baby to ponies, but in dragon years, he was quite grown up. He waved as the two ponies galloped out.

~~~~~~

"Ha! Like you'll stop us!" The Lords chuckled. He snarled at the two pegasi.

"Then we shalt defeat you!"

Everyone turned to the source of the voice. Standing proudly, beside her elder sister, was Princess Luna Eclipse. Her sister, Princess Celestia Solaris. Their niece, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and finally, Princess Twilight Sparkle.

"You have no power over us!! You cannot defeat us!!"

"Don' ya worry about them. Ya shall be worried about us!!" An amber more yelled. Smirking.

"Of course. We shall defend Equestria in what ever way can. And you will not destroy it, you swine!" Rarity spat as she flicked her curls again. Also smirking. Her horn was lit up in a gentle blue glow. And so were some objects. Beside the pearl unicorn, was a set of elegant arrows. Swirls carved into them. And the arrow part was polished. Her bow was delicately decorated with small white and blue gems. Matching her sapphire eyes.

Fluttershy stood next to her brother, standing confidently despite their shy nature. Pinkie stood by her twin cousin. Surprise McParty. The Wonderbolts hovered above them. Ready to fight.

"Brilliant. A couple of stubborn ponies. But as you can see, I have many here. I have captured every single assassin! And now they serve us!! Instead of their stupid leader!!"

"Well, you don't have me!!" A mint unicorn skipped over to the mane six. Grinning madly. Her horn madly glowing gold as several objects were held in her aura.

"Who are you?!"

"Miss Lyra Heartstrings. Second hoof pony in the Assassin's Creed. Under the rule of our true leader, Rainbow Miriam Dashery." She said proudly. "I may not have the authority to take control of the Creed, but I can still fight! Until Mistress Dashery comes back!"

"Assassins! Attack!!" One of the three Lords yelled. Pointing to the Princesses. Who's horns were lit up. The ponies in armour cried a little inside. Having to attack those who they tried to protect. The cautiously galloped towards the standing alicorn.

"Pttf! She's not coming back! She's probably dead now!!" He cackled as the group of ponies were surrounded.

"Oh, I wouldn't count on that."

Chapter 26

The elder pegasus stallions staggered backwards. Nearly stumbling over their own hooves. While the guards continued to enslave the ponies of Ponyville and attack the group, the Lords were stunned. Hovering upside down, was a cyan mare. Her colourful mane, wavy but still hung over face slightly. Even though she was upside down. Her black cloak hung beside her body. Draping over her sleek body and gently flowing in as her wings flapped. Although bandaged, Rainbow was strong. Pushing the pain away. Despite it screaming at her. Her hood was hanging behind head. She gave a playful smirk.

"B-but....you're dead!"

"Then this shouldn't hurt at all." The mare flipped forwards. Kicking them in the face. Two of the Lords fell to the floor. Clutching their now bloodied snouts. While they were groaning in pain, Rainbow stood before them. The Lord who was not injured, pulled out a near by guard's sword and held it before him. The silver glimmering in the sun. The swirls engraved onto it clearly shining in the light of the burning flames. He growled as he snapped his wings open. His large blue wings.

"We shall not lose to you, Rainbow Miriam Dashery!!"

"Oh, you won't lose to me. You'll lose to The Creed." Rainbow hissed as the stallion launched forwards. Raising the sparkling white sword. The assassin used her trusted dagger to block the elegant blade striking her. She gritted her teeth as the stallion pushed the sword down further. Rainbow glanced at the group of ponies further back. Twilight was beside Cadence and Fluttershy. The two young alicorns shot beams and hovered the guards away. While, surprisingly, Fluttershy kicked at the guards. Applejack was bucking them away, and Rarity was shooting her beautiful arrows. Which now embedded themselves in the chests of many pegasus stallions. A bouncy pink pony whipped out a large blue canon. Blasting out burst of confetti. Blowing the enemies away. Meanwhile, Celestia and Luna were as well fighting, they were helping the towns-ponies. The grand white alicorn hovered the scared ponies out of the burning homes and taking them to a safer place. The shorter and thinner blue alicorn held a large staff in her milky blue aura. The staff was half blade. With a large crescent moon at the top. Stars made of diamonds swirled down the top, gradually getting smaller. Scarlet red blood dripped from the blade.

Rainbow shakily stepped back. Making the Lord fall forwards. Onto the ground. The pegasus mare jumped up and glided on top of one the balconies on a small cottage.

"Prohibere, parri mea! Siste! Ego ad colligunt Symbolum! Et perducant te in uictoria Desine sanguine super innocéntem et utere tuo uirium vincere hostes tuos!" She yelled confidently. Suddenly, about a quarter of the attacking ponies stopped. They stared up to the Leader, standing in the sunlight.

"Of course, ma'am!"

"Protect the innocent ones!!" They all began to fight the Pegasi Guards. The Lords gasped at the sight.

"Come back here, you little wrench!!" He was about to get up, until a light blue blur struck him down. Now, a baby blue stallion hovered above him.

"You mess with her, you mess with me!" Stallion hissed as he punched the Lord again.

The whole of Ponyville was in chaos. With the princesses, Wonderbolts and assassins fighting. The houses burning. But one little thing was missing.

One certain someone.

A golden glow surrounded the Pegasi Lords' chariot. And before anypony could say something or actually notice the hovering object. It flashed and turned into a large purple tree. Which span upside down. But nopony noticed. They were all too busy.

"Urg! The one time I want somepony to notice me on purpose." A voice huffed.

~~~~~~

"Hey! Dash!!"

"What?!" Somepony screamed angrily in reply.

"A little help, please." The stallion smiled sheepishly. Two guards pushed him against a wall. His wing was outspread and stuck to the wall by a jagged piece of wood. Blood stained his pale blue feathers. The two guards attempted to stab him, but were suddenly struck down. A shadowed figure of a mare trotted up to the injured stallion.

"Thanks, Rainbow." He sighed as the assassin took hold of the wood in his wing. But he yelled out in pain as the piece of debris was yanked out. He felt the rough surface tug against the flesh of his wing. Screaming hot pain blasted through his body. Tears flooded his eyes. He was about to scream out in pain. Until a set of lips were pushed against his. Both his and mare's tongues wrestled inside their mouths. The mare delicately rubbed her hoof on the Wonderbolt's wing. Which twitched furiously with each touch.

Soarin gently pushed his lover away.

"Thanks, Dashie." He grinned.

"Anything for you." She seductively whispered. Batting her glimmering rose eyes. "Now come on."

~~~~~~

The fires were now out. Only thick black smoke poured out of the houses. Celestia's tall elegant white horn lit up with her golden glow. The grand alicorn was attempting to fix the damage that was done. And she also placed a protective shield over Town Hall. Where all the defenceless ponies were. Like fillies and colts. Old mares and stallions. Mothers and fathers who couldn't fight. Celestia trotted past the smoke filled houses. Including a young unicorn's boutique.

Nothing came out of the boutique. No smoke. No flames. Why did the guards leave this place? Curious, Princess Celestia walked up to the building. Feeling guilty that she had let her sister to handle everything, she bit her lip. But proceeded forwards.

"They'll be okay. I'll only check Rarity's place. Something is unusual about this." The white mare gently knocked on the indigo door. There was no answer. But a load of banging from upstairs. Celestia carefully unlocked the door with her magic. It quietly creaked open. Celestia carefully trotted into the large room. It was full of mannequins, fabric, jewels, already made outfits and colourful ribbons. She came to a stop as there was more shuffling upstairs. The alicorn found the staircase. And began to make her way up them.

She had reached the top. Quietly. Making sure her golden slippers didn't clink as she went up. When she had reached the top, she saw five different doors. One was open and revealed a sink. And a golden footed bath tub. Another door had a piece of paper stuck onto it. And written in pink was,

Sweetie Belle's Room!

Stay out!

Especially prissy big sisters!!

Upon the door was lots of pink and purple love hearts. Celestia sweetly smiled. Sweetie Belle. The younger sister of Rarity. A short but sweet young filly. She vividly remembered the little unicorn. With a sweet song.

"Scoots! Ya sitting on ma leg!"

"Shhh!"

Celestia perked up. She quickly turned to the source of the noise. Another sign was upon this door.

Miss Rarity's Chamber

No Entry Without Permission

That Means You, Sweetie Belle

Slowly, Celestia pushed the door open. But no sooner had she entered, a flash of green appeared before her.

"Stay away! Or I'll burn you al-Princess Celestia!!"

The elder alicorn opened her rose eyes again. Before her stood a short purple dragon. Sheepishly smiling.

"Errr...sorry, your highness. There's a bit of something...on your face." He stuttered. Giggling could be heard from inside a cupboard.

Dark black soot coated the princess's white face. Bits of her hair was also burnt. Smoking slightly. But the alicorn still smiled.

"It's okay, Spike. It was only an accident." She chuckled as a white hoof-kerchief wiped away the thick layer of soot off her face. She managed to get most of it off. But black and grey marks were all over her face. And her hair was still slightly burnt.

Spike smiled at the goddess's forgiving nature.

"Girls. It's okay. It's Princess Celestia."

As soon as Spike had called out, three little fillies tumbled out of a small cupboard. In a heap upon the floor, they gazed at their ruler.

"H-hello, Princess Celestia." Scootaloo smiled as Sweetie Belle clambered off the young pegasus.

"Yes. Hello girls. But why are you here?"

"Spitfire and Thunder told us to." Sweetie squeaked.

"An told Spike ta look after us."

"We heard yelling and screaming outside."

"Blood on the walls!"

"Smoke and fire!" They all wailed. Celestia nuzzled the frightened ponies.

"It's quite alright, young ones. You are safe." She soothed.

"Is everyone okay?"

"Applejack? Fluttershy? Pinkie? Everypony else?"

"They are fine, Applebloom."

"What about Rainbow?"

"She's okay too."

Suddenly, a bright golden glow flickered in the room. A tall figure was silhouetted against the light.

"Celestia! For crying out loud! Where have you been?"

"Discord?"

The light dispersed. Leaving the others to clearly see a tall, distressed draconequus standing before them. In his paw, rolled up, was a scroll.

"I've been trying to get you all day!! This is important!!" He yelled. It was obvious that he was frustrated. All his little plans failed. He would have done something drastic, but at the risk of either getting into a fight or Princess Twilight zapping him, he referred to his little ideas.

"Why? What is it?"

"This!" Discord lifted up the scroll. "I found something. Something that can stop all of this!"

"So why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Discord groaned.

"I did, you stupid mare!! But all of you galloped off!!"

"Right. Sorry." Celestia apologised. Discord just sighed. "Well, what is it then?"

"I'll tell you in the minute. We need to get everyone to stop and listen to me. But with you lot fighting-"

"Fighting?!" Scootaloo cried.

"I can't get a word in edge ways!!"

"Okay, Discord. Let's go. Hopefully they'll listen to me." The white alicorn began to trot out of the room. Spike and the girls just stared.

"They won't listen. We need somepony with a higher authority. The Lords and guards won't listen to me, you, your sister or the two other ones."

"Cadence and Twilight." Spike pointed out.

"Yeah. Heart Arse and Flashlight." Discord muttered. Celestia glared at the spirit of chaos but he only smirked back.

"What about Spitfire? She's in charge of the Equestrian Air Force."

"No Spike. She quit."

"What about Dash?"

Everyone's heads turned to the amber pegasus filly, with scruffy fuchsia hair. She sheepishly smiled as everypony stared.

"Well...Dash is the leader of The Creed. The highest defense."

"You know what? I like where you're taking this idea. Celestia. Where is Rainbow Dash?"

"Errrrrr....." The goddess scanned her mind for the rainbow pegasus. "The last time I saw her....she was helping Soarin out. She took out two guards in an alleyway by the flower shop."

"Well come on then! We have no time to waste! The quicker this is done, I can return to my land of chaos." Discord huffed.

"Land of chaos?"

"I ain't saying a word. You'll probably turn me to stone again." He stuck his forked tongue out as he began to disappear.

"Diiiisssccooooorrrddd!!" Celestia whined.

"I'll meet you by town hall." And in a flash, he was gone. Celestia rolled her eyes. As annoying as Discord can be, she's just glad to have him back. To his old playful self. Before he changed to evil.

"Spike. Come with me. Along with the girls. You'll be safer in Town Hall than here."

The others shares a look of confusion. But reluctantly followed the princess. Out of the boutique. Celestia hovered them all onto her back. To keep them safe from harms way.

"Whatever you have in store, Discord, it better be good enough. Otherwise, we have lost completely." She whispered. Her rose eyes staring at the crowd of ponies fighting pegasi guards. And a certain black cloaked figure gliding place from place. "We have no other hope left."

~~~~~~

Chapter 27

"Ah! Somepony! Help me!!" A soft and frightened voice cried out. Her large aquamarine eyes brimming with tears. Her long pink hair knotted and dirty. Her butterscotch yellow coat was grubby and bloody. Several guards surrounded her. And with no-one by her side, she was in deep trouble. She huddled up into a ball as the stallions came closer. She caught a glimpse of her brother, trying to run over. But got knocked over by other ponies.

"Someone. Help. P-please." She cried. Her head in her hooves. The stallions grinned as they lifted their spears. Suddenly, the crying mare heard yelping and clanging. She slowly looked up to see a tall figure.

"D-Discord!"

"Oh, Fluttershy. What are you doing out here? You shouldn't be fighting." Discord helped the pegasus back on to her hooves.

"I just wanted to help out." She sniffed.

"Well, fighting is not helping. Even I know that." Discord teleported both himself and Fluttershy by the town hall. Away from the crowd of assassins and guards. By the town hall was a grand white alicorn with three fillies and Spike the dragon on her back. The pegasus was confused.

"What's going on? Why aren't you helping the others?"

"Because, Discord here has found a flaw in the treaty. And we need the others attention. But, right now, Luna and I have no power. Neither does Cadence and Twilight. Discord has attempted to get them to pay attention, but keeps getting ignored." Celestia explained.

"Then what do we do?"

"We need to find Rainbow."

"I know how to!" A young voice squealed. The group turned to the orange pegasus filly who was now fluttering onto the ground. "I know how to get Rainbow. But you lot must trust me. And do not stop me."

"Okay then, Scootaloo. What's your plan?" Spike casually asked.

"Just watch." She winked as trotted away.

~~~~~~

Blood stained her black cloak. Fresh blood. The scarlet redness was clear upon the black. Her dagger was dripping with the warm thick liquid. And so were her bracers. Her wings numb from pain and her legs shaking. The mare wasn't in the best shape. Her small body felt crushed as the air seemed to get heavy. Her breath was now hard and laboured. But she had to go on. At the moment, she was trying to fight off a Pegasi Lord and three guards. The guards waved their spears will the Lord flashed his oh mighty sword. Even as an assassin, this hard. Surrounded by the enemy. While trying to protect others in the process. She saw a blast of pink by the library. And two ponies hovering in the air. One, a taller pink alicorn, the other, a short purple alicorn. Then she gasped as three guards surrounded a short orange pegasus.

"Rainbow Dash!!" The filly squealed. Rainbow quickly bucked the guards. But no sooner, the Lord pushed her to the ground.

"I've got you now." He hissed as he pushed the sword onto Rainbow's throat. The stallion used his spare hoof to twist her already mangled wing. Rainbow cried as pain ripped through her. Blood began to seep through the grubby white bandages. "We will rule Equestria."

"Rainbow Dash!" The filly screamed again. The guards towered over her. Rainbow tried to reach for the small blade beside her. Alas, she could not reach it. The Lord raised another dagger into the air.

"Say your prayers assassin." He growled. Rainbow saw this as a chance. She quickly flickered the sword away before hitting the stallion away. He staggered back. In a daze. He had no chance to realise what was happening, as blood poured from his side. He then fell. As a something struck him.

Now, he lay in a bloody heap. Not dead, but in pain. The shadowed mare stood above him.

"Amen." She whispered before another screamed struck her ears.

"Rainbow!!"

The cyan mare galloped towards the source of the voice. Her sister. Although they weren't biological sisters, they treated each other like they were. Scootaloo's mother died due to the Lord's. Fuchsia Flash. A flying teacher. An elegant dark orange mare with beautiful dark curly pink hair. And rose hue gems for eyes. That burned with confidence. Her mother died when she was at least one-ish. But the photo album under the young filly's bed kept the image of her mother in her mind. The young mother had died when she decided to argue to the Lord's about her students. Complaining that the parents of the children grew scared, and took their young ones to land schools. That's what Scootaloo's father had done. Enrolled her at Ponyville School. Where it was safe, but close to Cloudsdale. However, the Lord's ignored Fuchsia's demands. But the young mother did not give up. She protested. With crowds of ponies, and burning the House of Lords. Eventually, Lords grew sick of her.

No pony really knew how she died. Only the Lord's. But she was found, hanging upside on a cloud in front of the school she worked in. Her back legs tied to the blood stained cloud. Her feathers ripped from her wings. Her orange coat painted with her own blood. Her cutiemarks were cut off and her eyelids had been sown closed. And her heart was stabbed at least several times.

Scootaloo was too young to understand what happened, but her father took the toll. Cloud Breezer. He was a white stallion with dark blue eyes. And a light blue ragged mane. He was heart broken. He wanted revenge on the Lords. But...he worked for them. As part of the Equestrian Air Force. So that meant he was away a lot. So Breezer, lent his child to his younger brother. Swizzle Breeze. And the young filly felt her uncle was more of a father than her real one. But she still loved him. She only wished he could help her. And Rainbow. Scootaloo loved Rainbow. Not just as an idol or a sister. But almost like a mother. Rainbow always cared for her. Whenever she was sick, Rainbow was there. When she was sad, Rainbow was there. But whatever it was, the blue pegasus always reminded her of her mother. Especially her rose eyes. She loved Rainbow. And she always wanted to be close to Rainbow.

Scootaloo cried out as the stallions kicked her. They laughed evilly as they fed upon the cries of the filly. That was until they began to choke. Choke on their own blood.

They fell to floor. Limp. Dead.

Scootaloo shakily looked up. To see her beloved 'sister'. The young filly ran up and hugged the mare.

"Rainbow! Thank you!!"

"That's okay, Squirt. As long as you're okay." The mare returned the hugged. "Come on. I'll take you to somewhere safe." She hushed as she ushered the filly away.

~~~~~~

"This way, Rainbow Dash." The orange filly galloped towards a tall, dome roofed building. Which was surrounded by a golden shield of glimmering magic.

"The Town Hall?" The mare questioned. She was confused why the filly dragged her over to Town Hall. But she couldn't be bothered to ask about it. She was tired. And ponies could tell easily. She was tripping over more. Rainbow felt guilty for leaving the others, but she had to take Scootaloo away. And the filly said it was important.

"Yeah! Celestia is there."

"Celestia? Why is she by Town Hal-oof!" Rainbow tripped over her own hooves and landed with a thud on to the ground. Dirt now coating her black cloak. "Ah heck!" She grumbled as she shakily got up.

"Not a very elegant assassin, is she?"

"Oh give her a break, Discord. She's not exactly well, right now."

"Not an excuse. I remember the Creed before I was encased in stone. And whether an assassin was tired or ill, they would still resume their duty."

"What do you think she's been doing? Napping on clouds all day?"

"Maybe."

"Discord!! She hasn't rested in ages!!"

"I can tell, Celestia."

"Will you two stop talking about me! I'm right here! And tell me you are not helping us?" Rainbow demanded.

"I did it!" Scootaloo skipped over to the tall white alicorn. "I got, Rainbow!"

"Scootaloo! That was very dangerous! You could have been killed!" Sweetie Belle cried as she hugged her pegasus friend. Applebloom joined the hug. Who was also worried for her friend, but was not surprised by her plan.

"Yes, but I didn't die. Because I trusted Rainbow."

"Eh?"

"Yes yes yes. But why do you need me?"

"We need you stop everyone fighting. To get the Lords' attention." Celestia explained. "Discord found something in the treaty."

"What is it?"

"Ah, now that would ruin the surprise." Discord smirked. Rainbow groaned. Sometimes she didn't trust Discord. He was the God of Chaos. Who would?! But her best friend, Fluttershy, showed kindness and compassion to the spirit. Like he was another pet to her. But if Fluttershy trusted him, Dash could.

Rainbow rolled her eyes.

"Fine. What do you want me to do?"

~~~~~~

Clashes of metal echoed throughout the small town of Ponyville. The scared and defenseless towns-ponies huddled in Town Hall. Hoping the chaos would soon end. Blood coated the ground. Several cold, dead bodies lay across the floor. Their life drained. Their souls gone. A few were grubby but elegant white cloaks. Decorated with red. And the others wore white armour. The silky red liquid coating their lifeless bodies. Many of the fighting ponies cried for their fallen brethren. But continued to fight for the freedom of others.

Two alicorns hovered above the crowd of bloodied ponies. Their expressions full of sorrow and dismay.

"This has got to stop. This horrible." Twilight cried out. Her horn glowing as she threw random items at the Pegasi Guards. Cadence nodded.

"I know, Twilight. But...this is our last resort."

"I wish it wasn't." A male voice muttered. The two mares turned their heads as they flapped their large colourful wings. A pale blue pegasus stallion swiftly, zoomed over to the two princesses.

"Have you seen Rainbow?"

"That's what I was going to ask you." Twilight replied. She looked up at the stallion, who was now in a panic. He didn't properly show it, but the signs were all there. Quickened breathing. Wings frantically fluttering rather than gliding. Eyes scanning the area for any hope. The purple princess, turned her head back to Cadence. Who was zapping several guards away from Lyra.

Soarin's mind filled with panic. Was she dead? Was the one that wanted to keep close, lost from his grasp?

"She's dead, Soarin."

"She's not."

"Laying on the ground lifeless."

"She can't be."

"Maybe a couple of guards overpowered her."

"Shut up!!"

"Maybe, while you're dancing in the air, flying, she's injured. Badly."

"No..."

"The Pegasi Lords surround her. One with a dagger in his hoof."

"No."

"He walks over to the wounded mare. Who is clutching her side. Her blood pouring onto the floor."

"No!"

"The Lord walks closer to her with a menacing grin. Walks up to her. Towering over the assassin on the floor."

"Shut up."

"She cries out your name. Hoping you'll jump out of the shadows to help her."

"Shut up!!"

"She cries out your name as she knows she'll never see you again."

"I said shut up!!"

"The Lord leans over her. And whispers, "We win." in her ear."

"Stop! Please."

"The mare you love attempts to get up. But the Lord just kicks her in the side. She cries out in pain."

"Stop!!"

"The Lord raises the dagger. Before bringing down into her chest."

"Stop this!!"

"Her vision grows blurred and dizzy. The darkness swallowing her up. Her black cloak spread out across the floor, painted in her own blood."

"Shut up now!!"

"She finally falls into the darkness. Those rose hue eyes you dearly love, now dead of anything as they close."

"Shut up!!"

"She utters one thing, before her final breathe, "I love you, Soarin.""

"Stop!!"

"The sad thing is, you'll never there. To help her. To protect her. To at least be there for her dying breath."

"I SAID SHUT UP!!"

"..."

"Rainbow is not dead!!"

"Oh,  how can you be so sure?"

"I-I-I can feel her. Like she's part of me. I can feel her confidence and determination. I can feel that fire of passion burning furiously inside of her. And I can feel her beating heart."

"That beating heart is broken, Soarin."

"I know."

"You won't fix it. Like she said before, you're only causing her grief."

"That was before everything. Now...she loves me."

"Yeah right."

"I can fix her. Although her heart is glass, I can help her. Her heart is smashed and it's all over the floor. She's the only one standing on the shards. Everyone else tries to help her, but ends up putting the shards in the wrong place. But now I'm here, I'll help her. I'll carry her off the shards. I'll tend to her pain. And we'll fix her heart together. And we'll make it stronger."

"Your love for her is strong."

"Of course it is. I won't give up on her like everyone else."

"Be there for her, Soarin."

"I will."

The Wonderbolt snapped back into reality. Realising that he was still gliding beside the princesses. Twilight gave a reassuring smile to the stallion. Soarin weakly smiled back. Twilight slowed down, so she was beside Soarin rather than in front.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You looked kin-"

"There's Rainbow!! She's there!!" Cadence interrupted. Pointing a pink hoof with a golden slipper towards a gliding pegasus mare. The mare jumped from one building, to another. Flapping her injured wings every so often. Her black cloak that was stained with blood, flowed with her movements. Finally, she stopped upon a building by the Lords.

"Striga! Sicarii meum prohibere! Quiescite quisque! Claudicatis in hac pugna! Aliquid momenti venit!" The mare yelled out. All the assassins stopped immediately. And slowly, one by one the guards lowered their weapons and stopped.

"What in the name of horse feathers?" One of the Lords grumbled. "What do you want, you-you-"

"Don't strain yourself by coming up with an insult. You might hurt yourself." Rainbow teased. Glaring at the Lord. Who just simply growled back.

"Well! What is it?" The other Lord snapped at the assassin's cockiness.

"Yes ma'am. What is this 'important' thing?" Cloudkicker called out as she kicked a pegasus stallion. Who wheezed as the mare hit him.

"Why, don't you listen to the spirit of chaos." She pointed a hoof towards Discord. Who was floating near-by. Waving at the Lords.

"Hello there. It is a pleasure to meet you...Lords." He hissed. His venom striking the Pegasi Lords.

"Brilliant. The Spirit of Chaos. What is he going to do? He's as pointless and useless as the 'pwetty pwincesses'."

Celestia and the three over alicorns giggled quietly. They didn't care about the insult towards them. But the insult towards Discord. You see, Discord has a very short temper. Although most of the time he doesn't show it. He just simply pushes it over and comes up with a snappy comeback. But, depending who insulted him and how, can depend on his outcome. Unfortunately, Celestia and Luna found this out the hard way.

Discord rolled his eyes.

"Please. That's what you can come up with? Oh dear. Miss Dash wasn't kidding about you lot being thicker than two short planks."

"We are not stupid!!" They retorted.

"I didn't say you were. I said, if you recall, you were thicker than two short planks. Thick can mean anything. You called yourselves stupid."

Luna and Twilight burst out laughing. Yes, Discord was mischievous but he could be awfully funny. Even some of the assassins and guards chuckled. But, the Lords weren't too happy.

"Oh yeah! You think you're tough? Come at us! Or are you too scared?" The white Lord laughed. Being the youngest of the Lords, his language was...less sophisticated. So the elder Lords talked rather than him.

"Scared of what?" A voice asked behind them.

The three pegasus stallions slowly turned around. And yelped out in terror as the very God of Chaos towered over them. They gulped and shivered in fear.

"What do you want? It's like you can do anything to us! You have no power over us!! And your power is useless anyway!"

"Is that so?" Discord clicked his claws. Suddenly, the youngest Lord began to shrink. And yelled out as all his inside were suddenly compressed and squashed. Then, he began to cluck. Cluck like a chicken. And before anyone realised anything, a blue chicken stood in the place of the younger Lord. While the two other Lords stared, Discord chuckled.

"If my power is so useless as you say, explain to me how I can most likely take over the whole of Equestria? I can change Princess Celestia into a cone of cotton candy, and turn Princess Cadence into an ice cream cone! And..." At this point, flames surrounded Discord and the Lords. Clouds filled the skies and lighting shone through the darkness. Cracking with thunder. The two Lords shook with terror while their chicken colleague clucked with fear. And laided an egg. "I can reign havoc and dismay over this land! Ruling it into eternal chaos! I can turn every creature it my slave!" He bellowed.

The Lords yelled out as the flames flickered at them. Marking their bodies with burns. But then, in a quick flash, the fire was gone. The skies cleared and there was no more lighting or thunder.

"I could do that, but I don't want to. Annoying Twilight is enough fun for me." Discord laughed. Both at the priceless, scared expressions of the Lords and the annoyed expression of the purple alicorn at the back. "Yes, and back to business. Do you, remember this?" He clapped his paw and claw together as a scroll hovered beside him. It unfurled to reveal it's title.

"Yes. That's the treaty that granted us power. The treaty Princess Celestia signed. The treaty that has earned us our rule over Equestria!" The Lord cheered. A couple of guards cheered along with him.

"Pttf. You wish. This treaty is the very reason why you have failed."

"Failed!? We have not failed!"

"Of course you have!! If you read the treaty!" Rainbow Dash shouted from the roof top of the building she was upon.

"We have read it. It had no flaws in it what-so-ever." The Lord snorted.

"If that's what you believe." Discord grabbed the scroll and a pair of spectacles appeared in front of his yellow and devil red eyes. "You say that I have no power over you, yet, this was created way after my imprisonment in stone. Therefore, I was not included in the treaty. I do have power over you. But that is not the only thing. It clearly says here, the Pegasi Lords shall rule over their race during the single rule of Princess Celestia Solaris. However, upon the return and redemption of the younger Solar Sister, Princess Luna Eclipse, the power of the Pegasi Lords shall be fully removed. And that of any crimes they have committed, they shall serve the consequences." Discord read out. The Lords stood gobsmacked. The very treaty that gave them power, has ripped it from them.

"You are no longer in charge! The Princesses rule Equestria! And Discord! You no longer have the power over the pegasi! We can finally live in peace! Rather in fear of you! And the Creed and the Equestrian Air Force no longer serve you!!" Rainbow yelled. Soarin looped to looped by the two princesses he hovered by. They beamed smiles as they knew that they finally won. Spitfire and Thunder cheered. The rest of the Wonderbolts and Elements of Harmony cheered as well. Along with the assassins. Especially the pegasi. The Guards and soldiers ripped off their armour, and threw them to the blood soaked ground.

"We have control now, you losers!! And you'll pay for all the crimes you have done!! And pay for all the innocent lives that are gone because of you!! We have won!!" Twilight yelled out in joy. She was too over excited. The war was over. No more deaths. No more innocent lives at stake. Everyone she knew was safe. From the opposite side of the crowd, Rainbow grinned at her lover. She spread out her wings and began to glide towards him. But, the Lords grew angry. Especially at the boastful princess. If he was going to die, there was one last thing he wanted to do.

The stallion quickly picked up a small but deadly dagger. His eyes burning with fury. He launched the dagger towards the younger alicorn. Before anyone could notice, the blade was flying towards Twilight. Rainbow gasped. But she couldn't fly any faster. However, the Lord's aim was off. And missed the princess.

But hit the stallion beside her. In the chest.

Soarin's eyes opened wide in surprise. Pain exploded through him as the cold metal pierced through his skin and into his heart. His wings stopped fluttering and he fell to the ground. Twilight and Cadence were too slow to react. And the stallion hit the ground with a loud thud. His blood staining the floor. Rainbow cried out his name and galloped towards him. She skidded to a halt in front of his limp body.

"S-Soarin!?" She croaked. She bent down over the stallion. She gently rolled the Wonderbolt onto his back. She gasped as she saw the dagger embedded into his chest. He wasn't breathing. His heart wasn't beating.

"Nononono. You can't be dead. You can't." She cried. Tears streaming down her cheeks. Cadence and Twilight landed beside Rainbow, while Celestia and Luna teleported over. The Wonderbolts, the Elements of Harmony and Thunder trotted over. Surprise burst out into tears as she saw her teammate's bloody body on the ground. The others just stared in shock. Spitfire cried into Thunder's shoulder. Who tried to comfort her.

"Don't do this. Don't do this again." She felt it. Rainbow felt her heart finally smash. For the final time. Soarin's blood soaked her black cloak as she cried into her lover's stained chest. But she didn't care. Her tears dripped onto his chest. The burning fire inside of her burst. Disappeared. She was nothing but a shadow of herself from before.

The others guessed that something sparked between the assassin and the co-captain. Otherwise, the Creed's leader wouldn't be broken again.

But the only thing that broke all their own hearts, was the crying of a young mare. Crying her loved one's name as she cried over his cold body.

"Please Soarin. Don't be gone. You promised. You promised not to leave me."

~~~~~~

Chapter 28

She sat by a cold, lifeless bed. Her eyes closed. Her head down. She sat in absolute silence. She couldn't cry. Her tears were all gone. Sucked dry. She cried them all out as she watched the blood of the pony she loved, create a sickly red puddle on the floor. Her usually prismatic mane, now dull as it drooped over her closed eyelids. Her whole body seemed grey. As if everything was sucked out of her. Which it was. All her happiness. All her confidence. Everything. The mare looked exactly like she was when a certain God of Chaos corrupted her. Her damaged wings hung limply by her sides. Loosely covered with grey bandages. Cuts and bruises marked on her dullened cyan coat. Especially slash marks. The mare gave up covering them. The world saw her pain. Emotionally and physically. She sat by a white hospital bed. Which held a certain pony. A certain stallion. Who was clinging on to dear life. Pumps and beeping of the machines connected to him filled the empty silence in the large white room. The pegasus mare held on to the stallion's hoof. As he struggled to live. His dark navy blue mane scuffled and messy. His pale blue coat grubby with dirt and dried blood. His wings outstretched. His eyes gently shut. As if he was sleeping soundly.

"If only you were quicker. You could have saved him."

"I know."

"I told you."

"Huh?"

"I told you."

"Told me what?"

"I told you that he would leave you. I told you that you would get hurt."

"...we all take risks for things and ponies we love."

"You idiot, Rainbow."

"I did what I had to do!! I need Soarin in my life!! I love him!!"

"You loved your parents! You loved your brother! You loved Thunderlane!!"

"Where you going with this?"

"And they all left you. Your parents were murdered. Your brother betrayed you. And Thunder was snatched away from you."

"...I know."

"And now Soarin will leave you."

"No. He won't."

"Admit it, Rainbow!! You stupid mare!! History keeps repeating itself!! He will die!!"

"History won't repeat! He'll live! He'll live."

"How do you know that?"

"Because...because...I've stopped living in the past. Yes it still hurts, but I can't live if I stay behind. Soarin showed me I can live forwards. And I will. That's how history will not repeat itself. Because Soarin will live."

"Oh Rainbow. You stupid, stupid-"

"Please....just...just go."

"...."

"I need...I need to be alone with him."

"...okay then. But, Rainbow,"

"Yes."

"Don't let go of him."

"I won't."

"And...sing to him."

"What?"

"The song. That song you and your mother came up with on Hearts and Hooves Day. When you were little. Your mother felt upset when your father had to leave for a mission. And it was their anniversary. Which was on Hearts and Hooves Day. Your brother left with some friends, and you wanted to cheer your mother up. So you came up with a song with her, and wrote it all in Latin."

"And she told me to say to the pony who you loved the most."

"So sing. Sing it to Soarin."

Rainbow looked up at the unconscious stallion. Her eyes dull and lifeless. That bright rose hue gone. But, she felt a spark. A spark of passion and love. She moved closer to Soarin and stroked his hair. She coughed before she began her song. Her song for her special somepony.

"The first time we ever met,

Your name was all I knew.

But as we got to know each other,

Daydreaming was all I could ever do.

Thinking about us taking long walks,

Holding hooves as we would talk.

All these things I would miss,

When all I wanted was a simple kiss.

Thinking about you holding me tight,

Wondering and hoping you just might.

Those cute eyes staring down at me,

That it was meant to be.

I just want you by my side again."

At this point, Rainbow broke down into more tears. Crying her sorrow into her loved one's side.

~~~~~~

"Poor Rainbow."

"That song was beautiful. And she meant it so much." A pretty pink alicorn wept. Her candy coloured curly mane covering her face. Everyone cried. Whether that was physically bursting into tears or holding it back. The sweet little song touched all of their hearts. The sweet little song which was sung by a heartbroken pony. Everypony now knew that the assassin and the Wonderbolt had something special between them. They knew that a flame flickered with them. However, now, the flame was shrinking. Dying. And they were all powerless to help.

The rest of the Wonderbolts, the mane six and the princesses sat in a room beside the one where Soarin and Rainbow were in. They could all clearly hear the tune sung by the pegasus mare. Although she wasn't a perfect singer, she still had quite a voice. But nearing the end, her voice cracked. The mare began to cry. And so did the eavesdropping ponies.

"The...Lords have been arrested. And taken to Canterlot Prison until further notice." Luna mumbled.

"Luna. Not now." Celestia hushed. The last thing she wanted to hear right now, was those forsaken Lords!! Luna sighed. She did not understand 'Love'. She understand as much as loving a sister. Loving a friend. But not another pony. She didn't understand the whole relationship idea with being with another pony. Yes she knew that ponies created families by falling in love, but she also heard so much heartbreak. Couples breaking up. Foals separated from parents. Divorces. Orphans. And all of this because of some connection between somepony. She didn't understand the concept of this. She better ask Cadence about it.

"What should we do?" Fluttershy squeaked.

"What do you mean?"

"About Rainbow. She can't stay in the hospital over night. They won't allow it. She won't leave either."

The others nodded.

"I'll let her stay in the library. She needs to be with the ones she loves." Twilight quietly replied.

"Okay. But....what would happen if....Soarin doesn't...live?" Rarity coughed. She couldn't bear to think how heartbroken her pegasus friend would be. She'll never be the same mare they all knew.

"He will. He's stubborn as heck." Spitfire croaked. She couldn't stop crying. She was losing her closet friend. She couldn't handle it. She clutched onto the purple pegasus know as, Thunder. Who stroked the mare's fiery flame orange mane.

"Still. He was stabbed right in the heart. No one could survive that." Fleefoot mumbled. Her head resting on her fore-leg as she stared out of the waiting room window.

"Rainbow did. When tha Princesses tried ta kill her. An when her brother tried ta kill her to. She survived." Applejack said confidently. Hoping the others would agree.

"But she barely lived. For crying out loud, AJ. She was half dead. She was lucky to survive." Rarity whined. Remembering the last event a couple of years back.

"Yes but she lived, didn' she?!"

"Applejack. It was a miracle that Rainbow survived, but she only survived physically. We all had an idea of the emotional pain, but we can never know." Cadence explained. "We are all here for her, but when I'm around her...I can sense...I can feel her sorrow. I can feel her pain."

"One thing she's afraid of is losing everypony. That's why she tries to protect you all so much." Celestia glanced at the six bearers of the Elements of Harmony. Pinkie Pie sat by Applejack, Rarity and Surprise. Fluttershy sat nearest to the door with her brother. And Twilight sat next to Cadence and Luna. The Wonderbolts sat in a group in the far corner. Not saying anything. Just sitting silently. Spitfire and Thunder sat on the blue chairs in the other corner. Discord had returned to the library. Saying hospitals give him an uneasy feeling.  And Celestia sat by the reception desk. Twilight just shook her head as she stood up.

"She won't lose any of us. I'll take her to the library. She could do with some rest."

~~~~~~

It was a quiet walk back. While the Wonderbolts and the girls went their separate ways home, the four princesses, the servant, the Captain and the assassin walked in complete silence, towards the Library. While the others sped off to get inside, a certain cyan pegasus dawdled. Not wanting to chat among the others. She kept her head low. Her eyes stuck to the ground.

It was dark outside. The sun had set a couple of minutes back. Giving the sky a mixture of colours from both day and night. While ponies were settling back into their newly fixed homes, some waved to the princesses. Thanking them for fixing their homes. The four alicorns had returned the houses to their normal state, and released the ponies from the Town Hall. So now, the only thing out of place was the memories of earlier. All the guards had been taken to Canterlot Prison until further notice. Whether they were forced to join or served at their own will. Also, all the assassins had either returned to their families or went back to the HQ of The Creed.

As they were walking down the streets of Ponyville, to the library, Twilight noticed the lack of a certain pegasus. She turned her head and stopped walking. Celestia glanced at her student and stopped the group as well.

"Twilight?"

"Where's Rainbow?" The purple alicorn asked quietly.

"Oh dear! How stupid are we?" Cadence blurted out. Realising they forgot about the Leader of The Creed while they were talking. "The poor dear has run off."

"But why?"

"Why do you think, Luna? She's trying to run away from her emotions. Fleeing from a fight." Twilight replied as she glared at the night princess. But she shouldn't really question her. The Princess had her battle to fight. Even if had been at least three  years since she returned, Princess Luna was still a emotional wreck. But she never let that bring her down. She still had her fun. She still enjoyed her life. Even if every so often, when she looked, she saw the shadow she used to be.

"Yes. Well...we understand, Princess Twilight Sparkle. We understand the one named, Rainbow Miriam Dashery, and her feelings. We understand her heartbreak. We had to go through something similar. We had to go through the fact that our sister had betrayed us. That our sister pushed us aside. We are still coming to the fact that the only ponies we knew...are dead. We are still....heartbroken. But unlike Miss Dashery, we have not lost faith. We have not lost hope." Luna smiled to Twilight. Who's eyes suddenly lit up.

"That's it. That's how we'll get Rainbow back."

"Twilight?"

"Rainbow has lost all hope and faith. That's why she's turned grey. She hasn't lost her loyalty like when Discord corrupted her. She's just lost looking for light at the end of the tunnel."

"How do you expect to...fix...her?" Thunder asked the princess. Hoping he chose the right words.

"I have no idea! But I do know where to find her!!" She began to trot away from the group. "I'll meet you in the library later. The door is open. Spike and Discord are inside. Byeee!!" And she galloped. Out of sight. Towards her destination. Hoping that her broken friend would be there.

Chapter 29

It was dark. So very dark. Wherever he looked, it was only darker. He tried blinking repeatedly to see if it was an illusion. But nothing changed. He clambered up to his hooves. Only to be met with screeching pain.

"Aaahhhhh!" He wailed as he clutched his chest. He felt a screaming hot pain shot through him. Especially in his heart.

"What is this?!" He fluttered his wings as he began to lose his balance.

"Baabbbyyy Bluuuueee!!"

"Huh?"

"Baabbbyyy Bluueeee!!"

"Wait...mum? Mother? Is that you?"

"Oh Baby Blue! Where are you?"

"I'm here!! I think. Wait, where am I?" The light blue pegasus stallion whizzed around in a circle. Hoping to glance at the pony calling him.

"Soarin. Don't fret. I'm right here, sweetie." A gentle blue pegasus mare stood before the younger stallion. Smiling gently ar the stallion. Who just simply stared back.

"M-mother? Is that really you?"

"Of course it is, sweetie pie. It's me. Now give your mama a big hug." She hovered up slightly as she outspread her arms. The stallion galloped towards the mare without thinking, and leapt into her arms.

"But you're dead. You died. Along with dad. Why are you here? Am I dead?"

"Oh Soarin." She hushed as she stroked his windswept mane. "You always ask so many questions. Such a curious little titch."

"So where am I? I mean, where are we?"

"We're nowhere, sugar. And you're not alive, but you're not dead either."

"I'm not dead. Wait...what happened...." The stallion pushed himself away. Trying to remember the previous events before the darkness. He remembered....lots of ponies. Fighting. He remembered flying with two alicorns. And he remembered a strange tall creature beside a couple of tall, bulky pegasi. But then he remembered seeing a glimmering blade lodged in his chest. The feeling of warm, sticky blood streaming down his fur. He felt the cold hardness of the ground as fell from the sky. But most of all, what hurt him most, was the crying of a young mare. The young mare that loved him.

"I...I-I...."

"Don't worry, honey. After you passed out, you were teleported to the hospital. You're in bed, in a coma as we speak."

"So...I'm not dead?"

"No, you silly stallion. You're not dead. Not yet anyway."

"So why can't I wake up? Waking up is easy. Well not on a weekend, but can't I just get up?"

The mare giggled to herself. Closing her light green eyes.

"You're very weak, dearie. Very weak. You won't last very long. I'm surprised you lived this far."

"I'm going to die?!" Soarin gulped. He had so much to look forward to in his life. He was still young. He wanted to party and spend time with friends. Help others out. Relax and chat with mates. Get drunk and forget the night before. But most of all, fall in love. Which had done. But unfortunately, he won't be able to see his loved one.

"I can't die. I've fallen in love. I can't just leave her."

Soarin's mother growled.

"Of course you can leave her. She's just a filthy, bitchy assassin. She should be dead, and not you."

"No. Don't say th-wait...how do you know that she's an assassin?" Soarin turned to his mother. Who's eyes snapped open wide. He glared at the elder mare.

"W-Well...I-I...errr..." She stuttered. Soarin stamped his hoof.

"I am not leaving Rainbow. She is not a filthy assassin. She's a lovely mare. With a sunny personality."

"Soarin. Honey." She gritted through her teeth. "Her pathetic father killed me and your father."

"That was her father. Not her. And anyway, you were smuggling terrorists into Equestria." Soarin snapped.

"How the bloody hell did you find out?! You were too young to know!!....oh shit."

Soarin glared at his mother. Anger rising through him.

"So it's true?! You were smuggling terrorists into Equestria?! And I was only a cover up story?!"

"Of course not, Soarin. We loved you."

"Loved?! Loved?! So you don't love me now?!" He shouted. Tears brimming his eyes.

"We....we...."

"You what?!"

"We love you...but we don't."

"Hey-hu-whaa?" Soarin grew confused over the statement his mother shouted. It made no sense.

"We love you so much, sugar. It's just that....you're with that rainbow mare."

"So."

"So, if you don't leave her, we won't love you. We'll leave you." She snorted.

"You sick twisted cow. I'll never leave, Dash."

"What?!"

"If you really loved me, you wouldn't care if I dated anypony. If it was somepony evil like...like Nightmare Moon. Or even if I dated Princess Twilight. You wouldn't care. But you obviously don't love me enough. I'm in love with Rainbow Dash. I love her with all my heart."

The mare just stared at the Wonderbolt. Who just stood confidently before her. He stood in a protective, ready-to-attack stance. His wings were spread out. Ready for any attack. But the stallion was in immense pain. He tried to push the pain away, but it was starting to show.

His mother looked down at him. With a dirty, evil look. She smirked to herself as she saw her son's pain.

"My, my, my Soarin. Grown quite a mind, haven't you? But, dear, you look like you're a lot of pain. Let your mother care for you." She edged closer to the stallion.

"No! Stay away from me! You are not my mother!! You are not my family!" He growled at her. But the pain grew and grew. His stance grew weaker as pain began to control him. His 'mother' walked closer to the weak pegasus. With a devilish grin growing.

"Come on, son. Don't you want mama to kiss you better?" Her voice was now distorted. Less angelic. She trotted closer. "Where's your Rainbow now?"

Soarin gasped as he staggered back. Dark flames began to flicker behind the pale mare. Her soft green eyes turned deep red. She opened her mouth. Revealing her new pointed, sharp fangs. Her hoof-steps echoed as she got closer to the Wonderbolt. Now she towered over her own son. Her eyes hungry. Her mouth twisted into a sick grin.

"Give me hug, sugar." It roared. Soarin stumbled back and stared at the demon before him. He couldn't move. Frozen by both fear and pain. He winced as as the thing before him roared again.

"Soarin!!"

He yelped out as more pain was inflicted upon him. He felt a warm liquid dribble down from his chest and head. The roars got louder as he covered his ears.

"Soarin!! Over here!!"

Soarin moved one hoof away from his ear. He was sure he heard her voice. But where? He tried look up but was only met with the sickening demon before him.

"Soarin!! Turn around!!" The voice called again. Soarin slowly turned his head. To see the mare he loved behind him. Beckoning him over.

"Rainbow?! Rainbow run!" He shouted at the cyan mare. He noticed the demon was now staring at the mare with the rainbow mane. Soarin began to panic. He couldn't let Rainbow get hurt. Not again. He will not be helpless. He shakily rose to his hooves. Pain swallowing him up. But he proceeded to go forwards. The demon ignored the stallion and leapt towards the unexpecting Rainbow Dash. The injured pegasus screamed out the mare's name. But it was too late. She was gone. Nowhere to be seen. His panicked green eyes frantically searched the area. Looking for either his loved one or the demon. He couldn't see any. However, he felt something cold behind him. He heard a horrible sound from behind. He gulped as he slowly turned his head.

Towering over him was a large black figure. Still pony shaped, but it was dripping black ooze. There were no eyes on this frightening figure. Only a set of dagger sharp teeth. Blood dribbled down the fangs of the creature.

"She tasted good." The disorientated voice growled.

"N-no. Stay away....leave me alone...no..." Soarin wailed as the oozing creature leapt towards him. The last thing he saw was absolute darkness, and the crying of a mare.

~~~~~~

"Quick! He's going into shock! Get the defibrillator! Stat!!" A brown unicorn yelled. The stallion in the bed jerked in sharp, quick motions. The machine beside the bed he was laying in was beeping manically. Three doctors surrounded the bed, doing whatever to save the stallion. Another pony came rushing in with an unusual machine.

"Come, Soarin! You can make it!" The unicorn hovered two of the defibrillators paddles and placed them onto the pale blue stallions chest. "Somepony out there is needing you! And you cannot leave her!" He shouted as the machine fizzed. Making the stallion's body jerk upwards. Before falling back onto the bed.

The only sound left in the room was the long high pitched beep. Echoing throughout the room.

Chapter 30

It was cold, damp and dark. The ominous trees towered high into the sky. Casting spooky shadows onto anything below them. Shrouding any plants in absolute darkness. Suffocating them of any light. Small, unusual, dark plants surrounded the edges of muddy path. The path itself was disgusting. It was wet and gooey. Leaving whoever walks through the path, to be coated in dark gloop.

The light purple pony shivered as she trotted down the path. It felt much safer when she was with everyone else. She felt so vulnerable now. She grew more scared by the second. Her horn gave little later light around her. The mare squealed as her hooves squelched in the mud. Painting her hooves with the brown ooze. Her pretty pink eyes shrunk to the size of pinpricks. Sweat droplets begin to drip down her forehead. She was scared. The eerie forest would make anypony scared. She couldn't understand how her zebra friend could actually live in her. And now, she knew that one of her bestest friends used to live somewhere in this forest of twisted vines and frightening creatures. The pony stopped as she saw droplets of blood on the path she was taking. She also noticed cyan feathers. Laying delicately on the floor. And a buch of bandages screwed up. Twilight quickened her pace as the blood increased. Her horn lit up as disappeared in a flash of pink.

~~~~~~

Pain. It was the only thing she felt. Emotionally and physically. She didn't know what felt more painful. Knowing that she would lose another pony who was close to her. Very close in fact. Or the searing hot pain screeching throughout her delicate body. She couldn't cry. She couldn't say anything. She ached too much to do so. Instead, she just sat. Sat in silence. Sitting on the creaky old floorboards. The pegasus was located next to a portrait. That was taken down many years ago. The portrait was partly covered by a dusty, white cloth. A white mare was revealed. She held a sweet smile and her dark blue eyes were half open. Her curly, sunset coloured hair bounced over her eyes. For those who set eyes upon this mare, would say she was the most beautiful.

Rainbow sat by the portrait. This was the closest she would ever be to her once loved parents. The statues further back didn't hold any colour. They were too cold. Even though that was their burial place, Rainbow couldn't feel close to them. She leaned onto the wall. Her body too weak to support herself. She thought it would be best to go to the hospital, but the constant reminder of Soarin was looming over her. She couldn't go back. She'll see him lying there. Lifeless. And she'll be helpless to do anything.

Her ears twitched as she heard hoof-steps nearby. Whoever this pony was, they were trying to keep quiet. But their attempt was useless. The old, moss painted floorboards creaked with every hoof-step.

"Rainbow?"

"Wait. Why is the princess here? How did she find you?"

"Her highness still surprises me."

"Rainbow Dash! I know you're here! You left a bloody trail."

Silence crept into the lavender pony's ear as she called out. She was inside the house. The very house her assassin friend grew up in. The very house that held many nightmares. She fluttered her large wings uneasily. She didn't like it here. She could faintly hear the screams of a young pony. The yells of elders. The manically laughing of a stallion. As Twilight scanned the area, her eyes were still glued to the trail of blood.

"Rainbow. You're hurt. We need to get you some help." Twilight continued to trot around. Eventually, she went up the staircase and found her pegasus friend. She gasped slightly as she saw the bleeding mare. Rainbow weakly looked up at the princess.

"Oh, Rainbow. Oh dear. We must get you to the hospital." The alicorn rushed over to help her friend, who was shakily standing up.

"I refuse, Twilight.  I do not wish to go the hospital." Rainbow croaked.

"Rainbow. We must get you to the hospital." Twilight came closer to the assassin. But Rainbow gently pushed her away.

"I'm sorry, your highness. I refuse."

"Rainbow Miriam Dashery! You will get out of this house and go to the hospital!" She yelled. The weak pegasus stood up straight and nodded.

"Of course. As you wish, Princess."

Twilight smiled gently and turned to the crooked door. Hoping the assassin would follow her.

"Good. Now-...Rainbow..." The purple princess stopped as she stared at Rainbow. The scars across her body. Her bloodied wings. Her glowing red eyes. And the pain filled expression upon her face.

"It's because of Soarin....isn't it?" She whispered.

Rainbow looked at the floor before glancing up at Twilight. She closed her eyes as she nodded.

"Don't worry, Dash. I promise you won't see hi-"

"No. Please. I'm not going anywhere near the hospital. I can't." Rainbow trembled with fear. Twilight realised that the pegasus didn't want to go back to that building. Due to seeing the Wonderbolt. Of maybe...not seeing the Wonderbolt. Twilight trotted back over to her friend and rested her hoof on the assassin's shoulder.

"I'll teleport to the library then. There's a first aid kit there, and you can rest better there to. Okay?" She offered. Her voice calm and soft. Resisting the urge to just hug her friend and force her into the hospital. But, knowing Rainbow's state of mind right now, she needed to be delicate around her. The alicorn couldn't fully understand why the pegasus came here. Out of all the other places. But she had an idea. This house, this very house, was the main part of Rainbow's fears. Not only it held many nightmares, it held lots of pleasant memories. Especially her parents.

Rainbow slowly nodded, accepting the comfort of her friend.

"Yes, your highness."

Twilight grinned as her horn lit up with a elegant pink glow. And in no time, the two ponies were gone. Leaving the decaying building to stand by itself. Among the darkened trees and sickly creatures.

~~~~~~

In a flash of light, two ponies now stood in a room. A room with two beds, a basket and loads of books. While the alicorn quickly locked the door leading to the stairs, the cyan mare sat down. The ponies down stairs heard a burst of magic. Though curious, they decided to leave princess to herself. As she had teleported to her room rather than walking to the door. Twilight relaxed slightly as she grabbed the first aid kit. She sighed to herself as she sat down. She didn't know what to say. She was upset about this whole event, but she couldn't come to terms at how distraught Rainbow is. Watching the pony you love fall to the ground. With a dagger through his chest. To make it worse, Rainbow is an assassin. A master assassin. Not be able to protect was counted as failure.  And this was a big failure. Usually when Rainbow couldn't complete a task-which was hardly ever-she would train again. Making sure her skills were sharper than ever.

Twilight gently wrapped new bandages around her friend's injured wings. She tried to comfort her but the pegasus turned away. Once she had done, she packed the first aid kit and placed it on her bed.

"Are you okay, Rainbow?"

"I'm fine ma'am."

Twilight uneasily nodded. Rainbow's behaviour was growing weird. Almost like she has lost all feelings. However, Twilight dimissed this, and stood up.

"Come on. Let's go downstairs and I'll get everyone some drinks." Twilight headed to the door.

"Yes, your highness."

~~~~~~

The ponies and the draconequus sat in a huddled group in the middle of the library. Celestia, Luna and Cadence sat together, while Thunder and Spitfire sat beside them. The purple pegasus stallion hugged and stroked the Captain's fiery orange, who cried into his chest. Wailing and bawling. For the Captain of the Wonderbolts, she didn't seem as heartless as everypony made her. Usually, she would bark demands at others, yell at everyone because of her short temper, or simply do exercises. But now, she couldn't stop crying. Soarin was her closest friend. Her brother almost. And he was half dead. In a hospital bed. She couldn't do anything. She felt pathetic. Worthless. Useless.

But as the fire maned mare cried, she felt warmth from the pony she was upon. Thunder hushed to her and hugged her. Although they had only known each other for a week or so, there was a spark igniting between them.

Rainbow sat in a dark corner of the library. She didn't want to be by anypony. She just wanted to disappear. The other ponies looked over to her in concern. Twilight, despite the orders from the others to stay, got up and slowly walked up to her friend.

"Rainbow." She whispered.

"Yes, your highness." Rainbow replied. Twilight began to get angered by the pegasus mare's replies. As if she had no emotion.

"No Rainbow. Just Twilight. I'm your friend." Twilight reassured.

"Of course, ma'am."

The alicorn groaned to herself. She knew that Rainbow was hurting, but what could she do? She was just some fancy pancy princess.

"Rainbow, please. We understand that you are upset right now. But what about the Creed?"

"The Creed is frozen at the moment, Princess." Rainbow kept her head down. Her grey-ish rainbow mane drooped over her face.

"Frozen?" Celestia cocked her head to the side. All through her life, and knowing the Creed, she had never heard about the Creed freezing. Not even the history books mentioned it. Yet, there wasn't many history books on the Creed.

"The Creed is frozen. Basically, no major assassinations. Only a few of my assassins are working. Following their victims. But everypony else are at their homes. So it's like the Creed is frozen." Rainbow explained. Not even looking up the others.

"What about...what about...your...duties?" Twilight awkwardly questioned. Truth was, she just wanted to talk to Rainbow. To try and get her mind off Soarin. But obviously, it wasn't working.

"I failed my duties, your highness." The pegasus muttered. "I am sorry, ma'am. I am your protector. Everypony's protector. And I have failed to do so. I am your pony. Your servant under your service."

At this point, Twilight snapped. She knew she should not be mad at the pegasus, but she absolutely hated when Rainbow addressed her formally. By using "ma'am" and "your higness" and all of that. Rainbow was Twilight's friend. Not her boss. Unable to hold her frustration, the young alicorn leapt up and landed on top of the pegasus. The cyan mare's head bashed against the hard wooden flooring with a thud. Everyone in the room was shocked by the princess's sudden act of violence. Especially upon the leader of the assassins.

"Rainbow! For crying out loud!! You are your own pony!! I am not your superior!! I am your friend!! Have you lost sight of that?!" Twilight yelled. Her voice cracked with sorrow. Tears welled up in her bright violet orbs.

"I've lost sight of everything. All I see is bloody darkness." Rainbow croaks as the alicorn yells at her.

"You are not the pony I used to know! The Rainbow Dash I knew was confident, brash, determined, funny, caring and loyal!! What has happened to you?!" Twilight shook Rainbow Dash. The pegasus became dizzy. But what hurt more, was the pain in her chest. Exploding like a bomb.

The others at the other side didn't know what to do. Cadence was about to jump up, but was held down by her aunt.

"Luna? What is it?"

"Leave them. By intruding, we could break their bond." The night princess answered. Cadence sat back, but was confused. Discord on the other hand just chuckled.

"Of course. The bond of friendship. A strong and meaningful power, but extremely delicate." He hovered above the regal alicorns. Clicking his claws as a box of popcorn appeared before him.

"Yes. What Discord said. Their friendship must not be messed around with. Especially between Twilight and Rainbow. Good friends they be, but being an assassin of the Creed, if her friendship shatters between them Rainbow will not be able to perform her service. And for Twilight, she cannot proceed to be princess of Equestria." Celestia explained. Her voice low so the two arguing mares didn't hear.

"Also, if their friendship is broken, the Elements of Harmony will not work. The other bearers may become distant and break apart." Luna added.

"I'm still loyal, aren't I?" Rainbow yelled back.

"Of course you are! But...but..."

"But what? I can be loyal to other ponies, Twilight. And at this moment, I pledge my loyalty to Soarin." Rainbow cried. As the alicorn yelled at her. Twilight stopped, and stared at the pegasus she was on top of.

"What?" Twilight whispered. Tears streaming down her face. Rainbow glanced up at the princess. Her eyes shone with a bright rose glow. Shining like jewels.

"I am still loyal to everypony else, your highness. But, my loyalty will stand for the stallion I love. I will not leave him. I will not forget him. Unlike Thunderlane, we clicked. Something big sparked. And I want to save that spark before it gets blown away."

Twilight continued to stare at her friend. Whose eyes were filled with tears. The princess walked off Rainbow and slumped to the floor.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm bad princess. I'm a bad friend. I'm so insensitive." She bawled. Crying like a little filly who lost her toy. Rainbow got and hugged her upset friend.

"I'm still loyal, Princess. And I still serve you. But I have my eyes on somepony else." She reassured. Hoping the princess would calm down. However, her cries did not cease.

"No. Rainbow. It's something else." Twilight choked on her tears. She didn't want to tell her friend. But she had to.

"What is it then?"

Twilight coughed. Clearing her throat and wiping her tears away. The others watched. Waiting for the princess to tell the assassin. Who knows what her reaction will be.

"It's...it's about Soarin." She mumbled.

"Is he okay? Please tell me he's okay." However, dred and fear began to surround Rainbow. This wasn't good. Nothing is ever good. Something had happened to Soarin. Something bad. Maybe whatever happened to Soarin in the hospital, had something to do with the sudden explosion of pain. Especially in her chest. As if, she was connected to him. But, she'll never know.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow."

Fear began shoot throughout the cyan mare's mind. Screaming and wailing at her. She felt pathetic. She couldn't have saved him. She wasn't there for him. Fresh tears welled up in her gem eyes.

"It's about Soarin."

Chapter 31

"W-what?" The cyan pegasus stuttered. She heard her friend but she didn't want it to be true. Tears flooded her eyes and streamed down her powder blue cheeks.

"Please tell me you're lying."

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. Soarin took a turn for the worse earlier. The doctors only just managed to get his heart beating again. But unless there is a miracle, Soarin....he will die." Cadence sadly explained. She prepared herself for the worse. She knew it only affected her lightly, but she hated to see others upset due to relationship matters. Whenever she saw a couple fighting, she would either help out through talking or if it's absolutely vital and is needed badly, her love spell. Everyone should have some form of love. Even if it's just through friendship. But, everypony should have someone to call their own. To live their life with them.

Rainbow just sat there. Shocked by the news. Tears still ran down her face. She turned to the others. Hoping that this was some kind of sick joke. But the wailing captain and saddened silence just sealed it.

"No. It can't be true. Soarin can't die. He can't." Rainbow whispered. Her voice cracking with sorrow. She stood up. Her wings twitching by her side. The bandages were now beginning to come loose. Blood seeping through them and dripping onto the floor.

"He can't die. There must be something. Something to save him."

"We are sorry, Rainbow Dash. There is nothing. The heart is too delicate to be operated with magic." Princess Luna sadly mumbled. Her head down.

"Please. There has got to be something." Rainbow cried out as she begged. Princess Celestia rose from her spot. Her tall stature towering over the sitting ponies. Discord hovered out of her way. He was quiet. Which was very unusual for the draconequus. He would be teasing everyone, making cocky remarks, causing trouble or having fun. But now, he was quiet. He had nothing to say. He simply hovered by the others. With no expression on his face. He didn't know what to do. Even though he didn't know Rainbow very well, he did feel sorry for the poor pegasus. To go through so much heartbreak. He had barely managed to recover over his family's death, but this pegasus, this single mare, has gone through so much but has done so much more.

Celestia trotted over to Rainbow. Her head down. She couldn't bear to see the assassin.

"Rainbow. I...I know that you are upset."

"Very observant, Princess." The prismatic pegasus muttered.

Celestia stepped back from the sudden anger coming from the mare.

"But you must understand....there's nothing for us to do. Just let go, Rainbow. Just let Soarin go." The grand white princess urged. But despite her pleas, the pegasus ignored them.

"I....I...." Rainbow was about to beg the princess again, until she was attacked by an eruption of pain. Searing hot pain shot through her. Her heart ached. From both physical and emotional pain. She groaned. She flapped her bloodied wings to gain balance as she was beginning to sway.

"Rainbow Dash! Are you okay?" Twilight worryingly asked. She began to panic as she saw her friend shake and groan in pain.

"I-I'm fine. I don't care about myself. I care about Soarin. I-I....I just want him back." Rainbow collapsed to ground. Crying into her cyan hooves. The other ponies in the room just stared as the pegasus mare cried.

~~~~~~

"He's in a stable condition for now. But, we don't know how long he will be able to stay in that condition. That blade ruptured his heart. It's a bloody miracle that he's made it this far." A caramel stallion explained. He stood by the very bed a wounded Wonderbolt lay in. And he was talking to a white unicorn, an amber earth pony, a blue pegasus and a grey pegasus.

"Well, thank you, Doctor Stable. We appreciate all that you are doing for him." The unicorn gently smiled to the stallion. She glanced her dark sapphire blue eyes towards the unconscious athlete.

"Thank you,  Miss Rarity. But, I wish we could do more for him. I heard that it's breaking poor Miss Dash's heart. The poor dear. She's been through enough and now this." The doctor sighed. "I'm sorry, but I have to tend to my other patients. I'll let you stay. To keep an eye on him. We're low on staff today. They've all caught the flu. Nasty little bug. So, it's only me, Redheart and Nursery Rhyme today. And after earlier's events, we have a lot of casualties."

"Okay Off ya go then. We'll call ya when we need ya." Applejack waved to unicorn stallion as he left. Before resuming to talking to her friend.

"Ah wonder how Rainbow's doin'."

"Terrible. The poor mare." Rarity simply replied as she turned her head to the two other Wonderbolts. Fleefoot and Silver Lining stared at their friend in the bed. Watching his bandaged chest bob up and down gently. Staring at the peaceful looking stallion.

"Oh Soarin, buddy. You shouldn't be in here. You should be flying around. With the rest of us. You should be laughing at Surprise's jokes, pranking with Fleefoot and hanging out with me." Silver Lining huffed. He missed his friend. They had been friends since they were little colts. They never kept secrets from each other. Except for one. The one about Soarin's parents. Silver knew that they died, but not how. Soarin always said that they were burgled. But then he would go onto another subject. Silver never really questioned it. He was his friend. And friends don't badger somepony to tell them secrets.

"I wonder if he could hear us." Fleefoot muttered under her breath. "If he could, we could tell him that we need him. We need him back."

"Yeah."

"Come on Soar. You can make it out of this. You will live. We all need you. Especially Dash. She needs you the most right now. She pouring her heart out for you." Fleefoot continued. She was always the supportive pony. Whenever somepony felt down, Fleefoot would be there. But right now, she couldn't do anything. Nothing to save her friend. She wished that Soarin could hear them. So he could try to wake up. And get better. So he could live and love again.

~~~~~~

"I can. I can hear you! But I can't wake up." Soarin shouted from the top of his lungs.

"Why not?" A voice hissed.

"Huh? Who's there?" Soarin turned to the darkness. Stretching over the distance. He recognised the voice, but he wanted to sure.

"You know who I am, Soarin." The pony began to move towards the stallion. But the figure was shadowed. "You know who I am, because you love me."

Finally, the shadows left. Leaving the pony to stand clearly before him. Her sleek and slender body. Her elegant yet strong feathered wings. Her glimmering cyan coat. Her beautiful prismatic hair. And most of all, her shimmering rose eyes.

"Rainbow Dash." He squeaked.

"Yes, Soarin. I'm here." Rainbow Dash trotted over to the frozen stallion, and hugged him. Her warm fur resting upon his own. Soarin felt tears build up in his eyes as he hugged the mare back.

"I know you're not real. You're just a figment of my imagination. Just another part of my dream." He sighed. He wanted the real Rainbow Dash. Not some clone out of his head.

"No. You're the figment of my imagination. You're in my dream." She retorted. Releasing from the hug. Soarin's eyes perked up. Opened wide in surprise.

"Do you think..."

"Impossible...."

"But it's the only..."

"Reason...we're in the same dream?" Soarin felt his head hurt. This is impossible. You can't share a dream. Can you?

"Where are you? Your real body."

"I'm at Twilight's. I collapsed. Both from emotional and physical pain. For some reason, I started aching all over. Especially my heart. It felt like it was being ripped out." She placed a hoof on her chest as she looked up to her lover.

"That's the same feeling I felt earlier. Rainbow...do you think...that..."

"We're connected?"

"Yes."

"...yes. Yes I do." Rainbow said confidently.  "I do believe that we are connected."

"So do I. But...why are we having the same dream?" Soarin was still confused. He couldn't think that this was even possible. He stared as Rainbow looked up into the sky. It was nighttime. The stars hung up on the blanket of midnight blue. The moon was a grand gem among the sky. The dark mist around them disappeared. Leaving the two ponies standing in a field of vibrant emerald grass, and rosey flowers.

"I have an idea why." Rainbow smiled as she stared at the moon. "Thank you." She whispered as the moon sparkled.

Soarin's mouth hung wide as his eyes were glued to the mare.

"She's so beautiful." He thought to himself as he sighed. "And I'm breaking her heart."

"Soarin?" Rainbow asked softly.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry." She lowered her head and slumped to the floor. Her colourful yet rustled fringe covering her face. "This is all my fault."

Soarin gasped as the pegasus began to cry. He quickly trotted over and sat down next to her. He wrapped his large ice blue wing around the mare as he stroked her mane.

"It is not your fault." He said sternly.

"It is. I should have seen you. I should have been quicker." She blubbled over her tears.

"No it wasn't, Dashie. I should have moved out of the way. I guess I was too excited about the war being over, I hardly noticed it."  He reassured as he hugged his loved one. Rainbow began to calm down. She nuzzled his neck and hugged in back.

"Please say you'll make it out of this."

"Rainbow....I don't know...I can't control these things."

"I-I-I know...it's just that...I don't want to watch another one die. Another pony that I care for. That I love."

"I'll try not to leave you. I'll try."

The two ponies sat in silence. Embracing each other. Rainbow cried into Soarin's chest as he tried to soothe her. In the end, Soarin brought his lips up to her's. A fire of love and passion grew yet again as they shared their love. They moaned in pleasure as after so many days, they can finally express their love again. Even if through a dream. They took that opportunity.

Rainbow pulled herself away, gently. A string of saliva hanging between their mouths. They stared deeply into each other's eyes. Getting lost in the sea of either shimmering emerald or sparkling rose.

"Soarin..."

"Mmm." He looked down on to the mare that clutched onto his chest.

"If you do die...can....can I....can I join you?" She questioned quietly.

"What?!" Soarin's eyes opened wide in shock. His mouth hung agape at the mare's statement.

"I don't want to be alone again. I know I have friends but...I don't want to be alone." Her eyes pleaded. They were filled with sorrow, dismay and hurt. But most of all, that fire behind them was nothing but smoldering ashes.

"B-but what about the Creed? The Princesses? Your friends? The Elements of Harmony? You're just going to throw it all away?"

"The Creed can always get another leader. A better one. The princesses wouldn't care. They don't know me enough. My friends...they'll find somepony to replace me. And the Elements of Harmony?...I was never loyal."

"Of course you are."

"I'm not! Okay! Applejack is more loyal than me. She puts friends and family before herself. She nearly worked herself to death because she wanted the farm to keep going. Maybe Pinkie Pie is more loyal than me. She's always there when somepony is upset. She's always putting others in front of herself. I'm not loyal. I'm a worthless object." Rainbow felt herself break in half. She never considered herself as loyal. Never.

"You are not worthless! You are anything but worthless, Dash!! Yes maybe your friends put others before them. But you risk your life for Equestria. You nearly die every day, just so everyone else can live a happy and peaceful life. Rainbow. You are loyal. But by committing suicide just to be with me is not loyal!!" Soarin cried as he shook the mare.

"I will be being loyal to you though."

"No Rainbow! If I die, I want you to forget about me! I want you to move on with life! I want you to be happy till you die!!"

"I can't...I can't forget about you. And I never will. I love you too much. The love I had for Thunderlane was big but with us...it's beyond measurement."

"Rainbow...I love you too. I love you so damn much. But, you must not commit suicide. Promise me."

"I promise. I promise on all of Equestria. Not die by my own accord."

Soarin smiled through his tears. He hugged the mare tight.

"I love you, Dashie. I love you so much."

The moon and stars began to disappear. The field and flowers were now surrounded by a thick, black mist.

"I love you too, Soarin." Rainbow croaked as she hugged the stallion back. Feeling his silky feathers against her body. Tears dripped down her face as she realised that this would be the last chance to be with the pony she loved. She closed her eyes as she rested her head on Soarin's chest.

"I love you."

Darkness swallowed the ponies. A cold draft of air wafted around. There was now nothing. No stars or moon. No field or flowers. No Soarin or Rainbow Dash. No nothing.

Except, there was a voice. Not a female voice. But a male voice.

"I must wake up. For Rainbow. To be with her again. I must." It echoed around the darkness. To be heard by no one.

Chapter 32

The elegant glow of the warm sunlight danced upon the mare's body. Delicately touching her with it's fresh warmth. The light began to peek through the slightly open curtains. Shining sunlight into the room. A pony beneath covers tossed and turned making the dark blue blankets rustle. Soft, cyan feathers were dotted among the bed. Along with a few droplets of dried scarlet blood.

"...Soarin....don't go....don't....leave me....stop..." The mare murmured. The light shone onto her eyelids as she began to flutter them open. The bright rose gems saw nothing but blurry objects. The pony blinked several times before sitting up. She winced slightly as her body was tapped with pain. It wasn't screaming hot pain. It still hurt. It was just more of a numb pain.

Fresh, new bandages were carefully placed around her injured wings. So was her foreleg. She brought her hoof to her head as it was filled with scrambled events. She couldn't remember anything.

The battle. The hospital. The house. The pain. Her loved one. The pain.

The dream.

Nothing. Her mind was completely blank.

The pegasus leapt out of bed. Her scruffy, rainbow hair bouncing around her face. She gently and quietly trotted up to the closed door of the room. She leant her ear on to it as she listened in.

"Well personally, I think he looks very lovely girls. Very...creative."

"Y-yes. Such....such a wild and striking look. Definitely a new definition of style."

"Indeed. We are yet to get used to this new fashion. Of hip hop and...striking looks."

The pegasus mare instantly recognised the voices and quietly opened the door. She carefully trotted down the stairs. Making sure not to disturb the chatting ponies.

"It's not too hard, sister. Just pretend it looks nice. How do you think I put up with Blueblood? Trotting around the castle with objects attached to him. Saying that he was a handsome stallion. I thought he just got loose with the glue and rolled around in a storage cupboard." An elegant yet elder voice chuckled lightly.

"I remember when it was Twilight's coronation, and the dresses we wore. Especially Luna's!" Another voice laughed. Young and mature but sweet as honey.

"I don't think anyone will forget her dress!" This voice shouted. Instantly, the whole room burst out laughing. Filling it with the much needed joy.

"Oh shush. It wasn't our idea. We refused to wear that atrocity. It didn't match our colour. Horrible dress. Yet, our sister insisted that it was the newest craze." The other voice snorted.

"Definitely was crazy."

The ponies and draconequus did not notice the pegasus on the staircase till one of the steps creaked. Suddenly, the laughter stopped. All heads turned to the pegasus.

"Rainbow? You're awake! We didn't wake you, did we?" A purple alicorn trotted towards the stairs.

"No, your highness." Rainbow muttered without realising it.

"Rainbow. I said I don't like it when you address me formally. It's weird." Twilight sighed and sat back down. In the library now were the mane six, the Princesses, the cutiemark Crusaders, Thunder Blast and Spitfire. But the Wonderbolts were nowhere to be seen.

The three fillies presented a short purple dragon with ribbons and glitter stuck to him. And he didn't look particularly happy about it.

"Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee?" Twilight asked.

"What happened?"

"Huh? Why?"

"I can't...I can't remember anything." Rainbow rubbed her sore head again.

"You collapsed. First you were crying, but then you went unconscious. Due to pain. Your body was so weak. It went on a full shut down. We had Doctor Stable come over to check on you." Celestia explained.

"When did this happen?"

"It was when we...told you about Soarin. At that moment, you collapsed." Cadence added. An eerie silence hung around everyone, as most of them remembered earlier and the crying pegasus.

"...oh....yes...I-I remember....unfortunately..." Dash looked down at the floor. Images of an ice blue stallion in a white bed flooded her mind. But she glanced at the dark blue alicorn sitting quietly by her sister. Slowly, she trotted up to her. And hugged the night princess. Everyone was surprised by the gesture but the dream walker knew why.

Tears streamed down her light cyan cheeks.

"Thank you, your highness. Thank you so much." Rainbow cried as she thanked the alicorn.

"I only did what I could do. And that was strengthen your bond between your loved one." Luna simply replied. Smiling as the pegasus continued to hug her.

"I couldn't thank you enough, your highness."

"Rainbow. I think that somepony else is needing a hug. He misses you dearly."

Rainbow stepped back. Away from the alicorn of the night. She stared at her in disbelief.

"He's....he's...."

"Awake." Twilight sweetly smiled at Rainbow. Knowing that this would cheer her right up. "Doctor Stable came a little while ago. He said that he's awake. And that Soarin wishes to see you."

The assassin's heart fluttered inside of her. Fresh tears welled up in her eyes.

"Thank you." She whispered before quickly trotting out of the library. As soon as she was gone, everyone turned to Princess Luna.

"Luna. What did you do?" Celestia asked cautiously. Luna just simply smiled to her sister.

"Like I said. I strengthened their bond."

"By doing what?"

Cadence sat up and opened her mouth to speak.

"We both helped them. I sensed a great power of love between both Rainbow and Soarin. But unfortunately, I felt a great sorrow. The love between them was breaking. I told Luna as she was the only one that could help."

"I performed a simple connection spell. Rainbow and Soarin shared the same dream." Luna said smugly as her sister gasped.

"Luna! You don't fiddle with other ponies dreams!" The white alicorn scowled.

"I didn't fiddle with their dreams. I just put them in the same dream. Sister, I know you are worried and scared, but I know what I am doing. And especially after you demanded that Rainbow Dash to let go of Soarin, I had to do something to help her. Celestia. I am in fact disappointed in you." Luna stood up. Standing in front of her elder sister. "Everypony makes you a strong, caring, kind and loyal princess to all her subjects. However, all I see is a weak pony. A weak pony who thinks she can help. But she can't. I still can't believe that you stood before your most loyalist subject and told her to forget a pony she loved. You didn't seem to remember everything that she has gone through. Tia, she needs somepony close. Yes she has friends, but she needs somepony closer. And Rainbow Dash has found him. She doesn't care about his job. She doesn't care that he's in a hospital. She cares for him. And for him only. What I hate the most is the fact that you tried to tear them apart. Like there wouldn't be any consequences."

"I was doing what I thought best. And that was to protect her while I can. Even if she is the leader of The Assassins Creed, I still care for her like I care for Twilight. I thought it would be best to separate the two before anything bad could happen." Celestia explained. Gazing up at her younger sibling.

"For crying out loud, Tia! She was considering suicide!!" Luna yelled. Her large midnight blue wings flared out. All went silent.

Thunder and Spitfire rose to their hooves. They didn't want the fillies to know about this. Especially if it was about suicide. If the three of them were to listen about this, Scootaloo would be the most upset. The two pegasi ushered the fillies and glittered dragon out of the library.

"We'll take them out. We'll take them to the park and maybe the bakery."

"Thank you." Rarity smiled towards the pegasi at the gesture. She understood that it would be best if the girls were not here. "Be good girls. Especially you, Sweetie. And be nice to my Spikey-Wikey." She waved to them until the door was shut. Then everyone turned back to the two alicorns.

"Rainbow. Thinkin' about suicide? Yeah right. She's a strong pony. She wouldn' give up tha easily." Applejack scoffed.

Luna sighed and looked up at the amber earth pony.

"Unless it was to be with her lover. I watched as Soarin talked her out of it. Rainbow begged but eventually promised not to. However, it he does die, I doubt Rainbow would be able to keep her promise."

"That's true love. To think that I spent my whole life looking for it, and one of my friends have found it. I do envy her but I am happy for Rainbow. She deserves after all." Rarity muttered.

"Yes but...suicide?" Twilight repeated. "Would Rainbow really commit suicide?"

"Yeah. Isn't Dashie the Element of Loyalty? That means she wouldn't give everything up." Pinkie hopped over as she pointed to the ruby red lightning bolt on a golden chain in a glass case.

"Yes. But, she said that she never actually considered herself as loyal. She even said that Applejack and Pinkie Pie are more loyal than her. As Applejack puts her family's and friend's wellbeing before herself. And that Pinkie is always there to help somepony. Whether she knows them or not." Luna answered.

"But she is loyal. She risks her life everyday. Just to keep Equestria safe. That's being loyal, isn't it?"

While the ponies discussed this, something in Discord's head clicked. As he hovered above the princesses, he listened carefully to them arguing. About the Element of Loyalty and the bearer. Now he understood everything. He may bearly know the pegasus, but now he understood why she's having trouble with considering herself as loyal.

"Actually. I think I know why she doesn't think herself as loyal and wishes...to...take her own life." Discord carefully put his sentence together. He wasn't too familiar with this subject. The others quietened down.

"Proceed Discord."

"Yes well, we know that she's the Element of Loyalty, but I think the reason why she thinks she's not loyal because....she believes that she is not being loyal to....her lover."

Everypony stared at Discord in disbelief. To think that the spirit of chaos would understand all of this. Celestia coughed and cleared her throat.

"Well that's an interesting theory, Discord. But-"

"It's not a theory. I think this is what's troubling Rainbow Dash." Discord retorted. Interrupting the princess. Celestia glared at the draconequus.

"Oh really. And how would you know?"

"Grrr. I don't know! Okay?! It just popped into my head!!" Discord groaned.

"A lot of things pop into your head. What are you thinking now?" The sun goddess smirked.

"Slapping you across the face." Discord mumbled. And no sooner, his claw was met upon the princess's white cheek. Everyone gasped at Discord's action. He was never the one for violence. Luna grinned. Her sisters behaviour was annoying her from the top of her horn to the tip of her feathers.

Celestia stared wide eyed at the draconequus. His expression frustrated and annoyed.

"Why you....I guess we let you free too early, Discord." She huffed.

"Try me then! You don't have the power to do so!"

"I do!" Celestia rose from her seat. Glaring at Discord.

"Come on then! Turn me stone, you pathetic brat! What are you waiting for?!" Discord's fury rose by the second. The others grew scared. Not knowing what the sun raiser or the god of chaos would do. Fluttershy trotted over to Discord.

"Discord. Calm down. There's no need for this." She hushed as she stroked his free paw.

The spirit sighed.

"I know Fluttershy. But...Celestia. I have to agree with your sister. You think you are doing good, but you're not."

"Pttf. Says the Spirit of bloody chaos." Celestia hissed. She was in a bad mood today. A very bad mood.

"What in the name of Tartarus is wrong with you?" Luna yelled. Her sister was totally out of character.

"What's wrong with me? Nothing is wrong with me!" Celestia yelled back. Twilight began to panic. Her mentor was out of control. Who knew what she could do. The purple alicorn shot up and hugged her teacher. Everyone was stunned by this, especially Celestia.

"Twilight? What...."

"Calm down. Please. You're only digging a deeper whole for yourself." Twilight whispered. The pearl white princess opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, she reluctantly sat down.

"I'm sorry. I'm...sorry." She apologised. "It's just that, everyone all over Equestria is blaming me for everything. I've tried helping tgem, but they're all ignoring me. That's not right."

The dark blue alicorn's expression softened. She trotted over and joined the hug.

"Sister. I am sorry. But what you are feeling is what both I and Discord felt."

"Huh?"

"Ponies ignored my night. But not only that, me. I wasn't recognised by them. Pushed aside. And for Discord. All he ever wanted was friend."

"We were friends."

"You lied to me!" Discord snapped. "You lied! I believed every word you said! Only find out, they were not true!!"

"Discord, I'm sorry. I-I-I...I didn't know."

"You didn't know what?! Take a wild guess, Celestia! You destroyed my family! Not only that, but you destroyed my species!!" Discord clicked his claws and was surrounded by a golden glow. In a flash, he was a brown unicorn with white hair. He also had a white moustache and goatee beard. His eyes were deep red and his hooves were yellow. "And now you're destroying everything else." He trotted over to the door. "If anypony needs, I'll be out. Maybe at that sweet bakery." And slammed the door in a huff.

Everyone was confused and stuck. They didn't know what to say. Applejack, Pinkie and Rarity just glanced at each other. Not knowing what to do. Cadence and Fluttershy trotted over to the now crying sun goddess.

"Bloody hell. What am I doing? He's right. You're right Luna. I've got to apologise to Discord and Rainbow." Celestia sniffed.

"Leave him for now. He'll calm down soon. And leave Rainbow. She's with Soarin." Twilight ordered. "Celestia. You've resulted to petty arguments. I understand your stress. But now, you are to stay here. Cadence and I will sort out everything. Luna and the girls will go to Canterlot. To see about the Lords. "

"Wait...you can't-"

"I can, Celestia. And I will. You will rest now. Until we return. Then we will sort out Discord."

"Yes. O-okay." Celestia slowly nodded. She didn't like how Twilight was now bossing her around, but maybe it was for the better good. "I'll see you...later." She squeaked as the others trotted out. She felt so pathetic. So stupid. She couldn't rest. The princess had to do something to help. She had to.

~~~~~~

Chapter 33

The rhythm of beeps echoed throughout the little white room. Other machine noises also filled the empty silence. A cool breeze wafted from the open window. Upon a single white bed, underneath the cold, fresh blankets, was a light blue pegasus stallion. Allsorted wires clung onto the stallion's body. A clear mask was delicately placed upon his snout. Bandages were wrapped around his wings and chest.

Slowly, the stallion sat up. He groaned slightly in pain. Once he was comfortable, he stared out of the window. Watching the birds swirl around in the sunlight. He smiled to himself at the peaceful view. But his attention was drawn elsewhere.

A knock on the door surprised him. But, shakily, he removed his oxygen mask.

"Come...in." He croaked.

The creaked open. He was expecting another nurse. To stab him with another needle or pester him with other crap. However, his bright green eyes opened wide in joy as a different mare stood in the doorway.

"R-Rainbow..."

The mare smiled with half lidded eyes. She trotted closer to the bed. Her eyes beginning to fill with tears. She shakily smiled as she stroked the Wonderbolt's scruffy blue mane. As soon as she saw the young stallion, gently smile at her, she felt a surge of joy and love power through her. She seemed to be radiating her colours again. Her coat and mane now bright as usual, maybe brighter. And the smoldering ashes of the fire behind her eyes sparked once more.

"Oh Soarin." She whispered. Tears running down her cheeks. Soarin looked up at the crying mare and smiled to her.

"I-I wanted to see y-you....for real." He gasped. His chest ached. His lungs burnt. But he could care less about the pain. He was with the pony he loved. And if he were to die now, he would die happy. Staring into her rose eyes.

"Soarin....I-I....I don't want you to die. I want you to live. With me." Rainbow cried, looking down. Soarin slowly lifted his hoof up to the mare's face. And wiped a few of her tears. He then turned her head towards him. Rainbow just stared. Staring into his luscious green eyes.

"Don't c-cry.. D-Dashie...I-I want you to be happy...." He smiled despite the shrieking hot pain. Exploding through his veins.

The cyan pegasus couldn't stop her tears. She was happy. Yet, upset. She was so delighted that Soarin was awake, but she didn't know if he'll survive.

She leant down, towards the stallion, connecting her lips with his. Soarin moaned in pleasure as their tongues wrestled inside their mouths. Soarin slowly moved his hoof onto Rainbow's face. The cyan mare wrapped her hooves around the injured stallion. Their mouths parted as the two ponies needed to breathe.

"I-I am happy....I'm with you. And that makes me happy." Rainbow Dash whispered as she hugged the pony she loved. Soarin was the only thing on her mind. His cheerful nature. His caring personality. His streak of confidence and determination. His goofiness. His handsome looks. And his lush green eyes.

"And you make my heart flutter, Dash."

The two lovers stared into each other's eyes. Getting lost in the sea of either blazing rose or calming green. Cold tears streamed down both of their blue cheeks.

"S-Soarin....remember.....remember the dream. Last night." Rainbow croaked.

"The one we shared together. Of course." Soarin smiled weakly at his lover. But Rainbow bit her lip. Her mind scrabbled with words and other stuff. She tried to say something, but none of it made sense.

"...I...I...I..." More tears escaped from her eyes. She squeezed them shut. Soarin stared in confusion. He wanted to comfort her, but he didn't know what was bothering her. And he was also restricted any movements. He could lift himself up. He couldn't get up and hug the crying cyan mare.

"Rainbow. Whatever is wrong. Just tell me." He reassured. Hoping that she'll stop her tears. But she shook her head.

"I can't....I can't, Soarin. I want to. But I can't. I promised to you Soarin. I crossed my heart. I swore on the whole of Equestria not to, but it's the only way out. The only way I can see right now."

Soarin's emerald eyes shot open. He knew exactly what she was talking about. His mind exploded with fear and dread. He began to be overwhelmed with panic.

"No. Nononono. You are not committing suicide! No matter what!"

"I can't though. I want to but I can't. If you die, I want to be loyal to you. But I won't be being loyal to everypony else. I just....I just don't know what to do." The mare fell to the floor. Crying next to the bed. Holding onto Soarin's hoof. "I'm just so...so tired. I hurt all over. Pain is all I can feel. I try to be the pony I was ages ago. But I can't. I just can't."

The powder blue stallion stared at the mare in absolute shock and disbelief. He wanted, so desperately, to jump out of the bed and hug the distraught assassin. He couldn't believe that her emotions were everywhere. And it was because of him. He was causing her this pain. He was making her cry. It felt like a cold dagger stabbed in him right in the chest as he realised this. If only he wasn't so careless and obnoxious to his surroundings, he would have noticed the blade. If he moved aside, he could be with Rainbow. Actually spending time with her. Instead oc being restricted to a stupid bed. Too weak to move on his own.

"R-Rainbow....please. I'll make it out of this. I will. I just don't want to see you cry."

The sobbing pegasus looked up at the bed ridden stallion. Tears still streaming down her face. Her eyes tinged with a red glow.

"I l-love you, Soarin. I know we've only been together for a couple of weeks, but we've been friends for longer." The mare stood up and smiled through her tears. "I remember in the academy, even though you weren't my trainer, you still helped me. You showed me around. You helped me put effort into my performances. You were always so kind to me. But I never gave anything in return. I never thanked you. I never helped you. But you were still there. Every bloody day. Waiting by the lunch hall, willing and ready to go fourth with the day."

"And that's because I loved you. The f-first....the first moment I set eyes on you, you took my h-heart. At the Young Fliers Competition, I wanted you to win. So I-I could spend all day with you. But you looked do nervous and unsteady. And kept crashing. I hated it when those stallions laughed at you. You didn't d-deserve it. But when your friend fell, and after our pathetic attempt to catch her, you...you my beautiful gem, performed a s-sonic rainboom. I was awake to see the rainbow trail. I was so proud of you. But, we couldn't spend time together. Me and the others had to go. To go and get treated. I cried all night. You were on my mind all day, every day. And when I saw you at the G-Gala, I was so happy. However, I was dragged away to talk to some rich snob, or get my photo t-taken. I saw you trying to get out attention, I wanted to come over so badly. And then you and your friends trashed the place."

The two ponies laughed together at the distant memory. Soarin gazed at the now smiling mare. Tears were still running down her damp cyan cheeks, but she beamed a beautiful smile. And her glimmering rose eyes sparkled like the stars in the sky.

"I liked that. It was more in-interesting."

"Of course it was. It was funny as anything." She giggled. Which was very unusual for Rainbow. She never giggled. She either laughed or snickered, but never giggled. And Soarin was happy with that. He did something that Rainbow never did in front of others. Only in front of him. And that made his heart fill with warm glow. A warm glow from joy.

"Y-yes. Even though I didn't g-get to see you, you lot made it a memorable night." He too, smiled. The two young lovers kissed again once more. They didn't care where they were, they were happy that they were together. As they parted, a particular tune began to play in the stallion's mind. And couldn't help to hum it.

"I-I don't know where I heard this. B-but...it reminds me of y-you."

The tune was the very song Rainbow sang earlier. The song she sang to him. Mesmerised by the stallion's memory of the song, Rainbow joined. Quietly, the two ponies sang their little song. Even Soarin knew the words. Which confused Rainbow Dash. But she pushed it aside at the two enjoyed their time together.

"The first time we ever met,

Your name was all I knew.

But as we got to know each other,

Daydreaming was all I could ever do.

Thinking about us taking long walks,

Holding hooves as we would talk.

All these things I would miss,

When all I wanted was a simple kiss.

Thinking about you holding me tight,

Wondering and hoping you just might.

Those cute eyes staring down at me,

That it was meant to be."

They sang in perfect harmony. They embraced each other in a simple hug. Crying into each other's chests. But as they cried, a pony entered the room. Followed by four others. Three of the ponies smiled gently as their leader was finally happy. However, the two other stallions held no expression.

The dark blue stallion cleared his throat and knocked on the door. Grabbing the attention of the two lovers instantly.

"Yes. What is it?" Rainbow asked.

"Miss Rainbow Miriam Dashery. You are under arrest and to be taken to Canterlot immediately." He huffed. The cyan pegasus gasped in shock and surprise.

"Whatever for?!"

"That shall be discussed when we arrive at Canterlot. Now you shall come fourth quietly and without resistance."

"And if I shall not?"

"Then you're sentence shall be greater than before."

Rainbow glanced at the three other ponies. Who shook their heads in reply. They had no idea either. The cyan assassin turned towards the bed ridden stallion.

"I'll be back soon, Soarin. I will not leave you. I promise." She whispered. The stallion watched as the two bulky unicorns took away his loved one. A mint unicorn smiled weakly at the Wonderbolt.

"We're sorry, Mr. Soarin. We are so very sorry." And she trotted away. Following her fellow assassins down the corridor. Leaving the weakened pegasus to his own thoughts.

"Oh dear. This cannot be good."

Chapter 34

The six ponies trotted silently through the grand corridor. They did not speak. They did not look at each other. They just simply walked. Two unicorn stallions led the group down the corridor, wearing simple golden armour. Which was instantly recognisable as the Royal Guard. Behind them was a cyan pegasus. Now wearing her trademark cloak. But her hood was down. Behind her were three other ponies. A unicorn, a pegasus and an earth pony. All wearing similar cloaks to the cyan mare, but white instead of black.

The three assassins were very worried. They had no idea what their leader has been arrested for. The only reason they came was to find out why. But not only that, their leader was their friend. A close friend indeed. They glanced at each other every so often, but never talked. Just plainly following the two stallions.

They reached the large golden doors, which led into the throne room of Canterlot Castle. Two other guards opened the doors for them. Holding spears and threatening the leader of The Creed.

A luscious light pink alicorn trotted over to the cyan mare. But was blocked off by the two bulky guards. The princess staggered back as the stallions gently pushed her away.

"Sorry your highness. It's for your own safety." One of them huffed. Cadence was confused.

"I don't understand. Why? She's not going to do anything." Cadence huffed and flapped her faded purple wings in frustration. Her crystal guards were always nicer. And obeyed more than the Royal Guard. Even if her husband was the Captain of The Royal Guard, they were still stubborn.

"You know how assassins are. Crafty little buggers. We let our guard and in a blink of an eye, everypony in the room is dead." One of them explained.

"Nonsense. I serve the princesses. Why would I kill them?" Rainbow stated. The stallion turned and glared at the mare. Towering over her. But the mare refused to move. In fact, while others would cower or cry, she just smirked at his attempt to scare her.

"Please. Your attempt to frighten me is futile. I stared into the face of bloody death." Rainbow trotted around the guards.

"Yet your biggest fear is failure. And which you have finally achieved." A voice scoffed. Rainbow stopped dead in her tracks and turned to the source of the voice.

"What in the name of Luna's moon are you doing here?!" She demanded. Stood by the doors now where three tall pegasi. All carrying evil smirks. However two other guards stood by them.

"Oh! We are here to witness your punishment." One of the Lords beamed.

"What for? If I say, I have not been told anything since the hospital." The master assassin growled. But the Pegasi Lords just laughed.

"Why were you in the hospital for? Was it for the Wonderbolt? That fell to his doom as a blade pierced his heart." The shorter one sneered. However, Rainbow said nothing. She just growled and glared daggers at the Lords.

"A-ha! So it is true! The assassin and the Wonderbolt! Well isn't that lovely! Tell me, my dear Rainbow Dash, have your previous relationships ended well? You're parents were murdered right in front of you. And they had to watch as their 'precious little Dashie' was robbed of her innocence. And from what I've heard, your previous relationship with one of your own ended rather abruptly. Killed by your own brother. The very same brother that betrayed you." The Lord jeered. "You have a very dark past, Miss Dash. Do you really think that the Wonderbolt will survive?" The pegasi gave off taunting expressions at the assassin.

"Y-yes....of course." She stuttered her reply.

"Stuttering? Oh dear, you do fear something. You are scared he will leave you. You're scared that your friends will leave. Isn't that right?"

"Just keep your words to yourself." Rainbow muttered. But the Lords just heaved with laughter.

"Hmm. Element of Loyalty? Really? I don't see you as loyal. You served under us, yet you dismissed us. That's not loyal. But do you know what I think is not very loyal? Not protecting the one you love. Not at all loyal."

"Princess Cadence. Why have I been arrested and sent here? And must I listen to these...dweebs?" Rainbow asked. The princess of love stared over to the other two alicorns, who sadly nodded in reply.

"You....you are under arrest for murder." She croaked. Even muttering that last word sent shivers up her spine.

"Murder? Of who? If you may recall, we kill under the name of Celestia." The purple pegasus by the door stated. Her friends beside her nodded as she hovered by them. Assassin are legally allowed to kill. As long as it requested from the Princess.

"Except for one. One pony. That neither Celestia or the Lords asked you to kill." The midnight blue alicorn trotted towards the assassin. "Do you remember this pony?"

It took a few moments for Rainbow to search her mind. Scanning for this mystery pony. Until finally, she remembered the pony.

"He deserved it." She simply said.

"You killed a pony without consent of your superiors." Princess Luna informed. Being stern and regal.

"He was murdering innocent pegasi. Several were foals." The cyan pegasus defended. But the alicorn refused to hear any of it. And continued to walk towards the assassin.

"You are to be told if you will assassinate at will. You do not do it without consent."

"He. Deserved. To. Die. He murdered Scootaloo's mother. He murdered Fuchsia Flash." Rainbow Dash shouted. Frustrated with the princess. Everyone didn't understand. They didn't know who this 'Fuchsia Flash' was. Except for the Lords.

One of the Pegasi Lords walked over, being followed by the guards.

"Tell me, assassin. How do you know this?"

"I have my ways." Rainbow chuckled but as she turned to her close friend, Twilight, her expression dropped. "Yes...well...how come I'm being arrested for murdering Sir Ice Wing. Didn't Discord find the flaw in the treaty? Wasn't the Princess in power all....oooh." The pegasus realised her error.

"Well, that flaw did not come out until Luna arrived. So technically, they were still power." Twilight gulped as her friend's expression change dramatically. Rainbow tried to stay calm but it clearly wasn't working.

"Oh dear. Oh dear." The assassin muttered under breath. She couldn't be sent back to Ianua Tartar. She couldn't. She had to be with Soarin. Soarin needs her. She promised him. She promised she'll be back. To be there. To be by his side. Panic erupted in her mind. Everything depended on her. The Creed. The Princesses. The inhabitants of Equestria. Her friends. Her lover. Her loyalty for everyone was being stretched. She didn't know what to do.

"Oh dear indeed, Miss Dash." A harsh voice hissed. A deep red unicorn walked over. While everyone in the room did not recognise this stallion, Rainbow's eyes shrunk to the size of pinpricks.

"Can't wait for you to come back. I had only just started your punishment before....you left. With that stupid Wonderbolt. But now, I can continue it."

The cyan pegasus said nothing. She couldn't move. Stuck to her position. Flicker noticed this and chuckled lightly.

"Do you know why I didn't hurt him? Why he had to spend hours watching you in pain? Well because, the greatest pain is being heartbroken. And I know that you have been broken many times. But I noticed this stallion, this hyped up flier, had feelings towards you. So why not break him down? I couldn't do anything to you. Well, not emotionally."

"Just get out of my sight. You sicken me. Having a lust for the pain of others." Rainbow spat at the unicorn. Who just smirked.

"I see you haven't healed then." He glanced at her bandaged wings. She ruffled them. "That's what I love about pegasi. Especially the mares. They are more sensitive than males. And you,  you were fun. Never gave up at first. Such a feisty attitude at first. But then came the begging. Not for your freedom, but that stallion. I hardly touched him but you constantly begged for him to be set free."

"He deserves freedom more than me."

"Yes well, " Flicker stood right in front of the assassin. His eyes piercing through the mare. Who refused to cower away. "I can't wait to have you back. I miss your cries. Your blood all over the dirty floor. Your feathers soaked in your own scarlet red blood. And there is so many things we haven't done yet." The unicorn's horn lit up with his aura. His grin growing. Everyone in the room watched as the pegasus' hooves were stuck to floor. She struggled and tugged but her hooves wouldn't move. She glared at the grinning unicorn. Rainbow flapped her wings, despite the twinges of pain.

"I do love your eyes. So pretty. So bright. So perfect." He used his hoof to circle the cyan mare's eyes. She moved her head away, but the unicorn used his magic to keep her still. "I would love to cut them out. Like pretty little gems. And my own blind pet. But yet again, I would rather keep my pet healthy. Keep your little gems."

"Sir Flicker Flame! Stop that this instant! Release Miss Rainbow Dash now!" Twilight demanded. Her horn aglow, threatening the unicorn stallion. Flicker snorted and let his grip go off the pegasus. Who growled at the unicorn.

"Pathetic. Aren't you supposed to be protecting the princess? Rather than her trying to protect you."

"Callin her pathetic? Tell mah, how exactly are ya helpin Equestria?" Applejack stomped. Followed by Rarity and Pinkie Pie. All staring at the red unicorn. Who was surprised by the mares'.

"Listen, I am, along with my brothers, are the keepers of Ianau Tartar. We torture every soul sentenced there. Making every single being scream and cry until blood pours from their mouths. Until they have lost all faith. All hope. And that my dear mares, is how I help Equestria. Torturing everypony who has done wrong. And she has done wrong!" He pointed at Rainbow.

"Yes. Okay. I admit it! But us assassins do this. We kill for the princesses. We kill for the harmony. We kill for Equestria. And killing Sir Ice Wing was the only way. So take me back to that damned place. Take me back to Ianua Tartar. I deserve it. But, I ask for one thing." Rainbow turned to her friends. Fluttershy and Pinkie were about to cry. Applejack and Rarity stood gobsmacked. And Twilight. Her pupils shrunk. Her mouth opened wide.

"And what is that?"

Tears welled up in the mare's bright rose eyes. Making them glimmer. Despite all of this, she smiled to her friends. Her friends. The very ponies who were there through thick and thin. Who were by her side no matter what. Who are her family. Rainbow Dash felt her heart shine brightly as she glanced at the almost crying mares. All this time, she's been trying to run out of her dark past, and these were the ponies to help. Generosity. Honesty. Kindness. Laughter. Magic. These ponies were her family. Not her biological family. But still. They all loved each other like sisters.

"I had my family all along.

And to make her heart shine brighter, her lover. A pony to love. Not as a family. Not as a sister or brother. But as a lover. And this made Rainbow's life worth while. She loved him. They connected like two pieces of a puzzle. Their love for each burned between them. Stronger than anything. No matter where they were, they would always be together.

Her tears streamed down her cheeks. She glanced at the ground before staring back at her friends. With a sweet, innocent smile upon her face. All her friends could see a small flame behind the rose gem eyes.

"Take care of Soarin. And tell him I love him. More than anything."

Chapter 35

The light blue pegasus gasped. Tears building up in his bright green eyes, which were shrunk to the size of pin tips. His mind exploded with fear and dismay. No. Was all he repeated in his head.

"Nononono. You're lying. You're lying to me." He croaked. However, the four mares shook their heads. Tears streamed down the purple alicorn's cheek. She closed her eyes so she didn't have to see Soarin. The amber earth pony held her tatty hat to her chest. Also with her eyes closed. A pearl unicorn stood by a tall midnight blue alicorn. Both with pained expressions. The stallion in front of them was crying for his love. The pony who made his heart shine. Who made it flutter. Now, she was gone. And he couldn't do anything to help.

"We are very sorry, Soarin. So very sorry." Rarity tried to comfort the crying pegasus stallion, but with no hope. He continued to cry for the cyan mare.

"She promised. She promised she'll come back. To be with me. I want her back!" He wailed. The mares couldn't handle it. This poor soul was heart broken. The very pony who made him smile was gone. He attempted to get up, but was gently pushed down by a light blue aura.

"Please Soarin. I know....I know you love Rainbow very very much. But you must rest. Your heart is not getting any better." The unicorn soothed. But it only made the stallion wail.

"So I'm going to die? And Rainbow won't even be here?! I want to see her! I want to be with her!!" He pulled out the the wires of that where connected up to machines beside him. Causing them to beep manically. He tried to jump out of the bed but two shades of blue and purple magic held him down.

"Soarin! Calm down!" Princess Luna demanded. But the stallion didn't hear any of it.

"No. I've got to go. I've got to get Rainbow." He waved his arms and flapped his large injured wings in attempt to get out of the hospital bed. A caramel stallion trotted into the room and tried to reconnect the loose wires.

"Mr Soarin. Please. You are not fit enough to be moving around. Your heart will give out." He explained. But it didn't stop the pegasus. Soarin flapped his aching wings.

"Soarin Skies!!" Twilight screamed through her tears. Making everypony suddenly stop. "Please!! I understand....I understand you're upset, but trying to kill yourself won't do anything!!" She yelled.  Soarin blinked and slowly sat back onto the hospital bed. His chest heaving with pain. The doctor next to him began to reconnect the wires. He nodded, whispered to Rarity abd trotted away. Not wanting to intrude in their affairs.

The room was silent. Tears poured freely from the young alicorn's eyes.

"Soarin. I know you love Rainbow Dash. We all do. But there's nothing we can do. I too love Rainbow. As sister. She's protective, funny, confident. When I first met her, I could never understand her. How she would always grin despite anything. And she was always there for anypony. I remember when I first realised that Rainbow was nothing but a shell. It was when she became cocky. And over ambitious. So we pretended to be a new pony. Mare-do-well. To show Rainbow how much of a show off she was. I saw how hurt she looked when we told her it was us. I believe the reason she became a show off was because as an assassin, nopony loves you. Everypony fears and hates you. So all Rainbow wanted was to be recognised. And to be loved by everypony.

Thank you, Soarin." She smiled to the weak stallion.

"Huh?"

"Thank you. You have made my friend's, our friend's life so much better. Just by being there for her. Thank you, Soarin. And I'll do anything to help you."

The room was silent yet again. Only the sound of breathing and the mechanical beeps of the hospital items. Tears rolled down the stallion's cheeks. He wanted to be with Rainbow. He wanted her. To see her. To hold her. But now she's been tossed back in that horrible place.

The very place where they first kissed. Where they had ignited that flame of passion and love.

"Oh Rainbow. Why? Why you?" He whispered through his tears.

~~~~~~

"Ah!" The screams of a young mare filled the dank room and halls. Her pain filled screams. Blood dripped from her mouth as she was constantly beaten. Her wings were ragged and bloody. Fresh scars were marked across her delicate body, seeping with blood. A stallion cackled as he tortured the poor soul. There was a small and simple crack of bones as he kicked at the mares blood stained wing. Making her cry again.

"I am loving this." The unicorn grinned as he wiped the blood off his hooves.

"S-s-sick bastard." The mare croaked. Spluttering blood from her mouth. She glared at the unicorn. But he only laughed.

"Stupid mare. You are to address me as master. And only master. You are only to speak when spoken to."

"F-f-fuck yo-u." She replied. There was the sound of a crack. The mare cried out again. Making the evil unicorn grin. He loved every second of this. Beating this mare, this assassin until she was nothing but a shadow. However, she wasn't giving up so easily. But he didn't mind this. A feisty mare with a firey attitude. It only made him grin. He could smash this mare so hard. And when she was finally his loyal slave, he could finally prove to his brother's that he was something.

He smiled as he set his items of torture onto the table beside him. Blood dripped from the table. Slipping off the various objects. Scarlet stained knives. Red soaked whips. Blood coated chains. Flicker hummed to himself as he undid the chains around the pegasus mare's legs. Then he carefully removed the ropes, holding her wings out. His dark magic surrounded the bloody chain around her neck. Slowly, he looked up at the mare. His own firey eyes meeting her glaring yet sparkling rose eyes. Her dirtied locks of multi-hued hair, hanging over her face. Blood seeped from a small cut on her cheek, where the whip had pierced her skin as he madly lashed his favourite toy. He carefully watched as the deep scarlet red liquid trickled down her grubby cyan fur. He lent over and opened his mouth. Rainbow could feel the stallion's warm breath upon her skin. She winced as his tongue stroked her gash. Flicker stepped back and licked his lips.

"You're blood tastes good. Sweet almost. Just like you." He hissed. The mare growled in reply. The unicorn only smirked as he took off the chain around her neck. But as he placed the chains aside, he was suddenly flung into the table. Allsorted objects fell onto him as the table smashed into small pieces.

The mare attempted to buck the door down, but instead, threw a large unknown item. It was a large hunk of metal. With screws sticking out. Rainbow really didn't care for the details as she threw it at the flimsy wooden door. Splinters of dark brown wood flew exploded.

Flicker groggily stood up. Cuts and marks across his back from the tools that fell on him. As soon as his eyes focused on his surroundings, a small chunk of wood hit him across the face. He yelled out in pain as the jaggered debris pierced his skin. The mare hopped out of the room and began to gallop away. Limping slightly as her front hoof was gushing blood. Her ears twitched as she heard numerous sounds. Flicker yelling. A stallion screaming in pain. A mare wailing for her freedom. Cackles. And the sounds of clunking metal. She also heard hoof steps. The assassin shut her eyes tight. Before opening them yet again. However, her sight was different now. Sharper. Clearer. Despite the eerie darkness of the corridors, she could see every single detail. Scratches in the wall. Dried blood on the ground. Moss growing on the sides. She turned her head as she saw Flicker galloping after her. Along with several guards.

Suddenly, she heard hoof steps coming towards her. Not from behind, but from head on. She quickly turned her head to be only met with the sight of light violet.

A mare yelped out. And feathers floated into the air. Light blue and lavender. There was a clatter of metal as a golden and pink object fell to the dirty floor. Both mares lay in a confused heap, surrounded by loose feathers, as the guards and Flicker trotted up.

"Wait...what?" He gasped as stared at the pony who crashed into the assassin. Suddenly, the guards dropped their weapons and bowed as soon as they recognised the pony.

The violet purple pony blinked several times before regaining her eye sight. Below her, was a sky blue pegasus mare with a colourful mane. Stained with blood and dirt. Her dark purple eyes snapped open.

"Rainbow?" She croaked.

Chapter 36

"Y-your highness? What are you doing here?" The red unicorn stuttered. Bowing before the fallen alicorn. The purple pony slowly got onto her hooves. Before, hovering her now dented crown. She grumbled as she brushed the dirt off the pristine gold.

"I came to visit the Element of Loyalty. Is that alright, Sir Flicker?" Twilight asked sternly. Glancing down at the winded pegasus on the floor. The unicorn laughed nervously.

"O-of course, your highness. But you really should have informed us. That way we could have secured Mistress Dashery."

"Secured her?" Twilight raised an eyebrow. Her horn glowed brilliant pink as she helped her friend up. She looked terrible. Even with the poor light, she could still see the mare's injuries. The princess quietly cried to herself. Her friend was in so much pain. Emotionally and physically.

"Yes. You see, she is still an assassin. Weak but still a killer. That's why we need to secure her." Flicker explained.

"To secure me? You hardly p-put up a fight. It only took a quick second and you're on the floor." Rainbow spluttered. Choking on her own blood. Twilight closed her eyes. She didn't like the sight of blood. Especially if it's coming from one of her closet friends. She fluttered her wings as the pegasus staggered slightly.

"Yes but you're very weak, aren't you?" Flicker sneered. He swung a spear towards the pegasus. Who ducked and kicked it back. Snapping it. "Physically and mentally weak." He added as his horn lit up. Suddenly the mare was pushed against the wall. Spitting out warm sticky liquid as her head was bashed against the wall. She groaned in pain. Flicker grinned.

"Ittle wittle assassin. You're assigned to kill, yet, you snap like a twig. That's why I think you belong here. You're not an assassin. You're just a mare. A poor, little mare."

"Flicker. I have come here to visit my friend. Not watch you destroy her until blood is pouring out of her mouth. Put her down now." The princess demanded. The unicorn gazed at the alicorn. Staring at her stern expression. He sighed to himself and released the pegasus. Who fell to the floor.

"Princess. She was trying to escape. As I took her chains off, she attacked me and ran off. If you were not there, she would have made it out."

Twilight's eyes widened at her mistake. Rainbow could be out right now. Gliding towards Ponyville. Seeing her friends. And being with Soarin.

"Oh. Well...I'll take her back to he-"

"No. You won't. I will. You can follow. It is my duty to take care of Miss Dash." He pushed the guards away as he walked down the dark corridor. He turned to the bloody pegasus.

"Come. Now." His eyes burning through the mare. She sighed and reluctantly followed him. Twilight began to trot with the ponies. Walking in absolute silence. The only sound to be heard was the echoing of hooves and screams of other ponies. Screams of pain and dismay.

The guards stopped by a bar door. Standing by the sides of it. The unicorn trotted up with a key and unlocked it. The door creaked as it opened. Sending shivers up everyone's spine. Rainbow stood by the princess before being pushed in by one of the guards. Twilight scowled the stallion, who simply ignored her. As the pegasus stumbled into the cell, another guard slapped her. Across her flank. Rainbow squeaked but said nothing. The purple pony was expecting her friend to pummel the stallion into the ground. Yet all the assassin did was stand there. The guards laughed at her.

"Silence! Touch her again and I'll personally torture you! You understand!! She's mine!! My pet! Okay?" Flicker barked. Causing the guards to jump in fright. He growled at them as they quickly nodded in reply. Princess Twilight stood with her eyes wide open. What was this monster going to do with her friend? The red unicorn turned his head back to the pegasus mare. He quickly placed the chains around her neck, and a special leather belt around her wings. He lent over her and whispered into her ear.

"My pet."

As he stood up, Rainbow sat down and lowered her head in shame. She felt so weak and useless. Chained up. Like some animal.

"You can talk to her now. But the guards will be just outside of the door. Just in case."

"Thank you." Twilight forced a smile on her face. She wanted to beat the unicorn. Shove him into the wall and zap him with all her might. She resisted this urge by glancing over to the cyan mare. It made her heart fill with pain as she saw her. Flicker trotted out and closed the door. His hooves echoing into the distance. Twilight stared at her friend. Not knowing what to say.

"I'm...I'm sorry."

"What for?" Rainbow huffed.

"If I didn't come down, you would be out now."

"I wouldn't really. As soon as I would get outside, I'll probably collapse of exhaustion. If I didn't, then I would be grounded. By wings are too weak to fly. Even hovering one hoof above the ground would cause my wings to clamp up in pain. So really, it didn't matter." She explained. Not making eye contact with the princess. Twilight fluttered her violet wings.

"Oh."

"But, if you didn't come along I would have beaten to a pulp. Sir doesn't like to torture somepony in front of others. Especially in front of royalty."

"Oh." Twilight blinked. It was so awkward to talk. Her friend was all chained up. And she couldn't help. She sat next to the pegasus. And sighed.

"Soarin....Soarin misses you. So much."

Rainbow Dash didn't say anything. But she felt fresh tears build up in her eyes. Soarin. She would do anything to see him again. Anything. All she wanted to do was leap into his arms and never let go. But that'll never happen.

"He cried all morning. We tried to calm him down. But he wouldn't."

"I should have listened. I shouldn't let my heart rule me. I've hurt somepony close to me again." The pegasus buried her head into her hooves. The alicorn watched as the assassin cried. Not knowing what to do. She didn't know as much as she wanted on romance. She knew the love between her brother and Cadence. And love in stories she's read. She's also seen ponies in love around Ponyville. Mr and Mrs Cake. Lyra and Bonbon. Derpy and Time Turner. And she knew about Spike's crush on Rarity. But she never knew it great detail. The books she read explained the passion between two lovers, however, the alicorn could never understand it. Yet, here her friend was. Experiencing it. And being heartbroken from it. She wished there was some form of spell to help Rainbow and Soarin. But the only thing that will make them happy, is each other.

Twilight moved closer to the pegasus and hugged her. Despite the chains on her neck. Rainbow looked up, and quickly hugged back. Wailing into her purple friend's shoulder.

"It's okay, Rainbow. It's okay." She soothed as she stroked Rainbow's dirt and blood riddled mane.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I've left you. I've left you all. I said I'll always be there. For all of you. I can't even keep promises." She cried. Tears streaming out of her tightly closed eyes. She promised so much to so many. Yet she couldn't keep them. She promised to always laugh with Pinkie Pie. To always stay honest with Applejack. To always be kind with Fluttershy. To always be generous with Rarity. To be with Scootaloo and help her through her fears. To serve the princesses. To be by Soarin. Until his dying breath. This only made the pegasus cried harder.

"It'll be okay, Rainbow. Everything will be fine. I will help you. I will get you out of here. So you can be with Soarin." Twilight retreated from the hug and smiled at her friend. Rainbow sniffed but weakly smiled back. A violet hoof brushed the tears off the light blue mare's cheeks. "And I will not rest until you are out of here. Cause friends always stay by each other. No matter what.

I will not be useless. I will help you." She whispered. Hoping her friend would not hear.

Chapter 37

It had been several weeks since the fall of the Pegasi Lords. Several weeks since the imprisonment of the leader of The Creed. Several pain filled weeks had passed since the Wonderbolt's lover was cruelly taken away from him. Every night he would cry for her. Wailing her name. Begging for her to come back. He wished that some how, she would hear his cries. And come to him. To be with him. But, he knew that would never happen. Slowly, the stallion stopped crying. He stopped feeling anything. Only pain. He never felt hungry. Or happy. Or sad. Just pain. The only thing he did feel was the lump of darkness in his chest. In his heart. Whenever somepony came over to the hospital to see him, he would not talk. He wouldn't even look at them. His coat grew dull and grey. His eyes lacked the passionate flicker of fire behind his eyes. It was almost like he was now a ghost. Slowly disappearing.

It pained his friends so much to see him like this. However, they had tried everything. Reassuring him. Giving him gifts. Anything. It never worked. The doctors of Ponyville hospital were very very worried about the Wonderbolt. His injury wasn't healing. It was slowly getting worse. Day by day, more pain flooded him. More sadness overwhelmed him. He didn't want to die. He still had his life ahead of him. He still had Rainbow Dash. He didn't want to die knowing she was in pain every minute. He wanted her to be safe. With her friends. With him. Soarin sighed to himself. Knowing that he was slowly dying, and that Rainbow will soon join him.

~~~~~~

"Twilight, please. You've been working non-stop. You need to rest."

"I'm sorry, Celestia. But I will not rest until I have got Rainbow out." The alicorn snorted and turned back to her book. The sun princess beside was gravely worried for her student. As soon as the young alicorn had returned from....from that dreaded place, she got out every single book. She even went to the Canterlot Archives and the Crystal Archives. Yet, whatever she was looking for, she could not find.

"Please Twilight. You are over working yourself. I'm worried about you. We're all worried about you. Please. Just stop working and sleep." She begged. Hoping her student would listen.

"No! I will not give up! I will not give up on Rainbow! You didn't see her! You didn't hold her as she begged for forgiveness! She was begging for forgiveness from us! The Rainbow Dash we know is crumbling away! Everything! Gone! A bucking guard slapped her across her flank and she didn't do anything! She accepted her fate!!" Twilight screamed. Tears brimming her tired violet eyes. Celestia stumbled back from the purple pony. Her own musk rose eyes filled with salty tears.

"I want Rainbow Dash back! But not just that, Soarin needs her!! They need each other! They're both dying and they'll die without each other!! I want...I...I..." Twilight fell to the floor. Bawling. Tears everywhere. Her emotions on the run. She was tired. Very tired. Her stomach growled with hunger, and her body begged for rest. However, the alicorn refused. She wanted, she needed to get her assassin friend out.

Everyone in the room sat quietly. It was only the princesses and the Elements of Harmony in the large tree library. The Wonderbolts had left for Cloudsdale again. The Royal Guard returned to Canterlot and the Assassins of The Creed...were no where to be found. All of them. Gone. Lyra, Bonbon, Cloudkicker. Everypony else. Gone without a trace. This deeply worried the girls and the princesses, but they had more important things to worry about.

Princess Twilight Sparkle. A young alicorn who believes she is useless. Who believes she has done nothing to help. Even when the others reassured her, that she did help, she would ignore them. Everypony sat in absolute silence as she wailed. All with their heads down.

A butterscotch yellow pegasus slowly got up. And trotted towards her crying friend. Carefully, she sat beside her and wrapped her arms around her crying friend. Embracing her into a hug. Neither of them said anything, they just hugged and cried.

"T-Twilight. I know you are upset. But crying isn't going to help. I know this is coming from me, but you...you are not a scared pegasus. Who squeals at anything. You are an alicorn. A princess. A strong pony who never gives up. Especially in her friend's time of need. I believe in you, Twilight. I believe you can help. That you can help Rainbow Dash. And I'll do anything to help." She said confidently. Soothing the alicorn at the same time as well. The wailing stopped, but her tears didn't. Twilight looked up to her yellow friend. With a confused yet near excited expression. She was not expecting this. Especially from her timid friend.

"You will?" She squeaked. Unsure if she heard the pegasus right.

Fluttershy nodded her head.

"Rainbow is my sister. She's defended me so many times. I don't know what she saw in me when we first met, but she's always been by me. And I want to help her."

"So do ah. Ah wanna help Rainbow. She belongs here." The amber pony stood up and stomped her hoof.

"I will help too. Without Rainbow Dash, we all feel empty. That pegasus has helped us so many times. Now it's our turn to help her." A white unicorn mare stood beside her friend. Bearing a very confident smile.

"Dashie needs help. Dashie gets help. From us. Her friends." Finally, the pink pony stood up. However, instead of her usual puffy hair, it was straight. Dull. Pinkie Pie missed her best friend. So much. It didn't feel right without her. That's why she wanted to help. To get her best friend back.

Twilight stared at her friends. Staring as they stood before her. All willingly to help. The alicorn stood up along with them. And in a flash of her horn, she was hugging all of them.

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

~~~~~~

"We've looked everywhere. There's nothing that can get Rainbow out." Rarity whined. Her hooves were aching. But she refused to give into her pain. She needed to help her friend.

"Wait. We haven't looked everywhere." The pink pony added. The mare's stared at her in disbelief and confusion. "Dashie's house. Her old one. The one....the one...her parents died in." The mare shuddered. She hated talking about death. Nopony deserved to die. Well, the ponies she knew didn't deserve to die. But Rainbow's parents? They may have been assassins, but they were protecting Equestria. They didn't need to die. And Rainbow Dash...didn't deserve her punishment. Pinkie's feelings for her friend ran deeper. Her loving friend had gone through so much in her past. So much heartbreak. Pinkie Pie just wished she could help.

The others looked over to her in surprise.

"That's it, Pinkie! Rainbow Dash's old house has the old library. It's bound to have something to help." Twilight began to gallop towards the door. Flapping her violet wings. "Come on, girls!"

"You mean we're going to that scary place?" Fluttershy whispered. Shivering behind Applejack. She had been at Rainbow's house before her parents died. It was such a lovely house. So cosy and homely. With the flickering fireplace and steaming kitchen. Filled with the scent of homemade foods. Fluttershy loved going to Rainbow's house when she was a filly. They used to play hide and seek. And at the end of the game, Rainbow's mother gave them hot chocolate with marshmallows and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

But now, it was only a building filled with pain. A lovely house left with a dark secret as it slowly decayed. Hidden among the trees.

"Of course. Now come on." Twilight urged. However, the white unicorn shook her head.

"No, Twilight. It is absolutely filthy." She complained.

"Ah thought ya liked it."

"Oh the house was such a gem. But the journey there is horrible. And it's incredibly dark. I refuse to go." She turned away. Her snout in the air.

"We are going this instant! Dashie needs us!! Screw whether your hooves get dirty! It's been too long without Dashie! Now get your damn flank out there before I boot it!!" Pinkie yelled. Making the others cower slightly. Her ice blue eyes burning the ponies. Her voice wracked with anger. Her face held an expression of pure hot anger. As if she was going to kill the mares. They slowly nodded and began to make their way to the door. As they trotted out, Pinkie smiled and skipped out.

"Works every time."

Chapter 38

"Darling. I'm sorry to bother you, but I think the generator is out. It doesn't seem to be turning on." An elegant voice called from the dark cellar. A dim blue glow gave off the only light in the sunken darkness. Two rough silhouettes of mares stood among the dark. One bucking a metal object, the other supplying the only light.

"Well...hang on. Rarity, can you perform a blast spell?" The purple alicorn shouted from the top of the stairs. She could fix the generator, however, it was old. Almost falling apart. Along with the house. They were lucky it turned on last time. But now, the old machine only coughed.

"Of course, darling. I use it on my sewing machines. But I may have to use it more than once. My sewing machines only need a small boost." Rarity called back. Twilight nodded. Beside her was a shivering pegasus, twitching madly and breathing heavily. The yellow mare did not like this. Every inch of everything scared her in some way. The other pink mare had wandered off, but no-one had noticed. The princess stepped back slightly. Not wanting to fall down the dark stairs. She could perform the spell herself. Saving her friend of any effort, however, Rarity was almost a student to her. A young and enthusiastic unicorn who was in the need of some spells.

The ponies heard the twinkle of magic and the churning of machinery. The lights around the house flickered before slowly dimming again.

"Come on, Rare. Ya can do this." Applejack urged.

Suddenly, the lights grew brighter. The generator began to hum. Twilight heard the laughing of the unicorn downstairs. And smiled as she knew the unicorn was growing strong with her magic. She turned her head towards the shivering pegasus.

"It's okay, Fluttershy. It's safe." She assured.

Slowly, Fluttershy stood up straight. Still shaking from both the coldness and fright.

"If you say so, Twilight."

"Ah-ha! I did it!! I did it! My word, I am fabulous!" Rarity flicked her hair around in a flashy way. Grinning madly. The apple farmer beside her just rolled her eyes.

"Ya, Miss Fabulous. But ah think it's time ta look around, an not at ya." She huffed as she began to walk towards the staircase. Rarity growled in reply.

"And what's that supposed to mean, Apple-Shack?" She snapped. Applejack snorted at the unicorn.

"Ah'm jast sayin. We should start lookin for a book ta help Rainbow an not gaze at ya 'oh-magnificent horn'."

"You could have just said that. Rather than being sarcastic. Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit." Rarity trotted up the stairs, beside the apple mare. Twilight and Fluttershy just walked behind. Not bothering to intrude and stopping the argumentative ponies.

"Ya tha lowest form of wit." Applejack quickly retorted. Not thinking about what she was saying. She just wanted to insult the unicorn, however, she always got around it.

"Applejack. Do you even think before you speak?"

"Do ya even think? Or is it all about yo-"

"Girls! Stop it!"

"Ah!" The two mares screamed. Hugging each other from whatever appeared before them. Hanging upside down, from the dusty chandelier, was a pink mare. She was wearing a black jumper and a black mask. Along with a large set of goggles over her eyes. However, her normally bouncy bubble gum pink hair was still straight and dull.

"Pinkie Pie! Where have you been?" Twilight demanded. Also shaken from the sudden surprise.

"What do you think, Twilight? Trying to help." The mare hopped down from the chandelier, making the crystals shake. Now she srood before the ponies. She lifted her goggles to place on her head. Revealing her pain filled eyes. "I found a book as you were putting the lights on." She held a tatty book in her belt around her waist. Scrapes and scratches were marked across the book. And the binding was falling apart.

"How? It was pitch black. "

The party mare pointed to her goggles. The lens were orange with a black frame and strap.

"Night vision. I saw everything really clearly. You lot were taking too long. So I did the looking for you."

"Well...thanks, Pinkie. But why?" Twilight hovered the book towards her. Still confused over the mare's actions.

"Dashie needs help. She needs all the help she can get. If you say she was as hurt as you said, then the quicker, the better. Dashie is my bestest friend. And I don't want to let her down. She doesn't belong in prison. She hasn't done anything wrong."

"But...she killed Sir Ice Wing." Fluttershy squeaked. She hated that Lord. Before she met Rainbow Dash, she had two friends. Sugar Coat and Wind Brizzle. They her bestest friends ever. They were always so kind. Yet confident. However, they were weak fliers as well. Sugar Coat was a clean white pegasus with baby pink, blue and white curly hair. With large pink eyes. Wind Brizzle was a light blue pegasus with dark blue and white windswept hair. And her eyes were golden. Sugar's mother was mugged and murdered a couple of weeks after she was born. And Wind was an orphan. One day, when Fluttershy was playing in the garden, s pegasus flew down from Cloudsdale to Pegasus. The mare was a pea green pegasus with cream coloured hair. Tied up in a bun. She came up to Fluttershy's parents. The young filly didn't know what was going on, but her parents looked shocked. And the mare was sad. She held her head down in shame. Later, Fluttershy heard her parents talking in the living room. She heard them talking about Wind Brizzle. She hid in the cupboard as she heard their conversation.

"The Lords are going too far. They are absolutely disgraceful."

"I know, dear. She was only young."

"How do you think Fluttershy is going to cope?"

"We won't tell her."

"She'll find out somehow."

"Yes but...she can't know that Wind Brizzle is dead. It'll break her heart."

Fluttershy remembered bursting into tears. And galloping out of the cupboard. Her parents shocked. They tried to run after her. But lost sight of her. She spent an hour or so in a hole of a tree, crying. Until her brother had found her. He comforted her, but she couldn't stop crying. He told her it was a Pegasi Lord, called Sir Ice Wing, who had killed Wind. Wind was beaten before being pushed off a cloud. She fell to her doom. Fluttershy never stopped sobbing. Wailing her friend's name in hope she would come back.

Eventually, she stopped. Her tears gone. She had cried them all out. Her aquamarine eyes sore. She went to school the next day to talk to Sugar Coat. To find that she left. She never knew why. Fluttershy had to deal with being alone. Cluttershy. Clutzershy. Stupid-shy. The loner who couldn't fly. That was until she met Rainbow. A pegasus who was the complete polar opposite of her, had become the best friend she knows now. And she never left her.

"She did. But, she doesn't belong in prison." Pinkie took the book and flipped it open to a certain page. The gurls scanned the scrubbles upon the creased paper. Their hope rising. Their smiles growing.

"Pinkie Pie! You've done it!! You have saved Rainbow Dash!!" Twilight squealed in delight. She grabbed the book and galloped towards the door. "Come on, girls. We need to get to Canterlot. And fast." The mares hugged the pink mare, who's spirit was beginning to lift. Her eyes starting to fill with happiness once more. She had done it. She proved she was not a stupid,  hyper pomy who bakes cakes. She was the pony who saved the Leader of The Creed. Her friend. She felt her hair beginning to twist and curl again.

"Come on, Pinkie!" A southern mare called from outside. The party pony snapped out of her daydream and began to trot to the door. Smiling as the thought of seeing her friend again filled her with shining joy.

"Hang on, Dashie. We're coming." She whispered as her coat brightened, from it's near grey state. "You are coming home. And you're going to need a party."

Chapter 39

The five mares cautiously walked through the corridor. The dark, moss covered corridor. With the only light coming from the burning torches upon the wall. Their hooves squelched under the damp floor. Speckles of blood dotted around the floor. Two of the ponies cowered. It was horrible. They heard echoing screams, screams of pain, around the dank prison. The mares were sent down by their elders, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. The book they found was the key to their pegasus friend's freedom. However, they could not contact the prison or Sir Flicker. So, reluctantly, they went down. Scared of what they might find. Fear fed it's sickened vines to wrap around the young ponies' minds. Making them shake and quiver in fear.

They shakily stopped as they heard the galloping of hooves. At first, they thought it was an escapee. Another pony who just wanted freedom. Who wanted to smell the tingling air again. To feel the nip of the cold wind. However, the sound was coming towards them. The girls quickened their pace. Not wanting to bump into the pony. Not wanting to see the tortured soul.

"Prin....Twi...ght!" The pony yelled. The girls panicked and started to run, but Rarity halted. Followed by the others as they watched the unicorn. Staring at her in confusion.

"Rarity?" Applejack hissed. If she shouted, her shouts would echo. Drawing the attention to them.

"Shh. Rainbow taught me a skill. Well, many actually. But she taught me how to improve my hearing. So I can hear the smallest things." The unicorn explained. Her ears twitching like their assassin friend. Suddenly, blue light exploded before the unicorn. The girls thought it was an attack, and yelled their friend's name in shock. But, when the light died down, the seamstress held a beautifully carved bow, engraved with gems. On her back, a set of arrows in their holder. Rarity hovered the bow and placed arrow on it. Stretching it, she aimed at the darkness. She squinted her large deep sapphire eyes, seeing every detail of the corridor.

"Gi..s....Flu....ers...hy!"

The yellow pegasus squeaked as she heard her name being called out. At first, the pegasus recognised the voice. But dismissed it as she quivered in fear.

The sound of hooves got closer and closer, louder and louder. Until, a figure of a unicorn came into view. Followed by another. Rarity released the arrow, letting it slice through the air towards the two ponies. However, a golden glow surrounded it. And within seconds, the elegant arrow burst. Falling to the floor as burning ashes.

"What?!" Rarity blurted out. As she stared at the ashes upon the floor. Smoldering.

"Oh Rarity. We are not your enemies. But, your friends." The flickering torches shone light onto the two other unicorns. One was a brown coated stallion. With bright red eyes and tinted yellow hooves. Beside him, was a turquoise mare in a white cloak. Her golden eyes beaming. Her horn alight.

"D-Discord? Lyra?" Twilight asked. The two ponies turned to the princess. And nodded.

"But what are you doing here? How did you find us?"

"Well, Princess Celestia told us that you had found something. Something to help Rainbow Dash. But that you went here, as you couldn't contact them." Lyra explained. "The Creed has run into chaos. Many of our own are being arrested and taken away. We need our leader back. I went to Celestia to explain to that I'm planning to break her out, but she said you had found something. A book. To help Rainbow Dash out."

"Okay. But why is Discord here? You don't know Rainbow that much." Twilight pointed to the brown stallion. Who snorted in reply.

"Pleasure to know that when I want to help, others don't need me." He scoffed. Wincing as a screeching pony expressed their pain. It was a low screech, belonging to a stallion. They also heard an evil cackling. The ponies felt sorry for the stallion, however remembered he must have done something terrible to deserve such a fate. Anypony who was trapped inside this disgusting prison, had their reasons. Any heinous crimes. Serial killers. Rapists. Murders. Robbers. And unfortunately, their friend-although a trained assassin and is allowed under the name of the princess-was a murder. Killing a Pegasus Lord. Without consent of the princess. The pegasus deserved every little bit of pain here. But they others thought different

"No. It's just that I'm wondering."

"Well, she's a friend. Not a close friend. But a friend. And as she has been loyal to Equestria, I think it's only fair to help her. That and I hate death. Death and anything around that area. Rainbow Dash does not deserve that. Neither does Soarin Skies. Also, despite this one's arguments, Celestia wanted me to help Lyra." The rusty brown stallion stated. Hissing as he said the sun goddess' name. He still hated her. He's always hated her. But, as time went on, the draconequus grew onto her. Friends. Until she lied about everything. Every single word she had said to him, was a sick, twisted lie.

"I just don't know, Discord! I never wanted to be with you!" A white mare yelled, despite her tears. Her rose eyes tinged with the glow of red. Aching as she cried. Rain fell onto her bright pearl coat. Dirtying her pristine coat to murky grey. The falling liwuid gems soaked her flowy, pink mane, that now draped over her face and neck. Sticking to her coat. She stood before a draconequus. Who was slightly higher than herself. Her rose eyes were begging. Begging for forgiveness and answers.

"...but...but you said-"

"I lied. I'm sorry, Discord. I love you like a friend." She croaked. "I've been through a lot recently."

"Y-you....you...." The young spirit of chaos felt as if everything from him, was drained out. He almost felt numb. Only feeling the sting of the cold rain that fell on him. His usually perky, joy filled, mischievous eyes blank. "...why...why lie to me?" His own jet black hair falling over his face. Dripping water onto his already wet face. His distraught face.

The alicorn sighed. Her breathe creating a mist in front of her face, as her warm breath mixed with the cold air. She stared at the small mist before it disappeared into the rain.

"...I don't know...I...I just didn't want to hurt you." She whispered. Her throat aching with pain. Both emotional and physical.

"You didn't want to hurt me?! So you lied to me because you thought that wouldn't hurt me?!" The rage built up inside of the mythical creature. Burning brightly. Brighter than the sun itself.

"I wasn't thinking straight! Okay? I said I'm sorry! So much has been happening."

Discord lept up and pushed the pony to the ground. The young princess squeaked in shock, but glared at the spirit. She couldn't tell him. He'll hate her forever. She always wanted to be by Discord's side, however....something very, very bad happened.

"You stupid pony! What have I ever done to you?!" He screamed into her face. Tears streaming down his face. He couldn't understand. This was completely new to him.

"I'm sorry, Discord. I'm so so sorry. I didn't mean to." Celestia wailed. She didn't want to hurt him. That was the truth. But she was breaking him more than ever. She felt heartless. She couldn't even begin to imagine what the draconequus was feeling. Having his heart ripped out and thrown to the floor with force.

"You didn't mean to?!" That was it. He snapped. Snapping like a twig. His cheery nature wiped away. That fire of rage blown away. Now, there was nothing. Just empty space. And that's all he felt. "That's okay, Tia. Cause you mean nothing to me. Okay. You mean nothing." He said with no emotion what-so-ever.

"Why do you hate Celestia so much?" Fluttershy quietly asked. Noticing the disguised draconequus' hissing. And his sudden zoning out.

"She means nothing to me." He growled. "Now, come on. If you wish to release Miss Dash, standing here isn't going to do anything." He began to trot past the ponies. Earning confused and disbelieving looks. They all stared at him as he lead the group.

"Why do ya care? Ya hardly know Rainbow. Why do ya wan ta help her?"

"...because....because she has something that I had wished for, a long, long time ago. And I do not want to see Celestia destroy it again. Cause scars never heal."

The others looked even more confused. They had an idea what Discord was saying, but that's what he wished for? A crazy, chaotic spirit wanted love. Similar to the one between Rainbow Dash and Soarin. The girls' minds were all jiggled. Especially as he said, "...And I do not want to see Celestia destroy it again. Cause scars never heal."

"Let's go, your highness." Lyra croaked. Gently pushing the still alicorn. The others had already started walking, but Twilight's mind had been elsewhere. The unicorn stared at the princess with her pleading golden eyes. Eventually they started trotting. Down the corridor. Where they all heard the cracking of a whip and cries of a mare get louder.

Chapter 40

The ponies continued trotting down the dark, dank corridor. Shaking at every scream. This was a horrible place. They still couldn't believe such a place existed. While the ponies quivered in fright, two unicorns kept their guard. Along with an amber earth pony. One unicorn, the pristine white one, held her carved bow. Hovering beside her with her aura. She was at the back of the group. In case of an attack, she would protect the back. Beside her was her fellow friend, the apple farmer. She had no weapons on her, as she insisted on hoof to hoof combat. And finally, the cloaked unicorn lead the group. Being the trained assassin, it was her duty to protect the princess. At all costs.

The unicorn at the front was brought to a stop as a large shadow of a pony stood before them. And he was big. Bigger than Applejack's brother, Big Macintosh.  Although a unicorn, the shadowed pony looked like he could snap them all in one flick of his hoof.

"Wha in tha name of Equestria, are ya doon ere?" The unicorn grunted. The others hid behind the assassin at the front-including Discord-as the stallion boomed. His voice echoing down the corridors.

"We are here to see Sir Flicker Flame." Lyra raised her head. To see the pony, but the light didn't touch him. Leaving his features hidden among the darkness. Despite her eagle vision, she still couldn't see the stallion's face. The torches by them and died down. Leaving the ponies in complete darkness. Only the dim light of the torches behind gave any light. The unicorns and alicorn were too scared to think of using a illumination spell, despite it being really easy.

"Well, master is busy." He answered. Still not moving. Making the assassin grow frustrated. She could just kill him now, but, he would take all of her energy.

"Busy with what?" She simply asked.

"Busy doin' his favourite thing. An he said he'll be longer as he has got his favourite pony." He replied. The others had a small idea who Flicker's favourite pony would be. And began to panic inside. That monster could be doing anything to her right now.

"Excuse me,"

"Buster. I'm Buster, Sir Flicker's assistant. Ah help him with the prisoners." He raised a hoof to his chest, and even in the dark, it looked like he was grinning. Grinning that he helped such a pony as Flicker. And he seemed pretty proud of it.

"Okay, Buster. It is very important that we talk to Flicker. It's a matter of life and death. So please, take us to him." Lyra demanded. The option of killing him still rolling around her head.

The bulky unicorn thought for a while. He moved closer towards the ponies, the light now revealing his features. The others noticed his kind smile and his gentle eyes. They no longer shivered. They stood up straight, now they knew who they were talking to.

"Okay. I'll let ya. Come this way, your highness." He bowed before the alicorn before turning and leading the group further down the corridor.

~~~~~~

The girls and Discord were led up to a large, wooden door. Inside they heard the cracking of a whip. Followed by a gasp of pain. The girls knew who that pony was. They had come to save her, and bring her out of this horrible place.

"I said, who is your master?" A stallion inside yelled.

Silence. No one said anything.

"Stupid mare." The stallion yelled as another crack rang through the ponies' ears. This time the mare inside moaned in pain. Feeling her flesh get pierced by the metal tip of the whip.

"Answer me! Who is your master!?" He demanded.

"...y-y-you...." Everypony heard the weak and cracked voice of their once confident friend. Feeling sorry and guilty. While they slept peacefully, ate their meals, and played in Celestia's sunlight, their friend who protected them and granted them their freedom, was here.

The whip cracked again. This time, the mare was louder in her gasps of pain. They heard crying from inside, and could only imagine the pain she was in.

"Say it again! I couldn't hear you!" The stallion shouted whipping the mare multiple times. Everyone winced at every crack. They felt sick. At how somepony could do this. How somepony could torture another for fun. To actually enjoy seeing others in pain. It made them feel sick.

"Ah...y-y-you are my m-master...." The mare croaked. Choking on her own blood. They heard her cough and splutter, and the droplets of blood splattering to the floor.

"Good. Now, what do you do when master is torturing you?"

"T-t-thank him." The mare croaked. Coughing again.

"Good. Seems like you're finally learning. Stupid mare really. You should have broken ages ago."

The unicorn stallion by the door shook his head, and glanced at the ponies behind him. All bearing sickly looks. He banged his hooves against the wood. Making the unicorn inside yelp.

"Yes. What is it?" He asked through the door. He already knew who it was, but he just wanted to make sure. Only one pony would interrupt him doing torture times.

"Ya have visitors, sir." Buster stated. He heard his master groan in reply.

"Tell them to go away." He huffed.

"It's important, sir. Tha princess is ere."

"Which one?" He sighed.

"Tha pretty purple one. The one with tha cute fringe." As Buster answered, Twilight's cheeks burned like a stove. Nopony had ever called her pretty. Except her mother, but never by a stallion.

The door clanked as it was unlocked. As it opened, a red head popped out from behind the door. Smiling to the princess, who was drawn out of her daze and glared at the unicorn. She remembered her friend's cries of pain a few minutes ago, and felt anger towards the unicorn. Cold, hard, bitter hate.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle. Very nice to see you. But, I'm slightly busy right now." He chuckled lightly. Even with the evil glares digging right into him. His smile faltered.

"So am I. We need to see you. It's about Mistress Rainbow Miriam Dashery." The princess said sternly.

The red unicorn stood in silence. Then smirked as he turned his head inside the room.

"Your friends are here."

He creaked the door open. As he did the other gasped. Their loveable assassin friend was chained to the floor. Her ragged wings spread out. Her blood pouring from her wounds. Blood dripped from every part of her. The scarlet liquid dribbled down the rusted chains. The chained mare looked incredibly weak. Her eyes were half closed. Her sore, pain filled eyes.

"Smile, will ya. Your friends have come to visit you. It maybe the last time you'll ever see them." The others trotted in the large room, their eyes glued to the unicorn stallion and the chained mare.

"Maled-d-dictionem...s-super peccatores per...det animam, spuria, diabolica." She hissed. Spluttering on her blood. As soon as she spoke, a red hoof was marked across her cheek. Causing her to yelp.

"You are not to speak, unless spoken to. Understand?"

Rainbow weakly looked up at the stallion, not speaking at all. She refused to talk. And this only angered Flicker. He raised his hoof and slapped the mare again.

"I said, do you understand?" He growled. But the mare still refused to speak. Everypony watched as the unicorn walked up to the pegasus mare's tied up wings, as his horn lit up.

"Oh dear. Thinking you can disobey me, just because your stupid friends are here." The mare's wing was suddenly lit up with the same aura, as the unicorn grinned. "I can play that game too." His aura pulled on the stained red wing, yanking a few feathers out. Rainbow winced but this was only little to what he was doing earlier.

"Come on, Dashie. Your friends want to hear you scream." He teased. This time, he grabbed a small meat knife. It was a knife exported from the Gryphon Islands. As they have a more varied diet than ponies. Especially meat. Anypony who saw this knife could tell it came from the Gryphon Islands, due to the carvings of griffins on the wooden handle.

The knife hovered over, just above the cyan mare's stretched wing. The others were unsure whether the stallion was actually considering hacking the wings off the assassin. However, the determination in his sickened eyes and his evil grin only secured their worries. Before anypony could object, the knife was shot down. Lodging itself into the joint of feathered wing. Blood dripped and spurted from the wound, where the knife was. The pegasus cried out in pure agony. She felt the heavy metal pierce through her skin. There wasn't much connecting the wing to the pony's body. Only bone, veins and tendons. But, she could feel the blade slash through and chip the bone. Hot tears built up in her sore rose eyes. She squeezed them shut as the pain blasted through her.

She cried out again as the knife was lifted out. Feeling the metal drag itself out. The knife was stained with fresh, dripping red blood. The unicorn laughed as he was about to plunge the knife back into the wing, until a light violet aura stopped the knife. Everyone gasped as they were still shocked from earlier. The unicorn holding the knife looked up to an angered alicorn. Her pink eyes burning with pure burning fury.

"Leave. Her. Alone." She growled through her gritted teeth. Her horn glared brightly as she flung the knife into the wall, shattering. The stallion staggered back as Twilight's rage grew. She was so sickened by him. She wanted to kill him. She wanted him dead.

"She doesn't deserve this."

"Of course she does. She's a dirty, filthy, murdering whore. She deserves every second of this." Flicker grunted. Grabbing various weapons, and pointed them towards the alicorn.

Suddenly, a pony in a white cape struck the stallion. Pushing him to the ground. His head bashed against the dirt coated floor with a sickening thud. The pony glared and held him down as he struggled.

"BUSTER!! ARREST HER!! ARREST ALL OF THEM!!" He screamed.

"No. Stay. We are here to release Rainbow Dash from her imprisonment."

"She stays! She is a killer!! You have no authority to release her!!"

"Yes. Yes we do. And it's right here." Discord hissed as he transformed back to his usual self. He felt intimated by the others,  so decided to become his god like self again. He held a small book, that bore the symbol of the Creed. Hovering it above his claw.

"The proof is right here."

Chapter 41

"What do you mean, you have proof? She's supposed to be here, serving her punishment for murdering Sir Ice Wing." The deep red unicorn growled. Pushing the assassin off himself. She glared at the stallion. Her golden eyes beaming with anger. But Flicker simply pushed her away. Making her stumble backwards slightly.

"You should be the one being punished." Lyra spat.

"Brilliant. Another assassin. I could grow quite a collection."

"I'll bloody kill you, you sick bugger. I'll slowly slit your throat. Not too deep, but deep enough to let you bleed to death." The mare lifted her hoof, and as she did, a small but deadly blade slotted out of her bracer. She threatened the unicorn, who growled in reply.

"L-Lyra Heartstrings....I order....I order you to st-stop." Rainbow croaked. Fresh blood dripping from her mouth. The small drops making a splatting to the floor.

The unicorn assassin stopped immediately. And stared at the stallion and the chained mare. "But ma'am-"

"I..I may be in t-this current p-position...but I'm...st-still your leader...A-nd I-I order you to st-stop." She coughed. More of her blood splattered onto the dirty floor. The others winced as they watched their friend bleed.

After a short pause, Lyra nodded and answered.

"Yes ma'am."

She walked away from the stallion, placing her blade back. Flicker smirked, as he trotted to the injured assassin. A group of eyes watching his every move, his every step.

"I guess that everything is starting to pay off. Becoming my good, obedient pet."

"S-shut...it. I-I only....or-ordered her o-off so s-she wouldn't be arrest-ted. An-d then le-ed h-here." Rainbow Dash spluttered. More of her blood staining the floor. She started to feel dizzy, the world becoming blurry. She swayed to side slightly as she began to lose consciousness. The others immediately noticed this. If Rainbow fell unconscious, she would fall to the ground. And as her wings are open, tied to the wall by a leather cord and chains, if she fell, the wing Flicker began to hack at would rip off. Probably causing the pegasus to either go into shock, or die of extreme pain. Twilight panicked at this idea. The pain of injuring a wing is enough already, if it was to be ripped off the body, it would definitely be fatal.

To make sure her friend wouldn't fall, she used her magic to support her friend. She smiled lighty as the pegasus mouthed a simple 'thank you'.

"Whatever. Now, what is this proof? Show it to me now!" He barked. Swinging a hoof towards the floating draconequus. Who yawned as he teleported to the other side of the room.

"Really? Does thou really attempt to fight with moi? The God of Chaos? Now, that's some real guts." He laughed. Watching the unicorn stallion burn up with rage. He clicked his claws, making a book appear and a set of glasses. Slowly, he opened the book.

"Now, let's see. Blah blah blah blah....assassin stuff....more assassin stuff...oh, that's a nice sword. I wouldn't mind having that. Blah blah...ah-ha! Here it is!" He cheered. "Although assassins only kill when a superior orders them to, they can go rogue. The assassin can leave the Creed and use their own rules. However, are more vulnerable. It might not be classified as going rogue, an assassin can kill without a proper order. As long as they have a valid reason, and that the victim was a criminal. By either assaulting citizens or extreme murder." His bright red eyes stopped scanning the words in the crumpled, dust tinted book. "So, Rainbow Dash is legally free. She had her reason, which was that Ice Wing was murdering other, and innocent pegasi."

Flicker stood there. Gobsmacked and angry. His mouth slightly open, but his eyes burning with hot anger.

"Sir. Do ya wan' me ta unchain tha prisoner?" Buster asked quietly. Despite his size, Buster feared his master. He wasn't really a violent stallion. He always preferred the sweeter side of life. Summer breezes, stargazing, picnics, and walks in the park. Unfortunately, he was hired by four brothers. And worked for Flicker. Seeing as Flicker was the weakest brother. His other brothers laughed at him for this. Having an assistant because he couldn't lift a chain. Flicker despised this. He didn't mind Buster helping, but he just felt weak. That's why he wanted Rainbow Dash. To make her, his pet. To prove to his brothers he was stronger. And to make it better, she was an assassin. None of his brothers had encountered an assassin, as they were never arrested. And, she was a master assassin. The highest killer of Equestria. The only pony who nearly had more authority than Princess Celestia herself. And this mad Flicker beam with pride.

The bulky pony walked up to the bloody assassin. About to open the chains.

"No."

"Pardon, sir?"

"No. You will not unchain the prisoner." He said quietly. Not looking at the stallion. Who stood up straight with a confused look.

"But sir, ah thought-"

"You thought nothing!! The prisoner stays!!! You stupid, arrogant pony!!! I never wanted you!! I never wanted a helper!! An assistant!! I wanted to work alone!!! Like my brothers!! And be a strong pony!! Not some twig!! And she!!" Flicker screamed. Pointed at Rainbow Dash. "She is my ticket!! She is my proof to my brothers that I can be something!! An assassin has never been down here!! So my brothers don't have one!! But I do!! Even better!! A master assassin!! I have a freakin god right here!!"

"Sir, calm doon. There is no need for this." He hushed through his gruff voice. Attempting to calm his master.

"Shut up!! Shut up shut up shut up!!! I just want to prove to my brothers!! I just....I just want them to stop laughing..." He looked down to the floor. His eyes drained of his rage. Now, he felt nothing. Just a painful empty feeling. "I never wanted this...I wanted to go to university, and become a scientist...but my brothers saw that as pathetic...stupid....weak...to try and prove to them, I became the fourth master of this hellhole. At first, I hated it. Everypony wailed. And cried. It was always dark, and you could hardly breathe...my eldest brother tried to make torture somepony...at first, I kept crying. I couldn't stop crying. Every time I would hit them, I would beg for their forgiveness....but now, this place has turned my heart as black as coal. As sickening as blood gurgling in someone's mouth. As cold as ice." He croaked. Slumping to the floor. The others didn't know what to feel. Confused, angry or sorry. All this time, he was an innocent pony, only wanting to prove himself to his family.

"I'm sorry...I cannot feel guilty for you." Twilight said in monotone. Making everypony snap their heads up towards her. The stallion upon the floor looked up to the princess, tears filling his eyes, as she walked over to him.

"You're right, your heart is as black as coal. Cold as ice. And that's not because of this place. It's because you believed that hurting ponies would prove to your brothers that you could be something. You believed having...a 'pet' would make you special. If you continued your dream of becoming a scientist, you would have been something. An intelligent, sophisticated stallion who helped other ponies." She bent down to the stallion, and gently smiled to him. "But most of all, a happy stallion."

Flicker's bright eyes opened wide. His tears streaming down his cheeks. His mouth wide open. His mind exploded with flashes of the past. Helping his mother. Playing with his father. Being laughed at by his brothers. And...dancing with his special somepony. He shook his head furiously and stood up. Then, he hugged the alicorn tight. Squeezing her tight.

"Thank you. Thank you so much, your highness." He stepped back from the hug. Smiling through his tears, at the alicorn. Twilight nodded.

"Buster. I'm sorry. I'll unchain her."

He trotted over to the shaking mare. Her rosey eyes half open as she struggled to stay awake. As his aura unlock each chain, he apologised.

"I'm so very sorry. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. I broke your special somepony's heart. I dragged you away from him, in his time of need. And, I caused you pain for every second you have spent here. I wasn't in my right mind to-"

"I-I-I...f-forgive you." She croaked. Giving a small, yet weak smile to the unicorn stallion.

"What?! Why?" Flicker shouted flabbergasted.

"....W-we...a-all make...m-mist-takes..y-you only d-did w-what yo-you thought was right...I h-have done...the...the...ah-hhh...the same..." Rainbow Dash hissed through her teeth. The pain was taking over her, more and more. Like ice covering a weak, defenceless flower. Just as Flicker undid the straps around her wings, she collapsed to the floor. The others quickly gathered around her. Her eyes were gently closed, and blood dripped from both her nose and mouth. Her cyan chest barely moved.

"Quickly! We've got to get her out!" Pinkie squealed. Her eyes shrinking as she noticed her friend's chest stopping.

"Discord, as you have the stronger magic, can you teleport us Canterlot Hospital?"

"Of course, my dear Twilight. Rainbow Dash, although stubborn as hell, she is too my friend."

"Wait, why Canterlot? Ponyville is closer?" Rarity asked.

"As soon as Rainbow would wake up, she would be in more pain than ever. She'll be even more heartbroken if she saw that Soarin wasn't improving." Twilight replied.

"Twilight! Stop talkin! We've got ta git outta ere!! Now!!" Applejack yelled.

"Yes. Sorry. Thank you, Flicker."

"Goodbye!!" He waved as the draconequus clicked his paw. Making the girls and himself, disappear in bright golden light.  Flicker's smile faltered as he trotted out. Hovering a bloodied cyan feather. Buster reluctantly followed. The small unicorn turned away, holding the elegant feather in his magical grasp.

"I am the criminal. And this is my punishment." He whispered, trotting into the darkness. His quiet cries echoing around.

Chapter 42

"Oh dear. Her heart rate is going up again." Twilight muttered. Staring at the tinted green screen. Watching the line rapidly go up and down, beeping at every peak. She sighed. This was at least the third time today. The unconscious mare couldn't seem to sleep peacefully.

Carefully, she stroked the young mare's mane. Hoping this would soothe her. Unfortunately, the rapid beeping continued. An orange mare stood up. Panic painted all over her face.

"Shall we git tha doctor?" She asked, frustrated. They had been in the hospital for ages, and their friend still hadn't woken up. It worried her sick about the pegasus.

"No, Applejack." A midnight blue alicorn trotted in. Her nightly sky mane flowing around her. She stood by the door. Standing up straight. Princess Luna was the first one to know of their return from that dark prison. She saw the draconequus appear in the hallway of Canterlot Castle. As the golden light shone brightly. The princess was happy that they were back, but upon seeing their panicked and scared faces, she knew something was up. After Twilight quickly jibbered what had happened to them, and showing the bleeding, near to death pegasus upon Applejack's back, the Princess of the Moon teleported them as quickly as she could to the hospital downstairs. Informing the doctors and her sister as well.

"She's simply experiencing a night terror. The young one cannot gain peace." She trotted over and sat beside the violet alicorn. Bringing her into a friendly hug. "It is not the first one. If...if you want me to, I can enter her dream. I can guide her, away from whatever is bothering her. Maybe, it might wake her up."

The six mares stood up, around the white bed. Staring with sorry, teary eyes at the cyan mare in the bed. The crystal white covers, delicately placed upon her small, petit body. Usually, the mare was well toned. Muscular, yet slender. Without out any fat. She had the perfect athletic body for the perfect working pegasus. But now, she was ridiculously thin. Her ribs showing. And she looked incredibly pale. When they girls and Discord had arrived at the hospital, the pegasus was on her last thread of life. Too weak to support herself any further.

They stared at her cyan chest. Slowly, but still moving, going gently up and down. Every so often, her wings would twitch. The doctors said she was very lucky her wing is still usable. After the tendons had snapped and the bone had been chipped, it was a miracle her wing was actually attached.

"Okay, Luna. But can I help?" Twilight asked. Her voice quiet.

"I'm not sure." The alicorn replied.

"Please. If you can't perform the spell, I can help. After it is my tal-"

"Nay, Twilight. Nay. It is when you enter somepony's dream. You do not know what to expect. Either something happy, like a memory. With family or friends. Playing among the sunlight. Dancing in the evening as the sun set. But then you have nightmares. Ghosts and monsters. Zom-ponies....and horrible distant memories. Twilight. You must understand. I have entered Rainbow Dash's dreams before. And they were not pretty."

"What did you see?"

"She dreams of many things. Like on where Equestria was in ashes. Burning to the ground. Blood stained streets and scattered corpses. Screams of pain echoing everywhere. The scent of burning flesh. I saw Rainbow Dash running, flying trying to stop the flames. As I walked further, I found her again. She sitting in the middle of Ponyville. Crying. In her arms was a small orange pegasus filly. With a ruffled fuschia mane. Blood coated the filly. It hurt so much to hear her cries, as Rainbow wailed, "I'm sorry.", over and over. And there are times where she fears she has disappointed her parents. And then...there is one memory. One memory she absolutely hates. The one memory which stole her innocence. The memory with...with..." The princess stuttered. Grimacing at the time she watched the assassin's dream. The dream walker remembered watching in full detail of the event happening.

"We know. The night her parents died." Rarity hushed.

"Yes. Thank you." Luna cleared her throat. "Twilight. You are to warned. With an assassin, comes the great price. Of life and death. Dreams and nightmares. She has killed many. And so much affects her. Torturing her mind. Plaguing her like a sickly disease." Luna explained. Twilight nodded in reply.

"I understand fully. I'm still helping you. I could help Rainbow." Twilight sighed again. Glancing at the sleeping mare.

"Very well then. Let's go." The nightly princess's horn glowed a beautiful musky blue. Both her own and Twilight's eyes shone pure white, as they entered the mind of the assassin. Preparing themselves for the worse.

~~~~~~

Everywhere was dark. Wherever you looked, it was pure black. You couldn't tell what was what. Even if your eyes got used to the field of black, it would still be too dark to see. No figures or shadows. Just a black canvas.

"Princess? Princess Luna?" The young pony whispered. Not wanting to shout, and startle the sleeping pony.

"Amazing, Twilight. I'm your friend, nearly your aunt, yet you still call me Princess. But, it does feel good when somepony informs me as royalty. I like that." The other voice replied. A hint of laughter and amazement added to her voice.

"Please, Luna. Where are you? It's dark, and I'm scared. Where are you?" The pony begged. Waving her fore-legs erratically in the darkness. She didn't like this. She was in her friends mind. Stuck in the dark. She suddenly felt warm as something soft was pressed against her.

A soft blue light lit up the area. Twilight twizzled her around the place. Noticing the midnight blue legs around her body. Embracing the violet pony into a warming hug.

"P-Princess Luna?" Twilight squeaked. Surprised by the moon princess's actions.

"There is nothing to fear, Twilight. All is fine. There is nothing to be scared of." Luna hushed. Smiling with her eyes closed, hugging the younger alicorn tighter.

"What?"

"Your mind overreacts when you are in the dark. Your imagination goes lose. It's only a shade." Princess Luna released the purple mare. Standing up, and letting her horn glow brighter. Making the blue tinted light grow larger. The smaller alicorn stood up, finally finding her hooves. She looked around the emptiness, looking for something. Any sign of her friend's consciousness. Yet, she saw nothing. Just complete darkness. It made her shiver with worry. What if her friend was dead. She was no longer living among her fellow friends. Twilight felt a horrible feeling at the bottom of her gut. Like a sick brick of absolute worry.

"Don't let your mind worry, my dear. Let it rest and lay swee-" The alicorn stopped in mid-sentence. The two ponies heard a scared crying. Wailing among the darkness. The two alicorns looked at each in concern, before trotting towards the sound.

As they walked closer, the crying got louder and louder. Twilight's violet orbs opened wide at the sight of bloody hoof-steps on the black floor. The bright, scarlet liquid showing clearly on the floor. They followed the hoof-steps, and as they did, they recognised the crying.

The crying of the poor, distraught friend. Rainbow Dash.

Suddenly, the two princesses spotted some hovering screens. Like ones at the cinema. And to Twilight, this reminds her of how she became an alicorn. When Celestia showed her many memories upon hovering screens. The first one held a happy family. Running and flying around a field. With a chequered blue blanket upon the floor. Holding empty plates and half full glasses of lemonade. The two mares smiled as they instantly recognised a cyan blue pegasus filly. Fluttering through the flowers. Her crazy rainbow mane bouncing everywhere. Behind her was another cyan pegasus. With a red, yellow and blue spiky mane. He was laughing along with the little filly. Chasing her. And behind him was another pegasus. A dark, musky blue stallion with a lightning green, blue and purple mane. He bounced after the two younger ponies. Laughing along with them as he flew after them. And sitting upon a small cloud, beside the blanket, was a pure white mare. With a beautiful puffy sunset layered mane. Her dark blue eyes followed her husband and her little ponies. She sweetly smiled at them. Giggling at them.

Twilight and Luna began to walk away. Looking the other screens. There was one with a filly Rainbow Dash and a tall yellow filly, with a long rosy pink mane. Another screen had one with a Sonic Rainboom. The bright colours exploding across the light blue sky. As they trotted down, following the hoof-steps of blood, more screens appeared. Ones with recent events, and a few unseen memories.

"These must be memories. But I've never seen them like this before. Usually, ponies dream of one particular memory. And re-enacting it. Not like this." The taller alicorn whispered to the purple pony.

"I've seen something like this. When Princess Celestia turned me into an alicorn. All my memories were on screens. Everywhere." Twilight gazed upon another screen. One with Rainbow in a white cloak. Like the ones Lyra and Cloudkicker wear. The violet alicorn watched as the teenaged Rainbow Dash span around. Throwing small blades at several different targets. And hitting them in the bullseye. They trotted further on. Not noticing the increase of blood on the floor. They watched other screens. Like ones of Hearth's Warming, Hearts and Hooves days and birthdays. Ones with their pegasus friend in the dark, killing another pony. The next screen was larger than the others, but held a dark aura around it. The mares stared at it. Unable to look away. This one held Rainbow's deepest, darkest memory. The night her parents died.They stared as a unicorn stallion violated their friend. And murder her parents.

Eventually, they walked away. Shaking their heads. Wanting to get rid of the horrible sight they had witnessed. Then, as they walked further on, they heard laughing. From a few of the screens. Ones holding laughing mares. Twilight smiled at the happy memories. The Gala, the day Rainbow performed a Sonic Rainboom, parties and just plain, good days.

Suddenly, all the screens fell. Smashing as they hit the ground. The laughing stopped. Only crying could be heard. That, and talking.

"Rainbow? Are you okay?"

"Soarin....I never thanked you for saving my life. When Spitfire tried to drown me."

"It doesn't matter. The fact that you're still alive is enough."

"But...Soarin....You've been there for me. Even when I was in the Academy. You helped me no matter what. You came looking for in the woods. You helped me face my fears of my past. And all I've done...is push you away."

"Rainbow?"

"Soarin. I-I...I think....I."

"I know what you are thinking Rainbow. You don't have to say anything. Just show it."

"I love you, Soarin." They heard Rainbow whisper. They stared at the last screen. Hovering with a bright light around it. They watched in awe as the two pegasi shared their love. They watched as Soarin pushed himself forwards. The two ponies' lips meeting. The two pegasus ponies embracing their love for one another. Pressing themselves closer to each other, despite the chains. Their love that they had bottled up for so long, now burst into full blown passion.

Twilight smiled. Knowing that her dear friend had found somepony to make her happy. However, the screen burst into tiny sparks. Scattering across the place like embers of a recent fire.

Now, where the screen once was, a slouched mare sat among the darkness. Her wings splayed out beside her.

"Rainbow....is that you?" Twilight asked. She knew that it must be Rainbow Dash, but she had to be sure.

"Of course it's me, Princess. You're in my head. My dream." The mare croaked.

"Wait. How did you know?"

"The screens only smash if someone views them. It's happened so many times. That's why I'm hiding. I can't look at them. Every time they smash, it only sends pain. I can feel it all over." Rainbow explained through her scratchy voice. It was clear that she had been crying.

"Rainbow. What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Twilight begged as she trotted over. Rainbow sighed.

"Can't you see. Soarin. The pony I pushed away when I so dearly needed him. The pony who has changed my life. The pony I need to be with is dying." The pegasus looked down at the ground. Her tears falling to the floor. Splashing to the ground. "I can feel it, Twi. I can feel him. I can feel him slowly getting weaker. I can feel the pain in his heart. But I can't mend it. I'm not there to help him. He's going to die alone. He's going to die without me."

"Rainbow...." The violet alicorn hushed. Hugging her friend. Her broken, crying friend.

"I don't want him to die. I can't loose another pony I love. I want him to stay....I-I...I want to die with him."

"What?! No! No Rainbow! Not this again! You are not dying!"

"Twilight. You do crazy things for love. Even if that means...ending my life." Rainbow paused. Not seeing the horrified faces of the princesses. "It's not the first time I've considered suicide. When I was younger. I guess I didn't have the courage to do so."

Twilight rose to her hooves and raised her hoof. Slapping it across the cyan mare's face. Both Luna and Rainbow looked surprised by her actions.

"Rainbow. You do have courage. You're the bravest pony I know. To go through everything that has happened in your life, and still stand strong. But now, you're a blubbering wreck. The Rainbow Dash I know would fly up into the air, do a loop 'd' loop as well, and shout 'this is nothing!' Or 'this is the best you've got?' Cause the Rainbow I know is a loyal, brave, confident, determined pony. Who never gives up."

"...b-but...Soarin...." Rainbow whispered.

"And now, the friend we all love, our loving vibrant pegasus, has found somepony. Somepony to make her happy. To make her feel special. To make her feel loved. You have found love, Rainbow. Love. Something so precious and delicate, but stronger than the toughest metal. Rainbow, love does make you do crazy things. But committing suicide is not one of the. Rodeo and Hoofliet, two mad for each other ponies, killed themselves. Just to be with each other peacefully. But you will not do that. You and Soarin will make out of this. And you two will live peacefully. He will survive, Rainbow. He will."

Rainbow stared at the alicorn with tear filled eyes. Making her rosey gems sparkle like stars. Tge pegasus smiled and hugged her friend.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." She whispered. Crying onto her friend's shoulder.

"I'm only doing what friends do to help. And I will help at any cost." Twilight reassured. "I will make this better. You will live peacefully with your lover, Rainbow. I will make sure of it. Just give me some time."

Chapter 43

The small white corridors stunk of bleach. And various other cleaning products. Smelling like an indoor swimming pool. Blue doors were dotted around, with small numbers placed just under the tiny windows. The echoing of hooves was the only sound in this building. Along with the faint beeping of other  machines in other rooms.

It had been at least two weeks since the master assassin, Rainbow Dash, had left Iuana Tartar. Leaving that devastating, disgraceful, horrible place behind to rot. The pegasus cheated death as she recovered in the Canterlot Hospital.

After the first week, Rainbow had woken up. Weak, but awake at least. She didn't seem herself at first. Applejack and Twilight were first to notice. Whenever somepony went close to her, or raised their hoof, she would wince. As if preparing for pain. The girls knew that this was due to the torture she had to endure at that prison. The others hated to see her like this. In her broken state. She hardly spoke. In fear that she would be punished. Twilight tried to reassure the pegasus, that she was free once more. To be with her loved ones. But Rainbow replied that she was not free. She was as much as physically free, but not mentally.

To make things more difficult, their dear assassin friend was claustrophobic. For a pegasus like her, that was quite normal. But now, she refused to stay in any building for longer than an hour. So, Applejack and Fluttershy had to take her out, into the gardens, to give her relief. Princess Celestia granted the pegasus and her friends access to the Canterlot Gardens. She gladly did. The pegasus deserves so much from the princess. As she risks her life to protect Celestia's subjects. The sun goddess was deeply upset about the sudden change in Rainbow Dash. She knew how to help, but didn't know how to do it. And this made her feel useless.

The prison had taken it's toll on the mare. She seemed more distant. Every time she did go outside, into the Canterlot Gardens, she just sat there. Staring at the sky. Letting the air cool her wings. The doctors had said it would take at least several months for her wing to heal properly. The girls were worried. Not knowing the mental pain she must be going through. By the second week, she was finally trotting around. Stumbling every so often, but still walking. She still hardly talked, and it always looked like there was something on her mind. Something big.

Twilight knew what this thing was. She knew what was bothering her friend. Or shall I say, who.

~~~

The purple alicorn sighed as she stopped at one particular door. Door thirty five. The door to a certain, famous pony's room. A certain dying pony. Twilight felt guilty. It was her fault, really. That the Wonderbolt was behind this door, bed stricken, because of her big mouth. If she didn't laugh and boast at the Lords, Soarin wouldn't have got stabbed. If she just quietly grinned, and celebrated later, both Soarin and Rainbow wouldn't be going through as much heartbreak.

"I'm going to make it better. For Rainbow." She whispered as she creaked the door open. Holding her breath as she did so. For her plan could either go brilliantly, and reunite the two pegasi, or smash every bit of hope. Sucking it dry.

~~~~~~

The wind howled viciously. Screaming like a pained soul. Ice cold droplets splashed to ground. Thundering down like bricks. Broken branches and leaves whipped around, ripped from the trees, which were being battered by the tremendous weather. The dark clouds ruled the sickening sky. Blocking the light of the full moon.

Upon the sticky, wet mud, was a purple alicorn. Her violet wings tightly folded by her sides. The cold rain stinging her skin, as the wind whipped her hair around her face. She winced as the violent wind and rain ravished her body. Her eyes were brimmed with her own salty tears. That streamed down her face. But what hurt her the most, was not the sharp wind. Or the slicing rain. It was the throbbing pain in her chest.

Before her purple orbs, was a cyan mare. Her own wings bandaged up. Her scruffy multi-coloured thrashed around her face. Her own  rose gem eyes overflowing with her aching tears. She stared at the alicorn before her. Her face painted with pure grief.

"H-How...how could you?" She croaked. Her voice making the princess shudder.

"I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Rainbow. I was...I was only trying to help." Twilight coughed. Choking on her tears. She had destroyed her friend. She had smashed the final flicker of hope her friend had. She had killed her lover. The very pony who made the pegasus' complete. Who made her life worth living for. And now he was gone. Because of her.

"I didn't mean to...I just..."

"He's dead....he's dead....snatched out of my life....again...why does this keep happening?" The pegasus wailed. It broken Twilight's heart to see her like this. To see her shattered friend.

"I know. I know you loved him. And I am so sorry, Dash." The alicorn tried to apologise. But the pegasus just shook her head. "Please. Just come back to the library. With me and the girls. Please, Rainbow. We all love you. We hate to see you like this. Please. We love you so much...it hurts us to see you upset and broken." She begged.

"That's the thing. We're like a family. We all love each other so much. So much...it could kill us." Rainbow Dash muttered.

"..yes. Yes! We are like a family! And family take care of each other. So come back inside, so we can take care of you." The princess beckoned the pegasus over. In hope she'll come over.

"Twilight...I'm not an idiot. I may have dropped out of school, but that's only because I had other things to do. I still think, Twilight. And right now...I think it's time...time for me to go."

The young alicorn gasped quietly. Covering her mouth with her violet hoof. She feared the worst. Her friend had given up. Given up all hope and faith. It made the princess feel so useless. To know that her friend, was disappearing before her.

"I'm sorry, your highness. I'm sorry that I couldn't be a better protector. I got too caught up in my emotions, I forgot my objective. To serve and protect. And that is what I shall do, Princess." Rainbow Dash bowed. "From the day Celestia hired me, I was just a simple, filthy assassin. But then you girls took me into your hearts. And became my friends. My family. I swore to protect you and the girls. Which I did, but now...my vow is broken. For I swore to protect all the innocents in this land. And I have failed. I failed to protect the pony I loved." The cyan mare began choking on her own tears. "Now, I must leave. This is all too much. It hurts so much."

"No, Rainbow-"

"I am nothing more, and nothing less. Just a waste of space. Taking the cowards way out.

Goodbye, Princess Twilight Sparkle. It was pleasure doing service with you. And a pleasure to be your friend."

"Rainbow! Wait!!" Twilight lept forward towards the mare, but in a flash of lightning, her dear friend was upon the floor. A pool of her own blood dripping from her chest. Her now red stained chest bore a dagger. The dagger that the assassin had cherished for many years. Her parents dagger. And now, it was used to take her own life.

Twilight cried into the side of the pegasus. Screaming and wailing among the wind. Yet, her cries were unheard under the sound of the wind. Her hoof ran through the soaked rainbow coloured mane, stroking it as she cried.

"I didn't mean to!! I didn't mean any of this!! I'm sorry!!! It's all my fault!!!"

Chapter 44

"Ummm....Twilight?...Are you okay?" The cyan mare waved a hoof in front of the violet alicorn. Concern painted over her face.

The purple princess stood in complete shock. The event in her mind unravelling, like a ball of string, it made her panic. Why was she having these thoughts? Plaguing her. She felt a storm build up inside of her, that refused to escape. Nervously, she gulped and snapped back into reality.

"I-I....errr....I'm fine." She sheepishly grinned. Despite the looks of disbelieving concern of her fellow friends.

"Ah don' believe ya." The orange mare looked over to the alicorn. Who made her shiver. Applejack was never the pony to mess with. And now she was an assassin, it made her more dangerous. But still a caring friend.

"I for one, agree with Applejack, dear. You look quite shaken up, Twilight. Are you quite sure that you are okay?" The white unicorn asked. Trotting up to the princess. Worry hanging on to her beautiful face. As elegant as the unicorn could be, she too was now an assassin. An assassin of the Creed. Making her a graceful beauty, but a graceful killer. She placed a hoof over her purple friend's shoulder, and gave a reassuring smile.

"I'm fine. I just...I just...had a weird vision." Twilight tried to explain.

"OooOoo! A vision!! Visions are good! Well, not all the time. Some are bad. Really really really really really bad. Like ones with dark shadows and evil things. But some are good. Like ones with cake and pink things. My visions are really good. Ones with sweets and cupcakes and cotton candy oh oh!! And frosting!! Lot's and lot's of creamy frosting!!"

"Ya done now, sugarcube?" Applejack questioned. Poking the pink pony with her hoof. Half a smile on her face as she did so.

"Lemon frosting...chocolate frosting...vanilla frosting...hmmmm..." Pinkie Pie licked her lips. Her saliva dripping onto the floor. Spilling out of her mouth as she dreamed of sugary treats. The others looked at her with sweet smiles. It was like the good old  days. The ones where everypony was carefree. And cheerful. The days when the girls would go on adventures and play around. Having picnics and parties. It made the girls feel happy again. Even through the recent events.

"Yes...well, let's leave Pinkie Pie be Pinkie Pie." The butterscotch yellow pegasus whispered. Giggling as she stared at the party pony.

Princess Twilight nodded and cleared her throat yet again.

"Tonight...there will be a party. A party to celebrate the defeat of the Pegasi Lords, the freedom of the pegasus race and the recent revival of the Assassin Creed." She explained.

"A party? Tonight? Really?"

"Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have asked Pinkie Pie and Discord to organise a celebration. For tonight."

"Well then. A party."

"Oh! Does that mean I need to make outfits?" Rarity squeaked. Slightly nervous. But really, she knew she could make a whole fashion line in less than a couple of hours, but it could tire her out for the day.

"You don't have to...I mean....." Twilight mumbled on. Worried that she could stress out the young unicorn. By asking for six dresses on the spot.

"Nonsense. Of course I will! Dress-making runs through my veins. And Celestia help me, for if I refuse an order, that is the end of my business. No matter how big or small." Rarity cheered with confidence. Whipping her large curls back and flashing a grin. She trotted off down the corridor. Waving to the girls.

"Ta ta, girls. I will see you before tonight."

The others waved back. Knowing that they should know leave the unicorn to do her magic of creating magnificent dresses. It was lucky she brought her sewing kit for just an occasion, but the princess did have a room, in the castle, for dressmaking.

After the prissy white mare was out of sight, the girls turned back to one and other.

"Wait. Did ya say Discord is helpin?" Applejack asked. Confused about the draconequus.

"Yes. Discord and Pinkie Pie are making a party. I know it's a bad idea to put the two together for more than a few seconds, but they are brilliant party makers." Twilight explained. Suddenly, the slobbering pink pony jumped up.

"The party!! Discord is waiting! Go to go! Bye!!" She gasped bouncing around. And within a flash of pink, she dashed off. Up the corridor in a flash.

The girls giggled before walking in the great hall. Admiring the views outside. The views of the great land of Equestria. A land of happiness and peace. Harmony and love.

They stopped at one open window. One that overlooked the whole of Equestria. From the Frozen North, to Hoofson Bay. From Manehatten, to the quaint little town of Ponyville.

"To think that ponies out their want to destroy this." Fluttershy muttered as the sun gazed over the land. Giving it a lively glow.

"I know. But at least we have somepony to protect it. And keep it safe." Twilight, Applejack and Fluttershy turned to the cyan pegasus. Whose wing was still in white bandages. Who still had scars across her body. Whose heart ached to breaking point.

"It's amazing. I can protect the land, but the ones who are close to me." She croaked. Staring into the distance.

"Rainbow. Don't be like that. You do enough for everypony." Twilight hushed. Hoping the pegasus would soon gain her confidence again, like before.

"Stop it."

"Stop wha?" Applejack asked. Looking confused at the pegasus. "We're only tryin ta help."

"Just stop. I don't want your pity. I don't you to treat me like that. Okay? So just stop it." Rainbow growled. Making the three mares scared. Rainbow Dash. A mare who has a very short temper. Who would defend those who can't help themselves. But, she is a scary mare. Who could completely change her character. To a more sinister, murderous pony. She could kill a pony within a second. And this is what made the girls scared.

However, Twilight knew that Rainbow would never hurt them. She swore to protect them. And they were her family. Family to support each other. And right now, she needed support.

But is now refusing it.

"Rainbow Dash. I understand that are in a lot of pain. Physically and mentally. I understand you."

"How would you know, Twilight? You have a family. You have a mother, father, brother and sister. Not only that, the bucking princess of the sun is your second mother. So how could you possibly understand what I'm feeling." She snapped.

Twilight stumbled back. Wanting to stand her ground. But the pegasus had a point. She had the comfort of a family. A loving family who'll always be there. And to top it off, Princess Celestia was like a mother to. A caring and wise mother.

"Rainbow! Tha's enough! Ah don' ave parents an ya don' see me shoutin about it!" The earth pony yelled.

"That's because you have a family! Applebloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith. Not to mention the rest of the Apple family." Rainbow shouted back. Breathing heavily. "I just....I just want something you have. To have a father or mother. Or a sibling.....screw it! I want to be with somepony! I want to be with my somepony!" Rainbow cried.

"Please, calm down." Fluttershy hugged the sobbing rainbow mare.

"I want to be with Soarin. I want to have a family. I want to grow old with Soarin. But that ain't gonna happen."

"A family? You mean...have foals?" Twilight uneasily asked. She knew what Rainbow meant. She just had to ask.

"Y-yes....why? Is there a problem?" The assassin sniffed.

"Oh no. No problem at all....it's just....it's just that..." Twilight stumbled over her words. She didn't know what to say. She even confused herself.

"Just what?" Rainbow wiped her tears and gently pushed Fluttershy away. "You have something to say, say it."

"You....you...are an assassin. By having a special somepony...and a foal...isn't that....endangering both of their lives?"

Rainbow's eyes widened. She didn't realise that. By having a foal, she could risk it being taken. Or murdered. Or the same thing that happened to herself, to happen to the filly or colt.

"Oh Celestia...you're right....why do you have to be right?...that's all I wanted...to start my own family...but can't....and I can't anyway...Soarin is dying. Probably dead. Considering you won't let me see him." Rainbow sighed. Her final sliver of hope gone. Blown away with the wind. She began to trot away. Her head hanging low.

"I'll see you at the party then."

The others watched the pegasus mare trot away. Before scowling at the alicorn beside them.

Beads of sweat dribbled down Twilight's forehead, as Fluttershy stared daggers at her. And Applejack growled.

"Girls. Listen."

"Ruin the rest of her why not. Of course assassin's can have families. How do you think she was born?" Fluttershy snarled. Her shy, kind self snapped at the sight of her broken friend.

"Yeah. Why would ya ay tha?"

"Because....I-I...just listen, okay?" Twilight begged as she began to whisper to the two ponies. Both of them wearing shocked expressions. Fluttershy's hard exterior disappeared as she squeaked. And Applejack's mouth hung wide, at what the princess had just said.

Chapter 1

It's been a few years since the coronation of Equestria's newest princess. Since the attempted assassination of that dear princess and a great leader. Since the war with assassins and the dark ones. Since the battle between two siblings. And since that great leader had moved on from a certain pony...a certain loved pony.

~~~

Over the last two years, Rainbow Miriam Dashery had changed. Her attitude had became harder. She became meaner and more stubborn. However, she was still a care-free spirit. Who loved the wind under feathers. The joy of flying and being with her friends. Since the battle with her brother and the ending of his dark organisation,  Rainbow had become Princess Twilight's personal protector. Being the best of the best, Rainbow was unstoppable. Her skills as sharp as ever and her attitude to fight was better.

But, inside of this tough and brave shell, was an emotional wreck. Although she had told her dark past to the ones closest to her, many things still struck the pegasus.

Her parents. Her brother. Her fellow assassins murdered ruthlessly.

But one name stood out from the rest.

Thunderlane.

The mere mention or thought of him caused Rainbow to crack up inside. She would be on the verge of tears, but would quickly push them aside.

Her friends worried for her but Rainbow assured them that she was fine....

She was far from fine.

Although she had moved on, she still loved the grey coated pegasus stallion. She loved his cocky nature. She loved his attitude to life. She loved him.

And Rainbow hated it. The more she thought of him, the more she would cry. She had a way if losing the thought of him and that was practising.  Practising her moves and skills. Becoming swifter and sleeker in her work. Occasionally, she would work herself till her body gave out. Until she was unable to move. She would train with her fellow assassins, making not only herself but the others better in their work.

Rainbow is a great leader, a great assassin and great friend.

A loyal friend.

And now she's tested her loyalty. Along with others.

~~~~~~

Just a simple stallion. A simple stallion with dreams. With dreams to be at the top.

"Ptff! Who am I kidding? I am at the top!"

Just a simple stallion who reached to the top with hard work and confidence. His skills perfect and fluent. And thanks to his captain. She was a brilliant captain. Although strict and bossy, she was still a loving leader. And she still cared for her team.

"Yeah, but she has a funny way of showing it." The ice blue stallion smirked to himself. Remembering the ordeal in the lunch hall. "That big mouth just never closes." The pegasus laughed to himself at his own joke.

"Hey! What's so funny about breaking your leg?!" A white mare yelled. "Cause I don't think it was funny, and me and my cousin know everything about being funny. And that was not funny." The pegasus huffed as she crossed her forelegs.

"O-oh. Sorry, Surprise. I wasn't laughing about that. Heck, I didn't I know what you were talking about." The stallion smirked. "No. I was laughing at something else, Surprise."

"At your own joke? Seriously Soarin. You are really stupid." A grey stallion teased. His grey and white curly hair bouncy as he made his remark.

"Oh shut up, Silver Lining." Soarin snapped. His emerald eyes burning with anger at his friend. "At least I have a sense of humour. You on the other hoof have a sense of humour staler than a month old piece of bread."

A bunch of 'oooo's filled the meeting room as the two stallions argued. The grey stallion glared at his old time friend, who was secretly cheering to himself.

"Woah woah woah. Let's not get into a fight here. Captain won't be too happy." A white haired mare fluttered above the two stallions. "Take a chill pill."

"Pttff. Spitfire needs to take a tub of them." The blue stallion sniggered.

"I need to take a tub of what?" A voice asked sternly. Fleefoot lowered herself to the ground and Surprise 'eep'ed as a yellow pegasus mare walked in. The two stallions gulped as the mare walked closer.

"Everypony, break time's over! Training now!" She yelled. A chorus of groans flooded the cloud room as the trainees and teachers walked off in different directions.

"Fleefoot. Surprise. Soarin and Silver Lining. Here now." The mare demanded.

The four ponies stared at each in fear before trotting up to the bossy mare.

"Yes Captain?"

"One of our rookies, our most top ranking rookie so far in the history of the Wonderbolts, has not returned to the academy. She's either gone missing or left without our consent. And it is our duty to find out why. Otherwhise, we lose another great flier." The captain stated as she walked back and forth in front of the line of four ponies.

"Question, ma'am. Who's the rookie we're searching for?" Fleefoot questioned.

"Ah. Rainbow Dash. Our best rookie flier. The only pony able to perform a sonic rainboom."

At the mention of her name, Soarin began melt like butter. Ahh. The wonderful Rainbow Dash. With a coat as blue as the clearest of skies. A slim and slender body. Hair with the six bright colours of the rainbow. And eyes like sparkling rose gems. Soarin fell for the pegasus mare at the biggest party of Equestria, The Gala. He had tried to talk to her, however, he was too shy. Either that or he was dragged away to talk to some rich snob. And the same happened at the Royal Wedding and the Coronation. He had danced with her and talked to her for a while, before she had to retreat to her bed chambers, offered by Princess Celestia. He never forgot the moment when they hugged at the Royal Wedding. Feeling her soft fur against his own. Embracing her warmth and her scent. She smelt like misty mornings and dew drops on grass.

"Hey Soarin. Equestria to Soarin." Surprise waved her white hoof in front of her stallion friend. Attempting to get him out of his daze.

"SOARIN!!" Spitfire yelled. Her voice harsh and very very very loud.

"Ah!!" The pegasus stallion jumped up at the force of the voice. "Sorry Spitfire. Just thinking."

Spitfire growled. She knew what he was thinking. She knew about his little crush on the prismatic pegasus. And she hated it. She loved Soarin. But she didn't want some stuck up whore taking him. As much as she wanted to ditch searching for the mare, she couldn't. It would be against the Wonderbolts to do so.

"Apparently, she lives in Ponyville. Along with Princess Twilight Sparkle. We will pay her visit today. So suit up and be quick."

"Yes, ma'am!" The four ponies saluted. While three of them fluttered off, Soarin skipped off. Happily thinking of thoughts of the one he loved. He would see her again.

Spitfire shook her head.

"Dammit Soarin." She trotted off in the opposite direction. Heading towards her small office.

Chapter 4

"Well well well. Isn't it Miss Rainbow Dash? Long time no see." A dark purple pegasus sneered. His evil smirk burning at the ponies who had just entered.

"Oh get out of my way, Thunder." The cloaked pegasus pushed the light blue haired stallion aside. She continued to move towards five elder pegsus ponies in large cloud seats.

"Pttf. Attitude much." Thunder turned his nose up and walked away. "Lords. We have visitors." The five talking pegasi looked up to see the group of ponies in the white hall.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle. It is a pleasure to see you." A white-ish blue stallion smiled gently to the alicorn.

"Oh, and the Wonderbolts. Captain Spitfire. I hope you are well." They greeted. Then the five them turned to the cloaked pegasus in front of them.

"Ah. Mistress Dashery. A-ha. It's nice to see you...again." The taller green pegasus smirked.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and whipped her tail.

"Listen. We are not here for a friendly visit. Especially not me. I have been told by one of my own that you wish to start a war with the unicorns and earth ponies. Yes?"

"Of course." One of them said bluntly.

"Why?" Twilight asked. She trotted up next to Rainbow.

"We're ever so sorry, Princess. But we believe that our land strucken brethren don't treat us with the respect we deserve.  So, we wish to take Equestria and rule it ourselves."

While the other ponies gasped, Rainbow laughed a little.

"What? What's so funny?" The white stallion boomed.

"You. Wanted to rule Equestria? You mean you want to lead Equestria? Oh sweet Celestia. You couldn't even rule this crummy city." Rainbow laughed. The elders glared at the assassin.

"Crummy city?! This is Equestria's finest city. The greatest city. How could you say that about your home?" The taller one yelled.

"This isn't my home. Ponyville is. And besides, if this was 'Equestria's finest city', then why is it home to many terrorists, rebels and the most horrendous crimes? Please explain that."

"What crimes?"

"Well let's see, the weather factory has been bombed five times in the last three years, rape has increased, burglary, murder and robbery have increased. And so have muggings. The Creed has, many times, tried to protect Cloudsdale and it's inhabitants, but, with the laws you make, nothing seems to work." Rainbow pointed out.

"Assassins. Who needs them? Pathetic, low-life killers. Ponies who are too chicken to die. Only stupid ponies join the Creed." Thunder stuck his tongue out as he trotted up to Rainbow.

"Well it seems, everypony needs us. Seeing as we are Equestria's greatest defense."

"Yet, your numbers are decreasing. If the Creed is so great, then why is it so small?" The purple pony asked. His snout touching Rainbow's.

"Cause the smallest things have the biggest impact." Rainbow grinned evilly at Thunder before pushing him away again. "Yes, my assassins are somehow disappearing. But that does not affect our duty. Our duty to serve and protect."

"Indeed. That is why we wish for you to join us. Join us into the Pegasi's victory. To destroy the wingless." A light pink lord bashed his hoof on the table. Rainbow stared at the lords before glancing at her friends. "Come on, Miss Dash. Join us. We could surely use the Assassin's skills."

"I'm sorry, my Lords. But I cannot except. My duty is to protect the princesses and the Elements of Harmony. Not to destroy the home we live and love." Rainbow turned away and walked to her friends.

"Yes, but. Maybe we can come to a deal. Join us and we can return your assassins."

"What?! You?! You have been foal-napping them?! After all this time?!" Rainbow yelled.

"Yes. We forced the pegasi to join us. The unicorns and earth ponies are locked away safely." The white stallion teased.

"Release them this instance! Now!" The cyan pegasus demanded. Her wings flared out in anger.

"Not until you agree to our deal. Join us, we release them. Leave us, then....you'll be leaving them. Stay loyal to the Lords, Rainbow Dash. After all, your Element is Loyalty."

There was a long silence. Nopony said anything. Rainbow stood in the middle of the group of ponies.

"No."

"What?!" All the Lords yelled in surprise.

"No. I pledge my loyalty to the ones who deserve it. The princesses. My friends. The many innocent lives in this land. So, I will only serve them. My duties to you are over." Rainbow didn't make eye contact with the Lords. Not seeing their shocked faces as they had lost a great leader of the most greatest defense. "Vale. Donec tempus." The pegasus said before exiting the room. Leaving the Wonderbolts, Princess Twilight and the girls.

"Dammit! We needed her! Well, at least we have the Wonderbolts."

"Sorry. But we refuse to fight for you." Spitfire hissed. "Lots of innocent ponies don't deserve this. And I agree with Rainbow. We will serve Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Twilight. Not you. Come on guys. Let's get the buck out of this hell hole." The orange maned pegasus beckoned her colleagues over as she walked to the door.

"Good bye, Pegasi Lords." Twilight mumbled as she and the others followed The Wonderbolts. "At least this will distract Rainbow from him." The purple alicorn lowered her head as she trotted out. Feeling helpless yet again. Unable to stop anything.

"Come on, Twi. Equestria will figh' back. Especially Rainbow." Applejack patted her friend's back as they trotted down the corridor.

"Equestria will fight back." The young princess muttered. "They will fight back."

Chapter 18

It was now noon. The giant jewel of light, beaming down onto the ponies and creatures below it. The light sapphire sky was crystal clear, with not a cloud in sight. It was a warm summers day. Adult unicorns and earth ponies went ahead with their daily work and activities, not noticing their scared feathered friends. Every pegasus knew about the oncoming war. Whereas their land brethren didn't. They were scared. Among the last thousand years, pegasi had tried to live with peace. But the dreaded Lords just ruined their lives. With the constant demands. Many were scarred. From either abuse or the fact that the Lords had taken a loved one. Especially, very, very young loved ones. Although this pain, the winged ponies kept this secret from the unicorns and earth ponies. They didn't want everypony to see them as weak. Although they weren't the weakest, physically, they could still be teased by the others. Yes, pegasi were more capable of surviving the most coldest and the most hottest of temperatures, being able to withstand endurance against wind and storms, the other beings would still see them as weak. Therefore, the secret of The Lords were to stay secret.

But now...the secret was getting out. The secret...of war.

~~~~~~

"Hey, look!! It's the blank flanks!!" A high voice teased. Three fillies groaned as the owner of this particular voice, and her friend, trotted over.

"Wha is it now, Diamond Tiara?" Applebloom moaned. She was sick of these two fillies. Really, really sick to death of them. There they are, teasing her and her friends about not having cutiemarks, where their cutiemarks are....are...what the hell were they?! A tiara and spoon?! What talent is that?!

"Oh, nothing to do with you, rotten apple." The grey filly retourted. Pushing her blue glasses up further on her snout. Applebloom rolled her eyes. Although she was calm on the outside, inside, she was mentally pushing the two brats off a cliff into a pit of snakes, spiders, mud and rotten fruit.

"What is it then?" Sweetie Belle questioned. Her voice squeaking as per usual.

"Not to do with you either, Squeaky Belle!!" Diamond Tiara snorted. "It's to do about Scootaloo."

"What?" The small orange pegasus piped up. Her head was down in boredom as they sat in the playground of Ponyville's only school. But then she groaned. Guessing that the two bullies were going to tease her about not being able to fly yet. Yes she was a big filly now. Yes, other fillies and colts younger than her were able to fly ages ago. But, when her wings were at the developing stage two years ago, they were....injured by a stallion in armour. Rainbow was only just in time to help her before he could hurt her wings any further.

"Well, my daddy got information from a few ponies saying that the pegasi were going to war." The pink filly puffed her wavy purple mane as she glared at the pegasus. Scootaloo gasped. She knew about the oncoming war and the Pegasi Lords. She knew everything about the Pegasi Lords. Her uncle had told her about them. Her uncle was the reason she was still alive. The Pegasi Lords had taken her mother's life and her father had been forced to join them. That and she had over heard Rainbow's conversations about them.

The unicorn and southern earth pony turned to their pegasus friend.

"Scoots?"

"Has Rainbow mentioned anything about this?"

Scootaloo gulped.

"Yes."

"Rainbow? Rainbow Dash? Pttf! Like she would do anything! She's a traitor to the whole of Equestria!" The brat stuck her tongue out. Scootaloo growled.

"No she's not!! She's doing everything in her power to stop this!!"

"In her power?! She's a pathetic weather pony! What is going to do? Put a rain cloud over their heads?"

"Yeah! Put a rain cloud over their heads!" Silver Spoon repeated. Trying to be smart but acting more stupid than she is. Suddenly, Scootaloo leapt onto Diamond Tiara. Pushing the filly to the floor.

"RAINBOW IS NOT A TRAITOR!! SHE'S DONE SO MUCH FOR EQUESTRIA!! AND NOPONY KNOWS IT!! THEY STILL TREAT HER LIKE CRAP!! SHE NEARLY DIED SAVING EQUESTRIA!!" The orange filly screamed into Diamond's face. Tears streaming down her cheeks.

A fushia mare trotted over from the small red building.

"Scootaloo! Scootaloo!" She called. But the teacher's calls fell on deaf ears. Scootaloo continued to shout at the pink filly.

"SHE'S DOING EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO HELP!! AND ALL YOU DO IS BITCH ABOUT HER!! AT LEAST SHE'S TRYING TO PREVENT THIS WAR!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP!? WHAT'S YOUR BLOODY FATHER DOING TO HELP?! HUH? NOTHING!!" She tugged on Diamond light violet hair.

"Ow!! Stop!!" She wailed as the pegasus assulted her. Cheerilee tried pulling Scootaloo off, but she kept jumping back onto the unfortunate filly.

"Stop this immeadiately, Scootaloo!!" Cheerilee demanded.

"Scootaloo!" A voice called. A male voice.

The orange pony stopped pulling the bully's hair and looked up with teary eyes. In front of her, was an ice blue stallion with a dark, wind swept mane.

"Rainbow Dash would not be too happy about you acting like this. Would she?" The Wonderbolt flashed a sympathetic to the teacher. "I am terribly sorry, Miss, about Scootaloo's behaviour. She's been under a lot of stress."

The cherry pink mare staggered back at the celebrity.

"Er...er...yes...Mr...Mr...Skies...yes....well," She turned to Scootaloo. Who was now by her friends. "Scootaloo. You are suspensed from school for a week. After that, you will have a week of detentions. Understand?"

"Yes, Miss Cheerilee."

"I will also send a note to your uncle about this."

"No! Please don't!! He's already busy with work!! It will only make him angry!!" Scootaloo cried.

Cheerilee sighed.

"Fine then, Scootaloo. But I'll send the note to Rainbow Dash instead. As she is your other guardian."

"Actually, I'll tell Rainbow, Miss. She's very busy at the moment."

"Okay. Then. Goodbye, Scootaloo. I will see you next week. With better behaviour." Cheerilee said sternly. "Come on, fillies and colts!! Lunchtime is over!! Back to class!!" Cheerilee shouted. Earning a chorus of groans. As the others went inside, Scootaloo said goodbye to her friends before walking away with the Wonderbolt. Still mad with the pink brat.

~~~~~~

Chapter 45

T'was the hour before the celebration. The celebration in Canterlot Castle. The celebration of the defeat of the Pegasi Lords. To celebrate the freedom of the pegasus race. A long battle to free the innocent winged ponies of the land. Giving them a better chance of life.

And those who helped to defeat the despicable Lords were the Solar Sisters, the ruler of the Crystal Empire, the Princess of Magic, the God of Chaos, the living embodiments of the Elements of Harmony and the Wonderbolts. Not forgetting the assassins of the Creed. Whose duty is to protect the innocents across the land. To rid those who wish to destroy the peaceful love of the land.

But now, the battle is over. The remaining Pegasi Lords are in the dark prison of Iuana Tartar. A place of death. And the pegasi are free to their own demise. Now, the land of Equestria can settle back to harmony and peace. Leaving the inhabitants to live peacefully.

Now, the princesses of the land are holding a small celebration. With those who helped, a hoof-ful of chosen assassins, the Wonderbolts and the Elements of Harmony.

The princesses hoped that this celebration, or party as it's referred to, would calm everypony down. Especially one particular pony.

~~~~~~

"Rraaarriitttyyy!!" A young mare whined with her high, childish voice.

The white unicorn stared at the pink pony, her ears flat and a sad look upon her face. Tears beginning to prick at her large sapphire eyes.

"You don't like them?" She croaked. She had spent two hours designing, and four hours making. Even she was amazed that dresses were made perfectly. But if her friends didn't like them, then she didn't.

"Like them? We don' like them!" An orange mare snapped. Making the unicorn whimper.

"We love them!!" The violet alicorn squealed. Her eyes as big as the moon. A grin as high as the stars.

"They're beautiful!"

"They're ammmaaaazzzzziiinnngggg!!" Pinkie Pie sang as she bounced over and hugged the seamstress. Catching her completely off guard.

"Y-you do?" Rarity squeaked.

"Of course. They're magnificent, Rarity." Fluttershy hushed. Stroking the a rose pink dress.

The dressmaker felt joy spread across her face. She stood up straight and nodded, with a smile across her pearl white face.

"Thank you." Her horn lit up with her beautiful light blue aura, as she hovered all of the dresses beside their new owners.

A bouncy blue dress was placed around Pinkie Pie. Her dress was made with light, thin material. So there were many layers of Pinkie's dress. Looking similar to a tutu. Glittering pink sequins dotted around the bottom of the dress. Pinkie giggled as the dress fastened around her neck, with a simple pink bow. A similar bow was gently placed into her crazy, curly hair, which was now put into crazy pig tails.

"Thanks, Rarity! I love it!!" The party mare laughed. Jumping up and down.

Next, a simple, very light blue dress was carefully draped around the shy yellow pegasus. Dark green leave were placed at the hem of the dress. Almost looking like leaves floating in the sky. A collar of leaves, buckled together in the middle with a pink butterfly went around her throat, and two white flower clips were placed into her now loosely braided hair.

"Wow. It's amazing." She blushed as she stared at the dress. Rarity smiled as her friend admired her work.

"Next up, Applejack." The unicorn sang as she levitated a dark blue skirt, with a brown saddle onto the orange mare. Lighter brown marks swirled into curls on the saddle. Applejack wore a simple white collar, with a small red apple in the corner. Along the trim of her long, dark blue skirt, was a simple swirl pattern. Dotted with sparkling red apples. Applejack's original hat was placed upon the bed as a darker brown, matching the saddle, hat was put onto her head. Her locks of gold were tightly plaited, and tied with a shining red ribbon.

"Ah am mighty grateful for this." Applejack thanked. Tipping her hat.

Rarity grinned as placed Twilight's dress onto the alicorn. It was a vibrant pink, with three wavy layers and three white stars on the top layer. A light violet belt buckled itself around her waist. And a swirling pink collar clicked together, with on large white star, around her neck. Twilight fluttered her wings as her straight hair was placed into a high ponytail. With another white star.

"It's amazing, Rarity."

"Thank you. Now Rainbow,  I-...Rainbow?" Rarity titled her head as she turned to the pegasus. Everyone looked over to the assassin as she sat on the bed with her head down.

"Rainbow?"

"Don't worry about me. Just skip me out and leave me behind. I'll stay here tonight." She sighed. Twilight felt extremely guilty now. She made her friend more and more distraught everyday. She couldn't handle it any longer.

She was about to trot over, when she was stopped by a single white hoof. The violet mare stared at the hoof, before staring at the pony.

"Come on, dear. It's time to celebrate." Rarity said quietly.

"Go then. Just go without me. I don't feel like doing anything." The sitting pegasus replied.

Rarity carefully picked up the last dress, beside her own. It was scarlet red dress, that lightly hovered. It had no back as it was brought from under, to the chest. Where it was met with small, sparkling white pearl. Leading up to a red collar. Around the waist was a darker red belt. It was a simple yet elegant dress.

"You don't have to do anything. Just sit. Please, just come with us. It wouldn't be the same without you."

Rainbow looked up at the unicorn. Who gave a reassuring smile. Her bright sapphire eyes, tired but excited and happy. Rarity felt sorrow as she glanced at the pegasus mare's eyes. The usually bright rose gems that radiated confidence and determinationnow, that now only held guilt, pain and fear.

"Fine." Rainbow jumped off the bed. Flapping her non injured wing. As she stood up, Rarity gently placed the dress onto the pegasus. Knowing how hurt the mare was. The open back of the dress let the pegasus' wings free. Rarity thought it would be better to leave her wings, rather than have them wrapped in material. Finally, Rarity's magic put the cyan mare's mane into a large, tight bun. With two tufts of hair at the top, and one curl around her neck. One red band, studded with pearls, wrapped itself twice around the bun, and under the tufts. And to finish it, Rainbow's scruffy fringe was curled slightly and another red, pearl encrusted band rested on her hair. Behind her ears.

Everypony gazed at the pegasus, who kept her head down. The dress gracefully falling around her body. Rarity slightly tightened the belt, for when she made the dress, she used Rainbow's old measurements. Now, she was thinner due to the malnourishment the pegasus experienced.

Twilight finally trotted over and placed a hoof over her friend's shoulder.

"You look beautiful, Rainbow Dash." She hushed.

"Let's just go." Rainbow pushed Twilight away and trotted towards the door. Leaving the alicorn upset and even more guilty.

As the others left, Rarity put on a light, flowing purple dress. With a short, wavy, transparent overskirt. The dress glimmered underneath the artificial light. A thin purple collar wrapped around her neck, with a purple diamond gem in the middle. Rarity quickly put in several diamond clips into her already perfect hair.

Then, she quickly trotted out of the room and down the corridor, to hall. Not noticing the pegasus stallion further back, behind her.

~~~~~~

Banners hung from the ceiling, along with multicoloured streamers. Different coloured balloons hovered around the large hall. Along the side was a very long table. Holding treats of all sorts. A couple of ponies danced to the music in the middle of the hall. Pinkie Pie danced along with a mint green unicorn, also known as Lyra. Both of them giggled and laughed. The unicorn dragged another pony to dance, who was also her special somepony. Bonbon. The three of the bounced around to music.

By the table was a draconequus, with a simple black suit on, and an orange mare. The both of them stuffing their mouths with the food.

Princess Luna trotted over, licking her lips before biting into the large chocolate cake. The frosting coating her midnight blue face.

By a small table, sat five mares and a stallion. All with drinks that were either alcohol or punch.

Fluttershy and Twilight both had punch. Both being the less experienced drinkers. While Celestia, Rarity and Cadence had wine. Beside Princess Cadence, was a white unicorn stallion. Her husband, Shining Armour. In front of him, upon the table, was a large mug of cider. His white foreleg wrapped around his wife.

Princess Celestia chuckled as she saw her sister inhale the food upon the table. Remembering the times when they were both young ponies. Playing among the castle halls. Hiding in their secret places. Pranking each other until the day ended and Celestia had to rest.

"Ah Luna. You never change. Always stealing my cake." The sun goddess laughed. She felt a sudden rush from the extreme amount of alcohol, but she remained quite sober.

"Is that your cake?" Fluttershy asked. Giggling along with the princess. Despite her not having alcohol, she let the party spirit carry her away. Her shy demeanour pushed aside as she let her hapy, party side loose.

"Fluttershy. All cake is mine." Celestia hovered a glass of dark red wine. Sipping it quietly. Watching her intake. She was still a Princess. And she had to raise the sun later. Also, a hungover alicorn is not ideal. But the guards were used to this. Every so often, a guard will stumble upon a drunk sun or moon princess. And sometimes, the guards were the victims of the sisters' pranks.

"And you need to lay off it." Twilight snorted. All the ponies at the table laughed heavily. Ignoring the dull pegasus in the corner of the room. Sitting alone at a table, nursing a drink.

Fluttershy grinned until she remembered what Twilight had told her earlier. Quietly, she nudged the alicorn. Quickly grabbing her attention.

"What is it?" Twilight whispered. Thinking that shy pegasus just wanted to pester her.

"Aren't you forgetting somepony? Somepony very important." The butterscotch yellow mare replied. Pointing over to the cyan mare.

Twilight's eyes opened wide as she suddenly remembered.

"Now?"

"Yes, now. Do it." The assertiveness of the pegasus made her push the alicorn off her seat. Who madly flapped her wings to gain balance. She coughed before trotting over to the door.

~~~~~~

"Told you. Told you, told you."

"I get it. Shut up."

"I told you he would leave you. No-pony has ever stayed with you."

"Please. Just be quiet."

Rainbow Dash picked up the small glass, containing ice and brown liquid. She quickly poured the liquid down her throat, wincing as the burning drink slid down her throat. She fluttered her wing.

"Drinking isn't going to help."

"Pttf. How would you know? You're just a voice in my head."

"I'm you. And I'm helping us."

"Some help you are."

"Rainbow. I know you are sad, but downing drinks won't help."

"It might."

"All you're doing is drowning your sorrows."

"Drowning is an idea. I was thinking something more swift. Drowning is more painful."

"Rainbow!"

"Maybe stabbing myself in the heart...too messy. No. I know! My medicine cabinet! It's full of stuff! I'll overdose. With a side of vodka."

"Rainbow Miriam Dashery!!"

"..."

"Death is the cowards way out. You, my dear, are an assassin. You may slaughter others for the land's freedom, but death to them will lead to an eternity of torture. You however, as an assassin, a master assassin, the leader of assassins, the heart of the Creed, death will leave nothing for you."

"But-"

"I don't care!! Soarin may be dead, but suicide is not the answer."

"It's not the answer, but it's an answer."

"What of your friends? Your family?"

"My family is dead."

"Really. What about Fluttershy? Pinkie Pie and Applejack? Twilight and Rarity? You are all sisters. Fate has brought you together, to live by each other's side."

"Funny. Fate has a way of destroying that."

"I know you care deeply about Soarin. Howev-"

"It's not about Soarin!!"

"...what is it then?"

"...Twilight. She was right."

"Right? Right about what? Speak."

"About....about me. I-I can't have a family."

"...you fear you will endanger their lives."

"Of course....Why? Why an assassin? Why couldn't I be in a weather pony family? Or a baker family? Why an assassin? I hate the Creed!"

"How. Could. You!? After all you have been through. After all you have done. Making the Creed stronger than before. Protecting those who can't protect themselves."

"I just....I just want a family."

"Rainbow Dash. You are stronger than this. Just take each day slowly."

"No. I have a better idea."

"Rainbow?"

"Rainbow?" The violet alicorn asked. Staring at the mare before her, sitting at the table. Rainbow had her eyes gently closed as she sat up straight. Her bandaged wing tightly closed to her side.

"Rainbow Dash. I know you are very distraught right now, but I am so sorry for everything I said earlier. You didn't deserve it. So I'm apologising. And if you could just turn arou-"

"I already forgave you." Rainbow interrupted. "After all, you were only telling the truth." She croaked. Still turned away from Twilight.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked. Confused. She quickly made up the stuff earlier so she wouldn't blab. She didn't think at all. And yet again, she has destroyed her friend's hope.

"I'm leaving tomorrow. At sunrise. I will still serve Princess Celestia, but I will not be seen. I'm moving from Ponyville as well. It's the only way to protect you girls." Rainbow explained. Twilight's eyes opened wide in shock.

"No. You can't leave." Twilight whispered. "Please. Just turn around." But Rainbow heard none of it.

"I can and will, your highness. I'm nothing but an assassin. That's it. I shouldn't even have friends or family."

"No! You are not leaving! You are staying with us! I-I-I command you! I order you to stay!!" Twilight began to beg. Forgetting the pony beside her. Who was equally shocked.

The music screeched to a stop. Everyone in the room stared at the two arguing mares.

"Sorry, Princess. I am refusing your order." Rainbow sighed.

"Fine. Whatever. You stupid mare. You don't even follow orders. Only your own. If you followed what you had been told, you could have saved Soarin." Twilight spat. All she wanted was for the pegasus to turn around.

"I follow every order. But I couldn't save him. I can't save anypony."

"I know. That's because you're weak. Too weak to do anything. Really Rainbow, I thought that you were the strongest out of all of us. I guess was wrong." The princess watched as Rainbow growled quietly. Her cyan wing fluttering. "Weak. Febble. Pathetic. The only reason why you are leaving is because you're scared. Frightened. Like a stupid little filly. Maybe if you grew up, could handle things better. Like actually protecting ponies instead of killing them." Twilight snorted. "But you don't. That's why you got sent away. Cause you deserved it. Every little bit of pain. And I don't even know why you fell for that retarded Wonderbolt. He was thicker than two planks. I'm glad he's dead." The others staring absolute shock. The youngest princess was verbally assaulting the most dangerous pony in Equestria. The pony beside the princess moved aside. As the angry pegasus mare slapped the alicorn.

Rainbow glared at the alicorn. Growling. Her eyes staring daggers at the princess. Twilight gulped and slowly walked away. Her check stinging and lightly glowing red. But Rainbow followed. Like a cat and it's prey. "Weak and feeble says the pretty pony princess. Do you deserve to be princess, really? You're too oblivious to everything." Rainbow Dash ignored the stallion behind her. Despite him trying to get her attention. Twilight began to panic. Sweat dripping from her forehead. "Do we really need four princesses? I don't think we do. I especially think we don't need the last princess."

"I-I-I..." Twilight stuttered. Fear erupted in her mind. But as she saw her friend, she couldn't know what to feel. Rainbow was extremely angry, but tears were brimming her eyes. Her empty eyes.

"I will make sure every drop of your precious blood is put to use." Rainbow snapped. But stopped immediately as somepony began pulling her dress and tail. She turned around to be met with a handsome stallion with glimmering emerald eyes. Rainbow's anger drained away quickly as she stared at the stallion.

Shining blue, windswept hair. Ice blue coat. Large masculine wings. A cocky yet friendly smile.

Rainbow Dash gasped. Her tears streaming down her cyan cheeks. Her heart ached to breaking point as she stared at him.

"I-....I..." She stuttered. Unable to say anything as she cried.

He was alive. Her lover. Standing before her with his childish grin.

"Long time no see, huh. " Soarin smiled. Staring at Rainbow Dash. She looked so beautiful. How her eyes sparkled like gems under the light. The way the dress fell elegantly over her feminine, slender body. He loved her dearly. Even if she was an assassin, he still loved her. He remembered trying to gain the confidence to ask her out in the Wonderbolts academy. Saying that he'll never be with her. He tried helping her out as much as possible, and eventually became a friend.

But now, he was something better than a friend. A lover. To embrace the young mare's love. To be with her till the end.

Rainbow's mouth hung wide. Her tears falling to the floor. The two pegasus felt their hearts ache, but only stared at each other.

"I-....I...." Rainbow began to breathe heavily.

"I know. Amazing, aren't I?" Soarin joked, chuckling. But his laugh quickly turned into a gasp for air as a set of cyan hooves was wrapped around his neck. The mare crying into his shoulder. Wailing uncontrollably.

"I'm so sorry!! I broke our promise!! I'm sorry I left!! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I love you!!" She cried into his shoulder. Soarin felt his own tears build up as he returned the hug. He was finally hugging Rainbow. He was finally with her.

"It's okay, Dash. There's nothing to be sorry about." He hushed. Smiling with his tears. Rainbow stood back up and stared at him again. Happy, but utterly confused.

"H-how? How are you alive?" She asked, wiping a few tears off her cheek.

"The Princess. Twilight. She saved my life." Soarin pointed to a near scared Twilight Sparkle. Still shocked from earlier. But when she saw the couple together again, her heart fluttered.

Rainbow looked over to Twilight.

"I performed an unfinished spell that Starswirl had begun. But never had the chance to finish. I had the mental and physical strength to perform it. Along with the magical strength." Twilight slowly trotted over to the pegasus mare. "Rainbow. The reason I did this was not just because Soarin didn't deserve it, it was also because I believe you deserve him. You both click together like nothing I have seen before. You've both been through physical and emotional pain. Through losing each other. And I felt so helpless to do anything to aid you. Especially you, Rainbow. Not only do protect Equestria, but you're my friend. You're our friend. And even if your real family are dead, we are family. All of us. Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy and me. We are family. Till the very end."

"T-Twilight?" Rainbow squeaked. Every emotion suddenly exploding. Especially happiness, regret and guilt. She glanced at the smiling alicorn,  and the happy mares around the room.

"Rainbow. You deserve a family. You have us, but not only that, you have Soarin. I was wrong, Rainbow. You can have a family of your own. Even if you are an assassin, you can live your own life." Twilight hushed. Rainbow hugged the alicorn. Holding her tight. The princess smiled and returned the hug.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." Rainbow whispered. Making the alicorn grin madly.

~~~~~~

"You did what!?!" Celestia coughed. Choking on her drink. Twilight was now sitting in her seat again. After the  others watched with sore hearts as the two pegasi were reunited, they asked how Twilight did it. How Twilight saved Soarin.

"What? It was only a spell." Twilight muttered. But her teacher growled with fury.

"A dangerous spell! That could have killed you!"

"It didn't! It work! It work because I believed in myself! It worked because I had to!! I had to!!" The alicorn snapped. The others around the table shuffled to the other side. Not wanting to be near the two  alicorns in their heated argument.

"It was an unfinished spell by Starswirl! Unfinished! Not even Luna and I had attempted it!! Because it would be too dangerous!" Celestia huffed. She was so angry at her student. For being so reckless. For risking her life. "You could have died!!"

"Celestia!!" Twilight's horn lit up as a set of zips formed around the pearl white alicorn's lips. Also, a purple glow surrounded her white horn, preventing any magic from her.

"Princess. I know you worry for me. A lot. You're like a second mother. Always there for me in my troubles. But Celestia, I am a grown mare. I make my own choices. I make my own life. I've also taken a page out of Rainbow's book. That you live on risks. For the future is always full of surprises and chances. I knew that if the spell backfired, it would have fatal consequences. But it didn't. Because I believed in myself that I could help. I needed to help Rainbow. Because without Soarin, she was no longer Rainbow. And without Rainbow, we would have all lost a dear friend. I'm sorry I upset you, your highness. I was reckless, yes. But it's what I needed to do."

Twilight slouched with her head down. Her dark blue mane covering her face.

Celestia's expression softened. Her horn fizzled with a golden glow as the purple grip disappeared like a mist. And the zips disappeared as well. She removed her cream gold shoes from her forelegs, and lifted Twilight's head up with her hoof. Her musk rose eyes filled with tears.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle. I have never met a pony quite like you. Strong, determined, beautiful and intelligent. With the power to be a great mare. Yes, I guess I am like a mother to you. And that was only because you reminded me of one pony. A pony who was drowning in her troubles. But I ignored. If I had listened and helped her, she would have been by my side. And not on the moon." Celestia turned to look at her younger sister. Who was confused, but still held a small smile. "You reminded me so much of her. And....I didn't want to lose you like I lost her." Celestia wrapped her fore-legs around the young violet mare. Who embraced her mentor's warmth. "I needed somepony to fill the gap that lil Luna left. Sunset Shimmer and other many of my students...just didn't fill the hole in my heart. But you, my dear Twilight, you are so much like her. Clever, witty, crazy, gentle, sophisticated. And you loved the night. The moon and stars.

I'm happy. I'm so happy you helped Rainbow in her time of need. I'm so happy that you have become the great mare you are today. You deserve to be a princess." Celestia smiled before crying quietly into her student's shoulder. Who's own deep violet orbs were dripping salty tears. The others around the table smiled and hugged the two alicorns.

~~~~~~

"I missed you. I missed you so much, my little Dashie." The ice blue stallion smiled. His heart beaming with joy as his special mare leaned against him. His own masculine wing wrapped around her petit body.

"I missed you too. I couldn't live without you. But then....I couldn't see you in the hospital." Rainbow looked up at Soarin. Both of their eyes meeting. Shining with their love for each other.

"Well, we're together now. And I'll be by your side....forever."

"You promise?" Rainbow asked.

"I promise." Soarin lifted his hoof to cross his chest. As he did, he lifted Rainbow's chin up so she was looking directly at him. He moved a few of her prismatic curls out of her face. So he had the clear view of her beautiful rose eyes.

"I will...never leave, Rainbow."

Rainbow sat up slightly. So their noses were touching. Feeling each other's warm breath against their fur. Their eyes locked together. Their hearts aching to burst out.

"I love you." They both whispered in unison. Before locking their lips together. Sharing the love they had kept for each other the day they were separated. Rainbow leaned onto Soarin, so she was closer to him, placing her hooves on his shoulders. And he wrapped his forelegs around the mare. Bringing her body closer to his own.

Everyone in the turned to the couple as their love blossomed. They felt their hearts melt at the sight, as the two were finally reunited. Finally together. Twilight in particular felt a rush as she told herself that she did this. She made Soarin better to get them both together again. And it made her so bloody happy. Pinkie Pie bounced and giggled, while the others just smiled lightly. Watching the two pegasi.

"I've never sensed anything quite like this, except for Shining and myself." Cadence whispered to her aunts. "But the love they have for each other is...is overwhelming."

"She's a strong mare with many emotions. Before, they were wild. Everywhere. And most of the time, she felt nothing. But now...she's finally happy. She's found someone to get her through." Celestia replied quietly. She knew Rainbow very well. As she was the protector of Equestria. But, she never had the chance to bond. Or talk. Twilight had to tell Celestia about Rainbow. And she also used Luna to walk into the pegasus mare's dreams, or nightmares.

But now, she felt peace. Not from the war of the Pegasi Lords was over, but from the war of the young assassin. Rainbow was still a young mare. The youngest in the Elements of Harmony. And she was still learning in life.

And now she has learnt to love. But there is so much more to learn.