A Warrior's Heart of Gold

Twilight and her friends burst through the castle doors. They kneel before the princesses. Surprisingly, they were able to contact Rainbow Dash and she came with them.

"Your majesty. You called for us?"

"Princess Twilight Sparkle. Arise." Twilight looked up and slowly stood up before Princess Celestia. The other ponies soon followed.

"It seems that we were unable to calm down Queen Chrysalis and she has declared war on pony kind. Troops are being sent out at this very moment."

"Oh dear!" The ponies gasp in astonishment at the news.

"I have asked you to come here because I need you to find a solution as to how we can fix this. For now, we will have to fight them off. Guards from the north have spotted changelings. We think they might plan an invasion. If so, then I need you to inform the town and all the ponies to be ready to leave if it is needed."

"Yes your highness." The ponies slowly begin to walk out as they talk amongst themselves.

"Leave? Oh no! This is not good!"

"Come on ponies. You heard Princess Celestia. We have to inform the other ponies. This may be hard to hear but we must stay strong."

The girls began running around spreading the news of the war. Everytime they told a new pony, they first looked at them in astonishment, then in a deep...deep sadness.

Rainbow Dash flew straight to Soarin's place. When she arrived, Soarin sadly looked at her. He handed her a letter he had received that morning.

Dear Soarin,

As you may have already heard of the recent war, we are having every stallion of every household to

fight in the war. Please report as soon as possible.

Royal Guard

Tears filled Rainbow Dash's eyes as she hugged him tightly.

"I know. I know. It's going to be OK." Soarin tried to calm her down and soothe her. Pain ached in both of them. Soarin gently raised her muzzle up to where she met the gaze of his.She rubbed her eyes and sniffled.

" I will come back...I promise..."

She hugged him again as her heart began to shatter as though some colt had mistakenly dropped a fragile plate. It crashed and banged as it hit the floor with a sharp thud. They stood there embracing the time they still had and possibly the last. Rainbow Dash let the letter loosen from her grip and fall gently to the floor.

"Why...Why did there have to be a stupid war?..."

"I don't know...I don't know"

Once the ponies had informed the whole town, they met up at the bakery. They all sat around slouching and groaning. However, Rainbow Dash was not there. The girls figured she was spending time with Soarin.

"So what do we do now?" Pinkie Pie played with her food and had her muzzle resting on her right hoof.

"I guess we should just wait...wait for an answer I guess." Twilight choked on her words and sat there looking at everypony.

"We'll I'll meet up with you folks later. I gotta go back to the farm to tell the rest of the Apple family so we can prepare."

"W-We'll I better go and inform all the animals." Fluttershy and Applejack got up and walked out slowly and sorrowfully while Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity all sat at the table looking at each other.

"Hey! I got it! Wanna hear a joke?" Pinkie Pie looked at the two with encouragement trying to cheer them up. The two returned her joy with a depressed glance, then continued to stare at the table.

Soarin stared into Rainbow's eyes as the two spent the last five minutes together. He sweetly kissed her then looked away and began to pack his things in a small saddlebag. Rainbow Dash sadly watched him. When he was finished, he looked once more into her eyes, kissed her, then flew off. She began to cry as she watched him disappear into the clouds.