The Dark Zoner

Of Ceremonies and Gambles

‘Why are we doing this on a sunny day?’ Princess Celestia had called for a sunny and cloudless day to prepare for the ceremony. Times like these were when she regretted that civilian pegasi controlled the weather. ‘Why won’t the Princess just let it rain?’

Rainbow and Cotton Dash both sat beside one another, quietly. Cotton looked over to her daughter with worry, she's never seen the loudmouth keep her calm for such a long time.

They watched as a small casket was being carried by two black unicorn guards as they stopped at the altar and laid it gently down. Princess Celestia rose up from the left side and towered over the casket. Her horn alit with a white light before bushel of red and white roses surrounded the crate. A long golden blade, the same size as the casket, laid atop its wooden surface.

The Princess turned to look at the audience around her, many of whom already lived in the castle. Very few of them were from the City or anywhere else. This was a quiet and secret event. Even then, it was still quite a hoof-ful of ponies.

“Everypony, this is a sad day for Equestria, we lost a great general and an even greater pony.” Celestia said with solemn in her voice but it didn’t show in her face. “Reiner Dash was one of the strongest Starlight Generals that we have ever had and he had one of the most potentials that very few ponies could stand up to. He will be missed, immensely.”

Starry Lights came up to join Celestia, his big built seemed tiny compared to the princess but overpowering all the same. “Listen up, maggots!” The change in tone ruined the atmosphere. He glared at everypony in the audience, many of the Starlight ponies stood up with attention.

“My young brother is dead but the rest of us are still alive and raring to go!” He yelled loudly for everypony to hear and also because of his strict ritual. “Finish crying and moping now! There’s no time for that in the battlefield, you hear?”

Cotton Dash wanted to stand up and complain about Starry’s callousness to her husband’s death. Before she could say anything, Rainbow Dash brought up a hoof to calm her down. “He’s right, mom.” Said Rainbow Dash.

“That doesn’t mean he has to be so heartless about it, though.” Cotton said softly.

“As the Lieutenant Starlight General has said, we should not just grieve for Reiner but remember the day for the living!” Princess Celestia added after she managed to stop Starry from scaring the non-Starlights. She gave him a look which he just huffed at. “The time for preparation will take place but not now. Now, is a time for mourning, last words, and respect!”

Just as the princess said this, she turned to look in Rainbow Dash’s direction. “I’m sure that his family and friends will want to say a few words. Right, Starry Lights?” She turned to face the ragged pegasus.

“Fine!” Starry growled as he took his place beside the casket.

Cotton and Rainbow Dash both got up to the platform. By now, Cotton was practically tearing up in wet sobs that she couldn’t form coherent words.

Rainbow watched her mother as she laid over the casket crying. Her face was devoid of any emotions. ‘I can understand where Uncle Starry comes from….’ Rainbow Dash thought, pitifully. She placed a hoof gently over her mother’s shoulders in comfort.

She had already said her words and didn’t feel compelled to say them again. “Thanks for everything, dad.” Was all she could say before she pulled her mother off of the casket and guided her away.

One by one, many ponies who knew Reiner and was close to him said their final farewells.

“He was a great pony.”

“He was a hero.”

“He was the light in the darkness.”

“He was strong, brave….”

Rainbow Dash just drowned everything out. What a pain in the flank. Sure, she was sad, but now she was just empty. Empty and angry!

She got up and left before the ceremony was finished. “Rainbow Dash!” Her mother whispered but let her daughter go. Of all of the ponies in Equestria, Reiner was immortal, invincible, all-powerful to her. Somepony more than a hero; her father, her protector, and her idol. His death was probably eating away at her, too.

It was best to let Rainbow Dash find herself in this one. For the young mare, her father was the world, he was her everything. Now that he’s gone, there’s a giant void in her chest that left her lost and clueless.

“When she decided to dress up as Reiner, that took me off guard.” Cotton shook her head. “She still intends to follow him in his hoofsteps, doesn’t she?” Even as much as it pains her to see her daughter fight, there was nothing that she could do. It was every Starlights’ duty to fight against the demon scourge. Some more than others, but all had to take up arms.

They weren’t the only military forces that they had but they were a special breed of ponies. The Starlight Clan were elite pegasi combat forces. They were only ones that could efficiently fight off Luna’s Children.

It was just how it was.

The ceremony took quite a few hours before it was finally over. One by one, everypony got up to leave. When Cotton was getting ready, she was stopped by Starry Lights. “I really am sorry for your lost.” He said in a rough voice that didn’t really sound all that sincere,  but she knew he meant well.

“I can say the same to you, Starry. You lost your only brother.”

“I also lost a valuable asset in the clan.” He took a deep sigh. “Finding somepony of that caliber, hay, finding somepony half of his caliber, will be nearly impossible.”

“Hello, my little ponies.” Princess Celestia walked alongside them and greeted the two. “Oh, my, where is little Rainbow Dash?”

“She ran off earlier, I’m not sure where she went. She’ll come back home when she’s ready, this really hit her hard, I think she just needs a little time.”

“I just hope that young filly remembers her training with me today!” Starry grunted.

XOX

‘He’s gone. He’s gone. He’s gone. He’s gone.’ Rainbow Dash thought over and over as she flew. She left her mother without a word but she couldn’t stand to be in that place any longer.

It was bad enough that she watched her father’s life fade from his eyes, then she had to carry his corpse home and finally held a funeral for him all within a span of a couple days. It was too much for her to bear.

“I’m so lost, I don’t know anything anymore. I want to follow my dad….” She shook her head as she looked down to see Ponyville. “I’m sure that AJ and Fluttershy will be able to help me.”

Reiner’s death was supposed to be a secret, it wasn’t good to have the populace learning of their hero’s demise, it would send them into a panic and the enemy would jump at the power gap. But she wanted to talk to somepony about this, she didn‘t care about lame-o rules!

Applejack would understand, wouldn’t she?

XOX

“I don’t understand.” Applejack said clearly as she munched on an apple.

“W-What?! How can you not understand my feelings?”

“I understand alright, ‘bout your father’s death, that is.” Applejack said in that ‘I know what you don’t know, you fool!’ tone. “What I don’ understand is why ya’ll obsessed with becoming the General? Didn‘t ya father tell you not to?”

“That’s exactly it!” Rainbow slammed a hoof on the table. “I have to become a Starlight General so I can see everything from his eyes!”

“I think ya’ll getting this all wrong, sugarcube.” Applejack raised a hoof and rubbed circles on her own face. “Somethin’ tells me that your father just wants you to be happy, to live as safe as a life as you could. I think doing the exact opposite won‘t make him very proud, you think?”

*Ding dong!*

“Well, who in the blue blazes could that be?” Applejack looked up at the clock on her kitchen wall. “It’s still too early for the rooster to be crowin’.”

Rainbow Dash followed her friend from behind as the farmer opened the door to her home. A flurry of colors and confetti filled the cowpony’s face.

“Go~oood morning!” A loud voice exploded in both of the young mares’ faces.

“Who the hayle are ya?” Applejack asked, flustered, as she wiped off some of the confetti that stuck to her face.

“I‘~m Pinkie Pie!” The light red mare shouted as she hopped into the living room.

“I don’t think I ever met you before?” Rainbow Dash glared at ‘Pinkie Pie’ suspiciously.

“Well, I hope not, silly filly! That would be so awkward! I just moved in the neighborhood, after all! Unless you were one of my old filly friends from kindergarten. Oh! Are you an old filly friend? Talk about a quinky-dink! How are you? Do you remember me?! Remember when I used to go parading in the muffin basket when the teacher wasn’t looking? Good times~!”

Pinkie Pie jumped in Rainbow’s face, filling her mouth with the frizzy bubblegum mane. “Puh! No, I don’t think we’ve ever met!” Rainbow pushed the overly excited mare out of her personal space.

“Well, howdy! Good to have you in the neighborhood, Pinkie Pie. It’s always nice to have a new face around here.” The blonde-maned mare tilted her nonexistent hat with a curt bow. “I hope you don’t mind and all but what are you doing here in my farm? Especially so early in the morning?”

“Oh! Ooh! Ooh! I know this one!” Pinkie stopped her hopping and waved her hoof in the air, wildly. Her face was puffed up as she struggled to contain her excitement.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at one another with a confused expression. “Ah, yes, Pinkie Pie?” Said Applejack, after realizing that the blue-eyed mare was mimicking a classroom.

“I! I!” Pinkie stopped her erratic behavior and raised a hoof to her chin, thoughtfully. “Oh! I know this one!”

Rainbow Dash face-hoofed as she watched the cycle repeat. “Why are you here, bub?”

“I’m here for some ingredients!” There was a devilish smile on the happy-go-lucky mare’s face. “I think you two girls will be perfect for it!”

“What for?” They asked, curiously.

“CUPCAKES!” There was a red gleam in her eyes. “Apple cupcakes! Grape cupcakes! Cherry cupcakes! Grass cupcakes! I need to make all kinds of cupcakes!”

“Just cupcakes?”

“Nah, that’ll be silly! Why would I have a bakery shop that only sells cupcakes? It would be called a cupcake shop, then! But I wouldn’t be able to sell pies or cakes or doughnuts…? I guess I can invent a doughnut cupcake and pie cupcake then everything will be honky-dory! How do I make a cake cupcake though or even muffin cupcakes?!”

“Okay…?” Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack and made a horizontal whirling motion with a hoof near her head accompanied by a tongue sticking out and crossed eyes.

Applejack ignored her friend’s rude gesture, rolling her eyes. “Don’t worry, sugarcube, I’m sure you’ll solve that problem when you come to it.” She stuck a hoof out to Pinkie Pie. “I’m Applejack.” She pointed her free hoof at the blue pegasus. “And that idiot over there is known as the Rainbow Dash, daughter of the legendary Reiner Dash! Eh, was.”

“Oh! Cool!” Pinkie Pie took Applejack’s hoof and shook it vigorously. “What do you mean by, was? You even said it in italics, it must be serious!”

Rainbow Dash made a  ‘coo coo’ sound from her mouth and blubbered her lips with a hoof. “Wait a moment!” She stopped her mockery of Pinkie Pie and yelled at Applejack. “That was supposed to be a secret! She’s not supposed to know that my father is dead!”

“Dead?!” Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened and she fell onto her back, lifeless. Her legs became rigid as they stuck out in the air.

“Oh, dear. I messed this up didn’t I?” Applejack shook her head in apology to her pegasus friend. “And I think we scared the poor filly. Not everyday that you hear the savior of the world is dead and that we‘re left defenseless.”

“Want me to splash her face with ice cold water?” Rainbow offered.

“I think it’s best that we just get her to the couch and wait for her to come to her senses.”

XOX

“What! Who! Where! When! Whatchamacallit-Why!?” The pink pony exploded out of the couch and jumped in front of the two mares, scaring them. Her mane lost its puff and was downright flat. She had a look of fear in her eyes.

“Calm down, sugarcube!” Applejack moved her hoofs over the other mare’s shoulders to keep her in place.

“Is…what you said true?” Pinkie Pie’s eyes contracted to the size of small pebbles. “Is Reiner Dash really dead?!”

Both ponies looked at their new friend with a solemn look in their eyes, nodding. “Oh…I…I—”

“Don’t say anything. That’s all you can do fer us, especially Rainbow Dash.” Applejack closed both of her eyes in thought before opening her left eye, sending a green orb gazing Pinkie’s way. “I hope that you darn tootin tell anypony else, neither.

“Oh! I promise! I Pinkie Pie Promise! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” Pinkie did the motions as she said this and ended it with a literal cupcake thrown into her eyes. That didn’t look at all pleasant but the mare just laughed and her tongue stretched out at an impossible length to lap at the destroyed cupcake.

“Oh, okay? You are a strange one, Ms. Pinkie Pie.” Rainbow Dash found herself laughing, a real laugh that she hasn’t felt in what seemed like ages.

The baker mare left, not before she took a cartful of apples to her shop. The mare wanted to drop a load of bits on the table but Applejack insisted that she’d give them away as a symbol of new neighborly hospitality.

Smiling one of the widest smiles that neither Applejack or Rainbow has ever seen, the giddy mare dropped a pile of different baked goods in the living room. They were surprised to see how the obviously earth pony managed to hide those on her person. It was like magic!

“Oh, boy! I haven’t ate since the incident!” Rainbow Dash found herself drooling over the prospect of diving into the large food pile.

“Hold your horses, Dash.” Applejack clenched her teeth on the prismatic-maned pony’s tail and pulled her down. “We should be respectful of everypony else and wait for them to wake up so‘s we can share this bounty.”

“Meh!” Rainbow crossed her forelegs and flew outside to pass the time.

“Hmm, Fluttershy might like some, too.” Applejack chuckled as she mentally divided the stack of food.  The cowpony considered introducing Fluttershy to their new neighbor but feared how the young pegasus would react, knowing how shy she is.

XOX

“What’s this?” A young flying pegasus spotted Ponyville in the distance. Her legs were wrapped in bandages and her mane was a mess like she was a burn victim. Near her shoulders, visibly where the bandages didn’t cover, there were patches of white scales. The night blue coated pegasus eyed the ant-like ponies below her with curiosity. There seemed to be some commotion going on down below.

She flew lower to the border town to see what was going on.

XOX

Twilight quietly crept with her belly close to the floor. She was in a giant grey cavern. Her ears told her that her target was near.

Next to the dragon laid a rather decent pile of jewels. ‘Rarity might like some of those.’ Twilight thought to herself.

She magically conjured up a small scroll before her eyes. On it were a list of a few things that she needed for her experiment.

At the top of the list there were large bolded letters: AEGIS STONE. Below, there were a few ingredients listed that she needed to obtain.

Two of the things that she needed were already here; dragon flesh and blood, and the second, water diamonds from the deepest caves pure and natural. Good thing dragons loved to make their hordes.

She wasn’t afraid of the dragon but she had to sneak around to take him by surprise. This young dragon was the only dragon available near Neighrun for hundreds of miles. Most dragons left the area thousands of years ago due to the previous Zoner incarnations wiping any of them nearly extinct that were on Luna’s side of the border.

The dragons were fierce and territorial and very independent but they were no match for a single Zoner. ‘That’s what those fools deserve for siding with the enemy.’ Twilight growled as she remembered a horde of dragons attacking her country back when she was first born. ‘The fools thought that I was some weakling just because I was a newborn!’

Many Lunar Ponies were killed that day but less than what would have had happened had it not been for Twilight’s intervention.

Yes, she was not afraid of this mere teenage dragon but she couldn’t have him running at the sight of her. She was in no mood for the chase.

She quickly teleported from behind the teenager and whipped her tail at him. Her razor sharp tail struck him from behind his right shoulder, she could feel the crunching of bones.

“Gah!” The dragon roared. He reached out over his shoulder with his good claw but roared in more pain as Twilight whipped her tail back, ripping off some of his bones and flesh.

He fell onto his back as some of the lava flew up from his fall. A few drops hit Twilight in her eyes and another hit her six-sided star Destiny Mark. Her flesh began burning at the lava as her burnt eyes became a hollow hole and her Destiny Mark was singed beyond recognition, even showing a bit of her pelvis bones.

The dragon looked from where he was on the floor to see Twilight trounce up to him, with her forelegs atop his uninjured shoulder.

“T-Twilight!” The young dragon screeched in recognition as he realized who had attacked him.

“Hello, little dragon. I am in need of your fluids!” Twilight said with giddy as her empty eyehole and good eye looked on the horrified dragon’s face. The sounds of liquid being slurped out could be heard as a white aura covered his torn shoulder.

XOX

“What in tarnation is going on here?!” Applejack first had expected the typical ponies wandering around as she headed to her stall but instead found ponies running to and fro, in a panic. “Excuse me, ma’am—? Eh, sir—? Hey, little one, what’s going on?” Applejack managed to get a small young filly to stop and explain to her about what was going on.

“Well, everypony is panicking because—” The little girl was immediately snatched up by a running mare, presumably her mother.

“Wait one apple-bucking moment!” Applejack was getting annoyed with the flustered townsponies. She reached for her saddle and pulled her lasso out with her teeth. She looked at the closest pony to her, a yellow pegasus, and leashed her unsuspecting pony victim!

“Now, hold on, you!” The farmer munched on a piece of straw in annoyance. “What in the world—Oh, Fluttershy!” The orange mare apologized to her friend for roping her. “I’m sorry about that but could you explain to me about what in the hay is going on?”

“Oh! Um…that is…if you don’t mind,” The pegasus mare started fiddling with her mane with her hoof making most of her face was covered, except for half of one blue eye looking Applejack‘s way. “There were some news. Grave news! Meep!”

“Please, sugarcube, can you spit it out?” Applejack didn’t like pushing Fluttershy but at this rate she’ll never find out what was going on.

“Reiner Dash is dead!” The young mare shouted a bit louder than she had expected.

Just as Fluttershy said this, another pony yelled out, “It’s the end of the world!”

“The Zoner will feast on our flesh and her Dark Mistress will feast on our souls!”

“Everypony for themselves! This is a Celestia-damned world!”

“Blood of the innocent will rain down on all of us sinners!”

“Celestia is no longer with us! The Princess is dead!”

“You’ve got to be kiddin’ me!” Applejack smacked her forehead with a hoof. “How in the world did everpony find out?!” A happy pink go-lucky face appeared in her mind, “Pinkie Pie!”

“Hey, what’s up?” Rainbow Dash flew down above her two friends. “What’s with all the hubbub?”

“We’re looking for a mare who couldn’t keep her mouth shut!” Applejack growled.

After interrogating a few ponies, they managed to find Pinkie Pie’s bakery, Sugarcube Corner.

It was a happy-looking round building. ‘Not for long!’ Applejack growled. She hated nothing more than liars, and breaking a promise was the worst form that a pony could lie!

Without warning, the door to Sugarcube Corner was smashed opened by Applejack’s strong hind-legs.

“Ooh! Hiya, Applejack, Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie Pie popped up from behind the counter in front of them, wearing an apron and chef’s hat. In one of her hoofs, there was a ladle, and a whisk in the other. Both objects were dripping with cake batter. “I see you brought another friend along!” She jumped over the counter and ran straight for Fluttershy.

The bear-hug that she gave Fluttershy sent the young mare into shock and covered her with batter all over. “You’re so soft!” Pinkie Pie squealed. “You’re like a giant plush doll! Wait, are you a plush doll? How are you moving? Are you a robot? Toys are so fancy nowadays!”

“Eeep!” Fluttershy groaned as her face turned blue from the lack of oxygen.

“Stop that!” Applejack split the two girls apart. “We’re not here for pleasantries, sadly.” She gave Pinkie Pie a glare and shoved her back with a hoof. “You swore that you wouldn’t tell anypony about her dad’s death!” She gestured towards Rainbow Dash.

“B-But I didn’t?” Pinkie stopped smiling and her puffy mane drooped. “I Pinkie Promised…?”

“Well, I don’t know what you think about that!” Applejack moved out of the way so that Pinkie could see the panicking ponies through the open doorway. “Somepony had to have told them! It wasn’t me and I doubt Rainbow Dash here is prancing around telling everypony that her father and hero is dead!”

“B-But I didn’t…I didn’t do it…!” Pinkie dropped to the floor and started crying.

“Easy, AJ. I think she’s telling the truth.” Rainbow Dash flew between the two mares and held Applejack back.

“She looks so sad.” Fluttershy added. “Sadder than when one of my pets died…and I was really, really sad because of that!”

“I don’t know, she’s either telling a really good lie or you’re right!” The honest pony shook her head. “But who else could have told the townsponies?”

“I…I did….” A soft voice said from behind them. They all turned to face the doorway to see a small earth pony with a yellow coat looking at them. Atop her red mane was a giant bow, bigger than her head, her blue eyes were teary as fountains threatened to pour out.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t think dat ya’ll be mad at me, sis!” The small pony ran up to Applejack, begging for her forgiveness. “Ah hear’d ya and Rainbow talking from upstairs. I-I couldn’t keep my mouth shut!”

“It’s okay, Apple Bloom!” The older sister comforted the younger one. “You did something that you shouldn’t have but there’s no point in crying over spilled milk. There’s no point in arguing over it now.”

The group of ponies didn’t notice a green-coated unicorn mare peering at them through the window. “So, that’s what happened!” The mare smiled, her smile was stretched across her entire face.

She ran behind an alley and reached over from behind her, pulling at her back, revealing the night-blue pegasus from before. “I have to get this information to Mistress Twilight!”

The bandaged mare quickly shot into the sky and disappeared into the distance. On her flank, there was an Destiny Mark of an opera mask.

XOX

“T-Twilight?!” The dragon groaned in pain as the Zoner finished draining the last bit of blood that she needed.

“Goody! I even have some dragon meat!” Twilight exclaimed with glee. The horde pile started glowing white as a dozen large blue liquid-filled diamonds floated near her before she threw them into a glass container.

“Oh! Mommy!” The dragon cried.

“Shh! Shh! The pain will be all over, my little dragon!” Twilight smirked as she observed his torn shoulder. She closed her eyes and when she opened them her eyes were glowing purple. The purple light surrounded the torn sinews and made fiery hot flashes. Quickly, the flesh started melting together with the bones growing back and the wound was starting to close.

“Shh! Now that’s better, isn’t it, my little dragon-poopsie-woo?” Twilight nuzzled her face against the purple dragon’s cheeks.

“Mom! That hurt!” The dragon complained.

“Oh, don’t be such a big baby, Spike! I healed you, didn’t I?” Twilight jumped down from his shoulder to let him stand up. He towered over Twilight by a few good feet but he didn’t look at all very intimidating.

“You almost ripped my arm off!” The dragon complained some more. Spike stopped his complaining when he noticed Twilight’s missing eye and her singed flank. “Oh! I’m so sorry! Did I do that when I splashed the lava?”

“It’s no big deal, it’ll go away on its own in a few more hours.” Twilight waved a hoof nonchalantly at him.

“Doesn’t it hurt?” Spike leaned down and poked at the empty socket, he accidentally stabbed deeper than he had intended with a claw. “Sorry!” He said with worry.

“It’s alright. It hurt the first moment but the flesh in that area is dead now so I didn’t feel anything.” Twilight chuckled, evilly. “You get used to this after a few centuries, long life does that to you.”

“I don’t think I’d ever get used to pain, no matter how long I live.” Spike shook his head. “I think it’s just because you fight so much that’s why you are so used to it.”

“Well, thanks for the ingredients! I needed those!” Twilight called out as she started headed in the direction that she came from. “See ya later!”

“Wait, what are the ingredients for? Mom!” Spike couldn’t help but be curious. He only vaguely remembered a few things that dragon blood could be used for and he was sure that Twilight didn’t want to make a lava-proof sun lotion.

“Oh, I was just trying a new recipe for…stuff!” Twilight stopped walking and yelled out from behind, not turning around to face him. “Adult stuff that you don’t understand!”

“It’s for an Aegis Stone, isn’t it?” Spike cried out, the cavern started to shake from his deep roar.

“That’s not important. See ya when I see ya, kid. Take care!” Twilight continued her walking.

“It matters to me!” Spike fell to his butt and stared at the floor, afraid to look at Twilight Sparkle. “I don’t know what I will do if you are gone.”

“You could learn to be independent.” The blackish purple mare sighed before she disappeared out of sight.

“I just woke up, mom! Why are you already deciding to leave?”

XOX

“Oh, dear. It seems that everypony seemed to have found out about Reiner’s death?” Princess Celestia looked out over her balcony with worry.

“Something tells me that this has to do with Rainbow Dash.” Starry walked up beside the Princess. “My brother was strong but not a god, not like how they revere him. I will never understand how the everyday ponies think.” Starry Lights sighed from beside Celestia.

“While I admire your diligence, you do need to liven up a bit. I think a vacation may be in order for you, Lieutenant Starlight General.” Princess Celestia said, motherly. “It’s good to work hard, but bad to work yourself to death.”

“Please, princess.” Starry shook his head. “What will a raggedy stallion like me be doing outside the battlefield? The civil world has no need for a warmonger like me.”

The blue pegasus stepped down from beside Celestia and started walking away. She turned to peer over her shoulder to notice a mare freeze up when she spotted Starry Lights before kneeling over with her body stiff.

“D-Did he just kill that mare?” The Princess sighed a breath of relief when she noticed that the mare immediately stood back up once Reiner was gone, although there was a wooziness in the mare’s step. She winced when she saw the mare ran face-first into the wall.

Starry may be right, the civilians were indeed strange.

XOX

“We have to find a way to fix this problem!” Applejack said, huddling up with her family, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash back at her farm.

“How?” Fluttershy asked.

“We just have to find a way to make Reiner’s death not seem a big deal, no offense.” Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash with regret in her eyes.

“It’s okay, what’s happened, happened.” Rainbow Dash sniffed.

“Ooh! We can say that he’s away on a special bunny rescue mission!” Fluttershy said so quietly that it was hard to hear but they could hear the eagerness in her voice, all the same. Everypony looked her way, giving her strange looks. Her ears flattened, “I’m sorry.”

“We can say that he’s out hiding in Conscendora, and that his death is actually a ruse so that he can take the enemy down from the inside!” Big Macintosh, Applejack’s brother, said with stars in his eyes. “We have to convince them to play the part.”

It was a nice idea but Applejack didn’t like that it was too flashy, he watched too much Colt Bond movies.

“We can say that he’s in the hospital, not dead!” Applejack thought out loud, there were a few clamors of conformity. “And we can say that he’s so injured that he can’t fight anymore! But he’s already found a suitable replacement that he will name (written, not verbally) at a certain point in time.”

Everypony liked that idea and found it pretty reasonable and down-to-earth. At least, until one more pony made a suggestion.

“I know! Why don’t we have Rainbow Dash pretend to be Reiner Dash, after all, I can ne’er tell the difference between those two! They are tougher to reco’nize than a needle in a haystack!”

Apple Bloom added, thoughtfully.

“That way, Rainbow Dash could finally have her dreams filled by becoming the Starlight General and learning everything about her father, and everypony won’t be panicking no more when they see ‘him’ in the flesh! And when the Lunar Ponies realize that Reiner is still alive, they won‘t be tryin‘ nuthin‘ ta mess with us.”

That was actually a pretty solid idea, everypony nodded in silent agreement. Everypony except for Applejack.

“Oh em gee!” Rainbow Dash had a smile wider than Applejack had thought possible. “That’s the perfect idea! I had a similar idea but I was just going to prance around in his armor and meditate in my parents’ room and look up photo books and read his war books to understand what he meant.”

“I don’t like this idea, one bit!” Applejack stated. “It’s too dangerous! Besides, you’re not ready to take on the duties of a Starlight General! I know, why don‘t we mix the plans? You parade as Reiner and giv’ the position to somepony else?”

“No way, no how! I’m not going to let my dad look weak!” Rainbow declared. “I’ll show everypony that he will always be the strongest and bestest pony there is! Hoofs down!”

“Come on, this is too crazy!” Applejack looked at Fluttershy, her older brother and grandma. They all seemed to agree with Apple Bloom. “This is too reckless, even for her!”

“Apple Bloom is right,” Big Macintosh started. “We can’t just have ‘Reiner’ give up, not right away. He has to still look strong when he finally gives up his position, not because he has to.”

“It’ll probably be some nameless Starlight with no strong war record, them Lunar varmints will see the new Starlight General as easy pickings. They‘ll amass an army and tear through Equestria.” The old mare, Granny Smith, said. “We need to wait until a Starlight Pegasus earns enough prestige close to Reiner’s before we pulled the wool over their eyes.”

“I agree….” Fluttershy said, giving Applejack a look of helplessness.

Applejack sighed, “Fine. We can go with it. But you still need to work on the act of being Reiner. That Zoner miscreant will be hesitant to attack you head-on if she thinks you’re your father. You gotta bluff that one good!”

“Heck yeah! Awesome plan for the win!”

“I’m surrounded by idiots….” Applejack moaned and tilted the brim of her Stetson hat over her eyes.

XOX

“That’s an interesting proposal!” The blue wizard said with a nod of her head. “The Great and Powerful Trixie only wonders why you have come to her for this arrangement?”

“Because you’re the best pony there is, obviously!” Rainbow Dash followed beside the mare from above, she was in an upright position with her legs dragging down near Trixie’s head. ‘I don’t really know any other unicorns good enough and willing to perform the spells on me, especially somepony within the court.’

“Of course, who else is as grand and wonderful as The Great and Powerful Trixie?”

Rainbow Dash was the best pony at rubbing egos because she had a giant ego and who had a bigger ego than her? Nopony, that‘s who.

‘I will finally walk in my father’s hoofsteps! Literally!’

Rainbow Dash quickly retrieved and wore her father’s armor and helmet, the armor was obviously too large for her but the helmet fit pretty snuggly.

“What a ‘dashing’ look on you.” Trixie giggled.

“Yeah, yeah! Hurry with the magic, sister!” Rainbow tapped a hoof, impatiently.

Trixie sighed and closed her eyes, aiming her horn at the young pegasus. Soon, a blue glow wrapped around Rainbow and she felt herself being stretched out like dough.

The loose armor, started to get a bit tighter and formfitting. She grew a few more inches until it stopped. Rainbow turned to the mirror beside her to watch her new form.

“I look just like my father!” It was amazing how simply making her body growing to that of an older mare made her look just like her father when she was wearing his armor. “I still sound like a girl though!” She complained and reached two hoofs to her mouth in shock.

“I have a spell for that, too. Don‘t get your harness in a knot.” Trixie waved a hoof, nonchalantly, before she performed another spell.

“Do I sound more stallion? Like my dad?” Rainbow said in a voice that was all too different from her own. “Oh, my Celestia! You did it! I sound and look like my dad!” She couldn’t help herself as she plunged at the annoying mare and gave her a tight hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“It’s no problem,” Trixie wheezed. “Now, if you please, remove your dirty hooves off of my neck, The Great and Powerful Trixie cannot BREATHE!”

“Oh, sorry.” Rainbow let go of Trixie, making the mare fall to the floor with a crash. It looked like she unconsciously flew a few feet into the air with Trixie in her arms when she hugged the older mare.

Rainbow Dash quickly rushed out of Trixie’s establishment and headed straight towards the Main Castle. She burst through the hallways, ignoring the gasps of astonishments, as she blasted through Celestia’s Meeting Room. The Princess was currently having a meeting with a group of influential Starlight Ponies and were discussing about who to appoint the new Starlight General. The meeting ended just as abruptly as the door slamming open.

A few of the ponies fell back, unconscious, while others just stood there frozen. All eyes were on her, even Princess Celestia was stunned with her mouth agape.

“R-Reiner?” The Princess started to say but was interrupted by Starry Lights, “Reiner, is that really you!? How in the heck did you…you’re dead! I saw your carcass in that casket that Rainbow Dash brought in!”

Rainbow decided to play along for a bit and said nothing as she walked up towards the Princess. She stopped, just a few feet away, and took a deep bow adding, “My Princess, what you may have heard or seen is a great lie. As you all can perfectly see, I’m fine.” She turned towards the other ponies and smirked. ‘This is too fun!’

“Master Reiner!”

“W-Welcome back!”

“Oh, Lord Reiner, it’s a sight for sore eyes!”

“The best of the Starlights is alive and well!”

Starry ignored some of the other Starlight Ponies, many of them were young, or at least younger than him, and were not used to Reiner’s presence and power. He walked up to Rainbow and nuzzled the mare stiffly. “I am glad to see that you are…alive, younger brother. Celestia knows that I can‘t be the Starlight General, again, and she also knows that none of these spineless excuse for soldiers can replace your horseshoes, either.”

Rainbow chuckled to herself, that was one of Starry’s rare intimate moments. He must have really hated the idea of choosing another Starlight General to replace her father.

“Rainbow Dash! Tell them of The Great and Powerful Trixie’s glorious plan!” Trixie barged in through the double-doors. Everypony stopped and turned to look at the new intruder.

“Rainbow Dash?” They all said in unison and turned to look at Rainbow.

Starry looked at her with confusion in his eyes before reaching out to pull her helmet. Rainbow smiled, cheekily, as she bent her head in shame. “Hi, everypony?”

“Reiner Dash is a girl?!” One Starlight exclaimed in shock. All eyes looked at the red pegasus who had said that with an intense stare. “I-I mean…’Oh, no! It’s Rainbow Dash, impersonating Reiner!’?” The young colt chuckled nervously as he shrank, attempting to hide his body under the war table.

“That Twisty Spring is so clueless sometimes, hard to believe that he’s a good fighter….” Another pony said off to the side, they all nodded in agreement adding their own comments.

All eyes went back to Rainbow Dash, waiting for an explanation from the young mare. She not only tricked them but she had the galls to prance around as somepony who died very recently.

“Okay…, so—” She started.

After explaining everything to the Starlight Ponies and Princess Celestia, they all stood silent for what seemed like hours. They looked at one another before looking back at Rainbow Dash. Their stares were melting right through her skull.

“That’s an interesting proposal…,” Princess Celestia admitted.

“Interesting indeed.” Starry agreed. “Not just interesting! That’s actually a very good war plan! To think that a little foal came up with the idea, it brings a tear to my scarred eyes!” Leave it to Starry to get emotional over some war scheme. “The young ponies may be worth it, after all!”

“So that means…?” Rainbow asked, slowly.

“Yes,” Princess Celestia closed her eyes and nodded. “We will let you pretend to be Reiner Dash and even appoint you the new Starlight General. It’s a dangerous position but you are the only one who can fill that role.”

“We’ll just have to send whatever Starlights that we have at disposal to watch your back, kid. And I need to train you even harder so that you can fulfill the abilities expected of the Starlight General.” Starry laughed out loud and patted Rainbow in the back a bit too hard that it almost sent her flying to the floor. “Remember, it’s only temporary and it’s mostly decoy and bluff duties. The accompanying Starlight that is with you will do the more harder stuff. I‘m proud, all the same.”

“Thanks, Uncle Starry!” Rainbow beamed in joy.

XOX

“Mistress Twilight!” A midnight-blue pegasus flew in through the open window and landed in front of the Zoner of Darkness, who had a large book on the floor, reading it.

“What is it?” Twilight Sparkle asked, a bit surprised to see her subordinate here instead of on patrol.

“Reiner’s dead!” The pegasus screeched in amusement.

Twilight’s heart seemed to stop as she registered this new information. ‘Reiner’s dead?!’ But…he’s her Fated One…!

“H-How? Where? Who?” Her surprise melted quickly as she grew angry.

“Apparently, the citizens think that you did it!” The winged mare smiled, her teeth were black and shiny with metallic sheen.

End Chapter