Oh Captain, My Captain!by Akashic BronyChaptersChapter 1 Love or LoyaltyChapter 2 Heart of the StormChapter 3 Decision PointChapter 4 The Yearning YearsChapter 5 Loyalty and LoveChapter 1 Love or LoyaltyIt was a picture that was emblazoned in her earliest fondest childhood memories, the two figures in her life perhaps more influential than her parents. She imagined herself in the safety and restriction of the confines of her cradle. Then she envisioned herself being plucked and placed in the foreign and open: meek and weak. Twilight sat with Shining Armor and Cadance. In the company of her brother and sister-in-law, Twilight would have enjoyed their breakfast together, were it not for the manila folder in the center of table. Her tea was cold, and her chocolate muffin had only several small nibbles. Cadance gave a kindly smile, as she pushed the manila folder towards Twilight. “Your Companion Captain is very important. He or she will have to protect you through thick and thin. Your guard will be your lifelong friend.” Twilight blushed. “It sounds intimate.” Cadance and Shining Armor nuzzled each other. Cadance smiled. “It can be. There’s nothing against marrying your Captain.” Shining Armor grinned. “After a while of asking, I said yes.” Cadance chuckled, poking her husband with a hoof. “I would have ordered you if you didn’t agree. Shining Armor coughed as he returned his attention to Twilight. “It’s a big decision, kiddo. You have to make a choice though. These are dangerous times; everypony would sleep a lot better knowing that you were better protected. There’s been talk of war with the United Griffin Kingdoms. Luna’s Nightguards can’t shadow you forever.” Always on the periphery of her vision were her Nightguard escorts; Twilight was glad Luna’s bat-ponies were so stealthy in their role, but she still felt unease at having her privacy usurped. “I know; I’ve held this off for too long.” Twilight nodded while fidgeting through the folder. She had pushed it to the back of her schedule multiple times then several more times. For months it had been the last item on her checklist. Shining Armor pointed to some of the profiles. “I picked out the best of the best for you, Twily. They’re all good soldiers and good matches. You won’t go wrong with any of them. I want you to choose who you feel would best serve you.” Cadance giggled and winked. “There are a few unconventional ones in there as well if you’re feeling adventurous. I slid in several ones when Shiny wasn’t looking.” Shining Armor guffawed. “Wait, what?” Cadance sang. “Love is a battlefield.” She stood up at the table and gestured grandly. “You can have a tournament for the position if you'd like!” Twilight shook her head. It was too novel cliché for her. “Rarity might like one, but I'd rather choose.” Shining Armor bit his hoof as he looked at the profiles. “So you’ve chosen?” Twilight had already read all the biographies. The menagerie of matches didn’t interest her. She made her best winning impression that she used to get cookies as a foal. “Big brother best friend forever, can I choose somepony not on the list?” Shining Armor looked worriedly. “Twily?” Warm currents carried her; Twilight felt the breeze through her fine feathers from her secondaries to her primaries’. A whole new world was hers: with wings she could explore more than she ever imagined. She felt the joy of all Pegasi; her thoughts, however, always turned towards one. She had chosen, and her brother and sister-in-law approved. Now all that remained was to ask. Twilight dipped slightly as she wondered what her chosen would say. Victory Day, a thousand years ago, The Pegasi Weather Warlords won the skies from the United Griffin Kingdoms, establishing the independence of the Pegasi ponies through all of Equestria. It was a joyous time for any Pegasus and had become a national holiday. For Rainbow Dash, it meant more work that the upcoming event entailed. In her office she sat between several skyscrapers of forms and papers, grumbling as she stamped form after form. Rainbow cringed when she looked at the stacks still waiting. Approvals for explosive fireworks, the new fly-by formation, the various requests for holiday leave, the air security detail for the Princesses, and the choreography for the festivities left her feeling anything but festive. At least she had the upcoming race to look forward to. Literally she would be looking. Tomorrow’s race would be for the lower ranks and recruits to shine. It would be considered improper for her to race. Rainbow grit her teeth; in her heat to compete, her wings itched to be used. She sighed after stamping another form; just smelling the competition would take all her self control not to join in herself. Rainbow’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard then a knocking at her door… Twilight touched down at the runway of the Wonderbolt academy. She was nearly blown away by the gust created by the Wonderbolts who were currently taking off. The elite flyers were jetting past each other in squadron formations. Their practice was a well-organized dance. Twilight’s eyes had difficulty following the intricate maneuvers. Victory Day was coming up. She had read into the ancient Pegasi tradition and learned that it was a holiday with many implications. “Hey Twilight.” Twilight spun around to see a familiar orange pegasus wearing a flight suit. Time had a way of flying; she saw a flash image of the littler version of Scootaloo she tutored in the library. Scootaloo and her two friends would eagerly call it ‘Twilight Time’. “Scootaloo? What are you doing here?” “I work here, duh!” the orange Pegasus rolled her eyes and snorted blowing a tuft of her purple mane out of her eyes. Twilight nodded. “I’m sorry, Scootaloo.” Scootaloo, sighed. “No, I’m sorry for snapping. Being the new recruit is hard. There’s lots of wash outs. They don’t treat you like a Wonderbolt until you fly your first five missions.” Twilight gave her best reassuring smile. Back then Scootaloo had tiny wings which left her unable to take off; now Scootaloo had an impressive set of wings able to catch the slightest breeze. “I’m sure you’ll make it.” Scootaloo looked furtively at the ground. “Twilight, I’m not sure I even want to… I became a Wonderbolt to follow my hero, Rainbow Dash. Is this even me or just me chasing after something, somepony else?” Twilight choked. There were uncomfortable parallels that she just drew between them. Twilight hugged Scootaloo like she was her foal, maybe a miniature of herself. “I don’t know, but just be you. You can’t go wrong with that, right?” Scootaloo nodded. “Tomorrow’s race is my big chance. Rainbow won it and got herself noticed from the rank and file Wonderbolts. It’s now or never in my career. I have to place in the top three.” Twilight gently patted Scootaloo on the back. “Scootaloo, Rainbow tells me you’re the most promising recruit she’s ever had. You’ll do great.” Scootaloo pulled herself from out of Twilight’s wings. She smiled, striking a confident pose. “Later, Princess Twilight, watch for me in the race tomorrow! I’m going to go for the win!” “I will!” Twilight waved her goodbye. Twilight at last reached the door. A name plate read ‘Captain Rainbow Dash’. Ponies weren’t predators, and their first instinct when faced with stress was to gallop away. Twilight reminded herself she was a Princess. She had to be bold like Luna and calm like Celestia. With her hoof she gave the door a good knock. An exasperated and exhausted voice barked. “Come inside!” Rainbow Dash’s voice warmed as she saw it was her friend who had come calling. “My favorite princess!” She stuffed her aviator glasses into her officers’ coat. Twilight gushed. “Rainbow!” As soon as the door closed, however, the gust of wind created swept through the office. Rainbow leapt and pushed Twilight out of the way as her towers of paperwork collapsed. The flood of folders and files inundated them both. Twilight popped her head out of the sea of papers. “Rainbow, you’ve been slacking.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know, I know. This stupid holiday though has me swamped. I swear the Wonderbolts get like a totally absurd amount of paperwork for the little flying we do.” “I can help,” said Twilight. Rainbow gestured with her hoof to the heaps of papers. “Nah, I can’t ask you to do all of this.” “I insist.” Twilight beamed. “I love paperwork!” “You think you can handle it?” Twilight grinned and floated a quill forward. She tickled Rainbow’s nose with the feather. “You’re talking to the Princess who balanced the national budget!” She affixed a pair of red reading glasses with the same dramatic motions Rainbow did with her sunglasses. Rainbow watched in amazement as Twilight breezed through form after form. Several lifetimes of reading had caught up with her and Twilight now had a pair of glasses like Rarity’s. The stylish frames made Twilight exude a sense of vulnerability despite her Alicorn status. With her magic she was filling out five forms at a time, while Rainbow worked with her one. Distracted, Rainbow clumsily snapped her quill. “Aww rats.” Rainbow grumbled. She felt her wings and found no loose feathers. Twilight had noticed Rainbow even in her work. She plucked one of her own feathers out for Rainbow. “Here, one the perks of wings is free quills!” Rainbow recoiled. “Whoa, Twilight.” Twilight giggled, nervously. “What’s wrong?” Rainbow smirked. “I know something Twilight doesn’t.” Twilight poked Rainbow. “What?” Rainbow giggled. “You don’t just give another Pegasus your own feather. You’re new to the wing thing, so I’ll let it slide. Giving a Pegasus a feather means you’re dating or engaged. It’s a big deal. The whole tradition actually started on Victory Day.” “Oh, yes I read about this! The Weather Warlord Commander Hurricane fought the Griffin Queen of Quivers at the Battle of Red Sky. The duel was intense; he won but lost his wings. As a sign of their love, each of his soldiers gave up a primary feather. The collection was enough to make a set of wings. The symbolic wings are still enshrined at the museum of-” Rainbow eyed Twilight suspiciously as the Alicorn continued explaining. So Twilight had known about the custom of giving feathers. What was more - Rainbow noticed the little bit of blood on the tip of Twilight’s ‘loose’ feather. The quill did not come without a sacrifice. The paper stacks soon were sorted into neat rows ready to be sent out. For added security in case they toppled again, they even tied the stacks together with twine. “Done and done.” Twilight dusted her hooves off and took off her glasses. “You’re such an egghead,” Rainbow sighed, “and that’s awesome.” Twilight blushed under the compliment. “It’s no problem helping a friend.” “What’s this?” Rainbow reached for a manila folder that had fallen under her desk. Twilight gasped. “Rainbow, wait-” The various files spilled out and Rainbow saw the profiles of each of the captains. Rainbow lowered her eyelids and smiled. “Ohohoho, you’re stalking the officers?” Twilight coughed. “No… umm… I’m just trying to pick out one for me, that why I came here today.” She nearly squeaked like Fluttershy. “I wanted you t-t-to- Rainbow tilted her head in confusion. “Huh, to what?” Twilight blurted. “-to give your opinion as to who might be best for my Companion Captain!” She grinned widely, to hide her lie. Rainbow held her gaze for a moment before chuckling. “Twilight, that’s easy. Just ask around, paperwork won’t tell you who’s who.” Rainbow waved a wing while taking her folder with her other one. Rainbow wrapped a wing around Twilight. “C’mon, we’ll take a tour. I’ll introduce you to the best.” Twilight squealed as Rainbow pulled her along. “Will we sing a song?” “What? No.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “We’re not picking a pet. We’re picking you an owner.” Twilight guffawed. Rainbow laughed. “Let’s go!” Twilight sighed as she followed after Rainbow. Her courage had failed her. As they flew together, Rainbow held the folder in her forelegs and nosed through the files. “This one is bum,” said Rainbow, picking one file with her mouth and chucking it away. She grimaced as she saw another file. “This one too.” Twilight caught the flying files with her magic. “Rainbow!” Rainbow flung another couple of files. “Seriously, who put this folder together?” Twilight caught another file. “My brother Shining Armor and Cadance helped me with the list. They said the candidates were good.” She noticed another file. “Lieutenant Flash Sentry?” Rainbow picked it up and dangled it. Twilight recalled passing interaction with the guard. “I thought he was nice enough.” Rainbow guffawed. “The guy couldn’t guard a rock and he flirts with all the Princesses. Complete gold digger. You can’t separate him from a lineup either, too generic. You deserve better.” “Ewww, I guess you’re right,” said Twilight. Rainbow tossed the file into the breeze. Twilight scrambled to catch it. “Stop throwing them though; those are classified documents!” “Ops, sorry,” said Rainbow, opening the folder to let Twilight stuff them back in. Landing at the Royal Guard Barracks attached to the Canterlot Castle, Twilight followed Rainbow as they made their way to through the training courtyard. “Don’t worry, I’ll set you right,” said Rainbow. “Which guard did you have in mind?” asked Twilight. “I’ve got several ones in mind.” Rainbow pulled a file from the folder. It read ‘Blueberry Frost’. “Incoming!” cried a voice. Twilight and Rainbow ducked as a gilded armored guard was sent flying over their heads. The soldier careened, crashing into a decorative topiary of a pegasi guard. They saw the source of the projectile as a single Earth pony soldier with an upraised leg in kicking position. It was an azure mare with white streaks in her hair. She wore an officer’s gilded armor. Barely hidden behind her sleek fur were wiry muscles. “Anyone of ya, want a go?” The soldier eyed the line of recruits. Twilight stepped forward. “Are you Lieutenant Blueberry Frost?” “Eeyup, that’s me,” said Blueberry, chewing through her words with a southern Equistrian accent. Twilight was reminded of Applejack. Blue gave a toothy grin as she eyed Twilight. “Ah’ll be bucked till tuesday, what brings a Princess down here where we working folk are?” Evidently, she was a far cruder and ruder version. Twilight stepped back a pace. Rainbow interjected. “We’re looking for a good guard, best of the best.” Blue chuckled. “Maybe, Ah’m yer mare. What’s the combat mission?” Rainbow smiled. “Full-time bodyguard with a rank promotion, you’ll organize security details in advance and be charge of your own division.” Blue laughed. “Ah’ll take it if the tail Ah’m protectin’ is good lookin’.” Twilight had buried her head in her hooves in embarrassment. Rainbow noticed. “We’ll keep in touch.” Blue scoffed. “Whatever suits yer fancy.” She turned back to her recruits. “First fool who lands a blow on me, gets to buy me dinner.” Even with several beaten recruits lying semiconscious around the courtyard, several soldiers eagerly stepped up to fight Blue. As they left, Twilight hid her head behind the folder. “How about that one?” Rainbow poked Twilight with her hoof. “She’s also into mares.” Twilight turned back to the courtyard where Blue sent several more recruits flying with her kicks. Looking at Blueberry, Twilight however could only think that the mare’s fur coat color was only shades away from the blue of Rainbow Dash. It made her long for her true desire and shake her head. “Too butch, huh?” Rainbow nodded. “We’ll look at couple more. Maybe someone more hot.” At the spell shooting range, Twilight and Rainbow met with another Captain. “Captain Crimson Flame of the Mages Corp, at your service. I would be glad to be the Princess Twilight’s Companion Captain!” A dark mane and white coated unicorn stallion took Twilight’s hoof and planted a kiss. His long blue Mages Corp coat flickered in a timely breeze with the tufts of his hair. Twilight smiled. The unicorn certainly had class and breathed an air of refinement. She was nearly enamored until she noticed Crimson’s lieutenant, a white coated unicorn with a blond mane, glaring angrily at her. Rainbow poked Crimson. “Do that fire thing.” Crimson directed his horn at an archery target. Auric flames flew from his horn. The flurry of flames dissipated to reveal an expertly drawn rose burned into the woodwork. Twilight clapped her hooves along with several some other unicorns at the range. Again, Twilight’s enthusiasm was dampened again by Crimson’s Lieutenant hovering about with a frightening stare. Rainbow whispered into Twilight’s ear. “Totally hot and cool, right?” Crimson smiled. “I dare the Griffins to interrupt tomorrow’s celebrations! My pyromancy rivals the dragons! Princess Twilight, I promise you will be utterly safe with my protection.” Crimson’s lieutenant coughed. “Oh sir! I forgot, I still need your signature on your petition to shorten the armored skirt length of female guards!” Crimson blurted. “Lieutenant Hawkeye, are you trying ruin my chance at promotion?!” Hawkeye stated, simply. “Captain, you told me to tell you. So I have.” “Timing!” cried Crimson. Crimson and Hawkeye started bickering. Twilight smiled at the dynamic Crimson and Hawkeye had, she couldn’t ruin that. She sensed they had an underlying affection even as they butted heads. It was an odd pantomime of her own situation. Rainbow seemed equally oblivious to Twilight’s affections as Crimson was to his Hawkeye. Twilight and Rainbow moved on as the storm raged on. Twilight wished their dynamic was something like that. Even with a vitriolic friendship there would be great passion. She sensed a deliberate distance in Rainbow’s demeanor in dealing with her. They caught the next candidate in the hallways of Canterlot Castle. Rainbow zoomed towards the soldier. “Soldier, I have a special mission for you. It comes with an instant promotion.” “Vice Captain Dented Armor, reporting for duty.” A red mane and light tan Pegasus gave a swift wing salute. Rainbow got her angry drill sergeant face on. “Okay, you ready to be a full Captain?!” “Yes ma’am,” Dented Armor nodded, as he readied to spring to his wings. Rainbow smiled. “Recite Shakespony.” Both Dented Armor and Twilight turned toward Rainbow with confused looks. Dented Armor cleared his throat. “Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.” Twilight blushed at the rendition and her wings extended. She tried to meet Dented Armor’s eyes but he looked away, shyly. “Two eggheads, you’d get along great,” Rainbow laughed. “He can be your Companion Captain and you can talk nerd all day.” “Companion Captain?” Dented Armor frowned. “I don’t know. I just met some-pony.” Twilight’s wings flopped. Rainbow gestured to Twilight with her wings. “Princess, dude. She’s a Princess.” Dented Armor shook his head. “It wouldn’t be fair. I’m not going to hurt someone just to rise in rank… Plus, I don’t think I’m who she truly wants.” He gave passing glance at Rainbow before walking away. Rainbow grumbled. “He looked like a winner. I overheard him recite poetry once. Sorry, I thought you would like the brooding intellectual type.” “I guess they have to like me…” said Twilight, wistfully staring at Rainbow. Despite the day’s distractions, Twilight eyes still fell upon Rainbow. Twilight walked on sullenly, dragging her hooves on the carpet way of the castle corridors. The sun was setting; the glass windows of the castle were painted by the fading orange light. They passed through columns of shadow and light. It was too emotionally straining. Twilight was only a few paces from Rainbow, yet the Pegasus seem much farther away than ever. “Don’t worry; we still got more names to go.” Rainbow tried her best reassuring tone. Twilight placed her hoof down though. “No.” She then swallowed before speaking. Twilight closed her eyes as she shouted. “Rainbow…I… want you!” Guards posted down the hallway leaned in to look before snapping back to attention. Silence carried through air, and her words echoed. Twilight slowly opened her eyes, the stunned expression of Rainbow’s face wasn’t what she wanted, and the transformation from confusion to cold was even less welcoming. Her hopes of reciprocation slowly waned. “Twilight… I know… and you don’t want me just for the Captain part…Companion too right?” This time it was Twilight that nearly fell back in shock. Rainbow really had grown into her position as a Captain. Her insightful analysis of Twilight’s intent pierced through Twilight. Where was the playful and immature Rainbow? How had their life trajectories lead them to be so separated? Rainbow lowered her head, her mane obscuring her eyes. “I’m a Captain of the Wonderbolts, it’s been my dream. Dreams though, you know, have a funny way of not working like you imagined. There’s an ugly competitive culture here, corruption and cutting through friends to get rank. I’m trying to change that. I work weekdays and weekends now. I’ve become kinda like Rarity, a career mare. It wouldn’t work out.” Twilight pleaded. “We could try. I could help you with your paperwork.” “How about your paperwork? You have your responsibilities as a Princess. Equestria needs you, I can’t be a burden.” “You won’t! I-I-I…” Twilight stammered. Rainbow drew her aviator glasses from her uniform and fixed them on. “I’m sorry. Both of us have full time careers. We have to be realistic. I feel it in my wings, there’s a war brewing… We have to be loyal to Equestria.” She saluted. “I beg your leave, Princess.” She locked her legs at attention and saluted. Pivoting, Rainbow marched away from Twilight. The shine from Rainbow’s glasses would have blinded Twilight if her tears did not already. Her throbbing heart threatened to stop. Her throat choked up. Her legs quaked. She reached out for the shrinking silhouette of her love. She collapsed as Rainbow disappeared around a corner. She was in the darkness and fading fast. Rainbow stormed into a restroom and kicked the door knob, bending it and locking it behind her. In the isolation of a restroom, Rainbow turned to herself in mirror. It seemed like a floating pair of glasses and an empty uniform stared back at her. Shaking her glasses off, Rainbow saw her eyes drip with her own tears. She walked deeper into the restroom, turning on all the noisy faucets to hide her sobs. So much of her wanted to embrace Twilight as the Princess confessed. A decade ago, she would have taken Twilight then and there into her hooves. Rainbow, however, knew that selfish rashness would be a betrayal of both their responsibilities. She had spoken words that weren’t hers and had hurt Twilight. The fact she had even kept her ‘cool’ made her feel even worse. She cursed her ego. Rainbow head-butted the mirror, the reflections of herself fractured even more. She cried, gripping onto the sink and shards of her sanity. Her tears joined the great pools as the restroom flooded. Frozen in her place, Twilight had collapsed unto the carpet way of the corridor. Her plaintive cries evoked the sympathy of the garrison guards. Several soldiers had tried to approach her but found the Alicorn had cast a powerful shield spell. Twilight shared some of her brother’s talent in shield spells and any pony that touched the barrier was thrown back. Few more dared to try. Twilight was too absorbed in her grief to notice anything outside of her shield. This wasn’t a simple misunderstanding like the cheap conceit of two bit bargain bin novels. Rainbow had highlighted real and powerful points; Twilight’s logical mind couldn’t argue. Yet an aspect of her felt dizzy in conflict with Rainbow’s words and herself. The sun had long since set, and servants lit lanterns along the castle corridor, save for the shadowy spot Twilight had taken. Her eyes had run dry of their supply of tears, yet Twilight sat buried in her hooves. A gentle voice resonated in the hall. “Hark, who darkens my hall?” Twilight was startled when another stepped casually through her shield. She raised her head to see Luna with her splendiferous flowing mane that twinkled with stars. Luna cast a ball of spell-light, filling in the darkness. Luna leaned to Twilight and smiled. “Prithee tell us, what… or who hurts thee so?” Twilight rasped to find her throat too dry. “Aha, we had anticipated this.” Luna clicked her tongue. “Captain Nightshade, would you be so kind?” A gray bat pony mare strolled forward and set a tray of various drinks in front of Twilight. “Here, Princess Twilight.” Twilight picked simply from the assortment: a glass of chilled water. After a moment of letting the cool liquid wash her tongue, she spoke. Luna alongside her captain, Nightshade, sat and listened intently to Twilight. Throughout the explanation there was an occasional question, but mostly Twilight spoke while they nodded. Soon Twilight was finished as were the drinks on the tray. Luna rubbed her chin. “Surely thou saw the implications of thy offer? A Companion Captain is a guard of the most intimate nature.” Twilight bit her lip. “I knew, even Rainbow knew… I just thought things would be different.” Luna nodded. “Tis a most troublesome quandary. Thine personal affections or thine duty to country, many have pondered such thoughts. Perhaps, twas thy timing that was off?” Twilight thought of the coming holiday and added stress on Rainbow. Rainbow had even taken time to go through the charade of helping her ‘find her Captain’. “I’m so selfish… Being Captain of the Wonderbolts is her dream. Rainbow deserves to be happy.” “So dost thou.” Twilight sighed. “Does being a Princess mean I’ll be lonely forever?” Luna shook her head. “Perhaps thou art blinded by love’s light. Thou sees only one star upon the sky because it is so close to thee.” Twilight looked at the manila portfolio again. Her tears had seeped through the folder and smudged some of the files. She pushed it sliding away. “I don’t want any-pony else…” On the cusp of a sob she cried. “I want Rainbow!” She pounced Luna, looking for comfort. Luna hugged Twilight back. “We know…” After moments more, Twilight spoke. “Thank you, Princess Luna.” “Twas once upon a cold night, thou imparted sagely words of wisdom. We thought to return the favor,” Luna cleared her throat as she let go of Twilight, she returned to formality. “Princess Twilight.” “Princess Luna, I was thinking about having making an adjustment to the Victory Day celebration. Can that be arranged?” Throngs of ponies gathered in bleachers and the surrounding grounds. Their attentions were drawn to the wooden stage tower where there was a podium. Equestria’s Captains and officers sat behind Luna as she began her opening oration. “Hear ye! Hear ye!” Luna blasted her speech in the ever so booming Canterlot Royal voice. Magnified with a megaphone she broke sound barriers. Her experienced Captain and bodyguards dove to cover their ears. Luna noticed and adjusted her pitch to be lower yet still resonantly powerful. “Hear ye! Hear ye! Twas a millennia ago that the Pegasi nation foreswore the nomadic ways of their ancestors and enjoined in harmonious union as the third power in the trinity races that formed Equestria. Tis with great gusto today, we celebrate their, our, victory against the United Griffin Kingdoms, and the freedom of our skies.” Several Pegasi soldiers lifted a large gleaming trophy for all to see. The crowds were blinded by the sun in between the two golden metal wings of the trophy. “In today’s race, the winner shall receive The Golden Wing trophy, adorned with the 40 gilded feathers symbolic of Commander Hurricane’s Honor Guard.” Twilight rose from her seat and stood by Luna. Luna cleared her throat. “We do declare an addendum to today’s festivities. In an addition to the trophy prize…” Twilight stepped up to the podium. “The victor shall receive my feather and a dinner date with me.” The crowds of Pegasi and ponies roared in cheers. There was whooping and a few wolfish whistles also. The racers before the checkered line looked upwards at the stage and some beat their wings, readying for takeoff. Rainbow stood up and intercepted Twilight as the Alicorn returned to her seat. “Twilight, what are you doing?” Twilight said nothing and went around taking her seat without looking at Rainbow. Rainbow grimaced. “Look, I know you’re trying to get back at me but that’s not the way to do it.” Twilight kept her gaze fixed ahead. Rainbow threw up her hooves. “Seriously, Twilight, you’re just going to give your tail to the fastest flyer?” Twilight narrowed her eyes towards Rainbow, her voice quivered slightly from anger. “We all know who the fastest is…” Rainbow stepped up to the podium besides Luna. She poked Luna and whispered in her ear. “Glorious!” Luna smiled. “Tis most irregular, but we have a Captain competing: Captain Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow turned back to find she had elicited a greater response from Twilight. The angrier glare though, she found disheartening. Luna blasted her voice. “Ready thyselves! The race shall commence shortly, after the opening ceremonies!” Attendants entered the crowds with snack trays, and Pegasi wing formations streamed overhead in their rehearsed ballet, writing trails into the blue. Rainbow strolled into the locker room where ponies donned their flight suits. As she wiggled into her own suit, she faced glares and stares. Scootaloo strolled up to Rainbow. “Glory hound,” She scoffed. “You have to win at everything, don’t you?” She sniffled. “You couldn’t let us newbies win?” Rainbow blinked in shock. “No… Scoots, this isn’t about-” Scootaloo shook her head. “If you’re in why should we even try? No-pony can compete with you.” “I can!” A familiar teal pony with yellow and orange mane stepped forward. “Lightning Dust?” Rainbow gasped. She recognized an old rival. “I thought you were disqualified for service because of your reckless endangerment of civilians!” Lightning tapped her gilded armor plate. “Yeah, you got me kicked from the Wonderbolts, but that didn’t stop me from joining the regular Royal flying corps. I’m going to enjoy this!” Rainbow sneered. “You won’t win.” Lightning laughed, shaking off her armor. “Oh I will, I heard about your lover’s spat too with Princess Twilight. That dinner date is going to be just that much sweeter. I’ll be a made mare, a Captain for this!” “You’ll never get there. Who would promote you?” “Your marefriend will, or my marefriend. I’m going to be her Companion Captain.” Lightning pulled back Rainbow’s flight goggles so they’d slap her. Rainbow pressed her hoof, pushing Lightning back. “Twilight would never go for you!” Lightning scoffed. “I’ll in throw a little charm and she’ll soon swoon. I don’t care to have her, but I’ll enjoy it just because it’ll mean you can’t have her.” Rainbow was ready to attack and she had coiled her legs to spring.. “She’s not anypony’s property. It’ll be a cold day in Tartarus before I let you-!” “It’s not fair if you compete, I guess I’m in too.” A yellow pony with a flaming mane strolled into the room. “Spitfire?” Rainbow swiveled to see the extra competition. Spitfire was a Captain edging on retirement but Rainbow knew Spitfire’s edge was no less sharp. Lightning snorted. “You think you got a chance, grandma?” Spitfire spat. “That’s insubordination, Lieutenant Lightning.” Lightning raised her head high. “I’m a regular Royal Guard, not your jurisdiction.” “Don’t mind me, ladies.” A teal pegasus with an azure mane stepped through. “Soarin?” Spitfire’s brow rose. Soarin chuckled. “I figured I’d join the fun. This race looks like legendary material. Whoa-” “Mare’s locker room! Males are over there, you pervert!” Scootaloo pushed Soarin out. Rainbow rubbed her hoof over her aching forehead. She half expected one of those legendary Wonderbolts she studied in history to pop up. Her certainty of victory and her confidence was shaken by the new entries. She and Lighting Dust had history, and having flown besides Lightning, Rainbow knew her opponent was to be reckoned with in terms of pure speed. Spitfire and Soarin were veterans where they’d make up for their lack of raw power with skill at tight turns and familiarity with the track. The other racers were trained by Rainbow, and therefore they weren’t near her level. And then there was Scootaloo, Rainbow saw the smaller orange Pegasus sulk to her locker as the others left. Aside from Lightning Dust’s sudden entry, Scootaloo was the most promising Wonderbolt in the academy and in this race. It was to be her time to shine and Scootaloo was expected to place in the top three. Rainbow wanted to reach out and comfort her student. She heard a ripping sound. Scootaloo promptly stormed out. Rainbow walked to see ripped pieces of a pin up poster she assumed Scootaloo hung proudly once in her locker. Rainbow arranged the pieces the best she could. She found it was a picture of herself as the model for young Pegasi to follow. The torn version of herself in her officer’s regalia seemed to stare back at her. Who was she? Rainbow waved her wings dispersing the pieces. Lesser racers made way as Rainbow exited the locker room with a determined look in her eyes. On the elevated platform, the various officers of Equestria were served drinks by attendants. “Thou ought to rejoice. Thy love, fights for thee.” Luna peered slightly over the platform. Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know if I even want her. I didn’t get a sense she was racing for me… exactly.” “Hast thou a change of heart?” Twilight sighed. “Rainbow may be right… we wouldn’t work. The percentage of successful relationships where partners have such differing interests is low. Our careers could keep us apart. I-” Twilight began breaking down and her vision lost focus. Luna pushed back an errant strand of Twilight’s hair that had popped loose. “Thou art the scholarly sort, pessimism and skepticism is thy inclination. Love be naught so simple. Great friends may make poor lovers. Great loves may make for poor friends.” “Princess Luna, what should I do?” Luna shook her head. “Experience I may possess, still we are of equal station, I would not presume to decide for thee. Should she win and should she want thee, wouldst thou be ready to forgive? Should she lose, wouldst thou take so bold a venture with a stranger?” Twilight took special heed of Luna’s break in her speech from her royal ‘We’. She lowered her head. “I’m afraid she’d win… and I’m afraid she’d lose.” “Be ready, Twilight Sparkle. The choice is still thy own.” Rainbow sighed as the racers took to the checkered starting line. The racers readied themselves by revving their wings. Gusts of dust caused the onlookers to cough as the racers increased wing power. Rainbow was in the center of the lineup. She looked to the left: Lightning gave a dastardly grin. To her right Scootaloo looked away from her. Behind her, Rainbow saw Spitfire and Soarin casually talking. Rainbow looked up at the platform where Twilight was, but saw no purple pony. Instead Luna took to the podium. “Go forth, warriors of wing, prove thine skill and will!” Luna waved her hoof and several cannons exploded. The crowds roared in cheers then promptly covered their mouths as blasts of air swept through them. Hats flew as the gale blew. Where there were the racers was now only the wind in their wake. Chapter 2 Heart of the StormRacing and generally being an ‘athlete’ had been Rainbow’s passion. Her life had been very goal oriented: join the Weather Team, become a Wonderbolt, then become a Captain, then change age old institutional practices. Never before had a goal been so clear to her than winning this race, and never had she been so focused. The Weather Factory had often made mistakes. Rainbow had a mind to go there personally and kick the flank of whoever ordered the thunderstorm. The thunder forced the racers to navigate the dangerous lower elevations. The route took them through the tall oak forest, forcing the racers to weave through trees. All but the most insane slowed their pace, yet Rainbow and Lightning lost no speed as they tore past the trees. Droplets of rain hit Rainbow with such force that she swore she’d have welts later. The pain only sharpened Rainbow’s senses as she chased the yellow tail of the Pegasus in front of her. Lightning laughed, looking behind. “Eat my dust, Dash!” In the breaths that took Lightning to gloat, Rainbow caught up by several wing beats. Rainbow smiled. Lightning growled and retrained her eyes forward. Rainbow’s wing muscles burned as she spurred herself with the frenzied beating, but still Lightning had not lost her lead. Whereas they once might have been equal, Lightning seemed to have gain a noticeable edge. Rainbow lamented that she had been trapped training recruits and doing desk work as Captain. Lightning’s lesser rank and responsibility probably allowed her to train without pause. Rainbow remembered Lightning had been very verbose in the locker rooms. She hoped she could steal a lead by getting her long time rival to rant, losing precious breaths. She shouted through the whistling wind and water. “Why are you doing this?! Revenge?!” Lightning scoffed. “You wish! I want to win!” Rainbow reconsidered. Lightning had planned on joining the race regardless whether Rainbow was in or not. This wasn’t about Rainbow, she had to get out of her egocentric mindset. “That’s all?! Winning isn’t everything! You’re already a lieutenant!” Lightning growled. “For all my life I wanted to be a Wonderbolt, but you made me settle for the regular Royal Guard! I’m going show all you ‘elites’ that I’m better!” “Once you win it all then what?!” Rainbow’s own question echoed in her mind. What would Rainbow do when or if she won the race? She knew she had to stop Lightning, but beyond that was mired in a murky fog of feelings. “Once I win, I’ll win some more!” Lightning had no reservations and regained the few wings beats’ distance that Rainbow had taken. “Don’t you have friends? Do you have loved ones?” Lightning snarled. “I lost those because of you! I was a hometown hero! But as soon as I flunked out of the Wonderbolts, everypony abandoned me!” “Then those weren’t your friends! Friends are there for you: win or lose!” “Buck you!” Lightning slowed slightly and rammed her rear hoof, cracking Rainbow’s goggles with the force of her attack. Rainbow recoiled; she barely evaded a head on crash with a branch. Lightning, turning to attack, had hit a branch a second afterwards. Both were stunned. When the two Pegasi recovered, they faced one another, stopped in the middle of the dark forest. Lightning grinned as she readied to attack. “Equestria Daily News Report: Rainbow Dash crashed and died. Boohoo!” Rainbow tossed aside her shattered goggles. “Bring it!” Twilight nursed her root beer as she sat at the platform. Her head was sullen against the wood railing, and her eyes fixed on the finish line. Luna’s lieutenant, Nightshade, shouted orders. “Get those civilian balloons out of here! There’s a thunderstorm rolling in!” The bat pony waved her wings relaying orders. “What of our War Balloons?” asked a guard. Nightshade looked thoughtfully at the ominous clouds. “Keep them circling until the last minute.” She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t like this unscheduled weather. The Weather Factory wouldn’t mess up so badly.” Luna approached Twilight tentatively. “Twilight, dost thou wish to stay? We may retire to the cover of the awnings to escape the coming rain.” “It’s okay, I like the Rainbow.” Twilight clasped her hoof to her mouth from her Freudian slip. She sighed. “I meant the rain.” “Thou art confused.” Twilight smirked. “Obviously…” Her words were halting. “I… still love her.” “Tell me truly, what aspects of her appeal to thee?” Twilight shook her head. “Does it matter? …she doesn’t love me.” Luna gestured her hoof to coax Twilight. “Prithee tell me anyway.” “Believe it or not, I’m not outgoing. I didn’t have friends until I came to Ponyville. The first time I saw Rainbow, I thought she was a bit rude and rough. Then we became friends. I learned more about her, like that we love the same book series. We both would wait by the mail box for the delivery. I ran the library so, early access and all.” “When didst thy affections first manifest?” Twilight couldn’t help but grin widely as she thought fondly. “I never saw Rainbow ‘that’ way until she gave me personal flying lessons. I mean I always admired her for being bold and beautiful… ummm at flying. I guess I always loved her, I read books on body language. I thought the signals were right.” Twilight rubbed her eyes as she neared to tears. “I thought Rainbow…” “Thou art not to tell Captain Rainbow Dash, I revealed this unto thee.” Whatever greater speed Lightning had, Rainbow had superior training. If Rainbow could anticipate Lightning’s moves, then she could evade her sloppy attacks. The bark of the ancient oak trees splintered as Lightning missed her strikes. Rainbow’s memory took her to the days when she and her Griffin friend, Gilda, had their tussles. Much like the half bird and half lion, Lightning had unremitting ferocity. “Stop dancing around and fight me!” Lightning missed again, in a shower of broken bark. Rainbow rebounded off another tree and punched Lightning in the face, smashing her goggles. Lightning took the blow directly, shook off her broken goggles, and countered with her own. Lightning and Rainbow’s ribs cracked as they traded blows. A timely thunderbolt that illuminated the forest shone on the hatefilled face of Lightning. In the blinding flash, Rainbow closed in and grappled Lightning. “How badly do you want to win?!” Rainbow took her rival for a nose dive towards the ground. Lightning squealed as her face almost hit the dirt. Rainbow veered in the last seconds. Lightning blinked her eyes open as Rainbow set her down. Both Pegasi panted heavily as they stood. Rainbow sighed. “Look, back then at the Academy, I should have approached you more directly before I talked to the Captain. I’m sorry it lead to that.” “And now you’re the Wonderbolt ‘Queen’! My family line goes back to General Firefly! You wanted in, but I needed to get in!” Rainbow stood stern. “I’m sorry, but your actions put ponies at risk. My friends could have died.” Lightning bit. “So?! They didn’t! I wanted to die after you got me expelled! You just wanted my place as lead pony!” “It wasn’t that! On that day I quit; they only later dragged me back in. I realized the Wonderbolts weren’t what I imagined! The competitive cutting, backstabbing, politicking; that doesn’t have to be the way forward. We could have been friends; we still can be.” Rainbow offered her hoof to shake. There was a moment when reconciliation seemed possible as Lightning lifted her own hoof tentatively. Written on Lightning’s face was hurt and confusion. Rainbow met Lightning’s hoof with hers on the last stretch. Rainbow’s boldness though had the opposite effect. Lightning slapped away Rainbow’s hoof. “Buck you!” Lightning kicked a torrent of mud and sped off towards the sky. Rainbow rubbed off just enough mud to see Lightning fly off lopsided, disappearing into the maze of forest trees. She felt a few warm wet rain drops: she knew them to be Lightning’s tears. Her rival had, in many ways, been a reflection of herself; Rainbow wondered if she would be any different if it were not for her friends… and Twilight. Without goggles, Rainbow’s eyes burned as she wove through the forest. Her chest was hurting fiercely from the fight. The rain had washed away the mud from her face, but flecks of sand stung her eyes. She could still catch up to Lightning if she could see. She spotted a stream and flew down to wash her eyes. Their crazed full speed flight through the forest had also gained them a significant lead; she could still catch up, or even win the race. Rainbow dunked her head in and took a drink as well as washing her eyes. When she opened them, she saw dark silhouettes moving through the forest. She darted behind a tree and peered past. A large ebony feathered Griffin in charge shrieked in a hushed yet harsh tone. “Faster, you maggots! We must move under cover of the storm!” Several dozen Griffins wore camouflage cloaks that blended with the gray and browns of the forest. They marched swiftly through the undergrowth. Carrying bundles that appeared to be parasols, Rainbow noticed the metallic glint when one of the Griffins tripped and shredded the covering slightly. She recognized a lance when she saw one. Griffins could manipulate weather like Pegasi: the rolling storm then had been planned. The war party was heading north. Past the forest were the parade grounds. Rainbow flew far away enough as not to be seen, then she beat her wings towards the parade grounds. Rainbow’s strength had been revitalized by the realization; hers was now a race against the storm. Twilight removed her hooves from her face and leaned towards Luna. “What?” Luna smiled. “Perchance, I danced in a dream of thy Captain Rainbow Dash. I saw not the flight formations of well arranged flyers nor the race track. Nay, I saw thee.” “Rainbow loves me?! Then why?!” Luna placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulders. “Duty and loyalty... perhaps a dash of love. Thy emotions art like an open tome. Thy Captain could easily hath read them and taken thee, a so eager lover. Yet she withheld despite her ache for thy embrace.” Twilight placed her hooves on her head to ease the pain. “Rainbow… she was sparing my feelings. She thought we wouldn’t work out even though she wanted it as much as I did.” She growled. Luna tilted her head in confusion. “Thou art mad?” Twilight’s magic pulsed as her mane became aflame. “I’m not mad, I’m furious! Why did she lie! She thought this would be better?!” Twilight calmed herself and blushed when she saw the officers on the platform had swiveled their heads towards her. Nightshade approached Luna. “We have to withdraw our War Balloons from the security detail due to the approaching thunderstorm.” Luna nodded. “Tis most peculiar. We decreed clear skies for this holiday. Where forth did this weather front come from?” Nightshade pointed her hoof. “Our scouts suggest the storm originates from the unregulated forest of Everfree.” Luna rubbed her chin. “Perhaps tis no worry.” She peered over the platform to see the crowds of ponies had set up their own parasols and tents. Many ponies were packing up their picnic supplies. Fully exerting herself, Rainbow had become painfully aware to the degree of her injury. With every belabored breath she pushed past her lungs, she felt the distinct pain in her chest near her heart. She recognized her ribs had been broken; a bitter part of her hoped Lightning had received much the same. Twilight was in danger, Rainbow reminded herself as her body burned. She realized then that Twilight somehow came before Equestria in her mind. Most of Equestria’s officers along with Princess Luna had attended the race. The thunderstorm would force them to withdraw their War Balloons. The days’ acrobatic demonstrations would have exhausted the best Pegasi guards. Equestria was in danger, yet Twilight was what her mind first latched unto. Was it misplaced loyalty? No, Twilight was a part of Equestria. Another stabbing pang nearly caused Rainbow to nearly fall from the sky. Vague feelings of duty to country weren’t sufficient; she pictured Twilight and continued onwards through the hurt. Rainbow, regardless of her feelings, knew she had to be there before the Griffin war party. The sudden storm clouds had caused an uproar in the crowds as ponies moved away from the rain. Some of the officers had already left the platform to get lunch. “Luna, maybe the Weather Team from another town messed up?” asked Twilight. “I know the Ponyville team… wasn’t always so reliable.” Thoughts flashed in her mind of instances where she had been caught in the rain. “Indeed,” Luna smiled. “The Pegasi, their reputation as Weather Warlords, methinks hast become quite bloated. Twas a millennia ago such a mistake would be rewarded with forty lashes for each of Commander Hurricane’s honor guard.” “Weather Warlords,” Twilight turned away. “I read some history in the national archives… were things really that violent back then, Luna?” Luna swallowed. “The Pegasi hailed from lands far from Equestria. Then they were a great of enemy of the United Griffin Kingdoms. The skies were painted red by their battles… This holiday honors an independence: hard won.” She grimaced as the first smattering of rain reached the platform. Twilight raised a hoof. “I thought the Griffins were also known as Weather Warlords.” Luna’s eyes grew wide. “Captain Nightshade, have the guards doubled immediately.” Nightshade’s bat pony ears perked. “Where shall we draw from?” “Summon reinforcements from the local garrison. Thou art to do so discreetly.” “By your will.” Nightshade saluted and flew off. Luna glowered towards the incoming storm and the torrential wall that obfuscated vision beyond it. “Luna?” Twilight asked. “What’s going on?” Luna smiled, unconvincingly. “Tis a precaution.” Twilight now had perked up. “For what? Luna, you’re scaring-” From below the platform a swelling of gasps from the crowds were followed by a gush of screams. Golden armored Guards who were interspersed in the crowd disappeared one by one under the flickering of cloaks. They could see little past the umbrellas that been set up. Louder than the screams were the sudden hawkish cries that came not from below but above. Twilight swiveled her head upwards to see a Griffin soldier falling towards her with a lance in its claws. Twilight was startled as Luna shoved her aside and blasted the Griffin back with a spell bolt. The platform was pelted by rain of Griffin lancers. A half dozen Royal guards had already been skewered in the onslaught by a dozen Griffins. The Griffins dislodged their lances and motioned to finish the rest. Only Twilight, Luna, and a couple of bat-pony guards had evaded the initial strike. Rainbow saw the silhouette of a watchtower in the thick rain; she had arrived at the edge of parade grounds. She beat her wings faster as she heard the explosions. How had the enemy beaten her to the parade ground? No, the war party from the forest couldn’t have. It must be another force attacking. The enemy had orchestrated a pincer trap. She had to find Twilight before the trap closed shut. A couple of Griffins deployed a parasol atop a watchtower strewn with slain Royal Guards. Underneath the umbrella they had unwrapped a bundle to pick out black spheres that had been kept dry against the rain. They sparked the wicks of the grenades with claw flints and tossed them into the fleeing crowds. “Like fishing, eh?” The first Griffin chuckled, as he chucked a grenade that his partner lit. The other Griffin laughed, lighting another grenade. “Like fishing in a bloody barrel!” The first Griffin cawed in alarm as he finished throwing the grenade. In a technicolor blur he was taken down. Rainbow slammed her fore-hooves into the head of the first Griffin Grenadier. The second Griffin was taken out as Rainbow bucked, slamming her hind legs into his head and beak. Both Grenadiers collapsed. She kicked away a lit grenade that exploded in the sky before it took them all out. The Royal Guard scouts at the watchtower had already been slain in ways that Rainbow needn’t check a pulse to know they were dead. Rainbow closed the fearfully opened eyes of a fallen Royal Guard and took his war-saddle along with the lance: mounted on it. She noticed the grenades and the parasol set-up of the Griffin Grenadiers. Hearing explosions elsewhere, she surmised the Griffins had done the same at other taken-over watchtowers. She lamented she had no time to eliminate the other enemy crews. Rainbow cried out as she tightened the straps of the war-saddle. The throbbing pain again reminded her of her cracked ribs. She took a cloth that had bundled the Griffin Grenades, biting into it she distracted herself from agony of moving. In the center was Twilight. She leapt from the tower and flew off towards the eye of the storm. Luna readied to face the Griffins, her eyes darted between all her targets - too many targets. Her horn glowed with warning power. Already a half dozen had been slain by the Night Princess. The Griffins hesitated as to who would be first to attack and first to fall. “Leap!” Twilight pulled Luna away over the platform. “Protect the Princesses!” The Night Guards attacked against the superior Griffin numbers as they escaped. Twilight saw the last couple of Luna’s Night Guards stop their attackers from pursuing. It was as admirable and as futile. Landing on the ground, Twilight saw below the confusion that had been hidden by umbrellas and tent tarps set up to stop the rain. Ponies ran in all directions. Royal guards engaged Griffin troops in battles which they were outmatched. The ground and grass had become a slurry in the activity of pony hooves and Griffin paws and claws. Heard distinctly in the rain was the clang of steel. They galloped without direction through the crowds to escape the Griffins. Twilight looked to Luna. “What do we do?” Luna’s face flashed with confusion that mirrored Twilight for a moment. “We hath fallen into the enemy’s trap; we must survive till reinforcement arrive.” Twilight looked at the crying skies. “This storm will delay help. Shouldn’t we organize and try a break out?” Luna nodded. “Thou art most keen.” They ran to an area where there were concession stands. The mystery of how the enemy had gotten so deep was solved. Griffins pulled lances and crossbows from hidden compartments of the stands. A Griffin officer, distinguished by his ebony cloak, landed in front of the Princesses and gave a shriek. The black-feathered Griffin Commander’s cry echoed through the sounds of battle. Griffin troops converged upon their Commander, leaping over concession stands and forming several squads. “Mages Corp! Hurrah!” Twilight looked behind him to see several ponies with blue cloaks and wizard hats come up. They took defensive positions in front of the Princesses. The squads of Griffins stopped in front of the Captain of the Mages’ Corp. Twilight saw the Captain’s robe flicker with power. Captain Crimson Flame laughed. “You face Captain Crimson Flame! My pyromancy rivals the dragons.” The unicorn’s horn spark with magic. “Feel fear, feel fire!” His magic sputtered to steamy puff. A couple mages electrocuted themselves in the rain, while another delivered the same impotent puff. Luna growled at the mages and smacked their Commander on his head. “Art thou so daft? Lightning and fire magic art useless in the rain!” Crimson smiled impotently at Luna. “Their magic does not avail them! Charge!” The Griffin Commander rallied his troops with the swing of his rattling saber. Crimson’s lieutenant, Hawkeye, pushed her Captain out of the way and fired her automatic crossbow, sending the charging Griffins back. She grinned at her Captain. “Wet match.” “This looks like a job for good ole’ fashion infantry work!” Blueberry Frost and Dented Armor charged forward with infantry lances. They were accompanied into the fray by several regular Royal Guard squads. “Switch to ice magic!” Twilight ordered the mages. Crimson Flame gave a nervous smile. “We’re specialists, the Mages Corp has only few Ice mages.” Luna huffed. “Use thine talents to form a shield at least! Use direct energy bolts even if thou art not adept!” Rainbow scanned the parade grounds from the sky. As the battle raged below, she scouted for Twilight. Through the thick she saw a desperate defensive line set up at the concession stands. At the center she spotted a familiar purple pony. Remnants of Royal Guards were holding, but she spied a squad of Griffins hiding behind the concession stands and moving to flank them. Rainbow observed them deploy their parasols and saw the light of sparking claw flints. She knew now the enemy’s routine. Rainbow folded her wings and dove. Twilight looked at the line of Royal Guards valiantly defending. A squad of Griffins leapt onto the top of the concession stands and fired their crossbows. Twilight projected her shield and blocked the bolts. Luna had spotted the enemy as well and shouted to the unicorn mages. “Atop the stands!” A couple of Griffins were nailed by flung icicles before they fell back to reload. Twilight shouted. “Luna, we can’t hold this position!” Luna nodded. “Advance! We must break out!” Twilight turned from behind them as they heard caws. She shifted quickly to form her shield as a grenade exploded, bursting it. Swooping down, Rainbow smashed both her hooves: taking two of the Grenadiers shrieking to the ground and grinding their beaks into the dirt, knocking them out. Another Grenadier threw his bomb before noticing Rainbow. Drawing a saber, he slashed at Rainbow. Rainbow blocked the Griffin’s swings with her lance. She leapt back and used the length of her lance to her advantage. The Griffin’s swing missed, but Rainbow’s didn’t. The last Grenadier screamed for his fallen comrades. He reared up with a saber in his claw to attack. The Griffin’s shrill shriek was cut short as Rainbow’s lance entered his lungs. Rainbow had ran it through the Griffin Grenadier, causing the Griffin to drop his saber. Rainbow was shocked when she tried to pull her lance loose: the Griffin pulled it back. Smiling, the Griffin revealed a lit grenade hidden behind his back with his other set of claws. Twilight had turned to see Rainbow struggling with a Griffin. She saw the lit grenade in the Griffin’s claws for only a second before the resulting spray of feathers and red. She was relieved to see Rainbow still standing, then horrified as she stumbled. “Rainbow!” Twilight moved to embrace the Pegasus. Rainbow stopped Twilight with her lance. Twilight smiled despite the cold gesture. “Rainbow, you don’t have to hide your feelings from me… I know.” Rainbow recoiled again and blocked Twilight again with her lance. Twilight persisted. “No, Rainbow! We don’t have to hide! I care about you too much!” Rainbow coughed with a light laugh. “No, ribs cracked; hug will kill me.” Her words were as short as her breath. “Oh,” Twilight gasped. As she turned to inspect Rainbow, she saw her bloodied flanks where grenade shrapnel had entered. “You’re injured!” Rainbow shook her head. “I’ve been through worse.” Twilight hit Rainbow with a spell. Rainbow felt warm with a presence that seemed to be uniquely ‘Twilight’. She examined herself as her pain left her. She moved to find the pain had not entirely disappeared but rather dulled. “What was that, a numbing spell?” Twilight shook her head. “A numbing spell would incapacitate you.” Twilight winced as she moved towards Rainbow. “I used an empathy spell; your pain is now half mine.” Rainbow smiled. “Only an egghead such as you would know something like that… Thanks.” Luna turned towards Rainbow. “Captain Rainbow Dash, didst thou see an opening in the enemy whilst thou were above?” Rainbow shook her head. “No, but we can make one.” Rainbow turned to Captain Crimson Flame and threw a satchel of Griffin grenades to the unicorn’s hooves. “Do that fire thing.” Crimson smiled, dangerously. Concussive booms resounded, causing the Griffins to squawk fearfully as their battle lines were blown flying apart. At first came confusion at their own grenades used against them; then after the shock came horror. Timely tossed bombs sent the Griffin crossbow teams scurrying off before they could even take positions to fire. The enemy scattered like a flock of pitiful pigeons. The Royal Guards shouted as Griffins retreated in a disorganized rush. “The feathered rats are pulling back!” Cheers emanated in the pony ranks, first as a scattered shouts then as a collective voice. Through the crowds of running Griffins, their Commander calmly shrunk back, seemingly disappearing in the downpour. Twilight remarked the enemy leader’s composure. Luna reared upwards. “Advance, capture their Commander for interrogation!” “Luna, wait.” Twilight noticed through the rain a pair of glowing azure eyes that seemed to peer at them. Rainbow leapt onto a concession stand. She took in a deep breath and spoke. “Stop! It’s another trap! You’re trying to break out in the wrong direction! There’s another Griffin war party heading this way through the woods in the south.” Luna nodded. “Thou hath saved us yet again. All forces press northward!” At the noticeable movement of their troops, there came again the resounding Griffin screech. The ponies turned back to see figures in the rain. Dozens of black-feathered Griffins stared at them with eyes that seem to glow in gray downpour. A more menacing aura pervaded these darkly different troops. Their icy eyed Commander raised his saber. Rainbow moved in front of Twilight to face the enemy Commander. She glared at the enemy who match her intensity. Rainbow held eye contact, cool and calm. Crucial minutes seemed to pass before it was the enemy Commander who broke it off. The enemy Commander gave an un-Griffin like hiss. Rainbow swore there appeared to be fangs in the Commander’s beak. The Commander grimaced as a column light formed behind Rainbow. The spots of light grew and widened. All ponies and Griffins looked upwards to see guard Pegasi rolling back the clouds, clearing the storm. Rainbow recognized a purple maned and orange Pegasus leading the weather teams. They heard the hum of War Balloon propeller engines as the airships moved in. The bomb bays of the ships opened. The enemy Commander shrieked again. Walking backwards, he and his shadowy Griffin troops retreated with the storm. Luna turned to see Captain Nightshade land besides her. Nightshade bowed. “Forgive the delay.” “Nay, thou hath arrived not a moment too soon.” Luna waved her hoof. “Pursue and destroy! Show them the fury of the merciless moon!” Nightshade nodded. “Shall we capture prisoners?” Luna shook angrily as she looked at ponies on the ground. “Capture only their commanders, the rest thou art to slay.” A second round of cheering came, this time larger and longer than the last. Guards from all different divisions hugged each other. Twilight noticed then her shared pain was fading. She spun towards Rainbow. Still standing, Rainbow’s eyes were closed. However, a celebrating soldier accidently bumped Rainbow’s lance that was lodged onto the ground. Without the lance propping her up, the illusion was broken and Rainbow fell. “No!” Twilight ran towards Rainbow. Catching her, she hugged Rainbow as lightly and as tightly as she could. Twilight felt Rainbow’s startlingly cold body. Twilight pulled back and looked at her friend. Rainbow’s lips were curled upwards in a gentle smile that appeared frozen on. Twilight cried. “Oh Captain! My Captain!” Parting Rainbow’s wet mane from her eyes, Twilight pressed her mouth against Rainbow’s cold lips. Chapter 3 Decision PointRainbow’s eyes opened to a white light. Was she dead? As her eyes adjusted, she smiled internally knowing that they were the familiar hospital lights. Her youth’s many daredevil stunts had made her a frequent guest of the same institution. The sterile smell of medical alcohol and bandages hit her. She felt a dull pain as she moved. It was countered by the pleasant warmth of another body in her bed. Wrapped around her hooves was Twilight. Rainbow feigned sleep as she saw Twilight stirring. Luna landed on the balcony of the hospital room. Tapping the window, she woke Twilight. Twilight gently pried herself from Rainbow’s hooves and joined Luna. Twilight shivered at the cold; the fresh air, though was invigorating. The rising of the gentle moon against the clear evening sky was a welcomed sight. “Any more news?” asked Twilight. Luna grimaced. “Mine Captain reports the enemy Commander hath evaded capture. Our border scouts detected no further incursions. It would seem this pretense of peace shall continue.” Twilight looked over the balcony to the distant horizon. “This holiday celebrated a great Pegasi victory and a greater Griffin defeat. I guess we should have expected this,” Luna nodded. “The Griffins art the obvious suspects. Yet if they wanted war, they would have captured my sister, Celestia, as she was on her diplomatic mission to their Isles. We suspect more nefarious forces move in the backdrop.” “Maybe they didn’t capture Celestia because their plan here failed. They denied all responsibility.” said Twilight. Luna stomped her hoof, cracking the hospital floor tile work. “This flagrant violation of our sovereignty cannot stand. We may not press them directly, but we swear there shall be repercussions.” “Were it not for Rainbow, I don’t know what would have happened.” Twilight looked back at Rainbow resting in her room. “Thy Captain, her injuries would hath placed any lesser soldier in shock.” Twilight smiled. “Rainbow’s definitely awesome… I don’t know if she’s mine…” Luna smiled. “Art thou certain?” Twilight swung around to see Rainbow behind her. “Twilight, I…” “Rainbow, you shouldn’t be up!” Twilight saw some bandages that had been caught by the bed and were unraveling behind Rainbow. Luna left Twilight as she tended to Rainbow. Rainbow rolled her eyes as Twilight played the neurotic nurse. Twilight was nervously arranging every detail down to the flowers in the vase. Rainbow was surprised that Twilight was the restless one. She suspected it was because of her injuries that she wasn’t a match for Twilight’s energy. Rainbow knew, though, Twilight was never normally so nervous. “Twilight,” Rainbow called. Twilight busied herself fluffing Rainbow’s pillow. “Twilight!” Rainbow called out again. The purple Alicorn stopped at last. “Yes?” “Let’s talk,” said Rainbow, swallowing. Twilight became meek. “Rainbow, I know. We have our duties, we can’t afford dangerous distractions. Maybe when our careers are-” Rainbow leaned in and kissed Twilight. “Relax.” Twilight’s wings deployed and she jumped back. “Rainbow?!” Rainbow recoiled at Twilight’s reaction. “I know I’ve hurt you, Twi…” Twilight nodded, then smiled. “Rainbow, you raced for me though!” Rainbow lowered her head. “I raced to give you a choice; you’re not a prize to be won. I should have given you a choice in the first place; instead I made it for you.” Rainbow rubbed her mane furiously. “I just tried again when I kissed just now. I’m so sorry.” Twilight shook her head. “Rainbow, no. You have your own feelings and desires. The choice is also yours. I never considered what it would mean for our careers. Your points were real valid concerns. You’ve really grown. You took the mature option, while I was a love struck school filly thinking everything would be sunshine-” “-and rainbows?” The Pegasus smirked. Both girls shared a light laugh. Their giggles died down and the awkward silence that followed caused them both to look away. “Twilight, I caused this whole mess… I’ll be loyal to whatever choice you make. I’m willing to try.” The decision is yours. Twilight rejects Rainbow go to chapter 4, link! Twilight accepts Rainbow go to chapter 5, link! Chapter 4 The Yearning Years“Maybe it’s time for me to grow more… maybe in years, these feelings of ours, if they will still remain, we may be together.” “I understand…” Rainbow lowered her head. Twilight hugged Rainbow. “Until then you shall always be one of my most cherished friends.” Rainbow raised her head and hugged Twilight back. “Don’t wait too long. The door to my office with always be open to you.” “I know, Rainbow,” said Twilight, smiling. Her smile faded slightly. “I know. Get well soon.” The reforms that Rainbow had wished and fought for had come to pass. Many said she was the single mare responsible for saving the Wonderbolts from being just showboating stunt flyers. From the officers down, the organization now valued camaraderie and cooperation above individual gain. The new Wonderbolts’ cohesion won out against other rival enemy factions, time and time again. The officers she raised at the academy exemplified those values most. Those that she took to battle became paragons of her ideals. Rainbow’s uniform now was a glittering mesh of jingling medals. She contemplating taking them off, but each wasn’t just for one world-saving military operation or another: they symbolized soldiers lost to her. The holes in her wings and her eye patch were more physical examples of her losses. In her battles she was so fierce that on several occasions her subordinate officers had to drag her away from the frontlines when she was in enemy lines too deep. Memories of old war stories and glories were now only in the background chatter of her mind whenever she closed her eye. A cold current swept from the field of alabaster gravestones. Rainbow shivered until a warm body blocked the wind. Rainbow saluted with a wing. “Princess.” Twilight gestured to her pantsuit. “That’s President, we’re now a republic.” Rainbow shook her head. “You’ll always be a princess to me.” Twilight lowered her eyelids seductively. “Rainbow, that bill for mare to mare marriage passed congress.” Rainbow chuckled lightly. “Did we ever need a piece of paper to let us do what we want?” In the shine of the setting sun, Rainbow saw a silvery strand to Twilight’s mane. “Twilight, you got a gray streak! I thought alicorns were-” Twilight placed a hoof to Rainbow’s mouth. “Immortal? I could be… but I’d rather be with you. It took a while to come to the realization, but I’m the type who would work till the very end… I don’t want you to pass me by. It’s still a state secret, so hush.” Rainbow gave a worried look. “Ponies would panic if they realized the republic’s leader was mortal, but then again I suspect they would always vote for you, turning it into another Celestial dictatorship.” Twilight nodded. “This Pony democracy faces a lot more challenges to come. It is the horizon of doubt.” She turned towards Rainbow. “I, for one, am ready for something uncertain.” The sun casted a medley of oranges, yellows, and reds as it fell further. “Me too.” Rainbow wrapped a wing around Twilight. “I only wished it wasn’t the day we turned gray.” She gestured to a strand of her own Technicolor mane that had just turned silver. “We’ve lived fulfilling lives. We found other loves. We fought our battles.” Twilight shook her head, sprinkling her tears onto the ground. “We can’t regret!” Rainbow hugged harder. “Twilight, it’s okay. We’re here together now.” Twilight smiled. “Our lives raced by rather quickly, didn’t they?” “I’ll be with you in the final stretch.” Rainbow deployed her wings. “It’s Victory Day again. How about this last lap?” Twilight stretched her withered wings. “I haven’t kept them physically fit… exercising them reminded me of you and our flying lesson sessions…” Rainbow shrugged showing off her own wings that were missing feathers. “Mine have been battered by battle, so we’d probably be even. Life isn’t a race. Let’s go slow.” She extended her wings and gestured to Twilight. “I’d be glad to, Rainbow. It can be our nuptial flight if you-” “Yes.” said Rainbow, swiftly. She leaned and imparted a gentle kiss. They kissed softly at first, but soon the dam burst upon the tears of yearning years. Hungrily, then they pulled closer, wet droplets in their eyes as they did so. After minutes had passed, they both gasped for breath. Rainbow offered her wing and looked towards the horizon. Twilight nodded and followed after. Their initial flight together was shaky but genuine. Soon they danced in the skies as they became more familiar with each other’s pace. Wingtip by wingtip, enraptured by their partners’ glow, two forms faded into the light of the sinking sun. Chapter 5 Loyalty and LoveTwilight gave a deep sigh. “Rainbow, when I was under the tutelage of Princess Celestia, I thought I didn’t have time for friends, let alone love. I’m a Princess now and busier than ever.” “I understand…” Rainbow lowered her head. Twilight used a hoof to lift Rainbow’s chin. She tilted her head and went in for the kiss. Rainbow’s wings and eyes shot open. Slowly she calmed herself and returned the gentle passion of the lip lock. Rainbow’s chest was still pounding when she spoke. “Twilight, I thought…” Twilight smiled, confidently. “I mastered Starswirl’s time spell, we’ve fought off Changeling Armies, we faced evil gods and all the odds. I think we can handle a little romance.” Rainbow swallowed then gushed. “Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh! I’ll have to train up the new officers to take charge. Maybe Spitfire and Soarin could help. I’ll have to call the moving company for my stuff! I’ll have to-” Twilight smiled as Rainbow recited a list of things for her to prepare. “Rainbow, it’s alright. Even if you can’t yet fulfill the Captain part fully, we still can be Companions.” Twilight winked. “I’m thinking about having my new offices near the soldier barracks.” Rainbow relaxed but found her wings were still deployed. She tried to calmly hide her enthusiasm. “That sounds totally awesome, Twilight.” Twilight’s magic sparked and the room’s lock clicked. With a mischievous grin, the lavender Alicorn leapt onto the bed and moved towards Rainbow with panther like litheness. Rainbow noticed the heightened beeping of the her hospital heart rate monitor. “Whoa, Twilight!” Twilight backed off and examined Rainbow’s bandages. “Your injuries? I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. I-” Rainbow chuckled internally; Twilight was still the nerd she loved. As Twilight sputtered onward, Rainbow braced herself. What was pleasure without pain? Griffins were known to take both in equal measure. She entertained the idea she was also a predatory beast. Rainbow growled and pounced Twilight with kisses upon her neck. “Oh Captain!” Twilight moaned. “My Captain!” New recruits in the Canterlot Barracks Cafeteria took their meals with a healthy helping of conversation. The background chatter was silenced when the Cafeteria doors were slammed open. An orange Pegasus was panting, heavily. A Royal Guard saluted then asked. “Lieutenant Scootaloo, what’s going on?” In between breaths, Scootaloo spoke. “The Mage Commander-” “What about the Commander?” “-and The Wonderbolt Colonel are-” A collective cry came from the soldiers. “What?!” Scootaloo grinned then shouted atop her lungs. “-dueling!” Some ponies gulped down their meals while others scurried off, abandoning theirs altogether. Chairs and benches were kicked aside as there came a mad dash for the doors. Sparks flew as Rainbow dodged bolt after magic bolt. Several training dummies in the courtyard were blown apart in a spray of hay. Twilight’s Mages Corp robes flickered with power as her eyes glowed. “You’ll put used clothes in the laundry hamper or so help me Dash!” Rainbow swiveled for a lance lunge. “Seriously, Twilight, it’s not fair if you use an animate spell on the house furniture to do your share of the chores!” “Done, I’ll use less magic! Tonight’s your turn to do the dishes, Dashie!” “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I said I’ll do them!” Rainbow ran towards Twilight. Twilight flapped her wings, barely evading Rainbow’s attack. Rainbow skidded on the sandy ground and turned. “You’re going to keep up your training regimen so your wings don’t become decorations!” “Fine!” Twilight fired another barrage of bolts. Rainbow outpaced the explosive bursts of magic. She swiftly turned and closed in during Twilight’s pause. “You’ll keep up with your diet!” Rainbow and Twilight met face to face as Rainbow’s practice lance slapped Twilight’s flanks. “Got ya. You’ll have to keep up with your diet so that fat flank stays in shape.” Rainbow gave a toothy grin. Twilight used her eyes and gestured to her horn that was already charged for another bolt. “I got you too. Rainbow, you’re going to organize your paperwork and your clothes.” Both combatants gave each other a lusty look. Rainbow’s hot breath tickled Twilight. “I like it when you build a sweat.” Twilight pressed her muzzle to Rainbow’s ear. “We’ll be sweating more later.” Their moment was interrupted by cheers from the different divisions of Guards. Members of the Mages Corp tossed their wizard hats upwards while Wonderbolt recruits did small aerial flips. Undecided recruits, who wore generic armor, whooped. Both girls blushed as they became aware of their audience. Upon a cloud, Twilight and Rainbow lay with their wings wrapped around each other. “That was an awesome show.” said Rainbow. “I hope we put up a convincing performance,” said Twilight, twiddling her hooves. “I’m sorry if I was too forceful.” “Nah, you were perfect.” Rainbow swatted her hooves. “The newbies seem to love it. We’ll get recruits to join both our divisions.” Twilight nodded. “It’s gotten me thinking, maybe Equestria could do better if we have integrated units. Magic and might would be good combination.” “Any excuse to see me more, huh?” Rainbow tossed her head back, nonchalantly. Twilight grinned. “You’ll pay for that fat flank comment.” “Make me, jelly belly.” Rainbow pressed her muzzle to Twilight’s tummy and blew, causing her to squeal. Twilight flailed her hooves. “Stop, I’m ticklish there!” “I know.” “I know your weak spot too!” Twilight passed her hooves through Rainbow’s wings to the tips. The Pegasus became paralyzed as her tongue lolled out and she fell onto her back. Twilight had sat up and stared at the world below from their cloud mattress. “I’m really glad we did this.” “Me too. Sometimes it scares me to be this happy.” Twilight pulled Rainbow into her wings. “Don’t be. This isn’t the end, it’s only the beginning. We have the rest of our lives.” Rainbow looked sadly at Twilight’s horn and wings. “Maybe mine. I wish I could be there for you always though… I held back before because I didn’t want you to be sad. I’m afraid when I’m gone, that’ll give you the biggest hurt of them all. Every moment together I’m hurting you… I can’t....I...” Twilight gently placed her forehead against Rainbow’s. “I have just as many years as you. We’ll grow gray together.” “Wait, Twilight you didn’t have to-” “I want to; eons would pass without another Rainbow Dash.” “Let’s not waste a second more then.” Rainbow extended her wings, a tip of hers touched Twilight’s wing. “There’s another tradition among Pegasi, it’s rather a difficult maneuver.” Twilight’s wings stood on ends. “The nuptial flight, the wingtip to wingtip dance! I’ve been training for this! I read the diagrams and manuals.” She bounced upon the cloud. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Stop cheating and reading ahead of the lesson plan. We’re not dancing. It’s totally serious.” Twilight sat at attention reminiscent of foalhood school days. “Okay, Ms. Dash, teach me.” Rainbow smiled, and began her explanation. “Now this dance…” Since before the first Weather Warlord, since the first Pegasus took to their wings, it was an age old ballet. They spiraled together in the air, swishing through the clouds, and entwined in each other’s flight paths. Above in the heavens, the world bore witness to their union. Wingtip by wingtip, enraptured by their partners’ glow, two forms faded into the light of the sinking sun.
Chapter 1 Love or LoyaltyIt was a picture that was emblazoned in her earliest fondest childhood memories, the two figures in her life perhaps more influential than her parents. She imagined herself in the safety and restriction of the confines of her cradle. Then she envisioned herself being plucked and placed in the foreign and open: meek and weak. Twilight sat with Shining Armor and Cadance. In the company of her brother and sister-in-law, Twilight would have enjoyed their breakfast together, were it not for the manila folder in the center of table. Her tea was cold, and her chocolate muffin had only several small nibbles. Cadance gave a kindly smile, as she pushed the manila folder towards Twilight. “Your Companion Captain is very important. He or she will have to protect you through thick and thin. Your guard will be your lifelong friend.” Twilight blushed. “It sounds intimate.” Cadance and Shining Armor nuzzled each other. Cadance smiled. “It can be. There’s nothing against marrying your Captain.” Shining Armor grinned. “After a while of asking, I said yes.” Cadance chuckled, poking her husband with a hoof. “I would have ordered you if you didn’t agree. Shining Armor coughed as he returned his attention to Twilight. “It’s a big decision, kiddo. You have to make a choice though. These are dangerous times; everypony would sleep a lot better knowing that you were better protected. There’s been talk of war with the United Griffin Kingdoms. Luna’s Nightguards can’t shadow you forever.” Always on the periphery of her vision were her Nightguard escorts; Twilight was glad Luna’s bat-ponies were so stealthy in their role, but she still felt unease at having her privacy usurped. “I know; I’ve held this off for too long.” Twilight nodded while fidgeting through the folder. She had pushed it to the back of her schedule multiple times then several more times. For months it had been the last item on her checklist. Shining Armor pointed to some of the profiles. “I picked out the best of the best for you, Twily. They’re all good soldiers and good matches. You won’t go wrong with any of them. I want you to choose who you feel would best serve you.” Cadance giggled and winked. “There are a few unconventional ones in there as well if you’re feeling adventurous. I slid in several ones when Shiny wasn’t looking.” Shining Armor guffawed. “Wait, what?” Cadance sang. “Love is a battlefield.” She stood up at the table and gestured grandly. “You can have a tournament for the position if you'd like!” Twilight shook her head. It was too novel cliché for her. “Rarity might like one, but I'd rather choose.” Shining Armor bit his hoof as he looked at the profiles. “So you’ve chosen?” Twilight had already read all the biographies. The menagerie of matches didn’t interest her. She made her best winning impression that she used to get cookies as a foal. “Big brother best friend forever, can I choose somepony not on the list?” Shining Armor looked worriedly. “Twily?” Warm currents carried her; Twilight felt the breeze through her fine feathers from her secondaries to her primaries’. A whole new world was hers: with wings she could explore more than she ever imagined. She felt the joy of all Pegasi; her thoughts, however, always turned towards one. She had chosen, and her brother and sister-in-law approved. Now all that remained was to ask. Twilight dipped slightly as she wondered what her chosen would say. Victory Day, a thousand years ago, The Pegasi Weather Warlords won the skies from the United Griffin Kingdoms, establishing the independence of the Pegasi ponies through all of Equestria. It was a joyous time for any Pegasus and had become a national holiday. For Rainbow Dash, it meant more work that the upcoming event entailed. In her office she sat between several skyscrapers of forms and papers, grumbling as she stamped form after form. Rainbow cringed when she looked at the stacks still waiting. Approvals for explosive fireworks, the new fly-by formation, the various requests for holiday leave, the air security detail for the Princesses, and the choreography for the festivities left her feeling anything but festive. At least she had the upcoming race to look forward to. Literally she would be looking. Tomorrow’s race would be for the lower ranks and recruits to shine. It would be considered improper for her to race. Rainbow grit her teeth; in her heat to compete, her wings itched to be used. She sighed after stamping another form; just smelling the competition would take all her self control not to join in herself. Rainbow’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard then a knocking at her door… Twilight touched down at the runway of the Wonderbolt academy. She was nearly blown away by the gust created by the Wonderbolts who were currently taking off. The elite flyers were jetting past each other in squadron formations. Their practice was a well-organized dance. Twilight’s eyes had difficulty following the intricate maneuvers. Victory Day was coming up. She had read into the ancient Pegasi tradition and learned that it was a holiday with many implications. “Hey Twilight.” Twilight spun around to see a familiar orange pegasus wearing a flight suit. Time had a way of flying; she saw a flash image of the littler version of Scootaloo she tutored in the library. Scootaloo and her two friends would eagerly call it ‘Twilight Time’. “Scootaloo? What are you doing here?” “I work here, duh!” the orange Pegasus rolled her eyes and snorted blowing a tuft of her purple mane out of her eyes. Twilight nodded. “I’m sorry, Scootaloo.” Scootaloo, sighed. “No, I’m sorry for snapping. Being the new recruit is hard. There’s lots of wash outs. They don’t treat you like a Wonderbolt until you fly your first five missions.” Twilight gave her best reassuring smile. Back then Scootaloo had tiny wings which left her unable to take off; now Scootaloo had an impressive set of wings able to catch the slightest breeze. “I’m sure you’ll make it.” Scootaloo looked furtively at the ground. “Twilight, I’m not sure I even want to… I became a Wonderbolt to follow my hero, Rainbow Dash. Is this even me or just me chasing after something, somepony else?” Twilight choked. There were uncomfortable parallels that she just drew between them. Twilight hugged Scootaloo like she was her foal, maybe a miniature of herself. “I don’t know, but just be you. You can’t go wrong with that, right?” Scootaloo nodded. “Tomorrow’s race is my big chance. Rainbow won it and got herself noticed from the rank and file Wonderbolts. It’s now or never in my career. I have to place in the top three.” Twilight gently patted Scootaloo on the back. “Scootaloo, Rainbow tells me you’re the most promising recruit she’s ever had. You’ll do great.” Scootaloo pulled herself from out of Twilight’s wings. She smiled, striking a confident pose. “Later, Princess Twilight, watch for me in the race tomorrow! I’m going to go for the win!” “I will!” Twilight waved her goodbye. Twilight at last reached the door. A name plate read ‘Captain Rainbow Dash’. Ponies weren’t predators, and their first instinct when faced with stress was to gallop away. Twilight reminded herself she was a Princess. She had to be bold like Luna and calm like Celestia. With her hoof she gave the door a good knock. An exasperated and exhausted voice barked. “Come inside!” Rainbow Dash’s voice warmed as she saw it was her friend who had come calling. “My favorite princess!” She stuffed her aviator glasses into her officers’ coat. Twilight gushed. “Rainbow!” As soon as the door closed, however, the gust of wind created swept through the office. Rainbow leapt and pushed Twilight out of the way as her towers of paperwork collapsed. The flood of folders and files inundated them both. Twilight popped her head out of the sea of papers. “Rainbow, you’ve been slacking.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know, I know. This stupid holiday though has me swamped. I swear the Wonderbolts get like a totally absurd amount of paperwork for the little flying we do.” “I can help,” said Twilight. Rainbow gestured with her hoof to the heaps of papers. “Nah, I can’t ask you to do all of this.” “I insist.” Twilight beamed. “I love paperwork!” “You think you can handle it?” Twilight grinned and floated a quill forward. She tickled Rainbow’s nose with the feather. “You’re talking to the Princess who balanced the national budget!” She affixed a pair of red reading glasses with the same dramatic motions Rainbow did with her sunglasses. Rainbow watched in amazement as Twilight breezed through form after form. Several lifetimes of reading had caught up with her and Twilight now had a pair of glasses like Rarity’s. The stylish frames made Twilight exude a sense of vulnerability despite her Alicorn status. With her magic she was filling out five forms at a time, while Rainbow worked with her one. Distracted, Rainbow clumsily snapped her quill. “Aww rats.” Rainbow grumbled. She felt her wings and found no loose feathers. Twilight had noticed Rainbow even in her work. She plucked one of her own feathers out for Rainbow. “Here, one the perks of wings is free quills!” Rainbow recoiled. “Whoa, Twilight.” Twilight giggled, nervously. “What’s wrong?” Rainbow smirked. “I know something Twilight doesn’t.” Twilight poked Rainbow. “What?” Rainbow giggled. “You don’t just give another Pegasus your own feather. You’re new to the wing thing, so I’ll let it slide. Giving a Pegasus a feather means you’re dating or engaged. It’s a big deal. The whole tradition actually started on Victory Day.” “Oh, yes I read about this! The Weather Warlord Commander Hurricane fought the Griffin Queen of Quivers at the Battle of Red Sky. The duel was intense; he won but lost his wings. As a sign of their love, each of his soldiers gave up a primary feather. The collection was enough to make a set of wings. The symbolic wings are still enshrined at the museum of-” Rainbow eyed Twilight suspiciously as the Alicorn continued explaining. So Twilight had known about the custom of giving feathers. What was more - Rainbow noticed the little bit of blood on the tip of Twilight’s ‘loose’ feather. The quill did not come without a sacrifice. The paper stacks soon were sorted into neat rows ready to be sent out. For added security in case they toppled again, they even tied the stacks together with twine. “Done and done.” Twilight dusted her hooves off and took off her glasses. “You’re such an egghead,” Rainbow sighed, “and that’s awesome.” Twilight blushed under the compliment. “It’s no problem helping a friend.” “What’s this?” Rainbow reached for a manila folder that had fallen under her desk. Twilight gasped. “Rainbow, wait-” The various files spilled out and Rainbow saw the profiles of each of the captains. Rainbow lowered her eyelids and smiled. “Ohohoho, you’re stalking the officers?” Twilight coughed. “No… umm… I’m just trying to pick out one for me, that why I came here today.” She nearly squeaked like Fluttershy. “I wanted you t-t-to- Rainbow tilted her head in confusion. “Huh, to what?” Twilight blurted. “-to give your opinion as to who might be best for my Companion Captain!” She grinned widely, to hide her lie. Rainbow held her gaze for a moment before chuckling. “Twilight, that’s easy. Just ask around, paperwork won’t tell you who’s who.” Rainbow waved a wing while taking her folder with her other one. Rainbow wrapped a wing around Twilight. “C’mon, we’ll take a tour. I’ll introduce you to the best.” Twilight squealed as Rainbow pulled her along. “Will we sing a song?” “What? No.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “We’re not picking a pet. We’re picking you an owner.” Twilight guffawed. Rainbow laughed. “Let’s go!” Twilight sighed as she followed after Rainbow. Her courage had failed her. As they flew together, Rainbow held the folder in her forelegs and nosed through the files. “This one is bum,” said Rainbow, picking one file with her mouth and chucking it away. She grimaced as she saw another file. “This one too.” Twilight caught the flying files with her magic. “Rainbow!” Rainbow flung another couple of files. “Seriously, who put this folder together?” Twilight caught another file. “My brother Shining Armor and Cadance helped me with the list. They said the candidates were good.” She noticed another file. “Lieutenant Flash Sentry?” Rainbow picked it up and dangled it. Twilight recalled passing interaction with the guard. “I thought he was nice enough.” Rainbow guffawed. “The guy couldn’t guard a rock and he flirts with all the Princesses. Complete gold digger. You can’t separate him from a lineup either, too generic. You deserve better.” “Ewww, I guess you’re right,” said Twilight. Rainbow tossed the file into the breeze. Twilight scrambled to catch it. “Stop throwing them though; those are classified documents!” “Ops, sorry,” said Rainbow, opening the folder to let Twilight stuff them back in. Landing at the Royal Guard Barracks attached to the Canterlot Castle, Twilight followed Rainbow as they made their way to through the training courtyard. “Don’t worry, I’ll set you right,” said Rainbow. “Which guard did you have in mind?” asked Twilight. “I’ve got several ones in mind.” Rainbow pulled a file from the folder. It read ‘Blueberry Frost’. “Incoming!” cried a voice. Twilight and Rainbow ducked as a gilded armored guard was sent flying over their heads. The soldier careened, crashing into a decorative topiary of a pegasi guard. They saw the source of the projectile as a single Earth pony soldier with an upraised leg in kicking position. It was an azure mare with white streaks in her hair. She wore an officer’s gilded armor. Barely hidden behind her sleek fur were wiry muscles. “Anyone of ya, want a go?” The soldier eyed the line of recruits. Twilight stepped forward. “Are you Lieutenant Blueberry Frost?” “Eeyup, that’s me,” said Blueberry, chewing through her words with a southern Equistrian accent. Twilight was reminded of Applejack. Blue gave a toothy grin as she eyed Twilight. “Ah’ll be bucked till tuesday, what brings a Princess down here where we working folk are?” Evidently, she was a far cruder and ruder version. Twilight stepped back a pace. Rainbow interjected. “We’re looking for a good guard, best of the best.” Blue chuckled. “Maybe, Ah’m yer mare. What’s the combat mission?” Rainbow smiled. “Full-time bodyguard with a rank promotion, you’ll organize security details in advance and be charge of your own division.” Blue laughed. “Ah’ll take it if the tail Ah’m protectin’ is good lookin’.” Twilight had buried her head in her hooves in embarrassment. Rainbow noticed. “We’ll keep in touch.” Blue scoffed. “Whatever suits yer fancy.” She turned back to her recruits. “First fool who lands a blow on me, gets to buy me dinner.” Even with several beaten recruits lying semiconscious around the courtyard, several soldiers eagerly stepped up to fight Blue. As they left, Twilight hid her head behind the folder. “How about that one?” Rainbow poked Twilight with her hoof. “She’s also into mares.” Twilight turned back to the courtyard where Blue sent several more recruits flying with her kicks. Looking at Blueberry, Twilight however could only think that the mare’s fur coat color was only shades away from the blue of Rainbow Dash. It made her long for her true desire and shake her head. “Too butch, huh?” Rainbow nodded. “We’ll look at couple more. Maybe someone more hot.” At the spell shooting range, Twilight and Rainbow met with another Captain. “Captain Crimson Flame of the Mages Corp, at your service. I would be glad to be the Princess Twilight’s Companion Captain!” A dark mane and white coated unicorn stallion took Twilight’s hoof and planted a kiss. His long blue Mages Corp coat flickered in a timely breeze with the tufts of his hair. Twilight smiled. The unicorn certainly had class and breathed an air of refinement. She was nearly enamored until she noticed Crimson’s lieutenant, a white coated unicorn with a blond mane, glaring angrily at her. Rainbow poked Crimson. “Do that fire thing.” Crimson directed his horn at an archery target. Auric flames flew from his horn. The flurry of flames dissipated to reveal an expertly drawn rose burned into the woodwork. Twilight clapped her hooves along with several some other unicorns at the range. Again, Twilight’s enthusiasm was dampened again by Crimson’s Lieutenant hovering about with a frightening stare. Rainbow whispered into Twilight’s ear. “Totally hot and cool, right?” Crimson smiled. “I dare the Griffins to interrupt tomorrow’s celebrations! My pyromancy rivals the dragons! Princess Twilight, I promise you will be utterly safe with my protection.” Crimson’s lieutenant coughed. “Oh sir! I forgot, I still need your signature on your petition to shorten the armored skirt length of female guards!” Crimson blurted. “Lieutenant Hawkeye, are you trying ruin my chance at promotion?!” Hawkeye stated, simply. “Captain, you told me to tell you. So I have.” “Timing!” cried Crimson. Crimson and Hawkeye started bickering. Twilight smiled at the dynamic Crimson and Hawkeye had, she couldn’t ruin that. She sensed they had an underlying affection even as they butted heads. It was an odd pantomime of her own situation. Rainbow seemed equally oblivious to Twilight’s affections as Crimson was to his Hawkeye. Twilight and Rainbow moved on as the storm raged on. Twilight wished their dynamic was something like that. Even with a vitriolic friendship there would be great passion. She sensed a deliberate distance in Rainbow’s demeanor in dealing with her. They caught the next candidate in the hallways of Canterlot Castle. Rainbow zoomed towards the soldier. “Soldier, I have a special mission for you. It comes with an instant promotion.” “Vice Captain Dented Armor, reporting for duty.” A red mane and light tan Pegasus gave a swift wing salute. Rainbow got her angry drill sergeant face on. “Okay, you ready to be a full Captain?!” “Yes ma’am,” Dented Armor nodded, as he readied to spring to his wings. Rainbow smiled. “Recite Shakespony.” Both Dented Armor and Twilight turned toward Rainbow with confused looks. Dented Armor cleared his throat. “Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.” Twilight blushed at the rendition and her wings extended. She tried to meet Dented Armor’s eyes but he looked away, shyly. “Two eggheads, you’d get along great,” Rainbow laughed. “He can be your Companion Captain and you can talk nerd all day.” “Companion Captain?” Dented Armor frowned. “I don’t know. I just met some-pony.” Twilight’s wings flopped. Rainbow gestured to Twilight with her wings. “Princess, dude. She’s a Princess.” Dented Armor shook his head. “It wouldn’t be fair. I’m not going to hurt someone just to rise in rank… Plus, I don’t think I’m who she truly wants.” He gave passing glance at Rainbow before walking away. Rainbow grumbled. “He looked like a winner. I overheard him recite poetry once. Sorry, I thought you would like the brooding intellectual type.” “I guess they have to like me…” said Twilight, wistfully staring at Rainbow. Despite the day’s distractions, Twilight eyes still fell upon Rainbow. Twilight walked on sullenly, dragging her hooves on the carpet way of the castle corridors. The sun was setting; the glass windows of the castle were painted by the fading orange light. They passed through columns of shadow and light. It was too emotionally straining. Twilight was only a few paces from Rainbow, yet the Pegasus seem much farther away than ever. “Don’t worry; we still got more names to go.” Rainbow tried her best reassuring tone. Twilight placed her hoof down though. “No.” She then swallowed before speaking. Twilight closed her eyes as she shouted. “Rainbow…I… want you!” Guards posted down the hallway leaned in to look before snapping back to attention. Silence carried through air, and her words echoed. Twilight slowly opened her eyes, the stunned expression of Rainbow’s face wasn’t what she wanted, and the transformation from confusion to cold was even less welcoming. Her hopes of reciprocation slowly waned. “Twilight… I know… and you don’t want me just for the Captain part…Companion too right?” This time it was Twilight that nearly fell back in shock. Rainbow really had grown into her position as a Captain. Her insightful analysis of Twilight’s intent pierced through Twilight. Where was the playful and immature Rainbow? How had their life trajectories lead them to be so separated? Rainbow lowered her head, her mane obscuring her eyes. “I’m a Captain of the Wonderbolts, it’s been my dream. Dreams though, you know, have a funny way of not working like you imagined. There’s an ugly competitive culture here, corruption and cutting through friends to get rank. I’m trying to change that. I work weekdays and weekends now. I’ve become kinda like Rarity, a career mare. It wouldn’t work out.” Twilight pleaded. “We could try. I could help you with your paperwork.” “How about your paperwork? You have your responsibilities as a Princess. Equestria needs you, I can’t be a burden.” “You won’t! I-I-I…” Twilight stammered. Rainbow drew her aviator glasses from her uniform and fixed them on. “I’m sorry. Both of us have full time careers. We have to be realistic. I feel it in my wings, there’s a war brewing… We have to be loyal to Equestria.” She saluted. “I beg your leave, Princess.” She locked her legs at attention and saluted. Pivoting, Rainbow marched away from Twilight. The shine from Rainbow’s glasses would have blinded Twilight if her tears did not already. Her throbbing heart threatened to stop. Her throat choked up. Her legs quaked. She reached out for the shrinking silhouette of her love. She collapsed as Rainbow disappeared around a corner. She was in the darkness and fading fast. Rainbow stormed into a restroom and kicked the door knob, bending it and locking it behind her. In the isolation of a restroom, Rainbow turned to herself in mirror. It seemed like a floating pair of glasses and an empty uniform stared back at her. Shaking her glasses off, Rainbow saw her eyes drip with her own tears. She walked deeper into the restroom, turning on all the noisy faucets to hide her sobs. So much of her wanted to embrace Twilight as the Princess confessed. A decade ago, she would have taken Twilight then and there into her hooves. Rainbow, however, knew that selfish rashness would be a betrayal of both their responsibilities. She had spoken words that weren’t hers and had hurt Twilight. The fact she had even kept her ‘cool’ made her feel even worse. She cursed her ego. Rainbow head-butted the mirror, the reflections of herself fractured even more. She cried, gripping onto the sink and shards of her sanity. Her tears joined the great pools as the restroom flooded. Frozen in her place, Twilight had collapsed unto the carpet way of the corridor. Her plaintive cries evoked the sympathy of the garrison guards. Several soldiers had tried to approach her but found the Alicorn had cast a powerful shield spell. Twilight shared some of her brother’s talent in shield spells and any pony that touched the barrier was thrown back. Few more dared to try. Twilight was too absorbed in her grief to notice anything outside of her shield. This wasn’t a simple misunderstanding like the cheap conceit of two bit bargain bin novels. Rainbow had highlighted real and powerful points; Twilight’s logical mind couldn’t argue. Yet an aspect of her felt dizzy in conflict with Rainbow’s words and herself. The sun had long since set, and servants lit lanterns along the castle corridor, save for the shadowy spot Twilight had taken. Her eyes had run dry of their supply of tears, yet Twilight sat buried in her hooves. A gentle voice resonated in the hall. “Hark, who darkens my hall?” Twilight was startled when another stepped casually through her shield. She raised her head to see Luna with her splendiferous flowing mane that twinkled with stars. Luna cast a ball of spell-light, filling in the darkness. Luna leaned to Twilight and smiled. “Prithee tell us, what… or who hurts thee so?” Twilight rasped to find her throat too dry. “Aha, we had anticipated this.” Luna clicked her tongue. “Captain Nightshade, would you be so kind?” A gray bat pony mare strolled forward and set a tray of various drinks in front of Twilight. “Here, Princess Twilight.” Twilight picked simply from the assortment: a glass of chilled water. After a moment of letting the cool liquid wash her tongue, she spoke. Luna alongside her captain, Nightshade, sat and listened intently to Twilight. Throughout the explanation there was an occasional question, but mostly Twilight spoke while they nodded. Soon Twilight was finished as were the drinks on the tray. Luna rubbed her chin. “Surely thou saw the implications of thy offer? A Companion Captain is a guard of the most intimate nature.” Twilight bit her lip. “I knew, even Rainbow knew… I just thought things would be different.” Luna nodded. “Tis a most troublesome quandary. Thine personal affections or thine duty to country, many have pondered such thoughts. Perhaps, twas thy timing that was off?” Twilight thought of the coming holiday and added stress on Rainbow. Rainbow had even taken time to go through the charade of helping her ‘find her Captain’. “I’m so selfish… Being Captain of the Wonderbolts is her dream. Rainbow deserves to be happy.” “So dost thou.” Twilight sighed. “Does being a Princess mean I’ll be lonely forever?” Luna shook her head. “Perhaps thou art blinded by love’s light. Thou sees only one star upon the sky because it is so close to thee.” Twilight looked at the manila portfolio again. Her tears had seeped through the folder and smudged some of the files. She pushed it sliding away. “I don’t want any-pony else…” On the cusp of a sob she cried. “I want Rainbow!” She pounced Luna, looking for comfort. Luna hugged Twilight back. “We know…” After moments more, Twilight spoke. “Thank you, Princess Luna.” “Twas once upon a cold night, thou imparted sagely words of wisdom. We thought to return the favor,” Luna cleared her throat as she let go of Twilight, she returned to formality. “Princess Twilight.” “Princess Luna, I was thinking about having making an adjustment to the Victory Day celebration. Can that be arranged?” Throngs of ponies gathered in bleachers and the surrounding grounds. Their attentions were drawn to the wooden stage tower where there was a podium. Equestria’s Captains and officers sat behind Luna as she began her opening oration. “Hear ye! Hear ye!” Luna blasted her speech in the ever so booming Canterlot Royal voice. Magnified with a megaphone she broke sound barriers. Her experienced Captain and bodyguards dove to cover their ears. Luna noticed and adjusted her pitch to be lower yet still resonantly powerful. “Hear ye! Hear ye! Twas a millennia ago that the Pegasi nation foreswore the nomadic ways of their ancestors and enjoined in harmonious union as the third power in the trinity races that formed Equestria. Tis with great gusto today, we celebrate their, our, victory against the United Griffin Kingdoms, and the freedom of our skies.” Several Pegasi soldiers lifted a large gleaming trophy for all to see. The crowds were blinded by the sun in between the two golden metal wings of the trophy. “In today’s race, the winner shall receive The Golden Wing trophy, adorned with the 40 gilded feathers symbolic of Commander Hurricane’s Honor Guard.” Twilight rose from her seat and stood by Luna. Luna cleared her throat. “We do declare an addendum to today’s festivities. In an addition to the trophy prize…” Twilight stepped up to the podium. “The victor shall receive my feather and a dinner date with me.” The crowds of Pegasi and ponies roared in cheers. There was whooping and a few wolfish whistles also. The racers before the checkered line looked upwards at the stage and some beat their wings, readying for takeoff. Rainbow stood up and intercepted Twilight as the Alicorn returned to her seat. “Twilight, what are you doing?” Twilight said nothing and went around taking her seat without looking at Rainbow. Rainbow grimaced. “Look, I know you’re trying to get back at me but that’s not the way to do it.” Twilight kept her gaze fixed ahead. Rainbow threw up her hooves. “Seriously, Twilight, you’re just going to give your tail to the fastest flyer?” Twilight narrowed her eyes towards Rainbow, her voice quivered slightly from anger. “We all know who the fastest is…” Rainbow stepped up to the podium besides Luna. She poked Luna and whispered in her ear. “Glorious!” Luna smiled. “Tis most irregular, but we have a Captain competing: Captain Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow turned back to find she had elicited a greater response from Twilight. The angrier glare though, she found disheartening. Luna blasted her voice. “Ready thyselves! The race shall commence shortly, after the opening ceremonies!” Attendants entered the crowds with snack trays, and Pegasi wing formations streamed overhead in their rehearsed ballet, writing trails into the blue. Rainbow strolled into the locker room where ponies donned their flight suits. As she wiggled into her own suit, she faced glares and stares. Scootaloo strolled up to Rainbow. “Glory hound,” She scoffed. “You have to win at everything, don’t you?” She sniffled. “You couldn’t let us newbies win?” Rainbow blinked in shock. “No… Scoots, this isn’t about-” Scootaloo shook her head. “If you’re in why should we even try? No-pony can compete with you.” “I can!” A familiar teal pony with yellow and orange mane stepped forward. “Lightning Dust?” Rainbow gasped. She recognized an old rival. “I thought you were disqualified for service because of your reckless endangerment of civilians!” Lightning tapped her gilded armor plate. “Yeah, you got me kicked from the Wonderbolts, but that didn’t stop me from joining the regular Royal flying corps. I’m going to enjoy this!” Rainbow sneered. “You won’t win.” Lightning laughed, shaking off her armor. “Oh I will, I heard about your lover’s spat too with Princess Twilight. That dinner date is going to be just that much sweeter. I’ll be a made mare, a Captain for this!” “You’ll never get there. Who would promote you?” “Your marefriend will, or my marefriend. I’m going to be her Companion Captain.” Lightning pulled back Rainbow’s flight goggles so they’d slap her. Rainbow pressed her hoof, pushing Lightning back. “Twilight would never go for you!” Lightning scoffed. “I’ll in throw a little charm and she’ll soon swoon. I don’t care to have her, but I’ll enjoy it just because it’ll mean you can’t have her.” Rainbow was ready to attack and she had coiled her legs to spring.. “She’s not anypony’s property. It’ll be a cold day in Tartarus before I let you-!” “It’s not fair if you compete, I guess I’m in too.” A yellow pony with a flaming mane strolled into the room. “Spitfire?” Rainbow swiveled to see the extra competition. Spitfire was a Captain edging on retirement but Rainbow knew Spitfire’s edge was no less sharp. Lightning snorted. “You think you got a chance, grandma?” Spitfire spat. “That’s insubordination, Lieutenant Lightning.” Lightning raised her head high. “I’m a regular Royal Guard, not your jurisdiction.” “Don’t mind me, ladies.” A teal pegasus with an azure mane stepped through. “Soarin?” Spitfire’s brow rose. Soarin chuckled. “I figured I’d join the fun. This race looks like legendary material. Whoa-” “Mare’s locker room! Males are over there, you pervert!” Scootaloo pushed Soarin out. Rainbow rubbed her hoof over her aching forehead. She half expected one of those legendary Wonderbolts she studied in history to pop up. Her certainty of victory and her confidence was shaken by the new entries. She and Lighting Dust had history, and having flown besides Lightning, Rainbow knew her opponent was to be reckoned with in terms of pure speed. Spitfire and Soarin were veterans where they’d make up for their lack of raw power with skill at tight turns and familiarity with the track. The other racers were trained by Rainbow, and therefore they weren’t near her level. And then there was Scootaloo, Rainbow saw the smaller orange Pegasus sulk to her locker as the others left. Aside from Lightning Dust’s sudden entry, Scootaloo was the most promising Wonderbolt in the academy and in this race. It was to be her time to shine and Scootaloo was expected to place in the top three. Rainbow wanted to reach out and comfort her student. She heard a ripping sound. Scootaloo promptly stormed out. Rainbow walked to see ripped pieces of a pin up poster she assumed Scootaloo hung proudly once in her locker. Rainbow arranged the pieces the best she could. She found it was a picture of herself as the model for young Pegasi to follow. The torn version of herself in her officer’s regalia seemed to stare back at her. Who was she? Rainbow waved her wings dispersing the pieces. Lesser racers made way as Rainbow exited the locker room with a determined look in her eyes. On the elevated platform, the various officers of Equestria were served drinks by attendants. “Thou ought to rejoice. Thy love, fights for thee.” Luna peered slightly over the platform. Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know if I even want her. I didn’t get a sense she was racing for me… exactly.” “Hast thou a change of heart?” Twilight sighed. “Rainbow may be right… we wouldn’t work. The percentage of successful relationships where partners have such differing interests is low. Our careers could keep us apart. I-” Twilight began breaking down and her vision lost focus. Luna pushed back an errant strand of Twilight’s hair that had popped loose. “Thou art the scholarly sort, pessimism and skepticism is thy inclination. Love be naught so simple. Great friends may make poor lovers. Great loves may make for poor friends.” “Princess Luna, what should I do?” Luna shook her head. “Experience I may possess, still we are of equal station, I would not presume to decide for thee. Should she win and should she want thee, wouldst thou be ready to forgive? Should she lose, wouldst thou take so bold a venture with a stranger?” Twilight took special heed of Luna’s break in her speech from her royal ‘We’. She lowered her head. “I’m afraid she’d win… and I’m afraid she’d lose.” “Be ready, Twilight Sparkle. The choice is still thy own.” Rainbow sighed as the racers took to the checkered starting line. The racers readied themselves by revving their wings. Gusts of dust caused the onlookers to cough as the racers increased wing power. Rainbow was in the center of the lineup. She looked to the left: Lightning gave a dastardly grin. To her right Scootaloo looked away from her. Behind her, Rainbow saw Spitfire and Soarin casually talking. Rainbow looked up at the platform where Twilight was, but saw no purple pony. Instead Luna took to the podium. “Go forth, warriors of wing, prove thine skill and will!” Luna waved her hoof and several cannons exploded. The crowds roared in cheers then promptly covered their mouths as blasts of air swept through them. Hats flew as the gale blew. Where there were the racers was now only the wind in their wake.
Chapter 2 Heart of the StormRacing and generally being an ‘athlete’ had been Rainbow’s passion. Her life had been very goal oriented: join the Weather Team, become a Wonderbolt, then become a Captain, then change age old institutional practices. Never before had a goal been so clear to her than winning this race, and never had she been so focused. The Weather Factory had often made mistakes. Rainbow had a mind to go there personally and kick the flank of whoever ordered the thunderstorm. The thunder forced the racers to navigate the dangerous lower elevations. The route took them through the tall oak forest, forcing the racers to weave through trees. All but the most insane slowed their pace, yet Rainbow and Lightning lost no speed as they tore past the trees. Droplets of rain hit Rainbow with such force that she swore she’d have welts later. The pain only sharpened Rainbow’s senses as she chased the yellow tail of the Pegasus in front of her. Lightning laughed, looking behind. “Eat my dust, Dash!” In the breaths that took Lightning to gloat, Rainbow caught up by several wing beats. Rainbow smiled. Lightning growled and retrained her eyes forward. Rainbow’s wing muscles burned as she spurred herself with the frenzied beating, but still Lightning had not lost her lead. Whereas they once might have been equal, Lightning seemed to have gain a noticeable edge. Rainbow lamented that she had been trapped training recruits and doing desk work as Captain. Lightning’s lesser rank and responsibility probably allowed her to train without pause. Rainbow remembered Lightning had been very verbose in the locker rooms. She hoped she could steal a lead by getting her long time rival to rant, losing precious breaths. She shouted through the whistling wind and water. “Why are you doing this?! Revenge?!” Lightning scoffed. “You wish! I want to win!” Rainbow reconsidered. Lightning had planned on joining the race regardless whether Rainbow was in or not. This wasn’t about Rainbow, she had to get out of her egocentric mindset. “That’s all?! Winning isn’t everything! You’re already a lieutenant!” Lightning growled. “For all my life I wanted to be a Wonderbolt, but you made me settle for the regular Royal Guard! I’m going show all you ‘elites’ that I’m better!” “Once you win it all then what?!” Rainbow’s own question echoed in her mind. What would Rainbow do when or if she won the race? She knew she had to stop Lightning, but beyond that was mired in a murky fog of feelings. “Once I win, I’ll win some more!” Lightning had no reservations and regained the few wings beats’ distance that Rainbow had taken. “Don’t you have friends? Do you have loved ones?” Lightning snarled. “I lost those because of you! I was a hometown hero! But as soon as I flunked out of the Wonderbolts, everypony abandoned me!” “Then those weren’t your friends! Friends are there for you: win or lose!” “Buck you!” Lightning slowed slightly and rammed her rear hoof, cracking Rainbow’s goggles with the force of her attack. Rainbow recoiled; she barely evaded a head on crash with a branch. Lightning, turning to attack, had hit a branch a second afterwards. Both were stunned. When the two Pegasi recovered, they faced one another, stopped in the middle of the dark forest. Lightning grinned as she readied to attack. “Equestria Daily News Report: Rainbow Dash crashed and died. Boohoo!” Rainbow tossed aside her shattered goggles. “Bring it!” Twilight nursed her root beer as she sat at the platform. Her head was sullen against the wood railing, and her eyes fixed on the finish line. Luna’s lieutenant, Nightshade, shouted orders. “Get those civilian balloons out of here! There’s a thunderstorm rolling in!” The bat pony waved her wings relaying orders. “What of our War Balloons?” asked a guard. Nightshade looked thoughtfully at the ominous clouds. “Keep them circling until the last minute.” She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t like this unscheduled weather. The Weather Factory wouldn’t mess up so badly.” Luna approached Twilight tentatively. “Twilight, dost thou wish to stay? We may retire to the cover of the awnings to escape the coming rain.” “It’s okay, I like the Rainbow.” Twilight clasped her hoof to her mouth from her Freudian slip. She sighed. “I meant the rain.” “Thou art confused.” Twilight smirked. “Obviously…” Her words were halting. “I… still love her.” “Tell me truly, what aspects of her appeal to thee?” Twilight shook her head. “Does it matter? …she doesn’t love me.” Luna gestured her hoof to coax Twilight. “Prithee tell me anyway.” “Believe it or not, I’m not outgoing. I didn’t have friends until I came to Ponyville. The first time I saw Rainbow, I thought she was a bit rude and rough. Then we became friends. I learned more about her, like that we love the same book series. We both would wait by the mail box for the delivery. I ran the library so, early access and all.” “When didst thy affections first manifest?” Twilight couldn’t help but grin widely as she thought fondly. “I never saw Rainbow ‘that’ way until she gave me personal flying lessons. I mean I always admired her for being bold and beautiful… ummm at flying. I guess I always loved her, I read books on body language. I thought the signals were right.” Twilight rubbed her eyes as she neared to tears. “I thought Rainbow…” “Thou art not to tell Captain Rainbow Dash, I revealed this unto thee.” Whatever greater speed Lightning had, Rainbow had superior training. If Rainbow could anticipate Lightning’s moves, then she could evade her sloppy attacks. The bark of the ancient oak trees splintered as Lightning missed her strikes. Rainbow’s memory took her to the days when she and her Griffin friend, Gilda, had their tussles. Much like the half bird and half lion, Lightning had unremitting ferocity. “Stop dancing around and fight me!” Lightning missed again, in a shower of broken bark. Rainbow rebounded off another tree and punched Lightning in the face, smashing her goggles. Lightning took the blow directly, shook off her broken goggles, and countered with her own. Lightning and Rainbow’s ribs cracked as they traded blows. A timely thunderbolt that illuminated the forest shone on the hatefilled face of Lightning. In the blinding flash, Rainbow closed in and grappled Lightning. “How badly do you want to win?!” Rainbow took her rival for a nose dive towards the ground. Lightning squealed as her face almost hit the dirt. Rainbow veered in the last seconds. Lightning blinked her eyes open as Rainbow set her down. Both Pegasi panted heavily as they stood. Rainbow sighed. “Look, back then at the Academy, I should have approached you more directly before I talked to the Captain. I’m sorry it lead to that.” “And now you’re the Wonderbolt ‘Queen’! My family line goes back to General Firefly! You wanted in, but I needed to get in!” Rainbow stood stern. “I’m sorry, but your actions put ponies at risk. My friends could have died.” Lightning bit. “So?! They didn’t! I wanted to die after you got me expelled! You just wanted my place as lead pony!” “It wasn’t that! On that day I quit; they only later dragged me back in. I realized the Wonderbolts weren’t what I imagined! The competitive cutting, backstabbing, politicking; that doesn’t have to be the way forward. We could have been friends; we still can be.” Rainbow offered her hoof to shake. There was a moment when reconciliation seemed possible as Lightning lifted her own hoof tentatively. Written on Lightning’s face was hurt and confusion. Rainbow met Lightning’s hoof with hers on the last stretch. Rainbow’s boldness though had the opposite effect. Lightning slapped away Rainbow’s hoof. “Buck you!” Lightning kicked a torrent of mud and sped off towards the sky. Rainbow rubbed off just enough mud to see Lightning fly off lopsided, disappearing into the maze of forest trees. She felt a few warm wet rain drops: she knew them to be Lightning’s tears. Her rival had, in many ways, been a reflection of herself; Rainbow wondered if she would be any different if it were not for her friends… and Twilight. Without goggles, Rainbow’s eyes burned as she wove through the forest. Her chest was hurting fiercely from the fight. The rain had washed away the mud from her face, but flecks of sand stung her eyes. She could still catch up to Lightning if she could see. She spotted a stream and flew down to wash her eyes. Their crazed full speed flight through the forest had also gained them a significant lead; she could still catch up, or even win the race. Rainbow dunked her head in and took a drink as well as washing her eyes. When she opened them, she saw dark silhouettes moving through the forest. She darted behind a tree and peered past. A large ebony feathered Griffin in charge shrieked in a hushed yet harsh tone. “Faster, you maggots! We must move under cover of the storm!” Several dozen Griffins wore camouflage cloaks that blended with the gray and browns of the forest. They marched swiftly through the undergrowth. Carrying bundles that appeared to be parasols, Rainbow noticed the metallic glint when one of the Griffins tripped and shredded the covering slightly. She recognized a lance when she saw one. Griffins could manipulate weather like Pegasi: the rolling storm then had been planned. The war party was heading north. Past the forest were the parade grounds. Rainbow flew far away enough as not to be seen, then she beat her wings towards the parade grounds. Rainbow’s strength had been revitalized by the realization; hers was now a race against the storm. Twilight removed her hooves from her face and leaned towards Luna. “What?” Luna smiled. “Perchance, I danced in a dream of thy Captain Rainbow Dash. I saw not the flight formations of well arranged flyers nor the race track. Nay, I saw thee.” “Rainbow loves me?! Then why?!” Luna placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulders. “Duty and loyalty... perhaps a dash of love. Thy emotions art like an open tome. Thy Captain could easily hath read them and taken thee, a so eager lover. Yet she withheld despite her ache for thy embrace.” Twilight placed her hooves on her head to ease the pain. “Rainbow… she was sparing my feelings. She thought we wouldn’t work out even though she wanted it as much as I did.” She growled. Luna tilted her head in confusion. “Thou art mad?” Twilight’s magic pulsed as her mane became aflame. “I’m not mad, I’m furious! Why did she lie! She thought this would be better?!” Twilight calmed herself and blushed when she saw the officers on the platform had swiveled their heads towards her. Nightshade approached Luna. “We have to withdraw our War Balloons from the security detail due to the approaching thunderstorm.” Luna nodded. “Tis most peculiar. We decreed clear skies for this holiday. Where forth did this weather front come from?” Nightshade pointed her hoof. “Our scouts suggest the storm originates from the unregulated forest of Everfree.” Luna rubbed her chin. “Perhaps tis no worry.” She peered over the platform to see the crowds of ponies had set up their own parasols and tents. Many ponies were packing up their picnic supplies. Fully exerting herself, Rainbow had become painfully aware to the degree of her injury. With every belabored breath she pushed past her lungs, she felt the distinct pain in her chest near her heart. She recognized her ribs had been broken; a bitter part of her hoped Lightning had received much the same. Twilight was in danger, Rainbow reminded herself as her body burned. She realized then that Twilight somehow came before Equestria in her mind. Most of Equestria’s officers along with Princess Luna had attended the race. The thunderstorm would force them to withdraw their War Balloons. The days’ acrobatic demonstrations would have exhausted the best Pegasi guards. Equestria was in danger, yet Twilight was what her mind first latched unto. Was it misplaced loyalty? No, Twilight was a part of Equestria. Another stabbing pang nearly caused Rainbow to nearly fall from the sky. Vague feelings of duty to country weren’t sufficient; she pictured Twilight and continued onwards through the hurt. Rainbow, regardless of her feelings, knew she had to be there before the Griffin war party. The sudden storm clouds had caused an uproar in the crowds as ponies moved away from the rain. Some of the officers had already left the platform to get lunch. “Luna, maybe the Weather Team from another town messed up?” asked Twilight. “I know the Ponyville team… wasn’t always so reliable.” Thoughts flashed in her mind of instances where she had been caught in the rain. “Indeed,” Luna smiled. “The Pegasi, their reputation as Weather Warlords, methinks hast become quite bloated. Twas a millennia ago such a mistake would be rewarded with forty lashes for each of Commander Hurricane’s honor guard.” “Weather Warlords,” Twilight turned away. “I read some history in the national archives… were things really that violent back then, Luna?” Luna swallowed. “The Pegasi hailed from lands far from Equestria. Then they were a great of enemy of the United Griffin Kingdoms. The skies were painted red by their battles… This holiday honors an independence: hard won.” She grimaced as the first smattering of rain reached the platform. Twilight raised a hoof. “I thought the Griffins were also known as Weather Warlords.” Luna’s eyes grew wide. “Captain Nightshade, have the guards doubled immediately.” Nightshade’s bat pony ears perked. “Where shall we draw from?” “Summon reinforcements from the local garrison. Thou art to do so discreetly.” “By your will.” Nightshade saluted and flew off. Luna glowered towards the incoming storm and the torrential wall that obfuscated vision beyond it. “Luna?” Twilight asked. “What’s going on?” Luna smiled, unconvincingly. “Tis a precaution.” Twilight now had perked up. “For what? Luna, you’re scaring-” From below the platform a swelling of gasps from the crowds were followed by a gush of screams. Golden armored Guards who were interspersed in the crowd disappeared one by one under the flickering of cloaks. They could see little past the umbrellas that been set up. Louder than the screams were the sudden hawkish cries that came not from below but above. Twilight swiveled her head upwards to see a Griffin soldier falling towards her with a lance in its claws. Twilight was startled as Luna shoved her aside and blasted the Griffin back with a spell bolt. The platform was pelted by rain of Griffin lancers. A half dozen Royal guards had already been skewered in the onslaught by a dozen Griffins. The Griffins dislodged their lances and motioned to finish the rest. Only Twilight, Luna, and a couple of bat-pony guards had evaded the initial strike. Rainbow saw the silhouette of a watchtower in the thick rain; she had arrived at the edge of parade grounds. She beat her wings faster as she heard the explosions. How had the enemy beaten her to the parade ground? No, the war party from the forest couldn’t have. It must be another force attacking. The enemy had orchestrated a pincer trap. She had to find Twilight before the trap closed shut. A couple of Griffins deployed a parasol atop a watchtower strewn with slain Royal Guards. Underneath the umbrella they had unwrapped a bundle to pick out black spheres that had been kept dry against the rain. They sparked the wicks of the grenades with claw flints and tossed them into the fleeing crowds. “Like fishing, eh?” The first Griffin chuckled, as he chucked a grenade that his partner lit. The other Griffin laughed, lighting another grenade. “Like fishing in a bloody barrel!” The first Griffin cawed in alarm as he finished throwing the grenade. In a technicolor blur he was taken down. Rainbow slammed her fore-hooves into the head of the first Griffin Grenadier. The second Griffin was taken out as Rainbow bucked, slamming her hind legs into his head and beak. Both Grenadiers collapsed. She kicked away a lit grenade that exploded in the sky before it took them all out. The Royal Guard scouts at the watchtower had already been slain in ways that Rainbow needn’t check a pulse to know they were dead. Rainbow closed the fearfully opened eyes of a fallen Royal Guard and took his war-saddle along with the lance: mounted on it. She noticed the grenades and the parasol set-up of the Griffin Grenadiers. Hearing explosions elsewhere, she surmised the Griffins had done the same at other taken-over watchtowers. She lamented she had no time to eliminate the other enemy crews. Rainbow cried out as she tightened the straps of the war-saddle. The throbbing pain again reminded her of her cracked ribs. She took a cloth that had bundled the Griffin Grenades, biting into it she distracted herself from agony of moving. In the center was Twilight. She leapt from the tower and flew off towards the eye of the storm. Luna readied to face the Griffins, her eyes darted between all her targets - too many targets. Her horn glowed with warning power. Already a half dozen had been slain by the Night Princess. The Griffins hesitated as to who would be first to attack and first to fall. “Leap!” Twilight pulled Luna away over the platform. “Protect the Princesses!” The Night Guards attacked against the superior Griffin numbers as they escaped. Twilight saw the last couple of Luna’s Night Guards stop their attackers from pursuing. It was as admirable and as futile. Landing on the ground, Twilight saw below the confusion that had been hidden by umbrellas and tent tarps set up to stop the rain. Ponies ran in all directions. Royal guards engaged Griffin troops in battles which they were outmatched. The ground and grass had become a slurry in the activity of pony hooves and Griffin paws and claws. Heard distinctly in the rain was the clang of steel. They galloped without direction through the crowds to escape the Griffins. Twilight looked to Luna. “What do we do?” Luna’s face flashed with confusion that mirrored Twilight for a moment. “We hath fallen into the enemy’s trap; we must survive till reinforcement arrive.” Twilight looked at the crying skies. “This storm will delay help. Shouldn’t we organize and try a break out?” Luna nodded. “Thou art most keen.” They ran to an area where there were concession stands. The mystery of how the enemy had gotten so deep was solved. Griffins pulled lances and crossbows from hidden compartments of the stands. A Griffin officer, distinguished by his ebony cloak, landed in front of the Princesses and gave a shriek. The black-feathered Griffin Commander’s cry echoed through the sounds of battle. Griffin troops converged upon their Commander, leaping over concession stands and forming several squads. “Mages Corp! Hurrah!” Twilight looked behind him to see several ponies with blue cloaks and wizard hats come up. They took defensive positions in front of the Princesses. The squads of Griffins stopped in front of the Captain of the Mages’ Corp. Twilight saw the Captain’s robe flicker with power. Captain Crimson Flame laughed. “You face Captain Crimson Flame! My pyromancy rivals the dragons.” The unicorn’s horn spark with magic. “Feel fear, feel fire!” His magic sputtered to steamy puff. A couple mages electrocuted themselves in the rain, while another delivered the same impotent puff. Luna growled at the mages and smacked their Commander on his head. “Art thou so daft? Lightning and fire magic art useless in the rain!” Crimson smiled impotently at Luna. “Their magic does not avail them! Charge!” The Griffin Commander rallied his troops with the swing of his rattling saber. Crimson’s lieutenant, Hawkeye, pushed her Captain out of the way and fired her automatic crossbow, sending the charging Griffins back. She grinned at her Captain. “Wet match.” “This looks like a job for good ole’ fashion infantry work!” Blueberry Frost and Dented Armor charged forward with infantry lances. They were accompanied into the fray by several regular Royal Guard squads. “Switch to ice magic!” Twilight ordered the mages. Crimson Flame gave a nervous smile. “We’re specialists, the Mages Corp has only few Ice mages.” Luna huffed. “Use thine talents to form a shield at least! Use direct energy bolts even if thou art not adept!” Rainbow scanned the parade grounds from the sky. As the battle raged below, she scouted for Twilight. Through the thick she saw a desperate defensive line set up at the concession stands. At the center she spotted a familiar purple pony. Remnants of Royal Guards were holding, but she spied a squad of Griffins hiding behind the concession stands and moving to flank them. Rainbow observed them deploy their parasols and saw the light of sparking claw flints. She knew now the enemy’s routine. Rainbow folded her wings and dove. Twilight looked at the line of Royal Guards valiantly defending. A squad of Griffins leapt onto the top of the concession stands and fired their crossbows. Twilight projected her shield and blocked the bolts. Luna had spotted the enemy as well and shouted to the unicorn mages. “Atop the stands!” A couple of Griffins were nailed by flung icicles before they fell back to reload. Twilight shouted. “Luna, we can’t hold this position!” Luna nodded. “Advance! We must break out!” Twilight turned from behind them as they heard caws. She shifted quickly to form her shield as a grenade exploded, bursting it. Swooping down, Rainbow smashed both her hooves: taking two of the Grenadiers shrieking to the ground and grinding their beaks into the dirt, knocking them out. Another Grenadier threw his bomb before noticing Rainbow. Drawing a saber, he slashed at Rainbow. Rainbow blocked the Griffin’s swings with her lance. She leapt back and used the length of her lance to her advantage. The Griffin’s swing missed, but Rainbow’s didn’t. The last Grenadier screamed for his fallen comrades. He reared up with a saber in his claw to attack. The Griffin’s shrill shriek was cut short as Rainbow’s lance entered his lungs. Rainbow had ran it through the Griffin Grenadier, causing the Griffin to drop his saber. Rainbow was shocked when she tried to pull her lance loose: the Griffin pulled it back. Smiling, the Griffin revealed a lit grenade hidden behind his back with his other set of claws. Twilight had turned to see Rainbow struggling with a Griffin. She saw the lit grenade in the Griffin’s claws for only a second before the resulting spray of feathers and red. She was relieved to see Rainbow still standing, then horrified as she stumbled. “Rainbow!” Twilight moved to embrace the Pegasus. Rainbow stopped Twilight with her lance. Twilight smiled despite the cold gesture. “Rainbow, you don’t have to hide your feelings from me… I know.” Rainbow recoiled again and blocked Twilight again with her lance. Twilight persisted. “No, Rainbow! We don’t have to hide! I care about you too much!” Rainbow coughed with a light laugh. “No, ribs cracked; hug will kill me.” Her words were as short as her breath. “Oh,” Twilight gasped. As she turned to inspect Rainbow, she saw her bloodied flanks where grenade shrapnel had entered. “You’re injured!” Rainbow shook her head. “I’ve been through worse.” Twilight hit Rainbow with a spell. Rainbow felt warm with a presence that seemed to be uniquely ‘Twilight’. She examined herself as her pain left her. She moved to find the pain had not entirely disappeared but rather dulled. “What was that, a numbing spell?” Twilight shook her head. “A numbing spell would incapacitate you.” Twilight winced as she moved towards Rainbow. “I used an empathy spell; your pain is now half mine.” Rainbow smiled. “Only an egghead such as you would know something like that… Thanks.” Luna turned towards Rainbow. “Captain Rainbow Dash, didst thou see an opening in the enemy whilst thou were above?” Rainbow shook her head. “No, but we can make one.” Rainbow turned to Captain Crimson Flame and threw a satchel of Griffin grenades to the unicorn’s hooves. “Do that fire thing.” Crimson smiled, dangerously. Concussive booms resounded, causing the Griffins to squawk fearfully as their battle lines were blown flying apart. At first came confusion at their own grenades used against them; then after the shock came horror. Timely tossed bombs sent the Griffin crossbow teams scurrying off before they could even take positions to fire. The enemy scattered like a flock of pitiful pigeons. The Royal Guards shouted as Griffins retreated in a disorganized rush. “The feathered rats are pulling back!” Cheers emanated in the pony ranks, first as a scattered shouts then as a collective voice. Through the crowds of running Griffins, their Commander calmly shrunk back, seemingly disappearing in the downpour. Twilight remarked the enemy leader’s composure. Luna reared upwards. “Advance, capture their Commander for interrogation!” “Luna, wait.” Twilight noticed through the rain a pair of glowing azure eyes that seemed to peer at them. Rainbow leapt onto a concession stand. She took in a deep breath and spoke. “Stop! It’s another trap! You’re trying to break out in the wrong direction! There’s another Griffin war party heading this way through the woods in the south.” Luna nodded. “Thou hath saved us yet again. All forces press northward!” At the noticeable movement of their troops, there came again the resounding Griffin screech. The ponies turned back to see figures in the rain. Dozens of black-feathered Griffins stared at them with eyes that seem to glow in gray downpour. A more menacing aura pervaded these darkly different troops. Their icy eyed Commander raised his saber. Rainbow moved in front of Twilight to face the enemy Commander. She glared at the enemy who match her intensity. Rainbow held eye contact, cool and calm. Crucial minutes seemed to pass before it was the enemy Commander who broke it off. The enemy Commander gave an un-Griffin like hiss. Rainbow swore there appeared to be fangs in the Commander’s beak. The Commander grimaced as a column light formed behind Rainbow. The spots of light grew and widened. All ponies and Griffins looked upwards to see guard Pegasi rolling back the clouds, clearing the storm. Rainbow recognized a purple maned and orange Pegasus leading the weather teams. They heard the hum of War Balloon propeller engines as the airships moved in. The bomb bays of the ships opened. The enemy Commander shrieked again. Walking backwards, he and his shadowy Griffin troops retreated with the storm. Luna turned to see Captain Nightshade land besides her. Nightshade bowed. “Forgive the delay.” “Nay, thou hath arrived not a moment too soon.” Luna waved her hoof. “Pursue and destroy! Show them the fury of the merciless moon!” Nightshade nodded. “Shall we capture prisoners?” Luna shook angrily as she looked at ponies on the ground. “Capture only their commanders, the rest thou art to slay.” A second round of cheering came, this time larger and longer than the last. Guards from all different divisions hugged each other. Twilight noticed then her shared pain was fading. She spun towards Rainbow. Still standing, Rainbow’s eyes were closed. However, a celebrating soldier accidently bumped Rainbow’s lance that was lodged onto the ground. Without the lance propping her up, the illusion was broken and Rainbow fell. “No!” Twilight ran towards Rainbow. Catching her, she hugged Rainbow as lightly and as tightly as she could. Twilight felt Rainbow’s startlingly cold body. Twilight pulled back and looked at her friend. Rainbow’s lips were curled upwards in a gentle smile that appeared frozen on. Twilight cried. “Oh Captain! My Captain!” Parting Rainbow’s wet mane from her eyes, Twilight pressed her mouth against Rainbow’s cold lips.
Chapter 3 Decision PointRainbow’s eyes opened to a white light. Was she dead? As her eyes adjusted, she smiled internally knowing that they were the familiar hospital lights. Her youth’s many daredevil stunts had made her a frequent guest of the same institution. The sterile smell of medical alcohol and bandages hit her. She felt a dull pain as she moved. It was countered by the pleasant warmth of another body in her bed. Wrapped around her hooves was Twilight. Rainbow feigned sleep as she saw Twilight stirring. Luna landed on the balcony of the hospital room. Tapping the window, she woke Twilight. Twilight gently pried herself from Rainbow’s hooves and joined Luna. Twilight shivered at the cold; the fresh air, though was invigorating. The rising of the gentle moon against the clear evening sky was a welcomed sight. “Any more news?” asked Twilight. Luna grimaced. “Mine Captain reports the enemy Commander hath evaded capture. Our border scouts detected no further incursions. It would seem this pretense of peace shall continue.” Twilight looked over the balcony to the distant horizon. “This holiday celebrated a great Pegasi victory and a greater Griffin defeat. I guess we should have expected this,” Luna nodded. “The Griffins art the obvious suspects. Yet if they wanted war, they would have captured my sister, Celestia, as she was on her diplomatic mission to their Isles. We suspect more nefarious forces move in the backdrop.” “Maybe they didn’t capture Celestia because their plan here failed. They denied all responsibility.” said Twilight. Luna stomped her hoof, cracking the hospital floor tile work. “This flagrant violation of our sovereignty cannot stand. We may not press them directly, but we swear there shall be repercussions.” “Were it not for Rainbow, I don’t know what would have happened.” Twilight looked back at Rainbow resting in her room. “Thy Captain, her injuries would hath placed any lesser soldier in shock.” Twilight smiled. “Rainbow’s definitely awesome… I don’t know if she’s mine…” Luna smiled. “Art thou certain?” Twilight swung around to see Rainbow behind her. “Twilight, I…” “Rainbow, you shouldn’t be up!” Twilight saw some bandages that had been caught by the bed and were unraveling behind Rainbow. Luna left Twilight as she tended to Rainbow. Rainbow rolled her eyes as Twilight played the neurotic nurse. Twilight was nervously arranging every detail down to the flowers in the vase. Rainbow was surprised that Twilight was the restless one. She suspected it was because of her injuries that she wasn’t a match for Twilight’s energy. Rainbow knew, though, Twilight was never normally so nervous. “Twilight,” Rainbow called. Twilight busied herself fluffing Rainbow’s pillow. “Twilight!” Rainbow called out again. The purple Alicorn stopped at last. “Yes?” “Let’s talk,” said Rainbow, swallowing. Twilight became meek. “Rainbow, I know. We have our duties, we can’t afford dangerous distractions. Maybe when our careers are-” Rainbow leaned in and kissed Twilight. “Relax.” Twilight’s wings deployed and she jumped back. “Rainbow?!” Rainbow recoiled at Twilight’s reaction. “I know I’ve hurt you, Twi…” Twilight nodded, then smiled. “Rainbow, you raced for me though!” Rainbow lowered her head. “I raced to give you a choice; you’re not a prize to be won. I should have given you a choice in the first place; instead I made it for you.” Rainbow rubbed her mane furiously. “I just tried again when I kissed just now. I’m so sorry.” Twilight shook her head. “Rainbow, no. You have your own feelings and desires. The choice is also yours. I never considered what it would mean for our careers. Your points were real valid concerns. You’ve really grown. You took the mature option, while I was a love struck school filly thinking everything would be sunshine-” “-and rainbows?” The Pegasus smirked. Both girls shared a light laugh. Their giggles died down and the awkward silence that followed caused them both to look away. “Twilight, I caused this whole mess… I’ll be loyal to whatever choice you make. I’m willing to try.” The decision is yours. Twilight rejects Rainbow go to chapter 4, link! Twilight accepts Rainbow go to chapter 5, link!
Chapter 4 The Yearning Years“Maybe it’s time for me to grow more… maybe in years, these feelings of ours, if they will still remain, we may be together.” “I understand…” Rainbow lowered her head. Twilight hugged Rainbow. “Until then you shall always be one of my most cherished friends.” Rainbow raised her head and hugged Twilight back. “Don’t wait too long. The door to my office with always be open to you.” “I know, Rainbow,” said Twilight, smiling. Her smile faded slightly. “I know. Get well soon.” The reforms that Rainbow had wished and fought for had come to pass. Many said she was the single mare responsible for saving the Wonderbolts from being just showboating stunt flyers. From the officers down, the organization now valued camaraderie and cooperation above individual gain. The new Wonderbolts’ cohesion won out against other rival enemy factions, time and time again. The officers she raised at the academy exemplified those values most. Those that she took to battle became paragons of her ideals. Rainbow’s uniform now was a glittering mesh of jingling medals. She contemplating taking them off, but each wasn’t just for one world-saving military operation or another: they symbolized soldiers lost to her. The holes in her wings and her eye patch were more physical examples of her losses. In her battles she was so fierce that on several occasions her subordinate officers had to drag her away from the frontlines when she was in enemy lines too deep. Memories of old war stories and glories were now only in the background chatter of her mind whenever she closed her eye. A cold current swept from the field of alabaster gravestones. Rainbow shivered until a warm body blocked the wind. Rainbow saluted with a wing. “Princess.” Twilight gestured to her pantsuit. “That’s President, we’re now a republic.” Rainbow shook her head. “You’ll always be a princess to me.” Twilight lowered her eyelids seductively. “Rainbow, that bill for mare to mare marriage passed congress.” Rainbow chuckled lightly. “Did we ever need a piece of paper to let us do what we want?” In the shine of the setting sun, Rainbow saw a silvery strand to Twilight’s mane. “Twilight, you got a gray streak! I thought alicorns were-” Twilight placed a hoof to Rainbow’s mouth. “Immortal? I could be… but I’d rather be with you. It took a while to come to the realization, but I’m the type who would work till the very end… I don’t want you to pass me by. It’s still a state secret, so hush.” Rainbow gave a worried look. “Ponies would panic if they realized the republic’s leader was mortal, but then again I suspect they would always vote for you, turning it into another Celestial dictatorship.” Twilight nodded. “This Pony democracy faces a lot more challenges to come. It is the horizon of doubt.” She turned towards Rainbow. “I, for one, am ready for something uncertain.” The sun casted a medley of oranges, yellows, and reds as it fell further. “Me too.” Rainbow wrapped a wing around Twilight. “I only wished it wasn’t the day we turned gray.” She gestured to a strand of her own Technicolor mane that had just turned silver. “We’ve lived fulfilling lives. We found other loves. We fought our battles.” Twilight shook her head, sprinkling her tears onto the ground. “We can’t regret!” Rainbow hugged harder. “Twilight, it’s okay. We’re here together now.” Twilight smiled. “Our lives raced by rather quickly, didn’t they?” “I’ll be with you in the final stretch.” Rainbow deployed her wings. “It’s Victory Day again. How about this last lap?” Twilight stretched her withered wings. “I haven’t kept them physically fit… exercising them reminded me of you and our flying lesson sessions…” Rainbow shrugged showing off her own wings that were missing feathers. “Mine have been battered by battle, so we’d probably be even. Life isn’t a race. Let’s go slow.” She extended her wings and gestured to Twilight. “I’d be glad to, Rainbow. It can be our nuptial flight if you-” “Yes.” said Rainbow, swiftly. She leaned and imparted a gentle kiss. They kissed softly at first, but soon the dam burst upon the tears of yearning years. Hungrily, then they pulled closer, wet droplets in their eyes as they did so. After minutes had passed, they both gasped for breath. Rainbow offered her wing and looked towards the horizon. Twilight nodded and followed after. Their initial flight together was shaky but genuine. Soon they danced in the skies as they became more familiar with each other’s pace. Wingtip by wingtip, enraptured by their partners’ glow, two forms faded into the light of the sinking sun.
Chapter 5 Loyalty and LoveTwilight gave a deep sigh. “Rainbow, when I was under the tutelage of Princess Celestia, I thought I didn’t have time for friends, let alone love. I’m a Princess now and busier than ever.” “I understand…” Rainbow lowered her head. Twilight used a hoof to lift Rainbow’s chin. She tilted her head and went in for the kiss. Rainbow’s wings and eyes shot open. Slowly she calmed herself and returned the gentle passion of the lip lock. Rainbow’s chest was still pounding when she spoke. “Twilight, I thought…” Twilight smiled, confidently. “I mastered Starswirl’s time spell, we’ve fought off Changeling Armies, we faced evil gods and all the odds. I think we can handle a little romance.” Rainbow swallowed then gushed. “Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh! I’ll have to train up the new officers to take charge. Maybe Spitfire and Soarin could help. I’ll have to call the moving company for my stuff! I’ll have to-” Twilight smiled as Rainbow recited a list of things for her to prepare. “Rainbow, it’s alright. Even if you can’t yet fulfill the Captain part fully, we still can be Companions.” Twilight winked. “I’m thinking about having my new offices near the soldier barracks.” Rainbow relaxed but found her wings were still deployed. She tried to calmly hide her enthusiasm. “That sounds totally awesome, Twilight.” Twilight’s magic sparked and the room’s lock clicked. With a mischievous grin, the lavender Alicorn leapt onto the bed and moved towards Rainbow with panther like litheness. Rainbow noticed the heightened beeping of the her hospital heart rate monitor. “Whoa, Twilight!” Twilight backed off and examined Rainbow’s bandages. “Your injuries? I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. I-” Rainbow chuckled internally; Twilight was still the nerd she loved. As Twilight sputtered onward, Rainbow braced herself. What was pleasure without pain? Griffins were known to take both in equal measure. She entertained the idea she was also a predatory beast. Rainbow growled and pounced Twilight with kisses upon her neck. “Oh Captain!” Twilight moaned. “My Captain!” New recruits in the Canterlot Barracks Cafeteria took their meals with a healthy helping of conversation. The background chatter was silenced when the Cafeteria doors were slammed open. An orange Pegasus was panting, heavily. A Royal Guard saluted then asked. “Lieutenant Scootaloo, what’s going on?” In between breaths, Scootaloo spoke. “The Mage Commander-” “What about the Commander?” “-and The Wonderbolt Colonel are-” A collective cry came from the soldiers. “What?!” Scootaloo grinned then shouted atop her lungs. “-dueling!” Some ponies gulped down their meals while others scurried off, abandoning theirs altogether. Chairs and benches were kicked aside as there came a mad dash for the doors. Sparks flew as Rainbow dodged bolt after magic bolt. Several training dummies in the courtyard were blown apart in a spray of hay. Twilight’s Mages Corp robes flickered with power as her eyes glowed. “You’ll put used clothes in the laundry hamper or so help me Dash!” Rainbow swiveled for a lance lunge. “Seriously, Twilight, it’s not fair if you use an animate spell on the house furniture to do your share of the chores!” “Done, I’ll use less magic! Tonight’s your turn to do the dishes, Dashie!” “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I said I’ll do them!” Rainbow ran towards Twilight. Twilight flapped her wings, barely evading Rainbow’s attack. Rainbow skidded on the sandy ground and turned. “You’re going to keep up your training regimen so your wings don’t become decorations!” “Fine!” Twilight fired another barrage of bolts. Rainbow outpaced the explosive bursts of magic. She swiftly turned and closed in during Twilight’s pause. “You’ll keep up with your diet!” Rainbow and Twilight met face to face as Rainbow’s practice lance slapped Twilight’s flanks. “Got ya. You’ll have to keep up with your diet so that fat flank stays in shape.” Rainbow gave a toothy grin. Twilight used her eyes and gestured to her horn that was already charged for another bolt. “I got you too. Rainbow, you’re going to organize your paperwork and your clothes.” Both combatants gave each other a lusty look. Rainbow’s hot breath tickled Twilight. “I like it when you build a sweat.” Twilight pressed her muzzle to Rainbow’s ear. “We’ll be sweating more later.” Their moment was interrupted by cheers from the different divisions of Guards. Members of the Mages Corp tossed their wizard hats upwards while Wonderbolt recruits did small aerial flips. Undecided recruits, who wore generic armor, whooped. Both girls blushed as they became aware of their audience. Upon a cloud, Twilight and Rainbow lay with their wings wrapped around each other. “That was an awesome show.” said Rainbow. “I hope we put up a convincing performance,” said Twilight, twiddling her hooves. “I’m sorry if I was too forceful.” “Nah, you were perfect.” Rainbow swatted her hooves. “The newbies seem to love it. We’ll get recruits to join both our divisions.” Twilight nodded. “It’s gotten me thinking, maybe Equestria could do better if we have integrated units. Magic and might would be good combination.” “Any excuse to see me more, huh?” Rainbow tossed her head back, nonchalantly. Twilight grinned. “You’ll pay for that fat flank comment.” “Make me, jelly belly.” Rainbow pressed her muzzle to Twilight’s tummy and blew, causing her to squeal. Twilight flailed her hooves. “Stop, I’m ticklish there!” “I know.” “I know your weak spot too!” Twilight passed her hooves through Rainbow’s wings to the tips. The Pegasus became paralyzed as her tongue lolled out and she fell onto her back. Twilight had sat up and stared at the world below from their cloud mattress. “I’m really glad we did this.” “Me too. Sometimes it scares me to be this happy.” Twilight pulled Rainbow into her wings. “Don’t be. This isn’t the end, it’s only the beginning. We have the rest of our lives.” Rainbow looked sadly at Twilight’s horn and wings. “Maybe mine. I wish I could be there for you always though… I held back before because I didn’t want you to be sad. I’m afraid when I’m gone, that’ll give you the biggest hurt of them all. Every moment together I’m hurting you… I can’t....I...” Twilight gently placed her forehead against Rainbow’s. “I have just as many years as you. We’ll grow gray together.” “Wait, Twilight you didn’t have to-” “I want to; eons would pass without another Rainbow Dash.” “Let’s not waste a second more then.” Rainbow extended her wings, a tip of hers touched Twilight’s wing. “There’s another tradition among Pegasi, it’s rather a difficult maneuver.” Twilight’s wings stood on ends. “The nuptial flight, the wingtip to wingtip dance! I’ve been training for this! I read the diagrams and manuals.” She bounced upon the cloud. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Stop cheating and reading ahead of the lesson plan. We’re not dancing. It’s totally serious.” Twilight sat at attention reminiscent of foalhood school days. “Okay, Ms. Dash, teach me.” Rainbow smiled, and began her explanation. “Now this dance…” Since before the first Weather Warlord, since the first Pegasus took to their wings, it was an age old ballet. They spiraled together in the air, swishing through the clouds, and entwined in each other’s flight paths. Above in the heavens, the world bore witness to their union. Wingtip by wingtip, enraptured by their partners’ glow, two forms faded into the light of the sinking sun.
