Author's Note

1. Denbutani = Butt Valley.

GROWING STORM - revised

Snow has stopped falling. The first flicker of dawn appeared over Foal Mountain.

“Hey! Hey!!!”

Ragingheart looked back over her shoulder before turning to face the captive whom strangely was unaffected by freezing temperatures despite not wearing a winter coat. The reason for it might have something to do with the aura surrounding the cages.

“You have to do something!” shouted Lionel, whom is concerned about Sunset Shimmer’s condition. “She won’t hold for long!”

But Ragingheart merely said, “Then you better pray to Faust that somepony from Canterlot gets here soon!”

She then walked away, not even the slightest feeling of sympathy was inside her.

Peeking from inside the crevice of the frozen waterfall, Lightning Dust witnessed a squadron of Dalek Tanks emerging forever Canterlot, heading in the direction of the gorge. She feared that Ragingheart might have somehow figured out the existence of the shelter.

Fortunately, Lightning Dust’s fears did not materialize. The winged tanks flew low past over the mansion to head north. But it did cast an unpleasant feeling over the Reserves inside the mansion. The entire structure shook from the deafening roar of the passing Dalek Tanks.

The Reserves reported the incident to Discord, prompting a meeting in Blueblood’s office.

“They’re seemed to be heading straight north, possibly to Diamondia,” Discord began the briefing. “But something’s not right. In such small numbers, it couldn’t be an invasion fleet.”

Blueblood pondered briefly then said, “I’m merely speculating. What if Diamondia are finally making their move and those tanks were dispatched in response to it?”

“Maybe,” the captain said. “We can’t be sure unless we get a full scout report. Unfortunately, our only capable scout is still injured.”

“I can try,” Lightning Dust said confidently. She put up a convincing display that the injuries are nothing to her.

“Overruled,” Discord wave his hand. “With your wings injured, it’s too risky to have you on this scout mission, which leaves us with Nova.”

“But he doesn’t have the speed needed for the mission!” the pegasus protested.

“Did anypony say they need someone with speed?” This was coming from Gilda whom just showed up at the door. “I volunteer.”

“Gilda!?” Lightning Dust gazed at the captain with disapproval. “Captain, you can’t agree with this. She doesn’t have any prior experience with the royal guards.”

Gilda stepped forward, straightened her posture and put on a determined look.

“True,” she said. “I may not have any experience. But I am a Wonderbolt. Our motto is ‘Higher. Faster. Further’. Therefore I assure you I have both speed and discipline as much as Lightning Dust has.”

“Yes,” Discord agreed, notably impressed by the griffon’s sense of determination. “I can see that you have a good heart and is very persuasive.”

“What!?” Lightning Dust exclaimed. “You call that persuasive!?”

“Enough of this petty argument!" Blueblood’s scolding silenced Lightning Dust. "Faust knows we can’t be picky on allies, since we’re currently understaffed. However it’s your decision, captain."

Discord nodded at the chancellor then turned to Gilda. “Welp, no time for formalities! Gilda from the Wonderbolts, do you swear that you will commit yourself in serving the Equestrian Royal Army and its just cause with your life?”

“I do.”

“Please recite the Oath of Allegiance.”

“I, Gilda, swear by Faust Almighty that I will bear true allegiance to the Royal Sisters, their co-rulers, heirs and successors and that I will in my duty serve with honor in defending Equestria against all enemies so as to uphold for what the kingdom stands, one nation united, peaceful and prosperous.”

Discord placed his hand on Gilda’s shoulder. “Then I hereby appoint you as a temporary member of the Equestrian Royal Army.”

After the simple initiation was over, the captain called Nova to come over.

“If you follow Nova,” he said to Gilda, “he’ll have your armor and coat ready. You’ll be partnering with him and he’ll be your supervisor in the whole duration of the scouting mission.”

Gilda and Nova both saluted to the captain. After the two left, Lightning Dust shook her head in dismay.

A heated argument occurred in the mansion’s basement afterwards.

“It’s too dangerous!” Lightning Dust argued, apparently upset with her friend’s decision to get involved in the conflict with Lyra Heartstrings a.k.a. Ragingheart.

“Why’re you so fussed about everything’s too dangerous for me!?” Gilda asked tensely.

“I’m concerned for your safety, that’s all!”

“Are you still feeling guilty about that accident? Is this what it’s all about?”

When Lightning Dust did not answer back, Gilda continued, “Ever since that accident, you’ve always avoided me. You didn’t even bother to reply any of my postcards. It’s already in the past and I’ve forgiven you. As your friend, I’m asking- No, I’m telling you to get over it! Because I am now getting tired of your attitude!”

Godslayer Dash and Trixie, both happened to be close the spiraled staircase, overheard the argument above. While feeling disappointed with Lightning Dust, the former was also somewhat affected by Gilda’s words. It reminded her of Skyler. Family friend. Foster sister.

Godslayer Dash looked to Trixie for suggestions. “Now she’s fighting with Gilda. Should we…”

“I don’t like it either,” the unicorn said. “But there’re some things they need to sort it out themselves.”

Gilda and Nova stopped at a distance from the mansion.

“So you know everything about Lightning Dust, right?” Nova asked Gilda.

“Like what?” the griffon asked back at him.

“You know, favorite color, food, flower… Does she even like jewelries?”

“Why are you asking me this?” When Gilda saw that the changeling’s face blushed slightly, she realized what was really going on. “Oh. You like her, aren’t you?”

“Can we talk about it along the way?”

“Aren’t we supposed to focus on the mission?”

“Just follow my lead,” Nova said before shapeshifting into his white rabbit form.

He hopped on to Gilda, holding tightly onto her. Gilda flapped her wings hard then took off.

It was a busy morning for the servants in the shelter’s kitchen. The food prepared was in excess of the needs of everypony taking refuge in the shelter.

“I think there’re still more blankets and sheets inside the trunks up in the attic!” Silver Spoon said as she led Trixie and the castle servants up the spiraled staircase.

Passing several castle servants pushing carts filled with scarves and winter coats, Godslayer Dash walked up to Blueblood and Discord.

“What’s going on?” she asked them.

“I highly doubt Ragingheart has the hostages’ welfare in her heart,” Blueblood said. “So we’re going to deliver all of these to those unfortunate ponies.”

“This is also our chance to check up their conditions,” Discord added.

Godslayer Dash wondered about Sunset Shimmer’s current condition where the unicorn’s head injury was concerned.

“Can I come with you guys?” she asked.

Blueblood and Discord both hesitated.

“I know, I know,” Godslayer Dash said in understanding. “But I owe to Sunset Shimmer. I just can’t call myself her friend by standing here and do nothing. I need to see how she’s doing out there with my own eyes.”

Blueblood looked at Discord. “Should we, captain?”

“C’mon, cap! Let me in!” Godslayer Dash pleaded. “Whatever you need me to be or do, you’re totally can count on me. Backup, support…”

“Very well,” Discord relented at last. “You have helped us to some degree, after all.”

“And you’re gonna need it as much as you can get,” Godslayer Dash firmly said.

Possessing sharp-eyesight, Gilda notified Nova in mid-flight that she spotted the winged tanks from more than a mile away. Thinking fast, Nova instructed Gilda to head down to Neighagra Falls. The griffon immediately swooped down to hide between the dam’s flanking piers.

As the Dalek Tanks flew over the area, Bunny-Nova expressed his surprise at the tanks being back so soon.

“Maybe they’re on a scout mission too?” Gilda suggested.

“Maybe,” Bunny-Nova said. “Let’s rest for a while. There’s still a long way to go before we reach the border.”

They waited there until the last Dalek Tank passed over them.

After passing over the Canterlot River Bridge, the Equestrians parked their carts at a considerable distance from the enemy position.

As the remaining Reserves and Godslayer Dash began unloading the crates containing rations for the hostages, Discord gave them all a reminder. “Ragingheart thinks Princess Celestia is still in Canterlot. That’s the only thing that prevents her army from storming into the city. So let’s keep it that way.”

“Less than half a day left, yet still no sign of Celestia,” Ragingheart commented after meeting up with Blueblood and Discord.

Not knowing how to explain Princess Celestia’s absence…yet, Sir Blueblood went straight to the point. “We’ve come to negotiate, Ragingheart. As you know, winter has arrived earlier than anticipated. We want assurance that the ponies you captured are still alive and well-treated.”

On Ragingheart’s signal, her forces moved aside to split the main formation into two, thereby revealing the cages where the hostages are kept. Aside from starving, they are alive and kept warm due to Sunset Shimmer’s effort. But in doing so, the poor unicorn drained herself completely.

“Faust Almighty!” Blueblood exclaimed when he saw this.

“Rather amusing watching her like that all night long,” Ragingheart mocked. “I was curious how long she could hold before she drops down dead.”

Anger spiked inside Godslayer Dash and Lightning Dust. Yet they managed to refrain themselves, knowing fully well that any reckless move now will provoke the enemy and put the hostages’ lives in danger. Unlike during the Battle of the Market Square, they were now faced with a legion of the ‘Alicorn’s’ forces. Without a thoughtful plan, the Equestrians could easily be overwhelmed in mere minutes.

“Permission to distribute the rations and treat the injured,” Blueblood made his request.

Ragingheart thought on it for a second then said, “No. My minions will do it. Tell your soldiers to back away from carts. As for the doctor, bring him to me.”

Discord snapped his finger. Godslayer Dash and the Reserves moved to comply. Doc Top shuddered at the thought of being together with evil “Alicorn” again after barely escaped with his life from Ponyville days earlier. With fear, he slowly made his way towards Ragingheart.

The MBPs opened the crates for the Mithras to examine its contents. After satisfied that the crates only contain food and other rations, the MBPs transported all the crates to the cages.

Inside the cages, ponies clambered to the get their hooves on the rations tossed at them. Sunset Shimmer stopped casting her spell once she saw Doc Top, who wasted no time in treating the head wound.

Now that the matter regarding the hostages’ wellbeing had been dealt with, here comes the hard part- the handover of Princess Celestia and the Elements of Harmony.

“My demand was made clear!” Ragingheart angrily said to Blueblood. “It’s either Celestia and the Elements of Harmony or their lives!”

The chancellor tried in his best ability to negotiate. “You have to understand. Princess Celestia’s current mental state is unstable. We’re not able to get near to her without letting ourselves getting teleported to someplace else. Please allow us some more time. A temporary truce, perhaps?”

Behind him, Godslayer Dash was grumbling to herself, “Yeah, she was wacko. Deal with it.”

“Her insanity does not change the fact that she wronged me!” Ragingheart barked at Blueblood. “And if you think you’re able to buy time, think again! If I do not have Celestia nor the Elements Harmony in my possession within the next few hours, I will destroy that city!”

“Now, let’s not be hasty here-”

Just then, the Dalek Tank squadron returning from their mission in the north interrupted Blueblood. They descended past the river, transformed and touched down. While the rest went to join the main force, one strode towards Ragingheart. It looked as though she and the Mecha-Dalek were communicating telepathically, or perhaps through some kind of radio link. None of the Equestrians knew for sure. A short while later, the mech rose and left.

“It seems that we’ve reached a mutual understanding to our current predicament, chancellor,” Ragingheart said. “I agree to a temporary truce. These ponies will remain in Ponyville for now.”

As the ‘Alicorn’ was talking, several of the tanks hovered over the cages. Following that, the Mithras started securing the cages to the cables lowered from the winged tanks.

“Why?” Blueblood demanded.

“I need them alive,” Ragingheart replied, “especially Sunset Shimmer. The truce lasts until the day we return to Canterlot at this very spot.”

That’s good, Blueblood thought, but for how long? “And when will that be?”

“When the storm is over,” Ragingheart replied.

All the Equestrians looked amongst each other with utter confusion. What storm? A literal storm?

Godslayer Dash absentmindedly advanced on Ragingheart. “That’s a bluff! I mean, c’mon! It just started snowing last night-”

When she got close enough, Ragingheart punched her right in the stomach. She fell to her knees whilst painfully clutching her belly. Seeing this, Discord and the Reserves rushed to her side.

Under her visor, Godslayer Dash glared angrily at Ragingheart. “Oh, you’re so gonna get it!”

“I’m a sadist,” Ragingheart mocked. “Deal with it.”

Damn it, Godslayer Dash realized. She overheard me… “If something ever happens to Sunset Shimmer, I’m gonna super whup your butt so hard you wished you’re never born!”

“Oh, I shall look forward to it,” Ragingheart responded sarcastically.

“Enough!” Discord quickly intervened, fearing the situation might turn for the worse. “We’re supposed to have truce here!”

Ragingheart glanced at the captain Discord then turned back to Godslayer Dash. “You do not belong in this world, so it’s best that you stay out of this. The next time I see you again, I will not hesitate to let you join that buddy of yours in the afterlife.”

As the Dalek Tanks began airlifting the cages, all the terrified hostages huddled as they did not understand what is going on. Sunset Shimmer was no exception. Ragingheart took off to the sky the same time as her forces began their withdrawal from the area.

“That was reckless of you, Miss Dash,” Discord chided as he helped Godslayer Dash up to her feet. “You should count yourself lucky for she could’ve stabbed you instead.”

“Sorry, can’t help myself, okay?” she said. “Being brash all the time, that’s just the way I am.”

“At least the situation didn’t turn chaotic,” the captain commented, deciding to look at the bright side of things.

“Indeed,” Blueblood agreed. “Now about that storm Ragingheart mentioned…”

Turbulent clouds floated above the landscape surrounding the Diamondian border outposts, signaling a snowstorm is imminent.

Inside one of the outposts, Commander Fido and his troops busied themselves by polishing their armor and diamond-based weapons- longswords, axes, spears, maces etc. Even their shields are made of diamond. But the most interesting weapon in their arsenal is the anti-armor Gatling crossbow, capable of rapid firing diamond-tipped arrows.

Away from the Diamondians, Prince Umbra was in a discussion with Gilda and Nova over at the table.

“Not really,” Gilda said. “But there’s a slight chance we can outrun the blizzard before it reaches Canterlot, if we take off now.”

“My comrade’s a Wonderbolt,” Nova pointed out to the prince. “So there’s no need to worry.”

Yes, I’ve heard about them, Umbra thought, superlative speeders and skillful in aerial acrobatics.

“Very well. Be sure to get this to Sir Blueblood.” He gave a rolled-up letter to Nova who then secured it under his winter coat. “Again, I greatly apologize for not being of much help. If only I could’ve done something to prevent the ill fate that has befallen on Equestria. I do hope Lord Watterson is able to recover soon. Now be careful on your way back. Who knows, those flying tanks might still be around.”

Nova and Gilda expressed their surprise. So the tanks had come this far, but what were they up to?

“They advanced deep into Diamondian territory then turned back all of a sudden,” Umbra revealed to the pair. “It’s rather strange that they didn’t retaliate even after a few of them got shot down.”

They shared the prince’s puzzlement.

Trixie met up with Blueblood and the rest who have returned from the outskirts.

“Is Sunset Shimmer all right?” She was very anxious to know her friend’s condition.

“Apart from fatigue and the head injury, she’s fine,” Doc Top earnestly told her. “I’ve ascertained that she’s not suffering any trauma on her skull. With long rest and the medicines that I gave her, she could make full recovery within a week. As long as Ragingheart doesn’t ill-treat her prisoners by then.”

The last part served only to increase Trixie’s anxiousness.

Godslayer Dash placed a gentle hand on the unicorn to reassure her. “Don’t lose hope, Trixie. We’ll get her back.”

Though does not seem much, but her words did help Trixie ease up a little.

By late evening, the snowstorm finally reached Canterlot from the northern continent, dumping more than two feet of snow over the deserted city. Temperatures plummeted to sub-zero. Visibility decreased to less than half a mile. It was the most severe storm ever to hit Equestria in the kingdom’s ten thousand years of history.

Under her visor, Godslayer Dash surveyed with difficulty the surroundings for any signs of Nova and Gilda. She felt uncomfortable being outside in a blizzard but being the only one who is capable operating at sub-zero temperatures without getting frostbites, Dash felt she had no choice.

Back at the mansion, Lightning Dust stood watch on the porch.

“Any sign of them!?” she yelled at Godslayer Dash.

“No!”

Suddenly, Godslayer Dash spotted something appearing amongst the trees. Blinded by heavy snowfall, it took a while for her to make out the figure. It was a griffon! She trudged over the snow towards Gilda who appeared to be dragging something through the snow.

When Gilda finally got into the kitchen, Lightning Dust opened her mouth. She was about to say something.

But Gilda cut her off, “If you still want to continue arguing, then I don’t want to talk to you!”

She passed Lightning Dust without making eye contact. The pegasus was seemingly hurt by her friend’s words.

“I just wanted to say I’m glad you both safely made it back, that’s all,” Lightning Dust said sadly.

When Godslayer Dash entered the kitchen carrying the unconscious Nova in her arms, Lightning Dust was absolutely shocked. She cried out worryingly at the cold-stiffened changeling.

It was fortunate of Nova that Doc Top managed to thaw him in time before he gave in to hypothermia. While the changeling kept himself soaked in the warm water-filled basin, Doc Top went over to check for any improvements on Godslayer Watterson’s condition.

At the same moment in Blueblood’s office, the chancellor had just finished reading the letter from Prince Umbra. He turned to explain its content to the everyone present there. It was a grim situation. According to letter, the prince had had difficulty in convincing the Diamondians to send in their army, which might explain why the Equestrians have not heard any news from him. Although the Diamondians have already stationed their soldiers at the border posts, King Jim demanded a formal request from the ‘highest recognized authority’ of Equestria in order to cross.

“The Royal Sisters,” Godslayer Dash noted in understanding.

Blueblood nodded. “Through an official decree authenticated by the royal seal, which unfortunately I do not have in my possession. Their excuse is justified though, as they do not want to be regarded as an invading force. I’m not as influential as my aunts in foreign affairs, thus there is only so much I can do as chancellor.”

“But the fate of the entire world is at stake!” Lightning Dust said in anger.

“Without laws and protocol, everything will turn into chaos,” Discord reminded the pegasus.

“There is slight good news though,” apparently Blueblood was not finish yet. “The Diamondians did the next best thing. They’re planning to send their navies to the Southern Kingdom once the storm winds down.”

Godslayer Dash furrowed her eyebrows. “In the middle of winter?”

“They possess a number of ice breaker ships in their fleet,” Blueblood clarified to her. “If they play their cards right, the distraction caused by the battle in the South might work to our advantage.”

“So what do we do in the meantime?” Godslayer Dash then asked.

Blueblood looked thoughtful for a while.

“That, Miss Dash, is a very good question,” he said finally.

***

Meanwhile, in Erumoa...

The Catgirl was parked in the narrow valley of between two hills, which bizarrely resembles a pair of buttocks if one looked from afar at an angle. A smaller and heavily stripped-down variant of the frigate used by the conventional military of the Godslayer’s homeworld, the cruiser is measured at 1000 ft in length, 475 ft wide and 400 ft tall. Hangar/cargo bay doors line up along the port and starboard side.

Godslayer Kurogane and Godslayer Fortepiano sat at their respective stations in the bridge, staring at the banks of virtual screens on the consoles. Kurogane is a Battlecaster and her rank is Operative-cum-Engineer, as indicated by the Silver Star insignia.

After the last data finished scrolling, she turned away from the screen to look at her superior officer. “That’s it. The diagnostics are complete. The Catgirl is ready and set to go.”

Godslayer Fortepiano nodded, without looking at her subordinate. She remained focused at the data logs provided by Godslayer Watterson.

“What’s your take on this Iris Dashiell character, FM?” Godslayer Kurogane finally decided to ask.

“I’m not sure if she can be trusted,” Godslayer Fortepiano said flatly. “All the data from the log file seemed valid. Yet of what plausible reason would this woman from a different world suddenly showed up in our operating sector, with Magister Perris’ armor in her possession? I find these circumstances very suspicious.”

“But Magister did leave a data file for us to find,” Godslayer Kurogane reminded her.

“A corrupted data file,” the Field Master pointed out, “which means nothing.”

Godslayer Kurogane decided to concede and changed the topic. “So what do we do now?”

Godslayer Fortepiano turned away from her screens.

“Those constructs are still out there,” she said. “The sooner we complete our respective missions, then the sooner we can focus on solving this mystery. You help Ensign find E-Sat and try to fix him before the final showdown. I’ll rejoin you all once I return from Equestria.”

“That means you’re going alone?”

“Yes.”

Sometime later, Godslayer Kurogane looked on as The Catgirl screamed off into the sky, leaving behind Denbutani. Turning away, she wondered about how Ensign was doing in Ritchiudo. Surely the second-in-command can handle things there, right?

Lightning streaks and sparks ran across the street leading to an explosion on the other end. A menacing soft-shelled turtle emerged from its aftermath unscathed. Aegnor Alkarin, a Minotaur and a Battlecaster Godslayer with the rank of Ensign (Gold Star insignia), was shocked at the turtle’s invincibility.

Dubbed the Evil Turtle because it does sort of look like an evil incarnation from hell, this creature had given him and Kurogane absolutely nothing but trouble. They did not know what exactly the creature is or where it came from. One day it just showed up on the security feeds wrecking The Catgirl’s interior for no clear reason. With Zach’s help, they finally managed to expel it from the cruiser. But now it seems that the creature wanted revenge.

“Oh, for Snowflake sake!” Godslayer Alkarin exclaimed as the Evil Turtle began chasing after him. “This is bullshit!”

***

Dash’s Fleet SHADE had reverted back to her clothes. She pulled up the cuff of her pants for Doc Top to examine the spot where her wound should be.

The doctor found that there is only a trace of a barely visible scar. “If there was a deep cut, there’s no sign of it now.”

“Yup, this pretty much confirms it,” Dash said, satisfied that her theory was right.

Doc Top was notably impressed. He had heard a lot of things about magical objects from a young unicorn he knew very well, but an armor having more than one function was not one of them.

“Interesting,” he remarked. “It can transform and heal. If Twilight was here, she’d definitely want to take that piece of armor for research.”

Dash gave Doc Top a quizzical look. “Don’t tell that you know her?”

“Oh, yes,” the doctor said. “We used to be neighbors in Ponyville before she moved to Canterlot to further her study.”

He let out a sigh and continued somberly, “I really don’t understand why she behaved so differently once she came back. Hay she even converted her home library into a lab of some sort.”

“Maybe something happened,” Dash cryptically said. Should I break it to him? Nah...

“Now that she’s missing,-”

“Missing?” Dash interrupted Doc Top. “I thought she’s dead.”

“If that was truly the case, there’d be traces,” the doctor pointed out grimly. “Poor Twilight Velvet. She must be turning over in her grave right now.”

Wait, the former captain of the royal guards? Dash thought. “What’s she got to do with Twilight Sparkle?”

“Why, Twilight Sparkle is her daughter,” the doctor revealed.

Dash gaped in disbelief at the revelation.

Doc Top saw her reaction but misinterpreted it. “I know, right? Surely a pony who given her all for the kingdom and the Royal Sisters deserves a better fate for her lineage.”

“Y-yeah, it’s tragic,” Dash said, merely for the sake of being polite.

She remembered Sunset Shimmer mentioned that Princess Celestia changed when Twilight Sparkle was enrolled into magic school. If Twilight Sparkle is truly the child of former captain Twilight Velvet, that could only mean one thing- Princess Celestia was practicing favoritism. Dash shook her head at the notion.

Afterwards, Doc Top went back to attend to the medical reports on his desk.

Removing her jacket, Dash examined herself again in the mirror. But this time she observed her neck, arms and shoulders. Then she pulled up her tank top. There were no signs of scars or blemish resulting from the fall in her flashbacks. Maybe they were there before and the SHADE did a job too well of healing them, she speculated.

Back in the ward, Godslayer Watterson opened his eyes. He found himself lying on one of row of beds in a room he did not recognize. He stared at the ceiling then at the walls. Finally, he realized he is somewhere in the underground evacuation shelter. He tried to sit up, only to experience excruciating pain in his midriff.

Dash and Doc Top heard Godslayer Watterson’s groan. They both turned to see him sink back onto his bed and hurried to his side.

“Zach, you're okay!” Dash was so relieved to see the blue feline finally awaking.

“Yeah, miss me much?” Watterson rasped, clearly hinting that he is still in pain.

“As if!” Dash jested.

When Doc Top requested for the feline to remove his armor so that he could determine the full extent of the wound, Godslayer Watterson said, “Doc, I can’t. It’s still healing and this armor is the only reason I’m able to move. By the way, how long was I out?”

Dash raised a finger.

“A day?” Watterson guessed.

Dash shook her head. “Nope.”

“A week?” The feline suddenly felt even weaker than before. “Oh man… Did Ragingheart win the war?”

Godslayer Watterson, whom is still recovering from his injury, took a minute to digest what had happened in past several days.

“Looks like princess’ comeback is more crucial now than ever,” he said finally.

Blueblood agreed, although he was unaware that the Godslayer was actually referring to Princess Luna, not Celestia. “But given her insanity and currently unknown whereabouts, I doubt she could be of any help to us now.”

“Yeah about that,” Godslayer Watterson said. “After my last conversation with Sunset Shimmer, I think I have an idea where I can find Princess Celestia.”

When asked by Blueblood on where that place might be, Godslayer Watterson stated, “Tall Tale.”

“But there’s nothing there left,” Blueblood said before he suddenly remembered. “Oh, of course. The original palace. Its ruin still stands.”

“I get it,” Dash said in comprehension. “If there’s no place else for her to go and she wants to hide, it’s only natural that she’d go the only place she knows pretty well.”

“Yup,” Godslayer Watterson acknowledged her statement. “I’ll be departing soon to look for her there.”

Discord reacted in disbelief at the feline’s plain. “You don’t mean you’re going out in this blizzard, are you?”

“Hey, what better time than when Ragingheart isn’t around Canterlot?” Godslayer Watterson replied casually, not a single of worry was hinted.

Discord shook his head. To him, the feat would be suicidal.

“I presumed you have plan laid out for confronting my aunt?” Blueblood wanted to know.

“I do,” the feline replied confidently. “There’s 50-50 chance Princess Celestia might surrender herself along with the Elements of Harmony. Oh, I’m not saying we’re should give in to Ragingheart’s demands. She said it herself. She still intends to enslave all of Equestria no matter what.”

Dash said she agreed with him on that. “Besides, we all should know better by now that she’s doesn't really play fair. And there’s something else that’s been bugging me…”

“What’s that?” Godslayer Watterson asked.

“It’s the way Ragingheart repeated the same line all over again,” Dash said with worry.

Trixie had finished making herbal tea for herself, before proceeding to rummage through the box. To her surprise, she discovered Sunset Shimmer’s photo album stashed among the books (this was done by Dash unknowingly to anyone in Nightmare Moon act).

Sitting on the bench, memories came back to her as she flipped one page at a time. She gazed nostalgically, at each photo showing the times when the six friends were much younger, and happier. She flipped another page. There she came across a photo taken during the Canterlot Day Parade so many years earlier, the night where Trixie had made up with Sunset Shimmer.

In the photo, Sunset Shimmer, Princess Luna and Trixie smiled for the shot taken with Lady Rara. In the background, Captain Discord could be seen in the crowds, putting his flat hand over his eyes and gazing around as he searched for Princess Luna…in the wrong direction.

***

The flatbed of the moving float was initially empty. All of a sudden, flashes of light and smoke emitted all around. Once the smoke cleared, dancers and props appeared on the float, like magic. Then Lady Rara made her entrance, drawing loud cheers from the excited crowd of onlookers.

***

Inspiration dawned on Trixie. “Theatrics… That’s it!”

Trixie wasted no time to go find Captain Discord. At this hour, she knew the captain and the Reserves are most likely at the cavern. When Trixie got there, they were having their lunch together with Dash, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and Featherweight on the lower platform.

“Captain Discord, I have a plan!” Trixie shouted as she strode down the steps.

In her haste, she accidentally slipped on a slippery spot. As a result, she rolled around and bounced the stairs and hit the food bowls, before coming to a stop in front of the Discord. Diamond Tiara helped the woozy Trixie, whose mane and coat was now covered with small pieces of the meal and sauce, up to her hooves.

“Trixie is-” The unicorn gave her head a hard shaking. “I mean, I’m all right!”

“That’s good to hear, Trixie,” Captain Discord said to her. “Why don’t we discuss your plan…after you clean up yourself.”

As Tirek along with Nova, Flim and Flam started cleaning up the mess on the floor, Dash watched Trixie being led away by Diamond Tiara. A memory flash triggered in her mind as she found some reminiscences to an event in her past.

***

Four Years Earlier (Earth’s Timeline)

There was still two weeks before the preliminary rounds for the Battle of the Bands starts. For this occasion, Dash has created her own band group to compete in the competition. Called the Sonic Boom, the band consists of herself and five others- AJ, Dorothy Felicia, Twilight and Vanessa. Off school, Dash told her friends they can rehearse at her house’s garage. That way they would not bother their folks.

During one of their rehearsals, Dash appeared in one of Dorothy’s over-the-top wardrobes. The rest of the band members immediately stopped rehearsing and joined Dorothy in complimenting Dash’s looks. However, she still felt discontent about herself. Twilight saw right through her and so suggested that she dyes her hair. Agreeing with Twilight, Dorothy handed Dash a plastic of full of different colored dye hair gels.

Dash went into the bathroom. She leaned on the sink filled the hair gel bottles and stared her reflection in the mirror to decide what kind of look she should try. She imagined herself as a blonde, gothic, redhead and even a punk rock chick. Suddenly the sink came loose from its connection causing her to drop down along with it.

Dorothy and Felicia barged into the bathroom after they heard the crashing sound. Dash was already on her feet but covered all over with hair gels. The poor girl glimpsed at herself in the mirror. Her hair was now a mess of colors.

Dash was not upset at all. She just stared a mirror in amazement and uttered the following word for the very first time in her life: “Awesome!” This incident marked the beginning of Dash adopting the trademark rainbow-colored hair that will make her stand out among the students, lasting until her graduation from the school.

A slight regret also came over her. If this accident had occurred earlier, she would have inspired to give her band a catchier name, something like the Sonic Rainboom, or maybe Rainbow Rocks. But since the Sonic Boom was already registered, it was better for her to focus on the most important part: making an impressive performance in front of the audience and judges.

***

One component Trixie required for her rescue plan to be successful is a vehicle, both fast and have enough space to accommodate all the captured ponies. Silver Spoon knew the thing that might just fit that description. She led them down a passage in the abandoned crystal mine. What they found at the track’s end are several disused motorized tramcars. Flim and Flam declared that the tramcars were workable after done examining its condition.

Trixie said, “With Nova’s shapeshifting abilities, Tirek’s weaponized sauce, Flam and Flam’s engineering and mad driving skills, coupled with theatrics and a slight of hoof, we have a chance to rescue all the hostages from Ragingheart’s clutches! By working together, I believe we can pull this off!”

“We already have Sir Blueblood’s blessing, so I say we proceed with Trixie’s plan!” Discord declared.

He turned towards Godslayer Watterson. “Now Lord Watterson, are sure you want to leave now?”

Trixie cast an alarming look on the feline. “What, you’re leaving us?”

“I’m not abandoning Equestria so you all needn’t worry,” Godslayer Watterson gave his assurance. “Do what needs to be done and hold on until I bring back the big gun.”

“But it’s still stormy outside,” Trixie tried to dissuade him from going on the suicidal trip.

“Like he said, Trixie- no worries,” Dash reassured the unicorn. “After all, this guy probably survived more attempts on his life than I can count with my fingers. A stupid blizzard ain’t gonna hold him back now.”

Trixie decided not to argue any further as the feline seemed to have made up his mind.

Continuing where she left off, the unicorn held out her hoof. “Well then, it’s going to take all of us to make this work. So who’s with me on this?”

The captain and the Reserves formed a circle with Trixie. One by one, they stacked their hand/hoof over Trixie’s, while saying “I’m in”. Even though Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are civilians, they decided join in, for Sunset Shimmer’s sake.

In the meantime, Godslayer Watterson led Dash away from the rest so he could have a word with her in private.

“Dash, do you seriously want to help out?” he asked.

“This place, I felt it gave something back to me,” Dash said. “So, yeah! For the first time ever since I lost my dream job, I feel like there’s something to do. It’s like…I need to achieve something.”

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Dash admitted. “But I know what I wanna do right now.”

“Sunset Shimmer,” Godslayer Watterson figured.

Dash nodded. “She was nice to me. She tried to help me, motivate me. So I can’t help but feel I owe her something in return. Y’know, turned out she made a horrible mistake where Trollestia’s part of it. She once told me, there’s always a second chance in life after a fall. For what’s fair, I think she deserves that second chance too, to make things right,”

“She’s very fond of Princess Luna,” the feline recalled. “I think we can do something for her.”

“We?” It was not an expression of surprise, but eagerness in Dash’s voice.

“Yes, we,” Godslayer Watterson confirmed. “Because I really need your help on this one. What we’re about to do isn’t just for Sunset Shimmer. It’s going to help turn the tide of this war.”

“Zach, what’re you sayin’?”

Godslayer Watterson said to her, “We’re going to bring back Princess Luna, and in return she will retrieve the Elements of Harmony and get the Diamondians to help us.”

Dash’s face fell. “Err, sure I’d like to help but I think that injury has gotten to your head. Hello, she’s on the moon! How d’ya s’pose we get there?”

“Trust me,” Godslayer Watterson affirmed.

When Trixie called for Dash and Godslayer Watterson, the two rejoined the group and placed their hands over the stack.

Discord proclaimed, “In the name of Royal Sisters, never shall we yield to Ragingheart’s chaos! For Equestria!”

All at once, they raised their hands/hooves up high and cheered, “For Equestria!”

Godslayer Dash struggled against the stormy wind to keep up with Godslayer Watterson. Through her visor, she could only see patches of trees here and there within a hundred or so feet away. Beyond that, there was nothing but total whiteness.

“Y’know which direction we’re headin’!?” she called out to Godslayer Watterson.

Abruptly the latter stumbled to his knees with his arms holding against the sudden pain in his midriff.

“Zach!” Alarmed, Godslayer Dash trudged up to him. “I’m beginning to think this is a bad idea!”

“Just…give me a minute!” Godslayer Watterson said, after refusing her help.

“You look like you’re not up for this!” Godslayer Dash persisted. “Maybe we should go back! At least wait until the blizzard’s over!”

“No.” Seemingly recovered, Godslayer Watterson rose on his feet. “I think we made it far enough.”

Godslayer Dash looked around in confusion. There was nothing around she could see.

“Stay at where you are!” Godslayer Watterson instructed her. “I’m going to remote access your SHADE!”

“What’s that s’posed to mean???” Right now Godslayer Dash was even more confused.

A second later, the Void materialized before them.

Godslayer Dash backed away in apprehension because the sphere’s appearance bore reminiscence to the glow she saw in her strange dream. “W-what’s happening!?”

“No time to explain!” Godslayer Watterson said urgently. “We only got eight seconds before it’s gone!”

He grabbed Godslayer Dash and pulled her up to him.

“Hey, no! Let go!” Taken aback by the feline’s sudden action, she struggled to wrest herself away from his grip. “LET ME GO!!!”

Godslayer Dash screamed and screamed whilst being forcefully dragged towards the Void. Despite his injury, Godslayer Watterson was able to overpower her. She could still be heard screaming as they both vanished into the Void. Once the portal collapsed, her scream faded out. All that is left now in the total whiteness was the sound of howling wind.