Fall of Sombra

Rainbow Dash cried out in pain as she fell on the stub of her severed wing. She fought back unconsciousness and looked up at the stallion before her with her one good eye. "Soarin please! YOU HAVE TO FIGHT IT!" She yelled, her voice cracking as sobs ripped though her teeth.

The stallion didn't reply to her begging tone. With a flick of his wings he took off, leaving the broken pegasi to her fate.

Rainbow watched as tears fell from her cheeks. She heard several hoofs hit the ground behind her. But she didn't- couldn't look away from his retreating form.

"Rainbow Dash!" The cyan pegasus turned, and watched as three ponies led a medic pony to where she lay. The lead, Fleetfoot, knelt down in front of her. "Rainbow Dash!" The wounded pony let her head fall as the voice started to fade. "Rainbow Dash!" The voice didn't match the body but she didn't care. She wanted to rest. "RAINBOW DASH! MOVE YOUR REAR!"

The air guard member shot out of her bunk with a startled scream and fell onto her muzzle. She growled out a curse before looking into the face of her commanding officer. Quickly, she stood to her feet before snapping to attention and bringing her wing up for a salute "General Doo, Ma'am!"

The grey pegasus narrowed her good eye before returning the salute. "Get ready Lieutenant. The big one came sooner. Gather your officers and report to the war room. " The General then turned and walked out of the barracks.

The Rainbow maned mare opened her eyes in shock "Ma'am!" She gathered her gear before she linked up with her three squadron leaders.

Together the four ponies walked into the War Room where five other officers including the general were waiting. Once the general saw the last unit commanders enter she spoke. "This is the push we've been fearing for for the last few months. The defensive lines twenty miles south of Ponyville as well as the rail lines few miles from them were overrun and the defenders forced into the neighboring forest. The garrison in Ponyville is requesting air support to reinforce their lines fearing an attack. However, I'm assigning Lighting Company under Major Thunder Lane of the Thunder Borne battalion to lead the counterattack to retake the rail lines from forest. " She pulled up a map. "The mud ponies managed to hold them long enough for the commanders at Base Trot and Ponyville to mobilize and force the push to stall from the sides. The remaining forces from the 22nd heavy defense force, some twelve thousand soldiers left out of twenty two thousand, are held up along the southern border of the Everfree Forest. Just two miles away from the rail lines. I don't need to remind you that If we lose the rails, we lose the war. " She turned Rainbow dash and the two other officers. "You and your company will lead the attack. Clear the skies and raid the enemy positions you see fit. I know how you operate Dash. If you feel as though you must then you can include the mud ponies." Rainbow Dash stood straighter, her jaw tightening. "Other than that you all will plan the counter assault. That is all." She saluted.

The ten ponies in the room saluted as they yelled, "Ma'am!" Once then she turned to the door and left to carry out other business

Once the general was gone Rainbow turned to the Highest ranking officer, A pegasus stallion from Ponyville. He studied the map a few moments before looking at her." Lieutenant Dash, I've read a lot about you. Do you have any thoughts on what to do?"

Rainbow Dash took a breath, before looking directly at him. "How many strong?"

"Eleven hundred with your company, My force consists of five companies, four heavy, one cavalry." Came his reply.

She studied the map a few moments looking at where what remained of the 22nd heavy was located. She spotted a point closest to where entrenched ponies were compared to the rail line. "Major, I would recommend you send two of your companies to secure the other fronts at risk of falling, keep them back until needed. The other two should take up positions near this section," she said as her hoof pointed towards the location on the map. "The cavalry should strafe along the entire line, guarding weak points, pressing lightly guarded points of interest, and acting as a blanket keeping the ground pounders covered."

"What about you?" He asked.

She smiled. "You know what they say about lighting Major. You always see it before you hear the thunder."

He grinned at her. "Lieutenant. Clear the skies for my boys and girls and I'll give you a year's ration of that Apple cider you apparently love so much." her face brightened at the challenge. Her three wing ponies shared equal looks of excitement. "Alright fillies and colts... lets go show the earth tribe why pegasi are the warriors of Equestria."

Now hear this! Now hear this. All flight crews to battle stations this is not a drill! I repeat! This is not a drill. Thunder battalion and Lighting Company report to flight deck 4-C.

The floating air base used by the Pegasi and Unicorn air forces was full of activity as one thousand pegasi and one hundred unicorns prepared for the coming battle. Lieutenant Dash stood in front of her metallic prosthetic glaring at the metal machine and wiring. She shook her head before slipping it on the nub of her severed wing. She sighed as she felt the nerve endings react to the spell. She trembled as the machinery of the inner workings began to work in harmony of her thoughts and emotions. With a strong flap the fake wing extended and took form. A perfect match to the fleshy original that was lost. She looked herself in the mirror, gazing at the blue wonderbolt uniform that sat under her plates of armor. Her eyes were narrowed and void of all emotion. Then, she stood straighter in acceptance.

With a sharp turn she exited her quarters and lifted off the ground to join her fellow brothers and sisters. All around her pegasus and unicorn alike stopped and stared at her in awe. Each showing a level of respect to the last wonderbolt in service. She swiftly landed in front of her soldiers, her wings folding in on themselves as she touched the ground. She turned to her unit and saw the faces of friends and past lovers. She risked a glance at the tower and saw the ever angered General Doo standing at attention, her eyes showing pride in her ponies. Dash looked over the one thousand other pegasi and unicorns dressed in their golden flight suits. She then turned swiftly, her wings folding out in a flash of cyan and titanium. Behind her, the hundreds of ponies extended their wings following the example of their flock leader. The unicorn chariot archers loaded their arrows and rockets before they to raised their swords high in the air. Roaring their own battle cry.

The rainbow maned pony reached back for her helmet and placed it over her head. The goggles and armored mask hiding her emotions before she looked at the runway. Silently she started to run forward. Behind her the hoofs of thousands followed as they charged to defend their skies and home. With wing outstretched she jumped up and began to flap her wings. The others behind her doing the same, each lifting up to join their brother and sister in the air. The war cries of hundreds reached her as she led her brothers and sisters to battle. From nearby, the ponies of Cloudsdale watched, transfixed, as hundreds of ponies took to the skies, each forming next to the other. All following a single flash of light that continued to gather speed. Together they cried out their own war cries lending the fighters their prayers and dreams.

Rainbow Dash felt a tap on her right causing her to stumble before glaring at her wingmate. "Time for Comm check!" She shouted. "The egg heads said these new crystals should provide enough power for the spells to last longer than the last ones!"

Rainbow nodded as she pressed a button on the side of her helmet. She heard a pop as the spell activated. "All wings report in." She ordered.

One by one the wing commanders reported in until she heard the familiar voice of Major Thunder Lane say, "This is Thunder Lead. All wings ready and accounted for Lieutenant."

The rainbow maned pegasus turned inverted and looked over her folded legs. There, in formations of fives and tens were the best fliers in Equestria. The chariots flew above the massive formation acting as a top guard against any who would dare challenge them. She smiled a genuine smile at the tight formations and mid flight corrections as well as the white and black vapor designed to instill fear to the enemies of Equestria and hope for its citizens. She corrected and sped up to where she was slightly ahead of the rest of the formations. She smirked as she activated her own custom made vapor tail, releasing the mix of rainbow colored cloud behind her.

From down below on the ground, farmers, workers, guards and the average citizens looked up at the massive formation in awe and pride. One by one they began to cheer the pegasi and unicorn forces on. Farmers raised their hoes and rakes, workers raised their hammers and shovels, and soldiers and guards raised their spears and swords high.

Rainbow dash extended her hoof basking in the sounds of glory and honor. Her earpiece activated with the voice of Thunder Lane. "Pegasi and Unicorns of the Thunder battalion. Listen to the reason we fight. Let their hopes and dreams fly with you and drive you to the gates of tartarus to deliver those who would dare harm them and our great nation!"

All at once the ponies in the formation roared in approval. Rainbow Dash looked ahead and saw clouds. "All wings stay tight. Unscheduled clouds up ahead." The wing commanders followed orders without delay and like ghosts they disappeared inside the clouds.

An eerie "Lieutenant... " sounded over the comms.

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes, before replying. "I know. Smoke."

Slowly the dark clouds began to part revealing the scorched earth below.

Her wingmate muttered a soft, "Sweet Celestia," as she came up beside Rainbow. The tan pegasus looked down and spotted the fighting below. "Two o'clock low. Luna, look at all of them. "

Rainbow Dash looked down at the ground and her mouth went slack. The pillars of smoke from fires and flashes of spells shot by unicorns illuminated the field as both sides fought bitterly for the land. Her focused swayed to where dozens of train cars were burning on the tracks. Her eyes narrowed. "Major, commence your attack." She called into the small receiver.

"You got it lieutenant. First company, you're with me and second. Third, take the left flank. Forth, the right. Fifth engage the lines and cover our heads! Deploy!" Behind the rainbow tailed flier the thousand strong thunder battalion tilted their wings or dived downward to join their brothers and sisters on the ground.

"Lighting company form up with your squadron leaders and follow me." She said as she rose higher into the smoky air. As one they lifted up before vanishing into the smoky haze.

Down below Thunder battalion swooped in like a hammer. Plowing through the advancing line of imperial conscripts like a hot knife through butter, giving the earth and unicorns on the ground the space they need to breath. The earth ponies, who were on the brink of exhaustion looked on unsure what to do. That was until two ponies lifted their swords and charged forward. The reaction among the erthern bound ponies was instant as they followed the example of their winged comrades and their remaining officers and surged forward into the staggering line of conscripts. The chariots above them fired their arrows and spells at both the ground and air units of Sombra's horde forcing them to retreat to their own secure lines.

However that was only for a moment, the reserves of conscripted pegasi and griffons took flight to push back the lance of earth, unicorn and pegasi forces. They managed to get close enough to where the chariots started to bank right and left to avoid a direct confrontation. That is until the one hundred strong Lighting Company smashed into them from above. Those pegasi and griffons who were hit by the dive bombing pegasi crashed into the chaotic scene below, creating small craters and dust plumes creating a quick lull in the fighting. One which was exploited by the Earth, unicorn and Pegasi forces of Celestia.

The rainbow maned pegasus twisted mid air as her hoof, welding a retractable blade, struck out towards her target. The pegasi dressed in black screamed as her wing was severed from the body. Her scream continued as she span into a nosedive. Rainbow Dash watched only for a few moments before she was forced to do a barrel roll to avoid several griffins who swooped down from their previous dogfights.

An unlucky chariot team was boarded by the beaked flyers. The two pegasus pulling the cart detached when the unicorn was tossed away into the air. They managed to fly several feet before they were struck down by the three griffins.

On the ground two earth pony mares were busy keeping their lines form becoming stretched out. The younger of the two, a pink maned pony, stood on an overturned chariot shouting orders and commands to her lower ranking soldiers. She heard a loud growl and glanced upwards and watched as the three griffons finished tearing into the two pegasus guards. She was about to order the bow ponies to fire when a streak of light slammed into the first before using the leverage to flip around with the two hooves and slice the two remaining griffins in the backs causing them to lose control and crash into the first. Together the tangled mass of griffin crashed onto the ground where the earthen ponies converged upon them.

Suddenly, a horn was blared and like a receding tide the horde of mind controlled conscripts withdrew from the field and retreated to their lines. Several wounded ones never made it before the trifecta of earth, sky, and magic ponies converged on them knocking them out and dragging them back to their lines. The pony standing on the cart, scratched and bleeding, watched as the rainbow maned pegasus landed in front of her. The pony snapped a salute before saying, "Captain Pinkamina Pie, Ma'am! Lieutenant Dash reporting for duty."

The pony smiled and returned the solute. "What did I tell you Dash? We're officially the same rank, the only one you need to say that to is the Colonel. Speaking of which..." She paused before saluting the other pony who walked up to the two others. Colonel Maud, Ma'am. Their forces have withdrawn from the fight. Your orders?

The stoic face of Maud Pie turned to look at her sister before replying. "We need to reinforce the Treeline with the crossbow turrets that just arrived from Ponyville. Reform along the trenches and wait for the next push. The twenty first light infantry division should be arriving from Fort Trot any hour now." She turned to walk back but was stopped by the landing of Thunder Lane.

The Stallion stepped up to the Colonel before snapping a solute. "Ma'am I am here under a direct order to retake the rail lines. If we allow them any more time to reinforce their position we may not be able to push them out."

The stoic pony looked up into the eyes of the stallion. "Half of my ponies are wounded and the rest are scattered in units mismatched in the thick of battle. We lost ten thousand ponies in just six hours today. There is nothing we could do that would help the push. My ponies would be only a hindrance." She sighed and showed a glimmer of emotion behind her stony expression. "I can't lead another division to it's doom."

The Stallion placed his forehoof on her shoulder and looked to the other two mares standing off to the side. "Lieutenant, Captain, any Ideas?"

The pink pony shared a glance with Rainbow Dash before looking back at towards the Imperial lines. The pink pony took a deep breath before speaking. "Four hours ago a cargo train was caught in the middle of our retreat and the hordes' advance. Poor fools managed to give us enough time to reinforce the tree line before the cars were destroyed. We thought that they were all killed, but after a few minutes a signal was fired into the air calling for aid. It's been fired every thirty minutes since then. We haven't been able to send any rescue party because we were out numbered and my only fliers were five strong. They only got close enough to see a few Guards and a single resource pony held up in a rock formation before they were forced to return." The pony looked back towards the other three ponies.

Rainbow leaned forward before talking. "You mean to tell me some cargo guards are in the middle of that" She said as she pointed her hoof towards Sombra's hoard. "And still aren't overrun?"

Pinkamina shrugged. "They haven't sent a signal in a while. They might have bee-" Just then a flash of light illuminated the surrounding landscape interrupting her. She hummed in amusement. "Nope, they're still alive."

Thunder Lane scoffed. "Yeah right. A bunch of cargo grunts and a resource pony holding their own against an army of mind controlled conscripts... Not even the best flyers I have can do that- Not even the lieutenant can do that," He paused before looking at the rainbow maned mare. "No offense Dash." He turned back to the other leaders. " I find it really hard to believe that some reserve ponies even made a dent, let alone managed to hold on this long."

Maud Pie's eye twitched. "Those 'reserve' ponies guarding trains are veterans of several battles and are members of the Royal Guard. They are picked by Princess Celestia herself to guard the cargo and passengers that keep this nation fed. " She narrowed her eyes her monotone voice gaining some strength. "The Train number was PV-001. This was the train that was known to divert to any front that needed help." She poked him in the chest. "And the same train that saved Princess Celestia during the first few months of the war."

Thunder lane scoffed. "Either way they're dead. If we cant force them back those ponies will die. If we managed to gather the strength to attack their lines they might be caught in the cross fire."

Dash looked on the map showing the positions, noting a small formation in the middle of the empire's line, two hundred lengths away from the rail lines. It was isolated by rocks, a fortress should the enemy gain it. "My company can get in there and secure that position, put on pressure on the center lines from within. Maybe that'll be enough for you to break through."

Thunder Lane turned to Dash, his eyes wide. "You can't be serious."

The rainbow haired mare gave him a pointed look. "I don't joke about things like these. They are in the middle of a rock outcropping. If a few can hold it for hours on end with no support, imagine what will happen if 'they' gain it."

The Majors eyes narrowed. "Fine, but you and your colts aren't going alone. Take twenty of my heavy Calvary with you. Celestia knows those ponies would be grateful for the arrows." He turned to Maud. "Colonel, you're the ranking officer, Its your call."

Maud nodded once. "Do it lieutenant. I want to personally thank them for holding the line for us."

Dash smirked as she extended her wings. with a single flap she shot into the air. "Lighting Company! Form up!" She called into her crystal.

Flying up above the fields of dying and dead ponies her ponies formed up. "There's a group of ponies trapped in that hell colts and fillies. We are going to make sure that they are rewarded for their efforts. First platoon. Second platoon. pincer formation, force them to divide their attention. Break through and reform with who ever is in charge. make sure to cover those chariots. Third and forth platoons your with me in the air. Our job is to make sure those griffons and Pegasi don't get too close."

A series of yes ma'am's flowed in on her crystal. "Alright Lighting Company, break!"

Breaking off the four wings separated along with the twenty chariots. Dash scowled as she was engaged by a flight of Griffons. Dodging a bolt from a crossbow, she twisted around, her own crossbow held ready. With a yell she let loose the bolt into the nearest one, sending the griffon spinning out of control. folding her wings closer to her body she twisted around with her dagger extended and blocked the talons of another as he tried to slice at her. Using his momentum against the griffon she kicked off him, forcing him into the flight path of one his wing mates sending both careening down to the ground. She allowed gravity to take hold of her forcing the rest of the flight to chase after her.

Speeding down to the ground she opened her wings just in the nick of time, pulling up at the last moment. Two managed to pull out of the dive at the last moment as well. The rest however slammed into the ground. Smirking, Dash weaved in between the pillars of smoke and flames forcing the two to chose either to give up or continue their chase.

She glanced back to see that both of them had their crossbows at the ready and were trying to get a shot on her. She smirked as she angled her wings so she stopped mid air. The two never had a chance to react as her two blades sliced into them, sending them down to the ground. She flapped her wings harder to gain height and glance to where the rock outcropping was. She cringed as she saw the amount of dead ponies surrounding the slab of rock. She blinked in surprise to see several ponies in Sombra's armor among her own brothers and sisters.

Clicking her crystal she called to her remaining airborne units. "All wings! Get to the outcropping, on the double!" Giving one last glance at the army below her, she wondered how in Celestia's name they managed to hold on.

Landing with a soft thump she was greeted by two of her squadron leaders. "Where's Flash?" She demanded.

"He was hit by a bolt. The field medic say's he's lucky missed most of the important stuff."

Dash smiled. "One day that colt will hit something as stubborn as he is." She looked around and spied the ponies dressed in black armor. "What's the story with these guys?"

"We are just as confused as you are ma'am."

"Who's in charge?"

The two shared a look. "If we go by who's calling out orders I guess him." One said pointing to where a large red pony dressed in torn camouflage was using a his hoof to smash the face of a conscripted soldier. Dash watched amazed as the helmet shattered and the eyes of the pony returned to normal.

Her eyes narrowed and she turned to her two wing mates. "Secure this position. Nothing gets close."

She returned her attention to the Red stallion with one question on her mind. 'Who are you?'