The Reign of a Queen

King Sombra had waited over one thousand years for this moment. And for all alicorn princesses to be dead, all the better. However, having a changling army being in charge wasn't the best. Not to mention the small threat of the pony rebels, but he'll deal with them later. They wern't that much of a threat after all. Were they?

Queen Chrysalis wasn't anticipating having to fight two wars either. Since King Sombra was a new threat, more resources were devouted to the fight againt him. She still fought the pony rebels, but wasn't too concerned about them. Something a pleased Rainbow Dash was all too happy to boast to Zecora the next time they met.

However, whether a next time would come relied on one factor. Because of the new threat, Chrysalis left Applejack and Apple Bloom alone in the room. It just so happened that Rainbow Dash flew in.

"Rainbow Dash? What in tarnation is going on?" Applejack spoke with a hushed voice, as to not alert any changling around.

"I'm not sure, but it seems we have another problem." Rainbow Dash too was speaking in hushed voices, so that only Aplejack and Apple Bloom could here. "C'mon. Let me help you two." With that, Applejack's chain was no longer around her neck, and Apple Bloom was no longer tied up.

"Hey. What's going on?" A changling heard the sound of the chains falling, and came to investigate. Suddenly, without any notice, Rainbow Dash charged at the changling, and kicked it. The kick connected with the head with enough force to decapitate the changling. The three then raced out of the room, trying to find a way out. Many changling guards went after them. Apple Bloom, being the slowest, was caught quite quickly. As one of the guards went to stamp on the filly's back, Applejack did something she didn't expect to do.

"Not my sister you bitch!" Applejack had lunged herself at Apple Bloom's attacker, and knocked her sister out of the way. In the nick of time too. However, the same couldn't be said for the orange pony, who had now been stomped on. A crack sound made Rainbow Dash turn around, and saw Applejack unable to move.

With no regard for any life, Rainbow Dash went ahead and knocked any changling foolish enough to chalenge her away from her fallen friend. When the deed was done, Rainbow Dash lifted Applejack onto her back, and flew off, Apple Bloom running behind.

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It was getting late before Raibow Dash slowed down, finally landing outside of Canterlot. Carefully, the cyan pegasus slipped Applejack off of her back, and made sure she was comfortable. Apple Bloom caught up quite quickly. After making sure they all were not changlings, Apple Bloo went to make a potion to help her sister, while Rainbow Dash kept watch.

"Y'no,  Rainbow Dash." Applejack's voice sounded tired, quite likely from the flight. "What do you will happen now?  With King Sombra fighting and all."

"Err...I don't know, Applejack." Rainbow Dash's mind wasn't on the future. Not that future anyway. On a futre had she not gone into the castle, or if she was captured.

"You sure you can keep watch all night?" Applejack asked. There had been an awkward silence between the two ponies.

"Heh, it's better than going to sleep and having that nightmare." Rainbow Dash tried to avoid sleep whenever possible, as every time she does, she got the same nightmare. Recently, at least.

"What ni-" Applejack went to question on, but saw the cyan pegasus look reluctant to answer, so dropped the question. "Never mind."

Eventually, the silence had to be broken. Confersations were awkward, but they managed to get a good one on their fillyhood. It seemed the only thing they could talk about. However, it passed the time long enough for Apple Bloom to return with what she needed. A potion in her mouth, which was poured immediatly onto Applejack's back. It acted slowly, but allowed Applejack to walk in the meantime, eventually getting the orange pony back to full strength. Applejack hugged her sister, something she couldn't do before having the potion.

That night was one of the worst for Apple Bloom. A nightmare where she was back in the castle, tied up and everything. Her sister was opposite her, or what she thought was her sister. Instead of Applejack having a spear pointed at her, it was Apple Bloom that was dancing with death. Badly. The changling, after a painful amount of time, finally struck the filly in the heart.

Apple Bloom woke with a start. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash were still there. Her sister was still asleep, but Rainbow Dash stayed true to her word, and was still awake. Now she knew why the pegasus was fighting sleep: she was having a simular nightmare. Instead of falling asleep, Apple Bloom found herself going to Rainbow Dash, and having a confersation with her.

"At least staying awake with somepony else was better than alone!" concluded Apple Bloom