A Rainbow of Hope

Rainbow Dash landed at the great mighty castle of Canterlot, and walked inside. What she just saw had ripped her heart open. The city of Manehatton was completely obliterated. Plus, what she just witnessed, her best friend, Rarity was killed, stabbed in the heart. Rainbow walked into the royal hall, trying to hold back the tears that she knew she couldn't keep from coming. Celestia and Luna turned and saw the hurt Pegasus pony.

"Rainbow, what happened?" Celestia walked forward to her. Luna closely behind her.

"Rar...Rari...Rarity is dead..." She sat down and cried. "I wanted to save her, but there was no way in without getting spotted on a low cloud I was sitting on and spying."

Luna, who had a look of deep disbelief upon her face, walked over and put her hoof out and lifted Rainbow's head up.

"You did what you could, Rarity was a firm leader, and she would want you to go out and stay strong during these tough and dark times."

"Rainbow, Luna and I have got a plan that we need to discuss as to stop Sombra moving forward and causing more destruction, I'm sorry for Rarity, but we need to keep moving forward as that would be her wish as well." Celestia stopped, then continued. "I have a friend that may be helpful in your side of things, Commander Pinkie? Please come join us."

Pinkie Pie, who was dressed in armor, which for her was surprising to Rainbow, walked out and joined Rainbow at her side. She wasn't her happy, go-lucky, usual self. In fact, her manner and attitude was that more of ready for war and to seek revenge of the ponies that had killed her family, except for Maud who seemed to have hidden and disappeared, where nopony, less Pinkie knew.

"Yes. Let's get talking." She said firmly.

Luna pulled a map out of thin air with her magic and Celestia made a table appear. She laid the map onto the table.

"We have found the possible hideouts, thanks to Rainbow's amazing spying skills, and flying around to the North of us. The new recruits from Ponyville, and those we found hiding out in the Everfree Forest as well, have been readily trained and willing to fight and die to save this world from the depressing darkness that wants to take over." Luna finished.

"We plan to start marching North at daybreak. Luna will take half and go Northeast to try and infiltrate some of the military, that may have stayed behind near Manehatton, Me, you, and Pinkie will head directly North towards the empire, taking out any small brandished areas that Sombra's troops may be lurking in or near." Celestia said.

"Affirmative, come on Rainbow let's go get some sleep." Pinkie nudged her friend.

Rainbow, smiling and happy, at least she had a close friend to be next to followed her friend out of the castle, and into the dark, smoggy night, to her headquarters.

Celestia turned to her sister. "Rarity's death is a tragedy, even for us my sister."

"Agreed, as the leader of such a strong force and powerful light of friendship. But, we must move on to stop Sombra, before he can take the power of love that remains in this land. For now, we must get some sleep. A long road ahead awaits." Luna said.

"Okay, goodnight my sister."

"March on for the army of United Equestria and EUP!" Celestia's voice rang out loud to all the ponies, about two thousand, and amongst cheers of love and strength, they started marching. All that could be heard by the guards of Canterlot, who saluted all the ponies as they marched out of the castle gates, was the strength and sound of hooves hitting the ground in sequence of each other.

About three hours passed, where they came to a road. Celestia and Luna both looked at the splitting ways, one split to the Northeast, and one straight North. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow looked at each other, and stopped the marching ponies about 30ft away from the sisters.

"Well, my little sister, we must split again. But, this time we will reunite and stay strong with each other." Celestia hugged her sister as a small tear rolled down from her eye.

"Of course. Stay strong, Tia. Come my ponies half you will follow me!"  Luna turned and walked down the path with a strong troop of ponies behind her, her glittering blueish- purple mane and tale glowing and glittery as she walked further and further away.

"Rainbow, fly ahead and see if you see anything ahead. Pinkie, take some of the scouts and go through the woods and trees as we continue on."

Both ponies gave a firm salute, and took off with their orders at once.

"Come, we continue on now, with strength, let us once and for all rid the tyranny of the land!" Celestia said. The ponies cheered as they ventured down the path to whatever terror may lie ahead.