A Rainbow of Hope

Rainbow and Pinkie had been up ahead of Celestia's Army for quite sometime to scout and spy on the area to bring back information to the Princess if needed. But as they continued East ahead of the troops towards Filly Delphia, nothing showed a concern to them. They were talking about things that have happened so far since Sombra's return.

Really isn't much of anything left, crops are all dying, destruction is upon in almost every city..." Pinkie's voice was seldom the usual happiness, yet more depressed as she talked to Rainbow, who was flying just a little above her. "I mean, the whole world has been sucked of the peace and happiness that once used to rule this world, and it scares me to think what will happen Dash. I mean I already lost my... my...."

She stopped and started tearing up. Rainbow, who knew about her family being killed by Sombra's army, was pretty heart breaking and unbearable. Rainbow landed next to her best friend.

"Hey, Pinkie. I'm so sorry for your loss... I couldn't even imagine what it would be like. On the other hoof, they are always here to be watching you, guiding you. Let that fill your heart with passion and strength." Rainbow hugged her.

"Thanks Dashie, I really am happy we are best friends." They continued walking along the path in the hazy moonlight.

"What about Maud?" Rainbow asked.

"Don't know, we lost contact after she said that she had run from hiding at the farm. No idea on the position of her whereabouts." Pinkie said a little broken.

"I'm sure we will find her." Her friend said reassuringly.

They came upon the Hollow Shades. They looked at each other with a determined smile and entered in to the Hollows. They trotted along for quite a while already, unaware of the danger of Sombra's troops nearby.

"Hey, we got two right down there." The lead Pegasi whispered to the other on the tree to the left.

The third guard signaled to the two Unicorns on the ground behind the bushes, who nodded and sneaked around behind the two friends.

"Pinkie stop." Dash said quietly, yet firmly. "I just heard something."

Pinkie looked around intensely, then back at Dash. "Probably the wind in the trees..."

"The only thing is there is no wi... Pinkie look out!" Dash pushed her friend out of the way as the two unicorns came out and one of them shot a spell at the pink pony. Dash turned around and charged with a powerful bullet speed and punched one of them right in the jaw, which caused a loud crack, he fell and passed out.

"Dash help!" Pinkie screamed.

Unaware of the other three Dash kicked and tripped the other unicorn and raced over to Pinkie struggling to fight the other two Pegasi off. That's when the leader dropped down out of the tree and slashed Rainbow right across the eye. Blood spurted out as she screamed out in agony at the pain and she lost vision in her left eye.

"You son of a bitch!" She took out her sword and stabbed him right in the chest above his right side. He yelled in agony as he fell down. Rainbow left her sword there and ran to help Pinkie, but again was blocked by the unicorn she tripped earlier who teleported right in front of her. He tackled her down and bit her ear and tore a good chunk of it out. She screamed in more pain.

Pinkie finally had managed to fight off the other two and slammed them into the trees and ran to her friend's aid. She did a full 360 high kick spin and kicked the other troop right into the side and made him fly into the bushes.

"Quick Rainbow hurry!" She lifted her friend up who was dazed by the pain of both wounds and being tackled. She managed to stand on all four hooves solidly and at the moment the other two guards were running at them, Pinkie ran and grabbed Rainbow's sword and tossed it to her which she caught and stood in a tight defensive position ready for the oncoming enemies. One split off and flew over her head and the other, swung his sword and missed and Rainbow kicked him and stabbed him where his heart was. Then, the most intense pain she had ever felt and made her fall to the ground, the other guard that was going for Pinkie turned around and cut Rainbow's left wing clean off. Rainbow cried a loud shriek and fell to the ground, passed out as blood started to pool around her. Pinkie, grabbed Dash's sword.

"You'll fucking pay for that!" She yelled and before the other guard had a chance to respond she took the sword and slashed his throat open as he was turning around.

She ran over to Rainbow, and pulled out some bandages.

"No...No...No... Don't go Rainbow...." she murmured as she desperately tried to bandage the ear, eye, and wing that had been cut off.

At that moment Celestia appeared.

"I heard screa..." she stopped.

She looked from a panicking Pinkie, then to Dash who was lying on the ground and her face became shocked. She saw the other guards and, without hesitation helped Pinkie with the bandages with her magic and lifter her up onto her back.

"Pinkie, no time to lose, we must hurry!" Celestia said firmly, and they raced out of the hollows back to the troops.