Once a Hero

Canterlot

Shining Armor was having a very bad day. He was resting in his quarters, when a guardspony rushed in to alert him. His mind reeled at the unbelievable news.

'Rainbow Dash?... A Traitor?. Impossible!'

But, if Rainbow Dash was really on the loose, he'd need all the help he could get to catch her. He ordered for all the guards to move out and corner the pegasus.

Shining Armor arrived a few moments later, and cast a barrier spell. He smiled. Nopony would be escaping today.

Sure enough, the cyan pegasus was quickly cornered. After making sure there was no way for her to run, he dropped the barrier.

He approached the trembling mare, sure that this was some sort of misunderstanding. All doubt instantly vanished as he met her gaze. He stumbled back a few steps, surprised by the hate in her eyes.

Then it hit him.

The bag.

The crystal.

It wasn't there with her. She even taunted him, when he demanded where it was.

She had been thrown in the holding quarters of the castle.

The questioning was scheduled the next day. Shining Armor waited for Celestia to appear. Princess Celestia had told him she would participate in the questioning. He had not objected, and was waiting for her to finish her "Sun Raising" duties.

A few minutes later, Princess Celestia stepped out into the hallway. They trotted in silence to the questioning room. They took their seats on each side of the triangular table.

Rainbow Dash was already seated, restrained and under guard.

Celestia broke the silence.

"So, Rainbow Dash. You managed to disarm the vault security guards, outsmart Twilight Sparkle, steal from Equestria's most secure vault, outfly the entire royal guard-"

"Injured some, too" muttered Shining Armor. Rainbow smirked and he barely restrained himself from blasting her.

"and to top all that off, you managed to send the crystal, presumably to Discord, through Shining Armor's barrier spell."

Rainbow smirked. "I guess he needs a lot more work on his barrier spe-"

"NOW, WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY YOU DID IT!!!"

Rainbow flinched. Shining Armor couldn't help but flinch slightly himself. He had never seen Celestia use the Canterlot voice. It seemed to bring a wave of fear to anypony that might stand in her way.

Rainbow Dash cowered. She was obviously scared. He didn't blame her.

"I DO NOT USE VIOLENCE VERY OFTEN, BUT I CAN MAKE EXCEPTIONS, RAINBOW DASH!!"

Celestia's horn glowed, and a aura formed around the terrified pegasus, lifting her off her seat. She glared at Rainbow Dash and issued one final warning.

"THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO TELL US THE TRUTH!!"

The aura brightened. The cyan pegasus spluttered.

"Please! No! I...I'll tell you!"

The Previous Day

The Barren Wasteland

"So, What's the plan, Discord? What can I do?"

Discord grinned. Things were going smoothly so far.

"Just one teensy weensy job for now."

"And.. What's that?"

"I'll just need one of your bravest minions."

Chrysalis pondered the request. Knowing Discord and his plans, the changeling won't make it back to the hive. But, the Crystal Heart was an irresistable request. After the invasion on Canterlot failed, her hive was constantly low on food. The Crystal Heart could sustain her hive for a very long period of time. And if the plan succeeded, the entire land would be theirs.

"Fair enough, any requirments?"

Discord snapped his fingers and a scroll materialized.

"He'll need to be a very good actor"

Last night

Canterlot

Rainbow turned a sharp left through the houses and instantly made two rapid turns. She had lost the guards for now. Suddenly, a barrier formed around the entire town. Dash smiled. They had expected this. She hid in a nearby bush and held her breath. A moment later a sharp cry sounded and the guards rushed past her hiding spot. The barrier dissipated.

Nice

Grinning, Rainbow Dash took off to the dark night. They had planned to meet at the Crystal Mountains and she had a long flight ahead of her.

Present Day

The Canterlot Questioning Chambers

A green flash illuminated the room. Shining Armor and Princess Celestia were speechless. In the place of the once cyan pegasus, a black changeling cowered.

Shining Armor weren't exactly on friendly terms with the changelings. He despised their existence. Discord must be siding with Queen Chrysalis again. Well at least he'd get to kick the changeling's flank again.

Celestia was partially relieved. She had been in shock that the Element of Loyalty would betray her country. Surely, there was a more plausible explanation this changeling could offer. She had a few questions, though.

"Now, I'll start asking you questions. And you'd better answer them honestly, uhm.."

Celestia trailed off. The trembling changeling answered for her.

"I...It's Si..Silk"

"Well then, Silk. Can you care to tell me how you managed to get in?"

Silk readied herself for a lie she had been practicing for hours now.

"Discord placed a temporary spell that would fool the scanners. It wouldn't fool advanced scanning magic, though"

"And.. the disappearance of the Crystal Heart?"

"My colleagues were waiting and they made their escape disguised as normal citizens"

Celestia sighed. Well, the Crystal Heart was in Discord's claws. She had one more thing, she wanted to ask the creature.

"Where is the real Rainbow Dash?"

"I.. I.. can't tell yo-"

Silk trailed off, noticing the murderous look in the usually calm princess's eyes.

"CaptivesomewhereintheCrystalEmpire"

She blurted out. Celestia sighed in relief. At least, she was alive. She would send a search party to the Crystal Empire. She put the questioning to a stop and let Shining Armor take care of the changeling. Silk gulped as she saw Shining Armor glance at her with a very malicious glint in his eyes.

As soon as the Changeling was taken back to it's cell. Shining Armor leaned in and whispered in Celestia's ear.

"Uhh.. Princess Celestia, what were you going to do to her..?"

Celestia chuckled.

"It was only a simply levitation spell. She probably thought it was going to suffocate her"

She had better alert the Elements of Harmony. No doubt, they would volunteer to join the search party. She would let them. In the meanwhile, she and Luna would have to keep Discord and the changelings at bay.

Same day

Residential Area of Canterlot

Twilight was feeling better. Rainbow's blows had shocked her more than it had hurt her. She had been considerably calmed down by the recent message from her brother that the Rainbow Dash was a fake. She, and the rest of the mane 6 had volunteered to join the search party for Rainbow Dash and they were heading to board the train for the Empire. They were waiting on Rarity.

Fluttershy had spotted Rarity first. She was struggling up the stairs with loads of baggages. Applejack let out a exasperated sigh.

"We are goin` on a search mission, Rares"

Rarity scoffed.

"It doesn't matter where we're going. I simply must take my clothes"

"I reckoned as much"

Applejack mumbled and helped her load the bags in the train. Twilight smiled. Ever since Rainbow Dash had  left for the mission, life in ponyville had been very boring. She was glad to go on an adventure with her friends for once.

They soon arrived at the Crystal Empire and was shocked to see it.  The empire was in very bad shape. Recent fires have left scorch marks on the walls, and the houses seemed to have at least one hole in them.

Twilight gulped.

This was going to be a long search.

A few hours ago

The Crystal Mountains

Rainbow Dash landed on the mountains. She trotted into the caves. Only few ponies knew about this cave, so naturally Discord had used the cave as their hideout.

"I'm coming in!" Rainbow called in.

As she trotted into the main room, she noticed the changeling queen. She nodded a quick greeting. Chrysalis's pupils widened.

"What is she doing here?! Is this some sort of trap?"

She yelled at Discord as the other changelings shared uncomfortable glances. Discord calmly chuckled as he gestured to the confused pegasus.

"Chrissy, this is Rainbow Dash. She is a good friend of mine"

Chrysalis opened her mouth to object. Discord winced. He should have explained the affair with her before she arrived. He quickly silenced Chrysalis with a quick shush.

"Say, Dash. Why don't you go out and rest a bit"

Dash shrugged. She set the Crystal Heart on the table and trotted outside. She did need the relaxation.

Chysalis raised her eyebrows.

"Discord, did you corrupt her..?"

"No, I just replaced her memories in my favor"

"You do realize that memories cannot be erased completely don't you?"

"Yes Chrissy, I am aware of that fact"

Oblivious to the conversation happening inside the cavern, Rainbow Dash stretched her sore wings. She noticed trains arriving. It must be the search party. The changeling did her part well. So far, the plan had been executed perfectly.

Only one more ally needed to be awokened. Then, Equestria would be at their disposal. Rainbow smiled at the thought.

Her gaze turned to the Crystal Castle. It was badly charred from a fire. Almost as if the tower was turning dark.

She chuckled at the thought.

It wasn't far away from the truth.