Once a Hero

Rainbow jumped a good few feet in the air and hovered. Applejack had been the only one to notice the zebra's approach, and the others flinched. Fluttershy practically cowered in fear.

Zecora laughed.

"There's no need to fear, It's only me that's here."

Rainbow spluttered, obvious disbelief showing on her face.

"What are you.. How did you...?!"

Zecora grinned. Then stepped aside for a couple more figures to step out from the woods.

"Long time no see, Dash."

X-ray stepped out of the woods. Dash's already gaping jaw unhinged farther as Spitfire, Fleetfoot and Soarin stepped out behind him.

"Wha... How.. You guys are supposed to be.. uh.."

Spitfire glanced at Zecora.

"It's a Long story"

Rarity interrupted.

"I am sorry for interrupting, but we're stuck in a cage here!"

Zecora chuckled and pulled a bottle of grey liquid from her bag.

"You may want to step away, this liquid can ruin your day"

The ponies in the cage stepped back from the cage as Zecora spilled the entire contents of the flask at the bars. A hissing sound was made as the bars melted away. After the sizzling sound ceased, Zecora gestured to them to get out.

"Gosh, thanks Zecora. How'd you find us anyway?"

Applejack asked the zebra as Pinkiepie bounced out of the cage.

"I know the forest like the palm of my hoof, I felt something wrong here, that's enough proof."

Rainbow still hovered above the ground. She scanned the woods. Discord had gone to the Crystal Empire with Sombra, so Chrysalis and her army was the only enemies around. She felt a hoof tap her shoulder.

"I heard you were evil for a few days"

Spitfire said, chuckling. Dash blushed and looked away.

"Yeah.. I kinda was.."

Dash whispered, almost to herself. She felt a warm hoof on her shoulder. Dash turned to see the orange pegasus smirking.

"You're lucky I wasn't there. I would have beat you into a rainbow pulp"

Rainbow grinned, her quiet behavior quickly vanishing.

"O, Really? Is that a challenge?"

X-ray looked around nervously after called out at the group.

"Come on, we've got to go!"

Zecora nodded as the group.

"Where are we going?"

Pinkie asked as the group quietly moved into the woods. Fluttershy worried.

"Oh, I hope its somewhere safe.."

Fleetfoot answered her.

"We're heading for Appleloosa, its the nearest town from here"

"Is that a.. safe town? I mean it's a countr-"

Applejack cut in on Rarity's worry.

"My cousin's there. It's safe enough. Besides, we just have to hold on untill Canterlot sends backup"

"Oh, yeah.. right"

Rainbow muttered. She dreaded meeting Princess Celestia. She was certain that the princess would forgive her. But, confronting the princess after all her crimes... Well.. It wasn't a comforting thought.

Canterlot

The doors to the Canterlot throne room burst open as Twilight rushed in with an excited look.

"I've just got a message from Appleloosa, they've managed to escape"

Twilight skidded to a stop as she noticed the grim look on Princess Celestia's face.

"Thank goodness, we're gonna need all the help we can get"

"I'll go to escort them back to Canterlot" Shining Armor got up.

"No, you're needed here, remember?" A dark blue aura surrounded Shining Armor before he could run out the doors.

"Actually, he needs to go. The message states that Chrysalis is hot on their tracks"

Twilight continued after laying the message down for the others.

"And, I'm going too"

Cadence sighed.

"I guess this means I'll be going as well"

Appleloosa

Braeburn was very surprised to see his cousin and some other ponies running out of the forest.

He was even more surprised when he noticed the rainbow pegasus. He had been told that she had betrayed Equestria.

"Uhh.. Umm..? Care to explain, cous?"

He managed to spit out a sentence before the forest erupted with changelings.

Braeburn came back to his senses.

"Y'know, that can wait until later"

Braeburn quickly lassoed the nearest rock, and threw it at the swarm.

The changelings in the rock's path were squashed.

Fourteen down, a few hundred more to go.

The changelings stopped in front of the town awaiting orders from their queen.

Chrysalis emerged at the front, smirking at the group. The townsponies began to gather at the entrance of the town, carrying various weapons.

"Really? You think this poor country town can take my army?"

The ponies were hopelessly outnumbered by the changelings. There was at least a few dozen changelings for one pony.

"I'll spare your pathetic town, if you hand over the ponies"

Chrysalis chuckled.

"I am not giving up my cousin" Braeburn growled as he held up the lasso.

The towsponies murmured agreement.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash"

Rainbow flinched as Chrysalis called her name.

"You really seem to be quite good at betraying. I thought you were the Element of Loyalty?"

Rainbow growled.

"You know, If you back down right now. I'll spare your friends a short painless de-"

A loud rumbling noise interupted Chyrsalis. She looked around in anger.

"Who.. DARES.. INTERU-"

An entire herd of buffalo crashed into the swarm as a small agile buffalo ran up to them.

"Strong heart?"

Rainbow gasped in surprise.

"Aaaat your service!"

Braeburn grinned and charged, the entire town following suit.

"FOR EQUESTRIA!!!!"

The others joined in the fight. Rainbow Dash smiled.

"Yeah, for Equestria!"

Canterlot

Celestia checked the sun.

"It's noon. Come, let us go"

Luna followed her sister as Celestia spread her wings. They took off in the direction of the Empire.

Luna had wished she would never have to see him again. But, the deed had to be done.

Celestia noticed her sister's nervousness.

"It's going to be fine, Luna. We'd done the same a thousand years before"

Luna sighed. She remembered the fight clearly. She even still had nightmares about it. She had been corrupted and turned against her sister.

Celestia knew what Luna was thinking. Celestia was able to repel the corruption in her sister. But, the damage was done. Luna had turned against her a few years after the fight.

"I.. If the fight goes like the previ-" Luna stopped as her sister silenced her.

"No, Luna. You are must stronger now. He will not corrupt you this time"

They landed on the large flat space where the Crystal fair used to be hosted. He was waiting for them.

"Haven't seen you in a thousand years, Celestia"

Sombra chuckled.

"You too, Nightm-"

"Why you impudent fo-"

Celestia restrained Luna from charging the corrupted pony. He would just erupt in mist.

"We know your moves this time, Sombra"

"Well, so do I"

Everfree forest

"How long?"

Shining Armor asked impatiently.

"A few more hours, captain"

"They'll be fine. They are strong enough to last a day" comforted Cadence.

"But.. It's an entire army of changelings!"

Twilight exclaimed nervously.

Cadence smiled. The trait of nervousness seemed to run in the family. She put a wing around Twilight.

"They'll be fine, Twilight"

"But, what if they..."

Cadence sighed.

"Don't wo-"

"If that happens , Equestria is doomed"

Shining Armor spoke grimly.

"We'll have to pray, we're not too late"