King Sombra was back, and with him came the horrors of war. The Crystal Empire raised back in all its glory, and so it all began. Princess Celestia recruited the best of the best to fight by her side, elite fighters and war veteran. But, as the battle went on, it wasn't enough. A volunteer campaign was then announced. Unfortunately, ponies weren't crazy enough... They knew what happened to the ones that were captured by Sombra... With Equestria's forces diminishing, Celestia had no more choice but to enlarge her enrolling criteria. And it is at that moment, on the third January 1978, that Rainbow Dash received a letter, sealed with the royal imprint:
Equestria
Canterlot City
Royal Palace
P74 2DC
Equestria
Cloudsdale
26, Windy Road
B42 6HJ
3 January 1978
Dear Rainbow Dash,
We are honored to tell you that you have been selected to join the war against King Sombra and the Crystal Empire. Your role as a pony of Equestria is to defend your nation when in danger, and in current time, Equestria needs you. A train will be picking you up with the other ponies selected at 5:00 AM in two days. Supplies and protection will be provided for you, your friends and family during this war. Keep in mind that we cannot guarantee the survivability of every pony enrolled, but we will do our best. We are to remind you that refusing to participate in this war is an offense to the high code of law of Equestria and will be punished severely.
May our blessing accompanies you during this hour of battle and may we end this war victorious.
Sincerely
The R.F.P.D (Royal Foundation of Ponies in Danger)
Rainbow Dash had let go the letter in what seemed to be a roar. Furiously, she broke three of her favorite trophies with her hind legs, before stopping and dropping on her knees, bursting into tears.
She didn't have a choice; no one had a choice. Rainbow Dash announced the news to her friends... They tried to comfort her, but it was no use... They were all devastated by the horrible truth, but the one that seemed to the most affected was Fluttershy. She had always been very sensitive and very caring of her friends. When she heard Rainbow Dash speak, in a low and slow voice, she started shaking, trying to hold in tears... But she couldn't... she passed out and was taking to the hospital. Rainbow Dash spent the next two days with her friends, trying not to waste what could be their last moments.
At dawn, the fifth of January 1978, a massive green-painted convoy arrived in Ponyville, a guard squad was on board and was here to find the ones that decided to run. But not Rainbow Dash, she was strong, and she was going to live through this war no matter what. At least, that's what she said, confident, to her friends... Today was no joyful day: about thirty ponies were standing here, waiting for the signal to hop on the train, wife, and foals in tears, hearts were broken, hope... gone. Rainbow Dash tried not to cry; she couldn't hold it for long. Pinky Pie had backed a small goodbye cake, chocolate and strawberry frosting, Rainbow Dash wrapped it up and put it with her other belongings. Rarity crafted a beautiful war outfit, combining her fashion style and the cold aspect of the battle. Applejack gave Rainbow Dash a basket full of the best apples on her farm, before hugging Rainbow Dash until she could barely breathe. Twilight Sparkle, still sobbing, offered the rainbow-mane Pegasus the last, limited edition Daring Do book. Finally, Fluttershy, that had recovered from her shock decided to join them, but the poor yellow pegasus could barely control her sobbing and tears... But even through all this pain, she had offered a turtle bed, perfectly designed for the comfort and hibernation of a turtle, as yes, Rainbow Dash was taking Tank with her, it wasn't prohibited to take a pet with you, but it was at your risk...
It was time, the guards went back on board and gave the signal to everypony to hop on. The Elements of Harmony had their stomach turned upside down, but they couldn't do anything... And at this moment, this last minute of peace, when Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash's gaze crossed each other, they could feel that something was in the air, just like magic. But nothing came, the courage was missing from both Pegasus, or was it just fear? As Rainbow Dash got up on the train, the wheels starting to spin, and the train slowly made its way out of PonyVille's train station. Rainbow Dash kept eye contact with her friends as long as she could, and as she lost sight of them, she realized, that it might be the last time that she ever saw them. But she didn't lose courage, she wiped her eye with her hoof and stared into the distance, into war's eyes, ready to accomplish anything to go back to her loved ones.
But she knew that it wasn't going to be the last time she would hear from her friend. As, when she visited Fluttershy at the hospital, Rainbow Dash promised to send Fluttershy a letter when she would arrive and always to stay in contact with her, so that they never forget each other. Smiling, Fluttershy agreed always to answer Rainbow Dash's letters as long a she was alive. And so it was done, Rainbow Dash was now on her way to a place where she didn't want to be, but she knew that as long as she had her friends somewhere, she would succeed. But there was still one thing, a thing that Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy shared. They left each other with something buried in them, that they didn't want to share, but it will come in time, one day, even if those words are written on paper, it won't be any different, and that, Rainbow Dash swore it.
