Invasion: Tales of a Roboticized Mare
Darkness. Humidity. The sound of breathing. These were the first things Rainbow Dash detected as she powered up with a whir. Even though none of her alarms went off, she activated her sensors, scanning the room. Nothing.
Rainbow Dash turned around, careful not to make too much noise. Her hooves scuffed the wooden floor as she moved. Laying on the single mattress was a light yellow Pegasus with a long, pink mane. She was curled up, nose wrinkled as she slept; there was no escape from the odor of pollution.
Rainbow Dash blinked her one pony eye, facing back to the door to return to her vigilant stance. Most of her body was composed of wiring and electronics. The jagged lined between flesh and metal alloy ran across the lower left side of her head, including her left eye.
The effect of Dr. Robotnik's vile Roboticizer. Nopony knew how he built it, or how it works, for it certainly wasn't the result of magic. In truth, Rainbow Dash was fortunate. The Roboticizer was destroyed before it could finish Rainbow. This new body was incredibly strong, and her mechanized wings still carried her at great speeds.
But still, Rainbow Dash was... this. She had lost count of how many missions they had completed thanks to her condition. But Celestia, why this?
Rainbow Dash's good ear twitched at the sound of Fluttershy yawning as she sat up. Rainbow heard hooves on the floor, and soon a voice in her ear.
"Good morning, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow processed a mix of Fluttershy's sweet, sugary voice in her ear, and a grainy, cheap version in one of her audio sensors.
She turned her head to look at Fluttershy, a look in her eye that said, No it's not.
Fluttershy sighed, massaging the the patch of flesh on Rainbow's head. Rainbow Dash shut her eye, enjoying the feel of Fluttershy's touch. Soft lips gently kissed Rainbow's eyelid. She nuzzled Fluttershy, silently begging for more.
Fluttershy complied, kissing and stroking every inch of pony left on Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash wished she could feel more. Her heart beat faster, her skin grow hot and sweaty, get aroused by Fluttershy. Anything more than the addicting touch of her mare.
"You didn't go on a mission last night, did you?"
Rainbow Dash shook her head, her mechanical joints whirring. In fact, Rainbow had not gone on a mission for over a week. Doc hadn’t yet given her a list of materials they needed. She would make a run once Doc came up with something. Speaking of which...
Rainbow flashed her electronic eye, gesturing outside. Fluttershy nodded. She had become an expert at interpreting Rainbow's new form of communication.
"I'll go with Roseluck and Caramel today and gather food." Fluttershy said, still petting Rainbow's mane.
Rainbow nodded in acknowledgement. She made her way outside, already pained at leaving Fluttershy. The village they resided in was still dark. The sun wouldn't be up for a few hours, and even then, barely any made it past the thick canopy.
Rainbow Dash automatically activated her night vision. She ran another scan, just to be safe. Once satisfied, Rainbow began trotting along the dirt road. She quickly came to the Doctor’s hut. Rainbow shoved the door open, not bothering to knock. Doc, as usual, was perched at his desk, poring over scores of papers. Sometimes Rainbow wondered if he ever slept.
Rainbow Dash chirped in greeting. The brown Earth Pony raised his head. "Ah, Miss Dash. Here for your details?"
Rainbow flashed her eye, nodding.
"Very good. But this mission is going to be different."
Rainbow cocked her head.
"This should be the last run, if you manage to find everything on the list," The Doctor began. As straight as her posture was, Rainbow Dash stood erect, as if offended that Doctor Whooves would even suggest that she might fail. "So, I've devised a plan."
Rainbow Dash raised a hoof, motioning for him to continue.
"Well, I was thinking, it wouldn't matter if we built a de-Roboticizer, as long as Robotnik still has the original. And it doesn't matter how many times we destroy it, as long as he has the schematics."
Rainbow glared impatiently with her one good eye.
"So, I want to split this into a scavenging run, and a raid."
Rainbow considered this, then gave Doctor Whooves a skeptical look.
"Yes, we will need to acquire the council's approval, but I am confident we will. If this works, we will be closer than ever to ending that madman's rule! We could start to go on rescue missions! Maybe we could find the Princesses, and make quick work of him!"
Rainbow nodded thoughtfully. If they could de-Roboticize the Princesses, or heck, even Discord, then the battle would be practically over. Rainbow gave an affirming nod.
"Excellent! Now, we just have to assemble the council. We'll need every hoof in this mission we can get!"
~~~
"You're crazy."
Doctor Whooves huffed. The council, consisting of six ponies, gathered around a stone table in a damp, moldy cave. Besides Rainbow Dash and Doctor Whooves, there was a young pale yellow Earth Pony, two Unicorn mares, and an orange Pegasus. Doctor Whooves defiantly puffed up his chest at the Unicorn who had first spoken up.
"It'll work. It's our best shot. Which is why it's imperative that we get into contact with the other Freedom Fighters now!"
The Pegasus shook her head. "Doc, there's just no way. He built that machine, he can build it again."
"How many years did it take him?" Doctor Whooves screeched in disbelief. "I tell you, if we can get rid of the schematics, we can de-Roboticize enough ponies before he designs a new one and take him down!"
"Does the de-Roboticizer even work?" The Earth Pony inquired. She tipped back the worn rancher hat on her cherry-red mane.
Doctor Whooves scuffed at the floor. "No, but we only need a few more parts. I'm sure that it is close to finished."
"I've heard enough already." One of the Unicorns yawned. Her lilac coat was shaggy and thin, from months of not caring for it. "If this mission is so important, it would make more sense to delay it until we have a fully functional de-Roboticizer."
Doctor Whooves opened his mouth to protest, but quickly reconsidered. "You're right, Twilight. I was over eager."
Twilight’s eyes drooped, and she seemed like she might faint any moment. Still, she politely waved it off.
"We all have somepony we miss. It's not irrational to want to see them again. But we can't allow ourselves to make irrational decisions. You have been extremely resourceful, Doctor. We would not be here without you."
Doctor Whooves nodded. "Of course."
"Now," Twilight continued, turning her gaze to Rainbow Dash. "Those parts on the Doctor’s list. We still need those. Will you still go on the run, Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow Dash raised her hoof in salute. Scavenging runs were some of the easiest of jobs. Finding the parts would be a breeze. She just prayed that Doc could get that de-Roboticizer working.
~~~
Fluttershy played a tune in her head. She couldn't remember what it was, or where it was from. But it helped. She picked berries as she trotted around the bush, tossing them in either of the baskets strapped to her side. Caramel was digging up veggies from the garden, and Roseluck was picking flowers. The job shouldn't take very long.
As she leaned, wary of thorns, Fluttershy heard a faint sound. She froze. Fluttershy perked an ear. She had scared herself over nothing in the past, but she was quite certain that she didn't imagine it. It sounded rather... artificial.
But the only source of that would be Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy shook herself. Don’t be such a scaredy-pony, she scolded herself. She returned her attention to the berries. Pick, toss, pick, toss. There it is again.
Fluttershy pursed her lips. That was definitely machine. Summoning up her courage, Fluttershy faced the direction of the sound.
"Rainbow Dash, is that you?"
...No answer. Cautiously, Fluttershy advanced. She realized that her legs had started shaking. She had a queasy feeling.
"Rainbow Dash?"
Fluttershy slowed as she reached the line of bushel that the sound originated from.
"If that's you, please give me a sign." Fluttershy barely forced the sentence out, her voice cracking on the final words. To her relief, the bushes shook twice.
"Goodness, Rainbow! You had me shaking."
Fluttershy expected Rainbow Dash to pop out, a spark of the cheery mischief she once knew gleaming in one eye, happy with a harmless prank. She waited a few moments, and no cyborg pony emerged. Fluttershy's smile faltered.
"O-Okay, Rainbow Dash. Joke's over."
Nothing. Fluttershy gulped. With every ounce of courage, Fluttershy reached in pulling apart tiny branches, to see what was inside. She gasped in horror, backpedaling away. With a huge breath, Fluttershy let out a terrified scream.
~~~
Rainbow Dash would be smiling to herself, if she could smile. At least two of every part on Doc's list! The junkyard had been very helpful today. And to top it off, she hadn’t even been so much as glimpsed by SWATBOTS.
Yes, Rainbow Dash would be smiling to herself. Her pride faded as she heard sounds of panic near the village. Rainbow preemptively activated war-mode and all of her sensors. No wounded, no damage, no toxins, no casualties. What was going on?
Rainbow Dash galloped into the center of the village, dropping her satchel.
"Rainbow Dash!" Applebloom called. She waved Rainbow over urgently. "Thank golly you're here! We might have trouble!"
Rainbow shot an interrogative look at the mare.
"A few ponies were out gatherin' food, and Fluttershy found somethin'. Somethin' bad."
Rainbow Dash trotted alongside the Earth Pony, who was visibly shaken. She led Rainbow through the swamp and into the richer forest. Rainbow Dash's pony face was scowling. She did not like getting her parts wet.
"We're here." Applebloom declared, pointing to a patch of bushes. Rainbow calmly approached it. With a lightning fast twirl, she hacked away the bushes with her tail. Peering at the spot, Rainbow Dash observed what Fluttershy discovered.
It was a hole, big enough for a pony to crawl through. Rainbow's sensors indicated that the hole had been burnt through the soil. That meant SWATBOTS. She looked at Applebloom for confirmation.
"Fluttershy said she definitely saw somethin' lookin' at her inside it."
Rainbow stomped in irritation. If SWATBOTS found them, that meant Robotnik was closing in on them this very second. She turned back, motioning for Applebloom to follow. They needed to evacuate.
~~~
"Why are you staying here?"
Rainbow Dash rolled her eye in exasperation. Doctor Whooves and Twilight had been clear: after the ponies, the de-Roboticizer was the top priority. And that takes time to disassemble and transport. As usual, Rainbow Dash was the muscle.
Hopefully SWATBOTS wouldn't arrive until they had all gotten out, but there was no room for taking chances. If they showed up, somepony needed to fight them. Which was something Fluttershy should realize, Rainbow thought.
"If you're staying here, then so am I." Fluttershy sat down defiantly. Rainbow Dash glared at her sternly. She pointed her hoof in a, you, go gesture.
Fluttershy shook her head. "I've come so close to losing you countless times. I'm through with it. I'm staying with you."
Seething, Rainbow Dash drove her hoof into the wall, punching a hole in it. Why couldn't Fluttershy understand the danger? She marched up to the mare, her metallic nose right up to hers. The look in Rainbow's eye was clear that she wasn't ready to debate the issue.
Stubbornly, Fluttershy shook her head. "If SWATBOTS do come, you can use your sensors, and send me off before they get here, if it makes you so happy."
Rainbow Dash fumed, before swinging her tail in defeat. Following Fluttershy's advice, she activated her sensors again. Nothing. Rainbow Dash glanced at Fluttershy, who raised her eyebrows expectantly. Rainbow Dash shook her head.
"See? Nothing. We'll be fine. As soon as Twilight and the Doctor get that machine ready to move, we'll be out of here."
~~~
"Almost done. Do you think you can handle levitating all of it, Twilight?" Doctor Whooves poked his head out of the space he was crammed in, pausing from his labor.
Twilight nodded, even though her face was doubtful. The Unicorn spent practically all of her energy controlling the Sun and Moon. This much work would be a real chore.
Rainbow watched as the Doctor worked. It was already almost sundown. Come nighttime, if they weren't inside the Castle of the Two Sisters, predators would catch them long before SWATBOTS managed to.
Rainbow looked sideways at her mare. Fluttershy was quietly watching the work as well. Reluctantly, Rainbow Dash extended a wing to Fluttershy. She wrapped it over the mare, who seemed puzzled at the gesture. Feigning a look of relaxation, Rainbow Dash turned on her broadcaster.
Who are you?
Fluttershy stiffened. Not hesitating for a second, Rainbow Dash hoisted up the Pegasus, and slammed her into the ground. Rainbow heard a cry of horror from Twilight.
Who are you?! Rainbow Dash demanded. Fluttershy squirmed as Dash pinned her down with her knees. Rainbow brought a hoof down on Fluttershy's left wing with a crunch.
"Rainbow Dash! What the hay are you doing?!"
No heartbeat, no thermal, no organic. Nothing. Rainbow Dash glowered at the 'Fluttershy'. Where is my Fluttershy?
The imposter hissed, and gradually began to transform. Flesh and fur dissolved away, and was replaced by an insect-like machine.
"Sweet Celestia!" Twilight gasped. Doctor Whooves was right behind her, attracted by the tussle.
"Is that a..."
Rainbow Dash nodded slowly.
"It-It's not possible. That is scientifically impossible." Doctor Whooves stammered.
On the ground beneath Rainbow Dash was a Roboticized Changeling.
Twilight grew pale. "If... If Robotnik has Changelings, and they can maintain their shape-shifting ability, that means-"
She was cut off by Rainbow Dash, who hammered into the Changeling with ferocity. One eye glowed red with hatred and fury. Again and again, she punched the Changeling, until nothing remained but a mess of tangled wires and bits of twisted metal.
The two ponies stared at Rainbow, shell-shocked.
"Rainbow Dash, you-you just..." Doctor Whooves' voice trailed off. Rainbow kicked the remains, showing no remorse. It was then that Twilight realized why Rainbow had gone into a rage. If this Changeling had taken Fluttershy's place, then that meant...
"Robotnik has Fluttershy."
Invasion: Tales of a Roboticized Mare
Fluttershy groaned. Why did she feel so numb? She forced herself to open her eyes. The world around her seemed to grow even darker. Fluttershy pulled herself up.
The air was stuffy, and absolutely thick with pollution. Fluttershy gagged at the stench.
"Feeling comfortable?" Fluttershy stood rigid upon hearing that cruel, slimy voice. The voice she hadn’t heard in years.
"It's lovely to see you again, my dear."
Fluttershy curled up on the floor, trembling. No doubt she was in some sort of cell, as the voice slithered in from all directions.
"Still not much of a conversationalist, eh?" Dr. Robotnik tsked in disappointment. "I'll have to save my gloating for when your dearly beloved arrives. Oh, I know she can't talk, but her eyes do all the speaking. Or, eye, allow me to correct myself."
Fluttershy squeezed her eyes shut and clamped her hooves over her ears. She could still hear the Doctor cackling menacingly.
"Oh, you Equestrians are such fun. Nowhere near as challenging as Mobians, but you're still just as weak. Now, that weakness is you."
Fluttershy gritted her teeth, tears silently traveling down her cheeks.
"Sleep well, my little leverage."
~~~
Rainbow Dash scanned the scenery. The industrialized Canterlot looked just as uninviting as ever. Sewage spilled out of pipes into large piles, and factories puffed out black smoke while churning out SWATBOTS. Every surface was covered in a layer of dirt, oil, and grease.
Overall, it wasn't pleasant.
Rainbow Dash ducked behind a trash heap as a mechanical dragon flew overhead. Getting caught right off the bat was not an option. But Robotnik must have known that she was coming, because he had really stepped up security.
Patrol patterns were being switched randomly, and the electric hum of traps and stealth orbs was clearly audible. Not. Good.
Rainbow frowned. Surely Robotnik wouldn't kill Fluttershy. He would want to torture Rainbow Dash with her. Rainbow Dash may not have known much about Robotnik, but she knew two things for certain: One, that he had done this before, and two, he had enjoyed it.
Well, this was a game that Rainbow Dash wouldn't play by the rulebook. She needed to get Fluttershy out. And that meant action. If Rainbow had thought to bring Twilight along, she might have been able to plan a solid rescue mission.
No time to be picky. Rainbow Dash decided she would have to wing it. It's worked so far, after all.
~~~
Robotnik sat in his throne, contemplating. He didn't know how Rainbow Dash would choose to react. She was a wild card. He could not rely on her recklessness in recent years. Sometimes the pest completely outwitted him. She was almost as bad as the rodent.
"At least she doesn't have a smart mouth like the hedgehog."
In fact, she didn't have a mouth at all. Robotnik stroked his mustache thoughtfully. He at least hoped Rainbow Dash would come to retrieve the yellow one. He didn’t care how. As long as she arrives. Oh, what fun he would have then.
~~~
Rainbow Dash marched in line with the other robotic workers. So far, none of them had reacted to her presence. They must not have recognized Rainbow as alive, without a heartbeat. The stealth orbs must not have needed to survey this area, as it was filled with robots. Rainbow Dash prayed that she wouldn't see anypony she knew.
Rainbow scanned the streets, looking for a way to slip out and sneak into the castle. She had to find out where Fluttershy was, before Robotnik got impatient and Roboticized her. Rainbow wouldn't put it past the dictator to pull a fast one on her.
Once she was out of the nearest SWATBOT's sight, Rainbow broke into a gallop. She abandoned the line of robotic slaves, diving into an abandoned trash bin. Rainbow frowned, faint memories tickling the back of her mind about the last time she had ended up in the trash.
Peeking out, Rainbow Dash made a sweep of the area. So far, she was not finding a clean way in, or out. If Fluttershy was in the Canterlot Dungeons, then escape would be even harder. Rainbow decided to check it last, as it was the largest area she would be trapped in.
But she still had to get inside. Now that was a problem.
He'll find me eventually, anyway.
Mentally sighing, Rainbow Dash activated her broadcaster.
~~~
"Transmission detected, Dr. Robotnik."
Robotnik folded his hands, growling. "Play it."
A burst of static filled the room, before dying down. It was replaced by an angry voice rendered tinny from the speaker.
"If you touch her, I will kill you."
Doctor Robotnik raised his eyebrows. He hadn’t heard Rainbow Dash's voice in so long, he had forgotten the sound of it. He pressed a finger to the command console on the arm of his seat.
"All SWATBOTS in sub-Sector 3, converge on those coordinates. Capture that Freedom Fighter!"
Robotnik released the button, sighing in genuine disappointment. It would have been so much more fun if Rainbow had discovered the futility of her mission by herself. Oh well. Can't afford to be choosy.
~~~
Rainbow Dash seized the opportunity. It was a terrible plan, but it was all she had. Bracing herself, Rainbow Dash soared upwards, climbing to a desirable height. She cut through the air effortlessly. No telling if this would even work.
Rainbow Dash stopped in midair, allowing herself to float for a second. Then she came crashing back down. She assumed the position she used to memorize. She could see the SWATBOTS scrambling in the street she had just launched from. Rainbow Dash shut her eye.
Please work, please work, please work, please-
~~~
A two-legged figure trembled at the sight. It was horrifying. It was Robotropolis, all over again!
Feeling her knees weaken, the furry lass stumbled backwards, leaping into the tear in reality from which she entered. Just as she did, the world exploded with color. One cold shock later, and she was lying on fresh, green grass.
"Yo, Sal? What happened? The cord just snapped, Rot' and I thought you were lost!"
The chipmunk began to hyperventilate. "He's... not... gone!"
A pair of red sneakers walked up to her, and she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"What do you mean? What happened, Sally?"
Sally looked up at the blue hedgehog, who was gazing at her in concern. She still shook from the terrifying realization.
"He's not gone, Sonic. He was never gone."
Sonic's eyes darted, trying to process what Sally was saying.
"You mean..."
"Robotnik. Robotnik's alive."
Invasion: Tales of a Roboticized Mare
Blood was clouding her vision. Blood? Rainbow Dash didn't know that she could still bleed.
Wait, I'm alive!
Rainbow Dash lifted her head. She immediately realized that several of her sensors weren't responding. But praise Celestia, it worked! The Sonic Rainboom still worked!
Rainbow stood up, shifting the pile of metal she was buried in. She pushed, worming her way out and into the street. Once she was free, Rainbow Dash took a moment to examine herself. Her body was peppered with dents and gashes.
Rainbow frowned, frustrated. This was technically, her actual body. No telling what this might do to her in the future.
Fluttershy, priority one, Rainbow Dash reminded herself. Still mentally smirking in pride, Rainbow Dash shot into the sky yet again. Only this time, her plan was slightly less suicidal. Slightly.
~~~
"What was that?" Robotnik snarled. He was almost surprised when there was no desperate excuse from his nephew. Robotnik suppressed the urge to facepalm. As useless as Snively was, what he wouldn't give for someone to order around.
"Stay focused, old boy," The Doctor chided himself.
This new ability of Rainbow's was fascinating, and terrifying. Fascinating, because it was a phenomenon that Equestrians only spoke of. Terrifying, because she could do it again.
"That must have been the legendary Sonic Rainboom."
As he spoke to himself, the lights flickered. Then they went out.
"What?!" He roared.
It turns out that pesky equine had more in common with the hedgehog than previously thought.
~~~
Fluttershy looked around. The energy field surrounding her had completely disappeared, plunging her into darkness. Fluttershy cautiously stood up. She had heard what sounded like a muffled explosion. Could it be that Rainbow Dash had found a way to shut off the electricity?
Fluttershy tentatively stuck a hoof past the line the beams normally guarded. She felt no sting. With more enthusiasm, Fluttershy hopped onto the opposite side. Liberated, Fluttershy began following the path she had mentally marked.
SWATBOTS came in and out this way occasionally. It must have been an exit. Anywhere is better than the inside of a dungeon.
~~~
Rainbow Dash marveled silently. Had her Rainboom obliterated an energy source or something? Lights everywhere started going out. Well, that was okay, as long as Rainbow had her...
She frowned again. Her night vision wasn't working. Never mind. Rainbow shook her head, trying to break the slow stream of blood into her pony eye. Her robotic eye was useless in the dark. Rainbow mentally ran through a list of active sensors.
She activated her surface grid and motion sensor. That would have to be good enough. Determined not to fail, Rainbow Dash took one step towards Canterlot Castle.
~~~
Twilight fought to keep her eyes open.
"Hang in there, just a little longer." Doctor Whooves encouraged. Twilight’s foreleg was wrapped around the Doctor, and he was practically dragging the Unicorn. The aura around her horn was growing steadily smaller, as the fragile parts sank closer and closer to the grounds.
Doctor Whooves exhaled as the Castle of the Two Sisters came into view. Straining with effort, he raised his voice.
"Somepony help! We need help over here!"
He dropped to his knees, taking the mare with her. He heard the gates open in the distance. Then the sound of galloping hooves. A familiar voice filled his ear as his head hit the ground.
"Go get another Unicorn, and hurry!"
Doctor Whooves' vision began to fade. Exhaustion beat down on him like a club. Just before passing out, he could hear Lyra saying, "Don’t worry, Doc. We gotcha."
~~~
One side of Rainbow Dash's face was creased in a frown. More SWATBOTS would certainly be on the way, and she still wasn't sure where to look. Just as Rainbow cursed herself for dooming her mission, the castle was lit up.
Rainbow Dash jerked in surprise. This could be very good, or very bad. Good, because now she could see better. Bad, because now so could Robotnik. It was stupid of her to think for a second that Robotnik wouldn't have backup power of some sort.
Rainbow Dash remembered with a start that there were surveillance cameras in the castle. She wasted no time blazing through every inch of the once grand structure. Rainbow Dash began to worry that Fluttershy was in the Dungeons.
Rainbow Dash panicked. If Fluttershy was in the Canterlot Dungeons, fine! Then that’s where Rainbow Dash was going. She just needed to find her, fast. The longer it took Rainbow, the more danger they were in.
~~~
Doctor Robotnik clenched his teeth. The cowardly one had slipped out of her cell while the power was out! And Rainbow Dash was dangerously close to discovering her. Well, Robotnik wasn’t about to have that.
"All SWATBOTS, block off all entrances to the Canterlot Dungeons!" He pounced his fist on the console.
"And-" Robotnik pursed his lips. It was far too soon. But he was so close to having the ponies right where he wanted them. It would be worth it.
"Activate the Mecha unit."
~~~
Fluttershy froze at the growing sound of machinery. She dove to the side, pressing herself as close to the cave wall as possible. The damp, moldy rock surface slicked her coat with oil. Loud crashes neared, as a mechanized being stomped closer.
As it passed, Fluttershy could just make out its shape in the red glow. She gasped. Overjoyed, she burst from her hiding spot.
"Rainbow Dash!"
Rainbow stopped. Fluttershy wearily smiled. She had wondered if she would ever see Rainbow Dash again. Her relief ebbed away as Rainbow Dash turned around. Two glowing red eyes locked onto her.
"No. No, no, no, not you." Fluttershy begged. She felt her legs give in. Not her Rainbow Dash. Tears formed in her eyes once again. "I'm sorry."
Fluttershy lowered her head, Rainbow Dash whining as something inside her began to power up. She flinched when she heard a crash of metal on metal. Fluttershy jumped back, just now feeling a whoosh of air.
Now there were two Rainbows tangled together. The new one was attacking erratically, and spared several moments to jerk her head to the exit. Fluttershy stole a look. The way was clear, for now. Helpless, she looked back to where the Rainbows clashed.
Occasionally sparks would erupt where hits were landed. Rainbow Dash was obviously buying time for her to run. She galloped to the mouth of the cave. Examining the outside, she turned back.
"Rainbow Dash! It's clear!"
The sound of bashing metal did not slow. Fluttershy sobbed loudly.
"Please..." She fell back on her rear, refusing to go any further without Rainbow Dash. She shook her head, heart burning.
"This is my all my fault."
~~~
Rainbow Dash recognized pain. Her flesh could feel that much. Every scrape, scratch, and cut. Ouch.
She pushed away from the metal Rainbow, scrambling to get away. Metal hooves caught her again, pulling her back into the tussle. Rainbow kicked wildly. She was slammed into the floor for her effort.
Scraping on the damp floor, Rainbow took another chance. She cursed when she realized she was pinned down. Rainbow looked back. The metal Rainbow almost seemed to be smirking at her.
Brimming with rage, Rainbow Dash pulled with all her might. A screeching sound filled the air as metal tore. Rainbow Dash fell free with a rip. Seizing the opportunity, Rainbow pelted for the exit. Her run was lopsided and off-balance.
Rainbow soon came onto Fluttershy. Before Fluttershy could say anything, Rainbow scooped her up. She activated her propulsions, desperate to get out. She left behind a mess of broken robots, and a very angry doctor.
~~~
Lyra scanned the treeline from her position on the castle wall. It was already almost morning. She sighed.
I'll have to tell Doc the bad news.
She lowered her head, beginning a solemn prayer. She was interrupted by a zoom overhead. A bluish metal object soared into the clearing, carrying a shaking Fluttershy. So, there was good news after all!
Lyra trotted down the steps, calling in greeting. "Thank Celestia! I thought you guys were goners!"
Her enthusiasm was not returned. Fluttershy looked up at her, her eyes red from crying.
"Hey, you okay, honey? Do you need a nurse?"
Fluttershy closed her eyes, hanging her head. "Nopony can fix what happened."
"Why, what hap-"
Lyra stopped as Rainbow turned. Rainbow Dash was covered in dents and tears. But what really shocked Lyra was the fact that she was missing a hind leg and a wing.