Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty. Ponies covered in thick metal marched through the burnt, raw meadow in Canterlot Town Square. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, though. Things had been this way for the past decade.
The crisp autumn air seethed through Equestria as everypony lined up in preparation for the final battle. Things weren't looking too good, but under the watchful eye of Celestia, ponies knew everything was going to be alright. No matter how brutal the end was going to be, things were going to be okay.
... Right?
Cracked Front
Ink Mage
Everypony thought the Wonderbolts could do anything.
They flew in the most spectacular aerial performances in all of Equestria, they acted as upon request when they were needed, and they were willingly putting their lives at risk every day to protect their country.
Rainbow Dash knew exactly what she was getting into when she joined their ranks years prior to current day. She knew what commitment she was putting forth, and how much strength and perseverance she would need to come out victorious in the end.
After all, as one of the now premium member of the 'Bolts, she was expected to live by her one motto.
'You can fail. But you can fail with dignity.'
She may have failed countless times. But she always regained her pride in the mere matter of seconds. Thing may have not always looked good for the young mare, but she always found a way to make things alright again.
That was... until the previous battle.
Gnashes. Bruises. Blood. That was all she remembered. Everything else was just a small memory tucked away in the vaguest part of her brain.
Ponies were hurt. Ponies were killed. Lives were spent, few returned home safely. The opposing side really had outdone themselves this time. Everything was crumbling right before her very eyes, and there was nothing she could do about it.
She was loyal. She was very loyal. She was loyal to her friends, her family, and now her country. She fought every single day, just to make sure colts and fillies were able to live to see their parents survive.
Tears. They were shed last night, when the Wonderbolts lost one of their most fatal members. Fleetfoot was a strong mare, who held herself up even in the face of doubt. But she wasn't strong enough. Not enough to help herself.
"It's almost time," a soft voice rang out through the locker room, cutting out Rainbow Dash's thoughts. She turned slowly, steadily, staring into a piercing green eyes of the newcomer.
His posture was big, strong. It hid what fear was really behind his front. Bandages covered his entire body, his wings, hooves, face, and ears. Dried blood splotches dotting random places over his complexion. His eyes narrowed as is studying into her hard gaze. She looked at him, took him in, before she let it all go and ran up to him.
He held her. He cradled her. He whispered soothing words into her ears. Rainbow Dash didn't know what to say, she herself was feeling broken, down. This was the last battle, the battle that would claim Equestria's victory or defeat.
"S-S-S-Soarin..." Rainbow Dash managed to squeak out. Soarin merely shushed her before gently stroking his hooves through her mane.
"Hey now... what's gotten you so down?" he asked her softly, lifting her chin up to look at him. Rainbow Dash looked away, tears still staining the tight spandex of her suit.
"After yesterday..." she started. Soarin abruptly cut her off, silencing her by putting his hooves to her lips.
"Listen, everything is going to be alright, okay?" he soothed. "Nothing can stop me, and you know it better than anypony else, Rainbow Dash."
Rainbow Dash wiped away the salty water that was still drenching her face. She gulped, looking back into his eyes before glancing down at his torn body.
"Soarin... you're hurt," she said quietly, running a hoof down the stallion's wounds. He winced slightly under her touch, but relaxed as she put her other hoof below his ear and began massaging it.
"S-Stop..." he moaned. Rainbow Dash shut her eyes tightly as she buried her face in his chest. "Oof," Soarin couldn't help but letting out as the pressure hurt him.
"You're... you're going to be okay, right?" she asked him softly. Soarin only nodded, taking her hoof in his and giving it a firm squeeze.
"I'm going to be absolutely fine, Rainbow Dash. Don't worry so much about me."
"How can I not, Soarin... with you going out there everyday. But this... this crosses the line, Soar," Dash replied quickly, gesturing to the bandages over his coat. Soarin let out a low chuckle, before holding her shoulders and looking her dead in the eye.
"Remember one thing, Dashie," he said. Rainbow Dash's spine shivered as he called her that... something he hadn't addressed her by in years. "I'm Soarin Skies... when have I ever let you down?"
"Mm... I can think of a-"
"Dashieee!" Soarin whined, cutting her off. Despite her crammy mood, Dash couldn't help but let out a small laugh.
"Fine... no, Soarin. You've never let me down," she started again seriously. Soarin nodded.
"And I'm going to make sure I keep it that way," he said, leaning in and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Rainbow Dash breathed heavily, moving her gaze to look back at him.
"You better," she teased, before wrapping her hooves around him. Soarin sighed, leaning into her hug, returning it with just as much desire.
"And... when I do come back tomorrow, maybe we can... do something together?" he asked suddenly. Rainbow Dash stopped, pressing away from him. "I don't know... get an ice cream?"
Rainbow Dash groaned. "Soarin, we've been going out for months now, I think-"
"Just say yes."
Dash giggled as the atmosphere around them lightened.
"Alright then... yes."
