Dash knew today was going to be extremely hard for her. It was just a day before she predicted she'd be fit enough to get Spitfires approval to fight, but she had more pressing problems. The mare sat at her desk in silence, working through a pile of paperwork - with her two guards as always.

The silence was broken however, as Spitfire herself busted through the door, obviously in a temper. "You have a plan? I don't remember hearing about plans in our last meeting, Rainbow Dash" She hissed.

Dash sighed and placed her quill down, casting a glare at Blazing before looking to her Commander "That is my job, is it not, to come up with plans?"

"It is - but then these plans must be relayed back to myself! I do hope you don't have another agenda"

Dash gestured to a chair "Please. I'm sure you'll calm down after you've heard the plan that will surely lead to Canterlot falling" She poured herself and Spitfire a drink as she sat opposite her "And all I require is a small group of Pegasi"

Spitfire raised an eyebrow, obviously enthralled by Dash's proposal "...Continue"

Dash leaned back in her chair "All you need to do is assemble the rest of the army and as soon as that shield falls, Canterlot is yours for the taking. The Equestrians are weak, have no allies. Their army is underfed and poorly trained - I assure you they'll capitulate within an hour. The you'll get the sole glory of marching into Canterlot and taking it for yourself"

"Hmm..." Spitfire had sufficiently calmed down, taking a sip of water "As mouthwatering as it sounds, Rainbow Dash, you haven't told me how to deal with Princess Twilight's shield"

"Oh, that's my problem. Don't worry a second about it, I know exactly what to do..."

"I fear you underestimate our enemies, Dash. Twilight has assumed control of Equestria as the sole leader and the ponies have rallied behind her, they've got a bigger standing army than they did the last time Canterlot was attacked by the griffons, she's no pushover"

Dash chuckled "Trust me, I've know her for years. I know just how to make her crumble. Anyway, we both saw how she was when I was High Commander of Equestria, conflict scares her. She was shuddering under the throne like a filly half the time, the other half I had to keep her safe"

"Hm. Perhaps you should have taken the chance to kill her instead of being sentimental"

Dash's eyes thinned. She respected Spitfire after she'd saved her, and they'd been great friends a long time ago, but the two mares personalities clashed more and more often recently. Dash had never truly gotten over her betrayal, even after being saved. "You couldn't understand, you've never had anyone that close. She was the only one that cared about me and bothered to try to look after me"

"You've been known to falter when you get the chance to kill her, Dash. Along with your other... friends... I just hope you're reliable enough"

"Just be ready to move in on Canterlot" Dash hissed.

Spitfire nodded and smiled "Anyway. I hope to see you tonight for the officers drink?"

"That's not really my thing" She sighed "But I suppose"

"Very well" Spitfire chuckled

"Oh, before you go" Dash stood, grinning and nodding to Blazing "Of all of the Pegasi army I get her, little niece Blazing? I know you like to keep tabs on me, but my own guard as a spy?"

Spitfire chuckled and shook her head "She wanted to join the army to learn how to fight, so I put her with our second best fighter" Spitfire grinned "Plus, knowing what you're up to is always interesting"

Blazing stepped forwards, standing next to the two legendary Pegasi "Ma'am... May I?"

They both nodded

"I'm not spying on you. I take my job really seriously and you're the best Dash" She chuckled, blushing a little "The captain and I discussed my enrolment and she thought it best I stay away from conflict... At least at first" She looked between them "And when I heard you were coming to Cloudsdale we both decided you'd be the best pony to follow and protect. I mean, it's not like you need guards, you're good enough on your own, so the intention was that I'd be rather safe whilst learning"

Dash listened carefully and smiled "Blazing, with your talent, plus your family links, you'll be replacing me in no time. Just if I think Spitfire needs to hear something, I'll tell her myself" A grin spread across her face "Your lucky Aunty Spitty is you leader, in my time I'd have taken a snitches wings" She banged her hoof on the side of her helmet.

Dash, Iron and Blazing all stared down at a large box Dash had laid onto her bed. The three pairs of eyes glistened at the package, one Dash had been waiting for to be fully prepared for what was to come. There were many options available to her, but she had her personal favourites, they'd stuck with her through the last war, and she wasn't going into this one without them.

"A-are those the original ones?!" Blazing drooled, looking down at the contents of the box.

Dash grinned and nodded slowly, lifting one of the items from the box. She was convinced she'd lost them all those years ago when Spitfire had confronted her, presuming they'd be discarded or destroyed, but much to her surprise Spitfire had kept them in a glass case in her office. "They've had a little work done... But these are the same ones..." The pegasus ran the blade of one of her hoof knives against her lips, her tongue pressed against the cold metal. She could faintly taste her past victims on the metal.

"Can I... touch it?" Iron bit her lip, reaching her hoof out to tenderly caress the blade, taking as much care as a mother would with her new foal.

Dash chuckled and gave one to each of her guards "Don't get too carried away... I'm going to need those soon and I promise I'll kill you if you lose or damage them... They've kept me alive for way too long"

As her guards were creaming themselves over her weapons, Dash reached down to the knee Spitfire had crossbowed and wrapped a bionic support strap around it, giving it support and aiding its strength and ability. "I'll be right back" She muttered, taking a small wooden box from under her bed and walking to Spitfires office, not bothering to knock.

"Rainbow Dash" Spitfire lowered her quill and looked up "I hope you got the package..."

"Indeed, thank you" She grinned "Although I didn't want your office to lack too much Rainbow Dash memorabilia" She smiled

"Oh?" Spitfire chuckled

"Here. I think you'll enjoy this one" She placed the box on Spitfires desk and blushed slightly.

Spitfire raised an eyebrow and lifted the lid, chuckling to herself at the contents "I looked for this, thank you, I do really appreciate it"

"I guessed you'd like it as it was the one time you almost beat me. It's the closest you're ever going to get" She chuckled.

Spitfire lifted the bent crossbow bolt from the box, examining it "I'm sure every time I look at it it will bring a smile to my face, the one time I almost defeated the mighty Rainbow Dash" She winked, but her face slowly returned back to seriousness "Whilst you're here, please take a seat."

Dash sensed the seriousness on her face and sat "Yes?"

"How are you feeling? Honestly?"

"Better than ever. I've been working out everyday, eating well, even my knee is getting much better"

"Good... Very good" She nodded "Because I'm going to let you fight if you so wish"

Dash sat up more and smiled wide. She didn't need Spitfires permission to do what she wanted, but for her plans to work she needed her support "Great! Thank you!"

"I'm glad you're feeling better. The attack on Canterlot will take place in three days. I'm trusting you with this, Dash. You're plan had better be what you think it is, this fight will either win us the war or have detrimental setbacks on our efforts"

"I fully understand, ma'am. I can assure you, this plan cannot fail, but I need some of the best fighters in our army in my group, away from Canterlot, for it to work"

She frowned "Very well... But where do you plan on going if not Canterlot?"

"Ponyville"

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!