Pegasi First: Recruit Dash

Chapters

The Beginning of the End
Cloudsdale
The Southern Front
High Flier
The Commander, The Colonel and The Princess
Ponyville
Repetitive Nothingness
The Bone Doctor
Recovery and Responsibility
The Ceremony
The Fall of Cloudsdale (Part One)
The Fall of Cloudsdale (Part Two)
What Now?
Pegasi Rock
Rainbow Dash: The Broken Mare (Finale)

The Beginning of the End

Rainbow Dash turned a small piece of yellow paper in her hooves, alone in her cloud mansion. She'd received it this morning, and the reality of what was happening hadn't fully hit her yet. Glancing down, she scanned the note for the hundredth time that hour.

Ms. Dash

We are writing to inform you your application to the Royal Defence Force for the Protection of Equestria has been approved, and takes effect immediately.

You are expected to report to Canterlot for initial briefing before being sent to Cloudsdale to group with your fellow pony-type. Further instructions will be given on arrival.

Shining Armour

This was the right thing to do, she knew it. She was the best flier in Equestria for Celestia's sake, and had saved the land at least a dozen times already, so why not again? She'd kick some flank for a week, the griffons would surrender to her awesomeness and she'd be back drinking tea with Rarity before she could even get an armour fitting.

She chucked to herself and folded the note, ruffling her mane and taking flight towards town. She hadn't told anyone she'd applied, not even her closest friends for the sake of worrying. She knew they'd only whinge and moan, telling her it was 'dangerous'or'potentially fatal'. What did they know anyway, as if she'd give some birdbrain griffon the chance to touch her.

Landing outside Twilight's Library, she strolled in without knocking. She didn't have much time left in Ponyville, so she wasn't going to waste it. AS expected, Twilight was reading a book on something - Dash didn't understand even the title - completely oblivious to her friends arrival.

Dash dragged her hoof on the ground and coughed "Twilight. Do ya have a minute?" She chuckled, a hint of nervousness in her soft laugh.

"Oh! Rainbow Dash" She smiled and stood, nodding "What can I help with?" Twilight had only got a little busier since the break out of war, nopony was really feeling the effects of the war yet anyway, she just dealt with small things that Celestia didn't have time for anymore.

Dash didn't beat around the bush, not uttering a word as she revealed the piece of yellow paper. Twilight didn't need to read it to know what it said, she'd seen them before. Her smile faded, looking up into the pegasus' eyes "Rainbow... This isn't a funny prank..."

"It's not a prank Twilight. It's my duty, my responsibility. I'm loyalty remember?"

The Princess opened her mouth to speak, before stopping and thinking. It took her a minute to nod "I can't tell you what to do, Dash... I'm so proud of you... It's just"

Rainbow wrapped her hooves around Twilight's neck "I know what you're going to say. I'll be safe, you know me, I can be clever if I need to" She chuckled, nuzzling her friends mane.

Twilight didn't respond, only letting out a small sob and holding Dash close for three long minutes before finally releasing her, eyes damp and flowing with tears "Come home as often as you can Dashie, I know you'll have won us this war in a month"

Dash chuckled and nodded "Of course! Most awesome pony in Equestria, remember?" She winked at her friend, turned, and left. She could feel herself welling up no matter how confident she was, but knew it would only be harder for Twilight if Dash was crying too.

It was a beautiful Ponyville day, so Dash decided to take a slow walk through town, enjoying the atmosphere. Ponies were going about their day to day business as if nothing was wrong. Dash flexed her wings, her toned and athletic body an impressive sight to anyone that bothered to look. Deep down Dash knew that joining up wasn't going to be as easy as she hoped, but she was still filled with pride at the fact she was defending her country.

"Hey, Rainbow!"

Dash's ear twitched, turning her head to meet the sound. She glanced across the town centre and smiled, trotting over to a small table outside of a cafe in the square. "Hey guys" She beamed, looking across her four friends "What are you all doing here?"

They pointed to their iced drinks, smiling. Rarity, wearing a rather over the top summer hat and sunglasses gestured to a chair "Join us, please? Do you have the time, Darling?"

Dash shrugged "I have an hour or so..." Chuckling nervously again, she sat down and studied each and everyone of her friends.

"What's wrong Dash?" Shy muttered

"Hmm? Nothing? Why do you think something's wrong?"

"I've known you long enough to tell if somethings bothering you..." She smiled softly

"Fine... Here" She tossed the yellow note onto the table, biting her lip and sitting back "I leave tonight"

The four looked at the bright paper, each reading it the best they could without moving it. It was safe to say they were surprised from the crescendo of gasps from around the table "Rainbow Dash! Did you intend on ever telling us or just... Disappearing?"

"I wanted to tell you, just..."

"Y'all didn't want us to talk ya outta it?" AJ frowned, looking at her rival "'Cause ah'm only proud of ya - and we know I ain't lyin'"

Dash blushed and nodded "Thanks AJ... It just felt like my responsibility, y'know? Are you gunna join?"

"Ah would, but, y'know... Farm and Bloom to look after"

Dash nodded slowly, smiling still. She was sure they each had their reasons, and she sure as hell didn't want to start an argument before she left "I just hope you all know I'm doing this because I know it's the right thing to do... And I promise I'll visit!"

The four were sobbing as they each took their turn to give their farewells and good luck messages, Dash spending a total of ten minutes in a hug.

Dash felt bad, but she couldn't wait to get away from them. She loved them, of course she did, but she wanted to get stuck in with her new military career. She left right after for Canterlot, flying swiftly to the capital. The city had changed, some shops had already been adapted to help the war effort, although there were no major changes.

Canterlot Castle was heaving with ponies, the courtyard packed with both stallions and mares, all of whom queuing for different desks and marquee's erected in the courtyard, each for different reasons.

As Dash walked through the mass congregation, she took in the sights. Medics, Engineers, Tacticians, Magicians... The list went on. She wasn't anything specific, heading to the 'Airforce' desk and approaching the stallion behind it. He looked bored and tired, but that was none of Dash's concern.

"Hey" She spoke plainly, sliding over her yellow paper "Rainbow Dash, reporting for duty" She chuckled softly at that.

"Something funny?" He raised an eyebrow "Is war a joke to you?"

Rainbow was taken aback, but shook her head, straightening up "No Sir, I was just..."

"Just? I?" He mocked, shaking his head "Just sign next to your name, take your ID and get your armour"

Dash gritted her teeth, not going to let the stallion get to her. She was a solider now, she had to act tough. Glaring, she signed her name, snatched her card and strutted off. "I wasn't expecting a hero's welcome, but jeez..." She grumbled "No-one even recognises me... I've saved these sorry bastards loads already..." She wasn't looking where she was going, bumping into a white mare "Ugh. Sorry..." She muttered, thinking nothing of it as the two walked their separate ways.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

Cloudsdale

Cloudsdale truly was a city to marvel. The metropolis in the skies, the heartland of the Pegasi race, a national capital to those lucky enough to be born with wings. The Pegasi always were a proud race, where the Earth ponies has their physical strength and the Unicorns had their intellect and magical capabilities, the Pegasi had their speed and determination on their side. Before the formation of Equestria and the unification of the three kinds, those with wings tended to come out on top in battles, whether it be with other ponies or a different race. This wasn't the first time Griffons and Pegasi had clashed, in fact it was recurring scene of the Pre-Equestrain era, the two squabbling over the skies.

Cloudsdale was special for Rainbow Dash, it was her place of birth and hometown for the majority of her life, until she eventually got a job in Ponyville and moved away. As much as Ponyville meant to her, Cloudsdale was always the one that came out on top, that was of course if her friends weren't in the equation. She knew the cloud city like the back of her own wing, taking a relaxed fly to the barracks she'd be assigned.

On arrival, she landed on the cloud construction and trotted in, the large building one of many converted into accommodation and facilities for the overwhelming amount of Pegasi that had joined up - outnumbering Earth and Unicorns by 5:1.

"Rainbow Dash"

The cyan mare turned, a slow grin creeping across her face. "Soarin" She smiled, approaching. He may have been one of her heroes and new colleagues, but there was a time and a place to 'fanfilly'.

"You're supposed to call me Commander now, Recruit" He winked, giving her a small embrace before straightening up "Seems you're in my group"

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Let me explain" He chuckled "Basically, at the top we have Captain Scorcher. He's one step down from the Princesses and is more or less in charge of the Pegasi section of the Royal Defence Force, then under him we have nine Commanders, including myself, Spitfire, Fleetfoot, etcetera. Basically the Woderbolts"

"But I'm a Wonderbolt?" She tilted her head "How come I'm not a Commander"

"Well... You're new. And..." He bit his lip "Are seen to be a little... brash"

She scoffed, but shrugged "I mean, I've saved Equestria a dozen times now, but whatever. Continue"

Even though he massively outranked her, as well as his bigger size and strength the mare still intimidated him slightly "It wasn't up to us, Dash. You know you'd be right up there at the top. Scorcher didn't want it though. Honestly, we all thought Spitfire should've been top"

Rainbow sighed "I'm just here to do my part, politics really isn't my thing"

Soarin nodded "Sure, yeah, well, each of the nine Commanders get's 1/9 of the lower ranks, like a tree structure. You're in mine"

"Ugh, why me" She grinned

"I did try to get you moved" He laughed "I don't want you undermining and criticising me every decision I make"

"Me? Do that?" She laughed.

The pair stifled their laughter though, getting more than a few dodgy looks. It was rather disrespectful to be laughing in a place of war. "You need to get all of your kit from the armoury, then find your sub-barracks and meet your squad"

She nodded and saluted, before both parted their separate ways. Dash wasn't nervous, but it was good to see a friendly and familiar face around here, she didn't really know what to expect from her squad though...

Fully armoured up, wearing the white and gold of Celestia's Royal Defence Force and a large bag tossed over her back, Dash made her way to a small, long building, hundreds similar in a row.

Inside it was rather simple, a row of ten beds either side at the far end, a small toilet cubicle and a meeting area at the front, by the door. The sub-barracks was occupied by fourteen other Pegasi, none wearing armour but talking and joking around. Dash smiled, this didn't seem too bad at all. "Hi guys"

The group turned to look at her, all of them taking a second to examine her "Well, you're no fun. Obviously you're Rainbow Dash" A stallion tossed a bottle of beer in her general direction.

She caught it with ease, raising an eyebrow "Excuse me?"

"We're guessing who everyone is by their name on their ID. Yours really wasn't the hardest"

She chuckled and walked deeper into the long building "I suppose my hair gave it away" She was always in the mood for some fun, but she also wanted to settle in, deep down she knew this war wasn't going to be a joke. Despite this, she chugged half the bottle and walked through the lines, finding her bed. It was nothing extravagant, but it was all she needed. She dumped her bag on the bed and removed her helmet, chucking it next to the bag.

"You're not THE Rainbow Dash, are you?"

Her cocky grin returned, turning to the small crowd "I thought I was the only one"

"Well, says here you're a Lieutenant"

"And what does that mean?"

They all looked around each other, before turning back to her "Well we're all Second Lieutenant, so you're like, our boss"

"Is that so? sarin must have said something." She smiled.

the crowd were quiet, looking at her, a couple tying to hide their drinks.

"Oh come on" She grinned "You think I care? Have fun, don't worry about me" She laughed, beginning to sort out her gear.

Training was long and hard, starting at 6am, breaking for a half hour lunch, then continuing to 6pm. The drills changed day to day, but all were as intense and harsh as the last. The exercises were taken by whole squads, occasionally pitting the groups against each other. Lieutenants instructed their Second's, the best squads getting rewarded for their hard work. Being the competitive pony that Dash was, she pushed her team hard day in, day out, insisting on additional exercises even when the day was over.

Her hard work had paid off, however, her team were by far the best in not only Soarin's group, but in all of them. The work had made a bond like glue between the group, and hadn't gone unnoticed higher up.

It was only Dash's second month, but people could see her going far. She dismissed herself from the table, leaving her group and making her way swiftly to Soarin's quarters. Being a Commander, He'd been given a large room and office in the Commanders block, a large building in the centre of the compound. She'd been summoned, and had put on her spotless armour. She'd spent hours on it last night, ensuring not a single speck of dust was on the metal.

She saluted to the guards on the door of the Commanders building as she passed, finding her way to Soarin's own personal section. She knocked on the door, then entered. Her respect had peaked in her time at the camp, but she was still her usual cocky self with friends. "Commander Soarin" She saluted and walked in.

"Lieutenant Dash" He smiled, gesturing to the chair before him "I have news for you"

She sat, nodding "Uh-huh?"

"It seems your efforts have been beyond our expectations, and believe me, we expected a lot from you" He sounded more serious than usual "Your name even came up at the Commanders meeting this morning"

Dash sat up a little straighter "It did?"

"Mmhm" He nodded "There was talk of a promotion"

"Really!" She grinned

"However" Soarin said plainly "The issue arose that you have not yet actually fought a battle, or even been in a real war situation. And I can assure you it is a different world to training"

Dash sat back down, nodding slowly "Understood"

"The Griffon's are pushing hard and fast from the south, and we need more troops on the Southern Front. You and your squad will join Commander Fleetfoot and her group. Your squad has three days to rest and prepare before you are deployed"

Dash was both excited and terrified. Half of her was itching to get stuck in, and use her training, but the other side screamed at her about the danger of the situation. She nodded her understanding and grinned "The Southern Front will be ours in four days then"

"I have full confidence in you, Rainbow Dash. When you return, a promotion will be waiting for you" He stood, walking around the desk to face her, holding out a hoof.

Dash stood, nodding yet again "Thank you" She took the hoof and grinned "You ought to watch out, I'll be coming for your job next"

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

The Southern Front

The air was dusty and thick as Rainbow Dash trotted through the Pegasi encampment. The combination of the dusty landscape and hundreds of Pegasi taking off and landing every minute had whipped up a thick layer of sand in the air, making visibility hard, sand getting into the mares eyes and throat. She nodded to some guards and entered a large tent, strutting in with intent.

Commander Fleetfoot turned from a map spread across a large table and grinned "Lieutenant Rainbow Dash. I'm glad Soarin agreed to letting me borrow you for a little bit"

She saluted and chuckled "Well, I wanted a promotion so here I am"

"I do need to warn you though, this isn't fun and games" Her face got deadly serious "You may think you're here for a day, kick a griffon in the flank and then return home a war hero. Trust me, thats not going to happen. Kill or be killed, make sure your squad stays alive, and most importantly, this isn't a solo mission, Dash. Stick to the plans"

Dash nodded, licking her teeth and staying serious "I understand Commander. I'm here to do my job and defend Equestria"

"Good. Now, lets talk tactics, shall we? I'm interested to hear your opinion"

Dash smiled and approached the big map with the Commander, but couldn't help but wonder why she was the only other pony in the tent - surely there were other more senior ponies to ask?

Fleetfoot spent an hour talking at Dash about her long drawn out plans, going into the upmost detail. Her plans were very good, but Dash thought she could do better.

"At no point have you taken the dust into account... Its all good and well for you to plan to attack them on the ground, but you wont be able to see who you're attacking. I'd recommend getting Pegasi out there to whip the storm up more, make the dust thicker, then hold back and wait for the Griffons to arrive - they'll go straight into the storm and thats when we surround them, coming in from the skies... They'll never see us coming"

Fleetfoot thought about it for a long moment, nodding slowly "Y'know Dash, they told me you were good, but I wasn't expecting a master tactician" She chuckled "It's an interesting idea. The griffons are predicted to be here at midday tomorrow... I'll send some teams out to get a sandstorm going. Make sure your squad is ready for tomorrow"

Dash saluted and swiftly left, grinning to herself. She hadn't even fought a battle yet and she was outperforming a Commander. She knew she couldn't get too cocky though, she needed the Commanders on her side... She flew to her tent, a small canvas contraption just big enough for her squads roll mats.

"Look alive, I'm back. We need to be up and out at 10am tomorrow, ready to fight. You have tonight to ensure all of your gear is in check, then you'll each check each others. They must be perfect, and I will find out if it isn't as you wont come home tomorrow night" She growled, eyes scanning the group. She was a chilled out leader, getting along well with her group but when she needed to be hard she was the hardest around.

"Yes Boss!" Came a shout from nineteen Pegasi, scrambling about to prepare themselves.

Dash grinned to herself, going to her corner and unsheathing her sword, running her hoof along the blade. It wasn't an attractive tool, but it would do. It just seemed a little clunky to the mare, and she was known for her speed. Now wasn't the time to criticise her tool however, taking a pen and paper from her bag and writing

Dear Twilight and Friends,

The time has come for me to finally get stuck in. I'm currently at the southern front with Fleetfoot after a personal recommendation from Soarin himself, theres even word of a promotion waiting for me when I return. It seems I'll be running this whole thing soon.

I hope all is well in Ponyville and with you lot there, I hope to come and visit when I get some time. Regretfully I don't think I'll have too much of that just yet

from Love Dashie

P.S. Think you could design me a lightweight, quick weapon?

Dash folded the letter and smiled at it, nudging the closest Pegasi "Take this to the postal master, please. When you get a moment"

"Sure thing, Lieutenant" He smiled, trotting quickly out.

An eerie silence held the soon-to-be battlefield, a hard, cracked ground with a thick cloud of sand and dust covering the vast expanse of nothingness. Pegasi had been spread across the surrounding clifftops and at the end of the valley, Dash part of the latter. The idea was to get the Griffons to fly through the valley, then bear down on them in a flaking manoeuvre, led by Fleetfoot but masterminded by Rainbow.

The unmistakable sound of wings could be heard, followed by the expected scout pony landing infront of Dash and Fleetfoot "T-theyre coming" She panted "More than we expected, 5000 at least"

Dash gritted her teeth, trying to control her breathing. She was fucking terrorfied. This was real, not some game. Sure, she'd fought the Changelings and Sombra, but they weren't trying to kill her... Her heart pounded in her chest, glancing at Fleetfoot.

She nodded to the scout "It's no problem. We have the tactical advantage, this'll be over in an hour"

With that, a spear came out of what seemed like nowhere, entering in the back of the scouts skull and working its way through her brain, the sharp end sticking out of her eye socket.

The mare died instantly, but sprayed blood over Dash's face and fell forwards into her hooves, her dead eye staring at nothingness as the limp, cold body was supported by only Dash's strength.

Dash stared blankly down into the dead mares eye the blood warm on her face, tasting it in her mouth and feeling it drying into her fur. Dash was frozen, unable to move or look away as Griffons began swooping, tackling Pegasi from the front line, the sound of armour smashing together mixed with screams of pain and shattering bones echoing off of the canyon walls.

Her ears rang, her blinks slow and ineffective, everything but the mares dead and still eyes blurry. She was quickly snapped out of it, however, a griffon shoulder tackling her into the dust, raising a clawed hand to rip Dash's throat out.

Something clicked in Dash's mind, the mare taking a second to stare up at the Griffon before catching its claw mid slash, twisting it until she was ontop. She had nothing to hoof to quickly use, making the swift decision to bite as hard as she physically could into the Griffons neck, feeing it's windpipe bending and snapping between her ferocious biting. It didnt take long for the Griffon to stop thrashing, Dash panting hard and finally drawing her sword and standing, still very shaky.

All around her ponies and griffons were falling, but Dash had a revival of her hope, seeing floods of Pegasi flowing in from behind the Griffons, the dust storm still thick. It was hard to see a few feet infront of her, let alone across the valley. She stumbled aimlessly forward, swiping at the occasional Griffon and ducking the odd swipe, stumbling deeper and deeper into the dust storm.

The chaos of the battle meant neither side knew exactly what was going on, just focusing on killing the opposite species. Dash continued to fight her way deeper, surprising even herself at how good she was once she got into her swing, but every slash driving another thorn into her mind, and her sanity. The feeling of blood splattering across her fur was fucking with her head, she wanted to be sick, but also laugh...

A gleam caught her eye, turning to look at the source. Stood before her was a big griffon, wearing an intricate headdress. Dash knew nothing about Griffon history or culture, but anything that was that adorned in gold had to be important. If she could take down whomever that was, she was sure she'd make another big step to promotion.

The Griffon noticed Dash approaching, raising an eyebrow and spinning his spear "Really, pony? Very well" He laughed, catching a pegasus out of the air and plucking its wings before crushing it underfoot.

Dash shuddered at the treatment of the pony, but was adamant at taking this... whatever it was... down. She span her sword in her hoof, beckoning him to approach "I'll make this quick for you"

"Hah!" He stepped slowly forwards, grinning "I wont" With that, he lunged at Dash, narrowly clipping her flank, cutting a long cut below her cutie mark.

Dash rolled out of the way, her flank stinging, the adrenaline keeping her going as she parried his neck two lunges, jumping back before suddenly going on the offensive, thrusting herself and using her wings to spin rapidly. She was frighteningly quick, the Griffon unable to avoid her as her sword sank deep into his shoulder.

He yelled, furious at getting hit. He reached down and grabbed Dash, squeezing her in one big claw around her barrel. He lifted the small mare up, holding her infront of his face as he tightened his grip, intent on squeezing the life out of her.

Dash could feel her ribs bending, threatening to shatter as his grip tightened, squirming wildly, finding no release.

He grinned, staring into her eyes "Valiant effort, pony, but not goo-" He blinked, tilting his head. His cocky grin faded, blood beginning to flow from his mouth, his grip weakening before falling forwards, dead.

Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow "What did I say about not going off on your own, Lieutenant! You've got balls to take on the biggest fucker here, though!" The Commander pulled her sword from the dead Griffon. She looked around, seeing Griffons turning tail and retreating, Peagsi chasing them down and taking them out of the sky as the retreated. "Cut off its head and bring it to the camp. Make sure his... jewellery... is on his head when you present your kill to me later, hmm?" She winked, darting off.

Dash didn't know why Fleetfoot had told her to do so, but she didn't argue, getting to work at sawing away at the cold Griffons neck.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

Little Dashies first battle! Whooo :rainbowdetermined2:

High Flier

Tears fell down Rainbow's cheeks, the mare not bothering to try to stop them, she knew she couldn't anyway. She'd found herself a quiet corner away from the recovering encampment and broken down into floods of tears, the warm salty drops flowing down her cheeks and onto the floor. Twilight was right, when wasn't she? Dash had bitten off way more than she could chew and had almost paid the ultimate price for it - her life.

She thought of what she wouldn't give just to be back in that old, boring library with the Princess, safe and happy, but every time she closed her eyes the sight of the dying scout in her hooves can flowing back, the desperate last breaths and mangled flesh of the pony that knew she wasn't going to make it home to whomever was waiting for her there.

Dash sniffled and rubbed her eyes, blinking long and hard, trying her best to compose herself. She couldn't just leave the army now, not anymore. There were only two ways of her getting out now, one being winning the war, the other... Well she didn't really want to think about that option. She slowly got to her hooves, brushing the dust off of her armour, flank and tail and taking a few long, relaxing breaths. Her mind quickly wandered to why Fleetfoot had told her to claim the kill for the big Griffon, despite Fleetfoot's solo effort on the giant and saving Dash's life.

She knew she owed a lot to the Commander, taking a slow walk through the encampment towards her tent. She passed Pegasi drinking and chuckling, whilst others were tending to wounds or mourning friends and comrades. It only took the mare a matter of minutes to arrive at Fleetfoot's personal tent, stopping before the guards on the door.

"What is your business here?" One of the two large stallions questioned, looking down at the smaller mare. "The Commander is busy"

"I know, I just needed to say thank you..."

The other snickered "Well why don't you call her PA and make an appointment?"

Dash chuckled softly, licking her teeth "Very funny guys, now can I come through please?"

"I told you. She's busy..." He leaned closer to see her rank and sneered "Lieutenant"

Dash was starting to lose her patience with the lack of respect they were showing her. Sure, she wasn't a Commander, but she wasn't exactly being rude or unreasonable. "Do you have any idea who I am?"

"Lemme guess" He grinned "Killed a griffon and now think you're the toughest in the army, huh?"

"Rainbow Dash, actually" She grumbled, stepping closer to the stallion until their muzzles almost touched "THE Rainbow Dash, saviour of Equestria about a dozen times, Wonderbolt, personal friends of the Princesses... Do I need to continue?"

He pushed his muzzle against hers, noses pressing together and using the strength in his neck to push her head back "Well here you're nothing but a fucking Lieutenant, got it? I couldn't give a fuck what you've done"

She grunted, pulling her head back a little bit, only to drive her forehead hard into his nose, presumably breaking it from the brutal crack and stream of blood, then in one movement bucking out hard, connecting with the other guards temple and sending him sprawling. Dash was shaking with anger, leaning down to the guards ear "I'm coming for you, one day, no matter how long it takes. You'll be begging me for mercy and I'll ask what you've done in your life" She hissed, ignoring the crowd around the scene and marching into the tent.

Dash froze as she got deeper inside, however. It turned out the Commander was just a little busy. Fleetfoot stood around a map of Equestria with Captain Scorcher, Commander Spitfire and Commander Soarin, all four turning to look at the new arrival. Dash gulped, slowly backing away "N-nows a bad time, I guess..."

Fleetfoot shook her head "No, now is fine. Perhaps you can explain what those noises were about outside?" She pointed to the end of the table, all four others staring her down as she approached the spot.

"Um..." She chuckled, running a hoof through her mane "Well, you see..." She let out another nervous chuckle, looking across the table and seeing the hard looks she was getting, giving Soarin a 'gimme a little help' look.

"Well?" Spitfire frowned, raising an eyebrow. She was wearing her armour, her helmet resting on the table. The three Commanders armour was very exquisite, similar to Dash's in design, but due to their rank their design and patterns were much more extravagant.

She sighed and nodded "Well I came to see Commander Fleetfoot to thank her for well..." She trailed off as she saw the mare giving her a hard look, slowly shaking her head. "For giving me the chance to fight for Equestria!" She lied, getting a small nod from the Commander. "But the guards on the door were getting a little rude, so I put them in their place"

"Subordination, Lieutenant" Scorcher finally spoke, looking down his nose at the mare "This is a tent. The walls aren't exactly soundproof"

"I didn't know the Commander was so occupied, Sir" She gulped "I presumed they were picking on me for a bit of fun"

"You were being made fun of so you attacked and harmed superiors?" He frowned, raising an eyebrow.

Soarin finally spoke up, tired of Scorcher making Dash squirm "She's high on adrenaline after fighting her first fight, and an important one at that. Commander Fleetfoot even confirmed that the mare before you killed a Griffon High Lord"

"Well, I cannot-"

Spitfire lifted a hoof and silenced Scorcher, butting in. Dash was surprised at that, but didn't speak up "I have already discussed with the other Commanders, we are all in favour or rewarding Lieutenant Dash in the proper way. Even if you refused our decision is final, it is nine to one. Now you can either be a respectful and proper leader of your army and congratulate your solider, or you can leave now and we will see you back in Cloudsdale after the two Commanders and I have finished overseeing the clean up of this encampment"

Scorcher gritted his teeth, walking toward the door "Congratulations, Lieutenant" He grumbled, before flying away.

The room fell into silence for a long minute, before Spitfire spoke again "Dash. It's been a while, stay with the Commanders and I for this evenings celebration, will you?"

Dash straightened up a little, smiling but sighing, shaking her head "It would be a privilege, it truly would. But I feel my squad needs me more than you do tonight. Not all of us were fortunate enough to make it back, and I feel I need to be there with them"

Spitfire nodded, smiling "Exactly what I wanted to hear. Rainbow Dash, it is with pride that I offer you the role of Colonel" She beamed "The Commanders have decided that this role would suit you well, skipping straight past several other ranks. Not only have you displayed the ability to train a group to perfection, you have also displayed compassion and fighting ability. Commander Fleetfoot was extremely pleased with your tactical suggestions too"

Dash bit her lip, looking between the three Commanders. They all seemed pretty serious, yet congratulatory "You're not joking..." She muttered, saluting "It would be an honour, Commander" She grinned wide.

"Your post will begin on your return to Cloudsdale, where you will fin your new quarters, role and of course armour. You're also saying in Soarin's lot for now. I suggest you take whatever time you need with your squad now, but dont forget to drop by every now and then to see us" She smiled, dismissing the other two Commanders.

Dash watched them go, standing alone with Spitfire. It was obvious that despite the shared the same rank, Spitfire was very much in charge of the other Commander, even Captain Scorcher. "Can I ask you a question, please, Commander?"

Spitfire simply nodded

"Why does Captain Scorcher hate me? Did I sleep with his daughter or something?"

She chuckled softly, shaking her head but remaining serious "Scorcher, plainly, is a cunt" She shrugged "He has no idea what he's doing, but for some reason he was given the role of Captain and gets to lead our army. And when I say lead, I mean from the back. The very back."

"He hasn't fought yet?"

"No. Celestia put him where he is an he's determined to stay there. The reason you weren't approached as a Commander from the very beginning is because you were so new to the 'Bolts, and Scorcher fought hard to make sure you weren't there. He said from past experience you're too... Brash. A hothead. He got it into Celestia's head that you were too valuable to Twilight and the Elements too"

Dash sighed, obviously annoyed. "Thanks for the help, I guess. I'm with the others, you should be Captain. You're the second best flier in Equestria and a proven leader"

"Second?"

Dash chuckled and blushed "Sorry... Habit..." Dash liked Spitfire, before the war they were quite close from being together for sustained periods of time in the Wonderbolts, the flawless teamwork and wordless connection whilst in flight they'd developed had led to some outstanding performances. Both post and pre the put break of the war she was quite... well... scared of Spitfire, the way she commanded with an iron hoof and took no rubbish, known for snapping at a pony at any moment for any little thing.

"I'll be keeping a close eye on your progress, Dash. When a Commander spot opens up you'd better be ready" She said, walking out of the tent, leaving Dash all alone

"Yes Ma'am..." She muttered, holding back a cheer.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

The Commander, The Colonel and The Princess

Dash and Soarin had become very close in the past months, Soarin may have been Dash's superior, but he was also someone to look up to and receive friendly advice from whenever Dash needed it. The effects of the Southern Front continued to haunt Dash's dreams but she wouldn't admit that weakness to even Soarin.

The pair strode through Canterlot Castle side by side, Soarin had personally requested Dash as his solo guard whilst she wasn't needed elsewhere. She went everywhere with him, watching, learning... And listening. Listening to the whispers between Commanders, the behind closed door deals and the dirty secrets of the state.

On the outside, she acted like a good guard - saluting her superiors, keeping a straight face and dealing with the annoying anti-war protestors that constantly tried to tackle Soarin, but on the inside? She locked every piece of information away into her head. Some of the things she heard had troubled her. Rumours of Griffon work camps, plans from her own side to commit war crimes and the most intricate details of every single plan...

At present, however, she was responsible for the escorting of Commander Soarin to his extremely important meeting with the other Commanders, Scorcer and the Princesses. She was excited, she'd heard Twilight might be there. She hadn't seen or heard from Twilight since the day she had left Ponyville - she was sure Twi had her reasons, so she wasn't going to stress too much about it.

Soarin sensed Dash's excitement, grinning "I haven't seen you bound like that since day one of the 'Bolts, Dashie" He chuckled "But remember, you're not with your elements anymore, the ponies in that room aren't your friends, but your superiors and Princesses, understand?"

She nodded, gritting her teeth at him calling her Dashie "Yes, Sir" She muttered, repositioning her already perfect helmet. "But I'm gunna see Twilight afterwards..."

Soarin chuckled and stepped in, flanked by Dash. What once was the long, exquisite throne room had become a large meeting room with the thrones remaining at the end of the well lit hall, the stained glass windows painting the long oval shaped table in colourful light. The table was populated with armoured ponies, Captain Scorcher towards the head, next to three intricately designed thrones, Commander Spitfire next to him, an empty chair for Soarin then the other Commanders. Opposite them were five of each Unicorns and Earth Ponies, each of the Commanders had one guard standing next to their chair, Dash taking her place alongside Soarin and next to Spitfire.

Before long, the room was silenced and the four Princesses arrived, everyone standing and bowing, before retaking their seats. Cadence, Luna and Celestia sat at the head, Twilight having to walk the length of the table to the other end, far away from the most important ponies at the head of the table. Dash watched her take the long walk, wondering if Twilight had even noticed her.

It was the first time since the beginning of the war that all of the Commanders, Captains and Princesses had been in the same room. Princess Celestia cleared her throat, looking across the table of Equestria's most important leaders "Thank you all for coming. First let us congratulate Colonel Dash on her outstanding tactical genius on the Southern Front"

Dash froze and gulped, blinking at the Princess, stunned into silence. She didn't really want the attention, catching a glimpse of Scorcher's snarl in her direction. "Um... Thank you ma'am... But I can't take any credit, really... It was Commander Fleetfoot and the brave effort of her Pegasi... I really don't think you can highlight one small effort when everyone is doing their absolute best for Equestria"

"Spoken like a leader" Spitfire grinned, nodding at Dash, making her blush softly.

Celestia smiled at Dash's response, before continuing with the long meeting. Every topic imaginable came up, the group discussing topics from the defence of Canterlot to ensuring irrigation remained sufficient to secure a constant food supply. Dash stood to attention for the whole three hour meeting, even the Princesses looking bored and fed up of the gathering towards the end.

"Thank you everyone" Luna smiled "I hope you enjoy your afternoon in Canterlot before returning to your respective regions"

With that, the ponies around the table began to get up and shuffle towards the door, Dash eyeing Twilight all the way.

"Go on then"

"What?" Dash muttered

"Go see her Dash. Just be in my room by six" Soarin chuckled, walking off with Spitfire. As long as he was with her he really didn't need Dash at his side.

"Thank you!" She yelled, but was already just a rainbow streak in the air, easily catching the tired looking Princess as she followed the other Royals out a back door. "Twilight!" She smiled wide "How are you? Whats up? How's everyone?"

Twilight seemed startled, just the two of them in the corridor as the other Princesses carried on without her "Oh! Dashie!" She smiled wide, hugging her friend tight "Am I glad to see you..."

"Whats up?" Dash frowned, sensing something was wrong. Twilight looked different, tired. Frustrated.

"Oh, you don't wanna hear about me" She laughed "How are you?" She looked over the mare, noticing a few new scratches and scars "I thought you weren't going to get hit?"

"Heh..." She rubbed the back of her neck "War isn't quite what I expected... I'm only here for this meeting, then I'm back to Cloudsdale. Word is the Griffons are planning a guerrilla attack on a town somewhere."

Twilight began to lead Dash towards her quarters as they talked "Those poor ponies..." She sighed.

"Indeed" Dash muttered "But I won't let anything happen, It's my job"

Twilight chuckled "I've been hearing a lot about you Dash. Princess Celestia, even, sings your praises. I don't know what you're doing, but you're doing something right"

"Thanks..." She chuckled "But enough about me! I wanna hear about our friends!" She smiled, following Twi into her room and closing the door.

There was something off about Twilight, Dash could tell. After she'd left, she had gone straight back to Soarin and had spent some time with him, Spitfire and Fleetfoot drinking and having fun. It was rare she got to have fun anymore, her mind too busy with fighting, survival and personal development. Not only was she having fun, but she was listening again... and making powerful allies. A drunk Commander was a dangerous one, and Dash had three of them under her hoof. The three would happily blab away through the night, all the while Rainbow took in every word and locked it away. She knew it would be useful at somepoint.

"You're gunna love this one, Dashie~" Spitfire grinned. They knew calling her that pissed her off, it made her sound 'cute'. "I've managed to get Shithead Scorcher onto the frontline" She laughed "And you're gunna be there with him"

"Brilliant..." Dash muttered, ling on her back on the bed and staring at the ceiling.

"We want you to kill him, Rainbow Dash" Fleetfoot hissed "Do it for us... Then Spitfire can become Captain, and that'll leave a Commander spot free"

Dash sat up, looking between all three "You can't be serious?" The looks on their faces said otherwise "Thats treason! If I kill him, thats serious"

"Rainbow Dash" Spitfire sat up, opposite Dash "He hates your guts. He'll have you gone in no time if you don't do this..."

"No-one will know, he'll just be another body on the battlefield"

"Do whats best, Dash" Soarin glared. Dash was most surprised at his involvement.

Dash clenched her teeth, looking between the three. They were more dangerous than she thought... If they had the power to wipe Scorcher off the table, she was nothing to them. All they'd have to do was get some drone to get one in her back, or just deploy her enough times until the order of probability too effect.

"Fuck it" Dash grinned "I never liked the guy anyway" She stuck her hoof out.

The other three grinned and bumped it "We knew we could count on you Dash. Do this for us, and we'll reward you handsomely, Commander Rainbow Dash"

She couldn't help but grin at that "So, where am I headed?"

"Ponyville"

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

Ponyville

Dash,

Although I do not agree with this bloodshed, I want you to be safe. I hope the contents of the present are what you were hoping for.

Twilight

Rainbow Dash span the small card in her hooves, looking down at the long rectangular box. It was plain, not extravagant at all. Dash slowly lifted the lid of the box away, gasping at the contents. Inside lay two long, intricate silver blades decorated with Dash's cutie mark up the length of the blade. The metal was so shiny Dash could see her face clearly in them, lifting the blade closer to her muzzle. She chuckled softly to herself, studying the leather cuff that connected the blade to her hoof, snaking its way up her leg and secured tightly.

Twilight had really put a lot of effort into the devices, producing exactly what Dash had hoped for. She didn't have time to think, however, she had a job to do. Spitfire wanted to see her before she was deployed to Ponyville, and Dash really didn't want to do either. Dash strapped the blades to her hooves, pulled on her helmet and trotted quickly to Spitfires office, letting herself in "Commander"

"Dash" Spitfire gestured to the chair opposite her, a hard look on her face "Sit"

Dash wanted to protest, but held her tongue as she took the seat.

"Listen to me carefully, Rainbow Dash. You have a choice today, and let me tell you this. You will pick a side. And that side will dictate how the rest of your career goes. I assure you that if you choose to stick by me and the other Commanders there will be nothing that will stand in your way. But if you choose to continue on the path you're on, there isn't much I can do for you"

Dash frowned at her Commander, sitting up "And what path is that? You think I like Scorcher? He's been nothing but a cunt to me for no reason at all. You know me Spitfire, drop all this military bullshit and talk to me like the mare I am" She hissed

"Well then" Spitfire nodded "Prove to me that you're still the same Rainbow Dash that I know. You always do whats best for Equestria, so do it again" She nodded, sliding a dagger across the table "Make sure Scorcher is nothing but another casualty of war. When you return, I will be in charge and you're going to be right there with me. You're one of us again Dash, and you know what that means."

Dash stood and nodded "Yes I do, Spitfire" She saluted and swiftly left.

A thick mist covered the town of Ponyville, rain beating down onto the helmets of the Pegasi that stood in the town, shuffling and shaking from the cold. Dash could faintly make out the end of the street, a few lone, scared ponies running for cover. It sent a shiver down her spine that there were still ponies here, Dash couldn't help but fear for her friends if they hadn't been quick enough to retreat. Rainbow stepped up alongside Scorcher, not turning to look at him "Where are the rest? The Unicorns, Earth Ponies?"

Captain Scorcher turned and looked at the mare, as if it were wrong for her to even speak to him "Get back in line, Colonel" He hissed, turning back to face the empty street.

It was Dash's turn to face her rival "They're not coming, are they? What have you done..."

"This is a war, Rainbow Dash. Sacrifices must be made"

She was about to drive her dagger into his heart, until the sound of hundreds of pairs of wings broke the silence, dead ahead and from above.

"Good luck Rainbow Dash" Scorcher grinned, kicking her hard in the ribs before turning tail and flying off, followed by a few high ranking Pegasi.

Dash lay in the mud, watching the Captain fly away whilst the sound of wings drew ever closer. Now wasn't the time to give up, the change of events only making the fire inside Dash burn brighter and harsher. She stood, her body caked in mud as she turned to face the group of Pegasi that remained "Ready up!" She roared "We are Pegasi! We do not fall!"

The crowd roared, throwing their swords up into the air.

"We all joined up to protect the ponies of Equestria, now lets protect them!" She grinned as she flicked her wrists, deploying her blades and gritting her teeth, turning and flying towards the sound of wings.

Behind her, Dash could hear the sound of armour on armour, mixed with the cries of dying ponies and griffons. The thick mud ran red with the blood of the dead, ponies beginning to stack up on the wet and cold ground. Dash landed, looking around. Everywhere she looked, Pegasi were getting massacred in their dozens, griffons outnumbering them 4 to 1 and making their numbers count, attacking in groups and overwhelming the poor defenders.

It wasn't long before Rainbow Dash was the only pony left standing, the mare panting as the griffons began to surround her.

"Give up, Rainbow Dash" A familiar voice muttered, stepping out from the crowd of grinning ad snarling griffons. Gilda broke through the circle, the two staring face to face.

Dash gritted her teeth. She knew it was a lost cause, but she'd never just give up and surrender, not with a breath left in her body. "Gilda" She hissed, stepping slowly closer "I should have expected as much from you"

"You're a fool, Dash. You always did act too big for your boots, and look where its got you" She chuckled, gesturing to the town of dead ponies.

"I'm going to-" Dash was cut off, words turning to a scream as a spear was buried into her flank, sending her into a pile on the floor. The griffons were on her quickly, pushing her head into a puddle of blood and wet mud. Dash squirmed desperately as her lungs began to flood with the blood of her comrades. Her vision went blurry, darkness beginning to creep into her peripheral vision as bright spots assaulted her view. Her thrashing slowed, weakened by the lack of air until she finally gave in and passed out.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

Repetitive Nothingness

Rainbow Dash rubbed soot out of her mane, her three standing legs quivering under her weight without the full support of her four limbs. Her Rainbow mane and tail, as well as her cyan fur were covered in a layer of thick black coal dust, the consequences of being forced to work in a coal mine.

Dash had never been one for manual labour, she'd watched Applejack do it in the past and it always seemed so... Energy consuming. The way the orange mare went about, day to day from sunrise to sunset working away had made Dash watching from a cloud yawn, she'd never imagined she would actually have to do it some day... Stupid her for getting captured.

"Work, cunt!" was followed by a harsh lash from a whip up Dash's back, leaving a nasty gash alongside all of the others she'd earned from disobeying her slavers.

Dash cried out but managed to stay on her feet, gritting her black teeth "Fuck you" She spat. If it wasnt for the chains on her hooves connected to a ring in the ground she would've shown the griffon who was the cunt. She flinched and yelled as another gash was torn up her chest, weaving its way around her neck.

"Valiant. But do you really think you're special?" He grinned, wrapping his claw through Dash's mane and forcing her head to look up at him, towering over the pegasus "You'd be just another body in a ditch if I decided thats what I want" He glared down at her, before spitting in her eye and throwing her to the ground "Congratulations, slut. Your quota's just doubled. Better get mining" He laughed, strutting off down the line of depressed and dying pegasi in the poorly lit mine shaft.

She watched him go, before picking up her pickaxe. She'd been here a week now and she'd already had enough of it. She knew of she didn't do anything quickly, she'd end up starved or killed in the camp. She aimed her hits at her chains, driving the pick into the ring holding the chains on her legs to the ground.

If any of the other Pegasi noticed, they didn't pay attention. The griffons were very graphic when it came to what would happen to ponies that tried to escape. It was better to keep their head down and fill their quota and hope for a hot meal tonight.

Hit after hit struck the chain, cracking and eventually breaking the metal. Dash looked left, then right. It was only her and a two other Pegasi in the dimly lit tunnel. Rainbow crouched low, sneaking through the tunnel and hugging the wall. For once she was thankful for the soot and darkness of her workplace, giving her cover and making her near invisible to the untrained eye. She forced the stinging pain in her cuts out of her mind, the thought of it getting infected eating away at her sanity, she knew the soot and bacteria in the camp would eventually get her if she didn't do anything, the amount of Pegasi that had already died in their 'beds' around her was phenomenal, and she'd only been there a week.

The Pegasi she snuck past only gave her one look - one of sorrow, a long, broken stare, their white eyes the only thing that stood out from their dark black fur. They'd seen this all before. A bold pony thought they could escape, only to be stopped and brutally beaten to death - if they were lucky.

Dash ignored them, dragging her small pickaxe behind her as she limped down the tunnels. Before long she'd caught up to her guard, the big griffon tormenting a mare, the bound Pegasi helpless to his invasive touch and claws wandering over her most personal areas. She squealed and squirmed, tears flowing from her eyes, only making his grin widen "Oh shut up, whore"

There was something about the whole scene that made Dash angrier than before. She'd seen the griffons tear her comrades apart, they'd beaten her and thrown her in this hell hole, as well as countless other Pegasi to hit coal until their imminent deaths. But the sight of a mare being handled so roughly and having her decency, her pride and personal areas so rashly taken ignited a spark inside her. She didnt hesitate, picking up speed until she was practically running at the griffon, driving the end of her pick into the top of his skull, sending him into a pile across the floor, skull splattered and in pieces up the walls and covering the floor.

"Are you ok?" Dash asked sympathetically to the mare, helping her back to all four hooves, holding her shoulders to stop her shaking "You're safe now, kinda..." She looked around the mine, not so sure herself.

"T-t-thank you..." She tilted her head to the side as Dash brushed some blood off of her cheek, finally lowering her tail "Y-you shouldn't have done that though"

Dash looked down at the headless corpse "He'll be fine. They'll stick him in the infirmary for a week and then he'll be back to full fitness" She smiled softly "Keep your head down, I'm getting out of here then bringing the whole god damn army back, ok?"

She nodded slowly, wandering aimlessly off down the mine.

Dash watched her go. It was obvious she was in shock, and as sorry as she felt for the mare, she didn't have the time to set up her therapy office and give her a session. She snuck her way further towards the entrance, taking out guards as she went. It would have been nice to get some of the other Pegasi to mount an uprising, but they all seemed to look away and shrink whenever they made eye contact. She didn't care, at least she could be more stealthy this way.

Arriving at a small access mouth of the mine she crept lower, counting four guards at the opening. This was the easiest way out, but four guards was pushing it, even for Dash... But what other option did she have? She took a deep breath, sliding out of the mine and swinging her pickaxe at the head of the first guard, killing him instantly. This alerted the other three, who quickly had their swords at the ready.

"Stop right there, mare!" One shouted, the three beginning to circle the small Pegasi.

Dash slowly looked around the three, it seemed they were alone... Three on one was much better than the whole guard arriving to take her down at least. She span, swinging her pick with all of her strength, of which she had little left after the week of hard labour and starvation.

The griffons grinned and began to close in, chuckling "Would you look at that... The little mare got lost... Lets give her a claw. Come here, filly. Let the nice griffons take you home"

She gritted her teeth, her legs shaking. Her cuts were burning with pain and she didnt know for how much longer she could stand, let alone fight. She desperately swung her pickaxe, glancing one griffon as the other two pounced on her, pinning her down and cuffing her.

He sighed "Why do they always try to escape? Guess I'll take her back..."

Another grinned. "Nah... We'll take her to the bone doctor. But after we have a little fun" He grinned, lightly lifting her tail.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

The Bone Doctor

Author's Note

*WARNING*

This chapter is a bit gruesome, so if you don't like gore, torture etc. then please do not read it!

As always, thank you for reading!

The Bone Doctor

A bead of sweat trickled down Rainbow Dash's brow, following the contours of her face before dripping off her chin and onto the ground. She watched it fall, straining her neck, chest rising and falling slowly. The mare had ended up strapped down to a metal table, her limbs stretched out away from her body and held there with thick leather straps, not allowing Rainbow any movement but a few turns of the head.

"What an interesting specimen you are..." A small, quiet voice came from behind the upright table, before a small, female griffon wearing a pair of thick, round glasses and a blood splattered lab coat creeps from behind the restrained mare, getting rather close to Dash's face. "I can't wait to see whats inside" She muttered, a claw pressing just next to Dash's eye and running back behind her ear.

"Don't touch me" Dash growled, trying to turn her head away. "Don't even fucking look at me"

The griffon took a step back, tilting her head and adjusting her glasses. She stared in silence for a moment, before taking a notebook from her pocket and taking a few notes "Your brain... I can't wait to see it" She chuckled softly, puling a metallic tray of scalpels and saws on wheels next to the table "No matter how small it may be..."

"What did you just say?" Dash growled, flexing "Let me down and I'll show you who's got a small brain" Dash was very weak after her long week, but she was certain the little griffon had never been in a fight in her life.

She shook her head "No... It is obvious that you, a solider, could be me. That is why I have you restrained... For you see, brains do conquer brawn, as you will imminently discover" She lifted a scalpel, pressing it against Dash's cheek "Do you know what I'm called?"

Dash gritted her teeth, looking down at the cold metal pressing against her face "W-what do they call you...?"

"Well that depends who you ask..." She grinned, pressing down with the blade and slowly dragging it down Dash's cheek, parting the skin as blood quickly began to ooze out "You see, it seems that, like you, I have built quite the reputation for myself... My kind like to call me The Bone Doctor, but I'm not too fond of that... I prefer what you lot call me." She pressed a little deeper and continued her slow cut, closer and closer to Dash's eye. "The Wing Collector..." She revelled in her nickname for a moment, finally taking the scalpel away from Dash and letting the blood flow down her face.

Dash screamed, tensing against the straps, squirming and thrashing as much as they would allow her as the griffon tore away at her flesh. Her screams fell on deaf ears, however, the blade only digging deeper. Dash couldn't focus on the griffons words, only her actions as her brain screamed at her to fight off whatever to was that was doing it to her.

"Not so cocky now, huh?" She chuckled, pushing two claws into the gash and spreading them, further tearing her skin "But you're just like all of the others I have in here... So tough, so arrogant... It's commendable, if they didn't scream so much..." She sighed, jabbing the scalpel into Dash's thigh and twisting.

Dash panted, before going into a fresh wave of screaming as The Bone Doctor continued her fun. She had always imagined torture, and had seen herself not telling anything and keeping a hard face through it all, even quipping back and forth with the torturers. Dash was quickly learning through her military career that reality was a lot different to fantasy. "P-please!" She crumbled "Stop! Please!" She screamed, twitching in her cuffs.

"Oh, Rainbow Dash. When I read about you I expected so much more" She chuckled, leaving the scalpel buried in her leg and retrieving a file from a desk. It looked quite important, and rather thick file with the picture that was taken of Dash when she arrived at the camp. "You're rather... Interesting" She muttered, flicking through the pages and occasionally flicking her eyes up to look at her captive.

Dash gritted her teeth and groaned, feeling blood oozing from her two cuts, her eyes heavy. "What could you know about me...?"

The griffon grinned "Everything" She placed the file down "Of course, your early work was all rather public, quite the hero, Miss Dash, you and your friends. I can't wait to meet them"

The statement had its desired intention, winding Dash up further. The mare thrashed and yelled, screaming obscenities at the 'surgeon' "You won't ever touch them!"

The Bone Doctor let a small grin slip across her beak "But thats where it stopped being easy. There was no grotesque beast attacking Equestria and you slipped away for a while. Perhaps this is why we are enemies?" She stroked her claw from Dash's ear to her chin, lifting it to force eye contact "We just love to watch you dance, Rainbow Dash" Her grip tightened, digging her sharp claws into her flesh "So dance for me, Rainbow Dash"

"I don't dance" She growled "I was never very good"

The griffon raised an eyebrow "How very uncharacteristic of you, admitting a fault. But don't worry, Rainbow Dash, I won't make you dance. I much prefer hearing you scream, like music to my ears"

"I much prefer the work of Rara" Dash muttered, staring the griffon down.

"There it is! The Dash I read about. That means my work is not yet done. One must first break a toy before scrapping it, no?" She laughed, taking a small, metallic ball rom the table "I don't like to do this... it's rather... brutish... I much prefer the intricate cuts. Thankfully I have brutish guards to do the more... ugh... rough jobs" She patted Dash's cheek and whistled.

In strode Gilda, armoured but for her helmet "Yes? What is it...?" She glared at the 'doctor', before finally noticing Dash "Oh, I see"

The Bone Doctor rearranged her glasses and looked up at the much bigger griffon, pulling the scalpel from Dash's legs and wiping it on Gilda's neck feathers slowly "That tone must change as long as you intend to stay off of my operating table, drone"

Gilda gulped turning her head away to try to avoid the bad scraping across her neck, sweating as it glided across her trachea. "Understood..."

"Do not try and act tough before your friend, you are only making a fool of yourself... She is already a dead mare. You, however, may still live a few more weeks"

"Still just a hoofsoilder, huh?" Dash grinned, looking over at Gilda "You never did have it in you to lead..."

"Oh Rainbow Dash, I do love your tongue. That shall be the last thing I take from you I think. Other than your life of course" She chuckled, handing the metal ball to Gilda "I'm sure a brute like you knows what to do with this"

Gilda sighed and nodded, taking it and glaring at Dash, grabbing her cheeks and forcing her mouth open "And you never knew when to shut your big mouth. Maybe this will help?" She clenched her claws into a fist, hitting her cheek with as much ferocity as she could muster.

The hit sent the metal ball in Dash's mouth from one side to the other, bouncing off of her row of teeth and flying back to the other side, smashing the bone and enamel that was unlucky enough to get in the way.

Fortunately for Dash, her head being strapped down so well meant her head movements didn't aid the balls destruction, however it didn't stop the force from Gilda's fist sending it bouncing around her jaw, shattering bones in at least four places. The young mare coughed, spitting the blood covered ball and a few fragments of teeth from her mouth, blood flowing freely down her chin as she hung loosely from her bonds.

"So barbaric" The Bone Doctor sighed, watching the ball roll away "Yet effective. Sometimes I do think about using such methods, but theres no fun."

"I remind you that you were supposed to be getting answers from her" Gilda sighed "Now she can barely talk..."

"Oh, I was, was I?" She muttered, studying Gilda's eyes "I was told a little mare had tried to escape and had killed several camp guards. Then I came back to my lab to find this mare strapped to my table, messy and with male pleasure seeping from her. These are not within my rules, so I shall not work within your rules"

"Do not forget your place. The only reason you're allowed to play your sick little games is with your strategic support. Do you really think a pony of Dash's standing has absolutely nothing to offer?"

"The only thing she has to offer is her body for science. You are dismissed"

Gilda grumbled and nodded, looking at Dash before quickly walking out.

The Bone Doctor sighed, shaking her head "Subordinates. They never listen, do they? Always have the best ideas"

Dash spat some more blood, resting her head against the table "They do if they respect you" Her words were mumbled and slurred from the abuse her mouth had taken, coupled with her tiredness.

"Perhaps that is why your captain left you to die? Too many big ideas" Her claw drifted over Dash's exposed stomach, resting there "The report I read for the battle for Ponyville, your Captain and most of your fellow Pegasi saw the griffon advance and turned tail and left. But you stayed, and fought... dare I say valiantly?"

The mention of her captains name made her blood boil. It was his fault she was here, enduring all of this suffering. She should have just stabbed the bastard in the face before the battle even begun, if she had she might be sitting in the Commander's quarters right now with Captain Spitfire.

"Oh... That's pure hate if I ever saw it..." He hand stroked up her chest, loosely gripping her neck "Tell me about him"

She shook her head "As much as I hate his guts, I hate you lot more"

She snorted "Killing a griffon is nothing special. They're all you kill everyday... Boring, right? But imagine killing him... A pony... But not just anypony... The stallion that has suppressed you since day one! Killing those with power is so satisfying..." Her claws remained around Dash's neck, but her other hand glided softly across her stomach.

"I'm looking forward to killing you"

She sighed and stepped back "You lack ambition. You're obviously an impressive mare, your file only proves such. I've had Commnader's in here with less balls and ability. Why would you be content with being a Colonel? Or even a Commander? You're as oppressed by your Princesses than the Griffons are"

Dash thrashed and squirmed "Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about! Don't act like you're trying to save us from them"

She chuckled softly and shook her head "No, we just want your land. But you wouldn't know that you're oppressed. You've been born into it, even befriended one of them. It's a shame, you're not exactly clever, but you're useful. Think about it. If anyone else held power for 1000 years and made themselves a deity they wouldn't last"

"You're wrong!"

"And the Pegasi? It's such a shame to see what was once an impressive tribe brought to heel... No matter our differences"

Dash stayed silent, breathing slowly. She'd heard mutterings from groups about such, but she wasn't one for sticking her nose in politics. That was Twilight's thing, and it all seemed so... Complicated.

"Think about it, Rainbow Dash. When have you seen a unicorn or dirt pony alongside the Pegasi in a fight? They're using you, they see you as dispensable. The Princesses know the Pegasi are growing too strong..." The griffon stroked Dash's uncut cheek.

Dash gritted her teeth and shook her head "You're wrong... They wouldn't..."

"Oh, but they would. You see, being a deity has its perks" She patted her cheek "Its interesting, you see, most ponies think torture is for answers. No, they're wrong..." She muttered, disappearing behind Dash "For most it is for truths... I see why they do it" The Bone Doctor began playing with Dash's wings, stretching them in their bonds and pulling a feather "But they too are wrong... Torture is really for us to learn. One can learn so much from torture"

"You're sick"

"No... I'm brilliant"

Dash suddenly felt a boiling heat at the base of her wing, feeling and smelling her flesh melt and fur burn at the contact, the source of heat tracing its way around the muscle joining her wing to her back before moving away. The pain was unbearable, her wing spasming in an attempt to get away. Her screams echoed through the small chamber, but no-one coming to her rescue.

"Unless you are an intellect, you wont understand our passion to know more. War is a great time to learn more about ourselves, for you see, prisoners of war are such good patients..." She dropped the hot poker at Dash's hooves, appearing infront of her again "I assure you, both sides in war believe they are the ones in the right, fighting for their freedom, or their honour, but I promise you this. War is for the sole purpose of getting away with things that one would not if they were not at war. We are merely pawns in their game of chess. A promotion only means you play a bigger part, with further to fall"

Dash hung limply from her straps, but through the pain she could sense some truths. Truths she didnt want to hear or believe, but truths nonetheless.

"I may be an enemy to you Rainbow Dash, but I am not the enemy"

"W-why are you telling me this...?"

"It is the job of the educated to educate those that are not" She muttered "It would be unfair of me to send you to the gods without first knowing some truths"

Dash sighed, letting her head droop against the neck cuff "I didn't ask for this... Any of it... I just want to go home, to Ponyville"

"Well, I-"

The ground rumbled, dust falling from the ceiling. The Bone Doctor stumbled, looking around. Another, larger rumble shook the room, an explosion getting closer. She nervously tapped her claws together, sliding a long dagger off of her table and glancing over at Dash. The explosions came closer and closer, the sound of guards running past the door mixed with shouts could be heard in the room.

Dash slowly looked towards her captor, her blade glinting in the light.

She crept closer, shaking her head "no" she muttered over and over, crouching behind the table Dash was strapped to and peering towards the door.

Dash looked down at her "L-let me go... Please... You don't have to kill me... You might still get away if you run now"

She continued to shake her head, slowly standing "n-no... I promised... I want to see inside your head..." She muttered louder, placing the cold metal blade against Dash's head, just above her eyebrows. Another severe explosion just down the corridor sent the griffon stumbling, falling away from the mare.

Voices could be heard down the corridor, coming closer and closer. The Bone Doctor stood, furiously tapping her claws together and pressing her beak into Dash's ear "Remember what I told you... Do not be a piece of the game... Be the player..." She reached down and unstrapped one of Dash's hooves, before slinking off and disappearing behind the mare.

The voices came closer and closer, before the door to the small chamber was blown off its hinges, the sound of hoofs against the cold floor. Dash blinked hard, slipping in and out of consciousness.

"You've seen better days" Came a familiar voice, accompanied by a familiar cocky grin "Come on. It's time to get you home"

Dash allowed a small grin at Spitfire, before throwing up blood and passing out.

Recovery and Responsibility

After liberating the Griffon work camp, Spitfires crew had taken Dash to a specialist hospital in Canterlot where she had undergone treatment for her severe wounds, spending a total of 7 hours in surgery to stop the blood flow and seal the wounds, as well as stabilise her condition and ensure she wasn't going to die in her sleep.

The doctors report had stated that Dash's body and mind had been subject to a lot of stress, the mare briefly slipping into a coma for 5 days as the doctors focused on more vital areas of her recovery, Rainbow Dash eventually being removed from the coma but resorted to weeks of bedrest and recovery with no final date for her to return to the frontline.

However, Dash being Dash, she had insisted on leaving her bed, and when the doctors denied her the privilege she took it anyway, often seen visiting attractions such as coffee shops and the like in town, wrapped in bandages.

Today, she was sat in a rather nice office opposite Shining Armour, sipping a mug of warm tea. It seemed he had summoned her as she was in town and recovering, however the pair had been sat in silence for a while now.

Lazily, the pegasus glanced down into her mug "I have a question. For as long as I've fought, I am yet to see a unicorn or an earth pony amongst the Pegasi... Even at Ponyville, a town founded by the Earth Ponies and shared between all three tribes"

Shining nodded slowly "Mmhm. I assure you they are all playing their part, Dash"

"But how?" She sat up, placing her mug on his desk, groaning a little as she did so.

"Well you've met the Commanders, and they are focused more on the funding and production of the war effort..."

"So" She brought her hooves together and looked Shining dead in the eye, a long, cold look. "Please, answer simply. Are there any non-pegasi currently on the front line?"

Shining squirmed in his seat, not able to hold the mares glare "At this moment in time, they are solely focused on producing supplies, you have to understand a war is not solely fought on the battlefield"

"But the battlefield is where it is won. Now. I shall ask again-"

"You will do well to remember your place, Colonel"

Dash simply nodded, remaining silent for a long minute before smiling "You have my apologies, Captain"

He nodded back "I understand you have had a traumatic experience, and you're looking for answers. No-one wants this war to end as much as I do, Dash"

Dash stood and smiled softly "Give Twilight and Cadence my regards, and thank you, Captain" She smiled and nodded, swiftly turning tail and leaving. She didn't walk back to her bed, instead taking flight and heading straight to Cloudsdale. She ignored the stares and whispers as she marched through to the Commanders barracks, it was obvious to her now that seemingly every single Pegasi knew about her.

Her intent driven march didn't stop until she arrived before Spitfire, planting her forehooves on her desk and glaring down at her.

Spitfire didn't look up, finishing the sentence she was writing before slowly lifting her head to look up at Dash "Rainbow Dash. How are you feeling?"

"It's time to act, Spitfire. No more sitting around and writing fucking letters" The emphasise her point, she swiped the text her Commander was writing off the desk.

"You failed Rainbow Dash. You had one job and you failed. Perhaps our confidence in you is... misplaced."

"I was going to do what you wanted, but the fucking coward was gone before the battle even started. And we both know what happened afterwards"

"As I've told you before, Dash" She stood "If you trust me, and stick with me there will be rewards and if not, consequences. There was no mission planned to liberate that camp, not even after you were sent there, until I personally demanded it" She pushed her hoof into Dash's chest, forcing her to sit as she towered over her "The only reason you are here now is because I see your potential and loyalty, and because I wanted you rescued"

Dash sat in silence, listening to her words. If they were true, then it was a massive deal.

"Trust me, I know exactly what is going on, before it even fucking happens. I fucked up, Scorcher beat me and you almost died. Now we can sit around and lick our wounds, or we can do something about it"

"Thats what I'm here to do! I talked to Captain Shining Armour and there isn't a single non-Pegasi fighting! Look, I've been thinking a lot... What if now is the time for Pegasi to stand up for themselves... To break away..."

"Those are dangerous words, Rainbow Dash" Spitfire hissed "Words that could end us both in a lot of trouble. I didn't take you for an elitist"

"I'm not... Wasn't... Look, I... Some of my closest friends are unicorns and earth ponies, but I am sick of seeing just Pegasi falling for Alicorns. It's their turn"

"I agree, I really do" Spitfire nodded "But there is a time and a place. You need to learn these things. I assure you, one day you will kill Scorcher and marvellous opportunities will present themselves to you. But for now? I refer you back to the time and place aspect"

"Yes Commander..." Dash muttered "I-"

Spitfire lifted a hoof to silence the mare, standing in silence for a long moment before speaking up "I'm going to make you a Commander Dash. We will be working much closer together this way, meaning our plans will flourish much sooner. The other Commanders are under my hoof and Scorcher will have no control, I shall personally take the request to Princess Celestia as soon as you believe you are fit enough again"

Dash stood, her damaged mind trying its best to process the information. It had been one hell of a shit week, but every cloud had a silver lining, even the darkest of storm clouds. "What...? Me, a Commander? But, doesn't there have to be an opening... or..."

"One will arise" Spitfire smirked "I don't care what personal views you now hold, Rainbow, but you will be civil and courteous and not embarrass me. You will bow before the Princesses and salute the flag, we all will. But I assure you, Commander Dash, your time is coming"

Author's Note

Thank you for reading!

However, now I can't get the image of Spitfire singing that "Your time is coming soon" Song to Dash that the Princesses sang to Twilight :rainbowlaugh:

The Ceremony

Rainbow Dash stared at herself in the mirror and sighed, lowering her head. For a mare of such pride and reputation she'd sure let herself get into a mess. Her once unmarked body was now a canvas of scars and bruises, even her face hadn't escaped the fate of her body, a long scar running from her cheek to her eye after her visit to The Bone Doctor, the mare thankful there was no lasting damage done to her sight. She'd been dresses in her formal attire, donning her medals from passed battles, today was the day she would officially be promoted and presented yet another medal by Princess Celestia, this time the Iron Hoof, the most prestigious of all medals, showing sacrifices and courage in the face of doom. She was kinda surprised her and the other elements didn't already have a collection of them, but she was still proud nonetheless, even if the occasion was marred by other thoughts.

Dash didn't lift her head at the sound of someone attempting to sneak up on her, whomever they were weren't as good as they thought they were at stealth, and had definitely picked the wrong pony to try it on. "What do you want?" She muttered "I'm not in the mood"

"Ah, Cmon Dash. When did you get boring?" Soarin grinned, running his hoof along Dash's back and over her mane "You look kinda good. Except that" He jabbed the scar on her face.

Dash gritted her teeth under his hoof, not wanting to think back to the last time a male had touched her in such a way, growling at the unceremonious way he jabbed her face "And you still look like a rat" She grinned, pushing him hard "Now fuck off"

He fell back onto his haunches, rubbing his chest "I could... Or I could go to this thing with you" He winked "Seen as you're supposed to take someone and you're going alone~"

Dash raised her eyebrow, looking down at the stallion "Excuse me...?"

He stood, brushed himself off and chuckled "Spitfire said no, so I thought you'd do. You're not really the sort to seek a partner, and the stallions are terrified of you, so here I am!"

She rolled her eyes "Perhaps you should take notes from your fellow sex" She grumbled, attaching her last medal to her breast and admiring herself "And anyway. You do not appeal to me in any way at all"

"Well thats rude" He grinned, circling her "But Spitfire ordered you to be respectful and obey the rules... So I'm taking you"

"If it is that important to Celestia that I must be forced into taking a partner, and Spitfire wants to keep me in check I'll just go with her, or failing that Twilight" She grumbled, whipping the stallion with her tail "Go pester Fleetfoot"

He shrugged and huffed "Come on... What can I do to make you come?"

"Become a mare?" She laughed, turning and walking from the room in a swift gallop. She was trying to get away from him, his advances were starting to piss her off and she really didn't want to punch a superior...

"We have the same views Dash. I'll help them flourish" He called after her.

She stopped, sighing and turning "Fine. But we are only going together because I need someone. If you so much as touch me I swear on Commander Hurricane's grave...."

Soarin grinned and stroked her scar "This is going to be fun..."

It was midday by the time the two arrived at the castle, the majority of the important ponies already there and talking with one another. Dash kept her eye out for Spitfire, but didnt notice her anywhere yet. Despite this, she kept to her word to remain respectful and civil no matter how much it infuriated her the way the noble unicorns went about eating and laughing, the war obviously not having an effect on their wealth and status.

She sat herself down out of the way and sipped a glass of water, eyes scanning the room.

"Well, this is boring. I thought being with you was going to be fun..." Soarin sighed, flopping down next to her.

"I'm sorry that you aren't having a good time. Want me to go ask Celestia to mix it up a little?" She rolled her eyes and shook her head "Idiot..."

"Go for it. Walk up to Celestia herself and tell her its your party and you want it livened up a little" He laughed, brushing his hoof through Dash's mane teasingly.

She raised and eyebrow before standing with intent, marching her way through the crowd towards the Princess. The small mare had to physically force her way to the deity. "Princess Celestia" Dash grumbled, slowly bowing "Can we please get on with the ceremony? I don't feel this is right, dining and partying whilst we're in such a... situation..."

Spitfire saw Dash march over to the Princess, gritting her teeth and herself marching over, yanking Dash by the mane "What did you do? What did you say?"

"Commander Spitfire, please" Celestia frowned at the Commander "That is unnecessary. The soon to be Commander Dash was only highlighting the unnecessary feasting at such a time"

Spitfire dropped Dash and straightened herself out, glancing around the crowd that had formed, slowly bowing "I..."

Dash stood and straightened herself up, readjusting her medals "It's fine Commnader" She nudged Spitfire "Come on, I'd hate for these Unicorns meals to go cold" She grumbled, nodding to the Princess and walking back to Soarin "Happy?"

He gulped as Spitfire followed Dash to Soarin "I guess?"

"Listen, the pair of you" Spitfire hissed "Act your age and your ranks, I'm not your babysitter"

Dash frowned "You're the one starting fights, Commander. And we're the same rank now, don't talk down to me"

"We both know I'm in charge here. Just because I made you a Commander, doesn't mean I wont take it away... Or make you disappear"

Dash stayed silent for a moment, not looking at Spitfire "Don't threaten me, Spitfire. I'm not your enemy. The last thing we... Equestria... needs is the two of us going head to head. I'm not challenging you Spitfire, you dont have to worry about that. All I want is to go home after all of this is fucking down with, ok?" She sighed and held out her hoof.

Spitfire returned the silence, before slowly nodding "Good" She bashed hooves "Try not to get too drunk" She grinned, turning and talking and walking with someone else.

"Fuck me she's scary..." Soarin muttered

"Tell me about it" Dash gulped her drink and wiped a bead of sweat from her brow.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

The Fall of Cloudsdale (Part One)

Rainbow Dash woke to the cry of an alarm, the wailing ringing in her ears as it pierced the silence of the once peaceful morning. A dim red light flashed wildly in the corridor, Pegasi running back and forth before one barged his way into Dash's Cloudsdale bedroom, terror etched across his face "C-Commander Dash! Quickly, Griffons! Everywhere!" He shook wildly, throwing Dash's armour to her as she rose from her bed, groaning at her wounds. She knew she didn't have time to complain about lack of sleep, however, catching her armour pieces and, with the help of the stallion, kitted up and grabbed her hoof daggers.

"Ok Lieutenant, tell me whats going on?" She cantered alongside him down the Commanders quarters.

"Hundreds, thousands of Griffons on our doorstep... They just appeared out of nowhere! Everyones out there now fighting them off!"

"How can a thousand Griffons just sneak up on us...? Has the Captain given any orders?" She kicked a door clean off its hinges and trotted to the lobby of the Commanders area, the room empty.

"Noones seen him... Commander Spitfire is too busy up there" He gestured a hoof to the sky "Its a cluster fuck, Commnader, we need orders!"

She stamped her hoof impatiently on the ground "Fuck! Ok! Get EVERYONE out here now! Arm civilians if you have to, get the weaker ones to cover. There is no battle plan other than kill every single last Griffon cunt that comes within a ten mile radius of the city! GO!" She yelled, taking flight and getting stuck in.

The sky of the cloud city was filled with Griffons and Pegasi alike, the mass of beings almost blocking out the sky completely as they struggled for supremacy, winged beasts falling like flies as they were picked off, forming a mass of bodies filling the streets, where individual battles were being fought.

Dash scanned the sky, locking onto Spitfire and darting over, cutting through three Griffons approaching and surrounding the mare "Commander! Orders?! I gave them preliminary orders, but I don't have a plan" She cut through another half dozen Griffons, the two mars quite the team.

Spitfire was a little occupied to answer, taking on another four Griffons, easily dispatching of them however "Take a quadrant of the city and defend it, we have to keep them off the ground and away from any civilians"

Dash nodded, darting off and leaving Spitfire to herself. The mare herself was too quick to be pursued by any Griffons, methodically cutting through as many as she could on her way to a quadrant, landing and trotting through the street.

"Commander Dash!" A mare landed next to Dash, a perfect white coat "We've taken all of the civilians in the district and have them in the town hall. We don't have the wing power to defend them though!"

Dash gritted her teeth. She imagined the first day of being a Commander would be easy, not an invasion. "Ok. I'll come and personally help you out and take command. Commander Spitfire's orders are to do what it takes to not let the Griffons into the streets and on the ground, got it?" She trotted to the town hall, looking at the small group of Pegasi manning the door.

"Yes Commander" The white mare nodded, flying swiftly off.

Dash took a deep breath and marched into the hall to a bunch of murmurs "Listen up. We are Pegasi! Arm yourself with whatever you can, if you're fit enough to fight. Those of you who are not, stay here and take cover. I promise you, I will not let you get hurt-"

The door behind her burst open, five Griffons led by none other than Gilda strutting in, the blood of the Pegasi manning the door running down the steps to the hall and dripping off their blades. "Trust you to be quivering and hiding with the women and children, Dash"

She span and glared "Trust you to be the one to attack unarmed civilians" She hissed, eyeing the group. "I'm going to enjoy cutting that beak off, Gilda"

She chuckled and shook her head "Not if I take your wings first... Congratulations on the promotion by the way! Says something about Pegasi that they promote a mare after being beaten and captured" She nodded to two of the five, who stepped forwards with their scimitars drawn.

"Not infront of the foals, Gilda. Don't make me do this..." She flicked her hooves, exposing the blades.

"Kill her" Gilda ordered, the two Griffons trying to circle the mare.

Dash ran her tongue along her teeth, sighing. It was too easy for her, spinning into a rainbow tornado and extending her hooves, slashing the pair all over. They fell quickly into a pool of their own blood, twitching occasionally. "You're wasting my time"

The other two came forwards, both lunging at the same time. Yet again it was all too easy for Rainbow, dropping down onto her back and pushing her hooves up, the Griffons momentum dragging the blade from their chest to their stomach, falling to the ground in a heap as their organs spilled from their body. One wasn't lucky enough to die right away, the female screaming and desperately tying to put her organs back in, before Dash drove her blade through her skull.

"I expected better, honestly... You should have bought more guards, Gilda." She shook her head, it was her turn to take the offensive, stepping forwards closer and closer to her advisory.

Gilda stepped backwards slowly, drawing her own scimitar "Cloudsdale is going to fall, Dash. And we're not here to just take it, we're gunna tear it down until theres nothing left" She grinned "And theres nothing you can do... This battle is already lost for the Pegasi, and with it the war"

"But you wont be there to see it" She hissed, lunging with lightening speed, yelling.

Gilda easily parried, sending a shockwave down Dash's foreleg. Her daggers may be quick, but they weren't the greatest weapon against an opponent that was just as quick as her. Gilda grinned, lunging and swinging as Dash desperately tried to fend off the hits whilst back-pedalling. "Overconfidence was always your downfall, Dash. I said it to you in the camp, and I'm saying it again here!"

"And mediocrity is yours!" she yelled, suddenly ducking and throwing herself under Gilda, sliding over the tiled floor and slashing at her rear legs, appearing out behind her.

Gilda's legs gave way, but she was quick to respond, rolling onto her back and deflecting Dash's lunge, pulling the mare down by her mane and pinning her to the floor. She grinned, holding Dash spread eagle to the floor. "Oh, Dashie. Just like in flight camp... I win! Again!" She chuckled, digging her beak into the side of Dash's neck, pulling hard and tearing at the skin. "I'm not going to make this quick for you, either..." She muttered, pushing Dash's blades off of her hooves and taking one into her own claws, lowering it towards the mares heart.

Dash screamed out at the 'bite', blood beginning to ooze from the large, open wound on her neck. She squirmed beneath her old friend, raising her hooves to try to push the knife away as it came inches from her chest. Her hooves quivered, Gilda just stronger than her as the blade inched closer and closer.

"Nighty night, Rainbow Dash..." Gilda whispered "You've had your fun... But this is no place for a filly like yourself..." She smiled, her whispers spine tinglingly creepy.

Dash was terrified, this really seemed like this was finally the end. The blade made contact with her chest, beginning to dig in. She grit her teeth hard, trying one last push.

Gilda grinned, pushing harder as it broke the flesh "Long live the Griffons~"

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

The Fall of Cloudsdale (Part Two)

A cry of immense pain escaped Rainbow Das's lips as the cold steel of Gilda's blade began to dig deeper into her chest, inching closer to her heart painfully slowly. Her hooves quivered with muscular stress as she desperately tried to resist the Griffon's pushes, only slowing the blades path to her heart but never ultimately stopping it.

Gilda grinned, talking quietly and calmly "You've always been a failure... It was alway your friends that saved Equestria, never you... Think about it... Tirek... Twilight did all the work whilst you lay in his bubble cell... Sombra... Crowd control whilst Spike... EVEN SPIKE is better than you..." She chuckled, teasing the mare as he blade pushed deeper "Look at you now... Without them you're nothing"

"Ugh! Nnngg!" She growled, one last energy draining push only halting Gilda's blade for a moment before it returned to its slow continuation. Her hind legs squirmed, pinned by the Griffons own.

"Face it... You're going to die... I should have done this when I had the chance..." She growled, her eyes lighting up as she prepared to plunge the dagger the final inch, piercing the mare heart.

The sound of hooves clopped against the tiled floor, Gilda swiftly turning as one of the civilians, a blue stallion, swung what looked like a chair leg towards her head. The Griffon was quicker, however, grabbing the end of the instrument and yanking, pulling the stallion into her blade. The small attack gave Dash the time to throw a rough punch whilst her rival was distracted, crumpling Gilda's jaw as she watched her attacker fall to the ground nursing his stab wound.

Rainbow took a moment to recover, before pumping her wings hard and throwing herself across the floor to put she distance between her and the Griffon to give herself some more time to recover. Gilda slowly rose from the floor, rubbing her jaw bone and glaring across the room to Dash. She would have dispatched of the stallion there and then, but she'd be back for him after scalping Dash and claiming that rainbow mane. "Yet again you rely on someone else to get by!" She roared, picking her sword up off the floor and opening her arms "Yet you continue to act as if you're the best thing since zap apples"

Blood oozed from Dash wound, soaking her chest fur and drying into a rough red stain on her cyan fur "You were always in my shadow, Gilda. I'm not surprised you're so sour. You were always destined to just be a wing pony, it must tear you up inside to watch me achieve such marvellous things from that shithole of a home in Griffonstone. No wonder you invaded"

She twirled her sword in a claw, walking closer and closer "You've done enough of your talking, always a talker" She growled "Time to put you in your place once and for all" The Griffon launched herself towards Dash, sword out front as she spiralled in the air, lunging straight for Dash's face.

"Oh shit" Dash yelped, dropping to the ground as quickly as she could as Gilda span over her, just missing and landing behind her. She didnt take a second to rest, spinning on the spot and slashing and lunging at the mare.

Dash stood on her rear hooves, using her wings for extra support and speed as she jumped back and flipped to avoid the slashes.

Gilda was fuelled by pure rage, roaring as she mercilessly slashed in the mares general direction, forcing Dash to take emergency action and use every skill she possessed to desperately avoid Gilda's onslaught. The Griffons garage was tiring her, however, her slashes beginning to slow as Dash continued to dodge.

The cyan mare bode her time, avoiding each hit before swiftly capitalising on a lethargic swing by the Griffon, lunging forwards and landing a hoof on her beak, then an elbow to her temple, before bucking the sword out of her claw, sending it sliding across the room. Dash was a natural fighter, but the training she'd put herself through had only sharpened and defined her technique, plus she'd learnt better discipline whilst fighting and some new, dirty Pegasi tricks. She sucked in air as her attack continued, yet again on her rear hooves and using her wings for support as her fore hooves assaulted the Griffon, Dash's turn to be on the front foot as her hooves connected again and again with Gilda.

Gilda stumbled backwards, unable to recovery from the previous hit as three more rained down on her, eyes blurry and mind concussed as Dash didn't hold back, beating her to a pulp. It was only a matter of time before her backwards stumbling led to her tripping and falling backwards, her mind too slow and body too bruised to halt her fall, landing hard on the hard tiles. Blood ran into her eye from a long cut across her forehead, blinding her, face covered in bruises and cuts.

Dash let out a low growl, kneeling over her old friend, slowing her hits but increasing the power behind them, each time her hoof connected with Gilda's face it snapped her neck from one side to the other, before she reached down and wrapped her hooves tightly around her neck.

Gilda weakly managed to dig her claws into Dash's forelegs, banging on them desperately as the mare began to squeeze her throat, choking the life out of her.

Rainbow Dash stared down at Gilda, holding her grasp around her neck as the Griffons squirms go weaker and slower as the lack of oxygen began to cause her brain to shut itself down, her eyes beginning to cloud over, head resting against the cold, hard floor. Dash looked down at Gilda, her eyes locked on the Griffons cold, dead eyes for a long few minutes, the mare slowly standing and finding her hoof daggers and reattactching them before retaking her position knelt over Gilda.

"You're not coming back from this one... They wont even be able to identify the body" She hissed at her dead friend, beginning to swiftly and brutally slash her cold face over and over until all that was left was a bloody mess in a pool of blood on the town hall floor. Dash wiped her blades on the Griffons chest tuft, standing and approaching the crowd that had now surrounded the crumpled stallion, the Commander kneeling down and tearing a length of material from her armour, tightly wrapping it around his cut stomach. "I only know basic field aid" She muttered "And I doubt there will be many hospital beds left after today, so if you can find a professional, I would do so" She nodded at him, before quickly trotting out of the front door.

Dash cantered down the streets of Cloudsdale, eerily empty but for the fallen soldiers littering the street like the autumn leaves. There were a few Pegasi fighting Griffons in the sky, but nowhere near as many as there had been, Dash slowing her canter to a walk. Something didn't seem right at all... If either side had won then there would be groups on the streets, surely? The Pegasi capital was apparently completely empty, not a single Pegasi or Griffon in sight, which was a good thing Dash supposed?

Dash was wiped off her hooves by an earth - or cloud shaking explosion, the mares ears ringing as she glanced around, dazed by the pure shock of the explosion, trying to figure out just what was going on. As she was just managing to get to her feet, an identical explosion erupted in the square infront of her, the shockwave taking her off her hooves again, throwing her back, hitting hard against a wall. Another explosion could be heard not too far away.

Rainbow dragged herself desperately down the street towards the Town Hall. She didnt know what was going on, but she knew she had to get the stallions, mares and foals from the building. Everything in her mind was screaming at her that they were in serious danger as another explosion cracked behind her, the cloud blown into oblivion, falling away from the rest of the city.

Turning the corner and spotting the Town Hall, Dash managed to get herself to her hooves, cantering as quickly as her battered body could carry her towards the doors. She got halfway down the street towards the Hall, before it was enveloped by a fireball - an explosion erupting directly below the iconic building, disintegrating it and anything unlucky enough to be inside. The explosion took Dash off her hooves yet again, but the mare was determined to not stop.

"No..." Dash muttered, her walk turning to a trot, the trot to a run, and the run to a canter towards the hole in the clouds where the building once was. She knew at that moment there was nothing more she could do to save her beloved birthplace, the city she'd spent her foal hood and young adult life, where she had worked and achieved so much. With tears clouding her vision the mare weakly rolled off the cloud city, free falling towards the ground before deploying her wings and landing, looking back as more explosions ripped the city apart. Cloudsdale split into fractured pieces, parts falling to the ground as others disappeared into nothingness.

Dash's legs trembled, giving way as she fell into a crying wreck, smashing her hoof hard into the ground as she lay like a newborn foal, crying her eyes raw as she watched Cloudsdale disappear.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

What Now?

There was nothing Dash could do to stem the flow of tears flowing down her face. Her wounds hurt, but nowhere near as much as watching her birthplace and home being torn apart and razed to the ground before her eyes. She had been walking aimlessly down a track for the last few hours, stumbling in a disbelieving daze towards Celestia knew where... Her hooves dragged across the dirt path, not bothering to lift them all the way up as she stepped further and further from the battlefield, staring into the middle distance as she walked. She was only seeing what was in her mind, and not what her eyes saw.

Equestria had become an extremely dangerous place... The only settlement that Dash knew hadn't fallen in this area was of course Canterlot, everywhere else was inhabited by Griffon warriors and wasn't exactly welcoming to ponies anymore. The pegasus had no idea where to go... Now that Cloudsdale didn't even exist anymore, where would her fellow Pegasi live? Canterlot was the only real option, but they were already overflowing with refugees and wouldn't be too accommodating for the Pegasi... There were reasons for them choosing to live high in the skies, far from the other kinds.

"Well what do we have here..." A voice came from infront "That's Equestrian armour, and she's got wings~"

"Heh..." Another grinned "Looks shellshocked... Must've fallen from that sky place and broken a wing"

"What a coincidence. We're here talking about how boring this is and here comes a little mare to play with.."

Dash blinked, the voices snapping her out of her daydream, looking up to see armoured Griffons at the side of the road, next to an overturned cart and a horribly mutilated stallion trader.

"Here, here, pony, come get the carrot" He chuckled, beckoning her towards him "Theres a goooood girl~"

She sighed, shaking her head and continuing to walk "I'm not in the fucking mood" She surprised even herself, she thought she'd want to cut every last feather from his body, but she wasn't as mad as she thought she was... at the Griffons at least.

The two stood in a stunned silence, watching the mare walking past before snapping back into action "You don't get a choice, bitch!" He called, stepping onto the track to block her path.

Dash took a deep breath before looking between the two "I have had a very long day, and I would appreciate it if I could have just one Griffon offer me a drink, not just the end of their sword"

He smirked "You're saying you wanna have a drink with us?" he looked to his partner and chuckled "What do you like?"

She raised an eyebrow at him "Does that stallion have any cider?" She looked from the guards to the cart "I could use a fucking drink..."

The two looked between each other again before sitting down on some stumps and nodding "Yeah, though it's cheap rubbish..."

She removed her helmet and placed it down next to where she sat, taking a bottle from the Griffon and nodding "It'll do" She wasn't scared by the griffons. She was confident she'd beat them in combat, and knew she could fly quicker than the pair anyway. "So... You both look young, what're you doing here?"

"Almost as young as you" One quipped, staring at her with his cold eyes "It's mandatory for all male griffons over the age of 16 to join up at a time of war. We're reservists so we defend the already conquered areas"

"Don't tell her too much... She could be like, a spy..." The other muttered, looking at him, before silencing himself.

"I'm no spy" She chuckled "Commander Rainbow Dash" She grinned.

He sighed "You do realise now you've told us that, we're obliged to kill you"

"You were obliged to kill me because of my species, but you didn't. That was interesting on its own... But if you don't kill me now I really will be intrigued"

The Griffon gritted his beak and lunged for the mare, using a pump of his wings to get extra speed towards Dash.

Rainbow had been expecting it, however, and was quicker. She smashed her bottle on the stump and used the Griffons momentum to drive it deep into his throat, pushing his body with her hooves past the mare and sighing. "What a waste of cider..."

The second shakily got to his claws, drawing his sword and looking at Dash, his legs and grip quivering.

"We both know how that'll end" Dash muttered "And I'm so tired of all the killing... So I urge you to place your sword on the ground, get me a new bottle of cider, and fly away. Please"

The Griffon looked from Dash to his dead friend, gulping and dropping his sword "T-they'll kill me if I go back..."

Dash rolled her eyes, kicking her helmet to the Griffon "Tell 'em it was me" She grumbled, going to the crate of cider and stuffing two bottles into her armour, taking another and opening it "Kill ya later" She chuckled, walking along the dirt track and drinking.

Dash continued her long walk, finally running into some ponies and allowing herself a small smile, by this point all of her ciders had been drunk and she was feeling the effects. It was a small group of five unicorns, all armour clad. "Good evening" Dash chuckled.

They quickly turned, swords raised "State your name and rank! Quickly!" A large stallion growled, spear pressing against Dash's neck.

She raised an eyebrow "Do I look like a Griffon, Colonel?" She growled, slapping the spear away "What are you guys doing here anyway? The warmth of Celestia's breast is the other way, in Canterlot"

"Do as your told, and quickly mare" another spat "Did you find that armour and think your important?" The group snickered.

Dash frowned. She didnt know what the hell was going on. The first unicorns she'd seen for a month were getting rude. "Listen to me, and listen carefully. I dont know who the fuck you are, but those stripes on your armour suggests you're a nobody. And the fact that your armour looks untouched, you're either extremely good, which I doubt, or youve not actually been in a fight. Which is it?"

"I've been in more fights than you, little mare" He huffed, squaring up to her.

She rolled her eyes at his aggressiveness "Do you know who I am?"

"Some little bitch that stole armour?"

"Commander Rainbow Dash of the Royal Air Force unit of the Equestria Royal Defence Force. Youngest winner of the Iron Hoof, Golden Wing and Lunar Moon. Who the FUCK are you?

He looked a little taken aback, but held his aggressive tone "So? Thats a Pegasi rank... You're basically a unicorn recruit" He chuckled.

Dash had had enough. It'd been a bad day, and she'd had a drink or four. She drove her dagger into his knee, growling "Now you listen here, colt. Where I'm from, we show our leaders respect, and fight with pride. Obviously you horny cunts don't have the same discipline. Just because I have wings on my back and you a horn on your head does not mean I don't outrank you"

"O-oh Celestia!" He cried, reaching down to hold his wound.

"Now. I'm going to let you live in exchange for information, understood?"

"Fuck you, featherbrain!"

Dash grumbled to herself quietly, before twisting the dagger in his knee "I'll ask again. Your life for information?"

"F-Fine! Stop!"

"Good boy" she grins "Now. Where have the Pegasi gone? How do I get to my army?"

He grit his teeth "Canterlot Rock... Word is they're meeting up there"

"There we go!" She smiled, withdrawing her knife and wiping it on the coat of the stallion. "That wasn't too hard, was it? See you around" She laughed, trotting for a bit before taking flight towards the capital.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

Pegasi Rock

Dash took her time to return to the Pegasi, she needed it. It had been a long few days for the mare, sleeping rough in the ruin that once was Equestria before finally arriving back in Canterlot. The mountain the marvellous city lay on stood opposite another mountain, the face of it steep and rough, outcroppings jagged and coarse.

"How fitting" Dash muttered to herself, looking up at the mountain, circled by Pegasi coming and going in and out of the caves on the face of it. The cyan mare taking flight up to a large crack and sliding in, landing and walking along the carved out, extremely makeshift corridors. The first sense the mare felt was the pure coldness of the place, each breath visible in the air and sending a shiver down her spine.

The Pegasi were better equipped for the cold than the other tribes, their fur double coated and thicker due to the coldness of high altitude flying. Any other tribe and the cold would get to them much quicker here, becoming a deep pain they wouldn't be able to cope with inside the snow capped peak.

Rainbow was used to ponies talking about her as she walked past now, ears twitching to get a wisp of the conversation but ultimately wasn't too bothered about what they had to say. After struggling to find her way around for a good few minutes, she eventually conceded and turned to the closest guard for information "Could you show me the way to my quarters, please? Or Spitfire? Or something to eat?" She listed off her options to her.

"Yes Commander, I-it's great to see you" She smiled, escorting her through the corridors "We all thought you'd fallen with Cloudsdale"

"Almost" She grumbled, keeping pace "I took some time off to go travelling" the mare muttered, glancing around the old looking corridors "What is this place?"

"Welcome to Pegasi Rock... At least that's what us low lot are calling it. I don't know if the Captain or Princesses have given it an official name yet. It's some old neutral meeting ground from before Canterlot times, or so I've heard" She shrugged "I'm no historian, but it seems this is home now"

"Lucky us" Dash sighed, shaking her head "Anything else I need to know?"

"Nothing that Commander Spitfire will tell you herself" She stopped before a large double door "This is yours, Commander. I'll let Commander Spitfire know you're back"

"Thanks" She nodded, walking into the room. It was surprisingly lavish for the setting, it seemed to be a room for past diplomats, carvings in the stone walls and filled with ornate wooden furniture. Dash wasn't happy though. It sickened her that she got such a nice room whilst others in her military could use the space much more effectively.

Dash removed all of her armour, grunting and lying face down on the bed, squeezing her eyes closed and trying her hardest to prevent herself crying again. She hated this rock, she hated Griffons, she hated ponies. She just wanted to go home, back to Ponyville and back to how it was with her friends. She just wanted to be happy - actually happy, not a cocky grin - again.

In the past few months she'd learnt so much about not only herself, but the nature of different types of ponies and the way they reacted in a situation. She'd always tried to maintain a hard outer shell and a strong image of herself, but she doubted how she appeared the way she used to to others anymore, only coming across as a scarred and wounded animal of war.

Before long, Spitfire slipped into the room, seeing the mare in such a state and locking the door behind her "Rainbow Dash" She muttered.

Dash gulped, quickly sitting up and wiping the tears from her eyes, staring across at Spitfire "C-Commander Spitfire... I'm sorry I didnt come str-"

"Hush, Dash" She said softly, pulling Dash's head into the soft fur of her neck and slowly stroking her mane "I'm not mad... I'm here to make sure you're ok"

Rainbow was stunned into silence at Spitfires actions, the mares face buried in her neck. She didn't know Spitfire was able to show compassion... Or be so nice.

"I don't care where you went, Dash, just that you're back safe. We're all feeling the same after Cloudsdale"

She drew her head from Spitfires neck and sniffled, nodding "Y-yeah..."

"Now. I know you Dash, and you have a remarkable talent for always getting back up when you've been knocked down, no matter how hard the fall. I didn't think you were gunna come back to us after Ponyville, but you're a fighter. You've been knocked down again, Rainbow Dash" She nodded "And this one's your biggest fall yet, I think... So if you want to walk away, go and find your friends in Canterlot and see out the war there, I'll understand. But we both know that the Pegasi need you, Equestria does, and I'd be a fool to not put my money on you getting back up again"

Dash took a long moment to think over what Spitfire had told her, slowly nodding. She'd given her the chance to go, to escape the hell she'd walked so willingly into not so long ago. But, as per usual, Spitfire was right. Dash couldn't just leave everything now, she'd come too far, and she'd be damned if she'd let the Griffons get away with what they'd done. Slowly, she looked at her friend, comrade and Commander "What've I missed?"

Spitfire grinned, removing her hoof from her mane "Good. Onto Captain Scorcher"

Dash spat at the ground.

"He wasn't in Cloudsdale when it fell. Infact, he was sipping tea with our benevolent Princesses"

Rainbow already hated the stallion, every turn she took he tried to cut it. Her hatred has only flared after he'd left her to die in Ponyville, resulting in her brutal torture. "Next time I see him, I promise you it will be the last time"

"Good to hear" Spitfire nodded, she too hated the stallion. He'd stolen top spot off her and his decision making was terrible, if he was there. Every Pegasi in the army recognised that Spitfire was the best mare for the role, a few even tipping Dash for the job.

"I actually met some unicorns the other day, all dressed up in their armour"

"I didn't know they'd even given unicorns armour" She muttered "Whatever you did, I'll make sure you're not court marshalled"

"Why would that be your first thought? I mean... I'm not saying I didn't stab him, but I actually had a reason to..."

Spitfire chuckled and shook her head "You're blatantly a Pegasi supremacist, have a really short temper and I know you"

Dash chuckled "I guess... But the fucker tried telling me being a Pegasi Commander was the same as being a Unicorn recruit... He hadn't been in a single battle"

Spitfire nodded and smiled "I'm glad you're a little more lively, Dash" She stood and briefly hugged Dash again "You know my door is always open should you need it" She made her way to the door, stopping halfway through "Oh, and no more stabbing unicorns. We are kinda on the same side"

"Yes ma'am" She smiled, watching her go before sliding a piece of paper from her wing, running her hoof over it "No more stabbing unicorns" Her eyes drifted over the crude drawing of a red wing on a black background.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading!

Rainbow Dash: The Broken Mare (Finale)

Rainbow Dash's hoof traced across her drawing, the time had finally come. Cloudsdale had been the final nail in the coffin for the mare, and now it was time to unleash the inner fury she had hidden so well from the outside world. Long before the war Dash had heard whispers, and had niggles at the back of her mind that spoke of the honour of the Pegasi race, and how one couldn't truly be compared to one of the lesser tribes or species. The war had only reinforced her ideology, but it had been the Bone Doctor that had driven it home in a way that Dash had truly needed to experience.

Although the mare would never want to be tortured in such a way ever again, she felt that she needed that experience to truly open her eyes to what had to be done - it was time for the Pegasi to return to their place at the top of the table, back to how they were under the great Commander Hurricane, before the shackles of the pony race had been firmly clamped upon them.

Cloudsdale had really... inspired the mare however. Sure, she was devastated at the loss of such a great city, home to the Pegasi for hundreds of years and her birthplace, but it was another pain and sadness that she knew would only help her cause, and further opened her eyes. The others didn't care about her or the Pegasi, the other tribes had their own best interests at the forefront. Why should a highly unicorn have to step in the dirt when a Pegasi could do it for them whilst they ate like kings in the comfort of their own home?

Rainbow Dash respected Spitfire, she truly did. But Dash knew that this was her biggest opportunity, her one chance, and what she had planned only she could truly execute. Spitfire had played Dash well, building her trust with the promotions and medals, but Dash was ultimately just another pawn in her big game, Spitfire didn't have the guts to kill Scorcher herself so she'd get Dash to do it, but what she didn't know was Dash was all too happy to be rid of the Captain, killing him was something she'd wanted to do since Ponyville, and with him gone she could take her place at the top and have a whole army of Pegasi under her hoof. Having the most powerful and loyal army in Equestria would mean the Princesses would effectively be under her hoof too, and would have no option but to cooperate with her in return for protection.

It was only a matter of time until she was leading the free Pegasi race to their new sky city, where they would live by their own means, and not be winged slaves for the others.

A small knock on the door snapped her out of her fantasy, turning to look at the wooden entrance "Enter" She grumbled, but grinned and rubbed her hooves together at the stallion who entered. She had her loyalists around the military, and had pulled a few strings in the armoury department. Her operation had to remain a secret until the right moment, when it would be sprung upon the Commanders, and then forced down the ranks. Everypony in the Pegasi army were made to swear an oath to the leader, so as soon as she was top pony nothing would stop her.

"Commander" The stallion saluted, walking in flanked by two more stallions carrying a big, black box. "I believe you'll be wanting to see this" He nodded to the guards, who placed the box on the bed beside the mare.

Dash stroked her hoof over the rough wood "Open it" She knew exactly what was inside and was itching to get at it, although she couldn't let the filly like excitement show.

The stallion lifted the lid, placing it aside and grinning "Is it how you imagined it, Commander?"

Dash nodded "Even better... It looks much better than the Royal Guard shite we are forced into...

In the box lay a full armour set, the body a dark, onyx black made of individual panels designed to bend and flex with a Pegasi's swift movements, but overlapped to provide protection from bladed weapons. The trim on the armour was a dull, dark red colour that ran along the edges and past the most important areas, with the mares rank emblazoned on the chest piece and neck of the helmet. Dash slowly lifted the helmet and stared into the eyes "Thank you... Begin wide scale production of this armour, staring with those for Commanders and other high ranking Pegasi. Use all of the metal Canterlot sends us and adapt the colours and shapes"

"Yes Commander!" He saluted again, walking out flanked by the guards and leaving Dash to inspect her new attire.

Before long, there was another knock at the door, then a guard entering "Commander Dash... Captain Scorcher sent me... The Commanders and Captain have been waiting for you in the meeting room, he seems pissed..."

Dash grinned, softly placing the helmet down "Good. I hope he is livid" She chuckled, standing and heading to the door "I hope he's so angry he draws his sword..." She laughed to herself, walking down the corridor towards the meeting room. "Pegasi First..."

Author's Note

Thank you for reading! I hope you've enjoyed this story, and the series as a whole. It has been great fun writing all of the Pegasi First stories and it is a shame to see them come to an end, but unfortunately it must!

Thanks for all the support, and remember... Pegasi First! :rainbowdetermined2:

As this story (And the previous chapter) were the ones to get me over the 30,000 read mark, I want to do something special! Message me with ideas, please, deadline is December the 1st! (Cover art maybe?)