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!

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?)