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!