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!