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!