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