Wonderbolts V.S Shadowbolts: The Day The Sky Changed Forever

Chapters

Chapter 1: Prologue
Chapter 2: The Big Night
Chapter 3: Escape From The Gala
Chapter 4: The Hidden Element
Chapter 5: The Plan
Chapter 6: The Battle Begins
Chapter 7: The Battle Unfolds
Chapter 8: The Battle Concludes
Chapter 9: Visions Become Reality
Chapter 10: The Surprise/Conclusion
Chapter 11: The End?

Chapter 1: Prologue

As the sun rose in the east, Rainbow Dash knew today would be an awesome day. It had been nearly one year since she had joined the Wonderbolts, and she was looking forward to all that was yet to come.

What more could she want now? She had her dream job, and her marefriend Applejack was always by her side so she could always count on her to be there for her. So far, her life was perfect; all that was missing was the action. While she loved being in the Wonderbolts, she thought there would be more to do than just flying; after all, she had helped defeat Tirek, as well as the Storm King at the Battle Of Canterlot 1 year ago. But alas, she was destined to just do tricks in the sky.

As she got out of her bed, she looked to her left and saw Applejack sleeping in the messy bed that she had just got out of. She looked outside and recalled that she had Wonderbolt Training to do today, and she did not want to upset Spitfire again. She had already missed five practices in the last month for "personal time with her marefriend," but she knew if she wanted to keep her job, she needed to be prepared and--above all else--on time.

As she went down the wooden stairs of the Apple family barn, she could hear the jukebox playing in the living room "Granny Smith and Big Mac must be already up and about," she thought to herself. As she passed the living room, she noticed the cover of a ‘Bucky Cash’ album and remember that they listened to it almost 24/7. As she opened the door she saw that the sky was an orange color which meant it was super early and that she was going to be late if she did not get to Flight Camp immediately. Closing the door behind her, she took off and headed toward the Wonderbolts Flight Camp.

Wonderbolts Flight Camp

As Rainbow Dash landed on the runway, she could see that things were out of the ordinary. Usually, around this time, Spitfire and the others would be out doing laps around the camp, but today the only things she could see were royal guards surrounding the place left and right. Dash thought to herself, "I didn't think the princess would be coming here; they usually only come here when there are changes to royal performances." As she walked towards Spitfire’s door, a royal guard stepped in front of her.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Dash," the Royal Guard said, "but Spitfire is in the middle of an important meeting."

Just then, Spitfire opened the door and told the guard, "Its ok she has clearance," As Dash walked into the room, she was expecting Princess Celestia or Luna to be at the door, but to her surprise, it was neither of them.

"Please sit down, Rainbow. We have a lot to talk about" said Princess Cadence.

"What is this about?" Rainbow asked.

"It's about an old friend of yours," Shining Armor said as he came out from the corner with what appears to be a hidden dagger in his left shoulder hoist.

"Who are you talking about?" Dash said, Who could be so important as to both the rulers of the crystal empire needing me?

Spitfire took a deep breath and said, " It's about an old friend of yours, Rainbow Dash. Do you remember Lightning Dust?"

"A little?" Rainbow Dash replied. She hadn't seen the mare since she'd been a recruit, but considering the havoc she'd caused that week, it was hard to forget her. "What happened?" Rainbow demanded. "Did she do anything to hurt anyone?"

Shining Armor looked concerned and then pulled out the dagger from the shoulder hoist; it was covered with blood. "My head guard, Flash Sentry, was found dead this morning. A witness claimed the pony who did this had a light and dark yellow-colored mane."

Princess Cadence interrupted her husband, saying, "When the suspect took off, she did so in a takeoff style that suggests training", so it looked like a Wonderbolt was the one who committed the crime."

"So we came here to find out if any Wonderbolts were in the Crystal Empire yesterday," Shining Armor said.

"That's why they came to see me," Spitfire said. "When they told me the color of the suspect’s mane, I immediately knew it was Lightning Dust."

Rainbow Dash was now shouting. "Why is she back? Why here, why now?"

Spitfire was angry that Dash was shouting in the middle of royalty, but she also understood her frustration. "We were hoping," Spitfire said hesitantly, "that before she was kicked out, she told you something that might tell us why she would murder a royal guard."

Rainbow Dash got up and started pacing around the room. "She didn't really say much about her past. The only thing she said is that she grew up in a large family. and that her parents were both interesting people."

Shining Armor then grabbed the dagger and showed it to Rainbow Dash. "Do you by any chance recognize the weapon she used to kill the guard?"

As Rainbow Dash Analyzed the weapon very closely, she noticed a very distinctive feature on the weapon. "I don't know where she got this weapon, but I do recognize the symbol on the front of the dagger. It's a symbol representing the Shadowbolts."

Princess Cadence and Spitfire both were hesitant as soon as Rainbow Dash said those words. "How do you know who the Shadowbolts are?" Spitfire demanded.

"When I first met Twilight," Rainbow explained, "Nightmare Moon sent three Shadowbolts to see me. They said that they were better than the Wonderbolts, and they asked me if I wanted to join them. I later found out from Twilight that it was just a test to see if I was worthy of the Element of Loyalty. I didn't really think the Shadowbolts meant much. How do you know who they are?"

Spitfire took a long deep breath. "Only the Captain of the Wonderbolts and Princess Of the Crystal Empire know who they are," Spitfire said. "They were created by King Sombra when he ruled the Crystal Empire. He wanted to make sure that if he ruled Canterlot, he would have ponies to defend the kingdom just like the Wonderbolts. Except they played dirty and we're not afraid to do things that were... Dangerous".

Just as Rainbow was about to comment on that, the guard knocked on the door. Princess Cadence said, "Enter."

Immediately, he said, "Your Majesty, news from Canterlot. Princess Luna and Princess Celestia have ordered you to come to their castle immediately. It's urgent."

Princess Cadence got up and said, "I'm sorry, I have to go. Please, if you have any more information on the Shadowbolts, please tell me immediately." Princess Cadence and Shining Armor then left, closing the door behind them.

" You don't think Lightning Dust would be stupid enough to join the Shadowbolts, do you?" Rainbow said with a concerned tone.

Spitfire stood up and said, "I know Lightning Dust was always a daredevil, but I don't think she would be angry enough to do something like joining the Shadowbolts. They are dangerous." She thought to herself, and then said, "But what I want to know, though, is if she did join them, how she found out about them in the first place."

Spitfire walked towards her desk and pulled out two pieces of paper. "On to something less concerning. I have those grand Galloping Gala tickets that you requested. They were hard to get, so you're lucky I was able to Princess Celestia doesn't just give them to everyone you know."

Rainbow quickly grabbed the tickets out of Spitfire’s hand and was practically flapping her wings with joy.

"Yes, finally! I've been waiting for these for like a month! I haven't waited that long since the last Daring Do book."

"So why exactly did you need two tickets?" Spitfire then facepalmed. "Oh, that's right, Applejack."

"Ya, I'm planning on making this the happiest day of her life." She pulled out a ring box and opened it. Inside was a diamond ring shaped like an apple. The diamond is a light red color, it gave off a sweet but sour kind of feel, but what caught Spitfire's eye the most was the ring itself.

"I recognize that golden metal. I'm surprised you would melt down your Lead Pony badge to make this, but at the same time I'm not surprised that you would do this."

"Yeah, I loved my Lead Pony badge, but if it meant making Applejack happy, I would do anything," Rainbow said. "Rarity almost fainted when I told her I wanted her to find a red diamond for a ring," Rainbow said while smiling.

"I've got to say, Crash, I didn’t think you were the romantic type," Spitfire said sarcastically.

"I'm doing this for her," Rainbow said. "She is the most important thing to me," she said. "Ever since my first date with her, I've never looked at her the same way."

Spitfire nudged Rainbow in the shoulder. "Hey, I'm happy for you," she said. "But make sure I’m the Mare’s Maid," she said jokingly.

Rainbow laughed and said, "This is going to be the best day ever!"

"I hope so," Spitfire said. "For hers and your sake."

Author's Note

This is my first FanFic so I might be Rusty this is a short chapter so you guys know the premises of the story

chapter making will take awhile so I do not know when it will be done

Chapter 2: The Big Night

It had almost been eight hours since Applejack had seen Rainbow Dash. "Where is that darn Mare?!" Applejack said with a frustrated tone. A couple hours ago, she had gotten a letter from Rainbow that said,

Dear Applejack,

I’m writing this letter because I’m sorry I have not been home for awhile today.

I have been caught up in important Wonderbolt work. I wish I could tell you and the others what is going on, but I have orders to not tell anyone just yet.

Because I have been absent lately, I have got a surprise for you.

Around 5:00, I will come to the house to pick you up for a special date night. So please look your best and please wear the light purple dress you wore for our first date. Trust me.

Love, Dashie.

It was already 4:30, and Applejack was in her dress. She could just barely fit in it, but luckily she was able to put it on without leaving any tears in it. As she walked down the stairs to the living room, she could hear Applebloom and Scootaloo talking. Scootaloo had come over to talk with Applebloom about some CMC business, so she knew they would be talking for awhile. Granny Smith was out with Big Mac, and they would not be back for a couple of hours.

Just then there was a knock at the door, and Applejack rushed towards the door to open it. When she saw Rainbow there, déjà vu struck her immediately. Just like their first date, she was wearing the same tux as before, and as always, she looked handsome in it.

"You ready to go?" Rainbow asked.

"You still haven’t told me where we’re going yet," Applejack said as she closed the door behind her.

"It’s a surprise," Rainbow said with a smug look on her face.

As Rainbow and Applejack walked towards Ponyville, Applejack was suddenly struck with awe at the sight of their transport. It was a royal chariot, just like the one Twilight had arrived in when she moved to Ponyville all those years ago.

"Rainbow Dash... how can ya even afford this?” asked Applejack, her breath taken away.

"Hay, being in the Wonderbolts has its perks," Rainbow said with a smile on her face.

The royal stallion then asked Rainbow Dash, "Where to, Mrs. Dash?"

"The Royal Castle," Rainbow Dash said, and with that, the chariot took off for the Royal Castle. Unknown to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, this would be a night they would remember for the rest of their lives.

The Royal Castle/Grand Galloping Gala

As the chariot landed on the ground, Applejack was still wondering, "What is she up to?" As they both walked to the door, Applejack immediately had a giant smile on her face. "Rainbow, the Grand Gala--you shouldn't have!"

"It was nothing," Rainbow said. "I wanted this night to be special, so where else to go than the best Gala in all the land?"

As Applejack and Rainbow Dash walked inside, Rainbow noticed that there were more guards than usual, and she also noticed that there were a couple of Wonderbolts at the Gala. But then she remembered what Spitfire had told her at the flight camp before she left.

"Remember Crash," Spitfire said, "since the Grand Galloping Gala is tonight, we're going to have to double the guards and send in some secret Wonderbolts. If Lightning Dust truly has returned and has teamed up with the shadowbolts, I want the Grand Galloping Gala to be perfectly safe."

"Understood Ma’am, but if I may ask something of you?" Rainbow said.

"What is it?" Spitfire said in a curious tone.

"First this is supposed to be a special night for me and Applejack. So I don't want any of the Wonderbolts to intrude on my night," Rainbow said. "Second, can you umm...... personally see to it that I get a royal chariot to pick me and Applejack up?"

Rainbow could still imagine the look on Spitfire’s face when she had asked her that, though she understood Spitfire’s frustration. It had taken a lot of money to get these tickets, and it had probably taken a lot of money to get the chariot, so she was going to make sure this night wasn't wasted. As she and Applejack entered the Grand Galloping Gala, Applejack was in awe of everything that was going on. While it hadn't been the first time Applejack was at the Grand Galloping Gala, it was the first time she was there with a date.

2 Hours Later

So far, the date had been going exactly as Rainbow had planned: Applejack was having the time of her life, and frankly Rainbow was as well. The band had played beautiful music, and the food was as delicious as always. Now all that was missing was the question.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack had been sitting at the table for quite some time now, to the point where Applejack was wondering what else Rainbow was up to. So far the night had been going perfectly and frankly, she wanted to know what was going to happen next. "So... how's it been at the Wonderbolts for you so far?" Applejack said, wanting to start up a conversation.

"Oh... umm, it's going great so far. I've made a lot of friends that are all nice. But to tell you the truth, none of them can really fly as fast as me, frankly, I think I’m probably the fastest flier there, not to brag."

Rainbow Dash was extremely nervous. She didn't really know how to pop the question; she had read plenty of Daring Do books, but she had never actually read any romantic books. The only romantic books she could ever remember reading was that book she had borrowed from Twilight, and the only thing that book helped to do was creating the perfect date for her and Applejack.

Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. "Applejack, there's been something on my mind recently that I had to tell you."

Applejack was curious where this was going. "What is it, Dash?"

"You and I have been dating for some time now, and, well, I kind of want to take it up a notch," Rainbow said nervously she then got up and bent on one wove and ask the question every single stallion had asked in their lifetime.

"Applejack, will you make me the happiest mare of my life and marry me?"

Applejack was in tears. "Yes, Rainbow, I will!"

Everyone in the room was clapping, and Rainbow was just about to put the ring on Applejack’s hoof when the lights all flickered off. Rainbow was confused: she had not asked anyone to turn off the lights or play any kind of music. This worried her.

Then all of a sudden, all the windows in the room broke at once, and a giant tornado started forming in the middle of the room. But that was not what scared Rainbow; it was what was standing in the middle of it was what scared her. There in the middle of the tornado was Lightning Dust! But she wasn't looking her usual self. Instead, she was wearing what appeared to be a Wonderbolts uniform, except the colors were wrong: instead of the casual blue, yellow, and white of the Wonderbolts uniform, they were black, purple, and yellow. She wasn't wearing the casual goggles either; instead, she was wearing what appeared to be fancier versions of them, but more evil-looking.

"All right," Lightning Dust said, "tell me where I can find Rainbow Dash and Princess Celestia, and no one will get hurt!"

Right then and there, Rainbow went from the happiest mare in the room to angriest mare in the room. And she knew if she and Applejack wanted to leave… they would have to fight their way out.

Author's Note

Hope you guys have enjoyed the story so far the next couple chapters are going to have some of the things I warned you about when I created this chapter so be warned and yes there will be death

:moustache:

Chapter 3: Escape From The Gala

Lightning Dust was growing impatient; she had come all this way, and she was not going to leave empty-hooved. So she walked over to the band stage and said, "I won’t ask again!" she said in an impatient tone. "Where are Rainbow Dash and Princess Celestia?"

Rainbow was hiding under her table. She knew that she and Applejack would have to fight Lightning Dust to escape the Gala, but did not want to put Applejack and everyone else at risk.

"Rainbow," Applejack said. "I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to get out of here."

"I understand, Applejack," Rainbow said. "But if we are going to escape, we need a distraction."

"Well..." Applejack said with a grin on her face. "She did come looking for you."

Rainbow immediately knew what she was talking about. So she took a deep breath, came out from under her table, and headed toward Lightning Dust.

"Hey," Rainbow said in a smart-flank tone. "Looking for me?"

Lightning Dust immediately turned toward Rainbow Dash. "Well, well, well, so the chicken has finally come home to roost."

"The only chicken I see in here is the one standing in front of me!" Rainbow said.

"You haven’t changed a bit," Lightning Dust said.

"I could say the same to you," Rainbow said, hoping Applejack’s plan would work so she started to keep her talking.

"Why in Celestia's name did you think joining the Shadowbolts was a good idea? I knew you were crazy, but I didn't think you were that crazy," Rainbow demanded.

"I'm glad you asked," Lightning Dust said. "After Spitfire kicked me out of the Academy, I went home to tell my family the bad news. But then I was approached by a stranger who claimed to be part of a better group called the Shadowbolts," she explained. "She took me to a hidden cave in the Crystal Empire and introduced me to the Shadowbolts. As soon as I saw them, I knew that I had found my calling."

Just then, Lightning Dust realized something she and Rainbow Dash were the only ones left in the room. "You tricked me!" Lighting Dust said.

"Wow, I'm impressed," Rainbow said. "I thought that your ego was smaller than mine; guess I was wrong. It took you only 50 seconds to realize my plan."

A blast of wind hit Rainbow and sent her flying across the room. Rainbow hit the wall, causing a pillar to fall on top of her. She was knocked out as soon as she hit the floor

3 Hours Later

Rainbow was trying to open her eyes, but the only thing she could see was a crystal ceiling. She could hear what appeared to be a heart monitor. At that moment, she was shocked with a blast of magic from Twilight. She saw all of her friends around her, but what caught her eye was her fiancée with a bunch of flowers. She was immediately struck with a big smile.

"Oh my god, Dashie, I’m so glad you are okay! When I found you, you were unconscious, and, well..." Applejack said before being interrupted by the others.

"Oh, darling, are you okay? You took quite a beating," Rarity said.

"Oh, my… I was worried you weren’t going to make it," Fluttershy said.

"Dash, we are all glad you’re okay," Twilight said. "When Princess Celestia found you, you were badly hurt and unconscious, but she said you were going to make it," Twilight said with a reassuring voice.

Rainbow was about to get up when she noticed something: she could not feel her left-wing. "Why can't I feel my wing?" Rainbow said.

"Dash," Twilight said. "When Princess Celestia found you, your wing was trapped under a column. I'm afraid.....we had to cut it off.”

As soon as Dash heard that, she looked immediately at her left wing. She realized right then and there that she would not only have to quit being a Wonderbolt, but she would also have to quit flying forever. The metal wing attached to her, and all she could do was cry.

"Dash, please don't cry. It's not your fault," Twilight said.

"No... You're right. It's not your fault; it’s that bitch’s fault," Rainbow snarled. "And I'm going to make sure I return the favor."

Rainbow Dash then looked at Applejack. She could see that Applejack was feeling the same pain she was. She then leaned over to her fiancée and kissed her on the cheek.

"Sniff… sniff… Dash, what are we going to do now?" Applejack said.

"First," Rainbow said, comforting her fiancée, "we're going to tell everyone the great news. Then we're going to make sure Lightning Dust and the Shadowbolts are stopped by any means necessary."

Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy were confused for a second, and then Dash told them the good news.

"Me and Applejack are getting married," Rainbow said.

Everyone was in shock. It only took them a second, and then everyone in the room was telling them left and right, "Congratulations!"

Just then a royal guard burst through the door and headed right towards Twilight. "Your Majesty," the royal guard said. "News from Canterlot! The Wonderbolt camp has been attacked!"

Ruins of the Wonderbolt flight camp

As Rainbow Dash flew in the hot air balloon, she had hope that even if the camp was gone, some of her friends were alive--but all she could do was hope. As they reached the runway at the flight camp, all Rainbow Dash could see was horror: the buildings were on fire, the grass was ripped up into shreds, but that wasn't the scariest part. The scariest part was the bodies. Bodies everywhere, and she knew all of them.

"Soren, Cloudkicker, Fleetfoot, and Blaze--all of them, dead. Impossible!" Rainbow Dash began to sob.

Just then, she saw something that eased her mind: Spitfire walking out of the rubble. She was covered in scars, but she was alive. "Glad you missed all the fun," Spitfire said, holding back all the agony inside her body.

"What happened here?" Rainbow demanded.

"When we got word that the Grand Galloping Gala was under attack, we quickly got into our uniforms," Spitfire said. "Then the clouds went dark, and at least 15 Shadowbolts came out of the clouds,” Spitfire said. Remembering all that happened, she started to cry. "We tried our best to escape but...but...I was the only survivor.”

"They didn't do this alone," Twilight said. "Somebody had to be leading them. Did you at least hear their name?"

"Only one, but I was confused when I heard it," Spitfire said.

"Who was it?"

"Princess Cinch."

Author's Note

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter I told you I'd be a sad one I'm really looking forward to the other chapters especially now that principal cinch from Equestria Girls has been involved hopefully you guys don't mind the name change princess inch please leave in the comments below what you might want to see in the next chapters I might just in plant them

Chapter 4: The Hidden Element

"Long ago," Princess Celestia said, "there were three Princesses of Equestria:, Myself, Luna, and Cinch. One day, Princess Cinch found the Tree of Harmony. She thought if she could use this Tree of Harmony to her own advantage, she could become the most powerful princess in Equestria. It wasn't until Luna and I stopped her did we notice there was an element missing from the tree: a seventh, hidden element," Princess Celestia explained.

"What was this Seventh Element?" Twilight asked.

"The Element Of Empathy," Luna said.

"It is presumed after she took the Element of Empathy that she went beyond Equestria's borders," Princess Celestia explained. "But it seems our old sister has returned, and she is not happy.”

"Wait just an apple-picking minute," Applejack said. "If she has the Seventh Element of Harmony, she can only use it if she can use the Element, so without the Element’s Bearer, it's useless… right?"

"Which is why I asked Twilight to bring the mirror here with you," Celestia said.

"Why the mirror?" Twilight asked.

"Because we need you to bring the Seventh Element of Harmony Bearer here," Luna said.

"But who is the Seventh Bearer?" Rainbow asked.

"Sunset Shimmer," Celestia said.

Everyone gasped. The last time Sunset Shimmer and the Elements of Harmony were in the same sentence was when she had stolen Twilight's crown.

"Sunset Shimmer was an Element Bearer?" Twilight said.

"I had no idea she belonged to the Seventh Element when I first taught her," Celestia said. "After she came and Reconsiled with me, I knew she was the next Element Bearer."

"So we need you to go through the mirror and ask her to come back to Equestria for a while," Luna said.

"I can try," Twilight said, "but there are problems with me going back. One: the other version of me is there with her," Twilight explained. "Two: there is still equestrian magic in her world, who knows what could happen if I go there.

"We understand," Celestia said.

"However, we need you to do it and fast, we dont know when Cinch's next attack may happen, so we will send you there now," Luna said.

So doing as she was asked, Twilight went through the mirror and was whisked away to another dimension.

Ponyville

"While we wait for Twilight to get back, let's relax," Applejack said.

"That's easy for you to say," Rainbow said with a frustrating voice. "You did not just lose your wing and get it replaced with a metal one!"

"I understand your frustration, Dashie," Applejack said, trying to calm her future wife down, "but we can’t focus on this right now."

"Then what should we do?" Rainbow asked

"First," Applejack said, "we get you back to flying again. If you want to defeat Lightning Dust, then you need to be at your best!" Applejack said with a confident tone. "Two, we prepare for our wedding," Applejack said romantically.

"Oh, right. The wedding..." Rainbow said.

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?" Applejack asked.

"No, never," Rainbow said. "It’s just... is it safe to have it while Lightning Dust is at large?”

"You have a point," Applejack said, "but I’m not scared."

"Good," Rainbow said. "I don’t want to marry a chicken, after all," Rainbow joked.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash walked towards the Apple family barn. Rainbow was thinking about her and the many things she wanted to do now that she was going to marry Applejack. She was also wondering what she was going to do now that she had a metal wing, and most importantly, would she be able to fly with it?

Apple Family Barn

As Rainbow was lying in her bed, she was thinking to herself how she might be able to fly now that she had a metal wing, but the only thing she could think about was how loud the ‘Bucky Cash’ song was playing downstairs. She knew that her life would be really different with all that had happened.

"Hay, you okay?" Applejack said.

"Yeah, I’m okay," Rainbow said. "Just thinking."

"About what?"

"It’s just..." Rainbow explained, "so much happened in just a couple days. First, I get engaged, then I lose my wing, and now all my friends at the Wonderbolts except for one is dead," Rainbow said, trying not to cry. "What am I going to do?"

Just then, Applejack climbed on top of her Rainbow, held her against the bed, and would not let go. "You listen to me," Applejack said. "No matter what happens, I will always be here with you. I don't care if you lose your foot or wing; you will be now and forever my wife." Applejack kissed Rainbow on the head.

"Thanks," Rainbow said. Then Rainbow realised the position they where in and a smirk grew on her face. "You know...this is really kinky," Rainbow said.

"You thinking what I’m thinking?" Applejack said.

"Hell Yeah, Lets Do This!"

"Rainbow!, not so loud!" Applejack said trying to act serious but at the same time was chuckeling. then Rainbow flapped her right wing to blow a wind to close the door.

Author's Note

Three Things

I am not including Twilight going to the human dimension that will be an entirely different story for later Update 8/27/18: I am Not going to be doing a story about that for a while, other things to work on
If you are confused on which adventure Celestia was talking about was (Forgoten Friendship)
Sorry for the short chapter rain out of ideas hopefully the next chapter will be longer

Chapter 5: The Plan

The sun was shining from the window into Rainbow and Applejack’s room. They were both in bed, sweaty and in need of a shower. As Rainbow got up, she saw Applejack was still sleeping. She walked over to the bathroom quietly then took a nice cold shower to wash off all the "sweat" from her body. As she walked towards the shower, she looked at the stump that used to be her Left-Wing in the mirror and remembered she had promised Applejack she would try to fly today.

"Ugh...Why does life have to be cruel sometimes?" Dash groaned she walked into the shower and turned the water on. As the water hit her fur, she stood there thinking about all that had happened. With Spitfire in the hospital from the attack, she could not rely on her for backup, Twilight was not back from the Mirror Dimension yet, and Luna and Celestia were busy finding Princess Cinch and the Shadowbolts’ hidden cave.

Once she got out of the shower, Applejack was waiting for her in the bathroom. "Hay, beautiful. Have a nice shower?" Applejack asked.

"It wasn’t the same without you in there with me," Rainbow said.

Applejack had a big smile on her face. As she got into the shower, Rainbow Dash left the room to put her metal wing on. While it would take some getting use to, she could live with it for the time being. Who knew? With a few adjustments and an awesome paint job, it could look as good as new. Rainbow used all her strength to lift the wing onto her back, then attached it to her waist and strapped it on.

She walked towards the mirror and looked at herself. "It's not that bad, is it?"

"No… Not at all, Dashie," Applejack said. "I have a lot of work today. And you have a personal trainer to see," Applejack said

"Ugh, do I have to?!" Rainbow complained.

"If you want to fly and beat Lightning Dust, then yes, you do," Applejack said.

"Okay.,"

"Love you!" Applejack said.

"Love you too," Rainbow said. She then walked towards Ponyville for her training with her personal trainer, Time Turner, or as others called him, Dr. Whooves.

The TARDIS

Dr. Whooves was a strange pony. While he looked like a regular pony on the outside, he was definitely not one on the inside. He was an alien from a planet called Gallifrey in another dimension like the mirror, except "less cute and more extreme," as Dr. Whooves would say. People knew he was not from around Ponyville, but they did not care: he was nice, funny, and had many fascinating stories to tell from his travels.

As Rainbow entered the police box, she mused, "I know this is not magic, but this is impressive stuff, even for an earth pony."

"Ah...Mrs.Dash, welcome!" The Doctor said. "I presume you’re here for training."

"Yes Mr. Whooves," Rainbow said.

"Please" The Doctor said. "Just call me The Doctor"

"Ok… Doctor, where exactly are you taking me to train?" Rainbow asked.

"Well," The Doctor explained, "since your flight camp was destroyed, I was thinking, how about going in time before it was destroyed? But then I remembered that it’s always in use, so you would be spotted for sure. But then I thought, how about we go back to the Golden Age of the Wonderbolts, when Spitfire herself was still in camp? So that's where I’m taking you."

"So I’m going to time travel!" Rainbow said, excited.

"Yes indeed," The Doctor said.

Just then, the TARDIS began to make noise and Dr.Whooves said something that sounded Old Ponish

"Allons Y!" The Dr shouted

Wonderbolt flight camp 1986 BMN (Before Nightmare Moon)

As Rainbow exited the TARDIS, she saw the flight camp and was astonished to see what was in front of her: all the buildings looked new the grass freshly cut and the runway paved to a perfect code of black

"Thank you, Doctor!" Rainbow said hugging him

"No problem, Miss. Dash," The Doctor said. "Now remember, there are three things you cannot say to anypony: One, your name; Two, what happens to them in the future; and Three, most importantly, Don't Change The Future By Telling Anyone What Happens To Them!

"Yes, sir!" Rainbow said. She then ran towards the flight camp.

***

As The Dr entered the TARDIS with Rainbow, he could see that she was all sweaty and exhausted. "And I thought Spitfire was a tough teacher," Rainbow said.

"Well, hopefully, you now know how to fly using that metal wing of yours," The Doctor said.

"Yes, I do," Rainbow said. "And I’m now faster than ever before."

"Good," The Doctor said. "Now let's get you back to your time zone.”

As the TARDIS made that noise again, Rainbow was burning up with a question for The Doctor and could not wait for any longer to ask it. "Doctor?" Rainbow asked. "Will me and Applejack make it through what is happening with Lightning Dust?"

The Doctor froze. "I’m sorry, Rainbow. I’m not allowed to tell you your future," The Doctor said. "I can only tell you this… You will both have great happiness and sorrow that is yet to come."

"Will...Will Me or Applejack die?"

"Sigh... No… No, You Both will not," The Doctor said. "That is all I can tell you."

The TARDIS grew silent. When the door opened, Rainbow could see Sweet Apple Acres.

"Now usually I would come to explain why we were late," The Doctor said, "but we can't stay here."

"Why, is something bad about to happen?"

"No, not at all… Well, you will see, or rather you will hear."

"Okay then… Well, I hope to see you soon, Doctor," Rainbow said.

"Oh, trust me, you will see me very soon," The Doctor said.

As Rainbow Dash exited the TARDIS, the box slowly began to disappear, until just like that, it was like it was not even there.

"Wonder what he meant by that?" Rainbow Dash thought to herself as she heded to her loving wife waiting for her at the barn

Twilight’s Castle 1 hour later

As the Main 5 stood in front of the Mirror, they were expecting Twilight and Sunset to come through it any minute now. It had been two days since she had gone into the mirror, and they all were getting worried.

"Do you think she was held up?" Rarity asked.

"This is Twilight we are talking about! I think she can take care of herself," Applejack said.

Just then, a noise filled up the room that nopony recognized--nopony except Rainbow Dash. All of a sudden, the TARDIS appeared in front of the mirror.

"Okay, I think this is the right place," The Doctor said.

"Thanks again, Doctor," Twilight said.

"Hey, girls!" Sunset said.

"Umm, hay," Applejack said.

"Doctor, what are you doing here?" Rainbow said.

"I’m sorry, do I know you?"

"Um, it’s me, Rainbow Dash, remember?" Rainbow said, confused. "You just recently took me to.."

"Stop what you are saying right now!" The Doctor said. "Sorry if I’m sounding rude, but it’s dangerous to know too much of your own future, especially if you are me."

"Then who took me earlier today?"

"Easy--the Doctor you saw was my future self. He had already done this, so he knew that he could not stay."

"I guess that makes sense?" Rainbow said.

"Good! Now if you’ll excuse me, I must be going. Well, see you soon, or in the future, or maybe the past… Time travel is so confusing," The Doctor said, laughing to himself. As he closed the door, the TARDIS made that sound and disappeared into thin air just like last time.

"Umm, why did The Doctor take you here?" Applejack said.

"Long story," Twilight said.

"You would not believe us even if we told you," Sunset said.

"Yeah, that whole time travel thing was really confusing," Twilight said.

"I do, however, have something to tell you all that is less confusing," Sunset said. "Princess Cinch lived in my dimension for quite some time under the name Principal Cinch."

"She was?" Luna said

"Yes… she even took the Twilight of my dimension and turned her evil for a couple of minutes, but I beat her," Sunset said. "After that, we never saw her again. I assume she came here afterward."

"If this is true, then we can use this to our advantage," Princess Celestia said.

"And do what?" Applejack asked.

"Make a plan," Luna said.

"As far as we know, she is unaware that Sunset is the Seventh Element Bearer, and furthermore that she is even back in Equestria," Luna said.

"So when do we get to kick some flank?" Rainbow said.

"For now," Celestia said, "we have to wait for them to make their move. Only then we can make our own."

"What is the plan?" Twilight asked.

"Oh, I hope it involves a party!" Pinkie Pie said as she walked in the room with Starlight Glimmer following behind her.

"We're back," Starlight said.

"Starlight, Pinkie, how was your trip to Seaquestria?" Twilight asked.

"It was okay," Starlight said. "I still can't get used to swimming instead of running," Starlight said, smiling. "So what did we miss?"

"I think it's best if you tell them what happened, Rainbow," Twilight said.

As Rainbow Dash walked out of the corner she was standing in, Pinkie Pie and Starlight Glimmer went from happy to sad. As she explained what had happened so far--the attack at the gala, the proposal, the attack on the Wonderbolts--they were quiet the entire time.

"I'm so sorry, Rainbow. It must be so hard for you to..." Starlight said before getting interrupted by Pinkie who had frozen with a giant smile on her face once Rainbow had told her about proposing to Applejack.

"Oh my gosh! You and Applejack are getting married! I’m so excited!" Pinkie Pie blurted out before realizing she was interrupting a serious conversation. "Oh, sorry."

"Anyway, seeing that metal wing is familiar, though," Starlight said.

"What do you mean familiar, Starlight?" Applejack said.

"Well remember when I was evil, and I tried to rewrite the timeline by making sure Rainbow Dash wouldn't win that big race?"

"Yeah, I remember," Twilight said in a sarstasisic tone.

"Yeah, well, when I traveled in time the first time and came back, I came across an Equestria at war with King Sombra. During that war, you had lost a wing, and it had been replaced with metal. You were also fighting alongside the Wonderbolts," Starlight said.

"I was?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes... you were even fighting a stranger who kind of looked like you," Starlight said.

"Did this mare happen to have a lightning-colored mane and a light blue coat?" Princess Celestia asked.

"Yes, actually; why?"

"Then our worst fears have come true," Luna said.

"Why, what’s wrong?" Twilight asked.

"I'm afraid that wasn't an alternate dimension you saw," Celestia said. "Instead you accidentally traveled into the future, and what you saw was the future."

"But I went to this future as well," Twilight said, "and when I approached the Applejack from that future, she said she had no idea who any of our friends were."

"Most likely a side effect from time traveling," Luna said. "There was most likely a time quantum loop from when you traveled there, and so pieces of her memories were probably gone. Did she remember any familiar names by any chance?”

"She said the only name she remembered was Rarity," Twilight said.

"If she even remembered one of The Element of Harmony Bearers, that means it was definitely a quantum loop," Celestia said.

"So if what I saw was true, that means..." Starlight said.

"King Sombra is going to return, and there will be a war."

Author's Note

Hay guys, incase you where wondering what exsactly happend to Rainbow and Doctor Whooves when thay traveld back in time then please read Doctor Whooves And The Wonderbolt Assassin It takes place as soon as Rainbow steps into the TARDIS, hope you enjoyed this chapter more to come soon!!

Chapter 6: The Battle Begins

It had been about five days since the meeting, and so far the Shadowbolts had been quiet. The Main 8 had been summoned to the Crystal Empire for the rest of the week to guard the Royal family, so Applejack and Rainbow Dash were staying in the capital with the rest of their friends. Applejack was walking around the Crystal Empire to pick out a wedding spot for them, and Dash was searching the skies with the Royal Guard, so both of them were extremely busy. And after the Royal Guard had been killed by Lightning Dust, a Kingdom-wide curfew was initiated until further notice, and both Dash and Applejack were on the way to their room.

"Hay, sugarcube," Applejack said as Dash came walking in through the castle door.

"Hay," Dash said. "Any luck finding a place?"

"Not yet," Applejack said. "It’s harder to find a wedding place than it is to round up a bunch of cattle on a cool summer morning."

"Where’s Twilight?" Dash asked.

"She's with Flurry Heart," Applejack said. "Cadence and Shining Armor said they found a lead, so they are going to investigate."

"Really?" Dash said excitedly. "We finally caught the bastards!" she said.

"Rainbow! Language," Applejack yelled.

"Sorry," Dash said. "But did we really catch them?"

"I said it was a lead," Applejack said. "We don't know if they are even there or not"

"I hope they find them," Dash said. "I would like to give Lightning Dust her own metal wing, if you know what I mean."

Just then, ten royal guards came bursting into the door, followed by Shining Armor. As they came running in, Dash and Applejack could see that they had blood all over them, and some of them even had a missing eye. Shining Armor approached Rainbow. He had a bunch of scars around his face, his legs were bleeding, and his armor was all dented.

"Rainbow!" Shining Armor said. "Call Twily and the rest of your friends-- tell them to prepare for battle!"

"Where is Princess Cadence?" Applejack asked, worried.

“She has been captured by Princess Cinch and the Shadowbolts!”

The Outskirts of The Crystal Empire

As the cold wind blew through Rainbow’s fur, she knew that this would be a tough battle. She saw Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Sunset Shimmer, and Starlight Glimmer in the royal chariot, followed by at least twelve guards; behind them was Shining Armor and his 1,000 royal guards for Crystal Army, 500 pegasi, 400 unicorns, and 100 earth ponies. And behind them was Princess Celestia and her royal guard. Rainbow had put on her Wonderbolt uniform to symbolise that the Wonderbolts would not give up that easily.

"We are almost there," Shining Armor said. "When we get to the cave, Twilight, you and your friends will find the Seventh Element and save Cadence, while me and Celestia take on the Shadowbolt army."

"Okay," Twilight said.

All of a sudden the sky stopped snowing, and storm clouds appeared in the sky. "Twilight, run to the cave, NOW!" Just then, about 500 Shadowbolts came out of the clouds at once. Doing as Shining Armor said, Twilight and Rainbow Dash ran towards the cave with the rest of the Main 8.

The Shadowbolt Flight Camp

As the Main 8 went into the cave, they were surprised to find what awaited them was an exact replica of the Wonderbolt Flight Camp standing before them, except in the colors of the Shadowbolts. As they walked onto the runway, they stopped to catch their breath.

"Okay… Now that we are in, let's find the Element," Sunset said.

“Rainbow, since you know the Flight Camp well, can you find the captain's quarters?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, I’m pretty sure It should be right where Spitfire’s quarters were in the original camp," Rainbow said.

"Okay, here is the plan," Twilight said. "Sunset, Applejack, and Rainbow, and I will go find the Element, while the rest of you look for whatever we can defend ourselves with," Twilight said. "We might not be alone in here, so be careful."

As the gang split up, Rainbow was wondering what Lightning Dust was up to, and if she herself knew what she was doing.

Captain's Quarters/Throne Room

As Twilight, Rainbow, Sunset, and Applejack ran to the captain's quarters, they noticed it was also immediately different from the captain's quarters from the Wonderbolts flight camp; instead, it was an exact replica of what appeared to be Princess Celestia’s own throne room.

"Princess Cinch must have wanted to feel the comfort of royalty after she left," Twilight said. "Sunset, when Princess Cinch was in your world, did she by any chance say anything that might help us?"

"The only thing Principal Cinch did when she was in my world was corrupt my Twilight," Sunset said. "She didn't really reveal anything about Equestria. When you told me she was originally from Equestria, I was surprised."

"Then I'm afraid that's not going to be really useful, sugarcube," Applejack said.

As the group walked over to the throne, Dash noticed immediately that there was something in front of it. "Guys, that look exactly like Spitfire’s desk!" Rainbow said.

As Rainbow and Applejack walked over to the desk, they saw something that made Rainbow Dash so angry, she could have bucked the first person behind her. Above the desk and throne was a frame, inside of which, to Applejack’s disgust, was Rainbow Dash’s cut-off wing, just like a trophy.

"What kind of sick person would do this?!" Applejack yelled.

Just then, they heard the door open behind them, and a familiar dangerous pony stood right behind them. "Welcome to my humble abode, Rainbow Dash!" Lightning Dust said. "Enjoying my prized trophy?"

"I’m gonna buck you so hard that you will die before you hit the ground!" Applejack said.

"Really? I would love to see you try," Lightning Dust said, "but I don't think you want to hurt me while I am wearing this."

Then Lightning Dust pulled out what appeared to be a necklace that looked exactly like the Elements of Harmony, except the necklace wasn't made of gold, but silver, and the shape of the element on her neck was Sunset's cutie mark, only dark blue.

"This is no longer the Element of Empathy," Lightning Dust said. "This is the Element of Apathy, the first-ever Element of Disharmony."

"What did you do to it?" Twilight asked.

"Let's just say you are not the only one who knows a Princess," Lightning Dust said.

"Enough!" shouted a mysterious voice.

Just then, a tall alicorn stepped out from behind Lightning Dust. She looked older than Celestia, she had a purple and black mane, and her fur was light blue, slightly lighter than Rainbow Dash's. "I am Princess Cinch," she said.

"We know who you are," Sunset Shimmer said, coming out from behind Twilight's back.

"Well, well, well! So the teenagers return. I'm surprised that you came through the mirror--or were you originally from here as well as I?" Cinch said.

"I'm not going to let you corrupt this world like you almost did mine!" Sunset said.

"We would like to see you try," Lightning Dust said.

Having had enough of this bickering, Rainbow Dash emerged from behind the desk. Her metal wing and real wing lifted her high into the air, and then she hurdled towards Lightning Dust, bucking her right in the chest. As Lightning fumbled into the wall, Rainbow Dash pulled out her metal wing, and she was peeved. "You took something of mine; now I'm going to take something that belongs to you!" Rainbow Dash raised her metal wing and shaped it like a knife. She went full throttle and tried to slice into Lightning Dust's wing, but missed as Lightning Dust kicked Dash off her

"You're stronger then the last time we met Rainbow," Lightning Dust said. "Now, how about me and you finish this once and for all?" Lightning Dust then grabed a dagger with her mouth and sliced it across Rainbow Dash's eye, leaving a scar on her right eye.

As Rainbow Dash backed up, she replied furiously, "I couldn't agree more."

Author's Note

Well this is it so close to the final two chapters the next chapter is going to be a bit long or a bit short depending on how it goes and the Final Chapter will be the prologue

Chapter 7: The Battle Unfolds

As the Shadowbolt army descended from the sky, Shining Armor knew that this would be a tough battle to win, but he had to do it: the fate of all Equestria hung in the balance. As he charged into the Horde of Shadowbolts, he and his army started shooting out blasts of magic. One by one the Shadowbolts and his own army fell, but the only thing Shining Armor could think about was if his wife would survive all this and if she was even still alive. He could see that Princess Luna and Celestia were doing their best Horde off as much Shadowbolts as possible, but even they could take a hit.

"Luna, if we are going to defeat Princess Cinch, we're going to need to show them everything we got," Celestia said with a stern tone. "Do you have that spell you've been working on?"

"Sister, are you sure this is a good idea? Once I do that, I may not be able to go back!" Luna replied.

"Do not worry. The Elements will return you back as soon as possible, I know it," Celestia said, looking Luna straight in the eye with all the sorrow she could.

Luna looked directly into Celestia's eyes; she could see that even Celestia wasn't sure about the spell. They'd been practicing the spell for just such an occasion. After the Storm King came, they knew that if anything like him were to ever happen again, they would need to fight with something or someone equally as powerful as the threat. Luna knew this was the perfect opportunity. As she closed her eyes, she whispered a spell under her breath that she thought she would never have to say again.

"I let the darkness consume me I accept my fate as the one true ruler of all Equestria--a nightmare!" Luna cried out. Just then, a giant black magical ball surrounded Luna; as she saw her sister for the last time, she hoped for Celestia’s sake she knew what she was doing. As the black ball consumed her, a familiar voice came out of the shadows, and almost all the Shadowbolts were deeply terrified.

"You think your princess can rule Equestria?" the dark figure said as she came out of the black ball. "I will show you what true fear is and who deserves to sit on the throne!" Then the sun was shining right on her, and it was clear that Nightmare Moon had once again returned. "Now the darkness shall consume you all!"

As Nightmare Moon blasted magic into the Shadowbolts, Celestia hoped that her sister could hang in there. But then she noticed something that was mysterious: for some reason, Nightmare Moon was only fighting the Shadowbolts and not the royal guard. But before she could say anything to her former adversary, more Shadowbolts came out of the cloud, and she prepared to take them down.

The Shadowbolt Flight Camp

While Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Starlight Glimmer listened to the battle going on outside, they scoured around the entire area looking for anything that could help their friends defeat the Shadowbolts. Unfortunately, the only thing they could find was a couple pieces of armor and swords, which, while helpful, could not help them at a time like this. As they looked around the cage, Pinkie Pie noticed something hanging above her head.

"Ohhhhh, a cage!" Pinkie Pie said. "You think there's a cake in there?"

"Darling, why would they keep a cake in a cage?" Rarity said.

"Maybe there's a friendly bat in there," Fluttershy said nervously.

"I don't think a bat has a glowing horn," Starlight said.

As the group walked closer to the cage, they could immediately see what was standing in it: Princess Cadence, in chains surrounded by spikes. There was something below the cage, too, and it appeared to be some sort of metal trapdoor.

"Princess Cadence, are you all right?" Starlight asked.

"Just a little banged up; nothing I can't handle," Cadence said. "Where is Shining Armor?"

"He's outside with Princess Celestia and Luna, battling the Shadowbolts," Starlight said. Then immediately, Starlight remembered her vision and realized something very important: there were three ponies that were not out there.

"Pinkie, do you have a way of contacting Maud?" Starlight asked.

"Of course I do, but why do we need her?" Pinkie Pie asked.

“That doesn't matter! Right now, I need you to contact her, and then I want you and her to get into these!” Using magic, she popped out what appeared to be battle armor styled like a Wonderbolts uniform, but black and heavily armored, with some plastic and other necessities.

"Darling, why do you need Pinkie Pie and Maud outside battling in those ugly uniforms with the Shadowbolts?"

"In my vision, Pinkie Pie and Maud saved Rainbow Dash from a falling boulder! That means we also need Rainbow Dash to be out there right now," Starlight said.

"I don't understand why we need them to be outside," Fluttershy said.

"Remember, my vision is a vision from the future! If Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Maud aren't outside with Princess Celestia right now, then the timeline could be corrupted or worse," Starlight said with a worried tone.

"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie Pie hopped out of the cave to join the battle.

"I hope Rainbow Dash is having better luck than we are! Also, I hope she realizes we're going to need her out there," Starlight said to Rarity.

"Darling I'm sure Rainbow Dash can handle herself," Rarity said.

"Now let's get you out of the cage, Princess," Starlight said.

But before she could do anything, the metal trap door opened, and black crystals started to form around the three ponies, then giant green and purple eyes came out of the darkness and using an unfamiliar type of magic knocked Cadence, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Starlight out.

Captain's Quarters/Throne Room

As Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust flew through the air, clashing metal wings and daggers, they were both exhausting each other. One flew left, the other flew right, back and forth over and over again.

"You're not going to win, Lightning. Unlike the Shadowbolts, the Wonderbolts know how to fight," Rainbow said.

Lightning then spat the dagger out of her mouth "Why do you throw away your life so recklessly Rainbow Dash?" Lightning Dust said.

"That's a question you should ask yourself, Lightning Dust," Rainbow Dash said.

And then Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust started clashing again, only this time Rainbow Dash was attacking with all of her anger. As she clashed with Lightning Dust, she could only think of the things that Lightning had done to her: she had taken her wing, and she’d taken her friends, and now she was going to pay for it all. As they battled in the air, Princess Cinch maniacally laughed, then took her attention off the pegasi and on to the rest of the group.

"You think that you can win this battle?" Cinch said. "With the Eighth Element by my side--”

"Understand this, Princess Cinch: you may have the Eighth Element, but we are never going to give up," Twilight said.

"And that will be your downfall!" Cinch said. "I may have failed taking over the human world, but I will not fail taking over Equestria! Soon my Shadowbolts will take care of my sisters and that pesky princess in the cage, and then I will rule over Equestria’s ashes!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Using all of her might, Twilight blasted purple magic at the evil princess. In response, Princess Cinch created a giant black and green shield made of dark magic.

"You think that you're the only one who studied magic in the restricted section?" Cinch asked. "Now I will show you all the true power of Fear!" She blasted a giant energy beam at Twilight, sending her flying into the wall.

"Twilight!" Sunset cried out.

As she ran over to Twilight, she saw that she was not severely injured, but she was still bleeding. "It's going to take a lot more than that to beat me!" Twilight said.

Then using the same kind of attack, she sent a powerful purple energy beam towards Cinch, who sent another energy beam at Twilight. Both of the magical energy beams gathered up power into one giant ball of energy.

As Applejack sat and watched the battle unfold, she wondered, “What can I do to help turn the tide?”

Author's Note

Hey guys sorry for the long chapter a few things to know to yes I did do a couple references to different outside TV shows I just thought it was appropriate for the story I also would like you to know that this is not the last chapter and that in fact there are still a couple more chapters in The Works hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and thanks for reading

Chapter 8: The Battle Concludes

As Applejack saw the battle unfold in front of her, she could only think about what she could do, but the only thing she could think of was joining Starlight in finding weapons. As she slowly went to exit the throne room, the room became black and dark crystals started spiking out of the floor. Twilight was immediately struck with fear and lost her concentration, then Cinch got the upper hand and knocked Twilight to the ground. Before she could finish Twilight off, she saw what had made the alicorn lose her concentration, and she knew where these crystals had come from and who had made them.

King Sombra walked over the throne and towards Cinch. "Good.....Good....." He laughed maniacally and stood over the injured Twilight. "You think that your Princesses can save you?" he said. "Well...They can't!" He then summoned a sword and stabbed Twilight through the chest.

"TWILIGHT!" Rainbow Dash cried out! Using her metal wing, she punched Lighting Dust in the chest, knocking her to the wall, and then flew towards her friend.

"No....No....No...please don't go, Twi, don't go!" Rainbow said.

Twilight could only hold on for a little longer; she said weakly, "Don't worry… I will be fine." Then she fell unconscious.

Sunset was now running towards Twilight, and she said, looking at Rainbow, "Is...Is she?"

"No, just unconscious," Rainbow Dash said.

"We defeated you once, and we can defeat you again. We're not afraid of you!" Rainbow said angrily.

"Oh, but you should." Just then, he grabbed Applejack and put her in a bubble, then four more bubbles popped out of nowhere and inside of them contained Fluttershy, Rarity, Starlight, and Cadence.

"If you want your friends to live, you will bow to me!"

Cinch walked up to Sombra. "I am here to serve you, master."

"As am I," Lightning Dust said as she got up and joined her twisted masters.

Rainbow Dash was thinking in her head every single idea she could, but all of them ended up with all five of her closest friends and her wife meeting an unfortunate end. The only thing Rainbow Dash could do was shed a tear down her cheek.

"Celestia help me," Rainbow Dash said.

"She can’t save you!" Sombra said. "Not this time!"

"Oh, really?" Princess Celestia shouted.

As King Sombra turned around, he could only see Celestia walking in. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the sun god herself," he said mockingly. "Have you come to finish me off by yourself, or is your pitiful sister not with you?"

"Oh, don't worry, she's right here with me," Celestia said with a smirk on her face. Just then, the ceiling came crushing in, and Nightmare Moon with all her glory landed right in front of Celestia.

One hour ago

As Princess Celestia used all the magic beams she could--she was shooting Shadowbolts left and right--but she could only watch in horror as one by one her fellow soldiers kept falling for her. Just then, a giant bolt of magic came shooting out of the Shadowbolt cave, but that wasn’t what worried her: what worried her the most was that it was aiming right towards Nightmare Moon. The magic hit Nightmare Moon and sent her slamming down to the ground.

"Sister!" Celestia yelled.

Celestia cautiously ran over to Nightmare Moon. She was somewhat relieved to see Nightmare Moon was fully well and standing up proudly, but she could see something that was different from the last time she saw Nightmare Moon: her eyes were not Nightmare Moon's; in fact, they were Luna’s.

"Why did you do this? Why did you help me?" Celestia said.

"We may be adversaries in the past, but now I know even if I try to overthrow you, even if I successfully take over Equestria, it wouldn't be the same without you," Nightmare Moon said. "And I'm not going to let some wannabe princess and king take over my land!"

Celestia was relieved to hear that Nightmare Moon was on her side--sort of. Just then, a giant magical energy blast came from the cavern again, and Nightmare Moon and Princess Celestia both knew this was King Sombra’s doing. They both flew towards the cave.

Captain's Quarters/Throne Room

"So the Nightmare returns," King Sombra said, impressed.

"Yes, I have," Nightmare Moon replied. "But unlike last time, I'm going to make sure that you are permanently gone!"

Just then, Celestia noticed Rainbow and Sunset standing over something. As she got a closer look, she could only stare in horror as she saw Twilight bleeding out.

"No..." Celestia said. She felt something she had never felt before and then with all that anger, she said, "King Sombra, this is the last day you will ever see Equestria. Now you will join Tirek in the gates of Tartarus!"

"I would like to see you try!" Sombra said. He shot out a magic beam towards Princess Cadence's bubble, but before it could hit her, Nightmare Moon deflected the blast right back at Sombra, hitting him against the wall. He screamed in pain and slumped to the wall, going silent.

Nightmare Moon then quickly popped all the bubbles holding the ponies, and then Princess Cadence ran up to the injured Twilight and grabbed her.

"Twilight...Twilight, wake up!" she said, crying. "Is she?"

"Just unconscious," Sunset said. "Are you okay?" she said.

"I'm okay… Now let's deal with this together!" Cadence said.

"How? Without Twilight, you can’t use your Magic Princess spell to send him to Tartarus," Sunset said.

"Then it's a good thing we have you," Celestia said. Then Princess Celestia, Nightmare Moon, and Princess Cadence all used their magic and formed one colossal magic bubble and aimed it right at Sunset. The bubble then surrounded her. She could see her life flash before her eyes, and then everything went black.

As Sunset woke up, she could see everyone was staring at her. Even Sombra was shocked. Then she looked behind her and saw something that made her gasp. "I have wings?!" she said.

"This is impossible!" Sombra turned over to Cinch and Sunset. "STOP THEM, YOU FOOLS!" he yelled.

"Yes, master," Cinch said. She turned over to Lightning Dust. "Give me the Element."

"But...I thought I was going to use it," she said.

"Give it to me!" Cinch demanded.

Lightning Dust then did as she was told: she took off the Element and gave it to her teacher, who put it on. "Now, witness my unstoppable power!" Cinch said. Then, before Princess Cinch could make her move, her horn started to sparkle and zap.

"Now nothing can stop..." Just then, Applejack rushed towards Cinch and bucked the Element and Cinch right in the chest. Cinch screamed as a giant explosion sent Sunset, Rainbow, Applejack and Princess Cinch against the wall.

As the smoke cleared, Rainbow Dash rushed towards Applejack, Twilight, and Sunset. Thankfully, she was relieved to see no one was harmed. "Are you two okay?" Rainbow asked.

"We're fine," Sunset said."

Rainbow Dash then looked at her wife. “You made a dumb move,” she said.

“She helped to take your wing, so I returned the favor,” Applejack said with a smirk on her face. As the smoke cleared, Princess Cinch's head was zapping and sparkling, and everyone could clearly see her horn had been blown straight off, and Princess Cinch was lying there unconscious.

King Sombra then walked over to Cinch who was slowly slipping out of conscience"You have failed me for the last time Cinch" Sombra said. He turned towards Lightning Dust, who was trying to slowly escape. "You!" Sombra said. "Lightning Dust, you have proved yourself to me once before, now do you wish to take your place by my side, and get revenge on the one that wronged you so long ago?" he asked.

"Yes," Lightning Dust said. "That's all I've wanted this entire time!"

"Then use the Element and destroy the rainbow one!" he said as he levitated the Element over to her.

"As you wish," Lighting Dust said. "Now I will have my revenge on you, rain...." Just then, a purple beam of energy shot Lightning Dust, knocking her to the wall next to Cinch.

"Take that, motherbucker," Twilight said as she leaned against Starlight’s leg. Then she fell unconscious again.

"Now it’s just us four against you!" Celestia said.

Then, using all of their magic, the princesses shot a giant magic bubble right at King Sombra, and a giant gate to Tartarus opened. As the air sucked in everything, all the ponies grabbed onto something to hold onto, except for King Sombra who was running for his life towards the door. As the air sucked him in, he could only make out one sentence before he was sucked into the gates of Tartarus

"I will return to Equestria one day, and when I do, I will have the Elements of Harmony, and you will fall!"

But then, before he could be shot into the gates of Tartarus, he sent a giant blast of energy towards Twilight and Celestia, but Starlight jumped in the way.

"No!" Starlight cried out. She was blasted into the throne which broke as she slammed into it. As the gate closed, all the princesses ran towards the rest of the group hiding behind the throne to make sure their friends were okay, but one of them was severely injured.

"Starlight!" Rainbow ran towards her friend.

Starlight was severely injured: one of her hooves were missing, and her horn had a crack on it.

"We will have to get her and Twilight to the medical facility in Canterlot right away," Princess Celestia said.

"Where is Cinch?" Sunset said.

"She must have gotten away during the commotion," Luna said.

"We will deal with her later," Cadence said. "Besides that, do you think Shining Armor and the rest of the army are okay?” Princess Cadence said.

"I think they can handle themselves for now," Sunset said.

Carrying the injured unicorn and alicorn on her back, Celestia walked towards the exit of the throne room, with everyone else falling behind her. Applejack quickly walked up to Rainbow Dash, who was standing beside Lightning Dust, who had just woke up. "This is impossible! I was told that I would win!" Lightning Dust said.

Rainbow Dash looked over Lightning Dust: she could see that she was badly bleeding, her wing was practically broken, and she had a giant black eye from where Rainbow had punched her. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't end you right here and right now," Rainbow Dash said threateningly.

"You don't have the guts to do it!" Lightning Dust said. "You will always and forever be the chicken I knew to back away from something as wonderful as the Shadowbolts."

Rainbow Dash looked over at Applejack; she had a little bit of dust on her head, but it didn't look like she was injured. Applejack was looking at Rainbow Dash with a stern look, and she slowly nodded her head, saying, "Do what you have to do."

Rainbow Dash lifted up her wing as sharp as she could, and then slammed it down right next to Lightning Dust.

"You... You didn't finish me off?" Lightning Dust said, confused.

"Killing you would just be doing you a favor; where you're going is much worse!"

Rainbow Dash then formed her regular wing into a fist and knocked Lightning Dust out, giving her a second black eye. Then, with a smug look on her face, she said, "That's what you get, motherbucker!"

"You did the right thing, sugar," Applejack said.

"I know, it's just...I had so much anger inside of me. I wonder what would have happened if I actually did go through with it."

"Even if you had gone through with it, I still would have been with you all the way," Applejack said. She grabbed Rainbow Dash by the neck and pecked her on the cheek. Rainbow Dash blushed a little and then put Lightning Dust on her back. They walked out the door to join the Army and help them finish off the rest of the Shadowbolts.

Chapter 9: Visions Become Reality

As the group walked outside the cave, they could see that the battle that was going on outside wasn't getting any better. More and more Shadowbolts kept coming, and Equestria was running out of soldiers. "We need to help them out as much as we can," Princess Celestia said.

"What can we do? We're too outnumbered--the more soldiers that we defeat, the more just take their place. They’re like a regenerating shield," Sunset said.

"Something just doesn't seem right. Soldiers don’t just pop out of nowhere!" Rainbow said. Then, as she walked over to the corpse of one of the Shadowbolts, she noticed something was popping out of the helmet. She took the helmet off and saw what she realized was hope for the Equestrian Army. "The soldiers are robots!" she said. "Which means..."

"They don't have to hold back!" Nightmare Moon said. With that, she flew into the battle.

"Attention, Army of Equestria!" Nightmare Moon said. “The soldiers who you are fighting are robots. Use brute force; do not hold back!"

Then all of a sudden, the tide turned. Left and right, the robotic soldiers were falling and more and more Equestrian soldiers started using all the force they could. Some still fell, but more and more realized they were going to win this battle and they were not going to let evil triumph over good.

"Charge!" Celestia said as she pointed over to the rest of the remaining army.

"Dashie, take this," Applejack said as she handed Rainbow Dash what appeared to be a broken helmet. "I know it's not much, but please just protect yourself," she said.

"Applejack, it's okay. I can take care of myself," Rainbow said as she put on the helmet. "But this does make me look 20% cooler!" Then she went to sail into the air along with several other royal guards who were in some sort of wonderbolt-lite-color uniforms.

"We're with you right here, Commander Dash," one of the soldiers said.

"Why are you wearing Wonderbolts uniforms?" Rainbow asked.

"In honor of the Wonderbolts that fell in the first attack, we are wearing their colors to show our enemy we are not afraid!" the soldier said.

"Well then, let's go kick some flank!" Rainbow said. Then she and her fellow soldiers dived right into the remaining Shadowbolt troops. Rainbow Dash knew that if she was going to win this battle, she needed to use all the strength she could. As she flew left and right, using all the aerial skills she had learned with the Wonderbolts, she dodged every single attack from the enemy. Punching and kicking the robotic soldiers, she knew that this was going to be one of the finest battles she would ever take place in. Then a couple soldiers started tackling Rainbow Dash, knocking her helmet off and revealing the scar on her face that Lightning Dust had given her and the hole in the ear from King Sombra. She used all her strength to knock back all the enemies she could.

"Commander Dash, we are losing ground! We need backup!" one of the soldiers said.

"We need to hold our position!" Dash demanded. "Stay your ground!"

"Yes, ma’am!" the soldiers replied.

Just then, three robotic soldiers got up onto a cliff and pushed a large rock down it, right towards Rainbow Dash!

"Oh shit!" Rainbow said.

Just then, out of nowhere, Pinkie Pie and Maud came and punched the boulder until it was just a pebble. Then Pinkie and Maud saluted Dash. "Hay, Rainbow!" Pinkie Pie said. "Some party, huh?"

"Pinkie Pie...You are so random," Rainbow Dash said, smiling.

"Now how about we finish this?" Pinkie Pie said.

"Let's do it!" Rainbow Dash said.

Two Hours Later

As Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie finished off the last of the robot Shadowbolts, the sky went clear, and the storm clouds went away. "We did it!" Pinkie Pie said, exhausted.

"Well done, guys," Sunset said.

"How are Twilight and Starlight?" Rainbow asked.

"They will survive, but with a lot of scars," Sunset said. "Now let’s head back to the Crystal Empire. Celestia has summoned you and the others."

The Royal Throne Room - Crystal Empire

"With Sombra in Tartarus and Lightning Dust locked up, the only criminal of war that remains at large is Princess Cinch, and we have no idea how to track her," Celestia said.

"The bright side is that the Eighth Element is in our possession, so it is not in danger," Nightmare Moon said.

"Nightmare Moon, you still haven't been turned back yet?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"My sister and I have gone over it, and she feels that since I have full control over my Nightmare mode, I may stay in it for a while until the time is right, of course… but please call me Luna,".

"On to more happy matters," Princess Cadence said. "Twilight has woken up, and she is ready to see you girls."

"Really?!" Pinkie Pie said.

"That's awesome!" Dash said.

"Follow me to the medical wing. She should be in there reading some of her books," Cadence said.

"Princess Cadence, I'm sorry to hear about what happened to Shining Armor," Sunset said.

"Shining Armor will be remembered for his brave sacrifice, and I will make sure that Flurry Heart knows her dad was a hero."

As Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Sunset, Fluttershy, and Rarity walked to the medical wing, they could see that Twilight was sitting patiently inside her hospital bed reading a book titled "How to Heal Bad Wounds." She noticed her guests and immediately was stricken with a giant smile.

"Hey girls!" Twilight said.

"We're so glad you're okay, darling," Rarity said. "We thought that you had..."

"It's okay, I'm here," Twilight said.

"How are you holding up?" Rainbow said.

"It's going well. The Doctor said that I will make a full recovery by next month," Twilight said.

"For the time, though, you should stay in bed," Celestia said as she walked in the door.

"I know, Celestia," Twilight said. "It's just, with Cinch still at large, I feel that I should be helping to find her."

"Sugarcube, with your injury, you ain’t fit to go out like this," Applejack said.

"Besides, if we do run into Cinch, we will kick her sorry flank," Rainbow said.

"Do we know where she might have gone?" Sunset asked.

"All we do know is that she is still somewhere in the Crystal Empire, so we have asked Cadence to double the guard near the palace," Celestia said.

"Wait..." Twilight said, "How many troops did you send to the Crystal Empire?"

"Half of them; why?" Celestia said.

Just then, one of the royal guards came bursting in. "Your Majesty," he said, "Canterlot is under attack!"

Chapter 10: The Surprise/Conclusion

As Sunset, Rainbow, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Cadence, and Pinkie took the Friendship Express to Canterlot, they could only look in horror as they pulled into the station. The entire kingdom was in ruins, the town was practically ashes, and the castle that the Main 6 knew so well was all but destroyed. The Main 5 including Sunset entered what was left of the royal throne room and saw Celestia and Luna standing there, looking at what remained of their thrones.

"How did we not see this coming, sister?" Celestia said.

"Cinch knew us all too well," Luna said. "It's not our fault. We did not know that she would send a second battalion to Canterlot while we were gone.”

"Are you okay?" Cadence said.

"We will be fine," Luna said. “Celestia just needs some time alone.”

“We understand,” Sunset said. “It must be hard for her to take all this in.”

"She grew up in this castle," Luna said. “After our battle, when I turned into Nightmare Moon the first time,” she said, ”she came here to our original home to live with the rest of our family.”

“I thought the Castle of the Two Sisters was where you grew up?” Rarity asked.

“We built the castle, yes… But we did not grow up there,” Luna said

"How many casualties?" Cadence said.

"Almost half," Luna said. "But with time, we can rebuild the army and our home."

"Is Ponyville okay?" Rainbow Dash asked.

As soon as we left for the Shadowbolt cave, I put a magic shield around it," Luna said. "Everyone is safe there."

As Rainbow looked over to her left, she saw Applejack was crying. "What’s wrong?" Rainbow asked.

"It's just… There has been so much death over the past week, and it just occurred to me I could have lost you," Applejack said.

"Hay...I will never leave your side," Rainbow said. "I love you."

"I love you too, Dashie," Applejack said.

As the group looked over the horizon, they saw that the sun was setting. And as Rainbow and Applejack looked at each other, they saw that the future was looking bright.

Two Months Later

As the sun rose in the east, Rainbow Dash knew today would be a nice day. It had been nearly two months since she had defeated Sombra and Lightning Dust, and she was looking forward to what was coming in two weeks: her wedding day. As she got out of her bed, she looked to her left and saw Applejack sleeping in the messy bed that she had just gotten out of. She looked outside and recalled that she had to meet Twilight today. As she got out of bed, Rainbow Dash put her metal wing on. To think she’d had a hard time putting it on the first time; now it is a piece of cake. Rainbow lifted the wing onto her back, then, using the strap, attached it to her waist then strapped it on.

As she went down the wooden stairs of the Apple Family barn, she could hear the jukebox playing in the living room. "Granny Smith and Big Mac are up and about," she thought to herself. As she passed the living room, she noticed the cover of the ‘Bucky Cash’ album she had gotten them for Applejack’s birthday. As she opened the door, she saw that the sky was an orange color, which meant it was super early. If she was going early, she might be able to go see Spitfire before seeing Twilight. Closing the door behind her, she took off and headed toward the Wonderbolts Memorial.

Wonderbolts Memorial

As Rainbow Dash landed on the pavement she saw the wall of names in front of her and could see the names of her fallen comrades. As she walked toward it, Spitfire came up to her. "Hay, Crash" Spitfire said.

"Hay, Spitfire," Rainbow said. "How’s it going?"

"Good," Spitfire said. "I just got word that Princess Cadence found some ponies in the Crystal Empire who could be new Wonderbolts."

"That's awesome! So you're going back to teaching cadets?" Rainbow asked.

"No," Spitfire said, "I am going to go hunt for Cinch. I will come back when she is found.""

"It won’t be the same without you," Rainbow said.

“That’s why I am making you temporary Commander,” Spitfire said.

I’m--I don’t know what to say. Thank you!” Rainbow said

“No prob!” Spitfire said

"Nice sunrise, huh?" Spitfire said.

"Yeah, it sure is..." Just then, Rainbow was surprised when a set of lips kissed her, but it was more surprising coming from the person who had mentored her."

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, I just..." Spitfire said.

"I did not know you felt that way," Rainbow said, blushing.

"I’m sorry, I know you're engaged. It's just, I needed to tell you somehow," Spitfire said. "I understand if you don’t want to see me again."

"No, of course not," Rainbow said. "It’s just going to be weird to be around you, that's all."

Spitfire blushed a little and started to walk away. "Wait!" Rainbow said. "You don’t have to go."

"But I kissed you, Dash," Spitfire said, crying. "Why are you not mad at me?"

"Because you are going through a hard time," Rainbow said. "All of our friends are gone, and the Wonderbolt camp is still being rebuilt."

"I’m sorry, I just..." Spitfire said, still crying.

"Hey, it’s okay. We will get through this together," Rainbow said as she hugged Spitfire.

"Thanks, Prysm," Spitfire said to the now surprised Rainbow Dash

¨How did you?¨ Rainbow said

¨Im, not an idiot¨ Spitfire said pulling out an old picture out of her jacket ¨Only took a picture to prove it¨ she said smiling

As Rainbow grabbed the picture she smiled, remembering her friends ¨Yah, that was some year¨

¨Well, Id love to stay and ask how you even came to go to the academy at that point in time, but I need to go¨ Spitfire said ¨See you later¨

¨See you¨ Rainbow said as she flew away towards Twilight’s castle.

Twilight’s Castle

As Rainbow entered the throne/map room, she was immediately surprised by confetti being blasted in her face.

"Surprise!" Pinkie said.

"What’s this for?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"It’s an engagement party, silly" Pinkie said. "You never had one, so here it is!"

"Aww, thanks, Pinkie!" Rainbow said.

"I was just as surprised as you are, Dashie," Applejack said.

"Darling, we are so happy for you," Rarity said.

"Hey, where is Princess Sunset?" Fluttershy asked.

"She went back through the mirror," Twilight said. "With her becoming a princess, she now needs to maintain the magic contained in her world. She also brought the Eight Element with her for safe keeping."

"Well, hopefully she is doing good," Applejack said. Then, as she noticed Dash walking up to the buffet, Twilight gestured to Dash, and Applejack knew what she had to say to her Fiancee.

"Hey, Dash," Applejack said. "I have to tell you something."

"What is it?" Dash asked. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing’s wrong, Dashie," Applejack said.

"Then what is it?"

"Dashie," Applejack said, "I'm pregnant."

Then everything went crazy; Pinkie Pie fainted, Rarity froze in place, Fluttershy was screaming happily, and Twilight was smiling.

"But...But how? I’m not a stallion!" Rainbow asked in shock.

"You can thank Twilight for that," Applejack said. "She found a spell for it. All I needed to do was give her a piece of DNA, so I gave her a lock of your mane."

"So you’re telling me," Rainbow said, "I’m going to be a mother?!"

"Yes!"

"Ohmigoshohmigoshohmigosh!" Dash said. "This Is Awesome!"

"Congrats, guys," Twilight said. "I knew you would be happy about this."

"Thank you so much, Twi!" Rainbow said.

"Yes, thank you, Twi. You just made our lives better," Applejack said.

"So what’s next for you two?" Twilight asked.

"Well, I guess it is just get married, have our kid, and live an awesome life," Rainbow said. Then as she hugged her wife she looked out to the horizon and knew nothing could get any better.

Chapter 11: The End?

As Cinch walked through the Everfree Forest, she thought about what had become of herself. She had gone from a princess, to a principal, and now a pegasus with an ugly stump on her head.

“Someday, I will have my revenge on those ponies, especially the orange one and her wife!” Cinch shouted.

“Perhaps I can help?” said a voice.

“Wh-Who is there?” Cinch asked.

“Someone like you who wants revenge on the Element Bearers,” the voice said.

“Really?” Cinch said. “And who, might I ask, wants revenge on them as much as me?”

As the figure walked out of the shadows, Cinch saw he had a dark robe on and shackles, and he was a gray color with a hint of red, with four whooves and hands. “I am Lord Tirek, and I believe you and I are going to accomplish much together,” he said, smiling wickedly.