Author's Note

Here we go people. Some action.

Your welcome.

Interlude; Assault At The Canopy

Rainbow rushed towards the tighten wall that Sombra’s division created, and broke it with little to no effort, making their formation in a hell of a mess. Her sword was like a musketeer’s gear; but more material added onto the width of said sword and decreased thickness. The sides curve towards the tip of the equipment, all while being forged in undisputed, hardened, enchanted bronze.

The fight against the division has just started, up upon the cursed land that they always called back in the old days, The Canopy. That’s due to the cliffs and mountains that surround this empty land of theirs, which does so in full 360 degrees, high enough that it practically shades them from any sunlight or vision.

Why is it called a cursed land? Well, back when the war literally just began, this piece of soil became the main centrepiece for scouts, who claimed this part of Equestria. Nobody dared to protest this. Not even the almighty princesses, before their downfall struct the nation, and possibly, the world. Not only that, but it’s one of the main routes that link to most of the underground mines and caverns, cutting of very valuable resources.

Meaning, they were that dominative. Up until the Crystal Empire took it’s toll on The Canopy.

Sombra, who already had taken over the Crystal Empire, and being the maniac villain he is, started his domain with an attempt on capturing this main hotspot. The Yaks, Saddle Arabians, the Changeling Empire as well as Equestria itself took part in seizing the land, which holds plenty of power and dominance to whoever succeeds to actually seize it in the first place. The only ones not to were the Griffins, due to their nation’s positioning making retreat and convoy impossible.

Multiple troops were sent, equipped with heavy armoury and gear. They fought and tension lasted for an approximation of 2 years, before Sombra sweeps away the playing field, and takes full control of the site.

That fact made Rainbow shiver from her top right down to the spine. They’re in the Crystal Empire’s territory, for Celestia’s sake. Who knows what might be lurking in the depths of the caves, or even the mountain hillside and ranged cliffs. Keep in mind everything inside The Canopy is dark, making it almost impossible to snipe out the hidden troops.

But that doesn’t mean the troopers can’t snipe them.

But she kept attacking. Hostility is the main thing that they need as of now. The more pressure they add, the more the opposing threat will be scared, and rationed. She speeds through each and every single enemy available, and stabs them with her golden brass sword, shining in glory and undisputed victory.

A lightning bolt came striking down right next to her, probably disabling more than a dozen of her men. That she can’t do. She can’t let the enemy eliminate her troops, not like this. She rushes to the fallen heroes with her pegasus wings, right before a haul of magic came whirling towards them.

Luckily, Rainbow was prepared since the very start. She reaches for her pocket, and took out a small crystal, in which the colour of full magenta is displayed in bliss. This, made her smile in content, and also despair.

Twilight, she thought. She had created these mini spells in a somewhat small crystal, making it multiple stacks and piles. She had taken some of them to this hostile point, since she knew that it will become handy. Without hesitation, she looks to the ground, hovering in the air, and throws the crystal very violently. It glows with shining force, and explodes, putting out purple light.

Immediately the magic orb makes contact. It explodes, bringing impact so big and so loud that smoke was being created and spread in the battlefield. The magus, who appears to be right in front of the cloud of smoke which presumably hit the dozen or so men, smiled in content. He did it. Killed them. As he expected to do.

That wasn’t the case.

As the smoke cleared, the magician’s smirk turned to a deep and despairing frown. A purple barrier, as tall as the waves. It shines in translucent colour, and behind it, stands the soldiers in full glory and relieve. They unsheathe their weapons once more, and begin to attack said magician. He died soon after.

Satisfied, Rainbow continued her main mission. To destroy the armada, and attempt to take control of The Canopy. It’s feasible, but very difficult. Her whole army can be wiped out due to some scouts, and that she can’t do. These people that live here, they’re experts at hiding, and precision. One shot, one kill, and they’re seen no more, like fading through smoke.

She takes down a few soldiers here and there, swinging her beloved sword like it’s her second playground. She saw a squad of four, bringing in heavy artillery. She dashes towards them all, and begin them striking Rainbow. For her wings was she able to dodge the strikes. She pierces the breastplate of a soldier, making it’s way through the entire body. Another one decides to jump, and strike her mid air. As the swordsman was about to slash, she parries it, and took the chance to perform a roundhouse. He fell onto his feet, spatting and coughing out blood.

Rainbow thought it was only mercy for her to end the swordsman’s life. She sheath’s her sword first, reached towards his neck, grabbing it tight with her two bare hands. She whispers out two words, them both being the last he will hear, and snaps his neck, clean.

“I’m sorry.”

She always hated killing. Wasn’t really her ‘thing’. But alas, what can you do in a state of war? Sure, she was pretty- or better yet incredibly- good at swordsmanship, being top notch in the entire fleet, even. She never found a fond satisfaction from murder. Hell, why would she? One’s life is more important than anything the world can provide.

Well, that’s what she thought, of course.

Coming back to her senses, she hears the cocking of a crossbow. Immediately she soared into the air, just before a bolt could be fired by the soldier. Once flying, she did a particularly speedy nosedive to the ground, at speeds even the archer at the ground could see as physics breaking. She fires an arrow towards Rainbow, but she used her sword to block it.

Rainbow then went fir the kill, as she slices the neck of the archer. Blood spurts out from her like a flash flood, the soil underneath being coated and soaked with it. Without any sign of life in her eyes, she slumps to the ground, hard. Now, with nobody manning the heavy artillery, Rainbow can be sure that their armada will have little trouble clearing out the already little resistance.

As that happens, they begin to retreat into the outskirts of The Canopy. It was for the best. From a couple hundred, turned into just 2 to 3 dozen. There was just too little man power to fight, and they know, their deaths won’t bear any fruit. Not know. If they can make it out alive, then another retaliation will become their revenge.

Eyeing a small gap in between to big mountainside cliffs, they split up, and a dozen of the men move into the said gap. Of course, it won’t be easy. Rainbow, leading her division, charges up front, breaking the line of defence Sombra’s army had just created with a few of the soldiers. They fought hard, but went down under throned.

The rest sprint towards the light outside of The Canopy, and Rainbow just couldn’t let happen without a fight of her own. Stabbing one of the men at the back lines, she pierces it out of the fallen soldier, and aim for the squadron up front. She soars her way to the edge of the exit, preparing to take down half a dozen men countering her.

Suddenly, before Rainbow and her division could even react, a sudden sound of an explosion ring the ears of both Sombra’s armada, and Rainbow’s. It didn’t sound like an explosion, no, it was more like an air canister bursting due to high pressure. She eyes the back of The Canopy, only to realise smoke being disputed into the air, covering most of the vision.

Fearing the lives of her men, she rushes back, seeing what’s wrong. Her army seemed, fatigued. Most of them were already on their haunches, or maybe their knees. Some are being supported by their blades, other’s not so lucky. Soon, she sees one by one of her armada collapse, eyes closed shut.

Then she felt the sudden wave of drowsiness wash her over, making her eyes droop and her arms weak. Her wings seem like they’ve been flapping for over a decade, and all she wants is to stop. Her legs are like heavy and big boulders, pulling her to the soil.

Her eyes became heavier and heavier by the second. She has already placed herself to the orange earth beneath, not a care or a certain problem in the world. She doesn’t need to think of anything. Mostly, thinking was too hard.

Maybe it’s time for a rest.

She agreed to that term with full confidence and joy.

She closes her eyes with grace, and drops dead, quietly snoring. Her sword sits right next to her, the wielder not holding it.

Out of nowhere came a voice. One masculine and heavy. He speaks towards Sombra’s division from the top of one hillside, his face and body undetectable. The army realises this, and glances to the location of said voice.

“Why must you guys have all the fun? We wanna duo. Besides, we helped you out. Care to take us in?”

In turn, Sombra’s division smirks.

They knew from the start, it was going to be a good alliance.