Element of Loyalty

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Epilogue
Alternative end
Chapter 3

Prologue

Thanks to tajjetone for editing this story. If you don't watch this dude go and do so =3

Twilight lay on the floor with a candle close by to light up her reading material. She let out a loud sigh. “Haahh, nothing beats the silence of the night and a good book.” She looked out of the window at the shining stars and the moon that lit up the night sky before turning her attention back to the book. Her thoughts drifted deeper into the book as she continued to read. She couldn’t help but feel relaxed, as the night always calmed her down.

Spike suddenly came rushing up the stairs with a scroll that carried the royal seal. “Twilight! We just got a scroll from the Princess!” Twilight rolled her eyes but put on a smile, turning her attention away from the book and to her assistant.

“Spike, you are the only dragon capable of getting scrolls from the Princess.”

Spike stopped right in front of her. “Ohhhh, you’re right.”

Twilight let out a sigh and got up. “What does it say?” she asked in a warm voice. Her eyes widened as she realized what was going on. She felt a shiver down her spine and froze instantly.

“Twilight! This is awful! We need to tell the others!”

Twilight stood frozen on the same spot. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. She suddenly snapped out of it when Spike started to push her flank and forced her to take a step. Spike felt magic wrap around him as a purple aura lifted him onto Twilight’s back. She started to gallop down the stairs, almost sending Spike flying off of her. Spike grabbed her tail and held on for dear life as the purple unicorn stormed out the door.

She stopped at the town center, lifting Spike off and placing him in front of her. “Spike, go and tell Rarity and Pinkie Pie. Then meet me and the others in the library!”

Spike looked up at her in confusion. “What about you?”

Twilight looked down at him. “I’ll go and get Applejack and Fluttershy.”

Spike tilted his head. “What about Rainbow Dash?”

Twilight put on a small smile. “We couldn’t have woken her at this hour even if we told her the Wonderbolts would want to talk to her; we need Fluttershy to wake her up.” Spike nodded and ran off into the darkness. Twilight looked up at the moon that was about to go down in the horizon, by the look of it she judged the time to be around two o’ clock in the morning.

Twilight ran as fast as she could to Fluttershy’s cottage. She had figured out that Fluttershy would need some time to wake up Rainbow Dash. She knocked hard on the door and hoped that she didn’t scare all the animals Fluttershy took care of. Twilight nearly jumped where she stood. The array of sounds from the inside was the only indication of life on the other side of the door. It didn’t take long before Fluttershy’s light coat was visible through a half open door, “Ohhh… It’s just you,” Fluttershy said only just above a whisper. She didn’t hesitate to open the door.

Twilight nearly jumped on Fluttershy when she had opened the door fully. “Fluttershy! You need to go and wake up Rainbow Dash and make her come to the library!”

Fluttershy jumped and squeaked at the sudden loud outburst. “O-ok-okay, b-but why? If you don’t mind me asking…” she moved her gaze down to the ground, but Twilight was already on the way out of the door.

“No time to explain, Fluttershy; I’ll tell you all when we are in the library!”

Twilight rushed over the bridge and followed the dirt path that lead to Sweet Apple Acres. She ran passed the trees and continued toward her destination. The cold night air felt sharp against her coat. It felt like someone was poking her with needles; she closed her eyes and pushed on. As Twilight came closer to Sweet Apple Acres more and more of the trees appeared to be apple trees, she was all out of breath and had to stop to catch it again. She walked up to the barn and leaned against it, she looked at the rows of apple trees that surrounded the orchard. Sweet Apple Acres was a sight indeed, all the hard work it had been to get it up and running. Now it was supplying most of Ponyville with food. She walked over to the farmhouse; a fierce barking came just as she knocked. It didn’t take long before the barking ended and a tired looking Applejack opened the door, the moon shining brightly at her exposed mane as she wasn’t wearing her usual hat, her hair hanging limp down her neck and face as she didn’t have her hair ties. Applejack yawned but put on a smile when she saw her friends “Howdy Twi, What’cha doin’ here this early?”

Twilight walked closer to Applejack so she didn’t wake up any of the inhabitants of the house “We are gathering the girls in the library, and you need to come with me.” Applejack looked a little puzzled; she closed the door and came out shortly afterward with her Stetson on top of her head and her mane in a ponytail. Applejack closed the door and followed twilight back to the library.

When Twilight and Applejack finally walked into the library, Twilight was relieved to find all her friends there, even Rainbow Dash, although she was sleeping on the floor. Twilight sent a puzzled look to Fluttershy, who seemed to understand the look and started to explain. “I couldn’t wake her up, so I placed her on another cloud and moved her here.” Twilight giggled a bit at the thought of Rainbow Dash curled to a ball on a small cloud.

Rarity trotted over to her. “What is the meaning of this, darling? I need my beauty sleep.” Twilight looked at her friends then to the sleeping form of the rainbow-maned Pegasus that lied huddled to a ball with her back towards the group.

“We should wake up Rainbow Dash before I announce the news.” Applejack walked out to Twilight’s kitchen without delay. Some sounds came from the kitchen as doors were opened and shut; the sound of water from the faucet was heard for a while before it was silent again. Applejack came out of the kitchen with a bucket filled with what Twilight guessed was cold water. Trotting over to Rainbow Dash and with a swift move of her right hoof, she dumped the bucket of cold water over Rainbow Dash, who awoke with a scream and looked around with a start.

“Whoa!” She got on all fours in a blink of an eye and looked around. “Where in Equestria am I!?” She then saw Pinkie Pie lying on the floor holding her stomach, laughing, and everyone else giggle. She looked at Applejack, who still had the bucket in her mouth, was making some sounds that she guessed was the best laughter she could get while having a bucked in her mouth. Rainbow Dash looked confused around the room before she finally understood everything and couldn’t help but chuckle a bit at her own situation. “Yeah, yeah, wake the sleeping Pegasus with a bucket of water, I get it,” she said as she attempted to dry her hair by dragging a hoof through it.

Only when everything had calmed down a bit did Twilight ask Spike to get the scroll. Spike soon after returned with the scroll in his claw. He handed it to Twilight, whom used her magic to hold it in front of her. With everypony's attention on Twilight, she cleared her throat before she started to read out loud.

My Faithful Student:

It grieves my heart to write you this letter. The griffins have attacked a small village on our border and are currently expanding their area as you are reading this; it is of the utmost importance that you gather the bearers of the Elements of Harmony and decide which of you who will go in this war. It is of great symbolic meaning that one of you six joins the war. I will give you two days to decide who will go; a chariot will wait for one of you once I receive a letter from you of who will enter the war with the royal army.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia

Twilight wrapped it up again and hovered it to Spike who grabbed it. She gave a sad smile to her friends and let out a sigh. Her friends looked dumbfound at her. Pinkie burst out laughing and cough everyone attention “Good one Twilight. To think we were in war and to send one of us in war! BEST PRANK EVER!!!” she shouted.

Twilight blinked confused and looked at Pinkie Pie “ It’s not a joke Pinkie!” Pinkie stopped laughing and moved only inches away from her and looked at her with wide eyes.

“But it has to be a joke. I mean one of us… go to war?”

The awkward silence confirmed that it wasn’t a prank. Fluttershy broke the silence “Um… I… I can’t go…” Twilight looked at her and fully understood why. With Fluttershy, well, as shy as she was, there was no chance she would be the one to go.

Rarity looked at Fluttershy and then to Twilight. “I don’t think I’m suited for this task either. As you all know how I am… with dirt… and sweat… and not to mention the tasteless uniforms!…”

The group agreed on that as well. Their eyes shifted to Pinkie Pie, who stood on her hind legs balancing two books on her snout; she lost her balance and fell backward sending the two books across the room, but before the books could hit the floor Twilight had already grabbed them with her magic, placing them back in the bookshelf where it belonged. They looked at each other with the same thought: Pinkie Pie was not even an option; that left Applejack, Rainbow Dash and herself. Rainbow Dash looked at the floor before she looked back up at Twilight. “I’ll go.”

The group looked at Rainbow, who put on a confident smile. “I’m the most suited for this, and I’m the wielder of the Element of Loyalty. I don’t want any of you guys to get hurt.”

Applejack looked at her with wide eyes before she opened her mouth. “How come yer the best choice?”

Rainbow Dash smiled sadly at her. “Can’t remember you having a pair of these,” she responded, flaring her wings open briefly.

Twilight closed her eyes. “Are you sure, Rainbow?”

Dash looked at Twilight “I’m sure.”

Rarity had calmed down a bit and looked at Twilight before she spoke to Rainbow. “But what If you don’t come back? And Heart’s Warming Eve is in one month!”

Rainbow sighed and looked up at the ceiling of the library. “I only have you guys; if something happens to you, I won’t be able to face myself. And we all know that I’m the best flyer in Equestria!” she said proudly and received a small smile from everypony in the room.

Fluttershy looked at her front hoof as she made small circles with it on the floor “Um… I wish you luck and please come back safe.”

Dash put on a confident smile and puffed out her chest. “Hey! I promise I’ll be back before you know it! And without a scratch!” The six decided to have a sleep over at Twilight’s place.

The night had passed quicker than anyone could ever imagine; they had stayed up all night and just talked. When the sun rose in the horizon, and the light found its way into the library. They walked out the door and out into the light of day. They had a walk in the park, something the speeder didn’t quite enjoy as it went too slowly for her taste. The rest of the day went more quickly, as she was soaring through the sky, her friends watching as she did a number of stunts mid air. Only after several hours did they find their way back to ponyville. The sun was high in the sky as they entered the library.

Chapter 1

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Rainbow Dash watched as the sun outside the window as it was setting, the shadows grew longer. The last minutes of the sun provided the library with a unique glow. They had stayed together all day, thinking back at memories, good moments each and everyone shared. Most of the thinking was good or funny moments with Rainbow Dash in the center of attention in each of them. She looked back to her friends in the library. Rainbow couldn’t help but smile at the sight in front of her. All her friends gathered for the night to have one last moment with her. “Rainbow! Join in!” yelled the pink pony above the loud music. Just for her to snap back to reality. She smiled and walked over to her friend at the dance floor. Each and every one of them was together in a group, dancing and laughing. Rainbow looked at everyone as each of them possessed a smile. Laughter was heard, and she couldn’t help but think of this moment as one of the best with her friends this far.

Rainbow Dash felt a hoof in her shoulder; she slowly opened her eyes, only to meet Applejack’s emerald green gaze. “Up and at’m, Sugarcube.” Rainbow opened her eyes fully to see all her friends in front of her.

Dash slowly got up started to stretch like a cat. “Yeah… Probably for the best.” She lowered her head. “I’ll miss you guys.”

Applejack hugged her, Dash returning the embrace tightly. The group waited as Rainbow Dash made her way through the line of friends. First Applejack, then Pinkie who started to bounce when she hugged her and didn’t want to let go again; only after some fighting did she break loose from the grip of her pink friend. She then moved over to Rarity, who was followed by Fluttershy. Lastly came Twilight. Rainbow Dash looked at the group of friends. “Fluttershy?”

Fluttershy watched with teary eyes. “Y-yes Rainbow?”

Rainbow smiled weakly. “Could you take care of Tank for me while I’m away?”

Fluttershy dried her tears with a hoof. “It would be my pleasure.”

Rainbow smiled and gave her another hug. “See you later!” They didn’t have the chance to respond as she was already on her way to Canterlot.

Twilight looked at the rainbow trail as it disappeared in the distance. “Spike, take a note to the Princess.” Spike got a scroll and a quill. Twilight looked at him to confirm that he was ready. “Dear Princess Celestia: I have spoken to my friends and we have reached an agreement. Rainbow Dash, as the Element of Loyalty, will go. You don’t need to send a chariot. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.”

Rainbow Dash was certainly the fastest flier in all of Equestria; It was a short two hours after Celestia had gotten the scroll from Twilight saying Rainbow would go that Rainbow Dash landed in front of the palace doors. Just as she landed and the dust had settled had she noticed two spears pointing at her chest.

She looked at the two white guards holding the spears, each in golden armor with a blue mane on their helmets. “Ummm, you do know that Princess Celestia asked one of the Elements of Harmony to join the war? Right?”

The guards glanced at each other before lowering their weapons. “Princess Celestia is waiting for you.” The other guard opened the door for her and she trotted in. As she entered, she saw Celestia on top of the stairs. Dash walked in front of the stairs and bowed. Celestia's soft voice filled the throne room. “Loyalty, it is a pleasure to meet you again. I only wish it could be under better circumstances.”

Rainbow rose up. “You’re not the only one…” She immediately looked up at the Princess, waiting for more information.

Celestia walked down the stairs and stood next to the cyan mare. “I have something special made just for you, Rainbow Dash; you will receive it when it is completed. For now, go to the white tent in the far east of Canterlot.”

Rainbow nodded. “As you wish, Princess.” She walked toward the door and opened it with a hoof. She looked over her shoulder to get one last glance at the Princess before spreading her wings and flying east.

As Rainbow landed in the camp, her first vision from the sky was twenty rows of black tents, one in their midst being white. She got a lot of looks from all the armored ponies in the camp as she approached the white tent. She had never seen iron pony armor as most of the guards she had ever seen used gold. She also noticed that it was a lack of mares in the army camp. She noticed a few; just as she was about to go into the tent, another armored Pegasus walked out of it.

Rainbow saw that it was a single earth pony behind a desk in the tent. Dash walked in and waited in front of the desk. Behind the desk was a grey-coated pony with a coal-black mane, matching with his tail. His eyes were greyish but what caught her attention a name tag that read. “Iron.” she said out loud, more to herself than anyone else. The grey earth pony looked up. “Name?”

Rainbow Dash looked from the name tag to his face, and quickly noticed all the scars. “Rainbow Dash.”

Iron looked up at her. “Rainbow Dash? The Element of Loyalty, and the winner of the best young flyer competition?”

Rainbow Dash puffed out her chest. “The one and only!”

Iron wasn’t impressed, and turned his attention back to the paper at hoof. “So you are the Element-wielder who was sent into the war.” Rainbow looked a bit annoyed at his response; Iron got to his hooves and walked around the table, Rainbow quickly noticing that his cutie mark was two blade crossing each other like an ‘X.’. “Let’s get this over with, we need to take some tests on you and see what you are most suited for, and what lucky company that will have the honor of having you in it,” he said in an ironic voice. Rainbow followed him with her gaze as he walked past her and to the opening of the tent. One thing was clear to her; she didn’t like Iron one bit.

Iron looked over his shoulder. “Are you coming, or what?” Rainbow let out a sigh and turned to follow him. He closed the entrance and turned to face her. “What was that?”

Rainbow Dash looked from the opening to him. “What do you care?”

Iron’s eyes turned hard. “I won’t tolerate lazy flanks; when I give an order, you follow it without any complaints!”

Dash looked even more annoyed. “Sure, whatever…” Rainbow was about to walk out of the tent when she found her exit blocked by a hoof.

“From now on, you say YES SIR, whenever I give you an order!”

Rainbow grew past annoyed and into frustration. “What difference would it make!?”

Iron pressed her into the tent. “YOU’RE OUT OF YOUR PLACE TO ASK QUESTIONS WHEN A SERGEANT TALKS TO YOU, PRIVATE!”

Rainbow swore all she could see was red. “WHAT THE BUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM!?” she yelled at him.

Iron grew angrier by the second. “MY BUCKING PROBLEM IS YOU! You are out of experience, your head strong, and you think you can take on the world alone! But you know what, Missy? The likes of you are the one that fall the first in a war!”

Rainbow stared him down.

Iron opened the entrance again. “Get out of here and find Spear. He should be directly north of here.” Rainbow Dash just walked out without looking back, her anger still flaring up inside of her. The whole commotion had been noticed as all eyes were on the tent when she walked out.  Rainbow walked directly north until she came to a campfire on the outskirts of the roves of tents. There sat a group of ponies: three earth ponies, two Pegasi, and four unicorns.

One of the unicorns noticed her coming and nodded in her direction. He was a white unicorn bearing a dark blue mane with a light blue strip through it; his tail was similarly colored and reminded her of Twilight for some reason. He rose to his hooves and looked in her direction before he started a slow trot toward her. Rainbow watched as the armored unicorn came in her direction making it impossible to see his cutie mark. Rainbow Dash still wore an angry expression as the white unicorn came closer.

“Looks like someone has taken a beating.” Rainbow stared daggers at the white unicorn coming her way; he, however ignored it. “Name is Spear, I guess you were sent to me by Iron?”

Dash got a bad taste in her mouth just by the name and looked away. “Yeah.”

“Thought so.” Rainbow looked up at Spear and noticed his light blue eyes. “Every recruit I meet wear that expression after they first meet Iron.”

Rainbow’s expression didn’t change, though. “Say, what’s your name?”

Dash closed her eyes and tried to calm her anger. “Rainbow Dash.”

Spear noticed the change and pushed a little further. “You mean the wielder of the Element? Loyalty, was it not? And the winner of best young flier competition?”

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes again. “What’s it to you?”

Spear couldn’t help to smile a little at how easy it was to turn her anger. “I’m impressed, and you performed a Sonic Rainboom…”

Rainbow’s anger seemed to melt away, all forgotten and replaced by pride. “Yeah, that’s me.”

Spear knew he had gotten to her. “So what say? Ready to begin?”

Rainbow spoke. “Yeah.” Spear looked behind Rainbow Dash, who looked over her shoulder only to get the bad taste in her mouth again.

“Iron! What a nice surprise,” said Spear, saluting him.

Iron looked from Spear to Rainbow. “Still not done with her, Spear?”

Spear looked to Rainbow Dash. “Not yet sir, I was just about to sta-“

“Give her the hard version,” Iron interrupted.

Spear’s eyes widened a bit. “Uhhh, YES SIR!” he shouted, giving another salute as Iron walked away.

Spear looked to Rainbow Dash. “Looks like you get the Elite test.”

Dash looked at him. “Elite test?” she echoed.

Spear nodded. “Follow me.” He turned and started to walk outside the camp. Rainbow Dash followed close behind.  They stopped in front of an exercise ground, about forty meters in width and 140 in length. Spear had brought with him a clipboard. “You’ll start flying around here for as long as you can, at full speed.”

Rainbow was just about to begin when he spoke again. “You need to at least make 5 rounds!”

Rainbow looked down at the now small unicorn. “Done in 10 seconds flat!” Rainbow then flapped her wings at full speed. The streak didn’t disappear before she was in it again, causing a rainbow circle around the training field.

Her wings burned to the very bone. She was breathing heavily and she felt needles of pain poke her wings. She was soon forced to land, Dash pushed further, using the last of her strength to muster another round. She glided down to the ground below, close to the white unicorn. Spear looked up as she came closer and closer. Rainbow landed with a thud, she stood still shaking for a moment before she walked over to him breathing heavily and sweat glistering from her coat.

She managed to push out some words in between gasp of air. “H-how…was t-that?” Spear looked down on the clipboard. “You managed sixty rounds, which is 4 rounds more than the old record, which was set by Spitfire.” Rainbow’s eyes widened as she got a huge grin on her face. She had beaten one of her idols old records. Spear than looked from the clipboard to her and noticed the large grin. “We’re not done yet, Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow’s smile didn’t disappear, though. Spear then moved a quill and wrote something down on the paper. “Prepared for the next test?”

Rainbow Dash frowned. “Already? No break in between?”

Spear shook his head. “Nope. Elite test, remember?”

Rainbow rolled her eyes, still shaking. “Let’s get this over with!”

Spear watched as Rainbow Dash had to run the width of the field; she had a heavy iron armor covering her body as she ran. “That’s round 7 Rainbow Dash!” Dash wasn’t able to hear anything at all sound from the armor. Rainbow Dash kept a steady speed for another 2 rounds, then her body starting to shake. She had gotten quiet large crowd watching her as she kept running. Spear looked down on the clipboard again. “I bet she’s able to make 10 rounds” a green colt said,. “I bet she’s done for, she’s not going to make it another round” a white stallion said. Spear looked up again. Rainbow Dash could feel her legs tighten; she was unable to place one hoof in front of the other and fell. A loud clinging sound filled the field as she fell.

Spear looked at her. “C’mon RAINBOW! You can make 1 more round!” he yelled.

“I told you she couldn’t do it!” yelled the white stallion. Spear sent the white colt a glare. The sound of moving metal caught everypony's attention, Rainbow Dash rising slowly to her hooves and starting to walk, the walk turning into an outright run. She ran the last bit to the line, and just to make the white colt swallow his word she turned and ran another run at full speed.

A loud cheer came from the crowd as she got to a halt in front of spear. Rainbow Dash was shaking heavily; she sat down on her haunches, breathing heavily and threw the helmet of as it landed in front of Spears hoofs. The helmet was removed and showed a worn out cyan Pegasus. Rainbow looked at Spear after catching her breath again. “What’s next?”

Chapter 2

The Pegasus did several more training exercises, all of which she completed perfectly, always either narrowly trailing a new record or setting a new one. At the end of the day she was exhausted; she collapsed on the grass just as she finished the last exercise.
Spear walked over to her and offered a hoof. “We’re done, Spectrum. I’ll make sure you get a tent so you can get some shuteye.” He nodded to one of the stallions in the crowd, who went back to the camp to prepare a tent.

Rainbow looked up at Spear before accepting his hoof. “Spectrum?”
Spear’s gaze moved from the clipboard to her. “Yeah. Nice nickname, don’t you think?”
Rainbow closed her eyes. “‘Spear:’ is that your real name?”
Spear chuckled a bit. “Nah, it was a nickname given to me.”
Dash opened her eyes. “How did you get it?”
Spear looked back to the clipboard. “I’ll tell you another time,” he replied coolly as he was approached by a colt.

“The tent is ready, Sir.”

Spear nodded and clapped the colt on his shoulder. “Good job.”
spear than turned to Rainbow Dash, who once again lied in the grass, almost asleep. “Spectrum. Tent. Shuteye.”
Rainbow opened an eye. “Huh?”
Spear walked over to her and helped her up once again. “Get your flank into your tent and sleep!”
Rainbow Dash stumbled towards the camp, swaying as she walked“Okay, okay, I’m going.”

Spear rolled his eyes and looked at the clipboard again. The results amazed him; he had never thought she would have results this impressive. His eyes moved from the clip board toward the direction of the camp. “Spectrum is probably able to get into the first battalion.” He trotted toward the camp to get some rest as well.

Rainbow Dash had been in the army for 2 weeks; she trained with the others and had gained some respect from all her achievements. She was also known for her prancing and joking around. She was called to the general tent, however, due to her latest prank. Which contained a magical bomb in the food hall.Rainbow Dash waited outside the tent and studied the guards from their hooves to their manes. Suddenly one of the guards opened the folder to the tent.

“You may enter, Spectrum.” Dash had gotten used to the nickname and walked in; in front of her she saw a dark grey Pegasus with a dark blue mane and tail. He looked up from the desk and at Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow Dash.” Dash walked to the front of his desk and stood still. “Take a seat.” Rainbow did as she was told and sat down on her haunches. “Do you know why you are here, Rainbow Dash?”

Dash opened her mouth, pausing momentarily. “Is it because of the prank in the food hall? If that’s it, I can explain.”

The general waved a hoof. “No Rainbow Dash, that is not the reason at all” Rainbow looked dumbfounded for a moment before the general spoke up again, his golden eyes locked with hers. “You’re no longer in Irons company; you’re no longer in THIS army.”

Rainbow Dash looked at him in shock. “W-what are you saying? Does that mean I'm free to go?” The general was cut off as Rainbow continued her ranting “But if i leave doesn't that mean another one of the element will have to take my place!?, Y-you can’t do that! I mean...you can do it but please don’t do it!”

The chuckle of the general stopped her from continuing her ranting.
The general spoke up. “You are no longer in this army, Rainbow Dash; the results from your physical training came in with new orders.” Rainbow looked down at her hooves embarrassed of her reaction. “You are being transferred into my battalion.”

Rainbows eyes shot open. “B-b-but you’re the g-g-general of the f-first battalion.”

The general reached out his hoof. “Congratulations. You made it into Princess Celestia’s hoof-picked elites.” Rainbow, still in shock from the news, just sat there taking it all in. It took her another minute to let it sink in. She grabbed his hoof and squeezed it.
“Your behavior needs to change as you get into the first how ever. We are the face and pride of Princess Celestia, no more prancing and no more stupidity.”

Before Rainbow Dash left the tent did she arrange another meeting. She meets Spear on the way, “congratulations Spear” Spear didn’t seem to understand and sent her a questioning look and went into the tent. Rainbow Dash was in her tent packing everything she had with her, she turned to walk out but just as she was on the way out did a white unicorn enter “YOU got me promoted into the first battalion!” Rainbow Dash wasn’t sure if he was angry at her or happy until he broke down laughing. “Do you know how proud my parents will be when they hear this!” Rainbow let out a chuckle “I got an idea, after all, your family supported your decision as you joined the army” Spears looked down “Well, everyone knows, except my sister. Rainbow looked at him a bit confused “What do you mean except you’re sister?” Spear looked up from the ground “I haven't talked to her in a very long time, she should be the same age as you when I think of it” Rainbow lay hoof on his shoulder “I’m sure she would be proud of you.” Spear smiled from ear to ear, “Thanks, Spectrum” Dash smiled in return “your welcome, and the best is. We no longer need to take the crap from Iron!” Spear nodded and walked outside “I’ll start to pack my things” Rainbow walked out of her tent and closed it behind her.

Rainbow Dash waited close to a bone fire for Spear to return, she glanced over her shoulder every so often to try and catch sight of her friend. She closed her eyes and let out a sight as this was probably the sixth time she looked over her shoulder while waiting. “Waiting for somepony?” Rainbow jumped as the sudden voice came from behind her. Rainbow spun around almost knocking her head into his chest as she turned “Where in Equestria have you been! You use even longer time than Rarity to pack you’re stuff” Spear couldn’t help but burst out laughing as this was exactly the reaction he had anticipated from the Pegasus.

Spear got to his hovers wiping a tear away from his eyes “Sorry, i couldn’t resist.” Rainbow shoot him a annoyed glare “What took you so long anyway?” Spears smile faded “New reports from the front line, i had to give out a few orders before i could make it here”

Rainbow dash looked up “ You know it’s night already, why didn’t you just send a messenger to tell me....I could have taken a nap you know?” Spear smirked “How a lazy flank like you got into the first is still a mystery to me” Rainbow glared daggers at him “After all this waiting you at least owe me telling me your name!” Spear shocked his head “Nope, not today not tomorrow Missy”

Rainbow trotted off in the direction to Canterlot. Spear followed close after.

Rainbow Dash and Spear followed general Red mane through Canterlot court yard, Rainbow kept a steady pace “So, where are the 1’st battalions stationed?” Red mane looked over his shoulder “The 1’st battalion have it’s training ground inside the castle, together with our barracks. Spear stopped for a second “ Are you telling me we are going to the 1’st battalions training ground?” Red mane looked forward again and opened another door “No,” just as he opened the door did the throne room come into view “Princes Celestia will have to judge if you two are capable of entering the 1’st battalion. We are her hoof picked elite for a reason” “Indeed you are general Red mane” all eyes turned to the staircase, Princes Celestia stood on top of the stairs, a smile on her muzzle “It’s good to see you again Rainbow Dash” her soft and kind voice made echo through the throne room “And you, Shining armor” Rainbow had to resist the urge to laugh as Princes Celestia had told her his name, something she had been asking about for weeks.
All three ponies bowed in respect before they stood up again.

Celestia walked down the staircase and in front of both ponies, Rainbow Dash and Shining armor stood still as Princes Celestias horn touched Rainbow Dashs forehead first, a bright light erupted from Princess Celestias horn, Rainbow felt her knees get week under the magical pressure. Princess Celestia removed her horn from Rainbows forehead and nodded, “She is capable, no doubt” She then moved to Shining Armor and touched his forehead with her horn. The same reaction happened, Princess Celestia smiled at Shining armor “I will be expecting great things from you Shining armor” Shining armor returned the smile “I’ll try to not disappoint you, you’re majesty”. She gave each of them a smile “They are both capable and have the ability to be in your squared general Red mane.” Red mane nodded “We are your shield Princes,” Princes Celestia watched as the three ponies that just had entered her throne room walked out the very same door they came in with.

Rainbow couldn’t help but nudge her friend in the side “So, Shining armor, what do you think of your new position?” Shining armor just glared at her “You may know my name, but I still prefer Spear” Rainbow Dash got a sly smile “Sure things, Shining armor!” They walked down a stair and through a long corridor the only light source were the torched that were lined up against the wall on both sides, each torch provided a light with dancing shadows on the wall. Rainbow Dash nor Shining Armor had been in this part of the castle before. They came to an old oak door, General red mane pushed his hoof against the door, the door opened with agony, the door revealed what was inside. The hall was filled with all sorts of ponies, all from Pegasi, Earth ponies, Unicorns. Each race training different kind of combat technique. Rainbow noticed a few of the unicorns threw something that looked like ice spikes at some dolls at the other side of the room, especially one of the unicorns stood out to Rainbow, he sent out a dark blue ice spike that hit the ragging doll directly in its head before it exploded with a magnificent blue light The head was gone, and Rainbow watched in shock as she though this kind of magic didn’t exist.

Spear managed by a second do duck as two armored Pegasi raced over his head,a sudden loud crash got both attentions as they saw a group of Earth ponies in a circle with armor from top to hooves. It seemed as they were wrestling as the sight of a armored earth pony lied on his back, with a swift move he kicked him self to his feet again and was back in the game again.

General Red mane walked into the middle of the room before he spoke up “This is our new recruits, they will be treated with the same respect as everyone else. They both have worked hard to get here. Just as everyone else in this room” He paused for a moment “Get this two into a set of armor and see what they can do” All the sound had stopped the moment the General red mane spoke, all eyes were on them. Rainbow Dash sent Spear a nervous glance as she received just the same.

One of the Pegasi walked toward Rainbow Dash as a rather large pony walked towards Spear.
The Pegasi had a dark blue coat with a blue mane, almost like Dash’s own. Her eyes was how ever emerald green, which reminded Dash of a very close friend back home. Dash only noticed that the earth pony had a dark brown coat and black hair, the Pegasi stood in front of her and made eye contact. “Name is Lightning twist, I’m here to see what you got” Rainbow liked her attitude, straight forward and not going around the topic. Rainbow Dash followed Lightning twist to another part of the hall and into a side room that apparently was the armory, Lightning twist turned “Light, medium or heavy?” Rainbow Dash looked from the different armors, Light armor were mostly a leather armor reinforced with iron, the medium armor was an combination of Iron and steel, and then it was the heavy, a pure steel armor that covered a pony from the tip of their tail to the end of the snout. Rainbow smiled to herself, “This looks 20% cooler than anything else in here” she though to herself. “Heavy” Lightning twist raised an eyebrows “Really? i though you more of a light armor” Rainbow sent her a cocky smile. Lightning twist helped her with to get the armor on, the cold metal against Rainbow Dashes coat wasn’t exactly pleasant, but she could manage it. Lightning twist grabbed the medium armor and got it one with ease. Lightning twist walked up beside Rainbow, “Let’s see what you got kiddo” Rainbow sent her a annoyed glance.

Lightning twist jumped and flew straight up with ease yet again. “Are you coming or not?” Rainbow smiled, she jumped and flew up past Lightning twist with ease. Lightning twist flew up beside her “Let’s do a basis test, I guess you’ve had your fare share of flying in Circe, after all. You was in Irons platoon. So let’s do something different, It’s mostly just tag, but it can be a challenge with armors on, and it is a great way to see how much endurance you got” Rainbow looked from the medium armor from her own “So that is why you choose med” Lightning twist smiled “Now you got it, ok since you are new I’ll start” Rainbow was about to reply before a hoof pressed it firmly against her chest “You got it” Lighting twist comment earned a few chuckles from the group below.

Rainbow Dash was right behind Lightning twist. The game had endured quiet a while now, ending with Lightning twist and Rainbow Dash all over the place. Rainbow Dash could feel each mussel in her body tense as she was at her limit, the heavy armor had taken its tole on her, but she wasn’t about to let her win. Rainbow dash mustered the last of her strength and pushed on, she just barely got up side by side with Lightning twist, Rainbow Dash nudged her shoulder “You’re it!” Lightning twist turned but Rainbow Dash had already dropped down towards the floor of the big hall.

Lightning twist landed not long after beside her, sweat dripping from her body as well, Rainbow Dash tried to get control of her breathing. Lightning twist removed her helmet and exposed her drenched mane. “Good job Rainbow, I had my doubt you'd even manage to take of with that armor but you managed yourself well. And you kept you self in the air for a good amount of time as well. Congratulations” Rainbow smiled “ You’re not to bad your self” Lightning twist smiled “Follow me and I’ll show you, to your bed and the shower. Because right now, i’m sure you need a show” Rainbow glanced at her “Looks who’s talking” Lightning twist helped Rainbow Dash out of her armor and showed her to the bed room. It was a small room, the main room was formed as an b It was more or less only a corridor with a bathroom and shower together with two beds, Rainbow glanced at Lightning twist “You got a room mate as everyone else in here, my bet is that you’ll get together with the friend of yours” Rainbow’s gaze moved from the beds and to the door on her right side that was the door to the bathroom. She was barely able to turn around once she got in. “This place is small as hell...” Lightning twist chuckled “ You’ll have to get higher in grades if you want anything better than this” Rainbow yawned “I figures, I think i’ll just take a quick shower and hit the hay” Lightning dust smiled and was about to go out the door before she turned “Me and some of the boys are gone play poker tonight, If your inn.” Rainbow smiled “Not today, but how about next time?” Lightning twist nodded and walked out the door.

Rainbow bolt up in bed as the door was slammed shut. Spear walked to his bed and fell into it. “Hard day?” Spear grumbled something under his breath before he fell asleep Rainbow Chuckled before laying hear head back down on the pillow, turning a few times trying to get comfortable in the bed. “Clouds are way better than beds....” she yawned and closed her eyes. She already knew it would be many hours before she could get some shut eye herself.

Chapter 4

Rainbow Dash's first impression was excitement when they got the news that only 20 kilometers up the road was a griffin scout base. But right now she was just angry as her current position was bombarded with magical mortars. They were in a valley, the only way in was through a field that led directly to the small village. The griffins had seen them coming and prepared for counter attack. When the first mortar had hit the ground did the ground forced charge the city. BAD move, they had already planted magical mines in the ground. When the first earth pony step on it, he was sent flying in the air, his right back hoof that had stepped on the mine was completely gone, not one bit was left. Sending blood and fear through the ranks in front beside and behind him. All the mortars that rained down on them made it almost impossible to fly. Lightning Twist crawled up beside her “W- fin- oth-r” Rainbow tilted her head as the explosion from the mortars shocked the very core of the pegasus. Lightning Twist came closer “WE NEED TO FIND THE OTHE-” The explosion from that mortar sent a pillar or dirt and rocks up in the air together with the screams that soon followed as one unlucky soul had been hit.

Rainbow Dash nodded “I’ll meet you here in five!” Rainbow started to crawl to her right as Lightning Twist crawled to the left. Rainbow Dash’s gaze fell to the blood on the ground, even to some of the motionless ponies that lied on the ground. They would soon have a break to advance as the griffins needed time to reload their cannon. Rainbow Dash craned her neck to get a look over her shoulder to see if Lightning Twist had more luck than she did. Rainbow noticed Agile and Shooting Springe was beside her, but where was Lighting Charger. Rainbow Dash felt a panic rise inside her chest and move to her hooves. The cyan Pegasus was quick to look around after Lighting Charger. Rainbow’s eyes scanned as fast as they could over the field but mostly found armored ponies either in a bundle, or alone, in the blood soaked ground. Often in the mud as well. But her eyes couldn’t find the one target she was looking for. Rainbow was sent to the ground as a mortar exploded right next to her, Rainbow Dash tried to breath as the mortar had knocked the air out of her longs. Rainbow Dash gasped for air a couple of times before the much needed oxygen finally reached her lungs. Rainbow Dash exhaled a few times “Too close for comfort...” Rainbow Dash rolled over on her belly again, her eyes finally found its’ target. Only 5 feet to her left was a heavy armored pegasi with dark blond mane and tail. Rainbow Dash crawled in his direction, a sudden mortar strike covered her side of the field in dust, Rainbow wasn’t to let this chance slip away. Rainbow went from a lying position to a full out sprint in a blink of an eye. Rainbow saw the dark blond pegasus and threw herself at the ground sliding up next to him.

Lightning Charger looked with bewildered eyes. “What are you do-ng here!?” Rainbow watched behind him as another pillar of dirt and dust flew into the air. “W- need to regroup and get tho- mortars out! Follow me!” Rainbow turned around and started to crawl toward the designated area. The mortar rain stopped, all the ground unit hurried to find a unicorn that would create a shield around them once the “Rain” continued.

Lightning Twist eyed the Rainbow maned pegasus that walked in their direction. Lightning Twists eyes scanned over the armor as a couple of stones had tried penetrate the side of the armor. Rainbow Dash walked up next to Lightning Twist with Lightning Charger right behind her. Lightning Twist looked over the groupe. “We need to mortar silenced, It’s slowing our advance to greatly. We already have some casualties and don’t need more. So let’s head to one mortar each and take out whoever fires it and turn it around on them instead.” Rainbow smiled at the thought of using their own weapon against them. Lightning Twist looked at Rainbow “ I got something in mind for you Rainbow Dash,” Rainbow looked at Lightning Twist a bit confused, “A bit for you thought.” Lightning Twist chuckled lightly. “We need you to be a distraction, to take the fire from the mortars away from our ground units. It means, fly low and try to distract them as best you can.” Dash’s smile faded, “I’ll do it if needed.”

Lightning Twist smiled and placed a hoof on Rainbows right shoulder “Hey, it’s going to be alright. You are the fastest flyer I’ve ever seen. Besides, it’s hard for you to be subtle about your flying with that rainbow streak after you.” Rainbow smiled a bit.

“Yeah, guess you're right, it’s just I promised my friends I would come back safe and sound .” Lightning Twist kept her gaze on the cyan mare.“Then keep that promise, If you’re able to draw all the fire at you and this succeed, I’ll make sure you can visit them for a few days.”

Rainbow’s smiled increased tenfold.

Lightning Twist and her unit had taken cover in the hillside to wait for the mortar rain to start again. A sudden explosion caught everyone off guard; Rainbow Dash readied herself. “Game, ON!” Rainbow’s hind hoof kicked off the ground at a speed and strength few could match, Rainbow Dash propelled herself through the air as she flapped her wings furiously to gain height. Rainbow saw the mortars were placed behind the village. Rainbow flew up in the clouds, scouting for any signs of griffins in the air. None she could see had even noticed her up there.

The rainbow Pegasus came closer and closer until she was about right in front of the village. A sudden gust to her left made her lose her balance as she did a barrel roll to the right to gain it back. The heavy armor made it indeed harder to fly. A sudden screech made her aware that she had been spotted, Rainbow Dash cursed as the golden armor was excessively visible against the blue sky and white clouds. Rainbow watched as the black dots in the town rose into the air before it gained speed toward her. Rainbow Dash cursed her armor yet again as she wouldn't be able to out-fly them, Rainbow was even unsure if she was more agile than them at the moment. Dash dived right down against the incoming griffins, Rainbow trusted that her armor would keep her safe from the incoming attackers. Rainbow Dash dodged the first griffin with ease. Her nose dive seemed efficient at first as most of the griffins dodged her. However, one of the griffins stood her ground. Rainbow didn’t have time to dodge as she crashed head first into the griffin. The time seemed to slow for Rainbow as she heard the sickening crack as the griffins rib cage broke. Rainbow was sent spinning toward the ground together with the griffin. The cyan pony flared out her wings trying to get balance again. The force against her wings sent painful needles through them, Rainbow dash kicked away from the griffin that had stopped her assault and hoped it would be enough to straighten herself again. Rainbow Dash watched in horror as the ground came closer and closer. Rainbow pulled up as best she could, the ground still came closer and all she could do was watch

NO, Rainbow Dash didn’t give up, her strength returned in her wings as she flapped them even harder and started to straighten out her dive. Rainbow Dash’s hind hooves just barely scratched the ground, Rainbow flew at full speed toward the city, only a few inches lower, and she would hit the ground. Dash heard the screech behind her again; Rainbow Dash shot a glance over her shoulder only to find 10 or more griffins fast approaching. They had the advantage of the dive. The cyan Pegasus looked forward just in time to dodge a house and fly into a main street of the village. The griffins behind her weren’t that lucky and flew right into the house. Rainbow kept flying through the narrow streets.

Dash looked over her shoulders only to find half of the griffins gone “HAAA! Guess I am more agile even with a heavy armor!” Rainbow Dash failed to notice the cart up in front of her, just as Rainbow Dash turned her head, did she fly into the cart head first. Rainbow rammed through the cart but lost most of her speed. Rainbow’s helmet was thrown off, the griffins flew right past her as the sudden lack of speed. Rainbow looked in horror as the group in front of her turned; She flapped her wings in the other direction trying to gain speed. Rainbow Dash shot another glance over her shoulder only to sight the biggest griffin she had ever seen. Rainbow watched in horror as his claws were aimed for her back. Just as he flung at her, did she barrel role to the right. Rainbow felt a sharp pain in her left side.

The mare turned around and faced the rest of the griffins. It was easier to dodge them once she saw them coming, but the pain in her side prevented her from turning to much to the left. Rainbow Dash dodged another griffin as she was finally gaining speed again. This was a mad hunt; Rainbow flew past a corner of an average sized looking house and saw a pile of smoke rise. To her left. “The mortars!” Rainbow flew to the left as best she could, it was a large street, but the wall of the building on her right came dangerously close as her hooves made contact. Rainbow did the first thing that came to her mind, run. Rainbow flapped her wings as she ran on the wall. A loud crash behind her indicated that yet another griffin was down. Rainbow Kicked from the wall as best she could and propelled herself in the direction of the mortar making sure she was seen. Rainbow flew between the seven mortar holes that was there and made sure she had their attention.

Rainbow felt she had forgotten something and pulled backwards making a loop. Already as she pulled up and was upside down did her eyes widen as she looked directly into the golden eyes of the griffin from earlier. Rainbow’s gaze was fixed on the large creature, Dash noticed he had a scar over his left eye and his wings were covered in old wounds that had healed over. Rainbow clapped her wings at her side and propelled between his wings before they shot out and flapped once more. The mare could feel her tail make contact with his head as she passed between his large wings. A sudden explosion snapped her out of the shock as a mortar had exploded in a tree she had passed sending the old wood to the ground. Dash knew she had their attention and started to fly towards the Village again where she would have the advantage.
Rainbow whipped between the streets as fast she could, noticing that more and more ponies were in the streets the deeper into the village she flew. A building to her right exploded in front of her sending glass, wood, and stone in the air. Rainbow covered her eyes and flew through it; the griffin at her back was still in pursuit. The cyan pegasus shot a look over her shoulder to see him hanging behind. Dash grinned as she saw for once that she was gaining the upper hoof against him.
Rainbow’s gaze moved forward again and she turned to right at a corner, as it was much easier to maneuver that way. Rainbow finally felt things were going her way. A sudden sharp pain in her left side made her close her eyes in agony. Dash’s wings folded as she pressed both hooves against her left side. She opened her eyes just in time to see a house in front of her.

Rainbow Dash ignored the extreme pain in her left side and turned to the right once again, her hooves made hard contact against the wooden side of the building as she was forced to run again. Rainbow’s joints flared up in pain as the impact of the wooden wall. It was harder than she had hoped for. The mare gritted her teeth, hearing an explosion. Her ears perked up as the sound came from the other side of town. Rainbow looked behind her and noticed that the griffin was gone. Dash could finally slow down. Her breathing was everything else but controlled. She was exhausted from flying around in the city for so long, together with watching her back all the time. Rainbow Dash landed in the town’s square where most of the ponies had gathered up. The rainbow-maned pony saw Lightning Twist, Agile Haste, Shooting Springe, and Lightning Charger in the middle of the crowd. Rainbow landed at the edge of the group, “Rainbow Dash!” She didn’t even have time to land before somepony shouted her name, Rainbow looked up to see Shooting Springe wave her up. Dash forced a smile as she covered her wound with a hoof to walk up. The crowd gasped as she walked past them, the look of pride in Shooting Springe’s face changed as she saw the walking soldier. Rainbow Dash saw all eyes were on her left side. Rainbow looked down where she thought her hoof covered most of the wound, but she was wrong. It only covered a small part of it. Her eyes widened as she for the first time saw the wound herself. It started where her shoulder ended and stopped right in front of her hind hoof muscle. The armor had been penetrated like butter. Rainbow looked up at the unit she belonged to, Lightning Charger and Agile Haste were already beside her to help support the weight. Rainbow moved her wings to their back to allow the two pegasi to sustain her weight. The crowd was cut in half as a path opened at once; Lightning Twist was already on the way to find a medic.

Rainbow Dash let out a groan as they walked through town, “I could’ve sworn it wasn’t that large.” Agile haste made sure she did not touch her left side as she walked. “How could you not notice?! That wound is large!”
Rainbow forced a smile. “I was occupied by getting the attention of the mortars, together with the griffins that followed me.”
Lightning Charger gaze shifted over the scenery. “Looks like most of them crashed into buildings if you ask me...”
Rainbow shot him a cocky smile “They weren’t as agile as me!” Lightning Charger looked down to the mare at his side. “You’re crazy, you know that?” Rainbow smiled back “If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have taken the job.” Agile and Lightning Charger chuckled.

Lighting Twist landed in front of them. “The medics have set up their base down this street and at a tavern.” Rainbow watched as Lightning Twist folded her wings back to her sides. “Great. Just a short distance to get patched up.” Lightning Twist eyed the sky blue pegasus “Shooting Springe is already at the medic camp waiting for us.” Rainbow folded her wings and set up her speed to a trot, “H-hey! Not so fast, Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow Dash recognized the voice as Agile Haste.
“The faster we get there the faster I can get patched up.” Lightning Twist followed their speed “Not a good idea, Rainbow.” Dash's left hooves collapse and she dropped to the ground “RAINBOW DASH!” yelled Agile and hurried up beside her, Lightning Charger was right behind.

Rainbow lied still on the ground. “If you tell anyone...” Agile and Lightning Charger let out a breath of relief “Rainbow Dash tried to stand up but failed and fell again. “A little help over here?” Lightning Twist walked up beside her and offered a hoof. “We’re a team; we care for each other, when one is pinned to the ground. The other helps. Why won’t you just accept the help that is given?” Rainbow Dash looked away. “I want to prove I can do it on my own..” Lightning Twist looked dumbfound. “Prove you can walk? Rainbow, you just took the fire of seven mortars alone, even faced a two and a half unit alone. Why in Equestria would you want to prove you can walk?” The cyan blue pegasus’s eyes shifted, she met the gaze of Lighting Twist. Rainbow couldn’t really explain it but, she always felt like doing things her way. Dash always felt the need to prove she was strong, but the gaze from Lightning Twist was full of worry and sympathy, something about her gaze told her it was okay.
“You don’t have to prove anything to us.” Rainbow grabbed her hoof, Lightning Twist pulled and the mare rose to her hooves. “I’m sorry; I should thank you for helping me, not push it away once it is offered.” Rainbow looked up and met Agile, Lighting Charger, and Lightning Twist’s gaze. They were all smiling at her; Charger craned his neck to look down the street.“Let’s get you fixed up.”
***
Rainbow Dash waited for the doctor to finish bandaging her side. They had used over an hour to get the armor off her as the metal had been bent in towards her wound making it extremely painful to remove. Rainbow had also lost a lot of blood, which was the cause of her falling earlier. She watched as the unicorn doctor cleanse her wound with magic before he wrapped her entire midsection with gauze. The unicorn looked up from the wound and at Dash. “You will have to lay still for a while,” the pale, tan pony looked down at her wound again. “I want you to switch gauze every day so we don’t need to be afraid of an infection.” Rainbow nodded to the doctor. “Good, then we are all done here.”

The Pegasus was bound to lie still at least 3 days before she could do anything. She often got visits from her unit or other ponies thank her for what she had done. Rainbow’s eyes moved to the door of the tavern as it opened, revealing a dark blue coat. “Lightning Twist! How’s it going out there?” Lightning Twist chuckled at the optimism of the mare.“I’ve come to keep a promise” Rainbow Dash shot her a glance “So?” Lightning Twist nodded “You’ve been allowed to leave as soon you’re healthy enough.” Rainbow couldn't hold back her stifled laugh. Her laughter was short as her gauze became a crimson red. Lightning Twist looked at the wrap, then to Dash. “You need to lay still Rainbow.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve heard that a lot.” Lightning Twist walked towards the door, she stopped in the entryway. “Good work, I knew you could do it.” Lightning Twist walked out the door and closed it behind her. Rainbow grabbed a piece of paper and started to write on it. Suddenly the door opened again, Rainbow Dash looked up from the paper to the pony in the door. Lightning Twist, and Lightning Charger had entered. They sat down a chest in front of her bed. “You ruin way to many armors, so we figured you should take the one Princess Celestia got you. It’s much stronger than the regular armor we wear.” The rainbow-maned Pegasus smiled as they both left the room again.

The days went slowly after Rainbow’s departure, Applejack was nowhere to be seen since it was Applebuck season. Rarity was too busy on a big order for a fashion show in Canterlot. Pinkie pie was helping the Cakes on a big delivery that was going to Canterlot, as the fashion show was going to draw a lot of ponies from far and wide. So it was a lot of baking to do. Fluttershy was too preoccupied by helping a sick bunny to do anything else. And Twilight herself was also occupied by her studies to even try and do something social with her friends.

Applejack looked to the blue sky, almost expecting a rainbow to streak across it. She wiped away the sweat on her forehead. Her eyes shifted once again to the tree in front of her. The orange Earth Pony turned and gave a swift kick to the tree, rewarded with enough apples to fill two buckets. “Applejack!” AJ jumped and looked up to the sky to see a grey mare with a blond mane flying towards her. “Howdy Derpy! Ya got some mail for me?”

Ditzy Doo landed right in front of her, and moved a hoof into the saddle bag on her right side. “Yeah, I do, I just need to find it! It know it’s somewhere in here…” Applejack smiled and rolled her eyes “Take yer’ time Derpy.” The mail pony smiled weakly before she pulled out a letter “Ah, here it is!” she handed Applejack the letter. “Thank yeh kindly.” She opened the letter and began to read. Her eyes widened as she handed Ditzy an apple. “It’s on the house!” She yelled over her shoulder before rushing into a gallop towards Ponyville’s Town Square.

Applejack sprinted into town and to the library at full speed. On average, a pony would have been heaving. But all those years of applebucking had made her stronger, and had given her more stamina. The orange mare ran all the way to the library and knocked on the door while trying to catch her breath. The sound of hoof steps from the inside got her attention as the door slowly opened. Twilight smiled as she saw her friend in the door way, “Applejack! Come on in.” Applejack didn’t have time to formalities. “Twilight! Rainbow Dash is comin’ tomorrow!” The purple unicorn almost jumped in her track at the loud outburst of her orange friend. The mare gave a look of distress “We’ll have to tell the others!” Applejack looked over her shoulder and to the busy ponies that wandered the street. “Ah know sugar cube, but couldn’t ya teleport around with yer fancy magic and tell em’ in no time?” by the time Applejack looked back at Twilight, she was already gone to spread the news.

Applejack jumped as Twilight burst out of thin air in front of her. “They are all on their way here.” Applejack looked dumbfound. “Ya’ll need to stop doin’ that…” Twilight looked at her a bit confused “Stop what?” Applejack walked into the library. “ The appearin’ out of nowhere, sugercube.” Twilight looked at her, a bit confused. But instead of thinking more about it, she moved her gaze outside the door to the horizon. She imagined the rainbow pegasus coming in her direction, soaring through the sky. She moved her gaze again to the ground where she saw her friends galloping her way.
“What is all this fuss about, darling? You know I do have a big order right?” Twilight looked at Rarity as she asked in honest concern. “I think you’ll want to hear this.” Applejack walked up beside Twilight “Ya didn’t tell them already, Twi?” Pinkie bounced up and down. “Told us what? She only told us to get her right away! I was all like ‘WHY?’ Then I told the cakes and they were also like ‘WHAT’ then I hurried here and is still all ‘WHY?’” Fluttershy shifted uneasy “Um…can you tell us, Twilight? I’m worried about my bunny...” Twilight was about to start, but was interrupted. “Ah recon gettin’ a letter sayin’ Rainbow is gonna come tomorrow is the ‘why’, Pinkie.” the group looked at her. The silence was broken by Rarity. “Are you serious, dear Applejack?” AJ’s green eyes meet her deep blue. The orange Earth Pony took of her hat and showed them the letter she had received this morning. Applejack couldn’t help but smile as she saw the emotions change on each or her friends faces.

A loud thud and the sound of clattering metal were heard. Soon after, the air filled with stomping hooves and whistling. Twilight perked her ears to a cheer of a crowd. Everypony in the room walked over to the door. The purple unicorn opened the door. Her eyes widened at the sight. The crowd had stopped cheering. In front stood a pony; her body covered in a black armor. The patterns that indicated where the shoulders was, were nothing more than lightning bolt patterns that went over them and down to the hooves. In the colors of the rainbow. Those patterns were also stretching from the shoulders and up to the neck. In the middle of the chest plate was a red bolt. The pony also had a full helmet, making it impossible to recognize by it’s face. There was however a hole in the neck of the armor for the mane. It was the six colors of the rainbow, matching the tail. The armor covered every body part fully except the wings.

Applejack and Pinkie Pie were the first of them to run over to her. The rest of the group ran right after. Rainbow had just enough time to remove her helmet and yelp before her friends tackled her down to the ground. Her helmet landing with a clank of metal, not too far from the group as everyone was laughing. Dash groaned at the sudden impact that sent a flare through her left side. She was bombarded with questions like “How are you!?” “Long time no see, Rainbow!” “How’s the army life?” Also, “Where did you get that cool armor!” And lastly, “Welcome back!” The six slowly moved away from her, Applejack offered her a hoof to help her up. Of which Rainbow gladly accepted. Pinkie already held her helmet studying it. “Hi girls.” Rainbow smiled to her friends. “Looks like I just got 20% cooler!” AJ laughed before bumping the side of the cyan solider. Earning another groan from Rainbow Dash. “Looks like an upgrade to me, Did ya just groan?” Applejack stared at Rainbow Dash “Please don’t touch my left side...” The farm pony went in for a closer inspection. “Doesn't look broken teh me.” Rarity walked around her studying the armor piece by piece “This looks marvelous! How in Equestria did you get this armor, darling?” Rainbow stifled a laughed “ Princess Celestia arranged it.” Pinkie pie bounced over to her hugging her tight. “I’VE MISSED YOU, DASHIE!” She screamed as she threw her front hooves around her. Rainbow winced in pain making Pinkie Pie let go at once “I’ve missed you too.” Fluttershy, which had been a little outside the group, finally joined in “It’s wonderful to see you!” The rainbow-maned Pegasus looked over at her friend smiling. “I’ve missed you too Fluttershy. I’ve missed you all.”

The six mares had moved into the library. After some fighting through the crowd, they finally managed to get inside the library. Twilight couldn’t help but ask. “Rainbow, in your letter you said you would be coming tomorrow...how come you're here one day earlier?” Dash looked at Twilight. “I sent it two days ago… They told me the mail was slow but I didn’t think It was that slow...” Twilight smiled and hugged her gently. “I’m glad you’re back anyway!”

Applejack sat down on a pillow in the middle of the library, the others grabbed one for themselves and sat down in a circle, waiting for Rainbow and Twilight to settle down. Rainbow looked at her friends and smiled .“Applejack?” The orange earth-pony looked at her friend with a puzzled look. “Ya, sugarcube?”

“Could you help me get this armor off?” Applejack’s eyes widened a little. “The fastest flyer in Equestria is askin’ fer mah help, even before tryin?” Dash let out a nervous laugh “It’s not that I can’t do it myself, it’s just easier WITH some help.” AJ rose to her hooves however, walked over to her friend, and started to remove the metal armor. As the mare removed Dash’s left cage plate, her eyes widen as she saw the gauze. “Sugarcube, ah don’t mean’ to put mah snout in yer business, but how did ya get this here large wound of yer’s?” Rainbow looked over her shoulder at her worried friends

Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy sent each other worried looks. “Take it easy. It will disappear in no time!” Said the Sky blue Pegasus with a smile, as she noticed how they looked to each other. But it was a reminder to her friends that her life actually stood on the line. After a few moments, the armor was placed on a table. She sat down with her five friends. Twilight broke the silence by firing a question. “What happened?” Rainbow seemed a little distanced for a moment before she spoke up. “We were going to capture a small village and a scout base. We walked right into their trap as it was in a valley; they had placed magical mines in the field, and placed mortars on the other side of town. We were like running ducks. So Lightning Twist, the leader of our unit, had the idea of taking them out. Therefore, my squad and I did as we had planned. I played as bait to draw the fire from the mortars. When I was over halfway there, did a guest send me off balance. I lost a couple of feet. The stationed....bandits there noticed me and all hell broke loose, I think around ten or so followed me, but I flew through the streets and lost most of them. So I shoot a glance backward and suddenly a cart was in front of me. I rammed right into it, I lost almost all speed, and the griffins were able to get a hit. Besides, it isn’t a war, it’s a power sick griffin named Red Eagle that is trying to get all of Equestria under one banner. He is outnumbered and on the edge of losing. Hay, even his “soldiers” are just bandits, thieves, criminals, and mercenaries. But he still doesn’t stand down and accept defeat” The group of mares looked at her in silence. Fluttershy spoke up. “I hope you come home soon, Heartwarming Eve is in two weeks.” Rainbow smiled. “The way it is looking now, I’ll probably be home in one week!” It was just as if a dark cloud had been moved away from the room as each of them smiled.

Author's Note

A big thanks to Chewyrainbow for editing this chapter! Hope you all enjoyed the chapter and are tuned for the next one^^ If you don't know chewy i recommend sending her a message xD she's awsome!

Chapter 5

Dash glanced over at her friends, “Come again?” Rarity rolled her eyes “Which battalion are you in my dear?” Rainbow’s eyes fell to the floor as she started to rub the back of her head with a hoof, slightly uncomfortable that her friends didn’t really know it yet. “1st battalion.” Twilight gasped as her eyes widened, all the ponies in the room stared at her. Except Rainbow Dash, “You mean Princess Celestia’s hoof picked elite!?” Twilight nearly shouted. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes as a sheepish grin spread on her muzzle “Yeah, I’m in Lightning Twist’s squad, we are a group of four pegasi. We’ve got Lightning Charger,” Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack “I think he would even give Big Mac a hard time.” Applejack just snorted, “Yeah, like that’ll ever happen. Mah brother is the strongest pony around!” The rainbow-maned Pegasus shrugged, “Just saying. Then there’s Agile Hast, trust me when I say she lives up to her name. Shooting Springe is kinda different; she is as headstrong as a mule, and doesn’t really think about the consequences of her actions before they happen.”

By that statement, she gained a few chuckles from the girls. Rainbow looked dumbfounded “What?” Twilight opened her eyes. “She sound a lot like you,” Dash couldn’t help but smile. The cyan mare was also a daredevil after all, she would never refuse a challenge. But she did think about the consequences if it was more ponies than herself that could get hurt. If it were only her, she would go all the way to accomplish her goal.

The military chat disappeared as Rainbow Dash mostly only spoke of the funny things that had happened in the camp. Like a new recruit getting the blame and punishment for something she had done. Dash’s excitement bounced up as she piped on about armored races. Rarity’s eyebrows rose, “Armored race?” Rainbow still excited looked at Rarity a bit dumbfounded “yeah? OHhhh right. You guys don’t know...Armored race is like a common race. Just with armor!” she puffed out her chest as she explained how she had won even against the veterans, that had been bragging that they’d never lost an armored race, and certainly not lose to a mare.

“You should have seen the look on his face when he lost, and how much he had been complaining, and that he blamed that he could have won in his younger age,” Her smile couldn’t have grown larger as she continued. “He went on that his armor was heavier than mine and everything else he could think of in 10 seconds flat.” The group of mares laughed and carried on their lighthearted talk. Night came quicker than anyone would have wanted. But not one of them felt like departing. All of her friends stayed there, even though each one of them had something to do.

After another outburst of laughs and chuckles did Applejack regain her composure and looked at Rainbow Dash. “At least RD seems unaffected, by the war an’ all.” She thought aloud. The group however had noticed her personality changes, she was no longer over boasting everything, and she had patience for once. They had been witnesses to Rainbow Dash’s attitude change as she was actually able to wait for the food they were preparing, and didn’t even complain once of how long it took. The night was growing darker as the late dinner had been digested; Luna’s moon was already on its pattern in the sky. The brilliant silver light played with the many scattered clouds, sending long and playful shadows down among the streets of Ponyville. It was a beautiful night as well as it was a great reunion, Rainbow Dash was finally home again.

The pegasus looked up at the moon before she let out a long yawn. “Think it is about time to hit the hay.” Rainbow Dash glanced at her friends and gained a few yawns in return. A small smile crept on her muzzle.“Guess I’m not the only one feeling that way.” As soon as Applejack had yawned, she sent Rainbow Dash an annoyed glance. “Ya know it’s contagious to yawn Rainbow!”

Rainbow Dash still couldn’t help but chuckle.

Another pillow rolled down the stairs to the library, a pink figure landed on top of the pillow sending some of the feathers sky-high. “This is going to be super duper pinkie amazing!”

Rarity rolled her eyes and stuffed the pillow with the scattered feathers. “It is going to be thrilling indeed pinkie, but could you please stop to jump on the pillows? You’re ruining the fabric together with making a mess on dear Twilight’s floor.” Pinkie Pie stopped in mid air and landed beside the pillow. “Okie dokie lokie!” The pink pony trotted away from the pillow and up the stairs to help Twilight find more pillows for them to sleep on.

Rainbow Dash shot Applejack a nervous glance. “ Pinkie still does that?” Applejack craned her neck and looked at her. “Ah don’t reckon Pinkie will change’ anytime’ soon sugarcube.” Rarity was just done stuffing the feathers back into the pillows and gathering them in a circle when Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie walked down the stairs. “That was all the pillows I could find, Except for Spike’s but I don’t think his size is anything near enough for us.” The purple unicorn earned a few giggles as she walked down the rest of the stairs.

Rainbow Dash had been placed in the middle of the soft pillows, the rest of her friends were scattered around her but made sure to keep their distance from her gauzed side. AJopened her eyes slowly, it was as if she tried to look from under water, everything was blurry and unfocused. The orange farm pony blinked a few times trying to force her eyes to adjust, after a couple of seconds did her vision finally clear from the world of dreams.

Applejack looked around for the source of her waking. Her eyes drifted to her side to spot a sky blue coat cuddled up beside her. A light blush spread on her cheeks, Applejack looked from the place their bodies connected to the face of her friend beside her, her Rainbow mane gave her easily away. “Ah hope yer in a better place then in a ditch worrying yer feathers off. Ya’all deserve that much.” Applejack lowered her head again and let the sweet grip of dreams wash over her again.

AJ woke up to the sound of talking. She opened her heavy eyelids and looked around the dark room. It was perfectly warm, not intense heat but just perfect, it made her feel like she was still in a dream. She moved her gaze lazily around the room as she didn’t want to lose this feeling. Her eyes adjusted to the dark and she saw the bookcases. She looked out the window at the darkness. “Still night..” she whispered to herself. The mare got up however. The warmth disappeared after a while and she almost regretted her decision. The earth pony walked over to the window.

when she got closer, she did hear voices, “I won’t do it!”

“You know just as well as I that we don’t have a choice.”

“I’m not leaving them Lightning Twist! Not now!”

Applejack walked to the window of the balcony and saw two dark figures. Rainbow let out a sigh “I just got back here LT, you know how much I’ve been looking forward to this. To not be afraid of a magical mortar blowing off the ceiling of the roof you sleep in. To not be afraid every second you’re out there.” She nodded “I know what you mean, but we are in need of your skills.” Lightning Twist looked over her shoulder then back at Rainbow Dash. “I’m not supposed to tell you this, but our Intel says that the griffins have sent out several scout squads, they have been sent everywhere. We don’t know why yet.” Rainbow turned her back to the other pony. “Even a bigger reason to stay, to make sure everything is safe here.” Twist looked at the ground, “I’ll tell General Red Mane that he doesn't have to send a squad here. You got everything under control.” Rainbow Dash turned back around to face her. “Thanks...” Lightning Twist smiled before she took off into the sky.

Rainbow Dash looked up to the at the night sky as the moon was almost on the horizon. Applejack walked to the balcony door and slowly opened it. “Sounds like ya’all gonna stay fer a while.” Rainbow looked lazily over her shoulder and noticed the farm pony in the doorway, “Yeah, looks like a turn of events.” Applejack walked out and stood beside her, she looked directly at the Pegasus “Turn’ of events?” Rainbow moved her gaze from the orange mare to the sky again “Yeah, looks like he have sent out several scout squads.” Applejack looked at the floor, “In other words, they are searchin’ fer somethin’.” Rainbow looked back at AJ, “What did you say?” The orange mare looked worried. “Ah said, they must be searchin’ fer somethin’.” Dash smiled from ear to ear “You’re a genius!”

“But searchin’ fer what?” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I don’t know, but we will probably find out soon.”

Rainbow Dash suddenly blushed, “AJ...” Applejack looked at her quizzically

“Yeah?” Rainbow was unable to meet her eyes “You won’t tell anyone that I snuggled up against you, will you?” Applejack was taken aback as she blushed more than the cyan Pegasus.“I-It’ll’ be our lil’ secret.” Dash let out a sigh in relief. “It’s not like you can control what you do while you're asleep...”

Applejack nodded nervously. “Anyway, let’s get back inside. It’s freezing out here!” Rainbow Dash walked into the library again, leaving the earth-pony behind, “Hey! Wait fer me!”

***

The day had gone by without anything unusual happening. Rainbow Dash was now sitting under a tree in the shade, the picnic had been great. They all sat together watching the bright orange sunset, sharing a silence that was broken by the purple unicorn, “Maybe we should go back to the library before it is too cold.” All eyes were on her. There was a mumble of joined opinions, all in agreement with Twilight’s proposition. Fluttershy got up and started to pack the picnic basket as Pinkie Pie bent down to help her fold the blanket. Rarity stood and started to brush the dirt off her white coat. Rainbow Dash simply jumped up, doing a back-flip, and neatly landing on her hooves. “Ready to go?” Applejack shook her head. “Do ya always have to show off?” Rainbow shrugged. Twilight waited for the group at the road.

The six walked into Ponyville, the town had seemed normal enough. “And then I just threw the biggest party ever!” Pinkie Pie shouted while bouncing in front. The two unicorns chuckled, Pinkie made it further ahead. Twilight leaned her head toward Rarity and spoke just above a whisper, “Do you have any idea what she talks about?” Rarity eyed the pink pony as she was still out of hearing range. “I simply have no clue, darling. I’m still trying to find out what a duck has to do with a party.” Rainbow Dash was walking a little behind the group with Fluttershy, “So, how’s Angel doing?” The yellow mare’s ears perked up at the name. “Ohhh, he’s doing just fine.” She glanced at her “Really? I heard he had a problem wi-” Dash cut off and pricked her ears, her magenta-pink eyes darting around. Fluttershy tilted her head, “what do yo-” she was cut off by a cyan hoof to her mouth. “Do you hear that?” Flutters cocked her head slowly. “It sounds like...beating...wings.”

Rainbow Dash suddenly pushed her, earning an ‘eeep’ from the yellow pegasus as she landed in a bush. Rainbow was just about to kick off the ground as five dark figures landed in front of her. “I finally found you.” The voice was cold and dark. It felt like icicles dancing around her spine, from her tail to the back of her head. It continued.“Did you really think you could get away? Element of Loyalty?” Rainbow Dash squinted her eyes to try to see the figure in the shadow. “Who are you?” The figure walked into the street light. “ We didn’t have time to get done playing last time.” Dash's eyes widened as the same griffin from the town stood in front of her, the size of the scar over his left eye was unmistakable. Rainbow lowered her front hooves into a fighting stance. “What are you doing here?!” The griffin let out a cold chuckle. “To get you, silly. When we capture you, we can make sure those annoying soldiers and feather-brains of yours out of the way, and make room for a new era!” Rainbow could see the hiding spot to Fluttershy.

I need to get them away from her… She thought. The rainbow-maned pegasi’s nostrils flared.“IF you capture me!” Rainbow leapt up, kicking hard off the ground to gain speed.

The griffins were right behind her as she passed her friends down bellow. Twilight yelled something, but Rainbow couldn’t understand as the wind howled in her ears. Ponyville was way too small to shake the griffins off. Lucky for Dash, the cloud cover lowed over Ponyville. She could use the clouds to her advantage. Rainbow Dash glanced over her shoulder, only to see darkness. She slowed down, as she couldn’t see any griffins behind her. Rainbow stopped mid air, taking in her surroundings. A sudden ‘flap’ caught her off guard as she threw her head backwards, just in time to see a griffin claw shooting down from a hole in the clouds. Rainbow barely dodged the attack as she saw two more griffins coming at her. Dash rolled to the right and was able to flip past one. She closed her wings and dropped down toward the ground. The griffin followed. The Pegasus turned her vision towards the ground as it came rapidly closer. At the last second she pulled up, making it only inches above ground. The loud thud behind her indicated that the griffin wasn’t so lucky, Rainbow grinned to herself, “I’m more agile now than you’ll ever be!” she shouted.

Rainbow heard a screech behind her. Flying at full speed toward the old bridge that led to sweet apple acres, Dash could have sworn she felt the griffins’ presence right behind her as she curled her hind hooves a little. The Pegasus flew right under the bridge, and expected a sickening crack, but she couldn’t hear anything. A quick glance over her shoulder exposed an evil grin from the griffin as a strong claw tightened around her neck forcing her down. Rainbow Dash and the griffin crashed into the water below. The impact made them roll on the water head over hooves, the tight grip of the griffin suddenly loosened. Dash took this opportunity and kicked the griffin in the stomach, using the leverage to shoot out of the water. The cyan pegasus could feel four hot spots on her neck, Dash’s guess was that she was bleeding.

At least that’s two out of five, She hardly had time to think before two more were behind her.

Ponies from around town started to wake up as they heard the commotion going on outside. Rainbow Dash flew in towards the town square. The sudden amount of ponies in the street made her blood freeze. Rainbow propelled up into the air, still being pursued by the griffins. Rainbow flew up above the clouds and turned around after a few seconds to see two more griffins bounce through the clouds. Dash dropped right between them at the first chance and headed for the town’s park.

Just as Rainbow got to the park did she see Twilight and the rest of the gang again, it looked like they were setting up some sort of net between some of the trees. The pegasus understood immediately what they were planning and turned around. She made sure both griffins spotted her before she flew back toward the town's park. Rainbow glanced behind her as both griffins followed. Dash sped forwards and rolled to the side right in front of the net. Both griffins flew right into the strung web at full speed. The overall weight was too much for the trees as they both creaked in agony before they broke over the net. Rainbow turned around and landed beside her friends, breathing heavily. “Darling, you’re bleeding!” Rainbow Dash, still heaving, could only nod in response.

A heavy weight suddenly made her collapse as another shadow was above her, pinning her to the ground. “I was wondering when you would stop!” Rainbow’s veins froze.

That voice! Was all her mind screamed.

A hard knock and she found herself in the air. Rainbow watched in horror as her friends became smaller. Rainbow closed her eyes, as all hope was lost. The feeling of the wind from the back of her head as they gained height....Why did she feel the air in her face as they were gaining height? Rainbow opened her eyes as a purple aurora was wrapped around the griffin, pulling him down again.

Rainbow couldn’t help but smile as Twilight had grabbed the shocked griffin. “WHAT KIND OF MAGIC IS THIS?” The griffin was forced to land. He suddenly tightened the grip around Rainbow’s neck. AJ was about to throw a lasso around his neck, but stopped as the griffin spoke. “IF that rope touches me, I’ll break her neck!” Applejack pulled hard as the lasso landed right in front of the griffin’s feet. Rainbow tried to break free from his grip, but suddenly he grasped even tighter, forcing her to close her eyes as the pain shot burning needles through her skin and down her body. Rainbow bit hard on her lip trying not to cry out in pain. Dash could taste blood, but right now she didn’t care. “STOP THAT! YOU’RE HURTING HER!” Twilight loosened her own grip on him, but he didn’t let go. The griffin laughed, “Do you think I care? I didn’t come here for her! We are only weakening the village they took from us. Where do you think their troopers are going? We admittedly made them aware we sent out ‘scout’ squads out all over Equestria!” The griffin smiled at the six in front of him, “We are winning this war, one way or another.”

A loud smash made Rainbow Dash open her eyes again to see bright blue magic wrapped around a broken log. The griffin looked even more terrifying as blood started to flow down in his face. “You shouldn’t have done THAT!” He roared. The grip around Dash’s neck probably tightened to the most possible. Now Rainbow could only scream in pain as she couldn’t hold it in any longer. Applejack couldn’t take it anymore and launched herself forward, ramming into the stomach of the griffin. The sudden loss of air and impact made him lose his grasp. Rainbow Dash landed on her hooves, as shaky as they were, and made sure to make some space between her and the griffin before she turned. AJ was already back with the group, leaving only the griffin in a sparkly aurora. The purple glow became more intense as Twilight forced the griffin to the ground, Rainbow saw the opportunity and ran gingerly to the griffin. Rainbow turned on her front hooves using the momentum on her hind hooves as she brought them down in the back of the griffins head. Rainbow repeated the motion as blood started to stain her hind hooves. A sharp pain in the neck forced her to stop. Rainbow walked slowly over to the group while rubbing her neck.

Rainbow meet the shocked eyes of her friends “R-r-rainb-bow?” Rainbow Dash was breathing heavy as she stopped in front of the group “Yeah?” Twilight’s purple aura left the broken griffin “H-how could you?” Rainbow’s eyebrows rose “Kill?” Twilight unable to met her magenta eyes looked away before she nodded slowly “Easy” Twilight looked with a shocked expression at Rainbow “I had the same reaction at first, but when this is your everyday happening. You understand it is either you lying there looking up into the sky as you’re eyes slowly closes and leave you in darkness, or you are the one to live another day. Because it is uncertain if you're the one to hit the ground tomorrow.”

For the first time did they finally see how much she had changed. The war had changed her, the worst part was that it wasn’t even her fault. Rainbow Dash tried to rub her neck, but winced the moment her hoof touched the broken flesh.

Fluttershy instantly jumped to Dash’s side, smacking her hoof away, “Flutters-”

“No, don’t touch it!” Rainbow lowered her hoof the instant she heard Fluttershy yell. “Lean your head forward.” The yellow pegasus’s voice had softened. Rainbow didn’t hesitate a moment. Shy moved away Rainbow’s mane gently before she let out sigh of relief. “Looks like you were lucky, nothing seems to be broken or injured except your skin.” Rainbow gave an unbelieving look, “Only, the skin?” Rarity levitated a mirror in front of her. Dash’s eyes widened as her whole neck was a dark blue. “IT LOOKS LIKE I’M WEARING A COLLAR!” she burst out.

***

Rainbow Dash was back in the library before anyone of them could stop her. Applejack burst through the door with the rest of the mares right behind. “What in tarnation, Rainbow!” Rainbow Dash looked up as she was almost done getting the armor on. “You heard him! They are thinning out our ranks at the village we just took! I need to get there and tell them what we just learned!” Twilight wrapped her magic around Dash. “You’re in no condition to do that now!” Rainbow snapped at her “THAT LOCATION IS A KEY ASSET TO OUR ADVANCE!” Rarity looked from Rainbow Dash to Twilight Sparkle. “If we let her go, darling, she might be back before Hearth's Warming Eve!” The purple unicorn looked at Rarity. “And if it is too late?” Rainbow snapped again, “It isn’t too late YET! BUT IT WILL BE IF YOU DON’T LET ME GO ALREADY!” Twilight glared daggers at Dash. “As soon as you calm down!” The pegasus rolled her eyes. “Don’t you get it!? The faster I get this information there, the more time do we have to gather our forces and prepare a counter attack! If it is too late, we will have a horseshoe in our flanks if we’re going to get that village back!” Twilight frowned. The rainbow-maned Pegasus could finally move again, she hurried to get her helmet on and flew right out the balcony door.

***

Four days had passed since Rainbow’s appearance in town. Everything seemed to be back to normal again. Twilight didn’t really think of how much things had changed since then, it almost felt like Rainbow Dash was the glue that kept everything together at the moment. There was a loud knocking from the front door; Twilight blinked a couple of times before she heard the knocking again. Spikes voice filled the library “Ditzy! You’re here to borrow a book? Huh, a letter to Twilight? Sure, I can give it to her! Bye.” The unicorn glanced in the direction of the stairs as Spike came up with a letter in his claws. “It’s for you, Twilight.” She grabbed the piece of paper with her magic and levitated it in front of her. Her eyes widened, Spike looked as her face became pale. “Twilight! What’s wrong?” Twilight's eyes moved down the paper at an incredible speed, no ordinary pony could ever hope to keep up with her. “THIS IS HORRIBLE!” Spike jumped at the loud outburst, “W-what’s horrible?” He was scared of the answer but wanted to know it either way. Twilight looked at him “It’s Rainbow Dash, she's in the hospital”

Author's Note

So, the long awaited chapter finally arrives. Sorry for taking so long ^^' Hope you enjoy the chapter! :D

Chapter 6

I'm sorry to all of who have been wainting for this chapter all those weeks, I've been unable to reach my editor so I'll just publish it and hope she gets the time to edit it after a while. Thank you all for waiting, hope this chapte was worth waiting for. Thanks too vVRainbow DashVv

The group assembled outside the hospital, all of them rudely awoken by the grave news. “I simply can’t understand how this could happen!” Rarity shouted with teary eyes as they walked towards the entrance. “Ah know sugar cube, It’s hard for any of us to get” Applejack tried to reassure her “But ya’all know how fast Rainbow recovers!”. They entered the hospital and found their way to the waiting room, knowing exactly where to go to find it. The sound of their hooves touching the tiles sent echoes through the corridors as they closed in on their destination.

The waiting room was empty, not a single pony in sight except for the nurse pony behind the counter. Twilight looked over her shoulder to her friends “You go ahead and sit down, I’ll just see if i can get any news from the nurse” Applejack took charge and walked towards the rows of seats. Twilight could hear the sobs of Fluttershy who had collapsed on one of the chairs. Pinkie pie tried to cheer her up, but nothing seems to reach the yellow Pegasus. Twilight trotted to the counter, the light pink nurse pony looked up from the parchment she was reading. “May I help you miss Sparkle?” Twilight faked a smile “Yes, I’m looking for a friend of mine. Her name is Rainbow Dash” The nurse smiled faded for a second before it was forced back “One second” The nurse walked through a door and out of sight, a few minutes passed before nurse Red heart came out of the door.

Twilight looked worried as the nurse walked past the counter and right up next to her. Red heart cleared her throat “She is in critical condition, Twilight” Twilight felt tears building up. Her head raced as pictures of an injured Rainbow Dash shot through her mind and sent a shiver down her spine.

Twilight waved a hoof to her friends so they could all get the news together.

Fluttershy broke down in tears as she heard about Rainbow Dash’s condition, Pinkie pie tried to reassure her yet again with little success. Red heart’s uneasy gaze shifted from the ponies in front of her. “We are doing everything we can to help her, we even got a team from Canterlot to watch over her day and night. We always have some ponies around to take care of her” Twilight gasped and covered her mouth with a hoof. She knew if they had to get a team from Canterlot her friends condition must be really bad.

Twilight looked to the group as each of them had an empty look on their face, the only one who wasn’t crying visibly was Applejack. Applejacks stetson was removed from her head and held firmly against her chest, while the rest of them had tears streamed down their faces. All having precious memories with the pony they were here to visit.

Applejack sat down on her haunches, tears finally streaming down her face as memories of Rainbow Dash and her in the running of the leaves. How their competitive spirit had nearly cost them their friendship, how they had to make for a second round to get the rest of the leaves to fall. She could still remember their conversation as they ran, the taste of the sweet cake they ate at Sugarcube corner after they had tied, again. Applejack walked over to the rows of seats and sat down, soon followed by Rarity.

Rarity sat down beside Applejack with the same empty expression. Her thoughts drifted to the one time she had actually managed to get Rainbow Dash to go with her and Fluttershy to the spa. How she had allowed them to style her mane and made her wear makeup. She had removed everything before they went out and insisted none them never spoke of it again, but to just let her friends see her like that was a big feat. Rarity who usually saw her friend without anything, was shocked at the transformation. Rarity found herself holding Applejack as she cried into her shoulder.

Fluttershy couldn’t help herself, all the memories she shared with Rainbow Dash, she was the only one help her with the bullies at flight camp. Her only friend during flight camp, all the late night talking, how excited she was when she heard that a rainbow maned pegasus had moved to ponyville from cloudsdale. How she had left to see her the first day she came to ponyville. That Rainbow Dash had noticed her at once and was right out excited to see her old friend again as they had spent all night at Fluttershy's cottage just talking about old times, sharing memories and laughing all night. Fluttershy felt herself being dragged up by Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy let herself drag along as memories of the brash pegasus still filled her every thoughts.

Pinkie Pie placed Fluttershy next to Rarity, Pinkie’s mane was straight as a waterfall, Pinkie Pie didn’t say anything, something that was highly unusual. Pinkie Pie looked up at the clock on the wall, she could have sworn that the clock moved...Backwards? Pinkie kept watching the clock as the image of her friends suddenly appeared on the clock. As the days went back the clock suddenly stopped. She found herself and Rainbow Dash pranking all their friends, from when they had painted all the apples at sweet apple acres, to the ink at Twilight's library, Pinkie watched as more memories unfolded as the time went back and forth to different times of her life.

Red heart gazed at the group sitting in the rows of chairs crying, Red heart lowered her gaze “I’m sorry Twilight, but we don’t know when she will wake up, or even if” Twillight felt the tears streaming down her cheeks like waterfalls. She had looked forward to their time with Rainbow Dash on hearts warming eve, and now she wasn’t even sure she or her friends would hear her voice again. Twilight sniffed “T-thanks f-for the information” Twilight walked with a heavy heart back to her friends and sat down.

Applejack looked up at Red heart, still crying “Jus’ what happened to ‘er?” Red heart looked in her direction “She was unconscious when she got here” Red heart looked at the door as the familiar sound of the door opening got her attention.

A dark gray pegasus with golden armor entered, the only thing unusual about his armor was that the mane of the helmet and tail was red. He looked around, obviously not sure where he was suppose to go or who exactly he was looking for. He looked around and saw the group of friends sitting in the waiting room, crying. He had a worried expression as he came to a halt in front of the group, “Any of you friends with Rainbow Dash?” Twilight looked over at him with teary eyes “We all are”. The Pegasus walked over to the group and looked at Twilight, his gaze moved over all six ponies in the room.

He stood in front of Twilight, General Red Mane removed his helmet before he spoke. “She served under my command in this war” Twilight looked at his armor with the golden engraving of a phoenix spreading its wings, Twilight's eyes widened “You're General Red mane! The leader of the 1’st battalion!” Red mane slowly nodded “Indeed, the elite units of Princess Celestia, hoof picked by her grace” Twilight looked at her friends who returned their watery stares.

The general stretched out his hoof “Can you give her this for me? I was sent on Princess Celestia's behalf"he gave her a small red leathered box with a golden phoenix pattern on top “ and tell her that her squad is well and alive, they wanted to thank her for saving their lives. They would have come here personally if it wasn't for this darn war, the whole 1’st battalion wanted me to send her their regards, as well as this old fool.” His gaze shifted uneasily among the ponies in front of him before it fell to the floor. “ I’m sorry but I don’t have the time to meet her, this war is at it’s end but there is still so much to do. If you want to ask any questions, now is the time” the room was silent.

Applejack’s broken voice was merely a whisper but she soon found her voice again as the question could be heard by all ponies in the room. “Can yeh tell us’all what happen’d to ‘er?” General Red Mane looked at her with a determined look “She managed to opened a large enough hole in the enemy defenses for the rest of the ground unit to push through” All the ponies in the room looked at him as he stopped. General red mane let out a sigh “ Group Alpha was the strongest of our flying squads” Red mane looked to the entrance, “Spear! Come in here”. A White unicorn entered the hospital in heavy golden armor and a full helmet. Covering his face completely, he gave a quick salute to the general “You wanted to see me sir!” Twilight could have swore she knew that voice. The general gave the same salute “Indeed sergeant, I want you to show them what happened to Rainbow Dash” Spear looked from the general to the group, his eyes widened as his gaze fell to a purple unicorn. Spear removed his helmet “Twilight?” Twilight’s ears perked up “Shining armor? Is that you!?” Twilight closed the distance between them and found herself in her brothers embrace.

Twilight looked up at her brother “Are you in this war as well!” Shining armor nodded “Mom and Dad know, didn’t they tell you?” Twilight shook her head making tears fall everywhere “I haven't heard from any of you since I moved to ponyville!” General Red Mane watched the reunion. Red Mane stood up and walked over to Spear “Spear, show them. This was suppose to be a short visit” Shining armor looked up at the general and let his sister out of the embrace “As you wish sir” His horn suddenly flared up in a pink aura as the room itself turned darker. The group of friends looked in horror as the white walls of the hospital disappeared and they found themselves in a whole new landscape.

“We need to get out of this death hole!” Spear looked over his shoulder to on of his squad mates, “If you want to get killed out there go ahead!” He yelled at the top of his lungs as another magical mortar hit the street and sent splinters flying through the window of the old building they were hiding in. Spear looked out the window and saw three griffins running down the street in their direction. Spears horn started to glow as he pointed it out the window, waiting for the griffins to come closer, making sure that he didn't miss. Spear closed his eyes as a three spear looking ice shard shattered the glass and pierced the three oncoming griffins to the house on the other side of the street. “NOW!” Spear charged out of the broken window making sure to jump over the shattered glass, he ran to the closest building and slammed into the wall. He looked over his shoulder and watched as his team came up behind him, Spear peaked around the corner to make sure the it was clear. Another magical mortar blew up the building they were hiding in. Spear looked as the building collapsed, something had caught fire as black smoke started to drift from the building.

Spear made sure no griffins were behind them as he past around the corner and ran down the street, keeping a watchful eye to the windows of the buildings making sure he didn't make the same mistake as the griffins. His orders were to get to the town square, one of the houses there was set up as the medical camp but the griffins had been able to push past their front line, they were assigned to evacuate and help relocate the medical base.

Spear ran past an alley, with his thoughts on the mission he forgot to check his corners. Just as he was in the middle of the opening something rammed into him, his horn lit up the instant he was hit. The moment he hit the ground several ice shards had already pierced the attacker. When he opened his eyes he saw a large griffin lying on the ground in front of him, five ice shards had pierced his wings, not lethal but the ice shard sitting a little to the right in his throat was, the griffin coughed up blood while eyeing the pony in front of him. His claw rose gingerly from the ground, Spears eyes meet with the griffins, they were not full of hate or despair, they were full of sorrow. His eyes pleaded for him to end his misery, Spear closed his eyes.

His horn light up again as an ice shard pierced the griffins head. “Whoa!” Spear looked to his right to find his squad looking at him in shock. “ You managed that even before you hit the ground!” Spear looked to his left “It was just instinct” The red stallion looked from the griffin to Spear “Remind me not to get on your bad side” Spear started to trot down the street “Delta on me!” He hurried down the street as the camp was only three blocks away.

Spear rushed in the door waiting for his squad to enter, “Shield strike, Golden catch and Silver dust make sure first floor is safe, Stargazer and light hoof, I want your eyes in the windows of the second floor making sure no unexpected visitors want to enter our perimeter, Sharp Sword and Techno Beat on me!” “You’re late Spear” Spear gazed around the room for the first time, fifteen ponies lied on the floor. His eyes immediately trailing to the color full mane of the pony in front of him. “Rainbow Dash! What are you doing here?” Rainbow Dash sent him a cocky smile “ Squad Alpha was sent here to be your backup. But we couldn’t find you once we arrived” Spear looked unamused “Where is your squad leader?” Rainbow rolled her eyes “Lightning Twist is upstairs” Spear shot her another glance before he walked up the stairs to meet with Lightning Twist.

Lightning Twist was busy talking to one of the nurse ponies as Spear reached the top of the stairs. Lightning Twist eyed him and turned around “So you’re finally here?” Spear looked around the room finding Stargazer and Light hoof in front a window pointing towards town square, his eyes shifted to the eight ponies on the floor. “We had some problems with mortars and griffin squads on the way here” Lightning Twist eyes widened a little “Already! It’s not even three minutes since they broke or front line!” Spears eyes drifted to the two ponies sitting in front of the window. “We need to hurry if we are to relocate the medical camp” Lightning Twist walked over to an open window “Lightning Charger, Shooting Springe get down here!” A few seconds later a Grey pegasus male and a Cyan pegasus entered the building through the window, Lighting Twists eyed both of them “You two are to help Shining Armor get all of this ponies together with the doctors out of here, follow his orders. Understood?” “Yes ma'am!” both ponies said in unison.

Spear watched as Lightning Twist walked downstairs “Rainbow Dash! Agile Haste! I want you two to fly out and take the heat off of this particular area. I want you to draw as many griffins away from here as possible” “Yes ma'am!” the firm voice of Rainbow Dash was unmistakable. Lightning Twist walked up the stairs again “Shining Armor, give the orders” Spear cleared his throat “Everpony that can walk on their own will follow me, all of you who can’t will get assistance from my team or the doctors!” It didn’t take long for everyone to take action.

Spear found himself in the back alley of the building, watching as Golden catch, Silver dust and Techno beat were helping three injured ponies out of the house. Three out of five of the medical staff began helping them relocate as the rest went inside the building taking care of the ponies left behind. Lightning Charger and Shooting Springe went up on the roof tops scouting for any enemy activity in the area. Spears eyes drifted back to the line of ponies in front of him as eight wounded ponies left the building “I hope we can take the last seven with us on the next rou-” a loud explosion sent roof tiles raining down on them. Spear looked up at the hiding spot to Lightning Charger and Shooting Springe, a large hole in the roof sent shivers down his spine. Once the dust fell he could see both of them still peaking over the rooftop.

They walked down the alley to the next crossing, Spear walked in front as he raised a hoof to indicate the rest of them to stop. He was leaning against the wall as he walked toward the street, making himself as small as possible as he peaked around the corner to the left. To his relief the street was empty, only wooden planks and glass on the ground as far as he could see. A sudden rain of stones and planks made him aware of the mortars had reloaded again. Spear could hear the clanging of metal and screams of agony from all over town. He slowly turned his head to the right, he just caught a glimpse of a shadow with a rainbow trail as eight griffins flew right after it.

Spear closed his eyes and dried the sweat from his forehead, Spear turned around and nodded for the group to follow him again. They didn’t have any problems getting down to the new camp that was on the outer edge of town. Spear looked over his shoulder as the doors to the new medical base closed. Spear looked at the five ponies in front of him, “Let’s get the rest of them and win this war!” Spear ran right behind Silver Dust back down the very same alley they came from.

Mortars had rained down more rapidly after they returned to the former medical base. The closer they came to the former medical camp the louder sound of metal became, the barrages of explosions became far more rapid and echoed twice as loud.

Spear hurried into the house to find his squad firing rapidly from the windows at incoming griffins. Spear could see Stargazer and Light hoof by the window, but he couldn’t see Shield strike or Sharp sword “Where is Shield strike and Sharp sword!?” Light hoof looked from the window to Spear, pointing a hoof out the window “They’re out there on the front line helping what’s left of Charley group!” Spear nodded to the two unicorns, “Okay, Techno beat,Lightning Charger and Shooting springe you're going to help the rest of the injured with the help of the doctors out of here, Golden catch and Silver dust we are going to help Sharp sword and Shield strike!”

As if on cue a Yellow pegasus with a light blue mane enter the room with two injured earth ponies, Spear got a glimpse of the red stallion known as Shield strike, his eyes drifted to the other earth pony she held and recognized his gray body as Sharp sword, Shield strike had only minor wounds, mostly small cuts. Sharp sword on the other half had claw marks all over his body, he had a rather nasty and most likely deep claw mark over his right eye.

Spear felt rage build up inside of him, Rainbow Dash walked in the door next to Agile haste, Rainbow’s armor was covered in scratch marks, her armor had several holes in it exposing her ripped skin, Spear could see blood through the holes. Her helmet was gone, Spear assumed lost in the fight, It wasn’t uncommon for a pegasus to lose their helmet in combat. Rainbow Dash was bleeding from a cut on her forehead, a small stream of blood ran down from her nostril, It looked like she had crashed into something, or someone.

"Still not done!” Spear snapped back to reality as his thoughts had been lost in studying the mare, Spear shook his head “Not yet Rainbow." What happened to you?” Rainbow stifled a laugh as it was obviously too painful “I had some contact” Spear looked at his two wounded teammates “Does this mean?” Agile Haste nodded “Front line is a living hell, Charley got reinforcements and were able to hold the line” Spear let out a sigh of relief “At least some good news” Spear closed his eyes for a moment, “Delta group! we are proceeding the evacuation!” Rainbow Dash and Agile Haste were already out the door, Agile Haste kicked from the ground and was airborne yet again.

Rainbow was about to do the same as a voice called out to her “Rainbow wait!” Rainbow Dash turned to see Spear in the doorway, “What?” Spear walked over to the mare “I want to cast a spell on you” Rainbow looked confused at him “What spell?” Spear stood beside her “A spell that lets us talk through our minds, a magical connection that will let me talk to you in your mind as well as let me see what you see once I close my eyes and reach out to you” Rainbow squinted her eyes “How long does this spell last?” Spear looked thoughtful for a moment “about 3 hours” Rainbow Dash looked at him for a moment before nodding “Okay,but don’t get any funny ideas” Spears horn lit up and after about one minute a pink aura shot out from it and hit Rainbow Dash.

“Did it work?” the sky blue mare shifted uneasy, Spear opened his eyes, blinked a couple of times and closed his eyes "Yep, it worked" Rainbow nearly jumped as his voice came from nowhere in her mind, it felt strange to have another voice inside her head. "Creepy..." Rainbow kicked from the ground and flew out of sight. Spear opened his eyes and helped his squad back to the relocated base.

Once Spear had got back to the medical base he had ordered his squad to defend the base. Only once he made sure Shield strike and Sharp sword had got medical attention did he walk upstairs next to the Stargazer who sat in front of the window, “If anything happens, nudge me” Stargazer looked at him a bit confused by the request but nodded “as you wish.” Once Spear closed his eyes the shadows started to bend and a whole new landscape entered his mind.

Rainbow Dash nearly lost her balance as Spears voice came from nowhere, "AT LEAST GIVE ME A WARNING" she yelled in her mind "Sorry..." Rainbow Dash dived down through the thick layer of clouds, the clouds felt soft against her exposed skin as armor plates had started to fall off. The clouds got thinner and Spear could see the town from the sky, he would have gasped if he could as the town below was in ruin. Houses had collapsed as smoke rose gingerly from all over town, the sound of metal against metal could be heard over the roar of the wind, "It’s horrible!" Rainbow squinted her eyes "Welcome to my point of view" Rainbow broke into a dive right over the front line.

Rainbow Dash flew right over the front line as she tried to get as many griffins to follow her as possible, just as she passed over the rows of griffins did her hoof make contact with an unlucky griffin's head as blood sprayed over her left hoof. Rainbow shot a glance over her back and saw that two griffins were hot in pursuit. Rainbow Dash flew with ease through the streets and made quick turns as she came to the next crossing, "How are you able to keep up with everything?" Rainbow Dash shot straight up in the air as the griffins finally had time to catch up, Rainbows speed decreased as she gained height, "Instinct" Rainbow’s speed came to a halt as she started to fall backwards down between both of the griffins, Rainbow looked behind her as both griffins had clustered their wings to their side and started gaining in on her.

Rainbow Dash knew they were heavier than her, so of course they would gain more speed. But it was all part of her plan, but the griffin that rammed her to the left wasn’t. Rainbow still gaining speed as she fell toward the hard surface of the street, Rainbow had just barely time to straighten her uncontrolled dive as she slammed against a rooftop, her momentum sending her through the roof into second floor as she rammed through the second floor and laid in first floor coughing up blood, an enormous pain in her chest forced her to close her eyes, her ears rang loud as she couldn't make out any sound, "Rainbow!" Rainbow forced open her eyes as she laid there motionless, the ringing in her ears died down slowly “Nopony could have survived that fall” she heard the deep voice of a griffin, “Let’s get back to the front line, can’t let the grass loving horses get back the city” Rainbow laid there for a while catching her breath, she coughed again and tried to stand up, she rose gingerly to her full height.

Rainbow stared out the window "Are you alright?" Rainbow used her left hoof to clean away the blood from her mouth "Yeah" Rainbow Dash looked around the building finding more pieces of her armor. "How in equestria can you still be alive?" Rainbow kept her gaze to the window for any movement "A promise". "A promise?" Rainbow smiled to herself “A promise to my friends, I promised them to get back alive. To be back before hearth's warming eve, I’m planning on keeping that promise!” Rainbow Dash found new energy as she kicked from the ground and flew out the same hole she had made.

Rainbow flew straight back to the front line, to Rainbows shock the front line had been pushed several meters. Rainbow flew past the last building before the towns square, a magical mortar hit the building to her left, Rainbow’s right hoof was badly burned as she squinted her eyes just barely able to dodge the heavy wooden support beam that flew straight at her, Rainbow did a barrel roll to evade the oncoming danger. Her right hoof was almost black, she looked down on it and saw that some of her skin had been burnt off.

Rainbow flew a couple of meters in the air and watched as the front line got bombarded with magical mortars sending ponies flying, the front line was a lost cause if nothing drastic happened soon. Rainbow closed her eyes, images of a ruined ponyville flashed before her eyes, dead ponies in the street, wildfires burning down sweet apple acres. Ponyville in the same state as this town. The last thing that came to her mind was the picture they all shared, a group picture of all six of them. Suddenly she found herself laughing with Pinkie Pie, racing with Applejack, reading daring do with Twilight, sharing breakfast with Fluttershy, how she was forced into trying out a dress Rarity had made and made a joke out of it. A small smile crept on her muzzle.

Rainbow opened her eyes, "I know what to do." Rainbow flew sky high in a matter of seconds "What are you doing? the battle is down there" Rainbow did a one hundred and eighty degree turn and shot straight towards the griffin front line, her timing had to be just right. "Tell the girls I’m sorry" "For what?" Rainbow’s front hoof touched an invisible barrier, "For this" Rainbow flapped her wings as fast as she could, the ground coming dangerously close "Rainbow Dash what are you doing?!" Just before she hit the ground did one last thought enter her mind "I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise" an explosion shook the very core of town, shaking Spear enough to wake him from his spell.

Spears vision was of an old house with wooden walls and floor, Spear shot a glance out the window just to see a rainbow colored mushroom rise in the direction of towns square. It didn’t take long for him to bolt to his hooves running towards town square. The silence of the town scared him to death. Just about ten minutes ago the air was filled with sounds of metal and screams, but now...dead silence. He ran as fast as his hooves would let him, he noticed all the broken glass on his way there. The explosion had shattered windows all the way out here. Just how strong was that explosion? and what did it come from were the only questions that fired through his mind as he ran. His legs nearly killing him as he finally made it to town square, he spotted a large crater, just behind the griffins lines. Charlie had used the opportunity to charge through the hole and kill any griffins in their way, just as Spear closed in on the hole did a armored pony climb up from the crater. Spears eyes widened as he saw the limp and bloodied pegasus on his back. Spear stood in shock. Nothing made sense to him, “THIS PONY IS IN NEED OF EXTREME MEDICAL ATTENTION RIGHT NOW!!!” Spear snapped out of his shocked state and ran over to the armored pony, “I know where the medical camp is located, give her to me and I’ll take her to them!” the armored pony didn’t hesitate as Spear levitated the limp pony from his back.

Spear ran as fast as he could, he really wished he could teleport now. Spear looked over his shoulder at the broken pegasus on his back, he could feel her heart just barely beating on his back. Spear looked forward again as the medical camp was just a stone cast away. Suddenly everything went black, the shadow began to fade as white walls appeared out of the darkness as they found themselves in the hospital once more.

The group stood in shock, not really able to take it all in. After several long minutes did General Red mane speak up “Do you know why she chose to go?” No answer, the group was still in shock. The general pointed a hoof at Twilight “Element of magic” He moved it to Applejack “Honesty” he pointed it in the other direction to Pinkie pie “Laughter” Than to Fluttershy “Kindness” And at last to Rarity “Generosity” There was a pause before he spoke again “ Do you know what all those five have in common? None of them belong in a war. Rainbow Dash is the Element of Loyalty. She was loyal enough to sacrifice herself for you, you saw her memory. She preformed a true act of loyalty to spare you of all that she had witnessed. She was loyal to all of you. She protected each and every one of you from what you saw. If you can find someone better suited to have the element of loyalty, point him or her out for me, If you want to take a better look on her armor, she came with it. We had her in the medical tent for two days before she was stable enough to move her here. I’m sorry, but we really have to go now”

General Red Mane walked out the doors, he didn’t give time for the group to ask anymore questions. Shining armor watched after the general as he walked out the door, “Could you give her my regards?” he turned to look on the group. Twilight nodded as he smiled “Thank you” he gave her a quick hug and turned too follow the general. The conversation had lasted longer than anyone had expected as the sun rose over the hillside. Red heart had listened to every word the general had said. Applejack turned to ask Red heart about the armor but she had already went to retrieve it.

It only took five minutes before she came back with a table, on the table was a set of pegasus armor. Twilight walked closer to the armor to inspect the damage it had incurred. She let out a loud gasp as the armor that once had been shining black was now covered in claw marks, some places had even been burnt, Twilight touched the leg protector as a thick layer of soot stuck to her hoof , pieces of the helmet had been ripped off. It was filled with holes and covered in a lot of visible scratch marks. It even had some blood on the shoulder protectors and rib cage armor, it was a claw mark that had pierced the ribcage and her guess was that it was Rainbow's blood. The group looked in horror at the damaged armor as they realized this wasn’t from some theater show. This was real, every scratch that was carved in it, every hole, every little blood mark. It had happened for real. Twilight and Applejack looked at each other, then to Red heart. Applejack broke the silence as the rest of the group inspected the armor “Can’ we see her?”

Read heart looked at Applejack “I strongly suggest you don't see her in this condition” Applejack gaze fell “Ah want te see her” Twilight looked away from what was left of the armor and to Red heart “Please, we all want to see her Red heart” Red heart closed her eyes “I can take you to her, but it’s not a pretty sight”. Red heart led the group through the halls of the hospital and past the rows of doors which held ponies with all kind of injuries and illnesses. Red heart stopped in front of a door with the number two hundred forty eight firmly over the door. Red heart turned to look at the group “Here we are, Rainbow Dash is just on the other side of this door” Applejack was about to enter but Red heart blocked the door with a hoof “Don’t touch anything, okay?” Applejack nodded and pushed away her hoof as she walked in the door.

Applejack was the first to enter the room, her eyes widened as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. She hadn’t even seen Rainbow Dash yet, just the green curtains that surrounded her bed.

The double room was only occupied by her, wires were scattered all around the floor connected to various machines. A weak piip drew her back to reality as she moved further to let her friends see what she already saw. Applejack slowly walked over to the green hospital curtains and cautiously moved it aside. Applejack instantly stopped as she saw the right hoof at the end of the bed, it held burn marks together with small blood stains scattered around. Rainbow Dash's knee had been bandaged. Applejack didn’t know if she wanted to see the rest if this was only a hoof.

A sudden nudge moved the rest of the curtain and yanked it out of Applejack’s hoof as the Purple aura vanished again. Revealing the Sky blue pegasus. Rainbow’s chest was weakly rising and falling, Rainbow Dash’s mane was a mess, gauze covered her eyes, a large white wire was bandaged to her neck as the white tube disappeared down her mouth. Rainbows torso was bandaged up to her chest. Her right hoof was covered in gauze as well as the wire to the heart monitor. Her left hoof held a little bandage at the joint. Applejack noticed what appeared to be a claw mark from the top of her left hoof all the way down to her joint. Rainbow's wings were tightly wrapped to her side, her left hind hoof was without any bandages, revealing a lot of small cuts and bruises.

Applejack fell back on her haunches crying. Stifled gasps came from almost every pony in the room, Fluttershy broke down in tears as she had done all night, the sight of her friend like this was too much for the yellow pegasus, Pinkie pie covered her eyes as she cried out loud, Rarity was holding her stomach about to puke at the sight, Twilight stood frozen watching her friend in such a dire state.

They had been sitting there for what felt like forever, but in reality was about ten minutes. The constant sound of Rainbows heart monitor was a comforting sound. Applejacks ears perked up as the heart monitor suddenly pipped a little faster than last time, she was not the only one noticing as all eyes were on Dash, full of hope. Rainbows heart monitor pipped again, faster than last time. Rainbows eyes weakly opened. Rainbow Dash coughed a few times as the wire in her throat kept filling her lungs.

Applejack launched herself from her back hooves and stood beside the bed holding her hoof. It almost looked like Rainbow tried to say something, the doors suddenly flung open as the medical staff rushed through the door and in front of her bed, suddenly pushing Twilight and the rest of the girls out the door, Applejack held onto Rainbows hoof as the medical staff tried to push her out. Everything seems to go in slow motion as Applejack got a glimpse of Rainbow Dash's lips, Applejack could only make out “I’m sorry” Applejack was forced to let go of her hoof, Applejack was halfway out the room as a long piiiiiiiiiiiiip sent shivers down her spine. Applejack spun around only to see Rainbow’s heart monitor reach zero.

Epilogue

Twilight's eyes slowly opened at the sound of church bells, the sound that had been so relaxing and indicating the end of a week had moved on, now only signalled a bitter end. she didn’t want to remember what today was. Twilight just lied in bed, her duvet was a mess indicating just how much sleep she had gained that night. She pulled the duvet up to her head and turned around staring at the frame of her bed, she felt tear well up in her eyes. small sobs erupted from deep inside her, she missed the sky blue pegasus so bad. she just lied there for a while, just crying to herself. She twitched an ear at the sound of somepony opening the door to her bedroom. Twilight poked her head out from under the cover, “You asked me to wake you up” the purple dragon said in the softest voice he could muster.

Twilight slung her hind hooves over the edge of the bed, “Y-yeah, thanks Spike” The purple dragon slowly made his ways to the bottom of the stairs leading up to her bed, he climbed it slowly, Twilight didn’t budge, lost in her thoughts. By the time Spike had climbed up the stairs was she sobbing out loud again, Spike felt his cheeks getting wet as well. He couldn’t help but cry himself, Spike walked up to Twilight and wrapped his claws around her neck. Twilight was taken by surprise at the dragon but returned the hug full force.

They sat like that for a while before spike released his grip around her neck, “I miss her too Twilight ” Spike shook his head gaining a few tears, at the memories of the pegasus. He walked over to the curtains that blocked out the day outside. Twilight was half expecting the sky to be dark and cloudy, the sound of heavy rain against the window. She couldn’t be more wrong, when spike pulled away the curtains to her bedroom did the sunlight flood the entire room, small particle of dust catching a golden glow as it slowly descended towards the floor of her room.

Twilight covered her eyes as she waited for her eyes to adjust to the brilliant light. She moved her hoof a little and was awestruck at the display she saw, the sky was all clear, not a single cloud in sight. The sky itself was a pure light blue color, it even looked as if the colors itself was glowing. The sun had rose just a bit over the horizon making the hillside a light grey. Twilight dried away her tears, a weak smile formed on her muzzle since after Rainbows departure. The thought of her Sky blue friend in her cloud house moaning as the light would rudely wake her, Twilight felt a small giggle build up in her throat as she pictured it in her mind. Like lightning from clear sky did a picture of Rainbow Dash in the hospital bed covered in gauze shoot into her mind. Her smile quickly turned to a frown as tears welled up in her eyes again.

Twilight was now fully awake, well, at least how awake you can be after a sleepless night. She descend down the stairs to the library, wearing a simple black dress. Even spike wore black cloth despite how much he hated to wear cloth. He saw Twilight descend the stairs, her eyes were bloodshot as she had recently cried.

Twilight glanced over to the clock again, it had only passed ten minutes since last time she looked at it. She laid her head down on the table again, not paying much attention to anything except the clock. A sudden knock on the door made her jump in her seat and fumble backwards. Spike went to get the door as Twilight found herself on the floor still in a little shock as she rose gingerly to her full height. Rarity and Pinkie Pie stood in the doorway, both wearing black dresses.

Pinkie pie and Rarity entered the library, Twilight once again feel her eyes watering. They found them selfe in a group hug crying in each other's presence. Pinkie pie’s puffy hair was as straight as rain on a late afternoon, and by the look of Rarity it didn’t seems like she had gained any more sleep than Twilight.

The small group walked towards the outer edge of Ponyville, they met up with Applejack and Fluttershy on the way. They all wore black dresses, Applejack’s trademark was missing though, she never removed her stetson, but for the first time she didn’t wear it. The rows of house became more scattered as they closed in on the edge of ponyville.

They mostly walked in silence, none of them had much to say as they were all lost in their own thought, memories and events that had occurred before the tragic outcome. Once they rose over the small hilltop did they all come to a halt, before them in the valley, stood a large crowd of ponies, the dirt road from the bottom had a red runner all the way up between the masses of ponies, on each row of seats was a pair of armored ponies, either earth pony unicorn or pegasus. The armored ponies between the rows had the banner to the first battalion.

Twilight looked in shock as sobs were generally heard from the crowd, even crying. Twilight looked away from the crowd and to her friends “H-how come there are so many?” Rarity wiped away a tear “I-i guess our fame come before us darling” Fluttershy was too shocked to say anything, Pinkie pie didn’t even lift her head to see the crowd. Applejack reached up to hold her stetson but her hoof flailed in the air as she suddenly remember leaving it at home. “Ah guess it’s thei’re way teh say thank yeh?” Applejack was about to go down the hill but another presence made itself clear. “It’s all of us saying thank you Applejack, thank you for your sacrifice to let us having the freedom and will to live on as we do” Twilight quickly looked over her shoulder only to see her mentor “P-princess Celestia?” “And thu not forget about us” Luna walked up next to her older sibling.

Princess Celestia had ordered for the main five to sit on the front row, Twilight had asked what she was doing here, when Princess Celestia had told her student she was here to hold the funeral was her trusted students eyes all covered in tears of happiness. If royalty was to hold a funeral it only meant the pony had done something really important or heroic it gave him or her a royal status funeral.

Once Twilight and her friends was out of Princess Celestias sight did her horn light up, Lune looked at her big sister with a grim expression “Is thou sure it is the smartest thing tho do?” Celestia closed her eyes concentrating on the spell “I’m sure little sister, It is the right thing to do” “Thus let me help” Lunas horn sparked to life as the two royal sister united their magic. Mist started to form in front of the two sisters as the shape moved and formed into something pony like. The shape took the form of a pegasus, the mist ended in a bright light. The pegasus stood facing the ground with its eyes closed. Once the pony opened her eyes it exposed her magenta colored eyes, once opening her eyes did her normal colors slowly take her over. Her sky blue coat and multi colored mane regained its colors.

Rainbow Dash looked around bewildered “Huh? Where am I?” “You are currently in ponyville” She spun around and saw Princess Celestia and Princess Luna “How did i get here?” she sent Celestia a questioning glance before she eyes the crowd “Why are there so many ponies here? ARE THE WONDERBOLTS PERFORMING!” Lunas expression went from a sympathetic smile to a shocked expression. Before she could say anything had Princess Celestia already covered her mouth. “Rainbow Dash, they are not here on some wonderbolt show. They are here to attending your funeral.” Dash looked away from the crowd and to the Princess “M-my f-funeral?” Princess Celestia let out a sigh “Yes, you died in the hospital 4 days ago. You’re friends were there to the very end don’t worry. They are here right now, I know this is a lot to take in Rainbow Dash, you were taken away far from your time. You’re currently a ghost among us it’s just me and Luna that can see and hear you. This is our gift to you for your sacrifice” Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe her ears “Y-you c-can’t be real!!” shouted at the top of her lungs, She ran down the hill and into the crowd looking for her friends, she was sure they would see her. How could they not?

Rainbow Dash ran between the rows of ponies, it couldn’t be true. She couldn’t be dead! she spotted the golden mane to Applejack in the front row. She ran out of the row she currently was in and sped down the red carpet. It couldn’t be true! There was no way she could be dead and here at the same time, a deep hollow feeling erupted from her chest. Rainbow Dash ran up to her friends, tears welled up in her eyes as she slowed to a halt a few meters away from them when she heard Applejacks voice. “Ah can’t believe she’s really gone” the southern accent was unmistakable. Rainbow Dash smile faded as Applejack was soon followed by Twilight, sobbing already “It can’t be real, It’s just can’t..” Rainbow Dash trotted in front of them crying “I’m right here...” Rainbow Dash looked directly at the friends in front of her. All their eyes was turned to the hilltop. Rainbow Dash looked up the hill top, a coffin was placed on top of it.
Rainbow Dash moved her legs slowly, her slow approach turned out to a trot as she came up beside the coffin. Rainbow's eyes widened as she looked at the mare in the coffin, her rainbow mane looked exactly like hers, SHE looked exactly like her.. She couldn’t believe it, it had to be some kind of sick joke. Rainbow Dash looked at herself, she suddenly started to laugh out loud. IT was a joke? wasn’t it? “Good one guys! to make me think i’m dead and staging all of this? How did you get Princess Celestia and Princess Luna in on it?”

It was all silent, to her agony no pony seemed to hear her, Rainbow Dash yelled the question again, no answer came, Rainbow felt tears push against her eyes. Rainbow walked down to her friends again and started to sob out loud as she was half there before she collapsed in tears. After a few seconds did she rise gignergly, she walked down to the front row where she had located her friends. dragging her hooves with her as she skidded to a halt in front of them. She fell back on her haunches and laid down covering her face with her front hooves crying. “Why can’t they see me...” The voice of Princess Celestia filled the air “Ladies and Gentle colts, we are gathered here today to honor the memories of not just our our saviour, but a close friend. She dedicated her life to us, helped us in every day's routines made us laugh and awe stuck by her amazing flying skills. Many of us know her as Element of Loyalty, but i’m sure many more know her as a friend. I’m not here to remind you of what happened, but rather what to come. Rainbow Dash”

Rainbow Dash dried away her tears and looked up at her friends, they were all crying holding around each other. Rainbow sniffed before she turned her head and looked up at the Princess of the sun, “I’m sure her name light a spark in everyones heart, a flame will blossom with memories of her, I’m also sure she is here with us today” Princess Celestia shoot Rainbow Dash a glance before she continued her speech “ I’m sure we all hold her dearly in our hearts and remember my little ponies, memories will never die” Princess Celestia stepped back Princess Luna walked forward.

The rows of ponies cried. it wasn’t hard to hear or see, even the 1’st battalion with their stone faces couldn’t help the tears running down their cheeks.

Princess Luna cleared her voice “Thus i have not been here for long, I remember i was imprisoned in the form of Nightmare moon. I’m not proud of what happened but i want to share with you a my memory of her. Thus i had cut the old bridge to the castle i knew she would flew over, Thus i came in the form of the shadow bolts and offered her to be captain of the shadow bolts. A offer most pegasi would accept, she refused. She told me in a simple phrase “YOU, thank you, for the offer i mean. But i’m afraid i have to say no.” I didn’t expect her say no to her dream, she sparked curiosity in mte. She and her friends, who are present here” Princess Luna smiled down at the group “Saved me from the monster i had become.” Princess Luna flapped her wings a few time and rose over the grassy fields below. “My final thanks to her will be this” seven spots in the sky light up, even though it was day, the pattern on the sky was just the same as the thunderbolt of her element necklace. the princess of night descended down to earth in front of awe struck crowd.

Rainbow Dash looked up at the sky where her element hung in the sky. Tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. She was so proud, she would be remembered whenever someone looked to the night sky and saw the pattern of stars formed as a thunder bolt. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, tears still streaming down and muttered “Thanks” a weak smile was planted on her muzzle.

Princess Celestia walked in front of the crowd “Our memories will be sparked whenever we look up at the night sky, I have a gift for her as well. A statue, in the royal garden, and her armor will be moved to the castle for display in the throne room for all to see. I’m sure there is at least one among us that want a few word. Twilight”

The group of friends watched Twilight as she rose from her seat and walked up the hill. she turned around and faced the massive crowd in front of her. Tears still dripping from her cheeks as she cleared her throat as best she could “I’ll go directly to the point, the last couple of days have been a terrible time for us all, living a nightmare that we have all struggled to come to terms with, but the one thing I can say is that Rainbow Dash would be so very proud of the way that everyone has been there for each other and pulled together, united in their support. It just goes to show that we all carry a little bit of Rainbow Dash inside ourselves; that deeply entrenched natural instinct to care for one another. So, if we are looking for positives to come out of something this painful, it is that new friendships will be formed and built for life…and i’m sure Rainbow Dash would just love that.”

The wind started to pick up as the sound of rustling leaves built up. Those too weak to hold onto the branches of the trees was caught in the wind, carried away by some unknown power. Blowing between the rows of ponies and the lavender unicorn giving the speech.

“Nothing was more important to Rainbow Dash than those close to her, so let’s keep close to each other and do what she would want. Rainbow Dash is still alive in every single one of us and between us we have so many amazing memories to share, so let’s just keep sharing them and enjoying them. She would want us to be happy. Laughter always got her through all her hard times and laughter will get us through ours. So I guess what I’m trying to say here is…and these are Rainbow’s words, not mine, “Don’t forget to laugh and when you do laugh, don’t feel guilty because you are supposed to be mourning for me, laugh because I am still here with you all, laugh because I can hear you.

Your laughter and happiness is what keeps her alive and close to us, because it is the closest we can get to feeling her warmth. So carry on as Rainbow Dash would want you to, be strong, dedicate things to her, continue to make her proud…speak to her, speak about her, keep her close and in your heart.

Let the memories of Rainbow put the spring back in our lead-heavy legs, let the warmth of her eyes and smile dry our tears and let her voice boom out, “Stop flipping crying you softies, you’re setting me off too!!!” Whenever I hit rock bottom and start crying, I can never stay there for long before I start laughing as I remember ‘the good times’…so take a moment please to laugh those tears away by remembering some of Rainbows silliest moments with you.

We carry her with us every day wherever we go, so to Rainbow from all of us here today…this isn’t goodbye, it’s just a different kind of hello!”

The hot air blew over the coffin as one blue feather left the coffin only to play in the strong gust, the wind carried the feather over the crowd of ponies before it started to swirl down to the ponies below.

Twilight had cried half way through her speech, she slowly made her way to her seat in silence. as all the eyes was on her, she looked up as she passed her friends who muttered how great her speech was. Twilight saw something blue resting on her chair, as she got closer and dried away her tears with a hoof did she recognize it as one of Rainbow Dash’s light blue feathers. She wrapped her magic around it thugged it closer to her body. Twilight was sure Rainbow Dash was there that moment.

Rainbow Dash sat in front of her friends, her eyes wide and full of tears. her cheeks were now soaked, she couldn't find the word to thank her enough for the speech. It was just one word that came to mind. The pegasus couldn’t help but smile to herself “It was AWESOME.” Rainbow Dash watched as the funeral went on, each of her friends were up there, telling the crowd of their most treasured moments with the pegasus.

Rainbow Dash suddenly felt the urge to look to her left, so she did, and saw Princess Celestia gesturing for her to follow. Rainbow Dash got up and trotted over to the Princess. Celestia's voice was softer than usual “Rainbow Dash, i hope you know you will be missed, and remembered for what you have done.” Rainbow Dash smiled up at her, “But the question is if you are ready to leave?” Rainbow’s eyes was filled with fear, “C-can i make one last request Princess?”.

Twilight and her friends walked back from the funeral that night, all of them had a smile plastered on their face. All their eyes was skywards looking at the new pattern of stars in the sky. “Ah wonder what Princess Celestia wanted to talk about?” Applejack gazed back to the road, “I have no idea Applejack, but i’m sure it have to be something about the funeral” Twilight followed lead as they closed in on the designated location. Rarity looked to Twilights tree house “It was simply magnificent how they described her, as well as you’re speech Twilight. It was perfect!” Twilight blushed, “Oh it was absolutely amazing Twilight” the soft voice of the butter colored pegasus was heard in the night. “It was super duper amazing Twilight, It deserves a party! but maybe not right now” said the pink party pony as she bounced beside her, her mane puffy again.

Twilight opened the door to her house, the candles flickered as long shadows played on the bookshelves. Princess Celestia was in the library waiting for all of them to enter, she greeted one by one as they entered. Celestia looked at the group in front of her as they all stood in a half circle around her “Please sit down, no need for formalities when you're in the presence of only friends.” The group sat down on their haunches “So? what did you want to speak of Princess?” Celestia looked to her star student. “I’m here to grant someone their last wish” with that did her horn burst to life, the ponies in front of her covered their eyes as the light was too bright.

Twilight moved her hoof slowly away from her eyes, what she saw made her eyes widen and mouth fell agape. “RAINBOW DASH?!” before she could say anything had the farmer already yelled out her thought. Rainbow Dash was indeed standing in front of them. Rainbow looked a little embarrassed before her voice filled the silence “sup guys?”

Rainbow Dash didn’t even have time to blink as they all assaulted her at once into a hug. they slammed into a bookshelf crying tears of happiness. “Easy guys! If i wasn’t already dead i’m sure you would’ve broken my neck right now” she laughed. Once getting up again she met all their teary gazes and smiles. “I don’t have long, I just want to tell all of you how awesome you was today,” Rainbow felt tears press in her eyes “ I love you guys so much, I’m so sorry i couldn't keep my promise...” Rainbow Dash broke down crying. “I’m sorry i messed up” Rainbow felt a hoof on her shoulder and looked up, her magenta eyes meet tery emerald green “Yeh didn’t fail Rainbow” The farmer threw her front hoof around her and forced her into a hug. Rainbow blinked a couple of times before she returned the hug.

Soon the others followed and they all sat there embracing each other, Rainbow Dash in the middle of the group. Rainbow opened her eyes again and slowly let go of Applejack “ I want you to remember me, of how i lived. Not go to some cemetery and mourn over me year after year, I want you guys to meet up and share stories, to laugh and have fun, remember me the way i lived.”

Applejack hugged her once again as tears rolled down her cheeks “Ah will Rainbow..” Applejack could feel her grip slowly loosen, which didn't make much sense since she had just as much pressure as before. She looked up as Rainbow Dash smiled to her, Applejacks eyes widened as she noticed that Rainbow Dash was slowly fading away “No. no, no don’t leave us!” Rainbow kept smiling to the group as they looked at her “Remember me, as your friend, as the Element of Loyalty”

Author's Note

That marks the end of Element of Loyalty, and a goodbye to a friend. Hope you all enjoyed it^^

Alternative end

Rainbow Dash tried to open her eyes, but shut them fast again at the intruding light. She laid still and listened to the sound of the room. A steady beep…..beep…..beep was all she heard, the annoyed her already. She tried to open her eyes once again but was forced to close them once again. She opened her eyes but narrowed them so the light wasn’t so strong. “Hey girls, Ah think she’s wakin’ up” Rainbow knew that voice! It was Applejacks. Dash moved her head a little to the right but a bolt of pain shoot through her left ribcage. She winced in pain and felt every muscle in her body tense before it was over had it forced her stomach to empty. She was surprised to feel four hoofs that held her over a bucked on such a short notice. She were carefully put back in bed, her vision still unfocused she looked over to the color dots that were all around her. Her eyes focused she blinked a couple of times before she opened her mouth, not a sound left her. She suddenly felt how dry and soar her throat was. It looked like the nurse could read her mind as a coup of water was placed in front of her mouth. It didn’t take her long to empty the cup of water. She looked over to her friends, her eyes had just focused enough to see that all her friends had tear in their eyelids she blinked and moved her gaze to the machine that made the annoying sound. She then looked at her wings, they were bandaged, and she tried to move them and winced in pain as she barely moved them. She literally threw the cover down to her hind legs and looked at her body as her chest and ribcage were all bandaged up to her neck. She had a few bruises here and there but it was cleaned and patched. Her whole body was in pain but she did little to show it. She looked back at her friends and tried again, her voice harsh “W….what..h-happened?”

The group looked at each other before Twilight cleared her throat and began the story the general had told them. Dash closed her eyes as the memory started to flow, everything seemed so clear now, how she had kept flying from the crater and back. She opened her eyes and looked down on the duvet. Her friends were all silent. Dash looked up at the group in front of her “Sorry I broke the promiss..” small tears forming in her eyes, not only because of the emotions but due to the pain as well. Applejack looked at her a bit surprised “Ah don’t recon you breakin’ anythin’ Rainbow?” Rainbow lowered her gaze again “I told you guys I would come home alive and without a scratch, but I still ended up in the hospital, almost killed…” Twilight spoke up “Your still alive Rainbow dash, and we are happy your safe here. Together with us, we also saw a clip from Spears memory. At what you did, It was amazing” Twilght suddenly remembered the box and leaned down to get pick it up. She used her magic to move it to the Night stand next to her. “The general told me to give you this. And say that the 1’st salute you and thanks you” Rainbows eyes widened as streams of tears flowed down her cheeks. Rainbow stretched in the direction of the night stand but a bolt of pain stoped her in her tracks. Applejack walked over to the night stand and handed the box to Rainbow “Thanks Applejack” Rainbow looked at the box before she shot her hooves out around Applejacks neck and hugged her tight. She pushed her face into her mane “I’ve missed you guys so much..” The group shared a few hugs before pinkie bounced over to Rainbows side “What’s in the box Dashie?” she said while bouncing beside the bed smiling as always. Rainbow looked at the box and opened it slowly. She picked up on medal, it was a silver circle with two Pegasus wings implanted in the middle so it made an X. Rainbow smiled as the other looked at her confused. Pinkie pie looked from the medal to Dash “What does it mean?” Rainbow snapped out of it and looked at her friends before she let out a loud sigh “ It is a medal that indicated expert flying, and that I am wonderbolt material. Each pony from the wonderbolt have one, I am the first to receive it outside the wonderbolts” Rainbow moved her hoof down in the box again and picked up another medal, this was a golden circle but it had a crown in the center and in a circle around it was pegasi wings “I have no clue what this is though…” Twilght gasped “You don’t know what THATH medal is?!” Rainbow was taken aback by the sudden loud outburst from her friend “N-no? should i?” Twilight moved closer “It means Princess celestia thank you for your effort in the war and this is a honor medal that means you have just as high rank in chanterlot as a noble!” Rainbow looked confused at the medal in her hoof. “I still don’t get what is so special about it…” Twilght shocked her head “It means you have the only one in all of Equestria” Rainbow looked from the medal and to Twilight “I’m not planing on leaving ponyvill anytime soon”

Another week past. Rainbow knew hart warming eve was closing in, and so was her release date. The nurse had said she would be released 2 days before hearth's warming eve. She had no clue where she would be going, but since it was hearth's warming eve. She wanted to spend it with her friends. The door to her room opened and 2 familiar mares entered the room. One with an orange coat and a Stetson on her head, her golden mane was impossible to miss. The other had a lavender coat, with a pink strip in her dark mane. Rainbow smiled “Hey guys, What’s up?” Applejack couldn’t help but smile as the Pegasus had never been so calm and patient before, she wondered just how much trouble she had went through in the army. Twillight smiled back to the recovering Pegasus “Hi there Rainbow, how are you doing today?” Rainbow looked out the window “Well ,It’s beautiful weather and I can’t wait to fly again… Except for that, I’m all good actually. Just thinking of where to go and what to do on hearth's warming eve” Applejack spoke up before anyone else could “You do know yer invited to celebrate hearth's warmin’ eve together with us in the barn* sugarcube?” Rainbow looked back to them “Yeah I know. It’s just I thought I would have the time to get you some presents this year” Twilight sat down beside her bed “Rainbow, your presence on hearth's warming eve is enough for us. Let us be thinking about the presents. I’m only happy to have you with us again” she said with a smile. Applejack walked next her “Yeah, ah need some better competition’ here around” Twilight looked annoyed at Applejack “It’s not my fault, I got a little excited and suddenly the tree jumped into my path!” Applejack laughed at the thought.

Applejack had let Twilight get in front to see if she was able to push her a little further, Twilight had looked over her shoulder at Applejack and just seconds had passed before she had trailed off the road and into a tree. Rainbow laughed at the explanation while Twilight blushed more and more. When it all had calmed down did Twilight speak up “Anyway, It’s good to have you back Rainbow” Rainbow wiped away a tear from all her laughter “Yeah, It’s good to be back and don’t worry about a bomb exploding in your head while you sleep” Applejack and Twiligth giggled. Applejack looked at Rainbow “Ah hope you’ll heal up soon sugercube” Rainbow closed her eyes for a second before the door opened again. When she opened her eyes was it no longer two guest in her room, but five. All her friends had come. Pinkie came bouncing in the door followed by Fluttershy and Rarity. Rarity stopped in front of her bed “Rainbow darling, it’s only 1 day left!” Rainbow smiled even wider “I know! I can’t wait to get out of here!” Fluttershy put on a smile “I hope you don’t mind but we have already started decorate the barn” Rainbow looked from Rarity to Fluttershy “It’s okay Fluttershy, It’s not like I could be of any use at the moment anyway..” Fluttershy looked down to the floor “Ohhh, no, you would be of great use. You could have helped with the decoration that wans’t so far up” Rainbow smile weakened. Pinkie pie bounced up beside her “ I can’t wait to see you at the barn! It’s going to be super-duper Amazing!” she shouted “Yeah, I can see that” Nurse Red heart stood in the doorway “I’m sorry girls, but visit hours is almost up.” The group looked back at the nurse. They all said their goodbye to Rainbow and trotted out the room. Rainbow watched as her friends disappeared in the doorway. The nurse sent her a final smile and turned off the light and closed the door. Rainbow Dash still looked at the door as her only source of light was the lamp on her night stand. Thought started to drift in her head as she finally was able to tear her eyes away from the door.

Rainbow Dash looked out the window as the moon started to rise in the horizon and the stars started to shine brighter in the dark of night. She walked over to the window to get a better look at the beauty of the night. She looked up at the stars as she saw a falling star. Her eyes drifted down to the ground, she saw her shadow in the light on the ground. Her though drifted to on of the new recruits that had been in the line of fire as a magical burst had hit right behind him and sent dirt and rock splints in the air. She had found him later in the surgery hall, his wings had been amputated and he was bound to live the rest of his life as an earth pony. A single tear left her eyes as her though started to shift toward all the bad that happened in the war. Rainbow looked down at her shadow again before she flared her wings open just to confirm she still had them. “Wonder how spear is doing” she asked no pony in particular. She found her way to the bed and slipped under the cover as the sweet grip of sleep got to her.

Rainbow Dash opened one eye and stared in the direction of the door, it sounded like it was someone coming her way. She sat up in the bed and looked out of the window a split second before the door burst open, Rainbow looked wide-eyed into the dark corridor, she suddenly felt herself being pushed down in bed, she looked down her body fast and saw her hoofs being pushed down in the mattress, “So this is what have happened to the famous Spectrum” Rainbows gaze fell to the door again as she started to cold sweat. Out of the door came a large griffin with a dagger in his hand, “You’ll pay for all the problems you’ve caused us” Rainbow Dash couldn’t think of anything she struggled against the force holding her down. The griffin came closer as the dagger glistened in the moonlight, the griffin made his way over to the left side of her bed, Rainbow struggled even harder to get loose, suddenly the force holding her left hoof disappeared and she kicked the griffin in the chest as hard as she could. The griffin stumbled back a few feet before he flung at her with the dagger, Rainbow tried to kick him again but he was prepared for it this time and doges it easily. The cold metal made contact with her soft chest, an exploding pain in the chest that sent waves of pain to her shoulder and doubled the effect once it got back to the dagger, Rainbow Dash let out a pained scream, she was breathing heavily as the area around the dagger had gone numb, Rainbow looked down at her chest as her Cyan coat were now a crimson red , it covered her chest fully and had started it’s journey down her chest to her stomach. The area where the dagger was suddenly flared up and she bolted up from the bed as the pain had become even worse.

Rainbow bolted up from the bed covered in sweat, she found herself being pushed down again, when she opened her eyes she saw all her friends holding her down, Twilight was the first to notice she was awake “Hey girls! She’s awake!” the group looked up from what they were holding to see Rainbows pale face and covered in sweat. The group loosened their grip and Dash sat up in the bed. Holding her head in her hooves, the group looked uneasy to each other before someone spoke up, “Umm…Rainbow?...D-did you have a nightmare?” the soft voice of a yellow pegasus filled her ears. Rainbow looked at her “Yeah, a bad one too” Rainbows gaze switched to her friends, her eyes stopped on Applejack who had blood coming from her nose. “Uhhhh, Aj?” Rainbow gestured with a hoof to her nose and Applejack knew what she meant “Yeh have a good kick in yeh Rainbow” She felt something tighten in her chest as a pang of guilt filled her. Rainbow broke the eye contact “Sorry, Aj” Applejack waved a hoof in front of her “Don’t think much of it sugarcube” Rainbow looked at her friend and back to the floor. Guilt still had a good grip in her chest. “Yeh didn’t know what yeah were doin’” Applejack walked over to get some paper from the nearby sink and dried away the blood. Fluttershy looked from Applejack to Rainbow Dash “What did you dream of? If you want to tell us..” Rainbow looked up from her hooves again, “Well, Gehhhh, I dreamed it was a griffin that broke the door and came in with a dagger, it was dark, I could see the dagger glister in the moonlight from the window, he came closer and something, some force held me down, when I was able to break free from the grip with my left hind leg I kicked as hard as I could” “Ah could feel that” came Applejacks voice from the sink Rainbow sent a sorrow full glance at her “Then he came a second time and I tried to kick him again, he dogged and I felt the dagger pierce my chest and the pain that followed is indescribable”

Nurse redhead opened the door and found all of Rainbow Dash friends in a group hug with Rainbow Dash herself “Excuse me,” This got the attention of the group as they walked each way, “Thank you, Miss Dash. You're ready to leave” Rainbow let out a giggle “Finally! Uhh, don’t misunderstand it was nice of you to look after me” The nurse smiled “Well, It is my job to take care of you miss Dash, And I intend to do it as best I can” Rainbow smiled “You did a good job than” The nurse let out a small giggle herself “Your very kind miss Dash”
Rainbow jumped out of bed and walked for the door. She filled the last bit of information needed at the hospital reception and left.

Rainbow Dash was back in ponyville, everypony congratulated her, Rainbow couldn’t help but smile as the whole city seemed to care for her. But a voice in the back of her mind told her it was only because of the war. Rainbow Dash turned to her friends “Do you mind if I just go home for a quick moment?” the group looked at each other “Ah don’t recon you the one to ask somethin’ like that Raibnow?” Rainbow rolled her eyes “See you later than!” she shoot skywards but stopped as Twilight yelled her name “Meet us at the barn in a couple of hours okay?” Rainbow looked down at her friends on the ground “Sure things wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Rainbow then flew to her cloud home, she landed on the edge. A lot of emotion built up inside of her to see her house again, she walked slowly to the door taking her time to enjoy everything from the rainbow fountain to the house formation. She opened the door slowly, Rainbow walked into the house as more and more emotions built up. “Rainbow Dash!” Dash snapped out of her emotional state. “Are you there Rainbow?” Rainbow flew out the door and looked every direction to find the source of the sound. “Down here!” Rainbow looked down and saw Shining armor, in a purple armor? Rainbow landed right in front of him “What’s up Spear?” Shining armor had a new glow in his eyes rainbow hadn’t seen before “I’ve been promoted to Captain of the royal guard!” Rainbow had a hard time showing her excitement for her friend “That great spear!” Shining armor smiled “What do you think of my new armor?” he walked in a quick circle around her.

Rainbow got a sly smile on her face “well, your blue mane doesn’t exactly fit in with all the purple together with the golden details on your armor” Shining armor stopped in shock for a moment before Rainbow Dash burst out laughing. Shining armor let out a chuckle himself “This is payback for the comment in the castle yard before the march isn’t it?” Rainbow held her stomach rolling on the ground unable to reply. Rainbow dried away the tears with her hoof “ We are even” she gave him a quick hug “Hope it turns out well for you spear” Shining armor smiled wider “please, call me Shining armor” Rainbow nodded “Sure things, you should probably get back to you’re duties, I guess it is quiet a lot now” Shining armor node “Yeah, that’s true. Tell Twilight I said hi” Rainbow smiled at the though of Twilights face once she told her that her brother had ben promoted and talked to her. A sly smile crept on her muzzle “Sure things”

Rainbow Dash flew in the direction of sweet apple acres. The rows of rows of apple trees were unmistakable. There in the distance was the well knows barn she had helped bring down only to be rebuild. A sudden light on the ground caught her eye and she slowed to a halt, Dash slowly lowered herself to ground level. What she saw made her eyes went wide. She was standing in the middle of the dirt road and watched as the part to the barn were light up by candles handing from the trees all the way up to the barn. Rainbow Dash was never one for looking at the scenery but this amazed her. She trotted up to the barn and opened the door slowly. The barn was dark, she walked further in. the door slammed shit making her jump, the light suddenly filled the room. She closed her eyes and opened them slowly. Once again her eyes widened in with the sight in front of her. “SURPRISE!” all her friends were there, together with most of ponyville. Rainbow Dash was in loss of words “I….I…I CAN’T BELICE IT!” she shouted out of happiness. All her friends were beside her together with most of the town. “Ah told yeh, this here is somethin’ yeh don’t wane miss” Rainbow couldn’t agree more. “Thanks guys” She hugged the two ponies who were closest to her, which were Applejack and Fluttershy, the rest of the group soon followed lead and the whole group were in a group hug.

The night was long with festivities, all from games to dancing to just eating and talking. Twilight jumped up on a hey ball “Excuse me everypony!” all the sound of ponies talking sank in volume before it was silence “Thanks everypony, I want to hold a speech for our very close friend Rainbow Dash” The audience started to clap their hooves, once the sound died down again did Twilight talk “I still remember the night when I got the letter from the princes, how we all talked it through in the library, how we went through each and everyone of us. But you, you volunteered to go, Instead of sending one of your friends into war, you took that task upon yourself. The General said in the hospital while we were waiting for you to wake up. Magic, generosity, kindness, Laughter, Honesty, None of those belong in a war. I’ve done a lot of thinking, and I can’t come up with anyone even close to be as loyal as you are Dash. And word can’t describe how happy we are to have you home safe and sound. No one can ever replace you Rainbow Dash. It is only one of you in all of Equestria and we couldn’t be happier to be considered as your friends.” Twilight jumped down and hugged Rainbow as she had made her way to the front of the row of ponies. This time it was Rainbow Dash who jumped up on the hay ball “Thanks Twilight, I can’t describe how GREAT it is to be home, together with familiar faces” A cheer from the crowd “With friends” she sent a smile to the group of friends that stood in the front row. “And to know that the war is finally over, that everything is back to normal in Equestria. One though that kept me fighting harder each day was the though of ponyville. How the war would leave all of Equstria if the griffin won. I couldn’t bear the though of my friends, and the town enslaved, in ruin. So I pushed harder each day to make sure it didn’t happen. To lose was never an option; I hope you all will use your freedom fully. Because I know I will live each day as if it was my last!” The cheers from the crowd were defining. Rainbow smiled at the response of the crowd, Rainbow looked at Twilight “Oh, and Twilight” Twilight smiled up at her friend “Shining armor say Hi” Twilight’s face changed to one of confussion before it turned out to a frown and a annoyed glance told Rainbow everything she needed to know. She burst out laughing. Everything was truly as it should be, Rainbow Dash was with her friends once again, the war was over, the horror of the war was over. New bond had been formed, and she was one steep closer to join the wonderbolts.

Author's Note

The raw ending i had in mind for Element of Loyalty, some of you actually wanted me to post it so here it is. The first ending i had in mind, a happy ending non the less^^ Ejoy

Chapter 3

Rainbow Dash bolted up from bed as a alarm over the speakers signaled it was time to get up, she looked horrified around the room as her eyes adjusted to the dark room, Rainbows eyes glanced over the sleeping form of Spear. Rainbow Dash covered her ears in an attempt to block out some of the volume with little success. Her eyes once again drifted to Spear who still was fast asleep. “How is he able to do that..” she grumbled under her breath as the alarm still pierced her ears. The alarm finished after a few minutes, it wasn’t a sound in the room, it were all quiet. Except from the sound that came from a sleeping earth pony. Rainbow Dash finally removed her hooves from her ears and looked around the room. Her eyes had adjusted to the dark a long time ago, She moved her hind legs over the edge of the bed, she was now in a sitting position. Rainbow let out a long yawn before she let her hind hooves touch the cold floor, soon followed by her front hooves. She made her way to the bathroom.

When Rainbow Dash came out of the bathroom she noticed that Spear was still asleep, an evil grin spread on her muscle, Rainbow went into the bathroom, after a few minutes she came out with a wooden bucket filled with cold water. She was just about to pour it over him when she realized another option for her evil plan. She went into the bathroom again and opened the door only the slightest and placed the bucket on top of it. She went out again and sat down in bed waiting for her victim to wake, 5 minutes passed and her patience had been tested for too long. She walked slowly over to his bed and rubbed his shoulder “Spear, Wake up!” the only sound that came from the earth pony was a grunt. Rainbow Dash grunted in response before she turned around and gave his flank a swift buck, Spear woke with a yelp and turned his attention to the pain in his flank “WHAT THE BUCK WAS THAT FOR!” Rainbow couldn't help but chuckle. “For not waking up by the alarm!” Spear rolled his eyes and hide his head under the pillow “I hate the army sometimes...” Rainbow let out a fake yawn, “I know what you mean, I’m heading for the bathroom” Spears head poked out from under the pillow in a flash “Wait!” Rainbow looked over her shoulder with a raised eyebrows “What?” before she could react he was already on his hooves and beside her “I really need to use the bathroom” Rainbow smiled to herself, “Sure. Go ahead”

Spear pushed his front hoof against the door, a sudden knock made both ponies turn their head to the source of the sound. Spear walked over to the door and opened it. Lightning twist stood in the door opening a confident smile on her face. “Ready for some real training Rainbow Dash?” Rainbow Dash smiled in response her prank all forgotten “Of course! I’m always ready!” Lightning twist chuckled “Good to see that you still have a fire in your heart” Lighting twist mood suddenly changed to a very serious one “ However, i have other news as well, to both of you” Spear and Rainbow Dash glanced at each other, Lightning Twists eyes had a sudden fire to them that none of them had seen before. “We are being called into the war. The 1’st battalion” Her gaze moved to Rainbow Dash “Is going to have a parade through the city before we leave for the war, Spear, I was told to make sure you get to the armory for a set of armor. You’ll meet the rest of your unit there” Spear nodded and walked out the door past Lightning Twist.

Rainbow Dash watched as Spears tail disappeared around a corner, Lightning Twist turned in the door “you coming?” Rainbow Dash gaze fell on her and for the first time noticed her cutimark, two yellow lightning bolts twisting around each other. “Of Course!” Lightning Twist chuckled “Let’s see if this kills your spirit!”

“I.HATE.THIS” Rainbow Dash said as she crawled in the mud. The rain had started to pour down from the sky the instant they had left the castle barrack. Rainbow found herself in the middle of the training field crawling under a brilliant light blue net. Obviously a spell by one of the unicorns to preventing the Pegasuses from standing up and get hit by a magical ice shard or fireball, together with her unit they made good progress. Rainbow was drenched from ears to hooves, the mud had covered the most of her heavy armor and even found its way inside of her armor, not to mention her mane as the mud was dripping from it..

After they left the room they walk down a long hallway, they came out into the garden of Canterlot castle. Rainbow dash had pointed out that the sky look unsafe, Lightning Twist had just laughed and kept on walking. They had entered a barrack on the outer side of Canterlot where 3 more Pegasi’s had waited for them. She had introduced her to them as part of her unit. A rather large pegasi colt with a short curly dark blond mane and tail. His coat was light grey and his eyes was blue. Rainbow couldn’t see his cutimark as he was wearing a heavy armor himself. his name was Lightning Charger. The other was a mare with yellow coat and pink eyes, her mane was light blue together with her tail her mane and tail was much like Rainbow Dash’s own except it was much shorter than Rainbow Dash's own.. She had a light armor so she could see her cutimark, a falling feather that twisted. Her name was Agile Haste, the last pony she was introduced to had a cyan coat with a long pink mane and tail almost like Fluttershy. her eyes was a deep blue. her name was Shooting Springe. Shooting Springe had a medium armor so you could only see the half bottom of her cutimark. Rainbow couldn’t make it out.

Lightning Charger crawled up beside her “A bit for your though” Rainbow Dash looked to her right directly at him, even though she couldn’t see much with her helmet on “ Finish this exercise as fast as possible and hit the shower” Lightning Charger smiled in response “Hey, It could be worse...” Rainbow eyes brows rose, even though none could see it “How so? It’s raining, we are crawling in the mud, MY armor is half filled with mud... ITS EVEN STUCK IN MY HAIR!” This burst out made Lightning Charge and Agile Haste chuckle. Agile Haste came up beside her to the left “Trust me, this is not the worst part” she was still chuckling. Rainbow Dash looked forward again ignoring her squad for the moment. Rainbow noticed it were only a short distance left so she speed up to get out from the net.

Rainbow Dash was the first out from the magical net. Lightning Twist look up from a clipboard “Great, about time you showed up” Rainbow Dash flared her wings and removed her helmet, Rainbow held the helmet firmly against her chest. “Just give m- Us the next exercise” The rest of the group came up behind her, Rainbow Dash waited for them to walk forward and into her field of vision, Only Shooting Springe stood beside her. Rainbow turned her head to see the other two pegasi staring at her.One of Rainbows eyebrows rose up again “What?” they suddenly avoided her gaze. Rainbow’s confusion was short as this was the first time they had seen her without the helmet on. Rainbow smiled to herself, “It’s my multicolored mane? isn’t it?” Agile Haste meet her gaze “I’ve never seen anyone with that many colors before...” Lightning Charger looked at her as well “And thinking of it, you’ve made a name of yourself around her. Wielder of the element of Loyalty, Sonic rainboom, best young flyer competition. Even saved the wonderbolts”

Shooting Springe looked at Lightning Twist “Can we get the next exercise already? Before all the attention goes to the head of our already multi colored RECRUIT here?” Rainbows smile faded and her gaze became hard, she glanced at Shooting Springe “What’s your problem?” Shooting Springe came closer “YOU are my problem, you’re new, you lack experience, have you ever been in a war? you do not deserve all the trust that is being thrown at you!” Rainbow flared her nostrils as she remembered how Iron used to treat her “Say that one more time!” “Hold it you two” Both mares looked at Lightning Twist. Rainbow Dash shoot Shooting Springe another glance before she turned and looked at Lightning Twist. Lightning Twist moved between them “You both get the honor of cleaning the armors after we are done with this exercise” Shooting Springe and Rainbow Dash moaned, Lightning Twist walked back in front of the group “The next exercise is...”

Rainbow Dash and Agile Haste had been paired up as well had Lightning Charger and Shooting Springe. The exercise was simple the team on the ground was to shoot with two cannons at the pair in the sky. The sky team mission was to stay up there for the longest of the two groups. It was a competition, and Rainbow were determined to show Shooting Springe who was the best flyer. However, both ponies would have to stay in the air for the time to count. The ammunition for the cannons were just a thin layer of iron that would break on impact, It was also a filled with a powder that would look like smoke when it detonated.

Lightning Twist looked from the ground team to the Sky team, “All ponies ready and set?” Rainbow Dash and Agile Haste nodded. Lightning Twist looked to the other team “Ready?” Both ponies nodded. “Well? What are you waiting for?!” Rainbow Dash shoot up in the sky like a rocket, Agile Haste didn’t have time to react but as she noticed Rainbow Dash in the air she shoot up in the air as well.

Agile Haste flew up beside Rainbow. They was to follow the exercise ground up and down until they were either hit or exhausted. Rainbow Dash and Agile Haste flew side by side, Rainbow looked over at her “let’s make it interesting!” Agile Haste met her gaze “What’s on your mind?” Rainbow Dash got a sly grin “Let’s see who’s the fastest!” Agile Haste nodded. Rainbow Dash was in lead as they turned for the 4’th time, the rain was still pouring down, making it hard to see what was in front of them. The Thundering explosions from the cannons made it hard to even think, Rainbow looked over her shoulder just in time to see Agile haste dodged another bullet.

Rainbow Dash heard a double explosion in front of her and automatically doing a barrel roll between two bullets that came speeding toward her, this maneuver made her lose a lot of speed making time for Agile Haste to pass her. Rainbow watched as Agile Haste kept on winning ground. Rainbow Dash bit her lips and started to flap her wings faster.
Lightning Charger and Shooting Springe watched as both ponies made another turn. Shooting Springe looked over at Lightning Charger “Give me the control of both your cannons ” Lightning Charger shoot her a quizzical look “What are you doing?” Shooting Springe rolled her eyes “ I’m just going to test something” Lightning Charger still a bit skeptical to the idea glanced over at Lighting Twist whose eyes was in the skies. He then looked back at Shooting Springe “I don’t know what you're up to...” He then moved away from the firing mechanism. Shooting Springe aimed at both ponies just as Rainbow caught up with Agile Haste. They disappeared in a stray cloud just as they turned around again.

Rainbow Dash was in front again, It had cost her but it was worth it if it meant winning. Rainbow Dash looked around as she found herself in a cloud. Rainbow slowed down to let Agile Haste catch up to her “Why haven't we heard any shooting yet?” Agile haste glanced at her “Is this some kind of trick? in that case..” Agile Haste flew right past Rainbow Dash.

Shooting Springe aimed just in front of the cloud, waiting for a certain multi colored mare to make her appearance. On the first sight she would fire, Shooting Springe watched intensified at the cloud for any movement. THERE!

Rainbow Dash was still in the cloud as she heard a deafening explosion that shocked her very core. Rainbow knew that moment something was right and accelerated forward with some powerful flaps of her wing. Agile Haste didn’t have time to dodge as four bullets came at full speed toward her, Agile Haste dogged the first but didn’t have time for the second as it hit her full force to the head, Agile Haste closed her eyes in pain. The second hit her in the gut forcing the air out of her lungs as the last bullet hit her hooves she was sent spinning toward the ground, and fast.

Lightning Charger watched in horror as the scene unfolded itself in front of them, He felt anger flare up inside him, he eyed the pony behind the the cannons “WHAT THE HELL!!?” Shooting Springe turned her head slowly her mouth agape and wide eyes. Obviously in shock. Lightning Twist entered the barrack “WHO FIRED THAT ROUND!?!?”

Rainbow Dash made a direct dive after Agile Haste that were spinning out of control towards the ground. Rainbow Dash looked in horror as the ground came closer and closer. Agile didn’t have a chance to gain her balance. Rainbow Dash flew as fast as her wings would carry her. Agile was just 20 feet in the air before Rainbow Dash got to her. Rainbow Dash wrapped her hooves around her and tried to slow down the speed as best she could. But the armor they both were wearing made it impossible for her to do so, Rainbow Dash tried to gain some angel to their fast approaching mud hole. Rainbows eyes widened as she knew what would happen, Rainbow Dash wrapped her hooves and wings around the unconscious body of Agile as she prepared for impact.

Rainbow Dash only feeling and reaction once she hit the ground was the world that spun around her. Rainbow held on to Agile as best she could but the second impact forced the air out of her, Agile was ripped out of her embrace.The only thing Dash could feel was overwhelming pain, her helmet was torn of her head as the shear force sent her head over hooves over the training field. Pieces of her armor was sent flying in all directions, Rainbow Dash rolled several more feet before she finally face planted on the ground diving her snout into the mud that finally slowed her down.

Rainbow Dash blinked a few times, everything was zooming in and out. The only thing she saw once she recovered enough to see was the rain pouring down in small pits all around her. The pain forced her to turn around and lie on her back, Rainbow yelped in pain as she leaned her weight on her wings and quickly changed position to her side. Rainbow Dash had the taste of blood in her mouth as a small stream of blood left her mouth and nose. It was washed out of the mud as the rain still poured down. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and focused on the task at hoof. She still had to find Agile, and fast. Rainbow forced her hooves under her and rose gingerly.

Lightning Twist, Shooting Springe and Lightning Charger flew as fast as they could toward the crash site, Lightning Twist landed where the first impact had been “Charger go after Agile, Springe and me will go after Rainbow Dash!” Lightning Charger was already on his way toward where Agile had been ripped away from Rainbow Dash. Lightning Twist and Shooting Springe followed the trail of the impact. Lightning Twist and Shooting Springe ran alongside the crater. Lightning Twist eyes widened as she saw that Rainbow Dash was actually standing in front of them with her back towards them. Lightning Twist and Shooting Springe looked in shock as they noticed her armor was ripped in parts. Exposing the shoulder left shoulder, her right front hoof armor was completely gone her left hoof was missing the underside and up to her bending point.
Rainbows rib plates was gone on the left side and hanging in a small leather strap on her right side. both back hooves plates were still there except for the right knee armor. but a crimson red line could be traced from her ribcage and up to the point between her wings. Her exposed skin had small cuts all over it, making small rivers down her hooves neck and forehead.

Rainbow Dash looked around lazily before she turned around looking directly at two stiff frozen mares with wide eyes. Even though in great pain Rainbow couldn’t help but chuckle weakly, “Y-you s-s-shoude see the l-look on your f-faces” Rainbow Dashes chuckle was replaced by a groan of pain as she started to walk very slowly. Rainbow Dash was about to fall but before she hit the ground was Lightning Twist already beside her lending her a wing to stabilize her “E-easy Dash!” Rainbow ignored her advice and kept on walking alongside the trail. Shooting Springe looked in fear as Rainbow Dash passed her “W-where a-are you going?!” Rainbow Dash didn’t even turn “To look after Agile” Shooting Springes gaze fell “Y-you're not angry?” Rainbow Dash looked over her shoulder, glaring daggers at her “I’m not angry at you, I’m furious. But right now Agile need OUR attention NOW” Shooting Spring looked up tears in her eyes, Shooting Spring walked up to them “let’s go”

They used longer time than expected to find Agile, Rainbows vision started to blur as she came up to Lightning Charger. Rainbow looked at Agile’s body as her face was covered in blood. Agiles body had taken a soft landing compared to Rainbows. Agile was only covered in small wounds and bruises. she wasn’t bleeding much. Rainbows eyes started to blur again, Rainbow tried to blink it away but her body couldn’t handle the pressure any longer. She collapsed and fainted.

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes, trying to focus on the thing in front of her. Rainbow Dash bolted up as she remembered Agile. Her sudden move made a flaring pain up her side and she fell back down in the bed. Rainbow closed her eyes, “Finally awake?” Rainbow Dash squinted her eyes. Rainbow Dash noticed Lightning Twist and Lightning Charger, Rainbow saw Shooting Springe behind Lightning Charger. “How long have i been out?” Rainbow asked in a hoarse voice. Lightning Charger looked at the clock in the end of the medical hall “About.... 1 day and 3 hours” Rainbow looked to the left side of the bed and saw the sleeping form of Spear. “He’s been there the whole time, after he heard what happened to you” Lightning Twist explained. Rainbow Dash felt a sudden calmness taking over her mind. Rainbow looked over at the group to the right side of the bed “How is Agile?” “I’m doing fine thanks to you” Rainbows gaze moved to the source of the sound as she saw Agile walking up to the front of her bed with a bandage covering her forehead.

Agile shoot Shooting Springe a glance. Shooting Springe walked in front of Agile “Look...I’m sorry Rainbow Dash. It was never suppose to happen, I- I thought i was going to give you a hard time and swallow your words from earlier, I think I may have exaggerated a bit....but i thought you could handle it...Your reputation is amazing...And i wanted to set it to the test..I just went....” Shooting Springe was no longer able to make eyes contact as she started to sob, tears ran down her cheeks “I’m so sorry... to both of you..” Rainbow glanced at Agile who nodded in response, Rainbow looked back at the crying Pegasus in front of her “Just make sure it doesn't happen again” Rainbow Dash Signalized for Shooting Springe to come closer to the bed. Shooting Spring walked close to the bed and looked in anticipation. Rainbow Dash gave her a swift kick in the chest. Shooting Springe stumbled backwards but regained her balance before she fell. Shooting Springe looked up at Rainbow “We’re even”

Shooting Springe couldn’t believe her ears, “A-are you kidding?” Rainbow Dash removed the blanket around her and for the first time noticed how banged up her body was. all four hooves was bandaged, her chest was covered and she could feel her wings was wrapped close to her body. “yeah..... If I had noticed this sooner... I would have done something more, at least kicked you in the face..” She earned a few giggles from the group around her bed, Lightning Twist looked at Agile “Looks like someone got something they want to say” Agile moved closer to the bed “Thank you Rainbow Dash, for saving my life after the..Accident” Agiles eyes moved to Shooting Springe “ But it all ended well, and this will probably only make our unit more tied together”

“I hope so too” All five ponies turned around to see General red mane walk toward them. All of them saluted as he came closer “At ease” as he walked the rest of the distance did all the pegasi look at each other in confusion “A little bird told me, Rainbow Dash, that you saved Agiles life at the risk of you own” Rainbow Dash looked at him confused “I don’t know about the own life thing. But i did my best to save her” General red mane brought forth a box and opened it “You’ve even gained a medal miles away from the war. Congratulation Rainbow Dash, I give to you the medal of honor with crossed palms, It may only be awarded in exceptional cases to a youth member or a leader who has demonstrated unusual heroism and extraordinary skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to yourself. Haven't given many of these. Again, congratulation Rainbow Dash” General red mane saluted her and walked out of the medical hall.

Rainbow Dash looked at the medal in her hooves, It had a golden top, the fabric was red silk with a two gold colored feathers crossing in the middle of the fabric, the medal itself was round, the outer ring was red, before it went over to a golden circle with oak leaves around it. In the center was a circle with 3 colors fusion together, Red,Blue and White.Rainbow looked at the group beside her “How did he?...” Shooting Springe walked a few steps forth “I told him, about my mistake and your rescue” Rainbow looked at her wide eyed “T-Thanks” Rainbow Dash felt an enormous pride well up inside her. Rainbows eyes noticed something moving to her left. Spears eyes met hers “YOU’RE AWAKE! for how long!?” Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but giggle “Long enough to know you’ve been here for some time” Spear looked away “I was worried about you..” Rainbow Dash smiled “appreciated pal, but it takes more than that to kill me” Spear looked at her again “ohh, i found your bucket by the way....” Rainbow looked dumbfound “Bucket?...” Spear looked annoyed “You know, BUCKET!” Rainbow looked to the ceiling wondering what he meant. Her eyes widened and she burst out laughing. In all the commotion she had forgotten the bucket she sat up in the morning a few days ago.

One week later Rainbow Dash was found in the pegasi armory preparing for the parade through the city. That was the 1’st battalions custom as they went to war, before they left the city. Rainbow Dash looked to the other pegasis in her unit. She looked at Lightning Charger who had just equipped himself in the traditional golden heavy armor. Lightning Twist went for medium as usual and so did Agile Haste and Shooting Springe. Rainbow went for the heavy. They chatted among each other as they got equipped “..Did you see their faces?” busted Agile out as she was laughing of the previous night at the bar in camp. Shooting springe giggled “I think all of us saw it!” “Together with the rest of the camp!” laughed Lightning Charger. Rainbow laughed herself as she remembered the faces of the closest of the ground unit. And all Agile had to do was turn around for them to see her flank and say “see something you like boys?” Rainbow burst out laughing again and wondered if it would work for her as well. Their laugh was cut short as Lightning Twist moved forward “Get ready, we are leaving in five”

They left the armory and entered the royal garden, before they went to their spots in the parade, it was arranged for Unicorn, Pegasus, Earth pony the front row was built up nine ponies in width, and it continued backward. Rainbow Dash found her place in the front row beside Spear. Spear nodded to her, she smiled at him and whispered “New set of armor?” He didn’t wear the common golden armor, he had been given a purple armor with golden trim, In the middle of his chest plate was purple shield, it was a pink star on it that reminded her of Twilights cutimark for some reason. A smile grew on Spears face “I just got promoted to leader of my own battalion” Rainbow smiled “Congratulation! you’re really climbing in grades” Spear returned the smile. Spear got a sly smile”I wish I could say the same about your armor, Sky blue and gold is not a good combination” he laughed. Rainbows expression changed from happy to annoyed. Spear noticed “Hey, I was just kidding. You know that” Rainbow sent him an annoyed glance before a smile crept on her muzzle “It was true though” he laughed again as Rainbow joined in.

The general walked over to the the front row “Rainbow Dash,get your medal on your armor and come over here, and leave the helmet” Rainbow Dash did as he commanded before she followed after the general “Where are we going sir?” The general turned around in front of the battalion “WE are going in front Rainbow Dash” Rainbow Dash shocked her head “Why am i going in front? I though only the generals did that” General red mane kept looking at the gate in front of them “The general, and key ponies, You’re still the wielder of the element. You even got a rare medal” Rainbow was about to ask another question but was interrupted by a familiar voice.

Celestia's voice filled the air “My loyal subjects, we are here to witness an old tradition. It grieves my heart that it couldn’t be in better times. Our elite army, the first battalion will be sent to aid our army to drive the griffins back to their homeland. In front of the first battalion will General red mane together with the wilder of the element Loyalty, Rainbow Dash lead our army through the city to receive our blessing. Let’s give them something to remember in dark times” The air filled with cheers and stomping hooves, the large stone doors opened slowly, revealing the first battalions general and a golden armored Pegasus. The general started to march through the city with Rainbow Dash at his side, the first battalion followed soon after.

The march went through all of Canterlot before they made their way to the gates and marched out toward their destination. Rainbow Dash was disappointed she hadn’t seen her friends.
They set up camp near the foot of the mountain. All the tents were set up and Rainbow Dash had just taken off her armor, suddenly a white Pegasus entered her tent with a package in his hooves. “Rainbow Dash, a new armor have been arranged for you. It’s from Princess Celestia and was just finished.” The white Pegasus placed it on her bed and walked out. Rainbow Dash opened the package and looked inside of it. Her eyes widened and her jaw fell before she said in a low voice “ THIS.IS.AWSOMEEEeeee”

Author's Note

Finally done Editing Chapter 3 :D Hope you enjoy reading it as much as i did writing it^^ Comments and faves are very appreciated! :D