Rainbow Dash's First Trial: Clone Wars Year 1

Chapter Seventeen: Training Completed

Rainbow Dash didn’t know how she survived the last four months of training. Not only did they have to train on the ship and get supplies but any ship that tried to tow them would mysteriously go off line. Yet when the time for training was complete the hyperdrive turned back on proving Donnell’s theory about an A.I. being in the system. Rainbow Dash was sitting in the mess hall eating while they travelled back to Coruscant. Dallia Koj, a human from the planet Alderaan was chatting nearby with the Bothan known as Kord Ferrila.

“Do you really think there is going to be a ceremony?” Kord asked quietly leaning forward and Dallia nodded her head, blowing her brown hair out of her face. “It probably won’t be a big ceremony, due to the war going on, but there has to be something. I mean normally it’s around five people who pass the basic training.”

“For good reason, they need to make sure that everyone who joins the Navy is loyal to the Republic.” Kord pointed out, this caused Rainbow Dash to glance over. “With the war going on they need to rely on the Clones because they're trained and genetically programmed to be loyal to the Republic.”

“That’s… not true actually. Trained yes, but there are some who notice that they are treated less than people. Some take it... badly, others just accept their fate.” Rainbow Dash spoke up causing both of them to look at her. “They’re still people through and through.”

“It kind of makes me feel bad for them.” Dallia’s shoulders dropped. “It’s too bad we can’t join the Grand Army of the Republic. That way we can be planet side with them!”

“Yeah, but it’s just the Jedi and the Clones doing all the fighting.” Shae commented as she sat down at the table. “So, it’s our job to make sure that the ship is still there when they get back.”

“One problem, the Clones work the ships as well. Our jobs will most likely be on Coruscant.” Kord explained causing all the recruits to frown.

“Well… until they need us and I’ve got a feeling that there will be plenty of missions that require our skills.” Rainbow Dash said, making sure there was no one behind her before stretching out her wings for a moment. “They can’t just waste talent because they're afraid. We’ve got what it takes to fight alongside our fellow soldiers. Whether in the ships or on the ground.”

“True that. I mean look at Admiral Yularen, he’s proved himself.” mused Shae before waving Kory and Donnell over. “Any luck figuring out the A.I?”

“Nope, the thing is ancient but intelligent. All I know is that when I told Zenith what I discovered she was pissed. I think she knows more about what’s going on but can’t tell us.” Donnell sighed, shaking his head. “She told me not to worry about it and that Colonel Pir and her were going to look into it.”

“Why are we still trusting her?” Dallia questioned looking around at the others. “She tried to hand the ship over to pirates.”

“Because she is still a good engineer and she did say she owed that Hondo guy one. He seems the type to milk an I.O.U. for all it’s worth.” Rainbow said, shaking her head. “Plus she isn’t loyal to them, it seems to be more of a friendly rivalry.”

“Some rivalry, though you got to admit. That pirate is persistent.” Kord said with a grin growing on his face. “Lexxi was on the bridge during his last visit. She closed the holocall and he just tried again. Why do you think he stopped?”

“Not a good investment.” Shae spoke stabbing at her food before glancing at them. “He’s not getting anything worth his time. With heavily armed Republic ships coming and going, he’s not able to get close to us… or Rainbow Dash. Did you ever find out how he knew you had wings?”

“Nope, though I haven’t had the chance to talk to him with all the training.” Rainbow Dash shrugged, taking a bite from her food. “Just hope the reason isn’t because he met my friend.”

Rainbow’s shoulders dropped as she thought about Fluttershy. She hadn’t been able to check up on her and when she did it was always on the same planet. She wasn’t sure if she was even seeing her. She felt a hand on her shoulder before it was pulled away quickly. “Ah, I’m sure your friend is alright.”

Looking next to her she saw Kord rubbing his hand slightly. “Are you alright?”

“Just… the red lightning zapped me. It just stings, I’m sure it will go away.” Kord told her and Dallia tilted her head back studying Rainbow asking. “I’ve been meaning to ask about that. Is that a normal thing for your species?”

“Nope, I think it has something to do with a gift that was granted to me.” mused Rainbow going back to eating. “Still trying to figure it out.”

“Well if you need help, I’m always willing to hook you up to a machine and see what causes what.” suggested Dallia before Colonel Pir’s voice spoke over the intercom. “Recruits, welcome back to Coruscant. Please return to your bunks until we have landed and make sure you grab all of your personal items. That includes your computer Zenith, we can’t have another incident like last time.”

“Makes me wonder what happened the last time she played traitor.” Shae chuckled and Donnel picked up his tray saying. “Actually Zenith isn’t always the traitor. Sometimes she’s on as an advisor, always by Pir’s side taking notes. He’ll bring in people he knows look young enough to play the role of a fellow recruit and who he knows personally.”

“You heard that from Zenith?” Dallia asked and Donnell shook his head as he replied. “No, I ask Colonel Pir about her and why she was so familiar with the ship. If she was only here to play the traitor once in a while she wouldn’t have known where to hide. If Colonel Pir trains any kind of recruits once in a while, due to the fact that the Republic didn’t need soldiers before this, that would mean Zenith would have been on this ship maybe once before now.”

“Good point.” Rainbow scarfed her food watching as the other recruits climbed to their feet. She followed them back to their bunks before remembering that all she had now was her casual clothes and her communicator. Her heart twinged as she thought about Equestria again. Her posters, her friends, her trophies, she was missing it again. The door to her shared bunk opened to Lexxi sitting in the lower bunk looking at a picture. Her eyes were glazed as she stroked the image.

“Family?” Rainbow asked startling her, Rainbow smiles as she sat next to her glancing at the picture.

“My ancestors, from a time when the Republic didn’t have a clone army. During the Galactic Cold War. They were heroes, they were the only heroes who truly understood to truly fight for the Republic. Not for political ideals, but for freedom. They were never afraid to stand up for what was right. From what I hear, you’re not afraid either.”

“That’s because I don’t like bullies. I’m going to call them out on it and stand up for those they pick on.” Rainbow rubbed her arm thinking about what Dooku told her. “I do have a question, since I did rush into this.”

“What is it?” Lexxi asked, looking at Rainbow Dash who took a deep breath before speaking. “Why did the Separatists leave the Republic?”

“I’m… not sure.” Lexxi pondered on the question before leaning back. “The reason I hear was because they were angry at the excessive amounts of taxation and corruption within the Galactic Senate. I think it’s that as well as a sense of dissatisfaction and neglect by the Core Worlds. Most of those who seceded are from the Mid to Outer Rim who aren’t as… wealthy as the Core Worlds. The Core Worlds contain some of the most wealthiest and prestigious planets… and planets that have been forgotten. I think that if they wanted to leave the Republic should have considered the reason why. Started making the changes, I’m probably not doing any favors by telling you this.”

“Actually, if people want things to change they should be an example and be the change they want to be. I just don’t get why the Republic wanted them to stay instead of respecting their wishes to leave. Where I’m from, if you want to leave Equestria, Princess Celestia would be sad but wouldn't try to stop you.” Rainbow felt a hand on her shoulder. “I’m a lot farther away and it’s not getting any easier the longer I’m here.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way home. Try not to take too long packing.” Lexxi told her as she stood up grabbing her bag. She walked to the door and paused like she was about to say something before shaking her head leaving. Rainbow Dash froze seeing the old man again. His head turned like he was watching Lexxi before turning his attention to Rainbow Dash. She was on her feet in seconds as he did something that he had never done before. He walked towards her.

“What do you want?” Rainbow asked, swallowing a few times panic gripping her heart. The old man locked eyes with Rainbow Dash as he stood before her. She tilted her head back.

“You are not as powerful as you could be.” He spoke and Rainbow frowned, her arms crossing as he moved past her. “Why are you holding yourself back?”

“Because others could get hurt if I don’t even understand these powers myself. The other part is because when I use them I feel like I’m not the one controlling them. I have to get myself under control.” Rainbow spoke as the man looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. “Let me guess, you have a faster way. Who are you anyway?”

“There is no shortcut to grow more powerful that you would approve of.” The man said and Rainbow cocked her head to the side, her eyebrows furrowing. “My name… Etaitiv Kaas shall suffice for now.”

He lifted his hand just as Rainbow Dash was about to speak. All air felt like it had left her lungs as an impossible mist surrounded them.

“Rainbow? You ready?” Kory’s voice snapped Rainbow back to reality. She grabbed the clothes before heading out of the bunk quickly. She glanced behind herself not seeing the man anymore. She jumped when Kory moved in front of her. “Rainbow, are you alright?”

Rainbow pondered what to tell Kory before saying. “Kind of, just tired.”

Kory glanced at Rainbow for a while before moving on saying. “Just make sure to rest up.”

Rainbow nodded her head, she was glad for Kory. She didn’t seem to ask too many questions and spent most of her free time in the infirmary. Normally Rainbow would be in there for overworking herself. It was one of the habits she had gotten into since Kimble started pushing her. ‘That is one person who knows just how to get a rise out of someone.’ she thought, a smirk growing on her face as she saw the other recruits ahead of her. She waved at them knowing they were all ready to begin the next step into the Republic Navy.

Rainbow Dash stood awkwardly amongst the crowd. Dallia was right, there was a ceremony. Then a party congratulating them, her problem was that Anakin and the Clones weren't there. Chancellor Palpatine was going around giving his congratulations to the newly graduated. Rainbow’s wings twitched in impatience. She only wanted to stay for some of the formalities so she could go off and celebrate with the people she was comfortable with. She hadn’t been able to see Tank and the others since training started.

“Ah Miss Dash, I must say I was unsure at first of how well you would do under Colonel Pie’s training.” Palpatine’s voice snapped Rainbow back to reality as she quickly focused on him. “You have done quite well.”

“Thanks.” Rainbow replied, spotting the outstretched hand and shook it once. “Would it be rude if I ducked out early? I want to go celebrate….”

Rainbow trailed off as she began to think about how they were going to pay. Palpatine gave her a warm smile as he told her. “My dear, some of your fellow recruits have already left. I am curious, why did you choose to join the Republic Navy?”

Rainbow paused unsure of how to answer the Chancellor. A lot of her reasoning dealt with the Clones and with the information she had found out about why the Separatists made her worried about how her answer was going to sound.

“I….” a loud booming voice cut her off. “Chancellor!”

Both Rainbow Dash’s and Palpatine’s heads turned, seeing a large Cathar strolling up to them. Rainbow swore that his hand was larger than her head in her Equestrian form. Next to him was Kimble who looked rather small in comparison.

“Ah, Mr. Kimble, I must say your son’s performance was exceptional from what I hear.” Palpatine’s smile did not waver though Rainbow did not that there was a slight irritation in his eyes at the interruption.

“Alexander has always put in extra effort when he finds a challenge.” Kimble’s father spoke before he looked at Rainbow Dash. “This must be the latecomer.”

“Yes, this is Miss Rainbow Dash. I do believe she was planning on celebrating her graduation with some of her friends.” Rainbow Dash nodded her head at the statement.

“I’m Gerak Kimble, I do hope you and my son work well with each other,” Kimble’s father stated and Rainbow nodded her head before saying. “Nice to meet you Mr Kimble!”

She was heading off knowing both were watching her until she rounded the corner. Once she got outside she took off towards the apartment landing right outside the doors. She saw Crossbones lounging on what seemed to be a new sofa. She entered her apartment and walked into the main room saying. “I see someone decided I needed more furniture.”

“General Skywalker wanted to surprise you.” Crossbones said and Rainbow raised her eyebrow saying, “Not much of a surprise with you sitting on it.”

“That wasn’t the surprise he was referring to.” Rainbow spun around seeing Anakin, Ahsoka, and Padme standing right behind her. “No Master Sass Lord, he’s busy.”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but grin at the use of the nickname. Instead of commenting on Anakin using the nickname she instead replied. “Shouldn’t you be out fighting?”

“And miss the chance to see you finishing your training? Never.” Anakin grinned before Padmé nudged him in the side. “I’m also prepping for my next mission.”

“Do you know what your first assignment will be?” Ahsoka spoke up, Rainbow shook her head saying. “I think we’ll find out in a few days though. I’ve been hearing rumors about what we will be doing.”

“Well, whatever it is, I’m sure it will put your skills to good use.” Anakin told her that was when a hand clasped Rainbow’s shoulder as Crossbones announced. “Are we going to stand around or are we gonna celebrate?!”

Rainbow Dash chuckled as the music began to play her eyes glancing at the main room. New furniture decorated the placing causing her to shift as she told Anakin. “You guys didn’t have to do this.”

“We wanted to, you had no time to even get this place set up.” Anakin shook his head fiddling with a box in his hand. “You know between being stuck and training.”

“Thanks.” Rainbow moved to join the fun before turning around. What’s in the box?”

“Open it and find out.” Anakin tosses the box to Rainbow who just narrowed her eyes at him before opening it up.

“A rock?” Rainbow asked, taking the object out of the box and examining it. “Wait a minute….”

“That’s the rock you had on Moraband. We couldn’t find anything strange with it so they allowed me to return. With the rest of your stuff.” Anakin explained watching as Rainbow Dash flattened out her palm saying. “You were hiding, weren’t you?”

“I may have trusted three of the Jedi with your life. It does not mean I trust the rest of them.” Cassandra’s voice echoed in her mind causing Rainbow to smile.

“I take it your friend is alright?” Anakin asked quietly and Rainbow nodded. “Well that’s good… I better stop Crossbones from teasing my apprentice.”

“He does it in good fun.” Rainbow followed after Anakin, joining the group, earning a head pat from Crossbones as the other Clones entered the room. The celebration lasted all night.

Rainbow rolled over in her sleep her eyes moving under her lids.

Lightsabers clash against each other, sparks almost flying. Gold eyes under a mask narrow. A lightsaber breaks apart revealing a pink gem. Teal eyes open as a hand reaches out grasping the gem.

Rainbow’s eyes fly open, multitudes of pink strands surrounding her.