A Balance of Fire and Light

Night had long since fallen as James took to the air alongside Rainbow Dash.

“No matter how many times I see it, it's always going to be weird to see creatures fly without wings.” Rainbow Dash said as she did a barrel roll around James.

“We could always walk.” James commented, already expecting the denial from Rainbow Dash.

“Nah,” Rainbow Dash answered, “better to fly when we can.” Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and felt the wind on her face, the air beneath her wings that held her up, smelled the hint of salt from the beach nearby.

Her eyes opened and she unconsciously noted everything around her. The cars passing beneath, the flickering streetlamps. It didn't matter that it was an alien sky, up here she was in her element, and here she could lose herself in the experience.

Her eyes went wide for a moment as she remembered that James was flying silently alongside her. “Right,” She quickly said, clearing her throat, “look, I know I'm pretty lousy about talking about us …”

“That's okay,” James calmly answered, “it takes practice … ” James paused a moment, “and I should probably have been more insistent. I just didn't want to push you too hard.”

“Starlight was probably right,” Rainbow Dash admitted, “we both have to work at it. Even if you've got experience.” Rainbow Dash flew silently for a moment before talking again. “Anyway, I guess Twilight's been rubbing off on me, because I've been overthinking this whole thing. And then Gilda started telling me you'd tied me down. And I love my mom, but I don't want to become her! …” Rainbow Dash said, speaking faster as she went before James cut her off.

“Whoa, whoa, hold on.” James said, patting the air with his hands as he flew alongside Rainbow Dash, “No surprise you went one to one hundred, but give me a moment to catch up.”

Rainbow Dash awkwardly laughed as she rubbed the back of her head. “Sorry about that.”

“Okay, most of it was pretty straight forward, but I think I need you to clear up a bit. What's this about Gilda saying I'd tied you down?”

Rainbow Dash groaned to herself as she thought about it. “So Gilda visited a while ago …”

“Yeah, I was there.”

“Oh … right. Anyway, so she kind of started going on about how responsible I'd become, and that I'm domesticated now. Then she said that I'd let you tie me down, and that kind of freaked me out. And just a bit ago we went shopping for home furnishings, and you even nixed the hot tub. Then there was the dinner party on Jurai, which was only fun because of Pinkie.” As Rainbow Dash talked, her pace increased until she was talking nearly faster than she was breathing. Eventually she slowed down enough to get out the last line she was thinking, “And mom and dad just hang around the house all the time talking about nothing. How boring is that?!”

James quietly looked at her, not judging, but with understanding.

“Yeah, I've had a few things on my mind.” Rainbow Dash eventually said. “But I realized something when we were coming to save you from the pirates. Something that freaked me out even more than all of that put together.”

“And what was that?” James quietly asked.

“That I was letting my worries control me.” She answered bluntly. “I mean, I was practically paralyzed worrying about what could happen that I barely considered what actually was happening.” Rainbow Dash sighed and shook her head. “Things like this always happen when I get in my own head. Like when I was trying to fit in with the Wonderbolts. I just wasn't being me, and I like me.”

“And I like you too.” James said with a smirk.

“Exactly. But I was being anypony else but me.” Rainbow Dash chewed her lip slightly as she thought about what else she was planning on saying. “I also like my life, and it's only been getting better. But that also means I don't see myself leaving Ponyville to live with you.”

James smirked as he rolled onto his back and continued to keep up with Rainbow Dash's relaxed pace. “You're not going to hear me complain.”

“You could at least act bothered by it.”

“I mean, I wouldn't want to pressure you into something you don't want to do. Even if you decide to live apart from me your whole life. It's not strange; just because two people are in love doesn't mean they can stand living with each other. I think you'd go stir crazy trying to live in the castle. At least, right now. Who knows what the next hundred or so years might bring.”

Rainbow Dash glared at James as she spoke, “So you're telling me I just spent nearly two months driving myself crazy over what wasn't even going to be a problem to begin with?”

“This is why I want to talk so much. I want to know when something is bothering you: Maybe I can help, or even just listen to your problems. Not to mention, I get to hang out with you.”

Rainbow Dash smirked as she banked to the left, James following close behind. “Yeah, I guess it's awesome to have a buddy you can hang out with whenever.” She checked to make sure James could see her shrug as she continued. “I guess it's pretty cool hanging out with you too.”

James laughed as he heard the addendum, shaking his head and smiling at the mare. “I'm glad you're feeling better.” He eventually said.

“I don't know. I feel the same as before, just more sure than I did.” As they flew, something caught Rainbow Dash's attention below.

“What's going on down there?” She asked, slowing down to get a better look.

James followed suit and slowed down, squinting as he followed her gaze below.

A small group of boys (who could be only barely eighteen and dressed the same) were fleeing from several flying red octopus. As Rainbow Dash continued to watch, it was clear the octopus were mechanical and shooting something at the boys.

James continued to squint, making out some of the same details that Rainbow Dash had. “I think … they're cadets sneaking out after curfew.”

“I can't believe I'm asking this, but which ones?”

“The guys. Those red blobs …”

“Octopusses … Octopi? Octos. Yeah, they're octos now.”

“Anyway: Those are curfew drones.”

“So they'll drag the cadets back?” Rainbow Dash asked, watching one cadet get struck by whatever it was the Octo had shot at him.

“No, worse,” James explained, grinning as he did, “They'll mark the guys with something so vulgar that their social life will be dead for the next few weeks.”

“If they're cadets, don't they want to get into … whatever it is they're doing?”

“They're Galaxy Police cadets, and absolutely they want to get in.”

“I'm not gonna bug them over trying to have some fun, but if they're serious wouldn't they just follow the rules? That's Lightning Dust behavior.”

“As I've heard, it's more a right of passage thing. They sneak out, party all night, then sneak back in before anyone knows they've gone missing. They're supposed to do this without triggering the drones, but if they do they need to escape.”

Rainbow Dash watched as one of the cadets was hit by the black shot, falling to the ground dramatically, reaching out his hand and pleading for his friends to go on without him. His friends turned to him, moments later one ran off as the other reached his hand out to drag the other cadet to his feet. Soon the two disappeared around a corner with the drones close behind.

“That. Looks. Awesome!” Rainbow Dash excitedly said, doing a flip in the air. “I wish we could try that.”

In a moment, Rainbow Dash's muscles tensed as her wings beat, launching her just above the shot of a drone that had flown up to them as they watched the scene below.

“James! Look out!” Rainbow Dash called as she turned to see the octopus readjust to shoot at James.

James reacted by slapping the octopus out of the air. “Looks like you've got your wish.” James said as the octopus caught itself midair and weaved towards the two. “We need to go down.”

“What? Why?” She asked as she watched the octopus spin, shooting out several black blobs as it did. The shot was easy for her to dodge, however they had managed to get the attention of more than the one octopus.

“We can take cover down there. Up here we can only dodge.” James explained, dropping down only to practically sit on one of the oncoming octopi. “Crap.” He muttered, pushing the new opponent away.

“But we can outrun them up here.” Just as she finished speaking, she yelped as she had to dodge several blobs at once.

“I thought you wanted to give it a try.” James countered with a smile, blocking another shot with an octopus. He yelped himself as the bottom of the octopus turned, pointing the barrel at him. A flick of his wrist launched the octopus several meters back as James dodged another shot. “And to try means being on the ground.”

Rainbow Dash paused a moment as she though. “Right.” She agreed, dropping towards the ground. “Alright, let's do this.”

“Why are there so many?!” James complained to himself as he watched another six octopi raise over the building.

“Too much for you already?” Rainbow Dash teased.

“Not at all.” James answered with a smirk, joining Rainbow Dash on the ground.

“That way!” Rainbow Dash called pointing to an archway that appeared to lead to the quad.

“Really?”

“Trust me.” Rainbow Dash insisted.

Without word, James followed behind her. The quad was wide open and scattered with tables, seats and bushes.

“What's the plan?” James called as they charged across the open area, dodging more shots as they came.

“This!” Rainbow Dash called as she jumped on one of the tables, and opening the large shade umbrella at it's center.

The shots harmlessly hit the umbrella, sounding similar to rain as they pelted the makeshift shield.

“I saw these as we were flying over.” She explained as she leaned against the pole of the umbrella.

“Good thinking,” James commented, “but I do need to point out that it's attached to the table. We're not going to be able to take it with us.”

Rainbow Dash shrugged, “Meh, we'll figure something out.”

James chewed his lip as he contemplated what to do, watching as another group of male students charged across the quad, attempting to escape their pursuers.

“Maybe you should hurry.” Rainbow Dash said as she hit a leaver with her hoof and adjusted the angle of the umbrella to block a new wave of shots.

“I was just thinking that those guys over there probably know the layout better than we do.” James commented.

“Alright, we follow them out.” Rainbow Dash said, hitting the leaver again, “Come on!” She called as she shot out from their cover towards the guys across the quad.

James charged forward to catch up as Rainbow Dash flew beside the group.

“Hey'ya, mind if we drop in.” Rainbow Dash casually said as the two caught up.

“What are you doing?” Asked one of the guys, who looked to be a human.

“Trying to outrun those octos, or whatever they are, like you guys.” She answered, dodging another shot.

“Oh no!” Another guy groaned, looking back. “You brought more.”

“Doing great so far.” Rainbow Dash said encouragingly, moments before hearing one of the group tumble to the ground.

Everyone stopped abruptly to see their downed partner.

“Go on without me.” He said weakly, “It's too late.” As the group inspected him, he'd been hit in the back, the shot formed a perfect kanji that James would not translate for Rainbow Dash.

“It's not that bad, you can still make it.” His friend said, as the octopi seemed to simply watch.

“Just go, I'll be fine.” He added, tears in his eyes.

“Dude, it's just a mark on your shirt, you're fine.” Rainbow Dash said as she shook her head.

“Just leave me.” He insisted.

“No!” Another guy insisted, “We're not leaving a friend behind!”

Just as he was about to protest, James reached down and easily hoisted the cadet up. “You heard him. No one gets left behind.”

Just as James finished talking, they clearly heard the octopi shooting again, however no shots were seen.

“That and you make a good shield.” James casually said, “You've already been hit, a few more won't make a difference.”

“Dude, that's cold.” Rainbow Dash commented as James chuckled.

With his explanation done the group of six continued through an open bay door.

“It's okay, we'll think of something to cover those up.” A friend of the shield commented.

The group ducked and dodged as they continued through what was clearly a garage. Marks appearing everywhere a shot landed.

As they ducked behind another patrol car one of the cadets got James' attention. “We just need to get to the street and they'll stop following us.” He explained, “And I think our best shot is if we split up and divide the drones. Raj, Kaden, Hiro, and myself will go right, you two go left. There's more of us so we should attract more attention.”

“You really think that'll work?” Rainbow Dash asked, peaking out from behind the car they hid behind.

“It's got to.” He reassured her. “Alright, now break!” At his order the four broke away from James and Rainbow Dash who rushed to the left to find more cover.

“Having fun?” James asked once they were safely behind cover.

Rainbow Dash smiled and nodded, as she opened her mouth to speak they heard the unmistakable sound of car doors closing and the vehicle coming to life.

As Rainbow Dash and James peered out of their cover to see the group that had just split with them driving off in the car that they had taken cover behind earlier.

“They're ditching us?!” Rainbow Dash asked, unbelieving as she watched the car crash through the closed garage door and drive off.

James quietly nodded, placing his hand on her back.

“You'd better hope I don't find you!” Rainbow Dash shouted to the destroyed door.

As if on cue, several black shots whizzed past the two reminding them that they still had to escape.

“Well at least we know exactly where we need to go now.” James commented, ducking behind their cover once more.

“Yeah, but now we've got a bunch of those things guarding the exit.” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

James looked at the available paths, but all of them lead right to the drones. “We need to draw them away from the door.” He reasoned as he ducked under another volley of black shots.

“Yeah, but how?” Rainbow Dash asked, not seeing any path forward.

“Same way they did. I'll draw them away, and you make a break for it.” James suggested.

“What? No. I'm not leaving you behind. You know that's not my style.”

“Yeah, and you know it's my style to cause a distraction so the team wins.”

“Dude, we're getting out of together, or not at all.”

“Actually I think that choice was just made for us.” James said as he pointed out that the drones had taken advantage of his and Rainbow Dash's planning time to surround them.

“Crap.” Rainbow Dash muttered as James pulled her into a hug, turning his back to the drones as best he could to provide her a barrier from their attack.

“Isn't that sweet.” They both heard a voice saying as it occurred to James that he had not yet been shot.

The voice sounded distinctly familiar, though slightly lower and more smokey than who they felt it sounded like.

Letting Rainbow Dash go, James turned to their apparent savior.

A tall dark skinned woman looking no older than thirty with a blond pixie cut gave the two a coy smile. She wore a large green coat, thigh high nylon leggings, and what appeared to be a black and white one piece swim suit.

“Oh, um, thanks.” Rainbow Dash hesitantly said.

“You're very welcome, Rainbow Dash.” She said, holding her hand down to help James stand. “Now why the hell are you two running from academy drones?”

“Well, they started shooting at us.” James explained. “And it seemed like a fun idea at the time.”

The woman smirked as she looked around the garage, “Strange idea for a date.” She commented, “But I guess you did demonstrate that their targeting system is faulty.”

“Have we met?” Rainbow Dash asked, flying up to get a better look at the woman.

She chuckled as she heard the question. “Yes we have, though I guess you wouldn't know what I really look like. James, please be a gentlemen and re-introduce your friend to me.”

James shook his head and took a breath. “Rainbow Dash, though you don't recognize her, this is Mikami Kuramitsu.”

“Wait.” Rainbow Dash said as she stared at the woman. “You're Mihoshi's aunt? I thought you were an old woman.”

“Thank you for saying it that way.” Mikami said as she posed slightly. “That's the appearance I put on for the academy. It's the current fashion for people with my level of power and influence.”

“Wait, so you're saying it's fashionable to look old?” Rainbow Dash asked, thoroughly confused.

“For some professions at this time.”

Rainbow Dash shook her head and mumbled. “I'll never get fashion.”

“If you want I can give you some ideas for a date more fun than sneaking around a campus.” Mikami offered. “Something even I might enjoy doing.” She added with a wink.

“Thanks, but this wasn't actually a date, we were having a talk and got caught up in this.” James explained.

Mikami sidled up to James, wrapping her arm around him and holding him tight to her side. “All I'm going to say, then, is maybe next time you should consider something like a nice bar and one of the festivals some culture is always celebrating.” She leaned in close, whispering in his ear “I've got some good suggestions you can use if you're looking to move things forward.”

James blushed slightly as she spoke, but was determined to stay stone faced. “Airi already sent me on a shopping trip for her to try and embarrass me.”

“I know, who do you think helped her with the list.” Mikami said with a smile and a flirty look.

Rainbow Dash glared at Mikami as she whispered in his ear. “Mikami, he's not flirting back, I think you should stop.”

Mikami quickly let James go and shrugged, “You're right. I should probably get back to my night. After all there's plenty of fish in the sea.” With a casual wave, Mikami strutted off through the broken garage door and down the road, lighting a cigarette as she left.

“She was acting weird.” Rainbow Dash commented once she and James were alone.

“Not really. She always gets like this when she drops her persona. There's a reason she, Seto, and Airi have been friends for so long.”