Always connected- Aftermath

by The-rogue-shadow

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, Adventure, Big Macintosh, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Doctor Whooves, Main 6, Romance, Princess Luna
Length: 46149

Applejack and Rainbow Dash awake from a coma to find a world where war has changed their friends.

Sequel to 'Always connected' that follows Rainbow Dash and Applejack as they enter the war that was started because of Gilda. They learn about all of the sacrifices that the other elements of harmony made, while at the same time coming to grips with new powers in order to fulfil an ancient prophecy that indicates that they are the ponies destined to end the war... or die trying.

Published 2012-09-01 00:44:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-09-01 00:44:02 UTC

Chapter 2

Applejack smiled as she looked at her friends, the nightmare of the last two days in her life was over and, despite the war, she felt she could give herself some time to relax. Rainbow shot her a strange look as she was being introduced to Derpy's foal and Applejack smiled awkwardly. Applejack turned to Big Mac, hoping to catch up with her big brother, but her vision kept getting drawn to the scar on his side. She saw such a drastic and heartbreaking change in her friends, changes that she wasn't sure she could adapt to. Fluttershy's new mane cut looked good on her, but the attitude that came with it worried Applejack. Twilight's eye showed Applejack just how much damage the war had caused. Rarity seemed fine, as did Pinkie, but Applejack had her suspicions that they were just as different as the others. At one point during the festivities, Applejack pulled Big Mac away from the crowd to talk to him privately. She hugged him, having missed him dearly.

"Big Mac, why did you come and fight in this stupid war?" asked Applejack, and to her surprise, Big Mac got defensive;

"Ah fought for you, and for Applebloom, Granny Smith, everypony! AJ ah fight because ah need to protect my family. I thought you understood that." He said, and Applejack looked at the ground.

"Ah do big brother, ah do. It's just so hard to see you all the way this way. None of you are the ponies I knew two days ago." She told him, and Big Mac's expression changed from irritation to concern. He hugged Applejack, and she squeezed tight, finding comfort in Big Mac's huge form.

"Ah'm sorry you both are in shock, but you have to remember that we are only doing what has to be done to protect ourselves." Said Big Mac and Applejack nodded, knowing that he was right. She let go of the hug and followed Big Mac back to the party, just before they went in, Big Mac turned to her and said;

"Look AJ, the main thing is that you are there for Rainbow right now, she is not going to have an easy time." Applejack promised that she would take care of her marefriend and walked over to Rainbow, who was conversing with Princess Luna.

"Rainbow Dash, believe me, I understand how you feel, to have woken up after a period of time and find things have changed. It is truly terrifying." Said Luna, and Applejack was pleased to hear her using her regular voice, rather than the Traditional Canterlot voice. Rainbow nodded, before looking at Applejack.

"You're right your majesty, unless you have somepony to share that experience with and help you through it." Rainbow said, giving Applejack a quick kiss. Princess Luna smiled, and Applejack noticed her glance at Rarity momentarily.

"I completely agree with you Rainbow." Said Luna, excusing herself to walk over to Rarity. Applejack turned to Rainbow, and looked into her magenta eyes.

"So how are you going sugarcube?" she asked, and Rainbow took a deep breath.

"I'm scared. I'm scared that we won't be able to fit in anymore." She said. Applejack hugged her, trying to be strong for her like she promised Big Mac, but she was just as scared as Rainbow. Pinkie came bouncing over to them and smiled, handing them some cake.

"I hope you like it, I made it myself, which is really, really hard in a military kitchen." She said happily.

"Hey Pinkie, how come you and Rarity seem the least affected by this war?" asked Rainbow before Applejack could stop her. Pinkie suddenly became serious.

"We may seem fine on the outside Dashie, but there is more to ponies then what's on the outside. And it took me a long, long time to get back to where I am now." She said, and Applejack's heart sank. She was hoping that the party pony would be the one to get through anything unscathed.

"I'm sorry Pinkie." Said Rainbow sadly. Pinkie resumed her usual behaviour.

"That's okay, I'm just so happy to have you both back with us." She said, the smile returning to her face. She bounced away, singing. Applejack looked back at Rainbow, who was hanging her head low in embarrassment.

"What are we meant to do AJ? Join the war? I don't think I have it in me to kill." Said Rainbow. Applejack thought it best not to mention that the Pegi-jack had made her kill Gilda in the dream reality, lest it drag Rainbow into depression, so she said nothing. The Party dwindled away after some time and Applejack and Rainbow crawled into a bunk that Luna had brought into the tent for them. In reality there were two bunks, but neither pony wanted to sleep alone that night.

"I love you Applejack." Said Rainbow as she drifted off to sleep.

"Ah love you too sugarcube." Replied Applejack, as she fell asleep, Rainbow curled up in her arms.

Applejack was rudely awoken by the sound of a trumpet; she jumped off the bed, knocking Rainbow onto the ground. Fluttershy helped her up and showed them to what she called 'Archer's stage' Applejack looked at her in fear as Fluttershy cocked an arrow and fired it onto a group of charging Minotaur. The scariest part was that Fluttershy seemed to have no problem with it. They climbed down, Applejack having to help Rainbow because of her broken wing. As they explored the camp, Rainbow vowed to end the war by any means necessary. Applejack agreed to help her, but she was unsure if it was the right thing to do. They found Rarity in a tent, sitting at a workbench building something. Applejack was shocked to see Rarity's mane a mess and the pony herself covered in sweat.

"Hi Rarity, what are ya doin?" asked Applejack, and Rarity turned smiling at the pair.

"Hello darlings, I am just putting the finishing touches on some upgrades to the earth pony armour." She told them, holding up a breastplate with her magic.

"So what, your job is to make stuff?" asked Rainbow. Rarity nodded, walking over to a table marked 'Finished products'. On it was armour and weapons, all masterfully crafted and each had their own flair that made them distinguishable as Rarity's work.

"They are awesome." Said Rainbow, picking up a sword and swinging it around. "I've never held a real sword before." Rarity laughed, gesturing them back to her work station.

"Those are not real swords, these are real swords." She said, opening a chest next to her workbench. She pulled out two swords and gave them to Rainbow and Applejack. Applejack took hers nervously, pulling it out of it's sheathe. It was shorter than a normal sword, and featured an orange gem that ran through the centre. The hilt featured a red gem in the shape of an apple. She looked over at Rainbow, who was staring intently at her sword, as it shone with a rainbow coloured sheen. A red lightning bolt shaped gem was embedded in the hilt.

"I've been holding those for you both for about a year. They were the first custom swords I made for you girls and they are my personal favourites." Rarity told them. Rainbow started to cry, dropping her sword and running out of the tent.

"Was there something wrong with it?" asked Rarity, a little hurt in her voice. Applejack handed her sword back to Rarity and followed Rainbow. She searched all over the camp for hours, thanking Celestia that Rainbow couldn't fly away and leave her. Applejack eventually found her outside the camp, in a graveyard. Tears balled up in the corners of Applejack's eyes as she looked at the seemingly endless rows of tombstones. Rainbow was sitting in front of one, crying, Applejack looked at it and paled. The tombstone read; 'Here lies Pinkamina.' Applejack sat next to Rainbow, putting an arm around her.

"Look at this AJ; this is all because of me. I know you don't think so, but that's all I see. Hundreds of dead ponies that died because I couldn't protect myself. I got so distracted that Gilda was able to blindside me and then it started all of this." Cried Rainbow, nuzzling her head into Applejack.

"Rainbow, listen to me. Remember what you said this morning, about ending the war? Well you can't do that if you can only blame yourself. You need to blame the griffin responsible. It was Gilda that attacked YOU because she couldn't get over some creepy obsession with you. SHE was the one that lied to her father and started the war. She changed our friends. Do you know what you were doing while all this was happening?" Applejack asked, and Rainbow wiped the tears from her eyes and shook her head.

"You were with me, in your mind. Ah was trying to save you and you ended up doing it all by yourself." Applejack told her. Rainbow took a deep breath, forcing back any stray tears. She kissed Applejack on the cheek, and they pressed their foreheads together, looking into each other's eyes.

"I know AJ, I do. I… Just don't know how to function around the others right now." Said Rainbow. Applejack smiled;

"You just have to be the same Rainbow Dash that Ah fell in love with. That's the friend that the girls need. Ah'm sure they want everything to go back to the way it was just as much as you. Which is why you and ah need to be there for them. We need to be there so the girls have a bit of the past to cling to. If Celest- uh… ah mean if Luna is on our side, then the girls are going to come back to us." She said. Rainbow smiled and kissed Applejack again.

"Thank you, that's what I needed, hope." Said Rainbow, standing and helping Aj up. "But I do still have a mission. I am going to find out what happened to everypony to make them like they are now. Starting with this tombstone." Said Rainbow, and they looked at it, unnerved.

"I suppose our first stop is Pinkie then." Said Applejack, tuning from the tombstone and walking back to the camp. They found Pinkie in a tent with Twilight, cuddled up together and reading a book. Applejack blushed as the two kissed, not realising that they were there. Rainbow looked at her playfully and Applejack smiled, nodding her head. Rainbow grabbed two of the largest books she could find and snuck over to the couple. She slammed the books together behind their heads, and Pinkie and Twilight jumped and screamed. Applejack and Rainbow started laughing, falling to the ground and rolling around. Pinkie joined in as Twilight gave the three a sour look.

"That was not funny, don't you think you could be doing something constructive?" said Twilight, obviously annoyed. Rainbow gradually stopped laughing, standing and looking at Twilight, her eyes still shiny with tears of laughter.

"Yes, I am here to do something very specific." Rainbow said, composing herself. She turned to Pinkie, who hadn't stopped laughing.

"Pinkie, we found a tombstone with your name on it." Said Rainbow. Pinkie abruptly stopped laughing, looking away.

"Oh, well that's not actually me, obviously." She said, and Applejack could tell she was hiding something.

"Ah figured that, now why don't you tell us what's going on." Said Applejack, walking over to Rainbow and staring down Pinkie. Twilight tried to interrupt but was stopped by Rainbow. Pinkie stood, still not able to look them in the eye.

"Just tell us Pinkie, we need to know." Said Rainbow forcefully. Pinkie gave her a dirty look;

"I don't want to talk about it okay, so can you drop it." Said Pinkie, half pleading with the two ponies. Rainbow shook her head, not accepting that answer.

"We deserve to know Pinkie, we NEED to know." Rainbow told her, trying to break her down to get at the truth.

"WHY? SO you can feel good about yourselves, knowing that you slept while the rest of us had to deal with the horror of war. Why do you want to know so badly?" Shouted Pinkie. Applejack backed away, as did Twilight.

"Because we feel guilty! We wish to Celestia that we could have been there for you and we weren't. We need to know what happened so we can try and make up for not being there for you guys." Rainbow shouted back, and Pinkie went quiet, looking at Twilight.

"Is that true?" Pinkie asked Applejack, who just nodded in response. Pinkie looked back at Rainbow and sighed.

"I'm sorry girls, but I'm not ready to talk about it yet, okay?" said Pinkie, and Applejack realised just how insensitive they had both been. She poked Rainbow, gesturing for them to leave. Rainbow followed her, looking back as Pinkie started crying into Twilight's chest.

"I'm sorry." Rainbow said, as she stood in the doorway. She walked out, giving Applejack a look of shame. They both realised what they had done was wrong, and knew that if they wanted answers they would have to be gentle. They decided to talk to their replacements next. As they made their way towards the special ops tent where the Doctor was working Applejack found herself hoping that they weren't going to cause problems for themselves or others in their quest for truth.

Chapter 3

Rainbow Dash and Applejack opened the door to the special ops tent, finding the Doctor, Derpy and Luna inside. Derpy cradled her foal in her arms and Luna and the Doctor were huddled over a map, discussing strategies. Luna greeted them as they entered and Rainbow and Applejack nodded in response, determined to get the truth out of the Doctor. Rainbow slapped her hoof on the table to get the Doctor's attention. He looked up at her surprised.

"Rainbow, is everything okay?" asked the Doctor, looking at her nervously.

"No Doctor, everything's not alright, you see, AJ and I need some answers. And you seem like the pony to give us those answers." She said forcefully, and Rainbow could see Derpy give her a look out of the corner of her eye. The Doctor gave her a look of sympathy.

"Girls, I understand your need for answers, but sometimes it will all be revealed if you are patient." Said the Doctor, making Rainbow more frustrated then she already was.

"Fine! I'll just have to ask somepony more honest." She said turning to Derpy;

"Well, are you going to help us, you are the element of honesty after all." Said Rainbow mockingly. Applejack stood beside her and whispered into her ear;

"Rainbow, what happened to taking it easy on everypony now?" she asked. And Rainbow nodded, taking a deep breath to compose herself. She turned back to the Doctor, who was looking at her with annoyance.

"I'm sorry Doctor, I'm just so frustrated about not knowing how my friends became the way they are now." She told him and the Doctor's expression turned back to a look of sympathy. He sighed, looking at Derpy, who nodded, as if sensing his plan. The Doctor tuned to Luna, whispering something into her ear. Rainbow's eyes narrowed. Luna nodded at the Doctor, before bowing her head. Magic glowed around the horn and a small box appeared on the table in a flash of purple light. Derpy got up and walked over to the Doctor, standing beside him as he pulled the box toward him and opened it. Rainbow's eyes went wide when she realised that it was the box containing the elements of harmony. The Doctor and Derpy pulled theirs out of the box and Rainbow was shocked to see a golden silk tie instead of her usual necklace, as well as the fact that the gem in Applejack's had changed from a red apple to three diamond bubbles.

"Derpy and I have been talking, and since she can no longer fight, and I don't want to, we think it would be better if you took back your status as elements of harmony." Said the Doctor, placing the tie on the table in front of Rainbow. Derpy placed the necklace in front of Applejack, smiling. Rainbow looked at Applejack, whose mouth was agape; neither of them were expecting to be given back status as elements of harmony so quickly. Applejack moved closer to Rainbow, and together they both slowly reached out towards the elements. As soon as her hoof touched the immensely magical object, Rainbow felt a spark of electricity shoot all over her body, causing her pain. She was blasted away from the tie and flung out of the tent. A few seconds later, Applejack was blasted out of the tent and landed on Rainbow. She groaned in pain, both from the electrical shock, as well as the fact she had landed on her broken wing. The Doctor, Derpy and Luna all rushed out of the tent, helping the two shocked ponies back onto their feet.

"What happened?" asked Applejack weakly. The Doctor shrugged, before producing a silvery pen shaped object. A light appeared at the end of it and it emitted a strange whirring noise. The Doctor shined it at Rainbow and Applejack, before putting it away with a smile on his face.

"Well, there was no damage done, although I'm curious to know just how just why the elements didn't accept them as easily as they did me and Derpy." He said to Luna, who was still a little shocked.

"I have no idea Doctor. My sister always had more to do with the Elements than I. So I know little about their inner workings.' She told him, and the Doctor walked back into the tent, followed by the others. He pointed his device at the tie and turned it on. The same whirring noise followed, but it was different, a higher pitch and then it suddenly became very deep. Rainbow jumped as the device sparked, before stopping completely.

"Well isn't that curious. The sonic doesn't know what to make of it. Although that is to be expected, the time lords have never been able to understand the elements of harmony. All of our advanced science and we had no knowledge of the magic in these things." Said the Doctor. Rainbow looked at him with puzzlement. Frustrated, and out of patience Rainbow said;

"Enough of this! I need some answers Doctor. Why can't we use the elements of harmony?" she asked, the Doctor shrugged again.

"I'm sorry Rainbow." He said. Rainbow shook her head, not accepting that she couldn't be the element of loyalty anymore. She reached for it again, and the same thing happened. Blasted out of the tent, she stood, walking into the tent to the amused smiles of the others. Applejack hugged her, and Rainbow could feel her holding back laughter.

"I really am sorry Rainbow." Said The Doctor. Rainbow sighed angrily and was about to try again when a messenger pony entered, panting heavily and carrying a scroll in his mouth. He dropped the scroll in front of Luna and collapsed on the ground, exhausted. Luna picked it up and opened it, quickly reading the message while the other's waited. Her eyes narrowed as she neared the end. She rolled the scroll back up and placed it on the table. She looked at the Doctor and Derpy;

"Gather the other elements; Gregor wants to meet with us." The Doctor nodded and galloped out of the tent and Derpy went in search of a foal-sitter. Luna walked out of the tent, and was followed by Rainbow and Applejack. Luna went to the main tent to find Fluttershy and Rarity already there. Rainbow watched as Luna put her armour on, each piece that was carefully crafted by Rarity.

"We want to go with you." Said Applejack, as if reading Rainbow's mind. Luna stopped, looking at the two.

"I do not think that is wise." She said, and Rainbow could see Fluttershy and Rarity staring out of the corner of her eye.

"I don't care; we can tell Gregor the truth about what happened. Then the war will have to end." Said Rainbow, determined. Luna sighed, knowing she didn't have time for an argument.

"Fine, you may join us, but let me do the talking. Do not speak out of turn or interrupt. Are we in agreement?" asked Luna. Rainbow and Applejack nodded. The others soon arrived, Pinkie refusing to look at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow stood next to Applejack as all of the elements got their armour on. They then all followed Luna out of the tent and towards the battlefield, where a small battalion of ponies and minotaur faced off, not attacking, waiting impatiently for the orders of their superiors. The ponies and Luna stood in a line, facing the group of Minotaur, waiting for Gregor. Rainbow and Applejack stood next to Luna and Rainbow started to feel anxious, until she felt Applejack move closer and rub against her side. She looked at her and smiled, knowing that no matter what, Applejack would be there for her. They waited for at least half an hour before Gregor finally arrived, and Rainbow took a moment to take in the sight of him. She had met him before, but it had never been revealed that he was emperor of the griffins. Rainbow had known him as a loving father, a griffin of sophistication and laughter. But she looked at him now, and could see none of that former life, she could only see the disgusting mess of a creature that he now was. Gregor walked up to Luna, bowing in respect;

"Princess Luna, it is an honour to finally meet you, and my deepest condolences on the loss of your sister." Said Gregor, sounding genuinely sorry. Luna bowed her head in response, accepting his sympathies.

"Thank you Gregor, it is nice to meet you as well. Now what did you want to discuss with me?" she asked and Gregor smiled.

"Well Princess, I was hoping that you might see reason and put a stop to the war." He told her. Luna narrowed her eyes, suspicious of the old griffin.

"And what is your motivation for such a truce?" Asked Luna. Gregor became very casual, walking closer to Luna and putting his hand under her chin.

"You see Princess, because you are new at this I'm going to give you the same offer that I gave Celestia. Hand over the one called Big Mac for execution and we all go home today." He said, his smile growing wider. Luna looked back at Big Mac, at the forefront of the pony forces, standing next to Black Diamond.

"No Gregor, it is your daughter that is to blame for all of this. And should you require proof, we have her victim her with us today to tell you the whole story." Luna replied, gesturing to Rainbow.

"Hello Gregor, it is nice to see you again, although I wish it was in our usual setting." Said Rainbow to the shocked griffin.

"Rainbow Dash? You… You are the pony they all say Gilda attacked?" Gregor stammered, lost for words. Rainbow nodded, and the Griffin stepped back. Rainbow proceeded to tell him the story, about Gilda's first trip to Ponyville, and her subsequent return and devastating attack. When she had finished, Gregor was speechless, hearing the story from such a trusted family friend was a blow to his ego. After a moment, her turned and whispered something to one of his guards, who immediately flew off in the direction of the camp. Gregor turned back to Rainbow, and cleared his throat before speaking;

"Well Rainbow Dash, while you do tell a harrowing tale of victimisation, I'm afraid I cannot take your word on face value. I need to hear the other side of the story." Said Gregor and Rainbow could almost feel the gripping of blades on either side of her. She stepped forward, trying to distract Gregor, lest he notice and get scared.

"Please Gregor, you know me. You know when I am serious." She pleaded, looking behind him and seeing two dark shapes approaching. They got closer and Rainbow could just begin to make out the shapes of griffins. As they landed, a gust of air mixed with the dust of the battlefield caused Rainbow to avert her gaze. She looked back and saw her; Gilda, exactly the same as the day she attacked Rainbow. Her angry yellow eyes darted around as she spread her wings, an intimidation tactic that she loved to use. Her eyes rested on Rainbow and suddenly went wide.

"Dash…?"She said quietly. Rainbow's eyes narrowed as pure, unadulterated rage spread through her body, turning her coat dark blue and her beautiful magenta eyes blood red. Rainbow spread her wings, the left one somehow miraculously healed. She stretched them, listening to the soft popping sound at the joints loosened up.

"GILDA!!" She screamed, and charged at Gilda, feeling no control over her actions. Rainbow tackled Gilda, flying upwards with her. Gilda tried to push away, but Rainbow just punched her in the face. Rainbow flew as high as she physically could. Below, she could barely make out the sounds of fierce battle.

"Why Gilda. I thought we were friends?" said Rainbow, still holding up Gilda as she took deep breaths, griffins not being suited to the higher altitudes that pegasi frequent.

"Because…. I…. hate…. You…. Dash…. You…. Betrayed…. Me." She gasped out. Rainbow stared straight into her eyes.

"I did no such thing, you betrayed me, you were just a jealous featherbrain who couldn't stand the fact that I wasn't still clinging to the dreams of idiotic rebellion and stupidity." She said, the anger distorting her voice. Gilda swung her talons and they raked Rainbow's stomach, opening up deep gashes. Rainbow cried out in pain, before tearing some feathers out of Gilda's wing and dropping her. Gilda fell, spiralling out of control, the loss of vital feathers making it hard to slow her descent. She hit the ground still maintaining serious velocity. She was still able to stand, running off towards the griffin camp. Rainbow watched her go, the wounds in her belly healing fast enough to see. She closed her wings and went into a dive, straight at the ground, wanting to do some damage to the Minotaur. Suddenly, she felt the rage subside, used up. Her eyes went back to magenta and her coat returned to its natural cyan colour. Panicking, she pulled up sharply, just missing the heads of the clashing Minotaur and ponies. She rose into the air again, looking out for Applejack and her friends, and found them in a circle being surrounded by ponies, many dead ones piled up around them, burnt and smoking. She landed next to Applejack and moved back further towards her friends. Luna bowed her head and teleported them back to the camp. Applejack turned to her, her eyes wide.

"Sugarcube, do you know what you just did, who you just were?" she asked, as Rainbow looked at the angry and confused expression on Luna's face.

"Yeah AJ I do. It was what Pegi-jack turned me into wasn't it. It was Rainbow Dark."

Chapter 4

Applejack went pale as she saw Rainbow's coat turn dark Blue and the colours of her mane became less vibrant. It was a sight she had seen before, and one she had hoped never to witness again; Rainbow Dark. Rainbow's violent alter ego that originated from within Rainbow's mind after it was poisoned by the Pegi-Jack.

"GILDA!!" She heard Rainbow scream, before disappearing in a multi-coloured flash and tackling Gilda, taking her into the sky. Applejack looked at Gregor, whose face was a mixture of shock and rage.

"So this was you're plan all along. Draw my daughter out into the open just so you could attack her and take my last child from me. Well we won't let you; Minotaur, attack!" Gregor boomed, as his guards helped him into the air, protecting him from any harm. The Minotaur charged and behind her, Applejack heard Big Mac let loose a fearsome battle cry. The ponies charged, brushing past Applejack and the others as they made their way slowly backwards.

"AJ! Catch!" called Rarity, throwing Applejack the sword she made for her. Applejack unsheathed it, holding it awkwardly in her mouth as the others stood in front of her, weapons drawn. Some Minotaur got past the pony troops and made a run at the elements. Twilight, garbed in a white hood and cloak, jumped on one and stabbed it with a blade that was hidden on her forearm. Applejack turned to Pinkie and was astounded to see her walking on two legs, holding a sword with her hoof. Applejack glanced upwards at Rainbow and Gilda, just in time to see Gilda slash Rainbow with her claws. Applejack felt nothing but hatred at that moment. She felt a strange tingling make its way from her chest down to her hooves, as miniature arcs of electricity jumped from her hooves to the ground.

'You have got to be kidding me.' She thought, remembering how she had gained super pony abilities while in Rainbow's mind. Another group of about ten Minotaur charged and Applejack pushed past the others, despite their protests. She looked at the Minotaur, letting the feelings of hate fill her up and with a shout, she pushed it outwards, and enormous bolts of electricity arced off her, frying the charging Minotaur. They smoked and crackled as they lay on the ground, dead. Applejack gagged on the smell of burnt flesh. She looked up and saw Rainbow flying toward her and she galloped back to the others, who all looked at her with a mixture of fear and awe. Luna bowed her head when Rainbow arrived, teleporting the group back to the pony camp. Applejack looked at Rainbow, afraid of what it could mean.

"Sugarcube, do you know what you just did. Who you just were?" asked Applejack . Rainbow turned to her, her eyes had been fixed on Luna.

"Yeah AJ I do. It was what Pegi-jack turned me into wasn't it. It was Rainbow Dark." Replied Rainbow, confirming Applejack's fears. Twilight jumped in between the two, flipping her hood down.

"Okay, I am sick and tired of always being out of the loop, so you are going to tell us what happened when you were inside Rainbow's mind." She said, the frustration in her voice distorting it slightly. Applejack and Rainbow both looked at her with anger;

"Are you serious? You ask us to tell you the truth, but none of you will be honest with us. You guys just don't get it. We need to know what happened. Otherwise how are we meant to fit in with you all anymore?" Shouted Applejack, and Twilight stood back, obviously afraid of the powers Applejack seemed to have. Rainbow stood closer to Applejack, and together they stared down their friends. Finally it was Fluttershy who spoke up;

"If it helps at all, I will tell you girls anything." She said, walking over and standing next to Applejack and Rainbow. Derpy and the Doctor soon joined them, followed by Twilight and Luna. Rarity took a few deep breaths before she joined them. Applejack looked at Pinkie, unmoving, her eyes trained desperately on the ground.

"I… I'm not ready." She said quietly and Applejack was about to argue when she was stopped by Twilight.

"Please girls, just leave it. She will tell you when she feels up to it." Twilight told her. Applejack nodded, letting Pinkie pass. Together, they made their way to the main tent and sat around the table. Applejack and Rainbow went first, telling their own sides of the tale. Derpy giggled when she found out the role she had played in events. Applejack smiled, continuing the story. She saw Luna's eyes narrow when she described the abilities she had obtained that were tied to her emotions, at the same time, Rainbow was telling them about how she had become Rainbow Dark. They finished up and were surprised to hear a sigh of relief from her friends.

"I'm so so sorry that you had to go through all that. I…I thought that it would be as easy as walk in, find her and leave. I wouldn't have expected anything like that." Twilight said apologetically. Applejack smiled at her.

"Don't worry yourself sugarcube, we both came out okay. Well, until today that is." Said Applejack.

"Do you know what I'm more interested in? The fact that Rainbow's wing is now completely healed, whereas before it was still shattered into thousands of tiny bone fragments." Said the Doctor, once again pulling his pen-light out and shining it at Rainbow. It made its usual noise and the Doctor's eyes narrowed.

"Well that's peculiar; your immune system is in complete overdrive, healing any injury that you sustain almost instantaneously. Here, look." Said the Doctor, drawing out a dagger and slashing Rainbow's face. Applejack looked ready to pounce on him, when she looked over at Rainbow and could see the wound healing, the cut closed up within seconds, leaving only a small amount of blood on her cheek. Everypony was speechless for a moment, until Rainbow spoke.

"This is awesome, now I don't have to worry about breaking anything when I crash." She said happily. The Doctor giggled;

"I'm afraid not Rainbow, it seems to be slowing back to normal. I'd assume it is only effective while you are Rainbow Dark, as well as a short time afterwards." He said, the look of complete fascination on his face unnerved Applejack. Rainbow expression turned sour and Applejack giggled. A sudden loud gasp from Luna made everypony jump. Luna turned, opening a drawer that contained some of Celestia's things. Soon she produced a large leather bound book. It looked extremely old, judging by the yellow tinged paper that lay between the covers.

"I found this a long time ago, you see, for those who don't know; Princess Celestia was special, not only was she the raiser of the sun. But through a mishap with the Doctor, she gained the ability to have visions of the future when she was a child. She wrote every single one down, usually in verse for some reason. When I found them, I started reading; there were hundreds of books, all full of predictions. Many I knew had come to pass, like when I found myself mentioned as Nightmare Moon. The thing was, the date of the poem was about fifty years before I became Nightmare moon, and it scared me a little. Then I came across this, at the time I paid no attention, mostly because it made no sense. Well, just listen and you will see what I mean." Luna explained, opening the book with her magic and beginning to search the pages feverishly for a certain page. She eventually came to a stop about two thirds of the way through the book.

"This is dated about two hundred years before my return." Said Luna, blowing some stray dust off the book's pages. The ponies all gathered closer, curious to hear what Luna meant.

"It began with two ponies.

Always connected.

It will end with two ponies.

Always connected.

With love so strong

It breaks the boundaries of dreams and reality.

They will be elements no longer;

Instead,

they will change the world.

The first,

brash,

fast as the winds,

the color of splintered light,

shall find that glow,

darkened with rage.

An unstoppable force with no end

No spear.

no arrow.

no sword.

no claw,

can stop the darkness

of splintered light.

The other,

this pony of enormous strength,

both of body and of heart

honest as the sun

powered by love,

By the emotions that drive us all to do great and terrible things.

Together,

they will save the land

put an end to a war that threatens to destroy everything.

Two ponies.

Always connected." Luna finished, taking a deep breath, as the others let the words sink in.

"So, what, we're meant to just use our freaky abilities to end this all?" asked Rainbow and Luna shrugged unhelpfully.

"Well there is always the chance that it could be wrong. Tia's visions weren't always correct, or were subject to change at least." Said the Doctor, lifting Applejack's sprits slightly.

"Ah hope your right Doctor, ah don't want the responsibility of the whole of Equestria." Said Applejack and Rainbow turned to her, stunned.

"What do you mean you don't want the responsibility? I thought you promised to help me end the war, no matter what." Said Rainbow accusingly. Applejack narrowed her eyes at her.

"Ah did, but ah don't think ah'm ready to fight yet. This is all a bit much for me right now okay Rainbow?" she said. Rainbow relented, nodding and kissing Applejack on the cheek.

"I don't know if you have much of a choice, the griffins have called in the dogs to aid them and we will be drastically outnumbered otherwise. We still have a while before the dogs get here, but the thought is still unnerving." Said Luna and Applejack sighed.

'Things just keep going from bad to worse.' Thought Applejack.

"Well that gives us time to think, so let's just back up and listen to your stories, like you all promised to tell us." Said Rainbow, she pointed at Twilight and smirked. "You first." Twilight groaned, and then proceeded to tell them everything. Applejack, sat back as she told her story, feeling drained. Her mouth dropped open as Twilight explained her assassination mission and her subsequent desertion. She finished, and Rainbow, unrelenting, pointed at Fluttershy. Fluttershy's story was quick, the way she had cut her mane, her vow to kill Gilda and her trip to New Grifburg to retrieve Twilight. Applejack rubbed her eyes, tired of listening, needing a break from the harsh truth. Exactly how the war had changed her friends. Applejack cried as Rarity told her story, and got off her seat to hug the white unicorn.

"Enough! I know we asked for this but ah can't take any more. Please, ah'm sorry I was nosy, that I didn't respect your privacy." Said Applejack, still crying, she galloped out of the tent, looking desperately for a place to hide. She eventually found a gathering of rocks that formed a sort of natural shelter. She crawled inside and found it to be very spacious once she got past the entrance. She stayed there and cried for a while. Suddenly, she noticed someone else enter, it was Pinkie.

"Pinkie? How did you find me?" She asked, and Pinkie smiled.

"Actually AJ, this is where I go to sleep when I've been having nightmares." Pinkie told her and Applejack was embarrassed to have invaded her sanctuary.

"Ah'm sorry, Ah'll leave." She said, but Pinkie shook her head.

"Don't worry AJ; I'm actually glad I found you. I wanted to see if you were okay." Pinkie said.

"Well ah'm not. I try my hardest to be strong for Rainbow but I can't even be strong for myself." Applejack said, as more tears rolled over her cheeks. Pinkie hugged her,

"Applejack, if you want my advice, you need to stop looking at this from the point of view of somepony that has lost themselves in time. Look at it from another point of view; namely, how are you going to help us to get back to the way we were before?" Pinkie said. Applejack looked into her eyes, seeing the deep wisdom and mind-boggling randomness within. Then she realised what Pinkie meant, that it wasn't up to anypony but her and Rainbow to make everything right again. And if she wanted her friends back to what they were before, she would have to fight for it, both literally and metaphorically. Applejack wiped the tears away, taking a deep breath and forcing her doubts and fears into the back of her mind, focusing on one thing; her friends, and Rainbow.

Chapter 5

ainbow Dash lifted herself off the ground, stretching her wings for the first time in ages. She flew high above the camp, keeping her eyes trained on the ground in search of Applejack. The orange pony had galloped out of the special ops tent, crying her eyes out. Rainbow wished that she hadn't asked her friends to relive such painful memories on her behalf. She spotted Applejack and Pinkie in the training grounds and flew down to meet them. Applejack held a sword in her hooves, and Pinkie was instructing her to swing it as hard as she could at a wooden dummy.
"What is going on here?" asked Rainbow, surprised to see Applejack with a weapon after her decision to not fight. Applejack didn't look at her, and just kept swing the sword at the dummy.
"I realised that if there is even the slightest possibility of us having to end the war, than I had to be prepared." Said Applejack, grunting as the sword hit the hard wood and got stuck. She wiggled it out, as Rainbow walked over to Pinkie and stood next to her.
"Okay, I can see that, but why is Pinkie teaching you?" she said. Pinkie glared at her.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" she asked angrily. Rainbow stammered, suddenly afraid of what Pinkie could do.
"Oh, uh… nothing…" stuttered Rainbow.
"Nothing huh? Well you just earned yourself ten laps around the track, with no wings missy." Shouted Pinkie. Rainbow took off at a gallop. The track was at least a kilometre and a half in length, she was soon exhausted, having realised on her fifth lap that she should have paced herself like Twilight was always telling her. She finished the ten laps and collapsed in front of Pinkie, before noticing a stallion standing next to Applejack. Rainbow recognised him as Rarity's coltfriend; Black Diamond.
"Hello there Rainbow. It's nice of you to join us for the training session. I hope your run limbered you up." He said. Rainbow looked at Pinkie, who grinned as wide as she could.
"You weren't teaching Applejack were you?" said Rainbow exhaustedly. Pinkie burst out laughing.
"No, I was just keeping an eye on things while Black Diamond took care of some stuff. You should have seen the look on your face." Pinkie said. Rainbow looked at Applejack, who was giggling despite keeping her eyes trained on the practice dummy. Black Diamond poked the back of Applejack's leg with a stick.
"Just tighten up your stance AJ. There perfect. Now this time, when you swing it, swing from the elbow, it's a lot faster and doesn't leave you open to attack." He said, as Rainbow stood up and walked closer. Applejack swung the sword again, just how she was told to and in an amazing display of strength, cut the wooden dummy in half.
"Oh my! Ah'm so sorry, I didn't mean to…" Applejack started.
"What are you sorry for? That was amazing. I've never had a student pick this up so quickly." Said Black Diamond happily. He turned to Rainbow;
"So are you ready to try?" he asked and Rainbow gave him a smirk.
"Why bother, I'm too fast for anything to catch me anyway." She told him mockingly. Black Diamond laughed in response. Rainbow looked him straight in the eye.
"You really think so?" Said Black Diamond and Rainbow narrowed her eyes.
"Yeah I do." She said. Diamond smile and his eyes glanced down. Rainbow looked and saw a dagger pressed against her chest. Her mouth fell open.
"Always mind your surroundings, as well as your opponent. Never underestimate them." Said Diamond very seriously. Rainbow dashed away, trying to flank him. She sped around behind him, and was met with an outstretched arm that knocked her down.
"You just have to keep calm and not let your anger get the best of you Rainbow." Black Diamond told her.
"But haven't you heard, that's kind of my thing now." Said Rainbow angrily. She leapt at him, throwing punches and Kicks, all of which Diamond dodged. Applejack just stood back and watched Rainbow exhaust herself.

Applejack smiled as Rainbow threw herself again and again at Black Diamond, and was repeatedly denied her much wanted violence. Applejack had to hold onto her hat as Rainbow flew rapidly in a circle, summoning a tornado and Black Diamond was dragged into it. Just as Applejack thought that Rainbow had bested the dark green earth pony, Rainbow came rushing out of the tornado and slammed into the ground next to Applejack. Her eyes widened as she saw Black Diamond being gently lowered to the ground by the dissipating tornado.
"Now how in the hay did you do that?" asked Applejack, shocked. Black Diamond gave her a wink.
"A lot of my ex-marefriends were pegasi and they did not appreciate the break up." He told her and Applejack heard Pinkie giggle. She looked down at Rainbow who had a big red mark on her face. Rainbow stood, turning to Black Diamond.
"And what was that for?" She yelled in his face.
"I'm trying to teach you in the same way I learnt how to fight." Black Diamond sighed.
"Which is?" asked Rainbow, rubbing her face.
"By failing repeatedly so that you know that you never give up. You adapt to the situation, never letting your guard down for a moment. Because if you do, you may find out that the pony you care about most in the world has been brutalised by a tribalist prat of a pony." Said Black Diamond, his voice getting steadily shaky. Pinkie rushed over and put her hoof on his shoulder. Black Diamond cleared his throat;
"My point is that nopony is perfect Rainbow, you have to work hard and always try to become better than you are now." He said. Applejack looked at Rainbow, the anger in her eyes had faded, replaced by a look of understanding and burgeoning wisdom. Black Diamond walked away, indicating that the lesson was over. Rainbow hugged Applejack, bringing her mouth close to her ear.
"I'm sorry, I know now that bringing up the past might not be the best idea." Whispered Rainbow and Applejack smiled, positioning herself so she could kiss Rainbow. She pulled away, and they pressed their foreheads together.
"Thanks sugarcube, I came to the same conclusion. Ah think we need to focus more on being there for our friends and for each other than trying to dig up the past." Said Applejack, Rainbow moved her head slightly, indicating that she agreed. Pinkie suddenly burst between them.
"Awww, you two are so cute, I need to throw you another party." Pinkie said happily. Applejack smiled awkwardly, as Rainbow rubbed her eyes in mock tiredness.
"Actually sugarcube, Rainbow and ah need to train. Ah for one do not want to be unprepared if the prophecy comes true." Said Applejack, Pinkie stopped her happy bouncing, looking at the girls with serious eyes.
"Just be careful, I know what happens if you let yourselves go down a dark path." She said cryptically. Applejack was about to question her further, but thought better of it, Luna had warned her to take things easy with Pinkie, as she was the most affected out of them all. Applejack instead just nodded, and Pinkie smiled, turning and walking away.
"I worry about her most of all." Said Rainbow once Pinkie was out of earshot. Applejack turned to her and her mind drifted back to the advice Pinkie had given her.
'Ah don't think we have to be. I have complete faith in her Rainbow." Said Applejack. She picked up her sword again and walked over to another training dummy. Taking a deep breath, she let her memories take her back to a sad moment; When Rainbow had first rejected her in the dream realm. She swung the sword and once again, the sword cut the dummy in half.
'Well that's two of my powers accounted for." She thought, thinking back to the lightening she used when she felt hate.
'All that's left for me to use is the super speed, the super voice and the teleporting.' Applejack didn't really want to have to try and induce any of her powers. But she knew that if she didn't, the prophecy might come true and Equestria may be lost forever. Applejack shook her head to get those thoughts out of her head. She turned to Rainbow, who had the strangest look of concentration on her face.
"What in the hay are you doin?" she asked, and Rainbow looked at her with annoyance.
"I know you just used your powers to cut that dummy, so I'm trying to bring out Rainbow Dark without getting angry." Replied Rainbow. Applejack gave her a light smack in the back on the back of her head.
"Are you crazy? You can't do that, she's too violent to be left to her own devices." Said Applejack frustrated. "You have no idea what Rainbow Dark could do here."
"Well then what am I meant to do? Your powers seem to come and go as you please, but mine are activated by rage. I actually don't get angry that often AJ." Said Rainbow, Applejack glared at her.
"Rainbow, my powers are activated when ah dredge up my strongest memories. Ah just had to think of you rejecting me in your mind to be able to cut that in half. My powers seem like they are easy, but they ain't. Ah don't want to look into the past for my most painful memories, just to make more when ah kill something." Said Applejack, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Rainbow hugged her again, but Applejack pushed her away.
"Ah don't care what you are going to do, but ah'm gunna train. Like Black Diamond said, we need to keep improving ourselves." Said Applejack. Rainbow looked at the ground, feeling sorry for her. Applejack felt the tremendous gust of wind as Rainbow took off into the sky. Applejack didn't look at her, she just moved to the next dummy and got into the stance she was shown.

Rainbow landed on a cloud, one of the light, wispy ones that rested at the limits of her climbing ability. She looked down at the pony camp, and at the griffin one on the other side of the sea of blood red poppies. Rainbow couldn't help but wonder why they had grown. Had the blood of thousands soaked the ground to such an extent that the flowers were just being painted on their way to the surface? Or were the flowers themselves the souls of the dead, still wanting to fight and arising from the ground as the blood red flowers. Rainbow lay on the cloud thinking about it for hours. All of a sudden, she felt a weight on the cloud, she turned to see Princess Luna, and was even more surprised to see Pinkie on the Princess's back.
"I thought we would find you here." Said Luna, lying down on the cloud next to Rainbow.
"Hello Princess, did you want to speak with me?" asked Rainbow respectfully.
"Actually Rainbow, both Pinkie and I want to speak with you." Said Luna.
"You see Dashie, all three of us are alike, we all have, or had a dark part of ourselves that we had no control over. For you, it is Rainbow Dark, for Princess Luna, it was Nightmare Moon, and me, well remember that tombstone you found. That symbolises my defeat over my dark side." Pinkie told her, and Rainbow was shocked that she was willing to admit what happened to her.
"But that's just it Pinkie, Rainbow Dark is meant to do good, not evil. I'm meant to save Equestria from the war. But I can't control myself when I'm Rainbow Dark, I just move on reflex." She explained.
"Rainbow Dash, it was the same for me. Nightmare Moon was a construction of my resentment and rage. I was only a helpless bystander to her actions." Said Luna, much to Rainbow's surprise. She was not expecting Luna to have had no control over Nightmare Moon. Rainbow always believed that she was just Luna gone insane.
"Dashie, a very handsome Pink stallion once said to me; It is not our dark sides that make us who we are, it is our ability to overcome them that makes us great." Said Pinkie cryptically. Pinkie looked at her with confusion, and Pinkie just smiled, not elaborating on her knowledge.
"I just need to figure out how to control Rainbow Dark, is that what you're saying?" asked Rainbow, Luna and Pinkie nodded.
"You are just lucky to have something neither of us had during our dark period; somepony like Applejack to bring you back to the light." Said Luna, and Rainbow smiled, looking down at the training grounds and seeing Applejack still working on her sword skills.
"She is amazing isn't she?" said Rainbow. Pinkie jumped from Luna's back onto Rainbow's.
"We have faith in you both Dashie." Said Pinkie, hugging Rainbow fiercely. Rainbow's smile grew wider.
"Thanks Pinkie, but would you mind getting off my back, I have some training to do."

Chapter 6

Applejack and Twilight walked towards the unicorn command tent, with Applejack hoping that one of Twilight's magic books could help her gain control of her powers. Twilight walked happily along, happy to have her friend with her to do research, while Applejack was just more interested with finding the answer she wanted. They entered the tent and found Princess Luna and another pony Applejack didn't recognise. She was a Pegasus with a pale black coat and her mane and tail were the same colour as Luna's. Her cutie mark was a dark blue star and she also had one on her face, right in between her eyes. Luna looked up at them both and smiled.
"Oh Twilight, what wonderful timing, I'd like you to meet DuskDrift. She is to be my apprentice." Said Luna. Applejack looked at Twilight, whose face had changed from a look of friendliness to one of utter shock.
"Your apprentice Luna? How is that even possible? She is a Pegasus, she can't even use magic." Said Twilight, her voice had the slightest undertones of outrage. Luna smiled, and Applejack could sense that Luna had anticipated Twilight's reaction.
"Twilight, there is no need to feel threatened. Celestia asked me to take on an apprentice and there are magic's I can teach DuskDrift that I can't teach you." Luna told her, and Twilight seemed to calm down slightly. DuskDrift walked over and shook hooves with Twilight.

"It's nice to meet you; I understand that we will be learning together. I can't wait." Said DuskDrift happily. Twilight took a deep breath and smiled, nodding her head. Applejack could tell that she was feeling a bit unnerved by the Pegasus.
"It's great to meet you too, I'm sure we will be great friends." Said Twilight, walking over to her personal bookshelf. Applejack nods to DuskDrift in greeting, as she follows Twilight. Applejack sat down on a chair as Twilight searched her enormous bookshelf, hundreds of old leather bound books lined the shelves, each one in perfect order, despite being read thousands of times. Applejack soon became irritated at Twilights lack of speed, her book organising skills needing serious work. She began to fall asleep when Twilight suddenly exclaimed;
"Eureka! I found the book we are looking for. It's actually one of my favourites; The foals guide to releasing your hidden magic." Twilight said, placing the book on the table in front of Applejack. She paled as the massively thick book stared at her.
"This is it? It's huge Twi, how am ah meant to find what ah'm looking for." Said Applejack and Twilight giggled.
"You don't have to read the whole thing silly, just a specific section, here." Twilight told her, using her magic to open the book to the spot Applejack needed. Applejack began to read, but found it difficult to understand, as it was written with unicorns in mind. Applejack got about halfway through when she gave up.
"Twilight, this isn't helping me at all, it's all about unicorns and I don't know if you'd noticed, but ah don't have a horn." Said Applejack mockingly. Twilight's expression grew sour, as she realised that Applejack was right.
"Well what do you suggest then AJ?" asked Twilight. Applejack shrugged, and was beginning to feel downtrodden.
"Maybe I could help?" said a voice behind them. Applejack turned to see DuskDrift approaching, her face alight with a nervous smile.
"I know a fair bit about non-unicorn magic and I'm certain I could be of some assistance." She said, and Applejack nodded, just happy to have some help.
"I don't think so, you are too inexperienced and besides, we have absolutely no clue what Applejack's magic involves." Twilight told her, and Applejack could hear the disapproval in her voice. Applejack gave her a puzzled look.

"What do you mean Twilight? Ah'm happy to have any help I can get. And if DuskDrift here is offering, ah'm sure going to accept that offer." Applejack said, slightly annoyed at her friend for not understanding. Twilight sighed angrily and stormed out of the tent. Applejack watched her go and was puzzled as to the reason Twilight was acting so strange. She turned to DuskDrift, who grinned.
"Okay, well let's sit down and you can tell me how you first came about your powers." Said DuskDrift. Applejack told her of how Rainbow's loyalty and courage had shown her how to harness emotions as manifested abilities. DuskDrift seemed very interested to know which emotions set off the abilities.
"Well, when I feel sad, like really deep sadness, ah get incredibly strong. Anger gives me a strange voice that can knock ponies down. Fear lets me teleport out of harm's way. When ah feel hate, my body get filled with lightening and ah can run at super speed when ah'm happy." Applejack explained. DuskDrift nodded, before standing up and facing Applejack.
"Show me." She said, and Applejack shook her head.
"Ah can't. The only powers ah've be able to access in the real world are the super strength and the lightening." Applejack told her. DuskDrift said nothing for a while, as though contemplating the best course of action. Much to Applejack's surprise, she punched Applejack in the face. Applejack fell to the ground.

"What in the hay was that for?" Applejack asked angrily.
"Show me." Said DuskDrift, poking Applejack in the chest as she lay on the ground. Applejack pushed her away, but DuskDrift punched Applejack again. Applejack kicked her, sending her sprawling. They both stood themselves up, and DuskDrift rushed at Applejack again, knocking her down. Applejack stared at her and opened her mouth instinctively. She let out a piercing screech that to DuskDrift was like a wall, throwing her upwards and out of the roof of the tent. Applejack stood, shocked at what she had done. A few minutes passed before DuskDrift returned, she had an enormous smile on her face despite what had happened.
"Oh DuskDrift ah am so sorry, ah didn't mean to hurt you, are you okay?" Applejack said, panicking. DuskDrift just giggled.
"That worked perfectly! I figured it out; your powers are manifestations of your emotions right? Well then I think that you will only be able to use them when you are feeling that emotion. I don't think there are shortcuts to your powers, you just have to learn to adapt to the situation and use the power you have." DuskDrift explained, much to Applejack's puzzlement.
"You could have just said that." Applejack said dryly. DuskDrift giggled.
"Yeah, but this was more fun for me, I was curious to see what the voice power was to be honest." She said and Applejack smiled, before laughing hysterically.
"Thank you DuskDrift. That is actually a load off my mind, knowing that I don't have to train myself to the point of exhaustion just for my powers." Said Applejack, hugging DuskDrift.
"I was happy to help, but I do have one favour to ask; would you mind talking to Twilight for me. It's just I really want to be friends with her, I mean I heard all about your exploits as the elements of harmony and it just seemed like amazing times. But it was because of Twilight that I decided to study magic and that's what caught Princess Luna's eye. Luna said that I would one day replace her as the moon and that Twilight would be the sun. I can't wait." Said DuskDrift, and Applejack nodded, happy to return the favour of a good deed.

Rainbow Dash felt extremely uncomfortable as she put on the Pegasus armour she had been given. Applejack's cousin Applethunder was going to be teaching her how to be a combat flier. The last thing Rainbow put on was the helmet, which just made her scalp itchy. Once she was finished, Rainbow stretched her wings, rotating them at the joint to limber them up. Applethunder walked over, dressed in similar armour, except for the fact that hers was crafted to fit her body, unlike Rainbow's which was just a spare armour set.
"Okay Rainbow, well your already halfway there from what cousin AJ told me about you and your flying speed." Applethunder Said, smiling at Rainbow. Rainbow smirked, proud that legends of her awesomeness had made it into the near future.
"Yes, Yes, it's all true." Said Rainbow arrogantly. Applethunder smacked her on the back of the head.

"First rule, never ever get cocky. Always remember that every time you go out there, you have a fifty-fifty chance of never going home." Applethunder told her, and Rainbow could see the seriousness in the eyes. Rainbow knew than that Applethunder had lost somepony special because of the war. Rainbow nodded, becoming stoic and upright.
"Now we won't be working with blades today. Instead, a wanted you to fly to the town of Maneflow springs and back as fast as possible without being recognised or fighting." Applethunder said, "just follow the directions Ah'm about to give you". Rainbow sped out of the tent she was in so fast that she accidentally knocked some ponies down on her way out. The round trip took her around two hours, Rainbow collapsed in front of Applethunder, exhausted. There had been a really strong headwind on her way there, impeding her progress. Applethunder looked down on her smiled.
"I think you did the best out of everypony that I know of." Said Applethunder. Rainbow smiled, feeling proud of the accomplishment. Applethunder helped her up and gave her some water.
"Well, now I know that you have the endurance for something like a battle. So what we have to work on now is the aerial combat side of things." Applethunder explained, as Rainbow slowly got her breath back. Together they flew into the air and headed towards a cloud formation that hung above the training grounds. The cloud formation was carefully crafted by pegasi to simulate situations that they would have to deal with in battle. Rainbow lined up at the beginning of the obstacle course and got ready.
"Okay. So all you have to do is complete this in less than five minutes. Every cloud you hit will incur a ten second penalty. At the end you will see a sword; you are to pick it up at attack the dummies at the end of the range. The dummies are protected by hard clouds that will criss-cross the range, simulating other ponies and griffins that will be in your flight path. On my mark…. Three…. Two…. One… go." Shouted Applethunder. Rainbow shot off the line, weaving in and out of cloud pillars and ducking under things. Rainbow took one turn too wide and hit the cloud barrier.
'Come on Rainbow, that's ten seconds you just wasted, get your head in the game." Rainbow thought, scolding herself. She finally reached the end and picked up the sword. She made her way to the end of a long thin range, carefully watching for the clouds that were going to shoot out at any moment. But Rainbow was surprised to find that none did, and she finished the course with no hindrances. Rainbow flew back to Applethunder, who was sitting on the cloud, looking bored.

"How did I do?" Asked Rainbow, certain that she had gotten the best time out of anyone, despite hitting the wall. Applethunder looked at her and sighed irritably.
"You failed." She said and Rainbow's mouth dropped open.
"How could I have failed, I did everything you asked." Said Rainbow outraged. "And I didn't even have to deal with the clouds on the range."
"That's because I didn't set them off Rainbow. You were going so slow and searching for them so much so that you forgot the target. Rainbow, you have to trust instinct, let your natural abilities guide you. How do you think the Wonderbolts do the things they do? Yes they train hard and practice, but they also know that the search for perfection paralyses. They let themselves enjoy it and adapt to the situation at hoof." Applethunder explained, and Rainbow realised what she meant. That Rainbow had stopped enjoying herself to some degree and that the actual fact of enjoying herself makes her a better flier.
"I understand Applethunder. Can I try again?" Rainbow asked. Applethunder nodded and Rainbow stood back on the starting line. As soon as Applethunder said "Go" Rainbow let her mind wander; only concentrating on how the air flowed over her wings, each hypersensitive feather picking up the slightest change in currant and changing her course accordingly. Without realising, Rainbow had reached the sword, she picked it up and sped down the range, her ears pricked for the miniscule sounds of clouds as they move. Every time she heard such a noise, Rainbow let herself move at the last second, letting her instincts take over. She finished the course and flew back to Applethunder, who was smiling this time.

"Much better, do you see what I mean? A Pegasus's instincts in the air are remarkable. I once knew a pony that could fall asleep as he flew and he would just keep going. I need you to trust your wings Rainbow and that way you can focus your attentions on the actual attacking enemies." Applethunder explained. Rainbow nodded, smiling.
"I suppose that even in war you need to enjoy your time in the air." Said Rainbow, looking down at the ground below.
"It makes killing easier if you can let your mind wander away from what you've done." Applethunder replied and Rainbow looked at her. She had forgotten all about the killing aspect of things, and then her mind clicked.
"Forgetting about the killing makes it easier to sleep at night doesn't it?" said Rainbow. Applethunder said nothing, just nodded once.

Chapter 7

Applejack awoke to shouting. She ran out of the tent with Rainbow and the others. Twilight was already awake and had her armour on. Applejack peered into the darkness and could see small flickers of fire at the front lines. Twilight spotted a pony that was carrying some water towards the fire.

"What happened?" she asked, the fear in her voice was unmistakable. The pony dropped the bucket. Her eyes were darting around in panic.

"Griffins…I think… Midnight attack…. Lit tents on fire…. Have to help." Said the pony, before picking up the bucket and galloping towards the flames. Applejack was the first one to follow her. She dodged the frantic ponies as they dashed around, trying to get organised. Out of the corner of her eye Applejack could make out Rainbow flying beside her.

"Rainbow, grab a nice rain cloud and put out the flames." She ordered and Rainbow saluted before disappearing into the sky. Applejack gasped when she saw them, about ten tents had already burnt down and there were still some on fire. She felt the anger rise inside her. Remembering what DuskDrift had said, she let loose her voice power. The flames were torn away from the canvas tents, as the sound waves took the oxygen away. Rainbow showed up a second later, putting out the rest of the fires with a raincloud. Applejack saw an archer with his eyes and his bow trained on the sky.

"What are you looking at?" she asked. The archer didn't look at her, just kept his eyes peeled on the sky. A tremendous roar suddenly made everypony silent. Applejack looked up, but couldn't see anything. Rainbow was at her side all of a sudden and Applejack held her breath, waiting. With a boom the dragon landed. Applejack staggered as the ground shook underneath her. It looked at them, snorting acrid black smoke from its nostrils. Applejack looked at Rainbow, whose eyes were wide with fear.

"How many ponies were in those tents when they went up?" Applejack asked the archer.

"At… At least twenty." He said quietly, trying not to bring himself to the dragon's attention. Applejack closed her eyes against the tears that tried to surface.

"Rainbow, I have an idea, but I need you to think of Gilda." Applejack said. Rainbow gave her a puzzled look, before it dawned on her.

"Do you think we can?" Rainbow asked. Applejack just smiled and nodded in response.

"I'm with you AJ." Rainbow said. Applejack pulled her close and kissed her. She pulled away and galloped straight at the dragon, leaving Rainbow behind. Applejack ignored the worried shouts from Twilight and the others, instead focusing on the dragon in front of her. It noticed her and bellowed, and Applejack had to close her eyes against the heat that was coming out of its mouth. She stopped just short of the dragon and stood there, waiting. The dragon looked down at her, and Applejack took a deep breath. The dragon swung its clawed hand at her. Applejack closed her eyes, letting the fear into herself.

Applejack opened her eyes a second later and took a quick look around, and was happy to find herself not being attacked by the dragon, as well as the fact that she was exactly where she wanted to be; On its head. Smiling despite her situation she closed her eyes again, thinking about all of the ponies that lost their lives when the dragon attacked. She let the tears flow freely this time, as the dragon figured out where she was. Its gigantic tail made its way toward her and Applejack reopened her eyes just in time to see it. Holding out her front legs, she caught the tail, only being pushed back slightly. With a shout she jumped off the dragons head, still holding the dragon's tail. The dragon was forced to fall onto its face and Applejack let go when she hit the ground. Applejack turned to see Rainbow Dark walk toward her. The red eyes shone and the smallest smirk was on her face.

"Are you ready for this AJ?" asked Rainbow Dark, the voice distorted but still recognisable Rainbow's. Applejack nodded, and her Rainbow Dark's smile grew.

"I think we need to end this with a boom." She said, taking off and flying straight at the dragon, knocking it onto its back as it tried to get up. Rainbow Dark then flew upwards, quickly becoming lost in the darkness. Applejack galloped back toward the dragon unsheathing her sword as she went. She jumped, her super strength launching her high into the air. The dragon opened its mouth and Applejack could see the flames building in its gullet. With a grunt she threw her sword into its mouth. The dragon began to gag as Applejack landed on its belly. The scaly skin rippled out from where she landed and Applejack could just make out her sword being coughed up. She galloped along the creature's underside. The scales were soft and slick underneath her hooves. Applejack jumped off at the neck and made her way to the head of the dragon.

'I hope this works.' Thought Applejack as she gripped one of the dragon's horns. With her body still charged with strength, Applejack started to spin the dragon around. It started to thrash about in protest as Applejack spun it faster. She let go and flung the dragon into the air, as she did, she let her memories take her back to when she first saw Gilda the day she had attacked Rainbow. Applejack took a deep breath as she felt muscles in her throat tense.

"RAIN-BOW-DASH!" She yelled, the voice propelling the dragon skywards and signalling Rainbow Dark at the same time.

Rainbow closed her eyes and imagined Gilda, the look on her face when she attacked her, looking up and seeing Gilda standing over her, covered in Rainbow's own blood. Rainbow could feel herself transforming but it was different this time, it was tempered, controlled. The powerful rage was under her command. She opened her eyes and smiled, just in time to see Applejack slam the dragon's face into the ground. She walked over and Applejack turned to her.

"Are you ready for this AJ?" Rainbow Dark asked and smiled even more when Applejack nodded.

"I think we need to end this with a boom." Rainbow said, taking off and heading straight for the dragon. She collided with its chin and sent it falling onto its back. Rainbow then changed her course and flew directly up. She let her instincts take over again, as it was too dark to see where she was going until she broke the cloud cover. Rainbow burst through the last cloud and let herself be bathed in Luna's moonlight.

"Well hey there Dash." Said a voice beside her, a voice that Rainbow Dark was hoping for. She turned and saw Gilda, relaxing lazily on a cloud, peering through a small hole at the chaos below.

"Gilda." Said Rainbow, the distortion in her voice becoming worse. She started to make her way closer when Gilda held out her hand.

"I wouldn't Dash. There are Griffin archers all around you. As soon as I give the slightest signal, they will fire. I don't think even you could survive." Gilda told her. Rainbow smiled;

"I think you would be surprised." She said, and continued to get closer. Gilda closed her hand and arrows suddenly shot out from all directions, hitting Rainbow on all sides. She cried out in pain, which slowly turned into laughter. She looked at Gilda, whose expression was one of shock, and pulled out one of the arrows that had embedded itself in her neck. The wound healed almost immediately and Rainbow continued to get closer, now holding the arrow as a weapon.

"No Dash. Please." Begged Gilda, obviously realising that Rainbow couldn't be stopped. Rainbow's smile grew even wider and she shook her head.

"No Gilda, I won't fall for your fake begging." Said Rainbow, holding the arrow above her head.

"RAIN-BOW-DASH!" Applejack's voice echoed through the sky, and Rainbow stopped, hesitating as to whether she should kill Gilda or the dragon. With a frustrated yell she dropped the arrow and dove though the hole on the clouds. Rainbow Dark picked up speed, as she held her front legs out in front of her. She could feel the pressure building in her head, threatening to make her skull cave in on itself. And then, with a final burst of speed, Rainbow Dark broke the sound barrier and her speed increased tenfold. A Dark but multi-coloured halo tore through the sky and a perfect, albeit dark, rainbow formed behind her. She ignored her usual feeling of joy that arose from completing a sonic rainboom, instead focusing on the steadily rising dragon in front of her. She closed every orifice on her head that she could, as she hit the dragon and pierced its skin. She burst out of the other side, taking a deep breath, but keeping her eyes closed, allowing her instincts to help her land. Rainbow Dark wiped the blood from her eyes and opened them. The first thing she saw was Applejack, her eyes fixed on the sky at the falling corpse of the dragon. Rainbow walked toward her, the transformation reversing. Rainbow turned in time to see the dragon's body hit the ground, the ground shook with the impact. For a minute, there was silence, as neither Rainbow nor Applejack were certain it was dead. Finally, Rainbow turned to Applejack and smiled.

"We did it AJ. We killed a dragon! Woo Hoo!" Rainbow yelled happily, jumping up and down. Applejack laughed and Rainbow tried to hug her, but Applejack shook her head.

"There is no way ah'm hugging you until you've taken a long bath." Applejack said jokingly. Rainbow turned as the other elements and Luna appeared, all had their mouths open wide in disbelief.

"I… I… I am impressed with both of you, I knew that your abilities were mighty indeed but that was something else. And Rainbow, is that the tip of an arrow in your chest?" Asks Luna, And Rainbow looks down to find what is indeed the tip of an arrow still stuck in her chest. Applejack grabs it with her mouth and pulls. Rainbow grits her teeth at the pain. As soon as it was out, the wound closed over.

"Are you okay? Any side effects?" asked the Doctor, once again shining his pen-light over both Rainbow and Applejack.

"No Doctor, to be honest, I had more control over Rainbow Dark this time. I think it was because I willed it to happen this time, rather than it just appearing." Rainbow told him. The Doctor smiled, and Rainbow looked at the still shocked face of Luna.

"Is there something wrong your majesty?" asked Applejack and Luna was jolted out of her trance.

"Oh, it's just that I can't even fathom the strength of your abilities, you took down a fully grown dragon. Even Celestia couldn't." Said Luna, small tears forming in the corner of her eyes. Rarity hugged her, and Rainbow smiled awkwardly, not quite having figured out Rarity's relationships.

"I think we can talk about this later, right now I need a long bath." Said Rainbow, taking off and heading toward the main tent. She crawled into the bath in the bath tent and laid back, letting the blood wash away. As soon as she was clean, Rainbow emptied the bloodied water and ran another bath to wash the last traces of it away. She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.

"Is there room for one more sugarcube?" asked Applejack, and Rainbow smiled, not opening her eyes. She nodded and could feel the water shift as Applejack got in. Applejack cuddled her, and Rainbow finally opened her eyes. They kissed, both because they had hardly spent any time alone in the past few weeks and to celebrate their accomplishment.

"So are you going to tell me how you ended up with an arrow in your chest?" asked Applejack, raising her eyebrow. Rainbow smiled and told her what had happened.

"That slimy polecat! She knows that the rules of engagement say that we aren't to fight at night." Said Applejack, outraged by Gilda's lack of morals. Rainbow shrugged.

"We should have expected it really." Said Rainbow. Applejack looked her in the eyes and smiled;

"Good point." Rainbow laughed. "Hey AJ, you know what we still haven't done since we woke up?" Rainbow winked at Applejack, who blushed.

"Well… I do think we have a reason to celebrate." Said Applejack, and began to kiss Rainbow passionately. And for the rest of the night, they put the thoughts of war, of prophecies and of superpowers out of their minds, instead becoming one with each other.

Chapter 9

Rainbow Dash headed towards the training grounds at the back to the pony camp, where Black Diamond was waiting. She smiled, catching the wooden sword he threw her way. Rainbow took a deep breath, holding the blade just like he had showed her. She tried to calm her mind, to anticipate his moves, but her thoughts kept wandering. Not to anything in particular, just wandering. Black Diamond caught her in a moment of day dream, hitting her in the side. The air rushed out of Rainbow's lungs and she coughed as Black Diamond shook his head.

"What's going on Rainbow? You just haven't been concentrating during our sessions lately." Black Diamond asked. Rainbow said nothing, still trying to catch her breath. Black Diamond sighed.

"I'm sorry about that Rainbow, but I really am trying to save your life. Out on the battlefield, its chaos, constant chaos, where just taking a step and not being ready can cost you your life. You know what Rarity told me? She said that you were brash, always looking for a fight, but loyal. Never hesitating when your friends are in trouble. That's why I took it upon myself to train you personally, I want to see that Rainbow beside me when I fight. And I want to know that she can handle herself." Black Diamond told her. Rainbow took a deep breath, gritting her teeth to get past the pain. She stood slowly, looking Black Diamond in the eyes.

"I know Diamond, I do, and I'm trying, but this isn't the type of fighting I'm used to. I expected to go home with Applejack and relax after waking up from the coma, but instead I was thrust into this stupid war." Rainbow said, mentally exhausted. "Then this prophecy came up and to be honest, I'm with Applejack. I don't want the responsibility if it means the deaths of others. As much as I like to talk a big game, I'm not a killer." Black Diamond put his hoof on her shoulder, a small smile spreading across his face.

"None of us are." He told her. Rainbow took up her stance again as Black Diamond walked to the other end of the duelling circle. She took a deep breath, narrowing her eyes, studying Black Diamond for the slightest movements. He leapt at her, swinging the sword again, but Rainbow was ready, blocking the swipe and countering with her own. Black Diamond didn't let Rainbow rest, continuing the assault with swipes from the sword and mixing it up with swings from his hooves. Rainbow dodged or blocked most of them, but even then, a few got though. Rainbow fell to the ground, and Black Diamond put the wooden blade to her throat.

"This is kind of unfair; your special talent is fighting." Rainbow said, frustrated at losing. Black Diamond let her up and laughed.

"Actually my special talent is with weapons, it has nothing to do with fighting." Said Black Diamond, stretching his legs for a jog.

"I can instantly use any weapon I pick up, no matter where it's from or what it is. But my fighting skill, my intuition, I had to learn that." He said, and Rainbow followed him as he began to jog around the track.

"Do you see what I'm trying to say Rainbow?" He asked and Rainbow nodded slowly.

"I think so, you're saying that no matter how much natural talent I have, there is always more to learn." Rainbow said, hoping that she was right. Black Diamond winked affirmatively.

"Now let's see if you're just as fast when you're not flying." He said jokingly. Rainbow smiled narrowing her eyes and pulled ahead. They raced around the track, both ponies not giving up, and Rainbow was reminded of the running of the leaves back in Ponyville. She pushed herself harder, as Black Diamond pulled a nose in front of Rainbow, but the gap was quickly closed.

'C'mon Rainbow, you gotta go faster, faster.' She screamed mentally, drawing on her last reserves of strength, she pulled in front of Diamond, inch by inch, until he gave up out of sheer exhaustion. Both ponies collapsed on the ground, and Rainbow could hear cheering. She turned to see that a crowd had gathered to watch the race. She could see Pinkie and Twilight, as well as Luna. Black Diamond, panting hard, crawled over to her.

"Well done Rainbow, I think I can put my fears about you to rest now. Providing you keep practicing with the sword. Rainbow smiled, exhaustedly putting her hoof on his back in a symbolic hug.

Applejack and the large sailor pony circled each other, their eyes locked, as though begging the other to make the first move. Applejack reached the young mare that the sailor had hit and put her hoof on her shoulder.

"Get out of here and don't look back." Applejack said, and the mare galloped off into the crowded streets. The large pony shook his head.

"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into." He said threateningly, and Applejack smirked.

"Neither do you." She replied, and they continued to circle each other. The sailor finally attacked, faster than Applejack had expected. She jumped out of the way, before bouncing forward with a punch of her own. She hit the sailor in the side of the head, and Applejack had expected to have his head become lodged on the cobblestones because of her super strength, but it didn't happen, as though her powers had worn off from staying sad for too long. Instead, the sailor's head just snapped back, and he staggered. He recovered quickly, attacking Applejack again, but he managed to hit her in the side. She gritted her teeth and hit back. The exchanged continued for a while, with no style, just punching and kicking as if they were fighting professionally instead of a brawl. Applejack laughed with joy as she got the upper hand on the sailor, tripping him up and beating him down.

She stood over him, panting, before looking around and seeing the shocked faces of the ponies that had gathered. Big Mac pushed past them and grabbed Applejack, leading her away before the police arrived. Applethunder and DuskDrift were waiting in an alley, having grabbed as much food as they could and hid. Applejack put her saddlebag on and they galloped through the side streets towards the edge of town. They stopped when they got outside the towns borders, all of them in a slight state of panic.

"That was great." Shouted DuskDrift happily and the others looked at her, confused.

"Galloping through the streets, fear of being caught by the police, it was thrilling." She said, elated at how things had transpired. The others started to laugh at the absurdity of the moment.

"You didn't get out much, did you sugarcube." Applejack said to DuskDrift, who shook her head. The waited until they had caught their breath before continuing down the road towards Ponyville.

Two uneventful days of walking later and Applejack they reached the top of a hill, with Ponyville stretching out below. Applejack smiled, simply glad to see a friendly and peaceful setting. As they made their way through the town, Applejack tried to ignore the stares they were getting. For a moment, Applejack thought she saw Derpy, but realised that she must have been mistaken. They headed towards the library, an enormous tree that had been hollowed, but still managed to grow larger every year. A single tear rolled down Applejack's face as she saw it, the place where her and her friends had planned all of their adventures, and was the first point of call during a crisis. Applejack opened the door to the library and her moth dropped open, as Applebloom pulled her lips away from Spike's, shocked and embarrassed.

"Applejack! Big Mac! You're here." Said Applebloom happily, galloping over to the two and hugging them. Applejack stared at her little sister, and was saddened to see how much had changed. Not only was Applebloom nearing Applejack's height, but she had also stopped wearing the pink bow, instead wearing her mane and tail in the same style as Applejack. But what shocked her most was the fact that Applebloom had her cutie mark. Applejack stared at the painter's palette over a hammer that rested on Applebloom's flank.

"Cousin Applethunder!" Exclaimed Applebloom, jumping on Applethunder. They all walked on to library at Applebloom's insistence and sat down. Applejack looked at Big Mac and could see him staring daggers at the now teenaged Spike. They were introduced to DuskDrift and sat their awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

"So how goes the funeral planning?" Said Applejack finally, and Applebloom's smile disappeared instantly.

"Ah've almost got everything sorted, I just need to find some photos of Granny Smith to put on display at the wake." She told them, and Big Mac stood.

"Ah need to talk to Spike for a moment, Aj, follow me." He said, and they followed Big Mac downstairs into another section of the library. Once out of Applebloom's earshot, Big Mac turned to him with an angry expression on his face and stared at him.

"What in the hay are you doin? Taking advantage of our little sister when she's in such a vulnerable state." He said, and Applejack could hear the venom in his voice. Spike backed away, holding his hands up as a sign of peace.

"What are you talking about? I'm not taking advantage of her, we're an actual couple, and have been for months now. Relax; seriously, you don't have to worry. I promise to treat her right and everything." Spike said nervously. Big Mac looked at Applejack and shrugged and she shrugged back.

"Fine, but if ah find out of any indiscretions. I will hunt you down and turn you into boots." Big Mac threatened. Applejack had to turn away so that Spike didn't see her giggle. They walked back to the others and sat down, as the awkward silence returned. Applejack could see that Applebloom had something to say, but was holding back.

"What is it sugarcube?" she asked, and tears began to roll down Applebloom's face.

"I… I just…. Why did you leave me all alone?" She asked and Applejack looked down, afraid of the question she knew was coming.

"I'm so sorry Applebloom. But ah had too, for love. I couldn't sit ideally by while the pony ah loved died. I hope you can forgive me." Applejack explained. Applebloom shook her head.

"Ah forgive you, I just wish you had given me some indication that I wouldn't be seeing you for about two years." She said, standing up and storming out of the room. Applejack started to follow her, but was stopped by Spike.

"Trust me, just give her some space for now." He told her and Applejack sat back down.

'Ah'm sorry Applebloom.' She thought.

Rainbow and Pinkie stared at each other, eyes narrowed. Their eyes burned with viciousness. In a pink blur, Pinkie leapt on top of Rainbow and held her down, laughing as she did so.

"Fine, you win. Now get off Pinkie, the mud is going on my mouth." Rainbow said irritably, as the crowd cheered. Rainbow stood and walked away with her head held low, hating that she had lost the impromptu iron pony competition that she and Black Diamond had started. Now that Rainbow had been eliminated from the wrestling event, it had come down to Pinkie and Black Diamond. Rainbow grabbed a towel and cleaned the mud off her face as the ponies got into position. Black Diamond was the first to attack, locking Pinkie's front leg into her shoulder. But Pinkie countered by dropping to the ground and using the mud to slide under Black Diamond. Pinkie pulled hard and Diamond was flipped onto him back, Pinkie put her hooves on his chest and held him as Luna counted to three. Rainbow cheered loudly as Pinkie struck a victory pose, and Black Diamond stood up laughing. He walked over to Rainbow and sat next to her as ponies lifted Pinkie onto their backs and did a victory lap of the track.

"You realise all this started because I was trying to teach you a valuable lesson." He said, and Rainbow laughed, realising that he was right.

"Yeah, but I learnt something else in the process. That to get what you want, you can't be afraid to push yourself a bit harder than usual." She told him and Black Diamond smiled.

"Now I know for certain that you are ready for battle." He said. Screaming suddenly erupted from behind them.

"Well we're about to find out." Said Rainbow.

Chapter 10

Rainbow galloped to the main tent, quickly throwing her armour on as the screams and shouts from the front got louder. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Pinkie and Twilight sharing a quick kiss and it made Rainbow worried. She strapped her sword to her back, adjusting it until she was able to fly at the same time. The last thing she put on was her helmet, which promptly slipped over her eyes, as Rarity hadn't finished making Rainbow her armour yet, meaning that Rainbow was stuck with a spare set that didn't fit her properly. She followed Pinkie and Twilight out of the tent, meeting up with Black Diamond and Twilight's second in command; Lightstar as they headed towards the shouting. Rainbow unsheathed her sword as she heard the distinctive sounds of griffins, an eagle's screech mixed with the roar of a lion. She took off, trying to get perspective on the situation and saw that the griffins had blasted through the defences and were laying waste to the camp. She landed beside Twilight and explained what she saw. Twilight nodded and flipped up the hood on her outfit that had replaced her armour. When they reached the source of the chaos, Twilight and Lightstar began to fire balls of fire to distract the griffins while Rainbow and Diamond galloped straight at them. Rainbow slid to the ground as a griffin swung a huge hammer at her. The hammer clipped her head and sent the helmet flying. Rainbow slid between its legs, slicing at the griffin's ankles as she did. The griffin howled with pain as Rainbow stood, jamming the sword in between its wings. It fell to the ground, dead, and Rainbow stared at it, shocked at how easily she had killed it. Black Diamond shouted something to her, but it sounded distant, muffled, as Rainbow's hooves quivered. She was shocked out of her trance by Black Diamond, who was shaking her. She turned to him, fighting back the tears that had filled her vision.

"Stay focused Rainbow, there aren't that many of them. Come on let's-" Diamond started, but suddenly he was wrenched away from her as a large griffin grabbed him by the throat. Rainbow could only stare as it took its sword and plunged it into Diamond's stomach. His eyes went wide and he screamed. Once again shocked back to reality, as the griffin tossed Diamond aside, the sword still embedded in him, and turned to Rainbow. She screamed loudly, animalistic, leaping on the griffin. She knocked it down and with one swipe, decapitated it. Rainbow could feel the transformation, and surrendered control to Rainbow Dark. What followed was like a dream, a wet, crimson-tinged dream. Rainbow could make out flashes of limbs flying and the fearful expressions of the griffins as they fell before her. A few times, she would receive glints of the pain that Rainbow Dark was feeling every time she got hit, but still she pressed on. She took back control when she stopped hearing any noise. For a moment, she stayed as Rainbow Dark, her eyes searching for any signs of movement. When she was certain that there was none, she took a deep breath, calming down and letting the transformation reverse. She galloped over to Black Diamond and found him surrounded by Twilight, Pinkie, Lightstar and to Rainbow's sorrow, Rarity. She bent down to look at Diamond, his eyes closed and his head being cradled by a crying Rarity. Rainbow hugged Diamond, and as she did, a small drop of her blood fell onto his body from a head wound she didn't realise she had. The blood trailed down his chest to the wound, now without the sword and they all gasped as the wound glowed golden for a moment and closed slightly.

"Oh my Luna! Rainbow, your blood, it's healing him! We need more." Shouted Rarity, fearful that she might lose her fiancé. Rainbow checked her head, but found that the wound had healed. In desperation, she grabbed Diamond's dagger out of its sheath and slit her arm, just above the hoof. The blood flowed from the rapidly closing wound, but the little that did found its way to Diamond's wound. It glowed brightly and Rainbow could make out the faint sounds of sizzling as the wound closed. Rarity laughed as it happened, and Rainbow hoped against hope that it worked. The wound closed completely. With a gasp, Black Diamond's eyes snapped open and he looked around in panic.

"Did I kill them all?" He asked, and Rarity kissed him, as Twilight patted Rainbow on the back. A single tear rolled down Rainbow's cheek as she grabbed Black Diamond and hugged him.

"I'm so sorry Diamond." She said, her voice full of fear and joy at the same time.

"What for, what did you do?" He asked, giving Rainbow a look. She shook her head.

"The details can wait, the important thing is that I failed you and I'm sorry." She said, looking at the ground in shame.

Applejack waited until it was dark before she finally went to check on Applebloom and found her lying on Twilight's bed crying. Applejack sat down next to her and waited for Applebloom to ask the questions she was now prepared for.

What happened to you?" Applebloom asked. "Ah understood that you were staying at the hospital to be with Rainbow, and then the next thing ah knew, Big Mac said that you were in a coma and that he was off to war." Applejack sighed, trying to find the best words to explain what she meant.

"Ah know darling, and ah'm sorry to have scared you like ah did. Rainbow had retreated into her own mind to escape the trauma of the attack. And Twilight found a way for me to go get her. So ah did. Ah'll explain the whole story another time, but the point is that ah was told that ah would be awake in two days and then when ah awoke, Twilight appeared and said that we had been asleep for a year and a half. Which, to my understanding, was because of a spell that Celestia used to keep us asleep until I succeeded with Rainbow." Applejack told Applebloom, and frowned at the sceptical look on her face.

"Ah swear it's all true." She added, and Applebloom shook her head.

"You can understand why ah don't believe you. It all just seems a little ridiculous." Applebloom said, and Applejack smiled.

"Trust me; it was ridiculous for me at the time as well." She said, and Applebloom smiled.

"Ah missed you big sister." She said, hugging Applejack, who embraced her and squeezed tight, never wanting to let go. Applebloom pulled away, smiling at her sister.

"So, you and Spike huh." Said Applejack and giggled at the blushing face of Applebloom.

"Yeah, well, after you and Big Mac left, ah had to harvest all of the apples by myself and one day Spike saw me and just started to help without even being asked. We started to spend a lot of time together and then one day he formally asked me to be his marefriend." Applebloom said, smiling as she remembered.

"Ah've actually been talking to Zecora about changing Spike into a pony so that we can be…. Closer." Said Applebloom said and it was Applejack's turn to blush, her eyes widened and she was at a loss for words.

"Uh…. What?" Applejack said finally. Applebloom laughed.

"Well ah'd like to have a foal someday and that can't happen if Spike is still a dragon so we have no other choice. Ah've talked to Spike about it and he said that he's willing if it's possible, but Zecora said that it is beyond the skills of herself or any unicorn." Applebloom said sadly. An idea formed in Applejack's mind and she took off downstairs, leaving Applebloom looking confused. She returned with Spike and DuskDrift.

"Ah think ah have the solution to your little problem." She said, looking at DuskDrift.

"Okay, what am I missing here?" DuskDrift asked, looking at the confused expression on Applebloom's face.

"DuskDrift, do you think that you could turn Spike here into a pony?" Asked Applejack and Spike's mouth dropped open, he turned to Applebloom.

"You told her about that!" He said and Applebloom smiled awkwardly.

"I suppose I could…. But there would be no guarantees and I would need you all to leave." Said DuskDrift. Spike put his hands up, telling them all to stop talking for a moment.

"Three things; Firstly, how does she do magic, she's a Pegasus. Secondly, assuming she can do magic, how does she do magic that apparently the most powerful unicorn can't do, and thirdly, why are you so up for it Applejack?" Spike said, and Applejack smiled.

"Well, because DuskDrift is no ordinary Pegasus, she's Luna's apprentice and she has been taught magic that is impossible for unicorns already. And as for your question, ah'm up for it because I can see in Applebloom's eyes how much she cares for you and I want her to be happy." Applejack replied, and Applebloom blushed. DuskDrift ushered them all out of the room and closed the door. Applejack told Big Mac the plan and he said nothing, instead taking a deep breath and whispering something to Applebloom that made her blush. For hours they waited, as screams erupted from the bedroom. Applebloom had to be held by Big Mac to stop her from bursting in on them as DuskDrift worked. Applethunder made them all some lunch, but they all barely ate anything.

'Ah hope ah did the right thing.' Thought Applejack, as Spike's screams got louder.

Rainbow flinched as The Doctor stuck a needle into her arm and pulled out some blood. Taking the vial, he shone his pen-light at it. The whirring noise became deep and the blood started to boil. The Doctor turned off the light and smiled.

"Remarkable, absolutely remarkable. Rainbow your blood not only has the properties to heal yourself, but can heal others. Fantastic! I have no idea of the magic or the science to why it works, but that fact is that it works." He said, and Rainbow frowned, the Doctor giving her no new information about what had happened. Rainbow turned as Black Diamond limped into the tent, the blood only healed the sword wound and none of the others he sustained during the fight.

"Well I'm just glad it did work." He said, standing next to Rainbow, who looked at him and could feel nothing but guilt. She had let him down and gotten him seriously hurt, and she would never forgive herself for it.

"Diamond, I can't believe how badly I let you down. I hesitated and you got hurt and-" Rainbow said, but was interrupted by Diamond, who stuck his hoof in her mouth.

"Rainbow stop. Please don't beat yourself up. I was the one who should have been paying more attention. I should have realised that you were going to get first-battle jitters. It was all on me, you are the one who saved my life. I owe you a debt I cannot repay." Said Diamond, hugging Rainbow. He produced some papers from the saddlebag that hung off his side and handed them to the Doctor.

"Can you sign these please? They're from Rarity, something about an armour upgrade she needs your help with." He said, and the Doctor smiled. Rainbow looked at Diamond, puzzled.

"How can you just brush off the fact that you died today! Like literally dead!" She said, not believing that he was so casual about it. Diamond looked at her, sighing.

"Because Rainbow, that's what happens. I don't fear death, because I know that my time will come when it does. Until then, I just try and do my best and protect those I care about." He explained, taking the papers back off the Doctor and leaving.

"Do you fear death?" She asked the Doctor, who laughed.

"When you've died the amount of times I have, it loses its novelty." He said cryptically. Rainbow didn't understand what he meant, but she did know that she DID fear death. A lot.

Chapter 11

Applejack turned as the sounds of Spike's deep screaming stopped. The door upstairs opened and DuskDrift made her way out. Applejack galloped to her as DuskDrift fell down the stairs in a pile. Her nose was bleeding and her eyes were bloodshot. Applejack carried her to the couch and laid her down, scared that her breathing was so shallow. DuskDrift smiled very weakly, looking at Applejack.

"I….I think I did it." She said, before passing out. Applethunder placed a blanket on her. Applejack and Applebloom stared intently at the door, waiting for Spike to make his way down. Applejack could see Applebloom getting worried as time went on. A sound made Applebloom take a deep breath, as a dark shape filled the doorway. Spike walked down the stairs and Applebloom gasped. Spike was indeed a pony, just as DuskDrift promised. He was lavender in colour, with a green mane that featured a light green stripe along the sides. Spike opened up his wings and Applejack smiled, which promptly disappeared when she saw Spike's tail. It wasn't what Applejack expected. Instead of a tail made of hair, Spike still had a very reptilian tail, complete with splade at the tip. His steps were shaky, as though he was still getting used to having four legs. Applebloom leapt at Spike and kissed him, and Spike wrapped his wings around her like the hands he had lost. Applebloom pulled away, and Applejack could hear Spike whisper "I love you" to her. Applejack smiled wider, and hugged Applethunder, whose mouth was wide in shock. Spike made his was slowly over to Applejack and hugged her.

"Thank you AJ." He said, smiling, and for the first time Applejack saw his eyes, which were still the same reptilian pupils as before.

"You should be thanking DuskDrift, without her, it wouldn't have been possible." Said Applejack, not comfortable with taking any of the credit, especially after seeing how much the spell had taken out of DuskDrift. Spike flapped his wings, testing them out. Applethunder stepped forward, shaking her head.

"Don't Spike, you will need to learn how to fly. I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself." She said, putting her hoof on his shoulder. He stopped, smiling awkwardly.

"Oh my Luna! Spike, look, you even have a cutie mark!" Exclaimed Applebloom. He twisted around to look at his flank. His cutie mark depicted a quill and parchment. On the parchment was a picture of a green flame. Spike yelled out with joy, jumping up and down with happiness.

"I'm a pony! I'm a pony!" He shouted, making Applejack feel very uncomfortable. She jumped, as Big Mac spoke up.

"Ah don't care if you're a pony or not. The same thing ah said before applies. You hurt my sister and ah hurt you." Said Big Mac, narrowing his eyes at Spike, who swallowed and smiled awkwardly. Applebloom and Applejack laughed. Big Mac shot them both a look.

"Oh you think ah'm kidding? Ah'm not. The only reason ah fight this damn war is to protect you both. And Ah'll have been dead for a long time before ah let some weak little excuse for a pony hurt my sister." He yelled, and Spike's ears flattened against his head in fear. Applejack pushed him away.

"Big Mac! What is with you? Ah though you would be happy that our sister has found somepony she cares about." She said, looking at him angrily. Big Mac stomped the ground, and a loud, resounding boom echoed throughout the silent library. Big Mac sighed, and closed his eyes.

"Oh Aj, ah wish you could understand. Ah…. Ah don't know how to be this pony anymore. The big brother, the father figure. Ah'm just a soldier now, a warrior. Ah kill because ah am told to now, not because ah'm protecting anypony." He said, and Applejack's heart broke as she saw a single tear glisten in the corner of his eye. She hugged him, and Applebloom soon joined in.

"Brother, you saved my life, and Rainbow's. You fight for all of Equestria and whether you realise it or not. You are the same pony, except now your focus is broader; you are the big brother to all of Ponyville now." Said Applejack and Applebloom kissed Big Mac on the cheek.

"It's true, have you both seen the memorial in town square?" She asked, and they followed her outside. Applejack shivered at the cold morning air, not realising that they had been up all night waiting for spike. Applebloom led them to Town hall, where a large rock sat in front. On the rock was an ornate plaque that read;

'This plaque is dedicated to those ponies fighting in the war. We know that they will show honour and dignity that Ponyvillians are revered for.' Underneath was a list of about thirty names, all of the ponies from Ponyville that had gone to war. Beside eleven of them was an 'X' and Applejack assumed that it represented the ponies that hadn't made it. At the top of the list was Big Mac's name, and a small message;

'Bravery isn't something you are born with; it is something you learn through years of being a good pony to all. You find the need to protect everypony as though they were your own kin, and you will discover that they are - Granny Smith' Applejack looked over at Big Mac and found him crying. She hugged him, as the giant, stoic stallion let his sorrow out into the world, proving to Applejack that he was still the same pony he was before the war.

Rainbow sat on archer's stage, and the dawn sun warmed her face. Dried vomit was caked around her mouth. She had been having nightmares since she killed the first griffin, which had caused her to throw up whenever she awoke, covered in sweat. She looked down at her hooves, and could only see the blood on them. She closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them, the blood had disappeared but she could still feel it, and no amount of washing could get the blood off. Seeing something out of the corner of her eye, Rainbow turned to find Pinkie walking toward her. Pinkie sat down and said nothing. They watched the sunrise together, and Rainbow could only see the dew covered poppies glisten in the light. Each red, shining flower reminding Rainbow of the bloodied griffins that were left after she regained control of herself. Pinkie moved a bit closer and put her arm around Rainbow.

"Is it coming off?" She asked, and Rainbow paled, looking at her quizzically.

"The blood. Is it coming of your hooves." She continued, and Rainbow sighed, shaking her head. Pinkie nodded, pulling rainbow a bit closer.

"Does it ever?" Rainbow asked, and Pinkie smiled, nodding her head. "When."

"When you separate yourself from the scene when you fight. When you stop taking your work home with you, so to speak. When I am forced to kill, I supress my emotions and focus on the task." Pinkie said, not taking her eyes off Rainbow.

"And what is the task?" Rainbow asked, the blood returning to her hooves.

"The task, Rainbow, Is simply to survive." Pinkie replied. "Rainbow, I think that's I'm ready to tell you my story. And about that tombstone in the graveyard." Rainbow went limp as Pinkie told her what had happened, about Rosethorn, about Pinkamina and the torture that she endured. Tears flowed down Rainbow's face when Pinkie had finished. She hugged Pinkie tightly, and kept repeating "I'm sorry" over and over. Pinkie hugged back, consoling her friend.

"How do you get through every day?" Rainbow asked, and Pinkie pulled out of the hug, smiling.

"I understand the reasons that I fight, and I never forget the ponies that I'm fighting for." Pinkie said, kissing Rainbow on the cheek. Rainbow wiped the tears from her face and smiled, thinking about the reasons that she fought. She kept thinking of Applejack, and her friends, and then she thought of herself, and it dawned on her. She was fighting because that's what she was about; Loyalty. She fought for everypony she held dear. She looked down at her hooves and the blood disappeared, then she looked out over the battlefield and she couldn't see the sea of blood that swayed in the wind, she could only see flowers. She turned to Pinkie and smiled.

"The Doctor was wrong, I'm still the element of loyalty, and I don't need some ridiculous piece of jewellery to tell me that. Don't you see Pinkie? That's why I fight. There are ponies that I must protect and I will do anything to complete my task." Rainbow declared to the smiling Pinkie, who nodded. Rainbow hugged her again, before opening her wings and taking off, she did a quick lap around the camp to wake herself up, and then landed in front of the research tent. Rainbow walked in to find Rarity drinking a cup of coffee and sketching something on a piece of paper. Rarity smiled when she saw Rainbow, who gave her a quick hug, glad to see her happy after the recent unpleasantness.

"I've got a surprise for you Rainbow." Rarity said, leading her over to the same large chest where Rainbow had found her sword. Rainbow opened it and peered inside, and her mouth dropped open. Inside the chest was Rainbow's armour, and it was stunning. The metal was peculiar, as it transitioned through the colours of the rainbow periodically and seemed to be made of a strange crystal substance. Rainbow could just make out miniature engravings of her cutie mark, as well as those of her friends along the front of the breastplate, and the helmet way very similar in design to the one that Rarity made for the gala dress that Rainbow asked for. There was a small pouch tied to the breastplate that Rainbow picked up and studied.

"Be careful with that darling, it contains the blades to go on the tips of your wings. I made them out the crystal as well, and trust me, they are very sharp." Said Rarity, showing Rainbow the marks on her arms where the blades had cut her. Rainbow smiled, then hugged Rainbow, amazed at the level of detail and the amount of work that must have gone into the armour.

"Thank you Rarity." She said, placing the helmet on her head and smiling, as she tried to move it around but it just wouldn't budge. It was the perfect fit, as was the breastplate and the armour plates that went on the forelegs.

"Oh and Rainbow, try not to lose any pieces, as that crystal is extremely rare and it is thoroughly unlikely that we will ever find more of it." Rarity added as Rainbow left the tent, wanting to show off her armour around the camp. Rainbow smiled, giving Rarity a wink.

"Don't worry Rarity; I don't plan to lose anything while I wear this armour."

Applejack applied the cool, damp cloth to DuskDrift's forehead, as she hadn't awoken or even moved since passing out at around dawn. Her breathing had slowed but she showed no other signs of being okay. Applejack shook her head and ran her hook through DuskDrift's mane. She turned to look at Applethunder, who was giving Spike a crash course in being a Pegasus.

"And that is why pegasi can fly, any questions?" asked Applethunder, and Spike raised his hoof.

"How can our bones be hollow, wouldn't they be too weak to support our bodies?" He asked and Applejack smiled as Applethunder facehooved.

"No, because our entire physiology is less heavy to compensate. Our muscles are less dense and our organs are more compact to lower the weight. Except for our lungs, they are very special. We have an extra air sac on the top of our lungs that when filled, make our entire bodies lighter and therefore easier to fly. Also, it is part of our ability to breathe in the upper atmosphere where other flying creatures, such as the griffins, cannot reach." Applethunder explained, but Applejack could see that Spike's brain had wandered off. She traced his line of vision to find it rested on Applebloom, who was with Big Mac, helping to plan the funeral. Applejack giggled, before walking towards him and giving him a light smack in the back of the head, and forcing him to pay attention to Applethunder. She walked upstairs and went out onto the balcony, looking out over Ponyville. She took a deep breath, and savoured the fresh, clean air that was without the stench of death. From her vantage point, she could make out some of the ponies she knew, such as Lyra, Bon Bon and Berry Punch. Applejack's smile grew wider as the memories of Ponyville flashed in the forefront of her mind.

'Ah cannot wait to come back here.' She thought, looking at the tranquil scene, which was broken in the manner of a piercing scream coming from the direction of Rarity's boutique. Applejack sighed;

'Does the conflict just follow me everywhere?' She thought, galloping downstairs and out the door.

Chapter 12

Rainbow smirked as the other warriors looked at her armour with awe, as the crystal splintered the light and arcs of rainbow ran along its length. She could see Luna approaching and she struck a pose, hoping to impress the Princess with her battle ready looks.

"That's very nice Rainbow. Looks like Rarity outdid herself this time." Said Luna, smiling. Rainbow nodded her head and lifted herself off the ground slightly, hovering so that she was eye level with the Princess.

"And you know what's even better? I think that I am finally ready for proper battle." Rainbow told her, flexing the muscles in her arms and boasting. Luna raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Oh really? Well, the next charge is in fifteen minutes, you are welcome to join them." She said, and Rainbow knew that the Princess expected her to back down. Rainbow agreed, much to the surprise of Luna. Rainbow flew back to the main tent and strapped her sword to her back. She turned as she heard Fluttershy behind her.

"Oh hello Rainbow. Are you going to fight today?" She asked sweetly, and Rainbow was glad to see that the war hadn't changed Fluttershy as much as she thought. Rainbow nodded, and Fluttershy smiled, giving Rainbow a pat on the back.

"Well don't be scared, I will be up on archer's stage watching your back." She said, and Rainbow smiled back, hugging Fluttershy. A question had been scratching the inside of Rainbow's mind for a while and it seemed like the perfect time to ask.

"Fluttershy, to be honest, you were the last pony I expected to see on the battlefield. Not to mention the way that you cut your mane and tail. You seem like a completely different pony to how I remember." Rainbow said, making Fluttershy blush.

"Oh I am? I'm sorry." She said quietly, making Rainbow giggle.

"Okay, maybe not complete different. But my point is; what drives you? I mean, Twilight has duty and Pinkie has whatever she has. So why do you fight?" Rainbow asked, and had to take a small step back as the most peculiar change came over Fluttershy. Her eyes became darker and her head was bowed low. She gave Rainbow a look that she had never seen on Fluttershy's face before.

"Rainbow, it thought I had explained all this? I am fighting because of you and Applejack. I am fighting so that the griffin responsible will pay for what she did to you. And like I said, I am going to kill her." Fluttershy said, unsheathing a dagger and lodging it onto the table top. Rainbow looked at it and saw that it had the initials 'R.D and AJ' carved into the blade. Rainbow narrowed her eyes at Fluttershy.

"I think that you are missing the point of revenge Fluttershy. It's my responsibility to bring Gilda to justice, not yours." She told her and Fluttershy raised an eyebrow.

"Uh…. No Dash. You don't have much say in this. I vowed to everyone, as well as on Celestia's grave that I would end Gilda's life. And I plan to." Fluttershy replied. Rainbow started to argue, but a trumpet call interrupted her, signalling the start of the next charge. Rainbow made her way out of the tent, pushing past Fluttershy in the process. She galloped down to the front and stood next to Black Diamond, taking up Big Mac's position as corporal. Black Diamond looked surprised to see her.

"Rainbow? What in the hay are you doing here?" he asked, and Rainbow looked past him to see a dust cloud of Minotaur approaching.

"That's what I'm doing here." She responded, smiling. She winked at Black Diamond, who shrugged and drew his sword. With a mighty battle cry, they charged and Rainbow was smiling despite the situation. She drew her sword as they got closer and for the first time, Rainbow got a good look and the Minotaur. Being soldiers, they were larger than other Minotaur that Rainbow had met or seen. They all seemed to carry either a battle axe or a very large hammer. Both of which they wielded with one hand. She ducked under the swing of a hammer as the two forces clashed. Rainbow jumped, thrusting her sword into the chest of the Minotaur. It cried out and Rainbow smiled wider. She pulled out her sword and the Minotaur fell, its eyes open wide in a look of perpetual shock. She looked around for her next target, and was surprised to find that the rest of the troops had pushed forward, leaving her behind. Rainbow dashed forward and made her way to the front of the pack, dodging the blades of both Minotaur and ponies alike. She spotted Black Diamond and pushed her way over to find him surrounded by Minotaur. Rainbow swung her swords at the back of a Minotaur's legs, and it fell backwards. The other Minotaur looked at their fallen comrade and that was when Black Diamond pounced. He jumped from Minotaur to Minotaur, cutting and stabbing until he landed next to Rainbow, panting hard.

"Thanks for the assist." He said, galloping off as another Minotaur charged at him. Rainbow smiled, proud of her accomplishment. She flew straight at the Minotaur, hitting it in the belly and winding it. With a swipe of her wings, she opened up the Minotaur's belly and it screamed, trying to hold itself together as Rainbow walked away casually as possible.

'I told Rarity I wouldn't lose while I wore this armour." She thought.

Applejack narrowed her eyes as she approached Rarity's boutique, which had been taken over by her cousin Elusive in her absence. Upon discovering that it was Roseluck that had screamed, Applejack opened the door of the store to find Rarity's cousin, covered in blood and the boutique being ransacked by three Minotaur, one of whom Applejack recognised. She approached him silently, trying her best not to antagonise them anymore than she had to. She tapped the Minotaur lightly in the shoulder and took a step back.

"Hello Iron Will. This all seems like a little low for you. Not selling your assertiveness training anymore." Applejack said mockingly. Iron Will turned around and the other Minotaur quickly dashed to his side.

"No. as a matter of fact, ever since the word got out that one pony, just one, wasn't satisfied with my program, well, I lost everything. And this seemed like the best course of action." He told her, and Applejack noticed for the first time his dishevelled and obviously drunken appearance.

"So what? Y'all are trashing stores for no reason?" She asked, curious as to the motive for such senseless violence. Iron Will laughed.

"Are you kidding? This wimp of a pony refused to pay protection to me. There's a war out there you know, and pony need the protection of someone like me." He told her, slowly advancing and Applejack scratched her head.

"Wait. So this is just extortion? Even ah think that that's lame." Applejack told him, diving out of the way as Iron Will swing a lazy punch at her. He pointed at Applejack and mumbled something incoherent, but somehow his gang members understood and attacked Applejack. She led them outside to where she had more room to manoeuvre and reached for her sword. As soon as she only felt air, she cursed herself for galloping into a situation without being prepared, but nevertheless took a deep breath and took up a fighting stance. The shorter of the two Minotaur charged, his sharp horns glistened as the enormous mass of muscle filled Applejack's vision. She rolled out of the way and jumped onto the Minotaur's back, holding him around the neck tightly as he bucked up and down in an effort to shake her off. With much practiced skill, Applejack led the Minotaur toward his friend and in a fit of wild rage; the smaller one hit the other, knocking him to the ground. The other Minotaur stood and punched the smaller one that Applejack was riding. She leapt to the ground as the two senseless Minotaur began to brawl in the street. Applejack made her way back into the boutique to find Iron Will passed out on the ground, with a patch of brown coloured vomit pooled around his head.

'Well that was anti-climactic and strangely disappointing.' Applejack thought, checking Elusive's pulse. Finding one she awkwardly lifted him onto her back and walked back outside, smiling as the two bruised and bloody Minotaur were being restrained by the police. A paramedic galloped over to Applejack, a stretcher being held aloft by his magic. Applejack laid Elusive down on the stretcher and had to lower her hat over her eyes as a wave of applause and cheers assaulted her. Very embarrassed, Applejack tried to push past them and ignore the requests for autographs and the constant praise. Eventually finding her way through the crowd of ponies, Applejack set of at a gallop towards the library. She slammed the door behind her when she arrived and told the group what had happened. Applethunder and Big Mac both patted her on the back for her good deed, but Applejack was surprised to her Applebloom protest.

"Why did you do that? It's just going to antagonise them further." She yelled, Applejack looked at her with confusion as she applied another damp cloth to DuskDrift's still unconscious body.

"You mean that this sort of thing has happened before." She asked, not able to believe that Ponyville was being kept in a perpetual state of fear because of a gang. Applebloom nodded, opening up a drawer and pulling out a scrapbook. She opened it and placed it in front of Applejack, whose eyes went wide at the news clipping that was inside. It was a piece about the rising crime rates in Ponyville, allegedly caused by the disappearance of the elements of harmony. Applejack shook her head, frustrated at the stupidity of the article.

"Are they joking? We've all been away at war; we can't fight on two fronts. And personally, I would have thought that we wouldn't have to. Ponyville is more than prepared to fight something like this. What happened?" Applejack asked, trying to justify herself to Applebloom.

"Ah know sis, but ever since Mayor Mare was replaced with this outsider named Flame, well, everything has just gone downhill. It's like he just ignores the crime going on. Everypony is scared, but won't say anything in case that one of his spies are listening." Applebloom said. A thought formed in Applejack's mind that made her laugh with both the genius and the absurdity of it.

"The funeral isn't for another few days is it sugarcube?" She asked Applebloom, who shook her head. "Well then, ah think it's time ah dusted off an old outfit.

Rainbow helped one of the troops back to the camp, his leg was broken by a war hammer, but he kept smiling all the while. Telling jokes as he limped back to camp with Rainbow's help. The battle was a roaring success, the ponies not losing a single soldier, and Black Diamond patted Rainbow on the back and congratulated her on a job well done. As the soldier that Rainbow was helping was being lifted into the air by unicorn doctors, she saw Luna approaching.

"And how was the first battle Rainbow?" She asked, with obvious smugness in her voice.

"Well to be honest your majesty, it wasn't what I expected. It was a lot faster and chaotic than I would have anticipated. But I survived, that's the main thing." Rainbow replied, much to the surprise of Luna.

"While I am glad to hear you say that. I am surprised that you got over your fear of killing so quickly. What has changed for you?" Luna asked. Rainbow smiled, thinking of Pinkie.

"You see Princess; I learnt that war isn't about senselessly killing your enemies. It's about defending everything, and everypony you hold dear." Rainbow told her. Luna nodded, smiling at her.

"Well done Rainbow. That is a valuable lesson to learn." She said, and Rainbow nodded once, looking Luna straight in the eye.

"I just wish I had figured it out sooner."

Chapter 13

pplejack avoided Big Mac's eyes as she dressed in a black and purple outfit, noticing how comfortable it still felt after such a long time. She reached for the black mask, and Applejack could make out her reflection in the silver eyes. She jumped as Big Mac snatched the mask away and threw it on the ground.

"This is crazy AJ! We aren't here to play dress up; we are here to bury Granny Smith." He yelled, and Applejack could see the others staring out of the corner of her eye. Very calmly, Applejack picked the mask back up and sat it on the table. She put her hoof on Big Mac's shoulder and looked him in the eyes, trying to think of the words to explain her reasons for what she wanted to do.

"Big Mac, I know, I do. But can't you see all how much Ponyville has taken a turn for the worst. I mean, thugs attacking Rarity's cousin for money, this never should have happened. And this mask, it's just to give everypony hope, to let them know that there is somepony willing to stand up against the corruption and the violence and fight back for the sake of Ponyville herself. Or think about it this way, why would I have these powers if it was not to help everypony, not just to be a killing machine." Applejack said, but Big Mac just shook his head and shrugged Applejack's hoof of his shoulder, before turning and walking out of the library, slamming the door behind him. Applejack turned as she heard a snort from behind her, as DuskDrift sat up straight, looking around with bloodshot and tired eyes. Applejack made her way over and passed DuskDrift a cup of water, helping her to drink. Applejack could tell by the way that she moved that she was feeling very weak, and obviously in a lot of pain.

"How does he look? Can I see him?" DuskDrift asked, referring to Spike. Applejack shook her head, helping her to lie back down.

"Not right now. Applethunder is outside teaching him to fly. But ah'm more interested in how you're feeling at the moment." Applejack said, regretting that she put DuskDrift in a situation that almost killed her. DuskDrift smiled.

"Oh he's a Pegasus? Cool. And to answer your question, well, I hurt all over and my vision is very hazy. I honestly think that it was just a bit beyond what I'm capable of." DuskDrift said weakly, as her eyes started to close and with a sigh, DuskDrift fell back to sleep. Applejack pulled the blanket onto her a bit more and walked back over to the mask. She slipped it over her head, taking a moment to get used to how the eyes made the world a little bit brighter. Applejack took a deep breath, stretching out all of her limbs. She took a quick look around for the item that completed the outfit; A large purple wide-brimmed hat. Finally stopping it on the hat rack near the door, she put it on, once again marvelling at how well it fit. She looked into a mirror and smiled underneath her mask, feeling a great sense of pride as she looked at her reflection.

"Looks like Mare-do-well is back." Applejack said to nopony, finding it interesting at how much more confident she felt in the costume.

Rainbow's thought's turned to Applejack as she cleaned the blood off her armour, finding the crystal remarkably easy to clean. She wondered how Applejack was coping back in Ponyville, and wished that she could be with her marefriend. She smiled as she pictured Applejack's face, and didn't even notice somepony sit next to her.

"Thinking about AJ?" Rarity asked, making Rainbow jump. She blushed as Rarity gave her a wink. Rainbow nodded, receiving a nudge from Rarity.

"Hey Rarity, I've been meaning to ask. How does your relationship…. Setup… Uh…. Work?" Rainbow asked, smiling awkwardly as Rarity raised her eyebrow.

"Well… It just does. I mean, I love Black Diamond with all my heart, but I love Princess Luna just as much. The only rational option seemed to be to share myself with them both." She told her, but it left Rainbow with more questions.

"And how do Diamond and Luna feel about the arrangement?" She asked, and Rarity sighed, looking off into space.

"As far as I know, they have no problems with it. I mean, Diamond had some trouble adjusting at first. But I think he's warmed up to the idea a bit more now. As for Luna… I just try to imagine how lonely she must have felt on the moon, and even before. Did I tell you that Luna attempted suicide when she was younger? I couldn't believe it. She told me that she had fallen for one of her servants, and the mare returned her affections. But then the mare's father found out, and despite the fact that she was a consort of the Princess… The mare's father killed her, ashamed to have such an abomination in the family." Rarity said, and Rainbow felt terrible, and could think of doing nothing but giving the Princess a hug.

"And as soon as she found out, she had the father arrested and the only that stopped her from exacting her revenge was Celestia. Luna ran away from Canterlot and was about to drop herself into an active volcano when it happened. Nightmare moon took over for the first time, and she razed the entire village where the mare's father had been living. Two thousand ponies died because of that one stallion. And Luna mourns every single death that Nightmare moon caused, every day, all day. Except for the times that she's with me apparently." Rarity continued, and Rainbow released the breath she had been holding the whole time. She was speechless, to think that such a godlike individual like Luna was just as susceptible to the same pains that befell everypony else was astonishing. Rainbow quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes as Luna herself walked through the door. Rainbow jumped of the seat and hugged Luna. Luna hugged back, encompassing Rainbow in her wings.

"Is everything okay Rainbow?" Luna asked, and Rainbow could hear the confusion in her voice.

"No Princess, I… I understand you a bit better is all. What was the mare's name?" Rainbow asked, still holding onto Luna. She heard Luna sigh, and could tell she was starting to cry by the tears that were falling onto her head.

"Her name was Midnight… Midnight Dream." Luna said, hugging Rainbow tighter.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Said Rainbow.

"Not as sorry as I am." Replied Luna.

Applejack hid in the shadow as the new mayor of Ponyville, Flame, walked past her into his office, shutting the door behind him. Her eyes narrowed as she examined him. He was a red unicorn, with an orange and yellow striped mane and tail. From what Applejack could make out, his cutie mark was a blue flame, surrounded by six small stars, and Applejack had the feeling that she had seen it before. Flame's horn glowed and a mirror floated up to his face. He started to talk to it, and Applejack noticed him getting irritated. Flame slammed the mirror back onto the table, breaking it. Applejack stepped from the shadows in the corner of the room.

"I believe that's seven years bad luck, Mister Mayor." She said, disguising her voice as best she could. Flame screamed slightly when Applejack talked, before clearing his throat.

"I'm guessing that you are the infamous Mare Do Well. I thought you had left Ponyville for good. You haven't been seen in years." He said, as Applejack made her way toward his desk.

"True, but everypony needs a holiday sometimes. Besides... Ponyville hasn't needed me until now. But I can't ignore the fact that there is a gang land presence here. Word on the street is that you have something to do with it." Said Applejack, smiling under her mask as a bead of sweat made its way down Flame's face.

"That's preposterous. I would never be involved is such a thing." He said nervously. Applejack shook her head. She thought about when she found about Granny Smith's death, using the strength to split his solid oak desk in half with a single punch.

"Lie to me again and see what happens." She threatened, and Flame's demeanour changed immediately. His nervous appearance disappeared, replaced with a cocky smirk and narrow eyes.

"Ooohhh looks like I have a badflank on my hooves. Interesting. But you're right; I control the Minotaur gangs in the area. In exchange for doing what I ask, I keep the police off their tail and half of the earnings." He told her, standing up and circling Applejack.

"Half? What do you gain out of it all if not money?" She asked, wary of the unicorn, watching his horn closely for any signs of magic. Flame laughed, much to Applejack's annoyance.

"What do I gain? I get power. The ponies of this stupid town trust me, as long as I keep telling them that I'm going to stop the crime, they're happy. You would be surprised to learn the power that fear can bring you Mare Do Well." He said, as his smirk grew into a malicious smile.

"Not to mention the fact that this war has them all extra scared of Minotaur. The businesses pay through the nose for protection, and either way, I reap the benefits. But I digress; I'd like you to leave please." He said. Applejack shook her head, advancing on him.

"I don't think so. This ends now." She said dramatically, as Flame pressed what appeared to be a hidden button. One of the walls slid down to reveal Iron Will and the same two Minotaur cronies that she had stopped the day before. This time however, they were all armed with bows, which were aimed directly at her. A sudden fear gripped her heart, spreading through her body, gluing her to the floor.

"You've already made a mistake Flame." Said Applejack, feeling the fear through her entire body, she focused her mind on the library.

"And what's that?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You think I'm the same Mare Do Well as before." Replied Applejack, vanishing.

Rainbow sat on a cloud, looking over the camp. Luna sat next to her, her eyes red after hour of crying. Rainbow was just as upset, after finally hearing Luna's story as well as the events that led to her mother's death. Rainbow was unaware that her mother, Firefly, was Celestia's best friend. She had only known that she had died in service to the throne.

"You know Rainbow, I was thinking the other day how similar you, Pinkie and I are. We all have an incredibly destructive dark side. We all lost ponies that meant the world to us, and we all fight for others, with no thought of ourselves." Said Luna. Rainbow smiled slightly and nodded, knowing that she was right.

"Not to mention that we are all fillyfoolers." Said Rainbow, laughing. Luna joined in, and Rainbow realised just how different Luna was compared to Celestia. Luna was nowhere near as confident as Celestia, nor was she as inherently deceptive about her plans. Luna was open with everypony when she made a strategy on the battlefield. And Rainbow noticed that despite the fear that Luna instilled in some ponies, she trusted Luna more than she ever trusted Celestia.

"I know what you're thinking Dash. How can I be so different from my sister? Well it's simple; Celestia and I saw the world very differently. Where she saw darkness, I saw everything that was revealed by darkness, the nocturnal animals, and the sounds that only accompany the night. She only saw the world in black and white. It was always either good or evil with her, yes or no. Whereas I have always known about the grey area, where nothing is as it seems." Luna explained, and Rainbow nodded, able to see that in Luna's eyes.

"You and I are alike Princess, and I'm proud of that." Said Rainbow, turning and looking down at the ground below. Suddenly she was grabbed by Luna, who kissed her. Rainbow's went wide and she struggled, but to no avail. Reluctantly, Rainbow embraced the transformation, letting Rainbow Dark throw Luna off her. She rose above Luna, shaking her head.

"NO!" Rainbow Dark yelled, before closing her wings and diving toward the ground.

Chapter 14

Rainbow Dark landed on the ground with a boom, the ground cracked beneath her hooves and a ripple of dust extended away from her. Other ponies in the vicinity backed away as she flared her wings and scowled, her eyes full of rage. Luna landed behind her and started to make her way toward her. Rainbow Dark turned and bellowed;

"No! Stay back. How dare you try something like that. It was not your place." She yelled, and Luna took a step back as spittle flew from Rainbow Dark's mouth. Rarity and Black Diamond galloped toward the scene, looking at Rainbow Dark in fear.

"Rainbow, what happened?" asked Rarity, still keeping her distance from the enraged Pegasus. Rainbow Dark kept her eyes fixed on Luna, the red irises glowing.

"You precious Princess Luna just forced a kiss on me." She told Rarity, who gasped and looked at Luna in shock.

"Is that true Luna?" Rarity asked, and Luna could only look at the ground and nod in shame. Rainbow could hear the hurt in Rarity's voice as she galloped over to Luna and slapped the Alicorn across the face.

"How could you! Do I mean nothing to you at all?" She screeched, and Rainbow Dark could see the tears running down Rarity's face. Luna looked her in the eyes and took a deep breath.

"Rarity, please…. I… I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." Luna said quietly. Rarity just shook her head and walked back to Black Diamond, who hugged Rarity as she cried.

"I don't want to talk to you Luna. Just stay out of my life for a while okay." Said Rarity and Black Diamond led her away. A single tear ran down Luna's face as she watched her leave. Suddenly, Rainbow Dark cried out in pain, as she quickly transformed back to normal for a moment and then back to Rainbow Dark. She flickered between forms, each time causing great pain, until it finally settled on Rainbow Dark. She shakily made her way toward Luna, breathing heavily.

"Luna, what have you done? You have disrupted Rainbow's powers by kissing her and cutting the connection to Applejack." Said the Doctor, emerging from the large crowd that had gathered around to watch. Rainbow took a moment to steady herself. Luna shook her head, her eyes wide and her voice fearful.

"I… Didn't mean…. Is there anything I can do?" she asked the Doctor, who walked over to Rainbow and shined his device at her. It made its usual whirring noise, before stopping and intermittently producing a high-pitched beeping sound. The Doctor sighed and looked at Luna.

"The… Energy I suppose… that fuels Rainbow's abilities has been practically cut off at the source. When you kissed her, you closed the connections between Rainbow and Applejack. That's why Rainbow is switching between forms, she doesn't have the endless source of energy that she used to, and barely any is getting through. And I have no idea what this is doing to Applejack's powers." The Doctor explained. Rainbow Dark pushed past him, heading straight for Luna.

"Applejack could die because of what you did!" She yelled, her voice completely distorted with rage. She flung herself at Luna, knocking the Alicorn down and punching her in the face. Luna threw Rainbow off herself and stood, as a small trail of blood flowed from her nose. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Rainbow Dark stand.

"If that's what you want, then bring it. You will find the true power of the Princess of the night." She bellowed in the traditional Canterlot voice. Her eyes started to glow white as Rainbow Dark attacked again.

Applejack groaned as the weight of the collapsing building pressed down on her. The gang had lit the school on fire with students still inside and Applejack was the only thing standing between the collapsing roof and the children. She stood on her back legs with her front ones holding up a support beam as the fire department ushered the children out of a small hole that they had blasted into a wall. She watched as the last filly was pulled out of the hole, clearing the building except for the teacher, Cheerilee, who was too big to fit through the gap. Applejack looked down at Cheerilee as she cowered on the ground. Tears of fear filled Cheerilee's eyes as burning cinders and smoke swirled around in the small space.

"Do you trust me?" Applejack asked her, as she was forced down by the weight. Cheerilee looked up at her, coughing up smoke.

"Yes… yes I do Mare Do Well." She replied, and Applejack smiled beneath her mask.

"Good, then grab onto me and hold tight." She said. Cheerilee did so as Applejack closed her eyes and forced the sad memory that she was holding onto away. The roof suddenly got much heavier as she lost her super strength; she quickly focused her imagination to envision the school's playground. She let her heart fill up with fear and teleported both herself and Cheerilee outside. The school crumbled as Applejack and Cheerilee landed outside. Fire fighter ponies rushed toward them with first aid equipment, as Applejack took off her hat and put out the small burn holes that dotted it. Cheerilee was coughing up smoke as a fire fighter used a special apparatus to force fresh air into her lungs. Another one offered the same device to Applejack, who shook her head, not needing it since her mask had an air filter built in for a situation such as a fire. The mayor and head of the Minotaur gangs, Flame, walked toward her. Applejack wanted nothing more than to think of her saddest memory and bury the unicorn's head into the ground. He was followed by reporters that were busy taking photos of the burning school as well as the Mayor and Applejack. Flame put his arm around Applejack, who grimaced under her mask at the thought of being touched by a pony that was such a moral sewer.

"This could have gone much worse if not for the intervention of Mare Do Well, who has pledged to aid me in my fight against the gangs that are plaguing our fair town of Ponyville." Exclaimed Flame to the crowd. He smiled for the cameras, before turning and whispering into Applejack's ear.

"Say anything about me, and the next attack won't be something you can save anypony from. Think arrows in sugarcube corner during a party." He whispered. Applejack felt the surge of electricity rush to her hooves, ready to give Flame an electro-punch that would singe the hair off his face. She repressed the emotion, knowing that hitting him would send a bad message to the ponies that she was trying to help, as well as put them in direct danger from attacks by the gangs. Gritting her teeth, Applejack waved at the crowd and shook Flame's hoof, posing for a photo. She suddenly cried out in pain as her mind was assaulted with layers and layers of emotion, sending her powers wild. Flame took a few steps back as giant arcs of lightening shot off her body. She cried out again, and her voice splintered an old oak tree that had stood in the schoolyard for one hundred years. The crowd screamed and started to run away, taking quick photos as they did. Applejack began to teleport wildly, catching the briefest glimpses of Sweet Apple Acres, the town hall, and even the Cloudsdale coliseum. Finally her powers seemed to settle as she teleported to the library, slamming through the wall with super strength. DuskDrift and Applethunder galloped over to her as she collapsed onto the ground, exhausted. Applethunder pulled the mask off her head as DuskDrift levitated her to the bed upstairs, albeit with great effort, as she was still weak from altering Spike. Applejack was laid down on the bed, coughing up a small amount of blood.

"I…I need Rainbow." She said weakly, before passing out.

Rainbow Dark was blasted through a water tower by Luna's magic, sending the hundreds of gallons of water that was inside cascading over the camp, knocking over tents and sweeping ponies away. Rainbow attacked again, tackling Luna and forcing her to the ground. The two super powerful ponies traded blows, with Rainbow Dark looking to punish and Luna just looking to protect herself. Each punch was akin to a small explosion, as dark blue and dark rainbow energy spiralled from both ponies with every impact. Luna grabbed Rainbow Dark's leg and flung her at archer's stage. Rainbow Dark hit the main support beam and the entire structure collapsed on top of her. She burst out of the wreckage, and galloped straight for Luna, only to have an arrow pierce her back leg and stick into the ground. Rainbow tripped, slamming her face into the dirt as another arrow went into her left front leg, pinning her to the ground even more. Rainbow Dark looked around for the source of the arrow and found Fluttershy hovering above what remained of archer's stage, another arrow cocked and aiming at Luna.

"Enough! Both of you!" Yelled Fluttershy, letting the arrow loose, it landed in between Luna's front legs. Luna took a step back, still staring Rainbow Dark in the face.

"Look around at what you have done. The camp is trashed; there are ponies that almost drowned because of the water tower and archer's stage, my sanctuary has been destroyed because neither of you can control your impulses." Fluttershy continued. Rainbow Dark did her best to look around and take in the chaos that she had helped create. An entire section of tents had been flattened, the ground now nothing more than a pool of mud and water. Archer's stage was just a pile of splintered wood and Rainbow could make out ponies being given CPR in the distance. She pulled the arrows out of her legs and stood, the wounds healing over instantly. Rainbow Dark looked at Fluttershy and saw how upset she was. The transformation reversed and Rainbow looked downwards, ashamed.

"I'm sorry Fluttershy. I lost control of myself." She explained, looking back at Luna and giving her a dirty look.

"But can you blame me? Luna put all of our lives at risk. If I can't access or control my powers, how am I meant to fulfil that prophecy?" Rainbow said. The Doctor walked in between the scowling ponies, looking at them both nervously.

"Rainbow, while we both agree that Luna did the wrong thing, she had no idea that I would affect your powers in the way that it did. I'm sure she feels as bad as you do." He said, desperately trying to defuse the tense situation. Rainbow scoffed and turned, heading towards archer's stage with the intention of helping Fluttershy rebuild it.

"He's correct Rainbow. It was not my intention to put everypony at risk with my actions." Said Luna, wiping blood off her face as she talked.

"Then what was your intention Princess?" Snapped Rainbow, not looking at Luna.

"I just wanted what you and Applejack have; a pony that I can call my own, and not have to share her with anypony else." Luna explained. Rainbow turned, as Fluttershy put her bow away and landed beside her.

"I think that it's a bit late for that now. " Said Rainbow angrily.

Applejack vomited into the bucket beside her bed as Applebloom held her mane out of her face. Her entire body ached and her powers kept fluctuating, one moment she would have super strength and the next she would be teleported into the library's basement. She wiped the last of the vomit from her mouth and sat back, breathing heavily. Applebloom went to kiss her on the forehead, but pulled back suddenly.

"Ow! You just electrocuted my face." Exclaimed Applebloom, as her eyes watered from the pain.

"Ah'm so sorry sugarcube. Ah have no idea why my powers are going all funny like this." Said Applejack. Applebloom smiled, trying again and succeeding to kiss her on the forehead.

"AJ, ah was going to say this earlier, but….. Ah think that Granny Smith would be proud of the pony that you have become." Applebloom said, and Applejack smiled. She could feel her powers settle slightly as she remembered Granny Smith and all of the good times she had spent with her over the year. She started to cry as she thought of never seeing her again. Applebloom hugged her, albeit very cautiously.

"Ah miss her so much Applebloom."

"We all do AJ. But we have to fight on, show the gangs and that pig of a mayor that they can't mess with Ponyville. That's what Granny Smith would have wanted." Applebloom told her. Applejack nodded. She started to say something, but was interrupted by another wave of vomit.

'I will do Granny Smith proud, powers or no powers.' Thought Applejack, as Applebloom grabbed her hair and held it out of the way.

Chapter 15

Rainbow stretched as she straightened herself out, lying on the bed face down. She opened up her wings and let them fall limply at her sides. She had just finished helping Fluttershy and a few others rebuild archer's stage after her intense fight with Luna that had devastated the pony camp. On top of that, the griffins had noticed that the ponies were rebelling against their leader, and were attacking with a renewed viciousness that the pony forces were barely holding out against. Rainbow had just gotten back from defending the camp from a raid, and much to her displeasure and annoyance, had to take orders directly from Luna, as Black Diamond still hadn't fully recovered from the injuries that he had sustained a few days earlier. Rainbow heard another pony enter, but was too exhausted to lift her head and see who it was.
"Hello Rainbow, how are you today?" Asked the pony, and Rainbow recognised it as belonging to Twilight's second in command; Lightstar. Rainbow lazily lifted her wing in greeting, and groaned from the effort that the past few days had wrought.
"You look terrible. I know what will help." Said Lightstar, walking over to Rainbow. She began to massage her back with expert skill, making Rainbow feel the kind of pain that she hadn't felt in a long time, the same kind of pain that she felt after a strenuous training session, when you are hurting, but you don't mind because you know that you accomplished something.

"I thought your special talent was destroying stuff, not sports therapy." Said Rainbow, as Lightstar moved onto Rainbow's wings. Lightstar giggled, pressing down on Rainbow's wing with enough force to stimulate the sinewy muscles that the wings had.
"Well, you're technically right, but it doesn't mean that I can't have other hobbies right? Besides, when I left the gang, I had to find some sort of industry that I could do in my spare time." She told Rainbow, who turned over and gave Lightstar a look.
"You were in a gang?" Said Rainbow, startled to learn that a pony that always seemed so sweet and motherly, despite her talent for destructive magic. Lightstar nodded, sighing before continuing her story.
"Yeah, hard to believe isn't it? But that's what the stars around my cutie mark mean. You see, when you join this gang, you receive a tattoo of a small star around whatever cutie mark you happen to have, and another one is added every time that you move up a rank in the organisation. The highest amount is six stars, which the leader at the time, Flame, had. I reached the forth rank before the… uh… accident where I hurt somepony that I care deeply about." Lightstar explained, becoming more and more choked up as she told Rainbow the story. Rainbow gave her a hug, before Lightstar cleared her throat and pushed Rainbow back down and continued the massage.
"But anyway… I'm here now, doing good and that's all that matters." She said, moving her hooves down to Rainbow's lower back. Rainbow groaned, before giggling at the great feeling. She heard another noise, and Lightstar stopped the massage abruptly. Rainbow turned her head to see Black Diamond limp into the tent, and Rainbow had a quick flash of memory to the time that he had been stabbed through the stomach by a griffin. He smiled as he walked over the table.

"Do you want one too Diamond?" asked Lightstar playfully, making Diamond smile.
"No thanks, the ones I get are a lot more…. Intimate." He said, winking as he picked up some files and put them into a saddlebag. Both Rainbow and Lightstar burst out laughing. Diamond walked out of the tent smiling as he did so.
"You know, there are ponies that I can't believe that they spend their entire lives killing and act like they are bakers. I mean, look at Diamond. He is one of the best fighters that we have in the military, and one of the few ponies that I think could take down Rainbow Dark for good, and yet, he almost always has a sunny demeanour and makes jokes at the most inappropriate of times." Said Rainbow, watching him leave. Lightstar stood, walking over to the table and sitting on one of the chairs.
"What's so surprising? We are all just normal ponies, we just have a particularly difficult job that requires a lot of resolve." Said Lightstar, raising an eyebrow at Rainbow.

"I know that, but it still just seems weird to me. Even if I'm becoming one of those ponies." Said Rainbow, and a shiver ran down her spine at the thought. Lightstar shook her head and smiled.
"It's not all that bad Rainbow. Sometimes the fight is necessary, even if you can't become a rage fuelled super pony that can tear through a dragon like you were diving into a pool." Said Lightstar, shrugging. Rainbow shot her a look, before rolling off the bed in an effort to get up with the least amount of movement. She yawned, feeling her eyes droop. She was shocked back to reality as a trumpet sounded.
"What? Again?" Said Lightstar, looking out the window. Rainbow made her way over and peered out to see a cloud of dust on the ground and a black cloud of writhing griffins in the sky. She quickly turned and galloped over to her bed, putting the blood stained crystal helmet back onto her head.
"Are you ready Lightstar?" asked Rainbow. A small flame appeared above Lightstar's horn, it flickered blue for a moment before going out.
"I love the smell of burning feathers in the afternoon." Smiled Lightstar. Rainbow pulled the last strap on her armour and looked at her.
"Me too."

Applejack reached for her mask, slowly and painfully putting it over her head, ignoring the protests from Big Mac and Spike. She stumbled as she took a step towards the door of the bedroom, and Applebloom caught her.
"AJ, please get back into bed. Spike and ah will take care of this." Said Big Mac, referring to the hostage situation that had taken place at Sugarcube corner. Applejack shook her head, shrugging Applebloom off and standing up as straight as she could.
"NO! Ah only have two days left before Granny Smith's funeral and I have to finish this before then. Because I will not be returning to the war with the gangs still in power. And besides, neither of you have any powers that could get you out of a situation such as this if it goes wrong. Now get out of my way." Said Applejack, trying to push past Big Mac but having no luck.

"Applejack… NO." Said Big Mac forcefully. Applejack stared into his eyes and saw the determination that he was feeling.
"You know I could just teleport out of here." Said Applejack, hoping to bluff her way past. Big Mac smirked and shook his head.
"Ah don't think so, Ah know that you have now control over your powers at the moment. So do what ah say and get back into bed. Please AJ, Spike and ah have this." Pleaded Big Mac. Applejack sighed, turning back toward the bad and sitting down. She pulled the mask off her face and handed it to Big Mac.
"Here, you will need this." She said, and raised her eyebrow as Big Mac shook his head again.
"Actually AJ, Spike and ah kind of got inspired by you and made our own costumes." He told her, looking at DuskDrift and nodding. DuskDrift cleared her throat and bowed her head.

"Airtseuqe Niatpac dna Hcrot Ynop esira." Said DuskDrift, and her eyes glowed. A blue swirl appeared around Big Mac's legs and a red one appeared around Spike's. It started at their hooves and made its way over their entire bodies, covering them both in a skin-tight costume. Big Mac's was blue and white, and featured a half mask that showed his mouth. He had a shield that had Celestia's cutie mark in the middle strapped to his right arm. Spike's costume was red and shimmered with heat.

"What do you think AJ, I'm the pony torch and Big Mac is Captain Equestria." Said Spike, giving her a wink before exhaling a breath of green fire. His suit caught alight and yet he seemed fully protected from the flames.
"Yeah, it turns out that DuskDrift's spell didn't change me completely into a pony. I can still breathe fire and am impervious to heat." Spike continued. Applejack's mouth dropped open and her eyes widened in shock and awe.
"But ah thought you were against my costumed shenanigans Big Mac." Said Applejack, watching as Big Mac adjusted his mask slightly. He smiled, walking toward her and giving her a hug.
"Ah was, but then ah saw all of the good that you were doing and decided that maybe it was for the best." Big Mac explained. She hugged him back and he helped her to lie down on the bed.
"Now relax, we can handle this." Said Spike. Big Mac and Spike stated to leave, and then Big Mac said;
"Oh… And AJ, just remember that you got your wish. You inspired ponies to stand up for what themselves and become better." Applejack smiled and the two ponies finally left. Applejack took a deep breath and silently prayed to Luna that they would return safely. DuskDrift coughed, and Applejack could see a tiny bit of blood on the handkerchief that she used to cover her mouth.

"Are you okay sugarcube?" She asked. DuskDrift smiled, nodding her head.
"I'm fine; I'm just still feeling the effects of the magic that I used to change Spike into a pony." Explained DuskDrift.
I'm sorry that ah pressured you into doing it." Said Applejack. DuskDrift walked over to the other side of the bed and lay down next to Applejack.
"Don't stress, to be honest I was glad to do it, makes me feel that I have a purpose. That I'm not just a senseless killer or an immense magical screw up. I'm actually somepony that can change lives in a positive way. Part of that is because I was inspired by you elements of harmony, so thank you." Said DuskDrift. Applejack smiled, glad that she had actually made a difference to ponies lives. Her eyes started to close and she let herself fall back into sleep, hoping that she would be able to finish her mission soon and bring Flame to justice.

Rainbow pulled her sword out of a Minotaur's chest, breathing heavily with exhaustion. She then opened her wings and took to the air, aiding the other pegasi with the griffins. Rainbow caught a quick glimpse of Derpy as she grabbed a griffin from behind and twisted its neck around. She ducked between the arrows that shared her flight space, with many of the ones that hit griffins having the pink tail feathers that Fluttershy favoured. Rainbow blocked a sword, kicking the griffin away with as much force as her weary body could muster. She considered transforming into Rainbow Dark, but knew that it was dangerous for her with her powers in constant fluctuation. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Luna flying toward her with a scroll in her mouth. Rainbow's eyes glowed red and with a renewed energy, she stuck her sword into the griffin's throat.

"Rainbow, I need you and Derpy to push the griffins back. Some of the other pegasi will flank them and Fluttershy and her archer's will funnel them toward you. Then I need you to transform and-" Said Luna, before Rainbow stopped her.
"I can't transform, my powers are still not settled completely. It could do serious damage to me or other ponies around me." Rainbow said angrily, not looking at Luna. Instead, she slashed a griffin across the stomach as it headed for her.
"That's a risk I'm willing to take." Said Luna. Rainbow turned, her eyes glowing even brighter. She noticed a griffin heading straight for Luna, an axe raised. Rainbow hesitated, unsure whether Luna deserved it or not. Just as the griffin was upon her, Rainbow threw her sword, and it whistled past Luna's face, cutting her cheek slightly. The sword hit the griffin in the chest, and it screamed, dropping its axe. Luna turned, gasping when she saw how close it was. She gently pulled Rainbow's sword back as the griffin started to fall. Luna handed the sword back to Rainbow.
"Why didn't you just let it kill me?" asked Luna. Rainbow snatched the sword out of her grasp and glared at Luna.
"Element of loyalty remember. Just don't expect it again."

Chapter 16

Applejack was shaken awake by Applebloom, her cheeks were stained with tears and her voice was cracking. She dragged Applejack out of the bed and downstairs, where Applethunder and DuskDrift were crowded around Big Mac and Spike. Applejack sighed as she saw the wounds that covered both of their bodies. Big Mac had an arrow sticking out of his side and from what Applejack could see, one of Spike's wings were broken. Applethunder opened up Spike's wing, and he winced, gritting his teeth. DuskDrift was gripping the arrow as Big Mac placed a piece of wood in his mouth and bit down on it.

"Evomer eht worra." Said DuskDrift, and both her eyes and the arrow started to glow white. Big Mac screamed as the arrow was pulled out. The wound closed behind the arrow and was stitched up by a needle of magic. Applejack sat down in front of them both and glared at them. Applethunder led Spike over to a table and laid out the broken wing. Applejack could just see where it was broken from the very large bruise in the centre of the main wing bone and the fact that it was pushed up slightly at that point. Applethunder took the piece of wood from Big Mac and stuck it in Spike's mouth.

"Applebloom, come here and hold the wing steady for me could you?" asked Applethunder. Applebloom walked over to them and Applejack could see that she was scared and trying to hold back as many tears as she could. She took hold of Spike's wing and held it gently as Applethunder pushed down on the broken bone. Spike screamed, and a gout of green flame disintegrated the piece of wood in his mouth. Applethunder quickly began to wrap the bone tightly in a bandage, setting the bone temporarily.

"Applejack, Applebloom and I are going to take him to the hospital to get a cast put on the wing." Said Applethunder, helping Spike up, but she was stopped by Applejack.

"No. ah want to know what went wrong." She said, looking deep into Big Mac's eyes.

"AJ, if we don't do it soon, the wing could heal wrong and be useless." Protested Applethunder, pleading with her. Applejack just shook her head.

"Well then they better talk fast. Did you save the hostages?" She asked, looking at Big Mac, who nodded once.

"Yeah AJ, we did. We busted in there, creating a huge distraction. Then Spike kept the Minotaur occupied while ah helped the hostages into the street and behind the line of police. Then Iron Will snatched Spike right out of the air and threw him into one of the glass display cases and when he didn't get up… ah attacked, and managed to bring down his two guards before he grabbed an arrow off the ground and stabbed it into my side as we wrestled. The police burst in at the same time and shot him just as he was about to finish me off, and then we came back here." Big Mac told her, and Applejack narrowed her eyes at him.

"So Iron Will is dead now?" She asked, and Big Mac shook his head.

"No such luck. The arrows they shot him with were laced with a paralytic. He just won't be able to move for a while." He replied, and Applejack slapped him across the face and then hugged him.

"You're a dang fool Big Mac, but ah'm glad that you're okay. But next time, ah'm going with you, No questions asked." Applejack said, pulling out of the hug at the same time. She looked at Applethunder and nodded, letting her know that she could take Spike away. Applethunder left, carrying Spike on her back, and Applebloom followed. Applejack turned back to Big Mac and sighed.

"This is more fun that ah would care to admit." Said Big Mac, smiling. Applejack gave him a look and then stood. She bent down and picked up Big Mac's shield, wiping the dirt off it with her hoof. Celestia's cutie mark glistened in the dim light. She took a deep breath and passed it to Big Mac, who strapped it to his arm and stood.

"Shall we?" He asked, smiling even wider. Applejack smiled and rifled through her pocket for her mask, which she promptly pulled over her face.

"We were meant for this weren't we big brother?" She asked and Big Mac nodded.

Rainbow pushed Luna away as she latched onto her. The attacking griffin was a blur as it flew past. Circling around and brandishing a large hammer. Rainbow's eyes flashed red once more as the hammer was brought down toward her head. She moved closer grabbing the handle of the hammer and wrenching it out of the griffins grip. Then, using the hammers momentum, swung it back around and hit the griffin in the chin. Rainbow closed her eyes as blood splatter hit her face. The griffin spiralled out of the sky toward the ground and Rainbow let go of the hammer. She turned to Luna and saw the small tears in the corners of her eyes.

"Go back to the camp Luna. The griffins have no treaty with you and will gladly cut you down if they have the chance." She told her. Luna nodded and headed back toward the camp as fast as she could. Rainbow shook her head as she watched her go, wondering how such a timid pony could have brought an entire country to its knees. Rainbow was forced sideways as a tremendous force hit her side and flew her downwards.

"Don't just sit around waiting to be attacked, be proactive." Yelled Derpy, letting go and throwing Rainbow toward a large group of griffins that were part of another wave. Rainbow smiled, unsheathing her sword and flying headlong into the group. Her eyes flashed red again as she tackled the lead griffin, thrusting the sword into its stomach at the same time. She spun away, slashing another across the belly. She felt a wing brush across her back and quickly turned to find Derpy flying back to back, sword in hoof and a smirk on her face.

"Derpy?!" Exclaimed Rainbow, watching as Derpy dodged an axe, punched the griffin in the face and then slashed its throat, all within the space of a second. She was graceful and deadly, not making a wasted movement as she blocked and attacked the marauding creatures.

"Rainbow, pay attention." She said, and Rainbow turned as a sword raked her cheek. Thin trails of blood made their way down to her mouth. The taste of iron began to trigger the transformation and as much as she tried to fight it, she knew it was hopeless. With a cry of pain, her coat changed to dark blue and her mane and tail took on a darker shade, and for the first time, thick lines of a dark fluid like substance branched out across her crystal armour.

"Derpy… Run!" She yelled, feeling all of her control leave her. Derpy turned, only to be batted away by Rainbow Dark's immense strength. She spiralled to the ground as Rainbow Dark smirked. She looked back at the griffins and her smile got wider when she saw some of them back away. The fear in their eyes giving her great satisfaction.

"Oh yeah, that's right… Beware my power." She said, and her eyes flashed again.

Applejack and Big Mac walked into the Ponyville police station, only to be stopped by the chief, a unicorn named Coffee Shot. Big Mac shot him a look and the much smaller pony stood aside, smiling awkwardly. The two ponies entered the interrogation room, where Iron Will was chained to a metal table. As far as Applejack could tell, he had only regained the use of his head and mouth and a tiny bit of movement in his fingers.

"Well look who it is; Mare Do Well and, what was your name? Captain Equestria? What do you want?" He asked, as Applejack and Big Mac sat on the chairs across from him.

"I just want you to tell us just how much Flame is involved in your operation. And don't lie; I'm in no kind of mood." Said Applejack, slamming her hoof down on the table and in an amazing moment of luck, had it crumple where she hit. Iron Will jumped at the sound and his ears drooped low to his head.

"I don't know what you are talking about." He said, swallowing as Big Mac raised an eyebrow. Big Mac looked at Applejack and smirked. Applejack gave him a nod and he stood, walking around behind Iron Will and putting a hoof on his shoulder.

"Tell us what you know and we will see about getting your sentence reduced." Said Big Mac, and Iron Will scoffed.

"So that's your game, good cop, bad cop. Well it's nowhere near as effective when you are wearing those ridiculous costumes. And besides, I'm not worried, I know that somepony has my back on the outside." He told them, and Applejack smiled under her mask.

"So it IS a pony then." She said, trying to call him out.

"No, what makes you say that?" Asked Iron Will, looking around with nervous eyes.

"Well you just said Somepony instead of sometauro like most Minotaur do, which makes me think that you are being backed by a powerful pony, one with the connections to get you and your friends out of prison. And I can only think of one pony with those kinds of connections; Mayor Flame." Said Applejack calmly, and Iron Will's eyes went wide and he began to stammer.

"Well.. That's .. Just preposterous. We would never associate with a pony like that." He said nervously.

"A pony like what?" Asked Big Mac, not missing a beat.

"A pony like Flame."

"And why not?" Asked Applejack.

"Because he's cruel! He leads us with an iron hoof and punishes us severely if we fail." Iron Will exclaimed, awkwardly pulling up the leg on his ripped shorts to reveal a very large, shiny burn. Applejack gasped, but managed to hide it from Iron Will, who broke down and started to cry loudly. Applejack and Big Mac left the room and found Coffee Shot coming out of the door next to them.

"Did you get all that?" Big Mac asked and Coffee Shot nodded, walking past them and leading them to a room that was full of police.

"Okay Stallions, gear up, we have a big arrest to make. It's the Mayor; he's the leader of the gangs that we have been fighting for so long. Let's go get him!" He yelled to the assembled ponies, who quickly sprang into action and got ready for either a very peaceful arrest or a full blown war, either way, they all put on padded vests and helmets to protect themselves. Coffee Shot tuned to Applejack and Big Mac as she clipped the helmet securely onto his head.

"Will you both be joining us?" He asked and Applejack just nodded in response. The police marched out of the station in force, and headed straight for town hall, but as they started to surround the building they were assaulted with arrows and fireballs, all stemming from within. The police retreated, lest they be annihilated.

"How did he find out that we were coming?" Big Mac asked as he and Applejack dived behind the monument in the town centre. Applejack shrugged, quickly poking her head out the side of the rock, before pulling it back sharply as a large fireball landed right were her head had been.

"Okay, I can see Flame on the top floor balcony. And It looks like there are a few police in the windows next to Minotaur. I'm guessing they are the ones that were being paid to get the Minotaur off the hook. Big Mac… We need help. They have to have hostages, think about it; it's the middle of the work day, all of the officials must be inside right now." Said Applejack, her voice full of worry.

"Pity Derpy isn't here; she would just bring the building down on top of them by accident." Joked Big Mac, smiling. Applejack hit him in the arm.

"This is serious, what are we going to do?" She asked, "Like you said earlier, I couldn't teleport, even if I wanted to. But if we don't do something, it could be a disaster."

"Do you think we can make it back to the library? I have an idea." Said Big Mac. They both made a break for the library, with Big Mac and his shield protecting both Applejack and himself from the onslaught of Flame's troops. They busted through the door of the library to find Applebloom, Applethunder, DuskDrift and even a weary Spike, his wing encased in a white plaster cast.

"We have a problem, and you are the only ones that can help." Said Applejack, tearing off her mask and smiling at her assembled family and friends.

Chapter 17

Rainbow Dark tore through the griffin army as they attacked her in force, with every move she made ending in the death of one of Gilda's kinsmen. She was one minded, focussing on getting herself to the griffin camp and ending the war once and for all. Some griffins retreated from her, as her irises glowed blood red and the smirk on her face grew. Rainbow Dark gripped one of the griffins by the throat and squeezed, laughing as she watched the light drain from his eyes. She looked around, and saw that she was alone in the sky, the clouds around her were splattered with blood and the ground below her was littered with corpses. She closed her wings and nosedived toward the ground, picking up speed as she positioned herself above the Minotaur forces that were charging at the pony camp. The resulting impact sent a wave of rainbow coloured energy rippling outward and tearing through the exposed flesh of the Minotaur. She let out a loud war cry that echoed across the now silent battlefield. Black Diamond nervously made his way toward her, and Rainbow Dark could smell his fear.

"Rainbow… Are you okay?" He asked, slowly walking up to her, one step at a time. She smiled, as the glow of her eyes dimmed and her heavy breathing began to slow.

"I'm fantastic!" She exclaimed. Diamond looked at her and Rainbow started to enjoy the fear she saw in his eyes.

"What's wrong Diamond? It's just me." She said, walking closer to Diamond. She caressed his face with her hoof, leaving a blood stain on his cheek. He nodded, not reacting to the blood on his face. She circled him, looking at the bandages and scars that covered parts of his body.

"I thought that you were still too injured to fight." Said Rainbow Dark, facing him once again and staring into his eyes.

"I'm not here to fight. I'm here to bring you back to camp. The Doctor thinks that he can help you settle your powers." He explained. Rainbow snorted, much to Diamond's apparent puzzlement.

"I can't quit now. I've got them on the ropes. I can end this war today, and all I have to do is break Gilda's neck and give the body back to Gregor." She told him. Diamond shook his head, moving closer to Rainbow as he did.

"That won't end the fighting, that will just create more problems. Gilda needs to be exposed for what she did to you and Applejack. Only then will we be able to go home." He said, pleading with her. Rainbow smirked and pushed Diamond back.

"You couldn't understand. She has ruined the lives of my friends, ruined my life, all because she was jealous."

"I know, but revenge isn't the answer. It will only make her a martyr. Please listen to me. I'm your friend and I only want to help you." He said, holding out his hoof to her.

"No Diamond! If you were my friend, you would want me to kill her; you would help me kill her. Look at Fluttershy; she wants to stick that dagger of hers into Gilda's heart. That is friendship." She yelled, her eyes flashing bright for a moment. Black Diamond took a step back, and Rainbow Dark noticed that he had a hidden blade strapped to his forearm.

"What's that for Diamond? Were you planning on ending me?" She asked, moving into a fighting stance. Diamond shook his head again.

"No Rainbow, it's just in case I'm attacked." He told her, and her eyes narrowed.

"Well then, you made a good decision." She said, diving at Diamond and knocking him down. Diamond got his back legs on her belly and kicked out, throwing Rainbow off him. She did a front flip and fell onto her head. Within seconds, she was back on her hooves, and watched as Diamond slowly made his way back upright. A look of pain on his face.

"I don't want to fight you." He said, rotating one of his shoulders. Rainbow Dark laughed.

"Too late."

Applejack frowned as Applebloom went into an uproar, protesting the plan that Applejack and Big Mac had come up with in order to combat the fortress that Flame had created in the town hall. The plan was for all of them to assault the town hall en masse in an attempt to break the hold over Ponyville that Flame and his Minotaur gangs possessed.

"We can't just attack them! We'll just get cut down before we get close." Yelled Applebloom, standing in from of Spike in the hopes that she could shield him from further injury. Big Mac shook his head and walked up to Applebloom.

"No we won't. You aren't coming with us." He said, and turned back to Applejack, giving her a sly wink.

"What! You think that you can just leave me out while you get killed, no way!" She yelled, poking Big Mac in the chest.

"You have no skills that we can use. I'm strong and can fight with this shield; Applejack has a multitude of powers. DuskDrift can use magic, Spike can breathe fire and Applethunder can fly and is a great archer." He told her.

'What is he trying to do? We need Applebloom.' Thought Applejack, as Applebloom shouted and stormed off into her room, slamming the door behind her.

"Big Mac! What are you doing?" Exclaimed Applejack, punching Big Mac in the shoulder. He just smiled and gave her a wink.

"Wait for it." He said, walking over to Spike and checking out his cast. A few moments later, Applebloom's door flew open and she rushed out and stood in front of Big Mac, two large, bulging saddlebags draped across her back.

"What's this? Are you running away?" Said Big Mac mockingly. Applebloom shook her head.

"No, I'm not running away. I'm going with you. These bags contain a bunch of potions and stuff that Zecora gave me. I'm quite good at healing ponies. So that's what I'm going to do… Be a medic." She said, sticking out her tongue at her brother. He nodded and the group began to gather up stuff that they would need for the attack. Applethunder put on her armour and started to string her bow. DuskDrift wrote down some spells that she thought would be the most useful and Spike tied his cast closer to his body with the help of Applebloom. DuskDrift cast a spell on his cast to make the plaster fire proof, meaning that Spike could set his costume alight again. Applejack smiled, pulling her mask back over her head and taking a deep breath. Big Mac turned to her with a huge grin on his face.

"What do you think? He asked, pushing his chest out in pride. Applejack giggled.

"I think that it ends today."

Rainbow Dark and Black Diamond wrestled in the red dust of the battlefield, with Rainbow Dark's rage fuelled attacks hitting nothing but air as Diamond ducked and dodged. Occasionally, Diamond's injured body would make him falter, giving Rainbow Dark an opportunity to actually hit him, and she would be merciless, all of her strength going into each punch and kick. Diamond refused to hit her back, hoping that she would come to her senses before she killed him. Around the two, a small crowd had formed; a strange mixture of ponies, griffins and Minotaur alike watched the spectacle. Rainbow Dark caught Diamond with an uppercut and sent the stallion sprawling.

"What are you waiting for? Fight me!" She yelled, spittle flying out of her mouth. Black Diamond shook his head, slowly easing himself off the ground as Rainbow Dark started to circle him.

"I won't fight you Rainbow. I care for you too much." He said, keeping his eye trained on Rainbow, waiting for the next attack.

"You're weak. No wonder the war hasn't ended yet, if you are what we have as a commander, hey, you can't even protect the mare that you say you love. What happened to Rarity was your fault." Said Rainbow, before she was cut off by Black Diamond. He punched her in the face and she grunted as her jaw broke. She didn't have time to recover however, as Diamond pushed her backwards with a flurry of attacks that were so fast that Rainbow couldn't even see where she was being hit. He hit her with an uppercut, which threw her head back. Rainbow Dark caught a brief glimpse of the sun before her vision was invaded by Black Diamond's body as he brought both of his front hooves down together on her face. Rainbow's head slammed into the ground and blood spurted out of her mouth. She was suddenly dragged to her knees by Black Diamond, as he gripped her mane. His eyes burned with an anger that Rainbow Dark had never seen and for the first time, she felt fear. The transformation began to reverse as Rainbow Dash took back her body. Tears started to flow down her face when she realised what she had done.

"Diamond…. Kill me. Please, otherwise Rainbow Dark will never stop. When she's finished with the griffins, I have no doubt that she will turn on the ponies. Kill me." Said Rainbow. Diamond's eyes went wide when he realised that he was talking to the real Rainbow.

"I…. I can't Rainbow." He said. Rainbow started to transform back to Rainbow Dark.

"Of course you can't. You couldn't even kill a skinny yellow unico-" She was cut off by Black Diamond's hidden blade sliding into her throat. Her eyes went wide as she looked at the face of rage that was Black Diamond.

"You will heal from this, but in fifteen seconds, you will pass out as your brain becomes starved for oxygen. So I have time to just say this to you Rainbow Dark; there are some things you just don't say to a pony like me. That was one of them. Next time you take over Rainbow, who is like a sister to me. I will kill you… and you know I can." Said Black Diamond as Rainbow Dark's vision blurred and eventually went black.

Chapter 18

Applejack adjusted the wide-brimmed purple hat that sat on her head and took a deep breath, watching as her family prepared for a battle that would decide the very fate of Ponyville. In the distance stood the largest building in Ponyville, the town hall that rested in the centre of town. At the moment however, it looked more akin to a fortress than a place to pay fines. The police that had surrounded the building were quaking in fear as uncountable amounts of arrows and magical fireballs assaulted them from the Minotaur and traitorous police that hid inside. Looking out over the battle from the balcony on the top floor was Flame, leader of the gangs that had taken over Ponyville. The smirk on Flame's face made her wish that her powers were working so that she could teleport up there and wipe it off his face. Applejack spotted the Police chief hiding behind Roseluck's florist, as the fire department tried desperately to save the stores and homes from the fireballs.

"Coffee Shot!" She called out as she galloped toward him. His SWAT uniform was covered in back scorch marks and his vest had an arrow sticking out of it. Applebloom galloped ahead and dived as arrows peppered the ground around her. Applejack let out the breath she was holding as Applebloom got behind the stone wall of the Florist. Applejack looked at Big Mac, who nodded with a smile on his face. She nodded once and signalled Applethunder and DuskDrift, who began their assault on the fortress from above. Applethunder flung arrows at the top floor as DuskDrift charged the arrows with magic, giving them extra destructive power. Applejack and Big Mac galloped for the war memorial that rested halfway between the town hall and the police line. She peeked around the corner and smiled as she saw Flame diving for cover as Applethunder's arrows exploded on contact with the building.

"We need to get inside, but how do we get past that defence?" Asked Big Mac, effortlessly batting away a fireball with his shield as it rocketed toward the rock. The fireball spiralled back at the building and blasted a big hole in the wall. Applejack closed her eyes against the sounds of pained screams.

"Well that works." Said Big Mac, he whistled and Spike poked his head around the corner of the Florist and nodded. His head disappeared and from the safety of the stone wall, he began to lob green fireballs at the fortress. Applejack looked back around the rock as Flame let out an angry cry. He exploded from his hiding spot and sent a wave of blue fire towards Applethunder and DuskDrift. Applejack's eyes went wide as Applethunder closed her wings, narrowly dodging the fire, but DuskDrift was not so lucky, it hit her and she flew toward the ground, fire still clinging to her body. She landed about ten meters from where Applejack and Big Mac were and together they both sprinted out and made their way over to her, ignoring the arrows and fire as they did. When they reached her, Big Mac deflected the projectiles as Applejack put out the flames on DuskDrift's wings and dragged her back to the rock, Big Mac's enormous mass shielding them both. As soon as they had her behind the rock, Applejack called for a medic, expecting Applebloom to come bounding out into the fray. But to her surprise, it wasn't Applebloom; it was a grey earth pony stallion that had a blonde mane. Around his right arm was a white band with a red cross on it, indicating that he was a paramedic.

"Okay, what have we got?" He asked, reaching into his saddlebag and pulling out a syringe.

"She was hit with the wave of fire." Said Applejack. The grey pony nodded, lifting up DuskDrift's head and smiling as he looked into her eyes.

"Hi there, what's your name?" He asked her and Applejack knew that it was just in an attempt to keep her conscious.

"Dusk…DuskDrift." She choked out, and Applejack looked at her wings, which had lost most of their feathers and were covered in shiny burns.

"Nice to meet you DuskDrift, I'm Noah. Now I'm going to-"

"You're very handsome Noah." Said DuskDrift weakly. Noah smiled wider.

"Thank you. I think you are very beautiful as well. Now I'm going to give you a sedative that will dull the pain and put you to sleep. Okay?" He told her. She nodded and he stuck the needle onto her arm. Within seconds the sedative took hold and her eyes closed.

"Is she going to be okay?" Asked Applejack, feeling guilty that she had gotten one of her friends hurt.

"She will be fine with time. The burns aren't too serious and with the proper care, should be completely healed in a few weeks." He said. Big Mac helped him to get DuskDrift onto his back and then shielded them both as Noah galloped her back behind the Police line. Tears started to roll down Applejack face, but were hidden behind the polarised glass of the eyes.

"I didn't want this Big Mac. I didn't want anyone to get hurt because of me. I… I just want to go home. I want to see Rainbow again. I just want everything to go BACK TO NORMAL!" She shouted, and arcs of electricity whipped off her body. With an ear shattering cry, she dived over the rock and sprinted at the hole in the wall. Arrows whistled past her face, tearing at her clothes as they went passed. She jumped through the hole and stood in the middle of the room, as the ponies and Minotaur turned to face her. A stunned silence filled the room as Applejack panted heavily, the electricity changing colour from yellow to blue as it spiralled across her body. She could feel her muscles tensing at the same time, the same way that they did when her super strength activated.

"Enough of this."

Rainbow's eyes snapped open as she took a huge gasp of air. She quickly realised that she was unable to move and looked down to find that she was strapped to a bed. She cried out, and some curtains opened to reveal the nurse and The Doctor, as well as Black Diamond. The Doctor's eyes were red from crying and his mane was a mess. The nurse checked Rainbow over, but she could tell that the nurse was scared.

"What… What happened?" She asked, knowing the answer but needing to hear it from somepony else. Black Diamond put his hoof in hers and she noticed that he had his hidden blade attached to his arm.

"You lost control. I had to stop you." He said, his voice cold. Rainbow looked at the Doctor, and knew that she had done something terrible.

"Derpy… Did I?" She asked, and the Doctor took a deep breath.

"You did. She's alive, but only just. At the moment she is in surgery, having her ribs removed from her lung and part of her skull removed to make way for her swelling brain." He told her, and Rainbow let out a tense breath. Her vision hazed as they were filled with tears.

"I'm so, so sorry. I never meant to hurt her. Or anypony for that matter." She cried, and the Doctor put his hoof on her shoulder, shaking his head at the same time.

"It's okay Rainbow, I know that you had no control over yourself. I'm just worried to death for her. Even if I know that she doesn't die here." He said cryptically. The Doctor turned an began to leave, but Rainbow stopped him.

"Wait! Don't you have some way of helping me regain control over Rainbow Dark?" She asked, and the Doctor nodded wearily.

"Yes, it's quite simple really. We just have to reunite you with Applejack." He said and Rainbow smiled, wanting nothing more than to see her love again.

"Is she here? Can I see her?" She said excitedly. Black Diamond shook his head.

"No Rainbow, she is still in Ponyville. And all attempts to contact her have failed. It seems that Ponyville is in some kind of crisis." He said, and Rainbow's heart sank. All she wanted to do was forget what had happened and lose herself in Applejack's embrace. The Doctor left and Rainbow was left with Black Diamond, who was watching her with cold eyes. It scared her to see how different he was after the fight.

"Did I hurt you as well? She asked, and he shook his head, much to her relief.

"No, not physically. But you did bring out a side to me that I try very hard to supress. The anger I felt when fighting you was greater than any I have felt before. I wanted nothing more than to kill you. And part of me still does. But you know what stopped me, and what is stopping me right now? Loyalty. I have loyalty to my country. And I have loyalty to Rarity. I know that she would never have forgiven me if I was to kill you." He told her. Rainbow nodded, understanding what he meant.

She lay back, resting her head on the hard pillow and closing her eyes. Her mind flashed back to her time as Rainbow Dark, and every single griffin and Minotaur that she killed. She could see their faces, and the light in their eyes as it faded with their death. Her mind flashed again, and this time she was Rainbow Dark. The back of her head hurt where Black Diamond was pulling her mane and her jaw hurt where it was broken. She looked up at Black Diamond's face, at the rage that she saw, and cowered. Black Diamond pulled his arm back and thrust the blade into her throat. She could feel it slide in and the panic that came with the inability to breathe. Her eyes snapped awake again and she screamed. Rainbow started to struggle against her bindings and cry out. Black Diamond put his hooves on her chest and forced her down.

"Stop Rainbow! It's okay, I'm here, you're safe. You're safe." He said, looking into her eyes once again. Rainbow started to cry again.

"I just want Applejack back. I need her. I can't get through this without her. I love her."

Applejack bounced off the walls as the ponies and Minotaur attacked with blades. Electricity arced around the room as Applejack retaliated, the resulting shockwaves repelling her attackers through walls and windows. The last one standing was a pony that Applejack recognised as a member of the police force. He swing the sword downwards at her head, only to have it stop because of the electromagnetic bubble that Applejack had unknowingly erected around herself. She kicked out with her back legs and sent the pony flying through a thick wooden beam and out into the street. Taking a moment to catch her breath, Applejack searched for the rest of Ponyville's politicians and found them all locked in a closet. Bound and gagged. Some of them had burn marks on their bodies and Applejack could tell that they had been tortured to some degree. She released them all and sent them out into the street and behind the line of police. Tentatively, Applejack walked up the stairs, eyes darting around in search for the tell-tale signs of magic. With electricity still coursing over her body, she kicked open the door to Flame's office and found him sitting in his chair, sipping a glass of what appeared to be whiskey.

"It's all over Flame." Said Applejack, staring at him. Flame finished off a glass and then poured himself another one, sighing as he did so.

"It was perfect before you came along. Did you know that? I had all the power in the world and was unstoppable, untouchable. But then you started to interfere and I didn't have a contingency plan to cover something like you. But I persevered, believing that I was smart enough to overcome the challenge that you set for me. But then that idiot Iron Will ruined everything when he spilled his guts to you. Although now his guts are spilled in a more literal sense, but I digress. I agree that my time in Ponyville is over, but not my career. I am going to leave this place and move onto someplace where nopony knows me and start again. Because it's all I can do now." He explained, finishing his second glass of whiskey and standing. Applejack shook her head.

"I don't think so. You are going away for a long time. I am going to make sure of it." She said, leaping onto Flame and teleporting. They found themselves above Ponyville, higher than even Cloudsdale. The ground stretched out below them and Applejack could swear that she could see the Battlefield in the distance. Flame started to scream as the two plummeted toward the ground. Applejack smiled, finding amusement in his terror. As the ground rose to meet them, Applejack concentrated as hard as she could and teleported once again, the momentum carrying on and making them both slide along the ground. They hit a building and stopped. Applejack couldn't move, but she knew that Flame was in even more pain than she was. She started to laugh as she rolled over to look at the sky, the hot sun beating down on her face. Her vision was soon filled by Big Mac, Applebloom and Applethunder.

"AJ, are you alright?" Big Mac asked, looking down at his little sister with concern.

"Okay? I'm fantastic. It's finally over! I can go see Rainbow again. That's all I want." She smiled, before her eyes closed and she passed out from sheer exhaustion.

"That's all I want… Rainbow."

Chapter 19

Rainbow Dash stared at the canvas ceiling of the medical tent, as images of all the lives she had taken as Rainbow Dark rotating in her mind. Sounds of fighting in the distance were nothing but a muffled ringing in her ears as a deep sadness filled her heart. Derpy's face appeared in her mind's eye. The kind, intelligent Derpy that Rainbow had come to rely on, despite her clumsy behaviour, although she wasn't as clumsy as Rainbow remembered. The thought of Derpy in surgery brought Rainbow close to tears, as did the knowledge that Black Diamond, a pony that she thought of as her mentor, as well as an older brother, was willing to kill her with such enthusiasm. Rainbow shifted her weight, trying to make herself more comfortable as she lay on her back, front and back legs strapped firmly to the steel frame of the bed. She didn't mind, she knew just how dangerous she was and also knew that she could lose control at any time. A large shape burst through the door of the tent, and Rainbow had to awkwardly position herself to see who it was. It was the nurse, followed closely by Black Diamond, who sat next to Rainbow's bed as the nurse used her magic to inject Diamond with something. He grimaced as she did so. The nurse left the tent, instructing Diamond to stay put for a while, in case he had a reaction to the medication. Rainbow stared at him, as Diamond closed his eyes and took long, deep breaths.

"Afraid of needles?" Rainbow asked, and she was overjoyed to see Diamond smile and nod.

"Very much so." He replied, opening his eyes and looking at Rainbow. "But I understand that they are necessary."

"What are you being injected with?" She asked, needing contact with a pony to help push the images out of her head.

"It's some new serum that Rarity's medical researchers developed. It's composed mostly of white blood cells and other essential blood borne agents. In theory, it's supposed to speed up the healing process by tenfold." He told her. "I'm the first test subject." Rainbow gave him a look, but quickly took it back, not wanting to antagonise him and cut short their conversation.

"Is it working?" She asked, and Diamond nodded once, before showing her a tiny cut on his side.

"This was about a foot long three days ago, and I have been on the medication for two days now. So yeah, it works very well. The only side effect is that it ruins my equilibrium, meaning that I have no balance for about half an hour after taking it." Rainbow was surprised to hear that it was so effective. They both sat in silence for a while, Diamond closing his eyes once again. Rainbow kept looking at him, a question sitting on the tip of her tongue but being held back by her brain. Finally, she just let it out;

"Can you ever forgive me?" Black Diamond sighed, opening his eyes once again and putting his hoof in Rainbow's. He smiled, and Rainbow looked into the golden eyes of her mentor and saw none of the rage or coldness that had been there the day before, when he had stopped her rampage.

"Of course I can Rainbow. And I do forgive you. You weren't yourself. Just like how Pinkie wasn't Pinkamina or Luna wasn't Nightmare Moon. You are nothing like Rainbow Dark, and I have never thought that. Yesterday I just felt guilty about what I had done and angry because of what Rainbow Dark said." He told her, still smiling. As he talked, Rainbow felt a pressure in her skull subside slightly.

"One more thing. Derpy? Is she… Okay?" Rainbow asked, and much to her surprise and sadness, Diamond pulled his hoof away.

"The surgery was a success. The swelling in her brain has gone down enough that they were able to put the piece of skull back and The Doctor says that there was no brain damage. But she lost a lot of her blood. Most of it went into her lungs, which they had to pump out. As such, she is in desperate need of a blood transfusion." Said Diamond and Rainbow's eyes went wide.

"Well then let me out. I'll gladly donate my blood." She said, worried about her friend. Black Diamond just shook his head, before having to steady himself using Rainbow's bed.

"It wouldn't work Rainbow. Your blood type doesn't match up with Derpy's. She has an incredibly rare blood type and only someone with that blood type can donate to her."

"Well, who has the blood that she needs then?" Asked Rainbow, her voice full of desperation.

"The only pony that is confirmed to have this blood type is Big Mac, and he is still in Ponyville."

"Just have Luna teleport him back here then! This is an emergency!" Yelled Rainbow. Black Diamond smiled at her.

"It's good to see that you are still the element of loyalty Rainbow, and don't worry, Derpy's been more or less stabilised. She will be fine until after Granny Smith's funeral, which is when Luna is going to teleport them all back. Including Applejack." Said Diamond. At the mention of Applejack's name, Rainbow's ears pricked up slightly and the pressure in her head relaxed a bit more.

"I can't wait for that then." Said Rainbow. Diamond nodded once, sitting back on the chair and closing his eyes once again. Rainbow Dash turned back to look at the canvas ceiling and stared at it, a small smile crossing her lips as the faces of the slain were replaced with a single image; Applejack.

'In just a few short hours, I will be seeing Applejack again. Our powers will return and I can just hold her forever.' Thought Rainbow, her smile growing ever wider. The door of the tent rustled, and Rainbow assumed it was the nurse.

"Excuse me nurse, but would you mind letting me have some water? I'm dying of thirst." She asked, as the nurse moved beside her bed.

"I don't think it's thirst you have to be scared of." Said a deep, growling voice beside her. Rainbow turned to see a mass of black fur, tattered clothes and sharp, white teeth, shiny with drool. Rainbow gasp, as the mass lifted its paw and extended a set of claws.

"Diamond dogs."

Applejack was stony faced, as she, Big Mac, Applebloom, Applethunder and Spike stood around the grave of Granny Smith. The cloudless and sunny day felt like an insult to how Applejack was feeling at the moment. The priest, a younger stallion named White Star, stood in front of them and what appeared to be the rest of Ponyville, who had all gathered to pay their respects to the green mare that had been amongst the first colonists of Ponyville. Spike had his one good wing wrapped around Applebloom and Big Mac was fondling a locket that Fluttershy had given him. Applethunder hugged Applejack, who had to take a deep breath in order to keep her tears at bay and stay strong for her family. White Star finished his speech and as he did, his horn glowed white and the coffin that had been made from the oldest apple tree on their farm was lifted off the ground and slowly lowered into the grave with expert ease. The gathered ponies of Ponyville lined up and placed a sprig of rosemary into the grave, before giving their condolences to the Apple family. It took forty five minutes for all of the Ponyville citizens to throw their rosemary. After it all, only the Apples were left. Applejack looked into the grave and saw the box that contained the pony that had raised her to be strong, honest and dependable. The pony that had made sure that she never felt left out as an orphan while growing up.

"Ah say we make a pact, here and now, to honour Granny Smith's memory by protecting Ponyville once the war is all over." Said Big Mac. The others nodded in agreement, each swearing on Granny Smith's spirit to defend the ponies of the town and to always remember what she taught them. Together they walked away from the cemetery, toward the hospital where DuskDrift was recovering from a serious injury. All of the ponies inside the hospital gave them sympathetic looks as they made their way to DuskDrift's room. Walking inside, Applejack was surprised to find Noah, the paramedic that had braved the arrows and fireballs of Flame's troops in order to save her. DuskDrift was giggling as they walked in, both of her wings wrapped in white bandages that were tinged yellow and red in places as the burns on her wings healed.

"You're looking better" Said Applebloom, walking up beside DuskDrift's bed. Noah smiled, before whispering something to DuskDrift and leaving the room. Applejack looked at DuskDrift, who blushed and looked away.

"So, how was it?" Asked DuskDrift quietly. "I'm sorry I wasn't there." Applejack shook her head and smiled weakly.

"Don't worry about it. What matters now is that you heal up proper for our trip back to the front lines." Said Applejack. DuskDrift nodded, but Applebloom turned and gave her a look.

"What, you're going back? Why I thought you were home for good." Said Applebloom.

"Well ah'm sorry sugarcube, but the princess needs us back there as soon as possible." Replied Applejack. She flinched as a gout of green flame appeared in front of her face, accompanied by a loud belch from Spike. A scroll appeared from inside the flames and fell onto DuskDrift's bed. Spike opened it and read aloud;

"To Corporal Big Macintosh, This letter is to inform you that your presence is urgently required at the front lines. Commander Derpy Hooves of the Pegasus division is in desperate need of a blood transfusion and yours is the only blood compatible. You, as well as Commander Applejack, General Applethunder and royal apprentice DuskDrift will be picked up from the Ponyville town square at midday and teleported by her royal majesty Princess Luna of Equestria. Sincerely, Commander Twilight Sparkle. P.S My deepest condolences for you on this day. We are all thinking of you." Spike finished the letter and looked at the clock on the wall.

"That's still two hours away." He told them, "Plenty of time to pack up and say goo-" He was interrupted as another Flaming burp erupted, leaving behind another scroll. Opening this one, his eyes went wide and he read it aloud in a panicked tone.

"Applejack! You need to get here quick, the Diamond dogs are attacking. They broke through our defences and are tearing us apart. The Princess has been captured and I don't know what to do. Get to the town square as quick as you can. I will meet you there in ten minutes from when you get this letter. I just need to free Rainbow first. Please hurry, Twilight." Spike finished and looked at Applejack with fear in his eyes.

"AJ, we have to hurry. I can't let anything happen to Twilight. She's my best friend." He said. Applejack nodded quickly.

"I know, and I promise nothing will happen to her. DuskDrift, can you make it to town square?" She asked and DuskDrift shook her head.

"Big Mac, I need you to carry her to the town square."

"What about you?" Asked Big Mac, "You're talking like you aren't coming with us."

"I'm not." Said Applejack."It will take too long. I need to get there now. And to do that, I need to get happy right now." The ponies gathered raised their eyebrows at her but she shot them all a look to prove that she was serious. Nervously, they all began to say things in the hope that one of them could help.

"I… uh… Really like your mane?" Said Applethunder.

"You are better at harvesting than me." Said Big Mac.

"I'm pregnant." Said Applebloom.

"You are the… Wait.. What did you say Applebloom?" Asked Spike, as they all looked at her. Applebloom blushed, looking back at them all nervously.

"I found out yesterday when we took Spike to the hospital. I had been throwing up a lot and the Doctor told me I was pregnant." She told the group. Applejack looked at Spike, whose eyes were wide and his mouth was open in shock.

"You work fast, don't you?" Said Big Mac dryly. Spike gave him an awkward smile. Applejack looked back at Applebloom and smiled. She hugged her sister.

"That's perfect. Thank you, and congratulations. Now get to town Square." Said Applejack, pulling out of the hug as she felt warmth spread from her chest all across her body and down to her hooves. She shot a wink to Big Mac before disappearing as she used the power that had been inaccessible to her since she awoke from the coma; super speed. A gold and orange trail followed her as she galloped out of Ponyville. As soon as she got far enough away from the town, Applejack put on speed, ignoring the intense pressure that was building inside her head. Just when she thought it was too much, Applejack broke the sound barrier and her speed increased tenfold. Behind her, a wave of gold and orange energy rippled upward and outward, creating an arch from the ground in the sky.

'My own sonic rainboom… The appleboom. Ah'm coming Rainbow.'

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes as the Diamond dog's paw descended toward her face, she grimaced, expecting pain, but none came. She sheepishly opened one eye to find that the paw was resting inches above her face, but not moving. The claws suddenly retracted and the arm went limp, falling to the dog's side and revealing what had stopped it; Black Diamond's hidden blade being pulled out of the dog's forehead. It collapsed with a thud. Rainbow released the breath that she had been holding and looked at Diamond.

"Nice shot for somepony with a balance problem." She said, smiling in spite of the situation. Diamond blinked repeatedly for a moment, before sitting down again and vomiting.

"I was aiming for his throat." He said once he stopped throwing up. Twilight burst through the door of the tent and stopped, looking at the dead Diamond dog and then at Diamond. He winked, and Twilight nodded in response. She then began to undo the straps on Rainbow's bed.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Asked Rainbow, "You can't let me out. I might lose control again." Twilight shook her head, undoing the last strap.

"You will be fine, I'm just about to teleport back to Ponyville and get Applejack and the others.' Said Twilight, helping Rainbow off the bed. Rainbow smiled, before realising something.

"Why are you going to Ponyville? I thought Luna was going to do it." Said Rainbow, and Twilight looked at the ground.

"Luna has been captured. We were in the special ops tent when the dogs attacked. They placed something over her horn and dragged her into the earth. I was just lucky I noticed the ground shaking. I was ready for them." Twilight said. Rainbow looked at Diamond, whose eyes were once again cold and serious.

"There is only one place they would have taken her; to the griffin camp. The Griffins have no treaty with Luna and can therefore kill her without provocation. We have to rescue her." Said Diamond, trying to stand, but falling onto the ground. Twilight picked him up off the ground.

"We will, but first things first; I have to go and get Applejack so that you can use your powers without hindrance." Said Twilight, looking at Rainbow, who nodded. Twilight's horn glowed purple and she disappeared. Rainbow took a deep breath, turning to look at Diamond.

"One way or another, it ends today doesn't it?" She asked. Diamond nodded once.

"Finally."

Chapter 20

Applejack's eyes were watering as the air bit at her skin, becoming almost razor sharp as she ran faster than the speed of sound. Her vision was hazed, the landscape of Equestria and all of its varied colours melding into a beautiful cacophony of light and colour. Applejack knew that it was only a mixture of luck and reflexes that was keeping her from colliding with anything along the road and becoming just an orange stain on the ground. As she approached Maneflow Springs, she took as deep a breath as she could and shot through the small town, maneuvering herself so that she had more space by running along the docks. Behind her, light, random objects were being dragged along in her wake, along with the occasional pony. Applejack ignored it all, focussing on getting herself to Rainbow's side and rescuing her friends from the assault of diamond dogs. Breaking clear of the town's borders, Applejack slowed down just enough so that all of the objects that she had inadvertently collected were released. Increasing her speed once more, her thoughts started to drift toward a disaster scenario.

'What if I don't make it, then the entire war would be lost because ah couldn't get there fast enough.' She thought, pushing herself even harder as her limbs began to ache, and her breathing became heavy. She had fought diamond dogs, before, and knew that they were a vicious species with no regard for the lives of others, including their own kind. But she shuddered at the thought of dogs trained in military tactics. In the distance she could see the rows and rows of tombstones that indicated that she was getting closer to the battlefield. Her entire body ached, protesting her every movement with utter conviction. Applejack could feel herself slowing down, but kept pushing herself to continue with her goal in sight and her love even closer.

'Ah won't let you down Rainbow, not again.' Thought Applejack, entering the camp and looking around at all of the chaos that surrounded her. She caught the tiniest glimpse of a rainbow mane and made a beeline for it. Finding Rainbow surrounded by dogs, Applejack used a barrel as a spring board and launched herself into the middle of the group of dogs, feeling the super speed leave her as she did. Landing next to Rainbow, Applejack sent enormous bolts of blue lightening shooting off her body and into the chests of the hapless dogs, who were subsequently fried and kneeled over backwards, the fur on their chests glowing red and smoking. The last remnants of the electricity whipped off her body in small arcs. Breathing heavy, Applejack looked around, and saw that there were many dead ponies on the ground, but very few dogs. She was suddenly gripped in a great bear hug, which lifted her off the ground. Applejack smiled as the smell of Rainbow Dash's mane filled her nostrils. She put her arms around her marefriend, the pony that she had been through so much with. Together, they had fought Rainbow's deceit in her own mind, been given super powers that had transferred into the real world. Been displaced in time and seen the effects of horrible war and the way that it had changed their friends. Rainbow let go and Applejack saw that her eyes were filled with tears. The deep, magenta eyes that she had fallen in love with and the eyes that she hoped to look into for the rest of her life.
"I'm so glad to see you AJ, I missed you so much… I… hurt so many… Lost control. I just need you to never leave me." Said Rainbow, and Applejack pressed her head against Rainbow's.
"Ah love you Rainbow Dash. And once this is all over… Ah will never leave your side. Ever." She replied, and Rainbow smiled. Applejack pressed her lips against Rainbow's and embraced her, kissing her for the first time in far too long.

Rainbow Dash felt a lump in her throat as Twilight disappeared, teleporting to Ponyville in search of reinforcements. She turned to Black Diamond, as the effects of the experimental medication still gripped him, throwing off his balance to such a degree that the mere act of standing up was a struggle. She poked her head out the door of the medical tent, and what she saw made her heart sink. Outside, the camp was in ruins, as dogs spontaneously burst from the earth and attacked the ponies as they rushed about in a mad effort to defend themselves. Fires had started in the distance and all Rainbow could hear was screaming. Behind her, she heard Diamond groan, and turned to see him lift himself out of the chair with much difficulty.

"What are you doing?" She asked, walking over to him and pushing him back into the chair. Diamond batted her hoof away and attempted to stand once more.
"I am going to find Rarity, with all this chaos I have to protect her." He told her, and Rainbow sighed, knowing him well enough that there was nothing she could say to make him change his mind. She helped him up and escorted him to the door.
"I'm coming with you." She told him as they checked to see if the coast was clear. Diamond just nodded his head once and made a dash out the door, stumbling on his first few steps but recovering quickly. Together they made their way to the research tent, where Rainbow saw a dead dog halfway through the door. They entered cautiously, eyes peeled for any signs of dogs. Rainbow was suddenly thrown to the ground by Diamond as an arrow flew over their heads.
"Okay, Okay… No banjos at the wedding." Said Diamond, getting off Rainbow and looking at the pony that had fired the arrow; Rarity, her eyes were fearful and her hooves were shaking. She dropped her bow and galloped over to Diamond, kissing him. Rainbow made her way over to Rarity's chest of weapons and opened it, only to find her old armour, still covered in the same black lines that closely resembled blood vessels inside a body. As she stared at it, it just served to remind her about her time as Rainbow Dark and all of the lives that she took, or in the case of Derpy, potentially ruined. Rarity appeared beside her and shut the lid on the chest.
"I haven't had a chance to discover why your armour turned the way it did." Said Rarity quietly. Rainbow turned to her and saw that her face was splattered with blood, presumably that of the diamond dog.

"I know why Rarity. Do you remember Twilight telling us a while ago that crystal takes on the properties of the environment that it is in?" Rainbow asked her, and Rarity shook her head.
"I didn't think so, it happened before I went into the coma. But the point is that the crystal armour changed because its environment changed. I stopped doing good and became evil. The armour reflected that." Said Rainbow, and Black Diamond appeared beside her. His expression was one of anger had Rainbow had a frightening flashback to the way that he looked before he stabbed Rainbow Dark in the throat.
"Don't ever call yourself that Rainbow. Ever. You are not evil. Evil is when somepony attacks their best friend because they are insecure. Evil is starting a war because you can't stand up for your own responsibility. Evil is taking the innocence of a mare by force, because you have no self-control." Said Diamond, and Rainbow saw Rarity look at the ground, ashamed. She nodded at Diamond, understanding his speech, even if she didn't believe it.
"I… I better go and check on Derpy in the intensive care ward." Said Rainbow, looking to change the subject.
"Rarity, do you know what happened to my sword?" She asked, and Rarity nodded, leading both Rainbow and Diamond to a table that was marked 'For repair.' Rainbow's sword sat amongst broken helmets and breastplates, the blade broken off at the hilt.
"How did this happen I wonder?" Asked Rainbow to nopony in particular.
"I found the blade part embedded in the skull of a griffin that had fallen from the sky, and the hilt was found in the throat of another about a hundred meters away." Rarity told her, and Rainbow sighed.

"Do you have anything for me to use then?" She asked and Rarity walked over to a weapons rack on a wall and pulled off a sword, handing it to Rainbow with a shrug. Rainbow looked at Diamond, who was still under the effects of the medication. He nodded, understanding her reasons for wanting to find Derpy. Rainbow smiled quickly before galloping out of the tent and heading for the intensive care ward, which was located near the main tent. She was half way across the camp when a diamond dog burst forth from the ground and made a grab for her. Rainbow swung her sword, catching it across the chest and dropping it to the ground. She kept galloping, only to be stopped by another dog, as more and more burst from the ground, quickly surrounding her. They closed in on her, and Rainbow swung her sword wildly in a desperate attempt to keep them at bay. She closed her eyes, expecting to feel the pain of death once again. Instead, she heard a mighty shout, followed by the sound of electricity crackling through the air and the pained screams of diamond dogs. She opened her eyes and spotted the last pony she expected to see; Applejack. Tiny arcs of blue electricity whipped off her body as she panted, sweat running down her face. She jumped onto her mare friend and held her. Applejack pulled away and looked at Rainbow, a wide smile across her face. Rainbow's eyes filled with tears as she thought of how Applejack would react when she found out about the rampage that she had gone on at Rainbow Dark.
"I'm so glad to see you AJ; I missed you so much… I… hurt so many… Lost control. I just need you to never leave me." Said Rainbow, and Applejack pressed her head against Rainbow's.
"Ah love you Rainbow Dash. And once this is all over… Ah will never leave your side. Ever." She replied, and Rainbow smiled. Applejack pressed her lips against Rainbow's and kissed her, the events of the last week seemed to wash away as they forgot where they were and instead lost themselves in each other's kiss.
Unbeknownst to them both, a golden and blue aura had formed around the two of them. The gold rested around Rainbow and the blue around Applejack. It grew brighter and brighter as the two kissed, eventually becoming blinding to any that were watching.

Applejack pulled out of the kiss and remarkably, felt energised. She smiled, looking into the magenta eyes that she knew so well and somehow knowing that everything was going to be alright. Suddenly, Rainbow's eyes went wide.

"Derpy!" She exclaimed, and galloped away in the direction of the intensive care ward. Applejack followed, wondering why Rainbow was so worried about her. She had heard that Derpy was in need of Big Mac's blood, but she didn't know why. They galloped through the door of the tent to find it untouched, as though the dogs had been too afraid to trash it. Inside was the Doctor, sitting by Derpy's bed. His mane was dishevelled and his eyes were bloodshot and angry. Derpy on the other hoof was unconscious. Her skin was pale and there was a blood stained bandage around her head. The Doctor didn't look at them as they entered. Applejack stood back as Rainbow walked beside Derpy's bed and kissed her on the cheek.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She heard Rainbow whisper. The Doctor looked at her finally.
"I know Rainbow, and I'm sorry that I behaved the way I did. I was just so worried about her." Said the Doctor, before turning to Applejack and smiling.
"Good to see you again Applejack. I see that you both have regained control of your powers." Applejack shrugged, unsure of how she lost them in the first place.
"Where's Sparkler?" Asked Rainbow, and the Doctor sighed.
"She's safe." He said, and pulled back a curtain to reveal the foal, curled up in a pram and quietly snoring.
"It's mighty strange that the dogs haven't attacked this place yet." Said Applejack, and the smirk that spread across The Doctor's face gave her Goosebumps.
"Oh they won't attack. I've dealt with them before. Their ancient legends tell of a pony that brought their entire civilisation to its knees. Do you want to know the word for demon in the native language of the dogs? It's Doctor. And they all know it." The Doctor told her, and a shiver went down Applejack's spine, she believed him. The Doctor turned back to Derpy and kissed her on the lips.
"I'm glad she's okay. Have you seen the others? We need to go and save Luna." Said Rainbow, and the Doctor shook his head. Rainbow nodded and together the two galloped back out into the fray. Applejack spotted Fluttershy on archer's stage and galloped toward her. A dog burst out of the ground in front of her, only to be stuck with one of Fluttershy's arrows. Rainbow took to the air, carrying Applejack to the top of archer's stage, where a few other archers had taken refuge, as well as Lightstar.
"Is it time? Are we going to kill Gilda?" Asked Fluttershy excitedly, cocking another arrow and letting it loose as a dog started to climb the wooden frame. Applejack raised an eyebrow at Rainbow as she shook her head.
"What do you mean no?" Isn't that the only way to end the war?" She asked.
"No, it will only make Gregor fight harder; we have to get her to admit the truth." Explained Rainbow.

"Are you joking!? It doesn't matter, if she dies, we all get the satisfaction of knowing that you guys are avenged, and all of the ponies that have died in the past two years didn't do so in vain." Yelled Fluttershy, firing yet another arrow at a dog.
"Look Fluttershy, I know that you have been through a lot, but this is my fight, my right to handle her as I see fit." Rainbow told her sternly. Fluttershy shook her head.
"I made you both a promise that I would make Gilda pay, because nopony messes with my friends."
"I don't care. You made that promise when we were both stuck in an apparently permanent coma. It holds no sway now." Yelled Rainbow.
"No sway? Really?" Asked Fluttershy. Applejack followed her eyes as they looked at the griffin camp and then back at Rainbow, then once again back at the griffin camp.
"Fluttershy… Don't you dare!" Said Rainbow, shaking her head. Fluttershy suddenly turned and dived off archer's stage, slinging her bow over her back as she did so. Opening her wings, she made a beeline for the griffin camp. Rainbow started to give chase, but Applejack grabbed her and gave her a big kiss. Pulling away, Applejack gave her a wink before activating her super speed and jumping off archer's stage.
'Oh Fluttershy, ah wish you would have just listened to Rainbow.' Thought Applejack.

Rainbow blushed as Applejack disappeared, her super speed making her nothing but a gold and orange blur. She opened her wings and jumped off archer's stage, feeling the wind catch the underside, she smiled. The air was her element, and she was in complete control. Rainbow narrowed her eyes, and streamlined her body, just like she had always done when flying around Ponyville. She was surprised to see that Fluttershy's flying ability had increased dramatically in the two years that Rainbow was gone, and had gotten good enough that Rainbow was having a hard time keeping up with her. Below her, Rainbow could see Applejack, and because of the speed they were both going, it looked as though Applejack was running normally. Fluttershy suddenly flipped onto her back, pulling out her bow at the same time. In one smooth movement, Fluttershy cocked and released an arrow. Rainbow just barely had enough time to avoid it as it came rushing at her. The arrowhead nicked her cheek as it went past, making Rainbow's entire face sting.
"Fluttershy, what the hay? You could have killed me!" Shouted Rainbow over the deafening wind.
"Aw Boo Hoo, if I wanted to kill you I would have. Now stay back." Replied Fluttershy. The three ponies rushed into the Griffin camp, making their way through the defences like they weren't there at all. An alarm sounded, and she could see Minotaur and Griffins hastily get ready for a fight, grabbing whatever weapon they could find and shouting. Fluttershy and Rainbow ignored them all, heading straight for the largest tent in the middle of the camp. Fluttershy fired two arrows, which dropped the two Griffin guards at the entrance to the tent. They all burst through, coming to a stop right in front of Gregor's throne. Fluttershy cocked an arrow and aimed it at Gregor, who's previously outraged expression changed to a stone faced one. Rainbow landed behind her, and a moment later, Applejack showed up, standing next to Rainbow.

"Fluttershy, please don't do this sugarcube. We all know that Gregor is innocent." Said Applejack, to which Fluttershy only shook her head.
"He fathered that mangy griffin. He's just as guilty." She yelled back. Rainbow stepped forward, and Applejack saw concern in her eyes.
"Fluttershy, please. Gregor was always good to me after I lost my parents. He took me in and cared for me. He never had to; I was the daughter of a royal guard that served his enemy. But still he saved me. He doesn't deserve to pay for his daughter's mistake." Said Rainbow calmly. Fluttershy's arm that was holding the arrow relaxed slightly and Applejack let out the breath she had been holding.
"Rainbow Dash! What is the meaning of this?" Asked Gregor, his voice full of thinly veiled bravado.
"Where is your daughter?" Asked Fluttershy angrily.
"Why? So you ponies can take another child from me? I don't think so." Gregor replied. Rainbow shook her head.
"We aren't here to take anypony from you. I seek peace. I seek justice." Said Rainbow. Gregor seemed to consider his for a moment, before nodding. Rainbow placed her hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder and Fluttershy relaxed the bowstring. Her eyes suddenly widened as she screamed in pain. They both looked down to see an arrow sticking out of Fluttershy's side. Applejack cried out as Fluttershy fell, catching her before she hit the ground. Rainbow turned to see the assailant; Gilda, standing in the corner of the tent with a crossbow.
"Gilda! Why did you do that? They are here for peace." Shouted Gregor, shooting up out of his chair.
"Shut up old feather! I'm so tired of putting on this goody two wings act for you." Yelled Gilda, reloading the crossbow and aiming it at Rainbow.
"Are you going to actually finish me this time Gilda? Can you?" Said Rainbow, challenging what she hoped was Gilda's bluff. Gilda smirked, spreading her wings to make herself look bigger.

"I thought I had finished you last time, but whatever. At least my dragon got Celestia." She said, and Rainbow gritted her teeth, staring into Gilda's cold eyes as her finger moved down to the trigger. Rainbow's heart rate increased as what remained of her fear and anger took hold. She began to activate the transformation, but just as Gilda pulled the trigger, her hand was gripped and thrust upward, the arrow tearing a hole in the ceiling of the tent. Gregor had cleared the entire room in less than a second, much to Rainbow's surprise. She let the transformation reverse and Gregor squeezed his daughters arm, making her drop the crossbow. He threw her onto the ground, his face contorted with rage.
"Do you know what you've done girl? You have brought our countries the horrors of war! Given me an unpayable debt to the dogs and Minotaur and worst of all, you got your brother killed." Gregor shouted. Gilda's eyes started to water as Gregor put more pressure on her arm, twisting her wrist.
"Father, please… Don't hurt me." Begged Gilda. Gregor dragged Gilda onto her knees and wrenched her head back.
"You know why I took Rainbow Dash in when she became an orphan? Because even then I could see that neither you nor your brother were capable of running a country. I was going to have Rainbow succeed me as emperor of the new Griffin Empire and stop the hostilities between our species. But then your mother died, and her last wish was for me to give you and Alistair a chance at becoming better. So I sent Rainbow to Cloudsdale to be with her own kind for a while. But you and your brother were failures, and I was blinded by grief and love for my children. And then you had to go and do this, cause chaos and death in the sake of your own vanity." Gregor said to Gilda, who had completely broken down.
"What is going to happen to her?" Asked Applejack, as Gregor stared at his daughter. He turned to Rainbow.

"Do you have a dagger Rainbow Dash?" He asked, and Rainbow shook her head.
"I have one." Said a weak voice. Rainbow turned to find that it had come from Fluttershy. Her breathing was shallow and she had lost a lot of blood from the wound. Fluttershy unsheathed her special dagger and gave it to Rainbow, who then reluctantly handed it to Gregor. Gilda started to plead with her father as he pushed her onto the ground and put his foot on her back.
"Gilda, daughter of Gregor and Princess of the New Griffin Empire. As your Emperor, I hereby sentence you to a punishment befitting your crime." He declared as he took hold of one of Gilda's wings and slashed across it at the joint, severing it completely.
"I take from you your power, your title." He continued, taking hold of the other wing and hacking it off. Gilda howled in pain as Rainbow and Applejack averted their eyes. Rainbow walked back to Applejack and embraced her. Gregor lifted her back onto her knees and placed his hand on her forehead.
"I take from you your memories, and I cast you out! Lest you become a scourge on my house and kingdom again." He said, as Gilda's eyes rolled into the back of her head. Gregor let go, and Gilda fell to the ground, a pool of blood forming around her. Gregor dropped the dagger and turned to the ponies, dropping to his knees and bowing his head.
"Peace… I want peace." He said. Rainbow made her way over to him and hugged him.

"So do we."

Applejack smiled as Twilight told her the story of how the dogs in the tunnels had run screaming from Spike as he breathed fire from his mouth. The rescue of Luna had gone smoother than expected, as Spike, Applethunder and Twilight had gone into the diamond dogs catacombs to rescue her. Her eye was drawn to the other side of the battlefield, where the griffin camp used to sit, but where now just sat nothing. All around her, ponies were rushing about, packing up the camp and celebrating the end of the fighting. Gregor had gotten on his knees and apologised to Luna, relinquishing the coast line of the empire in the north. Fluttershy suddenly invaded Applejack's field of view, being carried around on Big Macintosh's back, despite the fact that he was still weak from giving Derpy his blood a few days earlier. Both Fluttershy and Derpy were going to make a full recovery, but it was going to take a long time.

"Applejack… I just never got to apologise for the way that I behaved on… that day." She said, and would have continued if Applejack hadn't stopped her.
"Don't worry about it sugarcube. We were all scared. I don't want you to apologise." She told her and Fluttershy smiled, nodding once. Applejack took a deep breath, the smell of blood was gone from the air, and it made her happy. She heard her name being called and turned to see Rarity beckoning her. She walked over to find all of the elements of harmony, including Derpy, who was being pushed around in a wheelchair by The Doctor, and Princess Luna, as well as Black Diamond, Big Mac and Spike. Luna looked around the circle at them all, and a small smile tugged the corners of her mouth.
"You have all sacrificed much over the past two years, some more than others, but it was always a sacrifice. I just want to say thank you. Because of you and the countless others that lost their lives, Equestria is finally safe once more. Also, to commemorate the fallen, this site has become a war memorial and is now a sacred location. One more thing; I'm sorry, I'm sorry that you all had to be put through so much heartache and suffering. For the rest of your lives, I swear that you will want for nothing." Luna told them, a small tear appearing in the corner of her eye.
"Actually your majesty, I'm happy to just go back to the way things were." Said Rainbow, moving closer to Applejack. The others all nodded, except Black Diamond who said;
"I for one don't want things to go back to normal. Five a.m. Wake ups, terrible meals and not to mention scrubbing barracks with a toothbrush. Not as fun as it sounds." And Rarity hit him in the shoulder.

"So what happens now?" Asked Twilight, Luna shrugged.
"You go home Twilight, you go home and read every book in the library, you lay by the fireplace and read as Pinkie sleeps. Pinkie, you go home and throw the biggest party that Ponyville has ever seen. Rock the very bedrock of Tartarus. Fluttershy, you go home and take care of your animals as Big Mac takes care of you. Rarity, become fashionable again. Diamond, you can just stop fighting. Rainbow, I expect to see sonic Rainbooms in the sky on regular intervals and Applejack, you do what you do best; farm apples." Said the Doctor, smiling wide at the thought. The other ponies nodded happily.
"What about you Doctor? What are you going to do?" Asked Twilight. A strange sound suddenly filled the air, like laboured breathing.
"Funny you should say that Twilight, I have got to get the lovely Miss Derpy Hooves back to a different time. We... uh, skipped ahead inadvertently thanks to Celestia." Said the Doctor as a large blue box appeared out of thin air behind him. All of the ponies except Luna took a step back as is became solid. The Doctor hugged the box and opened the door, wheeling Derpy and Sparkler into the box. He poked his head back out and smiled.
"I'd expect to see you all again. In one way or another, Alonsy." Exclaimed the Doctor, shutting the door. A moment later the box started to make the sound again, and a light on the top flashed in perfect synchronisation with the sound. The box faded away as the ponies watched with wide eyed expressions. When it had completely disappeared, Applejack turned to Rainbow, whose mouth was open wide in shock.

"Ah have no earthly idea what just happened. But ah'm glad ah was with you when ah saw it." She said, turning Rainbow's head and kissing her. Rainbow pulled away and smiled.
"Me too. Hey, how are you feeling right now, about it all?" She asked.
"Ah… Ah honestly feel happy about it. Ah mean, sure, we all suffered, our friends have changed and all, but in the end… We survived, and that's enough for me. Ah love you Rainbow Dash. And no war will ever change that. You know what we are?" Said Applejack. Rainbow nodded.
"Yeah, we are always connected. I love you too Applejack." Replied Rainbow, and kissed Applejack again.
'Apples.' Thought Rainbow.
'Skittles.' Thought Applejack.

Chapter 1

Rainbow Dash pulled Applejack closer, savouring her marefriend as they shared their first real kiss. She let Applejack's warmth console her, still distraught over recent events. Applejack pulled away, her green eyes looking deep into Rainbow's and smiled.

"How does it compare to the dream?" asked Applejack and Rainbow giggled.

"I don't want to ever stop." Said Rainbow, smiling wide. She kissed Applejack again, softer this time, not ever wanting the moment to end. Rainbow jumped as a flash of light appeared behind Applejack. She flipped her over, trying to protect Applejack, as the light dimmed, leaving a pony covered by a white and red hood and cloak.

"Who…Who are you?" asked Rainbow, frightened of the stranger. The stranger made her way over to the two frightened ponies. She lowered her hood, revealing a very familiar purple unicorn.

"Twilight? Is that you?" asked Applejack, unsure if it truly was their friend or not. She looked similar, but the differences were astounding. Her mane was cut short, just under her ears and her eye, Rainbow couldn't take her eyes of Twilight's eye, now black as Luna's night and with a white iris. Rainbow noticed that she looked older as well.

"Yes Applejack and it is so good to see you both." Said Twilight, pulling both ponies in for a tight embrace. Rainbow relaxed slightly when she heard Twilight's voice, knowing her friend anywhere. But she couldn't get over Twilight's appearance.

"So I'm guessing that you've had a rough two days sugarcube." Said Applejack, and Twilight released them, taking a step back and looking at the floor.

"Uh… Actually Aj, it's been more like a rough year and a half." Said Twilight, and both Rainbow and Applejack paled.

"A year and a half." Said Applejack slowly, trying to make certain of what Twilight had said.

"What happened to the spell only lasting for two days?" said Applejack, the annoyance in her voice was unmistakable. Rainbow looked at the two ponies, having no clue as to what was going on.

"What are you talking about? The last thing I remember was being attacked, seeing you as a Pegasus and then some huge fight and then I woke up." Said Rainbow frustrated. Twilight looked at her in confusion and Applejack hugged her.

"I think we both have some catching up to do." Said Twilight. But not here, I think everypony wants to see you two." She jumped onto the bed, putting her hoof on Rainbow's and Applejack's shoulder. Twilight's horn glowed and with a pained look on her face, the ponies were teleported in a flash of white light. Rainbow suddenly found herself in a tent, the canvas walls moving in the breeze. She looked around, noting the simple set up of beds and furniture. She looked back to Twilight, who was getting her breath back.

"I haven't teleported anypony other than myself in months." She explained, as Applejack helped her over to a bed and sat her down.

"Twilight, I need to know what is going on." Said Rainbow forcefully, and Twilight called out. Other ponies started to walk into the tent and Rainbow was overjoyed to see Rarity, Fluttershy and Big Mac. Applejack leapt on her brother, hugging him tightly. She let go, turning Big Mac and Rainbow's eyes went wide as she looked at a long, thin scar that ran from his shoulder along his body and through his cutie mark.

"Big Mac! What in the hay happened to you?!" Applejack exclaimed, and Big Mac put his hoof on her shoulder, trying to calm her down.

"Now AJ, don't worry, we thought it best if you saw some friendly faces before we told you what has been happening in your absence." Said Big Mac as Applejack started to hyperventilate. Rainbow turned as more ponies entered the tent. She was tackled by Pinkie as the pink earth pony shot in the door, hugging her tightly. Rainbow let out a scream of pain as her broken wing hit the ground. She quivered on the ground, before she was lifted up and placed on a bed by the last pony Rainbow expected to see; Princess Luna.

"Are you okay Rainbow Dash?" asked Luna and Rainbow could only nod in response. A brown stallion walked up to her and hugged her.

"Uh… Who are you?" she asked. The stallion let go and smiled awkwardly.

"Oh right, I'm sorry, I got excited. I'm the Doctor and this is my assistant-" he started, before being interrupted by Rainbow as she recognised a grey Pegasus that was following the Doctor.

"Derpy?" said Rainbow, surprised to see her, and even more surprised to see a foal curled up in a pouch at her side. Derpy walked up and hugged Rainbow.

"Hello Rainbow, did you have a nice sleep?" she asked, and Rainbow looked at Applejack, who looked just as bewildered.

"Twilight, you have thirty seconds to explain what is happening before I start bucking some faces." Said Applejack, fear and confusion in her voice. Twilight stood, taking a deep breath, before looking at Luna, who nodded. Twilight told them everything, about the war that had started in their sleep, the time lock spell that had kept them asleep for so long and some horrible news about Celestia. Applejack had walked over and lay down next to Rainbow as Twilight talked and when she finished, the two ponies said nothing. Rainbow looked at the others in the room, and then back at Applejack, hoping that it was some kind of cruel joke, but no punch line came.

"What about these two?" asked Rainbow finally, gesturing at the Doctor and Derpy. Twilight, smiled awkwardly.

"Yeah, well that's the thing. We needed some commanders and Celestia wanted to use the elements of harmony as such and since you two were out of commission, well…" Twilight said, and Rainbow narrowed her eyes, angry.

"You replaced us!" she said, staring daggers at the new elements. "Was it just that easy?" Twilight shook her head.

"No, we only did what we had to at the time. We had no idea when or if you would wake up. What would you have had us do?" Said Twilight and Rainbow relented, knowing that she had no argument. Applejack put an arm around Rainbow, and she knew that Applejack was struggling to deal with the news as much as she was. Tears formed in Rainbow's eyes, and she let them go, all of the pent up emotions the day had brought, all of the guilt.

"It's all my fault." She cried, and Luna was the first to console her.

"No Rainbow, it was never your fault, the fault lies with the filthy griffin that attacked you. It is her fault all of this misery had befallen us, never think it was you." She said, and Rainbow looked at her, at the pain in her eyes, and she couldn't believe her.

"Please, I just need to be alone." Said Rainbow, and the ponies nodded, slowly making their way out of the tent. Applejack got up to go as well but Rainbow grabbed her.

"Not you, never you." She told her, and Applejack lay back down with Rainbow.

"So much has changed AJ, and it all started because of me." Cried Rainbow. "How am I meant to deal with that?" Applejack sighed;

"The same way I am going to sugarcube. I don't plan to blame myself; I plan to blame the griffin responsible. I plan on spending time with my friends, knowing that they have defended our honour, and that of Equestria. And I plan on staying by your side the whole time." Applejack told her. Rainbow looked into her eyes, the same eyes she had woken up to that morning, free from the prison of her own making. Rainbow wiped the tears away, and then kissed Applejack, who kissed back harder, running her hoof through Rainbow's mane in anxiousness.

"Thank you." Said Rainbow as she pulled away and Applejack nodded. Rainbow got off the bed, and made her way outside, her friends had stood outside the door waiting for her. She smiled at them and apologised.

"Is there anything else we missed?" asked Applejack, standing beside Rainbow. The group all looked to Rarity and Fluttershy, both of which held out their left hooves and showed the girls the gold ring that sat on them. Rainbow's jaw dropped, as Fluttershy kissed Big Mac and Rarity introduced a dark green stallion named Black Diamond.

"I actually meant anything horrible, cause I think I'm geared up for it now." Said Rainbow and Applejack nodded, feeling the same.

"We figured as much, but we decided to give you a rest for now and focus on the positives." Said Rarity. Rainbow smiled, happy that her friends understood how hard it was for her to see them as they were. Rainbow turned to Derpy and the Doctor and smiled.

"I'm sorry I was rude before, I... I'm just a bit shocked that's all." Said Rainbow. Derpy smiled back.

"It's okay Rainbow, I understand, would you like to meet our daughter?" she asked, and Rainbow greeted the tiny unicorn, shooting a quick look at Applejack. The evening went on like that, looking at the positives, celebrating Rainbow's and Applejack's awakening, but Rainbow vowed to find out about every single month that she had been asleep.

Rainbow awoke the next morning in Applejack's arms, and just lay there for a while, enjoying the warmth, until Applejack was shocked awake by the sound of a trumpet. Applejack threw Rainbow off the bed.

"Wha… What's going on?" Applejack asked, stumbling around half asleep. Fluttershy helped Rainbow off the ground;

"Oh it's nothing really, the Minotaur are charging at us." Fluttershy said calmly. "Would you like to see? I have a great view of everything." Applejack and Rainbow looked at each other, the idea of charging Minotaur was not something they would normally keep calm about. They nodded tentatively, following Fluttershy out of the tent and across the camp of bustling ponies to a wooded structure Fluttershy referred to as 'Archer's stage. Rainbow struggled to climb it, wishing that she could just fly up, but the bones in her left wing were still shattered. Applejack helped her up the last step. Rainbow looked out over the vast battlefield, and was amazed to see that it looked like red water. Fluttershy explained that is was actually a new species of poppy that had grown on the battlefield. But Rainbow couldn't shake the image of a sea of blood from her mind. She looked past the flowers to the cloud of dust making its way toward them. Fluttershy picked up a bow, blowing some of her very short mane out of her eyes.

"Now this is my job in the war." She said happily, as she pulled an arrow from a quiver and slotted it into the bow. Rainbow noticed the change in Fluttershy immediately, as if she was more comfortable, more assertive when she was holding the bow. Fluttershy let loose, and Rainbow watched the arrow glide through the air and disappear into the cloud of dust. Fluttershy turned and smiled. Rainbow exhaled the breath she had been holding.

"That's awesome Fluttershy, you really have some talent there." Said Rainbow, feeling more than a bit of fear at the yellow Pegasus. "I think we might go exploring, okay?" Fluttershy nodded, pulling another arrow out of her quiver. Rainbow needed Applejack's help to climb off the platform, whispering into her ear when they reached the ground;

"I can't believe what all this has done to her." And Applejack agreed. Rainbow moved closer to her marefriend, feeling the need for her support. No matter how anypony rationalised it, Rainbow still felt like it was her fault, that the grave yard she could see was her doing, and it ate her up inside.

"Applejack, I… I need to set things right. No matter what it takes, I am going to put an end to this war and save our friends." She vowed dramatically. Applejack kissed her and said;

"I will be right beside you all the way sugarcube."

Chapter 8

Applejack sat back and watched the show, eating an apple as Twilight and DuskDrift practiced magic together. She could see that Twilight was trying to prove her superiority over DuskDrift, simply by one-upping DuskDrift whenever she used a difficult spell. Applejack marveled as she studied how a Pegasus such as DuskDrift used magic. Because she didn't have a horn, DuskDrift had to actually say these strange words in a language that Applejack didn't understand to make the spell work. When she did, her eyes glowed white and the intended effect occurred. Applejack could notice DuskDrift tiring out, but knew that she was trying to prove her abilities to Twilight. DuskDrift's mouth opened, ready to say the words necessary to copy Twilight's spell. But she closed it, and looked at the ground.

"I… I can't" She said, her voice broken as she started to cry. DuskDrift looked into Twilight's eyes.

"I'm sorry; I tried so hard to live up to your standards. I just wanted you to see me as a friend, as an equal. But…. Maybe I'm not cut out to be Princess of the moon." DuskDrift cried louder, before galloping out of the tent and taking off. Applejack looked at Twilight angrily.

"What is your problem? Look at what you did to that poor filly. You crushed her." Applejack said, scolding Twilight on her behaviour. Twilight looked to the ground, ashamed at what she had done. A loud crash made Applejack jump. Making her way out of the tent, she found an exhausted Applethunder, the water barrels she crashed into were broken, and the clear fluid went everywhere. Applejack helped her up, laughing to herself.

"You okay Cuz" she asked, trying not to laugh in her face. Applethunder nodded, and smiled.

"Ah'm fine, but ah do have a message for you. Big Mac wants to see us both in the main tent. He got a letter addressed to the apple family earlier and wants us to be there when he reads it." Applethunder explained, and together they walked to the main tent. Big Mac was inside, as well as Fluttershy, Luna and crying into Luna's embrace was DuskDrift. Big Mac looked sombre, and Applejack could sense there was a problem.

"Is everything alright Big Mac" asked Applethunder and Big Mac shook his head, holding up a letter that had a black border around the edge. Applejack's eyes widened, the black border signifying death. Big Mac opened the envelope and took a deep breath before reading aloud;

"To Big Mackintosh, Applejack and Applethunder, I write to you from Ponyville with a heavy heart. I regret to inform you of the passing of your grandmother. She died of natural causes a few days ago at Sweet Apple Acres. The funeral shall be at ten in the morning in a week's time. Your sister, Applebloom has been taken in by the dragon known as Spike, and is residing in the library at the present date. With deepest sympathies; Doctor Neuron." Big Mac finished the letter with tears in his eyes. Applethunder hugged Applejack and cried into her shoulder. Applejack let the tears flow, not caring if they activated her powers or not. Luna walked over and hugged each of them.

"I hereby give you all leave of absence to attend the funeral." Luna told them. Big Mac hugged her tightly, his stoic demeanour gone as he mourned the mare that had raised them all. Even Applethunder, who had learnt how to fly while on Sweet Apple Acres, and cared for Granny Smith dearly.

"Thank you Princess, ah think we shall." Said Big Mac. The three apple family members hugged each other, needing the contact of family.

"When you are ready, pack up what you need and I will teleport you all directly to Ponyville." Said Luna, the sympathy in her voice comforted Applejack slightly. Big Mac shook his head.

"Thank you Princess, but ah think that we need to go the old fashioned way, like we used to before the war. What do you think girls, are you okay to walk?" Big Mac asked them. Applejack and Applethunder both nodded. They split off, going to get packed for the long journey back to Ponyville. Applejack didn't stop crying the entire time she packed. At one point, DuskDrift walked up to her and hugged her.

"I'm sorry, I really am. I know what it's like to lose someone close to you." DuskDrift told her, but Applejack didn't feel much like talking. But then she remembered how much DuskDrift had helped her in understanding her powers. Applejack looked up at her.

"DuskDrift, would y'all be so nice as to accompany us. I think that you need to get away from here as much as us?" Applejack asked, smiling weakly. DuskDrift nodded once and smiled, hugging Applejack again.

"Will Rainbow be coming as well?" DuskDrift asked. Applejack stopped packing for a moment and had to think about the question. Eventually he shook her head.

"No, I don't think so. She needs to stay here in case of another dragon attack. If that happens, Rainbow Dark and Luna should have no problem taking it down. Besides, I just don't know if I can be strong for my family when I have somepony to lean on." Applejack told her. DuskDrift nodded once, before turning at getting herself ready to leave. It was the middle of the afternoon when they were all finally ready to leave. Applejack had told her friends that she was leaving for a while. And they all consoled her when she told them why. Applejack told Rainbow last. Rainbow was shocked to hear that Applejack didn't want her to go, but relented when Applejack explained why. Applejack gave her one final, passionate kiss before she turned and followed the other ponies along the dusty road to Ponyville.

Rainbow watched Applejack leave with tears blurring her vision. Turning away, Rainbow walked back to the main tent with the others, who sat around in silence. It was Twilight who finally spoke.

"Princess, why did DuskDrift accompany them back to Ponyville?" Twilight asked Luna.

"Applejack asked her too, as I believe." Luna replied. Rainbow's expression turned to one of puzzlement.

"What? She'll ask some pony she hardly knows to go to her grandmother's funeral, but not her marefriend! What is up with that?" She yelled to nopony in particular. Luna put up a hoof to stop her outburst.

"And if Rainbow had let me finish, I also set her a task; To find out about friendship and since she told me that she considered Applejack a good friend, I thought it a good place to start. Although I had intended on DuskDrift and Twilight bonding, that does not seem to be the case. Twilight, would you like to explain your actions earlier?" Luna said, her voice rising slightly as she addressed Twilight.

"I'm sorry Princess, it's just that I don't think that she is the pony for the job." Twilight said, and The Doctor suddenly appeared at Rainbow's side.

"Twilight! I'm surprised at you. I did not expect such discrimination coming from you. Just because she's a Pegasus you instantly assume that she's not good at magic." The Doctor said, and Rainbow looked at her shocked.

"Wait, what? You have something against pegasi, why didn't you tell me?" Rainbow said, hurt that her friend would do such a thing.

"It's not like that at all. I don't have an issue with pegasi." Twilight argued, stammering her speech as she did.

"Then how come you have been treating DuskDrift like you have been. You've only known her for about two months now and you made her cry today. Why Twilight, Why?" Luna asked angrily. The three ponies closed in on Twilight, boxing her in, not letting her run away before she told them the truth.

"Because I'm jealous!" Twilight finally screamed. The ponies backed away, as Twilight looked at the ground, ashamed.

"Why would you be jealous?" Luna asked, confused. Twilight scuffed the floor of the tent, obviously embarrassed with the answer. She took a deep breath, letting it out in a sad sigh.

"I'm jealous because DuskDrift has got you Luna. She actually has somepony to teach her the ins and outs of magic and I don't anymore. For some reason I thought that if she gave up, then you would turn to me to teach." Twilight explained. Luna sighed, bending down to look Twilight in the eye.

"I'm sorry that I have been neglecting you, it's just that Celestia told me to take on an apprentice when she believed I was ready. I believe that I am. Twilight, please don't feel threatened by DuskDrift. The magic's I teach her are very specific for use by pegasi only. I want to make sure that DuskDrift is capable before I can leave her on her own to study. So please just have some patience." Luna told her. Twilight hugged Luna, and Rainbow could hear her whispering apologies into her ear. Rainbow turned to the Doctor.

"Do you have any idea what just happened?" she asked him and the Doctor shook his head. Rainbow though it best to leave everypony to their own business, flying out of the tent and into the air. She spotted Derpy on a cloud and headed toward her, not having talked to Derpy much in a while.

"Hi Derpy." She said happily, and Derpy looked at her angrily, putting her hoof to her lips and shushing Rainbow. Derpy pointed to the bundled foal that she held in her arms, tiny snores coming from her mouth. Rainbow sat next to Derpy.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. Derpy smiled, shaking her head.

"It's okay Rainbow, It just that Sparkler is a bit sick at the moment, so I'm trying to savour the times that she can sleep." Derpy replied, rocking the foal back and forth slowly. Rainbow looked at the foal, the tiny pink unicorn and smiled.

"Have you thought about foals yourself?" Derpy asked and Rainbow paled, not expecting a question like that.

"Uh…. Well no to be honest. Besides, I'm a fillyfooler; there aren't too many options for me." Rainbow whispered. Derpy looked at her with puzzlement.

"What are you talking about? If you know a powerful enough unicorn, two mares can have a child together." Derpy told her.

"Really!" Rainbow exclaimed quietly, surprising herself at her eagerness. Derpy nodded.

"Well yeah, both of my parents were mares, and here I am today." Derpy said. Rainbow smiled, thoughts of foals drifted in her mind. She looked down at the ground below and could only see the blood red sea of poppies below her.

'I couldn't bring a foal into this world. What with the war and the prophecy, and…. Rainbow Dark.' Rainbow thought, sighing.

Applejack and the others walked in silence through the night, not wanting to stop and risk missing the funeral. It wasn't until dawn that they finally decided to rest. Applethunder and DuskDrift had promised not to use their wings on the pilgrimage back to Ponyville, and as a result, were a lot more exhausted that Applejack or Big Mac. The two pegasi fell asleep quickly, but Applejack couldn't sleep, she just wanted to see Ponyville again, to see Applebloom and hug her sister with all her might and to see Granny Smith one last time. She sat next to Big Mac, his tired expression betraying his body language.

"Get some sleep big brother; I'm gunna keep a watch for a while." Applejack said. Big Mac nodded and laid his head down on his saddlebag, using it as a pillow. Applejack smiled, glad to see that nothing had changed between her and Big Mac, but she thought of Applebloom and how she might look now. Would she have her cutie mark, a coltfriend, what? Applejack shook her head loose of the thoughts and looked out into the open plain, letting herself daydream about the old days.

A few hours later, the group continued on their quest. The road seemed endless, but Applejack could make out a town in the distance.

"That must be Maneflow Springs." She said, and the groups pace quickened, now with a goal in sight to focus on. Upon entering the town, Applethunder suggested some food, and the idea was greeted with enthusiastic nods. They found themselves a restaurant near the harbour that had a view of the sea. The ponies ate their food with gusto, devouring the first lot in a heartbeat and ordering more. A sudden commotion made Applejack turn and she could see a young mare being harassed by some sailors. She stood up quickly as one of the largest one hit her across the face. Ponies walking by turned, but kept walking, as though they didn't care. Big Mac grabbed her arm.

"This isn't our fight AJ." He said, and Applejack pulled her arm away sharply.

"Ah don't care. Somepony has to do something." She told him, making her way over. The large pony hit the mare again.

"Hey, what do y'all think you're doin, leave the poor girl alone." She shouted, and the sailors looked at her.

"Mind your own business hick. Otherwise we might knock that stupid look off your face." Said the large one. Applejack kept advancing toward them, feeling the need to let her pent up emotions out. The large one hit the mare again and turned to Applejack.

"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into." He said and Applejack smiled.

"Ah don't care. I just want to hit something."