Bounty Hunters 2: Awakening

by Jasper77W

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Sad, Other, Original Character, Octavia
Length: 55249

The sequel to the original 'Bounty Hunters' storyline

The second book in the 'Bounty Hunters' series.

A year since the war broke out and the Science Faction almost completely destroyed Equestria. Rainbow Dash still remembers everything, from the warehouse contract to the death of her best friend for about ten years or more. Dainty has become the little sister she never had, and she'll do anything she could to protect her from the remains of the Science Faction as both Rainbow and the evil scientists race for the revival machine- a machine that could awaken the dead. Will Rainbow be able to stop Science from reviving Neon and wreaking havoc, and bring her best friend back?

It is advised that you read the first book before reading this, as most of the storyline may fail to make sense if you miss out the first. Link: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/50278/Bounty-Hunters

Enjoy! And feel free to leave comments

Published 2012-09-30 18:04:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-29 04:41:55 UTC

Chapter 1: Lingering Ghost

Rainbow landed on the balcony after an hour or so out in the sky, and looked out over the city of Cloudsdale. The white clouds glowed in the bright morning sun, and she was forced to shield her eyes. As usual, they were pure as ever. She wondered if she'll go for a drink to kill the boredom.
Shaking off that thought and going back inside, she put down the speakers and plugged them into her laptop. She put on some rock music in the background, then began conducting internet searches, raking through gigabytes of data.
The music seemed to dim as her mind sharpened when she came across a photo of Melony, Dainty, and their parents. It looked distant from reality. All of them were smiling, happy. Together.
Rainbow hesitated. Will she want to find out? The very thing that pushed her towards a dark carrier, will she want to find out more about it?
She gritted her teeth. She had to. Octavia is coming back, and she'll make sure that it happens.
She read on. Below was an article on the murder of the parents. They lived in Manehatten, and were both shot to death. A few years later the body of Dainty was found on the streets of Manehatten, roughly three hundred miles away from the house. Melony was no where to be found. Dainty's body then later mysteriously disappeared from the autopsy room, where it was stored for later investigation. The article said that it was presumed that the science faction was behind all of it, although individuals couldn't be pin-pointed.
Rainbow sighed. Neon must've stolen the body, but how did she revive Dainty...
The only way is for her to go to the old mines, where she found Dainty. Although it had been blown up, she might still be able to find something of use there.
Dainty won't need picking up until in seven hours, so she decided to go to the mines.
She looked up, spotting her old black coat hanging on the door, still failing to lose its silky texture. The black gangster hat was next to it, the white band still shiny.
Rainbow picked the two items up and put them on. She felt something heavy brush against her leg as she shrugged on the coat. Rummaging through her pocket, she found a small metal canister, red light leaking out of gaps in the shell.
She re-pocketed the canister. She might be needing it.
Locking the door behind her, she left the house.

*

The mines were the same as the last time she saw them. Dark and eery- except that it was day time.
She strode through it, her hoof steps echoing in the silence. She walked through the giant crater, rocket craters and bullet holes littering the ground and sides.
Rainbow stopped in front of a pile of boulders- that's right, Octavia ordered the car to block the entrance.
There was the distinct sound of metal rubbing on metal as Rainbow flicked out the canister, pressing a switch. It began unfolding, forming a giant cleaver as the last piece slid into place. The red Element of Loyalty crystal glimmered in its slot, located in the cleaver handle, going through the center and popping up on both sides.
With a few quick slashes, Rainbow reduced the boulders into little pieces of rock.
Folding the cleaver, she walked into the dark tunnel.
She could barely see in the darkness, and could only follow the light in front of her from the other side.
Rainbow stepped back into the sunshine, shielding her eyes, waiting for them to adjust. Everything was left untouched since one year ago- the two turrets still lay disabled, and the sparks had stopped popping. They must've cut the power supply.
The building was up ahead, looming over her. The hole she cut in the gate was still there.
Stepping through and into the darkness, she looked around her. Her own shadow was cast onto the floor in front of her as sunlight poured in. She remembered every bit of the events that unfolded here- the ambush, and Octavia's death.
She ground her teeth together, walking on.
Light poured in through the hole Neon made in the wall when she clawed her way in. Rainbow eyed it, inspecting the shredded metal. Nothing special.
She walked towards the end of the long room, where Neon was launched by her sonic rainbubble through the wall and into the complex of pipes.
She stood on the edge, remembering Neon leaping down from the ceiling, claws flashing. She rubbed her oddly tired eyes. She could see every memory clear as day in her mind.
Dropping down onto the complex, her wings outstretched to create a softer landing; Rainbow touched down gently on the concrete floor beneath all the pipes. Streaks of light leaked through the gaps between the pipes that covered the area above. There were some craters and dents in the floor from where Rainbow fought Neon, a clear trail of destruction with it.
The small building she was looking for was up ahead. A solitary room, it stood amidst the chaotic mess of pipes. It looked out of place, with its fresh look and all; compared to the old rusting environment around it. Maybe Melony still had some conscious inside Neon when she was working on the revival machine- the place seemed to serve more than just purpose. There was still a bit of love, however tiny the amount.
Right now, its door was swinging on one hinge, the other blown off. Black burn marks spread from the exit and out into the open, a clear indication of an explosion inside.
Rainbow stepped in, the sunshine from outside being her only source of light.
Inside she found piles of debris. She could see a portion of the bed she found Dainty in. There were twisted metal scraps here and there. She began digging, hoping there might be something underneath all the crap; hidden from sight.
Suddenly there was a white flash, and she fell back into a pile, yelping in surprise. Lifting the rim of her hat so she could see, she saw the silhouette of a familiar friend standing in the light in from of her. She could see every detail- the folds in her coat, to the individual strands of hair.
Octavia had her back to Rainbow, and she was wearing her black coat and hat. Her dark mane and coat seemed to flow in an undetectable breeze as she stood there.
"Octavia- Octavia!" she called, scrambling up to her hooves. Octavia stood silently, her head slowly turning. "Please! Come back!" Rainbow continued her calls, stumbling forward. Octavia had half her face facing rainbow now. Her iris was a sudden burst of purple from all the black and grey, and she wore the same sensible smile she left with. There was another white flash, and Octavia disappeared. There was nothing to prove that she was ever there- no unsettled ash, no moved debris.
Rainbow clutched her head, grunting in frustration and falling onto the ash covered ground.
"Seeing things! I'm bucking losing it...." she cursed, squishing the ash on the floor under a hoof. Her knee brushed against something with an odd texture as she knelt down, trying to calm her nerves.
She looked down, and spotted the corner of a leather book poking out of the ash. She quickly brushed away the ash, and plucked out the book.
It was a diary, without a name however. She simply presumed it was Neon's. She flicked it open- inside were a bunch of formulas, both ticked ones and crossed out ones.
This was it- instructions as to how the machine works. She found them.
Rainbow quickly stuffed the small hoof-sized book into her pocket. Soon, Octavia. Soon.

*

It was lunch time, and Dainty sat alone on one of the many wooden benches in the school playground. There was a loud slurp as she sucked in the last few drops of juice in her juice box through a straw, and a clang as she tossed the crushed box into a metal bin.
"Well well, little Dainty sitting alone again, aye?" a gang of foals approached. Dainty couldn't see their faces properly due to the sun shining in the opposite direction.
"What, no friends?" a boy chuckled.
Dainty said nothing. These idiots had been making fun of and picking on her ever since she got to this school. None of the other fillies dared befriend her, as they might get picked on as well. Overtime she just accepted that she won't be getting any friends for some time. Everyday she simply looked forward to getting home with Rainbow- her only source of comfort now-a-days. She continued ignoring the gang, until one of them bumped her lunchbox and her sandwich fell onto the floor.
"Hehe... Oops." a girl giggled.
"Oi!" Dainty stood up, her yell completely un-intimidating due to its relatively high pitch. After all, she was grade one.
"Ooh, Dainty mad!" chuckled a boy, and the gang began laughing.
"Stop it!" Dainty shouted madly, but it only made the gang laugh harder.
"Hey! You lot! Leave her alone!" a voice said from behind Dainty, and she turned to look at Miss Cordy, her teacher. The gang froze, their laughing expressions fading away.
"Miss-" the girl that knocked Dainty's sandwich onto the floor began.
"Don't try and act innocent! I heard and saw everything!" Cordy said.
"We-"
"Apologize." Cordy said sternly.
"We're sorry..." the gang muttered half-heartedly.
"Now, move off- don't let me see you bullying Dainty again, you hear?" Cordy said, and the gang slowly trotted away with their heads lowered, muttering. "You alright?" she turned to Dainty and sat down to match her height.
Dainty nodded, although she wasn't exactly in a happy mood. Cordy just looked worriedly at her. She'd been told about Dainty's past.
"Come on-" she said, grabbing Dainty's hoof and standing up. "Come with me to the tuck shop... I'm sure we'll be able to find something for you there."
"But I didn't bring any mo-"
"Let me worry about that, darling." Cordy smiled gently, picking up Dainty's lunchbox and leading her away from the playground.

*

At first Rainbow felt something touch her mane, and opened her tired eyes slightly. Then whatever was on her head chirped noisily, and she flailed her arms in the air in panic.
The bird chirped again, flying out the open window. Rainbow sighed, then banged her head on the desk in frustration as she remembered what she was doing before falling asleep. The bang echoed out the window, mixed with the sound of cracking wood. Sheets of paper fluttered in all directions, slowly floating towards the ground. Rainbow rubbed her head.
The formulas in the book didn't make any sense to her. Right now, more than any other time in her life, she regretted not paying attention in class. She tried doing research, but the complicated things required the basis of understanding(which, she didn't have.). It's like trying to add two numbers together without being able to count. She might be able to work out the formula following the rules, but she won't understand the answer. Ah well. She'll just have to take the answers and formulas to a real scientist that might understand this crap. Although... She really didn't trust scientists anymore, not after the Science Faction invasion.
She tried re-organizing the papers she scattered, but could no longer make any sense of them, not even the formulas; as she forgot everything after she fell asleep.
Pounding her head on the desk, she began starting over again.
An alarm clock went off. She roared, and slammed a hoof into the screen, shattering it and sending the clock off the table and out the window. She ignored the yelp of a stallion that came from outside.
Placing 'Buy another alarm clock' and 'See psychologist' on her list of to-do things, she shrugged on her coat and left to go pick up Dainty from school.

*

Oddly enough, Rainbow didn't find Dainty waiting outside Cloudsdale Primary. It was raining- and the pounding rhythm amplified Rainbow's unease- a sick feeling she immediately got when she didn't see Dainty at the gates.
She waited, standing and leaning against the brick wall surrounding the school, watching parents and relatives pick up their beloved fillies. Still no Dainty.
Rainbow was still standing there by the time everypony left, hoping Dainty would just surprise her and come out. It had been hours since school ended, and the sky was getting dark.
"Hey! Miss Dash. Can I help you?" Cordy said, exiting the school gates. She had her hoofbag with her, and was obviously leaving.
"Ah, hello Cordy. I was wondering if you've seen Dainty?" Rainbow pushed off the wall gently, turning to face the school teacher.
"Dainty... She left straight after school. I escorted her to the gates- then went back to mark their homework... She's doing exceptionally well, by the way. Why? Did you not see her?"
The unease tightened around Rainbow's heart, making it physically ache by the slightest. "No. I didn't see her."
"Oh dear..." Cordy ran a hoof through her mane. "Should I call the cops? I'm sure they'll find her..."
"No. Don't." Rainbow said. The last thing she needed is for Dainty to attract attention and have the science faction know where she is, and from what she heard, there might still be a traitor in the royal guards- which, is basically the cops. "Thanks for the help anyway. It's raining pretty darn hard- you be on your way, miss."
Cordy nodded worriedly, then headed for her car.
Rainbow stood in the rain for a moment or two, trying to think of a place where Dainty might go.
Driving the car back home, she creaked the door open, but her heart fell immediately as no light came out into the darkness. No one had turned the lights on, meaning Dainty probably wasn't home. Still having a thin thread of hope, she walked in, the rain slipping off her coat and making puddles on the tiled floor.
"Dainty! Dainty!" she called. No reply.
After searching all the rooms and not finding the filly anywhere, her heart officially plunged into a guilty panicky feeling. She turned and turned around the living room, hoping that she missed a spot, and that the little filly was hiding there, waiting to be discovered. There was no such spot.
"It's only one place..." Rainbow muttered to herself. "Plenty of possibilities... Come on Rainbow... Think... THINK!"
And then the horrible thoughts started kicking in, worming and forcing their way into her brain, despite her struggle to keep them out. What if Dainty was snatched? What if the Science Faction has her?
Rainbow clutched her head. "Get out!" she screamed at the thoughts. "GET OUT!!"
She felt something cold press against her chest. She was suddenly aware of the thin chain around her neck, and she lifted the necklace of her own cutie mark out from underneath her shirt. The necklace Dainty gave her this morning- for her birthday.
She crumbled down onto the floor, burying her face in the carpet and sobbing quietly, the necklace held tight in a hoof.
"No... Not again..." her voice faded into a whisper. "Please... Not this again..." she thought of Octavia, and how useless she had been when her friend was dying.
For a long period of time all she could hear was the pounding of rain on the window, and the rumbling of thunder, accompanied by her own sobbing.
It pained her even more as she remembered that Dainty was afraid of lightning, of thunder and rain. And here she was, not being able to do anything about it.
Rainbow didn't know where to start looking for Dainty. There was no where to start, and Dainty had never been anywhere else other than the school, the markets and shopping malls, and home. The markets and shopping malls were too far away, so she couldn't possibly be there. All Rainbow could think of was the poor filly wondering the streets, cold and shivering, just like back in Manehatten.
"I'm so useless..." She muttered through irregular breaths, raking a hoof through the carpeted floor, her face pressed against the soft fur.
Slowly getting up, she decided to just drive through the streets.
There was no anticipation nor expectation as Rainbow drove the bright orange car through the dark streets. She didn't have any raised hopes when she saw distant figures in the rain. She drove on through the streets, slow enough so she could scan the side walks. By now all the ponies were inside some type of shelter, whether it be home, or a restaurant. There was nopony out. Not even a car. It was only Rainbow, driving her expensive race car, all alone in the pounding rain and the howling winds.
She by now had driven through all the streets and roads, five times over. Still no sign of the blonde maned green filly.
Rainbow's mind was in a mist of confusion. She couldn't think clearly, and her eyelids were drooping down. She saw a dark shape, walking along the street.
Octavia turned around, a calm expression on her face. Time seemed to slow, and the darkness began to fade. Everything became distorted and unclear, except for Octavia.
"Come... Back..." Rainbow said, her strength drained.
Then everything bounced back into focus, and Octavia was no longer there.
Rainbow's mind abruptly cleared, and she slammed the breaks as she saw the left turn up ahead. The car skid out of control, the rain lubricating the tires. Rainwater flew in all directions as the car spun, then slowly skid to a halt inches away from a brick building, the side mirror clipping the wall.
Rainbow's tight grip on the steering wheel loosened, cold sweat covering her body as if she'd been in the rain, her irregular breathing sending puffs of steam into the cold night air. She leaned forward and rested her forehead on the steering wheel, slowly calming her breathing.
"Damnit..." she whispered, tapping the steering wheel with a hoof. "Damnit..."

Chapter 2: Cold

Dainty shivered as another blast of wind swept over her, the rain seemingly slicing through her skin. She shielded her face desperately with her bag, avoiding the high-speed rain drops.
She tried getting home before Rainbow did, to set up and give her a surprise- but now, she's lost. She has no idea where she is, and everything was cold and unfamiliar. She couldn't see more than ten meters ahead of her because of the heavy rain, making her even more confused than before.
Suddenly everything flashed a light blue, soon accompanied by the deafening rumbling of thunder. Dainty yelped and curled into a ball, shaking uncontrollably. She couldn't help but have tears swarm into her eyes, as she regretted her actions. Her intentions were right- she wanted a good surprise for Rainbow. But she only got herself into trouble. She couldn't help but think whether or not Rainbow'll ever find her again, and if she doesn't; will she be living on the streets again- just like years back in Manehatten?
She certainly hoped not, but the more she thought about it the more she cried, her tears mixing with the rain.
Right now everything seemed so miserable to Dainty. The warm colored lights somehow looked cold, and sent further chills through her body.
She had to at least go somewhere- so she picked herself up, shrugged on her bag, and started slowly walking forward- to where, she had no idea.
Melony... Rainbow Dash... Where are you....
There was music up ahead, and laughter, and talking. It sounded like a happy place, so Dainty followed the sound through the rain.
There was one building that stood out amongst the others- somehow this one's lights made Dainty feel warm. It was definitely loud inside, but everypony sounded happy. She looked up at the sign- she couldn't read it yet, but she could tell it was a public place.
Anything to get out of the rain, she thought.
She approached the door, and gingerly pushed it open, stepping in slowly.
"...And sliced them buckers in half..." Rainbow was shouting, her speech slurred. She was standing on a table, wobbling around as if she didn't have a brain. The remains of an alcoholic beverage slushed around in its bottle, which was in Rainbow's right hoof. Judging by the amount of bottles on and shattered under the table that she stood on, she had been drinking- a lot. "Anyways... They didn't stand a cha-" she suddenly stopped, catching sight of Dainty, who stood in the doorway, not knowing how to react. The tears were still drying up on her face, but thankfully the rainwater hid that.
Rainbow stopped talking, and the whole bar went silent, staring at either Rainbow or Dainty. Obviously Rainbow had told them about how Dainty went missing. She stumbled down from the table, spilling some of her drink as she did so. She had an angry expression on her face when she limped towards Dainty.
Dainty braced. She knew what was coming- she's going to get told off and yelled at, and she knows she's going to deserve every bit of it.
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have just left-" she began apologizing, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. Rainbow then surprised her with a big hug.
Rainwater soaked onto Rainbow's clothes. But she didn't care- Dainty was back, miraculously turning up at the bar; and that's all she cared about.
Dainty could smell the alcohol on Rainbow, but it didn't matter. She hugged her back as tightly as she possibly could, crying into her shoulder. Rainbow was crying too- out of total relief that her only little sis was still here with her. Dainty was surprised that Rainbow was crying too, but didn't let go. Rainbow's body heat began giving Dainty some of the warmth, and the cold slowly slipped away.
There was some cheering going on in the bar, led up by one stallion, and slowly growing into a jumbo of clapping and whooping.
Rainbow let go, and smiled with wet eyes. Tears flowed down her cheeks, and she had dropped the bottle. It was rolling around on the floor.
"I-I-I'm s-s-so sor-r-ry..." Dainty sobbed.
"Let's get you home now." Rainbow hugged her again, wiping away the tears in her eyes. Dainty nodded. There couldn't possibly be more that she wanted.

*

Home was always the place that seemed warm, despite the heater not being on. Rainbow ordered dinner, while Dainty went to curl up in bed with Mr Rabbit.
By the time Rainbow was done, Dainty had already fallen asleep, exhausted from all the walking and mental stress. Rainbow couldn't say she felt any better physically, but she was happier than ever that she didn't lose the little filly. Right now she was leaning on the door frame of Dainty's bedroom, watching over her.
Dainty's chest heaved gently with every breath- every movement she made was small. She had Mr Rabbit hugged tightly by her side, her face pressed against his and a gentle smile on her face. Rainbow couldn't help but smile at that- she almost forgot that Equestria's dark side wasn't the only side out there.

*

Dainty slowly woke up to the smell of food, and her stomach rumbled. She still felt tired though... This one seemed to be different. She couldn't quite place it... It felt like she was burning up inside, while she was freezing on the outside. She snuggled deeper under the blankets, hoping the odd sensation would go away.
The door to her bedroom creaked open, and Rainbow slowly peaked around the corner. Dainty opened one eye, indicating that she was awake.
"Dinner's here." Rainbow said softly.
Dainty tried getting up, but her head felt oddly heavy and her muscles ached with every move. She moaned, exhausted and frustrated.
"You alright?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow and trotted in.
Dainty shook her head slowly, tucking the blanket up to her chin.
Even from here, Rainbow could see the discomfort on Dainty's face. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyebrows bent into a slight frown. She also seemed to be shivering, despite the heavy blankets.
Rainbow tilted her head to one side, her expression softening. She approached, gently laying a hood on her head. She was surprised at the high temperature. More to her worries, Dainty looked exactly like when she first laid eyes on her- tired, weak and powerless.
"Wait here... Alright? I'll go get the food. We can eat here." Rainbow said, moving off. A minute later she returned with two steaming plastic boxes and a heater. She plugged the heater in, set the food aside, and helped Dainty up.
"S-sorry. I should've never just walked off on my own." the filly said, feeling extremely guilty.
"Sssshhh.... Eat, now... You need a full stomach if you want to sleep properly. You can tell me why you left tomorrow- for now, rest." Rainbow said gently, slowly feeding Dainty a spoonful of soup.
Dainty gulped it down with a dry throat, and nodded gratefully as she felt the heat of the soup slide down into her stomach. Rainbow smiled, feeding her another spoon.
Dainty was very grateful for the moment. She couldn't be happier- she thought she'd be on the streets again, with nopony to care about at all. And now here she is, in a warm bed, windows and solid walls blocking out the rain and cold, the soft glow from a lamp lighting up the room with a warm tint- and most importantly, a caring big sister that really does love her back.
Rainbow was about to feed Dainty another spoon when she noticed the little filly had begun snoring again. She sighed, relieved everything was back to normal. She'll just need to give Dainty some medicine, and wait for her recovery.

*

Rainbow jerked awake from a bad dream, cold sweat covering her body. She was in Dainty's bedroom, morning sunlight pouring through the window. Her face hurt from being pressed against the table. The soup and food was gone, the bed made, and Dainty wasn't there either. She raised an eyebrow. She must've fallen asleep last night at some point- but she didn't remember.
The phone rang, and she stretched across the table to pick it up.
"Hello?" she asked.
"Hi, Miss Dash. It's Cordy, Dainty's teacher. Have you found her yet?"
"Yep. She's got a cold, but she should be fine for next week." Rainbow said.
Cordy let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, I'm glad then. Send her my regards, thanks."
"I will." Rainbow said, and hung up.
She got up from the chair with an aching flank, as she must've been in that sitting position for the entire night. She slowly walked out of the bedroom, and was hit by the welcoming scent of apple pie, toast and jam. This only made her eyebrow rise even higher.
"Morning!" Dainty said cheerfully as Rainbow walked into the kitchen. Despite her happy attitude, Rainbow could still tell that Dainty was feeling unwell- she was just trying to hide it.
"Rest, Dainty." Rainbow said, patting the filly on the head. "And why are you making breakfast?"
"I found this recipe online..." Dainty said, gesturing at the computer screen. "I thought I might try it out..."
"Come on..." Rainbow kneeled down so she was the same height as her. "What's going on?"
"I... Just wanted to surprise you... I thought the necklace wasn't enough, so..." Dainty muttered sheepishly.
"Is that what you were trying? Did you try and get home before me, and make dinner?"
Dainty nodded, looking down at the ground.
Rainbow smiled. "Thanks, Dainty." she hugged her. Dainty had gone pretty far to make her happy- and for that she was very grateful.
Dainty hugged her back, glad she wasn't in any sort of trouble. From how Rainbow was acting, she actually seemed happy.
"Certainly did a good job." Rainbow grinned at the smell, letting go.
Dainty grinned back, and went back to making the strawberry jam.
"Let me help with that-" Rainbow said, reading the recipe.
And so that was how the morning went. There was a huge mess of jam and bits of food when they were done, but the results were astonishing. They lay laughing uncontrollably among the mess, giggling at each other's messes.
"Thanks for the best birthday ever- even when it did come a bit late, hehe. Thanks, Dainty." Rainbow ruffled Dainty's mane.

*

The dark maned earth pony stood solitary amongst the white mist, watching the blue pegasus and the filly unicorn. A smile crept onto her face as she saw what a good time they were having.
"She sure does keep her promises, does she not?" there was a gentle puff, and Octavia heard footsteps behind her.
"She does." Octavia admitted as Melony joined her side. "But I do wish she could stop trying to revive me. The dead are the dead, and that's it."
"Maybe. But look at Dainty- everypony seems happy." Melony said, watching the two laugh.
"Dainty's a different case. She didn't get a good chance at life yet." Octavia turned. "And neither did you."
"Hmph." Melony lowered her head slightly, considering it. "No. I think I had enough of the living. I think I understand, after Neon and all. Maybe I didn't get to do all those things that I wanted to, but I did do the one thing that was more important than all the others." she smiled at Dainty, who was unaware of any of their presences. Of course, the living couldn't see the dead. "I saved my dearest little sister."
"Meaning of life, eh.... I think it's just what we choose to make out of it." Octavia said. "I don't believe in fate. We make our own fate- but sometimes there are the inevitable."
"Tell me about it..." Melony rubbed a brow in frustration.
"What the buck are we doing?" Octavia asked a moment later.
"Talking about the meaning of life? Isn't that like what dead ponies do?" Melony raised an eyebrow.
"You should know, you're dead."
"Yeah, but so are you."
Octavia chuckled. "Sometimes the two seem so similar I forget."
"Sometimes...." Melony looked down. "I just wished I could've done more. It's fine where I left my life, but the science faction is still out there. Neon's research is probably going to put Dainty at risk- and that's partially my fault. Reviving the dead should never be possible."
"Do you understand those formulas?" Octavia asked.
"No. Neon does though." Melony said.
"Well, I guess it's a good thing you're dead then...?" Octavia said.
"It's sad..." Melony faked a sob. "But anyway..." she shook it off. "What do you think about yourself dying?"
"It was way too uncool." Octavia complained. "I got bucking ambushed."
"And Rainbow survived." Melony pointed out.
"Shut up." Octavia said.
They stood in silence for a moment, watching Rainbow and Dainty sample some of their own apple pie. Rainbow leaped back as the fresh pie burned her tongue. Dainty was laughing, and soon when the pain faded Rainbow was too.
"Does this ever occur to you as stalking?" Melony asked.
Octavia took some time to consider it. "Sometimes. Kinda." she said.
"What annoys me the most, is when something is gonna happen and you can't do crap about it." Melony continued. "Especially now that we're dead."
"Annoying, isn't it." Octavia said, turning away from the scene.
"Where are you going?" Melony asked, not taking her eyes off the pair.
"I don't know. Somewhere where I won't want to be alive." Octavia said, and vanished into white mist with a loud puff.
Melony stood still, then she closed her eyes and she was gone too, leaving the two with their happiness.

*

Octavia's tombstone cast a shadow onto the crisp green grass behind it, sparkling with drops of water in the morning sun. The white unicorn sitting in front of it had her head lowered, her eyes staring at the grass on the floor, the ruby red irises still. Her spiked blue mane wavered gently in the breeze. A small drop of water slid down her face and fell down into the grass. She had been sitting there for over an hour now, staring.
"Miss- are you ready to leave?" her assistant asked from behind her, holding her jacket. She didn't feel like having it on, despite the cold morning breeze.
"Just a moment." Vinyl Scratch said softly. She looked up at Octavia's tombstone, among many others in the cemetery. 'Perished honorably in battle', it read.
"I'm going to make things right." Octavia's words still rung in her head, despite it being many yeas ago.
"I wish I hadn't been such a coward." Vinyl whispered. "I wish I could've helped. At least then I know I did something to help."
"Miss?" her assistant asked.
"Yeah. Let's go." Vinyl put on her purple shades, standing up. "Find me a good engineer, too." she added, and her assistant took down a note.
Before she left, she turned around just as her assistant walked ahead for the car.
"I'll make sure they pay." she whispered, then turned around and walked on.

*

The phone rang, and Rainbow quickly rinsed and dried off her hooves to pick it up. It was six in the afternoon, and she and Dainty just made another successful dish. They're getting better.
"Hello?" she said.
"Cordy here. How's Dainty doing?"
Rainbow was surprised. The teacher certainly cared about the little filly a lot. "She's alright. Just then I gave her some medicine to suppress the fever, so she's jumping on the sofa. Why?"
"No, nothing. So she's doing well? Like, mentally?"
"Mmm-hmm." Rainbow replied. "Why do you ask, exactly?"
"Well..." Cordy said rather awkwardly. "She, eh... There are a group of fillies... Eh...."
"She's getting bullied, isn't she?" Rainbow said flatly.
"I... Really didn't want to phrase it that way." Cordy said.
"Don't worry- I'll talk to her. Thanks for looking after her, by the way." Rainbow said.
"No problem." Cordy said, then hung up.
"Dainty!" Rainbow called, setting the phone aside.
"Yes?" Dainty stopped bouncing on the sofa.
"When's family appreciation day?"
"Next Friday." Dainty said.
"When you go to school on Monday- I want you to volunteer, alright? Volunteer to bring me in on family appreciation day." a mischievous grin spread across Rainbow's face as she planned it out in her head. "I've got something to say to some of your classmates."

Chapter 3: Family Appreciation Day

"The training modules are inside, and so are the actual ones. All functional and made as you requested." Vinyl's assistant handed Vinyl a metal suitcase.
Vinyl took it, then laid it down on a solitary table in the huge concrete basement. There were two clicks as she flicked the locks open, and a barely audible squeal as she opened the case.
Inside, incased in foam cushioning, was a small capsule and four rings, slightly larger than Vinyl's hoof. Two black and two white. She took one of the white rings, examining it. At her command, the edge of it suddenly lit up, glowing bright orange.
"Leave." she said, and her assistant obediently left the concrete confinements of the basement. The door closed behind her, throwing Vinyl into darkness, the rings in her hooves casting a ghostly glow across her face.
She plucked the capsule out from the case, pressing a button. An LED indicator on its side began pulsing light blue, increasing in frequency. Vinyl tossed it across the room. There were a few clangs as it bounced off the concrete, then slowly roll into the center of the room.
Suddenly it exploded with light, holographic images flying everywhere as it scanned the area around it. Legs deployed out the side, and the canister stabled itself on the ground so it wouldn't roll away.
Vinyl grabbed the other white disc, then closed the suitcase. She activated it as she walked around the table, and it glowed light green.
"Training exercise level one. Destroy all targets. Commencing in five, four, three, two..." a robotic voice said, and a holographic countdown popped up in front of Vinyl as she slowed to a stop. "One. Begin."
There was a loud beep, and two round targets appeared ten meters away from Vinyl. She threw the first disc at one of them, watching the orange blur speed towards the target. It made contact, and the holographic target shattered. A command was issued towards the disc, and it bounced to the right as if in real life. It grazed the other target, but didn't shatter it.
Vinyl cursed. This is gonna need a lot of practice.

*

"You sure about this?" Dainty asked. It was Friday, also family appreciation day.
"Certain." Rainbow said, placing her hat on top of her head. Threads of rainbow colored hair dangling down the side of her face. "Leave it to me, don't worry."
Dainty nodded. She trusted Rainbow.
Rainbow patted her on the head, and placed the capsule into her coat pocket.
The ride to school was like it always was, but Dainty couldn't help but rock back and forth nervously. After all, her reputation in the school kinda depends on her big sis.
"Morning, Miss Cordy." Rainbow nodded to Cordy.
"Dainty, get to your seat." Cordy said gently to Dainty, then turned to Rainbow. "Please wait here." she said, and was about to follow Dainty into the classroom when she was stopped by Rainbow.
"Just in case I break anything, I'll pay for it afterwards, so don't worry." Rainbow said.
"Uh... Ok..." Cordy said nervously, then went inside.
Rainbow leaned against the wall, waiting. Time passed by slowly as she redid her speech inside her head.
"...And this week for family appreciation day... We have Dainty's big sister, Rainbow Dash." Rainbow heard Cordy say, so pushed open the door and stepped in.
The room of fillies gazed curiously at her dark clothing, and the bulge on her pocket. There was clapping as Cordy moved to sit down at the side of the room and Rainbow stood behind the desk.
Rainbow took off her hat, setting her short multi-colored mane free of containment. Gently placing the hat down on the desk, she looked up at the silent and intently listening crowd.
"As many of you may know..." she began, taking in a deep breath. "There was a tragedy last year, the rise of the science faction, and many other things. Things like that are happening constantly- in this world that you know. Strange, isn't it? You don't even detect it. But I did. Many years back, I was shown the dark side of Equestria. It's the exact opposite of the world you know now, a place filled with evil. Evil that comes from ponies like you and me, not monsters. Ponies. They may be mixed into the crowds we see everyday, walking on the streets. You may have family members that died in that short war. You may know ponies that were killed- and cried over these things. And yet, we don't cry for the millions of others. We cry for one. Death happens everyday, natural and intentional."
Dainty wasn't sure what she was supposed to do other than listen silently- the story intrigued her as much as it did the other ponies- although she had no idea where Rainbow was going with this.
"I had a friend." Rainbow continued. "She helped me in those dark days, without her I probably would've gone insane, all alone in the darkness. And she helped me through it... We saved each others lives many times over, as we fought criminals. She was one of my best friends, somepony that would never choose to leave me alone or on my own. But one day, she left. And it wasn't in her control." she paused, scanning the faces of the fillies. "She was a really good friend, she really was. In fact, if it wasn't for her; none of us would probably be here anymore. Anyway, I thought I would be all alone again. I had friends in other places, on the light side, sure. But I couldn't return to them. It wasn't as simple as simply leaving. I lost sight of what was important, my mind completely thrown into oblivion. But then I met this young filly, just last year, near the end of the science faction invasion. She reminded me that there was still a light side, that all was not lost- yet. That I could still return, and she showed me how. So I did. She gave me everything that I lost." Rainbow smiled, eyes slightly wet. "She taught me how to laugh, after I had forgotten. She showed me fun, after I lost sight of it. She was the happiness in my sad life, a constant reminder that I could move on."
Dainty listened on, unaware of who Rainbow was referring to. Evidently, she got a small shock when Rainbow did say.
"She really did give me everything that I lost." Rainbow repeated. "Her name, is Dainty."
Dainty felt every pair of eyes look in her direction. She looked at Rainbow for reassurance, who smiled, close to tears.
"We're not related by blood." Rainbow continued. "But we are still family. She is my dearest, most lovely, little sister."
Dainty felt like crying and hugging Rainbow, and fought against that urge with all her will.
"It doesn't matter if we're not related by blood. We're as close as real sisters, and real sisters we are. And that's why-" there was a bright flash, and the ground in front of Rainbow was shattered, a giant cleaver sticking out of it. The fillies screamed and pressed themselves against their chairs.
Rainbow narrowed her eyes, her piercing gaze scanning over the fillies, making them yelp in fright. Even Cordy jumped a little.
"That is why..." Rainbow continued. "I won't let anypony lay a hoof on her. Understood?"
The fillies nodded vigorously. Cordy started clapping- slow, loud beats. Soon some other fillies joined in, then the hesitant ones. Soon the entire classroom was clapping, laughing. At that moment, Dainty couldn't be more proud about having Rainbow as a big sister. She grinned with wet eyes, and Rainbow replied with a wink.
The aqua colored pony at the back of the room that was leaning against the wall smiled. She watched the whole thing, and was glad that it was Rainbow that found Dainty, not anypony else. She was clapping too, happy to the see the living world going on pretty much perfectly.
There was a sudden puff of white smoke next to her, and Octavia walked out from it.
"That was interesting, alright." Octavia grinned.
"Sure was." Melony pushed off the wall with her arms folded, still smiling.
"I especially liked the part where she didn't mention my name." Octavia said.
"Me too." Melony said, and Octavia glared at her.
"Thank you, miss Dash." Cordy stood up, smiling encouragingly at Rainbow. "Don't forget to fix the floor." she whispered to the blue pegasus as she pulled out the cleaver and folded it back into a canister.
Placing her hat back on her head, Rainbow gave the class one last wave and exited.

*

It was lunch time, and Dainty was sitting on the bench again. She took out her juice box, only to have it bumped out of her hoof by the same girl from the same group. Only this time, she actually moved down to pick it up for her. Dainty stared in surprise as the unicorn handed her the juice box, smiling reassuringly.
Dainty accepted the juice box cautiously, eyeing the group carefully.
"We're sorry for giving you such a hard time." the lead stallion said. "We really didn't realize what we were doing."
Dainty could tell they weren't scared of Rainbow. The cleaver merely knocked the respect from the speech into them.
She smiled, glad that the hard time was all over. Taking it as an 'I forgive you', the group sat down around Dainty, joining her on the bench, chatting noisily.
"I'll trade this sandwich for your apple..."
"Did you hear about..."
"Yeah, yeah... That...."
Dainty looked up at the sky. Thank you, Rainbow Dash.

*

Vinyl quickly wiped the sweat off her face with a towel, but it just kept coming back. Giving up, she cast the towel aside and onto the table, next to the suitcase.
"Set me up for that damn exercise again." she commanded the AI.
"Destroy all targets. Level ninety-nine. Commencing in five, four, three, two, one."
She heard a quiet buzz as a holographic target appeared behind her. She swerved around, letting go of the disc. It slammed into the holographic stallion with the rifle, and shattered him. The disc bounced back and into her outstretched hoof.
She ducked down, a holographic bullet whizzing over her head. She then darted in the direction of the simulated gunshot, and slammed a disc right through the stallion.
Another appeared behind her, and she knocked his gun away with a disc. She had one in each hoof, each a different color. She swung a disc around, slicing through the stallion's throat.
A group of five stallions flickered into existence in front of her, rifles already raised and firing simulated ammunition.
In a bright blurring motion, Vinyl deflected all of them with her discs. She then threw both in different directions. They bounced off each other in the center of the battlefield, echoing each other and flying to the two stallions at the sides.
Then there was a blur of light as the discs practically bounced everywhere, shattering the holographs. Vinyl crossed her arms, and the disc flew back into her hooves.
"Level ninety-nine, complete." the AI reported.
"Load the next level." Vinyl said.
"It is recommended that the trainee rest before proceeding with a higher leveled exercise. All enemies will have major armor upgrades." the AI said.
"Load it." Vinyl said without hesitation.
"Destroy heavy armored unit. Level one hundred, setting up battlefield."
There was a huge distortion in front of Vinyl, then a holographic mech flickered into existence. There was a whirring noise as its twin mini-guns began spinning, ready to spit out bullets. Then there was flickering all around Vinyl as various holographic surfaces rose from the ground, giving the discs an adequate amount of area to bounce off. Vinyl tightened her grasp on the discs.
"Level one-hundred, commencing in five, four, three, two, one."
Vinyl quickly ran behind cover as a stream of bullets flew past her head. She had a quick look around, finding the right surface. Quickly swinging out from cover, she threw a disc at an irregularly shaped triangular cone, then dive rolled behind a wall. The disc deflected off the side, then into various other objects before hitting the mech. Its orange glow turned green on contact, then bounced back into a wall then into Vinyl's hoof. The health bar hovering over the mech went down by the slightest.
She repeated the same move several times, coming close to being shot multiple times; until the mech's health bar was drained a quarter of the way.
"Enemy level up. New weapons added." the AI reported, and Vinyl looked through the wall, just in time to see two rocket launchers appear on the mech's shoulders.
Vinyl ran to the side, hearing the fake explosion behind her as two rockets slammed into the wall, destroying it.
She quickly threw both discs away, rolling to avoid another missile. The discs bounced back into her hooves, and she continued running. She'll need to get closer to the damn mech, so it would either stop using missiles or blow itself up.
She zig zagged through the complex of surfaces, because if she passes too far through one she'll automatically fail. Explosions ripped through the virtual world around her as she ran towards the mech.
The mini-guns were buzzing too, and Vinyl was barrel rolling over streams of bullets as she continued to sprint for her opponent.
The area ahead was clear, and she was about five meters away from the mech. She threw both discs, watched the health bar lower, then caught both. With a quick swipe to her left, she deflected a stream of bullets, scattering them around the basement.
The mech was right in front of her now, and had stopped using missiles, as she expected. It tried to back away, but Vinyl just pushed forward. She began lashing out at it with the discs, its health bar at a steady decline. Blue sparks erupted with each impact, indicating a hit. The discs change colors every time they make contact with something, whether it's a target or just an object in the field. Right now, Vinyl's hooves were streams of rainbow-colored lights as she slashed again and again, the blows too close together to tell apart.
"Enemy level up. Laser defense turrets added."
"Shuck-" Vinyl cartwheeled to the side as a thick glowing line passed by her head. Sure, weapons like this don't exist yet- but why not for the sake of training?
She'll need to get closer, but the lasers were blocking her out. She decided to do a test.
Flicking her wrist, she flung the disc at one of the laser turrets. As the laser made contact with the disc, it bent to the side, reflected. The disc hit the mech then bounced back.
"Aha." Vinyl said, then charged forward. The laser swiveled round and sliced at her. She held up a disc, reflecting the ray. She adjusted, turning the disc and directed the laser back at the mech. The laser turret exploded as the beam and the reflected ray met, lowering the health bar. Three to go.
Now this is where things started to get crazy. The three remaining lasers zig-zagged all over the place, constantly forcing Vinyl to jump over or duck under them, not allowing her time to counter.
She threw a disc, and it passed through all three beams, temporarily deflecting them elsewhere, giving Vinyl some time to take proper aim and throw it at the mech. It bounced off, changing from green to blue and lowering the health bar.
Vinyl ran to her right and slid under a beam, then leaped up to catch her disc and dodge a low beam at the same time. She swung around in mid air, launching the disc she just caught back at the mech.
She was at the side of the room now, and went over a beam that had been tracking her all along by kicking off the wall and back flipping behind it. Seeing that the other beams were far away, she ran towards the closer one and jabbed a disc into its path, stretching out her free hoof to catch the disc she threw earlier. The laser beam was deflected into the mech, and Vinyl watched the health bar drain. The mech quickly moved the beam away, but its health bar had only one quarter left in it.
"Enemy level up. Invincible to self-inflicted damage."
The meaning of that slowly seeped into Vinyl Scratch, and her eyes widened. That means the damn thing could practically shoot rockets at itself and not lose a single bit of health.
Maybe it was crazy earlier, but this....
There were bullets flying everywhere, rockets soaring through the air, and lasers slicing through all the holographic objects.
Vinyl dive rolled over a low barricade, some bullets flicking her tail. She was forced to splay out to avoid a laser, which glided right in front of her face. She was thrown off balance, and landed hard on her back. She leaped up, trying desperately to catch her breath, but failing.
She quickly threw the two disks at the mech, and concentrated on surviving. A rocket aimed straight at her missed by a millimeter as she tilted her head to one side, then exploded somewhere behind her. She tried keeping track of her two discs through all the distractions, but it was hard as she had to jump and roll all the time.
She caught the discs, her arms crossing before her. She then brought her right one up to deflect a stream of bullets, while throwing the left at the mech. She was distracted by a rocket that was heading straight for her while she was throwing, and mis-timed her release. The disc hit the mech, but bounced off somewhere then back and landed right at the mech's feet.
"Damnit!" Vinyl yelled, but at least the next hit will take out the mech and end the level.
There were two lasers, one high and the other low, coming straight at her from her right.
She leaned back, flicking her legs up to avoid the lower laser. She arched back, the top laser passing by her face while the other slid underneath. She turned her head to the side to look at the mech, and her brain barely had enough time to register shock.
It had fired a rocket, and she wouldn't have enough time to recover and get away at the same time. There was only one thing she could do- she'll just have to risk it.
She threw her remaining disc at the mech, hoping it would get there before the rocket. Time seemed to slow as she watched the disc fly away, and the holographic rocket come ever closer. Her back hit the floor, and she scrambled to get up, despite knowing it was too late. She lost sight of the disc as the rocket flew right up to her face, and then-
There was a loud beep, and a white flash, then all the holographic items disappeared. There was a clang as her disc clattered onto the ground.
"Level one hundred- complete." the AI reported, and Vinyl let out a huge sigh of relief.
"Congratulations." her assistant said. She didn't even hear her enter. "I've acquired the information of the ones you're after, as requested."
"I'm not ready yet." Vinyl struggled to catcher breath.
Her assistant was surprised, but didn't show it. "Would you like to go through the entire training again?"
"No. It wasn't enough." Vinyl said. "I need somepony to train me."
"I can search up-"
"No." Vinyl wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of a hoof. "I already have somepony in mind."

Chapter 4: Voices

There was a knock on the door, and presuming that it was lunch delivery; Rainbow went to open it. Clearly she got a shock when she saw DJ-PON3 standing at her door.
"Uh... Wrong address?" she asked.
"Rainbow Dash?" Vinyl asked.
"Evidently." Rainbow said, gesturing at her rainbow colored mane. "Come in, if that's what you're here for. Come to stay in Cloudsdale?"
"Probably, but that isn't it." Vinyl said.

*

"Aha." Rainbow said, after Vinyl had explained everything to her. "But, I'm not sure if I should train you." she leant on the table in front of her.
"And why is that?" Vinyl stared her down.
"The science faction is already down. The military can take care of the rest."
"You know that's not my point." Vinyl said.
They both turned their heads when they heard a squeal, and saw Dainty hiding behind a door; gingerly peaking around.
"Come on out Dainty. You heard of Vinyl Scratch before, haven't ya?" Rainbow smiled.
Dainty nodded, carefully stepping out from behind the door.
Vinyl smiled. "Hello..." she crouched down so she was the same height as Dainty.
Dainty was bursting with excitement inside, but she kept careful on the outside. Who hasn't heard of DJ-PON3? Best in Equestria! Right here in the house!
Rather awkwardly, Vinyl patted Dainty on the head. Sure, she goes to parties and performances... But this feels different.
"Sorry Daint, but you can hang out with Vinyl later. We just need to talk some business, and then you can have your time with her, alright?" Rainbow said.
"OK." Dainty nodded, and went to her room.
"I know it ain't your point." Rainbow said once Dainty was out of earshot. "I'm just saying your point is pointless. They'll be taken care of eventually. The science faction is going down, Vinyl. Nothing is stopping it."
"I want revenge for Octavia, and I know you do too. I know you can restrain and control yourself, but this is different for me. I need to get rid of this guilt that I got from not helping- do you understand? I wasn't there, at least I need to do something about it." Vinyl said through gritted teeth.
"I know that feeling. She died in my hooves." Rainbow said. "And I couldn't have done anything about it either."
"But I could've. I could've been less of a coward and stayed in Equestria, but I ran." Vinyl said. "That's why I need to make up for it."
Rainbow didn't reply.
"I chose you because I know you would help me. You're the only pony that could. Please." Vinyl said, slumping back into the sofa.
Rainbow was silent for a few moments as she considered it. She wanted revenge for Octavia, sure; but Dainty had made up for that. She doesn't want to be dragged back into the dark side, after finally coming out. And she remembered Octavia's words- she told her herself to get out and stay out. She made the promise.
I'll just train her, Rainbow thought. I'm not going back into that hell.
"Vinyl... Do you know what you're going into? The dark side of Equestria, I've been in there. And if Octavia wasn't there, I would've lost it completely." Rainbow said, now genuinely concerned for the unicorn.
"I know. And I'm going in regardless." Vinyl said, the determination evident in her eyes.
Rainbow sighed. "Fine. I'll help you on one condition." she leaned forward, staring into Vinyl's eyes, a serious expression on her face.
"Tell me." Vinyl stopped slumping against the sofa, and sat up straight.
"The condition..." Rainbow said, "Is that you give me platinum editions of all your CDs with legit signatures on all of them. With original packaging." she said, without losing the serious face.
Vinyl just stared at her.

*

"Let's just see where you're at, shall we?" Rainbow and Vinyl were in the giant backyard, with Rainbow holding a training cleaver that she hadn't picked up for over a decade. The back yard was a huge grass field, fenced off by tall wooden walls. The ground was still muddy from rain though.
"Yay! Go Rainbow! Go Vinyl!" Dainty cheered from the second floor window, and both ponies grinned.
Rainbow pressed a button on the cleaver replica, and the edges glowed blue. Both the training discs and the cleaver was designed to spark once contact was made.
"Let's see what you've got. Throw everything at me." Rainbow said, the cleaver loosely and relaxedly held by her side.
Vinyl flicked the white discs, activating them. She decided it would probably be safer if she didn't throw them, yet. Rainbow could easily deflect them elsewhere and she'd lose them.
Vinyl struck first, darting forward. Rainbow swung the cleaver over her head, bringing it down at Vinyl.
Vinyl met it with a disc, and the blade slid off to the side. A series of sparks flew from the cleaver as she dragged the disc along the wide blade, then flick it at Rainbow's face. Rainbow grabbed her wrist, keeping the disc well away. She dragged Vinyl's own arm around her neck, and Vinyl gasped.
Rainbow saw an orange flash out of the corner of her eye, and brought the cleaver up to meet Vinyl's other disc. Vinyl kicked down, unbalancing Rainbow and causing her to let go. She quickly leaped away, making some distance between her and the pegasus.
"Not bad." Rainbow grinned. Maybe she was fighting crime back then, but the fighting part was always so exciting. "You've been training, haven't you?"
Vinyl grinned back. "Oh yes."
Rainbow charged, but Vinyl was the one that attacked. She swung a disc into the side of Rainbow's cleaver, which was being held vertical as to block the horizontal attack.
Rainbow slid the blade into the ground under Vinyl feet, and lifted the entire section up into the air, sending Vinyl into the sky.
She swung the blade around, ready to hit Vinyl on the full once she came back down.
Vinyl crossed the discs in front of her chest, and felt the cleaver impact ripple through her body. She was sent hurtling back, but she still managed to land on her hooves. They made small trenches in the mud as she slid back, the discs searing through the grass.
Dainty had her mouth wide open, and she quickly moved a hoof to close her jaw.
Rainbow was already there before Vinyl recovered, the training cleaver a white blur.
Vinyl slid under it, then reached up and grabbed Rainbow's wrist. Rainbow lashed out at Vinyl's feet, knocking her down. Vinyl punched a disc into the side of Rainbow's cleaver, causing the downward stab to be deflected into the ground. She rolled backwards, getting further away and getting to her hooves. Her back bumped against the fence.
"Uh-oh." she muttered to herself as Rainbow came charging forth.
Vinyl tucked a disc away, quickly turned around to face the wall, then kicked off it. The horizontal attack from the cleaver barely grazed her back as she leant back over it, her hooves still on the fence. She stretched out, digging a hoof under Rainbow's chin and kicking off the fence.
Rainbow had seen Octavia perform this trick. Naturally, she invented a counter. She let Vinyl continue with the trick, swinging up and over her.
As far as the move went, Vinyl was meant to land on her hooves and slam Rainbow onto the ground, but with the counter; that wasn't going to happen.
Rainbow dropped the cleaver, and ran forward. She kicked off the fence too, and did the exact same thing to Vinyl; except now both of them were in the air, spinning and trying to throw each other out. Eventually they both hit the ground, landing in the mud and on their backs.
"That was awesome!" they heard Dainty squeal, and they couldn't help but laugh too.
Rainbow's cleaver was about two meters away, but Vinyl had her discs; and she wasn't about to let her get her weapon back.
Vinyl lunged with both discs, swinging them down from opposite angles. Rainbow reached out and caught both her wrist, then bent them down and clamped Vinyl's arms under her own. She then kicked Vinyl in the stomach(a lot lighter than when facing a real enemy, of course), sending her stumbling back.
Rainbow didn't go back to fetch her cleaver. Because one, she would look like an idiot; jogging back to get her weapon. And two, she probably didn't need it anyway.
To Dainty, all she saw were two bright lights flashing everywhere as Vinyl lashed out again and again, and Rainbow who blocked them all with her bare hooves. Suddenly the flashes ceased, and Rainbow was holding Vinyl's disc against her throat.
"I think I know where to start with ya." Rainbow said, dropping the disc and walking away, giving Vinyl time to get up. "First off, you are fast- but not fast enough. I can still block those swings pretty easily. Secondly, your precision is a little off. You need to be able to cut your target exactly where you want to cut her in a flash."
Vinyl nodded, de-activating the discs.
"Anyway, you can take Dainty shopping because you lost." Rainbow said, looking up and hiding a wink directed to the filly from Vinyl. Dainty cheered, and Vinyl sighed. "I'll write you a shopping list."
"Wait- what about my training?" Vinyl asked.
"You'll see..." Rainbow yawned. "Get some rest in the meantime. Make yourself comfortable. Dainty- mind keeping our guest occupied?"
"Not at all!" Dainty grinned a Vinyl, who smiled back. "Oh yeah, and sis; I'm pretty sure I saw the delivery stallion run away, when you two did that crazy backflip thing."
"Ah well. We got enough stuff in the fridge to make up for lunch." Rainbow said, walking into the house; completely forgetting about the training cleaver. Vinyl followed.
And so the afternoon proceeded. Soon they found themselves singing to Vinyl's songs that they found on the music channel. They even had music videos to go with them.
To Dainty, she couldn't be happier. She always loved Vinyl's music. And now she was singing with Rainbow, and the DJ herself.
"This is boring." Vinyl said, surprising both Rainbow and Dainty; and walked outside.
Dainty looked at Rainbow, who returned a shrug.
Vinyl returned moments later with a silver metal suitcase. "Mind drawing the curtains?"
Dainty willingly went to pull the curtains.
Vinyl slammed the suitcase down on the ground, and it flipped open. A machine popped out, way larger than the suitcase. Like Rainbow's cleaver, it unfolded into one big item.
"Hehehe..." Vinyl grinned wickedly, then turned the machine on. A loud rumbling could be heard, and the entire house seemed to be vibrating as two massive boom boxes warmed up.
"No way..." Rainbow grinned too, looking around her as beams of colorful light shot from the machine. It was Vinyl's mobile DJ station.
"Wub time!" Vinyl yelled, flicking on her iconic purple shades and slamming a hoof down on the discs, creating the beautiful musical noise that both Dainty and Rainbow loved.
It all merged in perfectly with the audio track Vinyl was playing- and it all looked like a walk in the park to the DJ.
So the afternoon rocked on, quite literally at that. There were complaints from neighbors, but all it took was one blank bullet and a pulled trigger.
"That... Was... Fun.." Rainbow fell back into the sofa, her throat dry from all the singing, which was practically yelling.
Dainty still had plenty of energy left when Vinyl packed away the machine, and was hopping around in circles.
"I think it'll be time you two go shop." Rainbow said, handing Vinyl a piece of paper and the car keys.
"Really? Thirty whole cucumbers?" Vinyl raised an eyebrow, looking down at the list.
"Yes." Rainbow said.
"Why don't you come with us?" Dainty asked.
"I need to do some other work..." Rainbow yawned.
"You mean sleeping?"
Rainbow considered it for a moment. She was going to take a closer look at the formulas. "No." she said.
"You'll miss out on a lot of fun." Dainty said, tilting her head to one side.
"I think I had an overdose." Rainbow said.
"OK then." Dainty said, following the DJ outside excitedly.
Rainbow sighed. Sure, she wanted to go. But there was work to do. She was about to go to her laptop, when there was a knock on the door.
"What is it?" Rainbow asked as she opened the door.
"Forgot the keys." Dainty said.
Rainbow mentally raised an eyebrow. She was pretty sure she gave Vinyl the keys.
"Hold on..." she said, pretending to search. "And tell Melony not to spend all her pocket money like last time."
"Don't worry, I will-"
That was enough a clue for Rainbow. This isn't Dainty.
"I think I may have left them in the kitchen. Just let me get them-" Rainbow said. She'll need a weapon- and fast.
She heard a soft click behind her, and whirled around. But it was too late.
The fake Dainty had already loaded a silenced pistol, and sent a bullet through Rainbow's right wing.
Rainbow screamed, falling back and hitting her head on the armrest of the sofa.
Through watering eyes, she watched Dainty's face disappear into shiny pixels that faded into the air, her body growing in size. The disguise was completely gone, revealing a dark grey earth pony underneath. Half her face was covered in machines, one large blue mechanical eye staring into Rainbow's own. She had two hands, made of metal. Five fingers each. There was a little metal box at her throat which connected to the machines on the left side of her face. Blue LED indicator lights cast a ghostly glow over her, making her wicked grin even scarier than before.
Rainbow only stared, watching her own blood soak the carpet.
"Who... Are you..." Rainbow said between deep breaths.
The pony laughed, her eyes, mechanical and biological; glimmered. She placed a hoof on the mechanical side of her face.
"You have yet to kill me..." she said, then her voice split and remerged into something deeper, a lot different from her normal voice. "Rainbow Dash." a familiar synthesized voice said, and her grin grew even wider.
Rainbow's eyes grew wide and her irises narrowed, her face reflecting the same level of shock and awe.
"Still suspicious of everything, are we?" the pony's voice reverted back to normal. "I suppose I should've realized sooner. Melony? Heh. What a trick question. My bad." she chuckled.
Rainbow forced a grin. "If you're looking for Dainty, she isn't here."
"But I'm not. She would've been a lucky bonus. I'm here to kill you. Oh, and before you die, I'm Val."
Rainbow gulped. If she could just get to the kitchen in time... She leaped and rolled into the kitchen, hearing loud thuds as the silenced pistol went off. Another round hit her right wing again, and she screamed. She ignored the pain and stabilized the shaking in her legs.
There was a flash as she yanked a knife out from the stand on the kitchen table. There was another flash as she deflected a bullet, also bending the knife. Val stormed into the kitchen, pistol raised.
Rainbow hit the side of the pistol, causing the shot to miss and shatter a glass vase nearby, spilling the water and flowers onto the table. She then wrenched the gun in a specific way. It clicked satisfyingly, then fell apart into individual pieces.
Rainbow grinned, then slashed with the bent kitchen knife.
Val caught it with her mechanical hand, then crushed it into a tiny ball. She drew a knife from the same stand, marching forward.
Rainbow pulled out a drawer, sending the contents scattering all over the ground. She quickly picked up a pizza roller and a cutting knife, then posed for battle.
Continuous clangs echoed around the kitchen as their weapons clashed again and again, showering the floor with sparks. Val looked like she was enjoying herself.
She'll need to get this maniac out of the house, Rainbow realized. If she doesn't, Dainty's gonna be in big trouble when she gets back with Vinyl.

Chapter 5: Pot of Gold

Author: sorry these chapters aren't coming in as fast as they often do. There are some scenes in this chapter which I wanted to test out, so please let me know if you like them. Thanks for your support! And here's chapter 5...

Val lunged, and Rainbow quickly hopped back. She yanked open the fridge door, hitting Val in the face. Val was quick to recover, and kicked the door. It flew back into Rainbow, who stumbled back with a bleeding nose. She quickly wiped away the blood, and threw the pizza cutter at Val. Val caught it between her metal fingers, and at that moment Rainbow wished she had a hand too.
She quickly stabbed forth with her knife, but Val simply knocked it aside.
Val lashed out, and Rainbow grabbed her hand, the knife tip stopping inches away from her nose. She then forced the knife into the kitchen cupboard, the metal lodging itself firmly in the wood.
Rainbow swung her knife around, and stabbed it right between Val's eyes. She felt her bones crunch as the knife crushed through her skull, and squish into her brain. Val's body fell limp, and Rainbow let go. It crumbled onto the ground, the biological eye rolling back into the head.
Rainbow sighed, looking at the blood splattered onto her. Her wing still hurt, and she was doing whatever she could to ignore the pain. She stepped over Val's body and was about to exit the kitchen when she heard a soft giggle behind her.
She swirled around, looking down at the body. Val was getting up, laughing quietly.
"You should see the look on your face." she said, grinning, her tongue flicking at her own blood trickling down her face. She closed her fingers around the handle of the knife still sticking out of her head, and yanked it out. Blood and bits of her own brain splattered over her clothes, and she dropped the bloodied knife onto the ground.
Shining white pixels began appearing around her, then closed around her fatal wound. When the glow was gone, so was the wound- leaving no evidence of it ever being there.
"I never knew my own blood actually tastes pretty good." she said jokingly, licking her right hand clean. Her left hand reached into the fridge beside her, and took a frozen fish out of it.
Before Rainbow had even recovered from shock, she already took a fish to the face. She hit the wall, and fell onto the ground. She quickly backed away from Val, heading out of the kitchen. Val marched after her.
Where's my cleaver... Rainbow thought. Where is it, where is it, where is it....
She scrambled up to her hooves, but fell down again as she had to block the frozen fish from hitting her face. She swiped her legs sideways, sweeping away Val's hooves. She fell down hard on the floor, the frozen fish sliding away.
Rainbow quickly scrambled up, and was about to get her cleaver. She stopped as she remembered. The research on the revival machine was in there too- and she mustn't let Val find it.
She quickly changed direction, grabbing car keys that she hadn't picked up in a whole year. She kicked down the door of her own house, although she wasn't sure why, it was open already.
She sprinted to the black car, cared for and polished but never used. She got in and jammed the keys into the socket, then twisted, listening to the familiar purring of the engine. She quickly swung the car out of the drive way, catching a glimpse of Val exiting the house as she stomped on the acceleration.
Rainbow let out a sigh of relief. Now to contact Vinyl and Dainty...
She quickly turned on the systems in the car, and the screen blinked. It turned on fully a moment later, and Rainbow quickly connected it to her other sports car.
"Hello?" Vinyl asked. "Does this thing even work?"
"Vinyl! It's Rainbow. Listen, there's an emergency. I got bucking shot by some maniac that stormed the house after you left. Make sure Dainty is alright, OK? Make sure she's safe."
"You what-? Where?"
"In my wing. How bucking surprising." Rainbow wove through the traffic.
"Sis!" Dainty squealed.
"I'm fine, Daint." Rainbow was glad she could hear Dainty. "Just stay safe, alright?"
"Damnit. Are you safe now?" Vinyl asked
"Yeah... Bleeding the crap outta myself though." Rainbow cursed.
"I'll meet up with you at the intersection between Logger Street and Rivermen Avenue. Sounds like you need medical attention." Vinyl said.
"Hell yeah." Rainbow laughed.
Vinyl hung up, and Rainbow lost her enthusiasm.
"Where's Octavia when you need her?" she muttered to herself.
She quickly programmed the two road names into the GPS, and was glad to see the light orange line trace the streets and lead to an intersection. It was relatively close to the mall, she reasoned.
Suddenly the car beside her exploded, and flew high up into the air.
"What the buck!?" Rainbow yelled, peering out of the window. "Not this crap again..." she muttered as she saw a helicopter send streams of bullets her way.
She quickly flicked a switch on the console, and heard the whirring of motors behind her. Time to use that turret again.
She looked into her side mirror, taking in more detail about the copter. She gasped when she recognized it as a military model.
"What the hay..." she muttered, taking a closed look. She couldn't see the pilot because it was dark and the windshield had reflections all over it. Then she suddenly remembered they haven't caught the traitor in the royal military yet. "Damnit!" she cursed, waiting for the turret to warm up.
Another missile landed near her, and the debris from it shattered her driver side window. She covered her head with an arm, shielding it from the glass shards.
"Turret online." the system said in a mono-toned voice.
"Heck yeah." Rainbow said, trying to drive and lock onto the helicopter at the same time. "Do we have any rockets left?"
"Negative." the system said
"Buck." Rainbow muttered, and there was a soft beep as the turret locked on. She slammed the fire button, and heard the mini-gun roar behind her.
There was a cross road up ahead, and the red lights happened to be on for Rainbow. Going through that traffic would be suicide- and stopping would be even worse. She quickly looked around, then-
"Aha." she said, yanking the steering wheel so the car flew onto the empty sidewalks.
There was a construction site up ahead, with a weak-looking plywood ramp leading to a second level.
Rainbow held tight onto the steering wheel as the car hit the ramp. She felt her heart fall into her stomach and then drop with it as she sailed through the air, watching the streams of cars pass underneath.
"Shuck-" she muttered as she saw a large glass building approach up ahead. And she was powerless to stop the car from sailing into it.
Glass shattered and flew in all directions as the car busted through it, skidding to a halt in a large office. Ponies quickly scrambled out of the way as a stream of bullets ripped through the glass walls on the left, sending pieces of paper into the air and knocking computers from desks. The chopper continued its sweep, all guns blazing. It was a scene of chaos that Rainbow wished to never see again.
She stomped on the acceleration, plowing through desks and chairs. Ponies leaped out of the way as she sped on, the turret trading bullets with the chopper.
She yanked the steering wheel, and the car flew out of the office block. It sailed over a number of car before hitting the road. Rainbow cracked her own head against the steering wheel as the suspensions failed to completely equalize the impact.
"Buck this..." she cursed, clicking her seatbelt.
She drove the car past an oil station- uh-oh.
The helicopter fired a missile into the station, and it instantly erupted into a huge fireball that seemed to set the whole sky on fire.
"Crap-" Rainbow yanked the steering wheel to one side, a flying car landing where she was a second before and cracking the gravel road. It too exploded, the fire licking the paint of her car. She'll definitely need to take this chopper down before she meets up with Vinyl and Dainty.
She briefly checked the rear view mirror, and almost completely froze with shock. The explosions were setting off chain reactions, sending cars and trucks alike flying into the sky in flames.
She turned off the turret. It was barely doing anything.
"Hey- Shining Armor!" Rainbow quickly dialed a number, turning the car right and narrowly avoiding collision with a flying truck.
"We've been receiving reports of terrorist attacks on Cloudsdale- if this has anything to do with you-" Shining Armor sounded quite angry. So much for the big softie.
"Sadly, it does. Listen-" Rainbow shielded her eyes from a bright fire ball.
"You listen! I thought you would've left the trouble-"
"Yeah, I tried. I've got a military chopper on my tail, so mind giving me a hoof?"
"A mili-" Shining Armor stopped. "What?"
"I think it's our bucking traitor." Rainbow said, yelping as a car landed right in front of her. She jerked the steering wheel, and the car drifted around the flaming carcass.
"What's going on at your end? I need to know the details." Rainbow heard the captain of the royal guard click a pen.
"I have a bucking military chopper shooting missiles at me! What the buck did you think!" Rainbow yelled.
"You know what, I'll send Blaze and Halcyon." Shining Armor said. "You can explain the situation to them." there was a beep in the background. "Oop. Coffee machine calls. Good luck." he said, then hung up.
Rainbow growled, then rolled her eyes as she remembered the two royal guards who apparently were elite royal bodyguards.
"Hey Dash! How's it going on your end?" Blaze said.
"Great- if you like the possibility of being crushed by falling cars present near you every second." Rainbow said as she heard a loud crunch behind her, followed by a huge boom. "Just fly over here in jets, if you don't mind."
"Why?"
Rainbow growled. Does she really have to explain this to everypony?
"I have a military chopper shooting damn missiles at me! HURRY THE BUCK UP!" Rainbow screamed into the mic.
"Calm down. We're on our way." Blaze said, and the line went dead.
Rainbow felt like tearing everything around her into shreds, but restrained herself from doing so and concentrated on her own survival.
"Oh..." Rainbow looked up, and saw the flaming carcass of a double decker bus soaring through the air.
Rainbow quickly played with a few knobs on the side of the steering wheel, and flicked a switch.
Suddenly the car lifted, falling towards the sky as its gravity was inverted. The bus crashed onto the street, effectively blocking it. The car sailed over it, then disappeared behind a wall of fire as the bus exploded. Dragging flames behind it, the car busted through the fireball.
Rainbow quickly flicked the switch back, and gravity turned back to normal. The car crashed onto the streets wheels down, still going.
"We're in the air." Halcyon said.
"That was fast." Rainbow said.
"We're tracking you now. Should get that chopper down in no-time." Halcyon said, and Rainbow could hear the wink in her voice.
"Thank Celestia." Rainbow muttered, then heard the rotors of the chopper slice through the air behind her.
A bright spotlight temporarily blinded her, then moved away. The chopper had flown up ahead, and was now flying backwards and shooting everything it had at Rainbow.
Rainbow yanked the steering wheel, a missile almost grazing the left side, leaving behind it a trail of smoke.
Rainbow turned into a separate street, away from the helicopter. But soon enough she heard it close behind, and its roaring machine guns.
She looked to her left, and found something that might just help her escape.
"Subway... This is gonna end bad." Rainbow muttered, and aimed the car straight at the subway entrance.
A missile shot overhead and grazed the subway entrance. The helicopter was trying to block Rainbow.
Ponies screamed and scrambled out of the way as the black car sailed over the stairs, sparks flying as the top grazed the ceiling. A missile struck behind the car, sending chunks of concrete tumbling down.
The car crashed onto the bottom of the tunnel, cracking the beautifully polished marble floors. The tires ground against it, sending smoke into the air and launching the car forward.
"Where are you? Our tracker says you're going through a couple of blocks." Halcyon said.
"Subway." Rainbow replied, weaving her way through tall concrete columns that prevented the ceiling from simply crashing down.
"You're kidding..." Halcyon sighed.
There was an explosion behind Rainbow, and she looked in the mirror.
The chopper must be sending missiles through the ground, because the whole place was coming down behind her.
Chunks of practically everything was crumbling down as the whole subway system began collapsing. Cars from the streets above crashed down, accompanied by bits of gravel and traffic lights.
"Don't worry, I think I know where you are." Halcyon said. "I can see the destruction from here."
Rainbow did reply. She drove the car into the subway tunnels, the side slamming against the wall as it landed on the rails. She could see light up ahead- a train was heading straight for her.
She flicked the switch again, and the car flipped in mid-air, landing wheels down on the ceiling. There was a gigantic rush of air and a huge whoosh as the train passed below, the two roofs scraping against each other and lighting up the dark tunnel with sparks.
The entire world seemed to catch fire as the tumbling debris hit the train, detonating it and sending waves of explosions down its length, chasing the black car.
"Shuck shuck shuck..." Rainbow muttered, watching the fire ball grow closer and closer through the rear view mirror.
And then the car flew out into the next station, startling the waiting ponies. A huge fireball followed the car, erupting out the tunnel. Carriages of the train came flying out, tumbling across the huge waiting hall. Rainbow was driving upside down on the ceiling, watching the chaos above her.
She quickly flicked the switch again, and the car came crashing down on the marble floor, sending chunks and pieces flying away. There was a loud cracking noise as the car drove out of the dent in the floor, and sped towards the exit.
Rainbow hit the first set of stairs. Acting as a ramp, they sent the car flying up into the air. Rainbow escaped the fire below, and entered the night.
There was a loud explosion from above, and the sound of failing motors.
The flaming carcass of the helicopter clipped the side of the car, sending it tumbling through the air.
Inside was a total mess- Rainbow's mane flailed all over the place, loose coins in a small box spilled out, shimmering as a fireball lit up the sky. Then the car slammed into the ground, miraculously on its wheels.
There was a loud crash as the flaming remains of the chopper hit the street, bouncing up and tumbling over the gravel, its rotors ripping away and flying into the air. It slammed into the side of a building, and went up in a huge fireball.
"Got him." Blaze said.
Rainbow let out a deep breath, covering her face and rubbing her tired eyes. She heard the two jet fighters scream past overhead.
"Thanks guys. Probably would've been dead if you didn't step in." Rainbow said, relaxing into the driver's seat. Right now, she could bet that Octavia made mods on this seat, since she always drives. It was so unbelievably comfortable.
"Ah. You're still alive." Shining Armor said, and Rainbow heard him sip his coffee.
"You, sir. I hate you." Rainbow said, exhausted.
"Need pick up?"
"I got my car, thank you very much." Rainbow growled.
"I knew those two could handle it." Shining Armor said. "And I also trusted that you would stay alive until they save you."
Rainbow chuckled. "Yeah. Thanks a bucking lot."
"One question though. Why is it, that every time somepony tries to kill you, they end up ripping apart half the city?"
Rainbow paused, thinking about it. "Because they're stupid? I don't know. I'll leave that investigation to you." she said, and hung up.
She looked down at the GPS. It was still working, so she followed it.
A moment later she was at the intersection, and saw Vinyl standing there. She quickly parked the car, and stumbled out.
"Hell- you would not believe what happened..." she said, walking towards Vinyl. And then she stopped. "Where's Dainty?"
Vinyl didn't reply. Instead, she grabbed Rainbow by the shoulder and flung her across the walkway and into a narrow alley. Rainbow tumbled across the hard cement floor, tiny pieces of rock jabbing at her flesh.
She scrambled up, her ears ringing. "Vinyl! What the buck..?"
Vinyl's face melted away into pixels, and Val was standing there, blocking Rainbow's way out of the blocked alley.
"What...? What have you done with them?" Rainbow yelled.
"Nothing." Val said. "All I did was tap into the conversation."
"Then where are they?" Rainbow ground her teeth together.
Val tapped her throat, and when she spoke again it was in Vinyl's voice. "I'll meet up with you at the intersection between Logger Street and Rivermen Avenue. Sounds like you need medical attention." she grinned.
Rainbow was in complete shock. She had been tricked.
"All I did was cut into the conversation, that's all. Excuse me for interrupting, by the way." Val flicked her wrist, and a knife popped out from beneath her long sleeved coat.
Rainbow slowly back up against the wall behind her. And then-
She pushed off with all her force, and swung a hoof across and into Val's jaw. Blood splattered onto the both of them, and Val was sent flying to the side; tumbling through the brick wall to her right and crashing into a wooden table behind it. The pony inside screamed and ran outside.
Rainbow stepped through the hole in the wall, her hooves crunching against the crumbled brick.
Val slowly got up, blood soaking her coat. Her jaw was hanging by a thin thread of muscle from the rest of her head, dangling beneath a lolling tongue. Val tried to talk, but only spluttered blood. She quickly grabbed hold of her jaw, which was swinging around; and clicked it back into place. She held it there, waiting for it to heal. Pixels appeared out of thin air, and immediately filled in the missing pieces.
Val opened her jaw, then closed it. "That feels way more comfortable." she said, grinning at Rainbow's horrified expression.
She ducked down, grabbed her knife, and lunged at Rainbow.
Rainbow stepped to the side, letting the knife whistle past then slammed an elbow down on Val's arm. The knife flew from her grasp, and Rainbow caught it.
She spun around and kicked Val in the chest, sending her into the wall again. She didn't slam through this time, but made quite the dent, brick pieces and dust slid off her back as she slowly stood up.
Rainbow raised the knife, ready to cut Val's head clean off and keep it that way.
Suddenly Val's face faded away into pixels, morphing into the face of a grey earth pony, the irises a burst of purple.
Rainbow's eyes widened as Octavia got to her hooves, and hesitated.
But before she knew it, Octavia had already taken the knife and stabbed it into her chest. She felt it crunch through her ribs and rupture half of her lung, then pierce the skin on her back and stick out the other end.
Octavia's face melted away, pixels fading into the air as Val was back again. Rainbow stared emptily into Val's grinning face, feeling blood surge into her right lung.
"You're a silly girl, Dash." Val yanked the knife out, painting the floor with Rainbow's blood. "A silly, silly girl." she said, sliding the knife back under her sleeve, still dripping with blood.
Rainbow collapsed onto the ground, watching Val slowly walk away from her defeated form.

Chapter 6: Catching the Demon

Rainbow stared at the ground. Her body was going into shock, her blood creating a puddle. Her sight was shifting in and out of focus, and she could barely breath. When she tried, all she did was gurgle more blood.
She heard rubber tires grind on gravel as an orange sports car pulled up.
"Holy buck-" she heard Vinyl gasp.
"Sis!" Dainty cried.
At least they're both safe, Rainbow thought.
"Rainbow! Can you hear me? Shuck, she's lost a lot of blood." Vinyl leant over Rainbow, her horn glowing and her voice distant and echoing.
"W-will she be alright?" Dainty asked.
Vinyl didn't reply.
Rainbow forced her eyes open, blood dripping out the corner of her mouth as she attempted to speak.
"She's alive!" Dainty said. "Rainbow! Rainbow! Sis!" she grabbed her arm.
Rainbow used all her will power and pulled on a soft smile. Dainty was crying, hugging her arm. Vinyl's horn was still glowing, using magic to clean up her wounds.
"Dainty- call an ambulance." Vinyl said, but Rainbow's vision was already fading.
Rainbow closed her eyes. She felt unbelievably tired. She wondered if she'll see Octavia.
"Fight it, Rainbow! Come on, you still need to look after my sister." a familiar voice yelled into her head.
"Melony? Is that you?" she asked, although she didn't speak.
"Yeah. I'm going to give you the hard truth- you're dying. Fight it, come on. Dainty needs you on the other side." Rainbow could see a silhouette of Melony now, standing in white light, even if she had her eyes closed.
"Wait- is Octavia here then? Is she?" Rainbow asked.
"Not at the moment." Melony replied.
"Tell her- I'll be coming for the both of you! Understand? I'll find a way to revive the both of you!" Rainbow yelled.
"Looks like your DJ friend is doing a good job with her magic." Melony said, her shape fading.
"Tell her!" Rainbow yelled, watching Melony grow further and further away.
"I will. And stay alive, Dash."
Then everything snapped back into darkness. Life-filled darkness.
Rainbow opened her eyes, she was still lying in that alley way.
"She's coming back..." Vinyl said. "Hang in there, Rainbow. Help is on the way."
I will, Rainbow thought. I'm not leaving Dainty on her own again.
Even as she thought this, she could feel the tiny piece of metal stuck to her chest. The necklace.
Darkness was closing around her vision. She was comforted by it, because she knew it was sleep, not death.
"Uh-oh. Uh-oh." Vinyl was saying.
"Is she dying?" Dainty asked, crying.
That's one prank I didn't have a choice on, Rainbow thought as she faded into sleep.

*

Rainbow's sleep was dreamless. So there she was, in the darkness. Her mind wasn't thinking about anything, and without any reference points time passed by a lot faster than it usually would have. She could hear a noise, a constant beeping. Slowly growing louder and louder, following her breath. It irritated her.
She flung a hoof into the alarm clock, and felt the glass screen crack satisfyingly under her hoof. She listened to the pieces clatter onto the ground, and let her arm drop beside her bed. Then she thought about the sensation- the screen felt a lot larger than the alarm clock she bought...
She forced her eyes open, and looked to her side.
"Oops." she said apologetically to the smashed heart beat monitor.
"She's awake." a familiar voice said.
"Sis!" somepony squealed, and Rainbow suddenly felt a small but heavy weight bounce onto her stomach. Something that resembled the taste of metal surged into Rainbow's mouth, and she spat out the mouthful of blood over two meters across the hospital private suite.
"Dainty!" Vinyl quickly grabbed the filly and took her off a coughing Rainbow.
"Her wound opened up again! NURSE!" another familiar voice called.
After half an hour or so fixing Rainbow's internal wound, the doctor backed away, his horn dimming.
"You'll be fine." he said to her, then turned to Dainty. "And don't cannonball onto your sister again." he said sternly.
"Sorry." Dainty was on the verge of tears.
"Feeling better now?" Twilight asked, the rest of the remaining mane six behind her.
"Maybe." Rainbow coughed a little. "You girls came all the way to Cloudsdale to visit me?"
"Well, yeah... You're our friend, and from what we've heard you destroyed half the city and got shot in the wing." Twilight said, and Fluttershy and Dainty both squealed.
"And stabbed through the chest." Rainbow noted.
"Yeah, that." Twilight rolled her eyes.
Immediately silence settled in as Rainbow scanned the small crowd gathered in her hospital private suite, watching the eyes stare back at her.
Apart from the mane six, Vinyl, Dainty, Blaze, Halcyon and Scootaloo were also present.
"Thank goodness you're alive though." Scootaloo said, breaking the silence.
"Dainty here needed somepony to look after- right?" Rainbow grinned, reaching over and ruffling Dainty's mane. She grinned back.
"That's one more adventure for the dare devil." Applejack winked.
"Oh yeah..." Twilight seemed to be reminded of something. "Speaking of adventures... They actually made the first Daring Do book into a movie. Starts in cinemas tomorrow."
Rainbow's eyes widened. "I need to see that."
"Well..." Twilight gestured at the bandages wrapped around Rainbow's chest and wing.
"I'll pay the stupid hospital five-hundred bucks if they let me out on a wheel chair." Rainbow said.
"Really?"
"Well, maybe three hundred." Rainbow shrugged. "Actually, I'll pay them six hundred to let me out completely and 'recover at home'. I think I'd like that."
And then she spotted Blaze and Halcyon.
"Thanks to you two, by the way." she said. "Probably be dead by now if you two didn't swoop in and save my flank."
"No probs." they both said at the same time.
"Don't get used to it though." Rainbow said.
The room plummeted back into awkward silence.
"This room is sound proof, right?" Vinyl asked after a moment or two.
"Well, yeah... That's why it costs so much and is called a private suite." Rainbow said, shrugging. "Wait a second..."
But Vinyl had already slammed the metal case onto the ground.

*

"You got her message?" Melony asked.
"Yeah. I heard." Octavia said. They were sitting at the back of what seems to be a party thrown in the private hospital room, the DJ tuning up her mobile station.
Melony waited for Octavia to keep going, but she didn't.
"Well... What do you think?" she asked.
"I don't know. But we'll see when she really does try." Octavia said. "Guess I don't really have a choice anyway- think the revival machine is just gonna drag us out there. It might not be all bad-" she smiled. "I'd really love to talk to them again, and all."
"I think I'd rather stay." Melony surprised Octavia by saying this. "I've got nothing o return to. Dainty's happy, everypony is. I just don't see the point."
"All you keep thinking about is the others..." Octavia said. "If there's nothing to return to, do it for yourself. I'm sure you want to be alive, and that there are things you can do whilst so?"
"I can't fly when I'm alive." Melony noted.
Octavia sighed. She didn't have anything to counter that- plus, if Melony chooses to stay- she understands either way. "True." she said.
"Of course, presuming our clumsy pegasus friends can actually make the machine." Melony said with a smile.
"Yeah." agreed Octavia.

*

Rainbow managed to bribe her way back home the next day. Came to a total of four hundred, two below her estimate. Good enough, she thought.
She felt all good, almost like she'd completely recovered. The magic was really doing some serious healing. She would occasionally cough up some blood, but nothing she couldn't handle. She had set up a password with her friends, so Val couldn't pull off the same trick again.
The rest of the mane six had gone out on a tour around Cloudsdale. Sure, they've been here before; but that was quite a while back. They'll be back for dinner though, and then it's to the movies.
There was a knock on the door, and Vinyl went to open it, tightly holding a deactivated disc.
"It's Shining Armor." She said, and Rainbow came walking out of her bedroom.
"Have you confirmed his identity?" she asked.
"Metal detector didn't react- and he has two royal guards with him, so I guess yeah." Vinyl said, and Rainbow let out a sigh of relief. There were hidden metal detectors in the door frame and throughout the house, which if detects special elements would go off- it's been tuned specifically so that if a cyborg like Val walks in it'll beep the crap outta the house.
"I've got bad news." Shining Armor said as Rainbow let him in.
"Well?" Rainbow and Vinyl each took a seat on either side of the sofa.
"We conducted the search through the wreckage-" Shining Armor took a seat in a chair opposite the sofa. "-And we found nothing. There was no corpse. The helicopter was being remote controlled..."
"Damn... So we didn't catch the bucker, huh..." Rainbow ran a hoof through her mane.
"No, we didn't." Shining Armor confirmed. "But we can be sure somepony in the military put the device on the chopper. Either that or somepony miraculously found out the precise location of our underground facility, acquired the passcode, bypassed seven different levels of security and armed patrols, planted the device on the high-tech helicopter, then snuck back out without any pony even hearing a suspicious noise."
"I think I see your point." Vinyl said.
"And Val?" Rainbow asked.
"We don't have exact matches... But there's one highly suspicious profile in our database. Valkyrie Miase. Only recently arrived in Cloudsdale, bought a house in the deserted sector. That's a lot of credits..." Shining Armor said. "And remember, we still were unable to confiscate any credits from the Science Faction- that means it's possible the remaining members have a large sum of credits."
"Enough to buy a house, aye." Rainbow thought about it. "But that's not enough. What else is there?"
"A large amount of lab equipment was purchased using Valkyrie's credit card." Shining Armor said. "Also some weapons. Actually, one firearm. But that was it from the weapons store. Otherwise suspicious activity on her credit card- is that there was a 'mis-calculation' of the sum of credits in the card. There's a missing three hundred bits, which appeared as 'payed' but wasn't shown where. So she purchased something with the card, but the purchase was never registered."
"That sounds suspicious enough." Rainbow said. "Have you been keeping an eye on the house?"
"No... We, eh, don't have anypony willing to take the task... Mainly because it involves so many sleepless nights of monitoring." Shining Armor sighed.
Rainbow smirked. "Well, I know one pony who'd be willing to take the job for a huge sum of credits... And might just come in handy too."

*

"Oh, hey Dash." the light blue earth pony said as she clamped the phone between the side of her head and her shoulder, polishing a 50 Cal. rifle lovingly. "Got a sweet deal for me again?"
"Yeah- kinda. Not that sweet though. Pay is good, but it's hard work." Rainbow said.
"What, do I have to cut down an army for ya or something?" Magnum asked, smirking and setting the rifle aside. "Cause I'd take that job for free."
"Your blood lust continues to scare me." Rainbow said sarcastically. "But no. Our lovely captain-of-the-royal guard here is willing to offer you fifty-thousand, for you to monitor a house in Cloudsdale for a week without you taking your eyes off it. Constant monitoring, hard work."
"No shooting?"
"Maybe some at the end of the week. But no shooting unless we tell you." Rainbow said.
"Can't they just mount a camera or something?"
"It'll take too long. Plus if we don't have a pony on the scene, they cut the camera and we're done. We also need somepony to alert us- we're looking for a very specific pony- or a specific pattern, I believe."
Magnum thought about it, brushing her blue mane away from her face. It probably hadn't been cut since last year. She tapped the phone gently, humming as she thought about the deal.
"Sixty thousand." she said.
Rainbow was silent for a few moments. "Fifty five."
"Uh-uh. Sixty." Magnum said.
"Fifty eight." Rainbow said.
"Honestly? I'm the only one who can get it done properly, am I not? Seeing as none of the royal guards were sent..." Magnum said, and she could hear Rainbow grinding her teeth together.
"Fine." she said finally. "Sorry Shining Armor, but it just rose to sixty thousand."
"Deal." Magnum said, and heard Shining Armor groan as she hung up.

*

"Sixty-thousand? Where do you expect me to get sixty thousand?" Shining Armor glared at Rainbow. "And you sealed the deal before I could say anything."
"I'm sure you'll work out a way- just like you did with my rescue plan." Rainbow smiled, irritating the captain even more.
"I needed my nightly dose of coffee." he argued. "It's a bad habit I got into after I was forced into investigating your stupid massacre cases."
"What's this about?" Vinyl raised an eyebrow.
"Me running my cleaver through criminals. Big deal." Rainbow waved a hoof dismissively.
"Ah well. I'm heading back to my office, need to gather a team to bust in if Magnum can confirm our suspicions." Shining Armor said, standing and preparing to leave. "Rest. I'm guessing you want to beat Val up with your own hooves?"
"Hell yeah." Rainbow grinned.
"Then you'll need the strength to do it." Shining Armor said, walking out the door. "And you'll have to stay alive."
"I'll try my best. You be on your way, captain." Rainbow said as the door closed behind the captain of the royal guard.
"What now?" Vinyl asked.
"Well... It's lunch time. We make food?" Rainbow said, standing up.
"You still haven't told me what those thirty cucumbers were for." Vinyl said.
"We're going to use them now." Rainbow said. "Dainty! Come help us in the kitchen!"
Curious, Vinyl followed.
"Alright- so, training." Rainbow handed Vinyl two razor sharp knives. They were relatively short, with a pointy end. "To train your precision... And speed.... I want you to make a groove in this cucumber."
Vinyl did so, cutting a small line in the center of the cucumber.
"Now- I'm going to throw it in the air, and you're going to slice it exactly where you made the mark." Rainbow said, and Vinyl nodded, holding the knives tighter.
Rainbow threw the cucumber in the air, and Vinyl lashed out.
"Hey sis! What kinda help-" Dainty walked into the kitchen, and Vinyl had accidentally let go of the knife.
The lethal projectile cut through the air, then its sharp tip stopped inches away from Dainty's nose.
"Try not to let go." Rainbow said, handing Vinyl the caught knife. Dainty had tears in her eyes purely from the fright.
"Sorry..." Vinyl said sheepishly, and picked up the cucumber.
"You know what, let's take this outside." Rainbow said, carrying the basket of vegetables with her.
"So... Basically like that game 'Fruit Ninja'." Dainty said from the balcony, watching the pair on the backyard below.
"Kind of." Rainbow shrugged, tossing another vegetable into the air for Vinyl to cut.
Eventually(that is, after hours of practice), Vinyl finally got a clean cut, right down the center.
"We'll need to buy more targets." Rainbow said, measuring the halved cucumber with a ruler. "Dead center. Good work. Now.... You have to cut it into quarters- before it hits the ground. That is, three clean cuts."
Vinyl sighed, and Dainty yawned.

*

"Hey girls! Ready for the movies?" Pinkie bounced over the fence, then paused and raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"
Vinyl was lying face down on what seems to be a pile of cut up cucumbers, while Rainbow was sitting in a lawn chair under an umbrella, relaxing in the shade.
"Pinkie, if you don't mind going through the metal detector." Rainbow said, her pistol nearby.
Pinkie moaned, and walked through the back door, then out.
"OK. You're clean." Rainbow said.
"What's Vinyl doing?" Pinkie asked, walking up beside Rainbow.
"Taking a rest." Rainbow said.
"Can I eat the cucumbers?"
"Why not." Rainbow said as the rest of the mane six entered with Scootaloo.

*

"That was awesome!" Pinkie exclaimed after the movie, and they were happily trotting out of the cinema. Of course, Pinkie was bouncing.
Vinyl and Dainty had stayed home, because they found a new game they haven't tried out yet. They bought it at the supermarket, just another rock band game.
"I always hoped they'd make a movie out of it." Twilight grinned. "You know, being a Daring Do fan and all."
"I'm glad you girls told me about it." Rainbow said. She found it slightly boring though- considering the adventures she'd been on. She doubted entertainment could go as far as to let one actually fully experience it, on all aspects.
Her phone rang, and she flicked it open.
"Hello?"
"Dash. It's Magnum. I'm in the building."
"How is it?"
"Got a clear view. Listen- I spotted a pony walking out of the house. Seemed quite angry."
Rainbow muscles tensed. "Can you describe her?"
"Doesn't look anything like your descriptions, but she does have a similar coat from what you said." Magnum said.
"Damn. Alright- get somepony in the military surveillance to keep an eye on that pony. Don't get your eyes off her, and don't fire." Rainbow said.
"Will do." Magnum said, and the line dropped.
"Girls... We got a small problem- that might just be a lot bigger." Rainbow turned to her happily chatting friends. "Val might be on the move again. We should really find somewhere safe to stay."
Fluttershy shuddered. "Oh dear..."
"Does she know where we are? Wouldn't she be heading for the house?" Twilight asked.
"Shuck..." Rainbow's eyes widened. "Dainty and Vinyl..." she ran through the traffic, stopping multiple cars on the way and unlocked her car where she parked it on the other side. The cars beeped at her, angry drivers shouting and leaning out of windows. She ignored them. "You girls find somewhere safe to stay! I'm going back there."
"Wait- Rainbow! You haven't recovered! You can't-" Twilight started, but Rainbow already took off.
"I'll go after her." Scootaloo said, stretching her wings and taking off with a powerful downward beat.
"Vinyl!" Rainbow yelled into the phone.
"What?" Vinyl sounded bored.
"Get out of the house! Take Dainty with you and get the hell outta there!" Rainbow yelled.
"Why?"
"Val might be coming after you two. Get as far away from the house as you can!" Rainbow wove through the traffic. The cars and streetlights were all but multi-colored blurs in the night.
"Right, right." Vinyl said. "I'm getting Dainty now."
"Good!" Rainbow said, hanging up. She then dialed another number. "Shining Armor!"
"Rainbow. Did you lower the price?"
"No! Val might be on the move again. Does your surveillance team have a visual?"
"Yeah." Rainbow could hear the seriousness in his voice this time. "Magnum contacted me a few minutes ago. We have a lock on- and from what we saw, she just pulled a stallion out of his car and drove away with it."
"Shuck- so she wouldn't leave much of a trace, eh..." Rainbow muttered.
"Blaze and Halcyon are off bodyguard duty tonight. I'm sending them along with a small squad to try and intercept the maniac." Shining Armor said.
"Bring a box for her head. Try keeping it away from her body." Rainbow said.
"Is there anypony in the house?"
"Vinyl and Dainty. But I've told them to evacuate."
"Good. I need to gather up the squad." Shining Armor said.
Rainbow heard a gentle tap on her left side window, and pulled out her gun.
"Don't shoot me!" Scootaloo squealed, flying alongside the car.
"Damnit Scoots! Get in here."
Scootaloo opened the door, and crashed in.
"What was that?" Shining Armor asked.
"Nothing." Rainbow said. "Can you stream live video surveillance of Val onto my screen?"
"I can try..."
There were a few moments silence, then a black and white thermal imaging camera streamed live onto the screen of the sports car. A figure was highlighted in red, zooming through the streets in a car.
"Thanks!" Rainbow said, hanging up. "Scoots, keep an eye on that screen for me, will ya."
Scootaloo nodded. "But what are you going to do?"
"Whatever I can." Rainbow replied.

*

"Are we still tracking her?" Blaze asked.
"Yep. Heading straight for Rainbow's house." Halcyon said, her face lit up in the dark by the tablet in her hooves. "We should be able to get there before her."
They were in an armored vehicle, along with several other royal military ponies and the captain himself. There was no light, nor were there any windows as the entire passenger compartment was sealed off. The armor covering it has been tested to withstand the strongest of rifles and toughest of bullets.
"Let's hope we do." Blaze said.

*

"Vinyl! Are you and Dainty out of there yet?" Rainbow asked.
"Yeah. We're heading away from the house- not sure where, but away." Vinyl replied.
"Good. There's a squad of military ponies heading to intercept Val. She should be down soon enough." Rainbow said.
Suddenly the line broke up, and Val's voice came through. "We'll see about that."

Chapter 7: Oh... Shuck.

"There she is." Halcyon said, pointing at a red dot on the tablet screen. It was getting closer and closer to their current location.
The royal guards had set up a barricade outside Rainbow's house.
Shining Armor brought a mega phone up to his mouth. "Val! Surrender now!"
"Why the buck would you say that?" Blaze raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know. Because it feels like a moment where you say something like that? You know, happens in movies and crap." Shining Armor shrugged.
"And they never really surrender in the movies either." Blaze noted.
Shining Armor shrugged again. "Blast her!" he yelled instead.
The car Val was in continued to hurtle towards them, a growing dot in the night; illuminated by the street lights behind it.
"Is she going to stop?" Blaze asked.
Shining Armor watched it for a moment, and saw no signs of Val slowing down. "Nope." he said. "GET OUT OF THE WAY!" he yelled, diving to the side.
The roof of the car was ripped off and tumbled away into the night. Val leaped out, flipping back and out of the way of the car.
The royal guards dived to the sides as the car hurtled towards them, slamming into and denting the side of their armored truck. The truck tipped, and the car bounced up into the sky. It flew up into the air and tumbled into the second level of Rainbow's house, smashing a hole in the wall.
"Shotgun not telling Dash about that." Shining Armor called as he got up.
"Shoot her!" Blaze yelled, his horn glowing and a small flame appearing in his right hoof.
"Starshine! Did you evacuate the neighborhood?" Halcyon asked as the night was lit up by muzzle flares.
"I, uh, forgot..." a royal guard said sheepishly.
"You're an idiot! Evacuate them now!" Halcyon yelled.
"But why? It's just a small gun fight between one pony-"
Blaze sent a fireball towards Val, who darted away. The fireball hit the road and erupted into an explosion, lighting up the sky.
"Right. Forgot about that." Storm said, galloping off to get the neighbors out- but by this time they were already scrambling away in their pajamas.
Val darted towards Blaze, a knife flashing as she flicked it down into her hand from her sleeve.
Blaze unslung the rifle on his back with his left hoof, while sending a continuous stream of flame towards Val with his right.
Val leaped over the flames, the knife ready to be brought down.
Blaze flicked it away with the stock of his rifle, then spun it into his shoulder, pulling the trigger. The bullet grazed Val's face as she leaned to the left, drawing blood.
There was a gentle tap behind her as Halcyon landed on the gravel road, crushing a water filled canister between her teeth. The water spilled out, but levitated in the air as her horn glowed, her piercing ice-blue eyes narrowed in concentration.
The water morphed, turning into a super sonic stream. It jetted towards Val, who split it in half with the edge of her knife.
It turned out that the water was part of a much larger plan. Blaze's horn glowed, turning the water around Val into gas.
Blaze had cast a spell on the water, separating it into hydrogen and oxygen gases- two flammable and explosive gases.
Halcyon jumped back as Blaze ignited a spark.
The air around Val rippled, then exploded outwards violently. The flames towered high over the sky, and could be seen for miles. There was no debris, so the ponies outside the blast were safe. That is, everypony except Val.
They could see a dark shadow in the center of a large scorch mark through the smoke, and as it cleared; it truly revealed the horror.
Val had her entire face burnt off, left with nothing but a skull with small pieces of muscle and flesh still stuck to it. Her coat had burned away, and so did her skin. Her metal half had lost its shine, but the lights were still on.
Glowing pixels appeared out of thin air around her, then closed around her as she slowly stood up. The glow faded, and she was back to normal, without the slightest scar.
"Why won't you understand..." she bent down to pick up her knife. "Science is stronger than magic."
Blaze bared his teeth.
"I'm going to get what I came here for. And none of you are going to stop me." Val ran a finger along the burnt area of the knife, revealing the shine underneath.
Suddenly she was illuminated by two bright lights from an orange sports car, and disappeared with an orange flash as Rainbow drove the car straight into her.
Rainbow stomped on the brakes, turning the steering wheel. The tires screamed as they skid on the road, then slid to a halt. Smoke rose into the air along with the scent of burnt rubber.
Val got up to her hooves, her head at an odd angle and her right arm missing. She grabbed hold of her head with her left hand, and yanked it back into place with a sickening crunch. She then bent down to pick up her severed arm, which grew back into her shoulder with the help of pixels.
"There you are." she grinned.
Rainbow didn't reply. Instead, she whipped out her pistol and punched three rounds into Val's chest, five in the head. Then in one swift motion, she threw away the empty pistol and pulled out a metal capsule with a pulsing red light.
Val healed her wounds, then charged at her.
Rainbow brought the broad blade down, and Val blocked it with her tiny knife; bending it. The ground beneath Val cracked as she was forced to kneel. Rainbow ripped the cleaver away, then swung it back into Val's side.
Val blocked it with her mechanical hands, throwing the knife away. She forced the cleaver into the ground, but Rainbow had already kicked her in the chest, sending her flying back. Rainbow yanked the cleaver out.
Val tumbled across the road and hit a wall on the far end.
"You're going down." Rainbow said, the red crystal on the cleaver casting a crimson glow across her face as she walked towards Val.
Val leaped up, blades popping out of her knuckles. Rainbow tried bringing the cleaver up to defend herself, but Val was faster.
There was a loud bang, and Rainbow felt the air pressure around her change. Her ears popped and filled up with a constant ringing. Something disturbed her mane, then soared right into Val's skull, shattering it. She collapsed onto the floor, temporarily dead.
Rainbow spun around, looking behind her. There was a glint of light coming from the upper level of a house.
"You're welcome." Magnum winked, reloading her rifle. She then turned to a pair of scared ponies hiding in a corner. "Sorry. Just needed to borrow the window." she said, and jumped out.
Rainbow aimed a strike on Val's neck, but she blocked it. Even when she's in such a state, she's still able to move.
Val kicked Rainbow in the stomach, sending her stumbling back. She stood up, her face shifting back to normal as the pieces of her skull joined themselves back together. There was a bullet hole through the mechanical half of her face though, and the robotic eye didn't have its glow. The glass protecting it seemed to be shattered.
Val stumbled back up, blades popping out of her knuckles. Rainbow wondered what else she was hiding in all those mechanics.
Rainbow swung the cleaver down, but Val dodged right past it and aimed a claw at Rainbow's face. She tilted her head to one side, the blades grazing her face and making three shallow but distinct cuts.
They ran past each other, turning around and preparing for another strike. Their blades clashed, making a loud clang.
Rainbow swung the cleaver, lodging it into Val's mechanical hand. She then stabbed it down into the ground, anchoring Val to the floor. She let go of the cleaver, stepping forth and slamming a hoof into the left side of Val's face.
Val's hand was freed from the cleaver, and pieces of metal flew from the mechanical side of her face as Rainbow's hoof cracked into the metal. She swung a claw at Rainbow.
Rainbow grabbed her hand. That was the disadvantage- her claws couldn't move on their own. They were firmly anchored to her hand, and unlike Neon's; they weren't part of her fingers. Rainbow reached forth with her other hoof, slamming it into Val's side.
Val stumbled to the side, winded.
"This is for all the ponies that died because of your reckless plans-" Rainbow used the broad side of the cleaver and slammed it into the side of Val's face, knocking her to the floor. The mechanical side of her face was caved it, exposing wires and pistons underneath the metallic shell.
Val had glowing pixels forming around her already, but Rainbow already stepped forth.
"This is for Octavia-" she kicked Val two meters across the road. "And this- is for what you did to Melony." she swung the cleaver round in a wide arc. It broke the sound barrier, a sonic bubble of rainbows trailing behind it.
The bubble broke away and slammed into Val, sending her flying back and through a wall.
Rainbow jammed the cleaver into the ground, waiting. The royal guards were silent, their rifles raised and leveled against the hole in the wall. Shining Armor was peering through it, trying to get a look inside.
The dust began to settle, and Val clambered out; the glow on her wounds only just fading.
Rainbow yanked the cleaver out, small bits of gravel skittering away. She'll have to destroy the robotics on Val- that should stop the healing and disable her.
She threw the cleaver at Val, who swiped a claw and deflected it into the air. Rainbow leaped up, catching it and slamming it into the ground in front of Val's hooves at sonic speed. The shockwave from the impact rippled the road and cracked it, and sent Val stumbling back.
Rainbow grabbed hold of the handle of the lodged cleaver, swinging around and sending both hooves into Val's chest. Val flew back, landed above the hole in the wall and pushed off.
Rainbow yanked the cleaver out and ducked under Val's strike, then backflipped and cracked the cleaver into Val's claws.
Val landed on her hooves, sliding back on the gravel; her claws sending a myriad of sparks scattering as she used them to slow her to a stop.
Rainbow charged, pressing the tip of the cleaver into the road. She then kicked off the ground, swinging over and landing behind Val.
Val turned around, her claw a blur as she lashed out. Rainbow blocked it with her arm, the claw stopping inches away from her temple. She spun away from it, lashing out a kick into Val's stomach.
Val's hooves left the ground, her back cracking against the bottom half of the cleaver. The cleaver fell forward and the handle landed in Rainbow's hooves.
Rainbow brought it over her head, then slammed it back down, shattering Val's mechanical left leg. The metal pieces scrambled everywhere, nuts and bolts flying away.
And it didn't fix itself.
Rainbow pressed the tip of her cleaver against Val's neck, her eyes cold. Val stared back, her eyes unwavering. She wasn't afraid of anything. She was simply defeated- for the time being.
A large blob of water washed over Val, and froze into ice, locking her in.
"Bring her in." Halcyon said.
Rainbow lowered the cleaver, which was already folding back into a capsule.
There was a gentle rush of air as Scootaloo landed next to Rainbow.
"What is that..." she gasped at Val, frozen inside a large block of ice.
Rainbow shielded Sdootaloo's eyes.
"You don't want to know." she said, leading her away as the royal guards jogged past them.

*

Rainbow woke up to the chirping of birds in the morning, feeling unbelievably free now that the burden was taken off her shoulders. Val had been locked up, an EMP run through her robotic half, disabling it. Now Rainbow felt like she didn't need to worry about anything at all.
She felt pretty lucky today, so she decided to work on those formulas.
She started to panic when she didn't find them anywhere.
"Shuck..." she ruffled her mane in frustration and panic, ripping out drawers and running through the contents. "Where is it!?"
And then it occurred to her. There could've been a traitor in the squad of royal guards, and he might've just sneaked in...
"Dainty! Vinyl!" she yelled, walking around the civilian car in her house as she headed downstairs. She'll need to remember to talk to Shining Armor about that.
"Rainbow? Ah, you're awake." Vinyl greeted her at the bottom of the stairs. "You look beaten up though."
"I need to find this note book-" Rainbow said.
"Why? What's so important about it?"
Rainbow froze. She hadn't told Vinyl yet. But it seemed logical to do so.
"It..." she gulped. "It's basically a blueprint for a revival machine."
"Wow. That's really the worst joke I've heard from you." Vinyl said.
"No- I'm serious. Don't you see? We could bring Octavia back-" Rainbow said.
"How do you even know it's possible?" Vinyl raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.
"Because Dainty was dead." Rainbow whispered. "There are even official records, if you have the time to check them."
Vinyl's eyes widened.
"It's a long story. Just help me, will you? It has a brown leather cover."
For the next two hours they racked through the house, searching for the book with the help of Dainty. Of course, they only told her to look for a 'leather book'. They ended with a result that would've been identical to if they flipped the house upside down hours later.
"Where the buck is it!?" Rainbow exclaimed, exhausted.
Dainty popped up from under a pile of books. "I can't find it anywhere!"
They took it, Rainbow thought to herself.
She quickly scrambled over a few piles of stuff and got to the phone.
"Magnum! Did you see anypony entering or exiting the building?"
Magnum was still surveying, just incase there was somepony that was sent from the science faction to retrieve whatever was in Val's house. They haven't stormed it yet- they wanted to catch somepony with it as a bonus.
"Well... There was a delivery pegasus that came by and dropped a small package into the top floor window... But he left straight away." Magnum said.
"Shuck!" Rainbow yelled. "Keep an eye on that house! Alert me if anypony gets near it again! And don't let anypony touch that package- do you understand? Don't let anypony touch it."
"Will do." Magnum said, and hung up.
"Shining Armor!" Rainbow dialed another number. "Magnum reported a delivery pegasus dropping by the house. Listen- I'm certain it's an important package. We need to retrieve it."
"What is it, do you know?" Shining Armor asked.
"Yes. It's the blueprint for the revival machine, and if they get their hands on it- we'll have a big problem if they manage to bring Neon back. I only defeated her last time because of Melony- but since Neon died before Melony did, I'm not sure if they'll both come in the same package when Neon is revived."
"Shuck." Shining Armor exclaimed. He had heard of the revival machine- he was the one that sent the squad in to retrieve it, whom unfortunately all blew up but one.
"That's what I said!" Rainbow said. "We need to get there immediately!"
"Right. I'll get the squad together and-"
"No!" Rainbow yelled. "Not the squad! That blueprint was in my house, and Val was outside the whole time, right? That means somepony snuck in!"
Shining Armor paused. "Right. I'll get a different squad then. Meet me outside Magnum's block."
Rainbow hung up, and turned to Vinyl and Dainty. "I'll be leaving then."

*

The squad leader kicked down the door and stormed in, pointy his rifle around.
"We're in." Rainbow said to Magnum through the mic as the rest of the squad rushed in. She was wearing her dark clothes again.
"Don't see anypony approaching the building." Magnum replied.
"Where did he drop off the package again?" Rainbow asked.
"Second floor." Magnum said.
The squad's hoofsteps were awfully loud in the silence, echoing off the cold concrete walls.
The entire place was empty. There wasn't even a lightbulb here, so the room was only lit by natural light from outside.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Shining Armor said in a hushed voice.
"I don't see any lab equipment... Hell, I don't see anything here." the squad leader said.
Rainbow looked around. It was just a big empty concrete room.
They slowly proceeded up the stairs, their hoofsteps echoing. Other than that, there was absolutely no sound at all. The squad had to turn on the torch lights on their rifles in order to see properly in the dark.
"There's the package." Rainbow said, walking towards where a small box lay innocently on the windowsill.
"Careful." Shining Armor said, as Rainbow gingerly and slowly walked towards it.
She scanned the area for any trip wires, or hidden traps. Finding none, she continued.
The box was right before her now, slightly larger than the size of the book.
Rainbow opened it, and felt something tug against the lid. But it was too late.
She lifted the lid away, and spotted a thin thread connecting the lid to a mechanism in the box. There was no book. There were a series of clicks as the thread had been severed from the box, and an LED light flashed green.
"Shuck!" Rainbow spun around, hearing beeps all around her. The squad was baffled by the noises, but then they saw them.
On the walls, green spots started appearing- there were LED indicators inside the concrete walls, now all pulsing with the beeping.
"Damn it's a trap-" Shining Armor yelled. "Everypony get out! GET OUT- NOW!"

Chapter 8: Explosions- Explosions Everywhere

Suddenly everything exploded, large chunks of concrete flying as the explosives inside the walls detonated. Rainbow shouldered her way out of the building through a window, feeling the familiar sensation of the solid shattering against her shoulder.
She fell down towards the ground, and stretched out her wings to slow her descent. Despite this, she still landed pretty hard on the concrete pavements below. Her wing ached, as the wound still hadn't healed. She coughed up a few droplets of blood- her internal wound must've taken a hit.
She yelled and cursed, rubbing the shoulder that she landed on.
A few other royal marines were around her, groaning too.
She struggled up. Her arm hurt. She looked down, and saw that a piece of shrapnel was stuck in it. She ripped it out, screaming at the pain. Her black coat was grey from the dust that had stuck to it when she landed on the ground. She bent down and picked up her hat.
"Shining Armor!" she called. "Shining Armor!"
She looked around her, but the captain was nowhere to be found.
"No... No..." She clutched her head. This is not happening. How will she explain to Twilight? She had accidentally pulled the trigger, after all...
Then there was coughing above her, and she looked up at the remains of the house.
Shining Armor was leaning on the side of what was left of the window sill, coughing and spluttering, waving a hoof and trying to get rid of the dust.
"Rainbow Dash- you're an idiot." he said.
"How...?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow, also glad that the guilt had been lifted away.
"I can cast all sorts of barriers, remember?" Shining Armor said.
"So... I-" Rainbow looked around her, and corrected herself. "We jumped out of the windows for no reason?"
"Well, the shield only had time to cover me... You know, it takes time to cover extra distance." Shining Armor said somewhat sheepishly, and Rainbow sighed.
"What now? What happened to the package?" the squad leader asked.
"There was no package." Rainbow said, frustrated. "They took it long ago. It was a freakin set-up all along."
"Well that-" the squad leader began, shortly before his head exploded into a bloody pink mist as a high caliber round punched through his skull.
"Holy crap!" Rainbow leaped back into the remains of the building, hoping the concrete could cover her from the rifle fire.
"Sniper! Everypony take cover!" Shining Armor yelled, ducking down.
"Magnum!? Can you see him?" Rainbow yelled through the mic.
Magnum heard a loud bang, tilted her head to one side; and let the bullet hit the wall behind her where it would've hit between her eyes. "No visual. I know where he is though." her ears rung, but she could still hear everything. It was a mere discomfort.
She slung her rifle over her shoulder and across her back, then jumped out the window. She landed lightly on her hooves, and quickly moved behind cover.
"Can you take care of him?" Rainbow asked, still in the building.
"I'll give you the all clear once I'm done." Magnum pulled out a pistol, and swung around the corner.
There was another loud gunshot as the sniper fired, and Magnum pulled the trigger too. A deafening crack echoed across the empty concrete neighborhood as the two bullets met and split into pieces. Magnum heard some of the shredded pieces land on the ground near her.
She dived behind another building, catching a glimpse of a green mane as she reloaded her pistol for a full clip. She grinned- she knew a green maned stallion from snipe school in the military academy years. She had come across him on a contract before, and those were some fun times. She sometimes didn't want to kill him, because she doubted she'll find another sniper that's almost as good as she is. Shooting other targets to her was much like being at the shooting range- just live target practice.
She peered around the corner, but the stallion was already gone.
Oh, Deadeye, Quick witted as always; Magnum laughed.
She moved out from behind cover, ears pricked for a gunshot. She heard a bang behind her, and stepped to the side, letting the bullet pass. That's what she hated about unicorns- they can teleport.
"You missed Deadeye!" Magnum taunted, grinning and turning in the direction of the gunshot.
"Happens to the best of us." came the reply.
"Not you..." Magnum said, lowering her voice and narrowing her eyes to block out the sun. "And definitely not ME."
There was another bang, and Magnum spun to avoid the bullet. She pulled the trigger as she was spinning, and a short moment later heard a yelp.
She stopped, the dust around her still slowly swirling.
"Gotcha." she whispered, walking in the direction that she fired the bullet.
She found Deadeye on the floor in a building, groaning and clutching his shoulder. Exactly where Magnum shot the bullet. He saw her, and bared his teeth.
"Nice to see you too." Magnum said.
"I should've known they'd hire you." Deadeye said through gritted teeth.
"Yeah, yeah. Did you get kicked out of the academy? Those shots weren't exactly expert." Magnum grinned, then heard a noise behind her.
She swirled around, knocking the gun out of a stallion's hoof. Kneeing him in the guts, she then thumped him to the floor and put a bullet through his skull.
"You even have a spotter?" Magnum eyed the dead stallion on the floor and shook her head. "Disappointing."
Deadeye suddenly lunged, drawing his pistol and ignoring the pain in his shoulder. He tackled Magnum to the floor, and her gun went skidding out of the room. He then pointed his pistol at her temple.
Magnum kicked him off, grabbing the gun. Deadeye yanked it away, and slammed an elbow into her stomach. She fell back, winded; and hit the floor.
"You're not that good at close combat, are you?" Deadeye stood up, the pistol pointed straight at Magnum's head; a triumphant smile on his face. "A shame that the best sniper has to die now." he gave one final taunt, and pulled the trigger.
Nothing happened. He pulled it again. Still nothing.
Magnum grinned, waving the clip full of pistol ammo teasingly in front of his face. She had removed it when she grabbed the gun. She waited for realization to dawn on Deadeye's face before pushing off the ground and launching both hooves into his injured and bleeding shoulder.
He screamed, the pistol skidding across the cold concrete floor and clunking against the far corner. He fell onto the ground, his injury hurting worse than ever.
"You... Bastard..." he managed to spit into the ground.
"You're lucky I avoided your pretty face." Magnum said, kicking him again in the stomach. "All clear. There may be more, but I got one." she then said into the mic.
"You little bi-"
Magnum stomped on his hoof, cutting him off before he could finish the insult. "Sorry, what was that?"
"Yo-"
She stomped again. This time Deadeye learnt to be quiet.
"Who's a good boy?" Magnum ruffled his mane, and he growled; making her laugh even harder.
There were a series of hoofsteps as the squad busted in. One of them kicked Deadeye in the stomach.
"That's for our leader!" he yelled.
"And this is for fun." Magnum kicked him in the same place. Deadeye groaned, but didn't say anything; which disappointed Magnum.
"Alright- bring him up. Think he's had enough." Shining Armor said.
"We've got a lot of interrogation to do." Rainbow said, cracking her hooves together. "I bet this guy knows at least something we could use. Maybe where the book actually is."

*

"Remind me- why am I not in that interrogation room?" Rainbow asked, sitting cross-legged and grumpy on a metal bench in the police department.
"Because we found a science faction stallion that claimed you interrogated him and we found him with a gruesomely busted ankle and several bone fractures." Shining Armor said.
"Him." Rainbow growled. Although thanks to that weakling the science faction got brought down.
"Anyway-" Shining Armor looked down at some notes. "We did get something. Not much, since he was hired like Magnum. He doesn't know much about his contractors, so there's the problem... But he did tell us where he was hired."
"Let me guess- that warehouse." Rainbow said.
"Indeed. The one back in Manehatten." Shining Armor nodded.
"Field trip it is, then-" Rainbow stood up.
"You're staying until you get better." Shining Armor said sternly.
"Oh? Then what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to send in surveillance. Otherwise, I'm heading back to Canterlot. No more duties to perform here, so I'll just carry out my 'royal duties' else where."
"You mean spending time with Cadence." Rainbow said flatly.
Shining Armor paused, pretending to think about it. "Essentially, yes. If you put it this way: 'to protect and look after the princess', then you've really got something." he said, walking out.
Rainbow groaned.
"You better heal fast." she growled at her wing.

*

"Hi sis." Dainty said as Rainbow closed the door behind her. "We tidied up the house while you were gone. But... We couldn't do anything about the car, so..."
Rainbow mentally kicked herself for forgetting. "Well, let's just leave the car there for now..." she chuckled nervously. "Anyhow, you girls certainly did a great job with the house."
"And Vinyl made six successful cuts on one cucumber! She's learning fast." Dainty grinned.
"Good to hear. Oh yeah, Daint- your dentist appointment is in half an hour. Gotta see Colgate." Rainbow said.
Dainty groaned. Sure, Colgate is nice and friendly... But... She's just.... Weird.
"I'm sure she's got another one of those paper butterfly thingies she can give to you. Also I'll try convince her not to use the toothpaste cannon this time." Rainbow said, trying to lighten Dainty's slightly dimmed mood. She turned to Vinyl. "Wanna come with us?"
"To the dentist? Really? No, thanks." Vinyl said.
"We might go for ice-cream afterwards. If Dainty here did a good job cleaning her teeth, that is." Rainbow shot Dainty a sideways glance, who smiled innocently.
Vinyl glared at the two of them, then-
"Can't say no to ice cream." she got off the sofa.

*

Colgate didn't live in Cloudsdale, but being the best in Equestria meant Rainbow was willing to pay her to come over to the City of the Pegasi. Not that she didn't have the money.
"Brushie brushie!" Colgate grinned as Rainbow gently shoved Dainty into the hotel room. The gleam from her white teeth was enough to make Dainty dizzy. "Been brushing?"
Dainty nodded nervously. It was really nerves from Colgate than her bag full of scary looking tools.
"Let's get you checked, shall we?" there was a loud snap as Colgate slipped some rubber gloves onto her hooves. "Open wide-"
Before Dainty could actually open her jaw, Colgate had already shoved a small mirror in it.
"Too slow!" she giggled, peering inside.
Rainbow sighed, shaking her head.
After half an hour or so, Dainty was finally able to let her mouth close. Colgate grinned at Rainbow.
"She's doing great. There's nothing wrong, although it's not as white." she said.
"Oh? It looks white to me..." Rainbow peered at Dainty's grin.
"It's zero point one percent yellow." Colgate said seriously.
"I think she'll be fine." Rainbow said. "Thanks anyway." she said, handing the cash over to Colgate and walking out.
"What's with her?" Vinyl raised an eyebrow as they exited.
"No pony knows." Rainbow said. "Where was the ice cream store again?"
"You mean you don't know?" Dainty asked, almost crying. She just sat through half an hour of discomfort for nothing?
"Kidding." Rainbow grinned, hugging her. "Should be just around the corner." she said as they left the hotel and walked onto the busy Cloudsdale streets.
And so it was. The ice cream store was like a small bar, painted a bright pink. It practically gleamed in the bright sunlight, and despite all this; the neon lights were still highly visible.
"This world is so small..." Rainbow sighed as they spotted Blaze and Halcyon sitting under an umbrella outside the store, chatting away and basically leaving their ice creams untouched.
"Hey girls!" Halcyon grinned at them as they approached.
"Staying in Cloudsdale?" Rainbow asked.
"Not really. We just stayed since last time you blew half the city up. But you know- has a beautiful view here and all."
Rainbow looked at the streets around them. "Yeah. Beautiful."
"Oh come on, we just thought we at least need to have some fun now that we're here. Thanks to you by the way." Halcyon said.
"Ok... We'll just uh... Leave you two to that." Rainbow said, leading Dainty into the store.
"We've got three spare seats!" Blaze said.
Rainbow searched her mind for a reason to reject the offer, but came up with none.
"Yeah. I'll just get the ice cream first."
They all got a discount, thanks to the presence of the famed DJ. Everything didn't go as awkwardly as Rainbow thought it would- after all, they did seem to be disrupting a date. But Blaze and Halcyon didn't seem to mind at all, and actually looked like they enjoyed the extra company. Dainty was really just talking all the time, not really eating her ice cream.
"It's melting." Rainbow reminded her. Dainty looked down, and quickly scooped up what was still frozen.
"Let's change that." Halcyon tapped the glass cup with a hoof, her horn glowing. With a gentle flash, the ice cream froze back. It wasn't ice though- it was just right.
"Thanks." Dainty said, and Halcyon smiled friendlily.
Suddenly Rainbow's phone rang, and she quickly took it out of her pocket.
"Hello?"
"Rainbow! Where are you? Are you with Vinyl and Dainty?" it was Shining Armor- and he sounded more worried than Rainbow ever heard him.
"Yeah, I'm with them." Rainbow frowned. "I'm near the edge of Cloudsdale... Why?"
"Is your car nearby?"
"Orange one?"
"Orange one!"
"Eh..." Rainbow looked to her right, and saw Colgate getting a ride in a taxi. Must've come here for just a visit, then. Seems like a busy pony. "I can see it right now..."
"Shuck! THEN GET THE BUCK OUTTA THERE!!"
There was a loud whooshing sound, and they spotted something on the horizon- a bright yellow dot, gleaming and competing against the sun.
"What is that..?" Halcyon frowned.
"Rainbow! Rainbow? Are you there?" but Rainbow was already lowering the phone to her pocket. She peered at the object, then found an odd gleam too. It looked like a...
"Shuck. EVERYPONY RUN!!!" she yelled at the top of her voice, grabbing Dainty and Vinyl as she recognized the shape as a missile.
Blaze quickly got up, dragging Halcyon with him.
"Head to the edge!" he yelled. They won't have a chance to outrun the explosion, but they might be able to fall faster than run... How they'll survive the jump is a later concern. They'll need to survive the explosion for now.
"Shining Armor! Do you have any info on that missile?" Rainbow yelled into the phone, Dainty clamped under an arm as she sprinted down the streets with the others. The civilian ponies don't seem to realize anything yet. Halcyon was trying to convince them to run, but all they did was laugh.
"We need to go." Blaze laid a hoof on Halcyon's shoulder, pushing her to run after the others.
"The word 'missile' is an understatement." Shining Armor said. "I'd use the words 'warhead' or 'nuke'. Yeah, it's more like a nuke."
"Target?" Rainbow asked, slowing slightly.
"Your car."
Rainbow froze, her mind spinning as she thought through the situation.
"Rainbow? Listen, I know what you're thinking- but don't do it! you won't make it!"
"Watch me." Rainbow said, and hung up. She threw Dainty to Vinyl, and started running back in the direction of her sports car.
"Shuck- Rainbow! What the hay are you doing! RUN DAMNIT!" Blaze yelled.
"You guys keep going- try to survive the fall will ya. This might not work... But I'm not going down without trying." Rainbow said, still running towards her car. She flicked out her keys, unlocking the doors with a simple beep.
"Shining Armor! Give me a countdown!" Rainbow said, activating the car's systems.
"NO! YOU GET OUT OF THAT DAMN CAR!" Shining Armor yelled.
"You're the one on the phone. I'm the one in control. Hurry up or you'll get me killed for no reason." Rainbow said, activating the engines.
"You're going to get killed for no reason anyway! How the hay do you expect me to explain this to Twilight?"
"You won't have to if you give me the BUCKING COUNTDOWN." Rainbow stomped on the acceleration.
"Fine. Twenty seconds..."
"Really?" Rainbow gasped. "Oh, shuck."
"Nineteen..."
Rainbow raced through the empty streets, aiming for the edge of Cloudsdale. If she could drive it off in time...
"Seventeen."
There were a few more streets before she could actually get to the edge. She drove past Blaze and Halcyon, shocked and horrified expressions on their faces.
"Fifteen."
She drove past Dainty and Vinyl, who both looked confusedly at her at first. What their reaction was later Rainbow didn't know, because she had already drifted around another corner.
"Twelve- Rainbow, if you don't get out of there..." Shining Armor started.
"Aye aye, just keep going with the countdown." Rainbow interrupted.
The end was in sight, the metal railings gleaming in the sun while in the far background the nuke continued its flight of doom.
"Nine..."
There was a speed bump up ahead, but she didn't slow down. Her leg ached from being on the acceleration for so long.
Shining Armor had stopped counting down, so Rainbow started counting in her own head.
Seven...
The car hit the bump, and sailed up into the air. The sports car flew, gliding over the road.
Six...
The car crashed back down, losing some of its speed. Rainbow cursed, but kept driving.
Five...
The railing was about only ten meters away now- and getting closer and closer. The blue sky seemed infinite behind it, clouds swirling as the nuke ran through them.
Four...
There was a loud crash and a bright shower of sparks as the sports car collided with the railing, ripping it out from the ground with bits of solid cloud flying everywhere.
Three...
The car continued going, sailing through the air and slowly tipping down. Rainbow could see the details on the warhead as it was so close.
Two...
Rainbow grabbed hold of the side door, and kicked off the seat. The door flung open, and she came out with it. Her momentum snapped the door off the car, and her wings twisted to spin her around.
One.
Rainbow watched through the window of the door, the car getting further away as it continued with its momentum and she fell in a different direction.
There was a bright flash as the nuke made contact with the car ten meters away.

Author: Please do comment on what you liked and disliked about the story so far- it could really help. And thanks for all the likes!

Chapter 9: Son of a-

There was so much noise that it was quiet. Rainbow couldn't hear a thing, nor see a thing. Her eyes were squinted shut, and she cowered behind the car door, waiting for the shockwave to ripple across the sky and tear her apart.
And then it did. It hit the car door, and she felt a sudden increase in velocity as the shockwave pushed the door with her behind it out from the center of the explosion. The speed was familiar, just like when she enters sonic speed. Everything was a bright light yellow all around her, and she could also see flaming pieces of metal and debris flying out with her.
Something hit the side of the door, and at her current speed it was easy to tip her off balance. She was forced to let go, and the door went spinning out of control. The glass on it had already cracked, and the pieces flew by Rainbow; glittering in the light.
Smoke trailed around her as she busted through the ash cloud. The world around her was a blur as she spun through the air. White and blue as she faced the sky, the sun a ball of light in the far distance. Green and blue as she spun towards the ground, the seas and forests of Equestria covering the surface. There were occasional patches of grey or dirt brown, where settlements like Manehatten or Ponyville are located.
The explosion had created a giant mushroom cloud in the sky, and was falling slowly; collapsing in on itself.
Rainbow couldn't think. Her mind was blank, and she could barely hear the wind batting at her mane. Nothing was in focus. Not her vision, not her mind. Every time she spun around, the ground was closer and the clouds above further away.
"You're an idiot." she imagined Octavia face-hoofing. Little did she know that Octavia actually did.
There was a flash of orange and purple, and she felt two hooves dig into her shoulders and grab her coat. She wasn't falling anymore, she was kind of flying. She wasn't doing anything though.
Her hooves grazed the tree tops below, a strong gust of wind disrupting the tips and scattering the green leaves.
"Scoots..." she mumbled, looking up weakly.
Scootaloo grinned down, her wings beating against the air as she lifted the both of them back up into the sky.
"You can thank me later." she said.
Rainbow lowered her head. She was so tired she could just fall asleep right now- the only thing keeping her from doing so was her own will power. Scootaloo noticed, and smiled.
"Just rest, Rainbow." she said. "You've saved a lot of lives today."
"Thanks for... Saving me..." Rainbow mumbled, barely awake enough to talk.
"Very little compared to what you did back there." Scootaloo said.
Cloudsdale was just up ahead, the sun shining through the clouds. The nuke had taken out a small chunk off the side though.
So I still didn't save everypony, huh.... Rainbow thought.
Scootaloo seemed to know what she was thinking as they neared the devastation. Several buildings were missing, but it was only a very small fraction of what could've been destroyed. Royal military were guarding the area and keeping ponies out of the radio-active zone, while the air force patrolled the skies for any signs of another attack.
Scootaloo set Rainbow gently down on the ground, and she collapsed onto the pavement.
"Rainbow! You alright? Hell- I'm surprised you actually made it." Halcyon kneeled down beside the blue pegasus, who looked like she could faint at any moment.
"Sis!" Dainty hugged Rainbow tightly around the neck.
"Daint..." Rainbow patted her back. "Sorry... I was just being stupid..."
"No you weren't." Dainty said defiantly. "I couldn't be more proud. You saved the lives of thousands here on Cloudsdale."
"Thousands... But not all... Right?"
"You've done enough, Rainbow." Halcyon laid a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "I'm sure you among many others understand that not all things go perfectly everytime. And you couldn't have done anything more- that I can tell you."
"But I will." Rainbow said, then groaned and clutched her head.
"She really needs some rest. Should probably get her home." Blaze said.
Then Rainbow remembered something.
"Tell... Shining... Armor....." but before she could finish, she fell asleep.

*

"She's taken some radiation damage- that's why she probably felt so tired, but nothing our magic can't heal. She should be awake... Just about... Now."
Rainbow opened her eyes. Not a single bit of sleepiness in her head nor body. She remembered trying to pass on a message before falling asleep... But what was it again?
She looked to her right.
Oh, she thought to herself. That was fairly obvious.
"Shining Armor-"
"Oh, you're awake." Shining Armor said in a desperate attempt to make Rainbow forget about it. He had no idea how it would work since the item reminding Rainbow was right next to her.
"Don't get off topic. I'm fine."
"You saved Cloudsdale-"
"Get the bucking car out of my house." Rainbow ended his desperate attempts flatly. The civilian car was still stuck in the wall, and it was raining outside. Rainwater was pouring into room, ruining the carpet. It was really hard to miss- it was basically a few tons of metal in Rainbow's bedroom.
"Are you OK sis?" Dainty asked.
"Yeah. I'll be fine." Rainbow smiled. "In fact, I feel ready to go."
"Emotionally?" Blaze asked.
"No!" Rainbow practically screamed that out. "I was ten meters away from a NUKE. You think I'll feel OK after that?"
"Seeing as you've been through worse...." Blaze shrugged.
"Anyway. Where the buck did the nuke come from?" Rainbow asked.
"We... Managed to locate it to within a mile of Manehatten... But we can't pin-point it precisely yet." Shining Armor said. "And no, it's not the warehouse. None of our surveillance picked up anything from there, although we are staging an investigation on that place in particular. Too much is tied up to it."
Rainbow was about to speak, but Shining Armor cut her off.
"You're not going. You've done enough already."
"I am. And I'm not letting anypony stop me. Shining Armor, you need the best fighters in there. Who knows whether or not they have revived Neon? I've defeated her once, I can do it again." Rainbow said.
Shining Armor would've said that Melony was the one to take credit for the defeat of Neon, but he couldn't stage that argument because Dainty was present.
"You need to rest." he said.
"I'll decided that." Rainbow said.
"You're not going."
"I am."
"Not."
"Am."
"Not."
"Not."
"Go."
"No, I don't feel like it."
"You have to- wait, what?" Shining Armor tried to find something to look at that would stabilize his confused mind.
"Oh if you insist-" Rainbow limp-hoofed, and Dainty giggled. Blaze and Halcyon were holding each other's mouths, restraining each other from offending their superior. Vinyl suddenly fled the room and went to the bathroom, and Scootaloo decided it didn't matter and started laughing with Dainty.
Shining Armor growled. "Rainbow, this isn't the time!"
Rainbow folded her arms. "Really, now- what are you going to do about it?"

*

"I didn't say I wanted to find out." Rainbow growled, now sitting on a bed in the Cloudsdale Prison hospital ward. "Come on Halcyon- let me out!"
"No can do." Halcyon said, shaking her head. She and Blaze were standing either side of the only exit, trying not to laugh at the current situation. "Our orders were to keep you inside this room."
"Really?" Rainbow complained.
"Precise words from the captain were 'to baby sit miss try-hard'. But it was close enough." Halcyon said, and Blaze couldn't help but clamp a hoof over his jaw.
Rainbow lay back into the pillow. "I'm not even tired." she muttered.
Neither Blaze nor Halcyon replied. They just stood there like sentinels.
"Would you mind not acting like statues? It's kinda freaky. I might get cabin fever because this feels exactly like I'm alone." Rainbow said, but none of the two guards budged. She narrowed her eyes. "Oooh. I remember this."
The two guards still didn't move- so for the next few hours, all Rainbow did was try at least make them flinch. But before she couldn't even get normal royal guards to budge- let alone now she's trying against two of the princess's royal body guards. Eventually it did work however, but only when she put the heartbeat monitor over her own head and electrocuted herself. Blaze and Halcyon had to perform some first aid on her.
"You could've at least warned me." Rainbow coughed after blacking out briefly.
"We could've." Blaze said, emphasizing the last word.
And then it was back to normal, in which Rainbow didn't do anything but stare at the wall opposite her.
"What do you guys think about, anyway? You don't do anything, you don't move..."
"We enjoy each other's company." Halcyon simply, her head not even moving an inch.
Rainbow moaned, and went back to staring at the wall. After a while it actually seemed interesting- the swirly patterns on the wall and the hoof marks that indicated a recent fight by prisoners.
"That looks like a cloud." she said, pointing at a pattern on the white wall. "And that looks like a pony."
"And that looks like a retard." Blaze pointed at the blue pegasus, who glared at him.
"Sis!" the door crashed open, and Dainty grinned, running in.
"How did you- wha...?" Blaze stared at the open door, the bolts holding it closed and locked from outside had all snapped.
"Stay where you are!" Halcyon whipped out a pistol, pointing it at Dainty. "How did you get in here?"
"Wasn't the door open... Oh wait, whoops." Dainty said. "I... I didn't mean to! I swear!"
Suddenly prison guards busted into the room, rifles loaded.
"Everypony freeze!" one of them yelled.
"It's fine, it's fine." Halcyon said.
"Our sensors detected a sudden outburst of magical energy just outside this ward- what's going on?" one of the prison guards asked.
"I think it's Dainty." Rainbow was practically oozing with enthusiasm at the sudden company. "She probably finally learnt to use magic."
"But our shields prevent magic from-"
"Yeah, but probably can't contain uncontrollable bursts of pure magic, right?" Halcyon asked. That tends to happen on the first time when a unicorn filly uses magic- they can't control it.
"Well... We don't keep little fillies here..." the prison guard shrugged.
"Just a dud! Out ya go! Give the sisters some privacy!" Halcyon ushered the guards out like school children, which annoyed them greatly. But they couldn't do anything about it since Halcyon outranked them by an octave.
"I swear I can see pure joy leaking out of her." Blaze noted, pointing at Rainbow, who was ruffling Dainty's mane lovingly.
"Me too." Halcyon closed the door, and it made a loud scraping noise as the broken bolts scratched the frame. She still managed to force it shut though.
Suddenly her phone rang, and she looked at the number before picking it up.
"Captain?" she asked.
"Halcyon. You two can free Rainbow now, we finished the raid." Shining Armor said.
"What did you find, sir?"
"Nothing but evidence of activity. There's just nothing here." Shining Armor sighed frustratedly.
"Copy. Halcyon out." Halcyon said, and hung up. She turned to Rainbow. "You want the good news first or the bad news first?"
"Bad news."
"Too bad. Good news- you can get out of here now. Bad news- they didn't find anything at all."
"Nothing!? REALLY!?" Rainbow asked incredulously.
"Well, 'evidence of activity'. They must've knew we were coming or something, and ran." Halcyon said.
"Of course they did..." Rainbow mumbled, thinking of the traitor.

*

Night fell, and Rainbow was in bed; trying to think of a way to catch the traitor. Much to Shining Armor's annoyance, she had forced him to remove the civilian car stuck in the wall of her bedroom. Now there was a big gaping hole there.
She growled quietly and angrily, being unable to think of anything. Then she heard a silent crack outside, barely audible. For it not the hole in the wall, she probably wouldn't have heard it. Curious, she shrugged on her coat and put on her hat, then peered out of the hole.
She reckoned a good walk in the night might just help, she wasn't tired anyway. She slept her dreams out during the day. She walked along the fence in the backyard, until she stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted an odd spot in the wooden planks.
She frowned, moving for a closer look. She tapped it gently, and it fell back with a loud crash.
Somepony had broken in.
"Shuck-" she spun around as she heard Dainty scream, and felt the reassuring metal cylinder in her coat pocket. "Daint! DAINTY!" she yelled, but there was no reply.
She stretched her wings, ignored the pain; and flew up onto Dainty's balcony, just in time to see her tail disappear around the corner of her bedroom door.
"Vinyl! VINYL! WAKE UP DAMNIT!" she yelled, kicking the glass door and sending shattered glass pieces scattering over the floor. She ran in, the cleaver unfolding in her hooves.
"What is it...?" Vinyl leaned on her bedroom door doorframe, her mane all over the place. She looked like she got dragged through her own bed and then fell asleep.
"Grab your combat discs and follow me. I'll explain sometime later." Rainbow said, storming past, the red crystal casting a dangerous glow over the walls of the narrow hallway.
"Sis! RAINBOW! HELP!" she heard Dainty yell, and broke into a run.
Rainbow didn't reply, because it probably will give the kidnapper her location- as much as she wanted to comfort Dainty, it was best if she didn't.
She heard a window smash, and followed the noises into the living room. The kidnapper had already left outside, the cold night air gushing into the warm home and stealing the heat away.
There was a loud crash as the kidnapper slammed through the door of a building, Dainty screaming.
"Son of a-" Rainbow heard a buzzing behind her as Vinyl activated her discs. "Vinyl!"
"Yah." Vinyl said.
"Follow him. I'll go to the roof and intercept." Rainbow said, ignoring the sharp pain in her wing and flying up into the sky.
"Will do." Vinyl sprinted into the building, the door creaking shut behind her.
Rainbow landed with a gentle thud on the roof, disturbing the old layer of dust sitting on the surface. The background was a blur of multi-colored lights, with some shifting as cars moved and lights changed. There was a lot of background noise too, chatting of pedestrians and beeping of horns. The stars glowed down brightly with the moon from the night sky- that's what's good about Cloudsdale. The stars seemed so much closer. The area around Rainbow was tinted red from the glow of the Element of Loyalty crystal as she walked towards the metal door that was an exit for the interior.
Damn, this reminded her of a lot.
Suddenly it burst open, and the kidnapper stumbled out.
"Surprise mother bucker!" Rainbow yelled, scaring the kidnapper so bad that he actually fell sideways onto the concrete roof.
Rainbow was about to kick his face in, when a pair of wings stretched under him and he soared into the air, Dainty still screaming.
"Shuck- a pegasus!" Rainbow growled. But she wasn't too worried about catching the kidnapper- she was worried about Dainty.
The kidnapper landed on another building's roof, and kept on running. Bucker must know Rainbow's a good flier.
Rainbow leaped into the air, gliding over to the roof and following suit. Dainty was making an effort to get away, but was having little success. Se could only hope Rainbow gets there in time.
"Hurry Vinyl!" Rainbow yelled, hearing Vinyl emerge from the hallway behind her.
Then she noticed a dull thud-thud-thud, slowly growing louder and louder; at which point it began pounding against her heart. A bright white spotlight swept over her, and a helicopter flew overhead, swerved around; and trained its guns on her.
"You gotta be bucking kidding me..." Rainbow muttered. Good job guarding the helicopters, Shining Armor.

Chapter 10: Through the City

The helicopter fired a spray of bullets, and Rainbow rolled forward to dodge them. She heard the loud clattering behind her as the bullets took chunks out of the concrete roof.
Then the chopper flew away, and landed in front of the kidnapper. The door slid open, and a science faction pony started shooting rounds at Rainbow.
"No you don't-" Rainbow growled, stepping to the side and watching the streaks of light pass by.
She heard a faint buzzing noise behind her, and turned. There was a light blue flash, and Vinyl's combat disc flew past Rainbow's face. It whistled as it cut through the air, the glow slicing through the night. The kidnapper dodged to the right, and the disc hit the science faction rifle pony square between the eyes. The disc flashed, and bounced back. The pony crumbled down and out of the helicopter after a violent spasm, slowly dying of neuron failure as the disc destroyed the cells in his brain.
The kidnapper jumped aboard the helicopter, and it began lifting off.
Rainbow barrel-rolled over the disc as it bounced back, swinging the cleaver over her head and throwing straight at the helicopter.
There was a loud bang and a rainbow-colored blast of energy as the cleaver tore through sonic speed, flying almost faster than a bullet straight at the cockpit.
The glass exploded as the tip of the cleaver made contact, and dark red liquid splattered all over the cockpit. The force of impact knocked the helicopter back, unbalancing the delicate rotors as it tipped dangerously to one side.
The kidnapper saw trouble, and jumped out as the helicopter became an out of control vehicle.
A high pitched whine slowly went to low pitch as the motors failed. The helicopter swerved this way and that, sending sparks flying as the rotors scraped the roof. Then it finally fell, the tail swinging down into the roof and the rest of it soon following.
Rainbow flew forward, nearing sonic speed. She grabbed the cleaver as she flew through the fireball, smoke trailing her coat as she yanked the huge sword from the flaming debris. She landed several meters behind the kidnapper, who jumped off the roof and to the streets down below.
She followed, swinging down over the edge and stretching her wings to slow her descent; just in time to see the kidnapper throw Dainty in the trunk of a car.
"Sorry mate." Rainbow placed a hoof firmly on a passing motorcyclist's shoulders, shoving him off his bike. Her other hoof stopped the motorcycle, turning off the engine. The tires skid on the gravel, smoke rising up and dispersing in the cold night air. Rainbow swung it back around, the motorcyclist rolling on the floor.
"What the buck do you think you're doing!?" he scrambled up, stumbling towards Rainbow.
"Forcing a deal." Rainbow flicked her wallet at the motorcyclist. She was pretty sure there were a couple of twenties in there- hopefully that way she wouldn't get in too much trouble.
The engine purred as she turned it back on, and the motorcycle shot forward, Rainbow folding her cleaver and tucking it into her coat.
The world around her was a blur as the motorbike accelerated to top speed. To her, it felt much like flying- so she wasn't that worried about crashing. Flying in far more dangerous situations had sharpened her senses more than anything- it's just the handling, it'll need some getting used to.
The kidnapped turned a corner, and Rainbow followed. The reflections on both their vehicles were a blur too, as they passed by such high speeds.
Rainbow saw the kidnapper's hoof reach out of the side window of the car, a loaded pistol gleaming in the street lights.
The first flash distracted Rainbow, but she quickly shook it off and regained balance. The bullet bounced off the road just next to the back tire, rock shards flying.
The next shot was much more successful, piercing the front tire of the motorbike. It blew, and Rainbow covered her eyes from the flying rubber shreds. The bike wobbled out of balance, and started losing speed. It'll stop eventually, despite the back tire still intact. Sparks erupted as the bare rim of the front wheel scraped against the gravel road.
Rainbow leaped off and landed onto the roof of a car. No time to hijack- the bastard's already getting away. She continued sprinting, using her wings(quite painfully) to glide herself from roof to roof.
Surprisingly, she was maintaining enough speed- it was really wearing down her stamina though, unsurprisingly.
She leaped onto the roof of a passenger bus, almost slipping on the glossy surface as it turned a corner. She could still see the kidnapper's car up ahead, weaving its way through the traffic.
Her hoofsteps thudded along the bus as she sprinted, controlling her breath so she wouldn't lose stamina too quickly. She still had no idea how she'll catch the damn bastard, but this'll have to do for now.
Startling the bus driver as she leaped over the bus and onto the car in front of it, she kept going and ignored the horn beeps.
She jumped again, but her lack of stamina and the slippery roof made her trip a little. At this rate, she'll get hit by a car easy in no time. She twisted her wings so she spun through the air, and rolled over the windscreen of a car. Her wing was beginning to throb- she's using it too much. The car abruptly stopped as the startled driver stomped on the brakes, and she was flung onto the street. She rolled, diverting her momentum elsewhere instead of directly into the ground.
Rainbow quickly got up, looking around her. She could barely see the kidnapper now- better start running again. She quickly glided onto a moving car's roof, stopping for a second so she could catch her own breath.
"What the buck is this crap now...?" she muttered, looking up at the sky as six ponies wearing black armor flew down from the night. The design of their rifles and helmets suggested something out of a sci-fi movie- and if that wasn't enough to prove that they were from the science faction, they were flying on jetpacks.
One of them landed lightly on a truck up ahead, his jetpack flaring as he made his descent. He had the kind of big sniper rifle one would not want to mess around with.
The muzzle exploded as he pulled the trigger, and Rainbow instinctively yanked out the canister, the cleaver already unfolding. The bullet ricocheted off the blade, leaving behind it a trail of smoke as it burned through the air. The force of impact made her take a step back, her hoof aching slightly.
"As if I don't have enough trouble." Rainbow muttered as more of the jet-pack ponies came gliding over the roofs of the buildings on either side of the street, clear bright dots in the dark night sky.
She heard a loud whoosh to her right, and looked over in that direction. Lucky for her, she also tilted her head in doing so.
The rocket burned past her face, one of the fins scratching her cheek and drawing a tiny drop of blood. She fell back with a surprised yelp, the rocket slamming into the side of a car and sending it flipping through the air.
Rainbow almost slid off, her mane dragging on the rough gravel road. The road passing beneath was like a giant sanding machine, inches away from the top of her head. She mustered all her energy in her waist, and leaped back up onto the roof.
The driver noticed, and was about to stop. Rainbow quickly leaped off onto another bus.
She missed the back by less than a meter, but managed to hold onto the roof with her front hooves. Her body slammed painfully onto the back of the bus, the air leaving her lungs. She still held on though. She hauled herself onto the roof, unfolding her cleaver as a jet-pack pony landed near the front of the bus, his rifle raised and safety's off.
He pulled the trigger, sending a stream of extremely inaccurate bullets showering towards Rainbow. It was really a storm- the bullets sacrificed accuracy for pure power and fire-rate. But despite the heavy punch, it didn't punch through Rainbow's cleaver. Like the other bullets, they barely made a scratch.
It was much easier to deflect the bullets because of the cleaver's broad blade, and one could see the trails of smoke left in the air as the bullets abruptly curved away on impact with the cleaver.
Rainbow pressed forward, closing the distance between herself and her gun-wielding opponent.
Does this bastard ever reload? Rainbow thought as the bombardment of bullets continued.
Finally it stopped when she was two meters away from the pony, and she heard the pony's jetpack flare.
She thought he was getting away, so clearly she was surprised when he came back down with a long samurai sword.
Sparks erupted as Rainbow's cleaver clashed with the sword, and the pony's jetpack flared again. He flipped over Rainbow and landed behind her, the light blade already slashing back.
Rainbow blocked it without a problem, but she was pretty sure she heard the faint sound of hydraulics and motors when the pony swerved around.
She kept pressing, and the heavy cleaver slid through the samurai sword, slicing it in half. The cleaver then ran through the pony, but drew no blood.
"Knew it." Rainbow muttered as the de-headed robot pony walked around aimlessly, slashing the halved samurai sword.
Rainbow would've finished it off, but she needed to chase after the kidnapper. Quickly gliding over onto the roof of another car, she briefly saw the robot with the rocket launcher take aim, shortly before the rocket was launched and the blaze from it covered his figure.
Rainbow flew right at him, the cleaver slicing through the rocket. It was halved so fast and so cleanly that the detonation cap failed its job. The robot pony calmly began loading another rocket(well of course, robots probably aren't programmed to panic. The programmer would be weird if they were actually programmed to), but was too late and Rainbow launched a kick right into the side of its metal head.
There was a loud crack and a rip as the wires were yanked apart. It felt down onto the road, clunking and tumbling out of sight; its head barely clinging onto its body with a few loose wires. Rainbow wondered if Val could survive something similar.
A loud bang made its way through the howling winds, and Rainbow quickly rolled to avoid the bullet.
"No time for this crap..." she muttered to herself. The kidnapper was getting further and further away, but still in sight.
Suddenly the sniper robot's head exploded with a shower of sparks, and clunked dully onto the car roof it was crouching on.
"Fancy meeting you here." a bullet shell flew out of its chamber as Magnum reloaded, her jetpack flaring and landing on a car a few meters away.
"Where'd you get that?" Rainbow asked.
"Got it off a dead robot. It's pretty neat, ain't it?" Magnum said, tapping the jetpack on her back.
Rainbow mentally kicked herself for not thinking of it.
"I'll just head over there and get that guy's." Rainbow gestured at the sniper pony, and took off. Despite still being able to glide, it would be much better if she could just rest her injured wing.
"Hello. Sorry I was a bit late." Vinyl said, driving her car and weaving through the traffic.
"About time you showed up- and why are you driving that?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow at Vinyl's car as she took the jetpack off the dead robot pony.
"It's the only car I got, alright?" Vinyl said.
"It's a limo." Rainbow said, shrugging on the jetpack. "How do these things work again?"
"I'm pretty sure you just jump up and it'll activate." Magnum said, demonstrating by leaping up into the air. The engines blazed to life, propelling her even further.
"That'll work. And how did you know I was in trouble?" Rainbow asked.
"Shining Armor. One of his stallions noticed a missing helicopter, and we traced it a bit back. I was in the area, so he sent me. I'm sure you're glad to hear more reinforcements are on their way?" Magnum asked.
"Not at all. They should be HERE, not ON THEIR WAY." Rainbow growled, taking off after the kidnapper.
"Oh yeah. Take the mic- you'll need it." Magnum threw her a small metal disc. Rainbow caught it and lodged it into her ear.
"Can you see him?" Rainbow asked Vinyl.
"Yep." Vinyl replied. "Going after him."
"Magnum- can you take out the damn robots?" Rainbow asked, landing on the container of a truck to recharge the jetpack energy.
"That is a very unnecessary question." Magnum said, stepping to the right to avoid a bullet, and firing off one of her own and blowing the robot's head off in mid-air. "Uh-oh. Watch out."
Rainbow rolled forward as the out-of-control robot flipped through the air and crashed through the corrugated metal she was standing on a second ago. There was a soft beep from the jetpack, indicating to Rainbow that it was ready for another boost. She jumped up, and felt the powerful downward thrust push her up into the air. Leaning forward slightly, she was able to control her trajectory. She still hasn't worked out a plan for stopping the kidnapper's car yet- that'll have to be compromised. She couldn't get Magnum to blow the bastard's head off, since the out of control vehicle may very well kill Dainty too.
Suddenly the world around them shook as a giant passenger jet passed overhead, the engines' loud whine rattling Rainbow's brain in her skull.
"Son of a- What the buck?" she cursed, looking up. Passenger jets don't fly this low!
Suddenly a powerful thrust of wind sent her off her hooves, and she almost tumbled off the car she was standing on. The jet engines weren't whining anymore- it was more like a furious roar.
"Looks like the bastards are gonna try something real fancy again." Magnum said as the passenger jet flew mere meters away from the streets, the power from the engines crumbling the cars behind them and blowing them away and into the air. The kidnapper's car was beneath the passenger jet, and Rainbow could see large metal claws closing around the car.
"That ain't no passenger jet- it's a freakin customized flying fortress!" Rainbow exclaimed, taking in more details of the plane. She could see panels that obviously did not come with a normal plane, suggesting weapons storage beneath the panels.
"We need to somehow avoid those damn engines and get in!" Vinyl yelled.
"Best if you retreat now, Vinyl. That limo is gonna be make some serious damage if it gets flipped." Rainbow said, her jetpack sending a fresh blast of energy downwards and propelling her into the air.
"I'll get the reinforcements, then." Vinyl growled.
Rainbow had to use her wings, as the jetpack simply didn't pack enough of a punch to send her over the jet stream in time.
"Holy Celestia mother-bucking son-of-a-" Rainbow flipped through the air as a car flew by her, lifted and thrown away by the powerful jet stream.
"Shuck." Magnum said as the aircraft passed over a street filled with traffic, tossing all the cars up in a chaotic tornado and sending them tumbling across the skies.
There was a loud boom as Rainbow broke the sound barrier, slicing through the jet stream and too fast to be affected. She crashed down on the roof of the aircraft, the jetpack cracking into several pieces of her back and breaking away in a shower of blue sparks. She could see the chaos behind the jet as cars and just about everything else that was loose got hauled into the night sky, then came crashing back down in a metallic storm.
"Damn." Rainbow didn't dare flex her injured wing, because the wind up here would be enough to take her off her hooves should she suddenly increase her air resistance. She'll need to keep her wind resistance low. Her wing ached more than it ever did, and felt like it could be torn off at any moment.
On the other hand, she was on the plane, and the kidnapper was not too far away now.

*

Val sat in the dark detention cell, waiting for secure transport to arrive. Her robotic side was damaged by an EMP- damn the captain of the royal guard. He knew what he was doing- but he should've known his enemy better.
There was a soft beep, directly linked to Val's brain so nopony else would hear; indicating that the nano-bots had finished repairing the robotics. The nano-bots were sealed inside a small tube inside Val's arm, which could block out and divert the EMP, protecting the bots. She had released them the moment she got struck by the electro magnetic pulse.
She tried to wriggle her fingers, and they responded as beautifully as they always did. A grin crept its way onto her face as her mechanical eye buzzed back to life, adjusting to the light around her. She had hoof cuffs on, but those could be taken care of any moment. Her robotic leg was still damaged though, but even at this moment the bots were repairing it. It was almost done- she could already walk around. It was the same as regeneration if you ask her. Funny thing, none of the guards check on her. All they do is stand with their backs to her cell like statues- what fools.
Val stood up slowly, not making the slightest noise. There was a loud clang as she simply tore her hoof cuffs apart, the shattered metal rings clattering noisily to the floor in the silence. She closed her hands around the heads of the two startled guards, and crushed their brains in their skulls with a loud and satisfying crunch. Blood splattered onto her hands and arms, dribbling down through her fingers and forming large puddles on the floor.
She shook off the blood on her hands. Still wasn't clean though, so she ran her tongue along a metal fore-finger. Doesn't taste that bad- not as good as her own though, she thought.
She tapped the bars, disabling the alarm system. With a heavy kick, she sent the barred cell door across the hallway in a crumbled heap. No alarm went off, no guards alerted. With her usual toothy blood-thirsty grin stretched across her face, she strode out of her cell.

Chapter 11: Hijack Fail

Rainbow needed to find a way inside the passenger jet. She'll just call it that for now, because 'flying fortress' sounded a little too intimidating for her liking. She could barely cling onto the hull right now, and didn't dare move an inch in the fear that she might be blown off by the pounding winds. Her mane and tail were flailing behind her, and she had a hoof placed firmly on her hat so it wouldn't fly away.
She had a plan, but like many others she came up with she had absolutely no assurance that it would work. Her wing was still throbbing- and was about to get a lot worse. It was her only shot anyway- she could stay here all day, and let the atmospheric pressures crush her when the plane ascends into the skies.
She started a mental countdown- three, two, one...
She leaped forward, streamlining her body and readying her wings. She quickly stretched them out, and felt the plane take off underneath. She quickly beat against the air, flying at the same speed as the plane.
Suddenly sharp pain shot up her right wing, and she flinched but didn't stop beating. She looked at it, and was quite horrified to see blood streaming out of the re-opened wound- it was barely holding together.
She quickly got away from the roof, flying beside the plane. Her body was balanced extremely delicately in the jet stream, and one false move could send her tumbling back- or even worse, drawn into the engines and diced into a million tiny little shredded pieces.
She slowly glided towards the door, still trying to figure out how to open it when it burst open, a robot pony firing rounds at her.
With a fast sudden beat of her wings, she was able to bust into the plane, knocking down the robot.
They tumbled across the giant interior, Rainbow slamming her back against a seat. Blood splattered over the cushions as her wing cracked against the seat, and she screamed.
The robot pony was already up, and was in the process of pointing the gun at Rainbow.
Suddenly a memory flashed into Rainbow's mind- that of junior flight camp. During the race, she had almost been knocked out of the sky during a race- but she still won in the end.
She looked up. Buck the pain, I ain't losing.
She pushed off the ground with her front hooves, slamming both back hooves into the robot's head. Her momentum carried her in a wide arch, and she shoved the robot pony's head onto the ground then landed on it. There was a loud crunch as the shell of its head cracked apart, the delicate machinery inside squished. Nuts and bots clattered around, then stopped dead like the robot.
The wind was still howling outside, and with a loud crash the door slammed shut, leaving Rainbow to the noises of a passenger jet; rocking in its frame as four powerful engines propelled it forward.
She looked up, her wing already numb, but still dripping with blood. The kidnapper should've made it to the cockpit by now- and she was at the very back. Son of a parasprite.
Rainbow got up, but almost fell back down again as her legs were shaking. She must've lost a lot of blood, because her entire body felt weird. She'd better find Dainty and get the hell out of here before she couldn't go any further.
She took the gun from the robot. It would seem that the gun could connect to the robot's hand- that explains the seemingly infinite amount of ammo. But for a clip full, Rainbow will have to settle for thirty rounds. Her arms were too tired to swing the cleaver, so she wasn't going to use that unless absolutely necessary.
She could feel the necklace Dainty made her press against her chest, a cold metal plate frozen in the night air earlier. The heavy coldness reminded her of her objective, clearing her now dull mind.
Stumbling towards the door to the next cabin, she checked if the rifle was loaded.
There was a robotic groan, and the churning of motors and hydraulics as one of the robot ponies leaped through the door with a samurai sword; already slashing down.
Rainbow brought the rifle up, the sword clashing with the side. She pushed it away, then fired two shots into the robot's head. Its visor cracked into shattered pieces, and it fell down with a crash.
Gunfire ripped through the cabin, and Rainbow dove behind a seat, the multiple streams of bullets tearing through the cushions.
The aircraft could be a deathtrap- but it also had lots of cover on the interior. Rows and rows of seats with heavy metal framing, for example. The cushions weren't so bullet resistant though.
Feathers and stuffing flew into the air as the cushions erupted, the bullets slowly tearing their way through.
Rainbow ripped one open, and used the fabric to wrap around her wound. Some really basic first aid to stop bleeding, but it'll have to do for now. She was still trapped near the back of the cabin- and the flight attendant's room was just behind her.
Quickly sprinting into that room, a stream of bullets almost grazed her head. They did punch a few holes in her beloved hat though, which she wasn't particularly happy about.
The robots stopped firing to conserve ammo, and started slowly walking towards the entrance of the room just around the corner.
Suddenly a huge metal cart was flung out of the room, knocking down three of the four robots before they could react. Rainbow swung around the corner and took out the last one with a spray of rifle ammo. The rest had already been crushed under the cart, except for one which had its targeting system destroyed and was firing everywhere. Rainbow put a bullet through its mechanical brain.
Switching her gun with the robot's and taking its sword as well, she cautiously moved on. Soon the damn place would be swarming with the rest of them- she better be ready.
As expected, a squad of the robot ponies came around the corner. Suddenly there was a bright yellow flash, and one of the robots shot its jetpack at her.
So their AIs actually develop tactics, huh.... Rainbow thought.
She dodged to the right, but the remote-controlled jetpack swerved to face her and hit her right on the temple.
Her ears ringing and her vision blurred by tears, she was knocked sideways several meters before landing hard on the floor. Instincts told her to quickly crawl behind cover as the bullets hit the floor, but her mind was as fuzzy as her vision. She tapped her head irritably, trying to clear it and wiped her watery eyes. Her ears were still ringing, but it was fading slowly. She could see that the firing had stopped- the robots were moving in.
Rainbow had dropped the rifle when she was knocked back- and in her current state, she couldn't judge where the robots were- she couldn't risk trying to get it. The samurai sword was by her hooves, and she grabbed it. Better something than nothing- her hooves were shaking though, and if she used her cleaver... It probably wouldn't work out very well.
She took in a deep gulp of air, trying to stabilize her breathing. Her ears finally stopped ringing, and she could hear the heavy metal hoofsteps of the robots as they neared.
What do they call it again- kamikaze? Rainbow thought as she swung around the corner.
She jammed the sword into the visor of a nearby robot, shattering it and stabbing the sword all the way through its head. It fell down, arms flailing for no reason in particular.
She ripped the gun away from its hand, loose bits of ammo falling out of the socket.
Another robot was about to fire, but Rainbow blew its head off before it could do the same while kicking another in the knee, forcing it to kneel down and delaying targeting.
With a swift kick to the head, she shattered the outer shell. One last bullet did the trick.
She yanked out the samurai sword. It was pretty useful, so she slung it across her back. Picking up another rifle, she prepared for the next wave.
But none came, and everything was quiet. Too quiet.
Rainbow slowly walked forward, both rifles raised. The sound of her coat brushing against the floor was like grinding a stone on sandpaper in the silence. She didn't want to jump to the assumption that she had wiped them all out- because something as good as that never happens. The robots must be planning an ambush up ahead then- that could be a problem, since they don't move and Rainbow couldn't tell how many there were. The waiting game begins, except that the blue pegasus doesn't have any patience to play.
She quietly carried the body of a robot on her back, step by step walking towards the door leading to the next cabin. She was prepared for a whole horde of them robot ponies.
First she busted open the door and threw the dead robot pony out, drawing gun fire. Hell, there may be six or seven on them here.
Rainbow charged forward, and leaped into the next cabin. Turning in midair, she raised her rifles at the robot pony at the door, firing several shots into its body and dropping it immediately. She took aim again, taking down another before she hit the ground with her shoulder. There was a loud shuffling noise as she slid on the carpeted walkway, her bad wing away from the floor.
She quickly scrambled up, and was immediately met with a shower of bullets. She dived behind cover, four different rifles firing from different angles at her and tearing her cover apart slowly.
She blindly fired around the corner without looking, forcing the robots to duck away from the chaotic storm of bullets. Rainbow darted out of cover- if she has any chance with the bastards, it'll be at close range.
The robots noticed her tactic, and emerged from cover. Rainbow leaped onto a chair, the streams of bullets passing by the walkway underneath. She pushed off, dive rolled onto the floor and let rip with the double assault rifles. One more went down, but the others were up.
The rifle in Rainbow's left hoof clicked empty, and she was down to her right one. Not that she couldn't still use the left one.
She kicked off a chair, spinning through the air and building up momentum and force in her left hoof. Suddenly she let go, and the rifle went slicing through the air and cracked into a robot's head, lodging itself into its head. It flipped back several meters and clanked down onto the ground.
Two left.
One of them plucked something out from behind its back while the other provided cover fire. It was a tiny globe, just like a hand grenade. But Rainbow couldn't be sure since it was pulsing gently with green light. The robot threw it at Rainbow, and it turned red in mid-air.
Rainbow whipped out the samurai sword, ready to deflect it. She whipped the sword around at the baseball-sized dangerous thingy, and felt the impact travel down the sword and into her arm. All of a sudden it was difficult to control the sword- the tip seemed a lot heavier. She looked at the sword, and her blood drained from her face when she realized the dangerous-thingy was a sticky grenade, and the rate of its pulsing red light was increasing in speed. Beeps followed it- not the best of signs. Good thing it was stuck only to the sword.
Rainbow threw the sword like a javelin, and it cut through the air, sliding into the robot-pony-who-threw-it's chest. The last two robots exploded as the grenade went off with a bright green flash.
The wall to the next cabin seemed to glow light orange. Rainbow stared at it for a moment, not sure what it means. She better go scavenge for ammo though.
Ditching the rifle she has and picking up two new ones, she ducked behind cover just in time as the wall burst open, melting into burning orange puddles.
The aircraft shook slightly as a heavy presence was detected, even though Rainbow couldn't see it. This probably wasn't one of the normal robot ponies.
The cabin was illuminated light green as something began charging. Rainbow dared a peak, and groaned in frustration.
Standing in the hole in the wall, was a robot the same height as the others. Not the same size though. It was on all fours, and its head had a reptilian design. On its back were two energy weapons, an intense green light coming from the barrels as it charged up.
Rainbow quickly leaped from her cover as two green beams fired off and hit the chairs, reducing them to dust. While heavily armed and armored, Rainbow reasoned the robot would be relatively slow to track its target and to move. She could use that to her own advantage.
She rolled and got to her hooves, spraying the robots with the double assault rifles. Stray bullets ripped through the seats and roof, tearing down plastic panels. Gas masks dropped down, dangling by thin tubes.
The normal robot ponies fell as the storm of bullets hit, but the walking railgun stood standing; the bullets ricocheting off its thick and heavy armor.
Rainbow noticed it didn't prepare a counter attack. She ducked back under cover, and saw that green glow again.
Aha.
She leaped up- she wasn't sure what she was doing, but usually when you shoot something radioactive it explodes. Right?
She fired her gun at the charging railguns. There was a green flash, and everything blew out. Rainbow was flung back by the force of the explosion, hitting the far wall behind her. She slumped onto the ground, her assault rifle nowhere to be seen. Everything was a blurry green, with different shades shifting about the mass.
And then with a click, everything snapped back into focus. Rainbow quickly scrambled up, looking around her.
In front of her, where the robot was; laid a huge chaotic mess. Parts were scrambled everywhere, and scorch marks ran along the walls and ceiling. The plane let out a loud groan, and began breaking in half.
Rainbow looked up. The section she was on was tearing away from the section at the front, and the walls were ripping apart; revealing the metal structures and wires hidden under the plastic and aluminum.
The top half was the first to break away, with a loud crack and defeating groan the supports on the roof and upper half of the walls snapped.
The back section tilted down, and Rainbow was tilted violently to the right. She tumbled over, slid on the now-horizontal wall, and almost fell through the door way and into the cabin below. She grabbed the frame with her hooves. Looking down, she saw the back section was breaking apart.
The split wasn't perfectly down the center- the front half had the jet's left wing, while the back half had the right.
Smart move, dumb-ass. Rainbow thought to herself.
She quickly hoisted herself back onto the wall, and started climbing for the front section. The wind howled through the gaping holes, shattering windows and sending bits of everything flying everywhere. Rainbow's mane and tail whipped all around her as her hooves found desperate purchase on the near-vertical floor.
And then the back section began ripping itself apart.
There were metallic groans as the walls began cracking, stretching away from each other. It was dark without the lights, and Rainbow was trying the best she could to climb up using the chairs. Lightning flashed, lighting up the interior.
Rainbow fell down several meters as a chair underneath her gave way, but she managed to grab hold of another. Her hooves dangled above almost certain death underneath.
She pulled herself up, and began climbing again. The outer hull tore away to the wind, sheets of metal flying away in jagged pieces.
The floor under Rainbow's feet gave way, the section behind her breaking off and tumbling away into the night. Lightning flashed again, illuminating her horrors.
She lifted herself up. The wind was bringing the floor to a steep climb instead of a complete vertical cliff. Rainbow took the opportunity and ran, but she could already see the cabin breaking apart in front of her.
With a loud snap and groan that was barely audible in the deafening thunder, the section Rainbow was on broke away from the section near the front.
She was at the edge of the section now, safety on the other side and constantly growing further and further away. With a deep breath and not-a-second-thought, she took the leap of faith.

Chapter 12: Inner Demon

Lightning cracked, and Rainbow saw her landing point for a short instant. She could tell she wasn't going to make it fully.
Suddenly her stomach hit the edge, her body painfully doubling over and temporarily winded. She couldn't breath, and everything seemed to be in slow motion.
She was starting to slip back and out of the aircraft. Her hooves clawed desperately on the smooth carpet, but was doing little to stop her from slipping. And then she was dangling by her front hooves, the wind threatening to rip her away from the plane.
With all the strength she had left she hauled herself up, rolling onto the walkway and clinging onto the frame of a chair, trying to catch her breath as the wind continued to lash out at her. She'd never had vertigo before.
She quickly got up and started running. She was still in the back section- the front section and cockpit where Dainty should be still far away.
The plane groaned again, and Rainbow learnt to take it as a bad sign. She kept running none the less.
The ground beneath her hooves split, and her left hoof got caught in the crack. She tripped over, face planting into the floor.
"I hate airplanes." Rainbow muttered, wiping blood off a bleeding nose and continuing for the cockpit.
She neared the edge of the back section, connected to the front by several flimsy support frames.
She saw several red dots of light move in the shadows- more robot ponies. Great.
She jumped for the front section, bullets whizzing past her. One bullet flew into the right engine, still connected to the back section. It blew, a huge fireball lighting up the night and quickly fading away as the wind blew it out. The shockwave failed to dim the slightest though.
Rainbow rode the shockwave like a surfer, flying into one of the first robot ponies and rolling onto the ground. She yanked its gun away, putting two bullets through its dull metal skull.
The entire plane shook, and Rainbow almost fell over. The back section had been torn away, and without the right wing to balance the plane; it was beginning to spin out of control.
More bullets rained. Looks like the robot ponies really don't give a damn about what happens.
Rainbow leaped out from behind cover, holding down the trigger. She was knocked down when the aircraft's last engines blew out, sending the remains of the jumbo jet tumbling across the sky.
Rainbow and the robot ponies were all thrown around inside, and she had lost the rifle again. Wasn't hard considering she could barely tell where the ground was- actually, where anything was. Something cracked against her ribs, and she gasped. It was followed by a hit to the head, and she was knocked half-conscious. She felt a small explosion in her ribs, a bullet shattering the bone and almost penetrating her heart. Thankfully it stopped a few centimeters away- it also missed all of the main arteries.
Rainbow collapsed onto the ground, then was yanked onto a wall as gravity shifted and the jumbos jet spun through the air. Her wound made a big splatter of blood on the wall.
She hit the ground again, her vision blurry and her hooves stained with her own blood.
"Damnit-" She muttered, trying to get up. The plane had stopped flipping- it was, quite miraculously; gliding on one wing. It was still shaking itself apart though.
Not like this... She thought, clutching the hole in her chest, thick blood oozing out from under her hooves. Dainty.... I tried.... She could feel the metal plate pressing against her chest next to her wound. Please don't be mad at me... Please don't blame me...
The aircraft suddenly hit the ground, the remaining wing clipping a building and sending the aircraft spiraling and knocking out rows of traffic on the streets below. It bounced up, only to fall back down and crash onto the roads. Fire erupted and sparks flew as the bottom ground against the gravel, slowing the heavy jumbo jet. Ever slowly, it slid to a grinding halt; leaving behind it a clear trail of destruction.
Rainbow heard the robot ponies getting back up, and could also hear the crackling of a nearby fire. She felt the barrel of a rifle press against her head, the robot's hoofsteps slowing to a halt. Her vision was blurred, darkness closing in around the sides.
"Leave her." Val's voice said, clearly coming through a mic.
Rainbow couldn't move- she was barely alive right now. She was surprised she wasn't dead already.
"Keep her alive- but leave the wound. Bring her to me- I've got some weapons to test on her." Val's voice continued.
Rainbow gasped weakly as she felt a sharp needle penetrate her neck, injecting some liquid into her blood stream. Now she felt a lot more alive, but the pain in her wound also increased. Slowly and painfully- this must be what Val feels when she gets shot. No sense of dying- just the bullet brushing against your flesh as your chest heaves with every breath, pumping out more blood as the heart continues on. It was torture.
Rainbow tried biting her teeth together, but it wasn't enough to keep the pain out. Inevitably she began screaming through tear-blurred eyes, and saw Dainty being led out of the cockpit by the kidnapper, screaming at her to get up. Yelling at her to stop screaming.
But she couldn't, not until she passed out from just the multileveled pain.

*

Rainbow's eyelids twitched as she heard the gentle tapping of dripping liquid. She opened her eyes slowly, the energy zapped from her body. First all she saw was dark red. And then her eyes adjusted, and she realized she was looking down at a puddle of blood. She could feel chains around her hooves, hanging her up uncomfortably. She scanned her surroundings.
The puddle of blood was from her bullet wound, which had soaked her dark clothing and was dripping onto the cold concrete floor. She could feel the stinging sensation growing, but it didn't grow further than a constant painful throb. She was in a dark concrete room, lit only by the cluster of computer monitors in a corner. Wires were scattered about the floor, and other lab equipment were also placed around the room. Operating the equipment was none other than Val.
"Morning. Although one could not tell in this concealed room." Val said. "And careful not to move. Those wires are the only things keeping you alive, Dash."
For the first time Rainbow noticed the wires and tubes plugged into her back. Her necklace hung loosely and matted with blood from her neck.
"What did you do to Dainty?" she growled, a vein throbbing on her neck.
"Whatever is necessary to get my favorite soldier back. You know, after she kinda killed herself." Val said, turning away from the monitors.
"You're going to bring that maniac Neon back!? Are you out of your mind!?"
"Maybe I already am." Val said.
"What makes you think an immortal like her would listen to you?" Rainbow asked through gritted teeth. "Dainty's alive now. She has no goal."
"Maybe Dainty will be the bribe for her to work for me, then. And in case you didn't notice-" Val grinned. "I don't die either."
Rainbow spat at her, but the spittle fell short; which only made Val laugh.
"You goddamn bastard. You're gonna use Dainty!? She's just a filly! Let her go!"
"Not a very convincing argument." Val scraped her metal fingers together.
"You piece of-" Rainbow's words fell short as Val clamped a hand tightly over her mouth.
"You can save her if you want afterwards." she said, and they stared into each other's eyes- both cold and unwavering. "But once I'm done with you- you're most likely to destroy her- and everything else." she grinned at Rainbow's muffled insults.
There was a gentle whir as Val brought her robotic arm up, the hand unfolding and ejecting a small glass capsule into the air. The hand sprang back, and she caught the capsule, the blue liquid inside slushing about.
"This might hurt a bit. Sorry I don't have any pain killers." Val smirked, and stabbed the sharp end of the capsule into Rainbow's neck.
The blue pegasi's irises contracted, then the muffled screams followed as the blue liquid was injected into her blood.
When Rainbow stopped writhing and fighting, and when the liquid had drained from the capsule; Val backed away, taking her hand away from Rainbow's mouth. A thin thread of saliva mixed with blood stretched from the corner of Rainbow's mouth to Val's hand, glimmering slightly in the dim light.
"What have you done to me!?" Rainbow growled like an animal. She could feel her blood churning inside her, heating up. She had the odd urge to bare her teeth at Val- so that's exactly what she did. She bared her teeth, droops of saliva dripping out of the corner of her mouth.
Val laughed. "All I did was unleash your potential. You need power to rescue your little sister, right? Well, I gave that power to you- through science! Although, you being able to control it is a whole different matter..." she grinned.
"You bastard..." Rainbow growled, and she could feel her teeth growing into long and sharp tiger teeth. Her wound burned, and healed itself with a flash of flames.
"I'll leave you to that then." Val turned away and waved back-handedly, walking out an ion door.
"You won't get away with this!" Rainbow yelled after her, and felt her body was about to burst apart.
The chains holding her bound broke as her body's density suddenly increased, the weight breaking the ion. She crumbled onto the floor, cracking the concrete. Sharp pain rippled across her body, her skin stretching to its limits as whatever was inside was going to burst out.
She pounded the floor, screaming. Her scream was unlike anything she let out. It sounded more like a roar. She didn't know why, but she was angry. She was furious. Sure, she hated Val. But this fury was beyond even that hate. And it scared her.
"Get it out goddamnit! GET IT OUT!" she screamed as her wings exploded into pink mist, blue feathers slowly drifting to the ground. From her back sprouted two different wings- bony, demonic wings. They were like armor, thick like shields.
Rainbow's front hooves burst apart, claws ripping from her bone. They were more like paws, just a little smaller than the average sized plate. Her back hooves tore apart, growing into feet.
Her body and face churned, morphing into a dragon-like scaly outline. Her face turned into that of a dragon's too, except it was more flat and some-what pony like.
She roared, her dark purple eyes darting about, filled with menace. All she had was blind rage in her heart as she tore the lab apart.
And then she felt her body shrinking again, back to its normal size. Weak, much more powerless. She shivered, her body suddenly cold. Not even the coat provided her with warmth. Her wounds had healed, her wings and hooves back to normal.
And then what Val had said sank into Rainbow- she could turn into that monster any minute now. And if she's near Dainty when it happens again- she could only hope that it doesn't.

*

"Scootaloo!" Halcyon called out across the street.
The orange pegasus turned, wondering who it might be.
One of those royal guards I saw earlier... Hmmm... She thought.
Halcyon caught up, steadying her breathing.
"Hell." she cursed. "Have you seen Rainbow Dash anywhere? She went missing last night. Not even the mic can get to her- she must've disabled it or something."
"Shuck." Scootaloo cursed. "No, I haven't seen her. You keep looking for her- I'll have a look around too."
"Thanks. We really need her- the arseholes have Dainty." Halcyon said, walking back across the street.
Damnit Rainbow.... Where are you when we need you? Scootaloo thought as she took off into the sky.
By the end of the day, she had almost given up. She flew up to a cloud in the sky, sitting down and watching the sun fall down behind the mountains. The bright orange glow cast streaks of orangy-red across the sky and onto the clouds, turning the sky purple. She laid down, looking over Cloudsdale. There were parts of the city she hadn't searched yet- because she knew that Rainbow wouldn't be there. The Rainbow Dash she knew wouldn't go to those places anyway- but she didn't know that the Rainbow Dash she knew and loved was long gone.

*

All around the blue pegasus ordinary ponies talked. Ordinary ponies with no idea of the danger currently present right next to them. All the chattering, laughter- shadowed muttering, clinking of glass cups and spilling of celebratory beverages- all meaningless to Rainbow as she gulped down a mouthful of Cloudsdale Whiskey.
She slammed the glass down on the cracked wooden bar table, the golden substance inside slushing about and almost spilling out. It was night time again- and Rainbow was here because it was the only place where she wanted to be. Alone with her memories.
Octavia.... I'm so useless... She thought to herself. When she came to a bar, her best friend would always be there beside her. But right now, there was nothing but an empty stool lit by the dim warm glow of a single bulb from above.
She coughed, choking slightly on some of the whiskey as it burned down her throat. It felt like the only thing that could keep her warm- not even Octavia's coat could do the trick. The moment that gulp of whiskey dispersed in her stomach, the coldness came back, seeping through her skin and leaking into her heart. Another gulp temporarily fixed that. A light yellow pegasus pony with a hat covering the most of her face glanced at her, and Rainbow glared back with a 'buck-off' expression. She was sitting two stools away, slowly sipping out of a glass of Canterlot Moonshine.
"Fill her up." Rainbow belched loudly, but nopony noticed since they were all happily minding their own business. All except the yellow pegasus pony, who tilted her head slightly, obviously annoyed at Rainbow's behavior.
The bartender eyed her cautiously. "You've been drinking far too much tonight, young lady. That whiskey is quite strong, you know..."
"Yeah yeah. Shut the hell up. I'm paying, alright? So get me that bucking glass of whiskey." Rainbow growled madly, and the yellow pegasus pony did nothing more than take a restrained gulp from her glass.
"Forget the glass. I'm here to take her home- my friend here's been drinking a little too much." Scootaloo said, laying a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. She then moved closer to Rainbow's ears, and whispered in a hushed tone: "When I set out to find the legendary Rainbow Dash, I did not expect to find her wasting up in a crap bar like this."
Rainbow didn't flinch. She just hit the table. "Bring me that goddamn bottle."
Scootaloo tightened her grip on Rainbow's shoulder. "Rainbow- get out of here. Leave. You shouldn't be here."
The blue pegasus pony stubbornly sat still, glaring at the bartender as he gingerly went to get another bottle.
"Leave." Scootaloo said through gritted teeth, making it sound more like an order. She yanked Rainbow's shoulder back in an attempt to make her leave her seat, but never expected what came next.
Rainbow swung from her stool, shoving both front hooves into Scootaloo's chest and sending her back against the far wall. Scootaloo hit the worn concrete wall, and gasped in shock. A second later Rainbow was at her neck.
"Don't tell me what to do. You hear me!?" Rainbow yelled in her face, not letting go of her neck.
The bar was silent now, all watching.
"What happened to the Rainbow I knew?" Scootaloo yelled back, spittle flying. "The one I knew would be at wherever the damn enemy is, beating their bucking heads in!! Not the peice of crap I see before my own eyes right now!!"
"Things change, alright!? You leave me to me. You leave me to my own decisions."
"What about Dainty!? You're just going to sit here while she suffers!? God knows what they're doing to her! AND YOU'RE JUST SITTING HERE LIKE THE PIECE OF CRAP YOU ARE, WASTING AWAY AND HIDING!? WHAT THE BUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!!??" Scootaloo yelled, angry at Rainbow.
"DAINTY IS LOST! YOU HEAR ME!!?? I CAN'T SAVE THE BUCKING SOUL!! ALRIGHT!? AND IF I TRY I'LL ONLY END UP KILLING HER!" Rainbow banged Scootaloo's head on the wall lightly, dropping her voice into a hushed tone. "You don't know shuck about the situation right now- alright? So get the buck out of here and away from me."
"You say there are difficulties, aye? You think it's impossible to rescue Dainty now, aye!? WELL I TELL YOU WHAT-" Scootaloo spat in her face. "THE RAINBOW DASH I KNEW WOULD GO TRY ANYWAY. STILL CALLING YOURSELF THE ELEMENT OF LOYALTY!? EVEN NOW!!?? Right now, you're nothing but a PIECE OF CRAP!!"
"What did you call me...?" Rainbow glared at her, and suddenly her voice dropped an octave; into a low, menacing, demonic voice.
She could feel that same uncontrollable rage filling her up again. She raised her hoof- she no longer cared who Scootaloo was, or is. She's going to bash her face in.
Rainbow swung the hoof down, but failed to make contact as somepony had a hoof laid firmly on her arm, unwavering and strong.
She looked around to find the yellow pegasus pony, her expression stern.
The pony looked up, revealing a bright purple iris that glimmered in the light. A thin thread of white-and-black hair drifted down one side of her face, concealing her other eye.
Daring Do pulled Rainbow's hoof away from Scootaloo's face, a slightly disgraced expression on her face.

Chapter 13: Self Control

Without a second thought, Rainbow let go of Scootaloo and swung a hoof at Daring Do.
Daring moved to the side, slapping the back of Rainbow's hoof and diverting the strike elsewhere. Rainbow's momentum carried her forward, and the alcohol in her body tripped her up.
Despite this, she still had a pretty focused mind. She tucked into a ball and rolled, then lashed out with her back hooves at Daring's face.
Daring Do stopped her kick dead in the air, blocking it with her arm. Two combat veterans in a bar fight? This'll can't end well.
Daring swiped Rainbow's front hooves out, and she fell on her stomach onto the floor. Rainbow flicked up a chair with a hoof, then swung it across at Daring. Daring slammed a hoof into the worn wood, shattering it into several pieces.
Rainbow leaped up from the mist of shattered wooden shards, a hoof already heading for Daring's face.
Daring met it head on, slamming a hoof into Rainbow's. The shock traveled down their arms, and they both stumbled back.
Daring back away, flicking out a whip from behind her back. With a light flick, it lost its rope-like quality and turned into what looked like an ion pole.
"Back off, Daring." Rainbow warned, snarling and bringing the cleaver capsule out of her pocket. With a loud metallic cling, the capsule sprung into the full-sized broad blade. The Element of Loyalty crystal was a dull faded red, and wasn't glowing. Rainbow ignored the signs- she wasn't about to stop the fight because of that. Loyalty-Shmuoyalty. She just wanted to beat up anypony that makes her angry right now.
Daring threw the pole into the air, then caught it in the middle. Air whooshed as she spun it, her hooves a blur.
"Maybe after you put down the sword." she brought the pole into an offensive position.
"Not a chance." Rainbow snarled, tightening her grip around the pole.
"Uh... Girls... Maybe ditch the weapons?" Scootaloo was wary of the sharp edges and solid smacks those weapons could make.
Both Daring and Rainbow ignored her, and charged at each other.
Daring slid the pole along her hooves, gripping it at one end and swinging the entire length around at Rainbow's waist.
Rainbow knocked it into the air with the cleaver, then swung it back down. Daring kicked off a table, knocking over some beers. She flipped over Rainbow, the lethal blade of the cleaver passing her side by mere millimeters. She was used to doing stuff like that though.
Rainbow swirled around, the cleaver a blur of motion. Daring caught her pole, blocking the strike firm. The hollow clang the weapons made echoed around the bar.
The cleaver was a heavy weapon that should be slow, however extremely fast in Rainbow's hooves. But then there's the pole- which was much lighter, and easier to use. It all comes down to their fluency with the weapons.
Daring gripped the pole in the center, this way she could attack with either side, swinging left and right.
Rainbow's cleaver flashed here and there, blocking the strikes. The two were a blur of motion, weapons gleaming and whipping through the air.
Rainbow brought the cleaver up, ready to block the pole. At the last second it turned into a whip, lashing her across the face.
She stumbled back, a large red mark down her cheek. She glared at Daring, her eyes practically on fire. She swung the heavy blade, Daring stepping aside to avoid the lethal edge. She turned to look at Rainbow, who surprised her by ditching the cleaver completely.
Rainbow's hoof connected with Daring's jaw, knocking her down and sending her skidding on the floor; knocking over several chairs. Her pole slid out of reach, clattering under a table. Rainbow stormed towards her, hooves clenched.
Daring kicked a chair at Rainbow, who caught it by the leg and swung it back around. Daring rolled to the side as the chair shattered on the ground where she was earlier.
The bartender didn't make an attempt to stop the two from wrecking his bar- he was too concerned about keeping his own life right now.
Daring barely recovered when Rainbow hit her across the jaw again, sending her sprawling onto the floor. She spat out a droplet of blood.
Blind rage had consumed the rainbow maned pegasus as she took heavy steps towards her fallen opponent. She could feel her back burning again, the demon threatening to burst out. For whatever reason now, she couldn't stop herself.
She grabbed Daring Do by the collar, then slammed her down onto a table. Daring gasped as a cup shattered and the glass shards dug into her back. Rainbow was about to swing a hoof down when Scootaloo tackled her from the side, both of them tumbling across the bar.
"You're not thinking straight goddamnit!" Scootaloo yelled, restraining Rainbow, keeping her arms behind her back.
"Get off me! LEAVE ME THE BUCK ALONE!" Rainbow yelled, trying to shake Scootaloo off.
"Damnit Rainbow! Just calm dow- Gah!" Scootaloo gasped as Rainbow leaped back, using her back and slamming Scootaloo onto the ground. The air left her lungs, and she let go of Rainbow.
Rainbow swung back, raising a hoof and ready to cave Scootaloo's skull in. She heard a gentle tinkling, and looked down to find her necklace dangling loosely by a broken chain.
Shuck, what the hell am I doing? Rainbow was ripped between her rage and her normal self, her hoof shaking as her mind attempted to make a decision.
She slammed the hoof down straight at Scootaloo's head, but her other hoof dragged the orange pegasus away and her strike slammed into the concrete; fueled by rage. It shattered the concrete floor, sending a micro shockwave through the ground.
"Goddamnit!" Rainbow shoved Scootaloo away, then stumbled against the wall; breathing hard.
Daring Do and Scootaloo both eyed her cautiously.
Rainbow turned away, picked up her cleaver and stumbled towards the door.
"Don't... Come after me." Rainbow growled, shoving the door open and exiting the trashed bar.

*

It was times like these that Octavia wished she was still alive. Right now, she watched Rainbow sobbing quietly in a corner on a roof top, keeping the necklace close to her chest.
Octavia sat down opposite her, even though Rainbow couldn't see her. All she wanted right now was to comfort her friend, but she couldn't even do that.
A tear caught the glint of moonlight as it slid down Rainbow's face. She curled up in the corner, wrapping her tail around herself and wiping away the drop of water.
The moon peered through the dark clouds, the stars twinkling gently in the infinite darkness. It was a dark shade of purple, the moon with a hint of violet.
Rainbow looked up, staring into the white sphere. She whimpered, burying her face back into her own arms.
"What have I done..." she whimpered. "I'm such an idiot.... Why..."
It ripped Octavia's heart to watch Rainbow like this, and she couldn't help but wonder what could have possibly torn the often strong and determined pegasus apart into a small filly.
Of all the tragedies that unfold in the world... This was one that Octavia truly felt for. She too couldn't help but have a tear slide down her cheek, frustrated and somewhat angry that she couldn't do anything to stop Rainbow from breaking herself apart.
There was a gentle tap as the drop of water fell onto the cold and unforgiving floor.
Rainbow thought she heard something, and looked up.
They stared into each other's eyes, and Octavia wasn't sure whether or not Rainbow could see her. And then Rainbow lowered her eyes, staring at the ground tiredly.
"I wish you could be here, Octavia." she whispered after a period of silence.
"I do too." Octavia said, even though Rainbow couldn't hear her.
Rainbow gently tapped a hoof on the concrete floor, her chin buried between her knees.
The taps echoed off the silence in the night- not even the city seemed to be alive.
She brought out the broken necklace- the chain had broke, now a small crumpled pile of metal parts in her hooves, laying on top of it all was the colored piece of metal. She stared at her own cutie mark, the colors darkened in the night. The edge of the metal gleamed in the moon light, shifting as Rainbow gently shook it around. Her birthday present, from one filly she tried to look after- now, she'll either destroy her when she gets out of control, or let the science faction destroy her.
Pressing the metal plate against her heart, she let out a long and painful sob.
"Sorry Dainty.... I'm so sorry I couldn't do anything..." she cried, streams of tears running down her face and glimmering in the light. She buried her face in her arms. "I'm so useless... What was I thinking... I tried to kill my friends...."
A single sad tear slid down Octavia's face, and caught the moonlight.
Rainbow looked back up at the moon, but caught something in her sight as she did so. She looked down, just in time to see a small droplet of water fall from Octavia's cheek. They stared at each other, and this time Octavia was sure Rainbow could see her.
"Damnit!" Rainbow looked away, squinting her eyes shut. "Seeing this buck again!"
Octavia didn't say anything. She couldn't help but smile with tears still in her eyes- maybe she could really talk to Rainbow now!
"Rainbow..." Octavia shuffled closer, reaching out to touch her shoulder.
"Go away damnit!" Rainbow screamed like a little filly, batting her hooves around.
Octavia's hoof retracted. "Please- Rainbow.... I'm real. I'm here." she smiled.
Rainbow slowly opened her eyes, looking up and meeting Octavia's smile. Soon she had a smile on her face too, and hugged her tightly.
"Am I dead?" Rainbow asked, crying and laughing into Octavia's shoulder at the same time.
"No idea." Octavia was glad they could have some time together- however fast this time may pass later on.
"How...?" Rainbow backed away, however still having both hooves on Octavia's shoulders in the fear that she might leave her.
"No idea." Octavia said again, grinning with tears in her eyes.
And then Rainbow's smile dropped, and she slumped onto the ground. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you... I-"
Octavia shushed her before she could continue. "You couldn't have done more. I know you've been thinking I was mad at you- but I never was, and never will be."
Rainbow nodded, a relieved expression on her face as she lowered her head.
"I still can't believe I'm talking to you." she chuckled, turning her necklace around in her hooves. "Then I guess you saw what I did in the bar eh..."
"That wasn't you. This is you right now, and yet not completely." Octavia laid a reassuring hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "You would never do something like that- well, you might..."
Rainbow chuckled, which grew into a quiet laugh as they both reviewed her earlier bar fight against the bullies in their heads.
"I don't know where I'm at now. I don't know where to go." Rainbow looked down as the laughter faded. "I have no idea where Dainty is- or whether or not I will be able to control that demon thing." she pointed at herself.
"You can. I know it." Octavia said, sitting down opposite the blue pegasus.
"But how..." Rainbow sighed frustratedly.
"You don't have to know how." Octavia smiled. "The Rainbow I know never knows how. She just can. The Rainbow I know also never gives up, whether or not it kills her."
That made Rainbow's mind click.
"You've fell, Rainbow. Tripped." Octavia continued. "You're just lying there and waiting something to happen now. But I tell you what- the Rainbow I knew would be up and running again right now. Maybe even before she trips." she smiled.
Rainbow grinned back- she knew what Octavia meant.
"Come on, Rainbow..." Octavia patted her on the back. "If you don't know where to start- let's just start anywhere. Because the Rainbow Dash I know would always get the job done without failure."
Rainbow nodded, much more confident.
"I'm sorry. I just lost sight of what is important and what I have to do." she said.
"Now-" Octavia rubbed her hooves together. "You might still have a chance of tracking Dainty. Remember her magical outburst? That was her first- she's bound to have another. Get the signature of the outburst from the prison you were in- and then with that, you should be able to match the signatures if Dainty has another outburst."
Rainbow thought about it. "Heh. Never thought of that before." she said. "I really miss having you as my partner, Octavia."
"I do too- now, you should probably get started. I need to go." Octavia said.
"What? Where!?" Rainbow stood up.
"The dead stay dead, Rainbow. I can feel myself fading." Octavia sighed, looking down at her hooves, which were becoming translucent to Rainbow.
"I wish we had more time." Rainbow slumped back down.
"Me too. And I can't guarantee another meeting, since I don't even know what caused this. But there really is so much to talk about- is there not?"
"Yeah." Rainbow said, lowering her head. When she looked up again, Octavia wasn't there anymore.
Her voice still lingered though: 'You know what to do.' it said.
"Yeah. I do." Rainbow smiled sadly. "And thank you, Octavia."

*

Scootaloo was nursing her bruised back when she heard a gentle tap on the window. She stopped, waiting for another tap. There was another gentle knock on the window. She couldn't see outside, since she had the curtains drawn. Curious, she moved the curtains aside.
She yelped when she saw a scaly creature outside, which crawled in and roared at her.
"What the buck..?" She snatched a book off her table and threw it at the creature.
The book bounced harmlessly off the creature's head, clattering to the floor.
Scootaloo slowly backed away from it, her legs almost unable to move as her body was locked in fright.
And then the creature fell sideways, laughing and kicking at the air.
Scootaloo raised an eyebrow, but still didn't dare get near it.
Then the creature began morphing into a smaller shape, and Rainbow was laughing her head off and pounding the floor.
"You should see the look on your face! Hahaha!" she giggled, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Wha...? How...?"
"Long story." Rainbow stopped laughing, sitting up. "About earlier.... I'm really sorry Scoots. I really lost control."
Scootaloo slumped down onto the soft carpeted floor, letting out a sigh of relief. She thought she was going to die a second ago. A grin spread across her face as she eyed her childhood idol, the murderous glint gone from those same purple eyes.
She moved closer and hugged Rainbow, who hugged her back. The same old Rainbow Dash- love pranks, and no matter how odd- she'll take every chance. Same old fun, awesome, and loyal Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo really thought she had lost her back then.
"I'm sorry for what I called you in the bar." she said, now genuinely feeling guilty.
"The me back then deserved every bit of it." Rainbow said, letting go.
"And maybe I deserved a few of those punches too." Scootaloo smiled, although slightly painfully as her back throbbed a little. "Now- let's go find that little filly, eh?"
Rainbow nodded. "I feel like I would like somepony to watch my back this time."

*

Daring Do went to open the door after she heard a knock on it. Her hooves tensed when she saw Rainbow, and then Scootaloo.
Rainbow and Scootaloo both agreed not to play the creature prank on Daring- because what's most likely to happen is that she'll cut Rainbow's head off.
Scootaloo nudged Rainbow.
"Sorry, Daring... About earlier..." Rainbow muttered. "I completely lost it. But now I can control it."
"I'm glad you've come to your senses." Daring smirked. "And you certainly got a lot more powerful since last time."
"There's always space and time for improvement." Rainbow noted.
"Don't worry. I've learnt living in the past could be lethal long ago." Daring said, opening the door wider as an indicator to welcome the two pegasi in.
Unknown to Rainbow, the capsule in her pocket once again began pulsing its bright red as the Element of Loyalty was re-awakened, burning brighter that it did before.
"Oh- we can't stay, thanks." Rainbow said quickly.
"I hear you're looking for the little girl huh." Daring said, leaning to one side and revealing Blaze and Halcyon standing behind her. "I called them a while back- these guys looking for you?"
Halcyon grinned. "Ready to save the little soul and bring down Val?"
Rainbow returned the broad smile. "Ready."
"I'll just go get my whip." Daring said, turning to go inside.
"You're going?" Rainbow was surprised.
"I need my monthly dose of adventure." Daring explained, tapping her cutie mark.
Suddenly the back of Rainbow's head exploded, red liquid splattering over her rainbow colored mane, blue skin, and dark coat.
"Rainbow Dash you gutless mother bucker!" Magnum dropped from the roof, landing lightly on her hooves, pulling the trigger several times more. "Where the buck were you hiding all this time!?"
Rainbow felt her back explode five more times in five different spots, and she screamed.
"Hehe, kidding." Magnum walked up to the group, lowering the rifle. "I got a new paintball gun- you girls like it?"
"Ow." Rainbow managed to say.
"You finally made it." Halcyon said, then turned to Rainbow. "We were going to set out and look for you, just in case, well; you know... You go on a violent rampage or something."
Rainbow growled, then flicked some of the paint off her coat and chucked a blob at Magnum. It splattered over her light blue skin, and she raised an eyebrow.
There were three heavy thuds as Magnum unloaded three paintballs into Rainbow's chest, sending her sprawling onto the floor. They all burst out laughing.
Rainbow wiped a joyful tear from the corner of her eye. She was glad all her friends were here- most of them, anyway. Even when she turned into a complete pain-in-the-ass(some cases literally), they still stood by her and accepted her apology afterwards. She looked around, smiling. Even if she did fall, her friends will be there to help her back up again; like Octavia did. She looked up at the starry skies, the fluffy clouds backlit by star light. Thanks, Octavia.
"Alright. We got a signature. We got a location." Rainbow got up, and looked around at the circle of ponies around her. "Let's GO!"

Chapter 14: Undetected

"Underground, huh..." Rainbow said, looking down at the tablet device which registered Dainty's last magical outburst. "I see."
The barricade came from underground, so it wouldn't be a far guess to think that they were hiding beneath the surface.
"Looks like you'll be getting some close range combat." Rainbow turned to Magnum.
"I'll be fine." Magnum said, and with a loud click slid the handle on a pump-action shotgun.
They stood on a roof, overlooking a huge hole generated in the ground when one of the barricade ships burst through the crust during the invasion. It spanned several kilometers- and god knows how deep. A perfect hiding place.
It all made sense now- this was the last hole that hadn't been fixed yet, among several others. The traitor inside the royal military could've easily pulled a few strings to keep it there.
"Let's go get the bucker." Daring Do said, making sure her whip was firmly clipped to her belt.
"Mic check." Rainbow said.
"Check." the ponies replied.
"Weapons check?"
"Check."
"Then let's go." Rainbow dropped down from the ceiling, then stretched her healed wings to slow her descent. Ah, how she missed that healthy feel.
The hole was sealed off by a metal fence that ran the length of the circumference, leaving several meters of space between the actual hole and the barbed wire.
"Hold on. We've got a pony moving in." Magnum reported from the roof.
"I see him." Rainbow whispered, quickly hiding behind a building and hearing a gentle thud as Daring landed behind her.
There was a dark orange stallion looking around nervously outside the fence, pacing relatively fast towards the gate. He had the key to the locks- since he unlocked it a second later. The gate swung open slightly as he squeezed through.
Rainbow heard a soft click come through the mic.
"Don't shoot him." she said quickly, looking up at the roof.
"Fine."
Rainbow looked back, but the stallion was gone.
"What the..." she whispered.
"I've seen those before." Daring said. "Mirage devices, now we test that theory-" she picked up a rock from the floor, then threw it up into the air, flying in a graceful arc and down towards the area behind the fence. With a gentle pulse of light, it was gone; disappeared.
"Huh." Rainbow said. "So we can't see what's inside. They probably can see out though- sneaking in won't be an option."
"I got a solution to that." Magnum said. "I knew it was a good idea to bring my thermal scope."
"What piece of sniper equipment don't you have?" Rainbow asked rhetorically.
"The new sixty-cals. I want one of those for Christmas." Magnum said. "But obviously Santa Colts won't be giving that to me."
"Why? I always hear you talking about how he hates you." Rainbow raised an eyebrow.
"Maybe I head-shotted him with a paintball gun when I was four." Magnum said. "My first taste of victory. The bastard went scrambling back up the chimney."
"Wait- he's real?"
"I couldn't be sure. Might've been a thief now that I think of it. But I never saw him again." Magnum sighed.
"Just get the thermals scanned." Rainbow muttered.
"Alright. Got an awful lot of activity in there- looks like those robot ponies. Got quite a few heat signatures patrolling around the crater." Magnum said.
"It's a hole, not a crater." Rainbow stated.
"Just call it a crater. If you die down there, it would be awkward when I tell your friends you slipped and fell into a hole." Magnum said. "And then died in it."
"Fine." Rainbow growled through gritted teeth, and heard Daring chuckle behind her.
"You have spare thermal scopes?" Daring asked.
"Nope. But I can give you this one- I've got some special optics that'll equalize the mirage effect. Catch-"
Rainbow looked up as a small piece of equipment fell. She caught it, then shook her hoof as the impact hurt her hoof.
"Alright... Let's see..." She peered through the scope. "Holy shuck. That's a lot of em."
"Yep." Magnum said.
There were two guards at the door, standing stationary. There seemed to be a few of those heavy robots with railguns walking around. From Rainbow's perspective, she could atleast see twelve squads of robot ponies patrolling around the crater.
"There's a gap between the sixth and seventh patrol squad." she said, observing the robots. "It's a small time frame, but it's our only chance of getting in undetected."
"Right. So I'll take down the two guards when you tell me to." Magnum said.
"Ready, Daring?" Rainbow looked behind her.
"Always." Daring Do replied.
"Alright... The signature from Dainty came from underground, about one mile down. From there we can then precisely locate her." Rainbow said.
"Better make this fast girls." Magnum said, and Rainbow heard Blaze beginning another one of his 'That's what she said!' moments; which was followed by a crack from Halcyon.
"There it is. Take the shot Magnum!" Rainbow said in a hushed tone.
There were two thuds as the silencers went off, and Rainbow saw the two guard robots' heads explode.
"Move! Move!" she ran towards the gate, followed by Daring. They easily flew over the fence, touching down lightly. There were cargo crates and containers scattered everywhere- there were also towers with spotlights searching the area.
"Shuck... The place is a lot more developed than we thought!" Daring exclaimed.
"Magnum- alert Shining Armor. He needs an army to take this place down." Rainbow said, then quickly dived behind a cargo container to avoid a spotlight. Daring Do dived behind one opposite her, nodding to indicate she didn't get caught.
"Girls- you've got a squad of ponies coming to fill in the space." Magnum said. "No robots. Normal armed ponies."
"Thanks for the heads up." Rainbow said, making sure her cleaver was in her pocket.
"I'll take them out. Get ready to drag the bodies in." Magnum said.
Rainbow peaked around the corner. "But there are twelve of them! One of them is bound to sound the alarm!"
"Just you watch." Magnum said, sliding a shell into the gun. "Ever heard of silenced shotguns before?"
"Wha..?"
Magnum pulled the trigger of the shotgun, sending a stream of buckshot pellets towards the squad of ponies. All it made was a loud click and thud, but the recoil forced Magnum to take a step back. How she loved that feel.
The pellets soared through the air, the wind affecting them slightly and causing them to curve to the right- just as Magnum planned.
There was a gentle pulse of light and a slight ripple in the air as they entered the mirage field, suddenly lit by the lights. They continued on their trajectory, completely undetected.
The first pellets hit. All head shots as the small steel bearings spread out, each one scoring a skull-shattering hit. Twelve pellets- twelve dead ponies with cracked skulls and slushed brains. They were dead before they hit the ground, and the entire squad was eliminated before Magnum's shotgun shell even clattered to the floor.
Rainbow gaped at what just happened. The entire squad just dropped down with busted heads, all dead from Magnum pulling the trigger once.
"Move the bodies." Magnum reminded Rainbow, and she and Daring quickly dragged the bodies behind cargo containers.
Rainbow took the mic off one of them, crushing the microphone but leaving the speakers intact. She placed it in her other ear, and grinned. Now she'll know if any ponies are dispatched, or whatever commands are issued through mics.
Daring Do did the same, and gave the thumbs up.
"Now to bypass the spotlights..." Rainbow sighed.
"Best if we don't shoot them out. Could have the whole base searching for us... But if we can cut the power..." Daring said.
"Hmmm. They probably have their own generator though. And I doubt they keep the switch on the surface." Rainbow sighed.
"Looks like we'll have to try sneak past em." Daring looked around at the containers. Those should be sufficient cover.
Rainbow quickly picked up a rifle from a downed pony, then found a silencer in his backpack. Screwing on the silencer, she nodded to Daring.
They both sprinted from cover, darting behind some containers not too far away; the edge of the spotlight beam scraping the tip of their tales.
"Did you get spotted?" Rainbow asked.
"Don't think so." Daring said.
They heard a loud metallic groan above them, and looked up to see a giant claw coming down to retrieve the container.
They quickly grabbed hold of the bottom when the container got lifted up into the air by a giant crane. The crane operator must've missed them, because the bright lights around the base made the shadows harder to see. They hung underneath the cargo container, watching as the ground grew further and further away below.
"Magnum- see that crane?" Rainbow whispered.
"Yep."
"Is the operator a pony or a robot?"
"Pony."
"Ok, good- when I tell you to, take the shot." Rainbow whispered, peering around her. So far, the spotlights haven't reached them yet.
The crane swung around, and their muscles strained to keep their bodies from dropping to certain deaths underneath. They were now much closer to the crater as the huge crane turned to place the cargo containers down.
"Shoot him!" Rainbow whispered, and heard a solid thud come through the mic. She heard the faint noise of glass shattering, and the crane abruptly stopped all movement. "Good shot."
"Thanks."
Rainbow and Daring dropped lightly from the container when the spotlight swept past, landing with a barely audible thud on their hooves, upsetting nothing but thin dust.
They were now in a labyrinth of cargo containers.
"Daring- check the container. See what's in there." Rainbow said, bringing out the thermal scope. "I'll check if there's anypony hiding behind these. I'll warn you if anypony comes."
"Alright." Daring gently and slowly opened the door to a large cargo container, the rusted metal making the barest groan. "Shuck. These are all robot parts! They've got enough for an army!"
"Hmmm." Rainbow hummed, scanning the area with the thermal scope. "Nothing on thermals. Good work- time to check the other containers."
They moved from one to the other, peering inside.
"Weapons and ammunition. If we can destroy these..." Daring eyed the missiles stacked on the corrugated ion, detonation caps disabled.
"Not our priority." Rainbow said, carefully checking around the corner.
"Girls- there's a small squad heading to check on the crane. Normal ponies, no robots. I advise you fake a report back or they'll just keep sending more." Magnum said, peering through her scope.
"Copy." Rainbow said, checking if her silenced rifle was loaded. "Thermals can't see through the damn cold walls. Can you tell me when they're near me?"
"Yup. I count six of em, all armed. Don't let those weapons go off or we'll be in big trouble." Magnum said.
"Roger." Rainbow said, and looked at Daring Do. "Ambush them?"
"Good idea." Daring looked up at the stack of cargo containers. "I'll go up there, take them down from behind. You do whatever you want." and with a light whoosh of her wings, she flew up to the second level of containers, so the final level would block her from sight. With her back to the corrugated ion, she nodded.
"Gotcha." Rainbow said, quickly diving behind a corner.
"They're coming round the corner. You should be able to hear them." Magnum said.
"Quiet now..." Rainbow whispered, her ears pricked.
They could hear hoofsteps, scattered. They were moving quite cautiously- and were prepared for a fight. The hoofsteps got louder, and Rainbow could hear a pair either side of her. She looked at Daring, and gave a reassuring nod. The fabric of her clothes shuffled gently as she slowly raised the rifle, her ears listening to which pony would be the first to turn the corner.
Left. That was her guess. She prepared to shoot at the left side, her rifle leveled at the currently empty space. She almost pulled the trigger when the barrel of a gun poked around the corner.
She fired a single bullet into the stallion's skull as he came around the corner, then swung the rifle behind her and shot the other stallion. She caught both bodies by the collar and gently laid them down, their guns scraping gently against the concrete floor. She heard Daring Do pull the trigger, and darted towards the shot stallion.
He collapsed into her arms, and she gently laid him down.
Another came around the corner, but immediately went down as a bullet from Magnum cracked his skull. Rainbow caught him.
The last one got an arrow through the head from Halcyon, slumped onto container, and slowly slid down into a sitting position, already a dead body.
"Good shot Hal." Rainbow said.
"Thanks." Halcyon said through the mic.
"Don't I get a congratulatory word?" Magnum asked.
"No, because you're at the point were I only care if you miss." Rainbow said, and Magnum faked a disappointed 'awwww'.
"Move the bodies." Daring said, hopping down. "I'll fake the call."
"K." Rainbow gently opened the door to one of the cargo containers, and started hauling the bodies in.
Daring took the mic off one of the stallions, checked his dog tag, and cleared her throat quietly.
"Alpha Six to HQ, over." she said in a relatively deep male voice, and Rainbow couldn't help but splutter a bit as she blocked her mouth to prevent herself from laughing.
"Copy Alpha Six. How's the crane?" came the reply.
Daring had no idea what the stallion's voice sounded like, but this seemed good enough.
"The crane's in good condition. We just need to rewire some hydraulics and motors. No mechanics needed, nothing we can't handle."
"Good to hear Alpha Six. HQ out."
"Alpha out." Daring said, turning off the mic. "Phew!"
"Good job mate." Rainbow gently slid the door of the container shut, inside were a pile of bodies stacked beside some disabled missiles.
"Keep moving girls. You're almost there- just go past these containers and you can start going down." Magnum said, peering through the scope. "I can't see around corners, so be careful out there."
"We'll keep our ears pricked." Rainbow said, quietly moving towards the crater and navigating through the maze of containers.
They kept their backs to the walls, so the spotlight would shine over them. They watched the area around them suddenly brighten, then dim back down again. The night was good cover, but they still had to rely on their own abilities.
"We've got a robot patrol squad heading your way." Magnum said. "Best avoid those bastards. They're a lot harder to kill, and the moment one spots you-"
"We get it." Rainbow said, tapping Daring Do on the shoulder and pointing at a container. "Don't get caught."
Daring opened the door, and they both got in. Closing the door behind her, they were instantly thrown into darkness. Rainbow couldn't see anything but the silver thread of moonlight coming through a micro gap in the wall.
They waited in complete silence, listening. Then there it was- the clunking of metal hooves on concrete. At first it sounded distant, then it was right outside the container. The flimsy metal walls that surrounded the two pegasi did little to comfort them- it seemed like they could just crumble. The walls seemed even weaker as the clunks echoed through the container, the robot pony continuing its march.
There were others now too, seemingly stomping on the ground in the silence.
For a moment the robot pony seemed to stop in front of the door while the others continued. The moonlight was replaced by red as it peered at the door, but after a grueling minute it moved on.
Rainbow and Daring both let out a quiet sigh of relief, and waited for Magnum to give the all clear.
"They're gone." Magnum said a few minutes later, and the two pegasi gingerly left the container.
After navigating the maze of containers, they finally reached the crater. It was surrounded by rails, and almost an infinite darkness below.
Rainbow brought out the thermal scope, scanning the shadows.
"Hmmm. No guards there- the signal was from one mile down, was it? That's roughly... Ninety-five floors deep."
"Damnit. The stairs are right under the damn spotlight tower!" Daring pointed at the only set of stairs leading down.
"That's what we have these babies for." Rainbow flexed her wings, waited for the spotlight to go past, and leaped over the railings. Gliding across the huge pit of nothing but darkness, she turned her wings so she would begin a steep decline towards floor negative-ninety five.

Author: Is anypony else excited for Nightmare Night? I know I am! Best of all, all I need in dark clothing. The implication being I already have the hat, coat and the cleaver. Yep, full size cleaver. Will post a pic on my dA page once it's done

Chapter 15: Lights' On

Rainbow landed lightly on the catwalk. Catwalks surrounded the walls of the crater, one circle of metal walk ways for each floor. Some flimsy-looking stairs lead down from one level to the other, and there seemed to be two rails that lead elevators up and down the depth of the crater. Weak white bulbs lit the catwalks, swaying slightly in the night breeze and sending shadows scrambling about.
Daring Do swung over the railings, landing gently on the level above Rainbow.
"HQ, this is Alpha Six." she said.
"We read you Alpha Six."
"Most of the wiring is done. The control panel on our side is fried, so can you turn off the power? We need a full reboot." Daring asked.
"Negative Alpha. We only have the master switch. Individual switches are in the control room on floor F27. You can access them there- better get that crane working soon. We need those shipments in place."
"Copy HQ. Alpha Six out." Daring said, hanging up. She winked at Rainbow, who grinned.
"You go get the switch. I'll go get Dainty." Rainbow said. "Magnum-"
"Here." Magnum said through the mic, sounding bored.
"Daring has located the switch. She's going to turn off the base now, so once you see the mirage device go off signal Shining Armor's troops to move in. We're taking the place down." Rainbow said. "And I'm going after Dainty. Good luck, aye?"
"Yeah. Gotcha." Magnum said. "But I'm still bored though."
"Don't start shooting the robots until the lights are out." Rainbow warned.
"Bored." Magnum moaned.
Daring flew off to get the switch, and Rainbow turned to the door in front of her.
"Wait for me, Dainty." She whispered, making sure the necklace was still around her neck.
She took in a deep breath, and kicked the metal door down. It crashed heavily to the floor, and she swung in.
Nothing but a hallway, the sides lined with weapons and ammunition. Rainbow checked her phone, precise locating Dainty's location. She memorized its rough location, and started proceeding down the hallway.
The hallway split into two different directions, and she took the right. This one seemed to stretch around the entire crater like a ring, bending around the ends.
She saw shadows around the corner up ahead. She could hear chatting, so they must be normal ponies. She looked up. There was a small vent she could use.
She climbed up. It was a small space, but she could still fit. The ponies passed underneath, unaware of her presence. She dropped down, the silencer pounding against the air and bullets ripping through their armor.
The squad was down before they could let out a warning. Rainbow quickly took a few clips of ammo off the ponies, and continued on her way.
There were doors on both sides of the hallway, and Rainbow chose one of them with a last check of her phone.
She checked the rifle, swapped a fresh clip, and kicked down the door.

*

The door before Daring was slightly ajar, and she peered into it. Aha! The control room. There were two ponies inside, playing cards. The room was dimly lit, reflecting the pony's moods. Either the pay wasn't good, or guard duty just wasn't their thing. It wouldn't matter either way soon.
Daring busted in, the rifle already firing away. Even with the silencer, it still lit up the room and flashed the walls. The two slumped back into their chairs, arms dangling lifelessly by their sides. One bullet hit the table of cards, sending them up like a puff of smoke.
Daring quickly closed the door so a passer-by wouldn't notice anything wrong. She started taking apart the switches, retiring some specific ones with others. Once she was done, she backed away and admired her handiwork.
"Magnum! Are the Captain's troops ready to move in?" Daring asked, scanning the switches for the one that shuts everything off.
"No. Not the Captain's, anyway. His troops are way too tired for night ops, or so he says." Magnum replied.
"Now what?" Daring found the switch, but she needed a reason to press it.
"The Princess of the Night will be leading this operation." a different voice jutted into the mics, clearly Princess Luna's. It had a deep echoey quality to it though.
"Good luck princess. Are your troops in position?" Daring asked.
"The guardians of the night are ready and waiting." The princess replied.
Daring grinned. Things are about to get really loud. "Alright- in three, two, one- LIGHTS OUT!"
She slammed the switch, and for a second it didn't work. Then, with loud failing whirs and dimming lights, the power throughout the entire base was shut off. Then all the switches sparked and exploded in a shower of dancing glittering flames, putting themselves out soon after. The HQ must've tried to restart the base, but her rewiring sent a back current through the system and took out all means of restarting the generators. This would take at least a week to fully repair and recover.
"Alpha Six- What the hay is going on in there!? All our systems just shut down! Turn them back on ASAP!"
Daring Do didn't bother using the fake voice. "Buck you dumbasses!" she couldn't help but laugh at the curses that rained back at her through the mic. "Trust me- you lost! Suck on that shuck-heads!"

*

"Base is in sight." Blink Nightshade, captain of the night guards; commented as the mirage device went offline, revealing the fully exposed base hiding beneath. Her bat-like wings were folded by her side, eager to feel the air rush against them. Her purple mane was cut short, so it wouldn't get in the way during battle. Her yellow reptilian eyes darted across the crater, making an instant analysis. She was the first warden of Equestria, a small group of ponies she was destined to find.
Wardens were ancient guardians that kept Equestria from falling, the most powerful of the magic faction. Once a pony's role as a warden is discovered, it becomes impossible for him or her to die of old age. It also grants them power beyond what normal ponies could ever achieve- much, much more. Their abilities are close to unlimited, and they have just one job- to protect not just Equestria, but the entire universe. The first warden would be chosen by an ancient magical AI, and the other five would be then chosen by the first warden. It becomes impossible to perform evil with the powers of a warden, an efficient security system to shut out traitors.
Blink Nightshade had already found two other wardens. The wardens of fire and ice- Blaze and Halcyon. Their role as the protectors of the universe is yet to be revealed, and until they find all six guardians- they can only remain as they are.
"Guardians of the night!" Luna yelled at the top of her voice, her battle armor shining in the abnormally bright moonlight and her mane a sparkling deep blue void. "Crush our enemies!"
The bat ponies behind the princess and the captain all leaped into the air, no chanting, no taunting. Just plainly following orders- there's nothing personal.
Nightshade cast a gaze over the battlefield, seeing where she might be needed. The bat ponies had swarmed into the cargo area, science faction ponies and robots open firing. There wasn't anything she needed to do, but as the captain- her job was to lead the assault.
She wasn't called the Warden of Teleportation for no reason. She could teleport anywhere she wanted- quite literally, in the blink of an eye.
"Ready?" she asked as she heard two separate sets of hooves trot up beside her.
"Ready." Blaze and Halcyon both said, their horns glowing softly.
"Then let's go." she placed a hoof each on their shoulders, and blinked. The world outside flashed brightly, and when her eyelids parted they were in the middle of the battle.
"Let's finish these bastards off!" there was a bright orange flash, and Blaze's burning sword appeared in his hooves.

*

Val watched from a corner as the ponies in lab coats worked away on the revival machine, her face hidden by the shadows. The only thing that did shine through the darkness was her robotic eye, a dull blue.
"It's done." one of the ponies said.
"Good." Val flexed her fingers. The new implants felt much better- much more free and life like. "Then hurry up and revive Neon."
"But- we haven't tested it, and..."
"Just do it." Val waved, annoyed. The revival machine was hooked up to its own generator, completely unconnected to anything else.
"Right. Start it up!" the pony said warily.
There were a few clicks and whirs as the preparations were made. Then a red button glowed green, indicating it was ready.
Val walked out of the shadows, darkness backing away from the wicked grin on her face. Oh yes- she was happy. Nothing better than to bring out a near invincible monster and let havoc wreak through the battle raging above.
"Wakie wakie, Neon." she slammed the button, and a loud click echoed off the walls.
The machine consisted of a metal frame and a glass tube in the center, where the reborn shall soon stand. The tube glowed bright blue, and the generators whirred furiously; struggling to keep up with the energy consumption.
Shining pixels began forming out of thin air inside the tube, closing in on each other and forming the glowing silhouette of a familiar figure.
Val's grin spread even wider. It was working.
Everything suddenly blew out, sparks and shards of glass flying. The generators failed and slowly rotated to a stop. In the middle of a black blast mark on the floor was a dark figure, crouched down and her claws digging into the ground.
There was a slight buzzing as neon lights came to life all over the figure's body, two lines spreading from the neck to the face and stopping where the eyes should be. Then the buzzing stopped, and Neon opened her eyes; two glowing bright white lights in the dark. She slowly stood up, some debris falling off her claws as she yanked them from the ground. Her back was smoking from the vigorous reaction of being revived, but she didn't seem confused by the slightest.
"Ha! It worked! It actually wor-" the pony's jaw was torn away at the time of celebration as Neon ran a claw across his face, ripping his flesh.
The other ponies stared, horrified. Val just tilted her head to one side, curious about what was happening.
"Neon... It's us... You remember us... Right? We saved your life and gave you the opportunity of a life time- so, let's just calm down..." one of the ponies tried, but took a claw through the heart. It was still pumping blood into a body that was a meter away when Neon crushed it into nothing but a useless piece of flesh.
"Shuck! RUN! SHE'S-" the rest of them tried to run, all except Val. They all got torn into shreds, and Neon didn't say a word.
"You on my side or not?" Val asked. She gasped when Neon suddenly darted forward and stabbed a claw straight through her chest.
She spluttered blood onto the floor, a shocked expression on her face. That expression slowly melted away into a casual shrug.
"Guess not then." she muttered, slamming a fist into Neon's face.
Her claw ripped away from Val's chest, and Neon went tumbling across the room from the force.
"We could've been friends, you ungrateful whelp." Val said, storming across the room, the hole in her chest healing itself. She grabbed Neon's neck, slamming her into the wall. The concrete cracked, pieces sliding off Neon's back. "You worked for me before, and you'll keep working for me."
"Times change." Neon said. "Not that I had a choice on the matter. I just don't want to anymore. Maybe that Element of Loyalty cleaver did something to me." she slashed a claw across Val's arm, ripped it off and kicking her in the chest.
Val went flying across the room, slamming through the far door.
"Bucking Rainbows." Val muttered, her arm already re-growing and the robotics fixing themselves.
Neon ripped away the rest of the busted door, throwing it away. It landed and skid on the floor, a series of sparks lighting up the hallway.
Val swung a punch at Neon, who sliced her arm down the center with a finger. The punch split either side of Neon's face, dripping with blood. She moved forward, slicing the arm all the way in half and her other claw aimed at Val's face. But before the cut could be made, Val kicked behind her and into Neon's back, sending her into the concrete wall. It basically shattered, large chunks crumbling down and the night air outside rushing in.
Val picked up a large chunk, and slammed it down on the back of Neon's head just as she was getting up. It shattered into tiny little pieces, and Neon hit the ground again.
Val moved forward, reaching out to grab Neon around the neck. Neon kicked backwards, crushing Val's leg into several pieces as her hoof crunched through the bone. Val fell onto the ground, her left leg in pieces. She stood up on one leg, the other already healing.
"Haven't had this much fun since Rainbow Dash." she laughed, the bones in her leg rejoining each other.
Neon didn't reply. Of course, she barely ever talks. Before Val could react, she had already torn through her stomach, spilling guts onto the floor.
Val looked down. "Is that really what my kidneys look like? I want a replacement." even as she said this, the hole in her stomach was beginning to close.
Neon lashed out again, but this time Val was ready. She caught her by the wrist, the razor sharp claws inches away from her face. With a twist, she thumped Neon down onto the floor. She placed a hoof on Neon's shoulder, and began yanking the arm away. Of course, it was impossible to break away. Neon didn't even feel pain.
"Oh yeah, that." Val remembered this, and let go; slamming a fist down onto Neon's head instead. Didn't do anything either.
Neon got up, her 'I don't give a buck' expression pissing Val off slightly.
She swung a claw around, back-handing Val in the face and sending her flying sideways. One second she was there, the other she was gone.
Val tumbled along the catwalks surrounding the walls of the crater, her body making some dull clangs as she bounced off the metal catwalks. She got up, tilting her head to one side. There was a satisfying click, and the tension in her neck was gone. She shrugged, feeling much looser.
Neon came storming down the catwalks. The night was lit up by the flashes from the battle high above on the surface. The sounds and explosions of the battle echoed down here in a chaotic jumbo. It soothed Val's ears.
Neon swung a claw at Val, but Val was faster. Before Neon could rip her head off or something, Val slammed a fist into her head. She went tumbling back, clipping the handrails and sending them falling into the infinite darkness below.
"Hope you don't have vertigo." Val said, launching a kick into Neon's side.
She fell sideways, tried grabbing hold of the catwalk, but her claws only tore through the flimsy metal. She tumbled through the air, and disappeared into the darkness below.
"No screaming. So no vertigo then." Val said, casually walking away.

*

Dainty sat with her head lowered. They had taken a little sample of her blood, but that was all. She didn't know who they were, what they do. But there was this one mare that was really creepy and had half of her made of metal.
The thought of that mare sent shivers down her spine. The shivers may also have something to do with the cold. She was sitting on a wooden chair, her front hooves tied behind the back of the chair.
She seemed to be in some sort of room, high above another. A glass wall separated the small room she was in from the huge room outside. It was more the size of a soccer pitch then a room. And she was in the commentator's box, that's what she thought they called those things anyway. The room below seemed like a stadium, bright spotlights running on emergency generators illuminating bits of the stadium. It was the shadows that scared her.
She whimpered when she thought about her situation. All alone, and she'd seen those metal ponies kill Rainbow. They injected some random blue stuff into her neck, which she presumed to be poison. Rainbow had screamed back then, screamed her throat out.
She started crying. She was going to be down here forever, either starved to death or die of thirst before that happens. Tears slid down her face as she couldn't remove the memory of Rainbow in agony from her head.
"Sorry... Big sis..... I couldn't even keep myself out of trouble..." she whimpered. "Now I got you killed... Oh god..." she broke into an unstoppable sob, no longer able to voice her thoughts even in her own mind. All she could think of was Rainbow's blank expression when she collapsed onto the floor, eyes closing and a single tear drifting down her face.
And then she heard Rainbow's voice call her name from the stadium below. She looked up, the tears still blurring her vision. She blinked several times, trying to clear them away as she couldn't wipe them off. And then she shook her head. She needed to stop hearing things. But then, Rainbow called again- completely unmistakable.
"Dainty! DAINTY!"
"RAINBOW!" Dainty yelled, tears of joy swarming into her eyes. "SIS!!"
And then a cold hand clamped around her mouth, preventing her from shouting more.
"Quiet down, little filly." Val said. "You see, I used to be like you. See how you're still alone right now? Relying on your elder to save you? I was like that too. Maybe not the same situation, but same principle. I waited for my parents to save me. I hoped they would."
Dainty whimpered, terrified of the mare.
"Well, in the end, I had to save myself. They abandoned me." Val continued. Rainbow seemed to notice the talking, and was looking blindly around her. "In the end, I was more powerful and reliable than they were. They were weak, so I was better off on my own. They couldn't do anything to save me. Boy, were they weak. So I had to save myself. Now, put yourself in my position. Rainbow is who you're relying on to save you, and soon she will no longer be." Val grinned. "You don't understand now..." she took her hand away from Dainty's mouth. The little filly was quivering with fright, way too scared to talk or move. "But you will soon."
Val backed away, and Rainbow was still unaware of what is yet to come.

Chapter 16: Revenge

IMPORTANT NOTE: Read 'Mare in the Wheelchair' before reading this chapter! Or else you won't get what's happening!
Link: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/54793/Mare-in-the-Wheelchair

"Oh. Hey guys." Magnum said as Shining Armor, Scootaloo, Vinyl Scratch and a small squad of royal guards caught up to her.
"We're a bit late... But I guess you could say reinforcements are here." Shining Armor said sheepishly, peering at the small group of ponies behind him. "Where's Rainbow?"
"She's trying to find Dainty. She should've found her by now." Magnum said, continuing at her slow pace towards the battlefield. She was in no hurry at all.
"You let her go find Dainty alone!? You know that's exactly what Val wants, right? How could you let her go alone!?" Shining Armor asked incredulously.
"She's Rainbow Dash." Magnum shrugged. "What can't she handle?"
"Herself, at times." Scootaloo pointed out.

*

The world flashed around her again, and Nightshade was high up in the dark skies, turning towards the ground as her wings brushed against the air.
Teleporting meant she was one for stealth combat. And with that, usually means smaller and somewhat deadlier weapons. Built into her battle armor were a few compartments, inside storing small knives with various modifications. All are double edged and delicately weighted, some rigged with explosives, others with an EMP or coated in poison. Or there were just the normal ones that were meant for cutting throats.
She drew a knife with a flash, and in the same motion sent it flying into the battlefield.
The night wind blew, changing its course slightly. It spun through the air, the flat blade slicing through the wind. It landed perfectly between a science faction pony's eyes, sliding through the skull and destroying his brain.
Nightshade blinked, teleporting right next to the dead stallion, his body still in the process of falling. She reached to her side, grabbing hold of the knife. The stallion's body kept falling, ripping itself away from the knife.
She saw a stream of bullets traveling towards her, but she was out of harm's way in the blink of an eye. Before the stallion that pulled the trigger knew it, he already took a knife to the back of the neck. Another turned around, a surprised expression on his face as he spotted his downed squad mate.
Nightshade threw the dead body at him, blocking out the the bullets fired from the rifle. The body fell, and before the stallion could fire again he took a flying knife to the skull.
There was another squad of robot ponies coming in, jetpacks flaring and sending them high up into the sky. Nightshade used the crowd and chaos below as cover, drawing an EMP knife and throwing it in less than a second. It lodged itself into the robot's neck, severing hydraulics and cutting wires. With a bright burst, a small electric explosion swept over the squad and fried them entirely. They clattered to the ground, jetpacks failing and all systems shutting off.
Nightshade blinked again, now on top of one of the offline spotlight towers. There were no lights illuminating the battle, and the only light source came from the rifles' muzzle flares and the bright purple flashes of lightning as the bat ponies used the shadow claws mounted on their front hooves.
She could see two light spots dancing in the distance, one blue and the other orange. She tilted her head to one side- is that the famed DJ? What the hay is she doing here?
Vinyl Scratch leaped down from the edge of the crater, dropping down onto the catwalks and swinging down onto the lower levels. An orange pegasus with a purple short cut mane followed her. Curious, Nightshade followed them.

*

"Orbital strike is almost ready. Satellites are all in place." Shining Armor said. "We'll have this base demolished in no time. Just need you guys to dispose of anything that might cause a nuclear reaction or something. Our scanners have detected some key chemicals, so do dispose of those when you get in. Otherwise... Magnum will be baby sitting you guys."
The royal guards smirked, and Magnum was utterly unimpressed.
"You idiots- don't bother with the fight, just get in and take out those chemicals. Careful not to set them off." Magnum said, waving a hoof and leading the squad on. "Let's go!"

*

"Glad you could make it." Val said, walking down the stairs.
"Where's Dainty?" Rainbow growled.
"Watching." Val said simply, taking a step onto the stadium and stopping still, the remnants of her hoofsteps echoing down the stadium walls.
"I'm tired of playing your games." Rainbow took out the cleaver.
"What are you going to do? Are you planning on rescuing the filly?" Val sighed. "Don't interrupt her learning. She needs to learn how to stand up for herself."
"Says the mare that's still alive because she has robotics to rely on."
"And you live on your lungs, your heart, your body.... Same thing for me. Just slightly different." Val waved a hoof impatiently.
"What were you before? Because you're a monster- that's what you are now."
"I guess I wasn't a monster back then." Val shrugged. "Things change. Times change. Lies are pulled, to make those with truthful hearts blind. In the end, the liars win with the blinded still believing them. But then the blinded can still stand, they can still see through the lies. I know I did."
"You make yourself sound innocent." Rainbow held the cleaver tight in a hoof, itching to run it through the mare that stood before her.
"I was." Val said. "My parents lied to me. So what did I do? I killed them. Why would I leave them be?" her expression darkened. "They left me to die, Dash. And I doubt you'd ever understand."
"I don't." Rainbow admitted. "But no parent would ever do that, that I know."
There was a blur of movement, and Val had launched a punch into Rainbow's chest. She went flying back, her cleaver clattering away. She groaned, slowly getting up. Val was there again, and slammed her into the wall.
"But they did." Val growled, nose to nose with Rainbow.
Rainbow stared into her eyes, unwavering. For a moment she thought she saw the one organic eye water, but Val blinked and the glint was gone.
"They left me on a roof top, to kill myself!" Val yelled at Rainbow's face. "I had a disease. It would've killed me eventually, and they decided they didn't want me anymore. I depended on them all my life. And they threw me aside."
Rainbow didn't reply. She didn't believe Val- yet. But after all, the craziest psychos seemed to have the worst of pasts- like Neon.
"So I did jump. And then they saved me. What didn't kill me made me stronger- the disease turned out to amplify my brain power at the end; and they made me their leader." Val tightened her grip around Rainbow's neck, and she gasped, struggling to break the cold metallic fingers away. "I'm going to teach this world what it was like-"
Val threw Rainbow onto the floor, and she skid several meters. "-My way."
Rainbow's mind clicked. She knew that story... From somewhere. She remembered reading about something similar in the Manehatten newspaper, even before receiving the Twilight contract that kicked everything off. Yes... Way before that.
"Blithy?" Rainbow slowly got to her hooves. That was the name.
Val froze. "So you have heard."
Rainbow nodded slowly.
"Then you know how much I give a damn about this world!" Val yelled, swinging a punch down at Rainbow.
Rainbow blocked it, but was forced to her knees as Val pressed down.
"You killed your parents?" Rainbow asked.
"And they deserved every bit of it." Val growled, kicking Rainbow in the side and sending her skidding across the floor.
"You blinded fool!" Rainbow yelled, getting to her hooves. She remembered those two adult ponies, both crying their hearts out as the news agency attempted to interview them.
"They decided to leave me behind! They could've easily stayed with me!" Val yelled, charging at Rainbow.
"So you killed them? DID YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH THEY REALLY LOVED YOU!!??" Rainbow swung the punch, fueled by anger. She could feel the demon inside her purring.
"THEY DIDN'T!!" Val met the punch with her own fist. Their swings collided, cracking loudly.
"DID YOU SEE THEM AFTER THEY THOUGHT YOU DIED!!!??" Rainbow tackled Val to the ground.
"I WAS LEFT TO KILL MYSELF!!" Val yelled, shoving Rainbow away.
"YOU'RE GOING TO BLAME THEM!?" Rainbow stumbled up, her heart burning with fury. "DID YOU KNOW THEY SPENT THE LAST OF THEIR SAVINGS TO GET YOU THAT GODDAMN WHEELCHAIR?? DID YOU KNOW THAT THEY STARVED FOR THREE DAYS JUST SO YOU COULD HAVE A DECENT MEAL ALL TO YOURSELF!!??"
"LIES!!! THEY NEVER CARED!!" Val yelled, punching Rainbow across the jaw.
The blue pegasus turned violently, but didn't fall.
"YOU NEVER SAW THEM FOR YOURSELF!!" Rainbow grabbed Val's face and slammed it into the ground.
"I DIDN'T NEED TO!!" Val wrenched Rainbow's arm, slamming her into the ground as well.
"YOU KILLED THEM!!! THE ONLY PONIES THAT REALLY CARED ABOUT YOU!!" Rainbow yelled, swinging onto Val and about to swing a punch down.
She stopped when she saw something different about Val. The bloodthirsty grin wasn't there. The psychotic joy wasn't present on her face. She was crying, a single tear sliding down her face.
"Come on.... I know you still know what is right and what isn't." Rainbow dropped the hoof, however still kept Blithy pinned firmly to the ground.
Blithy looked away, and for a moment Rainbow saw that photograph in her head again. Something that had disturbed her greatly- it was the image of Blithy's dead body, half of her face blurred out as it was crushed when it hit the ground. But the other half- still intact- she had her eyes wide, staring and unable to understand the situation. There was a tear sliding down her cheek, from those big, glassy, and dead eyes.
"Damnit!" Blithy gritted her teeth, using all her strength and pushing Rainbow aside. She stood up, looking just like any other filly that had lost a beloved parent. In this case, both. "What would you know..." she whispered.
"I don't. And I should never forgive you for what you did to everypony else that died because of you. I should be disgusted..." Rainbow sighed, slumping onto the ground. When she did open her eyes, they were watery. She remembered all those days with Octavia, and those crying faces of Blithy's parents. "I should be all those things... But all I see is a little filly trying to prove herself."
"Gaaah!!" Blithy charged at Rainbow, her eye narrowed into a frown.
Rainbow didn't flinch, and the fist stopped millimeters away from her nose. Air rushed, upsetting her mane and dragging her coat along the floor. She stared Blithy down, her eyes unwavering.
Blithy sighed frustratedly, letting her arm dangle down by her side. She too slumped onto the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
Val finally broke.

*

"Last room." Magnum said, swinging into a hallway and taking up a position next to the door. The rest of the squad had spread out, disabling other chemicals that might cause excessive damage when they bombard the place.
"Ready." Starshine took a position on the opposite side of the door, clicking his rifle.
"Breach and clear. Once again, careful of those chemicals." Magnum said. "Three, two, one-"
She swung around and kicked down the door, firing two shots into a stallion's skull. The first dead in the temple, the second through the jaw.
Starshine took down the other, spraying him much less professionally with bullets.
"Clear." Magnum said after a quick survey.
They were in a huge laboratory, the ceiling at least seven meters above them. There were six huge glass tubes with a green liquid running through them, shown by the bubbles. They were lit up by lights from below, and the only light source in the dark lab. Wires ran across the ground, scattered and un-sorted.
"Shuck. How the hay are we supposed to dispose of this?" Magnum looked up at the huge glass cylinders.
"I know how I'm going to dispose of you." Starshine said.
Magnum turned around, and saw Starshine raise his rifle. She dived to her right as Starshine pulled the trigger.
She managed to get behind one of the glass tubes, which turned out to be a stupid idea as a bullet went through the glass and flew past her. A stream of the acidic liquid squirted out into her eyes along with several glass shards.
Magnum screamed, falling back and desperately rubbing her eyes, trying to get rid of the acid that was burning through her cornea.
Starshine laughed.
Magnum stopped trying to clear her eyes. It was no use. She tried opening her eyes, but saw nothing. She couldn't believe it- she blinked several times, but still no vision.
She was blind.
She pounded the floor, staring with her blind eyes and desperate for them to come back online. Then a sudden pain filled her left side as she felt a hoof slam into her, and she tumbled across the room.
"You bastard. I'm glad you're getting this slow death. Now that you're blind... This could last a while." Magnum could hear the grin in Starshine's voice.
"So... You were the traitor all along..." Magnum stared at the floor. At least she thought that was the floor.
Then Starshine kicked her again, and she doubled over painfully. "You have any idea all the nuisance you caused us?"
"Glad to help." Magnum said, which resulted in another kick in the guts.
"You were the one that messed up most of our plans- Dash wouldn't have made it in if you didn't snipe the damn guards! You're paying for it now..."
Magnum's ear twitched as she heard a whoosh of air, Starshine's fist swinging around at her head. She tilted her head, feeling the hoof glide past her face.
She lashed out a kick, and felt her hoof crack satisfyingly against Starshine's leg. He yelped, and Magnum heard him crumple onto the ground in agony.
She quickly got up, and heard the clattering of his rifle as Starshine tried to get up.
She tried grabbing it, but a hoof stopped her from doing so. She then took a punch across the jaw, sending her stumbling back.
She almost completely lost her orientation, but regained her balance a second later. She heard a soft click as Starshine aimed the rifle at her. She lunged forward, one bullet hitting her in the shoulder while the others whizzed past.
She tackled Starshine, and they went skidding across the floor. She heard the rifle clatter away, out of reach of the both of them. Her shoulder stung like nothing she ever experienced. She'd never been shot before.
She could hear Starshine getting up, so she quickly swiped his hooves out from under him. She heard him groan as he fell onto the floor again.
Magnum grabbed at where she thought his head would be, but caught him around the neck instead. She slammed his head into what she thought was the wall, but was actually one of the glass cylinders, the green acid inside bubbling away.
Glass shattered, and she heard the pieces clatter to the floor. Liquid splashed onto the floor, corroding the wires.
Starshine gurgled at first, struggling to get his head out of the acid; but Magnum held him firmly in place. Eventually, after a few minutes of struggling, his body fell still. Magnum let go, backing away until her back hit the cold concrete. Starshine's body was jammed in the tube, and no more acid spilled out.
She slumped to the ground, clutching her still burning eyes.
"Damnit..." She muttered, shaking her head slowly. "Damnit..."

*

"Magnum!" Vinyl gasped when she came into the room, followed by Scootaloo.
Magnum looked up, but as expected, saw nothing but darkness.
"Shuck..." Vinyl kneeled beside the elite sniper. There was a gaping wound in her shoulder, slowly oozing with blood, and there was also blood leaking out from under her eyelids and dripping down her face.
"What happened...?" Scootaloo kneeled down too.
"Are your eyes..." Vinyl peered at the blood.
Magnum nodded.
"We better get you to a medic or something." Vinyl said.
"What happened here...?" Scootaloo looked at the dead body of a royal guard, his face completely melted away and leaving behind a shiny white skull, bobbing up and down in the current.
"I'll take her from here." there was a white flash, and Nightshade appeared behind them.
Vinyl swung around, discs buzzing. "Stay back."
"You're the famed DJ, right?" Nightshade tilted her head to one side. "Why are you here?"
"Personal reasons. Who are you?" Vinyl asked, not moving the discs away from Nightshade's throat.
"Blink Nightshade, captain of the night guards." Nightshade said without flinching at the discs that sent electric tingles down her skin.
"You better not be lying." Vinyl said, lowering the discs slightly.
"Ask Princess Luna if you have to." Nightshade said. "Also, I would have you all dead on the floor by now if I were the opposition."
Vinyl stared into those reptilian eyes for a second, then lowered the discs.
"She needs immediate medical attention." Nightshade said, laying a hoof surprisingly gently on Magnum's shoulder.
"Wait-" Magnum said, breathing heavily from the loss of blood. "Rainbow... Vinyl... Get Rainbow... Val probably found her by now..."
"I understand." Vinyl said, jaw clenched.
"Good..." Magnum said, and with a white flash both she and Nightshade were gone.
Vinyl stared at the floor where the two had been a second ago, her expression unreadable.
"Head back, Scootaloo." Vinyl said, turning and heading out.
"But-"
"Just go. I can handle Val." Vinyl said, all those words Rainbow had told her gone from her head. All she wanted now was Val's dead body.

Chapter 17: Blind

Rainbow and Blithy sat opposite each other in silence, heads lowered.
"I guess we can be blinded by our own perspectives." Rainbow said, her quiet voice abnormally loud in the silent stadium.
"The ones that think they see clearly..." Blithy buried her face in her hands. "Turn out to be the blind ones." she finished for Rainbow.
"Even the darkest clouds have a silver lining... So to speak." Rainbow lowered her head, looking down at the concrete floor. "Suppose it's a good thing Blithy is back, not Val."
"Val... Blithy... Same pony." Blithy didn't take her hands away from her face. "It was me. It was always me."
"We can lose our own minds at times... Takes time to learn how often we are blind. Also takes time for us to see again." Rainbow looked down at her own hooves, imagining the demon's claws ripping out of her flesh. "You shouldn't blame yourself."
"But I practically killed your best friend." Blithy said. "And it's even worse because I never had one, and always wanted one."
"She didn't die in your hands. Your hooves aren't the ones stained in blood."
"How could you so easily forgive me?" Blithy finally took her hands away from her face with a barely audible whine of motors. "After all that I had done... I couldn't even forgive myself. So how could you?"
"I don't." Rainbow said. "I'm accepting new Blithy. And I know I'll never forgive Val for what she did, because she'd never apologize."
"Why do you keep thinking we're different ponies? We're the same." Blithy said.
"If you were the same, you'd be trying to rip my head off by now." Rainbow said.
Blithy looked down at her hands, hearing the faint metallic groan as her robotic eye adjusted.
"Same body. Same hands that carried out the vile." Blithy said, clenching the robotic hands into fists. "What is the difference."
"Not on the appearance." Rainbow tapped Blithy gently on the chest. "In the heart."
"In the heart runs the same blood." Blithy said. "Same blood that fueled the same body that killed the innocent."
"Blithy would tell me where Dainty is. Val would not." Rainbow said.
Blithy stared at the ground. "Val was Blithy. Blithy was Val. Whether or not I answer this question doesn't apply to that." she said, her mood not raising by the slightest. "But she's up there." she pointed at the commentator's box.
There was a loud crash behind Blithy, and the metal door swung open.
"Shuck." Rainbow said, getting up quickly as she recognized Vinyl's silhouette.
"Rainbow..." Vinyl growled. "What are you doing? Kill her!"
"Vinyl- listen-" Rainbow walked past Blithy, who didn't move an inch.
"What the hay are you doing? What is she doing?" Vinyl asked, the sight of Val fueling her anger.
"Vinyl-" Rainbow stopped the DJ before she could get closer to Blithy.
"Get off me!" Vinyl shoved her away, and narrowed her eyes. "Are you on her side now?"
"You don't understand-"
"She killed Octavia!!" Vinyl yelled, storming towards Blithy again. Still she didn't turn around. "WHAT MORE IS THERE TO UNDERSTAND!!??"
"I know she did!" Rainbow yelled back, pushing Vinyl by the shoulder and sending her stumbling back.
"And you're defending her!!??" Vinyl was in a raging state now.
"I am." Rainbow said calmly, staring into the DJ's furious eyes.
"AFTER ALL THAT MONSTER HAS DONE!!??" Vinyl roared, shoving Rainbow violently.
Rainbow slowly got up. Vinyl's chest heaved with each and every heavy breath.
"She's no monster." Rainbow said.
"Do you have any idea what it's like!? To come back expecting to find your old friend, but to find a dead body in a graveyard instead!!?? HUH!!??"
"And do you have any idea what it's like to have that best friend die in your very own hooves!!??" Rainbow yelled back. Defending Blithy wasn't her only priority now- she was also mad at Vinyl- and how blind she is.
"Get OUT OF MY WAY!" Vinyl pushed Rainbow away.
"Don't you dare lay a hoof on her!" Rainbow yelled, pushing Vinyl back.
"So you're going to stand in my way!?" there was a soft buzz and burst of colored light as she activated the discs. "I'm not going to warn you a second time."
"Neither am I." Rainbow growled, the red crystal of the cleaver gleaming.
She felt a gentle but steady weight on her shoulder, and turned around. Blithy was there- she didn't make a sound when she got up. Her eye was in a slight sad frown as she looked at Rainbow. That one organic eye, that said so much.
"Don't." Blithy said, taking the hand off Rainbow's shoulder.
Rainbow looked down, gritted her teeth, and re-pocketed the cleaver.
Blithy walked up to Vinyl, looking her directly in the eyes. Rainbow backed up a step, observing the two cautiously.
"Vinyl Scratch. I'm sorry for what I did- it was all my fault." Blithy said, looking into the DJ's eyes with her sorrowful own. "And I don't expect you to forgive me. Ever. And you don't have to."
Vinyl yelled, and there was a loud clattering as she ditched the discs. A loud and solid crack echoed off the walls as her hoof connected with Blithy's jaw.
Blithy stumbled back, spitting blood onto the floor.
"Vinyl-" Rainbow moved to stop Vinyl's second punch.
It wasn't Vinyl that stopped Rainbow though. Blithy pushed Rainbow gently away, wiping a small droplet of blood from the corner of her mouth.
"She has every right to be angry, to kill me." Blithy said, tired eyes lowered. Rainbow could see them watering slightly.
"But you've changed-" Rainbow started.
"Barely." Blithy said.
"Why are you still defending her!!??" Vinyl roared. "SHE KILLED OCTAVIA!! AND ALL THOSE OTHER PONIES BECAUSE OF THAT WAR!!"
"You're not-"
"Stop, Rainbow. Just stop." Blithy said, her voice faint however easily audible. "This isn't something you two should be fighting about."
"But-" Rainbow started, but just let out the breath she took that were meant for words. She ground her teeth together, looking down at the floor.
Vinyl swung another punch. Blithy took the hit, but didn't fall. She took a step back, the bruise on her cheek slowly healing. Vinyl swung again, hitting the same place. Still she didn't fall. Vinyl kept coming back with a punch, hitting Blithy again and again.
Vinyl raised her hoof, and Blithy had her head lowered, but didn't move. Ready and accepting- because she knew she deserved every bit.
Then with an exhausted sigh, Vinyl let her hoof drop down by her side. She collapsed onto the floor, shoulders shaking.
Blithy sat down too, looking like a filly that had just been told off.
"Goddamnit..." Vinyl muttered, covering her face. Slowly, tears began trickling down her arms.
"I'm sorry..." Blithy said quietly, looking down at the ground.
Rainbow didn't say anything. Why can't there ever be a happy ending?
She flew up to the commentators' box. The place must've been used for weapons testing- from up here she could see faint scorch marks that must've been washed off.
"Dainty..." Rainbow slowly opened the door, and was relieved to see the filly generally unharmed.
"That mare...." Dainty whimpered. "What is she...?"
"She's fine now. Don't worry." Rainbow quickly untied Dainty from the chair.
"Sis... I'm scared..." Dainty whimpered. "It's so.... Cold..."
"We'll be out of here soon. Alright?" Rainbow took off her coat and quickly put it around a shivering Dainty.
Dainty nodded slowly, wrapping the coat tightly around herself. She smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry... I just got myself into more trouble."
"Wasn't your fault." Rainbow smiled, hugging her close. "But I want you to know... I'll always find you if you ever get lost again."
"Mmm." Dainty curled up against her chest.
"I'm never letting you out of my sight again." Rainbow gave Dainty a gentle squeeze.
"That mare... Did she kill her parents?"
Rainbow's expression saddened, and she picked up Dainty and put her on her back. She started walking out, taking slow cautious steps. "Many sad things happen on a daily basis... I hoped you would learn later, but looks like you already found out for yourself."
"Is there any way we could stop this?" Dainty leant on Rainbow's head.
Rainbow paused, thinking about it. "I don't think we'll ever know."

*

Princess Luna sent another wave of shadows through the horde of robot ponies, slicing them in half. Her horn and eyes glowed bright purple, and a squad of science faction ponies exploded all over the floor.
"Cease fire! CEASE FIRE!!" somepony yelled, and she paused.
"What is this?" she demanded.
"They're retreating. Not returning fire anymore." Nightshade said. "Also, Rainbow and Vinyl have got Val."
"Huh." Luna said, trotting slowly towards the front of her troops.
The science faction ponies have abandoned their weapons, and were backing away. The robot ponies all collapsed to the ground, systems off.
Vinyl, Rainbow with Dainty on her head, and Val all emerged from the crater.
"Seize her." Nightshade ordered, and several bat ponies moved in to hand-cuff Blithy.
"Wait-" Rainbow tried to stop them.
"Don't. It's what I want." Blithy said.
"But you're going to stay in prison forever!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"Won't feel that long if you visit me often." Blithy said without emotion.
Rainbow just stared as the bat ponies slowly escorted Blithy away. But then Blithy tilted her head to one side, showing the slightest hint of a gentle smile on her face. It wasn't that blood-thirsty Val grin- just a normal 'It's ok' smile.
Rainbow smiled back, and turned to Vinyl. "You feeling alright?"
"Yeah." Vinyl said, unable to look into Rainbow's eyes.
"Still grieving over Octavia, huh..." Rainbow muttered.
"I just thought I'd see her again. Turned out quite different." Vinyl said.
"That could change." Rainbow grinned, bringing out the leather booklet.
Vinyl looked up, recognized the note book, and grinned too. "Maybe everything didn't go too bad after all."
"SHUCK!! LOOK OUT!!" a bat pony yelled, his claws charging up.
Rainbow and Vinyl quickly turned around, and Dainty almost fell off Rainbow's head.
"Neon." Rainbow growled, the cleaver already unfolding in her hooves.
"Hello to you too." Neon said, clambering out of the crater.
"GET BACK!! GET BACK!!" a bat pony yelled.
Rainbow tilted her head to one side. "Something's different about you."
"Maybe."
"Melony?" Rainbow tried.
"No. Neon. Melony's still dead." Neon shrugged. "Although, if I were to guess- I'd say your cleaver did something to me." she pointed at the huge blade in Rainbow's hooves.
"Hmmm." Rainbow looked at the red crystal. "Where were you all this time then?"
"Dead." Neon said. "Although I had to climb one thousand two hundred and fifty seven flights of stairs just then to get back to the surface."
Rainbow tilted her head questioningly.
"Val kicked me down the hole." Neon explained.
"Ah." Rainbow said, although her mind was still trying to catch up to the events.
"Hello. I'm Dainty!" Dainty said from on top of Rainbow's head.
"Eh... Hi." Neon said. She vaguely remembered reviving the filly... But for what reason she could not understand. She could remember, yes; but not understand.
"Get her!" a bat pony yelled.
"Stay." Nightshade said, the authority in her voice even making the princess turn slightly. She analyzed Neon and the situation. "She's a friendly."
"Yeah, that I am." Neon said.
Rainbow's brain finally caught up- but she didn't say anything.

*

After that, they started clearing out the crater for demolition, all science faction ponies under custody. Neon mysteriously disappeared though, and Starshine has been confirmed as the traitor by Blithy. Starshine was the one who stole the diary while 'evacuating civilians', he was also the one that detonated the bomb which killed his old squad mates and destroyed the original revival machine in the mining facility.
"Is she alright?" Rainbow asked anxiously as Shining Armor exited the hospital room where Magnum was supposed to be recovering.
Shining Armor didn't look up, a deep sad expression on his face.
"Don't tell me..." Rainbow whispered.
"She lost too much blood, I'm afraid. The doctors tried though." Shining Armor said sadly, then burst into a smile. "Kidding. She's inside."
"You scumbag." Rainbow muttered, but couldn't help but smile as well.
"Don't make me arrest you for insulting an officer." Shining Armor said, trotting down the hallway and out of sight.
"He's been like that ever since he had to leave Canterlot for royal duties." Scootaloo said.
"He needs more time with Cadence, I suppose." Vinyl said.
"He needs more time in sanity." Rainbow said, pushing open the door gently. She peered around the corner. "Magnum?"
"Alive and bored." Magnum said, bandages over her eyes and shoulder, lying under the sheets.
"How ya doing?" Rainbow asked, Dainty following her cautiously.
"Well, first of all-" Magnum shuffled up into a sitting position, waving a hoof wildly and knocking over a glass vase. "Whoops. First of all- I haven't been paid for the contracts yet."
"I meant your injuries. But clearly money is more important to you." Rainbow muttered.
"Of course. Anyway- the shoulder will heal eventually, and thank goodness it's not my firing shoulder. My eyes will regain sight.... Eventually, that's what the doctor said. Not very reassuring."
"You're welcome to stay at my house whilst so." Rainbow said, and Dainty nodded approvingly.
"Thank you, but no thanks." Magnum said, waving a hoof and knocking over the brand new heartbeat monitor that was meant to replace the one Rainbow had smashed. "See- I'd trash your house."
"Uh-huh." Rainbow looked down at the heart beat monitor, which was making a long and monotoned beep.
"I think I'll be fine in the hospital." Magnum said. "I will be, anyway. Not sure about the hospital. And Shining Armor better pay me soon."
"Yeah. I'll be sure to remind him." Rainbow said. "I, uh, will just leave you to that, then."
"Take care."
"I should be saying that to you." Rainbow led Dainty out.
"What kind of friends have you been making back in Manehatten?" Scootaloo raised an eyebrow once they left the hospital.
Rainbow took in a deep breath, and let it out in a sigh. "You do not want to know."
"So have you hired somepony to make the revival machine?" Vinyl asked.
"Yeah. Best engineer and builder I know." Rainbow said.
"I know who that might be." Scootaloo said.

*

"Welcome y'all!" Applebloom said cheerfully as the group entered her small dark workshop. "It's all done! Ah added a few of mah own modifications. Should be easier ta use now. Still does the same thing!" she grinned.
"Modifications? What modifications?" Rainbow asked, intrigued.
"Well, ah studied those notes in that notebook ya gave me..." Applebloom said a little sheepishly. "An now instead o revive'n the pony, it establishes a connection between the dead world an the real world! Ah know, sounds a lil' crazy an all... Ah haven't tested it out mah self yet. There's a little dose o magic in there, thanks ta Twilight. Should do the trick though- ya can now drag em dead ponies back here in the living."
"Isn't that... Like... Dangerous?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.
"No worries. Twilight established an anchor that'll hook ya to this world, so ya don't get trapped. Same type o magical anchor that keeps Cloudsdale in the same spot!"
"Hmmm." Rainbow still wasn't sure about this- but she trusted what was possibly the best engineer and builder she'd ever met. Octavia would probably love to meet Applebloom.
"Anyways- ya probably need a truck for it." Applebloom rolled a trolley out of the shadows of her dark room, on it a large heavy metal capsule, enough room for one pony to get into. "Just turn it on and get in, that should do the trick. And then once you're in, ya'll be out once ya want ta be out."
"So, do I think about getting out when I get out? And how do I revive the pony?"
"Well, ya can't just revive anypony... Ya have to have some sort of connection. Friends, family- that'll all do. With the new mods ya don't even need a body! Drag em back an you're done." Applebloom said.
"I'll just, uh, ring my insurance." Rainbow said warily.

*

"Are you going to be okay?" Dainty asked, a little scared.
"I'll be back in no time- don't you worry." Rainbow smiled, patting her gently on the head.
She stood up, the capsule taking up half the living room standing solitary in a corner behind her.
There were a few beeps as Rainbow turned the machine on. The capsule split in half, slowly swinging open and revealing a white space inside. Mist trickled out of the chamber, which sent shivers down Rainbow's spine.
She was about to step in when she was stopped by a weight on her left leg.
"Please don't leave me." Dainty said, hugging her leg tightly.
"Hey..." Rainbow said gently, kneeling down to face her. "I promise I'll be back. I kept my promise of finding you, didn't I?"
"Pinkie promise you'll come back?" Dainty asked.
Oh, Pinkie. What have you been talking about to her?
"Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Rainbow completed the actions, and smiled.
Dainty grinned back, letting go slowly.
"See you again soon." Rainbow stood up, stepping into the chamber.
Dainty was still smiling when Rainbow closed the door, sealing herself inside the chamber. Applebloom did a great job with the interior- it was definitely quite spacey and comfortable.
Rainbow couldn't help but grin, her heart pounding with excitement. Octavia, you better be waiting for me.
She closed her eyes, but instead of seeing darkness she saw light. Everything was a bright white, and she opened her eyes again.
She was standing in nothing, on nothing. Just white space.
Rainbow grinned as Octavia was standing right before her.
"I finally found you, aye." she wiped a joyful tear from the corners of her eyes.
"You did. And it's good to see you happy, a good contrast from last time." Octavia smiled.
Rainbow chuckled. "Yeah."
Octavia lowered her head slightly, her eyes hidden under the rim of her hat.
"And... I know what you're here for."
"Then let's go!" Rainbow said happily, taking Octavia's arm. But Octavia didn't budge.
"Remember... How I told you to live however you wanted to live your life?" she said. "I meant to get out of the conflict. Out of the fighting. I died because of that, and I don't want you to too. So why- did you jump back in?"
Rainbow let go of her arm. "You said to live my life however I wanted..."
Octavia nodded. "And you wanted conflict?"
"I wanted the result." Rainbow said. "I don't think I can live my life thinking I could've saved my best friend. I wasn't about to keep living without my best friend, knowing she could be right there next to me."
Octavia lowered her head, a gentle smile on her face. "I see."
"Octavia- just come back. I don't want to see anymore ghosts."
"Whilst being dead..." Octavia turned away, looking up at the infinite dimension above. "I learnt a lot of things, understood a lot of things I would never have understood while being alive. A lot of things are clear to me now... And I'm afraid they might become unclear if I go back. I can't- I just can't anymore."
"But... You've seen me fight all the way for this!" Rainbow said, and there was an extreme feeling of loss that ate at her heart.
"I have- and I'm more happy than anything to have such a loyal friend that would try to follow me anywhere I go." Octavia turned back around, eyes watery. "But I really can't. This place is where I'm supposed to be now."
Rainbow nodded, the feeling of loss now replaced by a peaceful sadness. A single tear rolled down her face, then fell down into the infinite space below.
"You know how to see me, right? You can always meet me again, right here." Octavia tried to lighten her mood, but could clearly see it wasn't working as Rainbow sniffed.
"Yeah.. Maybe."
"You've got Dainty. You'll be fine- like you were before." Octavia pulled on a reassuring smile. "Come on- gimme a hug."
Rainbow hugged her tightly, trying her best to hold back the tears.
They stayed there for a minute or so in silence, as if departing one another once again.
"Octavia..." Rainbow said, not letting go just yet. "You know how I always win our arguments?"
"Yeah?"
"That's not going to change yet. Not any time soon."
"Wait, what?"
There was a bright flash, and they both tumbled out of the white space and onto the carpeted floor of the living room, Dainty squealing and jumping away.
Octavia could feel the soft carpet under her hooves, the world so much heavier around her. She rolled over and sat up, looking around her. She was in Rainbow's living room. She tried to slip away like she always did, but her body kept her from doing so.
Oh, my body; She thought.
"Rainbow..." she said, looking down at her physically existing hooves. "You bastard."
Rainbow chuckled, which escalated into a laugh. Octavia couldn't help but follow. Sure, now she started getting confused about a lot of things again, but boy...
It's good to be alive.

Prologue: Morning, Dainty Dash!

Bounty Hunters 2: Awakening
MLP FanFic

There was a loud buzzing noise as the alarm clock went off, its digital screen displaying the time '7:00 A.M.'. It rocked back and forth on the wooden bed-side drawer, close to falling off.
The blue pegasus groaned from the bed, waking from a pleasant dream. She slammed a hoof down onto the clock, 'accidentally' destroying it and shattering it into pieces. That's the third one this month.
She rose, still sleepy and tired. Damnit, she never thought looking after a little filly would be this hard. The strong glow of the morning sun leaked through the curtains, sending streaks of light across the room. It was a total mess- clothes tossed everywhere, and the blankets sprawled.
Rubbing her eyes and yawning, Rainbow Dash slowly got out of the bed. Limping sleepily and zombie-like into her bathroom, she opened a cupboard and got her cup and toothbrush out.
The bathroom was clean, the white tiles and walls all nice and polished. Rainbow did clean the house occasionally, but she always left her room like the mess it was. She deserved some personal space, and that's how she treated it.
Squeezing some toothpaste onto her brush, she made a mental note to buy more, and this time to buy the one with the minty-strawberry flavor.
The normal mint toothpaste tasted bitter to her- she needed something new.
She quickly rinsed her mouth, and spat it out. Placing her toiletries back in the cupboard, she yawned again and went to the living room.

*

The little light-green filly was jerked awake and almost jumped out of bed as a loud gunshot echoed throughout the house.
"Wakie wakie!" she heard Rainbow sing from the living room.
She yawned, but her mind was fresh due to the gunshot. That was how Rainbow waked her up- it was always effective; firing blank bullets.
Dainty gave her soft toy Mr Rabbit a quick squeeze, then laid him down by her pillow and started making her bed. After making sure that everything was neat and tidy, she left her bedroom. She wasn't forced by Rainbow to keep her room tidy, she just preferred it that way. In fact, Rainbow never said anything about being neat and tidy- although she did keep Dainty out of her bedroom.
Long ago had she stopped expecting Melony to return. There wasn't any point in waiting, as she realized her older sister won't be coming back- although she didn't know why. She had started accepting Rainbow as her sister, and loved them both equally now. And now that her sister had become Rainbow- she decided to add an extension to her own name- how about, Dainty Dash?
It had been atleast a whole year since Rainbow promised to look after her- and she did live up to the promise. She said they'd have plenty of fun together, and so they did.
"Morning." Dainty said as she entered the living room, rubbing a tired eye.
"I already ordered breakfast." Rainbow said, lazily lying on the sofa, the TV talking away. They never cooked- cooking wasn't their thing. Not after the disaster from last time anyway, so they ordered their food.
"Ok." Dainty muttered, slumping down next to Rainbow. She already packed her bag yesterday night, and had actually sneaked out to make something while Rainbow was asleep. "Happy birthday." She said, handing Rainbow a small package.
Rainbow stared at it for a few seconds. "What?" she asked dully.
"Happy birthday." Dainty said again, studying Rainbow's confused face.
"Oh, right. How did you...?"
Dainty pointed at the calendar. It had red crosses all over the place, but somehow there was one that stood out.
"Ah." Rainbow said, accepting the gift and nodding thankfully. "Thanks..."
But then Dainty still didn't look away. There was an excited glint in her eyes as she waited. Rainbow raised an eyebrow.
"Open it." Dainty said.
Rainbow hesitated. She wasn't exactly known for her acting, so what if she didn't like it...? She caught Dainty still staring at her, sighed, and gingerly opened the box.
"No way..." she lifted a necklace out of the box with a slightly trembling hoof. "You... Made this? This is perfect!" she dangled the small metal plate in the shape of her cutie mark around. "I'm putting this on. Thanks!"
Dainty grinned, and hugged Rainbow tightly. Slightly startled, Rainbow patted the filly on the back then gave her a short squeeze.
There was a knock on the door, and Rainbow stood, walking over.
"Ah, breakfast." she said, opening the door, then searched for her wallet. Dainty found it on the table, and passed it to her.
"Miss Dash-" the delivery pegasus said. "You order from us everyday- might I ask why?"
Rainbow considered it. Maybe she shouldn't say that the last time she and Dainty cooked they mushed all the good stuff together and formed one horrible dish. Steak, cheese, chocolate, muffins and candy. Ew.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Just do your job." Rainbow stuffed a bunch of cash into the pegasus's arms then took the food, slamming the door shut in his face, the wood cracking against his nose. "Got your bag packed?" she turned to Dainty, ignoring the painful groans coming from outside.
"Yep." Dainty said.
"That's a good girl." Rainbow ruffled her mane, setting the food down on the table.
"I'm never coming here again! Ever! You hear me? NEVER!" the pegasus outside yelled.
"Shut-up!" Rainbow yelled back.
"I'm going to file a complaint-"
Rainbow whipped out the pistol loaded with blanks and pulled the trigger. Dainty squealed and jumped out of her chair in fright.
"On a second thought, I'll just fly away like nothing ever happened..."
Rainbow sighed. Job done.
Like any other day, she dropped Dainty off to school and immediately began sulking on the sofa. Without Dainty there really wasn't any fun- in a way, she kind of regretted sending Dainty to primary- but she knew it was best for her.
Suddenly noticing her aching wing, she knew she needed to fly sometime soon. Probably now.
Walking out onto the balcony, she stretched them out and flexed them in the morning sun. Suddenly her heart ached as this reminded her of a memory she failed to forget. Not that she tried to, anyway. It was an important one.
Feeling a little emotionally sick, she took off into the higher clouds above.
She'll probably fly over to the stores and get a good quality music player. Without Octavia, who occasionally played her cello when they were in Manehatten; there was no music in Rainbow's life. It sounded ridiculous now that she thought about it- how can one be in a good mood without music?
Rainbow had left all of Octavia's stuff alone in Manehatten, and in the tidy state they were in when Octavia was still alive. This was because that Rainbow still believed it possible to revive Octavia, just like Neon did to Dainty. She knows it's possible, she'll just have to start from the beginning.
She felt guilty that she hadn't started, but she really didn't know where to. Dainty was the only one to be successfully revived, but she couldn't bear asking her about it. If she accidentally reveals anything about what happened to Melony...
Lies. Rainbow thought. So many damn lies, that I have to keep telling.
Her originally good mood began to drop, the breeze brushing against her feathered wings doing little to raise it as she glided towards the market.

Epilogue: Back to Normal

"Well. What are you listening to?" Rainbow sat down on a cold metal bench in Cloudsdale prison.
"Smile like you mean it." Blithy said, on the other side of the metal bars and in the comfy confinements of her own cell. "I just love that song."
Her head gently wavered and nodded with the beats, her eyes closed so she takes in all the lyrics. It had been such a long time ago since she really understood the lyrics... Since she could really smile like she meant it. For the past years she had resented the thought- as Val, she thought it was pointless, meaningless and simply annoying. She didn't need smiles back then- hell, she hated smiles. Particularly those happy and joyful ones.
"Can I just..." Rainbow asked.
"Yep." Blithy handed her an earphone and the iHoof.
"Hmmm. It's good song..." Rainbow mumbled, scrolling through the music in the music player. "But is this the only song you have?"
"Well, yeah..." Blithy shrugged.
"Really? You never get used to it?"
"Nope." Blithy closed her eye again.
Rainbow took the earphone and music player away and handed them back to Blithy.
"Certainly like what you did with the place though." Rainbow said, peering into the cell. Blithy was allowed some personal space, and has permission to furnish the cell herself, considering she'd be here for the better half of her life.
"What's that on your wall?" Rainbow gestured at a large billboard with papers and what-seems-to-be blueprints stuck all over it.
"Well... I've been seeing the prison psychologist recently. Because I have nothing to do here, and what I used to do to kill spare time is... Well..."
"What is it?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.
"I... Uh.... In your words, whilst being Val, I often sketched up ideas on how to destroy the world."
"And these are all ideas." Rainbow looked at the papers. There seemed to be a blueprint for a super collider or something, there were even detailed drawings and functions of the barricade. "Wow."
"Yeah. So now I'm just drawing up more ideas. The death ray blueprint is almost done."
"You're not actually going to... You know..."
"No. Of course not." Blithy said. "It's just that I have nothing to do."
Rainbow face-hoofed.

*

So Octavia's back. Vinyl finally seemed to go back to the cheerful radio DJ everypony loved. Shining Armor still hadn't removed the civilian car from Rainbow's house, which was little more than totally inconvenient. Rainbow, Scootaloo and Octavia managed to drag it out, but it ended up crashing through the neighbor's fence as it went out of control. Obviously Rainbow had to pay up to fix the fence, but the useless car was now the neighbor's problem.
But now whenever it rained Rainbow's bedroom would get flooded, so Twilight cast a barrier spell to temporarily fix the wall. The construction team should get here soon, so in the meantime Rainbow, Dainty and Octavia stay at a hotel.
Magnum has regained some of her vision, but full recovery could be a full year away. Despite her earlier rejection to the idea, Rainbow and Octavia were still looking after her. Since they now lived in a hotel, Magnum could be just next door.
"...No. You don't guess the passcode. Just-" Magnum took the laptop from Dainty.
"What are you doing?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow as she entered the hotel room. Octavia was off for a walk around Cloudsdale, because that's what she did when she was dead.
"Hacking the hotel mainframe. If Dainty wants to help us with future contracts- she's gotta know something." Magnum explained. "Aha! We're in."
"How can you even see?" Rainbow asked.
"I don't. Just guessing. But we're in! Now, fake an order for room service..."
"I'm not taking responsibility for any of this." Rainbow muttered, walking out.
"So you're going to blame the blind mare? Or the filly?" Magnum chuckled.
"I'm going to run away." Rainbow said, closing the door behind her.
So everything is back to normal then- maybe even better than normal, Rainbow thought as she spotted Octavia walking along the edge of Cloudsdale, looking out towards the evening sky.
Octavia's ear twitched as she heard those familiar hoofsteps behind her.
"I guess I haven't shown you the sunset yet." Rainbow grinned, joining Octavia by the hand rails.
"I'd say they're both equally beautiful." Octavia said, shielding her eyes with a hoof from the intense light.
"There are some science faction ponies we haven't caught yet..." Rainbow said, leaning on the rails with her back.
"And you want to catch them?" Octavia guessed.
"They deserve to be caught." Rainbow said. "Take a look at this-"
Octavia took a signed piece of paper off Rainbow's hooves.
"Princess Celestia wants us to join the royal military?" Octavia raised an eyebrow.
"To do good." Rainbow noted.
"Well?" Octavia asked, but she already knew the answer.
"If we're going to fight for good, we're going to do it our way." Rainbow smiled, looking up at the sky.
"For Equestria then, I suppose." Octavia tore the sheet of paper apart, scattering the pieces off the side of Cloudsdale.
They watched as the shredded pieces slowly drifted down, occasionally being lifted by the warm evening breeze.
"I'm going to hunt down the rest of them- and then I can rest in peace." Rainbow said, looking at Octavia and waiting for her answer.
"Can't say much. I'm in, if you are." Octavia said, shrugging.
"Ready to win, partner?" Rainbow grinned, raising a hoof.
"Hell yeah." Octavia grinned too, bro-hoofing Rainbow with a loud snap.
They started walking back to the hotel, backlit by the evening sun as it slowly slid behind the distant horizon.

The End

Next time, in Bounty Hunters 3: Genesis-

Rainbow and Octavia set out to eliminate the remaining individuals of the science faction, but they're too late- way too late. The individuals have gotten together and stole the TARDIS from Doctor Whooves, traveling back in time and terminating the most important Magic Faction pony of all time- Starswirl the Bearded. More than two hundred spells are wiped from existence, altering the entire timeline. Rainbow and Octavia plunge into a new reality, with everypony still having their memories of the previous reality. Now everypony has two sets of memories of two different realities, all except the 'Splinters'- ponies that lost their memories of one reality. Sadly, Rainbow is one of them- and now, she has no idea where she is in this brand new reality. She isn't the only splinter though- glitches in reality are slowly revealed as Val meets Blithy, Neon meets Melony. Equestria's surface is now a wasteland, roaming with zombies and even more dangerous creatures, all because of the barricade that never went down. The science faction now dominates the world, using the magic faction ponies as slaves to mine underground minerals, while they live watching from the barricade high above the atmosphere. Soon Rainbow discovers she hasn't lost those memories- they had been split from her, and have taken a separate form. The Elements of Harmony are constantly being hunted by the science faction, possible candidates killed immediately.
The science empire has risen to a new level, with control over absolutely everything.
What will you do now, Rainbow Dash?

Author: I dearly hope you've all enjoyed the series, and look forward to the last book in the Bounty Hunters: War against Science trilogy! It's definitely been a fun series to write, but unfortunately the last book will be coming a little later as I have exams coming up- and, the concluding book deserves a really good cover, so I'll be working on that. In the meantime- check out this full size Rainbow Dash cleaver I made- and thanks to all who have read and favorited the series!
Cleaver: http://jasper77wang.deviantart.com/art/MLP-BH-Rainbow-Dash-Cleaver-334655838