Blitzkrieg: Redemption

Chapters

The Dust Settles
Tears and Betrayal
Escape
Evasion and Deceit

The Dust Settles

Lighting Dust stared at the small puddle of tears on the floor, growing by the second as more and more tears rained down. The small waiting room was empty, save for a few scattered chairs, recently thrown about in the mare's initial fit of rage. The guards had escorted her to this room right after Spitfire had ripped the golden badge off of her uniform, along with her hopes and dreams. The mare let out a long mournful wail as she settled on her haunches, leaning herself against a wall, still staring at the wet spot on the floor she had produced.

"Its all because of that damn Rainbow Dash....I-I thought we were friends....What did I ever do to her?!"

"You did this to yourself, Lightning Dust, it's not Dash's fault, or anypony else's. It's yours."

Lighting Dust slowly turned her head to the source of the voice, her eyes finally meeting the stern gaze of Spitfire. She hadn't heard the fiery orange mare enter the room, nor did she much care. Her dream was shattered. Spitfire continued to stare into her eyes, not blinking once behind her magenta shades. Her eyes softened as she began to speak.

"Look, kid, I'm not doing this because I love Rainbow Dash or because I hate you. I swear I really do like you. Heck, I like you a lot, you remind me of myself when I was your age. I really want you to succeed, because I know you have amazing potential, a lot of the ponies I see here do as well. But the disregard you have shown for your fellow ponies today is unacceptable. You almost killed five ponies, you put your teammate trough hell after she clipped her wing and you chose to ignore it, and you purposefully sabotaged three other teams during an obstacle course just to prove your hot stuff. Look kid, I get it, I really do. You wanna be the best, and I think you have a damn good shot at it. But I also realize you need to grow up and see what your actions cause for others. I can't call myself the leader of the Wonderbolts if I can't see that your not ready to be the leader of anything yet. But I am the leader of the Wonderbolts, and your definitely not a leader....not yet."

The words struck Lightning Dust at her core. Every single thing Spitfire had said felt like a million needles to her heart, her brain filled with thoughts of regret, hatred, and sorrow, all at once. She suddenly realized she hated this pony speaking to her, she hated Rainbow Dash, she hated Cloudchaser, Snowflake, Thunderlane, and every other recruit, she hated the five mares she almost killed with the tornado. But most of all she hated herself. She had become so enthralled with being the best, she lost sight of what it meant to be an Equestrian. She had tried to ruin the other recruits chances of becoming Wonderbolts, yet she didn't care. She had been horrible to the one pony she had cared for at the academy after she caused her to get hurt, she still didn't care. But most of all, she had almost killed five ponies, and she didn't care. She wasn't a pony anymore, she had become a monster. This was why she hated herself more than anything.

The two mares sat in silence for an uncomfortably long period. Lightning Dust knew what she had to do, she was just having trouble bringing herself to do it. Finally, she decided enough was enough. She looked up at Spitfire, eyes now dry from too much crying, and spoke.

"I don't want your pity. I just want to leave."

Spitfires eyes widened in surprise.

"Hey, kid, don't get me wrong, what you did was bad, but we weren't kicking you out. We were just going to demote you to wingpony and give you latrine and mess hall cleanup for a month. Believe me we-I don't want you to leave. Just give it tim-"

"NO!"

Spitfires sentence was cut off abruptly, the mare's jaw hanging slack at the sudden enraged glare Lightning Dust was giving her. She began to speak again.

"My whole dream was shattered by a stupid rainbow maned pony who couldn't keep up with me. Her friends shouldn't have been up here anyways! Getting into this academy was my dream! Now I can't walk ten feet without somepony glaring at me, and I know even the staff here thinks poorly of me now! I KNOW YOU THINK IM A FAILURE! I can see it in your eyes, even now! The disappointment, you may have had hope for me once, but it's not there anymore. I have no chance here anymore, no hope of anypony accepting me as a leader, and not a single prayer that I will be treated fairly as anyponys wingpony! I don't stand a chance, so I'm leaving."

Lightning Dust stood with a determined look on her face, and started for the door. Spitfire, still taken aback by the outburst, began to recover and make a move to stop her. A single teal wing brushed Spitfire back onto her haunches, and she could only help but watch as Lightning Dust walked out of the room. Spitfire sat there for a minute, thoughtful. She then looked down sadly and uttered a single sentence.

"Good luck kid."

Spitfire never noticed the lone pair of blue eyes peering at her from the dark corner of the room.

-------------

Lightning Dust walked slowly towards her quarters, drawing angry glares from most of the ponies around her. It hadn't taken long for her little twister stunt to spread throughout the academy. She had become the target of many insults, the most popular being Lightning Bust, or if one wanted to take it a step further, Plightwing Bust. It hadn't been more than an hour before everypony was giving her the cold shoulder, including the drill sergeants.

As she glumly shuffled down the hallway, she became aware of two ponies in particular, staring her down from the other end of the hallway. Rainbow Dash and one of her friends, the butter yellow pegasus, stood side by side, the former casting a cold glare while the latter attempted to hide behind her mane. As Lightning Dust locked eyes with Dash, she felt the final push she needed to send her into another fit of rage. She began stomping angrily towards Rainbow Dash, a deathly glare in her eyes.

"YOU!" Lightning Dust pointed an accusing hoof at Rainbow Dash, who remained unflinching. Fluttershy quickly backed up, making a loud "Eeep!"

"You ruined everything! This was my dream! This was all I had going for me, and you and your stupid friends crushed it like a bug!"

Rainbow Dash bucked up at the accusations, bringing her nose to nose with Lightning Dust, glaring into her eyes as she responded.

"I did no such thing! You couldn't accept just being in first place at everything! You had to take it a step further and completely wreck everypony else's chances as well! You almost wrecked mine! And you almost did a lot more than wreck my friends!"

Fluttershy took the break in conversation to attempt to stop the argument, albeit in a very ineffective manner. The two mares took no notice of the quiet whispers to stop or the small cane she had procured somehow, now attempting unsuccessfully to push the two apart from a safe distance. Rainbow dash finally piped up first.

"Lightning, I really thought you were a great pony, and a great friend. But you let your motivation to be the best make you ignore what was best for those around you.....I know because I've been there before, I let my bragging get so out of hand that my friends had to take action to stop it. But I have never, ever, put anypony in harms way willingly or knowingly because of it. You need to learn what's important in life, and being the best isn't it."

Rainbow Dash's scowl dropped to a silent glare as she backed off to stand next to Fluttershy once more. Lightning Dust struggled to find a comeback, a counter argument, anything that could be used to put the heat back on Rainbow Dash. She couldn't find one. Slowly she noticed the small audience that had gathered around to watch the argument. Thunderlane, Snowflake, Cloudchaser, that pony that looked suspiciously like a mis-colored Wildfire, and even a few drill sergeants, as well as a few others she didn't recognize. The truth in Rainbow Dash's words finally hit home as Lightning Dust saw the looks on all these ponies faces, varying from fear, to anger, to outright disgust. The only exception in this crowd of hostiles was Fluttershy, who seemed to have a look of genuine sadness on her face. It wasn't until she locked eyes with Rainbow Dash again and noticed something different in her demeanor this time. She had a look that looked almost like....regret.

'Is she...is Dash sad? She's sad that this happened to me? But...I thought she wanted this...to be lead pony? Maybe she's right after all-' Lightning Dust's eyes grew wide with shock as she finally realized the truth. Dash had never wanted to out her for her position, like she had outright assumed. She had legitimately been concerned about everyponies well being...including Lightning Dust's. The sudden realization that she had been a complete witch to somepony who was only looking out for her and others was the breaking point. Tears began flowing en mas, accompanied by mournful sobs as Lightning Dust ran past the growing crowd of spectators. She had to get away, she had to leave before she bucked something else up. Before everypony saw how weak she was....

In the commotion, nopony noticed the single tear that slid down Rainbow Dash's otherwise stoic face. Well, almost nopony noticed. A gentle hoof came to rest on Rainbow's shoulder. A soft voice followed.

"It's not right....the way everyponies treating her." Fluttershy whispered softly, the corners of her eyes moist as well. She paused for a second, thoughtful, before continuing. "I know she made mistakes, I know what she did was wrong....But everypony makes mistakes. We're supposed to grow from them, become better individuals. She's just getting beat down left and right. All the glares, the mean names....it's just not right Rainbow!"

The looks on Fluttershy's face hit Rainbow Dash at her core. It wast often that the Element of Kindness got this worked up. But when she did it was usually a good idea to listen. Dash looked at the floor thoughtfully. She knew what she had to do, she may not want to though.

"Flutters....she almost killed you girls....you really still want to show her kindness after that?" Dash asked sincerely.

"Well she didn't mean to! And to be truthful I probably would have remembered my wings before I hit the ground." The last part of her sentence was barely a whisper. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at her friends forgetfulness of her own species. Fluttershy giggled as Dash wrapped an arm around her friends neck and nuzzled her her cheek.

"Ok Flutters, you win this time. We'll go talk to her. I still don't think it'll change anything though. She's very hardheaded."

"Your one to talk Dash!" Fluttershy gave Rainbow a soft knock on the head for good measure. The two began walking towards the dorm rooms giggling, side by side. It wasn't long before they were out of the administration building and making they're way across the runway towards the small profile of the dorms/mess hall. The various drills and exercises of the academy being run by squads of pegasi, their blue and gold flight suits making them look like a flock of birds, all scattered about doing their respective tasks. Before entering the dorms, Rainbow Dash noticed a familiar lavender pony frantically whispering to a nearby wonderbolt trainer. Her face held a worried expression, drawing Rainbow Dash's attention. Fluttershy walked forward a few more steps before noticing the absence of her companion at her side. She quickly scurried back a few steps to rejoin Dash.

"Rainbow, why'd we stop?"

"I...I think something is wrong, Twilights pretty worked up about something over there. I'm gonna go check it out."

Fluttershy quickly glided in front of Rainbow Dash and put a hoof against her chest, a determined look on her face.

"Rainbow Dash! We need to go talk to Lightning Dust! She wasn't ok when she stormed off!"

Rainbow Dash let out a sigh. "Look, Flutters, I'm not trying to get out of this or anything. I agree, Lightning Dust needs somepony to help her right now, but I feel like Twilight just found out something that we probably need to know. It'll be quick and then we go talk to Dust, ok?" Fluttershy maintained a worried expression, her eyes flickering between Dash's eyes and the building that held Lightning Dust behind her. She let out a defeated sigh and whispered what sounded like "ok". As Dash was turning around her head snapped back up and she gave a deathly serious glare to Dash.

"It better be quick though!"

The "Stare" persisted for another few seconds before all of Dash's nerves broke. She looked away guiltily, a shudder running through her body.

"Yeah it'll be fast! I promise..."

'Geez....I didn't even do anything wrong and she has me feeling guilty...' Thought Rainbow Dash as she strode towards Twilight. The mares demeanor hadn't improved any as Rainbow Dash came to stand beside her friend. Twilight took no notice of her as she continued to speak hurriedly to the trainer.

"-but I still don't understand! Why is Celestia up north while it's so dangerous? If those ponies really are threatening war then she shouldn't be throwing herself in the middle of it!"

"Look miss, like I said I'm just relaying you the message we received through our mail network. We are to prepare the trained wonderbolts for defensive and offensive flying in the event that the Princess needs us to deploy for special flight operations. I probably shouldn't even be telling you this but since your her pupil you should know. At least I think so. Besides, the princess can handle herself, especially against a nation as small and backwater as Germaneigh."

"That's what I'm worried about! Germaneigh is known for war! And being successful at it! And they are anything but backwater! They're also not stupid, so if they're threatening to attack Equestria they must know something we don't!"

"Look Miss Sparkle, it's nothing to worry about, the Princess-"

"-Could be in danger! Don't you find it weird that the princess wants the Wonderbolts to prepare for war? The last time you guys were used in combat was when my dragon almost flattened Ponyville! They only send the Wonderbolts out into combat in extreme disasters!"

"I am aware Miss Sparkle, that this is unusual, but nonetheless we-" The trainer stopped to make a double take on Twilight. "Wait. That dragon was your dragon!?"

"Ughhh! Not the point I was trying to address here!"

The trainer facehooved. He let out a loud groan before he continued. "Look Miss Sparkle, I know nothing more on the situation in Northern Equestria. If you want a firsthoof report on it take a carriage to the Crystal City and have Princess Cadence fill you in. It is primarily the crystal ponies providing the military defense at the moment. Regular Equestrian units haven't deployed yet, besides the Solar Expiditionary Wing, who are with the princess as we speak protecting her. That's all I know, I have things to do, good day Miss Sparkle." And with that the trainer scurried off before Twilight had a chance to reply. She threw her head back and let out a long raspy "ugh!", a noise Rainbow hadn't heard since her and her friends had ignored Twilight when she was worried about being tardy on a friendship report to the princess. That day was over a year ago, however Rainbow Dash was concerned for Twilight now. She put a reassuring hoof on Twilights shoulder. The mare flinched at the sudden contact, relaxing slightly when she saw it was only Rainbow Dash.

"Hey Twilight, is everything alright?"

Twilight let out a long sigh before answering. "I don't know Rainbow, I think so....but I'm not so sure."

"What was all that about the princess and war? Is Equestria under attack?" Rainbow Dash maintained a calm demeanor, however it was fairly obvious how nervous the pegasus was.

"No, we aren't at war right now....but it seems like a distinct possibility based on what I've heard. Princess Celestia sent out orders prepping all of Equestria's military assets, which includes the Wonderbolts."

"The Wonderbolts? They aren't part of the Equestrian Guard, they're just stuntponies! Right?"

"I'm afraid not Dash. It's a little known fact that the Wonderbolts are trained in combative flying. Mainly for support purposes, but they have been known to be sent on high priority missions in times of emergency, like when Spike almost leveled Ponyville. You did notice the Wonderbolts that day, right?" Twilight gave a deadpan stare at Dash, whom was currently tapping a hoof against her chin in thought.

"Ummm....oh yeah I remember that! But I just thought that was Spitfire's squad being awesome and trying to help out!"

Twilight facehoofed. "No, they had orders from Celestia to try and hold off the dragon until more forces could arrive. Had Rarity not taken care of it when she did we would have had an entire regiment of royal guards marching into Ponyville." Twilight let out another sigh and began walking towards the waiting chariot at the south end of the runway. Dash fell in alongside her, throwing back a "Just a little longer look" to the growingly impatient Fluttershy.

"I have to get going Dash, I need to start hitting up my contacts in Canterlot and find out what the hay is going on. Fluttershy said she was going to stay with you for a while before heading back, I hope you don't mind."

"What, Flutters? Nah, it's cool, she's great company. But anyways, are you sure your alright? I mean your awfully worked up about this war thing, you don't really think it'll happen do you?"

Twilight stopped and cast a thoughtful look at the ground. She turned her head back to Rainbow Dash, a worried look on her face.

"Dash, I....I don't know if I do or not....I just don't want the princess getting hurt, that's all."

Dash placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "I understand Twilight. Look if you need me back in Ponyville for anything, and I mean ANYTHING, just give Derpy a message for me. She comes here every other day on her mail runs. I'll be back in Ponyville in ten. Seconds. Flat." As she spoke she poked Twilight in the chest, one poke for each sentence. Twilight giggled at her friends antics. The two hugged, and with a smile and a wave, Twilight was off to join the other elements, minus kindness, and depart for Ponyville. As Dash watched the carriage depart, she became aware of a sudden drilling sensation in the back of her head. She turned around to find Fluttershy once again giving her the "Stare". What made this one unique was the fact that Fluttershy was doing it from well over two hundred feet away, still managing to have its full effects on Dash. It unnerved Rainbow Dash to know that her friend could not only use her stare long range, she could do it while she wasn't even making eye contact with the pony in question, and still have the same effect.

"Ahg! Fluttershy, please stop! I'm coming, I'm coming, geez!"

With that Rainbow Dash flew off to accompany kindness, once again headed for the dorms. The two walked side by side in the grass median between the airstrip and the campus proper, passing by the welcome center, a small building situated closest to the center of the airstrip. As they passed the building they noticed a set of pegasi guards standing to the sides of the welcome center's glass double doors. These guards wore the standard issue golden royal armor, with a small hoof-sword tied onto a saddlestrap sheath. Inside Rainbow Dash noticed a pure white pegasus wearing what seemed to be a set of golden and silver trimmed armor, which shone much more spectacularly than the standard armor. With her was another guardspony, wearing the same suit of armor, this one being a deep red with an ashy grey mane. The first ponies cutie mark was that of a flurry of snowflakes over a light blue background, which faded softly back to the pure white of her coat. Her eyes were a deep blue, stern and watchful, as if she expected to be attacked at any moment. The red pony had a cutie mark displaying a fireball, soaring downwards. His eyes were steel blue, almost grey, and not quite as stern as the first ponies eyes. Rainbow Dash assumed he was probably the nicer of the two-

*Thwack!

"Ow!"

Rainbow Dash fell on her rump, rubbing her head. As she looked up she could see a giggling Fluttershy standing next to a pole....a pole that Rainbow Dash had appearantly failed to notice as she was looking elsewhere. She glared at Fluttershy as she continued to caress her throbbing head.

"S'not funny, that really hurt!"

"Hehe I'm sorry-haha-it's just really funny, you ran right into that thing Rainbow!" Fluttershy shook her head to calm herself and made her way to Rainbow Dash. She gave her an affectionate nuzzle on her forehead.

"Don't worry Rainbow, it's not that bad, it probably won't even swell....you are pretty hardheaded."

Rainbow continued to glare at Fluttershy, who's only respond was a mischievously innocent *squee.

Suddenly the doors to the welcome center swung open, and the two guardsponies waiting inside walked out, followed by a very stressed looking Spitfire. They were talking heatedly about Celestia knows what. Dash's curiosity peaked. Her sudden attempt to sleuth her way over to the three ponies to eavesdrop was halted suddenly by a buttery yellow hoof. Rainbow Dash turned her head to see Fluttershy, once again becoming growingly impatient on the Lightning Dust situation.

*sigh

"Yeah, don't worry Fluttershy, your right, we need to go see Lightning Dust and I've wasted enough time already. I'm sorry."

"It's ok Rainbow, there's a lot going on right now, but I can't help but worry about Lightning Dust. She seemed so distressed, like she needed....she needs...."

"-Some kindness?" Dash finished with a soft wink towards Fluttershy. The yellow mares eyes became wide and she let out a soft *eep!

"Ummm....yeah, But can you do the talking Rainbow? I don't know her very well and she seemed kinda mean...." The last part of Fluttershy's sentence was inaudable due to how softly she spoke. Rainbow Dash gave the timid pegasus a gentle pat on the back.

"Yeah, sure thing Fluttershy, you just let me do the talking. You can be there for....emotional support?" Dash raised an unsure eyebrow at Fluttershy.

"Ummm....that sounds fine....I guess."

"Alright! It's settled, let's go stir up some Dust!"

"We're not trying to stir up anything Rainbow."

"Then let's go ride the Lightning?"

"That just sounds kind of wrong Rainbow."

"Ummmm.....Let's go make sure the Dust settles?"

"I mean....I guess that could work...."

"Just let me have this one pun, please."

"Ok Rainbow, whatever you say."

The two mares giggled softly as they resumes their walk to the dorms, now only seconds away on hoof.

----------------

'A few seconds ago....'

Lieutenant Snowstorm growled at the receptionist and planted a hoof firmly on the desk in front of her, placing her royal guard credentials squarely in front of the irritated mare she spoke to. Said mare, a slightly aged looking pegasus pony wearing librarian style glasses, continued to look uninterested as she continued to poke keys in on her typewriter. This went on for a few seconds before the receptionist finished typing and took the paper out of the typewriter, which she promptly filed. The mare finally addresses the very angry looking guardspony in front of her, still taking no interest in Snowstorms credentials on the table before her.

"Look, Miss Snowstorm, I don't care if your here on royal business, or if Celestia herself comes in dancing in a giant banana suit, I can't work miracles, and getting Commander Spitfire away from her private business would be a miracle. You'll just have to wait until she returns."

"This is a matter of national security, and I don't consider whatever the commander is up to more important than that!"

Ashfire, the second of the two guardsponies in the welcome center chimes in.

"Plus I bet she's just signing fanmail anyways." He says with a slight chuckle. The receptionist gets a sheepish grin at Ashfires would be joke. Snowstorm facehooves.

"I swear if she's signing fanmail and it's keeping me from doing my job I'm gonna go woop her fla-"

"-I'd like to see you try there marshmallow."

Snowstorms ears perk up at the sound of the Commanders voice. She turns and casts an icy glare at Spitfire, who returns the favor. Ashfires just sits between the two with a bored but slightly amused look on his face. The receptionist attempts to stifle a giggle at the nickname given to Snowstorm.

"That's lieutenant to you, Commander 'Tang'."

"I like Tang, it has a really lovely taste, citrusy too! Now what do you want Jetpuff?"

Snowstorm glared icy daggers at Spitfire.

"I'm here to oversee the preparation of the academy in the event war breaks out on the Northern border. By orders of the princess herself. That means I'm your new overseer, you oversized mandarin."

Spitfire looked over to Ashfire, and pointed at Snowstorm.

"Is cream-puff here always like this?"

He chuckled before answering. "Fraid so."

"Uhg, I don't know how you deal with her. Ummmm.....let's see....oh I've got one. I'm afraid to inform you, Lieutenant Cream Cheese, that this is my academy, therefore, my rules. You can oversee all you want. But that's all your gonna do! See things! And over things! So cut the tough guy attitude, I have a massive headache and a lot of work to do."

Snowstorm gave a loud snort.

"I will do what the princess told me to. If you don't comply I'll personally shove my armored hoof so far up your fla-"

"-Oooooooookay! Now that introductions are done with, what say we get a tour of the academy preparations so we can oversee! Without fighting and the shoving of things up and into unpleasant places! Miss Spitfire, would you care for a quick tour? Please?"

Ashfire smiled desperately at the two mares, hoping he had diffuses the situation. The last thing he needed was to explain to his superiors why his wingmare got into a fight with the commander of the wonderbolts. Though it would be fun to watch....

Finally Spitfire looked away from Snowstorm and gave Ashfire a warm smile.

"Why sure I'd love to give you a tour! I like you! Your officially on the top of my list of favorite overseers! And you," she says as se points at Snowstorm,"you have a special place on the list, let me show you!" She the proceeds to slowly make her hoof spiral downwards in a crashing motion, whistling as it decends. Finally, she mocks an explosion at the end of the spiral, adding a "lovely" farting noise to simulate the crash.

Ashfire chuckles again, while the receptionist is dying in a fit of laughter behind the counter. Snowstorm just continues to glare.

"Real mature, Commander Charmander."

"Oh! I love Ponymón! Although I think I'm more of a Charzard myself." Spitfire replies with a wink.

"For the love of Celestia, can we get going? Please?" Begs Ashfire, finally wishing for the two mares to stop fighting.

"Only cuz you asked nicely, and because I like you. Not her, just you. Whats your name anyways mister favorite overseer?"

"Ashfire."

"Well nice to meet you Ashfire. Ash. Ashy. No, Ash sounds better, can I call you Ash?"

"Sure-"

"No! You will address him as Lieutenant Ashfire and me as Lieutenant Snowstorm. I will in turn address you as Commander Spitfire. Now let's go!"

"Sure thing, Lieutenant Creme-puff! Come on Ash, there's touring to be done!"

At that, the three pegasi walked outside of the building to begin a tour, with Snowstorm fuming at the commander all the while.

Nopony in the group noticed the rainbow maned pegasus staring intently at them as they walked.

----------------

"I swear to Celestia Derpy, if you fry my mail in a thundercloud one more time-!"

"I-It was an accident! I swear!"

"I'll show you an accident!"

Derpy Hooves cringed back in fear as the Wonderbolt flight officer started at her. Before he could get any closer to her, the young pegasus about faced and high-tailed it out of the post office.

"This is the last time Derpy! Don't let me catch your cockeyed snout in here again!"

Derpy flew as fast as her wings could take her, narrowly avoiding a mid-air collision with a flight of trainees. She made her way to the southern tip of the runway, tears blurring her vision as she attempted to land. In a fit of panic she attempted to pull back to slow her descent, only to have her back hooves catch the ground early, sending her face first into the grass. Derpy just laid there face down, sobbing uncontrollably. Even the pain in her nose wasnt enough to make her get up. Why should she get up? She had no reason to. Her coworkers hated her, her customers hated her, she was pretty sure even the few friends she had probably hated her....Who was she kidding, she had no friends, just a bunch of ponies trying to be nice to her for her sake. Nobody liked Derpy Hooves. She always screwed everything up, made other ponies mad. Ever since that one horrible night. Ever since then her life had gone downhill. She lost her house, she lost her weather license, and now she was going to lose her job.

Derpy rolled over onto her back and stared into the sky, tears rolling down her cheeks as she continued sobbing.

"I'm so alone......"

---------------

Rainbow Dash was nervous. Very nervous. As her and Fluttershy walked down the hallway of the dormitory towards Lightning Dust's room, Dash couldn't help but be nervous. After all, she was about to try and console the pony who's hopes and dreams she had probably just crushed. Sure it may have been Lightning Dust's fault to begin with, but that doesn't mean Dash didn't feel bad about it. As the two came to a stop at Lightning Dust's door, Dash looked down and kicked at the ground, not wanting to make eye contact with her companion.

"Rainbow....."

"....."

"Rainbow....."

"....."

"Rainbow!"

"I know I know! Just give me a second....I kinda might've just ruined her life you know....I still feel really bad....just give me a second."

"Rainbow, it's ok, I know it's sad, it's not your fault. But there's a pony in there that needs somepony to help her. She needs a little kindness...."

"Isn't that your thing though?" Rainbow Dash smiles weakly at Fluttershy.

"Well yes but, you and her are friends so I think she needs your kindness more."

"Were friends...."

"Are friends, now get in there."

"Yes mom." Rainbow gives a irritated look to Fluttershy before turning to the door. 'When did Shy get so pushy? Hm, well I guess she's right either way. Here goes nothing.'

The door opened slowly as Rainbow Dash peeked in.

"Lightning Dust? Hey are you ok-"

Rainbows eyes scanned the empty room. Well, almost empty, as Lightning Dust had yet to pack her belongings, they were scattered about in a messy fashion. Posters of the Wonderbolts were ripped in half and scattered about the floor, along with what little clothing the mare had brought with her. Her bed was unmade and messy, and the pillow had a dark wet spot, signifying that she had been crying not long ago. Her dresser drawers were mostly yanked out of the dresser, while the top was littered with food wrappers and a single picture frame. The frame contained a picture of a young Lightning Dust being hugged tightly by a older pegasus mare. Judging by the similarities it was probably Lightning Dust's mother. A quick glance to the closet showed that it was entirely empty, except for a few hangers dangling on the pole inside. Seriously, why did they have closets anyways? They barely wore cloths! Rainbow Dash returned her gaze to the foot of the bed, where the small form of a Wonderbolt trainee outfit could be made out underneath the messy and unkept white sheets of the bed. She walked in and picked the uniform up, cringing immediately. The rip from the medal being pulled off early was now a full blown gash. The rest of the uniform fared no better, as appearantly Lightning Dust had simply opted to rip the thing off. Rainbow Dash turned her head away and closed her eyes, a sad sigh escaping from her lips.

'She must really hate me and everyone else for this.....'

A small creak of the door brought Rainbow's attention back to the room. Fluttershy peeked in nervously, her eyes adjusting to the dark interior of the room.

"Dash, is everything alrigh- oh my......" Fluttershy's eyes went wide at the sight before her. Her sadness evident in the tears welling up in them.

"Flutters, I'm not sure of I can really help her at this point....I really think I destroyed her dream....I know she hates me...."

"B-but we still have to try....she's probably scared and lonely and needs help and-"

Fluttershy went silent as Rainbow Dash hugged her tightly. She couldn't help but feel awful about all of this. But she knew what she did was right, she was protecting her friends, protecting her fellow trainees, she was even in a way protecting Lightning Dust from herself. With that said....why did she feel so bad about it?

*sigh

"I'm sorry Fluttershy, you can't help everypony...."

As Fluttershy continued to cry softly, Rainbow Dash simply nuzzled her, trying to calm her down. After about ten minutes of this, the yellow mare finally stopped sobbing. With a long sigh, Fluttershy broke the embrace and backed up, her eyes still red and puffy from the tears they brought. Dash smiled at her warmly.

"Here let's far away from here Shy."

"O-ok......"

"You gonna be alright?"

"Yeah I'll be....I'll be ok."

*growl

Fluttershy blushed at the sound emanating from her stomach. Dash let out a soft laugh.

"Not of you starve to death Flutters! Haha let's head to the mess and and get some cho-"

"AHHHHHHHHHHH! SOMEPONY HELP! SHE KILLED SPITFIRE!"

Rainbow Dash recoiled in shock. As soon as she could think again she realized she was already halfway down the hall to the source of the scream. She bust through a crowd of ponies surrounding Spitfires room, and nearly puked at the sight before her.

Spitfires body was mangled, her limbs broken, bone exposed, and blood pooling onto the floor. The worst part about it was Spitfires head. It had been turned well past the breaking point, and was hanging limply from her body, blood coming from her open mouth. Her eyes were wide open, and the pain she must have gone through before death was evident in her eyes, filled with agony. Rainbow Dash felt nauseous. Her stomach was turning over and over. Hot tears began to build in the corner of her eyes, the floodwaters threatening to burst. Slowly her eyes began to rise to the figure standing right behind Spitfires corpse. As she began to take in the bloody figure, fury began to well in her chest. Finally her eyes stopped as they locked into the deep amber irises of the murder. Lightning Dust stared back. Neither pony moved, neither pony flinched. Suddenly the rage billowing inside Rainbow Dash burst. She stepped forward and screamed at the top of her lungs.

"I'LL KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE! I'LL KILL YOU LIGHTNING DUST!"

---------------

Tears and Betrayal

One hour ago.....

Lightning Dust stormed away from Rainbow Dash towards the front doors of the administration building, wiping tears from her face as she went. Every angry face she passed by only helped to speed her course. Word had traveled very fast indeed. By now nearly the whole academy was aware of her almost accidental pony-slaughter. The angry looks cut Lightning Dust deep at her core, only adding to the tears in her eyes. As she burst through the admin buildings front doors, she collided into the side of a pegasus mare. As Lightning Dust raised her head, groaning in pain, she looked over the mare she had hit. Her coat was a light grey, her mane blond, and she had a cutie mark consisting of bubbles. Strapped to her side was a mail saddle, the latch of which had come undone, allowing the many letters inside to scatter onto the ground. A few of the letters were getting trampled by the oblivious passerbys going to and fro through the admin building doors. Lightning Dust winced as she stood up, her head still hurting from the collision. As soon as se got up she began to head towards her dorm room once again, eager to escape from this horrible academy. After only a few steps, Lightning Dust heard a loud groan from behind her.

'No, don't stop, just keep going and get the buck out of this place.'

*groan

'She'll be fine....she doesn't need help....'

*louder groan

*sigh

Lightning Dust turned around and quickly trotted up to the mare she had knocked over.

"Hey are you ok?"

The mare sat up and raised a hoof to her head, groaning softly.

"Yeah....I'll be fine....my head just really hurts. Whad I hit?"

"Ummmm....I kinda hit you....sorry."

The mare slowly opened her eyes and looked up to Lightning Dust. Lightning's eyes opened wide as she noticed the mare was walleyed, two golden irises each with a mind of their own. The mare cocked her head at Lightning, a confused look forming on her already confused looking face.

"Is-is something wrong? Is my face scratched up or something?!" The mare began to panick, frantically feeling her face and muzzle with her hooves, searching for any deformity.

"No-no....well kind of....your eyes are crooked, I guess I hit you really hard."

The mare just stared at Lightning Dust, still confused.

"Your eyes, their pointing two different directions."

The mares eyes lit up knowingly, but her expression quickly went from confusion to sadness.

"Oh...no its-it's ok, they always do that....." She held her head low as she continued to stare at the ground. After a few seconds she looked back up to Lightning Dust, a weak smile plastered on her lips.

"Hey, don't worry about it, my eyes aren't anything to cry about."

"What?! I'm not crying I'm-"

Lightning Dust felt her face with a hoof, suddenly remembering that she was still crying from earlier. She began to break down again, remembering what she was in the process of doing. The grey mare's expression softened at Lightning Dust. She raised up a hoof to try and comfort her.

"Hey it's ok, don't cry-"

"No....no I have to....I have to leave.....bye."

Lightning Dust ran off towards the dorm building, leaving an extremely saddened pegasus in her wake. The mare looked around at all the scattered mail, then back up to Lightning Dust's retreating figure. Tears began to form in her eyes.

"I always end up alone...."

*Zap!

"Ahhhhhhh!"

The mare jumped ten feet in the air as a lightning bolt shot past her and burned half of her mail. She looked up to see a young trainee trying to handle a thunder cloud. He smiled at her sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"

The mare sighed and lowered her head, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes.

'And now I'm probably going to lose my job....'

---------------

Spitfire growled angrily at her assistant. She wasn't in the mood for dealing with a trainee with a broken wing or the idiot who accidentally lost control of a thunderhead and fried the dizzitron. Let alone the four guardsponies in the welcome center demanding her attention ASAP. Lightning Dust's little tantrum had left her in a sour mood and all of the problems her assistant was trying to stack onto her plate weren't helping. She held up a single hoof, silencing the aggravating pony.

"Look, nows not really the time, ok? I have a trainees dismissal paper to write up, four guardsponies in the welcome center demanding my presence, and a migraine. Unless you wanna talk about coffee, Equylenol, or a nice big fried hay and bean burrito, then can it. I'm not medical, engineering, hay I'm not even a councilor so these aren't really things I can fix at the moment. Now shoo!"

"Yes commander."

Spitfire rubbed her head as she flew towards the welcome center.

'This migraine just keeps getting worse....buck I need a nap.'

As she flew by the runway, Spitfire could barely make out an argument between one of the trainers and that purple unicorn from earlier, Twilight Sparkle. Something about border disputes with Germaneigh and such. Spitfire shoved it aside as political nonsense and continued towards the welcome center. She didn't so much as glance at the two standard pegasus guards guarding the door. They weren't the ponies she was worried about anyways, just some chump guard escorts. Upon landing at the front door and pushing it open, she could make out a female voice arguing on the inside.

"I swear if she's signing fanmail and it's keeping me from doing my job I'm gonna go woop her fla-"

"-I'd like to see you try there marshmallow."

'This is going to be a long day....'

---------------

Lightning Dust slammed her dorm room door shut behind her, leaning back against it as she cried. Slowly she slid down onto the floor, still propped up against the door, still crying. Her mind raced as she thought about everything that had just transpired. Her life had been perfect. She was top of her class in the academy, she had a great new friend to share that with as well. She was living her dream, the dream she had ever since she went to that air show as a small filly with her mother. Everything was just so....right. Or so she thought. Rainbow Dash just couldn't accept being number two. She couldn't live with sharing victory after victory with her. She had to have it all, even at the cost of her so called friend's dreams. She curled up into a ball at the foot of her door, cradling herself as she let her tears flow.

'I did nothing wrong....I was just trying to be the best. It's not my fault if the others couldn't keep up.....is it?'

Lightning Dust looked up to the Wonderbolts poster she had tacked to her wall. It's brightly colored depiction of the famous stunt ponies seemed to taunt her, as she imagined that behind each pair of stunt goggles, an evil grin was plastered on their faces, taunting her. This thought caused a sudden burst of anger to well up inside of Lightning Dust. She jumped to her hooves and began to tear at the jumpsuit that adorned her body, stretching out the rip that was already there, as well as adding new ones in various places. The enraged mare finally managed to pull the jumpsuit completely off, now tattered and torn almost beyond recognition. She tossed it carelessly to the floor, and began making her way about the room. She gathered her few precious possessions and placed them in her flight satchel. Finally her gaze once more fell upon the offending poster tacked to the wall. In a fit of anger she reached up and shredded the poster into several pieces, some still held precariously to the wall by the tacks. In her anger she barely heard a soft crack from the floor below. Lightning Dust looked down at the foot of the desk the poster was above and panicked upon discovering that her picture frame had fallen to the floor, face-down. She quickly grabbed it up and began frantically searching the precious photo encased within. The glass had shattered beyond repair, and the frame had began to crack at on corner, but the priceless photo inside was still unscratched. Lightning Dust sighed in relief as she gently placed the frame back on the desk. She continues to stare longingly at the only photo of her mother she possessed, a treasure more valuable to Lightning Dust than anything else. After all, what else did she have to remember the mare by but a few happy memories, memories that had long since been overshadowed by the memory of her death, which Lightning Dust had the misfortune of being present for at a young age. More tears began to well up at the unpleasant thoughts, so Lightning Dust shoved the offending memories aside and went back to the task of packing. As she put the last of her dressers contents into her satchel, she heard a loud banging at her door, accompanied by a gruff and demanding voice.

"Miss Lightning Dust, the commander requires your presence in her quarters to sign dismissal papers."

"......"

"Immediately!"

*sigh

"Ok, I'm coming...."

Lightning Dust made her way to the door, and opened it to reveal a wide frames pegasus trainer wearing aviators. Not the same stallion from training earlier, but similar enough in appearance.

"Right this way miss."

"Let's just do this quickly so I can leave."

Lightning Dust began making her way towards Spitfires quarters.

--------------

A lone changeling sulked silently through the sleek marble hallways, slinking behind each and every hoof crafted ebony column that helped support the heavy arched ceiling of the hall. Said ceiling was adorned with hoofpainted pictures depicting epic battles between strong, proud looking ponies wearing beautifully crafted chain and plate mail armors, wielding heavy claymores and broadswords. The valiant ponies were immersed in a battle with numerous forms of enemies, ranging from elemental sprites from the Great Purge Era to the ebony clad minotaurs and Centaurs of the Dark Army of Tartarus. Each ebony pillar the changing sleuthed by was about five feet thick all around, and each was carved to a smooth sheen all around the column, save for a small arched alcove on the inside face of each pillar. The alcoves rose about ten feet high and were three feet wide. Inside of these spaces was a small crafted pedestal, atop which stood a scale model of each and every great emperor that resided within the walls of the castle. Each proud and valiant pony easily stood about two feet higher than the average Equestrian pony, bringing them close to the Royal Pony Sisters stature. This was a fact easily forgotten due to the massive plate mail armor made specifically for each and every emperor. The added stature of the heavy yet sleek black armor made these ponies look almost mythical, and the many stories and tales of these emperors in combat spread far and wide to enemy nations, striking fear into the heart of any creature smart enough to understand them, yet dumb enough to challenge the empire's might.

The changeling finally made it to the end of the hallway unseen, stopping before a set of heavy oaken doors, standing twenty feet high and ten feet wide. Four imperial guards stood watch in front of the door, their heavy silver mail adding to the already imposing stature of the guards. Each guard carried the standard issue steam-axe commonly wielded by imperial heavies(whom also double as imperial guards). This axe was a fearsome culmination of new and old technology, combining the standard might of a battle axe with cutting edge steam propulsion technology. The highly polished shaft of the axe rose a good five feet, putting its peak high above the heads of it's bearers. The head of the axe was of typical design, only instead being made of a darkened ebony steel instead of the bright silver of the shaft. There was no point on the backside of the axe head, just a small blunted rectangular bar that jutted out an inch from the backside of the shaft, running the length of the blade. The main difference between this axe and a standard battle axe was four squared faucets slowly rising on each side of the axehead, coming to a flattened opening facing away from the axehead. The sloped front side allowed the head to keep its near flattened shape, while the back of each faucet provided an opening for the internalized steam jets. Each faucet, two on each side of the head, upon activation, sent out a strong net of steam, propelling the axehead forward extremely fast and with great force. Early field tests for the fearsome weapon had shown, that with the improvement of the strengthened ebony steel head, the axe would shatter all forms of armor, bone, sinew, and even go straight through a boulder, causing an explosion of sorts as the rock burst into tiny pieces from the great force. The changeling shuddered at the thought of being hit by one.

The shapeshifting creature hid behind a pillar and burst into brilliant emerald flames. Seconds later, the imperial envoy, Golden Script, came trotting around the pillar, in sight of the imperial guards. The two front most guards raised their axes into the battle ready positions, hooves ready on the steam trigger jutting out of the handle. Golden Script stopped at a safe distance, bowing to the guards. Keeping his head low and his eyes to the floor, he spoke.

"The emperor has requested my presence." As he spoke he pulled the summoning stone from the pendant around his neck. It's smooth surface shone bright red, pulsating slowly. The guards examined it cautiously before returning to their normal stance.

"You may enter."

Golden Script returned the summoning stone to the slot in his pendant and rose back to his hooves.

"Thank you, guards. May courage guide steel, and the emperor guide courage. Wir werden hoch herrschen!"

"Wir werden hoch herrschen!" The guards repeat simultaneously, each giving a single bang on the floor with the shafts of their hammers upon finishing, resulting in a loud echo through the marble halls. Golden Script proceeded inside. Upon entering the emperors chambers, Golden Script immediately fell to the floor, curling up in pain. His skin began to become consumed in emerald green flames, chaotically flashing at various points on his body, revealing small patches of black chitin. Finally his entire body was consumed, followed by the flames dying out, revealing a shaking black changeling, curled up into a fetal position. His vision still blurry from the pain just inflicted upon him, he could barely make out the outline of a massive armor clad figure walking towards him. The figure stopped a few feet away, his sleek ebony leg plates slowly coming into focus for the changeling. A deep voice boomed.

"Get up creature, I have no time to deal with your pain."

The changeling obeyed, standing up and facing the ebony clad mass before him. He gave a low bow before speaking.

"S-sorry your lordship....it won't happen agai-"

"Let that be a lesson to you whelp. You and your kind are to never attempt to hide your ugly snouts in my presence unless I specifically ask you to do so. My summon will get you past the guards regardless of what form you are in. And if you dare insult my envoy Golden Script again by taking his form I will personally cave your skull in and feed you to my war hounds. I have many more of your pathetic kind available to me, so you are nothing special. Are we clear?"

"Y-yes your lordship."

"Good. Now, on to business. What news does our stealth detachment at the Equestrian flight academy have?"

"The detachment has successfully made contact with the tail we put on the academy commander. The tail, as expected has gone undetected by the commander or anyone else. Also, your vollblütig was successful in joining the detachment. He has taken charge under your orders. Everything is proceeding as planned."

"Good....the time has come for us to start our operations against Equestria. I want you to send word to the detachment that they are to initiate operation 'Pheonix Down'. Tell my vollblütig I'll be in touch." The dark clad figure began to walk away. The changeling gave a low bow once more before speaking.

"I will do as you command. May Germaniegh never fall.Wir werden hoch herrschen!"

The ebony clad figure turned his head slightly before replying.

"Hail Germaniegh."

--------------

Lightning Dust approached Spitfires door, apprehensive of what was to come. The trainer behind her nodded towards the door, his expression unchanging behind his dark tinted shades. Lightning Dust let out a sigh as she knocked on the door, pleading to Celestia that Spitfire simply wasn't there.

"Come in!"

'Buck you Celestia....' Lightning Dust thought angrily to herself.

She pushed the door open and walked slowly inside, taking a minute for her eyes to adjust to the dark interior.

*Shink!

"Ahhhhhh! Too bright!"

Lightning Dust shielded her eyes from the barrage of light coming from the newly opened blinds. Spitfire sat next to the window, retracting a hoof as she turned towards Lightning Dust. She motioned towards a seat in front of the partially blinded pegasus.

"Sit." She commanded.

Lightning Dust complied.

"Why was it so dark in here?!"

"I like it dark." Spitfire replied coldly. The fiery mare sat down in front of her desk and began pulling papers from one of its many drawers. After a few seconds of shuffling through the papers she pulled one out, depositing the rest back into the drawer. She then slid the paper towards Lightning Dust. Her eyes finally adjusted to the light, Lightning Dust examined the paper in front of her. It was her admission paper to the academy. Lightning Dust cast a raised eyebrow at Spitfire.

"What's this for?"

"Your admission paper doubles as a dismissal paper."

"Oh....that's awfully....convenient."

"Meh, we're kinda lazy, less paper, less money."

"Uh-huh...."

*sigh

"Look, if you want out just sign and date on the dotted red line at the bottom of the page. Nothing more nothing less. Hurry up, because I'm not in the mood and I have a lot of crap piling on me that I need to deal with."

Lightning Dust cringed at the mares harsh words. Wasn't she trying to get her to stay just a little while ago? Why the sudden change of heart? Lightning Dust shook her head to clear the offending thoughts.

'They don't want me here anyways. Let's just get this over with.'

Lightning Dust grabbed the pen in her mouth and moved to sign the paper.

Just then, three things happened. One, Lightning Dust didn't get to sign the paper. Two, a seemingly unknown force suddenly came down upon Spitfires front fetlocks, snapping both her front legs at once. Three, a giant white figure shimmered into existence to the right of Lightning Dust, wearing sleek black armor and wearing a massively large great sword across its back.

Spitfire screamed in agony as the figure grabbed her by her mane and hurled her into Lightning Dust, knocking both mares into the floor. Blood from Spitfires broken legs coated Lightning Dust. The armor clad hulk walked towards the two. As he neared, he reared up onto his back hooves and brought his front hooves down in a mighty stomp, breaking Spitfires back legs as well. The crippled mare screamed into Lightning Dust's chest. Lightning Dust attempted to back away from the figure, dragging Spitfire away with her. She quickly hit the wall, halting her retreat. The hulk approached the two once more, causing a low whimper to escape Lightning Dust's lips. As he neared, Spitfire raised her head out of Lightning Dust's chest, tears of pain selling up in her eyes, blood pooling from her clenched mouth. She met Lightning Dust's eyes with a look not of fear, but of determination. As the assailant drew near she spoke.

"Get away from here-" *cough* "-find the Crimson Brotherhood, tell them the academy-" *cough* "-is compromised."

The hulk grabbed Spitfires mane and hoisted her up. She continued to stare into Lightning Dust's eyes as the figure wrapped its hooves around either side of her head.

"You have to run, you have to tell the others, you have to liv-"

*SNAP!

Spitfires eyes rolled into the back of her head as her head jerked violently, causing her neck to snap. The massive figure tossed Spitfires body at Lightning Dust's hooves, the mares fiery mane and coat drenched in blood. Lightning Dust stared in horror as the figure smiled at her maniacally, before fading out of existence. Lightning Dust was in such a state of shock that her mind only perceived noises as soft echoes. She could barely make out the screams of the crowd of ponies now gathering at the entrance of the room. She barely heard somepony yell for help. All she was really paying attention to was all the red. The floor was covered in it. Spitfire was covered in it. She was covered in it.....Wait! Lightning Dust's senses snapped back to normal as the horrible reality of what was going on clicked in her brain. She looked up to see several ponies staring at her in fear, crying, angry, shouting for her head. She stood up and backed away, trying to sputter out an explanation, trying to prove her innocence. All that came out was a low gurgle. Lightning Dust bumped Spitfires desk and attempted to climb over it, under it, around it, anything to further distance herself away from the angry mob of ponies. Just then, a familiar rainbow maned pegasus burst through the crowd. Lightning Dust locked eyes with Rainbow Dash.

'Oh thank Celestia, Rainbow Dash will believe me! She knows I would never-'

"I'LL KILL YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE! I'LL KILL YOU LIGHTNING DUST!"

'Buck.....I'm dead.....'

-------------

Escape

Lightning Dust cringed in fear from the verbal assault of Rainbow Dash. As the prismatic pony approached Lightning Dust, she quickly started looking for a way out of the room. Her eyes scanned the front door.

'No, to many ponies, that mob will tear me apart.'

She looked back towards Spitfires bedroom.

'Buck! That won't work either, I'd have to go through Rainbow Dash to get there.'

Lightning Dust frantically searched the room for a way out, Rainbow Dash drawing nearer every second. Just as the rainbow maned pony was but a few feet away, Lightning Dust noticed a bright glare in her eyes. The rest of the room was bathed in a bright light as well.

'Wait.....I'm a bucking idiot!'

Lightning Dust quickly lifted herself on top of the desk behind her, maintaining eye contact with Dash as she proceeded. Standing on her hind legs, Lightning Dust placed her left leg on the back edge of the desk. As soon as she found firm purchase with her rear leg, she flipped backwards off of the desk, propelling herself with her right leg, whilst launching the desk at Rainbow Dash, knocking the surprised mare over. As Lightning Dust fell backwards, she raised her front hooves over her head and braced for the impending impact.

*Glass shattering

Lightning Dust flared her wings and quickly rolled herself upright, flying away from the newly broken window as fast as her wings could carry her. She didn't make it far before a low, deep air raid alarm began to boom over the pa system. Lightning Dust began to panick once more as she saw several squadrons of pegasi hurtling towards her. Obviously her spectacular show of breaking out of Spitfires window was a little too showy, since now half the academy knew who the alarm was for.

Lightning Dust banked to the left to narrowly dodge a trainer who got to close, causing him to smack into the ground below. As several more pegasi drew near, Lightning Dust banked towards the mess hall, quickly tucking in her wings to slip through the partially opened front doors. As soon as she had room, she unfurled her wings once more, zooming past surprised pegasi, and knocking a few over in the process. Lightning Dust quickly turned out of the entry hallway and into the main dining hall. Her eyes grew in shock as she saw an entire table of wonderbolts scatter and take up positions around the dining hall. Lightning Dust hovered where she was for a second, eyes scanning the room for a way out. Several pegasi appeared in the doorway around her.

"Stand down, we have you surrounded!"

Lightning Dust continued searching frantically, her eyes finally stopping on Soarin. As the two made eye contact, a crazy idea popped into Lightning Dust's head.

'Sorry Soarin, but I'm about to make you look stupid.'

Soarin stared back at her, his eyes showing confusion at the grin forming on Lightning Dust's face. Suddenly, the mare bolted for him, accelerating extremely fast. Soarin smiled. This mare actually thought she could tackle him. She was about to be proven otherwise. As he readied himself for the mares impact,Lightning Dust reared back and tucked her wings in at the last second, causing her to land on her back. She continued sliding right between Soarins legs, winking coyly at the baffled stallion as he watched her slip by. As soon as Lightning Dust slid out from underneath the table behind Soarin, she pushed back with her wings, propelling herself face forward into a window at the back of the dining hall. Upon clearing the jagged glass of the window frame, Lightning Dust began flying towards the southern end of the field. She looked back to see several pegasi finally exiting the mess hall to pursue her. They were way to far behind to cath he-.

*Smack!

Lightning Dust spiraled out of control and smacked into the dizzitron. She tried to stand and take flight again, but as soon as she opened her wing, she screamed in pain. It was broken, and whatever hit her was to blame. Lightning Dust looked up to see Rainbow Dash glaring at her, her face slightly bruised from smacking into Lightning Dust so hard, but otherwise the mare was uninjured. Lightning Dust tried to backpedal, but only managed to smack into the dizzitron behind her. Rainbow Dash closed the distance quickly, grabbing Lightning Dust by her collar and bringing them face to face.

"You couldn't be the best, so you had to try and take out the competition! Was that it?! Was I the next pony you were going to slaughter?! Answer me!"

*Smack

Lightning Dust brought a hoof up to cover her face in case Rainbow Dash tried to smack her again. Her cheek now red from the hit, Lightning Dust looked back to Dash, her eyes pleading to the young mare.

"Rainbow I-I didn't kill her! It wasnt me-"

*Ooof

Lightning Dust curled over in pain, her stomach screaming at her to do something, anything to get her away from the enraged mare before her.

"Don't you dare lie to me! You wanted her dead! She took away your dream so you went and took her life!"

Lightning Dust weakly raised her head to stare into Dash's rose colored irises.

"Dash, you have to-" *wheez* "-believe me! It wasn't me!"

*Smack

Lightning Dust went flying into the dizzitron once more, her jaw aching from Dash's last punch. As the prismatic mare began walking towards Lightning Dust, she raised her head weakly and looked around, hoping for something to get her out of her current situation. Her eyes stopped when she saw a red latch hooked onto the backside of the dizzitron. She tilted her head slightly to read the writing on the latch.

EMERGENCY RELEASE

Rainbow Dash closed in, now only a few feet away from Lightning Dust. She stared down at the mare, still fully enraged.

"Now your even too afraid to make eye contact with me? Face me you coward!"

As Dash drew close she lowered a hoof to grab Lightning Dust by her mane.

*zzzzzzZZZZZZ FWUUUM

Rainbow Dash's vision blurred and faded to black as she collapsed on the ground. After all, getting an uppercut from a massive metal tilt-a-whirl wasn't something one simply "walked off".

Lightning Dust held on to the dizzitrons safety harness for dear life. Her vision was a massive spinning blur, but she could make out the mass of ponies heading towards her from the mess hall. She took a deep breath.

'I only have one shot at this, if I release too early I get launched into the sky and fall to my death. Too late and the janitors will have one doozy of a mess to clean off of the ground.'

Lightning Dust closed her eyes and began silently counting off.

'One, two, three, one, two,.......Three!'

Lightning Dust released her grip on the device and felt a second of weightlessness overtake her. After a few seconds of air time, she opened her eyes to find the ground racing by below her. Very close below her. She looked up to find the southern cliff approaching her rather quickly. Panic began to set in as Lightning Dust tried to slow her approach, only succeeding in further hurting her broken wing and causing her to spin uncontrollably. As she approached the cliff, she could barely make out a small grey figure directly in her path.

*Thwop

Two screaming mares fell from the side of the cliff, too entangled in one another to break free. As they fell, Lightning Dust could only make out a blur flying past the two. It wasn't long before she realized this blur was actually the side of the mountain the academy rested on top of. Feeling completely helpless, Lightning Dust closed her eyes and awaited the inevitable doom that the bottom of the mountain would bring.

--------------

Derpy Hooves continued screaming loudly as the world spun by her. She tried unfurling her wings, but couldn't due to the mail satchel strap wrapped around her barrel. She quickly set to work attempting to rip the strap off of her body, her teeth beginning to tear at the strap a little. After a few more seconds of gnawing, the strap snapped in two, causing Derpy's wings to quickly unfurl. She began beating downwards with as much force as possible, attempting to right her decent. She quickly realized something was wrong. She felt a heavy tugging around her waist. She looked down to find the pegasus that ran into her earlier that day clinging to her for dear life, one wing hanging limp and bloody at her side. Derpy knew she couldn't lift both of them, so she did the only thing she could think of. She began flapping her wings away from the mountainside, guiding the two's decent towards the forest below. With the forest rapidly approaching, Derpy flapped with all her might, closing her eyes as she prepared for the inevitable impact.

*Smack

*Bang

*Crack

--------------

Derpy Hooves slowly opened her eyes, her vision fading in and out of darkness. Once she could stand, she looked around groggily, taking in her new surroundings. She was surrounded by a dark forest, small rays of light piercing through the canopy overhead. The chirps of birds and various other animals could be heard all around. Derpy looked at herself and was relieved to find that she had no serious injuries. But there was blood, lots of blood. She looked around again, her eyes finally resting on the mangled aqua green body of the mare that had tackled her off of the cliff. Her messy orangish-blond mane matted with blood. Her left wing bent well out of its normal shape, blood pooling from the wound.

"I think they crashed over here!"

"Are you sure? I could've swore that the murderer landed more in this direction?"

Derpy's throat clenched in fear as she heard the two pagasi above speaking.

'Murderer? I'm down here alone with a murderer?!'

Derpy quickly cupped her hooves over her mouth to scream out at the guards. Before she could utter a single syllable, an aqua hoof came over her mouth, silencing her. She turned frantically to find the mare from earlier standing shakily behind her. As they made eye contact, Derpy began whimpering softly.

'I don't want to dieidontwanttodiei-'

As their eyes met, Derpy stared straight into the mares amber irises, her breath catching short. She had never seen such a look of fear on another ponies face. Her eyes were bloodshot, clearly showing the pain and fear the made felt. Suddenly the mares knees gave in, causing her to collapse, freeing up Derpy's mouth once again. Derpy backed away and began to turn around to scream for help once more. She stopped as she made eye contact with the mare once again. By this point the mare was sobbing uncontrollably, tears pouring down her face as she looked into Derpy's eyes.

"P-please d-don't....." *whimper* "-he-help me..."

With these last words and a final, pathetic whimper, the mare collapsed, the pain finally too much for her to bear. Derpy blinked once at the sight, her heart wrenching in its place.

*Sigh

She knew what she had to do.

"Hey! Down here! I found the murderer!"

--------------

Evasion and Deceit

Snowstorm bent over to examine Spitfires body more closely. Her deep blue eyes scanned every inch of the fiery mare's mangled remains, taking mental notes on anything of interest. As she let her mind sift through the details, she glanced up to find Ashfire casually grazing through the books on the various shelves in the office. Sighing, the white mare stood up.

"You hoping to find a hidden stash of clop or something? The body's over here."

Ashfire glanced back, as if just taking notice of the rest of the room for the first time.

"No, but if I did I'd love to share it with you, if that's what your worried about."

He cast a sly grin before returning his attention to the bookshelf.

"Besides, just because the body's over there doesn't mean there won't be other clues to find, you know that."

Snowstorm continued inspecting the body. Her eyes drifted to the smear across the floor, indicating it had been dragged from the desk to the wall, a few feet to the left.

"Yeah, Ash, I know. But that's assuming there's missing pieces to the story. Judging by the sheer number of ponies that came in here and saw that green mare covered in Spitfire's blood, I'd say it's pretty clear what happened."

Ashfire nodded his head in agreement, his muzzle stuck between two books, checking for Celestia knows what.

"Hey! I found her limited edition copy of Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Statue! Dibs!"

SMACK!

"Ash....put the damn book back where you got it. Let's try to be respectful to the mare that just died."

Although her voice was muffled due to her speaking through the hoof she had just smacked to her face, Ashfire smiled sheepishly and placed the book back gently.

"Hey, at least I was the one that got along with her! You and her just fought every time you spoke."

Ashfire quickly retorted, now turning his attention to browsing through the various files situated on Spitfires desk. Snowstorm sighed before turning back to the murder victim. Gears turning in her head, she continued to piece together her theory.

"We....well we didn't really get along, true, but that doesn't mean I didn't respect the Tartarus out of that mare. It takes one heck of a pony to be the commander of the Wonderbolts. We just....clash on a professional level. So yeah....I am a little saddened to see her gone."

Ashfire cocked his head, throwing a confused glance at her. Noticing this, Snowstorm quickly looked back to Spitfire's body. Ashfire smiled coyly before returning to the files.

"Never thought of you as the sentimental type Snow.....personally I thought you'd be somewhat relieved that that green mare took Spitfire out...."

Snowstorm threw a horrified glance at Ashfire. His eyes grew wide.

"Ash! That's horrible!"

"No! No I didn't mean it like that! Just in the sense that you wouldn't have to constantly deal with her anymore! Not in the sense that you wanted her dead or anything! I'm sad she's dead too!"

Snowstorm continued to glare at him. Ashfire smiled back.

"So it's a couch night then?"

"I'm gonna kill you."

"Should I start packing my stuff to move out?"

"Your a dead stallion, I hope you know that Ash."

"Yes honey....."

Snowstorms eye twitched. Ashfire continued grinning like an idiot to spite her.

"Still mad?"

CLANG!

"Owwwww!!!! Mother bucker!"

Ashfire fell to the floor in a fit of hysterics as Snowstorm began cradling her now red forehoof.

"HAHAHAHAHA! I can't believe you just tried to smack me upside the head with my helmet on! HAHAHAHA-OOOOF!"

Ashfire curled into a fetal position, holding his now sore(and previously unarmored) stomach. Slowly, the downed stallion began to stand up, wheezing from the kick Snowstorm had just delivered. As the two ponies were recovering, the distinct sound of somepony clearing their throat behind the two could be heard. Both ponies immediately turned around to find Soarin glaring at them. They immediately stood up and began to offer apologies, only to be silenced by a raised hoof. Soarin walked into the office and closed the door, turning to stare directly at the two guardsponies.

"I see that you two are making quite the progress in your examination." He stated dryly.

"Sorry, we were just wrapping things up in here. How are things with the rest of the Wonderbolts?"

"They are in the final stages of the wartime conversion, so you don't need to worry about the academy's readiness for battle."

"That's not quite what I meant Lieutenant Soari-"

"That's Commander Soarin to you, Lieutenant. I'll expect you to remember that. Since the late Commander Spitfire is no longer fit for duty, I'm in charge of this post and this outfit."

Taken aback by the sudden change of demeanor in Soarin, Snowstorm cast a questioning glance to Ashfire, who just shrugged in response.

"Commander Soarin, as I was saying, I wasn't asking about the academy's preparedness level. I was asking how the psyche of the Wonderbolts is after losing their loved and respected leader."

"That's of no concern to you, Lieutenant. Now please, hurry up and be on your way. This is now my office, and I'd love to....clean the place up."

"As you wish Commander."

Snowstorm took one last look around the office, and then headed for the door, motioning for Ashfire to follow. As the two cleared the door, a pair of ponies carrying a bodybag entered the room and shut the door.

"Well, he was awfully broken up about all of this...."

Snowstorm glanced over at Ashfire, who just shrugged again before walking towards the front door. She followed alongside him, matching his pace quickly.

"Ash....anything seem off to you about all of this?"

"You want the shortened version, or the unabridged version of what I think is off?"

"Hmm, glad to see your noticing these things too."

"Frankly, I'm not sure how that green mare that killed Spitfire got away with a broken wing. And the fact that she's still evading these guys is beyond me. The Wonderbolts are supposed to be the best flyers in Equestria. So seeing as how things has turned out...I'm a little disappointed."

"I wasn't talking about the fact that that green mare made these guys look like a bunch of chickens, Ash. I'm talking about the fact that the green mare didn't kill Spitfire."

Ashfire tripped on his hooves and faceplanted into the cloud floor. Upon recovering, he gave Snowstorm a bewildered look.

"Snow, that's an awfully bold statement. What makes you think that?"

Snowstorm stopped Ashfire and pulled him into a nearby vacant dormroom. Closing the door, she turned to him with a serious look on her face.

"Ash, I don't know who or what killed Spitfire, but it wasn't the pony everyone's after. She was framed. That much is clear to me."

"How could you possibly know that?"

"Because, when I was looking at the body I noticed something very distinct. Her legs weren't broken with a blunt object, they were kicked. Somepony used their own arms and/or legs to snap Spitfires legs. They would have had to to get the kind of break they did. Plus, there wasn't any murder weapon used, and the mare accused wouldn't have had any time to hide one."

"So just because she used her own hooves to snap Spitfires legs....she.....she.....Ohhhhhhhh I see where this is going. The green mare wouldn't have been physically capable of doing that. She's just not strong enough, it wouldn't be possible."

"Exactly, I couldn't even snap the bones like that, I'd need a sledgehammer or something. But the break was by organic means."

"Well how do you know it was done by bare hooves and not a hammer of some sort? Whoever else would have had to do it obviously got out of there in time, so whatever weapon they used went with them, leaving Lightning Dust to take the blame."

"I know it was organic because I found white hairs on Spitfires body. Lightning Dust has no white fur, nor does Spitfire. Someponies hoof came in contact with Spit's body when they broke, causing their coat hairs to rub off."

"So what? Some super buff white pony did it?"

"........"

"You don't think-"

"No it wasnt Snowflake."

"I mean he fits the description-"

"He was sitting right behind you in the mess hall when this happened!"

"Oooooohhhhhh yeah........."

"Anyways, let's get back to our com guy so we can debrief the princess on what's happened. And we don't know for sure, so at the moment Lightning Dust is just gonna have to continue taking the blame. Also, keep an eye on Soarin....he's not acting normal...."

The two ponies silently nodded to each other before editing the room, now making their way towards the makeshift shack they built on the southernmost cloud platform of the academy.

Meanwhile, back at Spitfire's old office, Soarin paced back and forth in front of his desk while the two ponies finished zipping up the black bodybag. As the two made their way out and closed the door, two bright emerald fires flared up on either side of the room. As they died, two black chitnous creatures stood at attention, their bright blue eyes vigilant. One began to speak softly, it's voice reverbing as it spoke.

"Your orders sir?"

"Make sure to keep an eye on those four guardsponies in the complex. I wouldn't worry too much about the two in gold armor, their just escorts. Watch the two in the gold and silver trim armor. They're special forces, and I don't want them blowing our cover early. Also, whos in charge of the conversion force?"

The other changeling took a step forward, bowing slightly.

"Me, your liege."

"Ah, convienient. How's the conversion process going?"

"We have barely begun, with you being one of the first changelings placed. We have captured and replaced a few of the drill instructors, as well as a few of the wallflower trainees. The less social ones won't be missed easily. We have several more changelings in place, but it will still be at least a week before we have total conversion, ig were careful."

The Soarin changeling nodded his head, turning to look out the window.

"The captured ponies, where have they been sent?"

"An underground cavern located a few miles south of here. There's a tunnel at the base of this mountain we built connecting to it. They've all been placed in stasis, so they are harmless now."

"Good. One more question. Where's the vollblütig commando Germaneigh sent? I haven't seen him since I relayed his orders to frame that green mare."

"You need to be more observant dummkopf, it may just save your life one day."

The Soarin changeling turned to the sound of the new voice, instantly recognizing the hulking white figure suddenly fading into visibility on the far side of the room.

"You really should stop speaking in Gerneighan to me. I might get the urge to actually try and learn the language if your not careful."

The white figure gave a low chuckle before replying.

"It means fool, General Nighthorn."

"Please, refrain from calling me that while I'm in disguise. I need to keep in character after all. And I assure you, while I may not be able to see through your cloaking devices, I am no fool. If I wanted to know where the Emperor's mighty vollblütig was every second of the day, I'd know. I can promise you that."

"You changelings talk a big game. Let's hope your plan here works. My emperor would be very displeased if you were to fail. Therefore, failure would not be wise."

The changeling general cocked an eyebrow at the vollbutig's warnings. He turned his attention to the stack of papers on his desk, sifting through them.

"So 'Soarin', are your people still keeping track of the pieces to the Equestrian super weapon?"

Nighthorn looked up to the vollblütig, clearly irritated by his continued presence.

"Yes, we are. Two of the pieces are currently here in the academy. The rest are in their normal location, save for one. It's currently en route to the Crystal City, no doubt to aid in the defense of the Northern border. Now could you please return to whatever it is you do around here? I have to keep this paperwork flowing or else somepony will start to suspect something's up."

"Very well, but I'll be keeping in touch. Ihr ein Idiot zu übersetzen, diese."

The vollblütig placed a hoof on his chest, activating his cloak. He shimmered out of sight immediately, making no sound to signify that he was now gone. Nighthorn stared at the spot he used to be in for a second, wondering how such a large pony in full armor could walk around without making noise. The cloaking device only covered visibility....so how....? Nighthorn shook his head, clearing his thoughts. He pointed a hoof at the changeling to his left, then to the one on his right.

"You, go and oversee the conversion forces. You, get a Gerneighan dictionary and tell me what that vollblütig just said."

The two changelings jumped to action, the first bursting into emerald flames and disappearing completely, while the second went to a bookshelf and began browsing the shelf. After about ten minutes of looking through Spitfire's surprisingly vast collection of books, the changeling found a Gerneighan dictionary and began flipping through pages. Nighthorn continued filing papers and filling out academy forms until the changeling started snickering under his breath. Irritated, the changeling general looked up to the drone.

"Drone, I assume that your snickering means you've translated it. What did he say?"

"Uhmmmm.....are you sure you want me to tell you general?"

"I will have your wings ripped off and shoved down your throat you whelp. Tell me now."

The drone jumped to attention in the blink of an eye, anxious to keep his wings right where they were.

"He said your an idiot for translating this sentence, general."

The general facehooved.

"Ugh....those Gerneighans have a strange sense of humor....very well, your dismissed drone."

Lightning Dust stared down at the lifeless body of Spitfire, blood pooling over the dark carpet floor. She began to shakily reach out a hoof, slowly lowering it towards the lifeless mare in front of he. Just then she heard a deep cackling coming from the shadows on the far end of the room. Like a misty shadow, the massive hulking creature from earlier arose from the darkness. Her vision blurry from the past tears shed, Lightning Dust could just barely make out the form of the creature. It's massive white body was heavily muscled and toned, with sleek black armor covering its chest and shoulders. It had the basic shape and form of a pony as well, albiet with two major differences. It had massive white claws sprouting from its hooves, each one slick and sharpened to a point. Even more frightening were the razor sharp teeth glistening between the creatures gaping maw, which was spread open in a bloodcurdling smile. Lightning Dust was frozen in fear, not a single muscle in her body would move, no matter how much she silently pleaded. Her heart began thumping rapidly in her chest, growing to a pace so quick it threatened to burst from her chest and fly right into the creatures gaping jaw, saving him the work of doing it himself. The creature began slowly stalking towards her, it's white claws tearing the carpet as it walked. As it drew closer, Lightning Dust could see two golden irises, it's eyes, glaring at her maliciously. By now, the creature was only a fee feet away. Lightning Dust closed her eyes, finally giving in to fate.

'I was going to be a Wonderbolt. I was supposed to be the best....Mom....I'm so sorry....'

Lightning Dust seized up as she felt a hoof pressed against her chest. She slowly opened her eyes, not yet ready to face the hungry maw of the beast. Instead, she found herself peering into the bright orange irises of Spitfire. The fiery mare's face was mere inches away, her eyes locked with Lightning Dust's. Spitfire leaned in closer, and began to whisper.

"You have to....."

Lightning Dust strained her ears, trying to hear what she was saying.

"What? What do I have to do?"

Spitfire continued whispering.

"Wake.....you have to wa....."

"I-I don't understand! What do you want me to do?"

"Wake up."

"I'm not asleep! Spitfire there's a monster in here! It's gonna kill us!"

"You have to wake up."

"I'm not asleep!"

"WAKE UP!"

"AHHHHHHHHHH!"

SMACK!

"Owww! Hey watch it! That hurt my nose!"

Lightning Dust held a hoof gingerly to her now aching nose. She looked up to see a grey pegasus mare doing the same, just a few feet away. The two mares locked eyes, or, Lightning Dust attempted to at least. This was made rather difficult due to the fact that only one of the mares golden irises was pointed in her direction. The other one was looking somewhere towards the ceiling.

'Wait....a ceiling?'

Lightning Dust took a second to figure out her surroundings, while still keeping a cautious eye towards the mare in front of her. The two were sitting on a hard dirt floor, surrounded by rough stone walls and a ceiling. A small opening to the outside was a few feet behind the mare, allowing soft rays of moonlight to pour in. The cave, as Lightning Dust had finally figured, was jut small enough for the two mares to lay down in with just enough room to be comfortable. A small lamp was next to the grey mare, creating a warm glow thought the small space. Lightning Dust looked back up to the mare, who was still eying her cautiously. She was obviously the mare that she had bumped into earlier outside of the administration building. She raised an eyebrow at the grey pony, who suddenly scrunched up her nose and smiled idiotically at Lightning Dust.

"Uhhhhhh.....hey?"

"Hiya! How's your wing feeling?"

"My wing? What do you-Oww!"

Lightning Dust reached back to feel the now aching wing-joint. She found it bandaged to her side, as it had obviously broken during her earlier escape. She looked back up to the walleyed mare, questioningly.

"Did you bandage my wing?"

"Yep! I also treated the cuts on your legs!"

She smiled happily at Lightning Dust, who began to check her body more thoroughly. She was surprised to find that the majority of her injuries were only slight, and even those had been treated and were quickly healing. She turned back over to find the other mare rummaging through her mail satchel. After a few seconds, said mare produced a small brown bag containing what looked to be the remnants of a packed lunch. She placed it in front of Lightning Dust and smiled.

"Sorry, it's not much, but it should be nice to eat something right?"

Lightning Dust looked down at the food, then back up to the mare. She was about to question her when her stomach let out a loud rumbling noise. The grey mare shook her head and pointed a hoof down at the food.

"Eat. Now."

Lightning Dust wanted to say more, but a walleyed glare from the mare silenced any further inquisitions she may have had. She began to rummage through the sack, finding half of a hay and tulip sandwich wrapped in plastic. She quickly unwrapped it and devoured it whole, moving on to the next item on the menu. It was a small baggie of apple slices, with a cup of caramel for dipping. Lightning Dust settled for eating the slices plain, as she wasnt fond of caramel (The food, not the pony).

"You gonna eat that caramel?"

"Uh-uh."

Lightning Dust reeled back a little when she dove for the caramel cup and began licking it clean. Making a "Bleh!", she pulled the last item out of the bag. It was a blueberry muffin. While it wasn't quite fresh, it was very aromatic, and soon had Lightning Dust drooling.

'This mare's muffin smells amazing.'

Just as she moved to eat it, she heard a small sniffle to her right. Looking over, she saw that the walleyed mare was tearing up a bit, looking sadly at the muffin. Feeling a slight tinge of guilt, Lightning Dust cleared her throat, drawing the mares attention away from the baked treat.

"Ummm, you wanna share the muffinNNNNNNNN!"

Lightning Dust gasped for air as she was brought into the most aggressively intense bear hug imaginable. She began to kick her hooves in an attempt to free herself.

"Oh yesyesyesyes! I'd love to share the muffin with you this is the nicest thing anyponies ever done for me! Thank you!"

"Air....."

"Huh? What was that?"

"Need.....air....."

"Oh! Sorry."

Releasing her from the hug, Lightning Dust fell to the ground gasping. The walleyed mare backed away, smiling sheepishly. After catching her breath, Lightning Dust stood up and picked up the muffin she dropped, wiping the dirt off of it. She split it in two, and silently offered the bigger half to the other mare, not wanting to induce any more crying and/or bear hugs of death. As the two munched silently on their food, Lightning Dust recounted the events of the previous day, or at least she hoped it was only a day ago. She had been ready to quit the academy after Rainbow Dash stole her position of lead pony. She was about to sign the dismissal papers, even. But then that giant white monster had attacked, with it's sharp teeth and claws.....No, it didn't have claws, that was just her dream messing with her. It was a very large white pony, wearing black armor. It could phase in and out of visibility....was that magic? That would mean it was a unicorn. But Lightning Dust was pretty sure it had wings, which means it wouldn't be a unicorn as well, so no magic.....

Lightning Dust shook her head, moving on to the next events of that day. She was framed for Spitfires death, and promptly chased through the academy. She chuckled as she remembered how she had made Soarin look like an idiot, slipping right between his hooves. Then she had a huge lead on her pursuers, until Dash knocked her to the ground. Breaking her wing. She remembered escaping a frenzied and murderous Rainbow Dash with the dizzitron. Lightning Dust hoped she didn't hurt Dash too bad with the knock on the head the dizzitron had delivered. Then she was launched off the mountain and into the forest below, dragging the poor mare next to her along for the ride....So, why was she now hidden safely in a cave, with food and medical care, by a mare she didn't even know the name of. Lightning Dust looked up to the mare in question, finding her looking back, albiet in a more comically goofy manner.

"Sooo.....why did you help me, miss....?

"Oh! You can just call me Derpy!"

Take back by the mares overly cheerful mannerisms, Lightning Dust pressed on.

"Ok Derpy, I'm Lightning Dust. So why did you help me?"

"I helped you because you asked me to!"

Derpy continued smiling innocently at Lightning Dust.

"Ok....but I meant why would you help me? I mean you must have heard by now. I'm a cold blooded killer!"

Lightning Dust added as much sarcasm as ponily possible to her last sentence. Derpy began to giggle, further confusing Lightning Dust.

"I helped you because I know you didn't do it, Dusty! I couldn't just let some poor pony be arrested for being innocent!"

Completely at a loss for words, Lightning Dust struggled to find something to say to the mare. Derpy just smiled sincerely at Lightning Dust.

"B-but how could you possibly know any of that?"

"Because when I was about to call the guards you begged me to help you. And when I looked into your eyes I knew you were innocent! Simple as that! So I called the guards down and told them you hit me and ran off somewhere to the northern woods! Then it was just a matter of dragging your overly athletic flank to this cave in the southern woods!"

Derpy's last few sentences were dripping with irritation, telling Lightning Dust that it wasn't easy for the mare to drag her here.

"Okay.....but how did you know I was innocent? You didn't see what happened?"

"I saw it in your eyes. You don't have the eyes of a killer, Dusty."

"Don't call me Dusty please. And have you ever looked into the eyes of a killer?"

"Oh Celestia I hope not! That would be scary!"

THWOP

Lightning Dust lowered her hoof from her face and stared back at the bubbly mare.

"Derpy, then how would you even know?"

"Because, Lighty D., I've always been an excellent judge of innocence. I guess it's just a gift!"

Lightning Dust was about to make a retort, but was silenced by a deadpan stare from Derpy.

"Was I wrong?"

"Well no...but-"

"Then stop worrying about it Lighty D.!"

"Ugh....fine, but don't call me that ether!"

"It's either Dusty or Lighty D. Pick one now because I'm not going to say Lightning Dust every time I want to address you. Ain't nopony got time fo dat!"

"But-"

"Aint nopony got time!"

"Ugh, well I'm gonna start calling you Derp then! How's that?!"

A look of hurt crossed Derpy's walleyed face. Tears began to form in the corners of her eyes.

"A-are you making fun of my eyes? It's not nice-"sniff"-to make fun of someponies disabilities!"

Derpy turned away from the "offending mare", clearly hurt. Lightning Dust smacked a hoof to her face. There was clearly no winning with this mare.

"Derpy I'm sorry, you can call me Dusty if you want."

Derpy didn't turn around, but straightened up a bit.

"You-you really mean it?"

"Yes, I'm sorry. Truly, I am."

Derpy lunged at Lightning Dust and embraced her in another rib-crushing bear hug. After a few moments she let go of her and backed up to her original spot in the cave. Lightning Dust shook herself off and looked over to the mare.

"So, Derpy, where are we exactly?"

"A cave in the southern forests. You know, the ones that surround the academy!"

"This cave seems awfully convienient though...."

"That's because I knew it was here! I stopped to take a break during a flight run and found it a few months back! Kind of an accident really."

Lightning Dust looked around the cave curiously, before standing up and stretching her aching joints. She started towards the mouth of the cave, only to have Derpy place a hoof against her chest, a worried look on her face.

"Don't worry Derpy, I'm just taking a look around. I won't go far."

"Ok, just be careful. They've been running patrols all day to try and find you. Luckily, this cave is pretty well hidden."

Lightning Dust poked her head outside of the cave, the cool night air stinging her face. Looking up, one could gaze upon Luna's endless night sky, the stars dotting the vast black sea. The moon cast a soft light over the surrounding area. Lightning Dust looked around, noting that they were in a small clearing, clustered with rocks and boulders. Just a few feet out, trees began to dot the ground, rising well above the cave mouth. The clearing was small enough to allow for the cave to form, while the trees around it obscured the mouth from anypony passing by, effectively cloaking the hiding spot. A small stream to her left allowed for a ready source of water for the cave's inhabitants. Lightning Dust turned back into the cave and looked at her unlikely savior. Said mare was busy using the glow from her little lamp to make hoof shadows on the far wall. She was happily preoccupied, her nose scrunching up now and then in a goofy smile. Lightning Dust let out a quiet giggle.

'Its almost cute the way she does that.....'

Lightning Dust shook her head, clearing her thoughts. She couldn't afford to be distracted. She had to find out what her next course of action was. She thought back to what Spitfire had said before she died. Something about finding the Crimson Brotherhood. Whatever it was, Lightning Dust had no idea how or where to find it. Spitfire also said she was supposed to warn them about the academy being compromised, but compromised by what? Lightning Dust sat on the ground and let out a sigh. Here she was, wanted for murder, stuck with a strange mailmare she had never met before, and tasked with finding some brotherhood that she knew nothing about. By this point Lightning Dust wished that her only problem was her failure at becoming a Wonderbolt. At least then her life wasn't at stake. Also, what if that thing that killed Spitfire comes after her to finish the job? That could be problematic....

"Hey, Dusty! Is everything ok? You look sad."

Lightning Dust looked up to see an expression of sincerity on Derpy's face. She gave a weak smile in return.

"Yeah, I'm ok Derpy. Just thinking about some stuff."

"You wanna talk about it?"

"No, not right now."

Lightning Dust cringed when Derpy began to pout at her rejection.

"But....uhhhhh....we can talk about other stuff if you want."

Derpy immediately began smiling again, her nose scrunching up.

"Okay! Whaddya wanna talk about?"

"Well, actually, I was wanting to know a bit more about you. Mainly why you'd risk going to prison to help out a pony accused of murder."

"Oh! Well that's simple! You needed help, so I helped you!"

"Not that I'm not grateful for you or anything, but how come you don't just leave right now while your still unassociated with me? I'd be fine from here, thanks to your medical treatment."

"Oh....I-I mean if you don't want me around anymore I can go...."

"No no Derpy, I'm not asking you to leave, I'm just saying you can if you want to. I wouldn't be mad at you. No need to ruin both our lives."

Derpy looked at the ground, clearly saddened.

"Well I'm not worried about ruining my life....I've already done a good job of that lately...."

"How so?"

"Id rather not talk about it....if you don't mind."

"That's fine Derpy."

"Thanks. But anyways, if you don't mind my company I think I'd like to stay with you here a little longer, until you leave. If that's fine with you....."

Lightning Dust was surprised at how relieved she was that Derpy wanted to stay with her. After all, she had only just met this mare. Why was she already feeling fond of her?

"Id love to have your company Derpy. It'll be a while until I can fly again. I'll probably start walking in a few days....don't know where to though. I just need to get away from here."

"Why don't you try to clear your name?"

"Because the only lead I have is something I've never heard of before. I don't even know if the Crimson Brotherhood even exists, or if it was just the hallucinations of a dying mare."

"Oh! I remember one time when I was delivering mail to this one pony, I accidentally read one of her letters thinking it was a resturaunt menu and tried to order a Crimson Brotherhood, but then the waiter told me I wasn't looking at one of their menus and-"

"Wait, what? What did just you say Derpy?"

"Oh, we'll I said I read a letter thinking it was a resturaunt menu. The letter fell from my satchel onto the table and I opened it thinking it was some fancy prepackaged menu! Turns out, it wasnt!"

"No Derpy, I mean what did you try to order?"

"Oh, a Crimson Brotherhood? It also had some fancy Prench word after it. Like, metíngee, or something."

Lightning Dust facehoofed.

"Derpy, I think it was meeting....not Prench."

"Ohhhhhhh. Well I wasn't able to see very well that day anyways, my face was swollen from an allergic reaction to some watermelon. Which would explain why I confused that letter for a menu...."

"Derpy, focus."

"Oh right! Whad you wanna know?"

"Who was the letter going to?"

Derpy tapped her chin thoughtfully, her eyes straightening out for once as she concentrated. After a few seconds, her eyes lit up, then slowly drifted out of sync once more.

"Oh I remember! It was going to a mare's house in Baltimare!"

Lightning Dust tapped a hoof to her chin, thoughtful.

"Derpy, do you remember this mares address?"

"Yeah.....why?"

"Because I'm going to pay her a visit."

"What?! Baltimare is on the other side of Equestria from here?! Why do you need to find out about this Crimson Brotherhood all of a sudden?"

The concern was obvious on Derpy's face. Lightning Dust was a little stricken with guilt, realizing that for some reason, this mare that she had just met cared quite a bit for her well being.

"I was there when she died....Spitfire. Her last words to me were a request that I find the Crimson Brotherhood and warn them....about something. I don't really know, Derpy. But these ponies....if they are ponies, might just be the only way to clear my name. So I have to find them, and now thanks to you, I have a lead."

Derpy looked down at the cave floor sadly for a moment. Suddenly her head snapped back up, a hopeful look on her face.

"Ok....but I'm coming with you!"

"Thanks for understanding now-Wait what?! Derpy, you can't! You have a life to live, you can't ruin yours by following around a wanted criminal that you just met!"

"I don't care if I just met you, I want to help you! Besides, my life wasn't all sunshine and daisies before I met you. I had no friends, I was about to lose my home in Ponyville if I missed anymore payments, and after today I won't have a job to make those payments. I really don't have anything to go back to Dusty. I was depressed and crying when you knocked me off that cliff. Now I actually have somepony to call a friend, and a way I can help her out. The way I see it, this is a lot more important to both of us than you realize...."

A few tears could be seen forming on the corners of Derpy's eyes. Lightning Dust couldn't help but feel bad for the walleyed mare. After all, her own life was going downhill almost as fast as Lightning Dust's had this past day. She walked over and hugged Derpy lightly, who in return hugged her back tightly.

'Why do I feel so bad for this mare. She's been amazingly helpful, sure, but I did just meet her......Hmmmm, maybe some help wouldn't be so bad on the road after all.'

The two mares hugged, while Lightning Dust just stared over Derpy's shoulder, unsure of what was next to come.

Rainbow Dash let out a low groan as she became aware of the massive headache she currently possessed. A slight shuffling next to her caused her to open her eyes, slowly but surely. She found herself looking into the worried eyes of Fluttershy, who was sitting beside her holding her right hoof tightly.

"Dashie....are you ok? How does your head feel?"

Rainbow Dash raised her free hoof to feel her aching head. Other than a small bump, which was bandaged, everything felt normal. She then looked around the small room the two of them were in. It was obviously in the academies infirmary, as Rainbow Dash could see the cloud structures nestled around the mountain through the small window behind Fluttershy. The beeping of the machinery hooked to her was constant, and very annoying. Rainbow Dash looked down her body to find a few wires connected to various pads on her body, monitoring her pulse and condition. She laid her head back down on the soft pillow, letting out a long sigh. Looking over to Fluttershy, Dash could see the concern in her friends face. Reassuringly, she placed a hoof on the yellow mares shoulder and smiled.

"I'm ok Flutters, don't worry. Ummm, but if you don't mind me asking, what happened?"

"Oh....well that's good to hear Rainbow. I was so worried about you when they told me what happened. I've been here all day watching you, making sure you were taken care of properly."

"Thanks Fluttershy. But what happened? Why is there a big bump on my head? I don't remember what happened earlier today at all."

"You got hit on the head pretty hard when you were.....well you got knocked out. You've been unconscious ever since."

"What was I doing to get knocked out? I hope Spitfire isn't too mad I wasn't able to do much today. Oh, and how is Lightning Dust? I remember we were going to talk to her for some reason."

Fluttershy immediately hid her face behind her mane, cringing away from the question. Rainbow Dash immediately knew something was wrong. She reached out a hoof to turn Fluttershy's face back towards her own. Dash was surprised to find tears streaming down her friends face.

"Fluttershy, wh-what's wrong?"

"R-rainbow....you really don't remember what happened?"

Rainbows chest tightened. Nothing good could get Fluttershy this worked up, it would take something truly horrible to make her cry like this.

"No I don't remember....what happened?"

Fluttershy looked away, sobbing.

"Spitfires....she's......"

"What about her? What happened?"

Rainbow began to panic, the thought of anything happening to a pony she practically idolized was unbearable.

"She's dead Rainbow....."

Fluttershy lunged into Dash's chest, crying uncontrollably as she held onto her friend tightly. Rainbow just stared straight ahead, too shocked to think properly.

'No....no no no....Spitfire can't be....dead. It's not possible! It doesn't make any sense! How.....'

Tears began to form in the corners of Dash's eyes, the floodwaters threatening to burst through. She began to hug Fluttershy tightly, more for her own comfort than her friends. Fluttershy was still bawling into Rainbow's chest, leaving a dark wet spot in her cyan fur.

"How did it happen?"

Fluttershy seized up, not wanting to be the one to tell her friend the answer. Rainbow Dash pulled the yellow mare off of her chest and looked into her red and puffy eyes. Dash hated seeing her friend in such a state, but she had to know.

"Dash I'm sorry-"

"How did it happen?"

Fluttershy continued to look away, not wanting to make eye contact as she answered.

"She was murdered....."

Dash's heart began to pound, anger welling up inside of the prismatic mare. The mere thought of such a crime, especially against a pony like Spitfire, made Dash's blood boil.

"Fluttershy, who killed her."

Fluttershy did not answer right away. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out the best way to tell her friend. Slowly, she turned her eyes to face Rainbow Dash, tears streaming down the soft fur on her cheeks. It didn't take long for Rainbow Dash to read her friends expression. Dash's eyes grew wide, tears beginning to pour down her face as well.

"It wasn't....Fluttershy was it....Lightning Dust?"

Fluttershy silently nodded. Rainbow Dash laid her head back on her pillow, closing her eyes. She simply laid there, letting the tears flow freely. On a normal day, said mare would argue against crying, saying it was for babies. That she wasn't afraid of anything, and nothing could make her cry. This wasn't a normal day. The two mares laid together in the bed, holding one another as they cried, oblivious and uncaring for anything else in the world but the horrors they had been trough that day. Slowly, Fluttershy's sobs calmed down until all Dash could hear was a gentle breathing. Dash continued stroking her mane, while her emotions waged a silent war inside of her. She was torn in part by her sadness at losing her long time hero, but she also felt anger and rage at the one pony at the academy that she had once called a friend. Buck, she had respected Lightning Dust for her desire to always push herself harder and prove she was the best. Up until Lightning Dust had almost gotten her friends killed with that tornado, Dash had felt many doubts about her own abilities and desires. She had thought maybe Lightning Dust really was better than her, maybe she did deserve lead pony. Maybe Dash was meant to be a wingpony. That thought went against everything Rainbow Dash was, everything she believed in. Up until her friends were put in danger, Rainbow Dash was almost ready to give in to the doubt, and settle for second place. Rainbow Dash shuddered at the thought.

'Thats not you Dash! You were not meant for second place, and Spitfire was not meant to die!'

Rainbow Dash stared out her window into the cool night sky, resolving to settle things one way or another with Lightning Dust.

Snowstorm pushed open the door to the makeshift cloud shack that her escort ponies had commandeered for their stay at the academy. Looking around the small, single room building, she could make out the form of the two escort ponies they had brought with them. Snowstorm and Ashfire didn't need escorts for defensive purposes, they merely brought them along to help them carry and maintain the overly complicated comm system Celestia insist they field test from the academy. Snowstorm looked over to the system in question, a small satchel sized metal box plugged into a small dish attached to the outside wall of the shack. The comm terminal was a relatively new technology in Equestria, so the princess decided to humor her scientists and send a prototype of the system with Snowstorm and Ashfire. The two reluctantly agreed, on the terms that two solar guards would accompany them to carry it. Snowstorm paced up to the box, opening it with her hooves. Silently, Ashfire walked up behind her and sat on his haunches, watching the white mare curiously.

"So, did those grunts ever teach you to work this thing? I've only ever used it with their help."

"Ash, those grunts have names, and yes, I had Private Strong Gale teach me the basics. Him and Corporal Glimmer worked with the scientists on this project before the princess dumped it on us. Those two are actually extremely intelligent ponies, they're just low in rank is all."

"Meh, a smart grunts still a grunt. Besides, those R&D ponies never see any action, besides maybe a coffee cup falling and breaking in the lab."

"Hush Ash, they're jobs are important too.....someponys gotta man the office chairs."

The two veteran ponies chuckled as Snowstorm continued setting up the device. The box folded out into a display and a switchboard. The display contained a series of numbers and dials showing various frequency numbers. The switchboard allowed one to tune the device in to various channels, which in turn were connected to other devices across Equestria. Currently, due to the newness of the technology, only four of the comm boxes existed in the prototype stage. One was with Snowstorm and Ashfire, another in Canterlot, the third in the Crystal City, and the last one located in an Equestrian embassy in the Griffon Kingdom. Snowstorm smiled as the frequency locked, giving a soft beep to signify that she had indeed connected with the Canterlot comm box. After a few seconds of static from the speaker nestled in the switchboard, Snowstorm could hear a voice on the other end. Turning the volume up, the white mare began to speak.

"This is Delta Comm reporting in. Alpha Comm do you read me?"

"Delta Comm we read you loud and clear. What's your status?"

"Uhhhh....I'm ok I guess. How are you?"

"No! That's not what I was asking! I meant-ah never mind.....I'll have to write a manual on proper comm etiquette.....what do you want Snowstorm?"

"I'm calling to make a report to the princess, if you'd kindly put her on."

"Uhhhh....which one?"

"The one that assigned us the mission."

"........"

"Oh for the love of....just put Celestia on!"

"Uhh, how about Luna?"

"What? No, put Celestia on! This mission was on her orders, so we report to her!"

"Yeah....about that, Celestia went to the Crystal City to keep track of the standoff between the Gerneighan and Equestrian forces.....so she had Luna fill in for most of her duties, including keeping track of you guys over at the academy."

Snowstorm facehooved.

"Fine, put Luna on."

"Will do, just give me a few minutes to get her."

Snowstorm looked over to Ashfire, who had made his way over to the table near the shacks kitchen and was absent mindedly eating cereal while listening to the white mare argue with the comm operator. He smiled at her when they made eye contact. In return, Snowstorm narrowed her eyes at the red stallion. He stuck his tongue out at her. Snowstorm merely shook her head at her comrades immaturity and turned back towards the comm box, waiting patiently for the princess of the night to arrive.

CLANG!

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

Every pony in the room immediately jumped, shocked at the loud noise emitted from the box. Snowstorm glanced over to the two now wide awake guardsponies, who were glaring back in return. They quietly mutters a few curses before laying back down to sleep. Snowstorm looked back to the comm box uneasily, hoping it wouldn't make those noises again.

"Hello? How do I work this contraption? Oh it's on already? How do I-? Oh you want me to speak into here? If you say so.... Doth anypony hear me? This is Luna speaking "

"Hello Princess, this is Lieutenant Snowstorm of the Solar Expeditionary Wing, reporting from the Wonderbolt Academy."

"Ah yes, the S.E.W. ponies, Celestia informed me of your mission at the academy. How goes the wartime preparations?"

"Well the academy is almost fully converted to wartime training procedures. The Wonderbolts will be ready to run special flight missions should the standoff with Germaneigh go south."

"Go south? Why would it go south? It would go Southeast towards the Cryastal City if it went anywhere. Do you have intel suggesting that the Gerneighans are going to head directly south of they invade Equestria?"

"What-no! No that's not what I meant princess, that was just a figure of speech. Noponies going south."

"Ah...I see, ok then, that is good news indeed. Have you any other news to report?"

"Yes actually....The commander was murdered earlier today by a trainee. Soarin is now acting commander of the Wonderbolts in her place."

"WHAT? She....was killed? By whom was this atrocious act committed! They will be brought to justice immediately!"

"It was just a lowly trainee, your highness. They are currently evading capture, but I assure you the Wonderbolts will find them soon. When they do me and Ashfire will personally see them brought to Canterlot for trial."

"Very well....this news is very disturbing, especially with a possible war brewing. See to it that this does not affect the academies preparedness for war. The Wonderbolts are too valuable a military asset. That's is all. Thank you for the report."

"Your welcome, your highness."

The comm box emitted a soft click as the channel was closed. Snowstorm powered it down and gently closed the lid. She looked over to find Ashfire had already made his way to his respective bunk and was snoring softly.

'Lazy bum....'

Snowstorm made her way to her own bunk. As she took her armor off, her mind raced over the various events of the day. Placing the last peice of armor neatly beneath her bunk, the snowy white mare crawled into her bed and closed her eyes. She immediately cleared her mind of thought, not wanting to be up all night. Soon, the gentle embrace of sleep overtook her.

General Nighthorn, still disguised as Soarin, sat quietly behind Spitfire's old desk, quietly reading an academy report. The changeling general did not flinch when two bright emerald flames erupted at the front of the room. After a few seconds, he finally looked up, as if just noticing the two new arrivals in the room. He nodded to them, causing one to step forward and bow.

"General, you summoned us?"

The general stood and walked over to the window behind the desk, peering out into the black night.

"Earlier today, the mare we framed for the murder of this academies previous commander escaped arrest and is hiding out somewhere in the forests surrounding the academy. I want you two to find and capture her, alive. I don't want anymore pony deaths on my hooves today. That stupid vollblütig jumped the gun killing Spitfire. Don't make the same mistake, or it'll be you two going to the morgue. Dismissed."

The two changelings bowed and simultaneously burst into flames, becoming invisible once more. General Nighthorn could just barely hear as the two left the office through some unseen exit. Shaking his head, he wondered how a massive white Gerneighan pony in full armor could sneak silently while two changeling drones trained specifically for espionage and infiltration could not. Sighing, he turned back to the paperwork on his desk, filling out various forms.

'Should've impersonated a janitor....would've been less work.'