Blitzkrieg: Redemption

     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.'