A New Dawn

Chapters

1

Deep in the heart of Equestria, nestled between the Unicorn Mountains and the Foal Range, laid the kingdom of Canterlot, a land ruled by the wise and kind princess Celestia, a land which had known peace for ages. Built directly into the mountain side the great city was firmly planted with its majestic structures peering over the land for the entire world to see. Greatest of all stood the white Castle where the Princess resided and spent most of her days looking over her subjects.

It was evening when the dark figured appeared before the palace guards and demanded and audience with Celestia. At first he was denied entry, until he revealed he was a griffon that came on behalf of the sovereign nation across the seas. After it was established the message being delivered was urgent, the Princess was awakened and gave the emissary her full attention as he divulged his ponderous message. Upon its completion the Princess was left to weigh some important decisions that could reshape all of Equestria, perhaps more.

"But why," she asked the emissary, "Why is it that Lord Graywing needs the aid of Equestria? The griffons have long stood a powerful folk whose strength is unmatched. If I'm not mistaken, Lord Graywing's rule long surpasses the reign of my sister and myself."

The griffon emissary looked back at her with fierce pride burning in his chest. "Make no mistake, Princess, the griffons have long kept Equestria safe from foes that would set their claws on your very lands. The mere threat of vengeance was enough to stave off all manner of beasts. But," his voiced hardened from one of pride to one that does not make threats, but of one who makes promises. "If we do not join hands, griffon, pony, wolf, dragon, dare I say all the races…If we do not join hands, I fear we will swept away by this fierce river's current." With that, he made his way to the door.

"Messenger, tell Lord Graywing I will ponder these issues, but will not rush to send my people to their deaths," Princess Celestia said with dignity befitting any ruler.

The messenger bowed, spread his wings and then was gone.

"Hurry Fluttershy, this is my chance and I don't wanna miss it because you're dilly-dallying!" Rainbow Dash, winner of the Young Fliers tournament, yelled back to her friend.

The two were making their way high into sky to the very upper levels of Cloudsdale itself. The sun was high in the sky and the wind sang in their ears as they soared ever higher. Rainbow Dash raced ahead of her friend, occasionally stalling and waiting for her companion to catch up. Fluttershy, not being strong in her skills as a flier, struggled to keep up, trying her best not to keep her friend from being late.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry for keeping you," she said sheepishly. "I really didn't want to be a bother. Oh, gee, there certainly are a lot of ponies coming." Fluttershy had taken notice to all of the pegasai rushing past them.

"Well of course! This is the first time ever the Wonderbolts have held open tryouts! Any flier who's any flier is going to be there and I'm going to blow them all away and make the cut. This is my chance, I just know it."

Once they reached the proving grounds and registered Rainbow Dash in the competition, they walked around and took in the spectacle that was unfolding before them. Wonderbolt toys and merchandise, booths where you could get your picture taken with a few of the Wonderbolts, as well as many other things would expect from a fair. The air all around was filled with pegasai buzzing about them, practicing loop-da-loops, corkscrews, and all manner of advanced flying techniques. Rainbow Dash was carefully scoping them out; the more she looked, the more cocky she felt.

"Fluttershy this will be a breeze. I'm faster than everypony here and I'm pretty sure I can run circles around all of them. Did you see that filly's corkscrew? Totally weak! Her high speed U-turn is sloppy. Fluttershy, I got this in the bag."

"I'm certain the Best young Flier in All Equestria will have a leg up on the competition. Oh Rainbow Dash, I just know you'll make it. I'm going to find some good seats to watch the show."

"Okay, just try to get as close to the action as you can so I hear you cheering me on!" the Cyan Pony said as she headed off in another direction to try and find her place for the events.

Shortly after finding her seat, Fluttershy heard the announcements begin, telling everypony that the tryouts would be commencing soon and the fliers were all to gather at the heart of the outdoor arena.

"Ladies and gentlecolts!" the voice boomed filling up the entire air space, "We would like to welcome you to watch our best and bravest put their mettle and wing to the test, in hopes of earning a spot on your very own Wonderbolts… and here they come now, the lighting on a clear day, the one, the only, the WONDERBOLTS!" Just as the announcer finished, the sky was filled with applause and hoof stomping. Descending from on high, the Wonderbolts soared into view, thick black trails of smoke issuing from behind them as they flew in tight, controlled formation. "Oooh's" and "aaah's" were heard from everypony as fancy air techniques were performed in complete unison before erupting in a deafening cheer when they finally landed and took their place at the speaker's podium.

Once the crowd's roar died down, the one called Spitfire stepped forward, her burning bright yellow and orange mane blowing in the wind, addressed the young fillies and colts before her. "I would like to thank all of you for coming out. The Wonderbolts have been told to increase our numbers by at least two fold, but don't let that make you think that our standards are any less rigorous. We are looking for the best fliers in all Equestria; we have a plethora of trials that will put everypony to the test. Your speed, your agility, your reflexes, and most importantly, how well you can operate with fellow fliers to get the job done. Let the tryouts begin!"

Then, with another large roar from the crowd, the events began. First up was a straight race, ten laps around the track. Rainbow Dash was part of the third group to go; she confidently trotted to her place at the line. Once in position, she prepped herself for the high speed dash off start. She arched her back, lowered her head down, and spread her wings wide . A smile crept across her face.

"This is my event," Rainbow Dash muttered to herself. "This will show everypony that I play to win!"

As the checkered flag flew to signal the start, Rainbow Dash beat her wings as hard as should could and took off with frightening speed, enough so that a rainbow trail followed in her wake. There were two other colts that were doing their best to keep up. Rainbow laughed to herself., "Sorry boys, this one is all mine!" With that she poured more of her strength into her wings and began to distance herself. As she pulled away, the crowd cheered and roared her name. One lap down, Rainbow now could see the other ponies, but that was what she expected. She wasn't just racing them though, she was racing everypony. This thought pushed her to go on, go harder, go faster. Two laps down, this is what she was built for; speed, the thrill of the race! Third lap, fourth, then the fifth. On the sixth lap she began to pass the slower pegasai but that only pushed her to keep going. Ninth, tenth! As she made her final lap, Rainbow felt tears in her eyes of joy and happiness. As she crossed the finish line, the crowd continued to sing its excitement. Spitfire herself was manning the stop watch and was there to congratulate her.

"Great job kid! That was some of the fastest flying I have ever seen! You shattered the lap sprint record, Hell, I think you may have topped Fleet Foot's time! Kid, you are dynamite!"

"Oh that," Rainbow Dash tried to play it off cool tossing her multi-colored mane behind her, regaining her composure from her panting. "That was nothing. I'm gonna be running circles around everypony else all day, you just wait and see!"

Spitfire chuckled. "Keep this up and you'll have a spot for su-"

"We could really use a mare like you!" Another voice barged in as Spitfire was cut short by a white stallion with a blue mane. "Speed like that is what we need to take us to the next level."

It was Soarin', Rainbow Dash knew he was legendary for his acrobatics and agility in the air. She had met him a few times before, most notably at the Galla where she sought out his attention unsuccessfully, and again at the royal wedding where she was able to get a dance in with him. She blushed at his comments. "Thanks, uhh, it was nothing, really..." She scrapped at the clouds beneath her with a one hoof. Then looking back at him he noticed his eyes were not on her face. Truth be told, she had sported a large crush on Soarin', the way a school-filly might idolize a pop ponystar, but here he was admiring her?! She turned, allowing him to have a full side view, which she noticed the stallion did not let go to waste.

"Soarin'," Spitfire blurted out, drawing his attention away from her, almost sounding annoyed at the situation. "Aren't you supposed to be judging the agility tests with Fleet foot?"

"Whoops, back to work I guess! See you at agility then," the stallion chortled, oblivious to her upset demeanor and took off to his respective station.

"Forgive Soarin'. I try to keep a leash on him the best I can, but any filly that catches his eyes he just has flirt with."

"Oh geez, I didn't even notice," Rainbow Dash lied. She didn't want Spitfire to think anything foolish was going on.

"Hmm, cute," she remarked with a shred of arrogance in her voice. "Good luck today kid."

The rest of the competition went by well; maybe not as well as Rainbow Dash had hoped, but pretty darn good. She came in second in an agility test since another colt named Star Chaser managed to out maneuver her through the and obstacle course where the goal was to pass through as many cloud rings as possible in as little time as possible. Rainbow felt that if she hadn't focused on beating him to the finish line, she might not have missed the one cloud ring which he did manage to loop through. Even though she finished before him, it was not enough to score her above him due to missing that one ring.

The next event was reflex testing, which the goal was to avoid clouds thrust at her from all sides. Things were going very well as she dodged clouds coming up from the left and right and in front of her, but she was clipped by a cloud that pummeled her from behind, throwing her off balance, causing her to hit another before the test was done. Still, she had netted fourth overall. In all three events, she had come in the top five and the speed test she came in first, so she was a shoe-in for one of the spots open on the Wonderbolts.

Then the last event was upon them, but instead of a solo completion it was a test of team building skills. First, they weeded out those that did not possess the skills that they were looking for. A great majority of competitors were handed consolation prizes and told to join the stands and that, perhaps next time, they might be able to get in. They had narrowed it down to the top 25. Now, it was down to Rainbow Dash and 24 other ponies.

2

Spitfire once again took her spot on the podium and addressed everypony present. "Congratulations are due to all of our competitors, for those that did not make it, keep trying and practicing and maybe you will be able to push yourself to reach the level that Equestria needs you to be. Now to our remaining applicants, we are entering the last section of the test. All of you have what takes to be a Wonderbolt, Speed, reflexes, agility, you all have it in spades, now we need to know If you can use your talents effectively and do so under adverse conditions, to do this we will being splitting you in to teams to ten. There are fifteen spots open on the Wonderbolts and the top three teams will make it. The teams are random and impartial, we need to know if we can count on you to work with those you're unfamiliar with. We need to know if you can stand next to a stranger and fly with them as if they were own your sister or brother. Now everyone form a line. "

All the pones lined up in one giant row, and began to count off by five,

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

Rainbow Dash's mind was racing. She had no idea what to think, she never practiced routines with others…not since flight school, but that was years ago.

"Four."

"Five."

"One."

They were getting closer to her, her stomach was churning. 'Please, oh please, oh please, be a good team!' She thought to herself.

"Five."

"One."

"Two."

'OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE!!'

"Four!" Rainbow Dash yelled at the top of her lungs startling the filly next to her. She blushed at her outburst and quickly made her way out of line to where the other fours were.

They were all huddled together in a circle but made room for her and the fifth and final member of the fourth team. Rainbow Dash did not know any of them. Her eyes looked from one pony to another; they did the same as well until a grey colt raised his hoof to the center of the group. Without words they all one by one raised their hoofs to touch his.

"I don't know who you guys are," the grey colt said, his voice soft but confident, "But that doesn't matter cuz I know we're all here to win this thing. So, let's do this. Team Four on three, ONE! TWO! THREE!"

"TEAM FOUR!!" the five of them yelled.

Rainbow had known this colt for about a minute and already liked him, but now was not the time for introductions now was the time for winning. Spitfire and the other Wonderbolts were taking their places and directing the groups.

"Alright everyone listen up" Spitfire announced. "The last event is simple, First you race to Ponyville, then you pick up a wounded dummy from Soarin', dodge "enemy fire" courtesy of the residents of Ponyville while providing cover for the wounded dummy and carrier, drop off the dummy at Sweet Apple Acres farm and I will be waiting to let you all know how you have done. Good luck!" After announcing the task they would have to face she and the other Wonderbolt's took their place.

Looking over the team Rainbow Dash, noticed that the grey colt was the only colt, and thus bigger than the other filly's, so she voiced her opinion on the matter.

"You," she said pointing at him, "You're bigger than the rest of us so I think you should carry the dummy, the rest of us will cover your flank."

The Colt snorted and nodded in agreement. "Shouldn't be a problem"

Just then they were called to the starting line which was at the edge of Cloudsdale overlooking Ponyville. Spitfire was standing with her hoof raised high. All the ponies got themselves ready for the starting leg. Then with a quick drop of her fore leg they were all off.

Rainbow Dash hurtled herself to the ground as fast as she could, she looked to her left and right and saw that while she was in the lead there were others that were hot on her tail, this truly was the best of Equestria going for broke, even the grey colt was struggling but still managing to follow Dash's lead without falling to far behind. As they all free-fell their way from the sky, the clouds parted and the earth sped closer and closer.

"Slow down!" a voice from behind Rainbow Dash yelled out. She turned and saw it was the grey Colt, still struggling to maintain his distance, "You need to slow down, the others can't fly as fast!"

Rainbow Dash scoffed, "Slow down?! The others will beat us!" Now Rainbow Dash was running on adrenaline and irked by the idea the other three of the team were slow pokes. Then it hit her. "Go back for the others I'm gonna try a buy us some time!" With that Rainbow Dash sped off leaving the colt behind not hearing him yell out one last thing.

Rainbow Dash saw that two of the other groups were clearly in the lead and maneuvered in front of them. She flapped her wings as fast as she could; she felt the wind sting her eyes causing her to tear up. There was a white film building up around her, vapor caused by the difference in pressure in the air as tore threw it. Then with one final strong flap, she heard a loud snapping noise that immediately grew silently and distant. There was no howl of the wind, now sound of her wings flapping, her vision was blurred around the edges, and with every last ounce of strength she turned her head against the force of the wind to look behind her, a smile across her face.

A magnificent circular rainbow expanded across the sky growing ever larger. Its colors dazzling against the blue afternoon skies it stretched out across the horizon. Rainbow Dash couldn't hear it out side of the initial snap, but her friends told her the Sonic Rainboom was deafening, the boom caused by breaking the sound barrier was sure to disorient those behind her, and the shockwave would definitely throw off their formations. Satisfied with herself, Rainbow Dash corrected course and prepped for her landing in Ponyville.

As soon as she touched down, Rainbow saw the booths for the teams to grab their dummy, so she ran over to booth number 4. She was way ahead of everypony else, so now she had to wait for her team to show up.

"That was awesome!" Soarin' yelled out, reared up on his hind legs. He was behind the dummy booths to give instructions when the contestants came in. "That was even better than Rainboom you did at the Shining Amour's wedding. How do you do that?"

"It's easy when you're as fast as me," Rainbow Dash bragged in playful way, "If I get into the Wonderbolts, maybe I could show you how to do it. We could show each other all sorts of tricks when we're together, you and I." Rainbow said trying to sound as flirty as she could. She was never good at it, Rarity was the one who could always have the colts eating out of her hoof, but this was Soarin' of the Wonderbolts, she had to try.

Soarin' blushed, "Well, uhh…we'll see how the competition goes, not that I wouldn't mind having a pretty filly like you on team."

His response sent Rainbow mind whirling with delight, 'He thinks I'm pretty, OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH' She thought to herself, but then she shot back to reality at his next words.

"Speaking of team, where is yours?"

"Uh…" Rainbow reeled for answer "they were moving way too slow for me, so I zoomed ahead of the other teams and told them to hang back. Then I did the Sonic Rainboom to throw off the other teams to buy my slow teammates of extra time."

"So you left them behind?" Soarin' said with a sad disappointed look across his face. "Well that's not really-"

He was cut short by several more ponies landing, more and more by the second. He rushed over to instruct the groups on how to carry the wounded pony dummy. Rainbow Dash was pleased to see that her group had landed with the rest of the ponies and not far behind it looked like her plan worked. She saw the rest of the Fours run over to the booth, Rainbow Dash awaited there praise.

"What's the matter with you?" a young yellow filly from the team said.

"You just left us back there!" the other team member, a dark blue filly, agreed. "Haven't you ever been on a team before?

"Enough," the grey colt said, "we aren't gonna get anywhere yelling at her let's just move on." He quickly readied himself next to the dummy.

Rainbow Dash was dumbfounded "What, you ungrateful bunch of Mules!" She looked over her shoulder, "No offense"

"None taken," the town mule said.

"But I made it so the other teams didn't blow us out of the water, I did it because you guys were moving to slow, you should be thanking me!"

"Which part should we thank you for? The part where you ditched us to show off or the part where you knocked us all around with your Rainboom?" The dark blue pegasus yelled back angrily.

"I said enough!" The grey colt yelled while stomping his hoof loud enough get all of their attentions. The only one helping him with the dummy was smaller green filly who hadn't said anything. "We all need to stop fighting and start winning. We can't win at each other's throats. Now I got the dummy, the four of you, grab shields, the dummy is too heavy to fly with so I am going to run it as fast as I can to the barn. If we stay in a tight formation they won't be able to hit us or the dummy."

The four fillies didn't argue, and they all slid into saddle's that had big round shields on one side. As soon as they were suited up the surround the colt and dummy, and they all began to gallop to the barn. As they did town's folk were posted around them and began launching water balloons filled with paint at them with giant rubber bands. The balloons pelted and splattered hard against the shields splattering different paint colors against them. The Colt's feet pounded against the ground and his breathing was loud and he sucked in and blew air out through clenched teeth. The dark blue filly grunted as she got blasted with a water balloon on her side. Just then the green filly was hit hard and fell to the ground, Rainbow Dash saw her fall and a group of ponies aiming another balloon at her.

"Look out!" she yelled and leaped back to absorb the blow. Suddenly she did felt the left side of her neck explode with pain. Her risky move left her other half exposed and she was caught by an errant balloon, which splattered her bright blue coat with dark purple paint. The surprise and force of the attack caused her to stumble and she fell on the ground. The other pony managed to get up and join the other three. Rainbow struggled to get up but slipped on excess paint on the ground, there was with a loud 'THWACK!' and splash of green from another balloon struck against her hindquarter, she fell down once more. Her mind raced and head pounded as more balloons struck her. 'no...this was my chance, I'll never make it now…'

"HANG ON!" the colt's voice rang out strong, and reassuring. Rainbow heard muffled arguing, "I DON'T CARE WE FINISH TOGETHER! GUARD THE DUMMY!"

The Colt dropped the dummy and ran back to where Rainbow was fighting to stand lowered his head under hers and propped her up the best he could. Rainbow Dash was aching all over; she was hit with what felt like the tenth balloon. Covered in all sorts of colors she looked at the colt with defeated, desperate eyes but took strength in his confident tone. She shook off her worries and put her hoof on his shoulder, "Together," she said half asking half telling.

"Together," he said. Then he lead her back to the others, who were huddled down by the dummy, Rainbow saw that the other teams were struggling two, other ponies had fallen, some just as paint splattered as her, there were some groups ahead and some behind. They hoisted the dummy on the colt and reformed up and ran again. It was only a few more minutes till they reached the barn.

"Congratulations," Spitfire said as they charged in. "wait for the others teams before we finish," She announced to all the competitors. However it was not long before the rest pulled in and Spitfire addressed all of them. "This is it contestants, your progress has been monitored this whole time by the other Wonderbolts and myself and your team has been graded and the standings will be given momentarily"

Fleet Foot and Soarin moved to her side, and gave their reports. The three conversed back and forth and argued, Soarin' seemed upset at something that Spitfire had said, but Fleet Foot had agreed with her and so he seemed to give up his point. Then Spitfire announced the team standings.

"Team Four and team One we are sorry but better luck next time. The winners are Team two, Team Five, and Team Three, With team Three being are our champions! Alright, everypony in teams Three, Five and Two we will see you in the winner's circle back in Cloudsdale, the rest of you are certainly welcome to come back and enjoy in the celebrations." With that Spitfire and the other Wonderbolts took off to Cloudsdale, with the celebrating winning teams close behind them.

Rainbow Dash's heart sank as her eyes turned back to the others, all of them with sullen defeated looks. All of the unsure of what to do. Then the green filly quietly turned and slowly flew away. They all watched her go, shortly after the other two fillies left. The colt was the last to go, beating his wings and taking to the air and began to fly off, but turned to Rainbow Dash before he left.

"Hey, your Rainboom was pretty cool, you wanna go grab a bite to eat?"

"No," Her voice cracked from fighting back tears. "I gotta head back to Cloudsdale, I got someone waiting for me there."

3

The trip back to Cloudsdale was long and quiet, but when Rainbow Dash finally made it back to the arena, Fluttershy was waiting faithfully. The winners had already been announced and they were preparing to begin the uniform distribution ceremony for the new inductees when Rainbow had come back, so Fluttershy did her best to distract her friend from the crowd's roars but ultimately found it futile to raise her spirits.

"I'm not sure what I'm gonna do now," Rainbow Dash said looking out over the arena from a waiting area away from most of the crowd. "I just felt like this was my shot you know? My one shot and I blew it."

"Now, now Rainbow Dash, I'm sure you did your very, very, absolute best and I'm sure that if you keep doing the best that the Wonderbolts will take you in next time."

"Next time? Next time?! They have never done this before and I don't know if they will ever do this again!" Rainbow Dash half yelled, half cried out while fighting back tears. "This was my dream Fluttershy and look at me now, I'm going right back to kicking clouds forever!"

"But, Rainbow Dash, your forgetting how important your job is, if you didn't do your job we would have gloomy skies and rain that wouldn't stop, or worse…a drought and we wouldn't be able to grow any food."

"That's not me Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash said then turning her view to the open sky. "I need freedom, I need adventure, I need…I need to go fast. Do you know what I mean?"

"I do." A voice from behind them said. They both turned and where surprised to Spitfire trotting in. "Not gonna lie kid that was some slick flying, your're fast, no doubt about it. Its shame that you couldn't demonstrate the qualities we need to be a team player."

"Spitfire, you gotta listen to me," Rainbow Dash pleaded. "I practice day and night, I eat breathe and sleep Wonderbolts. Listen if you just give me the chance to-"

"Soarin' really wanted you in," Spitfire interupted. "He kept on and on about how you went back for your teammate, how we needed that sort of loyalty on the team. Ironic don't you think, Soarin' wanting you in for the loyalty you'd be bringing to the team."

"I don't understand," Rainbow Dash stammered the tears beginning to fall freely. "Why then?"

"Why? Well that's simple, it's not your loyalty to us I question, it's his loyalty to me that is in jeopardy. Now if you'll excuse me I have a ceremony to attend." Spitfire took off to join the other Wonderbolts.

Rainbow Dash, unable to think of any reasonable response, broke down into tears with Fluttershy unable offer any words of comfort, wrapping her arms around her as she wept.

Two Months Later

"Oh dear! Spike this is terrible," Twilight Sparkle fretted as she paced back and forth in her library.

"Oh come on Twilight, it can't be that bad. What's the matter now?" Spike mumbled while descending the staircase and rubbing sleep from his eyes. As usual Twilight was keeping him awake in the middle of the night and would do so until the situation was resolved.

"The Princess is canceling her meeting with me in Canterlot; she said she has an important meeting that she'll she have to reschedule to next week."

"So what's the big deal, just go next week then?"

"It's not the rescheduling Spike; it's who she is rescheduling me for. She is having a meeting with Lord Graywing."

"Lord Whowing?" Spike said scratching his head.

"Lord Graywing Spike," Twilight explained. "The high king of the east, he is the leader of the griffons, whose armies maintain peace in our world. His armies protect Equestria from the other nations that would wish harm on us. He keeps Equestria safe and Princess Celestia and Luna raise the sun and moon for him."

"How come I've never heard of him?"

"Not too many ponies do Spike, Equestria has become self-sufficient over the years, and with Lord Graywing protecting us from outside threats, I don't believe he's been in our lands for thousands of years. So whatever the Princess is meeting him for is probably really important"

"Thousands?! Does he have the long life of an Alicorn or something?"

"I believe he's got much more power than that Spike, there has never been much written about him except in the oldest of books in Canterlot, all I know is before Celestia and Luna were, he was. He forged his empire during the Great Darkness and defeated the never ending night!"

"But wasn't the never ending night Nightmare Moon's doing?"

"As I said Spike, there isn't a lot written about him, I suppose during my meeting with the Princess I can ask about him, or...wait, better yet…Spike take a letter."

Spike quickly rummaged around the library and grabbed and a parchment and quill. "Ready when you are."

"Dear Princess Celestia, I am willing to reschedule my appointment with you; however I would like to know if it would be possible for Spike and I to accompany you on your trip to not only meet with Lord Graywing, but to see if we can learn more about this world around us. Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

With that Spike breathed heavily and lit fire to the parchment to send it to the Princess.

"Gee Twilight, do you really think she'll let us go?"

"I don't know Spike I'm sure-"

"Twilight!" A voice from outside yelled out. "Twilight Sparkle you need to hurry!"

"What in the world?" Twilight said as she headed toward to the door. "Is that

Rarity?"

Twilight's question was answered when her door flew open to an out of breath white unicorn with a well styled purple mane. "Twilight, its Rainbow Dash and Applejack, they, they,"

"Slow down Rarity, they're what?"

"They're," now Rarity voice was high pitched and squeaky. "They're destroying my store!"

"OOF!" Applejack grunted as she tumbled into a mannequin knocking it over and sending rolls of fabric flying. "Why you no good cloud chasing slacker, I'mma tan yer blue hide!"

Rainbow Dash dug at the floor with her fore hoof and snorted. "Not before I beat you so hard they'll call you Applesauce!"

"That's it!" Applejack yelled as she reared up on her hind legs and charged her at top speed. Rainbow Dash beat her wings and took off towards her as well. However there collisions never came, instead they were both held fast by a magical force. They were left inches away from each other, suspended in a purple mist.

"Stop it you two!" Twilight yelled as she barged in with Rarity.

"Stay out of this Twilight, Applejack has this coming to her!" Rainbow yelled as she struggled against the spell.

"Coming to me!? Why I never, you brought all this down on yerself!" Applejack yelled back at her also fighting to free herself.

"My store!" Rarity said on the brink of fainting as she looked at the destruction.

"You two need to calm down and let's just talk about this." Twilight said trying to reason with the two of them.

"Just stay out of this!" the two said angrily.

"No, I'm not gonna stay out of a problem that has my two good friends at each other's throats. Now either your both gonna tell me what you're fighting about or I'll leave you stuck up there all day!"

"I came here to drop off an order of apples for Rarity and Rainbow here sucker hoofs me!"

"Yeah...well...Applejack cost me my job!"

"I didn't cost you nothin' maybe if you weren't sleepin' all day and workin' the

weather. Things wouldn't have turned out so bad for ya!"

"Wait, Rainbow you're not running the weather team anymore?" Twilight interjected, this was the first she had heard about it.

"I made some complaints to the mayor that we weren't getting enough rain, that the rain wasn't even following the schedules. Next thing I hear, Rainbow Dash was kicked out of weather duty." Applejack explained calming down. Then addressing Rainbow Dash, "Rainbow I swear I didn't try to get you in trouble, it's just that the apples were not getting nearly enough rain. Honest I didn't! Why would I want to get you in trouble?"

Twilight let them both down as the both seemed to calm down and then spoke to Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow Dash, what happened, you've been removed from the weather team?"

"It's true," Rainbow Dash said through a sullen looking face. "I've… I've been a little off lately. I just, I haven't been keeping up with the clouds, and I guess when mayor brought it up with the pegasus council…I guess that was the last straw."

"Oh dear, do you know what you're going to do?" Twilight asked.

"I got a new job, I was picking up the uniform from Rarity when I ran into Applejack I guess that I just lost it a little, and I'm really sorry Applejack. I've been kinda down for the past few days."

"It's alright Rainbow Dash, how about we help Rarity and clean up this shop?"

"Sounds good Applejack, sorry about the mess Rarity."

Rarity nodded and the four friends began to clean up the shop, talking and catching up on things, try to move past the little spat that had just happened, but then Spike burped up a parchment which prompted a the attention of the whole group.

"Twilight, this is good news," Spike blurted out "The princess says that you can attend the meeting, as well as have access to the history books in Lord Graywing's library!"

"Spike that's wonderful," Twilight exclaimed.

"She's given us a ticket to Canterlot, you leave tomorrow!"

"Fantastic! Let's help clean up this shop then go home and pack then Spike."

"Weird," Spike added. "She want's me to stay here..." his voice quite and unnoticed over the excitment.

"Twilight dear," Rarity chimed in, "Who is this Lord Graywing?"

"I'll explain as we clean but first, Rainbow Dash what was the new job you were able to get?"

With a loud sigh Rainbow Dash confessed, "Mail delivery."

4

Twilight Sparkle was astounded when Princess Celestia showed her the method of travel across Equestria and the eastern ocean to land of the griffons. A magnificent airship suspended high in the sky by an enormous series of balloons. A full complement of her pegasus guards and unicorns trained by Shining Armor were there to provide a royal escort. In addition to the guards, Twilight was informed that Spitfire, Soarin' and Fleet Foot were coming. She wasn't sure why, but was too enamored with the trip and had too many questions for the Princess to care.

"I've never seen this ship before Princess, did you have it commissioned for this trip?"

"No, Twilight, the Sky Chariot has been around quite some time, it hasn't seen use for ages, in fact I believe the last time we used it was when I had to see Lord Graywing regarding Nightmare Moon."

"Princess?"

"You see, Twilight it was our responsibility to raise the sun and moon, and when Nightmare Moon kept the world in the dark, let's just say that I needed to explain the situation to Lord Graywing." The Princess explained with a smile.

"That's what I really don't understand Princess, why would you have too? I needed to scour our library for even the slightest hint of Lord Graywing, but it sounds like, well, forgive me for sounding so bold, like you work for him." Twilight said sheepishly.

Princess Celestia warm smile eased Twilight's demeanor. "Not quite my little pony, you see a long time ago, Princess Luna and myself swore and oath to him. That we would raise the sun and moon for him. This was our promise, in exchange he gave us the lands to the west, what you know as Equestria, for our race to grow and thrive in peace under his protection."

"Protection, from whom?"

"The other great races, which all had eyes on Equestria's lands but were forbidden to take it from us."

"I don't understand Princess."

"That will be a lesson for another day, my pupil I suggest now you rest and in the morning we will be in the lands of the griffons and you might be able find the answers you seek in his libraries."

"Yes Princess," Twilight acknowledged as she curtsied and made her way to her quarters. She was indeed tired and had and exciting day tomorrow. As she prepared herself for bed she couldn't wait to tell her friends what she learned. She wondered just what they would say and considered what they might be doing themselves.

Rainbow Dash bobbed and weaved in between buildings and Ponyville citizens, swerving hard while maintain a low altitude, occasionally flipping sideways and galloping across the walls of buildings when she veered close to them. Gusts of wind followed her as a colorful rainbow followed in her wake. All the while reaching into her side saddle, grabbing letters and stuffing them in mailboxes as she went. She had proven to be the fastest mail carrier that Ponyville had ever seen, partly because she saw the town as one giant living obstacle course.

"Annnnd done!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she slammed home the last letter in bag. "Time?!" She said as she turned up to the sky and another pegasus that was watching her with a stop watch.

"Four minutes and seventeen seconds, a new record!" A bubbly voice called out, Derpy been timing her to see just how fast she was able to clear the southern route through town. "That was amazing, I have no idea how you do this so quic-Whooah!" Derpy's praise was cut short as her fluttering in the air waivered and sent her tumbling into a high hanging clothes line which through her off and sent her sputtering strait for the ground.

"Watch out!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she bolted under her and broke her fall before she hit the ground. "Ugh, you really need to watch out."

Derpy blushed, "I'm sorry, I have no idea how I didn't see that there."

"That's alright; Rainbow Dash's always got your back."

Rainbow Dash had been dealing a lot with Derpy lately, she figured it was punishment in conjunction with losing her cloud job but she didn't really mind. It took some getting used to, but she had managed to strike an easy friendship with her, it meant saving her from herself every now and then, but doing it made Rainbow Dash feel good about herself. A lot of ponies have always given her a hard time, Rainbow Dash was guilty of it herself, but after working with her for the past few days she had grown to like her and often ran routes with her.

"Well that's all for today, do you wanna go and pick up Dinky?" Rainbow Dash asked not sure of what to do, not having any plans of her own.

"Rainbow you got the routes done so quickly, we'd be their waaay to early, we should do something else, and I don't waiting around by the school house for her."

"Why?"

"Don't like the other waiting ponies, I'm pretty sure they all laugh at me when I'm not looking, probably cuz I ran into the trash bins outside three times."

"Aww come on, don't let some dumb ole' ponies get to you."

"I know they're just teasing, it's just I kind of wish they would take me seriously, at least in front of Dinky and her pals."

"Hmm, I see what you're saying. Forget it, let's grab something to eat then and kill some time."

Derpy's eyes lit up, "WE CAN GET MUFFINS!"

When Twilight awoke the next day, the airship had arrived in the land of the griffons, a place Twilight had only read about in books. As she stepped off the ship beside the Princess and the Wonderbolts she lost her breath at the sights of the city before her. There was a great city wall made of a dazzling white marble which protected a busting town far larger than Canterlot. Great stone buildings with exquisite masonry towered in every direction. Deep in the heart of the city laid a grand castle, such was its size Twilight couldn't fathom just how such a structure could be made. The inside was just as elaborate as the exterior, fine tapestries lined the walls, statues were strewn about, expansive murals spanned ceilings, and expertly designed glass window art consumed vast hallways.

Heavily armored griffons escorted the Princess and her entourage through the castle. Twilight felt exceedingly humbled before them, as they were much larger than the stallions that guarded the Princess and looked far more formidable. The only griffon Twilight had known was Gilda, but now surrounded by them she noticed that pony folk were dwarfed by them, save for Princess Celestia.

They were lead to high atop the castle via an exceptionally long staircase, and to a vast balcony that over looked the kingdom. In the center of the balcony there was a large stone table but aside from it and the views of the vast rolling vistas below they were alone.

"Will we be expected to wait long?" Princess Luna asked impatiently to one of the griffon guards.

Princess Celestia chuckled allowed, "Dear sister, has it been so long that you have forgotten Lord Graywing's desire for an over the top entrance?"

"Forgotten no, hoped he'd grown tired of it? Well, one can dream."

"Somethings will never change sister," Then turning to address Twilight. "Now my pupil today you hopefully will learn a great deal, after our meeting I'm sure you'll want to visit the castle library,"

"Oh yes Princess, I never seen such a place and I'm dying to find out how such a place came to be." She responded with wide eyes.

"Good, I want you to take record as much as you can here during our stay, perhaps it is time Equestria knows more about the world, and I think I know just the pony to document it."

"I would be honored to Princess."

"I expected nothing less," suddenly her ears perked and her head craned to the sky, "You can start taking notes now."

"Careful…Careful…"a worried Filthy Rich exclaimed as Rainbow Dash and Derpy as well as two other pegasus worked in Barnyard Bargains. They were delivering a large package to his store and he was nervous that they would be unable to get it inside safely. As the four of them huffed and wheezed and slowly set it on the floor of his shop, Derpy accidently kicked over a table knocking over knick-knacks, and shattering a glass bauble. "Oh dear now look what you've done, that cost money!" He advanced on Derpy, "You're going to pay for that, you can't just go around breaking anypony's merchandise and not pay for it."

"I'm, I'm so sorry; it was an accident I swear." Derpy eked out, shriveling away from his advance.

"Sorry? You know what I hate about sorry? It's a lousy excuse that everypony gives. Well you know what? It doesn't make things better does it? All it is an excuse. You know who gets by on excuses? Noponies that's who! Anypony whose somepony will stand up and admit what they done and not offer excuse. So which are you? Are you a somepony or are you a nopony?"

"Back off buddy, it was an accident nothing more!" Rainbow Dash interrupted him. She then reached into her saddle and cast out four bits on the floor. "There's your money now let us go and stop being a bully! Come on Derpy were out of here!" The blue Pegasus snatched up her friend by hoof and stormed off out the building with the others. As soon as they were short distance away from the store the other pegasus offered their farewells and went off to complete their routes. Once they were out of ear shot, Rainbow Dash began to complain out loud to her friend. "Geez what big jerk, can you believe the nerve of that guy. I know he's got a lot of money, but that doesn't make him better than the rest of us. I'm telling Derpy there is nothing I hate more than a bully. You know what I mean?" Rainbow Dash waited for the answer to her question but it never came. "Derpy, you know what mean?"

"I'm not a nopony…" a weak response came from the grey pegasus.

Rainbow Dash turned to see tear welled up in the eyes of her friend and rushed to comfort her. "Hey now, listen that guy was just being a jerk, of course you're not a nopony. He was just upset you broke his stuff."

"It's not just him Rainbow Dash, other ponies, all over town, at work, all over, they always talk about me. I'm never given any important jobs. Sometimes I feel like I will be doing this forever, and no one will give me the chance to do anything amazing. You know what that's like?"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, "Yeah, I can relate to it. Come on, let's head into town and take our break."

The two wandered into to town and made their way to an outdoor café that over looked some construction, some ponies were setting up a booth across the street and they were in the process of putting up the sign.

"So you're saying that you didn't get into the Wonderbolts just because Spitfire was jealous that you would steal Soarin' away from her?" Derpy asked eyes wide with amazement.

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash said nonchalantly. "Truth be told I didn't even know they were a couple, it's okay though, just means she thinks I'm a threat. I believe that she thinks that I not only could take her stallion but probably her job. I mean if you ask me Spitfire really isn't that good." Rainbow Dash lackadaisically lied. She found that the best way to deal with her sorrow of that day was to make light of it. She still tossed and turned at night every so often but she tried her best to not let it get her down, or at least not show it to the world that it bothered her. "It's like, whatever, and don't get me started on kickin' clouds. Those guys in the weather factory are the biggest bunch of mor-"

"Rainbow Dash LOOK!" Derpy yelled interrupting her while pointing to the booth across the street.

The banner poster had been erected showing Twilight's brother Shining Armor pointing outwards with the royal guards standing behind him as well as the Wonderbolts flying in the background. Superimposed in the background were the words 'Are you ready to be somepony? Equestria needs you…be the pony she needs you to be!'

Twilight stood dumbstruck. Lord Graywing descended from the sky with the sun at his back so as she looked up to see, she was blinded to by the streams of sunlight that pierced between his wings. He landed gently on the ground before them, clad in brilliant armor that gleamed with a silvery radiance. He towered over the griffon guards that had led them to balcony, Princess Celestia only came up to his chest. Then to even further her shock, she saw something she had never seen before, Princess Celestia bowed low before him. The Princess had never knelt to anyone before.

"PSST!" a loud whisper followed by a swift jab to her leg brought her attention away from the sight. Princess Luna, who was also kneeling, had given Twilight a kick and gestured with her head for her to kneel as well. After realizing what was happening, and that by not bowing she was disrespecting him, she dropped so quickly she accidentally banged her head on the floor.

He acknowledged them with a slight tilt of his head and once everyone rose he addressed them, his voice strong with undeniable authority. "I trust your travels found you well," He paused waiting for the Princess to nod in agreement. "Am I also to assume that your presence here means Equestria will answer my call?"

"Equestria heeding the call of her true king? Ha!" A dark raspy voice echoed from behind the doors the lead them to the balcony before being flung open. Yet another imposing figure came forth a tall bipedal creature reminiscent of the diamond dogs that plagued the lands on the outskirts of Ponyville, however the one the entered was taller, and far fiercer looking and clad in armor of his own. "I'm sure they don't even know your name or the weight it carries. From the tales I heard, Celestia does not even let her subjects know that it's your armies that protect its borders."

"Fenrir, charming as ever I see." Princess Celestia responded to his brutish slander with poise and elegance as Luna offered the wolf a smile. Then turning back to Lord Graywing, "My Lord …" Celestia paused for a moment searching for words, yet another thing Twilight had never seen before. "If my Lord wills it, Equestria will stand beside him. I come here today though, to try and better understand, what it is that would move my king to request aid."

This was political talk if Twilight had ever seen it, never before had she seen the Princess tip toe over her words. Lord Graywing was slow to respond as if he was deciding they dignified a response. The dog-like creature she had addressed as Fenrir stood aloof as if he was annoyed by her request.

"A fair question," the griffon king responded. "One that deserves fair answer," He placed one fore claw on the round table and it instantly hummed alive with a magic Twilight was not familiar with. Instantly the depiction of the continent appeared on the table. "Southeast of us we are involved in a conflict that is growing large at an alarming rate. An enemy came forth close to a year ago with an army to challenge my rule in my own kingdom. At first they were of no major concern, as it seemed we were easily able to repel them, but with each defeat, they return stronger with more and more troops." As he spoke the table reacted to his voice and displayed with little apparitions to demonstrate the battles. "Therein lies the problem, the army seems to feed off of us."

Rainbow Dash looked down at a sheet paper before her. She had agreed to walk over to the booth with Derpy to just talk to them. Problem was, once they started talking, Rainbow started liking. The more they talked the more she liked. Now a contract was in front of her. With a few strokes of pen she'd be in the Equestrian Military. Everything moved so fast, but Derpy was right next to her and was already signing. She didn't know if it was the right thing but deep inside her, the need for excitement started building up in her again, she might not be a Wonderbolt, but she could still fly for Equestria. She, could still be a..

"Rainbow Dash! I'm in, I'm not gonna be a mail carrier anymore, I'm finally gonna be somepony!"

"That's awesome Derpy!" Rainbow responded. Something about Derpy's enthusiasm got to her. Something deep in her clicked. She looked at the stallion across the booth that sat in front of her. "Where do I sign?"

"I beg your pardon Lord Graywing, I'm afraid I don't understand," Princess Luna said. "What do you mean feed?"

"At first I thought the enemy to be traitors to the throne, but my troops tell me that after the first few battles they noticed some the troops they were fighting were our own comrades, fallen from previous battles. This has been confirmed, if one them is captured or falls to anything save the most grievous of injuries, they return to the battle field and fight against us. Once more, they will still return if grievous injury is not dealt to them. There numbers have swollen and they have grown countless. We believe they have fortified themselves with more troops by taking them from the wild tribes in the far east."

"My Lord, how is it that you have not been able to contain them and prevent their spread? I believed your nation's strength inexhaustible," Princess Celestia prodded.

"This foe," Fenrir interrupted. "Is like none other, its troops fight without fear, without regard for pain and strike out with no regard for their own lives. It is as if the whole army moves as one, and strikes as one. Each troop driven to complete its task weather it lives or not. I have seen my soldiers inflict wounds that would strike anyone down, yet they will not falter all the same."

"Who would do this?" Twilight spoke out. All eyes turned to her and immediately she felt as if she spoke out of turn. "I apologize if it is not my place, but who would want to hurt so many?"

Lord Graywing focused hard on her, then his gaze softened, he turned to Fenrir and nodded. Fenrir spoke and the table responded depicting a figure.

"We have very few contacts with him but those of us who have and have lived have told tells of a creature vested in blue armor, whose red eyes burn so bright they pierce your soul. His body is is coverd in blades sharper than sword; He flies so fast he shatters the sky and sets it on fire in his wake. He strikes as quick as lighting and as hard as thunder." The description given was illustrated in the magic table, so that they all might see the one responsible for all the pain.

"How do you propose victory my King, against such a terrible thing?" Princess Celestia asked appearing troubled by the news that was revealed.

"With your help" Lord Graywing said solemnly.

Twilight couldn't remove her eyes away from image, the only thought racing through her mind was just where such a monster could have come from.

5

One year earlier

"Sonic we need to hurry the warp gate won't last long!" Tails yelled out as he moved around feverously adjusting dials and instruments. His work shop was buzzing with energy and the noise created by a tear in the fabric of the universe was deafening. A rippling immaterial window leading to another world was suspended between two tesla coils by wild arcs of lighting. "It's now or never!" the two tailed fox struggled to scream out over the racket.

"Okay, Amy you're up first," the blue hedgehog said. "Jump through, and we'll be right behind you okay?"

The pink hedgehog he addressed was a nervous wreck. There was fear radiating from ever part of her. "Sonic, are you sure this will work?"

"Eggman doesn't know that there was one last portal to Fliki Island, not only that but it we needed all 7 chaos emeralds to power it, and it's still super unstable. We're going though, taking the emeralds with us, and destroying the machine. He won't be able reach that zone or us ever, okay?" Sonic reassured her.

"Okay, I'm just so scared" She stammered out. "I can't stop thinking about the others!"

Sonic gave her a hug, long and tight, released her and kissed her on the forehead. "Me too kiddo, me too. Now go, I'll be right behind Shadow okay!"

She nodded, but didn't once look away from his eyes as she backed into the portal and disappeared from sight.

Sonic swallowed hard, "alright Tails your next,"

The two tailed fox reluctantly moved away from the instrument panel, and looked at Sonic, "Is this really happening? Did he really win Sonic?"

"It's gonna be alright, see you on the other side okay?" Sonic said without acknowledging the question.

"Right," Tails took the hint, the last fight had taken a toll on all them. Some things were best left unsaid. He struggled to find words to say. "I suppose this is just the start of our next adventure right?"

Sonic hugged him tight, "That's right, buddy. 'Cept this time you'll be the hero okay, you're nobody's sidekick."

"Alright Sonic," Tails responded with renewed vigor at Sonic's words. "Let's go then." He turned and faced the portal and hopped in.

"Knuckles, you're up!"

"Right," Knuckles headed for the portal, but was interrupted by sonic placing his hand on his shoulder. "Sonic?" He asked, turning to look at him.

"Take care of them for me okay?"

"What do you mean?! Aren't' you…" Knuckles eyes went wide, but the staring into Sonic's eyes, he saw no room for protest, and he understood what hedgehog was going to do. What Sonic needed to do. He nodded agreeing to the request. "You were my greatest friend; I want you to know that." He moved to the portal again. "See ya around Blue."

"Take care of yourself Red." Sonic called out to him right before he passed through.

It was just Shadow and himself now. The machine wailed in protest to keeping the portal open. They looked at each other for a moment, saying volumes without saying a word.

"I suppose," Shadow said breaking the tension, "I should go."

"Yeah, once you take the seven emeralds out Tails said you'll have about 5 minutes to set the bomb and then jump through."

"You sure want to leave them with me?"

"I can't risk him getting them. He's taken enough; he's not getting them too."

"Humph, Tails said the bomb will be big, so you better get going too."

"Yeah…"

"Always the hero huh? Off to spit in the devil's eye one last time?"

"Something like that."

There was one more hanging silence, followed by Shadow reaching to grab the first emerald from its location in the machine.

"Goodbye Sonic."

Sonic turned and made his way for the secret pathway back to the surface of the Green Hill. As he climbed up the ladder he thought it fitting that it all began here, and now this is where it would end. Once he reached the top he lifted up hatch to nightmarish sight. The once lush green forests of Green Hill were burning. The smoke almost choked him as he peered around. Everything was bathed in an orange hue as embers swirled around him and tongues of fire lapped at everything from the ground to the tallest tree.

There came a terrific explosion from beneath him, the sound shaking him to his very soul. He was alone now.

Sonic opened his eyes, before him was the city of Robotropolis. He had been replaying the events in his mind ever since he left Green Hill. It was now he realized he was wrong. He wasn't alone. There was one more person he had to say goodbye to. His hands balled into tight fists, his teeth clenched. It hadn't been two full days since his defeat at the hands of the Egg Beater. Sonic's heart raced, if his friends had been there, they would plans and schemes to sneak in and get the drop on him. That was then however, today it was just him, and today there would be no sneaking. Today he was going knock on his front door.

Sonic swallowed hard one last time, and began his march to the city. He couldn't fathom why, but for the first time in his life, he didn't feel like running. As he walked steady and without fear gun turrets spun themselves and trained lasers on him and robot sentries aimed weapons, yet not a shot was fired. Spotlights thundered on and illuminated him for the world to see, but onward he went. As he approached the entrance the great doors to Robotropolis groaned and strained but opened wide for him. He entered and standing before him out in the open of an expansive courtyard stood his quarry. The tall rotund Doctor stood with his back to him. His red coat seemed to almost glow among the dreariness of his city. The only thing standing between the Doctor and the hedgehog was Metal Sonic, his greatest creation.

"Welcome Sonic," The Doctor bellowed in jovial tone. "What brings you to my little city?"

Silence.

"No jokes, my, my you must be pretty upset about me killing all your friends," He said, his voice filled with malice as he turned around to face him. "I will admit you're tenacious, coming hear so soon after your defeat, I'd figured you'd lick your wounds a tad longer than you did."

Sonic's fists were still clenched tightly, he moved into and aggressive position preparing to sprint forward.

"So, revenge is it? Very well, kill him."

Metal Sonic took off instantaneously, a stream of fire from his high powered turbine was left in his wake. Sonic erupted from his stance into a high speed dash to match his speed. As the gap closed, Sonic vaulted into a handspring, followed by a round off, to a triple backflip that ended in downward spinning kick. Metal raised an arm and blocked it, and countered having his body spin around, pivoting at the neck to strike at him with back of his metal fist. Sonic somersaulted back to avoid it, then again and again as his robot double advanced forward. Sonic dropped and swept at his legs with another spin kick which Metal boosted himself into the air to avoid. Sonic saw his opening and sprang into the air, rolled into a ball and struck him hard with a homing attack, which knocked both of them higher into the air and Metal Sonic off balance. Sonic then broke out of the spin attack and spun radially like a hurricane to add momentum to a brutal haymaker that sent the robot hurtling to the ground. Sonic than blasted into another homing attack downward, propelling himself at breakneck speed. Just before he connected, he rolled out of a ball and into a hard flying side thrust kick, drilling the robot about a foot into the ground at the abdomen, the impact sending chunks of cement flying. He then jumped back and repeated the attack except this time landing with both feet on either side of Metal with his fist driving his face into the pavement. Standing up and dusting himself off Sonic stepped over the downed robot and advanced on the Doctor.

"I didn't come to play with Metal Sonic, just you and me Ivo." Sonic said, cracking his knuckles.

"I really don't think so Sonic," The Doctor commented. As he did Sonic felt cold steel wrap around his left leg. He turned to find that Metal had clawed out of the hole he had put him in and gripped him tightly. "Well, at least Metal doesn't think so." He chortled.

Sonic heard his machine engine whir with power than felt an inhuman jerk on his leg as metal yanked and hurled him across the courtyard far away from the doctor. Regaining his balance he flipped over and managed to land on his feet slowing to a halt after sliding a few feet. He looked up to see him flip out of the ground and rocket towards him with an extended fist, he was moving much faster than before, but Sonic managed to raise his arms to block. He felt the slightest touch on his forearms and a saw the quick fading of a fleeting after-image before hearing the familiar sound of a sonic boom from behind him and feeling his back explode with pain. The force from the attack sent him flying, he regained composure and managed to flip and turn mid-air and land on his feet only to see metal sonic standing rigidly, his fist still extended from the attack. Sonic wasn't sure how he got behind him, but a smile crossed his face.

"Alright Metal, you wanna go fast, let's go fast." Sonic yelled as he began run in place faster and faster until he was in a full blown figure eight dash only being held back by his hand which was firmly pressed on the ground in front of him. He allowed his feet to slip against the ground so rapidly he began to char the earth beneath him like a sports car during a burnout. "Let's Go!"

Sonic gunned for him; a sonic boom left in his wake, Metal Sonic did likewise. They clashed back and forth only slowing down enough for regular sight for moments at a time as they struck one another. Sonic booms exploded all over the room from the two of them. They traded blows back and forth, neither giving ground to the other, eventually locking themselves in a high powered shoving match. They met in the middle of the courtyard head to head trying to out muscle one another. Metal Sonic's main thrust rockets roared away driving him on, but no ground could be given. Sonic figure eight dash sent chunks of dirt and clouds of smoke and dust into the air; however he too could not force his foe back.

"It's like things haven't changed between you and me." Sonic shouted out above the commotion of their struggle. Metal Sonic's cold eyes stared back into Sonic's; sometimes it felt like he peered into his soul. "My fight is with your master stand aside," Sonic pleaded with him, he wasn't sure why, but he had always felt connection to Metal, and whatever that connection was he tried to appeal to it.

No answer.

"You're just as stubborn as me, I'll give you that. Plus you're also the handsomest robot Eggman has ever made, however…" Sonic rolled backwards onto his spines letting Metal fly over him, planting both feet in his stomach and kicking upwards causing the direction of his rockets to force him into the ground. The force that struck him as he ricocheted off the pavement sent him into the air and his rockets flung him off course, buying Sonic precious time. "My beef is with the boss!" Sonic quickly flipped back onto his feet and raced towards the Doctor.

As soon as Eggman saw him toss Metal aside and begin to charge him he snapped his fingers and held both of his arms out. Immediately robotic arms rose from the ground and began attaching a metal exoskeleton that locked into his outfit. Once locked in the various pieces expanded, connected and transformed in a battle suit to fully protected him. Right before it was cover his head Sonic was able strike him with a homing attack. The strike sent him reeling as Sonic swore he saw a splash of blood as the suit consumed him, however he recovered quickly. "Persistent, didn't think you'd be in such a rush to die, but I'm a generous host rodent. I'll give you what you seek!" Eggman let off a salvo or rockets at him. Two dozen heat-seeking missiles screamed at Sonic, each one he was barely able to dodge, but distracting him enough to allow Eggman to close the distance between them strike him with an explosive right cross that Sonic flying before smashing into a wall, and falling to the ground. He started to get up, but before he could recover entirely, Eggman began to speak once more.

"Oh yes, Sonic one more thing," She chuckled as he pressed a button that rose a large green object from the ground. Sonic shook his head hard to clear it and then realized with horror what rose out the ground. The gigantic Master Emerald sat before him, glowing with unimaginable power. Metal Sonic effortless hovered over to it, and landed softly on top of it. "GET A LOAD OF THIS!" Eggman screamed out as wild ropes of green energy snaked from the rock and infused into Metal Sonic. Then with blinding flash, Metal's appearance had been altered, he now sported a brilliant golden shade instead of a deep Metallic blue.

"Aww man," Sonic groaned. "This just isn't my day…" then loud screaming, whistling noise filled his ears and he felt his stomach burst with pain as his Metal Sonic drove his hardened steel knee into his gut. The attack sent him flying back into a wall, as he body bounced hard against it. Sonic's head went numb from pain. Metal caught him by the throat before he landed and choke slammed him back into the wall. He then dragged him upward through the wall flying high into the air before hurtling back to the earth, flinging Sonic to the ground before he himself landed. The impact with the ground rocked Sonic's entire body with agony. Metal sonic casual landed down next to Sonic. He reached down and gripped Sonic by the scruff of his neck and hoisted him eye level.

"Hmm…is that all?" the Doctor said condescendingly. "It seems I've won Sonic, now it's time to put you in your place. Metal, stand aside."

The grip on Sonic's neck relaxed and the blue hedgehog fell to the ground. Metal hovered off to the side while the Doctor moved next to the downed hero. "After all these years, I Doctor Ivo Robotnik have bested you! The great hero of Moebius finally ends up where he belongs," He raised his right leg high. "Under my heel!"

Sonic winced, ready to meet his end, except it never came, instead a large crash was heard and Eggman was sent flying back. Sonic turned and looked behind to see what had stuck him. His eyes widened at what he saw.

Shadow hovered above him, the air crackling with energy around him; he had used the power of the emeralds to achieve his super form. He quickly scooped up Sonic and moved over to the Master Emerald.

"Sorry Doctor," Shadow called out with a smirk, "I deny you your prize."

"What the," Eggman sputtered out, "KILL HIM!"

But it was too late; Shadow began to absorb energy from the Master Emerald just as Metal had done, fueling his super form even more.

"Chaos…" Energy rippled around him and time seemed to slow down as he spoke the word. "CONTROL!" then with a flash of light, he and Sonic were gone.

Dr. Robotnik was flabbergasted… "Find him," He whispered. "Find him. Find him! FIND HIM!!" He screamed.

"Scanning… target acquired." Metal Sonic announced.

"Well don't just stand there you pile of scrap, kill him!" The Doctor ordered. "Do you hear me Metal? Hunt him down and KILL HIM!!"

Before Robotnik could even finish his order Metal Sonic had spooled up his turbine, took the sky and set off after them making use of his super form for as long as he would be able to sustain it. Robotnik watched him go until he could no longer distinguish Metal from the other stars in the sky.

When the light subsided, Sonic felt himself hit the ground. He was a too hurt to move, his whole body ached. Even so he knew the feel of soft grass when he felt it. As his vision cleared he saw a beautiful blue sky above him with trees blowing in a gentle breeze. He heard labored breathing next to him. He struggled to turn but was terrified at the sight that he saw.

Shadow lay next to him the seven chaos emeralds strewn about next to him, the vibrant color diminished to a weak glow deep within. Shadow was growing more and more pale as he struggled to breath.

"Shadow…" Sonic managed to speak out. He felt sick to his stomach and dizzy. It was all he could do just to remain conscious. "Shadow, what happened, where are we?"

Were…Gahhh!" He shrieked out in pain. "We're far away from Moebius, light-years away. I found an inhabitable world as far from it as I could before I-AHH!"

"Shadow! I told you to leave!"

"You saved my life once Sonic, gave me a future, gave me hope. This is my gift to you, forget about Moebius. Forget about Robotnik, about everything…"

"Shadow I,"

"Shut up Sonic, I don't have a lot of Errrghh!" Shadow's voice grew weaker "I expended far too much of the Emeralds…"

Before Shadow could finish Sonic's vision went black as he passed out from his injuries.

6

Present Day

"Citizens of Equestria!" Princess Celestia spoke out using her Royal Canterlot voice. "Today marks a magnificent day in our history. For too long have we hidden from the rest of the world, denied her what we Equestrians have to offer. For too long have we been content to never explore beyond our boundaries and view our magnificent world in all her splendor. To this I say, NO MORE!"

The princess stood high above the ponies in a high balcony on Canterlot Castle. The square below filled with ponies from across the land. Citizens from Ponyville, Canterlot and Cloudsdale of course were in attendance, but there were also those that hailed from Apploosa, Dodge City, Los Pegasus, the Crystal Empire, Vanhoover, and even are far as Manehatten and Baltimare. At the rousing words the packed crowds roared and stomped their hooves in praise for their monarchy. At her sides Princess Luna, Princess Cadences and Prince Shining Armor were there. The whole royal court's appearance was called for on such a grand day.

"For today we go forth! Today we venture beyond! Today we journey to places far and wide and join hands with those that share this world with us! I have no fear today my good, happy subjects for we are strong, we grow stronger every day and there is spirit that beats in each of our breasts that makes us a mighty people." The princess motioned above her to the sky and drew everyone's attention at an object that began to come from around the mountain and into full view of the square. "And to represent our strength, I give you, the pride of Canterlot, the jewel of Equestria…I give you…THE EQUUS FORTIS!!"

Now the object was in full view, casting an enormous shadow over the city as it moved before the sun. A colossal airship that seemed impossibly large, constructed so great that one could build a small to moderate sized city on it, indeed you could as it was suspended by several gigantic balloons and thick billowing steam clouds held in by a tarp and superstructure of titanic proportions. Mighty ropes and chains rooted to the super structure held an enormous deck with at least seven levels.

The crowd's response was deafening. Workers from all across Equestria had come to Canterlot to build her, and now she flew for all to see. Thousands and thousands of Pony-hours had created one of the most ambitious projects Equestrians had ever seen and all it seemed as if all her inhabitants were here to view her departing on her maiden voyage.

Except for two ponies.

High in one of the castles guests rooms Twilight Sparkle looked out over the Equus Fortis with mixed emotions, next to her Rainbow Dash was dressed in her equestrian military uniform.

"Say Twilight you feeling okay?" she asked.

"Hmm?" Twilight said yanked out of her deep concentration. "Oh yes, I've just been doing a lot of thinking lately."

"I'll say, I can't believe it was you who designed her!" Rainbow said gazing at the air ship.

"Well Princess Luna helped me a whole lot Rainbow Dash."

"It's still pretty cool."

"It was a lot of hard work trying to put it together; oh I worked in a little surprise for you in the ship." She said with little bit of a devilish grin.

"A surprise?" Rainbow Dash said picking up on her smile. "What kind of surprise?"

"Now Rainbow Dash, if I told you, it would ruin it."

"Alright, it's just that I've already said my goodbyes to everypony else, and you've just, well you've been avoiding me like the plague ever since you came back."

"Oh Rainbow it's just that…Oh never mind its best you don't know."

"Don't know what?"

Twilight turned and put both hooves on Rainbow's shoulder, a desperate look in her eyes. "listen Rainbow Dash, just be careful out there. I can't say why but I just have really bad feeling about you going."

"Listen Twilight, now you're really starting to worry me, look have you seen that ship outside, what could possible be out there that could stand up to that?"

"Look, I can't say too much more, but I snuck this out because you might need it." Twilight said handing Rainbow a golden necklace with a ruby lightning bolt adorning it.

"Whoa, the Element of Loyalty, Twilight I don't think I can bri-"

"It's rightfully yours, and it may protect you when you need it most. Promise if you ever feel your in danger you'll use it."

"Sure Twilight sure…" Rainbow was nervous now, she had seen Twilight get worked up before, and sometimes it was nothing, but other times it was really bad. "Hey, I'll be fine Twilight, I promise."

Soon after the ceremony had come to a close, Rainbow Dash was off to join up with her division and take her place on the air ship. Twilight Sparkle had lingered longer, it had almost torn her in half upon her return with the Princess to find out that Rainbow Dash had joined up, once more, it burdened her significantly was that she had to hold back so much from her.

"I know it's hard, but you did the right thing Twilight." Princess Celestia reassured her as she joined her on one of her balconies. The Princess was aware of the situation for some time, as Twilight had put it down in her letters. "Rainbow Dash had made this decision for herself, and it was very important that she not know what we discussed with Lord Graywing. If fear started spreading we might not have been able to complete the airship in the time we did."

"I understand Princess, but I still feel guilty that one of my friends could be involved with something as dangerous as that blue monster."

"I too feel the same way for not only her, but for every stallion and mare on that ship. Twilight what happens now must be done. I promise you it is being done the right way."

"It just doesn't feel right to keep secrets from my friends, especially this one."

"Tell me Twilight, how comes your report on the lands abroad and Lord Graywing?" The Princess said trying to turn her thoughts.

"Very well Princess," Twilight said perking up. "The books Lord Graywing allowed us to borrow have really helped give tons of perspective to the world around and fill in holes in our own history."

"I look forward to reading your reports then," the princess said, proud of her you pupil. "Twilight I promise one day you'll be destined for great things."

It didn't take long for Rainbow Dash to run into Derpy once they started gathering for takeoff. They both were in the same division and had the same job of Air Rescue. It was their first time aboard and they quite taken with all of the interesting sights to see on the way to their bunks to store their belongings.

"Wow, this place is amazing, the last I only remember seeing the inside of the cloud and steam plant. Did you ever think it would be so big Dash?" Derpy said spinning around in circles as she walked the hallways.

"Never in a million years Derpy," she said, awestruck at the ship. "Never in a million years."

"I heard from some of the other ponies that were going up to the Artic North, others say were gonna track the dragon migration what do you think?"

"Well in-between rumors of us heading east toward the Griffons and another saying were taking the ship into orbit; I've decided to not believe any one of them." Rainbow Dash said with a smile, her comment making Derpy chuckle loudly.

"Okay, our rooms our just ahead," Derpy said rooting out a small shipboard map. "It looks like our cabin space is right next to the…Whoa cool!"

"What is it?"

"Well, you might not think its cool, but it looks like-"

"You've got to be kidding me!" an abrupt angry voice yelled out across the hallway drawing both of their attentions. Before them stood Spitfire, wearing her standard uniform instead of her Wonderbolt attire. "Since when did the Equestrian Military let in no good showboating losers?"

"About the same time they started recruiting ponies who were most qualified for the job!" Rainbow Dash shot back angrily then quickly took note of her rank, "Ma'am." The rest of the Wonderbolts rounded the corner and soon the corridor was filled, Soarin' came from around Spitfire.

"What's up Spitfire? Did you find our ro-," Soarin cut himself off as soon as he laid eyes on Rainbow Dash. "Oh hi, what, what are you doing here?"

"Just here to do my part for Equestria Sir," Rainbow Dash said, the bitter resentment she had spoken to Spitfire with hadn't ebbed as she stared angrily back at the blue haired stallion. The anger in voice threw Soarin' off a bit and responded with lowering his head and slowly trotting backwards two paces.

Spitfire grinned a little bit, "Yes Lieutenant, I did find our rooms, seems were next to the Air Rescue." Then turning here attention back to Rainbow Dash, "well then, Private, I guess I'll be seeing you around then." Spitfire quickly maneuvered her way through her team and made her way into her room, the rest of her team followed. Soarin lingered looking back at Rainbow Dash, then made his way in after the rest of the team.

"Well, this outta make things interesting," Rainbow Dash said to Derpy chuckling as she made her way into her own compartment.

"Did you see Soarin'? He looked awfully glad to see you Dash," Derpy said playfully as the two of them grabbed bunks and began to unpack their belongings.

"Let him, I'm not happy to see him. I say we try and avoid them as much as possible." Rainbow Dash said doing her best to keep a disinterested tone in her voice.

"You sure you're not happy to see Soarin' again Dash?" Derpy said, twisting the screw a little bit harder into Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash grinned, "Well, maybe a little."

It had been three weeks since the Equus Fortis had left Canterlot and was now floating steadily across the ocean. Rainbow Dash and Derpy had gotten very well acquainted to their job in the Air Rescue. Day after day a large Sargent grading their every move directed them to fly out over the ocean in formation, two of them per stretcher. They were pretending to be picking sick or wounded and returning them as soon as they could by picking up buoys that were floating in the water, boring but at least was something. Day in and day out this was the drill. Rainbow Dash was excited that she was traveling so far from home, but she never the less grew restless as the days went on.

She had also done her best to avoid dealing with Spitfire or any of the Wonderbolts, which for the most part had gone well. There was always the accidental run in that ended up with Spitfire ordering her to do some extra cleaning around the ship that Rainbow Dash started to feel were anything but accidental. All in all however, things shipboard were easy and a tad boring, until one day, when she was called into her office by her Sargent with the rest of her division.

"Congratulations are in order for all of you," The gruff Stallion grunted out.

"Congratulations? For what Sarge?" Rainbow Dash asked not knowing what this was all about.

"Seems you got the attention of some higher ups, they wanted to give their compliments to the Air Rescue for demonstrating excellent prowess in drills performed the entire ride across the ocean."

The ponies in the room all stomped their hooves and high hoofed each other at the news, but it was Derpy who actually picked up on what the Sargent has just announced.

"Wait, across the Ocean?" She stammered out, "You mean we made it?"

"What? You didn't think we could?" He barked back at her.

"No Sarge, of course I knew we could do it, it's just, well what's out there?"

"Yeah Sarge, what are we going to do now that were over here?" a stallion piped in.

"Those are both valid questions that I will answer the best that I can. We've travled to the land of the griffons, were going to be picking up a lot of ground troops. After that, from what I understand," The Sarge stopped for a minute and gathered his thoughts. "We will be briefed on our mission and our objectives then."

"Mission?" Rainbow Dash question, "What mission?"

"You'll have to ask the 1st Lieutenant that one."

8

The sound of battle filled the air as Dash and Derpy landed on the outskirts of their destination. They had never been to the front and thankfully been far away from the fighting, but now, here they were. As they slowly crept closer to their destination more griffons flew over their heads in tight attack patterns, and the tell tail sign of black smoke from the wake of a Wonderbolt also streaked by occasionally as well as wolves charging forward engaging the enemies ground troops. Rainbow Dash had seen the enemy in videos and heard stories but gazing on one the first time that was still alive was terrifying sight to behold. The eyes emitted a dull red glow, and they moved with an indescribable calmness even in the heat of battle. She saw wounds inflicted on them that would kill a pony thrice over before they fell.

"Rainbow Dash," Derpy called over to her partner over the cacophony of war. "What are we supposed to do? How are we supposed to find them?"

Rainbow Dash scanned the area are far as she could see, but knew it was futile, they would have to take the sky for an aerial view. She indicated by pointing to the sky. "We need to get airborne" She yelled back.

"But they'll see us for sure!"

"You stay here, I fly up and find them and come back. You watch my back from the ground okay?"

"Okay, be careful up there."

Dash Spread her wings and zipped up high in the air and quickly began looking over the area. It was hard to spot anything with all the commotion going on, so she began to circle around doing her best to avoid the attention of any enemy troops but she wasn't able to see any downed pegasus.

Suddenly, she felt herself being dragged down to the earth and sharp claws gripped her hind leg. Dash looked down to see an enemy griffon had managed to sneak up on her flank, next thing she knew she was roughly tossed against the ground. She quickly got up and regained her faculties as the griffon advanced and swung at her with its powerful sharp claws looking to tear into her face. Dash dodged the attack, spun around bucked him as hard as she could in his chest. "Back off!" She yelled as the force sent the griffon reeling back.

"Duck!!" Derpy yelled out speeding to her friend. The instant the words left her mouth, Rainbow dropped to the ground allowing Derpy to sail over her tackling a bogey wolf who was charging towards her unprotected flank. After knocking him to the ground Derpy started stomping the wolf who was now underneath her as hard and fast as she could, before he over powered her and tossed her backwards. Rainbow Dash caught her and now they the two were surrounded as the rouge wolf and griffon both slowly stalked closer to them. The wolf had retrieved his weapon, a wicked sword with jagged teeth that could tear flesh and to make matters worse, both of them wore armor while the two members of Air Rescue were unprotected.

"What do we now Dash?" Derpy called out panicked and frightened.

"I, uhh," Rainbow Dash's mind raced, "wait I got it, only the griffon can fly, you take off and get help, and I'll try and keep the griffon busy okay?"

"You want me to leave you?"

"No, I want you get help, I need you do it and do it now. If I can keep this fight in the air, the wolf can't get me. Now GO!"

Derpy beat her wings furiously and took off, immediately the griffon moved to intercept her. Dash quickly bolted upwards to intercept striking him as hard as she could with her hoof in a flying mid-air uppercut. It was enough to knock him off course and draw his attention from Derpy, plus she was high enough to avoid the wolf's attacks. She saw Derpy head off to the sky away from them so now she just had to hold the griffon off long enough for help to arrive.

"Alright you over grown turkey," Rainbow Dash said raising her hooves to boxing position. "You want a piece of me? Come and get some!"

The griffon let out a loud and wild shriek and charged her, diving with his sharp talons extended. She effortlessly air dodged him and struck quickly as he sailed past with a quick jab of her hoof against his face. The griffon spun around and engaged her swinging for her face again and again. Rainbow Dash was playing the defensive role, her lack of armor plus his sharp claws added up to one bloody pegasus if he got a hold of her. Luckily for her, he was very easy to read. His attacks were smooth and controlled, but exceptionally predictable. Even though his eyes glowed, there was deadness to them, and Rainbow Dash felt like this griffon maybe didn't have all the lights on upstairs. With a deep breath and a prayer she dodged another attack, and went on the offensive striking him as hard and fast as she could with sharp jabs and crosses at his face. She felt her hooves land home and they were good solid hits, but even though she was hitting him, his attacks did not let up in speed, pattern or rhythm. Once more it was like he didn't even try to block.

"Oh C'mon," She yelled out exasperated at the fight, she suddenly really wished she had armor, the metal shoes pegasus wore would definitely break this griffons beak, but she was getting nowhere fast so she decided to hit with something a little harder. Dodging another one his attacks, she spun and bucked kicking him as hard as she could with her hind legs. She heard a sickening crunch that made her stomach churn, and when she turned she saw that her right hind leg had buried itself deep into the griffon's neck. She knew it was deeper than it should be and the grizzled crushing sound she heard was probably his windpipe. She leaped away in horror; she had never done something like this to anyone before… She suddenly felt sick and dizzy as she saw the griffon choke for air. Then she was rendered with horror as he lashed out at her one more time swatting her viciously with the back of his claw, the force of the hit combined with the shock of what was happening sent her falling to the ground, and crashing roughly on her back. She tried to shake it off and get up, but before she could the wolf was upon her. He stepped over to her, straddling her body with his sword raised, saliva falling from his mouth on to the blue coat of her exposed belly. Rainbow Dash suddenly couldn't breathe and she closed her eyes tightly.

The sound steel tearing through flesh and bone sang out along with sharp pitched dog yelp, and suddenly the quivering Pegasus felt a warm sensation on her chest.

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes to see a gleaming silver spear ripping through the wolf's chest and his fresh blood dripping down on to her chest. A moment later he was hoisted up into the air, still whimpering and tossed aside. Dash was bewildered at the sight, even more at her savior.

Soarin' turned his attention to the griffon that was now dive-bombing towards him. He swung his spear and its bladed tip caught the griffon in the chest sending it careening off with a spurt of red mist arcing across the sky. The griffon stood back up and launched towards the Wonderbolt. Soarin' switched his grip on the spear and hurled at the griffon. His aim was true, it buried itself deep in the beast's sternum. Panting heavily he turned to see if Dash was okay.

"Soarin'? Soarin' how did you?"

"Derpy found me and told me you need help, I came as fast as I could, but I need your help right now, it's Fleet Foot, the monster…he, he hurt her real bad. Follow me but be careful, I'll try and clear your path." He said as he wrested the spear from the griffon, before taking to the air. Rainbow Dash obeyed and took flight behind him zipping to the very heart of the fight at high speeds. Any griffon that attempted to hinder them, Soarin' skewered and swatted with his spear, occasionally bashing them with his armor at high speeds sending them tumbling away to the ground where they were descended upon by packs of friendly wolf troops who tore them to shreds. It was only a few moments that felt like a lifetime but they managed to reach the designated area and Rainbow Dash's heart seized in her chest. Derpy was on the ground trying to administer first aid, she was soaked in blood, and Fleet Foot had a large gaping wound that was spurting her life blood everywhere. Two other Wonderbolts that Rainbow Dash couldn't identify lay motionless beside her. The two landed and Soarin' yelled out the situation trying to overcome the sounds of the fight which were almost unbearable now that they were in the heart of the battle. "The Monster, he attacked us and caught us off guard, we lost some Griffons of Wyndia's Spear, he got our two new recruits and made a mess of Fleet Foot. It's too late for the others, but you need to get her out here. Copy that?!"

"Yes Sir," Rainbow said starting to Fleet foot to assist Derpy in stopping the bleeding, until a deafening boom filled the air that froze her in place. "What was that?" she yelled, her hooves clasping her ears as she looked up to where the sound originated from.

"The monster, he can move fast, real fast, you don't recognize that sound? It's a sonic rainboom! Just without the pretty colors!"

"What?!" Rainbow Dash screamed. She had never heard a Sonic Rainboom, she had always caused them. Then she saw a blue glow streak across the sky with a trail of burning fire following it. It was high in the air but still visible, suddenly a ring of dark blue rippled around it and disappeared as another boom thundered across the sky as it jerked and changed directions. "That's the monster?!"

"Yeah, Spitfire's up there now with few more Wonderbolts and some few more of the griffons from Wyndia's Spear. We're going to hold him off until you can evac Fleet Foot then were pulling back I got to get up there and help out before he does this to anypony else."

"Wait Soarin', back there you... I just wanted,"

"Thank me later." He said curtly before he quickly took to the sky to join his team.

Rainbow Dash quickly turned her attention to Fleet Foot, Derpy had already bandaged her up the best she could. The bleeding had stopped but she had weak pulse and was going pale.

"We need to get her out of here but we left the stretcher!" Derpy protested loudly.

Rainbow Dash looked at the two lifeless Wonderbolts. "You need to carry her, I'm getting these two."

"Dash those two are…"

"Nopony left behind, c'mon let's rock and roll." Dash said as she quickly maneuvered one on her back and scooped up the other in her arms as Derpy gently lifted Fleet Foot off the ground. "Ready then, let's get out of here."

The two pegasus took the air and flew as fast as they safely could back to the Equus, maintaining a high altitude to not draw any attention. Fortunately the flight back was uneventful and medical teams immediately took in the precious cargo. Moments after Fleet Foot was rushed to the ships doctors the rest of the Wonderbolts landed and their attendants swarmed the deck to assist them with their weapons and armor however one voice rang out over all the commotion.

"Unbelievable!" Spitfire roared out in anger throwing her spear at the flight deck hard enough that it bored itself into the wood. "Absolutely unbelievable, I can't believe how you all handled that. You can't even begin to explain to me how we go for days sending these zombified freaks running and then one, ONE guy shows up and tears us apart?!"

"But, Captain, that was the Mon-" one of the Wonderbolts managed before he was cut off by an enraged Spitfire.

"AND WE'RE THE EQUESTRIAN WONDERBOLTS!" She yelled out so loud the entire hanger bay stopped. "We're the best Equestria has to offer Star Chaser! We only win, we succeed were all others fail; we snatch victory from the jaws of defeat! Do you copy that?!" she was now glaring down upon the young Wonderbolt her breath burning down on the colt through her flared nostrils.

Star Chaser lowered himself in submission, "Copy that Captain..." He mumbled meekly.

"Alright everybody," Spitfire said, the anger never leaving her voice, "I'm gonna check on Fleet Foot, everybody get some food down and get some sleep. Soarin' before you hit the chow hall take care of the armor and weapons. We need something better. Talk to the wolves, all those mutts seem to do is kill things, and when they're not, they're finding better ways to kill things. Let's see if they have got any ideas for better spears or armor. Everyone, we got a big day tomorrow, we're finding that blue freak and we're putting him in the dirt! You get me?!"

A few yes's and yeah's answered back to her.

"YOU GET ME!?"

"YES MA'AM!" all the Wonderbolts roared back

Satisfied with their response she wheeled around to check on her comrade. Upon doing so she accidentally slammed into Derpy who had been waiting behind her for her to finish. The collision startled her but sent the smaller grey pegasus tumbling over.

"Watch were you're going!" she exploded at her.

"I'm s, sorry Ma'am" She responded softly, "I just-"

"You just what?!" She barked leaving Derpy speechless. "Just wanted to waste my time I guess."

"Captain, that's out of line!" Soarin' defiantly spoke out on her defense.

Spitfire whipped around at her 1st Lieutenant "What was that Soarin', you got something to say? I didn't realize I asked for your opinion? As matter of fact I didn't realize I ever cared what your opinion was! Oh wait, don't tell me, she's ANOTHER one of your little Air Rescue fillies?"

"Captain, this is not the time or the place for your wild accusations!" he yelled back.

"Oh, using your big stallion voice today Soarin'? Well tomorrow you better bring your big stallion fight. You had always wanted Fleet Foot's job, so you got it now! You've always been good at support combat; let's see how you handle taking point! Understood?"

Soarin' swallowed hard at the news, "Yes Ma'am"

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash yelled at her, emerging from the crowd and facing her down.

"You?!" Spitfire seethed without turning to face her. There was venom on her breath at the very sound of Rainbow Dash's voice. "Shouldn't you be cleaning something?!"

"Listen I know you had bad day, but being bully isn't gonna make things better!"

"You better watch who you're talking to Private!" she said slowly turning to face the cyan Pegasus.

"I know exactly who I'm talking to! Maybe you should know who you're talking too. Derpy and I were the ones who saved Fleet Foot; she was just trying to tell you that we also risked our lives to bring in two more of your team that weren't as lucky." Rainbow Dash shot back just as angrily.

Spitfire gritted her teeth and took a few deep breaths. Registering what was just said she calmed down just a little. Turning her gaze from Rainbow Dash to Derpy she extended her hoof and helped her to her feet.

"I'm, I'm sorry it's just that…"

"I okay Ma'am," Derpy said in a forgiving tone, "I understand."

Spitfire looked at the ground "As you were everyone," She muttered then trotted off to the infirmary.

After she left the room Rainbow Dash and Derpy both made their way to Soarin' who had slumped over on his haunches looking at the ground.

"Sir, thank you for saying the things you did back there," Derpy said trying to cheer him.

"Yeah don't mention it." He said not looking up from the ground.

"Don't worry about it Soarin', you where great out there, I'm sure Spitfire was just heated and will calm down before the nights over." Rainbow Dash said joining in trying to yank him out of his foul mood. "Besides the way you took care of those guys attacking me back there, I bet you could handle anything."

"Yeah, I guess I was pretty cool," Soarin' said raising his head bit and giving her a small smile, "I'm just glad I got there in time."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Rainbow Dash joked, playfully punching him in the arm, "I totally had those guys right where I wanted them."

"Is that so? Didn't look like that from where I was," he chuckled back.

"All part of my plan, you know, lull them into a false sense of security, then pow!" She exclaimed rising up on her hind legs with her arms outstretched.

The three of them giggled at Rainbow Dash's exaggeration of the events. Once the laughter died down, Dash came down with her arms wrapped around Soarin' neck tightly.

"Thank you for saving my life Soarin'," she said to him.

"Anytime Dash," he said hugging her back with one foreleg.

Then suddenly he shoved her away.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" Rainbow said startled at him. Then it hit her all of a sudden, she wasn't sure if it was the fear in Soarin' eyes or the hair in her mane prickling up, but something told her to turn around.

She found Spitfire was staring right at her.

9

"Wait! Hang on Spitfire, I can explain," Rainbow Dash said rising up on her hind legs, her forelegs raised in defense while she trotted backwards as the Wonderbolt Captain stalked closer to her. "It was just a friendly hug and nothing more, you see Soarin' saved my life out there and I just wanted to, uh, you know, show him my appreciation."

"Show him your appreciation?!" She growled. "Let me guess, you've been showing him your appreciation ever since you boarded this ship!"

"No, no you got it all wrong, I promise there is nothing going on," Soarin' stammered out stepping in between the two mares.

"Oh really?" Spitfire said staring him down, despite him being taller than her. "If there is nothing going on then why did Star Chaser and the other Wonderbolts get kicked out of the office when you called her in to see you huh?! Were you looking for a little appreciation then too?"

"What?! Look I just wanted to talk to her about a private matter! That's all I swear!" he said, shriveling under scrutiny.

"No more LIES SOARIN'!" Spitfire screamed out, drawing everypony, as well as the nearby wolves and griffons attention as she roughly shoved him out of the way and closed the gap between her and Rainbow Dash. "As for you, if you think you I'm gonna let some rainbow colored filly that isn't worth a basket of apples steal what's mine? You're sorely mistaken!"

"Listen Spitfire, I swear there was nothing funny goi-" Rainbow tried to plead with her but was immediately silenced as Spitfire accelerated to a full gallop and began to charge her.

"Whoa! Calm down!" Rainbow yelled out as she leaped out of her way, narrowly avoiding her.

"Shut it you blue little...little...JEZEBEL!" Spitfire roared back at her, sputtering over words with rage. "You want what's mine; you'll have to take it from me!"

"I don't want anything from you!" Rainbow Dash protested lowering her body in a submissive position.

"You want in the Wonderbolts, you want Soarin', and you want my job!" Spitfire accused as she dashed for her again this time too quickly for Rainbow Dash to dodge and rammed her has hard as she could with a head-butt that sent the blue pegasus crashing to the deck. Spitfire pounded the ground with her fore hoof aggressively, "Now get up, I'm not done knocking you down!"

"What?! No!" Rainbow Dash yelled back angrily as she pulled herself back to her feet raising all the way up, no longer in submission. "I always wanted to be a Wonderbolt, I used to idolize you Spitfire, but now I wish I never met you! You're just a paranoid, jealous mare who just bullies everyone around them! Plus you're crazy if you think I'm gonna fight a Captain."

"Everypony!" Spitfire yelled out to the entire crowd which had now circled them. "As your Commanding Officer I wish to make it known that rank does not apply here, right now its two civilians settling their differences understood!"

As the announcement was made Soarin' moved to intervene but was yanked back and held down by group of salivating wolves who were aching to see two girls, even if they were ponies, have a catfight. Soon the whole deck was cheering and egging them on and chanting for blood.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" The crowd boomed.

A devilish grin crawled across Spitfire face as she turned back at Rainbow Dash. "Satisfied twerp?"

Rainbow Dash scowled back at her and pounded the ground as Spitfire had done. She snorted hot air threw her nose in anger. "You want to do this the hard way?! Fine!" She called out rising on her hind legs, bouncing on her hooves and lifting her forelegs to box. "We'll do this the HARD WAY!"

Spitfire roared as she charged Rainbow Dash again, Rainbow Dash was caught off guard by how fast she could move, realized she wouldn't be able to dodge her. She braced herself as Spitfire hit her head on, the two both tumbled over each over grappling for a good hold. They rolled over each other several times until Spitfire managed to pin her down. Her hind legs on either side of Dash's waist her left fore hoof forcing her down at the shoulder, Spitfire reached back and swung hard with her right hoof at Dash's face catching her hard against the cheek. Reaching back again for a second swing Rainbow Dash used the momentum against Spitfire rocking her up and over the cyan pegasus on the Captain's down swing.

Spitfire scrambled to her hind legs, but didn't make it before Dash did and looked up only to receive a right hook across her own face. Quickly she raised her hooves up and blocked two more follow up swings that Rainbow Dash had sent her way.

The two circled each other, sizing each other for a moment. The crowd going nuts, money was exchanging hands now. The entire ordeal had gotten out of control but the two pegasus were two furious to care. Spitfire fired off a few punches that Rainbow Dash raised her forelegs to block. With her guard up Spitfire swung deep and uppercut into her stomach.

The pain thundered through her abdomen as she let out a grunt of pain and her forelegs dropped momentarily from the force of the hit. This was more than enough time for Spitfire to lash out at her. A strong right and left cross struck consecutively knocking her back, followed by a wide powerful right hoofed haymaker. Rainbow Dash was knocked off her feet and onto her back again.

"That's it!? I know you like being on your back and all, but this is a fight! C'mon, get up!" Spitfire said in mocking tone filled with malice.

Rainbow Dash roared back at the insult, trying to block out the pain, and quickly rose up. As soon as her vision focused she saw Spitfire lunging at her again with her right hoof. Dash quickly spun to avoid the hit and planted her hind hoof into her back and kicked her as hard as she could. The move sent Spitfire stumbling into a group of rooting wolves and griffons who caught her, turned her around and threw her back into the fight…Right into Rainbow Dash's right cross.

Spitfire's jaw sang with pain at the punch, but recovered fast enough to grab Dash's left fore leg before she could follow it up. That however did not stop Rainbow Dash from driving her knee deep into her stomach. Spitfire doubled over with a gasping wheeze that sent spit flying as she had the wind knocked out of her. Once hunched over she felt the blue pegasus' fore leg wrap around her windpipe and squeeze, cutting off her breathing and keeping her head close against her waist. She felt a sharp pain in her side, Rainbow Dash' was punching her in the side with her free hoof, then her vision started going dark.

"Well waddaya know, you're not so tough after all!" Rainbow Dash snarled as she tightened her choke with all her might as Spitfire struggled to breathe and squirm free. Suddenly she felt herself liftoff the ground, looking down she saw Spitfire's wings beating fiercely raising them high in the room. "Hey whaddya think your doinngggaaahhh!!" she screamed out as Spitfire changed her flight path downward and drove Rainbow Dash's back hard into the ground. The collision forced her to let go of Spitfire and writhe around in pain, rubbing her back with her hooves.

Spitfire took in a few deep breaths then focused on the downed Rainbow Dash and quickly began to kick at her while she was still on the ground.

"You worthless!!…no good!!…pile of feathers!!…you're nothing!!… you're nothing!! She yelled at kicking at her with each outburst.

Rainbow Dash's ribs burned more and more with each kick, however she knew they were rhythmic and on the very next kick she rolled away, causing her miss and allowing her to grab her foreleg and drag her down to the ground with her to grapple with her. Once entwined the two traded blows back and forth, throwing punches, biting, kicking, and yanking at each other's manes and tales. Until finally Soarin' managed to break through and jump in the fight with Derpy following him in. Both of them grabbed the two mares and pulled, yanking the two apart, until they were swinging and reaching at the air.

"That's enough!" Soarin' yelled out. "I have had it with you Spitfire! This is the last straw! I have always been faithful to you, I remember what Blitz Ace put you though, and I promised you I would never put you through that. It was never good enough for you, you never trusted me! Now you're beating up any filly that comes your way. I can't deal with that. So do whatever you want Spitfire, just know that you're not doing it with me. When we get back to Equestria, I resign."

Rainbow Dash instantly lost her will to fight, she had never wanted Soarin' to leave the Wonderbolts. "Wait Soarin', think about what you're saying!" She called out trying to get him to recant.

"If this is what it's going to be like, I don't need this Dash," he returned. Then turning back to Spitfire, "We are done!"

Spitfire bristled with anger, "No we're not Soarin'! Not by a long shot! You, me and that Rainbow Puke over there, we got a long way to go the three of us! Starting tomorrow, she's coming with us; the three of us are going monster hunting. I'll show you what kind of filly she is Soarin'. I'll show you why you and I are supposed to be together."

"No, you can't do that! She's not trained for that!" Soarin' protested.

"She's a good enough fighter," She responded coolly rubbing her cheek where one of Rainbow Dash's punches had hit her. "Besides I'm down three Wonderbolts, and I can promote whomever I want." She turned to Rainbow Dash who was being helped up by Derpy as she began to trot back to her quarters. "You always wanted to be a Wonderbolt. well congratulations, you're a 2nd Lieutenant now, and you fly with me and Soarin' tomorrow." She paused and looked at the grey pegasus helping her recover from the fight. "The more the merrier right? Bring your cross eyed friend."

Rainbow Dash cheered as loud as she could as the Wonderbolts soared overhead, performing an aerial Cork screw.

"Mommy those ponies are so cool!"

"Well one day when you learn fly, maybe you'll be able to be one Dashie…"

"Ooh ooh! Me next, pick me Ms. Cherilee!"

"Okay Rainbow Dash, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

"I'm gonna be a Wonderbolt!"

"Yes! This is so awesome! The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Galla every year. I can see it now…"

The ringing in her ears was painful, the only thing she could hear beyond it was the pounding of her heart in her chest. She shook her head trying to remove the sensation but it wouldn't leave. Her back ached from the fall to the ground. She raised her head and saw a blurry figure charging her. Squinting she could make out the glimmer of a sword, causing her heart to race as she sat up on her haunches as quick as she could. She saw at her feet the reflection of the sun bounce off the spear at her hooves. With her vision clearing she could make out the enemy wolf clear getting closer spurring her to reach down, scoop up the spear just as the beast leaped into the air with his sword raised high above his head. Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth as she brought the spear across her chest and braced it with both hooves as the serrated toothed, blood stained blade came down. With the sudden ring of steel striking steel, the full chaos of the war erupted in Rainbow Dash's ears as the ringing and subsided. The wolf's hot breath stung at her eyes, as saliva dripped from his mouth the pegasus strained against the weight of the sword being forced closer to her face. Sucking in a deep breath, she dug deep for every last ounce of strength she could muster and shifted the spear sliding the sword away from her and striking the red-eyed wolf across the face with the butt of the spear. This sent him reeling, allowing Dash to rise from the ground, take aim and, with a yell, thrust forward, plunging it deep into his chest cavity. The wolf stumbled and fell as Dash twisted it tearing the wound open before yanking it back out and taking back to the sky.

War cries and battle orders rang out in all directions. The howl of wolves and screeching of griffons echoed across the battlefield. The stench of blood and death coursed through the air. It was her third day as a Wonderbolt she no longer gagged at taking life and inflicting pain, at least not until she got back to the airship. The first day after her fight with Spitfire had been rough, Soarin' had stayed with her and Derpy and kept them safe, when they weren't fighting, he and the rest of the Wonderbolts, save Spitfire, trained them night and day. She was exhausted, but there wasn't time for her to be weak, not now. She was clothed in the finest armor in Equestria, brilliant blue and gold hardened steel that stood out on that battlefield, daring all to challenge her. She gripped a modified Equestrian Spear, one that wolves had helped the ponies design that was easier to wield and better at its job. Lastly, she had decided to wear the Element of Loyalty around her neck. At first Soarin' protested, but Dash insisted. Now, even though she was exhausted, outnumbered and so far from home, she felt invincible.

"Forward!" A strong voice rang out; Rainbow Dash craned her head upward to see Spitfire striking down a griffon with one swipe of her spear while leading the charge of allied griffons and wolves. "Always forward!"

Rainbow Dash flapped her wings and took to the sky to join her. As she soared to formation Spitfire barked at her while skewering another griffon with ease, "What took you so long twerp?"

"Got caught up on a wolf Captain, I'm back in the fight now," Rainbow said deflecting the blow of another griffon before slicing its wing with the blade of her own spear, crippling it and sending it to the ground.

"Learn to stay in formation and maybe," she jammed her spear through the eye of another griffon. "You'd be able to keep up with me and Soarin'."

There were three teams of four Wonderbolts, together with the griffons, Wyndia's Spear they were reaping a fearsome toll on the enemy. Soarin' was leading their team as per Spitfire's orders. Each night she tore into him over everything he did wrong. Rainbow Dash was to be his main support, however it only being her third day on the job she was dead weight, but at least she was improving. Derpy shared Dash's role at support, but wasn't adapting as quickly as Dash was. Spitfire had rounded their team out herself placing herself at rear guard.

"Come on, were falling behind the other teams," Spitfire called out, her voice dripping with sarcasm and disappointment. "Come on Soarin' get us in the fight!"

"Right, uh…umm," He stuttered searching for a course of action, his eyes searching for point in the enemy line to lead them to.

"Now Soarin'! We're sitting idle while others fight!" she snapped.

"Give him a second!" Dash interrupted angrily,

Spitfire jerked around, faced her, then without warning sped through the air next to her and backhoofed in the face hard, knocking her aside.

"You filthy littl-" Dash exploded before being interrupted by the sound of griffon that had snuck up on her flank gurgling up blood that he choked on as Spitfire forced her spear deep into his stomach before she let him slide off and fall to his death.

"Seconds. Cost. Lives." She said coldly. "Remember that twerp, and for the love of Celestia keep your head in the game!" she said as banged roughly on her helmet.

Rainbow Dash swallowed hard, this had been the third or fourth time Spitfire had saved her life. Even though she was on rear guard she had easily more kills than the rest of the team, probably more than her and Derpy combined. She shouted orders across the battlefield to other teams when Soarin's hesitation would have been catastrophic. Screaming out inspiring words to spur the teams and their allies on and singing hymns of war when the fighting got its fiercest, pushing others to fight harder. Even though she hated to admit, Spitfire was Captain of the Wonderbolts for a reason, she's the best at what she does, and this is what she did.

"Those wolves down there," Soarin said pointing below them, "There being surrounded by ground troops they'll be overrun, if we do some strafing runs, we can thin their numbers and they should be able to hold their own." He said half ordering the team and half asking Spitfire.

"Rodger that Lieutenant," Derpy confirmed hovering next him.

"Yeah we're right behind you Soarin'!" Dash said gripping her spear tightly trying to bolster his confidence.

"Right then, let's move!" Soarin' commanded and took off, diving downwards into the fray. Spitfire, Rainbow Dash, and Derpy all followed his lead, rushing head long into the fight, moments before colliding with the ground they pulled and flew head on into a pack of enemy wolves. They dodged, skewered, tossed aside, rinsed and repeated thinning the pack before pulling up for a second run. They climbed a short distance, before U-turning and diving bombing a second time.

Just before crashing into the ground the group pulled up and headed into the strafe until Rainbow Dash heard a scream that sent chills through her bones.

"DASH! HELP ME!" Derpy screamed out. The grey pegasus wasn't able to pull up fast enough and crashed hard on the ground and enemy wolves were descending on her.

Without any hesitation Rainbow Dash U-turned and rocketed to her downed friend who was just managing to get to her feet just as the villainous wolf pack surrounded her. Derpy raised her spear, jabbing towards any wolf that came close, holding them off in a tight circle around her. Rainbow Dash ran her spear through the back of one them, breaking the circle and landed back to back with her friend, spear held taught against the wolves.

"I got your back Derpy, I'm right here with you!"

"Right," She confirmed.

A wolf leaped at Derpy, his sword held high, she rose to block it sending sparks into the sky as the wolf's blade scraped against the spear. Rainbow Dash flipped her bladed end of her spear backwards and stabbed past Derpy's waist gutting the wolf, then quickly yanking it out to deflect an attack made at herself. Derpy kicked the gutted wolf back and turned her attention to another leaping foe. To her surprise a hurled spear caught him midair and sending him back to the ground, she looked up to see that it was Spitfire who had brought salvation.

The Captain of the Wonderbolts reached back to her waist and drew an elaborate blade that only she wielded and charged head first into the pack. Spinning and weaving while slicing and slashing her way through them, she was surrounded by red mist as she danced through them, her blade singing a song of victory as it tore through flesh. Rainbow Dash likened her to a whirlwind of death.

Soarin' had also joined the fray with her using his brute strength as well as his spear, stabbing one while smashing in the face of another with his armored hoof. Derpy saw him crack a wolf's muzzle with a power charge that ended with his helmet crushing into his snout with a powerful head-butt. Soon, he completely pitched his spear into a swooping enemy griffon's breast, and proceeded to use his close combat prowess to rend his foes apart.

With the four of them on the ground they fought as one and dispatched them as quickly as they could. Soon the friendly wolves had reached them and joined the fray, easily stopping the now dwindled enemy. They all retrieved their weapons and took to the sky once more to renedezvous with the other teams.

"I saw that head-butt Soarin', pretty wicked," Spitfire commented raising her hoof up.

"What can I say, I try," he joked back completing the hoof bump.

"That was a good call; the wolves would have been in some serious trouble if we didn't support them," she said, actually smiling at him for once.

"Thanks Captain," he said pleased with the praise.

Rainbow Dash didn't get it, one second she was at his throat now they were all buddy, buddy?

"Hey Dash," Soarin' called back to her. "Sweet moves with that spear, and it was pretty gutsy doubling back like that."

"Thanks Soarin'," she beamed.

"Thanks for saving me back there," Derpy said, "All of you."

"Just focus kid we might not be there next time," Spitfire said coldly.

"Okay," Derpy said looking down with disappointment, then trying to change the subject. "But you were something else with that sword!"

"The Blade of Equestria? It's handed down from Captain to Captain," Spitfire said proudly. Then looking as Soarin' with hopeful eyes, "Might be yours one day Soarin', you know, if you want to stick around that is."

Soarin' looked back at her not sure what to say to her. "We'll see, I'm really not sure right now Spitfire."

Spitfire looked genuinely hurt and a little frightened at his response, and for the first time in Rainbow Dash's life, she saw Spitfire's shell break and the Captain of the Wonderbolts was now just a filly who just had her heart broken.

The moment didn't last long, a thunderous explosion echoed in the sky high above them. They all turned upwards to see a bright blue streak cross the sky with a burning trail of fire.

"He's here," Spitfire said, the sadness leaving her instantly replaced with something else, which Rainbow Dash could only describe as bloodlust.

"What's the plan Captain?" Soarin' responded quickly abandoning his role as leader to his Captain at the presence of the monster.

"Chase him. Catch him. Kill him."

7

Rainbow Dash never thought she'd be doing what she was doing right now. She, Derpy and a multitude of other pegasus were pulled from their regular jobs to ferry small airboats to and from the mainland to the Equus Fortis which had docked. It had been revealed to them that they were visiting a bustling metropolis called Wyndia, the capital of the griffon empire. Rainbow Dash had seen a few griffons back from her days in flight school but now she was surrounded by them, and battalions of armored battle ready Griffon solider flew into the Equus Fortis. That was a surprise but what really got her was who the pegasus were tasked with bringing on board. Wolves, angry looking and armed to the teeth wolves. Bigger than the diamond dogs back in Equestria and clearly far more advanced the timber wolves of the Everfree Forest; the pegasus hauled them up to the ship in groups of twenty per air boat. There were dozens and dozens of teams loading them up and Rainbow Dash must have made the trip back and five or six times.

There was no time to rest after they were done loading up all the wolves on the ship as they were all called down to their respective compartments for a major briefing on what was happening. Rainbow Dash had mixed feelings about this; on one hoof she was hoping the brief would finally give her some answers, but on the other, she also hoped to talk with some of the griffons or wolves if they knew what was going on as well as talk military and see just what these troops they loaded on were made of.

As she made her way to her seat in their compartment, Derpy sat next to her and exchanged a hoof-bump, "So what do you make of today Dash?"

"Freaking crazy! Did you get a load of the Wolves?! They look like they could eat us for breakfast!"

"Yeah they look kind of tough, but I think our armored cavalry can take them! Those stallions are tough! Besides we can fly and they can't."

"You know what? You're right; maybe they're not as tough as they look."

"Alright can it!" their sergeant bellowed, hushing all the voices in the room. "1st Lieutenant's coming so look sharp." With that he peered his head out the door and began to look out and around for the Officer. After a moment he snapped back in popped to attention yelling out "Attention on deck!" This brought everypony to attention.

Rainbow Dash couldn't believe it but she almost lost it when Soarin' trotted in and gave the order for everypony to relax. She had no idea what he was doing here, but as long as he had some answers she supposed it didn't really matter.

"So I bet you guys have a bunch of questions," he began. "Hear me out and hopefully I'll be able to answer most of them. So first let's put a rumor to rest, Equestria as a nation has now entered the world stage, and now we're joining with the other races to help boost trade, economy, and all that good stuff. However, it seems that in exchange for all these things, we need to help the other races of this world. Well that's exactly what we are going to do. The griffons have been at war for a while, a war where they're getting their butts kicked. The wolves have joined them to help turn the tide but it's not enough. That's where we come in. Princess Celestia had this ship commissioned for this very job. We're gonna deliver fresh troops to the front, provide aerial support, a forward mobile base and retrieve wounded from the battlefield and bring them here for medical attention. I will stress this to you, we will be mainly playing a support role, but if the word comes down from the top, we are prepared to commit to this. I am honored to be able to command you fine mares and stallions of Air Rescue as well as serve my duties with the Wonderbolts. I know all of you will give your all and make our Princess proud. Alright I would like to draw your attention to the film screen, the Griffons have provided us with some intel on what we're dealing with, I suggest we all pay attention." With that he dimmed the lights and an old style projection fired up and began to play off information about the lands and the enemy that was plaguing it. Soarin' shuffled his way to the back of the compartment as it played, and took a seat next to Rainbow Dash.

All of the ponies in the room were all stunned and murmured as they learned about fallen troops returning to the battle to fight against them and swell the enemy ranks. They all cringed at the news of the blue monster and the video managed to hit home by it declaring if they were unable to stop the enemy here there would be no way to stop them. It would be a matter of time before it reached Equestria. Rainbow Dash tried her best to ignore Soarin' sitting next to her, until she couldn't stand it and leaned over and whispered to him.

"Hey, you and me, we need to talk," she spoke as inaudibly as she could. "Sir."

"Huh? What about?" he whispered back.

"How about why you're my boss while your crazy girlfriend, Spitfire, wants to put my head on a spike for even talking to you."

"Oh, yeah that…okay after the presentation come to my office," he muttered as he blushed a little bit at the accusation, then raising his voice to address the whole room since the video had ended, "alright, any questions?"

About seven hooves rose up so he stood up and took his place in the front again and began to answer them. Derpy, who had overheard the mumbling, elbowed Rainbow Dash to get her attention. "Dash you should give the guy a chance. He doesn't seem all that bad"

"I'm not worried about Soarin' Derpy, it's Spitfire that scares me." Rainbow said with sigh.

Rainbow Dash let the door close behind her and spotted four officers in the room with her, all of them Wonderbolts. She had never seen any of them before and assumed they must have been picked up from the contest a few months ago. They were all laughing and joking with each other until one of them noticed her.

"Can we help you?" she said, sounding upset as if Rainbow Dash had interrupted something important.

"Yes I was-"

"Oh wait, is that Private Dash?" another said noticing the name on her uniform, "Yeah that's her, Yo Lieutenant, Private Dash is here!"

"Oh good," He said from the back of the office emerging out from behind a cubical. "Alright guys, out."

"What?" One of them said taken aback by his request.

"I said out, all of you, this is private, so get." He ordered, in a nonchalant but definitely serious tone. With some moderate grumbling, the four other Wonderbolts got up and headed out the door. Once they all left and the door was shut there was a bit of an awkward silence that Soarin' tried to break. "So, you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah, after that whole circus you guys called a contest, why in the world are you commanding my squad. If Spit, er if the Captain catches wind of this she'll tear me apart, and I didn't even do anything!"

"Yes that, look I'm sorry for what happened at the contest, that day has been bugging me ever since it happened and when I saw you the other day, that you'd joined up. I knew that it was my chance to make it up to you."

Rainbow Dash shook her head, "Look Sir, you don't ne-"

"Soarin', please call me Soarin'"

"I can't do that now, not anymore, Sir, and to be frank unless you can turn back the clock and make me a Wonderbolt by talking some sense into your physco girlfriend, then you can't really help me."

"Listen, Spitfire and I have had a pretty rough on and off relationship. It all started with her ex-husband."

"What?! She was married?"

"Yeah, a while ago, to another Wonderbolt, he's retired now; He sort of treated her pretty rotten. I was new to the Wonderbolts when they were together. He used to pick up new mares left and right at each town that we performed in. But he was the Captain back then, and well, he ran the show. Spitfire just tried to ignore it. When he retired, she became Captain, once that happened he broke it off with her for good. Soon after that we had starting see each other, and everything was good. Then one day I was signing autographs for a pretty filly and she lost it. I've been doing my best to deal with it, I mean she's a good person and all but, she gets a little crazy if I talk to another girl besides her for too long. I tried breaking things off with her once, but it didn't work out so well." He tried to chuckle off the last statement but Rainbow Dash could see that it really bothered him. All of sudden she didn't feel angry towards him anymore. "She's really starting to drive me away, what happened to you wasn't anything new. She's always accusing me of doing things that just aren't happening and it drives me crazy."

"Look, I uh, I didn't realize things were like that," Dash said placing a hoof on his shoulder.

Soarin' perked up a bit at her touch, "That's why I volunteered to take over the responsibilities of the Air Rescue Commanding officer; I'm going to do whatever I can to get you on the Wonderbolts. You're one of the best fliers I've ever seen, and deserve a spot. I don't care what Spitfire thinks, that's one wrong that I gotta right."

Rainbow Dash's eyes watered up a bit at what Soarin' had told her, she tried to thank him but was too choked up say anything until she finally found her voice. "I don't know what to say…Thank you so much."

"As long as you and I can still be friends Private Dash, you don't need to say anything."

"Sure thing Sir, of course we can be friends." Rainbow Dash turned to make her way out of the room, pausing briefly to leave him with one last remark. "But there is something you should know Soarin', my friends just call me by name."

Several days had passed since the briefings and the Equus Fortis had moved forward towards the front. Drills had intensified, the newly brought on griffons and wolves worked with the ponies to help prepare them even more for the oncoming storm. Except now the storm was here. Soarin' had left to perform close air support with the Wonderbolts who were tasked to aid an elite team of griffon commando's with front line combat. Rainbow Dash and Derpy worked tirelessly with the Air rescue team to retrieve wounded and bring the back on board for medical attention and to prevent the enemy from turning them.

Over the next coming days the popularity of the Equestrians soared, as the wolves and griffons rejoiced at the return of their wounded comrades to safety. Weary fighters were finally given respite from the war in the massive airship. However the greatest praise was for the Wonderbolts. Smaller than the griffons and not as strong as the wolves, everyone had been skeptical at the sort of fight the pegasus would be able to bring, but fight after fight, battle after battle they showed that they were faster and more agile than the other races. Experienced weapon smiths from the wolves worked paw in hoof with Equestrian metal workers to create superior weapons for them, and almost overnight the word Wonderbolt was synonymous with victory. The war was turning and it was not long until everyone had their thoughts turned from whether they would ever make it home to the stories they would share with their families. Things were looking up and morale had never been higher.

Until the monster struck.

The day had started out like the others as the Air Rescue team leapt off the flight deck and headed towards the designated rescue area. Rainbow Dash noticed they were headed closer to the front lines than normal but paid it no mind as the clouds parted and the ground became visible. As they approached their designated area slowly but surely little specks came into view that Rainbow Dash had taken as wounded fighters. Her hooves touched down lightly with Derpy following a heartbeat later as the moans of wounded animals started to fill their ears. As they came upon the injured, writhing and crawling towards them for help the pegasus teams immediately set about picking them up and air lifting them back.

Dash and Derpy started scanning for injured noticing a lot more bodies than usual, when suddenly Derpy felt a hand grab hold of her hoof tightly. The sensation caused her to jump initially but she wheeled around to examine who had grabbed her. The shaky outstretched hand belonged to wolf soldier who was half buried under one of the fallen enemies. Rainbow Dash and Derpy quickly moved to shove the body off him, when they did it revealed a nasty stomach wound that made both of them grimace with empathy.

"Is… Is the monster gone?" The wolf stammered out.

Rainbow Dash looked the wolf over and saw him to be smaller than the others, not as fierce looking, and decided he must have been younger than the others she had seen.

"Yeah he's gone," She spoke out to him gently. "You guys totally sent him home crying, I just need you to stay me with me right now. Okay tough guy?"

"Your…your wings…" the wolf choked out, a small trail of blood slipped from his mouth. "You're not a griffon…"

"Nope," Rainbow said checking his pulse at the sight of the blood he spit up; trying her best to not sound worried.

"Were pegasus," Derpy joined in elevating his head, while giving Dash a worried look.

"Pegasus? Like the Wonderbolts?"

"That's right kiddo; we came all the way across the ocean from Equestria to help. So don't you worry about any…" Rainbow was cut short by the young wolf's paw gently feeling her foreleg, staining her cyan coat with his blood.

"Your coat…your coat's so soft…"

Derpy checked his pulse at his neck, and looked up at Dash with a sorrowful look in her eyes as she shook her head. The wolf's breathing began to become more and more labored. Suddenly his grip on her hoof tightened and a pitiful dog whine escaped him.

Rainbow Dash clasped his paw tightly with both hooves "I'm right here little guy, we're right her with you."

Then with one last labored breath, his grip relaxed and he was gone.

"No," Derpy said softly. "No, no no…he was…was..."

"He wasn't alone," Rainbow cut her off. "We were here with him, so he wasn't alone at the end…C'mon; there have got to be others." Rainbow said wiping a tear from her eye as she stared at the wolf's still wet blood on her hoof.

As the two gently laid the wolf down, a bright light flashed in front of their sergeant and a scroll appeared. He quickly read it and then barked out new orders.

"You two," he said pointing at Dash and Derpy since they had no one on a stretcher. "Two clicks north of here we have priority retrieval. There has been a class W casualty, and we need immediate evac of injured personal. You copy that?"

The two swallowed hard at sound of this new information. "Sarge did you say class W?" Derpy quickly sputtered out.

"Rodger that Private, we've got an incapacitated Wonderbolt on the battlefield and we CAN NOT allow them to be turned against us. Now MOVE IT!"