Broken Harmony

Memories torment a past of red.

Can the rainbow remember it's other colors?

Or will the past rob her of them instead.

Rainbow Dash was suprised at the reaction of both the ponies and the griffins at her arrival in the town of "Hope", as it was called. She had expected something a bit more critical than cheering and food offerings, especially since the defeat of the Elements was such common knowledge around the world, but she just decided it was best not to ask too many questions and to just enjoy whatever they had to offer at the moment as it may be awhile before she came across a town so willing to help an Element.

"Well. Well. Well.", came a familiar voice from behind.

Rainbow froze. She knew that voice anywhere. It can't be, she thought to herself as she turned around, and was ultimately greeted by a griffin whom she thought she would never see again. "Gilda?", Dash raised a brow. "What in Eque-- What in the world are you doing here?"

Gilda smiled. She was wearing a steel grey armor and a helmet to match. Her wings were covered in some sort of lightweight material and her talons appeared to be sharpened to a gleam, but the most notable feature was her eyes. Gilda appeared to look much older, and matured, than when Rainbow had last seen her.

"Oh, you know. Nothing special", Gilda said nonchalantly with a cocky grin. "Just doing my duty as captain of the local guard."

Rainbow's mouth dropped open. Gilda? Captain of the guard? B-but, s-she was-- she was a jerk! How the hay did she ever become captain of... anything!

Her thoughts were cut off as Gilda spoke. "Look, RD. I-I know what you're thinking.", Gilda appeared to look rather nervous, but Rainbow decided it was just the shadows from the helmet playing tricks on her and decided to listen for the moment. "But I've changed. Honest. I know I was a bully in the past. I...", Gilda sighed and lowered her head.

Dash was stunned for a moment. How, and when, the hay did Gilda change?.

Gilda was silent. Dash realized that she had been quiet and was staring with her mouth wide open. She quickly corrected herself and cleared her throat. Was she really sincere? Only one way to find out, she thought.

"Gilda? Change?", Dash began. "Puhlease! I don't know how you became captain, but I wouldn't doubt you cheated your way to the top. Or did you happen to blackmail whoever's in charge?" Rainbow pressed forward with every word. "Or, did you scare the old captain away and take his place? I wouldn't doubt any of those options, Gilda", Rainbow emphasized 'Gilda' with a flick of her mane.

Silence.

Ponyfeathers. Oops.

"G-Gilda. I-I'm sorry. I was just testing you. I had to be sure you were telling the truth. Honest". Rainbow attempted to put on a sincere smile, but could only muster up a sheepish grin.

"I understand, Dash." Gilda moved closer to Rainbow as she spoke, "I was a jerk. Really, I was. I realized that after I lost my only friend all those years ago", she began. "Change didn't come right away though, but that's besides the point. I'm changed now and..." Gilda looked away for a moment. "Can you ever forgive me?"

Rainbow Dash thought for a moment. Specifically what Twilight would do in a situation like this, but it didn't take long as she already knew in an instant what Twilight would do. As much as she hated to admit it, she forgave Gilda a long time ago. Probably without even realizing it. And she had to face the fact that she would need all the friends, and help, she could get her hooves on at a time like this.

"Rainbow Dash?", Gilda asked with a slight hint of worry.

Rainbow shook her head to snap herself out of her inner monologue and smiled as she held out her hoof.

"Thanks, RD." The griffin said with a smile and returned the hoof bump.

Rainbow Dash was woken up by a loud banging on her door. She had decided to stay for a few days to fuel up and to let Gilda get together a saddlebag of supplies ready for her.

Knock knock knock

Rainbow Dash mumbled.

Knock Knock Knock

Rainbow's head shot up out as she was now wide awake. "Who is it?"

"The Captain requires your presence at the town center, miss". It was one of the guard griffins from earlier.

Rainbow yawned. As stood and stretched her wings, her bronze armor creaked. She winced at the sound before replying. "Yeah yeah, I'll be right out".

What does Gilda want with me?, she thought to herself before opening the door and stepping out.

The griffin looked at her with a slight head tilt. "Miss?"

Rainbow did the same. "Yeah? What is it?"

"Your mane, miss. Would you like a mirror?" He appeared to be stifling a laugh, but Rainbow ignored it as she realized what he had just said.

The griffin took her silence as a 'yes' and quickly produced a mirror for her to use.

Rainbow Dash quickly looked into the mirror, which the griffin held up, and her jaw dropped. Her multi-colored mane was sticking out in all directions as if she had been the subject of a bad lightning storm. She quickly brought her hooves up to her mane and began to rigorously pat all the hair down. With one last shake she took one more look into the mirror. Satisfied, Rainbow nodded. "Thanks."

The griffin nodded in return. "Anytime. Oh, and by the way. I'm Steel." He bowed before placing the brush and mirror back under his wing.

"Steel... cool name. I'm Rainbow Dash. Element of Loyalty." She held out her hoof. The griffin obliged with a smile and shook her hoof.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash." Gilda was standing near a small statue of the sun. "I didn't expect you to take waking up this early so well."

Rainbow trotted over with a smile. "Yeah, well, you're not the only one who has changed."

Silence.

Changed.

The silence hung for a few moments until Gilda spoke up.

"I guess you're wondering why I woke you up so early." she said.

Rainbow nodded and looked to the sun statue.

"So what is this thing anyway?"

"A statue." Gilda said with a slight smirk.

Rainbow facehoofed. "No, I mean, what's it for?"

"Twilight made it."

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened at the mention of her friends name.

"T-Twilight was here?!" she asked a little louder than she thought.

Gilda nodded and turned to the statue. "Yeah, actually, everyone's been here. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and even Applejack. You're the last one to show up." She turned to see Rainbow Dash apparently still stunned.

The griffin couldn't help but chuckle. "Anyways. It's a shield of some sort." she said as she looked back to the statue. "Only the Elements can activate it, according to Twilight."

Rainbow shook her head. "What, why? Why only the Elements and what's the shield for anyway?"

"I dunno. Twilight designed it, but left shortly after. I never did get a chance to ask her about it."

The Element of Loyalty was the only one left. She knew she had to do something, but she didn't know what the statue would do, especially being made by Twilight. Rainbow didn't doubt her friends' magical ability, but it has been five years since she's seen her. She let out a sigh, but suddenly realized she could feel a small pulse coming with within the stone. She felt them all. The other Elements. Her friends. They may not be there physically, but she could feel their presence. She smiled as she now knew what to do.

"RD?" Gilda asked, worried.

Rainbow shook her head once again to clear her thoughts. "I know what to do."

Gilda shrugged and stepped aside.

Loyalty looked up to the large concrete sun bearing over her. She closed her eyes for a moment to focus.

Twilight. Applejack. Pinkie Pie. Rarity and Fluttershy. You were all here before me. I don't know where you all are now, and I know you're not here, but I know you're with me in spirit. We're the Elements of Harmony, no... we're more than that. We're friends. Best friends! I just want you all to know that I've never once doubted our friendship. I know that someday we will all see each other again and I look forward to it. I'll always be loyal to you guys. You mean the world to me.

"Rainbow Dash?" Gilda began.

Rainbow heard her, but chose not to respond. Her chest felt warm and she didn't want to spoil the sensation. For a second she thought she heard her friends laughing. They sounded happy.

"Your necklace!" Gilda said with slight enthusiasm. "It's glowing!"

She snapped out of it and looked down to see her Element emanating a warm red glow. Rainbow, initially surprised, beared a look of determination across her face and moved closer to the sun before her and placed her hoof against the hard concrete.

A red pulse washed over the concrete sun immediately after the Element of Loyalty had made contact. Rainbow quickly took a few steps back and watched the magic unfold. Gilda too stepped back and stood beside Rainbow Dash, her beak agape.

The sun began to emanate it's own heat as a purple glow began to overtake it. Twilight, was all Rainbow Dash could think of.

Suddenly a purple light shot out from the sphere and into the sky. The light stopped high in the sky as a dome began to form around the entire town. Ponies and griffins looked in awe as the magical barrier continued to shape around them.

Silence followed the barriers completion, but it was shortlived as cheers and shouts rang out around the large town. "Hope" was beginning to live up to it's name.

"Well. Ain't that something." Gilda said with her beak still wide open.

Dash only nodded in agreement.

The day went by with Rainbow Dash signing autographs and telling stories of her years on the run from the "evil queen". It was an eventful day full of celebrating and music. The town appeared to be visibily happier as they would always be smiling when Rainbow Dash walked by.

Smiles. It's been years since Rainbow Dash had seen a genuine smile. It reminded her of Pinkie Pie. The Element of Laughter. If Pinkie were here, Dash thought with a smirk.

It was getting late and the sun was beginning to set on the horizon. Rainbow watched with a mixture of sorrow and anger.

Celestia was long gone. Banished into the sun by the mysterious alicorn those five years ago.

Come say that to my face!" Rainbow Dash yelled at the black alicorn with the flowing red mane and piercing green eyes.

"Oh? Have I hurt your pride?" the alicorn said; each word dripping with malice.

"Shut it!"

Rainbow was the last one standing. The others lay, unconsious, to her left. Even Celestia herself was struggling to stand.

"The Element of Loyalty. I can now see why it chose you." the alicorn began. "A foolish choice." she spat before sending a magic beam of energy from her horn. "Just stay down like the rest of your worthless friends!"

The Element of Loyalty barely had anytime to react, but she managed to call up a dome shaped shield infront of her, courtesy of the Element hanging around her neck.

The blast was halted for a moment, but it pressed onward.

Rainbow's necklace, glowing brightly, began to burn under the immense pressure of the alicorn's powerful magic. I've... gotta... hold. It. she thought to herself as cracks began to run along the length of the shield.

"Foolish." the alicorn said once more before sending her full power against the shield.

Rainbow Dash cringed as the shield buckled and shattered. "Gah!", she screamed as the blast hit square in the chest. The world went black.

"Rainbow?", came a voice from beyond her dream.

"Rainbow Dash?", it called again.

For a second, Rainbow Dash envisioned herself in the Ponyville Library. "Not now Twilight." she said as she buried her face back into the latest Daring Do novel.

"Uhh... it's Gilda, RD."

The pegasus snapped out of her memory and opened her eyes to see Gilda grinning at her. She appeared to be holding back a laugh.

Rainbow turned red and stood up from the steps under the sun statue. "Oh, sorry".

From what she could see, it was now dark out, but the glow from the forcefield enveloped the town around her.

"Don't be. Besides", Gilda motioned for the pegasus to follow. "I've got something to show you. Something Twilight said to give to you once the shield was up."

Nodding, Rainbow followed Gilda back to the griffin HQ.

"So tell me, Gilda." Rainbow said as she caught up. "How did you get to be captain anyway?"

The griffin smiled and shrugged. "Long story, but short version is I saved somepony's life. Turns out they were important to some military official. Hearing about my skill in claw to claw combat, he enlisted me, promoted me, and sent me here."

Rainbow Dash tilted her head in confusion. "That's it?" she asked.

Gilda nodded. "That's it."

"Talk about a boring story."

"Hey! I told you it's longer than that."

"I'm sure it is, Gilda." Rainbow grinned.

"Ok, tell me your story." Gilda raised a brow.

"Uhh..." was all the pegaus could say.

Gilda facepawed and realized what she just said. "Oops, sorry RD. Heat of the moment."

Rainbow nodded understandingly. "It's cool. There's not much to tell other than what's already been said." she began with a hint of sadness. "But! I was the last to go down. No one beats Rainbow Dash that easily." The prideful pegasus puffed out her chest to emphasize her point.

Gilda chuckled before she said, "Whatever you say, Rainbow Crash.", which awarded her with a playful jab into her side.

Both the pegasus and griffin laughed, but stopped as they reached the door to the griffin HQ.

"That reminds me", Rainbow began, "What did you want to show me?"

Gilda smirked. "Come to my office and I'll show you."

Rainbow's mouth was wide open at the sight.

Gilda chuckled. "I knew you'd like it."

Rainbow was staring at a set of pegasine armor which appeared to have been modified just for her. The color was black and outlined with gold accents. She recognized the design. It was similar to the one she wore when she was playing Commander Hurricane during that play. However, it was still different. The gold lightning bolt on the front was missing, but in it's place was a grove that matched her necklace perfectly. Greaves of the same color were placed near it.

The most notable feature on the armor was a sword that appeared to be built into the armor. It was located on the backside. The sword appeared it wouldn't hinder her flying with the way it was positioned.

Everything was perfect. Except for one problem.

Weight.

"Uhh...", she began, "How much will all this weigh?"

Gilda tapped her beak in thought. "I dunno. I remember Twilight saying something about some sort of enchantment she put on it, but I wasn't really paying attention. I was already half asleep halfway through her monologue".

Rainbow nodded in understanding of her pain.

"So... enchanted." Rainbow took a closer look at the set of armor near her. She picked up a greave and was surprised. "I-Its... weightless!"

"Whaaa?!"

"Look, check for yourself." Rainbow tossed the greave to Gilda. The griffin caught it, but was surprised by the weight of it.

"Rainbow. It's kinda heavy". She said sheepishly.

"Really? Cause I don't feel a thing." Rainbow thought for a moment. "Oh! She must have enchanted it so only I could use it!" she exclaimed. "Kinda like that mjoljor... or something." Rainbow said with a wave of her hoof.

Gilda tossed the greave back to Rainbow. "Well I'll leave you to put it on."

Rainbow tilted her head. "Why?"

The griffin quickly scratched the back of her head, as if she'll find the answer somewhere back there.

"Well... it's just weird seeing somepony undress."

Rainbow quickly turned red and looked away in embarrassment. "Oh, right. That would be kinda awkward wouldn't it."

"Yeahhhhh..." Gilda said before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

A few moments had passed and Gilda decided to knock on the door. "You alright in there Rainbow?"

No response.

She tried once more.

Silence.

Curious, Gilda opened the door and walked in to the sound of metal crashing against the ground. Her face immediately turned red upon seeing Rainbow Dash.

The pegasus appeared to have had trouble sliding into the armor and must have fallen, knocking over the greaves. She probably didn't hear Gilda as her head and upper body was halfway inside, but her flank was raised to the sky and pointed directly at the door.

Rainbow stopped struggling as she suddenly became aware of another presence in the room.

"Gilda?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Help?"