Rainbow Dash stood on the Ponyville train platform beneath the clear, cloudless, azure sky. Next to her, was her saddlebag, filled with simple time-passing commodities and home comforts that Phantom suggested she bring. Things like a couple of Daring Do books, and some letter writing materials in one bag, while in the other she had some cold weather clothing. The train sat idle on the tracks, steam flowing from the stack on the front of the engine car. Ponies departed and boarded the train mindlessly, focused on their own lives and happenings. Rainbow Dash was standing next to the last car, were Phantom, Archer, and Stryker were loading up the equipment they had brought for their fair assignment.
By the ticket stand, stood Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Pinkie, and Rarity, with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Bell behind their respective sisters. "Are you sure you want to go through with this, Rainbow?" Twilight asked.
"He has Scootaloo. If I wasn't sure before, I am now."
"R-Rainbow?" Fluttershy whispered. "Be careful, okay?"
"I will Flutters," Rainbow responded with an equally soft tone, bring a smile to both of the mares. Rainbow immediately turned her focus to Applejack, bringing the farm mare into a tight hug. "AJ, I'm sor—"
"You ain't got nothin' to be sorry for, sugar cube. Ain't nothin' that you did wrong, or anythin' you could'a done differently."
Applejack left the embrace with a comforting smile. "Thanks, AJ." Rainbow adjusted the other mare's stetson hat, and moved onto the next pony. Pinkie Pie, who, did not look like Pinkie Pie. Her coat was slightly discolored, and her mane was flat. "Pinkie? What's wrong?"
"You're going away..." the pink mare sniffed. "And I won't be able to see you, or prank other ponies with you, or have parties with you..."
Rainbow put a comforting hoof on the mare's shoulder. "It's okay, Pinkie, really. I shouldn't be gone too long, and I'll still be able to write. I'll come back, Pinkie."
"...Pinkie promise?"
"Pinkie Promise." In an instant, the pink mare's namesake coat and mane popped back to their original color and puffiness.
"Darling," Rarity spoke, "do you think you could bring me back some exotic gems or fabrics? I would be a shame to miss out on an opportunity like this, and I think it would bring so much attention to the shop if somepony saw that we had materials from Glacies."
"Hehe, okay Rarity."
"Rainbow," the mare followed Phantom's voice behind her to see him putting sliding his saddlebags on. "It's time."
The rainbow-maned pegasus sighed, and looked back to her friends, who all gave encouraging smiles. She took a step forward, only to be haulted by two young fillies.
"You're gona get Scootaloo back?" Sweetie Bell pleaded with tears in her eyes, "right?"
"And kick that stallion's flank?" Apple Bloom continued.
"Yes, girls," rainbow nuzzled each of them in a successful attempt to cheer them up. "I'm going to get Scootaloo back, safe and song. And don't worry, I'm going to make that stallion wish he were in the endless pits of Tartarus..." Both fillies tiled their heads. It took a second for Rainbow to realize what she had just said. "Don't worry about it. But yes, I'll make that stallion pay."
"Well, okay. Good luck, Rainbow!"
Rainbow nodded, then headed for the train. She silently trotted up the ramp of the last car, made her way past Phantom, who was standing next to the door, and to a window seat with a view of her friends. "Take care of her, Phantom!" Twilight Sparkle yelled to him. He nodded, and slid the door shut. With a blow of a whistle, the train lurched forward, slowly building up speed. Phantom headed into the main part of the car, his hoofsteps muffled by the click-clunk of the car's wheels traveling over the joints in the tracks.
It was a simple passenger car, though, it was primarily being used for reserve storage. The only passengers were Archer, Stryker, Rainbow, and Phantom. Archer and Stryker had moved some of the crates around to create a set of table and chairs, where they were playing a game of chess, with pieces that were also improvised on the spot. The pair had often been close friends, and one of the things they did to pass the time was play each other in a game in some way or another. From what he could tell by briefly watching them, it looked as if Stryker was winning. Rainbow, however, sat alone in one of the few booths, staring out the window, a melancholy look in her eyes. Phantom made to the game and pulled up a crate to sit on and observe.
"So Stryker," Archer spoke as Phantom sat across from Rainbow.
"Hm?" Stryker replied absent-mindedly, at the same time he moved one of his pieces into the place of another, capturing it.
"How's it feel to be heading home?"
The unicorn looked up. "What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about Glacies! Isn't that where you grew up."
"Ah, yes, but, growing up in a certain general location does not always make that location somepony's home. Now if you were to rephrase and ask how I feel about returning to Glacies, I would merely shrug and reply 'meh'."
"Hmhm... of course you would..." Archer moved a piece, capturing one of his opponent's. He then looked over at Rainbow. "Hey, Rainbow, is it? What's your story?" The pegasus didn't budge. She remained in her spot, staring blankly out the window. "S'wrong with her?"
"First deployment," Phantom chimed in, using his hoof to advise Stryker to take one of Archer's pieces with his while the earth pony was distracted.
"Ah, that's always the worst." Stryker said as he took another one of Archer's pieces. "Leaving everything that you knew, everything that was certain, behind, to go somewhere that is the complete opposite. Being lost in your own thoughts, staring out into the world thinking 'Why am I doing this again?' and doubting if you've made the right decision, etceteras."
"I know exactly why I'm here, thank you." Rainbow finally said, though she didn't look away from the outside world that was rapidly passing by.
"And why would that be?" question Archer as he moved another one of his pieces into position. "Check." Stryker glared at him, then focused once more on the board, plotting his next series of movements.
"That prick, Sky, tried to kill me. Tried to kill Celestia. Tried destroying everything I knew and loved. On top of that, he took Scootaloo. I'm going to make sure he doesn't harm any other ponies." Everypony sat in silence afterwards. They all agreed with what she had said, to them it was valid enough reason. In fact, it was a similar reason behind all of their enlistments. It was even the reason behind Phantom's cutie mark, a black series of blocks that resembled a striking eagle, Guardianship."
"Perfectly Understandable."
Stryker moved his queen into her final positon, a cocky grin on his muzzle. "Check mate!" he declared proudly. Archer sighed, and deflated slightly. Then in a sudden burst of aggressive emotion, violently stood up, throwing his hooves up and flipping the game board over, sending game pieces flying everywhere.
"Faust... I was so close that time!"
"You should just give up, you know you'll never beat me."
Archer glared at him, then stood up. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go talk to the probie." The earth pony didn't hesitate to move into the booth seat across from the table in front of Rainbow.
Stryker got up to follow. "I'd be careful if I were you," he teased. "Have you seen the way Phantom and her look at each other."
Rainbow and Phantom both glared bitterly at the unicorn, before exchanging quick glances at one another, then awkwardly looking for something else to focus their gaze on.
"Oh yeah..." Archer realized in a mockingly tone, "I forgot Phantom's 'only for the pegasi'." The earthpony said the quoted portion of his phrase in a deep, 'lovers' voice, that sent both jokers into a quiet, hyena like snicker.
"That was once!" Phantom defended himself.
"Twice," Archer accused.
"Thrice, actually," corrected Stryker.
"Hey!" Phantom fought back. "Those last two don't count, we just got off of that eight month deployment and I was tired. Not to mention really, really drunk. They talk to me first, not the other way around."
"I wasn't."
"I was..." admitted Archer.
"Either way," Stryker continued, "they count. I doubt you went to the hotel room for two hours and played cards so don't even give me that excuse."
Phantom was showing very rare signs of flushing, and was having trouble formulating words. Finally he gave up, grunted, threw his up in the air, and stomped out of the back of the car, letting the door shut behind him, leaving him alone on the rear platform. Rainbow couldn't help but be amused by the events that had unfolded in front of her.
"He's a really stiff guy," Stryker whispered across the table. "But once you get something in common with him, or do what we do and joke with him like that, he's really a great guy." Archer nodded in agreement.
"Loyal to the ends of Equestria, too," Archer added.
Rainbow sighed. "Let's hope his loyalty extends farther than that..." she directed her attention back out the window. "We're going to need it."
The rest of the three hour train ride went by in silence between the ponies. Archer and Stryker used this time to change into their royal uniforms. They were royal blue with silver accents and buttons, adorned in medals and ribbons, and had a gold sash stretching across the front. Phantom never returned to the car, except to change and get his bags once the train had arrived at it's stop in Canterlot. Stryker explained that it was some rule that said they had to wear their uniforms when not on a specific assignment, and, since they didn't have their guard armor on them, they used their formal uniforms. Rainbow was the first to step onto the platform, followed by Archer, then Stryker, and lastly, Phantom. "The Aurora leaves in an hour," Phantom said, "let's move."
The four ponies made their way through the Canterlot streets. Weaving in and out of bystanders going about their business. Some groups of civilians who were at street-side café tables would occasionally stare at Rainbow Dash, whispering amongst themselves. Though, being a pegasus, she could hear them well. Most of them were talking about the recent events in Ponyville, and the rumors of her involvement. Though, whenever she would direct her gaze at them, they didn't to avert their eyes.
"Seems word has gotten out," Stryker commented.
"Not surprising," said Archer, his next voice was that of a fast-talking reported, "'Date line: Wonderbolt conspires with Changelings to overthrow crown'."
"I'd read it."
"Not like we'd be mentioned, though."
"We never are."
"It's our job not to be mentioned," Phantom said. "If we're mentioned, we failed."
"Speaking of which..." Stryker tapped on Phantom's shoulder, and pointed ahead towards the main gates leading to the castle. There, several ponies wearing brown hats with cards in the side bands that read 'Press' on the side. "The media."
Phantom sighed. "I was hoping to avoid them as long as possible. You got a spare cloak, Stryk?"
The unicorn nodded. From his saddlebag, he used his magic to pull out a black hooded cloak, that he covered Rainbow Dash with, much to her protest. The mare was hidden from hoof to head, with the exception of the light reflecting off of her eyes, and what small strains of rainbow mane and tail managed to escape the confines of the cloak.
"Keep your head lowered," Phantom warned. "If they see you, you'll be bombarded with question after question. Those sniveling snakes know no bounds. I can't began to estimate how many operations they've blown."
Phantom lead the way, deliberately putting himself between Rainbow Dash and the reporters hawking around the castle gates. Stryker and Archer flanked the mare, further impeding the media's view on her. Though, as the group got closer, their bright cobalt blue informs caught the media's attention anyway. At first the first reporter, a unicorn mare, approached the team at a slow canter, but when she saw streaks of rainbow emerging from the cloak behind them, she transitioned to a gallop, firing out questions. "Rainbow Dash!" she called, attracting the attention of every other pony, and reporter, in the area. "Rainbow Dash! What happened in Ponyville? How is Soarin' Skies connected? Where is he? Are you two romantically involved in some way?" the last question made Rainbow Dash blush, luckily her cheeks were hidden by the cloak and hood. "You there, guard! Who are you trying to protect Rainbow Dash from? Guard!"
Phantom sighed angrily, and whispered to himself. "Trying to hid her from your sorry flank..."
"Sir?" asked Archer, barely hearing what Phantom had mumbled.
"Don't worry about it. Stryker, can you teleport us to the ship?"
The unicorn groaned. "I guess. Somepony catch me on the other side, though." His horn emanated a bright light, charging up and finally letting out a blinding light, along with a loud bang. The reporters slid to a stop, dumbfounded that the ponies they were just running towards a second ago, disappeared.
On the other side of Canterlot Castle, hanging from the the side of the mountain, was the Equestrian Ariel Dockyard. Here, all of Equestria's, and other nation's, airships docked. The Aurora was tied down on the farthest dock, away from the other airships, with an entrance that was protected by Royal Guards. At the end of the dock, closer to the ramp leading up to the Aurora, a space in the air began to fizzle. In moments, under the cover of a bright flash and booming thunder, four ponies appeared, standing as if they had been there all day, except for Stryker. The unicorn was swaying dizzily from side to side, and was about to fall, had he not have been caught by Rainbow Dash, who propped the stallion up on her side. "Gotcha!" she announced.
The unicorn shook his head, trying to bring himself together. "Thanks," he said, finally standing on his own power.
Rainbow didn't reply. Instead, she stared long and hard at the airship. It was a large, white, long, cylindrical balloon, with curved ends that led to a point. At the read, four fins, like what was on the back of a dolphin, stretched out in a plus sign like formation. A large gondola showed itself at the bottom front of the envelope, along the keel. Rainbow could track the series of windows that started on the gondola, and went back along the side of the envelope itself, marking where the passenger cars likely were. A ramp led up from the dock, into an open cargo bay on the side of the envelope, where ponies were carrying supplies up and down, loading and unloading the ship. Along the side, in big, bold, black letters, read 'Aurora'.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Phantom asked the mare, stepping up to her side, and using his teeth to remove the cloak.
"I-I-I-I-I-I I've never seen... anything... like this."
"The largest airship in the world. She is a sight to behold. Fastest, too. She'll get us to Glacies in a about a week, as aposse to several weeks, or even a month."
Rainbow lowered her head. "Grr, I have to be stuck on this thing for an entire week?"
"Oh it's not that bad, there's plenty to do. Especially once you meet the captain."
"Captain? Who's the captain?" Phantom smiled mischievously and began to head up the ramp, Archer and Stryker following close by. Rainbow ran after them. "Who is he?"
"You'll see..." Phantom teased, picking up his pace. Stryker and Archer rolled their eyes at each other, maintaining a calm trot up the ramp as the mare zipped by, in chase of Phantom. The stallion looked back in surprise to see the streak of rainbow rapidly gaining on him. He put the heat on, transitioning into a full gallop, pushing past random ponies minding their own business. The two pegasi flew into the cargo bay, which stretched across the width of the ship, and was about a quarter of it's size in length. Phantom made an immediate left, heading into the first series of corridors. The two ponies rapidly passed by rooms on either side, presumably crew quarters by the looks like the ponies entering and leaving them. Rainbow chased Phantom through the maze of corridors, heading up, then down, left, then right, and so on.
That was, until Phantom collided head on with another stallion. The other pony didn't budge under the impact, while Phantom seemed to have hit a brick wall muzzle first. He slid off of the pony, landing flat on the floor, dazed.
Rainbow Dash rounded the corner just in time to see the impact, with enough time to slow down and not follow his example. Her jaw dropped once she saw the stallion he had hit. The stallion was wearing a crimson red jacket with a gold color and cuffs, silver buttons, and a blue sash, over his lavender coat. But what stuck out more was his brilliant rainbow mane and tail, nearly-identical to her own. The cutie mark, a red, orange, and yellow tri-beam firing out of a blue cloud.
"D-Dad?" she mumbled. Phantom pulled himself up off of the hard, metallic floor. Moving to Rainbow's side, he rubbed the back of his head, easing out the pain.
"Ugh," Phantom mumbled. "Sorry about that, sir."
Spectrum Dash guffawed. "It's quite alright, Phantom. And please, no need for formalities with me, remember?" Phantom gave a shallow nod. The sturdy stallion then turned his attention back to his daughter. "Heya, kiddo! How's Ponyville?"
Just then, Archer and Stryker appeared. "Oh..." Stryker said in realization. "He doesn't know... does he?"
Spectrum tilted his head to the side. "Know what? Dashie, did something happen? Does this have to do with the Task Force Celestia put under my watch?"
"Yeah..." Rainbow replied quietly. "Wait, what? Under your command?" The mare glared at Phantom. "Did you know about this?"
"I was going to tell you," Phantom replied. "But I figured it would have been better and more believable had you seen it for yourself."
"Hmmhm... Look dad, it's hard to explain."
"I'd say so," he huffed. "Celestia declared war on the Changelings while you were on the train over here, and I've got orders to fly you to the northern most region on the planet. And what's this I heard about Soarin' Skies being involved?"
"I think we should go somewhere to talk," Phantom suggested.
"Agreed. My office will do."
The four stallions and one mare sat in the Captain's quarters. Spectrum was behind his wooden desk, covered only by a few files and random papers. Behind him, a grand window gave view to the surrounding area on the ship's starboard side, in this case, the plains that extended out from the mountain off into the horizon. One wall was decorated with patriotic banners and posters of the Equestrian military; while the other was adorned with Spectrum's cerimonial sword, medals, ribbons, and other commendations, along with older looking pictures of his past servieses, duties and assignments. The troupe of ponies had been gathered in the room for a few hours, going back and forth with each other with Q&A, sorting out the details of the events of the previous week.
"Well, it's good to hear you're okay, Rainbow," Spectrum spoke with a smile. "And thank you, Phantom, for saving my daughter."
"Right place, right time, sir."
"Always is. Seriously, though, enough with the formalities." The captain expressed a brief pause. "I'll have us set way at once. We should arrive in Glacies in about a week. What you do aboard my ship in that time is of your choosing. We have several facilities that should accommodate any needs you may show. I'll have one of my men show you to your quarters. Unfortunately, we're tight on space at the moment so you'll have to share a room." Stryker and Archer shared a devilish grin with each other behind Phantom and Rainbow's backs. "Dismissed."
"Top bunk!" Archer called a half second before Stryker. The unicorn cursed under his breath as they headed out. Phantom and Rainbow calmly followed the pair.
The team's quarters were fairly simple. Just enough room for there to be two bunk beds, a desk on each side of the door, and two pairs of dressers. Between the two bunks, a small porthole window gave a small view of the outside world. Archer and Stryker picked the bunk beds on the left side of the room, with Archer throwing his bags atop the top bunk, and Stryker reluctantly sitting on the bottom bunk. Phantom took the bottom bunk on the right bed, saying that he preferred it as apposed to the top bunk, so Rainbow Dash gladly took that. The two pegasi awkwardly remained in their beds, attempting to think of something to occupy their time. Seeing this, Stryker nudged the bottom of Archer's bed, and quietly whispered to him. "Let's uh... let's go check out the ship."
Archer seemed confused for a second, the quickly caught on. "I'll bet they have a proper chess table somewhere, in which case I'll definitely beat you!" The two, in usual competition, raced each other out the door, leaving Rainbow Dash and Phantom behind in even more awkward silence.
"Phantom?" Rainbow asked, finally breaking the silence.
"Hm?" Phantom settled in on the bed, laying on his back and staring up into the underside of Rainbow's bed.
"When we were looking for Scootaloo back in Ponyville, you mentioned being you and your sister being orphans, and he not being able to fly. You said it was a story for another time. Now seems as good a time as ever."
She could hear him sigh, worried that she had offended him in some way, she was about to speak up, but was interrupted. "So it would seem... Take note, this is a story I don't often go into this much detail on. I was born twenty-five years ago on Hearth's Warming Eve in Cloudsdale General Hospital... About six years later, Nyx was born. I believe you two actually have the same birthday. Anyway, when Nyx was born there were... complications... and our mother died. So our dad raised us as best he could, but a single dad working a low level guard job doesn't make much. But, we got by. He did what he could and was the nicest pegasus in Cloudsdale.
"Then, one day I came home from school... no more dad. He was on his way home from work when he came across a group of thugs mugging some mare, and tried to stop them. He saved her, but, couldn't save himself. All of the orphanages in the city were filled at the time, so, we were left to our own devices on the streets."