This story is a sequel to First

Three years.

It's been a long three years, up there in the north, fighting for Equestria.

At last, though, those three years are over, and Rainbow Dash is finally home again in Ponyville. The war is won and she's returned triumphant, having done her part and served with honor. But after what it's taken out of her - and left lingering inside of her - can Rainbow Dash really come home again so easily? Does the Ponyville she once knew still exist for her? And are the ponies she's coming home to getting back the same Rainbow Dash that went out there to fight for them, those three years ago?

Only marked for gore because of a moderate amount incidentally present by necessity in the first part, and it's not particularly bad, so don't let that turn you off if it's not your thing. Most of the story doesn't have any blood or violence at all.

Warning: If you haven't read the first two stories of this series you won't be able to follow along. I urge you to be able to read this with an open mind to read the previous installments so you can enjoy this one.

Rainbow Dash's journey has took her to the edge of insanity and to the brink of death itself. This final chapter of her saga as a Wonderbolt will put her at the very limits. Survival against an adversary of this caliber isn't guaranteed.

Equestria has been called into war against Draconia. The two nations pitted against each other by fate, and only one will survive. With no hope for peace, and fear running rampant, two sides attack one another with ferocity. No matter the outcome Equestria will never be the same.

This, final fic of the saga, will finally answer all the questions that haven't been answered while ending the story once and for all.

Art used with permission.

Artist: shokka-chan at Deviant Art.
Proof Reader and Editor: kiheerSEDMAN

Since the death of the Celestial Sisters, Equestria has been at war. Three sides have made themselves clear:
The Earth clans wish to see the Unicorn's pay for their supposed usurping of the Sisters.
The Pegasi clans wish to dominate Unicorn and Earth alike.
The Unicorns see themselves as the true rulers of not only Equestria but the world.
Their leaders, General Applejack, Commander Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Chancellor Rarity and Fluttershy, have all been called to a summit by the request of Arch magister Twilight Sparkle. Her hopes are that this war can be put to an end by the once best of friends. The information that she holds will bring an end to the conflict, certainly, but it may not be something that they all wish to hear.
(Contains Anthropomorphizations)
(If the idea has been done before, no infringement intended.)

The storm is breaking on the Horizon.

It's been two months since the battle against Nightmare Moon. Luna is recovering, Celestia is busy turning the government back into a diarchy, and the Mane Six have returned to their lives. All seems well, but when Celestia discovers that half of the power of the Elements of Harmony have been transferred to each of the Bearers, she decides to send thirteen mysterious members of the Royal Guard to monitor them as they manifest and develop their new abilities.

The sins of a forgotten war still linger, and an ancient evil lurks in the shadows, just waiting for the right time to strike. The Mane Six suddenly find themselves once again at the heart of a conspiracy to bring about Eternal Night, and only by awakening their powers and realizing their full potential can they do anything to stop it. Friends both old and new will help them along the way, and an unseen force will guide them as it seeks to right a wrong made thousands of years ago. The Bearer's journeys will take them outside the borders of Equestria and into the world beyond, and when they return, they'll have the power and experience necessary to save the world and bring about balance in all things.

The Powers of Harmony TV Tropes Page (SPOILERS)
The Powers of Harmony Art

Thanks to Wildy71090 for the cover pic.

Equestria has changed. War threatens to tear the world apart, and Rainbow Dash finds herself caught in the center of it all, allied with the least likely of creatures.
The royal sisters have vanished, leaving Princess Twilight to take charge in their stead, bringing the eye of King Gallows of the Gryphon Kingdom. He begins wonder if Equestria has the strength needed to defend itself any longer.
The locations of the element bearers have become obscure at best, Twilight and Dash being the only two in contact with one another.
Having grown over the years, Dash has attained a greater wisdom, appreciation, and knowledge of the idea behind loyalty. This new grip on her fate allows her to channel the element in her possession as an individual, and pushes her to find her lost friends before they're lost for good, for their country may need them in this dark time. (Click 'Show More' for folk who helped and some handy info.)
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This is the first in a series I plan to visit a number of times with Rainbow taking the role of our main protagonist, however as this is a large scale fantasy adventure, there will be multiple heroes with their own parts to play as well when the party splits up.

Another little tidbit that could interest you readers, is that most of the chapters of these stories will also be the titles of various songs from the power metal genre, a favored genre of mine that helped inspire and push forward this project. There will be a link to each song on the title at the beginning of the chapter if you wish to listen, but keep in mind that the story and song share little more than a title.

Great appreciation to Solidfire for editing this.

Many many thanks to SonicSketch for letting me use her wonderful art as a cover

In a universe where ponies have discovered the means to travel among the stars, an empire arose. Lead by Princess Celestia, ponykind reached out. As prophesied, there came a time when Nightmare Moon returned, threatening to bring darkness to the shining kingdom. Six brave ponies, wielding the Elements of Harmony stopped her, and peace reigned once more. Soon however, Luna found the atrocities her sister had committed in controlling her empire and staving off the threats to it. Outraged, she set in motion thousand year old plans that she thought would never be needed.

This is the story of two empires, and the the war between them.

A thousand years after the Princesses disappeared from Equestria, Twilight Sparkle meets a lost Cloudsdale scout named Rainbow Dash. Together they look for a way to end the thousand-year night and dispel the darkness that has spread across Equestria.

Edited by Pascoite
Contains fairly mild grim-dark. Inspiration taken from the Dark Souls games, but it's not strictly a crossover.
Chapters titled "Arc #: Chapter Name" are part of the main story. Chapters titled "Character: Chapter Name" are one-shots about other characters, set in the same world, and aren't necessary in order to follow the main story.

Five years ago, the Free States seceded. Five years ago, the Princesses were taken captive. Five years ago, Equestria embarked on a bloody war that would cost hundreds of thousands of lives.

For five years, Rainbow Dash has fought to save her friends. For five years, the sun and moon have hung overhead, motionless. For five years, Rainbow has lived in that wan glow, while every day kills her a little bit more. The peace and happiness of her youth are but faded memories, and now she hardly recognizes the town she once called home. A hardened mare, Rainbow knows only pain and suffering...

...until one day, a reminder of what life used to be like lands at her hooves, and gives her something to live for once more.

Cover art provided by Ruirik. Editing provided by Solidfire and Pega-Ace. Written for the 101st anniversary of the beginning of World War I

This story is a sequel to It's a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door

EDIT: 6,000 unique views! Thank you so much to everyone who has read and enjoyed this story.

TVTropes Page

An ancient evil has awakened. No, really, it has. From the depths of time, a black, noxious threat has risen up after millennia of imprisonment. It washes like oil over Equestria, swallowing up towns and uncovering terrible secrets long buried. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity are prepared to combat this great darkness. However, to do so, they must uncover the truths about the Elements of Harmony, and the truths about the ancient forerunners of Equestrian culture. What they find will challenge their conceptions of their own places in history and ponydom's place in the world. The six Bearers of the Elements must draw upon their friendship and the strength of their hearts to stand firm against the darkness. If they fail, it will mean the end of everything.

The mission is in the name.

Reconnaissance - Detect and evaluate potential threats to Equestria, foreign and domestic.
Assault - Effectively attack & destroy targets of interest.
Interdiction - Interfere with hostile organizations' logistics support.
Demolition - Provide combat engineer support and clandestine sabotage capability.

Such is the mission of the Equestrian government's most secretive organization, RAID. Their precursor, the Royal Guard's 1st SOG-CAD, started the Wonderbolts to attract and evaluate potential operatives. Operating with near-total freedom, their actions have maintained the thin veneer of peace enjoyed by the citizens of Equestria.

Decades later, the Wonderbolts have fulfilled their secretive purpose once again, bringing the young pegasus Rainbow Dash to RAID's attention. Still hoping to one day fly before crowds, she reluctantly accepts the invitation to join. Soon after she completes her training, though, the organization is thrown into a shadowy international conflict that threatens to turn into all-out war if RAID cannot stop it. The coming fire will either temper Rainbow Dash's loyalty to a new strength or melt her in the flames of hatred...