I landed in front of my front door, exhausted from my flight from from Ponyville and my training sessions with Squirt. My little fan was flying now after months of training, and the filly was eager to learn more. With Luna's permission, I’ve even been teaching her the Gale Wing. She needs a lot of practice, but she’s coming along. Walking inside, I saw Gilda eating at the table.
“Hey, G. How've things been since I left?”
The griffon looked up and smiled. “Hey, Dash. Oh, the usual. The occasional troublemaker to boot out of the club and feeding your pet. How’s the filly?”
“She’s doing good. Can reliably fly and now learning the first form.”
“Good. Anybody with wings should be able to enjoy the air,” Gilda said. I nodded to that and went to the cupboard, getting some bread to make toast. As I put the bread in the toaster, a scroll appeared in front of me with Luna's mark. I quickly grabbed it and read it.
“What's that, Dash?” Gilda asked.
“It's from Princess Luna. Her niece is getting married, and she wants me to perform the Sonic Rainboom at the celebration.”
Gilda made a disgusted look. “Ick! Why would you ever go to that?”
“Because Luna is my friend and the princess,” I stated, the answer obvious.
Gilda looked at me, then shrugged. “Your choice, Dash. I bet the weather people won't be happy to have you gone again when you just got back.”
“Well, I don't have to leave for a week, and it's a royal summons. Not much they can do about that.”
“Guess not.” She watched me as I put my Shadowbolt costume on. “Have fun out there, Dash.”
“These days, you get more fun than me. Shadowbolt’s scared most of the underworld out of this city,” I commented as I left.
A week later, I was on my way to Canterlot with my Shadowbolt outfit in my saddle bags at Luna’s request. I kept a strong cruising speed the whole way. My stamina and wing efficiency have greatly improved under Luna's teaching. So, as I neared Canterlot, I was only winded.
As I approached the city, my concerns grew. A pinkish shield was covering the place. I frowned and found a pair of guards outside it by the tracks. I landed in front of them, and they shifted to a more defensive stance. “I was summoned by Princess Luna. How do I get in?”
“Your ID, ma'am?” I hoofed over my ID, and they compared it to something on a clipboard before returning it back to me. “You can go through here.” He tapped a section of the shield, and it rippled. I walked through and, after a tingling feeling, found myself in Canterlot. I took to the air again and flew to the castle. Along the way I saw more Royal Guard patrolling the streets, and as I neared the castle, I saw guards everywhere. I headed for Luna's balcony. A pair of thestrals were guarding and nodded to me as I passed.
“Luna?” I called out.
“Ah, Dash. You have arrived!” I looked toward the voice and saw a slightly tired Luna with a coffee mug with 'Don't make me release the batponies!' painted on its side. It made me smirk. I loved Luna's humor.
“Yeah, I have. What's with the guards?” I asked.
“A threat was made against the city. I asked Cadance to postpone her wedding because of it, but she insisted on it staying on schedule. Hence why I want my Shadowbolt—and my dear friend—here, as well.” Luna took a sip of her drink. Clearly coffee.
“I'll keep my eyes out for anything. But right now, I could use some food,” I said, rubbing my stomach. Luna gave a hearty laugh.
“Of course, my dear friend.” She led me to the dining room, where Celestia was waiting.
“Rainbow Dash, thank you for agreeing to perform at the wedding,” Celestia said.
I shrugged. “Luna asked, and it sounded cool. It’ll be like the old days, back before…” I looked down as I relived the day of my friends’ betrayal.
“Still not willing to forgive them, Rainbow?”
“No. At least, not yet. The public reveal that they were Mare-Do-Well and burning their costumes was big, I’ll admit. But I don't want to be hurt like that again. I need more time.” I felt a wing on my back, and I looked up to see Celestia smiling at me.
“I understand, Rainbow. But please, don't ignore a chance to reconcile with them.”
“No guarantees, Princess.”
The food arrived and I ate eagerly; flying for that long really worked up an appetite.
I was walking with Celestia as she went to show me where she wanted the Rainboom. Luna had headed to bed since, with the alert up, she was needed more at night than usual, so she napped heavily during the day. It was pleasant till I heard some voices ahead of us. I groaned, praying I heard wrong. Around the corner, Twilight and the girls appeared. The went silent and stared at me, and I did the same. Then, I frowned and asked simply, “What are you doing here?”
“Um, my brother is the groom and Celestia asked for our talents,” Twilight said sheepishly.
I looked over and glared at Celestia. “Not amused. Let's go to where you want my Sonic Rainboom.” The princess frowned but led us past the girls. I didn't look at them.
The next day, after some practice, I was forced to see Rarity. Princess Cadance had replaced her original bridesmaids with the five of us. Twilight was best mare. I entered Rarity's room. “Darling, please come in,” she said cheerfully. I did without comment and stood in the middle of her room. She quickly got to work, measuring me. “My, you have changed, Rainbow. Your muscle tone reminds me of Applejack, just sleeker.”
“Happens when you train under Luna and regularly work out,” I said neutrally.
“Yes, and it shows, Rainbow. I’m happy that’s working out for you.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yes. I made a grave mistake with you, and I do miss you, darling, but I am happy you are meeting success in your life. I just wish I could be a part of it.” I said nothing. I couldn't, as Rarity's words hit harder than I expected. The rest of the time passed in silence, and when she was done, I thanked her and left.
That night, we were all at the rehearsal. Well, all but Twilight. When she did arrive, she burst through the doors, accusing Cadance of being evil. There was some back and forth before Cadance fled in tears. Afterwards, her brother, the girls, Spike, and even Celestia abandoned her, leaving the mare in tears. I walked up to her. “Sucks, doesn't it?” After a pause, I continued. “Everypony you care about treating you like dirt? Welcome to the club.” Still, I didn’t leave her. I helped her up, and she rubbed her eyes.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Rainbow Dash?” she asked spitefully. “Go ahead and laugh! Get it out of your system!”
“I’m not going to laugh, Twilight. I never wanted this for anypony. Now, come on. I need to pick up my suit and meet Luna.”
“Why?”
“Because I want a second opinion.” I headed for my room with Twilight following. I put on my outfit, and soon, I was no longer Dash but Shadowbolt. As I turned, I saw Twilight suddenly look away. I was confused but decided to deal with it later. Minutes later, we were in Luna's quarters, and Twilight relayed what she thought about Cadance. After she was done, Luna paced in thought.
“Sister, you are a foal. We have a threat against Canterlot, and you ignore your student's concerns about the odd behavior of a pony she knows so well,” Luna says to the air. “Twilight Sparkle, did you notice anything else odd about Princess Cadance?”
Twilight went into a thinking pose. After a few minutes, she answered. “Yes. Her magic aura was green. I remember it being cyan.”
Luna and I exchanged glances. “Apprentice, are you thinking what I am thinking?”.
“Yep. We have an imposter.”
“What!? That isn't the real Cadance?”
We nodded. “Most likely, Twilight Sparkle.”
“A couple months ago, I was on a case where a mare had been replaced so her business would tank. Their disguise was perfect minus one thing: their magic aura. That can't change color. So, if the Cadance you remember had a cyan aura, and this one has green, then we have an imposter.”
“It also explains why Cadance didn't want to postpone the wedding despite my advice. She is part of the threat. Guards!”
The threstal guards rushed in. “Yes, Sovereign?” one asked.
“Mobilize the Night Guard immediately. Prepare for possible attack on the city and notify the Day Guard.” They saluted and left.
“Luna, if you foalnapped an alicorn in this city, where would you put them?” I asked.
Luna put a hoof to her chin for a minute. “The mines. They've been abandoned since before our rule. The ponies likely forgot about them. It's the perfect place, and I know an entrance.”
“Well, then, let's go!”
“Indeed.” Luna led the way through the hallways and outside the castle to an isolated pair of doors in the mountain side. Luna opened the doors, and the three of us went in. It was dark, so both Luna and Twilight lit their horns. Immediately, they saw three mares in bridesmaid dresses with strange, green eyes.
“You will go no further,” they said in monotone unison. Luna rolled her eyes as her horn brightens. A glow surrounded the heads of the mares, and they soon collapsed, deeply asleep.
“Wish I could do that,” I commented. Luna just smirked at me. We spent the next half-hour exploring deeper into the mines, Luna and Twilight calling out for Cadance, till we finally heard her voice. We raced to the source, finding a wall between us and her.
“Shadowbolt, wing blades, if you would.”
I smirked, and with both wings, I cut a triangle in the crystal wall. Twilight moved the piece out of the way, revealing a very roughed-up Cadance.
“Twily!” Smiling, Cadance scrambled to Twilight.
“First things first, Cadance,” Twilight said. Cadance's smile faded, but it returned as she caught Twilight’s meaning. She and Twilight then exchanged a series of playful moves while singing, “Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake.” The weirdest part was the end. The shook their flanks at each other almost like they were presenting themselves to an invisible stallion. The two then hugged as I watched, confused.
“Twilight, how did you find me?”
“We figured you had been replaced by an imposter, and this was the most logical place to put you,” Luna said.
“She’s a changeling, aunty. Their queen, in fact. Queen Chrysalis,” Cadance replied.
“Then we must hurry. Can you travel, my niece?” Cadance nodded, and we headed out. Luna picked up the mares as we passed by, and in no time, they were placed under guard in the castle's medical wing. The staff wanted to see to Cadance, as well, but she refused. She wanted Chrysalis taken care of first. Luna agreed, and we headed for the throne room. Luna took her throne and had me and Twilight stand at her sides with Cadance hiding behind the throne. Luna then summoned her sister and the others. Ten minutes later, they all arrived.
“Sister, what is this all about?” Celestia asked. Luna responded by flying over and back-hoofing her sister. Gasps sounded throughout the crowd. Celestia held her cheek with a look that asked, 'Why?’
“You are a foal, dear sister. You think you would have learned after what happened to me, yet you discard your faithful student when she warns you of a threat, which you should pay attention to when we are on an alert for an attack. Well, she was correct. The Cadance beside you is evil. And we have proof.” The group looked confused, except for Shining and “Cadance”. “Cadance” looked fearful while Shining, I just realized, looked like a green-eyed zombie.
…Crap.
Luna continued, “Niece, you may come out now.” At that moment, Cadance walked out from behind the throne.
I leaned over to Twilight. “Get ready, Twilight. I don't like how your brother looks.” Twilight nodded just as the fake Cadance began chuckling.
“Well, the truth came out sooner than I planned, but no matter. Shining, be a dear and lower the shield.”
“Uh huh,” Shining replied, lazily nodding as his horn lit up. I glanced out a skylight and saw the pink shield collapse. Chrysalis smirked, green flames engulfing her. When the flames died, she no longer looked like Cadance. She was as tall as Celestia, with a glossy, black-and-green, carapace-like body, insect like wings, green eyes that resembled Nightmare Moon’s, fangs, a long, dark green mane, and most strikingly, holes all over her legs.
“Your abandoning of Twilight bought me the time I needed to finish my control over Shining Armor, and now, my drones can enter the city. Canterlot will be mine by dawn!” I heard buzzing and fighting outside, and the windows were smashed in as smaller, maneless versions of Chrysalis flew through them. The battle for Canterlot had begun.