It was another month past that Rainbow had not marked. Two days until she realized she was now twenty three. Years that should have been spent studying and laughing and rejoicing in childlike innocence were replaced with more bloodshed and nightmares that she'd rather forget. Only that she couldn't.
Months since Luna's last broadcast of Celestia's sins. Or weeks. Or days. Time didn't seem to past the same way.
She looked down at the list of soldiers under her command.
The list of soldiers was far too unfamiliar, a blur of names that did not send any sign of recognition.
A tear slipped down her cheek. How many lives had been lost already, and how many more would be? She didn't count the names that she knew were lost and brushed the tear away, yet another one was poised to take its place.
How many of these names would be gone as soon as the fighting started again? She prayed earnestly that Luna was no longer a distraction but a threat that could disarm whatever it was that caused the blood to flow. Her eyelids fluttered shut as she let the dust and grey skies fade into light and warmth.
"Rainbow?" Soarin entered and then stopped in his tracks. He was greeted by the sight of Rainbow napping, a list of recruits scattered across the floor, and a series of loud snores. "You really suck at being a good officer." He muttered to himself, chuckling silently.
"You suck..." She muttered in her sleep. "Whoever you are you suck."
"Yes I do, Rainbow Dash." Soarin sighed. "But will you wake up?"
"No, never, this is just a dream..." she muttered and flipped to a side, a hoof over the remaining exposed ear. “Just a dream...it's all a dream.”
"Rainbow." Soarin shook his head, exasperated. "Will you wake up?"
With a jolt, she sat up, clutching at her chest, wide eyed. He looked closely and saw beads of cold sweat at her forehead.
"What is wrong?" He asked gently, kneeling down beside her.
"Scootaloo," Rainbow breathed heavily, "Is she alright?"
"I believe so. Luna is guarding her." Soarin reassured her.
"I must get back to work." And it was his cue to leave.
"Will be staying here." He grinned. "Just in case I need to wake you up again."
Rainbow shot him a dirty look and raised a single eyebrow. "Say that again and I'll make sure you don't wake up for a very long time."
"But can you?" A small glint reached his eye. "Or," he pinned her against the chair, "are you not capable of it?"
"I'll find a way." She rolled her eyes. "When you least expect it."
"But I will expect it, and I'll do exactly the same." He leaned in. "No matter where it is."
She could feel her cheeks burning as his face grew closer to her. "If you are so bored to corner me, why not go and do some actual work?"
"This," He smiled, and kissed her cheek, "is more important."
By now, if he had bothered to notice anything other than her, he would probably be all too aware of how unnaturally warm her cheeks were, and how red they looked especially against blue fur. Instead, he simply pulled over another chair and sat next to her.
"Do you need help?" She shook her head. "Well, count on me to wake you up." With a contented sigh, he leaned against her shoulder and started faking a a dramatic snore.
She realized she would not be able to sleep through it. Grudgingly, she returned to finishing the papers, although two hours later she thanked him silently for being able to sleep before ten. Even after another meeting with Luna.
"I stole part of the crystal army." Luna declared happily as she sat down, her hood torn and burnt, giddy as a filly with candy. "Since my sister knows of my existence anyways, is there much to do about it all? Sombra will know. In time he will be forced to pass on the knowledge no matter how strong his will is, and Celestia will hopefully divide her efforts to me and halt this war altogether."
"Halt? Do you mean, as in stop?" Rainbow asked hopefully.
"What else, Rainbow Dash?" Luna looked offended. "I am not the liar Celestia is. I will never be that pony. If I do, kill me for it as I will not be able to live with it all. I don't know if you'd say I have everyone's best interests, but I can and will try, and my policies won't harm. I will make sure of it."
Rainbow nodded. "But how would we know if you are telling the truth or just Celestia in another form?"
"You have the power to destroy me." Luna smiled sadly. "It is you who should ask yourself about power now. And I will leave with Sombra and I will not return. We have seen enough of our monarchy. Rainbow, live your life as you want it, with the ponies you love. Cherish them, for many will leave eventually." A tear slipped down Luna's cheek. "It may be too late to save Sombra completely, but I think you and Soarin, you two, will save each other. And that is enough, is it?"
Rainbow nodded quietly. "Princess, what will happen next?"
"Maybe not call me Princess. Not anymore. Just Luna." She frowned. "Luna, I suppose gives it all away, but it is a perfectly fitting name for a normal pony. Not a name for a princess or royalty or queen."
"Alright, Luna." The name felt somewhat unfamiliar.
"I have found and convinced the pony I spoke of earlier." Luna said.
"Who? The love one?" Rainbow asked.
"Yes." Luna smiled softly. "And she will heal if we return the heart of the crystal empire."
"And how will that be achieved?"
"Worry not, I will retrieve it. It is in the possession of Sombra."
"Sombra? How would you convince him?"
"You ask too much, Rainbow Dash." Luna's voice went cold. "It's a matter of his debt for me."