//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Reunited // Story: The Gathering Storm II: Fires of Freedom // by WiskeyMikeOne //------------------------------// Chapter 6 Reunited I couldn’t believe my eyes - Dashie was flying! Applejack must have been lying that time at Sweet apple acres; maybe she meant Dashie couldn’t fly a jet anymore. I looked Dashie up and down in bewilderment, white uniform, golden armour and a stun sword; she was ready for a fight. I looked at the supposed busted wing and that’s when I realised her blue feathered wing wasn’t there but had been replaced by a golden replica. “Shocked to see my wings like this Whirlwind?” “Yeah, what happened?” “After I ejected I drifted onto a destroyed building that was on fire, I think you can guess what happened next.” “I can but I don’t want to.” “Exactly, you can never imagine the pain that I was in and not only that I couldn’t fly for a year. You ruined my life!” “I had to shoot you down, if I hadn't you would have broken the first order and I have a duty to ensure that it remains unbroken as do you.” Dash remained silent for a while but kept her gaze on me. I then realised the truth behind her actions both at Stalliongrad and her behaviour, somepony ordered her to break the order and I had a good idea who that pony was. Dash pulled her sword out from her scabbier and flew at me. I dove down narrowly avoiding her blade she gave case as I flew out to sea. Dash was all over me, she anticipated my every move and no matter what I did she was still on my tail. If I wanted to get away I had to go on the offensive. I pulled up and kept climbing, the clouds were in sight, I had to time my next move perfectly. I cocked my blaster, flew into the clouds and rolled to my left. Dash shot passed, she paused to find me I took aim and fired. Dash went limp, she started to fall, I lost her in the clouds I swooped down to find her, she was heading for the water I summoned all my strength and dove down to save her. My eyes were burning my wings aching from the strain. I had never flown this fast in my entire life, but then all of a sudden I heard a bang. With this new found speed I caught up with the stunned Dashie just before she hit the water. I carried her in my forelegs and headed back to the ship, l looked down at my reflection on the surface of the water there was a long vapour trail behind me and coming from my tail. I passed the ship, I looked back but it was now too far away. “What the buck?!” (Song: End) * “Tower this is Night Fury I need a medical unit to meet me at the meadow. I`m coming in hot and also prepare crews for a crash landing, over.” “Err sir you’re not flying a jet are you?” “Negative, it’s complicated. Just do was I ask tower over.” “Okay sir we will get on it, out.” The meadow came into view, the ground crew had placed light up cones in a straight line to guide me in but I couldn’t slow down. My hind legs hit the grass but I kept on going. The barricade came into view, hastily constructed out of hay; I lifted Dashie up and prayed. I awoke in a daze, the ceiling fan of the Night Castles hospital hummed softly. I threw the covers off and disconnected the heart monitor that was attached to me. A small alarm went off then the tall wooden doors to the ward opened. “Sky Marshall please get back into bed, you’ve suffered a bump on the head, you need to remain off your feet for a while” “I'm fine...” I fell on the top of the bed-side cabinet and knocked over the light. Red Heart gasped and came to my assistance. “See I told you.” “Rainbow Dash, where is she?” “She is in the secure wing under guard, don’t worry she's fine.” “Is she awake?” “Well no.” “What?” “She's dangerous, Mayor Mare wanted to keep her sedated. Now get some rest, once your better you can go and see Rainbow Dash.” The doors flew open, Filthy Rich stood there with two armed guards, he didn't look too happy. “Sky Marshall Whirlwind?” “Yes...”. He walked over to my bedside. “You are to meet the heads of parliament at noon today in the throne room of her Majesty Princess Luna.” “Excuse me Filthy Rich,” said Nurse Red Heart. “Whirlwind is in no physical state to attend the meeting; he has suffered a major concussion and must remain in bed until I say so.” “Fine, as soon as Whirlwind is better you will contact me immediately, is that clear nurse?” “Crystal clear.” Filthy Rich looked down at me before he left so I gave him a smug wave goodbye. The doors slammed shut, Red Heart tucked my sheets under my mattress. “I admire you and your men for rescuing Derpy...” “Thanks,” I interrupted, because I knew what she was going to say next. “But I do think it was very irresponsible, what if you were caught?” “Me and my men have had training in withstanding interrogation nurse, I thank you for your concern but I must remained you we are military and not civilians.” “That’s true, but your men were civilians before.” She turned and walked out of the room. I had to see Dashie but the doors were properly locked and had guards waiting outside, I laid my head down on the pillow to think and the answer to my problems was right in front of me. The satin glass window behind my bed had its window open at the top; I flew up to see if I could squeeze out, it was a tight fit but I got through. I flew towards the security wing of the castle avoiding the windows and soldiers on guard. I never thought I would be sneaking around the castle. Luck was on my side and the window to the security wing was open. I landed in the long corridor with no pony in site, I made my way to the wing but to my surprise there was no pony guarding the steel door. I imputed the password “Cascade407” and the door whooshed upwards. If there were patients they were separated from each other and were in a cubical with three walls made of shatter proof glass for maximum observation and security. They were all vacant except for one at the end, Dash stood out in the white and stainless steel room like a sore hoof. I banged on the glass and yelled out to her but she remained still in her bed. I went for the steel door. “Access code required, Buck!” I typed in a few high security codes I knew but the door remained locked. Like a mad pony I grabbed the nearest thing I could find to smash the glass but I was stopped by a familiar voice. “Whirlwind stop!” It was Princess Luna, she must have been waiting for me in the shadows, she put her hoof on my shoulder. “Please put it down.” I did but I kept my gaze on Dashie. “All you needed to do was ask.” I looked up at her and she smiled, Luna's horn glowed and the door opened. I immediately ran into the room and grabbed Dashie`s hoof. “Dashie it`s me Whirlwind can you hear me? I’m so sorry.” I looked at her wing, the golden armour was gone and what remained was a burnt wing with no feathers. I put my head down on the bed and sobbed. “I’m so sorry Dash, I-I didn’t mean for it to happen, I`m...I`m...so sorry.” Luna once again put her hoof on my shoulder. A moment passed then Luna spoke. “Did you shoot her with your blaster?” I nodded. “Well I can reverse the spell, but I cannot guarantee Dashie’s behavior will change.” “I don’t blame her,” I said as I wiped away my tears. “You misunderstand.” “Huh?” Luna turned away. “The Dashie you once knew and loved is gone.” “W-What is she an imposter?” “No, Dashie’s loyalty to my sister and the empire has warped her mind. Why else would she attempt to kill those ponies operating the artillery guns at Stalliongrad? Also my sister’s magic may have contributed to the sudden change.” “I forgot you can feel all ponies’ emotions. Can we save her?” “Maybe, but it’s going to be tough.” “Please, your highness I beg of you, please try to help Dashie.” I went down on my knees; Luna was stunned for a moment but then smiled. “Of course I will” (Song: End) I could hear the steel door to the wing open; Luna went out of the room and locked the door behind her. I could care less as I held Dashie’s hoof and sat on her bed. I could see Luna on the other side of the glass, her mouth moving but no words could be heard, it was soundproof glass after all. Mayor Mare was now standing in front of Luna with about ten guards behind her. They were both talking but I couldn't hear a thing. I really wished I knew how to lip read. A few moments passed and Luna came back into the room to deliver some good news. “Good news Whirlwind you’re off the hook.” “What did you tell them your highness?” “I just told them about how I ordered you to conduct the rescue operation a few days ago and to have Rainbow Dash moved to the hospital wing and for you and your men to be cleared of all charges.” “Thank you your highness, no really thank you.” “It’s nothing really, they have to listen to me I’m their princess after all.” We both laughed. Luna had changed a lot after being with us ponies for so long. Her Canterlot voice had gone and she knew how to speak to the common pony, just like Celestia before the famine and the days of the empire. “You must be tired Whirlwind, go back to your room I’ll make sure Rainbow Dash is sent to the hospital wing.” “Once again thank you your highness.” “Like I said a long time ago Whirlwind, call me Luna.” “Thank you...Luna.” Luna and I walked out of Dashie’s room but I couldn't help but look at Dashie one more time through the glass.