//------------------------------// // The mission // Story: Homecoming // by seeker9709 //------------------------------// “So what exactly is the mission?” Rainbow Dash inquired as she, Luna, and Celestia walked to the green room. “You are to find and capture a high profile target. She has been gone for years, and has resurfaced,” Luna replied. Rainbow Dash furrowed her brow. “What is her danger status?” “Black.” Rainbow gave a low whistle. “Interesting. I’ve never seen a pony labeled as Black before. What did she do? Luna and Celestia exchanged a worried look for a moment. After a pause, Celestia spoke. “Do you know who Twilight Sparkle is?” Celestia asked. Dash thought for a few moments. “No... Doesn't ring a bell. Why? Who is she?” Luna spoke up. “15 years ago there was a young filly who was a... problemed unicorn. She had little control over her magic, and she often had moments where her horn would come to life and begin shooting random spells. We had the best teachers and doctors try to help her, but it was for naught. Celestia herself tried to help the filly, but still nothing worked.” She glared at the floor as they walked, refusing to meet anypony’s eyes. “The other fillies would make fun of her and wouldn't let her play with them. She went into a depression and refused to leave her home. Her only friend was her brother, Captain Armor, and even he was rapidly losing faith. “One day she finally left home, but according to her family, she was different. She was happy and aloof, and she seemed not to care about her problem. We were told she had left her home. Nothing else is known about what happened later that day, except that there was a massive magical energy explosion. “When the guard arrived at the scene, a local playground for young ones, the place had been decimated. The blast was so powerful the sand had been turned to glass. We still don’t know exactly what happened, but apparently, she had been followed by the bullies again. “A few of the fillies were killed, and the rest were in severe injury and shock. They were put in hospitals until their minds and bodies had healed. Twilight was allegedly seen fleeing the scene, and she was never seen or heard from after that. No one ever knew what had happened to her, so she was assumed to be dead.” Luna stopped, her face a mask of sadness and despair. Celestia continued where Luna left off. “When one of the children awoke, he told us what happened. He said they had chased her to the playground, and from what we were told, Twilight led them to the playground and turned to face them with a look of pure insanity. Her magic exploded out and the bullies were hit by the wave of magic.” “But how did you know all of this? Were you there?” Luna gave a solemn look. “These were mostly witness accounts and explanations from her family.” Dash sat down, her eyes wide. “Wow... That poor girl. She's not a murderer, she's just damaged.” “That's why we brought you in, Commander Dash. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to bring her back, and hopefully convince her peacefully. Rainbow Dash’s brow furrowed again as she considered the operation, then spoke, “I accept the mission.” ~~~~~~~~ Back in the green room, Celestia, Luna, and Rainbow Dash were looking over maps of the north lands. “She was spotted here just a few days ago,” Luna described, pointing to an area on the map. “There were multiple deaths and injuries before she fled the scene. She has not been seen since.” “Was she on foot?” Dash asked “We believe so, but we’re unsure as the only time she was seen was in the bar,” Celestia replied. “What about the weapons she used? What were they?” Luna paused for a moment. “From the report we were given, she had no visible weapons. The survivors told us that she sat there as they were torn to pieces.” “Was it telekinesis?” “No... Telekinesis couldn't have cut that finely. The marks and injuries on the dead were blade marks. They were all clean cuts.” “Could it be Kamataichi?” Celestia asked. Rainbow Dash looked up in confusion. “What is that?” Luna and Celestia gave her a quizzical look. “What?” Rainbow asked defensively “As a pegasus, we assumed you would know what that was,” Celestia retorted. “Well, as much as I hate to admit it, I don't know everything. So what exactly is it?” Luna replied, “It means ‘cutting wind’. It is the power to move wind in such a fine line that it can cut.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. “That's a possibility. What was her attitude like?” It was Luna's turn to look confused. “Why do you need to know that?” “By knowing their attitude and the way they react in situations, I can get an idea for their next move. If they get angry or move quickly to act, they are probably in a hurry, but if they stay calm and carefully choose their actions, they will take their time. From what you said about her relaxing while the others were killed, I can assume that she doesn't doubt her strength. She is probably very powerful, and she knows it. Celestia was mildly surprised, but Luna was indifferent. Luna simply praised Rainbow with the words, “That's why you’re my best.” Rainbow gave a cocky smile before turning back to the map. “What is the closest town to the one she was seen in?” “Twenty seven miles,” came the reply “How many days has it been?” “Two.” Rainbow Dash frowned. “That's no good then. She will have moved past that by now. What's the next one?” Luna looked down the map, and identified another city. “Thirty four miles.” Dash stood up straighter. “I'm leaving now.” Luna quickly looked up to see Dash leaving the room. “Commander, where are you going?” “If I leave now, I can make it there in time to stop her,” Dash called back. Luna ran after her. “Fine, but first I have something for you. Follow me.” Dash followed Luna into the armory. Pieces of armor covered one wall, while weapons covered the adjacent wall. At the end of the room was a pair of large metal doors with a small hole, just large enough for a horn to fit into. Luna slipped her horn into the hole, and the door glowed for a moment before opening. Inside were see-through pieces of armor, as if they were made out of glass. Using her magic, Luna carried the pieces and placed them in front of Dash. “This is a new stealth armor I have been working on. Since you are going on this mission, I wanted you to try it out.” Dash slipped on each piece of the armor. When she was finished, the armor turned black and violet with Luna’s symbol, the crescent moon, on the breast plate and helmet. “I...I don't know what to say, Princess,” she gasped in awe. Luna smiled. “Just say thank you. The armor will blend in with the background, and it's stronger than steel.” “Thank you, Princess. This means a lot to me.” She turned to leave and began walking out. “Commander Dash?” Luna called, one last time. Rainbow turned to look at her superior and mentor. Luna gave her a warm smile. “Good luck.” Rainbow saluted the princess. “Thank you, your majesty,” she responded, before taking off from the ground.