//------------------------------//
// Dedication of the Fallen 
// Story: Luna Nos Custodit 
// by Tsuguri 
//------------------------------//

Ponyville was still wrapped the deep slumber of the night. It was that time when no sensible pony was up and about.  But if one did happen to be awake, and if one was in the neighborhood of the Carousel Boutique, then they might see an occasional faint glow emanating from the upper story windows and hear the muffled THUMP and loud crash of breaking furniture that followed each glow.

"Ooohh, this is becoming most tiresome Sweetie Belle," Rarity moaned from her new position across the room. She had landed against a wardrobe, collapsing a sizable hole though its doors. "Why are you still sealed away from me? How can she still have a hold on you?"

Rarity, trying to see if she had gleaned any new information from her sister, turned her concentration inward. Ever since she had noticed that magical stream radiating from her catatonic sister into her equally catatonic friends laying alongside her, Rarity had been trying to interrupt the magic and hopefully free the young ones from their current state. Unfortunately, she had only accomplished bruising herself and breaking her furniture as she was repeatedly expelled from the stream. Each time she was expelled though, she brought a bit more of the vision back with her. It was a nightmare of the greatest proportions, showing flames rising high into a blackened sky and an army which consumed all before it. If she had a choice, Rarity would have banished the images from her mind as soon as she saw them. But she knew that they had something to do with her sister's current state, and she would do anything to get her sister back again.

The cold sweats returned, and the scenes came upon her once more: the flames, the hoard, and that figure rising above it all. Somehow Rarity knew that it was this figure that had ensnared her sister, and as she focused, a face slowly began to take shape. Finally it appeared to notice her presence, and turned to face her. 

Rarity's eyes flew open and she gasped for breath as she returned her mind to the here and now. "HER! SHE did this to you Sweetie Belle! If this is true, then she will PAY!" A mad light began to envelop her sight as she realized the implications of the vision. "I will make her release you from her grasp and then I shall DESTROY HER!" The mad light dimmed slightly as she detached herself from her current perch in the wardrobe and slowly begin to plan her vengeance. "What to do? She's much more powerful and has far more resources than I do. So much so that approaching her, never mind even fighting her, would be difficult. If I even want to attempt such a thing, I will need to remove those advantages." 

As she glanced outside, Rarity tried to formulate a plan which could work. She slowly discarded idea after idea as either to chancy, or too impractical too be carried out . Though that light never fully left her eyes, Rarity slowly began to succumb to her fatigue. 'I do suppose I should get some sleep now, planning just isn't a thing to do when one is tired. Oh my, I will likely have to visit Zecora for some of her special tea before... ZECORA! That's it!' A smile of twisted jubilation spread across Rarity's face as she remembered her acquaintance in the forest. 'That will do just lovely. Now all I have to do is find those leaves and then lure Her here.' Rarity looked towards her sister with a glare which would have had sleeping fillies trembling if they had been able to see it. "And then, I assure you, she will PAY."

***********

Later that day, Rainbow Dash was engaged in one of her favorite activities, lounging on a cloud and watching the activities of those below her. However, it just wasn't as relaxing as it normally was. For one, she wasn't lounging in the sun since as the cloud had been pulled into their cave late last night; and two, the activities below her were for prepping an army to go to war.

Looking down, she could see the forges on one side of the humongous cavern. They weren't all that large by themselves, but there were dozens of them built up along the wall and extending out onto the cave floor. Each one focused on a single piece of equipment at a time, though they had finally entered into full production mode with several mares and stallions continuously operating each one. Some of the smiths were busy making armor, from heavy plate to light chainmail. Others were focused on forging blades, from small sleek points to huge monstrous things she had never dreamed existed. Still others were busy crafting things she had never heard of. She had to only glance at her own wings to examine such a device - one which she found both cool and creepy.

Covering her wing's edge was a strip of metal. It was designed to fold along with her wings natural movements and was currently resting against her side. They were attached to her wings with a series of pins and clasps which were secured between her individual feathers and the entire contraption was secured to a harness which encircled her sides and looped around her front.  There was a small point which extended just beyond her wing tip for a bit of extra range, and the entire thing was razor sharp. Rainbow Dash could feel it giving her some resistance when she flew, but she could also feel the extra protection the rigidity provided. All in all a weird idea, but it kind of made sense for a Pegasi like her. It's not like they would do much good for an Unicorn or Earth Pony!

Thinking of Earth Ponies... Rainbow Dash let her gaze wander over to the other side of the cavern and focused on the ponies over there. These ponies were not concerned with making anything, they were focused on learning how to use their new equipment. She saw several unicorns running drills to get used to their new chainmail armor. Others were busy dashing back and forth among mock bunkers; occasionally they would pop up and launch a blast of destructive magic or toss a small swarm of daggers at targets along the edge of the field. She saw some armor-wearing Pegasi zooming across the ceiling. They seemed to be in a contest which consisted of trying to stay behind the others and remain there for several seconds. The Night Guards called it Dog Fighting practice; what it had to do with dogs was a complete mystery to Rainbow Dash though. Other Pegasi had the blades over their own wings like Rainbow Dash and were busy practicing driving toward their own set of targets either on the ground or held in the air by other Pegasi. Some of the stronger, slower fliers were busy diving towards a different set of targets, pulling up at the last second, and dropping heavy sacks right in their midst. There were also Earth Ponies who had their own area and were busy getting a feel for their own armor and weapons. Their gear tended to be more heavy, like large blades, specialized boots, and heavy plate armor. It made them slower than the Pegasi or Unicorns, but boy could they do some serious damage! 

As her eyes finally picked out her friends, she couldn't help but be impressed by their power. She could just make out Big Macintosh as he slowly moseyed on up to the bales of straw wrapped around wooden posts that they used as practice dummies. With one smooth motion he drew a sword a scabbard which ran down his entire side and with almost contemptible ease he swung his head around and cut his dummy cleanly in half! No other Earth Pony came close to matching his raw power - Rainbow Dash had overheard most of the Night Guards expressing their relief that the princess had successfully recruited him to their side! As she watched him move over to his next target and prepare his front hooves for their workout, she couldn't help but think of how a part of his strength seemed to come from the pain he still felt over his youngest sister. Since she had lived with them for the past week, she had ample time to see how he felt it was somehow his fault that Apple Bloom was currently catatonic at Rarity's place; that if he had only checked on them sooner, then the young fillies wouldn't have been exposed to the spell which put them in their current state. She had tried to get him 
to dismiss this idea, but he couldn't seem to completely release the guilt he felt. 

His other sister, on the other hoof, took the pain she felt and channeled it into a ferocious energy which no other pony could match. Rainbow Dash could make her out now as she continued to spar with her current set of unfortunate partners. There were several Night Guards and other assorted ponies who circled around her, wary about making the first move but seemingly determined to try and best the small pony in their midst. Applejack just glared at them as they approached, waited for her opening, and then sprang! Rainbow Dash still couldn't believe she was wearing armor, but Applejack made it look easy. She didn't have the bulk to wield a sword like Big Mac, but she didn't need to; all her power was in her back legs. Anypony who got in range of those was toast. Her first target learned this the hard way as she charged into his face and, without stopping, spun on her front legs and gave him a double buck shot right in the chest. If the poor soul hadn't been wearing his own armor Dash thought the blow would have actually punched through his chest, but as it was, the armor just dented with the impact and the opponent was thrown back several feet where he lay gasping for breath. The rest of her opponents didn't fare any better; one by one they too found themselves on their backs or sides gasping for air. The only exception was a Night Guard Unicorn who had tried to engage her with magic from long range. Applejack just dodged the magical blasts, reached into a pouch on her side, and used her legs to launch a pair of metal balls at the poor creature's head which knocked him cleanly into unconscious. 

As the medics came up to examine the fallen for any serious injuries, Applejack slowly strode over to her gear to get a drink. As she started to chug the water from her canteen, Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief at the progress Applejack had made. After they had left the catatonic Crusaders with Rarity a week ago, the first thing Dash and Big Mac had done was to lock up all of the hard cider. Then they made sure that one of them was with Applejack at all times. Even as Applejack ranted and raved, they would not let her anywhere near the Cider storeroom, instead they worked hard to keep her mind occupied by other things. Still, Dash vastly preferred Applejack's ravings to the times when she just seemed to breakdown and cry; then all she could do was to hold her close and wait for the fit to pass. Now all of Applejack's energy seemed to be directed at the opponents she faced in sparring rings, with just enough left over to manage the farm.

A low growl of anger seemed to originate from Dash's throat as she thought of all the pain Applejack had been through. Dash knew it wasn't Applejack's fault about what happened to her sister, but just like Big Mac she refused to let the guilt go completely since she was the one who had told Luna to fire off the spell so quickly. Applejack thought that if they waited a bit longer then they could have discovered the crusaders before the spell had affected them. Rainbow Dash was almost sick of trying to tell the siblings that it wasn't their fault and that they shouldn't blame themselves.

As she was thinking about who really was to blame the cloud she was on shifted slightly. Rainbow Dash looked over her shoulder to see that a Night Guard Lieutenant had joined her on the cloud. "What do you want?" she threw over her shoulder at him.

"I was just curious why you are just loafing around here instead of training with us," was his reply.

"Look, we pulled this cloud in last night to supply fresh water for the cave, I'm just putting it to some good use. Besides, I can already fly rings around any other pony here, including you, so why should I be practicing?"

"To get used to timing you attacks and bring down your targets of course. I don't believe you have mastered those skills yet."

"What's it to you? I can hit my targets, and I don't plan on using these on any other pony anytime soon. So what's the rush?"

"The rush is that we never know when we will be called upon to use our skills. Being able to precisely hit our targets where ever we choose is a skill many that is very difficult to master but one which should be possible for you to accomplish."

"Look why the hell should I be worried if I can't hit another pony square across the throat  like you. Look, why the hell should I be worried if I can't slice a pony's throat midflight like you claim you can do!? I don't want to have that skill! You know I'm not completely sold on the Princess' idea just yet. The first sign that she's doing this for her own gain and not for Equestria like she says, then I am going straight to Celestia and blowing this whole thing wide open."

"To answer your first question: think about it. If I can slice any vital point on my opponent, then I can hit them in any other place as well, including non-vital disabling points - like a tendon. As to your second point, the Princess has already commanded that that was completely your prerogative. If you wish to leave at any point then we have orders to not interfere and to let you go."

Rainbow Dash silently fumed at the Guard Pony as his points sunk home. She hadn't actually considered that first point, guess he had her there. As for the second point about their orders, that was the biggest thing stopping her from exposing this conspiracy. The trust and conviction that Princess Luna had placed in her seemed to indicate some sincerity in her cause.

"Now come on and assemble the rest of your armor," the Lieutenant said, breaking her thoughts, "we have a patrol to conduct."

"Huh? What's up?" Rainbow Dash questioned.

"We have reports that the Wonderbolts may be scouting the area soon. If they arrive before the Princess, then we will need our best fliers in the air to intercept, and discourage their interest."

"Ah feathers."

***********

Flying low over the mountains, Spitfire studied the terrain while mentally reviewing her mission orders. Even if she hadn't heard anything about dragons nesting in the area, Prince Blueblood's order to investigate was still an order. Glancing over her shoulder, she found the rest of her flight in a tight diamond formation awaiting instructions.

"Alright, you all have your sectors. Investigate any suspicious activity, and if you do find any signs of a dragon nesting, do not, I repeat, do not, engage it one on one. Send up a smoke flare and wait for reinforcements. Clear?" she called back.

"Clear ma'am," replied Rapidfire from her left. 

A simple "Roger" came from Fleetfoot on her right. 

Soarin' called up a cocky "Got it boss" from the rear.

"Good," she called back. " We meet back here in two hours if we don't find any signs of dragons. Wonderbolts, break!"

At her command, the flight split off into its individual members. 'Hopefully this will be a simple recon sweep with no excitement,' the Wonderbolt Captain thought to herself as her flight flew off to their assigned stations, 'a nice, simple, boring exercise.'

*********** 

High above, a flight of Night Guards, along with Rainbow Dash, observed the Wonderbolts' maneuvers. The Lieutenant almost looked over his shoulder as he addressed the flight. "Remember, stay high and in the sun. Do not give them a chance to see you. If possible, avoid engagement. If they decide to fly on by, let them. Any questions? No? Good. Rainbow, think you can handle Spitfire?"

Rainbow Dash was a little hesitant in answering, but she returned an "Uh, yeah. I can handle her."

"Good. You each have your targets." he called out as the flight below them split apart. "Alright, get to it ponies." And with that, they mirrored the break-up below as they quietly shadowed their targets.

************

'Feathers feathers feathers! How did I get stuck with Spitfire!?' Rainbow Dash cursed inside her mind. Not only was she shadowing a Wonderbolt, she was shadowing her personal hero and was expected to 'discourage' her interest in the area if she got to close to the cave. How was she supposed to do that?! She certainly couldn't attack her! But what else could she do? All she had were her wing blades. She now seriously regretted not training her accuracy earlier.

Rainbow Dash looked ahead to where Spitfire was headed and cursed. Not only was she shadowing her hero, but they were headed right for the Foundry's cave!

Before she realized what she was doing, she found was already maneuvering into an attack position. She threw herself out of alignment and riled against her own actions. 'No! Come on, this is Spitfire! No way can this be happening!'

Only it was. Spitfire continued to head straight for the cave, completely unaware of the potential danger which followed her overhead. 'Get a grip Dash, get a grip! She could still just fly right on by. Doesn't mean she's going to stop there. She could just fly right on by and never be the wiser. That's it just keep on flying. Almost there. Feathers! What did she see! It must have been something, or why else would she be turning back around!?' Spitfire was indeed making a long slow turn around the peak and seemed to be examining it more closely. 

'OK Dash, THINK! I know! I can just swoop on down and say "Hi, how's it going? Fancy meeting you here." No, how would I explain the armor and the wing blades? Maybe I can distract her somehow? Drop something on another mountain. No, too far away, she wouldn't see or hear anything.' As continued to wrack her brains for a plan, she found she had maneuvered into an attack position once again, and was poised to dive at a second's notice.

Just when she feared her only choice would be to slice up a wing, she heard a voice from above, "Stand down Rainbow Dash. There is no need for you to concern yourself with this." Jerking her head up, she found Princess Luna hovering just overhead. 

"When did you get here?"

"Just now. Come, let us go inside while your favorite Captain is on the other side of the peak. I still have time to prepare, and leave her unaware of our plans."

With one last glance to confirm Spitfire wouldn't see them rush into the cave entrance, Rainbow Dash followed the Princess into a dive and into the safety of the rocks. As they entered the cave, Rainbow Dash was surprised when she heard the princess muttering to somepony, "No, that is not how we do things anymore. Now be quiet."

**********

'Alright, this is definitely the mountain the prince mentioned.' Spitfire thought to herself. 'Now let's just see if I can find that cave. Ah, there it is.' she remarked as the hole in the mountainside came into view.

'The prince's report mentioned this as the most likely spot for a dragon nest. Time to see if he's right.' 

Spitfire gently swooped down and landed in the shadow of a boulder near the cave's mouth. Hearing no noises associated with a dragon nest, she carefully entered the mountain and made her way deeper inside.

'Whoa, this place is massive!' She thought. 'I can see why a dragon would like this place. Plenty of room to move around, and they would probably like this heat too. But no sign of dragons fortunately. No sign of anything, actually. I just hope the rest of the flight is having similar luck.'

***********

Rainbow Dash could hardly believe it. Spitfire was less than ten feet away, but she couldn't see any of them! She glanced over toward the Princess, who was channeling a large amount of magic through her horn. Dash had to give Luna props for the illusion spell she was weaving. Not only was Spitfire unable to see the resistance, she was also unable to hear their hooves on the rock, and unable to detect the smell of iron and coal which permeated the cave. 'OK, I guess Luna was serious about trying to keep the bloodshed down, at least.'

As she watched Spitfire turn around and fly out of the cave, she slumped down, able to breathe again for the first time in what seemed like hours. 

"I understand your relief in the gallant Captain's departure, Rainbow Dash. Now might I suggest you also relax your wings? Your blades are still at full extention." Luna commented as she allowed her magic to dissipate.

"Huh? Oh, right. Sure." Dash mumbled as she allowed her wings to relax and rest once again. "So what was this all about? She pretty much came directly here!"

"My nephew made a play against me, but we successfully foiled it," Luna answered. "He had me delayed in Canterlot for a considerable period, hoping to expose us, either by discovery, or by the Wonderbolts going missing. Although I must say that I am impressed with you. Would you have actually assaulted yonder Captain in order keep our secret hidden? Does this mean you have chosen to fully support me now?"

"I don't know what it means just yet," Rainbow Dash replied, "but I do know that I intend to keep this group honest and make sure it sticks to the goals you showed us." As she was talking, she saw Applejack and Big Mac in the crowd that had gathered to observe the potential intrusion. At her mention of keeping the group honest, Applejack just cocked her head to the side before she wandered back towards the training area, taking her brother with her.

"That is all I can ask for," Luna commented. "If that is the price for your support then I have no fear of ever losing it." Rainbow Dash hated the confident tone the princess said that in.

Then Luna cocked her head to the side and said, "Hello, what have we here?'

Following the princess' gaze, Rainbow Dash noticed a small green mist snake into the cave and make its way directly towards the princess. Once it reached Princess Luna, it coalesced into a scroll which opened before her. "Dragon mail? Now from whom could this be from?" As she read it, a small smile began to replace the curious expression on her face.

"So who is it from? Or am I going to have to guess?" Rainbow Dash prodded.

"Why, it is from your friend Rarity. It seems there is some important business we need to discuss, and she is inviting me to tea at my earliest opportunity."

"Oh, I don't like the sound of that. Do you think she found out about you blanking out her sister's brain?"

"Nonsense. There is no way for her to have found any connection between myself and her sister. Besides, you know very well that I did not blank out her brain. She will recover. Eventually."

"If you say so. But if I were you, I'd wait to drink until after Rarity does."

"This one is speaking the truth. I would heed her advice dear child."

Internally the princess answered, 'I thought I told you to keep silent.' While externally she said, "Duly noted, Rainbow Dash."