//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 Blazing Spitfire // Story: Mind of Pie // by Sun Dial //------------------------------// Essence of Pie Chapter 2 Blazing Spitfire Unreadable. That’s how Cadance often described her aunt’s face; it seemed as if you never knew what Celestia was really thinking.  Cadance had come to learn that even when she showed emotion, the only truth to any emotion was love. Celestia loved her ponies and would do anything for them, but rare was it that Celestia’s face showed what she was feeling. Luna on the other hoof,  showed more emotion; to the point where Cadance had come to know that the moon princess overexpressed her feelings.  Celestia’s impassiveness and the rousing expressions of Luna made it difficult for anyone who wasn’t an alicorn directly connected to emotions to know how the Princesses felt. In times like this, even she had difficulty sometimes. The princesses had called a meeting of some of the most important ponies in all of Equestria, and neither of the princesses were giving her any clue as to why.  Celestia’s face was soft and her emotions were controlled, but there was a hint of concern and planning. Luna’s face was calmer and gave off a peaceful glow as her ethereal mane flowed.  Seeing as Luna wasn’t actually here and was merely projecting her image, Cadance was unable to tell what the moon princess was feeling.  That Luna did not simply teleport was a cause for concern. The others in the room all gave off a sense of curiosity and purpose. Prince Blueblood also held a slight sense of annoyance.  The earth pony Stone Wall brayed a little, his emotions settling, his vast mind shifting through his memories, carefully looking through each one to divine the cause of this meeting.  High Archmage Silent Whisper glanced over at the historian, annoyed that his studying was interrupted by such a noise, before returning to his scroll. Her own thoughts went out to her husband, one of the three missing members. She and Shining had watched over the Crystal Kingdom, but between her being the Crystal Princess and Shining Captain of the Royal Guard, they didn’t get nearly as much time with each other as she wanted. That’s not to say that he didn’t spend six months of the year in the Crystal Kingdom with her, but those other months she felt a longing for his love. Relief spread throughout Cadance as Prince Shining Armour stepped into the room and shut the massive doors behind him.  He walked calmly to his wife and nuzzled her, and Cadance drank in his affection like a drug. “You’re a great silver lining.” she whispered to him. “And here I have proof you're seeing somepony behind my back.  Who is this Silver Lining that I’m impersonating, and what does he have that I don’t?” He whispered back.  Cadance giggled before the two met with a brief kiss and Shining sat down on his own pillow. Celestia cleared her throat, gathering the attention of the attendants, but before she could start, Silent Whisper spoke up. “Are we not to wait on the others?” Cadance could feel Silent’s curiosity at the oddness of this event, and she took a moment to study him over. Silent Whisper was a black unicorn with a night-blue mane that was longer than the average colt’s.  He also was 97 years old and going strong as a master in magic.   “Commander Spitfire has already been informed and sent to do her duty.  Archmage Soarin is doing what he can to deal with the situation, although I fear he understands both too little and far too much about the situation.” Celestia took a quick glance at Luna who was frowning in confusion. “It would seem that I do not understand either, sister.  What dost thou know?  Is there something more to do with Pinkie's nightmare that I am unaware of?” Luna’s inquiry was filled with a desire to know mixed with a sense of disappointment.  Cadance was startled to find that the disappointment was mirrored in Celestia. “Perhaps it would be better if I simply showed you all.” Celestia's horn glowed green.  The council looked from one to another as nothing happened. When they looked back Celestia was standing on thin air, a few hoofs above the ground, her horn no longer glowing.  Silent Whisper let out a gasp as Stone Wall whistled, impressed. The princess took a few steps forward before falling to the ground. The clomping snapped the onlookers out of their trance. The room was silent except for a hum as Shining cast a magic detection spell over the princess. Celestia’s amusement rolled off her in waves and reminded Cadance of Pinkie after a prank.  Despite her Aunt’s amusement, Celestia’s face didn’t change. “No lasting magic.” Shining said.“No focal point for an enchantment.” Shining looked up to Princess Celestia. “I have fourteen explanations, eleven of which come down to you being an alicorn or being better than me at evasion magic.  You wouldn’t call us here to show off.  So what was that?” Cadance could feel a sense of pride ripple off Silent Whisper. “Chaos magic.” Luna's tone was curt and Cadance felt strong waves of disapproval from the princess. “The magic that Discord uses... it can do just about anything, but its most common use is to warp reality.” Luna was mad, this Cadence felt no surprise at, but the disapproval, fear and rage Luna was boiling in was startling to the Love Princess. “Why have I never heard of such a thing? This Chaos magic could be used to help the lives of ponies everywhere.” Blueblood’s regal tone held some displeasure about only learning about such a power now.  Stone Wall rolled his eyes. “I too feel that such magic could be beneficial to our society.  Why has it been hidden for so long?” Silent Whisper asked, now very curious and excited. His emotions reminded Cadance of when she taught Twilight a new spell. Shining said nothing, but his mind was a whirl of activity. Being a guard at heart he knew that if the Princesses hid something, it was dangerous. Still, it bothered him... he was the Captain of the Royal Guard, why did they not inform him of something so dangerous? “You're all a bunch of fools.” Stone Wall's voice was hoarse and cold but Shining knew through experience that the old Archeologist had seen much, and had knowledge of Equestrian history that was only outdone by the Princesses’.  Even Twilight knew little compared to Stone.  “And if you knew a lick about what you were talking about you'd know that what you're suggesting is the very thing the Princesses are trying to prevent.” “Speak to us with respect, you broken old colt.” Blueblood berated, “But do go on.  Exactly what is so horrible about this reality changing magic. Explain to me how it is any worse than common magic, which itself has been known to cause terrible atrocities?” Stone Wall looked to Celestia, and the princess nodded, giving the old forest-green pony permission to continue.  “You won't find any reference to Chaos Magic in the books, not even in the oldest tomes, but there are artifacts that weren't affected in the great purge.  To be frank, without the Princess we couldn't live without Chaos magic, for that is how the unicorns of old raised the sun and moon.  Usually it took at least nine of the airheads to raise the sun.  Ah, not Clover the Clever though. That girl had a brain in her and learned how to properly use Chaos magic, and could raise the sun with as much ease as our Princess here.” “In them olden days, most ponies didn't even know they were using Chaos magic.  The Pegasi and their great combat spells, the unicorns and their sun raising.  Even us earth ponies were using it to modify plants and animals. Some stupid ideas those were. Now why in tarnation would a dog need three heads, or a lizard the head of a chicken?  It was all just a bunch of silliness, at least it was until the Princesses came and took over raising the sun. That’s when dem unicorns started to experiment with other uses of Chaos magic.  Somehow that resulted in the creation of both Discord and Tartarus.  Can you imagine, an entire world created? Well that's what happened, somepony just got up and decided they wanted to make their own world and poof. We get Tartarus. “All those stories we tell the young'uns to keep them in line. Creations of Chaos Magic, that's what they are.  Timberwolves made of stone, armies of manticores, the elements taking form, its all real and locked up tight. You want to change reality do you? You might as well wish for eternal war as to wish for Chaos Magic. Why do you think the Princesses purged the world of chaos knowledge?” Stone Wall's old voice held all the knowledge and understanding that Shining had come to know the old pony possessed. Shining sat in silence, glancing over to his wife, who seemed to be in deep thought.   “I don't understand. You can't just get rid of magic.” Cadance spoke.  “Even if nopony knew about Chaos Magic, should it not have been rediscovered?” Celestia sat back, avoiding the topic.  “Stone Wall's story is lacking, but he is correct.” “I’m afraid that I still don’t understand why Chaos magic could not be used under supervision? Surely the ability to warp reality is a trait of value.” Blueblood noticed.  Cadance eyed him, feeling his lust, desire and greed.  She was glad when she did not need to call him out on it. “And thou hast a thunder-rat’s spine stuck so far up thy rear end that we can see its beady little blue eyes in thine mouth!” Luna's voice projected across the room with such force that it could be seen as she slipped into the Royal Canterlot voice, then turned to Celestia. “You throw these words around like you have a right to divulge such information. We refuse to let this conversation move any farther, Avatar of the Sun!” Luna was standing, and her ethereal presence commanded all the ponies in the room to still themselves and cower before her. The moon was hers to command, the light that held off the blackness as the sun rested.  It fought when others could not, it stood when she desired. Even when Celestia’s sun blazed through the sky, her moon could still be seen, and now its bearer demanded its will to be known. Avatar of the Sun.  The last time those words had been spoken, it had erupted into a civil war. Cadance could feel Shining’s awe as Celestia placed one hoof on the ground, followed by the other. For all of Luna’s glory and power, both Cadance and her husband understood why Celestia’s reign was without dispute. Her hair flowed and her brilliance blinded the mortal ponies. A glorious and majestic presence showed itself, the brilliance of the sun radiated from its master, a being who commanded its life giving light.  All feared for their lives as the two noble celestial bodies clashed in immortal dominion. It took everything Blueblood had not to sprint for the door. Celestia lowered her eyes into the callous gaze of Luna.  “Pinkie is a rock farmer.” The stillness held as the two sisters continued to defy the other.  The tension in the air stilled every pony there. Luna's horn blazed and light overwhelmed the Golden Alicorn statue. “NO!” She ripped the statue in half in a blind fury.  “You're lying!” Shining covered his head with his hoofs as the Princess slammed one of the broken pieces into the wall next to him, pelting him with stone fragments.  “It can't be!” The Princess eyes started to water, her cry a desperate plea.  She dashed the statue through a column, marble sent everywhere in a shard-filled explosion. “It’s not possible!” Her wailing grew weak and the statue clattered into the ground behind Stone Wall. Luna fell to the ground and sobbed. Cadance, being the only council member not petrified, slowly began to gather the broken fragments into a pile.  Her movement unraveled the spell of fear on the members as sighs could be heard around the room, held breaths being released.  Shining peered into the sad face of Cadance and she gave a weak smile, letting her horn's magic fade.  Cadance watched as Luna stopped projecting herself into the room. “I'm sorry you had to see my sister’s antics.  This was a difficult time of our lives and the pain of it returning to us is not an easy one to bear.” The calm reverence of Celestia's voice invoked a sense of tranquility to those who listened. “Pinkie Pie, resident of Ponyville, is now storing enough Chaos to be able to change the world.  I have no doubt that others have felt it too.  I've put Commander Spitfire in charge of her protection for now.  I now need the council's help to protect Pinkie without letting the rest of Equestria knowing what has happened.” Blueblood's face showed contemplation. “If our goal is to protect this commoner, then why not then use this chaos magic and disperse it?  Surely there could be some use for it that would cause little uproar?” Blueblood asked sincerely. “Because the only way to gain access to the magic is to kill Pinkie.” Celestia paused, her answer sinking in. Shining understood perfectly and his protective instincts flared.“This is why I've ordered the Wonderbolts to watch over her and her friends. I however wish to intercept any potential enemies before they reach Ponyville, and I need to be able to know everything that goes on in Equestria by nightfall. Am I understood?” “Patrols to the Sky, Horns on the Wind, Ears in the Dust. Eyes in the Sun.” Shining quoted, his hoof in salute. “You have my word that this will be done.” In a much calmer voice he asked with a smile: “Twily's in the middle of this isn't she?” Celestia chuckled playfully. “Would you expect otherwise?” The question went unanswered as Silent Whisper spoke: “Forgive me your highness.” He bowed trying to show no discourtesy at his proceeding comment. “Such a task by nightfall would surely be impossible.  The day is half gone.” Celestia smiled mischievously as she opened a window with magic.  “Is it?” Shining smirked victoriously and Stone Wall roared with laughter. Daybreak had just begun. /)^3^(\ A mind was a complicated thing; Twilight had known this since she was young.  She had observed the incredible things it could do. Every day she breathed, walked, talked, ate, looked for physical indicators to allow her to interpret what another pony was saying and gave off chemical combinations that allowed her to know when she was happy, sad, confused or any other emotions. To Twilight, the mind had always been a living organism in its own right.  Much like a tree or a flower, it was intricate and complex. To understand how it worked meant understanding the laws of nature by which it was governed by. Entering into Pinkie's mind, Twilight expected to learn and uncover the laws by which the mind operated, and was governed itself. The spectacle before her was sight she was sure she'd never forget. Perhaps it was the spire that smoothly sloped up until it was at least 500 hoofs in the air. Perhaps it was the castle that was built into the base of the spire, and made out of cake.  It could have been the town that laid out before her, each block a different color, producing a quilt like state. It might have even been the factory that puffed out a cheerfully pink mist, or the river of magic that flowed through the town. Perhaps it was the hundreds of Pinkies that walked around or the occasional white pegasus with “This is quite startling, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy said calmly, “But I suppose it’s not any worse than our own minds. Although, I would like to have more tree in mine.” Dash flew up to get a better view of the town that lay before them.  “I don’t know.  That tower over there with the eye on top kind of gives me the creeps.”   Twilight flew up next to Dash to get a better view herself.  The tower was a sharp contrast to the cheerful town below them, made of a cold black metal.  It looked to be about 200 hoofs and was set outside the town, at the base of the mountains that encircled Pinkieville.  An intimidating burning green eye sat between two pillars over a platform on the top of the tower. Twilight shivered for a moment, then felt as if she was heating up as she felt its gaze fall directly upon her. “It’s definitely suspicious.” Twilight said. “But we’ll need a proper investigation before we come any conclusions.  We need to gather any information we can before coming to any hasty judgments. If we act without thinking we might cause some real damage to Pinkie’s Psyche.” Rainbow held a look of confusion mixed with disgust.  “I don’t care what you say, even if Pinkie decided what laws of physics we follow. It’s still weird that you know how to fly.” “Get used to weird, we’re barely on the first page of this book.” Twilight said as she veered off towards the ground, where her friends were waiting. “Well ain’t this place a hoot.” Applejack spoke. “Pinkie’s mind is busier than Big Mac during the harvest festival.” Dash let out a chuckle as she looked at Applejack in her stetson and jean vest.  She was going to have so much fun teasing her about being ‘Trotter, Texas Ranger’ when this was all over.  After all, according to Pinkie, Applejack didn’t get wet... water got Applejacked. Dash’s mischievous nature dissipated rather quickly when she passed over Fluttershy in her armor, and her eyes fell on Soarin. Soarin’s eyes were distant and he sat slumped, staring out into the distance.  “Soarin?” Dash asked, her voice low and full of concern. “You alright?” Soarin continued to stare across the city.  “This feels...” his words trailed off.  He continued to look out across the valley.  Dash walked up to him and raised her hoof to place it on his side, but Soarin turned to face her so that he was facing her hoof.  “I’m fine, Dash.” his voice was soft and calm, but held an undercurrent of worry. He brushed past Dash and walked up to Twilight. “What’s the plan?” “What? Oh, yeah. Give me a second to think.” Twilight sat on the ground to think and the other ponies gathered around.  Gathering her thoughts, Twilight noticed a pointed glare from AJ at Soarin, then Dash.  “Well, if we want to help Pinkie, we need information.  We know next to nothing about what caused Pinkie to slip into a dormant state.” Twilight looked back over the city.   “I’ve got it.  We’ll split into two groups.  One group will come with me, and we’ll find where Pinkie stores her memories.  We’ll see if we can’t find anything that could have caused this.  The other group will travel around town and see if they can’t learn anything from the Pinkies in town.  Then we’ll meet back up in front of the castle in three hours. Any questions?” “Well, um.” Fluttershy started, “Are you sure its a good idea to poke around Pinkie’s mind? What if we find something she doesn’t want us to know about, what if she hates us for that? I don’t want Pinkie to hate me... oh, I’m not sure I can do this!” Fluttershy flopped onto the ground and covered her eyes and started to bawl. “I’m not happy about it either, Fluttershy.” Twilight’s voice was soft and comforting. “But we have to do something.  We can’t just leave Pinkie like this.” “Digging into somepony else’s private business just ain’t right, but Pinkie would do the same for any of us.” Applejack said. “She wouldn’t worry about hurting us, and Pinkie doesn’t get offended easily... Applejack’s words rang with truth and Fluttershy opened her eyes.  “Really?” she asked hopefully. “Why not? This is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about.” Dash leapt into the air.  “Besides, even if she doesn’t throw us a ‘thanks for saving me from some unknown being that was tormenting my brain party,’ we have to stick by her side. Even if she does hate us we can’t leave her hanging.” Dash glanced around, before moving into whisper into Fluttershy’s ear. “Besides don’t you want to learn what awesome gift Auntie Pinkie Pie is going to get you this year?” Fluttershy giggled.  “You’re right. I should be a better friend.  Pinkie needs us, but lets try and not dig around more then we need to.”  Dash rolled her eyes at the last statement. “Of course.” Twilight said warmly. “So who’s coming with me to check out the library?” “I will.” Soarin spoke, flying upwards. “If I do find something out that I shouldn’t, I won’t be hurting a friendship. Just preventing one.” “Wait a minute.” Dash spoke up suspiciously.  “How do you know she stores her memories in a library? You’re not actually a nightmare hoping to separate us one by one to defeat us, starting with Soarin, are you?” “Not quite Dash.” Soarin spoke up. “She’s using a placebo effect.  If she says she’ll find Pinkie’s memories as a library, then Pinkie’s mind will hopefully pick up on that and actually portray her memories as a library. Kind of a moot point really as  Pinkie stated that she stored her memories in the Pinkathonian.” Twilight hung her head.  “She really was that detailed in her thesis, and here all this time I had dismissed it as if it wasn’t good enough for me.” “Aww, now don’t feel bad, sugarcube.”  Applejack threw her hoof around Twilight’s shoulders. “Pinkie doesn’t hold anything like that against us. She gave you those there fancy wings because she sees you as mentor.  I think we all do a little bit.”  Applejack took a glance up at Rainbow Dash, before leaning in and whispering.  “Even Dash envies your egg-headedness.” Twilight let out a giggle. “You’re right.” She opened her wings before turning to Soarin.  “So, noble stallion.  Shall we go on a quest to find books?” “Some quest.” Dash muttered, rolling her eyes. Soarin smiled. “Yes, let’s.” He turned away from the rest of the group.  The two of them took off, leaving the other three behind. Watching them go, Dash flew above Applejack. “I do not envy Twilight, Applejack.  Where did you get a stupid idea like that?” “What? No!” “Oh, I know I would be just a bit envious.” Fluttershy cheerfully said, as she walked beside Applejack as opposed to her pegasus counterpart, who flew next to them.  “Soarin seems like a very nice stallion.  He’s strong and kind and honest and he seems rather loyal too.  Did you know he told me once that he could never betray the Princess?” “Now ain’t that the darndest. He’s seems just up your alley, Dash. He’s even a fancy wonderbolt and all. Why I reckon you two could be the talk of all of Equestria with a gorgeous wedding.” Applejack was getting an absolute hoot out of teasing Dash, and giving her a taste of her own medicine. “Will you shut up?” Dash was thoroughly annoyed. “Oh please don’t be mad at us Rainbow. We didn’t mean to make you mad.” “I’m not mad, Fluttershy.” Rainbow huffed, now feeling slightly guilty she made Fluttershy worry. Applejack was having too much fun to comply to Dash’s request. She was on a roll and wasn’t going to relax now. “Now Dash, its alright to be scared.  Stallions can be scary sometimes.  You just got to mare up and calm down.  You’ve practically got him in your hooves.  He didn't even think twice when Pinkie chose you as his mate, and she obviously thinks he’d make a fine father.” “Is that so?  Well, it seems to me the stallion you want is currently hanging out with egghead Twilight.  Twilight said that you’ve been reading more lately, and I reckon that has something to do with you trying to impress a certain wonderbolt.” “He’s a wonderbolt! Of course I want to impress him. He’s my idol! But you wouldn't understand what that means, would you?" “Girls?” “You want to go down that path Rainbow?” Applejack growled. “Just because my idol’s ain’t living don’t mean they ain’t a hundred times better than any of your stupid sports idols! You know it’s kind of sad that you’ve been on that team a year, and you still see them as your idols and not your friends. Just admit it Dash, you're scared of stallions and now that you finally met one who likes you, you freeze up.” “GIRLS!” Fluttershy shouted. “What?!” they both shouted back at her. “Umm.... Where are we?” The two ponies looked around to see they were no longer in the town they had been walking through. They were in a graveyard: a graveyard with headstones in every direction as far as they could see.   Looking back, they could see the same thing.  Headstones, neatly ordered and polished, covered the rolling hills that spanned in all directions. “Oh horseapples.”   /)^3^(\ Spitfire pushed herself hard: it had been but twenty minutes since they left Cloudsdale but the urgency in Celestia's words lingered with the Wonderbolt.  Within a half an hour she had found both Surprise and Lightning Dust, and the team was now pushing hard to make it to Ponyville, fully equipped for battle. “Spitfire!” Lightning Dust yelled, speeding up to get next to the commander.  Spitfire looked over without slowing down, her body telling Dust that whatever she had to say had better be very important.  The wingpony frantically pointed to the sun.  “What time is it, ma'am?” her voice carried in the wind with a sense of confusion. Spitfire took notice of the sun and its position, even though it was past one.  Her brain took a second to  auto-correct her sense of direction and time.  In the corner of her eye she watched as Surprise wound her head back, setting her own sense of time back a few clicks. “Don't let a simple thing like that distract you Rookie!” Spitfire shouted. “We have a job to take care of!” Lightning Dust gulped and fell back into position, holding back her panic. When the messenger pony had told her that she was to report to Spitfire in full combat gear, she had thought this was some sort of a training exercise.  A test to see how efficient she was at preparing in a rush, so she packed quickly and ran to Spitfire’s office, with a sense of pride with the speed she arrived as well her choice of armaments.   Her confusion started when Spitfire didn't even glance at her gear while putting together her own. When Surprise came through panting and combat equipped, Dust started to worry.  Spitfire's explanation did nothing to alleviate her feeling of foreboding.  They were on a top priority protection mission. Their target was a library in Ponyville and those that they were protecting included Princess Luna, Rainbow Dash and Soarin.   She also warned them that they were to keep an eye out for any non-ponies and were under orders to trust none of them.  Lightning wiped her goggles, trying to clear dust that wasn't there. The action did not go unnoticed by Spitfire.  The kid was terrified, and Spitfire could hardly blame her. She herself could feel fear creeping through her own system.  As much as she refused to admit it, the fact that Celestia had rolled the sun back left a lingering sense of urgency that hadn’t existed before about this mission.  She couldn't imagine what it was doing to Lightning's system. This mission was strange, and she was beginning to second guess herself on her team choices.  She had chosen Surprise not only due to her creative combat ability but also her friendship with Soarin.  The two of them had created gadgets of all sorts for the ‘bolts and were quite close.                          Lightning Dust had been a no brainer, even if Surprise hadn’t been.  The long time rival and friend of Rainbow Dash was fast, agile and had even created her own move called the Dust Dive, which left her opponents blinded and allowed Lightning to make a quick attack before they recovered.  She had determination and drive that was rivaled by only Rainbow Dash; Spitfire had thought that, despite her lack of experience she would be able to push through any situation.  It seemed however, that her intuition had been wrong. She would just have to make up for any mistakes Dust made; she wouldn't let a thing happen to her two best friends. Lightning Dust gave an inaudible sigh as Ponyville came into view. It was as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she started to enjoy the scenery.  It was mostly cloudy, proof that all her pokes about Dash being a lazy bum and not taking her job seriously were true. The thought of her friend calmed Dust even more and she began to embrace the joy of flying; the soul calming joy that all flyers experienced. Even the sun seemed to shine comfortingly over Dust, letting her know that Princess Celestia was still watching and taking care of her. A shadow fell over the three pegasi. Spitfire and Surprise bolted in different directions, but Lightning Dust’s instincts kicked in too late as the beast descended upon the Wonderbolt, its two claws latching onto the pony’s body. “Harpy.” Surprise hissed as she looped around and flew towards the creature, reaching into her bags.  The harpy was huge... not that Surprise had seen one outside of the books she read, but the creature was still far larger than expected, being about five ponies high with a wingspan of six ponies.  The creature’s wings were a reflective yellow, designed to enhance the glare of the sun, and the armor the harpy wore was polished to dazzling shine. It’s beak was clearly made to eat meat and its long feathered ears twitched, honing in on every sound. Surprise channeled just a smidge of magic into her goggles, increasing their tint. “Hey Bird Brain! Why don't you pick on somepony with explosive powder!” She yelled, throwing several small multi-colored balls. The harpy glanced back as the balls bombarded her, exploding into dust clouds. She ignored this mild annoyance and started twist her claws around her prey, her talons digging into Dust. The harpy huffed as the smoke obscured her vision.  She flapped her wings to move herself out of the smoke cloud and was surprised when she the smoke seemed to hang with her.    Spitfire had meanwhile shot up into the sky and started to dive, a white barrier forming up around her. She locked her eyes onto the multi-colored smoke cloud, seeing every detail of the blinded Harpy and aimed straight for its tail. She pushed her magic, causing the White Shield to form around her, and the barrier spiked as she slammed into her target. Time seemed to still for but a moment as Spitfire’s mind went into overdrive as the barrier dissolved  in front of her.  There was a small hiss before the magic exploded between the harpy and pegasus. Surprise was already diving to catch Lightning when the explosion erupted, throwing each flyer in a different direction. Spitfire landed in patch of clouds, sliding to a halt. She coughed out a bit of cloud as she wobbled up to her hooves.  Her goggles slipped off and fell to the ground.  Her Wonderbolt suit was mostly burnt off and magic wounds laced across her body. Her head hurt, her pride was wounded and her vision was only now starting to clear.  Her hearing flooded back in a roar of sound.  A few clouds away she caught the Harpy brushing herself off.   “Who’d have thought that I'd get to face off against the legendary Spitfire.” The Harpy cackled.  “Looks like old slither-tongue was right, the Sun Avatar really is putting her best on the job. Let’s see exactly how good the best of Equestria is, shall we?” The harpy cracked her neck and opened her wings, catching the light of the sun and blinding Spitfire.   “Horseapples.” Spitfire muttered, realising exactly how much of a disadvantage she was at here.  The enemy was faster, stronger, bigger, had far more endurance and was somehow immune to the White Knife, although the explosion had left some burn marks on the harpy’s wings.  On top of all that, Spitfire couldn't look directly at her opponent without her tinted goggles. Her advantages were that she could tell exactly where her opponent was and she was quicker when diving.  She made a note to have Soarin do 24 hours of laps by the end of this. “Of course, you seem pretty off your game after that explosion. I think I’ll go finish off that poor old wing scum off... see if you can stop me if you can keep up.” the harpy taunted, launching into the air and diving towards Surprise and Dust.  Spitfire's blood boiled and the pegasus sprinted off after the flying mutant. The wind rushed past the harpy and Spitfire as she quickly caught up. The harpy span in midair to stare the commander down before smirking smugly and opening up her wings. The wonderbolt captain flared her wings to slow herself down as she put up her hooves to block the blinding light from the harpy’s wings.  The harpy swung her claw at the defenseless captain, slamming her into a nearby group of clouds.  Spitfire bounced a few times before rolling to a halt. The harpy slammed a claw into Spitfire, not allowing her a moment’s rest.  “So predictable. Is this really the best Equestria has?” The harpy threw Spitfire into the air and kicked her in the back, sending the Captain into another cloud bank. “Whatever happened to the great pegasus warriors of the past? The ones that every nation feared.  You've become soft under your princess's rule.” Spitfire gasped for air, trying to think of something as her body burned and ached.  She was thankful clouds were as soft as they were.  She was going to give a raise to Rainbow Dash for not clearing them today if she made it through this.  She gasped for air as the harpy grabbed her again by the throat, her claws piercing Spitfire’s skin. “Cry pegasus! Cry for that Princess that has turned you into such a weak, pathetic race.  Cry for the princess that took away your combat magic and remember how she doomed all of Equestria by her actions.” The harpy began to cackle maniacally.  “Oh Spitfire, commander of the Wonderbolts, how are the others going to feel when they learn that you were beaten by me, Bloodslice  the Terrible? Their morale will be so broken that not even Soarin will be able to instill hope back into them.” The harpy leaned her head down and stared directly into Spitfire's eyes.  “Oh yes. I know all about you and him. But don’t worry, as soon as I'm done with you I'm going to rip those other two apart; leave them in so many pieces that they won't even be able to tell one from the other. Soarin will have plenty to rage over. Who knows, maybe he’ll even try to get his revenge. Think Spitfire, all this time you tried to protect him, now your death will be the end of him.  Stupid Wonderbolt.” Soarin.  That name stuck in Spitfire's brain, the friend that she had so devoted to protecting, and Rainbow Dash, the best friend she ever had.  She and Soarin had gone through so much, from the lab to the Princess to the Wonderbolts.  Just when they finally were getting their life back and things were starting to calm down, Dash had to show up. Dash had sparked something within Soarin, and their antics had made the last three years of Spitifire’s career more interesting than she had ever expected.  Rainbow Dash and her insanity plus Soarin and his harebrained ideas always stirred up something fresh and new.  If those two couldn't come up with a way out of this situation she'd eat her wonderbolt suit, right after the sweatiest practice she ever had. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell your fellow corpses that you love them or some tripe like that.” “I'll tell them myself.” Spitfire managed to gasp. Spitfire forced her magic to change its flow through her body, directing it through her cutie mark.  She could feel the change in her magic as it poured out almost imperceptibly... until the clouds started to vaporize from the heat her magic produced. Then the air began to burn. Bloodslice screamed in pain as fire engulfed her armor, fusing it into her skin.  She let go of the pegasus in an attempt to get away from the heat. This proved to be a mistake as Spitfire flew right in front of the harpy's face. “That I’d flay their hides if they lost to someone like you !” Spitfire spat, bucking the harpy. The harpy was sent flying in a roaring blaze. Bloodslice screeched in pain as she pounded her wings, unable to get a proper flight pattern.  Spitfire watched, adrenaline pouring through her body, as Bloodslice left her sight, still tumbling head over claw.  Spitfire let her breaths become more regular and her heartbeat slowed. After a moment she sighed, then grinned. “Well, well. 20% hotter in five seconds flat. That's an Equestrian Record.” Spitfire caught Surprise approaching out of the corner of her eye.  “How's Dust?” she asked. “She's okay, Captain.  She'll be feeling the wounds... they’re deep, but nothing was broken or ruptured.” Surprise flew over to the commander. “You need to get on the ground, Spitty.  I'd be me if you aren't as blue as Soarin tomorrow.” Surprise added before looking around for a cloud to bring her commander down on, but finding none. She was surprised considering the amount that there had been but five minutes ago. “Speaking of Soarin, remind me to reprimand him for making me try his harebrained ideas.” Spitfire said as the two glided down to the ground.  “How is the target?” “Library is picture perfect.  Not a soul besides the Ponyville militia. They're taking care of Dust now.” “The Ponyville what?” /)^3^(\ Bloodslice threw off the last piece of armor, which still had many feathers and some flesh attached.  She roared, falling  to the ground next to a spring. The enchanted spring was the only reason she was still alive; the Commander's magic had been fiercer than anything she had ever experienced. “Where in Tartarus did that come from?” She breathed.   “That breastplate was enchanted to repel pegasus magic!” Her tone was harsh and unwelcoming.  “So what was that?” Bloodslice picked herself off the ground and bathed herself in the stream.  It stung, and she cringed as the healing water smoothed her skin.  “Scales said that armor could stand even the old Chaos Magic of the once great pegasus empire.  Not that there's enough chaos to even use such magic.” She groaned in pain.   “So how could some inexperienced pegasus cast a spell of that level?” The harpy closed her eyes and let the spring do its work.