//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Octavia's Rainbow // Story: Treasured Moon & Stars: Vol. 2 Treasures From Mirrors // by TigerSwirl448 //------------------------------// Chapter 14 Octavia's Rainbow Octavia gasped waking up, finding herself lying face down in the dirt. She slowly sat up rubbing her head and then her eyes. She felt sore all over. "Where am I?" She asked out loud standing up slowly. She groaned as she leaned against a tree trunk to keep from falling over feeling dizzy as blood pumped hard in her head. She heard booms through her roaring ears and looked up opening her eyes as her vision returned to normal from her dizzy spell. She looked up seeing a flash and gaped in awe to see dark pink clouds with pink and blue lighting dancing in the sky. Octavia had never seen such a thing before and never knew that clouds could be that color. She gulped feeling a horrible dark presence in the air. She looked around to find herself in some sort of place, a patch of woods and in front of her was a ghost town with black buildings. Octavia pushed off from the black colored tree and walked on the dirt road towards the ghost town. Octavia gulped looking around as she carefully walked through. Her ears swiveled trying to hear for any dangers in this eerie place. Strangely she couldn’t hear any birds, bugs, not even ponies. The only sound she could hear were her slow, cautious footsteps in the loose dirt and the continuous rumbling of the thunder. She looked at the buildings in the town to notice that all of the buildings were black as if they were burned and remained standing. She looked at one of the buildings, what looked to be a small shed. She walked over to the black building and touched the black wood. Suddenly the shed fell in on itself, becoming an ashen heap. She coughed, trying to expel the small amount of ash she had breathed in. She turned back to the street and continued to walk through the burnt town. As Octavia walked she could see different types of signs hanging on pegs, hanging off overhangs, and even a giant sign held up by a blackened Pegasus statue. Octavia stood before the blackened statue. She nervously touched the black statue to only feel cold stone on her palm. She removed her hand then looked down at her hand and gasped seeing blood. She immediately wiped the blood off on her vest looking up at the statue and slowly backed away from it. “What is this place?” Octavia whispered out loud looking around her. “I’m in some sort of village … that’s obvious.” She whispered to herself looking at the statue still rubbing her hand on her vest to clean off the blood from the statue. “Pegasi, are we in Cloudsdale? No,” She whispered looking around her. “If this was Cloudsdale, the buildings wouldn’t look wooden or new. Is this a new town on a new planet?” It could be possible that she is in a new town on a new planet. Octavia noticed the plaque on the stand of the statue, she gulped as she knelt down seeing the writing. She reached her hand and wiped off the soot covering the statue to see the old bronze plaque. She looked at her hand to see more blood mixed with the soot. She wiped off her hand again as she read the plaque. “Blue Typhoon, may he rest in peace and protect this village.” Octavia said out loud looking up at the stallion in frozen pose. She skimmed through the rest of the plaque to actually find a date of death. “This was from sixty years ago.” She said standing up. So this village might still be new but the time this statue was erected was twenty years before the war. Octavia looked around wondering how she got here and why is she in a burnt village. Suddenly Octavia heard a sound. The sound sounded like sniffling, like somepony was crying. Octavia walked cautiously around the statue to listen for the sound until she turned to an alley between two buildings. The sniffling was louder through there. As she walked closer to the alley she could hear taunting laughter from what sounded like children. Octavia gulped and walked forward slowly until she could see a young Pegasus filly being held by two black shadows that were shaped like pegasi. Octavia watched stunned seeing a third shadow walk up to the filly and shoved her to the ground and another black shadow of a pony sat on top of her to keep her on the ground. "Get off of me! Leave my friend alone!" The filly screamed. Octavia gasped to see the filly for the first time with realization. Her messy mane, her fierce magenta eyes, her blue feathers, and rainbow colored mane. "Captain Rainbow Dash?" She breathed in shock. She was seeing Rainbow Dash as a filly, she looked she was five years old. Octavia turned and stiffened seeing more shadow ponies killing what looked to be a small turtle. "No!" Rainbow cried, struggling to get the shadow off of her to save the turtle. "Aww, poor Rainbow Crash lost her lame pet." The evil shadows laughed. The shadow above Rainbow lift off with his wings allowing her to crawl to the dead turtle. The turtle was no bigger than a lunch box. Octavia watched Rainbow Dash hugging the dead turtle to her chest and cried. Octavia blinked turning to the shadows as they pointed and laughed at her, calling her weak, and teasing her. Octavia covered her mouth on shock seeing such horrible things. There was a deep rumble in the air and the ground under Octavia's feet began to shake causing her to look down watching the pebbles move with the rumble. She looked up seeing Rainbow with her head bowed low, suddenly the rumbling stopped as Rainbow dropped her dead pet and run to the shadows and beating them up screaming. Octavia was in shock, she had never seen such anger from a filly before. "Rainbow Dash!" An older voice called out. Octavia turned to see a pegasus mare running into the alley. Octavia moved aside as the tall pink and blue mane pegasus ran towards Rainbow grabbing her, pulling her off the shadow she was beating up. Rainbow continued to scream and fight as the shadows were snickering and running away. "That's enough young lady!" The pegasus mare cried over Rainbow’s screaming. "They killed Tank! They killed him!" Rainbow screamed. The mare hugged her tightly as Rainbow began to stop fighting and hugged the mare and cried into her blue mane. Octavia blinked to realize that the harsh dark feeling left the air as Rainbow was being hugged by this mare. The mare hugged Rainbow tight kissing her on the head trying to sooth the distraught filly by rubbing her back and wings. Octavia then put together that this mare must be Rainbow’s mother. "Rainbow Dash, you can't do things like this." "But what about Tank?!" Rainbow cried as her mother shushed her softly. "I understand what they did was wrong. But you could have told me or your father and we would have taken care of it. You can't solve everything with your anger or your fists." The pink mare scolded gently. Rainbow sniffed staring at the dead turtle on the ground and began to cry again feeling her mother’s grip on her tighten. "I know my little Rainbow, life isn't fair." She paused to look up straight at Octavia causing the princess to stiffen to see the sadness in her eyes. “Violence isn’t the answer my child. I hope one day you will see that and live a happier life than me.” Octavia suddenly felt sad hearing that as the mare closed her eyes. Suddenly the pair turned black and fell into a dust pile. Octavia gasped running to the ash pile and placed her hand into the pile trying to find anything whole. But the wind blew the ash away before she could find any evidence of the pegasi. This isn’t a real place. Octavia thought with a gulp looking around her wondering where she really was. If she’s in a burnt new village and just witnessed Rainbow Dash as a filly losing her pet then she must be seeing something. She gasped in realization of where she was. She stood back up looking at the dark pink clouds. “I’m in Rainbow’s mind!” She gasped leaning against the black wall. “But how … Wait a second, Twilight told me to grab onto Rainbow. And then I felt electricity grabbing hold of me and then I woke up on the ground outside this village.” She looked down to see Rainbow’s pet turtle, as if an old reminder of Rainbow’s rage. She had another thought. “Did I get here through magic?” She squeaked looking down at her hands. "You are correct," Octavia gasped and turned seeing a bright blue light flying above the statue of Blue Typhoon. Octavia ran out of the alley approaching the statue to watch the blue light shimmer on top of the statue. The blue light flew from the statue towards her. Octavia watched this blue light start to spin around her actually causing her to giggle and smile feeling such positive energy from the light. She smiled looking at the light to realize that the voice was familiar. It hit her, remembering the Guardians that spoke to her on the Crystal Moon were all male and one female. This was a female voice! The same female voice from the moon! "I recognize your voice, you're the guardian of the crystal heart." Octavia said smiling. The little light flew around her again causing the princess to giggle, feeling the positive feeling again from the light’s magic. "Yes, and I remember you princess." The female voice said. Octavia blushed. "I'm not a princess anymore." "Of course you are, still. As long as you're with the Elements of Harmony you'll still be a princess." The light said in a comforting tone. Octavia smiled until a thought came up. "But wait, why are you here, Guardian?" Octavia asked curiously. The little light floated to her shoulder then started to transform. Octavia watched in awe as the light turned into a beautiful pink and purple bird with little tuffs of cream yellow feathers on her head. "As a part of the crystal guardians Octavia, it is our duty to watch you. And sensing you were in a horrible place where I can reach you, I followed you here." Octavia gulped. "Wait, how horrible is this place?" Guardian preened herself then fluffed her wing feathers. "There is a powerful dark source where my spirit is Princess, and that force lead me here. Where are we?" Guardian bird asked. Octavia sighed. "I'm trying to understand that myself.” "Tell me what you know then." Guardian said looking around. “Well first I was told to hold on to Rainbow Dash and then I ended up here. I’m wondering if we are inside Rainbow’s mind.” Guardian squawked with surprise. "Wait did you say, Rainbow Dash? As in the Element of Loyalty, Rainbow Dash?" Octavia nodded. “Yes, that Rainbow Dash.” Guardian looked like she smiled as her eyes widen with excitement. "Incredible... I thought I felt her presence. And you say you're with the other Elements?" The bird sounded quite shocked. Octavia nodded. "Well most of them. I'm with Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow, and Fluttershy." "Oh wow... you've found Magic, Kindness, Loyalty, and Honesty? You are incredible Princess." The bird said very well pleased. Octavia blushed by that. "Please, just call me Octavia." Guardian chortled. "Oh yes of course." After a while of a pause the bird chirped. "So how did you get here? It must have taken a lot of magic to do this.” Octavia nodded rubbing her hands. “It did feel like magic that sucked me in here. If this is Rainbow's mind then why does it feel so dark?” Octavia asked rubbing her arms feeling a chill up her spine. Guardian shook her head as she perched on Octavia’s shoulder. “Hmm the presence of dark magic is strong here but … you can feel that can't you?” Guardian said with a worry. Octavia could feel it, some sort of magical pull trying to pull her to some sort of direction back into the black woods. She looked up in the sky to continue seeing the dark pink clouds and lightning. It was a bit unnerving seeing such clouds in the sky. "I feel like I should keep moving. Captain Dash should be here somewhere. Well, at least her mind." Octavia said fearfully watching lightning slice through the clouds. Guardian looked around thinking. "Hmm ... this is a strange place for a mind. It's funny but I feel a very strong and a wrong presence that should not be here. If we are in Rainbow's mind then something else is here too." "Like what?" Octavia asked. Guardian sighed. "It's very hard to describe but this feeling... Octavia you said Rainbow was glowing in a unicorn's glow?" Guardian asked. "That's what I remember seeing before coming here. Fluttershy said something that a unicorn was controlling her and..." Octavia blinked remembering Rainbow's mother's words. "You can't save everything with your anger or your fists." "Anger... Rainbow Dash was angry, very angry. Something is using Rainbow's anger to control her." The pink-purple bird thought for a moment blinking her large purple eyes. "Hmm, how did this anger come about then? Do you know?" She asked interested. Octavia nodded. "From the story, this leader told Rainbow to hurt her friends, because they had a hand in the death of the Wonderbolts." Octavia said sadly, shaking her head. “It is terrible what happened to the Wonderbolts, but I can’t believe that she would be controlled with her anger in all of it.” Guardian quickly flapped her wings. "Wait it might not just be to get to a pony. I have known about the Wonderbolts’ death and it always intrigued me of how somepony could kill them without leaving clues." Guardian flew in front of Octavia. "What if the ones that did it were threatened by them?" Octavia opened her mouth to answer when she suddenly heard laughter. Octavia and Guardian turned to notice a bright colorful light at the end of the woods. Octavia looked to the bird to see her nod her head as she perched on Octavia’s shoulder. “Go on then!” She ordered. Octavia nodded and ran through the woods towards the light. As soon as she broke through the dark bushes, she gasped covering her eyes from the blinding sunlight. The laughter was louder and more excited yet taunting sounding. Octavia blinked open her eyes to find herself in a grassy field. Compared to the dark forest and village, this place was colorful and the air was cool. Guardian looked up and squawked loudly. “Duck!” She cried. Octavia turned and gasped. She fell to the ground as a pegasus filly flew over her and into the air, laughing. Octavia rolled to her back to look up in shock to see that the filly was Rainbow Dash, she was possibly ten or twelve by her size. Octavia is still shocked by how youthful and happy Rainbow Dash looked compared to her older future self. She stood back up to watch Rainbow fly in the air. She watched how she flew past other young fillies and colts flying around them as they flew away in a game of tag. "Look at me!” She cried looking at the tired kids from the game. “I can race circles around you and you can’t catch me!” Rainbow taunted and did exactly that, grabbing a pink cloud, she drops down and made a mini rainbow tornado around a pair of colts and flew away leaving the two colts tangled in the pink cloud ribbon. "Hahaha! I am Rainbow Dash, the next Wonderbolt!" Octavia sat down on the grass watching Rainbow Dash, still surprised on how much different the guard was as a child. She is full of spirit, confidence, and life. Different than her older self. Guardian perched on Octavia’s shoulder to watch Rainbow with what looked to be a beaming smile. “Look at that. I remember stories that Rainbow Dash was very inspired by the Wonderbolts as a child, and it shows.” Guardian giggled. Octavia smirked a touch seeing what the bird meant. Rainbow was dressed in a thin jacket in the color blue with yellow lightning bolts on her sleeves, she even has a pair of old goggles on her head. "That’s no fair Rainbow Crash!" A colt yelled out pointing at her. Octavia stiffened seeing that the colt was black colored, another shadow! Rainbow turned and just like before Octavia could see four more shadows surrounding the young filly. "What's fair? Me being better than you?" Rainbow jabbed with a smirk. "No, for messing with my brother!" The shadow jabbed back with a glare "Oh yeah? A brother of yours is a meanie head like you." Right after that comment, the shadow and Rainbow got into a fight. Octavia stood up feeling the dark feeling again, noticing the once light sky turned darker as the dark pink clouds rolled in with the dark lighting skirting the sky. “Rainbow Dash!” An older male voice called out. Octavia and Guardian turned to notice a stallion with a rainbow mane running over to the fighting duo on the ground. Without a doubt in Octavia’s mind, this was Rainbow’s father. Rainbow Dash was on top of the shadow before the stallion surprised her. Rainbow turned to see him with a look of dread, the shadow seeing Rainbow’s distraction punched her in the face and went on top of her. Octavia covered her eyes after watching the filly being beaten that quickly. The stallion ran over grabbing the shadow and pulled him off of the filly. He then pushed the shadow roughly away into the other shadows. "That's enough all of you!” He roared out causing the five shadows to shiver with fear. “Go home! Or I'll tell your parents about your behavior." The five shadow ponies ran away. Rainbow wiped off the blood on her chin sitting up, growling. "Come back here you shits! Come back and fight like the stallions you should be!" Rainbow cried out standing up by her father. Her father though looked shocked staring at his daughter. "Rainbow Prism Dash!" He exclaimed causing Rainbow to blush looking up at him. He crossed his arms across his chest. "I know for a fact your mother and I haven't taught that word to you." Rainbow's ears went flat on her head as she turned away. Her father placed his hand on her shoulder. "Rainbow, listen to me, I know you want to do more things. But..." Rainbow turned to him with tears in her eyes. She knew that look on his face and the tone on his voice. "You mean... I can't go?" Octavia watched as Rainbow's father made a frown and shook his head. "I'm sorry sweetie, but I can't get the money to send you to Cloudsdale for schooling. It's too much and your mother and I can't pay that much." "But... everypony goes to Cloudsdale Station to be the best fliers." Octavia could see the hurt in the father's eyes. He was in guilt and sad that he won't take his daughter to the places she wanted to go. "Listen to me, sweetie, I'll see if I can try and get an overtime position in the weather team but I'm afraid-" Rainbow’s anger spiked, so did the lighting dancing in the sky. "No! I won't be a weather pony like you or mom! I want to be a flyer, a fighter, a Wonderbolt!" She yelled out, throwing a temper tantrum. "Rainbow Dash we can't... listen to me. What's better? Being alive and having a family with a nice paying job or going out there in the outer reaches of the galaxy and end up dead or killing ponies." Rainbow snorted turning away from him, glaring angrily towards Octavia as her father turned away rubbing his forehead. Octavia stood up watching the duo fade away. The sky turned dark again and the green grass faded away into dirt. Guardian looked to Octavia to notice her thinking. “What are you thinking about?” She asked. Octavia sighed loudly scratching her head. "What is she trying to tell me? There had to be a reason why Twilight thought I should be here." Octavia said annoyed looking around her. "I’m sure you’ll find out the answers you need.” Guardian chirped. Octavia smiled softly at the bird then looked up at the sky. The dark pink clouds were still moving in the sky with dark lightning bolts moving from cloud to cloud. Octavia blinked noticing how the lightning bolts were moving in one direction. “Hmm that’s odd.” She said out loud. "What?" Guardian asked curiously. Octavia pointed up to the sky. “Isn’t it odd that the lightning is moving towards that one direction?” She asked. Guardian looked up and blinked watching the lightning move from cloud to cloud. “Hmm that is odd … and a touch unnerving.” She said honestly shivering. Octavia thought for a moment with a new idea. “What if we follow the lightning? What if that’s where we need to go?” Guardian looked fearful watching the snakes of light move. “If you’re certain. Let’s go then.” Octavia smiled as she made her walk through the dark woods, following the lightning as she walked. ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ Far away from Everfree, the space station of Manehattan was prosperous even though it had lost its royal family. In the center of the city was the castle where they used to live, which was the very place Captain Trixie Lulamoon was not having the best meditation session. Trixie blinked hard rubbing her temples in her room. She had been having headaches for the last three weeks and they kept getting worse as she went through her daily meditation. Giving up her meditation, she stood up and walked over to her large wardrobe and opened it. She knelt down to the large drawers and opened one to reveal a large sphere covered in dark silk. With her magic she lifted the object and removed the silk and smiled taking the crystal ball to the center of her room. She closed her eyes and concentrated, making the crystal ball levitate off her hand and into the air above her head. She opened her eyes as her ball turned bright pink. What she saw in the ball caused her to gasp. She grabbed the ball out of the air and ran out of her room into the elegant hallway seeing that the wallpaper was still being changed from an elegant red into a princely blue. She rushed past the servants and slaves as they were being watched by guards while working. Some were busy scrubbing the tile floors while others were struggling to pull off the red wallpaper. Trixie ran up a set of stairs then turned a corner heading into the first door she saw in the hall, the door leading into Prince Blueblood’s study. She burst through the door. Blueblood let out a shrill shriek causing Trixie to turn and stare at him with a growing blush. She caught the prince in a very personal and explicit situation with a slave girl. She groaned applying hand to her face. "Close the door!" Blueblood screamed. Trixie moved her hand to the back of her neck glaring down at the chained slave unicorn mare who was staring at her with an embarrassed blush too. Trixie snarled audibly with a hard stomp pointing out the opened door. "Out you filthy slave!" She screamed at the slave. The unicorn hybrid nodded and scrambled out of the room as Trixie covered her face growling angrily, she walked over to the door and slammed it shut. "I thought I ordered you-" Blueblood began standing up, forgetting to cover himself. Trixie snarled again using her magic to grab the blanket and tossed it over Blueblood’s head. "Forget about that and cover yourself, you are in the presence of a woman in high military court.” She sniffed watching Blueblood pulling the blanket off his head and wrapping the cloth around his waist with a growl of annoyance. "I have news." Trixie said walking past him "So do I," A new female voice said causing the two to turn and see the hologram that popped up during their exchange. The hologram reveal the pegasus general with an eye patch over her right eye and dressed in a dark uniform jacket. “General Dust, what a surprise." Blueblood said with a glare at Trixie. Trixie glared back at him. Lightning Dust looked between the two unicorns. "Was I interrupting a lovers’ quarrel?" Lightning Dust jabbed with a smirk seeing the angry blushes on their faces. "I'll have you court-martialed if you ever say anything like that in my presence again, General Dust!" Blueblood threatened. "We have bigger problems than lover spats, your highness." Lighting Dust said coolly ending her fun. "We have trouble, I lost five stations this month to pirates. I thought you told me they would be taken care of, Blueblood." Blueblood gasped. "But I did. The Pirate Queen, Nightmare Moon worked with me!" Blueblood cried releasing his blanket and it fell to the floor. Trixie groaned turning towards Lighting Dust as she snarled angrily. "Put on some clothes you oaf!" Lightning Dust roared. Blueblood snorted as Trixie used her magic to lift up the blanket again. Blueblood grabbed the blanket wrapping it around him again. "Well whatever you did, Blueblood, it was a failure. There's a new pirate in town and these pirates are killing many of our supporters." "Oh my," Blueblood said with fear now. "I could have sworn the pirates were dealt with." Trixie sighed. "Anyway I came to tell you that we have trouble. And I'm happy you're here too Lighting Dust since this will have to be your problem too." "And what's that Trixie?" The general asked glaring at her. "It's Rainbow Dash, she has returned." Lightning’s eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open with shock. "Impossible, I thought you had her killed off in that ship, Blueblood. I was sure that she was dead." "But I thought she was dead at the crystal moon." Blueblood said equally horrified. Trixie groaned suddenly, leaning forward on her knees holding her head. “What’s the matter?” Blueblood asked seeing her bent over. "Dust, you remember the spell we casted on our mutual friend Captain Dash?" Trixie asked. Dust smiled. "Yes a great spell you did there my friend. What of it?" "Well I never did cancel it. The spell is still in place and I can feel her fighting it and my power is being drained. Something must have triggered the spell to rework." Trixie grunted holding up her crystal ball, the ball shimmered in her magic. "And there's something else, and you should see this too Blueblood." Blueblood turned to look into the crystal ball, he gasped to see Octavia walking around in some dark forest looking up at the sky with a pink and purple bird on her shoulder. "I-I-impossible! She’s supposed to be dead!" He roared. "She's alive and somehow she was able to enter Rainbow's mind through my magic." Trixie said with a glare to Lighting Dust. "Meaning?" Lighting asked getting worried and angry at the same time. "I will be sitting here for a time, concentrating. I’ll be sending all my magic into Rainbow Dash and try to regain control. And maybe through Rainbow's eyes I can see where the traitors are and we can attack them." Blueblood smiled. "Yes, we can capture them and bring them here." "For what?" Lighting asked. "Wait... Yes, I like this idea. Bring them to the nearest Canterlot Port, I’ll love to see the look on Dash’s face seeing me again. I have some unfinished business with her." "That might be a problem." Trixie warned. "If the little hybrid bitch continues on her course she'll find Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash’s consciousness that I have jailed for a reason. Once the spell was tripped the spell will keep Rainbow's consciousness in a cage and keep it from escaping. If her consciousness continues to remain weak I can order Rainbow Dash to lead them here. Or I can have her kill the princess for good." Blueblood smiled at that plan. “Finally that brat won’t be a nuisance anymore.” Lightning Dust glared at the prince before turning back to Trixie. "But what's the bad news?" Lightning Dust asked confused. "If the princess somehow manages to try and stop me or when I win the fight, Rainbow Dash will be nothing but a puppet. Probably the same if she wins. Magic is a fickle thing." "Wins? She's an earth pony." Blueblood argued primly. Trixie glared at him at his boastful pride. Trixie rolled her eyes looking at the crystal ball thinking. "True, but she has magic. Some sort of powerful magic that no Earth pony could possess.” She paused and noticed the small purple jewel glowing on Octavia’s chest. She gasped. “Wait, the Luna's Tear! She still has it?!" "Well don't just stand there!" Lightning Dust yelled. "Get going and stop her! We still need Rainbow Dash for this plan to work. Get the information you need and kill off the hybrid." Trixie smiled sitting down, cross legged on the floor. She placed the crystal ball on the floor in front of her, placing her hands in her lap, and closed her eyes concentrating. Her horn began to glow in a pink aura. The crystal ball slowly rose in the air, glowing with her horn. "Send me to my ward." Trixie ordered in a warped voice opening her eyes. Her eyes went bright as she connected to the crystal ball. Blueblood and Lightning Dust watched as a bright pink light rose from Trixie’s form, creating a ghostly spirit. The spirit flew into the crystal ball in a bright flash. When the two ponies got their sight back, the spirit was gone but Trixie's body remained in her position and the ball continues to float in midair in front of Trixie. The two ponies waited for their comrade to finish the job. ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ Octavia sighed rubbing her forehead feeling the sweat that had gathered there in the last few minutes. So far this experience in Rainbow's mind was both interesting and yet frightening. It was hard seeing snippets of Rainbow’s memory from her childhood play before her. From what she learned, Rainbow grew up in a new town made for pegasi. Possibly a new habited planet from Cloudsdale. Rainbow grew up in a poor family, both her parents worked for the weather patrol that had hard time working to control the weather of the planet. As Rainbow grew up she began to gain confidence which she gained from her mother who was a racer in Cloudsdale. She dreamed to join the Wonderbolts, a group of talented flyers but also Equestria’s top flyers in the Equestrian Air Force. Since her parents couldn't even afford a single ticket to Cloudsdale, Rainbow became angry. Anger, that seemed to be Rainbow’s top emotion in her life. And as she grew the angrier she became. It was sad to say the least. But other snippets like from the war were very short but they have popped up more as she traveled up the road. She saw a bunch of nightmarish things that caused her to flinch and turn away. Strange monsters, giants, deformed ponies, and explosions. Octavia stopped in her walking to wipe her forehead again fanning herself. "Is it just me or is this place getting warm." Guardian shook her feathers. "You are right, it had suddenly gotten warmer." Guardian looked up by chance and gasped, pointing her wing up in the air. "Look up!" Octavia stopped and looked up. She yelped covering her eyes from the sudden intense pink light that flew by over them with a loud whooshing sound, hurting their ears. "What is that?!" Octavia cried out, squinting seeing the light zoom over them towards the direction they were following the lightning. Suddenly Octavia gasped feeling the crystal guardian thrum and vibrate against her chest. Octavia lift up her guardian and gasped to find it glowing and flashing. "Something is wrong." She whispered. Guardian nodded. "Yes, something horrible. We have to hurry." Octavia nodded and continued to run down the road with Guardian flying next to her. As she ran the scenery changed to reveal new memories. She continued to run through them seeing flashes of memories. Rainbow somehow made it to Cloudsdale for school, Rainbow created a rainbow light show of some sort, then was invited to join the Wonderbolts. Suddenly the landscape changed again causing Octavia to stop in her tracks. In front of her was a tan colored wall of a room. "What are you waiting for? We have to go now!" Guardian said with worry looking around. "Wait... where are we?" Octavia turned to see herself in a room she recognized. "I know this place." She whispered turning around. "You do? Great, let’s go!" Guardian urged wanting to go follow the light again. "Wait a second." Octavia said walking over past a corner to see bunk beds, all the beds had nicely done bed sheets. She walked past the beds to see Rainbow Dash sitting at a round table with her arms crossed on the table top glaring at the wall. Octavia could see the rest of a kitchen being built from the memory. A stallion with a dark blue mane and green eyes was sitting on the kitchen counter tapping his knee. He looked at Rainbow with sadness and worry. A mare a few years older than Rainbow walked over. She was a yellow Pegasus with a fiery orange mane. She was dressed in a shirt with suspenders that were holding up her dark blue trousers, and she wore polished black combat boots. On her shoulders she was wearing an opened blue and yellow aviators jacket. "Rainbow Dash, I'm telling you, we can't do anything right now." This mare said seriously but her eyes convened sadness. Rainbow looked to her, her glare still in place. "They're my friends Spitfire, they need me and I just... I just told them to buck off and..." Rainbow’s glare faded into guilt. She turned away covering her face with her hands. “What will Lightning Dust do to them?” She whispered like she was going to cry. The mare, Spitfire sighed turning to see the stallion looking at her with a shrug. She turned back to Rainbow and walked over to her, placing her hand on her shoulder. "I understand you are upset Dash. And I promise you we'll get your friends out of jail and get you all out of here. Canterlot is not what it used to be, Dash. It's been going downhill since this stupid idea of rebellion took over." Rainbow sniffed and nodded. “She’s right, Dash.” The stallion said with a small smile. “We’ll bust them out if we have to. You got us still, you’re still a Wonderbolt, our sister. And sisters and brothers always work together.” He said smiling. Rainbow turned to him and smiled. “Thanks, Soarin.” Suddenly the door opened and a young yellow pegasus with a sky blue mane looked at them. She wasn’t dressed like the three ponies in the room, she had on civilian clothes; trousers, shoes, shirt and a jacket. "Captain, I have urgent news!" She called running in to the room panting. "What is Misty Fly?" Spitfire asked worriedly. Rainbow sat up. Misty Fly sighed looking at Rainbow first before turning to Spitfire and Soarin. "I just got back from the Luna Plaza. I overheard some guards saying that the Elements of Harmony were taken to the palace and they came out looking sick." "What?" Rainbow exclaimed standing up, knocking her chair to the floor. "Where are they now?!" "Rainbow, sit down now and settle down!" Spitfire ordered, Soarin and Misty looked to their leader with shock. Rainbow glared at her then slowly picked up her chair and sat down, clenching her fists. "Alright start again, Lieutenant." Spitfire ordered. Misty Fly nodded. "The three Elements of Harmony were found at the Celestial Academy next to the palace. They were ordered to see the Queen." "Queen? What Queen?" Rainbow asked. Spitfire turned to Rainbow noticing the confusion on her face. "Celestia is now Queen of the galaxy." She answered. "You're joking right?" Rainbow asked shaking her head seeing the three Wonderbolts giving her sad looks. "But that's insane! Celestia never used the term Queen, it’s against her code of conduct. That's what Twilight told me." "Something must have happened that could have changed her mind. She has been Queen for the last two months." Soarin said, fiddling his thumbs. "Blessed Luna," Rainbow sighed shaking her head in disbelief. First two of her friends were arrested because of their race and now this? What happened while she and her friends were in the war? Her friends? "My Friends!” Rainbow gasped standing up again. She walked closer to Misty. “What happened to them? Misty what happened?" Rainbow pleaded. Misty Fly turned to Spitfire to see her nod her head for her to continue. Misty sighed nodding in return, she turned to Rainbow. "I heard that they were taken to different places after the meeting with her highness. Two went to the Harmony Cottage you girls stayed at and the Pr- I mean Queen's protégé," "Twilight!" Rainbow said quickly. "Yeah her, she's under house arrest at the Academy." Rainbow was in shock. "Fluttershy and Rarity..." "House arrest at that cottage. Both places are being guarded by the Queen's new guards, scary bastards.” She paused to look to Rainbow with worry. “Dash they're after you too. If they arrested Honesty and Laughter, then sent your other friends to the Queen, you're the last one with your Element of Harmony." Spitfire and Soarin turned to Rainbow with fear at this new information. Rainbow blinked a few times reaching into her shirt to pull out the silver medallion with the red lightning bolt glowing brightly and flashing, sending alarm bells into her mind. "They're in trouble. I have to go get them!" Rainbow bolted for the door. "No, Rainbow, wait!" Spitfire called out grabbing Rainbow’s jacket and pulling her back. "Wait a second, you might be playing into something we don’t know about yet." Spitfire said quickly and seriously. Rainbow looked to her angrily. "What do you mean I have to wait? My friends are in trouble! Little Twilight, Rarity and ... ‘Shy. They need me right now I have to go and see them and make sure they’re okay." Spitfire bit her lip watching Rainbow trying to leave again, she grabbed Rainbow again holding her back. "Stay here," She growled. Rainbow looked back at her trying to pull her arm back. "Are you crazy?" "No...That's an order." Spitfire said with authority. Soarin and Misty watched in shock, Spitfire never used her authority like this before, not even around Rainbow. Rainbow stared at her with shock feeling betrayed. "Why?" "This place is the safest place for you right now. You cannot leave." "No!" Rainbow said harshly looking at her. "No, I won't leave them alone when they're scared. I’ve already abandoned Applejack and Pinkie by obeying your orders, I will not betray the others!" Rainbow shoved Spitfire off of her into Misty and sprinted out the door. "Rainbow no!" Spitfire cried out as Rainbow ran away from them. "Rainbow Dash!" The scene vanished leaving Octavia stunned. She stood there feeling sad yet prideful for Rainbow Dash being so loyal to her friends. The scene around her reopened in the same room but all around her everypony was dead. Octavia gulped hard seeing them all on the ground all bloody as if attacked by a sword, the weapons left from the fight were on the floor ranging from pistols, bayonets, knives, and swords. She turned hearing a door opening. "See for yourself." A new voice said pointing. Octavia gasped Guardian did too seeing Rainbow running into the room. She looked different. Dressed in civilian clothes looking around with pure shock and sadness. "Spits?" Rainbow whispered walking over to Spitfire's body. Octavia blinked realizing the story she heard from Fluttershy and Rainbow was accurate, Fluttershy was there moments ago making sure the bodies looked presentable for burial. Octavia turned to see the new Pegasus for the first time from the darkness, she was an aqua colored Pegasus with blonde hair and tail, and she was dressed in a black and red uniform with black trousers and boots. She looked shocked and angered seeing the dead pegasi as they were. Rainbow knelt down holding Spitfire's body against her crying. Forgetting her anger, the second pegasus grinned smugly seeing Rainbow a her lowest point. Octavia glared remembering this scene. "I remember seeing this." She said angrily. Guardian nodded. "Me too. In dreams." The second pegasus placed her hand on Rainbow's shoulder smiling. "They were murdered by Earth ponies, Rainbow Dash. These heroes will be avenged." Octavia turned away seeing the pink aura behind her as she leaves the vision. She returned to the outside seeing the pink clouds and the red and pink lightning gathering at a ball of light over the hill. The light was getting brighter and bigger. Octavia sighed rubbing her hands as her guardian began to vibrate and sparkle. "Come on, we have to go over there. And I have a funny feeling that somepony is wanting to see me." Guardian nodded. "I can feel it too." She chirped with worry. Octavia started to trot then go into a full run towards the light as Guardian flew beside her. To reach the light she had to run up the hill. Once at the top she stopped and gasped to see that she’s staring at a bowl surrounded by the hills around them. The dead grass and bushes in the bowl were surrounding what appeared to be a giant cage in the center of the bowl. Locked inside the cage was a silhouette of a pony, laying on the ground in a fetal position. "Be careful." Guardian warned. "I sense something is watching us." She said looking around then up at the sky to see the giant light source collecting the pink and red lightning bolts. Octavia squinted to get a better look at the pony in the cage. She held her guardian crystal to use the magic to make her vision better. She gasped seeing that the pony in the cage had rainbow hair. "It's Captain Dash." Octavia said happily seeing that guard she was told to find. She started down the hill as Guardian flew next to her towards the strange cage. Octavia kept on running using the momentum from the downhill run to go faster. However once she reached the bottom of the hill she slammed into a force field making a huge dong sound before falling back to the hard ground, groaning. Even poor Guardian slammed into the force field too falling to the ground beside Octavia. The pony in the cage gasped sitting up and turning to see Octavia sitting up rubbing her snout seeing blood on her fingers. "Ouch, that hurt." She groaned wiping her snout with her sleeve. Guardian was seeing stars as she shook her little head. "Oh dear... now I know what those poor birds feel like after hitting my window." She slurred rubbing her head with her wing. "Princess?" Rainbow's voice called from the cage. Rainbow slowly stood up using the bars to help her stand up. She looked like she was locked up in the cage for many decades by how malnourished she looked. The total opposite to what she actually looked like outside her mind. "What are you doing here?" Octavia smiled standing up pressing her hands on the force field looking around her. "Twilight told me you needed me." "What?" Rainbow asked. "No... I, grr you can't be here!" "I came this far, I won't turn back now." Octavia called back. "So this is the princess I have heard so much about." A new voice piped up. Octavia gasped and looked up seeing a unicorn mare dressed in black and red standing at the top of the force field smiling. Octavia noticed her clothes and gasped. She remembered seeing this pony back at Hoofington. "You're the pony I saw in Hoofington. You're the one that told everypony that Vinyl kidnapped me!" Trixie blinked. "Ah yes that white unicorn Hybrid. What was her name again?" "Vinyl Scratch is her name!" Octavia growled glaring at her. "Really? I know of a Vinyl Scratch but he was a stallion not a mare." Trixie said grinning. Octavia blinked confused. "Wait a second... a stallion?" Trixie chuckled sliding down the force field wall. Octavia grabbed Guardian and backed away as Trixie landed on the ground leaning back against her shield. "You mean you don't know? Aww ain't that sad." Octavia glared at the unicorn. "Who are you?" "Me? Why, I am the most powerful unicorn in the Royal Army. But of course I left my show stopping abilities back with my old life. I am Captain Trixie Lulamoon. Personal guard to Prince Blueblood and magical adviser for The Order." Trixie snapped her fingers and black shadow ponies pulled themselves out of the dirt growling and moaning. Octavia gasped backing away from them. "The shadows... You're doing this. You're the unicorn that cursed Rainbow Dash!" Octavia accused finally putting the pieces together. The magic was more than controlling Rainbow, it fueled her anger by sending shadows to her worst memories and made her angry. With more angry memories the more anger Rainbow used. Trixie chuckled snapping her fingers again. Rainbow disappeared from her prison then reappeared standing by Trixie. "Oh goody you are a smart one." Trixie said grabbing Rainbow's neck holding her. Rainbow struggled but a shock of magical energy caused her to scream and fall to her knees. "Leave her alone! She already been through enough hell as it is!" Octavia yelled out as Guardian flew to her shoulder glaring at the unicorn. Trixie sighed shaking her head. "She did this to herself, Princess goody-two shoes. She was just waiting to use that raw ability of hers. Just a little magic then voila we have a weapon. The Element of Loyalty can be used in many different ways. Depending on how loyal she is to others we can use that to our advantage. Her Loyalty to the Wonderbolts was so much stronger than her loyalty to her dear pathetic friends." Octavia glared as Trixie snapped her fingers again. One shadow giggled and threw a blob of dark magic at the force field. The blob showed the previous memory Octavia had seen. The one of Rainbow holding Spitfire to her chest crying. "It was the prefect trigger to make Rainbow ours. And then saying the right words changed that." Trixie said chuckling. Octavia glared coldly at the unicorn. Using ones emotions against them like that for control and with the darkness in Rainbow’s mind fueling her anger, it lead to the perfect brainwashed, killing machine. It was brilliant but savage. Trixie leaned over to Rainbow grinning evilly at Octavia. "Kill the Hybrid princess." Rainbow gritted her teeth slowly opening her eyes. Octavia gasped seeing Rainbow's eyes glow in a pink-red light. "She knows who killed your precious Wonderbolts." Rainbow snarled and slowly stood back up. She walked forward reaching into her belt to produce a small knife. Octavia gasped stepping back. Guardian gulped shaking. "Captain! It's me Octavia, you have to remember me!" Rainbow snarled, flaring her wings, ignoring her pleas. "I didn't do it! I wasn't even born then!" She exclaimed. Trixie laughed seeing Rainbow getting closer to the princess. "It's futile Princess hybrid. Rainbow Dash is under my complete, dominate control. She can't hear you. The only words she can hear are lies and everything that makes her the way she is." Trixie snapped her fingers. Octavia was stopped by another shield blocking her path backwards. She turned to Rainbow as she got closer. "Rainbow Dash! Please!" Octavia yelled out, begging. "You're not a monster, you're not like them!" Trixie snorted. "Like that little stunt would work." Octavia gulped sliding down to her haunches staring up at Rainbow with now true fear. "Think, Octy think!" She whimpered. She had to think of something to snap Rainbow out of her trance or she wasn't going to make it out of this venture. She gasped suddenly feeling Guardian grabbing the chain of her crystal, the bird began to glow in a bright blue light. As Guardian glowed so did her crystal, making a bright blue and purple light. Rainbow winced covering her eyes from the light, the shadows all went underground to hide from the lights, and Trixie used her arm to cover her eyes to block the light. “What are you doing?” Octavia asked as Guardian got a good grab on the chain around Octavia’s neck and flew up with the crystal pointed to the black blob on the force field. Octavia gasped as a string of purple light hit the blob creating another window of a memory. Octavia blinked rubbing her eyes, seeing a scene she hadn’t seen before. Rainbow blinked and turned to the memory watching it. Trixie removed her arm and gasped seeing the memory being sent from the crystal. Guardian was beaming looking between Octavia and Rainbow. Octavia stared in awe at what she saw. It looked like her as a baby sitting in her baby crib. The baby gasped seeing Rainbow walking into the room reaching through the wooden bars of the crib reaching for Rainbow. "Hey Tavi," She greeted. Baby Octavia let out a cry reaching for her. Rainbow pulled off her hat and lifted Octavia up in her arms. "Ooh gosh, you're getting big. Getting too big to be carried, huh?" Octavia was speechless watching Rainbow care for her as a baby. Playing with her and even reading to her. Trixie's mouth dropped to the ground seeing this. Rainbow on the other hand blinked a few times watching the memories before her eyes. Even the part of the memory where Rainbow protected Octavia from the assassin that attacked her. After the assassin was dealt with, Rainbow sang to her like how Octavia’s mother would do. Octavia felt extreme guilt watching the memory. Guilt for how she thought of Rainbow Dash. The past few months she was horrible to the Pegasus she thought Rainbow as a horrible pony but in reality she cared for her, she protected her, and wanted to teach her and she treated her horribly. Octavia turned to Rainbow and gasped to see that Rainbow's eyes returned to normal. The older pegasus dropped her knife to hold her head, groaning with pain. Rainbow opened her eyes and turned seeing Octavia looking at her. "Tavi?" Rainbow whispered. Octavia smiled running over to help Rainbow stand. “What happened?” Rainbow whispered. "No! Impossible!" Trixie screamed out with fear and shock. The black shadows appeared at her beck and call again. "Rainbow Dash you are under my command! I order you to kill the hybrid bitch!" She screamed pointing at Octavia. Rainbow pulled Octavia behind her to protect her. "Fat chance Trixie." Rainbow snarled. “You messed with the lion long enough.” Trixie gasped backing away by Rainbow sudden growth, she was returning back to her old self. Trixie pointed at the two. "Kill them!" She screamed in panic. The shadows roared and attacked as Trixie makes a mad dash away from the fight. "She's getting away!" Guardian squawked. "Not on my watch." Rainbow said smiling. She looked down at Octavia. "You're the one with the crystal, stop her. If you can sever her link to me, maybe AAH!" Rainbow suddenly screamed out holding her head and falling to her knees then to her side. Octavia gasped seeing the shadows running towards Rainbow. She looked down to see the knife blade Rainbow was using. She grabbed the knife blade from the ground slashed a shadow into pieces. Even Guardian pecked at a few causing them to get distracted until Octavia took care of them. Once all of the shadows were dealt with Rainbow gasped waking up panting. "What happened?" Octavia asked helping her stand up. "She gained control of me somehow. But I didn't know why..." Rainbow began trying to think through her fuzzy memory. "Not now!" Guardian chirped. "We have to find Trixie and cut her magical ties with Rainbow. Quickly!" She urged. Octavia helped Rainbow up on her feet then the two followed the last known line where Trixie ran to. Trixie snarled turning to see Octavia and Rainbow were running up behind her. She slid to a stop turning to them holding out her hands to reveal pink balls of energy ready to fight back. "Give it up Trixie!" Rainbow growled slowing to a stop, Octavia stopped next to the pegasus glaring at the unicorn. "You won’t use Rainbow’s mind or body anymore!" Trixie snorted. "You're right. I actually never thought my spell would last this long. Oh well. I need all my magic anyway." She smiled and laughed. "The next time we meet you'll be behind bars and one of you will die." Octavia and Rainbow both growled ready to attack. Trixie snapped her fingers with a flash of magic. Rainbow groaned holding her head leaning to the right, Octavia grabbed Rainbow’s arm to keep her from falling over. "There it is done." Trixie said simply as Rainbow shook her head, regaining her balance. "You’re free Rainbow Dash. See if your special hybrid princess can cleanse you of my wards." Octavia looked to Rainbow with worry as the pegasus glared coldly at Trixie. "The next I see you and your Order cronies I'll kill you all for causing the pain in my friends!” The pegasus threatened. Trixie shrugged. "Be careful what you wish for Captain Crash, you might get what you want after all and much more. And Hybrid," Octavia turned to her. "I'll say hi to your uncle. He will be so happy to know you're still alive. Ta-Ta!" Octavia growled sprinting to catch the unicorn. Trixie laughed seeing Octavia charging for her. Just as Octavia closed in on her, Trixie snapped her fingers and she transformed into a flame. Octavia leapt for her just as Trixie flew away into the sky, Octavia landed hard on the ground missing her completely. She turned looking up to hear Trixie's mocking laughter as she left Rainbow's mind for good. Octavia cursed slamming her fist on the ground. "Damn her! Damn her and my uncle to hell!" she growled getting up. Rainbow was silent for a moment looking brighter than before. "Captain are you alright?" She asked walking up to her. Rainbow was looking at her hand then turned to look down her back. "I feel... different." Rainbow answered. "Like how?" Rainbow spread her wings flapping them and started to smile. "I think Trixie left my head for good... I feel so happy right now." Octavia smiled. "I'm glad," She said smiling seeing Rainbow smile in return. Guardian chirped flying over them then landed on Octavia’s shoulder. "Oh Captain this is uh... Actually I never got your name, Guardian." Guardian smiled flying over to land on Rainbow's shoulder. "Just call me Cadence, Octavia. And don't worry I know we will see each other face to face soon. In the future." She paused and turned to Rainbow. "And I wish you luck in your recovery Rainbow Dash, we need every Element at their sharpest and strongest. And since you’re free from the dark magic you can concentrate on getting well." Rainbow smiled and stroking Cadence's breast feathers with one finger. "Thank you for protecting the Princess. And don't you worry I'll get my life back together. But... What are you exactly?" Rainbow asked curiously. "A Guardian. The Guardian of the Crystal Heart. I wish you both luck." With a final chirp Cadence the Crystal Heart Guardian transform into a bright blue light and zipped away into the distance. ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ Trixie yelled out as her magical spirit slammed into her mortal body. The crystal ball lands on the floor rolling away as Trixie fell to the floor wrapping her arms around her body crying out as her spirit tried to reconnect to her mind and body. Lightning Dust and Blueblood watched with worry as Trixie began to pant hard as she slowly sat up on her knees wiping her eyes. "Captain?" Lightning Dust called out. Trixie growled angrily. "That little pest!" She roared out. "What is it?" Trixie sighed. "I knew I was beat. There were two powerful magics with the Hybrid bastard. I knew the moment the Luna’s Tear showed Rainbow's memories that my magic was weak. I had to erase my influence to save myself." Blueblood sighed. "Now what?" "We go and get them." Trixie answered. "Huh?" The two ponies asked staring at Trixie. Trixie smiled. "Big thanks to Rainbow Dash, I now know where the traitors are located and hiding." Lightning Dust grinned. "Really? And where?" Trixie chuckled. "The rogue planet Everfree." ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ Octavia and Rainbow opened their eyes finding themselves back in the real world. "Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy and Twilight both exclaimed. Octavia groaned siting on her tail rubbing her head trying to keep her lunch down. Rainbow leaned back against the wall feeling Twilight’s hands on her face sending magic waves through her. Twilight opened her eyes with a gasp. "I can't believe it. There is no trace of dark magic!" "Yippe," Rainbow groaned passing out. Fluttershy grabbed Rainbow before she fell over. "Come on, we need to get her to my room. I'll give her a full checkup soon." Fluttershy turned to Octavia as Twilight and Applejack carried Rainbow to Fluttershy's room. "Octavia," Rainbow whispered weakly opening her eyes. "She's fine," Applejack said quickly. "‘Shy’s taking care of her now." Rainbow sighed closing eyes falling asleep. Fluttershy finished checking Octavia with a kind smile on her face seeing Octavia look at her sleepily. "Thank you, thank you so much." Fluttershy whispered gratefully. Octavia smiled as the pegasus helped her down on her cot next to Vinyl. Vinyl rolled to her side taking Octavia's hand. "Will she be alright?" She asked worriedly. "She used a lot of magic," Daring answered as Raindrops and Blossomforth left the room. "She needs rest." Vinyl sighed holding onto Octavia's hand tightly. Daring got up and headed for the doorway. But lingered a little longer watching Vinyl kiss Octavia’s hand and holding it close. ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ Rainbow opened her eyes finding herself in a new room laying on a pallet. She groaned rubbing her face before pressing her fingers into her forehead feeling pressure. "You're alright," Rainbow turned to see Fluttershy looking at her with relief and sadness. "What happened?" Rainbow asked trying to sit up. Fluttershy grabbed her shoulders and pushed her down back on her cot. "You and Octavia used a lot of magic yesterday. Whatever you were fighting against finally left you." "Left me... the Princess? Where is she?" Rainbow asked gaining back strength in her voice trying to get up. Fluttershy pushed her down again. "I remember... but I thought it was a dream." "She's fine, she's with uh, Vinyl... Yes, Vinyl. She's with Vinyl, resting. Professor Do is watching her right now." Rainbow groaned shaking her head. "I can’t believe it... She saved me." Fluttershy smiled patting Rainbow's arm. "I'm so glad you're alright. It might take a while but I know you'll be back to your old self soon." Rainbow swallowed looking at her. "Did I do anything?" "No, but whatever had control over you tried to make you attack us again. Octavia intervened and broke the spell." Rainbow nodded slowly raising herself up leaning against the wall. "Trixie... Lulamoon." "Lulamoon?" Fluttershy asked thinking. "Strange that name does ring a bell for me..." "I only remember her name but... Dammit, my head hurts." Fluttershy leaned over wrapping her arms around Rainbow surprising her. She also heard Fluttershy sniffling. "‘Shy?" "I was worried about you. You were snarling and growling like an animal while Octavia was in your mind. We were afraid that something happened to you and you changed again." Fluttershy whispered not hiding the fear in her voice. Rainbow wrapped her arms around her holding her tight. "I think I'm fine now ‘Shy... Everything's fine again." Fluttershy turned behind her by chance and jumped with a blush. Rainbow looked over Fluttershy's shoulder to see Octavia leaning against the doorframe to keep herself upright, starring at them. "I don't mean to interrupt anything... Daring said you were here." She said weakly. Fluttershy immediately stood up. "I thought I told the Professor to keep you in bed," "No, I need to talk to her, please," Octavia begged pushing Fluttershy’s hands away. Fluttershy looked at the exhausted princess then to Rainbow Dash. "It's fine ‘Shy, we need to talk." After a long moment of thinking Fluttershy nodded. "Fine, I'll be here later to check on the both of you." Fluttershy said leaving the room. She paused in her step to see Daring standing in the hall waiting. The healer glared at the professor as she walks off. Octavia walked into the room and sat down hard next to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow smiled leaning against the wall. "What do you want to know?" She asked. Octavia sighed looking at her. "You... Why?" Rainbow smiled at her. "Why what? Why I treated you like a daughter or..." "Just... I don't understand." Octavia whispered turning away. "You hated me." Rainbow closed her eyes with a guilty frown on her face. "I never hated you." Rainbow whispered turning to the princess with glassy eyes. "I... I just couldn't risk it." "Risk what? You're position?" Octavia asked curiously. "Yes," Rainbow answered. "What do you mean by that?" Rainbow sighed rubbing her eyes. "Listen to me, if The Order knew I looked to you like one of my own then they would have used you to get to me!" Octavia blinked seeing Rainbow's anger again. “The Order?” Octavia asked confused. “I heard you use that term while we were chasing Trixie. What are they?” Rainbow sighed rubbing her face. “The Order is a cult of extremists that believe that magical beings like unicorns and pegasi are the true rulers of the galaxy and anyone who has no magic should be extinct. The Order used to be a huge cult back in early Equestrian history. But Celestia and Luna worked together to wipe them out and somehow their ideas survived and now they are stronger than ever. And somehow they got Celestia on their side.” “So why would this Order effect you?" Octavia asked. Rainbow sighed bowing her head into her knees. “Because I was one of them, brainwashed into joining them.” Octavia blinked finally understanding the story Fluttershy told them earlier the day before. It all made sense to the princess now. "They used me to hurt Fluttershy. And I did hurt her... then they practically killed everypony I loved to keep me in line. They took away my friends, the Wonderbolts, they used me to kill my remaining allies, and..." Rainbow closed her eyes shaking her head. "When I was able to get control of myself I tried to escape them. But they used one last piece of the chain I used to hang on by hurting my parents." Octavia blinked in shock seeing the images of the pink mare and the rainbow manes stallion from Rainbow’s memories. "What happened to them?” "To keep me in line for another two years, they took me to the interrogation room and I saw them. They told me that they will do harm to them if I dare leave the Order. I begged them to let them go. I didn't want my parents to see me like this. A monster and murderer to all ponies. To keep me in line they said they will let them live but a lesson must be learnt." Octavia gulped afraid to ask. "W-w-what happened?" She squeaked. Rainbow closed her eyes. "Like many other pegasus in the old days... traitors or family to traitors were... clipped." Octavia blinked feeling a burst of coldness in her body hearing that word. She read in books about the old pegasi monarchy and their laws before the Royal Sisters came into power and brought the three races together. Pegasi were known for their brutish and honorable ways. Especially the law that everypony in a traitorous family must be subjected to clippings, removal of wings. Octavia covered her mouth to keep the nausea from coming up as she imagined the poor ponies being subjected to torture like that. "They made me watch," Rainbow snarled, crying silently. “It was torture for me to watch.” "Are they... dead?" Octavia asked silently. "I don't know." Rainbow answered with a shrug. "All I know is... they were taken to the mines in Asteroid Point. Digging for Uranium and other materials for fuel in the outer sectors. They might be dead. If so I pray it was quick so it can end their suffering." Octavia leaned over wrapping her arms around Rainbow, hugging her. "We orphans have to stick together." She whispered. Rainbow smiled sadly at her. Octavia blushed looking at her. "Vinyl told me that." Rainbow chuckled wrapping her arm around Octavia hugging her back. "No, you're not an orphan Octavia." Rainbow whispered nuzzling her. "You have me and I have you. I might be not related by blood but I see you as a daughter. Your father told me that I'm considered family and you proved that by yanking my hair you little monster." Rainbow joked. Octavia giggled at that. "You really consider us family? Even if I am a-" "Just shut up about that race stuff Octavia. I played that part to protect you. I had to play the horrible guard that hated earth ponies because it's the only way I could disguise myself in this world." Octavia nodded then sighed. "So what can I call you now?" Rainbow smirked at her. "Just Rainbow Dash is fine. No Captain anymore." She paused then sighed. "You know, I need to catch some Z's. And you need some rest too. Go back to your bed and get some sleep." Octavia smiled and gave Rainbow a final squeeze before getting up. Rainbow smiled watching her go to the doorway. She stopped and turned to her. "Rainbow?" "Yeah?" "I guess I understand why my father liked you. You really are sweet." Rainbow blushed at that. "Don’t spread that about, or ponies won’t take me serious." Octavia laughed at that seeing Rainbow smile. "I know I just learned about this just yesterday but," Octavia wrapped her hand around her Crystal Guardian. "But it feels like I knew all along." Rainbow smiled. "Go to sleep that’s an order.” "Aright I’m going. Sleep tight." Octavia left Rainbow alone in her room. Rainbow couldn’t stop smiling as she laid back down on her pallet. “Things are finally going to get better.” Rainbow whispered before falling asleep.