"Welcome everypony. As much as we'd like to tell you more, we've already told you all we know." Came the voice of their captain. "We who it'll be, or when they will attack. An anonymous source has only told us we would be attacked."
"Do we have to risk our lives?" Someone called out.
"I was getting to that. Any pony who does not wish to be a part of the defense may leave now. But know this, we chose you for a reason. All of you have been chosen as the best young flyers. You have the ability to be great ponies. We'd be honored to have any of you beside us in battle."
Instantly, two ponies from the crowd stepped forward. One had a bright orange coat and magenta mane. The other was a dark blue all over, but his mane was a bit deeper. "We'll stay to fight! " said the orange one.
"Here we are! Our first fighters. And I couldn't be prouder to have one as my sister." As she said this, a slew of other ponies joined in, joining the cause. A few stranglers flew away, not willing to risk their lives.
As soon as they were sure they had picked out all the ponies who were still willing to fight, Rainbow spoke again. "You are all very brave, but that doesn't mean the others are cowards. They just weren't as ready and willing to sacrifice as you were.
"Battle training begins after lunch. Be sure you get enough to eat. Today's workout will be especially draining. We'll also be getting up earlier to get more drills in. You'll need them."
Every pony started heading back to their rooms when Rainbow cried out, "Wait!" She hustled over to the group. "I have one more thing to tell you. A secret no pony else must know." Everypony nodded.
"I know who is attacking us." She whispered
"WHO!" Cried everypony
"Shhhhhhh. It's The Rainbow Factory."
"You expect us to believe that? That's just an old mares tale." Some pony from the crowd said
Rainbow just laughed. "Of course. I'd forgotten that you were all told it as a bedtime story. It's real alright. I worked there. That's how I know."
The mood grew suddenly somber as she stared into the crowd, no trace of her joking in her eyes. No pony dared to speak. All there was left to do was eat and train.
Rainbow wasn't kidding when she said there would be more and harder drills. It wasn't until late that Blitz and Scoots got some time alone. They were two of the few to be able to keep up with the drills, and each other. Now it was just them, and this was the time they loved the most.
They both fell into the one bed they'd been sleeping in. "I love you." They said as they kissed. They were no longer new to this feeling.
When their lips parted, they didn't say any thing. Only stated into the others eyes. Finally, they fell asleep in each others arms, their breathing in sync and their hearts beating in unison.
It was about three in the morning when the alarms went off. Every pony was ready though. They had planned for months for this, and were ready to respond at a moment's notice. Both of them were out of the bedas soon as the alarm went off and we're getting dressed. Even if their reactions were faster than most ponies, they were not the first out.
Even Celestia's sun could not have lit this battlefield. Ponies covered the skies, all in uniform. Wonderbolt and Rainbow Factory uniforms were not the only clothing seen though. There were Shadowbolt uniforms scattered all over the place.
"Shadowbolts now? Wow. Your life is just a storybook isn't it?"
"Yup," Scootaloo sighed, "Pretty much" but she couldn't talk for long. It wasn't safe, so she took off into the fight. She was stopped by a shout from her boyfriend.
"Promise me you'll come back to me." It wasn't a question, but a command.
She went over and kissed him for possibly the last time. "As long as you promise the same to me." And with that they were off to fight, side by side, in the fight for not only their lives, but those of their fellow students and future attendees