//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: Ice Cage // Story: Ace Combat: The Equestrian War // by PolishValsion //------------------------------// It takes courage to venture into enemy territory But doing so without help spells certain doom. When a friend is captured, a rescue is enacted. Those who are loyal never abandon others in need. Chapter 6 "Ice Cage” January 4th, 2019 0825 hrs Canterlot Castle The winter was getting to everypony. Despite the combined efforts of unicorns from Canterlot and the Ponyville residents, removing or, at least, minimizing the cold atmosphere wasn’t enough. The harvesting turned out to be exceptionally poor, with over half of the predicted food storage magazines being completely empty. And no pony knew why; the weather was harsh in recent days, but it was greatly lessened due to unicorn magic. Several ponies begun to suspect that the griffins might be behind those actions. Applejack decided to personally visit the Royal Sisters and requested to perform an investigation in the Froggy Bottom Bog region. At that time, the swamp was mostly frozen, and the region itself wasn’t sufficient for good harvesting, but the plains to the south always had fertile soil. The orange pony also pointed out that it was precisely there, in the neighborhood of the Shimmerwood, where the Mirage Squadron recently halted the griffins’ actions, that the ponies could not acquire any resources or supplies.         “It’s official, Your Majesties. Those feathered fellas are tryin’ t’rob us of our labor fruits. Those kinds of action can’t go unpunished.” Naturally, both Celestia and Luna knew how dire the situation could be if the ponies were left with no spare food. Over the years, history proved that hunger is a weapon that can be more powerful that cannons, battering rams or even magic. Applejack continued:         “That’s why Ah’ve decided to check the Froggy Bottom Bog area. Ah believe it’s there where we’ll find the key to solvin’ this problem.” Twilight Sparkle was in the chamber along with Spike, acting as a sort of chronicler, noting all important facts since the EAF was established. While the purple dragon was finish writing down Applejack’s report, Twilight tried to oppose this idea.         “Do you know how dangerous it could be? I think somepony should go with you, to make sure you’ll be fine. It never hurts to have some backup.” But Applejack was too proud and too stubborn to accept help just like that. Twilight learned it the hard way once before. The earth pony assured the princesses and her friends that she’s merely going to check the area, not seeking any kind of trouble. While reluctant, Princess Celestia agreed to let Applejack go to the Froggy Bottom Bog, but ordered to return and report the results of the search as quickly as possible. A single salute later, Applejack left the throne room. Twilight was still anxious.         “She’s putting a lot on the line. Her life included. I only hope everything goes well...” Luna smiled and tried to reassure her.         “If any difficulties will arise, we can always ask Rainbow Dash and her friends for help. I’m sure they would not refuse. Am I right, Tia?” The older sister returned the smile, having heard her shortened name.         “I have total confidence in our little ponies, Luna. They may be different, they may be from various parts of Equestria, but in the end, they are all children of this land. I hope there will be a time when they will finally realize this. Maybe then this conflict will be over...” Twilight bowed before the princesses and spoke:         “They will surely know. I believe that by putting differences aside and fighting together we can overcome this trial. And I know that day will eventually come...” Moments later, Spike and Twilight returned back to her quarters to arrange everything for this day. Her battalion, aptly called “Magic Stars,” was going on a scouting in the eastern region of Equestria. The unicorn’s mind was still on Applejack, but she was certain she could handle this assignment on which she volunteered. ========== 1011 hrs Froggy Bottom Bog Having just trotted into the bog, Applejack slowed down and carefully entered on a frozen pond. Maintaining balance on her legs, she skated through the ice. The earth pony knew that this area could be patrolled by the enemy, so she tried to reach the other side of the bog with haste, but also as quietly as possible. After two minutes, Applejack reached the end of the pond and resumed trotting. Then, suddenly, she overheard some voices. It sounded like someone was arguing. She flattened herself against a tree and tried to pick up what was going on. A loud sneeze could be heard.         “I’ve had enough! Let’s get out of here. Screw the plan, I’m freezing!” Applejack took a glimpse on the situation; four griffins were arguing between each other. Apparently, the one who sneezed had been out for quite some time, as he was the one complaining the loudest. The rest were mostly grumpy.         “Shut your beak for once, Slip! We’ve heard you already.”         “What’s taking him so long?” another griffon wondered. “He said it was supposed to take only a few minutes.” Suddenly, a fifth griffon descended toward the others. This one was wearing a yellow jacket with number 13 on it. There was something in him that made him stand out from the rest. He appeared to be a veteran fighter. The griffon seemed to be largely unmoved by his comrades’ pleas to leave.         “We’re not leaving yet. We must make sure this area will stay under our control. This is a vital point toward invasion on Ponyville and later, the capital itself.” Slip sneezed again and tried to state his opinion.         “Look here, Echo. We’ve been flying around this bloody bog for three hours. And we didn’t found anything that could prevent us from completing our task. So why are we—”         “I would appreciate if you’d stop running your mouth, Slip. You’re only wasting your breath,” Echo interrupted him.         “But I’ll answer your question anyway. We’re doing this for one simple reason. As you probably know, the ponies started to join forces. They might become a real threat to our operations, regardless of what our superiors are thinking. So, our general, after consulting Red Cyclone, decided that one way to weaken them is to make sure that their harvests aren’t going to be as they planned. We recently constructed ten food storage bunkers in the nearby area of Gildsedale, each holding large amounts of supplies.” Saying this, he pointed his right wing to the far west of the bog.         “With them in our tow, we have the advantage. Once the ponies will run out of resources, an event which, according to Red Cyclone, should happen within three weeks, they will either be forced to surrender... or suffer from our claws and beaks.” Echo’s comrades were mostly enthusiastic, but something was bothering Slip.         “What if they will try to retake the supplies?” The griffon with a jacket turned to him.         “That’s another reason why we are here. We are to guard the bunkers and not allow anyone, under any circumstances, to find out about their location. If the ponies would know, they would undoubtedly attempt to drive us away from here.”         “So, in other words, we’ve been relegated from the mountains to this snowy wasteland. This is just great!” Slip commented sarcastically. Echo seemed to acknowledge that.         “I know it may be hard to some of you, but give it time, and this war will end, with us being victorious!” the griffon spread his wings when he exclaimed the last word. Applejack overheard the entire conversation. She started to think about possible options.         “So, these guys think they can beat us bah taking our food away? I could teach ‘em a lesson or two, if they were fewer than that. Guess now’d be a good time to return to Canterlot and tell everypony the news. Or maybe...” she paused for a second.         “Maybe Ah should try and reach Cloudsdale first. Hmmm... Yeah, that would be the best option.”  Applejack then reached out to her communicator and tried to contact Gale, so that he, in turn, would inform the Mirage squadron. Unfortunately, as the orange mare was trying to find a suitable frequency, the static sounds from her device caught the attention of Echo’s group.         “Aw, pony feathers...” Applejack cursed mildly before she started to run. She knew she stood no chance against an enemy group this large.         “An intruder!” Echo exclaimed. He ordered the others to capture Applejack. Knowing that she was severely outnumbered, she didn’t even bother to slow them down. But despite the sheer cold, the griffins were more accustomed to these features than ponies. Applejack got quickly surrounded by them, and although she attempted to resist, she was eventually overpowered. One of the soldiers grabbed her back and threw her at a nearby dead tree, breaking it with impact force. However, Applejack stood up, refusing to give up. With timed attacks and precise blows, the griffins managed to knock Applejack to the ground. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was Echo, standing before her and saying:         “What a fool to come here alone... You should’ve brought some friends. Take her away!” ========== 1127 hrs Cloudsdale, Mirage squadron’s base In the meantime, Firefly’s team was taking a little rest after their mission from the previous day. Each of the pegasi was also annoyed a bit, due to very cold air that made the temperature drop rapidly. Even though the vests that Rarity made for the team were quite warm on their own, the pegasi were still shivering. Rainbow proposed some exercises, but Lightning Bolt was busy analyzing the radar, while Cloud Kicker, Medley, Derpy and Fluttershy decided to play tag instead. Only Firefly seemed to be interested. The pink pegasus took it as a chance to speak with Rainbow in a sort of privacy. When they begun practicing dodging attacks and a maneuver that Firefly called “pressure flight,” which involved flying right beside the opponent in an attempt to force it to either change direction or crash into something, she asked Rainbow:         “Say... you’re not upset over my methods?”         “Why should I be? I mean, I do find them a bit radical at times... but I trust you. I think that having trust in others is a key factor in pretty much everything that requires teamwork.”         “Hm. Well spoken,” Firefly smirked. “Then let me ask you this: when you went to help Fluttershy and Medley, you did this out of loyalty or... because you care about them?” Rainbow stopped in place and seemed like she tried to come up with a satisfying answer.         “How should I put this...? Fluttershy is probably the first friend I ever had. I know her since my childhood. She may be a scaredy pony at times, but deep inside, she’s got a compassionate heart. It’s one of things I like about her. In the case of Medley... she’s alright. Might be a little exaggerating at times, but she’s trying her best to help us. In fact, everypony does their best. It makes me feel glad to be a part of this team.” Firefly chuckled at this response. Rainbow leered at her.         “What’s so funny?”         “Ah, nothing. But that’s the kind of answer I was expecting from a pony like you,” the pink pegasus replied.         “I agree that we all have potential to become new heroes of Equestria, but there’s one more thing that I’d like to know about you, Rainbow Dash.”         “Fire away.”         “Is there’s... somepony important in your life?” Rainbow wasn’t expecting that kind of question. It made her feel a bit unsure.         “Uh... ah... What exactly do you mean by that, Firefly?”         “Simple. I just want to know is there’s somepony that’s holding a meaning to you. Somepony that you share a lot of time with. Somepony that, if it would be possible, you would call a surrogate sister. Perhaps somepony for whom you would not hesitate to put yourself in harm’s way, just to be certain it will be save.” The blue pegasus was completely taken off-guard by this. She wanted to know why would the team leader bring up such issues at this moment. But Firefly shrugged it off.         “Can’t I be a little curious? I’d like to know something more about you. Is that so bad?”         “No... I just... Well, alright. If you really want to know, I’ll tell you.” Both pegasi flew down and situated themselves in the room’s corner, still observing other ponies playing tag. Rainbow spoke with warmth in her voice. She rarely had a chance to tell others how she felt for real.         “My friends are the most important thing in my life. In a way, they give me strength and care. When I’m feeling down, they come to cheer me up. But among them, there’s one pony that I would not hesitate to call “best friend forever.” Do you... remember an orange earth pony with a cowboy hat that you saw when you first arrived in Canterlot?” Firefly nodded. She remembered her well, standing beside four other ponies, all of which, along with Rainbow and Fluttershy, were representing the Elements of Harmony. They were also on the stained-glass windows.         “Is she the one?” she asked Rainbow.         “Yeah. Her name’s Applejack. We’re competing with each other often. But it’s mostly for entertainment. It’s like a sport. Normally, we would probably be fighting those griffins side by side right about now... I think that, besides Fluttershy, she probably understands me the most.” At that moment, Rainbow paused for a second and looked at Firefly.         “But I still don’t get why are you asking me this.” Firefly gazed into Rainbow’s eyes.         “I sometimes thought that friends are nothing more than a hindrance. I was alone in my travels. I never had anypony to look after me, to talk to, to confess my problems. Now, I kind of regret it...” Her ears dropped down briefly in sadness.         “You’re a lucky girl, Rainbow. Sometimes, I wish I could have a life like yours. But, after my parents died and I decided to begin my travels, I was all alone... with nopony to talk to...” Rainbow felt sorry for Firefly. She apparently had a rough life. The blue pegasus wanted to offer her some comfort, but it was at this moment that the alarm went off. The pink mare sighed.         “Can we finish this conversation later?”         “Sure thing.” Within a minute, all pegasi were assembled in the Mission Control. Lightning Bolt was just going over the details of the report that Gale sent. It seemed that a pony was dispatched to the Froggy Bottom Bog in order to learn something about the sudden disappearance of the food. The final signal could be briefly identified, but it was too short to trace it precisely.         “Gale told me that Princess Celestia sent a pony named Applejack to investigate the case of the missing harvests. And she seem to have found the culprits... but she was taken prisoner.” All ponies, especially Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, were shocked to hear that. A brief discussion ensued.         “She went there all by herself? She’s crazy,” Derpy exclaimed.         “Says a mare who took on three griffins by herself,” Cloud Kicker reminded the grey pegasus, making her blush a little.         “Applejack may be in possession of vital information regarding the missing harvests,” Lightning Bolt pointed out. “It wouldn’t hurt to carry out a rescue operation.”         “I’m going! We’ll be back before you know it,” Rainbow announced smugly and was about to leave the base. Medley tried to reason with her.         “Wait! You can’t go alone! You’ll get caught, too.”         “Kid’s right. I’ll go with you, Rainbow,” Cloud offered her assistance. Although Fluttershy seemed a bit scared, she was also determined to save Applejack. However, Rainbow remained unflinched.         “No offense to you, girls... but I’d rather go by myself. I mean it. It will be faster this way.”         “The risk is too great, Rainbow,” Derpy tried this time. “You don’t know what you will find when you’ll get there. Besides, you don’t even know if Applejack is—” But before she could finish the sentence, Rainbow glared at her, silencing the grey mare.         “I know she’s alive! And I will save her!” Her friends were looking a bit worried. But Firefly understood what Rainbow was going through. Even though she didn’t had many friends in her life, those who became them were important to her. If something would happen to her friend, she would do anything to save it, too.         “You have my permission, Rainbow. Go and save your friend. And... try not to die. Make it back in one piece, ya hear? ... We still haven’t finished our conversation.” Rainbow grinned at this statement.         “Come on, this will be a cinch for me.” Seeing that there was no way to convince Rainbow to stay, or at least, take somepony with her, Lightning Bolt approached her and seemingly gave her a hug.         “You be careful out there, Rainbow.” The blue pegasus smiled in response, then turned around and flew away, toward Froggy Bottom Bog. Most of the pegasi were surprised by Lightning’s action.         “Lightning... are you worried about Rainbow, too?” Cloud Kicker asked. The white pegasus turned to her; she was smiling.         “That goes without saying. That’s why, I gave her a little something that will help us locate her if things get dicey.” Saying this, she showed a contraption with a pulsing blue dot that was going farther and farther from Cloudsdale. It appeared as some sort of a tracking device. She seemed to have placed something in Rainbow’s mane that would allow the others to know where she is.         “I like the way you think, Thunder. Very efficient,” Firefly praised her. ========== 1409 hrs Froggy Bottom Bog Once she arrived in the area, Rainbow Dash looked around, trying to find any traces of her friend. She noticed some hoofprints on the snow and followed them toward the frozen swamp. Rainbow flew to the other side and saw something that temporarily made her freeze in fear: a small puddle of dried blood. It was clear that someone fought here. The place was trashed. And it became apparent that Applejack was beaten and taken somewhere else. All possible traits pointed Rainbow in the direction of a small cave to the north. What surprised her was the fact that there were no guards around it and that the entrance was opened wide. Still uncertain about her friend’s fate, she carefully entered the dark cave. Pausing for a moment to allow her eyes to adjust, Rainbow made her way deeper and deeper, whispering Applejack’s name. At one moment, she heard a quiet moan of pain. Despite obvious danger of being discovered, she rushed toward its source. Once she reached a chamber filled with beautiful shimmering crystal icicles, she heard a voice speaking in commanding tone:         “My patience is wearing thin! Talk! Who sent you?” Rainbow got a little closer and peeked from behind the wall. To her horror, she saw a griffin torturer interrogating Applejack. She was literally pinned against a wall by chunks of ice around her legs, unable to move at all. The griffon approached and grabbed her by the throat, trying to make her talk. Rainbow’s heart started to beat faster. Applejack expectorated:         “And... who’re ya workin’... for, anyways? Ah mean... you’re way too dumb... to be in charge... of all this...”         “Watch your tongue!” the torturer exclaimed angrily, letting Applejack’s throat go, but immediately delivering a brutal punch to the pony’s ribcage. A scream of pain echoed through the cave, the mare’s head flopped as she started coughing. The griffon let out a growl.         “You’re a tough one, I admit it. Not many could withstand my interrogations as long as you did. But that’s all right... I have ways around stubborn mules like you. And I am patient...” Rainbow was about to burst out of her hideout when she heard a second griffin soldier coming in. He wondered if the torturer got out any information from the prisoner. The answer was negative.         “Either she’s playing dumb, or she really doesn’t know anything.”         “Don’t know, don’t care,” the other griffon remarked. “We’ve got more important issues at hand. Echo ordered everyone to begin another scouting session.”         “Seriously!” the torturer exclaimed angrily. “You’ve been doing this since we’ve captured that pony! How much longer?”         “You know Echo... once he gets all riled up about security...” The torturer remarked with a simple “Oh yeah...” He decided to join the scouting, saying he spent the last two hours unsuccessfully trying to extract information. Before they flew through the exit at the top, he asked:         “What about her?” he pointed at the harrowed pony. “Should we leave her like that, without guards or anything?”         “She’s not going anywhere. That mare’s too exhausted to try and escape.” Convinced, the soldiers left the cave. Rainbow waited for a few seconds, barely damping her emotions before emerging from behind the wall. Only then she noticed just how badly her friend was hurt...         “Sweet Celestia! Applejaaack!” It seemed the griffins were torturing her for a while, as Applejack’s body had several scratch marks on her belly and a beaten face, too. The blonde mane was tousled, her cowboy hat laid on the ground next to her. Applejack was breathing faintly, her eyes closed. Rainbow approached the battered pony, showing concern.         “Applejack! Can you hear me? Hey, wake up!” She didn’t respond at first, but a weak groan made the blue pegasus certain she heard her. Applejack lifted her head and tried to open her eyes. She barely managed to notice her friend. It brought a big grin on the orange pony’s face, despite the pain she felt in the entire body.         “Howdy, Rainbow... Nice for you t’drop by. Ah would shake a leg, but... heheh.”         “Quiet down! Save your strength. I’m getting you outta here!” Rainbow smashed the ice chunks releasing Applejack’s legs and making her fall on the ground, moaning in pain. Dash managed to catch and cradle her, looking at the badly hurt mare.         “I’m here, AJ... everything’s gonna be OK...” Applejack smiled warmly, unsuccessfully trying to conceal the suffering she was enduring.         “Rainbow... Ah never thought I’d be so happy... seeing you... ARGH! Mah ribs..."         “What have they done to you...?”         “Ah... Ah think I felt that... last punch. Ah tell you... he loved every... second of it... But Ah’ll... be fine... Ya’ll be glad... t’know... ah’ve got some news... about the missing food... ugh.” She tried to stand up, but the pain was overwhelming her. Rainbow tried to calm her down.         “We’ll talk about it after we get back. Can you walk?”         “Ah’ll try...” Applejack could barely stand on her legs, but assured Rainbow she’ll manage. She shared some details about the food bunkers with her friend as they were trying to leave the cave. About halfway out of the cave, the orange pony collapsed on the floor.         “Applejack! Are you all right?!” Rainbow cried.         “Ah’m... sorry, Rainbow... I’m too tired to go on... Leave me here...” Rainbow offered to carry Applejack on her back and, while initially reluctant, she ultimately agreed. However, unbeknownst to them, Applejack’s assailants were fully aware that some pony will try and rescue her. The second Rainbow and Applejack got out of the cavern, they were almost immediately “greeted” by Echo and his group.         “Leaving already?” one of the griffins asked mockingly. “We were waiting for a special guest, so we left the invitation wide open.” Rainbow was clearly angered, but tried to analyze the situation. Applejack was wounded. They were surrounded by five griffins, with one of them presumably as skilled as Edge or Zeakros. Their chances of escaping were very slim, but the pegasus was not willing to throw in the towel.         “I’m not interested in joining your party, boys. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re going back.” All griffins, except Echo, roared with laughter. He, instead, came closer and tried to point it out to Rainbow that they have no possibility of winning. The other griffins also started approaching them, about to handle the punishment. Rainbow looked at her friend.         “Y’know, AJ?” the blue pegasus remarked.         “Yeah, pardner?”         “It was stupid of you to come alone.”         “Ah could say the same about you. Where are the others?” Applejack asked. Rainbow tried to say something, but it seemed the words got stuck in her throat. Applejack gave her a friendly look, like she was trying to say: “Ah don’t blame you, but what you did was dumb.” And just then, when it seemed that the two friends were about to meet their end...         WHAM! A big block of ice fell from the sky and shattered into a million of pieces in the near vicinity. To everyone’s surprise, it were the pegasi from the Mirage squadron who dropped it. They landed before completely stunned griffins and their two friends. Firefly looked around, pleased from the effect of such big entrance and smugly remarked:         “Seems like we’ve arrived in the nick of time. What does that make us, Thunder?”         “Big Mane Heroines, Flash!” Lightning Bolt replied. The pegasi laughed briefly before turning their sights on their enemies, who were still surrounding Rainbow and Applejack.         “Are you going to release them, or should we knock some sense into you?” Derpy asked.         “What kind of idiot would let his prey go like that?” one of the griffins yelled.         “Hey, it never hurts to try,” Cloud Kicker jumped in. Echo stepped forward.         “Do not think we will give them without a fight. You should know this by now.”         “Oh, trust me, I do know,” Firefly assured him. “You, on the other hand...” At this moment, she winked to Rainbow, who quickly dashed to them with Applejack on her back, and before anyone could react, the pegasus broke through the circle of griffins and was now standing by her friends.         “You don’t seem to know that distraction is always the best option,” said the pink mare. Naturally, this only infuriated the griffins. They tried to attack the ponies, but their agility was unmatched. They outsmarted their foes in every possible aspect. Echo clashed with Firefly.         “I can see that Jet was right about you. Underestimating you is an easy way to get hurt.”         “So you’re finally catching on, that’s good,” Firefly commented. As Derpy and Fluttershy were helping Rainbow in taking Applejack to a save place, Lightning Bolt, Medley and Cloud Kicker aided Firefly in repelling the griffins away. It wasn’t easy this time, as they knew the importance of this region. They wanted to hold it at any cost, so they fought viciously and didn’t gave the ponies a breather. One of the griffins scratched Medley’s back a little, but she retaliated with a fierce punch in the face, followed by Lightning Bolt performing another “Shining Spark.” The attacker was knocked down on the ground. The three friends soon fought together against the remaining opponents and ultimately forced them to retreat. Echo proved to be a dangerous opponent to Firefly. He was the most agile and strongest of the griffon aces she fought against so far. But seeing as his forces were gradually being diminished, he had to end the fight prematurely.         “That was but one battle. This war is far from over. We will meet again, Flash!”         “Looking forward to it! And by the way, were you opposing the plan of kidnapping fillies?” This question surprised Echo a bit, but he confirmed it.         “In that case, tell your commanders that they should stop trying to beat us with such cheap tactics. If you keep it up, it will be us who will win this war!” Upon exclaiming these words, Firefly flew away with the other ponies, leaving Echo pondering. ========== 1844 hrs Sweet Apple Acres The pegasi brought Applejack before her home farm where they were greeted by Apple Bloom. She instantly noticed her sister was hurt badly and hailed to Big Macintosh, the stoic and quiet older brother, to bring up some bandages. Applejack was slowly recovering from the beatdown the griffins laid upon her. She was also being kept warm, as being “chained” to a frozen wall could have affected her body. Luckily, with proper care from Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh, as well as Granny Smith’s special apple liqueur that warmed her body, the orange pony was well on her way to be cured. When the remaining pegasi from Mirage squadron came as well, each of them received a cup of the same warm drink from Granny Smith. All three ponies from the Apple Family expressed their gratitude for saving Applejack. Meanwhile, Applejack thanked Rainbow Dash for the rescue and apologized for worrying the blue mare; even though Rainbow didn’t admit it, she felt great relief. The two friends shared some nuzzles and a hug. But something was still circling around Rainbow’s mind.         “How did you girls found me so quickly?” Lightning Bolt approached her and pulled a small chip-like item from her mane.         “This little gadget was certainly useful.”         “We’re sorry, Rainbow... Don’t be mad. It was for your safety,” Fluttershy tried to explain. But, instead of being frustrated, Rainbow smiled.         “Thanks, girls. I believe that’s another valuable lesson of friendship for me.”         “And what would that be?” Firefly asked, as the pegasi were preparing to return to Cloudsdale.         “That true friends should never abandon others in need. Or be left behind. They would risk much to ensure their safety.” Everypony agreed wholeheartedly with this statement. Applejack waved her winged friends goodbye before she drifted to sleep. Rainbow grew a little bit on this day. It was proved to her that friends, as long as they stick together, can accomplish amazing feats. On their way to the base, Firefly reminded her about the conversation from earlier. Though Rainbow was interested, she yawned. The pegasus was up on her legs since the very morning and carried her wounded friend through a long way. Tiredness was getting to her. Firefly saw it and wasn’t picky about it; she knew Rainbow deserved a rest. Once they arrived back in Cloudsdale, she told the rainbow-maned flier to get some sleep, saying she’ll speak with her later by any chance. Firefly didn’t reveal much details either and only mentioned it was a “thing from the past”. Before Rainbow could ask for more, her eyes closed and she fell asleep.