//------------------------------//
// IRIS RISING - revised 
// Story: Iris Rising: Dreamfall (retcon planned) 
// by hujan86 
//------------------------------//

A small part of Ragingheart’s forces guarded the town square. Being machine constructs, they all appeared to be unaffected by the freezing cold, although the blizzard did impede their movement to a significant degree.
Inside the town hall, Ragingheart sat at the mayor’s desk, eating a bowl of candies. Without the armor on, the Alicorn Amulet is visibly worn on her neck. Unfortunately, it was very hard to look at the true face of the so-called evil ‘Alicorn’ as the office was left dark on purpose. Against the window in the backdrop, she appeared as a silhouette of an Earth pony with a long mane.
She was about to swallow more candies in mouthfuls when she suddenly slipped into an impulsive rage. She swatted the bowl away, proceeded to flip the desk and bring down the all the cabinets in the office, screaming and screaming, and screaming…

As for the hostages taken from Canterlot, they were being held at Ponyville Prison, together with the enslaved local townsfolk.
After five days straight of trying, the leader of Boy Builders, finally gave up. He had been unsuccessful in picking the cell’s lock using his feather quill. 
“Sorry, Sunset Shimmer,” Dumbbell apologized again. “Seriously, I haven’t done this since I quit being a ruffian.”
Sunset Shimmer, whose forehead has yet to fully heal, and Lionel both looked on mildly disappointed.
Just then, outside their cell, they saw two Mithras dragging away an unconscious Earth pony.
“What’s going on?” Sunset Shimmer asked.
“Occasionally, Ragingheart would randomly choose a prisoner to use as her personal punching bag,” Mayor Mare answered from the adjacent cell. 
There was no sign of vigor on the middle-aged pony, having spent the past weeks as a rock farm slave.
“What!?” Sunset Shimmer was appalled. “Why!?”
“I don’t know. But she does that when indiscriminately tearing up the town areas doesn’t seem enough for her.”
Sunset Shimmer shook her head at the revelation. “No, no, no, no. This isn’t like Lyra at all. If this keeps up, then I don’t think there’ll be anything left for her to rule. This is…this is all my fault-”
“I don’t care whose fault it is!” the mayor snapped, startling Sunset Shimmer. “The real problem is why isn’t Canterlot doing anything!? Doc Top should’ve reached them with the news long before winter! What’s going on there, Sunset Shimmer!?”
The unicorn was not entirely sure on how to explain the real situation to her.  
“Help is on the way,” Sunset Shimmer said, though if that was the truth or a lie, she could not know for sure. “After the storm’s over, Canterlot will come for us. In fact, our allies Prince Umbra and Diamondia will lend their aid too.”
“Then make sure they do after this so-called evil ‘Alicorn’ let you go!” the mayor angrily said before retreating back into her cell and lay on the hay bed to doze off.
Sunset Shimmer felt a terrible weight on her. But what can I do? Maybe I should just tell her. But is it really better that way, than keeping their spirit alive with false hope?
“You look depressed,” Dumbbell remarked, snapping Sunset Shimmer from her thought.
“Then let’s lighten the mood a bit, shall we?” Lionel said. “Do any of you know what Princess Celestia did to me last year?”
“No, you too!?” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed. 
Lionel removed his ‘mane’, revealing he was actually bald.
“Old timer, you sure it ain’t natural?” Dumbbell asked skeptically.
“Positive,” Lionel affirmed. “It never grows back right after the princess ‘teleported’ me to Galloping Gorge, for…some...reason, after ranting about bananas. I didn’t say anything before because, you know, she’s the princess and uh…” 
He rubbed his bald head. “It’s kind of embarrassing for me too.”
“I’m terribly sorry for this,” Sunset Shimmer said sadly. At least, he didn’t end up on the moon though…
Lionel was uncertain why Sunset Shimmer should apologize. But then he thought the unicorn was probably doing it on Princess of the Sunlight’s behalf as dictated by her position in Equestria’s political administration.
“Nah. I’m not angry at all,” the Earth pony said dismissively. “Have you ever seen me running around as a supervillain hell bent on making all the ponies in Equestria bald like me? How weird would that be? Huh, huh?”
Both Sunset Shimmer and Dumbbell cracked a smile at the Earth pony’s joke.
“Huh, strange,” Sunset Shimmer said thoughtfully. “I got teleported to Fillydelphia once, but I didn’t see or feel anything different about me at all…”

***

“Clear your thoughts, then visualize it in your mind. Focus.”
At Godslayer Watterson’s words, Godslayer Dash focused as hard as she could. Shortly after that, the transformation began. Pieces of her helmet and the protective plates suspended in a circular motion around her, separating and reshaping. Her bodysuit changed into a blue collared jacket over a black-and-white t-shirt, jeans and blue sneaker boots. The reformed helmet and armor pieces became one with her boots, shirt and jacket.
Once the process was complete, Dash looked down at herself with a great sense of satisfaction. “Sweet!”
That was when she noticed of the Godslayer crest on her jacket and pointed at it. “Hey!”
“Deal with it,” Godslayer Watterson said. “It’s pre-programed into the SHADE.” 
“But it makes my clothes look a little less cool,” Dash complained.
“A little?”
“Yeah! Like…by 20%.” Somehow that made sense to her now.  
“Man, you’re sounding more and more like Rainbow Dash herself,” Godslayer Watterson joked.
Dash shrugged her shoulders. “What-evs.”
“Okay, okay,” Godslayer Watterson said, a little more serious now. “Enough playing around. Let’s focus on the task at hand.” 
He gestured Dash to follow him. “Come on. We’ve probably got a few more days before my superior officer arrives. I must warn you though.”
“What’s that?” the latter asked as she followed alongside him.
“She’s pretty hot tempered,” Godslayer Watterson revealed. “So I need you to lose that cocky side of yourself.”  
“Pffft, nothing that I can’t handle,” Dash scoffed. 
After her successful flight a day earlier, she has since become very upbeat and excessively confident of herself.
“I’m serious,” the feline said, alarmed by Dash’s overconfidence. Her bite is really worse than her bark,” 
However, she treated his warning with indifference. “Yea, we’ll see.”

***

“Your willpower is everything. The SHADE is just a piece of equipment. It could only amplify your strength and speed so much.”
In order to prepare Dash for combat training, Godslayer Watterson subjected her to a series of usual warmup exercises, before moving on to more rigorous activity. Although Dash felt exhausted afterwards, she did not complain. All these, as according to Watterson, were necessary to strengthen her muscles and build her stamina.     

“Your mind and body is your true weapon. So it’s up to you to exert control, to push both yourself and the SHADE to the limits.”
Starting slow, beginning from the basics, Dash, whom is now clad in her armor, moved from the combat-ready stance to engage Godslayer Watterson in a hand-to-hand sparring.

“The SHADE allows the projected light to be transformed into a solid state matter.”
Godslayer Dash focused deeply on her thoughts. At last, her personal Ethereal weapon conjured in her hands: a staff-mace. At a glance, the design of the weapon bore resemblance to Captain Discord’s Exquisite Ban Hammer, though hers is actually more rugged and modernized in appearance.

“But you can reshape it into any form to your liking. Just focus like you did before.”
After the success of getting her own personal weapon, Godslayer Dash tried to conjure her Resist Shield. It was initially a simple rectangular shape. But slowly it changed into a more complex design. The final form of the shield is the Thunderbolts’ emblem/coat of arms: a winged shield with a stylized lightning bolt in the middle.

“In battle, you must be able to move fast.”
Godslayer Watterson tested Godslayer Dash’s focus, speed and reflexes by releasing a barrage of arrows at her. Godslayer Dash proved she can hold her own against projectile-wielding enemies by deflecting the arrows with her staff-mace while dodging the barrage all at the same time.

“Hit hard.”
Next in the training schedule is the test of power. Godslayer Dash passed Godslayer Watterson’s challenge of pulverizing large lunar boulders, from human adult-sized to beyond, each with a single strike of her staff-mace.  

“And fight even longer.”
Godslayer Watterson and the lined up royal guards took turns in ‘attacking’ Godslayer Dash. The goal of this exercise is not to beat her opponent as fast as possible, but to increase her combat endurance.  

“As in a real battle, you’re not just fighting one enemy at a time.”
The royal guards gathered around Godslayer Dash in a circle. She defended herself as they took turn at random trying to knock her down. This is to train her awareness, as in a real battle, enemies may come from multiple directions unannounced.  

“You are expected to take on a whole army singlehandedly.”
Godslayer Dash practiced armed combat with Godslayer Watterson and the Equestrian Royal Guards.

“Battlecasters has one of four natural elements at their disposal. But as a Swift Striker Godslayer, you have air superiority to your advantage.”
Flying with the SHADE is one thing, air battle is another. Godslayer Dash streaked above ground level while at the same time maneuvering to avoid the pursuing unicorn guards’ magic missiles.

“Each opponent has their own abilities and fighting styles. At the given opportunity, they will fight on their own turfs.”
Godslayer Dash engaged the pegasus guards in an aerial armed combat training. Performing aerial cartwheels and rolls was now second nature for her. She is as agile and dexterous in the air as she is on the ground.

“Therefore being versatile and resourceful is just as important as improving your physical performance.”
After weeks of combat training, it was time to proceed with the physically and mentally-torturous field exercise simulating a full-scale battle. All the Equestrian guards rigorously tried to attack and corner Godslayer Dash from every direction, on land and on air.
“That means you have to flexible in your attacks and adapt your tactics accordingly as battle conditions change.”

After hours of watching the battle’s proceeding from the sideline, Godslayer Watterson decided it was time for him to move in and engage Godslayer Dash directly. 
The latter leaped clear of the feline’s sword attacks with the help of her jet thrusters. Of course, Godslayer Watterson would not let that hinder him. After his swords changed into the tek-bow, he moved around, tracking her trajectory and shooting at the same time.
Dash was starting to feel strained, from getting overwhelmed in the field exercise and weeks of non-stop training. Overly tired and stressed, she began to lose her temper. All she could think of right now is get this over with right away.
Godslayer Dash leaped up then slammed her weapon down at the ground to knock the guards in front of her off their hooves. She then conjured the Resist Shield to block Godslayer Watterson and a few of the guards coming at her from the other direction. 
Godslayer Watterson sidestepped and lunged forward, taking Godslayer Dash almost by surprise. He is about to deliver a ‘strike’ and that was when Godslayer Dash impulsively swung her weapon at him. He was directly hit in the midriff, exactly at the spot where his healing wound lies. The blow hurtled him high into the air as a result then he came down crashing on the ground at a distance. With that, the exercise came to an abrupt standstill. The soldiers fixed their gaze at Godslayer Watterson who remained unmoving. By now they realized something had gone terribly wrong
Panicked over what she had done, Godslayer Dash rushed towards him. “Aw heck naw… No, no, no, no, no, no!”

A Void of immense size materialized over the dark side of the moon. Fully emerging through it is The Catgirl piloted by Godslayer Fortepiano. After it finally arrived in this universe, the Void safely collapsed behind it. Afterwards, the cruiser pushed towards the moon for atmospheric entry.  

Twinkleshine peered through the window. She saw a large ‘airship’ whose geometric design indicates its non-Equestrian origin, coming to a stop nearby.
“Hmmm, what the hay is that thing?” she asked herself.
Guessing it might be the transportation that Lord Watterson mentioned before, she quickly went to inform Princess Luna.

Godslayer Dash rolled Watterson’s limped body over to his back. She tapped on the side of the helmet and called his name but there was no response from him whatsoever. With his face hidden under the opaque visor, she could not determine how serious his condition is or whether he is even still alive.
Godslayer Dash stared away as soon as an object in the sky glimpsed into her view. She saw The Catgirl hovering faraway over the plain and something appeared to be disembarking from the craft. A few seconds later, it became clearly visible. Another Godslayer, a Swift Striker like her, was flying at her position fast. 
Great, she thought apprehensively, here comes trouble.
Godslayer Fortepiano dropped hard near where Godslayer Dash and Godslayer Watterson’s position. As all the guards looked alternately between the two identical armored figures, the only difference they could make out is that the newcomer has a pony tail. The guards did not react as Watterson have told them beforehand that the newcomer is not hostile. Still, they remained vigilant.
Godslayer Fortepiano regarded the battle damage on the Arcanist SHADE suspiciously. She assessed the crushing on the crystalline-like fabric could only be caused either by an impact of immense proportion or an Ethereal-based damage.
She quickly instructed STAT to scan Godslayer Watterson’s armor. When the task was done, anatomical diagram of Zach dotted with data-engraved symbols on his vitals appeared on the visor screen’s HUD. One symbol indicated at Godslayer Watterson’s still-healing wound. Another is a heart rate chart reading. 
Fortepiano let out sigh of relief. Thank goodness he’s still alive...
But soon uncontrollable rage came over her. Making a judgment call, Godslayer Fortepiano advanced on Godslayer Dash in a hostile confrontation.
“You did this!” she accused.
The latter decided not to back away. 
“Hey, don't point the finger at me!” she defended herself. “It was unintentional!” 
“LIAR!” Godslayer Fortepiano bellowed.
The royal guards went on full alert at the apparent increase of hostilities between the two Godslayers, which soon might turn violent. At that very moment, Twinkleshine had made her way through them towards Godslayer Fortepiano and Godslayer Dash to put herself in between then in a courageous but foolish attempt to defend the latter. 
“It’s okay!” she pleaded. “She’s friendly!”
Godslayer Fortepiano however refused to listen and absentmindedly shoved Twinkleshine aside. Due to her immense strength, the unfortunate unicorn was hurled onto another royal guard as a result.
This sudden act of aggression prompted the royal guards to attack the newcomer. But Godslayer Fortepiano darted past them over to her target with great speed, and she did not even need to use her jet thrusters.
Only one thought crossed her mind at that time- Iris Dashiell is as good as dead!
With little time to react, Godslayer Dash shielded herself before getting slammed by Godslayer Fortepiano. She yelped in pain as she slid back from a force equivalent of being inside a car crash. To her, it was as though the bones in her arms had been fractured.
Seeing that she was still standing, Godslayer Fortepiano was not about to give Godslayer Dash any chances. She assailed her with a flurry of jabs and kicks. The kick in the final series of moves knocked her down to the ground. Just when Godslayer Fortepiano was about to deliver downward blow, Godslayer Dash’s jet thrusters activated, allowing her to sail away over the ground, resulting in Godslayer Fortepiano’s fist smashing though the lunar soil instead.
Quick but barely coming around from the blows, Godslayer Dash conjured her Ethereal weapon. Godslayer Fortepiano did the same. The two weapons briefly exchanged blows. With one powerful swing, Godslayer Fortepiano successfully knocked the staff-mace off Godslayer Dash’s hands.

At the same time, Godslayer Watterson’s body started moving. He felt woozy and again the excruciating pain on his midriff.
“Where am I?” he moaned. “What’s going on?”
He rolled to his side and saw the armed Godslayer Fortepiano weaving past the royal guards to get close to Godslayer Dash. 
“And why is Forte fighting Dash?” After coming around his dazed state, it hit him. “Aw my gosh! This is terrible!”

A translucent blue energy barrier rose up between the two battling Godslayers. Godslayer Fortepiano hit the barrier with a smack, yet she remained firmly on her feet.
Initially confused as to what just happened, Godslayer Dash found herself encased with Princess Luna inside a bluish energy dome.  
“Miss Dash, are you all right!?” Luna wanted to be sure.
“Yeah!” Godslayer Dash then started having a second thought as she took a step back, shuddering as the energy barrier vibrated violently as though it is about to break like glass, because outside, the relentless Godslayer Fortepiano was lashing the energy dome with her glaive. “But not for long!”
Luna concentrated hard to maintain the dome.
“What is this uncanny strength!?” she hissed.
Seeing that she failed to break the energy dome, Godslayer Fortepiano shoot up to the sky, disappearing from everyone’s view. She reappeared instantly, plunged her Ethereal Glaive into the energy barrier and teared it down like paper in her rapid descent.
Once Godslayer Fortepiano touched the ground and the energy dome shattered, she continued the offense at Godslayer Dash. Lunging forth, she swung her glaive at her. Godslayer Dash ducked the attack. Godslayer Fortepiano responded by doing a spinning back kick, hit Godslayer Dash in the shoulder, flinging her to the ground. Writhing, the latter was in great pain though physically unscathed.
Godslayer Fortepiano launched herself using her jet thrusters then stomped down on Godslayer Dash, one foot on the latter’s belly. Gripping her glaive firmly, Godslayer Fortepiano raised it high.
“I knew you’re can’t be trusted!” she shouted. “Admit it! You killed Sister Gazleen! And now you tried kill Zachary!”
Godslayer Dash shook her head: No!
It did not matter for Godslayer Fortepiano. Aiming for the heart, she came close to killing Godslayer Dash until an Ethereal arrow hit then deflected off the blade. That was more than enough, as it fulfilled its purpose of capturing her attention. The blade stopped dead merely an inch at Godslayer Dash’s chest. Godslayer Fortepiano looked away in surprise. Sure enough, it was Godslayer Watterson who fired the arrow.

Godslayer Dash, Luna and Twinkleshine watched from afar Godslayer Watterson and Godslayer Fortepiano arguing with one other.
“They seem to be a heated argument,” Luna suddenly spoke.
Godslayer Dash cast a quizzical look at the princess. “You can hear ’em talkin’?”
“I sense extreme tension in their vibes,” Luna replied.
“‘Bout me, no doubt,” Godslayer Dash mumbled. 
She gave her arms a quick rubbing to ease the still-throbbing pain resulted from Fortepiano’s assault.

“Give Dash a chance!” Godslayer Watterson pleaded to his superior. “We can trust her! I’ve looked at her memories.”
“No!” Godslayer Fortepiano protested. “This is absurd! Even if she was telling the truth, this isn’t what Sister Gazleen would’ve wanted!”
“I know but Dash is in too deep already,” Godslayer Watterson argued. “From the moment Sister Gazleen decided to relinquish her SHADE and sent Dash to me.”
“Why?” Godslayer Fortepiano badly wanted to know.
“Sister Gazleen was trying to get Dash out of harm’s way,” Godslayer Watterson replied earnestly, “not to get her slaughtered by one of our own.” 
Godslayer Fortepiano looked at the feline, wondering if his judgment was the right one, and whether Sister Gazleen had made the right call.
“You should know the reason why,” Godslayer Watterson continued. “It’s the very same compassionate feeling that she had showed to us.”
Godslayer Fortepiano turned somber as painful memories from the past came back to haunt her mind. “Our case was different. We lost…everything. Why let her help, when this is not her fight?”
“Because she can,” Godslayer Watterson affirmed. “She’s very different from the other Rainbow Dashs. Yet inside there’s more to her beyond those ordinary looks. Just let her help me this one time. We will both see this mission through the end.”
“Fine,” the Field Master said and raised a finger at him. “This one time. For now, I entrust that woman under your custody. But remember, whatever you do or decide, I will receive the consequences as well when Magister Varst get winds of this.”
“I understand,” Godslayer Watterson acknowledged.  
“This is the last time I permit you to go on a solo mission,” she warned him. “In fact, this might even be your last altogether.” 

Twinkleshine pointed at the two approaching Godslayers.
“They’re coming this way,” she alerted the others.
All the royal guards became wary of Godslayer Fortepiano’s presence.
Godslayer Watterson in response made a disarming hand gesture at them.  
“Everything’s okay now,” he assured the guards. “We’ve discussed what really happened,” 
“I believe an apology is in order,” Twinkleshine addressed the two Godslayers, though more specifically at Fortepiano because of her aggression earlier. “And despite our beloved princess’ current disability, please remove your helmets as a sign of respect.”
Both Godslayers opened their visors and genuflected before Princess Luna. All the ponies were at awe when they saw Godslayer Fortepiano’s half-pony, half-human nature. They have never seen anything like her before. They did not believe such a being even existed.
“Your Royal Highness, my name is Fortepiano. Despite the nature of the surrounding circumstances, I understand my action was unfairly rash and unwarranted. Please accept my sincere apologies to you, Your Royal Highness and to your subjects.”
“And what about Miss Dash?” Twinkleshine demanded from Godslayer Fortepiano.
The latter did not say anything. However, the distasteful look on her face was noticed by Godslayer Dash.
“Y’know what? There’s no need for all of this as I’m all over it already,” the latter said nervously. “Can we just get off the moon, like right now?”
“By all means,” Godslayer Fortepiano agreed.  

Godslayer Dash stared in awe at The Catgirl hovering right above her. By all seriousness, never before she had laid her eyes on a real spacecraft, and one of massive size at that. Projected from the cruiser’s underside is a circular, shimmering translucent beam of light.
Shortly Godslayer Fortepiano appeared at her side.  
“Let me make this clear,” the Field Master said in a stern voice. “Zachary trusts you, but that doesn’t mean I do too.”
“So?” Godslayer Dash was now getting tired of Fortepiano’s hostility towards her.
“So,” Godslayer Fortepiano shot a threatening glare at Godslayer Dash, “if I ever find you anywhere near where you’re not supposed to be on my craft, I won’t hesitate to rip that armor off of you then toss you overboard, regardless of his opinion.”
The latter glared back with the same amount of dislike. “Don’t you dare threaten me!”
“And what are you going to about it?” Godslayer Fortepiano scoffed at the response. “You can’t even land a single punch on the side of my face. As I recalled, I’ve beaten you squarely.”
Godslayer Dash backed down after the words made her realize how weak she really is.
Godslayer Watterson followed by Princess Luna, Twinkleshine and all of the royal guards arrived at this point. 
The hostility between the two females troubled the feline. “FM?”
Godslayer Dash and Godslayer Fortepiano quickly turned away from each other. 
The latter ignored her subordinate and went to address Princess Luna instead. “Your Royal Highness, if you may, please follow my lead.” 
She stepped into the beam and was bolted upwards, revealing the light is actually a gravity lift.  
“Just stay calm, Your Royal Highness,” Twinkleshine said whilst leading Princess Luna into the gravity lift. 
After they are both lifted up to The Catgirl, the remaining Godslayers let the Equestrian Royal Guards use the gravity lift.
Godslayer Dash half-gazed at Godslayer Watterson, with slight guilt. “Sorry about what happened back there.”
“Nah, I don’t blame you a hundred percent,” Godslayer Watterson dismissed the apology. “You just need to work on your discipline, that’s all.”
“Err, Dash,” he sounded worried all of a sudden. “Whatever FM said to you just now, don’t let it get to your head. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t like her much either.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Godslayer Watterson frivolously said. “And I’m stuck with her whether I like it or not. I mean, really stuck.”
Now was their turn to step into the gravity lift.
“Welcome aboard The Catgirl, Dash,” he announced.
Godslayer Dash was not impressed at the name. To her, it sounded like something that only someone with a hentai fetish could come up with.
“Who the heck came up with that dumb name!?” she exclaimed just before they get lifted upwards through the lift.
Shortly after that, The Catgirl fired up its thrusters to full blast then left the moon surface in no time.

In the bridge, Godslayer Fortepiano busied manipulating the flight controls on the console. She remained on the alert by occasionally glimpsing at the video feeds from various parts of The Catgirl on the virtual view screens.
Princess Luna and Twinkleshine were accommodated in one the many the twin-bedded personnel cabins of The Catgirl. On the lower platform bed, Luna was getting her mane groomed by Twinkleshine. They felt content despite the small confined space around them. What mattered is they are finally going home.  
As there were not enough cabins to house all the guards, they were accommodated in the mostly empty cargo and hangar bays. There were noticeable scratches and gnawing marks of the metallic crates and obvious signs of wrecking on the wall, floor and ventilation panels. Definitely the handiwork of the Evil Turtle. Of course, none of the ponies knew about that nor are they going to ask about it.
Away from the resting royal guards, Godslayer Dash and Godslayer Watterson engaged in a light reflex exercise, which involves the former tracking and jabbing at the latter’s randomly moving palms. At Godslayer Watterson’s instruction, they both stopped. Dash’s state of mind seemed unfocused as judged from the high number of misses.
“Dash, you have a higher miss rate then a shooting guard making jump shots with his eyes closed during the entire game!” though the comment sounded like a joke, he was actually serious. “What's bothering you?”
Godslayer Dash clearly looked very down. Gone were her pride and cocky attitude. 
“I dunno if I can do this,” she said miserably. 
Her change of attitude baffled Godslayer Watterson. She was pretty upbeat earlier today. Why...? Was it really because of Forte?
“I can’t even fight back your superior,” Godslayer Dash continued. “You saw her, didn’t you? She could've easily taken my life when she wanted to.”
“She had years of battle experience!” Godslayer Watterson argued. “Of course she got the better of you! But don't let that mess your mind. Come on! Sunset Shimmer needs you. Equestria needs you. I need you. Now, again but more focused this time!”
He held up his palms at her and they continued their exercise.

“This is so wrong on so many levels!” Dash complained on her bed.
It is revealed that Godslayer Watterson was sharing the cabin with Dash by occupying the lower platform bed.
“What country are you from?” he lightly joked. “Malaysia? What do you have against gender-neutral housing?”
Dash stick her down her bed and glared at him. “For crying out loud! I really wish I could beat you up right now for being as pervy as that damned unicorn!”
“FM’s orders, okay?” Godslayer Watterson said to her. “I’m supposed to keep an eye on you.”
Dash became furious. What does he mean by keeping an eye on me!? “What am I to y’all!?” 
A prisoner? A criminal?
“Her words, not mine,” Godslayer Watterson stated.  
Dash lay back on her bed again. For a minute she did not say anything.
“Zach, why me? Why not her?” she then asked, now calmer. She’s far stronger than me. She’s the one who should be fighting Ragingheart.
“She has her own mission,” Godslayer Watterson replied. “If fact, she has to go back right after we deal with Trollestia.”
“So you still counting on me?” Feeling uncomfortable at the notion, Dash rolled to her side. 
Her real self would have love people to depend on her. It made her feel important. But only when she was confident that she can win or fulfill the task.    
“Yes.” Godslayer Watterson got off his bed and stood up looking at Dash. “That’s what the drill is for, to harden you. Still remember what Brooke said about you?”
“That I was…arrogant?” Dash gave her best guess.
“Right,” Godslayer Watterson said. “Together with your lack of discipline, it had costed you twice.”
“When?”  
“Remember our sparring match?” he reminded her.
Dash still remembered it. She had to admit she was pretty arrogant and overconfident at the time. By not finishing Zach off immediately, she let her guard down, allowing him to push her into the pond and ultimately lost the third match. All because of her desire to show off and humiliate Zach.
“And, you didn’t heed his advice against doing BASE jumping without proper training first,” Godslayer Watterson revealed the second event.
Dash felt even more depressed than before. Godslayer Watterson noticed this. It was not his intention to destroy Dash’s pride. Yet the feline was not actually done with his talk. 
“But then,” he said, “against all odds, you passed your first flight with flying colors. What drove you to succeed?”
“I want to do some good,” Dash told him without hesitation, “just like what Sunset Shimmer and everyone else are doing.” Simple, but true. Yeah. 
Satisfied with the answer, Godslayer Watterson advised Dash, “So use that and stop worrying about who’s better and who’s not. Focus all your energy on your determination to do what’s right. And finally, don’t think yourself as a superhero.”
Absorbing those words in, Dash came to a resolve. “Okay, I get it now.”
“Good,” Godslayer Watterson nodded. “By the way, you don’t have to actually beat Ragingheart. Not on your own. Just divert her attention long enough until Princess Luna arrives with the Elements of Harmony.”  
The Elements of Harmony… Dash was about to ask him how the magic artifact work when they heard a sudden knock on the door from the outside.
“Hello?”
Oh, no… She had no problem in recognizing that voice.
Godslayer Watterson activated the panel to slide open the door. Sure enough, it was Twinkleshine, but she was not being a cheery or gleeful as usual.
“Lord Watterson,” she urgently said, “sorry to bother you but I have to ask you something.” 
“What is it?”
“I heard rumors that the pony who's been causing trouble in Equestria is Lyra. There has to be a mistake! That doesn't sound like her at all.”
Godslayer Watterson could neither deny nor confirm that since he never saw Ragingheart without her armor on. Even Sunset Shimmer who initially did not want to believe it in the end…
“It has to be her,” Dash said all of sudden. 
She sat on her bed and looked upon at Twinkleshine. “Which other pony is there that can stand upright on two legs?”
However, the unicorn refused to believe that. 
“I know Lyra,” she insisted. “She's been called crazy by everypony all the time, but she’s just too passive to turn into a psychopath.”
That prompted Dash to berate the unicorn at length. “Look, she changed, okay!? Princess Celestia messed her up pretty bad. And don’t forget the invading army are all based on characters in her drawings. Sorry to tell ya, Twinkleshine, but Ragingheart definitely, without a single doubt is, Lyra! If there’s any trace of her old self, it’s long gone, ‘cuz she tried to kill me!”
Upon hearing that, Twinkleshine’s face fell.
“I’ll leave now. Goodnight,” she said before leaving the two in a hurry.
Godslayer Watterson regarded Dash with a quizzical look.
“She’s upset,” Dash remarked.
“Obviously,” Godslayer Watterson said. “What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”  
Dash looked away. “I’m not so sure myself…”
It was the truth. She was unable to tell whether her anger was directed at Twinkleshine for being an irritating pony up until now, or Ragingheart/Lyra for hurting Sunset Shimmer. It might even be both.

***

Back in Canterlot, other than covered in heavy snow by the blizzard, the city hasn’t changed all that much in the last two weeks since it was evacuated.

At this time, Lightning Dust’s bandages had been removed after Doc Top determined that she is fully healed.  
Later, she and Gilda had a private conversation up in the abandoned mansion.
“Gilda, do you still want to do this?” Lightning Dust asked whether the latter wanted to get involved in the rescue mission to save the hostages.
Gilda was determined to go ahead. “You bet I do.”
There’s no point in arguing, I suppose, Lightning Dust thought. Even Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are in. 
Still one question lingered in the pegasus’ mind. 
“Why did you come back?” she asked, wanting to know the reason for it.
“I don’t want to leave you, Lightning,” Gilda answered truthfully. “Ever since you left the academy, I've been lonely, lost. Even when I came to Canterlot, we still spent so little time together, as you seemed to keep avoiding me,” 
“It’s because-” Lightning Dust refrained herself from telling the truth. Will she understand? “Never mind. Gilda, you and I might not make it out alive after this. I don't want to believe it, but I'm being realistic.
Gilda looked at her friend, hoping the Pegasus would not avoid the question. “If that’s true, then can you grant your friend one last wish?”
“What’s that?”
“Remember how you keep telling me that we’ll become partners in the Wonderbolts?” the griffon asked expectantly.
Lighting Dust shut her eyes and recalled the memory in her mind. She opened eyes again. There was a look of determination on her now. She was resolved to fight with Gilda, whatever the outcome may be. 
“Yes, I remember,” the pegasus said.

***

Once Trixie finished briefing Blueblood, Discord and the Reserves of her rescue plan in detail, it was time to put it into motion. Careful preparations have to be made as they only got one shot at this.
The Flim Flam brothers after that went straight to build the new vehicle which they later unimaginatively named it the Super Speedy Chaser 8000. Essentially, it is comprised of multiple tramcars and the Super Speedy Chaser combined into a Super Speedy Chaser-powered train. The wheels are replaced with tracks to enable it to operate on the snow.
As for Diamond Tiara, she and the castle servants busied themselves by sewing and piecing together the cloths into a likeness of a royal guard’s armor suit. Even Featherweight decided to help them. The colt wanted to contribute in any way he can to save his father. When everything was done, they loaded the pony mannequins and fake ‘amours’ inside the tramcars’ secret compartments.
Nova shapeshifted into a perfect likeness of Princess Celestia, much to Blueblood and Discord’s positive impression. Celestia-Nova was then taught how to properly behave like the real Princess of the Sunlight would have.
Meanwhile, in the abandoned mansion’s kitchen, Tirek prepared his weaponized super-hot sauce.
Discord came sometime later to witness Trixie’s demonstration of her smoke bomb. After putting on their masks, Trixie tossed the bomb onto the floor. The entire room was instantly filled with smoke. The bomb, Trixie revealed to the captain, was modified to be more powerful than the ones she had used before and added with inflammatory effect.
Later on, Silver Spoon presented the fake gems meant to be passed off as the Elements of Harmony to Trixie and Blueblood. Satisfied that the fake gems looked like the real deal, the unicorns nodded approvingly.
After another week passed, the blizzard had finally subsided. In spite of the light snowfall, Lightning Dust and Gilda decided that they should not wait for clear day to train. But first, they did a trust exercise because Lightning Dust was not confident in what Trixie was asking her to do with Gilda.
In the sky, both approached head on at high speed. However, Lightning Dust’s inability to forget the accident she caused back in the Wonderbolts Academy clouded her mind with guilt. Before they get close enough, the pegasus veered off, spiraled uncontrollably and plowed onto the snowy ground. She lay there in the snow for a several minutes, contemplating on the risk it would have Gilda. But then she figured that it was not just Trixie, not just Sunset Shimmer, but everypony was counting on her. 
This is no time for self-pity, Lightning Dust resolved. I’m a royal guard! I have to get up and fight!   
She and Gilda attempted the maneuver the second time. However, this time Lightning Dust was finally able to let go of her guilt and began to trust Gilda and herself. As a result, her mind is more focused. At the very last moment when collision seemed imminent, they broke away from each other, banking hard to their right at an almost 90-degree angle. The exercise was a success! 
Later in the day, the pair streaked the skies side-by-side. They moved in synchrony with each other as they dived, rolled and looped across the sky. Then they made a vertical climb, circling each other in a spiral higher and higher up to the clouds… They are now ready.

***

While the weather around Canterlot began improving, it was not until the next day that Ponyville experience the same.
“The snow must’ve stopped falling last night,” Sunset Shimmer said, glancing through iron-barred window.
She moved away from window to Dumbbell and Lionel whom are having their breakfast: tofu bacon, the very same food served every day, whether it was breakfast, lunch or dinner.
“Argh! This is the worst thing I’ve ever tasted!” the pegasus complained.
In the adjacent cell, Mayor Mare had just finished her breakfast.
“We’ve been surviving on this for weeks,” she told them. “So bear with it like we have.”
“Man, I’d rather have her beat me up again,” Dumbbell grumbled, “just so I could spend another year in hospital than being held here with this crap for another day.”
Sunset Shimmer and Lionel looked curiously at the pegasus.
“Dumbbell, who are you talking about?” Sunset Shimmer asked.
Dumbbell wanted to answer but was not able to do so when numerous MBPs led by a single White Bunneh unexpectedly arrived outside their cell.
“What do you want now!?” the mayor demanded after the White Bunneh accompanied an MBP came into her cell.
“Work,” Sunset Shimmer, Lionel and Dumbbell heard the White Bunneh speaking for the first time. 
Its monotonous tone and tinny voice made the construct’s robotic nature pretty apparent to the three.
“No!” Mayor Mare persisted. “You can’t do this!”
Deciding that the Earth pony had been given enough chance of talking, the MBP seized her by the neck.
The poor mayor choked in the savage’s tight grip, “Cruelty…”
“Hey! Don’t hurt her!” Sunset Shimmer shouted as she watched in horror the savage construct brought the squirming Mayor Mare out from the cell.
White Bunneh looked at the three ponies in the adjacent cell and said to them, “You three. It is time.”

Putting on her helmet, Ragingheart stepped out from the town hall onto the snow to address her minions whom had gathered in the town square early in the morning.
“My minions!” she began her address. “Today it finally came! Today we take over Canterlot! As I condemn the selfish Celestia to a slow, torturous death, she will bear witness the terrible consequences of her sins!”
It was not just the ones in the town square. All the Nanite machine constructs around Ponyville were listening to their leader in silent discipline.
“There shall be no stopping until all of Equestria come under my rule! There shall be no rest until every last pony is enslaved! Tyranny and suffering will fall over this kingdom!” 
All at once the constructs in the town square raised their arms up high, cheering loudly mixed with repeated chanting of the ‘Alicorn’s’ name.
With a raise of her hoof, Ragingheart declared to her forces, “TO CANTERLOT!!!”

As prisoners were being escorted out on a chilly journey to the rock farms, the ones from Canterlot were shoved into the cages.
“Lyra!” Sunset Shimmer shouted from inside one of the cages. “You have to stop this! You anger could only lead us all to ruin! Lyra!”
It was of no use however. Ragingheart merely ignored the unicorn’s pleas.

Ragingheart’s invasion force soon left behind Ponyville. In the outskirts, the Mecha-Daleks get into their tank forms. Afterwards, the MBPs, Mithras and White Bunnehs took up their positions on the tanks on the tanks’ thread pods. At the same time, flying tanks with underslung cages trailed by their fellow escorts emerged from Ponyville. Soon they streaked over the ground forces heading north towards Canterlot.
Over the other side of the river somewhere near Rambling Ridge, Ragingheart’s secondary forces trudged through the forest, also heading north. The secondary force is smaller in numbers but the reduction would hardly make any difference. Their purpose is to support the main invading force in outflanking Canterlot’s defenders in the event of an all-out war.
Ragingheart's main forces streamed across the rural outskirts as they play catch up with the flying tanks. However, this time their numbers were far greater compared to that of last time prior to the blizzard’s arrival. This is now an all-out invasion. If no help from either the Diamondians or the Godslayers and the rescued Equestrian Royal Guards arrives in time, Equestria will fall, to be followed later by other nations.

***

As they marching down the corridor, Godslayer Dash decided to ask how Godslayer Watterson on how he was planning to deal with Trollestia.
“Theatrics,” the latter declared. “Once she sees Princess Luna as Nightmare Moon, she’ll be too scared she has to surrender. Yup, I think it’s a great plan.”
“Is there another way?” Godslayer Dash wanted to suggest.
“Hey, what’s wrong with my plan?” Godslayer Watterson wanted to know, after being taken aback by 
“She’s not really one dimensional as I thought she’d be,” Godslayer Dash opined. “There’s a reason in the things she did.”
Godslayer Watterson then reminded her that Princess Celestia is under the influence of Dark Magic, and Dark Magic is synonymous with chaos.
“I didn’t say all the reasons were right or sensible,” she acknowledged. “But under that Trollestia alter ego, there's a poor kid lurking around lost, I just know it. If Princess Luna can reach out to that kid, there may be hope to save her.”
Godslayer Watterson abruptly stopped in his tracks, prompting Godslayer Dash to do the same.
She glanced back at the feline. “Zach?”
Godslayer Watterson understood what she was trying to say, but… “It's not that I don't agree with you, Dash. But is this really the right time for it?”
Godslayer Dash answered with a firm “Yes.”  
“Fine,” Godslayer Watterson said. “I’ll let Princess Luna make the final call. She should be the one to decide since she knows Princess Celestia best.” 
Either way, the worst possible scenario is the same, the feline thought, if something goes wrong. 
Though he truly hoped that such an outcome will not occur.
“Thanks,” Godslayer Dash said to him.
As they get going again, they heard Godslayer Fortepiano shouting through their SHADE’s COM system. “What’re you two doing!? We’re about to reach Diamondia’s airspace! Get to the Hangar Bay this instant, or I’ll toss her out myself!”
“Harsh,” Godslayer Dash grumbled.
“Pay no attention to her bark, Dash,” Godslayer Watterson advised her.
“Right,” Godslayer Dash said. “The most important thing is not to pick a fight with her.”

Over the sea, The Catgirl closed in on the landmass that is Diamondia, distinct by its tundra and white mountainous regions.

The hangar door slid open to reveal a frozen scenery.
“This is where you get off!” Godslayer Watterson told Godslayer Dash.
He turned towards Princess Luna and said to her, “Your Royal Highness, it’s time!”
The Princess of the Night proceeded to address the pegasus royal guards gathered behind her. “My faithful warriors! Follow Miss Dash towards Canterlot! Fight for Equestria with all your might!”
They responded to the princess’ call with their battle cry, “OO-RAH!!!”
“Aww right, let’s do this!” Godslayer Dash sprinted towards the hangar door and leaped out.
Plummeting straight down, Godslayer Dash activated her jet thrusters. She rose from her drop to join the pegasus guards already taking off from The Catgirl. Together they followed the coastline on course towards Equestria, while The Catgirl headed north.