"Are you still missing Twilight, Apple Jack and Rarity?" Pinkamena asked quietly while they were walking towards Luna's throne room.
"To be honest, yes. Do you?" Rainbow Dash glanced at her.
"I do. I wished this war never happened. I miss Sugarcube Corner, the fun, and the freedom," Pinkamena's ears drooped. "I can't believe I was the element of laughter just three years ago. The happiness seems so far away," she sighed.
"I don't even feel loyal to anyone, anymore," Rainbow Dash frowned and bit her lip, "Well, we're here. At the throne room. Return to your post,"
Pinkamena nodded and saluted. It was back to being formal again. Rainbow Dash gave her a curt nod before disappearing behind the thick doors of Luna's throne room.
"Welcome, General Dash,"Luna's booming voice welcomed Rainbow Dash once she shut the door.
The throne room was luxurious. It was much like Luna's formal throne room with Celestia, just that there was only one throne, the room was as dark as night and there was no one ruling alongside Luna.
"Queen Luna, what makes you summon me here?" Rainbow Dash bowed on all four hooves.
"Rise, my general," Luna motioned her to stand. Rainbow obeyed. "I will be needing you to bring me a powerful spell book that I believe will help us to win this war. It is called the Journal of Tirek," Luna explained.
Rainbow faltered slightly at the mention of Tirek, the powerful beast that almost conquered Equestria years ago. The monster that she defeated with her friends, the Elements of Harmony.
"Pardon, my queen. Did you mention 'Tirek'?" Rainbow Dash asked stiffly.
Luna raised an eyebrow. Then she laughed menacingly.
"Oh, you mean the Tirek you defeated with your pathetic friends three years ago? I doubt not. Yes, I wanted you to bring his journal of spells. As you know, he is very powerful-until he was caged by my enemy. I found out that he had written his spells down in a book...and I want it. It is believed to be buried in The Plains. Nopony will accompanying you, as I am informed that nopony returns after going there. I do not want to lose anypony else. I chose you since you are one of my best fighters, strategists and...trustworthy ponies I have left in this castle," Luna stared hard at Rainbow Dash, waiting for her answer.
Rainbow Dash lowered her eyes to the floor and breathed out. It was a risk that would put her life on the line. A risk that would mean losing...what? She had nothing left. Her friends, loyalty, family and meaning to carry on life-besides wanting to avenge her parents' deaths-were all stripped away from her. The Plains was a land full of jungles, wild, crazy animals, traps, clans and lunatic criminals. Pretty much the opposite of its name. Besides, Luna was the queen...and even if she said no, she would be killed by Luna. By her laws in this castle. Nopony escaped her laws. Not even her.
Rainbow sighed, and told the queen what she wanted to hear most, "Queen Luna, it would be most honorable to serve you on this request. I would gladly accept it."
Queen Luna smiled, feeling satisfied.
"Very well, General Dash. I wish you luck upon your journey. I placed a map, compass and a checklist in your chambers. The map tells you where the book is believed to be hidden, the compass would assist you along your journey, and the checklist is to advice you what to bring. I received news that a certain Celestian general would hunt for the book too, so hurry. Since it is evening, the perfect time for travelling, you may begin with your mission, starting now. You are dismissed," Luna waved a hoof to signal that Rainbow could exit the throne room.
Rainbow Dash bowed swiftly and exited the room. After she closed the door, she slowly flew back to her chambers.
As she opened the door, she thought whether she really wanted to do this or not. If she went, her possibilities of survival were really low. Anypony who dared to venture into the The Plains never lived long enough to see the next day's sun rise. She shivered visibly at the thought. But come on, who was she? She was the Rainbow Dash! And Rainbow Dash never passed a challenge! She was going to survive to boast about her journey, no matter what. Anyways, she survived war everyday, what did this small mission count as? It was not going to stop her.
With her confidence restored, she marched into the chamber and sat down on her bed. There they were, the map, compass and checklist were all neatly placed on her bed. She read the checklist.
A dagger, or any other weaponry she needed? That was definitely expected.
Bread, beef jerky and water to last quite a few days? Check.
A portable sleeping bag? All done.
First aid kit? Prepared.
A cloak? Mask to hide her identity? It was placed on the bed.
Well, seems like that was all. Rainbow Dash took out a saddlebag and started filling it with the things stated in the checklist. She hoisted it onto her back and weighed it. It seemed just fine for a journey across a dangerous land. Her gaze swept across the room, checking for anything else she wanted to take along. Rainbow's eyes rested on the side table. She trotted over to it, pulled out the drawer, and took out the picture of her and her friends. Rainbow Dash stared at it as she held it in her hooves. This photo was very precious to her. She slotted it into her saddlebag.
"Rainbow Dash!" Two voices shouted in unison as they slammed open the door of Rainbow's chamber. Rainbow glanced over her shoulder. It was Pinkamena and Fluttershy, standing firmly at the door way.
She turned around to face them, "Hey guys."
"Are you crazy?! Why in the whole of Equestria would you accept the request?" Pinkamena screamed; her voice had a trace of sadness.
"Exactly! I wouldn't even think of it!" Fluttershy exclaimed worriedly as her tears started flowing freely down her cheek.
"Guys, I made up my mind," Rainbow Dash sighed.
Fluttershy and Pinkamena wrapped their arms around Rainbow. They sobbed freely into her shoulders. Rainbow hugged them back.
"How...how do I know you would come back?" Pinkamena sniffled.
Rainbow Dash smiled apologetically. "I don't whether I would come back. But if I don't, Pinkam- no, Pinkie, would you make me a cupcake at my memorial? Fluttershy, would you bring Tank, my pet, to it too?" She asked sadly.
"How can you say that? You won't die! You can't!" Fluttershy protested.
Rainbow Dash could only shake her head. After all, that was most likely going to be her fate. She reluctantly pulled them away from her,
"I need to get going now."
Pinkamena and Fluttershy parted, allowing Rainbow Dash to go to the door way.
"Really, if I never see you guys again, I hope you will tell everyone that I love them, and missed them," Rainbow wiped away tears, "Man, I'm tearing up," she laughed slightly.
Pinkamena and Fluttershy joined in, the three ponies laughing wholeheartedly. That might be the last time she would laugh with her true friends, Rainbow noted solemnly.
Rainbow Dash finally waved a farewell goodbye at her friends, and bitterly forced herself to step out of their sight.
"Wait," a voice stopped Rainbow Dash before she could leave the castle grounds. She was already outside, at the take-off point of the castle. The voice belonged to Luna, whom Rainbow Dash just noticed.
"My queen!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed in surprise.
"We do not need to be formal now, Rainbow Dash. I want you to allow me consent to applying a spell on you. The spell would cast a lightning bolt tattoo on your fore-hoof. When you are near the Journal of Tirek, it will glow blue. It will help you locate it. It will also glow blue when it slowly heals any wounds you get, if it isn't too major and life-threatening," Luna said. Rainbow Dash stared at her nervously.
She saw the uncertainty in Rainbow's eyes and assured her, "Don't worry. You'll know what I mean. The tattoo would vanish once it served its purpose."
Rainbow Dash let out a sigh uneasily, "Luna, I allow the spell."
Luna began working her magic. When she first started casting the spell, all the blue magic on her horn gathered at the tip of it. Then it glowed strongly, the blue magic changing into the colour of Rainbow's fur. Rainbow Dash never seen the magic change colour before. Okay, probably with the exception of Trixie, since she had an assistance. The small spurt of magic on Luna's horn shot a straight line to Rainbow's right fore-hoof. There was a tingling, warm sensation when the magic made contact with Rainbow's fur. A flash of bright light followed. It blinded Rainbow's vision.
When the light was gone, there was a lightning bolt tattooed onto Rainbow's fur. It was a slightly darker blue tone than her fur colour, so she could see it. Luna was panting.
"R-Rainbow...Dash, the...magic is...very strong...so usually the tattoo would not be removed by pretty much anything, unless if there is a spell stronger than mine, which is very unlikely to be found in The Plains," Luna's breathing calmed down.
"Okay, but this looks...cool," Rainbow Dash mustered a small smile. Luna did so too.
"I guess I'll be going," Rainbow shrugged as she flung her wings open.
"Rainbow Dash?" Luna asked. Rainbow's attention was turned towards her again.
"Yeah?" Rainbow Dash perked up.
"You are a sincere friend of mine. I hope you do make it back here alive," Luna smiled warmly.
Rainbow Dash gave her a salute, "I won't let you down, Luna!"
She flapped her wings, and took off into the sky.