PROLOGUE
Chaos. That was the best thing Captain Rainbow Dash of the Wonderbolts could describe the scene surrounding her.
All around her, Equestrian soldiers clashed with King Sombra’s mind-controlled slave soldiers, fighting to the death.
The dying cries of her comrades filled her ears, while Sombra’s forces remained silent, simply dropping to the snowy ground like flies.
She couldn’t help but pity them. Despite the fact they were the enemy, they had been forced against their will to fight, the helmets they wore bending them to the Shadow King’s will.
And this was something that both saddened and angered the pegasus.
The very fact that King Sombra was sending innocent crystal ponies to fight made her sick to her stomach. How could he possibly sink so low? She thought, gritting her teeth.
A charging Crystal Warrior snapped her out of her thoughts, and she nimbly dodged the swipe of his hooves, before kneeing him in his stomach, knocking the wind out of him.
Rainbow Dash eyed the unconscious pony, a ping of sadness in her battle-hardened eyes. She was broken out of her trance when three more erupted from the snow.
She cursed under her breath, and took off before the warriors could pile on top of her. She managed to get a good view of the battlefield from her new position.
All over the field, the bodies of dead or wounded warriors were scattered, accompanied by broken equipment such as catapults and ballistae, the formerly white snow stained red with the blood of the fallen.
The sight made her heart sink. She wanted to cry, but she couldn’t. She was too used to it, by now.
She then saw King Sombra in the distance, standing atop a spire of black crystal, observing the carnage. Sadness gave way to anger, her magenta eyes narrowed in fury.
“Sombra…” She hissed, her voice dripping with rage. The very sight of the tyrant made her blood boil. She remembered her first battle against him.
She was just a cadet, then, fresh from the academy, eager to fight the Empire. That day, she decided to take on Sombra herself, against Spitfire’s orders to stay with the squadron.
She had reasoned that if she took out Sombra then and there, the war would be over, and she would be hailed as the pony who defeated the greatest evil in the history of Equestria.
Unfortunately, instead of a battle that would be spoken of in legends, it became one of Rainbow Dash’s greatest regrets.
The two clashed, and the odds were woefully in Sombra’s favor, while Rainbow Dash was badly beaten, a good chunk of her ear torn off by a wayward crystal, and her left eye scarred, as was the back of her head.
But the greatest wound she received from the battle was one that still haunted her: She had lost her wing.
It took the intervention of Princess Celestia herself to prevent King Sombra from doing any further damage, allowing Spitfire to rescue her.
This battle, along with many others, had taught her that war was not a game, but survival.
Since then, the young pegasus harbored a deep hatred for the king. She wanted to fight him again, to make him pay for what he did to her that day.
However, she knew that if she attacked him, the results would be the same. She sighed, her gaze relaxing as she regained her composure.
Her train of thought was broken when she noticed two earth ponies on the ground surrounded by a squad of Crystal Warriors.
One of them had a pale pink coat and a straight, dark pink mane with matching tail, along with light blue eyes.
The one beside her had a bluish gray coat, a short, grayish blue violet mane with matching eye shadow and tail, and light turquoise eyes.
The two were clad in the gray and magenta jumpsuits and armor of the Rock Trooper Corps.
Her eyes widened. She recognized them. They were the same Rock Troopers from earlier, the ones who saved her from a boulder that almost crushed her. It was quite a coincidence that she would see them again so soon.
This time, however, they were having trouble of their own. They fought well against the enemy squad, but Rainbow Dash could tell they were exhausted.
She looked back at Sombra, and then back at the soldiers below. She sighed, making her decision. Looks like it’s time to return the favor, she thought. With a mighty whoosh, she soared towards the combatants, leaving a rainbow trail in her wake.
Pinkamena Diane Pie, lieutenant of the Rock Trooper Corps, bashed her hoof across the helmed face of a Crystal Warrior, knocking him to the ground. She stood close to her sister, lieutenant Maud Pie, as the enslaved ponies circled around them.
Such a sight would unnerve other ponies, but the Pie Sisters have fought against much worse during the war. The Crystal Empire’s mere grunts were nothing compared to Sombra’s other servants. Another Crystal Pony swung his hoof at her, aiming for her leg, but Pinkamena blocked the attack and head-butted him.
Another tried to attack Maud, but the gray mare ducked and punched him right in the back. The Pie Sisters continued to fight off the Crystal Warriors, but despite their efforts, their opponents continued to close in.
Things looked grim. Regardless, Pinkamena was not willing to give up. She was a Rock Trooper, and Rock Troopers do not surrender.
If she was going to go down, then she would go down fighting. Determination burned in her light blue eyes, as she blocked another punch. Just then, they heard a ‘whoosh’, as a rainbow-colored blur zoomed down from below and landed on the ground in front of the two earth ponies, kicking up snow.
Pinkamena peeked between her front hooves to see a pegasus mare in the blue bodysuit and armor of the Wonderbolts. She had a light blue coat of fur, a short rainbow colored mane that hung over the right side of her face, and a tail that was also the same variety of colors.
Her magenta eyes were steeled with determination. A good chunk of her left ear was missing, and a scar ran down her left eye. But her most distinguished feature was her metal left wing.
Pinkamena recognized her as the same pegasus she and her sister saved from being crushed by a boulder pushed by Sombra’s soldiers. It would appear she decided to return the favor. The pegasus observed the enemy troops, her gaze unwavering.
“You have one chance to back off,” She told them, her raspy voice low and filled with danger. “If I were you, I’d take it.” The Crystal Warriors ignored her warning and charged.
Rainbow Dash bared her teeth and charged at them in turn, letting out a shrill battle cry as her hoof collided with the face of one Crystal Warrior.
The crystal pony tumble from the attack, and was launched into the air by a kick from the new combatant. The cyan pegasus turned to another Crystal Warrior, this one armed with a spear, as it lunged at her, aiming for her heart.
Rainbow Dash dodged, narrowly missing the tip of the spear, and swung her hind leg against the back of her attacker’s head. The sound of bones cracking could be heard as the crystal pony fell to the ground on its belly.
Another Crystal Pony charged, hoping to tackle Rainbow Dash to the ground, but the Wonderbolt leaped into the air, her wings keeping her aloft. She dived toward her opponent, kicking him to the ground, rendering him unconscious.
She could hear the sound of another pony approaching her. She turned to face the Crystal Warrior, a mare, judging by her physique.
The Crystal Warrior jumped towards her with an outstretched hind leg, hoping to strike the pegasus square in her face. Dash, however, jumped out of the way, and swooped in to attack. She tackled the mare to the ground, the two struggling in each other’s grip.
Rainbow raised her hoof, and brought it down hard on the helmet, smashing it. She repeated the attack until the helmet was finally smashed open, revealing the mare’s face.
Before Rainbow Dash could continue, she noticed the green glow in her opponent’s eyes fading, replaced with a faded blue.
Rainbow Dash stopped herself, her steely gaze softening as she looked at the crystal pony’s face. The mare managed to look at the Wonderbolt with her weary eyes, before losing consciousness.
The young pegasus was puzzled by what she saw. Did she just free one of Sombra’s soldiers? She was so surprised by what she just experienced, that she did not noticed the remaining Crystal Pony approaching her from behind.
However, before he could deliver a killing blow, he was struck by a flying stone to his head, knocking him off his hooves and onto the ground, unconscious.
The sound of stone colliding with metal awoke Captain Dash from her state. She turned around and saw the warrior’s unconscious form, and then heard hooves approach from the direction of the stone.
She turned around and came face to face with one of the Rock Troopers, Pinkamena.
“Thanks for the save.” She said, her voice monotone and emotionless. It was the kind of voice that sent shivers down ponies’ spines.
Captain Dash, however, was not one to be unnerved by such things. She nodded. “Just returning the favor,” She replied, saluting, the earth pony returning it in kind. “It’s the least I can do after what you did earlier. Tell me, what are your names?”
“Pinkamena Diane Pie, 1st lieutenant, Rock Trooper Corps, reporting for duty.” Answered Pinkamena, her face straight and serious. Her sister approached the two. “Maud Pie, 1st Lieutenant, Rock Trooper Corps.” She spoke as she saluted.
Rainbow Dash nodded, as she saluted as well. “Rainbow Dash, Captain, Air Cavalry, Wonderbolts 1st Squadron.” She said.
“It is an honor to meet you, Captain Dash.” Said Pinkamena in her stoic tone.
“And it’s an honor to fight alongside brave ponies like you.” Replied Dash. She then turned her attention to the unconscious crystal mare lying on the ground.
Her expression was one of sympathy. Despite the fact she attacked her earlier, she was still a victim of King Sombra’s ambitions. She couldn’t just leave her there.
Maud seemed to have read her mind. “What should we do with her?” She asked. After what felt like an eternity of thought, Rainbow Dash turned to her. “Take her back to our lines.” She said. “I’m gonna regroup with my squadron.”
Maud nodded, as she picked up the crystal pony, carrying her on her back. As the two earth ponies trotted off, Rainbow Dash took to the skies once more.
She scanned the skies, hoping to find her squadron among the blue-clad pegasi that swarmed the skies, swooping down to strike their enemy from above.
Sure enough, she spotted them, recognizing the Wonderbolt insignia, a golden lightning bolt, emblazoned on their uniforms.
She soared towards them, managing to hook up with them. However, she was intercepted by a black blur.
What the hay?! She mentally cried. She managed to get a good look at her attacker, and her eyes widened in shock and horror.
Hovering right in front of her was a massive pegasus in a black and gray armored jumpsuit. His coat was not the dull color of a Crystal pony, but the brighter color of an Equestrian On his chest was a blood red insignia in the shape of a lightning bolt with bat wings. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. This wasn't a Crystal Pegasus. This was a Pegasus from the rumored Imperial Storm Rider Corps.
Rainbow Dash had heard about these renegade Pegasus ponies. They were once members of the Royal Air Cavalry, before they defected and joined King Sombra, believing it was best to fight for the strongest side.
They were said to be vicious warriors, unhindered by mercy or compassion. It was said that they were a terrifying sight on the battlefield. Campfire stories were told of how they would attack the enemy, and leave mangled corpses in their wake.
However, Rainbow Dash was not one to be unnerved by such stories. After battling King Sombra, she thought, A Storm Rider pegasus wasn't all that scary.
She narrowed her eyes and charged the stallion, her opponent responding in kind.
The two were locked in an aerial duel, trading blows with one another. Rainbow Dash blocked a strike from her opponent, and dodged a swipe at her belly.
She then dive-bombed toward the pegasus, kicking him square in the chest. The stallion groaned as he staggered, and Rainbow Dash kicked him hard in the head, knocking him out and sending him falling to his doom.
Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but let a smirk of satisfaction creep across her face. She had just fought a Storm Rider, and defeated him. However, she had no time to celebrate her victory, as she turned to the direction her squad mates were in, and saw they too were struggling against the newcomers.
She flew towards them, kicking a Storm Rider away from Soarin’. The pony’s green eyes widened at the sight of his savior.
“Crash!” He said in a mixture of shock and relief. “You’re alright! We thought we lost you!”
“It’ll take more than Sombra’s goons to stop me,” Rainbow Said. “You should know that by now, Clipper.” She then noticed somepony missing. “Where’s Commander Spitfire?” She asked.
“She flew off after one of them,” Answered Soarin’. “I don’t know why, but when she got a good look at him, she was pretty steamed. I wanted to help, but she told me to stay put. Said it was personal.”
Rainbow Dash quirked an eyebrow. It wasn’t everyday that Spitfire got angry (Well, except when dealing with new recruits who got under her skin), but she wasn’t one to leave her squadron to pursue an enemy on her own.
Rainbow Dash pondered the scenario, until she caught a glimpse of Spitfire in the distance, fighting against a cerulean blue pegasus stallion. Judging by how Spitfire was fighting with great ferocity, and her faint cries of how she was going to rip out her opponent’s heart and feed it to him, she was out for this pony’s blood. Her opponent, however, nimbly dodged her strikes with little to know effort. He was clearly taunting her.
Rainbow Dash flew as fast as she could to the two combatants, ignoring Soarin’s cries, hoping to help Spitfire, only for another renegade Pegasus to block her.
“Not so fast, little filly,” The warrior spoke in a guttural voice. “No one’s gonna interfere with General Wind Rider on our watch.”
Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened like saucers. General Wind Rider? As in the Wind Rider? Was this pegasus saying that one of the most famous Wonderbolts, a Wonderbolt she admired since she was a filly, was fighting for King Sombra?
Her stomach churned as a feeling of dismay fell over her. Dismay was followed by betrayal… and then a feeling of rage.
Any ounce of respect and admiration for the old Wonderbolt she had was immediately dashed at the sound of this revelation.
She narrowed her eyes and bared her teeth.
“Get out of my way.” She growled in a voice that would make even a dragon stop dead in his tracks. The enemy pegasus just laughed, clearly not threatened by the mare’s change in attitude.
“So, the little filly thinks she can take on a stallion?” He mocked.
“Get. Out. Of. My. Way!” She snarled, her expression turning into one of pure anger. She was not in the mood for this stallion’s mocking.
“Or what?” Asked the stallion, a smug grin on his face. “I can take you down with one hoof behind my back.”
“You and what army?” Asked the irate pegasus mare, her eye twitching. As if on cue, six more Storm Riders surrounded her. Dash’s face became one of shock. You just had to ask, she mentally chastised herself.
The pegasi charged, swarming Rainbow Dash in black blurs. Dash had barely any time to react when one drove his hoof into her belly. She gasped in pain, spit flying out of her mouth, as she was sent flying back.
Rainbow Dash recovered instantly and flapped her wings, allowing her to hover in the air.
She breathed heavily, trying to catch her breath, as the Storm Riders charged. “Storm Riders, strike for King Sombra!” She heard one of them call out.
Soon she found herself dodging blows from the enemy. As she did she caught a glimpse of Spitfire’s unconscious form plummeting to the earth below, her opponent, apparently Wind Rider, diving after her and scooping her up in his front hooves.
“No!” Dash cried, trying to soar after her commanding officer, but no matter what she did, her opponents blocked her. She tried fighting them off, but she discovered that fighting just one Storm Rider was easier than fighting seven.
Regardless, she kept fighting. Spitfire wouldn’t have wanted her to give up, and she wasn’t going to now. However, despite her efforts, her opponents clearly had the numerical advantage. Rainbow Dash levitated, exhausted from fighting. I guess this is it, she thought, as her opponents closed.
“ALTIUS VOLANTIS- SOARING HIGHER!” Rainbow’s demise was cut short, as the Wonderbolt motto and battle cry rang in the ears of those present.
Before anyone could react, Soarin’ rushed in, kicking one of the Storm Riders right in the jaw, knocking him senseless. Fleetfoot, Blaze, and Surprise entered the fray as well, each one charging into an enemy pegasus.
Relief washed over Dash as her squad mates came to her rescue. Fleetfoot flew up to her. “You okay, Crash?” She asked. “I’m fine.” Rainbow answered, as the two dodged a swipe from their respective opponents before striking back in turn.
She saw Surprise trick two Storm Riders into crashing into one another, the white pegasus laughing triumphantly afterwards. Soon, the Storm Riders were defeated.
Rainbow Dash scanned the skies, looking for Spitfire, but there was no trace of her commanding officer. She attempted to fly off, only to be stopped by Blaze. “Dash, don’t!” Said the mare. “No,” Replied the cyan pegasus. “She might still be alive! I have to find her!” “We can’t start searching now,” Said Soarin’. “For all we know, she could be… well…”
“I HAVE TO FIND HER!” Shrieked Rainbow Dash. Soarin’ was silent, his ears folding back.
“Look! Down there!” They heard Surprise exclaim. They looked down to see Sombra’s Crystal Army retreating. It seemed Celestia had turned the tide, because Sombra was being carried off by two Storm Riders, weakened.
Rainbow’s eyes widened at the sight. Sombra? Defeated? A sense of satisfaction crept over her. She was hoping to see the monster limping away. Her only regret was that it wasn’t her who sent him running with his tail between his legs. The mare groaned as she felt weak, feeling the pain of her injuries. Immediately, Fleetfoot and Blaze caught her in the hooves.
“We better get you to base camp,” said Fleetfoot. “But, Spitfire…” Dash began. “We’ll find her eventually,” Soarin’ cut her off. “But right now, getting you help is our priority.” Rainbow was silent, and after what felt like forever, she nodded in reply.
The Wonderbolts flew off in the direction of their base, Rainbow Dash carried over Soarin’s back. As they did, Rainbow Dash sighed, a tear rolling down her face.
She lost many comrades to Sombra, and now, she may have lost her commanding officer.
She didn’t know whether she was dead, or worse, captured.
Considering what Sombra did to his prisoners, the former would be preferable to the latter. “Spitfire…” She whispered.
Meanwhile, with the Crystal Army, King Sombra was being supported by two of his elite Storm Riders. He was in really bad shape.
His armor was cracked in several places, a red scar ran across his face, and his horn was broken. A look of rage was on his face. Needless to say, he was not happy about his defeat.
One of his generals, a cerulean pegasus in black and gray armor, approached. Judging by his appearance, he was old, probably in his mid to late forties.
Sombra faced him. “Report.” He said bluntly. The stallion, remaining calm in front of his dark king, bowed slightly.
“The bad news, thanks to the Wonderbolts, Princess Celestia managed to push back our forces.” He said. “And the good news?” Asked Sombra. The pegasus smirked as he stood straight. “Thanks to my Storm Riders,” He continued, “We managed to capture their commander.”
As if on cue, two Crystal Warriors approached and tossed an unconscious pegasus mare to the ground. She was covered in bruises and scars, her orange mane messy from battle. She wore the unmistakable uniform of the Wonderbolts.
Sombra grinned evilly as he stood up straight, approaching the sprawled form of Commander Spitfire.
“You might be of use to me after all, Wind Rider.” He said.