Song of the Stars

by Jacker

Call to Arms

It had been three weeks since the Changeling attack on Canterlot, and Ponyville was still in a paranoid state of hysteria. It was somewhat justified, as Changelings had actually been uncovered hiding among the population in recent days, most the scattered remains of the Canterlot invasion force. Unsettling as this may be, the main source of fear came from sightings of swarms of them in the wild. It was believed small towns like Ponyville could easily be vulnerable to a raids, with the intention of the Changelings to perform mass abductions. The captured ponies would then be taken back to their hive-clusters and sucked dry. This fear wasn't entirely unjustified either, as the attack on Canterlot had proven the Changelings were willing to take more aggressive measures to secure their food-source in recent days.

In response to this fear, a retired army colt named Iron Hooves opted to form a militia to combat the growing threat as well as any others (Stories of creatures in Everfree acting more aggressive then usual were beginning to spread.). He was quick to find volunteers, and soon enough he had procured a shipment of weapons. These included spears, crossbows, iron horseshoes for earth ponies, and even a few combat magic spellbooks.

Rainbow Dash was reluctant to join them at first, her not being much of a fighter nor having the time to train four hours a day. However, when Ponyville faced a Manticore attack that even Fluttershy wasn't able to solve with her usual kindness, she began to feel that maybe one more defender couldn't hurt. Now, here she was standing at attention in the ever-expansive planes outside of town, in line with about thirty volunteers of both sexes and all three races. They were waiting for an army adviser to arrive, a Colonel of some standing. Though Iron Hooves was a good soldier, many were beginning to doubt his leadership capabilities, and he himself admitted he lacked knowledge in newer weapons such as crossbows in addition lack of knowledge in newer tactics tactics, including ones meant against newer threats such as the Changelings.

After about ten more minutes, Rainbow Dash was beginning to grow impatient. It was a cloudless day, and the summer sun was taking a beating on her. She had to hold back the urge to complain several times. Right when she thought she beginning to doubt if the colt was even coming, she saw a figure in the distance heading their way from Ponyville. As he grew closer, she could make out his features. He was a white, middle-aged, black-maned unicorn with a cutie-mark that resembled a ball of fire.

"Militia!" Iron Hooves called. "May I present to you the honorable Colonel Royce Mustang!"

"The honor is mine," he said, walking before the line of militia and scrutinizing them. Rainbow Dash was quick to gaze back into his withered eyes, the windows into his soul. She could tell that they had seen many horrors in the colt's lifetime, and many sacrifices. He halted after a round of pacing in front of the column, his eyes glancing at each of them as he spoke, "I have learned many things in my day, many in particular about the psychology of soldiers. We may say it's for honor, we may say it's for a longing to serve our country, but in reality most heed the call to arms to protect what is dear to us personally; our homes, our families, and our friends. For that, I can respect anypony willing to fight, army or militia. Therefore, I will do whatever it takes to turn you into a capable combat force. Ponyville will never be without guardians."

It was a bit of a dramatic speech, but Rainbow Dash couldn't help but feel slightly inspired from it.

"All pegasi to the shooting range for crossbow practice," Iron Hooves ordered. "Earth ponies, I want see more weight pushing. Your hind-leg strength could use a bit of development. Unicorns, you'll be with Colonel Mustang. He's going to teach you some defensive spells."

The ponies threw him a salute before moving to their respected practice areas. On her way, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but notice the Colonel was staring at her.

She mentally gasped as crazy thought entered her mind.

Had she done something wrong? Offended him by some off chance?

A beat.

She shook her head with a silly smile. Naw, she was too awesome for that.

What could he really want? She shrugged it off before picking up a crossbow at the firing range and loading a bolt. She had become pretty familiar with its use, and actually found herself enjoying handling it. She knew every shot she made would improve her aim, and in a small way help Ponyville in its time of need, and of course the ego boost learning and subsequently kicking flank at something was always welcoming. It felt more fulfilling than even flight practice though she hated to admit it. She aimed down the sights of it, adjusted for the light breeze, and took a shot at the target. It glided as gracefully as a Thunderbolt before smacking into it near the bullseye. She grunted to herself at the slight error before loading another bolt, only to pause when a voice called to her.

"You're a decent shot for a rookie," Royce Mustange said. Rainbow Dash turned about to face him. "How long have you practiced with that thing?" He pointed a hoof at her crossbow.

"Heh? This? Oh not too long," she said, a slightly sheepish smile spreading across her face for some strange reason. "Few days, maybe?"

He nodded, before glancing at her wings, "Strong wings too, I'm guessing you fly alot?" He paused, before smiling sightly, "Well, more than normal pegasi of course."

"Oh you bet!" she said gleefully. She always loved when people were interested in her past-time. "Fastest flyer in Equestria, and soon-to-be Wonderbolt."

He nodded at that with a bemused smile before asking, "You're not the one who created that Sonic Rainboom after the Canterlot incident, are you? You look familiar."

"Yep, that was me! Tell me it wasn't awesome!" she said with a grin. Here a Colonel was giving her a compliment. The only thing better was if it were coming from a Wonderbolt.

"I was impressed. The last reported Rainboom was over ten years ago."

"And you're looking at the source!" she said, her cocky grin not fading.

He nodded again, this time with an impressed look on his face. He paused for a second before saying, "The Air Guard is always looking for young, passionate troops. Have you ever considered it?"

Rainbow Dash paused. She hadn't really ever considered joining the military before. She was as loyal to Equestria as anypony, perhaps even more so, but her own somewhat selfish goals and passions had always always taken precedence over serving it directly. She wasn't too keen on having to kill anypony or anything either. One of the other reasons she was training to be so good at the crossbow was so should could wound and not slay her target without risk. Shooting a Changeling in the leg had to be able to put them out of commission.That may not cut it in the Air Guard.

"I... haven't really thought of it before," she said slowly. "I don't really think it's my thing."

She half expected the Colonel to throw her a dissapointed glance, but instead he simply smiled. "That's fine, Rainbow Dash, and that doesn't make me think any less of you by the way. Just let me know if you change your mind and I'll throw in a recommendation. Now, I really need to get to training those pegasi."

With that, Rainbow Dash threw him a friendly smile and nod before he turned and left her to target practice.

---

..
...
....

Twilight was waving back and forth between consciousness and her mind's vast, deep recesses. The latter overtook her the most, but occasionally she was allowed fleeting glimpses of the real world.

Her first sight of it was her being carried on Rainbow Dash's back away from the Everfree Forest. Apparently, the rainbow-haired mare had given up on flying for the time being. She could hear the muffled voices of her and Spike, and though she couldn't make out what they were saying, she could definitely sense a mix of panic and fear in their tones.

The sun was just meeting the horizon, and the morning would soon be upon them. Despite its beckoning for her to wake, Twilight was quick to fall back asleep.

..
...
.....

She then caught another glimpse. They were now inside the library's commons. She gazed groggily at one of the windows and noted was now bright out. Again, Rainbow Dash and Spike were speaking. However, this time she could vaguely make out what they were saying.

"Can you get her up to her bed?" Spike said. "I really want to get this letter off."

"Yeah, I think I can do it..." she said groggily. Apparently the flight from Everfree had taken a lot out of her. However, her tone quickly grew more confident. "I mean, you've got it!"

Twilight felt herself being tugged downwards, and she soon realized Rainbow Dash was flying her upwards towards her bedroom. As she was set into her bed, the sensation of flying continued. She was now flying high above a dreamscape, no longer in her library. Her glimpse was over.

..
....
.....

Voices woke her for her third glance after a bit of time of flying. It was Rainbow Dash and Spike again, as well as a third one now. All three seemed somewhat tense.

"I-Is she going be alright?" Fluttershy's warm and caring tone echoed from below.

"Yeah, I think so. I've seen Twilight pass out from overexertion before when she first started learning magic, but she always came out of it fine," Spike said. He let forth a somewhat forced chuckle. "You know how she is."

"Did you get a letter back from the Princess, yet?" Rainbow Dash asked impatiently.

"She may have already left without bothering with it," Spike said.

"Well, I'm going to go rally the town militia." Rainbow Dash said.

"W-wah? N-No... we should wait for the Princess," Fluttershy squeaked.

"Fluttershy has a point," Spike said. "The militia was just formed a month or so ago. They've never seen any actual combat. And either way, what are they supposed to do against those lights?"

Twilight could vaguely remember the day when a somewhat paranoid colt named Iron Hooves rallied the town together. He announced his intention to form a militia to combat the potential Changeling threat. With everypony spooked about the attack on Canterlot, he was quick to find volunteers. They managed to procure a shipment of weapons from the army, (though Twilight later found out Celestia was most displeased about this) and began to train. After a few weeks, they were actually shaping up to be a decent combat force.

Rainbow Dash had begged Twilight to join them, but she declined. She had absolutely no desire to learn any sort of combat magic. She didn't believe in using it that way, and learning it, she thought, may take something away from her she would never get back. It just felt... unnatural to her. Rainbow Dash then argued that she could provide defensive magic, but again Twilight declined.

Not only did she not want to learn combat magic, but she also didn't want to be part of a group who were going to use lethal force to deal with their foes. It was true that the Manticore that attacked Ponyville a few weeks ago was resistant to even Fluttership's attempts to calm it, but the militia didn't even give her and Twilight a second or two to come up with another way to deal with it before they attacked, mortally wounded it, and drove it back into the woods. She had comforted a weeping Fluttershy for hours after this. Nonetheless, Twilight was still willing to lend a hand to Ponyville whenever it needed her... if only she could do it now.

Twilight turned her head and gazed down at the three, barely able to keep open her eyes. She wished she could join the conversation, but she simply didn't have the strength to say anything.

"We have to do something. If the aliens attack before the princess gets here..." Rainbow Dash paused, fear evident in her features. She quickly shook her head and regained her composure, "We just need to be ready," she said sternly. "We do have unicorns in the group, maybe they can do something about those lights? Besides, something tells me they weren't the aliens themselves. I think they came from weapons of some sort."

"What makes you say that?" Spike asked. "And how do we know the aliens weren't just acting territorially, anyway? You know, trying to keep people away from their ship. Maybe they were just as spooked of us as we are of them now."

"Then why not just fire warning shots? Why shoot directly at us? True, that doesn't mean they're going to attack the town but it's better to be safe then sorry, right? Anyway, to answer your first question, I've been getting into more series then just Daring-Do lately. One of the books I've been reading, the Luke Skyhooves Adventures, described a weapon called a blaster. It shot a bolt of light that had a similar effect to what we saw in Everfree."

"B-But that's just science fiction!" Spike cried.

Rainbow Dash's look of determination did not fade. "Science fiction is often based on Science fact," she said sternly while pointing a hoof up at her friend. "Twilight told me that once."

Twilight wished she could smile at that. Rainbow Dash was a creature of impulse, and though she wasn't usually one to underestimated the Pegasus' intelligence, she couldn't help but marvel at the unusual amount of logic she was displaying. Perhaps her time in the Militia had actually done her some good. Still though, her logic wasn't completely... logical, and Spike was quick to point that out.

"Yeah but a lot is still made up!" He argued.

Fluttershy quickly nodded in agreement. "S-Spike's right."

Rainbow Dash threw them both an annoyed look. "We're wasting time here arguing! I'm going to rally the militia. While I'm doing that, you two should go around and tell everypony to keep indoors."

Spike's eyes widened. "But what if they don't listen?!"

Rainbow Dash brought a hoof to her forehead. Twilight knew the gears up there were starting to turn, neurons and synapses firing in a desperate bid to come up with an answer. "Then-" she stammered, "Then- I don't know, OK? Just don't sugarcoat it. Make sure to let them know if they step outside their lives could be in danger." She then turned and began walking towards the door. Before she exited, however, she halted and then turned back towards Fluttershy and Spike, "One more thing. Don't tell anypony that we're up against aliens.They'd probably just call you crazy."

Twilight could vouch for that. If it wasn't for her skepticism earlier Rainbow Dash may have never brought that up.

"What should we say then?"

"You two can figure that out. I need to get a move on."

She quickly made her leave.

Before Twilight entered her dreamworld again, she heard Spike mutter one last thing, "Bows and arrows against the lightning... this is going to turn out great."

---

Ten minutes later, Spike had made it to the most densely packed area of town, right by town hall. It was now about 6:30, and already the morning hustle and bustle was beginning. He had sent a somewhat reluctant Fluttershy (who wasn't keen on leaving Twilight) off to gather the rest of their friends, more voices to help spread the message. He then gathered his composure, stood on the steps to town hall, and with a slightly meekish and wannabe-authoritative voice yelled, "Everypony! Can I get your attention please."

A few ponies turned their attention towards him, but many others seemed content to go about their business.

Alright, no more messing around. He drew a deep breath before shouting as loud as he possibly could, "I said, can I get your attention please!"

This time, everypony stopped dead in their tracks. Spike couldn't help but snap a quick, satisfied smile at it. He then regained a serious composure before announcing, "As of this moment, the princess is on her way to deal with a threat to the town. A Changeling swarm has been sighted moving through Everfree." A series of gasps and cries could be heard from the crowd. Soon, panicked chatter was springing up everywhere. Spike threw them all an annoyed glance, "Hold on! Jeez...." He groaned. They returned their attention to him. "They may or may not have the intention of hitting Ponyville, but it would be best for everpony to stay in doors for now. The Changeling swarm probably won't be here by the time the princess arrives, but it's best to stay cautious."

Spike could hear murmurs of agreement and a few head nods at this. Before long, everypony was making their way home at a quick, but not panicked pace.

"Spike, you are one awesome public speaker," he said with a grin.

---

Ten minutes later, the militia had assembled on the outskirts of town near Everfree. They stood in a line at attention, with slightly nervous but nonetheless affirmed expressions. Each was already equipped with their respective weapons, pegasi with crossbows and earth ponies with their iron horse shoes, them having previously raided the armory. The unicorns didn't really need any weapons. Rainbow Dash, Iron Hooves, and Royce Mustang stood before them.

"Alright Rainbow Dash, can you tell us a little more about what could be coming at us?" Iron Hooves asked, turning towards her.

She glanced back at him, anxious and apprehensive as a mare could be before turning towards the crowd. How was she supposed to explain that aliens were about to attack? Wait a minute... she probably didn't even need to mention it. She quickly constructed a short speech in her mind before saying, "This morning, me and two friends went to go check out a disturbance in the Everfree forest."

"What kind of disturbance?" some colt asked.

Rainbow Dash gazed at him, but didn't recognize who he was personally, "It was a large bang early in the morning. Many of you may have been woken up by it." A few nods and chuckles followed that. "Anyway, we made our way in and about an hour later we were attacked. We couldn't see who was responsible for it, but whoever it was had access to advanced weaponry or magic. A shot from them burned right through a tree. Even Twilight couldn't keep a shield up against them for long."

A few gasps followed that, however one colt in the audience kept a stoic expression. "Are you sure whoever this was is a threat to the town?" He asked skeptically.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "No, I'm not not sure, but it's better to be safe then sorry."

"Could they have to do with that big shiny metal thing that landed in the forest?" the voice of Ditzy Hooves asked. Rainbow Dash's eyes widened at that. She quickly twirled around towards the woods. There was still a smoke cloud rising from it, and it must have caught the attention of curious pegasi. She had to resist the urge of taking a look at the spaceship in broad daylight herself. She then inwardly smiled, this would make things a lot easier.

"Truth be told, I think they did come from that," Rainbow Dash admitted. "I saw it go down myself in the morning, it's what caused the loud bang. It seemed to be some sort of advanced airship... or spacecraft."

Someone laughed out loud at that, "Are you saying we're going up against aliens?"

Even Royce Mustang and Iron Hooves threw Rainbow Dash a skeptical glance.

She sighed at that. "Yes, I am. I can't think of any other explanation for what that thing is, and if you had seen it flying through the air earlier..."

"This is ridiculous," the abrasive voice, originating from a white mare, said again. "Did you seriously drag us out of bed just to get attention?"

"I believe her," another voice spoke up, this one with a strange, but recognizable accent. Rainbow Dash and the entire line broke attention to gaze upon its origin. Dr. Whooves, as everyone called him, sweat dropped. "Well, for bloody sakes! Plenty of other crazy things happen in this town!"

The white mare smirked. "Yeah, but aliens?"

"Rainbow Dash wouldn't lie about this!" Ditzy Hooves said sternly, standing besides Dr. Whooves.The doctor threw her an approving smile, and Rainbow Dash couldn't help but do so as well.

When Ditzy had first joined the militia (soon followed by a clearly agitated and disapproving Dr. Whooves), Rainbow Dash couldn't help but worry that her ditzy behavior and clumsiness would be nothing short of a pain, and perhaps even be dangerous. However, Ditzy quickly proved that when she REALLY wanted to, she could handle herself well. She had even become quite proficient with the crossbow despite her strange eyes. Despite all this, what Rainbow Dash was really impressed with was the cock-eyed mare's loyalty to an old friend from flight camp.

"She's right," another pony said. "Rainbow Dash wouldn't just lie for attention like that." He turned towards the white mare with an annoyed expression. "What's gotten into you?"

"You said you didn't know what these aliens looked like?" Dr. Whooves asked, a look of worry upon his face.

Rainbow Dash cocked an eyebrow at this, but nonetheless quickly lowered it and said, "No, I didn't." She threw them all a serious expression, before turning to Iron Hooves. "May I give a battle plan? I know their weapon capabilities best."

He nodded, a slight hint of approval in his eyes.

Rainbow Dash then turned back to the crowd. "Alright, the plan is simple. We stay out of the forest and keep watch on it from about a hundred yards away. Space out to cover as much of the tree-line as we can and make sure to stay behind solid cover. No trees, obviously, use the rocks and boulders littering the area and stuff like that. If they attack in one area in particular, we'll send reinforcements to it."

"We could send scouts into Everfree," Iron Hooves suggested. "See what they might be planning."

Colonel Mustang shook his head, "It's too risky for the scouts, and there may not be time now."

"I agree. They seemed to be fairly accurate with their weapons and as I've said, trees aren't good cover," Rainbow Dash said. "Unicorns, your roll is support and artillery. Stay in the back and use your respected magics to the best of your capabilities. Make shields for anyone caught in the open, though be advised weapon fire from them will make them difficult to maintain. Teleport anyone out of harms way who looks in trouble, and-"

She paused a second. Was fear going to get the best of her? Was she about to order them to do whatever it takes to keep the town safe, even if it meant killing what could be sentient opponents? They were a powerful foe, with ranged weapons unlike the Changelings. Trying to target their legs, or whatever they had, to take every one of them out in a nonlethal manner could be impossible. She sighed inwardly. Never before had her element pained her so. She then turned back towards the crowd,

"Use your offensive magic to take out as many as you can. You might have to go all the way."

A unicorn opened her mouth. "By that you mean-"

Rainbow Dash nodded solemnly. "This is likely an opponent that won't show mercy. Trust me on this, they aren't Changelings, and they seem quite powerful."

She then turned to the pegasi, "Same goes for crossbow users." The earth ponies were next to meet her gaze, "Earth ponies, this is likely going to be a ranged fight. You might have to stay out of this one."

"We could try to get in close!" Big Mac complained. The rest of the earth ponies murmured in agreement.

Rainbow Dash sighed. "You can still help. Bring water and ammo to those who need it and help out with the wounded."

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Dr. Whooves sighing in relief.

"Alright, Rainbow Dash," Big Mac said, "Whatever you think is best."

The rainbow-haired mare nodded. "Alright everyone, the princess will be here any second. We might not even have to do any fighting, but if we do, remember that Ponyville is depending on us."

"Prepare for battle!" Iron Hooves barked.

---

Rainbow Dash loaded another crossbow bolt. She then lined up her target, but neglected to shoot. Instead, she found herself lost in thought. She had always respected the military, but taking lives just... wasn't her. She quickly snapped out of it, turning her attention back to target practice.

She took aim at the bullseye, this time making sure to adjust for the breeze more accurately.

Rainbow Dash, Air Guardian. She chuckled slightly.

The young flier then fired a shot at the the target. It whizzed threw the air at untrackable speeds.

What a crazy thought.

A poing-like sound filled the air as the arrow hit the target dead-center. She grinned widely at it, loaded another bolt, fired another shot....

... And again, made another bullseye.

She let out a silent cheer. She had this down pat! Now all she needed to do is test out her skills in combat! She could totally sink one under pressu-

The thought was halted.

A gust of wind blew by, ruffling her mane, and it whispered to her a self-revelation.

She glanced at her crossbow, observing its features, design and purpose. And though she cringed at the latter, she still respected what else it represented.

Her... a soldier. Why could she see it so well?

Comments

[Firefinder]

Luke Skyhooves? Star Wars refences whichs means that I can us this.
datacenteroverlords.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/yoda-real-shit.png
And I know why Dash feels right about being a soldier. It is because she is a Pegusas which in myth is know as a war horse. Hell even in this universe they were warriors if the Heart Warming Eve Story is any thing to go by. So it is propably a instinctal or an genitic thing that she just found or awoken.

[Tonto the Trotter]

Well now. This is an interesting take on Rainbow Dash, one which I thoroughly approve.Looking forward to seeing what you come up with in the next chapter.

[EchoWolf31]

Something tells me that the ponies are going to get their asses kicked.

[Jaffaarchfiend]

I wonder if Dr Whooves in this one is just a Dr pony or a Doctor Pony?
And definitely a nice direction for Rainbow Dash... can't wait to see how the next chapter plays out. And who exactly these aliens are...

[Flutterdude]

The fan has been hit with the schnitzel.

[RedvsBlue327]

Sure, Crossbows and arrows always worked against space age militarys.

In all honesty, the only way they could possibly hope to survive is if that alien race was busy with fighting another alien race.

Otherwise My Little Ponys, you're fucked.