War between Ponies and Griffons threatens to rip Equestria apart. Rainbow Dash is ready to commit all she can to the Pony cause, but as the brutal war rages, her alliance changes
Ponies are being slaughtered in their homes as the Griffon army destroys city by city on their long march south to Canterlot, and to the Royal Sisters. Rainbow Dash wants to do all she an to defend her beloved leaders, but the things she sees on the front line cause her to question her alliance to her Alicorn leaders.
WARNING: Contains A LOT of swearing, violence and death. I would STRONGLY recommend not reading if these things offend you.
Things in Equestria had changed, to put it simply. The once peaceful nation was being ripped apart, and as much as everypony tried to stop it, no-one could. The Griffon army came from the north and had slaughtered and burnt anything that dared to stand in their way. Cities were flattened, innocent Stallions, Mares and Foals had been dragged from their homes and murdered in the streets in front of those unlucky enough to witness it. Some said the dead we're the lucky ones. Horror stories from Griffon work camps had swiftly made their way to curious ears. Each story was different, but each were as blood curdling as the last. Too slowly the Royal Sisters had formed a defence force, and by the time they had, half of the country was under Griffon occupation.
The war had raged on for a year, and every day Rainbow Dash willed it to end. She'd been one of the first to volunteer to the Pegasi section of the Royal Defence Force (RDF). She'd felt sad that she was leaving her friends behind, but she wanted to kick some Griffon flank. Within a week she knew that the war wasn't going to be all fun and games as she'd expected, but she had put her head down and fought for her country, princesses and freedom. She worked hard, and this hard work had been noticed by some of the top Ponies in the RDF, and had quickly gained a name for herself. Within the first three months she'd been given her own squad, and within 6 she had been made a Commander, the 2nd highest rank available. Every Pegasi knew of Commander Dash as being the best fighter in the RDF. She was feared by Pony and Griffon alike, even whispering her name could cause a deep fear in the hearts of most. Her favourite weapon were her trademark 'Foldable Hoof Daggers', a pair of 10 inch blades that were strapped to her forehooves and could be deployed at the flick of her hoof.
The war, however had taken its toll on Dash, she wasn't the same pony she was a year ago. She'd seen things, done things that had changed her. Her already short temper had shrunk further, but her natural fighting and natural leadership skills had vastly grown. She had also become a master tactician, and had swiftly fitted into her new role as a Commander. However, a darker side to the once over confident Pony had emerged. She no longer cared for showing off, she just got the job done as quickly, but as cleanly as possible. She had shown that she would do anything for the RDF, and would do even more for the survival of a Pegasus. She had been criticised for being a 'Pegasus Extremist' as she would put the safety of a Pegasus before that of a Unicorn or Earthpony. Not only had her mentality changed, but so too had her physical appearance. She wore many a scar on her body from all the battles she had fought. Her mane was also cut short, but her tail remained the same length for personal privacy, bit everypony knew that they would be gutted if they even glanced at her in a sexual manner, no matter who they were.
The leader of the Pegasi division of the RDF was a Black Stallion with a short brown mane called Captain Scorcher, and Dash hated him. She knew he hated her, but she didn't care, she was the most successful Commander and was contesting him for leadership of the entire Pegasi army. When war had broken out, the best fliers and best leaders had all been given important and high up roles. That didn't bother Dash, she knew they deserved their roles as Commanders, she even got on well with most of them. What had really pissed her off about Captain Scorcher was that nopony had ever heard of him before the war, yet he was given arguably the most important role in the RDF. Spitfire hadn't even been approached for the role, but had been handed a role as a Commander. Dash didn't trust Scorcher, so she definitely couldn't serve and follow him. He had gone out of his way to try to deny Dash as her role as Commander, but a new Commander was needed, and of the nine remaining Commanders eight had voted yes for her to be given the role, and only Captain Scorcher and one other Commander voting no.
At first, Dash had been completely loyal to the RDF, she still was, but as the war got worse and worse, she slowly started to stop fighting for the Princesses, and had started fighting for her fellow Pegasi. Frequently in the past the Pegasi had requested independence from other pony kind, but every time they had been refused. Dash beloved that the Pegasi should be allowed freedom from the Princesses and from their endless weather duties that had been demanded of them. They were the key force in the war, yet they weren't allowed to lead their own army, that responsibility fell to Celestia. In public, with her fellow Commanders she was forced to address her as Princess Celestia, and bow every time she graced them with her presence, but deep down she truly hated the Princess, but couldn't speak up in fear of being prosecuted for treason, and she was too close to having the might of a the Pegasi army at her hooves to throw it away. Instead, she preached her views to herself, silently repeating the words 'Pegasi First' in her head. She wouldn't sing the national anthem, she wouldn't salute the flag, she wouldn't wear the royal insignia. Instead, she had her own flag, her own insignia. She would get what she wanted for the glory of the Pegasi of Cloudsdale, no matter what it cost. Her main problem however, was winning the war, because independence would be nothing if it were to be taken away from them, should the Griffon scum win this terrible war.
Dash hated it when she was summoned to meetings, it made her feel like a powerless dog that was only requested when it was needed. She didn't know what she'd been summoned for, but whatever it was it couldn't have been good, she was only summoned when there was either a big development in the war or when she'd done something unethical. She tried to rack her mind for anything she'd done that was especially unethical, but she couldn't think of anything. She wasn't going soft, was she?.
She took a deep breath, then strutted into the Royal Commanders Council room. The room was large but certainly wasn't extravagant. The entire room was carved out of the side of a cliff opposite Canterlot. Everything in the room was made of cold stone. Dash looked around the room. Every pillar had a Royal flag draped from it, and the grand table in the centre had the royal insignia carved into it. Sitting around the table were her fellow commanders, and at the head of the table sat Captain Scorcher. All eyes were on Dash as she took her time to take her seat at the large, round table. She was opposite the Captain and next to Commander Spitfire. Dash respected Commander Spitfire, not in the same way as before the war, but because she was one of the best fighters and Commanders in the RDF, second only to Dash.
Scorcher stared at Dash for a moment, then held a piece of parchment above his head. His voice sounded fearful, but he was doing his best to hide it. "Word from the Princess is that Canterlot will soon become under siege. I have called you all here today to discuss this matter"
Gasps erupted from around the room, but Dash started playing with her knives, flicking them out and in, it was a habit of hers when she was bored. The other Commanders burst into argument with each other about what to do, but Captain Scorcher demanded silence, then looked over to Dash.
"Rainbow Dash, are we boring you?" He questioned. Again, all eyes were on her
She started picking her teeth with one of her knives, then nodded. "However, you forgot one thing" she hissed. Scorcher raised an eyebrow, silently demanding an explanation. "It's Commander Dash. You'll do well to remember that" she snarled
Scorcher was taken aback. "Is that a threat? I'm your Captain!" He shouted, his rage obvious to all in the room
Dash laughed quietly to her self, then looked up from her knife. "You never told us how many times you had to suck our benevolent princesses dry old cunt to get that title" she gestured to the other nine Commanders, then went back to playing with her knives
A crescendo of gasps filled the room, and several laughs. Spitfire had to look away for a moment to compose herself and stifle a laugh. Scorcher, however, slammed his two front hooves on the table. "You intolerable little shit!" He screamed "How dare you!"
Dash laughed again "It must tear you up to know that a mare, who is smaller than you... And a mere Commander at that, could destroy you in a fight"
"You wanna go? I'll fucking rip you apart!" He stood on the table and placed his hoof on the hilt of his longsword. He acted confident, but anyone could see the slight tremble in his voice.
Everyone in the room knew Dash could take anyone of them in one-on-one combat. Dash leaned back in her chair and looked around the room to the other Commanders. She smiled when she saw Spitfire laughing at Scorchers attempt to scare Dash. She leant forward and brought her hooves together. "I think we have bigger problems right now... I'll cut you open after we decide what to do with Canterlot"
"Pussy" he said, turned, then returned to his seat "you'll be lucky to stay as a Commander after this"
"You'll be lucky to be alive after this"
He shook his head, then continued discussing the Canterlot problem with the other Commanders. Dash sat in silence, staring at Scorcher. She was going to enjoy killing him.
The debate raged on for several hours, all of which Dash sat in silence for, until finally Spitfire raised a hoof to silence the room. "Perhaps we should ask Commander Dashs opinion?"
Scorcher sighed, then flopped back into his chair. "Rainbow Dash, how do you think we should defend Canterlot?" He waved a hoof dismissively at her
She slowly raised her head and stared coldly at Scorcher. "We don't"
The sound of gasps filled the room again, giving Dash the effect she wanted.
Scorcher stood. "What did you say?"
"We don't defend Canterlot" she growled
"I will have your wings for treason!" He shouted "How can you even suggest such a thing?"
Dash climbed atop the table "Where was the princess at the fall of..." She swallowed a lump in her throat "Cloudsdale?"
Everyone in the room took a moment to gather themselves after hearing that. Of course, the fall of other cities had had their effect Pegasi, but the fall of Cloudsdale had devastated every Pegasus. Cloudsdale had been been most of their homes and birthplaces.
Scorcher didn't have an answer for that. "That doesn't matter anymore! We must defend our leaders!"
Dash lost it. "It doesn't matter? IT DOESN'T FUCKING MATTER? I'm going to rip you wings off you traitorous son of a bitch!" She flicked her hooves, revealing her blades.
The other Commanders lifted the table out of the way, leaving a large open space for the two to fight in. Scorcher burned with rage. He stood opposite in the open space, drew his sword, then unfurled his wings. "I've waited a long time to have an excuse to cut you up, Rainbow Dash"
She smiled, stood on her hind legs and spread her forelegs. "Well nows your chance". She beckoned him forward.
Scorcher flew towards her at frighteningly quickly with his sword ahead of him, but Dash was quicker. She span over him, and slapped his flank "too slow" she laughed
He burned with fury "fight me you bitch! None of your stupid games!"
Dash laughed and looked at the other Commanders "You all heard, he asked for this". The Commanders nodded. Dash beckoned to Scorcher again.
He flew her, copying the same attack as last time. Dash spun over him again, but this time ran her knifes into his calves and up into his thighs. He screamed out in pain and collapse onto the floor. Dash landed and looked at the pathetic excuse for a Captain crying to himself in a growing pool of his own blood. "Get up!" she shouted, knowing too well that he couldn't. Scorcher rolled over onto his back, gasping for air. "Help me you fools!" He screamed at the Commanders staring idly down at him. Dash looked along the line of Commanders. "Any of you going to help him? No? Then let the fun begin!" She walked over to him and easily dodged his weak swings at her. She kicked the sword out of his grasp, then pushed a knife into the roots of both of his wings, then pulled upwards, severing the connection.
Dash smiled down at her wingless Captain and laughed maniacally. "We can't have an Earthpony as our fearless leader, now can we?" She grabbed him roughly by the mane and dragged him to the open side of the room and forced him to look at the four hundred meter drop. "P-please Rainbow Dash" he begged
Dash let a smile slowly break across her face as she watched Scorcher fall. She knew this was the perfect opportunity to grasp control of the Pegasi army, all she had to do was convince the Commanders.
She turned to face them, aghast from what they had just witnessed, took a deep breath and walked to the centre of the room. "Table" she demanded. The Commanders brought the table back to its original position, then all took a seat around it. "Firstly, I am now in control here. Any problems with that?" She looked from Commander to Commander, judging their reaction. They all shook their heads, causing Dash to smile again. "Good" she whispered.
"Commander Dash?" Commander Soarin said, slowly standing. "What about the Princess? She has to choose who will lead us, she won't let you get away with... That..." He glanced to the pool of blood.
Dash stopped. "Fuck the princess" she said. "Too long Pegasi have been in the chains of Alicorns, and under the demand of Unicorns and Earthponies. All of you have bled for your princess, but we are yet to see her in a battle" she spat at the ground, then flew over to one of the royal banners hanging from the wall and ripped it off. "This is a sign of our slavery!" She shouted, then discarded it from her hoof "This however..." She pulled a large black flag with a red wing on it from the bag that had been resting on her chair. Under the red wing were the words 'Pegasi First'. She held the flag across her chest, unveiling it to the Commanders
Commander Fleetfoot raised an eyebrow. "What are you suggesting?"
"Freedom" Dash said. She turned to a guard "Take this to the bannerponies and have them make copies" she handed him the flag.
"And what does that make you?" Fleetfoot questioned "A princess?"
Dash spat at the ground again "No"
"Captain?"
She shook her head "no. If my title must change from Commander, then it shall be to High Commander." She took ten armbands from her bag and threw them on the table, then slipped one on. The armbands were a replica of the flag, but Dash had a golden star above the wing, and the Commanders had five silver stars. "All free Pegasi must wear one of these" she demanded.
Spitfire stood "You expect the princess to grant us freedom? She won't take kindly to this, especially as we're in a losing war"
"She will do as I demand or suffer the consequences. Commander Spitfire, Commander Soarin, Commander Fleetfoot, stay. The rest of you leave us" Dash put her right hoof across her chest, then spoke "Pegasi First". The Commanders looked puzzled, then one by one copied the gesture, and left. Dash sat down.
"I leave for Canterlot in an hour" she said. "Commander Spitfire, you shall accompany me"
Spitfire nodded "Should I prepare my armour?"
Dash smiled "No, it's already here" she gestured to a guard to bring it over.
Spitfire looked at the armour. "This isn't mine" she said. The armour before her was black with red trim, not her usual white and gold.
"It is. This is your new armour." Dash turned it to reveal the new Pegasi insignia. "See?"
"I'm just worried you know my sizes!" Spitfire joked
Dash laughed, but turned seriously to Soarin and Fleetfoot. "Commander Soarin, you too shall accompany me. Commander Fleetfoot, you shall oversee the production of new armour for the army" she nodded to the guard, who quickly brought over the two Commanders armour. "Commander Fleetfoot, please leave us" they exchanged the new Pegasi salute, then Fleetfoot left.
"We're going to be hung for treason, you realise?" Soarin joked
"Bring us something to drink, and food" Dash demanded of the guard, who swiftly followed her order and placed three full bowls and cups on the table.
"What is this shit?" Dash shouted, gesturing to the bowl
"It's... Uh... Boiled grass, Commander"
"Boiled fucking grass? Do I look like an Earthpony? Do you not have anything better for your High Commander?"
"I'm sorry High Commander, it's all we've got from the rations" the guard stuttered
"Lay off him, High Commander Dash" Spitfire said "He's just doing his job" she nodded to the guard as he walked off
Dash sighed. "Very well... Let's get this done then..." She stood, then pulled her armour on.
Dash pushed the large door to the throne room open, and eyed the four princesses, but focused her gaze on Celestia as she marched in, flanked by her two Commanders.
"Commander Dash, you have new armour?" Celestia smiled, unaware of the situation. Dash stood at the bottom of the steps to the throne.
"It's a custom to bow before your princesses" Luna scoffed
"Pegasi do not bow" Dash spat. "Captain Scorcher is dead" Her focus on Celestia
Celestia looked taken aback by the news "How?"
Dash slowly smiled, still staring at Celestia "Me" she laughed. "And now, it seems, I'm in charge"
The princesses gasped, then looked at Dash coldly, almost in unison. "And you came here for what? I'm guessing it's not to face punishment?"
Rainbow laughed again "No. I'm here to tell you that the Pegasi are no longer under your control. We are an independent pony now, and we advise you to agree"
"You advise me?" Celestia asked. "If you hadn't noticed, we are at war. The Pegasi are required for the war effort"
"Then I suggest you agree" Dash smirked. "However, it seems the Pegasi have been doing all the fighting. It's the Unicorns and Earthponies turn" she paced side to side, then stopped in front of Cadence. "Cadence... I don't remember seeing you at the fall of the Crystal Empire. In fact, I only remember seeing Pegasi fighting. Why weren't you" Dash turned to the other three. "Any of you there?"
"We have to rule"
"Don't give me that shit!" Dash shouted. "You're all too comfortable in your thrones, eating as much as you want because you think you're safe, and you know Captain Scorcher would protect you."
"How dare you?!" Twilight shouted "What happened to you?"
"War, Twilight, war happened." She glared "Now be quiet, important ponies are talking"
Twilight looked offended, and sat back, quiet
"Now" Dash said "I am not as nice as my predecessor. You tell me why Pegasi should defend Canterlot"
"Canterlot is your capital! There are countless ponies here!" Luna shouted
"I'm yet to see a single Unicorn, Earthpony or Alicorn on the front line. Will this change?"
Celestia looked outraged "You are a traitor to your princess!"
"You didn't answer my question..."
"What do you want? Why did you bother to come here?"
"Have you been listening to a single fucking word I've said you dumb whore?" Dash screamed "Pegasi are no longer your toys, either you give us independence or we'll take it!"
The four princesses stood. "How dare you!" Twilight shouted "You're crazy!"
Dash walked over to Twilight "Have you ever fought in a war? Killed something? Been tortured? Seen a friend die? Because I've experienced all those things. Every battle I've been in, only Pegasi have fought. I've worked hard to be where I am now, I'm sure you've heard the things I've done. So I'm sorry Twilight if I'm just a little pissed off, it's just that I don't enjoy watching ponies die."
Twilight stepped forwards "I saw Ponyville fall. I saw ponies die. I didn't see you there, where were you?" She looked at the ground, a tear forming in her eye.
"I was there"
TEN MONTHS AGO (Month 2 of the war)
It was a horrible day in Ponyville. Rain soaked into Dashs fur, causing her to shiver everytime a breeze rolled through the Main Street. She was only a foot solider, one of only a few that had been spared for Ponyville. As they'd flown in to defend the town she was shocked to find there were still civilians in the area. She'd looked around for her friends, and was glad to see they'd been evacuated to Canterlot, however she was surprised to see Captain Scorcher in the group of ponies that had been selected. She wanted to impress him, he was important and could promote her at the flick of a hoof.
Dash was in the front row of the few hundred Pegasi that had lined up for the defence, and was rearing to get stuck in. She fiddled with her knives as they waited for the Griffons to march into Ponyville.
The sound of wings could be heard overhead, so she looked up. She gasped as she saw the sky filled with Griffons. They landed all around the Pegasi, outnumbering them 3:1. Dash cursed her luck. As she looked around she saw too many Pegasi tucking tail and flying away, causing the Griffons to laugh, but laugh was the last thing Dash was going to do, as she saw Scorcher in the pack of fleeing ponies. She sighed, 5:1 now. She looked around her non-traitorous allies, and knew she couldn't let them die here. Although she was nothing on the ladder of command, she knew she had to do something.
She turned to them "we do not die today!" She shouted "today we make history!". This caused a roar from the remaining Pegasi. They charged, flying straight at the Griffons. Dash screamed as she flicked her knives out and rammed them into the closest Griffon. She pulled them out, then pushed them into the Griffons eyes. One down. She span with terrorfying speed with her hooves outstretched, slicing into several Griffons. She landed and looked left: dead Pegasi. She looked right: dead Pegasi. Behind her: dead Pegasi. In front: Griffons. Lots of Griffons. The blood of the dead ran thick through the mud as rain ran down Rainbows face. She wasn't going to give up. She was going to either win, or die trying to win.
Dash was surrounded, but any Griffon that stepped forward to kill her would find a knife in them. She looked around, fierce. "WHOS NEXT?" She screamed. Every other pony was dead. Even the civilians. She wouldn't let that go unpunished. She would kill them all, no matter what she had to do.
"Surrender you pony scum!" A shout from the crowd around her, lost to the wind. More followed, but Dash ignored them. She looked into the distance at Canterlot. No sign of a royal rescue. She felt a sharp pain in her side, then hit the ground, being covered in mud. She felt like she'd been stabbed, she probably had. Her face was pushed into the dirt, then into a puddle of blood. She struggled for air, but found herself drowning in blood. What a way to go.
Dash stamped at the ground infront of Twilight, she was furious. "If you were there, why didn't you help? Hundreds of Pegasi died!". Dash had had enough of the princesses. She wanted to get as far from Canterlot as she could, but she had to know why Twilight hadn't helped, if her claim was true.
"Why would I willingly throw myself into a losing battle? Why sacrifice myself for a few Pegasi?" She hated herself for saying that, she didn't have the courage to reveal she'd been cowering under her bed. Especially not in front of the princesses.
Dash took a moment to contemplate of Twilight had actually just said that, or if it was all in her head. Rage quickly filled her body as she looked up at the 'princess' sitting before her. "I'll kill you!" She screamed. In a flash Dash had Twilight by the mane and was pushing her knife into Twilights throat, but not hard enough to breakthrough the skin. Dash looked over to the other princesses, then to her Commanders.
Both Soarin and Spitfire were furiously shaking their heads, begging Dash not to push any harder. They knew how short her temper was, and the last thing they needed was a dead princess to answer for. "High Commander!" Spitfire yelled "Drop her!"
Celestia slowly nodded. "Do as Spitfire says.... If so much as a drop of blood leaves her body!"
Dash slowly smiled, then pushed a little harder on her knife, causing Twilight to wail in pain. "This is fun!" Dash shouted "We should do it again sometime!". She threw Twilight back into her throne and returned to her Commanders.
Twilight grasped at her neck, a slight cut oozed blood. "You're crazy!" She screamed
Dash laughed. "Don't worry Twilight, you won't die, it's just a little cut. I wouldn't give you the pleasure of a clean death" she snarled. Dash turned to her Commanders. "You don't think I'm crazy, do you?"
Soarin shook his head, but Spitfire laughed. "In a good way, High Commander"
Dash smiled, but looked serious when she turned to the princesses. "Celestia? Luna? Cadence? Am I crazy?"
"Is that a serious question?" Luna scoffed
Dash nodded
"Of course you're crazy, you come to Canterlot and demand independence whilst we're mid war, then attack a princess!"
Dash laughed. "If you'd have seen half the things I've seen, you'd be crazy too"
"Yeah, we know, you've told us already" Twilight sighed
Dash sighed. "Grant us our freedom and we shall fight alongside you for now, if you don't Canterlot shall fall" Dash said, turned and left.
Soarin laughed. "You have until tomorrow to give us your decision"
Dash tapped her hoof impatiently on the table in the meeting room as she waited for a reply. It had been almost a day since their visit, and Dash feared she'd come on a little too strong. She had to throw down her gauntlet and assert her dominance, but did she have to attack Twilight?
She slammed her hooves on the table, causing the Commanders to jump. "Enough!" She screamed. "What is taking them so long?" She paced up and down the table, then stopped in front of Fleetfoot. "Commander Fleetfoot, how is the armour coming along?"
She smirked. "It's done. So are the banners."
Dash raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then distribute the armour and hang the banners. From now, we are independent Pegasi" she smiled.
Fleetfoot nodded, then left.
"Leave me!" Dash demanded.
Dash stood in the meeting room alone, staring out to Canterlot. She heard the door open, then close, but didn't turn. "What is it?" She sighed.
"We found this one trying it steal from the food stores" a guard pony spoke
Dash smiled. She loved dealing with criminals. It was so fun to use her knives on scum.
"D-dashie... I'm sorry" a familiar voice whimpered.
Dash turned quickly and grabbed the pony by the mane. "Fluttershy!" She spat. "What did you just say?"
She whimpered again "I'm sorry Dashie!" She cried.
Dash smashed Fluttershys face into the table. "You know I hate that name". She let go of her mane and turned to the guard. "What did you say she did?"
"She snuck into the food store and was caught stealing food"
"It was for the animals!" Fluttershy cried, grasping her bloody mouth
"You took food for the military rations to feed animals? We'll be eating your animals soon. It'll be nice to have meat in the grass soup" she smiled at the guard. "How does that sound?" She mocked "Rabbit stew!"
"Please Rainbow!" Fluttershy screamed
"Its fucking HIGH COMMANDER DASH!" She shouted, kicking out at Fluttershys rear knee, breaking it. She smiled to herself "IDEA! Why don't we go and visit a friend! It'll be just like old times! HIGH COMMANDER Dash and your pathetic self!". Dash turned to the guard. "Prepare her, and four guards. We're going to Canterlot!"
Dash strutted into the throne room, followed by four guards carrying Fluttershy. "Twilight! You're looking well. How long has it been?" Dash joked.
Twilight sighed and facehoofed "what is this?"
Dash smiled. "Well, you see, you princesses don't seem to understand how serious I was yesterday. So I brought a little demonstration!" She flicked her hoof.
The guards walked forward and threw Fluttershy at Dashs hooves. Twilight gasped at the state Fluttershy was in.
Dashs smile got wider when she saw the look on the princesses faces. "Us Pegasi don't take too kindly to criminals" she spat "and we certainly don't like being ignored or denied what we want." Dash pressed both her knives into the base of Fluttershys right wing
"Dash.... What do you want?"
"To do this!" She pushed on both knives, cutting Fluttershys wing off. Dash laughed maniacally at Fluttershys screams, then smiled at the princesses
Twilight stared in horror. "What have you done?" She screamed
"Your job, it seems. She committed a crime, and this is the punishment. She's lucky it's not her hooves"
"She's a Pegasi! She needs her wings!"
Dash laughed again. "She's no Pegasi, she can barely fly" Dash cut her other wing off. "And now she can't"
Twilight stood from her seat and took a step towards Dash
Dash pressed her knives either side of Fluttershys neck. "Sit down Twilight, I'd hate to make a mess on such a lovely carpet"
Twilight stayed standing. "I'm going to kill you, then I'll kill all your Commanders. You're sick"
Dash couldn't control her laughter, she leaned on Fluttershy for support, but her legs gave way causing them both to hit the ground. Dash pulled herself up, then looked down at Fluttershy. "And how do you plan on doing that? Pegasi are the best fighters in Equestria and you've never wielded a weapon!"
Twilight smiled, then tapped her horn. "This"
Dash laughed again, then pushed Fluttershy to Twilight. "Have her, we have no use for her anymore."
"Is this how you treat your friends?"
"That's how I treat criminals and traitors. speaking of friends, where are the rest of them?"
Twilight scoffed. "Her animals were hungry so she tried to help them!"
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Where's the rest of you?"
"Do you mean Rarity, AJ and Pinkie? Because I'm not going to tell you"
Dash turned and walked out, laughing all the way.
Dash knocked on Shining Armours door, then walked in and sat down
"Commander Dash, what do I owe this honour?" He smiled.
"It's High Commander now"
"That isn't a rank in the military, Dash"
"I didn't like Captain"
"You're in control now? Congratulations!"
'How had this idiot not heard anything?' Dash thought. She smiled. "And now I outrank you, so I must make a request"
"So you do" he snarled, obviously unpleased.
"Is there a problem? Are you not getting enough action from behind your desk?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I haven't seen you at a single battle"
"I have to lead from the back!"
"You give me the same bullshit as your bitch sister and cunt wife" she spat
"How dare you!" He stood and drew his sword
Dash leaned back in her chair and laughed. "We both know I'll win this fight. Are you prepared to die, Shining?"
"I'm twice your size"
"And I'm four times faster than you. By the time you've thought about it, I'll have a knife in your throat"
Shining growled, but sat down. "What do you want?"
"Every Pegasi in the Royal Guard will join the Pegasi army. Princesses orders. She said I'm a better tactician"
"Fuck you! She wouldn't say that!"
Dash was up in a flash, holding a knife against Shinings throat and crotch. "I hope your whore wife doesn't want children..."
"You wouldn't, you fucking bird brain"
"That's no way to speak to your superior! Beg me not to..."
"Intolerable cunt!"
Dash pushed down on her knife as hard as she could, cutting off Shinings cock and balls. "Whoops..."
Shining screamed in pain, writhing around as much as Dash would let him.
Dash returned to her chair. "Now, I'm gunna need you to sign this..." She pushed a parchment over, which required Shinings signature to enable Dash to take control of the Pegasi in the Royal Guard.
"BITCH!" He screamed
Dash leaned back again and smiled. "What else can I cut off? I'd hate to kill you, it'd be too easy... What about your fighting hoof?"
"Stay away from me!"
Dash slammed Shinings head into the table, then pushed her knife into his right hoof. "Sign it"
"Stop! Please!"
She pushed her knife further in. "SIGN IT"
"Ok! Ok, please, stop!"
Dash pulled the knife out of Shinings hoof, then slid the parchment over, which Shining signed. "Thanks" she smiled, then brought her knife down into Shinings right hoof, cutting it off.
Dash smiled as she walked out clutching the parchment, hearing Shinings screams. Boy she loved her knives. She stopped and looked over her shoulder "Give Twilight my regards" she smiled, then flew off.
Dash marched through the centre of Canterlot, fresh blood still on her hooves. Ponies stared at her as she walked, whispering about her. She stopped next to a couple enjoying a drink and large meal. "Have you had food shortages?" She demanded
The couple looked scared, but shook their heads. "No, why? Is something going on?"
Dash raised an eyebrow. "You do know we're at war, right?"
"Yes, but I heard that the Unicorns were doing all the fighting, and winning. You're too busy in Canterlot to fight, I take it?"
"The fuck you just say you cunt?" She shouted. "I've done ALL the fighting! I haven't seen a single fucking Unicorn or Earthpony on the front line! Do you know who I am?"
The couple looked frightened " n-no, who are you?"
"High fucking Commander Dash. Heard of me?"
The couple gasped. "Aren't you the Pegasus that went crazy and attacked the princess?"
Dahs smashed her hooves onto the table. "Is that all you idiots know? What your bitch princess tells you?" A crowd had gathered, ponies glaring and gasping with every word Dash spoke.
"Traitor!" Somepony shouted.
Dash looked around. She flicked her hooves, revealing her knives. "Who's first?" She shouted
Ponies scattered in all directions, fleeing as quickly as possible. All but one pony.
"Word is you've gone crazy. Twilight said that she was going to cut you up. What the hell have you done?"
"I've won!" Dash laughed "Don't you see? The Pegasi are free again! And I'm in control..." An evil smile spread slowly across her face. She looked around, the once bustling square was now as quiet as a graveyard.
AJ shook her head "You are crazy! What happened to you?"
"Oh, you know, WAR!" She started nervously playing with her knives, eyes darting across the square. "You're not alone..." Dash whispered.
"What?"
"They're here" Rainbow smiled "I hope you've got your Griffon killing hat on"
"Dash... You're kinda scaring me..." She stepped closer to Dash
Dash gestured to her guards. "It's time" she nodded. The guards flew quickly away. "AJ, do everything I say, hmm?"
"Why? What's happening?"
Dash sighed, grabbed AJ, then flew towards the Royal Palace. She threw the doors to the throne room open, getting all too familiar with the door handles. "GRIFFON TIME!" She yelled, a little too happily
Twilight glared at her "You cut Shinings hoof off!"
"Um, yeah, I did, but that's not our biggest problem right now." She turned to Celestia. "For one, we are allys. I have sent for the entire Pegasi army, and I shall be in command. If you listen to everything I say, we may just survive this yet."
Celestia nodded.
The door opened, and the ten Pegasi Commanders flew in. "We came as quickly as possible High Commander"
Dash nodded. "Good. Soarin, Fleetfoot, Thunderlane. You three take the west, Spitfire and I the east, and the rest of you the south." She turned to Celestia. "You take whatever you have and defend the north."
"Will your forces not need support?" Celestia asked.
Dash thought for a moment. "Whatever you can spare. Canterlot CANNOT fall, you hear me?" She shouted to her Commanders. "These are the bastards that destroyed Cloudsdale, now go fuck 'em up!"
A loud roar came from the Commanders as they flew quickly from the room to rally their troops.
Dash turned to the princesses. "Try not to die. And remember, have fun!" She smiled as she watched them leave, then turned to Spitfire. "Time to get some new scars!" She laughed.
"Uh, Rainbow, what should I do?" AJ asked. Dash had forgotten about her.
"Get as many Unicorns and Earthponies as you can and get them to fight. We'll need all the help we can get."
AJ nodded then ran out.
"Spitfire! Remember, Pegasi First."
She nodded "Pegasi First"
Dash landed on the roof of the palace and smiled. She looked around, and saw Ponies and Griffons falling alike. She looked up and saw Luna take down three Griffons with one blast of her horn. Dash flew up and hovered next to her. "You're quite the shot"
"And you don't have a scratch on your armour..."
"I don't get hit much" she span, caught a Griffon in her rear hovers and rammed her knives into the side of its head, then dropped it to the ground. "I don't give them the chance"
Luna nodded, then blasted another Griffon.
"You know, Luna, it's pretty unfair that you have magic"
"What do you mean?"
"I think we need to level the playing field..." Dash lodged her knife into the top of Luna's head, then pushed up, causing Luna's skull to crack.
Luna fell, dead, from the air. "One down, three to go..."
Griffon after Griffon fell, Dash was on top form today, and so was her army. After several hours of fighting and many dead, the Griffons finally retreated. Dash landed, then waited for her Commanders. "Take the army back to base, treat yourselves. You did well."
The Commanders nodded, then took flight away.
Dash watched them go, then turned. She walked to the throne room, the three princesses sitting inside. "Where's Luna?"
Celestias face dropped "You don't know?"
Dash shook her head. "Nope"
Tears filled Celestias eyes as the two other princesses comforted her.
Dash coughed loudly, wanting attention.
Twilight walked over. "It's best you leave. Whilst you've still got your life"
"That's not what I'm here for. I wanted to know how many Griffons each of you killed."
"Nows not a good time" Twilight hissed.
Dash turned to leave, but Shining blocked the way. "I know what you did" he growled
"What would that be?"
"You killed Luna!"
"Smart boy... But we can't have you telling now, can we?" She drive her knife deep into his heart, kicked him aside then left. "The Griffons will be back!" She shouted.
Dash couldn't stand waiting. She had no patience left for anypony. They had called her to Canterlot, and they had the audacity to be late... She couldn't take it....
Dash kicked the door in and flew in at walking speed, Twilight and Cadence were in the throne room, but there was no sign of Celestia. No pony had seen her since Luna had died.
"What is it this time? Do I need to save the city again?" Dash demanded. "Oh, yeah, it's such a shame to hear about Shining. Great guy."
Cadence sighed. "We need your help... Celestia hasn't shown her face for a month, and neither of us have any war-time ruling experience." She hated to have to ask Dash for help
Dash smiled. "Why? Why should I help you?"
Twilight looked shocked. "I thought you would want this?!"
"Oh Twilight, so quick to judge. I'm quite enjoying things at the moment."
"What could be enjoyable about your life? You live in a cliff..."
Dash smiled. "I'm also head of the strongest army in Equestria. What will happen should Celestia recover?"
"She will take back her old position, and you will return to whatever you're currently doing. What are you doing?"
"Scheming" she said, deadly serious. "Oh... How's Fluttershy?" She smiled
"How do you think? You cut her wings off!" Twilight stood, and approached Dash
"Watch yourself, or I'll kill you too" Dash smirked
"What does that mean? Who else have you killed?"
"Hmmm.... Many a pony"
Dash turned and started to walk out. "I shall contemplate your offer..."
Twilight ran after her, then walked alongside Dash. "Can I see it?"
Dash sighed. "What?..."
"Pegasi Rock"
"You wouldn't like it... It's not very... Princessy"
"I don't care. I want to see it."
"Yeah? And I want to kill you. Doesn't mean I'm going to"
Twilight looked offended. "I thought we were friends!"
Dash scoffed "I have no friends... Only comrades."
"Please show me?"
Dash let a smile creep across her face. "Very well... But I'm warning you, don't say or do anything unless I tell you to, and stay close."
Dash sat at the table in her quarters, Twilight opposite her. "What do you think?"
"It's cold... And where are the Royal Banners? All I see are these black flags..."
"I welcome you, an Alicorn, into my lair and you offend me?"
"What's wrong with being an Alicorn?"
"You're not a Pegasus" she spat. "You're lucky you haven't been killed yet." Dash waved at a guard. "Bring me Commander Spitfire"
The guard ran off, then returned with Spitfire
"Sit" Dash pointed to a chair next to Twilight
"Next to her?"
Dash nodded. "Spitfire, I'm sure you know Twilight."
"Unfortunately"
"Hey! What's wrong with me?" Twilight demanded
"You're not a Pegasus" Spitfire spat, making Rainbow laugh
"Now, now Spitfire, she's our guest"
"Doesn't make her less of a cunt!" Dash and Spitfire laughed
"I'm leaving!" Twilight shouted, then headed for the door
"Oh, Twilight!"
"What?"
"I'll take charge starting tomorrow"
Things couldn't have gone better, Dash was now head of all of Equestria, and had the strongest army to help defend it. All she had to do was crude the Griffons...
Dash sung happily to herself as she bounced down the corridor towards the throne room. "Pegasi, Pegasi, Above all, Above all in. Equestria!" She sang as she threw open the door and danced to her new throne. Twilight and Cadence glared at her as she reclined in the new chair. Her throne was made with iron, and was shaped similarly to a pair of wings, and looked horribly out of place.
Dash laid across her throne and looked at the princesses. "Power is fun! I see why you two have been sitting here for the whole war!"
Twilight sighed and returned to her book.
A Pegasi and a Unicorn walked in and stood before Dash. She lazily looked down at them. "Pegasi do not kneel, but unicorns..."
The unicorn knelt before her
"What do you want?"
"We... Um... Came to see the princesses..."
"Are you blind? They're right here"
"...alone..."
Dash sat up in her throne, then looked to the Pegasi. "Kill him and I'll let you leave with your life" she smiled
"What?" The Pegasi shouted.
Dash shrugged. "Kill them both"
Her guard swiftly and cleanly decapitated both ponies, then dragged their bodies away.
Twilight gawked at her " WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?"
" Shut up or I'll kill you next"
"What do you mean, kill me next?"
Dash lolled her head to the side, then smiled at her
"W-what are you saying?"
Dash stared
"D-did you kill... Luna?"
Dash smiled. "No! Of course not.."
Twilight glared at Dash. "Yes... You did!"
Dash sighed. "If I asked you to kill Cadence, would you?"
"No!" Twilight screamed
"What if I told you it was either Cadence or millions of ponies that died?"
" well... I... It's hard!"
"Yeah. Welcome to my life. Now shut up or I'll have to save millions more ponies lives"
Dash was bored. She couldn't stand just sitting here, day after day, talking to everypony that had a question for her. Her form of ruling was with an iron hoof and discipline, not this 'freedom of speech' crap. Twilight and Cadence were on their thrones, going about there business.
Dash sat with her head in her hooves as an earthpony explained to her why he should be given a large sum of bits for some crap project to defend Canterlot. "Fuck this! I'm bored!" Dash shouted.
Twilight sighed "Dash, you have to listen to what he says, then make a decision in the topic..."
"HIGH COMMANDER DASH! Fucking learn it!"
Twilight sighed again. "Sorry, High Commander."
Dash grinned. "I don't have to do anything"
"It's your responsibility!"
"It's Celestias responsibility, but she's busy showing us now incapable she is as a leader"
"Don't you da-"
"Do what? I'm in charge here. You're lucky you're alive, you little shit"
"I'm taller than you!"
"And I could still rip your head from your body if I wanted to" Dash stood, then walked out. She walked directly to Celestias quarters. She hadn't left since she had found out that Luna had died, nopony had seen her. Dash opened the door, then slammed it behind her. Celestia was lying on her bed, in the dark.
"Pathetic" Dash sighed. "Get up!"
Celestia slowly looked up, then collapsed back on the bed. "What do you want, Dash?"
"HIGH FUCKING COMMANDER DASH!" She screamed, then composed herself. "I'm here to help you, just like I did with Luna"
"How did you help Luna?"
"Well, before she died, she had some issues she needed help with. I can help you see her"
"H-how? I'll do anything!"
Dash smiled "Just like this" she drove her knife deep into Celestias stomach, then dragged it up to her neck. She then repeatedly jabbed into her with her knives, leaving a bloody wreck where Celestia had once been.
Dash laughed as she walked out, then shut the door behind her. She strutted back to the throne room, then sat down.
"Where have you been...? Whys there blood on you?"
"You're familiar with supernovas, I take it?"
Twilight nodded.
"Well then, let's just say I caused a supernova"
Twilights face dropped "you... Surely not?"
Dash reclined in her throne
"You didn't... Kill... No!" Twilight ran from the room, in a state of blind panic.
"Two down, two to go" Dash laughed
"What did you say?" Cadence asked
Dash had forgotten about her. "Are you missing Shining Armour?"
"O-of course" Cadence choked
Dash smiled "it was such a shame he had to die..."
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, you don't know? I killed him."
"You brute! Why?"
"He was the only one clever enough to figure out that I killed Luna" she shrugged
Cadence stood and stepped towards Dash
"Sit down, I don't want to have to kill another princess today"
"YOU'RE CRAZY!" She launched herself at Dash.
Dash laughed as she easily sidestepped the lunge and clamped her hoof around Cadences muzzle. "Too easy" She gently pushed her knife into the base of her horn.
"Please! Don't!" Cadence screamed
Dash pushed down, causing a horrifying crunch as Cadences horn shattered, but kept her alive.
Cadence screamed out in pain, tears flowing down her face
Dash let her go
Cadence collapsed to the floor, trying to crawl away
"Have you earns your wings?" Dash questioned as she rested her blades at the base of Cadences wings
"Please!" She screamed
"No then..." Dash easily sliced through the muscle of her wings, cutting them off. "This is fun! I wish I'd done this to Celestia..."
Cadence screamed out and feebly tried to crawl away.
Dash slowly pushed her knife into Cadences throat, then pulled it quickly out, not killing her, but causing her to choke on her own blood.
"NO!" Twilight screamed as she ran into the throne room, flanked by several guards.
Cadence coughed up blood and grasped at her throat as Dash turned to face Twilight. "Three down, one to go..." She glared at Twilight
"Seize her!" Twilight screamed at the guards.
The guards didn't move.
Dash laughed. "I didn't think you'd be this stupid... Look at the guards..."
Twilight slowly turned, then her heart stopped with terror. All of the guards were Pegasi.
Dash let out a long, evil smile as Twilight began to shudder. How foolish it had been of her to be caught in such a simple trap.
"D-Dash... H-high Commander Dash" she gulped. She was going to have to stroke the Pegasi's ego if she had any chance left "Please... Try to remember before the war..."
Dash looked over the mutilated alicorn at her feet and over to the alicorn that she once called friend "Why? We're no longer in those times. This is war, Twilight, and I'm trying to do my best for your people"
The guards stepped closer and forced Twi to her knees as Dash approached, fresh blood still on her knives.
Twi was in tears, squeezing her eyes closed and preparing herself. Something had definitely changed her friend, definitely for the worst "l-let me help you... J-join you! Please... High Commander" she felt like a sell out, but she didn't want to die.
Dash fiddled with her knives "leave us" she nodded to the guards, who all left and closed the door. They weren't there for Dash's safety, they all knew she could take care of herself. "Listen carefully. I don't like you. And it is on you to make sure I'm happy, because if I'm not I may very well kill you"
Twi couldn't believe she was getting a second chance. As much as she now hated the Pegasus, she was the Princess of Friendship and had had to deal with similar occasions in the past, but at that time she had Dash by her side.
"However"
Twi's heart sank
"You don't deserve those wings" she grinned down at the princess, her weak sobbing only giving Dash more of a power high as she planted the knives into the base of Twilights wings "this'll only hurt for a few hours" she laughed, pushing down and taking her wings.
Twi screamed out, tears streaming down her face, but much to her surprise Dash took the correct medical procedure to clean the stumps and bandage them.
"Now. Now that you are in your rightful place, back as a unicorn, it doesn't mean I like you, but just don't hate you as much. And no more high and mighty princess in a castle bullshit. You're a unicorn like every other posh twat in this city of cunts" she growled
"Y-yes High Commander" Twi sniffled. At least she had her life...
Dash looked up as a guard re-entered, looking slightly nervous "High Commander" he saluted "there's a mob at the gates... They're not happy"
She sighed "this ruling is stressful..." She groaned and began her journey to the front gates, pulling on her intimidating red and black helmet and opening the doors.
Outside there must have been at least 50,000 unicorns and earth ponies all shouting and pushing at the guards as Dash sauntered out onto the raised steps of the castle and looked down upon the crowds. She turned to Commander Spitfire "tell me... What is it they want?"
She shrugged "I don't know. All I do know is none of them like you, or us really. They say it's a worse occupation than the Griffons"
Dash seethed. How dare they? If only they knew what Griffons would do to them. She had first had experience of that. As she was contemplating her response, a rock came flying out of nowhere, straight at her head. Both Dash and Spitfires lightning reactions meant neither were hit, Dash catching the projectile.
"PEGASI SCUM!"
Dash frowned. "How rude. Bring her to me" she walked to the lower steps, in full view of the furious crowd. She silenced it with the raise of a hoof and looked over them as a purple mare was brought infront of her and forced to her knees by Spitfire.
Dash looked down at her "big day for you. How proud you must be" she hissed, flicking out a hoof dagger and glaring at the Rock hurler.
"Fuck you" she spat in Dash's face
She grinned and retracted her knife. The earth mare had balls, she'd give her that. What she wouldn't give her, however, was her life. "Spitfire?!"
"Yes High Commander?"
"String her up at the gates of the castle with piano wire to show how traitors are dealt with. And make it slow" she grinned and patted the mares cheek roughly "I'll put my money on it taking you 4 hours to die"
Dash turned to address the crowd as the mare was bundled away
"How many of you have fought in this war?"
Silence
"And how many of you have seen food shortages?"
A few murmurs, but nothing big. The murmours were about having to live without some fancy cheese, or a special type of Apple.
"And how many" she was getting angrier by the word "have been captured and tortured?"
Silence echoed around the square, eerie as 50,000 ponies stood in silence
She nodded "exactly" she paced back and forth "now. You may not like me all that much, and I'm sure many despise me for the death of three princesses" she grinned to herself, loving the power. "But I really couldn't give a fuck. Because I'm the only one trying to keep you snivelling cunts alive, and not as Griffon slaves!"
"Don't take all the credit" Spitfore grinned, standing next to Dash
She grinned "shut up, you're ruining it"
"Is this a joke to you?!" Came a call from the crowd
Dash slowly headed down the steps, the masses parting as she walked at a constant lace towards the voice, no one daring to get in her way until she arrived at the culprit "do I look like I'm enjoying this?"
He shuddered violently "n-n-no... No ma'am" he gulped
She stepped closer, until their muzzles were almost touching, the crowd mere centimetres from Dash "kiss my hooves"
He looked at her for a moment, seeing she was deadly serious and slowly lowered himself to her hooves, planting a kiss on them
"Is that all you've got? Kiss em like you would your stallionfriend" she grins, the pony below her burning with humiliation
He presses his mouth to her hooves and gave them a long, sloppy kiss
She laughed and stamped on the top of his head, forcing his jaw into the tiled floor "next time you speak to me, I'll take your tongue"
She walked calmly back to the stairs "I am your ruler now, and the pegasi are your betters. Obey them or face my wrath. And after I've won us the war? Maybe I'll let you earth and unicorns work out between you how you want to rule your own piles of rock and dirt, for the Pegasi will only return to land for their own personal benefit"
Dash walked back inside, daydreaming of a cloud utopia for pegasi to live in after this was all over.
Dash woke with a jolt and cried out, swinging her hooves wildly. That nightmare again... She looked over to the guard as he came rushing in. It wasn't that she needed a guard, but there had been unrest from every side, all at her.
She rubbed her head softly and tried to push the all too real nightmare out of her mind as she glanced at the clock. 2AM. She sighed and nodded to the guard as she left her new room in the castle, leaving her armour and weapons behind and taking a slow walk towards the throne room, down the eerily empty and silent corridors of the near abandoned castle. It was unlikely the castle would be busy at this time anyway, even before the war, but since Dash had taken over any able bodied mare and stallion had been sent away to help the war effort, the last thing she needed was servants and cleaning staff, all she wanted was an effective army.
As she entered the large, open hall she saw a familiar face still inside, reading a book and shivering softly.
"You are still allowed into your quarters, Twilight" Dash yawned, startling her old friend and making her look up from the book.
"I-I know... It's just... I prefer it in here..."
The throne room was the same as it had been before the siege on Canterlot, Dash had decided to keep it that way. She could have easily sent the thrones away to be melted down and had the room redone, but the history of it all had made her mind up. She was far from sentimental, but she hoped after the war was over there'd be a museum in her honour, and this room could be the heart of it. Perhaps her old ego was still deep down somewhere.
Twi's stumps where her wings once were had healed quickly after a Dash had allowed magic to be used, but it was obvious the Princess still hurt from her de-winging. She decided that now was a good time to question her 'friend', as the pegasus had no-one to have to show off to. "What happened to you?"
Dash sighed. The amount of times someone had asked her that, or screamed it at her, or used it as some form of shaming... "I presume you're asking why I am no longer the mare I was before the war? Before I joined the army and such?" She took her place on her throne and yawned, but was far from going back to sleep.
"I suppose" There was a hint of venom in Twilight's voice, but it didn't trouble Dash, after all Twi had the right to be annoyed and angry at her.
"I've been asked this a lot... and well... I don't really know. I have my theories, but I can't be certain" She subconsciously rubbed a long burn mark at the base of one of her wings, wincing slightly.
"Where did you get that?" She said, rather bluntly, pointing at the scar.
Dash instantly moved her hoof away, on her hooves lightening quick with a hoof raised at Twi "Don't!" she shouted, before slowly lowering her hoof from the cowering Unicorn and retaking her place "...Sorry..."
Saying that made Dash feel strange. It had been a while since she'd uttered those words.
Twi sensed the sincerity in Dash's voice but decided to change the subject. She'd dig that hole later. "Do you ever think about us, your friends? All of us?"
That was another hard question. She was a leader, and had to be. She couldn't show weakness at all. "Sometimes. But I am busy a lot... I'm not evil Twi, I'm doing all of this for you, and them, and everyone" She gulped.
"I didn't say you were evil... But you are a savage, a brute. I can't forgive you for what you did to the Princesses, and all those innocent ponies out there"
Over the last week the number of ponies hanging from the gate had increased. It wasn't Dashes fault, they were the ones not getting the message...
"You're turning everyone against you Dash, the Griffons want you dead, Ponies want you dead..."
Dash already knew that. Thats why there was more security at her speeches, around her at all times. "Well, perhaps you can help me?" She smiled sweetly, reminiscent of the old days.
"As much as I believe in the power of friendship, thats not going to happen. You're hardly the element of loyalty anymore"
"Hmm. You know, I've always wondered about you. You act as if you're completely against me and despise all of my actions, yet you have never confronted me, or stopped me. Not once have you used that powerful horn of yours"
Twi gulped. They both knew Twi's magic could overpower Dash, but only one of them knew why she hadn't.
"Perhaps you realise the other three, and perhaps yourself weren't fit to rule at these times. Or maybe you're just sentimental"
"I don't like you Dash. Not anymore. But I cannot stop loving you. The pony you were before is in that hard shell somewhere, and I'd give anything to have her back. But you are not her." For one of the first times in her life she didn't understand something, the mare infront of her had killed three of her best friends, but she still loved her.
"And I won't be her whilst ponies are in danger. You may hate me, Twi, but I'm a much prettier sight than those Griffons, trust me, I know, you don't want to be anywhere near them" Her hoof went back to her burn scar. "When this is over, maybe I can go back... and face them" She was almost certain she wouldn't survive this war, she'd either die fighting the war, or be killed after she'd won it. The things she'd done she didn't want to live much longer and certainly couldn't face Fluttershy.
Twi watched her rub the scar. She so badly wanted to know what it was, but she was slowly breaking down Dash's tough outer shell and didn't want her to rebuild it by asking too many questions, especially after her last response. "Have you tried peace? Maybe they'll be happy that you've killed the Princesses and will leave us alone"
Dash chuckled "Nah... They're not gunna let me get away" She looked at Twi's expression of confusion "Ask a Pegasi. Preferably Spitfire" she smiles and relaxes "Thanks, though. This was a nice little conversation. If you need any new books, just let your guard know" She smiles at her "G'night Twi"
Twilight was curious. She couldn't get Dash's burn scar off of her mind as she walked through the corridor of the castle, flanked by two guards. They weren't there for her protection, she suspected. Their black and red plate armour was very hostile, an unwelcome change from the white and gold of Celestia. She just about plucked up the courage to talk to one "Um... Can I talk to Spitfire?"
He looked at her with cold eyes "Hah... And why should I let you, unicorn?"
She sighed. The lack of respect for her was extraordinary "Excuse me? How dare-"
The guard punched her hard in the ribs, winding her and sending her to the ground "Shut up. You're lucky High Commander Dash hasn't killed you too. Perhaps she's going soft"
The other guard gave him a long look "Don't. She's just a mare, and thats your commander you're talking about"
He rolled his eyes and looked down at the crumpled up mare "Sure. Whatever. I'm stuck here, watching her, when I want to be killing Griffons. Dash is stalling when she should be attacking those birds..."
He looked around, obviously nervous "Shut up!" he hissed "Someone might hear you!"
"So? Let them hear me. Its true"
As he said this, Spitfire and Soarin came round the corner, deep in conversation and stopped infront of them "Hear what?" Spitfire frowned, only glancing down at Twilight before looking between the guards. She had her body armour on, but her helmet was not to be seen.
"The Princess here thinks she's all important" One chuckled
"H-he was offending the High Commander!" She stuttered "All I wanted was to talk to you and he hit me..."
Spitfire looked between them "Is this true?"
"N-no Ma'am!" He shudders "Never"
"He's lying" grinned the other guard "The Princess is telling the truth"
Spitfire nodded and sighed "Sorry Commander Soarin, please deal with this" Despite them being the same rank, everyone recognised Spitfire as Dash's second in command and chief adviser, so he escorted the guard away.
The remaining guard gently helped Twi back to her hooves and gave her a warm smile "well, now is as good a time as you'll get" he nodded to Spitfire
"T-thank you... Commander Spitfire" She slowly bowed her head a little "Please may I have a word...?"
She nodded "I have a few minutes. Take her to my office" She flew off quickly.
"I-I didnt know she had an office..." Twi follows the guard closely "Thanks... by the way"
"I'm sorry for what he did to you. I know you're a close friend of High Commander Dash, but I still recognise what you've done for this country, and I hope you understand that that's what we're doing here..."
She nodded, keeping pace "Perhaps you're not all bad" She joked "Can I ask you a question?"
He chuckled "You may"
"What is that scar under Dash's wing from? She hit me when I asked her"
"Oh. Perhaps she doesn't want you to know then... And I don't really think I should tell you if she doesn't"
She sighs "Please? She won't find out it was you"
"After Ponyville... When Dash was just a recruit... She was captured as the sole survivor. Thats all I can tell you"
She nodded as he held Spitfires door for her "O-ok... Thank you" She walked in and the door closed behind her, leaving her in the office alone.
Twilight impatiently tapped her hooves together, looking around the office from her place in the chair opposite Spitfires desk. It had been an hour since the guard had let her into the office, with no sign of the Commander.
Spitfires office was somewhat small, a circular room in one of the towers just a floor below the pinnacle of one of the pulpits of Canterlot Castle, presumably the top floor was the Commanders bedroom. The office was simple, with a desk towards the back and facing a window, two plain chairs and a large Pegasi flag draped along one wall. Even if Spitfire had been given the time to decorate her new office, she either hadn't taken it, hadn't the resources, or even the care to do it up a bit.
The unicorn was becoming more and more impatient. She was still a Princess after all, and it was extremely rude to keep her waiting. With every passing minute it began to dawn on her how little respect they had for her as a Princess, and the hatred they obviously had for her. The guards hit from earlier still hurting Twilight.
Eventually, after another 20 minutes of waiting Spitfire opened the door and walked in, getting to her desk before noticing the Princess, surprised at her presence. Slowly it dawned on her that she had previously agreed to see with the violet mare.
"Twilight..." she ran her tongue over her teeth "What a pleasure"
Twilight ignored the pure sarcasm in her voice and decided to try and be civil. She'd worked hard with Dash to try and gain some insight on her past and wasn't about to throw it all away by offending her closest friend and ally. "Commander Spitfire... I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions... About the High Commander" She said carefully, watching her face for any reaction.
Spitfire made no effort to mask the lack of care or interest in her voice as she took her seat on the other side of the desk "Oh... Is this for your Filly Press?"
Twi ignored the dig at her and decided to continue. She honestly didn't know why she was so hated by Spitfire, but she presumed it was the lack of wings. "So. The scar on Dash's wing? Whats that from?"
Spitfire looked up and leaned back, frowning "You don't know what happened?" She looked at her hoof "Maybe she doesn't want you to know"
"Please!" Twi almost shouted, sitting slowly back down "Please tell me? I want to help her"
"Help her? You? Dash is beyond your help. Anyones help. You think you'll go back to your happy little lives after this? I'll go back to performing for crowds? You're wrong. If we win, and thats a big IF, Dash will either be killed by you, the citizens of equestria or even a Pegasi, you'll never rule, and I'll retire and live the rest of my days on a little cloud somewhere. This whole shitstorm will take at least three generations to forget and move on, even then there'll be tensions between us and the Griffons." She stated, every word true. "But the scar? She got that just three months after joining. She's the only survivor of the fall of Ponyville"
Twi nodded slowly, processing every word. "But Ponyville fell? We lost. She wouldn't have run away"
"Exactly. The Griffons took her as a plaything, seeing the young girl she was must have made them want her even more" She shrugged "Rumour has it she killed at least 25 Griffons before they stopped her. And, if ya ask me? I'd wanna get revenge on someone that had taken out 25 of my comrades, and I'd make it last." She hissed
Twilight gulped. It was all making sense, falling into place. Dash had been an innocent mare until she'd joined. But the biggest turning point was the events of Ponyville. "T-Thanks Spitfire" She got up and headed to the door.
Dash coughed up the blood from the puddle her head had been forced into. Her hooves went to her chest to rub her sore body, rolling onto her back and opening her eyes. Dash was still just a recruit, and it wasn't going too well up to now.
As her eyes opened, the sight of the grey sky was blocked by a ring of 5 griffons, all grinning down at her. Dash knew she was screwed, there was no way in this state she could stand, let alone take on these five. Grumbling to herself, she let go of the grip on her sword to show her defeat.
The griffons only chuckled, one sending a vicious kick straight into the mares ribcage, winding her. She gritted her teeth, rolling onto her side and curling up, before being pulled along the dirt road, littered with corpses and running red with blood mixed in with the heavy rain by her hind hooves. She squirmed, trying to escape their grip but only received a blow to the back of her head, knocking her out.
Dash woke with a throbbing in her head. Her vision was blurry and her muscles sore. She blinked and tried to move her hooves. Nothing. Her heart skipped a beat, beginning to get panicked and turning her head to look around wherever she may be.
It took a few minutes of effort, but ventrally she regained sight, if not a little blurry and took a slow look around the 'room'.
The walls were a dark brick, the whole room lit by a lone lamp dangling from the ceiling, illuminating her body. Her body, battered as it was, was secured to a long a rigid metal sheet propped upright, tight metal cuffs on all four hooves and around her neck, with her wings stretched painfully out behind her though two slits in the metal board. She tried to call out, but her jaw was stretched painfully and silenced by a large rubber bit between her teeth.
This only made the young mare panic more, trying her best to break free but not getting even an inch of give. She was left in solitude for what felt like hours until the noise of a door opening and closing behind her made her freeze.
The sounds of claws on stone came closer and closer until a solitude griffon pushing a gleaming metal table covered in horrific looking instruments stepped around her, leaving the table by Dash's side and admiring her newest patient. She stood in silence for a few moments, a grin slowly growing across the griffons face before pulling on a blood splattered apron "Lets begin, shall we?"
Dash squirmed and shook tried to look away, protesting into the bit but only making out a few muffled words. She was terrified. She'd been told of the risks of joining up but had waved away the thought of it ever happening to her. She was Rainbow Dash after all.
Her captor took a long look over her instruments, eventually picking a small scalpel and pressing the cold metal to Dash's outer thigh, her breath warm on Dash's chest. "Now... What secrets do you know, hmm...? I did ask for someone important but all those buffoons could bring me was a little recruit..."
Dash looked down at the griffon and bit down on the bit. Her captor sounded intelligent, if not crazy. Something inside her made her feel she wasn't truly here for answers, but for the griffons personal enjoyment and scientific purposes.
She pressed the scalpel into her thigh, slowly dragging it through the mares flesh and down to the top of her calf, eliciting a muffled scream from her prisoner. The griffons grin was wider than ever as she watched the blood ooze out of the mare wound, pressing her claw to it "Oh, I do hope this isn't too much for you... This is only the beginning, I can't wait to start on those wings"
Dash squirmed weakly and aimlessly, sobbing to herself as the griffon toyed with her. The thought of her wings getting the same treatment as her thigh gave her a new reason to escape this hell. The griffons were notorious for amputating their prisoners wings, this war had no laws or compassion.
Her captor removed her grip of Dash's thigh and disappeared behind the mare, idol for a few second before beginning to viciously rip feathers from Dash's vulnerable wings with force, resulting in loud crys and Dash attempting to flap and get away.
"You know what a good prisoner needs?" She asks, walking infront of Dash and fiddling with her tools "Although you, sadly, won't be with us much longer, you need something more permanent than a scar, you need a burn" she chuckles, flicking a switch on a machine that begins to heat up and glow.
Dash strained against the cuffs, though the leg with the fresh wound had little strength, the other three pulled hard but to no avail.
She sighed and reached up, pulling away the bit "It's a shame to waste oxygen. We're just doing our part to reduce the consumers" she chuckled, checking the machine.
"L-let me go..." Dash whimpered, straining still "Like you said, I'm just a recruit" she begged.
"Well, yes. You're right. But recruits keep me in good practice for the interesting prisoners" She chuckles "And, well... You are pony scum"
Dash growled. Despite her position she was still a proud mare. "Untie me and we'll see who's the toughest"
The griffon frowned at her for a moment, before laughing "I don't have to show how tough I am, because of the cuffs" She shakes her head "Dumb pegasus... This is probably why you're walked all over by the other ponies. You're weak and egotistical, and your only real need is for the weather, which could realistically be done by unicorns anyway" She laughs.
Dash gritted her teeth "Now listen here..."
She rolled her eyes and pressed the red hot metal rod against the base of Dash's wing, turning her aggression into blood curdling screams. "You see, you're not tough. If you were, you wouldn't be here, with me, and in a losing war" She ran the rod around her wing "Not that you'll get to see the conclusion of it" She laughed "You'll be dead by nightfall"
Dash could only whimper and cry as the rod was removed from her burt skin, her body trembling.
She placed the rod down and smiled "It'll be a real shame to lose yet another play thing... But I've still got a few hours left..."
The door slammed shut behind Dash, her body bruised, cut and burnt after the hours of torment and torture she'd been forced to take. She hung limply from her binds, too exhausted to move and her body in too much pain. She'd managed to endure everything she'd been given, but the Gryphon had told her she was going to be left to bleed out.
Most of the blood had dried into her fur, but her wounds continued to seep blood, making her feel tired and lightheaded, she knew she was close to blacking out, and once that happened there'd be no chance for her. Something had to happen before she did, or she may as well say goodbye to the world now.
She'd tried escaping the cuffs when she had full strength and had gotten nowhere, so in her current state there was no chance of her getting out of them now, her only hope was someone else rescuing her... And that seemed more than unlikely...
She sobbed quietly to herself, trying to stay awake until a high pitch, shrill alarm started blaring out, accompanied by a red flashing light. Dash looked around as much as possible to try and get a view, but all she had was the dark room and a wall to stare at.
She jumped as she heard an explosion very close, every blink longer than the last. She was slowly losing consciousness by the second, as the sounds of battling got closer and closer.
She caught a gleam of a fiery mane before blacking out.
Things had quickly turned sour for Dash - Griffons were performing frequent guerrilla attacks on Canterlot, the population of the city hated her and even Spitfire was starting to have her doubts... Thats how the mare knew things were going really bad.
The High Commander looked straight ahead as she worked her way through the corridors of the castle, not bothering to turn to look at anyone passing by - they were swift to step out of her way as she marched to her throne room. She wasn't one for spending the day perched on a throne, but at least the room was quiet and secluded.
She opened the doors, darted in and swiftly closed them behind her, locking the doors and sliding down them, sitting with her head resting against the thick wood. The tough mare couldn't stop herself from beginning to sob - this isnt how she had wanted things to go... she was supposed to be the one that led the Pegasi race to independence and to prosper, not the one that was solely responsible for the near extinction of the pony race.
"You haven't cried for a while" Spitfire muttered, stepping from behind the large throne sat above the small level of steps at the end of the room. She looked over the cyan mare, before sitting herself down in the extravagant chair and perching a crossbow across her lap.
Dash jumped with surprise, quickly wiping her eyes and standing "S-Spitfire" her eyes thinned "What are you doing here?" She slowly made her way to the bottom of the steps.
She chuckled softly, settling herself down in the throne "Your time is up, Dashie" She grinned. She knew Dash hated being called that "Youve lost control... It's time for you to step down"
Dash gritted her teeth. The last pony to call her that she'd taken her wings "Don't do this Spitfire... You there is only one way this will end..." She sighed "And I don't need this right now"
"Oh, I'm counting on it" she leant forwards "If I were you, I'd start running... And not stop. The Pegasi hate you - you have no support from them. The unicorns and earths hate you because you killed their princesses and ruined their lives and city... And well... It's not as if you can seek refuge in the Griffon Kingdom" She laughed "This is your one and only warning"
Dash chuckled and shook her head "Traitor... Of all of em, I expected this least from you. Now get the fuck out of my chair and my sight"
Spitfire sighed and shook her head "Very well. Stubborn as always, the stubbornness that has led to this..." The mare stood, grinning wildly "Don't worry Dash, when you're dead and gone I'll make sure to look after your mare friend Twilight" Without warning, the mare fired a bolt from the crossbow.
Despite her best efforts, the bolt hit Dash directly in the knee, instantly making the whole leg go weak and give way, the mare collapsing onto her stomach.
Within seconds Spitfire was on her, the two powerful mares scrapping on the ground, Spitfire wielding a curved dagger.
The two mares tussled, muscles flexing as they fought to get control of the knife, the blade glinting in the sunlight as it turned and twisted, the two aiming it for each others windpipes.
With all her strength, Dash kicked up with her one hind leg, connecting with Spitfires chest and sending her up in the air, the mare doing a graceful backflip and hovering in the air, holding the knife and grinning down at Dash, who was on her back looking up at Spitfire, blood oozing down her leg, the bolt still lodged in her knee.
She pushed the pain out of her head, quickly rolling over and away as Spitfire lunged, driving the knife hard into the spot she'd occupied just a second ago with so much force the knife shattered into several pieces.
Dash sprang onto her legs, buckling down again but holding herself up by flight, grinning as she flicked her wrists - nothing - she looked at her fore hooves... nothing... frantically looking around the room, she spotted her iconic blades lying where she'd fallen. "FUCK!" she yelled, unarmed.
Spitfire chuckled, dropping the ruined blade and standing on the cold, hard floor. "Come on Dash. I'll make it quick..."
Dash growled and landed, several feet from her advisory. She glanced down at her knee, the sight didn't fill her with confidence.
"You can't win!" Spitfire yelled "Theres no-one to save you, not anymore! Those that you once called your friends hate you! Twilight only puts up with you because she's clever enough to know that if she didnt she's be one of those ponies hanging in the square"
Dash thought. Spitfire wasn't lying. "Trust me Spitfire. I know how you feel. You want the power, you think you have all of the idea to make the Pegasi a great race again, to win this war." She stepped closer "I thought exactly the same. I don't want this anymore. I want to go home, back to how it was"
"Thats sweet" Spitfire mocked "But YOU can't. YOU made sure of that" She chuckled.
Dash took another step forward "I don't fear death, Spitfire. I can't wait to die, I'll love the peace and quiet of death" She hissed "But I won't be experiencing that today" She stared into Spitfires eyes "You're not my biggest problem right now, Spitfire. Stop trying to act tough and go sit in your office waiting for orders"
"I'm done following your orders. It should have been me in charge in the first place, from the beginning. I was the captain of the Wonderbolts!"
Dash stepped forwards so she was just a foot from Spitfire, close enough to feel her breath. She sighed softly "I respected you, Spitfire, I thought you would always be the one that no matter what would stick with me"
"My loyalties will always lie with my race, not the one that leads it. That is why you must die" The mare went to throw a punch, but Dash swiftly ducked, grabbing a shard of the shattered dagger from the ground and driving it into Spitfires hip, before spinning over and bucking the shard hard, driving it deep into her.
Spitfire screamed in pain, thrown off her hooves by the buck, the shard driven deep inside of her, every time she took a step the shard would press into her bone causing excruciating pain.
Dash punched her in the back of the head, jumping atop the mare as she fell, pinning her and grinning, collecting another shard from the ground "I fucking hate traitors..." she pressed the shard between two vertebrae in the back of Spitfires neck, lining up to drive it in.
"Wait! Wait please!" She cried out, squirming below Dash.
Dash sighed and rolled her eyes "I cannot believe that-"
She was swiftly cut off as the doors were blasted open, a group of Pegasi guards rushing in, all wielding spears.
Dash didnt have time to contemplate if they were on her side or not, slicing at Spitfire to keep her down before flying as fast as she could out through the pane glass windows of the throne room and away, back round into the castle and straight to Twilights 'quarters' and barging her way out "We have to go, NOW" Dash roared.
Twi froze, her book still open in her hooves "Dash, your knee... It's bleeding"
Dash wanted to try and be nice to Twi, but now really wasn't the time. She batted the book out of her grasp and grabbed her mane, throwing her towards the door "Is it? Hadn't noticed" she groaned, gritting her teeth and practically dragging Twi through the castle, ducking away from any guards. Her knee was killing her, she wasn't sure how much further she'd be able to walk before passing out.
Twi was visually very shook up, and Dash wasn't doing a very good job of hiding her pain and discomfort, as well as the fear and anger. "High Commander Dash... where are we going...? What happened?!"
"Twi, please..." Dash growled "Just shut the fuck up? I'm trying to think..."
The duo made it to the rear entrance of the castle, Dash grabbing Twi and staring into her eyes "Do exactly as I say, ok? Promise me Twi"
"I-I promise...." She shuddered
"Go back to Ponyville, find our friends and keep them safe! Fuck everyone else, just make sure you five are safe ok?! Go, keep going. Don't stop and don't look back, ok?"
"What do you mean? You're coming, right?"
Dash looked back behind her, shouting voices and hoof steps getting closer, the mare getting more panicked "JUST GO, OK! FUCK OFF!" she yelled at Twi, pushing her towards the door
"But... Dash" Twi welled up, looking back
Dash smiled "I'll be fine Twi. I'm awesome, remember?" She took a deep breath and disappeared back up the staircase towards the voices.
Twi took one look back, before wedging the door shut and running off towards what remained of Ponyville.