"But she-!" Rarity began, "She was here just last night! Where did she go?!"

Rarity's rant woke the rest of the Alicorns up. They too started to panic, seeing that Rainbow Dash was gone.

"How did you know she had left?" Twilight asked Octavia.

"My visions," The gray mare explained, "Rainbow isn't here. She's long gone, off to Discord's Domain."

They all gasped. Luna stamped her hooves on the ground, grinding her teeth as she did.

"She disobeyed us?!" The ebony Alicorn roared, "How dareth she! We gave a clear order that nopony goes to Discord's Domain!"

"Is she okay?" Cadance inquired.

Octavia shook her head, "No. Discord caught her."

There was silence among them. Twilight was the first to break this silence.

"Luna, what should we do?" The purple Alicorn asked, "Without Rainbow Dash, our defenses are down a considerable amount! Cloudsdale will be left with no security at all!"

Luna looked down, contemplating their situation. She was clearly very unsatisfied of Rainbow's decision.

"This sets us back by a great amount," The ebony Alicorn said, "But... I'm afraid we still can't go after Rainbow Dash. If we lose somepony else, we might as well hand Equestria over to Discord."

The rest of the Guardians began to object to this. They argued and quarreled while Octavia awkwardly stood in a corner. She wasn't sure what they were going to do. They were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

"Quiet!" Luna suddenly screamed, silencing them all and causing Octavia to jump in fright, "This is my decision. My sister told me that I would lead the rest of the Guardians if she ever fell ill or weak and was unable to do anything. It is up to me that we all stay safe, and I refuse to change my mind about going to Discord's Domain, even 'if' the Guardian of Loyalty is being held there."

"She's our friend!" Applejack cried, "She wouldn't leave us, and neither should we!"

"It was foolish of her to go!" Growled Luna, "Clearly, giving her the powers of a Guardian was a big mistake! Now protecting Equestria shall be even more difficult!"

"But Luna, we-" Twilight started.

Luna glared at the purple Alicorn, "No more on the subject! I shall never change my mind, and that is final! No one will go to Discord's Domain, so help me I will destroy them before they can even get there!"

They all seemed stunned at Luna's sudden snap. The ebony Alicorn slowly walked out of the room, leaving her companions worried and confused.

"We aren't really going to listen to what she says, are we?" Rarity asked Cadance, "Rainbow is our friend! She's been with us through the thick and thin!"

"That's not my decision," Cadance replied, "Luna is in charge here, and if she says no one goes to Discord's Domain, we do not go to Discord's Donain." She looked down, "I'm sorry, but we can't save Rainbow Dash so long as Luna refuses to let anypony go."

They all stood in silence as Cadance followed Luna out the door. The remaining Guardians said nothing, but only stood there with shocked looks on their faces.

"We... We can't even try?" Asked Fluttershy, her big teal eyes on the verge of tears.

Twilight looked down, her ears laying flat against her skull, "There's nothing we can do. Let's hope Rainbow Dash and the Cutie Mark Crusaders can survive with their sanity until we can figure something out."

With that, they exited the room, leaving a confused Octavia by herself.

They're just going to give up? She wondered, Just because Luna told them not to go?

They couldn't. There were four innocent ponies trapped by a psychotic villain bent on revenge, and they were going to give up? Octavia then realized something. She wasn't the one breaking the promise to protect Equestria...

...It was Luna and the Guardians who were.

Ignoring her body's rejection to the lack of sleep, Octavia sprinted towards the exit of the guild and into the city.

---

Octavia ignored the "Closed" sign on the library's front door. She threw the door open, nearly knocking it off its hinges. She raced around, searching for a paticular book.

Then, it caught Octavia's eye: a simple book entitled Maps of Equestria. She yanked it out of the bookcase and carried it over to the table. She flipped through the pages before stopping at one in paticular; a map of Southern Equestria and the ocean south of it. She scanned the oceans, coming to a stop at an island twice as large as Canterlot.

Discord's Domain. Octavia thought. She measured how long it would take to get to the island from Ponyville if she rode on Philomena, It's a little over three hundred miles, The mare figured up, If Philomena's average speed is fifty, three hundred divided by fifty... That's six hours. I only have today and the rest of tomorrow to get there. Once it reaches midnight on the third day, Discord will attack... But not if I and Vinyl can stop him first.

Octavia closed the book and dashed out the library, determined to inform her friend about her plan.

---

Upon returning to the guild, Octavia could sense the tension in the air. Someone had told them about Rainbow Dash's one-way trip. An unnerving feeling was hanging in the air, almost making the guild seemed deserted, despite there being ponies all around.

Octavia raced to her old bed chambers. She bumped into Vinyl on the way there, who clearly noticed Octavia's determined look.

"What's up, 'tavia?" She asked.

"Private talk," The gray mare whispered, "Quickly. We don't have much time."

They rushed to their bed chambers. Thorn was still there, currently freshening himself up for the morning.

"Out, Thorn!" Octavia commanded, grabbing the changeling -who was in the middle of brushing his teeth- and pulling him to the door, "Me and Vinyl must have a private girl talk!"

"Hey, at least let me finish brushing my-!" Thorn started to object, but Octavia quickly slammed the door in his face.

"What's up with you today?" Vinyl asked.

Octavia grabbed her saddlebags and began packing up, "Grab your stuff, Vinyl. We're going to Discord's Domain."

Vinyl stared at her for a moment. She suddenly burst into joyous laughter, "Oh! That's funny. I thought you said we were going to Discord's Domain! Ha! You're a card, Octavia!"

Octavia's glare was dead serious.

Vinyl gulped, "Wait, you're serious?"

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Octavia growled back.

"Uh, I don't know if you realize it..." Vinyl began. Her tone changed drastically, "But are you out of your mind?! Luna won't let us get a quarter of the way there if she finds out!"

"That is why we're doing it in secret." Octavia replied, "We'll lie about where we're going, then go to Discord's Domain instead."

Vinyl started to get serious, "Octavia, what's gotten into you? You would never lie to anyone!"

Octavia scoffed, "Please. I've lied about plenty of things."

Vinyl looked pained, "Even to me?"

Octavia looked at the white mare, "Don't pretend you haven't lied to me either, Vinyl. You're just as guilty as I am." She started to the door, "Come on. Let's go."

"No."

Octavia turned, looking Vinyl right in the eye, "What?"

Vinyl shook her head, "No. I can't disobey Luna, not even for you."

Octavia raised an eyebrow, "Vinyl, I'm your best friend. We don't go anywhere without each other."

Vinyl began to glower, "I guess you're not going then."

For a long time, Octavia looked very pained. With a sigh, she placed her saddlebags back in the corner of the room. She glanced up at Vinyl, her violet eyes almost tearing up.

With another sigh, the mare spoke, "Maybe you have a point. It isn't safe to go, much less alone."

Vinyl seemed pleased that she had won the arguement, "Good. I'm glad you're being rational about this, 'tavia. For a second there, I thought you had gone crazy!"

Octavia chuckled under her breath, "Well, I obviously am not. Thanks for talking some sense into me, V."

Vinyl hesitated for a moment, "Hey, can you promise me something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Please don't go to Discord's Domain, no matter what."

Octavia hesitated for a moment, seeming surprised at Vinyl's request, "Yes, of course. I promise I will never go. Thanks."

Vinyl smiled, "It's always a pleasure. Hey, I heard Snowflake's throwing a wicked party in down town Ponyville. Why don't we check it out and see if we can show off some of our music?"

"I'd like that." Octavia replied with a smile.

The two friends quickly exited their bed chambers. However, Vinyl failed to notice the hurt in Octavia's eyes, conflicting with the sleazy grin she was expertly hiding.

---

Snowflake knew how to throw a party, that was for sure. Everyone gathered at the overly muscular pony's party being held in the town square. He gladly let Vinyl and Octavia supply the music and even had some others cater to them with fruit punch, tiny sandwiches and various other delicious food items.

The party lasted until night fell. Octavia didn't realize that she had forgotten all about Discord's threat and the captive ponies until she and Vinyl began walking back to Dragon's Bluff. Her spirits fell when she did remember. What she was going to do weighed heavily on her shoulders, making her feel guilty inside.

Coming in to the bluff, they quickly laid down on their beds, resting their aching "danced-out" hooves.

"Man," Vinyl sighed, "That sure was a blast. Who knew that bodybuilder Snowflake knew how to throw a party?"

"Yes, he's quite the party-er," Octavia replied, "But... I'm quite tired. Why don't we call it a night?"

Vinyl replied with a yawn before promptly laying down, "Good idea..."

As the white unicorn fell to sleep, Octavia watched her cautiously. She had to make sure that her friend was completely asleep before she could go. Otherwise Vinyl would try to stop her and possibly report her to Luna. About ten minutes passed before Octavia heard Vinyl snoring quite loudly. The gray mare took this as a sign to slowly grab her saddlebags in the corner and tip-toe out of the bluff, silently heading for the beach.

---

The sand was cold to Octavia's hooves. She looked up at the moon in the sky, currently a waning crescent. She hated doing this, but she was doing it for Equestria.

She had to.

Octavia put her hoof to her mouth and gave a three-note whistle call. Immediately on the horizon came a blazing orange spot heading towards the beach at amazing speeds. The familiar phoenix landed at the shoreline, lighting up the night with its glowing feathers.

"Greetings, Octavia," Philomena said to the gray mare, "What has prompted you to summon me so late in the night?"

Octavia gave a quick sigh, "I need you to take me somewhere, but you have to promise me something."

Philomena nodded, "Anything."

"Don't freak out when I tell you where I want you to take me."

"A promise is a promise."

Octavia took a deep breath, "I want you to take me to Discord's Domain."

Philomena squawked, flapping her wings agitatedly, "Impossible! I have received orders from Luna to-!"

Octavia drew her cello bow, growling in a very hostile way, "Discord's Domain, now."

Philomena squawked in protest, "I shan't fight you! But I can't allow you to go, I'm sure of it!"

"Well, I sure can make roasted phoenix meat out of you." Octavia shot back.

"You wouldn't dare..." Philomena growled.

"Try me. I'm not playing games, Philomena."

The phoenix calmed down, but some of her feathers had caught on fire, "Luna shall kill us both."

"Don't care."

Philomena narrowed her orange eyes at the gray mare, "You realize you will practically commit suicide by entering Discord's Domain, correct?"

"Fully aware."

Seeing that she couldn't be beat, Philomena hung her head in shame, "Very well. I will take you to Discord's Domain under one condition."

Octavia nodded, putting her cello bow away, "What is it?"

"Do not tell anyone I took you there, especially Luna. I will be depromoted from my place as the gatekeeper of the towers."

"Deal."

Reluctantly, Philomena crouched down, allowing Octavia to climb on her back. However, upon completely boarding the phoenix, a voice froze them both into place.

"Ahem."

Octavia and Philomena turned, discovering a familiar, white unicorn.

"Vinyl... Uh... Hi." Octavia greeted with an innocent smile.

"Don't act all innocent with me," Vinyl growled, "You tried to go behind my back!"

Octavia jumped down from Philomena's back, "Vinyl, I can explain-"

"I'm sure you can!" Vinyl screamed, "You lied to me! You promised you wouldn't go to Discord's Domain!"

"Vinyl, I would never do that. I'm your friend!"

"Oh, some friend you are!" Vinyl shouted, "I suggested that promise to keep you safe, Octavia! But now you just go behind my back and break it anyway!"

"Vinyl, it's not like that-"

"Yeah, right," Vinyl growled, her voice lowering, "I can't believe you, Octavia. You're going out of your way to disobey Luna 'and' break a promise?" She scoffed, "You're not the Octavia I know and love."

That comment struck Octavia in the heart like a dagger. She was only trying to save Equestria, which was the right thing to do. Why did it suddenly feel so... Wrong?

"Vinyl, if you would just listen-"

Vinyl only rolled her eyes, "Why should I? You clearly demonstrated that I can't put my trust in you. You're... You're..." She hesitated, "You're no better than Discord by doing this."

This made Octavia mad, "He's trying to take over Equestria and become the overlord of everything, and you're comparing me to him?!"

"That's right," Vinyl growled, "Because you're a backstabbing, lying, cheating snake!"

"Why are you so worked-up over some silly promise?!"

Vinyl glared at her, "It's not some silly promise to me. I made it in hopes that it would keep you from going to Discord's Domain and getting yourself killed. I thought that maybe I could keep you from doing something you would regret later," She looked down, "How much?"

Octavia stared at her, "How much... What?"

"How much did you lie to me?" Vinyl asked, her eyes tearing up, "Did you lie to me about how I am courageous and brave? Did you lie to me about how I should just not worry about being some mare off the streets?" She stared at her, a tear rolling down her cheek, "Did you lie to me about being my best friend?"

"I... I..." Octavia started, surprised by Vinyl's accusations.

Vinyl couldn't stand to look at her once-buddy, "You know what? Forget it. I don't even care. Go to Discord's Domain, see if I care! I won't tell anyone where you went, because I don't care!" She poked Octavia in the chest, "Ten years from now, you woulda wished you had listened to me when Discord's got you locked up as his personal hoof masseur!"

This made Octavia enraged. She couldn't believe that Vinyl was acting so irrational over some silly promise, "Fine! Maybe I don't care! Maybe I did lie about being your best friend! I only became a rescue team with you because I was sympathetic of you! Look at where it got us now! You never would have gotten this far without me helping you!"

Vinyl bared her teeth, "Oh, I see how it is! Well fine! Go to Discord's Domain, go jump off a cliff, go sleep in a manticore's den! I don't care about you anymore, Octavia! I can get along just fine without you!"

"Fine!" Octavia screamed as Vinyl began to trot up the shoreline, "I don't care about you either, because... Because... I don't ever want to see you again, you sorry, worthless coward!"

"Oh yeah? I don't want to see you either, you... You... Neighthoven obsessor!"

"Distasteful music-lover!"

"Opera watcher!"

"Cowardly young foal!"

"Stuck-up snob!"

"'Deadpon3!'"

Vinyl stomped her hoof and shouted, "Fine!"

Octavia rebutted with a shout that was just as loud, "Fine!"

"Fine!" They both shouted at the same time before Vinyl took off towards the other end of the beach.

Octavia scoffed, I don't need her. I can defeat Discord single-hoofedly if I have to! She'll just prove to be extra baggage on this trip... Good riddance, you annoying, big baby.

Octavia proceeded to climb on Philomena's back. The phoenix seemed disturbed by the fight she had just witnessed.

"You realize what is happening, correct?" The fire-bird asked, "Discord is doing this. He's driving a rift between you and your best friend. If it wasn't for him, you would have easily forgotten about the fight and made up."

"Don't wanna hear it, Philomena," Octavia growled, "Let's get going. Discord isn't going to stop himself."

Philomena sighed, "If only you weren't so blind to the truth..."

The great phoenix pushed off, quickly taking off over the ocean as the crescent moon rose high into the sky. However, as they left, they failed to notice the pair of burning red eyes watching them from the bushes.

The goody-goody heroes have been torn apart, A deep throated chuckle gently reverberated through the bush, Excellent...

---

*insert dramatic cliffhanger music*