Rainbow Dash had been staring at her sword for hours now. Gazing upon the special blade, she contemplated how she would get out of using it again after her fight with Trixie. Originally she had told Twilight she would assist only to finish Trixie, but it wasn't enough for the general. Twilight kept pushing for more and more, knowing that Rainbow wanted out.

Her hoof ran along the name engraved in the jewel sword. She examined the craftsmanship with a smile as she observed the name of her lost sister. This was not her blade, but Colors' blade.

She understood the irony of her blade bearing her sister's name while her sister's wish was for a world of peace. This was not a scepter of peace, but a tool of war. Another device that caused more death. She couldn't even bear to look at it, knowing how much blood it spilled on her behalf. She could only imagine how Colors would feel seeing her now. That image in her head only made her feel more and more like a failure. She stepped over so many dead bodies with the help of this blade, and now she was paying the price.

No matter how fast she was, she knew that eventually she would be too slow to avoid certain death. Too many wanted her head, and she was getting older. Eventually they would catch up to her.

She had decided when she came back to Canterlot; she would slay Trixie and put this weapon to rest for good. She'd go back to Ponyville and try to live peacefully for the remainder of her days. It actually sounded a bit pleasant.

Rainbow signed as she placed her hoof by her side and turned her attention to the ceiling. Her hotel room was very plain and empty, all that was there was a simple bed that she was laying on.

"Colors... I'm sorry..." She thought out loud as she closed her eyes.

"They made you what!?" Rainbow spit out her liquor upon hearing the news. Across the table from me, I ended up covered in some of it.

I winced a bit and opened a single eye. "C-comander of the Rainbow Raiders..." I gave a sheepish grin.

"No fucking way... Flare, you're not cut out for leadership like this. Is Twilight out of her mind!?" Dash placed a hoof upon my shoulder in concern.

"Negative, Rainbow." The voice of Twilight rang through the bar as she stepped in. Dash's attention turned right to the unicorn with an annoyed expression. "I appointed him myself." She took a bit of pride in her decision, despite the both of us knowing what she was really trying to do.

"Then you must have finally lost it. You can't put Flare in that kind of position, he's not ready." Rainbow protested.

"You aren't stepping up to the position, so I am giving it to your friend here. He's been around you long enough to know how you do things." She gave Dash a glare. "If his team should survive and return to their former glory, it'll be because he lead them to it. If not, it'll be because he failed them..." She kept her eye on Dash as she said that last part.

I certainly didn't like hearing it as much as Dash didn't, that was for sure.

"You'd put that kind of pressure on the kid? He isn't ready to have a team's life in his hooves yet. You can't put him under that kind of pressure!" Dash growled.

"I can, and I just did."

Dash hissed and squeezed her drink.

"Unless you want to take his place?" Twilight grinned.

It was obvious that Dash saw right through this plan. "You'd use Flare to manipulate my emotions to get what you want? How dare you!? How dare you put lives in the balance to force my hoof!?"

Twilight smirked, knowing she had Dash cornered.

"Fuck you, Twilight. If you want to foolishly put him in charge to prove a point, then I can't wait to see your plan backfire. I only regret that you are throwing lives away to do it." She downed half of her drink and dumped the rest right over Twilight's head.

"My answer is still no though." She grunted as she stormed out.

It was silent for a moment followed by my own comment.

"So what now?"

Twilight sighed. "We call her bluff."

"And if she's not bluffing?" I rose a brow.

"That's a risk I'm willing to take." She said staring at where the pegasus exited.

"Rainbow..." I entered Dash's hotel room very cautiously.

The Pegasus had been doing pull ups on the window as I came in. She didn't even say hello, and instead continued as if I wasn't there.

"Okay... You're upset, I understand... I'd be pretty mad too..." I admitted as I rubbed the back of my neck.

The mare did a few more pull ups before dropping to the ground with a grunt. Still no response.

"Rainbow, I had nothing to do with this. Twilight insisted and gave me no choice in the matter. You have to believe me..." I was practically begging.

Finally Dash sighed as she sat down on her bed. "Yeah... I believe you Flare... I know you wouldn't do something like that. You're not the one at fault here... Twilight is. She's so obsessed with winning this war that she is willing to sacrifice anything for it... Even her own friends..."

I shook my head. "Dash... There's something you should know... About Twilight that is..."

She turned to face me, ears ready to hear what I had to say.

I knew that I was supposed to keep that whole mission classified, but even the threat of being removed from the military was not enough to keep me from telling Dash. I would have felt like a traitor not telling her, and that was worse than anything the military could do to me.

I told her the whole story, how Twilight was put against her own son, how she vowed she would kill him if he stood in the way of Equestria. Most importantly though; how Equestria always came first to her.

Dash fell silent for a moment after I had finished. Collecting her thoughts she leaned in and nodded. "Twilight is so stubborn sometimes..." She said with a sigh.

"I think she's serious though... We are being sent on another mission soon to secure an old library that supposedly has another element of harmony located in it. Twilight said if Spike is there when we arrive, she won't show any mercy this time." I frowned.

Rainbow looked down, a bit ashamed. "She's not stubborn enough to kill Spike just to make a point though... I guess that deep down Twilight really does put Equestria before her own desires. All that talk about statistics and probability... A ruse to hide how hurt she is..." Dash looked away from me, "and here I am being selfish."

I wasn't sure what she was implying. Scanning the room I noticed a rope hanging from a rafter. It was barely noticeable as it had been tucked away, but I could see a loop at the end. Once I had realized what it was, a chill ran up my spine.

"R-Rainbow..." I tried to gather some words together to no avail.

She shook her head, still looking away. "I have nothing, Flare... Nothing..."

"This isn't the first time is it?" I placed my hoof on her back.

She nods. "Once before when I got to Ponyville. I had the rope around my neck and everything, but..." She sniffed a moment before continuing. "I couldn't do it. I was too afraid of what awaited me to actually jump... Pathetic..."

"Is that what stopped you this time?" I rubbed her back some more, no doubt getting dirt on my hoof from her dirty old cloak.

She shook her head. "No. I have since made my peace with death. I am ready to die the moment it decides to come for me. What stopped me was you, I couldn't bear to think of what kind of world I'd be leaving you to. I know it sounds stupid, but I feel like I still have a little more to do for you."

I scooted closer and wrapped that hoof on her back around her shoulder. "Its not stupid. I care about what happens to you too, Rainbow. You've changed my life, and I am forever in your debt."

"Do you remember when you first came to Ponyville, and I told you to go back to SkyVale?" She leaned up and wiped her tears.

I nodded. "Yeah, what about it?"

"Why didn't you listen? I mean I could have gotten you back in the same way I got Dipper in." She looked at me this time she spoke.

"Maybe I'm just a little crazy... Then again I think it was because I was actually able to meet you. It gave me enough hope to continue on out here." I smiled at the memories of her and I meeting.

She nodded and I could even detect a hint of a blush on her cheeks.

What distracted me however was her mention of Dipper. I was curious as to what she meant. "What do you mean about getting Dipper in? He got in by trading the city council for his entry."

She laughed. "You actually believe that manure? No, what really happened is I hacked into the elevator console, brought us both up and threatened them to take him. Told them if they didn't I was going to come back and bring the city to the ground if they didn't take care of him, and that I'd be back to check on him."

I was a little shocked by this news. If she was serious on her promise, then me taking Dipper in could have saved the city.

"I came back once about three months later, and I was informed he was living with a young stallion and his sister. I just never thought I'd actually meet that stallion..." She laughed a bit more at the irony.

"He spoke very highly of you." I said.

She nodded. "Yeah, he was a lot like you. He looked up to me, so when he got the plague I fought to get him a place to spend the remainder of his time away from this hell hole. He deserved to die somewhere where he could sleep peacefully." She paused and looked at me. "Did he go peacefully?"

I nodded as I leaned in to speak softer. "I was there by his side in his final hours. He left this world speaking of his amazing memories with you and his team. He even said he had no regrets in his life. He left in a pleasant slumber."

She smiled at this news. "That's good, at least I did something right out here."

"You've done plenty right by me, Dash." I reminded as I watched her stand up.

Approaching the window again she sighed. "Thanks... I guess I can not allow myself to die just yet. There is still some things that need to be done before I can finally sleep for good. Father always said we are not allowed to die until we complete all that is required of us... At this point I am so far behind I'll live forever." She joked.

"The world needs you still, Dash. Don't give up hope just yet. When the war is over, then you can see the peaceful world that you dream of. The anger and hatred of ponies passes, and eventually we will evolve past the need for violence. It just takes time." I explained to the mare.

She nods as she turned to face me. "Wise words, young Flare. Let's hope you're right."

The mission went fairly smoothly. We were able to secure the element we set out for without much of a hitch. Taking a good look at it before Twilight secured it, it bore an interesting purple gemstone in the center in the shape of a diamond. Twilight had mentioned something about it being the element of generosity, along with something about possessing three now. If I recalled correctly, the other two were loyalty, and magic.

My vision turned to Vinyl Scratch, whom I was surprised was permitted to venture with us. Vinyl just shook her head at me, and I already knew what she was trying to say: don't tell Twilight. She of course was referring to the element of kindness that her and I lost. I was curious if Vinyl had some kind of plan for getting it back, before Twilight discovered how it was stolen.

I sighed as Twilight grew a confident look. "Let's get out of here quickly..." She commented as she was already making for the exit.

"Going so soon?" A familiar female voice echoed.

The whole group (which comprised of myself, Vinyl, Shining Armor, Fluttershy, the two body guards and Twilight) glanced up to the balcony. There sat the infamous dark robed mare waiting for us. Something told me she was actually there the whole time. She was arrogant enough to let us get the element first so she could have the joy of stealing it.

"Trixie..." Twilight began. A smirk grew on her face as she finished that sentence. "Why don't you let the grown ups handle this?"

Trixie returned the snobbish grin as she replied. "That's cute coming from the mare who is playing soldier with some rusty old toys, and a few rag tag forces."

Ignoring her insult, Twilight rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"

Trixie tilted her head to signal something. That something was of course, Spike. The dragon leapt off of the balcony and onto the ground level with us. His gauntlet shining as he drew his firearm in his other claw. "I believe you've already met my knight." Trixie added.

Twilight held still as she stared down her own. "What do you want, Spike?"

The dragon kept is eyes locked on hers'. "The element. Trixie thinks she can find some great use for it."

"You'll have to take it if you want it that badly." Twilight was stern and showing little emotion, her voice almost sounded calming.

"Is that a challenge?" He asked.

Twilight kept her attention forward. "You can't beat me, Spike. Back down now and I won't be forced to kill you. I don't want to, but if you push me to, then I'll end you."

"To the death then..." He grinned as he aimed his weapon.

We all became silent as we watched. Finally Twilight closed her golden eye and we knew that was the signal that she was going to fight him. Something that we all hoped we could avoid when coming here.

"Still arrogant, I see. Why not fight me with both eyes open?" Spike hissed.

Readying her blade she kept him in her halved vision. "I don't believe in overkill." She responded.

"Have it your way then..." He growled as he thrust forward with his claw extended. Twilight blocking it with her sword.

Spike merely laughed as he clutched it. "The same old tricks..."

At that exact moment he got pushed down. We all blinked and noticed a second Twilight behind him. The first evaporated only seconds later. Spike turned around and flipped back to his feet. And quickly grabbed at her, however this time she swung at his gauntlet knocking it back.

Spike looked down to her sword to see a magenta aura surrounding it. "Magic... Typical... You rely on magic for all your fighting, despite the fact that I can absorb your magic..." He grins as he sends a shock wave in her direction. "And send it right back!"

Twilight jumped out of the way and landed on her hooves, blade still ready. "You forget, Spike; everything has its limitations, not just my magic."

"What's your point?" He growled as the two locked weapons again.

Twilight's sword glowed brighter at the impact. Her face just as serious as ever. You could feel the tension between the two even from the distance we sat.

"My point is you should surrender before you surpass your limitations." His mother warned.

He hissed and swung again, "I don't need you babying me!"

Twilight was pushed back a bit by the impact, but virtually unharmed. "Don't make me do this, Spike..." She attempted to reason with the dragon again .

"Do your worst..." He started unleashing a volley of bullets at her, which she quickly shielded herself from with a barrier.

"Very well then... Just remember you asked for this..." Twilight rose her head and opened her yellow eye.

"So you're ready to give me your all?" Spike grinned as he held his metal claw out, charging it with more and more magic.

"I'm ready to do what I need to." She replied as her golden eye began to glow.

I was a little surprised, though part of me suspected that eye was meant for something and she didn't have it put in just to have a second eye again. Spike needless to say was taken by surprise, but stared right into the glow.

After only a few seconds he tried to make an advance to find his legs unable to move. Looking down he became aware of the fact that they were now encased in stone. "What the..." He didn't even finish that thought as he looked back to Twilight.

"A cockatrice eye..." Shining Armor said as he leaned towards me. I suppose he already knew the question I was going to ask.

Twilight placed all four hooves onto the ground and closed her eyes. "Its over, Spike. I wish you would have listened..." At the end of that sentence, her horn began to glow brighter than I had ever seen a unicorn's horn glow. Shortly after, her body followed suit and began to radiate with the same energy.

Spike held his gauntlet out, ready to take what was thrown at him.

Twilight began to growl as her body was starting to overflow with magic. Finally she released it in a line directly at Spike.

The dragon caught the beam in his gauntlet and started absorbing it. "Ha, it's no use, I can absorb your magic!" He bragged. "Or have you forgotten?"

Twilight continued unleashing energy. "You should have listened to what I said about limitations, because my ability exceeds your limitations." She replies as the beam grew larger.

Spike held steady, but a few sparks from the gauntlet began to release. Sure enough a few seconds later it shattered from the energy being pumped into it. Spike quickly resorted to screaming in pain as the energy began to run through his body.

The unicorn did not let up on her spell, she increased its power, probably knowing that as a dragon his body could withstand a large amount of magic. Her eyes were leaking with tears as she spoke. "If only you had listened... We could have avoided this..."

After a few more seconds of listening to his scream, she finally stopped. And let him collapse. Twilight approached the young dragon and knelt down to his face. He coughed and smiled at her.

"I... I guess... That is what you m-meant... About true power..." He struggled to speak.

She nodded and sighed.

"Don't be sad... It was... My fault..." He added.

She shook her head. "No... It was mine. I was your mentor... Your caretaker... And your mother... I should have guided you better... I failed you..."

Spike reached up and placed his claw on her hoof. "I forgive you... Mom..." He smiled as he said that last word.

"I know..." She smiled as she planted a kiss on his forehead.

"I... I need to rest now..." Spike struggled to speak as he closed his eyes.

I think even Twilight knew that he would not be waking up from that rest. Her eyes leaking more and more tears as she stood up and let the young dragon be at peace.

Trixie, seeing nothing as sacred quickly jumped off of the balcony with a grin on her face. She flicked her horn and allowed a magical aura to surround her. "Well, I have to admit, not even I predicted you'd actually kill, Spike." She smirked. "That's good, I was thinking of how I could spend him, but it looks like you took care of that."

Twilight turned around with fire in her eyes. "What!? He was with you!"

Trixie laughed. "Please... As if I'd actually trust one so close to you. No... He was just a pawn that played his role quite brilliantly."

Twilight stamped a hoof on the ground in fury. Her anger was never witnessed before, but we were certain we were about to see a side of Twilight that we wouldn't like. "You... You over confident little shit stain..." She cursed.

Trixie winked as she readied her weapon. "I saw what you did, Twilight. You exhausted a lot of magic fighting that dragon. You're spent and tired... Me on the other hand..." She cast a spell with a black aura that created another black aura around her blade. "I'm still fully charged."

The purple unicorn stood perfectly still for a moment before finally breaking out into laughter. Had she lost her mind finally?

"Trixie... You moron... You have no idea what you're up against..." She began as she cracked her neck erily. "I was trained in a method of magic you would have no knowledge of. The ancient form passed down by the royal family. Allow me to give you a biology lesson..." She took a step forward as her horn lit up.

Trixie took a step back.

"Magic manifests in the horn... However your body locks energy to that location because the rest of your energy is used by the rest of your body... But the royal family knows how to remove those locks... I can draw energy from my entire body..." She lectured.

Trixie took another two steps back as she stuttered. "That m-means..."

The general growled as her whole body lit up with a magenta glow. All her hairs stood on end as she charged up. "I still possess ten fold of your power."

Trying to make a subtle retreat, Trixie took another two steps back, then when she was certain she could not run, she drew her blade ready to fight. With a quick thrust forward, Twilight punched her hoof right through the blade, shattering it with her bare hoof. Trixie jumped back, but Twilight's quick back kick got her and sent her crashing into the wall.

Peeling herself off of the wall, Trixie had Twilight on top of her, smashing her hooves repeatedly into her face. Grabbing her by the neck, Twilight dragged her across the floor and threw her weak body onto a counter and slid her across it and smashed her head against everything on that counter. Finally she released her and allowed her to fall flat onto the floor.

With a fierce growl, she jumped onto Trixie's back and grabbed her mane. Using it as a handle, she smashed the bloody equine's face into to hard floor repeatedly.

After a few hits, she flipped the pony over and started punching her in the face again. After three or four hits, she dropped Trixie and drew her blade. "It's over, Trixie..." She hissed.

Trixie could only tremble and spit up blood in response.

Shining Armor had apparently seen enough as he jumped in now to break it up. He placed his hoof onto Twilight's blade. "That's enough, Twilight."

The unicorn turned to him and growled. "Don't you want to make her pay, brother? For all she's done... What about Cadance? Or have you forgotten?"

Shining Armor tugged on the sword, pulling Twilight to her hooves. His face became a bit more agitated. "I have not forgotten, but this is not you. If you kill her, you'll only be like her. You said yourself, everypony gets a fair trial."

Twilight was protesting already. "She deserves punishment..."

"And she will have it, but we must do it the right way. That is the way of Equestria. It's the way that Celestia wanted, and the way you fought for. Don't let everything we've worked for fall apart because of your anger." He explained.

Twilight fell silent as she contemplated it.

"Calm yourself, little sister..." He instructed.

The purple unicorn finally sighed and allowed the magic around her to calm itself. With a nod she touches her forehead to her brother's. "Thank you, big brother... You saved me from a terrible mistake."

Trixie was chuckling softly. Though she was doing so through a bloody lip, it was evident she was chuckling.

"What's so funny?" Shining grunted.

Trixie points as a griffon swoops in and grabs her. Before any of us could react, he brought her to the balcony she started on. "Fortunately... You stalled long enough for me to make my escape..." She bragged.

The griffon turned to us with a scowl. I took note of the large scar going down his face and beak.

Our attention on him however was broken when we heard another mare's voice. "Trixie!"

We all turned, and sure enough, Rainbow Dash jolted into the room. She flipped and landed on her hooves weapon drawn.

Next to Trixie, another cloaked pony stepped out from beside her. She removed her hood to reveal a bright orange mane, and a yellow coat. Her and Dash locked eyes as her attention left Trixie. "Rainbow Dash..." She finally spoke.

Dash remained silent.

"It's good to see you're still alive, however I suggest you stay out of our way." She turned and with Trixie and the griffon, they stepped into some kind of wormhole that they had made. After the last one went through, it closed.

I approached Dash. "Who was that?"

The rainbow maned pony lowered her head. "My mentor... The only pony that I've never been able to defeat... Spitfire..."