Flash soared through the air. He flew through and past many clouds. He was eager to get to Rainbow Dash. The sooner he gets her friends together, the sooner they could rescue her. Cloudsdale was in sight. He flew even faster. But then he had suddenly lost control. Flash felt his wing injury take the best of him and he began to plummet. He yelled for his life. He attempted to land on some clouds but missed. He thought this was the end. Too early he thought. "Gotcha!" yelled Rainbow Dash. Other ponies in Wonderbolt jumpsuits stared towards the two. Flash had stopped falling just in time. He had nearly fallen into the Everfee Forest.

        "Rainbow Dash! Oh thank god," said Flash Sentry who was relieved.

        "Flash, what're you doin' all the way up here? Shouldn't you be down at Canterlot with the Princesses?"

        "That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

        "Let's head up to Cloudsdale. I need to get these Wonderbolt Trainees in order."

        Flash nodded as Rainbow carried him to land.

        Rainbow Dash carried him through the clouds. Then he saw the beautiful city known as Cloudsdale. It had been quite a while since he had last seen it. Then Rainbow set course for the Wonderbolt Academy. She slowly dropped him down onto the solid cloud floor. "Cadets!" yelled Rainbow Dash. There were a choir of ma'ams. "Forward march!" The cadets marched towards the mess hall. Rainbow Dash signaled Flash to follow her. Both of the two headed into a building where Rainbow's office was. She opened the door and sat at her desk. "So, what's on your mind?" asked Rainbow Dash.

        "It's regarding Twilight."

        "I haven't seen her in a while. How's she doing?"

        "Bad..."

        "Wait, what do you mean?"

        "King Sombra has taken her. Hypnotized her. I know he's done something to her."

        "Well then, we've got to help her!"

        "We need to gather the others first-"

        "Say no more. Where do you want me to stay?"

        "The Canterlot castle. Princess Celestia and the others will be there. It'll take me probably a few days to get back. I still need to gather the others."

         "Alright. See ya' then. But first, I have to tell Spitfire real quick. Y'know, to keep the place I order while I'm gone."

         "Well, I'll be on my way."

         "Oh no ya' don't. Not with that wing. I'll tell two of the cadets to help you down to Ponyville."

         "Thank you."

         Both of them walked out of the building. Rainbow Dash walked up to two cadets and only spoke a few words. Both cadets saluted and ran over to Flash Sentry. They slowly picked him up and went on their way.

        The two cadets carried Flash over many clouds. It has been a few hours and amazingly, the cadets till held on. Then they were finally in sight of Ponyville. The two cadets slowly lowered Flash down onto the ground. "Thanks," said Flash. The two nodded and flew back up into the clouds. Flash dusted off his armor. He took off his helmet. "Where should I start," he thought out loud.

          As he was about to walk, he was tackled down with great force. Then he again felt the striking pain of his injury. "Ouch! Watch the wing," he said.

          "Oh, hiya Flashie," said Pinkie with great enthusiasm.

          "Hi Pinkie it's-"

          "It has been a while. How are you? How's Princess Celestia? Or how's Princess Luna? Where's all the carriages? Why are you alone..."

          "Um, Pinkie..."

          "How is it at Canterlot? I remember Rarity opened up a fabric and clothing shop over there! Oh! Oh! I bet her clothes are super wonderfulastic! Am I right?"

          "Well um..."

          "Where's Twilight? Shouldn't she be with you? Oh I bet she's playing hide and seek!"

          Pinkie Pie ran around the place thinking Twilight was hiding. An irritated Flash got up and tried to stop Pinkie. "Pinkie," he said. She still continued running around.

          "Nope, not in there. Not in there either," she said out loud.

          "Pinkie..." said Flash Sentry.

          "Come out Twilight! Come on, I know you're here."

          "Pinkie!" yelled Flash.

          "What's up Flashie? What's gotcha so mad?"

          "Twilight not here, or anywhere near here."

          "Then where's she? Shouldn't she be at Canterlot?"

          "No. She's with King Sombra."

          "Now why would she be with that no-good pony?"

          "Because... He hypnotized her or did something to her."

          "Well what're we doing standing around here for? Let's go get her!"

          "Wait, wait, wait. I still need to get Fluttershy and Applejack. Just wait here."

          "Oh, right. Heh heh."

  Flash traveled toward Apple Acres. The dirt path was quite longer than he remembered it. Then, he began to see long rows of apple trees. Then finally caught eye of the barn. He saw Applejack and Big Macintosh bucking apples. He approached the barn's gate and opened it. Then he walked towards Applejack. "Applejack," said Flash.

         "Oh, howdy there Flash! Watcha doin' all the way out here?" asked Applejack.

         "Well I-"

         "Lemme guess, ya' miss our sweet apple cider?"

         "Yeah, but-"

         "Well then, let's get ya' mug and head into the barn!"

         Flash sighed and tagged along behind Applejack. Both of them walked into the barn. They walked towards the kitchen. "Hey," yelled Granny Smith. "Who's that?"

        "Oh, just an old friend," replied Applejack.

        Applejack waltzed into the kitchen, grabbed two mugs and got to work. Flash sat down by a table waiting patiently. He picked at his armor as he waited. Finally Applejack had finished making the cider. She sat down in front of him and passed him a mug. "So, what brings ya' all the way out to Ponyville?" asked Applejack. "Ah know the cider ain't just it."

        "Well," said Flash Sentry. "This situation is very dire."

        "Why? What's goin' on?"

        "Twilight... Something bad has happened."

        Applejack looked away. "Why? What's the matter Applejack?"

        "You want me to help her? After what she did to us?"

        "What? Did what? What are you talking about?"

        "She left us!"

        "Left you?" scolded Flash. "You and your friends supported this! Twilight told me this herself!"

        Applejack's eyes grew teary. "Ah know. Ah know... But after she left, everyone started to leave."

        "What?"

        "Rainbow Dash... Rarity... They left us here..."

        "Yeah, but they're your friends. Not like they abandoned you. You still have Fluttershy and Pinkie."

        "Ah know, but it's so different. There's barely anything good goin' on. Everythin' had just changed... We don't have fun anymore... Nothing..."

        "That's going to change. But we have to save Twilight. Will you help me?"

        "Fantastic! Now we just have to get Fluttershy. Come on."

        Flash and Applejack walked out of the kitchen. "Granny, I'll be out for a while," said Applejack.

        "Better hurry back if you know what's good for ya'."

        Both of the two walked outside. They followed the dirt path back to Ponyville. "Let's go get Fluttershy," said Flash.

        There was an echo amongst the shadows. His progression has exceeded my expectations... No matter, this shall just speed up the process. Princess Twilight Sparkle will be mine... Send in the shadows, take Fluttershy. Stall them.