The two ponies stood by the edges of the arena. Standing next to a wooden table, layered in all-sorted weapons. The stallion pegasus yawned, and rubbed his eyes as the sun was barely rising over the horizon. Lighting up the skies with oranges, blues and yellows.
Three other ponies sat in the arena. Watching the pegasi below. One of which had her horn lit up in aquamarine glow as her pearl orb in the sky began setting, making way for her sister's day.

The mare glanced around the arena as she placed different blades on the table, with one particular memory on her mind.

"I-I'm sorry...Twi...I'm sorry...I'm leaving you...all of you...b-but....I'll always be...in here."

"T-Thank you...for being my friend."

She growled at her own memory, she coughed to get the sleepy stallion's attention. Who snorted as he flapped his wings.

"Dash. It's like, really early." He complained.

"I thought Wonderbolt training started at the crack of dawn. This should be a normal day for you." The mare replied, arranging the swords and knives in a height order.

"Yeah but, that was at around six or seven. Not four in the morning." Soarin whined.

"Well, I'm sorry." Rainbow snapped. "Soarin, you do realise that you are part of the Equestrian Air Force." She watched as the stallion nodded.
"However, the training in the E. A. F is not made for attack. Mainly for transport of items and ponies to out of reach places. The Gryphon Islands have one of the most largest armies in the world. They attack with brute force, being the larger species. We, however, have the upper hoof. Ponies maybe smaller, but that is our advantage. Especially for us assassins."

"I didn't learn anything in my training. Nothing important. Just flying and endurance."

"Precisely. Pick a weapon." She ordered, pointed at the swords. The stallion stared at the weapons and then glanced at the mare in confusion.
"Fight me."

"What?"

"Fight me. I want to see what you've got. To see what I've got to teach you." Rainbow began unbuckling her belt, her hoof brushing against her empty dagger holder.

"But I don't want to-"

"Soarin!! You have no training! You'll be forced to be in battle with no warning! Now, pick a weapon." She commanded, gritting her teeth.

"What about you? What weapon will you-"

"I will not choose a weapon. I shan't even fight you." Rainbow smirked, placing her black cloak beside the table. "Now, give me everything you've got."

"Wait, what?" Soarin watched as the rainbow maned pegasus tied her her hair into a low ponytail, similar to Applejack's.

"Come on, Soarin. I'm waiting." She taunted, fluttering into the middle of the arena. Her back to the stallion. Soarin gazed at the pegasus mare, at the three sitting ponies- one of which was drinking two cups of coffee-, and then at a sword on the table. Without any-more thought, he quickly grabbed a sword and raised it into the air. Yelling out.
Just as he was about to hit the mare, she quickly slid to the side. The sword hitting the floor with a clang. Before Soarin could realise, Rainbow span around and tripped the stallion up. Making him fall to the ground with a thud. The ponies watching winced as the stallion fell.
However, he swiftly got up. Picking up his sword. He scanned the area with his shining emerald eyes, unable to spot the mare.
Until, something hit him hard in the back. Striking him, and pushing him down.

"Lesson One. Don't let anypony know where you are." Rainbow informed as she patted the fallen stallion's head. He grunted as he groggily lifted himself up.
"You have a lot to learn, Soarin Skies."

He groaned in reply. It was going to be a long day.

~~~~~~

All through the day, the co-captain of the Wonderbolts fell, tripped and was pushed. His ice blue coat was covered in mud, and little stains of blood from the odd scrape. Every time he fell, or tripped, he groaned. Groaning in frustration as he hit the floor. The mare he was fighting didn't even have any weapons. And here she was, kicking his ass to the ground.
As the hours went by, more of their friends came to watch. The Princess of the Night went to her chambers to rest, while her sister came out with her adopted niece and her husband. Followed by the bubbly pink baker, the shy animal carer, and four of the elite flying team. Including the captain. All watching as the stallion fell.

"Ah! Come on, Rainbow! This ain't fair anymore!" He complained, dragging a set of saddle bags across the floor.

"You still have lots to learn." Rainbow said in monotone.

"Urrg!!" He was about to lift the heavy bags, until he realised that they were gone. He grumbled as he turned to a giggling mare, hovering mare.

"Lesson thirty seven. The three S. Swift, sly, and silent." Rainbow threw the bags back. Beckoning her friend over. The bouncy pink pony skipped down and hopped by the mare as she strapped bags around her.
"In the old times of Equestria, when food was scarce, theft was the only way to live. Especially for assassins. But now, this skill is useful for taking weapons unexpectedly, or taking information. And you, you clumsy ass, shall take a small bag of bits from Pinkie's bag."
Rainbow Dash fluttered down, and stood by the table. Watching with a smirk as the stallion leapt and pushed the pink mare down. Making her squeak. He quickly grabbed the bags, pulling out the pouch of bits, and flying into the air.

"Soarin. You are so going die young at this rate." The cyan pegasus walked over to her friend, lifting her up. "Swift, sly and silent. Not brash, brute and flippin' batter!"

"COME ON, SOAR!! THAT IS NOT HOW YOU HIT ON MARES!!" A grey pegasus shouted from his seat, before being slapped by an orange pegasus mare beside him.
Soarin rolled his eyes at his friend.

~~~~~~

The next day, Soarin had learnt more than before. He was still clumsy and still had lots to learn, but he had certainly improved. He was slightly more concentrated. He paid more attention to detail, and spotted hidden features he had never noticed. Especially one in particular, which concerned him the most. That of his pained wife. He noticed that the cyan assassin was slower and more exhausted after training. And this made him worry for her safety, and health.

~~~

The echoes of clashes echoed in the arena. The clanging of metal ringing through the ponies' ears as the two swords hit each other. The cyan mare quickly dashed to the side of stallion, before he hit her. She grinned as she was very impressed with his progress. The sitting ponies watched in awe as the two pegasi fought. Talking among themselves as they watched.

Soarin smirked as the mare stood behind him, raising her sword. Until the stallion turned, and kicked the assassin in the side. Striking her down on to the ground. She gasped out as she felt more pain than usual from the attack. Before she could grab her breath, a stunning silver sword was held against her throat. The stallion smirked at the mare.

"How's that then?" He panted. Tired from the work out.

Rainbow hissed through her teeth as she felt her side burn, yet she smiled to the pegasus.
"It's good. Not brilliant. But good at least." She wheezed as Soarin lifted the sword. He stared at the mare in concern as she coughed. He held out his hoof, as she held a pained expression.

"Are you okay?" Soarin asked as Rainbow held onto his hoof, extremely worn-out from the training.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." She croaked, still breathing heavily. The Wonderbolt pulled the assassin up, their wings fluttering as the mare shakily stood up. However, as she did stand up, she lost her balance. Frantically tumbling onto the stallion. Landing on top of him, and pushing the two to the ground.
She 'eep'ed and blushed madly. Her cheeks bright red. The ponies sitting around the arena watched in silence.

"Hi. I guess you just fell for me." He grinned. Feeling the mare's warm fur against his own.

"I-I-erm..." She quickly fluttered her wings, lifting herself into the air. Hovering above the stallion.
"I-I'm sorry." She held her own hoof, lifting the stallion up.

"No need. We're married after all." Soarin began brushing the dirt off his coat.

"I still don't trust you." Rainbow muttered.

"Why not? I'm still the stallion you met. I'm still me. Goofy, clumsy, and bit stupid."

"I know! I know!" The cyan pegasus shouted. "I just...I just...every time I look at you...I don't see us. I see you and Twilight."

"Rainbow. She was lying. There is nothing between me and her."

"How do I know?! How do know that you weren't cheating?!" The mare began walking away, throwing her sword onto the table. Wincing from the kick in the side.

"Just trust me." Soarin sighed.

"I can't, Soarin. I just can't." Rainbow turned away from the stallion, stumbling as she walked out.
"Oh sweet Celestia. Make this pain stop. Please." She cried inside. She wanted it to end already. Both the emotional and physical pain. But she still had her business. She still had to train Soarin.
"Only two days."

"Training will start again at dawn tomorrow." She muttered, trotting out of the arena. The ponies sitting around, also began to leave. Except one, who sat alone. Her lavender coat standing out among the white seats. She stared at the stallion who stood there with his head down.

She flew down to him, placing a look of worry onto her face.
"Oh, Soarin. I am so sorry." She hushed to the pegasus.

"Go away, Twilight." Soarin grumbled.

"I know you feel bad and all, but you're never get that spark you once had with her."

"Yeah, and it's all because of you."

"Yes, I know. But Soarin, just be patient. Everything will get better soon." Twilight smiled gently to the sorrow filled stallion. He smiled back at her. A glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"You think so."

"I know so." She grinned. Soarin hugged the alicorn, avoiding the bandages around her waist. He waved as he flew off. Not seeing that the alicorn's grin was getting bigger and bigger.

"Everything will get better soon. For me that is. I can't wait for Soarin to be mine as Rainbow's body bleeds out on the floor."

"Oh, stop! This isn't me!"

"Of course it isn't. A slow mare aren't you."

"Please. Just stop. I don't want to hurt Rainbow."

"Too late, your highness."

"Please. Please just go. Leave me alone!!"

"Silly Twilight. I'm you."

"But I'm not like this."

"Yes, we are." Twilight hissed. "Besides, I'm only here to get what we deserve." She began trotting out of the arena, madly cackling.
"And that is Rainbow Miriam Dashery's death!" She laughed. Her violet eyes gleaming with pure hatred and evil.

"For the prize of love is surely mine."

Author's Notes:

Thank you for everyone. You have all inspired my stories. Your ideas may seem silly, but are indeed perfect.

I want to say thank you to someone, however, they do not wish to be credited. But thank you so much for helping with this particular chapter and the one to come.

No hints for the next chapter. Okay maybe one.
During their training, an argument breaks out. And Soarin will finally know the truth.

Thank you for reading and comment any errors.