“Stop touching me.” White Rose growled as she pushed Fleetfoot away from her.

“Why? It’s fun.” Fleetfoot giggled as she made another attempt, aiming for the cutie mark this time.

“Seriously, you’re just like Miles.” White Rose jerked as Fleetfoot found her cutie mark.

“I’m going to have to meet this ‘Miles’ at some point.” Fleetfoot smiled, glad her tactics were working.

“Stop fooling around and fight me for real.”

“But this is how I Fight when I think my opponent is cute or handsome.” In a flash, Fleetfoot had White Rose pinned to a cloud. “Who’s the top mare?”

“Definitely not you.” White Rose snarled as she slipped into the shadows and attacked Fleetfoot, who turned her body just right.
“Oh yeah, just like that.” Fleetfoot moaned.

“You’re sick.” White Rose dragged her hoof across the cloud like she was trying to get something disgusting off.

Fleetfoot’s smile faded. “I’m not sick, but very well then. I was trying to make your last fight somewhat enjoyable.” She said as her eyes grew cold. “But now you’re going to experience what I do during fights when I don’t like my opponents.”

White Rose noticed the change and gulped as she brought out all her wing blades and flicked out all the hoof blades as well. She blinked and Fleetfoot wasn’t in front of her anymore before the pain hit. She screamed as her left foreleg fell towards the ground, followed by her right rear leg half a second later. She used the shadows to stop the blood and jerked back just in time to avoid her entire wing from being cut off completely but the pain grew with each flap.

Fleetfoot hovered in the sky with blood dripping off her wings. “There’s a reason we all have nicknames. The fastest flier in Equestria isn’t just for show.” She told White Rose. “I’m surprise you managed to keep your wing, but what would you like to lose next?” She asked coldly and didn’t give White Rose a chance to answer as she flew towards her, breaking the sound barrier right as she passed White Rose. Letting the speed bleed off a little bit, she turned sharply and blasted through the barrier several times over, making sure White Rose was caught in the blast.

White Rose fell towards the ground knowing her death was fast approaching and was too battered by Fleetfoot to notice she passed by again. I’m sorry, Frost. I failed. She thought as she slammed into the ground, her blood rapidly pooling around her neck.

Silver Lining panted as he took a moment to rest, his body aching all over. “I’m getting too old for this shit.” He muttered before catching Blaze so she didn’t have to worry about hitting the ground.

“Great. Never thought I’d owe you for saving me you old fart.” Blaze said warmly.

“Be grateful. This ‘old fart’ could have let you learn the hard way about why you don’t let yourself get thrown.” Though his voice was gruff, they both knew he was joking. He looked up in time to see Lightning Streak doing cartwheels in the air. “Seriously? Is everypony going to be thrown today?”

“My brother, ever the acrobat.” Fire Streak said as she hovered next to Silver Lining.

Wave Chill flew over, sporting a cut above his eye. “It’s hard to get close to them because of those damn blades.”

Silver Lining suddenly had a wicked idea. Since they were having trouble landing hits, they were just going change the rules a bit. “Misty Fly! Wonderbolts!” He yelled loud enough to get their attention. “Operation: pegasi ball.” The other Wonderbolts looked at him like he was nuts except for Misty Fly, who was already flying towards her destination. “Teams are us, the Wonderbolts, versus the Shadowbolts. Anything goes.”

“You’re actually serious?” Rapidfire asked.

“How often do you see me joke?” Silver Lining asked.

“…Good point. Let’s do this everypony!” Rapidfire cheered as Misty Fly came back with three medium size rubber balls. The Shadowbolts meanwhile hovered trying to figure out the Wonderbolt’s game.

Silver Lining took one and looked it over, testing it before casually tossing it to a Shadowbolt, who caught it and looked at them like he couldn’t believe what was going on. “Game start.” Silver Lining added and a team of Wonderbolt immediately flew for the Shadowbolt holding the ball. Shortly after, the ball was thrown somewhere else as the Shadowbolt had been left to free fall.

“Did you activate the sticky feature?” Misty Fly asked and saw Silver Lining’s smirk. “You’re evil.” She whipped the other two balls towards unsuspecting targets. The sticky feature had been added by Surprise, which once a pegasus that wasn’t on the same team caught it, they couldn’t let go until it was pulled away from him or her. One caught it and learned he couldn’t let go while the second one took the ball to the stomach causing that Shadowbolt to double over in pain, right before they both got swarmed by Wonderbolts.

One of the balls came towards Silver Lining and he caught it. Tossing it behind him, he folded his wings and let himself drop as the Shadowbolt looked from the ball to the approaching Wonderbolts before simply accepting his fate. Within minutes, the Shadowbolts had learned not to touch the ball while the other Wonderbolts took them out and it was around that time, more balls had been brought out turning it into a deadly game of dodge-pegasi ball as the sound barrier could be heard shattering multiple times.

“Silver!” Surprise threw him the ball which he spun around before whipping it in a random direction glad to have the ball hit a Shadowbolt and ricochet to another knocking them both out. Feeling something sharp pierce him, he looked down to see a blade sticking out of his chest. As it was retracted, he flipped in mid-air making sure his rear hoof connected with the Shadowbolt’s chin leaving the enemy dazed long enough for Silver Lining to stab the Shadowbolt with his own hoof blade.

“Damn it all to Tartarus.” Silver Lining groaned as each breath he took hurt. As he began falling to the earth, he didn’t heard anything but the wind except the Shadowbolts were retreating to get away from the deadly game.

Blaze swooped in and caught him before touching down and laying him gently on the ground as she bit back tears knowing he’d scold her if he saw them. “Damn it Silver. You always stressed about watching our backs.”

“Blaze…” Silver Lining gasped. “Please, let me see the sky without my goggles on.” He wasn’t sure if Blaze heard him, but a moment later his goggles were pushed up. “I lived a good life.” He started as his vision began shifting out of focus. “I died in battle instead of old age. Blaze, be the best mare possible. Hell… all of you better do your damn best from here on out.”

Blaze didn’t hold back tears as she yelled before crying on him. Feeling a wing on her back, she didn’t look up and Misty Fly remained silent while the rest of the Wonderbolts and recruits landed in a circle around them.

Soarin cursed his luck as he defended himself from Violet Dawn. Never thought the one Shadowbolt I end up fighting is the one I befriend. He thought while ducking under a punch before punching her back. “Call off the Shadowbolts before either side suffers.”

“You wish. Most of the Shadowbolts have grudges against you guys.” Violet Dawn replied as she attacked him.

Soarin blocked the latest attacks and he was hoping to wear her down except Violet Dawn showed no signs of slowing down. Though he wasn’t too worried since he knew it was a matter of time. Both of them panting, he heard the sound barrier being broken multiple times and sighed sadly as he lowered his defenses. Waiting until the right moment, he blocked Violet Dawn’s first and second attack before pinning her hooves behind her. “Hear those? Fleetfoot just got serious. If you value White Rose’s life, you’ll stop trying to kill me and save her… though it may be too late.” He pushed her away and found himself only looking at the scenery. With a sigh, he fluttered down and was glad he didn’t have to fight Violet Dawn anymore.

A good ten minutes later, Fleetfoot hovered besides him. “Soarin! You need to come quickly.”

Soarin glanced up and the first thing he noticed was the blood. “Fleetfoot, your wings!”

“Not mine, Soar. We won the fight, but we lost Silver Lining.” Fleetfoot lamented and in a flash, Soarin was following Fleetfoot.

Violet Dawn appeared next to White Rose’s body and gasped as she saw her fallen comrade. “I can’t believe it.” She muttered while reaching up and removing White Rose’s goggles. “You know I was planning to put a show on for you when we got back, right? I wanted you to watch me strip.” She told her friend and closed her eyes before lowering her goggles and putting White Rose’s over her eyes. Lifting White Rose, Violet Dawn made sure she was secured before flying into the sky hoping the Shadowbolts hadn’t lost anymore members.

“Remind me not to hope ever again.” Violet Dawn said as she saw several Shadowbolts on the ground and just about all of them were in pain. “SHADOWBOLTS! We’ve accomplish our mission. Retreat! There’s no way we’re going to win now.” She was glad that the other Shadowbolts listened to her while the balls were being thrown around.

Secretly, she would be lying if she wasn’t sadden by the deaths of both Wonderbolts and Shadowbolts as she surveyed the battle ground, she spotted Fleetfoot helping the Shadowbolts to retreat and she felt a surge of anger rise. I’ll find a way to make us even, Fleetfoot. She thought touching White Rose’s goggles before shadow hopping.

Soarin landed besides Fleetfoot as they joined the rest of the Wonderbolts. With a sigh, he walked through the empty gaps until he reached the center. “Damn you old timer.” He scolded Silver Lining while Blaze and Misty Fly looked up.

“He’s the one that turned the battle around, Soarin.” Misty Fly told him as he and Fleetfoot sat down opposite of them. Soarin reached over and closed Silver Lining’s eyes. Soarin started, Fleetfoot was right behind him and soon every Wonderbolt and recruit followed by looking skyward and raising both wings to their fullest extent giving Silver Lining the highest pegasus send off.

“Good bye, Silver Lining. May the winds be forever under your wings.” Soarin told him before leaning close to Fleetfoot and whispering. “You’ll be in charge. I need to tell Spitfire before she finds out some other way.”

“But I can get there faster.” Fleetfoot whispered back, not caring if Blaze and Misty Fly could hear them.

Soarin shook his head. “No, he died while under my command, I’m the one that needs to tell her.”

Minako felt solid ground under her hooves and was glad Luna saved her. Hearing somepony freaking out, she walked down an alleyway between two buildings, one of them looking like it had just been bombed. “Hello?” She called out when she reached the backyard.
“Oh, thank you for coming!” A blue unicorn with a short, spiked, two toned mane and tail said in a panic. “I was able to get the bleeding to stop… I think.” Beside them there were several bloodied clothes.

Minako sighed, not sure how a pony could not know if they successfully stopped the bleeding or not. Looking at the earth pony, her eyes widened. “Lyla!?” She cried out and pushed the unicorn to the side as she reached Lyla Firecracker. Lifting the bandage, she saw two bite marks that had scabbed over. “You, go find some juice and apples. Now!” She commanded when the unicorn scrambled to get away from the scene.

Lyla Firecracker groaned as Minako rolled her onto her side and been in the process of licking the dried blood away. “Where am I?” She asked, still groggy.

“Canterlot.” Minako replied and tried to get the taste off her tongue. “Don’t try moving just yet.”

“No arguments there.” Lyla Firecracker groaned and blinked a couple of times. “Minako?” How did you get here?”

“Long story.” Minako said as the unicorn came back.

”I had three bottles of apple juice but I tripped and dropped one on accident.”

Minako resisted the urge to face hoof. “Damn it… whatever your name is.”

“I’m Artic Breeze.” The unicorn introduced himself as he set the snacks and juice down.

“Artic, help me to get her to sit up.” Minako said and slapped his hoof. “Slowly. Tell me what happened.” Together they got Lyla Firecracker to sit up and she drunk nearly all of the apple juice.

“I heard there was a battle. A battle mind you, an explosion and then I saw-”

“Artic, shut up.” Minako growled. “I want to hear her story first. Then we can listen to yours.” Thankfully, he went quiet as Lyla Firecracker told her story and then they listened to Artic Breeze’s part. As he finished speaking, Lyla Firecracker was regaining more of her color.

“Okay! I’m sorry! I got to run. This blood is freaking me out!” Artic Breeze told them before running off.

“Should have called you blueberry instead.” Minako muttered causing Lyla Firecracker to giggle. “Think you can move?”

“I think so, maybe slowly at first, but I have a bat pony to replay.” Lyla Firecracker stood up though it took them some time before they could really do anything and she had to lean against Minako. While Minako told Lyla Firecracker her story, they slowly left the backyard.

Between Luna and Spitfire, they were able to get close to Fainthoof but it was proving difficult to stay close to him. The first dozen times Spitfire tried to shadow hop, it ended with her either being further away, facing the wrong direction, or only moving half a pony length from where she started including one time with her face planted in Luna’s plot and marehood causing the princess to yelp in surprise as Fainthoof roared with laughter.

Once Luna regained her ability to think, she casted an area spell to cut the three of them off from everypony else. I’m sorry we have to do this.” Luna told Fainthoof as she used her magic to immobilize him. “Captain Spitfire, you must pull the thread out.”

Spitfire nodded as she got close to Fainthoof and went to pull on the shadow thread but jumped back hearing a horrible scream of pain, right before the scythe cut her rear leg. Looking back at Luna, she motioned to his tail. “Don’t forget that.”

“Sorry.” Luna apologized and held his tail in place. “Ignore whatever he says.”

Spitfire turned back to Fainthoof and made another attempt ignoring his pained screams. Glancing at the needle, she saw they were nearly out of time. Thrusting her hoof into the needle’s path, she grunted in pain as the sharp point pierced her and began stitching through her body.

“Spitfire… save me.” Fainthoof choked out while his body pulled away.

Spitfire pulled back as well tightening the thread and exposing it until she had enough to bite and sever the connection. She gave a sigh of relief and went back to pulling the thread through Fainthoof’s body.

Fainthoof managed to get a hoof free and he sucker punched Spitfire while the pendant he wore glowed. “You’ll join me won’t you?” He asked darkly as the needle came to life once more and resumed stitching through Spitfire.

“You wish.” Spitfire gritted her teeth as she continued to pull on the thread. Luna immobilized Fainthoof’s hoof once more but she found the shadow pendant was forcing her magic away forcing her to pile layer upon layer of magic.

Just a little more. Spitfire thoughts as the needle was approaching her own pendant. As if sensing it was about to be severed, the needle began moving faster with the faster it went and the more thread that was pulled out, the more pain it caused Fainthoof and the louder he screamed. Spitfire gave a powerful tug as the last bit of thread came out of Fainthoof before slamming her hoof into the pendant, shattering it while the needle stopped a few stitches from her pendant.

Things were calm for a few seconds, all three looking relieved that the ordeal was finished. “Spitfire-” Fainthoof began, his voice raw from the screaming.

“Yes, Faint?” Spitfire asked as she rubbed her hoof where the needle pricked its way in.

“Would you-” Fainthoof never got to finish as a torrent of shadow energy exploded from the pendant knocking the three of them back and out of Luna’s field spell. The sudden explosion died down when Fainthoof ripped the pendant from his neck before teleporting it far above Canterlot as he could, where the resulting explosion lit up the night sky. There were no time for words as a wave of positive, multi-color energy swept through Canterlot.

Author's Notes:

We're almost though this.

Disclaimer: I don't own My Little Pony, Hasbro does.
However, I'm pleased to say I do own Blue Jay, Paige, Harmonious Flash, Kitsune/Feral Lupus, Lyla Firecracker, Minako, and Shadow.

Also, the Shadowbolts named here are mine as well.
Fainthoof is used with permission from Damien, a good friend of mine.

As always, constructive criticism is welcome. It'll help me to improve my writing and seeing what people liked.