The atmosphere around Ponyville was tense. The ponies were on constant edge fearing for what felt was an inevitable attack. Rainbow Dash was given the job of making sure nopony could enter the town without her knowing. While she hated the lack of naps, she couldn't argue with the extra bits courtesy of Filthy Rich. Once Derpy and Spike returned, they stayed and watched guard while Rainbow got Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Rarity. Once she had, they all met in town hall.

"So, what did you find?" asked Rainbow anxiously.

"Nothing.' answered Derpy sadly.

"We would have to get into the palace to fin what we need." added Spike.

The Element Bearers all groaned at this.

"They ain't gonna let us in." sighed Applejack.

"Especially with the dreadful war." added Rarity.

"The timing is quite impeccable." thought Spike.

The baby dragon quickly shook his head.

"Princess Celestia would never do that." thought the baby dragon.

"Spike!" called out Pinkie.

The baby dragon shook his head and found the others looking at him.

"Sorry...I zoned out." said Spike, scratching the back of his head.

"Spikey Wikey, we asked what you think we should do next." said Rarity.

Spike looked around and noticed somepony was missing.

"Where's Fluttershy?" asked Spike.

"With her family in Cloudsdale." answered Rarity.

"My parents are staying at and Rarity's parents just came to Carousel Boutique." added Pinkie.

"Luckily, Braeburn and Chief Thunderhooves are defending Appaloosa." said Applejack.

"My only family is gone." thought Spike sadly.

"I want to visit her, but I have to stay her." said Rainbow.

"Oh. I can take your place." offered Derpy.

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm fine." replied Rainbow.

"Okay." said Derpy, trying to hid her sadness.

Spike thought back to his conversation with Derpy in Canterlot.

"I always seem to mess things up." answered Derpy.

"I really don't trust anypony else to watch Ponyville." added Rainbow.

"I always get in the way." sighed Derpy sadly.

The baby dragon looked over to Derpy who had a sad smile on her face.

"Rainbow, you should go!" declared Spike.

All of the ponies stopped what they where doing and turned their attention to the baby dragon.

"Maybe you you can somepony else give a chance." said Spike, motioning his eyes toward Derpy.

The Element Bearers all nodded understanding.

"Spike, I understand what you're doing. But, now is not the time." said Rainbow sympathetic.

"Maybe Spike has a point." offered Applejack.

"Huh?" asked Rainbow surprised.

"You and Fluttershy are romantically involved darling. I know I would hate to be away from Applejack in such dire straits." explained Rarity.

"You've got me there." confessed Rainbow.

"Rainbow Dash! I can do it!" declared Derpy pleading.

Rainbow thought for a moment.

"Okay. I'll do it." said Rainbow.

"Thank you." replied Derpy thankful.

"AJ, I'm going to leave Tank with you. It shouldn't be long, but...just in case." said Rainbow.

"I understand." replied the farmer solemn.

The cyan mare let out a laugh.

"It's not like you won't see me again." laughed Rainbow.

"You're right! I'll prepare a party when you and Fluttershy return!" declared Pinkie.

"Never change Pinkie." said Rainbow.

Rainbow took off and flew to Cloudsdale. The city was turned into an aerial fortress due to the Sombra invasion. Rainbow was stopped by Hoops, Dumbbell and Score who gave her a hard time accusing her of being a Changeling spy though she was convinced thy where being dicks. Luckily, Bulk Biceps backed her up and she got in. Rainbow met with Fluttershy and her family where she brought Fluttershy up to date. After this, Rainbow sat with Fluttershy and her family in the kitchen.

"I don't know dear, maybe we should leave." proposed Mrs. Shy.

"Where would we go?" asked Mr. Shy.

"You can stay with me." answered Fluttershy.

"Oh, we don't want to be a burden." replied Mr. Shy.

"It wouldn't be a problem." said Fluttershy.

"You can do that. I'm sure Rainbow won't mind me staying with her." said Zephyr, raising his eyebrows.

Rainbow's mouth opened in repulse until she shook her head.

"See, I'll just crash there." said Zephyr.

"I'm sure Fluttershy's chicken coop would be a better fit." muttered Rainbow.

"Now Rainbow." said Fluttershy softly.

Rainbow Dash sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Do, you think we'll be safe?" asked Mrs. Shy worried.

"I'm sure dear." answered Mr. Shy, consoling his wife.

"Don't worry ma. We live on a city of clouds. There's no way they'd attack us." reassured Zephyr, leaning back in a chair.

Zephyr winked toward Rainbow who fought the urge to gag.

"I guess you're right." said Mrs. Shy.

Before anypony else could speak, an explosion was heard outside.

"Oh no. They're here." said Fluttershy worried.

"Ahh!" cried Zephyr.

Zephyr Breeze jumped out of his chair, flew to the living room and hide under the couch.

"Don't let them get me!" cried Zephyr.

"Fluttershy, take your family and get them to safety." said Rainbow.

"What about you?" asked Fluttershy worried.

"Saving my home." answered Rainbow.

"Be safe." replied Fluttershy.

Fluttershy took her family and quickly fled to a nearby location where they could see the fighting. Rainbow shot outside meeting familiar Ponyville faces Thunderlane, Cloud Kicker and Bulk Biceps.

"How many are there?" asked Rainbow.

"Not sure." answered Thunderlane.

"There are Earth Ponies and Pegasus!" added Cloud Kicker worried.

"How?" asked Rainbow.

Rainbow stopped for a moment and remembered the cloud walking spell Twilight used.

"Could they know that?" asked Rainbow skeptical.

Several volleys of magic came from Sombra's unicorn forces.

"Split up!" cried Rainbow.

The four pegasus split up to make it harder to hit.

"Thunderlane, create a diversion so they rest of us and attack." ordered Rainbow.

"Roger." ordered Thunderlane.

Thunderlane gulped and headed toward the unicorns. He did his best to bob and weave while they fired at him.

"Now!" cried Rainbow.

Rainbow, Cloud Kicker and Bulk Biceps dive bombed the unicorn forces. However, before hey could reach all three of them where caught by a yellow aura.

"Well, what do we have here?" asked a mare's voice.

Sunset Shimmer trotted over to see the three pegasus she caught.

"A trio of rats caught." chuckled Sunset.

"Oh no." said Thunderlane, seeing his friends trapped.

Thunderlane turned and charged toward Sunset.

"Fire!" cried Sunset.

The unicorns fired, but Thunderlane managed to avoid them.

"Oh Celestia." said Thunderlane.

Thunderlane flew down and flew inches away from Sunset.

"Dammit!" cried Sunset.

The unicorn fell back releasing the other three pegasus.

"Thanks!" called Rainbow.

The four pegasus regrouped when a trio of shadows appeared overhead.

"It's the Wonderbolts!" cried Cloud Kicker.

"We're saved!" cried Bulk Biceps.

The Wonderbolts floated above the four.

"Are you okay?" asked Soarin'

"Yeah." answered Thunderlane.

"Cyan mare, we'll take the lead. You follow." said Spitfire.

"Why didn't you use my name?" asked Rainbow.

"Um...it slipped my mind." answered Spitfire nervously.

"Let's go!" cried Fleetfoot.

The Woderbolts took off with the other behind them.

"Soarin', what is my name?" asked Rainbow.

The unicorn forces began firing volleys of magic which the pegasus dodged.

"Now is not the time." answered Soarin' anxious.

Rainbow dash mused for a moment.

"What's your favorite dessert?" asked Rainbow.

"Easy. It's cake." answered Soarin'.

"They're impostors!" cried Rainbow horrified.

As soon as she said this, "Spitfire" turned and attacked Cloud Kicker while "Soarin'" attacked Thunderlane. Cloud Kicker and Thunderlane crashed to the ground while the two Changelings revealed themselves. "Fleetfoot" attacked Bulk Biceps, but hs used his muscle to throw the Changeling over his head.

"Yeah!" cried Bulk, fired up.

"Where are the Wonderbolts?!" asked Rainbow loudly.

"Rainbow!" cried a far too familiar voice.

Rainbow turned to see a disheveled Twilight running, with a limp, over to her.

"Twilight! How the hey did you get here?" asked Rainbow.

"I came when the attack started." answered Twilight weakly.

"Let's get these bastards!" declared Rainbow.

Rainbow got up and took off not noticing Twilight's smirk.

"You fool." thought Sunset smuggly.

Rainbow took off, but moments after getting off the ground volley of magic hit her in the back.

"Rainbow!" cried Fluttershy.

Rainbow crashed to the ground looking at Twilight as Fluttershy raced over.

"You dumb bitch." laughed Twilight.

Fluttershy landed next to Rainbow who was weak.

"Why are you doing this?!" asked Fluttershy horrified.

"I'm one of those "bastards" Rainbow was talking about." answered Twilight cocky.

"No." said Fluttershy, eyes wide as saucers.

"Sunset Shimmer, get these bacteria over-" began Twilight.

The purple unicorn was unable to finish as Bulk Biceps crashed into her.

"Come on!" cried Bulk.

Bulk grabbed Rainbow and took off. Fluttershy started to follow, but stopped shortly after.

"My family!" cried Fluttershy.

The shy pegasus looked over, but to her horror her family had been captured.

"We gotta go!" cried Bulk.

"Kill them!" screamed Twilight.

A series of pegasus took off and began to follow. Luckily, a storm cloud was set off and the lightning it shot allowed Bulk, Rainbow and Fluttershy to escape.

"Find whoever set that off!" cried Twilight furiously.

As she watched her comrades flee, the pegasus who set off the storm cloud sighed.

"Dammit. I really hate helping you. But, I guess we're allies now." thought Lightning Dust.

Lightning Dust turned to see several Sombra pegasus surround her.

"Shit!" spat Lightning Dust.

The unicorns took down Lightning Dust and dragged before Twilight. Twilight and Lightning Dust recognized each other.

"You will pay for that stunt." said Twilight.

Meanwhile; Bulk, Fluttershy and Rainbow quickly returned to Ponyville. Seeing Rainbow, Derpy quickly wanted to get her to the hospital, but Rainbow insisted they see Zecora. They went to they Hay and Stay while word quickly spread of Rainbow being hurt. Rainbow laid on the bed while Fluttershy and Bulk watched.

"There no need for you to pine. You're wings will be fine." said Zecora.

"Thanks. Applejack said your medicine was good. Plus, I didn't want to many other ponies to find out." said Rainbow.

Suddenly, the door swung open.

"Rainbow!" cried Applejack.

Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie ran in to see their friend.

"We heard about what happened in Cloudsdale..." began Rarity.

Fluttershy sniveled at this.

"Her family where captured." explained Bulk.

"Don't worry Fluttershy. They'll be fine." said Pinkie comforting.

"This situation is quite tragic. But, Rainbow's wings where hurt by magic." noted Zecora.

"Unicorns?" asked Applejack surprised.

"Of course. The cloud walking spell." said Rarity, remembering the Best Young Fliers Competition.

"It was...Twilight." revealed Rainbow glumly.

Author's Notes:

A/N: That is where we'll end things here. I hope this chapter was up to par. Next time, the aftermath of this. Please review.