Goku screamed out in a mixture of surprise, shock, and pain as she slammed face first into ethereal mist that burst out from the put under the bridge. White hot pain shot through her entire body, making her feel as if she was being electrocuted by countless volts of lightning. The sound of the electricity chirping filled her bat ears, along with the horrified screams of her friends as she writhed agonized in midair. An explosion suddenly resounded around the entire pit, and Goku found herself rocketing back and slamming right into her friends, causing them to end up in a huge pile.

“Oooooh…damn it, that hurt.” The tan Thestral murmured, her voice muffled by Twilight fur as she lay under her. “That felt like I was being electrocuted by one of Midnight’s storm clouds.”

“Goku, are you alright?!” Sky Ranger asked, rushing over to the mare as Twilight quickly got off of her. “My goodness, you’re all burnt up!”

“What in th’ Sam hay was that?!” Applejack asked as she stepped off of Pinkie Pie. “That wall jus’ came outta nowhere jus’s like that! How in the hay was it able to come up so fast?!”

“I can’t really tell; we didn’t notice it until it just came out of nowhere like that.” Twilight replied worriedly, her violet eyes scanning the starry wall in front of them. “It’s even bigger than it was last time we were all in it!”

“Do you think Dashie is okay?” Pinkie Pie asked anxiously, looking in between each of her friends. “She’s on the other side of the bridge! What if she got caught by that big Nightmare Moon meanie?!”

“…No, she’s still there.” Fluttershy replied softly after a moment of silence. “I can still feel her magical essence, along with the Shadowbolts’. They’re all still very close by, they haven’t gotten very far.”

“Really? You can still feel them there?” Rarity asked, staring at Fluttershy with wide eyes. “B-but how? That whole wall is blocking our entire view of them!”

“We may not be able to see them, we can still use our own magic to detect their own.” The buttermilk Pegasus explained, glancing at the alabaster Unicorn. “I channeled my magic into my nose, and I used it to detect Rainbow Dash and the Shadowbolt’s scents from behind that wall. It doesn’t matter if I can or can’t see them, I can still figure out if they’re still there either by detecting their magic or searching for their scents. And since I combined the two, I had a better chance of finding them.”

“Wow, you were able to find them jus’ by doin’ that?” Applejack asked, letting out a little whistle. “Ah knew ya had a good sense o’ smell, but wow…never knew you were capable of doin’ somethin’ like that.”

The buttermilk Pegasus blushed, turning away as she hid behind her mane. “Oh, it’s not really anything special, really. I just occasionally use it if I can’t find any of my animal friends the old-fashioned way.”

“Well, it certainly helped us in knowing that Rainbow Dash, Violet Fire and everypony else are alright.” Zephyr said, getting back up on his hooves as he fluffed his wings. “The only problem is, how’re we going to get through this wall, so we can to them?”

“We could use our magic to break through it.” Pinkie Pie suggested absentmindedly. “I mean, it’s not like anypony is keeping it up, and it did come out on its own. So, we could try to blast our way through it.”

“I don’t know if that’ll work Pinkie Pie.” Twilight said skeptically, her brows furrowing. “I can sense the magic coming from this wall, and its overwhelming to say the least. I don’t know if we can even put a single dent in it.”

“Well we won’t know unless we try sugarcube.” Applejack stated, dragging a hoof across the ground. “We got to anyway, RD an’ them Shadowbolts ‘r on the other side fightin’ who knows what, an’ we can jus’ sit ‘ere an’ do nothin’.”

“Applejack’s right.” Goku said firmly, giving a strong nod. “Rainbow Dash is our friend, and we can’t just leave her in there to face Nightmare Moon and anything else in there alone. I don’t doubt that the Shadowbolts will be able to defend her, but even they may have their hooves full in there with something. That’s all the more reason for us to try to break through this wall so we can get to them and give them a helping hoof.”

“Well said darling, I couldn’t have put it any better myself.” Rarity said, flashing a smile at the tan Pegasus. “I can’t imagine what Dash and the others must be facing in there, and I don’t think I really want to know either. Regardless, we do need to find some way to get through here! Time is of the essence and we can’t afford to waste a single moment!”

“Uh-huh! The sooner get to Dashie, the better!” Pinkie Pie said, grinning determinedly. “So Goku, you any ideas on how we can get through this giant starry wall?”

Goku opened her mouth to speak, but snapped it shut when her ears picked up the sound of something behind her. She turned around to where the trees were, and noticed Fluttershy’s backside facing them, her ears perked and her head high. The tan Pegasus’s guard immediately went up, her own ears flattening as her eyes narrowed.

“Goku, is something wrong?” Zephyr asked, his face morphing into worry. “What do you see?”

“…I thought I heard something coming from the forest.” She slowly replied, looking behind her at the forest towering behind the plains. “Fluttershy, did you hear it too?”

The buttermilk Pegasus’s ears swiveled, and she nodded her head. “Yes, I can…it sounds like explosions coming from inside of the forest. Like there’s something or somepony fighting inside of it.”

“Oh my, you don’t think that there are other ponies inside of there, do you?” Sky Ranger asked worriedly. “It’s one thing if it’s the animals we faced, but it’s another thing entirely if there are other ponies.”

“Well…” Pinkie Pie murmured. “Queen Celly did say that she was going to be sending an army of ponies here in the Everfree, along with herself to help us in the battle. So those explosions that Flutters, Goku and Zephyr are hearing may be coming from them.”

The royal blue stallion glanced over at Pinkie. “How did you know I could hear it too?”

The party pony giggled slyly. “Just a hunch Zephie~!”

“Pinkie does have a point…I mean, Celestia swore she’d come with her own army of guards, and it’s been more than several hours since we came here.” Twilight nodded. “Do you guys really think that it’s here?”

“Ah don’t know sugarcube, but if it is, then they’d better come quick!” Applejack said, stomping her hoof on the icy bridge. “If Ah have t’ stand on this bridge any longer, Ah’m gonna freeze int’ a popsicle versioned caramel apple treat!”

Goku giggled. “Sucks to be you then AJ, hmhm!”

The sound of exploding shockwaves, ear splitting lightning and flickering flames could be heard all throughout exterior of the Castle of the Two Sisters. Fire, lightning and wind of all sizes and colors could be seen dancing all about the sky as the Shadowbolts, Galaxy Star Bolts, and Rainbow Dash duked it out with one another. Neighs and whinnies echoed, wings flapped violently, feathers flew about the air, and streaks of color burst into fireworks as the Pegasi put all of their moves and powers to their fullest use. None of their forms could be seen in the air due to the speed they were going at. Just multiple streaks of color slamming into one another, which only added to the intensity and epicenes of the fight.

Violet Fire’s goggles left flashes of light trailing behind her as she slammed full force into Nightshade, driving both her armored forehooves into the mare’s chest with resounding force. The light blue mare grunted form the impact, before swinging her left wing at the ebony mare’s face before she saw it coming. Violet Fire cried out as her head was knocked sideways, and Nightshade used that opportunity to spin around and deliver another kick to the Shadowbolt Captain’s face. The blow sent Violet Fire flying, but she righted herself and was able to counter a slash of wind that was thrown at her, before flying forward and slamming her knee into Nightshade’s stomach.

The Galaxy Star Bolt Captain hunched over in pain as a bit of blood flew out of her mouth but was unfortunately not given any time to recover. Violet Fire then did a midair front flip and slammed her right hindleg into Nightshades back, sending her diving down towards the ground. The light blue mare flared her wings to stop her descent and was about to ascend back up to Violet Fire, only to see a golden lightning bolt dive down towards her.

“Lightning Pegasus Knight: Thunderous Electric Lightning Bolt!” Violet Fire screamed out as the lightning made impact and sent Nightshade descend to the ground. She watched as the Galaxy Star Bolt Captain was sent crashing into the ground, a cloud of dust enveloping her.

“I must say Captain Nightshade, your quite durable when you’re in the air.” Violet Fire murmured, watching as the light blue mare pulled herself out of the crater. “Other than my team and the rest of the Shadowbolts back at our HQ, nopony’s ever been able to recover that fast from an attack that quickly. Especially an attack from me.”

“I could say the same to you, Captain Violet Fire. You’re quite the formidable opponent, as formidable as a good majority of the Nightmare Dark Army.” Nightshade said silkily, a small smile etched onto her face as she shook the dirt clinging to her. “You certainly live up to your title as the Captain of the Shadowbolts when it comes to speed and strength, and you’re quite resilient when in the air. Although, I do wonder…if you’re able to keep up with us when we’re at our full strength.”

“Well, considering how well I’m doing well so far, I might. Then again, I may not able to withstand it either.” The ebony black mare said. “I guess we’ll just have to see, won’t we?”

“Yes, I suppose we will.” Nightshade smirked, before soaring towards Violet Fire again, flames enveloping her. “Nightmare Fire Pegasus: Swirling Scorching Inferno!”

Violet Fire was ready even before the Galaxy Star Bolt Captain had lunged for her, her forelegs raised in defense. She blocked Nightshade’s fiery blast to her chest, before grabbing both of the mare’s hindlegs and flipping her around in the air and throwing her away. Like last time, Nightshade righted herself in the air and met Violet Fire’s incoming bunch that was aimed at her stomach with her own. They both flew back, the auras around their bodies glowing brighter as flames the colors of their manes ignited around them. They clashed again, wings and hooves swinging and beating at each other at rapid speed as the roaring flames surrounding them lit up the air.

“Tell me Captain Nightshade!” Violet Fire continued as she evaded Nightshade’s punches. “Why are you working with Nightmare Moon and aiding her in trying to bring out Eternal Night?!”

“Why do you think?!” Nightshade asked, ducking under a side kick. “It’s because we want to make our Queen’s dream of being loved and respected finally come true! That sister of her’s has took it all for herself for fartoo long, and it’s time that changes now!”

“And you and your army really think that this is the way to do it?! Using unnecessary force, hurting innocent ponies, and nearly killing the Solar Queen?!” Violet Fire asked, ascending down towards Nightshade slamming her hind hooves into her stomach. “I admit, Queen Celestia could’ve done a better job in preventing her sister from turning against her, and she and Queen Luna have by deepest condolences for what they went through! I can only imagine what they both had to go through while Queen Luna was tormented by the hatred her subjects were throwing at her.”

“Is that so?” Nightshade asked, raising an eyebrow. “Then why are you fighting against us and trying to stop our Queen from claiming what is rightfully her’s?!”

“Because what you and Nightmare Moon are doing is just wrong, and it’s going completely against how difference should be settled if there’s another, more peaceful way!” Violet Fire replied, grabbing Nightshade’s tail and throwing her towards the ground. “We can’t allow you or your Queen to take out this cruelty on anypony anymore, and unless you surrender now, you’ll leave us no choice but to eliminate you!”

“Surrender? You’re seriously asking us, the most powerful, strongest, and fastest flyers ever to surrender to you?!” Nightshade laughed as she ascended back up towards the ebony black mare. “I’m sorry to say sweetheart, but you’re barking up the wrong tree here! We are the Galaxy Star Bolts, and we do not submit to anypony but the Dark Queen herself! And unless you do what you’re suggesting to us, we’ll have no choice but to turn you into dust!”

“Sorry Captain Nightshade, but that’s not going to fly!” Violet Fire declared firmly as she flew back from the light blue mare. “We’re the Shadowbolts, and our sworn duty is to protect the innocent from all that threaten to harm the, which includes you! Fire Pegasus Knight: Scorching Whinny!”

A gigantic blast of fire shot out of the armored ebony mare’s mouth, watching as it sailed towards the Galaxy Star Bolt Captain. Nightshade smirked and aimed her forehooves forward, twisting them as she shot a swirling pillar of fire at Violet’s own attack. There was a temporary power struggle, before both attacks exploded in midair, smoke rising from into the air as a result

"Is that right?" Nightshade chucked, a small fanged smirk coming to her face. "Well then...it looks like we both know how this is going to end, don't we?"

"Yes...I suppose we do." Violet Fire murmured, her brows furrowing. "Still, we won't know the outcome unless we see for ourselves!"

"Thatmuch we can agree on!" Nightshade laughed as she and the Shadowbolt Captain collided.

Fast Tracks let out a loud battle cry as he shot a hoof at Stratus’s face, to which the grayish beige stallion blocked, before throwing one of his own. It slammed directly into the light brown stallion’s cheek, but he was able to fight back the pain to deliver another blow. He slammed one of his powerful booted hindleg into Stratus’s stomach, causing him to fly back as Fast Tracks flew towards him. Stratus did several midair backflips and gave Fast Tracks and uppercut to chin as he approached, causing his jaw to snap shut with an audible crack as he was sent spiraling through the air. As Stratus balanced himself, Fast Tracks took a moment to sooth the pain in his jaw, before shooting glare at the Galaxy Star Bolt.

“Hey! That was a cheap bucking shot there, pal!” He snapped indignantly. “You totally tricked me back there when it looked like you were hurt from my hit!”

“Yeah, so? What does it matter to you punk?” Stratus asked, giving a little snort. “You think that just because you guys are an Ariel Team that we’re going to go easy on you? Give me a damn break, as if we’d go easy on a bunch of foals like you!”

“Oh, so I’m a foal, huh?” Fast Tracks asked, his ears flattening. “Well tell me, can a foal do this?! Lightning Pegasus Knight: Electric Volt Tail Swipe!”

With speed that matched his name, Fast Tracks charged at Stratus, catching him off guard at the speed he was going. This gave the Vice Shadowbolt Captain enough time to do a side spin in and give Stratus a power electrified tails swipe to the side of his scarred face. Stratus cried out in pain as he was sent flying, electricity coursing through his veins, but flared his wings out to stop himself as his white goggles flashed brightly with anger.

“Nightmare Sky Pegasus: Black Slicing Wind!” He shouted, swinging his wings out and sending giant slices of wind at the light brown stallion.

“Tch, is that all you got?!” Fast Tracks asked with a snort as he shot a couple of bolts of violet lighting to counter Stratus’s attacks. “Do you really think you’re going to take me down with a few wind slices?”

“No, I don’t.” Stratus replied, suddenly appearing from the smoke made by his and Fast Track’s attacks. “But that’s not going to stop me from giving you one hay of a beatdown, you damn Shadowbolt!”

Before Fast Tracks could say anything, Stratus slammed his right hoof into the other stallion’s chest, causing him to hunch over and gasp from shock and pain. Stratus then shot his other hoof in Fast Tracks’ upper back, sending him diving down towards the ground. As he descended, the pale gray stallion dived down after him, connecting both his hind hooves into Fast Tracks’ stomach. Stratus then swung a hoof at his face, before doing a front flip and slamming one of his hind hooves into the Shadowbolt’s stomach again. He spun around to deliver a hard buck, but halted as Fast Tracks grabbed his tail and yanked him hard to the side, throwing the pale gray stallion off balance. Just before they hit the ground, Fast Tracks spun him around before throwing him to the ground, where he crashed, forming large crater.

“You call that a beatdown?” The light brown stallion asked, frowning. “Please, I’ve gotten way more painful blows during training. Compared to all of that, what you just did was nothing!”

Growling, Stratus tore himself form the spit and boulder covered ground and rocketed towards Fast Tracks, his lips curled back into a ferocious snarl. “Oh yeah?! Well we’ll just see about that, little colt! I’m just getting started!” He shouted, flying up to Fast Tracks with swirls of black wind covering both of his hooves. “Nightmare Sky Pegasus: Black Wind Barrage!”

Stratus delivered a series of hard and quick punches to his opponent, but Fast Tracks was quick to dodge each and every one of them. He then moved back a bit and swung his leg into Stratus’s side, but as he pulled it away, the pale gray stallion grabbed it. Stratus shot his wind covered elbow into Fast Track’s leg, and it was only thanks to the training he went through at Shadowbolt HQ that the bones didn’t shatter under the overwhelming strength. Fast Tracks gritted his long curved fangs, and shot his other hindleg into the other stallion’s face, watching it connect with a sickening crack as it connected with his jaw.

With his right hindleg now free, Fast Tracks grabbed Stratus by the shoulders, and gave him a hard headbutt, causing the pale gray Pegasus’s eyes to roll back in shock and pain. The light brown stallion gave him a hard punch to the face, before shooting a bolt of lightning at him, sending him crashing into one of the icy walls of the abandoned castle.

“Sky Thestral Knight: Serrated Wind Flock!” The light brown stallion shouted, sending multiple purple slices of wind at stratus, sending him further into the castle. As he took a moment to catch his breath, he mulled over the fight so far.

‘Damn…that son a of a bitch is strong. He was so close to breaking my leg.’ Fast Tracks murmured to himself, tentatively rubbing his right hindleg. ‘Good thing Captain’s training made it more durable and denser than a normal Pegasus, especially since I’m a Thestral. I’m gonna have to really watch out for anymore moves like that, or else I’ll end up with some bent legs.’

“Fast Tracks!” Violet Fire suddenly shouted, causing the light brown stallion to look over at his Captain. “Be careful where you and Stratus are fighting around here! Remember, Goku, Twilight and their friends are planning to search that castle for the Elements, and Nightmare Moon might be in there too! We don’t need it destroyed like it used to be before Nightmare Moon fixed it!”

“Right, sorry Captain!” The light brown stallion shouted back.

The sound of earth cracking suddenly filled Fast Track’s ears, causing him to look down and see Stratus pulling himself out of the hold in the castle. The pale gray stallion took a second to shake the rubble and dust off of him, before looking up at the other stallion with angry eyes.

“You goddamn bastard...you’re going to pay for that one!” He yelled, stomping his forehooves down as blood covered his suit. “Nopony headbutts me like that and lives to tell the tale!”

“Oh yeah? Well guess what buddy, I just did headbutt you, and I did ithard.” Fast Tracks smirked, crossing his forehooves. “And you know what else? I’m still alive, and not dead! So that means I do get to tell the tale!”

“Not if I can help it, asshole!” Stratus shouted as he flew up towards Fast Tracks. “By the time I’m done with you, your skull’s gonna looked like a cracked egg!”

“I’d love to see you try you bucking cheapskate!” Fast Tacks shouted back, before he and the pale grey stallion engaged in their furious blunt force fight.

Lightning Shadow’s whole body spun like a ponified tornado as she unleashed large whirlwind at Starry Skies, to which she countered with a whirlwind of her own. They both met and exploded in midair, before both Pegasi collided with each other, using their wings to try to push each other back with all their strength. They pulled themselves away before Starry skies unleashes a barrage of wind slashes at Lightning Shadow, to which the light grey mare swiftly, and rather gracefully dodged. Flipping in the air, she shot her right hindleg out, aiming for Starry Skies head, enabling the pale violet mare to use both her forehooves to block it.

Starry then grabbed Lighting Shadow by her tail and yanked her down, only or her head to snap upwards when the light grey mare shot her other hind hoof into the Galaxy Star Bolt’s chin. This caused her to release the Shadowbolts leg, and Shadow Step did a back flip before rocketing up to deliver a sock to Starry Skies gut, her hoof infused with a large ball of wind. Starry Skies managed to block the attack, but it didn’t stop her from being blow away be the wind.

As she was sent reeling back black bolts of lightning appeared on Lightning Shadow, and she soared towards the pale violet mare, who was able to stop herself in the air. She was able to lock eyes with the Shadowbolt for just a second before she felt her vision become enveloped by a sea of ruby red.

“Shadow Lightning Pegasus Knight: Dark Lightning Thunderous Explosion!” Lightning Shadow shouted; hooves outstretched as the jet-black darkness and blue lighting struck Starry Skies. She screamed as the lightning bolts coursed through her veins, but she was able to fight off the pain to deliver a hard punch to the left side of the light grey mare’s face. This action took Lightning Shadow by surprise, so much so that she was almost unable to block a giant drill of wind aimed right at her.

“Nightmare Sky Pegasus Knight: Black Sky Drill!” Starry Skies shouted; her own hooves stretched out to send a blast of wind at Lightning Shadow. The attack left her armor somewhat sliced up and a few fresh cuts on her legs and face, but Lightning Shadow was otherwise alright, not even looking winded from the blast.

“My, you seem to be handling my attacks particularly well, Lightning Shadow.” Starry Skies complimented, hovering some feet away. “There are bleeding cuts all along you, and you don’t even look theleast bit in pain. I must say, I am quite surprised...and impressed”

“So, you noticed already it, huh?” The light grey mare asked, a small smile making its way to her face. “You caught on pretty quickly, looks like you really are as sharp as Nightshade said you’d be. Don’t get me wrong these cuts are making me feel like I’m being cut by a sword, but hey, I’ve have had a lot worse than this.”

“Is that so? Even more than this? Well then, I suppose all of that training you did with your Captain did wonders for you being able to handle pain, hm?” Starry Skies asked, an amused smile coming to her face. “I supposed it’s to be expected, since you are in Ariel Flyer yourself. If you couldn’t handle pain and are unable to fight from cuts like that, then there’s no chance that you’d be able to handle any attack that’s thrown at her.”

“Well, it’s a good thing for you that I am an Ariel Flyer.” Lightning Shadow murmured, wiping some off her blood off of her face. “Especially a Shadowbolt Ariel Flyer…we’re built to withstand any types of pain, no matter how intense it is. We did learn from the best after all.”

“So you did.” Starry Skies nodded. “Though does leave me curious as to just how much pain you’re able to withstand.”

“Why don’t you come and find out yourself?” The light grey mare asked, putting her forehooves up. “I’d be more than happy to show just how high our pain tolerance is.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Starry Skies giggled, before she shot towards the light grey mare, spinning like a horizontal whirlwind. “ Nightmare Sky Pegasus: Black Whirlwind Tornado Buster! ”

“Wh-hey! That was Captain Violet Fire’s attack, you copycat!” Lightning Shadow shouted somewhat indignantly. As she shot a blast of wind to counter Starry’s bodily attack, Lighting Shadow added, “Where you to get off copying somepony else’s attack, especially if you haven’t even seen them for yourself?!”

“You never said that we couldn’t use any of our own attacks that were just like yours!” Starry Skies laughed, speaking through the whirlwind she had made herself in. “You were launching an attack that only ponies with Pegasus magic could do, including this! Did you really expect anything less of us?!”

Lightning Shadow grunted, using her wings to fling the pale violet mare away from her. “Of course not! I just thought that you would’ve gotten a bit more creative than that.”

“More creative huh?” Starry Skies asked, raising an eyebrow. “Alright then, let me show just how creative I can be!”

Flaring her wings out, sapphire blue lightning encased the pale violet mare, slowing growing in intensity and power as she hovered in the air. Right around the same time, a large swirl of wind surrounded her, morphing together with the lightning, causing some of to swirl with the wind. With a single flap, Starry Skies shot herself at Shadow Step again, turning herself into a large lighting infused whirlwind.

“Here I come Lightning!” Starry Skies cried gleefully. “Nightmare Lightning Sky Pegasus: Black Thunderous Slicing Tornado Whirlwind!”

“Oh shit!” The light grey mare cried as she flew back from the incoming mare. “Shadow Lightning Pegasus Knight: Dark Thunderous Lighting Bolt!”

Before she felt herself getting slammed into by the full force of Starry Skies’ attack, Lightning Shadow let her own attack collided with Starry’s. Unfortunately, the power struggle didn’t last very long, and in the end, Starry Skies won out in this struggle. The feeling of the lightning occurring through her veins and the whirling slashing at her body made Lightning Shadow powerless to stop the scream that ripped out of her throat. She spun through the air and slammed into the ground, causing large chunks of earth and dust clouds to explode out from within.

“Uh-oh, looks like I may have composed a bittoo much magic.” Starry Skies murmured to herself. “I hope she wasn’t taken out by that so quickly.”

Right as she said that, something burst out form the dust filled crater, and the pale violet mare found herself looking into the flashing goggles of Lightning Shadow. Her cape was torn asunder, and her armor and skirt having more tears and cuts in it than from earlier. There were burns on some parts of her fur, mane and tail, and they were all covered in her blood. Some of her feathers looked to be either bent or missing and there was even a large cut in her right here. Despite this, the light grey mare didn’t look to be in pain, not showing the slightest bit of agony, despite how bloodied she looked.

“Oh my, you’re back up already?” Starry Skies gasped, eyes widening in surprise. “It hasn’t even been thirty seconds; it looks like you are able to withstand any level of pain.”

“You see? I told you that I could take it. The Shadowbolts are built for withstanding any form of pain that’s injected in them, andnot just the physical.” Shadow Step said, spitting a broken tooth out. “If you were expecting me to be taken down by an attack like that, then I’m sorry to say that you were incorrect in your calculations.”

“I suppose I was…I must’ve gotten rusty from fighting I’ve done in the past.” Starry Skies sighed, before adjusting her goggles. “Looks like I’ll just have to up my anti then hm?”

“Bring it on!” Lightning Shadow shouted, her ears pinning back as lightning appeared around her. “I may be weaker than you, but I’ll take on anything you throw at me!”

“I’m going to hold you to that sweetie.”S tarry Skies chirped, lightning forming around her own body as both Pegasi charged at each other. “Show me what you have packed in that brain of yours!”

Storm Shadow’s wings stretched back behind her as she drove herself through the air, wind picking up around her as she went into a spinning motion. Down below, charger was soaring up towards her, attempting to create his own tornado of wind to counter the dark grey mare’s own. In the blink of an eye, both of them met in midair, their whirlwinds collided with each other and sending a shockwave through the air. The mare and stallion pushed with all their might, attempting to get the upper hand over the other as their whirlwinds continued to roar with power and intensity.

Eventually, Storm Shadow and charger pulled back, letting their whirlwinds explode in midair and send wind flying everywhere. With the wind covering her, Storm Shadow soared through it with blue and black lighting covering her body, attempting to take Charger by surprise, with her new sneak attack. Suddenly, the greenish gray stallion popped out in front of her, almost catching the dark grey mare off guard as he aimed a punch towards her. Storm Shadow effectively ducked under him before delivering an electrical shock to his chin, stunning the Charger as his head snapped to the side. The dark grey mare then punched him a few times in the stomach before whirling around and bucking him in the chest, sending him flying away.

“Shadow Lightning Pegasus Knight: Black Thunderous Slicing Wind Attack!” Storm Shadow then pulled her wings back and clapped them together, sending a huge bolt of lightning and darkness at Charger as he spiraled through the air. Suddenly the stallion began spinning around, encasing himself in a cloak of lightning himself as Storm Shadow’s clashed with it, causing it to bounce away and strike the ground beneath them.

“Nightmare Sky Pegasus: Black Slicing Whirlwind Tornado!” Before Storm Shadow what had hit her, a giant black tornado of wind shot out of Charger and flew towards her. The dark grey mare’s body reacted before her mind did, wings shooting out to counter the attacks with her own slices of wind to prevent from getting slashed.

When she managed to stop the last few from reaching her, she focused her attention back onto Charger, only to see him nowhere in sight. She suddenly heard the sound of roaring wind and she whirl around to see a giant another whirlwind diving towards her. Pursing her lips, Storm Shadow flared both of her wings out as black lightning incasing them.

“Shadow Pegasus Knight: Thunder Clap of Lightning!” She shouted, clapping her wings together as thunder echoed about the sky. A giant black lightning bolt fused by two shot up at Charger, its speed leaving him unable to evade the attack or block it. He did neither, and instead flew right into the lightning bolt, letting it encase him as he flew down towards a surprised Storm Shadow.

“Surprise! Bet you didn’t expect that, did you little lady?!” He shouted as he aimed a swing at her head. “Nightmare Lightning Sky Pegasus: Electric Thunderous Slicing Tornado!”

Storm Shadow swerved to the side of the bodily attack just as it was about to make contact, but before she could strike back, she felt something hard hit her right in the stomach. She hunched over in pain for a moment, before she felt Charger grab her by the back of her suit and throw her right over him. As she flew away, Charger whirled around and began spinning as he soared up towards her, just as Storm Shadow righted herself in the air.

“No, I wasn’t,” Storm Shadow replied, putting both forehooves in front of her to block the greenish gray stallion’s attack. “But were you expecting this?”

Before Charger could react, light blue lightning appeared around Storm Shadow, traveling down her hooves and onto Charger’s own hooves, before traveling all around his body. The Galaxy Star Bolt froze for just a second before screaming out in pain, his body spasming as Storm Shadow continued to electrocute him in the air. Still holding onto the stallion, the dark grey mare pulled him forward and gave him a violent headbutt, nearly breaking the white goggles he was wearing on his face as his head reeled back. The Shadowbolt released one of the stallion’s hooves while still holding onto his other as she slammed her hoof into his stomach, causing a couple of his ribs to crack. As the greenish grey stallion coughed up blood, Storm Shadow finally let him go, only to deliver a hard side kick to Charger’s head, before slamming both hind hooves into his back.

“Shadow Lightning Pegasus Knight: Dark Electric Whinny!” Storm Shadow shouted, shooting a giant mouthful of darkness and lightning down at charger as he fell towards the ground. This caused him to go diving down towards the earth even faster and slam into it, sending dust and chunks flying everywhere.

“It looks like that was a little bit more than you expected to get from me.” Storm Shadow murmured, hovering in the air. “It also looked like you were aware of what was about to happen before I even did it.”

Charger pulled himself out of his crater, burns covering his suited body and a bruise on the side of his head. Shaking off the dust, he looked up at Storm Shadow, his star white goggles flashing from afar as he ruffled his wings.

“Yeah, I kind of did…I just wasn’t expecting you to release that much electricity on me!” Charger said as he lifted himself back into the air. “Your one tough little lady, I’ll give you that much.”

“I wouldn’t say that I’m ‘tough’.” Storm Shadow said calmly, brushing her mane away from her face. “Though I can see why you seemed to think that, but you haven’t seen just how ‘tough’, that I am yet.”

“Oh, I haven’t huh?”Charger asked, a small grin coming to his face. “Well then, why don’t you show me just how tough you really are?”

Storm Shadow raised a jet-black eyebrow. “Are you sure? You may not be able to handle what me and the rest of my team have in store for you all.”

“Little lady, do you even realize who you’re talking to?” Charger asked, raising a silvery cyan eyebrow. “I’m a Galaxy Star Bolt, a member of the most powerful and fastest team in this forest! We’ve faced all kinds of unbelievable stuff here and a lot more! I think we can handle whatever that you have to throw at us. We didn’t become elite flyers by taking the easy route after all.”

“That I can agree with…because neither have we.” Storm Shadow said softly, her goggles glowing as she dived down towards the greenish grey stallion.

Blueball Blitz giggled maniacally as she swiftly dodged the bolts of light blue lightning bolts shot at her by Blue Skies, who was doing her very best to not get zapped by her own bolts. The two Pegasi flew through the air faster than any of the Shadowbolts or Galax Star Bolts, causing gusts of wind and dust to fly all around them. Their wings flapped and swung at each other, with Dash using her dagger-like wing claws to try to slash at the mare, only for Blitz to dodge each one.

“Heeheehee, wow you’re a fastone, aren’t you?!” The bluish violet mare giggled, grinning widely at the cyan mare. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered anypony that’s as fast as you before!”

“I could say the same to you Ms. Blueball!” Blue Skies shouted back, taking another swing with the claw on her left wing. “I’d say that you’re about as fast as I am! Your Captain wasn’t kidding when you said that you’re the fastest one on her little team!”

“Well of course I am Bluey!” Blueball chirped, blocking a punch to the side of her face. “I may not be the strongest or smartest of the Galaxy Star Bolts, but my speed makes up for all of that! It’s the sole reason why Captain Nighty let me join her team in the first place!” Without warning, the bluish violet mare shot her forehooves out and shouted,“ Nightmare Lightning Pegasus: Blue Thunderous Lightning Explosion!”

Blue Skies ducked under Blueball’s explosive as the lightning soared across the air, striking the wall behind them. “Not to be rude, but are you sure it isn’t because you’re able to keep lighting in your mane and tail?” She asked curiously. “Or that its quite literally made in the shape of lightning?”

“Ahahahaha, no silly! Of course not; why would she let me join just forthat?!” Blueball replied, laughing as if Blue Skies had said the funniest joke she had ever had. She then paused as a thoughtful expression came to her goggle covered face. “Though, I wouldn’t put it past the Captain if that was the other reason why she had me join the team! I really do look pretty awesome on me doesn’t it? Hmhmhm!”

“Well she’s about to get a reason to have you off the team!” Blue Skies shouted, flaring her wings as lightning appeared around her wings. “Sky Pegasus Knight: Thunderous Bolt of lightning!”

In the blink of an eye, she clapped them together, sending a huge bolt of magenta lightning at the distracted bluish violet mare. Blueball saw the attack coming, but was unable to evade it in time as it struck her full force, sending huge volts throughout her body. She screamed out as she was flown away, and crashed to the ground, the lightning causing that part of the ground to explode around her.

“Hehehe, it looks like I finally got you Blitz!” Blue Skies said unable to suppress a giggle. “Was that too much for you to handle?”

The sound of creepy giggling suddenly emerged from the dust covered area that Blueball Blitz was in, making Blue Skies pause. An unsettling feeling came over her as Blueball became more noticeable, and the athlete could see what she was coated in violet lightning. The mare suddenly snapped her head up, her goggles flashing as she smiled unnaturally wide, giggling louder than before. Flaring her wings, the bluish violet mare shot up at the cyan mare, who acted completely on instinct and dodged out of the way. She spun around only to see Blueball coming at her again, both hooves out stretched and coated with violet lightning.

“Nightmare Lightning Pegasus: Blue Electric Barrage!” She shouted gleefully, her hooves turning into multiple flying ones. Blue Skies cried out in terror and reeled back just as the Galaxy Star Bolt was about to strike her in the face with her multi-punch attack. The moment Blueball soared past her, she coated herself in lightning to prevent herself from getting seriously electrocuted by the bluish violet mare should she get a lucky hit.

As she righted herself, the palomino whirled around to search Blueball Blitz and found her rocketing up to her again, maniacally laughing all the while. This time however Blue Skies was ready, using her forehooves to block the other mare’s forehooves that were aimed at her face, their cloaks of lightning chirping loudly. The lightning covering both of their bodies exploded into a blinding light of magenta pink and violet colors as they attempted to push each other back.

“Heehee, wow, you’re really good Blue Skies!” Blueball chirped cutely. “You’ve been able to keep up with my speed longer than I thought you would! I guess you’re not the only fastest flyer in Equestria!”

“Thank you Blueball, you’re not so bad yourself?!” Blue Skies grunted; her ears pinned back as she pushed the other mare away. “Also, I’m one of the fastest flyers in in my team, not in Equestria! But I’m on my way to becoming the fastest flyer of the Shadowbolts, if that’s what you’re wondering!”

“Is that why you joined the Shadowbolts?”Blueball Blitz asked as she and Blue Skies blasted each other back. “Sure, they’re the world’s most talented flyers, but that’s just it! That’s about as great as they’re going to get! We on the other hoof, are aiming to be the greatest flyers in the whole universe! Why do you think we’re called the Galaxy Star Bolts?”

“I don’t know…probably because you guys really are made out of those stars in space or something?” Blue Skies asked innocently, not really needing to put much effort in her guessing. “Other than that, I don’t see how you could ever be called that…other than the fact that you have stars in your suits.”

“Huh…You know what? That may be a pretty good reason!” Blueball giggled as she put a hoof to her muzzle.“I’ll have to ask Captain Nightshade if we really are from outer space, eheeheeheeheeheehee!”

Blue Skies reeled back, a shiver going down her spine. ‘What the buck is wrong with this mare? Did she get dropped on her head or something?!’

The sight of Blueball flying at her brought Rainbow out of her thoughts, and she tilted her head to the side to avoid an electrified punch aimed at her. She grabbed the mare’s hoof, holding her in place, before slamming her hoof into Blueball’s unprotected stomach. Blueball gasped loudly as she hunched over, the wind knocked out of her as Rainbow Dash twisted her hoof around to add more damage.

“Lightning Pegasus Knight: Thunderous Electric Explosion!” Before the Galaxy Star Bolt could try to absorb the pain, volts of electricity burst throughout her body, courtesy of Blue Skies as she let it out in one devastating explosion. Blitz screamed out as she was electrocuted, her body convulsing as if she was having a violent seizure as Blue Skies held her in place. This went on for a few moments, before the cyan mare finally stopped, allowing the bluish violet mare to fall limp in her grasp.

“Oh wow….it looks like I concentrated more power into that last attack than I thought that I did.” Blue Skies murmured, laughing sheepishly. “I’m sorry, I guess it really was too much for you.”

“Who said that this was too much for me to handle?” The voice of Blueball sweetly asked, her head slowly lifting to meet Blue Skies’. “Compared to how many training sessions and battles I’ve been in, this is nothing hmhmhm!”

“W-wha-GAH!” Blue Skies began to ask, only to scream out in surprise and pain when Blueball slammed her hoof into her stomach. The Galaxy Star Bolt then lifted her right foreleg up and slammed her elbow hard onto Rainbow Dash’s head, causing her vision to blur and go hazy. In her dazed state, she failed to notice Blueball moving above her and bucking her in the back sending her falling to the ground.

“Oopsie, I guess I got a little carried away back there!” Blueball giggled to herself watching as Rainbow Dash crash landed. “Captain Nighty is not going to be very happy with me about that, heehee!”

Blue Skies groaned in pain as she pulled herself out of the ground, dust and rubble covering it as she struggled to stand. One hoof clutching her head as it pounded loudly, while the other three were attempting to keep her balanced. She could hear her heart beating in her head, which only added to the pain she was in, but she did her best to fought it down. The chocolate maned Pegasus spread her wings and ruffled them, shaking the rubble and dust out of them as she climbed out of the crater. As Blue Skies tried to recover from the attack, Rainbow Dash, who was laying against the ice wall, looking just as shocked as Blue Skies.

“Ugh…Lauren H. Faust, that bitch is so bucking strong…!” She said to herself, straightening her back. “Blue looked like her head was about to explode from that last attack, how hard did she hit her?!”

“Looks like hit you harder than you think, haha!” Blueball commented as she watched the other mare struggle to her feet. “I have to say though; you have a pretty strong skull. For a second there I thought my elbow was going to snap in half, hmhm!”

Inhaling sharply, Blue Skies shot off to the air, and swung at the bluish violet mare only for the latter to duck under it before the palomino mare even got halfway. Before she could even try to plan another attack, Blueball’s hoof she out and made its way around her neck, and it was at that moment Blue Skies realized that it had turned cloven. The young mare flailed in the air, gasping in surprised shock, before both her forelegs made its way around Blueball’s, trying to get out of her grasp.

“Urgh…y-your c-c-crushing my t-throat!” She choked out, trying her best to breathe through the Galaxy Star Bolts surprisingly strong grasp. “P-p-please l-let go of…m-me!”

“Why would I do that silly? Did you forget what my Captain said?” Blueball asked innocently, tilting her head to the side. “We want to get Rainbow Dash…we need somepony to lead our team, somepony to help us in achieving our goal in becoming the universe’s greatest flyers? Why else would Captain Nightshade pick her of all ponies? Because she’s the one to do it!”

“We already told you…s-she’s not joining your team…s-she said so herself!” Blue Skies wheezed, kicking her hindlegs and flapping her ascended wings violently. “W-what part of that…d-don’t…understand?!”

“Oh, we understand perfectly Blue Skies, one hundred percent!” Blueball replied cheerfully, smiling sweetly at the palomino mare. “I get that Rainbow Dash doesn’t want to join our team, because she don’t see just what makes us so amazing, that no Pegasus in their right mind wouldn’t want to join!”

“What…?!” Blue Skies asked with a gasp, pausing in her struggling. “W-what the buck are you t-talking about?! What c-could you p-possibly show R-Rainbow D-Dash that w-would make her want to join a group of p-ponies like you?!”

“You really wanna know?” Blueball asked excitedly, her smile growing wider. “Well, since you’re so eager, I’ll personally show you an up close and personal demonstration as to why we Galaxy Star Bolts are so famous and feared! I will warn you though, this may sting a little, so try not to screamtoo loud, okay?”

Before Blue Skies could even begin to contemplate what Blueball had just said, violet lightning exploded out of the bluish violet mare, travelling up her foreleg and into Rainbow Dash in a tenth of a second. The palomino mare was given no warning before her mouth shot open, her screams tearing out of her as if somepony was driving an electric charged blade into her chest cavity. Her eyes rolled in the back of her head as her wings and limbs shot out, going stock still as electricity course throughout her entire body, her armor doing nothing to prevent it.

“BLUE SKIES!” Storm Shadow yelled, having heard her teammate’s scream as she shot her head in her direction.

“Whoa there, little missy! Not so fast!” Charger exclaimed, flying out in front of her. “You seriously don’t think I’m gonna let you go just like that are you?”

“Move!” Storm Shadow shouted, slightly losing her cool as se shot a slice of wind at the pale grey stallion. “Blue Skies is in trouble; I don’t have time to keep dealing with you!”

“I can see that, but there’s something that I don’t think you realize.” Charger said, evading the attack as he soared into the air. “You’re fighting us, which means if you want to get to your little friend, one of you will have to take out one of us! Or else our sweet little Blueball is just gonna keep giving her a shocker of a demonstration of our power!”

“Why you…!” Storm Shadow hissed, wind swirling around her as she met the stallion in midair and went into another power struggle.

“BLUE SKIES!!!” Violet Fire screamed, watching in horror as the palomino mare was electrified by her captor. She flew down to help her, but was stopped when Nightshade wrapped a foreleg around her neck, putting her in a headlock.

“Where do you think you’re going, hm?” The light blue mask asked, a wicked smile on her face. “Your fight is with me, remember? I don’t recall you saying that any of your teammates should help each other if one is in trouble.”

“Let me go!” The ebony black mare shouted angrily, struggling in the light blue mare’s powerful grasp. She attempted to elbow her in the stomach, but screamed out as she felt herself getting electrocuted by Nightshade, adding to the ones that Rainbow Dash was emitting.

“Awwww, what’s the matter Captain Violet Fire? Not able to take the thunder?” Nightshade asked, her tone sickeningly sweet as she gleefully listened to the ebony black mare’s cries of agony. “Well too bad, because there’s more where that came from!”

“Captain!” Lightning Shadow cried, whipping her head up to where her captain was. She attempted to fly up to her, but was blocked by Starry Skies.

“Not so fast.” Starry Skies said, waving a hood in front of the light grey mare. “We’re it through here yet sweetie, not by a long shot.”

“Get out of my way.” Lightning Shadow hissed sharply, her ears pinning back.

“I don’t think so dear.” Starry Skies chuckled, smiling sweetly at the Shadowbolt. “If you want to get to your Captain, you’ll have to get through me.”

“I said,” Lightning Shadow snarled, ruby red lightning and black essence dancing around her. “Get. Out. Of. My. Way!”

“Wow, Captain Nighty and the others are really letting them have it huh?” Blueball giggled, watching as her team held the Shadowbolts at bay. She turned back to Rainbow Dash, who was still screaming in her grasp. “Are you feelin’ it now Dash? Huh, are you feeling the true power of the Galaxy Star Bolts?”

“LEAVE HER ALONE NOW, YOU MOTHERBUCKING PSYCHOTIC BITCH!!!” Fast Tracks bellowed loudly as he zoomed down towards her. He was immediately intercepted by Stratus, who pulled both forearms behind him tightly. “Dammit...let me go you bastard!”

“Sorry big boy, but that ain’t happenin’.” Stratus smirked, keeping a firm hold on the struggling stallion. “This is what your rainbow maned friend gets by mouthing off to our Captain! Blueball here is just teaching her a lesson!”

“I’mgonna be the one teaching you a lesson if you don’t get the hay out of my way!” Fast Tracks shouted as he engaged the Galaxy Star Bolt once again. “Hold on Dash, we’re coming!”

And so, it went on like that for the next few moments, Blueball electrifying Rainbow Dash while the Shadowbolts tried to come to their aid, only to be continuously intercepted by the Galaxy Star Bolts each time. The mare’s screams were like torture to their ears, and they weren’t sure just how much more she could take before her body finally gave out. All they did know was that they have to save her, before it was too late.

Fortunately for them, they didn’t have to.

“LET HER GO!!!”

The raspy voice came out of nowhere, causing Blueball and the rest of her team to falter in their fights and looked up to where it had come from. They were met with the sigh of a shower of brilliant prismatic flames, raining down towards them from seemingly out of nowhere. They lit up the entire night sky as if they were fire coated meteors bursting out of a volcano and diving down towards earth with the intent in reducing it to nothing but ashes. Both Ariel Teams went wide eyed at the attack coming, and in their shocked states, Violet Fire and Fast Tracks used that opportunity to break away from their adversaries, leaving them in the line of fire.

“Fast Tracks, get Blue Skies out of there!” Violet Fire shouted as soon as she got free. “Hurry, before she gets hit by those fireballs!”

The light brown stallion didn’t need to be told a second time. With a quick nod, he dived down towards the brunt and lifeless looking cyan mare, hoisting her onto his back while Blueball was distracted. Luckily for him, Blueball was too busy trying to evade the fire shower, so she didn’t even notice Fast Tracks swooping in and grabbing Blue Skies.

“Uuuuh...F-Fast Tracks?” Blue Skies wheezed, slowly looking up at her fellow Shadowbolt who was carrying her. “I-Is…that you?”

“Don’t worry Dash, I got you!” The light brown stallion said, looking behind him to smile up at the palomino mare. “You just sight tight okay? We’re not going to let those Galaxy bastards hurt you anymore!”

No more words were said between them after that as Fast Tracks flew back towards the rest of his team, who were hovering in a section of the ethereal wall to keep from getting hit by the balls of fire. As soon as they saw him, they flew over to Fast Tracks and began to inspect Blue Skies’ injuries.

“Blue Skies?! Are you okay?!” Violet Fire asked, gently shaking the younger mare. “Can you hear me?! Say something honey, please!”

To the ebony black mare’s great relief, Rainbow Dash’s eyes slowly opened to meet her worried golden ones. “Y-yes Captain V-Violet…I-I’m still alive. N-no need to get so worked up right now, it’s not like you

“Blue, you were put in a chokehold by Blueball, and nearly electrocuted to death while being strangled at the same time.” Lightning Shadow pointed out softly, gesturing to her the scorches and burn marks. “I think after all that, our Captain is more than within her rights to get, ‘worked up’.”

“Does anypony know where those bolts of fire came from?” Fast Tracks asked, looking down at the flame covered ground. “I didn’t see anypony up in the sky earlier and shoot them down here…it’s like they came out of nowhere or something.”

Storm Shadow was about to reply to the light brown stallion’s question, when she saw something out of the corner of her peripheral vision. Looking to the source, her light blue eyes widened behind her goggles before she cried, “Look, up there!”

All the other Shadowbolts looked up into the sky and gasped upon seeing Rainbow Dash hovering high in the air, flames the color of her eyes surrounding her body. She also looked to be in her Ascension Mode just like the rest of the Shadowbolts, her prismatic cape billowing behind her. It also looked like lightning was surrounding her, which could be contrasted with the flames, thanks to the prismatic color it gave off.

“Wait a minute, hold on.” Lighting Shadow began, squinting her eyes. “Is that…who I think it is?!”

“Holy shit…yeah! It is!” Fast Tacks answered for her, his jaw dropping as he pointed forward. “It’s Rainbow Dash, she’s back up!”

Blue Skies’ ears perked up at hearing that name, her shock and elation making her forget about the pain she was in. She lifted her head up from Fast Track’s shoulder, and sure enough, the cyan mare was in the sky above them all.

“W-whoa…no way…” She croaked, a smile cracking to her lips. “R-Rainbow Dash...is up?”

“I have to be honest; I didn’t really expect her to be recover so quickly, especially with how brutally Nightshade had punched her.” Storm Shadow murmured softly a smile on her own muzzle. “Even so, I’m glad they came nonetheless.”

“Yeah, me too.” Violet Fire said softly, her own smile faltering a bit when she saw Spitfire.

“YOU BASRARDS!!!” Rainbow Dash roared, diving down towards the Galaxy Star Bolts as the lightning and flames coated her body. Her large wings flaring out as she pulled herself out of the scream of roaring fire that she was coated into. She watched as the lighting fused bolt of fire rained down on Nightshade, who tried to evade the gigantic stream of fused elements as it into the ground. Enormous clouds of dust followed suit just a second and a half later, until it completely encased both the Galaxy Star Bolts, and the attacks that they released.

“Wow…that explosion was bigger than I thought it was going to be.” Nightshade muttered, pushing a hoof to block the dust getting in his face. “Did she also fuse lightning and fire in that attack as well?”

“It looks like it.” Charger replied gruffly. “We nearly didn’t see the attack coming, and we barely had any time to try to dodge or evade it. You think she’s going to be a problem after all?”

“She’d better not, I seriously don’t want to waste any more time on these bastards than we need to, with her added into the mix.” Stratus said with a slight growl. “I’m already pissed off as it is, if this mare tries to resist us again, I don’t know what I’ll do!”

Suddenly, Starry Skies looked off to the right, gasped, and reach out to her Captain, who was looking off into the distance. “Captain…Captain watch out!”

The Wonderbolt Captain and the rest of her team followed the pale cornflower blue stallion’s hoof, and felt their eyes widen upon seeing Rainbow Dash explode through the smoke. Nightshade only had enough time to raise her hooves to protect herself, before she felt Rainbow Dash kick her right in her stomach, hard, sending her flying away.

“You’ve gotta be bucking kidding me!” Blueball Blitz shouted disbelievingly, her eyes building out in shock. “She actually got Captain Nighty back!”

“But how?! She’s not even an Ariel Flyer!” Stratus demanded; his eyebrows raised slightly. “I don’t think I’ve seen anypony manage to get a hit on Captain Nightshade without being a member of our team of some other Ariel Team!”

“I don’t have a clue…that little prismatic maned that mare is much more of a than we had anticipated her to be.”Starry Skies murmured, her eyes narrowing. “Come on team, let’s drive this mare into the ground!”

With a grunt, Stratus and the rest of the Galaxy Star Bolts flapped her wings and took off towards Rainbow Dash, with the rest of her team following close behind them. As they got within range, they saw the two mares in the middle of the battlefield, flying through the air and colliding with one another every few seconds.

“I have to admit Rainbow Dash; I didn’t really expect you to join in on this fight!” Nightshade said, flashing a grin at the enraged cyan mare. “For that entire time, I didn’t think that we’d get any reinforcements!”

“That’s only because you nearly punch my damn lungs out.” Rainbow Dash said coldly, her glare not faltering in the slightest. “Still though, I am not gonna let you hurt Blue Skies or any of the Shadowbolts anymore!”

“Of course you wouldn’t, I can see in your eyes how devoted you are to these ponies, even if you’ve only known them for a considerable amount of time.” Nightshade said, holding back a chuckle. “I take it that you’re reconsidering our offer?”

“Yeah, and my answer is just like last time; HELL NO!!!” Rainbow Dash replied with a scream, shooting her magenta colored forehooves outward. “Lightning Pegasus Knight: Thunderous Explosion of Lightning!”

Faster than Nightshade could even blink she was blasted away by an explosion of pink lightning, which sent her across the battlefield and crashing into the ice wall. As the Galaxy Star Bolts Captain slammed into it, the others intervened.

“That’s enough out of you!” Stratus bellowed, whirling around and preparing to kick the cyan mare in the back of her head. “Get the Tartarus way from our Captain you bitch!”

Rainbow Dash noticed stratus coming out of the corner of her eye, and moved her head to the side as Stratus shot his hindlegs out. She reached out and grabbed one of his forelegs, before she began to spin him around, Stratus screaming all the while. Rainbow Dash eventually let him go and she inhaled deeply as she prepared to blow him away.

“Lightning Pegasus Knight: Thunderous Electric Whinny!” She shouted, shooting a blast of lightning at the flailing stallion, watching as he was sent slamming into the ice wall. Just as her attack died down, she felt somepony slam into her, and it took her just a second to realize that it was Starry Skies.

“Now that wasn’t very nice of you Rainbow Dash.” She murmured, smiling darkly down at the cyan mare as wind danced around her body. “Somepony needs to teach you a lesson in manners.”

“Manners? Forget manners, you damn dumb bitch!” Rainbow Dash spat angrily. “What I’m going to teach you is why you shouldn’t mess with the rainbow!”

Reaching out, she grasped the Galaxy Star Bolt’s suit in her hooves, before lightning exploded out of her, completely enveloping Starry Skies within it. Her screams of pain were all the Rainbow Dash needed to kick her off of her, and slam her into the ground, driving another bolt of lightning within her. With her down, Rainbow Dash looked over to see Charger and Blueball in front of her, both of their goggles flashing brightly.

“Well, you’re certainly quick on your hooves Rainbow Dash.” Charger commented; a smirk spread across his face. “Too bad that won’t help you when you’re up against me!”

With those words, fire began to surround the greenish grey stallion as he shot himself towards the cyan mare, going into his signature bodily tornado. Rainbow Dash waited until he was within range, before she jumped and grabbed him around his waist as he was still spinning. She then started flapping her ascended wings to make both spin together, going at such a speed that Charger began to lose control.

“What the-?! How did you manage to do that?!” Charger cried out as Rainbow Dash began to spin him with her. “Not even Captain Nightshade’s been able to get the drop on my like that!”

“You really shouldn’t underestimate me, especially your bitch of a Captain!” The cyan mare replied as they neared the icy wall. “Just because I’m not a member of some flight team doesn’t mean I can’t fly and fight like them!”

With a loud neigh, Rainbow Dash drove herself and Charger right into the icy wall, the former letting the latter go just as they hit, allowing Charger to take the full hit. The impact was enough to leave Charger in a daze for several moments, and in that time, Rainbow Dash had turned her attention back to Blueball.

“And now there’s just you…” Rainbow Dash breathed, glaring hatefully at the grinning bluish violet mare. “You are in for something special, along with the rest of you, especially for what you did to Blue Skies!”

Rather than be scared by Rainbow Dash’s threat, it only seemed to make her all the more excited to fight here. “Oooh, so have something big planned for all of us?! I can’t wait to see what it is, I can feel myself shaking just thinking about it!”

“Good for you.” Rainbow Dash grinned back. “Because by the time I do show you, you are all going to be blown away to the point where all of you are nothing but ash!”

With those words, Rainbow Dash hurled herself at Blueball, who merely giggled and began to counter the other mare’s rapid bunches. The two Pegasi flew through the air faster than any of the Shadowbolts or Galax Star Bolts, causing gusts of wind and dust to fly all around them. Their wings flapped and swung at each other, with Dash using her dagger-like wing claws to try to slash at the mare, only for Blitz to dodge each one.

“Heeheehee, wow you’re a fast one, aren’t you?!” The bluish violet mare giggled, grinning widely at the cyan mare. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered anypony that’s as fast asyou before!”

“I could say the same to you!” Rainbow Dash said, taking another swing with the claw on her left wing. “I’d say that you’re about as fast as I am! Your Captain wasn’t kidding when you said that you’re the fastest one on her little team!”

“Sure, am ya little silly filly!” Blueball chirped, blocking a punch to the side of her face. “I may not be the strongest or smartest of the Galaxy Star Bolts like Stratus or Starry, but my speed makes up for all of that! It’s the sole reason why Captain Nighty let me join her team in the first place, hmhmhm!”

Rainbow Dash ducked under Blueball’s wing strike as lightning shot out of it, striking the wall behind them. “Are you sure it isn’t because you’re able to keep lighting in your mane and tail? Or that its quite literally made in the shape of lightning?” She asked sardonically, a snort leaving from her nostrils.

“Ahahahaha, no silly! Of course not; why would she let me join just forthat?!” Blueball replied, laughing as if Rainbow Dash had said the funniest joke ever. She then paused as a thoughtful expression came to her goggle covered face. “Though, I wouldn’t put it past the Captain if that was the other reason why she had me join the team! I really do look pretty awesome on me doesn’t it? Hmhmhm!”

“Well she’s about to get a reason to have you off the team!” Rainbow Dash shouted, flaring her wings as lightning appeared around her wings. “Lightning Pegasus Knight: Ultra Thunderous Lightning Bolt!”

In the blink of an eye, she clapped her prismatic feathered together, sending a huge bolt of magenta lightning at the distracted bluish violet mare. Blueball saw the attack coming, but was unable to evade it in time as it struck her full force, sending huge volts throughout her body. She screamed out as she was flown away, and crashed to the ground, the lightning causing that part of the ground to explode around her.

“Heh, looks like I finally got you to shut up Blitz!” Rainbow Dash said after a few moments, a fanged smirk coming to her face. “Was that too much for you to handle?”

Not even a split second after that was said, the cyan mare heard a familiar cheerful voice. “Nope, it sure wasn’t!” Blueball said as she appeared out of the smoke. “In fact, that felt really, really awesome back there! You sure know how to pack your punches!” A smirk came to her face as she added, “Now let me show you mine…Nightmare Lightning Pegasus: Blue Electric Gatling Barrage!”

“Oh crap!” Rainbow Dash shouted, ducking and dodging this way and that to avoid the bluish violet mare’s punches. They flew about the air, Rainbow Dash’s Ascension Mode allowing her to be able to evade and make sharp turns in between Blueball’s rapid punches as her laughter echoed in her ears. The cyan mare tried to strike her a few times with lightning, but Blueball's speed allows her to easily dodge them or even have them countered.

“Aright, that’s enough!” Rainbow Dash shouted, her already worn patience gone as she shot her hooves out in front of her. “Fire Lightning Pegasus Knight: Flaming Thunder Scorching Electric Explosion!”

Before Blueball knew it, she found herself blasted in the face by the explosion of lightning that came from Rainbow Dash’s hooves. It sent her flying down the ground and crashing right through it, landing only meters away from her other teammates. Rainbow kept her attack going for several more moments, driving Blueball deeper into the ground, before she finally stopped, the lightning vanishing.

“There, that should shut her up for a while.” Rainbow Dash murmured, panting a few times as she attempted to catch her breath. As she hovered down to the ground, she glanced over to where the Shadowbolts were, and saw that most of them were tending to Blue Skies. “I should probably go and check up on Blue Skies, that Blueball girl dealt her a pretty bad blow…she may not be able to walk right now.”

With that, the cyan mare flared her prismatic wings and took off into towards the Shadowbolts, going as fast as her still somewhat injured body would allow. As she did so, she could only thing of one other thing other than the well-being of Blue Skies. She needed to end this fight quickly, before the one pony they were after decided she was done waiting and came after her, the Shadowbolts and the rest of their friends.

What Rainbow Dash was unaware of, help was indeed coming, and it was just minutes away.

Author's Notes:

I...am oddly satisfied with how this entire went out to be honest...I really thought that I would have to edit this version like I did with all of the other chapters, but this is probably the one chapter that I didn't need to do that much editing on or anything like that...heh, yay for me. There wasn't really anything much to change in this chapter other than the addition of techniques, evening out the number of Pegasi that were fighting each other, and having Rainbow Dash jump in just as one of them was about to lose their life while she was recovering. Other than that, and the slightly edited part with the Main Seven Sky Ranger, and Zephyr, along with the end, the rest of the chapter is more or less like the last version of this, and much more split apart. I thought about adding another scene with the rest of the girls, but just like the other couple of times, I felt that it would run a bit too long for me, so I deiced to have that scene done for either the next chapter or the third chapter after the next two, so stay in tune for that, regardless of how it goes. Just several more chapters and we'll be at the final battles for future of Ponyville and all of Equestria!!!

Well, that's all for now, tune in next time for the next few chapters for when we see a group of young foals gallop into the battlefield, and the two armies finally meeting!!!