Sorry about the false upload. Hit the wrong button.

Anyway, ENJOY!

9 years, two months, and ten days since exile.
Edge of Cruei, Pryhan Empire.
POV: Rarity

Rarity and the others sat on the edge of the Pryhan city, waiting for Pinkie to return on her little scouting run. She took some of this time to clean herself up a bit. Several years of strict rationing and keeping only the bare necessities had left her in, by her standards, woefully undermaintained. However, after picking up some supplies at Griffonstone, she was ready to clean herself up.

It was sundown when Pinkie returned. She bounced along, a small bag on her back as she did so. "Hi, everyone! I brought dinner!"

The remaining five of them walked over to the party pony, wanting to see what she brought. Meanwhile, Twilight asked, "Pinkie, you left at noon. It's almost nighttime. What were you doing for over six hours?"

The random mare said, "Well, first, I had to find and tail Dashie a bit. Then, I had to track her down to where she lived and where she was going later. Lastly, I had to find somewhere to get food that didn't have any meat in it. Then, I had to get back here!"

"Wait", Twilight said. "Meat!? Don't other ponies live down there?"

"Y-yeah. Anyway, enough of that. Dig in!" She opened up the bag and pulled out several loaves of bred, a few wire bags of a weird, dull purple fruit, and some green grapes.

"This, is all you could find?", Rarity asked.

Pinkie shrugged and began to shovel a whole loaf of bread into her maw. Rarity just looked at the bread and grapes and began to eat them. It wasn't actually bad; the bread was soft with a thick, crunchy crust, and the grapes were nice and plump. While they ate, Pinkie told them about what she had seen from Rainbow in town. Rarity was kind of surprised about the mention of the kid.

Eventually, the group of them decided to look for Rainbow. If Pinkies assessment of her schedule was accurate, then they would only have the chance to talk to her for the next stretch of time at this party. Twilight teleported them to the place where Pinkie heard this party was taking place, and went over the plan. Since AJ, Pinkie, and Fluttershy would be able to disguise themselves easier than the rest of them could, then they would try to get in touch with her. They would try to get her outside, and they would talk to her about what was going on with Equestria. And so, the three of them slinked off, while she, Twilight, and Shining Armor watched the party through a window.

The room was a large hall, with several simple iron chandeliers above the floor. It looked like a converted storehouse, what with the exposed, concrete pillars and iron girded building. Despite that, the party was in full swing. A bunch of tables were laid out, including a buffet, with Pryhans moving between them or sitting in groups. A small podium was set up along one wall, and several griffons in fancy suits were playing a tune muffled by the windows. It was apparently pretty good, though, as about as many Pryhans and Griffonians were dancing as were eating in groups. The males wore togas and fancy tunics or gambesons, while the women wore cloak-like dresses and shawls.

Rarity was muttering to herself about how garish the dresses were when behind them they heard a voice say, "Heus, tu! (Hey you!)"

Looking behind them, the three of them saw a small group of soldiers running up to them. Most of their armor was covered by large, royal blue mantles, however they appeared to have on segmented armor along their chests and shoulders and heavy iron helmets. Curved, sickle-like swords hung at their belts and harnesses mounted to their shoulders held in place large wooden and iron-rimmed shields.

Rarity said, "Let me do the talking." She then said, in her best sweet-talking voice, "Hi there. Can I help you?"

"Mulier. Et hinc quoque popularium et non permisit tergum hic. (Ma'am. You and your compatriots here aren't allowed back here.)", the guard said.

"I'm sorry, Darling. But I don't understand."

The guard who was talking to her sighed, muttering something in that language. He then said something else, to which another one of the guards raised a paw. After a quick barking of orders, said guard said to her, "My Decurion said that he would like to apologize for the confusion. But, getting back on topic, he would also like to say that this is a restricted area, and you can't be back here without proper authorization. So, if you would please come with us, you can leave before we have to press Trespassing charges."

"Hold on. We're just waiting for a few friends. We were told by them to meet them here, and if we leave now, then things would be an utter mess later on."

After getting a translation to and from the 'Decurion', the one who was acting as an interpreter said, "Well then. You can wait for your friends OUTside of the State House. He also said he'll send one of us to go find and tell your friends about the change, if they don't see you outside already when entering. Now, follow us please, or else things will get unpleasant."

"Listen bud", Shining input, despite the warning looks of Rarity and his sister. "What we need to talk to her about is nothing more than the future of our nation. Our loved ones are currently crammed into a place no bigger than a large farm, with less and less food and clean water every day. So, just let us-"

The guard interrupted by saying, "I'm sorry to hear that. However, I'm just following protocol, and you have several minutes to get out of here before we have to push you out, or, again, write you up for Trespassing." For emphasis, the three of them drew their swords, curved steel blades that looked more like sickles than the Royal Guards officers swords. "So, what will it be?"

Provincial State House
POV: Applejack

The three of them snuck around the side of the building, sticking to the shadows as best as possible. Finally, they came to a door along the side of the hall. The door was open partially open, allowing them a look in. Inside, loud, orchestral music flared along the walls, like a more intense version of the Gala music. Guests and what they guessed were servants moved back and forth creating a sea of life. Through all of it, they saw a small speck of distinctive color. A rainbow, to be specific.

(Music being played: Agincourt)

"Dashie at five O'clock", Pinkie said in an even more gleeful voice than usual. The others followed her gaze, spotting the multi-colored speck of mane- In the very epicenter of the crowd.

"'ow in tarnation are we supposed to get to 'her?", Applejack wondered. "She's right in the middle of a sea of creatures, an' ah somehow doubt we could just walk in to go 'nd have a chat wit' her. We're gonna need some kinda disguise to go 'nd get close to-"

"I got it!", Pinkie suddenly said, holding up three tunics and a pair of hats.

Both of the other mares looked astonished, but chose better than to question the Party Ponies methods. So, all three of them slipped on the tunics while AJ and Pinke put on the hats. The three of them entered, and began to make a beeline for Rainbow.

Before they could reach her, however, the three of them were stopped by a voice behind them. "Heus te ibi! Quid hic agis? (Hey, you there! What are you doing out here?)", The voice said. The three of them whipped around, and were greeted by one of the wingless griffons, who was dressed similarly to them except she had on a bigger hat. "Non res. Laborare. Vos, (No matter. To work. You)," She pointed to Fluttershy. "Satus rapies & vino servientes. Tu autem duo, venire me ad popinam instruat. Non ad horam solvit! (Start grabbing and serving wine. And you two, come with me to the kitchens. You aren't paid to stand around!)"

Fortunately, he had pointed at the wine, so Fluttershy shot them a 'sorry, girls' look before she went off to go grab one. Not really knowing what he had said, the remaining two of them followed the wingless griffon to the back of the room and past a large curtain door.

Past the door was a large room, full of counters, and stoves and ovens. Creatures in similar dress to them ran back and forth across the warm brown tiles, carrying platters of food, cups, kitchenware, and bits of food. The smell of cooking meat almost made the two of them gag, despite the other smells of fresh fruits and roasting vegetables and nuts filling the room.

"Bene? I et labora. Dolor dolor! (Well? Get to work. Chop chop)", the female who led them in said. She then left them, yelling at someone else who was seasoning a roasted fish. The two of them just stood around for a minute, until they saw an open section of countertop. They then went over to it and found several cups of flour, yeast, water, eggs, and several other ingredients made to make bread-Or cake.

"IDEA!", Pinkie said, catching on to that fact.

POV: Fluttershy
(By now, the music had changed: Palladio.)

Fluttershy weaved her way past the various tables and other servers, making her way toward the table that she thought Rainbow was at. Occasionally, she stopped when a cup was put in her way, which she quickly filled and moved on. She finally got to the table, and began to refill the empty cups. As she made her way around the table, she stopped when she was across from the one they thought was Rainbow. There, she stopped dead in her tracks.

Rainbow looked completely different than she had before her exile. Of course, she and her friends had expected a bit of change or something, but nothing like this. Her face was a mess. Long, raking lines of scar tissue running from the base of her right ear down to her chin. Several smaller white scratches, burns, and other marks besides. A black brand circling her left eye with a line running down her chin ending in a small sun. A glowing red and black rock eye in that same eye socket, which seemed to focus on everything it saw at once. When she looked down at her cup, she saw her forelegs up to the elbow were made of metal, ending in griffon-like talons. She was wearing a yellow robe-like dress, with a small leather bracket adorned with medals on her chest. Her hair was done back in a braid, and the expression on her face was one of content awareness, like she was ready to get into a fight at any moment.

And yet, she still had somethings that remained the same, even after all this time. Her smile, that same cocky yet happy grin. The way she looked like she was going to spring out into a flight routine at any moment. The same cerise eye in her right socket, gleaming with cockiness.

Fluttershy was so distracted by her old friends look, she didn't notice when she lifted up the jar, with the lid still pointed downward. The wine spilled over another person seated at the table, who stood up and turned to her. "Vigilate eam, klutz. (Watch it klutz)"

Rainbow then said, "Interficiam illam de remissa. Et probabile est novum. Quae spectat viam, usquam. Commotio illa quasi folium! (Cut her some slack. She's likely new. Looks that way, anyway. She's shaking like a leaf!)" Even her voice was a little different. While it still retained its normal raspiness, it had taken on a light version of the accent all of the others had.

The rest of them resumed their conversation while the cat-like creature she had spilled on left to go get himself cleaned. Fluttershy just stood there, looking at Rainbow.

Or, at least, the mare that looked like her. Sure, she was a Pegasus who looked like, sounded like, and even sat like Rainbow, but in every other way was completely different. She was, if Pinkie was right, a military officer, as well as a mom. So much had changed, and Fluttershy didn't know what to do.

Out of the side of her eye, she saw several soldiers leading a trio of ponies over to the table. She had to stifle a gasp when she saw who the ponies were. Twilight and Rarity were being led along by rope binders, while another two of them dragged an unconscious Shining Armor between them. When they got into view, Rainbow stood up in shock.

"Ave, Praetor. Ave, Consul (Hail, Praetor. Hail, Consul)", one of the soldiers said. "Me paenitet tibi prandium interrumpere. Autem, nos captus circum snooping foris sunt externi. Nescimus ubi sunt a, sed- (I'm sorry to interrupt your dinner. However, we are caught snooping around the outside of the external. We do not know where they are from-)"

"Equestria", Rainbow said, her voice dripping with malice.

Rarity saw her, and said, "Darling! Good to see you! Now, would you mind telling these ruffians to unhand us, and we can get to-"

"Shut up, you vain, pretentious whore." While Rarity, Twilight, and Fluttershy all tried to recover from her insults, she turned to the soldier who had brought them in. "Aream quaerere (Search the area)", she said, her voice now holding a rigid, military tone. "Respice ad me sicut par Terrans et Libra. Una cum flava comas Terrans eius flammea est et alia duo manibus rosea. Luteum enim est Cetus cum ... cum rosea mane.(Look for a pair of Terrans and a Pegasus like me. One of the Terrans is orange with blonde hair, and the other is two shades of pink. The Pegasus is yellow with... with a pink mane.)" She then turned over to Fluttershy, looking right at her. To her, it felt like Rainbows left, glowing red eye was boreing into her. She asked, "Fluttershy?"

"Um, I, I, er," She stuttered out as the mare she was once friends with stalked closer to her, reminding Fluttershy of the wolf pack she had taken care of one time. "No?"

Her eyes narrowed, and Fluttershy backed up nervously. Rainbow snarled out, "Just what are you and the rest of you Scum-sucking, Self-righteous shits doing here?"

Fluttershy said, "We need to talk to you about something, and we couldn't find any other time to-"

Their stare-off was broken when a loud banging noise was heard from the direction of the kitchen. A massive, white cake the size of a small foal fly out of the doors on a trolley, Applejack and Pinkie Pie following in its wake. AJ threw her lasso, trying to stop it. However, she ended up latching it onto the trolleys leg, which pitched the platform forward, sending the mass of bread and frosting flying right toward them.

"Per Caesaribus-(By the Caesars)", Rainbow managed before the cake slammed right into her, sending her sailing over the table and onto the floor, crushed underneath the massive pile of cake. Fluttershy gasped in surprise, just as one of the guards grabbed onto her.

Out of reflex, she took curled up into a ball. Apparently, he wasn't expecting that, as it was enough to get her out of his grip. She tried to get away from him, but several more guards had come in by now, and the remaining mares found themselves surrounded while a small group of Pryhans began to pry the cake off of Rainbow.

Suddenly, Pinkie let out a loud scream of panic. "AHHHHH! BLACK WIDOW!" Fluttershy had just enough time to look at the place she was pointing, and at the red and black object there, before Pinkie crushed in under her hoof. She then screamed, in pain this time, as she leapt into the air up to the chandelier, and down back again, clutching her hoof. The Fluttershy and Applejack ran up to check the wound, but their attention was drawn upwards by aloud "Ahem."

It was Rainbow. Her dress was coated in cake, so it was sagging down. In the areas not covered in cake or her dress, Fluttershy was able to make out several, faded red lines along the fur. A massive glob of frosting coated the left side of her face, so it looked like she had fallen asleep in a cake shop. As they watched, she lifted up a talon, and whipped away a big glob of it, and then threw it to the ground.

"Custodibus (Guards)", she said in a calm, yet angry voice.

Provincial Penitentiary
POV: Shining Armor
When Shining Armor regained consciousness, he felt like he had been hit in the head with a hammer. He opened his eyes groggily, yet the heavy lids refused to open fully. He was vaguely aware of the stone hallway scraping on his hind legs, as well as something holding him up and dragging him at the same time.

Finally, they came to a stop, and the two figures holding him dropped him roughly. That finally snapped him out of his daze, and he looked up to see where he was. In front of him was a slate grey wall, a cot, and a small window lined with bars. He realized it was a cell, and leapt to his hooves and whipped around. He landed back on his hooves just in time to see the two soldiers who had dragged him slam the door shut.

He still bucked it out of desperation, but that only succeeded in making his hooves hurt. One of the soldiers barked out in a mocking tone, "Quid putas futurum? Et conteram illud posset? Stultus! (What did he think would happen? He could break it? Dumbass!)" He then began laughing, much to the anger of Shining.

Another voice, just out of view said, "Exasperantem contumeliis, insectantem ad captivum, pedes (Harassing the prisoner, pedes)?"

The two of them snapped to attention toward the figure just out of view. "Ave, Praefect! (Hail, Praefect)!" One of them said, "Nulla mi! Iustus questus in cellula ei? (No sir! Just getting him his cell!)."

"Bonum. Mihi opus est loqui ad eum. Et dimisit sunt duo. Vale. (Good. I need to speak to him. You two are dismissed. Goodbye.)", the unknown voice said.

After the footfalls of the other two left, a figure stepped in front of the cell: An orange Earth Pony wearing a mix of one of the Pryhan togas and a massive, crested helmet. He shot him an annoyed and somewhat disgusted look, put something around his neck, then said, "So, you're the ones who wanted to 'chat' with the Praetor?"

"Yes!", Shining exclaimed. "We need to talk to Rainbow Dash!"

"That would be Praetor Dash, to you."

"That's not important!", Shining retorted. "We just need to talk with her! That is important!"

The officer sighed, then held up a small bit of paper. "Yes, you will be talking to the Praetor. A personal request of hers. I have orders to take you up tomorrow. Until then, get comfy." He then walked off, whistling to himself as he did so, until Shining heard a loud *thud* just out of sight.