Another year had now passed and Fluttershy as well as Rainbow Dash were now full grown mares. Rainbow Dash however had still yet to obtain her cutie mark. Life for the two Pegasus was as great as it could have possibly been now for them. Rainbow Dash was now heading over to Ace and Clover bloom's house now to hang out with Fluttershy again as she knocked on the door and Clover Bloom answered.

“Hello Mrs. Bloom, I came over to see Fluttershy, is she here?” Rainbow Dash asked with a smile.

“Oh, I’m sorry Rainbow, she left town early this morning for a nearby time to get some supplies. It's her first real job and she was excited to get going. She did tell me however to tell you that she suggests sight seeing for the day. It's always good for a Pegasus to fly after all.” Clover Bloom said with a warm smile.

“Oh, okay. Thank you.” Rainbow Dash replied with a sigh and walked away as Clover Bloom closed the door.

With nothing better to do now the cyan blue Pegasus decided to take to the skies now. In truth she loved flying more than anything. Course she was sure this was true for all Pegasus. Still, nothing in her mind beat the rush of flying at top speeds through the sky, through clouds and even storm clouds. She was a dare devil at heart and she loved to take risks.

“Yeah! That's what I’m taking about!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she flew past a small storm cloud that shot lightning out. “I wonder if Fluttershy loves flying as much as I do?” Rainbow Dash thought to herself curiously as she began to descend to the ground, but halted upon the sight that beheld her once she was under the clouds. (Play “Roar Of Marching Hooves” now)

“No way...” Rainbow Dash said in a stunned tone as she looked on at the sight that beheld her not far from her town now as she hovered a few hundred feet above it.

Skydancer now flew as fast as her wings could carry her as Rainbow got a full view of what was happening behind them now and gasped in horror. A seemingly endless army of dark armored, Pegasus ponies, unicorns were locked in combat with many Pegasus whom were fighting back wearing golden armored which brandished Celestia's cutie mark on their helmets and armor. “M-Mommy! What's going on?! Why are those ponies fighting one another?!” Rainbow Dash asked in a panicked tone.

“It can't be....” The cyan blue Pegasus said still too stunned to even move.

Unicorns at the ready! Civilian ponies incoming!

A firm male voice called out as Skydancer approached and passed him.

Unicorns aim.....FIRE!!!

“It's not possible...” Rainbow Dash said in a stunned tone as she continued to watch hundreds of dark armored ponies wearing a dark blue crescent moon on their armors and helmets.

“Quickly now! Go with the the soldier ponies!” Skydancer exclaimed in a panicked tone as fireballs rained down all around them. “No! I want to stay with you mommy!” Rainbow Dash shrieked as she fought against the soldier ponies who were trying to guide her to safety.

“Please Rainbow! Don't make this any harder than it already is! Go now!” The mare exclaimed and flew off into the war zone not far away now.

“Mommy! Come back! Please come back!” Rainbow Dash shrieked as her mother flew out of sight now.

“I have to warn them! They have no clue that they are coming!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed aloud and dive bombed towards her town.

------------------------------------

A mere twenty minuets later and Rainbow Dash was now on the ground running for Merryluck's and her home when Ace came into view. “Mr. Ace! Something bad is coming this way!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in a panicked tone.

“Rainbow, duck!” Ace exclaimed in a commanding tone to which Rainbow Dash did so a mere second after she heard him and moments later a beam of magic sailed at Ace which he took a stance, a deep breath, and performed a roundhouse kick which effectively deflected the magical beam to his left side which exploded upon impact with the ground.

“H-how did you do that?” Rainbow Dash asked in a shocked tone as she looked at Ace now in shock.

“There's no time! Go behind my house and knock three times on the stump next to Fluttershy's training stump, a door will open. Get in there and don't come out!” Ace exclaimed in a stern tone to which Rainbow Dash obeyed without question as she took off from the ground and towards Ace's backyard, but halted mid-flight as Merryluck came back to mind.

“I can't leave her!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she made a round about and back towards Merryluck's and her home. Once there she bucked open the front door and gasped at what she saw. Merryluck was dressed in dark black clothing with nothing but her eyes peaking through this assortment of dark garments she wore. She was currently putting several daggers into little slots on each of her hooves. “M-Mrs. Merryluck? What are you doing?!” Rainbow Dash asked in a shocked tone.

“Rainbow? Why aren't you in the shelter? It's not safe here!” Merryluck exclaimed in a worried tone.

“You're telling me! There's a bunch of dark armored ponies outside and they are in town! Come on, I need to get you to safety!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in a panicked tone as she rushed over to Merryluck and attempted to lift her off the ground only for Merryluck to buck her off gently.

“I'm not going Rainbow, I have a job to do.” Merryluck said in a serious tone.

“What the heck are you talking about?!” Rainbow Dash asked in a shocked tone.

A explosion outside caused both ponies to jolt their attention to the outside window where Ace could be seen combating several dark armored ponies at once. “Listen Rainbow, this town is not what you think it is. And I don't have time to explain. Please go to the shelter and don't come out till me or Ace comes and gets you. Go out the back and stay low.” Merryluck said in a serious tone as she began to walk past the cyan blue Pegasus only for her to erect a wing in front of her.

“You're going to tell me now.” Rainbow Dash said in a serious tone as she narrowed her eyes at the mare.

“We don't have time for this!” Merryluck exclaimed as she attempted to move Rainbow Dash's wing to the side only for her to jump in front of her.

“What's going on?! Ace knowing is one thing, but you seemed to be preparing for a while! Did you know this was going to happen?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in a pissed off tone. Right now she wanted to know what was really going on and she wasn't going to let Merryluck leave until she got answers.

Merryluck looked at Rainbow Dash and sighed heavily. “This entire town is actually a covert base of operations for Celestia's specialty training camp. Everypony here is actually a trained fighter with the exception of you and Fluttershy. We specialize in hoof to hoof combat and and assassination. Nightmare moon's army is most likely here for our combat secrets.” Merryluck said in a serious tone.

“Why would my mother send me here then? Did she know?” Rainbow Dash asked in a shocked tone. Her mind was still reeling from this set of information but between the overwhelming anxiety and explosions outside, she was able to keep herself from being too stunned.

“No, your mother had no idea. If she had, I do not think she would have sent you here.” Merryluck replied followed by a sigh. “Now please move. I need to be out there.” Merryluck said after a few moments and attempted to move the cyan blue Pegasus aside.

“No! I won't let you!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed holding firm in her spot much to Merryluck's annoyance.

“You leave me with no choice then. I'll take you to that shelter myself then.” Merryluck said with a sigh and struck at the Pegasus only for her to clock and counter which knocked Merryluck off guard in a stumble.

“Whoa....that stuff really works.” Rainbow Dash thought to herself in a shocked tone.

“Been taking lessons from Ace I take it?” Merryluck remarked as she narrowed her eyes at the Pegasus.

“No, Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash replied narrowing her eyes as well.

“Fluttershy is good, but Ace and every other pony in here are much better. Last chance Rainbow, go back to the shelter and wait for me or Ace to come get you. Or i'll take you there myself, by any means necessary.” Merryluck said in a serious tone.

“I'm not going in there without you!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed defiantly.

“A full grown mare now and you're still acting like a rebellious filly. Very well then.” Merryluck said in a soft tone and moved in far too fast for the cyan blue Pegasus to keep up and before she knew it she was laying on the ground unable to move and moments later being carried quickly to Ace's backyard and next to Fluttershy's training stump where she knocked three times.

The ground next to the stump shifted and a small tunnel appeared now to which Merryluck carried Rainbow Dash in and set her down whom was just now finally able to move again. “Stay here and don't leave. Me or Ace will be back for you when it's over.” Merryluck said in a soft tone, kissed her on the forehead and walked up the tunnel and out of it.

“No! I want to stay with you Mrs. Merryluck!” Rainbow Dash cried out as she got to all four hooves wearily and began to run for the door as it closed as flashes of her past began to appear seemingly before her eyes now.

“No! I want to stay with you mommy!” Rainbow Dash shrieked as she fought against the soldier ponies who were trying to guide her to safety.

The door however closed on her before she could get to it at which point she began to pound on it. “Mrs. Merryluck! Come back! Please come back!” Rainbow Dash shrieked at the top of her lungs as bashed her hooves against the door but to no avail.

“Mommy! Come back! Please come back!” Rainbow Dash shrieked as her mother flew out of sight now.

“M-Mommy!!!” Rainbow Dash shrieked out before she knew what she was saying as she continued to slam her hooves into the door a few moments longer before she began to slump down to the ground sobbing to herself now. “Mommy....please come back...” Rainbow Dash said between sobs. It was clear to the cyan blue Pegasus now just how close she had become to Merryluck. Up till now she hadn't even thought about it, but now as she lay on the cold ground sobbing to herself she realized just how much she truly meant to her. It was then more memories flashes through her mind now.

“What good does her loyalty do for her now? It got her killed!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed angrily yet she didn't push the light pink mare away.

Merryluck once again sighed at this remark. “Rainbow, Loyalty is one of the most powerful things in Equestria. Loyalty is what binds us together under one sky, loyalty is stronger than the mightiest steel. As long as we remain loyal to the Princess, as long as we remain loyal to ourselves and others. We can overcome anything.” Merryluck replied in a soft tone.

“I don't understand...” Rainbow Dash replied between sobs.

“You will one day Rainbow Dash, you will one day.” Merryluck replied with a soft smile, stood up, and walked towards the door.

(Play “Rainbow's Battle Theme” now)

“Loyalty...” Rainbow Dash said aloud to herself between sniffles now. “I understand now...” Rainbow Dash said aloud and began to look around herself. “Come on Rainbow, think! There has to be a way to open this door from the inside!” Rainbow Dash thought to herself dramatically as she scanned the dimly lit area. The cyan blue Pegasus’s mind was now quickly at work taking in everything around her and it only took her a short time before she figured out that the small little nub next to the door was the lock.

She then pushed it and the door popped ajar a few seconds later. Without any hesitation she pushed the door open and took off from the ground and to the skies. The cyan blue Pegasus surveyed her surroundings quickly and effectively taking in all she saw. After a few moments she found Merryluck and Ace and quickly dive bombed towards them.

“Is that...Rainbow Dash?!” Merryluck asked in a shocked tone as the cyan blue Pegasus landed next to them.

“Rainbow! Get back to the shelter! This is no place for you!” Ace exclaimed in a fierce tone as he looked around himself.

“No! I'm not going to leave you two! I refuse to!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in an equally fierce tone.

“This is no time to be arguing! We are in a war zone! Get back into the shelter now!” Ace exclaimed heatedly.

“Mrs. Merryluck, you once told me about loyalty and that I would understand what it meant one day. Well, now I do! I won't leave you two to fight alone because I am loyal to this town and the ponies that live here!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed looking at Merryluck now who stared at her now.

“Merryluck, tell her to go back! We got company heading our way!” Ace exclaimed as he pointed a hoof at the now charging ponies.

“Get back Rainbow!” Merryluck exclaimed as she moved in front of the cyan blue Pegasus, leaned down, pulled three daggers from her right front hoof, tossed them in the air, turned around and bucked them at the solider ponies.

The daggers however just bounced off having no effect. “Magical armor...” Merryluck said in a low tone as her eyes narrowed at the solider ponies.

“That is why I have this.” Ace said as he flashed a pendent around his neck, looked at the solider ponies, took a deep breath, cartwheeled towards them, jumped up at the last possible moment, and landed in the middle of them. In the next few moments a collision of hooves could be heard and a few moments later all five of the dark armored ponies fell to the ground.

“Awesome...” Rainbow Dash remarked in awe.

“Rainbow, Merryluck, behind you!” Ace exclaimed dramatically pointing a hoof at which point both mares turned around to see a dark armored pony with a razor sharp blade on the tip of it's hoof coming down from the air at the cyan blue Pegasus.

Rainbow Dash stared in horror unable to make her body move as if she was frozen in place as the blade drew closer and closer now.

“Rainbow, no!” Merryluck shrieked as she attempted to shove the Pegasus to the side only for a fist to collide with the solider pony's helmet a mere second before he struck knocking him to the side.

“G-Gilda?!” Rainbow Dash finally managed to blurt out a few moments later as she stared in shock at the griffon.

“Why are you being such a dweeb for? Get your head out of the clouds Dash! Some serious horseapples are going down!” Gilda exclaimed with a glare.

“But why are you here? I thought you left town.” Rainbow Dash asked still in shock.

“I did, but I came back for some stuff when I found this town in bucking trouble. So I figured I’d lend a claw or two. Besides, I got a score to settle with ya and no pony is gonna settle it with you but me!” Gilda said with a cocky grin.

“Who in Equestria is this?” Ace asked with a curious glance at the griffon.

“This would be Gilda apparently...” Merryluck remarked with a glare at the griffon.

“I've heard about you.” Ace remarked with a glare at the griffon now as well upon hearing her name.

“Hey, are you two going to throw dagger eyes at me or are we gonna kick some flank?” Gilda asked in an annoyed tone taking note of the glares she was getting now.

“Th-Thanks for saving my life Gilda.” Rainbow Dash said after a few moments finally managing to get the words out.

“Don't sweat it. Now are we going to kick some flank or what?” Gilda replied with a grin.

“No, your not. You're going to grab Rainbow and get out of here.” Merryluck said in a stern tone.

“What?! I already told you! I'm not leaving!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a glare at the mare now.

“This isn't up for debate. Gilda, take Rainbow Dash and get out of town.” Ace said in a authoritative tone.

“Whatever you say. Guess we aren't needed here Dash. So lets bail!” Gilda exclaimed, put an arm around the cyan blue Pegasus and took off from the ground despite her protests.

“No! Let me go! I won't leave her!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as Gilda flew higher and farther away from them.

“I don't like this any better than you do Dash, but they know what they are doing! So shut the buck up and let me get us out of here!” Gilda exclaimed in an annoyed tone and walloped the cyan blue Pegasus in the gut which knocked her out cold. “Sorry about that Dash, but I know you'll thank me one day.” Gilda remarked aloud as she flew off into the distance.

------------------------------------

THREE DAYS LATER...

Rainbow Dash flew back to Leafside village while Gilda was sleeping one night and gasped in horror at the sight that beheld her.

“No...Mrs. Merryluck, Ace?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed at the top of her lungs as she dive bombed into the remains of leafside village and landed on the ground which her hooves echoed eerily as she landed.

(Play “Sad flute Song” Now)

The cyan blue Pegasus walked along the street now which was littered with bodies, skeletons, and debris gasping at each horrifying sight after the other.

“They never stood a chance...” Rainbow Dash remarked in a horrified tone as tears swelled up in her eyes while she recalled what had happened to Cloudsdale now. One horrific sight after the other could be seen now by the the cyan blue Pegasus and by the time she was at the end of the street tears were flowing freely from her eyes now.

However nothing could prepare her for what she saw as she took a right turn down a street she knew. It was the street she was raised on. On this street lay the bodies of hundred of dark armored ponies and the cyan blue Pegasus had to step carefully over each of the bodies. “Mrs. Merryluck? Ace?” Rainbow Dash called out feeling a chill run up her spine as the wind blew fiercely now causing her rainbow colored hair to flail wildly in the wind now as she continued to search for the two ponies.

Rainbow Dash was nearly at the end of the street now when she saw something that seemed to cause her body to freeze as she gave a horrified gasp as the wind blew through her hair now while she stared at two bodies which she knew.

With ever ounce of her willpower she forced her legs to move as she slowly walked towards the two bodies, fell to all four knees, and placed a hoof on the face of the mare she knew as tears grief and sorrow now filled her entire being and flowed from her eyes now while the wind mercilessly assaulted her and continued to cause her mane to flail wildly in the wind. “Why...?” was all Rainbow Dash could say between sobs as she removed the black garment from the mares head revealing her pink face and light blue colored mane. The mare's eyes where closed and she looked battered by somehow a peaceful look was about the way her lifeless expression looked now. “Why did you make me leave?” Rainbow Dash managed to choke out between sobs as she leaned down and lay her head on the mare's chest sobbing even more loudly now.

“M-Mommy....why did you make me leave again? It's not fair...” Rainbow Dash said between loud sobs.

Life is never fair Dash.

A voice rang out in the quiet town which Rainbow Dash knew belonged to Gilda as she snapped her head up and looked over at the griffon who wore a solemn expression.

“She was like a second mother to me...” Rainbow Dash replied between sobs.

“She's gone Dash. Get over it.” Gilda replied in a calm yet emotionless tone.

“How can you be so cold hearted?! You have no idea what she meant to me! You've never had a family so what would you know! ” Rainbow Dash exclaimed angrily between sobs with a glare now.

“I know because I lost my family to this bucking war Dash! Yeah it hurt, but guess what?! Life isn't fair! If there's one thing losing my family taught me, it's that you take what you can get and buck the rest of the world!” Gilda retorted angrily.

“So what do you expect me to do? Just act like she never existed?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed feeling her anger outweigh her sadness now if only by a little.

“Exactly. Take what you can get out of life Dash. Take what you can get and buck the world.” Gilda replied in a calm tone once again.

“I'm not like you Gilda. I can't just forget she existed.” Rainbow Dash replied as she looked over at Merryluck's body once again.

“Then your in for a lifetime of pain Dash. Because if this hurts, just wait till you lose another pony you care about...and another...and another. That's what this war is Dash. It's better to act like they never existed and take what you can get out of whoever you meet then leave em high and dry. Because everypony you know is as good as dead.” Gilda replied with a saddened expression now.

“Just like you used me?” Rainbow Dash replied as she looked away from Merryluck's body and at Gilda as the wind continued to blow against her mane as she stared at the griffon.

“Yeah, just like I used you.” Gilda replied in a low tone.

“So why did you follow me then? And why did you take me from this place when Ace asked you to if you didn't give a buck about me or anypony here?” Rainbow Dash asked with sniffle as she whipped tears from her eyes.

“Because, I thought that maybe for one moment that I found someone else in the world who saw things like I saw them. Because, I thought that possibly there was one pony in Equestria who wouldn't leave me in the dust. Because, I thought I saw myself in you.” Gilda replied in a serious tone much unlike before.

“I don't see things your way Gilda. And I doubt you'd follow me here just because you saw yourself in me. So why don't you tell me the real reason you came back and followed me back here.” Rainbow Dash replied looking into the griffon's eyes now as she stood up on all four hooves.

Upon hearing this Gilda gave a heavy sigh. “Alright, you got me. I came back because I was worried about you.” Gilda replied in a slightly high pitched tone then before as if she was struggling to say these words.

“After all that time you used me, why would you worry about me now?” Rainbow Dash asked curiously as she walked up to Gilda so that she was standing in front of her now.

“Because...” Gilda replied but trailed off looking away now.

“Because what?” Rainbow Dash asked curiously as she looked at the griffon in confusion now. She was acting completely different from her normal self and this caught the cyan blue Pegasus off guard.

“It's too lame, I can't say it.” Gilda replied still not looking at her.

“Out with it Gilda. Why the buck would you worry about me now?! After all you've put me through! After you whored me out for bits, what reason could you possibly have to come back to me now other than to use me again?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in a pissed off tone. She wanted a real answer. She was tired of the games. And after losing the one mare in Equestria whom she thought of as a mother she was in no mood to deal with this.

“Because I care about you okay?! Happy now?!” Gilda exclaimed abruptly after a few moments then looked away with a blush.

“Wait, what? You care about me? So that's why you used me to get bits? That's why you beat the living snot out of me over a birth control pill?! Because you care about me?! That's one bucked up away to show it!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a glare.

“I bucked up! I know it alright! Cut a griffon a break! I'm knew to this sort of thing!” Gilda retorted angrily with a glare of her own.

“Oh this is just all kinds of bucked up. You expect me to believe that you care about me when all you've ever done is used me?! So what, do you expect us to be like good old sisters now? Huh?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, reached out a hoof and yanked her face so it was eye level with hers. “Look at me!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed a few moments later.

“It's not like that at all!” Gilda replied and gave a heavy sigh.

“Then what do you expect huh?! Go on, tell me! Because as far as I can tell, you expect me to drop everything I have here from my memory like a bad dream and go off on some grand sisterly bonding trip!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed angrily. She couldn't believe it. She wouldn't. Not after all Gilda had done to her. Yes she may have saved her life, but in the cyan blue Pegasus's mind, that didn't excuse the griffon from nearly turning her into a whore.

“I knew you wouldn't understand. This was a bucking waste of time.” Gilda replied in a low tone, turned around, and began to walk away when Rainbow Dash landed in front of her.

“Understand what? Go on, tell me!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed fiercely. Normally she would have just let her walk off but something inside the Pegasus was not going to let this happen. She wasn't sure what it was though. Maybe it was the good times they had or maybe it was the fact that Gilda was the only thing she had left in this town. Either way, she wanted a strait answer from the griffon.

Well she got her answer alright, but not in the way she expected as her eyes snapped wide in shock moments after Gilda locked beak with her lips. It took a few moments for the initial shock to ware off, but once it had she yanked away from the griffon with a blush on her face. “What the buck Gilda?!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed in shock of the griffon's actions.

“Do ya get it now Dash?! Because I couldn’t make it anymore clearer than that!” Gilda exclaimed with a equal blush then looked away.

Rainbow Dash slowly put a hoof to her lips as she looked at the griffon. Yeah, she got it now alright. But she had no idea how to take this, much less deal with it. Never before had it crossed her mind that Gilda had a crush on her. Heck, why would it? As far as she always knew till she found out Gilda was using her, they were just gal pals, nothing more.

“Gilda listen, I don't know how to take this. So please don't be offended when I say that I don't swing that way.” Rainbow Dash replied followed by a sigh.

“Kind of figured that out when you yanked away from me.” Gilda replied in a hurt tone.

“How do you expect me to react? For bucks sake Gilda, what did you expect? Me to just start making out with you and have lesbian sex in the middle of a post war zone?!” Rainbow Dash replied in an annoyed tone.

“Buck no! For Celestia's sake Dash, I bucking care about you! You were being a bucking feather brained dweeb and not getting the full bucking picture! So I gave you the full bucking picture!” Gilda replied in a heated tone.

An awkward silence then ensued between the mare and griffon for several minuets until Gilda gave a heavy sigh.

“Just forget this ever happened Dash. I'm bailing.” Gilda said and took off from the ground to the skies leaving the cyan blue Pegasus alone.

With Gilda gone now Rainbow Dash turned to look at the two bodies on the ground and noticed a small pendent with a small chain attached to it laying not far from them now. Curious, Rainbow Dash picked it up and looked at it there was an engraving on it which read:

Rainbow Dash read these words aloud, looked at Ace and Merryluck, and put the pendent around her neck. “I'll never forget you Ace, you made me the mare I am today.” Rainbow Dash said in a soft tone then turned her gaze to look at Merryluck. “Merryluck, you were the best mother a mare could ask for. Thank you.” Rainbow Dash said as tear streaked down her cheek now then looked up to the sky at which point the wind began to blow fiercely once again causing her mane to flail in the wind.

You may have killed the ponies I love, but you will NEVER destroy my loyalty to them! I hope you can hear me Nightmare Moon! Because, I’m coming for you! The bonds of loyalty are stronger than you will ever be!

Mere seconds after shouting these words, her flank glowed brightly and her cutie mark appeared much to her own shock, but she knew what her special talent was now, she knew what the cloud and the lightning bolt on her flank represented. It represented her undying loyalty. And with it she would show Nightmare Moon just how strong loyalty truly was.

Rainbow Dash took off from the ground at break neck speed with for the first time in her life a feeling of purpose. She didn't know where she had to go, but she knew that if there was any possible way to meet Nightmare Moon on the battlefield, it was through Celestia's army. Like her mother before her, she was going to became a war Pegasus.

She knew full well what loyalty truly is now and with Celestia as her witness, she was going to prove that it is stronger than the mightiest of steel!