Well, another morning another uncomfortable back ache. Rainbow stretched her wings and flexed out her back. She wasn't unused to sleeping in trees, but after a few hours it did become rather unpleasant. Fluttershy was still sound asleep, wrapped it the embrace of the overhanging branches. It was rather sweet.

Aside from the obvious cuteness of Fluttershy, Rainbow swiftly pounced back into action, taking to her wings and quickly flying from the safety of the tree across the landscape ahead. It was growing colder now, snow could be seen to the far north. Hopefully it wouldn't slow them down too much, but they may have to travel on hoof.

After her brief surveillance Rainbow flipped and landed back on the branch, out of sight. The yellow mare began to stir from her slumber, awakened by the slight cool breeze against her coat. It was a chilly morning, a brisk wind flowing through the vale. The sun warmed the grassy landscape but took its time to reach the two ponies hidden within the canopy of the forest.

“Cool, you’re awake. Let’s get going now.”

Fluttershy blinked rapidly as her eyes adjusted to the light. “But… we haven’t even had breakfast yet. We have enough provisions for a quick snack.”

Rainbow nudged the timid mares side playfully, earning a small giggle. “Come on, we can eat soon. First we need to reach the empire. We’re getting so close now, the snow is just ahead. I bet we’ll be there in an hour or two.”

Fluttershy peacefully stretched her wings, ruffling the small amount of collected dew that rested among the feathers. “You really think so?”

“Yup, I think we’re gonna make it ‘Shy. I just hope that Twilight doesn't need help this very moment.”

“Yeah, I hope so too.”

It was a pleasant flight; the wind was on their side. The forest drifted underneath them slowly, the cool breeze ruffling their manes softly. They almost began to enjoy themselves, Rainbow wasn’t racing ahead and Fluttershy wasn’t drifting behind. Even with the frozen wastes ahead of them, they took heart for this brief moment.

It seemed that fate was as cruel as it was made out to be, for they were no longer alone. From the distance three Pegasi were in pursuit of them, dressed in desert robes and bearing tools of war. They were being hunted. Neither of them noticed for some time till Rainbows keen ears heard the beating of wings behind her, quickly turning to see three soldiers bearing down on them from nowhere. A shock ran through her, all thoughts turning to the vulnerable mare beside her.

“Fluttershy, get out of here!” The yellow mare was obviously quite confused at first, but as she looked back to see what had caused her to cry out the sudden meaning of her words became awfully cleared. A short yelp escaped her before she flapped her wings furiously, desperately trying to get away from her pursuers.

“Just get out of here ‘Shy, I’ll catch up!” Rainbow called out to her, pulling back her wings and doing a full flip behind the soldiers. Their focus quickly shifted, bringing down their spears at where she flew. With quick speed she dodged their blows, swiftly recovering and moved to draw them off in the other direction.

But they would not be played so easily. With powerful throw one of the Pegasi hurled his spear directly at Rainbow Dash. Their spears were designed for both ground and air combat, perfect for medium range. It did not miss it’s mark, plunging deep into Dash’s hind leg and causing her to yelp in pain. She plummeted towards the ground, down towards the forest floor.

As if from nowhere she came, the yellow mare darting to intercept her fall. Fluttershy began to panic, the spear still firmly lodged in Rainbows leg with blood escaping too quickly and she still had three armed Pegasi to deal with. She did not think, she did not retract, she simply put everything she had into flying desperately towards the snow ahead. She had to get help, she just had to.

The soldiers had not given up, nor would they ever. They’d been following them for two days since they passed Canterlot.  They wouldn’t stop till their task was complete.

Fluttershy needed a plan, she needed one now. Without a seconds thought she dived beneath the forest canopy, hoping to find cover in the brush, her pursuers following swiftly afterwards. A game of cat and mouse broke out, Fluttershy trying to whiz around trees and bushes trying to escape the Pegasi while they continued to chase her relentlessly.

As they came around one corner they lost sight of the yellow mare, no sign of the rainbow one either. She was gone, out of sight. Had she escaped? They quickly flew above the tree line and searched around desperately. But even after a few minutes search they could find no sign of her. She was gone.

They cursed and cried at their spiteful luck, turning back south with no great haste. There was no point in searching anymore, that mare was long gone by now. They could not follow them north into the snow, for they had now experience in the cold weather and would surely perish without a question.

Fluttershy laid down Rainbow under the shade of an oak tree, resting her leg against a root. The spear had at least seven inches of it in her leg, maybe even scraping the bone. She had no choice.

“Um, Rainbow… are you still with me?”

After a cough and hack Rainbow managed to form a coherent sentence. “Yeah I’m still here. Nice work by the way ‘Shy, you really saved my flank.”

“That doesn't matter, I need to dress your wound and mend it the best I can. Once we get to the Crystal Empire then we can get help from Cadence. I have to get this spear out of your leg.”

“Fluttershy, I’ll just slow you down. I never thought I’d say this, but you need to go now. Send help when you get there, just don’t waste time making sure I’m alright.”

“No!” Fluttershy outburst. “I’m not leaving you out here for dead. Now hold still for a second, this is going to hurt.”

“What, what do you mean it’s goi- YAAAAooowww…!!!” Fluttershy slid the spear head from her leg, electing a few screams of pain from the mare beneath her. Swiftly she pulled out a few bandages from her saddle bag, dressing the wound as best she could. Afterwards she began to poke and prod with her hoof to try and see if the bone was fractured or broken. It didn't seem good, there was an obvious fracture where the spear had made contact.

“Rainbow, we can’t fly through that weather, and you are in no state to walk. I need you to get on my back and hold on tight. I’ll carry you till we get to safety.”

“Heh, I always thought I’d be the other way around; me saving you. Talk about irony.” Dash groaned and struggled as she pulled herself on top of Fluttershy, the yellow mare using her wings to help her up without causing too much pain.

“Okay, let’s get going. Only a few hours left, we can make it still…”

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