Beep. Beep. Beep.

The sound all the girls were used to. Countless trips to the Ponyville Hospital due to Rainbow crashing or Applejack over working herself. But today, they hated that noise.

"Oh Celestia. Will she be okay?" The girls asked.

"So far. But she is badly injured."

In Canterlot castle guest room (which was now full of hospital items) , were the girls and the Princesses. Laying in a white bed was Rainbow Dash. Her mane and coat still dirty with mud and blood. Her uniform hung on a chair near by. It was clean again, thanks to Rarity who sewed it and washed it. Wires clung to the pegasus. An oxygen mask was fitted over her snout. Her chest slowly rising and falling.

"How hurt is Dashie?" Pinkie's hair was becoming more straight by the minute.

Luna picked up a clipboard. It glowed blue. "Umm. She's err... Let's see. Punctured lung, stab wounds, loss of blood, broken bones,-"

"Thank ya, Princess." Applejack gazed over to the Pegasus. "Wha kinda monster is he? Ta do tha ta Rainbow."

"At least we got her in time. We could have lost her completely." Twilight said.

Pinkie burst into tears. Her hair completely straight. Fluttershy went over to her to comfort her. But it only made her cry too.

"Th-thank you. Thank you Celestia. Thank you Luna. For get her here." Fluttershy sobbed.

"We saw that she was in need. Also Twilight, I think when Rainbow wakes up, she would be thanking you. If you didn't use your magic to help her who knows what would of happened." Twilight nodded at Celestia.

Suddenly, Rainbow's wings twitched. Then she moved her hooves. Her eyes slowly flickered open. She removed the oxygen mask and coughed.

"Urg. Feels like I've got a hangover." She croaked.

At that point, the sobbing Pinkie bounced up. Her hair blew back into it's cotton candy floss state.

"DASHIE! YOU'RE OKAY! OMIGOSH! I SHOULD DO A 'YOU ARE BETTER' PARTY! WITH CAKE AND PUNCH AN-" A zip formed from her lips and closed, tightly.

"Rainbow Dash?"

"Yep! That's my name, don't wear it out!" She smiled weakly.

"Oh Rainbow you are okay!"

Rainbow gently fluttered out of the bed. Hissed as she stood on her left fore leg.

"Rainbow, ya need ta rest."

"Resting ain't exactly going to stop Artist."

"Rainbow, are you sure you are well enough?" Celestia asked.

"If I can see an archer outside who's about to fire, then yep."

Everypony looked out the window to see a pony run off. An arrow stuck in the curtain, held a message.

Rainbow grabbed the letter and read it. If there was anything to read!

"It's blank!"

"What?!"

"It's blank. Nothing on it!"

"But why would Artist send us a blank message?" Then Rainbow sniffed the air. Her eyes opened wide.

"To distract us!"

Suddenly, a giant blast burst the doors. Flames flickered everywhere.

"Fire?! But why would he set the castle on fire?"

Twilight then realised why.

"THE ELEMENTS!" A pink glow surrounded her. Bling. She was gone.

Twilight ran through the flames to the chamber where the Elements were kept.

The door was hanging off it's hinges.

"No!"

A figure approached Twilight.

"Well, well, well. Isn't it the pony who helped Rainbow. And ruined Sir's chances of winning."

"GIVE ME BACK THE ELEMENTS!"

"Hmmm. What about, no!" He flew out a window, still holding the box full of necklaces and a crown.

When Twilight looked out the window, she saw half of Canterlot alight.

"Oh no!"

She then saw a rainbow streak come to the window.

"Twilight! Quickly! This place is about to fall!"

Instead of waiting for a response, Rainbow grabbed Twilight's hoof. The ceiling gave way.

"Thanks Rainbow!"

"And thank you."

"What for?"

"Earlier. You helped me even though it was against the rules."

Rainbow was now wearing her uniform and belt again.

The others joined them outside.

"This is horrible!" Luna exclaimed.

"Indeed."

Rarity turned to look away from the burning chaos. She squinted as she saw a hooded figure.

"Rainbow dear." Rainbow turned around and also saw the figure. She lifted her dagger and threw it.

Direct hit.

"Who was tha?"

"That Applejack, is Lieutenant Sparks."

The girls walked over to Sparks, who was trying to make a bandage for his wing.

"So,"

Sparks jumped up.

"Doing Artist's dirty work, are we?"

"Ummmm."

"A simple nod will do."

Sparks nodded.

"Are you going to tell me his plans?"

Sparks nodded. "Wait! What?!"

"Ha! Such a simple mind for a high ranked pony. I laugh!"

The others looked at each. Rainbow was talking quite posh. Which doesn't happen all the time since she's cool. She usually uses slang.

"I won't tell you anything!"

"Hm. Is that so?" Rainbow walked over to Sparks and pulled out the dagger.

"Yow! Um...thanks?"

"You won't be thanking me in the minute."

"Wha-" He was unable to finish as Rainbow pressed on his injured wing.

"Ow! Ow!"

"Now are you going to tell me?"

"Ow! No!"

"Thought you would say that." She took the dagger an carefully cut under his wing.

"Owww! You're crazy!"

"No, Pinkie is crazy!" The dagger went deeper.

"Ow! Okay! I'll speak! I'll speak!"  Rainbow release her dagger from his wing.

"Wow! I'm impressed! You are actually going to tell me his plans."

"Well, I never wanted to join him. But he threatened to kill my family. I hated it. But when he told me about you and him, I felt sorry for him."

"You felt sorry for him?!"

"Umm. Yea."

"Hmmm. And he threatened to kill your family?"

"Yes."

"Where are they?"

"Manehatten. Ow!" He rubbed his wing.

"Oh dear. Hang on. CRIMSON!" She beckoned over a scarlet unicorn mare with violet eyes and mane.

"Yes Commander."

"Take him," she pointed to Sparks, "To a hospital or medical tent. And make sure that he is well guarded."

"Why don't you trust me?" Sparks asked.

"Since you have joined me, he would be after you now."

"Can you get my family? And protect them?"

"Yes. It's my duty to keep innocents safe."

"I will."

"Pardon?!" Rainbow confused by his response.

"You said I wouldn't be thanking you, but I am."

Rainbow smiled. "You're not as simple as I thought."

Crimson took Sparks away.

Rainbow turned around to find that most of the flames had gone. Ponies were rushing around finding loved ones and lost items.

"At least no pony died."

But what the girls didn't realize was that this was the calm before the storm. Next Chapter: Artist's Argument Estimated time remaining: 13 Minutes