“I hope she’ll be alright,” I mumbled. I watched as Rainbow followed Octavia, vanishing as they stepped through a heavy, metal, door.

“She will be fine Trixie. You and I both have seen just how strong she can be.” I smiled at Redheart, thanking her for her comforting words.

“Yeah, don’t sweat it. Octi has done this kinda thing many times,” Vinyl added.

“So she’s built new wings for pegasi before?”

Vinyl gave me a nervous chuckle as a reply, before scratching the back of her head. “Well maybe she hasn’t done anything exactly like this, but she’s put a lot of work into making a new wing for Rainbow. I don’t have a single doubt that Octi will help Dash fly again.”

“Yes, well, as much as I appreciate that vote of confidence I can’t help but fear the worst,” I replied with a sigh. “If Octavia’s plan doesn’t work and Rainbow doesn’t regain her ability to fly, then everything's done for.”

“Why? Just because she can’t fly, doesn’t mean we’re screwed.”

“Why don’t you take off those damn glasses and look at the bigger picture,” I replied, growing irritated. “If Rainbow has put herself through all of this just to have Octavia’s procedure fail, then what fight is left in her will be drained… completely. Without the will to fight, well if she loses that will, we are doomed and Chrrysalis will go unchallenged.”

“You’re acting like the entire future of Equestria rests in Rainbow Dash’s hooves. What about the rest of us? Even if something happens and she looses hope, there are others who will stand and fight.”

“Didn’t I just tell you t look at the bigger picture? It doesn’t matter who can fight… what matters is will Rainbow Dash fight.” I stood there, eyes locked with Vinyls, as Red Heart simply smiled and watched our bickering.

“The Elements of Harmony are either dead, or missing. Rainbow is the last of the elements, that Equestria has. Ponies would be willing to follow her to hell and back, if for no other reason than that. The real reason she’s needed is even greater though. Her element, loyalty, the very one Chrysalis ripped from Dashie’s chest. That element now resides within Discord himself, and is the means in which Chrysalis controls him. Think about it. She controls the very embodiment of CHAOS!”

I took a step towards Vinyl, as she stepped towards me. “Do you understand yet, you disc slinging buffoon?”

“Oh I hear you loud and clear, you great and powerful traitor.”

I gritted my teeth as the aura of my magic covered my horn, creating arcs of light, mixing with Vinyl’s own aura.

“Go a head, make your move,” I snarled.

“You’re about to get dropped harder than the bass in my last song,” she replied.

We glared at each other, both tensing for a fight. Suddenly we jumped back, as a scalpel embedded itself in the ground between us.

“Now, now, girls. You’re both pretty,” Red Heart said with a smile. “If you two insist on continuing though, I’ll just have to step in.”

I couldn’t help but shiver with fear, as Vinyl did the same, at Red Hearts words. “N-now Redheart, lets not be hasty,” I chuckled nervously.

“Y-yeah, we were just messing with each other,” Vinyl replied.

The two of us sighed as we turned back to each other and offered an apology. “I’m sorry Vinyl, I’m just really nervous and I shouldn’t take my worries out on you.”

“It’s fine, I know you’re nervous and nothing I say is gonna make that nervousness go away. All we can do is trust Octi’s skills and hope for the best.”

“Trixie,” Red Heart suddenly spoke up. “Why don’t you head topside and do a bit of scouting. Rainbow is going to be vulnerable during her procedure, so we need to be on our guard. I’ll stay here and lend a hoof, if needed.”

“You’re right. I’ll head up to street level and make sure nothings going on.”

“I’ll head back up to the club and keep an eye out there. If I see anything suspicious I’ll let one of you know,” Vinyl added.

“Well then, you two best head up there. Be on your guard, but don’t draw attention to yourself. As far as I know we have gone undetected by Chrysalis’ forces. We should strive to keep it that way. Like I said, Rainbow will be vulnerable during this time and for a time after. Our first priority is her protection.”

Vinyl and I both nodded in agreement, before quickly turning and heading back through the large door we’d entered before. We walked, side by side, down the dark hallway. The only sound between us were the breaths that escaped us, as we slowly made our way back towards the surface. We could begin to hear the dull boom of Vinyl’s music penetrating the thick walls, as we climbed up the stairs.

“So do you really care for her, or are you just pretending so you can use her as a tool for war,” Vinyl suddenly asked me.

“What in the name of Luna are you talking about, of course I love Rainbow.”

“Really? See I always heard you had the hots for an Element, but not Loyalty. No I always heard you had a bit of an obsession with the Element of Magic, you know, Twilight Sparkle.”

“I’ll have you hold your tongue at once, DJ.”

“Don’t lie, there’s no need to.” She stopped and turned to me, her glasses pushed up and resting just under her horn. She stared at me with defiant eyes that burned a hole straight through me, boring into the concrete wall behind me. “You know a lot of ponies may see me as some over hyped, bass pounding, idiot. But the truth is, I’m a lot smarter than I look. I’m also really good at reading others, comes with being a DJ and I can read you like a book.”

“Just what are you insinuating? Are you really trying to say I’m feigning love and admiration for Rainbow?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. I find it a bit too convenient that you go from being completely dumbstruck by Twilight Sparkle, to being in love with Rainbow Dash. No. I think you’re lying. Lying to yourself, Red Heart and worst of all to Rainbow Dash. I honestly don’t think you have one ounce of genuine feelings for her in that deceptive body of yours.”

“Just who in the hell do you think you are to accuse me of such things!? To prod your way into my personal business and make outlandish assumptions!?”

“I’m somepony who’s in love, that’s who the hell I am! I saw the way you looked at Rainbow, as she walked away with Octi! It was a look of worry alright, but not the worry that one feels when they are in love. You looked more like a filly about to lose her favorite toy,” she shouted, stepping towards me. “So admit it! Rainbow isn’t somepony you love! she’s just a tool, a means for you to extract your own twisted revenge on Chrysalis! You don’t give a damn whether or not this all kills her, as long as Chrysalis dies!”

I took a step back, feeling the cold wall pressing against me. “Shut up! You have no idea what you’re rambling on about!”

“The hell I don’t! What is your plan, huh? Get close to Rainbow so you can manipulate her and use her as a weapon, then after this is all over you can just go back to your life? Or is it more? Maybe this is some pathetic attempt to hold onto Twilight, by dragging one of her closest friends down into the misery that you refuse to escape from?” Vinyl scoffed and turned from me as she spoke, refusing to look at me.

“You… you bitch! How dare you! How dare you even speak Twilight’s name and accuse me of such things,” I shouted in reply, before being sent crashing into the wall.

“You said it yourself and made it very clear what your intentions are. Rainbow is the last of the Elements and as such is one of the most important, if not the most important pony alive. I have you to thank for that realization, after our little spat back there with Red Heart. You see her as nothing more than a means to create an army, but you don’t see her as the beacon of hope she is. Once her procedure is done I’ll consult her on helping join the resistances, but I won’t do it under the guise of false love, as you have. I will ask her as a pony who has seen first hoof the horrors of this war, I will ask her as a pony who needs help.”

“You would accuse me of such things, strike me and then just walk away!? I will not have it! My love for Twilight was pure, born of admiration and respect! It is the same love that I feel for Rainbow, the same love that now drives me to see her achieve the greatness that she can attain!”

“Enough,” Vinyl shouted, not bothering to turn back to me. “You are a liar, a cheater and nothing more than the forgotten toy of Chrysalis. The only reason you are even breathing is because you’re an old friend of Octi’s and the false love of Rainbow Dash. If I knew your death wouldn’t burden even one of them, then I would end you here and now.”

I steadied myself and flipped my mane, trying to regain my composure before I spoke. “Despite what you may think, I love Rainbow. Admittedly it happened rather quickly and yes… part of the reason is because of the link she shared with Twilight. That isn’t the only reason though. I’ve stood beside her in battle, watched in horror as she nearly died and cried as she shrieked in pain. Do you understand how horrible, how heart wrenching, it was to watch as she crawled to her severed wing? It is an image that will forever be with me…”

“Actions speak louder than words and both can be easily falsified. Both can also be easily manipulated and distorted to make one appear anything they wish,” Vinyl replied.

I watched, in silence, as she continued on and took a moment to gather myself. I inhaled deeply, trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. and soon found the resolve to move once more. I followed after her, keeping my distance, as I became lost in thought. She was wrong. My love for Rainbow wasn’t simply a form of manipulation, that was absurd. I nearly died at the hooves of a collector, just to protect Rainbow. Perhaps my love is a bit… selfish. But what love isn’t?

“Hey, you coming,” Vinyl called out to me, stirring me from my thoughts.

I looked up to see that we had reached the door to the club and that an annoyed Vinyl was standing by it, waiting on me. I simply nodded as I approached and the door became enveloped by Vinyl’s magic, opening it. We stepped through, walking back into the controlled chaos of Vinyl’s club, as she closed the large door behind us.

“Try not to get into any trouble.”

“My plan isn’t to get into any, just simply observe what’s going on about the city.”

“Well if trouble decides it want’s to find you, just head back here. This place is really easy to get lost in and you won’t find one supporter of Chrysalis, in that sea of ponies.” Vinyl offered me a quick nod, before disappearing into the aforementioned ‘sea of ponies’, leaving me to my own devices.

I made my way through the club, finally exiting out into the bright light of the city. The sun had slowly begun to dull and set, giving off a beautiful mixture of colors and hues, as the buildings reflected this beauty. I breathed deeply, inhaling the crisp evening air, as a sigh escaped me. Not even the beauty that surrounded me in this moment could move my mind from Vinyl’s words, however vulgar and presumptuous they may have been. They had done their intended purpose though, they had addled me.

Damn that pony and her idiocy, making me second guess myself. Still, I could see where she was coming from. But one cannot expect to understand the mind, or heart for that matter, of another. No. She was wrong. I love Dash and not just because she’s an Element, it’s because she’s something more. What that is though, well, has yet to be seen.

I steadied myself, letting out another sigh, as I started to walk the streets of Van Hoover. I needed to focus, to be on my guard. I had to keep an eye out for trouble and an ear to the ground for any dangers, less Rainbow fall into some sort of harm. The thought of her being hurt… I don’t ever want her to feel hurt again. I don’t ever want to witness something like our fight with Bane Tooth again, well what we thought was Bane Tooth.

Octavia had said that Bane Tooth still lived, but how? I removed that monsters head myself, so how can he be alive? Dammit, Trixie! Now is not the time to have your mind clouded by these random thoughts, you must be vigilant. The stone streets beneath my hooves slowly cooled, as the sun sank lower and I could see the lights of the city begin to flicker on.

Like a dim fire burning in the darkness of night, the city of Van Hoover came alive before my very eyes. Buildings became shining beacons in the night, guiding ponies through the streets. Signs illuminated, displaying the names of establishments and advertising the latest trends. This city, this shining symbol of hope amidst the chaos that reigned supreme over all ponydom, this place filled me with a dread that I hoped I’d never know again.

I was filled with loneliness, a despair that ate at my very being. No matter what I tried the questioning void, that Vinyl had created within me, grew, pulling me into it’s darkest depths. Why was I plagued with such absurdity, such nonsense, as questioning what I felt? Perhaps I was lying, trying to gain the means to an end. But for that to be true, I must be lying to myself as well and that was something that truly crushed what little conviction I had managed to acquire.

A long, drawn out, sigh escaped me. My frustration boiling over to the point of annoyance, as I shook those foolish thoughts from my mind, once again. I continued to walk the streets, taking note to move cautiously past a small patrol of Changeling guards.

“Haven’t you heard?” I heard one of the guards mumble to another.

“Heard what?” He replied, with an annoyed tone.

“Word came from Canterlot this morning, special orders from the queen herself. Said that we’re to be on the look out for any suspicious activities, something about the instigators of the Las Pegasus riot coming here.” I quickly ducked into an alley, pressing myself against the wall as I listened in.

“Pfft, yeah right, like they’d really come here. They’d have to be fools to come here.”

“Well they’re ponies, so we can’t expect them to be all that bright.” The guards erupted into laughter and I waited patiently as they moved on.

Once they had left I stepped out from the shadows of the alleyway, looking around me, before scoffing. “Those damned bugs.” I shook my head, sighing, as I thought about what I’d just overheard. “So they know we’re here. From the sounds of it though they don’t know how many of us there are and it seems like they don’t have an idea of our identities.” I continued to ponder on this, thinking of a way to use this knowledge to our advantage. “Best not to make a move yet,” I thought.

I continued on, hoping to find more useful information. I soon came to stop at a large square building, similar to that of Vinyl’s club, where a large sign hung just above the entrance; The Naked Mare. “Well… that sounds… lovely,” I thought. Rainbow had told me that bars were useful places to collect information and seeing as that was my reason for wandering about, I decided to take Rainbow’s word.

I walked in and was immediately met with the overbearing stench of alcohol. I coughed, trying to catch my breathe among the fumes of spirits and somehow made my way to the bar. I took a seat, scanning the bar for any sign of Chrysilian forces.

“Hey there, never seen you around. You new to the city,” The bar mare asked with a smile.

“Yes, just recently arrived actually,” I replied politely.

“Well it’s always nice to see a new face. So, can I get you anything,” she asked. I couldn’t help but look her over. She was small, well small for an Earth Pony and her dark brown mane complimented the orangish tint of her coat.

“Yes,” I replied, with a pause. “I’ll have a apple cider, please.”

She nodded, quickly scurrying off to fetch my drink, when I noticed somepony take the seat next to mine. “Make that two,” this new pony called to the bar mare.

The mare returned, setting a glass down in front of each of us, before collecting her pay and rushing to the next patron. I sat there silently taking a drink of the cider, taking note of it’s somewhat bitter aftertaste.

“Kinda bitter, ain’t it,” the pony at my side suddenly said.

“Yes, somewhat so,” I replied.

“Used to be if ya wanted Cider, you’d head on over to Ponyville. That place always had the best.”

“Indeed. You’re speaking of the Apple Family’s cider, correct?”

“Yes ma’am. That Apple Family always made the best, too bad they’re all gone.”

I nodded in reply, thinking of how I really didn’t know much of the Apples’. All I really knew were the stories I’d heard about Applejack and the rest of her family, from Rainbow Dash. “Did you know the Apples’?”

“Eeyup.”

I froze at hearing my conversational partners reply, my glass suspended in air before me. I swallowed hard and turned to look at this pony I had been talking with. I was met with the sight of a metal foreleg holding a glass up to it’s owners mouth, before it set the glass down. All I could tell was that this pony was a mare. “J-just… who are you,” I asked.

“Well that ain’t exactly an easy question to answer,” she replied. “Ah kinda gave up the name Ah used to go by so Ah could become more than Ah was, so Ah could become a pony who could survive. You’re probably one of the only ponies around who actually knows my real name anymore and that’s even if you remember me.”

I watched, dumbfounded, as she raised her metal foreleg to the hat she wore and took it off, setting it on the bar. A long yellow beautiful mane spilled out from under the hat, falling across her orange coat as she stared at me from the corner of her green eyes.

“H-how… w-why... you’re supposed to be dead?”