The distant rumble of thunder. The thickening air, condensing with unshed raindrops. This was the setting I found myself in, as the tram barreled along the tracks slowly. I couldn’t help but gaze out the small window by my seat. I took note of the rolling thunder, the torrential ocean of clouds, streaking out across the San Palomino desert. I hadn’t really moved much, considering I had so much room to do so in, actually I’d been staring out the window for a while now. I hadn’t heard much out of Trixie, or Redheart, for that matter. This was way too quiet, and I didn’t like it worth a buck.

I rose slowly from my seat, as I pushed a lock of my mane from my eyes. Silence. Silence was all that I could hear, and then suddenly I heard hoofsteps.

“Trixie? Redheart?” I called out, my breathing quickened, as my heart pounded.

Something wasn’t right. No more could I hear the distant thunder. No more could I hear the soft screech of the tram I stood in. I could only hear my own heart race within my chest, and the ever growing sound of hooves closing in. There I stood in the aisle of the tram, my hoof slowly moving to the hilt of my katana, as I awaited some glimpse of the pony that approached.

“Why darling, why ever would you need that?” Called the marshmallow colored Unicorn mare that stepped before me, her smile innocent, and sweet.

“Rarity! How in the hell are you here? I watched you die!?” I couldn’t believe my eyes, but, there she stood. Her mane, and coat, elegant as ever. Her well kept tail almost sparkling, even in the dim light of the tram.

“Yes well, I suppose you did. Then again.” She paused, turning from me, before looking back at me with a smile. “Maybe you didn’t. Now come Rainbow, the others are waiting for you.”

“Others? What others?”

“Why The Elements of course. We’re going to finish off Chrysalis, once and for all.”

I found myself caught in the midst of another internal struggle. My heart, my mind, trying to grab hold of myself. Was this really Rarity? Had she in fact survived? Had they all survived?

“Why haven’t you guys found me before now? Do you know what I’ve went through, and all for you guys?”

“Rainbow my dear, we know, we know more than you may ever truly understand. So come Rainbow, let us join the others, and we will finish this.”

Rarity smiled at me, but something was wrong. I didn’t see the usually calm determination that dwelled within her at moments like this, no I only saw hate. Why would she stare at me with hate filled eyes? Eyes that seemed as if they were cutting through me, or envisioning sinking a blade into my chest.

“You’re not Rarity.” I finally said defiantly. “You, what, who are you?!”
I shouted, my hoof once again moving to the hilt of my blade. “Answer me dammit!”

“I guess there is no fooling you Rainbow Dash, no I suppose not.”

There was a sudden intense flash of light, and I found myself blinded by it. When I could once again focus, I nearly fell back with a mixture of fear, I saw who this being really was.

“Why are you here!?” I shouted, trying to mask my true emotions, as I watched the Draconequus before me stretch.

“Oh my dear Rainbow Dash it’s been years, lets see where was I again? Oh yeah now I remember.” He said before pausing, staring at me with a blank expression. “I was imprisoned in stone, by you, and your little friends. Oh! But where are they now?” He cackled insanely as he spoke. His blank expression turning vicious, cruel, and filled with malice.

“Discord, you, you monster!”

“Now, now Rainbow is that anyway to act?” Discord said with a smile, as he fell back, and seemed to simply lay in the air.

“Why are you here?” I asked once again, gathering my resolve.

“Well I would answer, if I were really here?”

“What?”

“I mean who’s to say you’re really here? Maybe this is all some crazy dream, born from your shattered psyche? Or maybe I’m some figment of your twisted imagination?” He replied lazily, as he relaxed.

I was growing more, and more, furious by the second. I mean I didn’t know if his words were true or not, but I knew I wanted to be rid of him.

“I just wanted to check in on my favorite Element of Harmony, well, the only Element of Harmony left.” He said with a snicker.

“Shouldn’t you be groveling to your queen, instead of lounging there harassing me?” I shot back at him, my words laced with well received hate.

“My queen is busy at the moment.” He replied coldly. “She’s is trying to find out where her prized pupil has gone, as well as, trying to figure out what started the chaos in Las Pegasus.” He yawned, as a pink cloud appeared under his head, using it as a pillow. “But don’t worry your pretty, little, striped head. I won’t tell her you’ve been gallivanting here, and there, laying waste to her army. Oh! I definitely won’t tell her that her, favorite, pupil has sided with the enemy.”

I couldn’t believe what he was saying. I couldn’t believe his words, could I? I didn’t hear any deceit, no arrogance, not even a drip of sarcasm. Was he really telling the truth? I mean even if he was, which I doubted, wouldn’t he just turn on me?

“I can see you’re confused, as you should be. We are enemies you know? I suppose I pity you, or perhaps, it might just be my chaotic nature getting the better of me. No. I don’t see a reason for you to die yet. Not until I can see how far, along in this game, you can get.”

“GAME!?” I was furious! Where only moments before I’d been frozen in fear, my body now boiled with anger. How could he call this all a game? Even something twisted as he was, had to at least know what decency was. “This is not some game I’m playing! This is as real as it gets! I’ve watched friends die, whole towns slaughtered, and taken life! I lost my wing, and for what, to make sure I killed my enemies!”

He just stared. He floated there, staring at me, mocking me with his gaze. I was angry. I was filled with hate. Memories flooded back to me, the pain running through me. I could feel myself on the brink of death, as Chrysalis held me in her magic bonds. I remember it all. The look on her face, the shear soul crushing emptiness that ran through me. I had lost it, my element, to that insect. I couldn’t fight it any longer, and rushed Discord.

“I don’t care if you’re the god of chaos! I’ll destroy you!”

He began to laugh, softly at first, before erupting into a wicked cackle. “Oh my dear, dear, Rainbow. Remember, you’re only swinging at shadows?”

Just as I pulled back my right forehoof, and swung, he vanished into a pink cloud. My eyes shot open. My breaths were sharp, and intense. I was staring ahead, my forehoof planted, into the back of the seat in front of me. I was covered in sweat, and my eyes quickly shifted to the window at my right, as I once again heard the cry of distant thunder.

“Rainbow, are you alright?” Redheart called to me, as she appeared at my side. She just stood there in the isle, gazing at me softly, a hint of worry in her eyes.

“I’m, I’m fine.” I replied, taking a deep breathe, as I relaxed my body. “I just had a bad dream, that’s all.”

“Are you sure Rainbow? I’ll sit, and listen, if you wanna talk about it?”

Celestia bless her. Redheart had to be the kindest pony I knew, or at least she is now...damn, I miss you Flutters.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I promise.” I tried to offer my best smile, to ease her doubt, but that didn’t work all too well.

“Rainbow Dash. You’ll trust me with your life, but you won’t trust me to help you with anything else?” She only smiled after she spoke, before letting out a soft sigh. “I won’t stand here and make you tell me. If you wanted me to know, you would have told me. I will say this though; you can’t always hold everything in.”

“Thanks Redheart.” What else could I say? She knew something was bothering me. She knew something was wrong. Still, she knew I wouldn’t tell her, and how does she respond to that? A smile, kind words, and a moral.

“Remember Rainbow, I’m only one compartment a head, come find me if you change your mind.” She said, before turning from me. “Goodnight Rainbow.”

I sighed as I watched Redheart walk away, before hearing the faint sound of the compartment door opening, then closing. I sighed deeply, feeling an almost serene calmness overtake me, as the moon broke through the clouds; covering me in it’s silvered glow.

“What a beautiful night.” I whispered to myself, staring out the window, gazing out over the desert. You’re only swinging at shadows. Just what in Celestia’s name did that mean? Why am I even thinking about it? Why do I feel like that has some kind of meaning, or relevance? Why do I hear singing?

I stood from my seat, and looked around the compartment, trying to find the source of the music; thats when I realized it was Trixie. She was in the compartment behind mine, and yet somehow I could hear her voice. The melody she sang was somber, almost sad, each word imparting a sense of remorse.

I made my way down the aisle, following the sound of Trixie’s voice, before barely opening the door that separated Trixie, and myself. That’s when I saw her. She was sitting by the window, staring up at the moon, her eyes filled with tears. I could feel a sinking feeling in my chest as I watched her, and could finally make out her words.

“To all those children of the night, the sun has gone away. So let us bask in the silver tides, of Luna’s brilliant beams. For lovers lost, and friends long gone. Let us embrace the night, and be with them once more.”

I just sat there, peering through the door, as I watched her. The way the moonlight danced through her mane, and shined on her azure coat. I couldn’t help but have visions of AJ, sitting in the sun, flash through my head. They were two completely different ponies, as different as night, and day. Still as I watched her, I couldn’t help but think that they shared something, they both had a natural beauty. Wait? Why am I thinking like this? Get your head in the game, there’s no time to be thinking like this, I have to focus.

“Is someone there?” Trixie called out suddenly, startling me, as I bumped into the door.

“Uh yeah, it’s just me, Rainbow.” I replied with a nervous laugh, scratching the back of my head, stepping into the compartment. “I’m sorry if I bothered you. I was just listening to you sing.” I could see Trixie’s face begin to burn with blush, her eyes wide, while she stared at me.

“You, you heard that? I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to bother anypony.” She looked away from me, as tears began to stream down her face.

“You didn’t bother me.” I said quickly, taking a step towards Trixie. “I liked it.” I smiled after I spoke, my gaze never leaving Trixie’s moon bathed form. “Will you sing some more of it? Maybe just a little?”

Trixie sat there, gazing out the window, not even acting like she heard my words. I sighed, and offered another quick apology, before turning back towards the compartment door. That’s when I heard her inhale softly, and she began to sing once more.

“To all those children of the night, the sun has gone away. So let us bask in the silver tides, of Luna’s brilliant rays. For lovers lost, and friends long gone. Let us embrace the night, and be with them once more. Dreams of simpler times, ebb and flow as tides. Now is the time for Celestia’s children to sleep, and Luna’s to rise. From times of labor, til times we cannot perceive. We shall stay the children of Luna, for all eternity.” Silence. Silence overtook us, as Trixie sighed, and turned to me. She smiled. Her magenta eyes, still fresh with tears, shimmering in the moonlight.

“That was beautiful. Where did you learn it?” I asked.

“My mother taught it to me as a child. My family, or at least one of the older members, has always served in Princess Luna’s night court. Because of that, my family swore fealty to Luna. While other ponies were learning about Celestia’s trials, tribulations, and victories; I was learning of Luna’s. That song, well, it’s nothing more than a reminder of that. It’s one of the few things I have left.” She said, trailing off at the end.

I simply continued to stare at her, my eyes locked on her, with an unwavering conviction.

“Is there something wrong Rainbow?” Trixie asked, arching a brow, with a quizzical look.

I suddenly realized that I’d been staring at her for sometime, and shook my head, as I chuckled nervously. “Yeah, everything is fine, why do you ask?”

“Well, I just thought something might be wrong. I mean you do keep staring at me.”

“Yeah sorry about that, you just reminded me of somepony.” Why did I say that? Why in the name of all things pony, did I have to open that can of worms? ‘Who would that be?’, I know it’s coming...3...2...1.

“Really? Who?”

“Oh look! I’m right...dammit.” I sighed, as I moved to the seat beside Trixie, and leaned back. “Applejack. You reminded me of Applejack just now.”

“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment. I wish I’d gotten a chance to apologize to Applejack. I heard many good things about her, in fact, Chrysalis was the only person I heard talk bad about her. Then again, Chrysalis talked bad about all of the elements.”

I scoffed after she spoke, tossing my mane back, before looking at her once more. “I can only imagine.” I said. My voice dripped with sarcasm as I spoke, clearly making itself evident, by Trixie’s reaction at least. “Het Trixie, I got a question?”

“What is it Rainbow?”

“Why me? Why do you wanna follow me around, and help me? I mean, I still remember what you said in Las Pegasus, I wanna know exactly why though? Couldn’t you just have easily followed some other pony, or gathered ponies to rally behind you?” Trixie didn’t speak at first, she just simply sat there, responding with nothing more than a kind gaze.

“It had to be you Dash. You are the only one I can follow, the only one who can make a difference, the only one I will follow. I know you’ve heard it over and over again, but you’re something special. You’re the one who survived.”

“So it’s because I got lucky, and lived, that you follow me?”

“Yes, and no. I am able to follow you, because you’re alive. I choose to follow you, because I couldn’t see myself at any others side. Twilight, you, the other elements; you all were what every pony dreamt of being. You all were heroes.”

There was that word again, hero, I couldn’t understand why I kept hearing it. I couldn’t understand why anypony would call a failure, like myself, a hero. Redheart, Trixie, countless others; they all saw me as a hero. Even so, I couldn’t allow myself to be called such a thing. No. Heroes save those they love, they fight the good fight, but I couldn’t save anypony. I couldn’t save Twi, or AJ...or any of them. So why do they keep forcing the title of hero on me?

“Rainbow.” Trixie said suddenly, snapping me out of thought, as I looked to her. “Rainbow, will you make me a promise?” She said softly, as I was captivated by the moonlight in her eyes.

“I’ll try.”

“Will you stay with me? Will you let me stay with you? I know I may be sounding confusing, but I don’t wanna be alone again. I know we have Redheart with us now, but I just...I just feel like I’d be empty if you weren’t around.”

“Whoa there Trixie. Keep talking like that, and I’ll start thinking you got a thing for me. I guess I couldn’t blame you though, if you did, I am pretty awesome.” I smiled after I spoke, and felt sense of peace fall over me, as Trixie let out a small laugh.

“Well, maybe I do.” She said bluntly, once her laughter had died down, nearly causing me to fall from my seat.

“Wait! What?” I couldn’t believe she’d just said that, or was I imagining she’d said it? Either way, I couldn’t find any words to say.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered softly, her eyes locking with mine, as she leaned towards me.

Wait? What is this? Why am I leaning forward? No, I can’t do this. What about AJ? What about the love we shared? I couldn’t throw that all away, not for somepony that I barely knew, could I? I’ve spilt blood with her. Feared the worst, as I thought she died. I was even saved by her, but, was that enough for me to...love her?

My mind raced, and my heart pounded wildly in my chest, as our lips met. Soft, they’re so soft, so full of...of life. How was this even possible? Was I so distraught that I wanted comfort, comfort that could only be found in another's embrace? Was this betrayal? Did this mean AJ didn’t really mean that much to me? No! Applejack was my everything! My friend, my lover, the very pony I would have died to protect! But she wasn’t here, I had failed to protect her...I failed them all.

I felt Trixies forehooves wrap around me, embracing me tightly, as I closed my eyes. I became lost to emotion, and not just my own, but Trixie’s as well. I could feel every shred of doubt. Every speck of remorse, and sadness, flooding into my very being; through her silken lips. I followed suit, wrapping my hooves around Trixie, pulling our bodies closer; until I could feel the beat of her heart. It was like a steady drum, beating in time, with the melody of our bodies as it’s backdrop.

“Girls!” Redheart shouted, as she ran into the compartment. “We’ve got a prob-” She stopped, staring at Trixie, and myself with a sly grin. “Oh I so knew this was gonna happen.” She said with a laugh, clearing her throat, before her expression grew serious.

I sat there, arms still wrapped around Trixie, as she and I stared at Redheart. I was at a loss for words, and had the feeling, Trixie was as well. We turned to stare at each other for a moment, before quickly releasing our embrace, our faces crimson with embarrassment. An awkward silence filled the compartment, for what seemed like an eternity, when Redheart cleared her throat. I turned to look at her, and saw Trixie do the same, from the corner of my eye.

“As I was saying before I interrupted you two love birds; we’ve got a problem.” Redheart had no sooner finished speaking, when the tram began shaking violently. “Damn! I think they’ve boarded the tram!”

“Who’s they?” I asked suddenly, jumping up from my seat, as another wave of tremors passed through the tram.

“Collectors,” Redheart replied.

“This isn’t good, this isn’t good at all.” Trixie suddenly said, rising to stand as well. “Chrysalis must know somethings up if she’s sent Collectors.”

Damn you Discord! Was all I could find myself thinking. Then again, that whole run in with him, hadn’t that all been a dream? What did Chrysalis know exactly? Did she know Trixie had joined me? Did she know I was alive, destroying her troops, and kicking ass? That’s when the most important question of all came to me.

“What the hell is a Collector?” I asked.

“They're bad news, I’m talking worst of the worst. In fact, in the world of Changelings, only Bane Tooth’s elite guard and Chrysalis are stronger than the Collectors. If she’s sent them, then we’ve pissed her off royally.” Trixie replied, with a deep sigh.

Suddenly I could hear the sound of metal twisting, and shifting, followed by bodies slamming into the tram. I was about to speak. About to ask Trixie, and Redheart, what we could do to withstand the Collectors attack. When the door connecting Trixie’s compartment, to my own, was ripped away. We jumped back, pressing up against the opposite wall of the door. My right forehoof quickly moved to the hilt of my katana, while Redheart reached for her scalpels, and Trixies horn began to glow.

“How do we always end up in these situations?” I asked. I watched the black mass that stood at the door, as the Collectors, begin to flood in. Soon, there stood before us a trio of black clad Changelings, each one looking more vicious than the one before. The tattered scraps of their sun drenched cloaks barely clinging to their bodies. They just stood there, each one, easily as tall as Chrysalis.

“Be careful girls. Collectors are the assassins of the Changeling hierarchy, they won’t hesitate to kill you, so don’t hold anything back.” Trixie said calmly, as I watched her stare down the Collectors.

“Hey, all we gotta do is kill em’.” I said, before taking hold of my katana between my jaws.

“You certainly have a way of making the, damn near, impossible...sound possible.” Redheart said, with a grin, as she held a scalpel delicately in one of her hooves. “So Trixie. How do we beat them?” Redheart asked. Her gaze never wavering from our enemies.

“Don’t take your eyes off of them, The moment you do...well...just don’t take your eyes off of them” Trixie said, a small hint of worry in her voice. “Just keep your eyes focused on the one in front of you, and we might just make it through this.”

I was about to speak, but suddenly, we found the enemy upon us. The weapons they wielded, were so unique, I could barely recognize them as swords. The blades twisted, and bent, like a serpent's tail. They seemed to resonate will a dull hue of stained blood, and stunk with a putrid odor.

I locked blades with one of the foul creatures. I was surprised by it’s strength, despite it’s almost skeletal stature, as it was on par with my own. That disgusting stench that flooded my entire being. That sickening odor of decay, it was overwhelming, mixed with the scent of rust.

“What in the hell are these things!” I shouted, through the hilt of my blade, pushing the Collector back. “These aren’t normal Changelings!”

“They’re shadows!” I heard Trixie shout. “The collective consciousness of fallen Changeling soldiers, who’ve been given form, made from dark magic!”

Wait? Shadows? Remember, you’re only swinging at shadows. Damn you Discord, damn you to hell. Did you know these abominations were on their way? I don’t see a reason for you to die yet. Not until I can see how far, along in this game, you can get. That sick, twisted, bastard! This really was all just a game to him!

“How do we fight shadows!?” Redheart called out.

“Easy!” I shouted, before locking blades once more. “Hack, stab, and slash until they stop moving! Then stab them a couple more times, for good measure!”

The Collector I fought hissed sharply, it’s piercing tone clawed at my ears, before it spun away. I stepped back, collecting myself, before having my katana knocked from my grasp. The Collector had abandoned his sword, which Trixie told me later was called a Kris, and had knocked mine away with a powerful kick. It rushed me, closing the small gap between us, with impressive speed. I raised my forehooves, blocking a powerful strike, as the Collector launched a volley of strikes.

My body felt each attack, waves of hatred, resonating throughout my entire being. I wrapped one of my forehooves around it’s, as it struck at me once more, and landed a strike of my own to it’s jaw. The Collector acted as if my attack was nothing more than a playful hit, as it suddenly pulled me towards it, and caught me in the stomach with a powerful upward strike. I coughed, feeling my hind legs weaken, before being sent to the ground by another vicious strike. I rolled barely avoiding the ground shaking stomp the Collector had aimed for my chest.

Within seconds I was back on my hooves, all be it still shaken, and ready to fight. I quickly found myself on the receiving end of another flurry of strikes, as I twisted, and dodged with everything I had, feeling it’s hooves grazing my coat with each strike. I had to get on the offensive, and fast, if I was to survive. That’s when I had an idea.

I ducked down, before kicking off the ground, and catching the Collector with an uppercut. I dashed past the Collector, as it reeled from my attack, and dove for my sword. I grabbed it, with my hooves, and rolled across the ground. I brought my blade up, slashing with all I had, as the Collector simply dodge it with a smug grin. I unleashed an unrelenting series of attacks, pushing with everything I had, as I tried desperately to kill my enemy.

“Dammit! Just hurry up, and die already!” I roared, as I spun, putting my entire body behind my attack. I was shocked, as it caught my blade, and left speechless. Suddenly my hooves began to glow with a magenta hue and I could feel Trixie’s energy, her warmth, flood into me.

“Hurry Rainbow! I can’t keep the spell up long, not while I’m fighting at least!” Trixie shouted, as I heard the labored pants of her voice. She was still fighting, fighting with everything she had, yet still, she did all she could to help me.

“I’ll try and be quick.” I replied, in an almost low growl, as I stared into the amber eyes of my enemy. I dropped my blade, hearing it clang against the floor of the tram, and rushed the Collector once more. Something was different this time. I found myself on par with it, a flurry of swings, and strikes erupted between us. I would dodge, block, and counter. It would dodge, block, and counter. We matched the others moves perfectly, but I could see something, desperation slowly inching it’s way into the Collector’s attacks.

What was so different? Was it simply the addition of Trixie’s magic, to my own strength, to my own skill? No. No, it had to be something more. Swinging at shadows... Wait, that’s it! The Collectors were shadows, nothing more than dark beings, created by dark magics. The light of Trixie’s magic, it’s very nature, was a weakness to them; it was the means to defeat them.

“Not so tough anymore are you? You pathetic excuse of a bug!” I roared, stepping into another strike, sending the Collector sliding back across the floor. “I’m through playing games! I mean, who in the hell do you think I am!?” I blocked another strike, returning the favor, and connecting with an uppercut to the Collectors stomach.

The Collector rose to it’s hooves slowly, it’s cold gaze locked on me, while I readied myself. We both charged, otherworldly roars of rage and, hatred escaping us. The Collector drew closer, and I pushed my legs to carry me faster, as my forehooves glowed even brighter. “This game, ends now!” I barely dodged the Collector’s attack, before I shoved my hoof into it’s gaping maw, following through with burning rage. The Collectors body slammed against the wall of the compartment , hanging limp, just inches above the floor. I pulled back my hoof, letting the cursed creature’s body fall to the floor, before watching it burst into a swirl of shadow.

The aura of Trixie’s magic faded from my hooves, as I sighed, and turned to see her. She smiled weakly at me, body covered in fresh wounds, and her coat matted with blood. “I’m glad you’re alright Rainbow.” She said, before collapsing to the ground.

“Trixie!” I shouted, quickly turning to Redheart for help.

“Damnable filth.” Redheart said, standing over the body of the Collector she’d slain; though it looked more like a pincushion with all those scalpels in it. I was shocked, and slightly impressed as it’s body burst into shadow, and the scalpels fell to the floor. “That was almost easy.” Redheart said, with her usual kind smile.

I was left dumbfounded. I was covered in bruises, Trixie was covered in wounds, and Redheart looked as if she’d barely broken a sweat. Suddenly I was snapped from my thoughts, as I heard Trixie cough, and I called to Redheart.

“Redheart! Trixie’s hurt!” I could see the smile fade from Redheart’s face, as she hurried to Trixie’s side.

“We have to hurry and stop the bleeding. Dear sweet Celestia, how did she get so beat up? Was she not even paying attention to her opponent?”

I hung my head, casting my stare to the floor, as I sighed. “No she wasn’t. She was too worried about me.” I said weakly, shame filling my entire being.

“Rainbow, go and get my saddlebags from my compartment.” Redheart replied. “And Rainbow!” She called, as I turned from her. “Don’t worry, Trixie will be okay...I promise.” She said. Her kind smile returning once more, before she turned her attention back to Trixie.

I ran towards Redheart’s compartment, quickly grabbing her saddlebags, and returned to Redheart. I sat the saddlebags at her side, and watched nervously as she began cleaning Trixie’s wounds. Please Trixie, please be alright... Will you stay with me? Will you let me stay with you? I know I may be sounding confusing, but I don’t wanna be alone again. I know we have Redheart with us now, but I just...I just feel like I’d be empty if you weren’t around. How can you just say something like that, ask that of me, and then leave? Just stay with us Trixie, stay with me...