When I first joined the Lunar Guard I admit, I should have been more confident from the get-go! I mean you can't blame me though, I was up against practically every pegasi in Cloudsdale! Haha, I remember when I received my first assignment, I was shaking in my armor so much it sounded like a hailstorm! But as usual, In the end I came out on top, because nopony, and I mean nopony, Is as fast as me in delivery! I do owe a lot to Captain Shining though, he always had my back when times were tough. Heck, without him I'd probably still be moving pillars. I'm proud of being a lunar guard, I won't deny that, but my friends will always come first! I will always remain loyal to Captain Shining, to me, his word is just as important as the Princess's if not more.

Twilight squinted as she tried to adjust her vision to everything around her. There were multiple pegasi just staring at her with confused looks, majority of them didn't even know who she was. As she walked, she noticed there were countless headlights all focused on where she was standing. She looked down at the floor, she was standing on a metal platform? The lunar guards nudged her as she continued to walk, she noticed the military like setup the place had as well as the multiple pegasi. Cloudsdale, she immediately thought to herself. The greek style architecture and buildings made of cloud were also a dead giveaway when she could finally see them. The multiple pillars and large interconnecting tubes flowed with magic power, giving the city it's massive energy supply. This allowed ponies to walk on the flat surfaces that were built into the city some time ago, unicorns and pegasi alike, even earth ponies.

If i'm here, then whatever they believe, it must be quite serious. Cloudsdale is meant only for high level threats, I guess it is the perfect place huh? Trapping somepony like me so high in the sky, there is no way to escape. Twilight sighed, looking down in discontent as she was forced along. There is no way, i'm getting out of here, sorry Applejack, Eden, you'll have to find a way to the land of dragons without me.

As she was forced down the metal pathway through the courtyard, everypony was still discussing the situation. Multiple pegasi whispered to each other, muttering things such as "Who is she? A unicorn? She looks so young, she's a level 6?" Rainbow Dash seemed uninterested at first, she merely had her hooves crossed as she stared at Twilight accompany the cowled mare. Rainbow then peered up at Shining, this caused her to raise a brow What the? Shining looked utterly shocked. He looked like he was frozen in fear, unable to move. Rainbow then had a worried expression as she looked back over to Twilight. Rainbow pondered for a few moments before her eyes widened.

"No way," she muttered, pieces of Shining's story flashed through her mind. Rainbow fell asleep halfway through but she recalled Shining dwell upon the memories of his sister's birth. Rainbow replayed the scenario in her head, taking away key pieces of the story Violet, Mare, Twilight? Rainbow took one more look at Shining, he was still frozen as she took one more look at Twilight. Rainbow gritted her teeth, an annoyed expression on her face as she uttered "darnit," before bolting up to Shining's position.

As she flew up to Shining she then spread her hooves.

"Mind telling me what your sister is doing as a chained up level 6?!"

Shining shook his head, unable to describe, he merely muttered,

"I...I don't know? She was safe and sound in Ponyville, I made sure, I..I-"

Rainbow smacked him with her hoof "get a hold of yourself sir! We still don't know the entire situation! It can just be a whole misunderstanding." Rainbow placed her hooves on her hips as she flapped her wings, giving Shining a confident smile. Shining looked to the left a few seconds before shaking his head, then looking at Rainbow seriously. "T-Thanks, I needed that Rainbow, you're right! We need to hurry down to the interrogation wing and see just what the heck is going on!"

With that Rainbow saluted him with a smile "heck yea!" as she dashed after Shining who'd already ran to the left, inside a large facility connected to the tower he was standing on.

"We have a lot to discuss on the way." Shining exclaimed as he trotted, having a hesitant, guilty expression.

Rainbow looked at him curiously, just nodding as she followed him inside.

As Twilight and the cowled mare trotted along, the cowled pony simply smiled looking up. "Beautiful isn't it? I simply adore this city, it stands as a symbol, of the empire's power. It's a sign of order, a sign of fear. You will make an excellent addition to the asylum they have here Sparkle." Twilight grunted at this "tch!" as the cowled pony stopped, using her hoof to turn Twilight's head towards her. Twilight looked to the upper left, refusing to look her in the eyes. "Resist all you want, soon you'll be screaming to me all your sad, little, secrets...BAH!" with that she turned Twilight away, the lunar guards still forcing her along.

They trotted steadily atop the long platform, to their left they walked along the side of a very large and fortified facility. It had astonishing pieces of metal as well as cloud construction mixed together, alike. You could tell the facility had many levels considering the fact there were large rectangular blocks sticking out the sides, as if sectioning off the floors. Twilight knew that's where she would be going for the time being, she looked off into the distance of the city, she couldn't really see much from her position but it certainly was beautiful. She could see the gleaming lights piercing into the night sky, the countless towers in the civilian sector of Cloudsdale. There was a large dome in the distance with webbed designs wrapped around it, that was the asylum, Twilight stared at it for a few seconds. Least it looks cool she thought.

Cloudsdale may have consisted of many of the Empire's military bases of operation, as well as Instructional facilities, prisons and the likes, but it was still the home to many Pegasi. It's greek architecture stood out just as much as it's newly enhanced urban buildings powered by magic. Twilight actually admired the sight, even for being in such a crummy situation, she'd still never visited Cloudsdale before. She'd only read about it in books. Sure she wished the circumstances were better but she was still grateful, even after all this. Twilight's concentration was cut off as she heard the cowled mare yell "OPEN THE GATES!"

Twilight's eyes widened as she was forced in front of a pair of large gates. These gates led into the facility once at their side, but they were now standing in front of. As the gates slowly creaked open, Twilight peered up at the massive building, she gulped slightly before being shoved along. They continued to trot as surrounding them were multiple pegasi, outfitted with strange military uniforms. The pegasi have really changed over time. Twilight thought to herself as she raised a brow. They were so militarized now it was as if their traditional ways only remained in whatever old style buildings were left.

Twilight was soon shoved through a pair of doors, it didn't hurt so bad since they were made of puffy clouds. As she trotted through the facility still in chains, many intimidating dangerous ponies were at her side, trapped in cages like wild beasts. They spoke to her in a disgusting manner as if infatuated with who she was.

"Hey there beautiful, mind joining me in paradise? Heh heh heh!"

"Where ya goin? Let's get to know each other!"

"Oh how I'd like some of dat cutie mark!"

"Wait come back! Let me spank that flank!"

Twilight cringed at the sight of them, what disgusting ponies, but she sighed guess it's understandable, I wonder when the last time they saw a female was. Twilight's eyes widened as a pair of lights focused on them at the end of the hall. A robotic voice suddenly called out "I-DENTI-FICATION" Twilight raised a brow once more as the cowled pony spoke "Pony ID: 3494958, CODENAME: Nightmare's Shadow!" Twilight chuckled at that "hehe" Nightmare's Shadow? as the cowled mare snapped at her "SHUTUP!" suddenly a large elevator would rise at the end of the hall. It beeped with a red light, the robotic voice appearing once again.

"WEL-COME!"

As Twilight was forced onto the elevator, she was utterly fascinated with the setup of the place. She'd never seen such advanced technology, was all of this really possible just with the power of magic? The ponies here were so much more different from the Canterlot ponies and Ponyville ones it was hard to imagine they were still ponies. If Cloudsdale was like this, what was Manehattan like, Fillydelphia? Twilight sighed looking down, the Princess's grip on all of equestria seemed ever more firmer now.

How am I possibly going to get out of this?

Twilight then peered at the metal floor she stood upon as the elevator descended deeper into the facility. She then shook her head, having a determined look once more. No Twilight! You can't lose hope, you can't give up! This is why Princess Celestia is counting on you, this world, it's not meant to be this way. This sense of corruption, fear, ponies left alone and forgotten, in the cold, in the dark...we CAN fix this! You just have to not lose faith, not, lose, faith- FREWWWWW! Twilight's eyes widened. The elevator came to a halt, letting off a peculiar noise like a steam-vault.

The cowled pony smirked at Twilight, this level was very different from the others. She looked around, it was so empty, and dark, there was a single door that led to another room. As they proceeded through the door there was a single large table within the room. Twilight blinked a bit before sighing Interrogation. The cowled pony moved to the opposite side of the table as she shooed off her escorts "off with you boys, I can handle things from here." They nodded leaving the room and going back up the elevator as the cowled pony smiled. In the room there was also multiple levitating orbs in each corner, radiating with magical essence. Twilight squinted her eyes as she approached the table then sat, looking into the eyes of the cowled pony. "So who else is watching this?" Twilight immediately questioned.

The mysterious mare shrugged "anypony whose interested, I mean this is their city, i'm just here to deliver."

Twilight glared at her with an annoyed look.

Meanwhile in another part of the building stood Rainbow and Shining Armor. They looked on the pony vision screens, bordered with magical auras, they could see Twilight and the mysterious mare's session. They could also see other parts of the facility such as the prisoner wing, the research wing, the armory, as well as the infirmary. They peered down, in front of them was a large board like desk consisting of many buttons. Shining looked at Rainbow with saddened eyes "I'm sorry for having dragged you into this Rainbow."

Rainbow laughed giving Shining a hooves up.

"It's no problem boss! This seems more awesome than boring old work anyway!"

Shining laughed some "yea, you remember what we discussed?" He raised a brow at her.

Rainbow nodded crossing her hooves "of course, it's etched in my brain entirely!"

Shining sighed lowering his head "hopefully it doesn't come to that...."

Rainbow looked to the lower left as Shining approached the exit to the room, he looked back to rainbow.

"Rainbow, I've been in the guard for a long long time, yet you're still the only pony I feel I can really trust in here. What i'm asking of you is above and beyond the call of duty. You're putting everything on the line for me, and if there was anypony else I could put into your position id do it in a heartbeat. I pray that it doesn't come down to it but if it does, thank you Rainbow, i'm eternally grateful, and, goodluck."

Rainbow just laughed saluting Shining one last time with a sly expression "don't sweat it boss, you'd do the same for me. Well whatever happens, see you on the other side?"

Shining nodded with a confident smile "yea..."

Rainbow closed her eyes some & laughed "we'll be fine, it's me, remember." Rainbow twitched her brow as Shining laughed, then leaving the room "just be careful you goof."  

Rainbow was silent for a little while "you to, captain..."

As Twilight and the cowled pony continue discussing things, the cowled pony looked at her hooves as if inspecting them. "You're not worth the princess's time Sparkle, but before this is over i'd just love to know why you were willing to go so far as to roam through the Everfree forest. What was in there that was so very important?"

Twilight remained silent looking at the floor "nothing you'd comprehend..."

This irked the cowled pony as she grunted "what, was that?!" as a long black tendril exited from her back, whipping Twilight on the shoulder violently. Twilight shrieked in pain as the cowled pony stood "remember whose in charge here Sparkle!"

Twilight breathed heavily as the cowled pony continued "now tell me, what was so important?!"

Twilight gritted her teeth at her "what's it matter to you what I do with my life anyway?! All I was doing was relic hunting with my friends and you come and attack us for no reason! There was nothing important!"

To this the cowled pony just scoffed, laughing hysterically afterwords. "Do you really play me for the fool Sparkle?! When was the last time you hung with friends? Oh no no, I think it was far more than mere Relic Hunting, you see, the Princess has been interested in you for a very very long time..."

Twilight raised a brow "the princess?"

As the cowled pony trotted back and forth she nodded "mhm, ever since your humiliating display at the closing ceremonies, the princess has kept a close eye on you. For good reason to, just look at you, a rebellious little pony, going by any means necessary to find a way to dethrone our darling princess, you've broken the boundary of shameful Sparkle."

Twilight yelled in denial "dethrone the princess?! Are you insane!?"

The cowled pony raised a brow "insane?"

Suddenly the cowled pony poofed up some documents, throwing them onto the desk. As Twilight took a second to look at them, her eyes widened, she looked shocked, a stutter in her voice.

"W-Where, where did you get these?"

The cowled pony smirked, gazing to the left slighty "oh, thooose? It seems they must of slipped out while you ponies were making that dashing escape from the Ursa Minor you happened to run into." she chuckled.

Twilight proclaimed infuriated "You lured that Ursa Minor?! What is wrong with you?!"

The cowled pony cackled maniacally looking up before snapping back at Twilight in anger.

"DON'T TURN ME INTO THE VILLAIN SPARKLE!"

Twilight backed away, a little taken back by her sudden intimidation.

"LOOK AT THESE DOCUMENTS, SECOND PRINCESS? LEGEND OF THE SUN? YOU TRULY ARE STILL DELUSIONAL! YOU INSANE PONY MAD MARE!"

To this Twilight raised a brow Delusional? she looked down, smirking.

"Wait, so, what have you told the princess?"

The cowled pony scoffed "You think i'd tell her the details of your insanity? No, you are not worth the Princess's time! All she must know is that you are dealt with, a mad mare rebel, thrown into the asylum for going against her rule!"

Twilight began to laugh as the cowled pony questioned "WHAT'S SO FUNNY?!"

Twilight shook her head smiling "Nothing, I just think it's amusing how you think so highly of yourself." Twilight looked down slightly, good, this means Applejack should have an easier time without the whole lunar empire on her back, that's good, it just ends with me. Suddenly the cowled mare irked as she yelled "HOW DARE YOU, I'LL-" suddenly the door swung open, the cowled mare's eyes widened as Twilight turned to see who entered.

"Shining?" Twilight questioned in disbelief, gazing at her brother as the cowled mare sighed "Oh Shining Armor? Of course you'd be here to tend to your psychotic little sister."

Shining looked at the cowled pony with annoyance "don't you have a report you should be getting to?"

The cowled pony scoffed "hah! I still don't see what the princess sees in you, say your farewells Shining, for the next time you see this mad mare she'll be in the lowest parts of Cloudsdale Asylum!"

The cowled pony then left the room, slamming the door behind her as she took the elevator up, preparing to go deliver her report to the princess. As she left, there was a long pause, Twilight stared at the floor unsure of what to say, Shining just looked at her with a serious expression "what's the meaning of this Twilight? Why, are you here?! As a level 6 at that?!"

Twilight remained silent, looking more guilty as he spoke. "You have to talk to me Twily, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on in your life."

Twilight then yelled at him with tears in her eyes "Is that why you kicked me out?! Sent me to live alone in Ponyville?! So you can know what's going on in my life?!" she questioned.

Shining looked down, he wasn't going to deny he deserved that. He then looked back at Twilight seriously "Twilight there's a lot you don't understand about the situation." Twilight interrupted "yea, I bet." Shining got closer to Twilight as he lowered his head, nuzzling her softly as Twilight looked a bit confused and embarrassed, she blushed "S-Shining?" Shining looked Twilight in the eyes "Twily, you're my little sister, and i'll always take care of you, i'll always do what's best for you but you have to tell me what's going on."

Twilight looked at him with wide eyes, a little hesitant as she sighed then looking at the ground "I...I was looking into the legend of the sun." Shining gasped as he backed away looking highly upset "what?! Twilight, I thought I told you to let go of those darn filly's stories!" Twilight yelled at him in anger "No Shining! They're not just stories, we found something! We talked to the second princess, her names Celestia!" Shining's eyes widened as he raised a brow "what?"

As Rainbow watched from the room Shining left her in, she also looked highly puzzled with crossed hooves as she just hovered, listening to the conversation.

In one of the security rooms, two guard pegasi were chuckling with a bucket of popcorn. One laughed "haha, this girls crazy! 20 Lunarians that Captain Shining sends her to the asylum in the next 5 minutes!"

The other pegasi grabbed a hoof full of popcorn munching on it. "Nope! Watch, he's going to say something really brotherly and stupid."

They watched as Shining exclaimed "T-Twilight, please, don't do this."

The guard merely munched his popcorn "Told ya."

The other guard shook his head watching "poor guy, I don't know what id do if my sister was that nuts."

The other agreed "truth to that, Brohoof?" the other guard tapped his hoof "Brohoof!"

Twilight looked at him desperately as she shook her head "Shining i'm not crazy! I've never been crazy! It's all real, everything, If only I just had a little more time. I...I, I'd never lie to you Shining, you know that."

She looked at him with wide eyes as Shining looked at her reluctantly "I need you to believe in me, now more than ever, I need you big brother." Shining looked at Twilight, a pondering expression on his face as he just sighed, shaking his head then approaching Twilight. Shining then gave a serious look to one of the magic orbs within the room, nodding slowly.

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened as she then looked serious as well, readying herself to push some buttons.

Shining lowered his frame a bit, to look at Twilight eye to eye, he sighed speaking quietly. "Truth is Twilight, I know you're not crazy, and it pains me to do this, but, I realize now this is what's best for you, no matter how much I don't like it." Twilight looked at Shining worried "Shining?" Shining just continued "I don't know what exactly you found, but I do believe you, you said you needed more time? Well, little sis..." Twilight's expression began to light up "you got it..."

At this moment Rainbow would slam down on certain buttons, suddenly all the orbs in the room would shut down and the screens in the security room would shut off.

The two guards yelled "WHAT?! WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"

Rainbow continued messing with the buttons, soon all the Prisoner doors in the Prisoner section opened. An alarm rang throughout the entire facility as all the pegasi formed up, rushing inside. A commanding pegasi yelled to the others.

"CODE RED CODE RED YOU PONIES!"

Alarms rang throughout the entire sector of Cloudsdale as red lights spun in circles.

RED ALERT! RED ALERT! RED ALERT! RED ALERT!

Twilight looked at Shining puzzled "Shining?! What're you doing!?" Shining laughed removing the chains from Twilight "getting you out of here little sis, what's it look like?" Twilight shook her head "but your career!" Shining smiled at her "not nearly as important as you."

Shining then trotted over to the door as he signaled Twilight "comon! let's hurry!"

They trotted through the doors as Shining called down the elevator. Many sirens and alarms were going off throughout the entire area, it was absolutely chaotic. As they got on the elevator Shining looked to his sister "so where to little sis?" Twilight looked up at him with a smile "The land of dragons!" Shining's expression sunk "what?! The land of dragons?! Do you know how far that is?!" Twilight looked down saddened "yea, but that's where I need to go." Shining sighed "what's in the land of dragons that's so important?" Twilight continued "a dragon known as mythos." Shining raised a brow "mythos?"

They suddenly arrived to their floor as in the halls they saw multiple pegasi fighting off freed prisoners. This pained Shining because he realized with that stunt he was putting many pony lives in danger, but he had confidence in the Pegasi battalion. He then hurried past them who were all too concentrated on the prisoners to notice him or Twilight.

Meanwhile in a more private sector of the building was the cowled pony talking to Nightmare Moon.

Nightmare Moon was on a floating picture, much like a telescreen except more transparent like a portal. She questioned the cowled mare eagerly. This was a way for them to communicate from afar.

"And what have you figured out my student?"

The cowled mare smirked "nothing that should concern you your highness, Twilight has been captured, and the crown she had has been lost in the Everfree, nopony will ever find it i'm sure."

Nightmare Moon's expression darkened as she yelled "A CROWN?!"

The cowled mare suddenly had a look of fear "y-yes a crown your highness but, it was lost, it didn't look like anything too importa-"

Nightmare Moon scowled at the mysterious mare then turned around muttering to herself "that is impossible, how, how did she manage to...MY STUDENT!" She turned to the direction of the cowled mare once more.

The cowled pony's expression lit up "yes your highness?!"

Nightmare Moon raised a brow "you said Twilight Sparkle is captured? Good, I will head over there this instant and then I will-"

Suddenly the alarms rang off in the room as Nightmare Moon questioned "what's happening?!"

The cowled pony looked just as puzzled, "I'm not sure myself?" She then gasped "Shining..."

Nightmare Moon gritted her teeth then stomped her hooves. "DO NOT LET THEM ESCAPE MY STUDENT! MAKE HASTE!"

The cowled mare nodded "y-yes your highness!" as she cancelled the spell, the Princess's image disappearing as she hurried out of the privateroom.

In Canterlot, Nightmare Moon sat at her throne, a pondering yet furious expression upon her. "What have you learned Twilight Sparkle?" she then began casting a spell of her own, similar to the cowled ponies form of communication.

Suddenly, in a small nightclub somewhere in Equestria, three mysterious figures would be conversing at a rounded table. The three figures would laugh and chuckle, telling stories to one another. As they talked, around them the nightclub was quite wild, ponies were dancing on the dance floor and bartenders were serving drinks. Other ponies and creatures alike were just talking or most likely flirting with each other. The three figures just kept to themselves at a corner table with their drinks.

As they were talking one of them laughed "haha, and then she said!" suddenly, small magical devices all on their person began to blink. They each grabbed theirs right away remaining silent as one pondered "The Princess?" the other two shrugged.

As they activated their magical devices, an image of Nightmare Moon appeared in front of all three of them. "You three, I have need of your services," she exclaimed.

One of the mysterious figures spoke in a serious tone "of course princess, but what is it you need us to do?"

Nightmare Moon sighed "I believe that at this very moment, a level 6 pony is making her escape from Blackwing Facility."

All three of them gasped as one exclaimed "YO YO YO, wait, Blackwing Facility?! That ain't possible man!"

Nightmare Moon Nodded "Yes, that's normally the case but due to the unique circumstances of the situation, it seems we not only have a level 6 on the loose, but we also have a traitor in our midsts."

One of the mysterious figures sighed "this is indeed a serious situation princess, what is the state of the facility?" he/she asked this while rubbing his/her head, obviously stressed.

Nightmare Moon shook her head "i'm not sure as of this moment but I believe they are in condition code red."

The three figures all sighed in unification as the serious one nodded "Alright Princess, we'll handle it. Could we get some information on the target?"

Nightmare Moon nodded "A violet mare, unicorn, average with a dark mane, pink and purple streaks."

Another of the mysterious figures questioned "and the traitor?"

Nightmare Moon continued "you need not worry about him, he will be taken care of by other means."

One of the mysterious figures laughed "yo, no worries princess we'll take care of this, you just relax!"

Nightmare Moon scowled a bit at the three "don't be so sure, this pony has come to surprise me time and again, approach the situation with caution, and do not, fail me..."

With that Nightmare Moons message was over.

The mysterious figure who'd just spoke raised a brow "Yo? Was she doubting us?!"

Another of them sighed "No, she was telling us not to treat this as a joke."

The third shook his/her head "I don't know, seemed like she was pretty doubtful to me."

The serious one just sighed once more "comon you two, let's just go get this over with."

With that all three of the mysterious figures rose, exiting the nightclub, one yelled to the bartender. "Yo! Jeeves, cash is over here, were out, PEACE!" he/she gave a peace sign to the bartender who just waved as they exited the place.

As everypony continued to enjoy themselves, suddenly a loud boom could be heard as if three jets just took off. All the ponies in the nightclub paid no attention to it however, they just continued dancing.

As Twilight and Shining rushed outside they paced heavily, running for the courtyard as everypony else continued to hold off the countless prisoners. "Shining where are we going?!" Shining breathed heavily as he answered "The courtyard! I got a plan, don't worry!" Twilight nodded, trusting the judgement of her big brother. As they finally arrived at the courtyard, Rainbow Dash was already waiting, she fastened her goggles as she nodded to Shining. "Nice to see you made it sir!"

Shining smiled widely at Rainbow "likewise!"

The roaring sounds of the alarms and everypony fighting made it hard for them to communicate. Twilight yelled at the top of her lungs "Shining! What is this? Who is she?!"

Shining yelled back "She's a very good friend of mine! Her names Rainbow Dash, she'll get you to where you need to go!"

Twilight gasped shaking her head "WHAT ABOUT YOU?!"

Shining shook his head "i'll meet you there! Don't worry about me!"

Twilight refused "no! I'm not leaving you out here!"

Shining laughed hugging his sister "i'll be fine Twily! Now go, get out of here!"

Rainbow yelled to the two of them, annoyance in her voice "COMON TWILIGHT! WE NEED TO GO NOW!"

Twilight's eyes saddened as she looked at Shining who simply nodded with a smile. Suddenly, teleporting straight into the fray was the cowled pony, she yelled "SHINING ARMOR!"

Shining merely smirked at her as he nudged Twilight "GO NOW!"

Twilight hesitated for a second, before turning away, running towards Rainbow who exclaimed "about time!"

Twilight questioned "where's your chariot?!"

Rainbow burst into laughter, the alarms and sirens still going off around her "HAHAHA! CHARIOT?! Twilight, all I need for you to do is hop on my back and hold on tight!"

Twilight raised a brow doing as Rainbow said, strapping herself onto Rainbows back since she was already wearing a harness it seemed. "Okay but I don't get what your do-WHOOOOOOA!!!"

Rainbow blasted off into the distant sky, away from Cloudsdale and booming like a jetplane, leaving a Rainbow trail behind her.

Suddenly slamming down from the sky, straight onto the spot where Rainbow once was stood the three mysterious figures. The cowled pony's eyes widened "you three?! what're you three doing here?!" Shining turned as his eyes widened as well, shocked.

"No time to explain, where is the level 6 prisoner?!" The cowled mare realized what this meant, she knew the princess found out she lost control of the situation. She hesitated at first then just answered, pointing in the direction Rainbow Dash flew in "She's escaped east! If you go now you will be able to catch them!"

"Them?" questioned one of the mysterious figures as another nudged his/her comrade as he/she readied him/herself for takeoff "no time! let's go!" with that they blasted off like jets, after Rainbow Dash and Twilight. Shining looked at them go with a worried look sorry Rainbow, seems you got a lot more trouble heading your way. Suddenly the cowled mare yelled to Shining whose eyes widened as he turned to look at her, almost forgetting that she was there.

Shining merely smiled at the cowled pony who gritted her teeth infuriated "you will pay dearly for this Shining Armor!"

Shining laughed as if humored "gosh, I remember when you were just a filly. My how you've changed."

The cowled pony yelled at him "shut up! This is no time for jokes, I will punish you for this!"

Her horn began to glow vibrantly.

Shining just smirked at her as his horn did the same "you're out of your league kid."

As Rainbow Dash and Twilight zipped through the sky, you could see the mountainous regions below, Twilight's skin was flailing back due to the speed, tears flying from her eyes as she yelled "SLOOOOW DOOOOOWN!" Rainbow didn't hear her at first as she lowered her head by Rainbow's ear "SLOOOOW DOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWN!!!!!!"  Rainbow came to a screeching halt as she rubbed her ear. "Ouch, could of asked a bit nicer you know!" Twilight sighed "comon, we have to go back, Shining is going to need us." Rainbow raised a brow as she ignored that order, just continuing to fly at a steady pace "what? Tch, you know, for his sister you don't have much confidence in him." Twilight was highly offended by this as she questioned "what do you know? He's my brother!" Rainbow suddenly stopped as she now looked just as upset "HEY! I may not be related to him but I care about the Captain just as much as you! So don't tell me I don't understand!" As Twilight listened to Rainbow speak, she looked down in guilt "s-sorry Rainbow, i'm just worried about him is all." Rainbow shook her head as she continued to fly "don't sweat it, listen I've seen the captain fight against countless baddies, and I know he gots what it takes to get himself out of that situation!"

As Twilight listened to Rainbow she smiled, those reassuring words comforting her "y-you're right." Rainbow laughed "of course I am, I always am!" Twilight raised a brow, humored by Rainbow's persona, much like Shining is. Rainbow smiled as she continued to fly "so where we off to Twilight?" Twilight smirked "the land of dragons." Rainbow stopped once again, a little baffled by what she just said "wait, did you just say the land of dragons? Like THE land of dragons? The same land of dragons crawling with the dragon king and all his creepy followers?" Twilight nodded "yep!" Rainbow yelled flailing her hooves "ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Twilight shook her head "nope, actually, i'm not" she looked ahead with a sly smile as Rainbow glanced back at her curiously. Rainbow then just continued flying you have one weird sister boss.

Twilight smirked looking ahead Wait for me guys, I'm on my way! I just hope you make it there before me.

"HALT!"

Rainbow and Twilight's eyes widened as Rainbow turned around, Twilight still strapped onto her back. Rainbow looked shocked as she saw the three figures flying in place before her. Twilight looked confused as they just stared at Rainbow for a few seconds, then they looked just as confused as she did.

"Wait, is that? HAHA it is! Yo guys that's Rainbow Dash!"

The other two figures scratched their heads as the other was ecstatic "YO RAINBOW! WHAT'S UP GIRL!"

Rainbow laughed a little nervously, as she responded "uhm, hey gilda..."

One of the figures revealed as Gilda smirked, the large gryphon female laughed as she was happy to see Rainbow. She had a black jumpsuit on as well as a black pair of goggles fastened over her eyes. "Check her out guys, she already caught the dweeb as well! Awesome, Rainbow, why don't you just join us already?"

Rainbow remained silent, then looking at Gilda with a defiant expression.

Gilda raised a brow "yo Rainbow, what's wro-" she was interrupted by her squad mate "Gilda...."

Gilda looked to her squad mate "what's up Spitfire?"

Another of the figures revealed as Spitfire just focused on Rainbow, a serious look in her eyes. "She didn't catch the target, it's her passenger."

Gilda laughed, shaking her head as she looked at Spitfire as if she were joking "what're you talking about Spitfire, this is Rainbow were talking about here! Haha, comon, tell her Rainbow!"

Rainbow just remained silent as Gilda then mumbled with a look of disbelief "Rainbow?"

Suddenly the third squad member cut in with a confident tone "Sorry to upset the touching moment here Gilda, but i'm eager to get this whole thing over with! Isn't that right, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow looked at all three of them, defiance in her eyes. "So, now even the Shadowbolts are involved huh?"

The third squad member laughed "so you're the traitor, that's a surprise, no wonder the Princess called on us."

Twilight raised a brow The princess again?

Spitfire crossed her hooves as she sighed "Rainbow Dash, hand over the target and you can walk away from this with a clean conscience, defy us and you will be taken down."

Gilda still seemed pretty shocked as she yelled at Rainbow "y-you can't be serious Rainbow! You betrayed the lunar guard for that dweeb?! Who the heck is she?! What the frick- AAAAAH!"

Gilda sighed ruffling the feathers on her head as the third member of the shadowbolts chuckled "what's wrong Gilda? Feeling under the weather since your hero betrayed the princess?"

Gilda snapped at her "SHUTUP LIGHTNING DUST!" Gilda snorted "she's no hero of mine, she's just some lame dweeb!"

The Shadowbolts, Lightning Dust, Gilda the Gryphon and Spitfire, not far from Rainbow dash, confident and serious expressions on their faces. Spitfire sighed once more, as she leaned her head back some.

"So what's it gonna be Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow remained silent for a few seconds before laughing "Hah! You guys talk as if i'm already caught."

Gilda gritted her teeth as Lightning flash squinted her eyes in discontent, Spitfire just had that same expression.

Rainbow readied herself "you guys are going to be left in my dust, just like always."

Spitfire sighed before unfolding her hooves, readying herself as well while focused on Rainbow "very well then Rainbow Dash,......" Gilda sighed as Lightning Dust chuckled "hmph!"

Rainbow Dash smirked at the three of them, as if eager to get this started herself. She whispered back to Twilight "hold on tight now Twilight...its going to get bumpy." Twilight just nodded "okay, I understand." With that Rainbow blasted ahead, shooting through the clouds leaving faint holes in the middle of them, leaving a long Rainbow trail behind her as she did. Her voice echoed as she disappeared "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN! HAHAHA!" fading after a few seconds.

With this, The Shadowbolts fastened their goggles, as spitfire yelled out to the others.

"SHADOWBOLTS! ON MY MARK, 3, 2, 1, LET'S GO!"

They to bolted off into the distance, flying forward at amazing speed, in pursuit of Rainbow, and Twilight. Next Chapter: Chapter 6: Shattered Skies Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 36 Minutes