Introduction
On a stormy, autumn Equestrian evening, all fractions of the Royal Armada gathers in the the Canterlot Military Estate's Memorial Gardens. Earth ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns of all platoons and militias mourn for a fallen legend. Every major fraction participated in the memorial services, such as the United Ponies of Equestria, the 56th Lunar platoon, even some Wonderbots Fractions. Mostly fractions Cumulas and Altostratus. Some wore the standard Golden Plate armor, while most veterans wore fancy apparel meant for funerals for the fallen war heroes. Hundreds of soldiers of the Royal Armada who attended, there was one pony from the 89th Royal Platoon. Among the different shades of many pallets of manes in the stands, on stuck out the most: a rare rainbow pallet. Even with bandages on her head, Sergeant Rainbow Dash, of the 89th Royal Platoon, is isolated from the crowd of vivid and mono color manes under a VIP section.
The battered Sergeant wore a dark green collar coat, with different badges, medals, and ribbons from the Everfree War that she and others fought no less than 72 hours before. Her bandages covered most of the left side of her head, with little brizzles of her trademark mane poking out through loose bandages. Next to her were other soldiers Rainbow's comrades, who aided her throughout the war. They too received medals and badges that looked almost similar to the Sergeant's in every way. There was only eight soldiers in that VIP section, for they are all that is left in the 89th Royal Platoon.
The ceremony begins as the powerful and ever wise Princesses Celestia and Luna walk onto the golden podiums, escorted by Elite Royal Guards. They both glanced to Rainbow, who stares blankly towards them back. They somehow knew the pain she was going through right now, and continues to the center of the stage.
Eldest sister Celestia spoke first towards the crowd. "We are gather here this evening to mourn a fallen hero who deserves everything but death." Rainbow hides her tears in the pouring rain. Celestia continues. "Truly, the Royal Armada cannot recover for what we, as a body, has lost." Her voice cracks and breaks up a little. "And for what sacrifice he has done, we are... grateful... for that!" She thens bawls in front of the crowds. Luna goes to comfort her sister as the whole lot leaves the Gardens.
This was the signal for mourners to see the fallen. Soon, the seats grew empty. Allbut one remains: Rainbow Dash. She remains motionless, letting the rain consume her body. Two earth pony soldiers cautiously approach her.
"Sergeant?" one said, "Is there something troubling you?" No answer.
"Would you like to see him?" the other said. Suddenly, she gets up from her seat.
"I had enough of death for one day. Wouldn't you agree?" Rainbow questioned, invading into the soldier's personal spaces. They glanced to each other and back to her nervously and remain silent. Knowing that they won't answer, Rainbow lets out a sigh and trots away, leaving the soldiers confused and worried. The mud and rain did not bother her in the slightest. The splashing and the sploshing just reminded her of memories that happened on these very grounds not too long ago. She then watched her reflection follow the rhythm of the raindrops in a puddle. Tears were coming back when those memories lead to connecting memories that lead to the war and finally the death of the hero they mourn today. Then, she noticed a glimmering light on the puddle. Rainbow checks her environment and startles her to find that she was standing in front of the main gates to the estate. Even in the blackest of weathers, the giant golden gates shine greatly through the rain.
Twelve bars and locks held the gate to gether, but it was on top of the gate that made it famous. It made Rainbow feel horrible seeing the message in giant golden letters: SALVATION CANNOT SUCCEED WITHOUT SACRIFICE. The anger, frustration, and depression finally snapped into a full out roar from the young Pegasus, coincidentally, along with a mighty clash of lightning. After her tamtron, her fatigued body falls into the mud on the ground. Rainbow then bawls into her fore hooves. Seeing those word, those horrid words brought nostalgia of horrible memories of the Fallen and the events that connected the fates of her and those in the war. A useless war demanding souls of innocents. Innocents that had nothing to do with the battles and victories. Victories that meant nothing without those who ensured it. Those like Master Sergeant Caliber...