The sound of battle filled the air as Dash and Derpy landed on the outskirts of their destination. They had never been to the front and thankfully been far away from the fighting, but now, here they were. As they slowly crept closer to their destination more griffons flew over their heads in tight attack patterns, and the tell tail sign of black smoke from the wake of a Wonderbolt also streaked by occasionally as well as wolves charging forward engaging the enemies ground troops. Rainbow Dash had seen the enemy in videos and heard stories but gazing on one the first time that was still alive was terrifying sight to behold. The eyes emitted a dull red glow, and they moved with an indescribable calmness even in the heat of battle. She saw wounds inflicted on them that would kill a pony thrice over before they fell.
"Rainbow Dash," Derpy called over to her partner over the cacophony of war. "What are we supposed to do? How are we supposed to find them?"
Rainbow Dash scanned the area are far as she could see, but knew it was futile, they would have to take the sky for an aerial view. She indicated by pointing to the sky. "We need to get airborne" She yelled back.
"But they'll see us for sure!"
"You stay here, I fly up and find them and come back. You watch my back from the ground okay?"
"Okay, be careful up there."
Dash Spread her wings and zipped up high in the air and quickly began looking over the area. It was hard to spot anything with all the commotion going on, so she began to circle around doing her best to avoid the attention of any enemy troops but she wasn't able to see any downed pegasus.
Suddenly, she felt herself being dragged down to the earth and sharp claws gripped her hind leg. Dash looked down to see an enemy griffon had managed to sneak up on her flank, next thing she knew she was roughly tossed against the ground. She quickly got up and regained her faculties as the griffon advanced and swung at her with its powerful sharp claws looking to tear into her face. Dash dodged the attack, spun around bucked him as hard as she could in his chest. "Back off!" She yelled as the force sent the griffon reeling back.
"Duck!" Derpy yelled out speeding to her friend. The instant the words left her mouth, Rainbow dropped to the ground allowing Derpy to sail over her tackling a bogey wolf who was charging towards her unprotected flank. After knocking him to the ground Derpy started stomping the wolf who was now underneath her as hard and fast as she could, before he over powered her and tossed her backwards. Rainbow Dash caught her and now they the two were surrounded as the rouge wolf and griffon both slowly stalked closer to them. The wolf had retrieved his weapon, a wicked sword with jagged teeth that could tear flesh and to make matters worse, both of them wore armor while the two members of Air Rescue were unprotected.
"What do we now Dash?" Derpy called out panicked and frightened.
"I, uhh…" Rainbow Dash's mind raced "Wait I got it, only the griffon can fly, you take off and get help, and I'll try and keep the griffon busy okay?"
"You want me to leave you?"
"No, I want you get help, I need you do it and do it now. If I can keep this fight in the air, the wolf can't get me. Now GO!"
Derpy beat her wings furiously and took off, immediately the griffon moved to intercept her. Dash quickly bolted upwards to intercept striking him as hard as she could with her hoof in a flying mid-air uppercut. It was enough to knock him off course and draw his attention from Derpy, plus she was high enough to avoid the wolf's attacks. She saw Derpy head off to the sky away from them so now she just had to hold the griffon off long enough for help to arrive.
"Alright you over grown turkey," Rainbow Dash said raising her hooves to boxing position. "You want a piece of me? Come and get some!"
The griffon let out a loud and wild shriek and charged her, diving with his sharp talons extended. She effortlessly air dodged him and struck quickly as he sailed past with a quick jab of her hoof against his face. The griffon spun around and engaged her swinging for her face again and again. Rainbow Dash was playing the defensive role, her lack of armor plus his sharp claws added up to one bloody pegasus if he got a hold of her. Luckily for her, he was very easy to read. His attacks were smooth and controlled, but exceptionally predictable. Even though his eyes glowed, there was deadness to them, and Rainbow Dash felt like this griffon maybe didn't have all the lights on upstairs. With a deep breath and a prayer she dodged another attack, and went on the offensive striking him as hard and fast as she could with sharp jabs and crosses at his face. She felt her hooves land home and they were good solid hits, but even though she was hitting him, his attacks did not let up in speed, pattern or rhythm. Once more it was like he didn't even try to block.
"Oh C'mon," She yelled out exasperated at the fight, she suddenly really wished she had armor, the metal shoes pegasus wore would definitely break this griffons beak, but she was getting nowhere fast so she decided to hit with something a little harder. Dodging another one his attacks, she spun and bucked kicking him as hard as she could with her hind legs. She heard a sickening crunch that made her stomach churn, and when she turned she saw that her right hind leg had buried itself deep into the griffon's neck. She knew it was deeper than it should be and the grizzled crushing sound she heard was probably his windpipe. She leaped away in horror; she had never done something like this to anyone before… She suddenly felt sick and dizzy as she saw the griffon choke for air. Then she was rendered with horror as he lashed out at her one more time swatting her viciously with the back of his claw, the force of the hit combined with the shock of what was happening sent her falling to the ground, and crashing roughly on her back. She tried to shake it off and get up, but before she could the wolf was upon her. He stepped over to her, straddling her body with his sword raised, saliva falling from his mouth on to the blue coat of her exposed belly. Rainbow Dash suddenly couldn't breathe and she closed her eyes tightly.
The sound steel tearing through flesh and bone sang out along with sharp pitched dog yelp, and suddenly the quivering Pegasus felt a warm sensation on her chest.
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes to see a gleaming silver spear ripping through the wolf's chest and his fresh blood dripping down on to her chest. A moment later he was hoisted up into the air, still whimpering and tossed aside. Dash was bewildered at the sight, even more at her savior.
Soarin' turned his attention to the griffon that was now dive-bombing towards him. He swung his spear and its bladed tip caught the griffon in the chest sending it careening off with a spurt of red mist arcing across the sky. The griffon stood back up and launched towards the Wonderbolt. Soarin' switched his grip on the spear and hurled at the griffon. His aim was true, it buried itself deep in the beast's sternum. Panting heavily he turned to see if Dash was okay.
"Soarin'?! Soarin' how did you-"
"Derpy found me and told me you needed help, I came as fast as I could, but I need your help right now, it's Fleet Foot, the monster…he, he hurt her real bad. Follow me but be careful, I'll try and clear your path." He said as he wrested the spear from the griffon, before taking to the air. Rainbow Dash obeyed and took flight behind him zipping to the very heart of the fight at high speeds. Any griffon that attempted to hinder them, Soarin' skewered and swatted with his spear, occasionally bashing them with his armor at high speeds sending them tumbling away to the ground where they were descended upon by packs of friendly wolf troops who tore them to shreds. It was only a few moments that felt like a lifetime but they managed to reach the designated area and Rainbow Dash's heart seized in her chest. Derpy was on the ground trying to administer first aid, she was soaked in blood, and Fleet Foot had a large gaping wound that was spurting her life blood everywhere. Two other Wonderbolts that Rainbow Dash couldn't identify lay motionless beside her. The two landed and Soarin' yelled out the situation trying to overcome the sounds of the fight which were almost unbearable now that they were in the heart of the battle. "The Monster, he attacked us and caught us off guard, we lost some Griffons of Wyndia's Spear, he got our two new recruits and made a mess of Fleet Foot. It's too late for the others, but you need to get her out here. Copy that?!"
"Yes Sir," Rainbow said starting to Fleet foot to assist Derpy in stopping the bleeding, until a deafening boom filled the air that froze her in place. "What was that?" she yelled, her hooves clasping her ears as she looked up to where the sound originated from.
"The monster, he can move fast, real fast, you don't recognize that sound? It's a sonic rainboom! Just without the pretty colors!"
"What?!" Rainbow Dash screamed. She had never heard a Sonic Rainboom, she had always caused them. Then she saw a blue glow streak across the sky with a trail of burning fire following it. It was high in the air but still visible, suddenly a ring of dark blue rippled around it and disappeared as another boom thundered across the sky as it jerked and changed directions. "That's the monster?!"
"Yeah, Spitfire's up there now with few more Wonderbolts and some few more of the griffons from Wyndia's Spear. We're going to hold him off until you can evac Fleet Foot then were pulling back I got to get up there and help out before he does this to anypony else."
"Wait Soarin', back there you... I just wanted,"
"Thank me later." He said curtly before he quickly took to the sky to join his team.
Rainbow Dash quickly turned her attention to Fleet Foot, Derpy had already bandaged her up the best she could. The bleeding had stopped but she had weak pulse and was going pale.
"We need to get her out of here but we left the stretcher!" Derpy protested loudly.
Rainbow Dash looked at the two lifeless Wonderbolts. "You need to carry her, I'm getting these two."
"Dash those two are…"
"Nopony left behind, c'mon let's rock and roll." Dash said as she quickly maneuvered one on her back and scooped up the other in her arms as Derpy gently lifted Fleet Foot off the ground. "Ready then, let's get out of here."
The two pegasus took the air and flew as fast as they safely could back to the Equus, maintaining a high altitude to not draw any attention. Fortunately the flight back was uneventful and medical teams immediately took in the precious cargo. Moments after Fleet Foot was rushed to the ships doctors the rest of the Wonderbolts landed and their attendants swarmed the deck to assist them with their weapons and armor however one voice rang out over all the commotion.
"Unbelievable!" Spitfire roared out in anger throwing her spear at the flight deck hard enough that it bored itself into the wood. "Absolutely unbelievable, I can't believe how you all handled that. You can't even begin to explain to me how we go for days sending these zombified freaks running and then one, ONE guy shows up and tears us apart?!"
"But, Captain, that was the Mon-" one of the Wonderbolts managed before he was cut off by an enraged Spitfire.
"AND WE'RE THE EQUESTRIAN WONDERBOLTS!" She yelled out so loud the entire hanger bay stopped. "We're the best Equestria has to offer Star Chaser! We only win, we succeed were all others fail; we snatch victory from the jaws of defeat! Do you copy that?!" she was now glaring down upon the young Wonderbolt her breath burning down on the colt through her flared nostrils.
Star Chaser lowered himself in submission, "Copy that Captain..." He mumbled meekly.
"Alright everybody," Spitfire said, the anger never leaving her voice, "I'm gonna check on Fleet Foot, everybody get some food down and get some sleep. Soarin' before you hit the chow hall take care of the armor and weapons. We need something better. Talk to the wolves, all those mutts seem to do is kill things, and when they're not, they're finding better ways to kill things. Let's see if they have got any ideas for better spears or armor. Everyone, we got a big day tomorrow, we're finding that blue freak and we're putting him in the dirt! You get me?!"
A few yes's and yeah's answered back to her.
"YOU GET ME!?"
"YES MA'AM!" all the Wonderbolts roared back
Satisfied with their response she wheeled around to check on her comrade. Upon doing so she accidentally slammed into Derpy who had been waiting behind her for her to finish. The collision startled her but sent the smaller grey pegasus tumbling over.
"Watch were you're going!" she exploded at her.
"I'm s, sorry Ma'am" She responded softly, "I just…"
"You just what?!" She barked leaving Derpy speechless. "Just wanted to waste my time I guess."
"Captain, that's out of line!" Soarin' defiantly spoke out on her defense.
Spitfire whipped around at her 1st Lieutenant "What was that Soarin', you got something to say? I didn't realize I asked for your opinion? As matter of fact I didn't realize I ever cared what your opinion was! Oh wait, don't tell me, she's ANOTHER one of your little Air Rescue fillies?"
"Captain, this is not the time or the place for your wild accusations!" he yelled back.
"Oh, using your big stallion voice today Soarin'? Well tomorrow you better bring your big stallion fight. You had always wanted Fleet Foot's job, so you got it now! You've always been good at support combat; let's see how you handle taking point! Understood?"
Soarin' swallowed hard at the news, "Yes Ma'am"
"Hey!" Rainbow Dash yelled at her, emerging from the crowd and facing her down.
"You?!" Spitfire seethed without turning to face her. There was venom on her breath at the very sound of Rainbow Dash's voice. "Shouldn't you be cleaning something?!"
"Listen I know you had bad day, but being bully isn't gonna make things better!"
"You better watch who you're talking to Private!" she said slowly turning to face the cyan Pegasus.
"I know exactly who I'm talking to! Maybe you should know who you're talking too. Derpy and I were the ones who saved Fleet Foot; she was just trying to tell you that we also risked our lives to bring in two more of your team that weren't as lucky." Rainbow Dash shot back just as angrily.
Spitfire gritted her teeth and took a few deep breaths. Registering what was just said she calmed down just a little. Turning her gaze from Rainbow Dash to Derpy she extended her hoof and helped her to her feet.
"I'm, I'm sorry it's just that…"
"I okay Ma'am," Derpy said in a forgiving tone, "I understand."
Spitfire looked at the ground "As you were everyone," She muttered then trotted off to the infirmary.
After she left the room Rainbow Dash and Derpy both made their way to Soarin' who had slumped over on his haunches looking at the ground.
"Sir, thank you for saying the things you did back there," Derpy said trying to cheer him.
"Yeah don't mention it." He said not looking up from the ground.
"Don't worry about it Soarin', you where great out there, I'm sure Spitfire was just heated and will calm down before the nights over." Rainbow Dash said joining in trying to yank him out of his foul mood. "Besides the way you took care of those guys attacking me back there, I bet you could handle anything."
"Yeah, I guess I was pretty cool," Soarin' said raising his head bit and giving her a small smile, "I'm just glad I got there in time."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Rainbow Dash joked, playfully punching him in the arm, "I totally had those guys right where I wanted them."
"Is that so? Didn't look like that from where I was," he chuckled back.
"All part of my plan, you know, lull them into a false sense of security, then pow!" She exclaimed rising up on her hind legs with her arms outstretched.
The three of them giggled at Rainbow Dash's exaggeration of the events. Once the laughter died down, Dash came down with her arms wrapped around Soarin' neck tightly.
"Thank you for saving my life Soarin'," she said to him.
"Anytime Dash," he said hugging her back with one foreleg.
Then suddenly he shoved her away.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" Rainbow said startled at him. Then it hit her all of a sudden, she wasn't sure if it was the fear in Soarin' eyes or the hair in her mane prickling up, but something told her to turn around.
She found Spitfire was staring right at her.