My Little Pony: Equestria's Warriors Returns

by Spirit Of Fantasy

After many wars, heavy losses, and violence with enemies. The eldest brother of the royal sisters makes his return, and discovers the student of the sister he blames for their youngest sister's banishment. Now along side this young and talented unicorn, ready to battle evil. He will discover the new world of friendship and love that replaced his world of pain and hateful battles.

42. Chapter 42:Read It And Weep

Chapter 42:Read It And Weep

This day was all too new, filled with uncertainty and eeriness. After his sudden reveal to the rest of the warriors he fought alongside with, War Fire had much to explain. The fire pony had been gone from the world for the longest time, after his sacrifice a long time ago. Now he was so suddenly back in the flesh, living within a hut made of mud mixes of solid stone for fire proofing. It laid just on the edge of the forest, merely thirty feet from the hut of Zecora the zebra.

All he needed was a consistent fire pit always going to keep the hut to his preferred temperature. He was just in the middle of throwing on a robe over his black iron armor he had just finished shining. For he was preparing for a trip to meet the rest of the warriors that resided around Ponyville. Thunder would more than likely take his return in stride, but Typhoon was a different story. He was a soft one, and he only lived on thanks to War Fire's self sacrifice within a mountain.

He was asked to meet Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash at a favorite flight spot. There Rainbow would be practicing some of her flight moves alongside Thunder. While Typhoon would be watching from the side lines, a nice set up for a pleasant reunion with the two Pegasus ponies. So he made sure he would not be late to this meeting, as he fixed up his robe. The stallion had then began to casually make his way out of the hut and be on his way to the town.

Once he swung open the door to leave, he was immediately met with an unexpected visitor. The very fresh and new mare of the Cinder pony's, Lady Flaira stood before his door step. As if she had been awaiting his arrival, her mind remained somewhat innocent, but very much loyal to her maker.

"I have arrived as you request, master. You said it was time I learned."The female Cinder gave her reason for being at the warrior's hut at such a time.

He gazed at her for the longest time, his eyes showing as if they did not even recognize her. But with a sudden flicker in his eyes, it all came rushing back to him and the stallion began to smirk. With that, he slowly locked a hoof around the back of her head and brought it in against his forehead.

"You made good time, my dear! We have much for you to see,"War Fire lit up a bit a gently brushed his hoof along the side of her cheek,"Come, we make for Ponyville. You will need garbs to mask your approach to the town."

He decided to be a gentle colt and remove his own robe to give to the Cinder. He wrapped the flaming mare up in his robe, letting it stoke and hide away her embers and flames. He then took her hoof and got the female Cinder walking with him towards the town of Ponyville. It was like a simple stroll down the hill and across the plains to town, just as the sun was rising in the sky. The orange and yellow glimmers of sunshine helped to mask her flaming mane and tail.

This would allow her to get into the town without being made out as a Cinder. With War Fire at her side, they would have free reign all over the town, perfect for the lesson she would get. Once they spotted the town and began to make their approach, and that's when the chat began.

"You need to see these poor citizens living out their lives without a care in the world,"War Fire insisted upon this lesson and exploration of the mortal society,"No care, no understanding, no respect for the world…! Because they are too weak…! Too fragile to grasp the truth of Equestria!"

"In what way? I have yet to even see these ponies aside from the nearly dead ones on Primal's wall."Flaira admitted her lack of experience, after all she was only created a couple weeks ago.

"You will soon… Welcome to Ponyville my dear pupil…!"War Fire did the honor of introducing the Cinder to the town full of colorful hard working ponies.

She walked a bit more into the town, hoping to get a better look at all the ponies. So many smiling faces, so many colorful ponies working and living out their lives among the town. The reason a lot of them were happy seemed unheard of, there's no happiness in working or being unaware of danger. Yet they smiled and went about their day, for all they knew they could be bombed and burned by Flaira herself. Yet they were so unaware of her, all she needed was a robe to sneak in.

War Fire allowed her to explore a bit of the town while watching her fro a distance. Her head could almost spin from all the places that surrounded her, There was so much to see. Classic buildings made by the hooves of the ones that lived or worked in them, from hair places to restaurants, homes and especially shops. Every pony was enjoying the fruits of this new world's flourishing order, some even went overboard with it. Greed, gluttony, and reckless behavior seemed to be the bit of backlash from living in the new world.

Suddenly, a stallion working an ice cream stand offered her an ice cream cone. It was out of the blue, once she had merely strolled to the left towards a gingerbread building of all things. It twinkled, and slightly dripped in the sun that just about high in the sky.

"Care for an ice cream, young lady. You look like you could use a cold one here in the heat!"The stallion offered, and the hidden Cinder was hesitate.

"No, I don't have any money."She denied, but the stallion decided to do a solid for her.

"You can have it for free, young mare! You look like a lovely lady that could use some cooling off!"He insisted and gave Flaira the ice cream.

She held it for a solid minute, not understanding the meaning behind just getting a treat free of charge. If every pony just gave something away, what is the purpose of even starting a business? Just giving out free things gives no purpose to business and trying to better one's self. It's just chaos, pure chaos, the Cinder's chaos was directed with purpose, but this was irrational chaos. This would destroy the world and poison it's people, something War Fire wanted to prevent.

Then the ice cream suddenly dripped on her hoof, and it became like acid to her. She cringed and silently gasped, hissing at the ice cold cream burning her as water did to Cinders. Her hoof trembled from the burn that caused steam to raise from her ashes, thankfully War Fire stepped in. Standing in front of her and taking up the ice cream and wrapping it up in a napkin. He gave it back to Flaira and quickly defused the situation before the stallion could make her out.

"Apologies for that, she's new to this town and comes from quite the quiet town,"War Fire came up with an explanation for her strange behavior,"It's very dull, boring, secluded and takes no part in most festive and sweet things. Sorry about all that."

"Oh! Not a problem at all, warrior! Please enjoy your stay in Ponyville!"The stallion gave them his best wishes before finally moving on to other customers.

"We will do that,"War Fire politely responded before walking with his new pupil to discuss what they just dealt with,"That is mediocrity at it's finest. Such kindness would threaten to bring out the greed of others, robbing him of his business and destroying himself in the process."

"So such reckless kindness could end up destroying us?"Flaira asked and War Fire nodded in kind.

"Exactly, and there is so many more examples of such atrocities awaiting us,"War Fire warned that there were more apparent issues caused by the mortal ponies,"For now, I'm going to be late for a meeting with some of my…"old friends" If you wish."

"Of course, shall I…"Flaira was curious to know what she could do while War Fire dealt with something personal.

"Just hang around the area in disguise. Watch and learn a bit from my meeting... And strike when you see a discrete opening,"War Fire instructed as they began moving on towards their destination,"I must go in alone. Those Elements of Harmony are starting to detect a Cinder with ease, so be cautious and patient."

"Of course…"The female Cinder agreed as they made a turn out towards another exit to the town.

"Hide from the shadows, deny any sort of courtship you may receive from onlookers,"War Fire explained how she would have to hide to remain undetected by the elements,"If they persist, kill them quietly and burn their bodies."

"Yes, my lord."Flaira answered simply and prominently before slowly separating from him.

Once she had quietly walked out of sight to blend in with the rest of the ponies. War Fire merely needed to clear his throat and fix his armor a bit, as he focused himself into a different mind set. His mind needed to shift as he walked towards the spot where he was told to meet the others. With only a mere moment of jumbling around his thoughts, a small smile was able to form. He was then ready to meet with his old comrades and the elements, and it wasn't much longer before he found them.

Thunder was easy to make out as well as the rainbow Pegasus mare that was deemed the element of loyalty. The rainbow trails of wind and speed were easy to make out as she flew. And after years of fighting alongside Thunder, he never forgot the static that surrounded his comrade's body when he's at high speeds. They looked like two young Pegasus ponies competing for sky dominance. And the rest of the group was staying on the ground, witnessing their flying skills.

He wished he could be surprised, but it wasn't surprised to see Typhoon sticking to the ground. Sitting with Twilight, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, casually watching the spectacle rather than indulging in flight himself. But rather than judge, he only felt a sense of bliss and happiness to see Typhoon. It was the first time he saw the gentle warrior since he was dragged away, weeping for War Fire himself. Blaming himself for what War Fire had chosen to do in hopes of ending a war.

Now at long last, they got to see each other in the flesh, alive and well. He could already tell however that Typhoon might not handle it well at first, he always was the sensitive type. Seeing an old friend after nineteen hundred years certainly sounded a bit shocking and hard to believe. So he quietly approached, walking until he stood a mere five feet away from all the mares. He decided to open with a clearing of his throat, hoping to make the meeting casual and collective.

Twilight was the first to hear the pony of fire and turned around to see him. She gasped with excitement and looked to Typhoon, knowing that he was going to be quite surprised. She cleared her throat and got her friend's attention, before they too had turned to meet this flaming warrior.

"Well now, I'm glad we finally got to meet on less hectic ground since the apple cider incident."Rarity admitted that she was glad to meet War Fire in a more relaxed and peaceful time.

"You made it! Right on schedule too!"Twilight admitted and found a sense of enjoyment for War Fire's timing and schedule keeping.

"Of course, I may be considered clinically insane, but I'm civilized enough to remain on schedule,"War Fire informed them on his ability to be punctuality and good with a schedule,"Typhoon…! By the old Equestrian gods it is you."

Typhoon tensed up, a silent gasped left his lips while his ears perked up at the voice. It was a voice he had nearly forgotten, if not for the dreams he once had about the stallion who owned this voice. But how could he hear this voice now? He was not asleep and as he recalled, War Fire had long since died in their final mission regarding the war with the griffons. So he was hesitate to turn around and face the owner of that voice, it seemed all too impossible to be true.

Once he had finally mustered up the courage, he turned around to meet the old friend at last. And it was still impossible to believe at first glance, War Fire after all this time was standing before him. The flames of his mane and tail flickering like a proud roaring fire as they did thousands of years ago. His charcoal black face bubbling within his fur, it simply had to be War Fire. But then, how was it all possible, how was he alive to this very day after his valiant sacrifice.

He didn't know what to say, his body didn't even know how to react to this moment. His legs were ready to give out, as he struggled to catch his breath from the shock. Finally he needed to sit down, and once he did, War Fire needed to rush over and help Typhoon pull himself together.

"Easy there, softy…! Take your time processing this breezy boy…"War Fire encouraged Typhoon to relax and take this reveal in with some sort of ease.

"It can't be…! You…you…you…! You died in the cave...! You went out out in a blaze of glory,"Typhoon stammered and struggled to fight the disbelief jolting through his head,"I watched you die…! I saw it…! You were…"

War Fire gave him a couple minutes to collect his thoughts and stop his trembling. Before the pony of fire aided Typhoon with standing back up, his balance was greatly unstable. But with some proper help and holding, Typhoon manage to regain his balance from the shock.

"It turns out, mother Equestria decided that death didn't suit me all that well,"War Fire started out while brushing off Typhoon's shoulders and chest,"So she gave me a second chance, and it took at least several years of recovery, and many more centuries of courage to embrace this strange new world…!"

"Isn't it amazing Typhoon?! One of your oldest and bestest friends in all of Equestria is alive,"Pinkie exclaimed, nearly making War Fire's heart jump with her scary joyful mood,"At first he was a bit scary with his whole lighting things on fire and his super duper creepy laugh that sounded like a monster cackle!"

"Please tell me Thunder at least toned down his chattering nature…!"War Fire felt a sense of discomfort around Pinkie, but allowed her to continue rambling on.

"Not by much, but War Fire! How is this possible? How did you survive your own explosion?!"Typhoon begged for an answer to War Fire's sudden survival.

"That's quite a long story to tell for this sort of time, Typhoon. I'd hate to ruin this view of our old friend and his new concubine,"War Fire looked to the sky to see Thunder and Rainbow performing impressive flight patterns and tricks at high speed,"Never thought I'd see that stallion trying his luck with the ladies again."

"Nah, his relationship with Rainbow Dash hasn't turned into something like that!"Twilight did not believe that such a relationship was possible between Rainbow and Thunder.

"You don't think they'd make a good couple, Twilight? Just look at them!"Rarity believed otherwise that the two Pegasus ponies would be a good match for one another.

"Yeah! Rainbow Dash and Thunder are the most daring devils, I mean, the most devilish darers! I mean…"Pinkie had no words to describe how amazing both flyers proved to be.

"She's dazzling, and he's sparkling!"Rarity admired both Pegasus as they flew up into the skies to cause a spark in the light of the sun.

"Ooh, yeah! Those are good words! They're dazzling and sparkling!"Pinkie exclaimed while her boundless joy seemed to give War Fire the chills.

"These mares… I don't understand their joy for something so simple."War Fire admitted his confusion for how supportive and friendly the mares were for Rainbow and Thunder.

"They're just being supportive for their friends, but that's not important,"Typhoon explained but wanted to change the topic to War Fire's survival,"You need to tell me how this is possible…! I still can't believe what I'm seeing."

"I'll explain once we're done here, this is clearly not the time for it."War Fire insisted that this wasn't the proper place for a story on his survival.

Meanwhile, activity in the skies were quite high with the two Pegasus ponies soaring through it. They twirled and swept around the clouds at the closest proximity they could. Rainbow followed his lead, twisting with him and causing a spark of static and rainbow light when they crossed. Then they flew directly down through a tunnel in the large fluffy cloud. They stayed close together, sharpening their reflexes and seeing how long they could last at a equal pace.

So far she was keeping up with the light speed flyer, thanks to the struggle he was having to hold back so much speed. Rainbow was at a good start, she was starting to pick up on her sound speed much quicker than before. Learning her full current speed and making it second nature was an important step. Once she had done so, he was willing to open the door for her to learn even greater speed. Perhaps even one day, he could even see if Rainbow herself could learn his light speed.

He was the first to emerge from the cloud, looking behind, she did not yet appear. So he figured Rainbow was trying to be fancy and sneaky, she did like to show off a bit. Thunder decided to simply wait for her, wondering just where that Rainbow Dash was going to pop out from. Chances are she was gonna try and spook him, but he was ready for that with light speed at his time. Unfortunately, a new and very shocking sight drew his attention away from the cloud and towards the ground.

He had heard the information from Shadow Swirl about the return of War Fire. But he did not believe it at first, at least, not until he was now staring straight at the pony of fire himself. He was still assisting Typhoon with standing up, while looking up towards Thunder to witness his flying skills.

"No way…! It really is him…! That hot headed walking torch really is alive!"Thunder exclaimed and slowly waved to his fellow warriors, just as Rainbow Dash emerged from the clouds.

Unfortunately, she emerged from the clouds screaming with a whole lot of cloud in her eyes, and some strange scorch marks on her back. She lost her vision completely, flying eradicate like, as if she just lost her head in an accident. By the time Thunder realized she was coming towards him too fast, she had already slammed into him. The mares gasped the moment they realized Rainbow's sudden clash into Thunder. Before they began flying out of control through trees and through severe storm clouds that zapped at them.

Thunder and Rainbow tried to regain control, but the worse thing for two flyers happened. The feathers in their wings locked in with each other, as well as the wings themselves got bent in together. With the two of them locked in, they were like one chain with two iron balls getting tossed poorly. One ball tried going one way, and the other was forcing them more of course. They could not move properly, so they drilled through trees, getting torn up and smacking against a boulder.

The mares cringed, seeing them crash all over the place and fly so dangerously. They even flew right between War Fire and Typhoon, causing them to slam to their flanks. War Fire was quick to get back up, before looking to Typhoon, who continued to behave like a deer in the head lights.

"What are you doing?! Get up there and get those two unstuck before-"War Fire tried to promote the green stallion, but needed to think fast the moment the two Pegasus began to nose dive towards him.

Instead, he quick stepped back just before they both slammed into the dirt. Grass, dirt, and pebbles exploded in clumps and large waves that pelted the faces of their onlookers. A gaping hole was made from the impact, and the soil the two Pegasus ponies was soft and warm from the crash. While every pony else was dusting themselves off and trying to see through the clouds of dust and dirt. The two flyers coughed and shook their heads to shake off the dirt, but Thunder was the only one able to stand up.

As the dust began to settle, a pain began to settle in his wing as well. He groaned and looked to the very wing that was locked in with Rainbow's, it was free, but it was in terrible shape. This was not a dislocation from the feel of it, several spots in his wing were already pounding with sharp pains. This felt like broken bones, something that he was not qualified to fix on his own. Plus this meant that he was instantly grounded, he was no longer able to take to the skies like he hoped to.

"Quite the way to make an entrance. Is this your version of a hello now?"War Fire questioned as the dust settled down just enough for the two warriors to see each other at long last.

"No, it's just me doing me…! So… You really are alive."Thunder brushed himself off as War Fire stepped down into the small crater they made.

"Yes, I am alive. Just got done trying to drill that into an in shock Typhoon,"War Fire replied and took notice of the clearly broken wing Thunder was sporting,"That wing looks a bit broken. Might need to cut it off before the infection spreads."

"I see your sense of humor hasn't changed one bit, and this is nothing,"Thunder commented on the dark sense of humor that didn't sound too much like a joking tone,"How are you alive. Didn't you blow yourselves up to make some fried chicken out of griffons."

"Yes, and it was glorious. I was going to go out with a bang, watch the griffons scorch and blacken to a crisp,"War Fire admitted the experience he felt when he was on the brink of death, watching his enemy burn,"But it turns out that Equestria did not want me dead just yet…"

"You didn't say how you survived…"Thunder noticed how War Fire felt a need to dance around the question.

"We can talk about that at a better time where we have plenty of time,"War Fire once again chose to leave his survival story for another time,"Until then, why not do something about that poor rainbow mare that broke your wing?"

"What…? Rainbow!"Thunder panicked and turned to rush to Rainbow Dash's side.

She was barely conscious, and it looked like her wing was broken as well. The other elements also rushed down to help, they were scared and even in a small panic seeing Rainbow in such conditions. Thunder quickly got under Rainbow and lifted her up into his hooves for transport. He may not be able to fly with her, but he could walk with her all the way to the hospital.

"Alert the others to what happened. I gotta get Rainbow to a hospital stat!"Thunder informed the group before racing up the crater and rushing off to the hospital.

"Excellent idea…! The hospital will make a splendid place to tell the story."War Fire chuckled at his priority of story telling rather than the welfare of Rainbow Dash.

War Fire then decided to slowly move on and follow Thunder to the hospital. Leaving the rest of the group to rush off to find the rest of their friends, Pinkie stayed behind a moment longer. Summing up everything she saw and felt from today's spectacle, it could not be any more simple.

"So much for dazzling and sparkling!"Pinkie moped before finally moving on as well.

---

Hours later, they had at long last arrived to the hospital and were immediately cared for. Rainbow had lost consciousness completely right before they had even arrived to the hospital. Thankfully she came to after being diagnosed with a moderate concussion, and a broken wing. Thunder himself was also given a broken wing for a diagnosis, this meant they were both grounded from the sky. Needless to say, they both weren't going to enjoy this temporary grounding.

At the very least, they had all their friends in the hospital for some company. Rainbow Dash was currently in a hospital bed while Thunder was still capable of walking, even against the doctor's consent. Even then, this brought little comfort to what they would learn from the doctor.

"Is she gonna be ok?"Applejack wondered as Rainbow Dash started to awaken once more.

"Oh, I'm so worried!"Fluttershy admitted as Thunder made it to Rainbow's side.

"Is her face always going to stay that way?"Pinkie wondered about the weird and confused face Rainbow was making until it got slapped back to normal by Thunder.

"That's for breaking my wing."Thunder remarked while she shook her head and got rid of the weird face she made.

"Ow..! Awwwww!"Rainbow groaned and rubbed her cheek, while witnessing her own wing broken and wrapped up in gauze.

"You lost control and crashed into Thunder, and drove the both of you into a nose dive,"Orion found this to be the appropriate time for a lecture about Rainbow Dash's recklessness,"Now both you and him are both grounded with broken wings. Hope it was worth it!"

"How is she, doctor?"Twilight decided they they would take a break from the lecture and check their conditions.

"She's going to be fine. Luckily she had her fellow patient here to carry her to the hospital."The doctor gestured to Thunder, showing appreciation for his assistance even when injured himself.

"Huh, how long do I need to lie here? I've got things I need to do!"Rainbow began to complain, already feeling the frustration of being grounded.

"So did I! But now we can't do anything while we're like this!"Thunder reminded Rainbow of the condition they were both in.

"And as for our question… It all depends on your recovery, but I'd say a few days minimum."The doctor chimed in before Thunder could admit his honest outrage with Rainbow.

"You guys have gotta get me out of here! I'm gonna climb the wall!"Rainbow dared to try and escape, but Shadow Swirl's tentacles kept her restrained to the bed.

"Enough! You're not going anywhere! You got yourself and Thunder into this, you can deal with it!"Shadow pointed down at the bed, demanding that Rainbow Dash deal with her frustration.

"Ooh! You're gonna climb the wall like a spider,"Pinkie pie wondered and looked to the doctor for some answers,"Did the crash give her super duper spider powers?"

"No… Nor did it give her amazing healing powers. She needs to stay in bed for a few days,"The doctor insisted on what Rainbow required if she was to get better,"The same goes to you, Thunder Blitz. I'm sorry…"

"Great! Good to know!"Thunder showed some actual scorn for being stuck to the ground as well.

Rainbow wanted to rant and rave even more about the wait she would have to endure. But seeing Thunder storm over to his own bed silenced her, he actually appeared to be angry with her. He silently laid in his bed with both hooves crossed, trying to let go of the fury boiling in his heart.

"It won't be so bad, Rainbow Dash."Fluttershy saw that Rainbow Dash was not liking the news and tried to support her.

"Yeah, I bet the chow in here is hoof licking good."Applejack tried to show her support as well.

"And the hospital gowns, they…match the curtains."Rarity tried her own form of encouragement for a friend.

"Just find peaceful outlets to pass the time until you heal, and try not to do anything that will cause any more harm to others…"Typhoon remarked before walking out of the room to find something to eat.

"Goodness…! Well at least discipline is not a dying breed in this new world,"War Fire suddenly chimed in as he quietly sat in a seat watching the rest of the group,"So… A few days incarcerated in the hospital. A respectable punishment, but the scorn is a nice touch for the pain you brought to another."

"Who wants to stay behind and keep these two comfortable?"Orion gave the other warriors the opportunity to stay behind and watch over Rainbow and Thunder.

"I'll stick around for a bit. I got all the time in the world these days…!"War Fire incited and crossed his hooves proudly.

"Good… The Cinders could not have asked for a more open opportunity to assassinate an element of harmony."Orion was thankful, but War Fire suddenly tilted his head with curiosity.

"Cinders? Now what in the name of Equestria might those be?"War Fire casually questioned, proclaiming that he was unaware to this new foe.

"You don't know…?"Shadow asked, and War Fire shrugged his shoulders with a small smirk.

His fellow warriors looked at each other, they seemed surprise at his lack of information. He may have been away for the longest time, but usually War Fire was well aware of what went on in his beloved country. But then again, perhaps age may have effected his memory, especially after coming so close to death.

"Cinder's have been our newest boogie ponies for months now. Anarchistic and blood thirsty."Shadow Swirl offered some starter information about their latest enemy.

"They're a breed of pony made of fire and ash, They've killed innocent ponies, including children,"Orion explained further and saw a spark of interest to hear of such a foe,"So far their intentions range from simply wanting to burn Equestria down. Perhaps make a new world from the ashes."

"The new world idea is a stretch, so far it mostly sounds like pure anarchy,"War Fire snickered at the notion of chaotic lawlessness in a burn down Equestria,"Made of fire and ash, you say? That on the other hoof sounds interesting. Might make a fun new test dummy for me to play with."

"Perhaps a little fighting fire with fire could work in our favor if you please."Shadow incited the idea of the ultimate master of fire fighting against powerful beings of fire.

"Can't see why not. One could never have too much fire in glorious combat,"War Fire agreed while enjoying the vision of a battle of two different flames,"After all, controlled chaos is one thing, and my favorite chaos. However, these anarchists you speak of sound…absurd and uncontrolled…!"

"That's an understatement. As we have said before, they're destroying everything, and killing any pony,"Orion reminded and War Fire only chuckled, showing excitement to hear of such an enemy,"We're counting on you…! It's time to see your fire get put to work once more."

"Oh you'll see it at work, I promise you that, Orion."War Fire guaranteed some sweet and savory destruction of the Cinders by the roaring flames of his personal hell.

"Good… We must be on our way then. Me and Shadow must get back to the school,"Orion decided it was time to take their leave for the Ponyville school,"We must practice the emergency drills for storms, intruders, and Cinder attacks."

"Really? You're school teachers now? It must be quite dysfunctional between you and your sisters at the moment."War Fire chuckled some more at the thought of Shadow and Orion working as such small and simple thing.

"You could say that… We're leaving now. Take care every pony."Orion decided and got walking with Shadow out of the room.

The mares all waved and gave the two warriors their best wishes before they left. And as the two left, in came a nurse wheeling in a cart full of books for the patients to read. While the rest of the elements were interested in the selection, Rainbow was more than confused to see books in somewhere else other than a library. Twilight saw one book in particular and got a nice idea. She levitated that book out from the cart and placed it onto Rainbow's legs for her to see.

"What's this? Daring Do And The Quest For The Sapphire Stone."Rainbow Dash read the title, and was already cringing from this weird gesture.

"This is the first story in the series. I own all of them!"Twilight squealed and admitted her own interest in the story.

"Ah…! The wild Pegasus that visited me during my little walk to the center of the Ever Free,"War Fire took interest while levitating one of her story books,"Dusty brown outfit, weird adventure hat. Has a cocky streak about her, much like Rainbow here…!"

"I…guess. You know of her?"Twilight asked.

"She purchased a bit of everlasting fire for a trip to the north, after verifying I was not a demon,"War Fire admitted, and fascinated Twilight with the notion that he carried fires that were everlasting,"It's the mane and tail, being made of fire gains you a bit of suspicion from strangers."

"No thanks. I so don't read. I'm a world class athlete, reading is for eggheads like you, Twilight,"Twilight was mused by Rainbow's rude interruption and dislike for reading,"Heh, no offense, but I am NOT reading. It is undeniably, unquestionably, uncool!"

"You know what else is uncool. Landing other ponies in the hospital because of your reckless flying…!"Thunder grumbled with lingering anger while War Fire snickered at the scorn.

"On…another note… Who doesn't like to read a bang up tale from time to time?"Applejack questioned Rainbow's issue with books without causing further tension.

"Why, a good book is almost as magnificent as silk pajamas on a Sunday morning, heh!"Rarity admitted that she too was interested in a good book.

"Reading is for every pony, Rainbow Dash!"Twilight exclaimed that it was silly to hate books just because it was different from what she normally did.

"In fact, I have a story of my own to tell if all of you wish? This hospital room is the perfect setting for it."War Fire incited that this was a good time to tell a story they had been begging for.

"That would be deeply appreciated, we have to know what happened to you that day,"Typhoon returned with some applesauce and potato salad to share,"We need some insight on this miracle."

"I'd hardly call it a miracle… I don't recall miracles being painful after all,"War Fire remarked before all the other mares gathered around to hear this tale,"But I suppose there's no hiding what happened any more. So… I suppose it all started with the explosion."

---

He closed his eyes, letting Typhoon sit next to him as they all listened to his tale. It took him a moment to remember the old memories, but they came fast once the old pain came to mind. His own fire scorching and frying his skin, destroying his armor and boiling his blood. At one point he felt as if his body actually did disappear into the flames, and in the moment, he fell unconscious. It felt like the end, in a way he wish it was, but there was no such luck for the pony of fire.

After two hours laying out cold in darkness and uncertainty, a mere water drop awoke him. It dripped onto his muzzle, and shocked him awake with a gasp of coldness. Only one eye was able to open while the other was covered by large rocks and stone, he struggled to breath. His head shaking and quickly darting his eyes around the cave, piles upon piles of rocks everywhere. All that could only be seen by a dull flame that began to rise from his head at long last.

I was weak, trembling from the cold crevices of the cave and it's chilling water. I felt like a wet and soggy corpse, barely able to start a small flame for my mane once more. I was frantic, registering the agony of my body while trying to free myself desperately. I had very little strength, but I was able to free myself before needing to rest. So once all but my legs were free I assessed myself, checking for any forms of severe injuries or even fatal ones

He was taking deep breaths nice and slow as he laid there, his right eye all busted up. His right leg and arm broken to the point that it was simply jelly with rubble in it. He spit some blood out, and began to slowly roll till he was on his belly, he then started to crawl around, looking for a way out. At first there was nothing, just darkness that barely got penetrated by his fiery mane that continued to grow. Then he felt in the distance, a small flame that was not his own, and knew there were others in the cave.

With a grumble he followed that light, it was a warm gentle heat that scared away the cold. He needed to grovel and crawl towards it, like a tormented soul crawling towards a heavenly light. Unfortunately he was crawling towards the wrong sort of company he was looking for.

I was free, but growing very cold from the wetness of the cave. I needed just one ray of sunlight, some source of warmth to heat my body up and replenish my fire. And I did, along with some unsavory folks, the remaining griffons that survived my self destruction. I hid from them, only two were still alive, one lightly damaged with a few scratches and a gash on the forehead. The other one was crippled from the waste down, and missing an arm, he was a sitting duck without his friend.

And so, he waited in the darkness, trying to cover up the light of his flames. While the two remaining griffons sat together around a small fire they manage to put together. The crippled one was panting and shivering from the cold, he seemed to be on his last leg with the wounds he carried.

"Hey, Talon? You still with me? Come on, I gotta know you're ok."The less injured one begged for his comrade to answer him.

"We need to get out of here… The king is probably waiting for our report on the assailants, Raptor,"The one known as Talon insisted with a deep and weak breath,"Death for failure beats death by mortal wounds and freezing in this wretched place…!"

"Oh… Then I guess I better work away at the barrier some more,"Raptor mutually agreed with his injured friend and stood back up,"Keep the fire warm for me, will ya?"

"Can do…"Talon took a big deep breath before responding to his comrade.

So while one griffin went for the rocks to try tunneling for a way out. The other sat by the fire to stay warm, the mix of the wounds and brisk cold made him shiver from the dull pain. But the flames kept him warm and gave the griffon some hope of making it home, regardless of the consequences. He spit a bit of blood over the fire and onto the edge of darkness. Before that darkness gave away to a sudden ray of more light, a light that was given by another flame.

In that very moment, the griffon nearly started to fall asleep from his weariness. He needed to rest his eyes so that his wounds could at least clear up a bit, his tired eyes were half closed. This masked the approach of the new approaching flame, he almost didn't see it coming. At least until the scraping of fur and skin was heard in his ears, he knew it wasn't his comrade returning. It had been far too soon, the movement sounded too much like crawling, and his comrade didn't even have a limp.

His straining eyes shot wide open and looked towards the fire, finding nothing. All he could see was the fire and the darkness, he couldn't even hear the sounds of crawling any more. He held his breath for one moment, scanning around the cave a bit to be sure that nothing else was with them. He trembled, it even felt a bit too quiet, and that meant bad things were about to happen. He couldn't have been more right about that omen, especially when he felt that flash of another fire light in his right eye.

He closed it and looked to his right before he was then face to face with War Fire. His heart stopped, all of it took him by surprise, from the sudden new assailant to the fact that he was an Equestrian. They ran into this cave to find rebels of their own race, not Equestrians.

"Equestr-"War Fire stopped Talon from speaking with a solid and hot hoof forced into his mouth

"Shh… Shh shh shush…! It's never a good idea to yell in a cave…"War Fire whispered to the griffon while keeping his beak nice and tightly shut.

The griffon shook his head, muffling and trying to force out some panicked words. But War Fire's grip kept his beak sealed, while the pony of fire looked to the other griffon with a weak smirk. Even with broken bones and half blind thanks to an injured eye, he could still kill.

"No witnesses allowed…"War Fire snickered and looked back to the more injured griffon.

Even when injured, my body still had some use in it, and I needed to make the most of it. There was to be no witnesses to what we had done, they learned that it was us that assassinated their general. So I needed to kill them, the first one I wanted to play with since he was ironically in the same position I was. So I merely cracked his head against the stone wall once… Or twice… Maybe five times… He was out cold, and he became a nice bit of bait to draw in the other.

"Talon! I made it! Some rocks gave away and we have a tunnel out!"Raptor yelled and was rushing back to his comrade with some good news.

He shook his friend a bit, for it appeared that his friend had merely fallen asleep. He tried some gentle shakes, but the slumbering griffon did not awake like he hoped. He then attempted to simply pick the griffon up and drag him to the tunnel, only for blood to drip onto his beak. It froze him a moment as he touched the spot of blood, and then looked to his comrade. Where he then spotted a large gash opened up against the side of his head, he gasped with fear.

He let his comrade down and drew out his sword before spinning around the cave. Frantically searching for the culprit that attacked his friend, but all he could see was the dimming light of their fire. Darkness was closing in all around them, his blade trembled at the approaching dark. He panted, as dead silence came with the blackness, it only made him more on edge and fearful. As he slowly backed away, and put his back against a pile of large boulders to protect it.

He expected the stone to be cold, but it was oddly warm and radiant. A new source of fire light even illuminated the area around him, but this light was not from their camp fire. He slowly looked up, trying to find the source of this unknown light, only to be jumped in a flash. He barely saw the moment as War Fire jumped onto his back and immediately put him in a choke hold. His weapon dropped, and he quickly tried grabbing and pulling War Fire's hooves off his neck.

"Get off me you wretched half dead rat!"He manage to throw War Fire over his head and slam him to his flank.

But the warrior kept his forearms locked in and manage to throw the griffon over his head. Slamming the bird back first against the stone before putting him in a rear naked choke. The griffon desperately rolled, trying to squirm his way out of the warrior's grasp once again. He had thankfully rolled on top of his blade, and went to grab for it, his talons were cut up from the violent grab. But he manage to scoop it up and start blindly jabbing behind himself, trying to stick the sword into his foe.

The third jab manage to drive into War Fire's hip, forcing a roar of pain. This fueled the rage of battle in him, and he was ready to punish the wretched griffon for his wild stabbing. Once he felt a second one drill into his back, he only smirked as he liquefied and turned his body to lava. Letting the blade dive deep and start melting the sword, once it came out, the blade was red hot. Melting away like thick milk, the griffon didn't realize it before it had dripped onto his arm.

He screamed, and felt the molten liquid metal instantly burning away his feathers. Skin and flesh quickly followed, as War Fire got his hoof around the back of his head, watching as the bone began to melt away. His screams never ended, even as his arm finally melted completely off. But now his screaming began to get annoying, the warrior's ears were ringing from the screams. So he casually decided to end the screaming, by picking up a nice rock and putting it to good use.

He sat up as much as he could, and began bashing it against the griffon's head. Each crack of the rock dazed the mind and blurred the griffons vision, while War Fire chuckled and widened his eyes. Each smack he delivered bruised up his enemy even more, until he finally struck gold. Blood started gushing out, and that was making him laugh, as he kept swinging, and swinging, and swinging, and swinging some more. Eventually the griffon stopped screaming, and gave away to the squishing of a busted up head.

War Fire's laughter echoed through the cave as he ended the life of the griffon. The thrill of violence, the blood of his enemies staining his body and face, it was exciting. It distracted him from the sudden awakening of the injured griffon he had knocked out cold for bait. He could barely see a thing, his vision was a big haze at first, then the heated fire light cleared his vision. And once he shook his head, there he saw the horror of War Fire throwing the final blow.

Talon could not see it, but War Fire smacked the rock down on Raptor's head one more time. Before leaving his body in a mangled mess of blood, he laid back for a moment to catch his breath. Before War Fire noticed that Talon was awake, and his eyes were wide with shock. His fear was the pony of fire's pleasure, as he chuckled and slowly rolled to his stomach. Allowing him to start crawling towards the griffon, Talon responded by looking around for a means of escape.

He then saw it in the distance, a small glowing shimmer of white and yellow. That could only be defined as pure sunlight, that meant a way out of the cave, and fresh crisp air. He was not ready to die in this cave, so he instantly made a desperate crawl for the small tunnel of light. He panted, listening as War Fire chuckled and gave chase to the griffon, for as he said before, there was to be no witnesses. The griffon needed to die, and he would make sure that he died a most enjoyable death.

It was a crawling race, the heat of the pony's fire was on the griffon's back. He was panicking, as he desperately crawled for his life, nearly crying and whimpering as he wriggled for the exit. He dared to look back, and he saw War Fire smiling so vilely and sadistic like, craving more blood.

"Where are you going…?! You're just going to leave me in this cave by myself? How rude!"War Fire continued smiling as he suddenly began to pick up the pace.

"Go to Tartarus you Equestrian mongrel! You'll pay for what you did!"Talon dared to offer up some threats, but that only made War Fire more excited for the inevitable.

"Right… That's what they all say!"War Fire howled with laughter as he closed in on the griffon, while the griffon closed in on the tunnel.

The griffon yelped and panicked, flailing his claws all over the stone, desperate to escape. He could see it, and he could touch it, the light was so close, Talon could taste it's gentle sun rays. He dragged himself up a pile of stones, reaching for the light as if he wanted to catch it. His talons had thankfully gripped the mouth of the tunnel, freedom was right there in his face. But it was unfortunately taken away, as he felt the hot hoof of War Fire coil around his back leg.

He screamed the moment he felt the scorching heat of War Fire's grip. As it quickly began burning away his skin and fur, he was dragged back towards the pony and forced on his back. Where War Fire manage to crawl up on his chest and pin him, blood oozed from his wounds. The damage was severe from his fighting to kill the griffons, but it was a sacrifice he was still willing to make. He chuckled, his one good eye darting down, piercing into the griffon's soul.

"I appreciate the fun you gave me. But dying or not, I have a mission to complete,"War Fire petted the griffon's cheek and sniffed at him, savoring his scent,"No witnesses…! Especially ones this tasty…! I've tried dragon meat…! Now lets see what griffon tastes like!"

As those words left his lips his smile grew before it then opened up, showing his teeth. The bottom teeth, his two front teeth, and his molars were normal, but the canines and all the others were not. His days of feasting on dragon flesh hardened and sharpened them to jagged fangs. They were perfect for the job he had in mind for Talon, he hissed as his jaws stretched nice and wide. Before he attacked and chomped his teeth down on his throat, it became a game of predator killing prey.

I chewed his bucking throat out, no mercy was to be given to witnesses. Our deed needed to remain secret for the sake of Equestria, for the sake of ending the great war. Once I had dispatched of the griffon, I let him choke to death on his own blood, while crawling for the tunnel they made, just for me. I made it out, but that was just the beginning of my-

"Alright, my little ponies! Rainbow Dash and Thunder need their rest. You'll have to come back tomorrow."The nurse of the room suddenly announced, and snapped War Fire out of his thoughts.

---

"What…?"War Fire shot a look at her, not very pleased with having his story interrupted.

"Come on! Come on every pony! Time to go!"She continued announcing, till she noticed the behavior of the ponies changed.

All of them were sporting very similar terrified faces, some of which looked nearly traumatized. Hearing a story of War Fire injured, crippled, bleeding, and still able to brutally kill. The vivid details of him crawling like a half dead corpse and bashing in a griffon soldier's head with a rock. It sent chills down their spines, but it made them sick to their stomachs when he spoke of biting out the throat of a injured griffon. Twilight manage to jot down the story on a quill pen and paper before the nurse came in.

"Hello? Is every pony ok?"The nurse asked once more, and thankfully they began to come to.

"What…? Oh…! Sorry about that, we were kind of… Wrapped up in a story…"Twilight admitted as she was the first to snap out of her shock.

"Yeah… I think it be best to go home. I wanna see my family after all that."Applejack admitted while every pony else came to, and wanted to leave as well.

"Come on every pony, lets leave Thunder and Rainbow Dash alone to rest,"Twilight encouraged her friends to leave, while looking down to the story she managed to write down,"I have… Quite the story to copy down for a book… Maybe…"

"Ah…! How flattering. I look forward to continuing the story for your book."War Fire exclaimed with appreciation for Twilight's interest in his story, regardless of how it made them all feel.

"Right… Let's go every pony…!"Twilight rallied her friends and got them walking out the door, War Fire and Typhoon were last to leave.

"You really haven't changed all that much…"Typhoon incited as the two exited the room, leaving Rainbow and Thunder in a room full of silence.

"I'll take that as a compliment. Hope to see you soon, Typhoon,"War Fire admitted his remaining curiosity for the life that the gentle warrior lived,"I have my own things to worry about. Trying to adjust to this new world, living at the forest edge, stuff like that."

He went the opposite direction, allowing himself to walk on his own. A smirk grew once he looked back and saw the others disappearing down the hall, he just needed to wait till it was clear. Once it was, he casually kicked open a door to a janitor's closet, where he expected her to be hiding. The door swung open, and a sigh gently sounded before Flaira herself emerged. Still wearing the garbs her dear lord gave her to wear, masking her appearance from onlookers.

"Was that your conduct in the sky? Those burns on Rainbow were too weak to be from storm cloud lightning."War Fire pointed out the slight burns that they had believed to be from lightning.

"Yes… Forgive me for my sloppy attack and failure… I jumped the arrow foolishly and failed to show patience as you commanded,"Flaira begged for forgiveness and bowed her head to War Fire,"I saw them separate, and I thought-"

"You took the opportunity, but the risk was too great… But in the end, the only failure was your accuracy,"War Fire explained as she remained bowed to him to show respect,"They never saw you thanks to the clouds you hid in, but they also obscured your untrained vision…! You need more training and some discipline before you can attempt such assassinations."

"Yes sir… I won't fail you again."She promised, and her chin was lifted up by the smirking fire stallion.

"I know… You just have so much to lean yet, my dear. But you'll get there,"War Fire insisted while looking around the hallways of the hospital,"We must go now, we'll be returning the next day. If you can learn some patience, perhaps there's a chance to take the element of loyalties life, yet…!"

"Of course, my lord."She agreed and was taken out of the hospital, where they could start training together.

Meanwhile, Thunder and Rainbow laid in their beds completely silent for the longest time. She was getting bored faster than any pony could have guessed, being grounded was brutal. No flying was absolute torment for her, to not be able to do something her heart was sold to, it was down right unbearable. She couldn't even strike up a conversation with Thunder or the bandaged up stallion. Thunder still appeared to be upset with her, and it was obviously because of the very reason she was irritated.

He was just like her, he hated being in a hospital bed, bound to it for days. Not able to fly to the sky till his wing was completely healed up, he hated the idea of being here just as much as Rainbow. But he also hated it because she put him in this hospital, thanks to an unknown danger they never saw coming.

"Come on, Thunder… Just talk to me… I can't stand how quiet it got in here,"Rainbow began to beg for some sort of conversation between her and the light speed warrior,"Just say something to me, talk about anything. Just…please let me know I'm not alone here…!"

He only lifted his head up slightly to her plea, before looking down once more. He wasn't letting her go that easily, there was a small lesson to learn here before forgiveness could happen. They were unaware of the true conduct, but Rainbow still could have remained vigilant and in control of her flight.

"Look… I'm sorry, I got distracted by some clouds, and didn't even see the lightning hit me, and I rammed right into you,"Rainbow Dash apologized, hoping to get somewhere with the electric stallion,"I should have paid attention and I shouldn't have gotten reckless back there… I'm sorry…!"

"It ain't just the accident that I'm mad about… I'm also mad that you ended up such an easy target,"Rainbow took notice of his words, while the bandaged up stallion listened in,"You never even saw the assailant coming… Even I almost missed him just as she burst out of the clouds…!"

"Uhhh… I don't understand? What assailant?"Rainbow Dash was baffled, for she never even knew there was some pony else with them.

"He came in too fast for you to see, and I didn't see her till he burst out of the clouds along with you," Thunder started to reveal what even he nearly missed when the accident occurred,"It was either go after the attacker and leave you to break your neck on the ground below, or let her go and try saving you, I just didn't realize how out of control your flying got before smashing into me…!"

"Wait! Some pony got in there, out flew me and tried to attack me?!"Rainbow exclaimed, letting the shock start to grow when learning that she was nearly killed, and she didn't even know it.

"And your reckless flying nearly got you killed. Luckily the attacker was clearly untrained,"Thunder continued to explain what the real issue was, rather than a pair of broken wings,"You're a target, Rainbow Dash…! Cinders want you dead. And it's not a good idea to just throw all care to the wind when you're marked by murderers."

"I know… I don't want to feel like a mare in distress… I hate being a victim…!"She admitted, showing that she was aware of what she was to the Cinders, and she hated it a lot.

"We all do… Tell you what. Read some of that book you're dissing on so hard, and all will be forgiven."Thunder decided to strike a deal with Rainbow, now that they came to an understanding.

"Really? That's how we're going to get over what happened? By me being an egghead?"Rainbow scoffed at the idea of being forced into reading a book.

"You're not an egghead just for reading the book. Plus, there's nothing wrong about being smart,"Thunder incited that an egghead wasn't as bad as she thought, for being an egghead meant that you were smart,"Mares that are smart, athletic and taking good care of themselves. Those are real mares…!"

Rainbow sighed, now that he was defining what made a real mare. He challenged to see if she was a real mare, willing to be smart rather than an unintelligent athlete, after all one could be smart and athletic. There was no need to be one or the other, ponies and even all beings can be anything or everything they wanted to be.

"I'll read a chapter…! Then we're good, right?"Rainbow questioned, making sure on what they were dealing on.

"That's what we are dealing on."Thunder nodded and replied, allowing Rainbow Dash to let out another sigh.

She was hesitate to take the plunge and try a book for the first time ever. But it was the only way she could hope to get back into good graces with Thunder, so there wasn't much of a choice here. She had to embrace a book and start reading, the idea of doing so made her quiver. But she manage to pick up the Daring Do book up and slowly open it up to the first chapter. She took one glance to Thunder who was listening attentively, she sighed and began to read with very little enthusiasm.

As Daring So trekked through the tropical jungle, the wet heat sapped her energy and slowed her every step. If only she could escape this oppressive atmosphere and fly up into the cool blue sky. But her crash landing in the jungle had injured her wing and she was grounded for a few days… A few days… It might as well have been a few months, or a few years!

"Huh… I'm right there with ya sister…"Rainbow Dash admitted and started to show signs of interested for the start.

"As am I… This broken wing stuff sucks big time…!"Thunder agreed and continued listening to the story.

The mosquitoes buzzed loudly. The macaws cried from the high trees! Yet all these distracting noises were not enough to cover the sounds of the predators following her every step!

Rainbow Dash continued reading with surprise and a sudden rush of interest for the story. She read on about the the brave Daring Do being surrounded by all of the land's most vicious big cats, and a kitten. She had ran for the hills, trying to escape the predators she was outmatched by. Thankfully she had found a cliff where she was able to catch a vine and swing across to the other side. This allowed Daring Do to escape death by predators, she had cheated death this time.

"Heh… Not bad for a mortal."Thunder commented on the bold nature of this Daring Do Pegasus.

Safely landing on the other side, Daring finally allowed herself a moment to breathe. She turned around to find herself face to face with the long lost temple she had sought tirelessly for over sixty days and nights!

"The Lost Sapphire Temple…"Thunder spoke to himself, recalling such a story that was told by many.

"I really hate to admit it, and I REALLY hate to admit it to my friends,"Rainbow Dash was starting to have an epiphany that challenged everything she believed in before,"But… I love this story…! I, I… I love reading! I'm an egghead…!"

"And that's…bad…?"Thunder questioned her harsh thoughts about something as simple as reading.

"Well…it is if you're suppose to be an athlete!"Rainbow Dash argued that athletes weren't meant to read.

"You're so certain that you need to fully identify as a member of a group with a specific set of rules,"Thunder snickered at her strange meaning of what group she "had" to identify as,"Just because you're an athlete doesn't mean that's all you have to be. Those stereo type athletes are boring. But one that can actually read and be smart, that's the kind of unique athlete I can enjoy."

"But… If you're not a strict athlete or an egghead… What are you then?"Rainbow Dash questioned the idea of unique ponies that could be their own thing.

"You are you, a pony that can be anything, and everything if they choose to be. Honestly, I prefer the unique individual over the mindless cult of a group,"Thunder answered and admitted before finally finding the strength to get out of bed,"Thanks for the good read, now I gotta go drain the main vain, and get us a bite to eat. You can continue reading without me."

"Will do… Don't get caught by the nurse…!"Rainbow blushed a bit while watching the electric stallion leave the room to get food first.

"No problem."He laughed before leaving Rainbow Dash alone with her book.

While she continued reading on, Thunder enjoyed a nice stroll down the hall. He carried a broken wing, but that didn't mean his legs and his head needed to be broken as well. So he nodded and gave a friendly smile to the nurses and patients he saw in the hallway, some looked painfully sick. Others appeared to be far more broken up than him and Rainbow combined. He even paused when a half paralyzed colt gripped his hoof, using what movement he had left since he was paralyzed from the waist down.

He gave the colt a moment with him before moving on, and finally finding the stairs. He made his way down, and suddenly felt a small heat striking his back, as if a heater was just turned on. But it was a pretty warm day today, there was no reason for a heater to be on during such a pleasant day. By the time he had made it down the steps, the heat did suddenly disappear as quickly as it came. Thunder took a quick glimpse up the steps to be sure there was no pony there, and moved on.

Once he had made it down stairs, it wasn't too difficult to find the cafeteria. Just follow the wide majority of patients and employees with trays and bowls of typical hospital food. Once he found the double doors, regardless of the food quality, he was going to indulge in it. He waited in a small line with a couple kids and adults before stacking a tray with apple sauce, beans, mac n cheese, and lettuce lily subs. With the food collected, he gave a small head bow to the lunch mares.

He was then going to head out and immediately get back to Rainbow with the food. Then he remembered the other reason he left, nature was calling him and he needed privacy. Thankfully there was no shortage of bathrooms around the hospital for employees and patients alike. Thunder spotted one just across the cafeteria, and rushed for it, he passed by a stallion with crutches. As he sat the food he stacked up on a nearby fountain, before looking around to spot the patient.

"Hey. Do me a solid and watch that food? It's for me and my roommate upstairs,"The stallion was willing to give Thunder a friendly wave to the warrior's request,"Much appreciated, this won't be long."

With the food secured, Thunder was able to go inside and do his business in peace. There didn't appear to be any pony in the bathroom, this only added to the peace he was hoping for. Once he had selected his preferred stall, he went in and closed the door, then the waiting game began. It took a moment before he could go thanks to the tension that makes some pony pee shy in a populated building's public bathroom. But being shy about using the bathroom became the least of his worries.

A minute into his business, the sudden blast of heat hit the left side of his body. And once again he looked towards the source of the heat, only to see nothing but a bathroom stall wall. He awkwardly manage to crouch down while focusing on the toilet to take a quick look under the stall. There was still no pony in sight, but he certainly felt a presence in the room, or at least…approaching. He stood back up slowly and focused on finishing up his business.

Then it all just exploded, the left stone wall burst into a cloud of dust and brick rubble. Thunder managed to look to his left before the stall wall came down in a crumbled up mess. Before a large flash of blue and black slammed into him and tackled him through the other two stalls. He crashed his back against the wall of the bathroom, Thunder was taken by surprise, but quickly fought for his life. Punching with both hooves together at the large black attacker sporting some blue flames.

His punches were ineffective, and the large attacker lifted his head up with a smirk. Revealing himself to be a much bigger Cinder pony, he was almost twice Thunder's size. As he threw a straight jab to Thunder's gut, sending him right through the wall and the glass window into the cafeteria. Screams of panic erupted while glass littered the floor around Thunder. He groaned and sighed, pounding the floor as he slowly began to get up, as patients and their nurses scrambled in all directions.

Then some chuckles sounded out in an extravagant and savvy way. Once Thunder was on all fours once more, the dark Cinder smashed through the doors, sending them flying into the walls. This gave the large and buff Cinder plenty of space to enter and meet with the warrior. His ashes were pitch black like a silent dark night, and his flames were blue instead of red, orange, or yellow. And judging by his shear size and the fact that he sent Thunder clear through a room and hallway, he was strong.

"You're a bit of a new one for the Cinders, and they even managed to make you even uglier,"Thunder started with a wise crack, mixed in with an insult,"Of all things you crazy ash heads could do, this strikes number two on the list, next to that crazy child killing Cinder that fancies himself a predator. But a hospital? That's just low."

"And they say I talk a lot…! You might be speaking of my feral friend Primal Pyro,"The black Cinder responded in quite the fancy and slightly sassy tone,"But Me? I'm on a WHOLE other level. And to be honest, I'm shocked you little rat stallions forgot about me."

"Are we suppose to? A Cinder is a Cinder no matter the brand you slap on them."Thunder mocked the muscular ashen pony as he simply chuckled at the mockery.

"You will soon enough. First, you need taken care of my little chatter box!"The dark Cinder snickered and charged like a full steamed juggernaut.

Streams of static surged and shot like whips from Thunder's fur towards the attacker. The stabbed and scorched the ash, but the Cinder didn't even flinch or feel the slightest wince of pain. Thunder could only brace once he was tackled and slammed through several walls. Disturbing many patients as they watched their warrior crash through wall after wall, until he was lifted up high and body slammed. Right in the room where a mother and her new born foal were currently laying together.

She screamed and covered up her child as Thunder felt a hoof slam into his gut. He heard his insides churn and nearly crackle, while the floor itself exploded in a cloud of tile and stone. The mother managed to protect her child while Thunder spewed out some spit and blood. He groaned and growled, trying to endure the surprising pain and power the Cinder brought to him. He thought fast and locked his back legs around the attackers hoof and twisted himself to the right and up.

He swung up till he was on the Cinder's back, grabbing his head with both hooves, he then drilled the dark pony's head into the ground. This only made the Cinder chuckle while Thunder drew his daggers. He made a quick go for the back, hoping to drive them through the enemy's heart from around the back. But this proved far more difficult in reality the moment he started jamming them in. They pierced the surface, sparking with scolding hot lightning, but that was also where they started struggling.

Once they hit the surface, they suddenly hit a solid defense that was trying to force them out. It was like trying to stab through a wall of pure iron hidden under a soft cotton cloth. Thunder gritted his teeth as he struggled and tried putting his back into the blades, but the iron ash would not give. This only made the Cinder chuckle more as his head burst from the ground and shook off the dust. Showing off a sickening grin full of chuckles to the new mother before slowly standing tall.

"What's wrong? Having trouble getting through my thick hide?"He mocked Thunder before the warrior was forced to pull his daggers out.

Thunder then made an attempt for the heart again, but the Cinder was not going to give him a second chance. He swung his head back, smacking Thunder in the face to force him back. Before spinning around and catching the warrior by his neck and choke slamming him to the ground.

"Them toys of yours aren't going to be enough to pierce this thick ash, little warrior,"He insulted the damaged warrior while slowly lifting him above his head,"For so long, you self righteous buckeroos thought you had us Cinders figured out. You thought we became trivial and easy…! So! Are we still easy?"

"You know… Now that you're talking more, I do seem to recall a Cinder that talked like a weird rock and roll artist from fifty years ago,"Thunder responded as he started to find familiarity's in the Cinder's voice,"Aren't you the blade happy lunatic that got slaughtered by princess Luna?"

The black pony of ash snickered and roared before finally tossing Thunder through a window. Letting him slam into the dirt right outside the hospital in a bit of a daze. He was just able to lift his head up and shake it to try and steady his vision before the Cinder kicked through the remains of the wall. He popped his neck and laughed at Thunder getting punished for mocking him.

"That was the one called Iron Hot…! He died pitifully to a wretched princess,"The Cinder explained the way he was planning on forgetting his past self to embrace this new form,"Now he is reborn, bigger, stronger, and far more of a threat than you could ever imagine. He even has a new name…! Iron Black!"

"Ok…I'll admit it… That actually is a nice name. Too bad it had to go with an ugly face like yours,"Thunder groaned and manage to stand back up while twirling his daggers,"Now…! I'm gonna kick your ashy flank all over the place, and finish what the princess started with you…!"

"Oh we'll see about that one…! Though I have my doubts with that clipped wing of yours,"Iron Black took notice of Thunder's recently injured wing,"If I recall, you can't go flying all over the place all fast like with just one wing…!"

"Don't need my full speed to tear an overly bulk jar head to pieces…!"Thunder insisted before Iron was already right in his face.

Thankfully, thunder manage to back step as a hay maker barely missed his chin. The warrior responded by driving his daggers as deep as he could into the neck of Black. Only to back away when he barely got an inch into the Cinder's head, so he went with a bit more power. As he slammed his daggers together to let them form his great spear of the storms. This allowed more power and hotter lightning to surge and hopefully scorch through the tough ash of his foe.

Once it was fully formed, he readied himself just before Black came at him with a hoof full of blue flames. But Thunder was still fast, regardless of whether he was on the ground or air. He thrust the spear forward and rammed it into the Cinder's gut, it manage to get an inch more deeper. But it was still not enough to penetrate, so he simply aimed the spear towards a rock. Before letting a charge of lightning blast out and send the black Cinder flying with it into the large boulder.

He smashed through the rock, shattering it to chunks before rolling in the dirt. Iron Black took his time, shaking himself off and slowly standing back up once he had come to a stop. He groaned, and patted off the dirt he collected from the landing, he frowned at the slightly singed belly he had. Before he slowly began to walk back towards Thunder, who was waiting patiently for him. Iron Black then went into another run, charging at Thunder with a full head of steam.

Thunder prepared himself for a powerful clash, as he twirled his spear and readied himself to thrust it forward. This time however, Black was waiting just for that very attack. As he ducked down to avoid taking the spear through his eye, he was then able to snatch Thunder up by his neck. Lifting him high into the air, where Thunder tried shocking him with wild bolts of lightning that shot from his fur. Iron simply responded by choke slamming Thunder into the dirt with extreme power.

Blood spewed from his mouth as tons and tones of ground shattered from under him. Thunder yelled as a mushroom cloud of dirt and debris erupted from all around them. The cloud nearly touched the sky as Thunder laid within a gaping crater with Iron Black on top of him. He laughed all through the scream of Thunder, waiting for the dirt to clear up so he could gaze into the eyes of his victim. Once the dirt began to settle, Black was able to finally see Thunder, as the warrior currently gripped at his ashen hoof.

"So… How should I go about killing ya? Moltorious would praise me for slaying a warrior,"Black contemplated the ways to kill Thunder as he pulled a dagger out of his neck,"You all tried so hard to prove that we could never match up to your warrior's power. But now we have the strength to finally combat you silly white knights…!"

"Yeah, I'll admit. The crazy no heart Cinder and a tough muscle head is a step up from the average Cinders,"Thunder agreed to the notion before spitting a wad full of blood into Black's left eye,"But you're all still the same in the end. Just chaotic…simple minded…maniacs…!"

Black wiped the blood out of his eye with a small growl before turning the dagger to Thunder. He readied himself to ram it through the warrior's chest, but Thunder kept a smirk going. For some surprising back up to arrive, as two black hooves wrapped around Iron Black's belly. He was then lifted up and away from Thunder as he was thrown into a neck breaking suplex by none other than War Fire. He turned around, and kicked Black away, letting him roll until he smacked against the hospital wall.

As the Cinder struggled to get back up, War Fire was quick to grab Thunder by his forearm. He lifted his more injured comrade to his hooves to assess his injuries, only to look back to the foe. While Black himself manage to stand back up and witness the appearance of quite the interesting new opponent.

"You have internal damage… You are no longer viable for a fight, Thunder,"War Fire quickly spoke of his assessment of Thunder's condition,"Is this one of the Cinders I was told about? This…insult to fire?"

"Yeah… But he's an abnormal one. They're usually not blue, black and so bulk that they can't wipe their flanks,"Thunder explained before taking deep breaths to control himself,"Careful, he's got a strong body and a lot of muscle packed in everything he does."

"I see… How curious, but still inferior…"War Fire smirked and narrowed his eyes at the Cinder, allowing his old weapon to form from embers and flame.

"You think the old fighting fire with fire trick will work here?"Thunder questioned as the sword formed in War Fire's hoof and glowed with great heat.

"Doesn't it always work?"War Fire questioned before bolting after the giant Cinder.

Iron Black charged at the pony of fire, and the two clashed, their hooves slammed together. War Fire looked to the blue flames that fought against his own red flames, it was a battle of fire strength. Thankfully, War Fire proved the stronger wielder of fire, and shoved Black back. Before swinging his sword across and slashing up the belly of the large Cinder, he roared in response to the attack. While War Fire only laughed, as he swung and slashed at the Cinder, letting it clash against Black's dagger.

Black seemed to mimic the style and moves of War Fire, as their blades crossed with loud clangs. Sparks rang out as their weapons ultimately locked in, and a small struggle of pure strength took over. War Fire never stopped smiling as the Cinder found himself struggling against the pony of fire.

"This was a foolish attempt at my old comrades life… This insults what it means to carry great fire,"War Fire chuckled as he began to summon new found strength and start to over take Black,"How…pitiful…! Your master clearly has a lot more to teach you…!"

"I…know…!"Iron Black groaned and fell to his stomach, desperate to resist War Fire.

"I'll be sure to do so… Until then, keep your distance from my old friends…!"War Fire growled and tackled the Cinder to the ground, sending his dagger flying away.

War Fire slammed his blade into the ground, and decided to show the Cinder who the true wielder of fire was. As he gripped a hold of the dark Cinder's head and began to slowly open his jaws. Letting flames overtake his eyes and a furnace like pit erupt from his mouth. Black was confused at first, as an abnormal scream sounded from the warrior, but then he saw his blue flames getting sucked in. He looked around, and saw his fire being drained and pulled into the mouth of War Fire.

Iron Black could only scream as his fire faded from the crags of his ashen body. His own life blood vanishing into War Fire before his eyes went hollow and his flame extinguished. Forcing him to lose complete consciousness and slam to the dirt, cold and still like a stiff body. His limbs even curled up and turned stiff, as his body began to mimic that of a statue. As War Fire slowly ended his bizarre ability, and slowly walked off the Cinder with a proud smirk, he then looked back to Black after a couple steps.

He decided adding insult to injury was warranted for this Cinder's overly bold attack. And decided to give him a ride back to the forest he thrived, once he lifted the Cinder up in his red magic. He closed his eyes and launched the defeated foe high into the sky until he could not be seen. Once he had caught the shadow of a mystery Pegasus picking up the stiff comatose Cinder. He chuckled and walked back over to assist Thunder, who had dropped down to a belly and deepened his breathe.

"Told you they were inferior… If not for your broken wing, I'd fear that you were losing your skill,"War Fire teased as he stood before Thunder in his pitiful state,"Hopefully you won't be as…slow to respond next time."

"He came out of nowhere while i was doing personal business, and he was a new foe for me."Thunder panted before he was suddenly scooped up and thrown over War Fire's shoulder.

"Yeah…I'm sure that's what is was…! Hehe… It's good to be back."He chuckled as he carried his injured comrade back into the hospital.

Hours later, Thunder and War Fire were given thanks for fighting off the abnormal Cinder. The patients were not injured further but this sudden attack, and Thunder was re-administered with new injuries diagnosed. War Fire had decided that even the hospital was no longer safe. Thunder was too injured to defend against these enemies, and seeing as he was a warrior that could dispatch of the Cinder's. It was best for him to remain at Thunder's side, at least until more help arrived.

So into the twilight, War Fire was permitted to take a seat and wait with Thunder and Rainbow Dash. Thunder was now in a more annoyed mood now that he had a neck brace on along with bandages around his lower belly. Rainbow was now even more worried for him, but at least he wasn't mad at her. It was reassuring at the very least that she stayed put in her room. They even manage to get their food from the kind stallion that held the food for Thunder, not all was lost.

"So… That Cinder from Nightmare Night attacked?! And he's gotta new body?"Rainbow currently wanted answers to what happened between Thunder and the attacker.

"Yep… Had that weird over excitable voice that sounds dated and obnoxious,"Thunder quietly explained while suddenly taking levitated spoon fulls of apple sauce against his cheeks,"He went from a Cinder that plays with knives to a giant black Cinder with muscle to spare and a- WILL YOU GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME!"

He was of course, talking about War Fire's use of Thunder for his own entertainment. He had decided to tease Thunder for his injuries, and it was simply accomplished by trying to spoon feed him. It was humiliating, not just the injuries, but now War Fire added more insult to his injuries. As he took the spoon away for a minute to chuckle at Thunder's mounting irritation.

"Come now, you need to eat. And with your injuries, it's best to be spoon fed,"War Fire spoke in a sarcastic way before poking at Thunder again with the spoon of applesauce,"Unless you want to damage yourself even more."

"I can feed my bucking self, thank you!"Thunder snatched the spoon from War Fire, as the pony of fire snickered at him.

"I'm…sure you can… Just needed a little encouragement is all…!"War Fire chuckled before the room door swung open.

Shadow and Orion immediately rushed in to see the damage that was done. Thankfully, all seemed well aside from the extra injuries Thunder sustained from the sudden attacked. Once Shadow gave a nod to Orion, verifying that it was safe and secure, he then needed answers for what occurred.

"So you wanna tell me what all happened?"Orion asked while War Fire sat back to relax.

"Yeah… That crazy blade unicorn that Luna slayed is back, and now he's big, black, and strong as holy Tartarus,"Thunder didn't hold back on the details regarding the attacker,"My daggers couldn't pierce his ash… It was like trying to drill twigs through a dense tree."

"Iron Hot?"Orion questioned, remembering the name of the Cinder in question.

"He goes by Iron Black now. He some how manage to become more full of himself,"Thunder admitted before looking to the true savior,"Luckily War Fire showed up and fought excessively well. He even managed to drain the fire out of the tool."

"I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Plus I really wanted to see this new foe for myself."War Fire admitted with crossed hooves of pride and respect.

"To this day you still have a nose for danger and thrills."Shadow admitted the obvious about their fiery friend.

"Then we need warriors here to ensure that no pony else is attacked now that Thunder is out of commission,"Orion decided that more safety measures were to be taken to protect Rainbow Dash and Thunder,"Shadow, War Fire? Either of you care to volunteer?"

"Like I said, I have all the time in the world these days. I can offer extra protection if you wish."War Fire was nice enough to agree to serve as a protector for the element and comrade.

"I can watch the rest of the hospital. Protect the sick and injured who are here as well,"Shadow also agreed to be a watch dog for the rest of the hospital,"What about you?"

"Typhoon and I will be watching the rest of the mares, just in case. This new found boldness is getting ridiculous."Orion sighed at the idea of the Cinder's recent bold moves.

"Don't worry… We'll make these inferior fire ponies know the meaning of fear,"War Fire was oddly willing to offer support to his comrade, this was a first from him,"Between little jabs to the chest and a hot kiss of death. We'll snuff out their puny laughable flames…!"

Orion needed to sigh for a moment, the pressure that was put on the warriors was mounting. These brave moves and non stop attacks on the innocent were stretching out their focus. Thankfully, the return of War Fire was supportive and his encouraging words of the enemy's destruction was respectable. It always helped to reassure the destruction of their foes, it gave them the will to keep fighting. And to hear this encouragement from War Fire again, it made them confident again.

"Good… Watch each other's backs. Show no mercy to the Cinders."Orion gave them final orders before he left the room in a hurry to get back to Twilight.

"No problem… Back to just the two of us on protection and clean up duty, Shadow,"War Fire admitted before sitting back and relaxing, seeing as he was staying here,"This must be quite a nostalgic moment for you."

"Please…don't remind me of THOSE nostalgic moments…! That's what always made me wanna kill you."Shadow waved him off with a scoff while looking out the window for any sign of trouble.

"Are you talking about the whole Loubrim clan genocide? That couldn't be helped and you knew it,"War Fire insisted that what happened all those years ago would have happened either way, no matter what,"Speaking of which, whatever happened to the little aspiring colt, Sombra?"

Shadow scoffed, and decided to walk out of the room rather than go towards that subject. This left War Fire slightly confused by the sudden attitude she sported towards him for simple curiosity. With that, the remaining two Pegasus in the room decided to find a way to lighten up the tension. So since Thunder was once again trapped at the hospital for a bit longer, he might as well hear more stories. And he could tell that Rainbow Dash was aching to continue the Daring Do book.

"Hey, Rainbow. Wanna continue that book of yours? I'm not going anywhere any time soon."Thunder incited that a story would be nice for passing the time.

"Yes, a nice story would be perfect for settling into this sudden guard duty,"War Fire second the notion while secretly sneaking some of Thunder's apple sauce,"On another note, weren't you the one who did not like books and mocked your friends for reading them?"

Rainbow jolted up and realized that War Fire was there when she spoke against the idea of reading. Blush began to form as she tried to hide her head under the pillow, only to try and retrieve the book. War fire snickered once again, finding amusement in her sudden show of hypocrisy.

"Well then… I suppose what your friends don't know won't hurt them."War Fire took the sudden behavior in stride and leaned forward to listen in.

"Yeah…! Let's go with that one. But seriously, lets not talk about this with my friends,"Rainbow begged for silence before opening the book back up to read,"The smell of decay and danger hit Daring Do as she peered into the dimly lit entrance of the ancient temple."

The two remaining warriors sat back, listening to Rainbow Dash's narration of Daring Do's story. From entering the temple to the dangers that awaited her in the form of traps. Most of which were either pony made, or natural with numerous deadly animals ready to defend the temple. She spoke with such impressive enthusiasm, speaking of the hoops and flames Daring had to go through. Just for whatever treasure or knowledge she was searching for in this temple, War Fire believed it to be greed.

---

Little would they know, Rainbow's reading would take them on a journey. A journey so interesting, speaking of Daring's resolves and test of endurance against the ancient temple. It would carry them straight into the very next day, it was like Rainbow lost complete track of time. She had read to the stallions until they had both fallen asleep, but she still kept going. Until she got to a very heart dropping moment, only for that moment to suddenly be interrupted by knocking.

The knocking also managed to make the stallions jump a bit and awaken from slumber. War Fire cleared his throat and yawned before dignifying himself, while Thunder was less so. He simply flailed awake and even offered up a fun little greeting just as the door opened and Rainbow threw the book under her bed.

"Ah! We can discuss the late night special sponge baths when the others are asleep."Thunder blurted out just in time for Fluttershy and Twilight to walk right into the comment.

"Good to know your injuries haven't effected you much, Thunder."Twilight simply replied before they greeted every pony else in the room.

"Is every pony ok in here? We heard what happened with a large, dark, and scary Cinder,"Fluttershy gently announced and patted Thunder's back hoof for encouragement,"You guys manage to fend him off?"

"More or less, he actually turned out to be an old enemy with a new wick."War Fire commented with a grin of interest for the enemies that they made.

"Yeah, remember that crazy blade Cinder that tried to dice up Luna?"Thunder asked as the memories if the very one enemy immediately flowed in.

"The one that sounds like this? Get ready to taste my blades sweet cakes!"Twilight impersonated the Cinder in question as Thunder burst with laughter.

"We couldn't forget that scary Cinder even if we tried…"Fluttershy admitted before they gave Thunder recovered from the laughter.

"Yeah… Now he's new and improve. And even tough enough to fight the warriors!"Rainbow admitted her own fear after seeing the condition Thunder was in.

"But he was dealt with all the same. He may be a fire elemental, but I am fire's master,"War Fire went as far as to brag about the relationship he had with his nature element,"His proved inferior, and I took it away from him."

"Ok…? Guess that's twice we owe you for saving us…!"Fluttershy admitted, taking note of War Fire's pride for his natural element.

"Think nothing of that. I think I'm going to have loads of FUN with this new enemy…!"War Fire suddenly showed great interest in combating this enemy.

"Great…! Good to know… So…are you doing ok, Rainbow Dash?"Twilight asked of their friend as she laid in her bed trying to remain calm and casual.

"Uh, yeah…! Been ok, all is well and…good…"Rainbow Dash admitted while trying to keep the book hidden.

"That's good, after all that we heard happen here. We thought we'd come and cheer you up."Fluttershy explained the reason they came for a visit.

"We even brought your favorite board game!"Twilight showed off a board game that Rainbow was fond of.

"We know how much you love to win…!"Fluttershy's encouraging tone made Thunder roll his eyes as he turned to War Fire.

"She really wants that book, but she doesn't want to be made out as a reader,"War Fire quietly assessed the attitude Rainbow was showing ever since she started reading a book,"Ah, the beauty of hypocrisy. What a necessary evil that many hold to this day…"

"I know… I wanted to try and teach her a bit about what it means to be a true Pegasus,"Thunder sighed and laid back when his neck refused to move much in it's brace,"There's only so much I can teach her…"

"You go first, Rainbow Dash."Twilight encouraged for Rainbow to start the game.

"No no, you first."Rainbow insisted with a nervous laugh to try and speed the game up.

"So what have you been teaching her? I'm not seeing much about her that seems…improved…"War Fire was honest as Twilight made the first move.

"A bit of humility, what it means to do good things. What makes a real hero."Thunder listed what he recalled helping Rainbow learned along the way.

"Alright, uh… Cloud three."Twilight decided to go first, seeing as Rainbow felt generous today.

"Awe, shucks. You… Rained on my cumulus, heh. Go again!"Rainbow immediately accepted a defeat that was untrue, but equally entertaining for War Fire to watch.

"Say what you wish, but she's throwing the game for a book…! Not much there to teach, honestly…!"War Fire snickered while Thunder groaned with a shake of his head.

"Whoa, you found my seagull!"Rainbow exclaimed after Fluttershy went sky five.

"You say that, but I've rarely been proven wrong."Thunder continued to defend Rainbow's case over the game.

"Uh… Cloud two?"Twilight asked out of confusion.

"Come on, Rainbow. At least try to-"Thunder got annoyed and tried to get Rainbow playing the game properly.

"You zapped my weather pony! Uh huh, you stung my bumble bee! Aw my thunderbolt,"Rainbow blew her game out of proportion, till her friends won by a landslide,"And that's my last cloud. You found it. Guess you guys win, I lose."

"But, Rainbow Dash, you…you didn't even get a turn."Fluttershy was baffled by this behavior Rainbow Dash was showing.

"Well, you win some, you lose some."Rainbow showed bizarre humility for losing a game, something she never showed before.

"But you DON'T lose some. I don't think you've ever lost a game of-"Twilight was baffled even more so, before Rainbow interrupted them by giving them a nudge out the door.

"Thanks for coming!"Rainbow replied with a fake yawn to convince them of her weariness.

"But yesterday you were desperate for things to do?"Twilight tried to understand what changed in her friend.

"Do? Who said anything about Daring Do? I told you, I'm not interested in reading!"Rainbow was frantic and sloppy to cover up an unnecessary mentioning that didn't even mean Daring Do.

"Smooth…!"Thunder mocked her lack of subtlety with sarcasm.

"Wow, I am beyond fooled by such clever words…!"War Fire followed it up with his own sarcastic tone, annoying Rainbow.

"Any way…It's nap time for me!"Rainbow Dash announced and rushed to her bed to fake a small slumber.

"Glad we could…cheer you up?"Fluttershy was hesitate after seeing the strange behavior.

"Alright then…"Twilight replied and shut the door to leave the rest of the ponies to their rest.

They all waited until the two ponies were truly gone, even though they yearned to expose Rainbow. They felt more like teasing her, and letting this behavior weigh down more on her. Perhaps she would learn a lesson about hypocrisy later on, and become better for it.

"They're gone, now. You can stop trying to fake snooze!"Thunder hollered at Rainbow Dash before she stopped the act and immediately pulled out the book.

"Thanks for not ratting me out! Every pony wouldn't let me hear the end of it if they found out that I like to read."Rainbow explained while trying to find the page she was on.

"No problem. I wanted to, but you getting ratted out on your own would be more satisfying,"Thunder admitted with a sigh while War Fire just sat back in his chair,"You know, this is a really stupid thing to get uptight about. You could just deflate your pride and admit you like these Daring Do books. You may be an athletic Pegasus, but that doesn't mean you have to behave entirely like one and hide other interests of yours."

"Come now, Thunder. Sometimes pride isn't a thing that can simply be swallowed. It's just best that some secrets are kept for another time."War Fire decided to speak of a different point of view on the matter.

"You mind helping, rather than encouraging her?"Thunder was not having it with the, won't know, won't hurt them ideology.

"I was…! In my own way."War Fire replied with a snicker as Rainbow began to read.

"Daring Do stood at the entrance to the central temple chamber,"Rainbow read with suspense and enthusiasm while the stallions argued like the old times,"At last, she was face to face with the legendary sapphire statue!"

After numerous traps that even left arrows in Daring's hat, thankfully it was made for durability and comfort. Now only one more trap stood between her and the statue, and it came with a clue. A way in which she could traverse through the trap without harm, that required careful study of the trap. So many panels gave away to the smallest bit of weight, spraying arrows in the hundreds. A foolish treasure hunter would surely be skewered and even splintered to shreds by so many arrows.

But Daring Do proved herself to be a mortal that was both strong and intelligent. She studied the panels, and notice the animal carvings on top of them, it meant very little at first. Until she realized the common ground all of them had, accept for one animal in specific.

"Hmm, there must be a pattern here. What do all these animals have in common,"Rainbow narrated Daring's voice as the conclusion became all too obvious,"Ah ha! All these animals are predators! Except…Rats!"

She stepped upon the tile of the rat, and thankfully it did not give away to her weight. With the riddle figured out, she stepped and jumped to every rat panel across the room. Until she made it to the other side and took her time climbing up the steps, before she was a mere inch from the statue. Thankfully she didn't waste too much time before snatching the statue up into her mouth. This of course, triggered a trap that began a complete cave in of the entire chamber, pillars fell while lava poured in from the walls.

She felt a moment of panic, before a quick look around helped her find a way out. A small hole with sunlight pouring down like a ray through the window showed her a way out. As she saw the lava surrounding her, Daring was fast to start using what remained of the room to escape. Broken pillars became mere stone pads for her to jump and leap on, the way out fueled her confidence. Keeping her head cool and collective as she jumped for the exit, she couldn't have hoped for a closer call.

Even with a broken wing, her final leap gave her the air she needed to grab the ledge. Where she then proceeded to climb out of the chamber, and make it back outside and in the jungle. But Daring was not able to rest for a minute, for she was then faced with another her sought the Sapphire Statue. Ahuizotl, her bizarre big jawed arch enemy, his form was bizarre and chaotic. It was as if the god of chaos himself created this blue dog and cat like creature with a thin but long tail with a fifth paw on the end of it.

"Helloooooo Rainbow Dash!"Pinkie Pie suddenly announced, and snapped Rainbow out of her trance with the story.

It made a sweaty Rainbow Dash frantically panic with putting her book somewhere hidden. Before looking up to see her three other friends visiting, but this made no sense to her. She had already received visitors already, Twilight and Fluttershy just finished visiting today. At least she thought as much, but that was far from the case, for she had lost complete track of time.

"How's our patient doing today?"Rarity asked with joy to help brighten Rainbow's spirit.

"Why…? How? I thought visitor hours were over for today?"Rainbow admitted her confusion before a window was opened up to bring in some light and fresh air.

"Have you really been that…"distracted" that you never kept track of time?"Shadow Swirl was suddenly the pony sitting in the chair instead of War Fire.

"When did you get here? What happened to War Fire?"Rainbow was frantic to figure out what was going on.

"You got so busy with your…thing you were doing. You were doing it all through the night,"Thunder ranted and revealed that Rainbow Dash was reading the entire time through the whole night,"You got so caught up in it. You never bothered to bathe or anything."

"I'll say. We need some fresh air in here,"Applejack agreed and went to open the windows up for fresh air,"You're looking more sweatier than a pig wrangler on a summer's day."

"Uh, well guys, thanks for visiting, but-"Rainbow attempted to swindle for a way to get them to leave, but Thunder would not allow it this time.

"Much oblige. I've been dying here with all this stale hot air!"Thunder ranted and got the mares to ignore Rainbow's crafty words.

"I bet. Especially after you took quite a whooping from the large Cinder!"Applejack attempted to tease the warrior for his under performance.

"It wasn't that rough of a beating. He just took me by surprise is all!"Thunder groaned from the bashing he got over a large black Cinder.

"Ok, now, dinner time for Rainbow Dash!"The nurse suddenly entered the room with a selection of food for the patients to eat.

"Awesome, I didn't need to go down and get something this time around."Thunder sighed as the nurse placed the cart right between him and Rainbow Dash.

Thunder dared to turn his head to try and get some food, but the Nurse put her hoof against his head. Keeping him facing forward, before she had some mash potatoes ready for him. While Rainbow Dash was allowed to eat without help, she got apple sauce as part of her dinner.

"Oh, just in time. I'm soooo hungry!"Rainbow Dash dramatically admitted, hoping to get her friends to leave the room.

"Oh, well, don't mind us, Rainbow Dash."Rarity insisted that there was no pressure to eating while they were around.

"Yeah, just go ahead and eat up."Applejack further encouraged, and Rainbow Dash did so in her own way.

While Thunder was getting spoon fed his meal while Shadow chuckled at him. Rainbow began to eat like a pig, her form of chewing and swallowing was greatly exaggerated and acted out. It was enough to make even Applejack a bit nauseous, there was only so much they could watch. Finally, Thunder and Shadow took notice, he politely pushed away his food, now that his appetite was ruined. Shadow could not stand the nasty display much longer, and decided to act accordingly.

"Alright, I think for now. The both of you should retire to the rest of your day,"Shadow decided, letting her shadow nudge the three mares towards the door and taking away Rainbow's food,"Give it another day and she'll be available all the time again."

"Yeah, good point, Shadow…"Rarity manage to say without dry heaving.

"Uh, we'll see you tomorrow, Rainbow Dash, aheh…"Even Pinkie Pie felt uneasy about Rainbow's behavior before the both of them quietly left the room.

Once the nurse had left and the door quietly closed, Rainbow spit out her food. Before she then made a grab for her book, this was actually starting to give Thunder the creeps. Usually, such obsessions come from magic users over doing their studies with magic tomes, but this was a simple story. And Rainbow was reading it obsessively, it even got to the point where she lost track of time. She still had yet to even bathe, so there needed to be some sort of intervention or help.

"You know… At first it was that you didn't like reading. Then you liked it,"Thunder started off as Rainbow started to read the book,"Now you're starting to become obsessed with these story books…!"

"Huh? You say something?"Rainbow asked before getting smacked in the nose by an empty cup that once held some apple sauce.

"Rainbow… We're glad you gained a nice hobby out of this experience, but this is getting troublesome,"Shadow admitted and stood up to try for a polite reality check,"If you just tell your friends about this, they'll be fine with it and you can do it at a more proper time that doesn't cause you to neglect your…health…"

"I can't tell my friends that I read! They'll rip on me to no end after the roasting I gave to reading and eggheads,"Rainbow continued to profess the importance that her secret was not discovered,"Besides, It's just a broken wing. My health hasn't gotten THAT bad."

"Right…"Shadow simply responded along with holding her muzzle, keeping at least a four foot distance from Rainbow.

This got Rainbow second guessing as she discreetly sniffed herself, and the truth ended up stinking. She was quick to turn away, but immediately tried to play it off cool. But there was no fooling the warriors, so she was forced into her last resort and pulled a point in the opposite direction.

"What's over there!?"Rainbow pointed behind Shadow, and she fell for the old classic.

This allowed the Pegasus to quickly return to the book and start reading immediately. By the time Shadow realized she was fooled, she turned back to see Rainbow back into her book. Thunder immediately scoffed, and then laughed at the gullible nature of his comrade.

"I'm sorry, but I can't really believe that you fell for that old trick!"He laughed while Shadow fumed and steamed to gently let out her frustration.

She fumed again with dwindling patience, and used a limb from her shadow to open up the door. Before it immediately dragged the very nurse assigned to the room inside. The nurse looked around to what was pulling her in, but there was no time for questioning the occurrence, action was the requirement.

"I don't care if there's any rules or requirements for bathing patients. Please give this one a sponge bath or something,"Shadow insisted before nudging the nurse over to her occupied patient,"And don't worry, she won't notice a thing. Her eyes are officially glued to that book."

"You thought you could evade me and capture the relic for yourself, but you are sadly mistaken, Miss Do!"Rainbow read the line of Daring Do and this apparent arch enemy.

The situation had turned dire as Daring was weary from the temple and it's traps. With no way to fly while her wing was broken, she was immediately trapped by her true foe and his jungle cats from before. This foe took Rainbow by surprise as she read on about Daring's capture. He seemed to be the typical villain, greedy in his desires, rivaling Daring's desire to discover relics. He even had a touch of true menace about himself, something Rainbow herself knew of from the Cinders.

Her capture followed, and before long, Daring Do was in quite the gauntlet of death. Tied to an ancient stone table, she wriggled to try and find a way out, but it didn't end there. Sand was filling the room from holes in the wall, along with snakes, spikes that pierced through the stone and so much more. With so many dangers surrounding her, everything seemed so dire, so hopeless, Ahuizotl knew what he was doing. He knew this mare well, and it took a great deal to kill her.

The sand was rising, the snakes were creeping, and death was getting closer. As the walls began closing in with the spikes ready to skewer Daring alive, far from a pleasant way to go. But as Rainbow Dash was at the edge of her bed, hoping to see Daring Do escape, reality made it's return.

"Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash!"The doctor himself suddenly roused Rainbow out of her deep reading zone.

She was quick to hide the book, before she was faced with the doctor himself. He was barely noticed due to her obsession with reading, but while in the midst of her distraction. The doc was checking her wing each day to see it's recovery, and after a couple days, he had good news for her.

"H-…oh! Good evening…!"She collected herself to greet the doctor in kind.

"Morning…"He responded, revealing that she had read over night once again.

"Uh…morning, doc."She corrected herself before noticing Thunder our of bed, unwrapping his wing.

"Have you been up all night?"The doctor asked and Rainbow stumbled over her words.

"Uh…of course-"

"Yes, she did. She was up all night reading. Never even noticed getting a sponge bath."Thunder interrupted and answered truthfully for the doctor.

"I see. Then I'll be quick. Congratulations, Rainbow Dash! We're checking you out of the hospital."The doctor gave Rainbow the news, and she did not take the way she would have a few days ago.

"What? Later today?"She questioned, hoping for just a little bit more time with the book.

"No, right now!"He replied.

"Right now?! "Right now"? Right now?"Rainbow stuttered and repeated herself in the heat of her shock.

"Right now, right now."The doctor repeated, seeing as she seemed so confused.

Moments later, Thunder was assisting the doctor and his nurses with seeing Rainbow out of the hospital. She was reluctant and resisting, trying to grab a hold of doors and corners to resist. But even with a neck brace and a couple bandages, Thunder was more than strong enough to force her out.

"But I don't feel better!"Rainbow continued fighting to the very end as they neared the doors.

"Now take an easy, Rainbow Dash. Remember to stay off that wing for a week,"The doctor made last minute instructions for the both of them as they attempted to go through the door,"Thunder, try not to use your neck too much, don't move too much or do anything reckless. And the same goes for your wing."

"Thank you, doctor…! We APPRECIATE…! Your help with our wings…!"Thunder growled and struggled as he pulled at Rainbow as she grabbed a hold of the door to resist.

"Any time, my little ponies…! Stay safe out there!"The doctor attempted to close the doors.

But he was only able to close one door before the other was torn off from the hinge. Slowly, the doctor retreated back inside, not wanting to be a part of this strange behavior. While the two Pegasus manage to drag the door four feet before Thunder smacked it out of her hooves.

"Ok, you really need to get a grip on this thing with that book. This shouldn't even BE an issue,"Thunder decided to unleash his ranting and let Rainbow have it for her behavior,"If you like the book that much, swallow your pride, embrace this other side of yours and get a book from Twilight."

"You know I can't do that! I'm an athlete, not an egghead!"Rainbow denied the idea and tried to defend her title.

"No, you're an athletic mare who clearly likes to read these Daring Do books. You're your own pony,"Thunder argued and boop her nose with a tap of his hoof to get a point across,"You can be as many things or as few of things as you want, but you never have to be part of just one thing, that's not what just being a pony is all about…"

"B-but…! My reputation!"Rainbow pleaded for another way out rather than coming out as an athlete that reads.

"To hay with that! It's not going to do a thing to your rep any way,"Thunder decided to blow her off since she was not getting the hint,"Figure this out on your own, and then find me! I'll be chilling at Twilight's place till I can fly again."

He then walked off, leaving Rainbow Dash stuck on this troubling predicament. His departure only made it much more troubling, so many problems, so many questions needing answers. And all over a story book, her pride was too valuable, she needed to be cunning and tricky.

"How will I ever find out what happened to Daring Do?!"Rainbow Dash thought of this question the most as she paced back and forth.

Her conflict only made her more blind with panic, it even masked a looming danger. That was in the form of a familiar Cinder that still had a mark to take, and it was pacing blindly back and forth. She kept her hood down and was eager to make a move, but finally, some teachings settled in. Rainbow was currently in public, plenty of witnesses were around, which meant plenty of ponies to call a warrior. Even as a heartless Cinder, capture or containment was possible, and everything she knew needed to be preserved.

"Is Ahuizotl going to get away? What's going to happen to Daring,"Rainbow continued to give herself numerous questions until one answer came forth,"Ah ha! Twilight has… No… I can't ask her for a copy after I called her an egghead and all."

She groaned with frustration and fell over, it was almost good enough to trick the Cinder that she had croaked right there on the spot. But Rainbow was simply bummed out and feeling in the dumps.

"Ugh, this is making me sick!"Rainbow groaned and suddenly got a clever but quite the petty idea.

Rather than find a moment to strike, the Cinder hid under her cloak and decided to wait. If she could not go for the kill at this time, at least she could study the Pegasus, learn about her, know her, and destroy her. So she observed from the shadows, and it only took a few minutes before Rainbow was doing something odd. She had completely flopped on the hospital steps, doing fake coughs and groans. This appeared to be false showings of pain and suffering, but for what cause?

"Owwww… Oh the pain… The pain!"She acted out her suffering very poorly, while the female Cinder looked on in confusion.

"These flesh ponies are strange…"She assessed as the doctor exited to find Rainbow Dash on his steps.

"Rainbow Dash! What are you doing here? A-anything wrong?"The doctor was frantic to try and assist the seemingly suffering Pegasus.

"Well, uh, my wing! It's still hurting, doc,"She groaned as the doctor checked her wing,"Oh, ouch! Right there…!"

"I was touching your good wing…"The doctor slyly revealed that he was checking her good wing to test her, and her pitiful plan fell apart immediately.

"Uh, right. Well, I think that this one's hurting now too…!"Rainbow attempted to save herself, but the doctor wasn't born yesterday.

"I think I know what the trouble is. A severe case of lazy-it is…!"The doctor chuckled and denounced her exaggerated claim.

"B-but, you got me all wrong, doc! I'm not being lazy!"She decided to push the failing ruse to the very end.

"You're fine, Rainbow Dash. Just give it some time and you'll be right back in the swing of things."The doctor instructed and left Rainbow to pick herself up.

"Good day, Rainbow Dash!"One nurse responded after peeking out to see the what was happening.

"Take care!"Another was kind enough to shut the doors, leaving a defeated Rainbow Dash and a dumbfounded Cinder.

"What am I gonna do? I'll never get to sleep without knowing what happens to Daring Do,"Rainbow moped before a more risky and heinous plan came to mind,"Which may not be such a bad thing…"

"Oh no… By this night… Once you've made your next move. It'll end VERY badly…"The Cinder disciple spoke quietly to herself and slowly backed away to disappear into the town.

---

Rainbow went along with this plan, and it involved wearing a pitch black outfit. One that blended her in with the night, and only allowed her eyes to be seen as she blended with the approaching night. The mission was simple, sneak into the hospital, find and read the last of the book. And if she had to, she would steal it and take it back to her home where it would remain hidden in secret. This was a risky plan, but it apparently beat just admitting a new and different thing about herself.

She made her move, appearing out from a bush under the cover and silence of night. She crawled across the property, scouting for a way in, and she found it almost immediately. She needed to be quick, for a security guard had just opened the doors to the hospital and closed them quickly. Flashing his light out across the property, but Rainbow was fast to jump and take cover behind the hospital sign. She manage to avoid detection, and looked up to see an open window perfect for entry.

She went to crawl through it with a small struggle, one that drew the attention of the guard. He had turned at the last minute to see Rainbow's tail flick it's way into the window. Even that was more than enough to alarm the guard, and he was about to call the intruder in. But before he could sound the alarm, a hoof wrapped around his mouth while another gripped the top of his head. He never saw it coming, as his vision faded to black, and could only hear the crack of his neck before death.

He dropped like stone at the hooves made of flame and ash, belonging to the Cinder of the hour. This time, she did not wear her cloak, for the night put many ponies to bed, luring their eyes away from her. With a kick to his head, she verified his death and looked to the window Rainbow vanished into.

"I will not lose my mark again…"She spoke and slowly made for the very same entrance as her target.

Meanwhile, Rainbow snaked and leaped her way across the hallways of the hospital. Avoiding any sort of hospital staff along the way, thankfully there were many plants to hide behind. Her old doctor never saw a thing as she snaked her way through the hallway, looking for her old room. Thankfully, fate seemed to be on her side, for it did not take her long to find the right room. Her eyes lit up with excitement and success, as she quietly rushed for the door, and slowly entered.

Once she was inside, she was on the home stretch to the book and conclusion on Daring Do. Just one more obstacle stood in her way, and that was the one roommate that laid between her and Thunder. The stallion that was wrapped up in gauze from head to hoof, quite a sad character. So she politely crawled across the floor nice and gently, hoping to keep him snoozing. Once she was passed him, Rainbow simply slid underneath her own bed and recovered her beloved book.

She hugged it, feeling joy that the book remained in the very last place she left it. Without any distractions, she opened it up and began to read, there was no resisting the story any more. So she started to read, and already got into it to the point that she never heard a second set of hooves walk in.

"Feels like the harder I struggle, the tighter the ropes get…!"Rainbow spoke as Daring's voice, getting into the story until reality came back immediately.

Just as the story was reaching it's climax, a shriek and alarm went off.

"Help! Burglar, burglar!"A cry sounded from right above Rainbow Dash's head,"Some pony's trying to steal my slippers!"

Rainbow realized her tail and head was pointed out by a new occupant of the bed. She was right next to the slippers this patient wore, and it was as simple as putting the two together.

"I'm not trying to steal your slippers! I'm trying to steal this book!"This foolish and half made explanation only made the patient scream again.

"Stop, thief!"A nurse burst through the door, and demanded Rainbow's immediate surrender.

"Hold on! This is not what it looks like, I swear!"Rainbow raised her hooves up, but it was then that the nurse became the least of her worries.

Suddenly, the nurse felt a sharp kick in the back of her head before it was lights out. She fell forward and face planted, rolling to her side unconscious and away from the door. This revealed the culprit, as she slowly stepped forth with her mane flaring into a blaze to make the room glow with red. The screams went silent until the gauze stallion awoke and tried to scream through his bandages. The revealed Cinder quietly walked closer, verifying the sick patience and the target that still had yet to recover.

"A Cinder…! Figures one of you would show up when my back was turned…!"Rainbow got defensive as the Cinder stopped in her tracks to give a sigh.

"What is up with all these weak, sickly, injured and pathetic ponies…? What good are they now,"Flaira closed her eyes, wondering about the worth of the sick and injured she saw,"They're slow, they require others to treat them, pamper them, make them pathetic and weak. How worthless can you be when you allow injury and sickness to burden you, slow you, and rust your skills…?"

"Good to know how you feel about the sick and injured. Typical of a Cinder,"Rainbow Dash mocked before she noticed an abnormal appearance about the Cinder,"Or maybe…not so typical. Are you another abnormal Cinder? Like the one that attacked Thunder? You look different…?"

"What gave me away?"She snickered and slowly let a knife slide out of the center of her hoof.

"You have…a bigger mane? No… Smaller eyes…? Nah… Not as built?"Rainbow tried to figure out what was different about Flaira that set her apart from the other Cinders.

This irritated the Cinder mistress, and she rushed to Rainbow Dash in a flash. The patients screamed as Rainbow was grabbed by her neck and lifted into the air. The obsidian blade went to her throat, and Rainbow was given a much closer look to learn what was really different about Flaira.

"Oh…! You're a mare…! Cool… Awesome… First mare of the Cinders, congradu-"Rainbow Dash was choked for her robes and given a strong heave.

She slammed through the doors, smashing them down as she bounced on her head. Before smashing her back into the wall upside down, the Pegasus slid down and on her head. As dust quickly settled down and Flaira came marching towards the downed Element of harmony.

"Are you ready to have your other wing clipped, along with your life?"Flaira asked as she sprouted her own wings for plenty of speed in this pursuit.

"Hold it! Stop right there!"As Flaira exited the room, she turned to stare down the doctor and two nurses he had with him.

They all froze the minute they witnessed something more threatening than a thief. They did not know how to react, but all they did know was that they needed a lot of help. The doctor even dared to slowly pull out a scalpel, hoping to use it as a weapon as Flaira sighed once more.

"What you ponies have done here is pointless… You are only prolonging the inevitable for these patients,"Flaira decided to stick something to the doctor and nurses for what they did,"Even if you heal or cure them. They will only get hurt or sick again, maybe even with something worse…"

"You will not talk about our patients this way fiend… And keep your distance…!"He warned as Flaira began to approach the doctor, shaking her head at his pointless defense.

"Or what…? You'll cut me with that silly shard of metal? It doesn't hurt me like it hurts you…"She chuckled and stood right in front of the doctor.

She proved such a thing by simply gripping his hoof and bringing the scalpel to her chest. She then allowed the tool to slide right into her chest, showing that she felt no pain. She only felt it's entry, and it quickly gave away to nothing as the doctor's hooves trembled at this show of invulnerability. She then simply ripped the blade out of her and drilled it right into the cheek of Horse. He screamed with pain as a open wound bled profusely from his cheek.

"So tell me, doc? Will you persist or will you falter from such injuries…!"Flaira asked as she dared to dig the scalpel a little deeper while the nurses scream.

Suddenly, Flaira's mind froze and remembered the reason she came here. She turned around, and barely caught a glimpse of Rainbow Dash before her target had made her escape. She growled, feeling a sense of shame and agitation for being distracted by the group of medical workers. She ripped the scalpel out, and slammed the doctor against his nurses, sending them sliding down the hall. Before she then turned around, and charged right through the window in a haze of glass shards.

"No! I will NOT lose this mark again!"Flaira roared and punched the ground she landed upon with thunderous force.

As the hospital alarm sounded from the hospital, Flaira took off towards Rainbow Dash. Hunting her, hoping to prove that she was worthy of her master's teachings and the role of a disciple. So she chased her target into the woods, while hospital employees were mobilizing to hunt both parties.

Rainbow dodged and swayed through the trees, she looked back and saw the enemy in the distance. Her bright red flaming mane gave the Cinder away, and it put a pep in her step. Rainbow tried to fly, but her wing was still not ready for flight yet, a few days still remained before she could do so. She was stuck on the ground, and the female Cinder was gaining on Rainbow. Her flames nearly set the trees ablaze as she smashed through the very obstacles Rainbow Dash avoided.

Once they entered the town, that's when they didn't even notice the hospital workers in pursuit. Barking could be heard, alarm was being raised through out the whole town immediately. Lights from houses went up, while fire was being tossed by the Cinder that desired Rainbow's blood. Thankfully, the colorful Pegasus knew how to duck and avoid the flames, the heat on her back was quick to warn her. So she swerved past buildings as Flaira took flight for even greater speed.

"Hey, no pony invited me!"Pinkie Pie swung open her window doors as they passed by and ranted.

There was no time to stop, especially with Flaira right on top of Rainbow within moments. She had no way of flying with a still injured wing, all these limits and she still kept running. It was like desperation easily gave away to the confidence and adventurous spirit of Daring Do herself. That's why the moment she saw a low hanging vine over a large creek, she knew exactly what to do. She jumped for it, vaulting half way across the gap full of water as she grabbed the vine.

She was then able to swing to the other side, just as Daring did in her adventure. But this time she added a twist, a way to defeat her pursuer with the one thing that proved effective against Cinders. Once she swung back, she turned, and swung out both her back hooves for a swinging double kick. Flaira flew in at full speed, and her lack of experience caught up with the Cinder, for she could not slow down. So she took the flying buck to the jaw, sending ash into the air as the enemy swung back.

She felt a moment of stun as Flaira found herself suddenly falling into the creek. It was just deep enough to make her vanish beneath the water, where steam was immediately rising. Rainbow Dash nodded and swung right back to the other side of the creek, she gave a salute and ran. With the Cinder suffering under the brisk cold of water, she could now try to shake the hospital staff. They proved even more persistent, seeing as they just used a bridge to get across the creek.

Rainbow Dash began to panic as she made it back through town, and passing by Rarity's boutique. The ruckus was enough to awaken the white unicorn from her beauty sleep that she deeply valued. So in a way, her outrage was understandable as she swung her window open and hollered.

"Huh! Hasn't ANY PONY heard of beauty sleep?!"She ranted about her slumber being disturbed.

Finally, the pursuit left Rarity's home and circled around the Ponyville library. This awoke the unicorn and every warrior that was currently sleeping there, including Thunder Blitz. Twilight was the first to open the door with tired and baggy eyes, but the scary pursuit awoke her completely. As Rainbow Dash stepped in front of her by accident, the warriors burst out of the building. All of them wielded their weapons, the only one wearing anything was Orion, and they were grouchy.

"Who goes there!?"Orion yelled and demanded her presence to be known and explained.

"We better not have been awakened for nothing…!"Thunder warned before the flash lights hit them all.

"Rainbow Dash, what in the world is going on here? Why are you stealing slippers?"Doctor Horse announced and realized who this alleged thief was, along with every pony else.

Thunder lifted an eye brow and rushed the black suited Pegasus, ripping her hood off completely. This revealed her face, and verified that this was Rainbow Dash before them. Thunder was about to ask the question himself, but then the annoying barks of a mare who fancied herself a dog kept barking in his ear. This lead him to shove a hoof in the mare's mouth with a growl and stare her down.

"Hey, get back to the hospital!"Another hospital guard called off the mare and sent her back to the hospital.

"What's all the ruckus?"Applejack wanted answers for being woken up as well.

"Mmm, I'd say it's more of a fracas than a ruckus."Pinkie Pie replied to Applejack.

"What's going on, Rainbow Dash?"Twilight asked for an explanation.

"Don't tell me this is about the book…?"Thunder sighed and slapped his hoof against his face.

"Yes… I'm an egghead…"Rainbow sighed and finally admitted her new found interest.

"Pardon?"Rarity misunderstood the strange admittance.

"What?"The other warriors responded as well with no enthusiasm or amusement.

"See, I was trying to get back into the hospital to finish the last chapter of-"Rainbow started, but Twilight realized right away the moment Rainbow said chapter.

"Daring Do And The Quest For The Sapphire statue!"Twilight finished, and Rainbow could not help but agree with her assumption.

"You got me…"Rainbow replied and waited for the bashing she expected for mocking her friends when it came to reading a book.

"Wow, I knew the book was good, but I didn't know it could drive a pony to petty theft!"Twilight exclaimed her amazement for the lengths Rainbow went through to try and finish a book.

"Good? Try awesomely amazing! That book is undeniably, unquestionably, unputdownable,"Rainbow started to profess her love for the book that kept her happy during her time in the hospital,"But then I had to put it down, and I was sent home before I could finish it."

"Well, I'm glad that's all it was about."Twilight admitted while the doctor and his staff decided to leave, seeing meaningful crime was committed.

"There's no reason to go around causing a ruckus-"

"Fracas!"Pinkie Pie corrected for Applejack.

"Causin a fracas just because you like to read."Applejack corrected and ended her lesson.

"Yeah, getting woken up at around one in the morning over the book,"Orion groaned while Shadow merely yawned, showing signs of weariness,"Do me a favor, just grit your teeth and do what you gotta do to clear these things up with making a complete mess-"

Orion paused as he was the first to spot an incoming danger that made her return. They looked to him, and saw the look he was giving to the foe that appeared from around a building corner. Once they looked where he was looking, they witness the pursuing Cinder making her return. Her body releasing steam from the dip she took in the creek, she was gritting her teeth, growling with anger. Immediately the warriors took a defensive stance in front of the elements, ready to fight.

"Careful! She's just like that predator Cinder you guys talked about! She has no heart,"Rainbow warned and spoke of what she saw of this foe before fleeing the hospital,"I saw the doctor's scalpel go through her chest before she planted it in his cheek! She's invincible!"

"It's also the one that tried to kill you when we were flying around the clouds."Thunder revealed that Rainbow's accident was no accident, but an attempt on her life.

"So her accident was actually an assassination attempt. Good to know…"Shadow added as the Cinder continued storming over to the group to combat.

"Do you have any idea how much of a problem you've made for me! This was my first mission,"Flaira shouted and finally stopped for a moment to continue her rant,"I was to slay an element! But you cowards need to always run, and hide behind your precious warriors…!"

"Hey…! I just realized she's a mare."Thunder suddenly noted as Orion and Shadow slowly looked at him and rolled their eyes.

"You seriously are just now realizing that?"Rainbow asked, dumbfounded by his late realization.

"I only seldom listen to things that get my interest. Besides, being a mare doesn't matter in the slightest,"Thunder responded and finally pulled out the daggers,"An enemy is an enemy, no matter what they are…!"

"I will not lose my mark! One battle or a thousand! I'll get through all of you and cut down these harmony bringers,"Flaira growled as she pulled a short sword from her chest,"You will not stop me! Not this time! NOT THIS TIME!"

She raised her blade, and began to run as she went to leap to the sky, hoping for an advantage in the sky. But all of that came to a dead stop as her hoof was immediately grabbed in a flash. The warriors then lowered their guard as the female Cinder slowly turn to meet the one who dared to interfere with her mission. However, she froze the moment she was met with War Fire himself. Smiling as he stood before her as she felt her strength waver immediately to his superior strength.

"Where were you?"Orion asked about War Fire's whereabouts when the Cinder attacked.

"I heard this morning that Rainbow Dash and Thunder checked out of the hospital, so I figured my task was done,"War Fire admitted that he simply left to do his own thing once Rainbow and Thunder left the hospital,"I suppose I should have known they would be vulnerable during their final road to recovery."

"Yeah… You mind giving her the suck just like you did to the big guy?"Thunder asked while putting his weapons away.

"I might be up for that. A lady is quite the pleasant change from a giant dark stallion…!"War Fire joked and got a chuckle from Thunder as he opened his mouth.

A smile form, one that was known by his comrades as a smile of sadistic intentions. But they failed to notice the glint of his eye that sent a signal to Flaira, she alone notice the glint. In return, she suddenly began to fight wildly as she high kicked him in the chin to free herself, and jabbed him numerous times in the cheeks. She then tried several kicks to the chest, forcing him to stand up on two legs. While she delivered dozens of jabs to the gut and a finishing uppercut, before she jumped to the air with a flap of her wings.

She then darted in for a flying kicked to the nose as War Fire hooves dragged back in the dirt. She then flew from side to side, throwing hooks with full momentum and strength. After ten hooks made their marks across his face, she then put her hooves together to slam them down on the forehead. Forcing his head down before she landed and wrapped her forearms around his neck. Flaira then finished by yanking him over her head and slamming War Fire on his back in the dirt.

He remained unresponsive and barely even moved as his face remained blank through the whole battle. Once it had ended, he was still emotionless as he then laid on the ground, waiting for the dirt to settle. The warriors were also unfazed by the female Cinders impressive attack, while the elements looked on in shock. As Flair growled and decided to finish it with some fire. She opened her mouth wide, and roared as a column of fire erupted and immediately covered War Fire.

Her dragon lie fire breath scorched like a natural flame thrower, burning everything it touched. It even cause a great glow that illuminated all of the center of town with orange and red light. Flaira was fully focused, attacking with everything in hopes of vanquishing the stallion that defeated Iron Black.

"Why are you guys just standing there?! Do something!"Applejack yelled at War Fire's comrades to assist him with the Cinder.

"She's going to kill your friend!"Fluttershy followed up with great concern.

"No she's not. She's done for…"Shadow blatantly responded, much to the confusion of the six mares.

"He's toying with her. Next to Frosty Apples, War Fire's tolerance to pain is beyond insane."Thunder added before they suddenly saw a silhouette of a pony standing in the flames.

"And when a foe throws their best at him… Nothing is more thrilling than their humiliation,"Orion decided to finish this lesson about their chaotic warrior of fire,"Once they truly feel powerless by his resilience, that's when he'll finally put his enemies out of their misery."

Flaira gasped as War Fire emerged from her flames with a smirk and only a scratch on the cheek. She tried to back step away, but this time she was grabbed by the throat and lifted into the air. Where War Fire could smile and chuckle at her struggling, he then slowly shook his head.

"So…pitiful…! And your kind wish to destroy my world? Ha,"War Fire laughed at the notion and turned around to get a good aim for the forest,"After that display, you're not worth draining. So how about I send you packing since you apparently have no heart to destroy?"

"You…will not…win this…! I will return for my mark!"She promised before the horn of War Fire glowed and summoned a small orb of orange and red spots that glowed like the sun.

"That… Would be very ill advised…! Especially while I'M here!"He yelled as the orb suddenly expanded rapidly and took the form of the sun's true appearance.

She screamed with a mix of fear and rage while War Fire let out a vicious growl of force. Before the orb was unleashed and smashed into the Cinder, carrying her in it's ultimate fiery embrace into the sky. It flew like a shooting sky, while's it's ten foot long and wide body lit up the entire town. Flaira screamed before she herself vanished into the orb, allowing the sun like ball of fire to soar. Before it curved back down and went right for the center of the Ever Free forest, where it could then make impact.

Once it had touched down in the forest, a distant thunder rumbled as a dome of pure fire and light exploded from the trees. The trees either burned, got sent flying or just rustled violently from the force. The town even felt the gentle rumble of the blast as they all watched the dome of pure fire power. This even got some interest from the other warriors, for this revealed something new about War Fire. Orion was the first to notice this as he turned back to War Fire, who stood tall with pride and silence.

"He's gotten a lot stronger…"Orion spoke this truth to himself while the light began to fade after a solid minute.

The wind started to die down, just as the trees began to slow their rustling and creaking. A minute more passed before the light finally vanished, giving away to the night's darkness. The six mares were next to look to the proud War Fire as he turned around, and decided to casually leave.

"Well done. You fought valiantly as always."Orion complimented, and War Fire let out a small chuckle.

"All in a days work. My work is clearly not done, and I will not let anarchists destroy my beloved Equestria,"War Fire explained as he lowered his head and closed his eyes,"Remember that… My friend…!"

"He definitely wasn't slacking off during his time away from the world…"Shadow admitted as their friend disappeared to the outskirts of town.

"Yeah… Good to have him back though, this means the Cinders are going down for sure,"Thunder concluded and patted Orion's shoulder before going back inside,"Come on every pony, lets get back to sleep. We've had enough excitement for one night!"

"Yeah, some shut eye would do us pretty good for tomorrow…!"Applejack agreed with Thunder as did the rest of the elements.

This promoted all but Twilight and Orion to finally turn in for the night. Hoping that their slumber would not be interrupted again, the danger was over yet again and every pony could relax. While Twilight and Orion reflected on yet another show of War Fire's power, it was glorious, but scary.

"Good thing he's on our side… He didn't hesitate for a moment,"Twilight admitted with a bit of fear, for War Fire proved to be very different from his comrades,"We can trust him…right?"

"Just be cautious and respectful around him, and he'll defend you with his life,"Orion was very quick to respond before sighing,"He's a dangerous stallion that loves making enemies. Now lets follow Thunder's lead and go to bed."

"Right…"Twilight swallowed her lingering fear and followed Orion inside to get back to sleep.

---

The next day came, and Rainbow Dash had decided to pay Twilight a little visit. Now that her secret was out about reading, Twilight now had something to offer to her friend. Normally Thunder would worry that this would feed her obsession with Daring Do, but now that it's out in the open. Perhaps it could now become more healthy and less of a struggle on her health. Plus this interest in story books gave more of a sort of individuality to Rainbow, allowing her to be more of her own thing.

That's what the lesson was truly about, admitting the things that she loved no matter how they differed from one another. To try and label yourself as part of a singular group of beings bred division and hatred for others. For true unity and harmony, one and many must be able to explore their own individuality. Allowing many to find common ground, no matter how different others appeared. Rainbow had taken yet another step towards such harmony, as her and Thunder stood side by side.

While Twilight was currently picking out all the Daring Do books she could find. Thunder was kind enough to collect the books she grabbed to take them to Rainbow's house. But first there was one more piece of the lesson that needed to be learned, then the fun could begin.

"Like I said, I have every book in the series, and you can borrow them all, any time you like!"Twilight explained the arrangement they made with the Daring Do books.

"Oh, thanks, Twilight. I'm sorry I made such a big deal about all this. I thought reading was just for smart ponies like you."Rainbow admitted her misjudgment on the idea of reading a book.

"Rainbow Dash, just because your athletic doesn't mean you aren't smart!"Twilight encouraged the meaning behind what it meant to read and be an athlete.

"It means there's so much more to you than just being an athlete, you are being you, nothing more."Thunder added to the lesson about embracing what she was and what she liked.

"Yeah, just look at me!"Spike chimed in while kissing his small dragon muscles.

"Reading is something every pony can enjoy, if they just give it a try."Twilight encouraged the idea of reading a little bit more.

"Yeah, I get it. I shouldn't knock something until I've tried it."Rainbow Dash admitted a second lesson on the matter, as well as a friendship lesson.

"That's a great lesson, and it would make a great letter to the princess."Twilight incited the idea of giving this lesson to princess Celestia.

"Didja get all that?"Rainbow Dash quickly looked to Spike while he was sweeping up the floor with a dust pan and broom.

"Yeah?"He half answered, barely focusing on Rainbow as she took her unfinished book.

"Great! You write that letter, I've gotta book to read!"She excitedly decided before running off with the book to finish it.

Thunder sighed as she vanished out the door and took flight at long last. She was able to take to the sky after all this time, and so was he, their injuries had finally passed and they were safe once more. At an impulse, he decided to rip off his neck brace and take off after her, but not because he was worried.

Hours later Rainbow was finally in her bed, back at home and finishing the final chapter. And it turned out to be everything she hoped, just when Daring seemed unable to escape death. She simply pulled out one last trick with her own hat, with a sharp and tight fling with her mouth and back hoof, it flew through the room. Bouncing from one stone wall to the next, until it hit a conveniently placed lever. This alone stopped the onslaught of traps, and prevented the walls from closing in, right before she was covered in sand.

Daring was then able to free herself from the bindings, dig herself out, and break free. She smacked some sand out of her ear, and spotted a door that also conveniently opened up. This became her chance to retrieve the statue, so Daring collected her hat and fled the temple. Her convenience seemed to have no bounds, as it didn't take much longer to find Ahuizotl. Laughing and bragging of what he could do with the Sapphire statue, a pure show of greed and pride.

"With Daring Do out of the way, the world will suffer mightily at my hands. I AM VICTORIOUS!"He boasted of his succession, and that proved to be his down fall.

"I'll take that!"Daring Do suddenly roped the statue and took it back from her arch enemy.

"Huh, wha-? Noooooo!"Ahuizotl gasped and realized his mistake far too late.

"Better luck next time, Ahuizotl!"Daring taunted and finally ran off with the Sapphire Statue.

"Curse you, Daring Do!"Ahuizotl roared with pure wrath for the mare that outwitted him once again.

"And so, with Ahuizotl defeated, and the Sapphire Statue secured. The world was safe and sound, thanks to Daring Do!"Rainbow Dash finally concluded the story after days of reading.

"Not bad. A lot of strangely convenient moments, and a bit over confident,"Thunder suddenly revealed to be hanging half way through Rainbow Dash's bedroom window,"But she doesn't seem all that bad for a mortal. Not many can pull that kind of action off."

"Yeah, she is amazing… She kind of reminds me of you in some ways. But she doesn't need thousands of years to be a kick flank pony."Rainbow admitted while Thunder shook his head and snickered.

"Right… I suppose we just have to keep going, one serious lesson at a time,"He was able to shrug off the mildly insulting comment with a small smirk,"Tell you what, why don't you read the next book in the series and I won't sock you one for that comment?"

"Hehehe! Ok, ok, easy. I'm just pulling your leg…!"She flew up and took the next book in the series to read.

"Yeah you're pulling my leg alright, smart flank. Mortal in her late twenties better than two thousand year old warriors…!"He climbed through the window and took a seat to listen to the story.

"Ahem, Daring Do And The Griffon's Goblet. Awesome…!"She cheered before laying back and starting to read.

And Read It And Weep is finally done, apologies for the delay my friends, these chapters always take time. Big, full of detail and story, everything to please you all and keep you wanting more. I'm gonna try and get this coming a bit faster without sacrificing quality, please bare with it and there will be more to come. Stay pony every one.