[MLP] Equestria at War: The Return of Friendship

Chapter 9: The Bright Side

(Y/N) strolled through the base with Rainbow Dash flapping her wings in mid-air alongside him. Dozens of Equestrian military personnel wander about the base focused on their own tasks and chores.

(Y/N): "So... Pinkie's inherent ability to know what makes each pony smile and happy is what led to her becoming an infantry officer?"

Rainbow Dash: "Yep."

(Y/N): "But she lost her happy and cheerful mood cause of the responsibilities of all the soldiers under her command, so now she's gone full... Pinkamena?"

Rainbow Dash: "Pretty much."

(Y/N) facehooved himself gently.

(Y/N): "Awesome..."

Rainbow Dash: "I know, right?"

(Y/N) rolled his neck with a sigh as he racked his brain for ideas on how to help the Element of Laughter get her smile back.

Rainbow Dash: "We could just... leave her be, and the others will help with --"

(Y/N) planted his hooves down, turning to face the pegasus mare abruptly.

(Y/N): "No."

He took a deep breath, calming himself before continuing.

(Y/N): "I just... have this feeling, Dash. That it's gonna take all of us working together on this. Remember what happened when Discord first broke free?"

Rainbow Dash paused as she remembered that moment, clear as day and night. More specifically, she remembers Discord playing with her mind and convincing her to abandon her friends... and that a cloud was Cloudsdale. The pegasus promptly cringed.

Rainbow Dash: "Eugh.. how could I forget?"

She blinked a few times, stopping mid-air as she seemed to recall something else about the incident, as (Y/N) walked ahead a bit before stopping.

Rainbow Dash: "Hey, wait a minute. I swear I could also remember that, in that situation, you were -"

(Y/N) turned to face her with a warm, beaming smile.

(Y/N): "Hm?"

The mare kept a close eye on the stallion, seemingly analyzing him with her eyes before shaking her head.

Rainbow Dash: "Ehh... forget it."

(Y/N) continued walking along with her following behind, still in thought.

'If I remember everything right... you were the one who reunited us back then, too... and the way that Discord looked at you,' The mare was thinking to herself.

She glanced over at (Y/N), who had stopped to interrupt a group of soldiers and their card game, asking where to find Pinkie Pie. Her magenta eyes squinted at the stallion, rubbing her chin in thought.