Unfamiliar Grounds

I stood at the opening of a cave we had found to use as a rebel hideout. It was to obvious if we had used place where we lived, so we had to venture deep into the Everfree Forest. Inferno trotted up for me, a slight limp in his step. His leg had been injured by the magic blast, and he was still limping. "Good Morning, Inferno." I said, looking at him

"Morning. How are you?" He asked me, in a tone of voice that said there was something on his mind.

"I'm fine, Is something wrong?" I asked, watching his face for expressions, he remained the same expression, and gazed out into the fog-wrapped forest.

"No, I'm just out here to clear my thoughts. Being outside has always helped my thoughts." He responded, inhaling deeply.

I regarded him carefully, wondering what was really on his mind.

"Me too, now that I'm somewhere where we actually have fresh air, I guess it is beneficial." I said, acknowledging the stuffy, polluted air back in the other world. I trotted forward, flying up onto a low stump of a fallen tree. "I am Starflight! Ruler of Equestria!" I said, joking around. Inferno chuckled at me, some of the brightness restored to his eyes. It had been a long time since we had even chuckled, and I was glad we could finally loosen up, even if only for just a few moments. My wings were sore and stiff still, and I stretched them out and glided down, leading Inferno back into the cave. It was cramped and there was barely enough room. Twilight greeted us, and led us to a less cramped room. It was meant for the leaders of the project, and only Twilight, Inferno, and I were allowed inside, occasionally for a meeting the others of the six came in. I sat in the center of the room, beginning to be lost in thought. We needed strategy, and I needed a map.

"Twilight?" I called, suddenly having an idea.

Twilight entered the room. "Yes, Starflight?" She said, coming into the room. She tapped her hoof, waiting as my idea quickly boiled and hatched into a plan. A simple one, but essential.

"I need someone who is less well known with the rebels, maybe two. I need quills, maps and pushpins," I explained. "It should help me plan the next mission." I said, as Twilight nodded and turned around. She returned with a pony who had joined as we left, Roseluck. "I need you, Roseluck, to get quills, a map, and some pins. If you could do that, I would be rather glad. Please come back quickly and DON'T draw attention." I warned.

"Okay ma'am I'll be back soon." Roseluck replied, as she trotted out of the cave, a small pouch of bits in her mouth.

"We got company!" Roseluck yelled, as she charged back into the cave.

"What do you mean, we have company?!" I said, fear rising in my throat.

"Royal guards! And a whole lot of em'!" Roseluck shouted, as she dropped the assorted items on the ground.

"Oh crap!" I shouted, as we hadn't been well prepared for this. "Big Mac, Caramel, Noteworthy! Get on your suits of armor, we're going into battle!" I said, kicking into battle mode in a few seconds. I galloped into my room, knocking ponies over who were running about, getting to their stations. I grabbed a small knife from my nightstand. I had found it in the Everfree forest as we searched for a location. I galloped out into the open, the three of our guards near me, armed with assorted weaponry we had managed to collect. I stood there, listening for wing-beats and hoofsteps. I soon heard a loud noise, that sounded like the pounding of hooves, mixed in with the wingbeats of numerous ponies. "Alright ladies and gentlecolts, we got company!" I shouted, as they appeared in site. Celestia was leading both groups, and she halted them in front of us.

"Well, fancy seeing you here, Starflight." She said, staring at me. "You know why I'm here. Surrender, and I'll leave your precious rebels alone." Celestia said, as she gestured to the ponies standing behind me.

"Never." I said, stepping forward, my eyes narrowed.

"Oh, you want to play this game?" She said, as she too, stepped forward.

"Celestia, it's time to end this, once and for all." I said, rising into the air.

"Hah! Silly pony, you think you can stop me?" She said, laughing evilly.

"You won't stop her, Celestia!" Twilight said, standing near me.

"Never! For Starflight!" The others cried, surging forward to collide with the guards. Twilight Sparkle and I were left to battle Celestia.