The Price of Freedom

Authors Note: This is chapter 7 in the story, "The Price of Freedom". I hope you enjoy. Big thanks to Gear Switch (A.K.A Neon Scythe) and NightfallTheDragon for being my betas.

Disclaimer (this is really getting annoying): I don't own My Little Pony, Hasbro does.

Chapter 7: Ashes

In Ponyville...

"Spread out and see if you can find any more survivors," Twilight ordered.

"Just look at all the damage caused by that thing," stated Rarity, with much sadness in her voice.

Ponyville, or what was left of it, was just either broken buildings, buildings on fire, or ashes of dead poines on the street.

"Hey, Twilight ya might want ta have a look at this!" Applejack yelled, across the street to Twilight.

"Okay, what is it AJ?" Twilight asked, a little confused at what it could be.

When she arrived at where Applejack was standing, she found a sleeping Spike, whom she thought was dead.

"They g-got h-him to-too?" Twilight asked, while crying for her Number one Assistent.

"Looks that way. I'm sorry Twi," Applejack said, while trying to comfort Twilight.

"Hmm got who?" asked a still sleepy Spike.

"Your alive!" exclaimed Twilight, while hugging Spike until he started turning blue.

"Nice...to see... you...too," Spike said, between breaths.

"Oh sorry." Twilight said, after releasing her grip and allowing him to catch his breath.

"Nice ta see ya alive, sugar cube," Applejack said, to Spike.

"What happened here?" asked Spike, to no pony in specific. "Is Rarity okay, please tell me she is okay?" asked the purple dragon, in panic.

"Spikie Wikie! Your alive!" exclaimed Rarity, after seeing that Spike was alive.

"I'm alive too sister," said Sweetie Belle, annoyed that her sister is worried about Spike more than her.

"Oh nice to see you too," Rarity said, to her little sister.

"Would anypony like to tell me what happened!" Spike exclaimed to all of the Mane Six and Sweetie Belle.

All of the ponies started to recount what happened in the 3 hours of fighting. They told about how the Shadow Wraiths destroyed everything and killed almost every pony in Ponyville. They also told him about the death of poor little Scootaloo.

"I'm so sorry Rainbow Dash." Spike said, trying to comfort the rainbow mane pegasus.

"..." Rainbow Dash just remained quite.

"It will be okay Rainbow, I promise," said Fluttershy, with confidence in her voice.

"Fluttershy is right, we have other problems anyways," said Twilight, looking at the ruins of Ponyville.

At the base of the Escaflowne mountains...

"So this is the Escaflowne mountain range?" asked the Princess of the Night.

"Yes, looks like it's going to be one hell of a climb," stated Hunter, while trying to find the peak of the mountain.

"Well, lets get started shall we," said the Warrior Princess, to Hunter. "Wow he is so handsome," Luna thought to herself.

"Can't we just fly to the top?" asked Hunter, hoping that they could.

"No, these mountains have a spell on them that prevents anypony from flying to the top," stated Luna, in an annoyed tone of voice.

"I guess we will have more time to get to know each other then," Hunter stated. "She said I have a chance so this may be the defining moment," Hunter thought to himself.

"I guess we do," stated the Princess of the Night.

In the ruins of Ponyville...

"Well looks like that is all of the suvivors." stated the lavander unicorn.

"Umm girls, what is that?" asked Pinkie Pie, while pointing to a figure in the sky.

"Please tell me that isn't another Shadow Wraith," said Applejack, already getting ready for another fight.

"No girls, I think it is Princess Cadance and my brother!" exclamied Twilight, at seeing her brother safe and sound.

When the hot-air balloon landed, Twilight rushed to go give her big brother a hug.

"I'm so glad to see you alive," said Shining Armor, while crying liquid pride over her little sister being alive.

"What happened here?" asked Princess Cadance, while looking around at what was left of Ponyville.

"These things that move like living shadows, attacked all of Ponyville and killed most of the ponies that lived here," Applejack explained, to the Princess in her usual southern drawl.

"H-how many a-are a-alive?" asked Cadance, fearing the answer.

"Bout 15, could be less though," said AJ, getting a grip on how many died.

"15...?" Cadance repeated, after she did, she burst into tears over how many had died.

"How's the Crystal Kingdom?" asked Twilight, to her brother.

"Not so good, many have died but we managed to fend off most of the Shadow Wraith horde," said Shining Armor, still shocked at how many died in Ponyville.

"How's Princess Celestia?" asked Shining Armor.

"Ce-Celestia i-is de-dead," said Twilight, at last crying over her dead Princess, mentor, and teacher.

"I'm so sorry, how's Princess Luna?" asked Shining Armor, worried about what kind of answer he is going to get.

"S-she's fine, but she ran off into Everfree, we haven't heard from her since," Twilight said, while wiping tears from her eyes.

"We have to find her, she maybe our only hope," said a resolute Shining Armor.

"Well let's head off shall we?" asked Cadance, happy at the hope of finding her last remaining aunt.

Authors Note: Well that was chapter 7 hope you liked it.

One of the comments from last chapter (I think) asked, if I was going to do a clop scene. My answer is that I'm going to do a poll, if you want a clop scene PM me that you want one, if not say no clop scene, the poll ends Friday at noon central standard time.

As usual, constructive criticism is always welcomed, rate, review, and enjoy. As per usual fashion.

"May Your Lucky Stars Always Smile Down Upon Thee."

-Lunas' Eternal Protector