Battle Scars

"So that's what would have happened to me?" asked Fluttershy, shocked and amazed at Pinkie's story.

"Yep." she said quietly, still leaning on the ammo crate.

"Wow, how can you keep smiling after that?"

"It's all in the past, Shy. Just forget about the past and move on." Pinkie began to get up from her crate.

"Shy, I don't want that to ever see that happen to you. It almost did, but, I hope it doesn't again."

"Why Pinkie?" asked Fluttershy, "You did it because of your friends death. I cant blame you for that."

"I know Shy, but, I don't want to see that happen to you because you still have a soul." Fluttershy had a questioned look on her face. She still had a soul? "What do you mean, Pinkie?" she asked.

"You're the only one who still has some life in her, you're not consumed by complete darkness. Unlike you, I can't return to normal everyday life without seeing blood across my hooves. You can though, save yourself, and make it through this war with what's left of your soul, Fluttershy. I believe in you." said Pinkie as she then trotted away. Fluttershy leaned back to contemplate what just happened. She took a deep breathe and got off the crate, she trotted down the roadway, seeing some soldiers in the distance. She took aim, but noticed those weren't changeling tanks, they were Equestrian tanks, M1 Shermans. Around them was the 82nd Airborne and the rest of the Rangers. Fluttershy smiled as she ran to find the captain.

"Sir, reinforcements have arrived." she said, bursting in through the tent, "um...if that's okay with you." she said quietly, noticing all the eyes in the room staring at her. Twilight got up and began to trot with Fluttershy down the road. The Shermans drew closer and closer as the infantry entered into the town of Marquis and began to unload the trucks.

"There you are Captain! I've been looking for you." said a voice. It was General Luna. Her black mane flowed in the air tall and proud as she trotted slowly over to the captain.

"General." she said surprising, saluting the high ranked officer.

"Nice job holding Marquis. I outta put you in for the Silver Star."

"Thank you sir. But, it wasn't just me. This private right here, Fluttershy, took out both a 37 mm gun, and an MG42 with a rifle grenade, head on." Twilight pointed at Fluttershy. She stared at the captain's eyes, and back at her hoof. She was shocked at what the captain said about her actions in Marquis.

"Well," said Luna, " I guess that you should be given a bronze star? Am i right private." Fluttershy was very nervous. Never has she talked to someone as high and mighty as General Luna. She took a deep breathe and saluted.

"Yes sir, thank you sir." she said boldly. General Luna had a smirk on her face as she trotted off.

"Carry on you two. I'll give the news to my sister." Luna trotted off and got back into the jeep. The calvary drove off back to headquarters. The two mares, looked at each other, wondering what to do now.

"Well, private, I'm putting Applejack in for a promotion. We need a new NCO for this squad." said Twilight.

"Oh, good for her. You want me to tell her the news?" she asked.

"No, not yet, I have some news for you too."

"Yes sir?"

"I'm putting you in for a promotion as well, I think you're an outstanding soldier. Corporal." she said. Fluttershy stood there dumbfounded. She was just promoted! But how? She was just this quiet, jumpy little pony.

"Is that a problem, Fluttershy?" asked Twilight. Fluttershy shook her head real quick to regain her thoughts.

"Not at all sir." she said quickly. Still surprised she was promoted.

"Well, good. I'll go tell AJ myself. I want you to get your equipment and help load it on the truck, we're going home." said Twilight. Fluttershy had a beam of happiness struck her like a lightning bolt. Home? She's going away from this? All of this?

"Yes sir." said Fluttershy as she trotted quickly out to find the transport truck up ahead. She grabbed her stuff, and trotted over to find the truck loading in some equipment. Weapons, equipment, and even...bodies. Fluttershy slowly trotted over, and found Cheerilee's sack. She smiled softly as she put her hoof on her heart. It was no longer beating. Fluttershy then zipped up the body bag and she helped the doctors load in the bodies into the truck.

It seemed like an eternity, but, Fluttershy was done with her work, and just in time too. The truck was getting ready to leave. She grabbed her springfield and ran towards the slowly moving vehicle.

"C'mon Shy, or we'll leave you behind!" said Rainbow Dash laughing. Fluttershy ran as fast as she could, with a big smile on her face as she jumped up and grabbed Dash's hoof. With all of her strength, Rainbow Dash helped Fluttershy into the truck. She took heavy breathes as she nearly missed the truck and wouldn't have the chance of going home. She sat down next to Applejack, now with the Sergeant insignia on her patch. AJ smiled at her, and Fluttershy smiled back.

"Let's here it for the our new corporal. Fluttershy!" shouted Applejack. The squad smiled all around and cheered for Fluttershy as the truck drove off down the bumpy road and into the camp. Fluttershy looked around, new recruits trotted back and forth in formation, airplanes taking off, and equipment being taken off the trucks.

"Let's get off this buckin' thing!" shouted Rainbow Dash, as she lead the way back into the tents, where it was their home away from home. Fluttershy slowly trotted towards the tents, it was her first time back at base, ever since she was a new recruit. She looked around at the sights once more, and also remembering her thoughts the first day she landed. "Why was I here? Will anyone watch over me? I don't think I can do this." were some of her thoughts, now, she had the answers to most of them. She had her friends to watch over her, and she CAN do this. But, why were they still here? She thought only time will tell. She trotted into her tent, and sat down on her bed. She crossed her hooves and began to close her eyes. Slowly, she began to fall asleep, happy to be relieved, the war was coming to a close.