The Equestria Offensive

Canterlot Residential Area, 3:02 A.M., June 12th, 2013

The night was still, like a storm had just subsided overhead. Not a sound could be heard but the chirp of a cricket in the grass. Midnight stood before the door of his old home, the home of his family, where now only his mother lives. The lights were off inside like all of the other houses around. He knew that didn’t matter. His mom would still react the same way.

He didn’t wait, but didn’t rush to ring the doorbell. It took a moment for anypony to answer. He assumed his mother was either asleep, to upset to answer the door, or just both. Probably both.

The door opened nonetheless. A tired, old white pony stood sleepy eyed in the doorway. “It’s 3 am. Who comes to somepony’s house at 3 in the morning?”

“Mom. It’s me.” Her head darted up and eyes widened. “I’m home.”

She said nothing. A shining smile glimmered on her face as tears rolled down her cheeks. “You’re back!” She jumped up wrapping her hooves around his neck. “You’re back, you’re back, you’re back! Hahahaha! I’m so happy to see my son made it out alive.” It took her a minute, but she finally came down and relaxed. “So if you’re home, does that mean?”

“It’s over. Fortis is dead, and the war is over. I’ve seen a lot when I was in Caeli. My life has been a living hell. Do you mind if I just sleep here until the morning?”

“Oh! No, of course not! Stay as long as you want! You have no idea how happy I am to see you home!”

“Thanks. I could really use some sleep right now.”

Ponyville, 2:31 P.M., June 12th, 2013

Midnight’s first stop was at his home; his and Rainbow Dash’s home. If he were to see any of his friends, she was definitely first. He stepped inside to find all of the light in the house were off. It seemed she wasn’t home. “Maybe she was at Sugarcube Corner. Or maybe out on some other crazy adventure with her friends. I guess I might as well check Sugarcube Corner.”

Walking inside, he found one pony he recognized. Fluttershy was behind the counter looking at what appeared to be a cookbook. He stepped up to the counter. “Hey, Fluttershy. Is Rainbow Dash here?”

Fluttershy looked up from the book. Her eyes quickly widened as a light Fluttershy-like *squeek* peeped as she ducked behind the book. Then, very suddenly, she bolted up the stairs faster than a speeding Pinkie. Midnight didn’t know how to react. He was trying to put together what just happened.

Not too long after, Pinkie came down the stairs followed by Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, AJ, and finally, a sad looking, broken hearted little Rainbow Dash.

“Midnight!” Twilight cried, “You’re home!”

Her words caught Rainbow’s attention. She looked up at him. “Midnight...” She smiled as a tear appeared under her eyes, “Midnight!” She leaped off of the stairs, landing on him, knocking him to the ground. She brought her head down, locking lips for the first time since he left for the war. “I thought I told you never to leave me like that again.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I had to. I did it for you. But it’s over. The war is done, and Fortis is gone.”

“I guess what’s important is that you’re home now. How about I let you off the floor, and you tell us some stories of your trip?” The seven stepped over and all sat down at one of the circular tables.

“I have a lot to share with you girls. I think it would be best if I told everything from my perspective at the start. Let’s start all the way back at when we were leaving for the Grand Galloping Gala.”