Chapter I
Attack on the Library
It was beautiful for a rainy day. The droplets hitting my window, sliding down to only disappear from sight. This would only mean that the pegasi in Cloudsdale were on schedule with rain. Funny how Rainbow Dash would've been helping around, her rainbow mane and blue body a blur. She was the fastest pegasus that ever lived reaching speed unheard of in Equestria, the only pony to ever successfully perform the Sonic Rainboom. Funny how three hundred years later she be featured in history books.
All my friends would be disappointed into what Equestria has become. Ever since the Industrial Boom in Manehattan two hundred more and more machines were created, changing our traditions and lifestyle. Then the riots began, blood was spilled when a Canterlot guard accidently killed a young unicorn in Ponyville. To the natives it looked like the Royal Family and all of Canterlot were evil and that they should fight their oppressors. Celestia wouldn't have this she sent more troops to Ponyville to try and maintain peace, but the ponies wouldn't have it. I was sent to be a symbol of peace, a reminder that we all could live together in harmony. They wouldn't listen believing I was told to say these things by Celestia herself. I reminded them that I saved Ponyville and all of Equestria with my friends many times and that I was loyal to both my birthtown of Canterlot and to my home Ponyville.
They listened returning to their natural lives, but it was all a lie. The next day Celestia came along with a army and with it destroyed Ponyville. I membered the screams and terror of the day how Celestia executed commands without any mercy, how philles screamed for their mothers and how I saw the blades of soldiers cutting into the flesh of their fellow ponies. That day would soon be called, The Fall, a moment which in both installed fear and sparked a war against Celestia.
A knock at my door occurred and with it a charming red Canterlot guard. "Princess Celestia would now see you."
"Thank you err." he had to be new since I knew the names of all the guards in the castle.
"Ruby Ring ma'am" I notice the nervousness in his voice, like as if saying his name was a crime.
"Well Ruby thank you." with that I walked pasted him giving a quick smile.
I was suppose to met Celestia in the royal library to discuss an important matter. Talk of a revolution was brewing everyday, how troops from all over the country were being assembled readying for the upcoming war. Plans were already being made to destroy the towns and cities that were mobilizing the army. Celestia with all her magical powers over the sun would only intensify the suns already harmful rays to the max scorching all who lived in the matter of seconds.
I reached the library with a feeling of sickness. I couldn't believe that I would stray off the path of good to do something so evil as to allow our ruler to let the people die. Opening the door I walked in, the unicorns of Canterlot discussing with the pegasi of Cloudsdale and earthponies of the various towns and cities scattered across the soon t be battlefield of Equestria.
"We should apply acid to the rain when attack Balitmare, not only would it burn the filth away but clear land to build our forts." an orange unicorn said pointing down on a map.
Much of the discussions were like this in the room, plans of attack and fortification. My significance well I was Celestia second in command when it came to determing where to move, attack and rest for the troops.
"We attack Trottingham in three hours!" the voice of the princess command.
"Princess!" I shouted.
"Ahh Twilight I'm glad you made it now the meeting can begin." she said with a smile.
With a call the three generals for each race of pony came, bowing before me and Celestia. We then sat to talk about what major events taken so far.
"No declaration of war has been made yet so either they're waiting for us to call it, or they don't have the forces to do so yet." the purple unicorn, who happened to be captain of to guards.
It was the maroon pegasus who spoke next, "Well then we should attack if our enemy is weak. Princess Celestia has already agreed to use the sun to burn our enemies to a crisp."
"Well gentleponies we cant yet. First we don't know much about what's going on, if you all remembered all contacts have disappeared within the cities leaving us clueless." I said with some confidence.
"With all due respect Princess Twilight you know noting of war" the pegasus said.
"She knows enough Thunderbird to lead a army by herself, probably even better then you lot." Celestia answered back to the now big eyed pegasus.
The conversation continued Celestia with the two generals bickering back and forth. Me? I was to busy to notice because of a very strange stallion sitting across from me. His coat of orange, eyes of green who seemed to be looking at me. Weird if didn't know any better I'll suspect that I was looking at my friend Applejack, but that was impossible AJ was the first to die and that was over a hundred years ago. Slowly getting up I notice that his hooves were moving to his sword, realizing this I shot my magic at him but not before he could draw his sword fully to slice Thunderbirds head off. Getting up Celestia, the purple unicorn and I rose to defend ourselves. He then did the strangest thing and whistled. It was quiet but we soon felt a low rumble as a battalion of troops blasted the library doors open cutting and hacking the guards that stood in their way. Me and the princess flew up leaving the poor unicorn to be overpowered, left to die. We shot the invading forces as more of them infested the room forcing us to surrender, but Celestia wouldn't go down and with a burst of light fled leaving me alone. Realizing that I couldn't win I lowered myself head held high.
"If you intend to kill me go on ahead, I won't beg for my life or fight back." I said unusual amount of confidence.
After tying my wings ad hooves together, as well as place a bag over my horn the AJ look a like came forth the groups of soldiers eyes a mixture of compassion and hate. Why didn't he kill me already, what if they wanted to make me seem as if things were going my way? Sword in his teeth he brought it above my head and with it a mighty blow hit my head, rendering me unconscious.
Chapter II
The Lunar Republic
It been five months since my supposed "death". Five months since I was taken by rebels, five months of nothing but the darkness which kept me company in my cell. No pony would tell me what was going on, not the guards or other inmates trapped with me.
I could already hear the warden screaming "Wake up you worthless ponies!"
Knocking his club against the bars he was followed by a familiar looking pony covered in rags. He led the pony to the cell directly in front of me and after the pony went in locked the gate and left.
"You're Twilight Sparkle aren't you?" was the first thing they asked.
I was to afraid to answer since first how did he know my name even though I was suppose to be died. Second whoever they were barley moved in and already tried talking to me.
"Ye- yes." I managed to say.
"Good because I'm breaking you out." with it a red glow emerged and I knew it was magic.
I heard the door unlock and for the first time say the pony clearly. It was a handsome stallion eyes of green and coat of orange, but it reminded of some pony a few months ago. It was then when I clearly saw his eyes, a mixture of hate and compassion and I knew it was the one who stormed the library months ago. He walked closer and my whole body tensed as he reached my gate and used his magic to unlock it. Reaching for the top of my head took off my bag which covered my horn and I felt magic pour in like a giant wave of emotions giving me power. I could only stare amazed as he loosened the ropes on around wings allowing me for the first time in months to stretch them out.
"Come on I know a way out Twilight."
"Right."
I don't know why I'm following him. He was the one who ruined my life made me seem a traitor to Celestia and all of Equestria. Making me follow him was hard I wanted to go to my cell and be left alone but this pony that looked a lot like Apple Jack gave me a small glow of hope.
"Stop." his hoof raising in front of me as we neared a corner.
The only thing that I could think of was simply why. My answer would come soon as two guards pasted by. Without any warning the pony rushed in startling the guards. He uppercut the first and did a sweep to the second knocking him off the ground to only be hit with a elbow knocking to the concrete. The pony took the swords from the unconscious ponies, strapping one to himself and threw one to me. I caught the blade and did as he did but I always fought with magic and sword fighting was new to me.
I couldn't believe it when we finally reached the prison main door. Me and the mysterious pony actually did it without alerting the facility.
He was about to open the door but not before I could ask "What's your name?"
He looked confuse maybe because he never thought I'll ask. "Dusty Blaze and yes I'm a member of the Apple family now if you want to survive Twilight I suggest that the door should be opened."
Pushing the door open I saw the sun for the first time in forever. Blinding at first I quickly adjusted to the atmosphere and realized where we were. The Ever Free forest and judging by the trees we were deep in, probably a three hour trip to Ponyville, or what was left.
We walked a good hour or before we discovered a waterfall. I couldn't help myself I was thirsty and hadn't anything for days. Dusty wasn't drinking which scared me a little, even he needed a drink of water and as I walked up to him I saw he was surveying the landscape
"Go to the Crystal Empire and don't stop, I'll soon catch up alive I promise." was what Dusty said before turning to the direction of the prison. "Probaly be faster if you flew now that you have the use of your wings."
"And why should I trust you?"
"Because I'm the stallion that saved you from the hellhole remember. Look if you don't believe I don't care I was suppose to get you out and I did so if you don't mind." with that he walked away back to where we came from.
I didn't have a choice, either I went to the Crystal Empire or die in the forest alone. Lifting my wings and catching the winds current glided into the air. The more I flew the more memoires of my adventures with the girls flooded in, the time we thought Zecroa was a evil enchantress who did her evil dances, or the time I put a Ursa Minor to sleep after Trixie wake it up. Memories that what they are and I had to move on with my life as an immortal and leave it in the past.
I was halfway there when I heard a loud boom coming from the direction of where I last saw Dusty Blaze. A large gray cloud shot up and from the looks I knew somepony was hurt. Flying faster and faster I reached the scene to find the prison in ruins, disembodied limbs of dead guards scattered across the field. My only though was of the orange coat green eyed stallion who promised me he'll catch up to me alive. Frantically I looked turning over every stone and wooden structure, my eyes stinging of the smell of death and raise of smoke.
Behind me a voice said "You know if I wouldn't known you was going to cry I would've brought popcorn."
Turning I saw Dusty bloodied, tired and a long scar on his front hoof. He walked toward me with a limp, a smile on his face which quickly disappeared as my hoof rose to give him a slap to the face hoping that he felt what I was feeling at that time.
