Claws of Steel

The sky shimmered as embers rose to join the stars above. The orange glow seeped into the sky, mingling with the moonlight that paled with the flames below. No house was left untouched. Flames licked the walls and roofs of every building, eating to fill it's eternal appetite.

The two ponies just stood and watched helplessly as their home was consumed. The roof of a building nearby by gave way, sending a flurry of sparks into the night. Smoke billowed as a small explosion went off in the distance, probably the flames reaching the gas cookers at Sugarcube Corner.

Pinkie wondered what happened to the Cakes. Had they got out in time? What about the foals? Were they among the charred corpses that littered the streets? Only a year old. Too young.

The Golden Oak Library shone on the other side of town, its leafy canopy now a ball of flames. A large hole in the side revealed the buildings precious knowledge now feeding the flames.

At least the ship hadn't gone down without it's captain.

Carousel Boutique stood just beyond, the flames within illuminating the large claw marks in its roof. Not even Twilight knew where they had come from. The monsters of steel, fire so hot even Spike had struggled against the blaze they had spread. He hadn't been thinking when he ran into the Boutique. Rainbow Dash had called for him, told him it was too late. Then part of the roof collapsed, the tiles crashing down.

Ponies ran in all directions as they waited, hoping he would emerge from the burning store. When he didn't they turned and ran, following the crowd as the town fled from the blaze. The ground shook as it landed, screams intensified, only to be drowned by the roar that came from behind them.

They reached the edge of town, the road to Sweet Apple Acres lay ahead. They sprinted down it, hoping at least somepony would survive.

They lost hope before the farm even came into sight, the smell of burning apples hung in the air. They watched the farmhouse from a distance. They could see the four bodies clearly enough from a distance.

Something flew into Rainbow, floating gentle on the ember breeze. A worn brown Stetson, its brim slightly charred. She picked it up, feeling its soft leather.

Staring towards the blazing orchard she donned the hat, hoping that its previous owners bravery could somehow find its way to her.

***

They had left Sweet Apple Acres several hours ago, leaving the inferno behind them. Ash rained from the sky, coating the road in a thick grey blanket.

Pinkie's eyes leaked profusely, tears carving channels down her ash covered face. Rainbow Dash stood beside her, her mane also filled with ash, a small shower of grey falling from her with each sorrowful step she took. No tears fell from her eyes. Rainbow Dash didn't cry.

Trees stood on either side of them, their branches blacked with soot. These ones hadn't escaped the blaze, they stood devoid of foliage, reaching out towards them, hoping for a spark of life.

They almost walked past her, the grey of her mane blending in with the ash on which she lay. Her purple eyes were open, staring at the night sky, the stars looking back. Neither of them had seen her for days, she was always too busy calming the citizens, calling for help.

But no help had come. The other cities and towns were all in the same situation. Lizards of metal, fire hotter than any furnace.

She hadn't got very far. She must have stayed to the last moment, making sure everypony was out. Now she lay here, covered in the ash of the town she had loved so dearly.

Pinkie's crying got heavier, gasping between sobs. Rainbow Dash just stared. With a single hoof she closed the mare's eyes. If she thought hard enough she could pretend she was sleeping.

The two ponies walked on, leaving Mayor Mare to rest in the dust.

***

The moon was high in the sky when they reached the cave, its dark mouth outlined in the moonlight. They entered wearily, their energy sapped by walking and mourning. Without a word they lay in the dark, each with their own sorrow. The horror was still too fresh in Pinkie Pie's mind. She din't want to sleep, lest it come back and haunt her. But no matter how she struggled sleep found her eventually, it's cruel nightmares sneaking into her minds.

The four of them stood in the library, listening to the screams from outside. They had yet to reach the library, they other should have arrived by now. A loud crash came from outside and the ground shuddered. It was outside. They could hear its metal joints screeching as it moved. With a smash its clawed arm came through the wall, grabbing at the group. They backed up, avoiding the grasp. It lunged, its claws heading straight for Twilight. She bucked, flinging Spike off her back as it encircled her in steel. The three of them screamed as it withdrew its fist. They heard her scream in terror. It was cut short, replaced with a wet gurgle.

It roared as it flung a bloody purple mess into the room. They screamed. It killed her! It killed her!...

Pinkie woke with a start, her eyes streaming again. Why? Why her? Why any of them? She sobbed into her hooves, oblivious to the cyan pegasus who listened.

Rainbow Dash didn't cry.

She just looked at the dark stone wall ahead of her, brooding in her own thoughts. What now? Where did they go from here?

Ponyville was gone. Canterlot had fallen. Dragons flew above, searching for them, their skins of metal unlike anything Equestria had seen before. What hope did they have?

She just stroked the worn leather of the Stetson and stared forward at the wall

Because she couldn't cope if she looked back.