Claws of Steel

It came some time in the early morning, just before the began to rose. Its metallic underbelly shone with the inferno it had left behind as it circled overhead. The two ponies huddled together, watching the mouth of the cave fearfully. Should I decide to land and investigate they stood no chance, no way out.

Rainbow often wondered where they came from. Twilight hadn't know, none of her book even mentioned them. Where they machines of war from another nation? A mad inventors chance at domination? Each situation was as likely as the last. They just came, burnt and left, never leaving a trace to follow.

Its roar echoed as it landed some distance away, the ground shaking with the impact. Screams rang through the night, shouting drowned out as pressurised flames shot through the air, their light illuminating the mouth of the cave even from a distance. The screaming didn't last very long. Soon, with another roar they heard it take to the air once more, its wings beating heavily as it flew to the east.

They waited, listening for any sound of it's return. When none came they cautiously emerged into the sunlight, trying not to look at the smoke still rising over the trees. They still had no where to go and no plan to survive. Pinkie was in no condition to talk strategy, her eyes were still wet with tears. Rainbow Dash, trying to keep some sense of rationality, decided their best bet was to head to Canterlot, if the sun and moon were still moving the Princess' must still be alive.

She bounded into the air, hovering as she examined the terrain. The forest continued for quite a while, leading onto the fields north-east of Ponyville in the distance. Just beyond was the mountain that held Canterlot. The royal capital was thankfully still there although she could see thick black smoke rising from its buildings.

If they started walking now they could be at Canterlot within four days. The forest was dense so walking through it would take valuable time. Normally she would fly over it. Unfortunately Pinkie couldn't fly and Rainbow didn't have the strength nor energy to carry her. There was also the problem of getting up the mountain, the train up the mountain wouldn't be operational so they would have to walk the track.

Slowly she descended, her stomach growling as she landed. They weren't going to get very far without something to eat and drink. With Ponyville gone their only hope of food was the forest. maybe they could find some berries and a creak?

With heavy hearts they set off, heading north for Canterlot, hoping to get there in one piece.

***

The journey was tough going. The undergrowth was often very thick, requiring them to circumnavigate to find a way through the dense foliage. Squirrels and foxes watched as they walked, scampering into the green if they got too close.

Rainbow Dash tried to coax some words out of Pinkie, its wasn't good for her to dwell on it so much. She could mourn when they were safe but for now she had to keep looking forward. Rainbow, not being the best conversationalist, barely got a mumble out of her, Pinkie just stared at the floor, her usual smile absent.

The forest was alive with sound and movement. Small rodents ran around in the bushes around them, Birds chirped as they flew from tree to tree above their heads. How Rainbow Dash wished to join them, up there in the sky. Free of all he weights that now hung from her heart. She was sick of sorrow, had both of them not endured enough?

Rainbow Dash stopped, holding out a hoof to halt Pinkie. Her ears pricked as she listen intently. It was faint but it was definitely there, a little off to their right. She stomped through the greenery, Pinkie walking slowly in her wake. She hadn't gone very far when she burst out onto a clearing, a small clear stream running through it.

Her throat cried in relief as she gulped down the water greedily, splashing the cool water over her face. Rainbow felt a prod in her side. She looked up at Pinkie, her mane dripping wet, Her companion pointed across the clearing to where another figure sat, the last person Rainbow had expected to see.

Jumping over the stream they warily approached the weeping figure, his tail was limp as he knelt on the ground, the mismatched parts of his body heaving with the sobs that racked him. It wasn't till they got closer that they saw the cause of Discord's grief, the sight caused them to stop, fresh tears forming in their eyes.

In front of him sat a grave, its freshly turned earth supporting a single rose. At its head was a grave stone, its smooth surface wet where it had been wrenched from the stream bed. It was not conjured with magic, it had been fashioned by hand, even its simple image had been carved with sharp rough lines. Three butterflies, set in stone.

He didn't even acknowledge them as they sat beside him. He just knelt at the foot of the grave, his tears mixing with the earth. Rainbow and Pinkie just watched, their own tears falling to join them.

Neither had really trusted Discord. He have never cared much for them

But he had cared for Fluttershy.

And that was good enough for them.

And so the three of them sat there, staring at her final resting place. It was a nice place to sleep. Peaceful. It was what she deserved.

Pinkie put a hoof around Discord's shoulders, she knew Fluttershy would have hated to cause somepony so much distress. He paused to look at her, his eyes streaming as for the first time in days, Pinkie smiled.

It was not her usual smile. It wasn't even joyous, just reassuring, he wasn't alone in his sorrow.

She, and every animal in Equestria, was right there with him.