It was 3 AM sharp when I saw them. I didn't know them, they didn't know me. At least, not personally. But the feeling was mutual, and there was no time for introductions. These creatures were dangerous. It was no foals game to be out here at this hour, facing the creatures that had turned most of Equestria into a land of desperation and war. But it was my duty, and I would have served the princesses with my last breath. I leaped forward and pressed my back against the brick wall, the only thing separating me from the menaces. In fact, there wasn't much there to hide me. Most of Ponyville was torn up, and the little coverage that I might have gotten was far away. Anyway, I couldn't hide now. They had seen me. I pulled out my silver shooter. In case you don't know what that is, its a very powerful data gun that erases memory, therefore rendering the enemy completely helpless. I shot 3 bullets that landed perfectly on their targets. But the forth bullet happened to miss. The changeling jumped on top of me, flickering into the form of our moon princess and blasting me with a ray of powerful magic that scorched my metal suit. I rubbed my head and coughed up ash in fury. I couldn't fight this foe alone. I had to fight fire with fire. I sped away, knowing the changeling would follow me. Through the cold night sky, my wings quivered. But I didn't care. If this changeling wanted a battle, he would get a battle. The changeling quickly zapped into the form of a pony with a rainbow colored mane and tail and sped after me. Like he thought he could beat me. He may have had the same physical features now, but I was way too awesome. I zipped in front of another changeling, looking at it and yelling,
"Hey you! What are you waiting for!? The rainbow one is coming right this way!" The changeling looked surprised, and pulled out his silver shooter, proceeding to zap the changeling dash. Then he nodded in thanks as he turned into yet another rainbow dash and sped off. I rolled my eyes and muttered, "Thickheaded changelings." I flew down to the rubble covered ground and, keeping to the shadows left by old half burned walls of houses, walked towards a designated area. It had been almost a month since chrysalis took over. She had taken advantage of Shining armor being away and locked up the princesses before they could do anything to stop her. Then she had set her changelings to destroy Equestria and turn it into a land of garbage for them to live and rule forever. The ponies who hadn't yet been locked up, (me among them,) were fighting for their lives, hiding wherever they could, and forming secret allegiances. Walking through the torn up town, I knew exactly where I needed to be. I stopped at and old alleyway with crumbling brick walls and walked to a small patch of gravel, quickly pushing a few buttons on the wall opposite and standing calmly as the elevator eased downward. It was a miracle that it hadn't been found yet. A small, hidden elevator leading down to an underground room. I took the few moments that I had to try and rub some of the scorch marks off of my suit. I heard the elevator click and carefully stepped out onto the dirt floor. I looked around at the scene in the room. Ponies were huddled together with old quilts draped around them, eyes hopeful as I walked in. Every group got food from some of the stronger citizens who hadn't yet been captured (Such as me, Big mac, and the Doctor,) but alas, there was only one corner I had my eye on. I walked into the shadowed corner where a pegasi filly sat, eyes tired and orange fur un-brushed and shaggy. "How are you doing kid?" I asked, sitting down and pulling my wing around her. She looked up and me and rubbed her eyes. I could tell she had been crying.
"I'm fine Dash." I looked at her uncertainly.
"Are you sure? Because it looks like the opposite." Scootaloo started to sniff.
"Its just… I feel so stupid! Cooped up in here like a weak pony, not able to defend myself or rescue my friends!" She pounded her hoof on the ground in despair.
"Hey… I know how you feel. It seemed like the end of the world to me when my friends were captured. But you have to stay strong and keep up your hope." I offered her an apple from my saddle bag, which I had found in the outskirts of town. She took it with slight hesitation and bit into it. I could hardly believe that my little sis was this… isolated. I couldn't bare to see her that way. I raised my head and flicked an ear. I narrowed my eyes. Equestria needed me. But was it really the right thing to stay here and defend ourselves and the few citizens left in Ponyville when we could be doing something more productive? It was absolutely outrageous that the princesses were locked up. Were we really just going to keep fighting for ourselves and some other weak citizens when we could be focusing on the bigger problem: facing Chrysalis herself? It wasn't like we were doing much here anyway. Just hanging on and hoping we made it through each day. We weren't even thinking about the good of the rest of Equestria anymore! I looked at Scotaloo. Would the choice that I was about to make harm her? She was one of the most important ponies in the world to me... but I didn't have a choice. It was the right thing to do, even if it put my little sister in danger. "Lets go kid."
"Go where?"
"Wherever our friends are."
Author's Note
How are you liking one of my first non ship fics? I know the pace is a little fast, but I will fix that in future chapters. Its been really fun writing this, I hope you give me your opinions!
Now we're way out of town.
The slick rain pelted both of their coats, brushing them down with a flick of their liquid tongues, and the rain swirled around them frantically, blotching the vision of both travelers. The creaking of Rainbow dash's armor against the wind and rain was barely noticeable in the heavy wind, and to be heard you would need to shout. If a changeling approached them in this weather, it would be impossible to see him and they would be rendered defenseless if it wasn't for Dash's quick reflexes. In fact, a couple of the varmints had approached them in the attempt of taking them hostage, but they were left standing completely clueless with a sword-mark in their armor. Neither of the pegasi knew exactly how long they had been walking, slushing their hooves through the boggy mud, but they both knew that they would have to find some shelter soon. Rainbow dash tilted her head towards her companion and saw her shivering noticeable. Rainbow dash's hard gaze softened.
"Gee, I had no idea that the sprinkle would turn into this. Maybe we should stop until this weather lets up." Scootaloo's brightening was highly noticeable as she trotted for a few paces to catch up with the older mare. She smiled, trying to hide the chattering of her teeth.
"Yeah! That sounds good! Unless you want to keep going. Because I can totally do that." Rainbow dash snickered.
"Nah. I could go for a nap myself."
Scootaloo was abruptly awoken by a rattling sound outside the dumpster. They had been lucky to find the old, cracked, smelly shelter, because it seemed like heaven seeing that they had been traveling in the cold rain for what seemed to be hours. Even though the occasional leak or dead fly bothered their rest, it was mostly a nice place to reside. What a dumpster was doing so far from any civilization or town, they couldn't figure out. They guessed it may have been stranded and left to be whisked away by the wind. And seeing how powerful the wind was, it seemed that was a likely cause. Either way, it was there, and it was a welcome sight. Now Scootaloo twitched an ear. She heard something, she was sure of it. Something out here… that could only be a changeling! Scootaloo crawled over to the farther back corner where a cyan pegasi was sleeping peacefully, gentle snores escaping her muzzle.
"Psst! Rainbow dash!" The mare appeared not to have heard Scootaloo's worried whispers, for she continued to slumber. Growing more worried, Scootaloo nudged her fearfully. "RAINBOW DASH!" She whispered more loudly, in feeble hopes to awake the pegasi without disturbing whatever was outside. Rainbow dash delivered no response. Scootaloo flashed her eyes to the entrance of the green dumpster, her throat tightening as a steely black muzzle flashed at the swinging door. The fearful filly backed to the corner of the dumpster, next to Rainbow dash who still refused to let the dream world slip away. Sweat began to run down Scootaloo's face as she fumbled desperately at Dash's shoulder. "Wake up wake up wake up!" She said, her voice inclining to a slightly pitched whine. When no response was given, Scootaloo was left with one choice.
"I still can't believe you beat those three changelings. And all by yourself!" Scootaloo blushed slightly at her unofficial sisters praise and she held her head high. The sun was beaming, their coats almost dry from last nights suffocating dampness of the rain and dumpster. Dash's armor now housed some rust, and Scootaloo had been scratched by one of the changelings needle sharp wings. But they both came out of the little "adventure" alive and well, so everything was A-OK. Their only problem would be lack of food. It had been a while since the last destroyed town (These usually housed bits and pieces of scattered food, and though they would usually have to be fought for, they were worth it to weary travelers) and they were both getting fairly hungry. But hopes were high, seeing that (by scanning the map) they were drawing closer to Queen Chrysalis's castle. Rainbow dash looked around and saw a bit of changeling armor stranded in a lonely fashion in the dirt.
"We're getting closer to the town. One things for sure- we're not in Kansas anymore."
"What's Kansas?"
"Oh- hehe, sorry. We're not in Ponyville anymore."
"Well thats pretty obvious. We left Ponyville day before yesterday!"
"I know but- never mind."
Author's Note
Finally got the new chapter out. Hope you guys like it!
