The Republic of Equestria: The Rise of a New Nation

As Shadow woke up, the first thing he noticed was the smell of smoke. It was a few moments before he realized the scent was, in fact, smoke. This realization caused him to bolt awake and scramble outside the burrow, only to find a large trail of smoke overhead, with wisps occasionally reaching Shadow, inciting a cough. The others, disturbed by his sudden movement, soon followed him outside the burrow.

"What do you think it's coming from?" asked Nimble.

"Based on the direction it's coming from, most likely New Hoover," replied Dark Star.

"So...so you're saying that they b-burned the town?"

"Yes, Nimble," said Beast. "That is exactly what Dark Star is saying."

"Most likely burning its inhabitants with it," said Shadow.

Nimble started to whimper as tears started to well up in his eyes. He started crying into Beast as Dark Star gave Shadow an angry look.

"What?" asked Shadow.

"What do you think?" asked Dark Star. "You blatantly say that Nimble's parents might be dead, and you have the audacity to ask, 'What?' as if you didn't just fucking devastate his life."

"I was simply being honest!" exclaimed Shadow.

"Sometimes its a bit better to soften up a bit and realize that not everyone takes loss as well you do," said Dark Star.

"I'm sorry, but i didn't realize that being honest would hurt anyone's feelings."

"You weren't being honest," said Beast. "You were being an insensitive bastard that doesn't take others' feelings into account."

"Hey, just because i hurt Nimble's feelings doesn't mean I'm an insensitive bastard! Besides, Nimble wasn't the only pony to lose family."

"Oh, so now you're going to hurt our feelings too, huh?" asked Dark Star.

"What? No! I was simply-I was...oh forget it. Lets get going."

As Shadow walked away, with Dark Star following, Beast got Nimble up onto his hooves. "Are you okay?" he asked. Nimble nodded, then quietly followed Beast towards the other two members of the group. No pony talked much for a while, and what was spoken was usually incoherent to the the rest of the group.

After many hours of walking, the group decided to rest for the night. They made four separate sleeping areas and a very small campfire in the middle.

"It wont be long before the snow sets in," said Dark Star.

"Hopefully we'll have some form of shelter before that happens," Shadow said. "If not, then we're going to be a bit cold for a while."

Dark Star looked pointedly at Shadow and said, "If we don't find a good shelter before the snow sets in, we'll be as good as dead. You and I both know how bad winter can get here."

"Well what will we use? There's nothing around here, at least as far as I can tell, and we're running out of time," said Shadow.

"Aren't there other settlements around here?" asked Nimble.

"Not around here. There are other settlements, but they're all far away," said Beast.

"Oh," said Nimble dejectedly.

"Hey, it'll be alright. You'll see," said Beast.

"Let's all get some shuteye. We'll worry about where we're going tomorrow," Dark Star said. The others agreed and laid down to sleep. It was a few minutes until Dark Star decided it was okay to put the fire out. "Good night, everybody," he whispered.

It wasn't until Dark Star was almost asleep that he heard a slight sniffling coming from Shadow Bolt's direction. He slightly lit his horn and looked at Shadow.

"Shadow," he whispered. He didn't respond. "Shadow!" he whispered a little louder. This time Shadow looked around as if searching for the voice before seeing Dark Star.

"Was that you?" he asked.

"Yes, what's wrong?" asked Dark Star worriedly.

"N-Nothing's wrong," Shadow replied.

"Shadow, I know you're lying. Now what's wrong?"

It was a few seconds before he answered. "I...heh, I never thought I'd say this, but I...I miss my dad. And I know it sounds childish, but he's all I've had since I was born. He raised me, fed me, kept a roof over my head, endured all my bullshit. He loved me even when I didn't love him. He gave me everything, and yet when he needed me most, I-"

Dark Star placed a hoof on his mouth. "Shadow, there was nothing you could've done. He gave you a weapon and told you to leave. You obeyed."

"I could have stayed and helped!"

"And what would've happened? You'd be dead just like everyone else!"

"I had a weapon!"

"You have a pistol. They had assault rifles. You wouldn't have lasted a minute against the griffins. Your father did the right thing by telling you to leave. It's a father's job to protect their children, and by telling you to leave, he was doing exactly that. He didn't need you to help him by fighting. He needed you to help him by running. It isn't your fault that he died. He risked his life so that you wouldn't lose yours. It's what a father does."

"That doesn't change the fact that I miss him," said Shadow.

"I know. I miss my family as well, but it doesn't do well to dwell on the past. You have to move on. It wont be easy, but it is necessary if you want to survive." Dark Star paused. "You know, I'm here if you ever need some help with anything. We've been friends long enough for you to know that."

Shadow smiled and said, "Thanks. For, y'know, everything."

Dark Star smiled back. "Anytime, my good friend. Now, go to sleep."

Shadow scoffed. "Yes, sir, Mr. Bossy-pants," he said.

"I'm not bossy. Now shut up and go to sleep."

Shadow chuckled before settling down. A few minutes later, both Dark Star and Shadow were asleep.