Chapters There is a time in everypony's life that change ensues. For me, that time just so happened to be as I was born. You see, I was born into a war. A war between the ponies that supported Princess Luna and her New Lunar Republic, and the ponies who stayed loyal to Princess Celestia and her Solar Empire. My sisters all went their own ways, dividing amongst themselves. Two went to the NLR and decided they felt welcome there. One stayed with the Solar Empire, she didn't wish to risk anything. One became a mercenary, fighting for whoever paid better. But the one, and probably only, thing we have in common is that we are family. Now, let me see, I decided to join the Peace Corps. when I realized that it could very well save this family. But, at the time, I had no idea how much pain and suffering was going to ensue, and how long it would continue. Now, I only slightly regret where I am. I am simply glad that I am able to help ponies. I just wish it was easier.
It was still raining by the time I got to the train station. "Man, this stinks," I said to nopony in particular, "The rain should have let up by now." A mare next to me that I never did get the name of replied with,
"I know, right? It's crazy how long it has lasted." With that, we both boarded the train along with many other ponies. The rain began to let up a little bit as we got about halfway to Canterlot. I began to stare at a strange black dot in the distance. Unable to make out what it was, I shrugged and moved on to the next item of interest, the train that I sat in. It was filled in every car with ponies. I never knew or even imagined that this many ponies could fit in such a small space. I saw mares and stallions of all shapes and sizes. I didn't know them at all, and I figured I might not ever see them again, so I didn't bother introducing myself. I looked back out the window and noticed something peculiar, the black dot was gone. No, you must just not be looking hard enough, I told myself. Maybe if you just keep looking. So for the next minute, all I did was try to find the black dot. I didn't realize until about five seconds before the bombs hit that I heard the loud whine of a jet engine. Then, explosions ripped the train car around me and I fell to black.
When I woke up, it was a disaster zone. It was like a bomb had been dropped on the place. Oh wait, that actually happened. Anyway, there were bodies of hopefully unconscious ponies strewn about. A few ponies, myself included, seemed unscathed or with only a few scratches. Others, however, bore the black marks of heavy burning plus red gashes all along their sides where pieces of the exploded train slashed their flanks. I sat there dumbfounded until I heard the screams of agony beginning to erupt around me. How long have I been oblivious to those noises? I silently asked. Then I put two and two together and realized that ponies really were gravely injured and this wasn't just a dream like I had thought. I stood up quickly, a little too quickly, as I had to steady myself to stop from falling over. I checked the ponies around me first. Many seemed fine, well all of them actually. All except one, that is. That one happened to be the mare who had talked to me at the train station. I walked over to her body and prodded her side.
"Hey, wake up," I said urgently, eager to continue on to the others who needed help. When she didn't respond, I began to worry. "Hey, this isn't the time for games," I flipped her onto the other side to make sure that she was alright. I was horrified at what I saw. There was a long gash extending from the base of her skull to her ear. I began to realize what had actually happened. Just to make sure, I checked her pulse. After 10 seconds of no pulse, I came to the conclusion with absolute certainty. She was dead. I didn't have time to mourn the loss of a pony I didn't even know, however, as I had others to attend to.
As I finally finished patching up the last pony, I counted the ones still lying on the ground. Thirteen dead in all. Five already dead before I got there. Eight more dying in my hooves. I decided that I would check the first mare for any sort of I.D. I looked around and saw her saddlebag and picked it up. As I did so, a license fell out. It read: Starry Night, Age 17, Gender, Female. It was a school I.D. She wasn't even old enough to graduate. I flipped the card over and saw that she was going to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Judging by the calendar in my head, today is the last day of school before break. I fell flat on my butt as I realized that she must have been going to Canterlot for her graduation ceremony. Yet, that wasn't destined to be. That bomber stripped her life away so early. Come to think of it, I never did figure out who bombed the train. The New Lunar Republic would never bomb a Solar train and Celestia wouldn't dare bomb her loyal subjects. It means it must've been a mercenary of some sort. I went numb as I thought of my sister, Shadow Whisper, who had become a mercenary. No, you mustn't jump to conclusions, I told myself. I decided then that until I had more information, I wouldn't blame anybody. But now there were more pressing matters at hand, how to get the dead and wounded out of here. I turned to the alright ponies and shouted, "Does anypony have a cell phone?!"
A young mare raised her hoof and quietly said, "I do." She pulled out her phone and gave it to me.
"Thank you," I said as I took the phone and called 911. As the phone rang, I couldn't stop myself from thinking that this was probably going to be all over the news.
"What happened here?" An officer asked. 'What happened here?' The never ending question of the hour. It seems I was asked this exact question by many a paramedic, civilian, and cop in the past twenty minutes. I replied with the usual, "We were bombed."
"Bombed," he asked, "By who?"
"Well, sir," I replied, "I'm not sure."
He looked from side to side and then said, "It wasn't the New Lunar Republic was it?" Oh great, I said to myself. He is either NLR follower or one loyal to the Empire. Either way, he obviously doesn't want it to be the NLR.
"Why do you ask?" I questioned.
"Well," he said, "I am a member of the Solar Empire. I just really don't want this war to escalate because of a possibly false accusation."
"Alright," I sighed, "I don't believe it was the NLR."
"Oh thank goodness," he said with a breath of relief, "I was really worried for a second there." He sounded like he wanted peace so I gave him my card and told him to call me if he ever wanted a way to relieve himself from the war. He said he would and walked off. Now I just had to figure out how to get to Canterlot. I scratched an itch under my wings and then I realized, Duh, I'm a Pegasus. How could I forget that? I felt really stupid until I realized that, considering what had just happened, I was lucky that was all I forgot. I flapped my wings and took off towards Canterlot.
When I finally arrived at Canterlot, a pony who I had not seen in the longest time was there to greet me. My sister, Sun Blossom, grappled me out of the sky seconds before I landed. She had me in a death grip and I was scared for my life. "Sunny, why are you trying to kill me?" I squeaked through the embrace.
"Kill you?" she asked, confused. "I was hugging you, silly!" With that, she released her death hug and stepped back. With a smile, she asked expectantly, "Well, sis, finally ready to join the Solar Empire?"
"Actually, no," I replied. I had not joined the Solar Empire yet and truth be told, I didn't plan to. Too imposing in my opinion. "I came because my boss asked me to."
Deflated, she stepped backed even more and said, "Oh, so you chose them..."
Confused I asked, "Sunny, whatever do you mean? If you mean the New Lunar Republic then you're-" I stopped, interrupted as a soldier walked over to my sister and asked,
"Ma'am, is this person bothering you?"
"No, Skyshade, she's fine," my sister replied, still obviously upset at the fact that she thought I had joined the New Lunar Republic.
"All right miss," Skyshade said and he walked back to his post.
I cleared my throat and spoke up, "Ahem, as I was saying, if you mean the NLR, then you're wrong. I have chosen to stay a neutral of sorts."
"Of sorts?" My sister repeated, confused.
"Yes, I have chosen to join the Peace Corps." I replied happily. "Now if you'll excuse me, it's obvious that my boss has not heard the news and I must go inform him." I began to walk past my sister, but she extended a wing to block my path.
"What news?" When I didn't reply, she spoke even louder, "Ash, what. News?!"
"Okay, okay," I said, giving up on keeping the secret. "I guess you were going to find out sooner or later anyway. Let's just get somewhere more comfortable and I will tell you all about it, I still have time before I need to go meet my boss."
Ecstatic, my sister squealed and said, "Oh, goodie! And I know just the place." With that, she led me across town to her favorite café, Joe's Donuts.
Author's Note
If these seem short, it's because I could go on and on but I wish to add some details to other chapters so I don't have a like, 4 chapter story.
When we finally arrived at Joe's, I ordered a simple glazed donut. My sister, however, went off and ordered all sorts of donuts. I was almost done with mine when she got back.
"So," she began, apparently eager for me to get on with the news. "What's the news?" I took a deep breath and began, telling all of the details from the time I boarded the train to the time we were bombed. "Oh, geez," my sister gasped, the seriousness of the situation dawning on her. "I-I uh, I don't know what to say..."
"You could say, 'Okay, you can go now'?" I suggested.
"B-but," she protested, a hurt look in her eyes. "We just got together."
"I know," I said, still urging the conversation forward. "But I have somewhere to be that, and I mean no offense, is more important than sitting around gossiping and seeing the sites with my sister!"
"Fine," she replied. She obviously felt hurt and I felt bad, truly. But I really had somewhere to be.
"I'll see you when I'm done," I said over my shoulder.
"Promise?" she said, sounding more excited. I stopped and turned to look at her, her face showing the same expression as her voice.
"Promise." I replied firmly. I then turned around and walked out of the diner.
As I walked up the street towards my boss's building, I had plenty of time to think about the things that had happened. After careful thinking, I deduced that it must be my sister. There is no other explanation. Unless she was killed in action, Shadow is still out there.
I finally entered my boss's office and sat down. "Ash Mist, my most prized assistant." he said as I came in. I blushed with embarrassment and pride. "What seems to be troubling you dear?" he asked, apparently noticing the distant look in my eyes.
"Huh, what?" I said, confused. I shook my head and started, "You called me here, sir."
"Ah, yes," he said, remembering that there was an actual reason for my being here. I breathed a sigh of relief. Even though I had explained the story to a lot of ponies, I wasn't ready to try to explain it to one more. "I need you to travel to both the New Lunar Republic and the Solar Empire's headquarters."
"What, why?" I asked, thoroughly confused.
"We need to find out who sent that bomber." he replied indifferently. I winced slightly at hearing Shadow referred to like that. But you know it's true, I told myself. You saw it with your own eyes.
"Yessir," I replied hastily and stepped out quickly. I knew where I should start, the Solar Empire's HQ was here and so was my sister. If they refused to hand over information, I knew she would. With that, I exited the building and began the long walk all the way across town to the Empire's HQ, a.k.a, the Canterlot Castle.
I finally arrived at the Canterlot Castle. "Wow, much bigger than I imagined." I quickly shut my mouth and blushed. Did I say that out loud? I thought, embarrassed. Oh well, at least no one heard.
"Hi!" a sudden high pitched voice sounded behind me. I must've jumped about 5 feet in the air. "Oh, did I scare you?" I turned around and saw Sunny sitting there. Releasing a breath I didn't know I was holding, I replied with a simple no and went on my way. "What's wrong then sis?"
"What's wrong is that I need to ask someone in the Solar Empire, the most imposing and powerful organization for the moment, what exactly is going on and I really don't know how that will go over. The whole 'martial law thing'." I sat down with my head in my hooves. "I honestly don't know how I'm supposed to do this." Sunny came over and rubbed my back, which despite the hardness of her hooves, was a calming gesture.
"Look sis," she said, sitting down next to me. "If they aren't helpful, simply say 'Okay, thanks for your time and Praise Celestia!'. It'll get you through long enough for me to ask around." I looked at her and she had that silly grin on her face. Apparently, just as I had hoped and predicted, she was going to be helpful, even if the others wouldn't.
"Thanks, I guess." I sighed, standing up. "Well, guess I should get going then. I know the office opens in about five more minutes and I really need to be one of the first. Can't be late." She looked at me with that grin still plastered on her face. Somehow, it made me feel better. "I guess I'll see you in about ten minutes?"
"Doubtful." She replied, a sad expression on her face. "Even if you are the first one in there, you have to go through about ten minutes of screenings and x-rays to make sure you aren't a Republic spy or a terrorist." That made sense, in a warry kind of way. "And after that it'll take probably about five or ten minutes for the information to reach the Princess. Then maybe another fifteen before you actually are granted an audience with her."
I cut her off, much to her surprise, before she could continue with the itinerary, "Wait, Celestia ?!" I asked, extremely shocked. She looked at me like I was stupid and replied,
"Of course, nopony else knows as much and-" I cut her off again, she started to look annoyed.
"Why Celestia, of all ponies?" I asked, still trying to make sure she wasn't mistaken. "Surely there is a pony in the intelligence department that can-" she cut me off this time, only fair I guess.
"Because even though it wouldn't seem it," she said, exasperated. "Celestia is the one source of true and least biased information. If it is something you should know, she'll tell you. Especially if you explain that you are from the Peace Corps. If it is something you shouldn't know, then she'll simply decline and audience with you and you'll walk out." She seemed finished so I asked,
"Where you'll be waiting I hope? With something for me?" I asked, the hope clearly showing in my expression.
"If I can find anything out." She said simply. I hugged her and her bored expression turned to one of glee. "Now, go. You still have some time, but little if you want an undelayed audience." I broke the embrace and looked her in the eyes.
"Thank you, really. Maybe later we can actually sit down and catch up proper?"
"I would like that very much," she spoke with happiness and turned away, walking down to the cafe. I watched her go until I remembered I also had somewhere to be. After that, I galloped toward the embassy of the Solar Empire, and hopefully toward information.
Author's Note
Guess who's back? Bringing you more quality writing and longer chapters. Maybe. Probably not.
I was enjoying the sunshine in my garden. I could feel it in my mane and it made me feel so happy. But, everything can change in a minute, because one minute I was enjoying the sun, the next I was getting rained on. I really have no idea what the weather ponies were thinking, making it rain on such a pretty day. But, I have no say in the matter, so I simply went inside. Kind of lucky timing you could say, as the second I walked into the door, the phone rang. I checked the caller ID; it was my boss. I quickly picked up and answered with a sweet, "Hello, sir! How are you doing today?" He wasn't having it.
"Ms. Ash, why have you refused to come to work?"
"Well, you see boss," I answered tiredly, "I just haven't felt like going recently." He seemed surprised with my answer as he didn't respond for the good part of a minute. Right as I was about to hang up, he said,
"I need you, Ash."
"Whatever do you mean, sir?" I asked, confused at the worried tone in his voice.
"I just need you to be here at Peace Corps. headquarters as soon as possible," he responded with the same worried tone, this time sounding a tad bit more urgent, "Oh, and you mustn't tell anypony where you are going or why."
"Whatever do you me-," before I could finish, the line went dead. Oh, well isn't this just great, I thought to myself, I get to go to work today after all. I shook my head in confusion before I grabbed the necessary items for a trip to Peace Corps. HQ. "I do believe that I will need an umbrella, it hasn't stopped raining yet," I said woefully as I looked outside at the storm, "I might as well also bring my fedora. Just because it's an urgent meeting doesn't mean I can't look my best!" I grabbed the fedora and carefully placed it atop my head, giving myself a glance-over in a mirror. "I think this will do," I said to my reflection. With that, I headed out the door to the nearest train station.