It was December, many have already left work for their homes, as it was a cruel time for many Equestrians, tensions among the commoners' thoughts on the government is rising. The prince, has not yet declared military rule, yet many of those who serve the people has already begun in the abuse. Crimes committed was scarce, but each time it occurred it was impossible to solve. Still some have tried to move on with their lives as if nothing had happened two of such have taken steps into the train station.
"Spike, thank you so much for escorting me to the Crystal Empire" the girl said to her escort. She wore an elegant dress that showed of much of the grace and pose that she has shown in her movements. "I know you have your reason to go, but again, thanks for coming with me, Spike" she giggled at her escort who wore a simpler outfit, but was still formal enough for many. The escort was carrying much of their luggage, and simply smiled at the girl who giggled.
"Sweetie belle, you're really trying hard aren't you?" he asked as he motioned his hand, displaying all that surrounds them. Many soldiers were stationed all around the train station, the common passersby were walking in fear. Taking the reality, the girl's smile faded and simply sighed, she knew that it was still impossible to take the day as if they are free. "Its alright" he tried to comfort her, "I'm sure everything will one day be alright, now lets go to that theater in the Crystal Empire you eagerly want to go" he offered his hand and gave her a sincere smile.
"Spike" she said giving a truthful smile "you needed to go there because you are a good doctor, they need you to help with their patients, I just want to go because they are going to have a play" she responded as she took her escort's hand.
Much of the day was close to normal, the only difference was that there has been an increase in the number of soldiers in the area, each of them were in perfect unison, with their rifles on hand as if to great a high authority. Every soldier stood with fierce, piercing eyes, even the slightest of offenses would seem to be treated with extreme prejudice by these soldiers. It was like this for many months, Tirek, the king of Equestria and lord of Canterlot has done many military advances to his land, many have lived in fear. Spike and Sweetie belle, not wanting to be one of the many victims of the military hurried onward to the train, only to be stopped by another soldier who asked for their ticket. They showed him the ticket and everything was in order and they were granted passage into the train.
"Its like we were important people" Sweetie belle commented somewhat shaking "or prisoners taken to another jail cell" she hated it, as many others did, Canterlot had the biggest military occupation over the others, "If only Tirek could see the error in putting to much faith in his soldiers" she commented with a quiet voice.
"Well, he is not exactly a good man, he possibly was doing this to maintain power" Spike responded. They looked around and saw many prestigious designs, it was as if they were in a five star hotel. "Well at least we have some relief" Spike took note on the surroundings, the sight of it was more relieving now that they have seen many others walk in the train the way they did in a more calming matter. They made their way towards their cabin.
Arriving at the cabin like the hallways, it was of high regard. Taking a seat, Spike and Sweetie belle placed their things on the side. Looking outside there was a commotion, one person was running away from the soldiers, there were shouts among the soldiers, but the noise created was too loud that it cannot be clearly heard what was said by the soldiers. When the the person was finally caught, Spike took notice that he wore a piece of cloth that wraps around his neck in the same manner as a boy scout. The cloth had three letters written on it: AEC. The person was still struggling despite his capture and it was revealed that on on his belt was a blade like weapon usually seen on farms, the soldiers confiscated the weapon and brought him outside the train station.
Spike shook his head and dismissed that man, there were many like those some wore that mark in a more hidden area. Spike put his hand in his bag and pulled out a book, it was a novel written in a foreign language and Spike opened the book at around the middle where there was a bookmark on it and began to read. Sweetie belle, on the other hand was checking on her things to ensure that she had forgotten anything, everything was in order and she could rest. The trip to the Crystal Empire was a far journey, the train would arrive there overnight. Spike and Sweetie belle sat there simply waiting for the train to move. It was uneasy however for either of them to relax, considering for what they have just witness, rebels on the move, all of them seemingly planning to revolt against Tirek's rule, Spike and Sweetie belle don't blame them, Tirek was a corrupt leader both of them are simply afraid of him.
A little while later, the train finally began to move. It was a silent trip, all passengers were in their respective cabins, to scared to go out for fear that the soldiers may harm them. It is not the way of the soldier to harm a citizen but under the strict orders of lord Tirek, anyone who would cause even the slightest of violation to the laws that are implemented are to be arrested and sometimes executed on the spot with no trial nor a chance to be defended in court. It was times like these that many have left Equestria in hopes that they could find another life outside it, however they themselves need to escape as even leaving Equestria was a problem in its own right. Spike continued to read his novel and Sweetie belle with a pen and paper began writing a piece of a song, occasionally glancing outside of the window only to see the sky beginning to darken as the even colder temperatures of night began to take over the already cold hardships of the day.
Night has fallen, and indeed the cold was so intense that Spike and Sweetie belle sat next to each other for warmth despite already wearing a jacket. This is so cold, and a little embarrassing if the others could see me now they thought to themselves, but their hugging had stop for a grumble was heard in the room.
"I guess it is time we should get something to eat, let's go to the dining car" said Spike as he stood up and offered his hand to Sweetie belle, who responded his noble gesture with a nod and took his arm instead of his hand, as if they were going to a formal dance. That was out of nowhere, maybe she is just cold and really needs the heat Spike thought to himself at the surprising act done by Sweetie belle.
They went of their room's door and proceeded to the dining car. They were not a couple, though it may appear as such, it was not the case for the times were dark and the authorities are corrupted lest either suffer a terrible fate, both have lost someone special to them because of the corruption with the rule of Tirek. Spike's old mentor got killed, and Sweetie belle's sister was abused by the soldiers which ultimately lead to suicide. Such lost was almost unbearable to either and both became inseparable ever since even in the years that passed, with Spike being a successful story writer with a PhD and Sweetie belle being a well-known song writer. Arriving at the dining car there were two soldiers positioned at each end, lucky for the two of them, there was a table very close to where they were standing and took a seat.
It was uneasy for Spike to sit with comfort, one of the soldiers had blue eyes which reminded him for unknown reasons, he felt as if he saw those eyes before but instead he chose to dismiss it when the waiter came by to take their orders.
The blue-eyed soldier stood there looking at Spike with fear, he felt that he should go to him, but old memories started to flood his mind: a girl with violet hair, and a revolver in his hand. Regret was evident in his eyes. Spike took notice on his look and called him over to his table, at the sound of the voice he looked at his companion who simply nodded and he went to their table to sit.
"Flash Sentry, I assume" Spike said to the soldier. At the sound of this the soldier was afraid, Sweetie belle who sat next to Spike tilted her head in confusion as to his apparent shaking. "Its alright, I know you didn't mean to" Spike said with a smile.
"You two know each other?" Sweetie belle asked. They simply nodded, Flash however was nodding with uncertainty, he is the soldier yet is the one who is afraid. "Can I ask why you're so afraid Flash?" she added.
Flash was about to answer but was immediately cut-off by Spike, who pointed out that their dinner is arriving to their table and simply requested with a calm tone that they speak after the meal.
After dinner, it was there Flash finally spoke "Spike, could you help me out while we tell this story to Sweetie belle?" Spike nodded and they began to tell the story to Sweetie belle who sat there with curiosity in her eyes to the story that she will soon hear from the two men. Flash began telling the tale
Me and Spike actually met quite a long time ago, back when he was still going to school. He was a young boy, yet had a desire to learn unlike many other students. During this time I was a employed as a new soldier in the army, not a long while before Tirek's rise to power, he had a tutor and a motherly-figure in Twilight Sparkle. Again unlike the many young ones, he was completely mature when I had been courting Twilight, sometimes I even interrupt his sessions.
Flash paused looking back at the memories he had, a small smile was on his face. Spike decided to continue the story to the smiling Sweetie belle who wanted to hear more.
Flash was a good guy, Twilight made a good choice in him. He served as a soldier with honor, at times he even shows me how to defend myself without the need for a weapon, Twilight doesn't approve of course, she prefers a more peaceful confrontation rather than armed conflict but she was aware that conflict is inevitable and that taking arms should be a last resort only. It was fun times, I even saw a fatherly figure in Flash as I saw a motherly figure in Twilight, needless to say those two were like childhood friends that grew up together
Spike smiled for a moment and eventually the smiles from both faces started to fade. Sweetie belle took notice on this but continued to earnestly listen as Flash continued the tale.
But then lord Tirek came to power, it was of no doubt he was corrupted it may seen at the time that it was justified due to the disputes with Saddle Arabia. Tirek increased the power of the military should war break out, but we were blinded by it; he used the disputes to simply increase power so that no one would rebel against him, and as anticipated there were those who would rebel against him, most are simply what anyone else would expect: armed conflict. But one of the rebellious was Twilight, and we are aware that she is the mistress of Ponyville. Her method was peaceful, simply speaking about the injustice that Tirek has done. The problem? It has caused armed conflict, so in order to ensure that Tirek will not be overthrown, he ordered one man to assassinate Twilight. That man was me
Flash was at uneasy, tears started to role down from his eyes. Sweetie belle at the word of this was at disarray, Spike invited him over, the man who was close to his old mentor yet in the end is the murderer of the one he considered a mother. Spike continued.
With a heavy heart, he knew it was not right but the life of a soldier was to follow orders. Going into her room, I was told to leave. I heard a loud noise, the noise of a gunshot. I ran towards the room and Flash wasn't there but Twilight was... lying down on the bed, lifeless. I cried and cried, that night. I couldn't forgive Flash for what he has done, he even became a captain afterwards. But looking at him now, I knew that it wasn't his fault. Even then I saw in his eyes the heavy burden, but I was too young to understand what it meant.
Spike ended the tale with a tear in his eye. Flash was saddened as old memories of pain and regret began to rush back into his mind. Sweetie belle on the other hand was bedazzled be the story, she knew how Twilight was killed but she never guessed that in her presence was the witness and the murderer. It was an eye-opener for her.
"But what brings you here Flash? You're a captain what happened?" Spike asked as he poured wine in the glass and gave it to Sweetie belle who appeared thirsty from the tale she had just heard. "You didn't get demoted did you?" he continued.
"No, I chose to demote myself, what I did became unbearable. I asked Tirek if I could have my old job of being an ordinary soldier, he assigned me here." Flash answered as he took a sip from his wine. "I was scared that you might not forgive me"
"Its alright, I know you went through a tough time" Spike comforted the distressed Flash.
"Well, look at the time, I think we should be heading back now to our cabin, thank you for everything you did tonight Flash" Sweetie belle interrupted. She was aware of the emotion both men are going through and she wouldn't want to be reminded of her own lost.
"Very well then, Flash I bid you farewell" Spike responded as he stood up and offered his arm for Sweetie belle.
Flash stood up and said "Until next time, my old friend, and may the affections between you two be enough to warm you in the coldest of nights" Flash let out a small chuckle when Sweetie belle took Spike's arm, like a princess to his knight he thought.
Sweetie belle with an amused face responded "We are not a couple, Flash" and the three made their way to their respective places. Flash returns to his station and Spike and Sweetie belle to their cabin. The night was surprisingly warmer than before, maybe it was the conversation they had with Flash had brought a little light into their dark lives.
Returning into their cabins, Spike and Sweetie belle finally can rest for the night. They wished each other sweet dreams as they finally went to the night's slumber.