A Twinkle of Hope

A Twinkle of Hope - Chapter 10

Salads, apples, pies, and cakes littered the dining table. All these delicacies were skillfully crafted by the most famous chefs in all of Equestria. But for all their skill in the culinary arts, each chef stood anxiously next to the diners, hoping the food was satisfactory.

The Premier was very particular about his food.

"Simply delicious! Yes! Chefs, do bring more." The emerald pony gestured to his dinner guests to try the food. Nervously they picked up the silver cutlery and tasted the meal. Delight-filled "mmmm"s came from the table. The Premier took a sip from his favorite wine.

A maroon unicorn spoke up, the Minister of Technology, "Sir, the ministry has informed me that they are very close to discovering the magic needed to raise and lower the heavenly bodies. The 'sunlights' and 'nightlights' will no longer be necessary."

The Premier swallowed before responding. "Haha excellent! You know those lights use a lot of electricity. And I'm sure we all are tired of those things. I myself do enjoy the moonlight."

"As do we all sir." said a chestnut pegasus, the Minister of Industry. "The energy saved will no doubt greatly increase productivity."

"I should hope so. It is your charge." He smiled and took another bite of salad.

Soon a young unicorn wearing a black suit and glasses ran into the room. "Mr. Premier! Terribly sorry to interrupt, but I have urgent news."

"What could be so urgent as to disturb my wonderful meal? Well let's hear it." He gave the colt his full and undivided attention.

"Uh...well...another t-train has b-been r-raided...sir." His voice trembled in fear.

"Oh great." He rolled his eyes. "Is this truly important? Nothing new. Well anyway how much was lost this time? And relax please. You're annoying us all"

"A-an...excuse me...an unprecedented amount..."

"Wha..how much??" The Premier grew concerned, uncertain as to what the magnitude was.

He looked at his report and read off the contents. "Train 24, from Manehattan to Canterlot lost three cars in raid. These items were taken: fifty-one crates of ammunition, four pieces of artillery, two trucks, one piece of railroad artillery, twenty bombs, and three heavy bombs."

"Did you say THREE heavy bombs? AND railway artillery!" His struggled to regain his composure. "It's true, you can't enjoy a good meal in Canterlot." he chuckled, and turned to his Minister of War. "Prepare the troops. I have no more patience to merely sit here and wait to find the rebel base. We will sweep in a straight line across the country. All the way to the western border."

"Yes sir!" the minister saluted. He tried to get up before being stopped by the Premier.

"You may finished your meal first."

"Of course, sir."

"Cloudrunner!" Celestia called out, held by two soldiers. The General ran as fast as he could, but he still couldn't manage to go anywhere. Instead he felt two other ponies grabbing his forelegs, while a larger pony held his jaw.

"You will watch this!" The larger pony told him.

Cloudrunner couldn't move, or even close his eyes. All he could do was look on his beloved princess in horror as the two ponies that held her beat her. Soon the larger pony took a dull knife and sawed of the alicorn's great horn. Cries of pain filled the General's ears. He began to cry, yelling Celestia's name over and over; nothing changed.

The larger pony commanded the soldiers to let go of the Princess, and smiling said, "Time for some sport." He pushed the alicorn onto her back and leaned closer. Her eyes turned to Cloudrunner, pouring tears. The officer pony laughed and the next thing the charcoal pegasus heard was a loud shriek from Celestia. Then...

Cloudrunner awoke in a cold sweat, his heart pounding. He looked to his left at a picture on his bedside, a picture of him and his beloved Princess. He got out of bed, and proceeded to take a shower.

He brushed his teeth and got dressed in his blue uniform everypony came to associate him with. It was early, and he could use the time to see Luna. she was always starved for company. On his way to the bunker, Cloudrunner passed by a tent. He peaked inside and smiled at what he saw: a cyan pegasus sleeping soundly. She'd get up in an hour or so. "She's gonna go far..." he thought as he limped away, thinking about all the progress she's made.

He approached the bunker and got out a key, opening the door. Inside he called for Princess Luna. There she was, lying asleep on her couch. He quietly sat down on a chair and waited for her to wake up. Not ten minutes later to opened an eyes, sat up and stretched, before turning to Cloudrunner. Still groggy, it took a few seconds for her to realize that somepony had come into her abode.

"Cloudrunner! What are you doing in my personal chambers, pervert?" She was caught severely off guard.

"I came to keep you company, if that's alright."

"While I am sleeping is hardly an appropriate time to visit. Beside, why are you awake so early?"

The General hesitated to answer, and looked down. The Princess knew all too well what that meant.

"You had that dream, didn't you?"

"I didn't come here to bother you with my issues." Cloudrunner hated it when he would impose his problems on other ponies.

"I do not mind. You are my friend, and I am glad to listen to whatever you have to say."

"I don't wanna reject your friendship. It's funny how the mind can create realities so vividly. This dream is a product of regret, a cruel reminder of what I couldn't do." The General sighed, losing himself to his thoughts.

"You couldn't do anything then, but you are doing something now. All these ponies look to you for leadership, and you give it to them. When we win, my sister will herald you as her savior, as Equestria's savior!"

"You know I'm too modest to accept such credit." They both laughed "Princess I know you long to play an active part in this war, and you may have to sooner than we thought."

"What do you mean?"

"I have a feeling we're running out of time. Just a...feeling."

"I'll be ready whenever you need me." The Princess saluted.

"Haha and don't worry, when that day comes, I'll transfer command to you."

"Agreed." She smiled and gave her general a hug, then sat him down again. "How is your protégé, Rainbow Dash?"

"She's been here almost three weeks, and has performed admirably. Already I'm personally training her to be an officer. I’m honestly amazed at her progress."

"I should expect nothing less from an element of Harmony."

The two remained sitting in the bunker, conversing, discussing information the Princess needed to know about. Before they knew it, it was time for Cloudrunner to leave. He got up and went to the stairs.

"Farewell Princess. I do so enjoy our meetings. But I have to get ready for Dash's training"

"Of course, General! Goodbye, and good luck." She waved as he closed the door. "Oh sister I'm so jealous."

Cloudrunner walked to his apprentice's tent. He looked at his watch. "6:59 am"

A minute later he heard a yawning and the sounds of stretching, and then a blue pegasus lazily moved outside.

"Rise and shine, cadet! You got a full day of training!"

"Yeah...yeah..." she said, followed by unintelligible mumblings. She was never ready to start the day, but Rainbow Dash knew she had to. "Let's get this over with." she thought, and slowly walked over to the showers, prepared for the ice bath she would receive. "Let's get this over with."