A Twinkle of Hope

A Twinkle of Hope - Chapter 2

Rainbow Dash opened her eyes difficulty, trying to fight their natural gravity. Painfully she got out of bed and made her way to the kitchen, barely cognitive enough to prepare a pot of coffee. A few minutes later and she was already starting to adjust to the unforgiving morning. Walking outside in her robe she grabbed the paper. "Ponyville National Guard retreats." she read to herself. "Mayor is now talking about peaceful integration into Democratic Republic of Equestria." Rainbow Dash was never one for politics, but that meant the War would soon be over. She could get on with her life, managing the weather in town. She wasn't hurt directly by the conflict. Everyone she knew lived in Ponyville, which had yet to have a single raid, and that record looked like it would remain undisturbed. She put down the paper, finished her bagel, and left her home.

Already people were shifting away from war-mode. The peace talks were now set for today. Rainbow Dash met with her friends in the town square, in a great throng of ponies awaited the Mayor.

"Can y'all believe it? The War's finally fixin' to be over!" Applejack proclaimed. She had been growing apples for the military as food, and increasing demand had sapped her farm's soil dry. She needed to feed a town and every year her resources dwindled to do that. She was eager to begin the healing process.

"Simply marvelous! The stress of this dreadful conflict has taken its toll. Just look at my mane! Last night I'm certain I spotted a grey hair!" said Rarity, weary from having to stay up day and night making uniforms for soldiers. The winter months were especially trying, what with all the snow and cold weather, and she had bags under her eyes from the long hours.

Twilight had never adjusted as well as the others to the fact Princess Celestia no longer sent letters. She didn't know why, but feared the worst. She was somber: "It's hard to imagine living in an Equestria without the Princess, without her guidance..."

Spike had done his best to cheer up Twilight Sparkle these last few months. "Don't worry, Twi. Soon we'll be able to get past this war. Look! The Mayor's walking on stage! That'll take your mind off of things."

Pinkie Pie in her usual joyfulness applauded loudly at the politician. "Yay! Mayor! Yay! She's gonna speak and the war's gonna be over and I'll be able to make lots of cupcakes and..."

Fluttershy placed a hoof in front of Pinkie's mouth. She stood watching the speaker on stage.

"Citizens of Ponyville! I am pleased to announce a peace treaty between Ponyville and the Democratic Republic of Equestria!" she announced. As everypony cheered, a serious looking stallion pegasus wearing a black business suit approached her. He was accompanied by four armed guards.

Clearing his throat, the stallion turned to the ponies of Ponyville. "I am pleased to inform you that peace will be made with Ponyville. However the city has been selected for demolition. Evacuation crews will be here tonight to assist in the resettlement of the citizens. Packing is not necessary. Thank you." Everypony's eyes widened.

"What do you mean 'demolition'!" yelled a disgruntled unicorn. "You can pry me from my house when I'm dead! What are we..."

A loud "BANG" was heard, and the unicorn fell over, unmoving. Everypony was screaming and crying, until they realized they were surrounded by soldiers. The Stallion on stage spoke, "Please be calm. This criminal sought to agitate you ponies and compromise your safety. Rest assured we shall protect you from any such agitators until evacuation crews arrive. Please return to your homes.

He walked away, unphased by the death of a pony that just occurred. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight, and Spike decided to meet at the Sugarcube Corner. A paralyzing fear plagued them all.

"What are we gonna do? What are we gonna do?" Pinkie Pie looked like she was about to hyperventilate.

"Ah think we should split it and leave town!" AJ Interjected.

"Have you seen the soldiers? They're all across the city!" Fluttershy pointed out, teary-eyed.

Rarity tried to calm the group, "Girls! Girls! I think the best thing to do is wait here for the evacuation. At least it's the safest thing to do." Rarity's voce was heavy with defeat.

Rainbow Dash however wasn't buying into that, "How can you say that? I'm not just gonna let them destroy this place! I..I love Ponyville..." Something new possessed her. Seeing the filly die earlier gave her a newfound sense of duty to her town, to its ponies.

"No Rainbow Dash! I don't want you to go do something stupid and dying! You're coming with us! Now we should all go pack." Rarity wouldn't take 'No' for an answer. Rainbow sulked, not wanting to disturb her already traumatized friends any further.

They spent the day in the Sugarcube Corner, trying to distract themselves from the morning's events. Before any of them knew it, it was nighttime. The great artificially lights that took the place of the sun had gone out, replaced with the dim "starlights". Everypony was about to leave the pastry shop to gather their essentials. The evacuation crews certainly would be arriving soon.

Then they each heard a sound that had never occurred in Ponyville during the whole war. All 7 of them shuddered in fear at the noise piercing their ears: the sirens were going off.