"We won't survive. We are simply a resistance now. We'll be crushed within a week."
"Don't, Sugar, don't!"
"It's all right, Cotton. Leave her be."
"And you know... she could be right."
"W-What? Why are you all saying this! We won't be crushed! I'll never join the Solar scum!"
A flame shot up in the middle of the room, revealing six ponies. A young, pale brown stallion with dark chocolate, spiked hair was crouched over the candle, blowing on the flame to enlarge it. His orange eyes were full of sadness and anguish. Like the rest of the group, he wore a tattered navy blue cloak emblazoned with the emblem of the New Lunar Republic. The one who had spoken last was on her hooves, looking furious. Her coat was turquoise, her mane was bright orange and tied in a loose ponytail, and her narrowed eyes were oddly violet, with no visible black pupil. She was obviously blind. She was shouting at a sad-faced pony nearby, whose cloak hood was up over her head, but what could be seen of her face was pale blue. The fringe that poked from under the hood was different shades of pastel pink.
"We'll survive! I know we will! Don't be so negative! And-"
"COTTON TOPS! Just... just accept it, okay? We're going to die!" The speaker was an orange-coated young pegasus with reddish hair. Her green eyes gleamed with sorrow. Cotton Tops gaped at her. Then tears formed in her purple eyes. "H-How could you say that, Pepper Beat?" She lay down with her back to them all. A blue mare with a cloud-white mane began to walk towards her, but Pepper Beat held out a hoof to stop her. "Don't. Skye Blue, just... give it up."
The blue pegasus opened her mouth to protest, but quickly closed it again at a sharp glance from a white, red-haired stallion with green shutter shades. She lay down and Pepper lowered her hoof. The red-haired one began to speak. "I'd just like to say... thank you. For becoming my friends. No matter how this ends, I will still love you all." The hooded mare said, "It's all right, Sharpshooter. Thank you for becoming my friend." Sharpshooter smiled weakly. "That's ok, Sugar Sweet. And Cookie Dough, thanks for lighting the fire." The one near the candle nodded. There was silence for a minute, broken only by Cotton's sobs. That's when the bombs fell.
