Old Mare's War

By
Teal

1

Clouds burst as Rainbow Dash zipped through them, tearing right through the center as she left nothing but vapor in her trail. The young mare flew with great speed, as her sleek body and strong wings shot through the air like a dart. Her rainbow colored mane blew back against her, as her wings worked at full force, propelling her to high speeds, as she flew faster and faster with every flap. Known for her skills in flying, there was no doubt that her reputation exceeded her capabilities. Maneuvering through the skies, she flew with power and grace, diving and climbing, banking left and right. Just like her the Wonder Bolts, her lifelong idols, her movements were like a gigantic masterpiece, the blue sky as her canvas, while she herself acted as the paintbrush.

With the self-proclaimed title of ‘Best and fastest flyer in Equestria’, Rainbow Dash was always determined to keep her title and prove to others that she deserved it. With reckless arrogance and a determined spirit, she broke record after record, as well as a couple of bones on the way.

Climbing up, going and higher and higher, Rainbow Dash flew through the thick layer of clouds till she found herself high above it.

Hovering over the sea of white, she looked up to see the vast space above her. The grayish blue shade of the outer layer was a mesmerizing sight, and at the height she was flying, one would believe that it was a hoof touch away. She always had a great fascination about the space above the sky, finding it mysterious and intriguing. There was something about it that made her draw towards it, light a moth to bright light. She wanted to discover what was out there, find out new things the nopony has ever seen before.

Her adventurous side always pushed her towards fulfilling this, as she felt the need to explore and break new records. But no matter how excellent she was at flying fly, she still knew that her abilities were limited by what was possible and what was not.

Pegasi could fly high, but they can’t fly high enough to touch space. There was probably some kind of scientific reason for her not being able to reach the space above her, but she left egghead stuff like that to Twilight.

All she needed to know was the fact that pegasi had a limit, and the limit had never been passed. Despite being known for a pony who broke records, this was one record that she knew that she could never break.

Sighing, she looked away and returned her gaze towards the sea of clouds below her. Knowing that she couldn’t break that barrier, at least she could leave in the comfort of knowing that there was one barrier that she could break. In fact, she had already broke it multiple of times and was about to do so again.

Leaning forward, she folded her wings and darted down. Breaking through the cloud layer, her body fell as she let gravity do its job.

With her eyes closed, she could feel the air blowing upon her, fluttering her mane as she fell down towards the ground. She enjoyed the feeling of the wind against her, as she found it peaceful and relaxing. It helped ease her mind, as she concentrated for her next move. Like the calm before the storm, it was masking the power that was about to come.

Opening her eyes, she gave a wide grin as she started to do her signature move, a ‘Sonic Rainboom’. With one quick move, she opened her wings and gave a great push of air, flapping it with great force. It scooped a large chunk of air, which helped boost her speed to great extents. The strength needed to do this act would put a lot of strain for a normal pegasus’s wing muscles, but Rainbow Dash was a strong pony. Having flown stunts most of her life, she was fit for the task she was facing and was able to do it with ease.

By now, the wind against her face had increased, replacing the gentle and soft feeling with a hard slam, as the air in front of her tried to stop her. But it was no use, as she was moving too fast to be stopped now.

She felt the sparks of magic on her hooves, as the colorful rainbow colored aura started to engulf her. It surrounded her and left a long trail that resembled a rainbow, as she dove down at great speeds. Going fast and faster at every second, she could feel her body shake as she approached the barrier the separated her from supersonic speeds.

With adrenaline pumping in her veins, she gave one last push from her wing before closing them, keeping them matted to her body as it made her more aerodynamic.

Smiling, she felt the surge of energy as she managed to mutter some words, despite the amount of air pushing against her.

“Sonic Rainbo-“

An elderly Rainbow Dash shot awake, once again deprived from the ending of the wonderful dream. Groaning in annoyance, she slowly got off of the bed, her joints creaking at every move she made. With a forced stretch and a light yelp of pain, as her muscles ached at the sudden act, she slid her body from the mattress and got off of the bed.

Her once fit and sleek figure had given away to age, as wrinkles littered her body, while tired sore eyes replaced the once young and enthusiastic glow that radiated from her. Her once colorful mane was now nothing but a bush of gray, as her fur was also falling victim to the spreading grayness.

The once active and athletic pony was now replaced by a tired and aging mare, who only found adventure on the daily task of going up and down the stairs. Gone are the days of flying through the skies, streaking through clouds and diving from above, as her wings were now weak and frail, while her feathers started to shed off, leaving behind trails of faded cyan blue feathers.

At this age, every task that was once simple proved to be a chore, as her body found it difficult to perform them in her weak state. Despite being a fit pony during her younger years, the countless amounts of crashes and injuries she took did not do her any favors, as it weakened her body over time.

Bones that were damaged were still weak, as some of her muscle tissues remained sore from the strains that were once brought upon them. The only thing she could do to remedy the pain was to stay put, relax, and try to avoid agitating and tiring her weakened body.

The young Dash would have found it unimaginable to stay put and do nothing, but now, wise from age and weak from time, the elderly Dash found great comfort in sitting down staying still.

Besides, there were plenty of thing to do while sitting down, especially in Ponyville’s local home for the aged.

Being independent and distrusting to commitment during her younger years, it left her with no family to take care of her when she grew older. With her frail state and no one to possibly take care of her, Rainbow Dash was moved away from her dangerous cloud home to Ponyville’s home for the aged. Here, Rainbow Dash could safely live, with the assistance of the young care takers who were willing to serve the old ponies of Ponyville.

At first, she thought that staying here was boring and bland, with nothing to do but sit down and wait for something exciting to happen. But over time, she found many interesting things to do, such as re-reading her favorite books, like Daring Do, or watching shows through the H.D.S. (Holographic Display System), which she didn’t have back in her old cloud home. Life there might not have been as exciting as things were back when she was young, but they also weren’t as boring as she expected them to be.

Making her way out of the room, she closed the door behind her and moved through the hallway to meet the first challenge of the day, the staircase.

Built back during the same time of Rainbow Dash’s adult years, the house they lived in was chosen because of its homely feeling and architecture that could help elder ponies relate to their younger times. This decision proved to be a good one, as it helped relax most of the elderly ponies, but it still had one drawback, which was the staircase.

Since it was built back before Equestria’s technological boom, the building still employed the wooden staircase, instead of the futuristic tube elevator which most homes employed. One would think that somepony would at least have the decency to install one here, but after three years of promises, not a single step in providing one has been taken. This meant that the only way to go from floor to floor was the stairs.

With her weak and frail body, the staircase had proved time and time again as an enemy that was equivalent to Discord, as it mocked her of her current state and brought difficulty to her every day. It was no doubt that the staircase has become her archenemy over the years of her old age.

“Do you need help, Ms. Dash?” A kind and soft voice asked from behind her.

Turning her head around, she was met by the young and friendly face of Kind Heart, one of the care takers of the place she lived in. The young and gentle looking mare trotted next to her, and offered to assist her by using her magic to surround her with a supporting aura.

Normally, Rainbow Dash would reject the offer of help, thinking that it would bring a great blow in her pride and shatter her arrogant nature.
But after having went through an accident involving this very stairs a couple of years ago, she knew better than to reject the kind gesture.

She gave a slow nod, as Gentle Heart took it as a cue to use her magic. The two of them slowly went down the stairs; with Gentle Heart moving beside her while her magical aura lessened the weight that was straining her weary muscles and weak bones. Taking each step carefully, she made sure that all four of her hooves were touching the steps, as Gentle Heart used her magic to make the task easier.

“So…” Rainbow Dash said, trying to strike a conversation. “…how’s your granny doing?” She asked, wanting to inquire about her old friend, Nurse Redheart, who lived a couple of blocks away from the home for the aged she was living in. Having had most of her stunts end in the hospital, Rainbow Dash got to know more about Redheart with each visit, till they managed to become good friends.

“Oh, she’s alright and well.” Gentle Heart informed. “A little cranky as usual, but other than that she’s doing fine. Although she did just turn seventy-five yesterday and received her letter from the ECDF. I think she’ll be going to the recruitment center sometime this week.”

“So, she’s still planning to sign up isn’t she?” Rainbow Dash said, as they reached the last few steps. “Well good for her, you know, they say it’s a good investment to sign up to the ECDF when you’re at our age.” She noted, remembering the pamphlets of the Equestrian Colonial Defense Force, promising the ability to extend one’s age and making them feel young again. She really wasn’t sure how it was possible, but with the advancement of magic and technology in this day and age, everything that once was impossible was starting to become simply possible.

“Yeah…” Gentle Heart said nodding. “…I don’t know how they’ll make her feel young again, but if anypony can do it, it will be the ECDF. Well, here we are, do you want me to assist you to the dining room?”

“Oh, there’s no need, I can handle it myself from here.” Rainbow Dash said, politely waving her off.

“Alright…” Gentle Heart acknowledged. “…but if you need anything, just buzz me.” With that, she gently trotted away to finish the other chores she had for the day.

Trotting towards the kitchen, she was greeted by the sight of a large cake that was placed at the center of the dining room table, while a smiling orange colored mare stood sat on a chair beside it. Looking towards the mare, she could see that she was old and frail like her, as her drooping eyes were kept open by sheer will power.

“Happy Birthday, Rainbow Dash.” She said, with a weak yet cheerful tone, as she did her best to get up and give her a weak hug.

“Oh, AJ, you shouldn’t have.” Rainbow Dash said, breaking from the hug and staring at the big cake. “I never knew you could bake.”

“Well, I can’t and I won’t say I made that.” Applejack said, as she gently plotted herself back to her seat. “That right there was made by Pumpkin and Pound Cake. Once they learned it was you’re seventy-fifth birthday, they were more than happy to bake it for you for free. They were even kind enough to deliver it here, a good thing too, seeing that I ain’t as strong as I was before.”

Back in Applejack’s younger years, she would have carried that cake with great ease. But after years of apple bucking, putting great strains on her muscles, her body had grown weak and weary. Just like her granny before her, Applejack’s hips brought great pain with every movement, making her understand why Granny Smith was always cranky.

“Well, it was kind off them to bake this for me.” Rainbow Dash said, taking a seat beside her friend and staring at the cake, noticing the amount of icing that was covering it. “Uhh, this isn’t too sweet, is it?” She asked, not wanting to raise her blood sugar levels to heights that would cause problems.

“Not to worry, sugar cube, Pumpkin Cake assured me that the batter and icing over here was specially made for us old folk, sweet but not too sweet.” The orange mare reassured.

“Well that’s good…” She said nodding. “…I don’t want to end this special day with a trip to the hospital.”

Applejack let out a short chuckle, before remembering something important. “Speaking of special day…” She said, as she picked up something from the other seat beside her. “…I think there’s a letter here that might make this day even more special.”

Realizing what her friend meant, Rainbow Dash’s eyes went wide, as a gleeful smile was plastered on her face. She could feel her body tingle in excitement as she watched Applejack pull out a golden letter, with the stamp of the ECDF marked in front of it.

“You know, it's been ten years since we signed-up, but I can still feel the thrill by just holding this letter.” She said in an excited tone. “You know what this means, right?” She then asked, facing the earth pony who sat beside her.

Nodding her head, she gave out a smirk, as she too knew what this all meant. “Eyup, means that we could finally be free from the pains of an old pony, as well as being reunited with our friends. Well, if we managed to meet them that is, but I’m sure Twilight would find a way to accomplish that.”

Having planned all of this ten years earlier, Rainbow Dash and the rest of her close friends (Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Applejack) all decided that they weren’t going to let themselves wither from age, especially during a time where Equestria was seeking new places in the stars as technology drifted as fast as the wind.

Convinced by their immortal friend, Princess Twilight Sparkle, they all decided to sign-up for the ECDF and take their chances on the promise of life extension. As the head of the Colonial Ministry, which were the ECDF was under, Twilight had assured them that her ministry had the magic and technology to extend their lives and returning them to a state that was more fit and health than they would have ever achieved via normal means. Although she didn’t say how they were going to do it, she did say that the process was painless and quick. A procedure that she said was designed by herself, it would enable old ponies to live longer and become a more useful soldier for the ECDF.

Soldiers.

That was one of the problems that they worried about when Twilight suggested it. Having your life extended was one thing, but having your life extended for the purpose of being a soldier was another. The Eqestrian Colonial Defense Force was the armed branch of the Colonial Ministry and was in charge of protecting the interstellar colonies of Equestria from foreign threats. Although those threats have never been revealed to the public, Rainbow Dash and her friends were sure that they meant aliens who wanted to kill them and tear them to bits.

These thoughts made the weary of Twilight’s suggestion as they planned on backing away from the offer. But after giving it more thought, they finally decided to agree with the offer. Seeing that they would still end up dead, after a couple of years, if they didn’t accept the offer, they might as well take the chance. Besides, it would also mean that they would be able to explore the space outside their planet, as space travel was limited to Colonial Settlers (Who had a picky system on who’s fit or not) and the ECDF (Who, for some reason, only accepted seventy-five year old ponies).

With the matter settled, the six friends went to Ponyville’s local recruitment center and signed their names, while Twilight waited at the small reception room. After taking a long orientation about joining the ECDF, solving a couple of simple tests, and having their DNA samples taken, they were officially on the ECDF’s waiting list.

While there, Rainbow Dash noted that all the ponies were the same age as them, sixty-five, as the sign-up required ponies of age sixty-five only. She started to wonder why they only accept old ponies, so she asked Twilight about this, but got only got a reply that answered none of her questions.

“I’m sorry Rainbow Dash but it’s too early for me to tell you, but I promise that I’ll explain about it once you reach seventy-five. By then, you’ll be able to go through the procedure and get a proper explanation.”

So now, ten years later, Rainbow Dash sat there with great anticipation, as she couldn’t wait to finally reunite her friends and get the answer she wanted.

Having turned seventy-five earlier that year, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie had already went to the recruitment center to accept the final contract and serve their term. By now, they were probably out in space, with their life extended and training in one of the many ECDF training centers.

Meanwhile, Applejack, who just turned seventy-five two weeks ago, decided to wait for Rainbow Dash. Since they were given thirty days, after turning seventy-five, to go to the recruiting center and accept the final contract, Applejack decided that it would be a good thing for both of them if they both go together. So now, with the both of them seventy-five, and golden letter’s calling for them to make the final decision, the only thing left to do was decide when to go.

“I say we should go now.” Rainbow Dash said in an excited tone, as she held the now opened letter and looked at her friend.

“Now?” Applejack tried to clarify. “As in now, now?”

“Yeah, why not? It’s not like we have anything better to do other than rot here and wait. So why delay our plans and stay here waiting?”

Applejack stared at her for a moment, before grinning as she shook her head in amusement. “Same old Rainbow Dash... You know, I was planning on giving you a couple of days to think it over, seeing that most ponies have second thoughts on things like this, but I’m glad that you’re just as enthusiastic as me.”

“Me, having second thought? Well that’s just blasphemy. Like, do you really think I’m going to turn down an offer like this? Of course not!” She said, brushing it off. She knew that there were ponies cancelled their plan on signing-up during their seventy-fifth birthday, but Rainbow Dash wasn’t like any of those ponies.

Missing her ability to fly and race, and once more feeling her desire to go fast, the promises of the ECDF was a gift that she was glad to accept. Add up the fact that she was going to space and meet her friends, who were already up there, then she believed that this gift was equivalent to winning the lottery.

“Well it’s good to hear that your just as eager as me. So, I’m guessing that you want to leave a soon as possible, don’t cha?” Applejack asked, as Rainbow Dash nodded. “Well alrighty then, I’ll give you time to pack your stuff and do the oth-“ She was suddenly cut off by Rainbow Dash, as she waved all of that off.

“Don’t worry Applejack, I’m already way ahead of you. All the stuff I need is already packed, I just need to pick it up upstairs, while all the people here already know that I will be leaving.”

Applejack was quite surprise when she heard this. From all her years of knowing Rainbow Dash, she had never seen this mare so organized and prepared for anything in her life. She must really be committed to this, if she was working so efficiently.

“Well, I’m actually hocked to see that you’re this prepared. Like, I haven’t packed my stuff yet and I’m the one who had more time to prepare.”

Rainbow Dash gave her a small grin. “Don’t worry; we can stop by the farm to pick up your stuff before heading to the recruitment center. That way, we can give the town one last glance before saying goodbye to it forever.” Rainbow Dash said, knowing that a route from here to the Apple Farm to the recruitment office would take them to many of the memorable places they and their friend had been to.

“Well, sounds like a sweet deal to me.” Applejack said as she nodded in agreement.

“Good…” Rainbow Dash said, before looking at the cake. “…now, if you don’t mind, let start eating this cake. It would be a shame to leave a nice gift like this go to waste.

Author's Note

Well here you go everyone, have a sci-fi story based on Old Man's War.