The sky was filled with a line of depressed clouds as the two ex-friends took to the plaza of a war torn Canterlot. The grass and trees that would once stand there as a nod to the beauty that Equestria had to offer was burnt and trodden on. The many masterfully built buildings that lined the streets were also crippled at their foundations. So many were basically rubble, and the few that did still stand were holding the wounded ponies from the battles that had crossed hundreds of miles. Canterlot was the only city that even had control of its castle.
“You..” Said Rainbow Dash as she began walking towards her new enemy. This enemy was no other than a former friend, Applejack. When the revolution began to turn the grand principality into a republic, two sides formed. The first were, of course, the loyalists. These were mostly the ponies of royalty as well as aristocrats, and ponies that lived in the cities. The revolutionists though, they were essentially everyone else. The farmers that were sick of living under a rule that they had no say in anything that happened. It had gone on far too long. Unfortunately with this revolution, the elements of harmony took sides. Pinkie and Fluttershy stayed neutral, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity took the side of the loyalists, and Applejack became a revolutionary.
“The one and only.” Applejack retorted as she drew her iron longsword from its leather sheath. “You shoulda left when you had the chance. Now, you stand there, waiting to die by the hand of a soldier you once called a friend.”
“Soldier?” Rainbow Dash laughed. “You are no soldier! A soldier protects her country. A soldier protects her people. All you want to do is dethrone the royalty, and you don’t care who you kill in the process. So many lives lost at the hand of yours and that revolution that you supported. What now? You stand toe to toe with me. I fought in nearly every major battle throughout this war, and every time….”
“Every time your men were killed by ponies with a righteous cause. The oppression of the principality should have been destroyed long ago, but no. It stayed for a thousand years, driving ponies to work in fields for hardly any pay so they can pay taxes that take up most of their wallets. So many lives unfairly squandered in menial labor while the aristocrats sit atop their balconies and spit at us.”
“You are so ignorant, those ponies worked for their positions. So many of them started small, and made risks to reach their mansions and living near royalty. Not like you, and those ponies that simply work in the mud.” Anger filled Rainbow Dash’s eyes as she said this, but at the same time, a small look of regret came across her expression.”
“What of the prisons then? The Canterlot dungeon is full of ponies that simply wanted a better life. They are tortured and killed for the hell of it, just because they wanted to have a say in the government.” Applejack took a step towards Rainbow Dash.
“Those ponies killed and pillaged to achieve this ‘better life’ that you speak of. Each of them could account for at least one life if not more, they deserve their pain.”
“Not all flat out joined the revolution, many, and even I began with peaceful means and diplomacy. No, many were imprisoned, even I spent some time in the Canterlot dungeon when this all began. Ponies would sit in their own waste, and would be whipped and beaten right in front of me. I even saw one have nails pierced through their hooves. Their hands, taken a broken without a second though. Then there were the thieves and those ponies who wouldn’t pay their taxes. For the thieves, they would have their fingers cut off, and cast into a pit. That pit, filled with those who couldn’t pay for their taxes would mine away for resources. However, that was not the worst fate of all. You know how you never see homeless ponies about? They are all rounded up and sold to neighboring countries for slave labor, and quite frankly I wouldn’t be surprised if they were used for sex slaves or food.”
“The Princess’s have their reasons for what they do! You are nothing but a terrorist!” Rainbow Dash screamed at Applejack, filled with more hate than she ever had been.
“What reasons? They gambled away so much of their money, and can’t afford to keep their country alive. So much goes to keeping this place alive, and most of the money ends up in the hands of the aristocrats. While some ponies are living under thatched roofs, others live in mansions carved from marble. The Princess’s are at fault for this, they are the ones that screwed everything up. Me, a terrorist? Look at yourself, for how long have you loyalists use fear tactics to control this revolution. Public executions and torture, you’re the terrorist. Because of you loyalists, Applebloom is dead, Granny Smith is dead, and Big Mac is in a mine!”
Applejack charged at Rainbow Dash, sword in hand. Rainbow Dash was prepared, as she always was during a battle of any size. However, Applejack was a creature of strength making the first parry a minor defeat to the cyan pegasus. Rainbow Dash put her left hoof back, and pushed Applejack’s blade away from hers before launching a strike. Another parry, and another loud clang breaking up the near silence of the scene.
Then, after those first two clangs of blades, something clicked within the two ponies, and they began to swing faster and harder, turning their battle into a storm of steel and fury. Every parry causing that loud clang that seemed to echo throughout the entire city. Even the boulders that were once parts of buildings, and walls would shudder at the passion of the two fighters.
Then, Rainbow Dash parried a swing as she had, but pushed Applejack back a few meters.
“I forgot who I was dealing with for a moment.” Said Rainbow Dash, panting.
“You were always one to underestimate me. Always caught up in your own little bubble of pride and arrogance.” Applejack laughed slightly as she continued to breath heavily.
“There is still time you know?” Rainbow Dash said as she looked up to Applejack with a smirk.
“Time for what?” Applejack lowered her blade ever so slightly.
“For you to drop your sword, come with me to the keep, and tell us everything you know. You were an element of harmony, your punishment may not be so severe considering your past. The princess’s are understanding.”
“If they were so understanding,” Applejack raised her blade once more, “then this revolution never would have happened. If they would have just lowered taxes, if they would have simply ended their laziness, and causing so many ponies to starve and die, grow sick and die, and even be sold off to other countries as slaves. How do you think Celestia pays her debts? This revolution was a long time coming. One of two things is going to happen. I’m gonna die, or I’m gonna mount your head on a pike.” Applejack had never been so filled with rage before, four years, four long years truly can change a pony.
“Then I guess I can’t let you live.” Rainbow Dash wouldn’t let go of her determined look, but amidst it was a single tear rolling down her eye.
Rainbow Dash quickly took to the air, and flew as fast as she could towards Applejack with a face that looked like it could have been made from stone. Applejack stood not a chance against the speed of the Equestrian Juggernaut...Rainbow Dash. One leg removed in a bloody display, then an arm, a finally, a jab through the gut.
Rainbow Dash dropped to the ground and looked at Applejack on the blood stained concrete. She was losing blood quickly, and would soon be no more.
“Congratulations.” Said Applejack as she coughed up some of that crimson liquid, “Now finish it!”
Rainbow Dash got on her knees, and embraced Applejack. “You were like a sister to me. Why did you have to do this? Why didn’t you give up?” Rainbow Dash’s resolve had died, and she weeping over her dying friend.
“I never give up, if there is anything I learned from you it’s that.”
“I’ll see you soon.” Rainbow Dash said as she kissed Applejack atop the head and stood up, brandishing her blade. “May you enter paradise, and may death treat you will on the shores of eternity.” Just like that, Rainbow Dash swung her blade and decapitated Applejack.
Rainbow Dash’s legs gave out as she once more held her friend in her arms once more, weeping over her corpse.
“I never meant for it to end like this.” She said to herself, “She was one of my best friends...and I killed her.” She stood up, and took both her own sword as well as Applejack’s. in her hands. Then, with a mighty heave she lifted the corpse over her shoulders.
Step after step until she reached the highest point of the wall. She looked to Applejack’s body and said…”See you soon.”