//-------------------------------------------------------//
                    Nightmare Equestria                    
                       -by Ameliash-                       
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                   Come Little Children                    
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Come Little Children
The stars shone in the ebony sky, suspended in nothingness and forced to remain there, forever burning till their slow demise. Their strong light was hindered by the thick atmosphere of equestria, causing it to flicker uncertainly. A cool breeze shook the tree boughs, ruffling the feathers of a vibrant blue-tit attempting to sleep within her nest. As if fearing for her life she took off, flying towards the dark city of Canterlot, where a single lone statue stood like a sentry, as if gaurding the night.   
A small bead of moisture welled in the statues cold stone eye and dropped to the floor with a soft plink. A huge castle towered above the shadowed city square.Above the castle was a lone winged unicorn, an alicorn. She beat her large feathered wings at a slow, steady pace, Her coat was dark blue. As were her mane and tail, but they also had a moving sparkling aura that looked like a stary sky she was silhouetted against. Her blue eyes had long lashes and blue eye shadow. A mark of what looked like an inkblot with a silver crescent moon was on her flank. She had a black chestplate with the same moon branded on.
She raised her head and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. Then, she began to sing.  
"Come little Children,   
I'll take thee away  
Into a land of enchantment  
Come little children  
The time's come to play   
Here in my garden of shadows"
Her eyes snapped open on the last word, and she flew to the ground in front of the castle, swooping low through the streets as she sang.
"Follow sweet children  
I'll show thee the way   
Through all the pain and the sorrows   
Weep not poor children   
For life is this way   
Murdering beauty and passions"
She landed in front of an old stone brick orphanage, where the children were all happily asleep, drool seeping from their open mouths. They were dreaming dreams any young child would dream. Trips to the moon and travelling to far off lands. The alicorn outside smiled to herself. After the last note was sung, the children woke up one by one and filed downstairs, as if in a daze.
They stopped at an open window, and stared at it questioningly.  
The alicorns horn began to glow, and all of the children in the city began to float from their beds, through their windows and into the night sky.
"Hush now dear children  
It must be this way  
To weary of life and deceptions  
Rest now my children  
For soon we'll away  
Into the calm and the quiet"
She began to hum the tune as she took off to join the children in the air. There were hundreds, of all types; unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies. All were galloping in the air next to the Alicorn, away from their city, their homes, their friends and their pearents.  
All left behind for the mares enchanting tune.  
"Come little children  
I'll take thee away  
Into a land of enchantment  
Come little children  
The times come to play  
Here in my garden of sha-a-dows"
She held the last note for as long as she could as they flew farther away from Canterlot. Soon, they could not see the city for the distance they had travelled. Away they flew, deep into the night, not to be seen again.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Gone, all gone!" Yelled Princess Celestia. She was a tall, white Alicorn. Her horn was extremley long, and her wings were huge. Her mane and tail were a mix of green, pink yellow and blue. At the moment, her face was twisted into a furious snarl.
"Every last child, snatched from their beds. I have a mob of angry pearents outside, demanding to know what happened." She shreiked. "Luna will rue the day she was born, just as I have."
She paused to think, staring at the purple unicorn in front of her. She was kneeling as low as she could, her eyes shut tight. She had a navy blue mane and tail with pink and purple highlights running through the middle. One purple eye was open, watching carefully as .  
"Twilight."The purple unicorn tensed, but managed to squeeze out a respectful  
"Yes your majesty?"  
"What shall I do to the mob?"  
Twilight smiled meanly as she stood up straight.  
"Let them in."
The princess used her horn to telekineticly open the doors. A troop of two hundred pearents filed in all demanding an explaination.  
Celestia raised a hoof to silence them.  
"Twilight will take your visit." She said simply, and she stayed put to watch.
"Where are my kids!?" Screamed a pink and white earth mare.  
Twilights horn shimmered with a purple aura, and the unicorns face twisted in silent agony and she fell to the floor, blood at the corners of her mouth. The confidence of the mob dissapated, and they panicked.  
Several of them bolted to the doors, but a purple aura shimmered around them and they slammed shut with loud bang that echoed around the halla faint click.
"Oh we can't have that." Twilight said, her voice low. "Now, I want three groups. Unicorns in one, pegasi in the other, earth ponies in the third. You have thirty seconds"
The ponies scrambled to get into position, clambering over eachother in their panic. They all finished with seven seconds to spare, and they stared wide-eyed at Twilight who simply smirked and looked to the Princess still standing behind her. They nodded. Twilight opened her mouth to speak. "We did not take your children. As you know, we are not allowed to 'till the eve of their fourteenth birthday. It is the law"
The pearents all visibly relaxed, and a low muttering began in the group. The pegasi seemed to look a great deal more relieved than the other two races.   
"But, if you don't have them, then who does?" A brave unicorn called out.  
"Last night, the Alicorn Rouge and sister of our Princess, known as Luna visited our delightful city. She stole all of your children."
The pearents began to panic once more, questions being yelled from each group, as they fought desperatley to be heard by the purple unicorn, who merely smirked.  
"Now. There are some...legal matters." She said calmly, and the ponies in front of her were shoked into silence. They stared, open mouthed as Twilight teleported a scroll into the room.
"We know why she took your children. Yes. She has initiated them to her army, that she plans to use to usurp our beloved leader. Now, your children are enemies of the great Celestial Empire. And according to Section B-34 of the Code of Conduct ruling, paragraph A/49 line 43 through 45..." She cleared her throat and began reading off the scroll.  
"Any person or persons caught aiding, asscotiating with or enquiring of the position of any rouge, person or persons who are associating with or aiding rouges, or if either party are themselves rouges, are therefore enemies of Equestria and traitors to her majesty Princess Celestia. They are guilty of High Treason and must, therefore, be dealt with accordingly." She finished with a small smile.  
"Pardon?" Asked a blue unicorn.  
"It means that your children are enemies, and you must be disposed swiftly of before you try to aid them." Princess Celestia said, speaking to them for the first time. She sounded nearly gleeful at the prospect, and the ponies in front of her could hardly contain their disgust towards their  
"Five of you from each group, step forward. Then stand over there" Twilight barked, pointing over to yhe side of the room. A few ponies from each group were shoved forward, some with tears in their eyes as they were torn from their loved ones. They stood where the purple unicorn had instructed, shaking with fear. Twilight glanced around, waiting for silence.
When it was quiet, Twilights horn began to glow with a purple aura, and she grinned, her eyes turning black.
The ponies that had remained in their groups began to scream in agony. Their skin began to peel away, and their eyeballs melted from their sockets. Several of them were writhing on the floor, convulsing in pain. They all wept as they caught fire, their tears evaporating into nothing. One by one they sank to the floor, their bones turning to dust. The screams still echoed around the hall long after they had died.  
The fifteen ponies left all stared at the unicorn in front of them in horror, not daring to look away, speak or even move.   
Twilight did not glance back at them as she and the Princess began to walk away.   
She left two parting words that sent shivers down their spine, and nearly made them cry with greif as the gaurds step forward with thick chains and ropes.  
"Slave trade."   
The doors slammed shut.
Author's Note
So hope y'all enjoyed. Please comment your criticisims dowm below. :pinkiehappy: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/pinkiehappy.png  
Next chapter will have Pinkie (:pinkiegasp: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/pinkiegasp.png) and Rainbow Dash (:rainbowderp: https://static.fimfiction.net/images/emoticons/rainbowderp.png) and may be hard to read for some of the more sensitive types, so proceed with caution.

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                     Rainbows Torment                      
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Rainbows Torment
The door creaked as the pegasus slowly pushed it shut. She tip-toed through the darkness, trying her best to make no sound, not daring to move her wings for fear of the sound of rustling feathers.  
Her eyes soon adjusted to the dim light, and she felt her heart skip as she saw the dirty heap of straw she called a bed. There was a small candle stub slightly to the side along with a single book.
At the sight of her safe haven, she began to pick up her hooves, certain that she would make it, but suddenly she heard a high pitched voice behind her.  
"The funny thing, Dashie, is you thought you could get away with that, I mean, did you think I wouldn't notice?" This was followed by a joyful giggle.
Rainbow Dash froze. Her pupils dilated as she stood, one hoof raised, not three hoofsteps from her goal...but what did it matter? The voice was right, this was inevitable and all Dashes fault.  
Her ears twitched as she heard the person behind her step forward and move next to her.
There was another pony next to her, a pegasus, holdig a candle. As the two moved, the flame illuminated Rainbows body with a soft glow, revealing many scars and cuts and bruises along the length of her torso.
Rainbows eyes followed the pony, till finally she could see the pink muzzle and blue eyes directly in front of her. Her hair was dark pink and straight, reaching past her shoulders and messy with tangles and knots. Her fur was matted with dried blood and she was scowling.
"So? Where is she?" The pink earth pony demanded.  
"Pinkie...I...I can explain!" Dash croaked.  
"Please do."  
"I...I was going to...to...you know...but...I"  
Rainbow stumbled over her words, trying desperatly to speak. But she could not for she was terrified of what she knew was about to happen.
"Where is she, Rainbow Dash?" Pinkie demanded. The blue pegasus remained silent, trembling with fear.  
"Why is she not here? At least I presume she isn't, judging by the way you are acting."  
There was a breif pause filled only with the sound of Dashes ragged beathing.   
Her eyes stared forward and she still had one hoof raised, as she dared not move.  
"Explain." Pinkie said simply. Dash stuttered mindlessly, falling over her words in a panicked attempt to explain herself.   
Pinkie stpod for a moment, alowing the pegasus to babble, untill she grew tired of it.
She raised a bloodstained hoof, and struck Dash on her cheek, below the eye. This caused Rainbow to stagger back, and she absently touched the bruise, feeling the warm stickiness of blood on her cheek.
"Oh, Rainbow Dash, you know what I have to do now."  
"Please, Pinkie, I'm so sorry. You don't have to..."  
"I'm sorry, Dashie." Pinkie sighed. "But I don't make the rules. Pinkimena does."
She slowly advanced on her cowering friend and raised her hoof again, placing it gently on Rainbows temple. Quick as a flash, she withdrew her hoof and slammed it back into place. The blow knocked out Dash instantly, and she fell to the floor, with Pinkie glaring down at her.
When Dash awoke, found she was strapped to a backless metal frame that felt cold against her skin.  
The room was lit with a few old candle stubs, and the walls were decorated with eyeballs and painted skulls. Streamers made from intestines hung from the walls, and as Dash strained her eyes, she felt sure someone had written on the walls, although she couldn't make out the words.
There was also a vast assortment of knives, and Dashes heart pounded as she saw a shelf of boxes, labbled with things like  
"Broken glass", "Fish hooks", "Screw Drivers" and, Dash shivered, "Salt."
Rainbow gulped as she saw a movement in the shadows. Pinkie stepped into the light, holding a scalpel between her teeth. She ignored her captive pegasus for a moment, putting the scalpel down on a plain wooden table that was just in front of Rainbow.
When she finally did speak it was in a calm, clear voice, much unlike the fast, high-pitched one she usually spoke with.
"Hello Rainbow. You're awake." The Pink pony said menacingly.  
"No. Please. You don't have to do this Pinkie." Rainbow pleaded.  
"On the contrary, I do."
Pinkie walked over to the shelves and boxes, trying to decide what to do. She nonchalantley picked up the boxes labelled; Broken glass, Salt and Fish hooks.  
Piling them on her back qnd carrying them over to the table.
She gently placed them down and opened them up, allowing Rainbow Dash to get a good look at what was inside. The fish hooks caught the candlelight and her heart jumped.  
"You rember your old friend Dawn Feather, don't you?" Pinkie asked. Rainbow was startled, and nearly forgot to answer, till her eyes darted to the salt and she was jolted to reality.  
"Y-yes. You send us on raids together quite alot Pinkie Pie."  
"Good." Said Pinkie Pie. "Let's begin.
The pink earth mare walked up to rainbow and gingerly brushed the pegasuses mane behind her ear. She trailed her hoof down her cheek and under her chin, pausing at the bruise she had made earlier, circling it.  
Her hoof travelled down Dashes neck and down her back, causing Rainbow to whimper.  
Pinkie stroked the pegasuses feathered wings, a glint in her eye. Rainbow obedientley unfolded them, unsure weather or not something else played a part in this action.
Pinkie brushed her cheek against the feathers, enjoying the soft, light touch that made her feel so warm. As Pinkie played with her wings, Rainbow squeezed her eyes shut, her ears flicking back and fourth, ready for any pain Pinkie would try to throw subject her to.
After a few minutes, Pinkie stood back, examining the pony in front of her.   
It is my pegasus. She thought contentedly. My Rainbow Dash.  
She leaned forward and grasped a feather, tearing it away from the wing. Rainbow flinched, but mainly due to shock.  
Pinkie picked up her scalpel from the table, and pushed it into Rainbows shoulder. Rainbow gritted her teeth as she felt it being pulled down towards her hoof, then removed and the same done to her other arm. Pinkie cut lines all over her pegasuses body, sometimes barley scraping the skin, other times pushing so deep she nearly scraped bone.
Rainbow violentley shook her head from side to side, trying desperatley npt to cry out.  
Pinkie sliced down near the top of Pinkies ear and then back up, slicing off a large chunk of the tip.  
"Looks like a gitaur pick..." Pinkie mused. "I can use this later!" She dropped the severed peice of flesh and the bloody scalpel on the table and picked up one of the boxes.  
Rainbow forced her eyes open and read the title. Her pupils constricted and her heart skipped.  
"This might sting..." Pinkie giggled, and dipped her hoof in the salt.  
She began rubbing the salt into the lines that were carved into Dashes skin, and for three seconds Dash felt nothing.  
Then, suddenly, a torrent of pain cascaded apon her and she screamed, writhing in agony against the metal frame.
She began to scream.
Her skin felt as if it were on fire and she screamed untill her throat was hoarse, and tears ran down her face.
After a while, Pinkie grew bored. She picked up a wet sponge from the table and began to clean Dashes wounds.  
"Now if I were to leave you, you would soon die, Dashie." She whispered to the pegasus, who was panting.  
"But of all my slaves, you are my favorite. You are fun to play with, you follow my orders. I have known you for ages,we met long before her Majestys descent into madness, and you were my friend long before you were my slave."  
She paused for breath, watching Rainbow Dash with curiosity, who, emotionless, stared straight forward, and she did not blink.
"You remember how it all began yes? With nightmare moon. Remember the gala? The parties? Your obsession with the Wonderbolts? Do you remember Scootaloo?"   
A tear escaped Rainbows eye, and it fell to the ground with a soft plink.  
"Yes, the Cutie Mark Crusaders. They are all disgusting brats, all of them. The second greatest enemy of the Solar Empire. We need to capture them." Her voice became shrill as she became angrier, and she began to shout. "Fluttershy knows where they are. Fluttershy can tell us how to find them. Fluttershy can help us kill them like the Princess wants us too, so the Princess does not kill us." Pinkie stopped, panting for breath.  
"But I understand why you can't do this. You love Scootaloo like she really was your younger sister. You love Fluttershy more so, in another way. You do not want any of them hurt. I was stupid to trust you with the task" She said softly.
Pinkie clapped her hooves together and a unicorn stepped forward, lighting up his horn. For a moment, Dash was blinded, and if she wasn't still tied in place, she would have sheilded her eyes.
Eventually her eyes ajusted to the bright light, and straight away wished they hadn't. In front of her, were two ponies strapped to metal tables that were slightly tilted back. The pair were just beginning to wake up, groggily shaking their heads. One was a grey unicorn that had messy brown hair and green eyes. The other was a white pegasus that had golden hair and a single orange streak running through it. Her eyes were blue.
"Dawn Feather?" Dash gasped.
"Rainbow Dash? What's going on?" Dawn asked, and her eyes widened as she looked around. She suddenly recognised what room she was in, and she stared at the pink pony in front of her in horror, her mouth open, trying to speak but completely unable to make a sound. The grey ponys reaction was much the same. The four ponies stared eachother down for a moment, the three that were tied up too shocked to speak, and Pinkie was simply enjoying the moment. Finally, Rainbow Dash spoke up.  
"Pinkie, I don't understand what's going on. Why are these two here?"  
Pinkie giggled hystericly.  
"We're going to play a little game; one lives, one dies. It's up to you, Rainbow Dash, to decide which. So tell me RD, who dies? "  
Dawn and Rainbow stared at eachother in horror, completely dumbfounded. Rainbow couldn't imagine killing Dawn Feather, who was her best friend.   
The grey unicorn simply stared forward, not meeting the eyes of her captor. She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath, exhaling slow;y.  
"Sis?" She said.  
Dawn looked at her sister worridly.  
"Yes, Star Shine?" She asked hesitntley.  
"I love you, ok?"   
Dawn nodded.  
"I love you too."  
Stars eyes snapped open.  
"Rainbow Dash. Pick me" She demanded. "It makes sense, right. I'm not as much your friend as Dawn is. I'm not half as good a slave as either of you two are, so I'm bound to die sooner anyway. Pick me. Kill me."   
Rainbow looked at Star Shine, horrified. Her throat went dry, and she tried to argue, but once again her words failed her, and she was unable to speak. She looked from pony to pony completley at loss of what to say or do, because as much as she hated to admit any of it, Star was right. Before she even had a chance to reply, however, Dawn had already stepped in.  
"Star…no. No, I won't let you!" She cried, struggling against her restraints.  
Star Shine reacted calmly, looking her sister in the eye and adressing her calmly but firmly.  
"You know, I promised Mum and Dad something when we were taken from them. They begged me, "Keep little Dawn safe". I promised them I would do everything within my power to keep you alive, and to keep the two of us together. What sort of daughter would I be if I broke that promise? What sort of sister would I be if I let you die? You're not a filly anymore. You don't need me. But I love you. Never forget that Dawn."  
Dawn smiled and shook her head.  
"I'll always need you" She whispered, tears streaming from her eyes.
Pinkie began to laugh hysterically, rolling around on the floor in fits of laughter, tears of joy staining the floor. The captive ponies looked on in confusion, glancing at eachother uncertainly. Pinkie eventually calmed down. Shakily she stood up and wiped her eyes, still chuckling softly to herself. She grinned at Star Shine and her sister.  
"Oh, that was just wonderful. So…heartwarming. So…beautiful. So… hilarious." She giggled again then turned to Rainbow Dash, her gaze stern and cold.  
"So have we come to a decision."  
Rainbow nodded.  
"Do I even have to ask?"  
"No" Rainbow whispered.  
"Who am I killing Rainbow Dash?" Pinkie insisted. Dawn and Star both looked at Rainbow, each hoping their sister would be spared.  
Rainbow Dash sighed, and looked at Star.  
"I'm sorry." She rasped, a lump forming in her throat. The grey unicorn smiled, tears in her eyes, and she looked at her sister, neither of them saying a word.  
"Pinkie Pie. I choose to save Dawn Feather. Kill Star Shine." Rainbow choked, not beliveing she was the one saying those words. Both she and her saved friend hung their heads, allowing their last few tears to roll down their cheeks.  
"So be it." Murmered Pinkie Pie.
She grinned again, placing a hoof on her forehead, thinking hard. She didn't think the traditional method would be quite spectacular enough for her very-best-friends-best-friends-sister. (She giggled a little thinking that.) Pinkie glared at Star Shine, pondering. Then, an idea struck her.  
"Arpeggio" She barked.  
The unicorn from earlier perked up his ears, and looked at the pink pony, shaking slightly.  
"Y-yes, m'am."  
"Teleport us to the arena."  
Rainbow Dash and Dawn gasped, then looked at each other in horror. Star looked a little confused, but Rainbow spoke before she could ask anything.  
"You said Princess Celestia hadn't permitted you to use that yet.' She exclaimed.  
Pinkie laughed again.  
"She went back on that order last week. We can now use it however we like. Arpeggio?"  
The unicorn followed his mistress' orders without further hesitation.
Rainbow and Dawn found themselves in a large, round, underground room. It had a broad, domed ceiling and a large empty space in the middle. The edges were all seats. There was a hallway over to one side that was dark, and blocked off by a rusty iron gate. This was mirrored on the other side. Rainbow dared not think what was through those long empty hallways. The whole thing looked exactly like the roman colleseum, except made of dirt. Dash and Dawn were then both teleported to the seats where the royalty would have sat, Rainbow in the left seat, Dawn in the middle and they found Pinkie on Dawns right. They also discovered they were tied and gagged, unable to speak properly or even move.  
Suddenly, they heard the sound of screaming, accompanied with a loud snap. Howls of pain were echoing from one of the hallways, and Dawn gasped, murmering something to her friend. Rainbow didn't hear her properly, but she didn't need to because she knew. Those screams belonged to Star Shine.   
The screaming stopped abruptly, and the grinding of gears could be heard as the iron gate rose. Star stumbled out of the hallway, falling to her feet almost immediately as the gate slammed shut behind her.  
She was bruised and bloody. Her horn had been snapped off, and she was limping on one of her legs. Blood matted her coat in numerous places and in some places her beautiful coat had been torn away from the skin completely, revealing pink patches of skin. She was clearly dazed, and one eye was puffy and swollen, beginning to blacken.   
The gates at the far end of the arena began to open, and Star backed against the wall. Rainbow gasped as she saw why.
Vicious, snarling tigers began to pad out of the gates, saliva dripping from their open jaws. They wern't just angry, they were hungry. They licked their lips as they closed in on the cowering pony, and Dawn began to sob, terrified for her sister, who didn't stand a chance. By now the tigers had cornered Star against the wall, and sensing she had nowhere to run, the unicorn prepared to fight. One of the smaller tigers leaped at Star Shine, who raised her front hooves and brought them crashing down on his snout. He swiped with his paws, catching her on the side, tearing across her flank. Star screamed, and bucked with her hind quarters, knocking the tiger back. But another, larger tiger replaced him, and swiped at her again, catching her eye. Now nearly completley blinded, Star could not defend herself properly. She panicked and tried to buck the tiger, who saw the attack coming and caught the ponies left leg in her jaw, biting hard. Star screamed and fell to the ground, loosing blood fast. She tried to spring up and balance herself, but felt the tiger grasping her front left leg in its jaws.   
"No!!" Star Shine screamed, jerking her leg free, but this caused the tigers teeth to rip along her leg, and she howled in pain. Now unable to stand, she key on the floor gasping, The tigers began to pick her up and play with her, tossing her from paw to paw. Star grew sick and dizzy from loss of blood, and she began to loose consciousness. Finally, one of the tigers caught her in his mouth and bit down with a sickening crunch.
Rainbow Dash and Dawn Feather both sobbed as they looked in horror at the scene as it unfolded beneath them, silently screaming. When the tiger bit down for the last time, Dawn stiffened. There was a pool of tears on the floor below each of them, and Rainbow put her wing around her friend comfortingly. They sat in silence as the tigers were rounded up by some unicorns and taken back to their cages. Pinkie watched them, smiling triumphantly.   
"See." She giggled. "Wasn't that fun! Now, Arpeggio. Take them back to their room. I've got some baking to do."

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            Et erubescent luna et salvabit nos             
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Et erubescent luna et salvabit nos
The sun began to set over the dark compound, the sounds of slaves working in the corn feilds carried by the morning breeze. Every now and then, the sound of a cracking whip, followed by a sharp cry of pain could be heard. Most of the slaves were earth foals, teens or mares as the stallions usually worked in the mines and quarries, however there were still some males working there, under the blistering heat of the sun. The slaves worked hard and dared not complain for fear of punishment, weeding and digging, checking for and picking the ripe corn. They did whatever they were told to, no matter what. None of them looked for means of escape, as the feilds were surrounded by tall gaurds and sentries, mostly well paid unicorns skilled in magic. Besides, the punishments a runaway slave could face were the most severe of all, and a pony was better off not even trying; for the safety of not just themselves, but everyone they knew and loved.   
One light grey young teen pegasus with a dark mane was also working in the corn field that day. He yawned from fatigue and he heard his stomach growling in hunger. Nopony had been fed for a week because a young pink filly had accidentally put a mouldy corn cob in the shipment the week before. Nobody had seen her since the gaurds took her away for punishment. Sighing, he pulled at another weed, but it was weaker than he had thought it would be, and he pulled harder than he should have, causing him to bump into another pony working behind him, who glared angrily with glassy eyes.   
"Watch it Rumble" He snarled, not daring to raise his voice more than a hiss.   
"Sorry Snails" Rumble whispered meekly.  
He watched as Snails angrily turned away from him, sighing again. He remembered when everypony here had been happy, before they were all sent to this horrible place. They had all been there for about three years, and had been forced to grow up incredibly fast. They were in their first year in high school when they were sold as slaves, and were now nearly fully grown. Rumble wondered what it would have been like for them all if this had never happened.  
He looked out to the horizon as the moon began to climb in the sky. He heard the gaurds and sentries call in the slaves for the night, but for a second he ignored them. He thought he saw something between the line of trees, but before he could register what it was, it had gone. He stared at the tree, and subconsciously felt himself drifting towards it, but all of a sudden he heard shouting behind him, and a large unicorn gaurd bransishing a whip landed in front of him, blocking his sight of thr trees. The gaurd then tackled Rumble to the ground, who cried out apon feeling his ankle twist and sprain. Then the the unicorn proceeded whip him many times all over his body. Rumble whimpered in pain an the weapon carved cuts and welts into his tender flesh, scarring his skin with painful cust and bruises. He refused to sob however, and tried to show as little weakness as he could as the vicious beating continued. Finally the gaurd stopped and glared down at the shaking, panting pegasus.   
"Join the rest of the group. No food for any of you. You'll join me on night watch for a week" He growled.  
"Yes sir" Rumble said, slowly standing and limping towards his friends, not daring to look back.
Three figures silently watched them leave from the shadow of a clump of trees. They had all been at the farm since daybreak, scouting the area and gathering as much intel as they could. They had watched the brutal scene unfold in front of them with a certain level of indifference, for they had witnessed scenes much like this one many times before, and even more much worse. They were thankful to the Princess for all she had done for them, and hated to think what their lives would have been like if they were not so fortunate and were happy to work for her. Seeing the ponies they loved abused in such ways was a sad but necessary occupational hazzard, but they were proud of the job they did. They watched the gaurd and colt leave suspiciously, not daring to move.  
"We're lucky he didn't see us" One of the figures said quietly, its voice high pitched and barely a whisper.  
"Yeah. That would've made things alot more difficult. Y'all know the plan, right girls?" Another said quietly with a thick southern drawl.  
"Of course." Said the third confidently wih a swish of its mane. "We've went through it once more before we left. "   
"Great" Said the one with the southern accent,as the last of the slaves and sentries dissapeared into ther small mud huts. "Make sure to be ready when I call the signal. "Split up."  
The other ponies followed her order without any form of objaction or hesitation, and one by one they snuck away into the night.
Rumble inwardly cursed as he trudged through the cornfeilds in the dark, his eyes drooping. Throughout his life as a farm slave he had managed to survive on little sleep, but he was already low on energy due to not eating for that week, not to mention working all day, and his reserves were sinking low. He was all too aware of what happened to ponies that fell asleep on patrol however, and even more aware of the hulking unicorn guards behind him wth bullwhips, knives, lassos and goodness knows what else. Not to mention the swords. His scars were still fresh, some still bleeding and his bruises showed against his skin. He did not want another beating. Every now and then he stumbled and fell, as his left fore hoof was badly sprained, and it was a struggle to walk on it properly. As the moon steadily rose, and as he limped on in silence, Rumble began to wonder how much longer he could take it. He looked at the sentries walking next to him, and opened his mouth to speak, but thought better of it. Suddenly, Rumble saw the shadow of a pony, zip between two boulders, and he stared in shock. Then, to his right, he saw a yellow flash streak by him, but ony for a second. He glanced back, unsure, but at the same time accidentally put his bad hoof on the ground and tripped, crashing to the ground. Rumble lay there for a second, winded, and recoiled as he was kicked by one of the sentries, who glared at him maliciously.  
"Get a grip you worthless peice of trash. Get up" The gaurd snapped, flashing his whip. Rumble attempted to stand, however he stumbled again, looking round wildly dazed and confused as he saw another flash, this one orange, dart through the corn.  
The gaurds grinned at his defiance and raised their whips as if they had been waiting for an excuse to use them. With sickening enthusiasm, they began to whip Rumble, again and again, enjoying the way his screams cut through the cool night air. Rumble was in much more pain than last time, for not only was his skin still tender from his last beating, but the gaurds had tied glass and razor blades to the ends of their whips. Rumble curled into a ball and squeezed his eyes tight wishing for it to stop. He heard a whistle cut clear through the night air and suddenly, he felt the whipping stop, and he looked up.
The guards were listening, and so Rumble perked his ears up and listened too. He heard a muffled cry, followed by a threat and another muffled scream.Then Rumble saw the gaurds relax as another whistle could be heard. The gaurds sighed. Rumble heard one mutter:  
"That means false alarm." His companion nodded and the two advanced on the colt once more. Rumble once again felt he sting of the whip, but this time he felt less pain than usual, but the feeling was replaced by the burning feeling of anger. Slowly, he rose against the beating, his blood soaked fur clinging in matted clumps to his body, and he placed his bad hoof forward, taking an attack stance. He wanted to be brave like his brother, he wanted to fight. However, to his dismay, the gaurds did not become overcome with fear; they laughed. One took out a knife and slashed at his leg, and the pegasus crashed to the ground. He stared up at the guards in horror as one of them grinned.  
"I've been waiting a long time for this you miserable worm."
Just then, Rumble saw the orange flash again, and the corn rustled. This time, the gaurd saw it to and he looked up. Rumble saw the yellow flash dart behind the two unicorn guards and Rumble gasped. The gaurd glared and yelled as loudly as he could.  
"Show yourself" As if in response, the colt saw another flash, but he had not seen this one before, as this one was pure white and seemed to be very fast. There was then an abrupt whistle from behind them, and the white flash jumped into veiw from in front. It was obviously a unicorn as it was using magic to hold a long, slender steel sword with a gold hilt and some sort of blue gem in the hilt. The actual pony was wearing a gold and silver helmet and a tail cover however, and so Rumble could not make out any distinct features, but he knew she was a mare. The mystery unicorn launched herself in the air, jumping high, slashing the sword at the gaurds. Effortlessly she dodged each attack the gaurds threw at her, and seemed to move with unending graceas opposed to the bumbling gaurds that were taken by suprise. She released a high pitched cry slashing at one of the soldiers, striking his eyes and blinding him, and whilst he was distracted used the sword to slice the leg of the other gaurd at the knee. Then not hesitating the unicorn ran the sword through the sentries chest, and turned to the other. Swinging the sword high and bringing it down under the ponys kneecap, cutting the limb clean in half.  
Then, the unicorn looked at Rumble, who gulped nervously…and she darted off into the corn field once more, followed by the orange and yellow streaks.   
"What the…" Rumble mumbled and he took off after them, towards the huts where the slaves and gaurds lived. When he finally did reach the huts however, he saw that all the sentries were killed, lying in pools of their own blood in their beds. Fearul, Rumble checked the small hut where all the slaves lived, but everyone in there was peacefully asleep. Confuses, Rumble saw the orange flash again, and decided to follow it again. He was still slow, tired and achy however, and so his progess through the corn was slow. Finally he found himself at the farm house where the slave owner lived. Rumble gulped. Slaves were forbidden from entering unless given an order that required them to enter the premises, but Rumble swallowed his fear and opened the door. Inside the house was a little dissapointing, as it was simply decorated in a beige colour scheme and old rustic style. The house itself was not Rumbles concern, however. Quietly, he trotted through the old cottage,and his ears perked up as he heard a muffled cry followed by a gurgle. He sneaked closer to a bedroom door, and that's when he heard the voices.  
"Great job with those sentries back there." Said somepony said quietly, but happily.  
"Thankyou" Another pony said, trying to be quiet as well. "You two were amazing too."  
"Aww shucks. That whistle was louder than I expected it to be" Said one with a thick southern accent.  
The three continued to congratulate one another, and Rumble attempted sneak closer to the door in an attempt to look, but in doing so, he alerted the attention of the white pony. All she saw was his nose sticking out behind the door, and she realised whoever was out there couldn't see in yet. Using her eyes and hooves, she alerted the others, and also told them to be quiet. When Rumble did finally get his yes round the door, he was greeted by three swords all pointed at his nose. He gulped again. Loudly. Then, to his surprise, one of them sighed in relief.  
" Oh thank goodness. It's only Rumble"
Rumble was surprised that they knew his name, and was also surprised that, apon glancing around, the three were all mares. One was orange, one was yellow, and the other was the white pony he had seen earlier. He also noticed the slave owner murdered in her bed, blood seeping from the wound in his back. Rumble tried to look at the faces of the ponies, but each was wearing a helmet. The colt looked at the swords, wich looked expensive and intricately made. The white mares was slendre and silver, with a black and gold gilded hilt. The other two were made in the same style, but the orange ponies sword was red black and silver, and the yellows was blue black and silver. Each had a moon on the hilt, and the yellow and orange ponies had to use their mouths to hold them. Rumble was afraid to say anything, but it seemed clear the ponies wouldn't hurt him, so he ventured for a question.  
"How…how do you know my name?" He asked. The ponies in the room all glanced at each other, and the white mare began to remove her helmet. Rumble gasped as he saw the pony in front of him, one he had never expected to do something like this. He stared in disbelief at her grinning face, her beautiful, beautiful face. He could almost hear her laughing at him although she said no words, it was clear she found this amusing. Words failed him as he stared in shock and admiration at the pony he used to know way back when equestria was a nice place to be. Finally, he found his words.  
"Sweetie Belle!?" He choked and the mare chuckled. Rumble watched as the ponies behind Sweetie Belle also removed their helmets. It was Scootaloo and Apple Bloom.  
He couldn't belive how much they had grown up, and he couldn't help acknowledging the fact that they had grown into their teen years well, each beautiful young mares now. Sweetie Belle was the picture of grace and beauty, with a slender body and a beautiful curly pink and lilac mane and tail along with sparkling green eyes. Rumble had seen her fighting skill and did not underestimate her however. Scootaloo had a raw, rugged beauty about her and her orange coat and purple mane looked windswept. With a lean, athletic build and a confident grin, she reminded him of Rainbow Dash. Scoots' purple eyes seemed to spark with zeal and fervour. Applebloom had a stockier, more muscular build, and she looked very strong. Her sunset eyes bored into his, and he saw strength and determination in her steady gaze. He scanned all three of them, impressed.
Apple Bloom noticed him staring grinned at the colt, then turned to her companions, putting her helmet back on.   
"Alright y'all, we gotta finish up here." She called to her friends.  
"Wait…what?" Rumble asked.  
Apple Bloom sighed. "We three work for Princess Luna." She said in her southern drawl. "One of our jobs is to liberate the slaves and then deliver them to her. She'll take care of you, and declare you free ponies again."  
"But arn't you sort of slaves too?" Rumble asked, and the three of them laughed,   
"No. We are the three highest ranking officers in her Royal Guard. We are free to back down at any time." Apple Bloom chuckled.  
"And besides, we're loyal to the Princess. We won't ever back down. We'd die first." Scootaloo said defiantly, stamping her hoof.   
"And Luna is against the slave trade." Sweetie Belle assured him. "So you coming with us?"  
Rumble seemed to think for a moment, then nodded.   
Sweetie and Scootaloo both put their helmets on, and Applebloom glanced at Rumble. She knelt down and told him to climb on her back. She explained that, in his condition, she didn't expect him to be albe to get very far, and Rumble was forced to swallow his pride and allow her to carry him. Once he was safe and secure, Apple Bloom let out a short whistle and the three mares charged forwards in a small V, all perfectly keeping in pace with each other. He looked at the mares as they ran, admiring their determined expressions and the small smiles as they tore through the corn field. Suddenly, Scootaloojumped in the air, managing a surprisingly graceful front flip, then using her wings to glide to the ground, hitting it  
running. They ran to the huts with the slaves in, and it had clearly been longer than Rumble had originally thought as the sun was already rising.
The once slaves were all awake, milling around in confusion, the atmosphere a mix of fear and anticipation as they inspected the huts where the bodies of the sentries and gaurds lay. They watched, uncertainly as the three mares ran towards them, some backing away slowly, pressing their flanks against the mud walls of their homes, protectivley hugging their families close as if willing to protect them. Apple Bloom and her companions skidded to a halt in front of them all, giving little hops and skips of excitement that somewhat ruined their professional demeanour. They hastily explained the station, Sweetie Belles eyes darting around and Scootalooss wings giving little flutters and twitches. Rumble didn't know why the three of them were so agitated, and then noticed that Scoots' wings were now fully grown, and wondered if she could fly now.   
He was ripped from his daydreams by an angry question;  
"Why should we trust you? How do we know we aren't just going somewhere worse?" Shoe Shine called from the back.  
"You can trust your old friends. We wouldn't hurt you, not ever. Plus, you don't have to come with us, although I trust you know you're all enemies of the Solar Empire now." Sweetie Belle said  
Carrot top stepped forwards, her orange coat scarred with cuts and bruises, and her eyes dull and listless. She looked at the hopeful mares in front of her, then back to her friends cowering against the mud huts. Taking a deep breath, she opened her mouth to speak.  
"I've always been an enemy of the Solar Empire." She said quietly, but defiantly.  
Scootaloo cheered, and one by one, slaves began to join their group, saying they would join them on their perilous journey to the Lunar peace lands, where rouges fled and Celestia had no control. Apple Bloom smiled triumphantly at Rumble, who shared her smug gaze.  
"Ok everyone. Rest up for the journey. We leave at Dusk!" She called, earning a cheer from her new companions.
A few hours later, the three mares were huddled beneath the shadow of a rock, debating fiercely bit as quietly as the could. It seemed there was a few small problems that needed resolving, but neither of the three could agree on a solution.  
"How many are we dealing with Sweetie?" Apple Bloom asked, just a hint of nervousness in her voice.   
"Twenty three. Four stallions we know: Lucky, Bues, Bayleaf and Baritone" Sweetie Belle confirmed. "Ten around teen foals, all within three years either side our own age, incliding Snails, Featherweight, Rumble, and Berry Pinch."  
"I wonder where the rest of our class are." Scootaloo murmured.  
"The remaining are mares." Sweetie Belle continued "We know three. Carrot top, Daisy, Cloudy Quartz. The rest are ponies from other towns."  
"More than usual are friends this time." Apple Bloom said, and Scootaloo narrowed her eyes.  
"That's great and all, but how do we get them across the border? Twenty three is a lot to smuggle. I didn't expect so many to agree to come this time." She said, fiddling with her sword. The group was silent, each trying to think of ideas.  
"Most of them are earth ponies…and Rumble can't walk in his condition." Sweetie pondered, but Apple Boom offered to carry him. After much aruing about eather or not this would impede her abilities as a fighter, eventually the other two gave in and allowed her. They began to discuss where they were going. They knew they were between the Blue Mountains and Baltimare, so if they travelled south west to ponyville, then skirt around that, avoiding it as much as possible, they could cut across he river and head straight to the frozen north. There a snow team would be waiting to lead them through the frozen wastelands to the meadows where their camp was.
Satisfied, the three lay dow their heads to sleep, knowing they would need all the sleep they could possibly get for the days that lay ahead.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                         The Raid                          
//-------------------------------------------------------//
The Raid
Rainbow Dash gasped and awoke with start, looking around the room wildly with a pounding heart. The memory of what had happened was still fresh in her mind , and she looked at the quivering pony beside her. Rainbows wing was still wrapped protectivley around Dawn at night, despite it being nearly a week since everything had happened. The small mare was dreaming, but Rainbow already knew what she was dreaming about. The pain was still rooted in both their minds and it would be a while till they were completely healed from the damage caused. Rainbow looked around the small room in disgust, kicking some of the straw bed. Just one thing she wanted to do was nap on a cloud…well that and finding Scootaloo and the other three.   
The sound of the breakfast bell rang loud and clear, slicing the cool morning silence clean in half. Rainbow sighed, and nudged Dawn, looking into her groggy blue eyes.  
"Rise and shine." She said, folding her wing, smiling at her friend hopefully.  
Dawn sighed, and they went down for breakfast.
They tok their chunk of bread and wolfed it down, still chewing as they got to the notice board, where the time and date of the next raid had been put up, and they sighed apon realising they were out in five minutes. Just enough time to get prepared. They did the necassary stretches as fast as they could in complete silence, both knowing how the routine would go. Eat, stretch, leave, attack, return. It was always the same, just new targets.  
They reported to the pegasus sentry, who assigned three guards to them and a platoon of five pegasi. The raids were usually done by pegasi.   
"Ok team." Rainbow called. "You know the deal. I shall lead the attack today, Misty and Cloud chaser, please be the tail, and make sure we can get this new shipment back safely. Copy?' Everyone nodded. Rainbow signalled with her tail, and the seven of them took off, the gaurds in tow to make sure they didn't try to escape, although they secretly thought their job was pointless.
"There it is…" Rainbow said. They were hiding out in the ghastly gorge, watching a small, beaten-up pony-drawn carriage wobble its way along the cliffside path, rather dangerously close to the edge. It was a rickety old western style thing made of wood, but the carrige itself was made of some sort of metal, with tiny air holes through the sides and a completely sealed of entrance, as if whatever was in there wasn't meant to escape. The small band of pegasi all looked at their rainbow haired leader, who was testing the wind, and trying to discern the best angle of attack.The gorge was good for the element of surprise, but their window of attack was small. Dawn whispered to Rainbow, who nodded, and almost immediately, the white pony took of, straight into the air. Rainbow held her breath as her friend glided silently onto the toof of the vehicle, and began to peer through the holes, lean over the edge and inspect the sides and check what was inside the wagon. She signalled to Rainbow Dash, and shot straight back to the gorge.
"We're looking at two unicorns, three earth ponies and a pegasus." She said to Rainbow once she was back, biting her lip nervously. For a second, they both looked nervous, but soon straightened out. Rainbow Dash nodded to her crew and adreessedthem confidently.   
"Number nine, if you please." She said, grinning. She was trying to keep her platoons spirits up, to distract them from what they were about to do.  
The pegasi all spiralled into the air, the gaurd however, stayed in the gorge, as this was not a requirement of their job; all they were paid to do was guard.  
Rainbows small band of ponies all landed around the wagon, blocking it off on all sides. Misty and Cloud chaser took their positions at the back, Rainbow Dash and Dawn Feather were at the front, ferocious scowls on their faces, The drivers jumped in shock, worry plain on their faces. They were two darkly coloured blue pegasus stallions, one Rainbow Dash vaguely recognised. There was no escort with them, so Rainbow Dash assumed they were paid to draw carriages, or were just super obedient. It didn't really matter either way. She took a deep breath and cleared her throat, ensuring to use a low, threataning voice, which wasn't easy for her.
"Are you aware of what is in this carriage?" She growled, and the stallions laid back their ears, shuffling their feet nervously.  
"Answer me!" Rainbow yelled, and the drivers flinched, still refusing to talk. Dash stifled a sigh; she had been really hoping they would just talk, because she hated this bit, and so did Dawn equally. Even so, she shot forwards in a Rainbow blur, pinning one of the drivers to the ground and speaking very softly in his ear. Dawn mimiced her actions on the other pegasus.  
"Are you aware of the contents of this carriage" She said, voice nearly a whisper. The stallion gulped and nodded. Rainbow smiled.  
"We would like you to hand it over to us." She continued.
Of course, the stallion shook his head and Rainbow Dash began to feel a little annoyed, what was so important in this carriage? Slaves aren't usually expensive, and this stalion wouldn't be ponished too severely…she hoped. The pegasus beneath her began to struggle, and the other one was shaking uncontrollably, occasionally trashing around. Fortunately, the way they were pinned had them at a disadvantage, at least for now. Rainbow Dash looked at Dawn anxiously, who returned her gaze.   
"Should we continue?" Dawn asked and when her friend nodded, she called Cloud Chaser over, who took her place in holding the stallion down. Dawn stood, once the he was contained, and walked over to Dashes prisoner. She stood over him as he stared, wide eyed and audibly hyperventilating as the mare stared with stony eyes at the creture before her. Her shadow fell over his face, and she smiled at him, a wicked smile. Quietly, she demanded access to the cart. The stallion shook his head again, so she asked again, slightly louder.   
"Where is the key?" She spread her wings.
The next time she asked, it was a sort of quiet shout. The stallion kept shaking his head, as if to rid himself of the sound as it plauged his eardrums. Each time she sked, Dawn kept on getting louder and louder, untill she was screaming at the top of her lungs. The stallion simply began to sob. Rainbow Dash signalled with her wing, and Dawn rose on her hind legs, shuffling back slightly so she was standing over his leg. Now everything was silent, save for the sounds of the sobbing, from the stallion.   
"Tell us, or we will break you. Bit by bit untill you tell us, untill all the bones in your body are fragments." Usuall this worked, but the stallion was stubborn. As Dawn rose once more, the five pegasi surrounding the cart pounded it in order to try kick a hole in the sides so they could retrieve the cargo.
Dawn came crashing down on the stallions leg, splitting the bone clean in two. The stallion screamed as he felt the bone crack, and he burried his nose in the ground. After his sobs finally calmed down, Rainbow Dash asked him the same question again with tears in her eyes. Dawns vision also swam with tears, and she felt them roll down her cheeks as the stallion screamed again. Dawn raised her hoof. It was covered in blood.   
"You…monsters." The stallion hissed, and Dawn sobbed with him.  
"Just tell us, and this can end. You think we like doing this? Huh? If you'd just tell ust you'd be fine, but you just had to go and make this all so difficult. I'm just doing my masters bidding like I'm supposed to, so my friends don't get hurt." She screamed.
"In the pouch, under the wheel axl, you'll find a key." The stallion coughed. Dawn disappeared under the wheel and returned ith a key. She cried out in relief, and flew to the rear of the wagon, unlocking it, and she sighed. All of the slaves were asleep inside, so they should wake up in a few hours.
"Come on" Dash said, as Misty helped the drivers into the back, and she and Cloud Kicker hitched themselved to the front. "Let's get you all home"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Of course, it toook a while to get back to ponyville on foot, and the group was stopping to give everyone a rest. Blossomforth had been sent forward with the news that they wouldn't be back till daybreak, so they could all rest easy tonight. The slaves that they had tried so hard to get hadn't woken up yet, and so nobody had had a chance to talk to them yet. One of them was a white unicorn with a limp mane which was two shades of electric blue, with a quaver music note for a cutie mark. Another was a mint green unicorn, with a brilliant cyan mane with white streaks through it and a Lyre cutie mark. One was a medium grey earth mare with a dark grey mane and tail and violet treble clef as her cutie mark. The fourth was a beige earth pony, with a navy mane that had a rose pink streak going through it. Her cutie mark looked to resemble wraped sweets. The third earth pony was a male with medium brown coat and dark brown mane, and an hour glass mark on his flank. The sixth was a pegasus, who was light grey pegasus with a light yellow mane and tail, and and her cutie mark was bubbles. They all looked remarkably dirty, and had cuts and scrapes and bruises as if they had been in a fight.
Dawn glanced at them and sighed. They had been asleep so long, Rainbow Dash and Dawn suspeceted they had been drugged, and heavily at that.She was sorry for what they had to do to them, and she knew Rainbow Dash would have a hard time getting over this, but they consoled themselves by saying they'd help the 'new recruits' through it all. They were doubtful, as nopony lasted very long with Pinkie, especially as her mental state was…worsening. There wasn't much room in the metal carriage, so they all agreed Dawn and Rainbow would have to stay in there with them, as the rest, including the drivers, slept under the cool night sky. It was hot and stuffy inside the wagon, as they had locked the door to prevent the new ponies escaping, it was very dark and now only Dawn was awake.
She jumped as she was interrupted from her train of thought as there was movement behind her, and the sounds of yawning could be heard. Dawn Feather nudged Rainbow Dash who sat up, eyes wide in surprise as they adjusted to the dark. Silently as they were able, they pushed themselves into the darkest corner, as far away as they could get. They did't want to scare them, but they had no idea how to approach this situation correctly. For now, all they could do was listen.
"Doctor, are you awake?" Said a high pitched voice, that had a childlike tone to it.  
"Yes I am Miss Derpy." Said another pony, an articulate males voice. "Are you?"   
"Lrya? Are you up" Said Derpy again, after she had finished giggling. There was a yawn and the sound of somepony stretching before another pony said:   
"Yes. Bon Bon is too"   
Another voice, a female with a posh-sounding accent called softly.   
"Vinyl and I are up also."   
They all seemed extremly dazed, as one seemed to attempt to stand and fell, as did another.  
"You know, the carriage has stopped" Said the Doctor.  
"Should we get out?" Asked Lyra, itching her forehead. Rainbow Dash's eyes watered as she stifled a cough, praying they wouldn't try.  
"No, they said they'd come get us." Octavia said.
After a brief pause, the Doctor spoke again.  
"I think I'll be able to see in a moment." There was the sound of rythmic tapping on the floor of the tailer, followed by a sharp intake of breath from someone. After a few seconds of silence, Lyra began to speak, starting up a friendly conversation with Bon Bon and Octavia, maybe slightly louder than she should have. Dawn was slightly confused, and looked at Rainbow Dash as if to ask what was going on, but her friend was just as confused as she was. Dawn spread her wings, cocking her head at the other mare who nodded, and the two prepared to hover in the air, but there was a loud cry from the Doctor.  
"Now Derpy!"  
A grey streak chrashed into Dawn, pinning her to the floor, and she uttered a cry of shock as the wind was knocked out of her. She was pinned down by a cross eyed pegasus, and as she twisted her head, she saw Rainbow had been pinned down by the white unicorn. Unsure of what to do, she wriggled, not really expecting to be able to get back up, but to her surprise, the pegasus began to back down. As she and Rainbow Dash looked on in confusion, the group, all looking rather relieved, began to come towards them and help them stand. It was Octavia that spoke first.  
"Sorry about that, thought you were some sort of royal gaurd, you know, the ones that work for the princess. I'm Octavia, what's your name?"  
"I'm Rainbow Dash, this is my friend, Dawn Feather." Said Rainbow, trying to sound causal.  
"Oh yes, I think I remember you Rainbow Dash. Well It's a pleasure to meet you both. These are Derpy Hooves, Lyra Heartstrings, Bon Bon, Doctor Whooves, and Vinyl Scratch." Everyone said hi, except Vinyl, who nodded.  
"Pleasure." Said Dawn, glancing at her friend.  
"So, I assume the drivers let you in? Who are you running from?"  
"Err, about that…there was some trouble, and…" Rainbow began nervously, but there was a knock on the side of the wagon, and Misty called through one of the holes.  
"M'am, are you awake?"   
"Yes, what is it?" Rainbow shouted, not taking her eyes off the ponies in front of her.  
"Blossom Forth got back. She says that Pinkie wants us back as soon as possible."   
"Then let's get these rumps in gear, we don't want to be late. D'you need any help?"  
"No M'am."
She grinned apolageticley at Octavia who narrowed her eyes.  
"You're slaves aren't you?" She said, and sighed. "This is one of those raids, isn't it?"  
"Should we try to escape?" Lyra asked, and the Doctor shook his head.   
"No, we can't, the only way out is the entrance, and that's locked."  
"You're not going to hurt us?"
Vinyl shook her head.  
"What good would that do?" Derpy asked, and the eight of them in the wagon all sat down.  
"Well, we may as well get to know each other a bit." Lyra said sighed.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                      Campfire sories                      
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Author's Note
Sorry for the Hiatus. I was ill, then there was computer problems and school just started up. Hope this chapter was worth the wait. Next chapter alredy being worked on.  
xxx  
-Amelia
Campfire sories
Everyone lay down for the long journey, and each began to tell their stories in turn as the wagon moved forwards.
Lyra and Bon bon  
Me and Lyra used to live in Ponyville, just like you. We'd see you around occasionally, but you all know what Ponyville was like. One day, I received a call from work saying not to come in that day, but when I asked why, all they said was 'you're not to come in, all employees are terminated.' When I had finally worked up the courage to ask around, my former work friend told me that my agency had been torn down, all agents fired and the senior managers had been executed. I was devastated, and when I was told who it was behind it, that Celestia had done it, I was devastated. Me and Lyra discussed moving to somewhere further from Canterlot, in case she came for me, but we decided against it. Then we heard you six were all sent to Princess Celestia for something, and that's when the raids started. The pony rights act had been revoked, and the princess ordered the slave trade back. When the first wave of raids on ponyville were sent, they took the children. I remember their screams as they were torn from their families. Their parents were so miserable after that, but they trusted their Princess too much to say anything.
Then, the raids came for the mares and stallions, and as I was a former agent, I was deemed dangerous. Lyra was asscociated with me, and she alone knew of my identity, so she was in danger aswell. We fled to Appleloosa, hoping someone there could help us out, but by the time we got there, it was too late. The whole place had been transformed into a ghost town, and all the food was gone. We wandered around southern Equestria for three years, avoiding the patrols as best we could, all of the towns and settlements were completley desolate and deserted. I hoped the ponies there were not victims to the trade, and had simply escaped, but I suppose we all know that isn't true. We drank from the river, and gathered food left behind in the ghost towns. But our luck would not last forever; Lyra fell ill, and we decided to try find help. I met up with some smugglers in Dodge City, who said they would help us across the border to the Crystal Empire, but it turns out you shouldn't trust smugglers. We were turned over for a couple thousand bits and sold to a slave owner who owned a corn plantation in Baltimare. Luckily, I still had my training, and was able to sneak the two of us out and another two pegasi, with a little help from three brave ponies, stealing this wagon along the way. The plan was to smuggle ourselves under the disguise of being slave transport. We picked up these four a while ago, recognising them as we spotted them trying to evade a patrol they were being cornered by. We've been travelling for months. I didn't expect to be ambushed along this road, least of all by Rainbow Dash.
Vinyl and Octavia  
For the first year, Vinyl and I were completely safe. We were very influential, and so we were seen as valuable for as long as her majesties sanity held. We were cautious , and we tried to abide the law as much as we could, wich proved difficult as time went on and the law became more…ridiculous. But we couldn't run forever, and eventually, they came for us.   
We tried to run, but of course they caught up with us. The patrol leader told Vinyl that she was allowed to leave, that she could go home and live a normal life free fro harm, because of her race and influence. She refused, and she spat on his face, wich was amusing, but not at all wise. As punishment for our 'insolence' they sent us to the pits to work in the mines. Let me tell you, that was a thousand miles down from our old life of privilege. For three years we worked eleven hours a day, pulling carts nd mining, occasionally switching mines and locations. We were mainly cart horses, and our work was exhausting, having to haul heavy carts laden with hordes of gems and precious rocks for the delegates in Canterlot and Manehatten, and many other large cities. The gaurds were heavy with the whip, and punishments were severe. Many a pony was driven to insanity in those mines, and many more died.
I remember our last day at that death prison. We were heaving a dragons hoarde worth of emeralds and rubies to the surface. It had been a long, tiresome day and I was expected to work that night as well. I was starving and had developed a cough from the dust that clouded the passageways. As we neared the fifth level, we felt the ground begin to shake, and there was a deafening rumble. As I looked around, a couple of pebbles fell on my head somewhere below there was a scream.  
"Earthquake…the mines" I whispered, barley audible, staring with wide eyes at the mines rotten, flimsy, already straining suppourt beams. "Vinyl…" And then I shouted; "Vinyl, RUN!"
We freed ourselves as quickly as we were able, and tore along the passageway. As we reached the fourth level, I noticed other ponies were running with us, and I wish I hadn't, as i saw them die. Many were trapped under fallen rocks, their legs twisted. I saw some struggling under boulders that had trapped their entire bodies, and one pony was felled by a rock crashing on her head, her blood spurting onto my coat. As we raced the chaos, tears streamed down my eyes, and I was very nearly hit myself. Tiny, but needle sharp gemstones tore at our coats, causing little jolts of pain that just made me run faster. Everyone ran in blind panic, and if they were not killed by the rocks, then those who fell were trampled on by the herd as they forgot all else to just tear towards escape.
As we reached the first floor, a huge boulder was shaken loose, and many ponies couldn't turn in time and so dashed right into it. We ourselves had barely enough time to turn away, and I cried out in horror as I saw the exit- our only hope of salvation- was blocked by a huge pile of rocks. We skidded to a halt and began to bang desperately against the boulders, deafened by the screams and cries for help of those next to me. I even remember several of us bucking with our back hooves, but we were all to weak to make a dent. Not to long after that, a rock struck my head and I fainted.I woke up in hospital a few days later, and was told the two of us would be transferred to Canterlot as soon as was physically possible. Vinyl, six other ponies and I were the only survivors of the mine collapse, because the eight of us were the only ones on the first three floors that wern't crushed, and Celestia ordered the mine to be abandoned before the survivors below that were reached. She said to "save time and resources", but everyone knows she just didn't care what happened to them. I still think of them to this day…the poor souls. I think of how they must have felt, deep down, knowing they wouldn't be reusced. Left to slowly suffocate or starve until… it's best not to think of it.
On the way to Baltimare, our cart was apprehended, by three young mares, Doctor and Derpy. They looked and sounded to be in their mid teens, lithe and strong, taller than normal. They led us just south of Filly Delphia, where we met Lyra and Bon Bon. The agreement was, the four of us would smuggle ourselves across the border. It's a shame we only got this far.
The Doctor and Derpy  
I…I don't like remembering what happened. But Doctor says I have to accept what happened to fully heal from it, and he's right of course, he usually is.   
My name was Derpy Hooves, I was a mail-mare, and I didn't 'fly so good.' I also dropped things a lot. I remember when I dropped all those things on Twilight accidentally. Maybe thats why she turned out so…  
Anyway, it was after Bon Bon and Lyra disappeared. Doctor and I were very worried, because at about that time the whole town had been affected, and news was leaking out about Cadence and Shining armour going missing, and how Celestia and Luna were nearly at eachothers throats.
Doc decided that we needed to take some extra procautions, so we decided to go to Cloudsdale. We told others it was to check on some old friends, but we were really getting some more parts to a machine we were building, and someone in cloudsdale had them. Doc never told me who or what we were going to get, or even what the bloody thing was going to do, but I suppose it didn't matter anyway. Doctor had ben working on a Cloud Walking Elixer, and it was finally ready. We cught a taxi up to Cloudsdale and I have to say I was excited. We were waiting outside a spare parts workshop, to buy a couple extra cog wheels that the machine needed when I heard shouting in the distance.  
An army of the queens guard was flying at full speed towards Cloudsdale, many of them carring unicorns on their backs or pulling them in chariots. They barley even stopped, just instantly began attacking the defenceless civilians.
I stared, frozen in place as they descended, picking a random pegasus - some foals- and binding them with rope, and tossing them aside before moving on to the next. A few brave mares and stallions rose up against the army, instinctly defending their loved ones, and the rest of us watched in horror as the guards slew them mercilessly, without any hesitation. It was then that I screamed and ran blindly, unsure of waether it was safer to stay with or away from the crowd. I decided to go for the latter, veering away from the stampede of helpless ponies.   
My choice may not have been the smartest, but in my blind panic it seemed my only option.
I suddenly felt the wind knocked from my lungs as a large unicorn gaurd landed on me. I stared into his copper eyes that were dull and listless, but his mouth was contorted into a furious snarl of pure hatred. I fought my hardest, but I couldn't get him off of me; he was just too heavy. His horn glowed as rope began to snake it's way up my torso and I screamed, but the gaurd only laughed cruelly.  
Suddenly, I felt his weight moved from my chest and I saw a brown pony tussling with him on the floor. I breathed a sigh of relief. Doctor pinned the pony with his hind legs and reared up, coming down hard on his skull. The body fell limp.  
"Doctor…Is he…?"  
"No, I just knocked him out. Come on, quick."
The two of us ran to the left, thankfully we were near the edge of the city where I stopped dead. I looked around for a way to get my friend down, because I knew a fall from that height would kill him.   
"What now?" I asked.  
"We jump." Doctor said, matter-of-factly.  
"But…you are an earth pony."  
"Am I? Strange. I didn't notice." He replied, grinning. "You can fly, right?"  
"But I don't know if i could carry two people…"  
"I belive in you."  
I paused, unconvinced. In the background I heard the sounds of ponies screaming, and biuldings crumbling. We were running out of time. It was now or never.  
"Ok.`" Doctor said, looking out to the horizon. "On Three. One. Two"  
"Wait, Doc.. Are you sure-"  
"Three"
He jumped off shreiking 'geronimo' at the top of his lungs. I shreaiked and jumped after him, folding my wings to try reach him faster. Once I had fallen level with him, I grabbed onto both his arms and pulled up with all my might. He was lighter than I anticipated, so we shot up slightly, but I was able to set him down on the ground gently enough. We grinned at eachother, and I giggled, telling him off for scaring me, but he shrugged saying there was no fun in doing things the easy way. We wern't far from Ponyville so we decided to hot foot it back to the lab.
The town was a mess. Litter lined the streets, and many houses were crumbling ruins and Twilights Castle was gone. Worse is what had happened to the lab. It looked like it had been hit by a hurricane. Papers were burned and torn up, machines were smashed and all of the elixers and potions had been stolen or smashed. Broken glass, wood and singed straw lined the floor. We knew then we were in serious trouble. We hid around Ponyville for a little bit, before we were approached by three mystery mares. They told us about a secret movement to smuggle all vunerables and slaves across the border to a safe place. Apparantley, Luna was there and she was recruiting. Celestia was insane, and would bring down Equestria with her in her descent. We agreed, and this was our first mission. It failed quite spectacularly.
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Rainbow Dash and Dawn Feather listened to each story in awe, shedding more than a few tears. They glanced at each other uncomfortably, aware that they were the bad guys here. They sighed as the storys came to a close, and were beginning to grow uncomfortable in the presence of their newest catch.
"What about you?" Octavia asked passively as Vinyl stared intently at them.  
"What?" Rainbow Dash said, startled.  
"What's your story?" Lyra clarified.
Rainbow grew hot, and she closed her eyes, allowing a flashback to wash over her.
The blood on Pinkies face as she ran from Celestia, her mane slowly deflating and her mouth contorted into a grimace of conflicting emotions. The tears in Applejacks eyes as she accepted her fate, for fear of her family. The fustration Twilight showed as she was fed conflicting lies and turned against her friends. The fear for her two friends, one that never returned from the palace, the other running away in blind fear.
Pinkie Pie shaking as she drops the knife, blood running fown her forelegs as she smiled cruelly ad her terrified friend. Rainbow Dash knew that this was it…Pinkie had finally snapped.
A knocking came from the door, snapping Rainbow out of her daydream. The door slid open and Blossomforth stuck her head through the crack.  
"We're back. Pinkie wants to see the new…arrivals."  
"Pinkie Pie is alive?" Derpy said happily, and the other five all smiled, no doubt wondering if this would be so bad. They had no idea of the horrors that awaited them.  
Rainbow Dash shuddered snd shook her head sadly.  
"Not the Pinkie you used to know."

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                        Old Friends                        
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Old Friends
Pinkie eyed the new arrivals warily, who stared back, their eyes wide with terror. Their reactions had mirrored that of many others before them. Their ecstatic smiles fading, as they took in the blood, the scars, the smile, and worst of all the cold blue eyes, filled with hatred and bloodlust. Those eyes had seen much suffering in their time.
A small part of herself remembered that these six used to be her friends, but that was nothing new. That small part was weak, and believed that it had lots of friends, that everyone had loved her once. But that part was stupid, weak and helpless. It was gullible, it was doing nothing more than lying to itself.
"Celestia lied to us. These ponies aren't bad, we can be good too." It pleaded  
No. Celestia had told Pinkie the truth. That everyone hated her, that everyone thought she was worthless. It had hurt, more than Pinkie would have expected, but it was ok. The princess said it wasn't their fault for lying- everybody lied. But there was one way to get out the truth.
Fear
Yes, there was truth in the screams of tortured souls. Nobody could lie about pain or fear if they were made to feel enough of it. Everybody had a breaking point, it was just a matter of finding it.
Celestia had offered her freedom, and in the midst of her inner turmoil, Pinkie took it. Pinkie snapped. Now she could hear the truth dance around her and play it's sweet tune in her ears, enchanting her and washing away the hurt of her past.
"Your friends love you though, they always have." The voice argued.  
Then where were they? Why did Applejack lie and abandon her, after all she had promised to her friends?  
"She didn't abandon us, you know where she is."  
And Twilight.  
"You know what Celestia did."  
What about Rarity?  
"She's-"  
And Flutter-
Pinkie closed herself from that thought, trying to block the memory of the timid animal lovers fate. After a brief moment of silence, the voice piped up again.  
"Celestia is insane. You shouldn't listen to her.''  
But so was Pinkie. The voice was beginning to sound like Rainbow and Dawn had before Pinkie had found out how to break her.
Oh, dear sweet Rainbow Dash. The element of loyalty, the one true friend that Pinkie had left, the one that would never, abandon her. The screams from the mare were magnificent if she were pushed in the right direction. Though she was beginning to croak a little lately, and her voice was cracking more than usual.
And poor, young Dawn Feather. An interesting pegasus, but a little annoying. She was proving to be as tough as Rainbow had been to break, and was like a puzzle, but puzzles were fun. Maybe her sisters death would have weakened her spirit enough for it to be snapped. She was very dishonest, but that just meant Pinkie got to play with her more.
A little cough brought Pinkie back to reality, and she realised they were waiting for her to speak.   
"Any trouble along the way?"  
"No." Dawn answered. "It was a standard journey."  
"Good."  
 I just need to train the new recruits now.  Pinkie thought.
As a rule, she would go for the weakest one in every three. Her eyes fell on the wall-eyed pegasus, and it was obvious who her first target would be. A sweep round of the other five faces told her nothing about them, they all wore the same shocked expressions, and carried themselves in the same proud, confident way. She picked one at random, and called to Rainbow Dash.
"I think It's time to throw our guests a party!" She giggled. The 'guests' all shifted nervously, making Pinkie laugh harder. An idea struck her, and she glanced at Dawn. Maybe it was time to test that pesky pegasus' will once more.
"I want...that one!" She grinned at Derpy, who cowered beneath the party mares gaze.  
"Hmm...and...that one." She said, pointing to Vinyl, who squared her shoulders defiantly, as Octavia fought the urge to cry.
Two large ponies came into the room, clipping shackles onto each ponies front and hind legs. Just before Dawn was about to be bound, Pinkie called out;  
"Not her. I want to test how her spirit holds up after last time."
The grey Pegasus sighed in acceptance, and hung her head in acceptance, knowing it would be futile to argue. As her captor walked past, however Dawn flashed her a look of utter hatred and defiance. The meaning was clear.
Dawn was saying,  I will not be broken. You can't scare me. I will not conform
Oh, we'll see, Dawn. We'll see.
The campfire flickered, illuminating the three ponies as they sat around the campfire. A million stars dotted the sky, and the moon was almost full, slightly concealed by grey wisps of cloud drifting through the sky. The grass swayed in the cool breeze, carrying the cold scents of the night as well as the sounds of distant crickets and cicadas.
The three ponies on the hillside were curled up together, stargazing in silence. Three slender swords lay discarded next to three elaborate suits if armour, and the silhouettes of a dozen sleeping ponies could be seen at the bottom of the hill.
After a moment, one turned her head to look at her flank, admiring the cutie mark that was there. She chuckled to herself, softly.
"What is it Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo asked quietly, twitching her ear.  
"Do you remember how we got these?" Sweetie replied.
Apple bloom sat up and yawned, her sunset eyes sparkling, her mouth curved into a smile.  
"Course 'ah do." She drawled. "We were so darn excited."  
She glanced at the discarded swords.  
"They seem to mean so much more now though. Like, our destiny is to protect, to serve. Just keep on crusadin' 'till the end"
There was another brief moment of silence, broken only by the sounds of wildlife and the crackling fire.
"Remember how proud or sisters were?" Scootaloo asked, a small tear sliding down her cheek, and Sweetie turned her face to the ground, kneading the grass.  
"We'll rescue Rainbow Dash and Rarity. Don't y'all worry." Apple Bloom said. "Then, we break out AJ, and sneak them all across to Luna."
The other two perked up again, and they went back to watching the stars. Suddenly, they heard a quiet voice behind them.
"You want to know where Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack are? I can get you to them. But you may not like what you find."