The Last and Final Moment is Yours; That Agony is Your Triumph
Rainbow Dash stared upon the crowd of ponies before her, their worn out faces showing the first sign of happiness in Equestria since before the war. She was standing next to her leader, and commander, Princess Celestia. Asked personally to attend the hanging of war criminal, and tyrannical leader, King Sombra.
Rainbow’s courage and loyalty to her fellow ponies, lead to her being declared a war hero. Granted the highest reward such a pony could receive, the pristine Medal of Honor. Her award hanging around her neck, as the ceremony for all who were granted an award took place shortly before Sombra was sent to the gallows.
Looking upon the crowd who were thankful for all the effort Equestria gave to resist Sombra’s rule, she found herself filled with a hurtful feeling of despondency.
You know, does it really matter in the end? She thought to herself, a plain look on her face. All the effort, that is.
The looks on the ponies faces gave it all away, they were malnourished and suffered many hardships to still be free. Their eyes were pale, not lively like they were before the war. Rainbow Dash remembered a time when all was not so gloomy and filled with emptiness—emptiness that came with Sombra’s attack against Equestria.
They all had to work so hard, even the children weren’t spared from Sombra’s shadow.
She turned to look at the tyrant who stood at the gallows, a royal guard reading out his crimes to the citizens of Equestria. Good riddance, scum like him deserve to die for what they’ve done.
She turned back to the crowd of ponies. Though, maybe he did succeed in accomplishing one of his goals. She closed her eyes. He broke the spirit of this nation, you can see it all over everypony’s face.
re-opening her eyes, she turned to Celestia. Who in turn, gave her a broken smile. She was obviously hiding her pain on the inside, more than likely thinking the same thoughts as her.
Rainbow slightly sighed, before continuing her thoughts. In the war times, everypony was working. That means some ponies had to leave their calling in life. What if a little filly’s destiny was to be an artist? Well, to bad. With the war against Sombra, she had to give up that path in order to give to the cause.
She growled in irritation. It’s not fair, they never did anything to deserve this crap. Damn you Sombra, damn you to Tartarus.
Celestia told Rainbow Dash after her little slip in character.“At ease, Dash. I know it’s painful, but we must do our best to remain stoic. That’s the least we can do for their weary hearts.”
Rainbow replied to her. “Of course, your majesty. It’s just… painful is all.”
“I know, I know.”
Rainbow went back to staring at the forms before her, the words in the air being blocked out by her introspection. And what about me? What of my loss, what about the grievances I’ve faced?
Her thoughts went back to memories of her fillyhood. I remember when I wanted to become a Wonderbolt, performing in front of large crowds of ponies. I remember how awesome it was going to be, seeing all their faces in wonder at my amazing tricks. Oh, have the times have changed.
She let out another sigh. I was one of those fillies who had to give up something important, I mean, how could I stand and watch my home get destroyed by that monster?
She flexed her metallic wing, a wing that replaced her real one after succumbing to a harrowing blow from an enemy soldier. I’m not gonna be a all-star athlete after this injury, this wing restricts a lot of my more intense moves; anypony who wants to be a Wonderbolt has to be able to pull off those intense moves. I guess that can be added to the list of reasons I want that monster dead, not only did he rip apart most of this country’s hopes and dreams, but he killed my future.
She let out what must have been the umpteenth sigh. It must have been contagious, because Celestia let out a sigh of her own. Her own stoicness fading for brief moment. This in turn was felt throughout the crowd of ponies, their spirits faltering for a moment, unsure of what to be thinking at present. A mix of joy for Sombra’s end, and a bit of anguish for their hardships.
That brings up another question, what am I gonna do now? I can kiss my future in the Wonderbolts goodbye, so what now? With the war over, there isn’t much use for me is there? The best I can do is just keep fighting, fighting as a guard to preserve the little hope and happiness we have left.
Rainbow Dash’s face contorted a little. She turned to look at the dark unicorn facing his sentence on stage, the guard reading his crimes finishing his speech.
The guards on stage wrapped the hangmares noose around his neck, the magic inhibitor on his horn preventing him from escaping. “Any last words?” Asked the guard that told his crimes to the crowd of ponies.
Sombra said in a menacing voice that chilled all who heard it. "I would first like to thank Celestia for allowing me to get as far as I did." He turned to look at the Princess with a wicked smile before continuing. "Look to the pony beside you, do you see what I see? I'm sure your not going to like what I see."
The air seemed to drop in warmth, taken away by Sombra’s words. The happiness that was there was replaced with dread as everypony looked to one another, they too realizing what he meant by those words
After a moment of silence, Sombra let out a deep, threatening laugh. “So, are you going to finish me, or am I to stay like this for eternity as a punishment? Your Princess always was finicky when it came to punishments, that's how I was able to escape." He looked to Celestia again. "Isn't that right, Princess?"
She had no response, she only turned her head in guilt.
The guard turned to Celestia, noticing her guilt filled face. He then turned to look at the guard next to a lever, nodding his head to signify it was time.
With one last breath of air, the lever was pulled, and Sombra fell into the noose. His legs dangling back and forth to the fro.
Celestia turned away, not having the strength to bare witness to the scene before her.
Rainbow Dash on the other hand, looked at Sombra’s form with empty eyes. Eyes that only a soldier of war could have. Looks like it finally happened, Sombra finally got what he deserved. She then turned to look at the crowd of ponies, some were looking away in disgust, while others stared with open eyes. Those final words he said... they were true, though. He did get too far with his plans, and he just mocked Celestia for it. I'm not so sure how Equestria is going to handle the thought.
As Sombra finally went stiff—the last of his life draining away from him—Rainbow Dash turned to her leader. “Celestia, your majesty… does it ever get easier?
The princess turned to her with saddened eyes. “Rainbow… I ask myself that question everyday, and to tell you the truth, I’m not so sure…”
Rainbow Dash looked down at the ground before responding. “Yeah… thanks, your majesty.”
Rainbow Dash looked back to the crowd of ponies, seeing the future of Equestria before her. Understanding what it means to be a ruler, understanding what it means to be a soldier, and understanding what it means to be a fighter.
“We just gotta keep on pushing for that brighter future, even if today seems grim.” Rainbow said softly, her words falling on empty ears.
Still, why does it feel so empty...
