Chapters The sun shone brightly over the purple sky, it was early in the morning and the train was full of soldiers ready to fight again in the crystal empire. Rainbow Dash, Pinkie, and Maud sat together, watching the Recruits betting on which one will get scared and try to run, or which one will be crystallized by Sombra. Rainbow Dash still has her bet on Flash being the first one to die, Maud writing down things in her notebook, today was a normal day. Of course the peace won’t last long once they reach enemy lines, but it’s one of those things where you should enjoy the peace while you can.
As they reached their target Captain Spitfire ordered them to take their spots by ducking behind crystals to avoid fire, crystal unicorns have very powerful shots of magic, most of the time if you were shot on sight it would be fatal and soon you’d be dead. Sweet Celestia war was full of so much learning, training, blood, and grief, mourning the ones that once stood by you is terrible, it leaves a hole in you. Soon after it happens so many times, you’re just empty after so long and no longer able to trust anyone, knowing that they will soon leave you. That’s what it can do to someone.
“Guys I don’t think I can do this anymore, I just wanna leave.” Flash started up, “I wanna go home to my wife and daughter, let them know I’m okay”
Maud overhears him while taking down a minion, and trots over to him and grabs hold of him.
“You listen here and you listen good Sentry, nobody can give you freedom now, nobody can give you justice either, nobody can save your sorry plot if you just cower in the corner crying for mommy, if your truly a man, act like it and take it like the man you say you are” she drops him and runs back charging at more crystal minions.
“Wow Pinkie, Maud may have broken my bet with Flash dying!” She gave him the talk just now.” Dash yells to her, suddenly she sees about three minions run after her. “You guys wanna go down the hard way don’t you? Well may Celestia have mercy on you, because I won’t!”
The minions leap one by one, Dash kicking at them, keeping them away as much as possible. With one swift kick to the face all she can taste is the bittersweet tangy taste of blood, she returns the kick as she jumps up and swings one hoof down, bashing the minions face into the dirt ground. Other enemies spotting her, run trying to take her down right away.
‘Well, I can’t possibly take down all of them myself, calling for help would make me sound like a coward, I guess this is how it is ’ Dash thought in her head as the minions slowly close in and surround her. A crystal unicorn getting ready to shoot an icy blast of death at Dash, she takes one swing and kicks the unicorn in her jaw making her shoot at a couple boulders up above. Seeing the rocks get ready to fall her body freezes, ‘why can’t I move right now? I should be running right now or at least flying out of the way, what’s stopping me? ’ she thinks as the rocks falling, everything slows down, all sound completely disappears, what exactly is going on right now? Suddenly she is pushed out of the way by a quick blue blur and the rock is being dismantled by Pinkie all by her own two hoofs.
“Ugh my back, what just happened right now?” Rainbow Dash asks, finding herself on her back behind a large crystal.
“Oh nothing really, you almost dying caused rocks to start falling so I decided to save your gap mouthed face from a rock induced death!” Soarin practically yelling the last part as he explained
“Ok, there is no need to yell right now soldier!” she yells, “why did you even save me? You could of easily have stayed behind and saved Flashes plot! Because I know that unicorn killed him before he could even cry to his mommy.” Dash states, the anger boils inside now, she can take care of herself, but the others couldn’t that’s why they had to be there for each other, that’s also how they came back with so many casualties.
“I don’t know why I saved you! I- I just felt this urge to protect you, it was like an instinct, but with Flash, I didn’t feel that urge, I just don’t know what happened. But since you’re ungrateful, I guess my instincts are a mistake. See you back at base Rainbow Dash.”
Rainbow Dash couldn’t register what just happened back there with Soarin, he took the risk of dying just to save her life and she yells at him? ‘What have I done just now? Someone saves my life and I yell at them for it, some pony I really am. ’ The sound of screams and unicorn blasts can be heard through the air, images of missing limbs, soldiers’ crying once a close comrade dies right before their eyes, and lost emotions through the entire thing, this is war, but it can’t be described because you have to witness it at its fullest. Knowing you have family that won’t return, or a friend you won’t ever see the smile of again. Why is the world so cruel and unforgiving, but also so beautiful at the same time?
The sound of retreat has been heard, now everyone turns to go back to base camp and rest another night. Dash at the very end of the group, trots slowly seeing the ponies that won’t be seen again. Blossom Forth, her head covered in dried blood and both of her wings nearly ripped off, Flash Sentry a new recruit, half of his lower body missing because of a crystal unicorn, parts of him are still steaming a little from the force of evil magic, and finally Braeburn because he believed that showing the minions his perfect hair and flank would make them fall in love with him, his injuries were too gruesome to even say. Her face still staying emotionless, there was nothing she could do about all of them; the hardest part is always telling the dead soldiers family about it. Now feelings have developed inside of her cold caged heart, feelings of love, protection, and worry, for a certain Pegasus named Soarin. maybe it would be good for Dash to care for somebody, know that someone else shares the same feeling and cares for her too, but when it comes to war you need to keep these feelings caged up, but for some reason Dashes won’t stay caged, they have to come out.
That night after dinner, Rainbow Dash once again went outside to stare up at the stars again, to mourn the loss of the soldiers that have fallen today. The stars were even brighter that night, shining down on her. She kind of hoped that Soarin would come outside for a visit too, but after the outburst today it might not be a good idea.
“I expected you to be out here tonight Dash, how is everything tonight?” Soarin appeared behind her.
“Nice to know I’m so predictable softie, I’m just watching the stars; I guess it’s my way of mourning everybody today.” Dash explains
“Well, I’m pretty sorry about that whole argument we had earlier today, especially during a battle against those crystal weirdos or something. Pals again?” he says while putting out his hoof,
“Yeah that fight back there was pretty stupid after all, of course we back be pals again. But there was something else I wanted to talk to you about. What are you going to do after this whole war is over? I mean do you have a family of something waiting for you back at home?” Dash asks as he sits beside her.
“The family I have left are just a few friends I went to flying school with, the rest were captured or murdered right there during the invasion of Cloudsdale last year. I guess after the war I could find someone and start my own family, because then I would know they are truly safe.”
“Sweet Celestia look at the time! I loved this little moment we were having softie, but I’ve got to get some sleep tonight since we have to ship out again in the morning, Good night” She says as she trots back to her dorm. The next morning won’t be so easy though, and there are only so few recruits left, because tomorrow there are going to be scouting teams.
Author's Note
Yay another page! with some of the things that caused the Gore tag, but don't worry, the major things are coming up in the next page!
So this is life for us, eat, sleep, train, kill, and watch others die before our very eyes. What a life, but if you can’t take it like the man you claim you are, then just leave because the army has no place for the likes of cowards. The Crystal War is the first big war of Equestria, and its death numbers increase every day, sometimes soldiers have to stop and think ‘is this really worth it?’ of course it is worth it because you have the chance to show your skills, fight for your country, see the dying faces of the one who dishonored you. It can be worth it, and sometimes it’s not.
It’s been two weeks since the new recruits arrived, already Blue Blood and Flash Sentry are dead, one got hit by a crystal unicorn, and the other thought he could reason with Sombra, and ended up a statue just like Thunderlane and Lily Blossom. Time Turner and Derpy are an unstoppable team so far, with a record of 43 kills together.
“Hey doc! It turns out they are powerless without their heads!” Derpy exclaims as she uses a crystal to slit one of the minion’s throats. Soarin had done impossible and befriended Rainbow Dash, the two practically fought together all of the time because with Soarin’s senses and instincts, and Dash’s skills and strength, they made a very powerful team. There was no doubt that with most of the teams made, the Crystal War has a very good chance of ending before winter starts, it was only November and the snow has yet to fall, this year would be complete if only the war would end. The bond between Dash and Soarin made it possible to trust and rely on each other, there would be no betraying the other or sacrificing the other, it was a team effort the entire way.
“Alright soldiers listen up; the lunar defenses have made it possible for us to test out the new weapon they have put together, so we can finally end this war once and for all. Pinkamena and Maud Pie, you will be testing out our rock cannons, with these we can easily blow apart crystal minions with less blood shed as well. The rest of you head out onto the battle field and fight!” Captain Spitfire ordered, the Lunar defense is the small defense’s army that builds new weapons, plans escape routes, and alerts civilians if there are minions approaching or an attack is on the way.
“Hey softie, who are you willing to bet will die this time on the field? Scootaloo can’t even fly and last time she got into trouble Derpy had to save her.” Dash says as they trot around digging trenches to hide in.
“I’m not sure, and I’m not one to make bets like that all of the time. Besides you have to look at the positive sides of these soldiers, sure Scootaloo can’t fly but she’s a great fighter.”
“Wow and you wonder why I’ve nicknamed you softie, watch out minions at two o clock!” Dash yells as she charges at a minion, it was fun to watch Dash and Soarin fight; they had moves where one would swing the other around while the other kicked at minions charging all at once. They would call out where a minion was at the moment, and of course drag each other to the safety point if one were injured.
“Dash, Captain asked me to bring you with me on a quick little mission.” Pinkie says as she appears behind a crystal.
“We’re going to blast our way around and make our way to Sombra, and see if this cannon can make his death canon!” she exclaims happily, but Dash on another hand isn’t so happy.
“Is Captain crazy?! We’ll surely die if we try and take on Sombra! You’ll die and I’ll be left without my best friend for guidance, the only original friend I would have is Maud, and she barely talks!” she yells as she shakes Pinkie trying to make sense of the situation.
“Listen here Rainbow Dash! We joined the army so we could help all of pony kind, and if that means dying for pony kind then so be it! You’re coming with me on this mission because there is no way I’m going to die alone! Now are you with me?!” Dash looks away and nods her head yes, she never thought it would come down to this and now it has, but as it was said, if you’re going to join the military then take it like the man you claim to be. However unknowingly Soarin had overheard the conversation and decided to follow them up to the crystal castle.
“There he is Dash, the big shadowy moron. I need you to distract him by flying around so I can fire at him.” Pinkie says as she gets the cannon ready for fire, Dash flies above the pictures on the wall and grabs his attention.
“How’s it going Sombra? Bet you can’t catch little old me!” she yells as she flies around him making it impossible to hit her with his evil magic, Pinkie ready the cannon and fires at Sombra.
“Alright Pinkie! I knew you could fire any weapon just right!” A distracted Rainbow Dash now gives sombra the chance to move before the cannon hits him; he moves out of the way causing the wall of the castle to be blow to pieces. Dash now realizing it charges at him, but Sombra has another trick up his sleeve, he uses his telekinesis to grab Rainbow dash by the neck and bring her closer.
“Crystals always win” he whispers as he throws her against the wall, and moves towards the pink pony he really wants to take care of.
The force of the throw was too much, her head spinning; you could hear the crack of her back from a mile away, a thin stream of blood now falling onto her broken face. The smell of blood is a smell too familiar now to be mistaken for something else,Is this it? Is this how I’m going to die right now? If only my dad were here now, so I could hug him one last time, I wish I could hear another poem from Maud right now, and I’ll probably see Pinkie where I’m going. ’ The darkness getting ready to fully consume her, she hears a familiar voice in the distant, yelling her name. ‘And Soarin, I want to see his adorable face one last time, hear him, and feel him. I should have told him how I’ve felt about him, but the truth is I was scared to say it, say I love you, I care about you, I need you. ’ The voice is getting louder, soon loud hoof beats can be heard running up the castle stairs.
“RAINBOW DASH! OH SWEET CELESTIA NO, COME ON DASH GET UP YOU CAN MAKE IT!” Soarin yells as he finds an unconscious Dash lying against a wall with a pool of blood surrounding her face, he picks her up and rest her on his back. There would be no way she’s going to die, not right here, not now.
“Come on Dash, you’re going to make it, first we need to find Derpy and Time Turner, then they’ll fix you up and I can see your beautiful magenta eyes again. You can’t die now; there are so many stars you haven’t gazed at yet.” Tears threaten to fall as he flies out of the castle through the hole in the wall, there have been so many things left unsaid the last two weeks, things that should have been said sooner. The cool explosions in the castle are something he would have stopped to watch as a bright beam of sun shown done, but all he needed to see was Dash being taken care of. The blood loss has already been too much, the force of being thrown against a wall caused damage to her back and a concussion to the head, she needed to be alive, so she can see the war end, so she can see the other soldiers return, so she can watch the stars with him once more.
“Hey doc there’s wounded soldiers coming our way! It looks like Rainbow Dash and Soarin; we’d better go check on them!” Derpy says as Time turner messes around with some gadgets,
“Derpy I’m almost done with my invention to stun and shock minions can it wait? Besides Celestia is arriving at the castle right now, WAIT CELESTIAS AT THE CASTLE?! DERPY GRAB THOSE SOLDIERS I’M GOING TO SEE WHATS GOING ON” he yells as he runs towards the castle.
“Derpy! We need your help Dash got really badly injured and she needs help right away, she was thrown against a wall, she’s lost a lot of blood and i think she has a concussion. Just please fix her up.” a teary eyed Soarin asks as he sets down Rainbows body, her face covered with blood, her beautiful bright blue coat now a sickly pale color, if only he knew what she was thinking before she closed her eyes.
The fight happening at the castle all started with Pinkie shooting the cannon, it was a distraction so that Celestia could enter the empire un-noticed with the elements of harmony. Many soldiers taking down many minions at once with the new cannons made it possible for them to coward away and surrender. The fight at the castle was amazing, good versus evil magic while other soldiers kept the rest of the minions a bay, capturing them and keeping them prisoners. Celestia brought in the elements of harmony and used them against him, it almost looked like he was being torn apart limb by limb, a crack in the ground opened up and swallowed him whole. The screams of defeat echoed through the entire empire, the minions were taken prisoner in Canterlot as well, who knows what’s going to happen to the empire now. While victory shouts were heard across the terrain, there was one pony who couldn’t grasp hold of today, sure he was happy that the war was finally over and Equestria can finally go back to normal, (whatever normal is) but there was one thing missing in his life right now, Rainbow Dash.
It’s been a week since the war officially ended; soldiers have been sending letters home to their parents, making plans, packing their things so they can finally leave. Today was the day everyone would be going home to their families finally; however Soarin still remained the same after the war.
“Hey Soarin, how are you holding up?” asked Pinkie as she and Maud walked over to his room.
“Same old sad I guess, I know I should be happy since we won and all but, how can I be happy when I can’t share it with the one pony I cared about?” he said as he sat down beside them.
“Soarin, listen to me now, I’ve known Dash for a while now and she is not a quitter, I know you love her and I know she has feelings for you. Never give up on someone you can’t go a day without thinking of, meeting her was fate, befriending her was your choice and now falling in love is beyond your control. If you truly love her then you must be by her side now, even if she’s in that coma, just go.” Maud says to him.
Soarin thought about what Maud had said, she’s always quiet but when she talks you better listen. He ran to the infirmary and went to her room, the nurse said she might not wake up because of the damage caused, but hopefully she could hear what he was about to say.
“Hey Dash, long time so see huh? I know you probably can’t hear me but try and listen. I need you to wake up and be alive, I need to see your beautiful lively eyes again, I need you because you make me laugh more than anyone else, I’m the best I am when you’re near and when we’re fighting together, and I need you because I’m nothing when you’re gone. It’s like the world is empty and dark, I can’t promise to fix all of your problems with the world but I can promise you won’t face them alone. Geez listen to what I’m saying, I’m sounding like such a girl right now ha. I guess what I want to say is, I love you Dash. I love you in the morning, the middle of the day; because those are the hours we are together.”
“Soarin, it’s time for you to go; we need to run some tests now.” Nurse red heart asks.
“Alright nurse, please wake up Rainbow Dash, you need to see the world for its true beauty for once.” Walking out of the room as a tear drops from his eye, all he can do now is hope, hope she heard him, and hope she wakes up.
That night looking up at the stars was a bit strange, the stars were brighter, and Soarin was the first one to arrive there. All of those stars represent the soldiers fallen for the past two years, each one twinkling as if they were speaking to him.
“You know softie, when we first met, I never thought we could be that important to each other.” Says a very familiar voice, instantly his ears perk up and has never moved faster in his life, he grabbed the mare and held her close, wishing to never be able to let go.
“You’re alive, you’re really alive, I thought I’d never see you again but here you are!”
“Yeah I am I’d never leave you guys hanging. And I heard everything you said but in the infirmary, so don’t dare consider taking everything back.” She said laughing at him in the moon light.
“You never fail to amaze me Rainbow Dash, every day you do something that makes me love you more than the day before”
“Ok enough of the gooey stuff softie, I love you too. I’m glad you saved my life; if it weren’t for you I’d probably still be stuck there, so I guess I owe you big time Soarin.” Dash says while escaping his hold, they both sit down and stare at the stars.
“You can start by never leaving my side Dash, keep that smile on your face because you look even better with it.” they laid on the grass staring up at the stars to remember the fallen soldiers, holding each others hoof, not wanting to let go.
"Well mom I'm finally happy again, and i even found somebody to share that with. i hope that if your watching me right now, that your proud of me." Dash said with a smile on her face as the stars twinkle and shine the entire night.
Author's Note
The last page, sooo after hours of typing and thinking here is the story. i hope you guys enjoyed it! i have made like 5 other fan fictions for AOT, Hunger Games, and other stories that are really sad, but i thought i could try it with MLP, i hope someone out there thinks its a good read. Thanks guys!
So many soldiers dead, and for what? To try and defeat a horse who looks like he is half shadow half horse. What a stupid cause to be fighting for, but to keep Equestria safe without his minions invading and capturing ponies the job has to be done. One of the strongest and toughest soldiers on the battle field is none other than the famous Rainbow Dash, emotionless, tough, and nothing can stop her from getting the job done. She’s lost her left wing and had it replaced with a bionic one, broken a hoof millions of times, cut her eye, and part of her ear is missing. She has seen war at its fullest and still continues to fight; no one else really has her motivation, after a day or two soldiers are already crying to go home to their mommies. Rainbow Dash is just a special soldier, maybe one day we’ll know why she fights, and what her motivation is.
It’s been a long day on the field, the Crystal War has been going on for about two years now and still, soldiers give it all they can on the battle field. Now the soldiers are heading back to base camp to eat dinner, rest, and train the next morning, there is no day off for the soldiers. How can anyone have a day off knowing someone else is dying so they can sleep in a couple hours more? But now the day is over, and the next two days are going to be filled with training, and if someone slacks off while training, it won’t end well for that poor horse. Now let’s take a look at our heroes on the train, and see what they’re up too.
“Hey Dash, what are you going to do if the war ever ends?” Pinkamena asks while brushing the twigs and dirt out of her straight dark hair.
“I’m not sure anymore, sure I had these ideas at the beginning of the war after I enlisted. But that was two years ago, those ideas and dreams are as dead as Thunderlane and Lily Blossom when they charged at Sombra this morning.” She returned at the pie sisters, the memory of the two Pegasus still ran through their memories, those two were in love and decided if they fought they did it together and if they died they would die together. Then they had the bright idea of charging at Sombra when he left his guard down for a moment and he crystallized them both, now they are statues in his castle.
“Love, such a cruel and unforgiving thing, but also beautiful.” Said Maud breaking the silence.
“Well guys, how about you? You two are my only friends who have survived long enough, so tell me what you guys want to do after all of this is through.” Dash asked; yes Pinkie and Maud were her only friends since the beginning of the war, they have seen it all together. They might even die together.
“I still have dreams of making others laugh; baking delicious treats, seeing someone else smile has always brought joy to me, so I guess I could start that again like before the war, maybe even fix up my hair into a fun little style.” Said Pinkie,
“I want to publish my writings and poems to Equestria; I would love to see them enjoyed by other ponies, and maybe even inspire others to write like me.” Maud’s dream was simple, a normal life as a writer, since the rock farm has been turned into a place to make outfits for soldiers, it was time for the pie family to look into other dreams, and Maud’s was simple.
They spent awhile talking about their dreams of after the war life, and finally they reached base camp to finish the day and train the next day. As they departed from the train, they headed to the girls dorms to take showers and put on casual clothes, since the military is very formal in Equestria they expect you to always wear clothes. As they trotted down to the training area they noticed that Princess Celestia was there with a few new soldiers.
“Hey look girls, fresh bait for the crystal minions and more guys this time for the guy’s dorm since we lost so many this time around.” Maud pointed out,
There were four guys and a couple girls, not many soldiers this time though. The new girls were Derpy Hooves, Scootaloo who is still a teenager, and Artsy Unicorn. Two Pegasus and a unicorn, then again Scootaloo could be counted as an earth pony. On the guy’s side there is, Time Turner, Soarin, Blue Blood who looked like a pansy, and Flash Sentry.
“The orange Pegasus with the blue hair and eyes, I’m willing to bet ten bits he’ll be the first to die.” Dash made a bet with the sisters.
“Deal” the pie sisters agreed to the bet, every time there were new soldiers, the three would sit and watch them, bet on them, all sorts of things. A lot of the bets they placed had a winner and a loser, the winner would be Dash because she bets on their deaths, and the loser would be Pinkie for betting too much money and losing it to Rainbow Dash.
“Well its dinner time, let’s go girls, I need food in me before I die of starvation” Pinkie said while trotting towards the cabin, however Dash stared at the soldiers for a minute longer before going to dinner with her friends. The bright blue Pegasus with a blue mane and green eyes, there was something about him that stood out, but who was he? Did he have a purpose? ‘Maybe I’ll figure out if he’s important later’ she thought while going away from the training area. Why did he stand out from the rest of them?
Dinner was chicken with a bowl of vegetable soup as a side, since the war started ponies need more protein, fats and anything else to get them through a day of work, so meat is a big food group now. (Poor Fluttershy though) they grabbed their food from the chefs and sat down to eat, however as Rainbow Dash carried her tray, someone bumped into her causing her to drop the food.
“Watch it you freaking moron! You’re lucky I can still eat this food!” Dash yelled at him.
“I’m sorry miss I should have been watching where I was going, here let me help you” he picked up Dashes tray and set it down on the table.
“SOARIN! Are you causing trouble over there again? Rainbow Dash! Report!” said one of the captains, Captain Spitfire,
“Ma’am we accidently bumped into each other and I dropped my tray, he helped and apologized so it’s okay, no need for punishment ma’am.” Dash reported, if any fights were happening, a bystander or someone involved would have to explain themselves or as Spitfire says, “A report”
“That looked like it was about to get ugly, how did you stop yourself from beating him up? The last time someone bumped into you they had their wing broken!” Pinkie asked as Dash sat down.
“Number one, that last pony had it coming since she arrived, and two, I have no clue, I wanted to hurt him but he apologized right away and even helped me! No one has ever done that in the military so I got to hand it to him for acting like that.” She explained
“Well, save that energy for later, I heard that the three of us and the new soldiers may be shipping out tomorrow just to show the new ponies what war is really like.” Pinkie said. Every time there were new recruits, they shipped out early so they could get a good look of what war really looks like, and that always determined if they were good soldiers.
“Alright, but I’m going to train a little bit before hitting the hay tonight, wanna join me?”
“Nah, Maud and I are going to write a letter back home to the other sisters and our folks, but remember to go to sleep tonight, not stay up and mess around the entire night” Good old Pinkie looking out for her friends, hopefully that never changes, but with war everything changes, that’s another horrible thing about this, change.
That night Rainbow Dash hung out in the training field, tomorrow would be full of more blood, fights, and lost ponies. Pinkie told her not to train all night, so now she’s decided to lie down and stare at the stars. The beautiful stars, each one unique like a snowflake, and possible someone who has fallen was watching over us.
“I didn’t know you liked to watch the stars at night” said a male voice.
“Whoa, what are you doing here? It’s like way past curfew for you anyway” Dash asked him.
“I just wanted to look at the stars tonight, besides tomorrow might be it for me, so I just wanted to see them again, by the way my names Soarin. I think your Rainbow Dash.”
“Yeah, that’s my name, well I like watching them because, I like to think that one of those stars is my mom, watching over me. She died when I was just a filly and she’s always loved looking at the stars late at night, so I have too, just to remember her.”
“Wow, judging by your looks and the outburst at dinner, I didn’t think you could be a little soft.” He laughed a little, “well this is how I think of the stars, perhaps they are not stars, but openings to heaven where the love of our lost ones pour out and shine down on us, to let us know that they’re okay.”
“That’s deep; here you are talking about how I can be a softie at night when you just proved yourself to be as soft as butter! Well I’ve got to hit the hay now, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow Soarin, it was nice chatting with you right now.” Dash trotted towards the girl’s dorm, thinking about what Soarin said, maybe there was another reason she loved to watch the stars, those moments at night truly made her happy, now maybe she could have another friend to share the beautiful night with.
Author's Note
After awhile of trying to actually write the story, here it is! so if anyone was waiting to read this story i posted about a few weeks ago, thanks for waiting and enjoy the story.
