It's My Duty To Protect

by BronySis

Rating: everyone
Tags: Tragedy, Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Drama, Original Character
Length: 7421

In the city of Canterlot there are ponies who protect the princess and the city in general. Then a disaster struck, causing Equestria to go into a collapse and split. All that left are clans split among each other.

In the city of Canterlot there are ponies who protect the princess and the city in general. Then a disaster struck, causing Equestria to go into a collapse and split. We have five clans of ponies who survived and divided on each other. Moon clan, Sun clan, Crystal clan, Magic clan, and Light clan. Now a pegasus named Cinder must decide her duties and loyalties to whom.
If your curious on what Cinder looks like Ice and Star
Thanks for Zalla for doing the cover art

Published 2016-11-14 05:00:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-12-10 14:05:18 UTC

Cinder

I don’t remember how it happened, all I remember is that I was in the woods looking for some herbs for a remedy, we also decided to go camping. But when I got back, with the ponies with me, the whole village, that brimmed with life was gone. Just gone, and in place was nothing but the stench of death. That's when me and my group decided to go and try to find somepony else. We didn’t know what had actually happened or when, we just knew we needed help.-Cinder Stripe

“So Ponyville’s this way?” A cinder colored pegasus asked to the two stallions behind her. They looked to her in confusion.

“Cinder I thought you knew where your going?” Cinder glanced back at the stallion, Ice Breaker.

“I did until Star Stripe lost the map.” The stallion Cinder was talking to, looked up from the ground. His bright green eyes stared back Cinder’s bright blue eyes.

“Well, I didn’t lose it.” Star Stripe was always a great liar. His face never seemed to change expressions. It always seems monotone, just like his voice. Well I can’t call him out, or else I am an insensitive jerk, though Cinder as she moved a strip of her light gray mane out of her face.

“Icey can you look in your saddlebag, or we could keep wondering aimlessly until something happens that magically tells us exactly where to go.” Cinder over exaggerated and tried to make it funny, but failed. Ice Breaker looked into his bag, but no map was found. He looked to the gray pegasus and shrugged. Cinder gave a loud, over exaggerated sigh of loss. But before she could respond, Cinder hears a noise in the bushes to their left. She quiets the other two and hunches down. Her ears are pricked far forward trying to focus on the sound of what ever was next to her. She didn’t know what did, “that” to her village but it could be anything. She couldn’t risk losing her brothers now.

“Name, and your faction.” A mare in armor called to the direction of the three ponies. The siblings looked to each other in confusion, what was she talking about?

“What in the name of tartarus are you talking about?” Cinder yelled. Ice put this hoof over his sister's muzzle. A click was heard, Cinder recognized the sound right away.

“Come out now and, you will not die.” The mare said in a low tone. Ice looked over to his siblings, the three nodded and stood up. Cinder had a beaten look on her face as she glared at the mare threatening to kill her brothers.

“Alright now walk,” The three started walking, Cinder in the back, and Ice in the front. The pony in armor had a stiff expression as she walked behind them.

“You know it’s rude to put a gun up to a stranger,” Cinder said in a deadpan tone. Her brother in front of her gave her a small kick. Signaling to shut up. A large amount of walking and silence went by, until the armored pony spoke.

“What’s your name’s, faction, and clan?” Cinder gave a loud sigh while her brothers raised a eyebrow.

“Cinder, and I am from Trotsdale.”

“Star Stripe, and I am also from Trotsdale.” And before Ice could speak the pony in armor spoke.

“Do you guys seriously not know?” The mares tone grew soft, then continued to mumble to herself. “There is no way they can't know, but.." She trailed off speaking to the point Cinder can no longer hear her. Cinder gave a quick glance backwards to see the pony in armor had a gun gripped in her magic. Cinder wanted to try lighten the mood, so why not pushing my boundaries as a hostage.

"So what's you name?" The mare looked up at Cinder, Cinder gave a smile of comfort.

"Names Sweetie Belle, we should keep moving, Commander will be angry if I don't come back on time." Sweetie Belle, that name sounds so familiar. Its the pop idol, I heard her on the radio all the time. After more walking through the bramble and thickens. The four come to a large door in the ground. With her green magic Sweetie Belle opened to door that goes underground.

"Go down," and without any objections the ponies went down into the dark tunnel. A large amount of time passes until there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And there was something that shocked all three of the siblings. Its a city underground, in the middle is a giant crystal like tree with five branches having different symbols on the branches, and in the middle is a large six sided star. But around that tree, were different tents, building's in progress, and stands. And all around are different varieties of pony's all staring at the three foreign ponies. All the sudden Cinder's chest felt heavy, there are so many ponies around. Cinder couldn't move.

"No, not this." Ice nudged her trying to snap his sibling out of her out of fear driven shock.

"Move." Sweetie Belle said not as authorities as before, but has no flexibility. Ice went next to his sister and stared to pull her along. He couldn't risk losing any pony else. Star went behind the frightened mare and the chill stallion as Ice wrapped his wing around his little sister. They walked up to a tent next to the crystal tree beacon filled with light.

" Princess Twilight, I found these ponies when I was doing northern patrol." All three of the ponies looked over to see the princess of friendship, next to her is a rainbow haired pegasus, recognized as the element of loyalty.

"Thank you Sweetie, now could you go around and bring the count of are wounded." The Princess said a pleasant voice. The brothers Ice and Star looked to each other. But Cinder looked at the purple alicorn in amazement, she was standing in front of a princess. Cinders nervous posture was there but she was speechless.

"Well I guess my meeting with the princess in a week for matter of a loan can come early." Cinder said softly, trying to lighten her own mood. Ice elbowed her, and they all bowed.

"State your clan." The element of loyalty, Rainbow Dash said in a deep assertive voice. No pony said anything until Star worked up the guts to speak.

"We don't know what your talking about." Rainbow Dash glared at the unicorn who spoke. But Twilight spoke breaking the tension.

"About a year ago Equestria was in the middle of a civil war." Star interrupted the princess.

"We don't know about any war."

"Hey, don't interrupt the princess. You understand!" Rainbow Dash yelled at the rude stallion. He stood his ground, not even flinching at the yell of the pegasus.

"Rainbow Dash." Twilight looked to Rainbow, she had a annoyed look. Rainbow gave a loud grown of anger, and trotted out of the tent angrily.

"Anyway, about a year ago almost all Equestria went into a war." Twilight made a story with her magic, things moved like a story book. "And, loyalties were split. Celestia and Luna lied to me, they betrayed me. And they betrayed all of Equestria." Twilights bitterness filled her voice. Then she put her hoof to her chest and moved it away as she breathed out, she continued. "There was a large falling out between Luna and Celestia, then with Cadence. Then I had a difference with.... One of my students." Twilight chocked a little. "Since then, things like parasprites, and other beast have been attacking different towns. That is why we went underground, This is magic clan."

Author's Note

Wow this is my first time writing a AU and man how fun it is. Hope you enjoyed it

Star

I didn't know what to expect when I decided to help with Princess Twilight's cause. But now looking back at it I would not change a thing. I may be brash and arrogant, but I work hard and know when I got it good. I had and even now have it perfect. -Star Stripe

Twilight came out of the tent followed by three ponies all with blank looks on their face. As if the gears were turning, for Cinder that didn’t last long.

“What can I do to help?” Cinder looked to the princess determination in her eyes. Then she noticed every pony else in the area was staring at her, her posture stiffened and she tried avoiding eye contact. Ice went up to his sister, his face was concerned, he wrapped his ice blue wing around his sister.

“Hold on let's talk about this, you know before you may do something stupid or ill informed.” Star came up to talk as well.

“What is there to talk about, there’s a fight and we need to help. There are bad ponies and we need to fight them.” Cinder gave one small nod, almost as if she agreed yet disagreed.

“I mean I, I guess. If you two are serious I guess I don’t have anything to lose.” The three nodded in varying amounts of energy. Twilight looked on seeming to reminisce on something. Cinder seemed to be the only one to pick up on this.

“Very well I will assign you each a mentor, and a bunk for you all to stay.” The three nodded in unison. But Twilight wasn't done yet. “I will also assign a pony to read your cutie mark and find your position.” Cinder’s ears perked up suddenly in distress, her brothers were aware of this. Star spoke up to try and protect his sister.

“Princess, if you don’t mind could you not do that with are marks.” Twilight looked to the unicorn in confusion.

“Please call me Twilight. And why wouldn’t you want a cutie mark reading?” Her excitement started to escalate. “It’s so exciting to get a cutie mark reading, showing where they fit in.” Cinder’s head lowered, shame and sorrow on it. Star looked over and his ears dropped seeing his sister like that.

“Twilight you don't understand. Cinder doesn't have her cutie mark.” Twilight looked over to Cinder, her face struck with shock. Ice went over to his sister to comfort her, Cinder stared down at the ground, her expression unreadable.

“How old are you? You look the same age as Sweetie Belle and she's nineteen.” Twilight paused and tapped her chin, she was lost in thought trying to think on what to do. Star spoke up.

“How you let her, I don't know chose what she does.” Star emphasized the last part of his sentence. His attitude didn’t sit well with the princess. But he was completely right, there was no harm to do that.

“Alright, I’ll have Pinkie give her a tour.”

“Thank you.” Star gave the princess a shy smile. But the princess continued to speak.

“You two will go to the cutie mark reader.” The other two nodded. Cinder looked up for the first time the whole conversation. She gave a smile to the ponies around her, trying to comfort them. Star looked to Sweetie Belle, the pony who was assigned to give the stallions a tour. Then a bouncing pink pony came up to his sister. Sweetie Belle spoke up to the two brothers.

“Alright follow me, and we won’t kick you out.”Sweetie had a harsh tone, same tone she had when they were holding them at gunpoint. Just something Ice picked up on. The two brothers follow, one almost excited, one scared because of his cutie mark. The two walked with the mare with the white coat. While Cinder was stuck with the element of laughter, the three shall meet again. I mean they are siblings, and no matter how hard you try you can rarely get away from family.

Pinkie

When my friends split up. I had no doubt which of them I would go with. But Some of us would rather have gone with a traitor. Or somepony as equally awful, bunch of meanie faces. But I do my best to get all the ponies here to smile, because I believe the most important thing in a time like this is to smile.-Pinkamina Diane Pie

“This is the supply closet where we keep things like flour to make cakes. We are limited on supplies so we can’t make cakes all that often, but that's OK because we make cakes on ponies birthdays.” The pink pony hopped along the camp, she was seemingly filled with glee. While in contrast there was a gray pegasus her posture was slumped to the ground her mane covered her face. She had one of Pinkie Pie’s contagious smiles on her face even if it was small. Cinder was getting the full tour from the element of laughter. And the pegasus hated the looks she got from the residents. “So I want to learn everything about you.” Pinkie Pie snapped her out of her thoughts as the pink pony made an attempt to brighten the mood. Cinder’s ear’s flew back with the pink pony in her face. But she retained her posture and the smile grew a little.

“What do you want to know? My credit card number, my mother's maiden name, and my social security number.” Cinder tried her way of lightened the mood. The Pinkie pony took herself back then gave a snort and a laugh. Through her laughter the pink pony spoke.

“No, you silly filly. What’s your birthday?” Simple enough question, nothing to personal.

“Let's see, I was born on a Tuesday.” Pinkie gave a small melodic chuckle. But then Cinder told Pinkie her birthday was the day after Hearts and Hooves day. Then told Pinkie about her two brothers. They chucked as they exchanged stories of siblings. As they walked along, Cinder’s discomfort seemed to dissipate and a cheerful pony took her place.

“And here is the quarters for warriors,” It was a larger in progress building, for some reason it had a lack of a roof. Yet it had two floors and from the looks of the ground around it, it probably had an basement. And no doubt it was the largest building in the camp. They were about to keep walking until Cinder saw Star walk out of the Warriors quarters. Cinder flew straight into her brother, she ruffed up his mane in a playful manner.

“So how did it go? You're not dead so that’s a pretty good sign.” Star gave a small chuckle at his sister. He was a very intellectual unicorn yet he could always seem to laugh with his sister.

“Just as I thought, I was put in the tactical department.” He flashed his flank of a four pointed star on a book. Cinder raised a eyebrow at this. She doesn't remember Pinkie Pie talking about a tactical department.

“Um what is a tactical department?”

“It’s things like research and, attack tactics,” Cinder gave a nod of understanding even though she had a large amount of questions. But Her brother cut her off before she can ask more questions. “Have you decided what you're going to do?”

“I want to help fight on the field.” Star flinched with this answer. He looked hurt as his sister she was looking in confusion at her brother.

“Are you sure? There are a lot of other jobs that would fit your criteria.” Cinder looked to her brother with determination filling her eye’s.

“We are short on fighters, and even though we are at peace with Light clan, we are still fighting everything else. And I see you aren’t doing it. And I can’t see Ice on a battlefield. So it's up to me in a way.” Star shook his head at his sister’s logic. But he also understood his sister’s morals. And he understood her feeling of chivalry, which made no sense to the stallion. Why would you risk your life for "Honor" it had no values and no way of help you or the ponies around you. But he understood it was important to his sister.

“So where’s Ice?” Cinder asked the question only just popping in to her head.

“He’s still getting his cutie mark read.” Ice answered as if it was suppose to be obvious. “You know I never seemed to ask but how did he get his cutie mark.” Cinder froze and bit her lip.

“I..I don’t know.” Cinder said trying to sound as convincing as possible. It didn’t work, or at least very well. But before he could retaliate, a white pegasus walked out of the small tent. “Icey!” Cinder flew like a bullet to her brother and pulled him into a large hug.

“Well I know one pony excited to see me.” Then looked over to Star. “Well two ponies.” Star gave a eye roll, while Cinder chuckled at her sibling.

“So where is your position?” Star asked his sibling hoping for a certain answer. Cinder got back to stand next to her other brother. Her curiosity peaked as well with this question.

“I am in the morale division.” Cinder nodded and Star looked to his two younger siblings. His expression was unreadable. Destiny's were set at this point. And there was no going back.

Rainbow

When my best friend Applejack went with that lying pony who dares to call herself a princess. After that I knew where my loyalty stood, my friend was in pain and needed a second in command so why not the best flier in Equestria. When I learned Pinkie Pie was going to join us it made me as happy as the situation let me. I have my princess, and I don't need a traitor. Especially a princess that lied to my princess. Wow I just realized how sappy that sound. We don't have time for this, hurry up and give me forty! -Rainbow Dash

“So this is are bunks?” Ice asked to Star, his eyebrow furrowed. They were two mattresses on the ground, not the most comfortable looking.

“Look on the bright side, Cinder has to sleep in a sleeping bag on the ground while there are working on more bunk beds.” The two stallions looked at it. It was a small tent, with two extremely small desks and a quill and paper, well at least they had there own tent. Small sure but there own tent, unlike their sister. As they were getting settled in, the two brothers heard stomps at the ground. Ice went up to the opening and opened the flap of the tent to find his sister, there she was four bags in her mouth. The saddlebags of the three and another brown bag. She had a large smile stretched the whole way across her face. Her freckles caught in her dimples.

“Guess, what, it is so exciting! It will make you skybound.” Cinder dropped her bags and started flapping her wings in excitement. “I was able to get Pinkie Pie to talk to Twilight, to talk to another pony, who talked to another pony.” She paused taking in a deep breath, she continued. “Well, I was able to talk that pony into letting me stay with you two.” Cinder got two very different reactions. Ice grew a small grin, while Stars ears fell.

“That’s grea-” But Ice was cut off by his brother.

“Why? You're getting your own spot in the warriors base.” Star exclaimed to his sister. Cinder’s ears fell as far back as they could go, but she kept her smiling face though.

“Yeah, but I though we are siblings and that spot could easily go to somepony else.” Cinder stared into Star’s eye’s.

“You're lying,” Star said in a confident voice. The two bickered about it, until it was very obvious the two were not going to solve it on there own.

“Hey can you two please stop.” Ice broke them up, his wings separating the two. “You two are fighting like filly’s. Let’s step back and look at this from a different perspective.” The two trotted in different directions. And Ice gave a large sigh as the two walk off. Cinder walked out of the tent, gave a large inhale then exhale. This was no reason to make everyone else sad. Cinder put a smile on her face, and decided to get a first look at everything before she starts tomorrow. Because right now she needs to get away from her brother. Cinder hummed a tune that Pinkie taught her, about smiling and seeing other ponies smile. She comes up to the training ring watching what was going on.

“Is that your fastest, come on you wimps I want to see you go faster!” The element of Loyalty blew a whistle. She glared at the four ponies she was teaching. The way the training system is done is mentors would get two to six trainees. And lucky Cinder got a ruffian of an mentor. She looked over to the training pen across the way and saw a orange pegasus with a pink purplish man. It was hard to tell is is pink or purple, the world will never know. She stared over there for a bit trying to figure it out until a loud scream came to her ear. “Hey your not suppose to be here till tomorrow,” Cinder blinked a couple of times, then rubbed her ear with her hoof, then responded.

“I wanted to get a early look, mam.” Cinder said as a rookie does to a higher level commander.

“Hey Rainbow give the rookie a break, she just wants to see what she dragged herself into.” Cinder looked to the pony who saved her hide. It was a pegasus mare, she is beautiful. She was covered in silver armor, but under the armor. She was a white mare with a white mane, she had silver eyes. Her mane was about the same length as Rainbow Dash.

“Espérer, I am in the middle of talking with the rookie for that give me another twenty.” Espérer was that beautiful mare, And like a foul Cinder blushed wildly. “Don’t think I forgot about you.” Rainbow yelled into Cinder’s ear, The element of loyalty threw Cinder some goggles. “I want you up there two, go and give me twenty-five.” Cinder raised an eyebrow then threw on the goggles and took to the the sky, or at least what a sky is to a underground cave. She didn’t know where to go so she just followed Espérer. After about a lap Cinder got an good where she was going. But followed the mare in front of her, just in case. After twenty laps Espérer flew to the ground, now it was just Cinder in the sky. She flew at a quicker pace than before, it was obvious she wasn't trying to show off unlike the other pegasus on there first flight. Rainbow Dash blew her whistle signaling for Cinder to land. She came into the same place as Espérer landed. She roughly came in, when she landed she walked to the side and panted. Espérer walked up next to Cinder and gave her a pat on the back.

“Nice job, I know I wasn't able to do that my first time.” Her voice was like listening to a singing bird, its beautiful. “But don’t let it go to your head. Or else you are going to have a rough time here.” Cinder convinced herself to smile again, she nodded. “You know it's nice to have another mare on the team, you know besides Crash.” The two mares giggled, then the mare, crash whom they were talking about.

"Alright you two, we shall continue training tomorrow, till then I want you to get grub." The flyers under Rainbow Dash's care were about to head to the mess hall before Rainbow spoke up one more time."Oh yeah, Cinder, Espérer, you two will be last in line." Espérer's ears dropped and a disappointed look came across her face. The five ponies walked towards the grub hall, the two mare's walked far behind them. At least we are eating, not like we grounded from dinner, Cinder thought. The mares didn't talk to each other the whole way there.

Author's Note

I have been having a fun time with this story. I hope you are enjoying, this I know I am.

Espérer

I remember when it all happened, now looking back at it, it all went by like a blur. The first big event was I became a widow, then I joined the cause and when it started, I mean the conflict, and now here I am. I am here with the most Loyal friends you could ever ask for. Especially that rookie named Cinder, shame she doesn't have a cutie mark. I mean I am only four years older than her, and I married at her age. Maybe I can help her, I mean cutie marks are a important part of society, there would be chaos and disorder without a idea of what one shall do. I guess she must live a life of chaos with no cutie mark. Well lets see what I can do for her. I mean she doesn't have her cutie mark which obliviously means she needs help. - Espérer Hope

“So, how long have you been here?” Cinder asked as the two mare’s walked towards the mess hall, or a better name would be the mess, building in progress. Because unsurprisingly there is a kitchen and a whole bunch of picnic tables. It kinda looks like a filly was working on wall’s then found a new play thing and kinda left the mess, building in progress.

“I have been here since the beginning of the war. Hey can we stop by my bunk to drop my stuff off?” Espérer asked, it was an innocent question, but she asked it as if Cinder was going to say no.

“Well sure, I mean we got plenty of time to kill. You know, we did sass are mentor.” Cinder gave a short chuckle, which then was followed by Espérer giving a full on laugh. Cinder didn’t understand, it was chuckle worthy, maybe a snort. But full on laughter is a little much, but hey some ponies have less of a laugh tolerance. The two pegasus mares, were walking to the warrior building. When they arrived there was nopony else there, understandable the mess hall is open. It wasn't that long ago since Cinder ate, somepony else probably needed it more than her.

“Hey Espérer, can we stop by the smith to grab my armor?” Cinder asked, Espérer nodded.

“We got plenty of time to kill,” Espérer paused then spoke again in a defensive tone. “Not kill, we don’t need to kill anything.” Cinder gave a snort thinking it was a joke.

“So, I have a few questions. You see I lived in a reclusive village, I don’t know what we did get and didn’t.” Cinder said hoping for answer, but got a confused look. “You see I have heard of Sweetie Belle, yet somehow I have never knew about a civil war in Equestria. And that seems like something that is unavoidable.” Cinder had a sarcastic tone in her voice. She wanted info but not at the risk of loss of a light hearten mood. “I mean yeah we were handling our own issues, but things like nukes may be, noticeable. I know biggest understatement of the year but you get my point.”

“Well about a year ago is when the official split happened. As of now we are at war with Sun Clan, and neutral with Moon clan. Light clan is a odd type of clan, they are unpredictable. And as of now we have heard nothing from Crystal clan in about two moons.” Cinder nodded her head but was obviously unsatisfied. “Anyway let's head over and pick up your armor.” The two leave Espérer room, and head over to the smith. The smith is a not a odd sight with everything else, but if you were to copy and paste it anywhere else. It looks like a lemonade stand, but with armor and weapons. The mare who was running the stand looks like a blacksmith. Her mane was a bronze as well, bronze. She had strips of silver as well, her coat is the color of ash. Her horn was glowing the same color as her eye’s, a hot red color, the mare spoke.

“Ello love, you must be the rookie.”

“I guess so, I mean. I still like to think I am your Mane mare.” Cinder laughed, but the other two mares didn’t laugh. To be fair the blacksmith was holding back her laughter. She was a sucker for horrible irrelevant puns. It was barely a pun, that's how bad it is.

“I need my armor before I get myself killed.” Cinder said as a fact, yet had a hint of light warmheartedness. Crystal, the blacksmith levitated a huge hunk of metal. On further inspection Cinder was able to pick out that it was wing shield, chest plate, and a neck protector. It looked like it was bronze armor, rimmed with silver. It looked very sturdy, like it could take a beating, it needs to though to survive a battle. Cinder slipped the armor on, careful not to misplace anything. Because it would either look wrong or feel uncomfortable.

“Then let’s see, you have a referral for a weapon to. What a rarity, your mentor must feels that she knows you well enough.” Cinder raised a eyebrow, her mentor gave a referral? What weapon, she wondered. I hope it's a gun like what Sweetie Belle had, or maybe it’s going to be something as equally awesome. “You have been assigned Projectile-04. Nice going, that's a good weapon.”

“Whats a Projectile-04?” Cinder was struck with pure confusion, she calmed herself then spoke again. “I mean I am going to be awesome with it no matter what, but still what is it?” Crystal brought out a machine from a box, no she brought out two. Then she got a box with what Cinder can assume ammo.

“Well it’s a new little weapon that my mentor made, it uses thrusting power to launch darts. I know, odd but it is a good weapon for stealth and speed. Because the most heavy thing about it is the ammo, and even with that the ammo is reusable. You're going to be the first soldier to use it.” Well, that makes me feel better. Cinder thought to herself. I get to be a guinea pig for a new weapon. Cinder slid the two devices onto her two front hoofs. They were oddly light, and so she loaded the ammo as well. And what do you know, it's not very heavy.

"Well give it a try." Espérer spoke up, she was curious on this new weapon even she had not seen before. Cinder looked to the mare who just spoke. Cinder grew a smile of zealousness, her excitement grew as did her understanding of the situation.

“Let’s go,” Cinder flew quickly towards the range but she stopped herself and quickly went back to the stand. “Thanks!” Cinder’s smile became infectious spreading to Crystal. Cinder looked out and followed Espérer once she joined her, she was darting quicker than a bullet to the range. She was stopped by Espérer voice asking her a question.

“What’s it like not having a cutie mark?” Cinder paused and bit her lip, she didn’t know how to respond until it came to her.

“I mean it has it’s ups and downs. I have a open destiny, I can do anything I want until I am forced to a destiny. But I guess it would be nice knowing what you want to do with your life. I am going to be honest with you.” Cinder pulls Espérer close, she whispers in Espérer ear. “I don’t care about my cutie mark, I don’t need it. I know who I am and no mark on my flank can change that. I am what I can make of me, I am a hard working soldier who doesn't need a cutie mark to tell you about me.” Espérer was in shock, that is not what she expected at all. “Anyway let's get going I want to see what I can do.” The two mares walked down to the almost a road yet not a road. Espérer walked down the road thinking about what Cinder said.

Ice

Do you have any idea what it's like being the oldest of three siblings? I mean I love them, but I hate them. You know I hear that's normal though. Don't get me wrong I love my siblings but after time I have learned to avoid conflict so I can solve conflict. That's my cutie mark, I am a therapist, Ice Breaker, get it. I mean, if it weren't for Cinder's lack of emotional stability, and Star's lack of patients. I wouldn't have my cutie mark, and I would not have the same admiration of Cinder as I do now. She is a lot I am not, and I am stallion enough to admit that. But she always can get me to smile. That is her strongest trait, and the one I am most jealous of. But I still love her and will always support her, not romantically of course. But as my favorite sister, I will always support her. -Ice

Cinder bit her lip as she looked to the device on her wrist. She was so excited about getting a weapon, that she kinda forgot to get instructions on how to use it. It was a odd looking contraption, looked like something she might see in a war movie. Oh wait she is in a war so close enough. The device seemed to work like a bow and arrow, you move your hoof backwards, then forwards. And you should be able to shoot, but there doesn't seem to be a place to put the ammo. Cinder continues to stare at it as she sits in her tent, her ears perked as somepony entered the tent. She looked over not moving her head to see who it was. Her response differing depending on who it was.

“Can I give it a look?” It was Ice, Cinder looked over and smiled.

“Sure, let me know if you figure it out.” Cinder took off her foreign, and shoved over the stuff that came with it with her wing. Ice sat on the floor next to his sister, he looked at it and started to pick it up with his hoof. He carefully examined it, eyes staring intensely at it. “I probably should have asked for instructions, I probably should have gotten it from the horse's mouth.” Cinder gave herself a small chuckle, as did her brother. Afterwards a click was heard, Ice had figured it out.

“Here you go,” He gave the weapon to his sister, fully loaded with mini-darts. Ice gave a quick demonstration on what he had did, how to load it and use it.

“So how was your instructional hour? Or hours? Or whatever you want to call it.” Cinder asked in curiosity as Ice went into his bed. He tried to mask how tired he was, which for him was not all that hard.

“It did its job, boring and tedious sure. But it did its job, I got assigned my patients,and I got there files.” He pulled his blankets up, he was always cold, like all the time. From his body language, and the fact she knew him all her life, Cinder could tell he was exhausted. Cinder stood up and stretched in a cat like fashion, her wings stretched showing off her feathers in desperate need of preening. She started to walk out, feeling her brother needs some rest, but a figure walks into the tent. Its Star getting back from his tour, he looked still springing with energy. But he also had a look of frustration, Cinder knows what to do when he’s like this. She gets out of the tent doing everything to avoid eye-contact, and any other contact. She decides to see if she could get Espérer to time her around the rink, and maybe do do some target practice before her first day tomorrow.

“You day was probably bad to, huh?” Star asked as he lased on his mattress, seemingly losing all the strength in his legs. His horn seemed burned out, like it had been used for a long strain of time, thankfully horns are not light bulbs he can still use it, it just needs to recharge.

“Well I was just lectured on there rules and regulation, you know the usual when coming into a new work environment. Most of it was very normal but it was odd. I was assigned a mentor, a pony who going to be with me while I did my job.” Star nodded his head, signaling he had the same more or less. Ice grew a sarcastic tone and groaned. “I bet this will end in sunshine and rainbows, this won’t get in my way of me doing you know my job, what, so, ever.” Ice emphasized the last part of his sentence with a large amount of sarcasm. Star, didn’t laugh,compared to how Cinder would,he just simply stared at the wall of the tent. A large amount of awkward silence went with neither of the brothers speaking up eventually Cinder came like a dart through the tent. While she was grabbing her armor she spoke.

“We have a problem you two need to rush to the safe hall!” Panic was in her voice, while confusion was dumbfounding Star, Ice started to become fearful. She got her armor on and she stared out less than a second later the security bell rang. Signaling a security breach, there was something there what wasn't suppose to be. Ice and Star ran towards the safe hall, Ice tries to glance back to see his sister, but panic mostly blinded his vision.

Author's Note

Looking for cover art. PM if your interested.

Scootaloo

I, never thought I had to choose between two friends. I went with a choice for a completely different reason, I went with my sister. I miss her she was almost like a sister, I miss are antics, and are quest to help ponies marks. But are cutie marks signal that, we have similar marks yet they show we are meant to go are separate ways. Even with that I joined Magic clan, because I feel it is my duty to protect the princess. My princess, not the princess who hides from us and lets things run their course, when we are coursing into the ground. I am, thanks to Rainbow Dash, the youngest warrior who is eligible for a student. Which I do, I have two wonderful students to train. But Rainbow Dash will always be the most super awesome extreammazing pony in all of whats left of Equestria. I will never be the pony I am without her, my best big sister ever. - Lieutenant General Scootaloo

It’s chaos outside the safe house, a group of ponies were in the middle of attacking Magic clan camp. Nothing but pure chaos, as the warriors of Magic clan did their best to protect what they have.

“Hey, watch it!” Scootaloo yelled at Rainbow Dash, a pony was taking a shoot at the General. The two ponies were back to back, they protected each other as a yin to yang.

“Close the door!” Rainbow Dash yelled, as so three soldiers, Cinder, Espérer, and Sweetie Belle. Ran towards the main gate, hoping that maybe they could stop any other ponies from getting in. Cinder noticed their armor and the way they fought was uniform, unlike Magic clan where each warrior was unique and different. But this thought was quickly pushed to the back of her mind as she ran towards the door, surprisingly they didn't have to do much, there were no ponies anywhere besides the main camp. The three get to the main door, from what Cinder could gather the door opens to the Everfree Forest. Because there were different plants, one in particular, was a vine covered in thorns. The vine was called Chaos Vines, used to cure poison joke, and also used for an array of spell. Thanks Star! Cinder thought to herself, she flew as fast as her wings could take her while Sweetie Belle showed a surprising speed on hoof. Espérer was slightly behind the two, flying, trying to conserve energy. The three finally arrive to the door, what happened to it shocked all three mares. The door seemed to be completely destroyed, as if it had been magically exploded, that's really the only way to describe it. The three stood completely speechless, they didn’t know what to do.

“Sweetie what should we…” Espérer muttered, a hint of fear in it.

“I will put up a temporarily barrier, and hope. The builders can either fix it or make a new one.” Sweetie Belle commanded in her authoritative voice. “You two, watch my back I need pure concentration. And if any pony does try to stop me capture not kill.” The two pegasus nodded in agreement, with that Major General Sweetie Belle started with casting the temporary shield spell. Her horn lit up bright green, just like her eyes, slowly a wall of green engulfed the missing door that shielded Magic Clan from the outside world. But the cracks that were unfilled, small black shadow looking rodents, came through the cracks.

“What are these?!” Cinder said in disgust, she had never seen anything like it. They looked like mice, but twisted and broken looking, like a filly broke it and randomly glued it back together, but it wasn't there. The little mutant mice looked, no, they were shadows.

“These are Skiá, shadow creatures that feed on color, and emotion!” Espérer shouted, she was filled with panic, Espérer started walking towards the safety of the darkness, where there are no shadows. Cinder’s mind clicked, she understood everything.That’s why the clan lived underground, why I wasn't allowed on the surface except for patrols, why, everything really. Espérer was in the most danger, she is pure white, every color combined probably a top priority for the little black rodents. Which includes Sweetie Belle as well. Cinder panicked and ran up to the mare casting the spell in the sunlight, with a shadow.

“Sweetie, can you please back up to the darkness.” Sweetie Belle moved her head and looked to Cinder, her horn still glowing brightly. But as she did, she finished the spell, and the area again was enclosed in darkness. Espérer grew a smile on her face then spoke in a jolly voice.

“Nice job, you stopped the Skiá’s your so cool how you put up the barrier. It must take a lot of hard work and discipline.” Sweetie Belle’s face grew red with, oddly enough, shyness, almost as if she didn’t want what attention she got. Cinder's face had a look of terror on it.

“Um hello! They are still here we just can't see them . Sweetie Belle we should find them and eradicate them!” Cinder quickly spit out. Sweetie Belle looked to her and was about to speak before there was the sound of a loud bang in the main area. Cinder’s ears perked, so the three mare’s trotted like no tomorrow,because there might not be a tomorrow. When they got to the camp it was lightened. Like it has a large light source has been introduced to the area, and it has. Cinder’s eyes were locked onto the giant hole in the ceiling, Sweetie followed, and it took a couple moments for Espérer to look at it too. But Cinder was also the first to look down at the rest of the scenery, camp was almost in the same shape as before, except minor damage to the buildings. But as Cinder noticed something the other two didn’t pick up on, one of the shapes on the crystal tree was gone, the apple one from what she could tell. The three rushed towards the princess's tent to check her safety.