Time's Cruelty

  Twilight lightly dipped her quill in the ink and stared at the blank page before her. It's time to get these feelings out, she thought. She looked at the page one more time before giving a deep sigh and beginning to jot down her thoughts on the page:

If there’s one villain I would consider cruller than Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sombra, Tirek, or Chrysalis, I would say it’s time. Time has beaten and bashed on me and my friends more than any villain ever has. Time has crushed our spirits and brought us lower more than any villain ever has. And my friends aren’t the only ones time affected. All of Equestria has fallen under the cruelty of time. As time elapsed, in its wake, it brought Sombra back from the dead. Celestia thinks he just found a way to reassemble himself.

Since he returned, we tried to get to the Tree of Harmony to stop him, but we were too late. When me and my friends reached the tree, we found Sombra had destroyed everything to do with it. The tree was gone, the rainbow chest destroyed, and the Elements of Harmony smashed to bits. The only thing that remained was my castle. We don’t know how my castle stood without the rainbow chest powering it, but it did. I guess it was just too strong for Sombra to get to.

After that, Sombra proceeded to do even worse things to Equestria. He had managed to wipe out the changeling race including Thorax. Spike was very angry about that, but eventually he moved on from his grief. But grief leaves a wound we learn to build ourselves around. It never disappears. Death is not like divorce. Getting over death doesn’t happen. We only make ourselves a new kind of normal. Spike has learned that. Starlight Glimmer decided to move to the Crystal Empire to help Sunburst. However, after Sombra enslaved the crystal ponies, Starlight Glimmer and Sunburst went on the run. Starlight Glimmer has never replied to any of my letters. I don’t know if they’re safe anymore.

After Sombra enslaved the crystal ponies, we decided that it had gone too far. Equestria mourned for the loss of the changelings now that they discovered their true nature, but Equestria wanted something more than they ever have before. They wanted revenge.

Celestia declared war on Sombra and his slaves. She claimed we had no other choice.

I know I can’t stop it this time. This isn’t a result of a time travel spell or a nightmare. This is what life has become for me now. I will have to fight this war.

Since Equestria relies on my friends and I a lot, we were drafted into war by Celestia and Luna. We knew we had no other choice and we moved to the base down in Vanhoover along with many other ponies in Equestria. I thought that my friends and I wouldn’t have to experience grief so soon. Unfortunately, I was wrong. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, now full grown mares, were drafted not long after us. Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash had strong feelings of protest against it, but there was no choice. Soon, we would have to lose so much.

No one can escape time’s cruelty. Not me. Not my friends. Not anypony. This is what life has become now. I’ve accepted it at last. There’s no escape.

  Twilight closed the journal in front of her with yet another sigh. When she heard the declare of war that Celestia had called on Sombra and the Crystal Slaves, she had almost cried out in protest. Although, she had restrained herself. Twilight felt that arguing against the pony that had been her mentor and teacher wouldn't be right. Her friends were terrified when they heard the news. Some of them tried to hide it, but Twilight knew her friends well and could see the fear that was in their eyes.

   After being drafted out to war, the fear inside of them only grew immensely. However, they were given no choice. They packed their most valuable possessions (Twilight had to convince Rarity to leave many behind) and set off to Vanhoover. Once they reached the base, they had met the two generals: General Whirlpool and Colonel Whirlwind. General Whirlpool and Colonel Whirlwind were demanding and came as off as ominous, but they meant well. It was clear that the generals only commanded harshly because they cared.

  After two months of fighting and scars, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were brought in to fight. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity had tried to argue, but their sisters insisted they could handle themselves. They believed now that they were mares they could handle much more than they could as fillies. After a few hours of arguing, the Cutie Mark Crusader's older sisters had given in. The Cutie Mark Crusaders proved themselves to be surprisingly skillful. However, that didn't stop their older sisters from teaching them new techniques. The Cutie Mark Crusaders enjoyed learning with them.

  "Attention!" echoed the loud voice of General Whirlpool. "All ponies, meet on the battlefield! Let's go! Let's go!"

   Twilight's heart froze for a moment. She knew exactly what that meant. It was time for battle to begin. She grabbed her spear and raced to meet the other fighters on the field.

  Almost immediately, she felt a chill hit her body when she stepped outside. It had not been snowing, but ever since Sombra started the war, Equestria had started getting frequent cold drafts. Almost as if something about his presence made the weather go awry.

  Twilight shivered. Ignoring the fierce cold working its way onto her skin, she pressed forward and stood on the battlefield next to many other ponies on the field. She recognized many of them. She had seen ponies from Canterlot, Manehattan, and even Ponyville standing next to her every battle. However, their faces no longer had the upbeat, cheery smiles or the content, high-status gloat to them. The only expression Twilight could see on their faces now was contained fear. She knew it was there, even though most restrained it desperately.

   "The next battle in this war is coming now!" General Whirlpool announced. "We must move out!"

   "Yes, sir, General Whirlpool, sir!" the ponies exclaimed.

   "And try to remain stealthy!" Colonel Whirlwind reminded them. "We cannot reveal our position to Sombra or his slaves!"

   The ponies repeated their understanding and stood awaiting their command to march forward.

   Twilight turned and a grin crept its way across her face as she saw five familiar ponies surrounding her. They were none other than her best friends, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity. Even amidst the war, when she looked at her friends, she could not help but smile. They were a part of her. Twilight's friends made her feel like she was invincible. Like she could do anything.

   Twilight turned to Rainbow Dash, "You know, I like General Whirlpool and Colonel Whirlwind. Even though they're pretty angry, what general isn't?"

   "I know," Rainbow Dash replied. "They're cool! Especially since they take down so many slaves at once!"

   "Move out!" General Whirlpool's command to move out to battle had come.

   Almost in unison, the ponies began to march to battle.

   The Crystal Ponies had been the unluckiest out of all of the ponies in the war. Sombra had seized them immediately and forced them into slavery with dark magic. The helmets he gave them had a soft, eerie glow that transmitted dark magic into the soul of the pony who wore it. The helmet corrupted the pony's soul to the point where they would give their life to aid him in his attempts to take over Equestria. It wasn't just the Crystal Empire he wanted anymore, but the entire country.

   Sombra turned to his slaves and began to speak, "Now, my slaves, there is no room for mistakes. We must bring down as many ponies as we can."

   "Yes, King Sombra," was the mechanical reply.

   "Are you ready to fight?" Sombra asked them.

   "Yes, King Sombra," the slaves repeated.

   Sombra gave them a dark smile of satisfaction. "Then, let's waste no time. Follow me."

   Sombra began to walk towards the battle and his slaves followed without hesitation. Two slaves, in particular, looked eager (as they could under the influence of dark magic) to please Sombra.

   The two slaves accidentally slammed into each other. They gave each other a glare through their helmets. Their tired eyes could barely be seen through the armor.

   "Ow! Hey! Watch where you're going!" exclaimed one. He was a light blue stallion with a mustard colored mane.

   "You watch where you're going!" snapped the other. She was a mare with a medium blue coat and a grayish-purplish mane.

   "You bumped into me!" the stallion claimed. With a roll of his eyes, he continued. "Ugh, forget it. We don't have time for this anyway."

   The mare gave what looked like a smirk. "You're only saying that because you don't have any good comebacks."

   "That is not true!" the stallion shot back.

   "Bright Smile, Arctic Lily," Sombra said. "There is no time to fight with each other. We must focus our fighting energy on the ponies loyal to Celestia."

   "Yes, King Sombra," the two chorused.

   After a beat, the stallion turned to the mare with a strange curiousity. "So, Arctic Lily, huh?"

   "Yes," Arctic Lily confirmed. "And you're Bright Smile?"

   Bright Smile nodded. "Yup."

   "You know, taking these ponies down would be easier if we worked... together," Arctic Lily said.

   Bright Smile looked at her as if she had just said the weirdest thing imaginable. "Uh... together? No thanks!"

   "We want to get the king what he wants, right?" Arctic Lily asked.

   "Of course we do!" Bright Smile exclaimed.

   "And what better way to do that than team up on ponies?" Arctic Lily said simply. "It's effective. I promise."

   "Fine," Bright Smile agreed reluctantly. "Just don't make me regret working with somepony. I prefer to please His Majesty on my own."

   "Trust me," Arctic Lily said with a smirk. "You won't regret a thing."

   The walk to the battle was long and tiring. Many ponies complained of aches and cramps. General Whirlpool had silenced them with a single glare. He had a way with that.

   Over the walk, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were discussing what to do in battle with their older sisters. Even though they proved to be skillful in their fighting practices, it was their first real battle with Twilight and her friends.

  "Now, you be safe, you hear me?" Applejack said firmly.

  "I'll try my best, Applejack," Apple Bloom assured her.

  "Remember every technique that we went over last night," Applejack told her. "You can use them to your defense."

  "Don't worry," Apple Bloom said. "I'll do the best I can!"

  "Don't get hurt out there, Scoots," Rainbow Dash said. "Alright? I don't want anything happening to you out there."

  "I wouldn't like it if something happened to you either, Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo replied. "I'll make sure to be safe!"

  "Are you sure you're making a promise you can keep?" Rainbow Dash inquired.

  "When have the Cutie Mark Crusaders failed to make it out of a situation no matter how crazy it got?" Scootaloo asked with a chuckle.

   Rainbow Dash giggled assured by Scootaloo's confidence in herself. "Touche."

  "Alright, Sweetie Belle, dear," Rarity said. "Be safe, alright? You know what to do?"

  Sweetie Belle nodded. "You don't have to worry about me, Rarity," she assured.

  "I hope not, darling," Rarity said. "Good luck."

  "And remember, if you ever need any help or get into danger..." Applejack began.

   "Just call my name..." Rainbow Dash continued.

  "And I'll come racing there as fast as I can," Rarity finished.

  "Got it!" the three replied.

  Sombra and General Whirlpool's sides had finally reached each other after what seemed like hours. The two looked at each other with a deep hatred. There was a moment of silence as the two war leaders just stared at each other with dark glares.

  "Charge!" Sombra and General Whirlpool yelled.

  The war began to rage.

  The war was terrifying and immensely violent. Ponies on both sides were killed in great number. Many cried out in pain from battle wounds or screamed from being stabbed to their deaths.

   "Alright, let's go, Arctic Lily!" Bright Smile called out. "Those few over there!"

  Bright Smile and Arctic Lily cornered two ponies and hit them both down. The two ponies were added to the number of deaths on that side.

  Bright Smile and Arctic Lily laughed malignly. They knew that their plan was working and they had brought down many ponies with success.

  "That was far too easy!" Bright Smile gloated.

  "See how everything works out when we team up?" Arctic Lily bragged.

  "Yes, yes," Bright Smile groaned with a roll of his eyes. "But we're still not friends."

  Arctic Lily's brow furrowed. "When did I ever say we were? You know, I still don't like you. I just said it would be easier if we teamed up."

  "It was easier," Bright Smile admitted.

  "Exactly!" Arctic Lily said. "Come on, we can't stand here! We've got a war to fight!"

  As great as Bright Smile and Arctic Lily were doing, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were doing an amazing job as well. They were hitting down Sombra's slaves left and right with amazing accuracy.

  "Ha! Take that! And that!" Scootaloo exclaimed, hitting two Crystal Slaves down.

  "Well, what do you know?" Apple Bloom said. "The techniques I went over with Applejack are very useful!"

  "And the techniques Rarity helped me with!" Sweetie Belle added. "She must've learned so much from fighting here!"

   "We might win this battle today!" Scootaloo said with a rush of pride flowing through her. "Things are looking up!"

  "I can't wait to tell Rarity how well I did!" Sweetie Belle squealed. "She'll be so proud of me!"

  "Sombra!" one of the Crystal Slaves exclaimed. He was immensely hurt and a trickle of blood ran down his face from one of his eyes. "We can't take anymore battle wounds! We should retreat!"

  "Not yet," Sombra told him. "I think we can rid ourselves of this problem if I just... put an end to the little warriors, don't you think?"

  "Sir... what are you saying?" the Crystal Slave asked.

  "Just follow me," Sombra said grinning darkly.

  Sombra arrived to the spot the Cutie Mark Crusaders were doing most of their fighting in. When they saw Sombra, they shrieked at his presence.

  "AHHH!!" Sweetie Belle yelped. "It's King Sombra!"

   "What do you want, Sombra?" Scootaloo asked, mustering her courage.

  "Leave!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "Equestria will not surrender to you!"

  Apple Bloom attempted to hit her spear against King Sombra, but the dark king made his own with dark magic and blocked it without even blinking. Sombra constructed a cage with that magic and tossed the Cutie Mark Crusaders into it. The three of them screamed.

  "Let us go!" Apple Bloom begged.

  "Oh no!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.

  "We'll make it out! We always do!" Scootaloo said with confidence.

  "But what if we don't this time?" Sweetie Belle asked her nervously.

  "We will," Scootaloo assured. "Trust me."

  "Well, well, well," Sombra said. "I never thought the day would come where I got to meet the little sisters of the so called heroes themselves."

   From the way he had sneered "heroes", it didn't take a detective to know who Sombra was referring to.

  "I wish I was Rainbow Dash's sister, but I am just the pony she took under her wing!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

  "That's practically the same thing," Sombra muttered with an eye roll.

  "You're right!" Scootaloo said with excitement.

  Scootaloo's positive attitude only angered him more. She was supposed to be terrified! She was supposed to be cowering in fear!

  "You're trapped here now," Sombra told them. "Those heroes who attempted to destroy me in the past will now know what it feels like to suffer without their little sisters!"

  Apple Bloom's heart pounded in alarm and her ears rang in terror. "If you don't let us go, I'll call Applejack!"

  "And when we call our sisters, your flank will be kicked!" Scootaloo added.

  "Not a sound out of you!" Sombra commanded. "Do you want to die even faster?"

  "APPLEJACK!"

  "RAINBOW DASH!"

  "RARITY!"

  Sombra growled with rage and turned to face the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

  Apple Bloom shrugged and replied almost nonchalantly, "Well, we told you we'd do it."

  Without a doubt, their older sisters had heard their cries for help and were there in no time flat. When they saw Sombra holding them prisoner, their faces were shrouded with alarm.

   "Sombra, you let our sisters go!" Applejack shouted.

  "Or you will not like the results of this little scheme you're pulling!" Rarity added.

   "I won't like the results of the scheme I'm pulling?" Sombra said. "More like you won't like the results of the scheme you're pulling. Slaves!"

  Many of the Crystal Slaves rushed to Sombra's side to aid him. They were outnumbered by hundreds of slaves with ominous glares.

  "Looks like you're a bit outnumbered," Sombra said.

  "No!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "We'll take them! Right, girls?"

  "Wait a darn minute, Rainbow!" Applejack said. "It would be downright silly to go up against that many when it's just the three of us."

  "Indeed," Sombra replied.

  The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at each other terrified, but their expressions faded into sadness.

   Apple Bloom hung her head. "This is the end of the line for us then."

  "No, it's not!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

   "We'll find a way to get you out!" Applejack claimed with determination.

  "Of course we will!" Rarity agreed. "We will not let this tyrant take our sisters!"

  "Careful, Rarity," Sombra warned her. "You don't want to make me lose my temper."

  The Cutie Mark Crusaders exchanged another sad glance.

  "Are we... are we...?" Scootaloo stuttered.

  Apple Bloom nodded. "We're gonna be dead."

  "Apple Bloom!" Applejack exclaimed. Her voice no longer had any confidence to it. It was now only pure anxiety. "Now, don't you talk that way!"

  "Crystal Slaves, prepare!" Sombra commanded. "I hereby sentence these three ponies to..." He smiled maliciously. "Execution."

  "WHAT?!" their older sisters exclaimed.

  "Hey, at least I'm not all heartless," Sombra said. "Come here. Say goodbye."

  Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity were suspicious at first. Applejack arched an eyebrow wondering if Sombra was trying to trick them to their own fate.

  "Don't worry," Sombra beckoned without any comfort. "Come and say goodbye to your sisters before you'll never see them again. You're going to want to."

  After a moment more of hesitation, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity raced over to the cage.

   Applejack's eyes welled up with heartbroken tears. "Apple Bloom..."

  Applejack put her hoof against the cage to touch Apple Bloom's. Apple Bloom matched her hoof with Applejack's. "I'm sorry, Applejack," Apple Bloom said sadly. "But the Cutie Mark Crusaders ain't making it out of this one."

  From Applejack's side, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle could see Rainbow Dash restraining tears and tears running down Rarity's face.

  "Don't worry," Scootaloo assured them. "We'll be okay."

  Sweetie Belle nodded to show her agreement. "Just stay strong for Equestria. You're the best big sister ever and I know how strong you are."

  "Rainbow Dash, I really did think of you as a sister! Never forget that!" Scootaloo reminded her.

   "I love you, big sis," Apple Bloom said. "I was so lucky to have you. Thank you for always being there."

  "We've got hearts as strong as horses," Sweetie Belle reminded them.

  That familiar phrase almost made the tears spill from Rainbow Dash's eyes, but she managed to hold them back once more.

  "And we're not afraid," Scootaloo told them.

  "I'm not afraid," Sweetie Belle added.

  "We're all not afraid," Apple Bloom said.

  Sombra took the cage with impatience. "Now that those sappy goodbyes are finished, we can move onto the fun part."

  Applejack was in hysterical tears, but she managed to shout threateningly. "Sombra! You bring that cage back here!"

  Sombra only gave them one last smirk before walking away with their sisters, never to be seen again. Applejack attempted to race after them.

   "Applejack, darling!" Rarity cried holding her back. Tears still spilled down her cheeks. "They're gone. I'm sorry."

   "No, no, no, no, no..." Applejack pleaded. This was all a nightmare. It was a terrible dream that was she was trapped in and she wanted to wake up. She'd wake up and find Apple Bloom next to her telling her that it would be alright. That none of it had happened. But it was all too real. She'd never see her little sister again.

  Applejack snapped and fell to the ground in relentless tears. Rarity and Rainbow Dash comforted her with tears running down their face. By this time, Rainbow Dash couldn't hold it back anymore. The tears were now flowing down her cheeks and the emotional pain she felt was worse than Tank's hibernation each winter.

  "This battle is finally over!" General Whirlpool shouted. "Let's rest for the next one!"

  Applejack wiped away her tears and sniffed. Rarity and Rainbow Dash helped her up and together, they slowly and sadly walked back to meet General Whirlpool.

  "Colonel Whirlwind, how many casualties?" General Whirpool asked.

  "182, sir," Colonel Whirlwind replied.

  Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie looked at each other. That was ten higher than the last battle they had suffered. Things were getting even worse than ever.

   "No, sir," came the voice of Applejack.

   Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity arrived to the two leading officers numbly. All the emotions they had let out had turned into a hollow black hole that now swirled in their hearts.

  "185," Applejack said.

  Panic filled Twilight's eyes. "Where are the Cutie Mark Crusaders?!" she exclaimed.

  "Oh, goodness!" Fluttershy squeaked. "Are they okay?!"

  Applejack shook her head. "They're gone."

  Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie gasped. They felt disbelief at what had happened. They had known the Cutie Mark Crusaders for years now and had connections and adventures with them. Now, they were dead.

  Twilight couldn't find the words as her heart pounded in fear. "Oh, girls... we're so---"

  "We're fine, Twilight," Rainbow Dash shot back harshly. "No worries."

  Twilight sighed sadly. "I can't believe we lost them."

  "Oh no..." Fluttershy said.

  "Oh, we sure hope you'll be alright," Pinkie Pie cried.

  "Like I said, Pinkie, we're fine," Rainbow Dash snapped.

  Pinkie Pie was unconvinced by Rainbow Dash's tone. "That's what you say."

  "We're... we're terribly sorry," General Whirlpool said. His attempts to comfort them were out of place considering he didn't know what to say to them. He had never had a deeply personal loss yet. Even though several of his troops had fallen, his family and friends dying was beyond his imagination.

  "Thank you, sir," Applejack said. "That means a lot."

  Rarity nodded. "We appreciate your concern."

  "Of course," General Whirlpool assured. "Now, let's get back to base."

   Everyone began the trek back to the base, except for a few particular ponies who were staying to chat. Those few were Twilight, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie.

  "We're already beginning to lose ponies we know so well," Twilight began.

  "I feel terrible for Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity," Fluttershy cried.

  "I wish there was someway I could cheer them up," Pinkie Pie said longingly. It had been months since she had the chance to throw a party or even blast her party cannon and all the drain on the fun was stressing her out.

  "I do, too," Twilight comforted. "But there's very little ways to cheer someone up in these harsh times. We'll just have to let them grieve."

  "But Twilight, when I see our friends sad, I have to do something," Pinkie Pie pleaded.

  "I know," Twilight said. "I wish there was something you could do. I would join you. But there's not. We'll let them grieve for now. It's the best thing to do."

  "You really think so?" Pinkie Pie wondered.

  "Yes," Twilight replied.

  "Alright," Fluttershy said. "Let's go catch up."

  "Agreed," said Twilight.

  It was now a month later. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity were still sinking in their grief. Applejack was distant and every time she talked, she didn't seem all there. Rainbow Dash was always angry. Every time Twilight came to greet her, her greetings always got returned with yelling and harsh words. Rarity was only saddened by this loss. She preferred not to grieve with anger, but the sadness she felt was always overwhelming. Rarity constantly forgot the schedules and missed out on many things. By the time she remembered, it was already nearly over.

  Not many ponies were surprised when Rainbow Dash had grieved as well, but they didn't expect it too affect her this much. Rainbow Dash treated this loss not like the loss of a friend, but the loss of a family member. Even Rainbow Dash didn't think about the way losing Scootaloo would affect her life.

  Every morning, Twilight came to greet all three of them to see if they had gotten any better. Although, they only seemed to get worse every morning.

  "Good morning, Applejack!" Twilight sang cheerfully.

  "Could you leave me alone, please?" Applejack asked her.

  "Applejack, I know this is hard, but it's going to get better. Trust me," Twilight comforted.

  "I wouldn't make a promise I couldn't keep, Twilight," Applejack said emptily. "I suggest you do the same."

  Twilight sighed. "Alright."

  Twilight tried Rainbow Dash next to see if she was doing better than yesterday.

  "Good morning, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight exclaimed.

  Rainbow Dash only sighed and rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Is it time for battle?"

   Twilight was saddened. Ever since Scootaloo had died, that was the question Rainbow Dash had greeted her with every morning. Twilight had always replied "no". It either led to yelling or numb replies. Rainbow Dash only wanted to avenge Scootaloo on the battlefield and vent her feelings there.

  "No," Twilight said. "Just breakfast."

  "Alright," Rainbow Dash said. "I guess I'm ready then."

  Twilight's hopes flickered. Even though the numbness in her voice remained, she had at least said she was ready for breakfast unlike many other mornings.

  Twilight wondered if Rainbow Dash was ready to accept at last. She tried it out. "Rainbow Dash... do you want to... talk about what happened?"

  Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight with the familiar fury in her eyes and Twilight's hopes died. "No. I don't want to talk. I never want to talk about this. Ever."

  Twilight nodded sadly. "I understand."

  Rainbow Dash sighed and watched as Twilight walked away. Twilight arrived to see if Rarity was ready to accept her feelings.

  "Good morning, Rarity," Twilight said much less cheerily.

   "Good morning, darling," Rarity replied with a sorrowful sigh.

  "Are you ready for today?" Twilight asked.

  "I believe so," Rarity said.

   "Great!" Twilight said. "Let's go."

   "I'll be ready in a minute," Rarity told her.

   "Alright," Twilight replied. "Meet us in the dining hall when you're ready."

   Twilight left her room. As she slowly closed the door, she met Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie outside of it.

   "Was today any better than yesterday?" Fluttershy asked.

   Twilight sighed. The question Fluttershy had begun asking since day two of the loss.

   Twilight shook her head. "Not really."

   "Oh, I hope they feel better soon," Fluttershy cried.

   "Me too, Fluttershy," Twilight comforted. "Me too."

  Applejack sat in her dorm. She stared at a picture frame that she had brought to war with her. It was a picture of she and her sister's very first Sisterhooves Social. Apple Bloom was so young and Applejack even had a youth in her eyes. The picture used to make Applejack grin as warm and happy memories encircled her mind. Now, the picture tugged tears from her eyes like a pony yanking a rope in a tug-of-war. Applejack sighed as she picked the picture up for the first time in days. The ribbons that the two were wearing. The smile that was on Apple Bloom's face. The joy that they had both felt when they had won first prize that day. But as she remembered those times, she felt something else amidst her sadness. Something that she hadn't felt for weeks. A comforting happiness. Applejack giggled at the picture. She had accepted it at last.

Rarity was reminded of Sweetie Belle every time her eyes fell upon a ribbon that she had given her or a dress she had made with her help. Ever since the incident at the Sisterhooves Social all those years, Rarity had begun to let Sweetie Belle help. Regret swallowed her like an ocean wave crashing on the shore and pulling back into sea. Rarity had bottled up so many feelings inside that she felt like she were fragile. She was a bomb waiting to explode at any moment. Warm tears streamed down her face letting those bottled up feelings be purged. After she had wiped the last of her tears away and scrubbed away the ruined mascara on her cheeks, she felt relief. A relief that told her she was ready to accept what had happened.

  It was unimaginable for her. Rainbow Dash had never thought that she would outlive Scootaloo before. It was something that had never come to mind because it was such a devastating thought. Scootaloo couldn't fly, but Rainbow Dash loved to lift her up into the sky with her. The flights they shared together made them both happy. The excitement they both felt was a feeling they could always share. Now, those little flights would never happen again. Scootaloo was no longer there to whoop in excitement, smile at Rainbow Dash, and tell her 'This is so awesome!'. Rainbow Dash's anger had left and it was replaced by overwhelming sadness. Rainbow Dash tried her best not to cry, but she snapped and burst into tears. Rainbow Dash no longer cared who heard her sobs. She just wanted it to end. She wanted to feel like a part of the world again and not like she was slipping away from it. After she finished crying, she looked up to find the world looked brighter again. "I think I accepted this at last."

  The Crystal Empire was desolate and lonely. Only Shining Armor, Cadance, and their daughter remained. The Crystals had turned an eerie black color and the Crystal Castle had switched to a faded brown. The Crystal Ponies were slaves. Sombra had not left a single one of them behind. Cadance was angered at Sombra for taking her subjects, but she contained it well.

  Shining Armor lit his horn and shrouded the Crystal Empire in a force field. The force field glowed dimly, a soft red-pink color. Each new day, he would redo the spell on the force field to protect he and his family from outside forces.

  "Is this good?" Shining Armor asked Cadance with a weary smile.

  "Yes," Cadance assured with a nod. "I think it should protect our castle for a few more weeks before we have to move to Canterlot."

  Shining Armor's expression grew concerned. "Should we tell Flurry Heart the news now as well?"

"You're right," Cadance agreed reluctantly. "It's time she knew. I'll call her." She sighed. "Flurry Heart!"

  "Coming, mom!" the reply rang from the other room.

  Flurry Heart rushed into the room with a graceful swoop of her wings. She landed in front of her mother and father with a satisfied smile. "Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad! What did you call me out for?"

  Flurry Heart was now a young mare of fifteen years. She was a graceful flyer, but her magic was a bit out of control. Flurry Heart had used to take lessons with Sunburst and Starlight Glimmer, but ever since they went on the run, her magic had continued to fall in skill. Flurry Heart concealed her magic in fear of hurting someone she loved. Her coat was a beautiful light pink and her mane was a beautiful array of light blue and purple. Even a few pink tints showed faintly in her mane. Her cutie mark was a snowflake covering a picture of the Crystal Heart. It represented her talent for controlling snow and ice, but also knowing quite a few things about the magic of love.

  Shining Armor and Cadance exchanged a worried glance and Shining Armor sucked in a breath. He was the first to speak.

  "Flurry... you've been drafted out to war," Shining Armor told her.

  Flurry Heart's eyes widened in shock. "What?! Mom... I can't fight in the war."

  "At first, we were against it too," Cadance admitted. "But..."

  "We know our daughter," Shining Armor finished.

   "Your smarts with strategy has always protected you in the past," Cadance complimented.

  "And we still trust your abilities now," Shining Armor added.

  "But I've never been in a war before!" Flurry Heart protested.

  "Do you think you'd feel safer with your friends?" Cadance asked.

   Flurry Heart thought for a moment, but nodded.

   "You should ask them to join you," Cadance suggested. "I bet they'd join to help protect you."

  "And with their parents on the Baltimare base, I think they'd feel better if they were in a base of their own," Shining Armor explained.

  "Alright, Dad," Flurry Heart said. "I'll accept my calling to war. I'll go down to get my friends in Ponyville now."

  Flurry Heart turned to leave.

  "Flurry, wait!" Cadance exclaimed.

   Flurry Heart turned back concern growing on her face. Was something wrong?

   "Don't go without a hug!" Cadance pleaded.

   Flurry Heart sighed in relief and grinned. She ran over to her parents and the family had a tender group hug.

   Flurry Heart sighed. "I'm really going to miss you."

  "We'll be waiting for you," Shining Armor promised.

  Flurry Heart smiled and stood. After the group hug broke, she took a deep breath. She opened the door and set off restraining her want to turn back.

  Flurry Heart knocked on the door of Sugarcube Corner. When she had visited Ponyville as a filly, she had eaten at Sugarcube Corner for the first time. While she was there, she met the Cake Twins. They had clicked extremely well and the three had been the best of friends ever since. Flurry Heart's trust in her friends was endless and she hoped that they would accept her request now.

  The door creaked open and a unicorn with a bright yellow coat and a carrot orange mane stood at the door. Her blue eyes lit up with excitement to see her standing there. "Flurry Heart! I didn't think I'd see you here with this war going on!"

   "Hey, Pumpkin Cake?" Flurry Heart said. "Can I talk with you and Pound Cake?"

   "Of course!" Pumpkin Cake exclaimed. "Come on in!"

   Flurry Heart entered the door and the familiar smell of cake filled her nose. The smell enticed her and she wished that she could ask for some of it. However, she knew she couldn't waste much time here. She had to reach the Vanhoover base quickly.

   Flurry Heart heard pounding on the stairs. A pegasus stallion with a brown mane, brown eyes, and a off-white coat was bounding downstairs with excitement. A smile crept across Flurry Heart's face. Pound Cake.

  "Do we finally have customers?!" exclaimed Pound Cake hopefully. His hopes died. "Oh." Although, his spirits picked up quickly. "At least you're here, Flurry Heart."

  Pound Cake joined them at the table.

   Flurry Heart wanted to get the news out quickly, so she began speaking before any other topics could interrupt. "I've been drafted to war."

  "What?!" the Cake Twins exclaimed with alarm.

   "Flurry---" Pumpkin Cake began.

   "I came to ask you to join me," Flurry Heart quickly cut in.

  Pound Cake didn't hesitate. His answer was full of determination. "Whatever it takes to protect my best friend!"

  "Slow down, Pound Cake," Pumpkin Cake said. "Let's think about this."

   "I want to stay by my friend's side!" Pound Cake argued. "Isn't that what friends do? Stay together?"

   "They do, but this could cost us our lives," Pumpkin Cake countered. "If Mom and Dad come back from Baltimare to find out we died, they'll be so devastated."

  "I'll be devastated if we lose Flurry Heart!" Pound Cake spoke up. "You can't possibly be against this!"

  "I will completely understand whatever answer you give me," Flurry Heart told them. "My aunt Twilight is there anyway."

  "I don't know," Pumpkin Cake replied. "I want to fight, but I also have the common sense to think about what might happen in a situation like this."

  "Friends should stick together through every jam," Pound Cake claimed. "I'm going. You can stay, Pumpkin Cake. But nothing you say can change my mind."

  "No," Pumpkin Cake gave in. "I'll come too."

   "Thank you!" Flurry Heart exclaimed. "I'm so lucky to have friends like you!"

   "You're welcome," Pumpkin Cake replied with a nervous smile. "I just hope I don't regret this."

   "It'll all be worth it in the end, Pumpkin Cake," Pound Cake said. "Pinkie Promise."

   "And we can see Pinkie Pie if we go," Pumpkin Cake remembered.

   "Aww, I've missed Pinkie Pie forever!" exclaimed Pound Cake.

    "Me too," Flurry Heart agreed. "She's lots of fun."

   "What are we waiting for?!" Pound Cake asked. "Off to Vanhoover!"

   Flurry Heart smiled and they set off for the Vanhoover base side by side.

   Fluttershy practiced her moves, but she knew she wasn't making much progress. She couldn't even so much as accomplish a thrust attack, although she tried her best. At least, General Whirlpool appreciated her for that.

   Twilight met Fluttershy while she was practicing. "Fluttershy! Guess who Celestia thought could help us in war?"

   "Who?" Fluttershy inquired.

  "Discord!" Twilight announced.

   Fluttershy was delighted by this news. "Oh, really? That's wonderful! I'm sure he'll help us a lot!"

   "I'm still thinking about the situation," Twilight admitted. "We don't even know what to expect. But mostly, I'm excited for him to help too!"

   "I'm so glad you trust him!" Fluttershy said.

   "What can I say?" Twilight replied with a giggle. "He's done so much to prove himself over these years."

   "What do the others think?" Fluttershy asked.

   "They're fine with it," Twilight answered. "Pinkie Pie is actually excited."

   "I am too!" Fluttershy said.

   "Glad to hear that, Fluttershy!" Twilight exclaimed. "Now, we've got to get to dinner. Discord said he would meet us there."

   "Coming!" Fluttershy said eagerly.

   Twilight and Fluttershy entered the dining hall. After piling food onto their trays, they began to look for their friends in the crowd. The chatter was overpowering. It was all they could hear until they heard a familiar voice over the rest.

   "Girls!" Pinkie Pie stood up and waved to them as if she were on the top of a mountain peak. "Over here!"

   Twilight and Fluttershy grinned and joined the rest of their friends at the table.

   "So, any signs of Discord yet?" Rainbow Dash asked.

   "Not yet, but I'm sure he'll be here soon," Twilight answered.

   "I sure hope so!" Pinkie Pie said. "Maybe, Discord can spice up the fun!"

   "Twilight, how has the war been going for you?" Rarity asked.

   "Fighting wise? Mainly good. I've gotten minor wounds, but they healed quickly. What about you? Any news you want to share?"

  Rainbow Dash grinned. It warmed Twilight's heart to see that her old friends were back. "Well, my Wonderbolts team volunteered to come and fight in the war. Spitfire said she'd be coaching the Wonderbolts in fighting and giving them tips. I'm going to join them!"

  "That's wonderful, Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy told her. "I think being with your team will help you to fight!"

  "So do I," Rainbow Dash said. "I mean, I'm already pretty awesome at fighting, but getting even better is always possible!"

  "Definitely!" Twilight exclaimed stifling her fit of giggles. "That's great, Rainbow Dash! Thank you! Anypony else?"

  "I don't think there's much to share, Twilight," Rarity admitted.

  "Besides telling you how beat up we got recently," Applejack said with a hint of sadness. She frowned. "I think I have a battle scar now."

  Twilight sighed deeply. "We've all gotten hurt from this war. We can only hope that we don't lose each other."

   "I don't want to lose you girls either," Applejack said.

   "Oh gosh," Fluttershy squeaked. "I couldn't bear losing any of you."

   Rainbow Dash groaned miserably. "Did you really have to put that thought in my mind?"

   "As long as we believe we can do this, we won't lose each other," Twilight encouraged them.

   She and her friends shared a group hug which was nice. They hadn't had one for a long time and to feel the comfort of their friendship again was refreshing.

   "Well, isn't this a sweet little friendship fest?"

   "Discord!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "You're here! It's really you!"

   Fluttershy flew over to him and embraced him. Discord was taken aback by the sudden affection, but soon grinned at Fluttershy's hug.

   Fluttershy teared up slightly. "I haven't seen you for two years!"

  "I missed you a lot myself, my dear Fluttershy," Discord admitted. He turned to the others. "Why, hello Twilight! Nice to see you and the others as well."

  Twilight smiled. "Hi, Discord."

  "So, how are you feeling about being away from home for so long?" Applejack inquired.

  "Oh, I don't know," Discord replied. "How do you feel about being away from home, Applejack?"

  "Well..." Applejack began sadly. "There's only one Sweet Apple Acres. I miss it there more than I had ever missed anything."

  "Are you sure about that?" Twilight asked.

  Applejack sighed sorrowfully. "Well, I miss my sister more than Sweet Apple Acres, but---"

  Discord cut in more than a little rudely. "Apple Bloom? What do you mean? Where is she?"

   "Discord, that's enough..." Twilight reprimanded. She was afraid that Discord would make Applejack burst into tears like she did the first day of grieving.

  "It's fine, Discord," Applejack said immediately. "I've accepted what happened. I'm not afraid to talk about it. She was taken away by Sombra along with her friends and... executed."

  Discord's eyes widened with shock. Even though he used to be a former villain himself, he never imagined doing something as cruel as execution. He preferred to spread his evil through chaos and disharmony. Although, Twilight and her friends had managed to convince him to use his chaos for good and not for evil. "Executed?! Why, that's a bit too dark if you ask me! Even for a villain!" Discord exclaimed.

  "That just proves how heartless he is," Twilight said. "He wouldn't spare a foal's life if their mother begged."

  "Don't worry!" Rainbow Dash interjected. "We'll all take Sombra down and justice will be served! Right, girls?"

   Everyone made sounds of agreement, excluding Twilight and Fluttershy.

   "I agree justice should be served, but I believe Equestria's going about it in the wrong way," Twilight spoke.

  "Me too," Fluttershy agreed.

  "Maybe, it would've been easier if we had got to the Crystal Heart to imprison him again instead of start a war," Twilight surmised.

  "That's not enough," Rainbow Dash objected. "He'd just come back again and cause even more destruction."

  "Rainbow's right, Twilight," Applejack claimed. "We need to rid of Sombra once and for all."

  Twilight sighed. "Maybe, you're right."

  "Of course I'm right," Rainbow Dash said with impatience. "Sombra needs to pay for the loss he caused to happen to Equestria! And I'm saying that for all of us."

  "You have a point," Twilight sighed. "I guess we're really out of options, aren't we?"

  "For Equestria?" Rainbow Dash said.

   Mostly everyone agreed, "For Equestria."

   Twilight and Fluttershy reluctantly said it as well. "For Equestria."

  Discord agreed with a grin. "For Equestria."

   "Time's up!" General Whirlpool ordered. "Come back to the practice grounds! Move, move, move!"

   Everyone looked at each other and exchanged a saddened glance.

   "We've got to go," Twilight uttered.

   Everyone stood and followed Twilight to the battlefield.