The hallway we’re traveling down looks neverending. Cells on either side of the hall stretch off into the distance. Dim lights hum, just bright enough to illuminate the farthest corners. The floor and walls are clean cement, and the ceiling is metal grating covering pipes and wires.

The dragon and guard are flanking Rainbow Dash and me--the dragon to my left, Rainbow Dash on my right, and the guard to her right. Nopony or dragon does anything to break the silence that’s accompanied by the soft clicks of metal, hoof, and claw on stone.

Standing this close to the dragon, I can see small beads of perspiration sliding down his scales. His chest expands and contracts in rapid movements, and his feet shake slightly when they aren’t firmly planted on the ground.

Coming to the end of the endless hallway, we take a right into another identical hallway. This continues for some time: silence and hallways. Finally, after what felt like hours but was probably mere minutes, we arrive at a closed iron gate with another guard standing on the opposite side next to a lever.

Stopping, the dragon steps forward and exchanges a few soft words with the guard. Nodding, the armor-clad pony backs away from the gate and shoves the lever up. The gate slides open soundlessly, and the four of us walk through.

We are met with more hallway, minus the cells lining the walls. Walking farther into the maze of hallways, and out of earshot and view of the gate guard, the dragon finally speaks.

“Miss Sparkle and Miss Dash, DUCK!” Rainbow Dash throws herself to the ground, pulling me down with her. The dragon whips his tail around at a blinding speed, hitting the accompanying guard and sending him flying. The dragon’s wings explode outward, and he shoots towards the downed guard. He slams his claws into the guard’s helmet, grabbing it and lifting the helpless pony. The dragon slams the pony’s head into the wall.The guard us thrown on the ground and his helmet is ripped off, while he gasps desperately to fill his lungs sharp claws slice across his throat.

The guard makes a blubbering sound as blood fills his windpipe. As dark blood flows onto the floor, the dragon steps back quickly to avoid the flood. Gurgling sounds die with the guard, and the dragon rotates towards Rainbow Dash and me.

“Sorry,” he says, keeping his bloodied paw off the ground and away from himself. “Um- let’s go now.” Leaving an awkward note in the air, he twists away and begins sprinting down another hall.

Rainbow and I look at each other. Confusion fills my mind, but Rainbow Dash takes off after the dragon. Catching up to him, the dragon looks at us both and bolts even faster down the hallway. We follow in his tracks.

~ * ~

Rounding another bend, we finally see a gate leading to the outside world. The alarm had been sounded when the three of us hadn’t shown up to meet the Announcer some time ago. Shouts echo down the halls, and we had to duck into doors to avoid the rush to find us.

As we come up to the gate, the guard standing before it spots us and takes a breath to shout. The call never makes it out of his mouth, as Rainbow Dash takes a leap and, using her wings to propel her forward, crushes the guard’s windpipe with a blow from her hoof.

The lever to open the gate now stands unguarded. I race over and heave up on the metal rod, a grinding noise that makes me fold my ears back as the gate rises. Once fully open, the three of us race out into the streets and run.

I, being familiar with the area, move to the front and lead us through the maze of alleys.

“Hey, if you,” Rainbow Dash looks at me, panting, “can find a place where you,” she gestures to the dragon, “and I can take off, together we can carry our flightless friend and get outta here quicker!”

The dragon nods, and they both look to me. I hesitate for a moment but decide it’s the best course of action and nod.

I take off in the opposite direction we were headed, now moving back towards my home. We reach the ladder, and I slide down heading into route three.

“Stay close to me, or you’re gonna get lost,” I say over my shoulder. Now moving at a slightly slower pace, I make my way through the passageways, my new companions following in my wake.

The ladder finally comes into sight, and I race up it onto the roof of a tall building. My house is merely a few jumps away, and I pause. I remember my parents; I don’t want to leave them behind. I could still go get them. I turn in the direction of my home.

“Twilight--” Rainbow Dash says.

“But my parents…” I need to go save them. I need my parents.

“Twilight, we need to go now! We need to go or none of us are going to survive!” Rainbow Dash’s eyes are wide with adrenaline. “Twilight, come on!”

I steel my nerves and turn back to the eager pair. “No. I need to save my parents. I have to--”

“Fine! We’re leaving and not looking back!” Rainbow Dash and the dragon spread their wings.

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion throws the three of us against the roof of the building. My ears are ringing, and dust fills the air.

I’m up before the other two. I scream.

A blazing ruin has replaced my house. Smoke curls from the ground where a pile of rubble sits. Dust billows in the air. My parents were in there!

My throat is cut from my scream. Screaming echoes in my ears and bounces around my head. The volume rises. I can’t move. Cold scales grab one of my forelegs. Warm fur wraps around my other. Wind whips around me, and the ground falls away from my hooves. I scream louder.

Nothing seems real. Nothing.

Our speed picks up. I’m still screaming.

Why? Why, why, why? Why me? Why them? My parents. Why?

The flying continues for what feels like hours. I’ve been crying on and off the whole time, tears wiped away by the rushing wind. Thoughts of my parents flood my head, while thoughts of life without them crush my soul. Canterlot fades behind us, and the city’s lights dim in the distance. Empty plains greet my vision. The sun lowers over a forest that just barely crests over the curvature of Equus.

The forest gets bigger and bigger, while the sun gets smaller and smaller. The ground rises up and the trees stand tall and menacing, watching over the edge of the field. Raw magic makes my skin itch and my cracked horn throb.

We glide over the treetops, leaves skimming my back hooves. Dark undergrowth occasionally peeks out from under the canopy and the ground begins to rise. A massive cliff stands barrier to all, a black shape at the base eating the dimming light. We glide softly into the cave.

Cold stone and skin make contact, I shiver. The shaking won’t stop. The dragon leaves. I wake to find he has returned with a bundle of dry sticks. Blackness joins my strained mind again, and a fire crackling in the middle of the cave rouses me slightly. My eyelids slid closed for a third time. I feel a warm body press against mine and a blue wing drapes over me.

The realm of sleep welcomes me.

Author's Note

Sorry for the wait guys, I've been rather busy.
Hope you enjoy!