Sunset

The next couple days passed without nothing that large and important going on. More troops came to the camp, rested up, and were getting ready to move to a new location in the mountains near the Crystal Empire.

But Goldie was doing two things at a time. She was helping pack up the tents and surgical things, and she was also befriending Aurora, the most badass but also sweetest Bat pony ever. She wasn't even fully bat pony.

“My mother is a deer, my father is a bat pony,” Aurora said, pointing to her spots under her eyes and her back. Goldie thought that was really cool.

“Wow… how was that growing up?” Goldie said, wondering about all this.

“Well, my dad died when I was young, and my mom was awful…” Aurora said bitterly.

“Wow… to be honest… I feel you… I lost my father when I was young…” She said, finding herself connected to Aurora.

“I joined the army because that's what I’m passionate about, it’s how I escaped my weird past,” Aurora said, with a small smile, “I like it, it’s a huge family here.”

Later that day, Goldie was pacing around, thoughts filling her head. She was pacing under a tree near the washing creek, kicking stones around as Aurora sat under the tree, chopping her mane a little shorter.

“For safety reasons, my mane grows fast and I don’t need my mane to be grabbed… if I ever get back into the battlefield.” Aurora said, snipping a section of green out of her mane and tossing it into the river.

Goldie's eyes watered a bit. This pony is one of the best soldiers ever, and she wants to get back into the fight. But she doesn’t have any wings.
Goldie then had an idea.

“I’m making you a brand new pair of wings!” Goldie said with a smile.

“Wait.. what?” Aurora said, looking up to Goldie.

“My little sister Nebula is a huge technologic wizard. We are going to be setting up a base near her, so maybe she can help me make you new wings!” Goldie said with a huge smile.

“You… you don’t have to do that....I’m not worth your-”

“Of course you are! You’re my new friend! You’re worth the world to me!” Goldie said, grabbing Aurora by the shoulders and stood her up.

“Alright...this sounds… cool. I’ll have cyborg wings!” Aurora said with a smile forming on her light purple face.

“Yes! Exactly! And you’ll be back in the battle, fighting and stuff!”

“Yes… yes!” Aurora smiled, “I’m in!” She said, extremely joyous.

Goldie then realized it was about time to move out, so she and Aurora packed up their things in small saddlebags, and started to walk in the group of ponies, going to the mountains.

It took days and days of hiking over rocky terrain, but soon, they were there.

The camp was set up in a snowy clearing in the foresty part of the mountains near the Crystal Empire. It seemed darker there, the clouds were black as death and the shadows seemed to creep everywhere. It gave Goldie a strange feeling in her stomach. It made her queasy.

Goldie looked over to Aurora, who looked brave.

“I really love the mountains… just imagine the nature and everything.” Aurora said, looking around at the trees and mountain scenery.

“Ahh yes… I would love to make some delicious hot schmoes.” Goldie said with a jokingly tone of voice. Aurora looked at her, confused.

“You know what… if I see a snake… I’m gonna boop it!!!” Aurora roared enthusiastically. Goldie agreed with her, hoping they did see a cute little snake.

Soon, the camp was set up, and due to the little clocks made, it was nighttime. Many sleepy ponies wander around the camp, going into tents and putting up their things. Goldie trotted to her tent that she shared with Aurora and a few other nurses. She plopped on the sleeping bag next to Aurora, who was braiding a little lock of her purple, green and blue hair.

It was very cold, and Goldie started to shiver. She covered herself better and snuggled up deeper into her sleeping bag. She looked over to Aurora, who had fallen asleep with her wing flopped out, moving with her breathing.

“Oh Brownie… I hope you are doing alright…”