Battlefield: Equestriaby Capanna925ChaptersApple BloomA Little R&RThe BunkersPinkieStains of IronCell Covered WallsThe TrenchesApple BloomApplejack nodded solomly as she slowly unwrapped the bloody shirt sleeve from Berry Punch's arm. "I thought that Iv'e heard them. Late at night... 'Spose it wasn't my imagination after all." Nurse Red Heart trotted over."Now we can't be sure, there are loads of other creatur-" Her words were interrupted by a sharp gasp from Applejack, as she shut her eyes tight, then opened them slowly. "I-...I can't..." Applejack kept gasping and swallowing, as if she would vomit at any second, her eyes blinking hard then opening again as she continued to unwrap it, unveiling a green ooz that slowly dripped from her forearm. "Sweet Luna.." Nurse Redheart said silently. I jumped a bit when I noticed several ponies, some doctors and mostly patients, crowded around Berry's body. All muttering prayers and words of worry. "..Iv'e never seen anything like it!.." "..How did she get that way?" "Do you think she'll live..?" Applejack gulped and began to sweat. "Get back!! What kind of doctors are you?!" Twilight suddenly started swatting away the curious doctors and nurses with her hoof. "She's right, give Applejack some space!" I know my words probably did nothing for the cause, but it at least it made me feel a little less useless. The country pony whipped around and started to yell."N-no!! Redheart, I need you! I..." Applejack looked down, with painful and embarrassed eyes. "I don't think I can do this." The look on her face was pure pain and sorrow..I don't think I've ever seen her so upset. "We need to try and clean it out. Right? Applejack? Look at me!" Nurse Redheart grabbed A.J.'s face with her hoof and looked right in her eyes. "Applejack, I know this is hard, but you need to snap out of it! The training. Applejack, what do you remember in the training?! When you see a wound, what's the first thing you do?!" I almost wanted to shove Redheart away from Applejack for the way she was yelling at her. "You-...you clean i--..it!! An..and then you-" The tears running down Applejack's face left streaks on her dirty cheeks, and kept making her choke up. "And then what?! WHAT DO YOU DO?!" "YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING!! You just freeze up and can't remember what to do and her small body starts to shake AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!! YOU JUST WATCH'ER DIE!! YOU JUST WATCH YOUR BABY SISTER BLEED TO DEATH AND THERE AIN'T NOTHING YOU CAN DO!!" Applejack's knees went limp as she fell to the ground.I saw her back twitch with every sob. "You just hold her...and look into her diein' eyes and tell her it's all goin' to be alright..." The room was silent. Everypony looked at everypony else, wondering what they should do. "Oh, Sweetie..." I knelt down beside her and just held her for a few seconds. She turned around and looked deep in my eyes, her's as cold and dead as stone. "Somethin' deep in my mind told me that if I were to become a medic, to learn how to heal ponies, maybe I could save Apple Bloom..somehow." "Then do it for her. Help Berry Punch." I nodded up to where she lie. A.J.'s eyes looked up too, as she slowly rose to her feet. "I..I have everything you need." Nurse Redheart handed disinfectant and gauze to Applejack, and looked at her with sympathetic eyes. Clearly, she hadn't known about Apple Bloom. Hay, even I didn't know. I must have just been too afraid to ask. "Thank you." Applejack said expressionlessly. "Iv'e..been keeping her monitored." Twilight said gingerly. The news about Apple Bloom must have come as a shock to her too. "The green, er..stuff..stopped coming out but her breathing is still pretty shallow." "Can you do this, Applejack?" Redheart whispered. The country pony didn't reply. She just started to get to work cleaning and sewing her wound. A Little R&RMy hooves found themselves tracing patterns in the dirt below me. A small heart and the initials S.B. set inside. Talk of Applejack's little sister has got me worrying about my own, again. Only Sweetie Belle wasn't so little anymore. With a full fledged cutie mark and long, dainty legs that refuse to stop growing, she's well on her way to becoming a mature mare. I just can't believe I'm not with her now, at the most important stage of her life, helping her to age properly and with guidance. It's been months since Iv'e seen her. But every few weeks she sends letters from the factory. Along with other fillies who are too young to go into combat, she makes weapons and equipment in exchange for food and shelter. Although I always wish she were here by my side, I'm much more thankful she's in the factory, where it's far more safe than anywhere out here. As my eyes start to trail sideward with my daydreaming, they lock on with another's. Applejack's bloodshot eyes glance up from her patient's wound for just a moment, then jerk upward to find a light blue pony stride right through the flaps of the tent. "Lieutenant General Lyra!" The country pony stood up tall as she addressed the officer. I got to my knees and walked over to where she stood. "I heard about Bon Bon and got here as quickly as I could! Where is she?" Oh, Bon Bon. The poor sap who I saw about an hour ago go under from the deadly sedative. Lyra and Bon Bon had been very close long before the war. I feel sorry for Lyra no more than I should, knowing every single one of us feels that same numbing pain inside of losing a loved one. Applejack stayed silent, her eyes explained everything to Lyra. The General stared back at Applejack, then shifted her gaze downward. "I'm too late." "I'm so sorry, Lieutenant. But there really was nothin' anypony could've done for her. The infection spread far too quickly for any meds." "Celestia will pay for this." Lyra said with a firey glow in her eyes. "Her... wound wasn't caused by Celestia's soldiers, General Lyra.." AppleJack said, unsure if she had the right to talk back to a commanding officer. "..We have reason ta believe it was Timber wolves. There seems t'have been several attacks recently from the West Forest." Lyra nodded solemnly and looked up at Applejack again. "Thank you. I know you tried your best, Applejack. You always have." And without another word, she slipped back out into the cold morning haze. Applejack sighed, obviously very sleep deprived. "You're on a break, or somethin'..?" She said wearily. "Twilight went down to get us something to eat, said I should stay here and rest. I couldn't sleep a wink, though. And you're the one who needs rest, anyways. Why don't you let sompony else take over for awhile?" "Rarity, all the other doctors and nurses are way too busy to spare a hoof to pick up my slack." "I could help!" I pleaded. "Please! You wouldn't know a bonesaw from a roll 'a gauze." Applejack retorted. "Hey, I have my fair share of knowledge about needles and thread." I said. "But'cha can't even stand the sight of blood alone." My cheeks were hot and flustered at this point. "Look! I'm not the prissy little pony that I used to be! Iv'e got dirt under my hooves just like everypony else-" My voice was still horse from the gasses, and the end of my sentence went high pitched as I began coughing uncontrollably. Which then caused my nose to run, and my eyes to water. Darn it!! I thought. "I am NOT crying!!" I shouted viciously at her. She just stared at me for a second then started chuckling, and went onto a hearty laugh. "W-what..??" I said as I surprisingly started to smile as well. "Oh, Rarity. Defensive, prideful Rarity." She said with a smile. "You haven't changed one bit." It was strange, almost foreign to be laughing like this. Especially after everything both of us are going through. "What are you two pansies giggling about?" We both turned around to see Twilight with a sack of food in her mouth, coming towards us. Sometimes I wondered why Twilight was like this. We've all been through a lot, and lost many friends, but Twilight was one of the most friendly ponies I knew. The unicorn set down the sack of breads and fruits on a medical table. A loaf of rye tumbled out of the sack, falling on the floor, and revealing an emblem on the bottom of the sack, right where it had been sitting. This bag must have been fairly old; the emblem was the Equestrian United symbol, of two alicorns spinning around the sun and moon. Twilight picked up the loaf, blew off the dirt, and set it back on the table. She must have noticed the emblem as well. She gave it a glare and bundled it up with her hooves. Applejack broke up the bread and tossed me an apple. We all began to eat quietly, even with groaning and crazed ponies trying to be calmed down by weary and exhausted doctors in the background. "There's too many. Just too many of 'em." Applejack said as she shivered. "Too many of who? Half conscious doctors, or half dead soldiers?" Twilight said while swallowing a bit of her apple. "The soldiers. I was talking to Violet Spin a few hours ago, she said that th-" Applejack's voiced dropped down to an almost whisper when Red Heart passed by. "She.. She said that our numbers are dwindling faster than we can draft and train new soldiers. I just don't even want to think about what might happen if we don't..." Applejack's last words hung in the air a moment, and her gaze was glued to the floor. Despite my tightening throat, I gulped down my last bit of the rye bread, and left the rest for the others. "Applejack, you know Violet Spin. She's always been one for starting rumors." Twilight said with a slight condescending tone. Whether Violet was just making a rumor or not, I couldn't help but feel that it was true. The BunkersThe clouds hung low in the sky, and promised more rain soon. Spring should have started by now. Even though it was mid April, the trees were still bare and without bloom or leaf, and the coldness still stuck to the air like taffy. Mmm.. I long for that warm gooey taffy that we only get when we go into town. And I, nor any other soldier has been there since the war started. "Twilight?" I asked as we trotted towards the bunker. "How come only the officers are allowed to go into town? We all have wants too, you know." I said as I gathered fresh sheets. Twilight sighed, "Rarity, you know they don't go into town just to have their hooves manicured. They go there to get food and supplies.. And information, when it's available." Twilight jumped to the top bunk. I guess our conversation had ended. Below her was a sleeping pony I didn't recognize. I slipped to the bottom bunk on a bed right next to hers, and just lay there. My muscles ached and my head trobbed, but I was getting warmer under the blanket and I had food in my stomach. It'll be okay, Rarity..It'll always be okay... I awoke what seemed to be a few minutes later, to the sound of somepony above me. They were snickering, along with another pony a bunk or so down. "Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned that you're a lying snitch who tricked my idiot brain into thinking I was somthin' special." The three or four bunks broke out in a suppressed laughter. "But don't worry Princess, I'll still stay as faithful as ever, right till the end!" What were they talking about?? Suddenly I saw Twilight cram her head under her pillow and start shaking. My head hurt when I tried to think of what the hay they were trying to get at, or why. But as my brain started to wake up, I remembered how much so many of the other soldiers despised Twilight for being so close to Celestia. But that is no reason to make a fellow reformed soldier be resentful of her past. I had to do something. "Hey! You're all acting like school fillies. Twilight Sparkle is faithful to Luna alone!! She would never betray her for Celestia, ever!" This seemed to only raise their laughter, as Twilight jumped out of her bed and ran straight out of the tent. "Twilight!" I ran towards the door and stumbled out the door flap. "Twilight!" I called, but no answer. As I continued to look for her behind buildings and inside bunkers, I began to notice an odd shrillness that hung in the air. It hurt my ears and made my eyes water. Yet, all was quiet. And I mean quiet. The only sound was the wind. I whipped my head around, feeling as if somepony was watching me... perhaps the lack of sleep and energy was just getting the best of my mind.. Though I still kept looking behind my back, for some reason I couldn't possibly explain. After nearly a half hour, my search for Twilight was futile. How did those ponies even know about her letters to Celestia? Word gets around, I guess. And although she was always Celestia's right hoof mare, she would never go back to her. Ever. I wasn't supposed to be out past curfew, and my hooves were getting shaky, so I decided to get back to the bunker. Taunters or not, I needed rest. My hooves dug into the muddy dirt paths as I trotted my way back to the bunkers, and I past by a larger tent with the number 48 printed in bold letters on it's front. That must be the Rainbow Dash's tent. Oh, excuse me, Captain Rainbow Dash's tent. I wish I could just drop by and say hello right now, but I know she must be far too busy. She always is.. I start to make my way back to the bunker tent when I hear something that makes me stop dead in my tracks. "Captain Dash. We have urgent news from chamber 13. They say that they've captured a prisoner with a pink mane and coat." I heard inside the tent. "And this is urgent why...?" Rainbow said passively. "Ma'am.. she is asking for a soldier Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and...You, Captain Dash." I swallowed hard, and I heard Rainbow Dash do the same. "..What.. Was her name, soldier..?" "She calls herself Pinkimena Pie." PinkieEverything went silent. So this is where Pinkie's been all along... I thought she was dead, or at least at another camp, but no. She's part of Celestia's army to overthrow us. How could she?! After everything we've been through! Celestia must have brainwashed her into becoming one of her own. Pinkie was a ditz, but she wasn't stupid. She knew where she stood in all this. "Don't just stand there, you twit! Go find the others!" Rainbow snapped as I heard a bowl being tipped over. Shoot! I needed to get out of here before they found out I was out past curfew, but apparently I was too late. "Ah! Rarity! Just the pony I wanted to see. Come in." Rainbow had her head poking out of the tents door. "Oh! Hey a Rainbow Da- er, Captain!..How are you..?" I tryed my best to pretend I was on my way to the bunker tent, knowing it probably wasn't very convincing. "I'm fine, Rarity. Thank you." Rainbow then whispered annoyedly to her soldier to gather the other ponies, and picked up the bowl that had dropped. "And what about you?" Rainbow said. I blinked. "How are you?" She said, flipping back her rainbow colored mane. "I..I'm holding up. I suppose. I mean, as much as anypony is holding up." It was obvious in my voice that I was nervous. I didn't know why, Rainbow had been one of my closest friends. I guess it might be her authoritative role she played in this. "Hm." She replied. "And how about your friends? How are they doing?" She added. My friends?! It's always been our friends. Always. The war has pushed countless ponies away from each other, but this feels almost unacceptable. And the fact of how calm and, well, ‘proper’ she acted.. it just made my blood boil. How she acted like she had to put on a play, transform herself into someone entirely different. "The girls are doing just fine, thank you for asking." I said through gritted teeth, and almost too sharply for my own good. Rainbow Dash stared blankly at me for a minute, and then said, "I suppose I don't need to fill you in about Pinkie, then? Just promise me when "the girls" come in you act surprised, yeah?" The tinge of shortening up her sentences at every end rang in the air, suggesting she had picked up an accent from somewhere up north..I just couldn't put my hoof on where exactly.. The guard stepped in with a bedragled Twilight and Applejack, still covered in blood, by his side. "Captain, I have Applejack, and miss Sparkle was found behind the weapons crates." "Out past curfew again, Soldier Sparkle? Oh, who even gives a flying feather anymore.." Rainbow shooed away the guard and stood up. "Hello Applejack. Twilight." She added. "They found Pinkie." Rainbow said bluntly. "What?? Where?! Is she okay?" Twilight was almost touching noses with the rainbow pony. Rainbow Dash sighed, and took a step back. "Apparently troops found her snooping around our base.." She held up dog tags with Pinkie's name and rank on them. She flipped them over to reveal a Solar Empire logo engraved in it. Applejack gasped and covered her mouth. "Impossible.." She whispered from behind her cracked hoof. "We currently have her in the chambers. She's been asking for us four. I think we should get going if we want to get back by daybreak." Stains of IronShots fired far in the distance, and the sky lit up with fire. Nopony said anything. We just kept riding along on an old transport cart, on the narrow path toward a large warehouse somewhere a few miles away. Pinkie was a traitor. And that's all I knew. This is just a taste of what Celestia does to her prisoners to get them on her side. I glance up at Twilight, her eyes not their usual angry or spiteful look, but more clouded and confused, gazing off to nowhere in the distance. I wanted to talk to her about what happened last night in the bunker, but I figured it would just bring up tension and uneasy feelings for her. The old cart just continued to tumble slowly down the dirt road, rocking us back and forth and making our skulls rattle atop every bump. To my right there was a complex of brick buildings, connected by hardened dirt roads; the weapon and suplies building and storage unit, where Sweetie Belle and the other younger fillies worked and lived. I turned to see Rainbow staring bleakly at Pinkie's dog tags.. was she.. smirking? Was she actually happy about all of this? "Sumthin' funny, R.D.?" Applejack seemed to have picked up on her smile too. Rainbow Dash snapped her glance to Applejack, then softly put the tags back in her saddle bag. She sighed, "Oh.. guess I was just thinking about the old days.." Oh, I'm sure. "What about them?" Said Twilight, with a gleam in her eyes. Rainbow started to chuckle "Do you remember the time when Pinkie was asked to bring that huge chocolate cake to Twilight's party?" Twilight smiled, "She just couldn't resist the urge to strap the box on her head as she bounced along." "There was cake absolutely everywhere!" I chimed in. We were all silent for a moment, thinking about times past. "I'm glad you're with us again, Rainbow." Applejack broke the silence. "I know.. I'm so sorry things have to be this way.." Rainbow Dash replied quietly. Maybe I was just overthinking it. Maybe I just had some sort of grudge against Rainbow. But to me, everything she said just sounded chock full of lies. I looked back up to her, she smiled sweetly at me. Oh, stop it, Rarity. Just because she’s a captain doesn’t mean she thinks she’s better than you. At least, I don’t think she does... I shook the uneasy thoughts out of my head and piped up again, trying to shut my concious up. "I just... don't see why. Why things have to be like this.." I said. Every pony turned their gaze on me. Twilight put her hoof on my arched back, "Rarity, you know why.." "Twilight.." I began, "I'm.. I'm actually not sure I do." I said truthfully. "You mean no pony ever told you?" Rainbow Dash said. "I- I mean I know that Celestia went crazy and tried to kill Princess Luna but.. why? Why now?" Twilight breathed in deep, "See, when Celestia went mad, no pony could do anything to stop her. She thought that ever since Princess Luna returned, she was trying to overtake the throne. And since she couldn't banish her to the moon again without every pony in the kingdom hate her and possibly overthrow her, she tried to murder Luna under the radar-" "But when ponies started to discover her plan, Luna knew she had to get out." Rainbow interrupted. "So that's when Princess Luna started her own kingdom, the New Lunar Republic." Applejack said as she tapped her arm cuff. I looked down at mine: a crescent moon that faced upwards, harboring a star inside, with blue wings on both sides of the moon; Luna's Republic symbol. "Weh here." The rusty voice said unexpectedly from the front of the cart. We each exchanged a glance. "Are you ready?" Rainbow Dash began, yet half of us were out of the cart already. I could see the anxiousness on everypony's face. Anxious and afraid. Afraid to see what exactly Pinkie had become; what Celestia had done to her. As we started to stalk towards the wide stretch of 1 story buildings, we could already hear screams. Not just from a few ponies, yet choir of tortured moans and enraged, crazed ponies trying to struggle free of their straight jackets and out of their cells. Applejack took my hoof in hers and looked me in the eye. “Whatever it is we see in there.. Well, jus’ know that Pinkie was brainwashed inta thinking what Celestia wanted her to think. She had no choice.” I was a bit taken aback by her intensity, but I knew her words were the truth. Pinkie might even still be somewhere inside that pink pony’s head. The real Pinkie, I mean. We stepped inside the grey brick building, a burst of cold, musty air filtered it’s way through our manes, finally being freed to the outdoors. The screams echoed up the walls and sent a whole new wave of shivers up my spine with it. Rainbow Dash trotted up to a rather scrawny looking guard, who stood guarding the door to the prison. “So much for keeping the crazies in..” I thought as Rainbow whispered something to the malnourished scrap of a pony. The guard gave her a quick nod and opened the door, unleashing countless blood curdling screeches. I realised I had been shying behind Twilight as he led us down the hall. Twilight gave me a look and a small smile as I hesitantly stepped out from behind her, only to have full view of the cell covered walls. “Hey thah, soldja..” Said a perversely shaped colt with rows of scars covering him from head to toe, as he inspected my being from behind rusted bars. I tried to shake off his prying eyes as I picked up my pace. Maybe I should have stayed behind Twilight. We continued down the hallway in silence, trying not to glance over at the gawking ponies. It was just my luck the flickering lights provided us with minimal vision of the blood stained cells. At the end of the hall we reached another door, yellowed and locked shut with numerous bolts and latches with a sign reading, ASYLUM ENTRANCE HIGH SECURITY I took a deep breath as he began to unlock the first latch. Cell Covered WallsI looked at each of my friends. Twilight kept her eyes on the door, biting her lip. Applejack just looked at the ground. The look in her eyes indicating that she wanted to turn and flee and never step hoof in here again. And Rainbow, well... Rainbow looked as though it were Hearts Warming Eve and she was just a filly, and behind that door was a giant holiday present. Her eyes gleamed with wild fire as she stared at the locks being unhinged CLINK! The room before us was pitch black, and not a sound escaped from it. We stepped in just as the guard flipped a switch, making light corse through rows upon rows of blinding fluorescent lights. I opened my eyes again as they adjusted to the harsh light. I saw a platform to my left that was attached to chains on spools, and in front of me was a fenced in pit, that looked to stretch down at least 100 yards down. We walked over to the poorly built platform as the guard jerkedly lowered it down, hoof by hoof. I must have had 30 splinters from the old thing by now, and I think Twilight had a termite that her back leg was battling with. When the platform stopped moving I saw another hall like the previous one, only this one had doors on the wall instead of cells, and instead of blood painted walls, everything was white. Very white. Nearly blinding. And the smell... Like chemical waste that made my eyes tear up. The others must have smelled the sick, sharp smell of whatever lay in these walls. “In there.” The skinny guard said blandly as we approached a door marked 347. The door swung open with a loud creak. Before me was yet another short hall, And alas, Pinkie. She was curled up in a small pink ball in the corner of the padded white cell. She stood out from the room like a bright rainbow in the darkness, the contrast was so great. Rainbow Dash was first to walk up to the cell. She just stood there, looking at the malnourished scrap of pink. I cautiously trotted up next to her, and said, politely as I could, “Pinkie Pie? It’s me Rarity. Rainbow’s here too. And Twilight, and AppleJa-” “I know.” Came the raspy voice of who was once our friend. I stopped, eyes widened, as each of us stared at the pink pony as she turned her head. Once she faced us, Twilight let out a gasp. The entire right side of Pinkie face was raked with gashes and scars. Was this really her..? Could it be possible that Pinkie, the real Pinkie, was still somewhere behind those thick scars and pin straight pink mane? “I’m glad you all could make it-” Said Pinkie, her voice cracked at the cut off of her sentence. The way she said that made it sound like we all were invited to another of her parties, and we’ve all just arrived. It sort of sent a chill through my bones. Twilight raced up to the paint chipped bars as she screamed; “Why?! WHY Pinkie?! Why did you leave us?!” She shrieked through gritted teeth. “Twilight.. That’s what I wanted to explain.” Pinkie said gingerly. Then she paused a moment, maybe she was expecting another sudden outburst from the unicorn AppleJack put her hoof gently on Twilight’s back, only to be shook off angrily by the purple pony. “You..” Pinkie Pie coughed then stared into nothingness before returning to her story. “You’re all being lied to..! You can’t believe a word Luna says, please Twilight!!” A likely story, miss Pie. She turned her head towards AppleJack. “A.J.!! You gotta believe me-” Pinkie stopped and went into another coughing fit, this time blood spattered on the floor from her throat. “Alright, that’s enough.” Said the guard as he began to lead us out of the room. “N- no!! Please, you gotta listen to me!! Go to the Equestria United castle, I promise you’ll find answe-” “I said, that’s ENOUGH!!” The skinny guard grabbed a long device with a trigger at one end and stuck the first half into the cage, laying it on top of her and pulling the trigger. Pinkie’s small body shook with force, as her whole being was dropped violently to the ground once the trigger was released. Her teary eyes met mine one last time as I was escorted out of the door. “I’m not crazy. Rarity, I’m not crazy!!” We could hear her words ring against the walls as we continued out of the halls. Just the same message over and over forcing their way out of her lungs; “I’m not crazy.” Applejack had tears in her eyes as she picked up her pace towards the final door, turning her head so that none of us could see her blushing face. I could have starting sobbing just as easily, but I wouldn't. Not today. I’m saving those for later. The TrenchesThe cold surrounded me and I found myself encased in a sort of unconscious daze. Hide. It's all my mind could understand to do. Kneel. Crouch down. Oh, for Luna's sake do SOMETHING, Rarity!! But somehow, I couldn't. Something was wrong. So terribly wrong that it chilled my bones and turned my blood to ice. My..my legs.... They were blown off. They must have been. No. That can't be possible. My mind clouded in complete fear and shock as I tried to gasp in some air to get my brain working and assess the situation. C'mon, Rarity. Pull it together. What was the last thing you remember. Gas masks. They were scattered all across the floor of the trench, most of them were being worn by ponies that lay on the ground, not breathing. I tried to focus my eyes upon their faces. Apparently they hadn't been able to get them on quick enough before the gas leaked into their lungs. My ears were ringing and all else I could hear was hooves pounding on the ground, seeming to be above me..they were getting quieter. All of a sudden, my back went weak and my body was pinned to the ground in a matter of seconds. It was so dark, and my eyes were so watery I could only make out the silhouette of a unicorn's horn. "Twilight..?" The sound of my voice was so horse and dry from the excess gasses that were stil circling around inside my mask, filtering out slowly. "You keep your head up like that, and you're just a sitting duck waiting to get shot!" Her voice was so recognizable, yet so sharp and demeaning through her dirt covered mask. "I-I'm sorry, Twilight-" "Sorry won't keep you alive!" I hated seeing her like this...I knew she only means to protect me, but seeing her so battle-harden just reminds me of those days back in Ponyville. She was always so kind to everypony...kindness. The word brings a flood of painful memories into my mind. My stomach clenched as I thought of that cream colored pony, one of my dearest friends, being shot down during a scouting mission. Fluttershy knew it would happen at some point. We all knew. She would never fight back, she would never have any blood on her hooves. She hated war, and just wanted it all to stop. That's who I'm fighting for. My friends, my allies. "From now on, keep your head lower." Twilight's weight shifted off of me, and slowly drew me back to reality. The gas and the smoke swirling in clouds around me made me tear up, and left streaks of freezing water on my face. The coldness from the ground began to creep up my back, making me want to sit up, yet laying down, finally resting, was so nice I wanted to lay down and rest forever. I grimaced as icy winds blew into the gashes on my face and body, most of them opening again and sending trickles of blood running down my camo suit. It hurt. Everywhere. "Please..." I managed to let the words slip past my purple lips. "Make it stop..please..it's so hard.." Twilight glanced over to where I lie, and I could feel my head being lifted involuntarily. "Rarity," Twilight peeled off her mask and set it on the ground. "I know it's hard. I know you feel like you can't go on. But you need to start with getting up. You won't go far just lying there." Her words were blunt, yet through my water-logged vision I saw a sparkle of sympathy in her eyes that told me she was still on my side. I began to lift my head again, and as I did, my eyes followed the trails of smoke all the way up the sky, only to find blackness. Not one star out there to give me any hope.. "Where have all the stars gone..?" I managed to scrape some words from my burning throat, as I too took my mask off. "Behind the rain clouds, I'm guessing." Just as the words came out of her mouth, a streak of lightning went over our heads. "Great. Just what we need." Twilight's jaw clenched as she picked up her binoculars and peeked over the lip of the trench. "Twilight, do you see anything?" I said. "Nothing. Just bodies." Twilight gulped. "Well- what about the soldiers who gassed us earlier?" I said worriedly. The purple pony remained silent, indicating her first statement was in fact true. Suddenly, I heard a shivering-sobbing sound behind us. I focused my eyes enough to see Berry Punch had just now joined us down here. Twilight put down her binoculars and whipped her head around, "Berry! Where have you been?!" Berry just stared at her with wide eyes and continued to shiver, and I noticed she was favoring her right arm. "Are you hurt?" I said. Berry Punch lifted up her arm and started to whimper. I held down vomit when I saw her mangled arm, hot and wet with blood, the cloth of her jacket arm was in loose threads around the gashes. Twilight's eyes were wider than mine as she dashed towards her and began propping Berry up on her back. "Rarity!!" She snapped. I trotted over and helped Berry Punch on my back as well and started down the trench, through the tunnel that eventually led to the base. My eyes squinted when I saw lights for the first time in hours. I started to notice Berry stopped breathing so quickly and was replaced by slow, shallow breaths. She must have past out; good thing we're here. Twilight led the way into one of the small tents with a red cross covering the opening. I soon became overwhelmed with the smell of blood and sickness, but my mind cleared when I saw my good friend Applejack. She was distracted at the moment, slowly injecting a needle into a patiant who's eyes were glazed over. I read her name tag; Bon Bon. I didn't know the pony too well, but I do remember a time back in Ponyville when she said a dress that I made was the most magnificent thing she's ever seen. It meant a lot to me, coming from a stranger, and I never even knew her name until now. We laid Berry Punch on an empty bed that was dyed dark red. She moaned, drawing the attention of the country pony. Applejack's eyes lit up when she saw me and Twilight. "Rarity! Twilight! Am I glad to see you!" She trotted over to greet us, and then took a look at Berry Punch. Her face turned white when she saw the mangled mess that might not even qualify as an arm. "What in the hay happened..?!" Twilight answered, "Not a clue. We found her like this." Applejack leaned down close to Berry's ear, "Soldier Punch? Can you hear me?" Berry's eyes rolled back as she let out a moan. Applejack stood up again, as she murmured, just loud enough for us to hear. "This wasn't done by anypony." The way she emphasized "Pony" sent a shiver up my spine. There were other enemies out there. More threatening than Celestia's soldiers themselves. As the next words slipped out of her mouth, my thoughts were sent reeling. "..Timberwolves."
Apple BloomApplejack nodded solomly as she slowly unwrapped the bloody shirt sleeve from Berry Punch's arm. "I thought that Iv'e heard them. Late at night... 'Spose it wasn't my imagination after all." Nurse Red Heart trotted over."Now we can't be sure, there are loads of other creatur-" Her words were interrupted by a sharp gasp from Applejack, as she shut her eyes tight, then opened them slowly. "I-...I can't..." Applejack kept gasping and swallowing, as if she would vomit at any second, her eyes blinking hard then opening again as she continued to unwrap it, unveiling a green ooz that slowly dripped from her forearm. "Sweet Luna.." Nurse Redheart said silently. I jumped a bit when I noticed several ponies, some doctors and mostly patients, crowded around Berry's body. All muttering prayers and words of worry. "..Iv'e never seen anything like it!.." "..How did she get that way?" "Do you think she'll live..?" Applejack gulped and began to sweat. "Get back!! What kind of doctors are you?!" Twilight suddenly started swatting away the curious doctors and nurses with her hoof. "She's right, give Applejack some space!" I know my words probably did nothing for the cause, but it at least it made me feel a little less useless. The country pony whipped around and started to yell."N-no!! Redheart, I need you! I..." Applejack looked down, with painful and embarrassed eyes. "I don't think I can do this." The look on her face was pure pain and sorrow..I don't think I've ever seen her so upset. "We need to try and clean it out. Right? Applejack? Look at me!" Nurse Redheart grabbed A.J.'s face with her hoof and looked right in her eyes. "Applejack, I know this is hard, but you need to snap out of it! The training. Applejack, what do you remember in the training?! When you see a wound, what's the first thing you do?!" I almost wanted to shove Redheart away from Applejack for the way she was yelling at her. "You-...you clean i--..it!! An..and then you-" The tears running down Applejack's face left streaks on her dirty cheeks, and kept making her choke up. "And then what?! WHAT DO YOU DO?!" "YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING!! You just freeze up and can't remember what to do and her small body starts to shake AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!! YOU JUST WATCH'ER DIE!! YOU JUST WATCH YOUR BABY SISTER BLEED TO DEATH AND THERE AIN'T NOTHING YOU CAN DO!!" Applejack's knees went limp as she fell to the ground.I saw her back twitch with every sob. "You just hold her...and look into her diein' eyes and tell her it's all goin' to be alright..." The room was silent. Everypony looked at everypony else, wondering what they should do. "Oh, Sweetie..." I knelt down beside her and just held her for a few seconds. She turned around and looked deep in my eyes, her's as cold and dead as stone. "Somethin' deep in my mind told me that if I were to become a medic, to learn how to heal ponies, maybe I could save Apple Bloom..somehow." "Then do it for her. Help Berry Punch." I nodded up to where she lie. A.J.'s eyes looked up too, as she slowly rose to her feet. "I..I have everything you need." Nurse Redheart handed disinfectant and gauze to Applejack, and looked at her with sympathetic eyes. Clearly, she hadn't known about Apple Bloom. Hay, even I didn't know. I must have just been too afraid to ask. "Thank you." Applejack said expressionlessly. "Iv'e..been keeping her monitored." Twilight said gingerly. The news about Apple Bloom must have come as a shock to her too. "The green, er..stuff..stopped coming out but her breathing is still pretty shallow." "Can you do this, Applejack?" Redheart whispered. The country pony didn't reply. She just started to get to work cleaning and sewing her wound.
A Little R&RMy hooves found themselves tracing patterns in the dirt below me. A small heart and the initials S.B. set inside. Talk of Applejack's little sister has got me worrying about my own, again. Only Sweetie Belle wasn't so little anymore. With a full fledged cutie mark and long, dainty legs that refuse to stop growing, she's well on her way to becoming a mature mare. I just can't believe I'm not with her now, at the most important stage of her life, helping her to age properly and with guidance. It's been months since Iv'e seen her. But every few weeks she sends letters from the factory. Along with other fillies who are too young to go into combat, she makes weapons and equipment in exchange for food and shelter. Although I always wish she were here by my side, I'm much more thankful she's in the factory, where it's far more safe than anywhere out here. As my eyes start to trail sideward with my daydreaming, they lock on with another's. Applejack's bloodshot eyes glance up from her patient's wound for just a moment, then jerk upward to find a light blue pony stride right through the flaps of the tent. "Lieutenant General Lyra!" The country pony stood up tall as she addressed the officer. I got to my knees and walked over to where she stood. "I heard about Bon Bon and got here as quickly as I could! Where is she?" Oh, Bon Bon. The poor sap who I saw about an hour ago go under from the deadly sedative. Lyra and Bon Bon had been very close long before the war. I feel sorry for Lyra no more than I should, knowing every single one of us feels that same numbing pain inside of losing a loved one. Applejack stayed silent, her eyes explained everything to Lyra. The General stared back at Applejack, then shifted her gaze downward. "I'm too late." "I'm so sorry, Lieutenant. But there really was nothin' anypony could've done for her. The infection spread far too quickly for any meds." "Celestia will pay for this." Lyra said with a firey glow in her eyes. "Her... wound wasn't caused by Celestia's soldiers, General Lyra.." AppleJack said, unsure if she had the right to talk back to a commanding officer. "..We have reason ta believe it was Timber wolves. There seems t'have been several attacks recently from the West Forest." Lyra nodded solemnly and looked up at Applejack again. "Thank you. I know you tried your best, Applejack. You always have." And without another word, she slipped back out into the cold morning haze. Applejack sighed, obviously very sleep deprived. "You're on a break, or somethin'..?" She said wearily. "Twilight went down to get us something to eat, said I should stay here and rest. I couldn't sleep a wink, though. And you're the one who needs rest, anyways. Why don't you let sompony else take over for awhile?" "Rarity, all the other doctors and nurses are way too busy to spare a hoof to pick up my slack." "I could help!" I pleaded. "Please! You wouldn't know a bonesaw from a roll 'a gauze." Applejack retorted. "Hey, I have my fair share of knowledge about needles and thread." I said. "But'cha can't even stand the sight of blood alone." My cheeks were hot and flustered at this point. "Look! I'm not the prissy little pony that I used to be! Iv'e got dirt under my hooves just like everypony else-" My voice was still horse from the gasses, and the end of my sentence went high pitched as I began coughing uncontrollably. Which then caused my nose to run, and my eyes to water. Darn it!! I thought. "I am NOT crying!!" I shouted viciously at her. She just stared at me for a second then started chuckling, and went onto a hearty laugh. "W-what..??" I said as I surprisingly started to smile as well. "Oh, Rarity. Defensive, prideful Rarity." She said with a smile. "You haven't changed one bit." It was strange, almost foreign to be laughing like this. Especially after everything both of us are going through. "What are you two pansies giggling about?" We both turned around to see Twilight with a sack of food in her mouth, coming towards us. Sometimes I wondered why Twilight was like this. We've all been through a lot, and lost many friends, but Twilight was one of the most friendly ponies I knew. The unicorn set down the sack of breads and fruits on a medical table. A loaf of rye tumbled out of the sack, falling on the floor, and revealing an emblem on the bottom of the sack, right where it had been sitting. This bag must have been fairly old; the emblem was the Equestrian United symbol, of two alicorns spinning around the sun and moon. Twilight picked up the loaf, blew off the dirt, and set it back on the table. She must have noticed the emblem as well. She gave it a glare and bundled it up with her hooves. Applejack broke up the bread and tossed me an apple. We all began to eat quietly, even with groaning and crazed ponies trying to be calmed down by weary and exhausted doctors in the background. "There's too many. Just too many of 'em." Applejack said as she shivered. "Too many of who? Half conscious doctors, or half dead soldiers?" Twilight said while swallowing a bit of her apple. "The soldiers. I was talking to Violet Spin a few hours ago, she said that th-" Applejack's voiced dropped down to an almost whisper when Red Heart passed by. "She.. She said that our numbers are dwindling faster than we can draft and train new soldiers. I just don't even want to think about what might happen if we don't..." Applejack's last words hung in the air a moment, and her gaze was glued to the floor. Despite my tightening throat, I gulped down my last bit of the rye bread, and left the rest for the others. "Applejack, you know Violet Spin. She's always been one for starting rumors." Twilight said with a slight condescending tone. Whether Violet was just making a rumor or not, I couldn't help but feel that it was true.
The BunkersThe clouds hung low in the sky, and promised more rain soon. Spring should have started by now. Even though it was mid April, the trees were still bare and without bloom or leaf, and the coldness still stuck to the air like taffy. Mmm.. I long for that warm gooey taffy that we only get when we go into town. And I, nor any other soldier has been there since the war started. "Twilight?" I asked as we trotted towards the bunker. "How come only the officers are allowed to go into town? We all have wants too, you know." I said as I gathered fresh sheets. Twilight sighed, "Rarity, you know they don't go into town just to have their hooves manicured. They go there to get food and supplies.. And information, when it's available." Twilight jumped to the top bunk. I guess our conversation had ended. Below her was a sleeping pony I didn't recognize. I slipped to the bottom bunk on a bed right next to hers, and just lay there. My muscles ached and my head trobbed, but I was getting warmer under the blanket and I had food in my stomach. It'll be okay, Rarity..It'll always be okay... I awoke what seemed to be a few minutes later, to the sound of somepony above me. They were snickering, along with another pony a bunk or so down. "Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned that you're a lying snitch who tricked my idiot brain into thinking I was somthin' special." The three or four bunks broke out in a suppressed laughter. "But don't worry Princess, I'll still stay as faithful as ever, right till the end!" What were they talking about?? Suddenly I saw Twilight cram her head under her pillow and start shaking. My head hurt when I tried to think of what the hay they were trying to get at, or why. But as my brain started to wake up, I remembered how much so many of the other soldiers despised Twilight for being so close to Celestia. But that is no reason to make a fellow reformed soldier be resentful of her past. I had to do something. "Hey! You're all acting like school fillies. Twilight Sparkle is faithful to Luna alone!! She would never betray her for Celestia, ever!" This seemed to only raise their laughter, as Twilight jumped out of her bed and ran straight out of the tent. "Twilight!" I ran towards the door and stumbled out the door flap. "Twilight!" I called, but no answer. As I continued to look for her behind buildings and inside bunkers, I began to notice an odd shrillness that hung in the air. It hurt my ears and made my eyes water. Yet, all was quiet. And I mean quiet. The only sound was the wind. I whipped my head around, feeling as if somepony was watching me... perhaps the lack of sleep and energy was just getting the best of my mind.. Though I still kept looking behind my back, for some reason I couldn't possibly explain. After nearly a half hour, my search for Twilight was futile. How did those ponies even know about her letters to Celestia? Word gets around, I guess. And although she was always Celestia's right hoof mare, she would never go back to her. Ever. I wasn't supposed to be out past curfew, and my hooves were getting shaky, so I decided to get back to the bunker. Taunters or not, I needed rest. My hooves dug into the muddy dirt paths as I trotted my way back to the bunkers, and I past by a larger tent with the number 48 printed in bold letters on it's front. That must be the Rainbow Dash's tent. Oh, excuse me, Captain Rainbow Dash's tent. I wish I could just drop by and say hello right now, but I know she must be far too busy. She always is.. I start to make my way back to the bunker tent when I hear something that makes me stop dead in my tracks. "Captain Dash. We have urgent news from chamber 13. They say that they've captured a prisoner with a pink mane and coat." I heard inside the tent. "And this is urgent why...?" Rainbow said passively. "Ma'am.. she is asking for a soldier Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and...You, Captain Dash." I swallowed hard, and I heard Rainbow Dash do the same. "..What.. Was her name, soldier..?" "She calls herself Pinkimena Pie."
PinkieEverything went silent. So this is where Pinkie's been all along... I thought she was dead, or at least at another camp, but no. She's part of Celestia's army to overthrow us. How could she?! After everything we've been through! Celestia must have brainwashed her into becoming one of her own. Pinkie was a ditz, but she wasn't stupid. She knew where she stood in all this. "Don't just stand there, you twit! Go find the others!" Rainbow snapped as I heard a bowl being tipped over. Shoot! I needed to get out of here before they found out I was out past curfew, but apparently I was too late. "Ah! Rarity! Just the pony I wanted to see. Come in." Rainbow had her head poking out of the tents door. "Oh! Hey a Rainbow Da- er, Captain!..How are you..?" I tryed my best to pretend I was on my way to the bunker tent, knowing it probably wasn't very convincing. "I'm fine, Rarity. Thank you." Rainbow then whispered annoyedly to her soldier to gather the other ponies, and picked up the bowl that had dropped. "And what about you?" Rainbow said. I blinked. "How are you?" She said, flipping back her rainbow colored mane. "I..I'm holding up. I suppose. I mean, as much as anypony is holding up." It was obvious in my voice that I was nervous. I didn't know why, Rainbow had been one of my closest friends. I guess it might be her authoritative role she played in this. "Hm." She replied. "And how about your friends? How are they doing?" She added. My friends?! It's always been our friends. Always. The war has pushed countless ponies away from each other, but this feels almost unacceptable. And the fact of how calm and, well, ‘proper’ she acted.. it just made my blood boil. How she acted like she had to put on a play, transform herself into someone entirely different. "The girls are doing just fine, thank you for asking." I said through gritted teeth, and almost too sharply for my own good. Rainbow Dash stared blankly at me for a minute, and then said, "I suppose I don't need to fill you in about Pinkie, then? Just promise me when "the girls" come in you act surprised, yeah?" The tinge of shortening up her sentences at every end rang in the air, suggesting she had picked up an accent from somewhere up north..I just couldn't put my hoof on where exactly.. The guard stepped in with a bedragled Twilight and Applejack, still covered in blood, by his side. "Captain, I have Applejack, and miss Sparkle was found behind the weapons crates." "Out past curfew again, Soldier Sparkle? Oh, who even gives a flying feather anymore.." Rainbow shooed away the guard and stood up. "Hello Applejack. Twilight." She added. "They found Pinkie." Rainbow said bluntly. "What?? Where?! Is she okay?" Twilight was almost touching noses with the rainbow pony. Rainbow Dash sighed, and took a step back. "Apparently troops found her snooping around our base.." She held up dog tags with Pinkie's name and rank on them. She flipped them over to reveal a Solar Empire logo engraved in it. Applejack gasped and covered her mouth. "Impossible.." She whispered from behind her cracked hoof. "We currently have her in the chambers. She's been asking for us four. I think we should get going if we want to get back by daybreak."
Stains of IronShots fired far in the distance, and the sky lit up with fire. Nopony said anything. We just kept riding along on an old transport cart, on the narrow path toward a large warehouse somewhere a few miles away. Pinkie was a traitor. And that's all I knew. This is just a taste of what Celestia does to her prisoners to get them on her side. I glance up at Twilight, her eyes not their usual angry or spiteful look, but more clouded and confused, gazing off to nowhere in the distance. I wanted to talk to her about what happened last night in the bunker, but I figured it would just bring up tension and uneasy feelings for her. The old cart just continued to tumble slowly down the dirt road, rocking us back and forth and making our skulls rattle atop every bump. To my right there was a complex of brick buildings, connected by hardened dirt roads; the weapon and suplies building and storage unit, where Sweetie Belle and the other younger fillies worked and lived. I turned to see Rainbow staring bleakly at Pinkie's dog tags.. was she.. smirking? Was she actually happy about all of this? "Sumthin' funny, R.D.?" Applejack seemed to have picked up on her smile too. Rainbow Dash snapped her glance to Applejack, then softly put the tags back in her saddle bag. She sighed, "Oh.. guess I was just thinking about the old days.." Oh, I'm sure. "What about them?" Said Twilight, with a gleam in her eyes. Rainbow started to chuckle "Do you remember the time when Pinkie was asked to bring that huge chocolate cake to Twilight's party?" Twilight smiled, "She just couldn't resist the urge to strap the box on her head as she bounced along." "There was cake absolutely everywhere!" I chimed in. We were all silent for a moment, thinking about times past. "I'm glad you're with us again, Rainbow." Applejack broke the silence. "I know.. I'm so sorry things have to be this way.." Rainbow Dash replied quietly. Maybe I was just overthinking it. Maybe I just had some sort of grudge against Rainbow. But to me, everything she said just sounded chock full of lies. I looked back up to her, she smiled sweetly at me. Oh, stop it, Rarity. Just because she’s a captain doesn’t mean she thinks she’s better than you. At least, I don’t think she does... I shook the uneasy thoughts out of my head and piped up again, trying to shut my concious up. "I just... don't see why. Why things have to be like this.." I said. Every pony turned their gaze on me. Twilight put her hoof on my arched back, "Rarity, you know why.." "Twilight.." I began, "I'm.. I'm actually not sure I do." I said truthfully. "You mean no pony ever told you?" Rainbow Dash said. "I- I mean I know that Celestia went crazy and tried to kill Princess Luna but.. why? Why now?" Twilight breathed in deep, "See, when Celestia went mad, no pony could do anything to stop her. She thought that ever since Princess Luna returned, she was trying to overtake the throne. And since she couldn't banish her to the moon again without every pony in the kingdom hate her and possibly overthrow her, she tried to murder Luna under the radar-" "But when ponies started to discover her plan, Luna knew she had to get out." Rainbow interrupted. "So that's when Princess Luna started her own kingdom, the New Lunar Republic." Applejack said as she tapped her arm cuff. I looked down at mine: a crescent moon that faced upwards, harboring a star inside, with blue wings on both sides of the moon; Luna's Republic symbol. "Weh here." The rusty voice said unexpectedly from the front of the cart. We each exchanged a glance. "Are you ready?" Rainbow Dash began, yet half of us were out of the cart already. I could see the anxiousness on everypony's face. Anxious and afraid. Afraid to see what exactly Pinkie had become; what Celestia had done to her. As we started to stalk towards the wide stretch of 1 story buildings, we could already hear screams. Not just from a few ponies, yet choir of tortured moans and enraged, crazed ponies trying to struggle free of their straight jackets and out of their cells. Applejack took my hoof in hers and looked me in the eye. “Whatever it is we see in there.. Well, jus’ know that Pinkie was brainwashed inta thinking what Celestia wanted her to think. She had no choice.” I was a bit taken aback by her intensity, but I knew her words were the truth. Pinkie might even still be somewhere inside that pink pony’s head. The real Pinkie, I mean. We stepped inside the grey brick building, a burst of cold, musty air filtered it’s way through our manes, finally being freed to the outdoors. The screams echoed up the walls and sent a whole new wave of shivers up my spine with it. Rainbow Dash trotted up to a rather scrawny looking guard, who stood guarding the door to the prison. “So much for keeping the crazies in..” I thought as Rainbow whispered something to the malnourished scrap of a pony. The guard gave her a quick nod and opened the door, unleashing countless blood curdling screeches. I realised I had been shying behind Twilight as he led us down the hall. Twilight gave me a look and a small smile as I hesitantly stepped out from behind her, only to have full view of the cell covered walls. “Hey thah, soldja..” Said a perversely shaped colt with rows of scars covering him from head to toe, as he inspected my being from behind rusted bars. I tried to shake off his prying eyes as I picked up my pace. Maybe I should have stayed behind Twilight. We continued down the hallway in silence, trying not to glance over at the gawking ponies. It was just my luck the flickering lights provided us with minimal vision of the blood stained cells. At the end of the hall we reached another door, yellowed and locked shut with numerous bolts and latches with a sign reading, ASYLUM ENTRANCE HIGH SECURITY I took a deep breath as he began to unlock the first latch.
Cell Covered WallsI looked at each of my friends. Twilight kept her eyes on the door, biting her lip. Applejack just looked at the ground. The look in her eyes indicating that she wanted to turn and flee and never step hoof in here again. And Rainbow, well... Rainbow looked as though it were Hearts Warming Eve and she was just a filly, and behind that door was a giant holiday present. Her eyes gleamed with wild fire as she stared at the locks being unhinged CLINK! The room before us was pitch black, and not a sound escaped from it. We stepped in just as the guard flipped a switch, making light corse through rows upon rows of blinding fluorescent lights. I opened my eyes again as they adjusted to the harsh light. I saw a platform to my left that was attached to chains on spools, and in front of me was a fenced in pit, that looked to stretch down at least 100 yards down. We walked over to the poorly built platform as the guard jerkedly lowered it down, hoof by hoof. I must have had 30 splinters from the old thing by now, and I think Twilight had a termite that her back leg was battling with. When the platform stopped moving I saw another hall like the previous one, only this one had doors on the wall instead of cells, and instead of blood painted walls, everything was white. Very white. Nearly blinding. And the smell... Like chemical waste that made my eyes tear up. The others must have smelled the sick, sharp smell of whatever lay in these walls. “In there.” The skinny guard said blandly as we approached a door marked 347. The door swung open with a loud creak. Before me was yet another short hall, And alas, Pinkie. She was curled up in a small pink ball in the corner of the padded white cell. She stood out from the room like a bright rainbow in the darkness, the contrast was so great. Rainbow Dash was first to walk up to the cell. She just stood there, looking at the malnourished scrap of pink. I cautiously trotted up next to her, and said, politely as I could, “Pinkie Pie? It’s me Rarity. Rainbow’s here too. And Twilight, and AppleJa-” “I know.” Came the raspy voice of who was once our friend. I stopped, eyes widened, as each of us stared at the pink pony as she turned her head. Once she faced us, Twilight let out a gasp. The entire right side of Pinkie face was raked with gashes and scars. Was this really her..? Could it be possible that Pinkie, the real Pinkie, was still somewhere behind those thick scars and pin straight pink mane? “I’m glad you all could make it-” Said Pinkie, her voice cracked at the cut off of her sentence. The way she said that made it sound like we all were invited to another of her parties, and we’ve all just arrived. It sort of sent a chill through my bones. Twilight raced up to the paint chipped bars as she screamed; “Why?! WHY Pinkie?! Why did you leave us?!” She shrieked through gritted teeth. “Twilight.. That’s what I wanted to explain.” Pinkie said gingerly. Then she paused a moment, maybe she was expecting another sudden outburst from the unicorn AppleJack put her hoof gently on Twilight’s back, only to be shook off angrily by the purple pony. “You..” Pinkie Pie coughed then stared into nothingness before returning to her story. “You’re all being lied to..! You can’t believe a word Luna says, please Twilight!!” A likely story, miss Pie. She turned her head towards AppleJack. “A.J.!! You gotta believe me-” Pinkie stopped and went into another coughing fit, this time blood spattered on the floor from her throat. “Alright, that’s enough.” Said the guard as he began to lead us out of the room. “N- no!! Please, you gotta listen to me!! Go to the Equestria United castle, I promise you’ll find answe-” “I said, that’s ENOUGH!!” The skinny guard grabbed a long device with a trigger at one end and stuck the first half into the cage, laying it on top of her and pulling the trigger. Pinkie’s small body shook with force, as her whole being was dropped violently to the ground once the trigger was released. Her teary eyes met mine one last time as I was escorted out of the door. “I’m not crazy. Rarity, I’m not crazy!!” We could hear her words ring against the walls as we continued out of the halls. Just the same message over and over forcing their way out of her lungs; “I’m not crazy.” Applejack had tears in her eyes as she picked up her pace towards the final door, turning her head so that none of us could see her blushing face. I could have starting sobbing just as easily, but I wouldn't. Not today. I’m saving those for later.
The TrenchesThe cold surrounded me and I found myself encased in a sort of unconscious daze. Hide. It's all my mind could understand to do. Kneel. Crouch down. Oh, for Luna's sake do SOMETHING, Rarity!! But somehow, I couldn't. Something was wrong. So terribly wrong that it chilled my bones and turned my blood to ice. My..my legs.... They were blown off. They must have been. No. That can't be possible. My mind clouded in complete fear and shock as I tried to gasp in some air to get my brain working and assess the situation. C'mon, Rarity. Pull it together. What was the last thing you remember. Gas masks. They were scattered all across the floor of the trench, most of them were being worn by ponies that lay on the ground, not breathing. I tried to focus my eyes upon their faces. Apparently they hadn't been able to get them on quick enough before the gas leaked into their lungs. My ears were ringing and all else I could hear was hooves pounding on the ground, seeming to be above me..they were getting quieter. All of a sudden, my back went weak and my body was pinned to the ground in a matter of seconds. It was so dark, and my eyes were so watery I could only make out the silhouette of a unicorn's horn. "Twilight..?" The sound of my voice was so horse and dry from the excess gasses that were stil circling around inside my mask, filtering out slowly. "You keep your head up like that, and you're just a sitting duck waiting to get shot!" Her voice was so recognizable, yet so sharp and demeaning through her dirt covered mask. "I-I'm sorry, Twilight-" "Sorry won't keep you alive!" I hated seeing her like this...I knew she only means to protect me, but seeing her so battle-harden just reminds me of those days back in Ponyville. She was always so kind to everypony...kindness. The word brings a flood of painful memories into my mind. My stomach clenched as I thought of that cream colored pony, one of my dearest friends, being shot down during a scouting mission. Fluttershy knew it would happen at some point. We all knew. She would never fight back, she would never have any blood on her hooves. She hated war, and just wanted it all to stop. That's who I'm fighting for. My friends, my allies. "From now on, keep your head lower." Twilight's weight shifted off of me, and slowly drew me back to reality. The gas and the smoke swirling in clouds around me made me tear up, and left streaks of freezing water on my face. The coldness from the ground began to creep up my back, making me want to sit up, yet laying down, finally resting, was so nice I wanted to lay down and rest forever. I grimaced as icy winds blew into the gashes on my face and body, most of them opening again and sending trickles of blood running down my camo suit. It hurt. Everywhere. "Please..." I managed to let the words slip past my purple lips. "Make it stop..please..it's so hard.." Twilight glanced over to where I lie, and I could feel my head being lifted involuntarily. "Rarity," Twilight peeled off her mask and set it on the ground. "I know it's hard. I know you feel like you can't go on. But you need to start with getting up. You won't go far just lying there." Her words were blunt, yet through my water-logged vision I saw a sparkle of sympathy in her eyes that told me she was still on my side. I began to lift my head again, and as I did, my eyes followed the trails of smoke all the way up the sky, only to find blackness. Not one star out there to give me any hope.. "Where have all the stars gone..?" I managed to scrape some words from my burning throat, as I too took my mask off. "Behind the rain clouds, I'm guessing." Just as the words came out of her mouth, a streak of lightning went over our heads. "Great. Just what we need." Twilight's jaw clenched as she picked up her binoculars and peeked over the lip of the trench. "Twilight, do you see anything?" I said. "Nothing. Just bodies." Twilight gulped. "Well- what about the soldiers who gassed us earlier?" I said worriedly. The purple pony remained silent, indicating her first statement was in fact true. Suddenly, I heard a shivering-sobbing sound behind us. I focused my eyes enough to see Berry Punch had just now joined us down here. Twilight put down her binoculars and whipped her head around, "Berry! Where have you been?!" Berry just stared at her with wide eyes and continued to shiver, and I noticed she was favoring her right arm. "Are you hurt?" I said. Berry Punch lifted up her arm and started to whimper. I held down vomit when I saw her mangled arm, hot and wet with blood, the cloth of her jacket arm was in loose threads around the gashes. Twilight's eyes were wider than mine as she dashed towards her and began propping Berry up on her back. "Rarity!!" She snapped. I trotted over and helped Berry Punch on my back as well and started down the trench, through the tunnel that eventually led to the base. My eyes squinted when I saw lights for the first time in hours. I started to notice Berry stopped breathing so quickly and was replaced by slow, shallow breaths. She must have past out; good thing we're here. Twilight led the way into one of the small tents with a red cross covering the opening. I soon became overwhelmed with the smell of blood and sickness, but my mind cleared when I saw my good friend Applejack. She was distracted at the moment, slowly injecting a needle into a patiant who's eyes were glazed over. I read her name tag; Bon Bon. I didn't know the pony too well, but I do remember a time back in Ponyville when she said a dress that I made was the most magnificent thing she's ever seen. It meant a lot to me, coming from a stranger, and I never even knew her name until now. We laid Berry Punch on an empty bed that was dyed dark red. She moaned, drawing the attention of the country pony. Applejack's eyes lit up when she saw me and Twilight. "Rarity! Twilight! Am I glad to see you!" She trotted over to greet us, and then took a look at Berry Punch. Her face turned white when she saw the mangled mess that might not even qualify as an arm. "What in the hay happened..?!" Twilight answered, "Not a clue. We found her like this." Applejack leaned down close to Berry's ear, "Soldier Punch? Can you hear me?" Berry's eyes rolled back as she let out a moan. Applejack stood up again, as she murmured, just loud enough for us to hear. "This wasn't done by anypony." The way she emphasized "Pony" sent a shiver up my spine. There were other enemies out there. More threatening than Celestia's soldiers themselves. As the next words slipped out of her mouth, my thoughts were sent reeling. "..Timberwolves."
