The Invasion

It took some time, but Twilight finally got back on her hooves. We managed to make some poultices out of some grass nearby, and these helped stop her bleeding. Her mane would grow back eventually, and she said she felt well enough to stand. So, Breeze, myself, and the other mares helped her back up. She stood there stiff as a board, yet as bountifully beautiful as the spring flowers. This was still the mare I loved. True, there would be both physical and emotional repairing to be done, but her heart remained the same. It was as if I could see it myself, beating with her new love for me. It warmed my soul, and I wanted to be with her every waking moment.

We hid out in the forest for a few days watching how the zebras went about their work. Of course, with the recent jailbreak, there were more than a few tweaks to security. But we just knew that we could transform these obstacles into tools for our success. We discussed our plans thoroughly, and each pony knew the role they had to play. By this point, most of the mares had recovered from the injuries they’d received and shared their stories with me. Some asked me not to relay them, so I am going to respect their privacy. Still others wanted me to share them.

For instance, Lyra Heartstrings, a friend from Ponyville, wanted me to tell her story. Apparently, she had been enjoying a wonderful morning with her mate, Bon-Bon, when they were both taken by Cutthroat’s forces. Once in the Zebra Homeland, they were forced into a cage made of barbed wire and taken away. They cried out in pain as the wire cut their hooves something fierce, but their emanations fell upon deaf ears. She told me that it was the worst pain she had ever felt. Every single step was like stepping on fire.

When they arrived at Cutthroat’s camp, they were dumped out and an inquiry was made of whether or not they were “acceptable.” Cutthroat had leapt upon Lyra, driving his member deep inside her. She squealed in agony, and Cutthroat pulled out, telling his guards that she was. But when he administered the same test to Bon-Bon, she had held her tongue, thus infuriating the dictator. He screamed for her head, and he got it, too. I shook with rage as Lyra relayed these things to me, for Bon-Bon had been my friend as well.

“You…have to help me avenge her, Trundle,” Lyra said with her voice shaking as I gathered her into a hug, “please.”

“Don’t worry, Lyra,” I said, “your girl’s death will be avenged, along with every other friend we’ve lost in this terrible time. I swear it.”

I’ll never forget her smile of gratitude as we rejoined our group to discuss that night’s attack. It pushed me forward, wanting very much to help this dear friend. I figured that sometimes, the ultimate show of friendship is helping somepony find justice for an evil committed. An eye for an eye, right? Well, in keeping with the metaphor, Cutthroat had blinded Equestria. Now it was time for a little bit of visual payback. I was ready. I had never felt so inundated with bravery. Each mare standing beside, in front, and in back of me was counting on me.

“Alright,” I said, “are we clear?”

I saw everypony nod, and we marched out of our small camp towards the zebra’s big one. Our heads popped over the bushes as we looked down into the clearing. Multiple guards patrolled deep into the unknown, obviously chasing all of Cutthroat’s escaped concubines. I saw one guard trip and fall, and his supervisor come over and chew him out. He quickly popped back up and raced to his group before something lethal happened. I realized that this was the chance we’d been looking for. Four of our mares had voluntarily agreed to be the decoy unit and lead the guards off on a wild pony chase. So, Breeze and I deployed them, and they trotted right up to the guards.

“Hey, fuck face!” One of them yelled, surprising even me, “betcha can’t catch us!”

“GET BACK HERE!” The guard screamed in a fury as the girls led him and the rest of his team off into the brush.

Yes! I silently praised the mares, good job, guys!

“Alright,” I whispered to the others, “it’s time! Operation Zero Hour is in effect!”

Everypony knew their positions and quickly got into them. While the guards were distracted, three teams of mares snuck through the darkness and clambered into the camp. Once inside, I watched as they wreaked havoc among the sleeping zebras. True, it was a bit of a cheap move on our part, but Breeze and I knew that we’d never be able to catch them otherwise. We told our agents of revenge to catch as many prisoners as they could. But, if they found a zebra who mistreated them or raped them, they had our full permission to go to lethal force.

Like ninjas, our friends stealthily crept through the field of tents, dodging into one and then another. They’d toss out the zebra that would be prisoner before doing as they pleased with the rest of the tent. The plan was working perfectly. Yes, I thought, soon enough, the zebras will be neutralized, Cutthroat’s life will be in my hooves, and Equestria will have its due justice. Twilight and the other mares will never have to worry about being raped again…I’ll see to that. The oppressed shall be freed, and the hurt shall be given strength! We are here, so take heed, Zebra forces…we are here and we are not going away!

Suddenly, I heard a great cry emanate from the camp. Looking down, I saw that all of the zebras had emerged from their tents and begun a great battle with our small force. I lost it and screamed for the rest of our team to engage. We charged into the camp, thrusting about with horns and very sharp hooves. I knew that my goal was Cutthroat’s tent at the center of everything. But getting there would be a challenge. Then, I felt a warmth at my side and I knew Twilight was there. Then, Breeze joined my other side. I gave my two best friends a look, nodded, and we thundered forward.