Chapter 03 : Sisterhood and Brotherhood

***
The commander of the Wings of Dusk was staring straight ahead, putting on a stern face, struggling to keep her emotions from betraying her. But she felt angry, terribly angry, and ashamed. In front of her, the reigning princess of Equestria, was pacing, not taking her eyes off of her for a second. Long minutes had passed like this, while Twilight Sparkle's cold and disainful eyes tried to pierce the pegasus's thoughts. Finally, the Princess broke the unnerving silence :

"Why didn't you kill her ?"

Ah, the question Rainbow Dash had been waiting for. The question she knew she didn't have the answer for. Yes, she sould've killed Applejack when she had the chance. Applejack was a prized asset of the Celestial Army, and killing her would've been of great help to Twilight. But she wasn't able to. She could've, but she didn't. And she was mad at herself for it.

"Answer me."

"I don't know," reluctantly admitted Rainbow Dash.

"Will you too betray me ?"

"Never !" protested the pegasus, as if outraged that Twilight could even think that. "You have changed, but I know that everything you've done, it's been for Equestria. I trust you more than anypony in the world."

After the Ponyville massacre, Rainbow Dash was taken to the castle. There, she found Twilight, weeping at the foot of the throne, holding Princess Luna's corpse. Celestia had slain her, had told Twilight. She had murdered her in cold blood, saying that only she was the rightful regent of Equestria. She then had attacked Twilight, her magic changing her appearence into what it now was. Then, in her cowardice, she had fled, to spread discord to Equestria... Rainbow Dash never doubted this story, not once. Twilight was her friend, and she didn't question her.

She didn't question her when she started gathering her armies.
She didn't question her when she confined Rarity into the castle.
She didn't question her when she started an order of fanatic unicorns.
She didn't question her when she raised fire and blood in Equestria.

But as she faced AJ, for the first time in six years, her former best friend, she found herself doubting. She doubted herself, and she doubted her beliefs. Was the Twilight she knew now really the same Twilight as before, simply changed by betrayals and war ? Was Rainbow Dash killing innocents, all for a blood-thirsty tyrant ? Was she really doing a good thing for Equestria ? The doubt crushed Rainbow Dash. For her, the element of loyalty, doubting her beliefs was a worse pain than a mortal wound.

"Pardon me, Rainbow," sighed Twilight. "I never know who to trust these days, and I sometimes feel like you're the only one who has my back in this whole country..."

"I'll make up for this mistake," swore Rainbow Dash. "I'll get Spitfire back, and I'll kill Applejack, with my bare hooves. I'll make her see what consequences betraying me, you, Equestria, brings. I'm loyal to you, and only you."

Twilight smiled.

"Good."

***

Rarity woke up at seven AM, as she did every morning. As always, the first thing she did was to slip into a silky, sheer elegant robe, and heat up some nice, rose flavored tea. The princess had offered her servants to do this for her, but Rarity had refused to even meet them. So much had already been taken away from her, she wasn't about to let someone prepare her tea for her. As she waited for the beverage to heat up, Rarity gently brushed her hair. Her mane, that was once voluminous and silky smooth, with ravishing amethyst highlights, was now flat and dull. Rarity hated herself for letting her prized mane get this way, but she couldn't find the strength to care for it much. The curls that she used to sport reminded her too much of the pony she used to be, a pony now dead and forgotten.

Her tea was ready. Quietly humming to herself, Rarity opened her large windows which overlooked the castle's gardens. Those beautiful, luscious gardens. Rarity used to love the sight of them, when she visited Canterlot for business. She liked to walk through the perfectly trimmed rose bushes with other designers, talking about the latest trends in fashion, the gossip of the city, the interesting news. Fashion was barely a thing anymore. The ponies of Equestria didn't need luxury dresses made of the finest velvet, they needed sturdy military clothing. What a waste, Rarity thought.

Rarity sat on her balcony, tea in hoof. She was observing the commotion in the gardens. Dozens of unicorns were standing in perfectly aligned ranks, practicing their magic on wooden targets. Every morning was like this, and Rarity had gotten used to watching those training sessions. She used to know their leader, Fleur de Lys. She never wouldv'e imagined she'd become... that. But then again, Rarity couldn't have imagined anything about this world she was now living in.

"Miss Rarity ?"

A knock on her door. Rarity didn't want to answer ; she knew what day it was. A sunday. But she had to answer, and she did, as she always did every sunday. Rarity finished her cup.

"Come in."

A light yellow pegasus entered the room. Shyly, she approached Rarity, her orange and pink mane covering part of her face. Rarity gently smiled at her ; Lemonade Haze was the only pony that had managed to get close to her. Her quiet voice, shy demeanor and gentle eyes reminded her of an old friend, and the white unicorn had accepted her as an attendant. Lemonade Haze walked up to the closet, and picked out some dresses for Rarity to wear, putting them on the bed. Rarity gently touched the fabric of the garments, quietly appreciating the softness and quality of the dresses.

"The Princess would like for you to wear white today," said Haze, still picking out dresses from the closet. "She said that you will be meeting someone special today, and would like for you to look elegant."

Rarity's eyes widened. Meeting someone ? She barely saw anyone in this castle, except for Haze and the Princess every sunday. She was isolated, and she started to feel a buzzing excitement in her stomach.

"Has the Princess told you more about this visitor ?" curiously asked Rarity, trying on one of the dresses.

"No. But she said it was an important meeting."

"Has she mentioned anything about dragons, or old friends, anything at all really ?"

"Dragons ?... No... Miss, I don't think you should ask those kind of questions, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble, and i'm afraid I don't have any answers."

Rarity sighed. Haze was right ; ears were everywhere in this palace, and it was best to keep your questions and worries private. Besides, Rarity didn't want to put the young pegasus in danger ; after all, who knew if she even had the right to answer those questions ? Ever since she had been confined in this castle, for six years already, Rarity had been imprisoned in silence. But since Haze's arrival at her service, the unicorn had started to want to open up to her. She needed someone to talk to, a confident, someone who wouldn't judge her. It was in those moments of great solitude she missed her friends, and she especially missed Spike. Where could he even be ?...

"Let's go."

The two ponies were advancing through the brightly lit corridors of the castle. Rarity remembered how luminous the palace used to be, when the sun used to shine through the vitrals. But the vitrals had been replaced, and there was no more sun to light up this crimson sky. Everything seemed dark to Rarity, and she often wondered if her friends felt the same way. Haze opened the large doors leading to the Princess's private lounge, and she closed the doors behind Rarity, staying behind.

"Please, take a seat, dear friend."

Twilight was sitting on a pillow, and was pointing to another one, directly besides her. She was already serving tea using her magic, and gently put down the cup near Rarity's designated spot. The unicorn hesitated for a moment, but sat down, still wary of her surroundings. For six long years, she had spent every sunday morning drinking tea and eating biscuits with Twilight, but she still couldn't get used to it. Breathing the same air as this demon disguised as her friend made her want to throw up. She couldn't recognize the pony she had known behind this cold tyrant.

"How are you ?" asked Twilight.

"Good."

"Is Lemonade Haze still of good service to you ? Has she been useful ?"

"Yes."

The air was tense. Rarity couldn't even bring herself to drink some tea ; her throat was as tight as the atmosphere in the room.

"You're as quiet as ever," sighed Twilight. "Aren't you happy that I always make some time for us to spend together ?"

Rarity stayed silent, avoiding Twilight's piercing gaze.

"Isn't it time that you show more gratitude towards me, dear friend ?" asked Twilight with a pained tone in her voice. Rarity wanted to laugh at the hypocrisy. "I have done nothing but treating you well for the past years. Sheltering you from this cruel, merciless world. Protecting you from those that dared call us friends, those traitors... Aren't you thankful ?"

"Thankful ?" scoffed Rarity. "Thankful for what ? For keeping me in the dark about the war, about the atrocities you have commited ? Not allowing me to see Dash, even though I know she is in this castle ? Keeping me away from our friends and my own sister ? Why should I be thankful ?"

Silence. Rarity was breathing heavily, her frustration pouring into her body. She wanted to scream, get up, hit Twilight, run away, disappear... She wanted to be anywhere but here. Tears started rolling down her cheeks, and Twilight gently pressed her hoof onto her cheeks, wiping away the tears. Rarity trembled at this touch, almost seeing a glimpse of her od friend behind the tyrant's eye.

"Shh, shh, Rarity..." hushed Twilight. "It's okay. There, i'll show you you're not trapped. I'll show you that you can trust me. Look, I brought someone."

The doors opened again, and Rarity squinted. For a moment, as the pony approached, she couldn't recognize it, but it suddenly hit her. The unicorn let out a gasp. She tried to speak, but her voice was stuck in her throat, and she was shaking uncontrollably.

"S-S...Sweetie ?" she finally uttered, her voice breaking.

Rarity got up and ran to her sister, grabbing her face into her hooves, barely believing it could really be her.

"It's me," finally said the filly, now an adult mare.

"Sweetie !" cried out Rarity.

Uncontrollably sobbing, Rarity pulled her sister into an embrace, holding her so close and tight to her chest, as if Sweetie Belle would disappear the moment she let go. Sweetie buried her head in her sister's soft fur, shedding a tear as well. Rarity kept on crying tears of hapiness, letting herself embrace her sister's warmth against her.

"I've missed you," softly said Sweetie Belle.

Reluctantly, Rarity pulled away, to take a better look at her sister's face. Oh, how she had grown ! She was now an elegant, put together mare. She didn't show any signs of malnutrition, or bruises. She looked... Healthy. She looked good. Rarity pressed her hood against her cheek, softly caressing her, still trembling.

"How have you been ? Have you been treated well ? Where were you ? I-... I have so many questions, I..."

"I know you do," simply replied Sweetie. "And you'll get answers when the time is right."

"But Sweetie, I was kept in the dark for so long, I... I want to know everything ! I want to know what happened, what..."

Rarity stopped. Her eyes had locked onto something. Sweetie's cutie mark. She didn't have one, or rather, it had been replaced. The Dusk Unicorns, Twilight's special army of trained unicorns, had a tradition. Every pony succeeding in integrating their order had to get their flank branded with their sigil ; a large star, with five smaller stars gravitating around it. Just like their Princess's cutie mark. And on Sweetie's flank was a fresh burn, a fresh brand of the sigil. Rarity audibly gasped, but before she could react, Twilight approached and gently put a hoof on Sweetie's head, smiling. Sweetie looked at the princess with adoration, and a chill ran down Rarity's spine.

"Sweetie Belle has found joy in this new kingdom I am the regent of," explained Twilight. "She is putting her magic into contribution by helping all of Equestria, along with the other unicorns of her order. I couldn't be prouder of her, and you should be proud of her too, Rarity. She graduated from her extensive training yesterday, and in my infinite kindness, I allowed her to celebrate with you today."

"Ce... Celebrate ?" stammered Rarity, still in shock. She could feel her head starting to spin.

"Yes," excitedly said Sweetie Belle. "I have never been happier, truly. I am helping all of Equestria see that our true leader, our rightful leader, is our Princess. She will bring hope and joy to the world."

"Joy ? Joy ?" finally shouted Rarity, stepping away from her sister. "She's killed hundreds, thousands ! She butchered your friends in Ponyville, little fillies that had done nothing wrong ! She has imprisoned me in this castle, she killed our Princess, Luna ! She's not Twilight anymore Sweetie, she's a monster !"

"It's true, i'm not Twilight anymore. And believe me when I say this, Rarity..."

Twilight's horn shone a deep purple, and Rarity fell on the cold, golden tiles of the room.

"I am deeply saddened that you can't understand this new and improved Equestria i've created for us."

***

"A beer, please."

Applejack sat at the counter of the bar. Even at war, ponies still remembered the important things ; alcohol. And today, AJ really needed some alcohol. She was finally fully healed from her fight with Dash, and allowed to go out. At seven AM, the bar was mostly empty, so AJ could quietly forget about her feelings without anyone to bother her.

"Another one for me."

AJ's face lit up as she turned around to see her sister hugging her. AJ chuckled, and offered Apple Bloom to sit next to her. Their beverages in hoof, the sister quietly looked at each other, not saying a word, simply appreciating each other's presence. Finally, AJ broke the silence.

"So, you're back from your mission ? Everythin' went well ?"

"Yeah," replied Apple Bloom, taking a sip of her beer. "I'm staying at the camp for a few days, and then we'll be leaving again."

"Where were you ?"

"You know I can't tell you," chuckled Apple Bloom. "Everything we do as Lunar Agents has to be a complete secret, i'm sorry about that."

AJ sighed. She disaproved when Apple Bloom first joined the Lunar Agents. AJ would have prefered for her to be in the regular army, or even better, to stay at the Crystal Empire, where she would be safe. But her sister wasn't a filly anymore, and she had made her choice, and from what AJ heard, her sister was quite good at her job... Whatever her job was, since everything the agents did was pretty much a secret. Applejack cleared her throat.

"How's your leader ?" she asked, looking away.

Apple Bloom stayed silent for a bit. When the agents were founded by Celestia, they never wouldv'e guessed who would become their leader... And even though it pained Apple Bloom to see a pony become so merciless and deadly, she had to admit it, the leader of the Lunar Agents was a great help for the war effort.

"She's... good, I guess," shrugged Apple Bloom. "She isn't like anything she used to be, but if our missions are successes, it's because of her, that's for sure. Speaking of her, actually..."

Applejack looked at her sister, an intrigued look in her eyes.

"She actually asked me to tell you something."

"Really ? An' she couldn't come herself ?" mockingly asked AJ. "I haven't seen her in ages..."

"Well, if you accept this, you'll see her soon enough. She wants your squad, including you, following her on our next mission."

Applejack blinked a few times, not sure she heard her sister correctly. Her team ? With the Lunar Agents ? While she didn't doubt her team's abilities, well... The agents were known for their discretion, and political assasinations in the heart of Equestria. But her squad... Deep was the least discreet pony she knew. Snow had too good of a heart to be a cold blooded killer. Breeze liked fighting in the sky, not hiding in the bushes, Bon Bon had been crushed by the news of Lyra's death and had been taking some rest, and Derpy... Actually, Derpy probably would be the most useful to the agents, as an experimented sniper.

"Why would she want our help ?"

"She especially needs your help," replied Apple Bloom, "and we'll need your team if things get ugly. We're used to doing most of our work from the shadows, and if a fight too big for us would break loose... That's when we'll need your squad. We've heard a lot of good things about them."

"Yeah, alright, but how is this mission so dangerous that she needs us ?"

Apple Bloom nervously looked around her, wary of her surroundings. AJ did the same ; there was no one in the bar, except for her and her sister, and the bartender. Applejack looked at the bartender, and in a swift movement of her hoof, invited him to leave for a bit. He nodded his head, and disappeared in another room. Apple Bloom waited for a bit, before hunching towards Applejack, and she softly whispered in a hush tone ;

"We're going to Canterlot. We're going to rescue Rarity."

***

"No, fuck this !" cursed Deep.

Applejack's squad, minus Bon Bon, was sitting in their tent. Her head buried in her hooves, AJ sighed. She knew that Deep would react this way.

"Deep, let's talk this out," offered Snow.

"There's nothing to argue !" angrily replied Deep. "I don't want to help those agents. They're shady, and I don't trust them. Who knows ? Maybe they'll dispose of us when they're done using us for their goals. I don't want anything to do with those assholes."

"It's not up to you," shrugged Misty Breeze. "We follow the leader, and if the leader says we're going, then we're going."

Deep glared at Breeze, throwing daggers at her with his stare. His deep, red eyes plunged into hers, she could swear that he could murder her with his eyes. Applejack lit up a cigarette, staying silent, her head low. Deep violently grabbed her pack, and lit one up as well. Derpy stayed silent, cleaning her firearm. It was her own way of staying calm, evacuating her stress. To each their own, thought Snow.

"We can't trust them," firmly said Deep. "I don't care that their leader used to be your friend AJ, or that your sister's working for them, but they're all fucking insane !"

"It's funny that you, of all people, would say that," argued Snow, now clearly annoyed by Deep's attitude. "You're the one always ready to jump in a fight, bashing people's heads and taking pleasure in it. If anyone's a devil, it should be you..."

"Watch your tongue," warned Deep in a groan.

"Or what ? You'll kill me ? Just like you do anypony that looks at you the wrong way ?"

No one intervened. Applejack just ignored the feud, quietly smoking in her corner. Misty Breeze was worryingly looking at the two ponies, but knew there was nothing she could do. Derpy kept on cleaning her weapon.

"Whatever, man." shrugged Deep.

Pushing Snow out of his way, the jet black pony left the tent. Breeze let out a groan of exasperation, and disaprovingly shook her head.

"You're just as immature as him, Snow," finally said AJ. "Between his arrogance and your stubborness, we'll never achieve anythin' in this war if you two keep goin' at this."

"I'm..."

"Just shut it," frigidly ordered Applejack, interrupting him. "I don't care about what any of you have to say. We're doin' this, whether you like it or not. I really couldn't give two shits. I'm your leader, an' you'll do as I say. End of the discussion. Go get him."

Snow obliged, too ashamed to talk back. After all, what was there to say ? Applejack was right, she almost always was. They shouldn't argue about stupid matters, there was a war to fight. But all the ponies thought about, day after day, every hour, was the war. They were dying to have normal conversations, normal arguments, a normal life. Everypony missed hanging out with friends, going outside, making love, tasting pastries. Was war everything that was to living now ? Couldn't they even argue about stupid stuff anymore, like normal ponies ?

Snow left the tent, tying to think about where Deep might've gone. He hated to admit it, but he had grown to know the earth pony pretty well, and he was sure he was at the edge of the city, sitting alone in the ruins of what used to be the beautiful entrance of the city. He liked the view of the fields and hills, even though they had been battered by the war. The fields had been dead for years now.

Deep was a mystery for most of the ponies of the army. Arrogant, a loud-mouth, brutal fighter, always ready to go to the front, smiling while doing so. But he was also quick to anger, snapped back at every little thing, and didn't like for ponies to walk into his space. How could someone seemingly so strong and fearless, be this thin-skinned ? It was this mistery that Snow had tried to crack for years, but never managed to. He remembered the first time he saw Deep. Snow was training in the army, still in the Crystal Empire. Then this dirty, badly put-together pony walked in, looking lost, but determined. He ignored the other soldiers, and went to find Applejack herself. He didn't flinch when she threatened to cut his throat on the spot if he didn't tell her where he was from, and how he entered the Empire. Deep only replied one thing.

"I'm good at killing. Give me a pony to kill, anypony. I'll do it."

Deep had always been an enigma. Nopony knew where he came from, and everypony knew not to ask. He'd probably ignore you anyways. But he intrigued Snow, and Snow intrigued Deep. They were opposites, made to clash, but they couldn't be kept apart from one another. After all, on the battlefield, they worked best in a pair. Maybe there was a reason for that.

Snow approached the ruins, and just as he predicted, Deep was there, laying against a wall of bricks, smoking on a cigarette. The grey unicorn quietly sat down besides him, too anxious to say anything. What was he even supposed to say ? Should he apologize ? For what, for saying the truth ? Snow had no clue on how to approach his fellow soldier. He never was good in social situations anyways. Deep handed him his cigarette.

"No thanks," finally said Snow. "Listen, Deep, I..."

"Don't bother," shrugged Deep.

Snow nodded. He looked at the red, crimson sky, with its deep purple hues. It was strangely beautiful, in a macabre way. Snow missed the stars, the moon, the sun. Everyone did.

"Do you miss it ?" asked Snow.

"What ?"

"Life before the war."

"Nah," replied Deep, not even hesitating.

Snow looked at him with surprise. "Really ?"

"Yeah, really. I wasn't good at anything before the war. I was one of those useless punks, without any real talent, or hopes for the future. No cutie mark. But I discovered my talent with the war. It was a blessing for me, y'know ? Opened doors for me."

Snow glared at his colleague's cutie mark. Drops of blood, contrasting with the darkness of his black furr. Deep wasn't the only one that had his hidden "talents" revealed with the war. Ponies found themselves with targets, blood, crosses and other dreadful marks on their flanks. For them, the war had been the opportunity to finally be useful to the Equestrian society. Fillies that were mocked as youngsters for being talentless and blank-flanked, were now some of the most talented soldiers in the army. Victims of bullying became the bullies.

"Life was shit before the war," continued Deep. "It's shit now too, but a little less shit. I have purpose now, at least."

"Did you lose anyone in the war ?"

Deep plunged his dark eyes into Snow's, who felt a chill running down his back. Maybe that was taking it too far. But, surprising the unicorn, Deep didn't curse him, hit him for his bluntness, or just walked away. Instead, he crushed his cigarette on the dirty ground, and stared at the distance.

"Yeah."

A single word, but he didn't need to say more. In this moment, Snow wished he was better at comforting people ; he wished he knew the words to say, the movements to make to make his partner know he wasn't alone, he was accepted there. But as he didn't know how to express that, he kept quiet, waiting for the earth pony to speak up, if he wanted to say more. For once, he was listening to him.

"But it was long ago. I don't really care now. War's the only thing I have time to think about. And booze. And ladies."

Snow chuckled.

"You know, you've told me more about yourself in five minutes, than in years," the unicorn said with a playful grin.

"Don't get used to it," smiled Deep. "I'm only being nice cause I snapped at you earlier. Ain't nothing more than that."

Snow scratched his ear, eager to ask another question. After all, his partner had been so opened, maybe he could get some other things out of him. He cleared his throat, unsure of himself.

"Why are you so against working with the Lunar Agents ?"

Deep sighed. He knew this question was coming, and he started to regret opening himself up to his partner.

"You're getting too comfortable."

"I'm sorry, but it's just that your reaction surprised me, I thought you'd be..."

"Excited to work with those shitheads ? Killing's the only thing i'm good at, so I'd rather try to have fun with it than be completely miserable. Yeah, I like having fun on the battlefield, and it feels good to win. But i'm honest about it, yeah, I enjoy doing this. Those people ? They're fucking perverts. They're cold and methodicals, real sociopaths. They take pleasure in torture, in pure murder. They're not like us, and I don't trust them. That's all."

Snow lowered his head. Once again, he managed to get him angry. Couldn't they have one, peaceful conversation, without either of them ruining it ? It appeared not. But if they were so good as a team together, so good as brothers in hooves, why couldn't they get along as simple ponies ? Had everyone forgotten how to be a simple pony ?

"I wish I could get to know you," sighed Snow.

"Why ?" scoffed Deep. "Maybe i'll be dead tomorrow, maybe you'll be. You really like to hurt yourself, huh ?"

"I just think that we could be better at communicating," clumsily tried to explain the grey unicorn. "It'd be better for the battles. You can be a bit... Explosive sometimes, and I think it would help if we understood each other better. And i'd love to know where all your attitude comes from."

The earth pony laughed. Snow frowned ; he didn't really meant for this to be funny... Deep got up, and helped his partner up. He started to walk back towards the city, Snow closely following behind him. For the first time, in a very long time, the grey unicorn actually felt at ease with another pony. He couldn't remember the last time he had an honest chat with anyone, and surprisingly, Deep wasn't just an uninteresting jerk. Snow followed his partner into the nearest bar, and entered the building. Deep shouted for two beers, and sat at a booth with the unicorn, that awkwardly looked around him.

"You want to drink ? Now ?" asked Snow.

"Anytime's a good time to drink," chuckled Deep. "Now, drink up. Let's cheer to... Us ! To our beautiful, blossoming friendship."

Snow smiled. He knew his colleague was sarcastic, but he'd take it. Considering someone a friend, even as a joke, was good enough in those difficult times. They cheered.

Author's Note

Thank you for reading this chapter. As always ; english isn't my first language, so do tell me if there are any mistakes I can fix, i'll gladly take any advice. Hope you enjoyed your read !