Iron and Blood: From Ash to Dust

Rainbow Dash looked out over the market square. She studied the shops that surrounded the large fountain made of white marble. Four statues of two naked pegasus mares and two naked pegasus stallions held up the fountain’s third tier. The water pouring from the tiers cascaded onto a globe carved from lapis lazuli.

Rainbow Dash scanned the shops closest to her, intently eyeing the items they were selling. Seeing a stall selling loaves of bread and pastries at the end of the market, she smiled as she read its sign.

Letting out a hum, Rainbow Dash ducked behind the building she was hiding behind and rummaged through her saddle bag. Pulling out a cloth sack, she poured its contents into her right hand and counted the bronze coins. “Eight Knicks!” She squealed as she clutched them to her chest. Humming a tune, she put the coins in her pocket and threw her saddlebag over her shoulders as she made her way over to the stall.

A pastry chef stood behind her stall. Her head was in her hand as she looked out over the crowd with dull eyes. As the Cloudsdale locals called it, the fountain of discovery was a great place to set up shop, a place with heavy pedestrian traffic, but today seemed slow for some reason…. Frustration was what she felt.

She sighed as she looked around at the multitude of pegasi mulling about. A filly with pale grayish-cerulean fur and a prism-colored mane and tail caught her attention. She turned her gaze to the filly and smiled. ‘A customer….’ But her smile faded the longer she stared at the filly’s appearance.

The filly’s appearance, for one, was a tattered one. Her prism-colored mane was short and unkept. The yellow dress she wore was tatted around the skirt. The black cotton jacket she wore was too big for her frame. Her wings looked unpreened and unarranged. Clearly, her mother or father cared little for her appearance, or the filly cared little herself. “A low-life….” The mare grumbled.

Finally getting to the stall, Rainbow Dash smiled. “Hello….” She said in a raspy voice. Her eyes were drawn to the pastries on display. The mare raised her brow at the filly. Feeling her gaze, the filly blushed. “Uh….” She mumbled. “Hello Ma’am, how are you this evening?”

The mare smiled a little. “Hello, Dear.” She was amused by her manners. “I’m good. How are you?” She decided to entertain her.

“I’m good, ma’am.” Rainbow Dash looked at the mare’s items she was selling. “Can I have a loaf of wheat bread and two strawberry tarts?” She pointed at the items.

The mare pulled out a large paper bag and placed the loaf and tarts within it. “Are you able to pay for these, little one?”

“I sure can, see!” Rainbow Dash held out the correct number of coins. “I’ve been saving up enough for your stall. Your pastries always looked yummy!”

The mare hummed as she counted the coins. “You’re short.” She looked at Rainbow Dash with a dull stare.

She felt her heart skip a beat. “WHAT?”

The mare let out a tired sigh. “Yep, you’re short by two knicks.” She hummed to herself as she took the items out of the paper bag.

Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth. “No, I’m not!” She stomped her right hoof against the cobblestone.

The mare gave the filly a dull stare as she rolled her eyes. “Yes, you are. For pegasi like you.” She smirked. “There’s a tax.”

Rainbow Dash’s anger faltered slightly. “Pegasi like me?”

“Are you that dense, sweetie?” The mare huffed. “Just look at you. You’re filthy!”

“So!” Rainbow Dash huffed.

“And your wings.” The mare pointed at her wings. “Spread them!” Rainbow Dash nervously bit her lower lip. The mare hardened her glare until she spread her wings. The mare looked them over. “And they’re small for your size.” She put the items Rainbow Dash requested back where they belonged. “Cripples like you don’t deserve to shop in Upper Cloudsdale.”

Anger flooded over Rainbow Dash. “I’m not a cripple!” She flapped her wings. “I’m the best flyer in my neighborhood!”

The mare watched her wings with dull eyes. “Yes, yes you are.”

Rainbow Dash growled. “I want to buy them at the price listed!” She pointed at the sign. “You had the bread listed at two knicks and the tarts at four for two!”

The mare stared wide-eyed at the filly and her sign. “How can you read….” She growled. “Look! If you can’t prove you live in Upper-Cloudsdale, then leave my stall, or I’ll call the cops!” She shouted.

With every passing second, Rainbow Dash got angrier and angrier.

“STOP! THIEF!” A pair of Pegasin Union police officers, clad in black pants and long-sleeved polo shirts, yelled as they gave chase, flying at Rainbow Dash with billy clubs in hand.

Rainbow Dash looked over her shoulders as she flew. She shivered in fear as they neared. She gripped her saddle bag filled to the brim with loaves of bread and pastries close to her chest as she flew around and over pipes and crates littering the city's narrow alleyways.

“Stop in the name of the divine emperor!” One of the officers commanded.

Slipping into an alleyway, Rainbow Dash flew low to the ground. Rolling on her back, she kicked several garbage cans in the guards' direction in hopes of slowing them down. Seeing that she failed, Rainbow Dash squeaked as she righted herself and flapped her wings with all her might as she went down another alley on her left.

Feeling herself getting tired, Rainbow Dash looked for a large drain chute. Seeing one a few yards away, she flapped her wings hard a few more times and landed by the chute. Quickly she opened the chute’s large metal lid. Its henges squealed as it slammed against the cloud cobblestone with a dull poof.

Seeing their target getting away, the guards picked up speed. Rainbow Dash stood at the entrance and waited for the guards to get closer. Smirking at them, she gave them the middle finger before jumping into the chute.

Arriving at the chute, the guards looked down the pipe and watched the filly as she slid down it. “Shit! I’m not going down that!” The guard looked at his older comrade. “Samson, have any ideas?”

Samson focused his gaze on Rainbow Dash as she slid further down the chute. “Yeah, I do. Come on, Light Wing, let’s go!”

An elderly pegasus stallion sat on a worn rocking chair on the porch of his apartment. His eyes are closed as he chewed on the bit of his pipe. A waft of smoke exited his mouth as he sighed. ‘?’ He opened his eyes as he heard metallic drumming. He looked over at one of the large manhole ports along the foundation wall of Upper-Cloudsdale.

The manhole cover was thrown open as Rainbow Dash rolled out across the ground. The stallion stared at the filly as she stood up and got her bearings. “Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow Dash turned around and gave the stallion a sheepish smile. “Oh, hey, Wind Breeze.”

The stallion held onto his pipe. “What the hell did you get yourself into this time, Dash?”

Rainbow Dash laughed. “Well, I…. I gotta go!” She took off down the street.

Puzzled by her manners, the stallion looked to his right and saw two imperial police officers flying towards him. They sped on past him as they chased after Rainbow Dash. Wind Breeze leaned forward in his chair as he watched them turn a corner down another alleyway. “That filly is going to get herself killed one day.”

Rainbow Dash felt tired. Her wings throbbed from all her flying and now her legs hurt as she ran for her life. She prayed that she was almost to her destination. Turning down another narrow street, she saw her hope just a stone's throw away. A pub near the center of a four-way intersection graced her vision.

“Gotcha!” A hand grabbed the back of her jacket, halting her momentum and sending her saddle back flying out of her hands. She coughed as her jacket choked her neck. “Well, lookie here! The brat has been caught!” Night Wing laughed as he gave her a shit-eating grin. Rainbow Dash squirmed in his grasp, trying to break his hold. “Where do you think you’re going….”

Rainbow Dash kicked him in his groin. He let her go and clutched his privates as he fell to his knees. Landing on her hooves, she turned around and punched him in the face for good measure. Seeing the other police officer approaching, Rainbow Dash grabbed her saddlebag and fled into the pub.

Catching up to his comrade, Samson grabbed him by the arm. “What the hell! Are you serious? She’s a filly! Get your ass up!” He dragged Night Wing along as they headed for the pub.

Steel Bit stood behind the bar of his pub, mindlessly washing glassware as he listened to the melodies his girlfriend was playing on the piano. His establishment's twenty or so patrons sat around their respective tables, drinking and gambling the night away.

The calm ambiance was killed as the doors violently swung open, smacking against the stucco-cloud wall with dull poofs. Rainbow Dash tumbled across the ground sending wispy bits of cloud into the air.

The music stopped as Steel Bit and the patrons stared at the filly in confusion. Quickly, Rainbow Dash bolted towards Steel Bit and hid behind the bar beside him. “What the?” Steel Bit questioned, but his thoughts were broken as the door opened again, revealing two very perturbed police officers.

“Oh….” He mumbled as he picked up a dirty glass mug and began cleaning it. The police officers slowly walked up to his bar. He could tell they worked up a sweat. A part of him felt pride. ‘Gave them a run for their money, did you Dash?’ He smiled at the officers as he set the glass down. “Hello, officers. What brings you to Lower-Cloudsdale?”

“Watch your tone, lowlife!” Night Wing spat as he leaned aggressively towards the grey-colored pegasus.

“Calm, Night Wing, you don’t want to start any trouble.” Samson placed a hand on the young stallion’s shoulder.

“Yes, we don’t want that to happen now, do we?” Steel Bit tilted his head and gave them a shit-eating grin.

Samson frowned as he leaned on the bar’s countertop. “We were chasing a filly. Looked to be about ten years old. Her mane and tail color was prism in nature. Cyan fur. Have you seen her?”

Steel bit shrugged as he placed his rag over his shoulder. “No, I can’t say that I have.” He leaned on the countertop. His free hand rustled Rainbow Dash’s mane. She giggled at his touch and tried desperately to muffle her joy.

Night Wing growled. “We saw her run into this establishment!” He slammed his hands against the bar’s countertop. Bits of cloud danced around his hands. Rainbow Dash shivered as she leaned against Steel Bit’s legs.

Steel Bit raised his brow at the officer's tone and sighed as he stood back up. “Like I said, I haven’t seen her.” He picked up another glass mug and began cleaning it. “But I did see the emperor. Saw him high as a kite. Was fucking a couple of hookers down by Maple Avenue.” He laughed, pointing the mug at the officers.

The patrons and Rainbow Dash laughed at his joke.

The police officers chewed on their cheeks. Samson leaned close to Steel Bit, letting out a drawn-out sigh. “Look, we know she’s here. Just tell us where she is. I doubt you want to go to prison.” He smiled. “Hey, I’ll give you a deal. Give her up, and we can give you a pass of sorts. One that will allow you to experience all Upper-Cloudsdale has to offer. You can eat the finest food, drink the finest drinks, even fuck the best prostitutes around.” He offered his hand to Steel Bit.

Steel Bit tapped his fingers against the rim of the mug. “Thanks, but not thanks.” He sat the glass down.

Samson frown. “You should’ve given her up, pal.”

“And you should leave.” Steel Bit smiled as a series of metallic clicks rang out. Frozen with fear, the officers looked over their shoulders and saw the patrons aiming pistols and revolvers at them. “I have an offer for you. Want to hear it?” The officers slowly turned to face Steel Bit, giving him pathetic nods. “You leave my pub, go back to the blight that is fucking Upper-Cloudsdale, and never come back! Understand?”

The guards nodded their heads as they slowly backed away from the bar and headed for the door. “Understood, sir, sorry we bothered you. We’ll look elsewhere.” Samson said as they left.

With the guards gone, the patrons holstered their weapons and looked at the bar. Steel Bit let out a held breath as he looked down at Rainbow Dash, giving him the most innocent puppy eyes she could give. He laughed and rolled his eyes. “The coast is clear, squirt.”

Rainbow Dash breathed a sigh of relief as she crawled out from under the bar. She sat her saddlebag on the countertop and let out a giggle. “You saved me again!”

“You need to stop doing that!” Lilly Drops, Steel Bit’s girlfriend, complained from her seat at the piano.

“Naw, I find it hilarious!” One of the patrons, a heavyset pegasus with an eye patch over his left eye, laughed. “That made my day, little one! Seeing those officers pissing their pants!” He laughed as he puffed on his cigar.

“Yes….” Steel Bit gave Rainbow Dash a smile as he rustled her mane. “Very hilarious.”

“Give the little one a drink!” Another pegasus called out. Others followed suit as they began cheering her on.

Rainbow Dash giggled as she flew up and landed on a stool by the bar. She smirked as she placed her hands on her hips. “A drink for me! Please?” She hummed a tune as she swung her tail side to side.

-Four Hours Later-

“I can’t believe you stole loaves of bread and pastries….” Steel Bit sighed as he swirled his small glass of whisky. “You’re moving up the ladder Dash. Soon you’ll be robbing a candy shop.” He said in mock sadness.

“Don’t tempt me.” Rainbow Dash took a gulp of her beer from the large mug in her hands. The foam around her upper lip gave her a mustache. Wiggling her lips side to side, she stuck them out and gave Steel Bit a funny look.

Steel Bit rolled his eyes as he walked to the back of the bar. “Shave it off, Dash.” He teased.

Rainbow Dash giggled as she licked it off. “So, how was your day?”

“Good.” Steel Bit rearranged some of the bottles around. “The drug run went well. Could’ve used you this morning.” He sipped some of his drink.

“Sorry….” Rainbow Dash mumbled. “Had a rough morning, is all….”

Steel Bit sighed as he looked over at Dash. “Everything alright?” Rainbow Dash shrugged her shoulders, and she stared at her mug. He only nodded and returned to his work. “I’m sure tomorrow will be better.”

Rainbow Dash silently nodded and finished her drink. Seeing that the cup was empty, she held it out. “Could I have another refill…. Please.” Steel Bit nodded as he filled the cup and handed it back to her. She smiled as she took a large gulp. Her eyes went wide as she pulled the cup from her lips. “Water! I wanted beer!”

“You already had two mugs.” Steel Bit said as he walked up to her and rustled her mane. “I can tell your speech is getting a little slow. If you had another, you’d be slurring your words.”

“I can handle it!” She huffed as she laid down on the bar’s countertop.

“An ten-year-old like yourself can’t, and besides, you need to be sober enough to get home.” Steel Bit walked up to the pub’s front doors and locked them.

Rainbow Dash stared up at the ceiling. Her body shivered at the thought of heading back home…. “Could I stay here with you and Lilly Drops? Like last time?”

Steel Bit stared at Rainbow Dash and studied her solemn mood. “Not tonight, squirt.” He walked up to her. “You have a home.” He smiled as he moved some of her mane from her eyes. “I’m sure your mother will be worried if you don’t show up.”

Rainbow Dash stared at the stallion and bit her tongue. “Yeah…” She sat up. “Worried.” She sighed as she opened her saddlebag. She pulled out a chocolate pastry and offered it to Steel Bit.

Steel Bit smiled as he took the treat. “Thanks….” She hugged him tightly. He looked down at the filly, unsure of what to do. Slowly he patted her on the back. Feeling like someone was staring at him, he looked over his shoulders and saw Lilly Drops standing on the stairs looking at them, giving him a smile. “Goodnight, squirt. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Good night.” Rainbow Dash grabbed her saddlebag and waved at Lilly Drops. “See you tomorrow.”

Lilly Drops waved. “See you later, Dash.”

As Rainbow Dash exited the pub through the back door, Steel Bit let out a sigh as he rubbed the back of his head. “How adorable.” He looked over at his girlfriend. “Adorable?” He asked.

Lilly Drops smiled as she walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “She likes you.”

“I know that.” He sighed.

“And she looks up to you.” She added.

“I know.” He kissed her hands. “But she has a mother.”

“But not a father.” Lilly Drops scolded him. “And she looks at you like a father. Hell, you act like one to her.” She grumbled as she walked back up the stairs. “I act more like her mother!”

“But we’re not.” He huffed as he placed his hands on his hips. “I don’t even know if I can.” He whispered to himself before walking up the stairs.

After ascending the hill that led to her home, Rainbow Dashed walked up the steps of the home’s porch. Before she entered, she looked out over the cityscape of Lower-Cloudsdale. Dilapidated buildings dotted the mountainside which Cloudsdale anchored itself to.

Lower-Cloudsdale was a complex favela of shoddy-built homes. A mixture of cloud and non-cloud construction made it an eye sore for some and a stimulating cascade of colors for others. But in the end, it just showed how backward the Pegasan Union was.

Rainbow Dash looked up at the thick cloud layer that held Upper-Cloudsdale. It casted a depressing mood over the lower district. The never ending aura of a city falling apart.

Adjusting her saddle bag, Rainbow Dash walked into her home. Closing the door behind her, she saw that the kitchen light was left on. Hot coals burned gently in the iron furnace by the living room corner.

Feeling a chill run down her spine, Rainbow Dash sighed as she looked at the clutter littering the floor. Random knick-knacks, empty beer bottles, and a random assortment of trash laid before. She moaned as she stepped over the obstacles as she made her to the couch.

Seeing her mother sleeping soundly on the couch, she studied her and noticed that a beer bottle was resting on her mother's chest. Rainbow Dash grumbled as she leaned closer to her mother. She could smell the thick stench of hard liquor. She frowned as she scanned the coffee table and saw several bottles resting on its surface. She even saw a half-drunk bottle of bourbon.

Rainbow Dash bit her lip as she grabbed the bottle on her mother’s chest and placed it on the table. Letting out a huff, she wandered into her mother’s room and grabbed a blanket from her bed. She tossed the blanket over her mother and looked at her with dull eyes. Seeing the dark rings under her eyes and her thin mane that hugged around her cheeks, Rainbow bit her lower lip as she held back the urge to yell out in rage. “Goodnight, mommy….” She said through clenched teeth as she wandered into the kitchen.

Stepping up to the fridge, Rainbow Dash placed the bread and pastries in, grabbed a berry tart for herself and a bottle of dark beer, and walked into her room. Entering her room, Rainbow Dash tossed her saddlebag on the floor, dressed into her nightgown and jumped on her bed.

Taking a swig of her drink, Rainbow Dash opened her nightstand and took out a small box. She opened it and pulled out several black and white photos. Taking a bite of her tart, she skimmed through the photos. They’re of her and her mother. She smiled at the happy faces that stared back at her. Feeling her chest get heavy, she took another swig of her beer as she went through more photos.