Chapters This hearts warming would be the worst especially for the pegasi after a malfunction inside the Cloudsdale Weather Factory caused a major snowstorm, many ponies started to panic which made the stock market plummet, this ultimately lead to banks crashing and closing down which would lead to an economic depression. Due to the snowstorm causing severe damage to nation, many pegasi would be discriminated against and blamed for the incident. Many weather factory workers had been sacked as the Cloudsdale Weather Corporation could not afford to pay the workers.
In response to this most pegasi went to the government for emergency aid, however due to many believing that this was the Pegasi’s fault, they were denied. This decision sparked outrage among the pegasi population and they started rioting. Princess Celestia immediately declared martial law and started to enforce a curfew that only applied to pegasus ponies.
Because of this pegasi living in cloud cities signed a petition to make, the entire pegasus race along with cities dominated by pegasi fully independent. This would be denied by the Princess, which most ponies saw this as a violation of the treaty of Unity which was signed after the three pony tribes united. A part of the treaty stated that a tribe could leave the union providing that most of the tribe agrees to it.
***
Inside of a basement below a pub in cloudsdale several pegasi were sat around a table, talking about the current economic climate.
“This is not right. Pegasi are starving to death in the streets and our so called government are doing nothing about it” said a blue pegasus with a neon, yellow mane, his name was Blue Bolt.
“Tell me about it, we should stand up against this oppression” said a yellow, pegasus mare, whose name was Sunny Rays.
“We’ve tried everything even rioting didn’t work” a purple, rainbow maned stallion told her. His name was Rainbow Blitz.
Sunny Rays asked Rainbow “doesn’t your niece know Princess Twilight?”
Blitz’s face turned dark “yes and I’ve already asked her if she can talk to the princess. Our dear Princess told her that this was our fault and our mess and that we should get out of it ourselves instead if complaining”
This made everypony bristle in anger he then added “Apparently everypony blames her for the storm because she is, or at least was the towns head weathermare until she also got the boot”
Blue Bolt suddenly spoke up “Then if they won’t listen or try to help us or give us independence then we’ll have to take it forcefully!” He shouted slamming his hoof down on the table, making goblets rattle, their cider splashing on the beat, down table.
“What are you suggesting?” Blitz asked with a concerned look on his face.
“Im saying we should revolt and make our own army and our own government.” Blue exclaimed.
Sunny agreed, nodding her head vigorously “yes if they want us to get out if this mess ourselves, then we shall but we’ll do it ourselves”
Rainbow looked nervous quickly looking around before whispering “I dunno about this”
“Don't worry alot of pegasi feel the same way, they’d be happy to join us” he told Blitz.
“What if we fail?”
Sunny told him “Oh stop being such a worry sports”
Finally he relented and agreed to the plan and thus the Pegasus Liberation Army was born.
The first thing they did was go on a recruitment drive. Asking anyone who wanted to join. Ultimately around five thousand pegasi from Cloudsdale signed up alone. Several pegasi were sent to other pegasi cities such as Las Pegasus and Cloudsburg to recruit. Where an additional ten thousand pegasi joined the rebellion, other pegasi from other cities such as Manehatten and Baltimare also joined.
Their first plan was to sieze control of the government buildings in the cities of Cloudsdale, Las Pegasus and Cloudsburg.
The Cloudsdale and Las Pegasus uprisings were successful however Cloudsburg had failed after the city had managed to send out a distress call to Canterlot before the city was fully taken. The Royal Guard had immediately swarmed the city and had either captured or killed the rebels.
After taking Cloudsdale the PLA immediately cut of all weather to the rest of Equestria and had threatened to keep the weather from being given to the rest of the country if The pegasi weren’t granted full autonomy. However it instead if meeting their demands local unicorns were used instead to create the weather using magic which infuriated the pegasi who in response detonated a bomb outside Canterlot University causing multiple civilian casualties. After this the Equestrian government declared that the Pegasus Liberation Army was a terrorist organisation. After the attack innocent pegasi started to be accused of being PLA soldiers which lead to multiple innocent ponies being sent to prison.
Celestia had created a new law which made it so that anypony suspected of being a PLA member could be arrested and sent to prison without a trial. In retaliation the PLA started to launch air raids against Canterlot however these air raids would be brutal as PLA bombers would have to deal with loyalist Pegasus defenders who were loyal to Celestia as well as anti air blasts from pegasi, this resulted in several losses after each raid.
After this the PLA would launch their first ground assault into Ponyville by first launching air raids against the small town after the first wave most of the town had been destroyed after it was a simple task of troops marching into the small town and planting the flag of the PLA in the ruined square. The elements of harmony had been evacuated to Canterlot while PLA soldiers started to kidnap pegasus foals to be trained as soldiers, all other civilians were forced as prisoners in their own homes.
***
“My name is Scootaloo and I am a Pegasus filly who lived in Ponyville, I was kidnapped and was forced to joining a military training camp, to turn me into a soldier, this is my story”
Author's Note
This is a prologue that tell you about the events that lead up to the uprising, the proper story will start in the next chapter
Scootaloo had woken up to the sounds of a loud buzzer going off and a gruff voice shouting “Rise and shine ladies!” As the lights switch on to full power. Scootaloo reluctantly rose out of bed, looking around she noticed their drill sergeant standing in the doorway, not caring that he was blatantly looking into the filly's barracks. He then commanded the platoon to report to roll call. She along with her squad mates, hurriedly changed into their uniform, which was a blue, camouflaged, combat shirt that had the flag of the Pegasus Liberation Army emblazoned on the shoulder; she also placed a cap that had the same design as the shirt. she then followed the group onto a large courtyard, where she fell into rank with her fellow cadets, the colts had quickly joined them. She noticed her only friend, Lightning Bolt, who had also been snatched from Ponyville, despite his father being Blue Bolt, one of the Supreme Generals of the PLA. Lightning hated his father with a passion, from what intel she had gathered from talking with him, his father had left him and his mother when he was born; his hatred only grew when he had his troops, forced him away from his mother. This had happened at the same time as all the pegasi foals were rounded up to be sent to training camp. She didn't dare talk to him while on roll call though.
Suddenly the Commander of the training camp marched onto the courtyard, the cadets acted on instinct and immediately stood to attention. The Commander responded by saying "Platoon, stand at ease!" the cadets quickly followed his orders. The commander then nodded his head before announcing in his authoritative voice "Congratulations on passing your basic training I am proud to say that you now have your first assignment. Each squad will have their own assignment."
When the pegasi had first arrived at the camp, they had been arranged into three different squads: squad A, squad B, and Squad C. Scootaloo and Lightning Bolt had both been sorted into Squad A.
The commander then started to give each Squad, their first assignment "Squad A, you are to head to Ponyville and help the garrisoning force convert the village into a forward operating base as well as to also help construct a new Prisoner of War camp. You will be under the command of General Steel Wings. Squad A you now have two minutes to ask any questions"
The cadets all looked at each other before Scootaloo raised her hoof to ask a question, the commander gestured to her to speak. "What will happen to the civilians, sir?"
The commander gave a twisted smile before replying "Who do you think will be living at the POW camp"
This made Scootaloo's eyes widen in shock before quickly hiding it "Thank you, Sir"
He then asked if there were any other questions before moving on to Squad B "Squad B, you are to be sent to Las Pegasus to help with the main push into southern Equestria, you will be under the command of General Spearhead. Any questions?" This time no pony raised their hooves.
He finally told Squad C what their assignment was. "Squad C you to assist the commandos in setting up ambushes in the mountains on the Equestrian-Crystal border. You will be under the command of General Shadow Frost. Any questions?" again no pony had any questions.
He then ordered the squads to gather all of their belongings, which was practically just their spare uniform and toiletries that had been given to them by the drill sergeants, before heading to the large front gates where Squad B and C would travel to their destinations in airships, however, because Squads A's destination was much closer they will be traveling to theirs via chariots.
Scootaloo had jumped into a chariot when Lightning quickly joined her. “Heading back home huh” he spoke up.
Scootaloo merely nodded before sitting in silence. The chariot was flying through cold air when Scootaloo suddenly blurted out “This aint right. We cant be keeping innocent ponies as POWs”
“Shhhh, keep your voice down” he wispered hurriedly before looking around to make sure that they weren’t being overheard. He then added “you can’t be saying stuff like that. I know its not fair but theres nothing we can do about it besides its not like they’re not doing the same thing to us pegasi.”
This made Scootaloo give him a weird look before asking “what do you mean?”
Lightning looked around again before replying “I heard rumours that the Equestrians are building a city that is dedicated for pegasi and that it’s basically going to be one giant prison”
Scootaloo merely waved her hoof in disbelief “there’s no way Celestia would allow that”
“You sure about that? Because she allowed us pegasi become dirt poor and she allowed us to live in economic ruin”
Scootaloo didn’t answer before saying “They’re our friends though”
Lightning merely snorted “Are they still our friends even after the uprising?”
She didn’t answer and they both stayed silent throughout the rest of the trip.
***
When they finally arrived at Ponyville the recruits were told to form up into their squad and to stand by for further orders. Suddenly a grey pegasus with a silver blue mane and tail came out of the town hall and walked up to the recruits before introducing himself.
“I am your new commander. I am General Steel Wings. You will address me as either General or Sir. As I am sure you are aware, we are converting this mudblood hovel into a bustling Forward Operating Base, this means that we are very close to the frontlines and are therefore the first line of defence. You’re first task today is to round up the population and to force them to dig trenches at the North Western border of the town. You will then keep guard over them. If anyone acts out of line then whip them until there backs are raw it they try to escape then kill them!”
This task made Scootaloo extremely uncomfortable however she knew what happened to those who forbade orders.
***flashback***
Scootaloo was sat on the top row at the cloudiseum where she looked down to see three pegasi strapped to a wall two of them were proper soldiers while one of them was a cadet. The soldiers looked to be in their twenties while Scootaloo who recognised the cadet from the training camp was 13, one year older than Scootaloo, althought she didn’t know his name. Suddenly Supreme General Blue Bolt flew into the centre of the arena. She could feel Lightning next to her bristle in anger.
Blue Bolt then announced into a microphone “Welcome my fellow pegasi to this trial where these cowards will be judged and punished”
He then walked up to one if the soldiers “Cloud Walker here, abandoned her fellow comrades and tried to run from her own platoon but not before being tackled and arrested. For the crime of cowardice, how do you plead?”
“Cloud Walker looked around at the angry crown in fear and stuttered “n n not guilty”
Blue merely looked down on her before saying “Wrong! This court has found you guilty of dewinging!”
Dewinging, depending of if the victim survives or not is a form of execution or banishment. Dewinging is where a pegasus had their wings cut of before being pushed of a cloud. If the condemmed survives their fall then they may live the rest of their days as an earth pony, however most don’t survive this brutal punishment.
“Noooo, please I have a daughter, please show mercy!” Cloudy screamed however Blue merely smiled before moving onto the other soldier.
“Fire Arrow you have been brought before this court after you was seen conspiring with the enemy. For the crimes of espionage and treason how do you plead?”
The red pegasus merely growled in anger before spitting at Bolt. He wiped his face, smiling he then pulled out a knife and stabbed Fire in the gut which caused him elicit a scream of pain. Scootaloo cringed from the howling.
“This court finds you guilty I hereby sentence you to dewinging”
He then moved onto the terrified Cadet where he smiled sweetly before saying “Flash Dive you have been brought before this court after you was seen disobeying orders. For the crime of insurbordination how do you plead?”
The young colt started to shake in fear as he begged “please, I'm so sorry. I don’t want to die”
Blue just kept smiling before handing down his verdict “Flash Dive this court finds you guilty, I hereby sentence you to dewinging!” The cadet started to hyperventilate.
Suddenly soldiers walked up to the condemned prisoners and pulled out meat cleavers. Both Cloudy and Flash started to shake their heads in fear and cry.
However the executioners ignored them. They each walked to a prisoner and stood infront of them and then with one fell swoop in pure synchronisation their left wings fell to the floor, completely seperate from their body, the joints pouring out blood. All three pegasi screamed in agony however the soldiers weren't finished they then moved onto the right wings and cut them of too. The screams were unbearable. Scootaloo tried to block it out however she could still hear them.
The soldiers then dragged the prisoners over to a hole in the ground where one by one they thrown through the hole.
Despite it being far down they could all hear the sickening crunch of each body as they slammed into the hard ground. A pegasus then went down to check on the three prisoners before flying back up to announce that all three prisoners had been killed.
To this day months after it happened Scootaloo still could hear their terrifying screams and everytime she closed her eyes she could still see the look of fear on Flash Dive’s face.
Scootaloo was tasked with rounding the civilians up and careening them towards the town square, where they would be given different jobs. She was worried about how the town was going to see her. Each of the cadets was assigned to different sectors of the town to begin the collection in pairs. Thankfully for Scootaloo, she had been assigned to work with Lightning Bolt, they were assigned to the market sector, which meant that Carousel Boutique fell under her jurisdiction. Scootaloo didn't know what had happened to her friends during the battle, she didn't know if her friends had been evacuated with their sisters or if they were still in Ponyville. She hoped that it was the former.
When they had started their task they were both met with glares and dark mutterings. Most of the towns ponies went with them willingly however when they arrived at Ruby Heart's house, they were met with resistance. From what Scootaloo could remember, Ruby Heart had been an alcoholic, and from the odour that was being emitted from the sullen mare, it appeared that her bad habit had gotten worse. Scootaloo ordered "You are to report to the town square"
The drunk mare sneered "Like hell I am"
Both Scootaloo and Lightning looked at each other uneasily, not wanting to harm the earth pony. Suddenly, Lightning said "Ma'am, I highly advise you to head to the square, immediately"
"And I advise you to go and buck yourself"
Lightning growled "Ma'am are you aware that any consumption or possession of any form of alcoholic substance by a non-pegasus is strictly forbidden? Now unless you want me to to report you then, come with us" He threatened firmly.
It looked like lightning had gotten through to her as she reluctantly trudged out of the house, muttering "Buck it". Out of nowhere, she bucked her hind hooves into Lightning, as he was sent careening into the building behind him, Ruby pounced onto Scootaloo where she placed her hooves around her vulnerable neck and started to squeeze. Scootaloo's eyes widened in horror as she realized that she couldn't breathe. Acting on instinct she tried to fight off her attacker to no avail. With one hoof she tried to reach for her knife that was in a sheaf on her belt while her other hoof gripped her radio and pressed a panic button.
Ruby realizing what she was trying to do, gripped her wing while using her elbow to push against her neck, she then twisted and pulled it out of her socket.
Scootaloo choked out a garble unable to scream in pain from the strangulation. Just as her vision was about to fade into black, she saw a blade rip through Ruby's chest, blood started to pour from her mouth and wound as her body collapsed to the floor. Scootaloo wheezed while vomiting, her right wing hanging uselessly at her side. Looking at the useless appendage, scootaloo's bottom lip started to quiver.
"I killed her, Celestia what have I done, I've killed a pony" Lightning exclaimed in horror as he stared at his knife sticking out of the mare's body. He was shaking like a leaf, he looked down at his hooves not believing what he had just done. Scootaloo wanted to say something however nothing came to mind so she opted to stay silent.
Suddenly, the sound of wing beats filled the air as General Steel Wings arrived on the scene. "What in the name of Tartarus is going on?"
Lightning answered "Sir the mare, she attacked us, She tried to kill Scootaloo, I - I was forced to ki - eliminate her"
Unexpectedly his face split into a grin as he suddenly congratulated Lightning "Great work soldier. Now that is how a pegasus is supposed to act. Your father will be informed of this excellent deed, your first kill, you should be proud." He commemorated while lifting Lightning's hoof in the air as if he had just won a wrestling match. Lightning however didn't look happy at this prospect.
Steel wings then turned to Scootaloo where he scolded her "Unlike you who let a mudblood gain the upper hoof. You should be ashamed, if I was you I would go and wash that dirt off. However, because of your failure, I think some combat experience should teach you the necessary skills to truly handle a mudblood. That is why I will be sending you to assist the southern army in taking Applelooza, they are in need of urgent reinforcements."
This made Scootaloo nervous, she had been hoping to avoid fighting at all costs. Suddenly Lightning spoke up "Sir, I request to join Scootaloo in the battle."
This made the General's face lower in confusion "That is an unusual request, most recruits try to stay far away from the battlefields at all costs" he said while analyzing the blue colt.
He replied by making himself appear as patriotic as possible "With all due respect I joined the PLA with hopes of serving my fellow pegasi, not sat defending a pigsty". Scootaloo instantly knew that he was lying his face off. However, his lies had paid off as the General clapped him on the back.
"Now that is the type of pegasi I like to have in my army. Yes, you will be under the command of General Spearhead" He said.
***
They had arrived at an FOB base that sat near the town of Applelooza. They along with several other reinforcements had formed up in front of a light brown pegasus, who introduced himself as General Spearhead. He seemed a lot more cheery than Steel Wings. He was currently giving a speech about the upcoming battle.
"Now I know that the last couple of times we tried to take this insolent town went terribly, however, I know in my heart this time will be a success. Applelooza WILL fall. Far too long the filthy earth ponies have dominated this rich lands. It is time to change that. Soon we will change the future. Taking Applelooza will mean that we are one step closer to Canterlot, as Supreme General Blue Bolt put it, those who sit in Canterlot atop the mountain, controls Equestria. Now let's go kick some Earth-lovers but!" He shouted, eliciting a cheer from the soldiers.
After the speech they geared up, ready for war. Their gear consisted of combat helmets, goggles, magic-proof vests, ration packs, med kit, and of course their weapons: wing blades and retractable knives that sat on belts that attached to each of their front hooves. While pegasi preferred close hoof-to-hoof combat, their enemy primarily used spears and bows and arrows, and of course magic.
They had decided to fly close to the ground in an attempt to avoid detection. During the battle, it would be impossible due to the sheer amount of anti-air cannons. In the distance, Scootaloo could see pillars of smoke pillars rising above the skyline as well as hear the distant sound of magical explosions. As the approaching army got closer, Scootaloo could now see that the town was surrounded by walls, towers, and trenches.
All of a sudden, they were attacked by anti-air cannons, and several pegasi fell like sacks of potatoes. Both Scootaloo and Lightning dived for the ground, they attempted to make themselves as small as possible. Lightning nudged Scootaloo and pointed towards a nearby trench. Scootaloo nodded in understanding; a whistling sound hit both of the pegasi ears as their faces turned to dreaded realization. Lightning screamed "RUN!" as they both made a buck for the trench all the while avoiding artillery strikes that rained down on them.
They had thankfully made it to the trench with their lives intact. They both breathed a sigh of relief, which would be short-lived as they looked around to see several pissed of earth ponies. "Aw buck," she said to herself before quickly dodging the spear that was aimed for her face. Scootaloo swung at the earth pony with her wing blades, however, the stallion dodged it before lunging onto her and pinned her under his spear.
Lightning wasn't doing much better as he had to contend with an earth pony stallion, with the size and strength of two Big Macs combined. No matter, how many times he stabbed the pony wouldn't even bat an eyelid. The buff stallion had the audacity to say "yer finished?" while raising an eyebrow and crossing his hooves. Lightning growled before pouncing on his foe's face where he used his hoof blade to stab him repeatedly in the eyeball. The stallion then managed to throw the colt off him, now he was angry. Not even bothering to cover his messed up eye, he stomped towards the blue pegasus where he literally picked him up and flipped him upside down, and proceeded to slam him down on his head, multiple times. Lightning was out cold, his head bleeding profusely. his face was barely recognizable.
For Scootaloo who had witnessed this, time seemed to slow as she watched in horror as the stallion kept on stomping on the knocked-out Lightning's wings. Suddenly a wave of incomprehensible anger washed over her as red filled her vision. She pulled the stallion's head that was pinning her down close to her where she literally bit his muzzle off, bringing a whole new meaning to the word 'kiss', she then stabbed him in the side of his neck where blood spurted out of the wound.
She then pushed herself up and grabbed the spear before impaling the stallion that had harmed her friend. The stallion looked down in amazement at the spear that was sticking through his entire stomach. He then slowly collapsed to the floor however Scootaloo wasn't finished with him yet "Don't go dying on me now you bastard" she whispered into his ear. Looking around she found a discarded shovel, picking it up she then repeatedly jammed it down onto the stallion's neck; fully decapitating him.
Her revenge complete, she looked down at the broken Lightning. She released a sigh of relief as she heard shallow breathing. "MEDIC I NEED A MEDIC!" Scootaloo shouted, she didn't care who came as long as it was somepony who could help her injured friend. A PLA combat medic quickly responded to the call, when she saw Lightning she grimaced. Muttering a silent prayer, she began to apply bandages to his wings and head, his dark, blue mane completely encased in a thick bandage. She then attached a neck brace before administering painkillers.
Turning to Scootaloo she told her "I'm going to take him to the field hospital, you need to go join the battle, we're about to push into the town proper.
"Is he going to be okay?" Scootaloo asked, praying that he was going to survive.
The medic sighed before saying "I don't know, all I know is he's probably never going to be able to fly again." Not waiting for a reply she carried the broken pegasus to the field hospital.
***
Scootaloo had managed to regroup with General Spearhead, who was camped out in the nearby train station. "We have just received intelligence that the Element of Honesty is here in town. Our main objective is to take the town and the Element of Honesty, dead or alive" he commanded. This was the last thing that Scootaloo wanted, facing off against one of her former friends terrified her.
It was decided that they would head to the town square where they believed that Applejack was, through the buildings. This was as easier said than done. Because the town is sat in such a remote location it meant that the town was unable to evacuate when the attacks had begun. This made their task slightly difficult as they had to differentiate between civilians and soldiers. The buildings seemed to be infested by both, if Scootaloo didn't know any better then it would appear that they were using the civilians as meat shields.
Every house they seemed to enter had both civilians and soldiers. Scootaloo had decided to stick at the back of the group so that she didn't see much action. after they had cleared the buildings they had just entered the square, when all of a sudden a massive explosion rocked the landscape as the tall clock tower came thundering down separating Scootaloo from the rest of the group.
She was suddenly yanked to the ground by her neck and she realized with horror that it had been a trap. Looking down she noticed that a lasso had been lassoed around her neck and was being reeled in like a fish on a hook by three beefy stallions. She pulled with all her might but to no avail.
Once she was close to the stallions she attempted to strike them with her knives however they all laughed at her pitiful attempt. One of them grabbed her hooves from behind and stole her hoof blades another stallion swiped her wing blades, and they then forced her to lie on her stomach. A black strip of cloth was placed across her eyes and tied off behind her head, successfully blindfolding her. The brutes then tied her hooves and wings with rope before pulling her hind legs up and linking them with her front hooves. She then screamed " HEE - MMMPH" Her cries for help were then cut off as a thick strip of cloth was tied around her muzzle so tight that the gag was pulled into her mouth. She realized with terror that she had been hogtied, blindfolded, and gagged.
She felt one of them placing her onto their backs and being taken to an unknown location...
Blue Bolt looked down at his son. He was in a coma, the doctors said that his chances of waking up were slim, and if he did wake up there could be significant brain damage. They had also said that he would never be able to fly again. Blue knew that Lightning's career in the army was over. Blue Bolt was shaking with rage, they had taken Applelooza but not without casualties, to make matters worse, Lightning's partner had gone missing in action. He wanted revenge.
Looking towards his private secretary he ordered her "Get me, Rainbow Dash, Now" Nodding she quickly left to finish her task. Since the war started, Rainbow Dash had declared that she was taking a stance of neutrality and was instead used as a mediator between the two sides. Flying between both Cloudsdale and Canterlot; bringing messages from one place to the other.
As soon as Rainbow entered his office she immediately told him "I'm not changing my mind, so don't even ask"
"I need you to do something for me," He said.
"I ain't fighting and I'm not spying for you" she exclaimed outright.
Blue sighed before asking "Do you still meet with Twilight Sparkle and if so when?"
This instantly made Dash suspicious "Why?" she questioned.
Blue didn't answer at first but then he told her "I just need to know"
At first, Rainbow didn't want to answer but then relented "Yes. The next time we'll be meeting should be tomorrow. Twilight wants to figure out how to put an end to this war with diplomacy" She laughed hollowfully, knowing full well that the only end to this war was if one side was completely destroyed. Truth be told, Rainbow got the instinct impression that her friends didn't trust her, they had stopped inviting her to the war briefings.
Blue took out a briefcase and then placed it on the table that sat in between them. "When you next see her I want you to give this briefcase to her"
Rainbow went to open it but Blue immediately stopped her snapping "Don't open it"
"What's in it?" Dash asked.
Blue then explained "Twilight recently reached out to me expressing an interest to find peace, She asked for some sensitive documents. These are those documents that are meant for her eyes, only."
"Why can't you deliver them yourselves"
"If I did that then tomorrow's headlines would be 'PLA leader captured in Canterlot'" He said sarcastically.
Rainbow, getting the point, reluctantly agreed. After taking the briefcase, which felt heavy, Blue Bolt added "Tell her that it is of an old friend."
Watching Rainbow fly off with the briefcase Blue Bolt released a sinister smile.
***
Scootaloo's heart was racing. During the entire journey, Scootaloo thrashed and struggled in her bindings, to no avail. Every time she moved her front hooves her rear hooves would be pulled same vice versa. When they arrived at their destination, Scootaloo was dumped on the floor. She heard one of the stallions whoop "We've caught one!" along with the sound of a door slamming shut.
Scootaloo tried to shout but only releasing muffled grunts "Mmmmph, mmph", She didn't know if they were legitimate soldiers or Bounty hunters. When the war started, the equestrian government paid for any capture of a PLA soldier.
After what seemed like hours but in reality was only a few minutes, she heard the door open again. And the sound of hoofsteps coming towards her. She heard what sounded like a mare's voice "The boss isn't here yet so we can have some fun before she gets here"
Suddenly her gag was ripped out of her mouth. "What is your name?" The unknown voice asked.
"Fuck you" She spat. Suddenly she screamed in pain as what felt like a hoof slapping her across the face. Acting on instinct she tried to cover her stinging cheek with her hoof but was unsuccessful, the ropes were too strong.
The voice asked again "Tell me your name and no messing around this time", Scootaloo's breath caught in her throat as what felt like a knife was being held against her exposed neck.
Gulping she whimpered "Scootaloo"
She then felt a hoof stroking her mane "Good girl, keep answering my questions then we won't hurt you"
The voice then asked, "Now what are your army's next plans?"
Scootaloo scrunched her eyes up in fear as she answered shakily "I don't know" She then braced herself for another slap but none came.
Instead, the voice tutted calmly "Oh Scootaloo, what happened to being honest. I'm disappointed" Suddenly she felt her limbs being released from her bonds. Before she could make a break for it she was enveloped in a unicorn's aura and lifted onto a table. She felt her hooves be tied to each table leg, and she then felt a towel be placed over her face. In the distance, she could hear the distinct sound of water running from a tap. "Maybe this will bring back your honesty"
Suddenly Freezing - cold water was dropped onto her face causing her to ventilate, breathing in more water in the process. Overall it felt like she was drowning. Finally, the twisted mare lifted the sodden towel off her face making her cough and splutter. "What are your next plans" she growled.
Scootaloo coughed "Please I don't know, I'm telling the truth!"
The mare ignored her and covered her face again with the drenched towel. Prepared for it, she tried to dodge it but failed as once again Scootaloo felt like she was drowning. There was only one word that could describe this: torture. This time it had lasted longer but eventually the rag was pulled off her face. "Now tell me"
Scootaloo was shaking from cold and fear, shivering she weakly said "I don't know. I'm just a cadet"
However the mare wasn't listening, she gave her one last warning "I swear if you don't tell me the plans then I will cut your wings off" This made Scootaloo's blindfolded eyes turn to pinpricks as she remembered the horrible execution of Flash Dive all those years ago.
Scootaloo exclaim "I have been telling the truth, I don't know anything!"
"You clearly don't want to be a pegasus then. Say goodbye to your precious wings", The deranged mare then took a hacksaw in her magic.
Scootaloo started to scream "NOOO PLEASE NO!"
Just as she had the hacksaw positioned on the wing the door burst open and a familiar voice shouted "What the hell do ya think yer doing"....
“What the hell do ya think yer doing"
“Interrogating our prisoner,” the unicorn said aggressively.
“Torturing ya mean anyway that's not our job. Our job is tah deliver pegasi to the government and that's it” the familiar voice explained.
Suddenly the blindfold was ripped off her face as she heard the familiar voice gasp. “Oh sweet Celestia”
Scootaloo stared in shock as she saw her old friend, Apple Bloom, holding the blindfold.
Apple Bloom didn’t know what to think, the last pony she was expecting to see was her old friend. She had always tried to imagine what she would do if she ever caught, Scootaloo. In the end, she decided to ignore the past and treat it like a normal job but now that she was faced with the situation, she had forgotten all about it.
Examining her closer, she could see that Scootaloo was drenched and looked to have been through Tartarus and back. Her uniform was ripped and her mane was tattered with several cuts and bruises adjourning her body.
The two former friends stared into each other's eyes before, Apple Bloom turned towards Scootaloo's torturer, “What did you do to her?” she hissed.
The unicorn merely rolled her eyes before exclaiming “All I did was waterboard her, besides, she's the enemy, why does it even matter, what I did to her?”
Apple Bloom growled, not knowing how to answer, instead, she sighed “Trixie, get out of my sight.”
Getting her courage back Scootaloo asked “Apple Bloom, is that you?”
She nodded, “Yes Scootaloo, Ahm sorry fer what Trixie did, she gets a little overzealous.”
Instead of replying, she asked, “Can you let me go?” while tugging at her bonds.
Apple Bloom closed her eyes. While she wanted to let her foalhood friend go, she also knew that she would get a lot of bits from her, bits that she was in dire need of. She made her decision. Business came first.
With a heavy heart, she told the doomed pegasus “Ahm sorry, Scoots but Ah really need the money. Ever since we lost the farm, times have been tough.”
She looked away from Scootaloo who gave her a look of stunned disbelief “What are you saying?”
Apple Bloom sighed, still looking at the floor “Ahm sorry but we can't let you go. We still have to take you to Canterlot.”
Scootaloo felt betrayed as she couldn't believe that her long-time friend was willing to sell her out to the Equestrians. “Apple Bloom, you can't. They'll call me a traitor, they'll lock me up.”
Apple Bloom felt sorry for her friend but in her mind, if she didn't turn Scootaloo in then she would gain no bits and therefore her family would suffer even more. “Scootaloo, ah don't want to do this but if Celestia found out that I let yah go then me and mah family would be ruined. Ahm sure that if yah tell them that yah were forced to fight, then they'll be more lenient.” She knew that last part was a lie, any PLA pegasus, whether they had been foalnapped or not, were to be treated the same as prisoners of war.
“Please Apple Bloom, have you not heard of what they do to pegasi, just tell them that I escaped.” Scootaloo pleaded in desperation. Apple Bloom had not just heard the rumours but knew that the rumours were true from what Applejack had told her.
She ignored the fact that she was practically ruining Scootaloo's life and pulled out a knife before pointing it towards Scootaloo. “I am going to untie you, you are going to follow my orders, if you don't I will hurt you.”
It was killing her to threaten her former friend but she knew it was a necessity. Scootaloo looked down at the knife in fear as Apple Bloom slowly released her from her bonds.
When she felt her limbs come free from the rope, Scootaloo quickly jumped up and pushed Apple Bloom to the floor before running to the door, to her horror the door was locked. Turning around she saw Apple Bloom advance towards her, knife in mouth.
She noticed a small window and quickly flew towards it. Apple Bloom who anticipated her moves jumped up and grabbed hold of the pegasus, not before her knife sunk into her flank, halfway through the purple shield with a wing emblazoned on it that sat on Scootaloo’s flank.
Scootaloo's screamed in pain as Apple
Scootaloo winced as Apple Bloom pulled the bandanna that hung loosely from her neck and pressed it against the knife wound she shouted “Flatline, get in here!”
A brown unicorn stallion rushed through, holding a first-aid kit. He didn't say anything and was more concerned about the job in hoof than anything else.
He used his magic to stem the blood flow before wrapping several bandages around the wound. Apple Bloom asked, “How serious is it doc?”
The doctor answered unconcerned “Not that serious, the wound was not too deep and the blood loss was limited. The wound should heal soon, however, it will leave a scar.”
Apple Bloom then asked, “Can she still walk?”
Flatline nodded “Yes, although it will hurt slightly, I recommend staying off your hooves” looking towards Scootaloo's, who throughout this entire time remained silent, trying to process how Apple Bloom could've stabbed her like that.
Apple Bloom gave a sigh of relief, thankful that she hadn't done too much damage. She then turned to Scootaloo before wrapping chains around her wings and placing her forehooves in hoof cuffs. “I was hoping that I didn't have to restrain you but you have left me with no choice.”
“How could you do this, I thought we were friends?” she asked.
“Scootaloo we are on the opposite sides of a civil war, there are no friends.” Apple Bloom said with such finality that it shocked Scootaloo. She then ordered Scootaloo to walk forward, all the while, pointing a knife towards her back. Scootaloo's winced in pain as she slowly got back onto four hooves.
***
Walking through the door, Scootaloo saw that they were inside of a large farmhouse that was built in the middle of nowhere. She could see that Apple Bloom’s gang included several more unicorns and earth ponies; even a gryphon, all of whom glared menacingly towards her, Scootaloo noticed that Flatline gave her a look of indifference while the blue unicorn, whom Scootaloo recognised as Trixie gave her a crazed smile.
Apple Bloom forced Scootaloo through the main entrance of the house that opened up to the large desert, she realised that they were on some sort of ranch as she could see large, open fields surrounded by white fences. She also noticed several carts parked nearby along with an ominous-looking carriage that was practically a black, wooden cube with small barred windows.
Scootaloo gulped as she realised that was where they were heading for. Trixie had followed them outside and opened the prison wagon, revealing the inside which was covered in used hay and had an overwhelming stench of urine and faeces.
Trixie exclaimed sinisterly “Welcome to your temporary home.”
Scootaloo looked towards Apple Bloom and started to shake her head “Please don't do this, they’ll kill me.”
Apple Bloom sighed, now starting to get annoyed, she ignored her and shoved her headfirst into the wagon before locking the door shut.
The cart was shrouded in darkness, with very little light coming through. She quickly found the source of the smell, which was a bucket that had been used as a toilet. Scootaloo had to stop herself from vomiting.
Suddenly the cart began to move as she heard the sounds of ponies walking, the bounces of the cart caused the bucket to fall over, nearly spilling its contents. The straw that layered the floor clearly hadn't been replaced and still felt wet and dirty, it was also incredibly uncomfortable as she lay down.
Scootaloo didn't know how long it would take before they ended up in Canterlot so as a way of passing the time she tried to think of Sweetie Belle, her other former friend. She had heard rumours that she had become a singer and was having her own live concerts, she also thought about Lightning Bolt. She hoped that he was safe but she knew that his injuries were serious and that he would have a long recovery ahead of him.
Her thoughts eventually turned to Canterlot and what they would do to her once they had arrived. Scootaloo had heard horror stories that they were sending prisoners of war to large concentration camps and were being used as slaves other horror stories included that pegasi were being sent to a death factory and being forced into some sort of machine that turned them into rainbows. She shuddered at the thought and tried to clear her mind.
***
Apple Bloom was leading the convoy as her eyes scanned the horizon for any threats, she glanced towards the sky in curiosity as she could swear that the sky was getting darker sooner than it should be, that was when she realised that she couldn't see the sun or moon. Slowing her walk, she noticed a small pegasus colt clutching his wing in pain and crying in the road ahead of them. Apple Bloom indicated for the convoy to stop as she slowly walked towards the colt.
Normally they would ignore things like this but Apple Bloom knew that she could potentially gain more bits from the kid. The colt looked innocent and helpless however this didn't ease Apple Bloom of the sense of danger that was beginning to overcome her, however, she pushed on.
When she got closer, she quickly realised that she should’ve trusted her gut as suddenly in a split-second movement the colt, slashed at Apple Bloom's hooves as Tartarus broke loose.
Pegasus swooped down on the convoy from all sides and the colt leapt onto Apple Bloom’s face, blinding her. The colt didn't make any attempts to take her down, this was when she realised that he was only a distraction and that the real battle was happening behind her. She jumped forward and intentionally slammed her face into the ground, knocking the colt out cold. She was horrified to see that the colt looked to be around five years old. Apple Bloom knew that the PLA had taken a step too far and had become a new low.
Turning around she looked in horror as her forces quickly came overwhelmed, even Trixie was having trouble, she realised that they were greatly outnumbered. She cursed herself for falling for such a lousy trick.
As she entered the fray the pegasi retreated. Apple Bloom ran to the prison wagon and stared in anger as she realised that Scootaloo was gone.
***
Rainbow Dash walked into the meeting room, not meeting her friend's suspicious glances aimed at her.
“Hi Rainbow, glad you could join us.” Twilight greeted. Twilight was the only pony out of her friends, who actually treated her the same.
“Hi Twi, I’ve been told to give you this,” she said, handing over the briefcase that Blue Bolt had given her.
Twilight looked down at it in confusion as she asked “Really, who told you to give it to me.”
“An old friend.”
“That's strange,” she said in wonder an uneasy feeling beginning to settle in her stomach. She opened the briefcase…
BOOM
