My life in Equestria

How long has it been now? Three days? A week? Maybe more... The very concept of time seemed to collapse in this gloomy cell, where neither the light of day nor that of the moon ever managed to break through. Only the clatter of the guards' boots and the squeaking of the chains against my wrists broke the suffocating silence. Fatigue consumed me little by little, pulling me towards an endless abyss. My muscles were numb, every movement became a torture. My wrists, encircled by rough irons, were raw, and my back was aching from being pressed against the icy wall.
I spent my days counting the cracks in the stone walls. I knew them all, each one told a story of pain and deprivation. The only company I had was this throbbing sensation of pain throughout my body, pulsating with every heartbeat.
However, the worst thing was not the chains, or even the physical exhaustion. No, the worst was in my head. They were trying to crush me, to break me psychologically. They understood that physical torture would not be enough, that I had survived much worse. So they tried to intrude on my mind, to use fear and loneliness as even more terrifying weapons. They wanted to see me give in, to speak, to betray those I loved. Forcing me to reveal information about the Saturn Stones, those mysterious artifacts they coveted so much. But I will never give them satisfaction. Not as long as I have a breath of life left.
A bitter grin crossed my face. They could always try.
My magic, of course, was neutralized in that damned cell. There was no way to teleport me out of there, nor to confront them head-on. My head was spinning with fatigue, my body was shaking under the effort to remain conscious. Yet, despite everything, something deep inside me refused to sink. A small spark of determination lingered. I wasn't just a prisoner here, and they hadn't managed to destroy me yet.
My thoughts turned to others. I hoped with all my heart that they were okay. Twilight, especially, occupied all my thoughts. His smile, his unwavering strength... She was my rock. The idea of not seeing her again, of knowing that she was in danger, consumed me. And then there was Sombra. The shadow of his absence haunted me, like an emptiness in my heart. I missed him too, deeply.
Suddenly, an echo resounds in the corridor. My senses, clouded by exhaustion, instantly tensed. Sounds of struggle, screams. It was a long time ago, but I knew something abnormal was happening. The sound of steel against steel resonated in a strange, almost... Familiar.
And then I heard him.
One Hon. Senator. A voice I knew better than anything.
I sat up as fast as the chains would allow, my heart pounding in my chest. That voice. This scream. No... It was not possible. "Twilight... No, it can't be. Not here, not now."

My breath was taken away, my fists clenched. Had this nightmare just crossed a new threshold? The idea that Twilight fell into their clutches, that Grogar captured her too... My blood boiled at the mere thought. I pulled on the chains with all the strength I had left, but they didn't move a millimeter. Frustration burned me from the inside.
Then, without warning, the door of my cell opened with a sinister creaking. I was dazzled by the harsh light that filled the room, and I narrowed my eyes to make out the massive figure that was coming forward. Grogar. The monster himself. And with him... Twilight. He held her by the neck, as if she were nothing more than a rag doll. His lifeless body hung limply between his horns, and he threw her violently at my hooves, his sadistic laugh echoing through the small room.
I felt myself wavering. No... This could not be true. My heart was beating so fast that I felt like it was going to explode.

That's when I started screaming. "Twilight! Twilight, wake up!"

But she didn't move. His face was pale, his breath absent. I kept calling him, over and over again, unable to accept the reality that was imposed on me. My throat tightened. A primal fear took hold of me, a fear I had felt so many times before. The world around me was beginning to dissolve into a haze of pure rage. Every beat of my heart seemed to feed a devouring flame that burned in my chest.

Grogar, always present, reveled in the scene. His laughter resounded in my ears like an insult, like an unbearable provocation. "Look at her, little one. Look how it has fallen so low, for you. Think about what might happen to him next, if you refuse to cooperate."

I stared at him with eyes full of hatred. I knew what he was trying to do. He wanted to break me by using Twilight, the person I loved most in the world, as leverage. I couldn't let him win. Not like that. "If you touch her again, I swear you'll regret putting your clogs in that cell."

But my threat seemed to glide over him like water over a duck's feathers. His smirk only widened. "You're fun, little princess. But you're chained, helpless. Here, I am the master. How about you... You're nothing."

His words pierced my mind like daggers, but the rage that rumbled within me did not weaken. On the contrary, she was growing, fueled by the vision of Twilight hurting my hooves, that unbearable scene.

He looked at me darkly. "I'll let you think, Mady. Maybe next time she won't wake up." He said in a blood-curdling voice.

He left the room laughing, leaving me alone with Twilight in a sea of despair. My hooves were shaking while I was still tied to that damn wall. I couldn't lose Twilight, I couldn't let her die here, because of me. I closed my eyes, trying to control my breathing. I had to keep a cool head. For Twilight, I had to stay strong. Still, a heartbreaking question resonated in my mind: How was I going to cope?

Twilight's breath was faint, barely noticeable, but it was there. A slight quiver of life that reached me in the midst of darkness. My heart raced at the thought alone, but this fleeting relief was soon overwhelmed by the frightening reality of the situation. Grogar was still there, somewhere, watching for our slightest misstep. I stood helplessly chained against the damp wall of this cell. The cold metal of the chains hindered me, making my every movement painful. Powerlessness was eating away at me from the inside. I could see Twilight lying a few feet away from me, but it was impossible for me to reach her, to help her. My wrists were bruised, and every tug against the irons made me cringe. I felt weak, unable to break the bonds that prevented me from saving her. The sound of her panting breathing haunted me. My mind swirled in a chaos of confused thoughts. How had I gotten here, so vulnerable? I, who had always been able to defend myself, to protect those I loved. But here, with these chains that nailed me to the wall like a caged animal, I was only a shadow of my former self. I had to act, free her before Grogar returned, before he decided to break her even more.

I would be toothy and made a colossal effort to concentrate. I had to find a solution. Every movement of the chains echoed through the cell, and every time I pulled, a throbbing pain rose up my forearms. I felt my wrists tearing against the metal, but I wouldn't give up. I had to free myself. I had to be by his side. "Twilight... I'm going to come... Hold on."

The metallic taste of my own blood rushed to my mouth as I redoubled my efforts to free myself from my chains. I knew that if I continued like this, I risked aggravating my injuries. But the pain didn't matter. All that mattered was her. Twilight needed me, here and now. After a desperate effort, I finally heard a rattle. One of the chains suddenly detached from the wall, almost throwing me forward. The sudden release drew a stifled cry from me in pain. My left wrist was bleeding, the flesh cut deep by the metal bonds. But I didn't have the luxury of stopping or feeling sorry for my pain. I continued, with the energy of despair, until the second chain gave way in its turn.
My body, exhausted from the effort, fell heavily to the ground, but I stood up, wobbly. I put my bloodied hoof against the wall for a moment to catch my breath. A wave of vertigo seized me, but I quickly chased it away. Not now, not after coming this far.
I finally approached Twilight, each of my steps heavy and hesitant. My body was begging me to stop, to rest, but my mind refused to give up. His pale face, marked by suffering, finally appeared to me clearly. She was there, alive, but so frail. Her eyelids twitched faintly, as if she were fighting against a deep sleep. I was looking at them and I started saying "Twilight... I'm here..."

I dropped down at his side, ignoring the pain in my numb limbs. My breath had become short, jerky, but the mere fact of having reached it gave me the strength to continue. I put my hoof on his shoulder, shivering under the icy touch of his skin. She moaned faintly, a barely audible sound, but enough to rekindle a glimmer of hope in me. She slowly opened her eyes, her eyelids heavy, her purple irises veiled with fatigue and pain. But despite everything, she was there, conscious, and this simple fact gave me the strength to hold on.

She looked at me. "Mady... I... I finally found you..." she said rather weakly

His voice was so fragile, almost unreal. A hot tear rolled down my cheek, mingling with sweat and dust. I wanted to hug her, to protect her from everything that was going on here, but I felt so useless, so weak. "I'm sorry... I tried to come faster... I couldn't..."
I squeezed his hoof in mine, even though he was shaking. My wrist hurt horribly, but it was nothing compared to what Twilight had had to endure because of Grogar. She turned her head weakly, her eyes fixed on my wounds.

"Mady... you're injured... I'm sorry, it's all my fault..." She.

His words broke something in me. How could she think it was her fault? She, who had done so much to protect Equestria, to protect each and every one of us. I shook my head, unable to answer right away, overwhelmed by emotion. "No... No, Twilight... It's not your fault. I was the one who put you in danger... But I promise you, I'll get you out of here."

She wanted to answer, but her strength betrayed her. I saw her eyelids close for a moment, her breath becoming more irregular. My heart sank. I couldn't lose her now. Gathering what strength I had left, I straightened up. I had to do something, and fast. My wobbly legs carried me to the cell door. I glanced around, desperately looking for a way out, a solution. Then my memories came back to me, an escape through an ancient secret passage that few people knew existed. I had been in this prison before, many years ago, and I knew that there was a hidden path, hidden behind the stone walls. "Wait, Twilight... I think I know how to get us out of here."

I walked back to her, gently resting my hoof on her burning forehead. I had to protect her, no matter the cost. Together, we were going to get out of this hell, or die trying. We rested for an hour or two before entering a narrow, almost suffocating tunnel. The stone walls, damp and cold, seemed to close in on us at every step. The stagnant air irritated my nostrils, and the almost total darkness amplified every sound, every breath. I could feel my heart pounding, a melody of fear echoing through the heavy silence. As we advanced, the echo of our hooves sounded like a warning in this cave of despair. I turned back to Twilight. His face was marked by worry, but I also saw a glimmer of determination. She had this inner strength, a fire that kept her alive. Still, I couldn't help but feel a wave of guilt. Twilight didn't deserve to be involved in this escape, to share this hell with me.
Every turn we took plunged me into confused memories, moments of flight past, but this time, I wasn't sure of the outcome. I was responsible, and the fear of failure gnawed at me. After what seemed like an eternity of walking, a faint glow appeared in the distance, piercing the darkness. My heart raced, hope awakening in me.

"We're almost there... I recognize this passage. It's the way out." I said in an enthusiastic voice

But as I took a step forward, Twilight grabbed me by the hoof, her eyes riveted on something in front of us. I followed his gaze and a shiver ran down my spine. Just in front of the illuminated opening, a guard stood there, motionless, his black, massive armor reflecting the light.
I froze. How did they know about this tunnel? There was not supposed to be any surveillance here. My instincts were screaming at me to back off, but I knew that running away was not an option. We were trapped.

"What do we do? We can't go through like that." Twilight asked worriedly.

The anguish of the situation threatened to overwhelm me, but I took a deep breath. If we wanted to get out alive, we had to act quickly. I had to take command.
"Listen to me, Twilight. I'll take care of him. Stay here and get ready. As soon as I wave to you, you rush to the exit." I replied

She looked at me worried "Mady, you don't have to do that. It's too dangerous."

I cut it in a determined way: "Trust me. I know what I'm doing."

I let go of her slowly, my confidence in her bringing me a little calm. My years of running away from perilous situations had taught me to move silently. I slipped into the shadows, every muscle tense, every beat of my heart echoing in my ears. I could feel the palpable danger, but I left no room for hesitation. I made my way slowly, getting closer to the guard. I had to be fast, but also quiet. I knew that even a slight noise could cost us dearly. When I got to earshot, I jumped up, pressing my hoof over his mouth before he could scream. With surgical precision, I executed a hold on the neck, strangling him gently but firmly until he collapsed, unconscious. I waved to Twilight, who ran towards me, her eyes worried but determined.

Twilight relieved but panicked "Mady, you were amazing! But you could have hurt yourself!"

I answer him out of breath, but smiling, "We don't have time to talk. Now, listen to me. If we want to get out of here, you must learn to move like a guard. I'll show you."

I quickly turned to look at the entrance to the tunnel, my ears on the alert. The sound of footsteps, so close, was enough to get the adrenaline pumping. Twilight stood there, eyes wide open, ready to listen. "First of all, you have to understand the movement. We can't just walk. You have to be stealthy, like a shadow. Let me show you." I bent down and showed him how to move. I explained to him the importance of distributing his weight on his hooves. Each step had to be calculated to avoid the slightest noise. I moved slowly, my movements fluid, demonstrating the art of walking silently. "First put the tip of your hoof... then unroll the heel gently. That way, you control every move. Always in the shadows, always on the lookout."

She bent down and looked at me "Like that?"

I looked at her carefully, correcting her movements, my hooves demonstrating each gesture carefully.

"That's good, but you have to be discreet. Think about how you get around. It's a question of control." I replied.

I showed him another technique, that of the crouching position, which would allow him to hide behind the shadows "When you are lying down, you have a better angle to move without being seen. Stay low, and always look around you. And remember, every noise can attract attention. As a guard, I learned to anticipate movements, to always be alert. Look and listen before you act."

She nodded, absorbing my advice, ready to execute every movement. I told her how to camouflage herself behind scenery, such as rocks or shadows, to avoid being spotted. We repeated these movements for a few minutes, a mixture of adrenaline and learning. I could feel Twilight's energy and determination growing. She soaked up each lesson, her movements becoming more secure and precise.
Then, with a last look back to make sure the way was clear, I motioned for him to follow me. Our hearts beat in unison as we stealthily advanced, ready to face what awaited us outside.
When we finally passed through the opening, the air outside, though cold and pungent, was laden with the promise of freedom. The wind caressed my skin, an invigorating breath that told me that we were finally outside this underground prison. But the road was still strewn with pitfalls.
I knew Grogar wouldn't let us run away so easily. Our echoes were already echoing in my head, and I could feel his eyes on us, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I turned to Twilight, my heart pounding.

Mady: "Remember, Twilight. What you have learned today can mean the difference between life and death. Let's stay together and never lose sight of our goal."

She looked at me, and I saw the flame of determination shine in her eyes. We were together, and this new complicity would give us the strength to face the dangers ahead.
We cautiously advanced through the opening, leaving behind us the oppressive darkness of the tunnel. Daylight, although bright, was not yet a sign of security. My eyes quickly adjusted, and I scanned the surroundings. We were in a clearing, surrounded by towering trees and thick bushes, but I knew danger was ever-present.

I watch Twilight "Okay, Twilight. Now, we remain silent. There may be other guards around. Stay close to me."

Twilight, nodding, with her determined look "I'm ready. Show me the rest."

We made slow progress, our hooves barely skimming the ground, moving like shadows between the tree trunks. I had learned to observe any sign of movement, to listen for the slightest noise. Every sound of leaves, every song of a bird could mask our steps, and I knew we had to take advantage of it.

"Look over there. We're going to go around this tree. We sneak behind, and then we run towards the grove. It's our best way to avoid being seen." I said, looking in the direction of the trunk.

We executed the movement with precision, gliding silently behind the tree like spectres. Twilight followed me, her eyes shining with excitement and adrenaline. With every step, I could feel our bond grow stronger, a blend of trust and mutual understanding.
As we reached the grove, an unexpected noise made the air vibrate. I froze, my heart pounding. Voices. Guards! I glanced quickly at Twilight, who looked as alarmed as I was.

I whisper to him, "Stay still. Listen."

The voices became clearer. Two guards were talking, probably on patrol. I turned to Twilight, my head full of thoughts. We had to find a way to get through without attracting their attention. We pressed against the trunk of a tree, hiding behind dense foliage. Their footsteps resonated closer and closer, and I could feel the adrenaline pulsating in my veins. I closed my eyes for a moment, concentrating on controlling my breathing.
The guards passed right in front of us, their massive silhouettes silhouetted against the light. I heard their murmurs, their stifled laughter, and I felt burning with impatience. At one point, I leaned over slightly, peering through the leaves.

One of the guards said, "Do you think they're really gone?"

The second guard laughs: "Not a chance. We would have already found them if that were the case. Grogar never leaves anything to chance." He replies.

Fear crept into me at the thought that Grogar had probably planned our escape. I looked at Twilight, and our eyes met. I read in it the same determination, the same desire for freedom.
Once the guards were gone, I whispered to Twilight, "We have to move now. But stay silent, okay?"

She replies in a trembling voice, "Okay. I follow you."

We moved around again, moving stealthily, remembering everything I had learned about the art of stealth. With every step, I encouraged Twilight, showing her how to take angles, use shadows, and move quickly but silently.
We soon reached a narrow path, bordered by bushes. I glanced around, determined not to be surprised. But the atmosphere had changed. The air had become heavy, charged with tension. My instincts were telling me that something was wrong.

"We should stop for a moment. Listen. I feel that we are not alone here." I muttered worriedly.

We hid behind a thick bush, our hearts pounding. I closed my eyes, trying to catch the slightest sound. A slight quiver in the air, a fleeting shadow in the bushes.

Twilight looked at me worriedly, "What should we do if we're discovered?"

Mady (calmly): "Remember what I said. Stay focused. If we have to fight, use everything I have taught you. If you must strike, aim for the sensitive points, where they are vulnerable. It will prevent you from exhausting yourself using your magic."

At that moment, a noise was heard, and I listened. A dark figure loomed in the distance. My guard instincts took over, and I grabbed Twilight by the arm. "We have to move. Follow me, and remain silent."

We moved discreetly through the grove, taking circuitous paths to avoid being spotted. Every step was an adrenaline dance, every breath was a promise of survival. We had to be ready for anything. Finally we moved away, using the cover of trees and bushes to avoid being seen. I kept my eyes open, attentive to the slightest movement. Every sound, every shadow could signify an imminent danger.

Twilight looked at me, "Mady, regrade! We finally emerge from the depths of the forest! "

I turned to her, seeing the glimmer of hope shining in her eyes. We had been through so much together, and this escape was only the beginning of our journey. But as we passed a group of trees, an unexpected noise echoed behind us. My guard instincts took over, and I turned around, ready to react. A figure emerged from the bushes, and my heart stopped for a moment. He was a guard.

"Hey! You two! Come back here!" One of the guards shouted.

The adrenaline rushed through me, and I took Twilight's clog. Mady: "Run!"

We turned around, running through the trees, our hearts pounding. I could hear the guard's hooves approaching, but we were fast, agile. I knew that the training I had received was going to serve us well. I turned quickly, looking for a way to outrun our pursuer. We rushed toward a ravine, our hooves pounding on the ground. I could feel the warmth of fear, but the excitement of freedom pushed us forward. With each step, I glanced back, but the guard seemed to have trouble following us through the maze of the forest.
Once at the ravine, we jumped over it and then I turned around, my eyes riveted on the path behind us. The guard didn't seem to have managed to follow us. We had saved time.

Twilight says, being completely out of breath but smiling, "We got it!"

"Yes, but we must not stop. Grogar will stop at nothing to find us. We have to reach Ponyville." I replied.

We continued to run, the forest stretching out before us like a refuge. Every step brought us closer to safety, every breath was a step towards freedom. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we reached the edge of the forest.

"Look, Ponyville is right there!" I said in a happy voice.

The sight of the glittering city fills us with happiness. The colorful buildings, the laughter of the ponies, all of this represented life and hope. We had been through so much, but here, on the edge of the city, I knew we were finally safe. We escaped from the woods, the sunlight flooding our faces. We had managed to flee, but more importantly, we had discovered the strength of our friendship. And as we rushed to the city, a sense of hope and determination burned in our hearts. We knew the challenges weren't over, but together, nothing could stop us. The light of the future was shining before us, and I knew that no matter what trial was to come, we would be ready.