The Life and Times of Veridian Emerald (LTV)

Chapters

LTV 1.1 Birth
LTV 1.2 On the Road Again
LTV 1.3 Welcome to Stalliongrad
LTV 1.4 The Underground Resistance
LTV 1.5 The Rainboom of Fire
LTV 1.6 The Lottery
LTV 1.7 Celestia's Exodus

LTV 1.1 Birth

In the dark of the night, the soon-to-be father unicorn, Crimson Emerald sat with the other male ponies around a small fire. The mares were off in a nearby tent, tending to his mate, Heartsong Emerald. She was, by Equestrian standards, a rather beautiful Pegasus, who he was fortunate to have found himself with. They had been sitting in the dirt, silently, with short, quick glances at each other here and there, for nearly an hour. Only the closest friends of the Emerald family and members of the Resistance were present. Hidden guards were positioned in a ring, watching for any Soviet intruders that may happen upon their camp. It was unlikely for them to be discovered this deep in the woods, but they had to be sure.

Despite being a strong, battle-hardened mare, Heartsong still couldn’t keep herself from crying out in pain every so often. Each yell would startle the stallions from their silent meditiations. As time went on, the tension was building. Due to their oppression from technology, no one knew how the foal would turn out. Was Crimson going to have a colt or a filly? Was it going to be a unicorn or a Pegasus? Or perhaps even an earth pony, nopony could tell.

At the end of the hour, the guards traded positions. Those who were at the fire previously, including Crimson, now stationed themselves in the outer ring in the cold, dark, forest. It wasn’t all that much different; still silent and dark. But now, it was lonely and cold. He didn’t seem to mind much, after all, it was for his mate and his unborn foal. Standing vigil, he had even more time to think to himself: How will this birth affect him? How will he be able to secretly raise a child in Stalliongrad? And, how will this pony be able to change the outcome of the resistance when it’s all over? Will it be the one to— He never completed this question, for his thoughts were suddenly disrupted by a loud, collective gasp that came from the tent.

Crimson wondered for a second if he should leave his post and run towards the nursing tent. When he saw the other guards advancing there already, he decided he should too. When he arrived at the entrance, guards who had got there before him, spread apart to let him pass. Crimson nervously walked through the gap of stallions. With nothing more than a nod from the closest pony, he stepped through the flaps of the entrance. Seeing his mate laying in the middle of the room, Crimson gave her an inquisitive and worried look. She replied with an equally worried look back, and yet calmly said, “Come look for yourself.”

Slowly trotting up to the side of the bed, he looked at the small bundle of whatever rags the mares could come up with, that held his newborn foal. A large, shining, teal eye followed his until he stopped and started to pull back on the sheet covering his foal’s face. He quickly got the answer to one of his questions; it was a unicorn. Crimson stared in amazement at his child’s horn, imagining what kind of magic it will be used for some day. The horn itself was a pale-gold color, just like the rest of his head and body.

“He’s wonderful...” Crimson finally said. Without pause, Heartsong told him to keep going. He raised his brow curiously, but didn’t question it, figuring she just wanted him to see its gender. Filly or a colt? As he continued to pull the fabric further off the newborn, he brushed his hoof against something feathery. He ignored it initially, but soon realized what it was he was touching. He pulled his hoof back quickly as if he had made contact with white-hot steel. Eyes wide, and mouth agape, he was speechless. Crimson glanced around to the other mares, all who were equally shocked, and then to Heartsong who announced, “He’s an alicorn.”

Unsure of what to do, Crimson just nuzzled Heartsong quickly before stepping to the entrance and summoning one of the stallions to him. The pony he called for was one of his closest friends, and the captain of the guards from The Resistance, Trotski. After explaining his newborn’s attributes, Crimson was surprised to see that Trotski kept his composure. “Are you not worried? Or do you just not care!?” yelled Crimson. “I am neither of those comrade, I am content.” replied the captain with great sangfroid. “Do you not see the terrible possibilities that could become of this?” Crimson asked rather angrily. Trotski, just as calm as before, answered, “Of course I do, but I also see the wonderful potentials that may occur as well.” Crimson grunted, and then sighed, still undecided about what to do. Then the captain added, “If you cannot make this decision yourself, perhaps we can seek council from the Queen of the Resistance herself.” “That’ll have to do I figure,” said Crimson, “But, until then, he is going to need a name.”

Crimson turned back to his mate and asked her what her ideas were. After a long while of rejected names, due to reasons such as they were too cutesy, or were too hard to pronounce, the parents finally started to get onto something; The colt, being born under The Resistance, it would only be symbolic and correct to make his name subtly defiant against the Soviet rule of Stalliongrad. Their main color being red, the opposite was green (which is also half of the color of the colt’s hair). “But why in Equestria would you name anypony Green?” Crimson said sarcastically. “How about Veridian?!” interjected one of the mares, “It sounds lovely and matches your family name.” Crimson looked back to Heartsong and looked for her approval. She thought for a moment and eventually decided, “Veridian it is then, Veridian Emerald. I like it.”

LTV 1.2 On the Road Again

LTV 1.2 “On the Road Again”

Under the command of Trotski, the rebel group from the Resistance was returning from their previous, successful mission of intercepting a Soviet supply caravan. For the first time in a long time, they had minimal casualties, putting the group in high spirits. Last night’s arrival of their newest member, Veridian, also helped to boost their morale. Normally, the Queen would prohibit a pregnant mare from going on any assignment, but thanks to eloquent speeches from both Crimson and Trotski, she allowed it to pass. Besides, in these struggling times, she needed as many hooves on deck as she could get. News of their success will not only please, but also surprise the Queen when they report back.

Despite the late night, they needed to continue their trek back to Stalliongrad. Everypony had to take down their own, small, respective shelters. Crimson was allowed to share a tent with mate while she was still pregnant. But now, after the birth, under the Queen’s orders, he had to sleep in his own. Crimson was awoken by one of the night guards who had the last shift. He groggily dismissed the guard from his tent and stretched out in his hammock.

Crimson rolled off his hammock, nearly falling, but less-than-gracefully saved himself from smashing his face into the dirt. After shaking out his golden yellow mane, he got to work on taking his shelter down. Standing up on his rear hooves, he fumbled around with one of the knots that held his hammock to the roof. The knot had tightened itself from the weight Crimson had put on it in his sleep, and his lack of fingers made it extremely difficult to undo. Confound these hooves, he thought to himself, I must learn a spell to do this for me next time. He eventually was able to loosen it enough to where the rope slid off the pole and coiled on the ground. Crimson sighed when he looked over to see that he was only half-way done.

Reluctantly, he turned to the second knot and began working on that one. Putting all of his focus into untying his hammock, Crimson did not realize the presence of another had entered his tent. At least not until this presence made contact with his blank flank. Alarmed, Crimson spun around o his rear hooves, ducking his head, and pointed his horn directly at the intruder’s neck. He did not move an inch, but quietly said, “easy there comrade, it’s just me.” Embarrassed that he just nearly killed his superior and friend, he backed off and apologized. “No need for that,” Trotski dismissed, “I should have announced my arrival, but I couldn’t be seen coming here, what I need to ask you is secret. Is the colt here with you?” “No, we let Heartsong have him for the night; she is his mother after all.” Trotski took in a deep breath, then continued, “Very well then, let’s get to business. What do you plan on doing with your little alicorn? Surely, you do not plan on getting rid of him?”

After the full night’s rest, Crimson got over the initial shock of his colt’s birth, and was able to think more reasonably. “I have decided that we will keep him, obviously, but there still are problems that we must consult with the Queen about.” A look of relief fell over the Captain and he said, “Thank Celestia, that’s exactly what I was hoping to hear. I knew you would come to your senses, you’re a reasonable stallion.” “Good, Heartsong will undoubtedly have the same feelings.” responded Crimson. “The Queen is very wise and will more than likely have the answers you are looking for, Crimson. Now, allow me to help you finish packing, our conversation has gotten you a little behind…”

Crimson agreed to his offer and together they finished rolling up his hammock, and packed his satchels with his books and an assortment of items that were stolen from the Soviets including quills, parchment, and a small pouch of coins. Crimson then picked his hooded cloak off the ground before stepping outside to take down the tent. He threw on his whit, hooded cloak, but only wrapped his yellow mask around his neck, not seeing any reason to hide his face at the moment. Together, Crimson and Trotski worked to take the stakes out of the ground, pull the tarps off the pole framework, and remove the poles. After rolling the tarp up with the wooden poles on the inside of them, he slung the bundle over his pack and secured it tightly.

Trotski had overestimated the time it would take them to break-down the shelter, and Crimson now had a little free time before their breakfast rations. He decided to go check up on his mate and colt on the other side of the camp. It was only a short walk and he quickly reached Heartsong’s area, which she too had already packed up. Crimson affectionately rubbed his face into hers before bidding her good morning and turned to see his colt. He found Veridian strapped into a small, cloth saddle that was fashioned to fit Heartsong. When Veridian saw his father approaching, he lowered his ears and fluttered his wings in an adorable manner before making a cute, little squeak. “Are you sure you’ll be able to carry all of your gear and the child at the same time?” Crimson asked his mate who answered, “Another pony who didn’t have anything to carry is going to hold my gear. I get to have Veridian on my back instead. Besides, I already was carrying our little foal with my gear before he was born.”

It soon was time to start traveling again; their next stop was the hidden Resistance Base in Stalliongrad, and to the Queen herself. Crimson helped fasten the saddle to his mate, and then his own gear to himself. He took his position next to Trotski near the front of the group and was instructed to eat as they walked, they wanted to arrive early.

LTV 1.3 Welcome to Stalliongrad

The raiding party left early in the morning and were expected to eat as they went. This was particularly difficult for the pegasi and earth ponies. Finishing first, thanks to their levitation powers, Crimson and the other unicorns assisted the rest of the group by magically suspending the food in front of their faces. Excited to arrive ‘home’ early, the others didn’t complain and just ate their bread and apples. Crimson retreated to the middle of the herd to his mate and Veridian, and then helped them eat.

The party had been travelling through extremely mountainous terrain and was covered by a thick forest. After a few hours’ trot, they emerged from the cover of the forest and could see their destination: Stalliongrad. Rows and columns of uniform-built structures and houses lay in a grid in front of them. Every building was about the same; dark grey, broke down, many burnt or falling apart. Even the sky itself had a smoggy atmosphere, due to constant fire-smoke from Resistance attacks. And then, of course, there was the monstrously tall, double-layered wall of concrete surrounding the entire city. Dotted along the wall were guard towers keeping watch on both the outside and the inside. There were two known entrances to the town, both heavily guarded by Soviet troops. There was also one more entrance the Resistance was able to secretly make in an un-patrolled portion of the wall; this was their only way in.

Even though every member of the Resistance was secretive, the Resistance itself was no secret. Despite the fact that the Resistance was at an all-time low, they were still a decent sized thorn in the Soviet’s side. As they entered sight of the town, Trotski ordered them to put their hoods up and masks on. It was a top priority for none in the Resistance to have their identity discovered. If any were to be discovered, it would spell disaster for the entire Resistance. One way they did this was by wearing their combat uniform: a white hooded cloak to hide their wings or horns (or lack there-of), and bandit masks. The masks were secretly color-coded to allow members to know what species they were looking at. A yellow mask represented a magic using unicorn. Red represented an earth pony that was limited to the ground. And a blue mask represented the sky in which a Pegasus would control. Their cloaks also helped to hide their mane’s shapes and colors. There was no need to hide their blank flanks though.

After covering the sleeping Veridian, they were ready to approach the town. Taking a slight detour to the south-west wall took them some time but kept them out of sight as best they could. There, the Resistance was previously able to break a hole through the double-layered wall surrounding the city like a prison. Trotski ordered a few unicorns, including Crimson, to scan the area for enemies using their magic.

Entering a trance-like state, Crimson removed himself from the rest of the world around him. Everything turned black and grey, with all living beings glowing white. He spirit-walked through the hole in the wall, and looked around to check for any ambush that may be waiting for the Resistance to walk through. There was nothing but a dark void. Content that there was no one, Crimson cancelled his spell and returned back to his sentient body. He then reported to the Captain that the way was clear, and for assurance, so did the other unicorns. “Very well then.” said Trotski, “We’re early, so let’s keep it that way.” And with that, they passed through the first layer of the wall.

All was silent, save for the party’s hoof steps and deep breathing. Crimson had to duck his head to avoid banging his head against the top of the breach in the wall. Bringing his head up, Crimson suddenly took an iron-capped hoof to the cheek. “Ambush!” somepony cried. Falling over in recoil, he defensively brought his fore-legs up to block the incoming stomps from his assailant. He called out to the Resistance party for help while he continued to get battered. Rolling to the side and jumping to his hooves, Crimson was able to identify his attacker as a male, Soviet earth pony. He backed away as fast as he could in order to get a better view of the battlefield. Everypony was already engaged in combat with their own attackers. None of the Soviets were lethally armed; this was an ambush aimed to capture.

Crimson, angered, set his horn ablaze and charged toward his combatant. The Soviet, surprised that this pony was fighting back, was unable to dodge the flaming horn and felt it searing a hole right through his chest. He fell over without any bloodshed for his wound was cauterized by the flames. Crimson frantically looked around the chaos to get a view of Heartsong. He soon found her surrounded by a ring of soldiers closing in on her. To the soldier’s surprise, she pushed back to of her assailants with a huge gust of wind from her powerful wings. With Veridian still on her back, Heartsong ran through the hole she pushed open and took to the air.

It soon dawned on Crimson how the Soviets were able to elude his magic when he searched the trail; they had a unicorn hiding them. Using his magic again, he searched around for any arcane rifts that would be left over from such a spell. He finally located the enemy magician none-to-soon, for she was starting to cast a no-fly spell at Heartsong. Casting the first spell that came to mind, Crimson sent a speeding ball of fire right at the enemy unicorn. It struck her directly in the jaw and seemed to interrupt her spell cast. Screaming in agony, she turned her head towards Crimson, who had already sent a second fire-ball hurling towards her. She watched as this one hit her square in the face, and fell over for good.

Crimson continued firing an onslaught of missiles at the Soviets until he heard a heart-wrenching howl behind him. He spun around to see Heartsong lying on the ground, Veridian and his saddle tossed off to the side, and Trotski surrounded by piles of defeated of defeated enemies. He took off at full gallop towards the group, cursing himself for not stopping the enemy’s spell in-time. The final assailant fled into the countless rows of housing as Crimson approached. “Heartsong!” cried Crimson, “I’m so sorry! I tried but.. I was too late.” She groaned and replied, “My…my wing, it’s broken, and so is… my leg. I… can’t move.” Trotski then yelled, “Get her out of here, comrade! Take the colt with you! And do not let them get ahold of him!” “But, I can’t leave you here, they will be back, and in greater numbers!” “Exactly, that is why you must go; Run to the base, get your mate and son to safety, and send back reinforcements.”

Crimson nodded and strapped Veridian to his back. It was extremely tight on him, for it was fitted to Heartsong, but he had no time to loosen it. He took Heartsong’s working wing over his back and helped her hobbled away from the ambush site, towards base. He weakly turned around and said roughly, “Welcome to Stalliongrad, Veridian.”

LTV 1.4 The Underground Resistance

LTV 1.4 “The Underground Resistance”

Crimson, with Veridian on his back and Heartsong to his side, fled from the ambush site towards the Resistance’s home base. Taking a few detours in attempt to shake off any Soviet spies that may be following, they stopped in a back alley to catch their breath. Through faint, gasping breaths, Crimson offered to magically heal Heartsong’s leg. But, she knew he didn’t have the energy to do such an operation, so she declined the offer and told him to keep running.

Together, they took off directly towards the base. Because they all looked relatively the same, Crimson would’ve never been able to tell which house was hiding the entrance if it weren’t for the symbol of the Resistance crudely scratched into the wooden door. The symbol is made of a circle in the middle surrounded by four, thin triangles, resembling a sun. Quickly scanning the area one last time, they stepped up to the door and rapidly knocked until somepony answered.

The mare who answered the door began to challenge them, but Crimson cut her off and said, “There’s no time for proper procedures, we are members of the Resistance and must speak to the Queen immediately.” The guard hesitated, but saw their uniforms and decided to trust them and stepped out of the way. Crimson stepped inside with Heartsong still using him for a crutch. The door was quietly shut behind them and they were greeted by two, hooded unicorns. The two led Crimson and Heartsong to the back corner of the house, where they revealed a hidden trap-door from under a rug. There wasn’t enough space for the both of them to go in together, so Crimson reluctantly shrugged Heartsong off his back. She shifted her weight onto the unicorn mare that led them to the hidden entrance.

The stairs themselves were old, wooden, and badly in need of a repair, they squeaked at every step Crimson took. The walls of the secret tunnel were made of crudely cemented brick with a torch holder at regular intervals. Surprisingly, the tunnel was warm, not cold, from the hot air that was trapped inside from the torch fires. When he reached the end, he stepped out into a massive, underground ‘world’, swarming with activity. Tunnels, caves, and rooms had been carved into the ground-walls. Veridian peeked out from under his specially fitted hood and looked around at his surroundings. This underground world was made from many generations of Resistance families, dating back about fifteen-hundred years. Stalactites had formed in the older portions of the carved out areas. The cave was lit up with multicolored lanterns, ranging from all colors of the spectrum, which were crafted from the unicorns’ magic. Large banners bearing the symbol of the Resistance hung from the ‘roof’.

Crimson turned around to watch Heartsong limp her way down the stairs. About half way down, she stumbled, and Crimson tensed up, prepared to catch her fall, but she recovered and made her way down without incident. The trap-door was shut over them, and they could hear the rug being slid back over the entrance. “Heartsong, you know the way to the Queen’s quarters, correct?” asked Crimson. Returning to his side, she answered, “Yes I do, this way." Crimson followed her directions through numerous passageways and tunnels; receiving many strange looks from ponies they passed by. They were all curious to see the colt, for rarely was a child born within the Resistance.

Crimson was eventually led to a massive building that was carved from pre-existing rock, still attached to the ground. The building was covered with a spectrum of floating, colored lights, and was guarded by two rows of eight royal guards. The royal guards did not wear the traditional robe, but instead had iron plate-armor. They also bared spiked horse-shoes and an intimidating, single-spiked helmet. The horn on the helmet resembled that of a unicorn’s, except that it was metal, sharper, and twice as long. All of the royal guards were earth ponies. They recognized Heartsong and saw that she was in trouble, so without hesitation, they parted and let Crimson pass.

Together, they walked up the steps to the entrance of the ‘palace’, and stepped inside to see even more royal guards surrounding a rather large, violet, female alicorn. This was the ‘Queen’. (The Queen herself was not truly a Queen. She is actually a sister of the other, royal alicorns; Celestia and Luna. Her name was Sola, Princess Sola). She heard the two ponies clopping on the stone floor and turned around to see who had entered. She wore a modestly small, golden tiara with the Resistance’s symbol in the center.

Crimson bowed on his front knees, and Heartsong ducked her head as best she could, waiting for Princess Sola to acknowledge them. She quickly let them up and asked, “Heartsong, you are hurt. Why have you come to me instead of going to the medical quarter?” She replied, “I had to lead my mate to you, your Highness. He has urgent news.” Sola raised her brow in interest, “Very well, guards escort Heartsong to the medics, and you, Crimson right? You stay here.” Two metal-clad royal guards took Heartsong from Crimson and led her out of the room, leaving Crimson alone with the Princess and Veridian.

Princess Sola turned her attention to Crimson, who was visibly shaking from nervousness. She tried to calm him with a caring, but still powerful, voice (much like that of her sister Celestia), “Easy now comrade, tell me, what has brought you to me so urgently?” Crimson attempted to pull himself together and answered, “Th..There’s two pieces of information I must speak to you about. First off, Captain Trotski requires reinforcements at the secret breach in the city wall. We were ambushed by a squad of Soviets that were armed to capture.” Crimson took in a deep breath before continuing, “You will be glad to know we killed off as many as we could without any casualties. Unfortunately, a few of them escaped and are undoubtedly gathering reinforcements just as I am right now.”

Princess Sola immediately conjured up a scroll and quill. Quickly scrawling a note, she then magically sent it away. “I am ordering Commander Stormhoof to meet you outside the base with a herd of warriors. You will brief them and lead them to the battlefield. This is a rare occurrence, having a victory, and we shall not let this one pass.” Sola then motioned toward Veridian with her hoof, “News of your little alicorn can wait, and you will leave him here with me.” Crimson was astonished, ‘How did she know about Veridian? And she wants me to leave him?!’ He really started to contemplate whether he should obey the Princess’ wishes or not, but ultimately decided to trust her with his child. Obviously struggling with his decision, he slowly unstrapped the saddle holding Veridian. He then slid him off his back, and looking down, handed him over to Sola, who gently levitated him out of the saddle and onto a large pillow behind her. “Crimson, you have my word that nothing will happen to him. I am holding him here so that you do not have to take him back into the battle.”

This calmed Crimson and he asked, “What of Heartsong? And when will you have me go?” Sola answered, “Heartsong is being tended by our unicorn medics, she will be fine. In fact, I will have your little alicorn returned to her before you return. And as for the time you will leave: Now.”

LTV 1.5 The Rainboom of Fire

“Very well, your Highness.” Crimson bowed respectfully, and turned around to leave. Just before he reached the exit, he looked back to see his colt one final time. “Do not worry, Crimson,” Princess Sola reassured him, “He is safe with me.” So, without further words, he walked out and down the stone steps. The guards repositioned themselves after Crimson had passed. He took a look around the massive cave and tried to remember which tunnels he took just minutes before. Eventually remembering where he came from, he traced his way back up to the secret entrance.

Reaching the underside of the trap-door, Crimson knocked on it until the unicorn guards slid the rug out of the way and unlocked the door. He pushed the trap-door open and stepped out, thanking the guards. While they closed it again, Crimson asked if Commander Stormhoof and his patrol had come through yet. The male unicorn then responded, “Indeed they have, comrade. They are awaiting your arrival just outside the house.”

Crimson nodded and strode away to the front door. The mare acknowledged his departure when he left. Emerging from the house, he saw four platoons of thirty ponies. Standing boldly in front of them was Commander Stormhoof. He was a royal blue color and wore a red mask. Crimson trotted to Stormhoof hastily and greeted him, “Good afternoon comrade, you got mobilized quickly.” “Indeed, Stormhoof’s soldiers are always prepared to deploy. Now Crimson, fill us in.” stated Stormhoof.

Crimson siphoned magic from his horn into his diaphragm and spoke in the traditional royal Canterlot voice, “Comrades, the battlefield we are about to march into is currently under control by Captain Trotski and his small raiding party, which I have come from. The Soviet force was larger than ours, but they were armed to capture, not kill. We expect them to return soon. They have discovered our breach in their city walls, and they want it. If we lose today, our only connection to the outside world will be severed.” Pausing for dramatic effect, Crimson then turned to Stormhoof and nodded in conclusion.

“Very well Crimson, if that is all; we will have you lead us to Trotski’s party.” Stormhoof ordered. And with that, together, Crimson and Stormhoof took the lead of the platoons. Stormhoof then ordered his unicorns to keep a constant scan on the area for any enemies. Remembering which alley-ways he and Heartsong took, Crimson led them in the direction of the ambush site. As they neared the breach, a unicorn called out to Stormhoof, “Sir, they’re already engaged in combat!” Stormhoof cursed himself for not being fast enough. He then turned to his company and ordered, “All pegasi, take to the sky, unicorns you will follow behind the earthbound. Charge!” The company took off in a full gallop and watched as the pegasi gracefully flew over and past them.

Trotski heard Stormhoof’s call and looked off the ground where he lay, and over his shoulder. What a relief it was to see over thirty pegasi wearing the robes of the Resistance, flying over the roof tops. He silently thanked Crimson as he saw the rest of the Stormhoof’s charge pouring out of the alleys. It was quite the sight for the sore eyes of Trotski’s party. They were attacked just minutes after Crimson had left, and have been fighting since. Hours had passed and Trotski’s party was wearing down.

Stormhoof’s pegasi dove from the skies and smashed down hard with their arm-blades on the unaware Soviets. Guarded by the earth ponies, the unicorns fired wave after wave of magical bolts of all different elements with the combined force of the air-strikes, charge, and magic, the Soviets began to drop like flies. Then suddenly, everything stopped. An invisible barrier put a sudden end to their charge and stopped any magical bolts fired at it. In the confusion of it all, Crimson quickly located four Soviet unicorns on the roof tops on each side of the barrier. He pointed them out to the pegasi and ordered them to take care of it.

Unable to do anything until the unicorn mages were taken out, Stormhoof’s company merely watched as the Soviets continued to strike down Trotski’s party. A single earth pony emerged from the shadows behind Trotski, lying on the ground wounded. Crimson cried out to his only friend in attempt to warn him, but was too late. The Soviet reared up on her hind legs and stabbed down on his throat, ultimately ending his life.

Not a moment later, the pegasi finished off the last enemy unicorn, and the barrier dissipated. Crimson felt something, burning hot, growing inside of him. It was a mix of sorrow, disappointment, and hate. His sight suddenly went red, and he was no longer in control of his actions. Galloping as fast as he unnaturally could, he brought his horn down and charged through the ranks of Soviet forces to Trotski’s limp body. The unicorn who had slain him was nowhere to be seen.

Whatever he felt growing inside him continued to grow larger and larger until he physically saw his body start to emanate red flames. Crimson continued to grow his flame-orb, yelling out in angry mourning. As the sphere of fire continued to spread out, the remaining unicorns from Trotski’s party and the unicorns of Stormhoof’s company began to siphon their energy into Crimson, hoping to keep his energy up so that he didn’t overdo it. For every unicorn that joined to help Crimson, he felt their energy reviving him, but he couldn’t stop the storm. And as it grew larger, it required more strength from him. From the combined energy of the differently colored unicorns, the flames took on a full rainbow of color exploding outward. This fire-storm spread from Crimson in a spherical shape, disintegrating the Soviets into ashes when it passed over them. Luckily enough, Crimson’s allies merely watched as the flames passed by them harmlessly.

The Soviets began to retreat from the encroaching inferno, but were too late when suddenly the storm detonated outward, turning them into nothing but clouds of ashes. All of the unicorns who had offered energy to Crimson cut off their siphoning and collapsed, exhausted nearly to death. Crimson’s sight went from red to black, unable to stand or breathe; he collapsed on top of Trotski’s corpse. He shed a single tear for his fallen comrade, then shut his eyes, forever.

LTV 1.6 The Lottery

LTV 1.6 "The Lottery"

Heartsong layer in her medical cot with a cast around her right foreleg and wing, cradling Veridian and crying mournfully. Princess Sola had personally taken time out of her busy schedule to come and give her the grieving news of Crimson's death. Not even the return of her own colt could help console her. Sola sat in the far corner of the stone room from Heartsong, waiting and watching her weep.

After a long while, and Heartsong's crying seemed to quiet down some, Princess Sola announced, "Heartsong, I don't want to bother you further, but this... This is a pressing matter; I've been speaking with my sister, Celestia." Heartsong did her best to pull herself together, then looking up from Veridian's eyes, replied, "A-about what, y-you're highness?" "She is returning to Stalliongrad again to pick up another group of foals and take them back to safety in Canterlot." Heartsong tilted her head, slightly confused. "Is..is Celestia just going to take him from me?" she asked, not sure of the idea. Princess Sola answered, "No, not exactly. I understand that you're afraid to lose anypony else but, you must realize this is the best for him. Stalliongrad is no place for a youngling, especially not an alicorn. He is much better off with my sister in Canterlot."

Heartsong looked down at Veridian, tearing up again, and stroked his mane with her good hoof. “I..I understand,” she finally said, “When will the Princess come for them?” Sola rocked back and sighed then answered, “Well, that is where it gets complicated. She is coming tomorrow, but there’s a very slim chance she will be taking your colt back with her.” Heartsong’s face became worried as she looked back up to the Princess, “What? What do you mean by that?” “She can only bring three with her, and there are hundreds of parents trying to give their child to her. She’s been forced to make a random lottery to choose who comes. Even those not in the Resistance are allowed to put their foals in the drawing. I’m sorry, I tried to gain some favor for Veridian with her, but she wouldn’t listen. She says alicorn as he may be, she must remain fair and show no favoritism.”

Sighing, Heartsong asked, “Very well, if this is what’s best for him, then so be it. Your Highness, will you enter him for me?” Sola nodded and said, “Normally, I wouldn’t do any personal favors, but for the circumstances as they are now, I shall.” Princess Sola leaned forward, touching the tip of her horn to Heartsong’s broken wing and began to magically mend the broken bones. “I know that we don’t allow the unicorn medics to use their energy on magically healing the wounded, but I’m no unicorn. Besides, a Pegasus should never be grounded… Good luck to both of you tomorrow, you’ll need it.” Heartsong tested her wing out, obstructed by the cast, but she could tell it was completely fixed. She thanked the Princess before she trotted outside, but Sola ignored it and left Heartsong alone with Veridian in her cot.

Heartsong looked back down to Veridian and whispered “My dear colt... I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything was to happen to you here in Stalliongrad.. This is what’s best for you. We’re going to need an extraordinary amount of luck in order r you to.. to…” She suddenly burst back into tears, burying her face into Veridian’s mane and uncontrollably wept herself to sleep.

Heartsong was awoken by a light tapping coming from the door of her hospital room. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes with her good hoof then answered, “Come in.” The door cracked open tiand a young, light-pink colored, unicorn mare wearing a white cap with a red cross entered the room. “Good morning Miss Heartsong, you have an exciting day today, don’t you Dearie?” She looked down to her little colt, fast asleep, and sighed, “We sure do…” As the nurse approached her, Heartsong noticed that she had a cutie mark matching the cross on her cap. “Let’s look at your casts now; you’re going to need to be able to walk today.”

The Nurse stood up on her hind legs and held herself up against the bed with her left hoof, inspecting the casts with the other. “Miss Nurse, my w-” Heartsong was cut off by the Nurse, “Please, call me Redheart.” Heartsong smiled then continued, “Miss Redheart, I think my wing is fine now.” She gave it a little flap to show that it was healed. “What? Your wing was shattered!” Redheart started to magically cut away at the cast with a pair of scissors, then remarked, “There’s no way, it’s almost like magic… wait just a moment.. Did Sola heal you?” The Nurse looked at her with guilting eyes. Heartsong soon conceded, “Yes, she did, I'm sorry. She did it before I could say anything.”

The Nurse scowled slightly, then said, “Well, we aren’t supposed to use our magic to heal (it would take too much energy because there are so many wounded), but I’m not even part of the Resistance, so I can… sort of.” As the unicorn started to heal Heartsong’s foreleg, she asked, “Wait, if you aren’t part of the Resistance, then why are you here?” The nurse finished connecting the bones and as she began to cut she said, “The same reason you are. I’m trying to get my filly out of here. Her name is Redheart as well, she looks just like me.” “Oh, well I thank you Redheart. I wish you luck.” The Nurse made a final cut on the cast and removed it, “You too Heartsong. The ceremony should be starting any time now, you should come with me.” Heartsong gently placed Veridian off to the side of the bed before stepping out and testing her newly mended leg. “Thank you Nurse, we should go then.”

Heartsong took her freshly cleaned cloak off of a nearby stand and threw it over her back, securing the ties. She then turned around to face the cloth saddle that Veridian was carried in. Remembering that Crimson was the last to wear it, she broke down crying again. Redheart trotted up to her and tried to calm her down by stroking her main soothingly, while magically strapping the saddle to her, “It’s okay, dear. Be strong, for your colt. You don’t want his last memories of you like this.” She wiped her tears away while the Nurse placed Veridian on her back. After he was strapped in, Heartsong packed her saddlebags with the last of her gear and walked out of the room with Redheart. “Aren’t you going to take your filly too, Redheart?” she asked. “No, don’t worry about her. She’s already there waiting for us.” And with that, they left the infirmary wing, together.

***To all of my readers: Thankyou for following along this far, the next chapter: 1.7 Celestia' Exodus, is already written, awaiting to be typed. The next chapter will be rather long and depressing, I hope you have a box of tissues ready.. I have already made two guys cry from reading it. Again, thank you for reading this far, please comment rate, and maybe even tell your friends, I dont know.

LTV 1.7 Celestia's Exodus

LTV 1.7 Celestia’s Exodus (Final Chapter to Part One)

The two mares looked out over the Great Room, the largest open area of the entire Resistance base. It was completely filled with ponies of all species surrounding a raised stone platform. The crowd’s roar was nearly deafening as it echoed through the massive cavern, forcing them to flatten their ears. The air was filled with pegasi floating above, carrying even more foals looking to be rescued by Celestia. Heartsong’s heart sunk in her chest, realizing how close to impossible it will be for Veridian to be chosen.

There was a tapping at her flank and she jumped in surprise, turning around to see who it was. She looked up to see herself staring straight into Princess Sola’s eyes. She quickly bowed down in respect and was dismissed by the Princess, “You may rise Heartsong, I’m here to deliver your ticket and to observe the ceremony.” Sola levitated her ticket to Heartsong who took it graciously in her hoof, reading the number to herself, “2548, Thank you your Highness.”

Heartsong looked back to see Nurse Redheart hugging a young filly who looked identical to her, who she figured was her child. She noticed even the filly had a cutie-mark, identical to her mother’s. Heartsong looked back to her own blank flank and sighed. “Mother?” asked the filly, “Why do none of the ponies here have cutie-marks like us?” Redheart widened her eyes in embarrassment that her child had just asked that in front of Heartsong. “Oh my, I haven’t told you before, Dear?” The filly shook her head and Redheart sighed, “I might as well tell you, considering this may be the last time I ever see you.” She somehow managed to say that without stuttering, blinking, or crying; Heartsong was impressed.

Princess Sola and Heartsong with Veridian listened intently to Redheart’s speech: “My dear filly, everypony in Equestria has a special talent just patiently waiting to be discovered. You and I are extremely lucky to have found ours. Here, in Stalliongrad, the oppressive Communist government forces us to work jobs that they decide for us. It is very rare for a pony to be put into a job they are good at, so almost all of our comrades go through their lives without finding their special talents and die with a blank flank.” Redheart paused for dramatic effect then continued, “And that, is why Celestia does this for us. She comes to save you foals from the evils of this place, so that you may live your life the way you want to.” A tear had formed in her eye and hung there, glistening different colors from the various colored lanterns that hung around the cave walls.

There was a sudden, collective gasp from the crowd followed by cheering. Princess Celestia had emerged from the entrance, surrounded by four royal Canterlot guards, all pegasi. Princess Sola let out a small snicker; making fun of the less intimidating armor they had, compared to the spiked armor her own guards wore. Heartsong noticed and teasingly nudges Sola’s side. Celestia stood back, surprised at the number of ponies that needed her help, then walked through the crows who parted to let her through. To the amazement of everypony watching, she gracefully leaped up to the raised platform and her guards pushed the crowd back to form an empty circle around it.

Princess Celestia stood up, proud, peering over the crowd before announcing in the traditional, royal Canterlot voice, “Comrades of Stalliongrad! I have come before you all today to once more bring your younglings to safety and protection. I have secured them homes with loving parents who will take care for them as they would their own children.” She took in another breath, “I humbly apologize in advance for not being able to help every foal out there. I wish I could..” A green Pegasus glided toward the center, carrying a giant, brown, cloth sack, alighting in front of Celestia and laid the bag at her feet before flying off. “Now, for the sake of time, let us begin!”

The feeling of anticipation was nearly tangible. The entire herd of ponies had gone dead silent; all eyes were affixed on Celestia and her golden glowing horn as she randomly pulled out three tickets. They glowed the same color as her horn while they elegantly left golden trails, swirling around her entire body until they stopped, hanging in front of her imposing eyes. Their golden trails slowly dissipated until Celestia began to read off the first numbers.

The ponies’ gazes all turned to their own tickets to follow along as she read aloud, “3…” Most of the ponies, including Heartsong, groaned in unison as they were already eliminated by the first number. “7…” Heartsong noticed that Redheart’s eyes grew steadily wider, still staring at her own ticket. “3…” Redheart bit her lip, tapping her hooves nervously, one number away from her child’s salvation. Celestia paused for a second, gazing out toward the audience before reading the final number, “8…”

Redheart stood there silently, letting her ticket drop. As it gently alighted on the floor, she turned away, tears forming in her eyes. “Let’s go my dear…” She solemnly said while she trotted away with her filly. Princess Sola and Heartsong watched as she walked away from the ceremony defeated, and decided they should let her go. There was but a single Pegasus mother cheering and crying at the same time as she flew down to the empty circle the guards had formed, landing with her child; a white coated, purple maned colt.

Princess Celestia let the first ticket disappear into thin air with a sudden gold flash, and then continued to the second, “Again, it starts with 3…” Another moan and angry clopping of hooves erupted over the crowds as a squad of Sola’s royal guards pushed their way through the angry herd of ponies, taking their places in the circle. “7 again…” Celestia let out a quick, little ‘hmm’ as she read the third number, “3…” She raised her brow inquisitively, finding it odd.

Heartsong quickly realized that Redheart still had a chance and snatched her ticket off the stone floor; Princess Sola leaned over her shoulder to look. “6!” Sola and Heartsong gasped together, she had won! Heartsong stood there, dumbstruck as Sola started to push her side, “Go! Go get her! Quickly!” Heartsong sort of shuffled her hooves unsure of what to do at first, but then took off in full gallop before jumping and flying off toward where Redheart left. She quickly caught her, not having gotten far due to her solemn trotting, and called, “Redheart! Nurse Redheart! You won! You must come quickly!”

She looked from her filly’s hooves and up to Heartsong, who seemed like a guardian angel, hovering there with her white coat and straight, golden mane. Without another word, she scooped up her child in her muzzle and threw her on her back, galloping. “If they don’t show up soon, they will be disqualified and I shall pull out another number!” announced Celestia just before Redheart came crashing through the crowd and stumbling in front of the guards.

Heartsong smiled, having taken her place next to Sola again, distant from the rest of the crowd, in the back. “One ticket left…” Heartsong sighed. Sola nudged the mare with her onyx capped hoof, “There there Heartsong, Veridian can still win, it’s just going to take a bit of luck.” “The Raffle is rigged!” cried some angry pony, getting a furious reaction from the crowd, nearly starting a riot. More of Sola’s guards streamed in from the tunnels and with some difficulty, managed to quell the unrest.

“Comrades! I promise you, these are entirely random, which makes it possible for them to have similarities.” Celestia stated. The second ticket flashed out of existence as she began to read off the third and final ticket, “2…5…” A flicker of hope sparked within Heartsong but was soon extinguished when she read “5…1…!” No cheering came from the crowd, only silence and weeping. Princess Celestia looked around, attempting to find the winner, but none approached. She then warned and counted down, “If I don’t have a winner when I finish counting, I shall choose another. 10…9…8…” Everypony turned their heads around frantically, desperately hoping nopony would go up. “3…2…1…” Then a sudden golden flash eliminated somepony’s chance of salvation as she said zero, and one final ticket sprung from the bag in a golden trail with a noticeable hint of green. Everypony’s hopes were rekindled as they returned to gaze at their tickets, “2…5…” Princess Sola took Heartsong’s hoof in hers as Celestia read, “4…” She stared silently at the last remaining number, a single digit holding her child’s fate... “8!”

Heartsong gasped and immediately took off in a gallop, spreading her wings and leaping into the air, soaring above the herd of disappointed ponies, and crash-landing hard on her hooves next to Redheart. The nurse jumped, embracing Heartsong in a hug that was only disrupted when the winning ticket fell to the floor, striking it on its edge, and exploding into a pure green flash.

The crowd gasped when Celestia magically levitated Veridian off of Heartsong’s back and removed the cloth hiding his wings. She glared and frowned angrily, returning Veridian to the group of foals on the floor. She brought her golden capped hoof up off the ground then stomped down hard yelling, “This is Imposs-…” She was interrupted by something she had stepped on, it seemed soft and delicate. Looking down and lifting her hoof slowly from where she stomped, having left an indent and cracks in the ground, she stared at the last thing she would expect to see; a small plant, no, a clover. A nice-sized, vivid green, four-leafed clover lay there, smashed into the indent of the stone floor.

She stared silently, contemplating what to do until she was interrupted by a slowly growing, dull roar above where she stood. The sound quickly grew into a chain of booming explosions, shaking the massive cavern. Then, an ear-shattering crack filled the room as a gigantic stalactite broke free from the roof, filling the room with sun light from the outside world, falling point first at Celestia and the foals. She was stunned and unable to move. Princess Sola, faster than the eye could see, hurled herself over the entire Great Room, at the falling monstrosity, knocking it off course and crashing into the opposite wall from her where it crumbled harmlessly.

Again, another round of explosions shook the cave as the roof continued to crumble, dropping jagged boulders by the hundreds over the pony’s heads. The unicorns and pegasi started focusing their magic and flying to stop their incoming deaths, but to no avail. Princess Celestia formed a force field around herself and the foals who she had magically pulled to herself, boulders striking and rolling off the shield.

The quaking sent the crowd scattering, trying to escape the onslaught, but were too slow. Cries and shrieks of agonizing pain from ponies everywhere, crushing of bones and skulls emanated through the Great Room, only to be silenced with death. Veridian looked out as ponies, mares and foals alike were buried alive, making dull thudding sounds, and then looked to his mother… his beautiful mother, staring back at him silently as the boulders crashed throughout the room. She reached her hoof up and placed it on the force field, crying, hoping to feel her colt one last time, when there was a sudden smashing on her rear, crushing her in half and forcing her to the floor, pinned. She cried out a deathly shriek, looking up to the sky to see another figure falling toward her face. A soviet Pegasus descended from the sky, armblade strapped to their hoof, and crashed onto her head, sending blood spewing from both sides of her neck, and to the horror of Veridian’s watching eyes, ultimately ended her life.

Looking up, Celestia saw a swarm, darkening the skies, of enemy soviet pegasi divers, hurtling toward whatever ponies managed to survive the cave-in. Princess Sola and her guards were engaged in combat, greatly outnumbered, while armored soldiers of both Resistance and Soviets poured from the many tunnels around the Great Room, surrounding the Princesses on all sides. Sola called out to Celestia, “Sister, take the foals to safety! Get out of here while you still can!” She knew this would be the Resistance’s final stand. The Soviets had secretly planned a full scale invasion.

Celestia nodded, levitating the foals onto her Pegasus guard’s backs and took to the sky. Followed by her royal guards, she flew straight up and out of the hole the Soviets blew into the roof of the cavern, and looked down at the carnage. Mangled bodies lay under what was once the roof, their protection from the outside world had become their end. The cold stone floor was caked with pools of blood running from the crushed and slain. The sounds of metal on metal and metal on flesh reverberated around the crater that just moments earlier was a tranquil safe haven.

The Princess streamed tears down her cheeks, looking at the final object that lay on the ground; the clover she just as easily crushed as the Soviets did them. Reluctantly, she turned to her guards who had just dispatched a few enemy pegasi, sent plummeting to the ground, and said, “Let’s go, we need to get these younglings out of here.” And with that, they fled the terrible disaster in the direction of Canterlot.