A War of Desperate Measures

Chapter 2:

Prepare the Tombs

The night air is cool as we fly towards our goal. We have indeed been informed correctly of the supply caravan moving toward The Crystal Mountains from the valley city of Hollow Shades. As we approach I notice that the wagons are being pulled by what look to be unicorn mares. I scan each one as we fly overhead. As I search each pony's face, cutie mark, and the wagons they are pulling I notice a white one with three diamonds as her mark. I drift a little closer to the ground trying to get a better look at the unicorn. I can't tell who exactly it is because her mane and body are both coated with heavy amounts of brown dirt. Finally I get a good look at her eyes and nearly fall out of the sky when I realize that it is in fact Rarity. I quickly fly over to Luna and tell her my findings. She looks to me with a little bit of a sour glare.

"Rainbow Dash, we don't have time to rescue her until we have this caravan destroyed. If she is still alive once we are finished we can gladly take her back with us, but until then find the wagon holding the leader of this caravan." Luna flies to the front of the caravan after saying that and I proceed to search the wagons from the back.

I quickly survey the back six as being supplies only while the other six wagons seemed to be carrying ponies. I swoop down just far enough to make out the faces of the ponies, but not be seen by them thanks to the darkness overhead and my black armor padded with a black bodysuit. Finally after surveying the third wagon from the front I find our stallion. A dark red coat, a black mane with red tips, his tail just the same, and a set of crossed double-headed axes for a cutie mark. I zip over to Luna as swiftly as I can and tell her that I found him. She smiles deviously and her horn begins to glow.

"Which wagon," she asks. It's normally not like me, but when I see the look on her face and the glow of her horn I begin to feel my heart race with fear. I feel the pure awesome power behind that magical attack she is brewing.

I point to the third wagon. "It's that one." With that said her horn pulses, a large flash of light blinds me, and I hear a loud explosion. When the light recedes and I can see again I notice that the entire wagon was gone. Well, not exactly gone, but splintered in every direction. At this point the entire caravan begins to scatter, but thanks to Luna casting out a forcefield, none of them escape. She raises her voice into the royal Canterlot tone and announces, "This caravan is hereby under the control of Equestrian Royalty. The leader of this caravan has been killed and you are now all under my control. No pony shall leave here until they are either dead or have told us all truthful information about where this caravan is going."

"Luna, are we including Rarity as well in that," I whisper into her ear.

"Yes, Rainbow Dash. I'm sorry, but even Rarity is included in this," she replies just as quietly. I sigh and look down to the frightened faces of our captures. I quickly find Rarity and I see that there is a deep sadness in her eyes. She lies on the ground. Wait, did she just lie on the ground? This must be worse than I thought... As I think this I hear the voices of the upset ponies beginning to get louder as they become not only scared, but angry as well.

"What do you mean that your going to kill us unless we give you truthful information? We are only slaves to these buckers!!! They were going to kill us if we didn't co-operate. If we survived all the way to The Crystal Mountains they were only going use the rest of us live ponies for pleasure slaves and then kill us once they got bored!" A mint green unicorn with a lyre for a cutie mark yelled. I immediately recognized her as the unicorn that spent a lot of time with Bon Bon...um, Lyra! That was her name. Oh ponyfeathers...really? Not only Rarity, but Lyra too. Anypony else I should know about that has been taken away from home? I cursed my thoughts as soon as I found another pony I almost didn't recognize without her signiture purple shades that always hid her now fully revealed ruby red eyes...this pony happened to have an electric blue mane and tail, with a pure white coat, and a double eighth note cutie mark...Vinyl Scratch. I'd spent a lot of time with the DJ and her special somepony Octavia while in the clubbing district that had opened on the western side of Ponyville.

"Luna," I begin. "Can I say something to them?" She arches an eyebrow at me, but nods. I fly down to the ground and step up in front of Lyra. "Listen Lyra, we don't, well...at least I don't want to kill any of you. We are under orders and there isn't anything we can do unless you all co-operate with us. I understand your anger. Truly I do, but please just tell us why this caravan is carrying weapons clear to the north." She stares at me for a moment before sighing.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to snap at you, but we've all just been so scared. We didn't know what was going on. The only thing that we do know is that we are to take these weapons to The Crystal Mountains for some dark king. After that we were only to be used as tools of pleasure. Rainbow Dash, I speak for all of us when we say that other than those things we have no idea of what is happening."

"Thank you Lyra. I think you may have just saved everyone." I fly back to Luna and tell her exactly what Lyra had told me. She taps a hoof against her chin in thought before landing on the ground. I follow her suit and settle down beside her. She steps forward causing almost everypony to shuffle uneasily backwards. "Lieutenant Dash has told me your story and I do believe it for the most part, but to be completely certain it is the full truth I shall have to scan each of your minds. May I have a volunteer?" All of the ponies in front of us move around on uneasy hooves, unsure if they should step up first. I begin growing impatient. Finally after another five minutes of waiting I can't hold out any longer. "Will somepony please step up so we can get on with this and go home!?"

Without hesitation Rarity steps forward, "Since nopony else wants to get on with this so that we may finally get back to civilization I shall be the first!" Luna beckons Rarity to stand in front of her and then with her horn aglow she places the tip against the tip of Rarity's. I watch quietly as the rest of the ponies start forming a line to be examined. With Rarity's scan complete she calmly strolls over to me. "Hey Rainbow Dash. It is most pleasant to see you. I was beginning to think that this trip was going to finally be my end." I can't help, but feel a tear try to escape my eye as I look upon the once perfectly groomed fashion designer, now covered in thick layers of dirt with her mane a dreadful mess and her ribs almost fully noticeable against her fur.

"How long have you been out here," I ask fully concered with my friend's well-being. "You look aweful."

"Hard to say...a month and a half...maybe two. We haven't exactly been able to keep track of time what with most of us being emotional wrecks and constantly being either knocked out, blindfolded, or broken to the point of insanity." This time I feel the tears drop from my eyes, roll down my cheeks, and finally splash onto the ground. I pull Rarity into a tight hug and hold her for a moment, wrapping my wings around her. At first she seems startled, but then hugs back melting in my embrace. She begins to cry and I do as well. We freely let our emotions reign until a loud crack followed by a flash of light brings us back to reality. We both jump and look to the Princess of the Night noticing that there are about ten ponies left to be examined and the one before Luna is not standing. Instead she is lying on the ground with blood pooling from empty eye sockets and from her exposed chest, a hole showing where only a few seconds ago her heart had been. I stare at the sight purely shocked.

I can't say anything as another pony steps forward and recieves the same treatment. I quickly dart my sight around and find that both Lyra and Vinyl are both safely gathered with the rest of the ponies that had passed the scan. I let out a relieved sigh I hadn't even known I was holding in. I don't dare speak up as a third pony is struck dead in front of me. I can only watch in terror at the horrible sight.

Soon every pony is scanned and only four out of the entire group has been killed. I briskly make my way to Luna and ask to speak with her for a moment. She complies and walks with me to the edge of the forcefield outside the hearing range of the, not only scared and angry, but now thoroughly scarred for the rest of their lives, others.

"What did you kill them for? How could you do that and not even think twice?" She looks away from me for a moment before turning back and responding to my question with, "Rainbow Dash, I didn't want to kill them, but those four ponies had tracking spells placed on their hearts and sight spells placed in their eyes. I had no choice. I would have saved them if I could, but those spells could be giving information to any enemy out there."

"I guess..." I look to the ground and sigh. "Those ponies could have also led us to our enemies if you had tracked the magic. I may not be a unicorn, but Twilight had told me before about being able to do just that. She said and I do quote, 'tracking spells can be tricky, with sight spells being worse, but you can follow the magical trail within the infected area back to the part of the mind that holds the memory of where and who placed the spell. If you can track it back to origin it is possible to block the spell and sometimes even remove it entirely. I've been practicing it as often as possible.' I mean she seemed to know what she was talking about. She rambled on about it for like twenty minutes."

Luna stares at me incredulously before turning back to all the other ponies gathered together. "I do apologize for the deaths of our fellow ponies, but I could not have them traveling with us as long as they had tracking and sight spells placed upon them. More than likely our enemy knows our location and what has been hapening up to this point. I would much prefer for all of you to get back into your harnesses and begin following us back to Canterlot. I assure you that I shall get you back to your homes and families, if you have family that is, as safely and as quickly as possible. Also I shall make sure that our dead comrads shall be properly buried." I see a darkness reign over the princess' eyes as she turns away from them, places the dead ponies into one of the now empty wagons, and lowers the forcefield.

As told, the other ponies get back into their harnesses and follow the princess. I linger back next to Vinyl and Rarity now harnessed together. Slowly, ever so slowly, we make our way back towards Canterlot and the safety of it's shields. I hadn't actually realized how bare the land was in this part of Equestria. Almost everything around us was dead. "Hey, I'm gonna go talk to the princess," I say to Vinyl and Rarity.

"Have fun," Vinyl says with her head drooping down so that she stares at the ground.

"Very well Lieutenant Dash," Rarity replies not changing the look on her face one bit. I sigh and quickly fly up to Luna, settling down next to her, and walking silently for a moment.

"Yes Lieutenant Dash? Was there something you wish to speak about?" She looks over at me and I almost avert my gaze. Dammit, why do these thoughts have to pop up right now? I mean, ugh nevermind just ask the question. I quickly decide to speak up with Luna now raising a brow at me.

"Um, yeah...sorry, I've been really confused lately."

"Go on, I'm listening." She gives me what looks to be a half-hearted smile, although I can't tell the difference even if it was genuine.

"Well, the thing is...Oh, I don't even know...nevermind. I-I'll talk to you back at the castle."

"Alright then. Ummm, Dashie," she says softly. Did she just call me Dashie? The only pony I know who calls me Dashie is Pinkie Pie. I don't know why, but she does. I decide to speak on the matter.

"Princess Luna, did you just call me Dashie?"

"Did I?"

"Yeah, I kinda think you did."

"Is there something wrong with it or something?" Her ears press back against her head and she looks at the ground as we walk. I swear I see a blush on her midnight blue fur due to the fact that the sun is now rising. I once again ignore the feeling in my chest and resist the urge to blush myself at the sight of her beauty. Dammit Rainbow Dash, stop it right now! She's royalty and royalty can't be with common ponies. Stupid thoughts...stupid emotions...stupid heart. Why does all this have to be so confusing? Suddenly a giggle wakes me from the rant I'm giving myself. I look over and the princess is staring at me with an arched brow. She is giggling at me.

"What? Is there something wrong with my armor? Is there something on my face? What is it your laughing at?"

"I'm laughing because you looked like you were giving yourelf a pretty hard mental kick. What is troubling you Da...Rainbow Dash?"

"This whole entire situation. I will be able to talk more freely when we are alone tomorrow. Shining Armor told me something about Celestia wanting me on Night Weather Duty with you. Gotta keep those wild cloud tame from the Everfree you know?" She chuckles softly again. "Indeed Rainbow Dash, tomorrow we will continue our conversation. Although I haven't done weather patrol in a long time. You may have to reteach me." Smiling she walks over to me and places a wing around me, hugging slightly before jumping into the air and yelling back that we are almost to Canterlot.

"Whoohoo," I say and I hear the cheers of joy from the other ponies as well. Maybe I can get some rest now that this is over. Ugh, gotta wait to be debriefed and all that good junk first though. Finally after what seems to be forever we make it to the shield covering Canterlot. I smile at the sight as does everypony else. Luna presses forward and opens the barrier to let us in. I for one don't have to be told twice. I rush inside and count all the others once they come in.

"Lieutenant Dash," I hear come from my right. I turn to find Princess Celestia and two guards with her. "May I have a word with you?"

"Of course your Highness." I make my way to her as quickly as I can. "Yes ma'am?"

"What is the report?"

"We found that the caravan indeed did have weapons. They were heading to The Crystal Mountains. I believe when they said Dark King they were speaking of King Sombra. As well as finding out that information we found Rarity among the captures. She and a couple other ponies revealed what the intents for the rest of them were going to be once they reached the mountains. Lyra, the mint green unicorn with a Lyre on her flank said that they were to become pleasure slaves until they became boring. They were then going to be killed. Luna found four ponies with tracking spells, as well as sight spells, and she killed them on the spot. She promised that she would get everypony home safely and quickly. She wants to properly bury the dead as well. I believe that completes my report your Highness."

Celestia looks at me for a moment and I see a small smile creep onto her face. "Very well Lieutenant Dash, you are dismissed. I shall have the arrangments made for the others to go home, and I shall make sure the dead get buried."

"Umm, Princess Celestia?"

"Yes?"

"Would it be possible for me to have Rarity, Lyra, and Vinyl stay with me today and tonight? Maybe I can coax some more information from them. I want to make sure they are all okay at the same time."

She looks out into the distance thinking before turning back and saying, "I grant you permission, but tread carefully. I don't normally allow ponies other than you Elements of Harmony and the Noble Pony Houses stay in the castle."

"Thank you Princess. I'm gonna get going and I will talk to you later this evening correct?"

"Yes, I do indeed need to speak with you before tomorrow's weather patrol for you and Luna. Now, get on your way." I do as I'm told and gallop over to where the three of them are standing. They look at me a bit confused.

"You three are staying with me tonight. I have some questions I want to ask you, and I could use some company if you wouldn't mind." They all kind of stare at me until Rarity says, "Of course. I will gladly stay with you tonight. I could use a shower too." Vinyl nods and Lyra smiles a bit following me as I lead the way into the castle.