The Night Comes Before Dawn

Three days. Three days she's been stuck there.

"Ah horsefeathers," murmured Twilight Sparkle, "I'm running low on food. I wonder if they burned down Sweet Apple Acres?" She stood up from her hiding place under the library.  Ashes waded in the early morning breeze. A single raven flew through the air, cawing to nopony. Twilight took a swig from her canteen. Her eyes lazily drifted across the horizon, searching for any signs of life. "Nothing," Twilight said to herself, "Coast seems clear." She swung up her saddlebags, and galloped across the town square.

Suddenly, a form rose out of the ruins of Sugarcube Corner. Twilight froze in place, hoping not to be seen. The figure turned slowly, back and forth, as if looking for something. "Hello?" Twilight went rigid with fear. "Is anypony out there?"

"Lyra? Is that you?" Twilight called out.

The figure shook her mane, revealing the pale green and white underneath. "Twilight?" She zeroed in on the source of Twilight's voice. "Twilight! It is you!" Lyra hopped over the crumbled walls and toward the purple unicorn. "I thought everpony was dead. What happened to Ponyville?"

"It's a long story. What happened to you? I heard that you were out of town!" said Twilight.

"I was," Lyra explained, "but I came back. When I saw the ruins, I knew something was up, so I crept in, hoping to find a friend, but I didn't recognize anyone. Just a bunch of ponies by the fountain, wearing these big black robes and chanting in some weird language. I must've steeped on a twig or something then, because then I heard a snapping sound, and one of the ponies turned and saw me.

I guess I wasn't supposed to see what they were doing, because he pointed at me and all of them ran at me, screaming. I ran away as fast as I could, and rolled around in the soot to try and disguise myself. I think it worked, because none of them found me. I hope Bon-Bon is okay. I haven't seen her in weeks." Lyra sighed. "What about you, Twilight? What have you been up to?"

"Long story. I'll tell you later. Do you have much in the way of supplies?" asked Twilight.

"Not really. I've been mostly just scrounging in the bakery. Seems like Pinkie Pie left quite a bit behind."

"I was heading to Sweet Apple Acres, but we might as well look around."

Suddenly, a pink earth pony leaped out of the ground. "Boo!" she shouted, "Did I scare you? Did I did I did I? Did I scare you Twi? I was hiding in the ground and then you came over and I was like BOOO and you were like GAH IT'S A PINKIE and I'm like duh I'm the only Pinkie so if a Pinkie comes out then it's me! I was down in the ground because I was sleeping because I was sleepy and then you said Pinkie and I was like Ah somepony said my name and so I came up and I went Boo and you were like Ahh!" Pinkie Pie managed to blurt the entire splurge of words in one breath.

"Here I brought some things!" She pulled two saddlebags out of her hammerspace and slung them on the mares' flanks, Lyra and Twilight. "Come down with me!" Pinkie yanked on a chain, and a plate of metal rose from the ground. A draft of cool air blew up from a dark and foreboding hole. Pinkie Pie grabbed her friends and leapt down.

Lyra blinked into the darkness, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the low light environment. Pinkie opted to take the proactive path, slamming on a switch that turned on a single light bulb, hanging from the ceiling. "Pinkie," inquired Lyra, "why do you have a nuclear bunker?"

"'Cause I'm Pinkie, duh! Do you mean you don't have a nuclear bunker?" Pinkie munched on an apple. "Everypony should have a-"

Twilight cut her off. "Where did you get that?"

"What, this?" said Pinkie Pie, gesturing to her fruit. "Sweet Apple Acres, duh. Where else would I get an apple from?"

"So, you just went to Sweet Apple Acres, outside, and got an apple?"

"No, silly, I went that way!" Pinkie pointed her hoof towards a passageway.

Twilight peered into the hallway. "So we now have a good supply of food, then? We can probably just wait out down here for a few days, wait for things to settle down up there." She sat down on a mat.

"Good, then." Lyra proclaimed. "you have some explaining to do."

Twilight grumbled. "Well, it started when-"

"HHHUUUUHHH!!!" gasped Pinkie, rolling her eyes, "Finally, some exposition!"

"What? Exposition of what?" pondered a confused Twilight.

"This story, duh!"

"Pinkie, this isn't a story. This is real life. It's - ugh - Pinkie Pie, you are so random."

~~~

"Well, it all started about a year ago. Remember when Princess Luna visited us during Nightmare Night? Right around that time, some rumors started circulating. Princess Luna was gathering support, making weapons, teaching combat spells, renovating The Old Castle in the Everfree, things like that. At first, I just dismissed them, but as time went on, it just became more pronounced. The Princess actually just moved into Darkehall, and installed some huge defenses. Then, just a few months after that, the Pegasi seceded from Equestria! Can you imagine? They didn't even tell us then, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy just packed up and left, they told us there was some kind of secret pegasus holiday going on.

Now, we know it wasn't just the Pegasi that left either, some Unicorns and Earth Ponies went with them, too, and they live under the jurisdiction of the Pegasus High Council high in the mountains. Celestia had managed to seed some spies among those towns, and even had a few Pegasi still loyal to her, and they barely managed to collect any information.

A few months later, some protests started up in Canterlot. Apparently, they wanted 'equal rights for Luna' or something; they were angry about Princess Luna's millennium long banishment. Things got nasty though, and pretty soon there was just open rebellion.

Equestria has managed to be strong in the past years, mostly because Celestia has the power to just confront enemies directly, the kings and ministers and chiefs that want war, and doesn't have to fight the poor soldiers that just to what they're told. But this time, there were no leaders. All the groups of rioters seemed to be completely separate. They had a cohesive and blended strategy, but no communication between the sects could be found. The Royal Guard had to resort to breaking into houses, trying to catch ponies in secret meetings.

Celestia didn't even suspect Luna yet, and asked her for help. She just claimed she didn't know anything and was to busy building up her new fortress.

Then, war. Ponies shed veils and made evident their true colours. Ponies flocked to Darkehall, and even foreigners joined the joined the fray. Diamond Dogs, ever loyal to Luna, sprang their traps out of the ground, obviously much more intelligent than we ever imagined them to be. The Griffin Empire joined with Pegarolis, siding with Luna. Celestia still held the advantage of numbers, but with Luna's armies in total control of the sky, they were hard-pressed to fight back.

Zebronica issued an official statement of neutrality, probably waiting for a clear winner before declaring their allegiance. Aroarn pirates and and bandits sprang up overnight, raiding our borders, harassing anypony they found.

As the official monarch of Equestria, Celestia did get some foreign support, to 'quell domestic revolt and civil unrest'. Currently, Lunar forces hold the southern portion of Equestria, along with a big chunk through the middle and Darkehall. With it so close, it isn't safe for us to stay much longer, but we might be able to escape across disputed lines into Solar territory.

I say we gather as many supplies as we can, then run as fast we can across to proper land. Who knows when those cultists will be back? It just simply isn't safe to stay here." Twilight concluded her droning monologue.

"That was great, Twi! It covered just about all the necessary background knowledge!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"...What?" said Lyra and Twilight at the same time.

"Anyway, supplies shouldn't be a problem. We can go anywhere with the tunnels!" Pinkie stomped her hooves. "Let's go right now!"

"Sounds good to me." said Lyra, "But Twilight, are you sure you can work without making a checklist?" Twilight shot the green mare a dirty look. Lyra continued, "Ok then. Pinkie, you can continue gathering food." Pinkie Pie nodded furiously. "Twilight, you head to the library, we might need a few books about wilderness survival or something. After that, head to the hospital. Medical supplies will be most welcome." Twilight stood up. "I'll head over to the Walmaret, and pick up other supplies. Rope, saddlebags, weapons, stuff like that. Everypony meet back here in two hours."

~Lyra~

"I'll head over to the Wal-maret, and pick up other supplies. Rope, saddlebags, weapons, stuff like that. Everypony meet back here in two hours." Lyra stood up, and headed down one of the dark tunnels, leading in approximately the same direction as the Walmaret. As she stepped in, motion sensors detected her movement, triggering a steel door to clamp down, and bright lights to swivel on the ceiling, shining their harsh white light directly towards her.

"STATE YOUR IDENTITY." spoke an piercing, robotic voice.

"Umm, I'm Lyra."

"ARE YOU A FRIEND OF PINKIE PIE'S?"

"Err, yes?"

"Okie dokie lokie! Go on in!" it said in a drastically different Pinkie-Pie-esque voice.

"Huh. Thanks, I guess."

~~~

Lyra walked on. The hallway was carpeted with a thick pink rug, the walls painted a grisly pink. It almost made me Lyra want to puke.

The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever, but eventually, she arrived at her destination. The hall stopped. Lyra saw a metal platform, right under a hatch. She stepped onto it, studying some buttons on a panel. Attempting to determine the purpose, she pressed one, raising the platform and opening the hatch.

A blast of hot, sooty air met her. Even inside the store, the broken glass provided perfect passage for the outside wind to enter. Lyra climbed out the tunnel, and looked around. She was in some kind of secluded area, like staff break room or bank.

A, single door was at the far end of the room. Walking to it, Lyra noticed her surroundings.

"A pool table. And a vending machine in it. That's genius." Lyra returned her attentions to the door, yanking it. "Shoot, it's locked." she said, then noticing the sign "PUSH, NOT PULL". She nudged it open a crack, then carefully peered out. Seeing the lack of life around, she fully stepped out onto the main floor.

"Good. I'm in the camping section." Lyra grabbed three sturdy, roomy saddlebags, putting one on herself. A collapseable compact tent sat nearby, along with some multi-tools and cooking gear, all which went into the bag. "Hmmm, I should probably find a map or something...Aha! Here it is!" Lyra took a map and compass from their shelves, and promptly thrust them into the bag. She found some canteens, dry-freeze food, duct tape, which was now safely located in her bag. Water purification tablets, first-aid kit, waterproof cloaks. Into the bag. Into the bag went many things, which would take a very long time to list.

"This is some good stuff. I should go look for some weapons now." Lyra followed the large sign hanging off the ceiling, pointing towards the next aisle. Suddenly, she heard a loud clunk and a yelp of pain. "Hello? Is anypony out there?" she called, but the building had fallen silent once again. Lyra quickly grabbed Bowmaster Complete Set ™ and set up an arrow. She quietly stalked through the shelves, looking for the source of the voice.

"Nice going there, Doctor. Now the whole bucking town probably heard you." came a low voice punctuated with periodic grunts of pain. Lyra froze, glancing around. She spotted a small trail of blood, leading towards the wall. Following it, she saw a stallion, injured, cowering in the corner.

"Geh!" the anxious stallion looked up. He was a tan earth pony, with a brown mane and hourglass cutie mark. "Stay back! I'm armed and dangerous." However, he was holding a baseball bat in his mouth so it sound like "Thed baa! Aaah merm inth domouras!"

"Relax." Lyra cooed. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Easy for you to say." spat out the earth pony. "Forgive if I don't trust you, you do seem to have a deadly weapon pointed at my head."

"This?" said Lyra, "Ok." She gently pried off the arrow and laid it on the ground. "Aren't you Sepia Tock? What are you doing here?"

"The same thing you are, I'd imagine." Sepia coughed. "Only I set off the bloody bear trap."

Lyra looked at his leg, and the blood soaked cloth wrapped around it. "Ok. I'm not doctor, put this will probably help." She took out a fresh bandage and some painkillers, giving them to the stallion. "I'm going to be snooping around a bit, but you're welcome to come with us if you'd like."

"Company would be much appreciated. Just don't forget I'm here and leave without me." ranted Tock.

Lyra set off once again, gathering her things. She pulled various things off shelves. Arrows, throwing knives, even a few guns and boxes of ammo. She found some swords and cudgels, specially molded at the handle to fit on the hoof of an earth pony.

"Mr. Tock?" Lyra called softly. "I'm done."

"Wait a second." he grunted. "I'm coming." The earth pony shambled across the floor, limping due to his injured leg.

She hurried across to him, helping brace on his injured side. They reentered the back room, and down the shaft to the tunnel.

~Twilight Sparkle~

"Everypony meet back here in two hours." Lyra said, as she walked off into a tunnel.

Great! thought Twilight, finding books at the library shouldn't be a problem. I just need to figure out how to get there. Twilight peered down a tunnel. Next to it was a sign that said "TO LIBRARY". This is probably the right way then. It was a short, uneventful trot across the town square. Surprisingly, the exit hatch opened up right in the middle of the library.

"How did I never see this before? Argh never mind. Find books find books find books." Twilight routed around on her shelves, occasionally grabbing a few and stuffing them in her bag. Next she climbed up the staircase to her bed. Spike had been staying with Rarity when Twilight was gone in Canterlot, and he had disappeared along with most of the rest of her friends. Twilight grabbed a few of her personal belongings, such as Spike' blanket and her old Smarty Pantz doll.

Twilight leaped down the stairs and galloped outside towards the hospital. She was interrupted by a large mail van careening out of the sky and falling in from of her. A grey pegasus mare stumbled out of the smoking automobile.

"Derpy! Are you alright?" said the concerned Twilight, rushing forward.

"I'm ok." reassured Derpy Hooves, her lazy eye skewing in all directions.

"I thought all the pegasi had left? Why are you still down here?"

"Not all had to go. Didn't want to, stay here. Van smashed now, that's no good." Derpy sighed. "Have you seen Sepia? I have a package for him."

"No, I haven't. I'm going to the hospital, to get some medical supplies. You can come with me; we might see him."

"Well, the situation seems to demand it."

~~~

Twilight and Derpy arrived at the hospital. The front doors were off their hinges, laying in the grass a few feet away. The windows were smashed, bloody shards of glass everywhere. They cautiously entered, wary for possible attackers. They made their way to the supply room, luckily encountering no one.

"Mother of Celestia.." Twilight stared into the room. Piled high, up to the ceiling, rows and rows of shelves. All stuffed full of supplies. "This will last us forever. Quick, Derpy! Just grab anything you can!"

"Ok." Derpy ran forward, disappearing behind the stacks.

"Hmm, we'll need medicine. Painkillers, antibiotics and stuff. Extra syringes and measuring cups would be good to." Twilight pulled some items off their shelves. "Bandages, too. And plenty of antiseptic." Bottles and boxes and bags flew towards her. "Oh oxygen canisters. I guess those could be useful, too." Twilight grabbed a dozen, small, sealed metal cans, along with face masks. Her saddlebags were stuffed close to bursting. "Derpy Hooves? Are you ready yet?"

"Yeah." The two mares cantered out, back to the library entry.

~Pinkie Pie~

"Everypony meet back here in two hours." Lyra said, as she walked off into a tunnel.

"Yippee! Time for nom nom gathering!" Pinkie scratched her head. "Where can I get more noms?" She turnded and stared at a patch of wall. "Hey, you! You know where I can get noms?" Pinkie Pie sat there. "Hellooo? Anyone there?"

"Who are you talking to?" Lyra called.

"Them!" Pinkie pointed.

"There's no one there..." Lyra said, peering at the wall. "WHALP. I'm going."

"Food food food food. Where I get food. Oh, right! Sweet Apple Acres!" Pinkie Pie ran down a hall.

~~~

Pinkie Pie galloped down the darkened hall, than skid to a halt as the wall grew close. She leaped up to a hatch, popping it open with a button press. The plate silently slid open, revealing a small room, lit by a single, dwindling candle.

"Hello? Who's there?" A voice wafted out of the darkness.

"Who is? You is, Applejack!" Pinkie sang.

"No, I'm not. What are you doing here, Pinkie?"

"Vinyl! Fancy meeting you here!"

"Is it, really?"

"Well, Scratchy Matchy, I'd love to talk, but I need to go get some food!"

"What? You're just going to leave me here?"

"Silly Vinny Minny, you can with us! How many apples do you think you can carry?"

"I dunno, a lot. 'Gonna be kind of hard with a broken leg."

"Oh noes then. I'll have to take them all with myself. Don't move!"

Pinkie Pie bounced through a doorway and up the stairs, out of Applejack's basement through the cellar door. Pinkie gazed around the farm. Trees stretched as far as the eye could see, some were burnt and only a few still carried apples, but with the vast number of trees numeration of fruit was no problem. Pinkie scrambled, visible only as a pink blur, waving around trees, up and down trees. Apple cores and fluttering leaves fell in her wake.

Soon enough, Pinkie Pie had filled her bags. Dragging back to the barn, her tail vibrated. "AAH! Twitchy twitchy twitch! Twitchy tail is twitching!" Pinkie Pie dashed forward, staring skyward for falling objects, but stumbled into a hole. Pinkie screamed, plummeting earthward. Rather melodramaticly, she even managed to faint before being startled awake on impact of the floor, three feet below.

Unfazed, Pinkie Pie hopped down into the cellar. "Oooohh Vinyl! I'm back!"

"Bleh. Do you always have to be so loud?" groaned Vinyl Scratch.

"Well, duh."

"Ok, let's just go."

Pinkie Pie grabbed onto the white mare, and led her with a series of pulls. "Brace yourself, we're going down now!" Pinkie Pie stomped on a button, opening the hatch into the tunnel.