The Fall of a Nation

”Miss Heartstrings? I know you are there,” said a mumbled voice from behind the door. Lyra was feeling better this evening, and couldn’t keep her curiosity in check anymore. She wanted to know who this mare was.

As Lyra opened the door she saw the blue mare from yesterday in front of her.

“Ah, I was wondering whether you’d want to see me at all. May I come in?” asked the peculiar mare. A light, sad smile was on evident on her lips. The wrinkles in the corners of the mare’s eyes betrayed her age: She had certainly seen many more years than the aquamarine mare in front of her.

“Yes,” answered Lyra, hesitantly continuing: “And who might you be?”

The blue mare was blunt in her words. “It’s not very important who I am. What is important is that you seem to be a lonely mare looking for a shoulder to cry on, and I can provide that. This may seem selfish… but I also have a request. I’d like to stay in your home for a few days.”

Lyra deadpanned. “Seriously? A complete stranger knocks at my door, offers to become a pillow for me to cry into, while asking for a place to stay in at the same time? Do you honestly expect me to let you in?”

The blue mare simply kept smiling and went inside past the stunned Lyra. “Yes. You have everything to lose but there’s nothing you can do about it. That much I can see from your eyes. Could you make us some tea?”

Shocked by the mare’s impudence, Lyra headed towards the kitchen without a word. Morning Gray would do, not that there was much else left with all inter-Equestrian trade almost completely cut off. Putting on and lighting up the gas of the stove, Lyra was lost in thoughts. Who is that mare? Why did I let her in without any resistance? While she was proceeding to boil the water in her old but trusty iron kettle, the blue mare sat on a chair next to the large pinewood table Bon had bought a few years ago. “Now that you let me in, I can probably trust you a bit more. You can call me Twinkle,” she said.

“Well, Twinkle, may I ask why you came here with an offer of being a pillow for me to get a place to sleep in?” Lyra responded. Now that sounded cheesy.

“Oh, I was minding my own business at the library when I saw you run by. I was surprised that you were able to get away from the pine. Usually pressure from such a mob is enough to keep everypony in place, no matter how they feel about the things they witness,” Twinkle explained. “And truth to be told, I really need a place to sleep in. I’m not from around Ponyville, and there’s no way I can stay around in the hospital any longer like I have been for the past week. The ponies there sent me off, apparently annoyed by the fact that I didn’t join the White Guard when they asked me.”

“And why on Equus did you not join?”

“Fighting’s not my thing. No matter what, I’m not going to kill another pony. On top of that, I’ll lose no matter which side wins. Not that there’s much to lose anymore, though,” Twinkle sighed. “Isn’t your wife a pacifist too?”

A moment of uneasy silence ensued, and Lyra could faintly hear the radio in her bedroom come to life – she always kept it on, as only important news were broadcasted on the frequency it was tuned to.

[We have some news from the South. Today, the White Guard liberated Trottingham from Red rule. Several Manehattanian divisions coupled up with troops from nearby towns for a total number of over 8000 ponies. After only some hours of fighting, the severely outnumbered Reds surrendered. Let’s have a moment of silence for the 85 White comrades who fell in battle today, valiantly taking the important industrial city out of enemy hands. This is Morning Coffee, out.]

It was apparent that Twinkle had also been listening closely, as the mare stared into emptiness while twitching her ears. Light blinked in her eyes, as she met Lyra’s gaze and opened her mouth again. “Well, that was expected. It’s not like a small concentration of armed ponies could survive in the middle of territory their enemies hold.”

“I guess so. But how did you know about wife? How do you even know I’m married?” Lyra asked, trying to pierce through the blue mare with her confused stare.  Thoughts were raging in her mind like the Silent Sea in May. Is she playing mind games? Am I under surveillance by the Guard for doing something wrong? However, her chain of thoughts was quickly interrupted by the other mare.

“Ah. My daughter who used to live here wrote me about your wedding – the marriage of two mares isn’t exactly the most common occurrence,” Twinkle replied with a smirk. “I would have greatly enjoyed being there myself, but I had important duties to attend.”

I should have known. The damn mare’s from Manehattan or even Canterlot! Lyra thought as she observed how graciously Twinkle sipped her tea.  Now she’d also finally had the sense to take a look at the mare’s cutie mark: three purple stars in perfect symmetry with each other. A rather unusual mark… maybe it has something to do with magic? Possible, but most likely it’s connected with an interest to astronomy or some other high-society-esque thing. Lyra was lost in her thoughts. The way she talks, the way she smiles… It’s oddly familiar.

****

The sun had already set as a band of ponies briskly trotted along a narrow road surrounded by birch forest. It was a clear and cool night, and their hooves loudly creaked as they continued forward. When they reached a clearing, the moonlight revealed Bon, marching along with a pink-maned canary yellow pegasus and an earth pony stallion, almost as yellow as the pegasus albeit with a blue mane. The pegasus signaled her fellow travelers to stop, for it was time to lay down and rest. No words were exchanged as the three ponies took off their saddle bags and cuddled inside their sleeping furs, falling asleep one-by-one.

****

Lyra and Twinkle had spoken for a long time while consuming numerous cups of tea. Twinkle had revealed that her cutie mark was partly linked with magic: her special talent was the understanding of the mind, and she had magical prowess related to that. While the blue mare hadn’t revealed her home city, it had become apparent to Lyra that she spoke with a distinct Canterlotian accent.  She could only wonder why the mare hadn’t simply told where she was from, as it was no shame for a pony to flee Canterlot during a time like this.

But as they had talked, the focus of their conversation had slowly shifted from Twinkle to Lyra. It had been a surprise that Twinkle was so easy to talk to. The mare’s understanding smile and reassuring words had lifted Lyra’s spirits up from yesterday – no longer was the bloody heap of Berry Punch so fresh in her mind; now it seemed more like a nightmare, faded but still echoing in the back of her consciousness. Of course they’d also talked about Bon Bon, whom Lyra was still worried of. But somehow, even that crippling fear of losing her was pushed outside of her immediate thoughts when she shared her feelings with Twinkle.

Now the sun had already set, and Twinkle had been escorted to the not-so-comfy guest room, while Lyra had also retired to her and Bon’s bedroom. She peeked out from the window in her room before lighting up an oil lamp and grabbing her diary from the bookshelf, putting it down on her worn and tanned writing desk.

--

7. 2. 918

Dear diary,

Today I have met a most peculiar mare. She’s obviously hiding something, but I can admit I like her. There’s just that something in the mare – Twinkle, her name – that tells me she can be trusted unlike most of the ponies in this town. We even had a discussion about my wife. Somehow Twinkle wasn’t surprised at all when I told her how I couldn’t make myself to reveal the truth of me joining the Whites to Bon.

I’m now planning to start working again. I hadn’t even realized how I much I have missed carpentry… When I talked to Twinkle, I realized how idiotic a decision it had been to abandon my work and just agonize over Bon every minute of the day. Or worse, attend some executions.

I’m not even so sure about the Guard anymore. But it’s too late to turn back now.

And Equestria does need me.

****

Bon Bon woke up into sounds of marching and singing. She peeked out from the groove the band was in and saw a long line of marching ponies, all with red bands on their forehooves. Most of them looked cheery and sang marching songs, but many a pony was downcast and quiet.

“Storms of the revolution

rage across the whole nation

mutineers and heroes will this time prevail

We will the monsters of our nation

give a mighty blood-letting

they’ll get to share their ideals with flocks of crows…”

Listening to a march like that wasn’t exactly the wake-up she had hoped, and Bon shut her ears. She noticed her fellow ponies had also woken up, and were curiously glancing at the Red troops. The pegasus looked paralyzed in her gaze, but the earth pony was calm and had a determined smile on his face.

“Oh Fluttershy, there’s no way they’ll notice us,” Bon whispered. “Don’t be afraid, we’ll just wait them out.”

And without a word they waited as the Reds kept marching by. It took over twenty minutes for all the units to pass them; Bon estimated that there had to be at least 2000 ponies in that group. Most likely an entire division from Fillydelphia, she thought. At least they’re certainly heading towards Canterlot instead of Ponyville. Unless they’re just going to abandon the capital to White hands, that is.

The stallion broke the silence when the last Reds were almost out of sight. “So, Flutters, time to move out?”

“Oh yes Goldengrape, we should get moving i-in case t-ther… there’s another division on the move,” responded the pegasus nervously. “Besides, I’m sure both of you are in a hurry to see your wives,” she added with a subtle smile evident on her lips.

Under the astoundingly blue sky the party got on the move again. After a good night’s rest they swiftly covered ground until they had to slow down in fear of catching up with the marching Reds.

--

After a few hours, the three ponies stopped for a pause. “We are now getting close to the town of Hoofvale,” Fluttershy told to the other two, seemingly knowing every tree in the forest. Even with all the twists and turns the road had taken, Bon Bon and Goldengrape had no hope to ever know their location. To them, the surrounding wall of trees seemed exactly the same as it had in the morning. There weren’t even any landmarks like large rocks or a clearing like the one they had slept close to in sight.

“So, we do as planned? You handle the talking?” Goldengrape asked, his head turned towards Bon.

“Yup,” came the answer, confidence dripping from every word of the beige mare. “I’m certain uncle Dry Season will offer us a place to stay in for some time. Besides, it’s not like he could resist the Element of Kindness asking him if I fail,” she added with a smirk. Fluttershy closed her eyes and shivered, Bon just smiling as they continued their journey, now with a lighter step. They were in no hurry; they’d reach their destination way before nightfall.

Soon they reached the town. It somewhat resembled Ponyville, although the small number of visible buildings betrayed it’s tiny size compared to even other backwater settlements. Smoke bellowed from the few homely buildings, creating a bitter smell in the air as the fumes refused to rise any higher than the tallest treetops, the freezing coldness pushing them down. The band of ponies trotting along the road was quite surprised to see the village in such a good shape – they had expected the Reds to at least take the town’s food supplies with force.

“Stop right there!” From somewhere came a sudden shout, stunning the three ponies.

“Don’t move a muscle until you have been inspected!” It was now apparent that the sharp voice belonged to a brown-maned and rather dull-looking grey mare. A red band on the mare’s left forehoof revealed her cause. Despite her initial underwhelming appearance, the mare was a rather frightening sight as she closed on them from behind a nearby barn – a large rifle was slung around her neck, and her cutie mark, two crossed daggers, wasn’t exactly the most pacifying one a pony could get. Fluttershy was already whimpering on the ground, as the mare reached them.

The inspection was over before it when the mare realized who was in front of her. “My deepest apologies, Element of Kindness, the Tamer of Dragons!” she let out with a look of surprise on her face, swiftly bowing a little. “Might you state what business you are moving on?”

Fluttershy was still too shocked to make any sort of reply, but Bon was there to take the helm. “Fluttershy accepts your apology. Our business here is quite simple – we are mere refugees from Fillydelphia, searching for a place to stay in for a while. We chose this town, because I have relatives living here.”

“Relatives… understandable. But why’d you leave Fillydelphia? It’s in safe hands, after all. No White scum will bother you there, and the shortage of food has finally been solved now that we’re in power.”

“This town is not our final destination. When the fighting here ceases or at least calms down a notch, we’ll be moving to Ponyville. And before you ask, we want to get back to our loved ones again,” Bon explained, nodding towards Goldengrape.

“Very well, travelers. We’ll continue this discussion with the local head of the Red Guard inside his house. Follow me.” the grey mare said with a hint of doubt in her words.

The three ponies walked behind the grey mare’s hoofsteps, relieved to not get shot at, which was always a very real possibility when dealing with desperate armed ponies. Nopony would of course harm Fluttershy intentionally, but Bon had seen guards at the Hospital of Fillydelphia fire at intruders on sight without questions. It wasn’t like one could simply identify a pony a hundred feet from them.

There’s only one possible explanation for why the Reds didn’t loot the village, Bon concluded in her head. I shouldn’t be so surprised to see that one of the poorest villages in Equestria is ruled by the Reds, even though most small places like this are in White hands. After all, even my uncle’s not a wealthy man, and he’s worked his flank off during the years.

Bon gave a mental smirk to herself when the group approached Dry Harvest’s farmhouse. It looked exactly like it had a couple of years ago, except for one tiny little detail – the flag on the short horizontal pole hanging over the door lacked the familiar Solar Emblem of Equestria. The flag the Reds used was, well, red. As the band went inside, they were greeted by the warmness of an old-fashioned hearth.

“Oh howdy, look who it is! Bon Bon the Fillyfooler herself, along with a ragtag bunch of -,” the greeting paused, when the large brown stallion in front of them took a look at the other two, scratching his messy black mane “My my, it’s nothing less than the Element of Kindness, all in her glory!” he continued with his deep, raspy voice. “And the third member of your group – a stallion! I hope you have bucked some sense into Bon!”

Fluttershy kept her eyes on the ground, whimpering. Even Goldengrape was paralyzed, but Bon was again quick to reply: “Well howdy! What do I see in front of me? Isn’t it the old and poor sack of shit, Dry Season?”

“That’s me!” came the enthusiastic answer. “Please don’t mind all these guns around cottage; the barn’s not big enough to hold everything.”

Only now did Bon notice all the guns hanging on the walls – most of them weren’t there during her last visit. The small but lively house was just one big room, though the attic held a bedroom for guests. The fireplace was huge, taking up a big chunk of the space. An oaken table took most of the rest, with quite little space to move around. In an alcove near the ladder to the attic was the kitchen: a small gas stove next to a drawer full of dining tools. The most curious thing in the room was, however, Dry Season’s bed, if it could be called that – a carefully decorated sleeping fur full of all kinds of emblems and coats of arms in a carved inlet in the hearth’s side.

“Oh but don’t you just stand there! I wouldn’t be much of a host if I didn’t offer you dinner. Shall we get started?” the brown stallion continued, grinning. Our escort was dazzled by such a warm welcome for us, her jaw hanging wide open.

The party proceeded to sit around the table, while the grey mare shook her head. “Not exactly what I expected, Captain Season, but your friends are my friends. I’ll return to my post,” she said giving a firm salute and turning to leave.

“Please excuse me for her behaviour. Daggerfall’s just eager to carry out her job,” the brown stallion told us with a smirk.

“Well, at least she has an excuse unlike you,” Bon said without the slightest hint shame in her words. “You just like bucking around.”

“Oh dear Bon, please don’t get me started on my dark past and the horrors I endured during the latest famine!” Dry Season cheerily shouted, already pouring ale with a ladle from a large barrel into his mug. “Just sit down and enjoy my favourite dish – braised potatoes with brown sauce! And please also try out my ale; I promise it tastes better than the last the time!”

“Bon Bon… is he always like this?” Fluttershy whispered in the beige mare’s ear after swallowing one potato whole. Quite an appetite for such a timid and small mare, Bon noted in her mind.

“Yes, but he doesn’t really think badly of us. Uncle has always been a loudmouth.”

--

After eating the rather tasty meal Bon Bon had arranged the details of their stay with Dry Season. The stallion always welcomed free workforce, as there was always much to do even in the middle of winter. The three ponies would help in everyday tasks such as logging, cooking and feeding the cows, and they’d get warm meals and a place to sleep in for return. The rest of the day had gone mostly in getting to know the few residents of the city. It had come out of the blue for all of them that a platoon of eight gryphons was currently residing in a large carved-out tree, formerly the town hall of this shabby village. They were free extra protection for the community – for a place to stay in they protected the ponies living in the village while even hunting their own food. For them, Equestria’s many forests were a land of plenty as only the most desperate of ponies hunted for meat.

Now the night had fallen, Fluttershy and Goldengrape already asleep after the long day of walking and meeting new ponies. But Bon couldn’t catch sleep as thoughts of Lyra sailed in her mind. She must be so alone… why is life always this hard? Can’t the ponies just stop killing each other so a couple could live their peaceful lives onwards? Despite these thoughts, she knew very well why each side was fighting. And there certainly wouldn’t be any kind of peace before one faction was destroyed. However, the thought that she could still be in contact with Lyra comforted her a bit. Bon had bribed a mailmare in Fillydelphia with quite an impressive number of bits to get any letters sent to her forwarded into Hoofvale.

In the cold moonlight, Bon took out her writing supplies and paper. It was time to write a letter, once again.

--

8. 2. 918

My beloved wife,

I sincerely hope you get this letter faster than the last time. This one might even reach you before I get to read your reply – I’m no longer in Fillydelphia. I have moved to my uncle’s farm in Hoofvale, a small village in the middle of Rockhold Woods. Do not worry about your letters reaching me, as anything sent to me in Fillydelphia will be redirected here.

I miss you so much, my love. It’s good that I can finally start to do some work here, as it’s bound to take my thoughts away from you. When I was at the hospital, there was nothing I could do to shake the crushing feeling of emptiness and longing. So please trust me – I simply had to get here, away from the damned city. Even if it’s closer to the frontlines.

With love,

Bon Bon