Equestria: The Days of Blood and Steel

Chapters

Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV-End of Part One
Chapter I-Part II
Chapter II-Part II
Chapter III-Part II
Chapter IV-Part II
Prologue

Chapter I

Chapter I

The 8 A.M. work whistle blew and a black stallion with a short yellow mane with black streaks, and scars covering his body shuffled out to the street. He joined a line of dirty worker ponies all heading to work. On the other side of the street ponies returning home after a thirteen hour work shift shuffled on not looking at anything, barely staying awake on their hoofs. As Nightwing, the black stallion, headed to work a shadow passed overhead, it was a “Dator pax” or in the common language “Giver of Peace.” but most everypony called them “Peacegivers”. These “Peacegivers” were an altered alicorn breed, bred by by the Government that patrolled the skies and kept everypony in order and took away bodies of dead or injured ponies. They also killed those who resisted, thus the alias of “Peacegiver”. The weapons which they used were strange devices wrapped around their foreleg, it was a band of gold with a small base and a barrel, it made a loud noise (Most likely altered to sound louder so as to add a fear effect.) and almost instantly killed anypony hit by the “bullets” that come out. The Peacegiver flew on not looking down.

Nightwing lived in the capital city of the nation, a large smoggy city of at least one and a half million ponies. It was dubbed “Victory City” due to the fact (As the Government said) that this was where the tyrants Luna and Celestia surrendered and gave their rule to the “people”. The two disappeared after that, and nothing was ever heard of them again expect when the Government mentioned its defeat of them. The Government was a group of ponies run by an all powerful pony “The Leader”, as the workers knew him. Almost nothing was known about him but he was posted everywhere and treated like a god. The story goes that there were two tyrants named Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, they ruled over the land “Equestria” and abused the people, but “The Leader” a general in the Royal Guard raised an army and after a long and hard war that lasted many years the Princesses were defeated and their top generals Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash with them. But nothing is known of what any of their fates had been. All that was known was that the Air Divison Commader had given in and surrndered. Being allowed to live.

The nation had been gutted by the war, and “The Leader” promised pardons to those who helped rebuild the nation and he declared a new capital for all ponies at the site where the Princesses had surrendered. The nation’s population soared as the Government had ponies produce new foals. The new city was built in a number of years, new factories and buildings, it was huge. Ponies could now live in peace. But as Nightwing looked around he wondered how that was possible with the smog, dirty buildings, disease, and sometimes days without food. What kind of peace is this?

He strolled on, his factory was only four blocks in a straight line from his housing complex, so it was a short walk, but always depressing. As he approached the factory one of the loudspeakers above the entrance blared an all too familiar quote: “Remember valiant workers, Crystal Ponies are among you! Be vigilant and rout out the traitors! Any help will be rewarded with great praise and thanks of the nation.” That was another thing, the Crystal Empire was a northern nation that had supported the Princesses in the war, but when Equestria had fallen, they stood alone and it was said that the rulers, Princess Cadance and Shining Armour had gone slightly mad in their determination to restore the Lunar/Celestian monarchy, and that they enslaved and tortured their citizens.

But Nightwing’s mother had told him different. She had told him that Princess Cadance and Shining Armour, (The latter head of the Equestrian Royal Guard and brother to Equestrian General Twilight Sparkle.) Were caring and loved their ponies, and that they fought for what was right, in fact Princess Cadance (as his mother had told him) was the embodiment of love. That sounded a little cheesy to him, but what did he know? But he shrugged and entered the factory, he clocked in, just on time as usual and checked his wings to see if everything was working properly. His wings had never fully grown due to him never practicing or learning how, so instead he got a set of metallic wings to place over them, they were powerful and the one thing he loved besides his mother’s earring. His wings were in working order and he headed to work. His job was to supervise everypony and make sure they were doing what they needed to do right. He also cleaned out the chimneys to keep it clean and clear for more smoke to pump through. His rank was symbolized by his blue shoulder pads with a black line through it, his boots represented the same thing. He had held work in this factory since he entered work at a young age, he was viewed as the senior of the factory and he knew about everypony in the factory, even do many ponies died or were transferred.

He sighed and stretched his limbs, ever since his mother died he had always felt alone, sure he talked to the other ponies at work, but he didn’t really know them and life was always the same thing, with nothing to do. He had contemplated suicide once when his emotions had gotten the better of him, but he remembered that he had promised his mother to live on and see the beauty in the world. He had yet to find that beauty.

Luckily work kept his mind occupied, and he always pressed to do better, maybe even incorporate tricks to entertain himself when no-one was looking. Staring at 8 A.M. work dragged on for 13 hours until 9 P.M. then the night ponies took work until 8 A.M. It was long and hard, and it wasn’t uncommon to have a pony die in one of the factories nearby. This factory crated and boxed containers of different kinds of foods, most of it fancy upper class food like “Caviar”, "hors d'oeuvres" and other fancy foods, sometimes they processed normal food that the workers ate, which was usually a coloured kind of mush.

As he took off an earth pony whom he had never seen came up. He was a brown stallion with a spiky mane that was a darker brown than his coat.

“Hello! Are you...Nightwing? I’ve been told to report to you.”

“By Celestia! Who are you?” As Nightwing scanned him he came to the conclusion that this must be some kind of upper class pony, he was clean, looked like he never worked a day in his life, and had the slightest accent that was almost impossible to pick out.

“Umm, yes I am. Who are-”

“Wait did you just say Celestia?” The stallion whispered the name as he cut Nightwing off.

“Uh yes I did...” Nightwing replied with no emotion to his voice. Was he in trouble? Was he being tested? What was going on, and what did this stallion want?

“So you are a rebel? A supporter of the Princesses? Well I want to talk to you later, we have things to talk about!”

Nightwing would have been scared to death, thinking that this was a Government agent or something, but the Earth pony had excitement in his voice and his stature told Nightwing that he most likely wasn’t working for the Government.

“Umm, I’m sorry-”

“Oh, uh Crimson Whooves.”

“Right, Crimson... Look I got work to do and i’ll get in trouble if I don’t set to it, so if you could hurry up.”

“Right sorry, I was sent to work here by my father, because I refused to learn medicine like he did. So I was told to report to you to be sent to my work station.”

Nightwing just stared at him then nodded and checked the list of workers on the wall, it was a list with room to slide in and take out the little pieces of paper with the names of workers on them if needed, and a little light next to each name to indicate that they had checked in for work that day. If the light didn’t turn on and the pony didn’t show up, it was Nightwing’s job to report it to his superior who then inform the Peacegivers who would hunt the pony down.

Sure enough Crimson’s name was newly added.

“Allright Crimson, just check in with this. And i’ll show you where to go.” He handed him a new work card that was designated to “Crimson Whooves” that had been sitting in the card holder.

Crimson did it easily enough and Nightwing escorted him to his new station. After showing him how to work the machine and letting him try it out, he turned and asked,

“So where are you staying?”

“Hmm? Oh nowhere at the moment, I just got here and was hoping to find somewhere later.” Nightwing looked at Crimson,

‘Is this pony insane? Wing it down here? He will starve! I’ll have to let him stay with me awhile.’

“Why don’t you stay with me? Just for awhile, it’s better than leaving you to die.” Crimson looked up,

“Oh really?! Thank you very much!” Nightwing nodded and flew off to complete his duties.

After a hard work shift Nightwing was the last to clock out just like usual, he looked around hoping to see if Crimson had waited for him. Nightwing would feel guilty if he left Crimson without a place to stay for at least one night. He scratched his head, maybe he was still at his post? But surely he would have seen everypony leaving and heard the whistle signaling the end of the work shift, right?

Nightwing took to the air and looked around, and sure enough Crimson was still there working the controls even though the machine was off, he was mumbling to himself and sweat poured down his face, his eyes were bulging.

“Crimson! Crimson!” when the earth pony did not respond Nightwing went over and yelled in his ears,

“CRIMSON!” The earth pony jumped and looked around as if suddenly awoken.

“Huh? Oh, is work over?”

“Yeah, you must have overdone yourself, you were talking to yourself and working even though everypony else had returned home.”

Crimson tried to smile but wavered, he looked as if he had not slept for a week, but this was expected seeing as how the earth pony hailed from the class of the citizen ponies and had never worked so hard in his life. Nightwing came over and allowed Crimson to lean on him as he lead him out of the factory, they slowly made their way down the street to Nightwing’s housing block and up the stairs to Nightwing’s home on the 8th floor. When they entered Crimson coughed,

“Argh, it’s even more dusty in here than outside.”

“Well what can you expect? There’s not much I can do with my life but work and sleep.”

“And eat.”

“What?”

“Well you eat surely?” Crimson gave a grin, and Nightwing just shook his head.

Nightwing helped Crimson into the chair in the small room that took up the house. He then went into the “kitchen” which was a small part of the main room with a box for holding Government rations, a small machine that warmed up the rations that no longer worked, and a small container that pumped out water when activated... rationed of course. After opening one of the ration boxes and mixing the contents, which like usual was some strange or plain coloured mush. After doing that he headed back into the main room giving one of the ration cartons to Crimson.

After they ate in silence for a few moments Crimson brought up a strange subject, that Nightwing could only fathom how it entered his mind,

“So Nightwing, do you have a certain pony? I mean like a special somepony?”

“You mean like a lover? Uh no, I’m sure i’ll get one soon though. I’m getting close to age.”

“What do you mean?” Crimson was obviously unaware that the Government assigned worker’s wifes/husbands to have foals with.

“Well you see, while the Government never cares who one chooses to fall in love with, or mate with, even if it is a pony of the same gender. But they always assign each pony a mate to have a child with, so that there is a constant stream of new working ponies. For each foal born the assigned couple receives a bonus, this can mean more food, or new beds or something.” Crimson nodded as he took the information in, he had never known this. But now that he had brought it up, Nightwing wanted to know why.

“Why did you bring that up Crimson? Any reason?” Crimson just shook his head and they continued in silence. After a few moments Nightwing asked the same question.

“Well kind of...You see there is this mare. I always sorta liked her, she always seemed to play along with my advances but rejected me in the end. My father told me that she was a tease and I should stop wasting my time with her. I don’t know if I could, I mean nopony else ever interested me.”

Nightwing looked up, was he being serious? Obviously this mare was just playing with him but here he was, loving her.

“What does she look like?”

“Um, she is cyan. A light blue, with rainbow hair, she always keeps her hair nice and straight and wears nice clothes, unlike her mother who always goes without clothing and has her mane ruffled. Her and her mother don’t get along, it’s rumored that they don’t even talk to each other anymore.”

Nightwing just nodded, but then as he thought about it that sounded familiar, a cyan pony with a rainbow mane? He knew he had heard that before.

“What was her name? I mean the mother?” Crimson looked up, a little confused but answered anyway.

“Uh, Rainbow Dash, she is famous among us citizens for what she did to protect the land in the days before. Because we can access the Government histories in the library we have. But whenever somepony praises her or brings it up she gets mad, she even almost beat somepony one time.”

Nightwing eyes widened, Rainbow Dash! His mother had known her and talked about her alot and all she had done with her friends to save Equestria before the war. Maybe Crimson knew more of the ponies he had heard about.

“Um, who were your parents? Maybe I have heard of them in my mother’s stories.”

“Well my mother goes by Derpy Whooves ever since she married my father, Dr. Whooves now retired from being a doctor. I also had a sister named Ditzy Doo... but she, uh died.” Crimson looked uncomfortable as he said this, obviously it hurt to bring it up,

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

“No, no you wanted to know so there’s no worries.”

They in silence awhile until Crimson yawned and stretched.

“I do not mean to be rude, but I am very tired, if I could...?”

“Oh of course! You’ll have to sleep in that chair, the bed can’t be sleep in, and I have no blankets to offer.”

“Whew, you better get a kid soon than!” Crimson chuckled at his joke and got as comfortable as he could in the chair and almost fell asleep instantly. Nightwing went into his bedroom, he looked at the bed and sighed remembering his mother. He pushed the chair in the room out to the main room, curled up in it and fell asleep.

Chapter II

Chapter II

Nightwing jerked awake, he guessed it was very early in the morning but he knew he would not fall asleep again very easily. He fill a small cup with water, which of course would cut his extra water ration for that day. He walked into his mother’s bedroom. He slowly drank the water and threw the cup on the floor and looked up through the window. He was about to pull away after a few minutes, when he saw a gleam in the sky. A single ball of light was sparkling in a small dark patch in the middle of the city’s disgusting air. It was almost unnoticeable, but it was there, shining, begging to be seen. He let out a gasp as he stared at it, his mother had always told him of the stars and their beauty, but he had never remembered seeing one, he had made it a habit to look up at the sky every so often, even during day, in hopes of seeing one. And today he finally saw one, his heart felt light and his mind filled with inspiration, as if he could be a pony in space and touch all the stars. Then he laughed and pulled away from the window.

“Remember where you are, stupid? A pony, in space? Ha! Ponies will enter space when... when I meet my father.” He mumbled to himself and headed to the door, when suddenly a voice said,

“Stars, beautiful right? I love to watch them and wonder what the galaxy holds for us.”

Nightwing jumped, Crimson had suddenly come out of nowhere but Crimson just smiled and headed over to the window.

“I used to stargaze all the time with my mom, she and my father would do it all the time before they had foals, and before the war. I was always fascinated, I love them and their beauty. Sadly our library didn’t have many books on space, but that didn’t matter much because eventually the factory and city smog became too much and even our part of the city became covered in the dirty city air...”

Crimson then turned away from the window and turned to Nightwing with a curious gleam in his eye.

“You never told me about your family, who were your parents, you said my mother and father knew them.”

Nightwing felt uncomfortable but he felt he had a duty to say,since Crimson had told him about his family.

“Well my mother had been a successful shop owner in some town called ‘Ponyville’ she worked for every bit... You know what a bit is right?” Crimson nodded, remembering the old currency during the princesses rule, his mom still had some.

“She had saved enough bits to sell her shop in Ponyville and set up shop in the old capital ‘Canterlot’, but then the war came. Two of my mother’s best friends went to fight right away, another would leave to fight later, but the rest stayed together. As the war dragged on my mother met a Lunar Guard, one of the old Princesses guards, the ponies who made up the army. He had been wounded and stayed in Ponyville for some time to recover, while there he and my mother fell in love and my mother became pregnant, but after five months he was shipped out again, never to be seen by my mother again. She waited and waited but no word came. She gave birth to me just weeks before the fall of the old Equestria, just after giving birth to me she learned that my father had been killed in battle, and one of her best friends, head of the Land Forces of the Princesses armies had been captured in battle and publicly, executed....”

Nightwing took a breath as he continued and fought to hold back a tear.

“My mother stopped eating, she fell apart and...and...”

“It’s okay if you stop there, you’ve told me enough for me to get an idea anyway.” Crimson smiled and patted a hoof on Night’s shoulder. Crimson than let a small chuckle,

“Did... did your mom ever tell you about that earth pony...uh what was her name... Oh yes Pinkie Pie! Did you mom ever tell you about her and her wild parties?”

Nightwing sniffled then let out a laugh.

“Yeah actually all the time, there was this one time when that Pinkie Pie...”

They then spent the rest of that morning talking and laughing about the earth ponies’ parties, the pegasi Rainbow Dash, about the feats of Derpy Whooves, the magic of the librarian Twilight Sparkle and all the other ponies and stories they had been told...

"What about that mare you told me about? The one you like?” Crimson and Nightwing had talked the whole morning though and the sun had just risen but ten minutes ago, and they were still at it.

"Well like I said, her mother was a mare pegasi named Rainbow Dash. She looks just like her mom, cyan with Rainbow mane and tail, but then that is about it. It is rumored that they hate each other very much and that they no longer talk to each other."

Nightwing nodded, it would make sense that they disliked each other. Rainbow Dash had fought for the Equestrian Monarchy in the war, and was only spared because she surrendered when told too... And most like to stop an uprising from the pegasi who were still a threat and had supported the Princesses.

Rainbow's daughter most likely enjoyed the lifestyle of a citizen pony and probably spent lavishly like Crimson said. Some mares just had to have it all Nightwing guessed.

"I tried flirting with her for years, she mainly played with me then rejected me. Like I said, my father got impatient with me. But then she agreed to a date, I got her to laugh once, and even smile. But we mostly sat in silence the whole rest of the date. But after that we talked every once and awhile, she came and watched me leave when I was kicked out of the citizen's village. No goodbye or waves, but she was there... I think... I think i'll propose to her when I get back."

Nightwing suddenly coughed, propose? Was he out of his mind?!

"Isn't that sudden?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well shouldn't you get to know her, and go on a few dates or something before doing that?!"

Crimson looked suddenly like he had been struck.

"Is that to soon, do you think?"

"Yes."

Crimson merely sighed,

"Well I guess you are right Night... Maybe I should wait. I just... I just don’t know."

Crimson then looked up at Night,

"What about you? Surely there is somepony out there you like!"

Nightwing just shook his head,

"No, there is nopony. I never really looked anyway, life was just too...in the way I guess. Besides, not many mares live around here..."

Crimson let out a "oh" and looked around, at a loss.

"Don't the worker's get a day off today? Isn't there a park or something we could go to? I need to stretch my limbs, get some ‘fresh’ air."

That was right Nightwing remembered, on the seventh day of the week the Government allowed workers to rest from the nonstop work of the week, now of course many factories still ran, but usually only the necessarily ones, or the ones making goods in high demand. The ponies who worked this day got to rest on a different day though, so nopony was left out of the much needed rest.

"Yeah sure. We actually are near one of the bigger parks, just a few blocks past the factory... Well it's not much of a park anymore, all the plants are dead, the fountain doesn't run, but it's still a park in essence."

Crimson nodded as he imaged that and simply said,

"Sounds good, let's go."

And with that they headed down to the street and off to the park...

Chapter III

Chapter III

Nightwing and Crimson walked through the grimy city streets to the park, one of the many built in commemoration to the victory of the new Government and their leader after the fall of Equestria. The park once had big green trees, bright flowers and grass, all stemming from a central plaza with a grand stone fountain in the center. The fountain depicted an army leader standing on his hind hoofs and yelling a command while pointing to an unseen target, streaming from either side soldiers charged at whatever the commander pointed at, all screaming with faces that depicted victory. But the trees and grasses had all but died, and the flowers all but withered. All that was left was a dull greyness, water stopped flowing and the park just seemed dead. But there was some colour, posters of the Leader and posters depicting Crystal ponies killing or maiming ponies of the land with large gold slogans adorned the brick walls of buildings surrounding the park. That’s enough colour for one’s day, right?

As they entered the park they strolled around chuckling about some little things here and there, mentioning other things, but then they came around to the fountain and sat down on it’s edge. Suddenly a voice issued behind them.

“Well now, is my leg being pulled? Night outside of the factory?!” A grey earth pony with darkish brown hair, hoofs either covered in dirt or naturally colored like that came around and faced them.

“Haha, hey Silver. Yeah I just thought it would be good to get out for once.”

“Yeah. hmm, who’s he? The new pony at work right?”

“Yeah, his name’s Crimson Whooves, he’s uh... Visiting.”

Silver Dust, a worker pony that Night had known since they were foals, he had met Silver just after getting his cutie mark... The same day a group of bullies decided to attack Night, Silver had ran to his side beating back the bullies, but breaking a leg and his nose in the process, lucky for him he managed to get it fixed, even though it cost his mom and dad extra work hours. But after saving Night they stuck together and became good friends, they even worked together at the same factory.

“‘Visiting’ huh? Right, anyway-” before he could finish a skanky mare approached.

“Food? Water please? Anything?” When none of them responded the mare moved on, begging for the same from each pony she came across.

When a pony had hurt themselves or outlived their “usefulness” to the state they would be replaced at work and evicted from their homes, forced to live on the streets and beg for food and the like. But most just ended up starving, sometimes they even reverted to cannibalism. At first seeing this evil one would care and even want to resist this evil. But it soon became so common that one just didn’t pay attention to it.

“This is disgusting.” Silver Dust scowled.

“What kind of ‘Caring’ government would do this to their subjects? Surely they know about this!”

“Well of course they know, they are the ones who do it.” Nightwing rolled his eyes as he made his curt comment.

“Well they need to stop this!” Silver Dust looked ready to explode. Silver was young, just around Night’s age, but he possessed an energy, a spark in him that other ponies had had drained by work and the tough life of a working pony of the city. He was just different somehow Night realised.

Silver Dust was Night’s only friend. Yes... he had befriended other ponies but most of them died or moved to work in different parts of the city, Silver Dust was the only friend Night had held onto since he was young. Silver Dust had always been cocky and spoke his mind, even when he shouldn’t, though while never mentioning it, Silver Dust had always distrusted the Government, and had waited for his chance to spit on a Government official, maybe even a Peacegiver.

“The only pony who is going to stop something is you if you don’t be quiet.” Crimson looked around hoping his words didn’t come true suddenly.

“Quiet? QUIET? I will NOT be quiet in the face of evil masked as goodness!” Suddenly a few stamping of hoofs and murmurs of agreement were heard, Night looked up it seemed a few nearby ponies had heard Silver Dust’s earlier comments, and agreed with what he was saying.

Crimson and Night feeling uncomfortable slipped off the fountain and sat on the ground at it’s base as Silver Dust went on in the face of the other ponies looking for him to keep speaking.

“Go on! Yes keep speaking!” A maya coloured mare in the small crowd cheered.

“Workers, ponies of Victory City! I don’t know about you, but I am tired of being lied to! Promised food and water, and receiving little. Working for 13 hours without break six of the seven days of the week! And what do we get in return for all this work that threatens our lives every day?! Nothing but a promise to live, and the bare minimum to survive! They don’t trust us! They are scared of us! We can’t even walk home or to work without be watched under threat of a gun! No more! We must take back from the rich ponies and their Government and take what we deserve.”

The crowd broke out in a cheer and yelled for more.

“We need to go, somepony surely reported us, before we know it a riot could break out.” Nightwing looked around hoping his comment wasn’t coming true. Silver Dust looked around and suddenly was pulled out of his fervour, he knew Nightwing’s gut must was right.

“Everypony better head home, a Peacegiver is sure to come and start blasting us, but i’m not finished! Come next week!” he turned to jump down but turned back to the crowd,

“And bring the kids!” laughing to himself and jumped off the fountain.

The ponies cheered and slapped his back wishing him luck and thanking him.

“Hmph, just like the communists...” Crimson chuckled at his comment but the other two looked utterly confused.

“Nothing, just a joke. It seems today you have planted seeds for rebellion.”

“And I hope these seeds will grow into strong crop.”

“And I hope we don’t die before then!” Nightwing looked edgy but Silver Dust just patted him.

“Come off it, we won’t die! … At least not yet I hope.”

“Thanks for reassuring me!” Nightwing began mumbling to himself,

And with that they walked home with a new hope in their hearts... Well... at least in two of their hearts.

Chapter IV-End of Part One

Chapter IV

Nightwing and Crimson returned to their shared home, Crimson had a spark in his eye, what had just happened had inspired him somewhat if not having put him in a thoughtful mood. On the other hoof Nightwing was angered. How could Silver just blatantly put other ponies in danger like that? Especially for something so stupid. How could he just rise up ponies for a lost cause without thought? Nightwing just scoffed as he thought about it.

The two ponies kept walking not uttering a word, but when they reached the entrance to the housing block Crimson broke the silence.

“So what did you think? I personally thought-”

“He is a idiot! What if Peacegivers came?! What if a riot started?! What if-”

“Well nopony did any of that, and everypony came out fine, so I think it’s all right.”

Nightwing just rolled his eyes but said nothing and entered the building.

He went up the stairs, went straight into his chair, and fell asleep after unsuccessfully trying to get comfortable. He finally fell asleep, but had troubled dreams. Crimson didn’t wake him, lest he suffer a backlash of fury of some sort.

They both awoke the next morning, went to work and came home, each day more and more ponies, not just in their factory but just on the street would pat them on the back or give them a friendly nod. Night didn’t like this but just tried to ignore it. The week moved by agonizingly slow, but the work week finally came to an end.

Just as they began to head to home on the last day Silver Dust approached them,

“Hey Night, you can write right?” Night cocked an eyebrow,

“Uh just a little why?”

“If possible, bring some writing tools and parchment with you tomorrow.”

“Hey I never-”

“I’ll understand if you can’t get any, but i’m sure Crimson can, thanks! See you!” with that he ran off.

Night started to fume, who did Silver think he was?! His boss? Like Hell he would just roll over like that, especially when he wasn’t even sure if he wanted to go.

“I wonder how much he’ll need? I brought some sheets and the like with me, I could always ask mum for more.”

“I don’t know, or care.” And with that Night walked home.

When they got home Crimson went right to his saddle-bags and began to write on the parchment he pulled out, Night shook his head and ate the normal small amount of dinner mush. As he headed to bed there was a pop followed by a flash of green light, and a package landed on the floor by Crimson.

“It’s dragongel, i’ll explain later.”

Night just shook his head and settled down for some sleep. He wasn’t looking forward to going to this meeting, but he knew he had to too... And something inside of him was nudging him to go tomorrow. Nightwing sighed,

“We are going to get ourselves killed, I know it.” and with that he drifted into sleep.

The sun rose and Night awoke from troubled sleep. Crimson was still dozing off in his chair, he looked peaceful as if he was sleeping well. Night just wondered how he could sleep like that on this day. Night prepared himself some food and slowly ate it, he drifted off in his own thoughts, thinking about his mother. He looked down at what he was eating, he had barely touched it, but he couldn’t finish it now. He sighed and and placed it down. He then heard a yawn behind him.

“Leave any for me? I’m starving.” Night just scowled and pointed to the food he had made and Crimson began to devour it.

Once Crimson had finished they headed out of the building and towards the park, the streets were all but empty. Most ponies were getting much needed sleep. The park was no different, at first they saw nopony in the park but once they came to the central plaza sure enough Silver Dust was there waiting for them.

“Oh hey guys! I knew you would come!”

“Silver what in the blazes are you doing here so early in the morning?”

“I could ask you the same Night! Haha, I just couldn’t sleep, I still don’t know what I just got myself into, this week went by fast.”

Night nodded, he was worried about himself but he should have realised that Silver Dust must be just as, if not more, stressed than he was. I mean he was the one who had called this meeting together, and he was the one who would be giving a life threatening speech in front of a crowd of ponies he did not know.

The day slowly dragged on to noon when ponies began to file into the park, Night gasped, he expected only a small group around last week’s size, but instead he saw a large group of ponies, from all around the city it seemed.

“We are going to die at this rate.” Night slouched and was ready for Government agents to pop out of corners or fly down from the sky and kill them all.

“Silver, where did all these ponies come from?!”

“Let’s just say... I get around.” Silver winked as he chuckled. Nightwing just face-hoofed.

When Night looked up he noticed a familiar maya coloured coat, as he looked he noticed it was the same mare that had encouraged on Silver Dust last week. Night was going to ask Crimson if he knew her... Not that he should, but then Silver jumped up on the fountain and clearing his throat he called out,

“I want to thank you all for coming, this is way more ponies than I had expected!”

Some ponies stamped their hoofs, and let out some encouraging cheers.

“We have gathered here because we know we have been lied to and cheated! We know our Government truly does not care for us, they throw us in the street when we need help, they barely feed us, they do not give us proper housing for our large families! They have money, clean air, and nice parks. We have no personal possessions, I dare say the dirtiest air in all the nation! And we have ruined places to relax in, like this park. We have worked hard since we were young and have been obedient to the Government and their whims our whole lives! I say no more! NO MORE!”

Silver scanned the crowd making sure everypony was paying attention, the tension built up and he yelled out,

“NO LONGER SHALL WE BLINDLY FOLLOW THE WHIMS OF A STALLION OR A GOVERNMENT WE DON’T KNOW! IT IS TIME FOR US TO TAKE ACTION! AND TAKE WHAT HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM US!”

The crowd cheered and stamped their hoofs Silver had spurred them, he had lit a spark in their hearts to want to take action now.

“We must think of our future! Of our foals, will we let them grow up in this... disgusting city and not be cared for? Not live their lives as they choose? Or will we sit back and do nothing?!”

Night looked at the crowd, they yelled out “No” and “Never”, but he noticed a group of ponies on the edge of the crowd mumbling among themselves. It seemed not everypony agreed with Silver Dust, or with how he was going about it.

“What now? Shall we storm the capital?!” Some pony yelled out and other ponies yelled out other things, the crowd was getting on the edge.

“I have an idea! I have an idea!” The maya mare in the front called out,

“Everypony quiet! This mare has a idea!” The mare made her way next to Silver.

“What have you to say-”

“Ice Charmer”

“-Ice Charmer?”

“I say we form a council! A group of ponies elected from each sector who will lead this movement and help dictate what we will do! I say we vote now! With ponies we know and trust leading us, we can change this nation better than we can all on our own!”

Many ponies began to murmur their agreement, voting! They had never voted for anything really expect for which pony should be their supervisor, like Night, who had been elected by his fellow factory workers into his work position.

“What say you ponies?!”

The crowd cheered and stamped their approval.

“Then form into your respective districts and vote on the pony you want to represent you in this... Council.”

Ponies from six different districts had shown up to this meeting, and six leaders were elected. It had been decided that Silver Dust was already the leader and need not be elected. Crimson, being a citizen pony had no district to be elected from, so he was permitted in the council on Silver’s good whim. Silver closed the meeting with a short speech and dismissed every pony to go home, the elected ponies would stay however so Silver could talk with them all.

All the ponies eventually left and all that were left were Silver, Crimson, and Night, who reluctantly had accepted the vote for leader of his district.

“So everypony, each of you has been chosen for different reasons, and you all now sit on the edge of a knife. This ‘freedom’ we fight for is treason, and any moment we could be killed. Are you willing to accept this fact?”

Of the ponies gathered, there was a grey earth pony stallion with amber eyes, the maya unicorn , a white stallion with fire red eyes, a purple mare unicorn with blue eyes, a red earth pony stallion with tan eyes, then of course there was Silver Dust, Crimson, and Nightwing.

Each pony nodded as he looked at them, they were ready to fight. Ready to take what might be thrown at them... They were ready to fight for... for “freedom”.

“Then let us commit to take the role we have been elected to and lead these ponies to change the land which we live in... if necessarily through violence, until the Government gives us the rights we deserve. Nightwing, would you write us a declaration, here and now so that we can make it permanent that we will stand?”

Nightwing was taken aback, why would they want him to write it?! He barely even wanted part in this... revolt.

“We want you, as our fellow working pony... as my brother to write this.”

Nightwing heard this and knew he had to, he could not let Silver down.

He sighed and took the writing tool Crimson gave him.

“What shall I write then?” Crimson placed some paper down in front of Night as he asked this, where Crimson got all this Nightwing could only guess.

The group talked, revised and discussed. Crimson helped add more complicated grammar so as to make it sound more professional. After a long meeting it was done, and Silver read out the finished document.

“On this day, we, the elected representatives of the ponies that gathered today,

Vow to fight, and petition for the rights we know we deserve.

We simply ask for real food, the right to move as we please, the right to receive at least a minimal education, and the right to medical care should we become inquired in our fields of work.

We do not ask the current Government to step down, but if needed we will fight to have it do so, to gain the basic rights all ponies are deserved too.

We also ask that we will not be forced to marry against our will,

And that we have the right to walk and talk without being watched.

We understand that this nation runs on the separation of citizen and working pony classes, but ask for basic rights so that instead of slaves, that we can be free workers.

We know that a Government that cares for it’s ponies will grant these rights that should be part of any society to begin with, will grant them to us.

Here signed are the newly elected leaders who will stand for this.”

Silver Dust then lowered the paper and looked at each pony.

“Do you accept what has been written here today? Would you sign it, so that our cause may be known to those who would read it?”

Each pony nodded in their turn and with help from Crimson learned to spell their name right and to write it right. In turn each pony signed:

“Silver Dust, of district four.

Steel Strider, of district two.” The grey earth pony signed.

“Twilight’s Blessing of district three.” The purple pegasi signed.

“Dawn’s Blaze of district seven.” the red earth pony signed.

Then the white stallion earth pony grabbed the tool he held out his chest in pride and in large letters wrote,

“Fire’s Return of district one.”

Then with her magic Ice CHarmer the maya mare took the tool. Being a unicorn her writing was much better than the others. But having just about never written before it was still to be improved on. Working around Fire’s Return’s signature she fit in,

“Ice Charmer of district six.”

Then finally Night took the tool,

“Nightwing of district four.”

Lastly the tool came to Crimson. Sighing he took the pen and wrote,

“Crimson Whooves of the citizen class.”

The other ponies stared at him, they had just promised to overthrow his kind if needed. Plus how did he even come among the workers and why was he joining a rebellion of workers?!

But Crimson simply held his head high. Each pony simply nodded, maybe their latter questions could be answered later, all they knew for now was that he was with them.

“We have now pledged to this cause, let us stand by it till the end.” Silver rolled up the document and placed it in Crimson’s saddle bag.

“Could you make a copy later? If possible?”

“Of course. I’ll try Silver.”

“Good, thank you.”

Finishing this whispered conversation Silver placed his hoof in the air. Following his lead each pony placed their hooves in the middle. Nightwing however was reluctant.

“We need you brother. Join us.” Silver smiled, but what finally brought it home was a beautiful smile from Ice Charmer.

Sighing he placed his hoof on the pile. The movement had now started. Little did these ponies know it would change their lives, very soon.

‘What have we gotten ourselves into?’ Night thought as they broke their hoof pile.

A brown unicorn ran down a dim metal hallway. There were no windows, only a small dim light above metal doors that lead off this hallway at random intervals. There was no colour save for the occasional poster depicting the “Great Leader”.

But the unicorn had no time to look, with his magic he held a important note that could change the fate of the nation if action was or was not done.

He reached the end of the hall and took two quick breaths. He then knocked on the metal door. A gruff voice answered,

“What is it?”

“Sir, Secret Service demanded I deliver this to you-”

“Come in. Shut the door behind you.”

The brown unicorn swallowed and entered. As he shut the door he gasped. The room was made out of polished mahogany, on the far wall a large bay window covered it, on each other wall tall windows reached from ceiling to the floor, but the curtains were drawn over these. Form each end of these windows large bookshelves stretched to the roof and wound to the door.

“Quite a lot? Well come in. Read the report.”

The unicorn dipped his head and began to approach the desk, once he was just feet away he could better see the stallion behind the desk. He was white with dark sunglasses that hid his eyes, making it seem as if he no emotions. Both intimidating but inspiring at the same time.

“That’s far enough. Read it.”

The unicorn cleared his throat and started,

“To our great esteemed high Revolutionary,

It came to our attention last week that a worker named ‘Silver Dust’ was speaking out against the Government and our great leader. We gained enough information to know when they meet next, (which was today) they formed a council and signed a document demanding basic equal rights with Citizens. We have collected all information possible on the leaders of this movement and give them to you.

Your loyal subjects,

The Secret Equestrian Service.”

The stallion read through the note twice then placed it down.

“I have the files sir. Let me get them.”

Using his magic he took each file out of his saddle bags, and placed them on the desk. There were eight, each with a picture and all the information about anything related to that pony available.

The stallion looked through each one slowly, he then came to one of a grey earth pony.

“Hmm, this ‘Crimson Whooves’, he is a citizen? I wonder why he is with the workers... Hmm...”

The brown unicorn shuffled in place and tried to look at the documents. After failing to see much he asked,

“Great leader, what shall we do? How will we stop them?”

The stallion laughed and walked over to the bay window. He scanned all he had worked for and all he fought for to make, he had done as well as he could to create a nation that would be rivaled around the world for it’s industry and size, he wanted to give these ponies a chance to work unlike in the Celestian monarchy. The only reason they had less rights was to protect them, and food was becoming scarce. There just were not enough farms to feed everypony. If only they knew. But he had worked hard to make Equestria what it was today, if only they could understand that. He sighed and removed his glasses, he turned back to the brown unicorn. The unicorn gasped, he was... beautiful, his features were strong and resolute, the scar over the stallions left eye showed that he had fought hard for what he felt... no knew, was right. His eyes were a deep red colour that looked like a deep pool. Even though the pony was almost fifty years old, he held a youth and beauty around him, the unicorn bowed, he was glad he followed this great pony.

“Bowing shows that one is loyal to the monarchy, even if it is respectful to me.” The unicorn quickly stood and stammered,

“No, no sir, sir I-”

The stallion chuckled,

“I was just joking. Anyway, I want you to get as much information on these two. And bring whatever you find straight to me.” He slid over the folders titled for a pony named “Silver Dust” and one named “Crimson Whooves”.

“I’ll do what I can sir, but i’ll leave these here for you, I can remember their faces and names easy enough.”

“Excellent, I am glad that I can rely on you.” the white stallion put on his glasses.

“Now go, please shut the door after you.”

“Yes revolutionary.” he bowed his head and backed out of the room.

The stallion took out a cigar and lit it. He breathed in the smoke and blew out a ring.

“Silver Dust you will not ruin what I have worked for. Before you are successful I will rain fire on everything you know love.”

He took the cigar from his mouth and shoved it into Silver Dust’s photo, burning it to a black crisp. He then turned around and gazed once again over his city.

“For now I will let you fools fester for now. But at the right moment, the trap will close and before you know it, all you ponies know will be gone. I will not have my worked wasted.”

Silver’s burning picture broke apart as it turned to ash, all that remained was his small scowl. Soon it might just be Silver’s life that would burn.

END OF PART I

Chapter I-Part II

Chapter I of Part II

The sun rose on the morning after their deadly meeting. When Crimson and Nightwing arrived at work a crowd of ponies were forming a circle around Silver Dust he was there telling them (most likely exaggerating) the events of yesterday, of the defiance of the all the workers who had shown up, the promise of the eight leaders to resist and fight for their rights and defy the only leadership they have ever known. When Night and Crimson came onto the edge of the group Silver suddenly yelled,

“Look everypony! Heroes of our movement!”

Before they knew what was happening everypony had surrounded Crimson and Night, and began to thank them and congratulate their bravery. Crimson smiled and shook each ponies hoofs, and gave each “Thank you” a proper “You’re welcome!”. Nightwing on the other hand just nodded and said nothing. Nightwing wasn’t planning on becoming a celebrity, Besides, what had he done that was so special? He felt wrong taking all this attention. Luckily for him a loud voice cut out everypony,

“Hey what is going on?!”

The factory supervisor, was a blue earth pony with a stocky build. He had a black suit shirt on, with a white undershirt, a bright red tie rested around his neck, but he was not wearing the pants that went with the suit. On his face he had large dark sunglasses, hanging from his mouth was a large smoking cigar. He took this out of his mouth and said,

“I said, what is going on?!”

Silver answered,

“We were just saying good morning to each other, sir-” Silver drew out the last word and scowled.

“Well say that on your own time Silver! Nightwing get these ponies to work!”

Nightwing nodded and rose his voice,

“Alright everypony, break it up! Let’s get to work.”

Everypony grumbled but listened to Nightwing’s instructions and headed off to where they belonged. As Silver passed the supervisor took his glasses off and watched him with suspicion. It looked as if he was about to stop Silver when he flinched and grabbed his eye. Over his right eye there was a large red scar, that had to be fresh if it still hurt. Mumbling he slapped his glasses on and trotted away to his office.

The work day dragged on at it’s slow painful pace, finally coming to an end just after the sun had set. Nightwing wiped the sweat off his head and made his way out of the factory, he waited for Crimson to catch up, a few minutes later the brown earth pony arrived.

“Whew, that day seemed longer than usual... Are you coming?”

“Coming where?” Nightwing was completely puzzled by this question.

“To our meeting... Remember?”

“Not exactly, I wasn’t paying much attention after we broke our hoof pile... kinda thinking how i’m going to come out of this alive you know?”

“Well, we decided to meet up today. Just after work. You should come along.”

Nightwing just shook his head, it was too dangerous to meet up again just after what had happened yesterday.

“No you go ahead. I’m just going home.”

“But Nightwing-”

“NO!” Nightwing sighed, he didn’t mean to backlash suddenly, but he had made up his mind.

“No, Crimson. Sorry but not this time.”

Crimson looked deflated but just nodded.

“Alright Night, i’ll see you later.”

With that he trotted off in direction of the park.

“Yeah... See you later.” Nightwing mumbled as he head home.

Nightwing was too distracted to eat or sleep, he could not even think in the oppressive air of his home. He needed to stretch. Getting up he walked outside, it was night, just around 21:00 hours, but some light from small headlamps on the side of buildings made enough light for him to have a idea of where he was stepping. Near the end of the street there was a box upside down, Night sat down on top of it and shut his eyes as he leaned against the building. Surprisingly it was quiet. Nightwing sighed and began to doze off, but then suddenly a loud speaker across the street blared news:

“Our glanant troops have just beaten back an attempt by Crystal ponies to raid our countryside! Lead by Shining Armor himself they attempted to burn our farms and take our fillies! But our brave soldiers beat them back across their own border! Celebrate ponies! For you have been protected at the cost of your brothers lives!”

Nightwing just grunted and sighed. After what seemed only moments he was being shaken, he must have fallen asleep, suddenly defensive he blurted out,

“Huh what?!”

“Night! Nightwing wake up!” Nightwing just shook his head and saw that it was Crimson shaking him awake.

“Night, we were found out.”

Nightwing was fully awake now, he sat up and images of Ice Charmer being taken away, or even killed came to his mind. He shook his head and looked at Crimson,

“What happened?! Is everypony alright?”

“Well we had decided that it might be dangerous to meet in the park so soon after the last meeting-”

“Yeah, no kidding!”

Crimson ignored Night’s comment and continued,

“All went well, we basically discussed future plans and the like. But halfway through the meeting a peacegiver had shown up and demanded to know what we were doing. We simply told him we were just keeping warm by telling each other stories. He just laughed at us and demanded we go home at once. We had no choice but to listen we all upped and left the alley well enough, until Fire’s Return, being the idiot he is, spat on the peacegiver.”

“He spit on him?!”

“Right in the face! Fire got a hoof in the face for that, and probably would have gotten more if the peacegiver had not noticed we all suddenly surrounded him, we didn’t even have to say anything, you could just feel the tension saying ‘Go on you bastard, hit him again!’ . Now this must have been a smart one because he just ordered us to go home again and he flew off.”

Nightwing shifted and then got off the box, his flank hurting from being there so long.

“Ow... My flank. I hope Fire’s is all right... He is... right?”

“Yeah, the stubborn pony refused help, and just walked home alone, he was a bloody mess.”

Night sighed, now he felt guilty he had not been there and promised himself to show up next time.

“When have you guys decided to come together again?”

“We were flushed out so quickly we never came up with a time or place. But don’t worry Silver will figure it out.”

Night just nodded and motioned for Crimson to follow him home. They arrived and settled down. They then prepared themselves a small meal and sat down in the main room to eat what they had made. But before either could take a bite a loud knock was heard on the door. Neither moved but looked at each other, who could possibly be here at this hour?

“Open up! Now! In the name of our great leader open the door!”

A peacegiver. Nightwing had no choice but to open the door. He rushed over and opened it, a male peacegiver filled the doorway and looked down on Night with a menacing stare.

“By order of the Revolutionary Government, Worker Nightwing you must vacate this room immediately following the close of work tomorrow. If you reside here still when a Dator Pax arrives at 21:00 hours you will be arrested.”

“Where will I-” the peacegiver continued as if Nightwing had not spoken.

“Citizen Crimson, you are advised to return home. Though choice if you shall stay with the workers for the time being until your father recalls you, or if you return to where you belong are up to you. Though if you are here at 21:00 you will be escorted home.”

And with that the peacegiver slammed the door shut with his magic, and his hoof-steps descending the stairs could be heard.

Nightwing turned to Crimson. Neither could speak as they started at each other with a loss of words. For almost three minutes they sat there until suddenly Nightwing’s anger snapped.

“What are we going to do? Crimson, where will we go?! We are going to die! I’M GOING TO DIE! Crimson we-”

But before he could say another word there was another knock on the door, much softer than the peacegiver had knocked. Nightwing turned to the door, weariness suddenly overtook him as there was another knock. Sighing he walked over and slowly opened the door, not finding what he expected Nightwing was taken aback, before him stood a grey pegasus mare with a clean blonde mane, and light orange eyes stood before him. Her eyes closing as she smiled a strange voice, as of one with a slight voice handicap said,

“Oh Nightwing! It has been so long!”

The mare wrapped her front hooves around Nightwing’s neck in a hug.

“Uh, who are you ma’am?”

The mare backed off but her smiled remained,

“Oh silly me! hehe, i’m Crimson’s mother! Derpy Whooves!”

Nightwing's jaw dropped.

Chapter II-Part II

Chapter II of Part II

“Mother?” Crimson shouldered past Night and wrapped his hoofs around Derpy closing in for a hug.

“What are you doing here mother?!”

“I just needed to see you again.”

They broke their hug and entered the room,

“It has been so long Night, i’m glad to see you again.” The mare smiled at Night who just awkwardly returned the smile.

Night had no memory of this mare, he also had no idea how she could know him... Unless she had known his mother. Also the grey pony’s eyes had gone askew at least once or twice and she talked slow, Night had never met a pony like that, and it was strange to him.

“Crimson I brought some things, a blanket and some pillows for you two, I also brought you some parchment...”

Leaning close to Night she attempted to whisper, even though Crimson could still hear her, a quiet remark,

“He has been wanting a lot of that stuff recently, something is fishy.”

“Oh mother, i’m just taking notes on everything I see and do, you know... Notes.”

“Oh! Why didn’t you just say so?!”

Derpy perked up now that she thought she knew what was happening. Little did she know that her son was lying to her, and holding back huge news, which Nightwing knew had to be broken to her sooner or later, and sooner was better.

“Crimson, I think you should tell your mom what happened. Just before she arrived.”

Nightwing then started down Crimson in case he decided to protest, but Crimson must have decided that it was a good idea, sighing he turned to his mom,

“We were told that we had to leave or be arrested-”

“Leave? Leave the city?!”

“No, no Mrs. Whooves, just here. As in this ‘house.’”

“But... But why? What happened?”

“We can’t tell you the whole truth right now, but the Government is displeased with us, so we have been cast from it’s protection.”

The ponies stood in silence, after what felt like ten minutes but was only a few moments Derpy broke the silence,

“Your father misses you, you know.”

“Ha, I doubt that.” Crimson let out a low sigh,

“I’ll write as much as possible. I love you mother.”

“But where will you go? How will you eat? What will you do?” Worry and concern etched her face as she asked these questions. Crimson, not really knowing the answers himself, answered the best he could,

“I don’t know mom, we have friends who will help us get everything we need, and even shelter us for a while.”

Crimson sighed but tried to smile as he looked his mother straight in the face. Derpy brought him into a tight hug and said,

“I wish you would come home... even if just for a while.”

“I can’t back down now mother, I might come home sometime soon, but I have to take care of this first.”

“I understand... I’m proud of you.”

She broke the hug, and sighing picked up the saddle bag she had brought, newly emptied by Crimson. As she reached the door she turned to Night, who had remained by it ever since she had arrived.

“Please care for each other, especially Crimson, he is new to this part of town.”

“Of course. I never let... friends... yes, I never let friends down.”

Derpy smiled and wrapped her hooves around his neck,

“Thank you.”

Breaking the hug she walked out and slowly closed the door.

The next day Crimson and Nightwing headed to work like usual, as if the looming threat of yesterday had never happened. Once they arrived those still clocking in greeted them with cheers and hoofshakes, but even Crimson wasn’t feeling it today and only meekly returned the gestures.

“I think it would be best to tell Silver what happened.”

“Yeah, that would be a good idea. Why don’t you tell him, and we’ll meet up after work here.”

Crimson nodded and went to find the pony in question while Night kicked off the ground and flew away to begin the daily grind. But as Crimson headed into the factory, he realised that nopony was at their stations. He scanned the factory and looking up saw Nightwing flying around, in confusion as well. But then a cheer was heard from a far corner of the factory, and nodding to Nightwing they headed in that direction, Crimson walking, Night flying.

As crimson rounded a corner he came to where the sound had come from. Almost everypony who worked in that factory was gathered and seemed to be plotting something. Night, landing next to Crimson, yelled out,

“Hey! What’s going on?! Where is Silver Dust?”

One of the workers answered, a jubilant grin on his face,

“We don’t know where he is, but we are tired of waiting! We are refusing to work, until somepony takes note of what we want!”

Crimson scoffed,

“You mean a strike?”

“Is that what it is called? Well then yes, we are on strike!”

The ponies there cheered, they didn’t want to hear more speeches or wait for more ponies to join the movement, they wanted action to be taken now. And they were ready to take that action.

“You are idiots. You know that? Don’t you think we know that action must be taken? We know perfectly well that action must be taken, but we can’t jump blindly into it! We must plan and think, before we attack! Unless you want somepony to die?”

Nopony said anything, one of the workers lowered his head as he thought about what Crimson had just said and walked away, the others followed suit mumbling to themselves, Crimson just shook his head and said to Night,

“Why are these ponies so arrogant? Why-”

“Arrogant? We are the arrogant ones? The workers are arrogant because they know nothing but work? The workers are arrogant because we do not have an education or the same foods and living styles as you citizens do?”

As he stressed the word citizen, Nightwing spat on the ground, but Crimson attempted to revoke the insult,

“Look Nightwing I didn’t mean-”

“No, just no Crimson. I’ll talk to you later.”

He kicked off the ground and flew away, he never felt so angered, or stirred like he did,

‘Is this what it is like for Silver Dust, these speeches and the feeling of pride?’

Once work finally dragged to a close after a normal hard day of work Nightwing found Crimson waiting. As he approached Crimson turned around and said,

“Silver Dust didn’t come in today. Maybe he received the same threat we did?”

“That is possible. Let’s check in with him after we get back home.”

But before either could move the ruff voice of the factory supervisor called from behind them,

“Nightwing! Crimson! Come to my office!”

The two turned and saw the supervisor waiting, as they approached he turned and lead them to a side wall were a narrow metal staircase climbed the side of the wall and came to a door of an office. They followed the pony in and saw that it was a good sized room, almost as big as the apartment they shared. The walls were painted a dull yellow and old green carpeting covered the floor, it had stains dotted around on it, and rips where pale concrete was seen underneath.

“Sorry about the shitty carpet, I need to get rid of it.”

Nightwing and Crimson just nodded and walked in as the supervisor shut the door behind them.

On the wall they had climbed up a large window overlooked the factory so the supervisor could see the whole factory and each pony working, on all the other walls were tons of photographs of the stallion when he was younger. Nightwing had only one photo, it was of his mother just before she had given birth, she had a weak smile and suffering was on her face, but Nightwing thought she looked beautiful all the same.

“Please take a seat.”

The supervisor indicated two worn rolling chairs in front of his wooden desk which had a missing left corner, why it was missing, neither Crimson nor Nightwing knew. As he took a seat the stallion across from the two started talking right away.

“As you both know you have been evicted from your home by order of the Government by threat of death. They have requested this to be extended to work as well. If I see you here I am ordered to kill you, or report you to the peacegivers. Now-”

“Did the same happen to Silver Dust?”

“Yes. But unlike you two he decided to not show up today.”

Nightwing nodded as his question was answered. The other stallion continued,

“Now Nightwing, I like you. You have worked hard these last years, and your mother is missed.”

He then paused as if stressing that he missed Nightwing’s mother. Nightwing became uneasy.

‘He misses my mom? Did he even know her?’

After a few seconds though he went on,

“So with that in mind I would not kill you should I see you, I may even forget that you were here the first or second time you break the ‘No Return’ law. I can’t say the same for your friend here, but I can only do what I can.”

Nightwing and Crimson shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

“I’m afraid that is all I have to say... Go now.”

The two got up and walked out the door, Crimson leading, but just as Nightwing reached the doorway the supervisor said,

“Nightwing!”

“Yes?”

“...Good luck.”

The black pegasi nodded and shut the door behind him as he descended the metal stairs. Left alone the blue stallion sighed and threw off his sunglasses, he rubbed his eyes as he felt how tired he really was. Pushing himself out of his chair he went over to a file cabinet on the far wall and pulled out a bottle from the top drawer.

“A 12 L.R. huh? I hope this can kill me...heh. Who am I kidding, I can’t die.”

The station went back to his desk and throwing himself in his chair poured himself a glass of the alcohol and tried to drown out his pains in it. As he drank the glasses his eyes veered to an old photograph of a young him, just when he was a kid. Well not a ‘kid’ he was a ‘teen’ than, but still a kid. In the picture he stood there with his hoof wrapped around the neck of a smiling light grey unicorn, the mare he had loved, even after they had drifted apart. Sighing he said,

“Nightwing you could have been mine... What went wrong Rarity? What went wrong?”

And with that he drank himself into an alcohol induced sleep.

Chapter III-Part II

Chapter III

Nightwing shut the door behind him as he entered the place he had called home for the last 19 years of his life,

“We need to grab what we can. Food, maybe that blanket on your bed. Hey Nightwing can I-”

Crimson turned and saw that Nightwing was standing near the doorway looking around the room with sadness entrenched on his face. Sighing Crimson trotted over and patted Night’s shoulder.

“Hey buddy. I know it will be hard, but we have to do this.”

Sighing Nightwing lowered his head, and closed his eyes as if trying to shut out the sudden flood of memories as the realisation that he would never see this place again hit him. He lifted up his head and just sulkily made his way into the bedroom and shut the door. Crimson just sighed and began to stuff some of the food cartons into his saddle bags. Luckily, unlike the water, which the machine cut off when a certain amount was taken, the food was just delivered each week to the workers to consume until they ran out.

‘This should be enough for me and Nightwing for a week. I should grab those pillows in the main room.’

As he stuffed the first one in the other saddle bag he heard mumbling come from the bedroom. He slowly made his way to the door and pressed his ear against it,

“Goodbye mother. I hope I can make you proud someday...”

Crimson instantly pulled away.

‘Poor Night, he has nopony like I have mom.’

“Nightwing, are you okay?”

In answer Nightwing opened the door,

“Yeah i’m fine, let me just pack some things and we can... leave.”

The two packed whatever they could and made their way out.

“Shouldn’t we go see Silver?”

“Oh yeah. I guess we were supposed to do that...”

Nightwing lead the way out of the building and across the street to the building Silver lived in. They made their way to Silver’s floor, and knocked on the door of the room he lived in. After a couple of seconds and the sound of shuffling an old looking mare slowly opened the door and peered around it.

“What do you want?”

Looking up she saw it was Nightwing and let out a ‘Oh!’. She retreated back into the room, and fully opened the door.

“What can I do for you Night?”

“I actually wanted to know if Silver was here.”

“No. He left this morning saying he would be back soon. He didn’t say why he was leaving, but he took a saddlebag full of stuff with him... Speaking of which, what are you doing with those bags? Are you and Silver up to something?”

Immediate suspicion etched her face, but Nightwing reassured her that everything was fine,

“Don’t worry. We aren’t up to anything. We just... Need to go away for a bit. Not far, just...away.”

The mare obviously thought this was not enough to satisfy her question. But she trusted Night, unlike Silver he had some maturity.

“Well whatever you are doing, be safe Nightwing.”

“Of course Mrs. Dust.”

The two hugged quickly than she shut the door as Night and Crimson went on their way.

“Well if his mother says that he left this morning where do we go now?”

Nightwing just shook his head and began to walk away down the street. Crimson trotted up and fell in line besides him, they were making their way towards the park it appeared.

“Nightwing, are we going to the park? Why?”

“I don’t know Crimson. I just feel like we should.”

Crimson didn’t question this but just kept following. As expected the park was empty at this hour in the middle of a working week. The two ponies made their way to the fountain where a good number of encounters had been made. They settled down and a cold breeze blew through causing Crimson to shiver. He rummaged through his saddle bag and pulled out a blanket.

“Uhh, I only have on-”

“Just hand it over.”

Crimson threw the blanket over them, they held it close as the city turned dark and the air turned colder. They sat there, shivering against the cold under that blanket for what seemed an eternity. Nightwing felt a sudden weight on his shoulder and turned to see Crimson leaning on him, asleep. Nightwing began to feel awkward, but before he could move he heard a voice, a voice that had been in the back of his thoughts for the last few days,

“I’m not interrupting anything here... Am I?” Ice Charmer.

Nightwing turned his head to face her. She was standing right behind them, a smirk on her face.

“No. Want to join us?”

“Haha, you wish don’t you?”

Nightwing flinched at that, he didn’t know why, but that stung him a bit.

“I’m guessing you got told off by our great and powerful leaders.” in a mocking tone she stretched out the last part and spat on the ground, causing Crimson to stir. Nightwing slowly made his way out from under the blanket, and Crimson conunited to dose, laying on the bench.

“You two look cute together.”

Ice Charmer flicked Nightwing’s nose giggling.

“I think you are being what Crimson would call a ‘tease’.”

“Ha! Me?! Impossible!”

Nightwing rolled his eyes at her mock despair.

“On a more serious note... Have you made contact with anypony?”

Ice Charmer turned serious and shook her head.

“No, I haven’t seen anypony, I just hope they get the same idea as us and come here. I myself didn’t bother to go to work. I mean, why give them more labour when they don’t even want me anymore? So I just stayed home, said goodbye to everypony I knew in my area, then made my way here. Well not right away of course. It’s pretty late.”

Nightwing nodded, but before he could say anything a low whistle came from the far side of the park. Ice Charmer whistled back almost right away, and a group of ponies made their way through the darkness. It was Silver, behind him was Steel Strider and Dawn’s Blaze. Silver walked up with a smug look on his face.

“Look who I found, these two had no idea where to go! Luckily I found Steel Strider easy enough. We went to look for you Ice Charmer but it looks like you didn’t need to be found.”

Silver laughed a bit, but before he went on he saw Crimson on the bench.

“Haha! Poor Crimson!”

Silver walked over and tapped Crimson on the head,

“Come on lazy wake up.”

Crimson stirred and opened his eyes. He slowly sat up and stretched. When he suddenly realised where he was he let out an, ‘Oh’.

“Hi there sleepy! Have fun?”

Ice Charmer giggled when Crimson looked confused at her joke.

“All right. Now that’s enough, we need to get serious. Long story short, I was able to find and bring only Steel Strider and Dawn’s Blaze here. When we went to find Twilight’s Blessing only one pony had seen her, they said she had ran off towards the heart of the city, but had disappeared down a back alley. We don’t know where she went, but we can only hope that she is okay.”

Each pony nodded as Silver made a pause.

“When we went for Fire’s Return nopony knew where he was. There was no sign that he had taken anything with him. He was just... Gone.”

Nightwing looked around and a sudden thought came to mind.

‘He wasn’t? No he’s not that dumb... Is he?’

“Uhh, you don’t think that maybe... Maybe he was-”

“Taken away?”

Ice Charmer looked serious as she finished Nightwing’s sentence.

“I know he is a little arrogant, but I don’t think he would get himself in enough trouble for them to take him!”

“I hope you are right. If he was taken then we need to free him.”

“Yeah Steel Strider why don’t we just storm the Government prisons and free everypony!”

“Why don’t we Ice Charmer?”

“Come on you two. We need a plan. And quick, it’s really dark now and we need someplace to go.”

Everypony knew Silver was right, but where could they go?

“There isn’t necessarily any place we can go. We are traitors. Nopony would take us in.”

“Dawn’s Blaze has a point. But I think I know a place. Now I don’t know how we can get food or the like, but I think we should be okay for a week or two.”

“I think I can help here.”

Crimson slipped off the bench and tripped falling face first on the pavement, Crimson quickly picked himself up though, blushing at his self-embarrassment.

“I think I could help, my mother promised to send whatever I need, I could get some things from her, but she could only send so much before it would be missed.”

Steel Strider scoffed.

“Before it’s missed? Yeah because they don’t have enough of everything all ready!”

“Hey, come on. By doing this she runs a risk herself.”

Silver turned to Crimson.

“If you get the chance thank her for us.”

“I will.”

Ice Charmer pushed her way into the middle of the group.

“This is nice and all, but we should get going. It’s almost the middle of the night.”

“Shes right, let’s go.”

Steel Strider began to walk off toward the park exit, but then Silver called out,

“Hey Steel Strider!”

The grey stallion turned.

“It’s this way.”

Everypony laughed as Steel Strider tried to hide his embarrassment and turned to go the right way. They stalked away into the darkness of the night, a darkness that mirrored their deeper feelings.

A brown unicorn made his way down a familiar metal hallway. Like the last time he had been here the hall was dim and empty. A new poster was on the wall, this time encouraging the farmers to work extra hard for harvest time. The unicorn stopped outside the metal door at the end of the hall. He slowly breathed in, than out. He had to give a report to the greatest pony alive that he knew, the Great Founder and Leader of this new worker’s Equestria.

He slowly knocked on the door, which quickly slid open. The unicorn was taken aback.

“They are new. They came up with electronic doors. Waste of money I think, but come in.”

The brown unicorn quickly walked in and the door slid shut behind him.

“Sir, i’ve compiled the report you wanted. I’ve gathered all I could on Crimson Whooves, and i’ll start on whichever pony you want next. Sir.”

“Right. Give it to me.”

The brown unicorn nodded and walked forward. He cleared his throat and began,

“Crimson Whooves, born to medical doctor, Dr. Whooves, or Time Turner. And pegasi Derpy Whooves, unemployed. He was born, like most of the young ponies in our nation, in 0 R.Y. he completed the whole 4 year school program and the extra 5th year-”

“I remember when we had more than five grades. Ha those were the days... Go on.”

“Right. He excelled and after completing school he was constantly at the citizen’s library reading about Astronomy, History, and Politics. He didn’t do much but read, he had a potential girlfriend but she turned him down. Otherwise he has had almost no friends. One day his father demanded he begin to learn medicine like he had. But Crimson refused. Dr. Whooves refused to acknowledge his son and sent him to live with the workers until he conformed to his wishes. Otherwise all he has done is live with this Nightwing, and work at factory 291."

The white stallion scratched his chin as he received this new information.

"Interesting, now that I know how he got there, I want to know what happened to him today."

"I actually have that report with me sir."

"Really? Excellent. Read it."

"Well, it appears only Nightwing, Crimson Whooves and Dawn's Blaze worked today, the others thought better of it. We did have to arrest one, he resisted and actually mortally wounded a Daxtor Pax."

"Yes? Which one was it?"

"His name is Fire's Return sir."

"Fire's Return hmm? I think I have plans for him... Yes, I do."

The stallion made his way to the large window overlooking his great city.

"Yes, I shall pay him a personal visit tonight... These rebels better expect a dark future."

Chapter IV-Part II

Chapter IV of Part II

Crimson and Nightwing quickly made their way down not to familiar streets which were almost empty save for the occasional stray piece of trash. They made their way through a winding alley onto the familiar grey street were the large dirty factory that once occupied most of their time and lives appeared. The last of the workers were making their way into the factory, one in particular caught Crimson’s eye. It was a grey earth pony who he remembered talking to a few days ago, the same pony he had told off for striking,

“Nightwing, who’s that?”

“It’s Ash Fall... Hey Ash Fall!”

The earth pony turned and seeing Crimson and Nightwing he smiled. He met the two halfway and greeted them in the street,

“Hey guys! You’re almost late, that’s unusual for you two. Especially you Nightwing.”

Nightwing looked at him with a serious expression,

“Well that’s because we don’t work here anymore. We have been forced out on threat of death.”

“What?! Death! They can’t do this! It’s not right! Tell me what to say and i’ll get everypony within a mile radius up in strike!”

Nightwing quickly shook his head,

“Don’t worry Ash Fall. You don’t have to do anything, well anything right now. We just want you to tell everypony that we have been forced out and for them not to worry. We are planning something soon and we need everypony to wait, not only for their safety, but for everypony’s... Can you do that?”

The earth pony’s face turned into one of resolve and he nodded.

“I’ll see what I can do Nightwing. Don’t worry, I better go now before they do something to me. Good luck. Both of you!” With that he ran into the factory to start his long day of work while the other two began to head back to where they had come from Crimson sighed and said,

“I hope this goes well.”

“I do to. Crimson if he... and the others can’t convince the workers to wait and remain calm, we could have half the city up in arms and before we know it, two-thirds of it dead.”

“I hope they can, we just need a plan that will work, a plan that will make any war or uprising we stage successful, with as little casualties as possible.”

Nightwing turned his head towards Crimson, he scrunched up his face as he tried to pronounce this strange word,

“Cas-ua-”

“Deaths.”

“Oh... I hope we can. Let’s just hope the others had success as well.”

Crimson nodded and the two made their way down a side alley, fearful of what the next few hours could bring.

Unfortunately for the two they became lost. The winding alleys and streets of this huge city were confusing. Every building looked the same, each factory the same tall building with polluting smoke stacks. The two were lost, they would have to find their way back to the park and wait for Silver Dust.

Ice Charmer however had fared better. She found her way back easy enough. The warehouse, as she found out, was in District Seven of the city. Evident by the large 7 painted on the front of the warehouse that she had not seen in the dark of the other night.

The city itself was split into Seven Districts, making strange shapes that fitted together and wrapped around in a circle with District One in the center. But each District was the same, large factories, cramped worker’s houses, starving ponies. The only difference was what each District of the city made and did. At the most northern end of the city and centered at the top, was the Main District, where the nation’s capital was, a large white dome standing over the city with large houses and other buildings, housing the officials and Government offices. The entire zone was cut off from the workers. The Citizen ponies on the other hoof had (as was rumoured) their own floating city away from the mess of the budging, cramped mass that was Victory City. But only Crimson would know that.

Making her way off towards the side street that the alley connected to she headed down it and came to the red door, the shards of glass from the exploded light bulb laid off towards the side,

‘Good thing I thought to move these shards earlier, one of these idiots would have had stepped on one, then we would be in trouble.’

She opened the door and slipped inside, it was almost afternoon and the Sun was directly overhead making the inside of the building slightly dark.

“Hello? Anypony here?”

Ice Charmer looked around and waited for an answer but none came.

“All alone... Great.”

She sighed but before she could do anything else a low voice behind her spoke aloud,

“Hello Ice Charmer.”

The maya unicorn jumped and quickly spun around, there standing before her was the missing purple pegasus Twilight’s Blessing. The pegasus had a smirk on her face. But the way she looked at Ice Charmer and the way the lighting was in the room her face did not look amusing but dark, and almost scary.

“Where... Where were you?”

Twilight’s Blessing flinched, her eyes flickered back and forth as she tried to come up with an answer. Ice Charmer was suddenly suspicious, all she had asked was where the pegasus had been, and suddenly she looked as if she was trying to make something up.

“Well, uh, you see... After the peacegivers came I was frightened, I didn’t know what to do and ran, I ran and ran finding a dark alley to sleep in. After morning came I collected my thoughts and looked for you guys. I had a feeling you would go to someplace where you could hide and I had heard about this place and had a gut feeling you might be here. Thankfully you were here to prove my gut right... So yeah. That’s how it happened.”

The pegasus nodded as if to confirm the story. Ice Charmer however did not believe any of it.

‘A gut feeling? Give me a break will you?!’

But before she could object the door creaked open behind them,

“Hey! Twilight! You’re here, excellent.”

The purple mare breathed out in relief. Ice Charmer just narrowed her eyes.

“Have you seen Fire’s Return? We couldn’t find him, or you. But you are here now so we just need to find him.”

The pegasus shook her head,

“No sorry. I hope we do find him!”

Silver smiled,

“I’m glad you are safe!”

Ice Charmer however shook her head,

‘Don’t believe her for a second Silver! She’s hiding something, I know it!’

The stallion turned to Ice Charmer,

“How did it go? Were you successful?”

“Yeah, almost didn’t pull it off but I did it.”

“Did what? I don’t understand.”

Silver turned to the purple mare and explained,

“We decided to head out and tell the other working ponies of our districts what has happened. We also tried to get them to understand that patience is needed and that they needed to wait for us to plan something before they go crazy and try to burn the city down.”

Twilight nodded as she understood. Ice Charmer cleared her throat,

“I’ll try to be quick about this, we all can’t stay separated long.”

Silver nodded, and she drove into her story.

It was still morning, the sun was shining weakly, like usual, through the offending pollution clouds above the city, Ice Charmer was making her way at a nice pace towards her former workplace, a large power plant that took black hoof-sized rocks called coal, and by burning it made power for the city. Her’s was the largest in the city, but not the only one. Many of these plants were required to power such a large industrial city. This one however out did the others, with hundreds of ponies working in it day and night. It was grueling work, extreme heat, soot and ash in the air, and tiring shoveling for hours on end.

Being a mare Ice Charmer could not shovel coal into the large furnaces, but mares could cart the wheelbarrows of coal around the factory and act as supervisors, which was what Ice Charmer had done. She would stand there and yell at the stallions to shovel quicker and not fall behind in the amount of coal needed to make the right amount of power the plant needed to make. Sometimes she would help with physical work, but even when she didn’t she came out dead tired and covered in soot and sweat. It was in these terrible conditions that die hard supporters of a revolution were born, mares and stallions wanting the ability just to see a next day, and thought they deserved more beyond the small and dirty little living spaces for all this work. They were the heart of the city and they payed for it.

She was almost glad she no longer worked here but missed the ponies she had formed bonds with beyond what the “softer” workers could have formed. She made her way down the large main street that ran between District Six and Seven, it was full of ponies making their way to work. Some of them never to return. Due to the fact that Six and Seven had the largest industries in the city, power production and manufacturing of much needed goods like weapons, beds, etcetera, it was naturally the most populated area. And thus this road was crowded with at least a hundred or more ponies, and a large number of peacegivers standing guard on top of buildings and watching... waiting. They well knew these workers were the ones most likely to start a revolt. But these ponies were cautious. And were waiting for the day when the whole city would stand behind them, and with this new movement Silver Dust had founded it looked like that day was soon.

Ice Charmer wasted almost an hour making her way through the crowd. She pushed and shoved until she came to where her factory resided, she sighed as she took it all in. The plant was a large brick building like any other factory, but this was at least three times larger, huge smokestacks pumped black, choking smoke out of it all day long, in front of the plant was a large cement plaza of sorts where ponies would gather and talk. Not the most slightly of places to relax, but better than nothing. It felt weird for Ice Charmer that she would not be entering it to work. Her eyes began to scan the crowd of ponies filling the plaza and the ponies around it, looking for somepony she knew and could talk to. As a familiar grey stallion’s head came in her view she smiled.

“Hey Dusty!”

The stallion she had seen turned and grinned, making his way past a group of arguing workers he headed towards Ice Charmer. He was a muscular build, made from hard long days of shoveling coal and moving wheelbarrows of the dusty black lumps constantly. He always wore a smug look and cursed constantly, but he was honest and was just in his judgments and cautious at being too hasty about making decisions or acting. But he had a charisma that made you know you would want him by you in a fight. He had deep blue eyes that Ice Charmer had become lost in when they had first meet, leading her to believe she had been in love with him. But it had been nothing but a short infatuation, but he had began to gain a crush on her, one that had grown so much he had even confessed his love for her... publicly... to her great embarrassment. She had always teased him about it though to get him back. But one thing was certain, the two were the best of friends, they were always together, talking, laughing and enjoying life, while others miserably pulled their way through the day, it had even been rumoured that they were lovers and that Ice Charmer had left because she was pregnant. However she felt guilty for leaving without saying good-bye, but now she could apologize.

“Hey, come here and say hi to your bestest friend why don’t you?”

The grey pony laughed,

“I don’t think bestest is a word!”

“How would you know?”

“I wouldn’t!”

He placed his hoof on her head and gave her a noogie, causing her to giggle and thrust her hoof up into his stomach. The other pony let out a ‘Unf’ and stumbled back. He regained himself and stared at her, they both started at each other with looks that a passing pony would think they were about to kill each other. But then the two broke out in laughter and wrapped themselves in a friendly hug.

“It’s about time you came and saw me... Where in the Hell have you been?! I’ve been worried and not so good rumours have been floating around.”

“Rumors? Ha, if these old mares have time to gossip and not be miserable than maybe we needed longer work hours!”

Dusty laughed and nudged her in the side,

“Now come on, where were you?”

Ice Charmer sighed and put on a face showing that she had given up,

“Alright i’d better tell you...”

She told him everything that had happened to them, but left out the part of her dream and her moment with Nightwing. That was something she wanted nopony to know about yet. Once she had finished he nodded slowly,

“I understand, you need to get all these ponies to understand that we can’t spring into action now. I think most of these ponies will understand we are the real workers and understand the value of patience, I think I can convince them, it will require telling others though there are just too many in this district alone.”

“Of course.”

Ice Charmer looked up at the dim and hiden Sun, then around her.

“Work will start soon, you need to hurry up and get in there. I’ll try and see you again soon.”

“I would appreciate that. Good luck.”

He gave her a quick noogie which she responded with a punch to the shoulder, the two laughed and quickly hugged. Once they broke apart they both headed their own ways, him into the dark burning hell of the power plant, and her back to her friends who hoped to free him from that hell. She left without looking back, but the other watched her disappear, a deep longing in his heart.

Nodding Silver Dust concentrated as he took this in,

“Yes... I think your friend is right. We can rely on the manufacturing ponies to remain strong while we plan.”

He scratched his chin then looked up through one of the larger windows, the light from the Sun was beginning to come in at a angle, meaning that it was well past noon.

“Hmm, we better go and get the others. They must have gotten lost. Hehe, too bad there aren’t peacegivers giving out directions to a hapless lost pony.”

Laughing he lead the way towards the door, but before he could open it Steel Strider and Dawn’s Blaze opened it.

“Oh there you are! We were just going to go look for you, but we found you so lets go get Crimson and Nightwing.”

The two nodded and fell in behind the other three as they walked out, making their way to the park. They headed down the path they had come from that night only a day earlier. Silver knew where he was going but the others became lost, but this time it was even slower going, they had to hide and wait for Peacegivers to pass over when they went onto the busier streets, sure they were unemployed workers, but being them one could not be too cautious.

Luckily for them they made their way to the park without trouble, where as they had hoped the two missing stallions were waiting. The group trotted up to them, but the two did not turn to look at them, they were staring up at point in the distance. Silver opened his mouth to make a greeting but Steel Strider shoved his elbow in Silver’s side. Silver turned to look at him but Steel Strider only pointed in the direction that Crimson and Nightwing were looking. Raising his eyebrow Silver Dust turned and looked, he almost thought he was being pranked, but when he saw what they were staring at, his jaw dropped.

On the largest brick wall surrounding the park where one would usually see the bright Government posters, there was a large thin black... thing. Silver had no idea what it was, it was reflective and two ponies were on top of it, doing what appeared to be some kind of work on it.

“Hey uh, Crimson... What is that?”

“I don’t know... I think it might be called a ‘Telescreen.’ It plays moving images and stuff with sound. I’m not sure, they are new and i’ve never seen one.”

“It’s huge! What do you think it is for?”

“I don’t have a clue. Probably just more propaganda.”

“Well we need to head back, we can find out later. I don’t feel safe out here.”

The others mumbled agreement and the seven turned and walked backed to their hideout.

“Sir? We are ready to begin broadcasting.”

“Good, good. Thank you.”

The pony dipped his head and trotted away. The stallion fixed his glasses, the recent advent of something called a ‘Telescreen’ would allow him to broadcast what he wished live to his entire nation. And it had come at the perfect moment. There was a thorn in his side one he could not remove. A group of ponies thought they had it in them to overthrow and crush all he had worked for and he could not remove this threat. But now, he had a chance to pick part of the thorn away. A certain “Fire’s Return” had fallen into his grasp, the stubborn pony would not bend to Intelligence Agency’s tries to get anything out of him. He refused to speak, eat, drink, or open his mouth in anyway. So the stallion had better plans for him now.

He had ordered telescreens set up at major meeting places of workers like parks and squares, not just in Victory City, but in every town and city in the country. Everypony was ordered to go the closest telescreen that same night that a certain group of ponies had been running around Victory City.

“Uh, sir? We are on in five.”

The stallion nodded and walked out of the building. In a central plaza just near the capitol building a stand had been set up, many large and long plastic devices called ‘Recording Cameras’ were aimed at the stand. He had planned an event that would burn in the minds of everypony in the land, he hoped it would be a lesson to them all. He waited off to the side and the broadcast began, out of nowhere a announcer said:

“Loyal ponies of Equestria, please turn your attention to this screen and welcome, the one stallion who cares for you all. Our Great Leader!”

Pre-recorded clapping was heard as he made his way onto the platform and to the podium in the center. The claps stopped and he cleared his throat.

“Ponies of Equestria! I know you all love your nation, and your brothers and sisters who strive everyday to make life great and good for you and me. I know you love your soldiers who die in the fields and skies protecting us from those who crush us and enslave us! But there are those who would disrupt this system within our own ranks! Ponies who have formed a movement bent on destruction and murder. We have captured one of their leaders, and have asked for him to give us information and in return have pardoned his crimes. But he refuses to corporate, and his friends only grow stronger in will! We ask that you stop what you are doing and think! Do the ponies of this nation really want change? Are you sure you are not the only ones in the same mind manner? We exist for one reason! And that is to protect all of you from harm! And to keep you all alive with food and shelter. All we ask in return is obedience and work. But if somepony can’t not do this, than he must be punished.”

As he said this, a opening opened on the platform a certain white pony was brought up, held between two army soldiers in full wear, they had long but small wooden barrels in one hoof, the other rested firmly on Fire’s Return’s shoulders. The Great Leader walked over and placed his hoofs on the traitor's shoulders and looked him right in the eye.

“Fire’s Return, my child. Will you not repent what you have done? Come and rejoin your comrades in peace and unity!”

Fire’s Return looked up with a scowl on his face. He answered in a croaked voice full of strain that may have come from beatings...or worse.

“Never! It’s all lies and i’ll have no part of it.”

He then spat in the other’s face. The two soldiers made a move to retaliate but the stallion held up his hoof.

“Are you sure you do not wish to repent of your crimes and tell us what you know?”

The other just closed his eyes and lowered his head, his face holding a stern look.

“So be it.”

With a flick of the wrist the two soldiers dragged Fire’s Return to the back of the podium were a metal pole stood. The two tied him to it upright and took a couple paces back. At an unheard order they took the barrels in their hoofs and aimed them at Fire’s Return.

“Would you like to say some last words?”

Fire’s Return slowly raised his head and opened his eyes.

“Yes... Yes I have something to say.”

He stopped, most likely to clear his throat because it had cracked.

“I say only this: Unite together and die in freedom... Or live in Hell!”

As he uttered the last word a loud crack was heard and two flashes came from the barrels the two army stallions held. Fire’s Return slumped instantly, blood dripping to the ground...

On the other side of the city a maya blue unicorn gasped,

“By Celestia! Fire’s Return!!”

She could not move. Paralyzed by the sudden shock of what had just happened Ice Charmer stood there as tears formed in her eyes.

‘Is this what my dream had meant? Fire destroyed, put out? Now Night will end... Oh Celestia! Nightwing are you next?!’

And with that she burst out crying as ponies all around her gasped and stood frozen in shock and horror.

Prologue

A young light grey mare lay in an old small bed in a crampy and dust filled room. The curtains on the side window had been drawn back to allow a little sunlight in, if it could be called sunlight. The mare let out a loud cough and shuddered, she was dying. A young black stallion with yellow hair that had small black streaks in it, sat besides her holding her hoof, with a tear in his eye.

“Don’t worry ma, you’ll be alright.” The stallion said trying not to cry.

“Don’t worry-” She let out a loud cough.

“I’ll be fine, its just my time to go.” The stallion laid his head against the mare’s ,his mother’s and said,

“Mom, don’t go! I love you, there’s still so much I want to learn about! Like, like all about Sugarcube Corner and all the ‘baked goods”

“But i’ve told you all about that.”

“I know, I just don’t want you to leave me, I love you mother.” The stallion could not hold back his tears and began to cry.

“Don’t cry son, i’m the last of my friends to go as far as I know, its my turn to join them.” The stallion looked up and said

“But they all died fighting you said. Died for the Princesses in the war.”

“Yes thats right. And I miss them sorely.” The mare reached up and took out her earring, a red triangle with a blue circle in the middle. It was her favorite and the stallion had never seen her take it off.

“Take this, in memory of me and everything I told you about Equestria.”

“Mom, please don’t-”

“Sush... Sing me the lubally, the one I taught you from Ponyville.”

“You mean-”

“Yes hers” The mare shifted in bed and closed her eyes.

The stallion cleared his throat and thought as he recalled the lually as best as he could.

“Hush now,

quiet now,

it’s time to lay your sleepy head.

Hush now,

quiet now,

it’s time to go to bed-”

As he continued to sing the mare smiled and her breathing steadied, but then it stopped altogether. The stallion continued to sing the lullaby, three times he sung it and he left himself in a hum, but as he looked down he saw his mother asleep... No, she was dead. He knew it. He shook his head and brought it to his mother’s forehead, and slowly wept.