Equestria's War

Chapter 5-All is not lost
Rarity awoke, soaking wet and surrounded by the darkness of the dungeon. She heard a faint clicking of metal against metal. She turned her head towards the sound and saw a palace guard with a bucket in his mouth quickly removing an old iron key from the lock.
“You know that was a stupid decision you made back there” the guard said quietly “Celestia would have let your family live and return peacefully to Ponyville”
“Nothing’s that simple anymore, times have changed and it’s time someone stood up to that tyrant”
“Exactly, it’s time we show that tyrant who’s boss”
The room was then filled with a soft glow that seemed to be emanating from the guard. When the glow had diminished Rarity stared in awe at what she saw.
“I’ve come to help you escape” the voice of the pony in front of her noticeably less gruff
“Luna, I didn’t even know that you could do that”
“Yes, it took me weeks to get it right, but it seems that I’ve finally perfected it, and in time you will too”
“Yes, but right now I think we need to focus on escaping”
“Yes, and I think I have just the spell for that”
Luna then squeezed her eyes shut in concentration, and a glow started to come from her horn. Soon the room was enveloped in a bright white light. Rarity shut her eyes tightly and when she opened them she saw that they were in the center of Ponyville’s marketing district. Rarity blinked rapidly, eyes quickly adjusting to the soft glow of the evening sun. When Rarity had recovered she quickly turned to Luna and motioned for her to follow. The two mares trotted quickly through town and towards Rarity’s home. They quickly entered the dark home and closed the door quietly behind them. Rarity could feel the emotions starting to swell up in her chest.
“Please, make yourself at home Luna; I’m going to get some rest”
“Thank you for your hospitality Rarity, I’ll see you in the morning”
Luna then walked over and plopped down on the sofa. Rarity, seeing that Luna had made herself comfortable, proceeded to trudge up the stairs toward her room. She then entered the room and closed the door. A wave of emotion washed over Rarity and she barely made it to her bed before she started crying.
“My family, my sister GONE! I’ve killed them all”
Rarity then lie on top of the cool sheets and cried herself to sleep. When she awoke she found herself under the sheets, her face and pillow free of the makeup that she had forgotten to wash off. Rarity then heard the sound of running water. She dragged herself from under the warm sheets, again taking her robe and tying it tightly around her middle. As Rarity approached the kitchen she heard the clanking of pots and the delicious, rich smell of eggs. Rarity nosed the door open to see Luna rushing around the kitchen preparing breakfast for the both of them.
“Rarity, I’m glad to see that you’re awake. Have a seat, I’m almost finished.”
Rarity sat down at the table, and waited for Luna to finish
“Luna you don’t have to do this for me, if anything I should be making this for you”
“Nonsense Rarity, I know what you’re going through, the least I can do to help is make breakfast for you”
Luna then walked over to the table. Behind her she levitated two plates piled high with sweet hay cakes and eggs.
“Wow Luna I had no idea that you had so much experience in the kitchen. I’m used to Sweetie trying this and almost burning down the house.”
Rarity choked down a sob at the thought of never hearing that sweet voice again.
“Rarity, just eat your breakfast, save your feelings for later”
“I know, but it’s just so hard to let her go like that. It feels as though a part of me is missing, and without it I can barely think”
“Yes, but you must set your feelings aside. In order that we may bring Celestia down”
The two mares then ate their breakfast in silence; the only sound was the faint chirping of the birds and the quiet bustle of business outside. After finishing they sat there quietly staring at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Rarity then broke the silence and stillness between them and got up to place their dishes in the sink quietly.
“We must start planning for the future” said Luna almost urgently
“Yes, I was just about to go into town to gather my friends; they can be very helpful at times. Except Twilight, I still distrust her from being so close to Celestia.”
“You have great reason to be wary Rarity, Celestia and Twilight Sparkle are together in resisting the rebellion. It’s the only thing that obstructs their total control over Equestria”
“Well give me a second to get ready, then we can go into town, and find my friends”
Rarity climbed the stairs and entered her room where she hastily threw on her makeup and combed her mane. Rarity then wrapped a pink silk scarf around her neck and descended the stairs. Luna then led the way out the door and closed it behind them. The two ponies walked silently towards the center of town, both of them having an air of business. The mares walked through town, collecting groceries that they would need for the week, and some other essentials.
“Hey! Hey Rarity!”
Rarity looked up to see a cyan colored mare with a rainbow mane sitting on a cloud
“Rainbow Dash! I was looking for you, come on we’ve got some important business to attend to.” Rarity said to the cyan mare
“Great, I’ll meet you at your place say in about an hour”
“Perfect, that will give me just enough time to gather the others and finish my shopping.”
Luna and Rarity then continued to push their way through the crowds, and this time in the direction of Sugar Cube Corner.
“Hiya Rarity, you looking for something?”
Pinky Pie had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and was now standing face to face with Rarity, her nose squished against Rarity’s face.
“Well, yes, I was looking for you Pinky. I wanted to ask you if you could meet me at my house in an hour”
“Sure!” the pink pony replied “Do you need me to bring anything?”
“No, just yourself, we have some very important business to discuss. Wait, yes actually, can you find Applejack for me. I already have to find Fluttershy.”
“Okie dokie lokie!”
“Thanks Pinky, I’ll see you at my place in an hour?”
“Yep!”
Then without further discussion, Rarity and Luna turned towards Fluttershy’s cottage and began walking. When Luna and Rarity arrived they found Fluttershy in her garden, tending to her animals, and watering her garden.
“Hello there Fluttershy” Rarity said softly
“Oh, Hi Rarity, you startled me”
“Sorry, I’ve come to ask if you could come over to my place for a bit, I need you there for what I need to do.”
“Well, um ok, when?”
“In about an hour, but make sure to leave Angel here, I don’t want him hearing things he shouldn’t”
“Ok, I’ll see you in an hour then”
With that Luna and Rarity turned back down the dirt path towards town. Small clouds of dust were thrown up by the hooves of the two mares as they trotted down the walkway. Rarity was soon met by the sound of hooves clopping on cobblestone paths. Luna looked around to see that they were yet again in the marketing district of Ponyville. Rarity quickly made her rounds, purchasing a bag of carrots from an orange mare named Carrot Top. Rarity quickly selected several nice looking carrots, paid Carrot Top, and thanked her. She then made her way toward Applejack’s apple stand.
“Howdy there Rarity. Nice to see you around”
“Yes, I’m glad to have found you” Rarity said this in a quiet whisper, moving towards Applejack’s ear in a way that looked as if she was smelling it. Applejack instantly got the message and hiding her muzzle beneath Rarity’s lush, silky mane said.
“Wow, you’re mane smells so nice, you gotta show me how to get it like that”
“I’ll tell you what Applejack, come over to my place in an hour and I’ll show you how.”
Rarity quickly departed and headed towards her small home. Rarity used her magic to find her keys and unlock the door. Luna quietly followed Rarity through the door and into her house, shutting the door with a click. Rarity pushed the door to the kitchen open, and set her groceries down. The two mares then began to prepare for the arrival of their guests. Rarity set out snack and drinks, while Luna tidied up loose fabric and thread that Rarity had left out. The first to arrive was Applejack.
“Applejack, so glad to see you darling, please come in”
“Well thank ya’ll kindly Rarity. Princess Luna, what a delight to see you again”
“And you as well Applejack” Luna said quietly
Rarity stepped back to allow Applejack to come in the house.
“Please have a seat Applejack; the others will be here soon”
Sure enough Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie all arrived shortly after Applejack. The colorful mares entered Rarity’s house as she offered them tea, snacks, and other drinks. Luna then walked to the front of the room, nervously shifting from hoof to hoof.
“Alright then everypony, let’s get down to planning”