How the Tables Turn

The guards pushed the trembling mare towards the crowd and left, leaving her with her new community. She didn’t know what to say, what to expect. All she felt was fear.

After the initial shock of such a… colorful… rook, Phoenix realized that this was his time to break the ice, if this newcomer had any hope of survival in this place. He got up, and everypony shifted their gaze to him. He trotted, cautiously but deliberately, towards the cyan Pegasus. She was shaking all over. It was clear she didn’t know what to think yet.

He had reached the mare, who was now shrinking down at his gaze, silent tears rolling down her muzzle. He spoke with a soft smile and a sugary voice, doing everything he could to make her feel more comfortable.

“It’s okay. I’m here to help you.”

“Who are you?”

Her tone of voice suggested confidence and bravery, strongly conflicting with her trembling body and teary eyes.

“I’m White Phoenix. I can help you, if you want me to.”

“What do you want from me?”

“It’s not what I want. It’s what Mistress wants. Trust me, though, the only ones on Mistress’s side are the guards. You’ve nothing to fear from us.” After this small display of truth, Phoenix held out a hoof. The rookie eyed it suspiciously, her eyes flitting between Phoenix’s hoof and his face. That’s when she noticed.

Phoenix had scars.

She looked around. Everypony in this vast space was riddled with scars and bruises. All of them had hollow eyes and hopeless faces, their coats had paled and grayed from lack of natural sunlight and malnourishment. She returned her watchful eyes to Phoenix’s, and all she could note upon was how different they were. They weren’t hollow, depressed, or wistful.

They were filled with hope.

She reached out and shook his hoof, deciding that if she had any chance of getting away, this was it. Offered to her on a silver platter.

After they broke contact, Phoenix lifted his hoof to her face and dried her tears.

“I’m going to take care of you.”

A soft, slight smile appeared on her face at the realization of what his words meant. She wasn’t alone. She didn’t have to be. Already Phoenix was more than just a way to escape, but an opportunity for a friend.

And what hadn’t friendship solved in her life?

She was woken from her silent reverie by Phoenix’s voice. “What’s your name?” He spoke with a gentle curiosity. Rainbow realized how untrusting she had just been to someone who was offering her help, which was a first in this new place.

“I’m sorry. My name’s Rainbow Dash. I’m from Ponyville, I’m their best weather flyer. I was just out pretty far away, on my way to Trottingham for a weather exchange program, when I saw a little cabin in the middle of nowhere. I went to check it out, and –“

Rainbow was silenced by Phoenix’s hoof, which was firmly inserted into her mouth.

“Slow down there.” Phoenix knew her mouth was moving faster than her brain. She spoke too quickly to convince Phoenix that she actually was ready to share information of this detail. “We can talk about this later. As for now, I’m sure you have questions that need to be answered. First thing’s first, though. Are you hungry?” Phoenix’s question was answered by a growling from Rainbow’s stomach. He gave an amused smile before speaking again. “Come with me. You’re not eating ration grain on your first day here.”

Rainbow nodded and proceeded to follow Phoenix through the cafeteria. She spared a glance around. The cafeteria was vast, with five… ten… fifteen… it was hard to count the tables when it was so crowded.

“Is it always like this?”

“What do you mean?” Phoenix was taken aback by how outgoing Rainbow was being. It was almost as though someone had flipped a switch in her brain. A switch that was labeled ‘confidence.’

“It’s so crowded. I think there are more ponies here than in all of Ponyville. And why do you all have scars? Are you part of a military or something? And why do-” She once again found her mouth filled by Phoenix’s hoof.

“One thing at a time, Rainbow. I’ll gladly answer all your questions, but I need time to answer them first.” Rainbow nodded and he withdrew his hoof.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s your first day. Everypony’s nervous on their first day. Now, for your questions. No, it’s not always this crowded. We all came here to meet you.”

Rainbow would have been pleased by the gesture under any other circumstances, but being kidnapped sort of takes that peace of mind away.

“As for why we all have scars – I fear that’s a discussion that should be had behind closed doors.” Rainbow nodded in response. Anything that can cause scars in those numbers to a group so large would understandably be a touchy subject. “No, we’re not part of a military. Oh! There you are!”

Rainbow followed Phoenix’s gaze to a mare that was almost scarred as much as he was.

“Rainbow Dash, Emerald Ashes. Emerald Ashes, Rainbow Dash.” Phoenix pointed his hoof towards the ponies in turn as he spoke their names.

“Pleased to meet you, Rainbow Dash, although I wish it was under better circumstances.” Her statement was met by a dejected looking nod from Rainbow. “Hey, don’t be like that. Phoenix and I are going to take care of you.”

“Am I gonna end up looking like the two of you before I leave?” Phoenix and Ashes exchanged a quizzical glance as they speculated on her confidence. She didn’t think she was getting out. She knew she was.

It was exactly what Phoenix was looking for.

“Well, that’s hard to say.” Ashes spoke casually, rather confident that she could trust that Rainbow wasn’t afraid of her new atmosphere as long as she was with them. Her trust was not ill-placed. She was surprised at how genuinely composed Rainbow was as she looked up at her. “I mean, you aren’t going to get pale or grey out or anything like that. As far as scars? Depends on how long you end up staying.”

Ashes’ talk of leaving as though it were like walking out of a store was earning the trio many confused glances from all sides. Most of them just ignored them though. Those were the ones that had already closed themselves off from the rest of the world, devoid of hope. The three of them were the only ones that truly believed that escape was possible, though.

“You sure you can’t give me a definite answer?” Ashes chuckled at Rainbow’s question. Of all the things she could be worried about at a time like this, she worried about her looks. “We’ll talk about it later.” The three of them turned towards the exit of the cafeteria and began walking, Phoenix and Ashes preparing for a barrage of questions as they led Rainbow to Ashes’ house.