Chapter Fifteen
“My love will give you strength.”
When I opened my eyes Chip was standing over me, A grim look on his face.
“Thank goodness yer still alive, Diamond.” he said “We lost ten, an’ Arrow’s hurt pretty bad. But we did scare the hay out of them raiders.”
I got to my hooves and glanced around , the town was a wreak. Lead was standing on a large nearby chunk of wall. He glanced over at me a sad smile on his face. I walked over.
“Are you Ok, Lead?”
The grey pony shook his head and frowned
“My sister’s hurt really, really badly. She’s probably no going to make it.”
I frowned.
“I’m sorry” I said
I looked up and saw Blossom walking up, blood on her hooves. I could tell she was bringing bad news by the wet streaks on her cheeks, something had happened to his sister.
“Lead, Skyline didn’t make it. I’m- I’m so sorry, I tried everything I could”
He closed his eyes and sat down, he started crying.
“I know you did, Blossom.” he replied bleakly.
I put a hoof on his shoulder.
“I’m ...sorry.”
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It was very early in the morning by the time we finished cleaning up most of the mess. The final death toll had grown to thirteen. Thirteen ponies who died defending their home, they would be honored and buried tomarrow, but for today, we all needed rest.
I walked calmly toward Lead’s house, he disappeared shortly after he heard the news, Desert Blossom wanted me to check on him. When I got to his home, which was in the same building as his gun shop, I noticed the door was wide open. Curiosity took hold and I walked in. The grey earth pony sat on the floor in his living room surrounded by smashed picture frames. He had long shard of glass in between his forehooves.
“Please, Diamond, leave.” He said flatly, almost monotone, “I don’t want you to see me like this.”
My eyes widened. H-he was going to kill himself! At least if couldn’t do anything about it. I wasn’t about to let anypony throw their life away like that!
“Put it down.”
“No,” He returned, “I’m not worth anything any more. I’m another worthless piece of shit that thought he could actually change some thing. I want to die. Now leave, please, unless you want to watch.”
“I want to die”
I scowled, I was mad.
“Well you can't die, not today you can't!”
My horn began to glow, and ripped the glass shard from his grip.
“Diamond, please, just leave!” he turned and said angrily, and almost pleadingly, “ Now! There’s nothing you or anypony else can do that will change my mind.”
My magic imploded from the shock. I whimpered as he grabbed the impromptu dagger again.
“Goodbye, Diamond”
“WAIT!! Lead, I-I love you!”
He stopped.
“What?”
“ I said I love you, I know we haven’t known each other very long, but I...”
I broke down in tears. Ever since that trip to the music store, I started having these feelings for him. I'd been keeping them secret.
“ I love you, and I d-don’t want you to kill yourself! Please, just don’t do it!”
He was quiet for several long seconds.
“I promised I’d protect her , I-I failed. What is the point of living now?” He said “I tried to protect mom, my brother, my family, and I failed!
Took a short pause before speaking
“I’m sorry, you lost your family,” I started “I don’t think even I could ever possibly know just what that’s like, but suicide isn’t going to bring them back. Trust me, I know. If you want somepony to protect, protect Dessert Blossom. Protect Inky Blue or Holly leaf. Protect me. Protect Shady Sands!
I paused.
“All of us, we’re your family, and if you don’t give up on us, we won’t give up on you either, so please, stop.”
He dropped the blade, and turned toward me, teary eyed.
“Diamond I’m sorry, can you...”
“I forgive you, Lead.”
He got to his hooves, and walked over to me and wrapped his forelegs around my neck in a sad embrace
“I.. I love you too, Diamond, thank you.”
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I had gone to bed early that night. My whole body ached from stress, both mental, and physical. I had not only saved Lead from himself, but I also helped with the rebuilding. I was utterly exhausted. I was asleep as soon my head hit the pillow.
I awoke in a field. Cadence was standing in front of me smiling warmly.
“ You did well, Diamond, I was going to tell you that somepony very close to you was in danger, but I kind of got interrupted when you woke up.”
“That was all you wanted from me.” I asked
Her smile faded slightly as she replied.
“No, I have to ask one more thing from you. And hate it, but I must. Queen Chrysalis has returned to take over Equestria, and she’s in an old Stable near the Applewood sign.”
“Who’s Queen Chrysalis?”
“The ruler of the changelings, and it is up to you, and your friends to stop her!”
I paused. I still didn’t know If I could trust her, or if was even Cadence talking to me at all. For all I knew This could very well be Chrysalis herself. Why should I trust her? Then I remembered Chip and Winter, I trusted them even though I didn’t know them. I trusted Chit. Why shouldn't trust her, If she wanted me dead, she could have done it a lot sooner.
“I know you have your doubts, Diamond, but some times you have to have blind faith. So, what is your decision.”
I mulled over her words for a few seconds. It was a tough choice. I closed my eyes.
“Yes, I will help you.”
Cadence smiled.
“Then, Diamond Sky, wake up, and save the world.”
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I woke up. It was morning. Somepony knocked on my door. It was Winter.
“ It’s time for the funeral,” she said, sounding like she’d been crying.
I started making my way down.