//------------------------------//
// Chapter 36 
// Story: Those Distant Sisters 
// by Rettro 
//------------------------------//

Without thinking, Evanescence charged at her sister’s husband. Sonority had been injured, she had a chance to take him down if she could get him by surprise. As she got within spitting distance of the colt, he reared up, bearing his teeth. A hoof, sheathed in the thick haze of magic, swung forward toward Evanescence. Neither made contact. Evanescence stood behind Sonority, not sure if she was expecting her head to meet Sonority’s gut or his hoof to meet her face. A wave of dizziness washed over her from tail to snout, knocking her back to the ground. 

From her position there, she could see Sonority in a similar state. His wild haymaker had knocked him off balance, and his other injuries convinced him to stay on the ground. Evanescence lifted herself with her front hooves, but found her hind legs unwilling to respond. She snarled, letting out an animal grunt. One hoof in front of the other, she began to drag herself toward Sonority. 

You hurt my sister. I know it. She wouldn’t leave your side for anyone, not even me. You had to drive her away. She could feel the dirt and soot tangling into her coat as she pulled, hoof over hoof, through the battlefield around her. Crowds in the distance thinned as the roar of combat pulled away. With every grain of dirt she passed the world around her faded, leaving only the cream colored lump of fur before her and the seemingly endless stretch of dirt between them. The light brown coat, the dark brown and black dirt, even her own gray hooves sucked the color from what little remained in the world until Evanescence could finally reach out and touch Sonority. She reached out, closing her eyes. What she felt was soft and warm. She could barely believe that the colt could be warm with a soul so cold. 

“Cold.” Evanescence eeked her eyes open, and was greeted by a brilliant blue. She hadn’t reached Sonority – somepony had gotten in the way. “So… here we are.” Resonance had a hoof on Sonority’s chest, gently waiting for a response. “You hurt me, Sonority. Worse yet, you gave up on me. My sister has never given up on me. She saw me find you, she saw us happen. She held her tongue as you spouted your garbage about ponies like her. I love her, and I love you too.” Her hoof never moved. “But she’s twice the pony you are… and twice the soldier too.” 

Evanescence watched as her sister knelt down, softly kissing Sonority’s forehead, and closing his eyes. A small metallic ting rang out as she pulled the hearth military pendant from his neck. She turned around, lifting Resonance up to help her walk. They were the last two to board Equestria Four, earning a place to rest on the floor by their blood matted fur and broken bodies. The crowd was silent, allowing the voices in the cockpit to fill the craft.

“This is Equestria Four. We are the last ship out of Hearth. It appears we are not being followed. You were right.” The cabin was quiet for a moment, then Luna’s voice appeared over the radio. 

“The nation of Hearth is lost. Your craft bear its only survivors. It may be painful, but we must all consider this issue ended. Any creatures left in Hearth have made their decision, and will be left to their fate.” Her voice was softer than Evanescence could remember, but was still harsh in comparison to the next voice to come over the radio.

“This is Princess Celestia, addressing everypony in our air convoy. You are all good ponies. You may not be wanted in your homeland, but you are in ours. You will find a home here in Equestria, under the protection of my sister and I.” She paused for a moment, and Luna could be heard muttering in the distance.

“Everypony… Welcome home.”