Prologue

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With a spark of light, a candle lit. A small piece of flame was floated from it, to another, and then another candle. The flames’ gentle light revealed their maker, a white unicorn adorned in a thick robe. She brushed the snow off of her green mane, and sat at her writing desk. Lifting the quill in a magical grasp as lavender as her eyes, she set to work.

I remember a time when the sun shone its radiant face.

To you, my future readers, I write with the hope that you will understand that dawn is something worth fighting for. To you, it will seem a strange idea; a light in the sky that brings warmth and beauty to the world underneath. But it is not to me. It is my home, forever gone, forever apart from this world as it is now.

And yet, I do not despair at the darkness, but instead I find hope in the glorious dawn that must one day come. I find hope in you, my reader. I believe the numbers and power of The Alliance is far beyond what we can hope to overthrow in my lifetime. But not in yours.

Be patient. Be kind. Be strong. Be courageous. And never, no never, stand down and be overcome by the powerful darkness that will surround you. It is better to die a light, than to be overcome with the darkness.

But also be wise, for sometimes, it will be better to keep the light within you so it can live and shine later, than to confront the darkness if you will surely fall.

There is no dishonor in hiding from The Alliance. There is no dishonor in doing what you must to bring dawn to this world once more.

She paused. “Is there?” she wondered aloud, then shook her head.

I will have much to tell you, to warn you, to teach you in wisdom, wisdom learned through most grievous, and most joyous experiences. But for now, dear reader, I must tell you my story. I must tell you what happened, and how the world came to be how it is as of this writing.

There will be many who will lie to you. The Alliance will stop at no ends to achieve power and dominion.

She shivered. Snowy fields littered with still, broken bodies of unicorn, pegasi, and Earth ponies came to mind. The ground was bare and scorched from magical flame. On a distant hill, a tree's branches bore the burden of a dozen unicorn mares and fillies, whose hooves dangled limp inches off the ground.

She paused for a moment, closing her eyes, breathing deeply. Then she continued writing.

Their lust for power, and their fear of us, have led them to lose all decency. But never, never my dear pony, never stoop to their level. Only by forgiving them of their evil can you ever cleanse it from this world! If you do not, you will become just as brutal as they.

How is it that we can fall so far, in so little time?

I remember a time when we all lived in harmony. When the Sisters ruled together, bringing peace and life to our world. But then, for reasons we do not fully understand, the younger sought the throne, to reign in eternal night. Despite the love she received, and the throne she shared with her sister, she desired more at the expense of others. So our Princess of Day was forced to defend the kingdom from never-ending darkness, and slay her own sister, banishing her soul into the Moon.

Some believe she will return one day, but in truth, we do not know.

But this we do know: her elder sister was so distraught, she could no longer lead her kingdom. The law held no power. The government was frozen, and our beautiful princess faded from our eyes. And so, despite the desperation of the governors, we divided into the trade guilds. Most of our proud craftsponies of beautiful works and skill, magicians, scientists, philosophers, intellectuals and skilled laborers were unicorns, and they united. Most of the weather control, and our sword and shield against other nations were the Pegasi, and they united. And finally, the farmers were almost entirely Earth Ponies, and they united in their trade guild.

We ceased being a kingdom of love. We became trade guilds whose soul interest was wealth. We would sell our services and abilities in exchange for eachother's goods, seeking our own prosperity above all else, and relishing the exploitation of others. We became bigoted, and those whose race was unusual in their guilds, were ostracized and became even rarer.

And then the winter came. The terrible, terrible winter...

* * *

Across mountains, vales, frozen fields and ice-capped rivers, deep in a cave, a unicorn with a mane and body as deep blue as the night sky and mottled with a deep brown sat, surrounded by others, and wrote on parchment.

...The guilds fought. Amid accusations and strife, one point was the most difficult to disprove. Neither the pegasi or earth ponies knew or understood magic. It was a strange, and powerful thing to them, and as always, the weak feared the mighty. While we could all see the pegasi attempting to clear the skies, and the Earth ponies struggling to grow food, nopony could tell what we did. So it was an easy accusation to make; we brought the winter in their eyes.

For a time, though, we simply avoided eachother. We moved, and found a new land. We discovered the Wendigos, and came to know harmony once more. We sought our old princess to reign over us again.

But as we searched, winter came again. Fearing the worst, we pooled our magic, and built great domes, under which using our spells, we could keep warm, and create a fake summer sky.

It was all they needed. They feared us. It alienated us. We could only manage to shelter ourselves, thus it was easy for them to claim we brought the winter to slay them all. And they believed it...

* * *

...When they came, there was little we could do. We fought, but they outnumbered us greatly, and too few of us were powerful enough sorcerers. They besieged us and set fire to what we had. Our domes filled with smoke. Some domes fought until the end. Others surrendered, only to find death came to them with their horns blocked and hooves fettered, rather than on the battlefield.

I would that I could go back to a time before my eyes had been marred by such sights. In this writing, in particular, I will spare you the horror of the atrocities they committed, dear reader. But know we must never give in to the darkness. We must forgive them, for as I have written, it is the only way we can keep our own light against this endless night.

We must do what it takes to bring down their might, so peace may come again, but I beg of you to do no more than that. We don't need to kill their children, their unarmed masses. When they surrender, we have won, and that will be all it takes. Although war may call you to slay them in battle, to slay them while unarmed, bound, and in needlessly cruel ways is never, no, never justified.

Then what right would we have in the eyes of The Creators to win? Why would the Song of Harmony ally to us, if we are as cruel-hearted as they? No, my dear reader, above all else that you keep strong, your heart is your greatest weapon against this dark night...

* * *

...But still, they will seek to rise again if they are allowed to live. There must be no mercy for what they have done. It must be an extermination so thorough that none of them can ever conceive of bloodshed again. Do not be foolish, those who are for us are not against us, and may be joined to our numbers, and counted as friends and equals. But those who are against us, they must fall. Only when we are united again, as during the reign of our Dear Mother, can summer come again, and the world will know peace in Her gentle night...

* * *

...And so we wait for the morning that Harmony will bring, when there is again a single throne for our Princess of Light to set on.

You will be the one to bring the morning, dear reader. Keep heart, and keep wisdom, and you will prevail.

But for now, we hide, here in this beautiful city on the side of a mountain, our bastion from the winter that covers this world. I will write a fuller account of what has happened over the future months, but in case fate is unkind to my mortal frame, and The Alliance of the Pegasi and Earth Ponies find our home, I leave you with this short tale of truth, and plea for light.

* * *

Nopony knows we are here, and it will forever remain that way. We will be shadows, a Blade in the Night, forever Her Children of the Night, forever devoted to the fall of the Alliance.

* * *

Take heart my dear reader, may the Architect and the Song of Harmony guide you in our quest for the Cerulean Sky that comes with dawn.

For one day, the Song of Harmony will bring us our salvation.

“The Song of Harmony will bring us our salvation…” Her eyes glistened as warmth flooded her body. A soft smile gently came over her.

Signed,
Clover the Clever

A World Apart

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"I am thankful for all the challenges I've had. Times of war, times of struggle, times of hardship. Those are the times I grew from being an arrogant foal into who I have become. Those are the times for heroes to shine, as they can in no other. Peace is much sweeter when won through valiant effort."

- General Ivory Flame

from the preface of "The Longest Night"

* * *

Rarity glared at Twilight. "Go on, go on!" Rarity urged her friend.

"Go on, what?"

"Find a spell that will get us wingless ponies into Cloudsdale. Didn't you see how nervous she was?" Rarity said, her voice full of worry.

The two were standing in a sea of books scattered across the floor in Twilight's library, the result of Rainbow Dash's latest failed attempt to pull a sonic rainboom for her upcoming competition in Cloudsdale.

"Nervous!?" Applejack interjected, "Have you spit your bit or something? She was tootin' her own horn louder than the brass section of a marching band!"

"Oh, puh-lease! I've put on enough fashion shows to recognize stage fright when I see it!" Concrete determination seized her voice; "We've got to find a way to be there for her!"

"Now go on!" She shoved Twilight forward.

She stumbled back up and glared at her. "How am I supposed to find a flight spell in this mess?!"

Pinkie Pie piped in, "A flight spell? One sec!" She shot over to a book, and zipped back to her friends with it in her mouth as she tossed it to Twilight with a flick of the chin. "Page twenty-seven."

"How'd you do that?" Applejack shot.

"It landed on my face when Rainbow Dash knocked me into the bookcase." Pinkie replied matter-of-factly.

"Here it is," Twilight started, "a spell that will allow Earth Ponies to fly for three days. Oooooh, it looks really difficult. I'm not sure I can do it safely..."

"You've got to try!" Rarity pleaded.

"Okay, but who's gonna volunteer to be the test subject?" Everypony looked around the room indecisively.

"I will! For Rainbow Dash, I will go first!" Rarity asserted.

"Here goes..." Twilight pointed her horn at Rarity and closed her eyes. Like an artist sitting down to a blank canvas and focusing with their eyes, she focused on the world of magic around her using her horn.

Through its magic, she could feel the room, its occupants, and everything in it. She focused on Rarity. She felt for the sea of leylines, strings which composed reality like notes in a melody, every thing and idea a wave or ripple upon its surface, and she reached deep toward their deepest foundations.

To merely take wings from the sea of leylines would be to deprive some poor creature of its own; to make them from air would be unsafe and unreliable for her friend to fly upon, so she reached for the Deep Foundation of the Leyline Sea to create the wings.

She imagined a butterfly's wings, soft as gossamer and as beautiful as sparkling morning dew, the perfect match for the elegant unicorn. As she focused on her friend and the idea, she felt a bundle of lines that led from the Deep Foundation to many worlds, and began to pull them together, carefully feeling out the ones that had exactly what she wanted and pulling on them, uprooting more line from the endless Foundation.

Blue light began to wrap around Rarity as a breeze came in the room.

Twilight was unaware, lost in the elegant dance of metaphysical strings, pulling along with them a torrent of ideas she had to reject. Unusually colorful and strange-looking ponies were closest to the wings she imagined, so she carefully pulled the idea of them off, while holding to her mind the beautiful, gossamer wing.

The string seemed to snap to a world of snow, darkness and metal. She pulled the string off of the concept more forcefully, careful to stay away from the dark and cold sphere of existence.

Rarity began to float in the air, detached from the gravity of their world. She looked around worriedly as the blue tendrils of light wrapped around her and encased her in a cocoon of light, sealing her inside a world of depthless ivory.

The magician tried to hold on to the idea of the wings. The idea began to bring itself to her mind, forming into exactly what she wanted. She no longer had to work to think of it, now the idea came to her, flowing from the lines she'd singled out.

But slowly it dawned on her that the idea she had pulled together was too weak, it was nothing more solid than a mist – horrified at what it might do upon combining with her dear friend, she panicked back to the strings of the other world of metal, hurriedly trying to pull out the concept of hard metal to give Rarity and her wings the strength they needed to stay together and alive.

The breeze grew stronger over the room, flipping the pages of the book, hiding its violated warning to not meddle with enchanted objects.

When Twilight guided the bundle of strings back, it snapped back into the cold, dark, metal like a powerful magnet. All at once, every leyline that flowed through Rarity was torn from Equestria and fused into the world of dark, cold and metal.

Sparks shot from Twilight's horn, and met the tendrils of plasma around Rarity, and she was shot back across the room in an explosion of light as a thunderous crack shook the room.
"Rarity!" Pinkie and AJ yelled.

"Wha-?" Twilight groggily got back up, only to see charred books and a singed wall, but no Rarity. "Oh, no!" Twilight yelled. "Nonononono!" She frantically returned to the page, pouring over it.

"RARITY EXPLODED! AAAAHHH!" Pinkie Pie screamed.

"Ohhh no! She didn't explode!" Twilight replied.

"Wha-what'd y'all do to her, then!?" Applejack demanded, her voice shaking with worry. Twilight scoured page twenty-six of the book.

"I – I don't know for sure! I think maybe she - It felt like - just let me make sure-" she flipped the page "–NO!"

"WHAT?!" Pinkie asked.

"We're going to have to go after her!" Twilight declared.

"Go after her!?" they asked.

"She was sucked right into something – another possibility – something that could've happened but it didn't! Something outside the Elements of Harmony!" she answered in a panicked frenzy.

"What in tarnation are ya goin' on about!? What did ya do to her!?" Applejack demanded from Twilight, glaring at her.

"Things happen the way they do because of the Elements – and she got pulled somewhere where things happened differently! That's how that spell works! But it went wrong, and she's somewhere else, but I don't know if-" She paused as she was reading the page.

Applejack and Pinkie exchanged confused looks.

"Follow me!" Twilight snapped. She darted out the door, carrying the book next to her with telekinesis. Pinkie and Applejack glanced at eachother again, then followed after.

"Oh, Rarity, hang in there!" Twilight pleaded as she galloped out of town.

* * *

In a flash of light, Rarity found herself lying on cobblestone, somewhere dark.

"What – am I – how did I?..." She looked up to see a street overhung by streetlights that gave off an incandescent golden glow, which seemed to be the only source of light. The sky was solid, dark, with a faint metallic glean. She shivered as an icy breeze hit her.

Earth ponies and pegasi surrounded her. Only a few wearing uniforms looked well off, though the rest didn't look too awful, they looked... poor. Poor and unhygienic.

It was hardly as crowded as any city she knew of.

The ponies all stared at her with wide eyes and dropped jaws, some of their faces twisting with hate, most with fear.

"Twilight? Pinkie Pie? Applejack? Where are you?" she said in a small, feeble voice.

Seeing no motion among the gawking ponies, her patience quickly ran out. "What, haven't you ever seen a unicorn before?" she said rhetorically, offended at their hostile stares. But as she said it, she noticed there wasn't a single unicorn in sight.

Two pegasi with uniforms darted towards her. "You're under arrest!"

"Well, excuse me! But-" They tackled her. She yelled and threw them back with her magic. The crowd instantly exploded into panic as ponies ran in every direction.

She got back up and froze for a moment, astounded at her own strength and the crowd's response. The soldiers began to clamber up again.

"Just shoot it! Just shoot it!" an old stallion yelled.

"Me!? I am a 'her'! And what ever-"

BANG

She felt a powerful kick to her hoof that knocked her into the ground. Panicking, she shot back up and galloped into a nearby alleyway. Just as another bang rang down the alley, she felt a lighter punch to her scalp and horn. She didn't know what they were doing, but she couldn't think to do anything except keep sprinting away. However they were attacking her, it was obviously lethal.

An excruciating pain shot through her hoof with every step, but she was too terrified to stop and look. She ran through winding streets and crowded alleyways as city bells began to ring. She had no idea how long she'd been running when the street in front of her ended in an enormous, gleaming, silvery metallic wall. She looked up and realized that it curved back towards the center of the city, before fading into darkness far above the reach of the city's lights.

Distant armored pegasi flew towards her. Far down the street she could see more sitting down, pointing more of the metal rods at her with their forehooves. She realized what they were. Flintlock rifles from the Interregnum of the Princesses were kept by the Canterlot elite for high-class sporting game, shooting clay pigeons and targets. Though they looked different from the ones she knew of, they were rifles, and at the end of the street, no less than a dozen were being prepared to shoot Rarity.

She galloped in-between the last building and the wall as shots rang, hitting the wall with terribly loud donging noises. The soldiers began shouting something indecipherable over the noise of her gallop as she scoured the walls for an exit from the deathtrap of an alleyway.

She saw an enormous, rusty, steel hatch-like door on the wall. She used her magic to turn the the heavy wheel. With her telekinesis she felt the bars slide out, but it refused to open. She telekinetically grabbed the entire door and yanked with her might, but it refused to budge. She heaved again, and felt the door strain under her pull, but it refused to budge.

The soldiers were lined up at the end of the alleyway, once again, setting down, lifting their hooves with the mounted rifles, and reaching for the trigger with their other forehooves. The row of more than a dozen rifles pointed at her made her freeze for only a moment.

She yelled with effort as she yanked a last time, blowing the door open with the sound of tearing metal, and leaping towards it as a volley of bullets shot by behind her. She landed in deep snow.

She was immediately blasted with the coldest air she'd ever felt. Ahead of her was a narrow concrete-walled alley, beyond which, was a blizzardy frozen landscape lit by floodlights that fell away into darkness beyond the light's reach.

The snow was bitter, icy cold. The icy air tore at her throat and lungs with each breath. As she left the concrete alley, she failed to notice the concrete walls were walls of two large, wide concrete towers, on which sat machinegun nests.

Her first steps out of the protection of the concrete alley led her into the blizzard of half-melted hail. It sounded like a terrible, heavy rainstorm, but with every drop was a small, hard crack, where it almost sounded like rushing sand, and every splash of water and ice that hit her body felt like a small jab of hard, sharp, icy wet cold.

The guards, clothed in thick winter gear, eyed her down as she ran out the alley, swung the mounted machineguns around and put her in the sights as she ran into the open.

"Wait, wait" the chief of the watch said.

"Chief, she's gotta be a crook of some kind! She blew the door open!"

"We have strict orders to guard the doors from the outside. We don't have authority to guard them from the inside..."

She was lost in the distant, blizzard-obscured darkness before the pegasi burst out the now-open hatch, flew up to the nests, and yelled at the unfortunate guards; "Shoot, you dimwits! Shoot! She's a unicorn! Shoot! Shoot!"

She galloped, plowing through the snow, her hooves becoming numb as they landed on permafrost with every step. The thick snow almost reached her shoulders as she ran through it. Her body was freezing under a constant barrage of slushy, icy hail.

She stopped to catch her breath and look back. The biting cold only grew worse. The icy pain reached into her bones, and she began shivering intensely. She looked back at the cold, but much warmer city she had come from, when a thought struck her.

Where am I!?

The only reply was the howling, icy wind.

She turned to look at where she came from, struggling to open her eyes against the freezing barrage. The blizzard obscured the view of the awful place she'd just run out of. She gasped both in fear and horror as she realized the path she'd left in the snow was mottled red with her own blood.

Then, the pain in her hoof struck her again, vengefully making up for the time it had spent numb. She looked to find the nail of her hoof blown apart, with a large crack that reached up to her foot, where a gaping wound bled enough to soak her hoof and the snow.

She clenched her teeth and groaned as the pain overwhelmed her. Tears came to her eyes, partly from the pain, partly from the nightmarish, chaotic destruction inflicted on her finely pedicured hoof. It sent her mind spinning into confusion, just as she was trying to make sense of this frozen, cruel world. As she struggled to pull her mind together, she was suddenly aware of a sharp pain on her horn, and the biting cold all over her. The cold tore at her ears, nose, sides and cheeks, all at once. She felt herself shivering violently as the icy water poured over her, soaking her.

The wind stopped and she looked up to see where she'd come from as a clearing from the haze opened in the storm. For a moment, as she looked, a spell of surreal feeling fell over her, as though she were in a strange dream. She forgot her pain as her eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. She didn't even realize she was backing up, but she did as if she had encountered a large, vicious monster. She faced where she had come from. It was an enormous, gleaming, perfectly smooth, glossy metal dome the size of a mountain, with titanic concrete walls surrounding its base.

That's... The city?...

As she stared for moments, she saw distant lights moving out of it, and heard, over the wind, a distant train horn. The wind picked up again, and the blizzard obscured the scene from her sight. Icy cold bit at her mouth before she realized her jaw had dropped open.

I'm not in Equestria anymore...

She was still frozen as it began to sink in, as she looked into the dark, snowy mist. Tears welled in her eyes again as it hit her, tears that quickly bit her face with cold. She started sobbing, the deep breaths scratching her throat and lungs with cold air. There was nothing she could have imagined more distant from her humble, beautiful, decorated boutique set on the warm, sunny hill in Ponyville, than the terrifying, imposing, metallic, spartan dome of impossible size in this frozen wasteland.

"T-Twilight?... Applejack?... P-Pinkie Pie?..." she could only weakly stammer into the wind around her sobs, praying somehow it was some dream or illusion, that in reality, she was lying on the floor of Twilight's warm treehouse library, unconscious, and somehow they would be there and save her, or wake her up from this awful, lonely nightmare.

Out of the blizzard, she saw flashes of light. Suddenly her hopes flared to life, a grin spread across her face, immediately followed by the sound of rapid gunfire and bullets whizzing by, missing her by a wide margin. She shrieked and galloped away from the terrible flashing lights.

Behind the machineguns' muzzle flares, "She's a gonner," the chief of the watch said to his crew. "No point in wastin' ammo at this range."

The firing stopped as he turned to one of the pegasi police that were uniformed especially well, and asked: "Sir? Are we going to pursue? It is a unicorn."

* * *

At the dark edge of the city, on a public square and behind a gallow, a large, stocky, red stallion in well-decorated military uniform walked towards an orange-colored Earth pony that had a blond mane.

"Gold Will, my own sister..." he said with a deep, strong but gentle voice.
She was shackled with rope and surrounded by guards.

Both their green eyes met.

"Crimson Fire! It doesn't have to be this way! My own big brother! You're one of the elite! You can stop this! You can set things right!"

He shook his head. "You're the only one who can fix things, Gold Will..."

He ran his hoof over her mane, to her cheek. "I love you, sister... Please, just please take back the things you've said." His heart pounded painfully in his chest. "I will do anything in the world to save you," he finished.

"Then renounce The Order!" she yelled. The guards looked away, ashamed to be in the presence of such words.

"Then we would all die, and there would be no more world, I wouldn't even be saving you. Why didn't you ever believe it?"

"Because it's not true, big brother. I can't, and I won't ever renounce what I've said, because what I've taught and what I've said - it's true!"

"You do have a gold will, a beautiful dream, but it simply can't come true in this world, or you, me, and everypony else would all die. Even if you're somehow right, would you really take that risk? What if we did what you said, and half the population died? It would be your fault, and that's a fate worse than death, to be responsible for that... I swore an oath to The Order, Gold Will, and I'm willing to die for it-"

"An' you're willing to watch me die for it!?" she sobbed.

"Please... You would die, too, if I tried to stop this, you, me, and lots of other ponies would die. But even if we won, if The Order fell, you would die. And you will die if you don't renounce what you've said. So you have to renounce it! Please, Gold Will, it's the only way! There's no reason to not renounce it. Just walk out there, and say it, and we-" He paused and hugged her. She felt enveloped in his large, warm, strong body, and he wrapped his hooves around her. "-we could be family again... Just take back those silly, pointless words..."

"I'h can't, I just can't... I would rather die for The Ceruleans, then live under The Order." There was nothing left to do, to say, to urge. She had always been stubborn, and he knew she meant it.

"I'm going to miss you, Applejack..." he addressed her by her private name.

"I already miss you, Crimson... You're not being yourself. You're bein' somepony else... You would'a never done this to me when we were younger..." They were still in an embrace.

"I'm just the same..." he fought back tears. "...as ever... It's you who's become obsessed with those anarchists and their false ideas..."

She laughed twice amid sobs, old memories coming back, memories of petty squabbles as children. Neither of them wanted it to end with an argument. "Looks like we'll have to agree to disagree again, Big Mac." she said, invoking dozens of memories all at once, using his private name.

"Eeyup..."

"I don't want to die... Please... You have to, Big Mac, it's the only way..."

He squeezed her, and whispered in her ear. "I would do anything to trade places with you, Applejack... But you're the one who's going to The Azure Sky..."

They smiled again at the memories, and the powerful, heartfelt faith they had. "I'll be waitin' for you there, Mac... I know it..."

"I know it..."

"At least there's one thing we can agree on... Heheh" she managed around her tears.

"Even if you're a Cerulean, and I a general of The Order, don't forget we believe much of the same thing, sister..."

"Sir..." one of the guards addressed him.

"Take good care of the family, Big Mac..." she whispered to him.

"As always. I love you so, so much, Applejack, I'm so, so, sorry..."

"You're great, Big Mac... I love you, too." He nuzzled her one last time.

"Until we meet again, Applejack, in a different world..."

"Under a cerulean sky..." she finished.

He nodded, and she was led out to the platform and the small audience in front, holding a supernatural courage as the noose was placed over her neck, and as the lever was pulled.

The large, hardened general found a private corner, sat down, and wept.

* * *

Under a blue sky and warm sun, on a grassy hill next to the red barn of Sweet Apple Acres, Big Mac walked towards Applejack in his usual slow manner, and dropped a saddlebag full of apples and supplies on her back. "Here you go, AJ. But what do ya'll need this for again?"

"Helping Twilight rescue Rarity! Thank'ya Big Mac! G'bye!" She galloped off.

He was shocked into silence for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. She was too far gone before he could articulate his curiosity with the words, "Rescue Rarity?..." he said, far too quietly for her to hear.

Looks like those ponies are off on another adventure.

He used to worry about Applejack with those five. But he'd gained confidence in them over the few months they'd been friends. Something magical seemed to protect them. They were the avatars of the Elements of Harmony, after all, and moved much too quickly for him to keep up.

Rescue Rarity... just another one of their adventures... "Eeyup" he said aloud, and returned to his chores on the farm.

Without warning, a strange wave of worry and fear came over him about Applejack's well-being. He paused for a moment, and looked around. The world seemed normal enough. The sky was blue, the warm, yellow sun shone over the green hills of Equestria, and the distant mountains held their place on the horizon.

He shrugged it off, and kept working. I'm sure it'll come dinner time and she'll be just fine, and we'll eat together just like always. "Eeyup," he sealed his thought.

He was partially right.

* * *

"Alright, I got the stuff ya asked for. How long do you think it'll take tah find Rarity?" Applejack asked, trotting into an area surrounded by low, rocky hills and devoid of grass, where Pinkie Pie and Twilight stood. It was the usual place where Rarity used to mine gems.

"Not long at all, if Rarity hasn't gone too far. I think I've got the exact same place again... But we can't be overprepared." Twilight replied.

The magician bowed her head to the ground, her horn glowed, a bowl of underground gems glowed through the ground and began to shake. She stopped. "Oh, I don't know about this, girls... I didn't even know it was possible for ponies to travel to other timespaces..."

Applejack responded with a quizzical look: Not that I understand what that means, but... "Twilight, we don' got a choice with Rarity in there."

"Of course..." she replied without hesitation. "This should create a field to send all of us through at once. Get in close everypony, just in case..."

Applejack shot to her side. Pinkie Pie stood still, fear on her face.

"Pinkie, Rarity needs us!" Twilight called.

Pinkie shot to Twi's other side. "Big'ol meanie spacelices thingie can't keep Rarity!"

"So, Twilight, do you know where we're goin'? Like, what it's gonna be like or anythin'?" Applejack asked, worry spreading on her face.

"I don't know, Applejack, all I can tell is it's dark and cold, wherever it is, and whatever is different about it, started hundreds of years ago, right before the time of the Great Winter, where the Earth Ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns came together."

"So... This is back when there was hate and selfishiness all o'er Equestria?"

Twilight didn't answer.

"Here goes..." She bowed her head, her horn glowed with magic, the gems shone and the ground shook.

"We're coming for you, Rarity!" Pinkie Pie yelled.

All at once there was a flash of light, a bang, and nothing left but charred ground as the bang echoed off the hills like thunder.

Arrival

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In the dark, freezing wasteland, Rarity had entirely lost sense of time. All she knew was the sharp, freezing, soaking wet pain of the blizzard as she fought for every step through the shoulder-high snow, which provided small relief to her legs from the onslaught of half-frozen hail. The hail barraged and soaked her body with icy water, which she could hardly feel through its numbing cold.

She fumbled over her steps, struggling with her sensationless legs.

She fought to keep her eyes open, not only to shield from the wind and snow, but also because they ached for rest.

The cold hurt her mind. She couldn't think clearly. She wasn't sure if it was hours or minutes that she wandered, but she continued to wander through the grey void until she stopped feeling, until she was too stiff to go any further.

She had finally run out of energy, willpower, and hope. She stopped, and sat down.

Maybe if I freeze here... I'll wake up in Equestria...

She let herself slouch down, about to collapse into the snow. She looked up, to see the world one last time, and what she saw sparked a fresh burst of energy into her body. Rarity wondered if she had even seen it, or just imagined it. For a moment she wondered if it was nothing more than a ghost in the pattern of the hail. But no, Rarity, it has to be... She told herself.

She thought she saw her. It was nothing more than a hazy aberration in the snowstorm.
"Celestia?..." She was surprised that her intended call came out as barely a whisper.

But with renewed strength, she ran in the direction she had seen the shady figure, charging through the snow with strength she'd thought lost forever.

She suddenly fell off a ledge, rolled a short distance and struggled back up onto her hooves.

Rarity was at the edge of a large, natural shallow bowl rimmed with hills, sheltering its bottom from the harshest of the wind. In the middle stood a teepee made of tent material. A dark pegasus sat outside, thick winter gear covering his entire body. She froze for a moment at the terrifying dark figure. Goggles and black clothing nightmarishly obscured his face from her sight. He yelled something aggressively as he saw her, but she couldn't hear it over the wind.

No! Not more guards!

She gasped and turned around, running away with a fresh burst of adrenaline. There was another, much louder, angrier, but still indecipherable shout.

BANG

She jumped at the noise as a bullet flew by with a lightning-like air-rending crack. The gunshot sounded like an explosion as much as a gunshot. The shouting immediately became more intense and angrier than she had ever heard a pony yell, and another voice joined in.

"No! Get away from me you Ruff-" she stammered, to her surprise. She had tried to shout but her mouth refused to obey. Her numb legs failed, and she crashed into the snow. Now they, too, refused her will as she struggled with all her might to stand up. She was lying on her side, her head resting in the snow, eyes drooping.

She realized she wasn't even cold anymore. She felt hot, and a thick wave of exhaustion crashed over her.

She didn't know if it was seconds, minutes, or hours she lay there. Numb, vision blacking out, she was finally resting, giving in and going limp, before the dark pegasus gently rolled her over onto her back with his hoof.

He looked at her horn. "A unicorn!..." he noted, pausing for a moment. He rushed over to her flank, then gasped. "Diamonds!?" He scraped at it with his hoof, as if expecting it to come off. He looked at Rarity's face with shock. He was nothing more than a blur to Rarity. She heard him shout, but in her exhaustion she felt like it was too unimportant to listen. Her sore body and heavy eyelids demanded that she close her eyes, she struggled to stay awake as they fluttered down, closing, just as other blurry figures circled her and grabbed her.

* * *

Full Spectrum shot up in bed, panting, covered in cold sweat. She took a moment to look around the dark ornate room before sighing and letting herself relax. Moments ago, it seemed, she was soaring through a beautiful blue sky. She had basked in the bright, warm, yellow sun as she soared over grassy hills.

No, no Rainbow, you are not going to go insane over this like other ponies... Yet she longed to return there with every bit of her being. Heh, but what was I in that dream? Just some nopony with ambition, but here, here I'm so much more.

She wasn't sure where the light was coming from, but her chamber was barely illuminated well enough to see her personal desk, the back-lit clock on the wall, the wardrobe of finely decorated uniforms, and the many awards and the weapons of expert craftsponyship on the walls. A shiver went down her spine as she saw the spears and swords, and she pushed unwanted thoughts out of her mind. I'll be getting little sleep after that dream, anyways... she thought as she got out of bed and put on a warm bathrobe. After a dream like that, she knew she was more likely to lie awake all night, thinking of it like an insomniac, rather than falling asleep. No better night than this to admire the palace...

She stepped outside her chamber, and took a short airborne glide on her cyan wings down a flight of stairs to a grand, ornate hallway. With the domes lit only by incandescent bulb, Full Spectrum's palace was unusual in that she liked it dark at night. It was in the privacy of the dark that she could take in its grandeur without interruption. To appeal to the populace, there was a fine cover story: the geothermal powerplants couldn't provide enough power for the city, so enormous batteries were used in the day, then charged at night when most of the lights were off.

Granted, it was a true "cover story", but it would've been easy to build more generators and light the palace and city, at "night", equally well as at "day". But something about night's privacy and calm had led Governor Spectrum to respect its ancient tradition of dark in-between the days, a tradition that had ended in the natural world, and a tradition that few other domes of The Order respected.

As she strode down the palace grandeur, the sparse night guards and workers knew to clear the hall before she entered it; It was an unofficial, understood rule that her palace was to be her own empty, lonely refuge on her night walks.

She would not allow anypony to ever see her in this state. Not when she remembered the things she'd done. Nopony could be allowed to see their powerful and strong governor in her defeated, crushed state.

The palace's ivory walls and gold decor', so glorious and beautiful when lit by the gold light of incandescent bulb by day, were now all a dark, cold, dead shade of blue by night, as she walked along the stone-cold floor in an unnatural silence. Her rainbow mane and tail, normally finely crafted and cared for, were now dull, almost colorless grey bedwraggled wrecks in the dark. Her short cyan fur was no better, but mostly hidden under her dark red nightrobe.

Her head was lowered, her wings were out, but lowered to the point where their tips scraped the floor. She barely lifting her legs as she walked. Her expression was hopeless and sad. Like a dying plant, she was a living image of dejection. And though she longed to return to bed, her pained heart drove her to one of the many balconies at the edge of the hallway instead.

Her unwanted thoughts had won. Her undying devotion to The Order had come at a price. She knew the necessity of what she did, to maintain order, to keep the entire population of every dome alive against the endless, cold night outside. But no matter how much she consoled herself, nothing could drive her to forget what had happened.

Many centuries ago, when the domes had been built, hymns had been written, they were hymns that few ponies did not know. As she walked out onto her balcony, overlooking one of her grand gardens, she carefully made sure she was alone, then poured her soul into the First Hymn of The Order, singing it with the slow, long, and beautiful articulate voice it deserved:

"Though long and dark
This endless night
Yet deep inside
I keep my light"

She paused, slouching again, her singing strength having failed as the huge crowds of ponies came back to her mind's eye. They, many of them slaves, had demanded impossible things.

Anarchy, under the pretense of freedom. Corruption, under the pretense of truth. Death for all, under the pretense of the fall of The Order. These ideas were infectious.

Their pleas for what they called "natural rights" might have spread and brought down the last spark of life that was left in the world, were it not for the swift response she had ordered, that had led to filled prisons, and the burial of more than a thousand.

In her mind's eye, she came face to face with it all once more. The crowds full of hate, the mass arrests and executions of different methods. The ponies tied, led into the tundra to freeze, others kept the gallows busy. All of them, though, almost two thousand, haunted her mind.

It was a cruel necessity, it was what it took to keep the entire population alive against such dangerous ideas. It was necessary for the survival of their entire civilization, every single pony depended on those lies stopping then and there.

Ever since she was a filly, she had dreamed of being a hero, protecting The Order and preserving ponies lives’. Is this really the only way?... she thought.

She no longer felt any light inside of her.

I keep my light?... She mentally echoed the last line, then kept singing aloud.

"And long I wait
For b'loved dawn
Yet hopes of life,
Forever gone...

Why do I dream,
Of things unseen?
Are they not so?
It cannot be."

She remembered her dream. A world under a beautiful warm sun. It was ruled by a regal, beautiful alicorn that all had loved as a benign and wise leader. In that world of plentiful harvest, and beautiful day, there was no shortage, and no powerful order was necessary. There was no tundra, no bayonets, no ropes of such awful form. Only happy ponies, living free lives under the warm sun.

"And yet I know
That when I rest...
With azure sky,
I will be bless'd."

How much longer must I wait for my azure sky? How much longer must I preserve The Order at the cost of my heart and soul? When can I finally know my unending rest?

She sat down as a tear fell from her snout.

When will this cold, cruel life, finally be over?

A soft, familiar voice came from the garden.

"Cold and dreary
Is this waste
But warmth of heart,
Is endless space"

Goldfeather... she thought, seeing the yellow pegasus slave in the garden below.

"And now I know,
I have a mother
So far above,
This icy yonder"

If any other pony had seen Spectrum in this state, she would have been furious. But Goldfeather was one of the few she could tolerate to see her when she was weak and tired. She was the one creature Spectrum could trust. So instead of reprisal, she sang along, and the two joined in a short harmony, as the timid pink-maned pegasus took a short flight up to sit next to the governor on the balcony:

"So I live,
With purpose pure
And so in rest
Is no allure

Cry not my soul,
Long not for death
For with this life
I have been bless'd"

She approached Spectrum with eyes full of loving sympathy worth far more than her price. "Don't forget the second verse, governor. If you only listen to the first verse, it's such an awful song. But the second verse is quite lovely..." She smiled and walked a little closer.

"Goldfeather..." governor Spectrum growled.

She would allow Goldfeather to see her in this defeated state, but even for Goldfeather, there were limits on how close she would allow her to get to her.

"Please allow me to serve you, master," she gently plead. Spectrum's expression softened. She couldn't deny Goldfeather that.

"Of course, Fluttershy," she said much more warmly, calling her by her private name.

She simply sat next to her owner. The presence of another being was all Spectrum needed to rejuvenate some of her strength.

"It isn't safe for us to keep talking at night like this... I've told you too many things that aren't safe for you to know..." The governor looked at the floor.

"Sometimes everypony just needs to get things off their chest," Goldfeather said with a smile. "I'm just glad to be here to listen for you."

"What was your nightly duty tonight, Goldfeather?"

"None, governor. I apologize I found myself unable to sleep..."

"Why?"

"A dream, governor."

"Oh... What was it?"

"A nightmare..." her voice tapered off.

"A nightmare of what?" she asked, far more softly than any pony could have conceived the governor capable of.

"A nightmare, because... Oh, forgive your servant, governor!" She lay flat on the ground, bowing herself.

"No, no, Fluttershy! Please, I won't punish you for what you dream, just tell me what it was."

Fluttershy got back up, though her ears refused to straighten, and she looked down as she spoke. "It was the azure sky, governor. That beautiful land. I was preparing to cheer you on for a competition, in a warm, and beautiful world... I lived in a cottage with all kinds of little animals..." she sobbed.

"Why was that a nightmare?"

"Because... Because I had to wake up..." Spectrum wrapped her forehoof around her and comforted her sobbing friend, as she had been comforted by her only moments ago.

The master pegasus gently took the slave's hoof. "Goldfeather, I'm going to give you something I have given none other than my family. I don't want to see you falling down to me again. So I'm going to tell you, my true name is... Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy smiled.

"Thank you, Rainbow," she addressed her owner, for the first time, as a true equal, a close friend.

Rainbow set her hoof down, and they sat together.
The governor could feel the slave lean some of her weight onto her master.
She didn’t mind. She had become governor to help ponies. This was just another opportunity.

"Have you ever wanted to be a free citizen, Fluttershy?"

"No, not really... What would I do? I'd starve on the streets... No, my home is here, with you, Rainbow Dash."

Dash let out a little laugh. "I don't think I could give you a fair price, Fluttershy, even if I made you as expensive as an entire dome... Did it work?"

"Did what work?"

"When you sold yourself to the market. Did your family get enough to live off of?"

"Yes..."

"Are they still well?"

"Yes..." she said, sighing. "They have all they could ever want..."

"Good, very good."

They sat together for a few more minutes. To each, it felt as though they sat next to a small fire in the cold world, and so for a few more minutes they enjoyed each other's warmth.

Rainbow sighed, unable to clear her mind. "I can't forget it. I can't forget them. I was personally responsible for their deaths..." she said.

"Is this about the purges, Governor?"

She nodded.

The slave remembered acquaintances, nice ponies who had been on the receiving end of the purges. She looked at Rainbow's dejected posture. "Is it really true, that it was necessary? Did so many of them really have to die?"

The governor nodded. "I'm afraid that's just how it is... It was for your sake, you know. You, and every other living pony. If I hadn't done it, we'd all be dead... I know it. But, still... nothing will ever get their faces out of my mind..."

Fluttershy thought for a few long moments. "If it's really true, and they were really mistaken... They would forgive you, Rainbow Dash."

Their faces were clearer than ever in the governor's mind. She remembered many of their final gazes, the ones that pierced straight into her eyes, moments before they met death... They weren't nearly as bad as the ones that just gave up and cried. Those were the ones she could never forgive herself for.

"You think so?" the Governor asked full-heartedly.

"All they wanted was what was best for the world. You disagreed about what was best, but that's all either of you wanted. If you're really right, and now, under the Azure Sky, they know you were right... Then they would forgive you."

Rainbow imagined their faces again. The same goal, the same dream, but different methods. She could imagine it. She could imagine them forgiving her, and she could imagine the teary faces looking up and smiling under a blue sky.

"How did you end up as a slave? You're fit to be a governor, yourself, Fluttershy..." she said, putting a smile on the timid pegasi's face.

"Do you forgive me, Fluttershy?... No, let me say that differently..." Her tone switched from soft to harsh; "If tomorrow, I led you into the tundra, and tied you up, to let you freeze to death, or if I had you bound to a stake and stabbed by bayonets, or hanged on the gallows until your death... Could you forgive me, if I only did it to preserve The Order?"

Fluttershy trembled at the notion, as if Rainbow had meant a threat, an order she would issue in the morning. "I... I..."

Rainbow's eyes were wet.

The timid pony froze for only a few more moments after she looked into Rainbow's eyes.

"Of course I could, if really, truly, all you wanted was what is best," she forced out.

Spectrum grabbed Goldfeather, and pulled her tight in a hug, and sobbed on her shoulder, resting her weight on her only true friend.

After a few minutes, they simply sat down beside eachother again. The governor was sniffing. "I'd never let anything happen to you, Fluttershy," she said. "You have no idea what that means to me... Gold isn't valuable enough to be in your name." She said with a half-humoured smile.

The golden pegasus just smiled her gentle smile in response.

Morning lights began to come on in the city. A dawn pegasus Dome Guard Police patrol landed on a distant platform as the early morning patrol took flight in their stead, and the clamor of morning servants sounded from behind them in the palace.

As energy returned to the world, and life came to the governor again, she sighed, got up, and turned to her friend: "As far as anypony is concerned, Fluttershy... This evening never happened... It's unsafe for both of us if anypony ever found out... But, thank you... A lot." She nodded, and flew back to her chambers to prepare for the day, noting to herself to bring Goldfeather on the governor's conference trip the next day, for their mutual protection.

Before Fluttershy flew off the balcony, a dark, almost black purple unicorn hiding under the balcony took note of the night's dialogue, and vanished without a trace.

* * *

In a plaza, not far from the edge of the city, a morning crowd of tired, poor pegasi and earth ponies moved through their daily morning routine, overwatched by the pegasi guards that constantly patrolled the city. In a flash of light and a bang, a purple unicorn with a bowlcut mane, a pink pony with curly hair, and an orange pony with a cowboy hat and stuffed saddlebags appeared in the plaza, earning stares from the entire crowd.

"Good! It worked!... I think." Twilight Sparkle said. "Police!" she gladly noted, seeing the guards. "They'll know about this world," she said with a smile.

Applejack caught her before she approached the wide-eyed guards. "I dunno, Twi... Are you sure it's safe?"

"New ponies!" Pinkie exclaimed, grabbing her friends' attention before darting into the crowd and introducing herself to strangers.

Applejack and Twilight turned back toward each other.

"Applejack, I'm sure they're friendly. Have you ever heard of bad police?" Twilight asked as she approached the guards.

"Good evening, sirs -" she cordially began, smiling her small, friendly smile to them.

After their failure to capture the white unicorn earlier, they didn't give this one a chance to run. A quick spin and a buck to her head sent Twilight flying back on the hard cobblestone, unconscious. The crowd cheered.

"Twilight!" Applejack and Pinkie Pie shouted.

In an instant Pinkie Pie was face-to-face with the guards "Who do you think you are!?"

"Pinkie Pie, Run!" Applejack shouted at her.

"Why would I do that?" Pinkie turned to Applejack, only to be tackled by the guards from behind.

In complete defiance to their combat training and superior strength and size, Pinke immediately managed to stand up next to them, before they could get up. "You aren't acting like police at all! Just because you have some armor and weapons doesn't mean you can bully other ponies! Say you're sorry!" Pinkie demanded.

"Pinkie, just- Look out!" Applejack threw off her saddlebag and galloped towards Pinkie to physically intervene as two more guards approached. One sat down and pointed a hollow metal tube strapped to his hoof at Pinkie. The other charged forward, only to be met by Applejack's swift applebucking skills.

BANG

The world seemed to pause for a moment. Pinkie looked wide-eyed at the guard with the rifle for a moment, then down at her body, then fell over yelling and crying, curling into a sobbing ball.

Some in the crowd rooted. Others looked away, and others were obviously horrified.

"Oh, you little!" Applejack charged the guard with the rifle, only to be met by him and the other two guards all at once. He dodged her buck and batted her hindlegs with the hard metal rifle, almost breaking them, just as the other two guards grabbed her forehooves.

"Pinkie! Pinkie! Ya gotta get outta here, Pinkie!" she shouted, though Pinkie, still lying on her side and curled in a ball, didn't respond. Applejack struggled against their grip with all her might, but it was useless.

She saw Twilight was still lying on her back, unconscious. The guard winded from Applejack's buck staggered over to the unicorn and pulled out a knife. "You leave her al-!" Applejack's snout was tied shut.

The guard approached Twilight menacingly, and lifted the knife into the air. The crowd began rooting for him.

"Get'er while she's down!"

"Kill it! Kill it!"

Once again, others in the crowd were horrified and silent.

A small team of pegasi soldiers in decorated armor landed, led by one wearing finer armor than the rest. The leader shouted "stop!" as she approached the bloodthirsty guard, talking to him.

The crowd quieted down.

The high officer motioned for her patrol.

They surrounded the unconscious Twilight, just as the regulars that held Applejack tied her forelegs together and her hindlegs together.

"Citizen, you're under arrest. Lean against me to keep your balance as you're escorted to the jail. Attempts to escape will be met with lethal force." There was no choice. She couldn't keep her balance, or have any chance of running in her bound state, and she couldn't protest through the gag.

But as she was led away, forced to walk awkwardly, she noticed none of the guards bothered with Pinkie, who had stopped moving, lying on the ground in a small crimson pool, who's mane seemed to have lost all its lively puffiness. Their focus was on Twilight. The crowd started to disperse as the public spectacle ended.

Pinkie, Twilight...

It was the last Applejack saw of them, before she was led down the street and around a corner.

The unconscious Twilight was lifted away by the guards, tied, and her horn wrapped in a magic-reflecting gem-studded ribbon.

The crowd came apart, every pony continuing with their regular day. But a dark, dull pink earth pony with a mane as straight and long as Pinkie's approached her body. "Pinkie, was your name?..." she said with a tired voice. She leaned close to Pinkie, only to suddenly realize the pink pony was still alive. Sobbing, clenching her thigh, but alive.

"Sh-sh-sh" She put her hoof on Pinkie's back, like she was comforting a crying foal. "I know it hurts, but if you come with me, you'll be okay."

Pinkie's teary eyes looked up at her, as if asking, promise?

"I Pinkie promise," the dull pink pony said, with a crack of a smile, as she used her other forehoof to gently lift Pinkie onto her three good legs.

Leaning on the dull-colored pony, Pinkie limped down the street with a barely curled mane.

* * *

Rarity's eyes fluttered open. She was looking up at a tent roof, lit by a warm, yellow light, filled with a warm smell of delicious vegetable soup.

"She's awake," came a soft pony's voice.

"Is she up for good this time, or-" came a colt's voice.

The voice faded away as Rarity started to fall back asleep, only to briefly wonder who it was, then suddenly an alarm went off in her head, as she realized she didn't recognize the voice. HOW DID HE GET IN MY BOUTIQUE!? She tried to use magic to throw her covers off, only to feel her horn betray her, pushing her head into the pillow. Her horn was wrapped in something.

Her eyes shot open as she panicked wide awake. She was lying on her back, and a white pony sat over her. Nurse Redheart! Now awake, Rarity realized she wasn't in her Boutique anymore. Her memories came flooding back.

"Nurse Redheart! I cannot tell you how glad I am to see a familiar face!" The nurse responded with a shocked look.

All at once a pang of pain hit the unicorn's injured hoof and head. Fierce thirst clenched her throat. She instinctively covered her head with her good hoof as the headache worsened.

"How did you? - Nevermind, you need to get something to drink. Here, take this." She gave her patient a small white pill. Rarity put in her mouth, then gently, with fine composure, sat up slightly and took a small sip from the water canteen offered to her.

She took another sip. The small sip became a steady drink. Then she lost all of her composure and chugged the canteen empty. Her throat was burning and choking with thirst too intense for manners to hold back.

She didn't have to ask for more, just as quickly as she finished that one, nurse Redheart offered another canteen.

"Heh. That's really cute," came the colt's voice again.

Rarity froze in the middle of her drink, her pupils shrinking to dots. Only her thirst made her swallow instead of spraying the water everywhere as she saw the same nightmarish pegasus from before, sitting in the tent, looking straight at her.

"No! No!" she exclaimed as she backed away, bumping into the nurse.

"Careful, just try to relax," Redheart soothed, setting a hoof on Rarity's shoulder, and kept her from rising onto her hooves.

"Sheesh. I'm not that ugly, am I?" The pegasus laughed.

"I dunno, Flame," came Mr. Carrot Cake's voice. "When's the last time you saw a mirror that didn't break?"

All at once Rarity became aware of her surroundings. She was in the small, teepee-like tent. A lamp hung from the roof, glowing bright and very warm, casting a cozy yellow light on the scene. The floorspace was taken by a warm blanket that she was under, and a small stack of saddlebags and coiled rope. Mr. Cake sat next to the pegasus, and there was a smaller pony with a curly white mane sleeping under the same blanket, facing away from her.

Without his jacket, she could see the pegasus was a very dark brown, with a red, unstyled mane and tail with a single stripe of orange bordered by white, and his eyes were a solid green.

She was about to excitedly greet Mr. Cake, before another realization struck her.

She pointed her hoof at the pegasus "Did you shoot at me!?"

He blushed: "Yeah, well... Yeah, kinda shot at you, there. Sorry about that, thought you might be an enemy or something that'd spotted us..."

"Humph. Shoot first and ask questions later, I didn't think you'd do that, Flameheart. I'm proud of you. But your aim needs work," Mr. Cake said.

"You made no small deal-" the pegasus began.

"EXCUSE ME, MR. CARROT CAKE!?" Rarity interrupted.

Dead silence came over the tent.

"Did she say?..." the pegasus, Flameheart, stammered.

"Yeah. Yeah she did," Carrot answered, then continued, "Miss, where, and how, did you get my private name?" he asked flatly.

"Your what? Never mind that! Why on earth did you say he should have shot me!?" her voice broke.

"My private name! Where and how did you get it!?"

"Amber Light, please," Nurse Redheart addressed Mr. Cake. "She needs to rest, let's try not to stress her too much." She turned to Rarity: "Don't worry about it right now, miss unicorn. So, what's your name?" she gently asked with a smile.

"My name is Rarity, and thank you, my dear, for being so much more refined than these ruffians." She signaled towards the other ponies.

"Now, they're good ponies, too..." the nurse started, before she was interrupted by the small pony.

"Did you say 'Rarity'?" the smaller pony said with a rough, familiar voice, rolling over to face Rarity.

In an instant, Rarity recognized the smaller pony.

"Sweetie Belle!" she exclaimed as she grabbed her younger sister, who returned the hug, and starting crying.

"Sis... You ARE alive!" Sweetie Belle said.

"Of course I'm alive, darling! Now how did you get here?"

"I'm with this outpost team, Grandeur."

"Wow... It really is Grandeur!" Mr. Cake said with surprise, "What happened!?"

It took Rarity a moment to notice Mr. Cake was talking to her. She set Sweetie Belle back down and corrected: "No, my name is Rarity. Where ever did you get the idea that my name is Granduer?"

Confusion spilled over the room.

"Rarity... Your name is Grandeur..." Sweetie Belle said.

"What is that supposed to mean? Does one have two names? One certainly does not have two different names, Sweetie Belle! I am called Rarity, and nothing else, except I may also be called 'Miss', or 'Miss Rarity', but my name is 'Rarity', and only 'Rarity'..."

They gave her blank stares.

"What?" she asked after several long moments.

"Uhm. Ever heard of a 'private name' and a 'public name'?" Mr. Cake asked rhetorically.

"No, I cannot say I have." Rarity promptly replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

A dumbfounded silence fell over the tent, before Nurse Redheart spoke up; "Okay, it looks like something odd is going on... Miss Rarity, how did you get here? Please be silent everypony, we've hardly given her a chance to explain herself. Where did you come from?"

"Well... Okay, then, but it is certainly somewhat rude to not even introduce yourselves..." she began.

"Oh, my apologies, I'm Amber Light, I'm captain of this team," Carrot Cake started, "This is Flameheart" he pointed at the pegasus, "That's Snowglade" he pointed at Sweetie Belle "and that's Nurse Redheart" he pointed at the nurse. "Now, Miss Rarity, we really don't even know where to begin unless you tell us a little about yourself, first."

"I suppose I will, then..." she started, all her memories coming back, remembering she had been sent to a different world. "But I do hope you will all be so kind as to tell me where exactly I am when I'm finished..." They nodded, as a pang of pain hit her head again. "But would you please be so kind as to tell me how badly I'm hurt, first, Nurse Redheart?"

"Of course, Miss Rarity. We found you barely alive, a minute longer and you would've died of hypothermia, I'm afraid. And you have suffered some frostbite. Also, It looks like you've been shot in the hoof, and had a very close call with your head: your horn is scraped... Now, there is one thing I must tell you, also..."

The other ponies glanced at each other worriedly, knowing something Rarity did not.

"Now, I have you on antibiotics, that's the pill you just took... but to keep you from getting a really bad infection, we had to amputate your right ear."

"WHAT!?"

"Now, Miss Rarity..."

"GET ME A MIRROR! A MIRROR! QUICK!"

Flameheart grabbed a small pan, and pointed the reflective bottom side at Rarity.

She gasped. Her horn was bandaged in a gem-studded ribbon, there was a small bald spot next to it where the bullet had shaved some of her head, which spot was also bandaged. Her mane was a wild mess, and worst of all, her right ear was cut off near the base. The stump was also bandaged.

She stared at it for a few moments, wiggled it back and forth, and began crying.

"I'm... I'M HIDEOUS!" she wailed.

"Oh, boy." Amber Light sighed.

"Oh, Miss Rarity... Just be glad you're still with us." Nurse Redheart said.

"BUT I'M HIDEOUS!" she wailed again.

"You look beautiful to me, sis," Sweetie Belle said. Rarity stopped crying and sniffed, smiling at her sister.

"You're the most stunning pony I've ever had the pleasure of seeing," came a deep voice. All eyes snapped on Flameheart as Rarity was creeped out. "Okay, that came off the wrong way, didn't it?..." he said as an awkward silence threatened to creep across the tent.

"Now, the sooner miss Rarity can tell us about where she came from, the sooner she can get started on this nice soup." Nurse Redheart said, motioning to the source of the smell Rarity had noticed earlier. "And she needs it. So as medical officer, I'm asking everypony to please be quiet so she can explain where she came from."

Rarity was starving.

For her hunger, and for the sake of Nurse Redheart's kindness, she finally cooperated with her captors and rescuer. "Now, eh, leaving some rather unsavory comments behind... please allow me to begin... I am Miss Rarity, and I am from this beautiful little town called Ponyville..."

A Little Warmth in a Cold Place

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A strong white unicorn stallion with a short, electric blue mane stood in a luxurious marble chamber, dressed in a decorated blue uniform. Outside the set of windows, a light snow gently fell, and in the far distance a storm raged.

“Urgent news, general,” a pink alicorn announced as she trotted in.

“Go ahead, Ruby,” he answered.

“There are indications that not only is The Alliance's device ready, but that it was the cause for the fall of Hoover dome.”

There was an uncomfortable silence as the general took in the information.

“The device brought down the entire dome of Vanhoover?” he marveled.

“...At least that's what reports indicate.”

“And so it's been used?”

“This is all I've been told to relay.”

“That would explain why they didn't attack... Thank you, Ruby. It looks like we'll need to take defensive measures, and hasten preparations. Please call a meeting with the rest of the staff immediately.”

“I will, General.” He nodded to her as she rushed off.

He turned and sighed as he looked out into the cold. “Already...”

* * *

Applejack was at a loss at what to do. The guards wouldn't say a helpful word. If she ran she'd get shot, and if she kept walking, she'd get locked up. There was little choice, so she kept hobbling along, legs tied together, leaning on the guard to keep from falling over as she walked awkwardly to a jail.

She had only just noticed her hat was missing. She figured it must've fallen off in the fight with the guards, unnoticed by her at the time.

She let out a stifled sighed through the gag.

She was led into a room with an old earth pony sitting at a desk. There were four guards posted in the room. They came to a stop in front of the desk, keeping her hooves tied so she was forced to remain leaning on one of her escorts. “Warden, we have a new guest,” one announced.

“Ah, alright, alright,” the warden said without looking up from the paperwork on his desk. “Name, residence, age, color, eye color, mane color, tail color and species,” he listed off his demands. The escorts untied her gag.

Applejack looked around. There seemed to be no reason to be uncooperative. Being silent or lying would do no good, but she was sure these ponies were no good, either, and she wasn't about to give them everything they wanted. “I'hm Applejack...”

“And?” he pressed.

“An' why should I help the ponies that hurt my friends and tied me up'?!” she spat. She was swiftly kicked in the side by a guard.

“Guards, beat her thoroughly then have her choked out. If she's still uncooperative we'll have her executed.”

The guard she was leaning on threw her onto the floor, while the other grabbed her tail and started dragging her.

“Wait! Wait!” she cried.

He put a hoof up, still looking down at paperwork. The guards stopped.

“We'll give her another chance. Go ahead, filly. And don't waste my time,” he said flatly.

She sighed. She bit her lips and huffed like a bull, cheeks turning red. A guard lifted her so she could stand again.

“I'm from Sweet Apple Acres..." she started with a growl, "I'hm twenty-two, an – what did y'all ask again?!” she snapped.

“Color, eye color, mane color, tail color and species.” His voice dripped with impatience.

“I'hm orange. Green eyes, mah mane and tail are blond, and I'm an Earth pony.”

With a loud slam, he set down the quill.

“Ah, you sound familiar! Is Applejack your private name or public name?”

“Come again?”

“Is 'Applejack' your private name or public name?” he asked, his voice seething with irritation. “I'm not going to ask again.”

She cocked an eyebrow and glanced around the room, her right ear folding back. “It's... My, uh... Name, name?”

“Right...” he said, flipping through a folder full of forms.

“Aha! Orange earth pony with naturally blond mane, Gold Will, Applejack. You're right here on file. Looks like you've been here before. It says-” he froze.

He looked up at her, wide-eyed. He stared for several long moments, then looked back down to the file.

He pulled a picture from the folder, looked at it, then looked back at Applejack. “Do you have family, Applejack?” he asked with a level but loud voice.

“Uhh, yeah. I got an' older brother, Big Macintosh, a younger sister-”

“Please describe your older brother,” he interrupted.

She glared at him, then continued, “He's a quiet pony an' a real hard worker. He's real big, red, orange mane an' tail, green eyes-”

“Guards,” the warden started “go take a message to general Crimson Fire. Tell him his sister has just been arrested, alive, after she's been killed and buried, and she's here. I'll keep an eye on this one with my own guards.”

“Right away!” They promptly left, leaving Applejack without support. She yelped as she fell to the ground with a painful thud.

“His sister!? Killed and buried!? What's goin' on with you pon-” She was cut off by one of the guards replacing her gag.

She growled loudly, glaring at the old pony.

“Oh, believe me, young mare, you'll get plenty of opportunity to speak, shortly. But for now, it's best you remain quiet, and when you do speak, it is us who will ask the questions.”

* * *

“Streamers! She actually wanted streamers on her dress! Can you believe that!?” Rarity's voice strained.

“Rarity-” Amber Light started.

“And then Applejack – I'm not sure if it's just as bad or worse, but she wanted galoshes with her dress!”

“Rarity!”

“And Twilight! Connecting the stars with lines to make constellations – scorpions and minotaurs – oh the eyesore!”

“RARITY!”

“Oh, yes, dear?”

“We understand that domers are not as well dressed as Equestrians!” Amber Light vented at Rarity's long tangent.

“Oh, but that's not all! Have they ever heard of soap?... Have you ever heard of soap?!”

“If you'll notice, we're a bit short on water... Well, water that's warm enough to bathe in without dying of hypothermia,” Flameheart explained.

“Very well, but these 'domers', you called them!-”

“-you saw the domers, ran from the guards and met us. Is that it?” Light asked.

“Well... Yes. I do suppose that is all of what has happened.”

“Well, Amber Light, what do you make of it?” Flameheart asked.

Amber looked at her and circled her, making her uneasy. “Alright. Flameheart, grab her. Snowglade, tie her up. Now.”

“WHAT!?”

She hardly had time to think before she was tied. “Sweetie Belle, what are you doing!? Agh! Watch the hoof! Augh! Untie me this instant! This is absolutely uncivilized!”

“Calm down. Let us talk for a minute, then we'll let you go,” Amber said.

She tried to pull the ropes off with telekinesis, but nothing happened. “But what are you doing! Why did you tie me up!? Why isn't my magic working!?”

“Shh” Amber Light hushed her.

“You!-”

The nurse put a hoof on her shoulder and looked her in the eyes; “Don't worry. Everything will be alright. Just let us talk things out for a minute.” Her voice was gentle and sincere. Rarity's grimace relaxed as she looked at her.

“Snowglade, watch her while we talk outside.” Amber Light led all of the team except Sweetie Belle outside the tent.

“Yes, sir,” she replied dutifully.

“Now, Sweetie Belle, what on Earth is going on!?”

“Can't say, sis...”

Outside the tent the blizzard had eased to a gentle snowfall. The team walked into the cold and gathered in a tight cluster. The nurse leaned in and spoke in a hushed voice while fighting back shivers; “She was certainly very near death. She wouldn't have lasted another minute if we hadn't found her when we did.”

“True... And I believe if she were using a warmth spell, her core temperature would've stayed warm, correct?” Amber asked, and the nurse nodded.

“But that was not the case. She definitely had a severe case of hypothermia. So she wasn't using a warmth spell,” she replied.

“Her story holds up so far,” Flameheart added. “She did know our private names, and Snowglade's name. I'd say it's case closed. She's telling the truth. Either that or she's the best actor I've ever seen, and a genius, at that, to keep all her facts straight.”

“Still, it's a bit of a far-fetched story. Let's keep an eye on her; don't let her out of your sight. Don't reveal any more than I say. It's also best we not tell her our plans in advance.” His team nodded.

They heard wailing from inside the tent. Amber let out a loud sigh and re-entered, followed by his team.

Rarity was crying.

Snowglade's expression was flat. “She's been asking me to untie her. And loosen the rope. And complaining about chaffing. Now she's crying about how awful everything is.”

“But it's true! I just want to go home!” Rarity wailed.

“Alright. Flameheart, get back on guard duty outside,” Amber ordered.

“Right away.” He started donning the heavy winter gear.

“Snowglade, you may untie her. And I hope you're not planning to escape, Rarity, 'cause we're the only source of warm clothes and food that you'll find. And if you keep crying, so help me I'll get our resident wood-carver to make a pacifier for you.” He pointed at Flameheart.

“I'll carve it. I'd love to carve something for our guest!” he said with a smile.

“How can you be so insensitive?!” she asked them, her voice choked with tears. Sweetie Belle magicked her ropes off.

“Me? I was offering a gift. Wouldn't you like a pacifier?” Amber asked using a baby voice.

“You monsters!” she sobbed to both of them.

“Oh! I didn't mean it as an insult! I guess that's a bit of a foalish gift, huh? But I still want to carve something for you... Hmm...” Flameheart went into thought, eyeing Rarity.

“I really don't blame her, coming from where she did,” the nurse chimed in.

Amber light continued; “Well, no matter, you'd better listen to this 'monster', because I'm going to tell you what you need to know.”

She sniffed.

“Why should I?!”

“Because if you don't saddle down and start acting like a real mare, then you're going to die, quite simply. We need to tell you things you need to know to survive out here.”

“And why should I!?” She started crying again.

“Aha!” Flameheart said, coming back out of thought, only to notice that Rarity had fallen back into wailing. “Oh, dear. Did I miss something?”

“Flameheart, just gear up and get on guard duty.” Amber Light's voice was underlined with irritation.

“Right away!” He continued gearing up.

The nurse glanced at the leader with a cocked eyebrow and a light scowl. He relented, turning to their refugee. “Look, we just want to get you out alive, okay?”

“And get me home?!” She asked.

“I certainly wouldn't complain about that,” he added.

He looked straight at Redheart and motioned to their unicorn guest.

“Rarity, you're safe with us. Amber Light may be... Not like the Carrot Cake you described at all, but he's well-meaning.” The nurse put a hoof around her shoulders. “You'll be alright here, and we'll get you home. There's lots of powerful magicians at Bastion-” Amber Light cleared his throat, glaring at the medic.

“And we'll see what we can do,” she finished.

“But why did you tie me up!?” Rarity asked.

“You could've been a spy,” Amber Light told.

“Me? A spy! They tried to kill me! I'm no spy at all!”

“Of course you're not a spy” Redheart said. “That's what we found out. What, with how we found you, how you knew your sister's name, and how gentle and kind you are...”

“You don't mean it!”

“But I do! Now don't cry, everything will be alright.” She wiped Rarity's tears. “You still haven't had your soup yet.”

“Your magic works fine, by the way,” Amber said. “We wrapped your horn in a gem-studded ribbon while we thought you might be a spy. Medic, you may take it off.”

“You mean magic-reflecting gems? You stopped my magic!?”

“And saved your life,” he replied. "And don't forget that allowing you to use your magic is a sign of trust and good faith. We have no incentive to do so other than that."

The nurse took the ribbon off.

“Now, down to business,” Amber started. “Rarity, this world is vastly different. Those living in the dome you saw were part of 'The Alliance'. They call themselves 'The Order', but really they're called 'The Alliance'. Their government is a bunch of murdering liars, and that's about what you need to know. They've fooled the entire population into believing that all unicorns are horrible monsters with powerful magic, and absolutely nothing will convince them otherwise.

“If they had captured you, they would've killed you in a brutal and torturous way, just because you're a unicorn. We're here to keep that from happening...”

“But, if it's because I'm a unicorn, then how could I have been a spy?” she asked.

“I did say they were murdering liars, didn't I? They have a secret police force known as the 'Blades of Night' composed of unicorns. Now, if you could chow down on that soup ASAP, we've got to pack up and get going. It's going to take a bit longer since we've got one more extra to accommodate, and we've got a tight schedule to keep.”

“One more extra?” She asked.

Flameheart strapped a large rifle to the outer side of his hoof.

“Oh, yes. Flameheart's a downed pilot. More on that later, though. Now we need to get you ready for a walk in the tundra.” Amber explained.

The pilot lifted the arm with the rifle, flipped it to the inner side of his arm, set the stock against his shoulder, and chambered a round.

* * *

In a small living room, the dull pink pony was finishing wrapping Pinkie's thigh in bandage. Pinkie sniffed, cried out, tired, and woozy. “The pain meds should be taking effect by now. The police usually use very low caliber rounds for their regular duty, saves logistics and allows them to carry more ammo. This one looked like about a twenty-two, so I'm sure you'll be fine. Lucky there was a unicorn, there, otherwise they probably would've come after you. Interrupting them while they're trying to capture a unicorn-”

She looked up from her work to see the puffy-maned pony was asleep.
Poor thing must be exhausted. As fun as getting shot at is, when you're hit, it's not so fun...

She pulled Pinkie onto her own back and carried her to her bedroom. She gently set her down on her bed. She pulled the covers out from under Pinkie. She shifted in her sleep as she put the covers over her. I've never felt so good about taking care of myself...

She tucked Pinkie in, then filled a glass of water from the kitchen, and set it next to the nightstand. The pony rolled in her sleep a little. The domer's heart melted a little.

There was a hard knock on the front door. She walked out, closed her bedroom door, and hurried. She knew they wouldn't be searching the house this time. She could always tell when they meant to search.

She opened the door and looked around the street to see a patrol of two guards, one going down each side of the street, knocking on doors and flying off. Two others nailed an announcement to a post on the street and flew away. She trotted out to see a public announcement of a unicorn spectacular later the next day.

Looks like I've got business tomorrow. She grinned, having been waiting weeks for the opportunity.

A small crowd of curious ponies had gathered around. A few pegasi hovered nearby. A group of three brown ones with particularly stocky builds hoofbumped eachother, and started talking:

“I've been sharpening some stones for weeks for this!”

“You mean those wicked-looking ones!?”

“Yeah!”

“Too bad they won't let us use knives!”

“Uh, no, numbskull, you don't want to kill it before the finale!”

“But there should really be some kind of stabbing, ya'know?”

“Just sharpen some stones like I did!”

She felt sick to see so many of them excited about the public execution, for a very different reason than her own. Instead, she focused on the ones who looked sad, appalled, and the ones who simply walked off without any response at all. It would've been hard to tell, but she knew, she hoped, that they were the majority.

She trotted back to her house, thinking of preparing a salad for her mysterious guest, when she felt her knees and nose itch.

Someone was setting up a trap for her, and it was set wherever it was she was thinking of going.

My house! She darted behind the small building, and approached her bedroom window. She carefully looked and saw that the room was empty. Her heart was pounding in her ears. The silence was terrible. She opened the window as quietly as she could, and silently slid through it. The pink pony and the glass were missing from the bed.

The blankets were slightly bloodied, in a mess on the floor.

What!? They didn't come when I was gone, did they? I wasn't gone for a minute!! She screamed in her head. Oh you idiots better not have hurt a cute curly hair on her cute pink head!

She approached the closed bedroom door, moving slowly, gently lowering each hoof to avoid making any noise. She cautiously leaned against the door, and spent several long moments listening intently for the smallest noise. The silence was overbearing, interrupted only by her heart thudding in her chest.

She exploded into her main living room and darted to the opposite side, jumping behind the couch, expecting to hear gunfire and shouting.

Instead, a pink pony screamed, hid behind the table in the kitchen, then instantly jumped up again; “You aren't supposed to surprise me! It's a surprise party FOR you, not BY you! So what's your name!? Ooooh! You haven't told me yet! Is that because it's a -” She leaned in close, leaning the side of her head against the dull pony's. She hid her head in the pony's long, straight pink-hued mane; “is it a secret? Are you a SPY?” she whispered loudly.

Pinkie didn't notice the dark pony's jaw had dropped open the moment she blew in the room, and stayed open. “No! Of course not! I'm Astilbe... What did you do to my house?...” she said, looking around, noticing party decorations everywhere.

“I got it prepared for a I-just-met-you and thank-you-for-saving-me party, of course! What kind of party would it be if there wasn't cake! It would be a cakeless party! And that's not a party at all!”

“Cake?...” She noticed a fresh-baked cake in her kitchen.

“What is going on here? I wasn't gone for five minutes, and you decorated my house like it's a filly's birthday, and baked a cake!?”

“I know! It took me forever! Usually I can do it so much faster than this! - Wait! Did you say it's a filly's birthday!? Who's birthday is it!? Is it YOURS!? Is it!? Is it!?” she asked, bouncing with energy.

“How... How are you walking on that leg?” Astilbe asked, much more gently, pointing towards Pinkie's blood-drenched bandaged thigh.

“Oh, this? I-” Pinkie's expression suddenly melted. “OOOWWWW!!!” She fell on the ground clenching her thigh.

Astilbe rushed over. “Pain meds don't work perfectly...” she told her.

“Well duh! The only thing that works perfectly is a tambourine! And do you know – Ooooh” She was cut off as another pang hit her.

Astilbe couldn't help but crack an innocent half-smile at Pinkie's cheerful antics, as she helped Pinkie back up. “Look, you may have opened the wound again, and that's bad, you could die if you don't rest.”

“D-... die?”

“Yes, this is serious. But don't worry, I made you a promise you'd be okay if you did what I said, remember?”

“No, you promised I'd be okay if I came with you!”

“Well, I promise you'll be okay if you do what I say.”

“Pinkie Promise?”

“I Pinkie Promise.” Astilbe said with a comforting smile.

“You didn't do the promise!” The guest protested.

“I didn't?”

“No!”

“How do I 'do' it?”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” Pinkie went through the motions, “Ooohh!” and clenched her thigh again in an intense pang of pain.

Astilbe copied Pinkie's motions. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” Then she continued in a more serious tone; “Now you need to get back in bed, and lie down so your leg is above your chest, okay?”

“Okay... But what about-”

“I'll bring you some cake.”

“Really!?”

“Yeah, and a lot of water, too.”

“I am thirsty!”

“See, we can still have a good time with you in bed. If a cake makes a party, then you can party in bed, right?”

“Yeah, I guess so, as long as there's cake!...” Astilbe chuckled at Pinkie's antics again.

“Uhm... Could you help me... Get there?” The Equestrian was holding her bandaged leg in the air.

“Sure. Just lean on me.” Astilbe led her back to bed, tucked her in, and got some of the cake and water for her.

She had never seen a pony make such a mess of eating such a small slice of cake. “Can I have more?!”

“No, I worry what the sugar low will do to you! But I'll make you a salad!”

“Mmmm! Salad!”

Astilbe went into the kitchen and soon returned with a simple salad. Pinkie ravenously devoured it, then chugged the water. “Now, I'm really wondering exactly what your story is. What were you doing with-” She stopped.

Pinkie had finished eating, and turned to her caretaker with a suddenly sober face. “Astilbe,” she started, in a sad, serious tone that took her host off guard.

“What happened to my friends, Applejack and Twilight? And Rarity?”

“You mean the earth pony with the hat and the unicorn?”

“Mhm.”

“Well... I don't know.”

“Those big'ol meanie guards hurt me, and now they got them... Are they gonna hurt them?”

“I... I'm afraid they're going to hurt the unicorn you were with.”

Pinkie looked down, her ears flattening. She sniffed, glanced side to side, then looked up at Astilbe with scared, wet eyes. “Is-is she gonna... Is she gonna die?”

Astilbe sighed. Her mouth turned to a frown, compassion came over her face. “I'm afraid so, Pinkie,” she said.

Pinkie started wailing like a foal. Astilbe hushed her down, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “But she's my friend! They can't do that! They can't! She's a nice pony! She's a cute pony! She's a smart pony!” Pinkie stopped yelling and fell into crying again.

Astilbe leaned in and wrapped her hoof over both her shoulders.

“Pinkie, Pinkie... don't cry... can you keep a secret?”

Tears continued to pour down her face as she sobbed. “Mmhmm.”

Familiar Faces

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Twilight Sparkle lay comfortably in her bed in the Golden Oaks Library.

Rain pattered against her window as a storm raged outside, casting an ocean of quickly moving blots of shadow in the moonlight filtering in from the window. On the other side of her loft, Rarity and Applejack comfortably slept in the same bed. They were finally on good terms, after a long night of bickering and cleaning up after a treetop had fallen in her room.

But Twilight didn't want to sleep at that moment. She was tired, but right then, she felt oddly serene. She was captivated by the soft pitter-patter of rain, the gentle, blue glowing moonlight, the otherwise quiet and peaceful night. She just wanted to take it all in. Distant thunder rumbled, and she fell into reflection:

She used to be scared of thunder. But this night, that changed. She loved the sound of it. She loved the rain. Or, at least, listening to it from inside.

Her entire life up to now, she had heard of slumber parties, and what a great time ponies had at them. But in years past she couldn't stand to meet new ponies. They would always talk of trivial things, do frivolous things, and waste their lives away being unthinking and short-sighted, caught in the moment. They would do nothing but waste her time, forcing her into uncomfortable and time-consuming situations in places she didn't want to be.

But still, she couldn't not see it. Other ponies laughing, smiling, being happy and loving life... How did they do it? How did they enjoy parties and dancing and music? She couldn't bear such frivolous wastes of time, yet they were genuinely happy, and as often as she forced the thought away and focused on her work, it crept back into her mind; you're missing something. Something that is beyond you, that you will never have and never know, and it's the thing that makes them smile.

She would wage war with the horrible thought, force it away, then mock other ponies' frivolous lives, and return to her work of searching the depths of ponykind's knowledge. Every project always looked promising, exciting, something worth dedicating herself to, something that would change her life once she'd mastered it. But when she finished it, her appetite only grew more, and her sights would jump to another without a minute of celebration.

Something in her mind tugged at her, told her she was missing something, so she delved deeper into the cumulative knowledge of ponykind, and searched harder and harder for the secret that would fulfill her life. It was as if she were trying to satisfy her thirst with salt-water.

And then the thought would return. Look at them smile. It was frustrating. She had tried it before, she'd gone to a party with some ponies, gone shopping, hanging out, attended a study group (with almost no actual studying), she'd tried all of it... And couldn't stand it. She hated it. She always felt uncomfortable, out of place, like she didn't belong, that she really, really shouldn't be there. And worst of all, she thought differently than other ponies, she never understood them and they never understood her, they had nothing in common and she hated every moment of it.

Yet, the thought kept on mocking her, telling her that somehow it would be better than another book series, or another spell type or research project, and it never was. It was always a nightmare that couldn't end soon enough. So she learned to hate friendship's lying taunt, it's claim of fulfilling her life, and she mocked and avoided it's calls to social gatherings.

Yet, when she was a young filly, she did have three friends with whom she felt she belonged, who she could be with and enjoy their company: Shining Armor and her dolls Smarty Pants and Buzzlesworth.

She didn't need to be with other ponies to have their spectacular slumber parties, her dolls were company enough for a slumber party in years past, and even a few times embarrassingly recently (as Spike had found out). She never felt out of place around them, and in later years, around Spike, either.

It fulfilled her to have them with her, it made her truly happy, rather than merely distracted. But as she grew older, after a “slumber party” she would always realize how hollow and frivolous it was, and she would rail on herself for being so stupid and foalish.

This night, though, she had had it with real friends. It was not hollow. It started rough, had been bumpy and fraught with conflict, but in the end, they were better friends than ever. They were ponies that she felt she belonged around.

She was glad it happened. A single tear appeared in one of her eyes, and she sniffed and smiled. After so many years of pretending, it had actually happened, and after so many years of only drinking salt-water, she now tasted the clean water of friendship, and she was so glad it had happened. It was worth every bit of fighting she had to mediate to earn it.

There was a slight hint of dawn outside the window, and the rain began to soften.

She had never imagined she'd feel like she belonged around other ponies, at a slumber party. But after many years, that side of her that loved to be with others, hidden underneath her frustrated disappointments with friendship's “lying taunt”, had come out to shine, when the raging storm outside had forced her friends inside to hide.

As dreadful as the storm was, though, it had taught her something about herself. She knew for sure, now, that she could belong with other ponies. They had defeated Nightmare Moon together, but until now, she had never shared her private dreams of slumber parties with anypony. But now she knew she could, she could be herself around her friends, and she belonged there.

The tears welled in her eyes as she smiled. The dreadful storm had taught her she really belonged somewhere, and it wasn't hollow, and it wasn't a distraction; she was truly and deeply happy.

She fell out of bed with a hard thud, onto a cold, stone floor. She opened her eyes and felt the most intense headache she'd ever felt. A metal door slammed shut next to her. She quickly turned her head only to realize she was lying on her side in a stone jail cell, gagged, her four hooves shackled together, her warm library and bed fading away like gentle morning dew under a barren desert sun.

“A unicorn! I still can't believe I caught it!” a pegasus guard bragged to a small troop around him.

“We caught it. Not you,” another corrected.

“I can't wait to see the unicorn spectacular they'll be having!” yet another said as the small group trotted away, leaving four pegasi soldiers to guard.

She let out a muffled yell into the gag.

A stocky brown pegasus approached the bars of her cell: “We gotcha, unicorn!”

“Back off, Foehammer,” a smaller brown one ordered.

Twilight looked to see Foehammer glaring at her, while a blue pegasus eyed her with curiosity and uncertainty and a soldier with Applejack's orange simply looked with curiosity and indifference. The leader produced a piece of rolled paper, approached her dutifully, and read loud and clear;

“Unicorn, you and your kind are guilty of atrocities against ponydom. You have brought eternal winter, waged war against The Order, and have brought eternal night. To end these terrible oppressions to our world, your kind must be exterminated. For this reason, and for the blood of our murdered brothers and sisters that cry for justice onto you, you will be executed by any sure means as The Order sees fit for your crime. Your pleas will only be heard by ears immune to your siren's song.”

Twilight just looked, wide-eyed and baffled, as the leader walked next to the blue pegasus and gave him the rolled page. “See? Not so hard.”

Her thoughts raced. Brought eternal winter? Waged war? Eternal Night? Exterminated? EXECUTED?! She yelled into her gag again.

“Looks like you upset it a bit, first sarge,” the blue one observed.

“It deserves any upset it gets, corporal, don't you forget it,” he replied.

“Every bit,” Foehammer echoed.

“This isn't a bad time for some unicorn raffle,” the sergeant said. “It can hear us. Which is perfect. If it doesn't already know it's going to be executed, it should.”

“Hear that, unicorn? A dome-slickin' unicorn like you should know. Stoned, choked, hanged'n shot. You're the star of the next spectacular,” the orange one told her.

No... It can't be! This isn't happening! What's going on!? Why!? Her thoughts fell into panic. All that was happening slowly dawned on her as her headache softened. She looked straight at the guards as they watched her. Her horn began to glow.

In a single flash of hooves raising and metal bolts sliding, she was looking down the barrels of four rifles. It only took her a moment to recognize what they were, and she stopped using her magic, just as her gag fell off and she cried out.

“Hold!” the sergeant shouted. “Lower your weapons but keep the barrels out and stay sharp” the sarge told them. The rifles were strapped to their hooves. He took the stock off his shoulder, flipped the rifle to the outside of his arm, and walked up to her.

He started before she could; “Don't try your magic on my stallions, unicorn. Maybe you don't realize that's a gem-studded ribbon on your horn, so your magic's mostly blocked, but still, try to use it, and we'll riddle you with so many holes your own unicorn mother couldn't recognize you.”

“What's going on!? Execution!? Me!? But I didn't do any of those things! You've got the wrong unicorn!” she shouted.

“Wrong unicorn?” he asked, baffled for only a moment. “Blast it! Silence! Another word and we fire! We'll not have any siren's song on my stallions!” he shouted.

She barely let out a noise before she stopped herself, just as the barrels lined up again. She started shaking and crying, wishing her gag hadn't been so loose to be so easily to taken off.

“Sir – are we just going to leave her ungagged! What of siren's silence!?” the blue one asked.

“I'm fully aware, Clockwork,” he replied.

“Advise we re-tie that snout!”

“We're under strict orders to keep that cell shut!”

“But-”

“Can it! There's another way to silence her. Aim for the head!”

She gasped, bit on the gag, and violently shook her head at them, sobbing as tears came down her cheeks and hooves pressed on triggers.

“Hold,” the sarge coolly said. “The governor should be here shortly. We can complete secondary, just stay cool, and unicorn, hold still.”

She stopped shaking her head, but her body kept shaking and sobbing.

Tense breathing filled the air.

“Relax that trigger finger. Remember secondary. Alive until the governor gets here. But if the rope drops out of her mouth, shoot.”

A shut mouth is just as dangerous as an open one... Sergeant Hardlight echoed in his mind.

“Sir-” the blue pegasus began, his voice trembling.

“Clockwork...” the sergeant growled.

“We just gotta o-open that cell, tie it on-”

“No. That's treason. Relax that trigger-hoof, Clockwork. You're shaking all over the place,” the sergeant soothed.

“B-but-”

“Get out of here. Go inform the prison of the situation.”

“Sir!” he affirmed, then gladly fled.

“Sarge! Please, let's just pop open that cell!” Foehammer yelled.

“Shut the-”

“YOU'LL NEED MY AUTHORITY TO DO THAT,” a beautifully familiar voice half-shouted with great authority, as the sound of many slow, regal hoofsteps and clanking armor came within earshot.

“Sir!” came Clockwork's voice, “The governor is here!”

Twilight's ears perked up and her mind shot faster than it ever had before.

Rainbow!? Can it be? But she didn't come with us! Then perhaps – they said only the governor has authority to open the cell! If they can't open it without her permission – she has to be the governor! She's the one that can explain everything and save me! But, is it really? It can't be! But...

“Governor!” sarge exclaimed.

“Well this is unusual,” came the governor's voice again as she came on the scene. The many hoofsteps stopped just out of Twilight's view.

Twilight was sure of her voice, now.

“The gag is off, m'am! We're ready to fire on the first word she says!” the sarge announced.

“That won't be necessary. As you were, gentlecolts. A sergeant? Don't you have any counter-magic training for siren's song?”

They lowered their weapons.

“Yes, m'am. My stallions, however-”

“RAINBOW DASH!” Twilight yelled.

The entire hall immediately fell silent, as if she had uttered some powerful spell.

It lingered for a few moments, before her voice came again, loud and firm; “Everypony. Clear the room. Now. Wait at the door, High Guard.”

They all obeyed, and soon the hall was empty, while Rainbow was still out of sight, just barely down the hall from Twilight's cell. She could hear Rainbow Dash walk with firm, confident steps. She heard medals clanging against eachother as she walked into view.

She wore a navy blue dress that would have impressed Rarity; golden leaflets decorated the collar, sleeves, and rim. A row of medals adorned her chest, there were holes cut for her wings, and where her cutie mark was covered, a golden-plated emblem was embroidered. The emblem had a three-point shield with wings, with a spear leaning out from each side, and a plow hung from the center point on the shield, trisecting the shield into areas decorated with a pitchfork, a scythe, and a hammer.

Her mane and tail were crafted as finely as her dress. Her glaring, condescending look made Twilight feel as though she were facing an angry Celestia.

“You. You will explain to me this moment how you got my private name!” she demanded. The unicorn looked vaguely familiar to her. It was as if she were from her dreams. She tried to brush the thought away, but still, a distant, but driving curiosity loomed in her mind.

“Rainbow!? How did you get here!? It's me, Twilight Sparkle!” Twilight knew something was very wrong, but all she could do was hope for the best.

The governess calmly opened the cell, approached the hog-shackled Twilight, and leaned down to her face and spoke coolly; “Unicorn, you are completely helpless right now, and anything I do to you, anything at all, is completely within my power. So let's get this straight: I'm asking the questions. How did you get my private name?”

Twilight froze. Rainbow Dash doesn't know me... Of course, she's the governor, so she has to have lived in this world, so, is this a copy of Rainbow Dash? But why does she have the same name? What does she mean by 'private name'?

“Well, are you done preparing your lies, yet?” the governor asked.

She'll never believe me... But I don't know enough about this world to make any kind of cover story, cover story for what? So far my only crime is being a unicorn! And something about eternal night and genocide!? This world is so different!... I'll just have to hope... Twilight thought.

“I can tell you the truth... But you won't believe me,” Twilight finally answered, looking up at Rainbow, her eyes glistening and wet.

Although her face revealed nothing, Dash's attention was held captive. Her memories from the dreams came back, she remembered Twilight Sparkle. Though even if it really was Twilight, the waking world was too unsafe to let anypony know about her blasphemous, private dreams where unicorns were equals and all was well.

“Hah. Of course I won't believe you, because you'll be lying...” She's going to say it. She is the Twilight from my dreams. But it can't be! It can't be real, I can't believe it! There's no way, it's impossible, but it's happening, but it can't be!... “Look, I don't want to waste time, and you don't want to be tortured any more than you will be.-” Twilight sobbed, the governor continued without pause; “So why don't you just save us both the trouble and tell the truth?”

“Rainbow, I!-”

“And start calling me by my real name! I will NOT be called by my private name by some unicorn!”

“Your 'real name'? I thought you just said-”

“Call me 'governor'!”

“Okay!” Twilight closed her eyes, looked away, and started shaking. “I'm so sorry! I-I'm just-” the prisoner stammered.

“-So how did you get my name!? Are we going to have to do this the hard way!?” the governor pressed.

“No! No!... Because... because governor...” Twilight closed her tear-soaked eyes for a brief moment and thought: Here goes... I've got nothing better... Please, Rainbow Dash... She sighed, and steadied herself. “Because you're my friend, governor. I used my magic to come from another world, and there's a copy of you in that world, and her name is Rainbow Dash, and she's one of my best friends!...”

There was a pause. Twilight couldn't see through her wet eyes, but the governor's guard had been broken by shock, and for a brief moment, her face showed utter amazement. She... She said it!

The governor quickly returned to feigned indifference, noticing that Twilight hadn't seen her shock.

“You... You won't really let them do all those things to me, will you governor? I heard them say something about stoning, and choking, hanging and shooting... I don't know what a 'private name' is... But you are Rainbow Dash, My friend... You're energetic, you love life, you love nothing more in the world than to soar through the blue sky, and maybe you're competitive and like to play rough... And maybe in this world you have to act harsh because you're a governor... But you're a kind pony at heart, and you'd never let your friends be tortured! You're loyal, and you would do anything - you would fight to stop it!” Twilight's voice broke up.

The governor was speechless. Her mind scrambled for a reply.

Twilight's words struck her; “ You're energetic, you love life... you'd never let your friends be tortured!...” No, no! How could some strange unicorn walk straight out of her haunting dreams and call itself real? How could this strange unicorn describe her as she only dreamed of being? Yet there the unicorn was, as real as the shackles that bound her, on the floor in front of her.

Her face still revealed nothing, but tears came down her cheeks regardless.

All at once, her head spun. She felt out of place in her uniform. It was meant for somepony else. Her hooves felt covered with the innocent blood and tears of thousands, all at once it felt like the eternal winter, every execution, every interrogation, political imprisonment and foul deed of the world were her fault.

And the very worst of all, she had taken a happy, carefree pegasus full of life and love, forcefully tore her from her home and her world, and murdered her, and the pegasus was someone she loved dearly. She had covered herself with the innocent creature's blood, and now it was in her own body; she had not just killed it, but stolen it's life.

And now, she looked at another innocent creature from that land of sun. She recoiled at the sight of her, dirty, scraped, her mane a mess, crying and shaking. She did not belong.

Twilight heard medal clanging. She looked back up just in time to see Rainbow Dash finish giving herself a quick shake.

“Governor?...” Twilight asked tentatively.

Full Spectrum laughed. “Death is too kind for you, 'Twilight'! So tell me, what magic did the Blades of Night use to figure this one out? I'll admit you had me for a moment, there.” Although she put on a cool front, internally, the governor's mind was still reeling, now just as confused as horrified.

“I-... I... Who are the Blades of Night?”

“I said I was asking questions.” She glared at Twilight.

“But I don't even know who the Blades of Night even are!” Twilight sobbed, then fell into crying again.

The governor couldn't bring herself to continue to interrogate the poor creature. Although she continually fought the idea that the unicorn really was Twilight, the idea refused to die, and there was another possibility, an excuse she could use on herself to stop the interrogation.

Her glare suddenly became entirely condescending. “You're useless to me. The Blades have doubtlessly warped your mind into some false fantasy, as some cruel assault on myself. I'm almost sorry you got caught up in this.”

I should give her some alcohol to numb the pain before the spectacular... Even if she's a fake, she's definitely had her memories altered. Even if she's a criminal, that criminal died in the memory purge the Blades must've given her...

If that means the old 'her' is dead, then doesn't that also mean the new 'her' is the real Twilight Sparkle? Even if she's not really from another world, if she has all those memories, doesn't that make it the real her, anyways? The governor thought, her mind still racing and indecisive.

“Please, you have to believe me, it's really the truth! Wasn't I right? I knew your name, so it has to be true!... I just came here to bring my friend home, I sent her here by accident, and I want to bring her and all my other friends home, too. Including you. It's a beautiful place where ponies are kind, and you can come with us, too.” Twilight explained.

Rainbow's eyes went wide. Bring me home? To the land she came from? To an azure sky?

But as she thought about it, about going to that land, she became painfully aware of the blood on her hooves. It's not right for me to be there. I don't belong there, any more than Twilight belongs here. I can't go, but I can take Twilight to her land of Azure Sky...

“Believe me, Twilight, you will return to the land of the Azure Sky. Just hang in there.” The governor got up and began walking away.

“So... You know a way I can get back home? You know what I'm talking about?!” Twilight asked excitedly, recovering from crying.

“Yes...” the governor said, her ears drooping. “You really don't belong in this world, no matter what. Next time I see you... I'll take you home.” The governor began walking away again, holding back tears.

“How?!” Twilight asked.

She kept walking down the hall.

She mentally pushed the emotional Rainbow Dash away, and became the cool, regal Governor Full Spectrum that the world knew her as.

“I'll see you then, Rainbow...” Twilight mumbled.

* * *

"Mmm Mmm!" Applejack yelled into her gag as Big Mac rounded the corner.
She had been waiting in the room for what seemed like hours before he arrived.
She would've run up and hugged him if her forehooves and hindhooves weren't tied.

Big Mac froze. "My- it really is..." he muttered in disbelief.

He suddenly stopped, then said with a booming voice; "It worked!"

Confusion came over Applejack's face, both at what Big Mac said, and upon realizing Big Mac was wearing a well-docarated military uniform, and instead of a green apple, his cutie mark was a three-pointed shield with a sword in front.

"Hmm?"

"Good job, guards, warden. You've played a key role in testing classified Order technology. You'll get off with your lives if you never utter a word of what's happened here today, to anypony, ever. Understood?"

They nodded gravely, shocked.

"Yes, sir!"

"Good!"

Big Mac strode confidently up to Applejack. "Alright, citizen, come with me. We'll be able to answer questions somewhere else, but for now, please stay silent."

She went cross-eyed as she looked at her gag, then gave her brother a deadpan glare.

Big Mac undid her bonds from her hooves, then motioned for her to follow. She tore the gag from her face herself. “Silent,” Big Mac ordered harshly.

After all that had happened, she wasn't going to question it. Even if this was another world, it was still her brother and she trusted him. But his harshness had killed her joy at seeing him.

"No escort will be necessary, warden," he said as he walked out with Applejack following. “But I will request a message be taken to the governor's palace. I want Scarlet to meet me at Gold Will's house, under protection, as usual.”

“Yes sir.”

When they left the prison, Applejack had time to take in the city again. She couldn't understand what was wrong with the sky. It was completely dark, no clouds, no stars, no moon, and definitely no sun. Instead, there was a faint metallic glean. So faint she wondered if it was her eyes playing tricks on her.

She nudged her brother's side.

“No questions,” he said.

She was at a loss. All she could think of was questions.

As they walked down the street, she noticed many of the ponies looked very poor, and few were dressed for the cold. There was no snow, but frost on the cobblestone attested that it was cold enough. There were more police than she had seen in any city, and a large number patrolled far above in the sky. She looked at her brother again, wearing the uniform. He definitely seemed different. But it didn't take long for her to think of something to say that wasn't a question.

She jumped up to Big Mac's side, wrapped her hoof around and hugged him. "It's so good to see ya again, Big Mac! It's mighty nice to see a familiar face 'round here!"

He stopped.

She paused. "Uh... Big Macintosh... Are you cryin'?" she asked.

He sniffed, his voice trembling: "I love you too, little sister."

He kept walking.

"Wha- oh, alright, no questions..." she said.

He gave a small nod.

The urge was powerful; she had to physically fight to keep her mouth from asking questions.

Finally they arrived at a small house.

Big Mac opened the door and ushered her in. Once they were inside, and the door locked, Applejack turned back, opening her mouth only to be stopped by Big Mac's sudden hug. He squeezed her, lifting her off her forehooves. “Big Mac... I'h can't breathe!” she barely managed to get out.

He jumped back, terror in his eyes, only to sigh and drop it. He hugged her again, much more gently and affectionately.

“Uh... Huh, Big Mac...” she said in an observant tone.

“You're alive!...” he said.

“Uhm. Eeyup,” she replied uncomfortably.

He pulled back just enough to look her in the face and give the most incredulous look she'd ever seen from him.

“Is... There a reason I shouldn't be alive?” She carefully asked.

He let go.

“You don't know?” he gawked.

“No... I can't say I do...” she replied.

“Can I ask a question, Applejack?”

“Uh... Yeah, sure, go 'head.”

“Why is your cutie mark three apples? It used to be a flame!”

“Ohkay, this is weird. What about your Cutie Mark? It oughta be a big, green apple! Wait a sec!” It dawned on her.

There was a knock on the door.

“Hide,” he commanded.

She didn't ask questions. She'd learned well enough this world wasn't safe.

He opened the door. Two guards stood behind a very young Applebloom. “Scarlet.” He nodded towards her.

“Sir!” The guards saluted Big Mac.

“Hey Crimson,” Applebloom greeted him. “Why'd you call me here? And tell the guards to be nicer!”

He glared at them. “Explain.”

“No unnecessary force was used sir. No force was necessary at all,” one said.

“Yeah, but they didn't have to keep tellin' me to hurry!” she complained.

“As you were, colts. You may return to the palace” the general ordered.

“Sir.” They nodded and flew off.

“No need to hide, now! Come out!” he yelled into the house. “Come inside, Scarlet, I think you're going to like this.”

“I doubt it. There's only one thing in the world I'd like... APPLEJACK!” she yelled, then charged her older sister and wrapped her hooves around her neck as tightly as she could.

“Woah, there, Applebloom!” She returned the hug, noticing her younger sister seemed a bit smaller than she remembered.

“Oh, Applejack! I was so scared you were never comin' back! Big Mac said you'd gone to the place with the blue sky that ponies never come back from, but I knew you would come back, because you love your family and you'd never leave and not come back, you'd find a way back!”

“Oh, Applebloom, I'd never leave ya!...” She glared at Big Mac.

They finished the hug and she set her teary-eyed younger sister down.

“Now Big Mac and I need to talk by ourselves for a minute. Can you wait out here and not get in any trouble, Applebloom?”

“Of course, big sister!” She grinned. “Please hurry!”

“Oh. We will! C'mon Big Mac, we need to talk,” she finished with a flat tone.

He sheepishly followed her into another room.

“Applejack-” they began in hushed tones.

“Big Mac! You gotta listen to me! I know this sounds crazy, but... I'm from another world! So, I guess I need to know some things...”

“I believe you.”

“You... You do? Just like that?”

“Maybe you're not the same Gold Will that... That died. But you're still Applejack. I know I can trust every word you say.”

She blushed, pulling her ears back. “Hey, now...” Her expression snapped to normal and she continued; “But I need you to explain to me where I am! And what was that about 'Gold Will'?” she asked, cocking an ear back as confusion came over her face.

“I will explain everything... But I need you to promise me something, first, Applejack.”

“What?”

“I need you to swear to me, give me your word of honor, that you will not endanger your life, over what's absolutely necessary to protect Scarlet.”

“Scarlet?”

“Applebloom.”

“I... I'm not gonna make an oath lightly, Big Mac... Why do I need to make it?”

“Just promise me your word of honor that you will not endanger your life over what's absolutely necessary to protect Applebloom. Then I'll explain things to you.”

“I... Of course, Big Mac! I promise on my honor!”

“I have your word of honor?”

“You have my word of honor.”

“Okay. But First, I must know how you got here...”

She explained everything. She described her friends, the spell, the alternate version of him, their family, and her trip to the dome, up until she met him.

“And...” she continued; “Right 'afore we came here, Twilight said that this world was different, right when the three tribes came together at the first Hearth's Warming Eve, that somethin' happened differently there... Which is here, I guess. In history.”

He nodded. “I do believe your story, Applejack. Unicorns can be powerful magicians. Now let me tell you about what happened since the time of the tribes in this world. The trust formed, but was soon broken by the unicorns. They once again brought a harsh winter with their magic, but the Earth Ponies and Pegasi wanted to avoid a war, so they built domes to live under. Soon the unicorns attacked, and only by banding together under The Order were they able to hold them off.”

“But – why in the world would the unicorns do that?” Applejack asked.

“Because they're prideful, ambitious, aggressive, selfish and cruel creatures, Applejack. We held them off, and in the intervening hundreds of years, unable to communicate, many of the domes fell astray from The Order, forming their own independent governments. As a result, hundreds of years passed with no progress against the unicorn menace, and so the winter continues to this day. But luckily, seventy years ago, railways re-connected the domes, and although at first some domes resisted, we eventually regained control of every dome, and now, today, our efforts are unified once more against the unicorns. Once they're all dead and only then, the winter will end, and daytime will return, and the world will enjoy an azure sky once more,” Big Mac answered.

“Wait, you mean it's eternal night? An' It's still winter from the time of Hearth's Warming? An' that unicorns are evil?” Applejack pressed.

“Yup.”

“But no, big brother! Eternal night came because Nightmare Moon returned, not because of unicorns! It's winter because of Wendigos, because of hate in Equestria, not because of unicorns! An' unicorns are not evil! They're jus' another kinda pony!” she censured him.

“Nightmare Moon was banished to the moon more than a thousand years ago, Applejack. For all purposes she's dead. As for Celestia, she was so emotionally and physically crushed from banishing her sister that she was no longer able to rule, and she vanished from history, ending the rule of the princesses. And what in the world are 'Wendigos'? Maybe things are different in your world, but here, Wendigos don't exist, and Nightmare Moon has not returned,” he replied.

“Ugh! You have to listen to me, Big Mac. You got it all wrong! An' even if you don't, my friends are trapped here, an' I gotta help Twilight take'em home. Twilight, an' probably Rarity, have been captured, an' they aren't evil!” She contended.

“Applejack! They are unicorns! You can't be worried about them!” he reprimanded.

“But I am, Big Mac! I already told you, they're my friends!”

His face crossed with horror.

“FRIENDS!? Do 'friends' aspire to bring endless night!? Do 'friends' try to kill 'friends'? Do 'friends' bring endless winter!?”

“They didn't do any of that!”

“They're unicorns! They can be nothing but evil! I've told you what their kind is like, what their kind has done!”

“It's not true, darnit! Some other unicorns may be bad, but not them; They're my best friends!”

He sighed. “I'm not going to convince you, am I?”

“Not at all!”

“Of course not, you grew up with their kind...”

His expression slacked, and he continued. “If anypony ever finds out you know the truth, then you will be unnecessarily risking your life, Applejack. So nopony, I repeat, nopony is to ever know that you know what I'm about to tell you. This is a dangerous world. The Order will kill anyone that opposes them, or is a threat in any way. When you made that oath, you effectively swore to never oppose The Order.”

“You... You tricked me!”

“No, Applejack, I didn't. I meant it. Gold Will was the public name of you in this world. You - She learned the truth, and the meaning of her cutie mark. Her mark meant she was to be a light of honor and truth in the world. And they hanged her for it.”

“Hanged?”

“Tied a knot of rope around her neck, and hanged her from it. It's how The Order kills its enemies.”

She stepped back, her face wrought with horror, her own beloved rope coming to mind. “They choke them from rope!?”

“It's what I said. They have to. We have to. Outside these domes is an endless, deathly winter. We only survive because there is order in the dome. If we weren't organized, ordered, by The Order, then we would not survive the winter. They've tried it. Others have tried to survive without The Order, and they failed, and Hoover Dome fell. All of ponykind depends on The Order, Applejack, that's why they kill their enemies. It's either the lives of a few, or the lives of everypony.”

“That's... That's the most terrible, downright awful thing I've ever heard!” Her face showed both confusion and horror.

“They rally everypony together by teaming them up against an imaginary enemy; 'the unicorn menace'. It keeps them from making The Order their enemy. We depend on our great Unicorn Hunt, and on The Order to survive. I know the unicorns are innocent, that our history is a lie. But what the truth is doesn't matter. What matters is that we survive. And if what's written in textbooks now is what it takes to survive, then that's the truth, because that keeps us alive against the cold. That's the only real enemy in this world. The cold. And we must do everything we can to survive against it.”

“So... What are they gonna do to Twilight and Rarity?”

“They're going to hang them in a big public event called a 'unicorn spectacular'.”

“No! They... They can't!” She yelled.

“They will. And you swore to do nothing about it.”

“Big Mac! You dirty little – you tricked me! You tricked me into sittin' back and lettin' this happen! Lettin' my best friends choke on rope an'-an' die!” she yelled at him, stomping, tears coming to her eyes.

“I did it to save you, Applejack, because I couldn't bear to watch you die again...” He approached her, and tried to pull her into a hug.

She pushed him off. “You!... You!...” She couldn't find a reason to be mad at him. But she was.

“You need to live, because Applebloom deserves an older sister, Applejack. I did what I had to to make that happen.”

“But now my friends are gonna die in an awful way an' I can't do a thing about it 'cause you tricked me!” she sobbed.

“It's either your friends, or you AND your friends. At least this way, Applebloom has an older sister.”

Applebloom walked in the room, her mane a mess, bags under her eyes, yawning herself awake. She looked at the two, shaking, cowering at their yelling.

“For Applebloom, Applejack. You have to be here for her, like you said you would be.” he continued in a gentle tone.

She looked at her, wiping her own tears away, then ran over to her younger sister, and lifted her in a hug. “It's okay, Applebloom! Me an' Big Mac were just... getting' over some things...”

“Applejack... Were you thinking of leaving me again?” she said, her voice trembling. “I fell asleep in the hall when Big Mac was talking... And I had the most terrible dream that you left again, and you and Big Mac started yelling and, and...”

She held her tight. “And that's never gonna happen, Applebloom. Never.”

“Do you promise? Do you promise never to leave me again?”

“I promise.”

She cried again. Not because she was angry, hurt, or scared. But because she was comforting her scared little sister, and she loved her. “I'm sorry I was mad at you Big Mac...” She apologized, An' I see you were right... I gotta be here for her. She mentally added. “Come'ere!”

He walked over, and she pulled him into the group hug.

They soon set off for the dome's palace.

That's when it dawned on her. She fell a few steps behind Scarlet and whispered. “Big Mac.”

“There's public names and private names, too, Applejack. A private name is only to be used and given to very close friends and family, and only used in important things. Call me Crimson Fire, Applebloom is Scarlet, and you're Gold Will.”

“Wasn't Gold Will an enemy to The Order? Isn't it dangerous for me to go by that name?”

“Right now it is... It should be different by tomorrow. I'll tell you if it is. Just lie low and stay by me until then. Now what were you going to say?”

“'Crimson Fire'... Heheh... Crimson Fire, this isn't my home.”

“It isn't, is it?...”

“No. My home is at Sweet Apple Acres. I came here to rescue Rarity, not to watch her die! An' then I need to go back! To my other family! My real family!”

“But you've promised to do neither. Am I not real to you, Applejack? Is she not real to you?” He motioned towards Scarlet.

She sighed deeply.

“So is that it? You won't let me go?”

“I would release you from that promise, if Scarlet could go on without you. But she can't. Breaburn should show up soon. I called him to take care of her with you... gone. But she would never be the same without you... Nopony in this family would.”

“I see... So that's it, then? I'm livin' here now?”

“It looks like you are, at least until Applebloom is comfortable with you being gone. The other world sounds nice. It sounds like Applebloom will have lots of love, there, even with you gone. This place just isn't the same...”

“Aw-... Ahright...” She looked down, her ears drooping, the heavy logic running in her head. “I just dunno if I can get used to this place... I dunno if I can live here... An' I think Twilight is the only way I can get back.”

“I wouldn't be so sure,” he said.

“Do you – you know of a way to get us back!?”

“I don't know.”

“You don't know if you know?”

“Eeyup.”

“How can you not know!?”

“It's complicated. It would endanger your life if I told you.”

“Are you just gonna start pullin' that on me, now!?”

He looked straight at her, his face entirely devoid of amusement. “It's the truth. I shouldn't have even hinted it.”

She sighed.

“So... Why are we goin' to 'the palace'?” she asked.

“I live in the Delphi Dome. This is the York Dome. I came here, officially, to be closer to an upcoming conference. Really, I came here to see you, one last time, before...” he paused, leaving the words unsaid. “-And to take care of Scarlet.” He motioned at Applebloom.

“Okay... An' one more thing, Crimson...” She paused for a moment. “I want to see them. I want to see my friends one last time. I could never forgive myself if I wasn't there...”

“Applejack... Are you sure? You gave your word of honor you wouldn't do anything. Are you sure you can just watch?”

“Yes. An' I have to! No matter how awful it is! I just can't leave them... Not now! Even if I can't help them... I have to at least be there for them... Even if only to watch them... 'hang'...”

He grimly nodded.

* * *

The team moved in a column formation through the snowy world. The snowfall was heavy, but much gentler than earlier. The sky overhead was a dark gray, with the horizon a much darker, almost black color, and the ground was a darkened white. They walked under a strict silence.

They all carried enormous, over-packed backpacks and saddlebags, and wore thick, heavy white winter gear that covered their entire bodies, all except Rarity. Her winter gear was the brown color of the blanket, which it had been made from. Amber had already broken his snowshoes in half to give the other half to the downed pilot of the group, Flameheart, who was also wearing his flight goggles. Nurse Redheart had been made to break her snowshoes in half to give to Rarity. It had taken half an hour to break and re-build the snowshoes, and still they were only attached by a mess of rope that tied them onto her hooves. Luckily, the winter gear offered a thick layer of padding to protect from chaffing.

Rarity was the only one not wearing goggles of some kind, and although the blizzard had stopped, the occasional snow flurry still hit her in the eye with a sharp pang of pain. She looked back. Snowglade was in the rear, walking backwards, using her telekinesis to make their tracks disappear behind them.

The leader's hoof flew up. They all stopped. He started waving it towards the ground with a pounding motion, and all at once they all dropped into the snow. Rarity quickly followed.

In the distance a small point of light sat on top of a hill.

Wait, no, it's... It's flying... Rarity noticed.

It was moving at an unnaturally steady pace.

She began to hear an odd rumbling, whirring noise as it came closer. A large quickly-moving area of snow in the distance was filled with the light of sweeping floodlights.

As the noise became terribly loud, an enormous green, metal contraption flew by in the distance. The Earth seemed to shake with the noise. She could see ponies sitting on it as if it were an airship, but without a balloon. It quickly flew off and faded back into the haze.

“T.B.-Five.” Flameheart called from the lead.

“They never have pegasi with aircraft, so we can talk for a little,” Amber Light announced back to Rarity, who was immediately behind him. “So, Rarity, you said I look like somepony with my private name in Equestria, and you briefly mentioned he's a kind baker. What is he like?”

“Well,” she began, “he's the baker at Sugarcube Corner, a nice gentlecolt and a family stallion with a wife and expecting foals. He's not quite... How do I put this gently?... As coldhearted as you are?” she finished.

“Miss Rarity...” he began, then paused. There was nothing but their hoofsteps for a long, uncomfortable silence.

“Let's just say, it doesn't make sense to be sweet as icing in a world not meant for it.”

“Oh, darling, have you not found a 'Missus Cake'?”

“Low noise.” He called out, ordering the group into whispers.

Sweetie Belle sped up to come next to Rarity. Still walking backwards and making their tracks disappear, she multitasked with great effort to whisper, often pausing in the middle of her speech.

“Rarity... Don't bug him about it. He's never met a 'missus'... but he's been through some really hard trouble.”

“Oh?”

“He once ran into a young colt playing with littler colt outside an Alliance mining town. They were spotted. His second-in-command said to kill them. He refused, and they had no choice but to let them go. Oop!” She quickly used her telekinesis to fix a spot she'd accidentally raised the snow instead of filling a hole, then continued.

“Later, they were spotted by an Alliance search party sent out to intercept them... A high explosive round landed too close, and when he woke up... his team was dead, and he was alone. The worst part was, there was a young unicorn in the group, not much older than me... An' he didn't have a razor-knife.” Her ears drooped as she said it.

“What does that mean?” she asked gently.

“It means he couldn't kill himself before he was captured...” Sweetie Belle replied softly.

“But – why on Earth would he want to do that!?” Rarity barely kept herself to a whisper.

“What's it like to be in a world where you don't know what The Alliance does with unicorns?... It must be so nice...” she replied.

Rarity was horrified. “Amber Light said it was horrible and cruel, but is it really that bad?!”

Her younger sister nodded, then finished: “He's still angry about losing him. He never lets his feelings get in the way of thinking. It makes him harsh... But he means well. And he's a fast and good leader.”

None of them could tell, but he was shaking. “Total silence.” he called out as she finished.

Sweetie Belle and Rarity glanced at eachother.

Friends and Enemies

View Online

Flameheart sat in the piercing wind, wrapped in thick, white winter gear. The pegasus carefully examined his rifle. He pulled the bolt back and chambered a round, then covered it with a rag to keep the light snowfall from freezing onto the bolt.

Just behind him, the tent was set up, and the small explorers' lamp gave warm yellow light to its interior. Sweetie Belle and Amber Light sat on one side, working a radio receiver and planning for the next day. Rarity could hear the howling wind outside, and while all the other ponies in the tent had shed all their winter clothing, Sweetie Belle and Rarity still wore a layer of warm underclothes.

That morning, Rarity had been quite warm in the tent, but now she sat, wrapped in blankets. Her nose ran, her body shivered, her stomach churned, and her mane was a rat’s nest.

She downed three pills, at this, her first opportunity since their departure that morning. “Ohh, my hooves are so sore. My back is sore. I'm positively sore all over, and I just can't get warm enough! And my hurt hoof, nurse, it's hurting again!”

“Oh, you poor thing. Your hoof and cold should only get better from here, though. Would you like some more soup?” The Nurse asked.

“No, thank you, but I feel so sick the last thing I want right now is something in my stomach. And sleep. But wait, no, I mean the first thing I want is sleep. And to go home. I just want to go home, and out of this dreadful...” she mentally hunted for the word; “Tundra.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry but It's going to be a long while before we have any chance of getting you back,” she apologized “Are you sure you don't want a little soup?”

“Eh. Maybe a little...” The Nurse pulled out a can and began preparing two bowls of soup.

Rarity's ear and bandaged stump of an ear pulled back as she bowed her head. Her gaze went off beyond the floor, and the realization came over her. She turned back to the nurse; “How long do you mean, by... 'a long while'?”

“Oh, probably at least a few weeks, if not more than a month,” she replied over her shoulder as she opened the can.

“A few weeks? You mean groups of seven days? And a month as in thirty?” The unicorn's eyes went wide.

“Yes, Rarity, unfortunately I do.” She set one of the bowls of soup on a little rack hanging from the lamp. “That'll be the only way to warm it until Snowglade's available. Can you do any warming spells?”

“I'm afraid not... But, if I'm going to be here for a more extended amount of time... I guess I really ought to get around to asking... You've introduced yourselves, but who are you? You're clearly not from The Alliance, and so well equipped, well, you don't seem to be ruffians of some sort. And you. The names I know from Equestria are your private names, but yours is your public name. And then everypony thought I was another pony named 'Grandeur'...”

The nurse laughed a small, modest chuckle. “We're certainly not ruffians of any kind. First, I go by my private name because I'm a Neophyte, and I'm a nurse. Either one of those would mean I go by my private name in public. It's a sign of trust and good will.” She smiled.

“What is a Neophyte?”

“Oh, that's right, you don't know. We're a group dedicated to peace, and healing, of mind and body... Long ago, an alicorn gave wisdom, and she still does. She's gained a following, and that's us. The Neophytes. We're her students, and some of the best healers on this side of the globe.” She gave another proud little smile. “She's an amazing abbess, though she prefers just to be called; 'The Stewardess'. I would love for you to meet her.”

“Good?” Snowglade asked Amber Light.

“Good,” he replied, and they both began packing papers away.

Snowglade took a few steps over next to the nurse; “You wanted me for something?”

“Oh, yes,” the nurse replied; “Just a warmth spell on the soup.” She motioned to both the bowls, one more full than the other.

“One warmth spell coming right up.” Sweetie gladly obliged and began casting.

“So... You're all Neophytes, then?” Rarity asked all of them.

“No, that's just me. Neophytes take a vow, and part of it is non-aggression; the only type of soldiers we'll ever be are medics.” She took her now-warm soup and sipped a bit.

“So that's why everyone else carries a flintlock but you... Then who are you? Soldiers for what army?”

“Flintlock?” Amber Light shot. “You mean the rifles? No, those are bolt-action. Sheesh. They really don't have weapons where you're from.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow at him.

“But to answer your question,” he promptly continued, “we're an independent nation, our homeland is Bastion. We're sworn to end the winter, and the night, and bring a cerulean sky over the world once more. That's part of why we wage war with The Alliance,” he explained, then continued with vigor, “Their disharmony, by killing the unicorns, ensures that summer will never come. We're called Ceruleans!” He finished with pride.

“Oh, then the winter is brought by Wendigos!” Rarity realized.

“Yes. That's right.”

“But all this fighting... Surely it only makes the winter worse?”

“Hate feeds the Wendigos, strictly speaking, not fighting. But in any case, it won't end until The Alliance has fallen, and that's not going to happen easily, certainly not peacefully.”

Nurse Redheart sat behind him, so only Rarity saw her frown with uncertainty at his last three words.

“Are you so sure about that?” Rarity asked for the Neophyte.

“Absolutely. They kill anyone who says that unicorns might be anything less than monsters. They kill left and right, whatever it takes for them to hold power, they'll do it,” he answered in a final tone.

All the talk of killing only made her stomach more upset. She sighed, and he turned and began looking through the supplies.

“Soup?” the nurse offered her the hot bowl with the smaller portion. She accepted and took a sip. “Now, for your third question about Grandeur...” the nurse began, then paused. “I think it would be best if Snowglade told you, she was her sister, and there, after all.” The Nurse nodded to her.

“I still am her sister.” Sweetie Belle answered. “And even if you're not really Grandeur... you are Rarity. So you're still my sister,” she finished affectionately and wrapped a hoof around Rarity. The elder smiled at the warm, loving hug from her sister, but couldn't help but notice that she was a few years older than her counterpart in Equestria, and very warm.

As their hug finished, Snowglade took off her coat, and started taking off her thermal boxers; “It's always warm in the tent by the time me'n the sergeant finish determining our position...” Rarity yalped in shock as Sweetie took the boxers off. “What?” she asked.

“Sweetie – I mean – Snowglade! You have a cutie mark!” On the young pony's flank, was an image of a lightning bolt with gold waves behind it.

“So?...” Rarity and Redheart could see realization pop into Snowglade's head. “Oh, right! You haven't seen it yet!” She beamed, and a waterfall of words came out; “So, after... the incident, I went to Bastion, and joined the young recruits, and remember my hobby with electronics like you were really good at? I tried it at the young recruits, and I was really good at it, and one day we got a destroyed radio that they thought was broken for good, but I fixed it – just like you did! - and I shocked everypony and got my cutie mark! Isn't it wonderful!... Oh, and the lightning bolt means I'm good with electronics and can do electric spells, and the waves mean I can feel current running through things! Isn't that just – just... Amazing!? I was so good that I later got promoted, and graduated top of my class, so I ended up on the task forces on this team, and I've been trained in navigation and I know morse code and – and isn't it just great?!”

Rarity was leaning back and wide-eyed. She blinked twice, then smiled. “It's just fantastic, Snowglade! But I'm... not sure what you were talking about, when you said I fixed a radio, or 'the incident'.”

She bubbled with excitement. “Yeah! You fixed a radio back in South Shades – our hometown! I was just a little foal when you did it – but you earned your cutie mark – a radio transmitter! Later it saved a bunch of ponies' lives – even my own!... Because we could call for help when...” The excitement quickly melted; “...when The Alliance came...”

“Oh...” Rarity leaned in and delicately whispered. “Would you mind telling me what happened, Sweetie?”

“Well...” Belle glanced sideways without lifting her head. “It was just a little town of unicorns in the tundra. It was in a cozy, nice little place in the Foal mountains...” She faced Rarity. “You loved it there... The icicles glistened like diamond near Warmheart Cave!” Her excitement dropped. “We used to go there and collect gems together all the time...” Her gaze fell again.

“It sounds marvelous,” the older sister replied; “But whatever happened to...” Grandeur must be my counterpart in this world... Oh, my! I had a counterpart here! She was Sweetie Belle's older sister, and now it looks like she's gone... She couldn't bring herself to tell her little sister that Grandeur was dead, and she was somepony else. “...me?”

“Well, I guess it's not that bad since you're here now, right?” She cheered up, then softly began the tale; “The Ceruleans were bringing in airplanes to fly unicorns out, they had a big open area where they could land a long way from South Shades – our home. You led a lot of ponies to the planes...”

Sweetie's voice started to tremble; “You were supposed to get on one of the planes with me -” She started talking faster, “ - The Alliance was overtaking the town, a snowstorm was rolling in... But you went back, to look for any survivors to take to Bastion. You went back that one last time – and, and... and you were never heard from again...” She faced the floor once more, pulling her ears back and tapping one of her forehooves on the blanketed floor.

A short silence came over the tent before Redheart piped in; “Never heard from by the Ceruleans, or The Alliance. Every unicorn they kill or capture is documented. White body, cutie mark of a radio transmitter, and a purple mane, they killed no such unicorn in that raid. You vanished into the blizzard.”

“But it's not that bad, right? You're here now, right?” Sweetie Belle perked up as she asked Rarity.

“Grandeur died, to ever haunt the tundra, to protect unicorns from The Alliance.” Amber Light said with a tinge of parody, turning around from his work in the supply pile. “It started something of a small legend. Makes a good story, but truth be told, Grandeur froze to death, or was shot and not documented, or just we haven't discovered that document and she was actually executed. Sorry, Snowglade, that's the reality. This may be Rarity, but she's not the pony you knew from South Shades. That pony's long dead and frozen, lying in the ice somewhere, and Rarity didn't bring her back.”

Snowglade moaned and faced the ground. A hoof wrapped over her shoulders. “I am Rarity, and maybe I wasn't with you in South Shades, but I'm with you now, Sweetie Belle.” Tears welled in the young pony's eyes as she faced her sister and returned the embrace.

“Huh.” Sergeant Amber Light started, but stopped himself from commenting any more. After a few moments of their closed-eyed, back-patting, rocking embrace, not even his eyes were dry.

* * *

Governor Spectrum's medals clanged on her chest as she walked home. She didn't feel like flying. She walked the small uphill path that wound up to the back, east side of the palace. To her right she could just see over the frosty roofs of the stone buildings of the city, lit by rows of golden bulbs, which seemed to fight away the darkness far above. Behind her a small troop of high guards followed. “Alright, guards,” she started as she topped the path to a small gate, “back to your patrols.” They affirmed and flew off as she passed the low stone walls of the palace.

As she walked into the east courtyard, she looked around, surrounded by guarded stone walls and alone, she approached the pool. The water, although it was clean, reflected the black sky, and glistened with gold from the dim light of the courtyard's bulbs. She looked at her reflection in it, and couldn't help but notice she wasn't acting herself. Stopping to look at your reflection? What happened?

She thought over the day's events. Aside from an odd unicorn, nothing unusual had happened. A lot, I guess... she thought about the unicorn. She blew off the thought, reminding herself of her status. No, not a lot at all. Just another unicorn! Why am I letting this get to my head?

She looked up at the black sky. The darkness that shrouds our world... She looked at her glowing palace, a massive tower gloriously lit with gold lights, with a central tower that reached upwards into darkness. The beacon of light. Unity, order, The Order, The Alliance of earth ponies and pegasi, the organization that holds our world together, on which all life depends... She thought back to the foundations of The Order, the wars with the unicorns, the constant fight against anarchy. Upheld by sweat and blood, and the blood of the innocent... The purges came to her mind again, a necessary loss for the survival of their kind, innocent blood, a sort of queen sacrifice to save the king from the cold. I know what it takes to survive.

Some pride swelled in her as she hovered up a short ways to look over the walls, and over the entire city. I am the one who holds them together, who keeps them alive against the cold. So what, if a few die? It's the price that must be paid for the rest to survive. It simply must be done. She landed next to the pool, and looked to a door of the palace, but couldn't bring herself to move towards it.

She looked back at her reflection. Then why do I feel like a murderer?... I did what I had to! What, was there some other way to keep order?!... She huffed at the accusation made against herself. How can I be a murderer if what I did allows everypony to keep living? The Order must stand. The Vanhoover dome fell, when they overthrew The Order there. It fell. It is impossible for the domes to stand without The Order! It sent a shiver down her spine to think of it. It was cold in the domes, but outside, it was bitterly, deathly cold.

Mining colonies, refineries, military bases all survived outside the domes, but it was the enormous underground farming complexes underneath the domes that allowed life to continue, and the structures themselves stood as powerful symbols of The Order's protection against the cold. She looked back up at the darkness. The death toll from the dome collapsing alone would be tremendous... she thought, peering up at the massive steel structure in the darkness.

The very walls are enchanted to have the strength to stand against their own weight. Maybe the spell just ran out at Vanhoover. Maybe the unicorns' magic does not last forever, as we thought, and were told by the Blades. But if the Blades lied to us, that would be nothing short of a betrayal! They would have to know about the death and destruction it would cause! Would the Blades of Night really betray us like that, to not tell us? Would they really lie? Complete honesty everywhere else, so we miss the one big lie they tell us? She sighed, as her mind brought her back to one unicorn in particular. Twilight Sparkle.

Tomorrow evening, she dies... But what other options do I have? If the Blades needed more members, I could send her there to be re-educated and join them, but they're not. To keep her alive would be nothing less than high treason!

She looked at the medals on her reflection, earned by fake deeds of heroism, a fictional Governor Spectrum that had fought in great battles, a lie that the population believed. In truth, they belonged to the Governor Spectrum that had committed the purges, and been appointed her position by politics, not to the fictional, heroic governor that had risked her life for the greater good. But perhaps that's all I deserve. A shortcut to an Azure Sky, she finished her thought.

She saw the golden leaflets on her sleeves and collar in her reflection. But I'm here, doing my job, and the world needs me. I can't cower out. This is my duty. To preserve order... But do I really matter? If I die, another governor will take my place. The world will continue to exist, though I will not be in it. And can I really live with the alternative? If I struggle almost every night with the purges, can I live with the knowledge that the unicorn of my dreams has slipped by and been executed under my command? No! She grimaced.

“Governor?” came a familiar soft voice.

“Not now, Goldfeather. No. Not again. I can't tell you this time. Just go away.” She didn't even turn to look.

“But-”

“Go away,” she pressed without raising her voice. It's time for change. I can't keep living like this. I can't tell Goldfeather national secrets, I can't kill the unicorn that has haunted my dreams, and now haunts me in life. I will send Twilight to join the Blades! Maybe she will change something. Maybe I'll get caught and killed. But whatever happens, something will change.

She heard dragging hoofsteps lead away. After a minute of silence, she heard the familiar popping noise of a unicorn’s teleportation. “Good evening, Governor,” came a much smoother voice.

For a brief moment, Who now!? Shot through the governor's head, before she realized what the teleportation meant and turned to see the Chief Blade of Night standing next to her. “In the open? Like this?” she asked the unicorn, as she turned back to her reflection.

“My, what a way to return a salutation! Haven't you learned by now to trust a Blade's judgment?” she lectured.

“I know a bad decision when I see it.” She started thinking of her own decision about Twilight.

“But you don't see it. You're not even looking at me. A certain perception spell makes it difficult for you to even notice me. If I were to go silent, you would forget I'm here,” she explained with pride. “Now, down to business. You have a unicorn. One that says unusual things.”

The pegasus' gaze shot to her, her wings popped out in an agitated stance, ears perked and one eyebrow down in an incredulous look. “What do you know about her?”

“Only that you should kill her,” she croaked. The governor almost jumped. She continued in a more normal voice; “The Blades need no unicorns, as of now. But it's urgent you kill her swiftly. I would recommend paying a visit to the prison now, killing her, and putting a surrogate in her place for the spectacular, as is done for recruitment.”

“Why would I do that? What's the rush?” Full Spectrum demanded.

“She's dangerous. We've followed her leyline, and she bears dangerous powers. She must be killed for the safety of our world,” the Blade told her in an idealistic tone.

Rainbow glared at her, her wings now fully outstretched in a combative posture. “What do you mean by this!? Give me details!”

“I'm sorry I cannot, governor, as much as I can give, is that she threatens this very world. A Blade never lies, you must believe me.”

The governor had never heard such urgency in a Blade's voice. “Why don't you kill her yourself if it's so important?” she degraded.

“Now, governor...” the Blade resumed her usual smooth, condescending tone; “I would never overstep my bounds and do such a thing. That's your job.”

The governor stomped a hoof. “The Blades have never respected bounds! Give it to me straight, Blade, what's going on with her!?” Were it not for the dress, she would have seemed like she was about to charge the Blade.

“Nothing more insidious than your own dealings with Fluttershy.” She cracked a smile.

“You! You!...” The governor paused, gritting her teeth, her mind panicking. “Is this all some kind of test!?” She was terrified of being spotted talking with a unicorn, yet she could barely keep herself from yelling.

“You may consider it as such if it pleases you,” the Blade said, “but it wouldn't be accurate to do so,” she cheerfully chided.

It all came together. The dreams, Goldfeather, Twilight. “You! You planted those memories!” She took a step forward, stomping, “Maybe you even planted my own dreams!” her voice quivered.

“Planted your dreams? I'm not the princess of the night, and she only visits them. Now stop digressing. We're not here to talk about your dreams. The unicorn. Kill it,” she said flatly, glaring at the governor.

“Why don't you give me a straight answer and maybe then we can talk about it? Why don't you kill it?” the governor demanded.

“That's your job, governor. Though you seem awfully riled up about it...” her voice tapered, then she confessed; “The honest truth is, I can't kill her. Once again, I'm afraid you'll have to be patient for your explanation.” She trotted past the pegasus, regaining composure as she passed.

Spectrum growled. “Tomorrow. She'll be at the spectacular. No surrogate. Surrogates are dangerous and cruel. I'll avoid it if possible.”

“Very well, governor. Just be sure she dies.” The Blade trotted away and vanished.

This is my dome. I know what I'll do. It's MY choice to make! The governor growled.

* * *

There was never sunlight under the dome, the city being lit by incandescent bulbs alone. Yet the early morning always had an inexplicable freshness about it. General Crimson Fire filled his lungs with the crisp air as he trotted past a secured perimeter and into an administration building, a faint bounce in the red stallion's step.

To the untrained eye, Gold Will's brother would seem indifferent, but Alloy Shield did not have an untrained eye. He could notice the signs, the faintest bit of a smile and the head held high, the quick energy with which he moved, to Alloy Shield, the eternal night seemed to end in a small area around the general. “Morning, general,” he greeted from his checkpoint. “Is the good news anything you can tell me?” he asked.

The general produced a small card, and held it over the wall of the cubicle-like post. “Sharp as a whip, officer, but I'm afraid not. 'Morning, nonetheless.” He received the card back as the security officer finished checking it. He eyed the real security of the building: a concrete bunker with slit-like windows at the far end of the enormous lobby, gazing down at the building's entrance like an enormous gargoyle’s eyes.

It felt more like walking in front of a fortress than entering an administration building, but the security was similar. He continued his trot past the imposing structure and it's concrete base, down a flight of stairs and into a more secure portion of the building under the bunker's foundation.

A small, cute pink pony with a curly mane, a particularly wide grin and short dress covering her cutie mark bounced past him.

His mind darted to her short dress. In his workplace at the Delphi dome, the covering of a cutie mark would have been a breach of security, he mentally noted. Must be a different code here in the York dome. Odd uniform, though; a frilly little colorful dress like that?... He gave himself a quick mental shake; I need to stay focused on the task at hoof, and stop thinking of cute mares!

He produced his card at another small checkpoint and entered a library-like vault filled with rows of filing cabinets. No eyes watched in here, leaving no witnesses of the various changes that the highest-level officers of The Order made to the records.

As he rounded the corner to the small hall, he froze before he could gasp. A dark purple, nearly black unicorn stood in front of him. She wore a finely crafted light blue helmet, chest piece, and boots, all designed with curves and points that dripped with malice. A dark, night blue cloak flowed from where the chestpiece wrapped around her neck, reaching down to her boots, shrouding her entire body.

Her chest piece and the cloak's flank bore the crystal-blue eight-sided star: A Blade of Night.

“Good morning, General Crimson Fire” greeted the blade, “It seems you're here to change Gold Will's record, erase her crimes, and commit some form of high treason, right?” her voice was smooth, bristling with pride and arrogance.

His mind raced for an answer. “What gives you that idea?” he asked. “I'm sworn to The Order! I would never!”

She let off a small chuckle. “We Blades are powerful sorcerers. We have our ways of knowing everything and anything, like about your sister's return to life from another world, or that vow she made, or your intentions to let her begin a new life here, safe...” she gave him a piercing gaze; “...or so you would hope.”

She was a good-sized mare, yet almost a full head shorter than Big Mac, but her smiling, condescending look made him feel half as tall. She knew he meant to hide a criminal's actions, to commit treason, and he knew that if she let him deliver the first blow, he would have no chance of fighting back, so his only choice was to neutralize the threat immediately. He dropped low, preparing to charge her.

In a purple flash an olive branch appeared in front of him. “Peace. No need to fear, my dear stallion. I really don’t care enough to kill you.” The branch vanished, she walked past him and carelessly brushed her tail on his face, giving him a whiff of perfume.

“However, when it comes to your affairs, I would be lying if I said I don't care, and a Blade never lies,” she recited the mantra with an almost singing voice. “But rest assured I'm mostly harmless...” she paused. “for now,” she finished with a small flick of the tail, whipping its tip next to his legs.

He fought to keep his voice from quaking. “What are you doing here?” he finally asked.

“Oh, I would love to say I'm just saying 'hi', but that would be lying as well, Big Mac.” He cringed slightly as she called him by his private name. She continued; “I'm here on my own business, and you ought to attend to yours, and rather quickly, too, may I add.” she said with a hint of urgency. “Believe me, I'm far less of a threat to you than what you'll find on row...” She pretended to ponder, savoring the moment, intentionally leaving the general waiting.

“'G'.” she said quickly. “Now isn't that an interesting coincidence?” she feigned interest, then continued in a voice a kindergarten teacher would use to a young filly; “'G' is what 'Gold Will' starts with, so her file is right on that row. What a lucky coincidence for you.” She trotted cheerfully away. “You should go see it. Then run. You'll be fine if you run. Now, good day, general, and next time a Cerulean spy bounces past you, do try to notice,” she finished, relishing in condescension, then vanished around a bookcase, motioning to follow. He turned the corner, finding only an empty alcove as if the Blade had never been there.

'You'll be fine if you run', a Blade never lies! he thought. The stallion galloped to row 'G', and found an unattended stuffed saddlebag, sitting, leaning against the cabinets. He quickly turned to run.

* * *

A pony's voice echoed down the stone hallway; “Air Infantry, on me! There's been an attack, they're scrambling everypony. We need everypony on hoof!”

“Clockwork, stay here with the unicorn, the rest of you, on me!” The sergeant swooped into the air and took flight down the hallway, followed by the rest of his stallions, except the blue pegasus. The team left shadows in their wake as they flew by the numerous incandescent bulbs that strung the hallway, mounted where torches had been in centuries past.

“Yessir,” he replied in their direction without enthusiasm, entirely unheard as the dark shadows swept over him.

The unknown pony's hurried voice echoed down the hall as they left; “There's been an explosion in the records department, a pink pony with -” his voice cut off as a heavy wooden door slammed shut against stone with a metal click.

Clockwork sighed and looked at his charge. On the other side of modern, glossy, magic-reflective steel bars, lay the unicorn on the cold stone floor, dirty, and her mane a mess. There were no lights or windows in her cell, and though darkness filled its corners, it was still lit well enough to easily see the hog-shackled prisoner lying completely immobile in the middle of its floor.

A new, secured gag held her silent, a gem-studded ribbon on her horn held her powerless, and a bracelet-sized, thick steel earring held on to her sore, newly-pierced ear. The previous day she had spent looking bored, scared then tired. Her night had been more restless than her guards', and the morning had been spent with her screaming into her gag as her ear was pierced, then shivering afterwards. The guards' latest activity had perked her interest, and now she faced the one remaining.

“Just me and the unicorn, then...” he said nonchalantly, avoiding her gaze and looking at the bulbs that strung the hall. He started tapping the stone floor with his hoof - tap, tap, tap, ding. He looked at his hoof to see the rifle strapped to it had slid down a little. He grabbed it with his other hoof, pulled it up, bit a strap and pulled it tight.

Twilight pulled her ears back, only to let out a whine as her sore ear hit her with a surge of pain, making her wince. The whine stole Clockwork's attention. Twilight felt oddly relieved that he acknowledged her existence by looking at her. He stared at her for a few moments, opened his mouth as if to speak – then closed it, looking back down at his rifle for a few more long moments.

“The others wouldn't be so keen to tell you, and I really shouldn't, but... It's for record-keeping.” He looked back up at her and motioned to her earring. “After the execution they incinerate the body, and the earring is left to record that you existed. I... think it's only fair you know that...”

She looked at him and frowned, pulled her ears back, involuntarily whined and looked away. His own eyes went wide, his ears flopped down, and he averted his gaze.

“Your kind has committed atrocities, yet...” he paused, uncertainty filling his voice. “An Earth pony just set off a bomb, and we don't condemn their entire race... I shouldn't even be saying a word to you, never mind speaking blasphemies, but looking at you, you're just... Just another pony, about to meet a horrible fate. How am I not supposed to pity you? Spectaculars are...” he stopped himself.

“If it's any consolation, you're probably going to be drunk enough to dull the pain a bit,” he said, regaining confidence. “Everyone knows it... Well, at least some suspect it, anyways. The governor gets the unicorns drunk, we think. A drink, then off to the Azure sky for you... If unicorns go there when they die...”

Twilight's attention was caught. Her mind began racing, she looked away, lost in thought. Wait... Doesn't that mean that's their idea of an afterlife? Is that what Rainbow meant by 'take me home!?' Is she actually just going to kill me after all!? she thought. The earring! If it's a record of me... Then I'm already condemned. She lied to me! She's not taking me to Equestria, she's having me executed! No! She can't, she wouldn't!...

“I've always wondered if unicorns are truly evil, to be frank,” the small blue pegasus pony continued; “and I guess now I'll find out. If you try to rat me out just for the sake of it, I'll know you're evil. If not, then I'll finally know for sure...”

He'd distracted her from her struggle with denial. She raised one eyebrow in a quizzical look at him.

“But this is all stupid of me, really.” He lifted his hoof and carefully examined his rifle from one end to the other. “Why am I talking to a unicorn? I could get into serious trouble for this, but I'm doing it anyways. Why?”

He trotted right up to the bars of Twilight's cell, picking up energy; “Why do I feel so compelled?” he asked, looking straight at her. She met his gaze without an answer, only pulling her ears back in an even more confused look.

He turned and looked down the hall, his voice soft again. “How could this possibly change my life? So what if you are good, it's not like I could do anything about it...” he said over his shoulder to her, before turning straight back to her with renewed vigor; “I feel like this is the one chance in my life to find out for sure, and I'll never be happy with myself if I let it slip by. I must know. But why, why?...” He sighed.

“Funny thing, curiosity is, isn't it?” he asked her, cocking his head slightly to one side.

“I wonder if you feel that, too. That ferocious thirst for learning...” his voice tapered off, his gaze averting, before it snapped back to her and he continued in an urgent tone; “Tell me, unicorn, it's burning me, it's killing me, are you really a monster, or do you 'monsters' feel curiosity, too? Do you feel curiosity?” He bore down on her, looking straight into her eyes.

It pained her to see it. It scared her to see him acting so strangely, yet she understood it all too well. She saw her old self in him, guarding herself for her execution. He was full of nervous energy, intensely curious about things. He was obviously lonely, not just intensely curious but painfully curious, thirsty for something that seems forever just beyond reach, and satiating that thirst seemed more important than life itself.

She stretched her neck to lift her head off the floor, turn it off its side, and slowly nod at him.

“And what can I do about it? Nothing from here, I'm afraid...” he said, looking at his uniform. “I joined the outfit to get paid and make the world better... At least I'm getting paid, right?” He cracked a half-humored smile, before his ears drooped and he finished; “I suppose one pegasus doesn't make any difference in the world, really. If I wasn't here, somepony else would be...”

Twilight's expression softened with compassion. She looked straight at him and shook her head.

“No?... Haha, I can't believe I'm communicating with a unicorn... So you believe a single pegasus can make a difference?” He thought for a moment. “I suppose you're right, really. Look at the world the first Commander Hurricane created. But there's nothing I can do, here and now. Maybe one day I'll be in command, and the moment will come...”

He looked at her and his ears drooped again. He continued, softly; “You haven't even said a word, and you're supposed to be a monster that I'm under orders to make sure gets killed. Yet I've told you things I've told nopony else, ever, and you've understood me...” He averted his gaze once again, but only for a short pause.

“To honor you, I'll take the chance to make a difference, when it comes, and I'll watch for it... It's just...” He walked back to his spot against the wall opposite Twilight's cell, talking over his shoulder; “It's not now...” He turned to look straight at her. “There's really nothing I can do now. I'm sorry,” he apologized, and faced the floor, mumbling, “I'm really sorry.”

* * *

Amber Light's team kept walking through the blizzardy, barren waste. The morning had been unusually quiet, and under threat of being heard by Alliance patrols, it stayed silent. Rarity didn't mind. With a sore throat, upset stomach, shivers and fever, she had little to say as she was hurried along with the rest of the group. Whatever it was they were out here to do, the sergeant was sure it was important.

There was no snowfall, but in the foggy darkness they couldn't see more than a few hundred yards, regardless. Each step broke a small layer of ice over the snow, making Snowglade's job of hiding tracks almost as difficult as Rarity's struggle to keep walking through the unusually energy-sapping terrain, as if the biting cold air, sore hooves and pained injury weren't handicap enough.

Flameheart led. He raised a hoof, then made the pounding motion. They all dropped at once. He made a series of hoof signals to Amber Light, who responded with some of his own. Flameheart nodded and flew off.

After a few long moments, he returned. “We're clear. It's just our connection. Sir, it's for you.” The team stood back up.

“Right. Flameheart, take charge, hold position.” Amber Light trod off and disappeared over the next ridge.

Rarity let off an enormous, relieved sigh as she collapsed back into the snow. Flameheart shot over to her. “Need a hoof?”

“I'm quite comfortable, Flameheart...” she groggily replied. At first she was going to hold her peace, but as he stood over her, a memory came back. “What was so shocking about diamonds for my cutie mark? When you first found me?”

He froze, wings extended. “Oh, you remember that!? Uhhmm. I... I like diamonds,” he answered.

She raised an eyebrow. He has got to be the worst liar I have ever encountered... “You shouldn't lie to a lady.” She stood up. “Why, I never imagined a colt such as yourself would do such a thing.”

His wings were even more tense, he seemed to quiver. “I-I... I guess it's personal.”

“Personal? What you found for my cutie mark is personal?” she probed.

“Well... Yes. Very much so.” She was taken aback. He seemed to be telling the truth. She decided to drop it, as her sore throat demanded.

“Well that's odd,” she replied, then laid back in the snow, hoping for the conversation to end.

“You know I'm a pilot, right?” he asked.

“Yes.” Her eyes and feverish body begged her to ignore him and sleep.

“You know what that is?”

“But of course! A pony that operates a small airship, or a tugboat, that guides bigger airships through hazardous areas.” Please, let me sleep.

“Not really... Not airships, anyways. Airplanes.”

“Airplanes?” She perked up.

“Remember that big flying thing yesterday?” he asked.

“Oh, yes. The machine!” she stood up, now engaged in the conversation.

“Heh, thought you would've asked about it...”

She moved her hoof as to idly bounce her mane as she spoke, only to realize it's curls were no longer there. “Well, I was in... Other conversations. Then Amber had us sleep. It's always one thing to another...”

“Anyways, I guess Equestria doesn't have airplanes. What we saw was a T.B.-five. It's a big flying machine. It carries lots of very, very powerful explosives under its wings, that it can drop on groups of ponies and vehicles or bases... But that's not the worst part. The worst part is the machineguns on top. It's like a flying machinegun nest, it'll just circle its target, put spotlights on it, then rain fire from above.” He shivered. “All you can do is hide, and pray you don't end up in it's spotlights.”

“Machineguns?” she asked.

He paused. “Like guns. But automatic, huge, and mounted.”

Her blank look continued. He made dramatized sound effects with his lips. She raised an eyebrow.

He sat on his haunches, and put out his forehooves like he was holding a pogo stick, then feigned recoil and shooting “dun-dun-dun-dun-dun”

“What in Equestria are you doing?” she held back laughter.

“Just... Illustrating a machinegun. Big, mounted, rapid-firing gun...”

She was grinning, barely containing her laughter at his ridiculous demonstration.

“Oh, stop that. Anyways, I fly those airplanes.” He tapped the goggles he wore, as a proud grin spread across his face; “Well, a smaller one without any bombs, but an airplane, still. Small machineguns on front to shoot other planes with. And anything else, too.”

Her grin was quickly replaced by another confused look. “Why would a pegasus need a flying machine?”

“They go faster. Carry guns. And most importantly, mail and cargo. I was on a routine resupply run from Bastion to out here, when five Alliance aircraft came over me. I managed to take out two – that's really good! Then they shot my plane, it burst into flames, and I had to jump.

“The other three tried to strafe me. But luckily, I had lady justice here,” he patted the rifle strapped to his hoof, “a sweet fifty-cal. I put an explosive round straight into one of the plane's engine blocks as it came at me. It burst into flame, and after that, the other airplanes weren't so keen on attacking me. I showed them who's boss. So I kept going and met these guys.” He motioned to the team. There was silence for a few moments that was filled only by the blowing wind.

Rarity glanced side to side, then paused for a moment before asking; “What does 'strafing' mean? Fifty-cal? Engine block?”

Flameheart let out a long sigh and set his forehoof on his forehead. He looked to where Amber Light had gone.

The Cerulean sergeant trudged up the hill to approach a cloaked figure. As he got closer, he saw a fencepost on its back and deeply shaded spectacles on its snout. The figure had two stuffed saddlebags, and apparent from the bulge, something on a belt under the cloak.

“Who brings the sun and moon?” she asked.

“Celestia.” He replied. “What makes the green grass grow?” he asked.

“The blood of The Order,” she replied.

“Good to see you, Astilbe,” he greeted her.

She nodded in reply. “Mhm. Just wait until you see what I've got!” Her mane was puffed up with life.

She pulled a pair of metal boxes, some bags, and a bunch of wire from her saddlebags. “Shaped charges. Brand-new stuff. Straight from Bastion. A set of explosives melts and launches a jet-stream of copper in the direction of these circles-” she patted a copper-colored circle on one of them, “-it instantly melts other metals on contact, slicing through them like a hot knife through butter. And of course, your updated orders and intel.” She handed him a letter. “The charges are specially made for your mission. They have a focus point. For these, it's thirty-eight inches in front of them.”

“A hot knife through butter? This can't cut a dome, can it?”

She shook her head. “Of course not. Nothing cuts a dome!”

He took the equipment and the envelope. He opened it and scanned through it. “Nothing here for you. Is that a bazooka disguised as a fencepost?” he asked with an incredulous look. “You can’t be serious. What are you dressed for? Is that an equipment belt?”

“Oh, this?” She pulled the cloak back. There were a large number of cylinders with pins in them on her belt. “Flash grenades and smoke grenades.” She grinned. “And this, is, in fact a bazooka, made to look like a harmless fencepost.”

He shot her an odd look. “Astilbe, you aren't?-”

She nodded.

“You know you're not invincible. That's just suicidal! That’s stupid!”

“I have a good feeling about this one.”

“Astilbe, if you keep doing things like this, you're going to die one of these times.”

She nodded, and turned around, looking into the air. “I know... But some things are worth dying for. Some things I'd be happy to die for...” She turned back, took a step to him and set a hoof on his shoulder, “And sometimes you just can't help what happens.”

He took her hoof off his shoulder. “Take care, Astilbe.” He said, gently.

“Likewise, Amber.”

A Little Honor

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Do not be afraid, young heiress.

I created this world. Nothing in it is beyond me.

I'm so scared. Please help me!

Fear not this night,

You will not go astray,

Though shadows fall,

Still the stars find their way.

* * *

There was a small puddle lying in front of Twilight Sparkle. She wasn't sure how it got there; there didn't seem to be any kind of leak from the ceiling, or any water anywhere else. It was there, regardless; a small, clear puddle with a bit of moss on its edge that paid no regard to its own impossibility.

The guards were talking on the far side of her cell's bars, but she wasn't listening. Her imagination was exploring the small, mysterious sea in front of her.

She had thought about escaping, shortly after Clockwork had spoken to her, but soon the entire guard had returned, and her hopes and plans had withered. She wasn't going to repeat the earlier event with the rifles, and since the wrap on her horn stopped her magic, she knew they wouldn't hold fire if it came off; they had hardly spared her when just her gag had come off. So instead, she only hoped that Rainbow would still somehow save her. She knew it was unlikely, but she couldn't plot escape anymore, her mind simply refused to think about her situation. She tried, but it always went somewhere else.

So she stared at the small puddle, her mind lost in its depths, the tiny bit of moss becoming an oasis of lush green in her imagination.

She could see it. She was lying on a hammock strung in-between two palm trees, reading about astronomy and mathematics, while Rainbow was next to her, on her spread, sunbathing in a relaxed, half-asleep state, next to Rarity who was doing the same. Fluttershy and Applejack were out swimming. Pinkie Pie swung from a vine and splashed into the sea, destroying the puddle. Twilight looked up.

Her prison door had been opened, the soldiers were gone, and Rainbow Dash – Governor Spectrum – stood in front of her in her regal dress, her hoof in the tiny puddle.

Cloudchaser stood on her right, wearing a military uniform and stuffed saddlebags. In the back stood two guards in ornate armor, wielding more rifles. She felt cold as dread washed over her. Cloudchaser took off Twilight's gag. Forgotten thirst scratched her throat once more as her mouth came free of the rope. The trigger had fired; one by one, subsided pains returned.

“Evening, unicorn. It is time,” the governor started.

“Rainbow! I-”

“Governor,” Dash corrected.

“Governor, are you going to really take me back... Or are you...” Twilight couldn't bring herself to put the words on her lips.

“Your fate is outside your control, now, unicorn. I suggest you accept that,” Rainbow replied as Cloudchaser began unpacking her bags.

“What are you going to do to me?” Twilight asked. “I just want to know...”

The governor took a step forward and inspected the prisoner. Her mane resembled a demolished birds' nest, dirt covered her face and body. She was hog-shackled as she had been since yesterday morning, completely immobile and diapered. The earring-tag still hung from her sore ear.

“How do you feel, Twilight?” The governor asked as she started removing the tag from her ear.

Twilight was taken aback. “How do I feel?... I... I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm thristy, I have a headache...” she started forcing back sobs, “I feel like throwing up, I want these shackles off, they hurt, my legs hurt at this angle, I want this – this – this diaper off! I want to go home! I want to go home, take a shower and get in bed. I want to be treated as a real pony!” She was visibly shaking.

“High Guard.” The governor called and motioned to one of the two guards, who approached with rope. He tied Twilight's forehooves together, then her back hooves. Twilight moaned. “This is what I'm talking about! I want to stop being handled like!-”

The governor produced a key from her pocket, reached down, and turned something on Twilight's shackles. She felt them fall away.

“like...” Twilight continued, shocked. She moved her legs apart, tidal waves of relief coming from moving them out of the painful, unnatural position they'd been in. “Governor?” she asked.

“Guard, change her clothing.”

“I!-”

“This is the first thing I want you to learn about The Order, Twilight,” Full Spectrum interrupted; “We are civilized. We do only what we must to survive. For example, as disgusting as that diaper is, it is the only acceptable option when we have a unicorn as yourself, who must be rendered completely immobile for our safety. As unsavory as it is, it isn't half as disgusting to us as innocent blood. But as I said, we're civilized, we contain and control the spilling of blood as much as we can. We only do what is necessary and civil. We are The Order.”

Now in clean clothing, and her legs partially free, Rainbow reached down and helped Twilight up. Only now, Twilight realized truly how incredibly sore her legs were from the unnatural position they had been forced into for two days. She felt light-headed and dizzy as she was pulled up, and her legs failed to support her weight, but with Rainbow's help, she was able to sit on her haunches in a relatively comfortable position. She breathed a deep sigh of relief.

“But – what are you going to do to me?” she croaked, her voice weak.

“For now, you will have a much-needed dinner,” the governor told her. Cloudchaser handed Full Spectrum a water canteen from the pile of things from her saddlebags.

“Governor! Just tell me! What is all this about!? What are you going to do to me!?”

“Drink,” Rainbow ordered, pressing the canteen to the unicorn's lips.

Her burning throat convinced her to chug the sweet, cool water instead of arguing further. But when it was empty, she exploded; “Rainbow! Why the hay won't you answer me!? What are you!-”

The governor put a hoof under her jaw and pushed it up, shutting her mouth, glaring at her. “Twilight. You've been given the ability to speak. Don't make me take it back.”

Twilight sighed, and faced the floor in dejection. She thought about her ear, now free of the painful weight, her clothing dry, her thirst quenched and legs comfortable, and her strength slowly returning.

She had never felt so small, so undignified, helpless, weak and scared, but when Rainbow had taken the weight from her ear, her entire body had been relieved. She continued calmly, remembering she was talking to Rainbow Dash; “What can you tell me, governor? Why did you take my earring off? Why am I still shackled? Can you answer me that?”

“Tell me about where you come from, Twilight.”

She sighed, holding back a scream of frustration. A wrap still blocked her horn, and her hooves were still tied. She was relieved from some of her pains, but she still felt small and helpless, and knew those feelings were true. So she obeyed and started talking about home, as she was fed a few biscuits and more water.

The governor answered little, and Cloudchaser, who the governor called 'Colonel Icewind', said nothing at all.

Finally, she produced a small box, and opened it to unwrap a small shot glass and a bottle. She poured half the contents of the bottle into the shot-glass.

Terror fell over Twilight. “Rai-Governor! I... You... But, no!” she sobbed.

“Drink it.”

“But – doesn't this mean!?...” But she took my record off! So I can't be executed! But the drink!

“I told you we would have a drink, so drink,” the governor forced her to drink the liquid as she had done with the first canteen. “It sounds like a beautiful place you're from, Twilight... Good evening.” Spectrum waved.

“What!? But – Aagh!” She moaned, then stomped her forehooves as the colonel blindfolded her. Her voice was shaking; “This isn't making any sense! What's -” she froze as a collar was placed over her neck, and she felt the tingling of magical enchantment coming from it. “What is this? What is this collar!?”

“Bad question,” Colonel Icewind said. Twilight was swiftly gagged. She yelled into it in frustration. The collar lifted off her neck, and she could hear the door to the prison open, followed by hoofsteps and somepony's gagged protests. She heard shackles locked onto hooves to the sound of more muffled struggling.

Another collar fell over her, only this time she felt her entire body buzz as it rested on her, a more powerful magic.

Her head spun, and she felt an outstretched hoof keep her from falling to the ground. The hoof guided her back onto her haunches, where she was quickly flanked by two large guards who pulled her onto her hooves.

She barely stood, her weight leaning on the guards, and was carefully led forward, out of the prison, screaming into her mind, confused and dizzy beyond any sense.

* * *

“Astilbe! There you are! There isn't much time. We're all here, ready to go,” Rosewing greeted Astilbe as she climbed stairs in-between displaced floorboards into a living room filled with a small number of other ponies. “Clock is running, all the other ponies are set and the show's about to start, we can't do this without our star, so get out there!”

Rosewing's pink mane was a mess, her vanilla body shivered under a bathrobe and her face was flushed.

“That's great! I'm ready to go. Looking sick, Rosewing,” she returned with a wink behind her deeply shaded spectacles.

“Thanks. I wish I could say all of it was only acting.” Rosewing sniffed. “Now get going! I'll be ready when you get here!” She gave her pink friend a nudge to the door.

“Alright, alright. C'mon, everypony, as we've planned.” Astilbe started trotting out the door. The small group moved around her, stopping as she took the phony fencepost off her back, and put it in a wagon full of miscellaneous supplies. Two stallions from the group trotted up and started pulling the wagon as the band of Cerullean operatives took to the street.

Astilbe's heart started to race as they set off on the cobblestone. Four blocks away she could see a small crowd around the prison. Overhead, pegasi police and infantry patrolled the black sky.

“So, Astilbe, how's the gardening?” Fiddler asked. Astilbe realized she had been conspicuously solemn, while the rest of the group had engaged in light-hearted conversation.

“Business is very good. I'm worried Roseluck will want me to become her regular gardener!” she said with a grin.

“What's wrong with that?” Fiddler feigned curiosity.

“You know, I just don't like it... I like things to get mixed up.” Of course Fiddler knows I don't want to go regular because it might conflict with one of my assignments! But, still my public excuse really is true. I just can't stand the thought of a regular schedule, either.

The band of spies were hardly a block down the street before a small troop landed in front of them.

“What is this? You!” an orange soldier called out to Silverwing. “Who made you work during a Spectacular?”

“We're not working – or, rather we're not being made to work, sir. We're just very busy and we've got some supplies to take to General Electric – the Harvey building, and we thought we'd take them there on the way to the Spectacular.”

The two soldiers glanced at eachother. “General Electric?” the other commented to the speaker.

“Who's your employer?” the orange one pressed.

“Mr. Hawkeye,” Silverwing replied confidently.

“Very well, be on your way.” The soldiers took off.

The group began rolling forward again. Astilbe turned back to her blue-maned friend.

“Fiddler, I'm worried. I just found a homeless, injured pony, and I've taken her in-”

“Can she help with the watch business?” Fiddler excitedly piped as she went wide-eyed.

“No, she can't.” She's not a unicorn. Fiddler really likes that codespeak, though. “But she looks exactly like me. The only difference is her mane is curly, and she acts like an excited little filly. But I'm worried, she's still badly injured and I'm having to leave her home alone for so long...”

“Oh, Astilbe!” Fiddler's eyes sparkled. “You need a foalsitter!? Or – rather, a sort of nurse, I guess?”

“What do you know about nursing?” Puzzlement spread over Astilbe's face.

“Well, I know a few things. Just tell me what to do and I can keep an eye on her. Better than nothing, right?”

“Are you really having that hard of a time? What about your job?”

Fiddler sighed. “The theater might be closing down. They've been cutting my pay! Things are just going downhill, Astilbe...” Her gaze turned to the cobblestone as her ears flopped back.

Astilbe set a hoof on her shoulders; “What are friends for, Fiddler? Of course you can be my foalsitter-nursepony. It's not like I could hire a real professional nurse. Do I look like I have a slave's healthcare?” They giggled.

“Astilbe!” Silverwing snapped. She almost jumped. She took in her surroundings only to realize they were already outside the garage door to the Harvey Building, pulling the wagon in. “I'll catch you later, Fiddler.” She trotted towards her item in the wagon, only to be stopped as a hoof caught her.

“Please do, Astilbe.” Fiddler pulled her tight into a hug, her voice quaking, repressed fears boiling to the surface. “Please don't die. I don't know if I can take it again. I don't know-...”

Astilbe gently returned the hug, then pulled her away to look her into her lonely friend's eyes. She could see tears. “I'll be okay.” The entire group was facing their pink ‘star operative’. She turned to them. “I'll be fine, everypony, if anypony can do it, it's me, right?”

“That's just what she used to say...” Fiddler lowered her gaze again.

“But I mean it.”

Silverwing handed her the fencepost heavier than the rest, the only one with a shoulder strap. Astilbe put it on her back. “I really mean it. I have a good feeling about this. I promise you I'll be back. This is our biggest show yet, but I’m the best darn pony in the business!”

Fiddler faced her, wiped her eyes, but stayed silent.

“Do return.” Silverwing simply said, with a small nod.

Astilbe returned it. “Carry on, friends. I'll be back shortly. For a cerulean sky!” She trotted away.

“To a cerulean sky...”

* * *

Applejack stood next to Big Mac at the back of a large crowd that filled a public square. Vendors carrying their stock on large saddles went through the crowd selling concessions and stones. Ponies that bought the stones rushed to the streets where the unicorn would be brought in from. Two copper for a smooth one, four copper for a sharp one, and five copper for a slightly larger one.

Patriotic banners of The Order and propaganda hung from enormous poles that ran the length of the area. At the end was a band playing festive music, a small squad of infantry and a large elevated platform, on which sat a gallow and more armed guards. Infantry patrolled the streets, stood on rooftops and flew overhead.

AJ was shaking. She felt sick, and the festive mood all around her only made it worse. She stomped the ground. I'm stayin'. Even if she doesn't know I'm here, even if I can't do a darn thing, I have'tah be here for her... Nothin' else matters. Ah' just can't let her die alone.

Big Mac looked over at her. “Are you sure you're okay, Gold Will?”

“For the hundredth time, Crimson, I'm stayin'!” she shouted.

He simply nodded and patted her back with his hoof.

“Is this your first time?” An eager-looking yellow colt asked her. “It's kinda amazing to see a real, live unicorn! Really scary, too! Don't worry, though, I'm sure glad they got all these guards around! Sure makes me feel much better and you, too, huh?”

She ignored him. General Crimson Fire glared at him, wearing his uniform. The colt noticed. “Woah. Uh-Good evening, sir!” The colt disappeared back into the crowd.

Applejack was facing the ground, her arm over her eyes and shaking. Her brother patted her back again and held her close. He tuned out the loud ruckus of the crowd as he looked at her, and could hear her sobbing. The hot tears pouring down her cheeks couldn’t be stopped. She dearly wished she could bury her face in her long-gone hat. “It's some kind of sick festival to them... She's not a pony at all to them...” she whimpered in-between sobs.

The noise of the crowd became alarmed. The general looked up and saw a wave of air infantry rushing away. Messengers rushed to squads and relayed orders, and the squads immediately shot off. “Stay here,” the general told Applejack as he left the crowd.

She felt shorter than any pony around her, and wished she could only disappear into the crowd even more. Her side felt cold and her back bare without her brother's hoof. She finally managed to stop herself from crying. She wiped her cheeks and faced the distant rope tied into the horrible knot. It looked nothing like her own beloved lasso.

“There's been an explosion just north of the palace,” Big Mac told her as he re-appared.

She turned to him and moved next to him. “Is it a resc-” An alarmed look exploded onto his face, and his hoof flew up to stuff her mouth. She realized she was about to make it publicly obvious she wanted Twilight rescued.

“No. It is nowhere near the path of the unicorn's travel. But something odd is happening. That's twice today. I don't like this,” he said.

She looked at him and bowed her head slightly.

He simply acknowledged with a small nod.

“Can we...?” she asked.

“No. We're staying here. Whatever it was they were after was probably just an easier target today, with all our forces focused on the unicorn. It's not what you might think.”

She faced the ground for a moment, then looked back at him, “Let's get closer,” she said.

“Are you sure?” he asked with surprise.

“Absolutely.” She pressed into the crowd.

They were almost halfway through when a wave of overhead pegasi delivered messages to the surrounding guards. In moments, the entire square was almost devoid of soldiers. The noise of the crowd faded away from celebratory cheer and into murmurs of wonder and fear.

What sounded like thunder rumbled in the distance. A few moments later came gunshots. The crowd became loud again and began breaking apart, moving away from the noise, threatening to pull the Apple siblings apart. “Crimson Fire!” Applejack shouted, and grabbed him as the crowd flowed around them.

“Look!” He pointed above the city. “We should leave with the crowd!” he said. “This isn't safe! Something terrible is happening!”

She looked up and saw pillars of thick smoke, lit gold by the city's lights. She knew he was wrong. He was wrong about the rescue attempt and leaving.

The crowd was thin around them, all rushing away from the noise while soldiers flew over and directed them away from the distant smoke while trying to keep ponies from panicking.

“We gotta stay! I have to find Twilight! Where did all the guards go!? She did it! But she definitely needs help! There's no way she's gettin' through all these guards on her own!” Her heart raced. There was hope, and there was something she could do!

“APPLEJACK!” He shouted firmly. “Nothing but death for you lies that way!” he warned.

“No, Big Mac, home lies that way!”

“What about Applebloom!?”

“I!... Well... What about you!? Why can't YOU take care of her!?...”

“What about me?” he asked, more gingerly, putting a hoof on her back, holding her from running. “What about me, AJ? What if I need you, too?” His voice shook; “Nothing but danger and death lies up there! I can't lose you again, and neither can Scarlet – Applebloom! We need you, here.”

“What about my home in Equestria, Crimson Fire!? What about Sweet Apple Acres!? That's my home, and Twilight's my friend! I have to be there for'er, gal'darnit!” she stomped the ground again, and stepped forward, glaring into her brother's eyes half a head above her own.

“And what about your home here? You already made your choice Applejack! You decided to stay here! You promised on your honor not to risk your life! Maybe you're not Gold Will, but you are Applejack, and Applejack is a pony of integrity. Live up to who you are!”

Applejack groaned and stomped the ground again. “And what!? Let my friend die!? She means more to me than that, Big Mac!” her glare only became more piercing.

The hardened general's strong look failed him. His eyes softened. “Does she mean more to you than me, Applejack? Does she mean more to you than Applebloom, and your family that needs you? I don't expect her to survive, but you don't have to die with her. You can live, with us, and we need you, I need you. Either you both die, or only she dies.”

She continued more softly, but firmly; “Big Mac...” She paused. “Big Mac, she's my only sure way home. I have a family in Equestria that needs me, too. I don't belong, here. I never should've come. It was all because of an accident.”

“I don't believe in accidents, Applejack. You belong wherever you choose to be, and I'm asking... begging you to stay here with us.” He grabbed one of her forehooves, and put it to his chest. “That's my heartbeat that you feel, Applejack. I'm alive. I breathe, I think. I know this is a strange place to you, maybe it doesn't feel real to you, but we're just as real as your family in Equestria, and we need you far more dearly.” Her eyes went wide as the realization came over her. He isn't just some kinda mirror image'a Big Mac... He is Big Mac... And Applebloom's here, too...

There were no more civilians around them. Two guards approached. “You have no time left, Applejack. You've already decided you'd stay with us. Are you going to live up to that, Gold Will?”

She looked at him, and slowly put her hoof down from his chest. He was right, and it made her angry. She turned to the smoke rising in the distance. But Twilight needs me more'an he does. She closed her eyes, and her ears pulled back as she thought; but he's right. There's no way Ah' can face off all those guards alone. I'd die for sure if I go that'a way. She opened her eyes and looked again.

But she needs me. It's the right thing t'do... But is it? I made a vow. And Applebloom needs me, too... The thought of staying terrified her. She faced her brother, as a realization came over her. I hate this world! I've never really hated anythin' like this before! But... I really, really hate this world. I want t'go home. I wanna blue sky, an' I want the quiet, shy Big Mac I grew up with, and I want my friends back. I want to go applebuckin', I want my delicious apples and beautiful orchard under the warm summer sun and blue sky. I want my sweet home. She bowed her head again in his direction, defeat drooping over her face.

Is that it? That's my reason fer wantin' to help Twi? Because I can't stand to see Big Mac so different, an' I can't stand to be here? Shame on you, Applejack! You got a family that needs you. I hate this place, I miss home, but I'm needed here, jus' for now. And I made a promise. I have an Element of Harmony to represent! I have an obligation to be true to my honor. Maybe Twilight said the Elements aren't here, but darnit, I'm bringin' them here! This world needs honor, an' it begins with me an' the Element I represent...

“It's goin' to be harder than Tartarus for me, you know, Crimson Fire,” she told him. “I hate every moment of this place. But you're right.” She sighed. “You need me. My family here needs me. I have a family in Equestria, too, but they're better off, there, and I would probably – who'm I kiddin'? I'd just plain die if I tried to go back with Twilight, at least if I tried to go after her right now. No, Crimson Fire...”

She slouched and began walking towards him slowly, dragging her hooves, facing the cobblestone. “You're right... Let's go,” her voice quivered. She'd never felt so defeated or weak. She could barely move. She wanted to cry, but couldn't summon the energy to bring tears. Yet, something inside of her felt warm. She was leaving Twilight, her dear friend, behind, but she was walking home to her little sister and big brother, and most importantly, living up to her element.

Then, something happened. In the midst of her despair, she felt a small spark of warmth inside of her. She had done what was right, and that was all that mattered.

She felt Big Mac's hoof wrap over her. The approaching guards saw the pair leaving, and the general's rank, and returned to their post instead of investigating, leaving the sister and brother to walk home in peace.

* * *

“Okay, we should be far enough away that they won't hear us,” Astilbe declared as she trotted down a dark tunnel, her mane and tail both puffed up with pink life. A certain dark blue-maned lavender unicorn was wrapped around her back. Unable to free her of her shackles, Astilbe had slipped her on like an uncomfortably tight saddle. The unicorn's hooves met underneath Astilbe's belly, while she rested across her back. The 'saddle' wore a gas mask, diaper, collar, and ear-tag in addition to her shackles. The horn-wrap and gag had long been removed by the cerulean heroine.

“Wohoo!” she let out, “That was totally amazing! And I hope they like mustard – 'cause I sure left them with a lot of mustard gas! And you know, they really got on my nerves! - I guess that'd be funnier if I had nerve gas grenades. But then again, nerve gas really isn't funny. But that was totally great!”

“Eh err wooing ab uf!”

“What, Twilight? - Oh, I guess I should take your gas mask off, hehe!” She obliged and stored it away in a saddlebag. “But it's actually MY gas mask. Though I guess it's yours if you were wearing it. Or it could be yours! Do you want a gas mask?”

“The shooting, and the rocks, and – the running! Why were they throwing rocks at me? What are you?”

“I'm a pony, silly goose. Or I guess silly unicorn!” she cheerfully answered.

“No... You're some kinda monster! You were laughing and – and – we were getting shot at, and you just... Boom! Jump! It was crazy! You're nuts!” Twilight's voice sounded woozy.

“I'm not nuts! I just take a great deal of joy in causing anarchy to The Order.” Her tone became sad for a single line: “Life is normally so boring,” cheer returned to her voice; “But there's nothing to get your blood running and mane poofing quite like a little havoc-y fun!”

“The boom! The bazooka and boom and the jumping... THE JUMPING!”

Astilbe laughed. “Yep! Well, after I popped the flashbang and the smoke and ran off with you, they totally had that building totally surrounded, in like, ten seconds flat! There was no way we'd get out at all! They had every exit blocked, and the exits to the alleyway blocked, but not the third floor window over the alleyway! But there was no way into the next building, so I made a doorway!” she musically chimed the last four words, “All according to plan!” She squee'd. “Though then we had to jump to it, and we almost didn't make it! Landing with you on my back was hard! I'm a really strong pony though, when my mane gets poofy I'm like – zoom – zoom, rawr! I think it's the adrenaline!”

Twilight was silent.

The pink pony was about to ask why Twilight hadn’t used any magic, when sniffing and sobbing sounded from her back. Surprised, she stopped walking and gingerly slid her passenger off. “Twilight, are you okay?”

“NO!” she wailed through tear-soaked eyes. “I'm not okay! Why was everypony throwing stones – and shooting – and explosions – and all the running and I'm – I'm – I'm SHACKLED and – I just hate this!”

“Well, uhm... You know... Well, I guess you don't know... That's just what The Order does, Twilight, they kill unicorns... But don't worry, you're in safe hooves now!”

She fell into sobbing again.

“Oh, uh - I'll just uh – I'm sorry I don't know how to get the shackles off! But, uhm...” Astilbe's expression softened. She leaned in and hugged the unicorn gingerly. “There, there, it's alright, now. You're safe now, and you'll never be – never have anything like that happen again. It's over, okay?”

She just held her hug for a few minutes as the sobbing died down, then finally backed away just enough to talk to her.

“Pinkie Pie told me about you, Twilight. How you're so smart, and cute, and such an awesome book-pony and talented unicorn.”

She sniffed. “I'm not a unicorn! You're a unicorn!” she finished angrily.

“Wha-?” It suddenly clicked in Astilbe's head. I could hear it in her voice, and she seems kind of... out of it, but I just thought that was the shock of everything... “Why do you think I'm a unicorn?”

“Because... You're a unicorn! A monster!”

“I just saved your life!”

“But you were laughing, and jump – with me on your back, and the explosions!”

“I just... Had some fun, saving you. Are you thinking alright? I don't have a horn, you see...” As confusion replaced her excitement, her mane slowly lost its puff.

“But... You're a unicorn, you – you... Unicorn!”

“You're hammered, aren't you?”

“I haven't had a drop!” At this point, it was beyond doubt. The unicorn was drunk.

“Well, Twilight... Let's get going.”

“But I'm not Twilight! What's a 'Twilight'?”

Astilbe chuckled. “Yeah, and I'm a unicorn.” She gave the poor thing another little hug, and slid her on her back again, noticing, to her horror, that Twilight had made use of the diaper. She was definitely in something other than her right adult mind.

As the Cerulean operative carried the rescued passenger down the tunnel, she felt the unicorn put her cheek against hers. “You know, unicorn-monster... I kinda like you. You're 'Pinkie'! All pinkie-pink!... Pink all over...”

“I'm sure you do, Twilight... I sure hope you do, since I just saved your life.” She squee'd a big grin. This is what I live for.

But what if this really isn't Twilight? She's lavender, cutie mark of a star, blue mane with purple and pink stripe bowlcut... It's gotta be her, right?

Decisions and Accusations

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The wind howled outside the tent. Amber Light lay awake in his sleeping bag. He had lost track of time, laying there, still. Whether it was hours, or minutes, it was always hard to tell, but it felt like an eternity that he lay, eyes closed, inviting rest and sleep, and both unwilling to come.

We have orders, we must follow them. I must lead these ponies. This is the only way we'll be getting back to Bastion.

Still... Is this a mission they should come on? Snowglade is so young. Why did she have to be so talented as to end up on this surveillance team? He mentally sighed. But the risk to their lives is worth it. I must never forget what must be done. One day we will achieve victory, and The Alliance's unicorn hunts will be over forever...

But still...

The memories flooded back with unwelcomed clarity. The ambush. The firefight. Waking up, and finding bloodied snow, and fourteen dead Alliance soldiers. His squad had fought valiantly, but against such numbers, it wasn't enough.

Iron “Lucky” Star, a passionate and ambitious demolitions and electronics expert. He had talked about how he'd get to smelting and metallurgy when his service was over, how he'd continue the family tradition, and turn it into a large company. He was never content to be anything but the best, and despite his younger sister being a cripple, he was always proud of her. But now, he laid still in red snow, the cerulean sun patch torn from his uniform; doubtlessly some soldier had taken it as a trophy. Lucky had been true to his name, he was spared the fate his squadmates had met.

Firelight, the eager-to-please and hardworking unicorn colt had been captured alive. He was full of promise, yet doubtlessly The Alliance would torture him before publicly executing him in their brutal, “Spectacular” manner, and later it was confirmed, and reported that he had disappointed the crowds by dying of blunt trauma from the stoning, before being hanged. He was so ambitious, yet his small frame had been something less than herculean.

Morning Song, the ever-kind, ever-quiet unicorn medic from the Neophtes, Amber learned little about. Yet he knew that she had been nothing less than an angel to everypony around her. Somehow, fate had been kinder to her, and she was executed more traditionally at the Rocky Ridge Alliance military base.

All of them had served heroically to the end, but one was left.

Sergeant Light could well remember the interview back in the office in Bastion days later. The cold, ill-lit room, the desk his Commanding Officer sat behind, the calender turned to July 21st, 998, two days behind the actual date, July 23rd. The bookcase stocked with papers and folders, the two windows on the left with the shutters open, the little stain on the wall behind his CO, a steel-blue stallion with a silver mane. He remembered the look of concern and confusion his CO had as he spoke;

“...The medical ward isn't sure about your ability to remain in action. Just say the word, Sergeant, and your tour of service is finished. You have a chance to honorably leave now. Most ponies would be thrilled for the opportunity you're being offered, and nobody would blame you after what you've been through. Your service has been invaluable, and you already have plenty of stories to tell. You'll be greatly respected even if you go back to a comfortable life now.”

"Leave? I can't leave. They haunt me now. I can't rest. Leave and do what? Become a milkmare? I have to fight for them. Everbody dies some day, and the only way I can die at peace is if I die how I should've - in combat, alongside them. I would rather that than whither away in old age...”

Only then can I join them again... They're the lucky ones, probably basking in a summer sun somewhere peaceful right now...

I can't ever forget them. I will never know peace until I've died for their cause, as I should have so long ago. I must honor them, and live and die in apology that I lived, and they died. It's only fitting that I should die as they did. I owe it to them.

* * *

Colonel Icewind sat at a small desk in a small brick back-room, talking to a messenger. After arranging some more orders and hearing reports, the messenger was on his way, leaving her alone with the door open.

She looked down at a few papers, signed through them, then heard the door click closed. “Sal-u-tations, Colonel,” came a familiar, smooth and confident voice.

“Evening, Chief Blade. What brings you here?”

“Must we come down to business so quickly? Are you really that busy?”

The Colonel looked up at the Blade. All of them had their appearance altered, to be as dark as night, though the chief always left the unique impression of a late evening sky, which made her star insignia all the more distinct. All of the Blades bore the insignia of the star, but only the highest officer adorned five additional honorary ones. “I was thinking maybe we could share a spot of tea, and maybe some biscuits, if I'm not less important to you than your busywork,” she finished.

It seemed to be sarcasm, but was said with such a sincere voice that it almost left doubt. She gave the Blade an incredulous look. “I thought a Blade could never lie, but what's the difference between lying and sarcasm?”

“Oh, but I was being sincere. It is possible to hurt a Blade's feelings. Just because we habitually set them aside doesn't mean we don't have any. What, I don't strike you as the sort you could have tea with? A far too common misconception, really. But I'm surprised you would fall for it, as you, yourself, had a spot of dinner this evening with a unicorn who thought she would be executed – and should have been. I would say that was an even less likely meal. Anyways, you should take my invitation as a very sincere flattery, Flitter, it means I think you're going to live for quite awhile. After all, I wouldn't go getting attached to a pony I thought would die soon.”

It was unnerving to be called by her private name, and the whole dialogue left her with one ear pulled back and one eyebrow up.

“And plus, how often do you just relax and have a nice spot of tea? I think tomorrow evening, you'll be dying for it – Figuratively, of course. So, how is your evening going?”

Icewind sighed. Some Blades seemed to make a game of how cordial they could be with the highest and hardest-to-reach authority figures in The Order. The Chief seemed to be master of the game.

“I'm busy. Governor Spectrum is out of her mind. This conference is important, but the dome's recently had three bombings, and near anarchy when a unicorn was swiped right in the middle of a spectacular mere hours ago, and she's still trying to not only make this conference, but she's even rushing the trains,” she spilled without a pause.

“I suspect the Governor of insubordination to The Order.”

A hard silence burst through room, flooding it with a thick air. The Colonel froze. Did... Did a Blade just make that accusation? Never in all my years...

The Blade continued; “I recommend a trial of loyalty. One that will be straightforward enough. She seems to have grown particularly fond of a particular slave of hers. A slave who will be, to our fortune, on her train this evening...”

* * *

A small band played smooth music along with an easy piano ragtime. Silverwing and Fiddler had a table of their own right next to one of the outdoor heaters. It was a relatively quiet night for the cafe. The calm, relaxing music fit nicely with the terrace's soft orange light. Below the dining terrace of the Trainstop Cafe, two armored trains weaved through a maze of tracks before turning away from the civilian station and stopping inside a military warehouse.

While most places would have lost value for the rail traffic, an oddity of local weather kept the Trainstop notably free of any smell of fumes. Its proximity to the station made it an ideal layover stop for officials and other well-off ponies, though it was just far enough away that the sounds of passing trains gave it an endearing distinctness, rather than annoying its customers. All this earned it enough of an income to resume business the same day after a unicorn spectacular, all while keeping its small band employed.

Not even the earlier unicorn escape would keep the Trainstop Cafe's doors closed, or its relaxing music from playing. Not when ponies of such importance had it as their regular stop.

“You know, I don't get a lot of opportunities to eat at places like this,” Fiddler commented.

“A shame, really. You're rather talented, I'd say. There's probably an even better place like this that could use your music,” Silverwing replied.

Fiddler blushed and pulled her ears back. “A silver wing and a silver tongue, I see.”

He chuckled. “Clever girl.”

“I just got lucky, actually. I was just thinking of how silver-tongued you were earlier today at work.”

“Convincing ponies is all about your own attitude. If somepony had said those exact same words, but with less confidence, we would've been searched.”

“Silver...”

“There's music here, and nopony's even out on the terrace except us. This hoity-toity crowd always prefers to eat inside. Anyways, I have to say -” He continued in a hushed tone; “That spectacular was... spectacular. It was like clockwork. In all my years I've never even heard of an operation quite like it.”

Fiddler looked down, slouched, and her ears drooped. “It came at a price, though.”

“Fiddler! Don't tell me...”

“Rosewing was arrested, Silverwing. She's not going to make it.”

The music kept playing as an uncomfortable silence came between them. A cold gust of wind blew, rustling their manes. Fiddler diverted her gaze even further. She hugged her left arm with her right hoof and slouched even further.

“Silverwing...” She whispered.

“Fiddler, I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?”

She started crying. “Silverwing...” she said harshly.

“I'm so sorry, Fiddler, I know she meant a lot to you.”

“But that's not it... Silverwing... Is it okay that I'm?...”

She went silent.

“What is it?”

“Well... I'm more... I'm a terrible, terrible mare... She's my friend, I shouldn't think this.”

He simply smiled. “You're a very honest pony, Fiddler. It runs in your family. Most ponies would probably think whatever you're thinking, but not even mention it. It's okay. What is it?”

She looked up at him. She couldn't help but think of him as something closer than even a brother would've been. There was a bond in arms that civilians could never know. They had trusted each other with their lives many times, and continued to do so every day they remained Cerullean spies in the York dome.

“Silverwing, I'm more scared for myself.” She cried. “I should be more scared for her. Why aren't I?”

“It's perfectly reasonable to be scared, Fiddler. Whenever one of us are captured, we're all in jeopardy. Let's only hope she holds to her honor.”

“But I'm still horrified that it's happened... I don't want to see her die. She's always played it so safe...”

“Rosewing was a part of the team.” His gaze lowered.

“Then why don't we save her?”

Silverwing sighed and averted his gaze even further, taking a few moments to collect his thoughts before turning to her and replying.

“We can't rescue prisoners, Fiddler. We don't have the means to rescue Rosewing, I'm sorry.”

“But we just saved a unicorn!” She could barely keep her voice down.

He sighed. “...Okay, we can. But at what cost? Rosewing isn't the only operative we've lost due to this operation or the months of planning leading to it. You remember what Autumn Rose's last mission was, right?”

“How could I forget... I just... I don't want to keep losing friends. Surely we can do something?”

“I can't tell you who, or how many, but lots of lives were lost for that one unicorn. It's not about saving the unicorn, there are other, more important reasons we did that operation. Life-for-life, a mission for Rosewing would put more operatives at risk than do good.”

“And saving that unicorn didn't?”

“No. Because it was vital for our war efforts. It was an intel mission, Fiddler. We had indications that important things were in that unicorn's head. I'm afraid I can't say any more.”

Another long silence came over the two. A well-groomed stallion came out with their meals. “Quinoa salad with blueberries for the mare, and fruit crepes for the stallion. Enjoy your meal, and tell us if you need anything.” The waiter paused for a moment before leaving, noticing their solemn looks. He leaned in to the seated pegasus; “And monsieur, anything special for the lady?”

“No, thank you... We're good.”

“Very well, enjoy your meal.” He trotted away.

Neither of them felt like eating. There was a long pause as they simply sat, food in front of them.

“I just wish I could say goodbye...” Fiddler commented.

Silverwing sighed. “We're going to start drawing attention if we don't eat.” Fiddler nodded. They began eating in an awkward silence.

“There he is.” the pegasus said, looking through the windows to the indoor dining area. “If a train leaves while chef Gustav is here, we'll know it's the train the governor is on.”

“Catching the governor by tracking the best chef...” Fiddler was still impressed from the briefing to this mission. Gustav was a great chef, but Liebnon was better, and they were the only two cleared to work on the governor's transport. Governor Spectrum would only be eating the finest chef's cuisine on her voyage. “If you could do this on your own, why invite me?”

“Our cover story is a date, but who says it has to be just a cover story?”

“I'm sorry...” She looked away again.

“What is it?”

“Well, I've been a bit of a lousy date... It's just... I don't feel like killing the governor anymore. I'm tired of killing and war. I wish it could all just end-”

“More ponies coming to eat with us,” he cut her off. A party of rather prominent looking officers came onto the terrace, led by a waiter to a nearby table.

Fiddler faced the floor again.

“Fiddler, you're a great date. Just recent events have been kind of crazy is all...”

She shot him a sad expression. He paused for a moment, collecting thoughts.

“You put on shows, you know... The happy ending never comes in act one of a two-act play. Why would we go and make the time to see a play that had no conflict? No challenges for the characters to overcome? Really we're all just characters. We determine how we play our roles, but we don't always chose everything about them... One character may stab another character, may betray another... But once the play is over, and we all take our bows and walk off stage forever... We meet backstage, under a blue sky, and we're friends. We won't have to play our parts any more. No conflict. No killing. No betrayal and conflict... Just. Friends.”

He took a sip of water before continuing; “Let's just hope we don't get caught up so much in the play, that we forget that. We will watch other characters get stabbed, and take their exits, or we, ourselves, may find our own exit at the hooves of another. But we must never hold a grudge off-stage, for what was done on-stage. And what we do is important, of course... We just shouldn't... be bothered too much about what goes on in the play. Aside from our own personal responsibility, It's just a play, and we'll meet backstage some day. Just commit yourself to doing the right thing all you can, and you may get a standing ovation, if you were valiant.”

“I suppose so. I'm going to miss her, though...” The mare replied.

“Of course, that's only normal. I miss a few of my own friends, Fiddler... But I just keep going and doing the best I can, the most good I know, and I know we'll meet again as friends backstage, when it's all done.”

Far below, a train started rolling out of the military warehouse.

“Well, let's get going... And... Just commit yourself to learning your part, and doing it right. After the show, that's all that'll really matter, after all.”

* * *

A heavily armored train blew through deep snow in the gray abyss outside. An enormous snow-plowing front sent walls of powder spraying to either side as it blew down its snow-submerged tracks. The steel monster wore armor so thick that it took the appearance of a beast of concrete.

Governor Spectrum stormed into her personal luxury car. Two servants were inside, one was filling a lamp with oil, and another fluffing a pillow. “Out! Get out!” The governor barked. They immediately fled.

“Why are you running away with the oil!? Is the lamp full?” she snapped at one of the unfortunate maids.

“N-no m'am.”

“Then when I tell you to leave, leave the oil bottle so I can finish filling it. Now get out!” She held out a hoof. The maid gave her the small bottle and scurried off.

Rainbow sighed. “Sorry.” She made no effort to make herself heard as she apologized to the servants. You're being such a raptor, Spectrum. I'm normally never this mean to servants. Ugh. Just not my day.

She trotted back and finished filling the lamp. After setting the oil down on a small coffee table, she flopped onto a plush, luxurious red pillow set next to it. After relaxing herself, and listening to the hypnotizing, rhythmic clanking of the train tracks, she yawned and sat up again, slowly changing into a night gown.

When she finished, she walked over to an intercom and clicked it on. “Kitchen, bring me the finest wine on this train. I don't even care what it is, just something good and relaxing.”

“Order on the way m’am!” the intercom crackled back.

She flopped back onto the pillow and rested her head on her forelegs. What a day. Committing treason for a pony from a series of dreams that a Blade ordered me to kill, holding a spectacular that insurgents stopped, dealing with the entire dome thrown into chaos and anarchy, all after multiple bombings, and finally getting rolled out to a “must attend” conference on the same day. She sighed again, closing her eyes, and letting herself fall victim to the hypnotic trance of the train's clanking. She started with her ears, and worked down her entire body, probing each muscle for tension, then relaxing them as far as she could.

Maybe I've got some big decisions to make, but while I'm on this train, I have nothing to worry about. No big decisions to make, no civilization in the balance in my hooves... And most of all, no duties force me to get any more blood on my hooves here. Here, on this train, nopony dies. She breathed deeply and let it out with a sigh of relief. Here, nothing but peace, quiet, and the clanking of the train tracks. Here, I'm safe from duty. Here, I'm safe... Great Celestia, safe from it all at last, at least for a little bit, for now...

She shot up as a knock on the door ripped her out of her rest.

“Wine, m'am?”

She grunted, landed, and walked over to the door. As her hoof grabbed the handle, she remembered how uncharacteristically rude she'd been to the maids. As she opened the door she let of a quick; “Thankyou” grabbed the wine, and closed it again.

She froze as she realized she'd forgotten to grab the glass. Letting off a sigh, she decided she'd rather not approach the servant again, and after opening the bottle, took a sip straight from it as she walked to the coffee table again.

As the drink was set down on the table, and her stomach on the pillow, she started thinking again.

Fighting anarchists, calming the people with a charismatic speech, blaming the whole incident on a captured Cerullean spy, rallying the people together... It was all very rewarding, to think she was the sole reason Order remained in the York dome.

She took another sip and sighed.

I'm going to kill 'Twilight.' I don't even know if it is Twilight, or if it's some test of loyalty put on by the Blades. In any case, it'll be an act of mercy to send her to the world of grass and summer skies.

Summer... To think those creatures have it so regularly. That at one point in our own history it came for months, every twelve. A warm sun, blue sky, and grassy fields.

If only I could take your place, Twilight, and not be bound by duty to shed so much innocent blood...

She took another sip.

How selfish of me. How could I think to keep her in this horrible world? She doesn't belong here. Yet when ordered by a Blade to kill her, I pridefully and selfishly had her live. I got what I deserved when anarchy was stirred...

She took yet another sip, this time punctuated by a yawn.

But I can't make them pay. I can't. I must be loyal to them. They don't deserve to pay for my own inadequacies, and my failures to do what I'm sworn to...

Since I was little, mom would tell me how she kept the ponies safe and warm against the cold outside. I saw how she held rallies full of ponies that adored her.

There was nopony like her. Nobody could match her heroism in my eyes. I've always known I wanted to do what she did, to hold the very world together.

I didn't fully understand what it meant when she told me that becoming a governor was a choice, and I would have to decide whether I wanted to feel good about myself, or if I wanted to serve The Order and be the hero she had been.

Nothing could have prepared me. All those years where she gave me her time to teach me what she'd learned, how she taught me to be the best I could be. She kept teaching me how sometimes, doing what's right, would involve doing things I would abhor. And she lost enthusiasm after awhile. In later years she even regretted encouraging me to become governor. She apologized every time I asked her to talk to me again, and begged me to change my course in life.

But how could I? After all those years, after adoring her so much for what she'd done, I wanted to be just like her. She would simply warn me that if I became a governor, ghosts would haunt me.

I should've listened. I never could've known what it would actually be like.

She sighed again, and took a large swig.

But I'm in it now. I have a duty. Twilight must die. It is the right thing to do. And perhaps it's for the better. I really have kept order together in York.

She was startled by her next thought.

Celestia and Luna. The Stewardesses of this world. Rejected as our rulers. What kind of paradise could this world be if only we had allowed them to reign, as their parents intended?

Some say their parents still control this world. I find it hard to believe. How could they, and let this happen?

She became sharply aware of her guilt once more. Her gaze dropped to the floor.

Though I suppose we really brought this on ourselves. And I suppose, perhaps, if the Wendigos really do bring winter, as the Ceruleans claim, it all comes full circle and makes sense.

She looked upward.

If you really are as amazing as some believe, then help me out of this. Kill me. Because if you are real, then it really must be the Wendigos, and all my soul I've given for my ponies... Has been in vain, to only perpetuate this winter.

She shivered at the thought.

There's no way it's true, though! Just a lie spread by the Ceruleans to justify their overthrow of The Order. It's all just a lie to empower them...

Right?

* * *

Fluttershy sat in her bunk as the train clacked along its tracks and the wind howled outside. She could feel its cold through the hard metal walls and the thin, worn mattress. The citizen slave car was still far better accommodated than the prisoner slave car.

The citizen slaves mingled in the sleeper car, meeting each other and talking. Some even huddled together with blankets. At the end of the car, a small group laughed. Two guards sat on the other end, idly minding their own business. She decided to step out and look around the train car.

“Goldenfeather, is it?” a particularly young slave asked as she approached her. “I thought I heard that name when they were boarding us.”

“Uh-uhm, yes.”

“I'm Snowfeather. I just... Thought it was funny. We both have 'feather' in our name.” The snowy-white pegasus chuckled.

Fluttershy couldn't help but let a little giggle slip from the encounter.

“So... Where are you from? Do you know where you're going?” the new pegasus pressed.

“I'm from the York Dome, I work at the Governor's palace-” Snowfeather's eyes glistened in awe. “-and I'm not sure where I'm going. The Governor just brought me along.” She took a few steps to her bunk.

“The Governor's palace? Is it really as grand as they say? That's so amazing! Wait... But isn't it dangerous to work there?” The white pegasus asked as she followed her to the bunk.

“It is quite lovely. I love tending the gardens, there. And, well, just be a good pony and there's really not much to worry about.”

“But it must be scary being around the Governor.” She set down in the isle as Fluttershy set down on her bunk.

“Oh, she's not all that bad...”

“How'd you end up there? Any secrets, tricks?”

“Uhm... I don't know...” Goldfeather's face hid behind her pink mane.

“Oh, well... Thanks. I'm just getting sent to the Rambling Rock Mines.”

Fluttershy jumped with excitement, nearly hitting her head on the bunk above; “Oh, I've heard the officers tend lovely gardens, there! I heard there's even sunflowers!”

Snowfeather smiled nervously. “Well, maybe. I'm not so excited, though.” She sighed. The pink-maned pegasus gave Snowfeather a confused look as she continued: “I'm just going to be a miner, working in the cold... Still, I'm glad I'm not going to have my wings clipped, or anything like that. One day I'll buy myself free again. One day.”

Fluttershy's curiosity was piqued. “What do you plan to do, then?”

“I don't know. But my brother was starving, and I had to sell myself so we could have enough to eat. Now I'll be fed as long as I'm doing this, but I didn't want him to have to go into slavery, or join the military. Neither of us wanted to become a killer. Well, I didn't want either of us to. But he thought he could make the world better by climbing through the ranks... You haven't heard anything about a pony named 'Clockwork' by any chance, have you? I sure hope he didn't have to join the military.”

“No.” Flutters replied.

Snowfeather chuckled again. “You're a bit of a quiet pony, aren't you? You don't talk very much, do you? I guess I can be a bit redundant when I talk, but you hardly say anything at all, do you?”

She smiled, thought for a moment, then replied with a quick: “No.” They both giggled together.

“You seem really sweet, though. I hope I get to have a friend like you when I get to the mines.”

“But... You just met me.”

“Well, I figure if I travel all the time I've got to get used to making friends with everypony, and you seem grade-A friend material.” She smiled.

“Thank you.” The more timid pegasus returned the smile.

“You bet... So, Goldenfeather, where do you hope to be in 5, maybe 10 years?”

“Oh. Uhh... I don't know. Somewhere nice, maybe. I don't have much control of my life, really.”

“I know that, silly goose! I didn't sell myself just yesterday. But just because you don't have much control doesn't mean you can't decide where you want to go. You may not be able to get what you want right away, but that doesn't mean you can't start taking small steps towards it. For example, I want to fly airplanes! That's mainly why I'm glad my wings aren't being clipped.” She nervously glanced at her wings.

“But let's say I get a choice to work at an airfield or work in a dome. I could pick airfield to work towards that. And it never hurts to keep an eye out for ponies who might know a thing or two! If you keep hunting for good things, you'll find them eventually!” She grinned.

“That sounds very nice. I'm just...”

“You're?...”

“I'm happy where I am.”

Snowfeather's eyebrows shot up. “But what about ambition? Dreams? Don't you want to be more? To see more? To do more?”

“Well... I'm just happy being with the governor. She's not a bad pony like other slaves think.”

“Goldenfeather, I know you're happy, but that's no excuse to not have ambition or dreams. Ambition is all about-”

The door at the end of the car burst open. Fluttershy instinctively ducked behind Snowfeather as the room went quiet. Colonel Icewind stood with four guards and proclaimed; “I require the citizen-slave 'Goldfeather.' She has been found guilty of high treason.”

Partners in Crime

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Rarity sat on the ice-crusted snow, wrapped in plush winter clothing, loaded with rolled-up sleeping bags and heavy canvas knapsacks. Despite the heavy cloak, its hood, and the torn strips of material made into a makeshift snow mask, the icy wind still managed to sting her face unwaveringly. Her canteen made endless ruckus as it was lifted off her side, knocked back against it, then lifted again in the relentless frozen gusts.

A few feet a way, Redheart sat in similar attire, though both remained in their own thoughts as time slowly dragged on.

Bland. It's completely bland. White, gray, darker gray, black, and more gray. She huffed. And the clothing doesn't make it any better in the least! White, gray and gray, and maybe some “nice” khaki if they're feeling especially colorful.

She eyed the long sleeve and thick boot her forehoof wore. Absolutely colorless... Just as awful and loveless as this world. A whimper escaped her mouth.

Turning her gaze to the barren expanse once again, her thoughts shifted in tone. Though, it is warm...

She couldn't deny, the plushness felt like a continual warm hug when contrasted with the unearthly frozen wasteland, and the brutality of The Alliance. It almost stands out as much as pink fabric against a dark blue dress. Though that would look... She paused for a moment.

Actually, if done correctly, I think I could actually pull off something fantastic with those colors. Oooohh, it'd be hard, those colors naturally clash, but done in just the right way, like a full moon in a dark night sky, they could stand out just right to look magnificent...

...Like a cozy, warm, unicorn in a frozen wasteland, kind of. She shifted back as her ears shot up, then her snout turned upward with a “hmph!” Well, this world may provide some great inspirations, but it's still absolutely awful, and the sooner I can get out of here, the better.

Though, I might be here for quite awhile... I wonder if I can open a boutique here. Maybe I can even give these... brawly stallions, my sister and the medic a... a... Token of gratitude.

Whatever her mixed opinions of these “Cerulleans” were, they had saved her life. They had nursed her back to health, and kept her warm and well. In comparison to what The Alliance had almost done – a shiver went down her spine as she thought about it – Sargent Light's roughness and Flameheart's uncouth manner meant little.

So she sat in the gentle snowfall, wrapped in thick, plush, warm clothing. Half a catwalks' length away, Flameheart, Snowglade and Amber Light worked a small metal box set in the snow, headphones plugged in, a map unfolded, and notes scattered about.

I wonder what the beds are like here? I'm sure they can't be too bad. Certainly they'll be better than these sleeping bags, whenever we get back to the Cerulean city. Though, even the sleeping bags seem quite inviting right now... She let out a yawn, and began to recall their cozy warmth.

Slowly, her eyelids descended, plunging the world into darkness.

“Rarity!” She shot up. “Don't fall asleep, It's not safe. You could freeze if you do that outside the tent.” Nurse Redheart stood next to her, just outside her vision.

“Augh, well why don't we just set up the tent if we're going to be sitting here for an absolute eternity?”

“It's Sergeant Light's call to make, and he didn't feel it necessary.”

“Sergeant's call, my flank! This snow is positively freezing my tail off.”

“Is your tail sleeve on properly?”

“Well, yes.”

“Is it getting cold? Are you getting cold?”

“Well, not really.”

“Then what's the matter?”

“Well this cloak is probably doing a work on my tail and mane. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get them back to proper condition. For all I know, you ponies don't even have conditioner back at – batton, or wherever it is you ponies come from.”

“Bastion. And we do have conditioner, there. Just, you know... It's not something we take with us on missions.”

Rarity sighed.

“Are you sure something isn't wrong, dear? You've seemed awfully out of sorts today.”

“You try being out your home world and see what a job it does on you!” Rarity snapped back, then sighed again, realizing she'd just been shamefully snarky. It was unbecoming herself, but as she faced the prospect of humbly apologizing, she just couldn't.

As quiet moments passed uncomfortably, though, she could feel the uncalled for remark floating heavily in the air.

This is Nurse Redheart, of all ponies... “I'm awfully sorry, Nurse Redheart, that was terribly bad-mannered of me.”

“It's alright. You just seem a bit out of sorts is all. Did you sleep well last night?”

“Well... About that... Ahaha...”

The nurse leaned in, curiosity piqued, concern excited.

“Well... Well enough. Just, a little hard getting to sleep in this new environment is all,” Rarity finished.

Genuine concern crossed the nurse's face. “Rarity, you should really tell me if your ear is giving you any trouble, or if you're feeling sick again. You did take the medication last night and this morning, right?”

“Oh, yes. And, it's just getting used to the new environment,” Rarity dismissed with a hint of nervousness.

The medic decided not to press it any further.

The unicorn's nerves quickly relaxed. She would have been keenly aware of the growing uncomfortable silence had she not been failing her own struggle with her eyelids.

“We got it!” Flameheart shouted gleefully with a small jump, headphones almost popping off as their cable went taught.

Rarity shot up again. “Good heavens! Got what?”

The three ponies took off their earphones as Snowglade quickly jotted down a few notes next to the radio kit. “Our next assignment,” Flameheart replied.

“Which is?”

“This way.” Amber Light pocketed a compass and began strolling off, leaving Flameheart and Snowglade only moments to finish packing the kit up into the mess of equipment in their backpacks.

Sweetie Belle shot up to Rarity. The elder sister wasn't sure if it was the cloak, snowshoes, backpack, or what, but her younger sister's stature always caught her by surprise. She seemed larger than she remembered in Equestria.

“It's about time.” Rarity started off. “What were you ponies doing, anyways?”

“I think the Sergeant would still be unhappy with me telling. But you'll find out soon enough.”

“Hmmph.”

They plodded through the snow for only a few minutes before Snowglade darted over and hugged her sister. “I can't wait until we get back to Bastion, Grandeur! You really loved the gems and ice formations at South Shades, but knowing you, I bet you'll just love-love-love Bastion, too!... Though, I guess you don't remember the ice formations, either, do you?”

“No... I – uhm – I'm not...” She paused, noticing both of her younger sister's ears were flat against her head. It was a terrible truth she dare not utter. “But I am your big sister, and that's what matters most, right?”

“Yeah.” The younger cracked a smile. “I mean, it's so amazing! You're Grandeur! Back to life!” She grabbed another hug out of her “Back together.”

The warm hug lasted several long moments, before Snowlgade let go and immediately realized the group was looking back at them. Without a word, they simply turned back on-track and kept going.

“You know... Nopony has been left unaffected by the conflict. We all know of somepony who's passed on. I wonder what it's like for them, to see somepony return that they never knew?”

Rarity couldn't help but cock an ear at hearing something so mature coming from her sister, who then turned and continued walking backwards, covering their tracks as usual, before she continued talking again: “It's odd, though. For some reason it never really clicked to me that you're Grandeur. You just seemed like some completely different pony that took her form. But last time we talked, it really clicked, and it just hit me that you're my... lost sister, come back once again! I mean, your memories are different, but... You're still Grandeur, though, aren't you? Same pony, just a different life?”

“Heheh...” She nervously glanced at her, her mind scrambling for a response. “...But of course!...” I don't really know the answer to her question... But if this makes her so happy... Then it's worth being the truth. “I may have a different past, but I am the same pony. Your older sister.”

“Yep! And I can't wait until we can spend some time together at Bastion. Ohhhh, you'll just love Sweetie Blue's! It's the most amazing little Sweet Shoppe! I can't wait to take you there! I mean...” Her bubbling enthusiasm popped and immediately died as she turned to a heavy question; “How long are you going to be here? I mean... I know you probably want to return, but... Can you?”

“I... I don't know, Sweeti-I mean-Snowglade.” I'm beginning to get a bit tired of all these difficult questions... Can we please talk about something more... Light? Like just the sweet shop and not how long I'm stuck here? Or if I can even go home?

She gave her sister-soldier another look, cringing uncomfortably at seeing this alternate form of her. A soldier, of all things!... But, is it really fair for me to want to go to MY home, when she's stuck in this awful place?... She has a point. She really IS Sweetie Belle, just... Not as lucky as I was, to be born in Equestria. Her expression dropped to a deadpan glare upon making a realization: Or, as I have been until I got sucked into this place, more like.

Surely Twilight is working on something to get me home right now? Oh, Twilight, please hurry up... She stole another look at her sister. Though, I'm honestly not certain any more if it's okay for me to be rushing home... I wonder if we could both go to Equestria? An odd question dumped a confused look on her face. I wonder what Sweetie Belle would think of having this copy of herself around? Another sister? What would our parents think?

“You don't seem to be talking very much today,” the younger sibling piped in.

“Well... I'm just a bit tired is all. I had an absolutely horrendous nights' sleep,” she brushed it off, avoiding yet another heavy conversation. Though it's not really a lie, either. I am exhausted.

Though I'm not sure if I want to tell anypony the real reason I was up all night... She began to feel nervous thinking about it.

“Oh. Was something wrong? Did Flameheart's snoring get to you?”

She paused for a moment. Well, if there's anypony I can confide in in this world, it's got to be Sweetie Belle...

“Sweetie Belle...” she started in a hushed tone, “Can you... Uhm... Not make too much of a stir about this?”

“What?” she returned with equal softness, her ears up and attention rapt.

“I... I kind of felt like I was being watched, last night...” then she added as her heart skipped a beat; “...And Flameheart snores?... That's odd, I didn't hear any snoring at all...”

Despite their many thick and warm layers, they both felt a sudden bite of cold.

“You should tell the Sergeant, sis.”

“What? You trust him, Sn-Sweetie Belle?”

Snowglade looked at her with a jovial concern. “Don't get the two mixed up.”

Rarity blushed when she realized she'd done the exact opposite of what she'd meant to do. I still don't get this whole 'private name and public name' business. Why would they do that?

“And yes,” Snowglade continued, dropping the levity, “I trust him with my life. He's my sergeant, after all, and if he ordered me to jump into an icy river I'd do it.”

“But Sweetie Belle! Why?” she asked, their conversation still holding a hushed tone.

“It's just something you learn in the Cerullean Service, I guess. We're a team. Nopony is in it for themselves. You follow orders without question because he's counting on us – he's counting on us to keep us safe. If he ordered me to do something crazy, I'd know that it was absolutely necessary – likely to keep us alive. That's just how it works, sis.”

* * *

Governor Spectrum wore a bedhead of a mane and a nightgown as she strode from one car to another. The gangways were indoor, but still far colder than the comfort of the luxury conditioned cabins. Nothing feels better than a decided mind. I'll kill the unicorn myself this evening. I'll just pop the box, and put a round through her skull, then slide it off the train. And my life will no longer have all these complications.

Warm relief flooded her when the door clicked closed. She strolled into the fine dining car with a proud gait. She'll be sent to a better world, and I'll be able to relish all the luxury this world has to offer, from the safety of my position of power.

The bartender smiled at seeing her. “Ah, good morning-” she cut off the lavender earth pony with a raised hoof, and yawned.

“Two blueberry bagels, cream cheese.”

She merely nodded and set to work. If the Governor wanted a truly quiet morning, she would get it. She made her way to one of the cushioned stools and set her hooves on the glass counter.

“Good morning, Governor.” The Colonel greeted.

Rainbow merely shot her an annoyed look. Doesn't she get it? I just want a nice, quiet morning for once. Nopony talks. Just the smooth, rhythmic clacking of the train.

“How was your evening?” Icewind continued.

The Governor gave her the hoof as well.

“Alright, I guess I'll tell you about mine when you're ready.” She said with a smirk.

Ugh, what's gotten into her?

A plate with two bagels, already sliced and spread with cream cheese slid up to her, along with a morning mug of coffee. “Smart pony,” she commented, noticing the warm addition.

She began her slow breakfast with a large chug of the coffee, the hot liquid bringing welcoming life to her soul.

“I must say though, I had an absolutely splendid evening. We even caught a criminal that was on this very train.”

Dash turned and gave her a look as though she were a noisy insect that refused to shut up, undecided on whether to put up with the buzzing a little longer, or grab the swatter. The look quickly transitioned to an astounded; “I can't believe this” when she realized the Colonel was in full uniform.

In full uniform, sitting at the breakfast bar, next to the governor in a nightgown.

“Colonel, this is a big diner car. There's even a lounging section over there with magazines.” She pointed down the car, unable to help but notice it seemed unusually empty on this morning.

The colonel merely grinned and took a sip of her own coffee. It was unsettling. She seemed so certain about something. There seemed no doubt in her mind that she had won.

But won what?

“The criminal was one of your own personal slaves, too. Though you probably wouldn't know her by name.”

Her blood ran cold. She bit her toungue. “Try me,” she answered cooly.

f“Goldfeather. Private name Fluttershy.”

She froze. “What makes you think she's a criminal?”

“She was a conspirator. Treason, it is.”

“She's a useful slave. I'd rather not her be executed. I think a good beating will do.”

The Colonel shook her head. “No, treason demands nothing less than capital punishment by federal decree of General Hurricane herself. You know that.”

Her throat caught. “Don't be stupid, Colonel!” she snapped. “What's your evidence for her crime?” she continued more levelly.

“Evidence enough.”

It only took a moment for her voice to turn into a deep growl. “Explain.”

“You seem awfully pre-occupied about this one little slave. She's a weak little whiner, too. She cried before the beating even began. Oh, how she begged. It was quiet a pleasure.”

The Governor hurled the mug without warning, sending it shattering against the wall in a spray of liquid. She huffed twice.

“Something wrong, Governor?”

“Since when do you preoccupy yourself with minor little affairs like individual criminals!?... Yes something is wrong, your mind has grown petty! If you're going to bother yourself with such individualistic little affairs, then you'd might as well clean this car as well. I just noticed a coffee stain on the wall. Better get it before it sets in.”

“Oh, I learned to concern myself with individual slaves from the most colorful Governor I know.” She let loose a huge yawn. “Oh, I've been pulling an all-nighter with this one. Turns out the Blades weren't the only ones to snoop on this particular Governor, no. My sister Nightwind has agents who took some notes on her private chats with an individual criminal.”

Dash was visibly shaking.

“Now let me ask, Governor. Doesn't execution sound like a fair, legally required punishment for this conspiring slave?”

“No.” She growled. “I'm going to give you one chance, Colonel. Drop this, and I'll let you go with your life.”

The Colonel laughed. “Oh, how cute, in your cute little night gown, no less. No Governor, I'm the one giving you an out. You see, normally when succession occurs, the previous leader just gets killed, but I'm feeling that with this opportunity, why not be a little merciful? I'm giving you a chance to back out. I don't even have to take your uniform. Just let me call the shots, and everypony can happily forget about this little incident. Perhaps my sister will even forget about her documentation of your little talks with Fluttershy-”

“How dare you speak her private name as you talk in open rebellion to me! You don't have the status to call a slave by her real name! Guards!”

At that moment, the governor's heart skipped a beat.

“What's the matter, Governor? Has it really taken you this long to notice it's just us three in this car?”

“The Blades! I'll have-”

“I doubt that.” Came a smooth, familiar voice.

“No.” She whispered in response. She felt the chair spin itself so she was turned to face the familiar dark unicorn. The bartender's coat had turned many shades darker, and she'd been endowed with a horn.

“As I said before you rudely cut me off earlier; 'Good morning, Governor.' I've quiet enjoyed our little talks. However, it has come to my attention that you've become a bit... Out of order? Yes. That's the way to put it. But, as I've said, I've enjoyed our talks, and you do look rather cute in that nightgown, so I'm going to give you a chance to get out of this with your life. Kill the slave, and the unicorn, do it yourself, and we'll forget this whole thing ever happened. Can you be a dear and do that?”

Her entire body turned to cold, clammy, stiff clay. She could hardly move her lips.

“Though,” the Chief Blade continued; “I do share your enjoyment of executions. It would be nice to see your dangling legs go limp under that nightgown. You'd look so helpless. And yes, those last moments before you die, your eyes would betray your soul. You would cry, and everypony would see the little filly you are at heart.

“Rather fitting, isn't it, though? That I'd be sending a governor to the same fate a governor had once sought to send me to? It would be even more fair though, since after all, as the little bedwetting filly I was, I was completely innocent, but governors always get so much blood on their hooves, don't you?” She glared straight into the governor's eyes as she spoke.

“But, we can reminisce later,” the Blade continued, “Let's change this up a little. Since you're obviously a bit scared, we'll let you think about it. You have until midnight to see both Fluttershy and the unicorn dead, otherwise you'll find a token of that sweet justice that you seek. A reprieve from your nightmare of a life.”

The governor's words caught in her throat. She could only make an indecipherable noise.

“Oh, don't act surprised. I'm a powerful teleporting unicorn. It's hard to find you alone sometime that you aren't moping about how depressed you are. That's all you do when you're alone, and I've only been sparing you some social discomfort thus far. A pitiful creature, you are. So many ponies dream to be in your hooves, and yet you despise your blessings.”

Something happened the Governor had never seen before, and never thought she would ever see. For a brief moment, the Chief's smug smile vanished, and she paused for a moment, a word formed on her lips, but stopping there.

“Such a sad, sad creature.” The Colonel added, oblivious to the Blade's moment of weakness.

The Blade froze entirely, then cleared her throat and continued, “Midnight, Governor. We will see you, then.”

With a flash of light, the car returned to normal. The Governor's guards stood at various posts, the Colonel was enjoying her breakfast, taking a moment to realize she was now in a night gown as well, and the Blade returned to her Earth Pony bartender status.

The Chief leaned in to the Governor's ear: “And personally, from me to you, Rainbow, nopony would blame you for taking this morning in your own chambers.” She leaned back and returned to normal.

Dash simply sat blank-faced, with animation slowly returning to her features as her heart began to race. She darted back toward her own car.

* * *

Twilight heard a rasping noise from her tiny prison. A metallic thunk shook her dark world, and the roof lifted, sending in a flood of frozen air. She paused as she saw the governor standing over her, the twisted form of Rainbow, with a crowbar and pistol.

Their eyes locked for several long instants. Twilight's showed a primeval terror, the eyes of a fish captured in the jaws of a shark, knowing its death is nigh, and any action is impossible. The governor's eyes, however, bore the weight of a water tower of blood, coupled with the fear and uncertainty of a lost foal, far from its parents, not sure where to go.

The governor tossed the crowbar aside and lifted her prisoner out of the crate, the endless layers of thick blankets falling off of her, fully exposing her purple body. Instead of its usual lavender, her coat was as purple as her miscolored mane. Her body felt torn apart by the icy air of the unconditioned cargo car. The governor dragged her to a clear spot, and simply looked at her as she lay on the metal floor, tied, gagged, horn blocked, and adorned with a thick collar.

She eyed the unicorn's magic blocker, then her own pistol. She froze for several seconds. Tears streaked down Twilight's face. The governor could see not only great fear, but more. For the many moments their eyes met, their mere expressions spoke a library of heart.

I'm scared, Rainbow. I'm so scared and helpless, please don't kill me. Please? But... Would you really do it? Would you really kill me? Your friendship means so much to me. It gives my life meaning. But do I mean anything to you? Is my life really something you can willingly take?

Are you really the “Governor Spectrum,” that this world calls you?

Are you what they call you? Or are you Rainbow Dash?

Who are you?

Rainbow wasn't sure who's thoughts they were, as she gazed into Twilight's eyes. They both examined her pistol. Their slow, deep, shaking breaths sending out plumes of fog from their nostrils. Dash chambered a round.

“I have to be strong, Twilight... The York dome depends on me... Right?” she whispered, her voice somehow carrying over the howling wind outside and the clanking of the train's tracks.

Really? Is that what it comes down to?

You're really going to take this shot? But why?

I'm sorry. I'm really sorry this had to happen. I've decided.

But why?

She shakily raised her pistol, lining up the sights to Twilight's head.

Goodbye, my friend. I'll miss you. I'm going to miss you so, so much.

Her hoof shook wildly as her other hoof tried desperately to still it. She pulled on the trigger.

With a bang, the world went silent.

Both ponies were still.

Rainbow fell to her knees, her eyes wide with horror.

What happened? What have I done?!

She heard an unearthly wail escape her lips. Her chest shook violently. She struggled to keep from falling further as the world rocked violently. She gasped for breath as she lost sensation of the metal floor and tears blurred her vision. She had never known that she could cry so hard, or that tears could pour from her face so quickly.

Agonized breathing rasped next to her.

She sobbed, and her chest froze in painful agony. I've missed! I hit her somewhere else and now I'll have to do it all over again to put her out of her misery!

She couldn't breathe, too pained to face what she knew she would see. A mortally wounded angel, fallen from her dreams, that she would either had to watch suffer from her own hoof, or put out of its misery.

There was a spray of thick crimson on Twilight's miscolored purple mane. Rainbow gasped. Her body acting of its own accord, she lunged forward, and wrapped the unicorn's body in her hooves.

“TWILIGHT!” She screamed at the top of her lungs in an unearthly wail.

There was a muffled word from the unicorn's lips.

Dash choked on her own tears as she gasped, pulling herself away. She tore the gag off the unicorn, and collapsed on her shoulder, falling into a sobbing mess.

“My Celestia! I'm so sorry, Twilight! I'm so sorry!...”

“My... Ear... You shot it!” The words barely escaped through a clenched mouth.

She froze, and took a step back. She pulled the mane away, to see a gash in Twilight's ear.

She had never imagined herself capable of it, but neither had she ever felt so relieved, flooded with joy as though she'd awoken from a nightmare. She squealed, and immediately fell into a fit of sobbing laughs as she embraced the unicorn again. “You're alive! Thank Celestia you're alive, you little filly!” she screamed.

She sobbed on the unicorn's shoulder for felt like an eternity. She would never leave. She couldn't end this moment of glee.

“Rainbow?” She finally said through gritted teeth.

“Yes, Twilight?” She answered, a content joy in her voice as she held the ray of light from a better world.

“I'm cold. And you shot me in the ear. And I hurt. A LOT. Can we go inside?!”

“Yes! Of course!”

With a quick lash, the Governor reached down and tore loose her binds, then pulled off the gem-studded ribbon. Not only had Twilight's colors changed, but her horn was missing as well – giving the cloth the appearance of being a pointless wad in her mane. The unicorn sighed, then screamed; “I'M FREE!” She paced around rapidly; “No more being hauled around, no more being tied up, no more blocking my - MY MAGIC!” She launched her binds and collar across the car, the telekinetic glow coming from the air in front of her forehead – her invisible horn.

She yalped and groaned as another wave of throbbing pain came over her bleeding ear.

“This is over! I'm taking you back to Equestria this moment! I'll bring Celestia along to rescue our other friends. It's TIME!”

She threw a hoof over the shocked pegasus, and focused on her magic.

Then paused.

“Where is it?” the unicorn's voice cracked, all her enthusiasm and force vanishing into weakness. “I... I can't find it...”

“What are you talking about?”

“I can't find it! I'm looking, just like when I cast the spell that sent us here, and I'm not finding it, it-... No...” she finished with a whisper.

“What? What spell?”

“NO!”

“Twilight!?”

“NO NO NO NO NO!” She pouted and slammed her hooves onto the floor.

“What's wrong?”

After a few long moments, she started laughing hysterically.

“'What's wrong?' Did you really just ask 'What's wrong'?...”

“Well... Yeah. I understand this probably hasn't been the best twenty-four hours for you, but... You're alive, right? You don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm going to take care of you, now, and explain everything... I guess you have some explaining to do as well, huh?”

“Heheh. Yeah... I guess so. And that, I do. But you've got-! Ergh! And my ear! I mean, I know you were going to... No, why were you going to kill me?! None of this makes any sense!!!” Her temper rapidly flared “YOU-”

“Twilight! Please! Let's talk inside my personal car. I'll get a med kit for your ear. You must be cold.”

She sighed, her wisdom reinforced by the freezing, numb pain over her entire body more than enough to convince her to listen to reason. She bit her tongue and saved her rant for later.

“But how can I trust you? You just shot me! How do I know I'm not walking into some kind of trap?!”

“I'm the one facing a trap, Twilight. If I wanted you dead... If I were capable of doing it, I would have shot you here and now. Like I said, let's talk inside, you'll die of exposure in minutes out here. This car may be indoor and armored, but it's not heated, and you're naked. Unless you're content with just those wet blankets while we talk?” She pointed at the blankets that had fallen off of Twilight.

Being crammed in a crate for almost twenty-four hours had unhygenic consequences.

“No... I guess you've got a point. Lead the way, then.”

The governor took off her jacket, revealing her nightgown underneath, and wrapped it around Twilight. She just looked at it, surprised. “I'll get blood on it...”

“Twilight,” she said as she started leading her to the adjacent car.

“Yes?”

“I... When I went to, uhm... Shoot... What were you thinking?”

She remained silent for a few long moments as they walked along, flanked by tall stacks of crates.

“I was scared... But more than that, I was wondering if you'd do it. I still don't understand why you're doing this at all, I was shocked you'd even consider it, but you were acting like you were going to, and based off of everything else so far...” her voice broke up. “Rainbow, what's going on? Where are we? Is this the Frozen North? What was that city with the dark sky? Why am I the wrong color?!” she quickly examined herself “And why were you trying to...”

She was fully aware of the situation, yet still, the heaviness of it was so alien, so intimidating, that she dared not mention it, as though merely saying it would incite its repitition. They had quickly fallen into casual, friendly camaraderie, and she feared to lose that precious warmth.

“...Why did you tell me to not call you 'Rainbow'? Have you seen Rarity? Where are our other friends?”

The pegasus cracked a half-smile at her child-like barrage of questions. She opened the door and let her prisoner walk into the heated cabin of her personal luxury car. Her smile then disappeared as she set about answering the questions; “Your friend was shot and is presumed dead, I'm sorry. Her body, however, was missing. Apparently taken by somepony in the crowd.” She closed the door behind them as they entered the warm car.

Twilight stopped. Her ears dropped flat and her gaze fell to the floor for an uncomfortably long silence. “I'm sorry, Twilight...”

“Well, no body, so you don't know she's dead! You could be wrong! You must be wrong! Ergh!” She grimaced as another wave of pain bit her ear.

The Governor hesitantly replied; “There's a small chance she's alive, but I wouldn't-”

“What about my other friend?! Two came with me. Pinkie and Applejack. What about the orange Earth pony? Blond mane?”

“There were initial reports about two ponies, but it turned out to just be confusion. There was only one... Are you telling me the initial reports were correct?” A confused look fell over her.

Twilight turned to face her with eagerness “Yes! There were two!”

“Well... I don't know then. All I know is what I've told you, initial reports said two companions, later reports came in saying one had been shot, and the other vanished, so the initial reports had to have been mistaken. I'll have to look into-...”

Now it was her turn for her ears to flatten and expression to sink. Her tail fell in-between her legs as she shuffled over to the small glass coffee table. The rapid shift in posture had left Twilight speechless for only a moment. “Rain- I mean, Governor, what's wrong?”

“Well, I guess I won't have to worry about that.” she finished, pouring two glasses of wine. “A rescue for a rescue, Twilight?... No, the Ceruleans would kill me on sight, and rightfully so... You can call me Rainbow Dash. You're from my dreams, anyways. Hard to keep walls up to a mare you've only seen in dreams.”

“You... Dreamed about me?”

“That's why I couldn't kill you. That's why I'm sentencing myself to death by rescuing you.”

“Rainbow, please explain everything, I have no idea what's going on, here!” She grimaced again. “And please fix this ear up already!”

The pegasus got back up, and slowly, silently, trod over to a vanity. As Twilight watched her at the vanity, she caught her own reflection again: completely miscolored, though only now she realized even her cutie mark had changed. Her entire body had taken the appearance of Berry Punch's. She froze when she realized her horn was missing as well. “MY HORN!”

“Oh. Don't worry about it, it's just invisible.” The Governor produced a bath towel and a medical kit from a drawer, then trod into the bathroom, towel in hoof.

“But why do I look different?!”

She heard the bath faucet turn on. “It's the collar you were wearing. It changes your appearance to the last pony who wore it, and you'll stay that way until the spell is reversed or a week has passed. That's what you felt when we fetched you from the prison. Some earth pony took your appearance, even appearing to have a horn, and you took theirs. That way the public could see the unicorn spectacular, and you could be trained by the Blades of Night.” the faucet stopped, and she re-emerged with a wet towel.

“At least, that's what normally happens. This time, though, I just did it to rescue you. The Blades didn't want any new unicorns. I committed treason. Take a seat at the table, Twilight.” She reluctantly obeyed, though tensely kept her horn ready as the alternate form of her friend approached with the wet towel.

She walked behind the seated Twilight. “Lay down on the pillow, make yourself comfortable.” She hesitated. “Go on. I'm a Governor. I know a thing or two about this.” She complied, only to immediately find a hot, wet towel thrown on her back, and the sensation of a wet cotton ball on her injury as the smell of alcohol hit her nostrils. She gritted her teeth as it stung the injury, thankful ears were thin and non-vital.

“You haven't showered or washed in a very long time, you must be dying for this.”

She couldn't deny, “It feels divine... But still, can you keep explaining everything?”

“I'd... Rather not talk about it. Let's just enjoy the moment.” She started bandaging the ear.

“No.” Twilight stood up, shrugging Rainbow's hooves off. Her eye twitched, her mane even more a disheveled mess than it had been. “No, you know why?!” She leaned into Rainbow's face, hooves spread wide as if ready to charge, voice bristling with anger.

“I've been knocked in the head, probably given some severe head trauma, I awoke completely immobile in a stone prison cell, told I was a monster that was going to be executed, had rifles pointed at me, got yelled at for calling my friend by her name, then, when I thought this nightmare was over more than a day later, you and Cloudchaser told me not to ask questions, then I was bagged, dragged, stuffed in a crate for heavens' knows how many days, and then got a hole shot through my ear!” She finished ranting with her nostrils flaring, gesturing to the half-bandaged ear.

She could feel her mane heating up, ready to burst into flame.

“SO YOU. WILL. EXPLAIN-” She froze. Her friend had gone from stepping back, to sitting down, and had now collapsed.

“Rainbow?” All of the fury in her voice had fallen to a broken ruin. What have I done!? Her hooves went heavy with dread for her cyan friend.

She didn't respond to her name.

“Rainbow, are you okay?”

Still no answer. She gently put a hoof under her friend's chin and lifted it. Her mane was even more a mess than she'd realized, her eyes and nose were red, and her cheeks soaked.

“Rainbow I - I didn't - ”

She slowly got up, trying to regain control of her sobbing breathing, and slowly set to work finishing the bandages on Twilight's ear.

“Dash, what's wrong?” she softly asked.

She finished the bandaging.

“You're free to go, now. I'll never be an issue again.” She turned to the doorway, and began dragging herself to the doorway.

“Don't say that, Rainbow... Where are you going?”

“I can't wait until tonight to die, Twilight. I'm going kill myself so they don't have the chance to kill me... I had one shot at making something worth living of my life, and I shot her, and... Everything else I've done... I couldn't. I just couldn't break your naïve heart with all I've done in this world.” She turned back to the door.

“Rainbow!” Before the pegasus had time to react, Twilight lunged over and tackled her, pinning her on her back and leaning in to her face.

“Dash, I don't know what this world has done to you, or what you think of yourself, or who you think you are, and I certainly have no idea what's going on! But you listen. To. Me! You are my friend! You are RAINBOW DASH! The one, and THE ONLY. Don't you even dare think about doing whatever it was you were going to do! Maybe to you, I'm just some kind of dream or illusion, but to me, you matter. Everything I've gone through, I did it to rescue a single friend of mine, and given the choice, I'd do it again. So don't you dare go and throw your life away, because no matter how much you don't care about it, this 'dream of yours,' does! So don't you even think of hurting a hair on Rainbow Dash's head, okay!? And don't you dare be mean to her, either! OKAY!?”

“I...” She started, her eyes wet and sobbing.

“Now get a hold of yourself! You're a governor, aren't you? I have no idea what's going on, but obviously some dangerous things are, and you and I both need you to be at the top of your game, so shelve your problems for later, we need to get a plan of action right now, and then we can hug and make up afterwards. You're Rainbow Dash! You obviously don't know who you are, and you think you've barely met me, but I know you far better than you do, and you can do this! So, let's make a plan of action, and then we'll talk about your problems afterwards.”

“But... There isn't going to be an aft-”

“YES! Yes there is! With the help of my friends, including you, we defeated Nightmare Moon – a mythical, super-powerful mare of darkness that was going to shroud the land in eternal night. But by some miracle, we did it! And I thought I was going to fail my entrance exam to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, but by some miracle, I did it! So you know what? I don't care how bad this looks. You may absolutely need a miracle to get out of this alive, but that's just when miracles happen, Rainbow! I'm alive right now, and that should be proof enough! Just when your back is to the wall, and you've done everything you can, and there's nothing left, and failure is not an option – that's when they happen – so you just keep fighting, you hear me?! Don't you dare EVER give up, because this isn't over yet!”

The pegasus just looked up at her, her eyes shocked and wide, repressing a sea of emotions.

“I don't know much, but I can tell you're hurt a lot, Rainbow. And I'm sorry.” She continued more softly, yet just as firmly. “But if we don't get a grasp on this situation, then there won't be time to make things better. I love you Rainbow-” she gave her friend a quick hug “-, your friendship has taught me so much, and I want to be there for you, but we have to get somewhere safe first, and to me, this place doesn't seem very safe. Is it?”

“Well... No.”

“Then let's get out of here. You and me, and we'll find the rest of our friends and head home, and you'll discover who I know you really are.” She stepped off of Rainbow's hooves and moved over next to her. “Now, let's talk about our options, and make a plan of escape. Are you with me, Rainbow?” She offered a hoof.

“Yes.” She grinned, and grabbed Twilight's hoof, letting her pull her onto her feet. “We can pull through, but only if we do it together. So, what's going on?”

“You... Obviously don't know much. I'm a governor... I guess you knew that much. But you're from a place with a sunny sky, yes?”

“Of course... Is this place not like that? It's obviously winter, but...”

The governor shook her head. “The land is wrapped in an eternal winter. Above the cloud layer, it's been nighttime for months now, too. So long ago, when the winter started, The Order built enormous protective domes to live under. I'm the governor of one of those domes, the York dome. And right now, the military leader of the dome, Colonel Icewind, is staging a coup against me with a Blade of Night – a secret unicorn police force. They've arrested my friend for treason. She-”

She was cut off by a thunderous bang. The train car was launched off the tracks, rolling madly, sending the occupants flying. There wasn't time to respond before they were knocked out.

* * *

The Colonel still sat at the empty bar.

“Ah, the seeds of rebellion grows. She's getting hopeful, now. We'd probably be best off dispatching her now before she has time to do anything with that unicorn,” the bartender nonchalantly piped up.

Icewind eyed her. “How do you do that? It's like you just know everything.”

“Magic is as magic does, my dear. It's rather simple from this far away. I do admit, though, I do feel somewhat reluctant in killing them.”

“They'll hear us!” She hissed, eying the guards in the train.

The bartender calmly dried out a glass with a rag as she spoke. “Do you think I'd be so reckless? No, they can't hear us, and unless they really focus hard, they won't even notice.”

“You unicorns can sure do some freaky things.”

“You're only now figuring this out?” She grinned. “In any case, we need to go about killing them. But, I'm afraid certain circumstances restrict me from killing the unicorn. So what shall we do?”

“Throw a grenade in the room and blame it on unicorns?”

“Or I could stroll in, and telefrag the poor pegasus.”

“Telefrag?”

“When you teleport half of the subject, but not the other half.”

“Well, I'm not keeping you.”

“Grab a pistol for the unicorn.”

“Already got it.”

“Then let's pay the governor a visit. She's failed her test.” She set down the glass, and walked around the bar, leading the pegasus Colonel down the short, narrow hallway that led to the gangway.

“Well, here-” They were both knocked off their feet as the door's window filled with a monstrous pillar of liquid flame, sending a thunderous shock through the car. The train's metal creaked and groaned as it buckled and struggled to hold together.

They both shot up, looking through the window to see the car had been blown off and sent crashing through the snow behind the train. It took only several moments for either to comprehend what had happened, and for the detached car to disappear far behind them.

The Colonel looked on with complete shock, and the Blade erupted in uncontrollable laughter. She shot the co-conspirator a confused look as she rolled on the ground in the cramped hallway, laughing.

“Oh, that's precious! That's just too precious! It's beautiful! Absolutely be-a-utiful!” She got back onto her hooves, and threw one around the Colonel's shoulders, uncomfortably close in the small space. “That's true magic, my little colonel flatskull. Now, the guards will be rushing up to us. Act natural.”

“Colonel, what happened!?”

“Yeah colonel, what happened!?” the bartender had quickly snapped back into her role.

“Ceruleans!”

* * *

Astilbe yawned and stretched in the darkness, uncurling from a ball. She was hesitant to rise, the cloak-turned-blanket was warm and after sleeping on it, the concrete was also. But just like the Cerulean task force she'd delivered the unicorn to, she preferred not to waste time. Alone in the ancient, pitch-black tunnels, she stood up, donning her makeshift blanket into its intended role: a cloak. She fell into a quiet reflection on the tunnels' history as she donned her bags.

The tunnels had been built centuries ago by the previous occupants of the York Dome, back in a time of great hope. For centuries the domes that The Alliance had captured were separated by a cold expanse, and so each took its own course. The Vanhoover Dome had even forsaken the hunt of the unicorns, coming to peace with the various colonies in the cold. Here at York, the inhabitants had built tunnels as secondary passageways to the outside, and maintenance spaces to allow work on the geothermal lines.

The Republic of York had anticipated that the invention of the railways would bring an unprecedented era of commerce and peace, only to be swiftly invaded by The Order of the Delphi Dome. Fortunately, all references to the layout of the tunnels had been hastily burned as defeat approached, and with that, some remained undiscovered relics of an era past. Undiscovered to all except the few that knew, and by word of mouth, the knowledge had been brought to support the Ceruleans. Very few of the older generation – the generation that had been alive before The Order invaded – would let this useful information go to any other than the Ceruleans.

Astilbe let out another enormous yawn. She stretched her entire body like a waking cat in the darkness, almost toppling out the contents of her saddlebags. She felt her blood running, loosening some of her grogginess, and forcing out any lingering stiffness. She produced and lit a match from her bags, and in turn, a lantern. She began down the long passageway, the lantern's handle in her mouth, and its dim orange light casting away the deep black shadow for a small distance.

She let another yawn slip, looking up to avoid letting the lantern slide out of her wide mouth. It's funny how relaxing it is sleeping down here. I guess it just feels safe. She let out a sad groan. It's too bad. So many ponies would love to flee The Alliance, and go and live in Bastion. If only they could know about these tunnels.

But she knew full well they couldn't. If a single one of them were a spy, then an extremely useful asset to the Ceruleans would be lost, and only a few would be able to escape before The Alliance noticed.

As she trod on, she absently looked left and right, searching for the small staircase marked 12A. Finding the walls as unremarkable as ever, her mind began to wander. I hope everypony is alright. She sighed as a grim realization came over her. They're going to want to pin the blame on somepony for what I did. Chances are it won't even be me. I just hope it's not somepony I know...

But shouldn't I be just as sad if any innocent pony is executed? She shrugged. Well, I suppose I do have more obligation to my friends. So while it's sad anypony has to suffer... I just hope it's not one of them.

She wasn't able to shake the fear that somepony dear to her was going to be executed for what she had done. Please, I'd rather it be me than Fiddler. Her ears pricked up at an odd realization. Actually, I'd rather it be Fiddler... Then I'll be the one left alone, and she'll be in the grassy, summery blue-skied world.

Then her heart froze as her blood ran cold in an instant. She stopped in place. No.

She started sprinting down the tunnel, the tiny lantern swinging wildly, jerking at her jaw painfully and slamming into her chest repeatedly as it swung, but she paid no heed, instead only scouring the walls for her exit. How could I have been so stupid! Why didn't I think about it before!? Why – how, how could I have been so incredibly blind! Stupid, stupid!

Tears welled in her eyes.

I can take the short drop. I could face an execution. Even Fiddler could. Fiddler, Rosewing, Silverwing, they're all operatives, they accepted a risk, and they've grown up in this world. But not HER. She's completely innocent, she's just... She's innocent! She's like a little child!

Her heart pounded in her chest harder than it should have for her sprinting alone. Despite her strength and exercise, her limbs trembled, even while they felt weak and stiff.

She skid to a hault when a spot to her left gave away to darkness. She darted towards it. A staircase! - 11A, not my exit! She kept running.

No! Not her! Not her! I won't allow it! I – I'll rescue her myself!

Tears welled again as she knew how futile it would be. It had taken so much planning, teamwork specialized equipment and coordination to pull off the stunt with the unicorn, and even that was miraculous.

Fiddler! I'm going to be so mad at you if you haven't watched over her! You're an operative! You can take the noose, but she can't! She shuddered as she realized what she had been thinking. Would I really rather my best friend die than her, though? I barely know her... But I really know her. She's innocent... She's, just... Just... She couldn't justify it to herself, in any way than what she had thought before. She's like a child, she doesn't deserve this!

She found another staircase, leaning sharply to keep from rolling over, she darted to it, quickly confirming the painted 12A. She shot up the steps, threw the door open, and jumped into the bedroom above. She quickly set down the lantern on the wood floor, and ran into the living room of the familiar house. A silver stallion yalped as his wings flew wide in surprise. She darted outside, racing to the nearest news-post, her cloak flapping in the wind.

“Astilbe!” the stallion called after her.

She kept running. Please, please, if she hasn't been caught yet I'll turn myself in! Her neck twitched nervously as her heart pounded even harder. Yes, yes! I'll just turn myself in, and I'll be hanged, and they won't be looking for her! That's what I'll do, they can't have – they can't have!...

She stopped wide-eyed in front of the news-post. Despite her lungs screaming for her to pant, her breath stopped. They can't have... But... but...

TODAY AT FOUR: THE EXECUTION OF THE UNICORN-LIBERATOR.

They...

Beneath it, was a black-and-white photograph of a crying mare with a long straight mane, tied from head to toe.

“Astilbe!” Silverwing called again as he darted up towards her. “Get back inside, we need to talk!”

Pinkie...

A Little Kindness

View Online

General Ivory Flame stood on the terrace edge, watching as the distant airfield awoke from its long slumber. The engines of the many heavy bombers and transports guzzled their breakfasts of aviation fuel as they roared to life, the crafts marching around the various pads and taxiways like a colony of army ants. The organized chaos of pegasi directing traffic with marshalling wands, ground vehicles' headlamps, and heavy aircraft navigation lights made a slowly swirling sea of colorful lights in the distant haze.

A pink alicorn approached him from behind. “Admiring the sights?” she asked.

“With how often you follow me around, Ruby, somepony might get the impression you're my messenger rather than the chief governor of this castle,” he said with a wry smile.

She walked up next to him. “Is that a problem?”

“No. It isn't,” he replied, turning his attention back to the distant scene.

“I saw you on the way home and decided to talk to you. I worry about you, sometimes.” Her expression softened towards him, but he held resolute in his focus on the airbase.

“Is this what it looked like?”

Ruby perked an eyebrow, following his gaze to the airbase, then back at him. “Is that what what looked like?”

“Is this what it looked like on that day? You're older than myself, perhaps you remember what it was like from this vantage point. But how often do aircraft leave here? It was probably just another day to you, nothing significant. We both heard the sound of engines in the distance… But that day was the first time I'd ever heard them in my life. They terrified me. What a monstrous roar they make. Like a pride of manticores, either on a bloodthirsty hunt... or a noble rescue mission.”

“I don't remember it... Do you wonder how many will remember these flights? Perhaps among them will be your successor.”

“I pray to Celestia that I don't have a successor. This winter has gone on too long. You've been kept from the details, but I know you're not stupid and you've been around enough to figure it out. You know as well as I do that this will be over in a years' time, one way or another.”

“So is that the legacy you'll leave behind? The last Cerulean general of the longest night? The one to rescue the refugees from the dome of Vanhoover?”

“I don't care how they remember me. All that matters to me, is that they remember me as the last one that was ever needed.”

“You wonder how many of them will hurt as you do, don't you? You're still hurt about her, aren't you?”

“You never get over losing a sister, Ruby...”

A gust of wind blew over them, ruffling their manes with an icy rush while carrying a whiff of diesel.

“I was really impressed by the way you pressed for this at the meeting,” she told him. “I'm surprised at how much they opposed it. Even calling you out on your past, saying it made you biased? That was very unprofessional of them.”

“'Finem Paenitet and Omina Valore'... They only want what's best.”

“What was that?”

“An ancient unicorn language. The two phrases, 'the end justifies the means,' and 'always valiant.' Those were things they taught us back at the colony. Too often these soldiers forget the latter in pursuit of the former. But not me. I think there is a way to achieve both, and sending our forces to Vanhoover does just that.”

* * *

Astilbe sat uncomfortably in front of the table. Silverwing had draped a small blanket over the cloak on her shoulders. The comfort was appreciated, but she still wanted answers, and still struggled to breathe steadily.

“Astilbe! She was executed hours ago, now come with me, two dead mares won't make anything better than one! We can't bring her back but for the love of Celestia don't throw your own life away as well. Now come before somepony calls the guard on you!”

His logic felt cold, but she had followed anyways.

Come on, Astilbe! You've ran right into a line of soldiers before! You've carried a unicorn across four blocks, for pony's sake! You can take some pressure! Get a hold of yourself!

Yet she continued trembling, and her thousand-yard stare was undisturbed.

She sighed. But not her. She doesn't belong here. She doesn't deserve any part of this.

Well it's too late now. I'd might as well accept it. I saved a unicorn, but at what cost?

Silverwing re-entered the room with the promised cups of tea.

“Now, please take a sip, it will help calm your nerves.”

She gladly complied. As she grabbed it, it clanged against the saucer in the grip of her shaking hoof. She struggled to keep from spilling it as she took a sip. A small wave spilled over the lip and ran down the side of the cup from her trembling. Silverwing watched with concern.

He continued as he took a seat across from her; “Fiddler warned me you might assume the worst when you saw what they'd done to Rosewing.”

“What?”

“Astilbe, that's not your guest that was hanged. It was Rosewing.”

Her gaze fell to the floor as she returned the cup to its saucer. Once the inane task was complete, her mind spun. Why am I relieved? I shouldn't be relieved! She's dead! Rosewing was my friend and now she's dead!... It's like what I thought earlier. She's a soldier, but Pinkie is too innocent to die in our war. Rosewing knew the risk she ran, but Pinkie...

She felt a knot clench in her stomach.

“Are you okay, Astilbe? Perhaps it's been awhile since you've eaten? We honestly weren't expecting you'd spend all day in the tunnels.”

“I-” she cut herself off. She hadn't expected her voice to sound so broken. But if I can't show myself like this to Silverwing, then who can I? No, I can trust him. I always have. “I meant to be here this morning. I just overslept. Hah. Haha!...” The insincere laugh of irony dropped limp off her face in an instant.

“Silverwing, I overslept, and a mare died...”

“There's nothing we could have done.”

She huffed and slammed her hoof on the table, glaring at her friend; “I could've turned myself in in her place! I could've fought! I could've – I could've done something!”

He met her uproar cooly, “She was captured last night. Look, we've had losses before. It's part of what we do. I'm surprised you and Fiddler are having such a hard time with this. You're supposed to get used to it.”

“Get used to it? Get used to it!?! As if I'm supposed to stop caring about my friends dying!?”

“No, not at all.” She was taken by surprise at the sudden heaviness in his voice.

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room before he continued, “It means you're supposed to come to terms with mortality. We will all die, one day. Ponies die. It happens to every single one. That's not important. The important thing is what we do with our lives while we have them. Fighting to bring the dawn is something worth giving our lives for. That's why we agreed to do this.

“Don't mourn our dead, Astilbe. Be glad that they stood valiant until the end for this just cause. Every one of us has a life to give. What will we give it for? For nothing but frivolous pursuits, or for something greater than ourselves? Rosewing gave her life for something greater than herself. That's not something to mourn. That's something to celebrate. She was my friend, too, and I'm going to miss her... But I also want to honor her with how I live.”

The rationale was sound. The mare remained silent as her head spun. “I don't know how much longer I can deal with this...” she croaked.

“Well, if you're going to start feeling that way, now's a good time. It's obvious that they know what you look like, now. You're too high-profile, too well-known. It's time for you to go to Bastion. Doubtlessly they're hoping to capture you again, to prove 'how dangerous' Ceruleans are, to make us look like some kind of demon that can rise after an execution. It's brilliant, really. We can expect even less to join our numbers when they see you had to be executed twice. We still don't really know how they made Rosewing look like you, but they did.”

“The unicorn...” Astilbe muttered.

“Yes?”

“The unicorn we rescued. She claimed she wasn't a unicorn. I figured it was probably due to trauma or drugging. She definitely seemed out of sorts in one way or another. But... Could it be possible she wasn't actually a unicorn?”

“To be honest with you I don't know, but I do know illusion magic exists. I'll bet it's the work of the Blades of Night if it was magic. But that’s not our most pressing concern. My biggest concern now is that you're a publicly known high-profile criminal. Astilbe, it's time for you to head back to Bastion. I've already arranged for a rendezvous. Bring Pinkie, and you'll both be extracted from Alliance-controlled territory at the same location you met to extract the unicorn. Twenty-hundred hours tomorrow. Understood?”

She let loose a few uncomfortable chuckles. “You're resigning me? You didn't even ask me first?”

He sighed. “It would've been a bit more courteous, maybe, but you and I both know you don't have a choice, now that you're so easily recognized.”

“Yeah...”

“Now to the task at hoof. What's the story behind this 'Pinkie'?”

* * *

Snowflakes gently landed on Snowglade's forehooves and the small metal plunger box they were set on. A rifle was slung on her back. A heavily armored train plowed through the fresh snowfall a hundred yards out, at the bottom of the small, snowy hill.

“Two... One.” She punched down on the tiny handle, simultaneously using her magic to ensure the charge went down the wire.

A tower of orange erupted from the railway, tearing the last two cars off the train with a thunderous, roaring blast that shook the earth. As they shot through the explosion they were sent crashing through the snow, sending up enormous plumes of white slush.

Her ears were still painfully ringing, and the train cars thrashing through the snow when Amber Light shot up. Through the painful whine in her head, his voice sounded distant, but the urgency was still clear.

“Go, go, go! Flameheart, eyes sharp right-side, Snowglade, stay sharp on the cargo car!”

They shot up and darted through the snow. The luxury car came to a grinding halt on its side, its roof only a few yards from the team.

“Two o'clock!” Flameheart screeched, skidding to a halt and raising his rifle. The team plunged into the snow. A thunderous bang tore through the air as an orange flash blasted from his rifle. “Contact dropped! Sight's clear!”

The shot still rang on the hills as Amber Light barked more orders. “Move left, move left! Flameheart, Redheart, take right-side. Stay sharp and breach on my mark! Snowglade, can you feel any heartbeats?”

She used her electric magic to search for the familiar current in the train cars. “No, but it's hard to tell with so much metal!” The explosives had ripped through the cars, shearing their metal and creating deceptive electrical echoes through the material.

Amber looked at the cargo car. “Flame! Is the top of the cargo car open?”

He glanced up, then at the roof of the car lying on the snow. “Which top?”

“Upside!”

He shot into the air, then dove back down. “There's a big hatch door. Looks closed and locked.”

“Is it armored heavily?”

“Yessir.”

“Then go bang on it, nice and loud. Keep anyone inside distracted.”

“Sir!” He shot up, landing on the cargo car and setting to his obnoxious work. “Snowglade, stay here, Redheart, go take cover by the undercarriage. You two are eyes on perimeter.”

“Sir!” They both responded. Redheart jogged around the car, scanning as she went.

Loud banging came from the topside of the car. The Sergeant scanned the roofs of the cars, noting that their indoor gangway roof had been torn open in the crash. He leaned in to Snowglade. “Glade, I'm going to breach the end of the cargo car. When you hear the charges go off, pop in that tear and drop anypony who's facing my way.”

“Pop in and pop'em when you breach, got it.”

He ran over to the end of the train, careful to avoid the view of the small window on the heavy metal door. He slunk low and approached it from the side, timing his hoofsteps with the rhythm of Flameheart's banging. Pulling a small three-set of charges from a saddlebag, he slapped them on the door's bolt and hinges, hiding the sound under the pilot's distracting ruckus.

He carefully stepped back, lay low, and set off the trigger.

With another fiery blast, the metal door was blown into the snow. A gunshot rang through the inside. Then two more bangs followed in quick succession.

“I see'em but they're not dropping!” Screamed Snowglade’s shaky voice.

Another shot rang out.

The sergeant popped in the doorway; the mess of broken boxes impossible to distinguish in the dark; but nothing moved in sight. He ducked back behind the steel door frame. He bit his lip as options ran through his mind. With the enemies facing Snowglade, he could enter the car and take them from behind with a knife, but crawling through the dark car meant he'd be misidentified and shot on sight by his comrade.

“You have one chance! Come out!” He shouted. “There's a dozen of us!”

Beside the doorway in the gangway, Snowglade shut her eyes, fighting to steady her panicked breathing. Come on, Sweetie Belle! Get a hold of yourself! As she strained to calm herself, her rifle only shook harder.

Silence.

“Second unit, target cargo car with the one-five-five millimeter!”

Still silence.

His team knew he was bluffing, and stayed in place. Come on! Just give up! Give up! She mentally pled the scare tactic would work.

She flinched as two shots tore through the car a thousand times louder than thunder. Her ears screeched into her head as they rang. “Identify! Identify!” the Sergeant bellowed at her.

She instinctually obeyed, peering over the edge of the doorway, her eyes more adjusted to the dark since sitting in the gangway.

This time, she carefully scanned with her magic and her eyes. “Misidentification! Car's clear!”

Amber Light looked around his doorway again, noting the stillness of the scene, and seeing Snowglade's small frame in the overturned doorway of light at the far end. “Tartarus! Flameheart! Take far entrance, Snowglade, stay put!”

Flameheart shot to his post without a word. Treading through the chaotic mess of shattered and splintered boxes and cargo, littered with Alliance dollars, the sergeant carefully scanned for anything moving.

A broken box of bottles, three empty boxes, a mess of shattered ceramic and glass, an area strewn with documents and folders. He quickly stuffed a few hoof-fulls of documents in his saddlebags, then continued scanning. Some scrolled blueprints far too large to take. A pile of smelly wet blankets. Wet blankets? A thick metal collar. A pile of rope. A torn bag of flour, and two limp sacks; one with a spray of potato guts in front of a small tear. There's Snowglade's 'contact'.

No soldiers.

Approaching Snowglade, he climbed over the sideways doorframe to the gangway, landing next to her. He dwarfed the young unicorn. Her terrified trembling slowed a little as her wide eyes saw the veteran’s stoic, determined expression and firm frame.

Yet despite his focus, for a brief moment he couldn’t help but notice her relief at seeing him next to her. She was still slightly trembling, her eyes wide with terror, but she looked up to him, and her eyes spoke their own language. She had never been so terrified, had never felt so small, but she trusted him, and depended on him to get her through this alive.

The moment was as brief as it was sudden, and ended just as quickly. He examined the door to the luxury car. No locks. The train had fallen so the door would topple down if he turned the handle, but the wreck had left it skewed at an odd angle. He couldn't be sure it'd open at all.

He leaned in to her and whispered; “Glade, I'm going to give this door a firm kick. Go to Flameheart, tell him to breach when he hears the kick. Give a nice blinding flash of light when you breach, too, and identify anypony in there with your magic, not your eyes. Got it?”

“Yessir!” She darted out into the snow.

He counted to ten as he turned and readied a buck for the door.

The momentary silence was unbearable. It was as dead as the howling wind outside.

“Hey!” He shouted as he gave the strongest buck he could muster, sending loud clangs of metal as the door toppled into the car, quickly followed by a hissing bang from the far side.

“Bodies!”

“Any contacts?”

“The car's empty! The two bodies are alive but seem unconscious.” Snowglade's small voice shouted. “One of them is a unicorn.”

“Snowglade, take post by the roof, keep watch.”

“Yessir!” He could hear her huff as she jumped out of the overturned doorway.

As he stood up, peering over his own armored door frame, the car’s interior came into view. It was almost as much a mess as the cargo car, except flung bedsheets, furniture, a splintered canopy bed and an enormous shattered mirror made it a better maze of hiding bodies. Nothing was in the Sergeant's sight.

“Contact!” Snowglade yelled from outside. “But I can't engage, I can just vaguely feel it coming with my magic. It's far out. From the direction we left Rarity.”

Buck! They've already killed our guest! - Or maybe it is Rarity? Not going to leave it to chance. We'd better prepare. “Flame, can you identify the governor!?”

“Yes!” Even in the dark car and under a nightgown, the rainbow mane was easy to identify.

“Grab her and knife the Blade.”

“Sir, it's not a Blade... I don't think I see a horn, even.”

He paused. A unicorn? Not a Blade of Night? Maybe no horn? Alone with the governor?

“Make sure both the bodies are disarmed, and pull the governor by the doorway, but don't get out.”

Darting back to the cargo car, he scanned for the rope. He quickly grabbed it and ran back to the luxury car, tying it in a slipknot, and setting it over the governor's neck. After a brief pause, he took it off, wrapped the rope around the governor, binding her, then setting the last loop around her neck, tying it back into a slipknot. He handed the off-end to Flameheart.

“Hold it with plenty of slack. She's your hostage. Hold her in front of you as armor, and make it clear that you can drop her and break her neck if your demands aren't met. Is she alive?”

“Yessir.”

The sergeant turned, grabbed a piece of broken glass, grabbed the governor's hoof, and sliced it.

The governor gasped. “Go!” he ordered.

“The contact is Rarity!” Snowglade announced.

“Oh, buck,” he said, “Hold the governor like that, regardless. Now she's her own hostage. Stay airborne so it's obvious that if she wriggles her way out she'll just be snapping her own neck.”

“Got it!” He took to his wings and hovered outside the car as the governor's eyes fluttered open and she started moaning.

The sergeant approached the other body. He wrapped his hooves over its chest and hoisted it to the doorway, struggling to climb up and over the sideways doorframe with the heavy load. Finally, he toppled into the snow with it. Rising up and brushing it off, he realized it was a her. As Flameheart had said, a civilian mare, currently naked. He glanced up at Flameheart.

Trying to transport the mare and the governor would be tedious. He'd known since the outset what he would do with the governor, anyways.

“Rainbow!” Rarity exclaimed as she approached. Spectrum’s ears perked up as her curious gaze turned to the approaching unicorn. “Who?...” she quietly mumbled.

“Break her neck!” He barked.

Flameheart let go of his charge, still holding the rope tight. The governor tensed as she fell helplessly bound.

Rarity shrieked as the huge length of slack quickly ran short. The governor stopped falling with a sudden jerk as she began to glow with Rarity's magic.

“Rarity!? WHAT THE BUCK!? We told you to stay back!”

The governor was launched into a fit of coughing.

“This is Rainbow Dash! Don't you 'What the Buck' me! What the buck are YOU doing murdering her!? I thought you were soldiers!”

“And she's the enemy! - ” he turned to Flameheart “- Put a round through the governor!”

“DON'T YOU DARE!” Rarity's shrill shriek turned every head with her unprecedented ferocity. The rope was magically torn from Flameheart’s hooves, and the bound governor was shot through the air behind Rarity, who took a step back to stand defensively over her. “DON'T YOU DARE HARM A RAINBOW HAIR ON HER HEAD!”

The Sergeant growled. “Rarity!” The urgency in his voice matched the ferocity in hers. He pointed down the railway emphatically. “There is an army descending on us every second we spend bickering! They're coming after us because of her. If she's dead, they have less of a reason to chase us. She won't co-operate with interrogation, she could easily lie, she's useless to us!”

The nurse had re-appeared around the corner. “I thought this was a capture mission. Not an assassination.”

“Capture, or assassinate as needed!” The Sergeant barked. “I'm NOT losing another team! Dispatch her, and we can get out of here! We have no way of carrying her and the unicorn. The unicorn's a better mystery.”

“I will cooperate,” croaked a beaten, soft voice from under Rarity. She looked down. “You don’t have to carry me. I’ll walk.”

“Oh, Rainbow Dash!” She yelled, throwing her bound, nightrobed friend into her hooves.

The mare huffed, then continued just as weakly. “Hey. Who are you? But forget that, he's right. We need to get out of here. You can kill me later, I want to tell you what I know. Keep my wings bound, and this noose on my neck and pull me by it. I won't resist. That way you can carry Twilight.” She pointed her head at the unicorn the Sergeant had just extracted from the car.

The sergeant glanced around, quickly considering what he'd heard. “One tug on that rope and we'll have you shot.”

“Fine,” the prisoner agreed.

“Snowglade, get on that ropework. Flameheart, keep your rifle on her. Rarity, are you going to cooperate with this?”

“No.”

“Sis! Be reasonable!”

“No,” she continued, “Not unless you give her more leeway than that. You can't shoot her if she merely gives a tug.”

The sergeant seethed in irritation. His head shot side to side, frantically scanning. He noticed the nurse was focused on the conversation. “Redheart, eyes sharp!” He turned back to Rarity; “Yes! That works! Snowglade, help Rarity with the ropework, and drop the governor if she tries to escape. Flameheart, come get this mare.”

“Her name is Twilight. She's a good pony. Ehck, you won't take my word for it, but you'll know soon enough,” the governor calmly replied as Rarity and her sister worked her ropes. She didn't as much as flinch as she was handled by their magic and the ropes worked around her.

“Twilight? Twilight Sparkle?” Rarity asked.

“You know her?”

“Yes! But of course! But that's not what she looks like at all.”

“She's under an appearance-altering spell...” Rainbow's ears perked up with her eyebrows. “Commander!-” she turned to the sergeant, “There's a metal collar in the cargo car, and there should be a few of my uniform dresses in my wardrobe in the luxury car. Get those and you'll be able to make any member of your team look like me.”

“Why would I -?” It dawned on him. “How can I trust you?”

“She's telling the truth.” Rarity said. “Twilight looks different – if indeed that really is her. But I don't know how else Rainbow would know her name. Or...” She paused. “You must be Rainbow's alternate, then.” Her ears drooped.

“A good question is how do you know my name? Unless you're-” she gasped. “uhg!” Her gasp was cut off as a knot was tightened in place around her neck.

“Gently!” Rarity snapped at her sister.

The sergeant finished considering it. “Flameheart, use your wings and go grab a few of the Governor's uniform dresses. I'll get the collar. Snowglade! Watch the governor, make sure Rarity doesn't do something stupid. You assist 'Glade, Nurse. Also keep an eye on this unicorn – Twilight – and an eye out for incoming.”

“Yessir!”

Flameheart was already in the car. Amber Light darted around the undercarriage side to the cargo car.

“And Flameheart!” he called out from the other car. “Grab some blankets in there, too, for the unicorn!”

“Wilco!”

Flameheart re-emerged, dresses clearly stuffed in a saddlebag, and blankets in hooves. With the nurse's help, he began carefully wrapping up the unconscious mare in the thick insulating clothing.

“What about me? I thought you weren't planning to kill me.” The governor shouted to him with what volume she could muster, a cold shiver already apparent in her voice as the snow fell on her.

He strode out of the cargo car, blankets half-tucked in a saddlebag, and the collar clipped on to another bag. “Is Twilight ready to go?”

“Yes!” called the nurse.

“Then we're moving. Back to standard positions. Snowglade, magic our tracks away behind us. Flameheart, fly as low as you can with your charge... I'll take point, with our other charge in tow. Nurse, Rarity, you're behind me in that order. Let's go, let's go!”

“Contacts! Lots of contacts!” Snowglade alerted. “I can feel at least a few, maybe up to a dozen ponies coming from far out, from down the railway, to the west. At most five hundred yards.”

“Double-speed, everypony!”

He trotted up to Snowglade, who handed the rope's end over to him. He threw the urine-spotted blankets from the cargo car over the governor. “Directly or indirectly, this is doubtlessly your work. I thought it fair you wore them.”

She only looked down at the snow and mumbled. “Now I'm the prisoner, in the same blankets I kept Twilight locked in in the cargo crate for sixteen hours...”

He took a few steps forward, she followed, keeping just enough slack that the rope didn't drag.

“You make a sound to give us away to your search parties, I'll have you shot in the gut a few times, and in each limb. Then your rescue call will do you little good. But be good, and we won't murder your unicorn friend, and we will be merciful with your execution, and maybe... Just maybe... We may let you live. Understood?”

“Yes. But what if I get cold? I'm barehoof.”

He put his nose in a saddlebag and produced two pairs of extra boots. “Thank your god we have another pair. Otherwise, I would've just killed you just now. If you start slowing us down... I'll think about what we'll do with you. If you intentionally slow us down, we'll break your tail, snout, and give you a good beating. Good?”

She merely nodded gently as the boots were thrown at her. They had made clever use of the single rope, binding her wings and neck securely, but leaving her legs free so she could be pulled along at a walk. She set to work with the boots.

“And don't play with your knots. If any of us catch you doing that, we'll go through the fun session I just mentioned. Let's set out, double speed!”

She barely managed to slip the last one on before being yanked, sending her sprawling into the snow. The sergeant merely cast a look back at her as she struggled back up, then they set along.

“Good heavens, Sergeant, why are you being so cruel to her?” Rarity asked, her face stricken with horror. The nurse merely looked disappointed, and the rest of the team, indifferent.

“You haven't lived in this world, Rares. You haven't seen what this monster has done. She doesn't – IT doesn't deserve to be called a pony,” he replied.

“Surely, you think differently, Nurse Redheart?”

She shook her head. “It's hard to forgive her. I don't think I ever could. But Sergeant, we can't be like this. We can't become just as bad as they are.”

“Nurse, with all due respect, no matter what we did with her, we couldn't do anything as bad to her as what she's done to so many civilians.”

“He's right,” Rainbow croaked. “I deserve nothing more,” her voice trembled.

Rarity and the Nurse exchanged concerned glances. Rarity opened her mouth to speak.

“Team, we're going into silence, now,” their leader ordered, “don't forget we've got an army close behind. Keep up.”

They trudged into the gray abyss hurriedly as the snow fell heavier and heavier.

* * *

Fluttershy was thrown onto the cold metal floor, her shackles clanging as she crashed. The heavy metal door slammed shut behind her, leaving her alone in the dark as the sound of boots marched away.

“I-I-I'm so sorry!... I'm sorry...” Whimpering, she curled into a ball, sobbing uncontrollably. The fear was overwhelming. It felt unreal. She wanted to run, to change things, to have them listen to her helpless pleas. She had heard of it happening, she knew it happened, but it felt unreal happening to her, like a terrible nightmare it would only take enough crying to wake up from.

It was all she could do. The battering to her bruised legs had made it hurt too much to sit up properly. She had a vice-crushing headache that made it too painful to think, so instead she curled in a sobbing ball, letting the tears run down her black eyes.

“Ar-are y-you okay, miss?” came a weak, gentle female voice from the back of the dark cell.

Fluttershy sniffed and looked up. She could only make out an outline. Talking, seeing somepony, hearing a voice – it all distracted, ever so slightly, from the throbbing bruises and stabbing headache. “Who-who's there?” she croaked, wiping the tears out of her eyes.

“A-a lot of ponies call me 'ditz'...” the voice said, tapering off.

She felt something new. She was tired of being thrown around, of her life shooting away from her grasp. She wanted to scream at it, to buck it, to tell it to stop shoving her around, to stop kicking her and beating her and- I don't want what other ponies call you, I want your name! “But what's your real name?”

“Brighteyes.” A bubbly happiness crept into her voice, but was quickly replaced with worry; “Are you going to call me that or-”

“Of course!” Fluttershy responded. “They're!... They said they're going to hang me!” she cried, falling into another fit of sobs. It hurt to shut her eyes.

“I-it's okay, miss...”

She bit her lip, and her ears flattened against her head. An angry shout formed on her tongue, ready to attack the liar for downplaying her pain.

“-It's not that bad as long as they only do it once.”

“Wh-what?” she asked, disbelief causing her anger to slip away. Then it dawned on her. She knew what Brighteyes was about to say.

“I-I've bah-b-been choked a f-few times b-because... Because...”

The pause was excruciating. Everything in Fluttershy wanted her to snap; “Because what!?” Why am I thinking like this? Why am I becoming such a jerk?

Because I'm tired of these ponies pushing me around! I didn't do ANYTHING and this is what I get!? I-I! I could just!-

Brighteyes started crying.

You were telling me something useful! But now you're just going to start!?- Fluttershy!? What are you doing? How can you think that?...

It scared her to hear her mind turn so violent. She felt her hooves tense, wanting to give Brighteyes black eyes to match her own for not finishing what she was saying. Everything she knew and held in her life had slipped away, and she had even been sent in this prison by her one true friend and governor - the bucking traitor! She wanted to buck and bite on to what little control she had left. Brighteyes was not about to wrench the last bit out of her hooves!

Confusion spilled over her. She felt her mind plummet into an agonizing fit of helplessness, fear and anger. She hated herself for her newfound temper, she was terrified of what she felt, she was scared for her life, she wanted to fight and run – from the cell, from her feelings, from everything. She felt her legs shaking – she just wanted to collapse on the ground and cry as her throbbing head spun and tears poured down her face.

But she saw something in front of her. A crying figure. She knew what she had to do.

I-I can't! I'm too weak! I'm too sore and tired – they're just going to kill us anyways, what does it matter! I'll just – I'll just collapse here and... I can't! I-I don't even know who I am – getting so angry!? How could you, Fluttershy, how could you!?

She fought the despair with every pounding beat of her heart. All the agony, confusion, pain and self-hate melted away in two beautiful sentences that soared above the chaos: No. She needs me.

Her mind was made up. In defiance to all she thought possible, she managed a few steps towards the huddled figure, her chains clanking as she walked.

As her eyes adjusted, she saw more clearly. Brighteyes' light gray coat was as beaten as hers, and her shackles were bolted into the wall.

The blond-maned pegasus flinched as Fluttershy approached.

Her heart went out to the prisoner, who had clearly been here longer than she had. “It's okay... I'm not going to hurt you...”

The mare broke from her sobbing. “Y-you aren't going to beat me?”

How dare you suggest that I!- “Of course not.”

“B-but... B-b-but they all do...”

I almost became like all the other prisoners. Of course they all feel helpless and angry. But... I didn't.

“I won't.”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise.”

“W-will y-you...”

She remembered what Snowfeather had done for her, and how it had made her feel. This pegasus needed the same.

“I'll be your friend.”

Immediately a pang of anger hit her again. You'll stoop right down to her level?! You have one chance to be better than somepony else – ONE chance to not be on the bottom! Once chance to not give up what little you have left! It's time to push back! Don't you dare let them put you on the bottom!

Stop it, stop it! I'm not like that! I could never! Her pounding head spun. All her pain returned. Her legs clenched. The cold metal floor almost felt like a liquid, foggy blackness.

You'll just get angry again and again and nothing you ever do will stop it. You won't be able to hold it back forever – you never had to face me before – you don't know what it's like to hold anger back! I'll just keep coming back until you bow to my will! Give up now and save yourself the fight! You're about to die – why keep fighting? Just give up! Nothing matters now! You're already dead! Learn what it's like to be in control for once in your miserable, bottom-feeding life you stupid slave! Just-

She jumped forward, hooves out, and wrapped the gray pegasus in a hug. It was her only hope against the unwelcome barrage of thoughts.

Then, something happened. In the midst of her despair, she felt a small spark of warmth inside of her. She had done what was right, and that was all that mattered.

“Th-thank you...” Brighteyes whispered into her ear.

There were no dry eyes in the cell. They, however, were not afraid. It was a very different thing that they felt as smiles crept over their faces.

An odd realization came to Goldfeather’s mind. In all the years she had served under the Governor, and seen and interacted with the Colonel, the Chief of Police, and all sorts of high-ranking authorities in The Order, she had never once seen tears of joy from any of them.

But here in this embrace, in this cell, there were many. Do any of those poor high-ranking ponies even know what it’s like to share a warm hug?

“It'll be okay, Brighteyes... Everything always turns out okay...”

A Peace at a Time

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A piercing headache was the first thing Twilight was aware of. Her mind raced to grasp what was happening. Train! I'm on a train – with Rainbow! Rainbow is in trouble – it's an alternate copy of her. She's forgotten who she is! She was going to … She knew it, but she refused to even think it. I need to help her!

She wasn't sure if her eyes weren't open or if it was completely dark. But, where am I? The feeling of being wrapped in warm blankets came over her, along with the sensation of being carried.

She sighed internally. Another stranger, who I'm completely helpless to. No. I'm not going to make this easy for them this time. Not after that guard knocked me out, not after all this mess!

First, I can't let them know I'm conscious... If they think I'm still out they'll be less prepared. She winced as her head throbbed again. She bit her tongue to keep from groaning under the pain. Stop it, head!

Okay... Last I remember, there was... A train wreck? What are the chances the train would wreck? Ugh! Nothing makes sense! No, no, focus Twilight. I just need to escape from whoever's carrying me. As her mind and senses came around, she noticed the particular swaying feeling was distinct. Drat. I think I'm airborne. Okay... I have no idea how high I am. I'm still somewhat new to teleporting, I don't think I can quickly pull off two in a row, so I can't go out sideways then adjust and teleport down. Plus, if it's dark and I can't see the ground... No, this just won't work out.

I need more information. But I don't know what they're doing with me or what's going on, so I need to act fast. She listened intently for a few moments. She quickly made out flapping wings, confirming her airborne fears. But then she heard something encouraging – wind and hoofsteps.

Hoofsteps! I'm low enough to hear hoofsteps in – it must be snow! These must be some really warm blankets, then... But I can hear the steps over the wind, so I'm very low. I'll just teleport out straight sideways and book it... I really hope I'm somewhere open!

To be safe, she didn't go very far. With a flash of magic, she was standing bare in the snow just a few feet away from her carrier, galloping away into the fog. The pegasus let out a startled shout as his heavy load suddenly vanished, sending him into a backflip. With a clear view ahead, she began charging her horn for another teleport when a sweet, familiar voice called out to her.

“Twilight!”

She skid to a spinning halt, looking back. Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash, Carrot Cake and Nurse Redheart were all there.

“We're on your side!” Mr. Cake exclaimed in a hushed voice. “Stay quiet! We're being hunted!” His voice was burdened with urgency.

She cast a confused glance at Rarity. Rarity nodded, then spoke in a hushed tone, “Yes, Twilight, you can trust these ponies... Somewhat. - I mean mostly. Just, come along, we need to keep moving and stay quiet, it isn't safe here.”

She looked over all of them for a few long moments, a suspicious glare on her face. “What are all of you doing here? Where are we? What's going on?”

“Keep your voice down! I told you we're being hunted!” Mr. Cake hissed.

“Yes,” Rainbow piped in. “Come along, Twilight. They'll explain everything.”

Twilight's ears fell flat against her head when she saw Rainbow's ropes. They tied her up! But she's the governor! She said something about committing treason? Are these more of those bad police? Who are these ponies!? She could feel her heartbeat throbbing in her ears more intensely than her piercing headache.

Getting a better look at Rarity, she noticed that underneath the heavy winter clothing and backpack, her mane was ruined, her horn and leg bandaged, and her bandaged right ear was only a stump. “Are you the Rarity from Equestria, or some kind of alternate like 'Governor Spectrum'?”

Rarity merely looked levelly at her. A kind of hollowness seemed to fall over her when she heard the question. The Sweetie Belle lookalike gazed at her sister with concern. Rarity started walking towards Twilight. Twilight took a startled step back, her legs tense, horn flaring with magic, ready to teleport her away.

When she was up to her face, Rarity stopped. “Twilight?” Her voice shook and broke.

Twilight froze. “Yes?”

Rarity threw her hooves around her and squeezed with all her might, and began sobbing. “Let's go home. Let's please go home right now.” Her voice shook madly, but still held some sliver of composure.

“Rarity!...” She returned the embrace. “I'm sorry,” she continued gently, “but... I can't. I thought this was impossible – and I'm so, so sorry it happened! This is all my fault!”

“No, it isn't, don't you dare say that, dearie,” she comforted, “I was the one who urged you to perform a spell you thought was unsafe, and I volunteered to risk myself for this. You've been far more than kind enough to come after me. I shouldn't have pressed you.”

“You two!” The sergeant hissed. “Keep it down! I'm all for this, but we need to keep moving! Twilight, we'll explain when we set up camp. For now, we need to keep moving and stay quiet! We're being hunted! They’ll kill us if they find us!– let's go!”

They broke apart and looked each other in the eyes. “I have lots of questions... but if we're being hunted I guess I'll wait until we can sit down and talk,” she whispered. Rarity nodded. “Yes, but first – you mean you can't get us back at all? Did you-!? Was your rescue a one-way mission!?”

“I don't know,” Twilight stated levelly, shaking her head. “I just know I can't get us back the same way we came, but I'm sure there's got to be another way. Now-”

“GO!” The sergeant hissed again.

“Yes, let's go,” Twilight finished,. “We've got to stay alive if we're ever going back...” Rarity nodded, and the two quickly walked back into the convoy. At seeing their compliance, the rest of the group turned forward and returned to walking. Snowglade dutifully covered their tracks, and they set off into the foggy abyss.

* * *

Astilbe couldn't help herself but see. As she walked down the frosty cobblestones, she mentally gave thanks that long coats were such common apparel, and that the square was more than crowded enough that her resemblance to the hanged mare would quickly be passed off as coincidental.

The towering stone buildings and banners surrounding the courtyard made it feel like a military camp. Pegasi infantry regularly patrolled above. It wasn't too unusual for pedestrians to stop and stare at the bodies of the 'dissidents.' The guards would merely write it off as grim fear, fascination or curiosity. But Astilbe was here for a completely different reason.

They knew. The sad, pitiful looks of one mourning, or paying a final visit were different from those who were merely curious: It was one thing to see a limp body, but it was quite another to see a still friend. So when Astilbe approached Rosewing's still form, the guards responded how they always had in recent months. They ignored her.

During the purges, paying respectful homage to an executed mare would have been a capital offense. But nopony had been left untouched by the purges, not even the soldiers. The fire of the nationalistic fervor had burned out when it had scalded those who bore it.

So she was left in peace as she approached Rosewing. It was unnerving; just as she had seen in the picture, she was looking at her own body, adorned in a straightjacket and prisoner's pants, hanging from the noose with her head bowed and limp.

After leaving Silverwing's, a stop by her house had found Pinkie safe and asleep; indeed, as Silverwing had said, this wasn't Pinkie they'd hanged. The Order had changed somepony's appearance.

She wished she could see Rosewing one last time. Her vanilla body and pink mane were a sweet sight... “Well, at least your mane and tail are about the same color...” she muttered, “heh... I'm sorry... I... I just...” she faced the cobblestone and paused. The crowd passed behind her, leaving her facing her friend, nopony daring interrupt the final visit.

“...That was kind of rude of me...” She bit her tongue, and her ears flopped against her head and she looked down even further at her hooves. “Well, I guess you're better off than me, right now. I mean...” she looked up at her head, then back to the ground. “What am I saying?... I don't know what it's like to die... I guess I should say, I'm sorry. I'm sorry it was you instead of me, it was supposed to be me in your place right now...” Her ears pressed even further against her head.

“After all, they made you look like me. Really nopony should've died of course, but... I'm sorry you took my fall. I wish I could've been there to take it so you didn't have to.”

Her front hooves felt weak. She sat on her haunches, and sagged. Oh no, Astilbe, don't cry! Not here, not in public, not in front of all these guards!

An odd feeling hit her. It wasn't a tangible feeling, more of a warm impression; but she felt as though somepony set a hoof on her shoulder, standing behind her. “I know some ponies don't, but when you're as familiar with death as we are... We believe in an afterlife. You're here, now, aren't you?”

She paused. The feeling grew, and she felt warm. The tension and fear that she might cry vanished, and instead a flood of hot, but silent tears came to her eyes.

She didn't bother to look up at the body when she spoke. Rosewing wasn't in front of her. “I just want to tell you, I'm sorry I wasn't closer. Fiddler is more of my peer. But you, you were never my peer... You were kind of like... More like... You were always kind of like my Mom...” she paused.

“You got me that job here in the York dome, after I had to leave Rambling Rock, you even pulled strings on my housing, you were just, there. You looked out for me, and most of all, you're the one who introduced me to all this...

“You know when I first came here I wasn't happy. I didn't have anything to live for. They killed my Mom, and to untarnish my name my Da made me come here. But you watched out for this filly from the mining town. And most of all, you gave me that copy of –” she bit her tongue, barely saving herself from muttering the name of the blasphemous tome in public. The Journal of Clover the Clever.

“You were just like her. Her, and her. They both believed so strongly in keeping our light against the dark, that our greatest weapon was our own inner warmth. I had lost mine. My parents had worked so hard to keep it in me, and when they killed her, I nearly lost what she'd lived to give me. But you kept it burning within me. I owe you everything. I would have hanged myself and made her death meaningless if you hadn't kept that warmth in my heart, and showed me this cause...” And gave me hope for a Cerulean sky.

“I didn't have anything to live for until you showed me something I'd die for, what you died for, and more importantly, what you lived for, and what she lived for... Heh, that's something we say all the time, isn't it? Everypony dies. But the important thing is we accomplish something while we live...

“You accomplished a lot, Rosewing. I... I love you...” Her ears finally stood up again. Her legs regained strength. But still she only faced the ground; there was no purpose to face the grotesque form Rosewing had left behind. “...and I'm going to miss you a lot... Goodbye, Rosewing...”

She still felt the impression of a warm form behind her. So she sat still. Long minutes passed in complete silence, interrupted only be the occasional sniff. Soon she wiped her eyes, and regained her composure. She readied her legs to stand... But couldn't make herself do it. So she sat awhile longer.

“Hey! I'm talking to you!” A mare barked behind her.

“What?” Astilbe spun around.

“Isn't that the unicorn liberat-” She froze when she saw Astilbe's face.

Astilbe glanced back at the hanged mare. Rosewing's face was discolored from the hanging; she only hoped the difference was enough that they wouldn't seem too identical. She turned back to the angry pedestrian. “Don't be stupid. We just look alike – weird isn't it?”

She shoved her way past the mare, who pulled an ear back and looked in-between the two again, speechless.

Thinking fast, Astilbe spun around again, took the mare by the shoulder, and quietly commanded her, “And don't be so stupid as to waste The Order's time with some other pink-colored pony. There's a thousand pink ponies here.” She turned again and stormed off into the crowd.

She felt sick to her stomach.

* * *

Ever since the adrenaline rush had worn off, Twilight’s mind had descended into confusing, tired depths. But she had to keep going, Nightmare Moon wasn't far behind. Nightmare Moon? No, I don't think it's Nightmare Moon that's chasing us... Why are we walking again?

“Rarity-”

She felt a hoof brush the snow off her hood as she blinked her eyes open. Looking up, she saw Nurse Redheart standing over her. Twilight was laying in the snow. It took her a few moments to realize that the nurse wasn't the one brushing her hood off. Looking around, she saw Rarity standing next to her.

“Are you alright, Twilight?” The nurse asked.

Her head pounded, her thoughts swam in a nebulous fog. “I... I don't know.”

The medic leaned in, and raised Twilight's illusioned mane. Despite the appearance-altering spell, the swollen bruise from her hit days prior was still visible. The medic turned back to Carrot Cake; “We must stop. How far have we gone? Fifteen, twenty miles? She needs rest.”

She turned back to Twilight; “Is this from the train crash? This looks older than a few hours.”

“Uhm... I don't know... Is it?”

Worry poured over the Nurse's face. “Have you been knocked in the head recently, aside from the train crash?”

“No... Well... Yes!... When I first got here... I think?... Yes, when I first got here.”

The nurse bit her lip, then turned back to the Sergeant. “She's not going to be able to keep going much longer. She's in worse shape than just the crash.”

He looked over the team, eyes darting from one to another as they all faced him, waiting for his call. “Can she keep walking?”

The nurse turned back to the unicorn.

“Uh... Yeah. I can keep walking,” she croaked.

“Then we keep going,” he answered decisively.

Rarity huffed. “We simply can't keep goi-”

“Can it! I'm getting real tired of the trouble you're giving us. And she'll be in even worse condition if an Alliance patrol finds us. It's geometry. Every inch we go makes us even safer than the last. We have to squeeze every bit of distance we can if we're going to evade patrols. They'll be searching hard for a governor. So unless you want her shot or tortured, then we best keep going.”

“Actually...” Rainbow added in, never looking up from the snow, “I had just committed treason. I don't know if they'll be searching harder to try to kill me, or softer, knowing you'll do the work for them.”

“Back to silence.” The Sergeant ended the conversation just as decisively, and started walking. The rest of the team followed suit without question. Rarity paused for a moment, looking back at Twilight with worry across her face. Twilight merely cracked a smile back at her and started walking. Rarity quickly followed suit, moving next to her along with the medic.

With no method to keep time, and her mind in a confused delirium, it was impossible to tell how long they had walked when the Sergeant finally ordered a stop, and had them begin setting up their tent.

Everything seemed to move in a confused blur. There were warm coats and blankets over her. Then they were gone, and she was lying in the tent. The nurse stood over her and said some nice, soothing things. Rarity sat over her looking concerned. They hugged. She finally laid down and slept.

That was all she could remember before shooting awake again, finding herself alone in the tent with Sweetie Belle, who sat watching over her.

“S-Sweetie Belle? Where is everypony?”

“Oh, good! You sound a lot more coherent than all of last evening's ramblings!” She smiled with a cuteness only Sweetie Belle could, despite wearing a rifle over her shoulder.

“Ramblings? I wasn't rambling last night!... Was I?”

“Oh yeah, you were. It was kinda scary. But the nurse just assured us the best thing was just for us to let you rest and recover. Oh – and call me Snowglade. That's my real name, here...” Her ears flopped and she blushed with her last two sentences. “Good to see you making sense, though! I've been excited to meet you since I heard you were Grandeur's best friend!” She perked up again with a small smile.

“Thanks... Snowglade?...” She put her hoof to her head. “Ugh. I think... Yeah, Rainbow went by a different name, too. This timeline travel is weird...” Her ears perked up and she looked around the tent again “-but forget that, where is everypony?!”

Snowglade's excitement immediately melted as heaviness came over her voice. “I... Honestly don't know. I just hope they get back soon...”

* * *

The Sergeant had taken Flameheart's place at the watch a long time ago, and Rarity still lay still and quiet in the dark tent, but awake.

Only minutes after being reunited with Twilight, she had been forced to shut up, then Twi had stopped making sense. At one point she was rambling about Starswirl the Bearded then started crying without warning, and hugged her. A frown sat on her lips as she thought of her friend, quietly snoozing next to her. I really hope she recovers like the Nurse keeps saying she will... For both our sakes'... Maybe even for the sake of this whole world.

These ponies really don't realize who is in this tent, do they? If anypony can set things right, it's Twilight...

Her ears perked up as she heard rustling from behind her. Do these ponies ever hold still in the night? First the watch change, then I thought I heard the Sergeant waking Dash up, and now this? Surely they're not changing watch again already?

Then the feeling came over her again. The same feeling that had caused her such trouble on previous nights.

There was no snoring in the tent.

That must be Flameheart. Thank Celestia I'm not alone with him – I mean, he wouldn't do anything with all these ponies around, right? That creep. What is he...?

There was more rustling, then scraping, like a knife cutting through wood, or sharpening.

What is he doing? Her pupils shrank to dots.

He paused for a heart-stopping moment, and moved slowly, carefully, and menacingly in the darkness. He approached Rarity, then passed her to the entrance of the tent.

She could see him standing at the doorway, holding a knife and some small, odd lemon-shaped object made of wood. He poked his head out the tent, then came back in with a jerk, glancing around with alarm on his face.

Carefully, slowly, stealthily, he made his way back to his sleeping bag, then paused for long, harrowing minutes.

“Up, up, up!” he finally called.

Snowglade and the medic sprang up, rifles in their hooves in a second.

“The Sergeant is missing!”

“Snowglade's the new C.O. Awaiting orders,” the nurse declared.

“Sergeant's missing... Where's the Governor? Let's get a head count. I see Twilight's still unconscious, and Rarity's here. Is that the Governor's bag, empty?”

“The governor's gone, too! Yes, that was her spot to sleep!” the medic confirmed.

“We're still on radio silence, one beep and they'll be on us...” Snowglade started, then sighed. “I really want to see what's going on, but... Yeah; I'll make sure we don't lose Twilight and Rarity. Flameheart, you've got wings, and the nurse will probably be needed – could end up saving the Sergeant's life. I'll stay here and make sure nopony tries to kill our unicorns.”

“Uhm – Snowglade, perhaps if Rainbo-the Governor is doing anything rash, I can talk her down?” Rarity offered.

“Sis, she isn't the pony you knew. But... Can you look for other ponies with your magic?”

“...I know a spell that lets me know where gems are...”

“Then go with the search party. Any Alliance patrols will be carrying gemnades. They'll brief you on the fly – go, go, go! Bring'em back in one piece.”

“'Gemnades?'” Rarity asked.

“Yes. Grenades with gem powder – they effectively stop any unicorn's spell in the cloud of gem dust. No time for more questions, just get going!”

The elder sister simply nodded and set about. Snowglade hesitated at the sight. She's already starting to compose herself like a veteran. Have these few days here really done so much to her?

Although the medic and Flameheart had practiced fast dressing, Rarity had magic and a lifetime of experience working with clothing and spells, and was able to don the thick, warm clothing before either of them. In moments they were outside the tent, following tracks, leaving Sweetie Belle alone to regret sending her sister out on the dangerous search mission.

* * *

The rainbow-maned governor trudged barehoof through the gray, snowy waste. Fetters of rope still bound her limbs. Amber Light was only a few paces ahead, pulling her along on a leash. He stopped, then spat out the end of the rope, and faced her, rifle in hoof.

The snowfall was gentle.

She looked up to him, her ears flat against her head and shivering. “You didn't bring me a-anything to w-wear. I'm guessing you're not letting me go, a-are you?”

“If this were about justice, you'd be tortured first. But no, this is about the safety of my soldiers. I don't believe they'll keep looking after they find your body. It'll be much easier for them to pull some innocent unicorn out and blame them.”

“And w-what if it only angers them to search h-harder?”

The sergeant let out a hearty laugh. “As if they actually care for you! The only reason they'll make any show of your death is to make you a martyr, and rally support against us. They want you dead,” he taunted.

She faced the snow, breathing deep and hard, trying to control her shivering. “It's finally over, then... I-I won't bother your time with any nonsense, b-but listen – th-the airbase just down the railroad f-from here has... key technology you'll n-need... to-to survive these next weeks.” Sergeant Light's eyebrows twisted with surprise as she kept talking, stammering and struggling to talk through her shivers, “O-Our engineers have developed engines that c-can f-fly above anything you could h-hope to shoot down. There's a flight-ready bomber, eh-even. Usually they keep those... in... in the special operations hanger. Put the collar on my body, then on one of-of your soldiers, and put them in one of my robes. If they say the bomber is needed for a c-covert meeting with General Hurricane, nopony will question them. You must take the bomber to Bastion... and let its engines be reverse engineered. They'll probab-ably ask for a password to verify the pony's ideni-identi-ty. It's 'yellow on green'. Remember that. 'y-yellow on green'. They'll phrase the question; 'what are the colors?'”

Her cyan eartips, nose, and hooves were slowly darkening. Her shivering began to slow and give way to labored breathing.

“Why are you telling me this? You'll be dead. Do you think I'll spare you if you keep giving me information?”

She shook her head. “No. Because I... Because I'm not so sure anymore...” Her voice dropped and she faced down into the snow. “Maybe my entire life was just a lie – maybe the unicorns aren't the cause of this winter. What does it matter? I'm dead now. And if I'm right?... Then bring down The Order anyways.” She looked back up at him, the ferocity of the cool determination in her voice matched only by the spark in her eyes. “Let the world fall. It doesn't deserve to continue in pain like this... Give it a mercy killing from this torment.”

He simply looked at her, surprise over his face for a long moment before he came to a reply. “I must admit...” he said slowly, with newfound heaviness. “I was expecting cowardice... But you still deserve more hell than this.”

She bit her blue lips and sat down, her strength failing her. “Please, I just ask... That you kill me by choking. I don't deserve any swifter death. I want to know what it's like.”

“Hah!” His voice raised with amusement. “You show your true colors! You have some kind of perverted enjoyment of that, don't you? You loved to watch innocents hang! With how much The Alliance does that I shouldn't be surprised – you're even more sick than I thought!”

“No...” She mumbled quietly. “I want you to do it that way, because it's the closest I can come to an apology.”

All humor fled his voice; “What?”

“Enjoyed it?... I relished it for awhile.” She muttered, her voice picking up speed and passion, “Then I started to realize what I was, and I wanted to die then. I can't forget them. I will never know peace until I die as they did! I have to die like they did, in apology that they died and I lived!...”

Her voice mellowed to a murmur. “It's only fitting that I die the same way they did. I owe it to them. A leader should never ask her subjects to do something she wouldn't do herself, Ma said. I had them executed. Frozen, stabbed, hanged... I'm freezing, here. I-I don't know if I'd even feel a stab I'm so numb...” Her breathing grew tense. “B-But my lungs will scream for air all the same...” She sobbed.

His eyes were wide. “They died, and you lived?... And now you want to die alongside them?” Scarred memories of his lost team echoed in his mind.

“What are you waiting for?!” She cried. “Just end it already! I can't get them out of my head! Why did it have to be them, and not me!? Why did I have to kill them to save my comrades? What is this abomination of life!?” She stomped the ground furiously before hunching over and breaking down into more sobs.

It finally broke. His hatred for her crashed around him as he sat looking at the frostbitten, crying mare in disbelief. She hadn't flinched at imminent death, but she collapsed at the mere thought of her mass executions. He thought over his next words carefully; “I had the option of killing some civilians once. My entire team died because I didn't kill them. At the time, I told myself; 'I'll never be able to live with the regret of killing these innocents,' so I took that chance. Now I can't live with the regret of letting them live, and my team die.”

She merely looked at him, disheveled, ice forming on her eartips, mane, tail and wings, and her tears freezing on her face.

He continued, his voice level and cold as the air. “Like I said, this isn't about justice, this is about saving my team. Celestia show mercy on our souls.” Solemnity filled his voice. “Farewell, governor. Perhaps we were wrong about you. But maybe not. But it will all be revealed, some day, in another world apart from this one. I will see you again, when my time comes...”

He walked behind her, and she laid down in the snow, still crying. He bit the end of the rope tied around her throat, put his hoof on the back of her neck, and yanked with his might. Her crying suddenly cut off.

She tensed, stretched, and as the agonizing seconds wore on, began trying in vain to writhe under his grip; hopelessly gasping for air. She finally gave in, going still under his vice-like grip.

He had barely counted to fifty when a burly force launched him into the snow, ripping the rope from his mouth.

The governor fell into a fit of coughing and wheezing.

The sergeant’s limbs were completely pinned by the dark figure – a pegasus. “Flameheart!?” He gasped. “What the buck do you think you're doing!?”

“With all due respect sir,-” He shouted in his face, “What the buck do you think YOU'RE doing!?”

“Only what is in my right! Executing a prisoner and getting assaulted by a subordinate!” He shouted back.

“You're out of order! She's a civilian – a prisoner of war! -”

“A mass murderer and a current threat!”

“MEDIC!” The pilot screamed at the top of his lungs.

“I'll have you court martialed for this – damn – not insubordination – for this betrayal! Treason! Let me go!” Amber Light roared.

“Since when do we murder their bound, and hopeless masses!?” Flameheart bore down on him, “She's not a threat! She's depressed and helpless! We have won over her – done what it takes. We can ‘slay them in battle,' but not like this, or we're just as bad as them!”

“Don't you dare, EVER compare US to THEM!” Amber Light’s voice dropped from a yell to a stern anger; “Don't you dare quote Clover the Clever's Journal to me – I've spilled blood over that book – I understand it far better than you ever will! You're still a yellow-bellied recruit compared to me! You've never lost a team! You've flown, but you've never seen the horrors of a battlefield strewn with the bodies of your friends – up close and personal! And every moment you keep me down, is another moment they keep hunting us as long as SHE lives!”

“I outrank you, Sergeant, and don't you forget it!” Flameheart replied with a growl. “Forget the fact she's a helpless prisoner and a pony being – she holds a wealth of invaluable information! She's a bargaining chip, too! She's far more valuable to us alive than dead. If we kill her? So what, she gets a replacement and The Alliance carries on. If we have her alive – everything in her head is ours! This is a potentially war-changing intel opportunity! We can't let it slip by because you're afraid of keeping her alive!”

Galloping footsteps in the snow sounded from behind them. The sergeant looked to see Nurse Redheart approach, then freeze at the scene. “Sergeant!?” She exclaimed with shock. She scanned the area and saw Rainbow lying still in the snow.

“He's fine!” Flameheart shouted to her without taking his eyes off of Amber. “Go see to the governor.”

She darted over to the limp pegasus and threw her cloak off, tending to the mare.

“Sergeant - ” the pilot continued, “Why do you even think killing her would help!? If they found her body in the snow they'd be outraged and search all the harder!”

“I'm not going to sit by and lose another team!” He yelled.

The medic paused to stare at the Sergeant with a knowing look. There was something in her eyes, as though she knew this moment was coming. Her entire posture changed from concern and panic to condescension. She quickly returned to her work.

“Do you think the officers of The Alliance really care about each other?” The sergeant sneered at the thought. “No! They'll just find some innocents to pin the blame on, and they'll leave US alone!”

“That's ridiculous! Why do you think they'd even find her body in this frozen wasteland!? This doesn't help us at all!”

Another set of hoofsteps approached. Rarity appeared from the same direction the medic had, panting. Her breathing was interrupted by a horrified gasp. “Nurse Redheart, is that – Rainbow Dash!? What is she doing without a jacket – or any winter clothing!? Is she okay!? Rainbow Dash!?”

“Flameheart,” the medic piped in, turning to him, “I advise you disarm him and come back to the tent with me. This mare needs to be warmed up STAT.” She said as she worked her clothes onto the limp figure. “And Rarity, yes it's Dash. I'm not sure what happened but I have a good guess...” She shot a glance at the sergeant, before turning back to Rainbow and working her clothes over the pegasus mare. “She's only about as bad as you were when – I see choke marks! Sergeant, this is your work, isn't it!? You tried to murder her under our noses after agreeing to let her live?”

“WHAT!?” Rarity yelled. “I expected you to at least have some honor – you really ARE a dirty ruffian – and a scoundrel! We agreed to keep her safe!”

“I was only executing a current threat! Yes, I lied – I lied to keep you alive! Your lives mean more to me than my honesty! And Rarity – snap your snout shut this instant! From a land of sunshine and rainbows – you know nothing of the real world! You have no right to speak here!” He shouted from his position – still pinned under the pilot.

Flameheart glanced at the scene. Noticing Dash's limpness, he interrupted; “She was coughing just a minute ago when I knocked him off of her. So if she's out, it's probably from the cold.”

Rarity growled as he spoke, preparing a fiery response to the Sergeant. “I know nothing, do I!? Have you even ever been inside a dome!? I appeared there not knowing what to expect! As a unicorn! I'm still limping from being shot! My ear is never coming back, either! I've been scarred by your world, sergeant: I'm a different pony than the filly who came here, and even that filly knew a liar when she saw one! Don't you dare say I have no right to speak when I've been shot and almost had my best friends murdered in front of me!”

“I'm heading back with her.” The medic interrupted, hefting the limp cyan figure over her back. The unconscious mare had been given all of her warm external clothing, leaving the medic in mere warm underclothes.

“And what are you doing, Corporal Redheart!?” Amber Light shot.

“What a Neophyte must do, sir.” She replied. “I'll see you three back in the tent.” She took off without pause.

“I'm with her. I'm going to make sure this innocent pegasus is okay!” Rarity darted off after the medic, noticeably slower with her limp.

The sergeant gagged at the word “innocent.”

Flameheart turned back to him, still held under his pin. “I'm a captain, Amber, that's what pilots are. So far I've respected your command of this Task Force, but don't you forget that I outrank you, and you answer to me, and I will not have you killing helpless civilians under my watch. She will answer to judges in Bastion, not to you. Am I understood?” He glared, waiting for a response.

“Yes... Sir.” The inferior forced out.

“Good.” The pilot stepped off of the Sergeant's limbs, allowing him to clamber back up, before moving in a snout's length from the captain's face.

“With all do respect, sir, I advise we rid ourselves of this threat. You and I both know she'll be hanged, and she's already given us valuable intel. I-... I will not be content to watch another team of mine die. They are my soldiers.”

“And you won't.” He replied calmly. “We'll talk about this back at the tent with everypony else. I don't like to work behind soldiers' backs unnecessarily.” The superior turned and set off into the howling gray abyss. The other simply stood for a few minutes, glaring at him as he left before following.

For Good Ponies to do Nothing

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Guilt bit at Nurse Redheart's mind as she trudged through the snow alone, wearing Governor Spectrum's robes and the appearance-altering collar underneath. Yet, seeing her own hooves and mane cyan and rainbow gave her the impression that she had been somehow discharged from her Neophyte oath of peace, that she were an entirely different pony.

A pony that had the blood of thousands on her hooves, who surely faced execution at Bastion.

The team had decided to spare the Governor, to leave her to interrogation, judgment, and certain death at the Cerulean capitol. Her willingly-given insights had proven invaluable, a necessary asset to the team's survival. Perhaps she truly has repented?... But how can she be forgiven for so much innocent blood?

She shook her head and refocused her thoughts on the task at hoof. She may also be leading us right into a trap. But how likely is that? She thought she’d be dead by the time we did this. Would she be vindictive enough to care about sending us into a trap after she’s already gone? And if what she said is true about capturing this aircraft... Surely, even if it's a trap, the risk is worth... My life.

She looked down at her miscolored hooves, painfully aware that she may be a rat walking into a cat's jaws, but willingly taking the chance in case the bait was what it promised to be. Her heart panged with fear and anxiety, but was also at rest knowing that she was doing something so noble, a cause so worthy to die for.

The more she thought of it, the deeper her dread grew, the more her courage faltered, and the smaller and weaker she felt in the snowy tundra. The dress was warm, but not as warm as what she was used to wearing; the cold wind stung her face and scratched her throat, carrying a faint smell of fuel from the base she approached. But it must be done! She took a chug from her canteen, then lifted her head and pressed forward with a renewed determination. We all die... But I will die for something worthwhile... If I die here. She felt painfully aware of the cold biting at her neck.

She felt the uncomfortable lump of a concealed flare gun under her dress. But... Perhaps... Is this breaking my oath of non-aggression? The question pained her once more as the firearm grabbed her attention. I've never heard of a Neophyte being anything other than an unarmed medic. But being a spy?... She bit her lip. I mean, it's just a flare gun, not like it's an actual pistol or anything... It's just for a signal. Not hurting anypony. She visibly shrugged it off. Even if it's wrong... It will still have been worth it. They need me. Bastion needs me. The entire world may hinge on me doing my duty here...

Her steps picked up a determined march once more, then immediately stopped. Her ears drooped, knees quivered, and pupils shrank. Out of the fog of the gentle snowfall, a gallows had appeared ahead of her, tended to by three Alliance soldiers. One had just finished tying a noose. Another leaped into the air, and charged at her on pegasus wings.

“Governor!” The pegasus hailed in surprise, coming to a halt. “You're alive! Thank the heavens! Are you hurt? What are your orders? Corporal Whitewind at your service!”

She quickly regained composure, and let loose a sigh of relief that the disguise had worked. Now please don't give me away, voice... “Take me to the base HQ, corporal. We must be swift!”

“Yes m'am! Right this way!” He turned and led her to the gallows. For a brief moment, the nurse's limbs felt heavy as she eyed the suspended noose, only for a wave of warm relief to crash over her as they passed it and continued on. Immediately they came on a pair of guard towers at a gate. She nervously examined the guards tending the machinegun nests in them. They turned and saluted in response.

Despite the acknowledgement of her stolen authority, Redheart couldn't calm her racing heart as she walked deeper into the hornets' nest. Although it was a refinery and airbase, to her lone self it felt like a fortress, with innumerable guards on patrol; fences, watchtowers, distilling towers and mazes of pipes that she passed as the soldier led her deeper into the base.

Then a thought struck as she examined all the structures and facilities around her. “Corporal, why were you preparing a gallows?”

“Two prisoners just arrived on train with execution orders, m'am. An incompetent slave from Rambling Rocks and one of your own servants. It's one of the most interesting things to happen in a while here. It'll be fun to watch them kick. They're even both pegasi, to boot! Maybe one of them will fly for a bit until her wings tire. It'll be quite the show. I kind of wish they'd just do the ol'bucket, though. It's great to see the look on their faces when the bucket gets kicked away and they can't stand on anything!”

She felt a knot in her stomach. Looking for a change in topic, something useful came to mind.

“What about the Special Operations hanger? Any news on it?”

The soldier's levity vanished, “No ma'am. I haven't heard anything about it. You'll need to talk to command about that one. I'm just a sentry and GI... Here's the HQ, now.”

He stopped and used his wing to point at a small industrial barrack as they kept walking. “Heads up, though, Governor, they might want to run a test or two for authenticity.”

She froze at his words. She could feel the bucket being kicked out from under her already. She nervously shifted. Please have been honest, Governor. You seemed so sincere... I'm depending on you. They stopped at the door, and he opened it ahead of her.

“Anything else I can do for you, m'am?”

“No, Corporal. This is enough. Return to your post.” She bit her lip to keep the rest of her thoughts silent. I've spent so many years working with ponies on the edge of their mortality... Maybe that's why I'm able to act so calm now, despite how I feel?

Get a hold of yourself, Redheart. This isn’t the first time I’ve faced these kinds of situations. That little event with the train was just yesterday, wasn’t it?...

...But this is the first time I’ve done this all by myself… Deep in the middle of an enemy base...

“Yes ma'am.”

She felt a rush of hot air as she stepped inside. The warm, yellow incandescent light was a welcome break from the dreary and freezing grays outside. A group of officers in impressive uniforms sat around a table inside. At the sound of the door opening and their precious heated air drafting outside, all heads turned to her. “Governor!” one of them exclaimed. They all took a bow. “Major Snowglade, commanding officer of East Shades Airbase awaiting orders!” The officer saluted, quickly followed by all of the others.

Nurse Redheart stopped for a brief moment. She has the same name as our Snowglade... An odd realization came over her. She stored the thought for later.

“As you were, officers. Major Snowglade, I have an important matter of business to cover immediately. I have an appointment with Commander Hurricane and need the Starbomber from the Special Operations hanger,” she recited.

“Yes m'am. But first, we need to verify your identity. Lieutenant Vale, fetch the dye remover.”

“Yes m'am!” A purple pegasus saluted and took off.

The major turned to an earth pony stallion. “Captain Icebrook.” She nodded at the captain. Icebrook understood the order, left his seat and approached the medic.

Redheart's hooves turned to ice. She fought to breathe normally.

“As I'm sure you're aware, we will need to run through two quick tests before we can receive orders from you. First, the horn.”

A tense silence spilled over the room, thick as the snow slush outside.

“M'am?” the Captain asked.

Every eye in the room was prying expectantly at her. It was painfully obvious that the question was purely a formality. Even if she refused, the tests would be done, and even more thoroughly. So she simply nodded. She quivered, and prayed that her fears weren't visible.

The captain lifted a hoof to her forehead. “No horn, m'am.” He reported to the major.

The purple pegasus returned with a bottle of white soapy liquid. “High-performance dye remover, m'am.” He reported to Major Snowglade.

The Major then turned back to Icebrook.

He nodded, took the bottle, poured a little in his hoof, then approached Redheart.

The disguised nurse wanted to shout with joy and relief, and couldn't keep herself from grinning. “Go ahead.” She said. No, don’t grin! That’s suspicious! her mind automatically reacted. Nono, don’t fight the grin, either, that seems even more suspicious!

Her legs went tense again. Oh please don’t let all these mixed emotions be visible! She silently begged to her body.

The captain poured some of the liquid in his hoof, put it in a patch in her mane, then reached for her hoof. She obediently offered it, and he put a small pool of it there, before washing both patches off with water from his own canteen.

He turned to Snowglade. “No signs, Major.”

“What are the colors?” the Major asked.

“Yellow on green,” Redheart replied confidently.

“Governor, you are now the chief officer present.” Major Snowglade announced. “The base is at your command.” Everypony saluted. “Of course, some more thorough tests will be in order, and we'd love to hear how you escaped, but for now, I don't want to get in the way of a meeting with Commander Hurricane.”

She grinned victoriously, elation rippling through her limbs. Haha! They’re more afraid of making me late for a meeting with Commander Hurricane than of me being a spy! This Alliance really is dysfunctional! Thank you, - She cut off the thought. Was I about to think; “thank you governor” to one of the most tyrannical, mass-murderers to ever live?

She cleared her mind and continued; “As you were, everypony. Now, as I said, the aircraft in the special operations hanger needs to be readied immediately. In a while, there will be a flare fired from the hanger; simply inform the soldiers and guards to ignore it, it's part of a classified exercise. Be sure to relay to the flight crew that it'll need to be heavily stocked on additional fuel, provisions, and medical supplies, it's a bit of a supply run. And one other thing... I wish for the two prisoners that are due to be executed to be brought to me immediately. I will be waiting outside the front of the hanger.” The Medic turned to leave.

“I would be thrilled to accompany you, m'am.” The Major piped in. “An escort may be good measure, if the Ceruleans who originally attacked you are still alive.”

She turned back to her, “No! - … Well, the Ceruleans are... Disposed of. An escort will not be necessary, return to your duties, the base needs to be... Fully operational.”

Slight concern flashed across the Major's eyes. She hesitated before replying, “At least don't go unarmed, m'am.” She unstrapped her own pistol from her hoof and offered it.

Redheart froze, fighting to keep dread and horror off her face as her heart sank, almost wishing the pistol had been pulled out against her, rather than for her. Redheart, if you turn this down... I'll cause too much suspicion. Don't hesitate! They're already on to you! GRAB IT!

She took it. “Th-thank you, Major.” She immediately realized she had stuttered “- I wasn't expecting you to give up your own pistol!”

“There are plenty in the armory.” Snowglade simply replied.

The medic's nerves only grew more tense as long moments stretched on. She had inadvertently made a bit of a scene. She hurriedly strapped the pistol onto her hoof, surprising herself at how smoothly she managed it. “As you were, everypony.” She announced, and walked off into the snow, the pistol on her hoof burning her conscience with every step. I'm a medic... Not a spy! Not a soldier! I barely convinced myself a flare gun was okay, and now an actual pistol!?

But as much as carrying the weapon distressed her, the thought of breaking cover terrified her even more.

* * *

She wished again that she'd worn more warm clothes underneath. The thick fog only added longer fangs to the cold's bite. She stood only fifty yards from the front of the hanger, but could hardly see it through the frozen haze.

She was unsure of how anypony could become comfortable with the feeling of a gun strapped to their hoof. Her hooves felt light and ready to eagerly tear the pistol off, yet she hadn't. Every moment she reconsidered the idea.

Maybe now? No, no, I'm waiting for those ponies to show up with the prisoners. What if they show up right in the middle of me taking it off? Then I'll have to explain why. They're already suspicious of me, it seems. This could be what makes up their mind. But the lower-ranking soldiers don't seem to think too much on it. But what if officers come along with the escort?

She sighed, looking at it. I guess you're staying here, for now. What would the abbess think of this? She looked up, worry crossing her face. Oh, abbess. I'll be home, soon...

She returned to scanning the distance for the prisoners. If I keep justifying things like carrying this pistol, then soon enough I'll end up like Sergeant Light, breaking my promises and wishing I'd killed civilians for the greater good. She sighed again. Poor stallion. His words echoed in her mind; “I'm not going to sit by and lose another team!”

He's been through too much. Maybe I should've temporarily relieved him of command on the basis of shell shock causing poor judgment. She shook her head and scuffed her hoof in the snow. No, I need to stay the one pony who's not against him. It will help him more to feel like somepony isn't fighting him. And he's practically lost his authority, anyways, after Flameheart sorted things out last night.

Her ears perked and she was jerked out of thought by the sound of innocent giggles. She cocked an eyebrow.

“Shut it up or we'll get some gags at the hanger!” A male voice snarled.

Redheart galloped off towards the sound.

“Now get up, and don't do anything stupid like that again!” another gruff voice added.

She saw them in moments, two pegasi guards escorting two pegasi prisoners. Both the prisoners were in a heap in the snow, devoid of warm clothing, wings tied, and hooves fettered with rope, ears and snouts cherry red from the cold. The golden, pink-maned mare's eyes were tear-stained, as were the misaligned eyes of the gray and blonde-maned pony.

Despite being in the heap in the snow, the guards still held leash ropes to pull the prisoners by.

On seeing the disguised nurse, the two escorting soldiers snapped to attention with a salute; “Governor! The prisoners as requested,” one reported.

The gold pony looked up at her and froze, murmuring quietly.

“What was going on here?” Redheart asked. As she spoke, the pink-maned pony raised an eyebrow and flopped an ear in a confused gesture.

A disapproving glare came over the guard's features; “They started playing like foals. Probably couldn't handle the stress of their imminent execution.”

“G-Governor?...” the yellow one quietly begged.

“Quiet!” the second guard yelled at her.

“No, that's quite alright,” Redheart started, “I'll take custody of the prisoners from here, ponies.” She stated.

The prisoners gave each other a quick glance, and started back up onto their hooves, struggling while the second guard yanked on their guide ropes.

“Ehh, one problem, m'am. You can have 'Brighteyes', but Goldfeather is sentenced to death for high treason. We can't allow an exchange of custody without federal orders.”

The pegasi prisoners cast worried glances at each other. The gray one leaned in on the other, in the best kind of embrace she could manage, bound as she was. She was dragged away as the silent guard pulled her to the governor.

Redheart bit her tongue, Come on, I'm the governor! Not even the governor can save a pony from this arbitrary sentencing!? She cleared her throat. “Well, I'll be personally meeting Commander Hurricane in only a few minutes, so perhaps you could make an exception,” she stated.

“Sorry, m'am, until we get orders from the Commander herself otherwise, Goldfeather's going to swing. We can hold off for forty-eight hours if an order is on its way, but that's it.”

I'll be in Bastion in forty-eight hours... “No, lieutenant, we need the prisoner right now. We don't have forty-eight hours. I'm ordering you to give me custody of the prisoner.”

“Ma'am, we cannot interfere with the Commander's orders... You should know that.” He cast a suspicious look at her. “Now, unless you have anything more to add, you can have Brighteyes, but we'll be taking Goldfeather back to her cell. Her execution is in an hour, unless you want to delay it.”

Brighteyes started crying.

“I-it'll be okay, Brighteyes. I'll see you one day, in a place a lot warmer than this...” Fluttershy said with her soft voice.

“B-but you're my one friend, Goldfeather! Please don't die without me!”

The guards turned and started walking into the gray abyss, jerking Goldfeather along with them. She struggled against her ropes to face her friend as she was pulled away.

“T-thank you for trying, governor! You're a good pony, Brighteyes!”

“GOLDFEATHER!” Brighteyes wailed at her friend being torn away.

Redheart's eyes stung as tears met the cold air. She clenched the pistol, her heart throbbing in her ears. Bu-but I can't use the pistol... I can't! Ten minutes ago I was... ugh! I can't! I made an oath of peace, of healing and care...

“GOLDFEATHER!” Brighteyes wailed again, breaking into sobs.

The nurse clenched her teeth. The pegasi's wails echoing in her ears. A lost sister, mother, or friend? She couldn't tell, But... Dammit, if I go to hell for this, so be it!

“GOLDFEATHER!” the pegasi cried a third time, the word tapering off into uncontrollable sobbing.

A look of steel determination colder than the snow came over Redheart's face. As the guards walked away, she lifted the armed hoof, and made sure to chamber a round as loudly as she could. “First pony to turn around gets shot. Now freeze.”

“G-Governor!?” Everypony started, and as requested, the guards froze.

Despite her iron expression, she shook with fear. The anxiety and cold air forced her breathing into cold-sweated shivers. It felt as though a noose was tightened around her heart and her neck, but she forced the words out with a stern growl, regardless, “Keep walking, leave Goldfeather behind. That's an order.”

They remained still.

“DO IT!” She barked the order, frustration and fear venting through her lips. “Any funny moves and you're dead! - I'll execute you before you have the chance to see my face!" she shouted. Psychological warfare - keep them too terrified to turn around! "NOW GO!”

They started running, letting go of the ropes they'd been leading the prisoner by.

She let out a long sigh as a small smile cracked onto her lips. The Order is run by fear. They keep them in control with cowardice. But not us... Not us.

The smile vanished and her bowed, with her eyes gazing off past the snow and past eternity. Was I... Was I really willing to live up to what I said? Would I have actually shot one of them if they turned around? Have... Have I sunk this far? Was I willing to kill a pony just now? Her gaze drifted to the pistol on her hoof in horror. She wasn't too cold, yet she shivered anyways. What am I doing? The pistol felt like a venomous serpent wrapped around her limb, laughing and hissing at what it had made her do: What she had almost done.

"G-Governor?..." Goldfeather tentatively called, stiff as ice.

Redheart's eyes re-focused on the world around her as she lifted her head to the pegasus. “Come, Goldfeather...” She said, her voice softening. “...you can turn around.”

Goldfeather turned, ears flat against her head, complete confusion and surprise plastering her features. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her gaze went far beyond her rescuers; she stood still for several long moments. “Come on. Yes, you're actually safe now. That just happened.” Redheart said, patience and kindness in her voice.

Tears immediately poured freely from the prisoner's eyes. “Governor!” She yelled, and ran towards her as fast as her tied hooves would allow. She threw herself on Redheart in a hug.

Brighteyes blinked her wide, frozen, shocked eyes twice, before comprehending what had just happened. She hurled herself into the embrace, crying no less than her rescued friend. “Goldfeather!” She turned to the governor, “Y-you're saving us?!” she asked in-between shivers and sobs.

“Of course she is!” Goldfeather answered. “I... I couldn't believe you'd just leave me like that, governor, I... I thought you'd come!” She snuggled in closer with her hug.

Redheart's pained, anxious throbbing turned to a warmth she felt nothing could stop. “I-I... Yes, I'm here to take you two to a safe, good place.” She planned to break the hug off, but they clenched on to her as though afraid that their beacon of hope and savior might be pulled away from them again.

So she allowed it for only a few more moments until their vice-like squeeze softened to a strong hug, then she pushed them apart. Looking straight into their eyes, Redheart spoke with the stern love of a mother giving life-saving instructions to her children; “We don't have much time because those two guards will probably raise an alarm or send military police – maybe both. We need to go to the hanger right now, and you two need to keep pretending to be prisoners so we don't make all the mechanics suspicious, okay?”

“Mhmm,” they both replied and nodded.

Her stern look softened to a comforting one. “You two are going to be alright, now, okay? Just do what I say, and we'll go somewhere safe and nice.” She started walking and signaled for them to move in front.

They both obeyed, but Brighteyes turned to their savior. “W-why?” she asked.

“What do you mean?” She stopped, casting a confused glance back at her, one ear flopping down.

“Why did you save us? You're going to get in so much trouble.”

Redheart smiled knowingly. Of course they think I'm the actual governor and will get in trouble for this- The smile vanished in an instant. But, I'm a neophyte. I took a vow never to harm another being, but I just pointed a gun at them and almost killed one of them... I... I almost killed somepony.

"Is something wrong? I-I'm sorry, maybe you should've just left us... It... It wasn't worth getting you in trouble..." Goldfeather piped in, her head bowing as she spoke. She scuffed her hoof in the snow.

"No!" The word flew out of Redheart's lips. "It... It's okay... I..." Am I?... She smiled. Yes. "I'm glad I did it. I just couldn't sit back and do nothing... I guess... I guess it was just the right thing to do.” A pulse of warmth in her chest took her by surprise. She felt tears form on her eyes as she said it. “You two don't deserve to die. I've never seen The Alliance hang a pony who deserved it. I don't even know what pony that would be. I'm glad you two are okay, now... Whatever I had to do to make that happen.”

“...The Alliance?” Goldfeather echoed.

The moment was lost as she shot back to attention. Ah! That's right, they call themselves 'The Order!' Get your head in the game, medic! Her voice picked up urgency again, “We'll talk later, we have to get going now, though. Remember to act like scared, confused prisoners.”

They both nodded.

She started leading them towards the hanger again. The enormous sloped roof was covered in snow. As they approached, the sound of a loud generator echoed through the opening of the hanger like a roaring monster. Inside sat the enormous, boxy aircraft, its open top more reminiscent of an enormous open boat with wings than an airplane. Surrounded by mechanics, it looked like an ant's nest being maintained by its busy inhabitants.

A stallion standing a ways off overseeing the work crews saw the governor and approached. “Governor!” he started, yelling over the noisy generator, “Good to see you well! You gave the Ceruleans a good run for their money, I assume?”

“Yes. We haven't much time though, what is the status of the aircraft?”

“It's almost completely ready, now. Engines in good shape, primed up and ready for ignition, all the controls and avionics check out, oiled, engines warmed, guns armed and readied, internal waste dumped, extra fuel cans stored up, internal supplies stocked, – including the particulars you requested – and almost done fueling. All we need to do is top off the tanks and she's ready to fly.”

“Good,” she simply answered. The fear returned. I'm going to have a heart attack if this keeps up... She sighed, calming herself down. Just a few more minutes and we're scot-free...“Just the fuelling, you say?”

“Yes ma'am.”

“Then gather everypony from the entire hanger together immediately, I have an announcement that needs to be made this minute.”

“Yes ma'am!” He sprinted off, yelling out to various mechanics and guards.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Brighteyes asked through shivers.

“Oh – and go fetch two very large coats!... And a big knife!” Redheart shouted out to the leader as he entered the hanger's back-rooms.

“Yes ma'am!” He replied from across the noisy hanger floor, then disappeared into a doorway.

She turned back to her rescued charges; “Trust me, and stay quiet until we're alone.” The medic whispered to the pegasi. They both gave small nods in reply, picking up on her urgency.

The soldiers and technicians gathered expectantly in front of her. By the minute's end, a crowd of the hanger's staff and guard had assembled. The team leader came in behind an officer, two thick coats on his back.“That's everypony.” He reported as he approached the governor, “and the two coats you requested, along with the blade,” he signaled to a bulge in one of the coat pockets.

“Good. Thank you.” She took the coats and set them on her own back before facing the crowd of mechanics and officer. “Everypony, listen up! Due to some classified circumstances, you must all report to the base's security office immediately! Go, go, go, post-haste!”

Expressions of surprise washed across the hanger, but they all immediately obeyed, except the leader, who turned to her with genuine concern. “Ma'am, we still need to release the fuel line before she can fly, but first you requested the tanks be filled.”

“Don't worry, I'll handle it. What does it take? In detail.”

“At the base of the line, by the pump,” he pointed to the generator in the corner of the hanger, “there's a flow rate gauge. When that hits zero, the tanks are completely full. You'll also see the pressure go up. Use the fuel internal hatch control right next to the inlet on the aircraft to shut it, then drain the line, then disconnect it and then you can close the external latch.”

“Got it, now go.”

“Yes ma'am!” He quickly joined the crowd.

She turned slightly towards her liberated captives, “Hold still... Just until they're out of sight...” She whispered. “This should keep the security office distracted for a bit.” She grinned mischievously.

“Oh!” Redheart's ears perked up, and she darted to the crowd, pulling aside a pony and looking him in the eyes, urgency written across her face; “I need you to report that the situation is 'glade 71', understand? It's vital that this message get through exactly.”

He nodded, “Yes, ma'am! I will report that it's situation 'glade 71'!”

As he yelled it, her eyes darted side to side uncomfortably, and the bulk of the mechanics left them behind. She tapped her hoof nervously. “Good. Major Snowglade needs to hear it herself. It's vital for the situation. Now go!”

She walked back to her two rescued prisoners, mane somewhat disheveled. “That was a cra-azy idea. Hopefully it'll give us a little extra time, though...”

“What did you do?” Goldfeather asked.

Redheart briefly looked back to make sure the group of ponies were gone in the snowy haze before returning to the two pegasi. “I told them to report that it's situation 'glade 71', and that it was vital. I meant to tell another pony that it was situation 'glaive 17', and tell him it was vital.” She pulled out the knife and began cutting at the binds on Fluttershy's forehooves. “The confusion that would cause when they both report different vital things would buy us some time.”

“What's 'glade 71' and 'glaive 17'?” One of Goldfeather's ears flopped down and she perked an eyebrow at the medic. Her front fetters fell off, cut free.

Redheart circled and started cutting at the ropes on Goldfeather's hindlegs. She grinned and replied without looking up from her work. “I made them up. That's part of the confusion. They'll spend time trying to figure out what those codes mean, but they don't exist.” The ropes fell loose. “Think you can cut Brighteyes free?”

She nodded. “Y-yes, Governor.”

“Good. And make sure to put these coats on, I don't want you two freezing.” She dropped the two coats on the ground next to them. “Now, if you'll excuse me for just a moment, I've got to call some friends...”

“Friends?” Goldfeather asked.

The medic was already halfway outside and didn't respond to Goldfeather's query, so the gold pegasus set to work cutting Brighteyes free from her ropes.

As soon as her hooves stopped clodding against the concrete of the hanger floor and fell into icy snow, Redheart stopped and quickly scanned left and right. There was nothing in sight. The familiar heavy weight of dread returned to her legs. She took in a long, deep breath. This will be the last time I feel this dread... Assuming we all make it out of here okay. Chaos, fighting, panic, fear, yes, all of that, but not this slow, heavy dread. She cracked a smile as she let out the breath with a sigh of relief. Soon, we'll all be back in Bastion.

She pulled the flare gun out of her jacket, raised it in the air, and shot.

With a poof and a sizzle, the bright red ball of fire launched into the dark sky, bathing the entire area with fiery, crimson light. She threw the flare gun back into her coat, turned, and sprinted into the hanger.

“Alright!” She yelled as she ran in, “Let's get these engines started! Goldfeather, can you handle the fuel pump while I start the engines?!”

“Uh-I don't know how!” Fluttershy called back over the roaring generator.

“Don't worry, I'll guide you through it!” Redheart bit her lip as she threw the airplane's door open and jumped inside. He said the fuel line was pressurized... Close valve, release pressure... Drain line... She ran through the mental gymnastics as she climbed the crowded bomber's galley to its open-roofed cockpit. By the time she climbed into the pilot's position, Goldfeather's big eyes were looking up at her from next to the fuel line.

“Go to the far end of the line! There should – no, wait – on the airplane, next to the port, there should be some switch that says something about closing a valve!” She yelled to make herself heard by the back of the airplane over hanger's generator.

Redheart scanned her control panel for engines as Goldfeather scanned the side of the airplane for the latch.

“Uhm... Anything I can do to help?” Brighteyes piped up from beside the wing.

“Do you know how to start these engines or release the fuel line?”

Her gray ears perked up and she gasped as she lifted a hoof. Then she paused for several long moments, then put a hoof on her chin.

“Well?” Redheart asked again.

“No, I've got nothing.” Brighteyes reported with a shrug.

The medic groaned. “Get inside.”

“Okay!” Brighteyes trotted to the aircraft.

“I-I've found a hatch that says 'inlet', it's currently set to 'O.P.', and there's a 'C.L.'” Goldfeather called up.

“Good! 'C.L.' it, then go to the far end of the line, turn off and close whatever you find there, then come back!” She yelled back to her.

“Aye-aye!” She called back as she slammed a switch shut. “Go shut everything down at the generator then come back?”

“Yes!”

As the freed prisoner set to her task, Redheart turned back to the open hanger doors, and immediately saw the welcome sight bathed in the flare's red light; a thick wall of fog moving towards the hanger. Twilight's idea to use the wind and sneak in inside the thick fog seemed to have worked, and in this weather, not even aroused any suspicion. Sure enough, Flameheart shot out of the cloud and darted towards her, yelling out something she couldn't hear over the generator's restless roaring.

The hanger suddenly went quiet as it shut down.

“Are the engines primed!?” came Flameheart's voice as he flew into the hanger.

“Yes!” Redheart called back.

“Good! Let's get them started pronto!” He jumped in front of one of the engines, and heaved the propeller with his might. The enormous set of blades lurched forward, and with a click, roared to life as the engine started. “Pull the throttles all the way back!” Flameheart screamed over the noise.

She merely nodded and pulled the four levers back. Well, I guess even these engines start like that. I guess I didn't know how to start these... Redheart's ears flopped to her head as she blushed a little.

“Governor!?” the Medic perked back up as she turned to see Goldfeather standing next to the fuel line, calling up to her. The pegasi’s eyes were wide, pupils shrank to dots, a front hoof tentatively lifted, and ears back. “I-isn't that... A... Cerulean!?”

Redheart's face drooped a little. Oh, Goldfeather, please don't do anything stupid... “Listen to me, Goldfeather! I'm risking my life to save you, and you know it! Will you trust me just a little longer?” she cried out to her.

Flameheart looked at the slave, then at Redheart, then back to the slave, making sense of the situation.

“B-but... They... They!-...” the terrified mare stammered.

“Listen Goldfeather! I know your whole life you've been told all kinds of stories about us-THEM – them! But you have to trust me now! I just saved you from 'The Order'! Where else are you going to go!?”

The small door down into the aircraft popped open in front of Redheart. Brighteyes' head poked out, eyebrows lowered with concern. “Whatever you say, Governor, you brought Goldfeather back,” she popped up and wrapped the medic in her hooves and wings, “I… I trust you.” Then she stepped back and glanced down at the gold pegasus. “Won't you trust her after what she did for us?”

She was just looking up at them, still frozen, mouth wide. She slowly closed it and nodded.

Another engine clicked. A roar soon followed, only to immediately die. “Hey! Disconnect that fuel line, NOW!” Flameheart yelled.

“Do it!” Redheart echoed.

Goldfeather hesitated, then grabbed the line and pulled with her weight. Nothing happened.

Another click, sputter, and failed engine start. “Twist it counterclockwise, THEN pull!” The pilot yelled to the pegasus, then turned back to the engine again.

Goldfeather twisted, then slid the line out; she yelped as a spray of fuel spouted out from the hose, peppering her with droplets of gasoline.

Flameheart turned to her, fury across his face; “Didn't you drain the!?-”

BANGBANGBANGBANGBANG

Screams sounded from within the noise of the bangs. Brighteyes hugged Redheart again. All heads turned to the front of the hanger. Several thick clouds exploded into existence in the air, shaking the building. Redheart and Flameheart's panicked eyes darted to the rest of their team, just barely crossing into the hanger.

“Brighteyes! Get back in there,” Redheart ordered, “and see if you can get further to the back of the bomber – it'll be safer there.” She nodded, then disappeared back through the small door, shutting it behind her.

“We're okay!” the sergeant yelled, glancing over his squad. “Those must be gem rounds or we'd be dead! The screams were just our civvies getting scared -” he stole a glance at Rarity and Twilight. “Masks on, everypony!” He led the team inside.

Twilight turned to Rarity; “Gem rounds?”

“Yes – but don't worry, they may weaken magic but I think your wind spell is no longer necessary, anyways. Now put that rag on before you breathe in gem powder!”

She nodded and slipped the bandana over her snout.

“Squad – I've got two rescued prisoners, a grey-blonde and a yellow-pink pegasus – don't attack either!” The medic called out to the team.

“Copy that!” The sergeant confirmed as he entered the hanger, leaving the cloud of fog behind.

Flameheart pulled the propeller on the second engine again. With another sputter, it roared, spun, then died again. He cursed, “I'm going to the next engine, we'll start this one last!” He darted to the next engine.

BANGBANGBANGBANGBANG

Another series of clouds burst in front of the hanger, raising a green wall of dust.

“EVERYONE INSIDE!” Sergeant Light screamed, then darted inside of the aircraft, pulling Governor Spectrum along. Spectrum’s eyes met Goldfeather - but her bonds forced her inside the aircraft, regardless of her will. Goldfeather froze at the sight, then turned back to Nurse Redheart in confusion.

Snowglade ran inside after their sergeant. Rarity and Twilight froze at seeing Goldfeather.

“Rarity, Twilight! Pull the chocks out from under the tires, then come inside! Snowglade, keep an eye on Spectrum,” The sergeant yelled from inside the aircraft. Metal clicks sounded as he worked a small door to the forward gun nest.

Twilight turned to Rarity; “Go to Fluttershy, I’ll get the chocks!”

Rarity nodded.

Redheart's gaze met Goldfeather's; “Yes – she looked just like me! Like I said, just trust me for a minute, okay!?” The golden pegasus nodded again, this time with determination. “Good! You can come inside now! Don't let any gasoline in your mouth – it's toxic! I mean – don't worry about it, just get inside right now! Get inside! And don’t let any gasoline in your mouth!” she repeated.

“Was that Goldfeather!? What was that about gasoline!?” The governor called out from below. The stench of the sprayed fuel was filling the area.

“Don’t worry about it, she’ll be fine if she just gets inside the aircraft!” Redheart replied.

Goldfeather stopped, falling into a confused daze again at hearing the real governor’s voice.

“Arg! Goldfeather! GET IN THE AIRPLANE!” Redheart yelled out.

“DO IT!” the real governor echoed.

Rarity, watching the scene, simply nodded at her. “You’ll be safe with us. We’re here to rescue you!”

Goldfeather stared at Rarity, wide-eyed. “G-Governor… B-Both of you say this unicorn will help me? And Brighteyes? Everypony? I-I mean first the Ceruleans, now a unicorn!?”

“YES!” Even the sergeant’s angry voice joined in with all the others.

She snapped out of her daze and ran inside, followed closely by Rarity, then Twilight, who had just finished her job at the aircraft’s wheels.

BANGBANGBANGBANGBANG

“That's the third salvo!” The sergeant called out, clambering into position at the plane's forward machinegun nest. He loaded the machinegun's chamber. “They're about to hit hard!”

Flameheart gave propeller three a shove. It sputtered, roared to life, hummed for a second... Then kept roaring.

“CONTACT!” The sergeant yelled as he let loose a string of machinegun fire. The gunfire echoed in the hanger, slapping their faces with each bang of sound. A corner of the hanger's opening was blown apart and boiled with holes from the high caliber machinegun fire. “AND STAY THE BUCK AWAY FROM MY PONIES!” the sergeant yelled himself hoarse.

Individual rifle shots cracked out across the hanger. The aircraft's frame rang as bullet holes appeared next to the cockpit and on the windshield. Redheart ducked instinctively. Twilight yelped in shock.

Another spray of machinegun fire came from the aircraft's nose. “THAT GOES TO BOTH SIDES! THIS GUN CAN SWIVEL, YOU DIMWITS!” The sergeant kept furiously yelling, tearing apart the other side of the hanger's entryway in response to the gunshots.

Redheart pulled the small door back open. The small navigator and bombedier's station was crammed with ponies and supplies, half of them huddling in terror. “Goldfreather, Twi, Rarity, get to the back of the aircraft and take some supplies with you – it'll be safer back there – and stay low!”

Propeller four got its push. It coughed, sputtered, then roared to life. Flameheart darted out of the way of the air wash and stood triumphant next to it for only a moment. He zipped to the copilot's seat next to Redheart.

“What about engine two?” She asked.

“Don't worry about it. The other three are running. Sergeant! Is everypony inside!?” he glanced down through the small doorway. The civilians were obediently shuffling through a small hatch towards the back of the small room.

“HIT IT!” The sergeant yelled back, before spraying another salvo at the entryway.

The pilot put his hoof over the four levers and threw them all forward. “Get down, everypony!” He yelled as he and the nurse ducked as low as they could. Three of the engines roared to life. The aircraft began to lurch forward, rushing out of the hanger blind as its pilots took cover.

A salvo of rifle shots cracked through the air. Metal pangs rang as rounds hit the hull. Glass shattered as the cockpit's windshield was hit again, and was sprinkled with red, a yelp ringing out from Redheart's mouth. Another shot ended with a meaty thunk, and a groan as the sergeant fell limp in his machinegun nest.

Flameheart kept his eyes on the red-sprinkled gauges. As the plane rushed forward, the passing wind started turning the limp propeller. The indoor hanger lights quickly gave way to the dark, cloudy sky outside. Poking his head over the instrument panel and into the rushing, freezing wind, he saw lights hanging in the air dead ahead. Tower lights. He stomped on the right pedal, and the plane lurched right, lining up with the runway. He grinned. “Fastest taxi I've ever done.” Thank goodness the whole field here is pretty flat... he mentally added.

He glanced to his left to make sure the controls weren’t pinned by a body - Redheart wasn't lying limp on any of them.

A few more shots rang through the air from the now-distant hanger. He ducked again.

The bomber roared down the runway, its fourth engine finally sputtering to life. He patiently kept it level, watching the airspeed indicator climb. I have no idea what your takeoff speed is... Runway end lights appeared in the distant haze ahead, rushing towards him. The airspeed was still steadily climbing. But this isn't it. He gently pulled on the stick, anyways.

The plane hopped into the air. He clenched his teeth as the enormous wheels hopped over the lights, then the plane slowly dropped back towards the snow. Okay, I guess an open field works for a runway, too. Thank Celestia this snow isn't too loose. The plane lurched as its wheels landed on a thin layer of loose snow. He cursed under his breath. Thought too soon. It continued forward, pushing through the extra resistance.

He gently kept the stick back, lightening the plane's weight on the wild snow – a slight release and it'd plow into the loose snow, any tighter and it'd stall and crash. Steadily the speed picked up, washing the wings with ever more life-saving lift. He gently pulled the stick further, hanging on the edge of the stall. The wheels finally left the ground, and the entire craft steadily rose into the cloudy sky, with Twilight, Rainbow, Rarity, Fluttershy, Brighteyes, Snowglade, Redheart, Sergeant Light, and Flameheart all aboard.

Echoes of Hope

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Author's Notes:

It's been just a month and a day shy of 3 years since I last uploaded a new chapter.

My original plan for the rewrite was to simply change the beginning, then have it smoothly mesh with later chapters so I wouldn't have to rewrite anything later.

But when I write, sometimes things take on a life of their own and don't go quite to plan, and to force them to would be to take some living element away from the story and feel forced, and when a few things change, there are consequences that trickle down as consequences have consequences have consequences etc.

Seamlessly re-integrating with later chapters became impossible.

As such, I'm not continuing this, but going off the events as I've written them in the new write. It's similar enough that it's still the same story, but different enough that this chapter would've never seen the light of day as it is, and I decided I'd might as well post it. Although I feel like the improvement from the new write is worth it, I also feel like it'd be wrong to just let this rot on my harddrive, even if I'm going to do it much better and very differently, later.

So,

THIS WILL BE THE LAST FULL CHAPTER ADDED TO THIS FIC

for updates on the rewrite of this story with fantastically better writing, and to find out what happens to Governor Full Spectrum, if Twilight and her friends get home, and what happened to Redheart and the sergeant, the rewrite is here, and I won't be going on a hospital-induced hiatus like this again: https://www.fimfiction.net/story/417260/tapestry-a-world-apart

Applejack was exhausted. She laid on her stomach on a pool float made of some driftwood covered in fabric. Although the air far above was cold, the water was warm, and hot air rose from it, creating a serene experience for relaxing and thinking. Moments before, she had been playing with Applebloom, but having felt finished and needing to attend her tutoring, she went back inside the palace, leaving AJ to her thoughts.

Her hooves weren't sore or overworked, and were only slightly tired from pool play, but rather, they felt heavy and weak, as though all life energy had been drained out of them. For brief, blissful moments she could forget her circumstances, relegating them gnaw at the back of her mind, but as soon as the play was over, they returned in full force, tiring her core and weakening her body. So she simply laid on the float.

She was glad to be away from all the palace guards and servants. Whatever general her brother was, she figured he was akin to royalty.

This is wrong. She thought, her gaze falling down into the water in front of her chin. I'm sittin' here, in this pool, while heavens' knows what is happening to my friends. 'Applebloom needs me' – ponyfeathers! You're livin' like a king, Big Mac, you don't need me here, but I dunno how Sweet Apple Acres is gonna make it through a season without me! She moaned to herself.

Scarlet was so distraught when she thought I was gone, or thought I might leave again, though. Maybe they got all these riches here, but... This place is nothin' compared to the love at Sweet Apple Acres. There's no Granny Smith, here, or me. So I guess I'm sorta doin' what she can't.

She sighed.

I guess ma and pa aren't here in either world, cruel fate. If it's not a farm accident in Equestria, it's dying as a soldier, in this world.

Did I do the right thing, though? Ah, forget that – what should I do now? That's more important. I don't have the slightest clue where Twi, Rares, or Pinkie could've gone off to. I guess I could start searchin' the city for Pinkie... Yeah, that's what I should do.

She looked up, and at the edge of the pool, stood a near-black unicorn adorned in Nightmare Moon's armor and a sparkling, nightly cape. Applejack fell backwards off the pool float in shock, falling under, then jumping back up to the surface. She found herself immediately by the edge of the pool, being pulled out of it in the magical grasp of the terrifying unicorn.

But something else stunned her even more – the feel, the color, the specific sensations that came with the magical grasp – could it be?

“Here.” The unicorn said, a warm towel floating to Applejack in her lavender, telekinetic grasp.

The voice. She knew it. It was more croaky, arrogant, aloof and bored, but it was the same voice.

“Twilight!” She yelled, and threw her into her hooves.

She felt every muscle in the unicorn's body tense up under her embrace. She squeezed harder. Applejack heard and felt a single half gasp, half sob break from the unicorn's mouth.

“Twilight! I can't tell ya how much I missed ya! It's not the same here as Equestria – I can't stand this never-endin' night,” Applejack herself started sobbing as it all spilled out uncontrollably, “-an' no green hills, no apple trees, no love, no friendship, no blue skies, no nice wooden homes with tile rooves or thatched rooves, all the orchards are underground under weird lamps – Twilight – can we go home? I don't even know if I should – ah need ya to talk me, Twilight! I got this other family here an' Big Mac says Applebloom here needs me, an' I love'em to pieces but my family at home -”

Another shortened gasp escaped from the frozen unicorn. But she remained still.

“- they need me, too, don't they, Twilight? An' maybe this world is rougher an Applebloom needs me here, but what about my family back in Equestria? They got Granny Smith and are in a much better world full'a friendship, but here it's all awful but Big Mac is royalty – but what does that count when compared against Friendship? - Ah Twilight, just tell me somethin' that makes this all okay! Tell me some kinda' twist that will make it so I can go home an' wake up from this nightmare!”

She finally stopped, shocked at how much had just spilled out. And yet another terrifying feeling came over her. Her pupils shrank to dots as her eyes went wide. “T-Twi... ...light?”

The unicorn was shaking underneath her embrace. The cruel tone was still in her voice, but it shook even more than her - “Y-you – IDIOT!”

A blast of magic sent her flying back into the pool. She immediately recovered to look back at the unicorn. Sweet Celestia – this ain't Twi – this is this world's version of Twi!

The front of her armor and gown were wet where Applejack had hugged her, but so were her cheeks. AJ hadn't touched her cheeks.

“This. IS. Our. HOME!” In a blinding flash, she vanished, leaving behind the towel she had previously offered.

AJ simply looked on, speechless.

* * *

Astilbe's sick stomach had turned to a knot in her chest. To think she tried to accuse me!? Aren't they tired of death!? Don't they love anything more than watching ponies die, and causing bloodshed, and – ARGH!

A shiver went down her spine as she walked home along the frosty cobblestone sidewalk.

How many have to die before they realize how horrible this is? - Their acts! How many innocent, good ponies have to suffer before the rest of them realize that their actions are wrong? How can they be so blind when the innocent are literally hanged right in front of them!?

She kicked the ground with a huff as she walked.

Don't they know this world could be so much better? That all it would take is for them to just... Just stop it?! Stop accusing, stop killing, stop... She sighed, her shoulders slouching. Stop fighting.

She looked around the streets, walled by aged brick and stone buildings. Few ponies were on the streets, though most wore coats as ragged and large as her own. The news-post bore announcements of heinous crimes committed by unicorns and Ceruleans, the heroism of Order “guardians,” or soldiers in their “valiant” efforts against “the anarchist menace,” and the latest executions of those deemed most evil. In her mind's eye she could still see the group of ponies talking around it, eager to throw stones at the latest spectacular.

A slight smile crept on to her face. They got to throw their stones, but I carried that innocent pony out of there! Hah!... The victory quickly faded from her features, though, and her lips' edges fell back to a solemn frown, and exhaustion landed again on her eyes. But Rosewing still died, and so many others did in preparing for this. Maybe I saved that one pony, but ultimately... a lot of ponies died because of that operation.

A single, rare snowflake fell gently in front of her. She paused. For a brief moment she looked at it as it fell blithely from the black abyss overhead. She found herself lost in its intricate crystalline structure, a maze of fractal patterns of diamond. It landed gently on the ground.

She leaned in to admire it a moment longer; it was a small, precious glory in her stone and cold surroundings. In her thirst for its beauty, she leaned in until her nose almost touched it, but in her next breath, it was washed in warm, foggy air, and quickly melted.

She sighed, feeling as though she'd left her heart behind as she stood up again. What if we “just stopped?” Wouldn't The Order have less executions if there actually weren't an enemy? I mean, I know they hunt unicorns, but... What if all this winter is from conflict bred from our hatred, not from them killing unicorns? What if we could just... Make peace without fighting for it?

She pulled herself back towards her house, slouching as she resumed her walk.

But so many of them enjoy the executions, the banners, the music... They love to paint somepony as evil and watch them hang. How can you appeal to that? How do your argue with somepony that thinks they're some sort of crusader against evil? They think you're selfish and cruel the moment you disagree with them, and that your ideas are evil and should not be allowed to spread.

Can ponies ever have a peaceful society? Are the ponies of this world simply beyond saving?

She found herself at her door. Turning, she looked back down the street. With an icy sting to her heart, she felt an answer to her mental question when she saw one of the ponies who had earlier been so eager to sharpen stones. But nopony was looking her way, so she returned to her door and walked inside.

She found her house just as she had left it, except the door to her bedroom was open, and her lookalike was lying on the floor, asleep in the doorway, her mane still halfway deflated. Astilbe approached with a raised eyebrow, then nudged Pinkie a few times. She snorted awake, looking up at her.

“Why are you sleeping in the doorway?”

She lowered her head back to the ground. She spoke in an exhausted monotone, “I finally had to get out of bed to use the bathroom. Then I thought I'd make cake or something, but I was too tired so I just went back to sleep.”

“You slept all day?”

“I guess so.”

“It's nine o'clock. Aren't you hungry? Did you drink all the water I left?” She walked over the prone pony and peered at the nightstand. The glass of water was empty.

“Yeah. I'm still pretty thirsty. And hungry. I don't feel like getting up, though.” She sighed.

“Oh, you'll get your energy back, you're probably just getting worn out from healing. I hope you're not getting an infection! How does that feel, anyways?”

“It's been hurting. A lot.”

“You poor thing! Here, I'll get you back to bed and we'll get that dressing changed, and I'll get you a good dinner. Sound good?” She offered a hoof.

“Yes, but uh...” Her ears flopped and she blushed a little. “Help me to the bathroom, first? It really hurts to walk, and I guess I must've fallen asleep hours ago, 'cause I need to go again...”

“Of course!” She beamed a grin at her, “I'm your official helper-nurse while you recover, after all.”

“And I'll be your new best friend?” She asked, a little hope creeping into her voice.

“Of course again!” She helped Pinkie off the floor. Pinkie beamed and threw a hoof around her shoulders in response.

Astilbe helped her to the room, left her to her business while she got another glass of water, helped her back into bed, and began changing her wounds' dressings.

“So...” Pinkie checked the room, glancing side to side, before leaning in to her friend in a whisper; “Did you do it? Did you save Twilight?”

Astilbe beamed. “Yep! And I'm going to save you, too.”

“Save me? I thought you already did?” She glanced down at her wound as Astilbe removed the old dressings.

The Cerulean shook her head; “No, you're still in a lot of danger, here. They're looking out for pink curly-maned ponies like us.” A smile crept over her face. “I love how my mane goes all poofy when I get 'in the zone', though. It makes me harder to recognize. My coat even gets brighter, too. In fact, I look exactly like you...”

Pinkie gasped, “Do you think you're my long-lost twin!?” She threw a hoof out, grabbing and pulling Astilbe in for a close hug; “Like my secret sister I never knew I had!? Are you a PIE!?”

“You have a long-lost twin?”

“No!...” She let go of her caretaker so she could face her, “But I COULD!”

“Well, I'm afraid the wound doesn't look so good...” She paused and sighed. “I'm sorry. Maybe this wouldn't have happened if the room were cleaner... But it's not too bad, and we'll be able to get some antibiotics very soon. You should be okay... So, were you born in the Rambling Rocks area?” She began applying clean dressings to the wound.

“YES!”

Astilbe paused her wrapping. “Hmm.” She eyed her guest for a moment, and opened her mouth to ask another question before getting interrupted.

“-Wait, how do you know about Rambling Rocks? I thought we were on another time lice.”

She paused yet again, having barely unfrozen herself. “Time... lice?”

“Yepee! I think Twilight said something about them being like things that could've happened but didn't? Have you ever heard of them? I haven't.”

“Do you mean 'timelines'?” Astilbe perked an eyebrow.

“No...” She put her hoof to her chin. “...Maybe...” She furrowed her brows, her gaze going to the ceiling as she thought back. “...Yes! That makes a lot more sense. She said something about things being different back at the first 'Hearth's Warming Eve'.”

“Well, I don't know what 'Hearth's Warming Eve' is, but... Are you saying you're from a completely different world?”

“Right again! You're a smart pony!”

Astilbe chuckled as she worked the bandages. “Lift your leg.” Pinkie complied, allowing her host to wrap the clean bandage around it. She felt too worn to try to argue sense into this pony, so she played along. “I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, what with your spectacular entrance with that unicorn and all. I'd just assumed you were other Ceruleans...”

“Ceruleans?”

Her ears flopped down as she quickly glanced sideways. It's best she not find out until I take her to them... It's not safe... “I'll explain later... Just don't say that word around anypony. We could get in trouble if you do.”

“Why would we get in trouble for being blue?”

Astilbe chuckled again. This pony. “It's not for being blue. It's... A group. We're trying to save ponies like Twilight.”

“So... You took Twilight to them?”

Astilbe nodded. “And that's where we're going, too, in the morning – though the ponies in this dome would want to kill us if they found out we have anything to do with the Ceruleans.”

“That's no very nice! Agh – is this like they were going to hurt Twilight just because she's a unicorn and they think they're evil? Also – We're in a dome?”

The caretaker leaned back in surprise. “You... Didn't know we're in a dome? And yes, it's just like that. They're a big bunch of meanie pants. They say they do their mean things to protect us, but it's really so they can make us work for them.”

“Soo... If you're a freedom fighter, then why is your cutie mark a plant?”

“Oh-” she glanced back at her flank “-that? That's an, well, an astilbe. It's just it's not in bloom.” She finished her work with the bandages. “There, all done, but I want you to keep lying so that leg is above your head -”

Pinkie nodded.

Astilbe sat next to her and continued, “-I remember the first time I saw the gardens at Rambling Rocks... My da let me see them with some sort of permission he'd worked months to get. They were beautiful. I wanted to share them with the world, to make the entire world just full of all those beautiful plants... I spent a lot of years wondering how I could ever fulfill my destiny and do that, before I learned the truth about the Ceruleans, what we stand for, and what we'll do. I'll make it happen... I'll live to see this world bloom.” She smiled, warm memories and hope filling her chest, only to be stopped cold by a terrible, vicelike realization that crushed her hope; I'm not going to be an operative after this...

“But... Wouldn't it make more sense to be a gardener, then?”

She looked at her guest with surprise, “I am a gardener, actually. I don't see how that would make the outside world bloom, though...”

“Well duh, just plant outside!”

She just deadpanned at her.

“...What?” Pinkie asked.

“You... Really believe you aren't from this world at all, do you?”

“Nopelutely! I thought I said that, like, two times already...” She glanced sideways with a small hint of annoyance.

“Well, I'll have to explain a few things, then... I just... You think you're from somewhere that's already bloomed?...” A glimmer of humor caught her with a sly grin, “Do you think you can take me there?”

“Sure!... We just need to find Twilight. And you said we're going to her, right? So you can just ask her about it! She's the one who does all the magic and who's really smart.”

“I... I definitely will...” She paused for a moment, taking in what she'd heard. Looking at the innocence in Pinkie's eyes, she decided to entertain her guest. I... I would kind of love to hear about this fantasy world... “So, tell me about where you're from...”

* * *

Astilbe looked around herself in awe. Overhead was a clear blue sky that shone with light, and all around her were massive gleaming walls of glass, brick, marble and concrete that scraped the sky, as though she were deep in a canyon. Yet, it was a canyon of life and equine creation and artifice.

The sidewalks were hardly visible under the thick crowds of earth, pegasi and... unicorn ponies all walking about their days in peace. None of them wore warm clothing – the air itself was warm – many of them even wore large hats and loose, beautiful gowns. She looked at one rather proud looking pony in awe – she was dressed like a governor for a formal occasion, yet there were so many dressed like her, she couldn't help but think that mere ordinary citizens could afford such luxury and prestige.

Looking up and down the crowded, sunny streets, she saw countless more dressed as extravagantly as uniformed generals – with ties and suit coats – almost as common as a pony may wear a cape.

She found her hooves carrying her through the crowd – she had no trouble, somehow she felt herself gliding through it with ease. Looking up and down the streets, she saw beautiful stores – no loose brick or wood walls, but smooth marble, granite and polished glass, the materials of a royal palace adorning the front windows, walls and floors of even the humblest of stores.

What is this place?

She soon found herself standing in front of a building with granite pillars and spires. The capital of the city...

There were no palace walls, no iron gates, no luxurious private gardens closed off to the outside world; instead it was surrounded by a large, open, grassy park bathed in sunlight, open air, and patched with shady trees.

Tears welled in her eyes as she wondered again; what is this place!? Bastion may be a haven, but this place knows no fear!

She stood on the balcony of a massive tower overlooking an airport. She turned around to see the tower was surrounded by enormous slanted windows, and inside was a control room of uniformed ponies – once again, of every kind. She stood in awe as she heard them talk so seriously and professionally – yet without a single remark about any military operations or rank. She turned back to the paved paths and runways below.

Massive monsters of airplanes rolled around by the dozens with military efficiency, expert skill and engines of unknown technology roaring with power, yet not a single one of them had a weapon of any kind. Instead of bomb bays and logistical supplies, sat families in air conditioned comfort. A father, a mother, a young daughter and a son sat next to eachother, settling into their soft seats and draping a blanket over themselves. Soon the mother and daughter would be napping, leaning on eachother, while the father read a book about gardening and the son drew in a sketchbook, using his telekinesis.

In mere hours they would travel the entire continent to visit other family members for nothing more than fun and reunion. Cargo holds were stuffed with bags of clothing, stuffed animals and personal goods rather than coats, ammunition and weapons. No officers barked orders, instead airplane maids gave out snacks and drinks and told passengers how to be safe in case something went wrong.

She stood in a grassy park, thousands of miles away, yet it was the evening of the very same day. The same family sat picnicking, watching a sunset as children – an earth pony, two unicorns and a pegasus – played together in the field. The unicorn freely used her magic to tickle another filly, and the other jumped at her, returning the attack, the two falling into a pile of laughter. The unicorn son and pegasus laughed at the sight. The parents sat on the picnic blanket, enjoying idle chatter in-between siblings and in-laws as they munched on fruits Astilbe had never seen before, and drank oddly-colored bubbly drinks.

Astilbe looked on from her distance. She somehow knew they couldn't see her. She wasn't actually there, yet she stood there, looking in awe and shock.

It was only then that she felt the sun call her attention. After so much shock and awe, she could could scarcely comprehend that something could be even greater still. Yet, in defiance to her imagination, stood what she knew had to be the sun. A disc of such light and warmth that it burned to look at, and she was forced to avert her eyes, though hungry for its beauty, she fought to see it... just a little more. It turned to a cool orange as it set, filling the brilliant cerulean sky with rays of different colors of orange, yellow and deep blue.

It was the most beautiful painting she had ever seen, the most marvelous dress, the most renown garden, yet far more than all three. It was alive and glowed, shown with light and bathed her in gentle warmth. Tears came down her cheeks as she simply stared at it as it gently set and bid the world goodnight.

Yet the ponies all around continued about, scarcely aware of the beauty that had kissed them goodnight. She felt a twinge of wrath that they could be so oblivious to a glory that she would give her life, to be nothing more than a tiny part in bringing about – to bring this exotic fantasy a hair's breadth closer to reality. And yet in open defiance and mockery of her awe and tear-stained face, they were blithely unaware of the beauty around them.

But she couldn't feel angry. She was too enamored with the glory of this living world. She let out a single pitiful sob at her surroundings.

And it still wasn't over. She froze as warmth wrapped around her, like a wind... But warm and gentle, like a loving blanket wrapped around her, telling her it was all alright, and with it, the warm breeze carried a gently sharp smell, sweeter than any flower she had ever planted, gentler than her mother's perfume. The smell of grass...

She shook. I... I can't take this... This is too much... And began sobbing. It hurt her mind like the beautiful glory of the sun had hurt her eyes. She looked to it one last time as it slowly hid itself behind distant, majestic mountains. No, please... Please don't go... Don't leave us again!...

My little pony... It will come again. A voice spoke to her mind.

She felt something call to her, so she turned her head.

Another ghostly figure stood far away, invisible to this world. She was almost as bright as the sun, and her mane rippled and flowed like a majestic banner in slow motion, yet glowed with pure light.

Do you see it, now? This is the future you fight for. Do you believe it is possible? The thought entered her mind as she looked on.

“Yes, I... Do.” She gently, and solemnly replied with a bowed head.

Then go.

A World Apart (Old Version)

by Star Scraper

THIS IS AN OLDER VERSION OF A FIC RE-WRITTEN HERE:

Prologue

A World Apart

Arrival

A Little Warmth in a Cold Place

Familiar Faces

Friends and Enemies

A Little Honor

Decisions and Accusations

Partners in Crime

A Little Kindness

A Peace at a Time

For Good Ponies to do Nothing

Echoes of Hope