//------------------------------// // Departure // Story: A Hero Of War (UNEDITED) // by DontWakeTheNeighbour //------------------------------// As Bishop and Rainbow savoured their last moments together they sat close next to the warm radiator as the night loomed over the hospital. He was reading a book that he had picked up from the bookshelf nearby, it was about the civil war, it had been an interesting read, plenty of action, morals and important messages which Bishop could relate to. As his eyes began to tire he glanced at the clock, 9:10pm, only 20 minutes to go. As much as he wanted for them to spend another hour together he knew that hour would soon turn into two then three until there was no way he could possibly let her go. He was barely keeping his composure as it was. When Bishop finally stopped reading, he had only just noticed that his trousers legs were soaked with his tears, he turned to Rainbow Dash, his heart sank, she was on the verge of breaking down in tears too. He reached his hand out before gently stroking her cheek, once again she stood up before embracing his warm body, she glanced up at the clock, 9:30pm, times up. “I’m sorry Rainbow. …. It’s time for you to go home.” Rainbow squeezed tighter as Bishop stroked her back, her wings were still burning with fatigue as she rested her head on his shoulder. A thought then came into her mind; she pushed herself away looking at the floor, thinking what to say. “Rainbow? …. What is it?” She opened her mouth but hesitated, she then looked into his eyes before saying in a quiet tone. “Come with me.” Bishop recoiled slightly, his heart skipped a beat and his eyes widened as his mind tried to clarify what he just heard. “W-what?” He stuttered with a dumbfound look on his face. Rainbow Dash stood closer, looking at him with pleading eyes full of salty tears. “Come to Equestria with me. Please, you don’t have to stay here, you don’t have to fight here anymore. T-there’s no need for you to be sad anymore. …. Y-you can be happy again.” He wasn’t mistaken, she had actually asked for him to come with her to her world. He stayed silent, only the ticking of the clock ringing in his head as he forced the next sentence from his mouth. “Rainbow. …. I’m sorry. …. I. …. I can’t.” “W-why?” She said her voice barely a mumble. “I. …. I can’t run away from this. I can’t leave. …. I. …. I just cant.” “P-please.” Rainbow choked through her tears. “D-don’t stay here and fight. Not anymore! Please, d-don’t fight please! …. I don’t want you to die.” Rainbow tightly held Bishop as she buried her head into his chest; Bishop placed a hand on her mane, gently stroking it as she cried openly into his bandages. “I’m sorry Rainbow. I can’t go with you. I still have a duty to serve as a sergeant. …. I know it’s tough but your friends need you in your world more than I.” “But I don’t want to go without you!” She cried. Bishop began to tear up as he watched the Pegasus bawl, all the memories of this war, all the pain he’s ever felt and all the people he had lost were nothing but memories on paper and now it was only a matter of time before he’d have to say goodbye again. Using almost all his willpower he tried to stay strong. Just then Bishop saw something in the corner of his eye; he saw his journal sticking out of his back pack, tears now freely flowing from his eyes he slowly pushed Rainbow Dash in front of him, looking into her eyes. “Stay here for a moment.” He whispered. The Pegasus wiped the rivers of tears from her eyes as the sergeant stood up, also wiping the tears from his face before he made his way to the bag, Rainbow Dash could see the sergeant beginning to crack. Despite his rough appearance and his usually strict attitude, even he was finding it hard to control his emotions as he grabbed the book he let out a quiet sob before he walked back to sit by her side again. He held the journal by his knees, staring at the dirty cover with small drops of blood and dry tears covering the edges.. “What is it?” Rainbow asked with a weak mumble. “It’s my diary. …. In my spare time I’d just start to write in it, what happens in a day or what I’m thinking. It’s not much in reading material and it’s a bit worn. …. But I want you to have it.” He passed the book the Rainbow Dash, she slowly pulled it from his grasp before holding it close to her chest, she gritted her teeth, it was all happening so fast, she just wanted more time but deep down, she knew it was best. She looked up at her hero giving an obviously fake smile. The sergeant reached across the bed, grabbing the golden necklace before holding it to his chest, Rainbow watched the element as Bishop opened it. “You ready?” Rainbow Dash nodded, she slowly walked towards him, holding his journal tightly as she sat in front of him. The sergeant’s eyes were sore and bloodshot, tears pouring out of them as he used all his will power to attach the necklace around her neck as he looked deep into her eyes. *Click!* Nothing happened, Bishop checked again before looking back into Rainbow’s eyes. “Rainbow? …. Are you okay?” A look of horror was spread across her face, Bishop felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as the room turned cold. Just then Rainbow slowly began to rise into the air, her wings weren’t moving, an unknown force was hoisting her body into the air. Bishop watched as Dashie then turned limp, dropping the journal onto the floor as she closed her eyes. “Rainbow!!” Bishop jumped to his feet as fast as he could, grabbing the journal but before he knew it, his body was thrown across the room. Excruciating pain throbbed around his entire body, looking up, he shielded his eyes as a blinding light consumed the entire room followed by a deafening boom.