//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Lost nights // by Cherry delight //------------------------------// The sun rose, casting shadows over the land. A small white filly sat at the entrance of the camp. Soon the rest of the camp would wake but ,for now, she could sit in peace. The only sounds breaking the silence was the sound of birds chirping and the faraway rumble of Ponyville. The filly took a deep breath in and stretched open her tiny wings. The air smelt like grass and trees but there was always a tint of smog that blocked her nose. The filly's eyes continued to follow the sun's path. Contrary to the shadows a few minutes ago, the land was now lit up in a orange glow. The filly watched as the shadows were swallowed by the light. The light eventually reached the filly's hooves. The filly sighed. She turned her ear towards the camp. Sure enough, as if on cue, the sounds of annoyed grumbles and the smell of pancakes and coffee filled the air. The filly slowly stood up and walked into camp. Unlike her walk out of camp, the walk into camp was very noisy. Around her were foals running about and mare's and stallion's trying to get them to the dining tent. The white filly allowed herself a small smile at their misfortune. Unfortunately for her karma decided to bring her justice. A high pitched voice squeaked behind her. "Hi Lost Heart!" Lost ignored her and tried to pick up the pace. But no matter how fast she walked the annoyance followed her. "You can't keep ignoring me." it continued "Otherwise I'll tell my Mummy that your being mean." Lost shuddered. Anything other than facing The Pink ones anger. She was seriously scary. Lost couldn't imagine why her and Lost's mum are friends. To be honest Lost didn't think Pinkie liked her much. "Hi Pancake." Lost muttered bitterly. Oh Pancake Pie. The annoyance of the camp. She was one of the reasons Lost wanted to leave the camp. Pancake bounced next to her. "So what are you doin' today Lh?" "Don't call me LH." Lost snarled. Pancake giggled. "Ok." Pancake bounced next to Lost's ear and whispered."LH." Lost wanted to strangle Pancake. "All it would take is one squeeze." Lost shook her head and tried to remove the thought. Luckily the were nearly at the dining tent otherwise she might just have to follow through with that idea. Lost and Pancake entered the tent. Lost looked for a certain filly. "Where are you Treble?!" Lost flicked her eyes back and forth until they finally caught on the grey colt. Lost charged towards the Table Treble was sitting at and sat down quickly. Pancake crept close to the table but, seeing who was there, ran away. After one time Treble yelled at her, Pancake was terrified to go within 5 meters of him. Lost felt a glare hit her back and knew that it was Pinkie Pie. "Pie can't do nothin'" Lost sat at the table in silence for awhile. She started to tap her hooves in boredom before deciding to start a conversation."So Treble how are you?" Lost waited for a reply and when she didn't get one she turned and looked at Treble. After she took one glance a mixture of realization and annoyance dawned in her eyes. Lost reached a hoof to Treble's head... and knocked his headphones off. Treble turned his head and glared at his attacker. When he realized that it was Lost his glare softened- If only a small bit. "What did you do that for?" He grumbled. Lost smiled. "Good Morning you too Treble." Treble growled and pretended to pout at Lost. Lost just laughed. "That stopped working after you were a foal Treble." Treble's pout turned into a smile. Really he couldn't stay mad for long. Treble opened his mouth to reply to her when their conversation was interrupted. Ting Ting Ting Three small taps of a glass. That was all it took for the whole room to silence. Standing in the middle of the room was Gilda. Gilda was the leader of the resistance. Being a Griffin she could see the flaws in our culture before even Vinyl or Lost's mum did. Most people in the camp looked up to her. According to Lost's mum she was a bit of a bully when she was younger but, now she was older, she was kind, wise and strong. Lost in thought Lost didn't realize that Gilda had started talking. Lost turned her attention back to her. "-As it is they have more weapons and ponies. However information from our spies tells us that they are growing fat and lazy." Gilda took a deep breath in. "So no it is not wise to attack them at this point. For now we will have to focus on building our support in the city and finding and making weapon's. School will now teach fighting moves." At the last sentence there was a bit of grumbling in the crowd. Even Lost was uncertain."Is this really the best idea?" However Gilda quickly reassured them. "These moves aren't likely to be used. But in the event of an attack we don't want to be defenseless. Following this idea we are also making it mandatory for each person over 14 to carry a gun with them. Nothing big just a small pistol. We will be handing these out later. The bullets will be enchanted, strong enough to injure someone but not kill them." Ponies in the crowd were looking at each other anxiously. Lost knew what they were all thinking, after all she was thinking it too. "Is war really this close?" Ponies looked at Gilda for comfort but she had already sat down. After that breakfast went as normal, if a bit quieter. It seemed like ponies were scared that if they were to loud then ponies in the city may come and kill them. When Lost had finished breakfast she muttered to Treble "See you at school" School started in half an hour. Usually in this time Lost would hang out with Treble for a while but now she just wanted to find her Mum. It might seem babyish but with war this close, every second counted.