//------------------------------//
// 36 - Death, Part 9 of 10 
// Story: The Last Cutie Mark Crusader 
// by Jatheus 
//------------------------------//

A noise above made Duster look into the sky. What was unfolding at first seemed to be beautiful, and it lifted the stallion's spirit. The entire air detachment had returned. Pegasi and griffins were sweeping through the skies and taking out the changelings. However, it was far from a solid victory. The fighting was becoming as intense up above as it was on the ground now. What had been a cloudless morning had become an afternoon filled with the choking stench of a war-zone. A look to the horizon in any direction was enough evidence to conclude that Locknload hadn't been the only unicorn to set fire to the timberwolves.

"You!" a voice caught his attention.

Looking down, Duster beheld a fast approaching mare, covered in blood. He stood up, shocked at the sight of her.

"Are you alright?" he asked as she approached.

"What?" she looked at herself. "Oh, the blood. It's not mine," she said emotionlessly.

It was then that he realized she was a captain. He saluted.

"At ease. I'm Captain Scootaloo."

"I remember you, ma'am," he said nervously.

"Where is Corporal Beigh?" she asked.

Then the sadness punched him in the gut. He was about to answer when she interrupted.

"I see," she spoke as though she understood what had happened. "Follow me."

He scurried behind her into the heart of this band of soldiers, which had to be at least two regiments still together.

"Report," she said.

"We thought you were dead," Charging Lance said, sounding surprised.

Major Flittergear was there as well.

"Not yet," she answered. “We need to execute Broken Arrow immediately.“

"The evacuation has already begun, compliments of our pegasi and griffin forces giving us cover, but they need to get down here and help us fall back. The changelings aren't making it easy. They have doubled down the assault from the east. I'm pretty sure we've lost several entire regiments already."

Duster's heart sank at this news. He suspected as much, but it was unsetting to hear it confirmed in such a callous way.

"We don't have time to worry about that right now," Scootaloo said. "I'll take Flittergear and go with the next group."

"You intend to assume command then?" Charging Lance asked, a curious expression on his face.

"Yes," Scootaloo replied matter-of-factly, "at least until we can get back to a safe position. We can talk about it then. You oversee the evacuation here and join us at the rendezvous. Private Duster here is joining me."

"I am?" he blurted out, drawing their attention. "Ma'am?"

"You are," Scootaloo said. "I need a wingpony, and I know the stuff you're made of, if any of it runs in the family." She almost looked distant or sad for a moment, but then she continued, "Is there a unicorn you can carry? We can use the extra firepower."

"Yes, ma'am. There are two unicorns left in my squad, and two more pegasi that are fit to fly."

"Is LD one of them?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Good," she said, seeming a little more confident. "Get him and both of those unicorns ready to go. Hooves up in five."

"Yes ma'am!"

Duster hurried off to find the remnant of his squad. They were where he had left them.

"Look who came back," LD said; he almost sounded cheerful.

“Oh, joy,” Gunnysack seethed.

"Sergeant," he addressed Locknload with a salute. "Captain Scootaloo has ordered the four of us to report to her immediately. Myself, Jewel, LD, and you are evacuating to a fall back position."

The others all looked completely puzzled.

Locknload said, "Well, let's move then. Gunnysack, looks like you’re staying with Rolling Thunder and Sergeant Featherplume.” He made a gesture for Duster to lead the way.

As they began to part, Duster stopped, looking back at the crystal earth pony that always spoke ill of and harshly to him. It was no secret that he hated the pegasus, but only hours before had saved his life.

“Gunnysack, I didn’t get a chance to thank you.”

“Just don’t,” the reply came back. “I already regret it.”

Duster nodded at him and continued after the others. Scootaloo already had attached Flittergear to her harness; Duster and LD quickly secured their passengers as well.

"Good to see you're fit to fly, LD," Captain Scootaloo said.

LD smiled and answered, "Well, I couldn't let you have all the fun."

She seemed to have that same look from before. Duster didn't know what it meant, but the captain had something on her mind.

"We're falling back to the southern end of Ghastly Gorge," Scootaloo said. "For the moment, it's free of timberwolves, and scouts report that we'll be able to regroup there."

Without another word she took flight, and the flapping of wings followed from LD and Duster. The six ponies were now in the air. LD took up the right wing position, with Duster on Scootaloo's left. As they climbed higher and higher, the battlefield became somewhat obscured by smoke. What Duster could see was an awe-inspiring sight. The first that had been set to the perimeter did little to slow down the influx of enemies that were still streaming from subterranean passages. The entire battle, possibly the entire war and future of Equestria was laid out before him. The ponies were losing.