When I was sure I was alone, I made my way towards my room to start packing my things. I packed all the essentials, tooth brush, clothing, books. Anything that would prove entertaining or useful in the long run. Anything to keep me sane. As I was organizing everything for my pickup, I came across an old picture that I had forgotten about after all these years. I looked at it, analyzed it, but only one thing kept coming back to my mind. “Ah, the good ol’ days...” I said quietly to myself. I placed it in my pack, hoping to at least have one good memory while I go through hell.
“What’s that Iron? Taking a stroll down memory lane?” A voice came from outside my window. I did a double-take when I looked at the window. “Wha- what? Rainbow? What the hell are you doing here, where the hell did you go?” I was just about to explode with worry, but she was starting to get a look on her face. An expression that I would get all to used to in times to come, Fear.
“Wait I-ah, look I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scream, I was just worried about you. Where did you go anyway?” I asked looking down at the floor, trying avoid eye contact. “I went up and spent sometime in Cloudsdale, flew around for a bit.” She said looking up towards the sky. I stood quiet for a second, wondering if I should say what I was thinking, “Did you visit the memorial?”
Her expression quickly changed from ones of solace to ones of extreme rage. “What? What did you just say?!” I kept a cool, dry tone to avoid a heated argument, “I said, did you visit the memorial?” “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about! There are no memorials in Equestria!” I finally just couldn’t take it anymore, something in my mind just went off and snapped; “Oh you know damn right, what memorial I’m talking about! The one to the fucking Wonderbolts! The one dedicated to the deaths of OUR FRIENDS!!”
I honestly don’t know what happened, one second I was on my feet, the next I was on my back. She had me pinned to the floor, fist raised to strike at any moment. “Go on, do it! All your friends believe I deserve this,” I then, suddenly lost all the bravado behind my voice, “I do deserve this, so please just do it already.” We locked eyes for what seemed like an eternity before we heard a small *ahem* emanating from the doorway.
We both looked up to find all of Rainbow’s friends standing in the doorway. I didn’t dare move a muscle, fearing that they would be ready to attack as if on que. I finally spoke up, “Um, how long have you guys been standing there?” They all looked at each other and looked back at me and Dash before Twilight finally spoke, “Long enough Iron, long enough.
*~*~*
“Um I don’t mean to be rude to you guys, some of you know I’ve been doing that too much today, but I just need some time alone with Rainbow, okay?” As they all gradually left, I slowly turned to Rainbow and said, “Listen I didn’t mean to get so angry like that back there, I lost control of myself for a moment and I just wanted to apologize.” She looked at me with a soft smile on her face, slowly stood up and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Heh, I haven’t had one of those in a long time.” I said nervously. She playfully shoved me, “Just try to get back to me in one piece, alright?”
As me and Rainbow descended the stairs back to ground level, I heard a knocking at the door. “Oh no, that must be them, Dash head back to the den to the rest of your friends, please.” She nodded as I went to go answer the door. When I opened the door, I saw two hefty men in dark green fatigues standing on my porch.
“Is the this the residence of a one, Iron Revolution?” The one on the left said. “Yes sir, that would be me.” I said trying to be as polite as possible. “You have, no doubt received our letter?” “Yes I have.” The two looked at each other, and then back at me, “The truck back there is taking new recruits in this area to the nearest military base for basic training and deployment.”
I slowly looked up at them and asked, “Hey look, one of my closest friends is inside and all of her friends too. Can’t I at least say goodbye?” The two nodded as I turned around to go back in. As I turned the corner to say goodbye, the entire room went silent. All eyes were intently focused on me. I began with, “Um, hi as many of you know my name is Iron Revolution. I was a close friend of Rainbow’s during her days with the Wonderbolts.” I looked down trying to hide my tears.
“As most of you may know by now, I have been drafted into military service. And I know I haven’t been the most gracious host today, in fact I’ve been a downright asshole, but you have shown me nothing but unyielding kindness, and I would just like to thank you for that.” I wiped my eyes clear and tried to hide my tearful stuttering. “I know many of your loved ones have been sent off to war, I know some of you haven’t heard from them in a very long time.”
I briefly paused to think carefully, “And this is probably the last time you’re going to be hearing from me, I just want you to know, please take care of each other while your family is away. Right now, you guys are the only thing keeping your loved ones sane on the other side. Don’t forget about them.” I couldn’t think of a good way to end my speech, so I just turned to leave. As I’m making my way I feel a tap on my shoulder, before I knew it I had arms around my neck, and lips to mine.
I didn’t even know what to think, all I knew was that I felt worse than ever before. When I opened my eyes I saw Dash hugging me and crying, all of a sudden, I’m swarmed by her friends and tears are rolling down my face. Once I regained control, I mustered up the courage to say, “Hey there is one last thing I need to do.” I quickly ran down the stairs, down in to the basement where I had left my quill and parchment. I levitated the rest of the latter into my pack , and finished upgrading the quill.
I made my way back upstairs, and gave everypony one last wave goodbye before I left. I turned back to see Rainbow..... as sad as she could ever be. I hated leaving her like this, I couldn’t leave her like this. But I had too, she’d be better off. I saw my home one last time before I tossed all stuff into the back of the truck and hopped on one of the seats. The very last thing I saw was a crying woman, the last thing I ever wanted to see...