The clouds hung low in the sky, and promised more rain soon.
Spring should have started by now.
Even though it was mid April, the trees were still bare and without bloom or leaf, and the coldness still stuck to the air like taffy.
Mmm.. I long for that warm gooey taffy that we only get when we go into town. And I, nor any other soldier has been there since the war started.
"Twilight?" I asked as we trotted towards the bunker.
"How come only the officers are allowed to go into town? We all have wants too, you know." I said as I gathered fresh sheets.
Twilight sighed, "Rarity, you know they don't go into town just to have their hooves manicured. They go there to get food and supplies.. And information, when it's available."
Twilight jumped to the top bunk. I guess our conversation had ended. Below her was a sleeping pony I didn't recognize. I slipped to the bottom bunk on a bed right next to hers, and just lay there.
My muscles ached and my head trobbed, but I was getting warmer under the blanket and I had food in my stomach.
It'll be okay, Rarity..It'll always be okay...
I awoke what seemed to be a few minutes later, to the sound of somepony above me.
They were snickering, along with another pony a bunk or so down.
"Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned that you're a lying snitch who tricked my idiot brain into thinking I was somthin' special."
The three or four bunks broke out in a suppressed laughter.
"But don't worry Princess, I'll still stay as faithful as ever, right till the end!"
What were they talking about??
Suddenly I saw Twilight cram her head under her pillow and start shaking.
My head hurt when I tried to think of what the hay they were trying to get at, or why. But as my brain started to wake up, I remembered how much so many of the other soldiers despised Twilight for being so close to Celestia.
But that is no reason to make a fellow reformed soldier be resentful of her past.
I had to do something.
"Hey! You're all acting like school fillies. Twilight Sparkle is faithful to Luna alone!! She would never betray her for Celestia, ever!"
This seemed to only raise their laughter, as Twilight jumped out of her bed and ran straight out of the tent.
"Twilight!"
I ran towards the door and stumbled out the door flap.
"Twilight!" I called, but no answer.
As I continued to look for her behind buildings and inside bunkers, I began to notice an odd shrillness that hung in the air. It hurt my ears and made my eyes water.
Yet, all was quiet.
And I mean quiet.
The only sound was the wind.
I whipped my head around, feeling as if somepony was watching me... perhaps the lack of sleep and energy was just getting the best of my mind..
Though I still kept looking behind my back, for some reason I couldn't possibly explain.
After nearly a half hour, my search for Twilight was futile.
How did those ponies even know about her letters to Celestia? Word gets around, I guess.
And although she was always Celestia's right hoof mare, she would never go back to her. Ever.
I wasn't supposed to be out past curfew, and my hooves were getting shaky, so I decided to get back to the bunker.
Taunters or not, I needed rest. My hooves dug into the muddy dirt paths as I trotted my way back to the bunkers, and I past by a larger tent with the number 48 printed in bold letters on it's front.
That must be the Rainbow Dash's tent. Oh, excuse me, Captain Rainbow Dash's tent. I wish I could just drop by and say hello right now, but I know she must be far too busy. She always is..
I start to make my way back to the bunker tent when I hear something that makes me stop dead in my tracks.
"Captain Dash. We have urgent news from chamber 13. They say that they've captured a prisoner with a pink mane and coat."
I heard inside the tent.
"And this is urgent why...?" Rainbow said passively.
"Ma'am.. she is asking for a soldier Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, and...You, Captain Dash."
I swallowed hard, and I heard Rainbow Dash do the same.
"..What.. Was her name, soldier..?"
"She calls herself Pinkimena Pie."