//------------------------------// // Chapter 16 // Story: The Final Battle for Equestria // by Songbrony //------------------------------// Chapter 16 Blaze and Rainbow went back to Blaze's tent. Rainbow had stopped crying but was still hurt by what Linus had said. "How can he say those things? I've been loyal to the cause since it started. I haven't betrayed any pony." She said quietly. Blaze put his arm around her shoulder. "It'll be alright. He's just pissed at what we said about him and Luna. Even if it is true. He hates being put on the spot. But what he said was completely uncalled for. I know you aren't the mole. I remember the stories about you and your friends. When you went into the Everfree Forest and Luna's Shadowbolts tried to get you to join them and ditch your friends. You chose your friends over what you wanted. When Ponyville was going to be shrouded in smoke because of that dragon, you went in there and kicked him in the face!" Blaze said with a laugh. Rainbow let out a small laugh. She smiled as she remembered all the times she had with her friends. "Rainbow, Linus is just fumed. In a few days, he will apologize. And if he doesn't, I'll kick him again." Blaze said with a wink. Rainbow chuckled. She looked at Blaze and without thinking, kissed him. Blaze was a little surprised by how she kissed him, but he didn't pull away. Rainbow quickly released the kiss and blushed. "I'm sorry Blaze. I don't know what happened." She said as she turned her head. Blaze thought of something. Maybe it was foolish, but it could make things less awkward after that kiss. He didn't hate it. He actually enjoyed it. "Rainbow-" Blaze started but was cut off. Luna had run into the tent with urgent news. "Blaze!" she said taking in her surroundings. I hope I'm not interrupting anything." She said as she noticed they were alone. "But we have found some wandering ponies. They say they are refugees from Ponyville. I need you to come with me." She said and left the tent. Blaze and Rainbow looked at each other and jolted up and ran after Luna. "Refugees? But how did they escape? How did they find us?" Rainbow asked. "They wouldn't say. They want to speak to Blaze. They heard about what happened at the prison you two went after. They say they want to see the one who got all of them out." Luna replied. "Where are they at?" Blaze asked. "They are by the stream." She said and Blaze ran ahead of them towards the stream. When he arrived he saw hundreds of ponies. Most looked beaten down and sick. Some, he could tell, were close to death. A big red pony walked up to him. "Are you the one who rescued those at the prison?" Blaze nodded. The red one smiled and turned his head, nodding to the group. They cheered and ran up to Blaze. They were all Earth Ponies. They seemed like farmers. "We are the survivors of Apple Loosa. We were over-run by the Leasath and taken captive to be used as slaves. They took us to Ponyville where we have been enslaved for 10 years. About 5 months ago, we rebelled. Many of us were killed and those of us who survived were sent to the prison that was raided a few days ago. We were tortured for rebelling. Many of us died. I lost my little sister there. They didn't care that she was just a filly. She was related to us, the ones who led the rebellion. After we were rescued, we headed for this stream. When the rest of us had arrived, we decided to look for the one who saved us. We followed it here and we noticed a light blue mare with rainbow hair, being followed by you. We asked Luna if we could speak with you. And here you are." He said. "Yea, I'm here. Is there anything I can do for you? Food, shelter, water?" Blaze asked. "We want revenge." The red pony said. "Hold on Big Mac. Ah know you are all pumped up and set on gettin revenge for our sister. But let's take some time to relax. We've been through a lot." An orange pony stepped out from behind Big Mac. Rainbow and Luna had just caught up with him and saw the pony. "Applejack!" Rainbow exclaimed. "Rainbow! What the hay are you doing here?" Applejack said as she hugged Rainbow. "I've been helping the army out. What happened to you? I thought I would never see you again." She asked. "Well, Ah went to Apple Loosa to check on my family. After Ah arrived, they took us." Applejack explained everything. How they were over-run, what happened during the rebellion, and what happened after. "And....they killed Apple Bloom. They killed her because my family led the rebellion in Ponyville." Applejack said sadly. A tear was forming in her eye. "What? You mean..." Rainbow asked. "I think it's time we all went back to camp. Big Mac, how many ponies are with you?" Blaze asked. He knew that Rainbow and Applejack would want some time to talk. "We have 200 with us." Blaze was shocked, but he didn't let it show. "Ok. Luna, we're going to need more tents set up. And some food sent to these ponies. They look famished." Blaze told Luna. "Don't worry. We'll take care of you all." Blaze said reassuringly. He led them back to camp. But when he returned, he saw Linus and Rook having a heated talk in front of the army. Linus had turned to address the army, but was stopped by Rook who grabbed him and turned him back around. Linus shoved him to the ground and kicked him in the face. Rook went limp and layed there as Linus readdressed the crowd. Oh no Blaze thought. He knew what Linus was speaking about. He turned to Luna. "Don't let Rainbow enter camp just yet. Hold her back for a little. I'll talk to him." "Blaze, what's going on?" Luna asked confused. "I'll explain later, but please keep Rainbow away from the camp." He said and ran off to confront Linus. He slowly entered the crowd and made his way to the front. "We are told of a mole in our ranks! We are promised revenge! And then she shows up, and gets her best friend killed! She claims loyalty to the Aureolian cause, but it's obvious she doesn't care! She's the mole! Rainbow Dash is the traitor!" Linus proclaimed to the army. Some gave whoops of agreement. "Linus!" Blaze yelled. "Why are you doing this? She hasn't done anything to you! She has stayed loyal and helped rescue key assets to our cause! She rescued Shining Armor!" "She has poisoned your mind! She has prevented us from taking our objectives properly! We could've taken that second camp with little losses and she changes your mind to attack a prison and to almost get yourself killed and everypony around with a giant bomb! She has wanted you dead so that way Chrysalis can win the war! But when Twilight did her spell she ruined the whole plane! She has been trying to get in your head and stay in your tent at night. She is trying to get close to you so she can kill you in your sleep!" Linus yelled his accusations with poison on the end of each word. "She lost her best friend! Why would she do that if she wanted us to lose the war?" Blaze retorted. "She is selfish! She only wants things for herself." Linus said. "Now, send her up here so she can be put on trial for treason!" Blaze looked behind him and saw Rainbow standing there. Her eyes were tearing up again. "You think....that I am looking out for myself? That I only want my personal admirations? Well, Linus, my personal admiration right now would be to strangle you for accusing me of wanting my friend to die! I have been loyal to the Aureolians since day one!" She yelled. "How about we solve it the old fashioned way? A fight to the death! Winner gets to stay." Linus said with a smile. "Linus! You aren't thinking rationally! Think of what will happen! The army will lose one of their greatest assets in this war!" Luna tried explaining to him as she ran next to Blaze. "I accept!" Rainbow yelled back. She had had it with this pony. "Tomorrow at noon." She said as she left the area. Blaze looked to Luna. "You can't allow this!" He said to her. "I have no control over it. I am not a part of the two parties involved. I can't prevent any of this from happening." She said sadly. "I wish I could Blaze, but I am powerless in this battle. The only thing I can do is to offer to take one of their place's and the other accept." She lowered her head. "Linus! You can't go through with this! Look at Luna! The one you love is hurt because of this challenge! Why would you do this to her?" Blaze yelled. He had dropped a bombshell on him. The crowd got very still. Linus looked at Blaze. He was red with fury. "I offer to take Rainbow's spot! Do you accept? Or are you too much of a coward to fight me?!" Blaze had to make Linus agree to this. If he didn't Rainbow didn't stand a chance. She didn't know Linus' weak points and how to get inside his head. Blaze did. He didn't want to kill Linus, but he didn't want Rainbow to die. He had to think of something to get them out of this situation. "I accept you as the new warrior! Tomorrow at noon, meet at the stream. If you don't you will be outcast! Rid of all forms of who you were." Linus said and left the stage. He headed back for his tent. "Blaze, what do you mean by, the one he loves?" Luna asked. "Luna, I wasn't going to tell you. I was going to let Linus do it. But I had to antagonize him in order to accept me as the new challenger. I'm sorry. I couldn't think of anything else to do." He said. He left her and went to find Rainbow. He knew where she would be. He took off into the air to find her.