Year 12 – Day 59
Mystic breathed in and out. She allowed herself to relax as she meditated.
Come on, she thought. Remember what came before you woke up.
The unicorn lightly twitched and shuddered at the damp atmosphere.
All she could still remember was complete darkness.
Discouraged, the unicorn opened her eyes to see the woods surrounding the small patch of grass she sat on. The trees were covered in moss. The sound of morning dew gently dripped onto the leaves above onto the forest floor.
The unicorn choked and let out a whimper.
“Mystic?” a voice called.
The unicorn sat up straight and sighed. “Over here, Cierra.”
She heard hoofsteps get closer. Soon, Cierra emerged from the tree line and smiled at her.
“There you are,” she said. “I was wondering where you were.”
“Sorry, I had an early start.”
“I see,” Cierra sat down next to her. “I should’ve known you’d be here.”
Mystic nodded as she recalled her leader bringing her to this place to clear her mind.
The unicorn rubbed her eyes as she gently shook the morning dew off her coat. She tried remembering again, but nothing came up.
“Are you okay?” Cierra asked.
Mystic shook her head. “No. I’ve tried for almost two years to remember where I came from.”
Cierra gave a sympathetic smile. “I’ve been hoping every day you’d get them back.”
Mystic frowned, “What if… I never get my memories back? It’s kind of scary…”
Cierra gently looped a foreleg around Mystic. “Do you want to know what I think?”
“What?”
“Answer my questions as fast as possible.”
“Okay?”
“Do you love Sunshine?”
“Yes.”
“Do you love all of us?”
“Of course.”
“Do you believe you have a better place or purpose?”
“No.”
Cierra’s smile grew. “Well, if those are your answers, then I believe you shouldn’t concern yourself over those lost memories.”
Mystic blinked. “Huh?”
“I mean they might come back or maybe they won’t,” Cierra explained. “But as far as I’m concerned, you should be who you want to be now rather than worry about what was before.”
Mystic rubbed her chin in consideration, “I’d never thought about that.”
“Take it from me, I had things I would’ve love to have done with my life. But I ended up being here to lead the Liberators.”
Mystic thought about what she’d said. “That does make sense.” She smiled at Cierra. “I’ll try to do that.”
Cierra nodded in approval. “Good.”
Both ponies sat there for a few minutes, each enjoying one another’s company and the quietness of the forest.
“By the way,” Cierra spoke up. “I’ve got a mission I need somepony to go on.”
“Really?” Mystic asked excitedly. “Are you considering me?”
“I was thinking I would have you be the pony to go,” Cierra giggled.
Mystic’s eyes lit up.
Year 12 – Day 60
Her steps clip-clopped down the beaten concrete path as she locked eyes with Cierra’s headquarters.
With an exhausted sigh, she gazed down at the various recent cuts along her sweaty coat. The mission had been successful, but not without tough security in either traps or burly guards.
The unicorn looked at the tattered satchel and her mind wandered. Why does Cierra need this? The mission sounded exciting but what she had been assigned to retrieve confused her. Usually, Cierra is clearer about their objectives.
Mystic decided to take a quick rest out of exhaustion. She sat down on a bench and began to fan herself with a hoof. She looked down at her body and inwardly cringed at the scars of her lashes her former “uncle” had inflicted upon her. But underneath that painful reminder, she took note that her physique was bulkier and she could see muscles had taken shape along her torso and forelegs.
A smirk broke across her muzzle and a sense of pride welled that the rigorous training has been paying off.
Knowing Cierra needs what she asked of her, Mystic stood up, walked the remaining way to her headquarters, and opened the door.
“Mystic!” came a voice.
The unicorn grinned when she spotted her sister sitting on the couch with a cup of her favorite coffee.
“Hey there, Cierra,” Mystic greeted. “I made it back in mostly one piece.”
“My sister! My main pony!” Cierra put the cup aside and motioned her over. “Come and sit, please! You must be tired from your mission!”
Mystic chuckled as she sat down. “No, Cierra. My missions never truly exhaust me.”
Cierra got up and walked over to the nearby table. “That they don’t.” She began pouring another cup of coffee. “I knew you had it in you.” She finished pouring the coffee and brought it over. Mystic levitated it over and took a sip.
“The satchel please?” Cierra asked.
“Oh! Right,” said Mystic.
She hoofed the satchel over and Cierra peeked inside. After she scanned it for a few seconds, she grinned at the unicorn.
“Major success, my sister. Not a scratch on it,” she said.
She patted Mystic’s shoulder, “I say you deserve some well time off with the rest of us tonight. But not before we get your wounds cleaned up a bit.”
“I agree,” Mystic examined her wounds again.
“Now, as for this, I need to lock it away.”
She heard hoofsteps recede to the back of the headquarters before she focused back on her coffee. She brought the cup to her lips and took another sip.
Sunshine came to her mind again. The unicorn smiled at the little filly having friends to keep her occupied when she was out and couldn’t make it. Of course, that meant she got to know Sunshine’s friends and they have been doing great meeting up whenever they could.
“Daydreaming, Mystic?” Cierra’s voice came again.
The unicorn snapped out of her thoughts and looked at her sister heading over to sit.
“No. I’m just reflecting a bit,” she answered.
“Oh?” Cierra sat down.
“Yeah,” Mystic smiled wider. “Sunshine and I are definitely happier now. She’s got a lot going on for her and I’ve been doing my part on getting justice.”
“I’m glad you both feel that way. I believe the both of you would make an efficient duo together in life,” Cierra returned the smile.
Mystic lightly blushed. “I believe so. Though, with you, we would be an unstoppable triple duo! I mean, you’re such a great pony, Cierra! I’ve not learned so much from anypony else!”
Cierra giggled. “That means a lot to me, Mystic. Thanks.”
“I owe you my life! We both do!”
Both ponies shared another laugh.
They sat and talked for a few minutes. While they did, a question on Mystic’s mind finally broke through.
“Cierra, I hope you don’t mind my asking,” she said, slightly nervous. “What was that book you needed for, anyway?”
Instead of a stern look like she had expected, Cierra smiled.
“I’ll tell you all about that soon,” she replied. “I need to work out some kinks and I want to be sure the time and conditions are right.” She gently patted Mystic’s shoulder, “Trust me, my sister. We’re going to make this corrupt government remember our victory for generations to come!”
That answer wasn’t satisfactory. However, the unicorn knows Cierra has a clear big picture of how they’re going to win.
“Well, I trust you,” she smiled. “You’ve totally got this.”
“Indeed, I do!” Cierra boasted, puffing her chest out. She stood up again. “Come on! Enough lollygagging! Let’s go have a small party!”
Mystic began to feel excited, she always loved it when ponies got together in things like that. “Let’s go!”
Year 12 – Day 140
The ropes along the ceiling swung the targets faster.
Her eyes are locked onto the smallest one. She had been getting better and won’t let herself or her team down. Almost like a predator, she waited for the perfect moment.
Then she let out a blast from her horn—
BAM!
Success!
“Booyah!” Mystic said happily.
She looked at the splinters scattered across the floor as she heard the swinging stop. Satisfied, she walked over to a nearby table and drank a cup of water.
“Excellent job today!” Song called out.
Mystic turned to her with a smirk, “I’m always doing an excellent job!”
“Debatable!” Juan teased.
“Juan!” Song chastised.
Mystic playfully rolled her eyes. She drank another cup of water and stretched a bit. With a couple cracks of her neck, she walked out of the training room.
The unicorn closed the door behind her and smiled to herself. She felt warm as if everything in the world was perfect. But there’s always work to be done and--
A sharp pain arose in her cranium.
“Agh!” she grunted and knelt.
She ran her hoof along her temple to ease the pain. It had come out of nowhere. The pain began to spread. She grasped her head as she gritted her teeth. More confused than in pain, Mystic managed to stand up and traced the pain close to her horn.
This is the second time... she thought.
Of course, she told Cierra but she was led to believe she might’ve overdone herself yesterday. She couldn’t have done that with lighter training today, could she have?
The pain began to subside. She wiped the sweat from her brow and pulled herself up. She looked around at a couple of her sisters passing through with smiles on their faces. Several others played a board game in a red tent.
Nopony seemed to notice that she had been in pain.
She doesn’t need to hang around here anymore. The unicorn walked off and rubbed her temple again.
If this keeps happening, I may need to see somepony about this, she thought. Hating the thought of being unable to help her gang.
As she passed by aisles of tents containing her sisters, to her left she caught a glimpse of her fair leader by a table.
“Mystic! A word please!” Cierra called.
Without hesitation, Mystic trotted over, trying to vanquish her uneasy feeling.
“Yes ma’am?”
“What did I say about calling me ‘ma’am’, Mystic?” Cierra smiled.
Mystic shook her head, the remnants of the headache faded, “Yes, Cierra?”
“Are you okay?” Cierra tilted her head, frowning a bit.
“Yeah,” Mystic stuttered. “I... weird dream again.”
Mystic lightly froze when she saw Cierra frown and raise an unconvinced eyebrow.
Dang it, she knew I was training! she scolded herself. She knew the mare is very perceptive when it comes to examining ponies.
“Oh, good thing it’s over,” Cierra spoke.
Mystic nodded vigorously, “Yes. You were saying?”
“We have a new mission that we’re going to be doing tonight,” Cierra smiled again. “And you’re going to be leading your own team.”
“Me?” Mystic asked, taken aback. “Leading a team?”
“Yes! I’ll be there to help but we need to get this mission done to push our movement forward.”
Thrilled that she’s got a new challenge to meet, Mystic smiled.
“What’s the dig?”
Cierra’s smile grew wider, “Now that’s the attitude I love from you.” She motioned Mystic to follow. They arrived at a table that had a map of the city and the surrounding area. On it were pins to mark where the teams would be during the mission.
Cierra pointed to a bridge connecting to the land to the north.
“I’ve gotten reports that Hong has begun a new alliance with a large town to the north,” she explained, “Because of how much the boundaries of the law, way things get around, and new stations being built, they’ve decided to work together after the international incident.”
“Pfft,” Mystic scoffed. “Never knew Hong would want to do that.”
“He’s done it for himself. Not of any interest to the others,” Cierra shook her head. “The northern town and Imperial City send supplies to whatever they need to build themselves up. You and I are going to lead our own two teams to ensure they never get there and not for a while.”
“Really?” Mystic smiled deviously. “Sounds delightful.”
“Oh, it is,” Cierra returned the smile. “And based on intel I’ve got the shipment should be a large one.”
“Any soldiers?”
“Oh, sure. But it’s nothing we can’t handle if we play our cards right.”
Mystic deterred that some extra pins deterred an escape route. She smirked.
“When do we begin?”
Cierra chuckled and patted Mystic’s shoulder, “You’re shaping up to be like I thought you would be! We’ll begin getting the others ready right now and leave this evening.”
She stepped up to Mystic and whispered into her ear, “What pain you experienced is just in your mind. As are the nightmares you told me about.”
Mystic gulped as Cierra gave her a smug smile, “Come on, you can’t fool your own big sister, Mystic.”
“O-Of course not,” Mystic forced a smile.
Yeah, she thought, feeling better despite her embarrassment. The headaches and nightmares are only in my mind. Sunshine thought so, too.
She noticed Cierra had walked off. To save face, she trotted on after her.
The sky is dark. The only source of light are the lanterns aligned on the street. It had been a while since she had been to a part of the suburbs. A tingly feeling came over her as her hair began to stand up. Mystic gazed around at the large herd of Liberators around and behind her as they trotted down the street.
“And hold!” Cierra ordered.
Everypony immediately stopped and faced their leader.
“Okay, everypony! Let’s make sure what we are doing!” Meng announced.
Cierra stood up straight and spoke, “Mystic, you, Song, and your team will take the front. Meng and her team will shoot the bolas to confuse them and my team and I will come around from the back.”
“This is a big delivery but with all of us we should get the job done pretty efficiently,” Meng added.
“We need to move and we need to move fast. We do not want to have any more encounters with other traitorous Liberators while we’re out here.”
Mystic inwardly cringed. She recalled several missions where they got into scuffles with them, how they keep harassing her team’s gang and each other.
“But we should be okay,” said Meng. “We carefully laid these plans out and this should be a certain victory for all of us.”
“That’s right! Now, everypony, all of you, get into your teams and get to your positions! We begin now!” Cierra announced.
“Yes ma’am!” everypony cried. They beat their chests twice and pointed their hooves at Cierra, who returned the gesture.
Without any time to lose, Mystic trotted over to her team. Song joined her and gave her a small smirk. That gave her more confidence in herself.
Fueled with adrenaline, Mystic behind a concrete slab. She peeked out to where the wagons will be crossing. But what she didn’t count on was two bridges linked across a small island onto her team’s side.
Her legs began to shake a bit at the sight of the river.
“Our wagon will be across,” she whispered to herself, “Our wagon will be across.”
At the corner of the block, were buildings being restored with various boardwalks held up by thick bamboo sticks.
The unicorn crouched down and held the handle of her machete. She planned on staying the hay away from the water. She began to feel more confident. But anything could happen in a battle as Meng told her.
It was safe to say, Mystic now felt nervous about the mission once again.
“When this darn delivery getting here?” Song asked.
“Any moment,” replied Mystic, focused on the bridges. “The others should be in position.”
They continued to wait.
Soon, the sound of wheels rolling across the pavement began to approach her position. The sounds of hooves accompanied them as the top of wagons came into view.
“Easy everypony,” said Mystic, “Wait for the signal.”
She heard her allies shift a bit and that told her that they were ready for action.
The first wagon had large boxes on it. Her heart began racing at the sight of about twenty unicorn soldiers surrounding it. They had armor that protected their chests and torsos. Their red helmets glistened in the lantern lights as they held their spears close.
Behind the first wagon were three more. Pegasi surrounded them.
“The patrol’s larger than what we thought it was going to be,” Mystic spoke.
“Don’t worry,” said Song. “That’s a good thing. We’ll show everypony here who really owns this place.”
Mystic remembered her training and how much confidence she’d gained over the time she’s been with them. She won’t trade it for anything else. Fueled once again by her wits and fighting spirit, Mystic positioned herself, ready to pounce.
The first wagon passed over the bridge in front of Mystic’s team. The second was close behind it. Mystic’s heart raced as she tried to calm herself.
Then she heard a noise that caused her to look up at the nearby roofs.
The bolas shot up at several pegasi soldiers. When they hit their targets, they immediately wrapped around them. They screamed as they plummeted to the ground with loud thuds.
The surrounding soldiers began looking around vigorously for who fired the weapons.
“Now!” Mystic ordered her team.
On cue, Mystic and her team charged out onto the road towards the soldiers. The soldiers turned their attention to them.
“They’re after the deliveries!” one of them cried.
Mystic picked up her speed as she caught a glimpse of more bolas in the air. She pulled out her machete and locked eyes with the driver of the first wagon.
“Song!” she cried, “You take the soldiers on the left! Everypony else, stay on me!”
“As you wish!” Song cried, pulling out her battleaxe and charged into the fray.
“Keep them off of us!” the driver cried. He looked to the ponies pulling the wagon, “Move now!”
The four ponies began to pull faster as the soldiers advanced upon the Liberators.
Mystic’s heart raced as her allies attacked the soldiers. A couple of them began running at her with their swords at the ready.
“Always attack an armored enemy at the legs!” Cierra’s voice echoed.
Mystic dived towards the first soldier. She slid along the ground, slit his legs and kicked him in the gut. She heard him trip before slicing the second’s legs and grabbed his sword.
“Over here!” a Liberator cried.
Mystic saw her struggling against one of their enemies. She immediately tossed the sword over. She breathed a sigh of relief when her ally caught it and began holding her own
SHING!
A spear landed right beside her.
The unicorn whirled around to face two more soldiers. Mystic jumped into the air and kicked one’s helmet. The unicorn landed on the other’s back and allowed herself to fall onto him. They both went down. But Mystic landed on her hooves and kicked him in the muzzle, knocking him out.
She saw the first wagon moving out fast. With a crack of her neck, she charged after it. The unicorn picked up speed and jumped on it. She began climbing across the boxes to get to the driver.
Suddenly a soldier appeared in front of her. He tried to strike her but she dodged it. Then she threw a punch of her own that dazed him and she took that moment to shove him off the wagon.
She reached the driver and tapped his shoulder.
He gasped loudly and turned to see her smug smile.
“Hey.”
“Get away from me!”
Mystic shoved him off the wagon and pulled the reigns, forcing the ponies pulling it to stop. She hopped off and faced them.
Mystic levitated her machete in front of them, “So, who wants a shave? The front or the back?”
“Get her!” one of them cried nervously.
“Kind of tied up!” a second tried to get his harness off.
“You know what? I’m bored of this,” said Mystic.
Using her machete, Mystic sliced the forelegs of the two ponies in front. They collapsed and took the other two down with them. She stepped up to them and gave a wink.
“Don’t go anywhere,” she spoke in a devious tone.
The unicorn looked up to see a couple of Liberators making their way over.
“Secure the first wagon,” she ordered.
“Right away!”
“I’ve got to ensure the others are doing well.”
Her objective in mind, Mystic bolted off in the opposite direction.
When she arrived, she saw that the soldiers are being pushed back by her allies. Behind the second wagon, she saw that the third and fourth weren’t held anymore.
Mystic spotted Meng firing her crossbow and she joined her side.
“Any problems?” Mystic asked her.
“Hardly. You?”
“Runaway wagon, but I got it.”
Mystic fired a bolt of magic at a soldier.
“It’s her!” somepony shouted.
Her hair nearly stood on end. She whirled around to see pegasus soldier diving towards her.
With a grunt, Mystic did a backward somersault and chucked her machete right at him. The weapon clipped his wing and he crashed into a window.
“Bring her back to Hong!” came another voice.
“You’re not taking her anywhere!” Meng cried as she turned her attention towards a trio of soldiers.
Mystic spotted a couple of Liberators pinned by more of the idiots. She charged and blasted them off. The two stood up and thanked her before resuming the battle. Then she turned to see several pegasi charging with battleaxes.
“More of them!” Song cried.
“I see them!”
Suddenly, somepony passed in front of Mystic.
She stepped back as Juan charged through with a large shield, knocking aside soldiers like a bull.
“Oh, yeah! Go Juan!” she cheered.
Mystic sensed something behind her.
But before she could react, two strong forelegs grasped around her torso. The wind was knocked out of her lungs as she realized she was seized.
The unicorn tried to thrash out of his grip but could barely move.
“I’ve got you!” the soldier boldly stated. He began dragging her away. Rather quick too.
No! No! No! Mystic began to panic and thrashed harder.
She managed to hit him with the back of her head but he barely flinched.
“You’re coming back to Hong as a prisoner!” he declared.
She saw that she’s being drug alongside the river and that her allies are getting further away.
Mystic almost felt the whip slash across her back and flanks. The memories began to flood back in. Not like this!
“Not...in my lifetime!”
Mystic tried to elbow her adversary but his grip was too strong.
“Cierra!” she cried. “Somepony!”
Almost on cue, her leader showed up about ten yards away.
She growled and bared her teeth at the soldier. “Let her go!”
“Never!”
“Fine! I’ll make you!”
She pulled out her daggers and gave Mystic a knowing look.
The unicorn got the hint. She remembered her training, shifted a bit in his grasp and ducked out of it. As she pulled herself up, she heard Cierra stab him in the neck.
Mystic turned to see him bleeding before he collapsed and tumbled into the river.
“Thanks sister!” she said.
“No problem!” replied Cierra.
Mystic saw her take off towards the wagons and noticed that most of the soldiers have been pushed back. The unicorn followed her back onto the battlefield.
“Somepony help!” she heard Juan cry.
Mystic turned to see Juan on a bridge struggling against a larger unicorn.
Not the bridge! she thought, the unicorn’s legs began to shake like leaves.
Knowing she has to have a clear mind Mystic began to try to breathe to calm herself. Her eyes widened in horror as the soldier raised a sword to strike Juan.
Juan’s scared eyes bore into her soul.
I know I told myself I wouldn’t get on the bridge, she thought.
Making a split decision, Mystic charged.
“Get off her!” she bellowed. She kicked and punched the soldier. The impacts caused him to get off Juan. He growled and swiped his sword at the unicorn. She held up her machete sideways and blocked the impact.
His great strength began to push her down. She knew she was close to the water. Her hooves slightly shifted under her. Mystic sweated and grunted as she tried to hold her ground.
“Give up!” the soldier ordered.
“Tell your General to stick his laws up his flank!” Mystic spat.
This provoked the soldier and he pushed harder. Mystic nearly collapsed onto her knees.
“Yah!” he shouted. He briefly let go and shoved her with a strong hoof.
She fell off the bridge.
Time seemed to slow down when she saw the water getting closer
Her heart nearly leapt out of her chest as her eyes widened.
But, thinking quick, Mystic managed to grasp the lowest part of the bridge.
She nearly meeped in fear as she dangled a few feet above the water. She blinked her scared tears away and tried to pull herself up.
The soldier peeked over. An involuntary yelp escaped her throat. What is she going to do now?
Suddenly, the soldier cried out as he was pulled back onto the bridge.
Before she could wonder what happened, Meng peeked over and reached down to her.
“Need a hoof?” she asked.
“Yes!” cried Mystic as she grasped the extended hoof.
Immediately, she was pulled up. She almost gave Meng a hug right there, but she was able to hold back.
“Keep your head on!” Meng advised.
Oh, thank the stars for Meng! Mystic thought. She almost screamed it but she kept a firm look and nodded.
She saw her enemy lying unconscious along the bridge. Enraged, she spat on him and climbed off the bridge.
Most of the soldiers have been defeated. Then, she saw the same soldier that had attempted to seize her trying to crawl away.
She growled and stomped over.
“Hey, you!” she bellowed.
Before the soldier could turn around, Mystic punched him to the ground. He turned over and faced her with a nervous look.
Grasping the bulk of his armor, she got right into his face.
“Tell Hong that I will never surrender! And that his time is coming!”
She punched the soldier in the face three times, bloodying his muzzle. With a loud cry of determination, she pulled him up and tore off his armor.
The soldier screamed as he flew back into a wall. Mystic watched as he landed on his stomach and looked at her with fear in his eyes. A warm satisfaction filled Mystic’s core.
“What’re you waiting for, you scared little boy?” she asked calmly.
She stomped her hoof, “Shoo!!”
The soldier stood up and bolted off. Mystic looked at the armor she’d gotten before she turned around back to the battlefield.
“Mystic!” Juan shouted.
The unicorn turned to face her only for a soldier to tackle her to the ground. Mystic let out a cry and tried to punch him. She couldn’t get free no matter how much she tried to struggle.
“Get off her!” Song cried.
Mystic saw her fellow sister punch the soldier and knock him off his hooves. The unicorn pulled herself up.
“Are you okay?” Juan asked.
Mystic turned to her. “Yeah.”
“You’ve got to watch your back, little pony.”
Juan bolted off to help more of her sisters. Mystic turned back to Song. She had managed to shove him off into the water.
Mystic turned to find another soldier to fight, but she saw the Liberators cheering.
She saw the soldiers running off in defeat. Her heart soared and Mystic proudly held the armor she’d torn off.
Suddenly, Mystic began to hear cheering. Looking at the road, she saw the Liberators cheering as every one of their rivals ran off in defeat. Mystic’s heart swelled as a joyful smile broke across her face.
She looked down at Cierra and she had a large smile on her face. The earth pony beat her chest with a hoof and pointed at Mystic. Mystic returned the gesture and Cierra joyfully laughed.
Ten of their allies marched ahead of their wagon. The road wasn’t the biggest but it was the safest route. It wouldn’t be much longer until they reach their base.
“The bridge to the north is out?” Mystic asked Meng as she drove the wagon.
“Yes,” replied Meng, focusing on the road ahead. “We didn’t need to get large explosions. We just needed to use our own earth pony strength to disable it.”
Mystic giggled. “I wonder what it must be like using that kind of strength.”
“Cierra learned how to use that.”
Mystic lightly gasped. “Really?!”
Meng nodded. “I’m not sure how she did but I see the great efficiency of it.”
Mystic briefly thought about the book she’d given her. But if other ponies knew of it, sure it couldn’t have been her that taught them.
“I can’t wait to see what we’ve gotten,” Meng smirked. “This is a huge take.”
The wagon continued along the bumpy road. Mystic happened to look up on a rooftop she saw the silhouette of a unicorn.
“Boulder! Twelve o’ clock!” somepony shouted.
“Boulder?!” Meng and Mystic cried.
Before they could see it, it crashed in front of them!
“Everypony! Attack!” came a voice from above.
Three catapults came into view with more boulders in their baskets.
“Aw crap! Now we’re being robbed!” Cierra cried.
When she scanned the houses, Mystic’s eyes widened when a herd of about thirty ponies revealed themselves from the shadows. All of them were mixed with unicorns and earth ponies.
Rival gang?! Not now! Mystic growled.
The catapults launched and flung the boulders directly at the wagons.
“Darn it! They’re aiming for the wheels!” Meng hollered, “Everypony! Push them back!”
Meng pulled her wagon off to the side a bit as a boulder crashed onto the road. Mystic heard the other boulders crash along the roofs.
She heard the Liberators charging. Mystic pulled out her machete and hopped off the wagon.
The unicorn saw her allies fighting their rivals with various weapons or their own hooves. But her biggest concern were the catapults up on the roofs. Another boulder came flying through the air.
BOOM!
It landed close to the third wagon.
“Dang it!” Mystic cried. She charged up her magic and shot a bolt of magic at a catapult but it missed its target.
Mystic’s mind had begun to run.
What should I do? What should I do?! She thought.
She looked between the ponies fighting on the streets and the roofs.
“I need to get up there,” she said.
She charged onto the battlefield and tackled a rival off an ally. She grabbed her hooves and chucked her into a couple more adversaries.
“Mystic!” Cierra cried. “You try and take out the boulders before they hit the wagons!” She bolted past, “We’ll make our way up to the roofs to destroy the catapults!”
Mystic lightly gulped. Can she really do that? But an order is an order.
“Yes ma’am!”
The unicorn turned and began making her way back to the wagons. Several rival Liberators were in the way. She lifted her machete and sliced a pony’s leg, wounding her and causing her to topple over.
A pony leapt at her but she ducked and slid along the ground. She got to her hooves and shot a beam of magic off a fellow Liberator.
“Get the unicorn!” she heard somepony order.
She heard ponies advancing on her. Thinking quick, she did a forward somersault onto the top of the wagon. She turned and let out another shot of magic. It landed near, causing the force to blow them back! The unicorn levitated a shield from the wagon and threw it like a Frisbee at her advisors. They were knocked aside and the shield landed up against a wall.
“Save the supplies! Don’t use them!” somepony shouted.
Mystic cringed, realizing her mistake. “Sorry! Heat of the moment!”
“Boulders being loaded!” Meng shouted.
Immediately, Mystic locked onto the three catapults. All of them were loaded and ready to fire.
I can do this! I can do this! She thought. Her confidence began to build again.
Mystic charged her horn. She took aim on the catapult on the right and fired. She cringed for a split second and the bucket containing the boulder shattered into pieces.
“Boulder in the air!”
It caught her eye. She turned and charged her horn again—
And shot took her shot.
BAM!
It was obliterated.
“Great shot, Mystic!” she heard Meng shout.
Inwardly thanking Meng, Mystic focused on another bolder and shot more blasts of magic. She hit it and pieces of it went everywhere.
BOOM!
Mystic whirled around to see that a larger boulder had landed right behind her, damaging the second wagon.
“Dang it! The food!” she cried.
She searched for where the boulder could’ve come from.
“Mystic! The boulders!”
More boulders came flying out. Mystic fired upon one and destroyed it, but the second landed directly next to her wagon, knocking aside several of her allies.
“What the hay is wrong, Mystic?!” Meng cried.
“There was a larger boulder shot from somewhere else!” Mystic cried.
“Are you kidding me?!”
“Negative!” Mystic turned to focus on the smaller catapults.
She saw that Cierra and Song had reached their target. They’ve begun to take down their rivals and several others had begun to shove the catapult off the roof.
The unicorn turned to the last known catapult and shot one final blast of magic, only for it to have come too late as it launched another boulder.
Thinking fast, she shot another blast from her horn.
BAM!
“The other team got to that catapult!” Meng shouted.
Thankful for her team, Mystic looked around the area to find the unknown catapult. Her heart raced and sweat poured down her face.
“Mystic!!” Juan screamed.
The unicorn looked up to see a large boulder hurling right toward her! She jumped off the wagon and it sailed just above it.
SMASH!
“No! The food wagon!” Juan cried.
I was so looking forward to more exotic food! Mystic inwardly complained.
“Did anypony see where that thing came from?!” Meng bellowed. “Somepony tell me!”
Mystic searched the area. But she couldn’t see any other catapults that could’ve launched it.
“Cierra is trying to get our attention!” somepony shouted.
Mystic looked over to where she’d seen the mare in question. On top of the roof, she saw her waving her forelegs vigorously. She pointed to the group’s right. When she turned, there, on top of a wide flat building was another catapult that was twice the size of the others.
She narrowed her eyes to adjust to the lack of light. Her eyes adjusted to see that they were in the middle of loading a boulder into the basket. Immediately, Mystic jumped down and began running down the street.
“Everypony! On me!” she cried.
Meng, Juan and everypony else began to follow her.
“You saw it?!” Meng asked.
“And it’s about to fire another!”
“Shoot! Let’s get there and destroy it!”
The herd of ponies continued down the street. Mystic took a right and then a left before coming face to face with the catapult now fully loaded.
“Uh oh!” Meng cried.
“What?!” replied Mystic.
“They’re aiming it at us now!”
The catapult launched the boulder.
“Everypony scatter!”
Mystic jumped to the right and the boulder hurled right at them.
CRASH!!
Dazed and her lungs filled with dust, Mystic pulled herself up. She coughed and tried to find the target.
She hoped that Meng and the others were okay. Nopony treats them that way! To her right, she saw Juan picking herself up. Using her determination, Mystic stepped forward and the dust settled to reveal the catapult being loaded once again.
Mystic watched as the large catapult took aim. Once it fired, she knew the supplies would be destroyed.
She looked around at the road that turned into a battlefield. Some of her allies were running up to try and destroy it. Cierra and a bunch of her sisters were too far away to get there in time.
What can she do? The mission is about to fail. No! Not today!
Suddenly, an idea came to her.
There is a spell that I have tried but I don’t know if I can do it now... Mystic bleakly thought.
The unicorn’s eyes widened as a larger boulder was loaded on the catapult.
I might as well try! This is the only plan I’ve got!
With her mind made up. Mystic gazed at her machete. She needed to move fast.
She lit her horn and began focusing her magic around it. The spell needs to move it fast and efficiently. She grunted as she charged her magic up even more.
“Come on. Don’t fail me now,” she said as her blue magic gathered around her weapon.
She didn’t bother looking up at the catapult. Nervous and shaking, Mystic tried even harder.
Then, she finished charging up as much as she could. She aimed the machete at the arm of the catapult.
With a great bellow of hope and determination, shout she magically threw the machete. It flew at the catapult like a bullet and sliced directly through the arm. It was partially destroyed. Her enemies were startled as the boulder shook inside the bucket.
Remembering the next part of the spell, Mystic’s horn glowed brighter and she began pulling the machete back from the other direction at the same speed.
It sliced through the arm again, causing it and the bucket to collapse and crash on top of their enemies, burying them under wood and rock.
“All right!” she heard Cierra cry.
“Get the rest on the ground!” Meng ordered.
Mystic saw her machete return to her. She grabbed and proudly smirked at it.
Looking down, she watched as her allies advanced upon their enemies, but took her attention to the roofs. To her left, she spotted two more ponies.
Her horn lit up again and she fired a couple of beams at them. They scattered and tumbled down to the ground.
“Mystic! Three o’ clock!” Meng cried.
Mystic turned and saw another enemy aiming a crossbow at her. They fired, but she jumped, did a sideward somersault, grabbed the bolt and shot a beam of magic at the crossbow, destroying it.
Mystic landed firmly on her hooves and gave a smug smirk to her astonished adversary.
“Do you want to try that again?!” she mocked.
Her adversary began backing up. Then, she turned and ran off.
“Look at those cowards running off!” Cierra cried.
All of the rival gang had retreated and everypony was relieved to have dealt with them.
Cierra faced Mystic.
“Let’s get back now!” she said.
“Okay, sister.”
The rest of the trip went by without incident. Mystic stood with Cierra and Meng as they hoofed out weapons, equipment, shields, and what was left of the food. But there weren’t any casualties.
The unicorn giggled. “Well, that was an eventful trip.”
“We could’ve saved the food,” Juan mumbled.
“What? You don’t like noodles and rice every day?” Mystic teased.
“Oh, come on, Mystic! You know that you would’ve loved to have more than just that!”
Mystic shrugged. It was true.
“Touché.”
Sunshine joined her side, smiled a bit, and hugged her forelegs.
The older unicorn chuckled and rubbed the filly’s mane. It was as if things were getting better.
Year 12 – Day 150
Mystic yelped as she ducked behind several boxes.
BOOM!
“Agh! Run you fools!” Meng cried.
Mystic saw her comrades scramble from the discharged energy. Several more blasts of icy blue magic landed close by, scattering them further. Her hair stood on end as she realized they wouldn’t be able to get back to them.
She caught a glimpse of a black pony to her right. Without a second thought, she levitated Meng to her side the rest of their posse disappeared from view.
BOOM!
Another blast landed close by. Both ponies bolted from the barrels and took off down the street.
“Doggone it!” Meng cried. “Mystic! Where in the world did they come from?!”
“I don’t know!” Mystic cried as she took a sharp right down the street. “I’d never seen any kind of creature like that before!”
“We cannot go back to regroup! We need to get the hay out of here!”
BOOM!
One landed behind them.
“Shoot!” Mystic cried.
“Quick! Over there!” Meng took a left and went between two buildings close together.
Mystic followed suit as loud booming hoofsteps got closer. She squeezed between the tight space and joined Meng.
“I’ve got you, my sister!” said Meng. She took her hoof and pulled her along.
The space between the buildings got tighter as the two ponies began to shimmy to escape their pursuers.
“They’re getting away! Find a way around and cut them off!” a deep, guttural voice ordered.
Mystic heard the hoofsteps beginning to fade away.
Dang those things were huge! Fast too! she thought.
The unicorn wiped the sweat from her brow and removed her hood.
“That’s the third camp taken!” Meng kicked a stone. Mystic could hear the anguish in her harsh tone, “What the hay has happened?!”
“I don’t know! They don’t look like they’re from around here!” said Mystic as she stepped over a pipe.
“Dang it all! What a mess everything is turning out to be!”
Mystic felt a sharp pain come to her head. She let out a pained groan as she fought the urge to hold it.
No not again! she thought, holding back a grunt.
“Are you okay, Mystic?” Meng asked, now a bit further ahead.
“I’m okay!” Mystic insisted, which wasn’t completely true.
“Let’s not dawdle here!” said Meng as she came to a stop.
Confused, Mystic stopped close by.
“What’re we going to do, Meng?” she asked, a little frantic.
“Give me a second!” Meng began searching the tight space they’re in.
“We’ve been losing a lot of our supporters, now we’re losing camps, and now we’re being chased by...whatever those things are!” cried Mystic, her heart throbbed and her breath quickened.
“Shut it, Mystic!” Meng shushed as she continued along the wall.
“What’re you searching for?! We’re going to be caught on the other side! And--”
KER-CLUNK!
Mystic stopped and saw that Meng had lifted a hidden grate from its place.
“What the hay?” Mystic whispered, taken aback.
“You find all kinds of passages that were previously sealed up from the older layouts of the city,” Meng explained. “It’s tight, but it should lead us closer to camp.”
“What if they find it, too?” Mystic gulped.
“We’ll worry about that later,” Meng placed a hoof on the unicorn’s shoulder, “But we need to get back to our leader.”
Mystic nodded. She felt better being reminded of her big sister’s plans and how they always found a way out.
“Shall I go first, or should you?” Meng asked.
Mystic snapped out of her thoughts as she looked down at the tight space under their hooves.
Mystic let out a sigh of relief as the camp came into view. Her eyes slightly widened as she spotted a group of ponies clamoring and scurrying around.
“It looks like word got around,” Meng muttered as she shook her head.
The two ponies made their way down the beaten path towards the tents.
“Hey! Mystic and Meng are back!” came a voice.
Everypony turned their heads in their direction and began moving over to them.
“What’s going on?” a pony asked.
“Are we okay?”
“Are there tall creatures out in the streets?”
“Mystic!” came a smaller voice.
Mystic’s heart soared as she locked eyes with Sunshine who had managed to poke her head out of the crowd.
“Everypony hang back!” came Cierra’s voice.
Everypony but Sunshine stopped. Mystic knelt and allowed Sunshine to come up and hug her.
“There you are!” said Meng.
Mystic looked down at Sunshine’s concerned eyes.
“I know things are going wrong,” she said softly.
Mystic sighed. “We’ll work it out. Just stay with the other colts and fillies, you hear?”
Sunshine nodded, a frown overtaking her features.
Mystic felt a hoof tap her shoulder. She turned to meet Meng’s blue eyes.
“Come now. We need to have a meeting,” she said.
“Of course,” replied Mystic.
She let Sunshine go and followed Meng to Cierra’s headquarters.
Cierra finished pouring the coffee and placed the pot onto the table. She gazed at both Mystic and Meng with a downcast look. Mystic wanted to spurt out apologies but she knew Meng would tell her it wasn’t her fault. Still, she should have been prepared for those...things.
“You were ambushed by the Northerners,” said Cierra.
“The what?” Mystic asked, surprised by the new word.
“Yeah,” Cierra gave her a grave look, “I’ve received reports from a few of our lucky survivors that they’re around now.”
“But why?” Meng asked. “I thought the city and the northern town had made a treaty.”
Mystic mentally slapped herself. She had forgotten all about that town. She assumed that the town contained ponies.
She was wrong.
“Apparently, there was more to it than that,” Cierra explained. “They managed to find a way to work together and help each other.”
Mystic’s eyes widened, “Against ponies like us?” She lightly shuddered.
Cierra nodded, “I believe so.”
The unicorn lifted her coffee cup and took a sip to hide her gulp.
“Okay, okay,” Cierra muttered as she took a breath.
“So, to our knowledge,” Meng started, “We lost our peaceful protestors. All of the villagers who support us had been exiled or taken prisoner, and to top it off, we’re losing our grounds!”
“I know, Meng. Just let me think for a minute or two,” Cierra insisted, slightly on edge.
“Well, we need to think fast.”
Cierra didn’t respond. Her eyes told Mystic that she was worried. The sight surprised her since she’s so calm and collected. The poor mare’s going through a lot.
Eager to help out, Mystic began to think about what they could do. She gazed between her two mentors.
They didn’t mention it, but they do have those other rival gangs they have to deal with. This seems impossible to get around. It’s becoming a war zone.
Think, Mystic, think, she thought desperately.
The unicorn began to tap her forehead to get whatever she could out of it. She took one more look at her mentors and then recalled words Cierra had told her when she first began her training.
“Teamwork is a valuable asset in our group. Never go without it.”
There are a lot of ponies in those groups. Numbers do matter to Hong. So why shouldn’t they matter to them?
The idea sounded crazy. How would they even take it?
Either out of bravery or a little stupidity, she spoke.
“I wonder if...” Mystic trailed off. She shook her head. “Nah... forget it.”
“What is it?” Meng asked.
“It’s nothing,” Mystic quickly answered. “Dumb idea.”
“Mystic,” said Cierra.
Mystic inwardly cursed herself. As if on cue, she turned to look at her.
“What did you want to say?”
Every time Cierra spoke, it was almost as if she were encouraged to do things. She truly felt loyal and content with her. Even if that meant sharing stupid or scary ideas.
“What if...” Mystic gulped. “What if we take out the different leaders of the different groups and build our numbers up against our enemies?”
Dead silence.
The unicorn did her best to keep her strong look in front of her two closest comrades. Cierra had an unreadable expression while Meng slowly contorted to a skeptical look. Mystic sank back into the sofa and tried to make herself look as small as possible.
“Mystic,” said Meng, “That isn’t such a good idea...”
The unicorn hung her head, ashamed.
“I mean, we’ve got a lot piling up on us and how the hay are we to know that they’ll even help us?”
“I...” Mystic trailed off.
“I mean even if we did defeat their leaders and claim them, how can we be sure they won’t turn against us?”
“I was just trying to help out,” Mystic reasoned.
“And I love that you are. But--”
“But who’s to say we can’t try?” asked Cierra.
Mystic’s eyes bulged as she locked eyes with her leader. She caught a glimpse of Meng’s aghast look.
“What?” “I beg your pardon?” Both ponies asked in unison.
“I mean, Mystic here does have a point,” said Cierra. She stood up, “We are losing a lot of ground. With these Northerners and the government hot on our tails, we need to consider options we have never considered before.”
“I’m all about having numbers, Cierra. But I just don’t see how this could work,” said Meng.
Cierra gave her a stern look, “I know you’re nervous, Meng. I am too. But we need to gain our ground and territory back. We’ve been doing good but we’re being pushed back to where we before we’d met Mystic.”
“And this is about just her? We need to consider alternatives, Cierra!”
“And what alternatives are those, Meng?” Cierra snapped, “What else can help us gain our grounds back?”
“We saw how powerful those blasts were from those things,” Mystic added, “I don’t know how we could survive with just a few of us.”
“I think there is another way!” Meng insisted. Worry had taken over her features. “What about you and Kang, Cierra?”
Cierra growled, stepped forward and growled at Meng. Mystic was slightly surprised at this.
Meng did not waver.
“What you need to be concerned about is just how we’re going to survive and win this city. You know what we’ve been through. There is no other way.”
Meng didn’t reply. Mystic could see the defeat behind the black pony’s eyes. She and Cierra got along so well together but to see them at odds was practically alien. Certainly, this is the way to help. Cierra sees that. She always knows the way.
“Meng,” Mystic spoke up.
The pony in question glanced at her.
“We would really benefit from this. Just think of having us all truly united as a formidable force against great evil!”
“And ponies are so different that they fail to see past their own egos and own perspectives to achieve a common goal, Mystic,” Meng declared.
“But we have ponies here with differences!”
“And all with one common goal! Ponies aren’t changed so easily. Let alone different kinds of ponies. Creatures even less so.”
The young unicorn involuntarily curled her lip up at Meng for her harsh words. The words stung as she realized Meng continued to hate other kinds of ponies.
“Meng,” Cierra growled.
“What?” Meng asked, not looking at her.
“What do we do here at the Liberators?”
“We try and bring justice?”
“No. About eating and what ponies need?”
“We take down ponies that need taking down, save ponies that need saving, feed them as need feeding,” Meng recited.
“Exactly,” said Cierra. “Which is why we’re going to work, no matter how long it takes, to get ponies on our side and find out what they need to make everything work out for all of us.” She leaned forward, getting right into Meng’s face.
“Do you understand?”
Meng didn’t respond. Mystic watched in anticipation on what was going to happen. She felt tense and on edge.
“You’re getting unhinged, Cierra,” said Meng. She stood up and began walking off. The young unicorn glanced at her leader and saw a disappointed look on her face.
Meng’s harsh words bounced around in Mystic’s head and she couldn’t help but somewhat let them sink in.
Year 12 – Day 340
Mystic held back an annoyed snarl as she looked back at Sunshine. The older unicorn had just gotten back from another talk with Meng and failed to convince the mare to help her see that the way to proceed is to fuse all of the Liberator gangs.
“I’m still not understanding what you’re saying, Sunshine,” said Mystic before levitating another sword to herself.
“When you first brought us here to do justice against your captors, we both agreed that we were to both make time for one another and for me to give this place a chance,” Sunshine stepped up to Mystic. “But now we barely have any time for each other because of missions, training and just practically not spending much time with me at all!”
“Things are constantly changing, Sunshine,” Mystic placed the cleaned swords into their sheaths, “I’m sorry that we haven’t been spending much time together.”
“Another apology!” Sunshine scolded, “I’ve bent over backward trying not to think about what we could’ve done and gotten out!” She sighed and frowned, “It’s almost as if you’d forgotten about me.”
“I’ve not forgotten about you!” Mystic cried.
“Then please try and keep your word to me! “
“I’ve been doing this for you!” Mystic insisted, “All I do is for us!”
“Then start acting like it!” Sunshine cried, “Try being a friend to me again!” She cupped Mystic’s face, “I miss you, Mystic! I missed when we always had our talks and made each other’s worlds brighter!”
“It’s a war zone between us, the government and the Northerners! I’ve got to stay on top of things!”
“You told me something before, remember?” Sunshine pulled back. “To give this a chance and to leave when it won’t work out.” She gave Mystic a saddened look, “It isn’t working out, Mystic. We can leave now.”
Mystic’s cheeks flushed and her lips curled into a snarl. Sunshine’s eyes widened.
“Leave now? Abandon ponies when they’re not getting the justice they deserve?!” she stomped hard on the ground, “Are you really that selfish?!”
“I’m selfish?!” Sunshine cried. “We can save them and get out!”
“Where to?! Equestria?!”
“We can find out where to send them and be in stronger hooves than this!”
“We’re getting where we’re supposed to be!”
“Are we in Equestria and far from danger? And where we need to be for both of our lives? No, no we are not,” Sunshine chastised. “We missed our chance of getting out of here!”
“We’re going to get justice over what’s happened to us, Sunshine!” Mystic assured her, “I can’t just let ponies go unpunished for what they did to all of us!”
“You could’ve gotten somepony else to do justice.”
“Sunshine,” Mystic admonished as she pulled back, “Are you saying you don’t want justice done?”
“No that’s not it at all!”
“Then please, just let me do this for you. For everypony else here and all those who were done wrong.”
Sunshine shook her head, “You and the Liberators are good ponies, Mystic. But you can’t win this fight.”
“We can!” Mystic almost knelt to the filly’s level.
“I love you, Mystic,” Sunshine gently stroked Mystic’s cheek. “You’re more than just an honorary sister to me.” She began walking away.
“Sunshine, please...” Mystic frowned.
“You know something Mystic,” Sunshine looked back at her with a soft look. “Some fights you just need to let go. There will be justice to deliver one day against Hong.”
She wanted to speak up again, but her words died before they escaped her throat. Sunshine left and Mystic began pondering on her words.
All that mattered to her is loyalty.
Mystic sat by the Pool gazing at her own conflicted reflection. The water is only knee-deep but it gave a calming sensation. She hasn’t been able to get Sunshine’s words out of her head.
Does that filly not understand that Cierra has done so much for them? She saved their lives and taught her things about the world she didn’t know. How much teamwork means to ponies? How much they’d accomplished?
Yet, almost as if fate were mocking her, a small part did wish that they did leave together. A nice, easier life sounded wonderful. However, the attachment she felt with the other ponies was fantastic. Her relationship with Sunshine even more so, and even Meng at times despite their differences.
That little conflict irritated the mare. What is it that’s caused this to rise within her? She growled softly and mentally cursed herself as a snort escaped from her nostrils.
“I wondered if I would find you here,” said Cierra.
She has a real habit of sneaking up on ponies, Mystic thought.
Mystic shifted to see Cierra giving her a soft grin.
“This place is special, isn’t it?” she asked.
Mystic nodded, “Yeah. It’s peaceful.”
She looked up at the cyan tint the water cast upon the trees that surrounded the pool. The unicorn closed her eyes, inhaled and exhaled slowly.
“There’s something bothering you, isn’t there, Mystic?” Cierra placed a gentle hoof on her shoulder.
“You can read me like an open book,” replied Mystic.
“Well, what is it?”
“Not ‘what’ but ‘who.’” She sighed, “Sunshine believes that we should’ve run away and lived easier lives in Equestria.”
She didn’t hear any response from the pony next to her. This told her to continue.
“And that...that there are fights you need to let go of. I keep hearing this is a fight we can’t win and the city will one day face justice...” She paused for a second. “But not from us.”
Now finished with what she needed to say, she waited for Cierra’s response.
“Mystic, how and who would come and save us?” she asked.
Mystic shrugged.
“The city’s been closed off to most civilizations for its entire history. It had thrived but now their greed and thirst for power drove them to where they are now.”
“And Sunshine once in a while mentions those tall tales of six ponies saving Equestria from great evils.”
“Ponies make up all kinds of things to try and make the world brighter, Mystic,” Cierra wrapped a foreleg around the unicorn. “What if Hong one day decided to expand his borders?”
“Terrible things.”
“Sunshine is a brilliant and sweet filly. But there won’t be any other justice to face Hong. We know the city better than anypony outside of it. We know the issues.”
Mystic inwardly agreed. If Equestria were such a great place then why won’t they come and help them out? There’s no indication of any kind of such ponies that wanted to help.
“Remember that I told you that the way to stand against your enemy is to stand up and fight instead of being weak and not fight.”
“I know, I just wonder if we can...”
“You don’t want to abandon us, do you? You don’t want to abandon me with what I’d shared with you about myself, right Mystic?” Cierra’s lip trembled and her eyes began to glisten.
Mystic’s heart dropped at Seeing her leader’s saddened look. She rarely saw such a display from the strong pony.
“In addition, please don’t look away from those who--”
Cierra’s words seem to fade into the background as the memory of Meng’s questioning actions resurfaced. She remembered the astonished look on her face at Sunshine’s simple question. Mystic blinked a couple of times. It was almost as if her mind shoved something upfront without her knowledge.
“--Mystic, are you listening?” Cierra’s voice came again.
Out of instinct, Mystic nodded and prayed that she wasn’t sweating.
“Good.”
“I get it, Cierra,” Mystic affirmed.
“She’s scared, Mystic,” Cierra went on. “Little fillies just don’t understand the big picture of what we’re dealing with.” She sighed and frowned. “Believe me, I know with some of those fillies we keep.”
“What about getting any of them to safety?” Mystic asked.
Cierra huffed. “I wish. Do you know how many of them there are and how many parents would want to go with them? No way we could move them all safely and out of sight.”
“Do you think maybe...” Mystic gulped, knowing her leader is going to react, “You didn’t consider alternative ways hard enough?”
Cierra looked at Mystic as if she’d been slapped.
“Are you kidding me, Mystic?!” she scolded.
The unicorn flinched.
“How many times have I wished on my bed at night to consider a way out for those fillies and colts! It’s too dangerous! If they were found, who knows what monstrosity Hong would do?!”
“Okay! Okay! I’m sorry!” Mystic apologized, her ears wilted.
Cierra shook her head. “Mystic, I get Sunshine wanted to leave for Equestria. It sounded like a dream I’d love to live in.” She looked at her with a distressed look, “But I can’t. Neither of us can.” She sighed. “It’s too late.”
It’s too late...
Mystic recalled everything she and her sisters have been through. Forget about that little conflict. This is where she belongs and she and Sunshine will have a bright future with a new family! Maybe one day in Equestria, too!
“Okay Cierra,” said Mystic. She locked eyes with her.
Cierra nodded in approval. “That’s my girl.”
Year 12 – Day 345
Her mind is numb. She felt distant and alone in the cold. Her stomach swirled, almost feeling as if she were going to vomit.
She heard the door creak open behind her as if death were close.
“Hey,” said Cierra.
She felt the earth pony sit beside her. Mystic didn’t reply. Both ponies remained silent as Mystic sulked and looked at her hooves. Almost ashamed of having them for what she’d done.
“How are you holding up?” Cierra asked softly.
Mystic shook her head, “About as you expect...”
“There...was nothing more you could have done...”
A choked sob escaped her throat, “There should’ve been...”
“She would be thanking you now if she were still here my sister,” Cierra wrapped a foreleg around the shaking mare. “I hate how it needed to be done...but we sisters always honor requests...” She nuzzled Mystic, “Even when they’re hard...”
Her mind flashbacked to grabbing the boulder for one of her ‘sisters’ and looking at her pleading face knowing that she wouldn’t get out from underneath the rubble.
“I tried...I should’ve been strong enough...” Mystic muttered.
“You’re as strong as anypony could be,” Cierra stated, “If you couldn’t have saved her then nopony could have...”
Mystic looked at Cierra, “Then why do I still feel as if I could’ve saved her?”
“It’s guilt, Mystic,” replied Cierra, “I know the feeling and I’ve done and said things I wish I could take back and do better.”
Somepony knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Cierra asked.
“It’s Sunshine,” said a small voice. “Can I see my friend now?”
“In a little bit.”
“Fine.”
The filly didn’t make any more effort to intrude anymore.
“Mystic,” said Cierra, “We all need you strong. There will be a memorial service tonight if you want to join.”
“I don’t think so...” Mystic whispered. “I don’t think I’d belong there...”
“Every sister does, Mystic.”
“I’ll probably do something afterward...Please, honor my request,” she looked at Cierra again, “Sister.”
Cierra sighed as she frowned. “Very well. We’ll miss you there.”
“I know...”
“Just remember,” Cierra stood up and gently made Mystic look at her, “We have lofty goals, Mystic. Now, of course, there are going to be casualties. We are trying to reform this city in a kinder, truer, better way. Ponies just need to understand what true society should look like. And how justice should be done.”
“I understand...” said Mystic. Cierra means well but she isn’t exactly the ‘sappy’ kind as some ponies in the Liberators described but there’s nothing wrong with that.
“Do you wish to see Sunshine now?”
Sunshine. That filly will probably be having her sobbing before the night is over. But how will she take it when she’d found out what had happened?
“Maybe later,” replied Mystic. She needs to deal with this herself.
“Okay,” her comrade gave her a light sympathetic smile before she opened the door and left.
Mystic returned to her thoughts and began mentally repeating the codes of the Liberators, their goals, and their ideals.
However, it’s truly sunk into her that on teams and in war that there must be tough choices and sacrifices made. She needs to be strong emotionally and physically.
No matter what.