At the ruins of Sydney, a squad of human soldiers is pinned down by the royal guards and converted ponies.
"Hold the line men! Don't let them get through!" The squad leader yelled out, shooting and killed two guards.
"Bad news sir; We received word that we've lost both Echo and Strider team!" His radio comrade told him.
"Dammit, at this rate our reinforcements won't make it in time!"
One of the royal guards tries to throw the bottle potion at the squad leader, but got shot and killed by the leader's sniper member who's backing up his team not far away using a silencer sniper rifle.
"Okay change of plans, we're abandoning this position and head to the escape point! We'll split into two groups! Phoenix, George, Sonia, your with me! The rest of you, go to the warehouse and keep our civilian safe from enemy hands! Let's move out!"
"YES SIR!" His teammates acknowledged out loud.
One by one, his units retreated while Phoenix waits and pulls out a couple of grenades.
"EAT THIS YA FREAKS! GIVE MY BLOODY REGARDS TO YOUR SLUTTY PRINCESS!"
He pulls the pins and throws them at the enemy, earning several kills and injuries. Once that was done, he tosses the smoke grenades on the ground and masks his escape before joining up with his leader & squad members.
Back with Scootaloo, we see her and a human friend eating some sandwiches Scootaloo has made.
"This looks delicious Scootaloo, I never knew you have cooked my favorite meal."
"Heheh it's alright Rihoko, I learned it back where I came, feels like just yesterday."
The female human named Rihoko notice her friend's tone is off, but decides to ignores it for now.
Once both of them finish their meal, Scootaloo hops up and proceeds to push Rihoko's wheelchair.
"Ready to go see some more beautiful flowers and beaches?"
"You bet!"
So Scootaloo pushes the wheelchair as they gone to the parts they would like to see.
Both have seen some beautiful flowers and plants sparkle while other ones were presumed dried out since no one has taken great care of them. It pains Scootaloo and Rihoko, seeing all of those things haven't been watered enough, being abandoned or forgotten just like that.
After some time, Rihoko wanted to have a conversation.
"Hey Scootaloo?"
"Yeah?"
"I use to go on walks with my mom. We would always go traveling to amazing places, eat different foods, sight seeing around town & cities. She does kind of spoil me sometimes, but I didn't mind."
"She sounds great, but what about your dad?"
"I never remembered him in my life. My mom is the only one who take good care of me. We have been separated a few times by those mean people, but my mom never gave up to save me."
"Speaking of her, do you know on where your mom is?"
"I don't know to be honest. I really wish that she was here right beside me, I miss her sometimes."
Knowing her friend feels sadden, Scootaloo nuzzles Rihoko's right cheek and a small smile.
"I'm sure that whether if she's alive or not, she wants to see you smile and happy."
"Thank you."
Both of them shared a warm heart moment, but Rihoko asked her something that's on her mind.
"How about you Scootaloo?"
"Huh?"
"Whatever happen at your own home? Did you left or something?"
Scootaloo fell silent for a moment before muttering her words.
". . . It's sort of complicated to tell you."
"Was it really that bad?"
"Most of the times, usually I don't bother to tell anypony about what happen back then. Although, since no other pony nor human is around while we're alone, I can at least tell you on some of the stuff of my life before and after Equestria made contact with Earth."
ScootalooPOV:
I was in a very rough shape after escaping from my abusive home of my former parents. You wouldn't believe on how many times I had to put up with those two ponies I called my mom and dad. Whatever happen to them, either they got arrest or perhaps killed, not my problem.
Days later, I made it to a town called Ponyville. In those weeks, I had to make every supplies I can salvage or steal from market. Though my pure emotions returned when I came across the athletic mare named Rainbow Dash, my awesome mentor and future sister who I can look up to. She even has an element bearer along with her friends as well.
We did hang some times with her being an exercise coach and having sleepovers.
She also fought alongside her friends against powerful forces from what she told me.
Battling villains like the Mare in the Moon; Nightmare Moon. The Draconequus Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony; Discord. The Shapeshifting Changeling; Queen Chrysalis. Finally the Shadow Umbra Stallion of the Crystal Empire; King Sombra.
I was honestly surprised and shocked that Rainbow and her friends are actual heroes in my eyes.
Not only that, but Rainbow is also going to be tutoring me to become the next Wonderbolt.
"That must be nice, having to be getting a big sister and mentor." Rihoko said, smiling to her.
"It was a good life, until things have started to change suddenly and my whole world grew dark."
Scootaloo's ear flop down and Rihoko sees her frowning.
"I'm guessing that occurred during and after Equestria made contact with Earth?"
"Yep, you nailed it."
Ever since pony kind has made contact with humans, things have drastically changed over time.
The once peaceful Equestria I've known in my life, became a decaying Empire seeking expansion power by converting all human life into our own race. Curtisy of the one who started this whole Tartarus mess; Princess Celestia.
In her ruling, she has control over all her subjects and newfoals.
Rainbow Dash became distant from me and joining the Wonderbolt crew in battle against the humans.
Even her element bearer friends have also joined the army by the orders of Celestia.
Everyone that I knew grown distant elsewhere while I became alone again.
I felt tears in my eyes, all these years of hanging out with my friends and sister, have suddenly vanished. My heart ache into tiny pieces when everything in my life has grown cold and dark without the warm feeling of comfort or light of emotions.
So with no support, I ran away from Ponyville and landed into one of the human settlements.
Over the past hours and days, I saw many humans and ponies slaughtering each other. The liquid potions invented at Canterlot are thrown at humans, converting them into newfoals with creepy eyes and smiles. It was unsettling at times that I threw up sometimes just thinking about it.
One day however, again my life changed when I was branded as a "Traitor" of Equestria.
I saw some royal guards including one of the Wonderbolt cadets surrounding a few human innocent civilians. One of them has already been forced to convert and joined the guards. I felt my whole body shaken in terror at the time when the remaining civilians were up next.
In my head, I didn't want to see another being converted again.
So when the Wonderbolt cadet tries to pour the liquid out, I scream out loud in anger as I got out of my hiding place and ran after those monsters. None of them didn't react in time as I use the sword I got from stealing a deceased guard and I chopped the cadet's left arm off, dropping the potion on the ground. He yelled out pain before I slit his neck with my sword.
I turn my head to the civilian and told them to escape, which they did comply and ran off away from us.
My head turns again as I see the royal guards glaring at me while the other one comforts the deceased cadet.
Thinking now might be the time to run, I ran away from the guards as they chase after me. A few of the unicorns try to use a spell to stop me, but I barely dodged them. I made some maneuvers by turning at each buildings from left to right, making sure they lost my trail.
After running for like a few minutes, I collapsed and try to catch my breath as the coast is clear.
My emotions came back and I cried out that I just killed a pony, especially a member of the Wonderbolts.
I didn't know on how long it was after I cried myself to sleep, but I had to go in another location spot.
One that isn't occupied by Celestia's forces or the newfoals lurking around.
Upon walking and running for hours, I stumble on a beach sighting and found an unconscious human on the shore.
". . . And that's how I encountered you Rihoko."
Her friend was left speechless of hearing Scootaloo struggling in the year and losing everyone when being left behind.
"S-Scootaloo, I had no idea you have gone through so much in your life."
"Well now you know. Are you mad or disappointed that I left everything behind?"
"No, but I am glad that a part of you did the right thing of protecting the civilians, even though it's too gruesome."
Scootaloo showed a small smile and ruffle Rihoko's hair, much to her frowning and telling her to stop.
Before either of them continue to talk, they heard the sounds of disembodied moans coming their way.
Some figures of converted newfoals appear and slowly walking towards the two.
"Conversion. . . . gooooood for Celeeeestiaaaaaa. . . . humanity. . . . baaaaaaad.~" One of the newfoals said.
"Stay behind me Rihoko." Scootaloo says, guarding her up front.
'This is bad, I left my gear and weapons back at the school.' Her mind said.
'Ah well, looks like I'll have to do this the old fashioned way.'
She sees the converted newfoals coming closes as she readies herself, gripping her hands into fists.
"Bring it on! Any of you even think of laying a finger or use a potion on Rihoko, I'll gladly send you all into Tartarus!"
One of the newfoals lunges at her and she duck before she uppercuts the foal with her right fist.
Two more charges as she bucks them with her hooves and legs.
Multiple newfoals have appeared while she can barely tries to take them down one by one.
'At this rate, I can't hold out all day while I can barely hold them off.'
"SCOOTALOO!"
Her friend yells out as her eyes widen of seeing a newfoal holding a potion and aiming it at Rihoko.
Before it was thrown, a katana is seen out of nowhere and it slices the newfoal's head off, making the headless foal drop the bottle onto the ground. Scootaloo sees a lone human figure backing her up by slicing more newfoals up using his katana.
To her surprise, he's not alone as figures in different hiding places throws knives & shuriken, killing more newfoals.
"Who are you?" Scootaloo asked the katana human.
"No time for introductions, do you know of a safe place for you and your friend?"
"T-There's a closed school not far from here."
"Very well then, you two go now while me and my team cover you."
Scootaloo hesitates, but nods as she grabs the wheelchair and heads off with protecting Rihoko.
When they were away, the katana guy whistles to his soldiers, taking out the remaining converted.
(Elsewhere. . .)
At the Sweet Apple Acres, a teenage pony mare looks on the grave tombstone of her deceased grandma.
She remembers the last conversation when her told her some honest words before passing away.
"Ah know ye have a hard time with Applejack being away Applebloom, but ya have ta grow strong. If ya really feel bad and want ta make things right again, ya better first forgive yourself and then find yer friends before the blinded conflict takes their lives."
"Just remember, ya won't be alone ta stop the war. Fer the blades of angels will guide us to the darkest times."
Applebloom wipes her tears away as she knows on what to do.
"Ah won't forget your words Granny Smith, Ah'll do my very best ta make things right."
So Applebloom walks back to her house. She packs up her supplies and writes a note to Big Ma before heading out and to find her friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Wherever they are, she hopes in her heart that none of them are in deep trouble.