Steve walked alone in the Everfree. He held his head low as tears began to fall from his eyes. His second friend, whom he had just met, was now being imprisoned, and it was his fault. He sighed as he began to sing one of his favorite songs.
“I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, aaah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
I'm walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the borderline
Of the edge and where I walk alone
Read between the lines
Of what's fucked up and everything's alright
Check my vital signs
To know I'm still alive and I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone
Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, aaah-ah
Ah-ah, ah-ah
I walk alone
I walk a
I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk a
My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone.”
He sang. Singing usually helped him regain composure in stressful times. He collected himself and was going to decide what to do. He knew he had to break Jean out, but how would he do it? Stealth was probably his best option. In order to successfully break into the prison, he needed two things: intel and a plan. He needed intel to come up with a plan, so he needed to survey the barracks. There’s no way they’d keep her in a public prison. He turned towards Ponyville, and began to make the trek there.
Once he arrived, he looked on at the ponies, moving quickly around the base. He stared at one in particular, the Sargent. He watched as he ran through the base. If Steve was being honest, he kinda liked him. He was a good man and a great soldier, and was really smart. “That’ll be my biggest issue.” He said as he continued to survey the base.
Jean opened her eyes. She blinked a couple of times before realizing where she was. A prison. She had almost forgot why. Then, there was one thing that was on her mind: Steve. A guard reacted to her sudden awakening, and walked over to her, probably to check up on her.
“Ma’am, ar-.” He was cut off mid-sentence by Jean.
“Is Steve safe?” She asked.
“Well, he managed to escape our grasp, so we don’t know if he’s safe or not. If it’s any consolation, we he’s survived out there for a week or two, so he should be fine.” The guard smiled at her.
“Thanks.” Was all she could say. She slumped back down, and put her hands in her claws. This was the feeling she had when she was cursed. Trapped in a metaphorical cell. Only this time now she was trapped in a literal one. She began to sob, quietly, so no one would hear it. She sobbed herself back to sleep.
Celestia looked at her sister in the hospital bed. She had just woken up, and was waiting for the test results to come back to make sure she didn’t have any lasting brain damage. Until then, they were waiting together.
“Are you okay, Luna?” She asked.
“We feel fine, sister.” She replied sounding rather annoyed.
“What’s wrong?” She asked.
“Nothing.” She replied.
“Then what’s with your tone?”
“We are just irritated that we couldn’t capture the creature like we said we could.” Luna said.
“Once you get discharged, I will capture the creature. This threat is getting out of hand.” Celestia told her.
“Are you sure?” Luna asked. “That’s a hyper-violent creature.”
“We have no choice. Now, I must head home to prepare. Goodbye Luna.”
“Goodbye, sister.” She said. “And, please, do be safe.”
Stone was on his way to meet with the captain in the debriefing room. He was hurrying past the other guards, trying not to be late. He stopped in front of the guards.
“Halt.” They said. He sighed. “Identify yourself.”
“Sargent Stone Hoof, 1st Platoon.” He said.
“And what buis-.” He cut the guard off.
“Debriefing.” He stated swiftly.
“Magic scan.” The guard said.
“Wait, since when did you guys do that? I’m just curious.”
“Ever since your squad discovered the changelings. We can’t risk them getting in.” The guard explained.
“Okay. Go ahead.” He said. They rubbed the chemicals on him, and just as expected, he was engulfed in a halo. Then, they wiped it off.
“You may proceed.”
“Thank you.” He swiftly opened the door and stepped inside.
“Sargent. You’re right on time. Take a seat.” The captain said. He turned to face the others in the room. “We have managed to capture the creature’s friend. However, what will we do with her?”
The room sat in an empty silence as everyone thought of things they could do.
“We could wait.” Sargent Stone said. He was met with confused looks.
“Please elaborate.” The captain said.
“Well, she’s his only friend that we know of, so he is bound to try and break her out, therefore, we can just wait until he does.” The Sargent explained.
“Good idea.” The captain said. “How about we wait three days, and if he doesn’t attack we go out to try and capture him?”
They all muttered their agreements.
“If no one is against it, you are dismissed.” The other officers left the meeting room and headed back to their barracks. The Sargent, however, turned and faced towards the brig, where they were holding the dragon. He walked down the stairs and turned a corner to find the holding cell he was looking for.
There she was, sitting there, motionless. Probably asleep, he told himself. He leaned on the cell bars and his gold plated boots made a loud clank! Her head immediately shot up. He looked into her eyes, and instantly knew what happened. Her eyes were red, meaning she probably cried herself to sleep. He felt really bad for her, but he reminded himself she was in here for a reason.
“Can I help you?” She asked.
“I just want to talk.” He told her.
“Well, there’s another guard there. Go talk to him.” She told him. He let out a small chuckle.
“I just wanted to tell, we’re increasing security around this area, so don’t be surprised when more guards come.”
“Okay, I guess.” She responded.
“Alright, I’ll see you later.” He said as he left. He didn’t really want to inform her that. He was just checking up on how she was doing. Sargent Stone was once arrested for taking part in a riot in support of democracy. He knew how it felt being in prison. Especially if you think you’re fighting for what’s right. He sighed as he stepped out into the rising sun. Just then, another pony came running up to him.
“Sir, the captain has requested you put these guards on guard duty for the prisoner.” She informed him.
“Alright, I’ll see to it that these guards will be informed.” He said. She walked off, probably heading back to her post. It was especially important that they were vigilant now. He had heard rumors it was going to snow some time this week because the pegasi can do whatever the buck they want. He headed to began reading down his list and looking for the ponies on it. He came across the first one.
“Iron Wings!” He called out.
“Yes?” She asked.
“How’s Hawk Eye?” He asked.
“He was discharged last week. Why?”
“Well, you two are both assigned to guard duty. Your job is to protect our new prisoner from the creature. You got that?”
“Yes, sir.” She said. “I won’t let you down.”
“Okay then. You may return to your barracks. You’re first shift starts tomorrow, at 1800.” She nodded as she turned away from the Sargent.
“I said this wasn’t over and it isn’t. I’ve been waiting for this moment, this chance to finally get even, to take revenge. For Hawk Eye. We will then see who is better. It’s my chance to settle the score.” Iron Wings said to herself, angrily. She had been in her barracks after the Sargent dismissed her, and was waiting for her shift to start. As she waited, she thought about the creature, her friend Hawk Eye, and what the creature had done to him. “Someday, I’ll get my revenge.” She said in a menacing tone.