With Blood and Swords

by FALG


Defensive measures

I slammed to the ground and landed on my side.

I raised up and noticed we teleported right at the door of Twilight's house.

Rainbow was on the floor too, she landed next to me. Twilight was the only one that didn't experience any problem with the teleport (I couldn't expect less of her anyway, but it calmed me since Fluttershy was with her).

The unicorn quickly opened the door, the other ponies we left behind were still there.
"Fluttershy!" they all screamed in unison.

I don't remember what they asked after because I was still recovering from the smash to the ground, I helped Rainbow up and we entered the library.
"Girls, I have to take Fluttershy to recover, I'd be grateful if you don't make too much noise." Twilight said while going up.
They all agreed.

As quick as she went up, Twilight went down and directed herself to a desk and started writing a letter with all haste.
"What are ya' doing Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"I'm writing a letter to the Princess, she has to know about all this."
"We already saved Fluttershy! Why does she have to know she was filly-napped in the first place?" Rainbow asked.
"Because of the Guardians." I answered.
"Exactly, they will retaliate, and Ponyville will be their target. We have to tell Celestia so she can help us!" Twilight explained.
"But aren't those guys miles away from here?" Rarity asked.
"Yes, but they can accelerate the pace, just to kill Flare." Twilight said "I'm definitely sure that Ponyville must be evacuated. To prevent any casualties."

I couldn't believe all of this happened just because of the way I fight, I could have stopped this if I haven't plotted any plan and gone to apologize and explain!
"Why must we stop them from killing me?"
Everypony looked at me.
"Seriously! My life is not that worthy, and besides, I could have gone there and simply confess. But we took the hard way. I kept in the wrong way, and we sneaked in to help Fluttershy. We managed that, but now they're pissed! And now they could kill innocent people here!" I said.
I paused a little.
"I'm leaving, I'll confront those guys and let them do with my life what they desire." I said while walking out.
A hoof stopped me, and then punched me.
"Rainbow!" the ponies shouted.

The punch made me to lose notion of sight for a bit, and then I looked to the pegasus that hit me.
"I dare you to say that again in front of Fluttershy, moron." she said.
"How? Fluttershy it's not even herself anymore. Have you seen her eyes?" I said.
"Just because her face implies that she can't sense anything, it doesn't mean that she actually can't!"
I sighed.
"Look, what do you want me to do? I can't risk Ponyville just for some stupid misunderstanding!" I pointed.
"But you can't leave Fluttershy alone either! You mean the world to her!" Rainbow protested.
I looked away.
"What will she do when you are gone?! She never loved anypony as much as she loves you!" she continued.
A silence took over the place.
"If you think your life is not worth a single bit, go ahead, confront those ponies. But know that Fluttershy won't have anything to live for." a tear came down from Rainbow's eye. "Everything would have been in vain."
I looked to the cyan mare eye to eye.
"I just... can't see her like this. This is my fault, I'm the reason why Fluttershy it's like this now." I said.
Another silence.
"I promised her I'd protect her, by my own life if need be." I looked at my flank, where my cutie mark was "I couldn't protect her! I love her and I couldn't protect her! I have no right to have this cutie mark if I can't accomplish it's meaning!"
I went to a wall and hit my head to it, several times.
"I failed!" a hit "I failed her!" another hit "I FAILED FLUTTERSHY!" one last hit that made me collapse to the floor.
I wrapped my arms on my head and started crying.

Suddenly I noticed a hoof on my shoulder, I looked at it, and followed all the way up to the face.

Fluttershy still had her beauty, despite the opaque eyes, and the blackened mane, coat and tail.
"Fluttershy!" I whispered in surprise.
She didn't say anything; her mouth that was just a straight line, slowly curved up to form a smile. I could only stare at her eyes, as empty as they were.
She slowly came in and hugged me, I could only hug her back and dig my face in her mane, and cry.
"I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry Fluttershy." I mumbled between sobs.
I don't know if she paid attention, or anything, but the moment she closed in to hug me, I felt that Fluttershy was regaining her... well, "being" (so to speak) that she had from before this whole thing.

I separated from her, and noticed that she fell asleep. And with all care I went upstairs and gently put her in the bed. I stayed with her for a while.

Meanwhile, Twilight finished the letter to the Princess and asked Spike to send it with a "matter of urgency".
"I'll go to the Town Hall and warn the mayor about this! The city must be evacuated with all haste." Twilight said, and ran off from the library.
"Wait! What 'bout us?" Applejack asked.
"All of you go home and warn your families about this!" Twilight said from outside.
Everypony looked at each other.
"Flare, are ya' goin' to take care of Fluttershy?" Applejack asked.
"Yes, I'm going to take her home too, so she can warn her animals."

And with that, we all left the library.