//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight // Story: Freedom Through Harmony // by Electricut //------------------------------// Chapter Eight Castle of Dawn Ruins Eastern Prison Block Hours passed, and the wall began to weaken more and more. Rarity had elected to sit nearer the door, alerting us if someone was on their way down the hall, while Applejack and I worked full time on the window. Fluttershy, however, had fallen back asleep shortly after we began, and still slept fitfully. I could see Applejack looking over to her every once in a while. “You can take a break for a bit and check on her.” I said between hits. She nodded, put her stone on the ground and moved over to the bunk. I continued to work for a bit, then she stood again. “Seems like she’s sick. She’s conscious, but isn’t waking up any time soon. Got a bit of a fever, too.” She moved back over to me. “Hope she shapes up soon...” How’d she get sick so quickly? She was fine when she was awake earlier today. I can’t remember any spells being cast, but I guess someone could’ve done it from elsewhere, but why just her, then? Unless it only goes into effect when we sleep... “Someone’s coming.” Rarity said barely above a whisper. “It’s... It’s her.” I nearly jumped. This might have been my only chance to fix things. We moved away from the window, and I moved to the gate. I looked back, AJ gave me a look asking ‘What are you doing?’, and I returned one that I hope she could interpret as ‘Trust me’. She nodded, and I turned back. Luna, unaccompanied, had made her way down the hall, and turned to face us. “Are you all well?” I waited for half a second, and no-one said anything. Oh yeah, Twilight isn’t here with a lightning-fast comeback that would make the situation worse. Forgot. “Well, I think one of us might be getting sick.” I offered. “Oh... I could find a medic somewhere, if you’re willing to accept it.” “Why would you do that?” Rarity asked. “I have no desire to kill any of you. If I felt it safe, I’d release you here and now. But I can’t, not yet.” “Luna...” I started. She seemed almost surprised to hear her proper name. “You said before that you had no plans after overthrowing our Queen. So you’re just trying to get her off the throne, and don’t mind who takes over afterwards?” “All true. Why, did you have an eye on the throne?” “Goodness no. I can lead a few people okay, but not a country. No, what I wanted to know was... Why?” “Celestia isn’t what she paints herself as.” She explained. “She may have been once, but... I tried to overthrow her all those years ago, because I could see her being corrupted. The people of old Eclipse were under so much terror- not only from the enemy, but from their own head of state. I... I did what I thought I could to stop her, but it just wasn’t enough. She killed the rest of the resistance and sealed me away.” My mind was racing with possibilities, and a shiver ran down my legs. “So then, your intent is simply to save the people from her, and has always been?” “Yes.” Rarity was silent. Applejack put her hand on my shoulder. “Careful, partner. You don’t know what you’re getting into...” I brushed her hand aside and stepped forward, leaning on the bars. “Luna. I have an offer, then.” I threw my arms out wide. “Release these three, and I’ll cast my lot in with you. You’ll have my sword to do with what you will.” “What?!” “Dash, what are you doing?!” I turned. “Celestia’s been hovering over us for too long. This is the chance I’ve been waiting for. Our home and families will be safe if I join Luna, and we’ll have a chance to do the same for the whole country. I can’t pass this up, not after all this.” “Dash, I know what happened.” AJ said, stepping carefully. “I know you have every reason to want the Queen gone, and I do too, but... This just isn’t the way to do it, Dash. You’re just gonna get killed!” “Are you going to stop me, Applejack?” I asked, not venomously, but softly. “I can handle myself, alright? This may be my only option.” She averted her gaze from me, watching the ground. “If you’re really set on it... I’m not going to stop watchin' your back now. I’m comin' with you.” As much as I did want her with me, I had to object. “AJ, I can’t let you-” “See? You’re takin' the same risk, and I’m not lettin' you take it alone. It’s both, or neither.” I sighed. There was never any point in me arguing with her- she always got her way with me. I turned back to Luna, who had been watching the whole affair in slight awe. “Two for two, then.” “I... I can’t do that. I can’t put you in danger like that. Any of you.” “She’s hurt us as much as you. We’re not going to pass a chance to take her down.” She seemed conflicted, but didn’t seem to like the idea. “Why don’t you think about it for a bit?” She didn’t answer, but disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Applejack and I looked to each other. We were walking a thin line. “...Thanks.” I told her quietly, then went back to work on the window. Best to have a backup, after all. _______________ Town Square Pinkie and Spike both stood over Twilight, whose condition only seemed to have worsened. She had come down with a fever, and had begun turning in her sleep. The town doctor had come to check on her, but he wasn’t able to identify what was wrong, causing the two to continue assuming it a curse of some sort. “I’ll stay with her.” Spike said. “You should keep looking for more troops, check on the others. Fifteen’s good, but we could use more. We’ll assault the castle tonight, but we’ll need more than fifteen and surprise to take Luna.” Pinkie nodded and left once again. Many of the others, after deciding on when to attack, had gone back home to prepare or continue with their business. However, the soldiers remained in the square to practice, as had Angel. She went over to him. “So, I know you’re going to save Fluttershy, but... I don’t think I ever actually met you properly.” While he could speak, it seemed he hadn’t learned the whole language yet. He spoke carefully, but simply. “I used to live in another place, an island with others around. It was called Ivoire, and is South-east... I think. My parents, used to go all over the world. They took me and my brother and sisters with them a few times, like when they came here. But we got lost in the woods, and...” Pinkie nodded sadly. “I was the only one left after that. But I was lucky, and Fluttershy found me. She’s very kind- she took care of me all this time, taught me a lot. I have to take my turn, to save her.” Pinkie was touched by his story, though not too surprised. It seemed something Fluttershy would do. “I see. We’ll be glad to have you with us. And, I think I’ve heard of Ivoire before, actually. I think Equestria does some trading with them. It wouldn’t be too hard if you wanted to go back after all this.” “Right, but... I don’t think I would want to. I would go back, remind everyone who I was, and... Then what? I would still be alone. I’ll stay here- this is my home now.” “I understand, and know how you feel. I’ve lived alone in this town for a long time, and I could have left for my family’s town any time. But I couldn’t just leave my home behind, and there was always someone to take care of me. I think of the whole town as a big family now, and I’ll protect them whenever I can. And I bet you’ll do the same.” He nodded, smiling. “Thank you.” Pinkie grabbed her spear from where she had left it, leaning across the wall outside the library, sheathed it, and once again began wandering around town, seeking out fighters to join their task force.