//------------------------------// // Battle of Applelooza // Story: Pegasus Uprising // by Stormy Cloud //------------------------------// Scootaloo was tasked with rounding the civilians up and careening them towards the town square, where they would be given different jobs. She was worried about how the town was going to see her. Each of the cadets was assigned to different sectors of the town to begin the collection in pairs. Thankfully for Scootaloo, she had been assigned to work with Lightning Bolt, they were assigned to the market sector, which meant that Carousel Boutique fell under her jurisdiction. Scootaloo didn't know what had happened to her friends during the battle, she didn't know if her friends had been evacuated with their sisters or if they were still in Ponyville. She hoped that it was the former. When they had started their task they were both met with glares and dark mutterings. Most of the towns ponies went with them willingly however when they arrived at Ruby Heart's house, they were met with resistance. From what Scootaloo could remember, Ruby Heart had been an alcoholic, and from the odour that was being emitted from the sullen mare, it appeared that her bad habit had gotten worse. Scootaloo ordered "You are to report to the town square" The drunk mare sneered "Like hell I am" Both Scootaloo and Lightning looked at each other uneasily, not wanting to harm the earth pony. Suddenly, Lightning said "Ma'am, I highly advise you to head to the square, immediately" "And I advise you to go and buck yourself" Lightning growled "Ma'am are you aware that any consumption or possession of any form of alcoholic substance by a non-pegasus is strictly forbidden? Now unless you want me to to report you then, come with us" He threatened firmly. It looked like lightning had gotten through to her as she reluctantly trudged out of the house, muttering "Buck it". Out of nowhere, she bucked her hind hooves into Lightning, as he was sent careening into the building behind him, Ruby pounced onto Scootaloo where she placed her hooves around her vulnerable neck and started to squeeze. Scootaloo's eyes widened in horror as she realized that she couldn't breathe. Acting on instinct she tried to fight off her attacker to no avail. With one hoof she tried to reach for her knife that was in a sheaf on her belt while her other hoof gripped her radio and pressed a panic button. Ruby realizing what she was trying to do, gripped her wing while using her elbow to push against her neck, she then twisted and pulled it out of her socket. Scootaloo choked out a garble unable to scream in pain from the strangulation. Just as her vision was about to fade into black, she saw a blade rip through Ruby's chest, blood started to pour from her mouth and wound as her body collapsed to the floor. Scootaloo wheezed while vomiting, her right wing hanging uselessly at her side. Looking at the useless appendage, scootaloo's bottom lip started to quiver. "I killed her, Celestia what have I done, I've killed a pony" Lightning exclaimed in horror as he stared at his knife sticking out of the mare's body. He was shaking like a leaf, he looked down at his hooves not believing what he had just done. Scootaloo wanted to say something however nothing came to mind so she opted to stay silent. Suddenly, the sound of wing beats filled the air as General Steel Wings arrived on the scene. "What in the name of Tartarus is going on?" Lightning answered "Sir the mare, she attacked us, She tried to kill Scootaloo, I - I was forced to ki - eliminate her" Unexpectedly his face split into a grin as he suddenly congratulated Lightning "Great work soldier. Now that is how a pegasus is supposed to act. Your father will be informed of this excellent deed, your first kill, you should be proud." He commemorated while lifting Lightning's hoof in the air as if he had just won a wrestling match. Lightning however didn't look happy at this prospect. Steel wings then turned to Scootaloo where he scolded her "Unlike you who let a mudblood gain the upper hoof. You should be ashamed, if I was you I would go and wash that dirt off. However, because of your failure, I think some combat experience should teach you the necessary skills to truly handle a mudblood. That is why I will be sending you to assist the southern army in taking Applelooza, they are in need of urgent reinforcements." This made Scootaloo nervous, she had been hoping to avoid fighting at all costs. Suddenly Lightning spoke up "Sir, I request to join Scootaloo in the battle." This made the General's face lower in confusion "That is an unusual request, most recruits try to stay far away from the battlefields at all costs" he said while analyzing the blue colt. He replied by making himself appear as patriotic as possible "With all due respect I joined the PLA with hopes of serving my fellow pegasi, not sat defending a pigsty". Scootaloo instantly knew that he was lying his face off. However, his lies had paid off as the General clapped him on the back. "Now that is the type of pegasi I like to have in my army. Yes, you will be under the command of General Spearhead" He said. *** They had arrived at an FOB base that sat near the town of Applelooza. They along with several other reinforcements had formed up in front of a light brown pegasus, who introduced himself as General Spearhead. He seemed a lot more cheery than Steel Wings. He was currently giving a speech about the upcoming battle. "Now I know that the last couple of times we tried to take this insolent town went terribly, however, I know in my heart this time will be a success. Applelooza WILL fall. Far too long the filthy earth ponies have dominated this rich lands. It is time to change that. Soon we will change the future. Taking Applelooza will mean that we are one step closer to Canterlot, as Supreme General Blue Bolt put it, those who sit in Canterlot atop the mountain, controls Equestria. Now let's go kick some Earth-lovers but!" He shouted, eliciting a cheer from the soldiers. After the speech they geared up, ready for war. Their gear consisted of combat helmets, goggles, magic-proof vests, ration packs, med kit, and of course their weapons: wing blades and retractable knives that sat on belts that attached to each of their front hooves. While pegasi preferred close hoof-to-hoof combat, their enemy primarily used spears and bows and arrows, and of course magic. They had decided to fly close to the ground in an attempt to avoid detection. During the battle, it would be impossible due to the sheer amount of anti-air cannons. In the distance, Scootaloo could see pillars of smoke pillars rising above the skyline as well as hear the distant sound of magical explosions. As the approaching army got closer, Scootaloo could now see that the town was surrounded by walls, towers, and trenches. All of a sudden, they were attacked by anti-air cannons, and several pegasi fell like sacks of potatoes. Both Scootaloo and Lightning dived for the ground, they attempted to make themselves as small as possible. Lightning nudged Scootaloo and pointed towards a nearby trench. Scootaloo nodded in understanding; a whistling sound hit both of the pegasi ears as their faces turned to dreaded realization. Lightning screamed "RUN!" as they both made a buck for the trench all the while avoiding artillery strikes that rained down on them. They had thankfully made it to the trench with their lives intact. They both breathed a sigh of relief, which would be short-lived as they looked around to see several pissed of earth ponies. "Aw buck," she said to herself before quickly dodging the spear that was aimed for her face. Scootaloo swung at the earth pony with her wing blades, however, the stallion dodged it before lunging onto her and pinned her under his spear. Lightning wasn't doing much better as he had to contend with an earth pony stallion, with the size and strength of two Big Macs combined. No matter, how many times he stabbed the pony wouldn't even bat an eyelid. The buff stallion had the audacity to say "yer finished?" while raising an eyebrow and crossing his hooves. Lightning growled before pouncing on his foe's face where he used his hoof blade to stab him repeatedly in the eyeball. The stallion then managed to throw the colt off him, now he was angry. Not even bothering to cover his messed up eye, he stomped towards the blue pegasus where he literally picked him up and flipped him upside down, and proceeded to slam him down on his head, multiple times. Lightning was out cold, his head bleeding profusely. his face was barely recognizable. For Scootaloo who had witnessed this, time seemed to slow as she watched in horror as the stallion kept on stomping on the knocked-out Lightning's wings. Suddenly a wave of incomprehensible anger washed over her as red filled her vision. She pulled the stallion's head that was pinning her down close to her where she literally bit his muzzle off, bringing a whole new meaning to the word 'kiss', she then stabbed him in the side of his neck where blood spurted out of the wound. She then pushed herself up and grabbed the spear before impaling the stallion that had harmed her friend. The stallion looked down in amazement at the spear that was sticking through his entire stomach. He then slowly collapsed to the floor however Scootaloo wasn't finished with him yet "Don't go dying on me now you bastard" she whispered into his ear. Looking around she found a discarded shovel, picking it up she then repeatedly jammed it down onto the stallion's neck; fully decapitating him. Her revenge complete, she looked down at the broken Lightning. She released a sigh of relief as she heard shallow breathing. "MEDIC I NEED A MEDIC!" Scootaloo shouted, she didn't care who came as long as it was somepony who could help her injured friend. A PLA combat medic quickly responded to the call, when she saw Lightning she grimaced. Muttering a silent prayer, she began to apply bandages to his wings and head, his dark, blue mane completely encased in a thick bandage. She then attached a neck brace before administering painkillers. Turning to Scootaloo she told her "I'm going to take him to the field hospital, you need to go join the battle, we're about to push into the town proper. "Is he going to be okay?" Scootaloo asked, praying that he was going to survive. The medic sighed before saying "I don't know, all I know is he's probably never going to be able to fly again." Not waiting for a reply she carried the broken pegasus to the field hospital. *** Scootaloo had managed to regroup with General Spearhead, who was camped out in the nearby train station. "We have just received intelligence that the Element of Honesty is here in town. Our main objective is to take the town and the Element of Honesty, dead or alive" he commanded. This was the last thing that Scootaloo wanted, facing off against one of her former friends terrified her. It was decided that they would head to the town square where they believed that Applejack was, through the buildings. This was as easier said than done. Because the town is sat in such a remote location it meant that the town was unable to evacuate when the attacks had begun. This made their task slightly difficult as they had to differentiate between civilians and soldiers. The buildings seemed to be infested by both, if Scootaloo didn't know any better then it would appear that they were using the civilians as meat shields. Every house they seemed to enter had both civilians and soldiers. Scootaloo had decided to stick at the back of the group so that she didn't see much action. after they had cleared the buildings they had just entered the square, when all of a sudden a massive explosion rocked the landscape as the tall clock tower came thundering down separating Scootaloo from the rest of the group. She was suddenly yanked to the ground by her neck and she realized with horror that it had been a trap. Looking down she noticed that a lasso had been lassoed around her neck and was being reeled in like a fish on a hook by three beefy stallions. She pulled with all her might but to no avail. Once she was close to the stallions she attempted to strike them with her knives however they all laughed at her pitiful attempt. One of them grabbed her hooves from behind and stole her hoof blades another stallion swiped her wing blades, and they then forced her to lie on her stomach. A black strip of cloth was placed across her eyes and tied off behind her head, successfully blindfolding her. The brutes then tied her hooves and wings with rope before pulling her hind legs up and linking them with her front hooves. She then screamed " HEE - MMMPH" Her cries for help were then cut off as a thick strip of cloth was tied around her muzzle so tight that the gag was pulled into her mouth. She realized with terror that she had been hogtied, blindfolded, and gagged. She felt one of them placing her onto their backs and being taken to an unknown location...