//------------------------------// // Chapter 20: Ponyville to Appleloosa // Story: The Red Knight // by PhantomBulwark //------------------------------// The world was a blur that faded in and out. Whispers, shouts, blinding light and permeating darkness. She slipped in and out of consciousness, never awake long enough to recognize anything and never truly resting. For three days, Sunset wavered. And on the fourth, she woke to unfamiliar surroundings. “Whe-” her parched throat protested words, “...where am... I?” The woman in the door hummed, “you are lucky to be living still. But you must lay still.” Sunset groaned, “not so loud, please. And answer my question. Where am I? Who are you? Where are my men?” “This town is known as Ponyville, far from your home on Canterlor hill. My name is Zecora and I am a healer by trade, it was I who saw to your death being delayed. And as for your men, they are not far. They're camped just by the river... the Pink one, she's quite bizzare.” “You healed me?” Sunset asked, “I thank you for your help but I need to speak to my friends at once.” “You must rest, you've had quite the ordeal. I will fetch Rockhoof and for you I think, a meal.” Without waiting for a response, the healer turned away and Sunset huffed. As she waited, she took in her surroundings. The room was small, only the cot she lay on and a small table inside. Out the far window she could see tiny homes and farmland just beyond. Zecora had said she was in Ponyville and it looked to be true. The tiny community was just a short days ride from Ghastly Gorge, dangerously close even. She pushed her thoughts aside when Rockhoof entered, significantly filling the remaining space in the room. “Good to see you awake, Commander.” “How much have I missed?” The lieutenant grimaced, “I'll just start with the days we were apart shall I?” And he handed her a bowl of stew. “Eat up.” At Sunset's nod, the man began. “Blueblood, the slimy bastard. He tried to command us all to march into the Changeling territory and try to overtake them by surprise while you fought off the majority at the gorge. He didn't get very far of course.” Here he smiled. “My men and yours fought against them, and I told him directly that disregarding your orders was treason and I wouldn't stand for it. The little weasel and his men tried to sneak off. They mucked up and got caught in some quicksand. We managed to get a few of them back out but most of them sank.” Sunset frowned, “I've been keeping track of all that we lose, I-” Rockhoof interrupted, “Not to worry Commander, I took care of that for you. Just eat and listen. Anyway, we were severely delayed with quicksand in the way and Blueblood's little insurrection but we made it out and hauled ass to your position. Honestly, I'm impressed. I thought that we'd find the gorge crawling with the enemy and you dead or long gone.” “Never.” He nodded, his eyes glinting, “Impressive indeed. An archer was what got you, right through some vital bits if Ms. Zecora is to be believed. Rainbow got the fella what shot you. You would likely have died had Captain Bulwark not showed up. He came to check on progress and when he saw the state of you he sent word straight to the Princess and had us bring you here.” “He sent word to Luna?” She blinked, startled. A low laugh by the door made them both jump. Rookhoof immediately bent into a bow, and Sunset made to rise but could not muster the strength. “Lay still Sunset,” Luna said kindly, “you've earned a rest.” “Princess,” Sunset grunted painfully, “you honor me with your presence... How may I serve you?” Luna's face reddened and she looked away, “You needn't speak to me so formally Commander... Rockhoof, leave us a moment please?” He nodded and bounded away. “High Commander Luna, I would thank Captain Bulwark for his help. And you as well. I am very glad to see you.” “And I am glad to see you awake, my friend. I admit, I am still somewhat irritated with you but when I heard that you'd been injured I was very worried. I came straight here to see you myself.” “Thank you, your highness. Someday I truly will make up for my past mistakes.” Luna nodded, “I know you will. For now though, I'm afraid I must leave you. Now that I'm certain you're alright; I must return to Canterlot. There are snakes in the grass there that I need to hunt. I fear there are too many who benefit from this war who are making decisions on how we proceed. Captain Bulwark and Rookhoof will remain in command until you are fit to travel. I've also given Flash Sentry a copy of my stamp to use on letters, they'll come straight to me from now on. I hope you'll use it to write to me, even about more than just your battles.” Sunset's eyes widened, “of... of course, your highness. It would lighten my heart to speak to you.” Luna nodded once, and then slipped away. Sunset found herself feeling very light for several days after their talk. And was even more determined to end this blasted war. When she finally healed, with much help from Zecora, and none at all from Rainbow or Pinkie (who mostly made jokes), there was much to do. In her absence, Shining and Rockhoof had wrangled several volunteers from Ponyville into the Dark Regiment. The celestial guard had taken over the base at Ghastly Gorge and thanks to Sunset, they were now gaining ground. While Rockhoof and Shining trained the new volunteers in Ponyville, Bulwark sent new recruits as he traveled about the region. (Zecora had even pointed them in the direction of a few especially patriotic healers who might join.) Sunset's other friends, and the soldiers who weren't working for one of the other commanders, spent time taking a well deserved break. From what she'd been told they had made quite merry when told that she would live (and apparently felt the need to re-celebrate every day since). Pinkie had fun telling raunchy poems in the local pub, Rainbow had taken a young soldier under her wing to train, and AJ had run into a certain seamstress from her past (and had spent three whole days... “catching up”). But now it was time to go back to work. Luna's instructions were simple, upon Sunset's recovery they were to head south of Ponyville. Their next mission was to help re-take the land of their allies in Appleloosa, Dodge City, and the Forest Kingdom of Thicket. They reached Appleloosa first and found it under siege. The local farmers had taken up arms when Changeling's attacked. When the Celestial guard had been forced to retreat they had failed to evacuate the city. Forcing the Appleloosians to fend for themselves. Most of the town had been surrounded by a hastily constructed barrier of wood and mud. It was here that the remaining denizens of Appleloosa were making their stand. A horde of Changeling's were poking at the weak points in the wall with their spears while the townspeople fired arrows out of trees. As she watched the beginning of a scuffle from the hillside, Sunset came up with a plan. With their inflated numbers, they could take them head on. She saw Pinkie scrambling up the hill toward her and smiled in greeting. Pinkie led her back down, chattering all the way about what she'd seen while scouting on the other side of town. Of the men that had been at the gorge, there were now just over one thousand left. Luna had authorized Rockhoof's men to merge with the Dark Regiment and bolstered their numbers. She had lost seventeen of the three hundred that had started with her, but she'd gained many more and she would make sure that as many as possible made it home. Rockhoof was a good lieutenant, and she was glad to have him. Even Shining armor seemed quite glad to share the load with their expanded numbers. She returned to her companions and relayed the plan, allowing them to slip away and give out orders. And when the time came, they rode out onto the open plain, letting Changeling's and Appleloosians alike see them coming. Flash had altered Sunset's armor once more as she had recouped from her injuries. On Luna's orders, no less. And as she barreled down the hill side, her red armor shown like a flame out in front of the black and blue of her regiment. All of them would now see her as clearly as daylight on the field and they would follow her, without fail. The small contingent of Changeling spearmen were clearly not expecting an attack. And when they saw the massive army bearing down on them they attempted to flee. With their small numbers, they were caught within the storm of soldiers and were swiftly brought down. The majority of the fighting was over quickly, and Sunset and her company departed for the city. They were greeted with cheers and the mayor of the small village bowed to them as they dismounted. “Your help could not have come at a better time, although I must admit that... none of us actually know who you are.” Pinkie stepped forward, “Good evening sir, I present to you, Ser Sunset Shimmer, Commander of the Dark Regiment. We are her companions, Rainbow Dash, the world's fastest archer.” Rainbow smirked and raised a hand in greeting. “Applejack, the honest swordswoman.” Applejack’s brow crinkled in surprise. “Shining Armor, the banished heir of house Light.” Shining coughed but smiled behind his hand. “And myself, a humble bard and herald.” “Well I'll be...” the mayor said in awe, “That ain't my cousin Applejack Apple hiding back there now is it?!” Applejack perked up immediately, brow furrowed in thought, “... Aw hell... is that little Braeburn!? Why I haven't seen you since you were a tiny thing!” The man laughed heartily, scooping AJ into a side hug. “Lookit you! My big cousin, a farmer turned soldier.” AJ's smiled, “It's good to see you Brae.” “It's good to see you too cousin. Our town's been overrun for nigh on seven months now, what you see here in the square are all that's left. Less than forty of us. I'm practically the mayor of a ghost town. But you have our thanks, and you're welcome to all that we can give in return.” Here Sunset interjected, “we've been sent to free you, as well as Dodge City and the Forest Kingdom of Thicket. Could you give us any information about how the enemy is set up here?” The man nodded, “Dodge City will be as easy as here I expect but Thicket... I heard tell a month or so ago that Chrysalis has their King under her spell. He's not been seen in nearly a year now and she and her scum move about freely in his lands. You should rest here awhile so you can send out scouts and get a better look. Any friend of AJ's is a friend to me."