The train stopped after three hours. Spike was awakened by a group of five soldiers, along with the other exchanged former P.O.W.'s
"Come on", the lead told them. "Welcome to freedom."
The P.O.W.'s thanked the soldiers, and started thanking Celestia, among any others that they felt needed to be thanked for their safety, survival, and freedom. Spike followed, slowly behind, unsure of what he should do.
It had been months...so long, in Lunar captivity...tossed and pushed around by both Lunar Guards and Solar prisoners alike...put down for his betrayal, shunned and branded a traitor by both sides. He gained some credibility and respect back when he selflessly shared and gave aid to his fellow prisoners...but what he did to Twilight Sparkle and the rest always haunted him.
Spike tried to follow the group further, but was stopped by the lead guard. "Mr Spike", the guard adressed, "Her Highness has commanded for you to follow me. She wishes to speak to you in person."
Spike began to tremble. The Princess was the last person he wanted to see after all this...he didn't receive much news inside the prison camp, but small chit-chat he overheard and the occasional message snuck into the camp brought grave tidings. Most of the six friends were dead. Later...he learned Twilight was among them. There were no specifics mentioned, one of the worst was hearing that both Applejack and her sister, Applebloom, were found dead together. The absolute hardest nail, naturally, was hearing that Twilight had died too...apparently earlier than Applejack and her sister. Right after he sold them out...he felt terrible. Near-suicidal, but he was both forced to and helped kept under control by those who actually somewhat cared for his well-being. Celestia was said to have mourned for her student lengthily, having a small memorial service for her.
Spike followed the soldiers through the corridors of a building, a rebuilt portion of Canterlot. He noticed the aura of freshness about it, tapestries now telling more recent tales of nations and war rather than the ancient myths and legends of gods and heroes.
Finally, he was led to a door, and walked into a small room, a table in the center. The Princess stood at the other end, staring out a window.
"I've seen you've returned safely", she immediately began. "Somewhat undeservingly." Spike's throat tightened. The Princess then turned to him. "My student and four of her friends are dead, because of you. Directly or indirectly, your action caused them to be killed. Perhaps the Lunars would have found them one day, but YOU hastened that day, and didn't even give them a chance to survive."
Spike trembled again, hands shaking. He stuttered, and blubbered apologies.
Celestia pressed on, eyes narrowing on Spike: "How can you live with that? You single-handedly brought the deaths of four mares who trusted you. You should feel ashamed of yourself."
Spike's eyes started to moisten. "I...I am...so desperately am...I...I am...I was...scared...a coward...but...please...have mercy...I wish I could just change it all..."
"You can't", she sternly told him. "What you did cannot be reversed. You made a poor and dishonorable decision, by betraying those who trust you." She looked to Spike with some remorse. "I can't believe you...I trusted you...with the care of my student...I trusted you..." She then straightened. "Now I see that was misplaced..."
Spike was speechless. "I'm so sorry..."
Celestia sighed, and turned back to the window, looking out. Her eyes then narrowed out, staring. Her horn began to glow, and then Spike saw something slide across the table toward him.
A pistol.
"I would hope that you can't live with yourself, after doing something so vile, so here: do not. Take your own life, here and now. I won't stop you."
Spike's eyes teared more. He got down on his knees begging, "please your highness...have mercy...please..."
"That's an order", Celestia shot at him. "Take your life, now."
Spike stared at the pistol. The princess...just told him to kill himself...he really was alone. She didn't want to spare him. There was a nothing left for him to do. This was the only thing, he couldn't live anymore with the guilt and loneliness. He took the pistol and placed it at his head. "I'm sorry, Applejack...Rainbow Dash...Fluttershy...Pinkie Pie...and most of all...Twilight Sparkle...and my dear Rarity..." He paused, the barrel pushing against his head. "I'm sorry..."
He pulled the trigger.
*
*
*
*
Click!
Spike looked in surprise. Click! What was happening? Spike felt it was loaded...
The Princess sighed. "It's not loaded, Spike", she admitted. "The magazine is simply a weight to make you think it was." She turned back to him. "Now I see you are sorry..."
Spike nodded, sobbing slightly. "I...am devastated...to learn that the Lunars killed them...killed Twilight...my friend and sister, and your student..."
The Princess sighed again. "Spike, Twilight Sparkle was not killed by the Lunars...she was executed by her own friends...they thought it was her who betrayed them, not you...she died for your sin..."
"What...", Spike trailed. "Why..."
"She was no traitor...but officially, to protect her honor...I had reports made saying she died in a Lunar ambush instead...the truth is still hidden..."
"From who", Spike asked.
The Princess went to Spike's side, wing sheltering him. "Well...that's why I summoned you...you do remember, my student's brother, do you not...my Captain of the Guard?...."
* * *
Tinkering was simply too fun.
Doctor Lyra Heatrtstrings sat in her workplace, messing around with a new personal invention: a mechanism that would let her grasp things, similar to the claws of a griffon or the hands of a dragon. She had been working on it and improving it for a while, trying to see if she could use it around her lab. With her magic, a screwdriver was at work, twisting the last piece in.
When the last screw was tightened, she put the screwdriver down. She slid her hoof into the gauntlet, and tightened the strap with her magic. She moved her hoof slightly, putting pressure on a trigger on the end. The fingers on the device then clicked open, and she smiled. She moved the fingers to a cylindrical object, and wrapped the fingers around it. When she released pressure, the fingers clicked back, and she found herself grasping the cylinder.
"Heh, cool", Lyra whispered.
She heard a visitor coming to her office. She released the cylinder, putting it down on her desk with her magic. She then got up, and prepared herself for her visitor.
A brown maned and lighter brown coated stallion trotted in, dressed in his digital patterned uniform. ""Hello, Lyra", he greeted.
"Hey, Whooves", she replied. Lyra got up and pecked his face slightly with hers, and giggled softly. "So, how is everything?"
"Good, for the most part", her coltfriend answered. "We've got that Spike in Intelligence, and he's in my division. The Princess selected him specifically to lead the search for Shining Armor. He actually has skill for this sort of thing, from what we see. He'll be done with the basics in a few days; he's a fast learner."
"Good, good...", Lyra responded. "So, he's leading that thing...he's going to need help."
"That's actually one of the things I want to ask you", Whooves told her. "Her Highness said he could have anyone on his team that could help. Me and you were attached to his team."
"Me?" The notion caught Lyra by surprise. "Why me?"
"Well, for this kind of job, he's going to need some tools...so, could you dig through your old inventions and see if there's anything we can use? Please?"
Lyra chuckled. "What makes you think I want to help you?"
Whooves nuzzled his marefriend's face with his. "Because I know you're nice and you'd help me..."
Lyra blushed a little bit. "Oh, alright..."
"Thank you." Whooves kissed Lyra briefly, and smiled softly at his marefriend after they broke off. They looked at each other, feeling the attraction between them.
Lyra went to the couch in her office and laid down on her side, and smiled seductively at Whooves. "Why don't we...meet in the western garden after your shift is over...just you and me..."
"I've got about an hour left, and I need to get to Spike and tell him a few things", Whooves explained, "So...we'll see..."
"Okay...", she whispered, eyes looking up at him, fluttering a bit. "I'll be looking forward to it..."
"So will I...", Whooves whispered back. He gave her a light kiss on the side of her face, and then turned away, going back to his division.
* * *
Spike looked at himself, dressed in the digital patterned uniform, in the mirror's reflection. He saw the patch that denoted him a member of the Intelligence Unit, and he smiled. He was in the service of Celestia again...not as the companion to her student anymore, but still, his service to her meant so much right now.
It did not, however, negate his betrayal. He would still have to work hard to redeem himself.
He was still generally distrusted, whether those around him were vocal about it or not. He felt shunned, somewhat. It was understandable, but it didn't make it stop hurting. He deserved to die, but he was given a second chance, and he couldn't waste it.
He found a small picture of Twilight Sparkle, and Celestia let him keep it. He also kept a picture of Rarity, stolen and kept hidden while he was collaborating with the Lunars in Ponyville. He kept it in his room, placing his hand on them whenever he left or entered the room, and saying goodnight and good morning to them whenever he slept or woke up. It was a pattern to help him remember them, Twilight his sister, and Rarity his lover.
His room was excellent for Spike, considering it was located in the Palace. There was a very comfortable bed, and he had two dressers to store his clothing and personal belongings. A small pair of chairs and a coffee table were on the other side of the room, should he have guests. There was also a bathroom attached to his room. Though it was made for equines, it suited his needs.
He heard a knock on the door, and he answered it. Whooves stood there, and saluted. Spike saluted back, and told Whooves to ease. "Sir, I have gotten our team a technological genius."
"Great", Spike said. "Who is it?"
"Erm...", Whooves trailed, "It's Doctor Lyra Heartstrings, sir. She's a leading scientist in the Solar Empire. She designs and builds military equipment for our use."
"Is that so", Spike asked.
"Yes sir", Whooves answered.
"Well, it's good we have her on our side." Spike invited Whooves in, and had him sit down in one of the chairs. "Thank you for doing all this for me...after what I did."
"You're welcome, sir", Whooves replied. "But remember: we're doing this for Her Highness, sir."
"Yes...", he trailed. That was foremost: his job was to do the bidding of Princess Celestia. "Well, thank you anyway..." He looked around, and saw the pictures in frames on his bedstand. "I wish I could bring them back..."
"You loved them, sir", Whooves both commented and asked.
Spike nodded. "Twilight...Her Highness's student...was my sister...I was found by Her Highness's followers, and brought to her...I was raised by Her Highness, and then given to her student as a companion. Me and Twilight were like siblings..." Spike sighed. "...and I regret ever action I took six months ago..." He looked to Rarity's picture. "That other one", he explained, "was of the mare I loved more than anything...she was so beautiful...I had a huge crush on her before, but then...I found out she wanted me too...and we started a relationship...
"How deep, sir", Whooves asked. "If you don't mind, saying, sir."
Spike sighed. "I'd rather not talk about it..."
"That's fine, sir", Whooves answered.
"You don't have to...", Spike started, and then stopped, realizing that Whooves's use of 'sir' was mandatory in his position. "Well, do we need anyone else?"
"We could always do with more, sir", Whooves said honestly.
Spike thought for a bit. Who would help him? Was there anyone...
An idea came. Not a good one, but still an idea. "I have one...but it's going to take a lot of convincing."
* * *
A Week Later...
swoosh...swoosh...swoosh...swoosh...
The ceiling fan turned around slowly, cooling the bedroom. Around and around it went, as the lone pink pony in the room lay on her bed, eyes up and staring intently at the fan.
swoosh...swoosh...swoosh...
The room was decent, but a bit small. It had her bed, a nightstand, a shelf and dresser, along with her cluttered closet. She stared up, as the fan turned around.
It brought back memories. Memories of the war.
swoosh...swoosh...
fhwump...fhwump...fhwump...
In reality, she sat, staring at the fan. But her mind was elsewhere. Back among the rocks, sitting with her friends, with a bounty of food and ready to eat. Fluttershy with her rifle and rocket launcher. Everyone sitting...they were a bit lost without Twilight and Rarity.
But it was still a good day...
fhwump...fhwump...fhwump...
That's what they heard.
And when they looked up, they saw it coming toward them. The Lunar Rotary craft, its rotors spinning fast, making that dreadful noise. It came in, and opened fire...
She remembered ducking for cover, and as the dust cleared...hearing Rainbow Dash's piercing cries of pain as she lay wounded, shot several times by the rotary craft. She remembered galloping away too, with Applejack carrying Dash and the other girls running with them...and how Fluttershy stayed behind, sacrificing herself.
fhwump...fhwump...fhwump...
swoosh...swoosh...swoosh...
Reality came back, but her mind danced with the recollection...a dozen of those craft flying in her head, all around. Shooting...also seeing the ones of the Solar side, like the one that saved her life...
Pinkie Pie laid, her flat mane spread on the pillow. She looked away, slightly closing her eyes...and a tear flowing from one.
In just a few months she had lost all her best friends. To a war.
No longer would Rarity boast of her dresses
No longer would Twilight would read in her tree-brary
No longer would Rainbow Dash fly around, bragging at her skills
No longer would Fluttershy go out, tending to the nature around her
No longer would Applejack be on her farm, collecting apples
It was now just Pinkie Pie...the last of the six.
Alive...and sometimes she wished she wasn't anymore.
Pinkie's tears multiplied, wetting her face. She wept softly, for her deceased friends, begging in her mind for her to see them again.
Pinkie stopped after a bit, sniffing, and drying her face with one of her hooves. She decided to get up, and she moved over to her closet. She opened it up with one hoof, and moved a few things away, revealing a chest. The chest was made of wood, carved with the three balloons of her cutie mark on the front. It was simple, not too crafty. It was among the things Pinkie received as a gift from Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Derpy, who said that they all pitched in for it to be made.
Pinkie opened it, with the worn picture of Pinkie and all her friends taped to the under-lid. She looked at it, holding back tears. The top shelf of the chest held numerous nostalgic items, usually connected to her friends. Among them, were the necklace, that once held her element, Laughter. The Princess had it repaired aesthetically as much as possible. It may not give her a magical power anymore, but it was still flair. But it carried as well another memory.
Pinkie moved the other shelf. Underneath, lay a rifle in a case made for it, magazine next to it, and a box of ammo in another niche. The rifle had carvings in its stock, left behind by its former owner, Fluttershy. Pinkie looked at it. She kept it, as a memory. She sometimes took it out, and assembled it, just for a time.
Pinkie just looked at it for a few moments, debating on whether or not to take it out. She decided not to, and put the shelf back on, and closed the chest.
Pinkie went back on her bed to lay down, simply breathing. She closed her eyes in effort to rest, but had another episode of grief. She wept some more, soaking the pillow with her tears, muffling her cry with it.
She heard the door open, and saw Derpy in the doorway.
"Hey...Pinkie...", she greeted nervously. "I...I heard you...while I was walking by..."
Pinkie sniffed. "I'm...I'm sorry...it's just..."
"Ssh...ssh...", Derpy whispered. She went to Pinkie's side, and stroked the pink pony's hair with her hoof. "I know...your friends meant a lot...Dash was a great friend to me, and I'm sure she meant greatly to you too...just relax...dry your tears..."
Pinkie nodded, sniffing. This wasn't the first time this happened...Pinkie's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as it was called, made it so that she constantly grew afraid of anything that reminded her of her war. She would also have episodes of grief, which went along with just her general survivor's guilt.
Derpy continued to stroke her mane. "There's someone here to see you..."
Pinkie sniffed. "Okay...", she answered. Derpy helped her up, and led her downstairs. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were already at the door, waiting. Derpy allowed Pinkie to go first.
When she opened the door, Pinkie saw who stood before her. A familiar purple and green scaled young dragon, with a military uniform and satchel. She lunged at the person, lashing out. Her hoof repeatedly struck his face. She screamed at Spike:"WHY ARE YOU HERE!? TRAITOR!!"
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle ripped her off of Spike before she could do any major damage.
Spike got up, blood running down his face. "I'm sorry...", he whispered to Sweetie and Scootaloo. "I...I know I'm the last person you want to see..."
The two Solar soldiers that accompanied him helped keep him steady. Both were in full uniform, save black berets instead of helmets. They carried rifles in slings, and sidearms in holsters, accessible by their legs and hooves.
Pinkie Pie straightened, eyes looking at Spike. Her expression was full of hatred. "YOU...you betrayed us! You lying piece of filth! You got Twilight Sparkle killed! Shot! Right in front of our eyes!..." Pinkie stopped, eyes tearing and looking down. "Because of you...because of you...she's dead...because of you..."
A silence hung in the air. Spike said nothing, lowing his head in shame. "I wish I hadn't done that"", he began again. "I...I want to go back...change all that...stop myself."
One of the soldiers cleared his throat, butting in. "Miss Pie, we came here because our friend told us you could help us."
Pinkie looked up. "What makes you think I want to help him?"
"Please, ma'am", the other soldier implored, "this isn't for him, it's for the greater good. Her highness has recruited him to find a High-Value Individual. But he can't do it alone. He needs help. The Solar Empire needs your help."
Pinkie looked at him and scoffed. "Why don't you have the military help him?"
"Trust me, we're doing the best we can", the other soldier told her. "But our forces are spread at an armistice at the border. We don't have much to spare. We need help from ponies like you. Spike tells us you're good."
Pinkie sighed. Derpy stood at the door, and asked the party to go inside. All followed her in, and went to the dining room table.
"Who are you looking for", Pinkie asked.
Spike went into his satchel, taking out a dossier. He put it on the table, and slid it to Pinkie. Two photos slid out, and Pinkie opened the dossier.
"That's...that's Twilight's brother..."
"Dishonored Captain Shining Armor", one soldier confirmed. "He's gone AWOL, Absent Without Leave. He took leave from his duties to Her Highness. He is dangerous, and needs to be found."
"Reportedly", the other soldier continued, "he was driven mad by the deaths of his wife and his sister, who died a year apart. Spike tells us that him and you were close to his sister."
Pinkie nodded. "We did...she was a very good friend..." She cocked her head toward Spike, glaring. "...at least to me..."
The soldier continued. "We feel the need that he needs to be dealt with.
The other added: "He needs to be terminated...with extreme prejudice."
"You mean...", Pinkie asked, "...kill him?"
"If need be", the soldier answered. "Realize this: you are to do this without drawing attention to yourself. He needs to be stopped before he can achieve whatever goal he wants. Do so without brining it public. If he does bring any sort of action of his public, then you work without informing anyone that you're hunting him. Understand?"
"Yes...", she trailed.
"Pinkie, please...help us", Spike begged. "We need it...she needs it...do it to make things right..."
Pinkie sat for a few moments, considering their pleas. "I'll...think about it..."
"Ma'am, with all due respect, we need an answer as soon as...", the soldier began.
"I said", she told him, voice growing harsher. "I'll think about it..." She turned to Spike. "I won't do it for you Spike...if I do...not after what you did..." She turned back to the soldiers. "As for you...I fought a war for months; saw most of my best friends get killed...then learned that the other died...I am alone now...please...leave me for a bit...I need to rest..."
Pinkie trudged upstairs without a word. The remaining group looked uneasy around. Derpy apologized for Pinkie's behavior, and went to the door. Spike and the soldiers followed.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stopped Spike, and looked to him. Their faces were straight, not a sign of sympathy nor anger toward him.
"Why did you do it, Spike", Scootaloo asked. "Why did you sell us out."
Spike sniffed. "Because I was scared..." He looked to them. "You have to believe me...I had no choice..."
"You always had a choice", Sweetie Belle told him. She then sighed. "But what's done is done..." She looked upstairs. "Come on, there's something I want to show you..."
Spike looked to the soldiers for approval, and they nodded, standing at the base of the staircase. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle led Spike upstairs to Sweetie Belle's room. Sweetie went to her bed, and drug out a worn sack. There were faint lines where the Lunar patch had been before Rarity sewed it off. She rummage through, and found a folded note. She gave it to Spike.
"Rarity wrote it before she died...it was intended for you..."
Spike took the letter, trembling. He gulped and slowly and shakingly opened it. He read it to himself.
Dear my beloved Spike,
It's been so long since I've seen you by the time I have written this letter. I've lost count. Weeks, months even, but it feels like an eternity.
Not a day goes by when I'm not thinking about you...about how before all this happened...we'd be snuggled close in my house...together...the two of us, so in love...
I...don't know if I'll make it. When you read this letter, I'll either be dead, or I sincerely and desperately hope...I'll be before you, reading this to you.
I miss you, my darling, with all my heart. It aches without you with me. I want this war to end, so I can be with you again.
Keep safe...we'll be together soon.
Love,
Rarity
P.S. I never answered the question you asked the night before I left. I'm sorry, but the invasion came. I had to leave.
But here's my answer:
Yes. A million times yes.
Spike held the letter for a bit. His eyes teared up, and he dropped it, sitting down, burying his head in his hands. After a few moments, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle heard sobs.
"What did you ask", Sweetie Belle inquired of Spike.
Spike dug in his pocket, still crying, and held out a small square box. He flicked it open...and inside was a ring.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both sighed in pity and remorse. "Oh...", Sweetie Belle trailed, "You...you proposed to her...my sister..."
* * *
"Spike's team has turned up with nothing yet, your highness"
"It's the same report across the land..", the Princess whispered. Shining Armor had not been sighted yet. He eluded capture five days before at the train's destination, and now is no where to be found. Luna was also made aware of the disappearance, and she placed a search warrant as well for her armies. However, Intelligence reported that the search warrant could indeed be a bounty, not a warrant. The thought angered Celestia a little, but she let it pass. She could only hope he'd be alright.
"Spike, though, has sought out an ally. We have no word if he succeed or not."
She nodded, and dismissed the news-bearer, and sat on her throne, pondering. Shining Armor had a hatred for Luna, that was no doubt...but he was smarter than this. Wasn't he? He knew how to fight a battle, and when something was impossible.
The last thought made her think more. Was he planning something? But that was suicide...and he should know that. But what if he did know that, and didn't care? That the death of Luna would complete his need in the world and he'd happily die after? The thought made Celestia consider Shining Armor even more dangerous.
Even while assuming he knew that it was suicide to do it alone, it was also near-impossible. He would need help. But who would help him? And how good will his followers be? Would they stand against Lunars only? Or, maybe, they would turn their fury on the Solar Empire as well.
The thought was horrible...and it was happening right as she was about to make peace with her sister. What everyone needed was slipping from her grasp.
Shining Armor had not done anything yet...but how long until he did?
* * *
That night, Shining Armor crept through the wood-line, seeing the light through the trees. He had traveled long-ways to get here, sneaking past both Solar and Lunar lines alike. A week of travel, mostly by foot, but he had made it to a rest point. He noticed that the front line wasn't terribly far from where he was, at most ten miles.
He pushed aside a bush slightly with his hoof and looked out. Beyond the bush was a fairly large clearing, and within, a village that took up the clearing. Roads led into the village, all lined with oil lamps hanging from posts. The village was fairly large, holding about several hundred residents, and dotted with wooden and stone buildings. However, how old-fashioned it appeared to be, Armor knew there must be technology. Most notably: the Lunar guard posts at each entrance.
Shining Armor snuck around the outskirts searching for an opening. He noticed the tired guards, inattentive and weary. This meant that his entry into the village would not be difficult. Armor got down, and crawled carefully, so as not to draw any attention. Then, an officer addressed the guards at post, and Armor took the opportunity to bolt through an alley and into the scarcely populated streets. Along it, were several citizens on various tasks, and weary Lunar patrols.
Armor was draped in a cloak, covering most of his body, and a hood to hide his face. He looked around, and saw how pretty the village looked...and sometimes, how the war affected here too. Several buildings were reduced to rubble, obviously by stray explosive rounds hitting them during an attack...or intentional strikes on strategic positions. Either was possible.
He passed by several other shops and houses, with bullet impacts on the walls and holes in the windows. It seemed so unfortunate for someplace so gorgeous to experience something so dreadful.
Remember who caused this, Shining Armor remembered. As he strolled around, he saw tarnished Lunar banners hanging from the balconies and windows. More interestingly, when he passed by a square, he noticed a gallows in the center, its noose swaying ominously in the night. Armor examined it, and concluded that it was made hastily, and was built within the last few months...which meant it was erected by the occupation forces. For all he knew, it could have been used recently.
Shining Armor continued trotting, looking for an open inn. At last, he saw light from the windows of a tavern, lying in its own small area, not attached to any other structure. He went to the window, hearing the bustle of conversation and music as he drew closer. The patrons were enjoying themselves, engaging in conversation and indulging in the sweet taste of cider in steins.
Armor scanned the room, and saw a small musical entourage, a mare playing the cello, accompanied by a pianist and a harp player. All together, they formed the most harmonious and beautiful music that Armor had heard in a while.
Shining Armor decided to go inside, tired of anti-socially staring. He pushed open the door, and was relatively unnoticed by the patrons. Some did look up, eyes trailing him briefly. He saw one whisper "newcomer". Other than that, it was a s if no one cared he was there.
The cellist started a solo as Armor made his way to the counter, taking a seat on the stool. Her playing was beautiful, every not perfect. The entire room kept silent and watch, seeing the black maned and gray bodied mare continued. When she finished, she was met with thunderous applause. She bowed her head, sweaty from her performance and the heat of the candles and lamps that lit the room.
Shining Armor looked at her, noticing her beauty.
Cadence..., the name echoed in Armor's head. He shook out all thoughts of the cellist. Remember Cadence...who killed her, why you're here...
He looked to the stallion behind the counter, and asked for a pint of cider. He took two coins out of his pouch with his magic, and slid them to the tavern keep. The keep nodded, and slid the coins with his hoof into the drawer. He then turned to the barrels behind him, taking a stein and filling it with cider. He slid it to Armor, and thanked him for his patronage.
Shining Armor drank, mind formulating a plan from where he was. He was now at a place of rest, where he could stop for a while. Now, he had to blend in here and find way to locate Luna. Then, and with help from here if he could find it, he would go to no end to end the princess.
Armor chuckled. Perhaps he was delusional, blinded by rage. But Luna needed to be stopped, personal reasons aside. The Princess of the Moon had ruined lives long enough, and caused too much damage to the land. She needed to answer for her crimes.
His thought train was derailed when the cellist sat down next to him. She placed the bag with her instrument behind her, and ordered a pint, like Armor had. When she received it, she smiled and drank happily.
Shining Armor avoided eye contact, wanting to keep his anonymity. He tried to focus his mind back on track.
"Trying to avoid contact with me, aren't you", the cellist beside him spoke. Armor's eyes widened, hearing her regal voice. "Deaf too? I'll have you know that I know practically everyone in this town...and you're not one of them. You're a newcomer."
Shining Armor was pressured into responding. "Err...yes."
"I knew it", the cellist said with some excitement to her voice. "Welcome to
Coltshire. I assume you've been around town...seen the sights...I saw you in the crowd during my performance..."
"Yes...I was there...it sounded beautiful."
"Thank you very much...", she replied. She took another sip of her drink. "What brings you here.
"Opportunity", SA vaguely responded. He took some more of his drink. "I assume this town is aligned with Luna..."
"Are you?"
"Why..."
Shining Armor heard a thud on the counter and looked down. The keep was pointing a pistol at him. When he looked to other patrons, some had weapons drawn too.
He then looked to the cellist, who had withdrawn a pistol from her bag. All barrels were pointed at Shining Armor. The cellist asked: "Well, are you?"
Shining Armor judged the situation, and made his next decision carefully: "No, I'm not."
"Good", the cellist answered. The tavern relaxed and put down their arms, along with the tavern keep. The cellist leaned down and put away her weapon too. The room continued to look to Shining Armor, though.
"So, I assume all of you hate the occupation", Armor asked, "despite the banners you fly."
All nodded.
"Do any of you do a thing about it? A resistance? Leaders?"
The room scuffled, looking at one another. Eventually all looked to beside Armor.
He turned his head slowly to the cellist, who was smirking. She extended her hoof. "The name is Octavia, cellist, community member and...resistance leader."
Shining Armor nodded. He saw the crowd resume their conversation. "Is everyone here part of the resistance?"
"No, unfortunately", Octavia admitted. "A lot of us are, but some simply cannot stand up to the occupation. But all of us detest the Lunars here. No one will help the enemy."
"I see" he answered. "Explain the gallows, please."
"They use it to make examples...", Octavia explained, eyes looking away and narrowing. "...of rebellious citizens."
"How often do they use it?"
"Whenever they catch someone breaking their rules...", Octavia explained further. "They hang them and leave them there for however long they see fit...I'm glad I keep my neck out of the noose. I've known others to not be as lucky..." Octavia drained the last of her pint.
"How barbaric", Shining Armor remarked.
"Indeed it is...Captain", Octavia shot at him.
Armor's eyes widened and he beamed at her. "You...how...me..."
"'Captain of Her Highness's Guard, Shining Armor'", Octavia addressed, half-mockingly. "Your name was all over the news twice. When you married her highness's niece and..." Octavia stopped, not wanting to go any further, lest she hurt him. "Allow me to say I'm so sorry for your loss..."
Shining Armor knew what she meant. "Thank you for your condolences..."
"She seemed very nice...", Octavia trailed.
"She was...", Shining Armor replied.
Octavia nodded. She then procured three more coins from her bag, and slid them to the keep. "May I have a room upstairs for me and...", She turned to Armor, "...him."
"What", Armor asked, confused.
"You heard me", she said. She leaned in to his ear and whispered, "I'm going to protect your identity, but while the Lunars are still here, we have to pose as sweethearts, understand?"
"Okay...", Armor answered back. Well, that's one way to keep him safe.
The keep took the coins, and deposited them in the drawer. He asked Octavia: "Now, a two-bed or single-bed?"
"Single-bed", she answered.
"What, no", Armor cut in. "Two bed."
Octavia placed her hoof over Armor's mouth. "Single-bed."
The keep nodded and went to the other side of the bar. When he returned, he slid a key to Octavia, who gave it to Armor. "We'll have to make it as real as possible...which means sharing the same bed. Don't worry; I won't try to touch you if you don't want."
Shining Armor looked at her confusingly. "Okay...good, I guess..."
Octavia got up, and got her belongings, going to the staircase. "Okay, Captain. Let's go."
"Alright", he answered. He got off his seat, and collected his belongings. He followed her upstairs to the room, and opened it with his key. Both of them deposited their belongings on the ground. Octavia took off her bowtie, and placed it with her belongings.
Armor removed his cloak and placed it on the ground, folding it in his magic. He hid the key in it. "Octavia...how did you come here, may I ask. How did you start to hate Luna..."
Octavia paused. "Well...I was here on a gig...and my best friend...Vinyl Scratch...was off in Manehattan doing her own gig. Me and her...we're such close friends...but so different. She likes all that electronic music, and I enjoy classical...but we're nearly inseparable...or at least were..."
"Oh...what happened", Armor asked.
Octavia paused. "I was caught here and she in Manehattan when the invasion started...I stayed her, enduring this occupation. But I needed to know what happened to my friend...I tried asking the occupation leaders here, and they turned me away, saying they wouldn't know. So...I took it upon myself to escape here...but to further into Lunar territory...I went to various officials and military officers, ones that I found out may know about what happened...I made deals, negotiated and...did a few things I'm not proud of, but were necessary."
"You whored yourself out to the Lunars...", he trailed.
She shook her head. "It was necessary, okay? I...I needed to know what happened...and sometimes, giving a stallion his carnal desires was the way to...some are just sleazes...only interested in what's in-between my flanks..."
Shining Armor looked down. That sounded awful, to have to do that. "What...what happened..."
"I eventually bucked the right one...he told me what I wanted...but it wasn't what I wanted to hear...Vinyl was killed in the occupation, after when she refused to submit to authority...they took her to an alley and shot her in the back of the head, throwing her body into a mass grave...I...I was so upset...so mournful...and then...so angry...I wanted to make sure the Lunars paid for what they did..." She paused, and sniffed. "Why are you here, Captain? Did Celestia send you?"
"No...", he trailed. "I went AWOL. I can't stand this stupid treaty she wants to sign with Luna. I need...to take it in my own hooves...to make sure justice is done...to my sister and my wife..."
"You lost your sister too...that's terrible...", she responded with remorse.
"It...it was...that was the last straw...now I know I have to end that Princess's rule...Luna's...Celestia won't do anything...so I must do it myself..."
Octavia nodded. "Well, let's head to bed..."
"Okay", Armor replied. Both him and her went to the single bed in the room, and went in on either side. He felt awkward sleeping next to her in the same bed, but he knew this was the only way.
"Goodnight...", she whispered, going down, facing the opposite direction. Both fell asleep, dreaming of their respective lost ones.