There was more blood than usual. Most of the wounded that made it to the field hospital were the ones hit by the changelings fiery, spell-like projectiles, but this poor fellow looked like he'd been mauled. Rarity took in the scene with a cold, calculating eye. There were several bite wounds on the stallion's shoulders and forelegs. The flesh around the punctures looked necrotic. A blood-soaked bandage on his neck presumably covered another wound. His face was scratched and bruised, his eyes swollen shut. One of his hind legs was stuck out at an unnatural angle. Nearly every inch of his grey coat was spattered with blood. When she had first joined the medical corps such a gruesome sight would have made her faint, but the past year and a half had given her plenty of time to practice controlling her reactions.
"Get another hemostat!" Rarity called as a pair of nurses wheeled the injured soldier into the small operating tent.
"Yes doctor," one of the nurses said before scurrying back out of the tent.
"This chap is going to need anti-venom," Rarity said, levitating medical supplies from the various shelves around the room. "A double dose, I think."
"Got it," The remaining nurse said, trotting over to a refrigerated chest.
Rarity was just laying out her tools and bandages when she was interrupted by a commotion outside.
"Let me in!"
"It's probably best if you wait out here."
"But I'm a medic; I can help!"
Rarity threw open the tent flap to see what was going on. Outside, the nurse she'd sent for a hemostat was standing in front of a mare with eyes the color of amber.
"Let her in dear," Rarity said, touching her nurse on the shoulder, "I'm sure she'll make herself useful and this fellow can't wait on us while we argue. Of course I'll need to know your name first, darling."
"It's Autumn. And thanks," the amber-eyed mare said and together they hurried back into the tent where the other nurse was administering the anti-venom. Rarity took the extra hemostat from the nurse and ordered her to prepare some anesthetic. Their patient was currently unconscious, but there was no telling when he would wake up and this was going to be a nasty procedure. With Autumn's help, the white unicorn removed the bandage around the soldier's neck to reveal another bite wound, still welling with blood.
"Suction that, please," Rarity ordered levitating a needle and surgical thread off of her tray. Autumn responded quicker than either of the nurses, rapidly clearing the wound of excess blood. Rarity leaned forward and used her hooves to gently prod the stallion's flesh apart to get a better look at the wound. As she suspected, the soldier's carotid artery had been nicked. It would have to be clamped before she could stitch it shut. She quickly secured both hemostats on the large blood vessel before setting to work with her needle and thread. Repairing a major artery was always a daunting task, but Rarity's work was never less than perfect. Before the war had started, Rarity would never have thought her stitching could get more precise, but when a patient is in danger of bleeding out . . . one finds a way. In a matter of seconds, the puncture in the artery was closed.
With the most critical danger out of the way, Rarity set to work on the rest of the stallion's injuries. Many of the minor cuts needed to be sutured, but the edges were still ragged and festering. The snow-white unicorn handed off her needle and thread to Autumn and took up her razor sharp scalpel and began slicing away the blackened flesh around each wound. Each cut was clean and precise, shaving away the tiniest amount of healthy skin to be sure the gangrene would not spread. Autumn followed, stitching the wounds shut with an expert hoof.
"Those stitches look quite professional, dear. Almost done now," Rarity said as she finished trimming the last wound. "We just have to set this leg to rights and he'll be well on his way to recovery."
"I'll do that if you don't mind ma'am," Autumn said.
"Be my guest dear. I never could tolerate setting bones. Such a dreadful crack." The red-maned mare nodded and took hold of the injured stallion's leg, bracing it between her hooves. Rarity winced at the sound of the fractured bone popping back together. "Now all that's left is the cast. The nurses will see to that."
"Right," Autumn said, "Um. Thanks for letting me help. I couldn't . . . Um. Just, thanks."
Rarity nodded, smiling. "You're familiar with the poor lad, I take it?"
"Dusty," the young mare's voice trembled over the name. "He's in my squad. It . . . It's my fault he's . . . that he almost--" Autumn fell silent, clenching her eyes shut over a welling of tears.
"There there," Rarity said, putting a hoof to her shoulder and gently guiding her out of the tent. "If I had a bit for every time I heard a soldier blame themselves for a friend's injury I'd be living in Canterlot Castle when this is all over."
"Yeah maybe. I just . . . Well, thanks for saving him. He's kind of the only thing holding us all together since we lost our last sergeant."
"Oh dear! I'm so sorry."
"No no, not like that. She was recalled. By the Princess of all ponies. I guess it's not terribly surprising considering her role in the initial invasion of Canterlot, but she never made herself out as anything special."
"Just a moment," Rarity said, perking her ears, "her role in the invasion?"
"Yeah, she's one of Twilight Sparkle's friends. Applejack. I nearly had a heart attack when I hear my sergeant was an Element of Harmony. I mean, she's no Sapphire Shores, but she's still a hero. They all are. I would think they would have a bigger part in the war, ya know?"
Rarity was still reeling a bit at the sudden news of her friend, but even greater was her surprise at being referred to as a hero as if it were common knowledge. How many hours had she spent fantasizing about having her name known far and wide? Surely she couldn't have be earned celebrity without ever realizing it. Or could she?
"Oh I don't know," she said, employing her practiced talent for conversation, "They've always seemed like any other pony to me."
"Are you kidding?" Autumn said incredulously, "I'd like to see just any other pony use some ancient artifacts to beat a near deity. Twice!"
"Well of course, but everyone knows how unpredictable magic can be. Who's to say they were chosen to wield the Elements of Harmony for any specific reason?" Rarity replied, subtly nudging Autumn toward revealing the information she sought.
"You're joking, right? Everypony knows that each of them was chosen because their personality represents one of the Elements. The magic wouldn't work otherwise."
Rarity made a show of placating the younger mare, saying, "I just mean to say they don't seem all that different from the rest of us. Do any of them display a special talent that sets them apart more than any other pony's talent would?"
"You been living under a rock or something? Are you seriously telling me you haven't heard about what these mares can do?" Bingo. Rarity lifted her eyebrows in a polite challenge, knowing just what Autumn would say next. "Well, Twilight Sparkle can sling some serious magic. Some say she's even more powerful than Princess Celestia. And Applejack once harvested nearly three hundred acres of apples by herself! Take it from a pony who's seen her in action. That's no exaggeration. Then there's Rainbow Dash, the only pegasus ever to pull off a sonic rainboom. One of them, Rarity, she's a tailor, er, fashionista. Applejack said the last pony to call her a tailor got his jacket turned into a filly's frock, while he was still wearing it. Anyway, she makes the most beautiful clothing a pony could wear and hearsay is that the only reason she isn't already the toast of the Canterlot snobbery is because she practically gives her work away. And don't get me started on Pinkie Pie--"
Rarity gave her usual, flawless, automatic responses to the rest of Autumn's praising monologue. She really was famous. And not just because she'd saved the world twice. Her work, her life's passion, was the most beautiful clothing a pony could wear. Her foalhood dreams had come true long ago and she'd never known. She wasn't sure whether to be disappointed or ecstatic, so she settled on being simply stunned.
"Still think they're not so different from the rest of us?" Autumn challenged.
"I suppose you do have a point," Rarity said, a sly smile curling her lips as she realized what a delicious opportunity she had been presented. Here this young admirer had been practically worshiping her and her friends, never realizing to whom she was speaking. It was perfect. Revealing herself would be the most excellent drama. She lifted a hoof to her chest with an elegant flourish. "Well my dear, I must say I am so--" very flattered. I had no idea how my friends and I were so adored. The words were poised at her lips, waiting like a prima ballerina just offstage. Autumn would hear them and be confused for a moment. Rarity could picture her expression as the realization slowly dawned. It would be perfect. It would have been perfect. If only she hadn't happened to glance at her hoof and seen the blood that stained her snowy coat there.
Suddenly, the past few minutes seemed like a charade. It had been easy to fall under the spell woven by the foal-like interpretation of her own character. Not least because it had all been true. She had been that generous and talented pony, known for her exquisite skill and unquestionable virtue. And perhaps, some day, she would be again. But today she was just another medic in the midst of the most brutal conflict any living pony could remember. Just a medic with blood on her hooves.
"You alright doc?" Autumn's said, shattering her sudden reverie.
"Yes yes," Rarity replied hastily, "I was just saying that I am so happy to share my days with such great ponies. And I'm sure they're doing all they can to help in the fight."
"Yeah I suppose you're right," Autumn said, obviously accepting Rarity's cover. "But I should get back to my squad. With Dusty out of commission, I'm next in line. Thanks again!"
Rarity waved as the red-maned mare trotted away, toward the camp's main barricade. The white mare was still for a few seconds. She felt an emotional crisis coming on. A real one. The kind she had never been sure how to deal with before the war. Now, though, she knew exactly how to react. She told it to wait, willing it to suspend itself until such a time that she could afford herself the luxury of a proper break down. For now, she had rounds to make, patients on whom to check.
Her routine duties were taking up more of her time each day as wounded ponies from the ongoing battle poured into the camp. It had been nearly three weeks since the bulk of the remaining changeling swarms had been pushed back through Galloping Gorge and pinned between the eastern and western pony armies. The tides had turned rather abruptly after the sacrifice of Cloudsdale. The entirety of the changeling forces had been nearly cut in half and rumors were swirling that they had somehow lost the ability to produce reinforcements. There had been word that a few smaller swarms were still at large in the west, but with the largest swarm trapped in the gorge, it was only a matter of time.
The war was all but over, and everypony knew it. Rarity had thought that, with victory so close, she might see a decrease in the number of casualties, but found that the reality was a bit more complicated. Indeed, fewer pony bodies arrived at the field hospital after being killed in action, but there had been a spike in the number of wounded. It seemed ponies were no longer so willing to take risks or sacrifice themselves for a mission. It was perfectly understandable. Once the end seems inevitable, it becomes easy for a pony to convince herself that her death might not be so necessary. But this also meant that ponies were more likely to hesitate or fail to commit to an action, leading to an imperfect execution of a maneuver. Rarity had heard enough stories of botched missions to know that imperfections in a battle lead to injury.
It was dark by the time Rarity finished her rounds and finally returned to her tent. Most of the possessions she had deemed necessary to bring on campaign had long since been lost or abandoned, leaving the small tent sparse and lonely. One of the only things she had managed to keep was a small mirror. It was tarnished and cracked by the time she returned from her first deployment, but it was still a source of joy for her. At least it had been. Tonight when she looked at her reflection all she could see was a mare with bags under her eyes and her hair tucked up into a slightly disheveled bun. She was the image of practicality. Nothing like the lovely, talented, mysterious mare whose grace and generosity was known throughout her home town.
With a sigh, Rarity placed the mirror face-down on her portable field desk and levitated a quill and paper in front of her. She chewed the end of the quill for a moment, recalling her sister's previous letter. Then she dipped the quill and began to write.
November 27th, C.Y. 1003
My dearest Sweetie Belle,
I'm sorry to have delayed so long in returning your letter. My duties have expanded significantly since Doctor Redheart was-- Rarity halted her quill for a moment. She had always avoided talking about casualties when writing to her sister, especially casualties from Ponyville. But her sister was nearly eleven now. And with the war coming to an end, she would soon discover for herself just how many of the ponies she had known from home were not going to return. With a deep breath, she continued. killed last month. I have since assumed her position as head doctor of the fifth mobile medical corps. It is a difficult job, but very rewarding. Just today I saved a young stallion's life. That alone makes up for all of the hardships I have had to face during this dreadful war.
Even so, I long to return to my previous occupation, and I am happy to report that that may be possible in the near future. No doubt you already know that the changeling army has been cornered in Galloping Gorge. They are still quite resistant, but our supply lines are safe and we have a consistent influx of recruits. The army is in very good condition. Also, it should put your mind at ease to know that I am far from danger for this phase of the campaign. I know you have worried so. But it seems that the worst has passed. Every day we wear away at them and I expect the war to be over within a month.
I simply cannot wait to see you and Mother and Father again. I would love to hear you sing a few of the pieces from your earlier letters. Particularly Victoire de Equestria. The lyrics in that one were divinely poetic.
I was sorry to hear that there still has been no sign of your friend Scootaloo. I know you are worried but you must have faith. War has a way of scattering ponies. Everyone is faced with challenges they have never expected and often some things take priority over reuniting with one's friends. Trust me, dear sister. Soon the war will be over and everypony will find their way back to one another.
Your loving sister,
Rarity
P.S. You have improved greatly since our first game of chess, but I am afraid you still have much to learn. Bishop to B5. And that's Checkmate. No rematch this time. The next time we play, it will be in person
A tiny, wooden bishop floated across the small chess board on Rarity's desk, pinning the enemy king. Playing chess through letters had been yet another of Sweetie Belle's schemes to earn a cutie mark. While the game was not terribly appealing, Rarity couldn't bring herself to refuse an activity that granted her sister some semblance of normalcy, though she very much doubted that the image of a chess piece would be adorning Sweetie Belle's flank any time soon.
Rarity reached over, intending to knock the king over in symbolic defeat when an explosion rocked the tent, causing all of the chess pieces to fall and role about on the board. Rarity's initial surprise at the sudden noise faded swiftly into a feeling of dread. She went to her tent flap and threw it open, emerging into an eerie scene. The camp was as still and quiet as it was every night. A few ponies were outside, exhibiting the tense indecision of soldiers who knew that a threat was approaching but unsure what it was or from where it would come. A flash of green lit up the night sky to the east for a fraction of a second. A heartbeat later, another explosion rumbled through the camp.
Alarms began to blare. It was a general call to arms. In a matter of seconds, the stillness of night was replaced by chaos as ponies scrambled from their tents. Officially, doctors were not required to take any action for a general alarm, but Rarity could never stand the thought of sitting around in her tent waiting to be summoned for an emergency. So she made her way back to the field hospital. Her nurses were already there. Doctor Readheart had trained them well. Rarity didn't hesitate to put them to work.
"Shimmer-jewel, please check on our supply of bandages. I believe we were running low. Daisy, show Bottlecap and Lucky how to prepare anti-venom. Coldheart, get me a report on what is happening out there."
While the nurses jumped to carry out her requests, Rarity made a quick circuit of her patients. A few of them took a bit of convincing before they consented to remain at the hospital instead of going out to join their comrades. By the time she was finished, Coldheart had returned.
"I couldn't find any officers," the nurse panted, "But from what I can tell, the changelings just launched a huge offensive. I heard something about communication being cut and the front line being in bad shape."
"Thank you dear," Rarity said absently, mulling over the information. There had always been officers in the camp, even during the worst skirmishes. The fact that Coldheart couldn't find any meant that they all must be with their units. At best, that meant that the General needed every unit which wasn't actively fighting on standby. And that meant that affairs had just taken a turn for the worst. If the front line buckled. . .
"Alright," she said, "Get the patients ready to evacuate. I'll find us some transport."
Coldheart stood frozen for a second. "Ma'am?"
"That's an order, nurse," Rarity said. She didn't give her subordinate time to reply as she spun and galloped away.
At the rear of the camp stretched an airfield which was little more than a staging area for zeppelins. It was mostly empty as Rarity approached, but, as luck would have it, four of the dark blue airships were still on the ground preparing to launch.
"Howdy doc!" called one of the pilots, "What brings you here?"
"Sorry to trouble you gents, but I'm in need of a favor," Rarity said, "I need your airships to stand by above the hospital if you please."
The pilot scratched his neck uncomfortably. "Uh, sorry doc, no can do. We have orders to shore up the barricade defenses." Rarity pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes, noting with satisfaction just how uncomfortable the young pilot was at the prospect of upsetting her. He averted his gaze. "I, uh. I'm really sorry. Um, we could probably delay take off for a little bit if you wanna take it up with Colonel Brighteyes."
Rarity made a show of looking thoughtful for a moment before saying, "Yes, I think I'll do that. Where can I find the Colonel?"
"She'll be at the control station," the pilot said, pointing to a cluster of tents on the far side of the field. Rarity thanked him before trotting away.
The control station was abuzz with activity. Ponies with clipboards frantically scurried back and forth between a large central tent and a few smaller ones surrounding it. Rarity made her way directly to the main tent. The inside of the tent was dominated by a large, table-top map of Galloping Gorge. A few ponies stood around the map, pushing small figurines across its surface. A grey mare with striking, gold eyes strode slowly around the table. "The defenses in sector twenty-two are crumbling. Have Echo wing plug that hole." One of the subordinate officers hastily scribbled down the order and galloped out of the tent past Rarity. "Why hasn't bravo wing taken off yet?"
"Colonel Brighteyes I presume?" the unicorn asked, entering the tent.
The Colonel's gold eyes flicked up at her for a fraction of a second. "Are you lost doctor?"
"No, as a matter of fact I was looking for you. You see--"
"I'm busy, doctor. Unless this is absolutely urgent I'll have to ask you to leave."
Rarity felt a flash of anger. "I assure you," she responded coldly, "this is quite important. I would not leave my hospital if it were otherwise."
Brighteyes raised an eyebrow. "Be quick," she said.
"I need to borrow some of your gunships."
Brighteyes scowled, "And I suppose that's why a wing of my zeppelins is on the ground on stand-by instead of in the fight. Well I'm sorry doctor. The changelings have just launched an all-out assault and I need every bird we have."
"Four zeppelins are not going to make or break this battle," Rarity countered, "And if things are as bad as I think, then we need to have a plan to get the wounded to safety."
"No offense, doctor, but running a hospital does not even come close to qualifying you to make military judgments. The fact is, four zeppelins could very well be the difference between victory and defeat out there. Your request is denied."
"Surely we can--"
"Denied doctor," Brighteyes said, fixing her with a furious glare, "Please leave this tent immediately or I will have you escorted."
Rarity felt as if she'd been slapped. The colonel, had a point. She had no experience with military tactics to speak of. What right did she have to make demands of a seasoned officer? But, at the same time, she had a responsibility to take care of her patients. And Brighteyes hadn't even given her a chance to make her case. Blood rose to Rarity's cheeks and she wasn't sure whether it was from fury or chagrin. Her warring emotions kept her rooted in place for a few seconds before she finally decided it was safer just to leave with what dignity she could muster.
Her attempt at a dignified departure was interrupted as a junior officer dashed into the tent, nearly bowling her over. "Colonel Brighteyes!" the officer shouted, failing to notice the white unicorn she had all but trampled.
"News from the General?" Brighteyes said, returning her subordinate's hasty salute.
"Yes ma'am. The front lines are buckling. The General is ordering a retreat."
All activity in the tent seemed to freeze as the ponies processed that information. For a few heartbeats, all eyes were fixed on Brighteyes. Rarity held her breath.
The Colonel took a moment to consider. It felt like ages past as the imposing mare ruminated over the battle map. Finally, she looked up to one of the other officers, "Order the gunships to cover the infantry's retreat then proceed to rendezvous point charlie. Recall all of the transports and start the evac procedure." The tent exploded into motion as ponies leaped to their tasks. Rarity felt sick. Brighteyes hadn't even looked at her. She was on her own.
The white unicorn turned to leave in a daze, but stopped when she heard, "Doctor!" She spun around as the Colonel addressed her. "Coordinate with bravo wing to evacuate the hospital. Give them this authorization code." The Colonel finished, handing Rarity a slip of paper. The stunned unicorn tried to thank her, but she had already moved on to handle another situation.
There was no time to correct her etiquette. With the authorization code in hoof, Rarity dashed back out into the moonlight. The zeppelins were already hovering a few feet off the ground, ready for takeoff. Rarity leaped in through the large, rear hatch and handed the slip with the authorization code to the pony on the deck.
A few minutes later, they were airborne. Rarity looked out through the ship's main hatch. Smoke was rising from the east, very close to the main barricade. The camp was now abuzz with activity, ponies rushing to secure weapons, munitions, and other resources before they were overrun. Judging by the sounds of battle coming from the barricade, that wouldn't be long.
The hospital was an exception to the pandemonium of the camp. Rarity couldn't help but feel proud of her nurses. They had already rallied the patients in the most accessible area and organized them into groups based on their mobility. With the patients all out in the open, their numbers seemed exaggerated. Rarity did some quick estimations. It would be a tight fit, but there should be enough room for everypony.
There was only enough room for the zeppelins to approach one at a time and the doctor's was the first to land. She leaped out before it even touched the ground.
"All right fillies and gentlecolts!" Rarity called, "I want everypony who can't move themselves on this first transport. Any patients who can should help the nurses with the more critically wounded. Let's go ponies!"
The evacuation was efficient. Rarity hardly had to direct as the nurses and patients crowded into the gunships. All in all, the entire process probably took fewer than ten minutes, but the ever increasing sounds of screams, gunshot, and explosions made it seem like it took ages. Tension built in Rarity's chest, straining every time a limping pony held up the line of evacuees, every time a few patients had to exit a ship so that a stretcher could be placed, every time a gunship's propellers had to spin up before takeoff.
Finally, it was done. Rarity followed the last of the patents up the final gunship's ramp. The zeppelin's engine roared as the ship began to lift off. Rarity let out a breath as the tension in her chest began to release. They would be okay. The unicorn doctor turned to look through the hatch as they ascended and her heart stopped. The main barricade must have fallen. The soldiers there and on the front lines must have been evacuated by pegasus squadrons or killed outright. The changelings must not have been challenged once they broke through the defenses and must now be running free through the camp. All this, Rarity inferred from the fact that, not ten meters away from the gunship's open hatch, a group of seven or eight of the creatures were preparing to fire on them.
The creatures wouldn't dare follow the ship on the wing. They were too heavily armed. But that wouldn't stop them from taking a shot from the ground. The lack of gunfire meant that the gunners hadn't yet noticed the threat and they probably wouldn't until after the creatures' first volley. And, with the hatch wide open as it was, the first volley would be all it took to kill nearly every pony on the ship's transport deck.
So that was it. Checkmate. There was nothing Rarity could do to keep her patients and herself from being killed. Unless. She didn't dare take the time to consider what she was about to do; the unicorn acted in the instant the thought crossed her mind, vaulting from the ship's deck. It was more difficult to control her fall than she anticipated and she quickly found herself tumbling though the air. In the hopes of saving herself from a broken neck, Rarity employed a trick Twilight had shown her in which she cast a levitation spell on herself. It was intensely difficult to do and not usually very useful since she couldn't move around while under the spell, but it came in handy for this particular situation.
Her tumbling abruptly stopped, causing her stomach to flip in protest. She held the spell for only a fraction of a second, trusting that she had already fallen far enough that the remaining distance would not be enough to cause any serious injury. Luckily, she was correct, though the landing was still jarring. She felt one of her hind hooves twist painfully beneath the leg, but she couldn't stop to worry about that just yet.
It took her just a moment to orient on the changelings who were all staring at her in, what she hoped, was shock. Rarity focused, calling up everything she could remember from the basic defense training she had received nearly a year ago. In a flash of blue magic, she sent one of the creatures flying with a repulsion spell. The changelings reacted slowly, allowing Rarity to get off one more spell, glancing off one of the creatures as it lunged forward and sending it smashing into the dirt. Then the others were on top of her. She fought back feebly, kicking and bucking, but they overwhelmed her with sheer numbers.
As the creatures seized her legs to restrain her, she twisted her neck to see if her sacrifice had been worth it. Her heart soared when she saw that the gunship had turned, taking its open hatch out of the line of fire and bringing its guns to bear. Rarity wondered if they would fire. In that case, she would certainly be killed, but it would be quick, unlike what she would endure at the changeling's hooves.
Her thoughts were interrupted as a changeling yanked on her mane. She screamed in pain and anger as she was pinned to the ground under the weight of her enemies. Then a chitinous hoof smashed into her temple. Her vision swam for a second before darkness closed in and she passed out.
* * *
"Too rissssky. We ssshould kill it now."
"Long way to the Frozen North. We will be needing a sssssnack."
The high pitched voices grated against Rarity's senses. After a few groggy moments of wondering where she was, the events of the past few minutes caught up with her. It was strange. She was a prisoner of war. Another casualty, and not even one that was lucky enough to die clean. Occasionally, captured soldiers managed to escape, or were rescued. The stories they brought back with them were always horrific. So now that she was facing the same fate, Rarity supposed she ought to be feeling afraid of what the changelings would do to her. Or sad that she would never again see Sweetie Belle or her friends. Or angry that she had gotten herself into this mess in the first place. But instead, she just felt relieved. Relieved that, for her, this war was finally over.
There was a bit of guilt, a small part of her that believed she was letting down everypony who cared about her, though, mostly, she was guilty because she didn't feel worse. But it wasn't like there was anything she could do about it, so what was the point in feeling anything? Liberated by that thought, Rarity allowed herself to sink back into semi-consciousness. There was no telling what the changelings would do or when, so she might as well take these moments of peace while she could.
She was back in the Carousel Boutique. Everything was brightly lit, her latest creations arrayed on their mannequins. She could hear Sweetie Belle and her friends playing outside. Birds sang. In the back of her mind, Rarity knew it was all a dream and that there was a painful, dreadful reality that could return in the blink of an eye. But, she could forget about all that so long as she just didn't think about it.
Rarity. Her name came to her distorted, like a false memory that you know is wrong but is unshakable nonetheless. Rarity. It came again, stronger this time. It carried something with it. A familiarity. Something that tugged at her thoughts, urging them to turn away from the image of the pleasant day in her boutique. She didn't like it.
Go away, she thought.
Rarity. Where are you?
A wet cave. Cold. No! I'm in my shop. I'm in Ponyville!
You're in shock. You need help
Leave me be! Rarity wailed. I don't want to go back. Leave me be!
We need you, Rarity.
No. I did my job. Blood seeping from a soldier's neck. Necrotic bite wounds. Stitches. So many stitches. What more could you possibly ask?
YOU ARE THE ELEMENT OF GENEROSITY! The thought exploded within her mind, Selfishness does not become you. You are still alive and you have much more to give. WHERE ARE YOU!
Rarity wasn't sure whether whoever had been sending thoughts into her dream had convinced her with their appeal to her giving nature or if her eyes flew open due to the sheer force of the mental onslaught. Either way, in that instant she could see with an unnatural clarity. She was in a cave. A group of changelings were gathered between her and the exit. Beyond the mouth of the cave, Rarity could see the remains of the pony camp, still aflame in the valley below. In the left of her field of vision, a brilliant, full moon was rising. I am coming. The thought fluttered through her mind so quickly that Rarity almost believed she had imagined it.
"Finally awake, eh? Sssssleepy pony," said one of the changelings. Rarity recoiled as the creature approached. "Ssssuch a pretty pony. I'll bet you have many admirersssss. But who issss it that you love mosssst?" Suddenly, Rarity felt as if her head had been seized in a clutching grip. She struggled against the changeling's grasp, but met no resistance. Whatever the creature was doing to her, it wasn't physical. "A ssssister eh? How nice. Sssshe is sssso pretty." There was a flash of green and the clutching sensation vanished.
Disoriented, Rarity opened her eyes in time to see a white and pink blur rushing toward her. "Rarity!" came an unmistakable, squeaky voice as the figure barreled into her chest, wrapping her in a tiny embrace. Shocked, the unicorn looked down into the filly's glittering, green eyes. It looked like Sweetie Belle. Rarity was violently reminded of every moment she had spent with her sister. Every tweak of annoyance, every flash of pride, every heart-melting feeling of adoration. Every aspect of her love for Sweetie Belle was suddenly at the forefront of her mind.
Logically, she knew that this was not her real sister. The changeling was counting on the raw, emotional reaction of seeing the image of Rarity's dearest loved one. But the creature had miscalculated. Rarity did not only love her sister, she knew her. She knew the subtleties of the filly's expressions and the way her mane bounced. She knew the exact pitch at which her voice would crack. She knew her sister so well, that the changeling's imperfect imitation evoked nothing but revulsion.
With a kick, she sent the changeling flying across the cave. In another green flash, it reverted back to its own form and stood, glaring at her.
"Don't you dare try that again," Rarity huffed.
One of the changeling's companions spoke up, "Told you it wassss to risssky! Can't feed on her. Sssshould kill her and be done with it."
Rarity winced at her mistake. Being fed upon by changelings wasn't a pleasant experience, but it would have bought her time for whomever had been speaking in her mind to arrive. She would have to find another way to buy some time.
"Wait," she said, "I would be more valuable alive. I . . . could give you information. I'm sure Chrysalis would want to know the strength of our armies."
The changeling who had assaulted her began to laugh. "Information issss not hard to come by for ssssshape sssshifters, pretty pony. But don't worry, I'll make thissss quick."
The creature took a menacing step forward, brandishing its fangs. Rarity's mind raced. There must be something she could offer. Something about her that would pique their interest. You are the Element of Generosity. Remembering that simple phrase was a moment of inspiration, and Rarity knew exactly what to do.
"Do you even know who I am?" the unicorn declared drawing herself up as straight as she could with her injuries. The changeling looked as if it would deliver a snide denial, but Rarity cut him off. "I was at Canterlot when your Queen first failed to conquer us. I am personal friends with the Prince and Princess who cast you're sorry hides out of our city. I am the bearer of the Element of Generosity and a Lady of Equestria and I will be afforded the courtesy I am due."
The changeling's eyes widened as Rarity spoke. He exchanged a glance with his companions. "The Queen would want her," one of them said. With a growl, the lead changeling looked back at Rarity.
"Fine," he said, "We'll take her. But first I'm going to--"
Rarity would never know what the creature intended to do first, for at that moment, his entire body was vaporized in a flash of violent magic. The other changelings screamed and attempted to flee the cave, but were blocked by an imposing figure. Another spell reduced the remaining creatures to ash. Rarity coughed on the foul smoke that filled the cave in the aftermath of their destruction. A gust of wind cleared the air somewhat and also revealed Rarity's rescuer.
"Are you unhurt?" Luna asked.
"Only minor injuries your highness," Rarity replied, bowing despite her discomfort, "Thank you."
The Princess smiled. "It is my duty to protect the Elements. And any friend of Twilight Sparkle's is a friend of mine. It is fortunate that you dreamed. Otherwise I would not have known of your predicament."
So the Princess of the Night could see into ponies' dreams. Rarity tucked that bit of slightly discomforting information away for later. "Well, I am in your debt, Princess. And, if I could be so bold as to request a lift to the nearest rally point? I should rejoin my nurses."
Luna shook her head. "You are needed for something more important. Come, I will explain once we return to Canterlot. It is time you were reunited with your friends."