//------------------------------//
// Journey To A Rainbow 
// Story: Revolution: Equestrian Blackout 
// by LittleBoyBlue 
//------------------------------//

  "So tell me. What's the situation?" Evening Star set up a camp on the far edge of Ponyville. They had a campfire going. He and Twilight were seated next to each other, as Cadence and Spike treated Equinox's broken wing.

"Well, you know the Eclipse Militia?" Twilight asked. "They killed my father...then kidnapped my brother."

"Then what do you need me for?"

Twilight pulled out the pendent. "My father, your brother, gave me this before he died. He told me to find you to get back Shining Armor."

Star observed the necklace. Then looked back at Twilight. "What about your mother? Where is she?"

Twilight lowered her head. "She went in search of supplies ten years ago. We never heard from her again though. I fear she might be dead."

"So basically you're an orphan?"

Twilight sadly nodded.

"We'll get your brother back. But first, we need to find Dashie."

Twilight perked up, instantly recognizing the name. "Rainbow Dash?"

Star turned back to her. "How'd you know her name?"

"She's my... friend..."
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The cart slowed down, as they entered a shed. The storm clouds thundering above them.

"We lay camp here for the night." Captain Daylight informed the ponies. The cart finally came to a stop. Quicksilver spat his gum out to the ground. He then looked at Shining Armor, smiling.

"Well, I guess we might as well get comfy." He chuckled. Shining Armor glared at him. "So, what's it like having a magical horn that might as well be a vestigial organ?" Shining Armor kept silent. "Oh I see. Giving me the silent treatment. I'm guessing you don't wanna talk to me." Shining Armor still kept his silent resistance. "Okay fine! I'm sorry for kicking you in the crotch! There! Is that what you wanna hear?!" Quicksilver's sarcasm caught the attention of Captain Daylight.

"Corporal. Leave the prisoner alone. I doubt he will ever talk to you."

"Yes sir." Quicksilver replied. He turned back to face Shining Armor. He smiled and patted Shining's face, infuriating him. Quicksilver then went out to take place as a guard outside the shed.
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Twilight and the rest walked down a dirt road. The trees seemed to be endless, as the moon shined over them. Equinox was walking with them, his wing now bandaged. Evening Star was conversing with Twilight along the way.

"Uncle Star, how do you know about Rainbow?"

"It was a while back. She provided me a place to stay after the Blackout, so we've been good acquaintances since then."

"`Acquaintances'? Is she not your friend?" Twilight asked.

"Friendship is dead Twilight. Nowadays, it's every pony for his or her self."

"Uncle Star, friendship is NEVER dead..."

Evening Star looked at her silently. Then he spoke. "Alright. Dashie's house is just past that shed. We should make it there in no time." They kept on walking near the shed. Suddenly, Star stopped. He quickly ushered the group into the shrubbery.

"What's wrong?" Cadence asked.

"Normally, sheds like these are abandoned. This one has torch lights glowing. If I were to guess, the militia are in there..."

"Well what are we waiting for?" Twilight spoke. "Let's go in!"

"Hold on little cousin. We don't know whether or not that's the same regiment that kidnapped your brother. Besides, if we barge into there right now, they would surely kill us."

"What if that IS the right regiment? This is our only chance!"

"Look, maybe if we'd still have our magic, we would stand a chance. But right now, we need to find Dash."

Twilight nodded slowly. "Okay..."

"Alright. Let's move slowly..." Evening Star started guiding them as lightly as he could, careful not to bring any attention.
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The two guards were outside the shed, keeping watch. Quicksilver was one of the guards, keeping an eye out for intruders.

"Sure is a quiet night huh?" The guard next to him said.

"Quite..." Quicksilver replied.

"Kinda makes you wonder if anything's alive out the-"

"Private, what is the point of your statement?"

"Oh nothing, just that it's really quiet out there."

"We know it's quiet, however there is no purpose in discussing about it."

Private stayed silent... for a while. "Do you think there are any birds out there?"

Quicksilver started to get annoyed. "I don't know Private."

"Because I remember that owls are nocturnal." 

"Sure. There are owls out there."

"No, there can't be owls out there..."

"Why not?"

"I don't hear any hooting."

Quicksilver groaned. "Fine! There's no owls out there..."

"Then what IS out there?"

"I don't know, I don't care, so just shut up and keep watch!"

The next few moments were silent...then Private spoke again. "How about lizards? I'm pretty sure there could be some iguanas or maybe some chamele-"

"NO! THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE! NO OWLS, NO IGUANAS, NOTHING! EVERYTHING'S DEAD!!!" Private was taken aback by Quicksilver's outburst.

"I-...I'm sorr-"

"Shut up!" It was at that moment that Quicksilver saw something. "Private, do you see that?"

Private turned to where he was pointing at. "Yeah. It looks like a couple of ponies and a dragon passing by."

"Oh yeah? Well look at that one!" He said, pointing at the taller one of the group.

"What about her?"

"Can't you see? Horn AND wings. That means she's an alicorn!"

Private had a confused look on his face. "Sooooo that's good?"

"Of course! If we can capture her, she could tell us where the princesses are!"

"But how can SHE know where the princesses are?"

"Duh! How many alicorns ever existed in the history of ponykind? Surely she must be related to the princesses..."

"I wonder if that Changeling Queen counted as an alicorn." Quicksilver ignored him and began to pack his satchel. He put cuffs, a net, and some other resources. Private noticed his movement. "Sir, what are you doing?"

"If I can capture her and bring her back, I'm guaranteed to a higher rank!" He wrapped the satchel around his shoulder. Then he sheathed his knife. "If anypony asks, tell them I've gone for `supplies'."

"Yes sir." Private saluted, as Quicksilver left, following the unsuspecting ponies...
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2 MONTHS AFTER THE BLACKOUT


The town of Ponyville seemed less cheerful than it usually was. The population was lessening at a constant rate, due to the total unpreparedness of the ponies. Two stallions were talking alongside the empty sidewalks. One was a brown pegasus with a black mane. The other was a white Earth pony with an orange mane.

The brown pegasus seemed upset. "Quicksilver, think about this! You can't just leave! In times like these, nopony is safe! We need to keep our friends close, and that means you!"

Quicksilver sighed. "I'm sorry Equinox. But if these two unicorns have an idea that might bring peace to Equestria, I've got to be part of it."

"But what about Lyra? And my little foal Amber?"

"I'm sure you'll be able to protect them."

Equinox exhaled. "C'mon Quicksilver. You don't have to do this..."

The town hall was in sight, a large crowd of Royal Guards were gathered there. Quicksilver gave Equinox a smile. "It'll be alright. I'll always be there whenever you need me."

Equinox smiled back. "Thank you..."

"I've gotta go." Quicksilver waved goodbye to Equinox, as he sped off to the town hall.

"Good luck!"

Quicksilver made it to the meeting on time, as one of the unicorns stood and began to speak.

"Good afternoon! I, Eclipse, and my associate Evening Star are here to present a revolutionary plan..." The guards from both Luna and Celestia's roster started murmuring. Then, the unicorn spoke again. "It is time to face the cold, hard truth! The princesses that we have protected with our lives, have abandoned us! They disappeared when we needed them most!" Ponies began to get disturbed by the harsh news. "So what shall we do? We are left with two choices: Assimilate or Die!"
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Evening Star knocked on the hut's door. A voice answered.

"Who's there?"

"It's me Dashie! I've brought some friends for a sleepover!" The door opened to reveal a cyan pegasus with a multicolored mane.

"Oh how I love sleepove-" she stopped speaking, as she gazed at Twilight with surprise. "Twilight? Is that you?"

"Hey Rainbow Das-!" Twilight couldn't finish her sentence, as she was tackled down to the ground by Rainbow.

"Dude! I thought you were dead! This is awesome! Come in guys!"

Twilight and the rest started to walk in, leaving Evening Star and Dash outside.

"I'm so glad she's alive! I was beginning to think I'd be the only Element still breathin'. And trust me, that would be totally not cool." Dash exclaimed.

"Oh I believe you. So glad you're excited about your little `playdate'."

Rainbow smiled at him. Suddenly, her smile disappeared. "BEHIND YOU!"

Star quickly rolled to the side before he got struck by the pipe. A white, orange-maned stallion dropped the pipe. "I never thought I would see THE Evening Star again. Once I capture you and the alicorn, I'm certain to be ranked up!"

Evening Star snorted. "Dream on kid..." Both ponies got into a fighting stance. The stallion charged at Star, but he sidestepped his attack. Soon, punches were being thrown. The stallion threw a punch, but Star grabbed his hoof and flipped him to the ground. The stallion started getting up. Suddenly, a pipe hit the stranger's head. The stallion was out cold. Evening Star looked at Rainbow Dash, feigning disappointment. "Oh come on. The fight just started getting good."

Rainbow dropped the pipe to the ground. "A fights not a fight without me in it."

"We're gonna need to tie him up. An interrogation sounds good." Rainbow nodded. They then tied him up with ropes and brought him inside. "Looks like we've got a stalker!" Star places the stallion on a chair, and ties him to it.

Equinox walks in, then freezes in shock. He instantly recognized the stallion.

"Quicksilver..."