Vinyl had received an emergency call, and had head off somewhere to have it in private. She returned a moment later, a frown on her face. It had started raining quite heavily, and her usually spiky mane drooped down by her sides and stuck to her face. She shivered a little, but nothing of importance.
"Something wrong?" Rainbow asked. "Looking pretty heavy there."
"Got a big burden on my shoulders." Vinyl sighed. "And all of us here too. But especially you, Rainbow." she said, looking up. They were surrounded by trees of the Everfree, enough visual cover to keep them hidden from the barricade for the time being. Although, they did hear drop pods deploy within the kilometer.
"Me? What is this about?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.
"The war is about to officially start. They already have an operation to take down the barricade under way." Vinyl said. "But we need somepony to tell the ground troops to emerge from the underground. The barricade would act as a distraction, so the S.F. underground troops should be up on the surface and being used as reinforcements. We could take the surface while they do that. But as I said earlier, we need somepony to spread the word- and Spitfire specifically requested that you deliver the message."
Rainbow was silent for a second, and everyone turned their attention to her.
"Are you sure she's not referring to Silver here? Cause we're actually both called Rainbow." Rainbow said, patting her alternate self on the back.
"I don't think it matters. We're the same pony, just with different memories, is all." Silver said. "And since you're the one who is officially known as Rainbow here, you should deliver the speech."
"Wait wait wait, speech? You know I'm not good at those."
"Congratulations, you don't have a choice." Vinyl said, patting Rainbow on the shoulder and walking past her. "It was an order from Captain Spitfire. And in case I have to remind you, she is of the highest rank in the entire faction."
Rainbow felt the burden Vinyl was talking about now. It slammed down on her shoulders, and she felt like slumping down just from that weight. But she stood as if nothing was there. She knew the importance of this- it was more than a message, it was motivation. With positive motivation, this could very well win the war.
A war is fought in the heart as much as it is in flesh and blood, so the saying goes. Ponies must have the will to fight, and the more will they have- the more effort they'll put in.
"Fine." Rainbow said, nodding. "I'll do it. But I don't have any broadcast system."
"Haven does. That's why you'll be heading there." Vinyl said, transferring co-ordinates of Haven onto Rainbow's HUD.
"Wait- but what about the mission?" Octavia asked.
"Start the war, and everything will be weakened and distracted. Or so that's what Spitfire's thinking." Vinyl said. "I've given you the co-ordinates to Haven. But I won't be following you guys, I was originally supposed to investigate what the nuke was for. A nuke passed by Haven, scared the hell outta me I do admit. It hit Fillydelphia, but we have no idea why. We were sent in to investigate. Oh yes, which reminds me-" she pointed at the griffon, who none of them took notice despite his some-what enormous size. "That's Frostbite, and he'll be coming with me."
"Definitely has a nasty bite, I can tell you that." Silver whispered, and Rainbow tried her best not to snicker.
"Right. So we'll be heading to Haven, and probably never see you again. That's uh, nice." Octavia remarked, and the group plunged into silence.
"Don't sound so glum. We'll see each other again." Vinyl waved, walking off towards Fillydelphia with Frostbite behind her.
"Yeah, depends on where we see each other again." Rainbow sighed.
"I guess I'd better be off." Vinyl said, even though she was already walking away.
"Take care." Octavia said. "I really do hope I'll see you again, old roommate."
"Will do." Vinyl said, waving without turning around. The reason she didn't turn to look at them was because she wanted to hide that tear on her face. Science Faction troops were crawling all over the place, and she was likely not to return. But she'd rather die somewhere dark than right before her friend's eyes- ponies only live once, after all. One chance, and that's it. Also, seeing her friends might change her mind- and she didn't want that.
Rainbow noticed the sad expression on Octavia's face as Vinyl trotted off into the woods.
"Tavi. You alright there buddy?" she asked, the rain hammering the ground and forming puddles.
"Yeah. Just that... It was a short reunion." Octavia chuckled sadly, and Rainbow could tell that rain water weren't the only droplets sliding down her face.
She sighed. She knew what she was thinking- this might be the last time they see Vinyl.
In this new reality, every time they break eye contact could mean they'd never see each other again. And sometimes...
Rainbow thought back to Nightshade. Sometimes they get stolen away right before your eyes. She let out a deep sigh, looking out to the dark skies. Lightning shook the heavens violently, crackling across the dark clouds. Not a thread of sunlight shone through, not even an impression. Just dark, gloomy skies that reflected their mood. She let the rain drops pelt her face then slide down, felt the cold tingle on her skin compare to the warm fabric of her clothing. She looked back down, keeping all excess emotions off her face.
"Come on guys, let's go. We're wasting precious time." Rainbow said, turning away.
"Wait- what about her?" Babs gestured at Magnum.
"I'm going with them." Magnum said, her one functional eye settled on a goal only she could see. "They know who I am, who I was- at the moment, they know more about me than I do. I think I could use that. I need to know who I am." she said, the rain soaking the bandages wrapped around her wounds.
Rainbow nodded, and turned to Babs. "You can come too, if you want."
Babs shook her head, chuckling. "The forest has been my home for my whole darn life now, I think I'll stay."
"You sure? The science faction knows you're here now- they'll come looking for you, and I'm telling you now- the best thing that could happen to you is that they'll kill you."
Babs shook her head, and looked behind her at the forest. "You know... I've been living here, fifteen, maybe even twenty years- I lost count. This place is home now... And I really don't like leaving it. I feel like... Like the world outside is too big."
"Come on, Babs." Rainbow said, then smiled as she remembered something. Haven- ofcourse, the CMC. "Applebloom's at Haven. You know, she always tells me you're her favorite cousin- she'd be disappointed if you didn't turn up."
And she could tell that worked.
"Yeah, but I doubt you'd have enough space in your car for another extra pony, let alone two." Babs pointed out.
Rainbow shrugged. "Oh don't worry, we can just fit the fillies-"
*
"-In the trunk. Damnit sis." Dainty muttered, snuggling in the oddly roomy trunk of the black car.
"Oh, you'll be fine. Nothing too bumpy here." Rainbow said as she helped Lily in. She was a bit short to crawl in herself. "Besides, you two could sit up perfectly- and just call EDI if you need any help."
"Happy to be of assistance." EDI said- turns out there were speakers and microphones embedded almost everywhere. "I have drinks on board should you require any. Also, the trunk may be opened from the top on the inside, just behind the second row of seats. I could do that should it be more comfortable for you."
"Sis, I'm really starting to like EDI over you." Dainty said, giving Rainbow a some-what disapproving look.
"Oh come on- it's not my fault that you two are the only ones that could fit in the tr-"
"Hey!" both Dainty and Lily shouted a the same time.
"Alright, alright. My bad." Rainbow sighed, closing the trunk carefully and not slamming it down.
"Where to again, my friend?" Octavia asked.
"Haven- darn it, we have to cross the North Pole." Rainbow sighed, checking her HUD and getting into the car. Then she noticed something on the map, next to their current location. "Although, before that- I'd like to visit Ponyville first." she said, slamming the door shut.
Octavia looked nervously at Daring and Silver. They both nodded at her, telling her to do whatever. They knew why she was nervous about this- they all were. But they mustn't draw suspicion from Rainbow- or she'll insist. But best if they don't go at all- she'll give it a shot.
"Rainbow, we don't have time. We need to get to Haven ASAP." Octavia said, shifting the gear.
"But it's right there, won't hurt to have a look-see." Rainbow moaned.
"But Rainbow, didn't you hear that the operation was already under way? Who knows when we'll even reach the north pole! We need to go n-"
"Please, Tavi." Rainbow said, and Octavia noticed that she was looking down at the ground- she could tell they were concentrated on something far away.
She knew vaguely that Ponyville was Rainbow's home. She would understand it if she wanted to have a look around, and she could very much say the same for herself when it comes to Canterlot. She took in a deep breath, and changed the designated location in the GPS.
"Alright." she said, nodding. "One stop though, make it quick."
"I will." Rainbow said, smiling. It wasn't exactly a happy one though. "And thanks for understanding, Tavi."
Not many words were exchanged as they drove to Ponyville. Considering it was within easy walking distance, they got there pretty quick.
"So this is it, huh..." Rainbow whispered as she stepped out of the car. The rain had faded into nothing but a faint drizzle, but it was still quite chilly.
The big sign that often welcomed good folks into Ponyville was hanging on one hinge, tangled there by vines and squeaking as the wind slowly rocks it back and forth. The metal on it was corroded, worn away and rusty; a clear layer of brown over what was a beautiful black paint job. It would've been welcoming, to see something familiar- but in its current form, it didn't feel like Rainbow was being welcomed into Ponyville. She felt like she was being welcomed into something completely alien, yet so familiar. She couldn't see much further than the first row of buildings, all damaged and... Oddly, grey.
She looked around at what was home with sad eyes- oh, how she wasted so much of her life. Living in Manehatten, not ever to return home- now she could see how foolish she was to try and drive a barrier between her and here. It was pointless- and now there was a barrier between them, but not driven by her- driven by the events of this new reality. She whimpered as she realized she'd never be able to go back to that colorful, vibrant Ponyville again- and all she was left with was this big radiation hazard.
She took a deep breath, and started walking into Ponyville.
"Rainbow! Where are you going!? Come back! We have to leave now!" she heard Octavia yell after her, but she didn't stop.
Then she heard several doors open, then slam shut with loud bangs. She heard hoofsteps follow her, then slow down as Daring, Octavia and Silver approached.
"You guys should go look after those two and the fillies." Rainbow said, not looking at them but at everything around her. Familiar, yet alien. Sad, and not homelike at all.
"EDI can look after them." Octavia said. "To be perfectly honest, all of us should be here with you right now."
"I don't need protecting- the science faction isn't here. I can defend myself."
"We're not here to protect you from the science faction." Octavia narrowed her eyes, laying a hoof on her shoulder. "We're here to protect you from yourself."
Rainbow stopped, rainwater dripping down her coat and hat. She peered back a little, those purple irises bright in the grey.
"I can handle myself." she said, walking onwards and casting gazes around at her surroundings.
She spotted a familiar building, one of the few that she visited often.
"Carousel Boutique..." Rainbow sighed, casting a sad gaze at the tent like structure. The walls were ripped, and the structure almost unrecognizable- but she lived here. She knew that building. She chuckled sadly when she thought of what Rarity's reaction might be to her now filthy fashion shop.
They walked onwards, soon coming to a large tree.
"I wonder if all of Twilight's books are still here." she mumbled to herself as she approached. Half of it was missing, blown apart by some sort of bomb. The branches were empty, not a single green leaf in sight. Windows were shattered, metal frames buckled. It was nothing like she remembered it to be.
There was a big bomb crater where Sugarcube corner should've been. She could still find traces of it though, grayed traces of pink and white and chocolate brown. All nothing but shattered and broken pieces in the bomb crater that was about five meters deep. A good chunk of the buildings next to it was missing too, simply wiped out of existence.
Rainbow sighed, and moved on.
"I loved the cupcakes Pinkie makes." she said to no one in particular as they followed her through Ponyville. "Sugarcube corner was one of the best places to go to in Ponyville."
"Rainbow, we should really be heading back-" Octavia started, but Rainbow shushed her.
"Just a little longer." she said.
Octavia cast the other two a worried glance- and they returned a calmer gaze. As long as Rainbow doesn't go to the monument...
"You know- they used to make the best cider here." Rainbow said, looking out towards the fields and fields of nothing but tree branches.
Sweet Apple Acres was nothing but a wasteland in itself, the old bright red barn with its paint peeled off and sitting like an eye witness to all this horror on top of one of the hills. Since the trees had been cleared, she could even see a small dot in the distance- the Cutie Mark Crusaders' Club House, Scootaloo had taken her there for a little look around once. But that was after she sneaked in for a peak during one of their RD fan club meetings.
She shook her head. So many memories, now must be altered. "Did I ever tell you about the times when Pinkie would take all the cider? I used to be unable to even get a drop at all." she chuckled sadly, trying to lighten the mood. But it only ended up sending more stalks through her weakening heart.
They walked past town hall- it had never been so broken since Derpy's accident. The roof was caved in, the support beams crushed and lying in pieces. The walls had holes in them, revealing some of the metal internal structures used to support it. Bits of wood lay everywhere, and by the looks of it- the interior was even worse.
Then she remembered something- her vision, with Fluttershy and all. When they were in the sewers of Fillydelphia.
She quickly rushed to the Cottage, with Octavia and the others calling after her- but she didn't stop.
She kicked down the door, huffing and puffing. She cast crazed gazes around the room, but found nothing but bones of animals that used to be under Fluttershy's care. Her heart fell as she found no trace of the shy pegasus- she had no idea what she had hoped for.
"Rainbow..." Octavia said softly. "We should really go now." she placed a firm hoof on her shoulder, pulling her around so she faced her. "You're losing yourself. If this goes on you're going to go insane. This isn't good for any of us- plus you've got a big speech on your hooves. This war very well may depend on you-" she said, and grabbed Rainbow by the shoulders and shook them. "We need you. Not just us, Equestria needs you. If we win, we might just be able to restore everything back to normal eventually. But if we don't- we won't even get the chance. Think about who did this- think about who caused all this blood shed, all this pain."
Rainbow nodded.
"You know what to do, right? We have to go. Before you get trapped." Octavia said, her expression showing genuine concern. "It pains us to see you like this. But I'm sorry- we really have to go now."
"Alright, alright..." Rainbow said, feeling heavily tired and her eyelids drooping. She walked past Octavia, stumbling towards the black car- then she noticed something in the sky. Something that was never there before, and should never be there.
It was a huge stone needle, shooting straight up from the center of Ponyville and up to the sky. It shone in the darkness, catching the only glimpses of sunlight through the dark clouds and casting them out as reflections. It looked like some sort of monument, standing tall above all else and clearly visible.
"Hold on.... Let me just see one last thing." Rainbow said, not taking her gaze away from the needle. "I need to know what that is."
"We don't have the time Rainbow- you're sinking in too deep into your own memories. You gotta let them go!" this time it was Silver. "I knew what happened here. I saw it happen. Nothing could've stopped it. So stop looking around and thinking about what could've gone right- because things of the past can't be changed at this stage anymore."
But Rainbow refused to listen.
The three cast each other worried glances behind her back- this was bad, really bad.