//------------------------------//
// Ten 
// Story: Freedom Through Harmony: Book II 
// by Electricut 
//------------------------------//

Ten
Scootaloo

My world was falling apart around me. Thousands of possibilities ran through my mind, not a single one of them good. 'We' were seen by the whole city escaping with the people who had half-destroyed it, with the Elements of Harmony in 'our' arms. No-one in their right mind wouldn't think we hadn't just helped to doom our whole country, and they would want us dead as soon as they saw us. 

I closed my eyes, still unable to stop myself from crying out of anger at them and myself. The Crusaders were finished, and there was nothing I could have done to stop it. Once again, my stupid useless wings had kept me grounded when I needed them most, and now the price would most certainly be my life. 

Luna stirred from where she lay, her bloodied head still cradled in my lap. I shook the fear and depression from my mind, knowing that as screwed over as we all were already, we weren't done yet. We had no choice but to escape now, and if that was the only way I could keep my friends safe, I would take it. I stood at slung her half-conscious body over my shoulder, then turned to my other two friends.

Applebloom was in terrible shape. She had suffered some wounds from the battle as well, her simple but once presentable dress clothes for the show now dirtied and slashed through, stained in places with blood. She had finally given in to the sheer scale of our peril and had collapsed to her knees, crying. Sweetie Belle, in much the same state physically but totally walled-off emotionally, was right there with her, arm around her comfortingly, trying to console the poor girl. 

I shook my head sadly. None of us, but especially not her, deserved this fate. She was just a simple farm girl at the base of it, and never should have been involved... I had to do everything I could to fix things, to clear our names and return her- all of us- to the life that had just been stolen from us. But for now, we had to run.

"C'mon Applebloom." Sweetie Belle whispered, pulling her to her feet. "We gotta go."

She sniffed and nodded, and we started off for the nearest exit from Eclipse, me lugging Luna beside me and making us that much slower. Where were we going? What could we do now? No-one really knew. We just knew that we couldn't stay here. 

We were a few blocks away from the south gate when we heard someone call for us, one at a time, from above. It only took me a second to realize who it was, and the three of us stopped short. "It's Dash..." I muttered. Hope flared in my chest, because I knew Dash would understand and try to help us in our plight. I didn't know what he could have done to help us, really, but I was immensely grateful to have his support.

The colorful warrior dropped from the sky and came to a shaky landing before us, then ran forward to make sure we were alright as soon as he recovered his balance. To my alarm, I noticed several nasty looking claw marks that ran straight through his clothing and left scratches in what armor he wore. He noticed me staring, and waved in dismissal. "Don't worry about me. We traded wounds, but the ones Gilda went home with were much worse. Now what just happened to you in the castle?! I thought I saw you..."

"That's... what they wanted you to see..." Luna managed to say, having come back around beside me. "They... wanted to frame us..."

"The Order is getting ready for something." I stated, sure of it now. "Their leader, Discord- the same demon that only the ancestors, Celestia, Luna and Xekora could stop- stole the Elements of Harmony and set us up to be framed for it. The attack at the stadium was just a distraction. But... we weren't able to stop them... The clones he created got away and now they have the Elements..."

Rainbow Dash sighed, then moved over to me and gave me a comforting pat on the back. "You did all you could." he said. "No one could have asked for more. This isn't over. We will find them and stop them, whatever they're up to, get the Elements back, and fix things here. But until we do, I think you four need to lay low. Some people already think it was you, and word is going to travel fast.

"Oh, and Sweetie Belle? Your sister and King Blake were shuttled out of here at the first sign of trouble, and they're already at a safe house. But before she left, Rarity managed to get this to one of her soldiers, who gave it to me when he got wounded, to give to you." Dash reached into his pocket and pulled out a small object attached to a small-linked, shiny chain, and handed it to Sweetie Belle. She opened her palms to reveal the familiar glassy butterfly chain signifying her family and- by extension, the country as a whole- the Icarus charm. "She wanted to keep you safe, since they didn't have time to find you and take you to the safe house as well. I feel the same way now more than ever, and you should keep that with you to protect yourself and the others."

"What will we do though, Dash?" I asked. "The Order- whoever they are- is getting ready for something big, and I don't know how we can stop them."

Dash closed his eyes in deep thought, then sighed heavily. "Dammit all, he was right all along. That little sneak from six years ago..."

"Dash, what're you talkin' about?" Applebloom asked, her tears dried. "Do you know somethin' you haven't told us?"

He shook his head, then paused and opened his eyes. "Remember before the war started... During the meteor shower, that kid in the fake Order cloak showed up with a second charm and left? Then I went to find him, and we fought? Well, he told me some stuff. He told me he traveled through time and that this was going to happen, that I couldn't do anything to stop it and wouldn't even have a major part in the conflict. He told me I would help him indirectly by training the ones who would help directly... Now I think those people are you kids- Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Luna- you'll do something to stop them, I just know it. Scratch was right about everything else, after all..."

Scratch. I stored the name away in my memory for future reference. "You can't help directly?" I asked. "Why not? Just because some time traveler told you so?"

"I was wondering that for the longest time." He answered. " 'Why would I not help save the world? How could that ever happen?' Well... I hate it, but I got my answer, and I'm afraid he's right. I cannot go with you and leave Equestria to fight The Order. See... Oh, I'll just be frank with you. Applejack's pregnant. I gotta stay back and guard her with my life, even more than before."

For the first time in what seemed like ages, a genuine smile crossed my face. A piece of good news for once. Even better, Applebloom's face lit up- a welcome sight- and she ran up and embraced Rainbow Dash warmly. I was inclined to do the same. Despite all this, at least we had this to look forward to; a little baby niece or nephew in the house. Dash ruffled Applebloom's hair and held her around him for a moment, then separated from her and looked to the star filled horizon beyond the city.

"Stay here, in that alley over there for a minute. I'm going to go find the rest of my guys and Applejack so we can get back to town. I need to set you guys up to hide for a while, and figure out where to send you until we clear your names, but I might have an idea. Just sit tight for a little while, I'll be right back. Scoots, do you think you can get Luna fixed up for me?"

I nodded, shifting the injured girl leaning on my shoulder. He nodded back in thanks and turned, then launched himself into the air in the direction of the stadium. The four of us ducked into the alley, away from any prying eyes potentially searching for us, and I set Luna against the wall to set to work. She'd lost a lot of blood already, but not yet a life-threatening amount. I tore my fortunately flimsy dress shirt to pieces and used the strips to dress the wound on her head and arms. Sweetie Belle stood watch just beyond the light of the street, idly toying around with the Icarus charm in her hand.

"So, who wants to fly back with me?" She asked, clearing the air. "I get a free pair of wings with this baby. 'Course, we won't be lacking in flyers if the Wonderbolts are coming back with us, but still. Live a little."

I shook my head, still a little sore about my latest wave of self-pity about my own inability to fly. It would have been pointless to ask to borrow her charm, since it didn't work on people who already had wings, though Applebloom probably could have used it if she wanted to. I allowed myself a brief respite as we waited, sitting up against the wall beside Applebloom and Luna. I heard various hoarse cries from the city, of people mourning the terrible loss that had wrecked half of the capital city, likely delivering a major blow to our morale more than anything else. I prayed that they would not have seen where we went and would try to come after us for the crime.

To our good fortune, the only people we saw before Rainbow Dash's return didn't see us. They all ran straight past our hiding place, eager to get out of the city. I groaned internally, knowing that news of this incident- and our supposed involvement- would be all over the country pretty soon. However, soon the ones who knew the truth arrived once again; Rainbow Dash, along with Applejack and all five other Wonderbolts. 

Applejack was worried, that much was plain for anyone to see. She didn't say a word, but stumbled towards us and managed to get tangled up in a big group hug with all four Crusaders. To be honest, even though we were in public, with the majority of the present company being other guys, I didn't feel embarrassed about it. I was as scared as everyone else. Applebloom, closest to her sister, raised her head and broke the silence once again. "Is it true? Dash said you're gonna have a baby!"

Applejack laughed warmly in spite of herself and nodded. "Sure am. We didn't wanna tell you for a while yet, just to surprise you, but... Well, things've sure changed just now. You should at least know why we gotta sit tight back here for now. Then, when everythin's said and done, our family'll be one bigger!"

We all separated and moved from the alley, the Wonderbolts waiting for us. Rainbow Dash nodded. "They've all been told what actually happened, so you don't need to worry about them. We'll get back to town faster if everyone hitches a ride with one of them, so take your pick." I nodded and looked around. I would honestly rather gone with my brother, but I understood that his pregnant wife needed him more right now. Instead, I moved over to the junior-most but promising member of the team, Rapidfire.

Once everyone had buddied up, the party took off through the southern gates, the air quality clearing up immediately when we exited the now smoke-choked city and into the empty fields between. The stars gazed down upon us, twinkling with hope against the tragedy around us. Over the grass and plains we soared, an hour or two of pained silence dragging by moment by moment, until our home town came into view. The lights were mostly doused and the night calm, and I exhaled gratefully. Word hasn't reached here yet. We can rest for a little while.

We touched down just beyond the gates, and Dash addressed all of us. "Get what you need with you, everyone." He said. "Sweetie Belle, head to the Icarus mansion and tell your family what happened. Luna, Pinkie should have some of Xekora's things at her house; take what you think he would want you to have, and tell Pinkie and Kyle what happened, and that I need their help. Scoots, Applebloom, if you don't have anything at the other house, come back to the Acres with us so Applejack and I can suit you up. And team... Head back to Eclipse. If it looks like we fled the crime scene, it'll just put more innocent people on the accused list."

Everyone nodded and set off for their individual missions. The whole Apple family began the short walk back to the Acres. I briefly wondered what in the world we would tell Granny Smith, but realized she'd most likely still be asleep by the time we left. We weren't supposed to return until tomorrow evening, so she wouldn't be awake expecting us. Dash and Applejack would think of something. We passed through the gates silently and entered the house.

I took a long moment to take in the interior of our home, though nothing had changed since the last million times I'd seen it. Everything was so familiar and welcoming... When would the next time I saw it be? When would I see any of this again? The living room was just the same, flooded with memories; sleepovers with Applebloom before we became siblings-in-law, huddling together with her and Dash and Applejack out of sheer terror of the impending attack from Eclipse six years ago, the Crusader's first audition as a band... The list went on, and I felt a slight twang of heartache. I couldn't get back here fast enough.

Our guardian siblings disappeared down the hall to dig for supplies, leaving Applebloom and I alone. I turned to her sadly, meeting her big brown eyes and communicating levels of fear and trepidation. I put a comforting arm around her. "We'll be okay." I assured her. "I'm sure this'll blow over before too long, and we'll be able to join the real fight against The Order."

Rainbow Dash returned a moment later with a bundle of clothes wrapped up in a blanket. "We'll get your supplies packed up in a minute. For now, travel clothes, and also a keepsake and good luck charm." First, he moved over to Applebloom and removed two objects from the bundle, and my eyes widened in surprise; Dash's favorite cloth jacket, and Applejack's hat. Dash put both on his awestruck little sister, and it looked like they were both a perfect fit. She looked incredibly adorable in them, I had to admit, but I was feeling a little left out. If she got the trademark stuff from both him and AJ, what was left for me?

When Dash stepped over to me to give me my answer, my jaw dropped; the leather jacket symbolic of Dash's martyr-esque older brother Ultraviolet, whose levels of awesomeness can only be theorized at. The piece had been cared for meticulously over the years, and the fact that Rainbow Dash was giving it to me now was mind-blowing. Nevertheless, I took the jacket reverently, slipping it over my shoulders and wiggling my wings through the tailor-made slits in the back.

"Dash..." I started in genuine awe. "I think this may be the greatest present you have ever given anyone."

Rainbow Dash looked both amused and confused. "I gave you a house for your fifteenth birthday." he pointed out. I responded simply by saying 'I know.' Dash laughed and gave me a fake punch on the shoulder. "Glad you like it. I'm sure Vi would be too. Now let's get the rest of your stuff packed."

I nodded and hurried off to my room to find anything I absolutely needed with me. The first thing I grabbed was of course my guitar; if we were going to be hiding somewhere for a while, we would need some entertainment. I couldn't think of any other keepsakes I owned or belongings worth taking, so I just grabbed a bunch of clothes and walked back into the living room.

The next twenty minutes or so were spent packing our backpacks full of supplies for our temporary exile, mostly in silence, but we were all glad for the company. At last, the two elder siblings felt satisfied that Applebloom and I were prepared, and began to lead us out the door to meet back up with the others. However, Rainbow Dash stopped me halfway out the door, lowering himself ever so slightly to meet me at eye level.

"Are you okay, kid? Mentally, I mean. A lot's happened just now..."

I looked away and didn't speak- didn't move- for the longest time. I was afraid someone was going to ask me that eventually, and I still didn't have any decent answer. Truth be told, I was pretty much a wreck, with all the stress of being framed for attacking the country from within, plus feeling so dejected about being able to do nothing about it with my worthless wings. To think, just this morning, I had been snuggled up nice and tight next to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle in our clubhouse, not a care in the world...

In spite of all my attempts against it, I started to cry yet again. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to staunch the tears before they started, but it didn't help when Dash moved forward and wrapped me up in a consoling embrace. "You'll be alright, kiddo." He whispered. "I know you'll be fine. You won't let this break you down; we'll find a way out, and you won't have anything else to worry about..."

My arms wrapped around him in turn, my face buried in his chest, and for the first time in a while I didn't try to stop myself from emptying all the tears I had. I just didn't have the energy or willpower left in me anymore. I wanted so badly for this whole ordeal to just be over with, for things to go back to normal... But deep down, I knew that even when the dust settled, things would never truly be the same, and that fact killed me even more. The two of us were virtually motionless for several minutes, the only sound me sniffling in attempt to cut off the tearful display.

Finally, I felt as though I was good and finished, and just wanted to get going. Rainbow Dash and I left the house, and soon the Acres, heading towards the town square where everyone else would be waiting.