On The Brink of War
I turned the knob on the door leading into Mayor Mare's office, and opened it roughly, immediately getting her attention.
"Mayor Mare!"I said. She stared at me with an irritated face.
"What is it?"She asked. "Can't you see I'm busy."Piles of paper were on all sides her desk.
"I'm afraid we're going to be much more busy. I've learned of something so vile...it's...read this."I gave her the note I took from Gilda. She read through it quickly as her face slowly turned to a terrified expression.
"When the bell ring's for the twelfth, and last time...Ponyville will fall to the Templars."She looked up at me. "How did you acquire this?"She asked.
"It's what I do. Smuggled it off of someone out near Dodge Junction. Whoever they were, they were making tons of weapons, forcing mares to work for her."I explained.
"What was the outcome of that?"
"Their factory destroyed, and their leader dead. That's who held that information. All the mares were set free, but I'm afraid that I was too late to stop any of the weapons from being exported out to the ponies who wish to attack us. They could be anywhere!"I said.
"It says that the attack begins today. What time is it?"Mayor Mare looked at the clock behind her on the wall. It read '11:00' "Only an hour!"She exclaimed. "Come with me."We walked out of the room, and headed out of the building.
"Citizens of Ponyville!"I shouted aloud in ponyville square. "We're all in grave danger. The Templars await beyond our boundaries with swords drawn, awaiting to attack and take the town."I heard a few quiet gasps in the crowd, followed by mumbling between the ponies.
"Their attack begins at noon, when the bell is rung for the twelfth and last time. Please return home, gather your belongings, and evacuate with your family. You may flee Ponyville for the safety of your family and friends, or you may stay and fight the Templars who come to attack. The choice is yours, but I warn you make it quickly. At noon, you will not have an easy time getting away. Please evacuate quickly and collectively."I finished.
The crowd that gathered and stood before me quickly dispersed, and spread around Ponyville. Sweetie Belle and Rarity happened to be amongst the crowd during my speech, and stayed to have a talk.
"Sweetie Belle. It's good to see you."I gave Sweetie a welcoming hug.
"It's been a while."She said returning the hug. "So what's happened? Why are we being attacked?"
"Our attackers only seek control. That is all."I said as a response.
"I can stay and fight with you. You may need an extra pair of hooves."Sweetie offered.
"Thanks Sweetie but...I think it's best if we just get everypony out of harms way."
"It wasn't a question. Besides, I've been going over to the Apple's farm lately, and she's shown me how to hunt with a bow and arrow. I'm quite a natural."Sweetie explained.
"Well...wait, why would you need to hunt?"I asked.
"Applejack thinks Winona is better off eating more natural meat more than that store brand stuff."Sweetie explained.
"Ah...well..."I looked around, looking for an elevated building. "Ah-ha. Up there."I pointed towards the clock tower. "You can fire from a bow from up there."
"Good idea...we just have to find a bow, and some arrows."Sweetie said.
"I know where to go."
Play "Homestead" ac 3 soundtrack
I quietly walked into the store that belonged to my mentor. The weapons that once stood on display along the walls were now gone, leaving an empty drywall to look at. I spoke in the quietness, breaking the silence. "Holora...are you here?"
"Yes."I heard. "Back here."Holora spoke from behind the counter. I closed the door behind me as Sweetie Belle walked in behind me.
"Follow me."I said. We walked to the back of the store, where Holora was opening the basement door. "Holora."I said. "I take it you've gotten word of the attack?"I asked.
"Yes...what happened out there?"
"Gilda...she used an abandoned mineshaft for cover, and used it's iron deposits to make weapons. I was well too late to stop any weapons from being sent to the enemy...but I managed to halt the production, and kill Gilda...that's where I snatched a letter describing the attack, when and where it was happening."I explained.
"Hm...So Gilda's dead...now all you have left is Flam, and Chrysalis."Holora said. "Who's this?"He gestured toward Sweetie Belle.
"This is Sweetie Belle...one of my lifelong friends."I said. "She requires a bow, and some arrows."
"Helping to defend the town are we? Let me see what I have down here."Holora slowly walked down the stairs. Sweetie and I followed him down the basement. "What wood do you prefer?"Holora asked.
"I've only used a bow made of yew."Sweetie responded. Holora did not respond, only opened up a chest, and lifted a wooden bow out.
"Here. This one is modified for battle. You'll also need these."Holora gave the bow to Sweetie, and reached back inside the chest, and pulled out a quiver holding many arrows. Sweetie took this as well, and put both items around her back.
"Thank you...do I owe you anything?"She asked.
"Not at all...Scootaloo."Holora said getting my attention. "You must think. Use your skill to get as many ponies out for as long as possible. Do not try and hold the town...only get the helpless out, and find shelter...I'm afraid that...ponies will die today..."Holora explained. "But do not let that stop you. Now go, both of you."
"Where will you go?"I asked. Holora did not answer immediately.
"...I will stay here...down here will they won't find me."He said. My heart nearly sunk upon hearing his answer as my ears folded back.
"You don't have to stay down here...even if they don't find you, you won't have any food, or water until I return."
"I'll be fine...you and Sweetie need to go immediately. Time is ticking."Holora pointed towards the door as he sat in a wooden chair holding his cane near him. Sweetie Belle tugged me, inching me up the stairs. I followed her, and took one last look at Holora.
Would this be the last time I will ever see him? I hoped it wasn't. I got to the top of the stairs, and slowly pushed the door closed. The more I closed it, the more my heart dropped, and sunk deep into my feelings...
*Clank*
The door closed, and the lock latched on to the door, which now blended with the wall around it. I held the door, putting my head against it. "Goodbye."I quietly said under my breath.
*Play "Connor's Life"*
The sound of wooden wheels on the cobblestone road was a noise I would prefer to hear on another day. Foals whined, their face soaked in tears. Their mothers held them tightly, comforting as much as possible as their stallions helped haul them to safety, bitter, and angry.
I couldn't help but let a teardrop of my own fall from my eyes. The clouds that now covered the sky, grew darker and darker. These clouds slowly let go of their cargo as rain begun to cover the land. The sight of Ponyville's evacuation influenced the anger within me. Why must these innocent ponies suffer from the Templars. Why must the one's who have done nothing, have their lives taken away.
"Scoots..."Sweetie said, gently placing a hoof on my shoulder. "He'll be okay..."
"It's not that...not just that anyway."I said quietly. "It's everything. Seeing the ponies we grew up with...being forced out of their home...our home."
"I know...I'm upset too...but that should be the least of our worries."Sweetie said, as three Canterlot carriages flew above our heads. They circled around, and landed in front of us. Shining Armor, and nine other soldiers climbed off, and stood in front of me.
"We're here to help the evacuation."Shining Armor said.
"Thank you."I said. "Do not worry about the Templars until they get here. Right now, help any struggling pony or family that needs help. I am to see everypony get out alive."I explained.
"Of course."Shining Armor turned around, facing the soldiers. With a swing of a leg, they dispersed, and spread out among the civilians evacuating. Shining Armor looked upon the undisciplined march to safety.
"Shining!"We both heard. We turned and saw a familiar purple unicorn running towards Shining Armor.
"Twiliy!"Shining Armor caught Twilight as they embraced in a brief, sorrow hug. "Twilight...is everyone okay?"
"Yes...The rest are right behind me."Twilight pointed behind her to the approaching group of ponies, all familiar to me.
"Good...I hate to push you away, but their's no time to talk."Shining Armor said. "You have to get moving."
"I understand. We're heading for Canterlot."Twilight said.
"I'm to understand that's where most ponies are going. Good luck Twily."Shining Armor said, pulling his sister into another hug. Twilight let go, and continued walking with the crowd along with the rest of the element bearers.
"Seems to be in good order. I'll head up the road and see the situation out."Shining Armor said. I nodded as he begun to walk up the road, away from the town. As I looked back towards Ponyville, I heard the low tones of the clocktower.
*gong...gong...gong*
The ringing bell of the tower hypnotized me, drawing me closer to the tones. "Scoots, where are you going?"Sweetie asked behind me.
"I'm going back. I'll keep them busy while you help the last of the evacuation get out safely."I looked over the ridge we stood on, and saw the end of the line of wagon's and ponies, just beginning to leave the town.
"I'm coming with you."Sweetie said. I jumped to the ground some three feet below me.
"No...I can't risk you getting hurt."I said. "Stay here, and help them."I didn't look back at her, only stepped closer to the Ponyville.
"Scoots don't do this."Sweetie said. I didn't respond, and leap away, and begun to gallop towards the clocktower. Sweetie watched as I vanished from sight.
*GONG*
The Twelfth, and final ring of the clocktower bell rung out, as I stood below it. I awaited any sign of the Templars beginning their attack. The endless howl of the wind was the only sound I could hear...all was still...all was quiet, as I closed my eyes, listening...waiting.
I opened my eyes, and looked across the bridge that stood in front of me. A stallion stood on the other side of the bridge, staring into my eyes. It was none other than Flam, the brother of the Templar I had killed not to long ago.
"Where are your friends?"He asked, stepping closer towards me. I did the same, stepping forward when he did so.
"Gone...safe from your tyranny."I responded.
"Tyranny?"Flam said. "There is no tyranny here. Only me, only the Templars."
"Which is why the town has fled. I will not allow you to lay your hoof on an innocent soul, do you hear me!"I continued to slowly walk towards him, as he inched closer to me.
"This town was a town of peace...we only wanted to keep it that way."Flam lied.
"This town was peaceful...until you threatened to invade. You speak of keeping Ponyville safe, but you only plan to destroy it. As sweet as the words sound, you can't cover up your own lies."I shouted.
"You killed my brother...an innocent stallion, who worked by my side."Flam said.
"I killed your brother, a fellow Templar of yours. I promise you, if you don't stop this now, I will assure you that you'll reunite with your brother soon."
"You're blind...you don't see the true ways of the world. The world was meant to be the way of the Templars. The only thing stopping us, are you and your damned Assassin's."Flam said as the anger boiled within me. I looked deep into his eyes...as a memory suddenly flashed into my eyes.
"Go live your life my daughter...Scootaloo."My father pushed me through the small hole, which I managed to fit through. I reached back in to try and save my parents from the burning wreckage.
"No Scootaloo, go!"My mother yelled, as she held my hoof. "You must be strong...you must be brave...go, now! Before they find you!"
"But-"
"NO Buts!"My father said. He suddenly gasped. "I hear someone coming, go!"
I felt a pair of hooves grab me, and pull me away from the opening which was too small for my parents to fit through. "NO! NO, LET ME SAVE THEM!"I yelled. I looked back at the burning house, towards my parents...
*CRASH*
The roof caved in, as the sight of my parents disappeared. "NOOOOO!"I squirmed out of the strangers hooves, running towards the wreckage. He quickly caught up with me, and picked me up.
"Stop it! We need to go!"He said. "I'm sorry, but we have to go or else they'll find us."I wept heavily, knowing I had lost my parents.
We ran through a dense forest, as yellow lights surrounded the forest around us. As we were running, I saw a yellow furred stallion appear out of no where. The stallion who helped me escape gasped.
"AAHG!"He shrieked in pain as the yellow stallion drove a blade into him. "RUN!"He yelled, before dropping to the floor. That's exactly what I did...I ran. I ran so quick not even a pegasus in a dive could catch up. Before I knew it, I was lost...wandering the country roads. I walked for days...hungry...thirsty, looking for a safe haven. That is until I came upon a quiet, desolate town...
The memory seemed to flash by in seconds, as I looked into Flam's face.
"You...it was you..."I said.
"So now you see...I took your parents...your father was a great threat to us...him and some other Assassin...Even today I still search for that old dying lump."Flam must have been referring to Holora.
"You killed my father...my mother..."I said.
"Want to know a little secret?"Flam said, lowering his head towards my ears. He whispered menacingly into my ears..."Your mother was pregnant...with a little baby filly"My eyes widened...he killed an innocent foal...a foal to soon be my sister.
In uncontrollable rage, I unsheathed my hidden blade, and swung at Flam. He backed away, and drew a sword. I locked my blade out, and leaped towards him.
"AHG!"I yelled in pain as he swatted me away with his free hoof. I landed back, dazed from the sudden and unexpected blow to the head. "I'll Kill YOU!"I jumped towards him again, catching him off guard. He quickly moved to his left. I missed his head as my hoof drove into his shoulder. I quickly took it out, and dove for his head.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain, and a ring in my ears. I turned behind me, to see Flam's army of templars, holding muskets and arrows. I looked at myself, and saw what had happened. An arrow had been fired from a soldier, landing directly in my right shoulder.
I fell, helplessly on the bridge. Flam stood over me, as he swung his sword high on the air. "Now...you'll join your scum of a family."As I braced for defeat, he begun to swing down to end me. I closed my eyes, awaiting for death.
"AH!"I heard. I looked up, and Flam was gone. In my hazy, blurred vision, I saw Flam on the ground, with a stallion on top of him, throwing punch after punch. I watched as Flam threw him off towards me. The unknown stallion quickly got up, and picked me up. I quickly blacked out, and continued to zone in and out of consciousness.
I saw us leaving Ponyville, running towards darkness. The next thing I knew, trees surrounded us as the strange stallion ran, carrying me on his back. Again, I blacked out within seconds, yet I could hear everything that was happening.
Quietness surrounded me, as I heard the stallion breathing. I heard the sound a door opening, then closing. My vision returned as the stallion finished wrapping my uncovered shoulder in medical tape. My robe and hood hung on a stand, and my weapons were organized neatly around it.
"Sshh..."The stallion said in the darkness. He pulled a quilt out, and gently placed it over me. It had been so long since I had felt such comfort. "You're hurt, and weak...you must get some rest Scootaloo."
With those words, my eyes slowly shut, and I suddenly left reality...falling into a deep, haunted sleep.