//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: Rusted 
// by gallagsp the corgi 
//------------------------------//

Rain fell from the dark clouds above, soaking the field and the lone pony who decided to stay. Not that she had much of a choice.

Her neck creaked as she looked to the sky, the droplets of water gently landing on her face, but she didn't care. She had a job to do, and nothing could stop her.

Except for maybe that Celestia damned rust. The Pegasus stretched out her wings and looked down at herself. Her once polished iron armor had turned a dark red. It was worse in some spots and some spots she could even see holes in it as the rust ate away at the metal. She didn't know how long she had worn that armor, but she dared not take it off, not until she accomplished her mission.

Her mission was simple, get home. She estimated it was about three or four years since she last saw home, since she was captured and had escaped from the war. Hard to keep track when you're worrying about so much else, like when your next meal is... or if you'll be something else's next meal.

The creaking and groaning of the armor plates didn't bother her anymore, nor did the pain from the cuts and scrapes under her armor. It was just simply part of the job.

Suddenly, she froze. There was a light up ahead. She drew her sword, rusted and dull, and braced herself for the worst.

She lowered her blade when she saw a group of ponies approach her. One of them walked up to her, giving her a good look before speaking.

"Shimmering Blade? My name is Captain Shining Armor. We're here to take you home."
The pegasus smiled as much as her tetanus allowed her to, and she slowly reached up and took off her helmet. She cried for the first time in years.

"About bloody time..." She whispered, not being capable of any more volume. She wiped her eyes, smearing the filth and grime that had been accumulating for probably months. "About Bloody time"