//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Black Harmony // by dissidant1 //------------------------------// It was truly a sight. Twilight had a regal countenance about her I had never seen before. Her mane had taken on the ethereal state the sisters’ had and the aura of raw power surrounding her made it almost difficult to breathe at first. I could sense this power was relatively new to her and she didn’t have full control of it yet. Even so, I feared putting my arms around her. Beneath the power and presence, I felt a fragility that she struggled to hide. “It’s been so long Pinkie Pie. We have so much to talk about. Oh, where are my manners. This is Flash Sentry; he’s my husband,” she said, pointing to the unfamiliar stallion. “Good to finally meet you Pinkie. I never thought I’d actually have the chance, though Twi has told me enough to feel like I already know you.” “I have a million questions Pinkie and I’m sure you have quite a few-” “Now Princess, I must insist that you rest. It was quite a scare you gave us earlier,” Nurse Redheart said having restrained herself for long enough. “No no, I’m fine. Really I am-“ “Princess or not, you are my patient and you will lie in bed and rest. End of discussion.” I could see Twilight wasn’t going to give up her protest. “Twilight, it’s okay. We’ll have time to talk later, I Pinkie promise I’m not going anywhere this time.” “Okay Pinkie. I’ll rest now, but you better be back first thing in the morning.” “I promise.” ________________________________________________________________ “Another round Berry!” Applejack’s voice boomed across the pub drawing anyone whose attention was not already on their table, which may have only been one or two. “Coming right up AJ!” Berry Punch yelled back from behind the bar. “That Berry Punch sure knows good whiskey. Man that’s good stuff.” The alcohol burned as it went down my throat. I’d tasted nothing but stale water for so long that the pain was welcome. I could tell that Applejack was feeling a little frisky by the way she held and touched Rarity. I considered myself fortunate that Dashie and Fluttershy behaved with more decorum, but I saw that the drink was getting to them as well. “Now now Applejack darling, there is plenty of time for this when we get back to the house.” “Ah know Rares, but you are just so damned sexy it’s hard to control mahself.” “Even so dear, tonight is about Pinkie,” she looked to me, “What were you saying earlier while AJ's eyes were glued to my bottom?” “I asked her what brought you two together. She said it was a hard story to tell.” The pain that crept into her face was almost overwhelming to see, “Indeed it is. Four years ago-” “Stop Rarity. I’ll tell it.” ______________________________________________________________________ The smell of death lingered high in the air that day. The settlement was under constant attack back then and we were all run pretty ragged. Rarity was working twenty-three and a half hours a day keeping the troops outfitted and mah family and Ah were constantly delivering food and supplies to the front lines. Me and Mac and Applebloom stuck together wherever we went. Much as Ah tried to keep her away, there was nopony better at repairs or construction in all of Equestria. Lettin’ her come with us was all I could do to keep her off the front lines herself. We were almost finished loading up the caravan when Rarity told us her latest order was delayed but she would bring it herself once it was finished. After a long argument about her staying out of harm's way, Ah left with a pretty hot head. What Ah didn’t see was Sweetie Belle witnessed the entire thing. Sweetie Belle was never a fighter, but she had one of the biggest hearts anypony ever had. We were only a few miles from the battle line when we heard the first scream. Ah told Applebloom to stay with the caravan and me and Mac ran off as fast as we could. The screams grew louder and louder and Ah thought Ah kept hearing a name but Ah couldn’t make it out. What we witnessed when we got there…a group of some twenty changelings somehow slipped through the line and…what they were doing to Sweetie Belle…it was just monstrous. We drew our swords and fought as hard as we could. In fact, if Applebloom hadn’t disobeyed me and followed us, we likely would’ve died then and there. Suddenly there was a sickening crack followed by Applebloom’s voice. There was a huge changeling standing over her as the blood pooled around her head. We jumped at him but Ah got knocked back and almost passed out mahself. Ah shook it off and Mac already had Applebloom in his arms. Ah looked back over at Sweetie Belle. She was covered in blood and her shoulder was dislocated, but she was still breathin. We ran like we never had before to get them back to the settlement. Ah got to the medical station first and laid Sweetie Belle on a gurney as the doctors started on her. Ah looked behind me just as Mac was handin Applebloom off and Ah saw that he was covered in blood as well. At first Ah thought it was from our sis but it was far too much for that. Ah asked him if he was okay and all he told was to take care of Applebloom before he collapsed. ___________________________________________________________________________ “He’d been cut pretty deep in the fight and by the time we got back, it was too late. Mah bro was gone,” she said as the tears streamed down her cheeks. Rarity had long since buried her face into Applejack’s chest. “What happened to them?” I asked, instantly regretting the question. Applejack wiped at her eyes before answering, “Applebloom got knocked on the head pretty hard. They say she probably won’t wake up, but I still visit her every day. But Sweetie Belle-” “Oh Applejack! It’s my fault she went out there! It’s all my fault!” Rarity burst out, making the entire bar go silent. “Now now, you know that ain’t true. You’ll forgive me Pinkie but Ah gotta get Rarity home.” The crowd returned to its bustle as Applejack lifted the sobbing Rarity in her arms and left. I looked over to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, who did their best to hide their own tears. Dash was the first to speak up, “Rarity had just finished the equipment and had most of it loaded when she sat down for a second. That was just enough time for her to be out like a light. Sweetie Belle knew how exhausted her sister was and decided to deliver the goods herself. Sweetie wound up pregnant from the attack, not to mention she blamed herself for Applebloom and Big Macintosh. She just couldn’t handle that level of pain and she…she killed herself. Rarity truly believes it’s her fault and much as AJ tries to help her, she breaks down from time to time.” Fluttershy seemed to be having a hard time dealing with these painful memories. She hid her face behind her mane and I could see Dashie’s face wince as her grip grew tighter and tighter. “I’m sorry…if I wasn’t here you wouldn’t have to dredge up all this heartbreak.” “Don’t be silly Pinks. There’s no way we’d ever think something like that. We’ve all been through hell but nopony could ever imagine the pain you’ve been through.” “Rainbow…I…” “ALL RIGHT EVERYPONY! LAST CALL!” Berry Punch’s voice rang out, startling most of the patrons. “Looks like we better call it a night guys. We’ve got a spare bedroom you can use,” Rainbow Dash said as she got up. __________________________________________________________________ I should have been asleep. It would have been better if I’d fallen asleep, but the softness of the bed was very uncomfortable. I tried but it was all I could to even lay down. And then I heard it. “Ahh!...” It was Dashie’s voice. I knew what was happening and I knew I should have left. Just gone for a walk, let them have their intimate embrace, and find some nice patch of grass and slept there. It probably would have been more comfortable. “Oh Fluttershy…” My body moved by itself. I was screaming in my head that this was not something I wanted to see, but I’d heard those sounds so many times in so many dreams. I wanted it to be my name. Their door was cracked just enough for me to see it all. There was her face, her prismatic mane beautifully tousled as she arched her back and rode the full force of her ecstasy radiating out from her purity to her fingertips and hooftips. I felt my own passion quicken for the first time since I was taken. I’d thought my body was useless after all the brutal assaults from the countless changelings, but something about Dashie’s face brought that feeling back. I couldn’t stop myself. I was in there, I was making Dashie feel this way. All the pain and suffering I felt in my life was worth it if my beautiful Dashie could feel this much happiness. “Oh Dashie…” I didn’t realize I’d said it out loud. “ ‘Shy, did you hear something?”