I lost myself, the ringing of my ears as I watched the bullets wiz past and as the grenades go off nearby. The air was filled with chaos, as I take one step forward only to be pushed aside as somepony sacrificed themself for me. My heart broke when I saw who it was but I didn’t cry, I couldn’t cry. As they lay at my side dying, they took off their helmet and smiled one last time before they faded away. A rage started to build inside of me as I grabbed my gun and ran out of the cover I was behind. Nothing mattered anymore, nothing, and as I charged into the enemy. I realized something, there was nothing and I was alone, again.
Four years earlier.
A few months passed after the invaders made contact with our kind. In the beginnin’ the set’lers were friendly, then they wanted to expand, and then they started enslaving ponies. Princess Celestia sent some forces to stop some of the troubles, but after a while more of them showed up and they started fightin’ back. From what I understand, a few of those invaders offered to help us fight back. My life would become hectic as my job never stopped, I mean we had to step up harvestin’ to help feed the troops on the frontline. The others tried to help but they had their own jobs to complete.
Today was a nice day, even if I was out bustin’ my rump like I do every day. Unlike the other days I get to take a break and attend a special town meetin’. Any time I get to rest is a good day, I mean honestly I’m gettin’ plum tuckered out. I finish up what I was doin’ and I decide to make my way into town.
Somethin’ was tellin me to find Dash, this was somethin’ she shouldn’t miss. She wasn’t called out to the frontlines, as a matter in fact they put her on hold. I started lookin’ around the skies for a sign of her. As I made my way closer to town I almost gave up then I saw the familiar rainbow tail. When I got close I noticed she was taking a nap.
“Hey RD, wake up.” I called up to her. Rainbow woke up and then looked down from the cloud. She smiled when she saw me, so quickly she came down from the cloud and landed in front of me.
“Hey AJ, ‘sup?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Jus’ makin’ my way into town.” I said.
“Why? Oh wait that town meeting…right I forgot about that.” Rainbow Dash said. She pushed off from the ground and hovered. “So…how is everything?”
“It could be better. I’m tired…I know it’s my duty to help out anyway I can but my family can’t keep this up.” I said. Though it sounded selfish, that’s how I felt. I know there are other farms out there pushing up production but I’ll bet they feel the same way. “How are you doin’?”
“I would rather be out there on the frontlines, instead of floating around here.” Rainbow Dash said.
“You could always help out at the farm.” I said.
“I could.” Rainbow Dash said. She looked away as she said that.
“Come on, let’s go see how our other friends are doin’ before that meetin’.” I said. She shrugged, so we made our way into to town to visit our friends. Luckily we didn’t have to search for them, they were all gathered at the library. Twilight had a concerned look on her face. “Is somethin’ wrong sugar cube?”
“This whole meeting thing…I know what it’s about and I’m worried.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“It can’t be that bad.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Yeah, darling it shouldn’t be that bad.” Rarity said.
“Tomorrow there is a voluntary enlistment for military service to help those all ready on the frontlines. Then a few weeks later there will be a draft if there aren’t enough ponies.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“That’s terrible…” Fluttershy said. The thought of military service kinda took me by surprise, no doubt Fluttershy is petrified.
“Families only have to send one member to serve, of course the whole family can serve but…” Twilight Sparkle said. She looked at me in particular. “If only one member is left, then that surviving member will be sent home.” Why is she lookin’ at me? I know that Big Mac will serv- oh now I get it.
“What about you Twi?” I asked.
“I don’t have to serve, but I will serve.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“But Twilight, you are a princess. You don’t need to.” Rarity said.
“I want to protect everypony.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“I think we all want to protect everypony.” Fluttershy said.
“I agree.” Pinkie Pie said. She hopped up in joy as always.
“Well, I’m definitely in.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Aren’t you on hold?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“Yes, but if this is a new service I want in.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Rainbow, I don’t think that’s how it works.” I said.
“Well, if it is truly a voluntary service thing they shouldn’t have a problem with me wanting to get in.” Rainbow Dash said. I looked at Twilight for some sort of guidance on the subject.
“I’m not sure, then again it is voluntary.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“See what’d I tell you. I can enlist…hopefully.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Well if Rainbow’s going I am.” Pinkie Pie said. I was about to say something but Twi beat me to it.
“Pinkie, this isn’t fun and games. From what I hear there is a strong possibility you won’t return.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“I know.” Pinkie Pie said. She kept smiling. “It doesn’t matter. As long as I help out somehow, then somepony can continue smiling.” She does have a point, we can make a difference if we try.
“I will do this…” Fluttershy said.
“Are ya sure ya want to do this?” I asked. She nodded.
“Is everypony going to volunteer?” Twilight Sparkle asked. Everypony in the room nodded. Of course I wanted to go but I had to figure out how I could talk Big Mac out of going tomorrow. One thing shocked me and that Rarity wanted to go, despite my remarks on how it’s going to involve a lot of messy stuff.
“So do ya know anythin’ about those converts I’ve been hearin’ about?” I asked.
“There are a bunch of them, they are ponies just like us and they agreed to help us fight back. They designed this armor that’s more resistant to the invader’s weapons, and they also upgraded our weapons.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“So we basically have their alien technology?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Exactly, and I guess they’re going to be teaching all of us how to use their technology.” Twilight Sparkle said. Alien technology? I’d like to see that. “Girls we should get over to town hall.” As we started walking I noticed the three fillies following us. A smile came over my face but it slowly disappeared. Reality sunk in as I might not see my family ever again, but if I didn’t serve I’ll fail them so I have to serve. We arrived at town hall and everypony was there. As we made our way to the front of the crowd we saw four armored ponies. Their armor was polished and each of those ponies had a different color of armor as well as a different armor style. From what I could tell was that there were two unicorns a pegasus, and an earth pony.
“Wow that’s some fancy gear.” I said.
“I’m going to look so awesome.” Rainbow Dash said. Rarity cringed at that statement. I’ll bet that she’s regretting sayin’ she’d go.
“Not the most fashionable thing, at least they are customizable…in a way.” Rarity said.
“I’m so nervoucited!” Pinkie Pie said. She excitedly bounced until Mayor Mare came out and stood behind the podium. She announced Princess Celestia and a few other ponies. They explained to everypony what Twilight had explained to us, about the voluntary thing and the draft. After everything was explained everypony was excused to go pack up and discuss things with their families. I stood with the others as Princess Celestia approached us. The armored guards stayed close by and had their weapons at the ready.
“Is it really that bad Princess Celestia?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
“I’m afraid so.” Princess Celestia said.
“Then why was I put on hold?” Rainbow Dash interjected.
“Rainbow.” I said.
“It’s quite all right Applejack. Rainbow Dash, you were put on hold because we wanted you to receive training in the new service.” Princess Celestia said. Rainbow Dash looked at her with full attention. One of the armored pegasi took his helmet off and walked over. His eyes were very kind and blue. It was hard to believe he’d be a cold-blooded soldier, somehow I didn’t believe that he could fight us…almost as if he…well onward now.
“This is the Rainbow Dash we placed on hold? Oh and before I forget, the name’s Lightning Rider.” Lightning Rider said.
“Yes, she is one of the best fliers.” Princess Celestia said.
“Looks more promising in real life.” Lightning Rider said. I’ll bet that Rainbow absolutely loves this attention she’s gettin’. The others stepped forward but none of them took their helmets off. They just stood there almost as if they were analyzing us.
“I take it that all of you are going to volunteer.” Princess Celestia said.
“We all are.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“Well then, I wish all of you luck and thank you for answering the call. We’ve got to go, we have another town to visit.” Princess Celestia said. The princess left with the soldiers and we just stood there.
“Hey Twi, what about Spike?” I asked. That just crossed my mind.
“He’s going to Canterlot, something about the Princesses have a special duty for him.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“At least he’s doin’ somethin’ to help out.” I said.
“He didn’t like it when I said I was going to volunteer but he got over it when Princess Celestia offered him some other kind of opportunity. I feel kinda bad for doing that to him.” Twilight Sparkle said.
“So we have to meet at the train station in the morning?” Rarity asked.
“Yes, all of us better get our things together and rest up.” Twilight Sparkle said. Each of us nodded as we departed for home. As I walked I couldn’t help but wonder if I am making the right choice, leaving everything behind so I can try to make a difference for everypony. When I got home I walked in and everypony was gathered to discuss the voluntary service. Might as well be direct with them.
“Everypony, I’m gonna to volunteer.” I said.
“But darlin’, Big Macintosh has already agreed to go.” Granny Smith said. Well I knew that would happen. I’ve got to convince my family to let me go instead.
“I’m still goin’ to go.” I said.
“Applejack, we need ya to stay here at the farm.” Granny Smith said.
“Granny Smith, I’m goin’ and that’s final.” I stated.
“But AJ, it’s okay. I’m goin’.” Big Mac said.
“No you ain’t. I need ya to stay here an’ protect the family that way.” I said. Everypony in the room was upset with me. “I’m goin’ and ain’t nothin’ gonna change my mind.” Big Mac sighed and nodded, and as for Granny Smith she just nodded her head. I looked around for Apple Bloom but she had run outside.
“We’re not the ones you need to talk to about this anymore.” Granny Smith said.
“Eeyup.” Big Mac said. I ran outside and tracked down Apple Bloom. She was in the Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse and as I went up I could hear her sobbing.
“Apple Bloom…we need to talk.” I said. I opened the door and Apple Bloom tried to dry her tears but the tears kept falling. She tried to run away from me but I caught her. “What’re ya runnin’ for?”
“I don’t want you to go.” Apple Bloom cried. That made no sense to me.
“An’ ya think that runnin’ will make me stay?” I asked.
“No…” Apple Bloom sobbed.
“Come on. Talk to me.” I said. She managed to settle down a little bit as I held her.
“I’m scared…” Apple Bloom said.
“What for?” I asked.
“I don’t want you to go away. I’m afraid that if you go, I’ll never see you again.” Apple Bloom said.
“Ya know, I can’t promise that I’ll make it home but I can sure try my best.” I said. A tear escaped from my eye. “Apple Bloom, I’m doin’ this not only to protect everypony else but I’m doin’ this to protect you.”
“How are ya goin’ to do that?” Apple Bloom asked.
“Well, every second I’m out there the longer it takes them to get here. Also the Princess will find a way to get you to safety before anything horrible happens.” I explained. Hopefully nothing bad will happen to her.
“You’ll still be gone.” Apple Bloom said.
“How about this. I’ll write ya whenever I can.” I said.
“I guess that’s gonna have to do.” Apple Bloom said. I took my hat off and placed it on her head.
“Come on, let’s go home.” I said. I let go of her and she managed to smile.
“I won’t say goodbye.” Apple Bloom said. Just when I thought we were making progress.
“Why not?” I asked.
“If I say goodbye, that means yer goin’ away forever. Yer just gonna be gone for a little while right? So I won’t say goodbye.” Apple Bloom said.
“This won’t be goodbye. I’ll be back.” I said. Boy, I’m gonna have a hard time keepin’ my word. Hopefully this will get her back home. I gotta rest up before I catch that train tomorrow. “Come on.” She finally agreed to come back home. The rest of the day I spent packing, getting things in line, and actually resting for once. When night fell I went to bed early. Sleep managed to find it's way to me and I slept like a foal. Morning came around and I got ready for the day, then made my way to the train station. As I arrived I witnessed ponies having heartfelt farewells and I thought about the talk I had with Apple Bloom. Rainbow Dash landed beside me.
"Where's your family?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"We had our farewell last night." I said. It wasn't long before the others joined us. When the train arrived everypony who volunteered to serve got on. As I got on I couldn't help but think, I'll be back just not in the way I'd hoped. At least I didn't say goodbye. I told them something different, something more hopeful.
I told my family, I'll see you soon.