//------------------------------// // Partners in Crime // Story: A World Apart (Old Version) // by Star Scraper //------------------------------// Rarity sat on the ice-crusted snow, wrapped in plush winter clothing, loaded with rolled-up sleeping bags and heavy canvas knapsacks. Despite the heavy cloak, its hood, and the torn strips of material made into a makeshift snow mask, the icy wind still managed to sting her face unwaveringly. Her canteen made endless ruckus as it was lifted off her side, knocked back against it, then lifted again in the relentless frozen gusts. A few feet a way, Redheart sat in similar attire, though both remained in their own thoughts as time slowly dragged on. Bland. It's completely bland. White, gray, darker gray, black, and more gray. She huffed. And the clothing doesn't make it any better in the least! White, gray and gray, and maybe some “nice” khaki if they're feeling especially colorful. She eyed the long sleeve and thick boot her forehoof wore. Absolutely colorless... Just as awful and loveless as this world. A whimper escaped her mouth. Turning her gaze to the barren expanse once again, her thoughts shifted in tone. Though, it is warm... She couldn't deny, the plushness felt like a continual warm hug when contrasted with the unearthly frozen wasteland, and the brutality of The Alliance. It almost stands out as much as pink fabric against a dark blue dress. Though that would look... She paused for a moment. Actually, if done correctly, I think I could actually pull off something fantastic with those colors. Oooohh, it'd be hard, those colors naturally clash, but done in just the right way, like a full moon in a dark night sky, they could stand out just right to look magnificent... ...Like a cozy, warm, unicorn in a frozen wasteland, kind of. She shifted back as her ears shot up, then her snout turned upward with a “hmph!” Well, this world may provide some great inspirations, but it's still absolutely awful, and the sooner I can get out of here, the better. Though, I might be here for quite awhile... I wonder if I can open a boutique here. Maybe I can even give these... brawly stallions, my sister and the medic a... a... Token of gratitude. Whatever her mixed opinions of these “Cerulleans” were, they had saved her life. They had nursed her back to health, and kept her warm and well. In comparison to what The Alliance had almost done – a shiver went down her spine as she thought about it – Sargent Light's roughness and Flameheart's uncouth manner meant little. So she sat in the gentle snowfall, wrapped in thick, plush, warm clothing. Half a catwalks' length away, Flameheart, Snowglade and Amber Light worked a small metal box set in the snow, headphones plugged in, a map unfolded, and notes scattered about. I wonder what the beds are like here? I'm sure they can't be too bad. Certainly they'll be better than these sleeping bags, whenever we get back to the Cerulean city. Though, even the sleeping bags seem quite inviting right now... She let out a yawn, and began to recall their cozy warmth. Slowly, her eyelids descended, plunging the world into darkness. “Rarity!” She shot up. “Don't fall asleep, It's not safe. You could freeze if you do that outside the tent.” Nurse Redheart stood next to her, just outside her vision. “Augh, well why don't we just set up the tent if we're going to be sitting here for an absolute eternity?” “It's Sergeant Light's call to make, and he didn't feel it necessary.” “Sergeant's call, my flank! This snow is positively freezing my tail off.” “Is your tail sleeve on properly?” “Well, yes.” “Is it getting cold? Are you getting cold?” “Well, not really.” “Then what's the matter?” “Well this cloak is probably doing a work on my tail and mane. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get them back to proper condition. For all I know, you ponies don't even have conditioner back at – batton, or wherever it is you ponies come from.” “Bastion. And we do have conditioner, there. Just, you know... It's not something we take with us on missions.” Rarity sighed. “Are you sure something isn't wrong, dear? You've seemed awfully out of sorts today.” “You try being out your home world and see what a job it does on you!” Rarity snapped back, then sighed again, realizing she'd just been shamefully snarky. It was unbecoming herself, but as she faced the prospect of humbly apologizing, she just couldn't. As quiet moments passed uncomfortably, though, she could feel the uncalled for remark floating heavily in the air. This is Nurse Redheart, of all ponies... “I'm awfully sorry, Nurse Redheart, that was terribly bad-mannered of me.” “It's alright. You just seem a bit out of sorts is all. Did you sleep well last night?” “Well... About that... Ahaha...” The nurse leaned in, curiosity piqued, concern excited. “Well... Well enough. Just, a little hard getting to sleep in this new environment is all,” Rarity finished. Genuine concern crossed the nurse's face. “Rarity, you should really tell me if your ear is giving you any trouble, or if you're feeling sick again. You did take the medication last night and this morning, right?” “Oh, yes. And, it's just getting used to the new environment,” Rarity dismissed with a hint of nervousness. The medic decided not to press it any further. The unicorn's nerves quickly relaxed. She would have been keenly aware of the growing uncomfortable silence had she not been failing her own struggle with her eyelids. “We got it!” Flameheart shouted gleefully with a small jump, headphones almost popping off as their cable went taught. Rarity shot up again. “Good heavens! Got what?” The three ponies took off their earphones as Snowglade quickly jotted down a few notes next to the radio kit. “Our next assignment,” Flameheart replied. “Which is?” “This way.” Amber Light pocketed a compass and began strolling off, leaving Flameheart and Snowglade only moments to finish packing the kit up into the mess of equipment in their backpacks. Sweetie Belle shot up to Rarity. The elder sister wasn't sure if it was the cloak, snowshoes, backpack, or what, but her younger sister's stature always caught her by surprise. She seemed larger than she remembered in Equestria. “It's about time.” Rarity started off. “What were you ponies doing, anyways?” “I think the Sergeant would still be unhappy with me telling. But you'll find out soon enough.” “Hmmph.” They plodded through the snow for only a few minutes before Snowglade darted over and hugged her sister. “I can't wait until we get back to Bastion, Grandeur! You really loved the gems and ice formations at South Shades, but knowing you, I bet you'll just love-love-love Bastion, too!... Though, I guess you don't remember the ice formations, either, do you?” “No... I – uhm – I'm not...” She paused, noticing both of her younger sister's ears were flat against her head. It was a terrible truth she dare not utter. “But I am your big sister, and that's what matters most, right?” “Yeah.” The younger cracked a smile. “I mean, it's so amazing! You're Grandeur! Back to life!” She grabbed another hug out of her “Back together.” The warm hug lasted several long moments, before Snowlgade let go and immediately realized the group was looking back at them. Without a word, they simply turned back on-track and kept going. “You know... Nopony has been left unaffected by the conflict. We all know of somepony who's passed on. I wonder what it's like for them, to see somepony return that they never knew?” Rarity couldn't help but cock an ear at hearing something so mature coming from her sister, who then turned and continued walking backwards, covering their tracks as usual, before she continued talking again: “It's odd, though. For some reason it never really clicked to me that you're Grandeur. You just seemed like some completely different pony that took her form. But last time we talked, it really clicked, and it just hit me that you're my... lost sister, come back once again! I mean, your memories are different, but... You're still Grandeur, though, aren't you? Same pony, just a different life?” “Heheh...” She nervously glanced at her, her mind scrambling for a response. “...But of course!...” I don't really know the answer to her question... But if this makes her so happy... Then it's worth being the truth. “I may have a different past, but I am the same pony. Your older sister.” “Yep! And I can't wait until we can spend some time together at Bastion. Ohhhh, you'll just love Sweetie Blue's! It's the most amazing little Sweet Shoppe! I can't wait to take you there! I mean...” Her bubbling enthusiasm popped and immediately died as she turned to a heavy question; “How long are you going to be here? I mean... I know you probably want to return, but... Can you?” “I... I don't know, Sweeti-I mean-Snowglade.” I'm beginning to get a bit tired of all these difficult questions... Can we please talk about something more... Light? Like just the sweet shop and not how long I'm stuck here? Or if I can even go home? She gave her sister-soldier another look, cringing uncomfortably at seeing this alternate form of her. A soldier, of all things!... But, is it really fair for me to want to go to MY home, when she's stuck in this awful place?... She has a point. She really IS Sweetie Belle, just... Not as lucky as I was, to be born in Equestria. Her expression dropped to a deadpan glare upon making a realization: Or, as I have been until I got sucked into this place, more like. Surely Twilight is working on something to get me home right now? Oh, Twilight, please hurry up... She stole another look at her sister. Though, I'm honestly not certain any more if it's okay for me to be rushing home... I wonder if we could both go to Equestria? An odd question dumped a confused look on her face. I wonder what Sweetie Belle would think of having this copy of herself around? Another sister? What would our parents think? “You don't seem to be talking very much today,” the younger sibling piped in. “Well... I'm just a bit tired is all. I had an absolutely horrendous nights' sleep,” she brushed it off, avoiding yet another heavy conversation. Though it's not really a lie, either. I am exhausted. Though I'm not sure if I want to tell anypony the real reason I was up all night... She began to feel nervous thinking about it. “Oh. Was something wrong? Did Flameheart's snoring get to you?” She paused for a moment. Well, if there's anypony I can confide in in this world, it's got to be Sweetie Belle... “Sweetie Belle...” she started in a hushed tone, “Can you... Uhm... Not make too much of a stir about this?” “What?” she returned with equal softness, her ears up and attention rapt. “I... I kind of felt like I was being watched, last night...” then she added as her heart skipped a beat; “...And Flameheart snores?... That's odd, I didn't hear any snoring at all...” Despite their many thick and warm layers, they both felt a sudden bite of cold. “You should tell the Sergeant, sis.” “What? You trust him, Sn-Sweetie Belle?” Snowglade looked at her with a jovial concern. “Don't get the two mixed up.” Rarity blushed when she realized she'd done the exact opposite of what she'd meant to do. I still don't get this whole 'private name and public name' business. Why would they do that? “And yes,” Snowglade continued, dropping the levity, “I trust him with my life. He's my sergeant, after all, and if he ordered me to jump into an icy river I'd do it.” “But Sweetie Belle! Why?” she asked, their conversation still holding a hushed tone. “It's just something you learn in the Cerullean Service, I guess. We're a team. Nopony is in it for themselves. You follow orders without question because he's counting on us – he's counting on us to keep us safe. If he ordered me to do something crazy, I'd know that it was absolutely necessary – likely to keep us alive. That's just how it works, sis.”  * * * Governor Spectrum wore a bedhead of a mane and a nightgown as she strode from one car to another. The gangways were indoor, but still far colder than the comfort of the luxury conditioned cabins. Nothing feels better than a decided mind. I'll kill the unicorn myself this evening. I'll just pop the box, and put a round through her skull, then slide it off the train. And my life will no longer have all these complications. Warm relief flooded her when the door clicked closed. She strolled into the fine dining car with a proud gait. She'll be sent to a better world, and I'll be able to relish all the luxury this world has to offer, from the safety of my position of power. The bartender smiled at seeing her. “Ah, good morning-” she cut off the lavender earth pony with a raised hoof, and yawned. “Two blueberry bagels, cream cheese.” She merely nodded and set to work. If the Governor wanted a truly quiet morning, she would get it. She made her way to one of the cushioned stools and set her hooves on the glass counter. “Good morning, Governor.” The Colonel greeted. Rainbow merely shot her an annoyed look. Doesn't she get it? I just want a nice, quiet morning for once. Nopony talks. Just the smooth, rhythmic clacking of the train. “How was your evening?” Icewind continued. The Governor gave her the hoof as well. “Alright, I guess I'll tell you about mine when you're ready.” She said with a smirk. Ugh, what's gotten into her? A plate with two bagels, already sliced and spread with cream cheese slid up to her, along with a morning mug of coffee. “Smart pony,” she commented, noticing the warm addition. She began her slow breakfast with a large chug of the coffee, the hot liquid bringing welcoming life to her soul. “I must say though, I had an absolutely splendid evening. We even caught a criminal that was on this very train.” Dash turned and gave her a look as though she were a noisy insect that refused to shut up, undecided on whether to put up with the buzzing a little longer, or grab the swatter. The look quickly transitioned to an astounded; “I can't believe this” when she realized the Colonel was in full uniform. In full uniform, sitting at the breakfast bar, next to the governor in a nightgown. “Colonel, this is a big diner car. There's even a lounging section over there with magazines.” She pointed down the car, unable to help but notice it seemed unusually empty on this morning. The colonel merely grinned and took a sip of her own coffee. It was unsettling. She seemed so certain about something. There seemed no doubt in her mind that she had won. But won what? “The criminal was one of your own personal slaves, too. Though you probably wouldn't know her by name.” Her blood ran cold. She bit her toungue. “Try me,” she answered cooly. f“Goldfeather. Private name Fluttershy.” She froze. “What makes you think she's a criminal?” “She was a conspirator. Treason, it is.” “She's a useful slave. I'd rather not her be executed. I think a good beating will do.” The Colonel shook her head. “No, treason demands nothing less than capital punishment by federal decree of General Hurricane herself. You know that.” Her throat caught. “Don't be stupid, Colonel!” she snapped. “What's your evidence for her crime?” she continued more levelly. “Evidence enough.” It only took a moment for her voice to turn into a deep growl. “Explain.” “You seem awfully pre-occupied about this one little slave. She's a weak little whiner, too. She cried before the beating even began. Oh, how she begged. It was quiet a pleasure.” The Governor hurled the mug without warning, sending it shattering against the wall in a spray of liquid. She huffed twice. “Something wrong, Governor?” “Since when do you preoccupy yourself with minor little affairs like individual criminals!?... Yes something is wrong, your mind has grown petty! If you're going to bother yourself with such individualistic little affairs, then you'd might as well clean this car as well. I just noticed a coffee stain on the wall. Better get it before it sets in.” “Oh, I learned to concern myself with individual slaves from the most colorful Governor I know.” She let loose a huge yawn. “Oh, I've been pulling an all-nighter with this one. Turns out the Blades weren't the only ones to snoop on this particular Governor, no. My sister Nightwind has agents who took some notes on her private chats with an individual criminal.” Dash was visibly shaking. “Now let me ask, Governor. Doesn't execution sound like a fair, legally required punishment for this conspiring slave?” “No.” She growled. “I'm going to give you one chance, Colonel. Drop this, and I'll let you go with your life.” The Colonel laughed. “Oh, how cute, in your cute little night gown, no less. No Governor, I'm the one giving you an out. You see, normally when succession occurs, the previous leader just gets killed, but I'm feeling that with this opportunity, why not be a little merciful? I'm giving you a chance to back out. I don't even have to take your uniform. Just let me call the shots, and everypony can happily forget about this little incident. Perhaps my sister will even forget about her documentation of your little talks with Fluttershy-” “How dare you speak her private name as you talk in open rebellion to me! You don't have the status to call a slave by her real name! Guards!” At that moment, the governor's heart skipped a beat. “What's the matter, Governor? Has it really taken you this long to notice it's just us three in this car?” “The Blades! I'll have-” “I doubt that.” Came a smooth, familiar voice. “No.” She whispered in response. She felt the chair spin itself so she was turned to face the familiar dark unicorn. The bartender's coat had turned many shades darker, and she'd been endowed with a horn. “As I said before you rudely cut me off earlier; 'Good morning, Governor.' I've quiet enjoyed our little talks. However, it has come to my attention that you've become a bit... Out of order? Yes. That's the way to put it. But, as I've said, I've enjoyed our talks, and you do look rather cute in that nightgown, so I'm going to give you a chance to get out of this with your life. Kill the slave, and the unicorn, do it yourself, and we'll forget this whole thing ever happened. Can you be a dear and do that?” Her entire body turned to cold, clammy, stiff clay. She could hardly move her lips. “Though,” the Chief Blade continued; “I do share your enjoyment of executions. It would be nice to see your dangling legs go limp under that nightgown. You'd look so helpless. And yes, those last moments before you die, your eyes would betray your soul. You would cry, and everypony would see the little filly you are at heart. “Rather fitting, isn't it, though? That I'd be sending a governor to the same fate a governor had once sought to send me to? It would be even more fair though, since after all, as the little bedwetting filly I was, I was completely innocent, but governors always get so much blood on their hooves, don't you?” She glared straight into the governor's eyes as she spoke. “But, we can reminisce later,” the Blade continued, “Let's change this up a little. Since you're obviously a bit scared, we'll let you think about it. You have until midnight to see both Fluttershy and the unicorn dead, otherwise you'll find a token of that sweet justice that you seek. A reprieve from your nightmare of a life.” The governor's words caught in her throat. She could only make an indecipherable noise. “Oh, don't act surprised. I'm a powerful teleporting unicorn. It's hard to find you alone sometime that you aren't moping about how depressed you are. That's all you do when you're alone, and I've only been sparing you some social discomfort thus far. A pitiful creature, you are. So many ponies dream to be in your hooves, and yet you despise your blessings.” Something happened the Governor had never seen before, and never thought she would ever see. For a brief moment, the Chief's smug smile vanished, and she paused for a moment, a word formed on her lips, but stopping there. “Such a sad, sad creature.” The Colonel added, oblivious to the Blade's moment of weakness. The Blade froze entirely, then cleared her throat and continued, “Midnight, Governor. We will see you, then.” With a flash of light, the car returned to normal. The Governor's guards stood at various posts, the Colonel was enjoying her breakfast, taking a moment to realize she was now in a night gown as well, and the Blade returned to her Earth Pony bartender status. The Chief leaned in to the Governor's ear: “And personally, from me to you, Rainbow, nopony would blame you for taking this morning in your own chambers.” She leaned back and returned to normal. Dash simply sat blank-faced, with animation slowly returning to her features as her heart began to race. She darted back toward her own car.  * * * Twilight heard a rasping noise from her tiny prison. A metallic thunk shook her dark world, and the roof lifted, sending in a flood of frozen air. She paused as she saw the governor standing over her, the twisted form of Rainbow, with a crowbar and pistol. Their eyes locked for several long instants. Twilight's showed a primeval terror, the eyes of a fish captured in the jaws of a shark, knowing its death is nigh, and any action is impossible. The governor's eyes, however, bore the weight of a water tower of blood, coupled with the fear and uncertainty of a lost foal, far from its parents, not sure where to go. The governor tossed the crowbar aside and lifted her prisoner out of the crate, the endless layers of thick blankets falling off of her, fully exposing her purple body. Instead of its usual lavender, her coat was as purple as her miscolored mane. Her body felt torn apart by the icy air of the unconditioned cargo car. The governor dragged her to a clear spot, and simply looked at her as she lay on the metal floor, tied, gagged, horn blocked, and adorned with a thick collar. She eyed the unicorn's magic blocker, then her own pistol. She froze for several seconds. Tears streaked down Twilight's face. The governor could see not only great fear, but more. For the many moments their eyes met, their mere expressions spoke a library of heart. I'm scared, Rainbow. I'm so scared and helpless, please don't kill me. Please? But... Would you really do it? Would you really kill me? Your friendship means so much to me. It gives my life meaning. But do I mean anything to you? Is my life really something you can willingly take? Are you really the “Governor Spectrum,” that this world calls you? Are you what they call you? Or are you Rainbow Dash? Who are you? Rainbow wasn't sure who's thoughts they were, as she gazed into Twilight's eyes. They both examined her pistol. Their slow, deep, shaking breaths sending out plumes of fog from their nostrils. Dash chambered a round. “I have to be strong, Twilight... The York dome depends on me... Right?” she whispered, her voice somehow carrying over the howling wind outside and the clanking of the train's tracks. Really? Is that what it comes down to? You're really going to take this shot? But why? I'm sorry. I'm really sorry this had to happen. I've decided. But why? She shakily raised her pistol, lining up the sights to Twilight's head. Goodbye, my friend. I'll miss you. I'm going to miss you so, so much. Her hoof shook wildly as her other hoof tried desperately to still it. She pulled on the trigger. With a bang, the world went silent. Both ponies were still. Rainbow fell to her knees, her eyes wide with horror. What happened? What have I done?! She heard an unearthly wail escape her lips. Her chest shook violently. She struggled to keep from falling further as the world rocked violently. She gasped for breath as she lost sensation of the metal floor and tears blurred her vision. She had never known that she could cry so hard, or that tears could pour from her face so quickly. Agonized breathing rasped next to her. She sobbed, and her chest froze in painful agony. I've missed! I hit her somewhere else and now I'll have to do it all over again to put her out of her misery! She couldn't breathe, too pained to face what she knew she would see. A mortally wounded angel, fallen from her dreams, that she would either had to watch suffer from her own hoof, or put out of its misery. There was a spray of thick crimson on Twilight's miscolored purple mane. Rainbow gasped. Her body acting of its own accord, she lunged forward, and wrapped the unicorn's body in her hooves. “TWILIGHT!” She screamed at the top of her lungs in an unearthly wail. There was a muffled word from the unicorn's lips. Dash choked on her own tears as she gasped, pulling herself away. She tore the gag off the unicorn, and collapsed on her shoulder, falling into a sobbing mess. “My Celestia! I'm so sorry, Twilight! I'm so sorry!...” “My... Ear... You shot it!” The words barely escaped through a clenched mouth. She froze, and took a step back. She pulled the mane away, to see a gash in Twilight's ear. She had never imagined herself capable of it, but neither had she ever felt so relieved, flooded with joy as though she'd awoken from a nightmare. She squealed, and immediately fell into a fit of sobbing laughs as she embraced the unicorn again. “You're alive! Thank Celestia you're alive, you little filly!” she screamed. She sobbed on the unicorn's shoulder for felt like an eternity. She would never leave. She couldn't end this moment of glee. “Rainbow?” She finally said through gritted teeth. “Yes, Twilight?” She answered, a content joy in her voice as she held the ray of light from a better world. “I'm cold. And you shot me in the ear. And I hurt. A LOT. Can we go inside?!” “Yes! Of course!” With a quick lash, the Governor reached down and tore loose her binds, then pulled off the gem-studded ribbon. Not only had Twilight's colors changed, but her horn was missing as well – giving the cloth the appearance of being a pointless wad in her mane. The unicorn sighed, then screamed; “I'M FREE!” She paced around rapidly; “No more being hauled around, no more being tied up, no more blocking my - MY MAGIC!” She launched her binds and collar across the car, the telekinetic glow coming from the air in front of her forehead – her invisible horn. She yalped and groaned as another wave of throbbing pain came over her bleeding ear. “This is over! I'm taking you back to Equestria this moment! I'll bring Celestia along to rescue our other friends. It's TIME!” She threw a hoof over the shocked pegasus, and focused on her magic. Then paused. “Where is it?” the unicorn's voice cracked, all her enthusiasm and force vanishing into weakness. “I... I can't find it...” “What are you talking about?” “I can't find it! I'm looking, just like when I cast the spell that sent us here, and I'm not finding it, it-... No...” she finished with a whisper. “What? What spell?” “NO!” “Twilight!?” “NO NO NO NO NO!” She pouted and slammed her hooves onto the floor. “What's wrong?” After a few long moments, she started laughing hysterically. “'What's wrong?' Did you really just ask 'What's wrong'?...” “Well... Yeah. I understand this probably hasn't been the best twenty-four hours for you, but... You're alive, right? You don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm going to take care of you, now, and explain everything... I guess you have some explaining to do as well, huh?” “Heheh. Yeah... I guess so. And that, I do. But you've got-! Ergh! And my ear! I mean, I know you were going to... No, why were you going to kill me?! None of this makes any sense!!!” Her temper rapidly flared “YOU-” “Twilight! Please! Let's talk inside my personal car. I'll get a med kit for your ear. You must be cold.” She sighed, her wisdom reinforced by the freezing, numb pain over her entire body more than enough to convince her to listen to reason. She bit her tongue and saved her rant for later. “But how can I trust you? You just shot me! How do I know I'm not walking into some kind of trap?!” “I'm the one facing a trap, Twilight. If I wanted you dead... If I were capable of doing it, I would have shot you here and now. Like I said, let's talk inside, you'll die of exposure in minutes out here. This car may be indoor and armored, but it's not heated, and you're naked. Unless you're content with just those wet blankets while we talk?” She pointed at the blankets that had fallen off of Twilight. Being crammed in a crate for almost twenty-four hours had unhygenic consequences. “No... I guess you've got a point. Lead the way, then.” The governor took off her jacket, revealing her nightgown underneath, and wrapped it around Twilight. She just looked at it, surprised. “I'll get blood on it...” “Twilight,” she said as she started leading her to the adjacent car. “Yes?” “I... When I went to, uhm... Shoot... What were you thinking?” She remained silent for a few long moments as they walked along, flanked by tall stacks of crates. “I was scared... But more than that, I was wondering if you'd do it. I still don't understand why you're doing this at all, I was shocked you'd even consider it, but you were acting like you were going to, and based off of everything else so far...” her voice broke up. “Rainbow, what's going on? Where are we? Is this the Frozen North? What was that city with the dark sky? Why am I the wrong color?!” she quickly examined herself “And why were you trying to...” She was fully aware of the situation, yet still, the heaviness of it was so alien, so intimidating, that she dared not mention it, as though merely saying it would incite its repitition. They had quickly fallen into casual, friendly camaraderie, and she feared to lose that precious warmth. “...Why did you tell me to not call you 'Rainbow'? Have you seen Rarity? Where are our other friends?” The pegasus cracked a half-smile at her child-like barrage of questions. She opened the door and let her prisoner walk into the heated cabin of her personal luxury car. Her smile then disappeared as she set about answering the questions; “Your friend was shot and is presumed dead, I'm sorry. Her body, however, was missing. Apparently taken by somepony in the crowd.” She closed the door behind them as they entered the warm car. Twilight stopped. Her ears dropped flat and her gaze fell to the floor for an uncomfortably long silence. “I'm sorry, Twilight...” “Well, no body, so you don't know she's dead! You could be wrong! You must be wrong! Ergh!” She grimaced as another wave of pain bit her ear. The Governor hesitantly replied; “There's a small chance she's alive, but I wouldn't-” “What about my other friend?! Two came with me. Pinkie and Applejack. What about the orange Earth pony? Blond mane?” “There were initial reports about two ponies, but it turned out to just be confusion. There was only one... Are you telling me the initial reports were correct?” A confused look fell over her. Twilight turned to face her with eagerness “Yes! There were two!” “Well... I don't know then. All I know is what I've told you, initial reports said two companions, later reports came in saying one had been shot, and the other vanished, so the initial reports had to have been mistaken. I'll have to look into-...” Now it was her turn for her ears to flatten and expression to sink. Her tail fell in-between her legs as she shuffled over to the small glass coffee table. The rapid shift in posture had left Twilight speechless for only a moment. “Rain- I mean, Governor, what's wrong?” “Well, I guess I won't have to worry about that.” she finished, pouring two glasses of wine. “A rescue for a rescue, Twilight?... No, the Ceruleans would kill me on sight, and rightfully so... You can call me Rainbow Dash. You're from my dreams, anyways. Hard to keep walls up to a mare you've only seen in dreams.” “You... Dreamed about me?” “That's why I couldn't kill you. That's why I'm sentencing myself to death by rescuing you.” “Rainbow, please explain everything, I have no idea what's going on, here!” She grimaced again. “And please fix this ear up already!” The pegasus got back up, and slowly, silently, trod over to a vanity. As Twilight watched her at the vanity, she caught her own reflection again: completely miscolored, though only now she realized even her cutie mark had changed. Her entire body had taken the appearance of Berry Punch's. She froze when she realized her horn was missing as well. “MY HORN!” “Oh. Don't worry about it, it's just invisible.” The Governor produced a bath towel and a medical kit from a drawer, then trod into the bathroom, towel in hoof. “But why do I look different?!” She heard the bath faucet turn on. “It's the collar you were wearing. It changes your appearance to the last pony who wore it, and you'll stay that way until the spell is reversed or a week has passed. That's what you felt when we fetched you from the prison. Some earth pony took your appearance, even appearing to have a horn, and you took theirs. That way the public could see the unicorn spectacular, and you could be trained by the Blades of Night.” the faucet stopped, and she re-emerged with a wet towel. “At least, that's what normally happens. This time, though, I just did it to rescue you. The Blades didn't want any new unicorns. I committed treason. Take a seat at the table, Twilight.” She reluctantly obeyed, though tensely kept her horn ready as the alternate form of her friend approached with the wet towel. She walked behind the seated Twilight. “Lay down on the pillow, make yourself comfortable.” She hesitated. “Go on. I'm a Governor. I know a thing or two about this.” She complied, only to immediately find a hot, wet towel thrown on her back, and the sensation of a wet cotton ball on her injury as the smell of alcohol hit her nostrils. She gritted her teeth as it stung the injury, thankful ears were thin and non-vital. “You haven't showered or washed in a very long time, you must be dying for this.” She couldn't deny, “It feels divine... But still, can you keep explaining everything?” “I'd... Rather not talk about it. Let's just enjoy the moment.” She started bandaging the ear. “No.” Twilight stood up, shrugging Rainbow's hooves off. Her eye twitched, her mane even more a disheveled mess than it had been. “No, you know why?!” She leaned into Rainbow's face, hooves spread wide as if ready to charge, voice bristling with anger. “I've been knocked in the head, probably given some severe head trauma, I awoke completely immobile in a stone prison cell, told I was a monster that was going to be executed, had rifles pointed at me, got yelled at for calling my friend by her name, then, when I thought this nightmare was over more than a day later, you and Cloudchaser told me not to ask questions, then I was bagged, dragged, stuffed in a crate for heavens' knows how many days, and then got a hole shot through my ear!” She finished ranting with her nostrils flaring, gesturing to the half-bandaged ear. She could feel her mane heating up, ready to burst into flame. “SO YOU. WILL. EXPLAIN-” She froze. Her friend had gone from stepping back, to sitting down, and had now collapsed. “Rainbow?” All of the fury in her voice had fallen to a broken ruin. What have I done!? Her hooves went heavy with dread for her cyan friend. She didn't respond to her name. “Rainbow, are you okay?” Still no answer. She gently put a hoof under her friend's chin and lifted it. Her mane was even more a mess than she'd realized, her eyes and nose were red, and her cheeks soaked. “Rainbow I - I didn't - ” She slowly got up, trying to regain control of her sobbing breathing, and slowly set to work finishing the bandages on Twilight's ear. “Dash, what's wrong?” she softly asked. She finished the bandaging. “You're free to go, now. I'll never be an issue again.” She turned to the doorway, and began dragging herself to the doorway. “Don't say that, Rainbow... Where are you going?” “I can't wait until tonight to die, Twilight. I'm going kill myself so they don't have the chance to kill me... I had one shot at making something worth living of my life, and I shot her, and... Everything else I've done... I couldn't. I just couldn't break your naïve heart with all I've done in this world.” She turned back to the door. “Rainbow!” Before the pegasus had time to react, Twilight lunged over and tackled her, pinning her on her back and leaning in to her face. “Dash, I don't know what this world has done to you, or what you think of yourself, or who you think you are, and I certainly have no idea what's going on! But you listen. To. Me! You are my friend! You are RAINBOW DASH! The one, and THE ONLY. Don't you even dare think about doing whatever it was you were going to do! Maybe to you, I'm just some kind of dream or illusion, but to me, you matter. Everything I've gone through, I did it to rescue a single friend of mine, and given the choice, I'd do it again. So don't you dare go and throw your life away, because no matter how much you don't care about it, this 'dream of yours,' does! So don't you even think of hurting a hair on Rainbow Dash's head, okay!? And don't you dare be mean to her, either! OKAY!?” “I...” She started, her eyes wet and sobbing. “Now get a hold of yourself! You're a governor, aren't you? I have no idea what's going on, but obviously some dangerous things are, and you and I both need you to be at the top of your game, so shelve your problems for later, we need to get a plan of action right now, and then we can hug and make up afterwards. You're Rainbow Dash! You obviously don't know who you are, and you think you've barely met me, but I know you far better than you do, and you can do this! So, let's make a plan of action, and then we'll talk about your problems afterwards.” “But... There isn't going to be an aft-” “YES! Yes there is! With the help of my friends, including you, we defeated Nightmare Moon – a mythical, super-powerful mare of darkness that was going to shroud the land in eternal night. But by some miracle, we did it! And I thought I was going to fail my entrance exam to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, but by some miracle, I did it! So you know what? I don't care how bad this looks. You may absolutely need a miracle to get out of this alive, but that's just when miracles happen, Rainbow! I'm alive right now, and that should be proof enough! Just when your back is to the wall, and you've done everything you can, and there's nothing left, and failure is not an option – that's when they happen – so you just keep fighting, you hear me?! Don't you dare EVER give up, because this isn't over yet!” The pegasus just looked up at her, her eyes shocked and wide, repressing a sea of emotions. “I don't know much, but I can tell you're hurt a lot, Rainbow. And I'm sorry.” She continued more softly, yet just as firmly. “But if we don't get a grasp on this situation, then there won't be time to make things better. I love you Rainbow-” she gave her friend a quick hug “-, your friendship has taught me so much, and I want to be there for you, but we have to get somewhere safe first, and to me, this place doesn't seem very safe. Is it?” “Well... No.” “Then let's get out of here. You and me, and we'll find the rest of our friends and head home, and you'll discover who I know you really are.” She stepped off of Rainbow's hooves and moved over next to her. “Now, let's talk about our options, and make a plan of escape. Are you with me, Rainbow?” She offered a hoof. “Yes.” She grinned, and grabbed Twilight's hoof, letting her pull her onto her feet. “We can pull through, but only if we do it together. So, what's going on?” “You... Obviously don't know much. I'm a governor... I guess you knew that much. But you're from a place with a sunny sky, yes?” “Of course... Is this place not like that? It's obviously winter, but...” The governor shook her head. “The land is wrapped in an eternal winter. Above the cloud layer, it's been nighttime for months now, too. So long ago, when the winter started, The Order built enormous protective domes to live under. I'm the governor of one of those domes, the York dome. And right now, the military leader of the dome, Colonel Icewind, is staging a coup against me with a Blade of Night – a secret unicorn police force. They've arrested my friend for treason. She-” She was cut off by a thunderous bang. The train car was launched off the tracks, rolling madly, sending the occupants flying. There wasn't time to respond before they were knocked out.  * * * The Colonel still sat at the empty bar. “Ah, the seeds of rebellion grows. She's getting hopeful, now. We'd probably be best off dispatching her now before she has time to do anything with that unicorn,” the bartender nonchalantly piped up. Icewind eyed her. “How do you do that? It's like you just know everything.” “Magic is as magic does, my dear. It's rather simple from this far away. I do admit, though, I do feel somewhat reluctant in killing them.” “They'll hear us!” She hissed, eying the guards in the train. The bartender calmly dried out a glass with a rag as she spoke. “Do you think I'd be so reckless? No, they can't hear us, and unless they really focus hard, they won't even notice.” “You unicorns can sure do some freaky things.” “You're only now figuring this out?” She grinned. “In any case, we need to go about killing them. But, I'm afraid certain circumstances restrict me from killing the unicorn. So what shall we do?” “Throw a grenade in the room and blame it on unicorns?” “Or I could stroll in, and telefrag the poor pegasus.” “Telefrag?” “When you teleport half of the subject, but not the other half.” “Well, I'm not keeping you.” “Grab a pistol for the unicorn.” “Already got it.” “Then let's pay the governor a visit. She's failed her test.” She set down the glass, and walked around the bar, leading the pegasus Colonel down the short, narrow hallway that led to the gangway. “Well, here-” They were both knocked off their feet as the door's window filled with a monstrous pillar of liquid flame, sending a thunderous shock through the car. The train's metal creaked and groaned as it buckled and struggled to hold together. They both shot up, looking through the window to see the car had been blown off and sent crashing through the snow behind the train. It took only several moments for either to comprehend what had happened, and for the detached car to disappear far behind them. The Colonel looked on with complete shock, and the Blade erupted in uncontrollable laughter. She shot the co-conspirator a confused look as she rolled on the ground in the cramped hallway, laughing. “Oh, that's precious! That's just too precious! It's beautiful! Absolutely be-a-utiful!” She got back onto her hooves, and threw one around the Colonel's shoulders, uncomfortably close in the small space. “That's true magic, my little colonel flatskull. Now, the guards will be rushing up to us. Act natural.” “Colonel, what happened!?” “Yeah colonel, what happened!?” the bartender had quickly snapped back into her role. “Ceruleans!”  * * * Astilbe yawned and stretched in the darkness, uncurling from a ball. She was hesitant to rise, the cloak-turned-blanket was warm and after sleeping on it, the concrete was also. But just like the Cerulean task force she'd delivered the unicorn to, she preferred not to waste time. Alone in the ancient, pitch-black tunnels, she stood up, donning her makeshift blanket into its intended role: a cloak. She fell into a quiet reflection on the tunnels' history as she donned her bags. The tunnels had been built centuries ago by the previous occupants of the York Dome, back in a time of great hope. For centuries the domes that The Alliance had captured were separated by a cold expanse, and so each took its own course. The Vanhoover Dome had even forsaken the hunt of the unicorns, coming to peace with the various colonies in the cold. Here at York, the inhabitants had built tunnels as secondary passageways to the outside, and maintenance spaces to allow work on the geothermal lines. The Republic of York had anticipated that the invention of the railways would bring an unprecedented era of commerce and peace, only to be swiftly invaded by The Order of the Delphi Dome. Fortunately, all references to the layout of the tunnels had been hastily burned as defeat approached, and with that, some remained undiscovered relics of an era past. Undiscovered to all except the few that knew, and by word of mouth, the knowledge had been brought to support the Ceruleans. Very few of the older generation – the generation that had been alive before The Order invaded – would let this useful information go to any other than the Ceruleans. Astilbe let out another enormous yawn. She stretched her entire body like a waking cat in the darkness, almost toppling out the contents of her saddlebags. She felt her blood running, loosening some of her grogginess, and forcing out any lingering stiffness. She produced and lit a match from her bags, and in turn, a lantern. She began down the long passageway, the lantern's handle in her mouth, and its dim orange light casting away the deep black shadow for a small distance. She let another yawn slip, looking up to avoid letting the lantern slide out of her wide mouth. It's funny how relaxing it is sleeping down here. I guess it just feels safe. She let out a sad groan. It's too bad. So many ponies would love to flee The Alliance, and go and live in Bastion. If only they could know about these tunnels. But she knew full well they couldn't. If a single one of them were a spy, then an extremely useful asset to the Ceruleans would be lost, and only a few would be able to escape before The Alliance noticed. As she trod on, she absently looked left and right, searching for the small staircase marked 12A. Finding the walls as unremarkable as ever, her mind began to wander. I hope everypony is alright. She sighed as a grim realization came over her. They're going to want to pin the blame on somepony for what I did. Chances are it won't even be me. I just hope it's not somepony I know... But shouldn't I be just as sad if any innocent pony is executed? She shrugged. Well, I suppose I do have more obligation to my friends. So while it's sad anypony has to suffer... I just hope it's not one of them. She wasn't able to shake the fear that somepony dear to her was going to be executed for what she had done. Please, I'd rather it be me than Fiddler. Her ears pricked up at an odd realization. Actually, I'd rather it be Fiddler... Then I'll be the one left alone, and she'll be in the grassy, summery blue-skied world. Then her heart froze as her blood ran cold in an instant. She stopped in place. No. She started sprinting down the tunnel, the tiny lantern swinging wildly, jerking at her jaw painfully and slamming into her chest repeatedly as it swung, but she paid no heed, instead only scouring the walls for her exit. How could I have been so stupid! Why didn't I think about it before!? Why – how, how could I have been so incredibly blind! Stupid, stupid! Tears welled in her eyes. I can take the short drop. I could face an execution. Even Fiddler could. Fiddler, Rosewing, Silverwing, they're all operatives, they accepted a risk, and they've grown up in this world. But not HER. She's completely innocent, she's just... She's innocent! She's like a little child! Her heart pounded in her chest harder than it should have for her sprinting alone. Despite her strength and exercise, her limbs trembled, even while they felt weak and stiff. She skid to a hault when a spot to her left gave away to darkness. She darted towards it. A staircase! - 11A, not my exit! She kept running. No! Not her! Not her! I won't allow it! I – I'll rescue her myself! Tears welled again as she knew how futile it would be. It had taken so much planning, teamwork specialized equipment and coordination to pull off the stunt with the unicorn, and even that was miraculous. Fiddler! I'm going to be so mad at you if you haven't watched over her! You're an operative! You can take the noose, but she can't! She shuddered as she realized what she had been thinking. Would I really rather my best friend die than her, though? I barely know her... But I really know her. She's innocent... She's, just... Just... She couldn't justify it to herself, in any way than what she had thought before. She's like a child, she doesn't deserve this! She found another staircase, leaning sharply to keep from rolling over, she darted to it, quickly confirming the painted 12A. She shot up the steps, threw the door open, and jumped into the bedroom above. She quickly set down the lantern on the wood floor, and ran into the living room of the familiar house. A silver stallion yalped as his wings flew wide in surprise. She darted outside, racing to the nearest news-post, her cloak flapping in the wind. “Astilbe!” the stallion called after her. She kept running. Please, please, if she hasn't been caught yet I'll turn myself in! Her neck twitched nervously as her heart pounded even harder. Yes, yes! I'll just turn myself in, and I'll be hanged, and they won't be looking for her! That's what I'll do, they can't have – they can't have!... She stopped wide-eyed in front of the news-post. Despite her lungs screaming for her to pant, her breath stopped. They can't have... But... but... TODAY AT FOUR: THE EXECUTION OF THE UNICORN-LIBERATOR. They... Beneath it, was a black-and-white photograph of a crying mare with a long straight mane, tied from head to toe. “Astilbe!” Silverwing called again as he darted up towards her. “Get back inside, we need to talk!” Pinkie...