Then We'll Run

by maxxxxxx


Pike or Shield


Rainbow Dash began to stir from a deep, dreamless sleep. Her once sore back and wings felt rejuvenated from sleeping on a soft warm bed. In a sleepy daze she looked around the dark room. Am I home?

Blinking her bleary eyes, she banished the fog of sleep from her mind as she began to recall, the events that lead her to this warm bed. Her heart sank as she remembered. So overcome with stress and wary, she wished hard to return to the comfortable, worry free embrace of sleep. Suddenly, a soft movement pulled her away from her thoughts. A warm and familiar mass was pressed against her body, cuddling closer to her and a soft snore filled the room.

Twilight. Rainbow slowly thought her name, the annunciation each sound to her lovers name, filled her heart will warm bliss. She deserves to sleep more. As long as she needs. She's so warm, and her snore sounds so peaceful. Right now, she's free form all of this. All the hate, the running, the fear. Being hunted is terrifying, even if we avoid being caught, the tension and fear could break us. While she's asleep, she's free from all of it. Once she wakes up... she has to come back to hell.

Carefully, Rainbow Dash extricated herself from Twilight's embrace, her foreleg resting over Dash's chest and her hind legs woven between Dash's. Tentatively, Rainbow pulled away from her, cold air filled the gap where Twilight's warm body was pressed against hers. Struggling against the urge to lay back down, Dash lifted herself, ensuring that the blanket covered her marefriend from tail to neck as she reached the edge of the bed.

“I love you Twilight. I'll be back.” She whispered softly, craning her neck over Twilight until her lips met the silky smooth fur of her forehead. Even in her sleep, Twilight released a content sigh and, in the dim moonlight that shone through the solitary window, Rainbow Dash could see a faint smile spread across her face. Rainbow smiled to match Twilight, the overwhelming feeling of her love for her, nearly brought her to tears. Sleep tight my beautiful princess. I'll make sure we get out of this.

Quietly, Rainbow slipped out of the bed, leaving Twilight to sleep peacefully. As Dash reached the door, she gingerly turned the knob, the distinct metallic clunk of it's turning made her cringe. A quick looked behind her showed the figure of Twilight, undisturbed from where she left her. With a mental sigh of relief, Rainbow turned the knob the last millimeter and slowly pushed the door open, just enough for her to slip through. Light flooded the room as she squeezed through. I guess it's a good thing that I've lost a bit of weight...

Without looking back into the room, she closed the door behind her with her hind leg, with a click, the door was shut. In the hallway, Dash stood silently with her eyes closed, listening for any sound from Twilight. When none came, she opened her eyes, the bright light making her squint.

“Now where was the little filly's room?”
*************************************************************

Rainbow Dash closed the bathroom door behind her with a relieved breath. I hope Twilight didn't wake up without me. I should get back to-

“Good morning.” A familiar voice said, neither pleasant nor angry, but at some strange mix of the two. Rainbow whipped around, nearly losing her balance as she turned, her wings half flared and her teeth gritted, ready for a fight.

“Still half asleep? Did you forget whose home you're being allowed to sleep in?” Crucible grinned as she leaned against the wall outside the bathroom Rainbow's wings weakly fell back to her sides as she tried to look as unimposing as she could, awkwardly shifting her stance from one ready to fight to half sitting.

“I- I um... Sorry, I was just a little on edge. You surprised me and I-”

“You're beginning to blather. Don't you worry, I'm not offended any.”

“O-okay...” Rainbow Dash stammered and she evened out her posture. Was it because their lives were in her hooves, or was it because she's got more weapons than the royal guard? Something about her, really made Rainbow uneasy and she couldn't place exactly what. Rainbow felt that she would rather fight Shining Armor than the mare before her.

“Is your... friend still asleep?”

“She's my marefriend... yeah, she's still asleep. Why do you ask?” Rainbow forced herself to make eye contact with the blacksmith. Her question putting her back on edge.

“No real reason, just wanted to know.” Crucible began as she stepped away from the wall and began walking towards the stairs. “I want to talk to you. Come with me to the kitchen.”

“I though you didn't want us to go down stairs...”

“And now I'm telling you to follow me.” She replied coldly as she descended the stairs. Rainbow looked down the hall, at the door behind which Twilight still slept.

“R-right, I'm coming.” Wearily, she followed Crucible, Keeping an ear on Twilight's room. Scenarios spun around in Dash's mind as she caught up with her. Is she trying to separate me from Twilight? Is the is a trap? What if they got to her while I was in the bathroom? What if the Royal Guard are waiting for me down there? Despite the horror that crept over her, she knew that no matter what, they were at Crucible's mercy, if she didn't follow, it wouldn't be hard at all for Crucible to subdue her, that mare had the strength of an earth pony and the magic of a unicorn, not to mention an armory. Or worse, if she already has Twilight, I don't have a choice, I just have to do what she wants, for now.

As they reached the bottom step, Rainbow look towards the front door where the shop rested. Silvery moonlight glistened off the cold steel, bathing the entire room in a peaceful shine. Looking straight from the bottom of the stairs, a wall separated the shop from the kitchen, a warm golden light shined from a doorway at it's end. Without a word, Crucible proceeded forward, towards the artificially lit room. With one last worried look back up the stairs, Rainbow nervously followed.

“It's almost time for you both to leave. It's gonna be sunrise in about an hour.” Crucible said as she rounded the doorway and entered the kitchen. Rainbow joined her to find a small but well stocked kitchen and the smell of aromatic foods hung in the air. A stove burner was on as well as the oven and a table in the middle had all sorts of fresh vegetables and fruits.

“Is that what you wanted to talk about?” Rainbow asked cautiously as she scanned the room. She was aware, they had to leave soon.

“Not really, just a reminder. Can you get me the honey please?” Crucible asked as she faced tended to a set of jars on a counter.

“Sure... where is it?”

“Over there, on that shelf. The big jar on the bottom.” She pointed with her hoof as several slices of fruit were dropped into the glass container.

“Okay.” Rainbow saw the large jar in question, filled a little more than half way with sweet golden liquid. Trotting to the shelf she took hold of it in her hooves, flapping her wings to keep balance as she walked it over to Crucible, dropping it on the counter.

“What is all this? Throwing a party or something?” Immediately, Rainbow felt a pang of sorry at the mention of parties. Images of her jovial friend, locked up in some dungeon somewhere. Stop it Rainbow... Just, stop it. We've come too far, too many ponies have suffered so we could be free, we can't let that be for nothing.

“This is for you two, preserved foods, flat and rye bread, sun dried vegetables and pickled foods.”

“Oh, wow, thank you.” Rainbow looked at the kitchen once again, it was clear that she had been busy.

“Don't thank me, I need to get rid of this stuff soon. I won't be staying here much longer.”

“What do you mean? I thought you were going stay and try to get Prose back?” A creeping sense of dread worked it's way down her spine and through her mind as she beheld a dark and bleak look in the mare's eyes. No, it can't be...

“I have a feeling you know why. The royal guard are on their way, a customer told me that they've been frantically looking for the two of you. Tearing apart homes with no resistance from anypony. After all, all of Equestria wants to see you two hang. There's a massive reward for your capture as well it seems. If I had any advice for you now, it would be to never set hoof in a town again. Stay to the wilderness, you're safer among the wild animals and monsters than you are in pony society. Really though, that's not really a surprise when you act like beasts yourself.”

“We act like beasts?”

“Of course, but don't think your alone. Celestia is acting like a common beast as well, so are the ponies joining the hunt for you, just for the reward. Though, in the end, it's all on you two to begin with.”

“I- I see...” Rainbow's body felt weak, her eyes dulled with pain as she brought her body weight to rest on the counter, leaning on it as a crutch for her shaky and weak legs. “Why?”

“Why?” Crucible repeated, provoking Rainbow.

“Tell me why it's wrong. I've never heard of it before, a mare loving a mare, not once. Nopony I've ever known has said anything about it. I- I've never had feelings for a stallion, I never understood why, it just wasn't there. Then, I meet Twilight and, things started to change. Really, before recently, if you asked me what love was, what it meant and what it felt like... I wouldn't have been able to say. Now, if you asked me what love means to me, what her love means to me, well, I'll go to hell and back for her, I'll protect her with my life, and if anyone tried to hurt her, they'll have to go through me! I truly love Twilight, more than anything, so why is that wrong?! Why is it that you all hate us!?" Her heart was racing and thought's swirled in her mind, all the things she had held back, the things she wanted to scream to all of Equestria, were coming out now, to this one mare, who thought she was a lowly beast. Tears pooled in her eyes and her whole body was trembling. Crucible, just stared at her, with a complex expression.

“Rainbow Dash, do you know why I became a blacksmith?” Crucible asked. Rainbow was caught off guard by the seemingly unrelated question, but, the tone of her voice made it clear, that this was more than relevant. Swallowing back her tears, she shook her head silently.

“Of course not, I've only ever told this story to my husband.” Stepping back she lowered the temperature on her stove and faced Rainbow Dash. Clearing her through, she began to speak.

“Have you heard the story of the pike and shield?” To her question, again Rainbow shook her head.

“I haven't. What's it about?” To her surprise, there was almost a look of delight in Crucible's eyes from her simple answer.

“It's a parable from a country in the far east.”

“Long ago, there was a blacksmith who was selling his arms in the market place. He had attracted a crowed with his great claims. He said 'You will not find a better shield in all the land! This shield will protect from any attack. Truly it is impenetrable!' The smith said as she held up his shield. He then picked up a pike, he held it out and said, 'This Pike is the ultimate weapon, it can pierce through any defense and armour and will always get the kill!' The crowed was in awe of such a weapon, all but one. A young boy in the crowed spoke up. He said, 'Can the pike that can break any defense break the shield that cannot be broken?' The smith stopped and the crowed turned to him, awaiting his answer, he had none.”

“That's it?” Rainbow asked dubiously.

“Yep, that's the end.” Crucible smiled proudly.

“That's the reason you became a blacksmith?”

“Yes, it is. You see, I wanted to know, which would win. In the end, will the desire to destroy win out, or will it be the power to protect? When you said to me, you would protect your marefriend, it made me think, of that story. The shield against the pike. Will it be the two of you, or Celestia that will win? It's actually a testament to your side that you're still alive and together, when a nation is bearing down on you, you've protected her.”

“You mean, I'm Twilight's shield?”

“If so, will you break? Will you yield to the unstoppable?” Crucible grinned.

“Never. I'll protect Twilight from any harm, no matter what. I love her, and no amount of hate will tear us apart. I'll be her shield!”

“We'll see. I wish I could be around to find out how it all plays out, but I have my daughter to think about. I can't save my son, nopony can, I'll be leaving to.”

“I'm sorry.. You've done so much for us and-”

“Don't be, now help me finish this bread.”

“I...” She gave a defeated sigh. “Alright, what do you need me to do?”

****************************************************************

'I'll be her shield...'

“Rainbow? Is that you? Where are you?” Twilight looked around her, it was dark and chilly. A sickening smell wafted on the cold breeze. Her heart raced, thumping loudly in her ears as fear began to overcome her. Slowly, the darkness was illuminated by the faint silver light of the moon. She was surrounded by trees on all sides, it didn't matter which way the wind blew from, the smell was everywhere, it seemed soaked into every blade of grass and every molecule of air. The terrifying smell of blood.

“Rainbow! Rainbow where are you!” She screamed but, her voice was swallowed by the forest around her. She could feel eyes watching her through the trees, and they were drawing closer every minute from every direction.

“Rainbow... please, help me.” She whispered as she slowly stepped back. Suddenly, her back hoof bumped into something, warm and soft. Over the wind she could hear it, breathing.

“Rainbow Dash!” She shouted excitedly as she spun around, a bright smile on her face. Her heart sank as the scent grew stronger as she turned towards her. There, laying in front of her, was Rainbow Dash. Despite the darkness, she could see every detail, every color of her body. Her eyes became wide and her legs gave out as she stared horrified at her marefriend.

Rainbow's chest rose and fell erratically, her eyes were dull and blood gushed forth from her mouth with every breath. Patches of flesh and fur were torn from her body and her limbs were grotesquely disfigured. Rainbow's eye drifted upwards to meet hers. A gargled choked came from her throat, proceeded by a spatter of hot blood.

“No... no...”

“Shield... I am... your shield.” Rainbow's words echoed loudly though the clearing. Then, she felt something pulling her, dragging her into the inky black forest.

“No! Rainbow! Rainbow Dash!” She screamed, as load as she could while she dug her hooves into the cold dirt. Despite her struggle, the gap between them only grew as the forest consumed her, and Rainbow Dash faded away.