//------------------------------//
// Chapter 12 A Stray Sister 
// Story: The War of Equestria. 
// by Jeremy Llama 
//------------------------------//

Sweetie Belle had been through a lot. Maybe even more than the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Her wounds and injuries were severe and possibly fatal. However. Through these years she's grown stronger. Rarity and Sweetie Belle stayed together until Sweetie Belle was fully healed.

"WHAAAAAT!?!?" Rarity yelled.
"I have to go looking for Scootaloo and Applebloom. Without me they're doomed." Sweetie Belle said.
"Oh no, no, no, no, no, no, no, noooo my darling. You mustn't not after that. You're too youn-" Rarity was cut off by her sister.
"Rarity I've ground up! The only reason why I was like that was because a mysterious shadow unicorn pony had taken me out!" Sweetie Belle yelled.
"But my dear-" Rarity said. Right after she finished a familiar voice spoke.
"Don't worry Rarity I'll take care of her."
"Huh, Spike?" Rarity said confused wanting to know if it was him.



"Yeah it's me. I'll keep an eye on your sister for ya." Spike said. Leaving a silence. Spike hadn't seen either Sweetie Belle or Rarity in four years.
"Spike!" Rarity yelled happily. She ran over to him and hugged him. Spike has changed a lot but he still had feelings for her.
"Hey Rarity. How've you been?" Spike said, hugging her back lightly.
"Oooh how you've grown." Rarity said admirably. "I've been fine. Did you say you'd watch my sister?" Rarity asked.
"Yeah." Spike answered. "I've been looking for this place. I heard about it from some pony folk in hiding." Spike said.
Rarity then remembered what Spike said.
"So you agree that she should go? No! I can't allow-" Rarity was cut off.
"Rarity...She's grown. She's matured and she's stronger. I can tell she'll be fine. Plus with me around we've got a better chance of finding Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. We'll be fine." Spike said giving a shy smile to let Rarity know Sweetie Belle will be fine.
"Alright but you must let me make you some armor before you go back out." Rarity insisted.
"Wait you mean you're not coming along?" Spike asked confused.
"I would believe me, but I can't. I'm the one who makes the clothes and armor. I'm also the only capable pony for sewing." Rarity said saddened that she won't see her sister or Spike for a long time.

After a while she finished the suits of armor for Spike, Sweetie Belle, and for the other two Crusaders.
"Well I hope this is enough. Are you sure you need to go?" Rarity asked.
"Yes. I'm sure if I don't go then how will the Cutie Mark Crusaders be a whole?" Sweetie Belle said jokingly.
Rarity chuckled. "All right Sweetie Belle." Rarity said. "Oh and Spike can you come here for a second?" Rarity asked. 

Spike did as asked and followed.
"Please take care of my sister. And if you see any of my friends tell them to go to here." Rarity said, giving him a few maps.
"I promise I will." Spike promised.
"Thank you." Rarity said. Spike started to walk but Rarity stopped him.
"Oh and take this-" Rarity then kissed Spike on the cheek. He blushed then started going.
"Cmon Sweetie Belle let's get a move on!" Spike yelled.
"Alright!" Sweetie Belle said, running along with Spike.

After a few more days they found a forestry area.
"Hey looked untouched land!" Spike yelled happily. Sweetie Belle got a small grin and started going through.
"Hey Sweetie Belle. Do you wonder how everypony is?" Spike asked. Trying to make a conversation.
"Sometimes. Hey look!" Sweetie Belle yelled. Observing a few apples on the ground.
"I wonder..." Sweetie Belle said. "I wonder if AppleBloom and Scootaloo went through here..." Sweetie Belle said.

"It's a possibility." Spike said.
"Wait..." Sweetie Belle said.
"What is it?" Spike asked. He looked at Sweetie Belle and noticed she was looking up. Spike looked up too. He didn't know what she was looking at.
"The sun..." Sweetie Belle said. Spike's eyes widened. The sun was going down. It hadn't gone down in years.