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// Trail of Tears 
// Story: The Orange Dove 
// by TheLionBone 
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	The air inside the crude, wooden carriage was intoxicating; I could barely breath in the hot, musky stenches of sweaty ponies and the alcoholic beverages they brought with them. My stomach churned with every unsteady rock when the loose wheels hit against the sharp gravel, and thought of staying in this cramped place any longer made me want to vomit. For three hours it was like this, the smell getting worse and the road sickness more nauseating. I used whatever space I had left to push myself closer to the window, to try and get a feel, a taste, or anything, of a fresh breeze. Out of the three other travelers that came with me, a dirty, smoky-gray stallion sitting across from me, dared to take one look at me, and then lift up his satchel to remove a bottle of whisky. He grunted heavily, and once I made eye contact with him, he offered up the drink, a look in his eye that made it seem like he was testing me; funny, we hadn't even reached our destination yet, and I was already being tried. 
“I don't drink...” I replied with the remaining strength I had, closing my eyes again while I waved him off. The other two travelers broke into a series of snickers. The smoky-gray stallion sighed and shook his head in disappointment, taking a swig of his treasure. He wiped his face with this other hoof, and then leaned forward to face me directly. 
“Kid, you're young, and you're nothin'. Why the hell are you here?” 
Complete silence. There was apprehension in the air, tense and conflicting, already overwhelming my stressed mind. The stallion's dark green eyes were fixed on me, as though he were in a trance, and I could feel the glances of the audience beside us, waiting, observing, judging. Humiliation reddened my ears, but I had to keep my cool; I had to be tough. 
“All I'm doing is remaining loyal to Equestria and my family.” There, I thought, now eat it. 
“They won't like that kind of mouth,” the stallion pointed out, shaking his head once again. “Heck, if you give 'em some of that talk, they'll make your life a livin' hell. First, they'll make a sport out of you, and then you'll find yourself bein' their next meal.” One of the other two passengers gave out a few mumbles of agreement, and then had a shot to confirm it. I felt anger boil up in the midst of my disturbed stomach and uncomfortable embarrassment. Heat overwhelmed my sweating coat of orange, my feathers ruffling unevenly. I didn't know where this was going, and that was the most frustrating part. What was the stallion trying to gain? An ego? The support of other ponies? Or could that condescending tone possibly be the implication of a lesson? The thought made me relax a bit, but I was still on edge, expecting the worst-case scenario to come. 
“I may not look much,” I admitted, my purple eyes narrowing thoughtfully, “but I'm quick and clever. I've learned from one of the best fighters in all of Equestria, and none of those lessons have escaped me. I'll make sure none of them get in my way. If they do, I won't go down so easily!” 
“Kid, remember where your loyalties lie!” the stallion immediately scolded, his eyes flashing in alarm. “We're being sent to our comrades, remember? The Enemy are those...things...those...creatures. If they kick your flank, it's so they can know you can be something to them. Don't go picking fights that are unnecessary!” I clamped my teeth together, taken aback by the suddenness of his response. No, that wasn't what I meant. I need their training, but I also need to prove myself to them that I can be a good soldier, despite my pitiful size. After all, I don't want honor, I don't want glory. I want Her. I just want to find Her, and then they can send me home. None of that was worth explaining to the fleabag in front of me; it's easier to believe that I'm an ignorant young foal who doesn't understand what Equestria is fighting for. 
“Look, kid, I'm only ridiculin' you because you're young,” continued the stranger. “An old fart like me is an experienced veteran who knows what he's stepping back into. You don't. That's why I'm willin' to offer you my support. I will look after you as long as you continue to train with them, I promise. Name's Chance by the way.” He extended a hoof, the stench of unbathed hair and putrid alcohol wafting from it. There was a twist in my belly, but I ignored it and received the kind gesture with a new sense of gratitude.
“Scootaloo. My name is Scootaloo.” 



Princess Celestia had raised the sun by the time the carriage reached the hidden campsite in the southern region of Equestria. The coach ponies stopped abruptly, whinnying their orders for the passengers to exit, as if they were on a strict schedule. I was the first one out, thanking all of the princesses for the fresh air the world supplied, and the fact that my stomach and my mind survived the long trek across the rough trails. Chance came out next, a cigarette stuck in between his teeth, his alcohol stashed away in a saddle compartment strapped on his right hoof. In the light of new day, I was able to see that his cutie mark was a silver horseshoe attached to several four-leaf clovers, and it made me wonder what kind of abilities my “friend” possessed. I would find out soon enough. 
After the two other passengers hopped out of the carriage, the coach ponies gave out another whinny and charged off in a cloud of dust. I watched them leave, reminiscing the wonderful things I had left behind. Sundaes at Sugarcube Corner. Making plans at the Cutie Mark Crusader Treehouse. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, my best friends, always by my side. I struggled to swallow; it caught in my throat, and I had to take a quick, rasping breath to keep my watered eyes from spilling over. There was no more crying. I wasn't a filly anymore. The real world is here, without Sweetie Belle or Apple Bloom, and I'm going to find Her, and I am going to find myself. 
Chance gave me a light nudge on the shoulder. I turned around with him to find a large, white earth pony dressed in yellow, Equestrian armor. His blue eyes were deep like the oceans surrounding Equestria, no distractions pulling his attention away. While we had been focused on the vanishing carriage, he had approached us silently, and now he stood in front of us, his chest puffed, his chin high, his stature proud. I glanced at his flank to see his cutie mark: a spectrum of white to blank, with the emphasis of infinite shades of gray in the middle. A grunt from him made me look back into his mesmerizing eyes, and I could see that they showed little approval. 
“So, these are Equestria's saviors? A bunch of drowned rats, waiting to be picked off by the Enemy?” the white stallion prompted, glancing at each of us carefully. When his eyes locked on me again, I felt myself shrink inside. He was so...intimidating. 
“Which one of you is Chain Link?” he demanded. 
“T-that would be me, s-sir...” said one of the other travelers, a pale blue unicorn with a metal chain-linked cutie mark. His silver eyes just couldn't seem to focus on his superior. 
“Ah, a stutterer,” the Equestrian soldier remarked, scowling in distaste. The large warrior slowly stepped forward, dipping his head to come nose-to-nose with the insecure unicorn. His eyes were no longer an ocean, but a glacier of pure, chilling ice. “I don't like you, private. Dare say, I may even hate you. Speak up next time, lest you shall wish you had.” The unicorn's forced swallow was clearly audible, and beads of sweat fell from his cringed face. With a snort, the white stallion moved on. 
“Who's Wind Runner?” 
“Here, sir!” shouted the confident, second unicorn traveler. He had a reddish-brown coat with a cutie-mark that was a mixture of a whirlwind and a sweeping gale. There was the slightness of a grin plastered to his lips.
“I appreciate your willingness to outdo your companion, private,” the stallion seethed through his teeth, “but if you start acting like you're above everypony else, I'll make it my personal responsibility to humble you.” Wind Runner, for once, looked hesitant to act, and the grin went past a smile to a nonchalant expression. Part of me wanted to laugh because I was used to tough-talk, but there was this powerful aura that the Equestrian soldier gave off, something that was naturally forceful and dominant. It was equally amazing and terrifying. I'd rather not, if I could, try his patience, in case it set off his wrath. 
“So Chance, you've come back for another round,” continued the soldier. 
“Good to see you too, Gray,” my companion replied, unfazed by the rough tone which the white stallion spoke. Chance's dark green eyes were calm and leveled to that of his superior. “I see you've grown.” 
“And you've gotten weaker,” Gray commented coldly, “but we'll get you back into shape in no time.” Chance chuckled and bowed his head in respect to his comrade. Next, the soldier turned to me. 
“You must be Scootaloo,” came the authoritative voice. I forced myself to tip my chin up and meet those daunting, blue eyes, which now reflected a hurricane, dark and foreboding. Muscles tense and wings quivering in anticipation, I straightened my posture and tried to look as impressive as possible. I could only hope he didn't notice the trembling hooves, the sweat dripping from my face, or any other signs that made him aware I was nervous. Instead, the soldier looked down at me with a sense of mild curiosity and interest. His gaze searched me carefully, and I could almost swear that they seemed to soften, to take the edge off of his powerful demeanor. “Little pegasus, I've heard a lot about you.” 
“What?” I said, stunned and frozen in place. If there was any lightness he portrayed, it was quickly washed over with a stone-like expression. 
“Only speak when I tell you to, private,” the white stallion ordered, frowning. My ears turned red; I forgot. “Believe me,” Gray spoke again, “I'm shocked as well. Some of the most honorable and credible fighters within the army have uttered your name. Only Celestia knows why you've earned so much credibility.” Like Chance, I bowed my head down, offering my respect (and also to hide my embarrassment). There was a pause as we stood there, silent enough to hear one of the unicorns sneeze. Broken from his trance, Gray turned away from me and cast his eyes to the sun, which hung lazily in the distance of mountainous piles of sand. 
“There will be time to talk later. If all that sitting time hasn't gotten to you, then follow me and don't get lost. I will leave you in the desert if I have to.” 
We were in lands beyond the San Palomino Desert, yet the sandy terrain still remained, and our naked bodies were scorched with an unbearable, blistering heat. Minutes turned to hours as we followed our guide; he maintained a steady, quick stride, never stumbling, while the rest of us followed on like a drunken party. The heat exhaustion was taking its toll, and my dry mouth and weak muscles wanted nothing else but to stop and inhale a river. However, Gray Sphere, who I learned a little bit about by Chance, made it clear that if we didn't have what it took to reach the campsite with him, then we weren't worth the extra reinforcement to the army; heck, they would even leave us out to die in the desert if we didn't match up. Instinctive fear crept in at the thought. I forced it back as much as I could, trying to maintain a positive attitude. Chance encouraged me with little nudges and small talk, enough that my moral was raised and Gray Sphere couldn't notice. I was so grateful for his support, for his friendship.
“The camp is just up ahead,” Gray suddenly put in, never stopping to look back at the ponies who might be still following him. Hope fluttered in my chest, and I straightened my neck to try and get a glimpse of tents, of metal buildings, of soldiers, but there was only more desert, more waves of sand. I grimaced. Was his meaning of 'just up ahead' different than mine? A few groans from the unicorns in the back confirmed that I wasn't the only one who had those thoughts. Chance just laughed. 
“It's a secret entrance,” my companion whispered in my ear. “The illusion keeps everypony from finding it on their own.” I gave out a sigh of relief. We were close. Shelter from the sun, food to fill our empty bellies, sleeping quarters, a hospital to help our pains and injuries. All of it would be there when we arrived.
Gray Sphere halted abruptly, and I would have knocked into him if it weren't for Chance, who snagged my tail at the last second and tugged me back. My front hooves slid from underneath me, and I fell face-first into the sand, the salty, dry material clogging my mouth and nose. I spat it out immediately, and noticed that the unicorns were giving me an amused look, though too tired to point it out verbally. Cross with myself, and once again grateful for Chance's rescue, I hoisted myself upright and carefully brushed off the remaining sand from my scorched coat. At least we were at the entrance. 
Suddenly, the ground shifted. I almost fell into the sand again, but caught myself just in time. Satisfaction rose from inside as I noticed that Wind Runner and Chain Link had fallen to their knees; I wasn't the only stumbling idiot. Sand began to slide inward toward the place right in front of Gray Sphere, building up speed and momentum. At the same time, the ground began to open up. 
Twin walls of steel and platinum collapsed, letting the sand fly into the black pit. Thick bars of bronze and other scrap material unfolded from underneath the ceiling of the pit, lining up perfectly at an angle to serve as stairs. No rust tinted the edges, no malfunctions showed delay in the happening. It was a well kept place, I figured, that everything seemed to work according to schedule. Gray Sphere took one good look at us, then began to descend without a word. Chance gave a small shrug and followed, me close behind. The unicorns were reluctant at first, yet heard the doors begin to prepare to close, and hurried right along so they weren't left behind in the light of day. 
I watched in deep concentration as the gears began to turn, steam breathing out of the wide, massive pipes that trailed for miles at the surface to the depths of darkness. One after another, the stairs slowly folded back to where they were stored, and the walls twisted and whirled up at a great speed. Sand shot up from cannon-like structures in places where they were unseen, and the walls closed, trapping the sand above so that the entrance was again inconspicuous. I was amazed. There I was, a simple pegasus from Ponyville, inside a concealed station where the rest of the Equestrian army was staying overnight. I took a deep breath as a realization struck me. Now the training would really begin. 
We walked along the thin walkway, the railings missing from the sides. I glanced down over the side and into the pit, my stomach tightening as the space yawned further and further like a giant mouth opened up to gobble its first meal. I couldn't help but to let out a small whimper of uncertainty. Gray, though he didn't look back, glared. Chance didn't seem to notice, and the unicorns were so scared themselves that they couldn't find the confidence to joke about it. I felt small and hopeless. If I fell down, I would be just as dead as a unicorn or earth pony; I was considered a pegasus, but one who could not fly, so what point was there in being labeled as one? I shook the thought off. I had to be braver. She's counting on me. 
A half and hour went by before the walkway stopped and connected to the balcony of the end wall. Three metal doors stood guard, a sign above each of them that had a picture of an earth pony, a pegasus, and a unicorn. Gray Sphere stopped us there, raising a hoof to show that he was going to speak. 
“Making it this far is a sign of determination,” he explained. “This is what every member of the Equestrian Army needs in order to fight those filthy vermin. Despite a few shortcomings, you all pass that portion of the test.” 
“Test?” Chain Link gasped, deep blue eyes stretching wide in terror. 
“What for?” Wind Runner muttered angrily. 
“Shut up!” Gray Sphere snapped, whirling around to face them. “You unicorns do nothing but ask questions, just like the rest of them magic-doers! I expect your full respect and concentration, otherwise I have permission to throw you in that pit there, understand?” The two travelers were subdued; they looked down at their hooves in shame. I pressed closer to Sharp, knowing that he was my only source of comfort in the insanity of these trials. Gray snorted once, and then breathed out slowly. “As I was saying, this is a test.
“We can't just let anyone into the Equestrian army. We need top-ranked soldiers, ones who have the determination, courage, and loyalty to fight for the safety of those who are innocent. Mares and stallions, healers and fighters, leaders and followers, we need all of them in order to achieve our cause. Princess Celestia is counting on us to end this war and destroy all traces of what was left of Nightmare Moon's incident. Those who aren't strong enough to handle such a big responsibility needs to be disposed of immediately. We hope that you made this choice because you absolutely wanted it. If you fail at being a good soldier, the consequence is exile, sacrifice, or death, all of which are equally tragic. I can only pray that you have made the right choice. You will unlikely survive.” 
It still made me scared, knowing that I had made a decision like is. I wasn't stupid; I had read through all of the sacrifices I had to make in order to be a part of the army. My friends and family, my freedom, and my safety were left behind. Here, I have to take care of myself while continuing to search for Her, who's counting on me every minute I stand here. A new sense of hope overwhelmed me, and I stood up a little taller. It was all worth it. I was willing to die before I lose her. Gray Sphere knew it too, for he looked at me approvingly.
“Are you all still brave enough to move on to the next part of your test?”
“Yes, sir,” Chance exclaimed, raising his hoof to his head. 
“Yes, sir!” I quickly shouted after, giving Gray the same gesture. 
“Y-Yes, sir!” Chain Link stammered. 
“Sir, yes, sir!” Wind Runner ended proudly, a cocky grin on his face. 
“Good,” Gray said, nodding. He pointed to the three doors. “Each of you, enter the room of your race, and sit down at the seat. It will automatically lock you in place. Memories of former soldiers who have passed are stored in the head devices that will be attached to you. It is your job to watch the whole thing through, no matter how long or how traumatizing it is. If you manage to get through all of the memories I feel should be in store for you, then you get to go to the next part of the test.” With that said, the three doors swung wide open. “Go ahead. It's all or nothing.” 
Chance bent close to me, his whisper urgent and full of worry. 
“Kid, I don't know how to explain this to you. It won't be easy, but I know you can do it. Just remember that these aren't your memories. These are things that didn't happen to you. Think happy thoughts. Happy thoughts.” Gray gave a rough command, and Chance obediently trotted toward the earth pony door. I watched him leave, feeling fear and loneliness eat at my heart and brain. Trying to stay optimistic, I walked to into my room without thinking twice. The door immediately shut behind me, making me jump. 
The room was small and dark. A single chair standing in a faint circle of light kept watch. I cautiously approached the seat, taking note of its worn-down condition of bent and splintered wood. Open mental bands were on the hoof-rests and the two front legs of it. A huge one, enough to cover my stomach, was curled around the backrest. It will automatically lock you in place. It made me wonder why security was needed, and then I remembered the advice that Chance was trying to give me. Happy thoughts, was it? Were these memories so intense, that ponies have tried to escape on their own? My body shivered. This wasn't going to be easy. I sat down in the chair, and like Gray said, the bands snapped over my hooves and stomach, preventing me from moving. 
A beeping sound came, and a head device descended from the ceiling. I glanced up, my blood turning cold as it came closer and closer. Finally, I found it over my head, the thing covering my eyes, covering my mane. I heard gadgets turning from inside of the bowl-shaped thing, and, without warning, something struck the back of my head, and my vision went black.