//------------------------------// // WAR! // Story: The Duty of Love // by Midnight Sky2 //------------------------------// Rarity was awakened by a knocking on the door of Carousel Boutique. It was early and she was tired. She groaned loudly as she pushed aside her covers, they felt much heavier than they should have because she was so tired. She struggled out of bed to answer the door. She put on her fluffy, pink bathrobe and moved slowly towards the entrance. Didn’t they know she needed her beauty sleep? “This had better be important.” she mumbled to herself as she twisted the golden handle with her magic and opened the door. To her great surprise, the pony standing in front of her was Rainbow Dash. Her eyes were wide, she was pale and shaking. The poor pony looked like she had seen a ghost. Rarity put on an expression of concern. What could have Rainbow so worked up? “Rainbow my dear, what is it?” asked Rarity, now deeply concerned. “We’re needed at the library! Something bad’s happened!” exclaimed the cyan Pegasus as she lifted herself off of the ground and took off toward the library. Rarity threw her pink, fuzzy bathrobe on the ground where she stood and barreled out the door. The sun had barley risen, dew was still on the grass, the sky was glowing a golden orange in the east causing the clouds to become a vivid yellow, and a thin fog hung around in the streets. The cool air helped Rarity to wake up. She suddenly realized that she forgot to brush her mane and tail. That didn’t matter, if something bad had happened to make RAINBOW that upset, an uncombed mane was the least of her worries. She came upon the library. There was a large group of chattering ponies outside the door. Celestia AND Luna’s guards stood outside the building. Their armor was reflecting the rays of the rising sun so it looked as if they were glowing. The light stung her eyes causing her to squint. Rarity approached them, shoving her way through the dense crowd. The guards looked at her with stone cold faces. “You Rarity?” asked one of the stallions roughly over the chatter of dozens of ponies. “Why yes I am. And I prefer to be called Miss Rarity by those I am not properly acquainted with. I am a lady you know.” she retorted, fluffing her mane to try to get it somewhat orderly. “Princess wants to see you inside.” he said, completely ignoring her statement. He motioned to the door. Rarity opened the door and stepped slowly inside. Her friends where standing in a semi-circle around the Princesses. No one, not even Pinkie Pie, bore an expression of delight. They turned to her and Celestia smiled at her halfheartedly. “Rarity, finally you’re here.” said Twilight like you would if something horrible had just taken place and your best friend showed up to comfort you. “What is everypony so worked up about?” asked Rarity, trotting over to stand in between Twilight and Spike. “I’m afraid I have grave news.” stated Celestia sadly, taking a step forward towards the group. “Equestria is at war.” sighed Luna. “WHAT!?” gasped Rarity in horror. “But how? And with whom?” Rarity asked urgently, she looked as if she was about to faint. “Archenland.” said the two sisters simultaneously. They looked at each other, surprised that they answered at the same time. “They stormed our western border yesterday evening.” Celestia added. “There was no stopping them, we’ve managed to slow them but…” she sighed deeply. “We don’t know for how long.” “But we’ve always been at peace with them.” said Twilight, she didn’t understand what would provoke Archenland to attack Equestria without warning. “Yeah, why should they choose to attack us now?” asked Applejack curiously. “They want our resources.” stated Celestia sadly. “If they’re not stopped, they will turn Equestria into a barren wasteland.” Fluttershy winced, that would mean no more forest for her animals, and perhaps, no animals at all! “Why can’t they just use their own resources!?” growled Rainbow hot headily as she hovered over the others. “They already have.” explained Luna. “Their land is a barren desert now, that’s why they need OUR resources.” “A WAR IN EQUESTRIA!? THAT’S HORRIBLE! NO! WORSE THAN HORRIBLE! IT’S DOWN RIGHT BAD!” yelled Pinkie Pie as she bounced around the room. Everyone stared at her awkwardly and Twilight rolled her eyes. “Ignore her Princess. What do you need us to do?” asked Twilight bravely; she was willing to take this fight all the way to Archenland if necessary. “You merely need to remain on alert.” said Celestia calmly. “If the Elements are needed I will contact you.” Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief. She did not want to fight anything, especially not Archenlanders. She had read about them, they were bipedal, monitor lizard like creatures. They were tall, had sharp claws and teeth, bad breath, and REALLY bad tempers. They had powerful legs and tails that could break ribs with a single swipe. But the worst part was, they ate meat and only meat and were not above eating other sentient creatures. “Is our army even strong enough to take ‘em on? I mean I’ve never seen ‘em but I heard they’re huge.” asked Applejack worriedly. “Unfortunately.” sighed Luna, lowering her head. “They are not. We need to recruit more soldiers if we are to save Equestria from destruction.” “I’ll go.” said Spike after what seemed like an eternity of silence. He knew that Equestria needed him. He was going to fight for his friends and his country and die if necessary. “WHAT!?” they all gasped, turning on him with shocked expressions on their faces. “NO YOU’RE NOT!” wailed Twilight. “YOU’RE STAYING RIGHT HERE!” “They need me.” he said honorably. “Spike!” screamed Rarity. “THEY don’t need you, I need you here! I WILL NOT LET YOU GET YOURSELF KILLED!” she began to cry. “I won’t get killed.” he said softly and he embraced her. She buried her face in his chest scales and sobbed. He put his claw under her chin to make her look up into his eyes. They were full of a burning love for her. She could see it. He smiled compassionately down at her. She stopped her crying but continued to hold him tightly. He turned his head toward the rest of the group. “It’s very noble of yah Spike, but yor not goin’.” said Applejack plainly. “I have right to fight for Equestria. Just as much of a right as any other stallion.” hissed Spike defensively as he turned on Applejack releasing Rarity from his arms. “I didn’t raise you from an egg just so you could grow up and get killed!” yelled Twilight in a motherly tone. “Oh, please don’t go Spike. You can’t die.” squeaked Fluttershy softly as tears began to fill her eyes. “Spike you can’t do this.” Rainbow Dash butted in. “Yes I can I have rights.” he said plainly. “You are NOT going.” nagged Twilight. “Yes I am!” he roared angrily, baring his fangs. “No you’re not.” began Celestia stamping her hoof. “None of you are, this bickering is pointless. Spike; I won’t let you get yourself killed, end of discussion.” “Yes Princess.” said Spike submissively bowing his head to his ruler. “Good.” she said happily. But then she noticed the look of deep resentment on Spike’s face. “Spike, it’s not that I don’t think you’re capable, I just care for you too much for you die.” she said with care. “So you’ll have the blood of strangers spilled instead?” Spike snorted rebelliously turning his gaze away from her with folded arms. He glanced at back Celestia. Her face was one of surprise and resentment at his statement. The others were shocked. It was completely out of character for Spike to question authority. Pinkie Pie’s mouth hung wide open, Fluttershy closed it for her. Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at each other in utter disbelief. Twilight and Rarity bore expressions of embarrassment. “Um, yes well. We have to be off now. Come Luna; we have to prepare what troops we do have for a counter attack. We have to stop them before they reach Las Pegasus.” said Celestia quickly, not knowing what else to say or do. And with that the princesses left and went out the door closing it with a metallic click behind them. Spike growled angrily that his fate had been decided for him. Rarity, however, felt relief. But Spike was determined to save those that he loved, even if it cost him everything.