//------------------------------// // A New Home // Story: The Lunar Empire // by Shaddeluim //------------------------------// Nothing worse than losing one’s home, although that hell hole wasn’t much of a home. But it was the closest thing to one, but it was one home anyone would be happy to lose. One can’t help but wonder what’s next, what dark hole are we about to crawl into for shelter, or will it be a hole at all?All I know it will require a lot of walking. We’ve been walking through this forest for hours now, we have no idea where we are or how far we have to go. The pain from my injuries have died down a bit, mostly because of the painkillers the Rebellion medic had on him. The white Pegasus that helped me out of the village has been walking next to me for the past hour now, not sure if it’s because she has too or if she wants to. No matter the reason I’m happy to have her at my side. We’ve been talking to each other for awhile now, mostly about our past lives and our memories of happier times. “So you use to live in Trottingham? How was that?” I asked. “It was alright, that is until the generals arrived at our doorstep.” Winter said walking around a rock that was in her way. “At least you didn't know a few of them.” Scootaloo said chiming in on our conversation. “Really? You knew them?” Winter asked clearly wanting to know more. “We only knew three of them, Sweetie Belle, over there, one of them is her sister, same as Applebloom.” I answered really not wanting to continue. “Which three did you know? If you don't mind me asking?” “Personally, I'd rather we changed subjects.” I answered really not wanting to relive the repressed memories. We continued walking in silence for a while, I could hear the other members of our little herd talking amongst each other. Some, like myself, were wondering where we’re going. The others were just happy to be alive, and we're talking what they wanted to do now that they were free. Better question is, what am I going to do, out of all the time I was stuck there, I’ve never thought about what was next. I then looked over to Winter hoping to find some sort inspiration. She was walking tall in her armor clearly proud to wear it, and I have to admit she looks amazing in it. She would look to the trees around us every so often, as if she’s expecting something to jump out of them. I then began to look around the forest we make our trek through, something about it is familiar. It has an almost dark presence about it, like that we’re constantly being watched by the trees themselves. Then it hit me. “Are we in the Everfree forest?” I asked hoping the answers was no. “Yes, it's the only place the generals haven't looked for us yet.” Winter answered. “Why is that?” “Don't know, something about this place keeps them away.” Winter said as she watched the trees around us. “But there are still Timberwolves here and there.” “Well that's comforting.” Scootaloo said chipping in the conversation. “Hey relax, they haven't been know to attack large groups like this one.” Winter said turning her attention from the trees for a moment. “Whatever, how much more walking do we have to do? Personally I would like to fly around for a bit.” Scootaloo asked extending her wings out a bit before pulling them back to her. “It's not far now, we should be there shortly. But I’ll have to ask you don't fly for the time being, for the risk of being seen by a patrol.” Winter answered giving Scootaloo a pleading look. Scoots stared at her for a bit as if she was arguing with herself whether or not to listen. I know that look well, she made it when ever I tried to drag her into something she wanted nothing to do with. Which admittedly happens a lot. “Fine, I can wait.” Scootaloo finally said after a good few minutes. She then lowered her head and quickened her pace a bit, eager to to get where ever it was we were going. Where were we going? This entire time I never once wondered where it was we were going, in fact how do we know where we’re going is safe. Is anywhere truly safe? The Generals have eyes everywhere in Equestria, they may very well have those same eyes here in Everfree, maybe I’m just being a bit paranoid. But I can’t shake this feeling that I’m being watched. “Hey Meadow?” The gentle but beautiful voice of Winter drew me back from my paranoid state. I looked over to her being sure that I seemed calm, or as close to calm I can be at the moment. “Is everything alright?” “Yeah sure.....why do you ask?” “You seem a bit on edge.” Winter answered with a worried look on her face, kinda reminds me of the look my mother gave me whenever she was worried about me. “I'm fine.” I’m the exact opposite of fine, my back is still bleeding slightly, but according to the medic I'm at no risk of passing out of blood loss due to my previous treatment from Redheart. But I can also began to feel the pain slowly returning again, which means the pain meds is wearing off. “How much further do we have walk?” I asked trying to change the subject. “We should be just about there.” She answered looking ahead of us. Out of curiosity, I looked ahead as well and to my surprise I see that most of the our group has vanished. I continued to watch as our ever shrinking began to disappear behind, from what I could tell, some sort of magical barrier. Honestly I never had a good experience with magic, mostly due to the fact that most of the magic I’ve seen was used to hurt me and my friends. Although the fact no has died from moving through this magical barrier yet, and that Winter seems tobe completely fine with this, helped put me at ease. “Here goes nothing.” I say quietly to myself as we began to pass through the barrier. Once we were through we were meet with a familiar sight, it wasn’t bad familiar but a good one, one you would be happy to see. In front of me was a vast village full of happy working ponies, they weren’t being forced to work nor did look like they were being mistreated. It’s like the scourge that are the Generals never touched this place, let alone seen this place. At the center of this village was what looked like tobe a tower of some sort, this tower stood taller than the rest of the buildings and seemed to made of stone. At the base the tower was surrounded by stone building, as far as I could tell this tower was the reason this village has remained hidden to the watchful eyes of the Generals. As I stood admiring the village, much like the others were, a group of Pegasi flew in front of us drawing our attention. The group of Pegasi landed in front of us, one of them drew my attention more so then the others. It was female Pegasus wearing an old brown flight jacket, her fur was yellow and her mane was light and dark orange. “Welcome to Sanctuary everypony.” The yellow and orange pegasus said with a gruff voice as she landed in front of the group of escapees. “My name is Spitfire, I’m the one in charge around here, so I expect to be treated with respect. Now that doesn’t mean I’m gonna chase you down if you don’t, we don't work that way around here. That doesn’t mean we don't have rules that we expect you to follow, that is you if you wish to stay.” Spitfire said taking a pause to look over everyone. “With that said, you all have a choice to make, it’s not one you have to make right away but it’s one you will make. You have three options, the first two are simple, the third one on the other hand not so much. Your choices are as follows; you could join those who work in the village or in the farms, or you could join the rebellion and take the fight to Nightmare Moon, or you could leave and try to survive on your own. The choice is yours, but like I said you don't have to decide right away, and you could always change your mind later on.” Spitfire said as she began to hover in the air. “Tomorrow meet up in front of the stone tower if you made up your mind, until then go get some rest and something decent to eat.” After that Spitfire flew off with the Pegasi that flew with her, I could also see Sorin fly off after her. The Rebel troops that freed us escorted us into the village, some of us were taken to a bunkhouse for new arrivals, the others (including myself) were taken to the infirmary to get any injuries looked at as well as any sicknesses taken care of.