The war has been over for months and yet it still lingers in many. Not a day passed by without them remembering the horrors and sadness the war was brought.
Major Rainbow Dash, national hero and renowned soldier of the Equestrian Army, is praised by ponies no matter where she goes. Her exploits during the last day of the war is a well known story as her face is easily recognized anywhere. Considered as a great icon, somepony who ended the war and saved thousands, she is looked up upon by many and adored by the entire land. But for her, she just wishes to be left alone. The parties, the speeches, the praises, she would trade that for the lives of those she lost or for a chance to join them in their eternal sleep.
When this war hero finally snaps from all the strains she had to go through, she is sent to Ponyville for the long awaited rest she wanted. Having trouble finding quiet and peace in the large cities because of her fame, the small quiet town of Ponyville seems like the perfect place for her stay and get away from it all.
But with the memories of the pass always shrouding her, would she finally be able to make peace? Or will she continue to suffer and wage war in her mind, even after the last shot was fired.
This was really good so far, I hope you continue this
7408598 Thanks! Hope to continue it too.
God, this is heartbreaking and a really realistic depiction of PTSD. I hope to see more of this soon.
Keep it up. you got my attention.
Keyword: P. T. S. D
7409387 You were not the only one with song lyrics in your head as you read this. I was thinking of "Still in Saigon" by the Charlie Daniels Band as I was reading the chapter.
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I listened to the song - very deep. I really enjoy the direction you're taking this.
Hmm, I wouldn't say you needed to bump it up yet... I've seen Supernatural get away with worse and it's not rated MA. But that's your choice to make. Anyways, good chapter!
7414905 Thanks, I'm glad you're liking it!
7415769 Better safe than sorry.
I haven't read the second chapter yet, but this'll certainly be interesting.
One error I noticed:
I think you meant "raising".
7418789 Woops! Thanks for pointing that out.
Ouch, that memory... Hit me where it hurts in the feelings department. Still, guess it was needed for more background context. And who is this mysterious pony? A random drink or something more...?
7422053
(I think you meant random DRUNK there, but anyway.)
Anyway, as to the mysterious pony.........
Lessee.........
Dash is in Ponyville.
Now, just WHO do we know who lives in Ponyville, has a brother and is an orange earth pony mare?
Hmmmmm..............
7422094 Yikes, just figured it out. But how would Big Mac be involved with Sombra? Spy, maybe? And as for that mistake you pointed out, DAMN YOU TABLET AUTO CORRECT!
7422104
Hmmm, as to that, I dunno.
Especially since, in the episode itself, it showed him working at the farm alongside AJ.
Hmmmmm, the plot thickens...............
Yeah, Auto-Correct IS the pits, isn't it? roundstable.com/forums/images/smilies/applejargh.gif
Well, that was a mean cliffhanger. Poor Dash, she just can't catch a break.
7422094
I concur. Said pony is also regrettable stupid about family and has questionable foresight, considering the likely consequences for murder or beating someone half to death.
*aggravated
7422420 Thanks.
And this is true, sadly. AJ is just so laser-focused on family sometimes that she forgets everything else.
What happened between her and Dash in this chapter being a very clear case in point.
Rise Against.
7521455 Glad to see that someone knows where I got the title from.
7521463 I guess that stallion didn't want to be there anymore
This was deep. Once more, you have pulled at my heartstrings.
7521463 Respect to you, mate. Ya'll have taste.
Bit ponderous. I hope this story's going somewhere.
And so we see the beginning of this universe's Scoots/Rainbow sistership. But the problem is, I'm very worried how long it'll last and if it'll be over before it begins once Scoots learns exactly who was responsible for her father's death...
Wait, really?! *Rereads the story.*
7851059 Its a very subtle appearance, but its there.
7851629 Oh... I see where it is.
7851637
And so the sisterly relationship between the two deepens just a little. Rainbow may not admit it, but she's still got a heart underneath that cold exterior as these last few chapters have shown.
Oh boy, talk about unwanted and unexpected meetings. I sense a brawl coming up...
7904487 Soon...
I feel bad for AJ but at the same time she doesn't know why. She doesn't know Dash's perspective or why she had done it.
8227720
I'm with you. War is Hell, as the saying goes. You'll do things, things that'll haunt you forever. As Sherlock Holmes once said, "There's no such thing as ghosts, save those we make for ourselves."
I cannot help the anger I feel towards AJ, while the events are likely and plausable, she acts and sounds like a fool lost in greif, and is unable to accept/understand the loss of Big Mac, and directs her anger at veterans and Dash. This is a great story and chapter, but i feel that there will or should be character development with AJ.
During war soldiers aren't brothers, fathers, uncles, but mere numbers to commanders. Numbers that are moved, divided or sacrificed...
Even sadder is fact, that this don't come from sadism or cruelity of commanders, but pragmatism. Good commander need to win, while losing least possible of his soldiers. That force sometimes seemingly unhuman decisions, like leaving squad to death, so more of others can escape and live.
It's horror of war on commanders side. Reason why a lot of officers during history turned into uncaring monsters, it's hard to live with knowlegde that your plans have cost counted in humans like you, that your victories and loses on battlefield mean families losing another members.
God, I just want to give Rainbow a hug...
Didn't this used to be complete?
8327961 Don't we all?
8328077 Nope. It's far from complete my friend.
I dunno if it's because I just woke up, but I legit teared up at the end…Rainbow needs a big, fat hug right now…
Okay, think my heart just broke a little.
Wow...just...wow
Do we ever do enof, for all of those that survive war?
Oh, Celestia...
Moar. Poor scoots. Poor Rd.
9793782
It will be! Slowly it will be... Work has just been sucking up my time, but I still do plan on finishing this hehe
Awesome update
10163973
Thanks! Hopefully I can get one out every week from now on.
Eh… as traditions go it might seem kinda normal for drunk vets.