The Crossing

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"Wow Twilight! I swear we have half of the Library from the Castle of the two Sisters." A young purple drake chuckled as he pulled a grossly overburden red wagon loaded down with a mountain of books, and scrolls. The tower teetering precariously as the drake pulled the wagon along without much care. The small drake followed a purple alicorn through the center of Ponyville, coming from the Everfree Forest. The other ponies carried on their normal day almost completely oblivious to this duo as the scene was quite common among their quaint, and quiet town.

"It would seem like it Spike, but there are still shelves upon shelves of books, tomes, and scrolls that have to be sifted through. We've only scratched the surface of the knowledge that still lays hidden away in that castle. Locked away for countless centuries." Twilight Sparkle replied as she walked ahead of Spike, the purple Drake. Her nose was buried in a scroll, leaving her completely oblivious about the surroundings and almost causing her to trip. Had it not been for the other ponies making way for the newest Princess, a major collision would have been unavoidable. However, Twlight's idiosyncrasies were well known in Ponyville by now. Often observed, and commented in friendly jest by her neighbors, and friends. Spike would simply wave to the towns ponies as they passed.

Ponyville has seem some major changes over the short time since one of its newest residents settled here. With the news both far, and wide that the Bearers of Harmony, as well as a Princess resided in this humble town. It attracted a lot of tourists, and merchants hoping to peddle their wares. The Sun was shinning as the Weather ponies were hard at work keeping the weather nice as expected. The two continued to navigate their way though the town to its newest Landmark, Twilight's Palace. The Palace of Friendship was a large crystalline looking affair that stood where the Town Library stood. Within sat the six thrones of Harmony where the bearers of Harmony would conduct the Court of Friendship.

The tower of books just barely cleared the Door frame of the main entrance to Twilight's Palace. Twilight's nose was still buried within the same scroll that she was so enamored in during their walk across town. She strode through the great halls as Spike would move the wagon to the library where already some of Cantorlot's best scholars were gathering around to look over the latest batch of ancient knowledge that the Princess has brought to them. While most of the old books, and tomes were found to be horribly out of date. It was a fascinating insight to the mental processes of the ancient ponies, including the Celestial Sisters. There were even some early works of Starswirl the Bearded himself.

"Whew. I thought we would never make it home with all this." Spike admitted as he left his wagon, and started to trot to catch up with his "Sister" whom was making her way towards one of the more private rooms in the palace.

"Hmmm, you say something Spike?" Twilight asked without taking her head from the scroll she was reading. She plopped down on a large, over stuffed cushion by a roaring fire. There were five over cushions by the fire as well. Each one sharing the primary color of its owner. There was also a small basket for Spike as well.

"Nothing." Spike muttered as he started to look around. "You know, Twilight. You've been working awfully hard lately. Perhaps some time away would do you some good. Maybe a Vacation, I don't know." Spike stated as he started to fluff the cushion in his basket.

"WHAT!?" Twilight yelped as she nearly dropped the scroll. "Vacation!? Spike, I can't! There is simply not enough time. I have got to catalog, and transcribe these ancient scrolls onto new parchment so their information will be preserved, make copies of them and then send those copies to other libraries to double their chances of survival and decrease their risk of being lost forever! I..I can't go on Vacation!" Twilight protested.

"Twilight, ever since you, and the others, took care of that Raging Jackalope posse, you have been burying yourself in this work. The others are taking small vacations, and having fun. I think it would help you too. Applejack went to visit family in Appaloosa. Rainbow Dash is in Cloudsdale as guest judge at a young flyers competition. Rarity, and Fluttershy are in Trottingham for a fashion show, and Pinkie.... Well, Pinkie is off doing whatever it is Pinkies do." Spike explained as he was worried that Twilight would push herself too hard again, and have yet another breakdown. "I'm just saying that taking a little bit of time to do something fun and relaxing isn't a bad idea, you know?" Spike concluded.

"Spike, this is fun, and relaxing. Can you really imagine anything more fun than pouring over ancient tomes and decode vast stores of knowledge?" twilight asked with a big cheesy grin.

"Would you like that List alphabetical, or numerical?" he asked with a sarcastic tone. The small drake crossed his arms over his diminutive chest to emphasize his point. For his youth, and size. Spike could be quite stubborn. Just like a certain purple Unicorn that recently turned Alicorn.

"Okay, Okay. I guess you do have a point. What should I do? All my friends are out of town." Twilight asked as she crossed her forelegs in front of her.

Sprike scratched his chin with his claw, and thought about it. To be honest, he hadn't thought it this far ahead. Figured Twilight would put up more of a struggle than she has. Suddenly the Dragon's eyes lit up as he raised himself on his tail. "Oh, I know! What about Sunset Shimmer, and those girls? I don't think you spoke them in forever." Spike offered.

Twilight blinked as she quickly rose to her hooves. Her face scrunched as she tried to remember the last time she did talk with her friends from Cantorlot High. "You know what, you're right. I have not received any kind of message from Sunset in a while. I wonder if anything is going on over there? Besides it would be fun to see the girls again. Though I don't think I'll ever get over standing on two legs, and Hands. That always takes a while to get used to. Though I can imagine one mint green unicorn would be simply beside herself in wanting such an opportunity." Twilight teased as she started out of her Study. One purple pink dragon following in her wake.

The Portal that Twilight used to make the trip last time was still operational, if not a tiny bit dusty. Okay, a lot dusty. The book was nestled on a podium beside the machine, but it lacked its trademark glow. Flipping through the pages. Twilight saw the last message Sunset sent to her. It was a report on a camping trip the girls had where they made s'mores, what ever that was, and swam in the local stream. They even mentioned seeing some other people camping and a small note about Fluttershy trying to convince two brothers who were out hunting not to hurt any deer.

"So, are you going to come with me again?" Twilight asked as she used her magic to set the book in the holder just above the portal.

Spike let out a deep yawn as he stretched his small arms. "No thanks. Walking around on all fours is kinda a drag. I'm going to spend some quality time catching up on my comics, and sleeping." the young drake stated as he started to wander off. "Tell the others I said "hi" though." He called over his shoulder, soon sticking his face in a large omnibus of his Power Ponies comic.

Twilight simply rolled her eyes. It was hard for her to see the fascination with Spike, and his precious comic books, especially after the incident with the magic comic book. "Okay then, have fun." She called out to her little "brother". Twilight looked up at her machine, and pulled the lever.

Soon, the machine began to hum with magic as it pulsed, and shimmied like something out of a 1930's Universal Monster movie. With a bright flash of light that left spots in Twilight's eyes, the portal opened, connecting Equestria with the world of Canterlot High. Twilight took a breath, and slowly let it out. She was always nervous with portals. "Well, Here goes nothing." She stated as she took a running start into the shimmering entrance way.

"I wont be gone long!" She yelled just before going into the portal and feeling her molecules be sling shot across time and space.

"Did you say something?" Spike asked as she looked around for twilight before going back to his comic book and flipping to the next page.

As before, Twilight was unceremoniously ejected from the Portal at the base of the horse pedestal just in front of Canterlot High. Landing face first, she slid forward about a foot before coming to a stop. A dull groan could be heard as she slowly pushed herself up upon her hands, and knees. Both of her limbs ached and she felt a faint sense of dizziness that was refusing to leave her, making her wish she hadn't eaten lunch that day as her stomach tossed and turned inside of her.

Twilight mentally swore to find a way to fix that when she got back to Equestria. Opening her eyes, Twilight was immediately assaulted by the scenery of this other world. However, it was not the vibrant, exotic, living and breathing world that had been so full of life before. What lay before Twilight was the remains a dying world where life was in its last throes before its inevitable demise.

The sky above her was completely clouded over with thick menacing clouds that blotted out the life giving warm rays of the sun. Craggy lines of white between the clouds were the only light that they would allow to shine down upon this bleak world. But the macabre oppression didn't end there as the world lay in ruins all around Twilight. The skeletal remains of collapsed buildings were the only reminder of a once bustling city. Huge piles of rubble littered everything with ashes and dust coating every last visible inch of land like a snowstorm. At this moment Twiligth began to shiver and feel cold, not just from the view of destruction all around her but also due to the lack of sunlight making the environment colder.

"Where am I?" Twilight asked herself. This could not be the same world that she visited twice before. Everything was dead, dark and worse, everything was quiet. Twilight had never heard such utter silence before, not even in the forests. It was as if the whole world were just empty and abandoned, or like nothing had ever existed before.

Twilight took a couple of cautious steps away from the portal, her eyes looking at the destroyed buildings until she felt something bump against her boot. She looked down, and saw something curious. She squatted down, and cautiously picked up the strange looking object to examine further. It was mostly spherical, and the color was a dusty white that she had only seen on chalk boards. Slowly rolling it around in her hands, she saw a flattened side with three holes, and something set in a row along the bottom.

She would gaze hard at this object for a few minutes as her mind pieced her observations together. When the name of the object appeared in her mind, Twilight gasped as she dropped the skull, and backed away in a hurry as the bone clattered to the ground and rolled away. Her heart started to pound as she began to notice more, and more remains around her. It was like something out of a horror story written by a mad pony. Looking upon the buildings she noticed shadows imprinted into the masonry, human images burned into the stone that reminded her of chalk outlines drawn where a pony had died either by foul play or by accident.

Twilight's chest heaved as she started to hyperventilate. Where was she!? What had happened to this world?

"Hello! Anyone there!?" She called out, hoping against hope that someone would hear. Someone would hear, someone had to hear, an entire world just couldn't be dead could it?

"Please! Someone answer me, is anybody here!?" she shouted, almost screaming at this point as her panic took over her logical mind and she ran father from the portal, trying to find some evidence of life still surviving on the world she was on. Yet, the only answer she would get was the chill of the wind howling through the debris. The chill cutting Twilight right to the bone. Twilight shivered, both from the cold, and the fear of being completely alone on this world. Twilight instantly stopped her running and shouting when se thought a voice had responded. She knew that she had heard something but couldn't tell if it was real or just her memory.

Twilight listened carefully, cupping her hands around her hears, when she gasped as she heard the sound of rocks sliding down some small distance behind her, rocks falling and far distant pops and snaps. Both her hope, and panic spiked as she slowly turned around. Praying to Celestia that whatever was behind her was both alive, and friendly. It would sadly be neither of those things.

Twilight ran past several destroyed and rotting automobiles as she had heard them called and stepped out into an empty street, turning every which way to find where the sound was and stopped as she saw a figure standing down the street, facing away from her.

There, standing about 35 feet away, another "person" stood. Twilight let out a sigh of relief that she wasn't alone. "Thank Celestia" She breathed and ran towards the figure. Her relief would be premature as when she was closer and took a second glance at this person, what she saw was not human. Instead it was a strange creature of metal in the shape of a human skeleton. Pistons were constantly moving back, and forth as a chilling blank expression was reflected upon its polished metal surface. The metal skeleton twitched randomly like an insect hit with pesticides, sparks popped from its right leg as dark fluid could be seen staining the metal structure. Whatever it was, It was damaged.

"Um...Hello!?" Twilight called out. The being's head snapped to her, its glowing red eyes shrinking down to pinpricks as it focused on Twilight. The Alicorn turned human could feel the hair sticking up on the back of her neck, a small voice in the back of her head was screaming at her to run away but she was too stunned to even turn away. The metal person was holding something strange in its skeletal like hands. Something Twilight never seen before. Slowly it raised the object, and pointed directly at the young girl.

Twilight's heart rate began to quicken as her instincts told her to run and her body began to finally answer. She took a step back, and was about to do just that when her foot came down upon a loose stone. Causing Twilight to fall to the ground. A most fortuitous accident, as she fell backwards, a Purple-Blue beam seared the space right where her head was not a second ago. Twilight's eyes grew wide as the realization hit her. This thing was trying to kill her!

She didn't even stop to let out a yelp of pain as she hit the ground. She clawed at the earth to get to her feet, and run. The being tracked her with its head, and weapon. Its finger pulled the trigger, only to be rewarded with nothing. The weapon's powerpack was completely drained by a previous encounter that had left it damaged. Dropping the now useless weapon, it started to pursue Twilight doggedly. Though its damaged leg hampered its performance, slowing it down. However, Twilight's unfamiliarity with running in a panic state was preventing her escape as well. She continually stumbled over stones, and human remains as she ran in the direction she thought the portal was in. Not realizing that she was running away from it. Twilight's attacker then attempted to weaken her resolve to even run by letting out a loud sound, a constant, electric growl that inspired fear in those that allowed it to take root in them.

Twilight was finding it difficult to get her bearings as all the destroyed building looked alike to her. Every time she would glance over her shoulder, that thing was right there. Seemingly looming over her, and ready to rend her limb from limb. "HELP ME!" She shrieked as she ran from her pursuer and slipped several times in her fear as the machine seemed to roar or growl at her. She figured that she wouldn't be able to out run it, so she had to find a place to hide. Maybe it'll lose interest then.

Twilight would duck into a partially collapsed office building where she was quickly engulfed in darkness. she strained to try and see the hidden labyrinthine interior of the building. Just behind her, she could hear the metallic scratching of that thing behind her, approaching undeterred. Twilight's heart thundered in her chest as she started to pick her way through the gloom of the building. From shattered windows, the soft glow of light could be seen from the outside. Bright enough for Twilight to just see, barely. she scoured for a hidding spot while all the while the clicking footsteps of the automaton seemed to echo behind her, drawing closer.

Twilight whimpered in fright as she tried desperately to keep her fear in check. However, her equine mentality continued to scream that she flee from this predator. Twilight turned down a side corridor as the way forward was blocked by the roof caving in. Her hands stretched out before her as she was trying to feel her way around in this darkness. For a moment, she thought she heard movement a ways away, but being pursued was allowing her time to investigate. That, and what if it was another one of those things?

Twilight bumped hard into the end of the corridor, and staggered back a couple of steps. Her hand rubbing some feeling back into her nose. It would appear that it was a dead end. She had to turn back and see if she could find another route. However, when she did, she saw the pale red glow from the thing's eyes. Twilight sucked in her breath through her teeth as she felt the panic well up inside her. Frantically, she started to feel around for anything. Anything to use as a weapon, anything that would lead to an escape.

Twilight pushed at what she thought was a section of wall, but when there was nothing but empty space met her hands. She fell forward with a yelp of surprise. She would find herself in a small office, small rays of light peeking through a set of tattered blinds. Light!? That meant a window, possibly an escape. "Click-cklik" Twilight turned, and saw the pale red light through the opening. The thing had just turned down the hall. It was following the only course Twilight could go. Its gait with its tell-tale limp was not making it any less frightening. If anything, it made it more so as it emphasized how close it was coming.

Twilight flew to the window, and tore aside the blinds. However, she would find it was simply an dual pane window that could not be opened. "No." She whimpered. Twilight looked to find a hiding spot. Maybe if it didn't see her, it would think she was no longer there. It was a long shot, but Twilight was out of options. In the pale light that came through the window, she saw a desk backed into a corner. She would dive underneath it, and pressed herself the furthest back corner as she possibly could. Jamming her eyes shut, Twilight could only hope, and pray that she would go unnoticed.

"Click-Cklik....Click Cklik....Click Cklik" the steps kept getting louder, and louder. Closer, and closer to her hiding spot. Twilight started to shake as she buried her face into her knees. She was asking herself why she left Equestria, and her friends. How she wished she was with her friends back home. The only consolation that she could take from all this was that, at least, Spike wasn't there. He was safe, and sound in his basket back home. Probably having his nose buried in a Power Ponies comic. That thought helped to calm Twilight down a little.

Twilight jumped when she heard the scratchy sound of metal tendrils upon the frame of the opening. The Thing was only yards away now. "Please Celestia, protect me. Please Celestia, protect Me. Please Celestia, Protect me." Twilight breathed over, and over again. She focused on her prayer that she didn't hear the hurried footsteps at first. Just the voices.

"HEY! We got a "Tin-man" here!" A gruff voice bellowed.

"Well what the fuck are you waiting for, Dark Watch, a fucking invitation?" A female voice shouted back.

"Shoot the damn thing!" A third voice rang out.

All at once a deafening roar erupted in the hallway. the noise so loud that it rattled Twilight's teeth. She couldn't take it anymore, she let a primal scream of terror rip from her lips, and her lungs as it sounded like the end of the World all over again. Whatever it was hitting the thing, it sounded like Hail upon a tin roof, but much, much louder. She screamed as long as there was air in her lungs as she curled herself into as small a ball as humanly possible.

The thunder stopped with the sound of a loud metallic crash. Twilight just stared into the gloom of her hiding spot. Her mind had gone in to a state of shock. Then all at once, a bright light was shown into her eyes. Her head snapped up, and the look of utter terror was etched upon her face. Her mouth open in a silent scream.

"Get the El-Tee! We have a live one here!" A deep voice behind the light called out to some others. A pair of quick boot falls would immediately be heard.

"Easy Now. We're not going to hurt you." The one Female voice spoke in a calming voice. Yet, it wasn't working. After everything Twilight went through, this all was going to take time to soak in.

"Officer on deck!" A voice bellowed. The sound of rapid shuffling could be heard, but the bright light never wavered.

"Ma'am, We found this young girl here. Apparently she was being chased by a "Tin-Man". The first deep voice spoke in a quieter volume.

"Let me take a look, Sargent." A familiar voice stated with a hard edge.

From behind the light, a new form could be seen moving in the shadows. Twilight couldn't make any semblance of whom it was, but her voice was ringing so many bells in her head.

"By Celestia's tits! What are you doing here, Twilight Sparkle!?" The woman asked in shock. "Lower the light, Sargent!" The woman barked.

The bright light was lowered, and Twilight could see again. She saw for whom the familiar voice belonged to. It belonged to Sunset Shimmer.

Reunions.

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the two girls stared at one another for a moment. Twilight could hardly believe her own eyes. The relief she felt was overwhelming and nearly left her in tears, but still she fought it off to maintain her composure. For Sunset though, she felt something else. Something akin to shock, and disappointment.

"What are you doing here!?" She barked at the curled up Alicorn. However, Twilight's response was not what was expected.

In a flash of purple, and Lavender, Sunset was glomped upon by an overly emotional Twilight. She started to sob into Sunset's shoulder, and muttered about how close she came to being killed. The others watched for a moment but Sunset glared at them. "Go watch for more Red Eyes!" She growled as she tried to calm Twilight down.

The older girl held onto Twilight and patted her back gently as she continued sobbing. It made Sunset almost start crying herself, but she had already run out of tears long ago. She had shed enough tears to make a river.

For Twilight, she faced many dangers, but there was something about that automaton that terrified her to her core. Perhaps it was the fact that it lacked any kind of consciousness, or the fact that she knew it would pursue her relentlessly. Whatever the reason, that encounter will always send chills deep into Twilight's soul.

After a couple of minutes, Twilight managed to get a hold of herself. She pulled herself back from Sunset, and took a couple of deep breaths. Her heart still felt like it was thundering in her chest like the drums at a massive party, and her muscles were tight from her "Fight, or Flight" instincts.

"Sorry, I uh...um...yeah." Twilight muttered with a noticeable dose of embarrassment.

"That doesn't matter. What are you doing here?" Sunset stated with more edge in her voice than she intended.

"Well, I was doing research, OH! We got the Library from the castle of the Two sisters, and transporting the works there to my Palace where we're restoring, and cataloging all the neat books, and such. However, Spike thought I should take a vacation, and reminded me that it's been a awhile since the concert with the Dazzlings, and that I have not heard from you, and the others in a long time. So i thought it would be a nice surprise if I popped in to see how you all were doing." Twilight explained before looking at the unamused look on Sunset's face. "Um...Surprise!" Twilight said with mock enthusiasm.

Sunset could only facepalm at the situation. Twilight was a close friend, but with the situation at hand, She was a huge liability. She was about ask how Twilight got back when a large man poked his head in. "L.T. we need to move. More "Redeyes" may be coming this way." He stated with urgency in his voice while using one of the many nicknames for the machine combatants.

"Okay, Radio the commander and see if we can get a lift out of here." Sunset stated before turning to Twilight. "You're going to have to come with me. It is not safe here." She explained before taking Twilight's hand, and leading her out of the room.

"O-Okay." Twilight stated as she let Sunset take her hand. Though the moment that happened, Twilight immediately noticed something was amiss. Looking down, she saw that Sunset's left hand had been disfigured. The fourth finger, which Twilight had learned was called the 'ring finger', was completely missing along with half of her middle finger. "Um...Sunset, about your hand..." She started to say.

"Not right now." Sunset snapped back. She wasn't trying to be mean or anything to Twilight, it was just that stuff happened, and Sunset wasn't ready to talk about it yet. And certainly not when they might be pursued by more combat terminators.

The two came out on the other side of the partially collapsed building, and Twilight was met with just over a half dozen exhausted faces. She swallowed hard as it was difficult to see any spark of life within their eyes.

"Sargent Hard Knocks, what is the word on that evac?" Sunset asked as she kept Twilight close at hand. This was not a safe place, and she didn't want Twilight wandering off.

The same large man from before approached the two women.; "No can do. Spotters are saying that the skies are riddled with aerial HKs. The Commander does not want to risk the few Helicopters we have as well as Rainbow Dash." He explained.

Twilight heard the familiar name, and her face lit up. It would appear another of her friends was around. She was about to ask, but was cut off by Sunset.

"Wrong Way, get your butt up here." Sunset called out to her squad. From the back, a scrawny young man quickly moved up. He wore thick glasses, and his clothes looked a couple of sizes too big for him.

"Yes, Lieutenant?" He asked.

"Where are we?" Sunset asked as she stood right next to the young man.

Contrary to his name, Private Wrong Way had a very good sense of direction, and an affinity for maps. Which was good cause Sunset couldn't read a map to save her life. Pvt. Wrong Way unzipped a panel on the front of his vest, and pulled out a map along with a tiny compass the size of a penny. Using a red filter on his flashlight, he illuminated the area they were in.

"We're on the South side of the old Filthy Rich office building. So that puts us about one, and half clicks north, north east of the refuge. So we need to be heading...that way!" He stated as he pointed in a seemingly random direction.

"Good job. Okay everyone, lets get back to base." Sunset stated. "We have someone that needs to meet the Commander."

However, that plan was instantly curtailed as Sargent Knocks cleared his throat as he held the handset from the Radio that was strapped to Corporal Short Wave's back. Sunset bristled at that sound, and let out a exhausted sigh. Slowly she turned, and looked at her Sargent. "What else?" She asked.

"The Commander has new orders for us. An HK tank is getting dangerously close to the refuge, and the Commander wants us to lead it away to sector Z-12 for an artillery ambush." He explained.

Sunset quickly walked over to a young woman with a large pack on her back, and took hold of the handset. "Shimmer here, we have a VIP that the Commander will want to meet. We have to get her back to base ASAP." Sunset stated.

Twilight watched, and listened. She wondered what that thing Sunset was talking into. It looked fascinating. However, Sunset's conversation didn't sound too happy. She watched her friend growl lowly before letting out a long exhausted sigh.

"Yes Commander, I understand. You can count on that tank good as gone." Sunset stated before handing the headset back to Corporal Shortwave. Though before She walked off, Sunset gave Shortwave a pat on the shoulder, and a soft smile. "Good job." She told the young woman.

Sunset moved to where everyone could see her. "Okay, I know we're all sore, tired as hell, and want for nothing more than a hot meal and shower. However, that is going have to be put off for a while. We have a Hunter-Killer Tank getting dangerously close to the refuge. The civilians, and command staff are counting on us to lure it away to an ambush where Lieutenant Pinkie Pie's cannons will destroy it." Sunset explained. The thought that Pinkie of all people had gotten to such a rank still made Sunset nervous.

The looks upon the men, and women's faces were exhaustion mixed with grim determination. The mission would be completed, even if they had to die trying Twilight could see them all pushing down their fear, and exhaustion to set themselves to the task at hand and preparing themselves to move out. Sunset nodded with a sense of pride in her squad.

"We're going to have to move fast, but careful. You need to follow me, and stay right on my ass." Sunset said Twilight before she grabbed the Princess's hand, and they started to move with Sunset Constantly making sure that Twilight was close to her and safe.

While Sunset said they had to move fast it felt like they were moving at a snail's pace. Always ducking from one shadow to another. There was this oppressive aura hanging over the group. Like the Boogiemare was going pop out at them at any second. Course, thinking back to that machine that tried to kill her, Twilight couldn't blame them.

As the group moved, Twilight's curiosity continued to grow, and grow. The last time she was here the world was so fresh, and alive with so much technology that it was like an Engineer pony's heaven. So many people moving about in their own lives full of love and happiness. But now? Now the world was a torched, scarred, husk of its former self. It defied Twilight's ability to fathom how such a thing could happened. She wasn't gone that long, she knew that.

She watched the others as they moved, but staying right next to Sunset, just like she told her to. Looking at them, many of their faces were so young, and yet held the edges, and lines of weariness, and stress of much older pon...,er people. How could the world come to this!? Before too long, the need to know was unbearable.

"Um, Sunset?" Twilight spoke in a strained whisper that sounded much louder than she expected, or wanted.

The column instantly came to a stop as everyone ducked behind some debris. Several of the soldiers took defensive positions, and kept an eye out for any of the machines. Sunset took a couple of breathes to calm down before she turned to face Twilight.

"Yes, what is it?" She asked back, trying to be as calm, and even keeled as possible. However, The amount of stress she was under was easily seen.

"What happened? To the world, I mean." Twilight asked with her large eyes. "It's all so.... dead." Twilight stated as she looked at Sunset with a need to know in her eyes.

Sunset was silent for a moment as she noticed several of the others turning their heads to look at Twilight. She knew what they were thinking. How could she not know? Sunset let out a long exhale as she gave her Sargent a glance. The older man nodded, and made some funny gestures to the others with his hands. Apparently it was a form of communication as the squad began to shift around the two with their eyes constantly scanning the horizon and their ears listening for a familiar metallic clanking.

"I'm not exactly sure what happened." Sunset stated as she sat down, and leaned against a fallen wall. "It was just a normal day. Then suddenly, "Boom". The World ended in a nuclear holocaust. We launched ours, They launched theirs. So many people died in such a short time." Sunset stated as she clung to her rifle, her grip tightening till her knuckles turned white. "It was so hot that day." She shuddered. "Then after the bombs fell, the machines came. Came to finish what the bombs left behind." Sunset Shimmer seemed to be staring off into the distance. To a place that Twilight couldn't see.

"How long ago was this?" Twilight asked, not daring to touch Sunset lest something unspeakable happen.

This seemed to snap Sunset out of her thousand yard stare. She turned to one of the others. "How long ago did this war start?" She asked.

The young man turned and looked at her. "months, years maybe. I don't know. Who has time to keep track of Time? I'm too busy trying not to get my ass shot off." He replied.

"Keep up that attitude, and I'll be the one to shoot you." Sunset threatened. Though the others knew it was in jest.

Sunset slumped back against the collapsed wall as a couple of others rotated so that the ones were resting could give the ones on guard a chance to do the same.

"You should have never come back, Twilight. This isn't the world you know of anymore. That world is a memory." Sunset before she pushed herself up with her rifle, and made a funny move with her hand. Summoning the squad to form up. "Come on, we have a tank to take down." She told Twilight while she extended her hand to help the other up.

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It was very easy to tell that they were getting close to the HK tank. The sound of its engine was loud, as well as the crunching of the stones, and human remains beneath its large bulk as it echoed off the shattered remains of the surrounding buildings. The group fell in behind an over turned bus, and hid from the lumbering behemoth that was steadily approaching them. The tank was slowly making its way down the street. The Intel was right, it was less than a block from the resistance base. Those inside could probably could feel the tremors from its passing and see dust falling form the ceiling.

Situated on struts on either side of the Main body were twin laser cannons. The cannons constantly traversed slowly in a forward arc, searching for any Human survivors to reduce to ashes. Perched on top of the body, its large rectangular head followed the cannons in their sweep. Electronic eyes, ears, and various other sensors constantly scanning, and searching. Picking apart its surroundings. Looking for any sign of the machine's mortal enemy, Man. Four sets of meter wide tracks pulled it along the uneven terrain.

Sunset peeked her head up to look at the metal monstrosity. Just behind her Twilight looked up, and over as well. When she did all the color drained from her face. The machine was huge, and exuded an aura of callus malicious intent. It stood about twenty feet tall. A human would have had about 4 feet from to top of their head to the upper track bar. At tall as it was, it was even longer, over 30 feet. Twilight had no idea how Sunset and her crew were going to destroy this monster!?

'It just isn't possible.' Twilight thought.

The mechanical head started its sweep back, and Sunset pulled Twilight down before they could be spotted. The others looked to Sunset for the plan. She took on somber expression.

"We're going to lure, and bait it." She told them. Almost instantly, the other soldiers expressions fell.

To "Lure, and Bait" was to have one soldier get the Tank's attention, and immediately proceed in the direction of the desired location. That soldier is to run, while dodging both machine gun fire, laser cannon fire, and whatever else the Tank was willing to throw at him. The runner was to run till he could get out of the Machine's line of sight, or killed. Then another one would run. They would continue this tactic until they either all died, or were able to get the tank to the ambush point. Despite the machine's vast array of weaponry and tactics, they were all very predictable, one of the few advantages Humans had over them.

"Silver Shield, you and Short Wave are to escort Twilight Sparkle to the rendezvous point. If we're not there in 30 minutes, bug out, and get her back to the refuge. The Commander is going to want to talk with her. Consider her a top VIP." Sunset told to two of her best soldiers.

"Wait a minute!?" Twilight yelped before shushing herself. "What about you!?" She hissed at Sunset.

"I'm the squad leader. I can not abandon my people. You will go with Shield, and Wave. You will follow their orders. That is the only way you're going to live long enough to maybe make it back home." Sunset stated with a stern tone that broach no disobedience. She looked to the two, and gave them a stern look that had them stiffening up. "Protect her with your lives. She is more valuable than you can imagine. You will go once we start leading the tank away." She ordered.

Both Soldiers nodded and came to Twilight's side.

"Tunnel Rat, you're up!" Sunset called out to the team.

From the assembled group, a lanky short young man seemed to appear from the dust. He had beady eyes, and narrow rodent like features. His clothes, and face looked like he had been rolling in the dirt, and in this group that was saying something. He approached Sunset, and he gave her a caviler smile.

"Better to be dead, than old." Tunnel Rat joked as he quickly got into position. Hunkering down as he gave Sunset a thumbs up.

"Go!" Sunset hissed as she, and the others started to move.

Upon her signal, Tunnel Rat stepped out of the shadows, and put an object to his shoulder. It was a L.A.W. anti-tank weapon. Rat took careful aim before he pressed the trigger. A loud whoosh could be heard as the rocket streaked from the tube, and towards the HK tank. The rocket would hit just below the left shoulder strut. Rat had no illusions that this would do anything more than to simply piss the tank off, and he was right.

Instantly the tank reacted as it performed a slow arcing turn towards Tunnel Rat as its twin laser cannons swiveled, and started to lay down fire. Nearly blinding spears of light flew out of the cannons and straight at the human rebel. However, Rat was already moving in the direction he wanted the Tank to go. Knowing full well that it would pursue him doggedly until he was killed, or another target of greater importance appeared.

As comical as they sounded, the two twin laser cannons of the HK's weapons continued to "zap" at Tunnel Rat as he scrambled over the debris. The Tanks's head ceasing its swivel, and focused on the lone human that was running for his life. the super heated beams sizzled through the air, and striking at where the young man was just a scant second ago.

As the tank passed by their concealed position, both Short Wave, and Silver Shield threw themselves over Twilight to protect her, and conceal her from the tank should it just happen to look their way. Both soldiers prayed as hard as they could that they would go unnoticed, and that the others will survive the mission. Twilight prayed that her friend Sunset Shimmer would survive as she felt like she was the only familiar person in this new world, the only one she could hold on to.

The noise of the tank's passing was near deafening at this point, and felt like someone was screaming right into Twilight's ears. She wanted to cry out loudly in pain but instead she chomped down on her hand to prevent any screams from slipping past her lips. The ground trembled as she felt the two soldiers holding her tighter. Both of them gritting their teeth, and had their eyes jammed shut, the anxious fear that the tank would turn one of its turrets and turn them all to dust was only growing by the minute. But luckily the tank would pass by them without incident, too focused on the other resistance members and the two let out a long exhale in relief. However, their reprieve would be brief however.

"Come on, we got to go." Short wave stated as she grabbed Twilight's hand, and they darted through the shadows.

----------

Several Miles away was a group of three M198 155mm Howitzers set up, and ready to fire. Their commander already had the three guns lined up on the area of the map that was going to be used for the Ambush of the tank. They were some of the last remaining field artillery pieces left. Mostly cobbled together from the destroyed remains of others and one museum piece. They were hidden from aerial HKs by camo netting with a reflective surface so thermal scans would not be able to pick the group from a distance. Though the closer the HKs came, the more, and more the camouflage dissipates and the sensors would be likely to pick them up.

The officer in command was standing with a foot propped on a rock, looking like a famous sea captain that appears on a bottle of rum. Her patience was wearing thin, and that could be equally dangerous for her own people as it was to the machines.

"Can we fire the howitzers now?" She asked with bubbling excitement. It was like she would burst with energy at any second.

"No, we can not. We have not received the word from Shimmer's squad, Lt. Pie." Sargent Short Fuse replied with a slightly frustrated tone as he just answered this question for the umpteenth time in the last ten minutes.

"Awww~" Pinkie whined as she crossed her arms across her breasts. "This sucks." she grumped and kicked a rock while pouting.

----------

Sunset was huffing, and puffing as she ran for her life, while doing her best not to cut her legs on any rusty pipes or pieces of metal that happened to be sticking out of the rubble. So far they were getting the Tank where they wanted, but it wasn't without cost. Tunnel Rat bought it when he tripped over a piece of piping that was sticking out from a collapsed building that he didn't see. It was always hard to lose members of her squad, but that was the reality that they were in. This was a War of survival, and the Humans were at a huge disadvantage.

Sunset didn't dare look back. The sound of the wide tracks crunching on the ground, and the slight tremors from its weight were enough to tell her that it was right on her ass. The bright purple beams continued to streak her head, and making her instantly change direction. Her pony mentality actually giving Sunset an advantage with her "Flight, or Fight" responses.

"That pink haired ditz better be paying attention." Sunset huffed as she hurdled over a low wall. "Cause my ass is too pretty to die." She panted as she turned the last corner.

The area of the planned ambush was once a small playground. The mostly cleared out area making it less likely that the HK would inadvertently be shielded by any debris from the coming artillery. But Sunset wasn't in the clear, there was still a 150 yard distance between her, and the playground. Sunset ran as fast, and as hard as she could. Just behind her, she could hear the masonry crack, crunch, and crumble as the Tank clipped the side of the building.

"Shitshitshitshit!" Sunset hissed as machine gun tracer fire came dangerously close to her left side. Stitching a line into the cracked asphalt. Giving the young girl a "subtle" hint to keep running.

Inside a blown out Slushie-King, Twilight, Silver Shield, and Short Wave waited for the others to arrive. As each minute passed, the three grew more, and more worried. Yes, their orders were to bug out after thirty minutes but would they? Would they abandon their friends? Not if Twilight had anything to say about it. The three continued to scan the streets. In the distance, they could hear the electric zaps of the tank's laser cannons, and the "ratatatat" of the machine guns.

"They're here! Short Wave, get on that radio, and get ready to call it in." Silver Shield stated as he looked through a 3x zoom hand held scope that had once been used for golfing. He tried to find who it was leading the tank into the clearing.

The three would get their answer soon enough as a flash of Red, and yellow could be seen coming from between two buildings. Twilight gasped as she recognized Sunset Shimmer instantly. Twilight's face paled at the sight of seeing Sunset running for her life. Her breathing started to quicken, almost to the point of hyperventilation. Twilight wanted to do something, but she was powerless in this form. What could she do!?

"RUN SUNSET! RUN!" She screamed suddenly. "You have to run!" Twilight encouraged her friend before someone put a hand on her mouth to keep her from exposing their hiding spot.

Both Short Wave, and Silver Shield looked at each other, sharing the thought of how crazy this all was. However, they soon joined in, deciding it was worth it.

"Run, you have to run! That bastard is right behind you boss!" Short wave shrieked.

"you can do it! Just a little bit further!" Silver shield added.

'Shut the hell up dumbasses! I freaking know that its behind me!' Sunset thought as her anger helped fuel her flight from the tank. She could see the store where the others were waiting, it was so close. She could also hear their shouting much more clearly, and it allowed her to dig that much deeper. To find that last well of strength to run that much faster. She gritted her teeth, and dug her feet into the grass, and dirt. However, she could also hear something else too. The deep demonic howl of the turbines that powered HK tank. It was spooling up as it cleared the buildings, and gaining speed. Trying to run Sunset down, literally.

"Oh God!" Silver Shield gasped as his body began to move without his prompting.

With grace, and finesse, he vaulted over the Counter, and started to run towards Sunset. His left arm grabbing a tube strapped to his backpack. Silver Shield had the only other L.A.W. Anti-Tank weapon in the squad, and now was his time to use it. He ran about a dozen yards or so from the store front before taking a kneeling position behind a bench. Silver shield swallowed thickly as his heart was pounding into his chest. He tried to will himself calm so he could keep the launcher steady. He had to wait till just the right time.

"SHIMMER, DOWN!" He shouted.

Sunset dove for the deck and rolled as Silver Shield pulled the lever that fired the L.A.W., and was rewarded instantly by the weapon firing. The Rocket streaked across the ground, and over Sunset. The missile flew straight, and true, and struck the HK's front left track. The tracks were destroyed as metal shrapnel flew in all directions. The half blown apart drive sprocket, and bogey wheels dug into the soft ground, and caused the entire tank to skid to a halt. However, the torso was still trying to track its's targets as its laser cannons, and machine guns were firing almost wildly, the concussion from the blast messing up the tank's visual sensors for just enough time to make its shots miss.

Sunset was back up, and running, not giving the tank a chance to correct its aim. Adrenaline pumping through her veins even now. She easily hurdled the last obstacle. The bench that Silver Shield was using as a rest for the LAW.

"CALL IT IN! CALL IT IN!" Sunset shouted to Short Wave

----------

"Can we pleasssse fire the howitzers?" Pinkie pleaded with a whine that seemed to stab into Sargent Short Fuse's eardrums.

The Sargent was at his wits ends end, and was about to show why he lived up to his name. However, before he could, the radio crackled to life.

This is scout team 223, Fire for effect! Fire for effect!

"Well El Tee, it would appear there's your answer." Short Fuse replied as he sighed in relief. Thankful that Pinkie will now stop bugging him.

Pinkie's face instantly lit up with an audible squee of delight. She was almost dancing in place knowing that she could play again.

"All batteries, LET'EM RIP!" Pinkie declared as she threw her arms into the air.

All at once, the air around the howitzers erupted in fire, and thunder as the three cannons lobbed their 155mm high explosive ordinance. For Pinkie, it was an euphoric experience every time. She could feel the concussive force ripple through her body. It was almost like a drug that she could not get enough of. As the cannons sounded, her laughs were approaching maniacal proportions.

Every time Pinkie got like this, Sargent Short Fuse always got a bit nervous. It was widely accepted that Pinkie's switch board had a few wires crossed.

"Ma'am, I think we need to get you to a psychiatrist." Short Fuse stated as he was making sure there was enough space between the psycho officer.

"Less talk, more explosions!" Pinkie commanded, and was quickly answered with another resounding "BOOM" From the three field artillery pieces.
----------

Sunset, and Silver Shield dove over the counter as they heard the tell-tale thunder in the distance. Though Twilight kept her head up watching as the tank activated its self repair protocol.

"Get down you idiot! You want to have your head taken off from shrapnel!?" Sunset hissed as she grabbed Twilight's arm to yank her down behind the counter.

"Is it about to storm or something?" Twilight asked in confusion

"You could say that. For sure the rain's a coming." Short Wave laughed with a hiss even as the high pitch whistle from the large rounds could just start being heard.

However, Sunset didn't want to stay around to see if the rounds hit just in case Pinkie's aim was off. “Stay low, eyes on me. We have to meet Hard Knocks, and the others at the rendezvous point.” Sunset said as she quickly moved through the rubble as the artillery began firing. The explosions and whistles from the distant cannons were almost louder than the actual HK tank rolling ahead. An explosion blew off the right turret arm of the HK tank and another decapitated the machine, leaving it unable to move ahead. The ambush was working with artillery cannons tearing the large tank apart.

“Wasp drones!” Short Wave shouted and Twilight looked up to see small black shapes flying through the buildings in search of the Human rebels. But soon larger shapes began flying through the clouds.

“Shush. Aerial H.K.s, get the blankets out.” Sunset ordered before putting her strange binoculars away. Twilight wondered just what Sunset was talking about while several strange looking blankets were being pulled from the large bag Silver Shield carried on his back. He passed them around to the others, and Sunset quickly wrapped hers around Twilight while Silver Shield wrapped his around Short Wave. Everything was happening so fast that it was hard for Twilight to keep up. She couldn't help the dizzying sensation causing the world to spin around her. Not even the Changeling attack on Canterlot during Cadence's wedding was like this.

Shimmer motioned for her to be quiet before whispering. “Don’t move, just watch and listen.” She said as she pointed an injured left hand to the sky. The dark clouds remained overhead, preventing Twilight form seeing the stars or the moon, and yet it didn't rain. Twilight could hear a faint rumble and a horrible scream. Soon she saw lights breaking through the darkness as a large metal airship flew down form the clouds. She wanted to run, terrified to see what such a thing could do after seeing the previous ‘terminators’.

Shimmer held on to twilight tightly. “Stop, it wants you to run, don’t worry these blankets hide us. Its...a kind of magic.” She told Twilight with a half smile. The blankets weren't actually magic, but she wasn't sure how they worked. They hid the human body heat from the HKs sensors and made them look just like another patch of land, but the thing was still able to notice movement so when they hid form the HKs eyes they had to remain still as well.

The large VTOL craft flew overhead, searchlights dashed all around, illuminating countless long dead corpses and bleached bones. They also illuminated several other aerial HKs and HK tanks the resistance had blown up when the Machines had tried a major push in this region a while back.

‘That’s right red eye. Take a good look, cause soon enough you’ll be scrap metal too.” She thought. Then as if by divine intervention, a flaming spear flew through the air out of long destroyed bank about two blocks from Shimmer and her team’s current positions. “No one move!" she hissed to the others.

The four watched as the HK popped flares but the rocket was an RPG, and did not require a heat signature. The rocket slammed into the HK’s side and caused it to falter in mid air as soon two more RPGs followed after it, aiming for the HKs guns but the aerial drone fired its plasma guns with the precision of a machine and detonated them before starting to open up on the humans who had dared to attack it.

“Stupid bastards,” She thought. Hoping they had the good sense to run after they fired their shots. But before she could think further another rocket soared into the sky form the other side of the street where the HK was not looking. This one seemed to be a guided missile as it went directly for the HKs left turbine and detonated. The HK screamed as it fought to regain control but soon slammed into the ground with a miniature mushroom cloud signifying an overload in its power cells.

“That’s gotta be Gilda’s talons.” Shimmer said, knowing the biker girl had an amazing skill in taking out aerial terminators. She held a predatory grin, and couldn't help the large feeling of satisfaction as the once mighty war machine lay burning in the street. "Come on, we have to go meet up with the others." Shimmer stated as she pulled the blanket away.

The Refuge.

View Online

The trip to the place that Shimmer, and her companions called the Refuge was short, and quiet once everyone met back up. There was a dark cloud hanging over the group with the loss of Tunnel Rat. While he desperately needed a bath, and his eating habits were suspect, he was a good soldier, and a loyal friend. Like many of the others that the group had lost, he would be greatly missed.

For Twilight, this was a time of reflection. It had been a couple of hours since she arrived in this world, and since entering, it was one nightmare after another. The only thought that brought her any comfort was that at least Spike was safe in his basket back home. She could only hope that he didn't get the itch to try, and join her on this side.

The entrance to the Refuge, and resistance base was an old Subway entrance. From the outside, it looked like it was caved in by rubble. large chunks of concrete piled high in the narrow passage. Twisted pieces of rebar jutting out at odd angles. Twilight, and the rest had to be careful not to get caught, or cut on the jagged pieces of metal. Twilight tentatively followed Shimmer, and the others, never leaving Shimmer's side as they descended down steps. The subway sounded very spacious from what Twilight could hear from the echoes of their footsteps but the pitch black darkness made it difficult to see anything not lit up by the group's flashlights.

Silver Shield remained up top, and made sure no one was watching. Sometimes if there were observer drones flitting about, the group would have to double back, and make it look like they were simply investigating, or just not go into the Refuge at all if they believed they were being tailed. Silver shield had a pair of modified binoculars up to his eyes that lit up the area around him. They looked like something out of a bad "B" sci-fi movie but were in fact repurposed from several skynet machines by the tech teams, who salvaged anything of value they could from scrapped terminators.

"We're clear" Silver Shield called down to the rest before making his way down with the others.

Shimmer nodded as she approached a large slab of concrete, and knocked with a peculiar rhythm. Twilight's eye brow raised as she looked at the woman.

"What's the Password?" A voice on the other side asked.

"Icky bicky walla wing-wong." Shimmer said as her cheeks blushed. It never failed to make her feel like an idiot every time she said the passwords. Each one seemingly stupider than the last.

Twilight's mouth fell open at what she just heard, and was about to ask who came up with it when she was interrupted by Sargent Hard Knocks

"The Machines run on pure logic so nonsensical things are very very difficult for them to process, and counter. So, as stupid as it is, its one of the reasons why we're still alive to fight." he explained simply.

A moment later, the large slap of concrete was moved to the side with great difficulty. The group filed into a single line, and slowly began to shuffle in as Silver Shield continued to scan the area once more to be sure. He would rush right in just as the slab was closing. Almost immediately upon entering, the group had to pass a guard station where three German Shepards stood up, and moved between their handlers and the group coming in. Small Kerosene lanterns were the only source of light. casting eerie shadows around the small checkpoint. Small insects fluttering about the lanterns, adding their shadows to the mix. The fighters extended their hands so that the group could be sniffed and stood still as their bags were also sniffed. The dogs were trained in smelling out explosives used by skynet and also for detecting small centipede and spider like robots that would rummage along the ruins and had a nasty trick of breaking Achilles tendons before they could be destroyed.

"Good work with that Tank, Shimmer. We heard it all the way from here." One of the guards stated.

"Thanks, but we lost Tunnel Rat." Shimmer stated with a hint of sadness.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, make sure you mark it down to the bean counters." The Guard said after he offered his condolences.

"Thanks." Shimmer stated simply before proceeding past.

"Oh, what a cute doggy." Twilight cooed as she tried to reach out, and pet the large dog. Suddenly her wrist was snatched back in vice like grip. It was Sgt. Hard Knocks. He held her wrist, and held her hand out before the dog who gave it a cursory sniff, but made no other motion. Hard Knocks then pushed Twilight past.

"Hey! What was that for?" Twilight hissed as she looked at the large man.

"Don't try, and touch the dogs. They're trained, but some of them have a real attitude. That one would have ripped your arm off had you tried to pet it, or do anything to their handler." He explained in a flat dry tone.

'I cant even pet a cute animal?' Twilight thought to herself and visibly sulked with low shoulders, it honestly seemed like everything in this world had been ruined.

Twilight couldn't fathom just how right she was. The war with the machines had seemingly stripped the Earth of its innocence, and life. The machines deeming all intelligent life their enemies. Just behind the Guard station was a very large steel door, like from a bank vault. It was one of the last lines of defense for the Refuge. Thick enough to resist all but the most destructive of weapons. As the door slowly opened, a smell assaulted Twilight's nose. Her face flashed an interesting shade of green, and for a moment she thought she might vomit. It was a thick musk of body odor, stagnant water, and a plethora of other smells she couldn't quite place. She looked to the others, and saw they were not even phased by it, but how could that be?

"Get moving!" one of the guards growled at Twilight. There was suspicion in his eyes as he looked at Twilight. She was simply too clean, and her clothes too new. Granted she was dirty, but no where near as dirty as what a normal person should be. The guard was half prepared to accuse her of being a luddite traitor, those Humans who believed that working with the machines to end the rest of Humanity was the best thing for the planet.

Twilight quickly moved to catch up with Shimmer, and the group. Twilight reached out, and took shimmer's hand so the two wouldn't be separated, again noticing and feeling the missing finger on her hand. Again, the group began to descend into the bowels of the subway system. no one saying a word as they felt their way more than see as the flash lights could only pierce the gloom only so far. In the distance, she could heard water trickling along with the heavy boot steps of Shimmer, and her squad. Twilight didn't say a word as she felt that even a whisper would sound like a scream in here. Looking around, Twilight saw the word "Purgatory" painted on the wall as one of the flashlights washed across the grimy surface. It was a word she was not familiar with, and wanted to ask Shimmer on its meaning, but the look on the unicorn turned human's face told her to keep quiet for the time being.

Soon, the dark void of the tunnel, and the echoing foot falls of Twilight's companions started to give way to light, and sound. Twilight felt a wave of relief come over her as she knew that their time in the dark tunnel was nearly at an end. The short time that she was in this passage was suffocating, and oppressing, and she would be glad to have it behind her. Though with it, the smells only intensified. Becoming more pungent, almost like a fog unto itself. She had to take to breathing more through her mouth than her nose. She thought about covering her nose, but didn't want to insult anyone.

As they entered the Refuge, the smell completely escaped Twilight's notice when compared to what she saw. It was horrible. People, families, huddled together in what ever pocket they could. Dirty faces with vacant eyes peering to the void. Broken spirits, and people trying desperately to hold on to the last dredges of hope that they'll survive, or even wake up the next morning. People didn't even care about winning the War anymore. They wanted to survive and fight for every last second of life left.Twilight slowly took in the scene before her, and could only feel utter despair at what she saw. These were once happy, laughing people that lived out in the sunshine of their world. Walking around without a care in the world. Now, now they were nothing more than shadows of a world that was burned away in the fires of war.

Twilight took a moment to look around. The faint buzzing of malfunctioning fluorescent lights tickled at the edge of Twilight's hearing as the flickering light stung at her eyes. Causing her to squint to see all the people around. Many of them looking at her with suspicion. She was a new face, and new faces were not easily trusted. The lay out of the Refuge was a series of Subway maintenance tunnels. Dark charcoal grey walls, and flickering utility lighting barely lighting narrow passage ways. Twilight could see people huddling together with tattered clothing, and blankets for warmth, or huddled around rusted out barrels burning whatever they could find for the fire to keep warm. It was a horrid existence, and Twilight could feel nothing but pity for these people.

Shimmer, and the others walked through the throngs of people as they made their way further into the inner sanctum of the Refuge. Twilight turned her head to look back, and saw Sargent Hard Knocks give a small child a bit of food. The child smiled and squirreled it away to take back to his family to share. It was a rare example of the gruff Sargent's softer side. It was also a reassurance that there was still some kindness left in this world.

"What happened? Why is everyone living down here?" Twilight asked Shimmer through a hushed whisper.

"No time to talk right now. We have to keep moving." Shimmer replied simply as they continued to move past the people in a hurried fashion.

Twilight knew, she simply knew that these images would be burned into her memory for as long as she lived. And for an Alicorn, that was going to be a very, very long time.

Turning down a narrow dimly lit corridor, Shimmer bumped into someone that was just stepping out of a crack in the wall. The squad came to a halt as the other person fell back onto their butt, and yet they didn't make a sound. The hood that had obscured their face a moment flung back, and the familiar visage of Sonata Dusk sat just before them. She did not appear like she did at the night of the Rainboom Concert.

"What is she doing here!?" Twilight yelped as she pointed an accusatory finger at the former Siren. Moving to put herself between the Siren, and her friend Shimmer.

Shimmer didn't answer at first, she simply moved passed Twilight, and bent over to help Sonata up. The girl looked tired, and very pale. Her cheeks were sunken, and there was bags underneath her eyes, as if she hadn't been sleeping well. The shimmer of life was also gone from her eyes. It was like she was merely existing. Once back on her feet, Sonata held up a note pad with words scrawled across the page.

Welcome back. It was written.

"Thanks, here you go. I'm sorry it isn't much, but it should help." Sunset stated as she dug something out of her pocket, and handed it back to Sonata.

The Girls features lit up as she nodded to Shimmer. She quickly scrawled on her notepad once more

Thank you. It read, before she disappeared into the crack she first crawled out from.

The group continued as Twilight peeked in, and saw Sonata kneeling before a stone with some flowers. Just above her, a small iridescent light shown down upon the marker as Sonata watched over the stone with a sad lonely smile.

"Mind telling me what that is all about? Where is Adagio, and Aria?" Twilight asked, very suspicious of the lone Siren.

"Not everyone survived." Shimmer stated with a dead pan voice as she continued on down the hall. Leaving Twilight feeling irritated, that she was being deliberately left out of everything.

Soon, they reached the Military part of the refuge. Here, there were roving patrols of guards, and Dogs looking for anything from spider bots to other nasty surprises that the Machines may have possibly have created. Twilight, heeding the advice of Sgt. Knocks simply let the dogs sniff her, and move on without trying to pet them. She didn't want her arm, or hand taken off as she was warned about. Almost immediately upon entering, they were directed towards the armory. There, Shimmer, and her people turned in their weapons, save for their side arms to be cleaned, serviced, and made ready for the next time they venture out into the open. All Resistance members kept their side arms on them at all times. One never knew when an attack would come, and it was best to be armed, even though it'd take multiple humans firing their sidearms to bring down just one terminator. Still it would give them the chance to down one and snatch its weapon and repeat the process.

"Lieutenant, Silver Shield, and I are going to take all tech we salvaged down to the labs, and turn them in. Hopefully this'll help them whip up some more stuff for us." Sgt. Knocks stated as he shifted a large pouch on his shoulder.

"Okay, we're going to get some chow." Shimmer replied back as she, and the others split from Sgt. Knocks, and Shield.

As they delved deeper into the base, the difference between it, and the rest of the refuge was staggering. The base was cleaner, and more well lit. People were constantly moving around, doing their jobs. Yes, their clothes were still as tattered as the normal civilians, but it was shown that they were better taken care of. Every so often, Shimmer would pull Twilight to the side, and flat against the wall before her right hand came up to her eyebrow. She wasn't the only one that did this, the rest of squad did too. This was usually done when other people were walking by. There were also times where other people got out of Shimmer's way.

"What is going on?" Twilight asked. Her experience with military protocol was very limited.

"Don't worry about it, Twilight. It isn't important." Shimmer stated.

Twilight only nodded as she felt more, and more out of the loop, and it was starting to really get on her nerves.

The group would eventually make their way to the mess hall. The mess hall was one of the largest Chambers in the base, as it also served double duty as a shelter for the Civilians in case of an attack. Around the grey concrete walls, hand made posters were strewn about. Some saying to look out for suspicious things, others saying to hang in there with a kitten hanging onto the tree limb. Others were motivational in purpose, but failed in execution. Rows of tables were lined in organized fashion. Twilight recognized the tables as being the ones from Canterlot High's cafeteria.

At this time of night, there was hardly a person there. The Hall was in between meals, and normally closed. However, since Shimmer, and her group had to take care of the HK Tank, and was delayed coming back cause of it. They were authorized to get a meal between designated meal times. The smell that assaulted Twilight's nose caused it to crinkle, but at the same time, her stomach gurgled. It's been half a day since Twilight last ate, and all that strenuous exercise was catching up with her. She was starving and would take just about anything at this point.

She followed Shimmer, and the others into the line. Shimmer handing her a thick plastic tray, and some silverware. Slowly they moved through the line as the man behind the counter poured some brown lumpy gruel in to a bowl, and placed a piece of bread on the tray. Each person went through this routine. While the food, if one could call it that, smelled reasonably appetizing. It looked far from it. From there, they were each given a glass of water.

Once everyone had their meal, the group scattered to different parts of the mess hall. This was one of the few times that the men, and women had a chance for some peace and personal space in the normally cramped confines of the base. Twilight followed Shimmer as she made for a table in the far back corner. Shimmer set her tray down, and Twilight followed suit. It was now that Twilight really saw how tired Shimmer looked. The once student of Princess Celestia looked like she was about to keel over at any moment. Soon they were joined by Short Wave whom sat at the other end of the table. The two simply started eating without much ceremony. Twilight looked to Short Wave, and then to Sunset before she decided to try this brown stew looking stuff.

She dipped her spoon into the plate and then tentatively raised it up to her lips, shutting her eyes tightly in preparation for a horrible foul brew. But to her surprise, it was the opposite.

"This is good!" Twilight declared after her first spoonful of the thick mixture. She eagerly took another, and then another spoon full. Followed by tearing off a piece of bread to dip into the stew. "What is this?" Twilight asked.

"You don't want to know." Shimmer stated as she lazily stirred her stew around before taking bite.

"Come on, tell me. It is delicious!" Twilight insisted.

"Do you really want to know?" Short Wave asked with a sinister smirk.

"Short Wave~" Sunset growled in warning.

"What El Tee? She asked." Short Wave replied with a mischievous smile upon her lips.

"Yes, but she has a bad habit of asking questions without thinking. There's some things better not said." Sunset retorted.

"Hey! What's wrong with that!? Besides, I'm eating this, I should know what's in it. " she said as she soon raised the bowl to her lips and began drinking it down.

"Fine, Tell her Short Wave." Shimmer Huffed as she leaned on her left hand.

"It...is... Rat Stew!" Short Wave declared, and stared at Twilight as the news set in.

Twilight froze as the words sank in. Her next spoonful half way to her mouth. Her eyes, wide, slowly looked down to her hovering spoon where a pink glob of meat floated lazily next to a piece of potato. Shimmer watched as Twilight's features turned to a sickly pale version of herself.

"M-Meat!?" Twilight squeaked. She looked at Shimmer in horror, seemingly on the verge of vomiting. "We're ponies! We don't eat meat!" Twilight yelped.

Short Wave suddenly looked at her with suspicion. However, Sunset cut off the other woman with a sharp glare. A subtle signal for her to leave them alone. Shimmer gave Short wave a moment to ensure that she was out of ear shot before Sunset held out her left hand. Her first, and what remained of middle finger held up. Though this did more to emphasize the fact that Sunset was completely missing her ring finger.

"Two things, and you do well to remember them." Sunset stated with a hiss. "One. We were ponies. Now we are humans. Humans are omnivores and eat meat to live. So you will have to get over that. That, and food is scarce, so you have to eat what you can get. Second, Be very careful what you say, or do. We're a very suspicious lot now. And justified suspicion is enough for a bullet in your head." Sunset stated.

While it may have come out as harsh, this was to protect Twilight. Humans had become a somewhat untrusting, and suspicious lot since the war began, and for good reason.

------------------

Elsewhere, a small almost cylinder like drone with two rotors on the front and back rose up over the remains of Canterlot High school. Passive scans had discovered a strange energy anomaly that warranted further investigation. This was given even more credence by a burst report from a Humanoid unit that was in the area. A young female human was found in the area about the same time. The unit followed its prime directive of "Terminate all Human life", and pursued the Female. However, it was met with members of the local resistance, and was destroyed.

But the loss of one humanoid type was not of any concern. There were millions more, and millions more would be built in time. The Humans could not replace their losses so easily, and it was only a matter of time before the Machines beat them through sheer attrition, even if it took decades as some predictions by Skynet projected the war lasting. No, what was more disturbing was the strange energy anomaly. It was not something that was recorded to have been encountered before. The small drone continued to hover over the area. Its four rotors buzzing away quietly as they kept the machine airborne. Moving slowly, its onboard sensors scanned, and recorded everything. Everything from Sounds, Sights, even radiation levels. Comparing everything with previous scan logs going back as far as when the machines first devastated the area. However, the scan showed no change what so ever. Whatever happened did not have any lasting effects that the machine could detect.

It would scan the area for about another hour before gaining altitude and zipping back towards its home base. Flying fast, and low, the Skynet scout drone whisked by destroyed, and blown out buildings, and down deserted streets.

In the distance, just outside the city limits, a bright glow could be seen as the drone approached a sprawling complex. The Machine concentration grew exponentially the closer the drone got. Several aerial HKs flew overhead on their patrol as Several HK Tanks lumbered in a ceaseless oval circuit around the enormous complex, constantly on the lookout for any humans foolish enough to try and assault the base. In the very center of the machine patrols, a large sloped hexagonal building made from shining steel was erected over an enormous slab of concrete that was several square miles in size. Lights constantly flickered, and glowed. Making the complex look like a hypertech city of the future, a constant reminder to the humans that the machines were still present, the lights of their complex brighter than the stars in the sky.

Yet, even as large as the complex is, it was but a tiny sub-node in the leviathan network of Skynet, with other nodes spread all across the world. The small drone would flit through the security scanners before making it way to its docking station to upload its findings to be processed into Skynet's database for further study by the hivemind like entity that was Skynet.

While this was going on, deep within the complex, robotic arms were moving, assembling a new construct in their endless war with the Humans. The Management A.I. of the complex supervised assembly with deep scrutiny. It was following the plans sent to it by Skynet for the War's next phase. Sparks washed down off the assembly table as the parts were installed. Monitors beeping, and status updates were constantly flashing across screens as electronic eyes scanned the new unit created. On a near by screen text began to flash, and appear.

INITIALIZE CORE CPU.

...Core CPU online.

INITIALIZE AUXILIARY SYSTEMS.

...Auxiliary Systems Online.

Electronic optics opened, and viewed the world around itself for the first time. They saw a stark white room with no windows, nor doors. Across the ceiling, and floor rails could be seen. It was upon these rails that the robotic arms, and manipulators whizzed around the table, finishing the final touches to the unit. Just above, hanging from the ceiling, an emotionless glowing red eye peered back. It would twitch every so often. Focusing on something, but then would quickly return back to center.

SHUT DOWN UNIT.

...unit shutting down.

Just as quickly as life was breathed into those electronic optics, they were just as quickly extinguished.

--------------------------

After their short meal, Shimmer dismissed the rest of her squad from the mess hall so now it was just her, and Twilight Sparkle, alone within the labyrinthine interior of the base. Twilight had taken Shimmer's advice to heart at this point, and kept from speaking too much and forced down the rest of the food without much complaint. However, that did very little to dispel her curiosity, and her burning desire for knowledge. For Sunset, she really wanted to find an empty bed to collapse in, and pass out. Today had just been a very long, harsh, and exhausting day for the red and yellow haired woman.

After putting their trays away Sunset led Twilight through several corridors, passing by other resistance members who all looked like they would sell their soul for a warm bath. Twilight had no idea where Sunset was leading her but trusted the other woman to know her way around the maze of a hideaway that would leave even a minotaur scratching his head.

As the two of them were passing through a relatively empty chamber, Twilight decided now was as good a time as any for answers to her questions. She had waited long enough and she felt that she deserved a straight answer.

"Sunset?" She stated quietly. She knew her friend was exhausted, but this was important to her.

"What!?" Sunset groaned. She tried not to let her weariness slip out to much with her good friend. But right now, It was almost too much. Her team had already been tired from spending a week in the field, hunting and ambushing lone terminator squads and patrolling the wastes for any sign of Skynet tricks.

"Please, tell me what happened. I want to know. Why is it so hard for you, any of you to tell me?" Twilight pleaded.

Sunset stopped, and leaned against the pillar. It was like she barely had the strength to stand anymore.

"You don't want to know..." Sunset started.

"But I do!" Twilight countered with earnest

"No, you don't!" Sunset snapped back. It was obvious that she was more afraid to speak of it than fearing how twilight would take it.

"Why!? What is so terrifying, so horrible, so utterly nonsensical that you would act like this!? Why can't you tell me what is going on?" Twilight demanded.

Sunset opened her mouth to say something, anything, but a soft squeak cut through the air like a razor. The sound was almost louder than the raised voices before and echoed off the concrete walls around them.

"It's alright, Miss Shimmer. Miss Sparkle does have a right, and a need to know." A familiar voice spoke softly in the darkness.

Twilight's features instantly brightened up as she heard that voice. It was the same voice as her teacher. A voice that would always be calm, and collected. The only off thing about it was that strange squeaking noise.

"Princess. Um I mean, Principal Celestia!" Twilight squeaked in happiness as she turned in the direction that Celestia's voice came from.

From the gloom, the squeaking continued as a figure could be see approaching. Though, as the figure entered the light, Twilight's smile was replaced by a look of utter shock. The squeaking sound belonged to the rusty wheels of a beat up wheelchair, that looked like it had more duct tape than metal on it at this point. A wheelchair that was presently ferrying Principle Celestia across the uneven concrete floor. Pushed by her younger sister, Vice Principle Luna.

"Hello Twilight Sparkle. It would seem that you have found your way to us once more." Celestia said with a weary voice.

Questions Answered

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Principle Celestia looked tired, very tired. Her features were sunken in, and she had bags underneath her eyes that looked like they each weighed ten pounds. Her normally fair complexion and bright eyes were much duller, almost pale. She had lost a lot of weight as well. All in all, it looked like she was simply existing rather than living at this point. Her sister, Luna, was not in much better condition either. Twilight was shocked by how much they had changed since she last saw them. Though one of the most curious things was a wool blanket that was draped across Celestia's lap. Though the way it lay was off. The folds were flatter, and there were not the long even impressions where legs should be. Twilight's brow knitted as she slowly began to deduce why.

"Stop staring at my sister's legs!" Luna snapped. A fierce look in her eye that broke Twilight's concentration

Twilight's head snapped up, and she quickly held up her hands in a placating, surrendering gesture.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. I was just curious." Twilight tried to explain, however this appeared to anger Luna more. Before Twilight could try explaining herself further, Celestia spoke up.

"It is alright Luna. Miss Sparkle didn't know." The woman said with a softness that showed that her old self was not completely gone. Luna looked to her a moment, and then nodded while placing a comforting hand to her sister's shoulder.

Celestia turned back to Twilight Sparkle, and slowly began to remove the blanket. Twilight couldn't suppress a gasp as she saw what was hidden underneath. Celestia's legs were gone. Her left leg from the knee down was gone as was the Right leg from the mid-thigh down. Her pants were rolled up, and pinned so that they didn't flop, or drag.

"By Princess Celestia, what happened!?" Twilight asked as she looked back at Celestia. The older woman simply pulled the blanket's back, and tucked it around herself. She was quiet for a moment as she gathered her thoughts.

"Sister, you don't have to do this if you aren't comfortable yet." Luna insisted. It was obvious she is very protective of her sister.

Celestia smiled at Luna, and patted her hand. "It is alright." She stated simply, before turning back to Twilight Sparkle.

"Judgement Day happened. The day that our world ended. Nuclear Weapons were launched from all military silos across the globe. Millions were killed in the first couple of hours by the biggest bombs that mankind has ever made. Millions more in the ensuing fall out of poisonous ash clouds. A nuclear winter has enveloped the planet....we hardly see the sun anymore. There are many places we humans can no longer go cause of the radiation. Even breathing the air is likely killing us now." Celestia explained as she looked at Twilight.

Twilight was speechless as she listened to all of this. How was this level of destruction even possible? Bombs that could kill millions? Poison air? She had fought major villains, and prevented world shattering catastrophes, but nothing she faced would have produced this level of destruction. This literally involved the entire world.

"Who...Who is responsible for all of this!?" Twilight asked. Finally being able to speak after the grand revelation. She felt her hands tremble with a mix of anger and horror.

"Skynet." Celestia stats simply.

"Sky Net?" Twilight asked, thinking that it was some Pon, er...Person's name. She couldn't imagine anyone or anypony being so evil to bring about the death of an entire world and so much endless suffering.

"Yes, Skynet. Or at the very least, that is who John Connor claims is responsible for all of this." Luna affirmed.

"John Connor?" Twilight asked with a confused expression as she looked to Sunset, whom was on the verge of nodding off.

"Yeah, John Connor. Funny name, I know. I think he might be like a foreigner, or something." Sunset stated with dismissive wave of her hand. Her attitude was a bit ironic considering that she and Twilight were the most foreign beings in the whole world.

"Likes to talk a lot on the radio. A lot of the of the guys look up to him, and never miss his broadcasts. So hey at least they have something to look forward to." She added as she shifted her stance leaning against a pillar.

"Skynet is a rogue military Artificial Intelligence program that has become self aware, and deemed Mankind its ultimate enemy. Before anyone knew what was happening. It took control of our weapons and launched our Nukes, causing other nations to launch theirs. Or maybe Skynet tricked everyone to launch their bombs. I simply don't know." Celestia said as her left hand came up to rub her eyes. The day the world ended felt like a lifetime ago and yet she could almost remember every single second of it as well.

"It all happened so fast that no one was prepared for it. Once the nukes had all been launched, then the Machines came. Rising out of the ashes like Reapers to harvest those that managed to survive the holocaust." Celestia said with a shake of her head.

"At first we thought maybe they came to help. They would herd a lot of us into camps, feed us, and give us some shelter. It was better than starving in the wastes. But then....we found out what they were really doing to us. We were lab rats, and the camp was a death camp. The machines would experiment on us to find newer and better ways to kill us and try to get traitors to join Skynet and help it flush out other human groups." Celestia continued to explain.

The more Twilight listened the more she wished that she had listened to Sunset and the others when they didn't want to answer. It was a nightmare in the most literal form. For a second, Twilight hoped that Princess Luna would appear, and show her that it was all nothing more than a just a bad dream and she could go back to the happy world she had before.

"We escaped the camp, barely. Bulk Bicep was the one to lead the escape." Celestia stated, continuing the story as if the telling would make the dark memories fade.

"That idiot." Luna hissed, but there was no venom in her voice, only sadness, and regret.

"He, and a small group of volunteers attacked the overseer drones that were watching us. They knew it was suicide, but it gave us our only opportunity to run, and run we did. Bicep would have been proud of his former students, and co-workers. Never had Luna, and I ran so far, and fast in our lives. Trying to keep the students together, and get as many people out." Celestia explained.

"And your legs?" Twilight asked, afraid to find out, but knowing that since she had started it, she needed to have the whole story now.

"My legs...? Oh, right. Yes, my legs. If it had not been been for my sister, and Sunset Shimmer I would most certainly be dead right now. During our escape, the three of us got separated from the others. An HK Tank was hot on our heels, crushing everything in its path and blasting the area with its guns to try and herd us back to the camp. One of those blasts hit a building above us and the next thing I knew I felt a crushing pain on my body as I had been buried under some rubble." Celestia explained as she shivered. Remembering the claustrophobic feeling of being buried alive. It still gave her nightmares. Luna knelt by her chair, and hugged her elder sister.

Sunset turned away, and stuffed her hand into her jacket. She didn't like remembering this part.

"Soon, I felt something warm drip on my face. It had a pungent smell, and stung my nose. Then I heard the sound of rocks, and rubble being moved, and then voices. the voices of my sister, and Sunset. The liquid dripping on my face...was blood, Sunset's blood." Celestia stated as she looked at the young woman that was trying to fade into the shadows.

"Sunset, please tell me. What happened?" Twilight asked. Turning to Sunset whom hoped that she wouldn't have to speak.

"Luna went to try and find help to dig her sister out, I simply started digging. However, I didn't get very far into it. Two T-600s found me. I think they were trying to round up, or kill the escapees. I had a chance to run, but..." Sunset held herself tightly, her injured hand being nursed by the healthy one. She really didn't want to remember that part too much.

"But....?" Twilight pressed gently.

"I couldn't betray another Celestia." Sunset stated softly.

Twilight gasped. She knew that Sunset felt guilty about betraying her teacher, but she had no idea it was to that extent.

"Seeing those two coming closer and closer, I got scared about what they would do to Celestia in the state she was in, I'm pretty sure Skynet didn't want prisoners that couldn't walk." She said and held her injured hand close to her chest.

"I didn't think. I just grabbed whatever was closest to me, and it turned out to be a metal pipe. Looking back on it now, I wish I had a sledgehammer. I charged the Terminators with the pipe, I can't imagine why I wasn't killed outright but I guess I was lucky. I managed to get in one hit onto the lead one before it grabbed and pulled it away. Well, It would appear that the pipe was broken. When the pipe went, some loose piece of metal ripped my ring, and a part of my middle finger off." Sunset stated as she held up her hand to show twilight.

"ugh, that must've been very painful." Twilight winced.

"You would think, but i didn't feel it honestly. I guess the adrenaline was pumping cause there was no pain, at the time." Sunset explained before smiling to try, and not make Twilight as sad with her story.

"And if you see those fingers running around be sure to tell them I want them home by supper."

"How did you survive?" Twilight asked. Shimmer's little attempt at humor completely lost upon the lavender colored Alicorn turned Human.

Luna stood up, and looked at Twilight, she would take over the tale now.

"I managed to find a Terminator that was disabled from the initial escape, and I took its gun. Since Sunset was distracting them, I had a clear shot at their less armored backs." Luna stated, though she blushed a moment later. "However, I almost shot Sunset too. I wasn't ready for the recoil of the gun." She stated a bit sheepishly and reached up to rub her nose, remembering the pain of the gun jumping up and hitting her after she had fired off the first shot.

"Afterwards we had to dig Celestia out, even though we couldn't find any help." Sunset interjected.

"We managed to escape, and hole up in these old subway tunnels. We're simply trying to survive. Maybe, if we hold out long enough, the resistance will come, and help us. My Sister, Celestia, leads all of us. It is very tiring for her, but she has done a wonderful job in keeping us alive." Luna stated, ending the small tale.

For Twilight, this was all so much to take in. So very much, that at first she wanted to say that it was all impossible, and that so much destruction, and pain could not possibly exist. Yet, there it was, all around her. No matter where Twilight looked, no matter where she turned, it was all around her. It felt like the room as getting smaller, and smaller. Twilight was starting to have trouble breathing as her mind finally comprehended why some of Shimmer's squad called it the end of the world. Now Twilight was starting to really worry that she would not see her friends, and family again.

Before Twilight could start to hyperventilate, a soft hand came to rest upon her shoulder. Looking over, she saw it was Sunset. The young woman gave her a soft smile.

"It'll be okay." Sunset stated simply

"I think it would be best if we save any more discussion until tomorrow. Sunset, you, and your squad are off duty for the next couple of days. Why don't you, and Miss Sparkle go get cleaned up, and get some rest." Celestia stated with a nod before looking over to Luna.

Luna nodded, and started to push the squeaky wheel chair past the two. Leaving Sunset, and Twilight alone in the small room.

"Come on, let's hit the showers. You stink Princess." Sunset teased, trying to lighten the tension that had built up in the room. Sunset wouldn't even wait for Twilight's answer before literally dragging her down the corridor towards the living section of the base.

Sunset led Twilight to the most inhabited part of the resistance base, the Barracks. The barracks housed the living quarters, latrines, and showers for the members of the resistance. Though it was by no means very organized. Cots, bunks, and bed rolls were placed anywhere there was space. A room that could maybe hold five comfortably was expected to house eight. No bunk was empty for long as usually when one person gets up for duty, another is coming back to sleep. It was a method used by known navies as "Hot bunking". Since space was scarce, only very few people had their own bunk. Generally only officers, and special guests. Blessedly, Sunset was one such Officer. Cause of her history with the Commander, and Vice Commander, Sunset had a small alcove that actually had a bed, a small one, but still a bed. A reward for her loyalty, and a "Thank You" for helping to save Celestia's life in the escape.

Opening the door, Sunset started to set her gear on a small shelf. Twilight entered in after her, and with the two of them, it pretty much filled the room. Twilight remained in one of the corners, and tried not to be in the way as she watched Sunset remove all the extra trappings from her clothes until she was simply in a pair of tattered cargo pants, and a tank top. Twilight could see the fine definition of new muscle that had formed upon Sunset's body since she last saw the former unicorn. Along with the muscle there were scars. Some new, some old. Sunset could be considered a very beautiful woman, and yet it still saddened Twilight to see her skin so tainted by the reminders of such hardships.

"Come on, the water isn't getting any closer with us standing here." Sunset stated as she once again took hold of Twilight's hand, and dragged her out of the room.

"We don't have access to a lot of clean water, most of it is used for consumption, or cooking, but we also have to keep hygiene in consideration. So each person is allowed one shower a week, sometimes. Help keeps the smell down, and illness at bay. Though we do use some of our rationed drinking water to wet a cloth, and wipe our bodies down. Though it isn't near like a shower." Sunset explained as they made their way down the hall.

"Ugh! You don't bathe for a week!?" Twilight said with a note of disgust in her voice. "Are all humans so...unclean?" She asked

"Don't act so high, and mighty. I'm sure you can think of many ponies that could use more hygiene in their lives." Sunset growled a bit. It was obvious that she didn't like Twilight's accusation. To be perfectly honest, Twilight could think of several ponies, and one baby dragon that can improve their personal grooming habits.

"We take a shower every week if we're lucky because a lot of the water is poisoned thanks to the bombs. It takes time for water to run through the purifiers we have made. Though, I personally have not had a shower in almost three weeks considering last time we returned, I had to take my squad out almost immediately. Hell, we barely had time to restock our supplies, and grab a bite to eat. So, there is no way in Hell I'm missing this shower!" Sunset stated with determination.

The two approached the bathing area, the sound of water running, and voices talking back and forth hung in the noticeably humid air. Twilight decided it was best not to speak anymore considering her little outburst angered Sunset. So far, Twilight has been rather courteous in not mentioning the fact that Sunset did smell pretty bad ever since they first met. Though hearing what happened with the war, and all. Twilight could understand just how precious clean water could be.

"This is the Locker room. Here, we change, and put our clothes into these baskets. Oh, that reminds me. I brought some "clean" clothes. Hopefully they fit." Sunset stated as he pulled some extra pants, and another tank top from under her arm, and pretty much thrust them into Twilight's chest. Twilight took them, and set them in the basket before she started to get undressed. Her dress, and boots coming off almost like a layer of skin.

The cool mist coming from the showers seemed to kiss both Twilight, and Sunset's nude skin. The two girls shivered as their skins became pimply for a moment. Sunset took a deep breath, and let it out with a sigh, apparently eager to wash the War off for the time being.

"Come on, this shower is going to feel heavenly." She stated as she started for the open entrance. Twilight quickly following right behind her. The two grabbing towels off a table next to the entrance.

Entering the Shower, Twilight saw that it was a large tiled room with four large pillars. Around each pillar four shower heads poked out with knobs about half way up the pillar for hot, and cold water. The air was thick with the scent of soap, and humidity. As Twilight looked, something quickly became came to her attention.

"Howdy El Tee. Good to see you made it to the showers this time." Sgt. Hard Knocks stated as he was rubbing a small bar of soap over his nude skin.

Twilight's eyes grew wide as she saw the Sargent in all his nude glory. Turning, she saw that entire shower was mixed with women, and Men. Her mouth opened to scream seeing the nude men, but all that came out was a choked squeak before she simply fainted. Sunset grimaced as she looked her over, and let out a sigh.

"...Well shit."

Meeting Old Friends. Pt. 1

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Twilight~.....

Twilight~....

Twilight, wakey wakey ham eggs, and backey

"Geez, Lt. What's her deal? The girl acts like she never seen a grown man's cock before." A familiar voice asked.

"Can it corporal." Sunset's voice could be heard in a harsh tone. She probably hasn't. She thought to herself.

"I kinda have to agree with the Corporal on this one, Lt. Ever since we found her....I don't know, something just been off about her. She knows you, and acts like everything that has happened only happened recently. What's going on?" The voice of Sgt. Hard Knocks could be heard faintly as if from a great distance.

"Trust me Sargent. You don't want to know." Shimmer's voice came from the dark abyss.

"Whatever! So long as it doesn't take away from my shower! I've been dirty long enough, and I'm determined to get clean!" The voice of Short Wave spoke up.

The soft feeling of moist spray could just barely be felt upon dust, and dirt encrusted skin. Twilight Sparkle felt as if she was floating in an ocean. Her mind, and senses numb. The only sensation she could experience was hearing of the voices in the distance. Some voices familiar, others strange. Her body felt like it was ascending, being drawn upwards into something she could not see. The voices continued to get closer, and closer as the darkness started to ebb away into a dull grey light.

"Hey! If she doesn't wake up, can we eat her!?" A strange voice suggested.

"Ugh! SMACK HIM!" Sunset commanded.

(SMACK!)

"OW! Hey, I was only joking. Sheesh!" The voice called out along with a hiss of pain.

"Look! She's starting to wake up." The voice of Silver Shield called out.

Twilight's eyes fluttered open as the world appeared as grey globs. Her eyes slowly drifting around the area as her vision slowly came back into focus. She could see figures standing around her, and the closest one was awash of Red, and Yellow. There was something soft underneath her head, but with it a dull ache. Twilight let out a soft groan as she jammed her eyes shut.

"Ow, what happened?" Twilight asked as she sat up, and shook her head.

"You fainted. Really, are you that sheltered?" Sunset asked as she watched Twilight open her eyes once more.

Twilight looked around her, and instantly wished that she kept her eyes closed. Before she saw Sargent Knocks in the nude, now she was seeing several Stallions in the nude, and the vision was not pleasant to her at all! Twilight hardly noticed the nude mares in the group. She paled, and was about to scream when she felt something smack her in the back of the head. Turning, she saw it was Sunset Shimmer.

"Calm down. Jeeze, you're really are repressed, you know that!?" Shimmer growled in frustration. "Come on, we can wait till the men are finished." She stated as she escorted Twilight back to the locker room to wait.

--------------------------------------------------------------

The shower felt heavenly after the day that Twilight had. Thankfully, the stallions of the resistance quickly finished up their showers so she and Sunset could enjoy their own in privacy along with a couple of other women that stepped in during their washing. However, they moved to a more secluded part of the shower. Twilight's cheeks still carried a deep crimson blush as the images of all those...Stallions kept reappearing in her mind. Was that what It looked like!? The very thought caused her to shudder.

"You're gonna have to get over it, ya know." Sunset stated as she started to soap up her body. Her red, and yellow hair being plastered to her scalp, and shoulders. The warm water cascading down her lithe form. "Stallions, or rather Men, make up half the population here. Not like Equestria where you almost have to duel every other mare to get yourself a Stallion." Sunset explained as she scrubbed her hair, trying to get all the sweat, and dust out of her hair.

"Y-Yeah, but still. Mares, and Stallions bathe together here!?" twilight asked.

"Before Judgement Day, not really. Only lovers, and family did that. However, with how precious water is now. Modesty between the sexes had to take a step back over personal hygiene, and water scarcity." Sunset stated.

The two would finish up their showers relatively quickly. Twilight would have liked to stay in for another 10 minutes. However, Sunset wouldn't allow that. Stating that water was scarce enough already without them wasting it. Even with the shower, Twilight just felt gritty, and itchy. She really wished for a treatment at Aloe, and Lotus's spa, making a mental note to order the same day long treatment that Rarity would get the next time she got back home.

The clothes that Sunset lent her were not much better. The material was rough against Twilight's soft skin, and made her wish she had something of Rarity's to wear. She put on a pair of rough trousers that had to be held on with a web belt, and a tank top that was a couple of sizes too big. Twilight ended up having to use a safety pin so not to have her breasts exposed to anyone who saw her.

"Come on. I'm tired, and I want to hit the sack. Tomorrow we can meet up with the others. I'm sure you're wondering about them." Sunset stated as she made her way out of the Locker room, Twilight trotting along to catch up.

Neither said a word as both were eager to get back to the room, and climb into bed. Twilight simply watching Sunset as they navigated the narrow corridors back to her room. Even at this time of night, the base was abuzz with activity. Twilight was in awe over it all. It was like a hive of bees. People, humans, running back and forth trying to complete their assignments. Not even the Solar, nor Lunar Guards were this active. Course, that could be explained by the simple fact that Equestria is not at war for its own survival and had little crime beyond vandalism and petty theft. It was dizzying, and left Twilight with a feeling of being overwhelmed with the experience. She could only hope that soon, she would get used to all of this. Though that thought also had her scared if that should ever happen.

"Alright, we're here. In you go." Sunset stated with a weary voice as she pushed open the door to her room.

"Thank you, Sunset. I'm sorry that i'm intruding like this." Twilight stated.

"Fuck it, you're a friend, and it isn't like you have anywhere else to go." Sunset stated with a dismissive wave of her hand.

However, before she followed Twilight in, something caught Sunset's eye, and a hungry smile spread across her lips. Twilight, curious, peeked out the door, and saw a young man coming down the hallway. His attention glued to an open folder in his hands. He was relatively attractive Twilight suppose. Slender, tall, a mop of brown mane on top of his head. His skin color was rather pale, a lot like Shimmer's. He held a look of intense focus as he was reading whatever it was that he was reading.

"Twilight...why don't you head on to bed. I just remembered a meeting I need to attend." Sunset stated as she kept her eyes glued on the young man.

"Um...okay Sunset. if you're sure." Twilight stated a bit hesitantly.

"Oh, I'm sure alright." Sunset stated without turning around. To Twilight, she swore she heard the Old Sunset in her voice just now.

"Sargent High Tower!" Sunset called out. Startling the young man as he looked up from his folder, nearly dropping the documents.

"Su...Lt. Shimmer! You're back." He said with a quick yelp of both surprise, and happiness. High Tower seemed to be an ironic name as when Sunset stood next to him, the young man was actually slightly shorter than her.

"Yup, and its time for one of our "meetings"." Sunset stated, a sly hungry smirk on her lips, her uninjured hand settling on his shoulder and pulling him towards her.

"Y-Yes ma'am." High Tower stated, while trying to hide the sheepish grin upon his lips.

Sunset smiled in approval as she turned, and led him down the hall. Putting just a hint more sway into her hips while pulling the human along behind her. As she pasted Twilight, whom was still standing in the door way, she smirked, "Don't wait up." She said coyly. Leaving Twilight standing in the hall blinking in confusion. The last thing Twilight would see is Sunset pulling High Tower into the next room, and slamming the door.

Twilight closed the door, but didn't lock it, believing that Sunset would return after her meeting. Twilight was admittedly curious as to what kind of meeting needed to be held so late at night. Surely it could have waited till morning when they got a good night's sleep. She guessed it was one of those weird human things that she had yet to get accustomed too.

Twilight would move to the the bed, and plop down upon the thin dusty mattress. The rusty springs squeaking loudly as the mattress, and frame accepted, and cradled Twilight's weight.

"Sheesh, how does Sunset sleep on this thing?" Twilight asked. Forgetting the terror, and all the human's predicament, instead thinking of how soft and warm her bed in her new palace was. Yet, she missed her bed in the old Tree Library even more.

She had to shift positions several times to actually find one that was reasonably comfortable while still making enough room for Sunset to climb in when she got back. Twilight closed her eyes, and pulled the thread bare blanket over her to stave off the chill from being underground. She could feel exhaustion, and sleep slowly creep up from the depths of her mind, and she welcomed it. Perhaps in her dreams she could be back in the warm sunshine of Celestia's sun. Twilight let out one more sigh as she finally succumb to sleep, her body slowly shutting down and feeling both as if weight were being piled down on top of her and then removed from her body.

However, her rest would not be, as shortly after she drifted off, a soft moan awoke her back up. Almost instantly, her senses were hyper-aware as her Fight or Flight responses kicked in. For a moment, she feared an attack, but with the lack of screaming, and alarms or shooting, that guess was quickly brushed aside.

"What was that?" she mused as she sat up in the bed, and looked around the confined room.

Soon, another moan could be heard, a bit louder. Twilight blinked as she realized that it was coming from the room next door. Twilight's curiosity was getting the better of her as she leaned against the concrete wall, and pressed her ear to it. She thought she could hear a repetitive squeaking noise. A squeaking noise much like the springs on Sunset's mattress, in an almost rhythmic pattern.

"What kind of meeting is going on over there?" She asked to no one in particular.

"Oooo" was heard, and Twilight pulled her head away from the wall. Her eyebrows scrunching in confusion as she looked at the wall as if it was transparent.

Twilight tried to picture what was going on over there, but could not even begin to get a good idea.

"Maybe he's just giving her a Massage, like she would get with the Blossom sisters? I bet that must feel so good. Sunset has been under a lot of stress, and seems very tense." Twilight said with a confident nod.

"Come on, pull my hair harder!" Sunset's voice was heard saying, causing Twilight's eyes to blink in confusion.

"What kind of Massage involves Hair pulling?" She asked before loud slaps filled the room.

"oh yeah harder! I've been very naughty!" Sunset cried out.

"But my hand is all sore." High Tower whined in response in the other room.

Twilight could only stare at the wall in confusion. She was starting to get the feeling that this was not a meeting in the sense that she had understood. The squeaking simply got louder, and faster. Words seemingly give way to grunts, and moans. Twilight's cheeks started to darken as what was actually happening began to dawn upon her.

"Are they really...?" Twilight mumbled as she pressed her ear back against the wall to listen.

"Oh come on you can go harder than that! Or maybe you want me on top again?" She heard Sunset moan in frustration.

The blush that was hinting on Twilight's cheeks exploded as her entire face, and shoulders turned red as a tomato.

"Oh my Celestia, they're really doing It!" Twilight gasped as she tore herself from the wall, and buried her head in the pillow. Though it did little to muffle the sounds next door.

She tried to think of everything and anything to drown out what she knew she shouldn't be hearing. Things like Starswirl the Bearded's lost Theorem. Rarity's constant jabbering about the latest fashions in Manehattan that She would make Twilight remember. the number of Loop-de-loops in Rainbow Dash's routine that she likes to use to try, and impress the Wonderbolts. Anything to drown out what was going on.

Thankfully, the noises ceased after some more time with a sharp muffled cry from one or both of them, and then silence. Though Twilight would keep the pillow covering her ears for a few minutes more before she peeked out from underneath it. She looked up to the ceiling as she listened for any noise. Blessedly, she would be rewarded with peaceful silence. Now she wondered if Sunset was really going to return tonight or simply "Sleep over". She swallowed thickly as she could only imagine how that encounter will go if Sunset decided to forego sleep for pleasure.

She would find out as Sunset just swung her door open, and leaned against the door frame. A lit cigarette in her mouth, and a goofy grin on her face. Her clothes were all disheveled, and her hair was a mess, and yet. She appeared to be glowing. Twilight peeked out from underneath the covers, and looked at her as she let out another puff of her cigarette and seemed to wave at someone behind the wall that Sunset couldn't see, likely High Tower, and even winking at him.

"Did you have a good meeting?" she asked a bit timidly.

"Oh, did I wake you? I'm sorry." Sunset stated sincerely. It appeared she completely forgot that she had a guest staying over. "Yeah, the meeting was great.." Sunset shivered as she let her mind replay the meeting and continued puffing on her cancer stick, not even giving less of a shit if she tried, just reveling in the pleasure she still felt.

"Best meeting I've had in living memory." Cooed as she entered the room, and closed the door.

The room quickly became pungent with the smell of burning tobacco. Twilight found herself coughing while Sunset took one or two drags more before extinguishing her cigarette.

"Ah, i was saving that one. Good thing tonight was so good." She stated with a sigh before removing her top, and trousers, tossing them onto the chair before climbing into bed with Twilight. "Good night Twilight." Sunset sighed contently.

"Good night, Sunset." Twilight replied as she shifted down a bit to try, and get comfortable.

Ponies, being herding animals, often snuggled up to one another for warmth on cool, and cold nights. Twilight was no different as she found herself getting a chill rather quickly. She wished she was back in her warm bed, or with the others where they could snuggle against one another for warmth, and comfort. However, she remembered how Humans were touch sensitive. Humans didn't really allow random strangers to simply touch them, let alone snuggle. It gave Twilight a deep sense of loneliness. She stared at random spot on the concrete wall, and waited for sleep to come again.

Though it would appear that Twilight forgot something, Sunset was once a pony too. Soon, the purple alicorn turned human found a warm presence pressing up against her back. Almost instantly, she felt her body absorb that warmth, and relax. Twilight was able to forget everything that happened in the past several hours since she arrived here.

"Everything will be okay, Twilight." Sunset whispered with a surprisingly gentle tone. her arms slithering around the other girl to keep her close.

Twilight wasn't sure what Sunset was referring too, but that did little to diminish the effects of her words.

"Thank you, Sunset." Twilight whispered back as she placed hand upon Sunset's arm,

Soon, the two would slip into the realm of sleep.

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The following morning, the two were up early for breakfast. The mess was serving artificial eggs, bacon, applesauce, and hash browns. Today was a bit of a special day. A small reward for the men, and women at the destruction of a HK Tank the previous night, plus a small morale boost never hurt. The Mess hall was far more crowded than it was the previous night. The din of the multitude of conversations going on was almost a dull roar that was punctuated by the sound of people's utensils scraping, and scratching against plates, or the clatter of used dishes, and silverware being dumped into the chute to be cleaned.

The two would find a seat at the table they were at last night. Thankfully, it was reasonably deserted for them. Sunset sat down, and quickly started to eat from her plate. They had a lot to do today, and little time to do it. Twilight however, seemed very reluctant about eating the eggs, and bacon.

"You're going to have to get over your little thing against meat. We went over this last night. You're a human, and humans are predators. They need the meat to survive, and so do you." She explained. Her tone being far more civil this morning after a shower, some "exercise", and a good night sleep.

"But this used to be a living thing." Twilight replied, poking her eggs with a fork.

"One, the eggs are not real. They're artificial. Don't ask me what they are. I'm actually afraid to ask. Two, yes bacon was once a pig, but that does not change the fact that you need to eat. If you want to get home, you're going to need your strength, and you get that from protein, and protein comes from meat." Sunset explained as she took a large bite out of a slice of bacon.

"Besides, we don't get to eat this good very often. So don't waste the food." Sunset added.

Twilight grimaced as she looked at the three slices of thin bacon she had sitting on her plate. She didn't want to admit it, but it did smell good. Probably her Human nose trying to trick her pony mind. Gingerly she reached down, and picked up the piece of meat. It felt gritty, and a bit slimy from the grease in her finger tips. She watched Sunset bite off another large piece of her bacon before shoving a fork full of hashbrowns into her mouth. Twilight looked back down, and tentatively took a tiny nibble of the end. She scrunched her eyes as she felt the piece of meat break off.

Suddenly, Twilight's mouth was assaulted with the salty greasy goodness that was Bacon. Her eyes popped open as she looked at the slice in her hand before making it disappear into her mouth. When she looked over to Sunset, the other girl was smirking with an raised eyebrow.

"Behold!" She declared as she held up her final piece of bacon. "The power of Bacon! Know it, and tremble." She followed up dramatically.

Twilight just looked at Sunset for a few minutes before she burst out laughing. Sunset's smirk still plastered on her face. This distracted the two from seeing someone approaching the table.

"SHIMMER!" A loud voice called out to the two at the table. Twilight, and Shimmer stopped their giggles, and looked over to another young woman standing at the end of the table. Her long white hair was braided into a pony tail, and her light blue skin, and the overly proud stance instantly clued Twilight as to whom was standing there.

"Hey Trix. What's up?" Sunset asked before going back to eating.

"I've heard that it was your squad that took out that HK last night." Trixie stated, still keeping that smug grin.

"Yup, it was us." Sunset stated simply.

"Then I guess I can acknowledge your potential as a rival for my squad." Trixie said in a "gracious" manner. She had her chest puffed out, and haughty expression upon her face

Sunset smirked at Trixie while Twilight was glaring daggers at her.

"Yeah well Trixie...fuck you too." Sunset stated with a smile.

Twilight looked at Sunset, and was happy to see that Sunset was not going to take anything from this braggart. However, she was surprised to see that Trixie was not throwing a tantrum, but smiling as well. She sat down at the table as Twilight looked on in confusion. What was going on?

"That was a good job. I'm sorry you lost Tunnel Rat." Trixie stated with sincerity. She even extended a hand, and placed it on Sunset's shoulder.

"Thanks. Tunnel Rat was a lot of things. Smelly, Dirty, Perverted, Gross, utter lacking of moral fiber, but he was a good man." Sunset stated with a sigh. It was always hard to lose a teammate.

"He is in a far better place now than anywhere on this mud ball of a planet." Trixie said with assurance.

"Yeah, thanks. So, what are you doing up this early? Normally your team works at night." Sunset stated, eager to change subjects.

"We're being sent out to destroy a Skynet sub-node that is worrying the Commander. It's about 5, 6 clicks south of here. She also wants to see if we can perhaps hack into the network, and see what intel we can get. So I'm taking I.P. with my team on this one." She stated.

"Good luck, and come back safe, okay?" Sunset stated.

Trixie blinked before standing up, and taking a dramatic pose.

"The squad of the Great, and Powerful Trrrrixie needs no luck. They're just that good!" She declared with the same amount of showponyship as her Equestrian counter part.

Sunset laughed as she shook her head. Her hair cascading over her shoulders as she did.

"However, Thank you." Trixie stated warmly before turning to Twilight finally. "Wow. how did you get the Professor out of the Labs? Did you hold a gun to her head to get her to eat?" Trixie asked.

"heh, heh...Something like that." Sunset stated nervously. She had to find a way to change the subject again.

"When is your team heading out?" She asked quickly. Causing Trixie to check her watch.

"Actually right about now!" She gasped as she realized that she was running behind. "See ya, gotta jet." Trixie announced before she dashed off. Waving to Sunset as she disappeared out the door.

Sunset waved back while Twilight sat in confusion. She then turned to Sunset Shimmer.

"What was that "Professor" business all about?" Twilight asked.

"You'll find out later." Sunset stated dismissively before she continued eating. Leaving Twilight to huff at being given the "Treatment" again, but went back to finishing her breakfast.

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After breakfast, Twilight, and Sunset were walking down one of the long corridors that was taking them deeper into the base. Sunset was taking Twilight to meet some of her friends that have survived the war. Twilight was finding herself quite nervous, and yet curious as to how her friends have changed since she last met them.

"Pinkie is out in the field with her artillery crews, and Rainbow Dash is stationed by the old Airport. She flies helicopters, and gets us in, and out of some bad situations. She would have picked us up yesterday, but it was too dangerous for any flying yesterday." Sunset explained.

"Rainbow Dash is a Pilot, huh." Twilight acknowledged as she realized it made sense for the speedster. "So, who are we meeting first?" Twilight asked.

"Rarity. She's a nurse in the infirmary." Sunset explained as the two rounded a corner, and started down another hall.

They walked a few steps before Twilight noticed that the hall was completely deserted. Perhaps now would be a good opportunity to ask Sunset something that has been on her mind all morning.

"So...High Tower is his name, huh?" Twilight asked as she looked over at Sunset.

Sunset nearly tripped over her own feet in surprise at the sudden change in topic. She quickly composed herself, and looked at Twilight in confusion. "What? Yeah. His name is High Tower." She affirmed with an eyebrow raised as she looked at Twilight next to her, wondering what the princess was getting at.

"It must be so amazing to have somepon....eerr somebody to be intimate with. Especially in this situation, its like something out of a cheesy Fabimane novel, only better because its real!" Twilight said, not realizing that she had just admitted to reading the cheesy bit store novels. Though in her defense, Rarity did let her borrow them and gave them such glowing praise.

Sunset's eyes grew wide at what Twilight just said. "Intimate?" she asked, tempting fate that perhaps she heard Twilight wrong. 'Is she really going where I think she is going with this?' she asked herself.

"Don't worry, I promise to keep it a secret. I guess its like in the guard where there's no fraternization allowed." Twilight said before sighing. "Forbidden loves are so romantic."

Sunset didn't say a word. She simply stared at the Purple Alicorn in human form. "Oh Celestia! SHE IS! Sunset mentally screamed at herself.

"So, how long have you, and your coltfriend been dating? Has any other mare approached either of you to join your herd? Or is it a permanent one on one relationship?" Twilight asked as she thought of the relationship Mr. and Mrs. Cake back in Ponyville had with each other. Excitement growing in her voice as she leaned disturbingly close to Sunset. An almost maniacal grin on her lips.

Sunset could feel a cold sweat rolling down the back of her neck as she started to lean away from this girl. Her eyes darting back, and forth. Looking for an avenue of escape from this sudden interrogation. There is no way she'll fall for it, but I have to do something. She thought to herself as she set her resolve.

"Look a book!" Sunset suddenly declared as she thrust a finger to somewhere on the other side of Twilight Sparkle.

"A book!? Where!?" Twilight gasped as she spun around, her hair floating up like the hem of a dress. Her violet eyes darting here, and there, looking for the elusive tome that Sunset had just pointed out.

Sunset was surprised that the trick actually worked. So surprised in fact that she almost forgot the reason why she did it in the first place. Quickly she darted down the hall leaving Twilight behind. FREEDOM! she mentally declared as she rounded the last bend.

"Sunset?" Twilight asked as she looked up from discovering there was no book anywhere to be found.

"What are you doing back there slow poke!?" Sunset called out from down the hall, acting like nothing has happened at all.

"HEY! That was not nice!" Twilight called out as she trotted to catch up to her friend.

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It was easy to tell when they were closing in on the infirmary. The moans of those in pain could be heard down the hall along with the thick scent of blood and medicine that hung in the air oppressively like a thick cloud of smoke. Medical Supplies were in desperately short supply. Things like clean bandages, antibiotics, painkillers, and disinfectants were highly valued, and rare commodities. As Sunset, and Twilight drew closer, Twilight could also detect a certain smell, new and terrible. It was a nauseating smell that threatened the churn her stomach. The scent was like someone leaving food out too long and then vomiting on it, at least that was how Twilight could best describe the smell in her mind. It was the smell of infection and decay.

Rounding the corner, the scene that laid out before the two Pony turned Humans was something utterly medieval. Doctors, and nurses in Equeatria would have been horrified to see the conditions that this "Hospital", if one could even call it that, was in. The Place was made in one huge room that looked like it was carved out of the ground rather than built. Steel jacks, and salvaged beams kept the ceiling up. The room was littered with surplus army cots full of patients in various conditions. Some with more bandages than visible skin. There were pools of blood on the floor that orderlies were continually moping up. Yet their efforts of trying to keep this place clean and relatively sanitary were nothing more than a sisyphean task.

"How...?" Was all Twilight could ask.

"Don't ever take the Peace you have in Equestria for granted." Sunset stated somberly, her eyes focused on the floor instead of everyone in constant agony around her.

Twilight was about to retort about the "Peace" in Equestria, but instead took another look at the room full of the injured, and dying. Thinking back, she realized that her world was very peaceful under the watchful eyes of the Celestial Sisters. Yes, it has its share of troubles, but no pony ever really gets injured. The worst they had were petty thefts and pranks sometimes getting out of hand. Course, there was the occasional Villain that really stirred things up. However, this was simply on a level that would be impossible for any pony to fathom without experiencing it. The only ones that Twilight could think of that could possibly imagine this was Celestia, and Luna.

"I...I won't." Twilight said softly as she cast her eyes down so she wouldn't have to look at it all.

"Come on, I see Rarity." Sunset stated as she started to led Twilight through the narrow aisles between the rows, and rows of cots.

Twilight followed silently behind Sunset as they approached a woman with purple hair in a white apron. She was sitting on a small foot stool with a bucket of warm water, and giving an injured soldier a sponge bath, doing so slowly to not make the trooper's pain even worse. Twilight didn't recognize Rarity at first. The woman's normally perfectly quaffed purple mane that was once so vibrant and shiny now looked dull and as if it had been years since she brushed it thoroughly. While it was still reasonably styled, It was a far different style than Rarity normally likes her mane. Her purple hair was pulled back into a bun to keep it out of the way with a broad lock hanging down over the left side of her face. Looking at her, Twilight could see that Rarity's normally fair skin was pale from lack of sun, and her features were gaunt, and weary looking. A far cry from the beauty that Twilight remembered. This War has changed so much, and affected so many people.

"Hey Rarity. How are you doing?" Sunset called out the woman.

Rarity turned on her stool to look up at the two. Dropping the bloody sponge into a small basin, Rarity rushes over to hug Sunset tightly.

"Oh Sunset, darling!. I'm so glad to you're not hurt from fighting that dreadful Tank." She said in her dainty voice. Happy that her friend has returned alive.

The two hugged for a few moments before Rarity noticed Twilight. She was standing a foot or two away, and had a nervous smile. Twilight blinked for a moment as she slowly released Sunset, and approached Twilight. The look in her eyes was utter disbelief. Hands that were once so dainty, and immaculate held Twilight's face gently.

"Twilight? Is that you?" Rarity asked with disbelief.

"I came to see you, and everyone else. You know, a vacation." Twilight answered. Giving another chuckle, trying to keep the situation from turning grim again.

Rarity returned Twilight's chuckle as she let her hands drop in front of her, against the blood stained apron. "Well Darling, I can think of many places much more fabulous to visit than a war torn waste land." She chuckled, trying to hide sadness in her voice.

Rarity turned her head to speak with Sunset, but something caught Twilight's attention. When Rarity's hair moved, a patch of cloth that covered a large portion of the left side of her face was revealed. Twilight reached out, and placed a hand upon Rarity's shoulder. Stopping her mid-motion. Twilight's other hand gently drew back the lock of hair. She saw a beautifully embroidered piece of white silk held onto the side of her face. From the edges, Twilight could see hints of red peeking out.

"Rarity, what happened?" Twilight asked softly, worry in her large eyes.

Rarity didn't move, nor answer. She couldn't even look at Twilight right then. A soft whimper could be heard from her as tried to pull away from her friend.

"It is alright, Rarity. You can tell Twilight." Sunset stated as she set her crippled hand upon Rarity's. Giving the young woman a smile to comfort her.

Rarity gave Sunset a nod before taking a deep breath. Slowly she reached up, and removed the silken patch. Twilight gasped what she saw. Rarity's normally flawless skin was marred horribly as the entire area of her left cheek, going from just below her eye to her jaw line, and back to her just in front of her ear, was a dark blistered red color. The skin looked like someone had pressed her cheek to a hot plate, and seared it at a very high temperature.

"It is a radiation burn, from when I was in the camps. The robots were experimenting on better ways to hurt us and...I...I don't like talking about that time." Rarity spoke softly as she looked at Twilight. "It doesn't hurt much anymore." She said, but Twilight could tell it was a lie.

Twilight wanted to know more. Her inquisitive nature had to know. Yet, seeing the sadness, and the pain that such memories, even now, were summoning in her friend. Twilight couldn't, she simply couldn't do that to her friend. She gave Rarity, and Sunset a nod before Rarity re-affixed the medical mask. With it, and her lock of hair back in place. Rarity's smile returned to her soft lips.

"So what are you two doing?" Rarity asked to try, and change subjects.

"I'm just showing Twilight around. I figured she would want to meet with you all. Her coming such a long way, and all." Sunset explained.

"That is so thoughtful. I'm very happy to see that you've made it safely here, darling." Rarity stated as she takes Twilight's hands in hers.

"I'm so happy that you're safe as well, Rarity." Twilight replied before she pulled Rarity into a hug.

It would about about this time that large brute of a man came up with dark mauve skin, and long muscular arms. A mop of dusty burnt orange hair capped his head. His lower jaw set forward as he wore a tattered grey vest over top his clothes. "Um...Excuse Fido, Mizz Raratee" He says gently. yet his voice was deep, and gravelly as if he smoked a thousand cigarettes a day.

Rarity turned, and chuckled as she saw one of her most reoccurring patients.

"Fido! It is so good to see you. How may I help you?" Rarity asked.

"Who?" Twilight whispered to Sunset.

"That is Fido, from the Diamond Dogs Gang. He, and the others dig out tunnels, and expand the base. They dug out this hospital." Sunset explained. "I think Fido has a crush on Rarity. I hear he comes by all the time with one ailment or another." she added with a chuckle and even doing air quotes with her fingers.

"Rova hit Fido with shoval, again." Fido whimpered, pushing his bottom lip out, letting it quiver as he lowered his head and showed a small knot on the side of his head.

Rarity could only chuckle, and rolled her eyes as she slipped a dainty hand into one of the pockets on her apron. She would pull out a small pink bandage that had pictures of cartoon jewels upon it. Peeling off the backing, she placed it on the lump on the side of Fido's head. She then followed this up by a small peck on top of the bandage. Fido's cheeks exploded with color as a lopsided smile formed on his lips.

"Feeling better Darling?" She asked.

"Yez mizz Raratee. Tank youz very much." Fido responded as he nodded his head enthusiastically. This causing the three girls to chuckle.

"Hey Rarity! The Doctor needs you to sow up this patient!" Another nurse suddenly called out to Rarity. Causing the young woman to sigh wearily.

"Duty Calls. I have to get back to work. Don't be a stranger, Ta-Ta~!" Rarity called back as she started to navigate the narrow spaces between the cots to get to the operation area just behind a curtain.

Sunset smiled, and waved along with Twilight. Fido, no longer having a reason to hang around, slowly trudged out of the the hospital. his large hand stroking the bandage that carried a hint of Rarity's lipstick.

"So, where are we going next?" Twilight asked as she followed Sunset out the hospital room.

"We're going to check up on Fluttershy. She should be down in the kennels with the dogs." Sunset stated as she led the way.

Meeting Old Friends Pt. 2

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Twilight followed Sunset from the Infirmary. It was a relief to see that Rarity was alive and well, though seeing her normally immaculate face being marred so was very saddening. Rarity worked hard to make sure she looked her absolute best all the time, and seeing her permanently damaged just didn't feel right. However, Twilight was happy that her injury and experiences didn't destroy who Rarity was though. She was still the same generous soul Twilight always known. Hopefully this war wouldn't last much longer, and Rarity could get the proper treatments she needed.

"We're going to see Fluttershy next, right?" Twilight asked as she walked along side Sunset.

"That's right. She's in charge of training, and taking care of the dogs." Sunset explained as they continued down the long corridor.

As they walked away from the infirmary, Twilight noticed the smell and conditions weren't bothering her as much. Perhaps she was getting used to it all. Whether that was good, or bad would be left up to debate. Though as they continued down the hall, a new smell started to permeate the air. It was a musky smell, and with it the baying of dogs could be heard. They were excited, and Twilight was starting to get very nervous, remembering how she narrowly lost her hand at the entrance when she tried to pet one of the dogs. She swallowed thickly as she inched closer to Sunset the closer and closer they came to the sound of the barking dogs. Sunset saw how nervous Twilight was getting and reached out to take her hand.

"Everything will be alright. It's Fluttershy. They love her like a mother" Sunset explained with a reassuring smile.

"Heh heh, It's not her I'm worried about." Twilight admitted nervously.

Entering the a large room, they saw dozens upon dozens of kennels lining the walls, and segmenting the room. Most housing various breeds of dogs of various sizes. They were trained to do more than simply sniff out Terminators in disguise. The smaller ones were to scurry around in "Spider Holes", and make sure they are clear of little nasty surprises. It was very dangerous work, and many of the dogs did not make it home afterwards. However, it helped to keep everyone alive within the Base and made the dogs just as much a problem as the Resistance Fighters. Twilight looked upon them all, and felt sorrow. She knew her friend Apple Jack would hate to see dogs used this way. Given her attachment to her dog, Winona. Yet, she had come to understand in this world, things were different now. She just had to hope that the dogs were treated nicely in between their jobs. Since it was Fluttershy taking care of them, she was confident that was the case.

Passing each kennel, Twilight could see that many of the dogs were either laying down, or gnawing on a bone or a toy. Though her heart broke when she saw how many were bandaged, some even missing limbs. Twilight could only imagine how Fluttershy was handling all this. She was so sweet, and shy. She hated when one of her beloved animals got injured. Twilight could only let out a sigh as she followed Sunset, whom seemed to know how to navigate the labyrinthine maze of kennels

"Very good Brutus, you get a treat." The familiar soft voice of Fluttershy could be heard just around the next row of cages. Twilight smiled upon hearing the voice of her friend. She picked up the pace, eager to see her friend once more.

When they came around the wall, they saw Fluttershy before a row of ten large dogs. Each one sitting obediently in line as they watched Fluttershy intently. She was slowly walking up, and down the line, inspecting the dogs that stood before her. In the corner there was a large man wearing a very heavily padded suit that looked like it was worn long past its usefulness as it carried may rough patches. The man sat wheezing as if he had just ran a marathon in that suit. Twilight could only guess as to what the suit was for. Perhaps some kind of fire suit?

"Okay Hard Tackle, you ready?" Fluttershy asked meekly as she looked over at the large man.

The Large man, Hard Tackle, slowly lumbered to his feet, rolling his obvious weariness from his shoulders, and let out a deep sigh. "Yes, Fluttershy." He replied as he took a stable stance, and held out his right arm.

Twilight looked on in curiosity, wondering what was about to happen.

"Octavia, sic'em!" Fluttershy commanded with an authoritative tone.

Suddenly, from the line of dogs, a black, and brown blur shot out, and charged Hard Tackle. Twilight, and Sunset watched the man tensed up, ready for the strike. Sunset's own body tensing, and cringing as she knew what was coming. The Doberman Pincher crossed the distance in less than a heart beat. About five feet away she leaped, her mouth open as she clamped down on the offered arm. Driving it, and the man attached, to the ground. Once on the floor, Octavia began to thrash the arm around viciously while snarling, and growling all the while. Dragging the large man around on the concrete. Twilight winced, and had to turn away. Octavia was allowed to continue for several seconds before Fluttershy gave the command for her to release the man.

"Good girl Octavia." Fluttershy stated as she made a clicking noise with something in her hand.

The Doberman released Hard Tackle, and trotted back over to Fluttershy happily, her nub of a tail wagging enthusiastically. It was such a sharp contrast to her previous action, that it took Twilight by surprise. The dog sat before Fluttershy as the girl praised, and petted her before giving her a treat.

"Are you okay Hard Tackle?" Fluttershy asked as she motioned for Octavia to return to her spot in line.

"I'm fine, Fluttershy." Hard Tackle rolled to his front, and pushed up off the floor to get to his feet.

It was this time that Sunset decided to make her presence known. "Hey Flutters, look who I found going for a stroll in the waste. I think she was trying to find a date with a tin man." Sunset teased as she threw her thumb over her shoulder at Twilight.

"I...I was not!" Twilight protested.

Fluttershy let out a gasp, and a happy squeal before coming around the line of dogs, and throwing her arms around Twilight, and hugging her tightly.

"Oh Twilight, it is so good to see you again! How have you been!? When did you get back? Where is Spike?" Fluttershy gushed, she was so happy to see her friend again.

"Hey Fluttershy, whys the Prof outta the Lab?" Hard Tackle asked.

Twilight looked at him in confusion. "Prof?" She asked.

"Oh, don't worry about it Hard Tackle. Why don't you go grab lunch." Fluttershy stated, giving him a dismissive wave of her hand. Letting him know he can go get something to eat.

The man started to shed the padding, and would reveal a surprisingly skinny, but tall person underneath. "Okay Fluttershy, do you want me to bring you a sandwich back?" He asked.

"Oh yes, thank you very much. I'm famished." Fluttershy stated with a happy nod, and waved to the retreating form of Hard Tackle.

"So...Fluttershy. I see you're still working with animals." Twilight stated as she dug for a topic to talk about.

"Oh yes, It is wonderful. Though I can't say I'm happy about what they're doing. At least its helping everyone. I just hope this awful war ends soon" She stated as she started to fiddle with the end of her hair.

It would be about this time that there was snarling, and growling going on behind the group before some threatening barking, and the sound of scuffling was heard. Fluttershy let out a frustrated sigh before turning, to the two trouble makers.

"Romulus, Remus. Stop that this instant!" She commanded, however the two German Shepherds didn't appear to be listening. Fluttershy then took a slow breath before approaching, and exhaled. When she did she stared at the two misbehaving dogs. The other dogs started to cringe, and whimper. a Soft whine rose up from the kennels as the dogs all knew that Fluttershy was using the Stare. A quick reminder of her dominance brought utter silence to the room.

Romulus, and Remus both stopped instantly, and laid on their backs, their tails between their legs, both whimpering submissively. However, Fluttershy didn't let up. She simply pointed back to the line of dogs. The two quickly figured out what they were expected to do, and began scrambling back to their paws, moving to their place in line. Fluttershy gave a nod of approval before she relaxed, and turned back to Sunset, and Twilight.

"It's those two again. They'll behave for a little bit, but then they'll start playing around, or fighting. I can't seem to break them of that." Fluttershy said sadly.

"What happens if you can't?" Twilight asked a she looked at Fluttershy.

Fluttershy didn't answer, and appeared to try to sink into her hair.

"Fluttershy?" Twilight pressed gently.

"If the Dogs can't be trained, they're used in "other" ways." Sunset stated as she placed a gentle hand upon Fluttershy's shoulder.

"...oh." Twilight stated as he realized that she delved into something that was very troubling for her friend.

"It's okay Twilight. Things are just different now." Fluttershy explained before stepping forward, and giving Twilight a hug to assure her that she was okay. "How about we get dinner tonight?" Fluttershy asked. "All of us." she would amend, and giving Sunset a look asking it that was doable.

"That is a great idea, Flutters! Its a shame Rainbow, and Pinkie won't be able to be there, but still it will be a blast none the less. Can you pass it along to Rarity?" Sunset asked as she gave Fluttershy beaming grin.

"Good, We can talk more then. I'll let Rarity know. Right now I have to get back to the dogs. They need fresh water, and food." Fluttershy explained.

"Okay, Take care Flutters." Sunset stated as she started to turn, and head for the door.

"See you at dinner, Fluttershy." Twilight stated as she gave Fluttershy big hug. "I'm so happy to see you again." Twilight whispered happily.

"I'm glad you're alright too." Fluttershy stated as she released Twilight so she could catch up with Sunset whom was already at the entrance.

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"Really!? Applejack has a farm down here!?" Twilight asked in astonishment, waving a hand at the ceiling above. The only farm she could even consider being below grown was a Mushroom farm, or in Pinkie Pie's case. A rock farm could theoretically be a success.

"Yup, it based off of Hydroponics, and UV lights. Though I don't know all the science behind it. You'll have to ask AJ on that. Hell even then she seems to be better at making the food grow than anyone else." Sunset explained as she led Twilight to the outer periphery of the large underground complex.

"That's amazing! If I could take that back to Equestria, think of the surplus food we can store for lean times!" Twilight declared, almost giddy at the prospect. So Giddy in fact that she wasn't watching where she was going as she rounded the corner.

Twilight's progress would be impeded as she walked right into what felt like a solid wall. Staggering back, she lost her footing, and started to fall. A squeak of fright slipped from her lips as she tensed up for her impending reacquaintence with the ground. However, she felt someone grabbing her hand, and her mind first assumed it was Sunset. However, the hand that grabbed hers didn't feel like a mare's hand. It was too large, and a bit rough.

"Oh! What have we here? It must be my lucky day for running into two such beautiful senoritas." A silky smooth voice spoke with a soft Latin lilt.

There was a soft chuckle as Twilight felt herself being pulled back up to her feet. Opening he eyes, she found herself looking upon an older Gentlecolt, or was it Gentleman in this world? Either way, the person before her did not look like anyone else she had met since coming back. The older man wore a charcoal grey suit, with black pin stripes. A purple vest could be seen peaking out from behind his jacket. A perfectly folded, and starched green handkerchief tucked into his left breast pocket. He had sharp, fiery red eyes. His skin a lighter shade of gray. His black hair was slicked back, and there was a soft scent of cologne that hung in the air around him. Twilight stared at him with an eerie sense of Deja' Vu. He looked very familiar.

"Sombra, what are you doing here?" Sunset growled threateningly.

Twilight's eyes grew wide in shock, and horror. Did Sunset just say "Sombra"!?

"Oh, Miss Shimmer. You wound me so." Sombra said as he brought his free hand to his chest as if he was feeling chest pains.

"Sombra!? As in KING Sombra!?" Twilight yelped as she stood there frozen.

"Ah, so I see my reputation proceeds me." Sombra chuckled. "Yes, I'm King Sombra, and who might you be, pretty senorita?" He asked sweetly as he bowed before Twilight, and kissed her hand.

"Sombra the Cocaine King. What's the matter did Montana kick you out?" Sunset said with a roll of her eyes.

Twilight remembered all the horrors that she, and the ponies of the Crystal Empire had to endure under Sombra's tyrannical rule back in Equestria, and yet that didn't stop the darkening of her cheeks in blush, nor her mind registering just how handsome Sombra was. He was as suave, and debonair as all the Stallions in Rarity's romance novels back in Equestria put together.

"I'm...uh...um...." Twilight started to stammer as her mind completely blanked on her own name.

Before Twilight could actually form a coherent statement, Sunset intervened, and pulled the two apart. She moved herself between Sombra, and Twilight, though the man's eyes never left Twilight. There was a possessive gleam in them.

"You didn't answer my question. What are you doing here?" Sunset demanded to know.

Sombra sighed, and shifted his hips as if he merely playing with the two women. "I'm here to make a delivery. Food, Medicine, munitions. "Distractions". I do believe I also have the medicine that Miss Rarity needs as well." He explained with a smug smirk. He knew that his services were needed despite the harm he also brought with him.

Sunset ground her teeth as she really wanted to slug him. However, she couldn't under strict orders from Celestia. That didn't mean she had to like Sombra, or any of those attached to him.

"Fine. Just do your business, and get out." Sunset declared.

"We'll see, we'll see. I need to speak with Commander Celestia before I go." Sombra stated as he started to move past the two girls.

However, he wouldn't leave without a goodbye. "I'll see you Senoritas around." He said with a hungry growl, his eyes running up, and down Twilight with a lustful gleam. Leaving the girl feeling like she was just sized up by a hungry wolf. Twilight felt a shiver going up, and down her spine as the gentleman turned the corner. Yet, she was confused as to what caused the shiver.

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"Come on, Appabloom, we gots ta git this here water circulation doohickey working again. Otherwise the carrots are gonna wilt, again." The country twang of Apple Jack could be heard echoing in the large cavernous hold where the Base's farm was as Sunset, and Twilight entered.

The two would see rows, upon rows of crudely made troughs lined in neat rows with various pictographs displaying the different types of vegetables. Some Peas, some carrots, even tomatoes, lettuce, and cabbage. Running along each row was a bank of lights shining down upon each row of plants. Twilight had never seen anything like this in her entire life. Apple Jack was actually growing plants beneath the ground, and without sunlight. This was amazing! Her eyes widened as she took it all in.

"Amazing right?" Sunset asked as she started to make her way down one of the rows.

"Yes it is! Does all the food grown here feed the base?" Twilight asked as she was looking this way, and that as she followed Sunset.

"No, we don't have that much space. We still rely on Sombra's ...supply shipments. Though a good portion does go to our food stores. We actually use some as bargaining, and payment with other resistance groups we have ties too. Or convincing some refugees to give us info" Sunset explained as she looked over her shoulder. "You would be surprised how much a little sharing of food, and water goes to making bonds with others." She added.

"I can only imagine." Twilight replied as she stayed right behind Sunset, being careful not to disturb the fragile looking troughs.

"Hey AJ! Howadoing!?" Sunset called out to the Farmgirl, and her assistant.

"Huh? Oh, howdy Sunset, good to see ya." Applejack stated as she came over, and gave Sunset a hug.

Yet, when she looked over Sunset's shoulder, and saw Twilight, Applejack released Sunset, and moved around her. Slowly approaching Twilight in shock.

"Twi'ight? Is that you?" She asked in disbelief as she reached out to touch Twilight's cheek.

"Yeah, its me. How are you do...oof!" Twilight started to say right before she was pulled into one of the strongest hugs she could remember.

"Gosh, its so good to see ya again Twi'ight." Apple Jack stated happily.

"Lungs...collapsing....ribs....cracking..." Twilight gasped as she was finding it very difficult to breath.

"Applejack, chill! Can't you see you're killing her?" Sunset states as Twilight's face starts to turn purple, or rather purpler

"Oh, sorry there sugacube. I guess I done forgot how strong ah'm again." Applejack chuckled nervously as she set Twilight down, and took a couple of steps back.

Twilight had to take a couple of deep gasping breaths before she could speak again. "Its...okay. It's good to see you too, Applejack." Twilight says with a smile.

"Now what can I do ya fer?" Applejack asks as she looks between the two.

"We just came by to say "Hi". I figured Twilight would like to see that you, and the others were alright." Sunset stated, Twilight nodding in agreement.

"Well now, that is down right neighborly of ya. Ah'm sure glad you stopped on by. Would'ya like to have a look see?" Apple Jack asked a she pointed towards the farm.

"Yes I would!" Twilight gushed as she was eager to learn about this new technology.

Or rather new technology to her. Twilight was shocked to find out that Hydroponics was a subset of Hydroculture, and that humans have been working with it for centuries. Applejack explained, with some Apple-eese to English translation provided by Sunset, that the roots of the plants were suspended in a mineral rich water solution following the recipe of a modified Hoagland solution. The technique the Base was using was called a "Continuous Flow Solution Culture". Each plant was held in place by a foam lid that kept them in neat rows with space to let the roots grow, and absorb the nutrients. as the water solution mix is pumped past the roots. Twilight wished she had her scrolls, Quills, and Ink with her so should could write all this down for Princess Celestia to look over. She was certain that this could help Equestia immensely if she could only get this technology.

"So you're saying this has more benefits than growing food in the traditional way using soil?" Twilight asked with clear excitement.

Applejack scratched her head as she tried to figure out how best to explain it. "Well ya see...It has its good, and bad points. Its good cause we can grow underground like this. Much of the soil up top is plum too polluted from radiation, and fallout to be of use. So we have to make do with what we can. The bad, we can't grow anything big like apple trees" Applejack explained with a hint of sadness for her beloved apple trees.

"Appajack! Come on!" The voice of Applejack's little sister, Applebloom, called out as she waved over to her. "We got ta git this solution right." She added.

Applejack sighed as she waved off to her sister. "Ah'mma comming!" She hollered back before turning to the other two. "Ah'm sorry, but I have to go. It was good seeing ya again, Twi." Applejack stated.

"Rarity, Flutters, and The two of us are going to be joining up for Dinner tonight. Why don't you come as well." Sunset stated.

Applejack looked at her a second, and blinked. "Well shoot! Now why didn't ah tink of that!? That's a hell'ava Idea. Count me in." Applejack stated excitedly. Causing the two girls to giggle.

"That is wonderful. I look forward to seeing you tonight then." Twilight stated.

"Ah'll be there! It'll be a real barn burner." Applejack stated before she turned, and began to trot off to help her sister.

"Come on, there is one more person I think you should meet." Sunset stated, though there was a definite nervousness to her voice.

"O-Okay." Twilight stated, picking up on the nervousness.

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"Come on, tell me! Who are we going to see?" Twilight asked as they were making their way down a long stark hallway. the sterile looking white painted concrete walls bringing to mind a hospital, or laboratory.

Ever since the two left the hydroponic farm, Sunset has been noticeably quiet, and rather tense. It was starting to unnerve Twilight, as she was starting to think that perhaps it was not such a good idea to meet this person that Sunset appeared so nervous about.

"Well, you see...." Sunset trailed off as she tried to think of something to say to explain what is about to happen.

However, Sunset was interrupted by the yapping of a small purple, and green dog. it came scampering around the bend as it raced down the hall directly towards Twilight as fast as its little paws could carry it as it continued to yip excitedly.

"Spike!?" Twilight squawked in surprise as she saw her no. 1 assistant running up to her.

Twilight knelt down, and quickly scooped up the rambunctious mutt into her arms. All the while Spike simply remained still as she did so. Panting, and wagging its tail excitedly as he looked upon Twilight before letting out some more excited barks.

"Spike, why are you acting like that? There is no one around but Sunset and I." Twilight stated as she looked at the dog curiously. She believed that Spike was acting like a dog so that no one knew what he truly was.

"I would kindly ask you to stop molesting my dog!" A familiar voice spoke up in a stern, demanding tone.

Twilight blinked as she slowly looked up from the happy puppy in her arms, and back down the hall. Slowly her mouth opened into a look that could have only be described as dumbfounded. There, at the bend was her doppelganger. Twilight Sparkle was looking at Twilight Sparkle. The two were identical save for the fact that this word's Twilight had her hair up in a sloppy bun, and wearing a long lab coat.

"I wondered when you would show up." Twilight snarled.

Darkest Night

by Macross84

The Crossing

Reunions.

The Refuge.

Questions Answered

Meeting Old Friends. Pt. 1

Meeting Old Friends Pt. 2