> Lunar Dawn
>  by We'll_Never_Know
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Part I: The Eclipse
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part I: The Eclipse

Another day was in progress in Ponyville. An average day; a peaceful day. The populace, putting behind all that had transpired in the past, continued to live their lives with as much joy as possible. 

Scootaloo was wandering around the streets. She was heading to the square, where she was going to meet her friend, Sweetie Belle. Anxiously awaiting the moment, the young mare looked around to see if she could find her. 

She smiled at the thought of her friends, and all the adventures they had, in the vain effort to gain their cutie marks. Eventually, they decided that though each of them did have a special talent, and that they simply couldn't generate their cutie marks. They abandoned the thought, and moved on. Now, they were all great friends, nonetheless, and Scootaloo always enjoyed being around them. For Scootaloo, this was comfort. She and her friends got into some trouble trying to get their cutie marks. 

She continued to trot through the bustling streets. She looked around, at every building. The town had a lot of memories. She had known here for nearly all her life. There was truly nowhere else like it.
In her daydreaming ,she failed to notice where she was going, and soon she walked right into another pony. 

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry", she apologized without looking up. When she did, she saw a light blue pegasus. "Rainbow Dash!"
"Hey, Scoots", the pegasus replied happily. Scootaloo took a look at the pegasus. In five years, she hadn't aged a day. In fact, she thought, none of the other five had. She heard rumor that after their nasty spill with Nightmare Moon, there was power deflected back at them; power that made them not age as much. It seemed foolish, but with magic, practically anything's possible, she guessed.

"So, what brings you around here", Scootaloo asked. 

"To tell you the truth, I was going to visit Twilight", Rainbow Dash asked. "she wanted for all of us to hang out. Wanna come?"

Scootaloo thought about it. Surely, if she was late by a little bit, there was no harm, was there? "Alright", she replied. Soon, both pegasi flew up, and started towards Twilight's house. 

They got about half-way, when they noticed something odd. There were several hot air balloons heading this way. None were marked with anything that could indicate what nation they belonged to. Lunar transports were not allowed over Solar airspace, and vice versa. Usually, if it was a problem, air-defense pegasi would have tried to identify the unidentified by now...

Then strangely, they heard the noise of the pegasi fighters in the distance, but it was coming from the wrong direction. I didn't hear them this morning, Scootaloo thought to herself , did I?

"Hey, let's pick up the pace", Rainbow Dash said playfully. Scootaloo looked once more at the balloons, but then followed Rainbow Dash. She was almost certain she saw something fall out of one...
*                                                                  *                                                         *
Applejack was bringing in another load of apples with Applebloom. Big Mac was at the farm, awaiting their return.  The sisters, side by side, trotted through the streets. They hoped to make a good profit this time around. Ever since the division of the states, their profits were cut drastically. They made it through, though. With each other, and their friends, the siblings were an image of an ideal family. They looked after one another, and always will.

After dropping off this load, the sisters were going to Twilight's house. She invited everyone to a gathering, for friend's sake. Of course, the sisters agreed to go. 

"You're awfully quiet, Applebloom", Applejack noted. "Anything botherin' you?"

"No, nothing", Applebloom replied. This was usually conversation. Applebloom was a little quiet lately, Applejack had observed. She just assumed it was her growing up. She looked at her younger sister as she trotted through the streets. She remembered when she was just a small filly, the cute tiny thing. It seemed so long now. They trotted past the schoolhouse. 

Applebloom had been out of mandatory schooling for about two years now.  Applejack yet again remembered the old days...

Her memories were shattered when numerous gasps came out of the crowd. Eventually, everyone stared at the sky. After hearing the noise of pegasi fighters in the distance, everyone looked to the skies. There, coming right towards the city were several hot air balloons. Applejack looked up and saw the strange sight. She looked confused. 

"Applebloom, untether yourself from the cart", Applejack told her sister, "just to be safe." Her sister did as she was asked. Applejack withdrew from it as well. The All the ponies backed away as the balloons came overhead.  They watched, as ponies started falling out of the sides of it. The ponies that jumped pulled something on their back, and soon, the sight of arced cloth filled the sky, and at the end of each one, was a pony or a box.  

The falling ponies made the sky look like it was from some stranger dream; the parachuting strangers made the sky appear as a flower, with the petals slowly falling off in the breeze.  Nearly blocking out the sun, the display made it seem the night was coming early, in a white-covered eclipse. 

Flying down gracefully, the crowd cleared out of the area and gave the falling ponies space. Applejack and Applebloom watched with confusion as they landed. Dressed in strange uniforms and helmets, the ponies got off the ground, and unstrapped themselves from their parachutes. They made haste to find a box, and open it. Not taking any notice of the crowd, the ponies began to work on assembling something from the box.

Applejack looked  oddly at the strangers. She had a bad feeling about this one. "Come on, Applebloom", she said, "let's go. We should get to Twilight..." 

Everyone stopped when they saw Mrs. Cheerlie trot carefully outside of the school. Ponies were already starting to clear away. Terrified for her, the crowd started to disperse into the surrounding homes and buisnesses. 

Applejack and Applebloom trotted carefully away, hoping to not cause too much attention. She looked back to see Cheerlie trying to converse with one of the strangers. 

"Well, err... sir," Cheerlie was heard asking, "may I ask again why you are here?" The stranger seemed to start to panic, trying to hurry up whatever he was doing behind to box. "Are you from the Lu...."

To the shock of everyone there, the pony was finished with what he was doing behind the box. To their horror, he drew up what he was assembling:

A Lunar Assault Rifle. 

And he opened fire on the unarmed teacher. She fell back, in a blood curdling scream, and lay there bleeding on the ground. Soon, they saw that all the parachuting strangers had firearms. These were not peaceful ponies; this was invasion. 

The crowd immediately turned into a panic as the Lunar soldiers started firing warning shots into the air. They soon started to chase down and round up the fleeing civilians. Applejack and Applebloom started running as well, Applejack's hat falling off in the process.  During the panic, Griffons were seen flying through the skies as well, landing in the square, armed and ready to fight alongside the Lunars. It was a joint-operation.

The panic continued through the streets, as the soldiers chased down and tried to detain the fleeing civilians. 
"WHERE ARE WE GOING", Applebloom screamed in the panic.

"TO TWILIGHT'S HOUSE! WE'VE GOTT A WARN HER", Applejack replied.

The two sisters galloped as fast as they could to their friend's home, as the invasion took hold of much of Equestria. For years, no real foreign invasion was ever attempted on Equestrian soil in large scale. Now war had come, and it came right to Ponyville.

*                                                                     *                                                                        *
Applejack and Applebloom rushed right to Twilight's house. They burst through the door, and saw Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, Twilight, and Fluttershy all gathered together looking nervously.

Applejack burst into the room, and alerted her friends. "Get up! We've gotta go! Luna's invading this town!"

The three mares gasped and murmured, and got up from their positions. 

"That explains the noise", Fluttershy mumbled.

"No time for talk", Applejack cut in, "We've gotta go! NOW!".

"Alright, let me just...", Rarity started, before getting cut off by distant gunshots. "Dear gracious!"
Applejack looked nervously as she heard the approaching gallops of Lunar invaders. "NOW", she reiterated. Soon, 
Applejack, Applebloom, and the other four were out the door, unladen, about to rush out of town. Twilight stopped at the door.

"Hurry up, Spike, we're leaving", Twilight called to the dragon in the other room. The galloping grew near, along with screams of panic and terror. 
"I'm coming", the voice cried out from the house. But before Twilight could wait, Applejack was already pulling her friend away. 

"COME ON", Applejack yelled at Twilight.

"No, wait, Spike! Wait", Twilight started screaming. "Don't leave him! Applejack stop!" Without listening, Applejack drug 
Twilight into an alley.  Looking back, she saw in horror as Spike started to emerge from the house.

"Twilight! Rarity! wait..." Spike called out as he was trying to catch up, but the advancing Lunars got him first. Tears fell from 
Twilight's eyes as she saw him being apprehended by the Lunars. The Lunars took him, and drug him into a line of their captives. A Griffon captain instructed the soldiers on what to do with the prisoners.

"No....", Twilight's voice trailed as Applejack continued to drag her through the alleyway, watching her assistant and friend be marched away to an unknown fate. 
*                                                                  *                                                                         *
Galloping through the narrow alleys, the six mares looked for possible ways outside of the city. They knew it couldn't be too far, and they had managed to avoid the Lunars for now. They were still not safe, though. Rushing almost endlessly, they only stopped after a few more minutes to catch their breath. Applejack and Applebloom seemed to be pulling themselves together, but just exhausted. Twilight was still sobbing.

Fluttershy, Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Pinkie were not calm. They whispered amongst themselves:

"We're doomed!"

"We're dead, we're dead..."

"I don't want to die!"

"What are we going to do!"

"Hush", Applejack ordered. "We're not going to die. We're going to get out of here, alive! You hear?" Applejack turned to Twilight. "Why in tarnation", she said, "did you wait? There was no time to lose! We could've been killed!"
"I'm sorry", Twilight apologized tearing. "I just thought Spike could..."

She was cut off when a sound was heard from the other side of the alley. Applejack quickly motioned for everyone to hide behind one of the walls. Breathing heavily, the six ponies looked out for anything else. They heard the noise moving up the alley, and the closer it got, the more nervous they became. Pinkie started to whimper in terror, and Twilight put a reassuring hoof on her. As the noise drew near, Applejack got ready to pounce on whatever it was. As soon as it passed by the corner...

Applejack pounced and knocked down the creator of the noise. In fact, she learned it was creators, and that she just tackled her friend, Rainbow Dash, and Scootaloo as well fell out of the air. 

"Geez, Applejack", Rainbow Dash moaned. 

"Sorry, hun;  didn't know it was you", Applejack replied. "Keep your voice down though." She offered her hoof to help bring Rainbow up. When everyone saw it was just Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, they breathed sighs of relief. The eight ponies gathered around.

"How did you get here", Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, me and Applejack were about to deliver some apples," Applebloom started, "when we stumbled right into that invasion."

"More importantly", Applejack asked Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, "how did y'all found out about this attack."

"Well, I saw those balloons in the air", Scootaloo said, "I knew there was trouble. I tried to convince Rainbow Dash, and when we heard those shots ring out, she believed me."

"Then why didn't you just fly out of the city", Twilight asked.

"You try flying through crossfire", Rainbow Dash answered. "Those ponies down there would've shot me and Scoots out of the sky before we could get anywhere."

"As much as I love to talk with y'all", Applejack cut in, "our lives are at stake here, so we should get moving now." There were some grumbles in response, and the group carefully maneuvered through the small alleys.
They made it to where there was a break between the buildings, looking out to the street. Fluttershy took a look, and everyone stopped. Twilight and Applejack peeked over to see what she was staring at.
In the street, there was a commotion. On one side, blocked by several threatening Lunars, were broken families of mares and fillies. On the other side, were several Lunar soldiers readying their weapons, and lined up were five colts. All were relatively young.   The commander was standing off to the side, with several soldiers guarding another group of colts. Applejack saw Big Mac among them.

"These five colts dared refuse our generosity of simply being a prisoner", the commander addressed.  His soldiers loaded their weapons and dropped down their support bipods from the bottom of their rifles. As they could not stand on their own free will for long, the bipods were designed to lock into position at three stances; standing, leaning, and prone. Right now, they were set to stand mode.

"...and so", the commander continued, "they will pay for their insolence."

The crowd started weeping, as several mares and fillies were about to lose husbands and fathers. Fluttershy looked in terror at the crowd.

"We're not afraid! Remember us", one of the colts yelled out. The other four nodded in agreement. The commander then trotted over to the out speaker, and struck him with his hoof, sending the colt falling to the ground in pain. 

"You stupidity is your downfall, you worthless filly", the commander told the colt. He then trotted back to a position next to his soldiers. 

"All right!", the commander shouted. "Ready weapons!"

There was the sound of each Lunar cocking his weapon to chamber the round. Fluttershy gasped and started to whimper. 
"Take Aim!" Each soldier carefully started to aim down their sights at one of the colts in the line. The colts closed their eyes, and stood with a brave demeanor. It seemed like eternity for Fluttershy, as she stood there, waiting for the final order:

"FIRE!"

With the sound each hoof-trigger being pulled, shots rang out, and soon, five colts and ten brass casings dropped to the ground. There was an outrage and mass cry from the crowd. The Soldiers then put up their weapons and proceeded to drag the bodies away. Fluttershy looked shocked, and started to cry. Twilight started to motion her away. Applejack watched as the bodies were drug out of sight, and the line of colts was driven away.
She moved on, taking lead again.
*                                                                    *                                                                        *
Not even twenty minutes later, they reached a point where they were on the outskirts. There were close to the forest, and knew that it wouldn't be long until they could make it out. It had been about three hours since the invasion started, and it seemed as if the Lunars had complete control over the city. Griffons patrolled with the Lunar ponies, as the nine silently moved through the backstreets and alleyways. 

They saw the edge of the city, and knew all they had to do was walk out.

"Alright, y'all ready", Applejack whispered. The other eight were all eager to escape. They were about to make a dash for it when Applejack suddenly motioned for them to stop and move back. She glanced around the corner.
A lone Lunar soldier was patrolling the street, Rifle in specialized saddle holster, he was casually strolling outside. Applejack figured he was probably a sentry. He strolled, not paying any heed to the alleys. He probably thought that all the citizens were inside the borders, secured by the Lunars. 

"Wait", Applejack said. The other eight started to look worried. The sentry started nearer and nearer to them. Applejack placed herself against the alley wall. Twilight figured out what she was going to do.
"Applejack, don't do it", Twilight advised in a low voice.
Applejack shot back whispering, "Quiet!"

She continued to wait as the sentry moved closer. Heart racing, she knew if she didn't do it correctly, it would cost her and her friends' lives. Slowly, the sentry moved right in front of the alleyway...
Applejack, with both fore hooves, drug the sentry into the alleyway, and slammed him against the side of the wall. "OOMF", the sentry let out, satisfyingly for Applejack. Twilight and the other seven looked on, as Applejack proceeded to hit the soldier in the stomach, sending him falling to the ground. She started from her advantageous position to kick the fallen sentry. Hitting with all her might, the soldier tired to cry for help, but was drowned out when the hoof broke his jaw. She stood on top of him, and started to strike him with her forehoof, creating a bloody mess out of his face.  Repeatedly striking, she only stopped when the sentry was either dead or unconscious, judging by the amount of blood spilled.
Applejack was a sight to behold. With a blood-soaked hoof, her friends saw her differently. Before, they remembered a pony who was a hard-worker and wouldn't harm any of them. Now they saw a murderer. Without remorse, she probably killed the colt in front of her. And she did this with her bare hooves. They looked very shocked as Applejack drew herself up, and looked at her frightened friends.

"What are y'all looking at", she said. 

The other eight looked nervously at each other, cautious on what each might say. "Well", Rarity started, "you just..."

"Killed him?"

"Well...", Fluttershy started.

Applejack looked at her friends. She knew what they were thinking. "Look, we've got to survive, and if anypony gets in our way..."
"I never thought we would have to be... violent", Twilight said.

Applejack rolled her eyes. She bent down and started to examine the body. " Come on, we've got to get the gear off this colt."

"Why", Rarity asked.
"He's probably got survival gear", Applejack said, "not to mention, rations. I don't think where we're going there's gonna be much food."
Applebloom spoke up, "Sis, why don't we just go home? We've can get all the food we need there."

The idea snapped in Applejack's head. Of course! Sweet Apple Acres had all the food they needed! All the ponies there started to nod and answer in agreement. They were saved!

But the sound of gunshots in the distance reminded them what they needed to do now. Applejack took the saddle off the body, and slung it around herself. She felt the load, but knew she could carry it without issue.

"What are we waiting for, let's go", Applejack said. "We're going to make a stop at Sweet Apple Acres."
The others looked happily. They were going to survive! They could get the food, then make their way somewhere safe... they eagerly started to sneak out into the forest.
Fluttershy noticed the rifle in the holster on the saddle. "You... you're really taking that.. thing?"

"Of course", Applejack said. "We need something to defend ourselves with."
The other ponies agreed and started towards Sweet Apple Acres.
*                                                                 *                                                                    *
The nine successfully trudged the road, until they neared Sweet Apple Acres. They saw the Lunars had already started to invade the countryside, but weren't too concerned yet. They were thinking of what they were going to do after they got the food and supplies. Sure, life was going to be harder, but at least they could guarantee their survival. They trotted cautiously, yet eagerly. They were about to come into view of the farm. 

"Alright, Applebloom", Applejack told her sister. "Go up ahead, and make sure there are no Lunars there."

"Yes, sis", Applebloom answered. She moved up, out of sight.
Applejack and the other seven decided to take a break, and looked around. Still shaken by what was happening, the mares knew that their lives were changed forever. Hopefully, they all thought, that the Solars would come soon, and save them...

Yet again, they could only hope.  

Twilight picked her head up. Her friends sat there, gloom filled, and sad. She remembered Spike. She regretted heavily that they had to leave him. She hoped that he was okay. Everything happened too quickly. Before they knew it, they were on their own. But she was glad that they were going to be okay for the moment.
After a while, Applejack started to wonder what was taking Applebloom so long. She decided to get up and look for her sister. She started to fear she was lost, or worse, captured. She walked along the path until she saw her sister standing, looking out into the distance.

"What's taking you... so... long" Applejack said as she approached her sister. She stopped dead, as she saw what lay ahead, and what her sister was staring at:

Sweet Apple Acres, or rather, what smoldering remains was left of it.

She looked in horror, as dying flames dotted the landscape. Everything was almost completely destroyed by fire. All the plants and all the trees were now ash. The fields burned in some places, and where they weren't there were salt bags sitting on top of the soil, symbolically representing that the fields were no longer to be used...

Applebloom and Applejack stood looking at their home. Everything they grew up with, was just... gone; a burning ruin. 
*                                                                 *                                                                   *
Applejack and Applebloom were found by the other seven, who shared a similar reaction. It seemed as if all their hopes were crushed. There was nearly nothing left from what they saw. Applejack and Applebloom slowly led the group into the ruin. Looking around, they saw the damage up close. It was terrible. The smell of smoke and burnt objects filled the air, almost intoxicating the group. 

Applejack nearly lost hope. Her brother was surely dead, was he not? There's nothing here. She only waited to see his burnt corpse as well. Tears fell down her face as she looked at the desolation. She could not believe it. In one day, she's had to escape for her life and see her home destroyed. 

They wandered around until they noticed a single shed still standing. It was Big Mac's, which brought some hope to Applejack.  A large wooden plank held the door shut. The door was Applejack could not open it herself. Rarity and Twilight helped her open the door by using their magic. After enough nails had been moved, Applejack and Pinkie proceeded to pry open the door.

When the door finally opened, they looked around. It was a basic storage shed. There were a few non-perishable foods, but not enough that could last past two days, especially with the nine of them. There were a few metal covers, which could be used as pans for cooking. However, one particular object. did take their eye.

Twilight moved over to an object laying on a table. It was an iron tube, grafted onto a piece of wood, as if it were a firearm. 
The iron tube had a hole bored into the right side in the back. Next to the object were a few small metal balls and a jar containing a black powder substance, along with some wicks and matches. All of this was next to a  type-written note, which Twilight took up with her magic, and brought it over to the rest of the group, and they read:

To Applejack and Applebloom
I don't know how long, but for a while  I've had the feeling that our family might be in a dangerous position someday. So, for the last two years, I've gathered the materials and made this... weapon for you. It's not much, but it'll have to do.
To use it, you pack the black powder into the  hollow end, then you put about five of those little metal balls in it. Once you're sure it's all packed in at the back (ram with a stick to make sure), place the wick into the hole in the end. Then, light the wick with a match. After the flame gets to the end of the wick, be sure to have a firm standing, because you're in for a treat. That thing's going to send you flying like a pegasus if you're not careful. 
Be sure to only use it against things that are going to harm you. I trust, with your honesty, you will use it right, even if I'm gone.
With love, 
Big Mac.


Applejack looked at the weapon on the table. It was primitive, but it could work. They needed all the protection they could get, now that they had the Lunars invading the land. Even with the rifle she had, that wouldn't defend her nine friends.

Applejack looked around and found a saddle bag. She took it in her mouth, and dropped it in front of Applebloom. 

"Pack that weapon and everything else necessary in there. Take some of this food and one of those covers, also. We're going to need it."

"But sis..." Applebloom tried to object, not wanting to hold such a vile tool.

"Take the weapon, Applebloom", Applejack told her sister. "Whatever happens, somepony else has got to have something to defend us with."


*                                                                *                                                                *

The invasion had gone well. The Lunars had full control of the city, and they also received word that the invasions of  Cloudsdale, Manehattan, Appleloosa, and Canterlot were successful. However, Celestia managed to escape Canterlot before the taking of the citadel. The Solar Army groups also were holding their own at their numerous border forts, and the invasion of the Marejave Airfield had failed, when Solar Pegasi managed to hold off the bombers.

For Major Gilda, the success was good enough. Gilda, a griffon who sided with the Lunars, led her detachment and helped seize and keep control of the city throughout the day. Her loyalty to Luna had gone back to two years before this war, when, under threat of genocide, many griffons decided to join with the Lunar Empire. Soon, griffons were armed with Lunar weapons, and sent to fight for the Princess of the Moon. Being a good soldier, Gilda rose the ranks quickly in her detachment. Now a major, she had the chance to take part in the most ambitious move she's ever known.

Gilda walked the streets, not wanting to fly, as the soldiers made their way around the city, mopping up what was left. Lunar soldiers and griffons had rounded up most of the town, and sorted through who they should send to the POW camps, and who could stay. The invaders had assured the citizens that once total control was seized, daily life would resume as normal, just under a new set of rules. 

The truth was different, and Gilda knew it. Anyone who spoke out against Luna or her army was sent to a POW camp. And there, continuing misbehavior resulted in execution. Even today, soldiers had executed random colts to show that they meant business. Terror was their weapon now. According to the commander, terror was necessary to show that insurrection was not an option for them, and that if they wanted to live, they needed to accept Luna's reign.

Gilda wasn't too happy with the way that the citizens were treated, but she followed orders. Right now, they needed to prepare for any Solar counterstrike, and they needed to set up the POW camps outside of the city. Her mind needed to be on task. Before, small teams had arrested any residents living outside the city limits and burned their homes.
A young colt ran up alongside her. In full combat uniform, she remembered how young she was when she first joined her military. He saluted her, and asked for permission to speak. She granted it.

"Ma'am", the colt started, "the situation is stable now.  We have rounded up most of the colts, and the mares and fillies are being held until further orders, Ma'am."

"Very good", Gilda replied. "I want every house searched. Any knowledge or tool that can be used against us, I want it destroyed. Identify the prisoners and citizens, so we can keep track on who is who and make sure they stay in the city. "

"Yes Ma'am", the soldier said, saluted, and proceeded to carry out her orders. She watched as he scurried away. This was the beginning of a new future. Unfortunate that it has to come at the price of the invaded, but this was war...
War hasn't been known for being too kind on its combatants.

*                                                          *                                                         *

It was already nightfall, and the nine had managed to wander around until they found a clearing. Far enough from Ponyville, so as to avoid detection by the Lunars, this spot would have to do.

Exhausted, being on the run for almost the entire day, the friends nearly dropped down dead from exhaustion. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy and flown nearly the entire time, and had to walk the last mile. Applejack and Applebloom immediately dropped what they were carrying and fell down.

The clearing was situated next to a forest, with a small spring for water. Ideally, it was located in a bed of tall rocks to the other side, shielding them from outside view. The clearing was rather large, so they were not cramped. It was by chance they found such an ideal location.

However, they all knew that they were still not exactly lucky. Without food, they would die out in days, and surrendering to Luna was not an option. 

"What...", Pinkie yawned, "are we going to do now?"

"I don't know about you", Rainbow Dash said, "but I am exhausted, and I'm ready... just to...", she gives out a long yawn, "...get some... sleep."

"But... what if those soldiers come", Fluttershy asked nervously.

"Yeah, what if they try to find us", Rarity said.

"Alright, someone's gotta stand guard", Rainbow Dash noted.

Applejack knew very well that now was the time for rest. She herself was overly exhausted, and she saw the near-dead look in her friends' eyes. She looked at her sister. She hated to ask her and her friends, but she felt it was the only way.

"Sis, Scoots, Sweetie Belle", she addressed the three, "would you mind if you... stood guard tonight? I'm sorry, but someone has to."

The three looked annoyed at Applejack, but nodded in agreement. Applebloom took her bag again. "Where to, sis", she said.

"Just stand somewhere around here", Twilight answered. "You don't need to go far."

"Alright", Sweetie Belle answered. They trotted to near the end of the clearing, and laid down at their position.

"We're going to take shifts, right", Scootaloo asked.

"Sure", Applebloom said. "I'll take first shift. We'll change on the hour."

"How will we tell  the time", Sweetie Belle asked.

"I guess we'll have to guess ourselves", Applebloom answered.

So the two other young mares rolled over and began to drift into dreams, as did the other six...

*                                                              *                                                                   *

There had been two shifts so far, and Scootaloo was expecting a good sleep after hers. She fell asleep quickly, despite the hard ground. She thought about all that had happened before she slept: earlier that day, it was normal life for her. Now, she had ran (or rather, flown) for her life. She remembered how much danger they would be in if the Lunars ever learned they were here...

Of course, all of this was pushed out of her mind as she slept...

Before she knew it, she was being nudged awake. Apparently, it was Applebloom's shift again, but Sweetie Belle was waking her up. The dawn hadn't come yet, but she felt it was nearing morning. Applebloom stood to the side, gesturing that they move. 

"Come on", Sweetie Belle said, "Pinkie's missing; we've got to find her." Scootaloo was confused by the news, but got up immediately and went with her friends. 

"Where do you think she went", Scootaloo asked.

"I don't know", Applebloom answered. The three started to carefully patrol the perimeter. At night, there was little visibility, save the moonlight.

They wandered around the rocks, until they saw a figure hanging her head down in the moonlight.  She was perched on top of one of the jagged rocks. They slowly advanced towards it. What they saw was a rose-maned figure This was definitely Pinkie, but somehow... different.

Sweetie Belle whispered to her friends: "Do you think we should try to get her attention?"

"I don't think...", Scootaloo answered in a lower whisper.

Applebloom looked at her friends, then started to climb up to the pink mare's perch.

"Are you insane, Applebloom", Scootaloo whispered, but Applebloom kept on going. Eventually, she was right behind Pinkie, and tapped her with her hoof.

Pinkie shot back with a glance that nearly gave the three friends a heart attack. Her eyes looked as if they were piercing their very souls; filled with rage and sadness. Her mane was seemingly a little inflated in the back, but most of her rose hair was straightened, a portion covering her left eye. She calmed down, and looked back out to the stars. "What do you want", she asked rudely.

"Errr, we just wanted to know if you were okay", Sweetie Belle said, backing up with her friends.

Pinkie sighed. "I'm fine, just go away."
"Alright", Scootaloo said, trying to get away. Applebloom held her back.

"No", she said, "Pinkie, there's something bothering you. What is it?"

Pinkie puffed the hair out of her eye, and shot Applebloom a look, then looked away again. She lowered her head, and proceeded to explain:

"I'm not living like this. I know... it's only been about a day. But... I don't know, if...", she paused, and smiled to herself, "I was a party-pony. Just wanted to... spread joy. And now... what's left of that. It's like... the world's coming to an end. And all I can do now is watch it burn." She sighed again. "I'm not going to live like this... I'm going to leave. I'll probably die in the wilderness. And if they find me... it's going to be alright. Nothing matters anymore..."
Scootaloo was first to speak out: " Miss Pinkie don't leave!"

"Stay here", Sweetie Belle joined. "We need you here! I know, but it's just the first day. Tomorrow, we'll... we'll sort out everything."

"Just stick it out, I have a feeling we're going to be okay", Applebloom added.
Pinkie just about ignored all they said, but started to feel remorse. What if she stayed? Would it make a difference. She looked out to the stars again.

"I have an idea", Scootaloo whispered. She flew up to Pinkie, and stopped right behind her. Then, she tapped her with her hoof, and quickly withdrew.

"Tag! You're it!"

Pinkie looked at Scootaloo as if she were insane.

"Come on", Scootaloo said gleefully. "It's a game! It's not fun when one pony's playing." Sweetie Belle and Applebloom smiled in agreement.

Pinkie looked again at the three young mares, then a smile grew on her face. "Alright", she said finally. She got down from her perch, and started to chase the three visitors playfully. "I'm going to get you!"

"No you're not", Applebloom answered joyfully. Giggling, as if it were some sort of party, the four chased each other around for several minutes, before collapsing together in a playful and exhausted unison. 
Pinkie looked over at the three young mares. "Thanks", she told all of them. 

"Aw, no problem", Applebloom replied.

"I wonder why Celestia let's Luna raise the moon still", Sweetie Belle noted.
"I heard it was some sort of agreement made in the division of the states", Scootaloo noted. "It was mandatory, no matter what, that they had to perform their duties. So they really don't have a choice in the matter."

"Still gotta wonder why though", Sweetie answered. Sure, it was for the best, but if they were really at war now, why do they still act as if it was some regular day?

The thought didn't bother her much. Maybe, there was something there with the sisters, that connected them, despite anything. Sweetie Belle stopped her thoughts when Applebloom got up. 

"Come on,  Miss Pie", she said. "The others will probably wonder where you went..."

*                                                                     *                                                                     *

In the middle of the morning, all of the nine had awoken. Fortunately, Scootaloo and her friends managed to bring Pinkie back to camp before anyone woke up and noticed she was gone. Twilight went into the forest, and returned with several flints and sticks, in tow with magic. She set them down, and began to pick up two flints, and tried to spark a flame over the sticks to start a fire. As for the rest of the group, they sat lazily in their circle they made. Rarity had already started sorting pebbles, and Rainbow Dash was pointlessly hovering  slightly off the ground. There was an unbroken silence among the group, as no one had the nerve to say anything.

Twilight had finally managed to start a small fire, and she started to huddle near it. Applejack looked around. Here they were, finally away from the chaos, and they had no idea what they were going to do next. Obviously, whatever food they brought couldn't possible last them a long time.

Rainbow Dash was the first to speak out. "Well, I'm bored", she said. 

"Oh please", Rarity replied, "what in the world do you think we can do? Go back out there and get killed?"

"Alright", Applejack interjected before a conflict started. 

"Hey Applejack", Rainbow Dash said, "don't you think you should look at what we've got?"

Applejack got up, and replied: "Okay.  She moved to saddlebags, drug both of them over, and emptied their contents carefully in between the group. 

From the vest the soldier wore, were several things. For one, and by far probably the most important, was his assault rifle, held in a sling on the side. In length, the rifle was about 710 millimeters. The mechanism seemed strange for the ponies to comprehend: a brass casing was struck with a hammer, causing the gunpowder to ignite and send the bullet out, and a mechanism shot the casing out of the side, and immediately inserted the next round. Fed by a magazine directly below the ejection port, it seemed simple enough to load. There was a large button on the other side that would release the magazine after it had been finished. In all, there were about thirty rounds in the magazine.  Each magazine had a small handle at the bottom, so hooves could remove it easily as well. A large trigger, meant for hooves, was at the rear. It didn't take a genius to find out what the trigger did. On the front, was a bipod, that folded out into one of three positions, for a variety of situations.

Just as well, there was a box-fed sidearm on the other side in a holster. This simple design featured a box magazine directly in front of the hoof-trigger, and the ejection port was on top. To the rear, behind the port, was a large handle for chambering the next round once a new magazine was inserted. Magazines for the sidearm also had a small handle for pulling. 

Firearms hadn't been introduced to the Solar Empire (or Equestria) until about four years before. When the threat of Luna started to rise with her new state, Celestia ordered most secret-weapons projects to come out. This included the mass production of firearms, armored vehicles. and new flying craft for pegasi (to enable combat skills, and to protect them). Within a year, the entire Solar army was refitted and retrained with these new weapons, as they were the future. It was apparent Luna had done the same, as soon, factories in the Lunar Empire were reportedly also making weapons, and across border espionage revealed that the Lunars had also modernized their army.

It didn't take long for the citizens on both sides to become used to these dreadful things. Though they were weapons of war, they appreciated the protection it gave, and the feeling that a modern army was more likely to succeed rather than an old fashioned one.

The rest of the bag contained a few ration bars, and, to Twilight's interest, a book. Filled with Lunar Army orders and procedures. Twilight immediately withdrew it. This manual contained all the necessary skill that they would need to somewhat counter the threat from the Lunars, should they find them. 
There were also small spheres with small rings and straight pieces at the end. Twilight, flipping through the book she took, realized what they were. 

"Don't touch those! They're explosive!"
Applejack took a quick step back. "How", she asked.

"When you pull that ring", Twilight answered, "that straight piece will come off if not held down, and then you will have five seconds to throw it or get out of the way, before it detonates."

"Alright", Applejack noted. Those could become useful in the future.  She then moved to the next bag from Sweet Apple Acres. All they found was the homemade weapon Big Mac made, and about three cans of dried apples. 
However, for nine mares, the food they had would not last them three days. This was noted by all of them. 

"What are we going to do about food", Fluttershy asked. 

"I know", Scootaloo added in. "What are we going to do when we run dry."

"We'll just have to go out and find more, I guess", Applejack answered.

"But from where", Rarity asked. "We can't possibly go right back into Ponyville and come out again, can we?"

"Maybe not...", Rainbow Dash thought for a moment, then remembering: "Or actually, maybe! I've got a friend, and I think she'll be willing to help us!"

"Do you think she's even alive after all this", Rarity asked.

"Trust me", Rainbow Dash answered chuckling, "She's not one that anyone would want to harm. She'll be more than willing to help us."
"Alright, but we can't go just yet", Applejack said. "We just left town yesterday."

"Alright", Rainbow Dash said. "We'll wait it out a few days. When we start running dry on food,",  she started pointing to Applejack, "you", she turned her hoof towards Rarity, "Rarity", she turned her hoof on herself, "and I will go into town, and meet my friend."

"Alright", Twilight answered. "Sound's risky, but it's worth a shot..."
*                                                               *                                                                   *
Major Gilda woke up from her slumber. The former mayor's residence became a temporary housing for officers. It had been successfully two days since the invasion, and so far, there was little trouble with the populace. They complied with the rules, and lived in fear of the occupiers. Perfect.

She hoped that one day, they'll grow used to this, and once the war was over, and hopefully when Luna would have won, this town wouldn't need martial law. However, they needed to be safe.

She washed up in a restroom, and put on her uniform and beret. She headed out to the streets, in a blaze of both common daily life and Lunar and Griffon patrols. She headed to the command building (an old house of some sort) and met the Lunar Commander outside, and she saluted him. 

"At ease", the commander began, "congratulations, Major."He was a middle-aged colt, and probably served in Celestia's military before the split. Now wearing the badge and uniform of Luna, he seemed to be happier in this position. "I hear your decisions proved effective."

"Yes sir", she replied. "The local populace is safe, and any potentially dangerous civilians have been rounded up and sent to the internment camps outside of the city."

"Or shot", the Commander noted.

"Yes..er, yes sir", Gilda said lowly. She regretted having to shoot anyone on the first day, but yet again, terror was needed to show their power. 

"With your judgement", the Commander started again, "I hoped I could seek your counsel."
"Anything, sir", she replied.

"Good lass", he replied. "It has come to my attention, that we failed to identify at least nine citizens in the last two days. We also had a report that the day of the invasion, one of our own went missing, and his body was recovered yesterday in an alleyway. Now, we don't know if these missing ones dangerous or not, but I want to know what you think we should do. Should we send out teams to find them?"

"Personally sir", she began, "I would simply leave them be. The wilderness would kill them, if they don't give themselves up to us first, that is."

"Alright, thank you Major", the Commander replied. "You are dismissed."

"Thank you, sir", Gilda replied. She walked out of the command center, and started to think of the missing nine. 
What if they are dangerous, she thought to herself, and that they could possible threaten our plans...
She decided to shrug off such thoughts. Right now, she needed to focus on keeping the population in line.

"Oh and one last thing, Major", the Commander said.
Gilda turned back. "Anything, sir."

"We've got a potential collaborator being held in the library at the residence down the street. Strange thing is he's a dragon. I want you to... persuade him to help us. The guards will let you in. Tell them I sent you"

Gilda turned to her Commander and saluted him. "At once, sir."
*                                                                    *                                                              *

On the third day after the invasion, food started to run short for the group. They knew now was the time that Rainbow needed to go to the city and hopefully get more. Rainbow Dash fitted Applejack with the saddlebag from the farm, and Rarity went unladen. 

"We'll be back before nightfall", Applejack said.

"Alright, be careful", Twilight said, and the ones who were staying waved goodbye as the three left the clearing.
After about three hours of direct walking ,they made it to the point where they could see the city. From what they saw, there was no real damage done.

"So are we going to just walk back in", Applejack asked.

"Don't be ridiculous, Applejack", Rarity scoffed, "We aren't, are we Rainbow Dash?"

"No, I think we're going to have to sneak our way back in again..."
So, creeping along the grass, they found that the outer limits were not defended at all. There were checkpoints at all the main entrances, but that was all for real defense on the outside. The three snuck into an alleyway, and slowly made their way into the city. Coming to the streets, they joined the crowds, and thankfully did not attract any attention to themselves.
Just after three days, the town looked a lot different. Out of many buildings, hung Lunar Flags, displaying the mark of Luna. There were several smashed windows, and some of the buildings looked abandoned. The streets weren't as occupied as usual, but enough to hide the three.

"Alright, follow me", Rainbow Dash whispered. Applejack and Rarity did as they were told.
They continued down the streets, following Rainbow Dash. Trying not to look nervous, they hoped that no one would recognize them. However, they passed a group of notably young and obnoxious Lunar soldiers.
One of gave a sharp whistle. "Whoah", one called out. "Check out that white mare with the purple mane!"
Rarity stopped in her tracks, and so did Applejack and Rainbow Dash. "What", she said in disbelief.

"Yeah, you", one said. "Come over here with us!"

"I'm sorry," she replied,  "but I've got somewhere to be right now." 

"Aw, come on", one of them said. "Surely it can't be that important."

"I'm afraid it is", she said.

"Come on, sweet flank!" 

She turned furious. "What... did... you just call me?" The soldiers burst out laughing. Rarity was about to charge them, when Applejack held her back, and motioned for her to keep moving. She held her anger as the soldiers continued to cry at their joke. 

They continued down the street until they made it to a house near an intersection. It seemed fair, and not damaged in any way.

"We're here", Rainbow Dash stated. "This is where she lives. As I said, she's friendly." Rainbow Dash went and rapped her hoof on the door.

"Who is it", a slightly low voice called out from beyond. Rarity and Applejack looked at each other.

"A friend", Rainbow Dash answered. The door opened, revealing a gray pegasus with a light yellow mane. Her eyes were slightly misaligned. Her cutie mark appeared to be bubbles.

The gray pegasus grew excited."Dash!"

Rainbow Dash recognized her immediately, "Derpy!"

The two embraced friendly, and "Derpy" motioned the group to come inside. They walked into a small living room, with a kitchen behind. There was a hallway leading to what appeared to be the bedroom. 

"It's been a while", Rainbow Dash noted.

"I know", Derpy replied. "And I see you brought company!"

Rainbow Dash grunted. "Um", she started, "Applejack and Rarity, I would like you two to meet my friend, Derpy Hooves. She's my old friend from fillyhood."

"Glad to meet you", Applejack said.

"Yes, very good to meet you", Rarity stated as well.

"Good to finally meet you  two, as well", Derpy replied. "Dash has spoken about you two a lot!"

Rarity looked puzzled at a nervous Rainbow Dash "You have?"

"Once or twice", she answered.

"Oh, no", Derpy cut in, "she talks about your little escapades every time she comes over! About how much fun you have, and things like that."

"Thank you Derpy", Rainbow Dash said. "Now, can I ask you a serious question?"

Derpy looked outside her front window, and saw a Lunar patrol pass by. "We should take these matters to the kitchen", she said, and led them in there.

When they moved inside, Derpy motioned for her guests to take a seat. "Can I get you anything", she asked politely.

"Actually Derpy", Rainbow Dash said, "that's kind of why we're here."

"Is that so", she said. She moved to the table. "Please, tell me everything. 

"Well", Rainbow Dash started, "we're not here legally..."

"I see", Derpy answered. "You escaped, didn't you?"

Rainbow Dash proceeded to explain "We're... we need help Derpy. I've got six other friends waiting for me. Me and my friends here.... we're here to get food. And we need it bad, because we're starting to run out..."
"Say no more", Derpy interjected. She got up and opened up another door in the kitchen. "Follow me", she said, and the three got up and did as they were told.

What they saw was a pantry full of food and such. There was plenty of non-perishable foods there too, which was exactly what they needed. 

"This...", Applejack started, "this is amazing!"

"Take all that you need", Derpy said. "I'm your friend, and to tell the truth, I don't like these Lunars here either. So if you could do something about that to, that'd be great."

"We'll try", Rainbow Dash said. She and Rarity started packing food into the saddle bags. Strong as Applejack was, the load was starting to get heavy. Derpy noticed this. 

"If you're planning a quick escape", she said, "being laden with food is not the best way to go." She left and returned with another saddle bag. "Here, take this."

"Thank you", Rarity answered politely.

"No problem", Derpy replied. "Oh and one more thing." She left the room as Rainbow Dash started to move some food from Applejack's load into Rarity's and started to put more food into Rarity's bags. Derpy returned a few minutes later, flying low, and carrying a familiar hat.

"Found this abandoned in the streets after the invasion", Derpy said. She moved and placed it on Applejack's head. 

"Figured it belonged to you."
Applejack was speechless. She hadn't really noticed or cared her hat had been gone for the last few days, but she was joyous to have it back. 

"Thank...", she started, "...Thank you very much Derpy!"

"Again, no problem", the gray pegasus said. Then, there was a sudden rapping on the door in the living room, and the shadows of a few Lunar soldiers stood outside. The three friends looked nervously at each other. 

"Ms. Hooves", a voice called from the outside, "we're here to speak about your muffins that we've been told about."

Rainbow Dash shot Derpy a look "You bake muffins for them now?"

"Hey", Derpy defended , "gotta please the invaders somehow."

"Yeah, well", Rainbow Dash replied, "try not to get too close, okay?"

Derpy whispered to her friend, "Oh you can count on that!" Derpy moved to a back door, leading to her small backyard. "Quickly, if you can open that fence, you should be able to get into the alleyway. There ,you can find your way out of the city."

"Alright", Rainbow Dash whispered back, and the three moved to leave, as the rapping occurred again. Dash turned back, and hugged the gray pegasus. "Thank you so much for everything."
"Not a problem, at all, Dash", she replied. "Come back anytime. I tend to keep my pantry full at all times."
"Good deal", Dash whispered in reply. "Thanks..."
Derpy shot her a glance. "Go on! Quickly!"
Rainbow Dash took the hint and left with Rarity. But Applejack stayed behind. She went to Derpy.
"I just want to...", she  started, "to thank you again. But... there's one last thing."
"Make it quick, please", Derpy said. "I don't know how long those soldiers can wait..."
"Alright", Applejack said. "My brother... if he's been captured, where would they have taken him?"
Derpy sighed. "The Lunars have set up some sort of internment camp outside the city. You're brother might be there; it's impossible to miss."
"Thank you", Applejack said, and waved goodbye to Derpy. She then raced to catch up with her companions.
*                                                                   *                                                                  *
The three arrived back at about dusk. Twilight was warming herself by the fire with the rest. "What took you so long", she asked.

"Hey, it's a long walk", Rainbow Dash defended herself. "But I brought food!"

Rarity and Applejack came struggling into the clearing. Carrying the loads for such a  long distance proved challenging. She were glad to get the bags off. The entire site gathered to see.

Sweetie Belle got excited, "We've got food that could last us for months!"

"Oh my", Fluttershy said seeing the massive amount of food before her.

"If I may cut in", Applejack said, "I want to go back out there with Applebloom."

"What, are you nuts", Rainbow Dash replied. The other eight looked at Applejack as if she were insane.

"Rainbow Dash's friend told me about a camp outside the city", Applejack defended. "I think Big Mac's there. If I can find him, then we can try to save him."

"Are you seriously considering a rescue mission", Rarity asked, "that's insane!"

"If we aren't going to get him out right now", Applejack said," then I just want to make sure he's okay."

"Alright, sis", Applebloom said. "I'll go with you. Hopefully we'll find him."

Twilight got up and looked sternly at Applejack. "Be careful out there, alright. I don't want any of us getting captured, or worse..."

"Don't worry", Applejack replied, as she started on her way with Applebloom. 
*                                                           *                                                           *

After another grueling three hours, Applejack and Applebloom came in sight of the camp. Surrounded by barbed wire, there was a large screen, with a tower projecting some sort of Lunar propaganda film on the screen. On the ground, were hundreds of colts, scurrying around, some mad from the film. 
The sisters carefully moved toward the fence. She saw many colts leaned against it, and they all looked at her.

"Guys, cover us", one called out, "we've got visitors from the other side!" There was a small commotion as several colts pretended to wander around to block the view of the colts at the wire.

"Whaddya need", one of the colts asked Applejack. 

"I'm looking for a red colt that might be in there", she said. "His name's Big Macintosh. He's nearly impossible to miss!"

"Macintosh...", one trailed. "I think I know where he is, wait here!" The sisters waited nervously as the colt left, and started to look around. About five minutes later, her returned with news. "Alright he's coming!"

"Oh thank goodness", Applejack sighed in relief. He was alive.

The crowd split as the big red colt made his way to the fence, assisted by two of his fellow inmates. He had a very ragged appearance, and was bruised and cut nearly everywhere. His eyes were almost empty, and were staring with hopelessness. Applejack and Applebloom gasped when they saw their brother like this.

When he reached the fence, he nearly collapsed, and Applejack and Applebloom rushed to the fence, and saw as his two friends helped him up again. He placed his hoof in between links, and felt Applejack's face. "Sis?"

"Yes, Big Mac", she said. "Me and Applebloom are here."
Big Mac coughed. "Sisters... did you... did you get... that thing out of my shed?"

"Yes brother", Applebloom answered.

"G..." he started, "...good." He sighed, and coughed. He looked up again. "You know, I've been your older brother, and still am right."

"Of course", Applejack said. "Don't be ridiculous."

"For all these years", Big Mac said, "I wanted what was best for you two. I care about you... very..." he struggled with the words out of physical weakness, "...much."

"Yes, Big Mac", Applebloom  said. "You'll always be my big brother."

Big Mac smiled at his sisters, and feeling returned to his eyes. He chuckled, but then went serious once more. "Applejack, Applebloom, I'm not going to be around for much longer..."

"No", Applejack cut in, "Don't say that! I'm going to get you out of here."

"Dang it Applejack", Big Mac nearly yelled. "I'm a goner! Don't you see! Once I'm in here, the only way out is either brainwashed or dead, and I'm not getting brainwashed." He chuckled again. "I have a feeling they're going to get me soon. For whatever reason... they're going to get me."

"No...", Applejack said, starting to cry.

Big Mac looked at his sister, and stroked her face with his hoof, wiping away the tears. "Sis, I'm going to need you to be strong for everyone, especially for Applebloom. You're going to be the biggest sis soon." He turned to Applebloom, 
"Applebloom, you've got to be strong too, hear? I want you to do what your sister says. Be good in my absence." He looked at both of them. "Take care of each other. I know you're going to make me proud..."

Applejack and Applebloom looked down. Their brother had no faith. It was going to be up to them...

"Hey one of the guards is comin'", one of the inmates said. "You two mares should get out of here quick, now."

"Alright", Applejack said sobbing. Big Mac looked at her again.
"Remember, be strong", he said smiling. Applejack smiled back, tear stricken.

"I will", she promised. Then she and Applebloom started to trot away from the fence. As they left, Big Mac called out to them:

"Remember, remember me! Don't let the Lunars take over your lives! Remember my example!"

"Avenge me!"
*                                                               *                                                           *
Applejack returned to the camp late into the night. Almost everyone was asleep. There was a tiny fire on the outside of the camp. As during the nights previous, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo alternated night watch shifts. However, taking Applebloom's place was Pinkie Pie. It was her watch, and she lay rugged, the hand cannon by her side. Mane still flat in the front, a portion yet again covering her eye. When she saw them, she shot up, and upon recognition, relaxed once more.

Pinkie asked, "Did you find Big Mac?"

Applejack looked at her friend, and spoke lowly. "We found him in the prison camp... he's alive."

Pinkie felt there was something she wasn't telling them "And?" Applejack looked at Pinkie again, but walked past her. She took her spot around the doused fire and went to sleep.

Pinkie looked at Applebloom who was still standing there, looking into the distance. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle awoke, and saw Applebloom standing there.

"Hey", Sweetie Belle yawned, "did you find your brother?"
Applebloom looked back at her friends and Pinkie, all with tired, yet anticipating eyes. 

"Yeah...", she started. "Yeah we did."

"That's good", Scootaloo said, "is he alright?"

Applebloom looked down in sadness. "He's...", she tried to start, "...he's giving up. He told me and Applejack to... remember him. He went on about how the Lunar's were going to kill him soon. He said he wanted us to be strong, and to take care of each other..." She paused, and sniffed. "It's going to be alright though." She trotted over, and took her place around their little fire, and began to doze off.

Sweetie Belle looked at Pinkie, who looked as if she was ready to collapse. "I'll take your shift", she said. Pinkie, without a word, passed the hand cannon, and took her position, and began to sleep. The night went on without interruption.

*                                                                 *                                                             *

The next morning the group gathered around the main fire, and started to bring out . After about three nights of sleeping on the ground, they seemed rugged. The food that they received from Derpy was plentiful, and could last nearly a month. With the promise of more that Rainbow Dash brought, they were satisfied that they could possibly live like this until the Solars came. 

However, the thought dwelled in all of their heads that their hopes might be displaced, and that they might be found and captured. The threat had loomed over their heads for the past three days they've stayed at the camp. But with no sign of any thing (not even nature), coming around the camp, they felt safe enough where they were.  But to be sure, Applejack kept the rifle near herself.

In addition to the food they had, Fluttershy had been gathering some natural plants from the forest that could be cooked and consumed. Though not nearly enough to last a long time, the fact they had some sort of natural food source. Though not exactly delicious, it would have to do. She had gone out earlier to get some more with Scootaloo.

Silence hung over the group as they ate. Even though they were still weary from waking up, their silence was due to Applejack's trip the night previous. They didn't want to pry, but they wanted to know.

Eventually, Twilight gave in, and asked Applejack, "How is your brother?"

Applejack looked up from her meal. "He's alive", she answered. "But,  he's shaken."

"Well at least he's alive", Rarity noted. Applejack did consider this. Even if he thought he was done for, there was always the chance he would survive. She could only hope, though.

They continued to eat quietly. There was much on their minds, and not many wanted to share. They were just grateful they were still alive. Twilight finished, and looked over at Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, who were all sitting together.

"How are you three handling yourselves", she asked them.

"We're fine, miss Twilight", Applebloom answered.

Twilight chuckled. "I appreciate the manners", she told Applebloom, "but they aren't necessary right now. Just call me Twilight."

"Yes, ma...", Sweetie Belle started, "er, Twilight."

The group chuckled. Despite all their troubles, it was nice they could keep a peaceful atmosphere amongst themselves...

They all heard a rustling from the forest. They all looked, and Applejack took the assault rifle and loaded it. She waited until she and the others saw Fluttershy run up, looking frightened.

"Geez, Fluttershy", Rainbow Dash said, "you scared us!"

Fluttershy had no time "Quick! I saw Lunars coming this way!"

Everyone got up. "Where", 

"They're on the cliff road half a mile away," Scootaloo answered, "that leads right into here!"
Twilight looked at Applejack. "If they are really coming", she said, "We can only stop them or move away."

"Alright", Applejack said, putting her hat on. " Let's go and see. Applebloom! Get your hand cannon."

"Sure thing, sis", Applebloom answered back. The group hastened to follow Fluttershy. All except Rarity. 

"You can't be serious", she said. "You're actually going to fight them?"

"If they come any closer", Applejack answered, putting on the combat vest, "then they'll definitely find us." She took the assault rifle out of its sling, and shoved it across the ground towards Twilight. "You've read the book; can you use it?"
Twilight remembered how, but was unsure if she really wanted to now. But was going to have to. "Alright", she answered, bringing it up with her magic.

"Let's go then", Applejack said.

*                                                                  *                                                             *

A Lunar supply vehicle stopped for a break near some rocks. They were going to deliver some much needed things to the Lunar occupation force in Ponyville. This was the first of an entire transport line. The driver and the two escort soldiers, one  an officer, stepped out for a stroll. All with assault rifles in slings, they moved about. They looked around and saw the forest from the top of a small jagged cliff. 

"Solar territory's beautiful", one noted. "Love to live here one day."

"You're living here now, moron", another said, striking the first one across the head with his hoof.
Unknown to them, nine mares were hiding from below, not far down the cliff side. They didn't see them coming at first when they were scouting out, but when they heard the vehicle coming, they saw no other option and decided to hide where they were. If one was to see them, they would've looked foolish. Hearts pounding, they only hoped that the soldiers would pass by them.

However, the three soldiers continued to move closer to the group, until they were practically on top of them. Still staring into the forest, they wondered what lay ahead. However, one of the soldiers saw something that caught her eye...

"Hey, look at this hat", the soldier said. Her comrades followed. They saw a hat on the ground, unusual as there wasn't supposed to be anyone living out here.
Applejack gasped when she realized her hat was missing. Pinkie tried to quiet her, but tripped on the rocks, and a few crumbled. Unfortunately the soldiers heard this ,and immediately rushed over, and looked down to see the nine mares against the cliff side.

"Fugitives! Arrest them!"

The soldiers scrambled down the cliff, but the nine had different plans. Twilight, at the bottom, had her assault rifle ready, and standing up, with bipod unfolded to stand position, she began to open fire on the soldiers, cutting one down instantly, and wounding the other officer in the leg, and grazing the third. Falling over, the officer, growled in pain, and called to his comrade in vain:

"AAAGGGGHHH!!! BUCK! Help me! I'm wounded!" 
Below, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom had all loaded the hand cannon. Getting it into position, Scootaloo held the lighted match in both hooves, as Sweetie belle put the wick into the hole. Scootaloo lit it, and Applebloom aimed it at the wounded officer. 

BOOM!

A tongue of fire, smoke, and a volume of metal pellets flying at a high velocity flew out of the barrel. The recoil threw Applebloom back, dropping the spent hand cannon. After the smoke cleared, the officer's body was revealed, with many of the pellets embedding a bloody mess into his back and skull.

Applejack crawled up the cliff side to pursue the third Lunar. Grazed, she limped back to her vehicle. Crawling into the driver seat, she hoped to start the vehicle and make it out herself. But when it refused to start, she knew she was finished. When 
Applejack came to the side window, sidearm ready, she saw her target.

The mare was about a year younger than Applejack. She had the uttermost look of terror in her eyes when she saw Applejack. Young, but still an enemy. Applejack thought for a moment if she should really have to take her life.
However, she decided that she couldn't risk the lives of her friends. So, the Lunar mare closed her eyes, and Applejack pulled the trigger. Soon, Applejack drug the body out of the bloodstained seat. Applejack then moved to the cliff, and saw the rest of the group helping Applebloom up after her fall. She was alright from what Applejack could tell.

"Everything all right down there", she called.

"We're good", Rainbow Dash answered.

"Good", Applejack replied. She looked at the supply vehicle and had an idea. "I'm going to see I can drive this supply vehicle."

"What", Twilight asked.

"Hopefully we can use whatever's in there", Applejack called back. She realized that this wasn't going to go unanswered with the Lunars, but if these supplies proved to be of worth, there was not a doubt in Applejack's mind that it was going to be worth it...

*                                                                                     *                                                                               *

When they had finally snuck the last of the six crates off of the supply vehicle, along with some documents from the driver's area, the group headed back to camp. Despite gaining these supplies (of which they had no idea what it consisted of), they all looked at each other. They had just killed a group of Lunars, and if they were being expected...

Scootaloo was the first to speak: "What if they find the bodies!"

"Yeah", Rainbow Dash panicked, "if they find out that it was us, we're dead!"

"I don't... want to die...", Fluttershy mumbled under breath.

Twilight looked at her friend Applejack, who was pacing as the group panicked. She spoke up: "Look, we've just got to cover our tracks."

Applejack agreed with Twilight. "Exactly", she said, and turned to Fluttershy, " sugarcube, can you fly over or something and erase our tracks?"

"I'll try", Fluttershy answered, getting up and moving back into the forest. The group watched her leave. Applejack then proceeded toward the crates. 

"Now", she said, "Let's just see what's in here." Twilight came to her side, and opened the lock with her magic. Applejack flung it open. 

She was baffled at what she found "What the", Applejack managed to say.  Inside the crate were stacks of Lunar Army uniforms, neatly folded. "What kind of supply truck was this?"
Twilight moved over to some of the documents they seized from the vehicle. She took one up, and started reading it. 
"Apparently", she said, "these supplies were destined to Ponyville."

"Yeah", Applejack answered, "but is there anything else?"

"No", Twilight answered. "Just instructions...", something caught her eye in the stack. She took it up as well. "What's this?" She started to read it, and Applejack came up behind Twilight.

"What does it say, Twi", she asked. 

"It says these were going specifically to the Lunar prison camp outside of the city. Can't imagine why though."

"I think I know why", Applebloom cut in. "That camp Big Mac was in? Remember sis when they were playing that movie? What if they were trying to turn those colts over to their side?"

"That does make sense", Twilight noted. This worried Applejack even more. If they were planning to turn colts over to their side by use of that camp, and Big Mac continued to refuse to obey...

"Let's see what's in these other crates", Applejack said, trying not to dwell on her brother too much. Twilight helped with the next one. This one contained sleeping bags. 

"Great", Twilight said, "now we can stop sleeping on the ground!" There were a few sighs a relief and words of gratitude from the others.

Upon opening the next three crates, they revealed weapons, ammo, and grenades. "They were going to arm the ones they brainwashed", Rainbow Dash noted. The thought sent shivers down their spines. 

"Well, at least we've got more to defend ourselves with", Applebloom noted.

Applejack looked inside the crate with the uniforms. She noticed something else on the side, in plastic bags. "Hey, Rarity", she called, "take a look at these."

Rarity came by her side, and took the two objects out with her magic. She examined them after removing them from their bags. They appeared to be two wrap-arounds, with a Velcro-like  material on the outsides. "Well, I've certainly never seen anything like this before." 

Rainbow Dash trotted by, and started to speak:"Well, if I was to guess..." before bumping into Rarity, and making her drop the object into the grass.

"Ah! Watch where you're going", Rarity told Rainbow Dash, looking at the two objects now collecting grass and dirt.

"Wait", Twilight interjected. She took one of the objects, and started to roll it around in the dirt and dry grass. 

"What are you doing", Sweetie Belle asked.

"Hold on", Twilight answered back, still rolling the wrap around on the ground. When she thought she was done, she drew it up with her magic. The wrap around was covered in grass and dirt.

Rarity saw the wrap around. "It looks absolutely dreadful!"

Twilight looked at the wrap around. "I think this a camouflage suit." She wrapped it around herself, and ducked into  the grass. "See? When you wrap it around yourself, it's covered in the grass and dirt, the enemy can't see you."

"That's actually pretty clever", Rainbow Dash admitted. The others nodded in agreement.

"That sure is effective", Applejack noted. "Would probably do us a lot of good."

*                                                            *                                                                      *

Three days later, the group was enjoying their new luxuries. The sleeping bags numbered at about seven, so there were two of the group every night keeping watch. To be fair to the younger mares, the older ones started to take shifts as well. As it was starting to get cold, they decided to wear some of the uniforms. Rarity, finding an emergency sewing kit in the supply vehicle, sewed off all the Lunar patches, and burned them. The new weapons also heightened their sense of safety. 
Yesterday, Applejack and Twilight taught them the basics on how to use their rifles, should the time come when they will need to use them. 

It was about midday, and the day was moving slowly. As a result of their incident, they now took turns as well during the daytime, watching the land in their new camouflage suits from a distance, with binoculars found in the clothing crate. Right now, the job was being done by Twilight Sparkle and Scootaloo. In the camp, the rest were indulging themselves on a small meal. 

Rarity looked at Fluttershy. She  and Pinkie had been quiet the past few days, and was looking as if she was staring into space. She asked of Fluttershy,  "Is everything alright?"
Immediately out of her trance, and answered, "Hmmm? Oh, I'm fine."

"Are you sure", Applejack asked, "you've been very quiet."

"It's nothing", she tried to assure the others. But she knew that they won't be shoved off so easily. She finally admitted: "It's just that... ever since we left, I've had this feeling about the Lunars." She stood up. "Who are they to march into our town and kill and make prisoners of our friends? Why should anypony let them do that? If it was up to me, I'd..." she stopped, as her friends knew she was stopping being her old self, "...I'd...hurt them! They have NO right to be there, and if I was living there, I wouldn't let them live there another second."

The group was taken aback by Fluttershy's statement. This wasn't like her. "What happened to the shy part of you, Fluttershy", Rainbow Dash even asked. "As much as I'd like the Lunars gone now, do you really think that we could stand a chance?"

"We could", Applejack noted, "but I don't want to test that theory right..."

She was cut off by the arrival of Scootaloo. She came galloping, in full camouflage, quickly. By the time she got to the group, she was panting. 

"Applejack...", she started, breathing heavily, "Twilight needs you now! Come on! Follow me!"

Applejack got up in a hurry, and followed Scootaloo to wherever she led her...
*                                                                    *                                                          *
When they nearly arrived, Scootaloo stopped, and motioned for her to go down, as did she. She took the wrap-around off herself, and nudged it to Applejack. "Take it", she said. "I'll go back to camp."

"Alright", Applejack said, trying to put on the wrap around.  When she had succeeded, she crawled up the hill. She saw Twilight with her binoculars being placed on her eyes by her magic, watching below. "What's going on", she asked.

"I think you should see this", Twilight answered, removing the binoculars and placing them over Applejack's eyes.

"What in...", Applejack said, and she saw looking down the hill. But then she saw what Twilight wanted to show her.
Below, there was an entire contingent of Lunar Army Soldiers, standing ready. She scanned next to them, and there stood a griffon, in full uniform, with white and brown feathers.  There were a few other colts there, obviously senior officers. Among them was a familiar figure...

"Twilight", Applejack whispered, "That's Spike down there!"

"I know", Twilight answered, "just keep looking..."

Next to them, were  three coffins. At the foot of each coffin, was a dug grave. On the other side, was a large trench. The trench and grave were dug by none other, than a group of colts. All ragged, dirty and weary, they were led to the trench by the Lunars, and lined up.

Applejack scanned the colts, looking for her brother. [Oh please, she thought, don't let me see...
And to her dismay, she saw Big Macintosh in the line. 

"No...", she whispered. Covered in dirt, and with a look of courage in his eye, she saw he wasn't afraid to go. But she was.

"No, no...", Applejack continued to pine. Twilight put a comforting hoof on Applejack, but saw in desperation as well. The soldiers loaded their rifles, and stood ready, waiting for orders.

The line of colts stood waiting. They knew what was going to happen. But among the fearful, stood Big Macintosh. Applejack could see he was saying something; something encouraging. She watched in desperation, as time started to move slower. Finally, she saw Big Mac shout something at the Lunars, and soon the entire line started to shout with him. She felt proud of Big Mac; he was going out with a fight.

But the hoof of the commanding officer motioned towards to group, and soon...

After many loud shots, and felled brass later, the entire line had fallen into the trench bleeding. They were gone; all of them. 
Applejack pushed the binoculars away from her eyes. She had seen enough. Tears started to fall down, and Twilight was next to her, offering comforting words and stroking her mane. But Applejack couldn't believe it. Her brother, the one she loved and grew up with; the one she loved so dearly, was now.. .gone.

After a minute, she strengthened up. She looked at Twilight, who now motioned that they should leave. Soon, they crawled until they were surely out of sight, and then made their way back to the camp.

*                                                                       *                                                          *

When they had arrived back, the group all gathered to watch Twilight and Applejack make it back. Heads held low, they knew the news could not be good. 

This still did not stop Applebloom from asking: "What happened?"

Applejack looked at her sister, and tried to meet her eyes. "Big Mac's... gone Applebloom", she admitted.  "They got him."

Applebloom looked at her sister. She didn't need an explanation. Her eyes swelled with tears. She fell into Applejack's hoof, and started to weep. The others looked sorrowful as well. They had known Big Mac, and it was a great shame that he was now deceased.

Pinkie got up, and moved to Applebloom, who saw her. She retreated into Pinkie, who gave her a one hoofed hug. She walked her away to her friends, and both of them continued to comfort  her.
After a few minutes, they all looked around. Things had just gotten personal. Fluttershy spoke up: "See what I mean? They're murderers! We should stop them!"

"Oh, shut up", Rainbow Dash told Fluttershy, flying to her. "What are we going to do?"

Applejack without hesitation, sniffed, and said: "We fight."

Everyone gasped. She couldn't be serious. Fight? 

"Fluttershy's right", Applejack said. "We can't let them sit in our home anymore. Big Mac told me to be strong, and now I will. It's time we made our move; to show them that they should fear us."

"How to you plan to do that", Rarity asked.

"Look around", Applejack said. "We have weapons. We are smart. We have determination. More importantly we are friends. If we can work together, we can accomplish this." She pointed at Pinkie, "Pinkie, you made parties, now you can give them new surprises!" Pinkie had her doubts, but agreed now was a time of action. Applejack pointed to Rarity, "Rarity, besides keeping the uniforms in check, you can design new ways for us to stay hidden!" Rarity was skeptical, but she thought she needed to help.

She looked at Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, "Your speed, your agility, your wings,  can all be used to find things, and to get away quickly!" Both of them nodded. Sure, war was a hard thing, but they needed to do something.

Applejack looked at Applebloom and her friends, "All three of you can help! Good things come in small packages."

"You can count on us", all three said in unison.  For Applebloom, she wanted to remember the legacy of Big Mac, and along with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, they all felt that they should work to stop the Lunars. 

Applejack took a step back and extended her hoof. "I know now that once we do this, we can never go back", she said, "but now, we need to act. Who's with me."

All of them looked at each other, and soon, everyone except Twilight placed their hoof above Applejack's. They all smiled at each other. Applejack looked at Twilight.

"Are you going to join us", she asked.
Twilight looked at her friend and sighed. "I'd never thought I'd ever had to fight. With my brother... I don't know Applejack. What would  Princess Celestia think?"

"Twilight", Applejack told her friend, "right now, I bet you she's wanting you to do what's right. So what do you feel is right?"

Twilight looked down, and then looked up and smiled. Applejack extended her hoof to her, and Twilight joined it. "She would want me to go with you."

"Great", Applejack said. Now it was time. They were no longer just average friends. They were something more.

They were now comrades. Together, they would fight for the freedom of their people.

This Concludes Part 1
> Part II: New Allies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part II: New Allies

One month later...

*                                                       *                                                                 *

After a long day of patrolling, the group of five Lunar soldiers on armored patrol were about to head back to Ponyville. Each vehicle could hold up to eight soldiers, with a driver, a gunner, and six passengers. Armored patrols were necessary now that there were mysterious attacks being reported on Lunar forces on the outskirts of Ponyville. The Lunars thought that, hopefully, the sight of a 25 mm cannon and thick armor  would try to dissuade any attack from dissidents. 

These reports were strange. At random, there were reports of supply vehicles going missing, and turning up a few days later, dead crew and looted. Any patrols that went out came up with nothing. These fighters were hidden, almost as if they were ghosts. 

However, the soldiers were oblivious to any danger, and were simply ready to go back to base and relax.

"Come on", the driver called to the soldiers outside. "The sooner we leave here, the sooner we can get back to base."

"Alright, hold on", one of the soldiers replied. Laughing amongst each other, the group was an unruly one. Discipline was not a major concern of the commanders at the time being. The group started into the rear entrance of the armored vehicle, when something caught their eyes.

Strolling with a small picnic basket in her saddlebag was a young mare, light yellow with a red mane, and a bow to top it off. She strolled casually, but tried to avoid eye contact with the soldiers.

One looked towards his friends. "Hey, want to see what she's up to?"

"Sure", another replied, "why not?"

A third looked toward the driver. "We're going to go see what that mare is up to. Wait here for a bit."
The driver sighed in his seat. "You've got five minutes, okay?" He got out of his position, and made his way over to the back of the vehicle. Meanwhile, three of the soldiers started to advance toward the mare.

"Hey you", one called out. She noticed and looked over, but then turned her head and tried move even faster away from the soldiers. However, they galloped faster, and surrounded her, and one blocked her path with his hoof. Armed for patrol, all three were an intimidating sight to the mare.

"Whoah, easy now", he said to her. "What's a pretty mare like you wandering alone like this?"

"Ah, I don't know", she replied calmly, "minding my own business, I guess."

"Alright", the soldier trailed. "Well, do you mind telling me what's in that basket?"

"Oh, it's nothing important", she replied. "Just some food."

"Is that so", the soldier continued to press on. He motioned to his companions, and they proceeded to push to the ground and hold the mare down with their front hooves.

The mare called out, "Hey! What are you doing?" 

"Sorry miss, but could you provide a snack for us", the first soldier asked her sarcastically smirking, and with one hoof, took the basket out of her bag, and taking it in his mouth. He motioned again to his friends, who pushed the mare aside.

"See you later", one called out. "Thanks for the basket!" The group started to laugh their way as they trotted back to the vehicle.

Applebloom drew herself up, looked down sadly, and trotted slowly towards the forest. The soldiers at the vehicle started laughing at her plight, from what she heard. However, she started to smirk as she moved away.

The group returned, and placed the basket into the back of the vehicle. Three huddled together around the basket, while the other two stood at the door way."Alright", one told the group, "want to see what's inside?" The others nodded in agreement. Looking around at first, to heighten the moment, the colt flew open the basket...
With an alarming amount of clicks from pins being pulled out, and an unwelcome sight.

All Applebloom had to hear was: "BUCK! GRENADES!" 

The soldiers scrambled to move the box. The two at the doorway started to run away as fast as possible.
BAAAAAANNGGGG!!!!
...and when the fuel caught fire:
THOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!

Smoke and fire trailed from the ruined vehicle. Disabled completely from the inside, it was an inferno.  Three dismembered bodies were strewn around, bodies rendered unrecognizable by shrapnel. Inside, was a mix of blood, torn metal, shrapnel, and wood splinters from the basket. The two survivors outside had ducked just in time, and had little or no injury. They looked up, and saw the mare continuing to walk away.

They got up immediately, and started to gallop toward the mare. "HALT! YOU, STOP IMMEDIATELY!"
Applebloom looked back and saw the two advancing soldiers. She started to gallop quicker toward the forest, but they were gaining on her. She kept on moving, though.

"HALT! STOP!"

Applebloom eventually stopped dead in her tracks, and turned around towards the two soldiers. One drew out his rifle, and took aim at Applebloom. "Stay right there, miss." The other proceeded to try and arrest her.

She smiled as out of the ground, two thin wood slabs flew out of place. Out of the holes, emerged two figures covered in leaves, dry grass and twigs, armed with rifles. Without warning, they opened fire on the two soldiers.

"AAARGGHHHHH", both cried out as they fell, now with about seven rounds each inside of them. Applebloom looked down at the two bodies, starting to bleed into the ground. The two figures emerged from their holes, and joined Applebloom at her side. One of the figures drew back the wrap-around from her head, revealing the face of Applejack. 
She looked an saw the damage they had caused. "Good call, sis", Applejack congratulated her sister. 

"Thanks", Applebloom replied. "Told you it would work." The other figure drew back the wrap-around from her head as well, showing herself as Rarity.

"Well that was certainly perfectly executed", she commented. She looked over toward the sisters. "I'm starting to get more accurate!"

"That you are", Applejack replied. She looked back over toward the bodies. "Alright Applebloom, you still have the saddlebag, I see."

"Yes I do", Applebloom told her sister.

"Great", Applejack  answered. "Let's go, and see what we can use from those bodies..."

*                                                                     *                                                                *

The three made it back to the camp by night. They had found nothing particularly interesting; just some ration bars and ammunition. After showing themselves to Pinkie and Scootaloo (who were on sentry duty), they trotted into the camp. The group got up anxiously to hear the news.

"Did it work? Did they fall for it?"

"Oh they fell for it all right", Applejack assured her friends. They breathed sighs of relief. It was unorthodox, but a clever plan. They started to nod and give words of approval for the success. Applebloom went to put what they had taken in the correct places.

Applejack looked around at her friends. Not long ago, they had come out here seeking refuge, with little knowledge of how to defend themselves and a basic will to survive. Now, they were fighting a war. 

Of course, that had some unfortunate results. For one, ever since the invasion, Fluttershy had started to act very hostile, and to a certain extent, insane. She took one assault rifle and kept it for herself, going as far as carving her cutie mark into the stock of it with a knife stolen off of a dead Lunar body. Every time she killed a Lunar in an ambush with the rifle, she carved a hash mark on the other side of the stock. Currently, it had fifteen marks. The group found it very disturbing that she was so hateful. They were used to a peaceful and shy mare, not a killing madpony.

Even more so, they had to survive now on just ration bars and what was left from Derpy's food, as due to their attacks, they would not dare step foot into Ponyville, much less try to visit Derpy and escape with food. They simply hoped it would be okay.

They tried not to dwell on the fact they were killing, but instead looked that hopefully one day they will give in or be overwhelmed by Celestia's forces. And more so, they were the ones who helped make it happen. 
After a while, Applejack and the others took a rest by the fire. Scootaloo and Fluttershy took night watch. Their camp had changed since they first arrived. Now, they took some of the camouflage netting from the backs of Lunar supply vehicles and made small tents. One housed their weapons and ammunition, another housed their food, and a larger third was used by one fortunate enough to find a spot to sleep under it.

"Funny how far we've come", Rainbow Dash said sleepily.

"Indeed", Rarity yawned back.

"Alright, everyone", Twilight told the group, pausing to yawn. "Good night." There was a round of "good nights" from the rest of the group. Comfortable around the fire, they started to drift off into sleep.

*                                                                  *                                                                 *

Three weeks later...

It was the second attack in a week, and Major Gilda was starting to become furious. These so dubbed "terrorists" by the Lunars were causing about as much casualties as the Solar army on the front. Even their armored patrols were useless against them. 

Though originally thought to be Solar Special Operations, analysis on the Lunar  bodies revealed that these attackers were using Lunar weapons.  These were no commandos; they were a militia. Recently, the group started to make their mark on every attack. The painted or carved the mark of Celestia, to show whom they were fighting for.
As with the first attack, mass executions were ordered. Hopefully, the sight of their friends dying would draw them out and force them to surrender. But things took an entirely different path, when these executions became targets for ambushes. 
Entire execution squads were wiped out in seconds, and no one knew who had done it. 
Gilda had contemplated on how to resolve this situation without unnecessary deaths and harming the civilian populace further. As she walked towards the command building alongside the commander, she asked her superior officer a question:

"Sir", she started, "Permission to speak freely."

"Granted, Major", the commander replied.

"Thank you, sir", she answered. "I have been thinking, sir, about how to resolve the attacks. Instead of spreading fear throughout the populace, creating a hatred for us, why do we not win their hearts? If they love us, then they will have no reason to have the help of the resistance group."

"What makes you think that, Major", the commander asked.

"Sir", she said, "may I remind you, I was on the other end of a Lunar rifle barrel once. We griffons fought a short guerilla war against your armies, until you started to overwhelm us. We gave in when we saw that you were going to exterminate us."

"A wise choice", the commander noted.

"Er", Gilda said looking nervous,"...yes, sir." 
"Your idea, though plausible", the commander stated, "is probably not in the interests of Command right now. I will, however, see that it is suggested when..."

"Pardon me, sir", Gilda cut off, "but we've been denied reinforcements for a while. I personally think it is time we took it upon ourselves..."

"Enough about this, Major", the commander ordered. 

"...yes sir", Gilda mumbled under her breath in defeat. 
BOOOOMMM!!!!!
Gilda and the commander hit the ground, covering their heads, as something exploded by the building. After the smoke cleared, they looked at the command building, with windows broken and  more smoke trailing outside. Gilda walked up to the desolation as the dead and wounded were evacuated.

"You see this,", she began, "Commander? That is the work of our enemies! Do you want to procrastinate further?"

The commander got up and looked at the building, and turned to Gilda. 


"Oh, Shut Up."


*                                                              *                                                                             *

Pinkie quickly made it back to the camp. It was hard trying to sneak in the city with her Lunar disguise. It was even more difficult trying to sneak out of the city after the bomb went off. However, she had made it out, safe and sound. When she assured Sweetie Belle, who was on sentry duty, that it was her, she trotted slowly into the camp, where everyone was waiting.

Rainbow Dash was first to ask, "Did it work?"

"Oh,  it went perfectly", Pinkie told the group, removing her disguise. They noticed mane was still flat, and it escaped the group exactly why. She didn't seem sad, which would normally be the cause. Twilight suggested it was probably due to the ordeal of the invasion and her life out of Ponyville.  Pinkie continued: "I don't think the Lunars will be using that building for a while."

"Excellent job, Pinkie", Rarity told her friend, as the group went to crowd and congratulate Pinkie. 

"Yes, it's very brave of you to go alone", Twilight added. "I would have needed backup."

"Thanks", Pinkie answered back. She did feel proud for herself, but at the same time, it was strange to have pride in such a destructive event.

However, Fluttershy was interested in only one thing: "How many do you think you killed, Pinkie?"
The group sighed and rolled their eyes. "It doesn't matter", Applejack told Fluttershy. "What matters is that now they know we mean business, and we are not going to be pushed over. We will NOT take pride in the killing."

"Oh please", Fluttershy answered arrogantly. "You just congratulated Pinkie on her job well done. She killed ponies, didn't she? And you congratulated her, didn't you?"

Applejack and the others looked down and realized what she was saying. Yes, they had just congratulated Pinkie on a killing. Fluttershy smirked.  "I have made my point", she told them, and she trotted away arrogantly. The others looked at her and shook their heads in disapproval.

"What are we ever going to do with her", Applejack asked.

"I don't know", Twilight answered. "I just don't know."

*                                                           *                                                   *

That night the group gathered around the campfire. Having to not want to deal with Fluttershy for the night, they "requested" that she take night watch. Scootaloo offered to partner with her, and the group thought her brave. They gathered around the fire, which illuminated all of them. Wearing their altered uniforms, and some wearing looted officer's berets, they all looked like the rag-tag partisan group they were.

They looked at each other, and they started to all think similar thoughts. Just over a month ago, they were happy-go-lucky mares in Ponyville, with few cares in the world. Now, they were here; surviving and fighting a war, on their own turf and own rules. They would never had thought they would ever be in this position, but they were good at what they did nonetheless.
Pinkie looked up, and asked the group: "I've been thinking... what is the thing you miss the most from Ponyville? I mean, before the war, and all this started?"
The group all paused and thought about it. Twilight was first to speak up. "I guess I miss reading, and being around my friends."

"Same goes here", Applebloom and Sweetie Belle agreed in semi-unison.

"I guess I miss just flying freely", Rainbow Dash said.

"I do miss the farm", Applejack added, looking down. She tried not to think of it, but even now, it was painful to dwell on what happened.

"For me, I guess I miss partying", Pinkie told the group. She then noticed Rarity had said nothing. "What about you Rarity?"
She looked up, and saw that the whole group was looking at her. "Me? Well... there's... um..."

"I bet she's going to say something about her dresses", Rainbow Dash said.

"Actually", Rarity told Rainbow Dash, "no, that's not it."

"Then what is it", Twilight asked. The group now looked more intently and anticipating for Rarity's answer.

Rarity sighed. "Do I really have to say?"

"Yes", was the answer from everyone else in unison.

Rarity looked down, and started to blush. The group started to look even more intently at her, and started to smile. "Rarity why are you blushing", Pinkie asked in a joking manner.

Rarity looked up again, her cheeks red as roses. "Alright, I'll tell you... "

"but it's not something, per say, rather someone..."

Rainbow Dash was getting impatient "Tell us already!"

Rarity knew there was no getting out of this. "Fine..."

"The person I miss most is Spike..."

In almost perfect unison, the group let out a loud "AAAWWWWWWWWWWWW", and started to giggle. 
Rarity continued to blush, as the group laughed. "Come off it, you knew he had a crush on me for a long time. He's quite charming, actually."

"Yeah, but we didn't expect you to return the feeling, sugarcube", Applejack told her, still chuckling.
Rarity started to become serious. "So you thought I was incapable of loving him back?"

"What! No nothing like that", Twilight tried to defend the rest of the group.
She got up. "So you think that I cannot have feelings for Spike."

"Well, he's a little young for you...", Rainbow Dash noted.

"...and he's a dragon", Applejack added.

Rarity scoffed, and looked down. She didn't think it was too crazy. She had shared the feeling with him for a while. She looked at her "friends". "I'm going out", she said, "to clear my head. Don't follow me." She trotted off, and the group watched as she left the fireside. A strange feeling of guilt hung over them.
Pinkie asked the rest "We didn't hurt her, did we?"

"I don't think so", Sweetie Belle answered.

Twilight considered what happened for a moment. Sure, they thought it was cute that Rarity did miss Spike, but they hadn't gone too, had they? After a few moments, Twilight got up too. 
Pinkie asked, "Where are you going?"

"To see where Rarity went", Twilight answered.

"She's just having a drama moment right now", Rainbow Dash told Twilight. "She'll get over it."

"I just want to talk with her", Twilight said indignantly. She then trotted off to follow Rarity...

*                                                              *                                                               *
When Twilight had found Rarity, she was laying in the small field outside of the camp and the rock formation that protected it. Twilight carefully moved toward her friend. She was looking at some sort of flower she picked from the ground, suspending it in the air with her magic. She looked dreamily at it, her thoughts dwelling elsewhere. Twilight took a position next to Rarity, who barely took notice of her.

"So", Twilight started, sitting down. "You and my assistant, huh?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes", Rarity answered back.

"How long has it been", Twilight asked.

Rarity looked at Twilight, and then back at her flower. "We've been...seeing each other... in secret for about a year."

"Well, now I know what he did in his spare time", Twilight joked. Rarity chuckled. She then looked a little more intently at her flower. "I worry for him, Twilight."

Twilight looked at her friend. "You didn't seem too concerned when he was captured", she noted.

"Yes, but that was because I didn't want to say anything", Rarity tried to explain, "and my mind was set on escaping that dreadful invasion!" 

"We all wanted to escape, and we did", Twilight told Rarity. "In case you didn't notice, I was having trouble pulling myself together when he was captured."

"Believe me, I shared your grief", Rarity told her. "I just didn't show it at the time. And now... I can't help but think what's become of him."

Twilight smiled. She hadn't told her (or anyone for that matter), about what she had learned about Spike...

Twilight drew close to Rarity and whispered in her ear, "Spike's alive. He's safe."

Rarity's eyes widened, and she drew her head back, staring at Twilight as if she was insane. "How do you know?"

"When I was watching... Big Mac's execution", Twilight started, "I noticed him in a crowd..."
Rarity cut in, "Good Gracious! Do you think they are going to kill him?"

"Well, he was standing close to what I thought were Lunar officers", Twilight considered. "I would think he's doing what he can to stay alive."

Rarity gasped. "Do you think he would betray us?"

"No, absolutely not", Twilight assured her friend. "If anything, I would say he's feeding them lies about us. If I know Spike, he will always protect who he cares about."

This reassured Rarity. She felt a little more at peace knowing that he was alive. She still wondered though... "Do you think I will ever see him again."

Twilight stroked her mane. "I hope so, Rarity", she told her. Twilight looked out into the distance. There was no telling what this war had in store for them...

"I hope so..."

*                                                                 *                                                          *

Two nights later, Major Gilda washed up, and got into uniform. She had a meeting with the collaborator, and she was running short on time. She went downstairs, to a room where the collaborator was being held. An armed guard stood at the doorway. She saluted the guard, and he saluted back.

"I'm here to see our friend", she told the guard.

"Yes, ma'am, this way", the guard answered, holding the door open for Gilda. The griffon walked inside a decent living room. There was a couch, a few chairs, and a table in the middle. On the chair closest to her, sat her commander. She saluted him, and he motioned for her to take a seat. On the chair opposite, sat a young dragon, young, yet old enough to look rather conspicuous, and  looking nervous. He had a purple tone, with green large scales protruding from his spinal column. The commander gave a reassuring smile to him. Gilda took her seat on the couch, and saw the dossier on the table.

"Now", she started, looking towards the collaborator,  "thank you for coming out her tonight."

"No problem", the dragon answered, smiling back, rubbing his hands together.

"Good", Gilda said, nodding her head. "Now we want to ask you a few questions about your past and former associates, is that clear?"

"Yes ma'am", the dragon answered. Gilda looked at her commander, who nodded at her. She then proceeded to take her clawed foot and open the dossier. Inside were a few documents and pictures, which would be necessary for the interrogation.

"Now, Mr...", Gilda trailed, forgetting the collaborator's name.

"Spike", the dragon answered. 

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Spike", Gilda answered, and she cleared her throat. "You used to work for a pony here in Ponyville. Princess Celestia's student, was it not?"

"Yes ma'am", the dragon answered truthfully. 

"Good", Gilda answered. "Now this student, she had friends yes?"

"Yes, ma'am", the dragon answered truthfully again.

"Do you recall names?"

The dragon looked down. In his mind, he perfectly well knew all of them, especially one...

"I didn't ever get to know any of her friends. I stayed out of her business." It was good lie, he thought. He was going to give as little information about them if he could. He wanted to protect his friends, wherever they were.

"Fair enough", Gilda said, moving on.

"Do you think that these friends could pose a threat, if they wanted to?"

"Why do you ask", Spike questioned. 

Gilda sighed, and looked at the collaborator. "You have probably heard that there has been a few... attacks on Lunar forces in the last few months. We don't know who or what is causing them, but we noticed there were nine mares missing, recorded in the city records. Now, usually we would have just moved on and assumed they were dead, but interestingly, these attacks occurred after their supposed escape."

"And you think it's them", the dragon asked.

"You haven't answered my question, Mr. Spike", Gilda told the dragon. "I asked, can they pose a threat?"

"I don't know.", the dragon answered.

"How can you not know, you worked for Celestia's student for...", Gilda asked.

"I. Don't. Know", Spike cut in. Gilda gave him a menacing look, then calmed down. She closed the dossier, and looked toward her commander, who motioned that they should leave. She turned back to the dragon.

"Well, thank you for your time", she told him.

"My pleasure", Spike assured her, shaking hands. Gilda then proceeded with her commander outside of the door, and into the hallway.

"Do you think he's completely honest, sir", she asked the commander.

"He has nothing to lose, Major", he answered. "Why would he lie?"

"Sir, I have a feeling he's not telling us something", Gilda told him. 

"If we find he's lying", the commander told her, "we'll send him to the prison camp, or shoot him. Does that sound fair to you?"

"Yes sir", Gilda responded. She saluted her officer, and walked away to her quarters.

*                                                                 *                                                             *

The next morning, the group woke up from a long night's rest. They hadn't attacked in a few days. They tried not to attack in any sort of schedule, in order to avoid being caught. Today was another day off for them. They began the routine of stretching, and going to the tent to get a ration bar or some other form of food for their breakfast. All tired and sluggish, they figured they would simply stay within the camp for the day.

Of course, they had to be someone to make sure that they weren't being discovered. So Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo went to patrol the area after breakfast. 

The ones that stayed all gathered around the fire, and Fluttershy went out to get the sticks necessary to start it. When she returned, she laid them down, and Twilight used her magic to light the fire with them. They sat around quietly, looking at the fire, and eating their breakfast. After they were done, Fluttershy got up to collect some herbs and plants for later use.
For the entire group the days felt as if they were getting slower, and that more boring. "If there's one thing I'll die of out here", Rainbow Dash had once joked, "it's boredom." It still made the group chuckle thinking of it. It was true; when they weren't ambushing Lunars, they were living in the camp. Thanks to its isolated location, and their ability to cover their tracks, their life had become more routine and adjustable. However, this did not excuse homesickness, but living among friends helped.

They all reclined and started to daydream. They could talk, but none of them had anything interesting to say at the moment. Laziness had swept in, and taken root in all of the group.

That is, until something came up. Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash came flying low back into the camp. The group shot up. Applejack was first to ask: "What's going on?"

"There's Lunar army vehicle", Rainbow Dash replied. It's headed past us, but it was carrying a lot of soldiers."

"And they were armed", Scootaloo added.

"How many", Twilight asked.

"I counted about fifteen", Scootaloo answered, "but I didn't have much time to figure it out."

"Then why should we be worried", Rarity asked, "If they don't know we're here, we're safe." 
But the situation sat around Applejack's head. Sure, it was probably a patrol, yet again missing them, but a group as large as Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo described couldn't mean anything too good either. She decided on the latter. 

"Can you follow it", Applejack asked Rainbow Dash.

"It was moving in a straight line. I'm pretty sure I'll find it eventually", she answered.
"Good, good", Applejack said, moving over to the weapons tent and starting to load up. She took the rifle, placed a magazine inside, and cocked it, placing it in the sling on the saddle.

"You aren't actually considering going out there, are you", Rarity asked.

"I sure am", Applejack replied, "and I kindly ask you come with me. I don't think those Lunars mean to good, with their weapons and all."

"So you want to go out and meet them", Pinkie asked.

Applejack put a few magazines in the saddle, and readied her sidearm, placing it in the holster. She looked at Pinkie and smirked.

"You were always good at making surprises..."

Pinkie smiled back, and she proceeded to gear up as well. Twilight went second, and soon, the entire group was gearing up and readying to go. Applejack grinned when she saw this. She started to organize the group.

"Alright, Rarity grab those grenades, put them in your pack. Applebloom, take some extra rounds. Twilight, get some medical supplies if we need it..." It went on in a similar fashion until they were ready.

"Let's go pay these Lunars a visit", Applejack said, putting on her hat, and then leading the group away.

*                                                               *                                                           *

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy wore the camo wrap-arounds, staying slightly ahead of the group. When it was safe to move up, Rainbow Dash would signal, and the group would continue to creep forward. They couldn't afford being detected by the enemy.

They tracked the Lunar vehicle for about two hours, until they saw where it stopped. It was a small collection of  four buildings, built around in a circle. There was enough room between them for the vehicle to have passed through. Applejack and the rest tactically moved, trying to stay away from sight, and took up positions behind the buildings. Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked quickly over the corners.

Down the alley were a few bins and an overturn table. Judging by the appearance of the building, along with assorted objects scattering the ground, it was easy to judge this was a storage space. They saw in the center, was about eight of the fifteen strong detachment on the ground. Their officer was yelling at a colt and his wife.

"What are you hiding in these storehouses? Are you supplying the rebels?"

The colt nervously shook. "Nnn...no sir. We've...We've been holding extra food here, just in case..."

A hoof struck the colt down. The officer looked down and spat on the stumbling colt. The mare tried to help her husband, but was pushed back by one of the soldiers.

The mare grew panicked. "Please! Stop it! Please!" When her husband had started to get up, he was thrown down again by the officer.

Applejack look at the scene, and decided something needed to be done here. She motioned for everyone to gather on her. Quickly and silently, the group gathered around Applejack.

"All right, here's the plan", she started. "Applebloom, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash, you're all with me. We're going to go down this alley, and take up positions behind those bins and the table." She looked again, and saw the alley across from them had a similar deposition. "Alright, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Scootaloo, take up position over there." She pointed with her hoof where they were heading. "When you feel it's right, take the shot. Remember, hostiles only; no enemy survivors"
"What about me and Rarity", Sweetie Belle asked. Applejack looked at one of the building. It had a flat roof; easily accessible. There was an awning that was ramped, though.

"Alright ", Applejack said, pointing to the building. "I want you two on top of that roof there."

"What, are you insane", Rarity told Applejack . 

"You have the grenades", Applejack said. "I want you to roll a few down that awning, on down right onto the enemy. Hopefully, My and Pinkie's assault will drive them into the corner. 
Rarity sighed. "Fine, I'll do it." She then went with Sweetie Belle to the other building, and scaled the roof, getting down flat upon arrival, and started to crawl towards the edge.

"What do you want me to do sister", Sweetie Belle asked.

"Give me grenades when I tell you to, alright", Rarity answered.
The officer continued to abuse the husband with  blows and scourges, until he called one of his soldiers .

"I want every spot of the..." It was standard talk. There are obviously just "following orders." 

"I also want these two dead or taken prisoner."

"What about the colt", one of the soldiers asked. "I don't think he can get up on his own right now."

"Then shoot the bucker", the officer told him. 

Applejack nodded to the rest of her group, and they all cocked their guns ready. She looked up on the roof and saw Rarity in position. When she felt confident, she started to move into the alleyway.

Two soldiers tried to steady the mare and one was readying his rifle for the colt.  The others were assorted around the perimeter or in the vehicle. The soldiers tried to force down the mare who started to resist. When she looked up, she saw the outline of Applejack. Applejack motioned that the mare should get down. When she finally fell, she kept down and stopped struggling.

Applejack took the rifle, and slammed down the bipod to the standing position. The noise attracted the attention of one of the guards, and soon, both looked over to see Applejack.

Then, after two discharges,  two bullets wizzed through the air from seperate directions. And both hit the soldiers directly in head, making a mess and dropping both instantly.

"Contact!"

The soldiers gathered their weapons and the two squads started to lay down their volley on the soldiers. In a frenzied motion, brass fell from the ejection ports, and bullets flew at high velocities to where they were shot at. With a deadly barrage of bullets, it was hard for the Lunars to dodge them. The driver got out of the vehicle, but was immediately taken down by a bullet from Fluttershy's rifle. The Lunars who didn't make it to behind cover in time were too mowed down by the ambush.

The surviving Lunars, numbering ten, looked around. They took their rifles out, and started to return fire, unsuccessfully hitting any of the ambushers. Rarity knew this was her chance. "Alright, Sweetie Belle, hand me one." Sweetie Belle handed one off with her magic. She suspended it in the air, and looked down on the Lunars and grinned. She pulled the pin, and the spoon came off. She then laid the grenade on the slope, and let it roll down. It fell in the midst of several Lunars.

"GRENADE! GRENADE! GET OUT OF THE..."

BAAAANNGGGG!!!!

Three unfortunate Lunars were caught in the blast. Out of those who made it out, two were cut down by gun fire. The four of the five surviving Lunars started to try to hold out with their sidearms, and one with his rifle. They made it behind a small piece of cover, and Rarity drew her rifle. She stumbled back when the Lunar with the rifle fired on her position.  
The group came out of the alleyway and started to engage the enemy head out. Applejack rested her rifle on an overturned table, and took aim at the Lunars. These last five were putting up a good fight. However, Applejack managed to take one down. Fluttershy got another almost immediately after. They reloaded and moved on.
In the midst of the chaos, Rainbow Dash flew out, and hovering, started to shoot. The Lunars took cover, save one, who took a rifle wound to the side. She went back down on the ground and looked around. She saw a Lunar Soldier wounded, trying to reach his sidearm. He was almost done, when Rainbow Dash drew up her rifle and...

click!

That was it. click! Rainbow Dash looked at her gun. It couldn't be out, could it? Was it jammed? At any other time, this would be humorous. But now, in battle, this was deadly. She tried desperately to find out what was going on. The Lunar drew up his sidearm, and aimed it directly at Rainbow Dash. There was no chance he could miss. Rainbow Dash looked in terror as he started to squeeze the trigger...

Applejack was still firing at the other Lunars, when she saw Rainbow Dash's predicament. She then rushed over to Rainbow Dash. She jumped up and pushed her out of the way...

"AAAGGH!!!"

Applejack tumbled to the ground. Rainbow Dash got up, and saw her friend, laying there on the ground, hat near her. She crawled over to her. She looked up, and saw the Lunar was going to try for another shot.
Until a hoof came shooting out from Applejack, holding a sidearm, and pulling the trigger. No sooner had the casing hit the ground, did the bullet speed its way to its target. When it hit, the bullet painted the ground with the Lunar's blood and brain matter.

Rainbow Dash looked down in confusion, and saw Applejack with both eyes open, and one hoof covering her face. Rainbow Dash pushed it aside, and saw the wound that Applejack received.  

"How bad is it", Applejack asked.

"Not too bad", Rainbow Dash answered. She was grazed by the bullet on the left cheek. Not much, and Twilight could patch it up. But Rainbow Dash figured it probably would leave a scar. Twilight came over with her bag, and both her and Rainbow Dash moved Applejack to a safer location, and Twilight got to work patching Applejack up. 

It hurt, but it was necessary. Applejack did flinch and clenched her teeth in pain a few times, but it was alright. She looked at the carnage. Pinkie was checking the mare and the colt. Unfortunately, despite her warning, both the mare and her husband had been caught in the crossfire. During the battle, they had bled out, and there was nothing they could do now. Once Twilight had patched her face up enough, Applejack motioned for her to stop, and she got up. Applejack then went to pick up her hat, and placed it on her head once more.

"Alright", Applejack started, "let's go before anyone catches us." The group nodded in agreement, and they moved out back to camp.
*                                                                    *                                                              *
Gilda was not in the best of moods at the moment. The report had just come in, and she was going to show the commander. It was ridiculous to her now, that this happened. She knew now, things were very serious, and they needed to take much more action. This was simply unacceptable.

Since the bombing of the command building (one that had taken three lives), the lower level of the mayor's residence were now used to house the command in Ponyville. The commander now used his quarters to run certain operations. Gilda stormed in with the reports, and threw them onto his table.

"Fifteen, sir", she started. "Fifteen of our guys. Just, wiped out. And two civilian casualties. And sir, guess what, we don't know who did this one either."

The commander looked over and read the reports. Yesterday, a fifteen-strong group went to investigate a supposed dissident on the outskirts of Ponyville. Now, they were all found dead with the suspected couple. By the looks of it, it was almost certainly another ambush. The commander sighed. It was hard to see all of his soldiers die.

"Major Gilda", the commander began, "I have requested Command send us more reinforcements over and over, but they are too tangled up with the Solars right now..."

"Sir, we have been ignored for too long...", Gilda cut in.

"Let me finish", the commander said. "Command did say in light of the recent attacks on our armored vehicles, and I'm sure this one would help too, they are going to see what they can do."

Gilda sighed. "How long do you think it will take for Command to keep a promise, sir?"

"I don't know, Major", the commander answered, "but at least be thankful they've noticed our plight."
"Yes sir", Gilda replied and saluted. She walked out of the room.  Still disgruntled, she was somewhat satisfied with the result. But overall, she couldn't stand that Command was ignoring them. Hopefully, this new "help" would do something useful.

*                                                                *                                                       *

A few days later, the group was eating breakfast by the fire. A silence hung over them, as they had nothing interesting to say at the moment. Applejack's wound was starting to heal, which was good. However, the clear mark of the stitching was still present. It had hurt, but Applejack was able to take the pain.

Fluttershy, to their disapproval, had gone to work adding the hash marks on the stock of her rifle. At the moment, she was cleaning it, making sure there wasn't any dirt or other things clogging the receiver.
The morning was cool; not too sunny. It had been getting colder for the last few months, but it was tolerable. As a result of their last engagement, the group decided to lay low for a while, and not draw attention to themselves. Though they had succeeded in wiping out the Lunar soldiers, they felt sorry that the colt and his wife were killed in the process. 

"Quiet, isn't it", Sweetie Belle noted.

"Have anything interesting to say", Rarity asked.

Sweetie Belle shrugged. "Nothing I can think of."

FWOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM
FWOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM

Two objects flew across the skies at high speeds. The entire group dropped what they were doing and viewed the skies. 
There were two aircraft, dogfighting it out across the clouds. Rainbow Dash's face grew ecstatic. She started to fly up to try and get a better look. When they started to move away, she tried to move along with them.

"Where are you going", Pinkie asked.

"Oh come on, this is too awesome to pass up", Rainbow Dash replied. "I may never get see anything like this again."
"Fine, go", Applejack said, "but take a rifle with you at least!"

"Okay", Rainbow Dash replied joyfully. She took a rifle from the tent, and flew low to find the best spot to see the spectacle.

*                                                              *                                                        *

She quickly flew to an open spot, just outside the rock bed. She set herself down and looked to the skies. Quickly maneuvering, and speeding across the skies, were two fighters. She tried to see which was which, but she could not see the roundels to be sure. She was still thrilled at the sight.

The fighters were almost identical, further hindering identification. The pegasus was encased in a mobile vehicle. A metal wing shooting straight out protruded from each side. On each was mounted objects known as "missiles". Both had two tail fins in the rear, above the engines, which were powered by the pegasus's  wings. This was the reason that only pegasi could fly these vehicles; the wings were absolutely necessary.

"This is sooooo awesome" , she said to herself. Not for a second would she take her gaze off the skies. She kept on thinking of what she'd give to be up there with them...
She saw one of the fighters zip down, and then arced back up. Unfortunately, this was just what the other fighter was waiting for. She saw a trail of smoke as a missile left the pursuing fighter, hitting it right in the rear. Smoke trailed as the fighter started to fall apart in air. Rainbow Dash watched with mixed horror and enthusiasm as the aircraft dropped from the skies, crashing somewhere distant. 

However, she saw something falling from a parachute. As it came closer, she saw it was a pegasus. In full gear, he fell gracefully by a parachute attached below the wings, humorously arching him as he fell. She saw that he would land not far from where she was now, so she followed the parachute as it fell. 

Once he landed, Rainbow Dash slowly flew towards the pegasus. She couldn't (and didn't bother to find out) which side he belonged to, so she kept her rifle close, hovering over him. Helmet still on, he seemed unconscious, or worse, dead. To make sure, she poked him with the barrel of her rifle.
Immediately the body grunted, and turned over to see Rainbow Dash. She couldn't tell what he looked like due to the helmet.  

"Huhh...", he let out. 

He noticed her there, and he tried to reach for his sidearm. Rainbow Dash cocked her rifle and aimed it at the pegasus. She shouted, "Solar or Lunar!"

The pilot was hasty to drop his hooves and reply. "Whoah! Solar! Solar!"

"How can I be sure", she asked, now ready to kill him if he was lying.

"Check the bucking patches", he replied. She looked on his uniform. The Solar symbol, along with a unit symbol were on there. Upon closer inspection, she recoginized that symbol...
She looked at the pilot skeptically. "Remove your helmet. Now", she commanded. The pilot hastened to do so. When she saw the helmet come off, her mouth dropped from shock. She definitely recognized the patch, and more so, the pilot in front of her...

*                                                                   *                                                          *  

The group waited for Rainbow Dash's return. They had heard the explosion, and saw the smoke trail. The battle was over, but where was Rainbow Dash? 

"Dang it, Rainbow Dash, where are you", Applejack said to herself. She got up. "Applebloom, Scootaloo. Go and see if you can find that dreamer." Both of them got up and started to trot to where she went. They didn't make it far before they stopped, and took a step back.

"Well what is it", Rarity asked.

"Rainbow Dash is coming...", Scootaloo told the group.

"...but she's got company", Applebloom added.

The group got up, and was going to prepare and get the weapons, when they saw Rainbow Dash  escorting another figure into the camp. In a full flight suit, the pegasus was obviously one of the pilots shot down. The group looked in awe at him as he took a seat by the fire. Their eyes seemed to trail every movement, making him feel a little uncomfortable.
"Is that...", Fluttershy started.

"Yep", Rainbow Dash answered.

The group gave him a few minutes to relax. Applejack looked over in disbelief, and moved toward the pilot, moving away those in her way. She took a seat, and started staring straight at him with an intrigued look. He looked nervously at her.

"Errr... what do you want", he asked.

"Who are you", Applejack asked.

"I am a Lieutenant Colonel in the Solar Royal Air Force, Wonderbolts Squadron. Service Number 72-678-393. Call sign 
"Soarin'" at your service ma'am", he said proudly, giving her a salute. She raised her hoof in attempted salute back. The pilot chuckled.

"Why were you flying over here", Twilight asked.

"I was being chased. There was an air battle over Canterlot, and I got separated from the main group. Some of their guys broke off and chased me. I decided to take a stand."

"How did you get shot down", Rainbow Dash asked.

"It was five to one. I got four", Soarin' said boastfully. "Fifth bucker got lucky." The group looked generally impressed at the feat. Twilight came over and examined Soarin' to make sure he was okay. 

"Well you seem fine", Twilight observed.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little jostled by the eject, that's all", the pilot answered.

Applejack got up, and looked at Soarin'. "Well, um, welcome to our little camp. It ain't much, but it'll do. Tell me or one of the others if you need anything."

"Alright, thanks for the courtesy", Soarin' replied.

Twilight went to the food tent. "Need anything to eat? Drink?" Soarin' looked at her.

"If you've got water that isn't dirty, then that's fine", he told her. She went and got a canteen and filled it from the stream. He then looked at the tent. "Is that entire thing filled with food."

"Mostly ration bars and what we can scavenge. But, yeah", Pinkie answered.

"Heh", Soarin' said. "You mares should consider yourselves lucky, having all that food. Ponies in Appleloosa would give anything for some of what you've got. They're surviving on small creatures and stale bread, and..." He stopped and paused, staring at the ground.

Rainbow Dash had become interested "And?"  

"Well... each other", Soarin answered. "They light the funeral pyres at night; it's barbaric."

Rarity was shocked at the idea: "Good Gracious!"

"Well, they've gotta survive somehow", Soarin' told her.
*                                                                    *                                                               *
Later once Soarin' was completely settled, the group gathered around the fire again. Soarin' was still sipping his water when Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Applebloom came up to him. He noticed them. "Anything I can help you with?"

"We just want to ask a few questions", Scootaloo said.

"You mares sure are chatty...", Soarin' noted.

"Well, it's just been us nine for over a month. We were starting to forget there was anyone else we could talk to."

"Fair enough", the pilot said, "Shoot. What do you want to know?"

"How do you fly one of those things", Applebloom asked.

"It's not simple, I can tell you that", Soarin' replied, "but what they do is that they put the pegasus's wings in a sort of machine in the fighter. The machine locks onto my wings, and then I can give it power. In front of me is a control stick, and on those are triggers for my gun and missiles." 

"So, only pegasi can fly them", Sweetie Belle said. 

"Well, only the fighters and bombers", Soarin' told them. "But they have developed a sort of aircraft for earth and unicorn ponies to fly as well. It's a strange contraption."

Sweetie Belle moved out for a moment, and returned carrying a beret with her magic. She placed it in front of Soarin'. "See that", she said, "took it off a Lunar officer."

Soarin' inspected it. "Well, it looks like it belonged to a corporal", he observed. "But it'll do just fine on a Colonel", he continued, putting it on.

"Ahem", Pinkie cut in. 

Soarin' looked over at her."Yes?"

"If it's alright with you, then we'd all like to ask you a question", she declared. The others nodded in agreement. Soarin' turned over an looked at the group as whole.

"What do you want to know?"

"We want to know", Applejack started to ask, "what's going on in the outside world. How's the war going? Who's winning?"

The pegasus looked down into his mug. "Well, it could be better."
"
What do you mean", Rarity asked.

"Well, here's the situation", he said.  He started motioning with his hoof.

"We've got these territories here, to the north. In the mountains, Celestia's got her own fortress. She's safe there." He motioned to a western portion. "Here is where I fly out of: Marejave Desert. The airfield was attacked during the initial invasion, but we repelled them." He then made four marks in the dirt, and everyone got up to see. "These things here, represent cities that weren't so lucky." He pointed to one. "That one there is Manehattan. It was captured in matter of hours; there was no escape." He pointed to one above the second he made. "That one's Canterlot. Lunar pegasi brought that place down, save a few buildings. The princess made it out though. What's left is under Lunar control." Twilight started to look concerned. He then pointed to another far off one. "That one's Appleloosa. Even though they got hoofs on the ground initially, our boys drove them out. But then they just encircled us. They're not getting out easily." He then looked at the second one he made. "Well, then there's your town: Ponyville. So close and yet so far..."

"What about Cloudsdale", Rainbow Dash cut in, asking.

Soarin' looked nervously in his drink for a moment, then chuckled nervously. "Cloudsdale's gone."

Rainbow Dash was confused "What do you mean ,captured?"

"No", the pilot said, "I said gone. Cloudsdale no longer exists; it's history. The Lunars obliterated it. Not a trace left."

Rainbow Dash dropped her mouth in shock. A city as great as Cloudsdale... gone? The rest of the group looked concerned as well.

"Who's winning", Twilight asked. 

"Well, for the moment, our counter-attack is going pretty well", Soarin' said. "Not perfect, but we're getting there." 

"Who's on either side", Pinkie asked.

"Well, the griffons are in league with the Lunars", the pilot stated. "They came in after the main Lunar one. As for us", he took another sip of his water, "we've got 500,000 buffalo on our side." 

"Last I heard, there were a million", Applebloom said.

"There were", the pilot replied. The group looked uneasily at each other when they realized the meaning of the grim statement.

"Alright...", Applejack trailed. "Er, thank you, I guess"

"No problem", Soarin' answered. He then looked over and saw Fluttershy carving something into the stock of her rifle. He had noticed the hash marks earlier, too.

"All that hate's gonna burn you up", he warned her. 

She looked up. "Yeah, well, it keeps me warm."

*                                                             *                                                          *

Major Gilda sat in her temporary office, doing reports. They hadn't struck in a few days, but she was always on her watch. She was now awaiting intelligence. Apparently, from one of the things the collaborator had said, they had found something in the records regarding the "student of Celestia."

Gilda was simply overworked. She expected that this invasion would go smoothly, and without much trouble. But now... all these attacks and killings was making her life hell. She wished she could be back home, but her place was with her soldiers.

Gilda raised her head when she saw young mare walk in, dropping the dossier on her desk. "Thank you", replied. She then proceeded to open and read the information. She then noticed some odd things about this pony, and...

She went down the halls, and to the commanders office. She knocked, and she heard a voice from behind say, "come in."

The commander looked at Gilda, holding the dossier. "Where did you get that Major", the Commander asked.

"Sir, I requested these come in, and look at what we've found", she said, slamming the dossier on the desk. Out spilled were news clippings, medical records, and other documents concerning the subject of the dossier. "Sir, I've found our ambushers. The student of Celestia, along with five of her friends, were all present at Nightmare Moon's return. They were the ones rumored to have tried to fight her before Celestia came it.

"And", the Commander asked.

"That means", Gilda said, "that they aren't as easy to kill as we thought. If they were capable to standing up to an alicorn, then our soldiers must be nothing."

The commander overlooked the general files for each of the suspects. Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkimena Diane Pie, and Fluttershy. Six friends; one problem. "We should put notices out for all six of these mares", the commander said, "in case they wander out in the streets.

"I'll have my boys do it immediately, sir", Gilda answered, saluting the commander.

"Yes, Major, you are dismissed", the Commander said. "Thank you for the intel."

"It was my plessure sir", Gilda replied, then something came to mind. "Sir, what should we do with our little 'collaborator'".
The commander thought for a second. "Well, if he knew these things all along ,then that can't go unpunished... see that he is kept under house arrest."

"Yes, sir", Major Gilda replied.

*                                                                    *                                                          *

Two days later, Rainbow Dash looked from a distance as Soarin' did some flying exercises. She was completely distracted by the pegasus. Here he was, her childhood idol, right before her, and as far as she was concerned, living among her and her friends. She looked dreamily at him...

"I know that look", a familiar voice came from behind. Rainbow Dash broke out of her trance to see it was Rarity.

"Oh please, Rarity" Rainbow Dash replied. "Who are you to talk."

"Hmmm, I don't really know", she answered. "What I do know is that you're liking what you're seeing.

"Heh, you're the one wanting to date a dragon", Rainbow Dash tried to defend.

"Darling, you're the one staring at a pegasus that's much older than you", Rarity noted.

"Touché" Rainbow Dash replied, knowing she was beat. She did like him, but would she ever consider...
Rarity put a reassuring hoof on Rainbow Dash's back, and winked.  "It's alright. We'll keep it between us okay?"

"Alright", Rainbow Dash answered. She liked him, but not in that way... or did she?

She was very confused.

*                                                                    *                                                           *

That night, Rarity walked back through the camp, and saw Twilight rummaging through some supplies. The others were meeting with Soarin' out by the watch fire. She had thought about it, and now she asked. "Twilight, do you see any writing material in there?"

"What do you need it for", Twilight asked.

"Just, is it there", Rarity asked indignantly. Twilight continued to look through all the gear packs that they found off of dead Lunars. She went on until she found one with a service journal and a pen. 

"Will this do", Twilight asked, holding both up with her magic.

"Perfect", Rarity replied, taking it for herself. She tore out a page and started to write her own letter. Twilight stopped her rummaging and became curious.

"What are you writing", she asked. 

"Oh, just a letter", Rarity replied.

"To who", Twilight started to pry, with a hint of friendly suspicion in her voice.

"Ugh", was Rarity's only response, before finishing and folding up the paper. She placed it in the pockets of one of the uniforms. She sighed, and looked at Twilight. "It was a letter to Spike. Hopefully, when this is all over, I can give it to him personally."

"Well, that's sweet", Twilight answered.

"Yes...", Rarity trailed. Here she was again: lovesick over Spike. She wanted the war to end so desperately, so everything could go back to normal, and she could see him again...
*                                                                    *                                                        *
At the meeting, Soarin' took the lead, drawing out a map with his hoof. Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie and Applejack gathered around. For the last hour, they had been planning a surprise attack. Soarin' had heard about the camp from Applejack, and from what she described it as, he felt they had a shot of shutting it down. Now, they were organizing such a move. Right now, the plan was that hopefully, the first vehicle they had killed the crew of, would work. Then, they would drive in, with the driver (played by Applejack), be disguised, and start a riot. They had enough rifle crates to arm the prisoners, so hopefully that would aid in the attack.

"...alright, we're going to flank them here", he told them, "and take out whatever we find. Hopefully, it'll be an easy in and out mission, but I'm not sure what's going to happen. Any questions?"
"Yes, I do", Applejack said. "What in the hay is a flank, other than the other side of a pony?" Soarin' looked down, and rubbed his hoof on his face. This was going to be more complicated then it needed to be.

"Look, here's the plan simply", Soarin told them. "We're going to go in, using that vehicle, and we're going to shoot whatever Lunars we see. And then we'll arm and free the prisoners. Simple enough?" The small group agreed it was. "Alright", Soarin said, exhaling. "Tomorrow, we've got a vehicle to get working."

*                                                                     *                                                                    *

The next night, the guards at the camp gate were getting lazy. The prisoners were constantly complaining, and more and more had to be put out of their misery. However, it was ultimate boredom. 
Then they saw a vehicle coming up to the camp. They weren't told they were getting any supplies that day. To be sure, one of the three guards took binoculars and looked into the driver seat.

No fooling; there was a figure in a Lunar army uniform in there.  But by regulation, they had to stop the vehicle. So when it approached, the head guard, placed up a hoof and it stopped when it reached the guard station.
The guard moved towards the driver's window, and he looked up:

To see a mare holding a pistol to his face. 

BANG!

The guard dropped instantly, and his two friends were alerted by the gunshot. Before they could react, Fluttershy and Soarin' came out of their hiding positions in the rear of the vehicle and cut down both of the guards relatively quickly.

"Hold on back there", Applejack yelled out as she started the throttle. It was amazing; she had no previous experience driving, but she was already like a pro. The vehicle then moved forward into the camp, getting the attention of both the Lunar soldiers and the inmates. The inmates recognized that this is what they were waiting for, and they ran towards to vehicle. The Lunars were torn between gunning down the fleeing prisoners and at the intruders. Some already were firing on the vehicle, and Rainbow Dash was returning fire. Round after round, Lunar soldiers dropped, and she stayed alive. Soarin' and Pinkie were on the other side, handing out assault rifles.

"One per person! One per person! Come on, let's go", Pinkie called out. The prisoners eagerly took the rifles, and rushed to positions where they could mount their rifles and shoot at the Lunars. To each and every  one of them, this was a treat. The roles were starting to reverse. She smiled as she saw them run out enthusiastically to fight the oppression. 

*                                                                       *                                                                    *

Major Gilda stormed into the fight, side arm in hand, as griffons and Lunars all took positions to fight off the uprising. She had no clue what started this, or how they got weapons. All she knew was that his was not good.

"Hold your lines men, don't give into these filth", Gilda yelled, rallying her soldiers. There were a few prisoners trying to take and offensive, and now Gilda was laying the perfect trap for them.
"Ready men!"

The prisoners drew near, shouting like maniacs.

"...Fire now!"
The Lunars and griffons opened fire, and soon all of the advancing prisoners were cut down like weeds. The soldiers then moved up with Major Gilda. She marched until she found a young officer. "What happened? Who caused this", she asked yelling.

"The...There was a vehicle ma'am. It just stormed in", the officer said. "It...there was something in the back. They opened fire. All the gate guards...they're dead. Now, they're arming the prisoners..."

She understood now. It was another ambush. Except, this one was more serious. She then continued to press on with her soldiers. Being a griffon, she could both move and shoot at the same time. With phenomenal accuracy, she took down at least three prisoners in ten seconds. This seemed too easy. Even armed, this... mob, wasn't different than any other prison riot. 

She then walked until she saw the vehicle, and the ponies in the back. She then put a new magazine into her sidearm, and then aimed it at the vehicle, and started firing.

*                                                                      *                                                                   *

Applejack was shooting from the driver's seat. She looked out the window, and shot at any Lunar she could see. But she started to also see something else as well: the decimation of the prisoners. She hated to say it, but this was not working. 
She then heard the thumps as bullets started to hit the side door. She put her head down, and looked barely over. She saw a female griffon, full uniform, heading right towards the vehicle, shooting as she went. Applejack sent a round or two her way, but both missed. However, the griffon went to duck for cover. Applejack knew that if she stayed here any longer, then she wasn't going to live.

"Alright", she yelled out, "we are leaving!"

Rainbow Dash called out "Applejack, no wait! Are you going to abandon these guys?"

Applejack replied: "There's nothing we can do now; if we wait we're dead!"

"Alright", Soarin' called back, "I agree, let's go back. Gun it!"

Soon, they were speeding away from the camp, as the chaos of the battle covered their escape.

*                                                                    *                                                                     *

Hours later, Gilda was marching alongside her commander in what used to be the  prison camp. As she walked, she saw the lines of dead griffons and Lunars, along with the dead prisoners. Just as well, new piles were being started, as the familiar sound of gunfire was heard executing any surviving rioters and prisoners. 

"Command can't ignore anything like this, sir", Gilda told her commander. "This is what happens if we let it become a problem for too long!"

"This act is heinous", the commander noted. He wanted support much like everyone else. "Whatever happens, we're going to get these reinforcements. They can't deny us now."

"That's what I'm saying, sir", Gilda replied. 

"That reminds me Major", the commander remembered, "what did exactly did you do during the battle?"

"Sir, I was with my men, helping putting down rioters", she answered. She wasn't going to dare telling him about missing the vehicle and its occupants.

"I see", the commander commented. "Well, I must commend you for your efforts. Too bad those ruffians got away, but we will get them, alright Major?"

"Yes, sir", she replied.

*                                                                       *                                                             *

Several days later, the group was still a little excited over the raid. Sure, it wasn't a complete success, but they caused a lot of havoc nonetheless. That was what they were primarily hoping for. 
Soarin' was walking around the camp, when he felt a bump on his right rear leg. He looked back to see Applebloom.

"Hey, sir, if you don't mind, could you come here for a moment", she asked. He nodded, and he followed her to the weapons tent. Around the tent were Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. In front of them was a solid metal case, half open. "We've been trying to find out what this is, but none of us could tell. We were hoping you could tell us."
Soarin' moved towards the case, and  flipped it open. In it he saw a cylindrical shape. Next to it, a more of a cone, with a small cylinder attached to the end. He also saw a scope that could mount onto a rail. There was no secret on what this was.

"You three seemingly have rocket launcher on your hooves", Soarin' said.

"A what", Applebloom asked.

"A rocket launcher. It's a device that shoots what's called a rocket at a target. These rockets are designed to take down more heavily armored equipment."

Scootaloo started to understand."So, you're saying this could've been useful much earlier for us?"

"Probably, yes", Soarin' answered.

"Well, that's fine and all, having a rock... whatever you call it", Applebloom said, "But how do we use it?"

"You take the rocket, and place it in the front", Soarin' explained, pointing exactly where. "Then you just pull the trigger, and it should fire."

"Simple enough", Sweetie Belle observed. 

"Certainly is", Soarin' agreed.

"Well, er, thank you, Soarin'", Applebloom said.

"My pleasure", Soarin' answered. And he trotted off.
*                                                                  *                                                               *
That evening, the entire group was eating dinner around the fire. They were quiet once more, except for Soarin' and Rainbow Dash, who were discussing her flying techniques.

"You seem like a good flier, why didn't you sign up for one of the academies? You could've made Wonderbolt", Soarin' asked.

"I did try for a while", Rainbow Dash answered.  "When the positions opened up again, I signed up, but after the pre- examination and tests, they said I wasn't capable of flying one of their aircraft. They said I was too reckless. Also, I wanted to stay with my friends a bit longer."

"I think they're just throwing your talent away", Soarin' told her. "You should be up there with us."
Rainbow Dash smiled. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

Applejack listened to the conversation, and contemplated on something she had thought about for a while. Though they were successfully fighting the Lunars, she feared that eventually, they might be found. She remembered Big Mac. He went down bravely, but he was still dead. She didn't want her, Applebloom, or any of her friends the same way. From what she knew, Soarin' was fully aware of where Solar territory was. So perhaps...

"Ah, Soarin', can I talk to you for a bit", Applejack asked. 

Soarin' got up."Sure thing", he answered. He followed her to a secluded spot away from the group.

"Listen, do you know how to get to Solar territory", Applejack asked in a whisper. 

"I know where to go, yes", Soarin' replied. "Why?"

Applejack looked at the group to make sure they weren't prying or looking over. "Listen, my friends and I have been out here 
for a while. I've seen my own brother die before my eyes to a Lunar execution squad, and I don't want my sister, my friends, or I to suffer the same fate. I want you to take us to Solar territory; to freedom and safety."

Soarin' sighed, and looked down, thinking about what to say and do. He perfectly knew where to go. The problem was, that she wanted safety. The only way he knew to get to Solar territory was through a certain area... "If you want to get into Solar territory, it's not going to be easy."

"I know, but why", Applejack asked. 

"Well, first I must ask you", Soarin' told her, "What are willing to do to be free?"

"I've been fighting a war with my friends for months against oppression; I'm willing to do what it takes", Applejack answered.

"Good", Soarin' said. "Because the only way to get to Solar territory from where you are is right through the front lines."

"What! We have to go into the combat zone", Applejack asked. She thought there was some way without having to go through there.

"The Lunars are not holding much above Ponyville, and certainly not far from where you are right now. And right across from them is the Solar lines. We're nearly neck and neck with them. So if you want to go, we're going to have to cross the lines. Trust me, it's not as easy as it sounds. Both sides would shoot you if they saw you."
Applejack was confused "Why?"

"Well, for one, you're wearing Lunar uniforms and using Lunar weapons", Soarin' observed. "You may have taken the patches off, but it's hard to see from a distance. Plus, they don't know if you're friend or foe. The Lunars would definitely know you're not friendly, and will obviously try to shoot you on sight."
Applejack was taken back. Sure, she'd thought they'd have some trouble. Maybe a patrol or two. But she never thought she'd have to go through the front lines themselves. But she realized that if they were going to be safe, then they had to brave anything that stood in their way. 

She knew her friends: they would go the distance to achieve a goal. If they had to cross a warzone to be safe forever, then they would do it. "Alright", Applejack spoke lowly, "I'll tell the group. How long do you think we'll have to wait?"
"Well, you seem to have enough supplies. I'd say if we leave by dawn tomorrow, then we should be fine", Soarin' told her.

"Good, I'll tell the rest", Applejack replied. She started to trot away from the pilot, and then stopped, and looked back. "Thank you for everything."

"If anything, I owe you", Soarin' said. "If it wasn't for your pegasus friend, I'd have been stranded and probably dead, or worse, by now. So if anything thank you."

Applejack smiled. "You're welcome, I guess." She started again towards the fire, and Soarin' followed her. The group lifted their heads when they noticed Applejack was going to tell them something.

"Y'all, I've been thinking", she started. "Together, for over a month, we've been fighting out here against the oppression of invaders and the elements that surround us. All of us have been brave in action. I cannot ask for any better friends than 
you." The group smiled when she said this. "But, as you are my friends, I'm dedicated to making sure you all are safe, and I've got this feeling those Lunars are going to do something big to try and wipe us out. I'm not going to take a chance; I want all of us to make it out of this, alive. 

"So I asked Soarin' to take us to Solar territory. He told me, to get there we're going to have go somewhere dangerous: the front lines of this war." The group gasped, and looked nervously. "But I have faith you all of you, that you will be strong with one another. With our friendship, and our reliability on one another, I think we can make it out just fine. Once we're in Solar territory, then we can be escorted to safety, and hopefully not have to fight anymore." 

Applejack sighed. "I can't ask any more of my friends, but are you willing to go the distance to be free? To go through the worst of places, so you can be safe?"

Everyone started to think. The thought of dying out here had loomed over their heads for a long time. Every day, they had to watch out and pray that the Lunars didn't find them, because if they were found, it meant certain death. They worried that eventually, they'd run out of food, or their weapons would stop working. Then they would be trapped, and they could either perish from the hunger or die at the hands of the enemy. They tried not to think of it, but they knew that they couldn't hold out forever.

"Leaving means abandoning Ponyville", Twilight started. "I'm not sure if I can do that." The others started to think similarly. Sure, they hadn't done much inside the city, but they had managed to show up the Lunars, and make them fear them. They knew they couldn't kill every single one, or force them to surrender and leave, but they could do what they could. If they left, then they would leave Ponyville to a terrible fate. But the Solars would come, wouldn't they? They would eventually liberate the city, would they not? So leaving meant they would survive long enough to come back triumphant. There was no shame in that, was there? 

It was quite the dilemma for the group. They were not sure if they should stay or go. Survival was key, and they wanted to live as long as their natural lives would allow; to live in a ripe old age and die peacefully among family and friends, not by hunger or by a Lunar. Of course, life never takes notice on what you want. It just throws whatever it has at you. 
There was no doing without trying. If they were going to be safe behind Solar lines, they would need to try. Together as friends, maybe. This was another challenge. 

Pinkie was first to speak up. "I'll go", she announced. "It may seem selfish, but we won't last out here forever. The way everything is going, this may be the best thing for us right now." The others started nodding in agreement.
"No one lives forever", Rainbow Dash stated, "but if I can go and live a little longer, I think I'll do it. I'm in."
Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle debated amongst themselves. They finally drew up a conclusion. "Alright, sis", Applebloom started, "we'll go with you."

"Well, everyone seems to be going", Twilight sighed, "I guess I'll go to. It'll be good to see Princess Celestia again."

That left Fluttershy and Rarity. "What about you two", Applejack asked.

Fluttershy rolled her eyes. "Well if you insist, I guess I'll go."

Rarity was stilled undecided. She thought that if she left, she would leave someone very important behind..."I don't know. I mean, he's back there..."

"Ma'am", Soarin' interjected, "we're just going to Solar territory. I guarantee within a few months, Ponyville will be back in Solar hands. If there's anyone you care for, well, you're just going to have to take the risk."

She didn't feel any better. If anything she felt even more determined to stay here. But still, she knew this might be her only chance at safety. "Alright", she finally agreed. "I'll go with you."

Applejack was glad they had all agreed. "Excellent. At dawn tomorrow, we'll gear up, and begin our trek to freedom." 
*                                                              *                                                                         *
The next morning, Applejack woke up, and woke up Twilight. She then went around and woke up the rest of the group. Soarin' was already up, and was already getting ready. All of them looked groggy, and were in need of food. But they had to go as soon as possible, so they geared up first. They would stop sometime during their march for a meal. 

Applejack organized the responsibilities: Twilight would carry medical supplies. Rarity would carry her sewing kit and the camouflage wrap-arounds. Rainbow Dash, Soarin', and Fluttershy would always fly a little ahead at each time to scout out and make sure the coast is clear. Pinkie would carry extra ammunition and explosives. Sweetie Belle carried the heavy rocket launcher, and Scootaloo supported the launcher from behind. Applejack herself and Applebloom would carry food in saddlebags.

They didn't expect a long journey, but they weren't risking anything. It was bad enough they were crossing into a warzone, they didn't need any other problems. They left the camp the way it was other than what they were carrying, just in case they needed to come back. Everyone took a rifle with them, along with two spare clips of ammunition on their person. Hopefully, engagements were at a minimal.
Soarin' was looking for one last thing: something that had been on his uniform, but somehow was misplaced. He knew it would be very helpful...

Scootaloo rolled a cylinder with a pin and spoon attached to it towards Soarin'. It was exactly what he was looking for. He thanked her, and picked it up, placing it on his uniform.

"What is it, anyway", Scootaloo asked. "It looks sorta like a grenade, but it doesn't have the same shape."

"It's a smoke grenade", Soarin' explained. "When the charge goes off, instead of it exploding, it'll set off a smoke, that will 
cloud upwards and either block view or signal where something is."

"Well, why do we need it", Applebloom asked. "What good will that do against the Lunars?"

"For one", Soarin' started, "if we're lost, and I see a Solar vehicle pass by, I can mark where we are and they can come pick us up, or if we need to escape some Lunars, we can always use the cover of the smoke to make our escape."

"Seems fair enough", Scootaloo noted. Rainbow Dash tapped her on the back, and motioned that all of them should start to get going. Soarin' then walked to the head of the group. 

"Lead the way", Applejack told him. 

He flew up in the air, not too far from the ground, and saw the road ahead. This was crazy, but it's what they wanted. 
"My guess is that it's a six hour walk to the front lines. We may have a mile or so between the lines:, Soarin' addressed. "Are you ready?" The entire group nodded. 

"Alright then, let's go."

*                                                                     *                                                                      *

Major Gilda was still sorting out the entire mess with the attack on the camp. This was a clear sign of power: the resistance fighters were not afraid to strike at the heart. Morale was greatly affected, and some of the soldiers started to doubt their commanders. Fortunately, there were no desertions so far, but that might change soon. 

The dead numbered at about 21 soldiers dead, and 56 prisoners killed either in action or the executions that followed. Documenting the deaths of the soldiers was not easy, but she even lost 7 of her own griffons in the firefight. Amazingly, they did not find a single corpse that was not either Lunar or griffon or prisoner. This meant that the attackers were still at large, and therefore, needed to be found, and put to justice.

Despite her zeal, she was very tired. She had done nothing but do reports and work since the early morning. She was angry that things were this slow. Especially after a major attack like this, shouldn't they focus all of their resources on defeating the enemy? Command could not possibly ignore something like this; this was a serious matter. 

She never thought she'd think this, but she started to think that Command saw lives as expendable as long as they held the position. If Ponyville wasn't in threat of being taken over, then they would not care how many lives were lost as long as they held it. 

What was she thinking? She couldn't question things, not now. But it still burned in her that Command was continuing to refuse support. It was now up to them to defend themselves as much as they could against this threat...

There was a fierce knocking on her door, and she shot up. When it opened, two guards stepped in. Following them was the commander. She saluted him, and he saluted back, and he motioned for her to take her seat again. She obliged, and paid close attention to what her commander told her:

"Major, listen up. I told Command about our incident. That was the last straw with them. I've just got word that within a few days, we are going to receive some much needed reinforcements."

Gilda was shocked and glad at the same time. "Why, this is excellent news, sir!"

"Yes, it is", the commander responded, "so Major, we are going to have to prepare for their arrival. If you could, Major, I want you to have all the details of our situation in a report for them."

Gilda groaned. Great, another report. She was getting sick of writing these. But, she couldn't deny. "Yes, sir", she replied.

"Good lass", the Commander told her, smiling. He saluted her, and she got up and saluted him back. Then he left the room, and when the guards left too and shut the door, she sat back down.

"Another report", she whispered to herself, "great..." 

This was going to be a long day.

*                                                                    *                                                               *

Six hours of long walking, and few breaks, had taken the toll on the exodus. All of them were nearly exhausted. The legs of those who walked ached, and for those who flew, even they got tired while flying. They continued to push on, even more so because they knew they were close to their destination. They trudged now through a natural trench, with trees surrounding them. They saw up ahead, a turn that would lead them to a clearing. They knew that it was almost over. But a concern hung over their heads:

"Hey Pinkie", Applebloom whispered, moving up ahead, "isn't it strange that we haven't encountered anything since we started out."
Pinkie was starting to get worried as well. This was the warzone they were talking about. Sure, the Lunars from Ponyville wouldn't have anything up here, but what about the rest of their army? Surely, they would defend the rear of their lines? "I don't know Applebloom, it does seem weird, doesn't it?" The same feeling was hovering over each of their heads. They treaded carefully, and were trying to be fully aware of their surroundings. At any moment, Lunars could appear. They might not even see them, as they remembered that their camouflage wrap-arounds came from Lunar supplies, meaning that they weren't the only ones with them. 

They continued to trot slowly and cautiously, until they made it to the clearing. Still in the trench, they looked over, and saw the landscape. There was brush all around, and the terrain was very broken and hilly, with rocks embedded inside the ground.  There were a few craters and scrap pieces, suggesting this was a warzone. A placid sight. Except, for them, there was one thing missing...

There was no battle.

"This isn't right", Twilight burst out.

"I know, there should be something else here", Applejack agreed. "Soarin', where are we exactly?"

"We should be on the front lines...", he started, "but I don't know why we aren't seeing anything. Not that I'd like to be shot at, or anything, but, still..." He rubbed his chin with his hoof. "Oh well, that just means we have a clear shot to freedom." He motioned with his hoof to go over the trench. "Let's go..."

"Hey what's that", Rainbow Dash cut in, pointing at a large cylindrical branch protruding from the brush in front of them. It was covered in leaves, and stuck out rather awkwardly from the rest. The group all looked at it, but Soarin' took particular interest. 

He moved towards it, and tried to look at it from a different angle. He looked at it as if it were coming straight towards him, and he noticed the end was hollow. His eyes grew wide when he realized what it was.

"GET THE BUCK DO--"

BOOM!

"BUCK!"
The group had thrown themselves down into the trench, covering their heads. They looked up and saw a monstrous thing come out of the brush. A large metal leviathan, with a barrel protruding out. It had tracks over its wheels, and had a large turret coming out of what appeared to be something that rotated on the main body. This thing had a hatch on top and a mount for something All of them gazed at it in horror as it fired again. 

"Buck", Soarin' let out. "Bucking Lunar tank."

"What in the hay kind of name is a tank", Twilight asked yelling.

"A short one", Soarin' shouted back. "It's basically got a large gun and is a whole lot of trouble for us right now." He looked over in the direction of the tank's barrel. It was pointing down a slight hill. 

Then a shell came through above their heads and blew away a tree that was behind them. "What was that", Fluttershy cried out. 

Soarin' took another look down the hill, and saw a somewhat welcome sight. 

They then noticed another "tank" roll out from behind the first one in front of them. This one began firing at the Solar tank as 
well, and had a machine gun mounted on the back, near the turret and the top hatch. The machine gun was manned by one Lunar soldier.

The group watched as the two Lunar tanks and the Solar one fired upon one another, and kept on missing. Applejack thought this strange. "I don't think they see each other", she called out.

"Well then lets help...", Soarin' began, before being cut off by the volume of machine gun fire, which caused every one of them to duck down. Fortunately, the trench provided enough natural cover from the onslaught. 

"We're  bucked... oh we're totally bucked", Sweetie Belle began to say shivering in fear. Scootaloo gave her a re-assuring hoof-to-the-face and told her to cut it out.

Soarin' started to plan out what he was going to do. Obviously, the tanks didn't see one another, and he had a smoke grenade. But he wasn't going to get anywhere with that machine gunner firing. He got up, and flew over the edge of the trench behind the tank. He then used the tank for cover, and climbed on it.

"What do you think you're doing", Applejack asked concerned. 
Soarin' drew out his sidearm. "I'm going to see if I can take down that gunner, then smoke this tank and show our buddies down there where it is." He then started firing at the gunner, but kept on missing and having to duck when the gunner unleashed a volley in his direction.

Applejack looked at him as if he were crazy, then looked to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. "Both of you, help me lay down fire! Draw fire away from Soarin'; hopefully he can get a clear shot!"
Pinkie looked to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. "You two! The launcher!"

They had almost forgotten about it. Then picked it up again, and Scootaloo went and took the rocket from Pinkie's bag. She then went to work trying to load it, but was distracted when another volley of machine gun fire came their way, and the cannons of all the tanks continued to bellow as they shot.

"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE", Sweetie Belle shouted, and she tried to crawl out of the trench. Scootaloo and Pinkie were quick to grab her back, and place her in safety. They then proceeded to try and load the launcher.
Rarity saw what was happening, and it started to get to her mind. Within seconds, everything went from blissful and quiet to a hellish nightmare. Each time the machine gun fired, there were whizzes of the bullets flying by and the scattering of earth as they hit outside or just within the trench. The tanks bellowed as they shot , and she started to think that she needed to do something. Her eyes narrowed in determination, and she cocked her assault rifle. Twilight noticed this.

"What are you doing", she asked.

"Soarin' isn't going to do that himself, and those three aren't gonna do much good either. I'm going up there, darling; I'm going to lay down fire."

Twilight immediately objected "What! If you go up there, you'll be killed! Are you insane."

"No...", Rarity answered. She climbed out of the trench, rifle in hoof, and rested it on the barrel of the tank. She looked down her sights. "...I'm fabulous."

She immediately opened fire on the other tank, even causing the gunner to duck. The hatch on the other tank opened, and a Lunar came out, armed with an assault rifle. Rarity saw this and quickly cut him down with her rifle. "Yes!"

The group looked in awe at Rarity. She was up there, doing the most insane yet bravest thing ever. They saw as she quickly reloaded, and continued shooting. The group started cheering for her, and she smiled.

"Go Rarity!"

"You can do this!"

But the machine gunner started to slowly go back to his post. Dodging Rarity's bullets, he managed to get his hoofs on the triggers, and managed to fire in Rarity's direction. 

A bullet barley grazed her leg. She squealed, "Aiee!" She looked at it quickly, and saw the blood, but when her eyes moved up...

There was the whiz of two bullets 

WHUMP! WHUMP!

Rarity dropped from the tank bleeding; The group looked in horror. 

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO", Sweetie Belle screamed. She took the launcher from Scootaloo and rested it on the trench side, and aimed it at the other tank. 

"EAT ME!"

She fired the rocket, and flew back with the launcher. The rocket travelled in the air, and collided with the tank, blowing it up, and killing the gunner in the process. Meanwhile, Twilight and Pinkie hurried to get Rarity away. When they brought her to the trench, Twilight told Pinkie to move far away from her. They moved back in the direction where they came.

Twilight started to panic while bringing her away "Oh please Rarity don't do this to me. Hang in there, it's going to be alright! 
Oh please, oh please, no..."

The entire group watched as this happened, including Soarin'. But in his distraction, he failed to noticed the hatch on the tank he was standing on open. Two hooves protruded holding a grenade, and with his mouth, the colt inside pulled the pin, pushing the grenade down the slope of the tank until it stopped at the bottom, and closed the hatch.
In a split second, Rainbow Dash noticed this. She watched large eyed, and cried out, "LOOK OUT SOARIN' THERE'S A..."

BANG!

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

The group had ducked when the grenade went off. Rainbow Dash raised her head slowly and saw what had happened:
Soarin' lay against the tank. His wings were shredded completely, leaving a bloody mess of bone, tissue, and muscle mass in its wake. The rest of his back and legs were cut up too by the shrapnel. He was bloodied all over. He tried to climb up, but found he was too weak to do so, and he coughed, spraying blood over the tank.

"No...", Rainbow Dash trailed holding out her hoof. Applejack quickly brought her down, and they both looked together, with everyone else.

In his last ounces of strength, he took the smoke grenade off his person with both hooves, and pulled the pin. The smoke grenade went off, sending a cloud of purple smoke in the air. He finally rested his head against the top of the tank.

"Come on, come and get them..." he coughed blood again. "...and shoot... straight.. for once... you army...fillies..."

They heard the bellow of the other tank below. Rainbow Dash's eyes narrowed. 


"NO SOARIN', DON'T!..."


BOOOOOMMMMM!!!!!!
The tank exploded in a large display. Again, the group ducked, and when they drew themselves up, they saw a smoking pile of metal where the tank used to be. There was no sign of Soarin's body anywhere. Rainbow Dash sat back, and Applejack attended to her. She saw the smoking display in front of her, and started to cry, resting her face on Applejack, who stroke her mane in comfort. Fluttershy stood with a long stare, and the three others watched as the rest happened. They truly felt bad for the loss of Soarin'.

But then they remembered something: Rarity! She was still wounded in Twilight and Pinkie's care. "Come on, ya'll", Applejack told them, and they quickly hurried to where Twilight and Pinkie were with Rarity.

"Oh please be alive. Don't die on us...Don't die on...", Applejack whispered to herself, stopping when she saw the sight in front of her with the rest.

There were Twilight and Pinkie, holding their heads down. Twilight held Rarity's hoof with both her hooves, and Pinkie was stroking her mane. Most of her wounds were patched up, but she was still, and her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly ajar. 
When Twilight looked up, the tears in her eyes said it all:


Rarity didn't make it.


*                                                                    *                                                                      *

It was nighttime, and Major Gilda was now exhausted. She was ready to turn in. Gilda went to her quarters, and took off her beret, placing it on the floor. She then took off her uniform, and folded it up, placing it next to her bed. She then went in her bed and began to doze off...

There was a loud knocking at her door.

"Oh what now", she asked herself grumbling. When the knocking grew louder, she knew she needed to respond immediately, and she got up and opened the door, seeing a young  Lunar corporal standing there.

"Oh, er... Ma'am", he sputtered seeing her lack of uniform.

"Keep your eyes level with mine, corporal, and tell me what is going on", she told him.

"Ah, err...", he started stuttering, "...the Commander needs you in the field... where the camp was. He says its urgent."
Gilda sighed. "Alright, I'll be right there..."

"He needs you right now", the corporal elaborated. She then knew how urgent it must be. She quickly went back, and changed back into uniform, and left with corporal quickly.
*                                                                   *                                                             *
When Gilda arrived in the field, she noticed the entire garrison was there, standing at attention in two columns, facing inward. She then went to the Commander, standing in the center with his two guards. She immediately saluted him, and he saluted back, and she took her position next the commander.

"Sir, what's this about", she whispered.

"Our reinforcements are coming tonight", he whispered back.

"What", she said lowly in surprise. "You said we'd have a week..."

"They were indignant to send this one", the commander explained. "They say it's going to be the end of our problem for good."

"It better be", Gilda replied. She then heard a distant sound...

Three aircraft were seen coming in from the horizon, with search lights on, hovering towards them. These certainly weren't pegasi, as they were flying much to slow. Instead, she heard the spinning of blade as they drew near. Then, they came in close enough to show what they were: Three Lunar Rotary Winged Armed Transport aircraft. With a large rotor system, the aircraft was powered by a unicorn sitting in one seat, and an earth pony in front of the other for gun control. Behind, was a storage space for several soldiers. They came in right in front of Gilda and the Commander, causing them to flinch as the lights caught their eyes. The lights dimmed, and the rotors powered down. Then, the doors shot open.
Out of the outer two aircraft, five ponies stepped out of each. They were wearing black combat armor, with bandanas to mask their appearance. They were armed on the side with a smaller carbine, and had special forces patches on one shoulder, and a Lunar army one on the other. Out of the central craft, came four more of these, and then someone else 
entirely.

Gracefully, a light blue hoof stepped down from the aircraft. Assisted by her guard, the light blue unicorn, donning a green uniform with a red trim, made her way to the front of the arrived group. With a flick of her whitish blue mane, she made the impression on the onlookers. She then turned to her unit, and yelled.

"We are the strong! The few! What do we do!"

All 14 of the soldiers stepped and stood rigid, and barked in reply "WE DO WHAT OTHERS CANNOT DO! HOOAH!"

The officer turned around with an arrogant smirk on her face, and stood in front of the commander and Major Gilda, and offered her hoof to the commander first, who took it in both hands and shook it. She then offered it to Gilda, who shook it as well with one foot.

"Major Gilda", the Commander started, "may I introduce Executive Commander Trixie. She's the head of all Lunar Special Operations, and a decorated leader."

"You flatter Trixie", she said to the Commander, and looked back at Major Gilda. "It's an honor to meet both of you.


"Now, Trixie understands you have an infestation problem?"
























> Part III: Unfortunate Assumptions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part III: Unfortunate Assumptions

A small leaf hung at the end of a branch. 

It was mid morning. The leaf still had some dew on it. It rocked gently in the cool morning air. Within a moment, a small breeze past through the area. Despite being so small, the leaf rocked violently in the breeze. It now hung at the very edge of the branch. Another more powerful breeze blew the leaf off its perch. Soon, it fluttered down to the ground, gracefully and gently. But, instead of falling with the rest of the foliage to the ground, this particular leaf hit something very different. It hit the mane of an exhausted mare.

Twilight hadn't had much sleep. They had marched back after Applejack said that crossing the lines was much too dangerous now. They agreed that they didn't want to risk anyone else dying. Rarity was already too much. The camp was the only other relative "safe" haven for them now. Marching through the lines had  a high chance of them getting hurt or killed, and surrendering in Ponyville certainly meant death for all of them.

Twilight had stayed up all night with Pinkie and Applejack, guarding the body of their fallen friend, Rarity. They let nothing, absolutely nothing, disturb the body. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had taken it here, flying without stop. They had held the body between them on their hooves, and didn't dare drop her. She was like a sister, and they were going to honor her memory as much as they could.

It seemed such a shame when it came time to think how to bury her. They had no practical tools on how to do it, much less, have a proper coffin for her. Wood carving would take too long, and they weren't going to risk their lives (especially after the previous day's experience) on trying to acquire any tools. So, Applejack had woken up earlier and did what she could with what was available to dig a decent enough grave somewhere next to the forest. It was hard doing so with simply hooves and an artificial shovel made from a  strong stick and the lid from a small metal ammunition box , but she had got it done within two hours.

None of them were  fully ready for this. They knew that what they were doing could result in any one of their deaths, but they didn't prepare themselves for when such an event might happen. Now, it was hard dealing with the loss of such a good friend.

Pinkie had gone and awoken the other five sleeping. They got up, and knew it was time. They first gathered around Rarity's body, now looking as peaceful as ever, and mourned. They paid their respects, and then Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy carried the body to the grave. They carefully carried the body once more on their hooves. Applejack had dug it long enough for both of them to place the body in. Gently and carefully, they lowered her in. 

After a few moments of silent mourning, Applejack took her artificial shovel and started to fill the grave back. None of the mourners wanted to look. Even Applejack tried closing her eyes. They didn't want to see this; their friend, now going under forever. They would never see her, in this life at least, again. 

The deed was done after a few minutes. Now, an awkward mound of earth was what marked the grave for Rarity. They stood for a moment, and then left back to the camp. They all laid down on the ground, and tried to get rest. It was hard, with so much on their minds.

They didn't forget Soarin'. He also deserved their rememberance. They would have buried him in the same way, but his body was destroyed with the tank he marked in his final act after being mortally wounded. Other than his flight helmet, all personal belongings that he had on arrival perished with him.

Rainbow Dash realized she could do something with the helmet. She got up, and went to the edge of the forest. She found a strong stick, and with both hooves, she drove it into the ground. She then took the helmet, and placed it on the stick. It formed some sort of memorial for the fallen pilot. It was enough, for it was all she could do.  She took a look into the forest. Rarity and Soarin' died within minutes of each other, but both deaths were crushing on her. One death was too much. She stared out with determination. If she could help it, she wasn't going to let anymore of her friends die.

Twilight and Applejack came up behind her and placed comforting hoofs on her back. She then dropped her head in sadness.

"He was my idol since I was a filly", she whispered. "I can't believe he died so quickly." She looked up at her friends. "And Rarity...she was..."

"Like a sister, I know", Applejack told her. "I can't believe she's gone either. And Soarin' was a good helper. It's such a shame; both of them."

Twilight then had an idea. "Follow me", she told the other two. They did as they were asked. They trotted over to the rock formation at the end of the camp. Twilight searched for a smooth stone, and one that was easily accessible. When she had found the one she was looking for, she took a smaller jagged rock with her magic, and started to carve something into the side of the rock.

"What are you doing...", Applejack trailed. She stared as Twilight carved on. Letters started to form , and soon, she noticed it was a name. When she was done with the first one, she started on a second. Once she was finished, she stepped away. Rainbow Dash and Applejack saw two names carved into the rock:

RARITY 
SOARIN'

"This way, we can remember them forever", Twilight explained, "The carving should last quite a long time, and when the war is over, hopefully future generations will remember. "

Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash smiled. It was a very good memorial. Immortalized in stone, they would not be forgotten. 
But with this came a grim feeling. They hoped that those names would be the only ones they would have to add on the rock.

*                                                                    *                                                                       *

"I trust you had a good night's rest, Executive Commander", Major Gilda asked of the mare in front of her in the meeting room. Executive Commander Trixie and her team of fourteen had taken the night in an abandoned house in Ponyville (its occupant since deceased), which was large enough to hold all of them. But as for right now, there was much to say.

"Indeed I did", Trixie responded. "Now, brief me on what infestation my team needs to take care of."

"Gladly", Gilda's Commander replied, sliding her a dossier. She took opened it with her magic and started to read what she could. "Major Gilda, if you would explain."

"Yes sir", Gilda replied, turning to the Executive Commander, and started: "For over a month we've been plagued by a mysterious group of resistance fighters on the outskirts of this city. At first it was simple supply raids, but then they started searching out and attacking our forces."

"Elaborate, please", Trixie asked.

"Yes ma'am", Gilda responded. "Our first move was to execute several..."
"Stop right there, Major", Executive Commander Trixie cut off, looking up from her documents. Gilda looked confused at the Executive Commander. "What do you mean 'execute'. Did you try to use terror tactics to control the populace initially?"

"Err...yes", Gilda answered truthfully, still confused and now a little off-nerved. 

"Tsk, tsk, tsk", Trixie responded, looking back down at the dossier. "Trixie thought you knew better, Major and Commander."

"But ma'am, it was the only way...", the Commander tried to defend.

"Trust me", the Executive Commander cut off, looking at the Commander. "Trixie  knows how to handle a populace. If there 
are resistance fighters, then you don't try to spread terror, you reason. If they don't listen at first, then you use terror" She looked at Major Gilda. "Your race should know this better than anyone, Major."
Major Gilda sat back annoyed at the Executive Commander. For one, Gilda hadn't fully supported the terror tactics. But Trixie had brought up a dark part of the griffon alliance with the Lunar Empire. After the initial take over, there were a few griffon resistance fighters. The Lunars had then asked the populace to reveal the location of these rebels. But the griffons knew what happened to the other races who defied the order and kept quiet:

Genocide.

To avoid such destruction, they gave up the rebels. Soon, there were five bodies swinging from the gallows, as a lesson for future rebels. The memory was hurtful to Gilda, but she told herself it was for the best. 
Trixie examined the documents again. "It looks like we're dealing with a young group. Distinguishable too. At least six of them were present at the return of Nightmare Moon." She put down the dossier. "Well, it seems I do have a challenge. Major, you said that they raided supply vehicles? Perhaps they do this for sustenance."

"Yes ma'am", Major Gilda answered. "But they do it at random. Sometimes the supply vehicles come in unscathed. But if they don't show up, we know what happened."

Trixie sat back. She couldn't just shut down the supply routes. That would cause harm on her own soldiers as well. She asked Major Gilda "You have no idea where they are then, and they don't visit the city?"

"No ma'am", Major Gilda answered. "If we'd knew, we would have dealt with them long ago. They are like ghosts. They always  come from nowhere."

"Well, they obviously come from somewhere", Trixie told the Major. "We just have to find where." She thought about what she could do. "It doesn't seem likely that one of them would betray the rest..."


The Commander swallowed. "If it helps, Executive Commander, we do have a collaborator..." He started to regret the words as he said them.
Trixie shot a look at the Commander. "Then why didn't you say so earlier? Is he a resident? A friend of our little problems, perhaps?" This was perfect! If this collaborator did know them, then he could tell them where they are!

"Yes ma'am. , but he is not the most trustworthy", Gilda noted. 

Trixie calmed down. "Explain",  she ordered.

The Commander decided to speak. "This collaborator...we know he lied to us. It turns out he was the assistant to one of those mares in the dossier, but he claimed he knew nothing of their exploits, nor did he know ."

"But it would take an oblivious fool to not recognize their most famous exploit", Major Gilda added. "That is why we know he lied."

Trixie sat back and thought about it. Sure, he could have lied to save their identities but he must have known it was inevitable that the Lunars would learn of them sooner or later. Also, he could only resist so far. If he was given a push, then maybe he would be more...obedient."Where is he now",  Trixie asked. 

"He's in house arrest at the residence of his former employer", Major Gilda answered.

"Good", the Executive Commander said nodding. "Would you please take me to him."

"With all due respect", Gilda asked her, "Why? We cannot trust him."

Trixie smiled."I think I could make him a little bit more willing to help us. Just let me speak to him."

*                                                                  *                                                                  *

The three proceeded to the location of the collaborator. Gilda led the way, flanked by her Commander and Executive Commander Trixie. When they reached the house, they took a moment to observe it. It was a decent sized house, enough to house several residents. Of course, they knew there were only two before the war. There were armed guards at every corner, and at the doorway. One approached the three when they came up to the doorstep.

He saluted the three superior officers. He turned to Major Gilda. "What brings you here, ma'am". 

"We are here to see the prisoner", she answered. 

"Yes ma'am", he replied, leading them in. "Would you need armed guards?"

"That won't be necessary, corporal", the Commander told him. "We shouldn't be too long."

"Yes sir", the corporal answered. They were in the main foyer. They saw much of the home was a library. An impressive one at that. "I will leave you here, but my guard will be outside if you need us."

"Thank you corporal", Gilda replied. He saluted them once more, and then left the house, resuming his position outside. Gilda then lead the way. In the center of the room, sitting in the chair was the young dragon Spike. wearing a armband that tracked where he was. Should he leave the premises of the house, it would trigger, and then (he was told) he would be hunted down like a rat. 

He sat bitter, and defiant. His arms folded, and looking down. Gilda, her Commander, and Trixie took a seat in the opposite couch. He looked up when they sat down. "Nice to see you, Major; Commander", he greeted. He saw a face he didn't recognize. "Who's this?"

"I am Executive Commander Trixie of Lunar Special Operations",  Trixie introduced herself. "I am interested to know your name as well."

Before Spike could say anything Gilda started to introduce him. "His name is Spike."

"Very good, Spike", Trixie answered. She looked around the home. "You must have had a good life here. Is it good to be here, where you have so many memories?" Spike shrugged. Trixie noticed the armband. "Quite the accessory, Mr. Spike. You must have done something bad to earn it."

"Tell me, 'Executive Commander'", Spike cut in, asking, "Why exactly are you here? I'm already your 'collaborator'".
"Actually, that is one of the reasons why Trixie is here", she stated. She then turned her gaze back at the collaborator. "Why did you decide to say you would help us?" She got up and started to trot around him. "Was it that you feared our power? Feared that if you didn't submit, we would hurt you? Do you really believe in the Lunar cause?"

"It's really not that complicated Executive Commander", Spike answered. "Your soldiers came in, and there was no point in me resisting. I had to join you."

"I see", Trixie commented. She went to the shelves, and saw a book that interested her. She un-shelved it, holding it with her magic, and started to read it. "This is quite a library. Your friend must have loved to read. Isn't that so, Mr. Spike?"

He nodded. "Yes, she did enjoy reading a lot."

"How was she, personality that is", Trixie asked, still reading.

"She was  nice", Spike told her, "She practically raised me."

Trixie smirked. He was comfortable. Now it was time to make her move. "Now tell Trixie, Mr. Spike, are you a liar or an idiot?"

Spike's expression dropped in confused shock. "Come again", he asked.

Trixie closed the book abruptly, and put it down. "I asked", she started, her tone now sharp and overbearing, "are you a liar, or are you an idiot?"

"I...I don't understand", Spike answered.

"IT'S A SIMPLE QUESTION", Trixie yelled at Spike, causing him to jump in his seat. Even Major Gilda was taken by surprise. Trixie moved toward Spike. "Let me explain to you: A liar would tell us that he didn't know anything of his employer or her friends even though he knew all of them and knew what they did. An idiot would not know his employer had friends and that they were a part of one of the greatest events in Equestrian history!" She moved behind the table, and waited for a few seconds, before slamming her hoof down on the table, causing it to shake. She stared directly at the shaking dragon, leaned to him. "Let me tell you what I think you are", she hissed at him. "I think you are both a liar and an idiot. You are a liar because you didn't tell us the truth about these mares. You are an idiot because you thought you could get away with it!" 
The dragon looked genuinely shocked and nervous. He started to play around with his fingers. Trixie smiled. "Mr. Spike, I was sent here to deal with a problem, and you are going to help me. I will have guards here to make sure you don't try to take your life. Even if you don't know where your friends are, you will help me find them."

*                                                                 *                                                          *

Two days later, life for the group returned to relative normality. They had emptied their packs, and placed everything where it should in their camp. Fluttershy still continued to find whatever they could eat in the forest. Their food stocks in rations were satisfactory for now. 

But now, with the deaths of Rarity and Soarin', Applejack told the group that she didn't want any of them to leave the camp. They couldn't go out and raid anymore, because she felt now that the Lunars would try to set traps for them at every conceivable opportunity.

Of course, the rest of the group had said she was over-exaggerating, and that they were in no less danger as they were before. However, Applejack refused to change her mind. She did say that if anything came too close to the camp, they would deal with it with force.

It seemed strange to the group that they were obeying Applejack as if she were some kind of leader, but most of them felt as well that they should not do anything that could potentially harm one of them right now. They needed to lie low, and hope that they would find a way to freedom, or that the Solars would come and rescue them.

Of course, they could only dream.

It was evening, and as usual there was little to say around the fire. Many of them decided to do other things. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle entertained themselves by building some sort of structure with small sticks, Rainbow Dash had gone to do some low altitude (so as not to be seen) flight exercises with Scootaloo.

This left Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie, and Fluttershy. Twilight was sitting lazily by Applejack, who was examining her sidearm. She had emptied it so as not to hurt anyone. Fluttershy was cleaning her rifle, and Pinkie was simply pacing back and forth between the rest. 

Twilight had been thinking for the past day or so. Without a doubt, the loss of Rarity and Soarin' was crushing to them. Even if they weren't friends, one thing that hung on her mind was the loss of...strength they had. She realized how vulnerable, even as a group of eight now, they were. 

Sure, she thought, Rarity's death could have happened to anyone in that situation, and they had proved that they were capable of defending themselves. Living in the wilderness where the Lunars didn't know had a huge advantage. But that didn't matter. They relied on sneak tactics and hidden strikes to be effective. If they came out themselves to find them, the group would have a much harder time on the defense. With Soarin' gone, they had lost the best they had in tacticians. She feared that if the Lunars did try to wipe them out, they would , and would do it violently. 
She decided they needed more help. She turned to Applejack. "Uh, Applejack, could I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure thing", she replied. Twilight moved closer to her. "What do you want?"

"I've been thinking...", Twilight started. "With Rarity and Soarin' gone...we're obviously less. We will need...more to defend ourselves."

"What", Applejack whispered back, "you mean replace them? Twi, we can't do that!"

"No, no", Twilight clarified, "nothing like that. I think we should... try to find more help. We can't survive on just us. We need more help."

"Like who", Applejack asked. "Who do you think will help us?"

"Well, there's Spike, he's inside the city, and Derpy seemed..."

"If you're asking to go into Ponyville, forget about it", Applejack told Twilight. "The city's too dangerous for us now. If we go in, they'll recognize us, especially after that stunt I pulled on their camp."
Twilight considered this. After all their attacks, she was sure the Lunars probably had looked to see who was behind them. 
Knowing that they were some of Ponyville's most recognized residents didn't help. Twilight pondered, and saw a uniform pile. Rarity's past time was to sew off the patches.

Then Twilight got an idea. She went to the pile, and started to rummage through it with her hooves, trying to reach the bottom. 

"What are you doing", Applejack asked. 

"Wait", Twilight told her, then taking out what she was looking for with her magic. It was a standard Lunar army uniform, and it still had all its patches. "Here it is! If I wear this, then maybe..."

"Sugarcube, as much as I would love to go back", Applejack told her, "You can't just trot into town and expect them to take your word that you're one of them."

"But..." she trailed. She realized she was not going to convince Applejack at the moment. She laid back down in temporary defeat.

Meanwhile Pinkie and Fluttershy had a conversation of their own:

"What made you this way, Fluttershy", Pinkie asked.

"What do you mean", she answered in confusion.

"I mean you, right now", Pinkie elaborated. "Before you were a shy pony, not wanting to get into trouble. Now, you seem 
violent."

Fluttershy sighed, and continued to clean her barrel. "This conflict changed me. I realized that if I was going to survive, I needed to be...tougher."

Pinkie nodded. "But still", she continued. "Why do you take pride in the amount of soldiers you've killed?"
Fluttershy looked up. "They invaded our home. They killed our friends. They take pride in our deaths, so why can't I give them back what they do to us."

Pinkie looked nervously. Fluttershy noticed this and sighed. "You probably think I'm a monster now."

"No, I er...", Pinkie tried to answer.

"No, that's fine. This war had changed me in ways I can't imagine", Fluttershy answered. She put down her rifle. "But I want to make clear with you: though I may disagree with you, doesn't mean I'm not your friend. I cried along with everyone else when Rarity died. Trust me, I was hurt too." This made Pinkie a little bit more comfortable. Pinkie then noticed the other side of Fluttershy's rifle stock. On it was the cutie marks of each of them, all six in a circle. Fluttershy saw that she noticed an smiled. 
"Like it? I did it in my spare time. We are still friends, and I will continue to fight along my friends."

Pinkie smiled. Fluttershy's determination was very much welcome with her. It made her feel more secure.

*                                                                     *                                                                  *

"Ah, Major, Commander, please, do come in", Trixie called as they entered the room. The former dining area for the house Trixie and her commandos were staying in was now a sort of briefing room. The Commander and Major Gilda saluted, and Trixie motioned for them to take seats, which they did.

"Trixie has come up with a plan, using the data that was collected", she told them. 

"Very good, Executive Commander", the Commander congratulated. "If you would please, ma'am, continue."

"Gladly", Trixie replied. She then started to explain:

"Trixie thinks that if we wait for them to come inside the city..."

"Er, Ma'am", Major Gilda cut in. "Pardon me, but why would they do that? I have doubts that they'd ever surrender."

"You are excused, Major", Trixie told the Major, "but that is a good point. They will not surrender, but they might come sneaking looking for supplies or something here."

"So you're saying, Executive Commander", the Commander commented, "that they'll come here, and we have to find out when, and catch them."

"Almost, Commander", she told him. "They would never travel in such large groups, and capturing one of them would not result in an easy interrogation. Therefore, we have one...unsuspectingly help us."

"You mean follow one, ma'am", Major Gilda asked.

"No, Major", Trixie corrected. "We have our friend help us."

"The collaborator", Gilda said, putting it together. However, rather quickly, she dismissed the idea. "Ma'am, he would be hard to convince, and time is of the essence."

"Ah, Major", Trixie laughed. "That's where you're wrong again. You see, he obviously cares for something or someone. Trust me, I have my ways of making him help us..."

*                                                               *                                                                 *

"Permission to ask freely, sir", Major Gilda asked her Commander. Trixie had gone to interrogate Spike once more, assuring them that she would get good results. The Major and the Commander sat in his office.

"Granted; what is it, Major", the Commander asked back.

"Sir, what do you think the Executive Commander is planning."

"The destruction of the dissidents, what else Major", the Commander answered.

"I know that", Major Gilda told him. "But how? What is her plan to get rid of them?"
The Commander shrugged. "I do not know exactly. I would assume right now she's thinking of some clever way to defeat them. Who knows though? She's the head of Special Operations for a reason, Major. She has to be unorthodox."
Gilda took note of this. It did make sense, for the Special Operations commander to be a trickster. But she was still 
uncomfortable with her. "Sir, do you feel uncomfortable with the Executive Commander's presence", Gilda asked.

"Of course not", he answered, "why?"

Gilda shrugged. "I don't know. She just seems... strange. Like she's going to do something absolutely. devastating to the enemy."

"Don't we want that, Major", the Commander asked.

"Of course, but...", Gilda trailed, "...should we be so cruel?  They're defending their home. I want them brought to justice, but I don't want to hurt them anymore than they need to."

"Major", the Commander started, "these mares have caused the deaths of many of our soldiers. They need to pay with their blood. I for one, do not care how bad we beat them, it satisfies me that they get what's coming to them."
Gilda stopped speaking. Without another word, she saluted her Commander and left the room. She then went to her quarters. She truly did want them defeated, but she didn't want to cause them to suffer too much. It seemed too barbaric. 

And yet...

She took off her uniform and beret, and then went to bed, trying to shrug off her thoughts. She'd be better suited for this in the morning.

*                                                                         *                                                                 *

It was early dawn, two days later, and Twilight was already awake. She snuck past her sleeping friends, sneaking through the maze of sleeping bags. She did not want to disturb the ones elected to be on night watch, who for the night were Rainbow Dash and Applebloom.

Twilight no longer cared what Applejack said. She was going into Ponyville to find help. They needed it, and she had to do it if no one else would. 

Twilight scurried over to the uniform pile, and then proceeded to dress herself in the uniform, and searched around for headgear.  She saw the officer's cap that Sweetie Belle had shown off to Soarin'. She examined it. It carried some memory...
She didn't have time, she put it on, and then looked for some sort of rag she could use to cover her face. She didn't want to be recognized. She found the rag she needed, and tied it around her face, covering all except the eyes. She then tried to sneak away in the direction of Ponyville...

"Where are you going Twilight?"

Twilight clenched her teeth, and looked back Rainbow Dash was standing confused at her post. Applebloom was fast asleep.

"Err...nowhere special..." Twilight tried to lie.

"Come on, you're going into town aren't you", Rainbow Dash asked.

Twilight was trapped. She said nothing. Rainbow Dash saw the obvious guilt and turned back. "Well, Applejack's not going to be happy, but I'll cover you", she told Twilight, causing the latter to widen her eyes. "Just be careful out there." Rainbow Dash didn't think much of Applejack's rule either.

"I will, don't worry", Twilight assured Rainbow Dash. Twilight then went on the trail towards Ponyville...

*                                                                    *                                                                  *

Sneaking into the city was easier than expected. As it was early morning, she managed to find sleepy guards. She snuck by them quickly, and snuck through the alleyways until she was once more in the streets. Avoiding patrols initially, she trotted with confidence through the streets when she felt it was safe for her to roam freely. She trotted through the streets, hoping to find someone she knew. 

Luck was not with her. She saw armed patrols, and a few citizens going about their business cautiously, but that was it. She felt unnerved at the lack of recognition. Soldiers standing around saluted her as she passed, and she did her best to salute back. It felt very strange for her. But she was here on a mission, so she carried on.

After no avail for half a hour, she started to get demoralized. Every moment in the city was another moment closer to recognition, and then that would be the end. She tried to look for Derpy's home, but couldn't recognize the building. She then continued to trot through the streets, hoping to find someone she at least on the fringe knew. 

Looking around, Twilight noticed something very dear to her: Her old house! It looked very welcoming from where she was. More and more, she wanted to go to it. She thought for a moment. Perhaps she could take a small break and visit old memories. She decided for it, and went towards the house.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed the house was surrounded by guards. All weary, but armed nonetheless. It confused her as to why. Her home couldn't be that special, could it? 

Twilight decided to investigate. She went around until she saw a particularly weary guard by the doorway. She cleared her throat and the guard shot up, and saluted her. Twilight saluted back.

"I...er, came from the other side of town", Twilight introduced herself. "Why is this home locked up?"

"Ma'am, I thought you knew, but if I need to remind you, we are guarding a collaborator."

Collaborator, Twilight thought. She knew it could mean someone she knew. "May I, enter?"

"I am sorry ma'am, but no you may not", the guard answered. "Only those with prior authorization may enter...

"Send her in, guard", a  familiar voice called out from behind the door. 

The guard looked back, and called back, "Prisoner, you cannot authorize guests."

"Is she of authority", voice asked.

The guard looked back at Twilight. "Yes, she is."

"Then I do believe she's allowed to check on me", the voice called back.

The guard looked bitter as he felt defeated. He was still weary, and decided not to object. He opened the door. "Please, make it quick, ma'am."

Twilight entered the house. So many memories filled her mind. It looked exactly the way she left it. 
When the door shut, she wandered a small bit further into the house. It was dark, obviously from disuse. But it still was home. She remembered all the good times she had, with...

"Twilight... is that you", the voice asked her. She turned back, and saw a very welcome face.

*                                                                     *                                                            *

"Spike!" 
Twilight could not contain her excitement. She went over and gave a big one legged hug, and he hugged back. Spike was glad to see such a good friend at the moment.

"What happened...I mean...how did you..." Twilight started to ask.

"Twilight, you may want to sit down, it's a long story", Spike told her. She did so in the nearest chair. He sat in one in front of her. She then listened eagerly as he explained: "I...I was forced to help the Lunars when the invasion started. I was scared, and I said I would help them. In return, they let me live. I didn't say anything about you, because I didn't want them to find out. 
Eventually, of course, they did." He motioned to an armband he was wearing. "They punished me for lying. Now I have to 
wear this and stay here."

"How dreadful", Twilight commented. "I wish I could've helped."

"No, no need for apology", Spike told her. "You've been pretty busy with the rest, or so I've heard."
Twilight gave a small smile. "We're infamous here, aren't we?"

"Trust me, Twilight", Spike told her. "The Lunars are going head over hoof to find you. They want you all dead." Twilight looked nervous at the last statement. The Lunars were probably indeed determined to hunt them down. Spike looked away, and then back to Twilight. "They want me to help them track you down."

"What happens when you say no", Twilight asked. Spike motioned a gun to his head with his hand as an answer. "I see", Twilight said in response.

Spike sighed, and drummed his fingers on the chair. "Twilight...I don't want to stay here anymore, if they're going to force me to find you. I miss you, I miss..."

"...Rarity", Twilight finished. She smiled, and he knew that she probably knew everything. Twilight then looked down, and a tear fell from her eye.

Spike noticed this, and shot up. "Did anything happen to Rarity? What's wrong?"

Twilight drew up, now her eyes full of tears. "Spike, I don't know how to say this to you...", she started to cry.

"Twilight, what happened", Spike asked her indignantly.  Twilight continued to tear up, making Spike very nervous and anxious.

"Rarity...", she managed to say, "...Rarity...is not...she's gone, Spike. I'm so sorry."

Spike fell down in his chair, shocked and heartbroken.  "No...", he whispered.

"I'm so sorry Spike", Twilight tried to apologize, "There was nothing I could do. Her wounds were too much..."

"I don't blame you Twilight", Spike managed to say. He motioned for her to give him a moment. He stroked his chin. Spike, tried to stay calm, but then emotion took over. He started to cry as well.

Both of them got up, and Twilight gave another one hoofed hug to Spike. She kept on repeating "I'm so sorry" to him in their embrace.

Spike was absolutely devastated.  Rarity...she meant the world to him. And now...Twilight was saying she...died? He wondered how that could that have happened. "I loved her...so much", he whispered.

"I know you did", Twilight told him. "She loved you too."

They held their embrace, until Spike withdrew. Both tried to get a hold of themselves. Once Spike had, he looked into Twilight's eyes, and then motioned for her to give him another moment. He then left the room.

When he returned, he returned with a necklace, with a green pendant on the bottom that seemed to glow. He moved over to Twilight. "I don't want to stay here anymore.", he told her. He put then necklace around her neck. "I made this in my spare time, thanks to some of your books. I can track it, and find out where you are, when I escape, so I can join you."

"But Spike, your armband...", Twilight reminded her dragon friend.

"I know, I'll find a way to get it off", he assured her,  "What's important is that you get out of here before anyone sees you have it." He sighed again. "I want you to be safe. I'll be seeing you soon, hopefully."

Twilight nodded. She looked at her friend, and smiled. "Thank you, Spike", she told him. "You're a true friend." She then went out the door, and Spike stood as she left.

When Twilight made it to the doorstep, she made sure she saluted the guard at the door. He wearily saluted back, and she continued on her way, sneaking through the crowds, and eventually using the alleys to cover her escape.
She stopped and started to realize something. If Spike was a prisoner, then how did he get the tools to build a necklace like that, much less, learn how to make one. She pondered this for a second.

Twilight decided to forget about it, and proceeded to continue on back to camp. Applejack was not going to be happy...

*                                                                 *                                                                  *

Spike stood where he was. A true friend, Twilight called him.

If only that were true.

Spike sighed, and closed his eyes, placing his hand on his face. He was devastated, in two ways now. First, he learned that Rarity was dead, and now his world would never be the same. 

The second reason was much more demeaning of character.

"Excellent job my small dragon friend", a voice called out from the darkness. Spike bowed his head. He had committed a grave sin; a very grave sin. "That was fantastic! And this is all happening so fast too..."

"Our arrangement is that she wouldn't be hurt, Trixie", Spike called back. Trixie came out with two of her commandos, both armed. 

"How was I to know she had gone", Trixie told him, placing a hoof on his shoulder. He shrugged it off. She cleared her throat and continued. "Still, it's interesting to know why you bargained for her life. At least now, Trixie's job is easier."

Spike started to get furious. "How dare you...", he said moving towards her.

But in an instant, he was tackled by both of her commandos. 

"Awww...", she mocked. "Getting a little angry are we, Mr. Spike?"

She bent down to the dragon, and whispered to him: "How does it feel, Mr. Spike. To know you betrayed your friends. To know that you will be the cause of their pain and their death. And to know you had done all this...to save a lost life. Your terms now mean nothing."

Spike stared at her furiously, but calmed down. This was his fault, all his fault. He was fearful for Rarity. But he had come to realize now, that even if she had survived, she could never love a traitor. Not one like him. He was a fool, and it was too late. 

He had done it. His friends were going to die, all because of his stupid fear.

Trixie smiled. And got up. "You know Mr. Spike, it just occurred to me. First you claim that you didn't know these mares at all. Now I learn you did not just know them, but you had something special for one of them. I could have used that you know, earlier. It would have made things so much simpler if you just told the truth." She circled him. "So, now, Trixie sees that you are even more of a liar than she thought you were. Oh dear, what am I to do with you?"

"Kill me", he answered, still held down. "It'll be merciful. Just do it."

Trixie chuckled. "Oh no Mr. Spike, I won't." She turned back to him. "Do you know why? Because that is your punishment for lying to me. I am going to let you live. You will be sent to a Lunar prisoner of war camp behind our lines. The first time there's a prisoner swap offer after your arrival, I will make sure you are sent back to the Solar Empire. Then, you will have to answer to them for your sin. That is my punishment for you, Mr. Spike; you will live out the rest of your days, knowing that you betrayed your friends this day. All for selfish reasons." She turned to her commandos. "Take him away."

The commandos did as they were told, and drug Spike away. He was very guilty. He could not believe he did something so despicable. He truly deserved to die. But Trixie just sentenced him to a fate worse than death.

He could only hope Twilight and rest were smart enough to defend themselves before it was too late.

*                                                                *                                                                         *

"Twilight, you had me worried", Applejack greeted Twilight. 

The two embraced as she came back. The entire group gathered to see Twilight's return. Applejack was not entirely happy, though. "I thought I told you not to go to Ponyville." Applejack then noticed the necklace. "Where did you get that?"

"Oh, it's from Spike", she explained, causing the group to gasp. 

"You mean, you actually saw him", Applebloom asked.

"Yes, and he gave me this", she reiterated.  "He said that he could find me, once he escapes."
Applejack nodded her head. "So he's coming to help us, is he?"

"I assume, yes", Twilight answered. "Soon, I hope."

"Well, let's hope it's not too long", Applejack told Twilight. The group proceeded to the fire, and gathered around as they usually did.

Except for Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. They went off to the side, near the night watch post. 

"We're getting help", Sweetie Belle started, "That's good, right?"

"You bet", Scootaloo answered. "Especially with Spike. Though, I feel bad when he finds out Rarity passed."
Applebloom was a bit more skeptical. "I'm not sure", she said.

"Why not", Scootaloo asked.
"Well", she started to reply. "I thought I heard that Spike was at the execution of my brother, standing with the Lunars." Scootaloo slowly nodded her head. She did see that, or rather, noticed that Twilight saw him. Applebloom continued. "I'm not sure if he's going to help us. I think he's still working for the Lunars."

"I think he's sincere", Sweetie Belle commented. "I think he's had enough of the Lunars, and does want to help us. I don't think he'd try to hurt anyone, especially someone close to him like Twilight."

Applebloom nodded, but she still wasn't fully convinced. "Well, I think we should keep our eyes open, that's all."

"Alright then", Scootaloo answered. "We'll wait and see."

*                                                                *                                                                      *

Two days later, Trixie was getting into her uniform. It was green with a red trim. On it were numerous ribbons for her combat experience, leading troops for the Lunar Army on numerous successful campaigns over the past four years or so. 
Now, she donned it. She looked at herself in the mirror, and smiled. Just five years ago she was a travelling magician, doing tricks for an audience in a small town. Now, she was doing tricks for a very different audience. One on the battlefield, and one that would always be awed by her performance. 

Now, it was time to perform again. She left her room,  holding a box up with her magic, and walked to the dining room. Awaiting her were all fourteen of her commandos, all armed and ready for combat. Major Gilda and the Commander were standing to the side. Trixie made her way to the head of the table, and putting down the box, she cleared her throat.
"Gentlemen, tomorrow is going to be a glorious moment for us", she started. "You, my friends, will hunt down and exterminate rebels, who plague us." She stopped for a moment.  "They are ponies, an opponent you've never faced before. 
They are of your own species. This can be challenging if you are not careful. Fortunately, you also have the element of surprise." She emptied the box, taking out four electronic devices, which had a single light on it. She pointed to one. "This device will be carried by four of you. Those four will lead the rest of the platoon to where this device points." She turned one on, and a dim light emitted from the direction of the source signal. "Our little friend in their camp is wearing a necklace with a tracker in it. This device follows that signal. The closer you get, the more brightly the light will glow." She stopped again. "My friends, I have full confidence in you, and I wish you luck on your mission. Remember, you are the best the Lunar Empire has to offer. Do not disappoint our princess!" She saluted the platoon, and they got up and saluted back.

"FOR LUNA", Trixie cried out.

"FOR LUNA! THE ONE TRUE RULER OF EQUESTRIA", the commandos replied in unision. "OORAH!"

*                                                                  *                                                                 *

Fluttershy had gone out very early to gather from the forest. She wanted to go deeper in the forest, and to do that, she had to go earlier. As she was picking, she started to wander in her mind. It was good to hear that they were getting help. But she couldn't help but doubt Twilight's credibility.

That necklace seemed strange to her, and why "Spike" would give it to her all of a sudden. The thing that got her the most was that she said that Spike could find her. If Spike could find her, so could anyone else, couldn't they?
Her thoughts were shattered when she heard a rustling coming from afar. She got down, and looked through the forest, and her eyes widened. Without trying to attract too much attention, she quickly made it back to camp.

*                                                                       *                                                            *

After Fluttershy felt she was safely away, she started to fly towards the camp. when she made it, she came down on the ground, and started to shake Applejack awake.

"Wha...what", Applejack mumbled sleepily, then yawned.

"Wake up", Fluttershy told her. "I saw Lunars in the forest, coming this way." 

Applejack's eyes opened immediately. She got up and woke up Twilight, and told her the news. Twilight passed it on to Rainbow Dash, and so forth. Scootaloo, who was last, passed it on to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, who were on night watch. 

"Are you sure", Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy, putting on her gear.

"Positive", she answered. "We don't have time, hurry!"

"Alright", Applejack told her. "Lead the way."
*                                                              *                                                                           *

The commandos were heading up a hill. They moved quickly, checking the forest for any hidden positions. For all they knew, the enemy could be anywhere. They moved cautiously through, using only non-verbal communication. The leaders with the devices continually checked them, and made adjustments as necessary.

They made it to a particularly thick part of the forest. There were bushes and steep tuffs of broken earth in a natural trench. 

They looked around to see if there was anything hiding. They didn't move at all.
One wandered into a bush, and started to poke around in it. He kept on pushing past branches and leaves until he saw a metal bar protruding from it, aimed at his face.

BANG!

The commando went down in an instant, minus brain matter and skull bone. "CONTACT!" 

"Now", Applejack whispered. The entire group opened fire on the commando team. Four more members died in the immediate crossfire. The commandos tried to reach their carbines, but several died before doing so. Fluttershy in particular was efficiently taking them out. One by one, the commandos went down. The ones that were still alive tried shooting, but it was to no avail. The numbers went from six,  to five, and to three when two went down together, to two when another went down, and zero when the last two were gun down.

"Stop", Applejack called out. She motioned for them to come out of their hiding places. They all gathered around the mass of bodies. "Alright check for survivors. If they're dead, search for anything useful."

The group did as they were asked. But Rainbow Dash was confused. The markings and the equipment...they weren't normal. She went to Pinkie, and whispered: "These don't look like regular Lunar army soldiers."

"I don't think they are ", Pinkie answered. Most of the group noticed this as well. Whoever they were, they were obviously not the regular soldiers. 

Fluttershy hovered around, poking bodies with the barrel of her assault rifle. After three times, she got nothing. Then she went to one that didn't quite look too wounded. She poked the body, and it coughed. She cocked her assault rifle. "I found one! A survivor."

The group stopped what they were doing and went to Fluttershy, and gathered around the survivor. He was grazed in the foreleg, but that was the extent of his wounds.  He sighed when they came over.

Applejack looked at him harshly. He was an enemy, and was to be treated as such. "Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash", Applejack called. "Can you carry him to camp?"

Rainbow Dash nodded, and so did Fluttershy. They both took the wounded soldier in the hooves, and flew him back to camp with the group.
*                                                                   *                                                               *
Forty-five minutes later, the commando was tied up, forelegs to hindlegs, with rope they found in one crate. He was young, but still tried to be strong. They had stripped him of all his combat gear, and only left him in his uniform. Sweetie Belle found a small box on his person, with some sort of light on top. It had been hit by a bullet, but the round did not penetrate. Instead, it turned off, and Sweetie Belle was trying to fix it. 

Meanwhile, the rest of the group was staring at the commando. Applejack was face to face with him, and Fluttershy, rifle-in-hoof, was hovering next to her. 

"What brought you here", Applejack asked the commando.

Fluttershy hit the Lunar with the butt of her rifle, causing him to yell in pain. She shot him an angry look, and then resumed her position.

"My friend will do that to you, for as long as it takes", Applejack assured him. "Now, tell me, what brought you here."
The commando spat out a tooth and some blood. He then looked to his captor.  "What would you do if I didn't know."

"Oh, we're going to shoot you anyway", Applejack told him. "You've got nothing to lose. So, tell me, what brought you here, before I have my friend hit you again, and possibly kick your pathetic body."

This alarmed the commando. He started to fidget in his bonds. "You can't do that. I'm a prisoner-of..."
Applejack now struck him as hard as she could across the face. "SHUT UP", she yelled, "Now tell me, what brought you here."

Wait, Sweetie Belle exclaimed. Everyone shot a look at her. She held up the device with her magic. "I've fixed it!" She looked at the light, and where it was pointing. She started to walk around, and started to notice it was glowing brighter when she moved closer to the group.  "Uhhh..."

"What's wrong", Applejack asked her.

"It's...glowing brighter", she explained. She started to move to where it was pointing, and tried to figure where it was pointing. She then saw exactly where it glowed brightest. "It's pointing right at Twilight..."

The entire group looked to Twilight. It was then she noticed her necklace was glowing brighter too. When she saw this, she tried to douse the light with her hoof. Applejack went to Sweetie Belle, and asked for the device. Sweetie Belle put it down, and Applejack nudged it closer to Twilight. Each time, she saw it glow brighter, and brighter. Twilight backed up further, shaking her head. Applejack then ran up to her, and moved her hoof from the necklace, and saw it glowing bright.

"You...", Applejack trailed, "...are the source..."

The group gasped, and Twilight shook her head in disbelief. Spike couldn't have known, could he? He wouldn't, he just wouldn't!

Twilight started to shake and tear up.. "I swear, I didn't know...", she tried to explain.

"You...sold us out", Applejack said. "You betrayed us."

Twilight was still tearing up. "I didn't know...I didn't do it, I swear..."

"Twilight...why", Applejack asked.  Twilight stood there, tear eyed. Applejack raised a hoof, and Twilight flinched. Then, Applejack placed it on Twilight's back, and drew her close, and embraced her, not looking at her. Twilight continued to cry into Applejack. She couldn't believe it. None of them could. Their closest friend...a traitor. 

Applejack's grief turned into anger. Her eyes filled with rage and tears, and she took Twilight, and shoved her to the ground, and yelled at her. "YOU BUCKING TRAITOR! GOOD-FOR-NOTHING TRAITOR!" She kicked Twilight in the flank with her hindleg, causing Twilight to shout in pain.

"No..please", Twilight tried to plea. "I didn't..."

"WHY DID YOU HAVE TO LEAVE",  Applejack asked, still infuriated. "WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BETRAY US, YOUR SISTERS! WE TRUSTED YOU! WE LOVED YOU!" She struck Twilight with her forehoof now. Applejack then turned to the group, who were watching the whole thing. She turned back to Twilight. "Get Up!" 

"What...", Twilight said, injured...

"GET UP", Applejack commanded. Twilight slowly, and shakingly got up. Applejack motioned with her hoof for Twilight to move toward the group. "GO! GET NEXT TO THAT SOLDIER!"

Twilight limped over where she was told. The group parted before her and Applejack. When she had got there, she stood where she was told. 

"Get down", Applejack snarled. 

"What...", Twilight asked. Applejack pushed her to the ground.

"I SAID GET DOWN", she barked. She turned to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, give me something to tie her with."  Fluttershy did as was told, and brought another cord of rope. Applejack took it, and started to tie up Twilight in the same way as the Lunar prisoner. Twilight, of course, tried to resist. Applejack struck her across the face again, and then proceeded to finish. 

When she was done, Twilight was almost immobile. Still crying, and breathing heavily from the pain of the blows she received, she stared into her former friends. "I didn't mean to...", she sobbed.

Applejack started to feel pity for her, but now was not the time for that. She addressed the Lunar Soldier and Twilight: "I am going to decide what I'm going to do with both of you tonight, and right now, it ain't looking good."

"You can't do this Applejack", Twilight sobbed. "I'm your friend!"

Applejack sighed. "You were my friend", she corrected Twilight. "You were my friend."

*                                                          *                                                                *
That night, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle all gathered together around the fire. Applejack and the rest had gone elsewhere to decide the fate of Twilight and the soldier. For now, both of them were by the night watch. They could hear faint sobs from Twilight still. 

"I can't believe it", Scootaloo said. "I didn't think she'd do anything like that."

"I can't believe my sister", Applebloom told them. "I never saw her so...angry."

"Twilight's not a traitor, there has to be a mistake", Sweetie Belle declared. "It had to be Spike, or someone else. It can't be Twilight...it just can't."

They sat silent again for a moment. "What do you think she'll do, Applejack that is", Scootaloo asked Applebloom.

"I don't know", she answered. "Hopefully she's cooled down by now.

Meanwhile, Applejack was hearing both sides of the case against Twilight. Now calmer, she felt fit to hear the case. Fluttershy was advising that Twilight was too dangerous to be kept alive, and she needed to be shot in the morning. Rainbow Dash  and Pinkie said that there had to be some mistake with Twilight, and that they shouldn't shoot her, or at least 
until they knew more. All of them agreed that the soldier needed to be shot. 

"She's our friend, Applejack", Rainbow Dash reminded. "We can't let ourselves become monsters like this. We can't kill her."

"But she's a threat, like Fluttershy said", Applejack told Rainbow Dash. "We can't trust her anymore."

"But killing her is too far", Pinkie said. "We have to let her defend herself."

"Don't listen to them, do what's right", Fluttershy advised. "We can't let her live. She's done too much."
Applejack was very confused. On one side, Twilight had endangered the group severely, and that could not go unpunished. 
On the other hand, she wasn't even sure now it was all Twilight's fault. But even if it wasn't, she was still at fault for bringing the necklace which endangered them all.

She thought about it for a long time as both sides rambled. Then she held her hoof up to signal silence. She got up. "I made a decision", she announced.
*                                                                  *                                                               *

The fire was dimming, and Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo huddled in their sleeping bags. They had barely slept, in anticipation for the decision on Twilight. The night previous was one of worry and confusion. All of them couldn't believe Twilight would do such a thing, not intentionally. They hoped that Applejack would spare Twilight.

They then noticed Rainbow Dash trot slowly toward the fire. They picked their heads up, and watched as she made it over, and laid down, eyes open.

"What happened, what did she say", Applebloom asked Rainbow Dash, who motioned with her head behind her. Applebloom and the rest saw Applejack trotting toward Twilight and the prisoner.  She had her combat saddle bag on, with a sidearm in the holster. Fluttershy followed behind, her rifle in hoof, and so did Pinkie, with two rags on her back. 
Applebloom and the rest knew what this meant, and bowed their heads. They saw as Applejack untied both of them, and lead them out. 

"I tried the best I could", Rainbow Dash muttered. "But she wouldn't listen."

Applebloom shook her head. It wasn't fair. Twilight did not deserve to die.

"Come on, let's go", Applebloom told her friends getting up. 

"What", Scootaloo asked. "You want to see that?"

"We should see a friend off", Applebloom explained. The other two regrettably nodded, and went on ahead with her, followed by Rainbow Dash. They trotted until they saw Pinkie finishing the blindfold on Twilight. 

"I'm sorry", she whispered. "Applejack's sorry too."

Twilight sniffed. "Just tell Celestia...the truth. I failed her. Tell her I am sorry."

Pinkie sighed. "I will."  

Twilight took a deep breath. "Make it quick, Applejack", she called out. "I don't want to suffer..."
Applejack was ready, and she moved in front of the two prisoners.

"What you're doing is illegal", the commando yelled out.

"I don't care", Applejack answered. 

"WAIT", Applebloom yelled, causing Applejack to look up. "This is stupid, Applejack. I thought you were better, but if you do this, what's this difference between us and them?"

Applejack took a moment to think. She looked at the prisoners. One was an enemy, who deserved to die in her eyes. The other, was...a sister. But a traitorous sister.

"Because, Applebloom...", she called back, drawing out her sidearm. "WE LIVE HERE!"

BANG! BANG!
A
pplejack fired two shots into the Lunar Solider in quick succession. The soldier yelled as he fell, but died relatively quickly. Applejack had loaded one additional round in the sidearm. She then moved to Twilight, and too aim with one hoof.
She held it there for a moment. But then...Applejack noticed Twilight was shaking. She was frightened, like a filly. Applejack then started to remember her friendship with her. She was like... a sister. 

Applejack still held the sidearm up, but started to tear up. She tried to muster the courage, but she couldn't. She dropped the sidearm.

"I'm sorry Twilight", she whispered.
Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Rainbow Dash were relieved. Twilight was going to live! Applejack started to move to Twilight...

Fluttershy noticed Applejack's moment of weakness, and rushed in front of her, and pushed her away. She cocked her rifle and aimed it at Twilight. 

"NO", Rainbow Dash yelled.

Applejack got up, and leapt to Fluttershy, and extended her hoofs toward the rifle, and closed her eyes.

BANG!
Applejack opened her eyes. Her hoof had pushed Fluttershy's rifle, and now it was pointing toward the sky. Fluttershy was hovering, staring straight at Applejack. She wasn't sure if she avoided shooting Twilight or not...

"gaakkkk..."

Applejack looked back, and saw a horrible sight. 

Twilight was hit sloppily in the neck. 

The shot was fatal, but not instant death. Twilight lay on the ground, gurgling on her own blood, which pooled around her. "gagghh..gaaakkkhh", was all she managed to get out. She extended her hoof to Applejack's direction, trying to reach out. After a minute, it dropped, and Twilight stopped gurgling, blood continuing to pool.

She was gone.

Applejack and Fluttershy resumed gazes. It was done. Twilight Sparkle was dead. 

Before Applejack could say anything, something shot out in front of her, knocking Fluttershy to the ground, and causing Applejack to fall. Rainbow Dash stood over Fluttershy, and was striking her with her hooves.

"WHY DID YOU DO THAT", she was crying. "APPLEJACK WAS GOING TO SPARE HER! WHY! WHY DID YOU KILL HER?" 

"Enough", Applejack yelled, pushing Rainbow Dash away. Fluttershy got up, and wiped the blood from her face. "What's done is done."

"But she didn't have to die...", Rainbow Dash whispered.

"It's done, Rainbow Dash", Applejack told her friend. She looked back down at the bodies, and then started to trot back to the camp, past a disturbed Pinkie Pie, Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. They followed her back to the camp.

"Are we going to bury them, sis", Applebloom asked her sister.
Applejack stopped, and sighed. She wasn't sure if either deserved to be buried yet. But for now, she made a decision.

"I don't think so sis", she answered. 
Applebloom closed her eyes and nodded her head. She understood. 

*                                                                     *                                                                     *

The next night, it was hard for all of them. In a little more than a week, they had lost two sisters, one to battle, one to execution. They all started to weep, even Fluttershy. She didn't want to, but she felt she had to kill Twilight.

They wept together. 

Applejack felt guilty. Twilight could have been innocent, and shouldn't have died. If Applejack ever found out that she was, it would be devastating. 

It was hard to think about her. They wanted to remember her, but remembering her brought back too much...pain. Pain that came from the guilt of her death by one of their hooves. Twilight had always been a good pony. After all, she was Celestia's student. They also worried what Celestia would do when she found out, especially if Twilight was innocent. They feared that she would not be merciful on them for their crime. 

Applejack tried to push that aside, and wanted to remember Twilight the best she could: as a friend. 
But she was a friend she had condemned to death.

Then Applejack got an idea. She asked to Sweetie Belle to follow her, and Sweetie Belle did such. They went through the rock bed, They came up to a  particular rock, which had two names inscribed on it.
RARITY
SOARIN'

"Twilight started the idea with them, that we add their names so we won't forget them", she told her. She then told her to look at a jagged rock on the ground. "Inscribe her name here please."
Sweetie Belle nodded, and took it up with her magic. Though not as neat as Twilight had, she carved the name into the rock.
Now the rock had three names:
RARITY
SOARIN'
TWILIGHT SPARKLE

She stood back and admired her work. Applejack smiled at it too. This was a good memory to her. Guilty or not, she deserved to be remembered. 

Applejack was never going to forget her.

*                                                            *                                                               *











> Part IV: Sacrifice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Part IV: Sacrifice

That night...



"Applebloom, are you awake?"

Applebloom grunted in response. She had been sleeping for a while now. As her eyes slowly opened, she saw the face of Scootaloo in the night. 

"Wake up", her friend whispered.

"Why...", Applebloom moaned. She wanted to go back to sleep.

"Just get up", Scootaloo hissed. "I'll explain after."

Applebloom  stretched, and got up slowly. As her eyes opened further, she started to recognize the forms of Pinkie and Sweetie Belle as well standing there awake. She knew that it had to be something important. "What's going on?"

"Just come with us", Sweetie Belle whispered. Applebloom finally got up and started to follow the three. They started to creep outside the camp.

"Wait a minute", Scootaloo whispered, and she turned back to the camp. Scootaloo watched in confusion. Everything was confusing now.

"Wait, where is she going", she asked Pinkie, still being led by Sweetie Belle to their destination. It was now Applebloom saw that Pinkie was carrying a saddle bag.

"She forgot the shovel Applejack made", Pinkie answered.

"Why", Applebloom asked. Why would they need a shovel? Unless...

"You'll see", Pinkie answered. They eventually came up to where they wanted:

The site of execution.

Twilight's and the soldiers bodies were left slumped; untouched and unburied, their blindfolds still on. Applebloom figured out why they needed a shovel. "Oh...", she whispered. Pinkie nodded in confirmation.  "Are we going to bury both of them?"

"No", Scootaloo answered from behind her after dropping the shovel from her mouth. "I don' care what Applejack says; Twilight doesn't deserve to be left like this." Hovering lowly in the air, she took the shovel in her hooves and started to dig. 

"Sweetie Belle, Applebloom", Pinkie adressed, "bring Twilight over here. And take off that blindfold."

"Alright", Sweetie Belle answered. Both her and Applebloom went to the body.
The ground stank of dried blood. Twilight's body was dirtied from being left out. Fortunately, there was no sign of any sort of bugs getting into her. Her wound was still open, showing a grisly mess of dried blood, muscle, and tissue. Applebloom tried not to look. Sweetie Belle went over to Twilight's, and moved the blindfold slightly.

"AIEEEEEEE", she shrieked, jumping back.

"What's wrong", Applebloom asked, before seeing what she saw, and jumping back as well.

Twilight's eyes were still open. One was rolled back, and the other looking to the side. It looked absolutely terrifying in the moonlight.

After a moment, both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom calmed down. "What's going on over there", Pinkie called.

"Nothing", Applebloom answered, looking at the open eyes in front of her. Though very disturbing, it also brought  a feeling of pity on both of them. They took the blindfold all the way off. Applebloom then slid her hoof across Twilight's eyes, closing them. "Rest in peace", she whispered.

Pinkie trotted over, and saw Twilight's body. She took the saddle bag off, and started to rummage through it. When she found what she needed, she started to patch up the neck wound on Twilight, just so she didn't look so horrid. When she was done, Twilight looked a little better than she did before.

For the next two and a half hours, Pinkie and Scootaloo alternated on digging. It was hard labor, but they felt it was their duty. Meanwhile, Sweetie Belle had an idea. She went out, and found a few flowers. She picked them, and brought them over to Twilight's body. She then proceeded to weave them into her mane, because, she said, "it makes her look a little prettier...even while dead."

When the grave was complete, Pinkie and Scootaloo went over to the body. They saw what Sweetie Belle had done, and smiled. But then a tear fell down Pinkie's face once more. The flowers in Twilight's mane made her look a lot better...but she was still dead. Killed by one of their own. It didn't weigh off the guilt if she was indeed innocent. Even if she wasn't, killing her would still be a shame.

Before Scootaloo went to fill the grave, Applebloom questioned them. "What will my sister say if she found out?"
"If you asked me earlier, I would've probably said no", a voice called out behind them. They all turned around in surprise and saw Applejack standing behind them. "But since you've already dug the thing, I guess I can't stop you."

"Sis, they got me up", Applebloom tried to explain. "I didn't tell them to do anything..."

"It's alright Applebloom", Applejack explained. "I appreciate what you're doing." She sighed. "I'm sure she does to." She looked at the weary Scootaloo, and had an idea. "Allow me, I'll fill it."

"Thanks, Applejack", Scootaloo answered in relief, stepping aside. Now, she and Pinkie (which proved difficult as Pinkie was not a pegasus) carefully lowered the body, and Applejack filled the grave.  When she was done, they stood over it in mourning silence, as the sun rose over the land once more, for another day.

*                                                             *                                                                  *

The traitor-collaborator was bound with his hands behind his back, being led to an awaiting rotary transport to the prison camp. They decided to send him off early so the aircraft could come back. Major Gilda watched as he left silently, guarded by two of her soldiers. It was sad to an extend in the Major's eyes. It seemed so cruel to leave him in such a depressed state, along with the guilt he must feel for betraying his friends. She knows that's what several of her kind felt in the initial Lunar invasion. After seeing him off, she then started to make her way through the streets to where she was expected. 
Executive Commander Trixie stood at the edge of the city, flanked by Major Gilda, the Commander, and two soldiers, the latter three having been there beforehand. Her commando team was long overdue, and she was starting to get nervous. Her team were among the best in the Lunar Empire. She self-picked this team for the situation; how could they even possibly have trouble? 

"How long are you going to wait, Executive Commander", Major Gilda asked Trixie.

"Trixie doesn't know", she replied. After a ten more minutes, the waiting was over. She went over to the Commander "I want to send a small team to the forest. Have them look for the bodies." She drew him closer with her hoof. "And tell them not to search out any of the resistance fighters."

The Commander nodded, and left to deal with the issue, leaving Major Gilda with the Executive Commander. Gilda stood nervously as the Executive Commander stared out into the horizon.

"Permission to speak freely, ma'am", the Major asked.

"Granted", Trixie answered, turning to her. "What do you want, Major?"
"Executive Commander, your team has been gone for about a day", Gilda told her. "I would suggest, knowing how our enemy works, that they're as good as dead. A search would be pointless, unless you want to risk more lives."

"Major, I plan to either find my commandos alive and successful, or dead and ready to send back to their families", Trixie told the Major. "Trixie is still hoping it's the first scenario."

"Ma'am,  with all due respect, this may not be the best option", Gilda tried to reason. 

"Trixie will continue to act as if they're still alive, Major", the Executive Commander told Gilda overbearingly, "until the time comes they are not."

Gilda straightened. "Yes ma'am."

*                                                             *                                                                  * 
The day was very un-eventful for the group. In fact, it came for them to think, they hadn't done anything in the past week or so. But especially not now. 

It had been two days since Twilight's execution, but the wounds still were open in the group.  Rarity's death was too much; Twilight's was a crushing blow. Especially the way  and why she died.

Naturally, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy found out about the burial. Both agreed it was owed to Twilight. However, that's where the agreements stopped between them. Fluttershy still kept to her belief that Twilight's death was a necessary one; 
Rainbow Dash said that even if Twilight was guilty,  she still shouldn't have been killed. Rainbow Dash also grew very distrustful of Fluttershy, and refused to speak to her or even sit by her. "She'd kill anyone of us in a heartbeat if she thought we were traitors", she later told Pinkie.

"I doubt that", Pinkie tried to defend. Though Pinkie did not want Twilight's execution and was heartbroken at her loss, she came to terms with it. It happened; she had to move on. "Also, I thought you were close friends with her before this...war happened."

"I was", Rainbow Dash said. "Then she went nuts!"

Fluttershy heard this, but said nothing. Rainbow Dash did not realize how much danger Twilight had put them in. Applejack couldn't do it, but someone had to. And it pained Fluttershy that she had to do it, but if Twilight was still alive, then they would probably be dead by tomorrow. Killing her was the only feasible option.

Meanwhile, Applebloom had her suspicions. She didn't believe Twilight was guilty of anything. "It was Spike I tell you", she told Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "I just know it; Twilight wouldn't have done something like that knowingly." Now, all things considered, both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle heavily considered this alternative. Twilight was smart, but she could be gullible, especially with a friend. Applebloom had already established Spike was with the Lunars, so that would mean he 
could have given them up by giving Twilight that necklace.

"Seems such a shame, though", Sweetie Belle said. "I thought he was a good guy."

"What are you talking about", Applejack asked. The three didn't notice her coming, and nearly jumped at the interruption.

"Er, Applejack", Applebloom started. "I was thinking...maybe it was Spike who betrayed us, not Twilight..."

"Sis,", Applejack told Applebloom. "I would like to think of alternatives too. But what's done is done. We can't reverse it. It'd hurt me if I found out she was innocent, but there's nothing we can do about it now." The three looked down in sadness. 
That was the harsh truth: she was dead; nothing could change that. Applejack saw their sad faces, and bent down. "I miss her too...but, try to be strong."

She left and went and started to check the stores. Then Sweetie Belle had an idea. She started to crawl away slowly.  "Where are you going", Scootaloo whispered. 

"I'm going to see Twilight's things", she answered.

Applebloom was flabbergasted. "What...what? No, come back here!"

Sweetie Belle crept on anyway, and her friends followed her. The rest of the group stayed where they were, doing assorted task and didn't care to notice. Sweetie Belle then went to where Twilight had slept, and started to look through her sleeping bag.

"Hmmm, nothing", she whispered. Applebloom came up behind her, and tried to pull her away. Sweetie Belle continued, until she saw a slip of paper.  "Huh?"

She took it out, and started to read it. Applebloom and Scootaloo looked over her, and read it too. It was not from Twilight. Rather, it was Rarity's...adressed to Spike.  

"It's a love letter...", Sweetie Belle trailed. They all looked at it. It was...deep. She poured her emotion into the letter.
But the real shame was that she was now dead.

"I know I said things about Spike...", Applebloom whispered, "but I think someone should give this to him."
Sweetie Belle rolled up the letter. "I'll take it to him, if I live through this", she said. "I'll make sure he knows." Her friends nodded, and she took it to her sleeping place and hid it in her sleeping bag.

*                                                                 *                                                                   *
That afternoon, Trixie stood over thirteen coffins. Her eyes were closed, and her mane ruffled. Major Gilda and the Commander stood nervously in front of her. A reconnaissance team had gone out and found the bullet mangled bodies of her commando team, killed by the resistance fighters. Now, the rotary winged aircraft that had returned hours earlier and another spare was going back out to deliver the bodies to their families back in the Lunar home country.

The search team only went as far as the bodies. They drug them away on sleds two pulled behind them. They didn't want to risk another ambush. For Gilda and Trixie, this was a relief no one else was hurt. 

Of course, Trixie had checked if the locator boxes were still intact, but all were shot up, except one, which was missing. She assumed that the resistance fighters took it.

"Thirteen confirmed KIA", she whispered. "One MIA, presumed KIA. All of them, my best soldiers." She looked up, and opened her eyes. "How could I be so underestimating...this wasn't supposed to happen." 

"Ma'am, with all due respect', Gilda started, "we warned you about these mares. They are responsible for many deaths already. You can't simply wipe them out."

"But how were they supposed to know about my plan", Trixie asked her, "How did they know about the tracking device?"
"In all honesty, I call it dumb luck, ma'am", Gilda answered. "I doubt they knew about it initially, but consider that they could have seen your team coming in." Trixie considered this, and started to grudgingly accept that their approach was not very well planned out. She had severely underestimated the skill of these resistance fighters. Or, at least, their luck, as the Major put it.

"Without my team, I have next to nothing to fight with", Trixie stated. "They were my weapon; my key to success." She saluted the bodies, and then several soldiers starting taking them away on sledges, loading them on two of the awaiting transports. 
At the same time, a shipment came into the city. She remembered that for the past week or so, The Commander and the Major reported no attacks on the supply lines.

The supply lines...

Of course!

She remembered that's how they resupplied: they used Lunar supplies stolen from raided vehicles. And obviously, they needed to find out where they took them...so you would have to track where the supplies are going.
She also took into thought about her fallen soldiers. They tried to follow the source on foot. "Commander, the highest form of our arsenal that you've used on the dissidents is  armored land vehicles, correct?"

"Correct ma'am", the Commander replied. "May I ask why?"
Trixie looked at the remaining rotary transport. She came here with three. Of course, she didn't arm it as well as she should have. So, if at first she could get the armament, and then she could contact the suppliers, who could...
She was a fool for not thinking of this earlier. She started to chuckle.

"Commander", she told him, "take me to where I can contact Lunar Command. I have a special request for them..."

*                                                                 *                                                               * 

The sun was rising on the next morning. It was very early; just the break of dawn. Applejack had taken night watch with Pinkie, who was fast asleep next to her. As for Applejack, her eyes were barely open. Even when Pinkie was on watch, she had trouble sleeping. 

Something bothered her though. She had been sad since Rarity's death, but Twilight...it left her out of the right mind. Guilt riddled through her. She wondered if this was Twilight's revenge: that she was innocent, and now the punishment for such a sin was to never forget and always feel the guilt.

In her daze, she saw something in the early morning sun. Quickly rushing back to reality, she looked harder. She saw the form of a pegasus, sitting alone just outside. Applejack got up and went to this form.
Rainbow Dash sat with her eyes closed, letting the small breeze whistle through her mane. She barely noticed Applejack coming near, but she felt it none the less. Applejack sat next to her, and looked into the sky as well.

"I wonder sometimes, Applejack", she said after a brief moment of silence. "that if all this didn't happen...where we'd be. All of us. Just us six."

Applejack sat for a moment in thought. "I dunno", she answered.

Rainbow Dash sighed. She then opened her eyes and turned to her friend "Applejack, why did Twilight have to die?" 
Applejack said nothing at first. There was nothing to say. "I guess I was angry at her", she answered sheepishly.

"Bullshit", Rainbow Dash replied. Applejack was taken aback by the language. "Tell me the truth."
"What am I supposed to say", Applejack asked. "that I wanted her dead for a long time? No, that's not true. Rarity just died, and I thought that..."

"Then why would  you want another one of us to die", Rainbow Dash asked.
Applejack exhaled. "I thought she was a traitor. She led an entire group of those Lunars here with that damn necklace!"
Rainbow Dash was skeptical "And that deserves her death? We killed them all remember. Well, most of them."

"Well...", Applejack trailed. "I was angry. I hadn't been well." Her voice trailed into sadness. "Do you know how hard it is for me? I lost a sister and a friend because I said we should go and try to do something. Rarity died because I pressured her into going! If I didn't say...she might still be alive. And do you think it was an easy decision to kill Twilight? I couldn't even do 
it! I dropped the pistol! Fluttershy had to do it for me!"

Rainbow Dash didn't realize what Applejack was going through. Applejack started to tear up."I'm sorry...I..." She realized emotion was taking her as well. "I just miss Rarity...Twilight..and Soarin' so much. This war...it's taking its toll on me."

"I know, sugarcube", Applejack told Rainbow Dash. "It's hard on me. It's hard on all of us. But... we'll get through it." Both stared at each other. They were like sisters. They had gone through this war together. They depended on each other for survival. Nothing could break that bond. 

Both teared up, and eventually began to weep. They embraced. They were Sisters. Sisters to the end. Nothing would change that.

They held on to each other as the morning sun rose, Celestia's sign of a new day. And in this morning sunshine and embrace, Applejack heard a noise. Familiar...all too familiar. 

It was a Lunar Supply Vehicle.

"Er, Dash, could you get off me", Applejack asked.

Rainbow Dash  did so, and sniffed. "Why?"

Applejack smiled. "Because we're back in the saddle again."
*                                                                *                                                                         *
They ran quickly to the camp and woke up Fluttershy. She grumbled but when they explained, she got up quickly with her rifle. Applejack and Rainbow Dash geared up and got ammunition, Dash getting a grenade, and the three then ran towards where the sound was coming from. For about seven minutes they ran until they saw an open plain, with the vehicle rushing alongside. Quickly, they hid behind a bush as the oncoming vehicle rumbled forward.

This was the moment. Sure, Applejack and her friends were only three, but the Lunars couldn't suspect. Fluttershy raised her rifle silently, and started to trace the supply vehicle. Dash started to take the grenade out, but Applejack motioned that the two lower their weapons. "Wait", she whispered. She noticed something was off about the vehicle. There was a rustling in the back, and she watched carefully as it continued. 

Then she saw a rope snap and four crates fell off the back of the vehicle.

"Dear Celestia...", Applejack trailed. She held her friends back as they all gasped at their luck. When the vehicle was out of sight and earshot..."let's go."

The three crawled out of their hiding space, and went to the dumped contents. Their jaws dropped at their luck:
Food, water, ammunition, and a large case filled with unknown contents lay before them. 

"It's...a..", Rainbow Dash started, "MIRACLE!" She went to the crates and flipped them open happily and saw the contents. Applejack and Fluttershy looked at each other in amazement and glee. They all started to go to the boxes and see what they had. It was amazing. This could help them survive a lot longer! 

"Alright, alright", Applejack said after a moment of joy. "Let's bring these back  to camp..."
"Wait", Fluttershy said, flipping open the mysterious crate. She looked in puzzlement at what lay in front of her. 

Rainbow Dash took a look and recognized it. "I think that's the thing Sweetie Belle used to destroy the tank when..." she paused, "...well, what happened to Rarity."

Applejack recognized it. This would definitely would become useful in the future. "Let's take this entire load back to camp", she told the rest. They did as they were told, happy at their luck.



*                                     *                             *

"They probably think they're so lucky", Trixie told Major Gilda and the Commander. Gilda was worried for the Special Forces Executive Commander's sanity. Ever since the attack the Executive Commander seemed to go mad. She had started making questionable decisions, all the time saying it was 'necessary'. 

First Trixie ordered all shipments of supplies be doubled. Her position gave Command a higher urgency to send them. Gilda thought this unfair, as the Commander had requested for months for reinforcements and none were given. But so far all shipments came uninterrupted. The Executive Commander also requested some personal items be sent. Among them, Gilda heard ammunition for her rotary winged aircraft and, to Gilda's puzzlement, quantities of alcohol. This was limited to scotch, but Gilda was starting to really get concerned. Even more so was private attire, of which Gilda had not known what type.
One of her concerns was when she overheard an alarming rumor from her subordinates. They said that some of the younger officers were staying out late and not coming back until the early dawn, one every night. They were said to be woozy and slightly off in their strides. The most scandalous mention, however, was that out of all places...they had stumbled out of the Executive Commander's quarters.

Gilda at first thought they were simply drunk, coming from the general direction, but it hit her that Trixie was supposed to be the only one with alcohol in the city. And if they were coming from her quarters...

Major Gilda simply looked at her papers. Is this really going on, she thought,is the Executive Commander going mad? The signs were all there. She became arrogant, snapping out at subordinates, and her now compulsive mix of alcohol and young male officers. 

Gilda had never truly warmed up to the Executive Commander, especially with her past. But this was beyond troublesome. This was the Great Trixie? A wench who thrives on pleasures such as this?

Shut up, she thought to herself herself,that's traitorous But was it? Or was it just genuine concern? She was very confused.

Gilda decided not to press the matter further. She finished what she was doing within an hour. She packed up and headed back to her quarters. But...she passed the Executive Commander's office. She was curious as to what her plan was. She hoped she could just drop in and ask.

Yet again, she was only a subordinate...
But she was also sure Trixie should be open to questions. She proceeded to the door. She cracked inside and saw Trixie flex something with her magic. Upon staring, Gilda saw it was made of fabric, shaped curiously, almost as if...

Gilda just pushed the door opened slightly and knocked with her talon. She then saw the piece of black fabric fly inside a drawer and she heard it shut. She was puzzled for a second at what she just saw, and why she would have what Gilda thought she had.

The Executive Commander perked up in her seat at the sight of Gilda. "Er..Enter!"
Gilda walked in and saluted Trixie. "Ma'am, I'm sorry for disturbing you", Gilda started, "Permission to ask a question."

"Permission granted, Major", Trixie responded. 

"Thank you, ma'am", Gilda said. She cleared her throat and continued. "I was wondering ma'am what your plan was to eliminate the dissidents."

Trixie paused for a moment. "Well, it would seem Trixie hasn't told you yet..."

"No ma'am", Gilda replied.

"Alright", Trixie answered. "What I plan to do is order a shipment that will run the same course as the first one from months ago. After a certain time, the dissidents would try to ambush it. Not wanting to risk our own soldier, we'll give them what they want..."

"Ma'am?"

"Fear not, Major", Trixie reassured, " Trixie will have their presents tracked."

Because that went SO well the first time, Gilda thought to herself, but said nothing.

Her expression though, gave her away to the Executive Commander. "Yes I know it sounds folly, but rest assured, I have planned this out more thoroughly." She got up and went to the side of the room. "You may have noticed that there was a request for specific ammunition for a rotary winged aircraft. Rather than a ground assault, which it would seem these dissidents excel at gaining victory against, I have decided to use a form of war that they have never seen before."

"You plan to use your rotary wing to kill them then", Gilda thought. Those bullets will tear them to shreds..., Gilda thought. I know they are responsible for many deaths, but...is there no other way?

"Precisely, Major", Trixie answered. "I trust you have no objections."
"No, ma'am", Gilda replied almost in reflex. Inside, she wasn't sure, but there was nothing she could say that would make any impact on this decision. 

"Good", Trixie told Gilda. "Anything else, Major?"

"No ma'am", Gilda answered.

"Then you have my leave", Trixie replied, sitting back in her desk and looking away from Gilda. Gilda saluted and walked out. 
She went to her quarters and took off her uniform and went to bed, dreaming of her past and these infernal dissidents. And yet.. she felt for them. 

Gilda had fought against the same soldiers as well. It just happened to be a short war, but she fought them nonetheless. She knew how they felt: an oppressor coming into your lands and claiming them, ruling through fear. It just pained her to be that oppressor.

She crawled into her bed and decided for these thoughts to wait till morning. Right now she needed her rest.
Several hours later she woke up to a noise. She got up and listened. It sounded as if a door opened across the hall...one that held the barracks of the officers...

*                                    *                                      *

Three days later, Gilda was up early again. But this time, it was with a great purpose. 

She saw the blades sit idly. There were four other people other than the Executive Commander, her Commander, and herself. They were all wearing jumpsuits and flight helmets, with microphones and headsets built into each one. The side door was open, and on each side were two machine guns on spokes, in addition to the chain gun at the front of the rotary winged aircraft which was controlled by the front seat gunner, an earth pony. The back seat pilot was a unicorn, whose magic powered the aircraft. That's what made these unique: it was the first craft that didn't require pegasus power.

Trixie was observing as everything was finalized and then walked into the cabin first as the pilots went to their seats. The first door gunner stepped in and took his position, followed by Gilda and the Commander. They were followed by the last gunner who shut the door.

Gilda heard the rotors power up, and not long later they were in the air. She looked to the door gunners as Trixie chatted away to the pilots. Both stood bipedal with hooves on the machine guns, watching out for any targets. Though, Gilda thought, that these gunners wouldn't be shooting at much.

As she watched the landscape go by, she started to think about the militants again. This was...this was their downfall. What 
should kill them. It seems so justified in some ways, but simply cruel in others. 

Trixie had a electronic board in her magic, straight out of prototypes that allowed her to follow the tracking devices. Trixie had claimed later that these were hidden inside the food cans. She also said that the pilot and gunner had similar devices installed in the cockpit, so they could track as well.

"THERE! TWO O' CLOCK!"

Trixie had shouted this, and the rotary wing rose and made a slight turn, and the speed slowed. She closed her eyes as she heard the front gun start spinning...

*                                   *                                     *          

It was early morning, and the day had been slow. As usual for the last few days, it was a lazy one. They went to a rock, sat down and started eating their lunch. Applejack took a seat in between two rocks, her back to the rest of the stone landscape.

It was then that Applejack started having serious thoughts that something was amiss. This gift seems too much as if they wanted us to have it, the mare thought to herself, Why would they allow something to be so loose?. But she quietly ate her food. They had their weapons and ammo, so if they saw anything, they were ready.  

Fortunately, in this time, they had witnessed Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash make up. After their initial celebration, Fluttershy went to Dash and asked for her to forgive her change. Dash smiled and the two hugged. Everything was now perfect: they had food, shelter, supplies, and weapons. There was near nothing

fhwumpfhwumpfhwumpfhwump...

Then Applejack heard a strange noise in the air. She listened closer

fhwumpfhwumpfhwumpfhwump...

What is that, she thought to herself. She can't say she hadn't heard that noise, but it was a while since she heard it...

It was at an airshow in Ponyville.

FHWUMPFHWUM FHWUMPFHWUMP..

The annoyed mare decided to look behind the rock, and almost dropped dead at what she saw.

In the air, a rotary-aircraft. Heading right toward them.  The setting sun glistened off its metal guns. Applejack didn't see anything of this sort before, she only saw Solar ones, but knew what it meant:

"EVERYPONY GET..."

Before she could finish, a burst of fire from the attacker carved its way into the rocks. Applejack looked in horror as Rainbow 
Dash took the worst of the assault, taking wounds to the chest, and falling off her perch.  The attackers roared over head, right past the team.  The rest of the team got down, and armed themselves, waiting for the attack bird to make another pass.

"RAINBOW", Scoots squealed in terror. Applejack quickly crawled up the rock, and brought and slung her wounded  friend across her back. 

Oh, gosh. Oh my gosh, Applejack though at the thought of her friend. Rainbow Dash was seriously wounded, and needed to be evacuated as soon as possible.

"Scoots, Applebloom, Fluttershy, Pinkie, COME ON, we've gotta get outta here", Applejack ordered. The group did as they were told, and started madly rushing to safety. 

All except Fluttershy. She stayed behind. She had a burst of courage. 

She ran back and positioned herself behind a rock. 

I'll show them, Fluttershy thought, they're not going to hurt my comrades. I'm not scared of them.

Fluttershy had the rocket launcher, and she took it out, loading a rocket into it. 

Fluttershy took no hesitation. She broke cover, and moved into the open. She brought the launcher to her leg, aimed up at the attacking chopper, and fired. 

The rocket sped, and for a moment time slowed down. The rocket seemed to slow down, as it reached closer to its target. Fluttershy looked with awe at what happened:
The rocket exploded on the side of a chopper, and killed one of the gunners on the side. But there was no other damage, not even a smoke trail.

Fluttershy looked in amazement. The chopper was still alive. Even a rocket couldn't take this thing down.  She looked in awe for a second, and realized it was over for her. But she wasn't gonna go down without a fight. She dropped her launcher, and drew her machine gun, and opened fire on the chopper, screaming:

"THIS IS FOR MY FRIEN..."

Before the chopper opened fire again, cutting off her voice and silencing it forever.

*                                    *                                   *
Applejack and the rest made it to a rock. They realized the chopper wasn't following them anymore, and Applejack shrugged her friend off her back, and looked over to see the damage.

Forunately, Rainbow Dash had no major wounds on her torso that Applejack could see at first, but when Dash moved her hoof from her abdomen, a large bullet hole was revealed right underneath the ribcage. Half of her right wing was blown off, leaving a very ugly mess of muscle, tissue, and bone. Her eyes were wide open ghastly with shock and pain, and she was breathing heavily and gurgling, not able to say anything. The blood was dripping out of her mouth and her wounds at every breath, and her heart was racing, but slowing down.  She was trembling in shock.

"It's okay, Rainbow, we'll help you! Scoots!", Applejack cried out. Applejack also looked back, and noticed Fluttershy wasn't there. 

BUCK, she thought,  SHE STAYED BEHIND. SHE'S GONE!. But Applejack knew there was no time for that right now. Now they had to attend to Rainbow Dash. As far as she was concerned, Fluttershy was gone.

Scootaloo came with some gauze. Applejack took it in her mouth, then started to peel it off with her hooves. She started to wrap the gauze around Rainbow's chest, when a hoof came up shakingly to stop her.
Rainbow turned her head, eyes still open wide, and continued to tremble. A tear streamed down as her eyes calmed. She pointed to something on Applejack's torso  with her hoof:

A grenade. 

"What this", Applejack asked, then suddenly realizing the meaning of the gesture. "Aw, no , no, no, Rainbow, I'm not letting you die!"

Rainbow Dash coughed, blood came like a mist out of her mouth, and continued to wheeze. She nodded, as if in acceptance of her fate. She took Applejack's hooves in hers, and gestured once again with her head at the grenade. 

"Give...", Rainbow Dash started, sputtering, "give it to me."

Applejack withdrew her hooves from Rainbow's body, took the grenade out of her pack, and passed it to her friend. Rainbow's eyes were starting to shut, as the blood continued to flow out of her, and continued to breathe heavily. She looked once more at her friend, and coughed again. Without a word, she put the grenade, back on the spoon, and pulled the pin with her hooves.

Clever filly, Applejack thought bittersweet, you're always were clever. Rainbow Dash smiled back, seeing her friend's reaction.  

"I... I", Rainbow started again, then started coughing blood, "I want to give them...", she stopped and winced at the pain, but then smiled, "one... last surprise..."

She coughed again, and slowly leaned her head back as everyone watched, continuing to tremble.  She accepted her fate as she closed her eyes, coughed one last time, and stopped trembling. Applejack placed her head on Rainbow's torso. The heart that was racing just a minute before now stopped slowly, and finally ceased to beat. The final breath left Rainbow Dash's mouth, and blood flowed out and puddled, staining the ground.
Applejack drew her head up, and let the tears flow from her eyes, and started to weep uncontrollably. 

There she was, Rainbow Dash: pegasus, hotshot, and good friend. And a corpse.
She stood there for a minute, looking at her friend as Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie watched in solemnity. Pinkie trotted over slowly at Applejack's side, hair covering one of her eyes, and started tearing up as well. 

It was amazing, really, in Applejack's and Pinkie's eyes. She was the brash young flyer, and rising star. Now she lay there,  gone from this world. So many good times and memories they all held together. They smiled at the memories. They couldn't believe it. She was now just... gone.

Eventually Pinkie controlled herself, and  whispered to Applejack:

"We all loved her, Applejack, but we're not safe here. It's time for us to go."
Applejack looked at her friend, and nodded in reply. Applejack turned to Applebloom and Scoots. Both had tears in their eyes, but nodded in agreement to Pinkie. 

Applejack knew she was right. The Lunars were probably looking for them right now, and that chopper might come back around.  She laid her head down next to Rainbow Dash's body, stroked her mane and whispered:
"Sweet dreams...", Applejack started weeping again, "Dashie." And the tears fell on the fallen mare's face, before getting up and withdrawing.

Eventually, the four remaining resistance fighters trotted  back to their camp, as the noise of an enemy rotor wing closed in on their position from a distance...

*                                                               *                                                     *                      

"Why the hell weren't they killed!"

Trixie was furious. Gilda watched as she chewed out the front seat gunner. Only two kills out of seven. Not a good gun run. 

All of the others managed to get away. Trixie pressured to continue, but the rocket blast forced them to land temporarily. 

Thankfully for the crew in the cabin, the only one killed was the gunner, who took nearly all the impact when the rocket exploded near the rear and the door. The feathers on her head were stained red though. So were everyone's uniforms.

"Ma'am, they had the advantage of cover. The rocks formed a natural barrier..."

"Then why the hell didn't you try to draw them out?"

"I...I tried ma'am! But we had to come around, and then the rocket came..."

"Trixie is tired of your pitiful excuses", Trixie told the gunner. The gunner simply stood and said nothing. Gilda shook her head. If her Commander was near-mad before, she must be borderline now. 

"Permission to speak freely, sir", Gilda asked her Commander.

"Permission granted", the Commander answered.

"I'm starting to worry for her, the Executive Commander", Gilda told her Commander.

"Its fine, Major", he whispered back. "She's just angry. Don't pretend you wouldn't be in her position."

"But this plan was doomed from the beginning, was it not?"

"Don't say such things", the Commander told her. "This was merely a slight oversight. And how was she to know there were going to be rocks?"

Stop trying to justify her foolishness, sir, she thought to herself. Trixie then came to the two of them and sighed.

"This was unfortunate", she began, "ugh...WHY DIDN'T THIS WORK?" The last remark nearly scared Gilda. 

She started to go on about how brilliantly executed this was supposed to be. As this was happening, the remaining door gunner walked off by himself. Shortly, he came to a corner where he saw the body of a light blue mare pegasus with rainbow-colored mane and tail. He went closer, and observed the body. Out of curiosity, he nudged the body a bit...
There was a click as a spoon fell off a grenade.

BOOM

The rest all turned their heads at the noise. The Commander got up and was about to go investigate when Trixie held up her hoof and bowed her head.

"Dammit", she whispered.

*                                                             *                                             *

That evening the group sat around a low fire. They had said nothing since what happened earlier. All Applejack had done was take a food can, but smashed it in her anger. She was shocked when sparks came out. She observed it and nearly cried 
when she realized what it was...

"They..it was like...Twilight...they tracked us...

"THEY BUCKING TRACKED US!!!!"

She broke down and cried for several minutes, in front of the other four. Applebloom and Pinkie came to comfort her, and rubbed her back with their hooves. But they were all on the verge of tears. These...were just too much.
Within the last month they lost five good friends, four in combat, one by the own hooves. It was hard to think that they were the last alive.

Applejack continued to weep softly, eyes shut as the tears ran down her face. She felt a hoof below her bring her up, and she opened her eyes slowly and saw Pinkie. Her friend smiled somewhat, and Applejack got up, smiling back. Pinkie stepped back, but the feeling seemed to overtake them. They looked at each other.

They were the last of all their friends. Out of their group of six friends, they were the last alive.
Applejack looked at Applebloom and her friends. All three of them were still alive, and that was a relief. Applebloom was her sister, not like Applejack's friends, but a real sister, and it was a miracle she wasn't hurt.\

Applejack couldn't imagine what she'd do if Applebloom ever did get hurt; she was her last living relative. Their parents, grandmother, and Big Mac just a few months ago...all gone.
Applebloom went to hug Applejack again, and comforted her. Eventually, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle went to do night watch. Pinkie laid down and after a few minutes started to go to sleep.

Applebloom stayed near Applejack, as the latter watch Scootaloo barely keeping her eyes open as Sweetie Belle slept. 
Pinkie was fast asleep, and Applejack saw Applebloom was fighting fatigue as well.

"Go to sleep, sis", she whispered to her sister. "It's okay, you need your rest." Applebloom looked up at her, then got up and moved a few small steps away and plopped down on the ground and soon was snoring. Applejack smiled, and then soon fell over and began to rest as well.

*                                                         *                                                    *

Out of all days, this was the one that made Gilda concerned for her Executive Commander the most.
Trixie had ranted about how she couldn't get these dissidents, her mood swinging from fury, to sadness, to hope and then back again. No matter how hard she tried, they just couldn't be beat. When she was delivered a message from Command, demanding an update and reasoning behind her failures, she tore it up violently. She said that they could wait, and that eventually she'd get them.

After about an hour, the Major and the Commander were excused, hearing Trixie pant behind them after so much yelling. 
"Permission to speak openly, sir", she asked the Commander. 

"Permission granted", he answered.

"I'm starting to really doubt our Commander's ability to lead", she admitted.

"That's borderline treason", he answered.

"I don't care anymore", she shot back. "She's failed twice already, and cost us several lives. We can't let her stay."

"She's our Executive Commander, Major", the Commander told her harshly. "You will treat her with respect, and follow every order, is that clear, Major?"

Gilda gulped. "Yes...yes sir."

"Good; do not let me have to repeat myself." The Commander trotted off as Gilda shook her head. Why was she the only one to see the Executive Commander's problem?

*                                                           *                                                 * 
Pinkie tread slowly in the night with a saddlebag. She didn't want to attract any sort of attention by anyone. Pinkie wanted to be in and out as quickly as possible. There were a few things left behind that she had to get.

She was soon back at where the ambush had taken place, in the rock bed. In the night, she could barely see, so she crept around, constantly looking around for what she was searching for.

bump

Her hoof touched something solid. She looked down and nearly threw her head back at the sight. 

Fluttershy's body was limp, twisted in an odd way. Parts of both her wings were gone as well as several gaping bullet holes permeating her body. Her eyes were wide open and pupils tiny, with the face of uttermost shock. 
Pinkie sat and held her tears. She went over to Fluttershy and went over her eyes with her hoof, closing them. "Rest in peace, sister", she whispered. Pinkie then went to the rest of her corpse. 

Fluttershy was carrying the extra rockets and Pinkie knew she needed those. She made quick work of putting them in her saddle bag, and as she was about to leave, she looked back as the moon glistened metal on the ground. She went back and saw Fluttershy's rifle, with the carvings in the stock. Pinkie looked at it...how much time she saw Fluttershy carving it. Sure, the hash marks to mark how many she killed but the other side showed her true side...the loving one. Pinkie felt bad that she wasn't with them anymore.

Pinkie decided to do one last thing. She took the rifle and placed it in her pack. She would keep it from now on, to honor the memory of her friend. She would defend herself with it, and continue to keep track. How many Lunars it took from here to the end of her war didn't matter.

What mattered was she was going to avenge her fallen sisters.

*                                                           *                                                 *
Applejack woke up the next morning and rubbed her eyes with her hooves. She looked around and saw her now small band of friends. She frowned to think that just a month ago, there were four more ponies sleeping here...and now they were dead. It had taken a toll on Applejack, thinking about how they buried Twilight and Rarity...but left Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. 
She started wondering of any way to allow most of them to survive.

Applejack looked and saw Sweetie Belle was not at her post. She got up and looked around for her, and saw her asleep by the rock where they had carved the names of those gone. Applejack noticed two more added:

Rainbow Dash
Fluttershy

Applejack smiled. After standing for a few moments, she went over and nudged Sweetie Belle with her hoof. She woke up and got up slowly, and Applejack accompanied her back to the camp.
It was then Applejack noticed Pinkie was out of place. She trotted over to her sleeping, and saw a saddle bag laid awkwardly. Applejack flipped it open and jumped back. 

There was a rifle, a launcher, and several rockets in there. Upon looking, Applejack recoginized the rifle as Fluttershy's, and noticed that this was the gear Fluttershy was wearing at her time of death.

Applejack then knew that Pinkie had snuck off during the night. Aside from nearly endangering them...she also looted a body. She was angry at first, ready to kick the sleeping pony awake, but then decided that perhaps Pinkie's intentions were for the best.

When they were awake, Applejack took Pinkie aside. The three younger ones looked in curiosity. 

"Listen, sugarcube", Applejack told Pinkie, "I know you went out last night. Why did you take those things from Fluttershy?"

"Uh...uh...", Pinkie answered, trying to find the perfect lie. "I..." But she couldn't lie. Applejack gave her a look, and she knew she had to spill the truth. "Our...friends...I want...to avenge them...I want to...kill Lunars...make them pay...for killing our friends."

Applejack tsked. "Sugarcube, don't think like that. You can't let those thoughts get to you."

"But...our friends", Pinkie whispered. "We can't let this go unanswered."

"It won't and it doesn't", Applejack assured her friend. Pinkie smiled for a second, but looked back down. Applejack smiled and raised her friends head with her hoof. "Sugarcube, I've been thinking..." she looked to the younger group, who were apparently hearing in. "They need to survive. You know that. I have been thinking...perhaps I want to deal a blow too. But I am thinking of who to take." Applejack paused. "Want to come? So I don't have to go alone."

"NO", Applebloom screeched. Pinkie and Applejack looked over. "Sis, I'm coming with you."

"What", Applejack said in confusion. "No! You're much to young..."

"...and your sister", Applebloom pointed out. She turned to Pinkie. "Miss...Pinkie, sorry, can't you take my friends to safety. I need to do this with my sister."

"But...I want...", Pinkie stumbled. "Applebloom..."

Pinkie was cut off by Applejack. "Sis...I can't lose you. You need to go, be free." Applejack couldn't see her sister hurt. Not her...

"But I can fight", Applebloom shot to her. "I can help you. And we need an older one with us. Make Pinkie go with them, please. Take me instead!"

Applejack actually considered this. Without an older supervisor, even though Applebloom and her friends were now older, they couldn't make it. And, as well, either one of them would be recognized. Either her or Pinkie needed to be with them. And 
Applebloom wanted to do something with her sister...

After a minute Applejack apologized to Pinkie, who stuttered. Applejack ignored her and went to Applebloom. "You know we could die, right?"

"I know", Applebloom told her. "But I need to do this with you." 

Applejack shook her head. "Fine; you can come."

She turned to Pinkie and the rest. "What will happen is that Applebloom and I will go to Ponyville tonight, make a distraction. Pinkie, I want you to take Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle up through the frontlines."

"Won't we get killed", Scootaloo asked.

"If I distract them there, no one will follow you. You'll just have to make it out."
Applejack looked around for distractions, and then saw the rockets...

*                                                            *                                                 *

Applejack and Applebloom made their way as fast as possible to Ponyville. The trip was long, but they had to move quickly. 
No breaks; just getting to Ponyville. Their hooves were aching as they galloped and trotted but that pain was necessary.
When they got to the outskirts of the city, they looked around. There were Lunar Soldiers looking around. The lights were searching and officers were barking orders to their subordinates. 

"Do you think we could get in", Applebloom whispered to her sister.
Applejack looked around for any possible weakness. They weren't mobilized yet, but she could tell soon, it would be impossible to get in. "Let's look around a bit more", Applejack told her sister. She complied, and they snuck around the perimeter of the town. Nearly at every point, there were Lunar Soldiers armed and ready. But in what seemed like a stroke of luck, they found a route that lead into an alleyway. They would be able to sneak past any Lunar guards and make it in.

"Alright, Applebloom", Applejack addressed her sister, "do you have the explosives?"

"Yeah, sis", Applebloom whispered back. She shifted to jiggle the pack. Applejack nodded. They made the explosives out of the rockets Pinkie took from Fluttershy's body. What would happen was that once the makeshift timer was started and finished, the rockets would detonate simultaneously. It had taken time, but they got it done. Now was time as ever to use it.

This was it. The final move. Their last strike, one they could possibly not come back from. But Pinkie and the rest needed to get to safety. They needed a distraction; here it was. 

"On three, Applebloom", Applejack told Applebloom. Both got into a position to gallop as fast as possible. It was now or 
never.

"One"

"Two"

"THREE"

Both took off and raced across the open field and into Ponyville. Once they got safely into the alleyway, both paused to see if they were being followed. Looking around desperately, because if they were caught now...it would all be over too soon. To both of them, this was a near-suicide mission. But if they were going to die, it would be after their bomb went off. They needed to give their friends time.

When it was clear, they moved through the alleys and shadows, careful not to attract any attention. There were no citizens out; only Lunar soldiers on patrol. Applebloom and Applejack were sure to be seen if they were clumsy. 

They made it to a loading zone in the town. There were several vehicles and crates here of supplies. They could tell they had made it all the way across the city. They run to a cluster of buildings. When they were in another alleyway, something occurred to Applebloom. "Sis, where do you want to plant the bomb?"

The thought just hit Applejack too. Poor planning on their part; they didn't even have a target. "Uh....", Applejack trailed looking around. She poked her head out of a corner and saw a group of five Lunars. There was a light blue unicorn leading them, reading something. She was flanked by another unicorn and a griffon. They were escorted by two regular Lunar soldiers. Applejack was sure the ones in front were in command. The party went inside a small building.

Applejack motioned to the structure. "There Applebloom", she whispered. The two then went to the building. The walls weren't too thick, so the bomb could blow through it. "Alright, bury it". Applebloom and Applejack quickly dug with their hooves and then Applejack took the bag off of Applebloom and put the bomb into the hole, setting the makeshift timer to go off before retiring to safety.

*                                                         *                                                 *

Trixie slammed her hoof on the table and shouted in anger. "COUNTER-ATTACK!?!?!?!" 

Gilda and the Commander jumped back. New intelligence reports came in, and they were urgent. A large Solar Army force was making their way into their former territories. Lunar armies on the borders and in the conquered cities were to prepare for it. 

"FIRST THESE DAMN DISSIDENTS, AND NOW THIS?"

"Ma'am, with all due respect, we can hold this city for...", the Commander tried to comfort.

"SHUT UP", Trixie yelled, then lying back trying to regain her composure, breathing heavily. "We need to arm every soldier 
we've got", she said. "They could be here in a matter of hours..."

"Ma'am, in all due respect, you are paranoid", Gilda tried to say, as calmly as possible. 

"PARANOID", Trixie yelled, losing it again. "PARANOID, MAJOR! TRIXIE IS A REALIST! DO YOU THINK THEY'LL STOP FOR 
TEA ANYTIME SOON? THE SOLAR ARMY IS HEADING THIS BUCKING WAY! AND I'VE GOT LITTLE FIGHT THEM WITH!"
Gilda kept her mouth shut, the Commander spoke up. "Pardon the Major, ma'am", he said calmly. "But you need to calm down. A great tactician as yourself would know when a threat is most..."

"I BUCKING KNOW", Trixie yelled again. "AND TRIXIE KNOWS WHEN WE'RE BUCKED." She took a moment to calm down, breathing again. "I know that when a threat is near, it's always important. We have to deal with this as soon as possible"

"I understand now, ma'am", the Commander said. Neither he nor Major Gilda wanted to press anymore. 
Trixie calmed down and sat back. In her service, she's never had this big a problem. All the other races were pushovers compared to this....these brigands that called themselves 'freedom fighters'. She lost an entire Special Forces unit and wasted ammunition in a rotary winged run that claimed only two of the enemy. She was not in a good mood.

"Trixie just wishes..."

BOOOM!!!!!!

An explosion rattled the room. The wall burst open and the people in the room went flying back as the force of the explosion sent them. Gilda felt herself hit a wall and black out for a second. When she regained consciousness, her ears were ringing, and her vision blurred. The room was wrecked. The table was now in pieces, and Gilda found some splinters all over her body. Her eyes readjusted, and she looked around.

Her Commander lay dead, a large piece of table impaling him, along with his hind legs crushed by a part of the wall. She looked some more, and then saw the bodies of both soldiers. But where was the Executive Commander?

Gilda snapped around when she saw some ruble lift. Trixie stumbled up and struggled to regain balance. When she did, she looked up at Gilda and her eyes burned with the greatest fury.
She motioned for Gilda to the bodies of the soldiers. She took one of their weapons in her magic, and Gilda took one in her talons. By now, Gilda's hearing had come back mostly. 

"Trixie has had enough of their..." Trixie started to say, but Gilda's hearing messed up again and didn't hear for a second. 
"...kill them", Gild managed to pick up hearing again. Both cocked their weapons and headed out. 

"You check over here, I'll check over there", Trixie yelled.

"Yes, ma'am", Gilda said grudgingly. Gilda was shaken by the explosion, but in her heart wished Trixie had been killed as well.

*                                                      *                                                      *
"We did it!"

Applebloom and Applejack were happy. The explosion went off, and they were able to  and they were able to get away. Now they were in the sections of the crates. 

"Yes, yes we did", Applejack told her sister. They were going to get out, reunite with their friends. This was going to be glorious.

Then there was gunfire.

"GET DOWN", Applejack screamed, as they lept behind a crate. 

Applejack looked back. "Applebloom, are you..."

She wasn't there.

Applejack looked a bit farther at a cry of pain. She peaked out and saw 

Applebloom lying on the ground, screaming in pain. A bullet took her in the hind leg and through the thigh. The bullet had gone through the thigh, and by the angle of the hit, out next to her heart. Applejack's world just crumbled at that moment. 
She looked to see the blue unicorn advancing toward her sister with a rifle in her magic...to finish the wailing young fighter off.

Applejack didn't wait. She took the pistol out of her saddle with her hoof and stood up on her hind legs. She stood and the unicorn looked up in shock.

There was a brief exchange of gunfire.

Applejack saw as two of her bullets went through the front of the unicorn, one right below and the other next to her neck. She tumbled over, breathing heavily. Blood started to trickle from her, and Applejack noticed the same of Applebloom. Applejack smiled.

Then winced in pain, and fell over. 

Applejack didn't know what happened it had...rushed into her. She looked down and saw. Her side...and right below her heart...was hit. And she was bleeding fast.

She took a moment to struggle up, and enough to drag Applebloom by the saddlebag with her teeth. Her sister was now moaning and whimpering. Applejack needed to get her out of here...she had to...no matter how much it hurt.

*                                                              *                                                         *
Gilda ran to where the gunfire was. She looked around for the dissidents. They needed to be stopped...right now Gilda needed to end it. They may want freedom, but her head would be taken if she didn't help. This is where it counted for her. 
Her Commander, all those soldiers...but these fighters only wanted freedom...

She couldn't trouble herself at the moment. Right now she needed to act. She moved around some more with the rifle.

There they are. She saw them, and raised her rifle...

But she saw who they were.

Both were bleeding...heavily. One was dragging the other by her saddlebag, limping and groaning in pain, small drops of blood dripping from both of them. Gilda figured that was Trixie's doing. But if they were still alive...that meant Trixie wasn't. A sort of relief to Gilda.

But now she could end them; bring a stop to these attacks forever. And...

Sisters, she figured, fighting together...

The one dragging her sister saw her and stood for a moment, her eyes growing small and she started to shake in pain and fear. Gilda had her rifle raised, but lowered it, sighing. The one dragging her sister looked at her curiously, the eyes showing the intensity of her wound...and moved on without a word. Gilda watched her drag the sister away.

"Fly", she said. "Grow wings and fly. Go; be safe."
She dropped her rifle, and walked away back to the ruin of the building. By now, there were many Lunar Soldiers on sight, and a few dragging a blow unicorn.

Trixie, she thought. The name boiled in her.

She walked up and ordered the men to halt. They tried to say that the Executive Commander was in danger, but Gilda said she didn't care. The troops cleared a path and let Gilda pass to the bleeding Trixie.

"Trixie is hurt...help me", she groaned. Gilda looked down at her and turned her head away.
And promptly took one claw and dug it into Trixie, and a sharp screech was heard. The soldier's readied their rifles at Gila. 

"Traitor...", Trixie spat out. 

"I don't care, whore", Gilda told her, and held Trixie until she died. The soldiers looked at the Major in confusion. She had just murdered one of the greatest minds in the Lunar army.

Eventually, they lowered their rifles and put them on the ground, and let Gilda get to an elevated position. "I am your new Commander", she said. She looked around at all the soldiers, all the flags and patches, wearing the emblem of a nation they fought for. 

And the one Gilda fought for. She may have hated Trixie...but this was her life. She was a soldier. A soldier of Luna.

"My first order: ready the defenses. We will await the arrival for the Solar Army. In the meantime, sweep the city. Make sure no one gets in or out." She thought of the sisters. "But no one is to be harmed. Take prisoners if there are any."
She saluted them, and they went to attention. She waited a few moments. "Hail Luna", she adressed them.

"HAIL LUNA! THE ONE TRUE RULER OF EQUESTRIA!"

*                                                    *                                                  *

Applejack stumbled out of the alley. Applebloom was still in her teeth. But Applejack felt the strength leave as the blood did, her life coming to a close.

I have to keep going..., she thought. need..to...help

Applejack thought about what had happened. She caused the distraction...Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Pinkie were safe. 
They were now on their way to the frontline...and freedom.

But Applejack was here with her sister. Living and dying at the same time. Bleeding and tired. There was nothing she could do...nothing...

I have to move on

She pushed on, and her eyes adjusted to the market place. So many memories were here, with Big Mac, selling the family crop...

And where this whole war began for her. Right here. This is where she was with Applebloom when the invasion began. When she had six friends and a brother...

I can't stop now

She dragged Applebloom, and heard the noise of approaching ponies. She hurried, but the pain was getting unbearable. 
She knew she couldn't last much longer. She limped around, trying to find a place.

And she then recognized the stand she sold her crop from. 

Applejack moved towards it, and dropped Applebloom. She lay slump, next to her sister. Struggling, she lifted a hoof to stroke her sister's mane. "It's going to be okay...sis, hang in there..."

"Sis", Applebloom croaked. Applejack listened. "I can...see...Big Mac...Twilight...Rarity..."

She was going. Applejack knew it. Her sister was dying.

And so was she.

Applejack stroked her sister's mane for another moment, the sound of hooves getting closer. A light shone on them, and there was shouting. Applejack felt Applebloom's chest...and there was no heartbeat. 

She blacked out.

Another moment later, the lights were still shining. She saw the form of a griffon. The same one from earlier? She squinted, but the world was darkening around her. Her vision declined, and so did her hearing and the rest of her senses. 

The last word she heard came from the griffon. 

"MEDIC!"
She saw a pony start to come over...

And she closed her eyes, and saw her dead friends and Big Mac. She then wondered if she'd ever open them again.









> Part V/Epilogue: Sanctuary
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 "This is Solar Army Group Two, we are prepared to move out at your command."

"This is Wonderbolt Squadron, Unit Commander Spitfire reporting in. We are ready to take off and proceed with fire mission at your command."

"Armored Column Three checking in. We are ready to roll out. Give the order."

"Solar Army Group Six reporting in. Forces are lined up and ready to go. Give the order."

"The is Her Majesty's Ship Canterlot Rose reporting in. We have our detail of Marines on board ready to disembark on the shore with rotary-winged support. We await your command."

Shining Armor heard the calls roll in on the radio. Group after group called in and checked in. Celestia stood and looked outside the window of her chamber, leaving Armor on the radio.

After the last one checked in, Armor looked to Celestia. "Are you ready, your highness?"
She looked back at him. So young...yet lost so much. His sister was lost behind enemy lines, and there was the matter of her niece...

"Your Highness?"

Celestia nodded. "Proceed Captain", she ordered.

Armor quickly got back on the radio.

"This is Sun Base to all Solar Military forces at ready. Proceed with Operation: Sunrise. I repeat, Proceed with Operation: Sunrise. Deploy your forces and move to your objectives. Good luck; Sun Base out." 

Shining Armor hung up the radio. "The order's been given, your highness. We're making history."

"Yes, Captain...", she answered. She looked at him, and back out the window. Her mountain fortress was built several hundred years ago to protect her...if Nightmare Moon ever came back. As the years passed, she had made several modernizations made, including the hidden train here, and the fortress defenses. The buildings may be stone, but there was electricity, not to mention anti-air and ground defense batteries everywhere. There would be no chances on Celestia. She was secure here.

She looked back to her Captain of the Guard. "Come, sit", she asked him, trying to sound as kind as possible. He was a good soldier and loyal, to a point. She had some struggle with him during the conflict. With her student and his sister stuck behind enemy lines, heaven knows what happened to her. He repeatedly requested and begged that a Special Forces team could drop in behind enemy lines and extract her. The other generals said there was no way they could do it effectively without maximizing casualties, and even then, and Celestia knew too, that they didn't know where she was or if she was even alive anymore. Constantly he would storm off and lock himself in his quarters, to come out later and just sulk for a bit in his office. She had talked to him a lot, trying to comfort him. She felt sorry; he had gone through too much in too little time.

The most disturbing part was his hatred of her sister and the Lunars, which began even before the war. But when his sister was trapped behind enemy lines, the Captain vowed bloody vengeance if his sister was hurt.

He sat without saying anything. Celestia wanted to make sure she was alright. "Are you alright Captain?"

"Hm? Yes, your highness", he answered. He sighed. "I just hope she's going to be found."

"I do too", Celestia answered, comforting her Captain. "I do too..."

*                                                          *                                                      *
The three galloped through the forest as fast as possible. No slowing down; they needed to go quickly. 

They didn't know how if Applejack and Applebloom had succeeded, they couldn't find out. They were too far ahead; they couldn't look back or see. The bomb wasn't that big. They could only hope that they succeeded.

"I hope they make it out", Sweetie Belle told Scootaloo, while they were galloping. 

"I do too...", Scootaloo answered. They continued at full speed. It was good to go relatively unloaded. They only carried rifles and two magazines of spare ammunition. No food; it was either make it to safety or die.
Eventually, after five and a half hours, they stopped and simply panted. "Do you think...we'll...be...caught", Sweetie Belle asked.

"I...don't...know...", Scootaloo answered. "What...do...you...think...Pinkie?"

Pinkie didn't answer. The flat pink maned pony simply panted. Pinkie hadn't said much since they escaped. She just galloped, not looking back.  She looked at her two companions now. But she didn't say anything. They could tell she only was concerned with getting home.

After a few minutes, they continued at full gallop. The forest was getting thicker. They ran past the place they stopped the last time they were here, when they lost Rarity and Soarin', and crept around. They were in a trench, and looked across the plain.

There was an entire camp of soldiers. 

The group crept down in the trench. "Can you see which side they belong to", Scootaloo asked.

Sweetie Belle looked over the trench. The flag of Luna swung in the night. "Lunar", she whispered.

"Aw, muffins", Scootaloo whispered.

Or tried to whisper.

The Lunar Soldiers heard and got up and loaded their rifles quickly. "Who's there; show yourself!"

The group sat in fear, and Scootaloo brought a hoof to her mouth. The Lunars had thrown down their bipods and walked.   

"Show yourself!"

Then a group about six soldiers were twenty feet behind them. They looked up in horror. "You're going to come with..."

There was a noise in the distance, and everyone looked up. A pegasi fighter flew above them...with a sunburst and bolt under the wing, seen for a split second. As they saw it, something detached...
And the ground above the trench turned to fire. Just a straight line of fire. The Lunars screamed as whatever caused the fire stuck to them and they burned. Scootaloo looked up in horror and saw one nearly melt as the fur and skin crisped away.

The strike had limited their hearing, so they only saw several rotary winged craft above the flames. They were different than the Lunar ones. They settled down in front of the strike zone, and then several soldiers wearing different uniforms stepped out.

Sweetie Belle brought up her head and another shout came. "Hold there! Don't move! In the name of her highness Celestia!"

Celestia? SOLARS!

Pinkie shouted: "FRIENDLIES! FRIENDLIES!"

The Solars approached. Their uniforms were patterned digitally, green and tan. They wore helmets with the same pattern.They looked at the drastically different uniforms Scootaloo, Pinkie, and Sweetie Belle were wearing. Even without the Lunar patches, the uniform was unmistakable, especially with the rifles they were carrying.

"I'll believe that when the Sun turns purple, Lunar", one of the soldiers told them, cocking his rifle. Their rifles were different. 
They had bi-pods like the ones the Lunar weapons, but other than that, the magazines were in the back, behind the trigger, and there was a built-in scope on the weapon. 

"Wait", a voice called. The soldiers looked back; and another soldier, a unicorn holding what looked like a picture in his magic. He looked over at Pinkie. "Are you Pinkamena Diane?"

"Yes...yes...", she answered. "I...I am..."

The soldier looked at her. "Your mane is flatter than what's on archive", the soldier told her. 

"It happens when I'm sad", she answered. "This war makes me sad."

The soldier nodded. "Well, 'Pinkamena', care to come up with your friends?"

"Yes...yes...", she answered, and the three followed suit. The soldiers cleared the way as she got up. 

The soldier that talked to her checked the cutie mark and nodded. "You're Pinkamena alright." He turned to his detachment.   "Get them on the rotary wings; we're going back early. This takes precedence over everything on orders from her highness. 
Let's move."

The three were loaded onto rotary winged aircraft, and were flown away.

"Safety...", Sweetie Belle whispered. They were safe.

*                                                             *                                                                          *

After three hours, they were coming to a decent. They had looked out the window at times, to see the landscape. In the distance, they saw the mass Solar forces moving across the land. "What are they doing", Scootaloo asked

"Major operation", one of the soldiers answered. "We've going to take back every major city the Lunars took. Manehattan, Canterlot, Ponyville..."

"Ah", Scootaloo answered. "We fought outside Ponyville..."

"Really", the lead one had commented. "Well, it looks like you're a veteran of that theater before we are!" Everyone chuckled. 

When they came to where they were, the sun was rising, and the dawn opened. The rotary wings then hovered for about a minute before setting down in a courtyard. The soldiers told the three to wait as the engines powered down, and the pilots got out. The soldiers went first, followed by the three. 

"Keep quiet", one whispered to Scootaloo. She took note, as it was probably for good reason.
The entire group was met by another group, led by a familiar white bodied and blue maned unicorn male, wearing a tan uniform with no camouflage and white trim. The other soldiers carried shorter carbines and wore similar uniforms, except with berets. The lead soldier and the unicorn saluted  one another.

"Lieutenant, welcome back", he said. It was unmistakable. 

"Captain Shining Armor, I have something for you", the lead soldier said. He looked back and motioned for Pinkie. She came up slowly.

Shining Armor's mouth dropped. Pinkie looked confusingly and he came up and hugged her. "You're...you're one of Twilight's friends! How...are...where's Twilight?" 

Pinkie didn't answer. She looked right over his body, just staring with an empty look. Some of the soldiers gulped nervously. 

"Uh, uh, Pinkie, is it? Could you, uh, say something please?"

Pinkie just stared. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle tried to come up to her, and Sweetie Belle raised her hoof in front of Pinkie's eyes. Shining Armor stepped back and looked confused.

Pinkie didn't blink, or notice.

The lead soldier from the rotary winged cleared his throat and spoke up. "With all due respect, sir, I think we should take these three to her highness now. She would want to speak to them." 
After a moment Shining Armor nodded, "Yes...yes..."

The lead soldier nudged on Pinkie. "Come, now, Miss Pinkamena, let's go..." 

After a moment, she placed one hoof forward and began trotting with the rest of the party. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked nervously at each other.

"What's wrong with her", Scootaloo asked.

"I don't know", Sweetie Belle answered.

The soldier who was kind to them looked to them. "We've  had a few soldiers come back for medical treatment. Almost all of them came back staring like that. I think the doctors diagnosed it as psychological trauma. Whatever she went through is affecting her now."

"Oh, I...I see", Sweetie Belle answered. 

*                                                                      *                                                                      *

The group from the rotary wing had left on orders of Shining Armor, and once they entered the building, the other guards left them too. Their hoofsteps echoed in the hallway.

The building was large and made of stone, like most of this fortress. The mountains surrounded it, making it ideal for a secret place. The stone walls were unadorned, something much different than Canterlot. 

"Alright, she's right this way", Shining Armor told them, opening the large door. "Tell her what she wants."

The castle wasn't as flashy as Canterlot, and yet the Princess still had the luxury of a relatively large room, but they could tell the same room doubled as a sort of throne room, with a stone throne sitting with one of the only three decorations in the room, all of which were simply tapestries with the sunburst of Celestia on them. There was a large grated window, which overlooked the courtyard, draped by large, plain curtains. To the left was a radio system, which was apparently used to give orders. Towards the middle-right of the room, was a large couch and three smaller ones surrounding a coffee table. To the center-left, was a bed, for her highness. Beside it, was the doorway to a bathroom.

Her highness looked back to the three who just entered. Her face was that of amazement and joy. "You're...you're safe!" They saw a tear of joy come down her face. The three took a moment to kneel and lower their heads in honor. "Oh, please rise, faithful ones. Rise! Do not bow!" They did and looked at her highness with puzzlement. 

"Friends! Yes, friends! Come close, come close." The three did, and her highness spread her wings to hold them together close to her. "It brings me joy to see you three safe..." She let go and the three stood there waiting. She looked to the table and couches. 

"Oh, please, come here, sit, sit with me." The three did as commanded and sat on the couches, while her highness reclined in her own. There was a pitcher of tea on the table, several cups, and some small cookies to go along with it."Make yourselves comfortable, by goodness you deserve it. Have whatever you like."

They did merrily, and were delighted at the smell and taste of real food and drink. For the past few months, they survived on brook water and rations. 
After a few moments, Celestia started. "So", she began. "Will your other comrades be coming soon? What of my student?"

"Uh...", Scootaloo trailed. "I...your highness..."

"They're dead", Pinkie blurted out. Celestia and the younger ones looked to the pink pony. She sat, simply staring at her refreshments. "Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were killed by the Lunars. I don't know about Applejack and her sister, but I hope they're alive."

Celestia looked to her cup. "I'm so sorry...what of my student?"

"She's dead too", Pinkie said calmly. Celestia sat back in shock. "She was killed because of a lie."

"What Miss Pinkie means to say", Sweetie Belle told Celestia. "What happened was that Twilight Sparkle was tricked into leading the Lunars to our camp. We killed them all, with none of us hurt. But when we got back, a prisoner we took noticed Twilight's necklace, which was used to track us. Applejack got mad and hit Twilight angrily, and had us tie her up..."
"...the next morning, Applejack decided to execute her alongside the prisoner", Scootaloo continued. "The prisoner was shot first, but when Twilight's turn came up, Applejack couldn't bring herself do it. When one of our other friends tried to step in, Applejack struggled, but the gun went off and killed your student and our friend." Celestia looked down, tears flowing from her eyes. "I'm so sorry your highness."

Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. "Who. Betrayed. My. Student."

"Fluttershy had the gun that killed her", Sweetie Belle explained, "but she's dead now too. Twilight said Spike gave her the necklace. He's the one who gave us up, your highness."

"That dragon...", she trailed. "I trusted him..."

"We don't know where he is", Scootaloo said. "I'm sorry; we didn't go back into the city, we stayed outside."

"I see", Celestia answered. "Well...where is my student buried?"

"By our camp; six hours from where we were picked up, your highness", Sweetie Belle answered.

"My forces are going to Ponyville...if you were with them, could you find the grave?"

"Yes, you're highness", Scootaloo answered. 

Celestia thought for a second, but knew what needed to be done imminently. "I'm glad you three still live. I will have you stay comfortably for a few days. You deserve it."

The three smiled at the Princess's generosity. "Thank you, your highness", they said in near-unison. 

"Now, you have my leave. I will have rooms drawn up for you", she answered. She looked to Pinkie. "Do you need a doctor, Pinkamena?"

"No, your highness", she answered. "I'll be fine."

The three got up to leave and Celestia commanded the door be open. The three walked right out, escorted by Celestia.   She smiled, and looked down. Shining Armor was there.

"Well, your highness", he asked, "what of my sister?"

Celestia's mood changed back. His sister...what would he do if he was told the truth? That she was killed by her own friends?"

After a moment she sighed. "She was killed in a Lunar Ambush", she lied.

"What...", Armor trailed.

"I'm so sorry", Celestia sympathized. He leaned in to her side and started to cry. She held him with her wing. "It's going to be alright...it's going to be alright..."

*                                                                *                                                                            *

Six months passed. Three days after their arrival at the fortress, the three were taken to the front, accompanied by Celestia and Shining Armor. They showed the soldiers the grave sites of Rarity, Twilight, and Soarin'. They also found the remains of Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Coffins were ordered to be built by all of them. Just a week later, reports rolled in. Manehattan was taken, Appleloosa liberated, and Canterlot had been for a week back under Solar control. Now, they stood while Ponyville surrendered.

There was a crowd of soldiers, who deposited their rifles on a pile, and stood at attention. A griffon stepped out and the flag of Luna was brought up on a moving table next to her by two soldiers. "I am Major Gilda, commander of this city. You have rightfully won back; we can fight no further. I surrender the city to you, unconditionally."

"Gilda, Major of the Military of my sister", Celestia addressed her. "I am glad you decided to end the bloodshed."

"Yes, your highness", Gilda answered.

Pinkie whispered something to Celestia. "My faithful follower tells me that two of her friends made it in the city. She and I wish to know their fate."

Gilda looked down and nodded. A group of Lunar soldiers stepped aside, revealing two coffins.

Pinkie began to cry. "We tried to save them, but the former Commander had mortally wounded them", Gilda explained. "I am sorry."

Now, six months later, the city was back to normal. For the last few months, the war was at a standstill, the lines barely moving. But for the three, nothing like that mattered. They moved in with Derpy, not wanting to go separately. She happily accepted them into her home, and even bought a larger one to accommodate them all easier. They lived together, and were happy. They also learned a prisoner exchange was planned, and Spike would be returned to the Solars. They couldn't say how he would be accepted, as it was well known he was a traitor.

But Pinkie was not the same. She was always flat-maned, rarely excited. She always mourned her friends, being the last one still alive. A doctor described it as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, and Survivor's Guilt, as she was the only one still alive. Right now, they were going to the War Cemetery. 

Sweet Apple Acres was transformed into a burial ground for fallen Solar soldiers. But in the center was a monument to the freedom fighters, surrounded by the graves of the fallen ones. A statue stood, showcasing all of them, including Soarin' together fighting. 

They had flowers in saddle-bags, to place on each of the graves. Almost all of them were all buried here: 
Rarity: Killed in Action bravely
Fluttershy: Stayed behind to save her friends
Rainbow Dash: Gave the enemy one last surprise before death
Twilight Sparkle: Died under unfortunate circumstances

Twilight's death was never clear. Celestia told them to never reveal the truth of Twilight's death, wanting to keep her student's memory a good one, along with theirs. After putting down the flowers and standing in mourning, they gave a batch to Soarin' in the aviator grave site, and then proceeded on.

Now, Applejack wasn't buried here. Instead, she was buried with Big Mac and Applebloom on a hill overlooking the acres. 
They came up and brought flowers to each of the graves, and stood in silence. They all died bravely. Big Mac defying his killers, and Applejack and Applebloom died to make sure the others were going to live. It was powerful to them.
They could rest now; their war was over. If everything went well, they need not fight again.

Hopefully.