Chapter 1
“Are they in position?” Not even glancing away from the scope, Fluttershy was completely focused on her target. Rainbow Dash, who was sitting beside her atop the ruined building, glanced down to a blinking receiver. A stray gust of wind blew through them, causing the building to groan in response.
“Jack and Gem are in position, awaiting your signal. Wish you’d hurry up though, it’s freaking freezing you know.” Giving a shudder, Dash brought the ruined green clothes around her tighter as Fluttershy angled the gun slightly. Closing one eye, she breathed in, and then out. Around her, everything faded, her entire world encompassed by that singular tunnel. Wing spreading, she placed a feather inside the trigger.
“Watch out!” Pushed to the ground, Fluttershy instantly became aware as a bullet zipped past Rainbow Dash, blowing a second hole in her ear. Swearing, Fluttershy turned the gun in the direction it had come from, standing up and firing without hesitation. A large chunk of building fell, and a Pegasus flew out of it, pulling out a smaller weapon.
“Retreat, we missed our chance,” she spoke, wings flaring as she tossed the weapon off the building, pulling out a weapon similar to the one the Pegasus was using. Flipping backwards, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy dived down their escape route, sliding through an open sewer hole and into the network. The Pegasus followed, how in pursuit.
“Scatter,” whispered Fluttershy, diving left at a T intersection while Rainbow Dash went the other way. Glancing back, she swore, as the Pegasus had followed her. Diving up through another opening, she dove into a side street, skidding to a stop behind a garbage can. Calming her breath, she heard the Pegasus land.
The Garbage bin was lifted up, and Fluttershy lept to the side, rolling onto her hooves as it smashed into the wall behind her. Narrowing her eyes, she noticed the horn atop the head of the pony. A spell charged up on the Alicorn’s head, and blasted toward her. Too wide to dodge, Fluttershy dived through it, tackling the pony to the ground.
Kicked through a door, Fluttershy glanced toward the startled civilians, and heard them begin to cry out in panic. The floor slippery, Fluttershy used it to slip back through the kitchen, slamming the second door open and diving into the building. The Alicorn tried to follow, throwing civilians toward the hot cooking appliances without care.
Fluttershy dove for the emergency stairs, flying upward five flights before slamming the door open, closing it just as quickly, and diving for the first unlocked office she saw. Closing the door, she hid behind it, and looked to the pony sitting at the desk. Hearing the slam of a door, the pony had looked up, and was simply looking at her.
“I’m not here,” she spoke, diving around the desk and hiding underneath it. Fluttershy was thankful that this desk had the wooden front to hide the legs on the pony sitting at it. The pony blinked, and simply went back to work. After a few moment, there was a slam as the door opened, the Alicorn coming in, breath haggard.
“Is she in here,” he spoke, looking the pony in the eyes. The pony shook his head, and the Alicorn closed the door, moving on. After a solid five minutes, there was a cry of rage, and the sound of a window smashing. Fluttershy crawled out from underneath the desk, closing the blinds just before he flew past.
“Hey Equal, are the papers si-” Opening the door, the gray pony glanced from the pony behind the desk, to Fluttershy. The pony behind the desk stood up, bringing over a small stack of papers, before returning to the desk. The gray pony watched this, and frowned.
“Uh, Equal, why is a yellow pony in your room?” Watching the desk pony, the gray pony noticed the yellow one jump slightly, as if startled.
“What are you talking about Equal? There’s no one here but us.” Confusion on the office pony’s face, he brushed a hoof through his gray fur, and returned to signing papers. Sighing, the gray pony grumbled in irritation, turning to leave.
“Just great, first some Officer comes barging in asking me if ‘she’ is here, and then there’s a strange pony in-” Cutting himself off, the gray pony glanced back towards Fluttershy. Eyes widening, his mouth began to open. Acting quickly, Fluttershy grabbed him, pulling him out into the hallway and closing the door.
“What!? No! He-” Before he could scream, Fluttershy knocked him out, ear flickering as she heard the sound of a window smashing. Diving toward the stairs, she leaped down to the bottom floor, and escaped into the alleyway. Diving into the sewers, a smile fell on her face, she had escaped.
“-don’t believe you, that shouldn’t be possible.” As voices came into focus, the gray pony’s eyes flickered for a moment, memories of what had happened foggy.
“She’s tellin tha truth, but ah dun believe it either.” A second voice rose up. Groaning, the gray pony tried to wave a hoof at the bright light. The voices grew deadly silent. Rising to a sitting position, he opened his eyes, and looked at his surroundings. Excluding the five ponies, he was in some sort of bunker with many beds and a door leading someplace.
“...” Looking toward the five ponies, the gray pony took in their colors, their appendages, and their Cutie Marks.
“HEEEELP!” Crying out at the top of his lungs, he tried to leap past them. Finding a hoof in his gut, he was cut off from screaming as he writhed on the bed in pain. Sharing a glance, Rainbow Dash sighed.
“Easy there, you’re safe. There is nothing to worry about.” Annoyance in her voice, she wasn’t surprised when the gray pony glanced to her. What did surprise her, however, was when he shrunk back on the bed, glaring at her and snorting.
“Like I’d believe you! You’re those renegades! The colors! The ones who don’t believe in Equality!” Breathing heavily, the gray pony prepared to defend himself. Stepping back, Rainbow Dash shared a surprised glance with the others. Stepping forward, Fluttershy gave a sweet smile, and he blinked, finding himself calmed down.
“Excuse me, what is your name? My name is Fluttershy.” Closing her eyes, Fluttershy tilted her head.
“Equal,” he answered.
“Oh no no no, we mean your real name. Come on, surely you can tell me that, right?” Once more, Fluttershy worked her magic, fluttering her eyes as she took a step forward.
“Equal,” he answered once more.
“No, we mean your name before you became Equal. Surely you had one, yes?” Smile vanishing, Fluttershy had concern on her face. Narrowing his eyes, the gray pony sat up straight, and scowled as he looked away, waving a hoof dismissively.
“You mean my old name? Why would you want to know that?” Glancing to her, the gray pony raised an eyebrow as the yellow face was dangerously close to his. Leaning back, he began to sweat despite the cool wall behind him.
“Please, it’s very important,” replied Fluttershy, allowing a small amount of her stare to creep into her gaze.
“Goldengrape, jeez. I don’t see why it’s important, I’m Equal now. As rule number seven dictates, everypony must be named Equal, unless of a position. If in that position, they are instead named their role, such as with Guards,” he quoted without hesitation. Stepping back, Fluttershy shared a glance with the others.
“He aint lyin’,” spoke one with a striking orange fur. Pursing their lips, they stepped toward the door, quietly discussing him. Leaving via the door, the gray pony glared in annoyance at how quickly he was forgotten, and sighed, looking at the bed he was in. Eventually, Fluttershy returned, offering a hoof.
“Please follow us, we’re taking you to meet with our leader.” Turning, Fluttershy headed out the door. Sighing, the gray pony considered his two options, and slipped off the bed. Exiting the room, he saw a long, metal corridor with many branching paths. Fluttershy was directing him toward the closest one. Turning down it, he opened the door at the end, and looked at the new face. Eyes widening, his mouth hung open in shock.
“S-Starlight Glimmer!?”