Chapter 33

Day 31

Celestia sat next to the bed where the unconscious Morning Mist lay. Embers crackled in the nearby fireplace but the warmth was barely enough to hold back the cold. The small farmhouse that they had taken refuge in was poorly insulated and there was only a small reserve of firewood. She saw the wounded mare shiver under her blankets and Celestia stood and headed into the parlor. There she found Flow on a chair by a window watching the falling snow. The mare heard the Princess enter and her ears twitched.

“I’ve never seen a winter this bad before,” she said without turning from the glass.

“I have,” Celestia replied. The Princess no longer cared about actively hiding her identity. She opened a closet full of cobwebs and rummaged around for a blanket. “A long time ago.”

Flo looked down at the filly, a questioning expression in her eyes before returning her attention to the window. She couldn’t help but notice how Dawn’s personality had changed to a far more adult-like disposition.

“There are more blankets in here,” Celestia said. “You look cold.”

Flo smiled as she watched a snowflake hit the window. “Thanks but if I get comfortable then I might fall asleep. Sorry, but I need to keep watch.”

The Princess grabbed a second blanket anyway and placed it next to Flo. The mare looked down and smiled.

“Thanks.”

Celestia smiled back and returned to Morning Mist’s side. She lay the blanket over the mare then looked up at an old clock on the wall. The time read 9:30 and Celestia sighed with exhaustion.

‘I’m tired,’ the filly’s voice whispered in her head.

“So am I.”

It had been too long since Celestia last slept. Even though she wanted nothing more than to drift off into whatever dreams came to her, the Princess resisted the urge. Instead she directed her attention to the photographs on the dresser next to the bed. One in particular caught her eye the most. A stallion and his wife and their three foals sitting on the front porch of the farmhouse with large smiles on their faces. Celestia wondered who they were and if all of them were even still alive.

The sound of approaching hoofsteps in the hall grabbed her attention. Flo entered and sat down on the bedside next to Celestia.

“To pass the time,” the mare said. “Lets start working on a plan to save our friends.”

The filly nodded. “The first step is to get back into the city...”

*

The land set aside for farming was good ground. Applejack was sure that it could produce more than enough food to feed the army and the refugees. The problem was that no amount of good ground can save you from a vengeful winter.

“Wh-wh-what are w-w-w-we going t-t-t-to do, s-s-sis-sis?” Applebloom asked, her voice broken by the cold shivers.

“There’s nothing’ we can do.” Applejack turned and headed back towards the camp where the other ponies assigned to farming were living until proper structures could be built.

Applebloom followed after her, eager to get by a fire. Applejack was starting to feel sorry for taking her little sister with her. She would have been better off with her friends back at the city instead of freezing with nothing to do in the open fields of the southern island.

“Ah had at least hoped to get the ground ready for spring,” the earth pony huffed through the cold air as they walked. “But it’s all frozen.”

“T-the wea-weather was s-s-s-so nice only a-a f-f-few d-days ago.”

Applejack nodded. “Ah guess this is just what we will have to get used to now that Equestria has fallen.”

The sister’s entered the camp where ponies sat huddled around dim fires as their snow covered tents sat flapping in the icy wind. Very few had winter clothing to help stay warm. Nopony expected winter to come this early or this dreadful.

Applejack’s tent was in the center of the camp and both ponies were happy to be out of the growing storm. As they entered though the sisters were startled to see an unfamiliar stallion in officer’s hat, jacket and clothing sitting on a stool, half asleep with his head lowered.

“Can ah help you?” Applejack asked.

The stallion looked up and Applejack quickly recognized him.

“Have ah really changed that much since I saw you last?” Big Mac murmured.

“Big brother!” Applebloom ran to Mac and wrapped her hooves around him. “Ah’ve missed you!”

“Eyep,” the stallion laughed heartedly. “Ah’ve missed you too.”

“When did you get here?” Applejack asked as she too gave her brother a hug.

“Only a few minutes ago.”

Applebloom looked at her brother’s tired and ragged expression “How did ya get here?”

“Took a wagon halfway but when the snow hit he had to turn back and I carried on walking.”

Applejack stepped back in surprise. “You must have nearly frozen! Applebloom, fetch a cup of hot water for your brother.”

The filly nodded and rushed out of the tent. After she had gone Applejack sat down next to him. She eyed his uniform with curiosity.

“You look spiffy.”

“Eyup.” Big Mac patted some of the wrinkles out of the cloth. “I got promoted.”

“Congratulations!” His sister patted him on the back. Then jokingly asked. “How many ponies do you comand?”

“Around 1,000,” he replied flatly.

Applejacks mouth dropped. “1,000? That’s one mighty responsibility.”

“Eyup.” The stallion said glumly.

“Don’t sound so sad, Big Mac.” Applejack beamed. “You'll make a great leader.”

“It's not going to be easy.”

Applejack smiled reassuringly. “Take my word for it. I’m in charge of organising all the ponies in this camp and all you need to do is gain their trust. Then everything gets easier. Trust me.”

“You’re in charge of around 100, not 1,000.”

“The rules of leadership will still apply.”

Big Mac’s eyes became dark. “But you don’t have to send them to their deaths.”

Applebloom entered with a steaming cup of water, stopping the conversation. She gave the cup to Big Mac then turned to her sister. “Applejack, please don’t send me out into the cold again.”

“Sorry Bloom.” Applejack replied as she gave the filly a blanket. “Ah wasn’t thinking.”

Applebloom climbed onto the bed a curled into a ball under the blanket. Applejack decided to start a new conversation with her brother. As she spoke the mare placed several small logs into the compact, iron stove next to the bed.

“Any news from the city or my friends?”

“Ah saw some of them before ah left, they all seemed to be doing alright. If not far gloomier. As for news, Ah haven't been able to learn very much. Training keeps you busy.”

“Miss Applejack,” an older mare called from the tent entrance. “We need you.”

Applejack tilted her head questioningly. “What’s wrong?”

The elderly mare took a look at Applebloom then returned her gaze towards AJ. “I think it would be better if you saw for yourself.”

“Okay.” She turned to her brother. “Stay here with Applebloom. I’ll be right back.”

Applejack set her hat on the bed, for fear of it blowing away, and followed the older mare out into the snow. After walking for a minute they arrived at another tent where a dozen other ponies were huddled around the entrance.

“Make room,” the old mare ordered. Applejack followed her in and the elderly pony pointed at the cot. “Her cousin found her like this. Poor things froze.”

Applejack stepped forward and looked down at the icy body of a young earth pony. She was huddled against her only blanket that was wrapped up in a mass against her chest. A small newborn foal’s hoof poked out from the cloth, lifeless and cold.

“Why didn’t she call for help?” Applejack asked, fighting the tears.

The older mare shrugged. “She probably was too weak to yell loudly and ponies can barely head over this wind. Her cousin said she tried to get her to stay in the city. But the girl insisted that she help. A pregnant mare has little place on these icy fields.”

“What are we going to do with the bodies?” Applejack looked around the tent at the dead mare’s possessions. She had no urge to look at the frozen body anymore.

“We will try to bury them,” another pony replied. “But it will be difficult. The ground is solid ice.”

“Burry them soon,” AJ took one last look at the corpses before turning to the exit, tears in her eyes. “We can’t leave them like this.”

“What was that about?” Big Mac asked as Applejack re-entered the tent. He automatically noticed that she had been crying. “What happened?”

“A mare and her foal froze to death,” AJ replied slowly as she sat down next to her still sleeping sister.

“That is sad to hear,” a voice cut in. Applejack looked up and noticed a pegasi courier for the first time that had been standing next to her brother.

“Can I help you?” she asked.

“Ah’m being summoned back to the city,” Big Mac sighed. “My regiment is getting a new assignment. Ah’m sorry Ah couldn’t stay longer.”

Applejack turned to the courier. “When ya return to the city could you ask for more supplies for our camp? We needs stoves, firewood and winter stock. Please?”

He nodded. “I’ll see what I can scrounge up for you guys. But I have to warn you, the city is low on supplies as well.”

The courier looked through the snow powdered sack on his side to verify that he had no other messages for the camp. Raised his head again and saluted Big Mac. “Good day to you sir. An airship or wagon will be dispatched as soon as the storm lets down. Oh, and try to stay warm you guys.”

He spun around on his hooves and slipped out of the tent. Big Mac gave a slight smile.

“It might be a while until my transport arrives.” He put a few more sticks into the stove. “Let's talk, like the old times, about nothing important. Let’s try our best to make the other smile again.”

Day 32

“I know who you are.” Flo sat back in the bedside chair and stared at the sleeping filly that called herself Dawn who was curled up next to the still unconscious Morning Mist. “Or at least I think I do. I thought about it long and hard and I still don’t understand how it can be possible, but here you are in this form before me. I can tell you this for certain though, if you really are her I trust you far more now. When we finally act to save Cobalt and the others I will follow you even if it means my death. I don’t think I can convince the rest of the underground who you are so I’ll keep your identity between you and me. But if they ever question your judgement then I shall stand beside you. That is if you decide to lead us. If not, then I will gladly take the reigns and you can lead through me.”

The filly turned in her sleep and started to shiver in the cold. Flo smiled and pulled the blankets around her. The mare was silent for a while as her mind drifted through memories. Eventually she spoke again.

“My daughter grew up long ago,” the mare sighed. “She left home mad at me. Said I didn’t care for her dreams. She vanished so long ago, and I miss her so much. I hope she is doing fine. Heh, I bet she found her father and they went off on all kinds of adventures far away from this war. I miss them both so much.”

Flo leaned back and closed her eyes. A sad smile crept onto her face. “I don’t blame him for leaving. I was a city pony who was happy in Canterlot. He was a sailor whose heart belonged to the sea first then me. Me little filly always was more like him than me. Always seeking adventure. I wish I could see her again.”

The creaking of the house caused Flo to open her eyes and look around before closing them again. “Her eyes were just like his. Sea green. I can see her now in my mind. That crooked little smile she always wore when she got herself into trouble. Oh how we used to sing together, her voice much more beautiful than mine.”

“What was her name?”

Flo opened her eyes again and saw the dual colors of Dawn’s pupils staring hauntingly back at her.

“How long have you been awake?”

Dawn sat up and stretched. “Ever since you said something about your husband being a sailor.”

“Ah,” Flo smiled, slightly relieved. “Sorry. I’m just an old mare rambling about her past.”

“You're not that old,” the filly laughed. “Your barely middle aged for a unicorn.”

The mare’s smile widened. “Thanks.”

“So,” Dawn asked again as she rolled over to check Mist’s bandages. “What’s her name?”

A knot formed in Flo’s throat. She hadn’t actually said her daughter’s name in several years.

“Clairvoyance. But I always called her Claire for short.”

“Beautiful name. I believe you will see her again.” The filly held up a bandage, saw that here hadn’t been any bleeding in a while and re-wrapped up the wounds. “Mist is healing quite nicely. Very good.”

“The plan still holds, right?”

Dawn nodded. “After Mist is healed and able to take care of herself we will join up with the other members of the underground that you contacted and save our friends. Are you having doubts?”

“I always have doubts,” Flo replied. “But I have faith that your plan is better than anything I, or anypony else, could come up with.”

The filly finished with the bandages and laid back down. “Tell me more about your daughter, Flo. Remember the old days when life was better.”

The mare shook her head. “It would hurt too much. Maybe some other time I will.”

“Very well, I understand.” Dawn pulled the blankets up around her. “I am going to get more rest and you should do the same.”

“I might,” Flo responded as she stood.

The mare returned to the parlor and sat back down on the chair next to the window. Flo couldn’t see out through the snow and ice on the glass but she didn’t care. The only view that the pony was watching were the memories in her head.

*

“Welcome back, Colonel,” Sergeant Caramel saluted Big Mac as he stepped off of the sleigh that had been converted from a wagon. Applebloom followed him down and looked around nervously the busy encampment. “I see you brought your littlest sister back with you.”

“Eyep,” Mac replied. “Applejack doesn’t think that it’s safe for her to be in the south and I agree. I need to get her in the care of Cheerilee and with her friends.”

The three ponies started to walk toward the 1st Brigade HQ. The wind had died down earlier that morning but the snow still fell softly.

“Cheerilee?” Caramel laughed. “Any excuse to see that mare is good enough for you?”

Big Mac grunted. “You know well as I do that the rumours about our relationship are false. Love potion fiasco and all that.”

Applebloom coughed awkwardly.

“Ah.” Caramel smiled widely. “Then I guess she’s open for me.”

The Colonel glared darkly at the Sergeant. “Now is not the time or place for romancing. There is far too much to be done. Besides, she is far too busy for a relationship. We all are.”

“I understand,” the tan stallion replied submissively. He then turned his attention to Applebloom. “What are we going to do with you sister? I don’t think she will be welcome in the HQ.”

“You can take her to the city then,” Big Mac adjusted his coat to keep out the icy breeze that had suddenly kicked up. “But I don’t think they will have a problem with my sister.”

They three ponies reached the tent and were stopped by a miserable unicorn at the entrance.

“Hold still for me, sir,” the unicorn asked.

“What’s going on?” Big Mac turned to Caramel, questioningly.

“Changelings on the island, sir,” the unicorn relied. “Just checking to make sure you are the real Colonel Macintosh.”

There was a flash of blue light from his horn. The unicorn remained silent for a moment then smiled.

“You’re him. You may enter, sir.”

“There was an attack on the storehouses,” Caramel said as they entered the tent. “We lost a lot of black powder, tools and most of all, food. That’s actually why they want the Charger Brigade, sir.”

“Welcome back Colonel,” General Chainmail stepped forward and shook Big Mac’s hoof. “I see you brought your daughter. Did not know you were married.”

“Hello General,” Mac replied strongly. “And she’s not my daughter. This is my sister, Applebloom.”

“Oh, very sorry.” Chainmail bent down a held out a hoof for Applebloom to shake and she did. “It is nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too,” the filly replied.

“Wait in the corner with Caramel,” Mac said to his sister.

“Okay,” she sighed and slinked away.

Big Mac followed the General to the table where the other prominent members of the Charger Brigade were talking. Rose stood by herself listening to the others but was happy to change her attention when Mac stepped next to her.

“Hey Bigs.” She patted the stallion on the back. “You won’t guess what kind of fun has been happening around here while you’ve been gone.”

Big Mac nodded. “Something about changelings and storehouses being destroyed.”

The mare nodded. “So you’ve been told already. Let me bring you up to speed then on what we are doing.”

“Okay.”

“The Charger Brigade and a few others are being put in charge of security. It will be our job to make sure no more sabotage happens.” Rose smiled widely, happy that her regiment was finally getting an assignment.

“That’s not all we are doing.”

Big Mac turned his head just in time to see Spitfire walk up next to him.

She looked at the two other colonels with tired eyes. “We are also suppressing riots.”

Mac raised an eyebrow. “Riots?”

“Low on food and supplies,” the pegasi sighed. “Riots are bound to happen as ponies start to starve. We are to make sure nopony steals anything and to prevent chaos.”

“Were basically Luna’s police untill stuff gets sorted out,” the Colonel of the 7th grunted. Big Mac had yet to remember his name.

“Beats training and freezing in camp everyday though,” the Colonel of the 3rd added. Mac remembered that his name was Vine Twist but his troops called him “Stormer”. “The soldiers will be happy with the benefits of patrol duty.”

“What kinds of benefits?” Big Mac asked and the two Colonels glared at him.

Stormer replied first. “Our regiments will be the first on the list to get supplies and winter clothing.”

“But our preferential treatment basically ends there,” Chainmail cut in. “A fine way to promote riots is to treat some better than others.”

“When does our assignment start?” Mac asked.

“Tomorrow,” Chainmail replied. “It’s imperative that we get the patrols moving immediately. Lets hope nothing happens before then.”

*

The dark pink mare rushed around the room to every beck and call of the young ponies that filled the building. Frederic sat watching her as he bottlefed a infant foal.

“Do you ever sleep, Cheerilee?” he asked.

“Not as much as I should,” she said without stopping in her activities. “I thank you again, Frederic. You and your friends have been very helpful lately.”

“You are velcome,” The German looked back at his crew who were cleaning and organising supplies and food. None of them looked pleased with the job their commander had assigned for them. Frederic returned his attention to the mare. “Why are you so understaffed?”

“Everypony is either in the military or in the factories,” Cheerilee handed out segments of bread to a group of foals. “Or in the hospitals. I had more help but when the wounded came in they were called on to help them instead.”

“But you have us to help!” Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo echoed from where they were helping with a group of younger foals.

“That’s right,” the mare stopped only for a moment to give the fillies pats on their heads. “You two have been so much help.”

Frederic put the foal down on a blanket, stood and stretched. He turned to his men and gave them a slight nod. The other Germans knew exactly what he was telling them and without hesitation made their way out the door. Sweetie and Scootaloo watched them go before turning to the human.

“Where are they going?” Sweetie Belle asked.

Frederic started to tickle another foal’s belly causing her to laugh. “To varm themselves up forging iron.”

It was mostly true. In reality he had dragged his men along when they wanted nothing to do with screaming and crying children. Frederic, on the other hand, loved children.

The door opened again and before Frederic could see who it was Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo ran toward the entrance.

“Applebloom!” they exclaimed.

“Hey girls!” the earth pony replied as she was pulled into a three way hug.

“Close the door, girls!” Cheerilee called. “You're letting the warm air out!”

“Hi Frederic!” Applebloom trotted up to the human and smiled up at him. “What are you doin’ here?”

“Helping,” he replied as he bent down to scratch the filly behind the ears. “It’s good to see you, little one.”

“What was it like in the south?” Scootaloo hurried to her friend’s side.

“Cold and awful,” Bloom replied. “I wanted to leave there so badly. I hope my sister will be alright though.”

“This is the worst winter ever,” Sweetie Belle added.

“Probably not the worse ever,” Scootaloo shot back.

“It has to be close though,” the unicorn muttered.

Frederic stood to tend the dying fire in the small stove that was barely warming the building. He fed the flames and when finished, noticed that the stockpile of wood was getting low. He stood, and grabbed his coat that was doubling as a second blanket for a sleeping colt.

“I am going to retrieve fuel for the flames,” he said when Cheerilee looked at him questioningly. “I shall be back soon.”

“Oh, okay,” she replied. “Thank you.”

Frederic stepped out into the cold air and looked around at the white landscape. He watched the flakes drift around him for a moment before walking off through the crunching snow. He didn’t actually know exactly where to find firewood but that didn’t matter. Frederic hadn’t been out on a quiet walk for a while and he wanted to enjoy this one.

After wandering the powdered streets for a few minutes the German noticed the crunching of someone following him.

“Off on a walk, are we?” A unicorn said as Frederic turned to face her.

“Yes,” he replied with a smile. “I’m searching for firewood. Do you know where I can find any?”

“Oh yes,” she took the lead. “Just follow me.”

Frederic followed behind her as she led him through the city. The human continued to enjoy the calm day now that he no longer needed to worry about the directions he was taking. They passed other ponies working to clear the dirt streets of snow and he waved when they noticed him. Most of them returned the gesture but some just stared, probably too tired and cold to react.

The mare suddenly stopped. “Through here and it’s in the shed on your right.”

“Here?” Frederic looked down the dark alleyway with uncertainty.

“Yep.” She started to walk away. “Bye bye now.”

The human watched her go before moving into the shadows between the buildings. Something didn’t feel right and Frederic didn’t bring his luger. He snapped a large icicle from a roof. The ice hurt his gloveless hands but he gave the pain little heed.

“Hullo?” he called, but nobody answered.

Eventually Frederic arrived at the shed and cautiously opened the door. He was relieved to see that there was indeed firewood stacked in organised rows. He dropped the icicle and started to fill his arms with wood.

“This should be enough,” the human said as he grabbed the last he could carry.

He turned around and was startled to see that the mare who had led him there was standing in the entrance.
“Yes?” he demanded.

She smiled crookedly and slammed the shed door. Frederic dropped the wood and slammed his shoulder into the door but it didn’t budge. He could head her sliding something to block him in.

“Let me out!” He bellowed. “Verdammt! Let me out now!”

“You're not getting out,” a voice hissed behind him.

Frederic spun around and peered into the dark. Several pairs of icy blue eyes glared back. The human stepped back and pressed himself up against the door.

“Not until we are done with you,” one of the pairs of eyes continued. “You shouldn't have been walking alone.”

“Made it easy for us, you did, yes,” another one added.

“Vat do you want?” Frederic demanded, though he knew the answer.

The eyes all laughed as one. “Your body cold and your heart still.”

“It’s nothing personal,” a voice called from behind him through the door and Frederic guessed it was the mare that had lured him there. “The Queen demanded it and so it must be done.”

There was a flash of green light and Frederic felt a burning sensation fill his body. He collapsed to the ground and let out a pained gasp. Everything started to go blurry and the icy eyes started to blink out. Out of the darkness though the image of his wife and children rushed up to meet him. He reached out towards them but another flash of green light sent him falling into darkness.