Author's Notes:

Sorry once again for how long it has taken to finish. I have no editors who aren't busy, or I decided not to bother them, so if you guys see errors tell me. Thanks!

I also have a bonus chapter in the works about a meeting between Celestia and a character introduced in this chapter. Won't be a long chapter but I like the idea. I think of it as a bonus for you patient people.

-Happy New Year, Altoid

Chapter 36

The spring breeze carried the sweet scent of baking bread across the German countryside. Frederic ambled absentmindedly through his wife's garden, a rose held loosely in his hand, as his daughters played among the hedges and flowers. He was happy to be home, although, he had no memory of returning. That did not trouble him much due to the joy of just being there.

“Children!” A woman's voice called from the house. “Come inside and get cleaned up for supper.

Frederic turned to see his wife approaching down the garden lane from the house. Her blue silk dress that she wore before he left for the front flowed in the wind. He started off towards her and they met beneath the upturned faces of sunflowers.

“Admiring my flowers again I see,” she laughed sweetly. “I thought you didn’t care for my gardening?”

Frederic watched the sun play of her flowing golden hair then without saying a word he swept her into his arms and kissed her lips for a long moment.

“Now what what made you think something so outrageous?” He whispered to her before kissing her quickly again and handing her the rose. “Maddalen, I love everything about you.”

“You love everything, do you?” she giggled. “Even my Prussian cooking?”

He kissed her one more time then set her down.

"Especially your bad cooking. You burn it just the way I like it."

"Oh hush, you," she laughed. "In that case, I made it the way you like."

"Father," the eldest daughter chimed. "Shall we listen to the radio while we eat?""

“Not tonight Alice.” Frederic replied.

There was a soft rumble like thunder in the distance. Frederic heard it but gave it little heed at first.

“I didn’t know it was supposed to storm tonight,” Maddalen said, glancing out of the window.

Frederic shook his head. “It sounded distant.”

His wife finished setting the table and took her seat. They began to pass around the food and strike up conversation but now the thunder was lingering on Frederic’s mind. Its rolling boom was quiet but steadily growing louder. He tried to pay it no attention but soon it was joined by another sound. A series of shrill consecutive noises that could best be described as shrill screams.

"Why did you leave us to die?"

Frederic's eyes shot up and locked on his wife's. Maddalen stared back, cold and empty.

"I-I, what?" he stammered. "What are you talking about?"

"Come home father," his daughters called simultaneously and to his horror they slowly became bloodied and corpse-like before him. "Come home and bury us."

Frederic shot up from the table and backed away as smoke started to rise up between the floorboards. They remained seated, watching him with cold, empty eyes.

“What is happening?” He gasped as terror rushed through his heart.

"You left us to be a hero," Maddalen screamed as the thunder grew. "You left us to die!"

"No," he gasped through his horror as fire began to lick the walls. "I am here! I am home!"

He backed up against the wall as the flames began to engulf his family. Their flesh rapidly burnt away but their hollow skulls still glared back at him. He fell to his knees, fire now engulfing him, and began to scream in a mix of horror and rage. Yet above the roaring fire the scream-like noise could be heard once again and it grabbed Frederic’s attention. Now he quickly realised what it was. He looked up at the crumbling ceiling and at the sunlight through the crack struggling to pierce the smoke. Rockets fell from the blue heavens.

“Stalinorgel,” he gasped as the house exploded around him.

Day 56

Frederic shot up out of the cot, head swimming and gasping for air. His blurry eyes darted around the room until they cleared and fell upon the shocked face of Udo.

“Where am I,” he demanded through a dry throat.

“At Equestrian Hospital #2,” the younger man replied. “Sir, I am very happy to see you awake!”

“Was it just a dream?” he whispered as he looked around the room slowly.

“What sir?”

Frederic's memory started to return through the throbbing pain in his head. "How... long was I unconscious?"

"Three weeks and two days, sir," Udo replied.

Frederic shook his head in disbelief, "I feel so sore... and hungry."

"You've been laying there for a long time, it's no wonder and all you've eaten has been soup broth."

"Get my clothes," Frederic demanded as he threw his blankets off with a thin, pale arm. "I need to walk and eat."

Udo, who was now diverting his eyes from the naked image of his commanding officer, saluted and hurried out of the room. Frederic swung his legs over the side of the bed, took a deep breath, then stood. His joints popped loudly, muscles spasmed and the feelings of needles stabbing his feet and legs caused him to wince. But he pushed through the pain and forced himself to stumble around the room. He did this for a few minutes until a margin of strength returned and he sat heavily back onto the bed. A vase of paper flowers on the table next to him caught his eye and he grabbed the letter propped up against it.

Get well soon, our favorite human!
-Love Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and Scootaloo.

Frederic smiled and placed the letter back with the flowers. It was then he noticed the scars on his arm. He followed the light pink lines from his hand to the shoulder and found that his body was covered in them. He grabbed a small broken mirror from the table and was horrified at the image that stared back. Scars, like tree roots, crisscrossed sections of his face. He set the mirror down, sighed, and continued to pace around the room trying to calm himself until Udo returned with his uniform. The German commander was pleasantly surprised to see that someone had cleaned and pressed it and tried to push all thoughts of his scarred image from his mind.

"Here you go, sir. I also retrieved a razor for your beard." Udo placed the clothes on the bed then turned. "I'm going to get the others."

"Wait."

Udo stopped. "Yes?"

“Do the others know that I’m awake?”

Udo shook his head.

Frederic smiled, “I’m going to come with you and surprise them.”

“Sir, are you sure you’re-”

Frederic raised his hand dismissively and smiled. “I have been on my back for three weeks, I need the exercise.”

“Very well, sir.” Udo noticed that his commander's thoughts seemed to be elsewhere and he saw the mirror had been moved on the table. “They say most of the scars will heal. They don’t look too bad.”

Frederic smiled softly. “Thank you Udo. I shall meet you outside.”

The hot factory was a stark change from the icy air outside. Frederic and Udo squeezed their way between machinery and working ponies stopping only momentarily so Frederic could admire the howitzers moving slowly down the line.

“Those look like 15cm,” Frederic stated with a smile.

“15,5cm, yes,” Udo replied. General Patton has set their construction to the utmost priority so they can arm the auxiliary cruisers. We shall visit the harbor after here. I know you like the sea, it might freshen your spirits.”

They continued on towards the casting section of the factory. Working around the red hot liquid steel being poured into a mold was where they found the other German’s. They were too busy to notice his arrival and Frederic watched for a minute before speaking up.

“Some fine metalworking I see happening here,” he yelled over the sound of the factory. “Can one of you direct me to your superior officer?”

The other men spun to face him, except for Martin who continued to pour steel as he glanced up at Frederic. The bewildered expressions only lasted for a moment before they rushed into a line, shoulder to shoulder and at attention. Martin continued to pour steel. Frederic stepped forward, arms outreach, and embraced them one by one ending with Felix. Martin finished pouring and joined the line but did not receive a hug, for Frederic stopped to speak to Felix.

“It’s good to see you all,” the commander said, a wide smile across his face.

“Just when I was starting to enjoy commanding these dimwits,” Felix laughed with tears in his eyes. “You just had to come back to life.”

“Perhaps some other time,” Frederic placed his hands on Felix's shoulders. “But I don’t plan on dying again soon. I’m happy to be back. What has changed since I had set up camp in heaven?”

“The war is still happening, as you may have guessed, “ Felix huffed. “But little excitement has occurred. Oh, I got you a present. Shell we head to the panzer hut and talk there?”

“Lead the way,” Frederic replied with a wide smile. “But after we visit the sea.”

After finding some unhappy ponies to take their place at the forge the Germans walked out into the softly falling snow and straight into a group of armed ponies blocking the road between two partially finished apartments. Opposite the soldiers in formation stood a rabble of protesting and disheveled civilian Equestrian’s.

“No food, no work. No food, no work,” they chorused in a repeating chant. “No food, no work...”

The Germans found themselves between the groups with the civilians being slightly closer. They quickly ducked into an alley across the street and peered out to watch what might happen.

“This has been happening for a week now,” Felix stated. “Though, this group is larger than any I have seen before.”

A stern voice cut through the icy air. “I am General Chainmail and I order cessation and dispersion of these protests. Return to your work or be escorted back to your living quarters. We don’t want to move you by force!”

Frederic took a quick moment to examine the opposing groups. One was a column of well equipped and fed ponies, three companies he estimated. They seemed to be armed with long, bayoneted rifles of a sort that he had not seen before. Their steel barrels glinted happily in the sunlight.

“How do they operate their weapons,” he asked.

“As you remember, ponies have the strange ‘magical’ ability to hold items with their hooves,” Felix replied. “But there are still limits to it. Each rifle has a two pony team, gunner and loader. Not a very flexible system but it was better than the spears that they were once armed with.”

“They have other weapons in development to fix that tactical flaw,” Martin added.

Frederic passed his attention to the other group. Their sickly and starved appearance caused a pang of pity in his heart. Many of the mares had foals with them and their ribs showed under their skin. A green stallion, who looked half starved, stepped out from the group and Frederic guessed that he was their leader.

“You wouldn't dare attack us,” he challenged. “Unless you enjoy murdering sick foals and mares!”

“Look at them!” A mare spat. “Look how well fed they are! They get to stuff themselves like pigs while my daughter dies- while we all die!”

The crowd roared in agreement. Frederic decided that he had seen enough of this sad scene and motioned for the others to follow him. They slipped through the maze of adjoining alleys, and after udo took the lead, found themselves at harbor. Silence filled the air save for the call of seagulls, the clank and groan of the ships and steel. Occasionally a voice called out and was answered from somewhere nearby or on the vessels but other than that everything was calm. A series of small passenger liners laid up in hastily constructed drydock caught Frederic’s eyes.

“Those are some fine ships,” he stated and pointed to the sleek vessels. “I thought the ponies were limited to sailing and primitive steam.”

Felix shrugged. “Their navy is antiquated but the private sector, according to what Luna says, is the best in the world. These vessels arrived shortly after you were attacked. They are from the other fleet that escaped Manehattan. They brought more supplies and food but also more ponies to use it up.” Felix skipped a stone across the water towards the nearest ship and is clanged against the steel gate of the drydock. “I think that they are turning these into auxiliary cruisers for commerce and shore raids.”

“What are the enemy fleets composed of?” Frederic asked.

“From what I have heard they have everything from ironclads to early steel armored cruisers and battleships.”

“Most of the ponies working in the harbor are on strike,” Udo added. “If they would just finish arming these ships they could start raiding and bringing back food.”

Felix chucked quietly. “Ponies are fools.”

“They are use to peace,” Frederic shot in a voice that was harsher than he intended. “Struggle is new to them. Their ignorance is somewhat justified.”

The sound of approaching voices caught their attention. Around a corner appeared Luna, Patton, Lee, Zeus, an unknown mare and a dozen guards. Patton was the first to notice the German’s, especially Frederic. The General split from Luna, who noticed the Germans as well, and approached as well.

“God damn, it can’t be! Frederic, you lucky bastard, it's good to see you up and kicking. You look like starved shit but we’ll get you perked up quick.”

“Hello General Patton,” Frederic stuck out his frail hand but was still able to shake Patton’s with a firm grip. “Good morning Princess.”

Luna bowed her head in greeting as she walked up with the others. “It is wonderful to see you awake. How do you feel, Frederic?”

“Hungry, sore and weak,” he replied. “What brings you to the harbor?”

“We were discussing current issues and possible resolutions to them,” she answered. “Would you like to join us? We were about to head back to the headquarters for a meeting and a meal.”

Frederic shook his head. “That sounds nice, but we were planning on going to the shed and eating there. I also want to pay a visit to three fillies who are probably going to accidentally kill me in their excitement upon seeing me awake.”

“Very well,” Luna chuckled. “I hope you are doing fine and that your health continues to increase. I shall see you later.”

The Germans saluted and walked away. Patton coughed and everyone looked at him.

“You were saying, Princess?”

“Of course, yes.” Luna redirected their attention to the ships in the harbor. “Zeus mentioned the concept of auxiliary cruisers to me. To protect the waters around the island and to establish a form of naval power I have put a majority of our resources into their construction. Already one was nearing completion but due to the, uh, unrest work has slowed. This is where you come in, Generals. How do I convince my ponies that working through the hunger and cold is the best option for their survival?”

Patton sighed. “Two options, Princess. I already know what you will pick but if that falls through then you should know the other.”

“I will not force my ponies to work like slaves at gunpoint,” Luna interjected. “If that was what you were going to say.”

“If trying to appeal to their sense of self preservation does not work, then that might be the only option.”

Luna bit her lip, “I wish my sister was here. She would handle all of this far better than I have been.”

“Princess,” Lee said, stepping closer. “From what I have seen you are doing all you can. Not even you father could spontaneously summon food and victory from what you are having to endure.”

Luna shivered and looked downcast at the dirt at the mention of her father.
‘I would feel braver if he was here too,’ she thought. ‘If they were all here.’

“Princess, if I may direct the attention to my proposition,” the unknown mare said in a firm voice. “I will take my screw-sloop and before you can say gunwale I will be back with enough supplies to hold off the starvation long enough to finish at least one of the auxiliary cruisers.”

Patton looked quizzically at the mare. “I don’t believe we have been introduced.”

The mare opened her mouth to reply but Luna spoke first. “This is the smuggler known as Cea, that with a C instead of an S. She gained sort of an infamous reputation before the war sneaking junma berries and illegal potions and brews into the country. She wants to exchange her service for a pardon.”

“Junma berries?” Zeus pipped.

“A mild hallucinogenic,” Cea chuckled. “Makes every day a party.”

Luna glared at Cea for a moment before continuing the original discussion. “If you and your crew are willing to risk your lives for this I will allow your ship to leave port. But if you betray us and join our enemy or flee to far away lands then you had better hope that we never meet again.”

“Was not planning on it, your highness,” Cea saluted sloppily. “I am forever loyal to Equestria!”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, loyal to Equestria but not loyal to its trade laws, it would seem.”

Cea shrugged, “Water under the bridge, I'd say”

Luna turned to one of her guards and whispered something to him. The stallion saluted and ran off. The Princess returned her attention to Cea. “I will be assigning one of my guards to your crew.”

Cea’s mouth dropped open. “But...”

“Do not worry, although you will have no authority over him he will have none over you. He will be nothing more than an observer and my representative for this mission. Understand?”

Cea, thought for a moment then nodded her head. “Sounds fair. But can I make a request?”

“Depends on what it is,” Luna replied flatly.

“Unlimited access to materials to improve my ship. She may be fast but she could be even faster, stronger and better armed if I had access to those things.”

Luna sighed. “I will inform my head supply officer to allow you access to everything save for the latest and secret of our developments.”

“Sounds great! Thank you so much, Princess! I shall go at once to prepare my ship for departure.”

The mare bowed then galloped away. Zeus suddenly lifted his head, straining to hear a noise that had been growing on the wind. The clamor of yelling and angry cheers greeted his ears. Patton too was starting to listen and he cupped his hand to his ear. Luna noticed them and she too became more aware of the sounds.

“That doesn’t sound good,” Zeus stated.

“Sounds like the army is losing control of this morning’s protesters,” Patton grunted.

“I hope not,” Luna exclaimed, her voice filled with distress. “But let's return to my headquarters if it true.”

*

Big Mac arrived at the scene with the remaining companies of the 19th Ponyville and examined the situation. When he had been told the size of the rabble gathering in the industrial sector he had believed it to be an exaggeration, but despite that he agreed to send the entirety of his regiment. Now he doubted that he had enough soldiers to establish order should the protests turn violent.

“Colonel Mcintosh,” General Chainmail called from a group of officers huddling around a fire in an alleyway. “Glad your troops made it in a timely manner. We’re still waiting for the rest of the brigade to arrive from the rest of the city.”

“What’s the situation, Sir?” Big Mac asked, taking an uneasy look at the yelling mass of civilians.

“This group has been growing in both numbers and hostility all morning. The other regiments are to block the other roads so more civilians can’t join them. Though, it appears they have yet to do that.”

“Any incidents yet?”

“No, and I hope they will tire themselves out and disperse. It won’t do them any good to turn violent; seeing how we’re armed and they aren't.” Chainmail poured himself a cup of coffee from the pot that sat next to the fire.

Big Mac continued to watch the group. “Unless they don’t believe we would actually use force.”

Chainmail stopped sipping his drink and an uneasy look flashed across his face. “It had occurred to me that they think we are bluffing. Regardless, if they do turn violent then it will become quite apparent that we do mean business and they should disperse quite quickly after that revelation.”

Mac turned a critical glance at his commander. “What is the plan should it turn violent, sir?”

Chainmail remained silent, watching the flames lick the side of the coffee pot. The other officers had now diverted their attention to their conversation.

“Sir?” Big Mac pressed.

One of the officers spoke up. “We will try to make arrests, of course. But if our soldiers are attacked they are permitted to use deadly force if they deem it necessary.”

A pit formed in in Big Mac’s stomach. “Deadly force? The last thing I want is the blood of fellow Equestrians on my hooves.”

“Don’t think of them as that then,” another officer interjected. “Think of them as traitors. Refusing to help the war effort, protesting and obstructing production. Sounds more like traitors to me.”

Mac ground his teeth, trying to hide his disgust. “They are just confused and starving civilians. Not our enemies.”

“Do you have a different protocol for this situation?” Chainmail glanced sidelong at the Colonel. Big Mac expected to see an angry look in his eyes but what was reflected was nothing but sadness and curiosity.

Mac was silent for a moment. “I-I propose a training exercise for the Charger brigade.”

A few of the officers scoffed but Chainmail raised his hoof and silenced them. “Continue.”

“What I mean is, sir. If we are to be the elite, the best, in the army. Should we prepare ourselves for anything war might throw at us?”

A slight smile played on the General's face. “Yes.”

“Let's just imagine, we are back on the continent. The Charger Bigade does what it does best but then finds itself cut off from the rest of the army, behind enemy lines. Low food, low supplies. We might need to condition the soldiers and us to an event like that.”

“I know what you are saying,” one of the officers protested. “But we need to stay at the fullest of our capabilities. It’s not like we are feasting every night on five star food. We are still struggling to stay equipped too. Should we be attacked our brigade needs the...”

Big Mac cut off the officer. “General Chainmail, you know better than I do the fact that we aren't going to be attacked this winter. The enemy is more than content to let us freeze and starve until spring.”

Chainmail nodded his head slowly. “I like it but the Brigade might not feel the same way. Very well, inform the troops of this idea. Tell them to give out all rations they have on them to the civilians and I will inform my superiors of this and perhaps they can initiate the same ‘training’ program as ours to other brigades.”

“Thank you sir,” Big Mac saluted and turned but stopped. Rose stood before him, a sly smile on her face.

“Once again, Bigs, your big heart saves the day.”

“It was the right thing to do,” he continued walking towards his regiment. “And I don’t mind being hungrier than I already am.”

Rose followed him, motioning for her staff to remain behind. “Neither do I. But you aren't making friends amongst your comrades.”

Mac didn’t bother looking back at her. “I didn’t join up to make friends, Rose. I joined to win the war.”

The mare laughed, ran up beside him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “That’s why I like you, Bigs.”

Big Mac stopped and turned to look at her, a perplexed expression etched across his face. But she was already trotting away, laughing.

*

Day 57

Gilda dropped from the sky and landed heavily upon the snow crowned peak. The powder gave way and slid down the slope but she maintained her clawed grip on the stone and peered through the clear mountain air. To the East the clouds of the recent storm drifted heavily towards the Equestrian lowlands. The Nocturnal Pass, the high valley between the two peaks, was hidden under low clouds and Gilda only glanced momentarily in that direction. Lyra and her companions were watching that approach; Gilda’s eyes were to look everywhere else.

Her eyes were the best for this job. She peered through the icy air and could see Canterlot glinting below in the sun. Her eyes followed the rivers through the white fields and misty woods until they emptied into the ocean, a silver glow on the edge of the horizon. Then Gilda looked north. A distal line of mountains could be seen across the expanses of forests. Another storm could be seen growing, a swirling mass of darkness rolling over the white crowns, threatening the clear weather that was gracing Equestria. Gilda sniffed the air and her hair stood on end.

“Something doesn't feel right,” she muttered to herself, yet, after continuing looking around, nothing seemed awry

She clawed her way up the rock to the highest point and peered west. Nothing could be seen beyond the mountains that made up the Unicorn Range. She continued to be uneasy as the wind increased, picking up snow and obscuring her vision. The first sign that she wasn't alone was the shadow falling upon her, There was no time to react as claws sank into her back. The weight of her assailant slammed her into the snow.

“I’m going to rip you apart, traitor,” a voice hissed into her ear and the claws dug deeper.

Gilda screamed in pain before throwing her weight to one side. They both tumbled sideling down the mountain and landed in the deep snow a short distance from the peak. She landed upon of her assailant and he was knocked off. She gasped for breath in the thin air and struggled to stand. She turned to face the attacker and was greeted with a claw to the face, blinding her left eye with blood. Her instincts set in and she jumped at him, using her wings to gain extra force, and pinned him against the bare rock of the mountainside. Gilda could now see that her attacker was indeed a Gryphon, though she had already guessed it to be.

He growled at her and struggled to get free. She could see that both of his wings were broken, either due to the fall or her pinning action. Gilda had never had to kill anyone, let alone another Gryphon, but there was no other choice. With a quick swipe of her claw she ripped his throat, spilling blood over herself and the white snow. Gilda stepped back, letting the body fall, and gathered herself. Her nerves and heart began to settle and she fought the urge to vomit. She looked at him and the first thing she noticed was how young he was. He looked a couple years younger than her.

Then she saw what he was wearing. The uniform of a gryphon scout. Gilda knew the only reason why he would have been out here was if an army was approaching. She looked back down into the valley and now the low clouds were gone. Contrasted against the white snow the black mass of an army was making their way up the mountains. She jumped into the air and dove down, hugging closely to the mountain and following rifts to hide her from other scouts.

As she neared the valley a trio of ponies could be seen running headlong towards the hidden gates. She landed heavily in front of them, sending snow in all directions with her wings. The ponies stopped and their horns glowed threateningly with magic.

“It’s me,” Gilda huffed. “There are scouts on the peaks. I take it you've seen the army?”

Lyra nodded, as her rapid breaths filled the air with vapor. “They are already at the gates into the other bat city. It will be mere minutes until they are here!”

“Let us hurry then!” Minuette demand. “We need to tell the others so we can escape before it’s too late!”

Gilda nodded, “can you make it on hoof?”

“We can,” Lyra replied bluntly. “Did you think you could carry us all or something?”

“Shut up and let's go!” Twinkleshine screamed. “We can banter when we are safe!”

Gilda retook to the air and made as great a haste as her wings could manage. She arrived at the gates, slammed her claws against the steel doors and screamed for help. There was a clank and the doors swung inwards revealing the concerned face of Cobalt.

“What is-” he began to say but Gilda ran past him.

“An army marches on the city! We need to tell the others and escape!”

Cobalt started to run after her but stopped. “I will stay and wait for the others.”

Gilda rushed through the lamp lined tunnels and passages that made up the larger of the two bat pony cities. Carved doorways into houses and stores lined the sides and occasionally yellow eyes would peer from the shadows within.

“Awaken your city,” she would call to them. “An army is coming!”

She soon arrived at the door to a home and entered. Flo, Ocean Mist and Celestia with a bat pony family sat around a table, plates full of food. The house was dim, the only light was a cluster of candles on the table.

“The enemy is coming!” Gilda huffed through short breaths. “They are already taking the other city.”

The ponies shot up from the table and began to rush around the room gathering items.

“Where is Lyra and her companions?” Celestia asked as she packed bags.

“They should have entered the gate by now. I met them in the valley.”

“Does the enemy have control of the whole pass?” Flo added.

“Not yet but I don’t think we can escape that way anymore.”

A bat pony mare, the mother of the family, approached Gilda. “Have they found the other ways into the mountain?”

“I didn't see any forces except for the one in the valley, but I was interrupted by scouts.”

“These other ways,” Celestia hefted a pack onto her back. “Do you know how to access them?”

“Yes,” the bat mare replied. “But they havn’t been used since the cities were evacuated during the war between the Sisters.”

Celestia nodded. “We need to be taken to a passage that leads to the north side of the mountain. Can you take us?”

The mare nodded. Celestia turned her attention to Gilda and her dual colored eyes widened and glinted in the dim light.
“You're bleeding!” she exclaimed and rushed to the Gryphon’s side. “Let me see.”

As Celestia tended to the cuts Cobalt and the three mares galloped through the door.

“There are diamond dogs tunneling into the mountain,” Cobalt said as he regained his breath. “We need to go.”

There was a rumble that echoed through the city and they fell quiet.

“Sounded like an explosion near the gate,” Flo whispered.

“Let's go,” Twinkleshine growled.

“Pack up quicker!” Lyra ordered as another, louder, rumble shook the walls.

They grabbed the last of their packs and followed the bat mare through the city. The city was awake now, and soldiers and civilians rushed past them.

“Do they know the ways to escape?” Flo asked.

“Yes,” the bat pony mare replied.

“All these ponies escaping will be quite visible from anyone watching the other sides of the mountain,” Gilda stated. “It’s a clear day.”

Celestia chewed her lip nervously. “Hopefully our escape will go unnoticed.”

“The tunnel we will be taking was covered with a stone wall a long time ago,” the mare said. “After the tunnel became a den for timberwolves.”

“That’s swell,” Lyra sighed.

The bat pony suddenly stopped next to a wall. “Here, can you knock it down?”

Without replying Minuette fired a bolt of magic and the wall exploded backwards into a dark tunnel. An icy draft rushed through and quickly chilled them causing Flow to shiver.

“Let's get going then,” she said quietly.

“This is where I leave you,” the bat pony said with a solemn smile. “My family and I are going to escape through another way. I wish you luck.”

The companions thanked the mare for her hospitality and then quickly entered the tunnel. Cobalt took the lead and despite the warning of timberwolves they reached the iced covered exit unhindered after a run that Lyra estimated to be two miles. After quickly using magic to melt their way through, they stepped out into the bright mountain air. They looked towards the mountain and saw only light from the evening sun glinting off of the snow.

“Looks clear,” Ocean Mist whispered.

“Me neather,” Cobalt replied in an equally hushed tone. He looked down the slope. “It’s a mile to the woods, down the mountain. But the area is too open for my liking.”

“Do we have a choice?” Gilda asked flatly.

Cobalt sighed. “No.”

“I smell smoke,” Minuette stated, sniffing the air.

The others could smell it too but no fires could be seen. Yet an orange glow emanated from the direction of the other mountain.

“Come on,” Lyra huffed. “Let's just get this happy little jaunt over with.”

She took off running across the snow and the others followed after. The going was tough and they stumbled through the deep snow and over the boulders strown about the slope. The wind picked up, ripping their breath from their lungs and kicking snow into their eyes. Cestia started to fall behind, her small size making progress hard. Flo noticed her struggling and stopped.

“Keep going,” she ordered. “I’ll carry the Princess.”

Flo ran to Celestia and scooped the filly onto her back. She then took a look back towards the mountain and let out a stifled scream. Upon the mountain a winged shadow descended from the clouds and landed heavily upon the peak. Snow and stone avalanched down the sides.

Celestia sighed sadly. “Blackscales the Immortal, King of Dragons, has come. That monter has a deeper hatred for Equestria than any other creature I had the displeasure to meet when I was young and curious of the world. There is no hope for the bat ponies. Run and don’t look back!”

Flo turned and darted after the others, her terror driving her at a renewed speed. Celestia, though, continued to look back at the monster perched, black as a demon, against the sky. He gave an earth rending cry that echoed through the valley before spreading his wide wings and taking to the sky. Blackscales dived towards the base of the mountain, fire wrapping around his pitch black body before breathing his flames upon the slopes. By the time they reached the forest the entire base of the mountain was set ablaze.

The others were waiting for them amongst the leafless brambles of the forest. Flo continued running past them.

“Don’t stop, you fools!” Celestia screamed. “They will be searching the area for survivors. The winter woods won’t save us from the eyes of dragons and gryphons.”

As if answering a summons a gryphon dropped out of the sky, landing before them. They stopped and his yellow eyes glinted at them from under a steel officers helm. Celestia looked into those eyes but saw an unexpected emotion; a deep sadness. He removed his helm and looked longingly at Gilda.

“My daughter,” he said slowly. “I-I am happy to see you alive.”

“Father,” she replied sternly. “Are you going to try to stop us? Where is your troop?”

He shook his head. “Sent them to look elsewhere after I saw you enter the woods.”

“You are the gryphon who searched our house!” Flo exclaimed. “You knew, didn’t you?”

“That you were rebels? Yes, but I didn’t arrest you then due to Celestia being in your care.”

He bowed his head towards the filly and she bowed in return.

“Father, what are you doing?” Gilda stepped towards him.

“He’s letting us go,” Cobalt said. “But what I want to know is why?”

“It might surprise you to learn that not everyone supports this war. Just because our kings and leaders want Equestria destroyed doesn't mean every soldier,” he looked lovingly at his daughter, “or officer wants the same. Now, go, others will search this area soon.”

They ran past him except for Gilda who remained stone still. “Come with us. If they learn that you let us escape, I-I don’t know what they will do to you.”

He shook his head and put his helm back on. “I can’t. Though I hate this war I am still loyal to the Empire.”

Gilda dropped her head and began to follow the others, “I understand.”

“Gilda,” he whispered as she passed by. “I love you, no matter where our paths may lead us.”

With that he spread his wings and took to the sky. Gilda watched him disappear into the clouds, then ran after her companions with tears streaming down her face.

Day 58

“I feel so useless!” Dash groaned, throwing her hooves into the air. She lay on her back, watching the embers drift, past the gun of the Tiger tank, and out of the shack roof.

“How so?” Fluttershy asked. Her voice weak and tired. “You’ve been helping a lot.”

“I know I’ve been helping,” she rolled over and looked her friend in the eyes. Fluttershy stared back, her face gaunt and eyes sunken from lack of sleep. “It’s just, ya know. You guys are doing everything you are good at, in important positions, and here I am running around from place to place, like an assistant.”

Twilight, who had been quietly reading Patton's documents and blueprints looked up at the pegasi. “Your assistance is equally as important to the positions we are in. But I understand what you are saying.”

The door opened and grime covered Bill walking in. He said nothing to the ponies but slumped to his cot and passed out instantaneously.

When Dash was sure that the human was asleep she continued the conversation.

“Twilight, do you think you could help me convince the Princess to give me a, well, cooler assignment?”

The unicorn glared critically at her friend over a paper. “A cooler assignment?”

“You know what I mean!” the pegasus exclaimed

Bill grumbled in his sleep and Dash went silent. Twilight sighed and at first didn’t reply. Eventually she stood, stretched and gathered the papers.

“I have to return these to the General anyway.” She walked towards the door. “I’ll bring it up with the Princess while I’m there.”

“Thanks Twilight!” Dash squealed. “I hope she agrees!”

“Damn foxes got in the hen house again. fuckin’ damn ger hem nhh...” Bill muttered in his sleep.

Twilight pushed open the door but stepped back as the rest of the American tank crew entered.

“Oh, sorry,” Ian grunted as he limped into the building. “Your heading out I see.”

“Returning documents to Patton,” she replied with a nod. Zeus entered next, with Jeff. The two humans carried a soaked, blanket wrapped Matt between them.

“What happened to him?” Dash stood and walked over to the loader as they set him down in a cot by the fire.

“He-hey Dashy!” Matt coughed through violent shivering and chattering teeth. “I’m s-s-s-starting to learn that I might be an id-diot after all, heh.”

“It’s about time you realised that,” Zeus huffed. “Shelly, King of Stupidity, thought it was a good idea to try and scrape ice off of the bowsprit of a ship without a harness. You can guess what happened.”

“The Germans b-b-bet me rations that I-I didn’t have the guts to try!”

“You have the guts alright!” Ian rubbed his forehead in irritation. “But still no brains, it seems.”

“Is he going to be alright?” Fluttershy whispered in a voice like a sigh.

“Pardon?” Ian replied.

“Is he going to be alright?” Dash restated her friend’s question.

“He’ll live,” Zeus laughed. “ But the brain damage is, irrevocable.”

Matt groaned. “Sh-shut the fuck up, Zeus.”

“Back to work, lads. King Dumbass need his sleep.” Ian walked over to Bill and leaned over the man. “Eh, I’ll let him sleep to, hauling oil barrels is a pain. But the rest of you are still in top shape. Let's go!”

The humans waved goodbye and left the shack. Twilight followed, Patton's papers being magically held out in front of her. Dash returned to her cot next to Fluttershy. The yellow mare was lying still, as if asleep, but her cloudy eyes remained open watching the flames.

“Why don’t you go to sleep?” Dash asked, nudging her friend playfully. “You are probably the hardest worker of us all. Though perhaps AJ is. I never see her anymore so I don’t know.”

Fluttershy slowly sighed. “I can’t sleep.”

The small smile left Dash’s face. “The nightmares are back, aren't they?”

Fluttershy shuddered. “They never left. I’ve just stopped sleeping.”

Dash laid down next to her friend and Fluttershy softly leaned her head against Dash’s neck. Dash was shocked to feel that her friend was shivering.

“I’m here for you, if you need me,” Dash whispered, pulling a blanket over them. “Please try to sleep. I’ll sing to you if that will help.”

“A bittersweet one, please?” Fluttershy asked. “I don’t think I can ever enjoy a happy song ever again.”

A pang of sadness shot through Dash’s heart. “I don’t know any sad or bittersweet songs.”

“That’s okay,” Fluttershy took a deep breath and let out a long, weary sigh.

“I could make one up on the fly. Is that okay?”

Fluttershy nodded and Dash began to sing. But as she sang her own sorrow began to surface and she followed the feelings to find the right words. Hopeless emotions that she had buried away became fuel to drive the words. Through the rising tears she quietly sang. Her voice soft and ever increasing in sadness. Eventually no more words could escape the pit forming in her chest and Dash began to cry silently. Fluttershy had fallen asleep and her peaceful breaths helped Dash pull herself from her sorrow.

“Sweet dreams Fluttershy. Please, keep hope,” she whispered before laying down her head and following her friend into sleep.

“Dash, wake up.”

The pegasus felt someone nudging her and she opened her eyes and saw Twilight standing over them. She carefully stood as to not wake Fluttershy and stretched. “Hmm?”

“I talked to the Princess,” Twilight said. “She has agreed to give you a different role.”

“Realy!” Dash struggled to contain her excitement. “This is great!”

“Luna wants to speak with you personally.” Twilight’s horn glowed and a water filled kettle sitting on the Sherman levitated and was placed next to the dimming fire. “She will speak with you today if you wish. Nothing important seemed be be happening when I left.”

Dash rushed over to where her winter clothes were hanging and hastily put them on. “Thank you Twilight, this means a lot to me!”

The unicorn nodded and gave a half smile. “Don’t ask to be put anywhere ridiculous, alright?”

Rainbow Dash’s eyebrows furled. “What would count as ridiculous?”

“Well,” Twilight shrugged. “Asking to be a general or something on those lines.”

“I don’t want to be a general,” Dash replied as she wrapped her scarf around her face causing the rest of her statement to be muffled. “I just want to be more than I am now.”

Dash rushed to the door and darted outside. Twilight stood silently for a while before lifting a split log placed it in the fire. Then she lay down across the flames from Fluttershy and absentmindedly watched her friend sleep. Her thoughts wandering far away, to Ponyville’s streets, Equestria and eventually to dark matters and uncertain ends.

Dash took to the sky the moment she was out of the shed. Flying over the city and busy streets full of ponies as she rushed to Luna’s headquarters. Spiraling down she landed before the guards outside of the HQ. They bowed out of respect and let her through.

Upon entering she met Frederic sitting in a chair by a fire with Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo on his lap. He was showing them photos but they looked up when she entered.

“Hey Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo exclaimed, jumping from Frederic’s lap. “Whatcha doing here?”

“Hey kiddo!” Dash ruffled the filly’s mane before pulling down her scarf. “I’m here to talk to Luna about stuff. What are you guys doin’?”

“Fred is showing us pictures of his family and home.” Apple Bloom replied. “He has a big house and garden!”

“His wife is pretty too!” Sweetie Belle added. “Human mares don’t look as scary as the stallions.”

“They are called women and men,” Apple Bloom shot.

Frederic chuckled. “You may think she isn’t scary but she can be the most terrifying person if you come home after a night of drinking. Or if you forget her birthday.”

He silently stared at one of the photo’s, remembering some happy moment.

“Have fun the,” Dash said as she walked down the hall. “I’ll be out in a bit if you want to talk more, Scoots.”

“Yeah, I miss hanging out with you!” the filly cheered before jumping back onto Frederic’s lap.

Dash trotted down the hall, passing open doorways with officers conversing in nearly every room or with lone ponies sitting behind paper strewn desks. She arrived at the door leading into Luna’s bedroom and office. After a nervous sigh she knocked on the door. There was no reply but the door swung open revealing General Lee standing over her. Behind him Dash could see Luna talking to Patton by a fire.

“Hello,” the grey man smiled. “We were having a private discussion but since you are one of the Elements of Harmony you may enter.”

He stepped aside and closed the door behind the pegasus after she entered.

“Are you sure you don’t want a drink, Princess?” Patton was saying when Dash and Lee walked up. A tin cup in his hands. “Will calm your frayed nerves.”

Luna was watching the flames dance up the chimney but shook her head. “I’d rather have frayed nerves then a cloudy head.”

Patton shrugged and took another sip of whatever was in his cup. “A small cup won’t affect you to that degree but I shall stop offering any to you. At least today.”

“Princess,” Lee cut in. “Let me first say, a single glass of whisky has the strange habit of becoming three.”

“Very true, General,” Patton chuckled then glanced down at Rainbow Dash. “You came by sooner than expected.”

Luna turned and locked eyes with Dash. The pain and sorrow behind her expression sent a stab of remorse through the pegasus’s mind.

“Hello, Rainbow Dash,” Luna said. “Twilight told me that you want to be in a position that suits your skill sets.”

“Mmm hmm,” Dash nodded her head. “My friends are all in charge of important jobs. I feel less important than them.”

“But your duty is not less important their theirs,” Luna replied.

“I know, Princess. It’s just how it feels.”

Luna looked the pegasus over for a moment. “You are restless, always seeking to be the best at something. But now that you don’t have a set job for you to become the best at, you feel incomplete in your tasks. Yes?”

Dash nodded.

Luna sighed and walked to Dash, bowed down and looking into her eyes. “Do you know why I didn’t put you into a dedicated position that suited you best?”

“No,” Dash struggled to maintain eye contact. “Am I not trustworthy enough?”

The Princess laughed, “of course you are trustworthy! The truth is your strengths, your skills and loyalty , would make you the best warrior in the Equestrian military.”

“Really?” Dash’s hoped raised higher than they had been in weeks but came crashing down when Luna continued.

“Yes. But I cannot allow you to become a soldier,” Luna looked at Dash sadly, knowing she was breaking her heart. “You are an Element of Harmony. We can’t risk losing you.”

Rainbow Dash’s head dropped and she looked down at the floor. “I-I understand.”

“I can still assign you to some other task,” Luna said as she gave a small smile.

Dash shook her head. “No. I think I’ll continue to help my friends whenever they need me.”

“I’m sorry, Rainbow Dash. Just remember who you are as an individual and that you are an Element of Harmony. Don’t worry, you will be needed for you abilities soon enough.”

“What’s wrong Rainbow?” Scootaloo chimed as the multicolored pony ambled towards the exit.

Dash smiled at her. “Nothing, squirt. Just tired, that’s all.”

Scootaloo nodded her head but an uncertain look momentarily played across her face. “Well, okay then. Have a good sleep!”

Rainbow Dash said goodbye and stepped outside. She looked into the sky and watched a formation of pegasi returning from some unknown mission soar overhead. After watching them pass a fire suddenly kindled in her eyes.

‘I don’t need the word of a Princess to decide my position in this war,’ Dash thought as she spread her wings and jumped into the air. ‘I’ll become the great warrior Luna says I could become if I wasn’t so important. No, I’ll be greater than she thinks I could be! I decide my fate! Not the Elements and not the Princess. I do!’

She climbed higher and higher into the sky before dropping down and perching herself on the mast of a ship. A few ponies gave confused looks up at her from the deck but she was too focused on a wild idea rapidly taking forming to notice them. Her lips soon spread into a wide, crooked smile and her bright violet eyes shined with excitement. She took a deep breath and started to laugh uncontrollably, much to the unease of the ponies below.

“They are going to write so many books and songs about me!”