Shadowfire woke with a pony in Equestrian armour standing above him.

“Applejack, we got a live one over here!” shouted the pony.

“Ah thought we moved all the wounded already,” responded an orange mare, trotting over to assist. “Well ah’ll be. Looks like we got ourselves a prisoner. Knock him out so he don’t fight ya much.” A hoof descended and everything went black.

When he came around again, Shadowfire took in the unfamiliar surroundings and began to panic. Loshadians didn’t take prisoners, and as a result, many Loshadians would rather die than allow themselves to submit to their enemies. I have to find a way out of here, he thought. And then what? Go back to Loshadia? I’d rather stay here.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching hoofsteps. The door opened, and in walked a unicorn bearing a tray of food. The pony set it on a table, turned, and left without a word. Shadowfire looked at the tray and realized how hungry he was. He hadn’t eaten in... How long had it been? Since before the battle. How long ago had that been? He didn’t know. He only knew he was famished.

An indeterminable amount of time passed before he again heard the sound of hoofsteps approaching. Again the door opened, revealing the same pony as before. This time, however, he was empty-hoofed. Instead, the unicorn simply uttered, “Come with me.”

Shadowfire hesitated, not knowing what to expect to come, but finally complied, as he wasn’t in a position to do otherwise. Leaving the cell, Shadowfire found himself flanked by two stallions, both in Equestrian armour. Together, they led him outside the building and into… a treehouse? Indeed, it was a treehouse, which Shadowfire found rather strange. Inside, however, was a library, which appearances suggested had been made into the Ponyville Headquarters. In the centre of the main room, studying what appeared to be various maps and books, was a purple unicorn whom the guards addressed upon entering.

“We have brought the prisoner, as you asked, ma’am.”

“Good. Bring him in.”

After roughly pushing Shadowfire over the threshold, the guards exited the building, leaving him and the other unicorn in the room. Brushing her books aside, the purple unicorn acknowledged Shadowfire and spoke.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Twilight Sparkle, commander of Ponyville’s defense. Who might you be?”

“What do you want from me?”

“We’ll get to that, but first, I would like to know who it is I am addressing.”

“Shadowfire.”

“Good. As you may be aware, you Loshadians are a very proud group of ponies. Too proud, it seems, to accept defeat when one has clearly lost. As a result, you are our only captive.”

“Where are you going with this?”

“We here at Ponyville are not sure exactly what we’re up against. You may be able to help.”

“How?”

“Information is a necessity if Equestria is to survive.”

“I’m not sure I know anything that could help you.”

“Perhaps not. However, you were with the forces stationed outside Ponyville. How many would you say there are?”

“I do not know.”

“Surely you could give an estimate. Even that is better than nothing.”

“I do not know. I do not know how many were lost in the attack, nor how many were lost at Cloudsdale. I also do not know how many there were originally. After all, I am but a soldier. I do not have access to the information that you seek.”

“As I suspected. I have other matters that need to be addressed, and I must send you to your cell again. The guards are waiting for you outside.” Shadowfire turned and left the library, where indeed, the guards were waiting to escort him back.

Shadowfire let his mind wander. Several days had passed since his meeting with Twilight, and he did not find being stuck in a cell particularly entertaining, so he found himself thinking more and more about what he would do if he was ever to be released. I won’t go back to Loshadia, he thought, not after what they’ve done. He tried not to think of that, but was unsuccessful. Reluctantly, he relived the day he lost his parents.

Ponies had been going missing for months, specifically ponies who spoke out against the tyrannical Loshadian government. As time progressed, the disappearances increased in frequency. One day, his parents had left for work, as they usually would, but they never returned home. Shadowfire waited a few days with his younger brother, but still his parents didn’t return.

He shook his head to dispel the thoughts. They were still too painful, even though that was over a year ago. Hoofsteps approaching the cell door prevented further thoughts. The door opened, revealing his jailer, the only pony whom he had contact with while in his cell. Instead of placing a tray of food on the table, as he normally would, the jailer informed Shadowfire that Twilight wished to speak with him again.

”Ah good. You’re here,” said Twilight as she saw Shadowfire enter the library. “I wish to speak with you on a matter of more personal interest, if you would be willing.”

“And what would that be?” replied Shadowfire.

“Based upon what I have heard, you are not like most Loshadians.”

“What makes you think this?”

“Throughout the time you have been our prisoner, you have not resisted or fought at all. You were also fairly straightforward about your answers to my questions earlier. I am told it is not like you Loshadians to be submissive.”

“Generally, we Loshadians aren’t. I’d rather stay here than die trying to go back to those bastards, though.”

“Why? Why would you want to stay with your enemies?”

“I don’t see you as enemies. You didn’t kill my parents. Loshadia did. Loshadia is my enemy.”

Their conversation was interrupted by a scraped and bruised cyan pegasus barging into the room. “Twilight, Cloudsdale has fallen,” stated the pegasus. Next Chapter: Siege of Ponyville Estimated time remaining: 5 Minutes