Revolution: A Hoof in the Dark (Revised: Open, Apply in OOC)

[Valencetiger]

Current RPers:

TotalEcplise

TheBritishBrony

MasterMustang

Sevofthesands

Scythe

Valencetiger

NovaArkwing

Story Edits:

1. Twilight Sparkle reverted to original state, Herald's hold removed by the now-mysterious Shining Armor.

2. Rainbow Dash in coma due to magical exertion during the Equinian Apocalypse (as it has been aptly named).

3. Temporary cease-fire and agreement between GEF and RLF forces, negotiations still in progress.

4. The Grand Equestrian Federation in a state of fear due to the recent events at Equinia, GEF leaders struggle to regain control of the populace.

5. Full citizenship extended to non-ponies, despite the begrudged opinions of a few elder members of the GEF.

6. Rumors of an army arising to the Far East of Equestria, as to the validity of the rumors, nothing is known.

7. Dragon hunts restricted to a few specific flights, rather than the entire race itself.

8. Equinia in state of repair, the Citadel also included in reconstruction.

9. Nation-wide hunts for the perpetrators of the Equinian Apocalypse taking place, little evidence has been found so far.

10. Shade Corps nearly annihilated in the Equinian Apocalypse except for a few remaining survivors, which now act as Twilight's private guard...forming a small but elite number of six.

11. Current events take place three days since original thread.

*Due to the Freelancer topic being debated on, information of them shall be released at a later date.)

The silence...that was all she could hear. The silent agony that seemed to fill the earth and sky was thrown against her consciousness. Drifting in the blackness, it took everything she had to keep herself from going mad. Suddenly, terrible screams surrounded her, the half-seen faces of ponies she had seen in the past shouting their pain and misery at her. Drawing into herself, she curled herself into a ball, trying to escape the accusing stares and shrieks. The monster that had existed within her had caused all this...it was the source of her agony. No matter where she hid, it always found her...clawing at her flesh, tearing at her spirit like a ferocious animal. There was no escape...no hope. However, a small light stood out from the impenetrable darkness. Rising, she limped toward that small speck, trying to grasp for it, but never quite able to reach it. Suddenly, she was thrust into a spiraling forest...except it was no ordinary place. No, far from it. The trees, plants, all were made of bleak obsidian, and the wildlife seemed frozen in a eternal duress. Stumbling across the dry, gray waste, the mare moved ever forward, its tracks filled with blood...her own blood, and the blood of others, mixed in a sickening black and red mass.

Trotting out into a wide, open clearing, the mare collapsed at its center, gazing up at the swirling white sky above her, and whispering a soft plea into the heavens above.

[colour=#800080]"...save me...please...I'm so sorry...take me to where you have gone, Celestia...! Please!" [/colour]

A cruel, dark, genderless laughter echoed from the obsidian foliage. Stepping out into the ethereal light of the lifeless world stood an equine shape, wrapped in crimson robes with burning red eyes. Each step it took caused the ground beneath it to turn to ash, a bloody smile widening in the darkness under its hood. [colour=#ff0000]"...no one is going to save you. I am your god...I am your salvation. Do not ask that dead fool for help...she cannot hear your pleas. Why do you cling to this fragment of yourself so strongly? Would it not be better to simply let go? To forget all your worries...your pain? Just let go, Eon-ja...leave your sorrows behind, and give me that last spark of will. Once you have fully embraced me, you will feel no more agony...no more despair...no more hatred. Come to me, dear child...and preserve our union." [/colour]The robed pony held out its red-wrapped hoof toward the mare, its eyes burning with an intense fire. The broken, defenseless mare slowly stretched her hoof out, desperately trying to reach for the other pony's hoof. However, right before her hoof made contact, a gentle whisper blew across her ear, halting her movement.

[colour=#4b0082]"...do not listen to it. Remember who you are...remember the life and love that once existed within you. Hold onto that, no matter what. Turn from that monster before you, before it is too late... Remember who you are!"[/colour]

The mare slowly dropped her hoof, the sound of it hitting the ground seeming as loud as a resounding gong due to the intense silence. Furious, the robed pony snarled and tried reaching out for her, but she drew herself away, not letting the creature touch her. [colour=#ff0000]"Who do you think you are, turning away from me?! I am the only reason you live...the only reason you exist! Do not forget who owns you, body and soul! I will not tolerate your defiance! COME TO ME!" [/colour]The creature's body suddenly began to warp and change, expanding and ripping apart the clothing on its coat. Its size grew and grew, changing from the form of a pony to that of a gigantic fox, its fur as white as death, and its eyes as red as the fires of Tartarus. Nine massive tails grew out from behind it, and they began to entwine themselves around the mare, encasing her in darkness once more. [colour=#ff0000]"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TO OPPOSE ME?!" [/colour]The blackness was suffocating her, strangling the life out of her and invisible fires scorching her flesh. Despite the pain, despite the agony, the mare didn't budge, a single phrase resounding in her head.

Remember who you are...

The mare's eyes widened, the darkness around her preparing to engulf her. With a determined growl and a defiant glare, she shouted to the never-ending shadows, her voice echoing throughout its recesses. [colour=#800080]"...I...I am Twilight Sparkle...!" [/colour]As the words exited her throat, everything caved in, and she felt herself thrown against out of the darkness, and a tunnel of light began to open. Desperate, she reached out for it...almost there...just a little more...! The light surrounded her, filling the mare with a feeling of warmth and joy she hadn't felt in years...a sense of freedom she had not embraced in just as long. Tears of happiness streaked down her face, and she began to laugh in relief, and just when she thought that everything was over...she woke up.

Twilight Sparkle - Equinia, The New Citadel

Twilight's eyes opened up to the glow of the morning sun, its normally-yellow shine reddened still due to the recent events in Equinia, and outside, the sounds of labor and working beings could be heard. She couldn't remember when she had fallen asleep...nor what had happened. The last thing she remembered was seeing Equinia destroyed and in flames, and coming across the body of a small foal...but the actual foal itself seemed unidentifiable, as if some part of her wanted to keep the knowledge suppressed and locked away. Feeling her cheeks, Twilight wiped away the dampness that had been there, looking at her wet hoof in silence. Whatever she had dreamed...it must have inspired some rather strong feelings, to make her weep that way. Looking out at the open window, she groggily stood up and approached it.

Stepping up to it, she gazed outside, and her heart weakened slightly at the sight. Equinia was in a state of disrepair, and apparently that last memory had not been simply imagined. The smell of acrid smoke still hung in the air, and the sky was red from the morning sun. Looking out, she saw hundreds of ponies and non-ponies alike at work, rebuilding their homes, stores, and other such places everywhere she could see. Of course, Equinia was a rather large city...and even from the Citadel (where she assumed she was), one could not see the entire length of it. However, something new did draw her eyes...a set of three large banners in one of the courtyards nearby, each bearing the symbols of a specific group. Twilight recognized all of them...the flags for the Federation, the RLF, and the LEH. What confused her though was why they were placed that way...and why the RLF and LEH had their colors here in the first place. Suddenly, it all hit her. Both sides had come to help save the unfortunate city...a noble gesture, indeed. A slight smile widened on her face for some reason at seeing the three banners swaying in the breeze, side by side. However, she couldn't guess where the smile had come from. Shaking her head, she retreated from the window and went to gather a few things. The room was basic...a guest's quarters, no doubt. Trotting over to the mirror, the sight she found made her freeze, gazing at the figure in it. A young mare stood there, her coat a luminous violet and her mane a dark blue colour with pink and purple highlights.

Twilight couldn't believe it...it was her original form. The way she looked before ever meeting Herald...if a bit more grown-up in appearance. She needed answers...yes, that is what she needed. Something like this couldn't just happen, could it? No, of course not! Maybe Chronarch could tell her what happened, or Trixie, or somepony! Fetching her purple cloak with her cutie-mark sigil, she rushed over to the wooden doors and flung them open, going outside and out into the open. Someone had to have some answers for her...and at this point, she didn't care who it was that gave them to her.

[TotalEcplise]

>[colour=#40e0d0]Chronarch[/colour] (Equinia, Central Plaza around the Citadel)

The Archmage stood on an elevated podium conducting the order chaos that was the reconstruction effort. His upper foreleg was bandaged and his left eye was covered with gauze. He had several cuts and scrapes still visible on his face and neck through his coat, but other than that he was fine. He had dumped his cloak, seeing as blood soaked wasn't a fashon style that he wished to promote. In its stead he wore a black hood trimmed in gold, the hood was connected to an extremely long black and gold scarf that bellowed in wind behind him. He wore a black leather armor suit with gold trimmings and a large dagger strapped to his chest. The new Citadel was coming along nicely, just like the old one it was a modern marvel of ingenuity. However, the most impressive thing about the structure wasn't the building, but how fast it was being reconstructed. Truly it was a miracle, Equinia's construction ponies were not to be scoffed at, though progress wouldn't have been anywhere near as quick without the aid of the RLF and the LEH, but even without the other factions Chronarch estimated project completion within record breaking times.

The stallion looked up at the banners flying over the city. The Loyalists still weren't with them, but negotiations were still alive and the fact that they had the tact to stay and help showed that peace was still a very real ending to all of this. Then there was the LEH, they had at one time been highly aggressive towards the GEF, but they had a change in management and the group was now lead by the mysterious dragons Karrthus and Kaalia. He didn't know much about them, but he deemed the two trust worthy. Kaalia had aided Chancellor Rainbow Dash by giving her enough magic to survive the spell that had doused the flames that were devouring the capital and Karrthus had his dragons and ponies moving double time, carrying heavy supplies through the skies and moving and excavating on the ground. Though the legitimate worry the two had for Twilight and Rainbow dash did leave him with a few questions, but he could feel that it was nothing malicious.

Speaking of Twilight, she had been out cold for the better part of the past three days. He had went to her chambers everyday to check on see how she was doing, and as much as he would've liked to stay with her he simply couldn't. With Twilight out of commission the ponies of the GEF looked up to him and Trixie for directions on what to do and he just couldn't drop that responsibility. He hadn't visited her yet today because his morning started with furious knocking at his chambers informing him of an unstable generator that was about to blow, nopony would be able to contain it or get rid of an object that large so the only option was to get the Archmage lest and entire city block be reduced to slag. Still he wondered how she was doing.

His eyes scanned the area and it was a sad sight regardless of how heartwarming it was. Injured ponies limped through the streets, helping where ever they could, many looking for lost relatives or just trying to perform day to day tasks which, now had become harder than ever before. Food and clean water had to be rationed carefully and many had to live in tents. It would be years before the city was fully restored, but when it was it would be better than ever. Chronarch wave his hoof, directing a dragon to place a bundle of re-bars near the citadel.

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>[colour=#800080] Karrthus[/colour] and[colour=#ff8c00] Kaalia[/colour] (Skies above Equinia)

The city was burned and destroyed, but from the destruction a new era would rise and Karrthus could see it it clear as day. The sun bathed the city in its warming rays from his altitude the dragon could see the entire city. New structures stared to climb out of the rubble of the old and ponies from across the land were working together with dragons and griffons. The first real steps to true harmony in a long while, the patriarch couldn't help but grin at the scene below him. Already his brood had been spared the threat of GEF hunting parties and they were allowed to stay there during and even after the reconstruction of the city. He looked down and the stripped Citadel and wondered how Twilight was doing, after the craziness that went on he lost track of her. He was needed in too many places and there was so many he had to help, that the mare just sort of slid onto the back burner.

Kaalia hovered in place next to him, with the same anxious look in her eyes that Karrthus wore. She should have stopped Rainbow from casting that spell, but that would have been selfish to let the city burn over her own foalish desires. The dragoness, just floated there looking down on the city. Her old idol was there somewhere in a coma and she didn't have the time to be there from her. She clenched her eyes shut at the thought and tried to focus on what needed to be done. Food was needed on the southern side of the city and construction supplies on the western side. She looked up at her husband with a sullen frown and sunken eyes. He smiled back down on her and nodded, he understood the feelings tugging at her heart. His gaze strengthed her resolve, after the small bit of encouragement she went back to directing the dragons and her their knights.

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> [colour=#008080]Draxis[/colour] (Equinia, guard tents)

The captain had called a decent number of the remaining guards to his tent, Draco included. The guards were a little weary of Draxis, during the events after the attack on the captial those who didn't know learned that their captain was a changeling. It didn't change too much, though a few ponies did drop their armor and weapons and walk out when they got the news, but he couldn't blame them the past three days had been rough on everypony and many of them had gone far beyond what had been expected of them so awards were due. After passing out medals for nearly two hours he stepped up to Draco.

[colour=#008080]"And you, our newest recruit. Draco, despite being with use for not even a month you've shown me and your fellow guards that you are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty and that you truly have the well being of others at heart."[/colour] Unlike with the other guards who Draxis had simply pinned a medal to, the changeling presented Draco with a case. He popped it out revealing [colour=#008080]"Draco before you were even offically a guard, you put your life on the line for that of innocents, so for strength of mind and and spirit i present you with the medal of valor and the outstanding volunteer medal. During the events that befell our capitol once again you went far above want was expected of you and through your own safety to the wind, it is thanks to you that many families were united. You are a green winged angel and a light in the dark to this city. For your exceptional performance I award you the GEF military Soldier's Medal, you've saved more lives then almost everypony in this room combined. For shedding sweat and blood under the banner of the GEF, I award you with the Purple heart. For you service as caravan guard during one of our nations most important days i award you with the GEF security guard ribbon and finally the insignia representing you new rank withing the GEF."[/colour] Draxis saluted the hybrid pony. [colour=#008080]"Congratulations, Sergeant Draco of the Grand Equestria Federation."[/colour]

All of the ponies in the room saluted the newly appointed Sergeant.

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> [colour=#daa520]Alpha inForce[/colour] (sans [colour=#daa520]Gilda[/colour]) (Equinia, RLF tents)

[colour=#000000]Baxter sat across from Free and sipped at his coffee. "So, Twilight was the Red Fox, How'd you come to that conclusion?" In the past few days The griffon could never find the time to question Free about it, but seeing as they had this moment of reprieve, he thought it would be a good time. His team was out and about the city helping in whatever ways they could, except for Gilda who had been at Chancellor Dash's bedside since the brood mother carried her unconscious body down from the peak of the mountain. [/colour]

[colour=#000000]Baxter swirled his drink around in mug, and stared into the dark liquid. The truth was simple, whoever lead the GEF at whatever point wasn't his concern. He held no personal vendetta against anyone pony, rather he was just angry at the insensitive deportation of griffons and wanted to make sure that they owned up to what they did, some form of reparation was due. [/colour]

> [colour=#daa520]Gilda[/colour] (Equinia, Dash's bedside)

Three days, for three Dash lay there motionless after she put out the flames across the city and for three days Gilda stayed with her. Streaks of tears stained her dirtied, once white facial feathers. Gilda sat on her haunches and held her head low. Sure she and Rainbow had there problems, and the sour note from back then still pulled at the back of her mind, but despite how hostile she acted towards Dash she never wanted her to die or anything. Had it not been for the revolutions, she might have even comeback, swallowed her pride, and apologized for her behavior. The pegasus was one of her first friends and definitely one of her best back in the day, and she still valued that. It wasn't until the possiblity of losing her arised that she realized just how much her old friend meant to her.

The griffoness had laid her weapons and armor out on the floor in the corner of Dash's room, there was no need for them here. She spent the first day in silent mourning, seated next to the mare, emotions from the years pasted bubbling up and out. There were times where in the silence she'd spontaneously jump up and started yelling at the mare, and go into a fit of rage forcing the nurses taking care of Dash to remove her from the room. Then there were times were all she could do was weep into the sheets on Dash's bed. The next two days had been spent with Gilda silently retelling Dash of their child hood exploits, recounting events of the past where together they prevailed or failed miserably, but stuck together in the end. It was during these reflections that Gilda saw past her bloated image of herself and saw what everyone saw that faithful day in Ponyville. She had been a jerk, he friend had grown an matured without her, but she remained stagnate and grew bitter without Rainbow beside her. When the mare left her side to pursue other interests it left a hole that Gilda felt no one could fill. Everyone around her seemed to become less as she looked down on them from the twin pedestals that she had placed herself and Dash on and when she saw how her friend had changed she just could imagine her as the same pony that sat high atop the world with her.

Gilda chuckled to herself quietly. [colour=#daa520]"Look who's lame now. You're gonna be a hero, and I'm here crying my eyes out on your bed sheets."[/colour]

[doppleganger]

-deleted-

[Valencetiger]

Dopple walked towards the New Citadel with a small bundle tucked under his decayed wing. He had been one of only few Changelings assigned to Equinia to help with the reconstruction. He had been hoping that Twilight would be up for a small chat. Seeing what had been done to the GEF filled him with a small twinge of discomfort. The GEFs was nearly decimated in a small instance because of all of their arrogance. All the factions thought they knew their enemies. Though it seems there is an enemy they were not aware of. A new player in this sick game is not something Dopple is looking forward to. Either way he continued his walk to the Citadel hoping there would be no trouble.

(Dopple, I'm afraid you aren't included on the Private list...sorry.)

[doppleganger]

(I did not realize this I apologize)

[sevofthesands]

As Draco was given each of the medals he nodded silently he was tired but he was also clear minded he wore a wary look on his face as he saluted his captain and took his Sergent's chevrons and he put them on his vest he had abandoned the old Kevlar vest for a thinner combat medics vest given less armor but had more pockets for medical supply's and things.. he was also along with his new rank given the command of three guards two were initiates whom now idolized him for saving their lives during the fires of the first night and another older retired veteran that he earned his respect after saving him as well he later returned to the guard due to shortage of pony's to help.. now he and his small squad of three were in the courtyard on duty. he had all three of them wearing the medics vest full of supply's in case anypony needed them. [colour=#008000]"be on guard you never know when we will be needed "[/colour] he said the two greenhorns looked eager... the old vet looked knowing of this truth,,

(how was that?)

[Valencetiger]

>[colour=#800080]Twilight Sparkle[/colour] (Equinia, New Citadel Courtyard)

She quietly trotted down one of the silent, rebuilt halls of the Citadel. It was a small portion of the previous Citadel's massive size...but still, she was surprised at the skill and craftsmanship that was at display here. Her silky purple cloak hung around her tightly, the morning's chilled air sending shivers down her still-frail body. Three days of sleeping...dear Celestia, that is a long time. Her muscles felt stiff and sore from lack of use, and in truth she was stumbling a little due to the slight muscular atrophy. After a few moments of scurrying down the stony pathway, she came across a wide, twin doorway. No doubt it would lead her to the courtyard outside, if memory of the old Citadel served her correctly. Taking a deep breath, she opened it and prepared herself to survey the destruction.

What awaited her outside wasn't the absolute scene of despair she had expected to see. No, it was quite the opposite...sure, the place was a wreck of its old self, but ponies and non-ponies of all kinds moved about the ruins of the courtyard, steadily at work to rebuilding the massive stone walls and pedestals. Blinking repeatedly so her eyes could adjust to the harsh sunlight, she stepped out warily into the courtyard, drawing a few surprised glances and gentle murmurs from those who saw her. Ignoring them, she saw a group of guards to the side of the courtyard, obviously on duty. What drew her eyes though was that one of them had oddly-shaped, dragon-like wings on his back. She had seen him before...she was sure of it. Of course! The caravan! Well, that meant he was a loyal soldier, then...so maybe she could get some answers from him, or at least have him point her to somepony who could give them to her. Approaching Draco and his group, the veteran recognized her and hastily, if stiffly, saluted her. The younger two recognized her as well, quickly doing the same action, if a bit more awkwardly and less professionally. However, she didn't register the signs of respect and stopped before Draco.

[colour=#800080]"...excuse me, Sergeant. I have a few questions to ask you...I've just woken up, and I'm afraid I do not have the slightest idea of what is going on...perhaps you can inform me? If not, can you tell me where Archmage Chronarch or Chancellor Rainbow Dash are?" [/colour]Twilight watched him cautiously, not sure exactly how he would respond...or react. If he were to be hostile, she could easily put him down, even in her weakened state. However, she hoped it wouldn't come to that...she had seen enough pain.

[sevofthesands]

he turned around seeing it was the leader of the GEF up and around the tired of the bull Draco saluted but only what he think she deserved and having only heard supposedly good things he salutes her for a moment before dropping his hoof he was neither hostility nor friendly just tired of the death and pain and this was most evident.. one of the things that did help him is his shyness he no longer stuttered when he spoke and he looked pony's in the eye... if he met a mare legitimately interested in him he might act differently but till then he was all business. he heard her question out and spoke in a tone that hinted his tiredness. [colour=#008000]"while I'm not too high up in command i do know somethings miss Twilight. we are currently in the middle of rebuilding and helping Equenia and its refugees since the fire of the first night many things have happened one is that Miss Dash Cast a spell that extinguished the fires of Equenia and saved many lives but sadly is in a magical coma at the moment. and the Archmage is currently overseeing and helping the rebuilding and while he may be a little arrogant his heart is in the right place. we are also currently receiving help from the RLF and LEH as well as aid from the dragons. we are also trying to get as much aid from the other citys but they are panicking and are not helping as much as they should... that's about what i know i think.."[/colour] he said

(did i miss anything?)

[NovaArkwing]

Freelancer Agent Washington, acting as Freelancer Representative during Equina reconstruction efforts. (Equina, Citadel Central Plaza)

Washington stood fully armoured in his dark grey coloured and yellow trimmed Freelancer armour on a hidden high balcony overwatching the scene of reconstruction below, the Freelancer Earth Pony watched the ponies below work tirelessly to rebuild their fallen capital in the heat of the midday sun behind his helmet's visor looking through the helmet's HUD as it analysed each little detail in milliseconds. He couldn't help but admire the speed of the Reconstruction efforts the GEF and the various other factions were performing at, although Freelancer assets were seen during the initial instance of the capital's apocalypse they were busy in other parts of Equestria, he heard of the decoy mission that occurred on the day it happened...Risky but worth it.

Intel gathered from the Decoy plus the intel that was also gathered during the initial negotiations meeting confirmed Freelancer's theories surrounding the other factions leaderships, also more secretly Wash heard of rumours of several military factions in the GEF blaming Freelancer for the attack he chuckled as he found those particular rumours amusing and very incorrect as even Freelancer couldn't do it in that such short time, he then recomposed himself keeping his professional military manner he was still on a military mission of great importance as his ability to stay calm, composed and calculating in combat were to prove as an ideal candidate for this diplomatic operation.

He continued watching the ponies carefully then began preparing to go on another patrol as he picked up his trademark Battle rifle and marched professionally downstairs he noticed as he caught ponies left and right glancing at the large but slim armoured pony passing by them suspiciously but paid them no heed as he marched outside he felt the heat assault his suit subtly raising his suit's core temperature slightly the yellow on his armour and shoulder armour became slightly brighter as the sun shone on them, he shrugged it off and continued his patrol.

Not much for a Freelancer to do as he already cleaned, maintained and polished his armour and weapons several times methodically and received not much in terms of reports since mainly Freelancer troops were assisting the closely depleted local GEF forces with security and military defence while reconstruction was underway as the original forces were nearly wiped out or crippled during the Capital attack however no Agents were deployed in the Equina area apart from Wash since it was considered a gross misallocation to deploy multiple Agents on a mission of this scenario.

Wash's orders were clear and concise however as he was chosen to act on Freelancer's behalf while the other factions rebuilt and Wash was fiercely loyal to Freelancer believing since they gave him a chance to keep a soldier's uniform he would serve them for as long as he's still breathing or unfit to serve as a Freelancer. It was either joining Freelancer and continue to fight and lead or be court martialed and sentenced to life imprisonment for a Superior commander's incompetence and subsequent desertion during battle years ago.

Wash had the makings of a tactically very competent leader for his leadership and combat skills were very impressive for small infiltration team to squad to even multi squad level combat it suited him best but he usually avoids large scale fighting as he constantly strived to make sure everyone under his command makes it alive and in one piece. It was an obvious choice as he escaped his detainment and met with the Director personally, Wash never saw who the Director was as he was shrouded in shadows and mystery, Washington continued his patrol passing by several GEF ponies and observed several Freelancer Attack Helicopters fly by as they passed overhead and into another sector of Equina routinely, he continued marching before passing by key figures of the GEF, or most of them to be more precise, maneuvering passed several GEF patrols while en route to a nearby Freelancer Forward Operations Base.

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Four-Six-Niner, performing airlifts in her dropship providing supplies to various sectors of the capital (Equina Airspace)

It was the twenty fourth airlift since the early morning when the call came from Freelancer Command that Freelancer air assets would assist the other factions in rebuilding Equina since the capital was almost wiped out, 4-6-9er flew her dropship rapidly past several flights of other Freelancer dropships that were heading to some other sector of Equina tasked with efficiently maintaining the GEF supply chain by providing assistance wherever possible.

"RLF Homebase, this is Sky Talon dropping off your next shipment save a space for the bird I'd rather not drop it and ruin someone's day, too much paperwork for my liking." 4-6-9er hailed the main RLF base while slowing down by drifting past a pair of dragons, "Copy that Sky Talon, begin your descent and see you on the airpad and await for another shipment to be delivered to the Citadel, Homebase out" the RLF air traffic warden replied as 4-6-9er swiftly landed on a open airpad and parked there waiting for the troops on the ground to unload it before receiving her next shipment to deliver.

Not quite the vacation she hoped for but at least it's better than flying against interceptors in a dropship she smiled as she remembered the intense flight back on the arctic glaciers and how she nearly crashed from the shockwaves of the ice caps threatened to bury them all in ice, "...Hopefully I shouldn't have to do that again..." she muttered as she sat back waiting for the RLF troops to be finished.

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The Director, (Freelancer HQ, Restricted area)

The Director was with the Counselor in a restricted area of the Director's private labs performing unknown experiments with the materials recovered from the research facility raids, "Counselor, I don't give a **** about the moral consequences of what might happen. We need this for the next phase of the Agent combat suit experiments and as for the Backup, is it ready or not?" he asked slightly annoyed as they ran through multiple almost identical simulations testing the new technology.

"No Director, it appears the materials are missing two key components in order for it to be completed...One would be the copying device, a way to multiply the main entity to fragments that would be ready for installation among selected groups of Agents. And the other component being...A personality, it needs a person to begin the process of the creation the Alpha since basic procedures require it to be based upon someone. And the Backup does seem... Unnecessary sir, since the agent is very loyal anyway and it would be unwise to start thi-." the Counselor explained as he ran various simulation counts before he was cut off by the Director who walked up examining the large pony-sized container that held the Director's secret project, only him, the Director and the Freelancer.Integrated.Logistics.Security.System or F.I.L.S.S command A.I were the only ones aware of the project.

"Very well...we have intel on the location to retrieve the package which will be recovered in the next mission, as for this...I don't want anyone or anything finding out until it's ready, once it is...then we can begin with implantation phase." The Director sighed resignedly as he stood by the container holding a file which had a name labeled on the front labeled simply as "Omega", this file was vital to the project but the project itself was...Disturbing as Agent Texas would serve as the first implantation test subject before the implantation phase would be applied to other Agents, she would be monitored and observed in the case of any changes in her personality and performance related to the implantation. But what was being held in the container in front of them was something else entirely if something terrible or fatal happened to the real Agent Tex, this would activate.

[FermataTheBasse]

[colour=#222222]

[colour=#AFEEEE]The Great And Powerful Trixie [/colour][colour=#000000](Equina Airspace)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]A pony flying without wings or without one of those inane flying machines of metal was usually a strange sight, but in a sky flooded with dragons it was no longer such a big deal. Trixie, for all her enormous ego, was hardly a pinprick of pale blue and lavender amongst the multi-hued dragons swarming the skies about Equina, not to mention the dropships and Star Swirl knew what else. The skies above Equina were buzzing with activity in general, and it was a good sign, that the capital was this full of activity mere days after the 'Apocalypse', as they had come to call it.[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Now Trixie was not the type of mare who could be counted on to know how to lead others, being as it was that she could barely lead herself with any amount of discipline. She was glad Chronarch had quickly recovered, promptly used his skills into organizing the efforts to rebuild Equina. The moment Trixie had known Twilight would be safe, that she was indeed perhaps herself for the first time in years, Trixie had gone off to do what she did best, bully and intimidate. She had been flying between GEF centers of population elsewhere in Equestria, giving orders as only she knew how to. Keep your population under control, organize searches for the perpetrators of the apocalypse, await further orders. Trixie was confident Twilight would come to, and when she did, then the GEF would be back on track, Trixie was also sure.[/colour]

[colour=#000000]It had been so long, really, since Trixie had been in public in her true form. It was usually the case that she wore any other form, to throw off others, to make sure the Mistress of Shadows was seen as a properly respected agent of the GEF, not some former hack show magician. The wind of her wake blew easily through her hair, whipping it up, her hat only kept on by strong kinetic magic. The sun was risen. It was a beautiful day over the city still picking itself up from disaster, and things for the moment looked up. [/colour]

[colour=#000000]There were spaces where the metal contraptions were landing, so Trixie followed suit...[/colour]

[colour=#000000](RLF Airpad, with Four-Six-Niner)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Trixie touched down lightly, a light cloud of dust kicked up ever so slightly, her cape billowing dramatically about her. She trotted to a mare that seemed to be on duty, even though she wasn't in GEF uniform. Factional differences hardly mattered, not now.[/colour]

[colour=#AFEEEE]"Trixie is curious, you are RLF, yes?" [/colour][colour=#000000]Trixie asked of 4-6-9er. [/colour][colour=#AFEEEE]"We are ever so grateful for your assistance, and Trixie especially." [/colour][colour=#000000]Trixie smiled slightly. It was getting easier, it seemed, to not be a cold hearted agent. Cold hearts didn't do much for a capital rebuilding, a capital the focus of so many ponies with different agendas.[/colour]

[colour=#FF0000]Vinyl Scratch [/colour][colour=#000000](New Citadel Courtyard)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Vinyl saluted along with the rest of the soldiers in the room when Draco received his medal, her formal salute strangely fitting for her still very civilian countenance and body. She had ditched her signature shades long ago, her stark red eyes would never again be hidden from the sun or from other's eyes. [/colour]

[colour=#000000]She had no body armor on, as it was not what she had volunteered as. Always self-sufficient, Vinyl had done her own electrical work in her studio, knew everything there was to know about circuit engineering. It had been surprisingly easy to translate that skill into a military application, and she was now one of the GEF's newest combat engineers. She had recently disarmed a minefield of stored bombs in a barracks rendered dangerous by the Apocalypse, and thus proven herself more than capable. It had been the strangest thing, the horrifically close ticking, it had been... musical. She could never escape the beat, even in service to her country. [/colour]

[colour=#000000]As the guards began to leave to their duties, Vinyl quickly approached Draxis, who was more or less her superior. [/colour]

[colour=#FF0000]"Sir, the explosives to demolish the collapsing wall to the ghetto have been primed. At your command."[/colour]

[colour=#FFFF00]Fluttershy [/colour][colour=#000000](Outskirts of Equina)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]A mare naked walked the abandoned streets of Equina's outskirts, which still resembled a warzone as they were further from the center of rebuilding. Fluttershy wore a somber look, feeling the pain of those who had perished, honoring them silently and strongly. She herself looked rather beaten, her once beautiful body was burnt, scratched and gouged at, with a particularly nasty wound nearly having torn her right wing off, by the looks of it. She appeared unaffected by the injures, there wasn't even the slightest limp in her step.[/colour]

[colour=#FFFF00]"..." [/colour][colour=#000000]Fluttershy was silent, offering her prayers as she had learned from the Starlight Order for those passed in the Apocalypse.[/colour]

[/colour]

[Scythe]

[colour=#009966]Queen Chrysalis[/colour] (Equina on a roof with Cadence - again)

[colour=#009966]"This is the place we were standing three days ago - when this city got destroyed. Now look at it - from destruction raises peace, new life and also hope"[/colour], she looked down at the ground, moving her hoof in a small circle. [colour=#009966]"You know Cadence, since the day we rescued you - I wanted to ask this, but I was afraid you would see it in the wrong light. I was afraid to be rejected in a way I couldn't deal with. Now seeing this peace and upcoming prosperity..."[/colour], the Queen turned towards the alicorn, her face serious, devoid of any of her typical seducing features, [colour=#009966]"... this place needs a new ruler. Or better said, new rulers. And I think we should be the ones. You will take the place Celestia once had and take care of everypony while I will take Lunas place and see after the other races in Equestria. I am certain it won't be a monarchy like back then, but people want leaders."[/colour]

[Valencetiger]

>Twilight Sparkle (Equinia, Citadel Courtyard)

Twilight listened to the hybrid-stallion halfway through his response, his voice fading from her ears. Rainbow Dash...in a coma? She must have...but why? Well, that was a stupid question...Dash always put herself on the line because of her loyalty. Back before the Revolution to her and their old friends, during the Revolution to what Dash believed was right after the massacres, and now in the new Equestria, sacrificing herself to save the citizens of her city...of Equinia. She felt her heart stop a few beats, and she took a quiet inward breath due to a realization. The fool...Dash used the Bracelet to end the fires...but why? Wasn't there another way? Of course not...otherwise she wouldn't have done it, would she? Cursing in her mind, she drew herself back to Draco's words, nodding slowly at the end of it, having picked up a bit of it.

"I...see. You are quite bold with your tongue, Sergeant..especially when it comes to your superiors, it seems. Well, a pony is entitled to his own opinion, I suppose. However, you may want to keep your words more guarded...while I am lenient on that sort of thing, a few of your "arrogant" officers might use that as a reason to court-martial you. Do not worry yourself too much, though...I happen to agree with you." Twilight offered a gentle smile to Draco, nodding to him and his three compatriots appreciatively. "...I will be going now, thank you for your assistance, Gentlecolts. Keep up the good work, I am sure your families are quite proud." Smiling more, she moved away from the group and began to trot toward where she assumed the infirmary would be, her falsely-applied smile fading. She wished she could have given them a real one...but the news had taken its toll on her.

After wandering about the reconstruction sites for some time, Twilight finally came upon the infirmary she had heard Rainbow Dash was staying. Following one of the nurses, she was led to where they were caring for the Chancellor. As the nurse left, Twilight hesitated outside the doors, biting her cheek. She didn't know what to expect once she went inside. Releasing a pent-up breath, she opened the door with her hoof and moved slowly inside. At first she saw Rainbow Dash's unconscious form lying down in the bed, being kept alive by a few machines, and next she saw a female griffin. Blinking in surprise, she recognized the griffin as Gilda, from long ago. Gulping, she closed the door behind her and looked over at the two of them.

"...so, how long have you been here...? Have you been by her side the whole time she's been...you know..." Twilight went silent, watching Rainbow Dash quietly.

(Still have more to add.)

[NovaArkwing]

Four-Six-Niner, (RLF Airpad, Equina Airbase)

4-6-9er was still in the cockpit of the dropship and switched it's engines off for a break they were activate for quite some time, "Better save on the fuel and power we'll need them for the second shift, eh girl?" 4-6-9er softly spoke caringly to the dropship as she deactivated the aircraft's engines treating it with care referring to the dropship as a person then a piece of military hardware, the other pilots often wondered why 4-6-9er was so passionate about the dropship, well her last craft she flew which was a NEO attack helicopter that was wrecked and destroyed in the final battle at Canterlot, she promised to never let that happen to this bird...Her bird. She finished the last couple checks and stepped out into the open airfield and admired the aircraft in the sky, 4-6-9er removed her helmet from her flight suit and flicked her mane a little so it was somewhat presentable and less messy as she began making her way to the other Freelancer pilots.

4-6-9er strode past the commotion of the Airfield until a voice called out to her coming from behind that sounded somewhat familiar yet mysterious she turned to see a strange armoured caped mare striding almost overconfidently towards her, "Trixie is curious, you are RLF, yes?", 4-6-9er stared at the mare confused as she mistook her for a RLF pilot despite her Freelancer uniform, "RLF?, nah. Freelancer pilot codename 4-6-9er, and you are?" 4-6-9er asked the armoured caped mare curiously, judging by the mare's armour she must be some GEF hotshot in one of the higher power circles of the GEF.

"We are ever so grateful for your assistance, and Trixie especially." 4-6-9er smiled and nodded as the mare thanked her but secretly couldn't help but find Trixie's smile slightly...Unnerving, clearly she was one of the strict meaner intelligence officer types that looked at things rather coldly and looked at individual ponies as a resource to meet their own agenda. "Not a problem, just following Freelancer command's orders it's them you should really thank as they were the ones that mobilized Freelancer to assist, I just fly the supplies to their destinations and fly that mean baby over there." 4-6-9er explained kindly then pointed to the advanced Freelancer dropship that was parked on one of the many airpads on the airbase.

"Had her for several years now, we've had some close run-ins at times but so far we haven't been shot down...It's a personal record I've been keeping track of since the old NEO revolution, some of the other Freelancer pilots call me lucky as hell, I just think I have a natural gift for flying." She added rather shyly as she mentioned of her personal record since only she would keep that private before snarkily remarking about the other pilots while holding her helmet to her side casually before watching as Freelancer engineers got to work on maintenance on her dropship.

[Valencetiger]

>Virginia (RLF Airpad, Equinia Airbase

The fully-suited mare watched 4-6-9er speak with the GEF official, frowning behind her helmet's vizor slightly. Ever since she had joined up with the Freelancers for her own reasons, she had stuck with her fellow agent like mud on a boot...and being back in Equinia once more made her shiver slightly. It wasn't just the city, nor its current state...it was what lay underneath it that frightened her. Once, she had served the Federation, but no more. She had found a new purpose. The mare recognized Trixie for who she was, narrowing her eyes and speaking to 4-6-9er through their headset, making sure the GEF agent didn't hear her words. "...you be careful o' that one. I saw her before the Revolution in my hometown, when Twilight made a fool of out of her...it is odd to see her with Twilight, to be frank. Even back then, a pony can't trust her for nothin'..."

Virginia went silent when she finished, thinking she had gotten her point across to 4-6-9er. Glancing at the control guages, she began running engine diagnostics and the communications systems...however, it was just something to keep her body busy while she contemplated recent events. Things had certainly changed for her since she had found her new, and first, lover...and she gave a lewd smile at one particular thought that flew past her mind, causing a slight blush to appear on her light-yellow cheeks. Once they were back at base, Virginia couldn't wait to get out of this scorching suit and snuggle with her special somepony...

>Frost (Central Plaza around the Citadel)

The bizarre stallion couldn't help but grin as he watched the Archmage give out orders constantly, the futility of it all humorous to him. Indeed...what was the point of all of this? Whatever had attacked the city could easily do it again, apparently, so why bother rebuilding until the threat was put down? It made little sense...but, of course, these Equestrian ponies were beyond him...and help, too...the lunatics. Chuckling under his breath, he created three more icy cranks to lift up some heavy stone and steel to the upper areas of the Plaza, letting the ponies below handle the rest. A slight twinge was felt in his consciousness, and he looked toward where Twilight had awoken. Frost grimaced slightly, sending a mental message to Chronarch. I will be back, friend...it seems Eon-ja is awake at last. Somepony needs to keep an eye on her...so she doesn't hurt herself. In fact, in her state...a slight nudge could break one of her bones.

Breaking off the mental contact, he lowered his frozen pillar he had been standing on. Once descended, Frost left the Plaza and pursued the volatile mare he had been placed in charge of...sigh, the love of siblings was a pain, especially for those like Frost that were caught up in it.

[FermataTheBasse]

[colour=#afeeee]The Great and Powerful Trixie [/colour][colour=#000000](RLF Airpad, Four-Six-Niner, Virginia)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Freelancers? To be honest, Trixie didn't know much about the intel on that group. She had assumed it had been part of the RLF in some capacity, given that they were all equally enemies of the GEF anyways. [/colour][colour=#afeeee]"The Mistress of Shadows? The Great and Powerful Trixie? Trixie." [/colour][colour=#000000]Trixie knew that her identity mattered little, not now, not at this part of the crazy tale that had been her life. When the apocalypse came and went- Trixie had been sure she'd have been the first to die when that day came- and you were still alive, your worldview was sure to be more than slightly altered. She looked forward to being productive in the future under Twilight's new rule, assuming it actually came to be. Peace had been something Trixie had never considered as even being on the table. But now, with all that had transpired so suddenly, it seemed so highly possible... Trixie had to wonder if her disposition was unnerving her counterpart. Trixie was told that genuine smiles did not suit her, she looked far more natural wearing a dastardly countenance. Insulting, but perhaps accurate.[/colour]

"It is an,,, impressive machine." Trixie examined the dropship from a distance, her tone a bit unsure and hesitant. She did not trust technology, never had, even as it had rapidly developed under Twilight's rule. She had tried to pilot a flying machine once. She still had the scar on her flank to tell her that was a bad idea through and through. [colour=#afeeee]"I'm glad that such a capable pilot is helping in the effort to rebuild our glorious Equina. To be honest, I could not fly anything like that to save my life." [/colour][colour=#000000]Trixie almost never admitted her weaknesses to anypony. She wondered why she was starting now. [/colour][colour=#afeeee]"Do you have an actual name you're willing to give Trixie, 469?"[/colour]

[colour=#ee82ee]Princess Mi Amore Cadenza [/colour][colour=#000000](Somewhere in Equina, Chrysalis)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Cadence leaned against her Queen, her now once more colorful mane soft against Chrysalis' carapace. In times of terror, one turned to love or whatever approximated it for comfort. For Cadence, she knew somewhere deep down that betraying her holy bond with her probably long gone husband was wrong. But to be honest, her life had been turned upside down many times already, and this time it had been the actual world turning upside down along with her. To her, the fact that she was still alive meant something. There was still love and hope somewhere in this world, though her now jaded eyes had to wonder if it would ever grace Equestria again. It definitely seemed to be graced now, with the sun bright over a city swarming with dragons, swarming with ponies of all creeds banding together for the common goal of survival in the wake of disaster. Cadence had to wonder, however. She had been touched by hope too many times, now she felt cold to the touch.[/colour]

[colour=#ee82ee]"Mmm..." [/colour][colour=#000000]Cadence had considered words similar to her Queen's before, in the three days that she had been in Equina and had been watching it rebuilt. Did the crown need to be restored to Equestria? She was sure the people wanted leaders, but they had many options for that now. And it remained the fact that her aunties were not blameless in their share of the disharmony that had wracked Equestria since the beginnings of war. Cadence slowly rubbed her crownless head against Chrysalis, mulling over her Queen's words. [/colour][colour=#ee82ee]"I do not think it is the time to think of ruling, my Queen. And I would not be the right ruler, even if now were the time. You, perhaps. Not I." [/colour]

[NovaArkwing]

Four-Six-Niner, (RLF Airpad, Virginia, Trixie)

4-6-9er looked back at Trixie cautiously she felt the mare's analytical gaze piercing her similar to what she felt when she first met Virginia before she joined Freelancer only much worse she literally felt like this mare was studying her for weaknesses but showed none and continued on casually maintaining a somewhat professional stature, "Trixie?, that's a pretty name for someone of your...high class" 4-6-9er started as she was unsure of this mare while she seemed to have one hell of an ego, 4-6-9er maintained her professional composure but still wary of Trixie.

"To be honest all of this still seems unreal to me...The Equinia apocalypse...Reconstruction...Every faction helping out the GEF even Freelancer despite everything that's happened and there've been talks of peace now despite the events and what happened in the past and recently, and For the record...Freelancer isn't an enemy of the GEF nor do they see the GEF as an enemy, they just see it as a misunderstanding of interest or something like that...But do you ever get the feeling like this is...Staged for something much bigger and ominous lurking in the immediate future?" 4-6-9er shrugged casually she was still uneasy about all of this, it felt like it was going a little too fast for it to be natural, her thoughts were snapped back to reality as her comms unit chimed again,

"Dammit, must be command...Sorry Trix got to take this call for a moment." she spoke reluctantly and stepping to the side for a moment and listened and heard a voice, it was Virginia's voice, she listened carefully as she warned her of Trixie, "copy that command, acknowledged Four-Six-Niner out." she replied to Virginia over the comms before returning to Trixie who was admiring the distant dropship with a hesitant uncertainty.

"[colour=#282828]Impressive?, Oh yeah Freelancer knows their tech but it's the pilot that truly makes it dance in the sky, and that particular dropship is kind of like a part of me, we've been through so much together she's reliable as all hell and capable of running rings around any GEF or RLF fighter with me flying her." She proudly admitted smiling fondly at the parked dropship and to a certain armoured mare who was assisting in the maintenance work , 4-6-9er was caught off guard by Trixie's sudden confession but smiled politely and gave the mare a reassuring look "it's not entirely the craft that make the pilot it's the Pilot that makes the craft, with months of practice anyone could fly it decently to good standards, I just have a passion and love to fly and that could go a long way." she replied honestly as she admitted her love of flying although she was unsure as to why she'd admit this to the mare in front of her but then stopped outright as Trixie asked for her name "Name?...Why'd you ask?..." she asked shyly as if she was so accustomed to her codename that it felt embarrassing for her real name to be used after all those years ago during the Revolution, "It's...I[/colour][colour=#282828]t's Harmony..." she spoke quietly hoping Trixie didn't hear her.[/colour]

[TotalEcplise]

> [colour=#008080]Draxis[/colour] (New Citadel Courtyard)

[colour=#008080]"Excellent work private Scratch. Come, I want to be present when you do the honors." [/colour]

The captain was truly impressed with the mare, in three days she had become one of his most effective combat engineers. She required little training and made quick work of any task placed in front of her. Here was another young soldier whose heart was in the right place, another young pony whose concern for the well being was her motivation. Many of the newer guards had forgotten that their duty was to protect the people, hunting RFL, and other distractions were just that...distractions. This is what they were meant to be doing, bringing light to the darkness of the frightened citizens.

Draxis's flat expression shifted into a frown as the full weight of the situation finally fell on him.[colour=#008080] "The Ghettos."[/colour] He mumbled under his breath. A wall of debris seperated it from the main city. Until now the guards didn't have the firepower to tear through it and get to the ponies on the other side. Three entire days they had to fend for themselves, that is if anypony was still alive over there. He sighed and started walking.

-------------------------------------------------------------

> [colour=#daa520]Gilda[/colour] (Rainbow Dash's Bedside with Twilight)

Gilda had been starting at the floor quietly, it was all she could do to keep herself from staring at the unconscious pony in front of her. The soft rhythmic beeps of medical equipment put the griffon into an odd reminiscent trance. The years of flight school together, the awesome adventures, the parties...the falling out... She buried her face in her talons and covered herself with her clockwork wing. Ashamed was the only word she could think of, everything leading to what happened in ponyville had been her fault, instead of giving Dash's new friends a chance and possibly forming new relationship she strutted through the town like she owned they place, yelling at ponies and threatening the pegasus' friends. Ashamed.

The door slowly creaked open and Gilda scrambled to wipe tears from under her eyes. She recognized the lavender mare who came in as Twilight Sparkle, the current leader of the GEF and one of Rainbow's friends. She hadn't personally interacted with Twilight on that day five years ago, but she had heard plenty about the pony. Amazing how the mare who defeated the Red Fox looked so frail.

Twilight's awkward question caught Gilda completely by surprise. [colour=#daa520]"Yea..."[/colour] Gilda said quietly.

----------------------------------------------------------

>[colour=#40E0D0]Chronarch[/colour] (Equinia, Central Plaza around the Citadel)

Everything was going great, the ghettos were about to be searched by the guards, supply lines were active and running efficiently, and all the factions were cooperating with no problems. Frost alerted him that Twilight had awoken and the severity of her current condition. Chronarch winced at the though of a body being so fragile and vulnerable. He looked down on him and nodded in confirmation. He had no choice but to trust the stallion seeing as he knew much more about the situation than he did, luckily Frost relayed the information to him and not Trixie, the last thing they needed was for her to overreact and call attention to Twilight.

[TheBritishBrony]

[colour=#000080]Free Quickhoof [/colour](RLF tents, alongside Alpha inForce)

Free took another swig of the thunderneigh ale, relishing the taste and swirling it round his mouth. The past couple of days had been hell for the stallion, he had to help with the rescue efforts, organise his soldiers for reconstructing Equinia, and he had also been thinking non-stop about his revelation. [colour=#000080]"To be truthful Baxter, I don't really believe it that much myself. But when me and Twilight were facing off, she said something about 'not even the princesses could surpass my magic.' And who killed the princesses? The Red Fox. Plus she has been away for the past five years, which I doubt was due to 'feelings.'" [/colour]Free shook his head and rubbed it with his hoof, he had a headache that had been plagueing him for a while now. The stallion frowned as he looked out of the command tent, wondering what was going to happen in terms of the war. Of course, there had been the cease fire between the two warring factions, but that hadn't put his mind to rest. Constant thoughts of how the negotiations could go wrong flooded his thoughts, and he wondered if there ever really was going to be a permanant peace between him and the GEF. [colour=#000080]"All I know is, Twilight does not want anypony near the crown, no matter what she says, and that this war is not over by a longshot."[/colour]

[colour=#ffa500]Applejack [/colour](The citadel, Rainbow Dash's bedside)

Applejack walked down the hallways of the new citadel, not sure why she was visiting her past friend. She had hated Rainbow Dash indefinitely after the revolution, the cold and thoughtless puppet of the Red Fox. But still, she felt compelled to go to her, as she was once one of her oldest and once most loyal friends after all. As she trotted towards the room the mare was sleeping in, she recieved lots of attention from the nearby guards, who jeered and frowned upon her. Of course though, Applejack just shook her head and continued onwards. The orange mare breathed in and out deeply as she reached the door, before knocking and heading on in. She was a bit surprised to see Gilda and Twilight there. [colour=#ffa500]"Oh uh.......... I'll just come back some other time."[/colour] Applejack said sadly, she didn't want ANYTHING to do with Twilight at the moment. She would just have to visit Rainbow Dash another time. [colour=#ffa500]"Sorry for bothering ya'."[/colour] She said solemnly as she began to close the door slowly.

[Valencetiger]

>Twilight Sparkle (Equinia Citadel Infirmary, Rainbow Dash's bedside)

Twilight raised her head at seeing the orange mare, her lips tightening slightly. Ever since she and Applejack had seen each other once more, they were not on good terms...not that she could blame her, after all. Twilight had done many things she regretted...despite the fact she had little control over herself. Standing up, her horn glowed softly as she stopped the door from closing fully. "N-no, that isn't required...I was just leaving. Please, stay if you like..." Moving past the RLF commander, she paused, glancing back at her with a mixture of sorrow and anger behind her eyes...anger at herself. She quietly whispered to her old friend, the ache in her voice evident. "...it is my fault, after all...if I had been stronger, I could have stopped her. If I had been stronger, none of this would have happened. If I had been stronger...I would have stopped him..." Turning away, she continued on her way, not looking back at Applejack.

Twilight exited the infirmary quietly, glancing at the flying dragons above and the countless ponies working everywhere. She needed somewhere to relax, somewhere to ease her burdens. Perhaps...perhaps she could use a drink. Sighing, she began her trek back to the Citadel, through the varying camps around it.

[Scythe]

Chrysalis chuckled slightly, closed eyes, looking at the ground and smiling, her vampire like teeth showing as if she was trying to look dangerous - it was not her intention though. The sun was behind her when she looked at Cadence, making her face look very dark.

[colour=#009966]"I wish you were right Cadence - I screwed up so much and yet I feel like I can bring justice and peace to this land. You have to look around you though"[/colour], she turned, facing the city together with Cadence, seeing a lot of ponies and changelings working on their destroyed homes, [colour=#009966]"the changelings might be an appreciated help right now, but ponykind would never ever accept me as their ruler, not even if it was only for representative purposes - or especially not for that."[/colour] Her gaze wandered to the ground, her expression becoming sad. [colour=#009966]"I hate to say it, but without a pony on my side I have no chances to do any good, besides a little help here and there."[/colour]

[sevofthesands]

Draco sighed as he turned to his squad of three [colour=#008000]"we are headed to the ghetto wall demolition with Captain Draxis understood?"[/colour] and while his they saluted the vet said.[colour=#2f4f4f] "sir?.. should we follow what miss Twilight said and be mindful of our tongues?" [/colour]draco rolled his eyes. [colour=#008000]"i have seen to many ponys in power do stupid things...and to be honest.. i don't care what they think i am going to be honest and say what i think and if they don't like it.. oh well.. if they throw me out.. so be it."[/colour] he said [colour=#008000]"now too the Captain!"[/colour] he said as he spread his wings along with his three pegasai soldiers and took to the sky... they are all pegasai if it was not mentioned before. The two recurits had taken to calling the 4 of them the Equienian Angels much to Draco chagrin. they flew to where Draxis currently was and landed. [colour=#008000]"Sargent Draco reporting for duty sir."[/colour]

[FermataTheBasse]

[colour=#afeeee]The Great and Powerful Trixie [/colour][colour=#000000](RLF Airpad, Harmony, Virginia)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Trixie snickered. [/colour][colour=#afeeee]"High class? You're too generous." [/colour][colour=#000000]It wasn't much of a stretch, to be frank, to assume that she was someone important. After all, she had just been levitating and flying around a moment ago. Such high class magic would have been only known by the elite soldiers of the various factions. The odd thing was, Trixie couldn't help but agree with her counterpart's observations. Sure, Trixie was optimistic for a more peaceful future where she could perhaps get her mess of a life back onto some track approximating decency. Enough had fallen at her hands, for a mare who hadn't even been herself. Trixie didn't blame Twilight, not at all. She had to blame herself, because if she had been able to do something...[/colour]

[colour=#afeeee]"Trixie wouldn't go so far as to say that she's definitely sure of something worse coming on the horizon. Besides, that would imply that the worst hasn't happened yet." [/colour][colour=#000000]Trixie gestured at the ruins of the capital about them, beyond the few places already fixed up by the RLF. [/colour][colour=#afeeee]"Seventy percent of the population vanished into thin air, and they're finding more bodies all the time. The greatest city in Equestria wrecked. And let's not forget the wars before, between the Princesses and Red Fox. Multiple cities devastated. If there's worse to come..." [/colour][colour=#000000]Trixie shuddered, her mind putting together some pretty nasty situations. [/colour][colour=#afeeee]"No, Trixie does not want to think about it."[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Trixie looked away from the dropship- a good thing for her- to listen to 469er talk about the dropship. She had to admit, she felt for the pilot in spite of her personal disdain for technology. Trixie wished she really could make any parallel to such passion, devotion, but could she? For Twilight? But that had been hollow, empty, semi psychopathic devotion, zealousness. There was no genuine thing Trixie just loved to do without any heavy subjects tied into it. It was... strange. Trixie had to smile at 'Harmony' as she heard her name clearly- pony ears- and trotted over, hooked a foreleg around her neck affectionately.[/colour]

[colour=#afeeee]"That's a wonderful name, Harmony. May I call you such?"[/colour]

[colour=#ee82ee]Princess Mi Amore Cadenza [/colour][colour=#000000](Somewhere in Equina, Chrysalis)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Cadence held her Queen's gaze evenly, even as her countenance became evil in the framing light of the sun. She was used to her Queen's strange expressions, found them to be just as warm as her expressions of joy. Cadence took a step or two back, removed herself from her cuddling against Chrysalis, yawned. It had been a long three days. [/colour]

[colour=#ee82ee]"Well I'm sorry on behalf of ponykind, my Queen. Of all the leaders out there, I think you would perhaps be the best. You've made your mistakes, learned from them, and you do not have the blood of innocents on your hooves." [/colour][colour=#000000]Cadence trotted back to her Queen, put a hoof around her neck affectionately, reassuringly. [/colour][colour=#ee82ee]"I can be by your side, my Queen. To be honest, I would love to be by your side for the rest of my time on this world. But you cannot trust me with the crown." [/colour][colour=#000000]To make a point Cadence relinquished her warm gesture, trotted away, into the sun. Now she was framed by it, looking away, the sun illuminating her so that her shadows appeared all the greater.[/colour]

[colour=#ee82ee]"I could not- no. I will not do it."[/colour]

[colour=#b22222]Lypris [/colour][colour=#000000](RLF Tents, Alpha inForce, Free)[/colour]

[colour=#b22222]"If I may interject. There is much that is an enigma about the returned Twilight Sparkle, however we must bear in mind that we're in her territory, helping her now. Speculating about her can be saved for when we know she has a knife poised to plunge into our backs, if it exists. If." [/colour][colour=#000000]Lyrpis, the court mage of Queen Chrysalis, in all her wingless glory, had been left along with the RLF while her Queen attended to personal matters. It was the intent of the Changelings to appeal to as much of the pony population as possible with their gesture of good will, and it seemed to have worked. Lypris didn't have to disguise herself on the streets anymore. She felt more bold, more confident, to speak up in their presence and make her own thoughts known. [/colour][colour=#b22222]"I fear the more immediate concern will be the force that ravaged Equina. After all, anything with that much power is a danger to all groups involved. At once."[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]Vinyl Scratch [/colour][colour=#000000](Citadel Courtyard, Draxis, The Equinian Angels)[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]"Yes sir." [/colour][colour=#000000]With the ease of trot that Vinyl thought might never go away in a million years of war, she began to lead the way to the ghetto. She levitated something from a military issued saddlebag, a switch-like device, the detonator. She had rigged it together from existing detonators that had been recovered, since none of them had actually been wired for the explosives they could find. Another triumph for her technical skills. She could already hear the beat, in perfect four over four time, of the bombs waiting to be blown, to bring the wall down... to hopefully save the ponies trapped within.[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]"Sir? Don't worry. They're gonna be fine." [/colour][colour=#000000]Vinyl wasn't exactly an optimist, but she tried to be for the sake of the comrades she now held in arms. Was it likely that there were still survivors in the ghetto? Nope. Cut off from air access by collapsed buildings, with little food known o exist in it's bounds... No, not thinking about it. But Vinyl did speed up to a brisk trot. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Sargent." [/colour][colour=#000000]Vinyl acknowledged Draco.[/colour]

[Valencetiger]

>The Prophet of Redemption (Equinia Main Square, beneath the Revolution Memorial)

"...and it is they, who have ****ed us to our oblivion, friends! All factions...one and all...are just lusty, greedy monsters who care nothing for the citizens of Equestria! It is they, who brought down divine wrath upon us! Their evil search for the powerful Goliath, of which they have no business in finding, will surely be our downfall! You all believe that you are in capable hooves or talons...but that is a falsehood that was created to keep us down! The Fifth, Perriot, will come again...that I can promise you! However, there is a way to stop him...to stop the Prince of Destruction! He and his cohorts were foolish...so very, very, foolish to have let me escape their confines. I have seen their work, their strengths, their weaknesses!" The gathering of ponies and nonpony civilians listened to the rant, their bodies moving nervously, fear and despair painted on their faces. Many of them were victims of the Equinian Apocalypse, and word had spread of this pony known as the Prophet.

Settling down, the old-looking stallion narrowed his eyes at the Citadel far off, the one being rebuilt. Finally, one of the ponies in the crowd spoke up, his voice with a hint of anger and frustration. "How dare you speak of such things here among us! The Factions have all gone out of their ways, setting their conflict aside, to help all of us in our time of dire need! If you have convinced me of anything, it is that you are mad! Driven insane, and preaching anarchy to those who have little to cling to but hope! You call yourself a Prophet...I see a wretch!" The words inspired an uproar from the crowd, angry faces directed toward the Prophet. Looking at them all, his yellow eyes started to glow with amusement, and he began to let out a long chortle, the crowd silencing as they listened in horror to the insane-sounding laughter. Recovering, the Prophet smiled at the stallion who spoke out. "Mad...? Yes...yes, perhaps I am mad. Maybe, just maybe, that is why I can see the truth that none of you can. That doesn't changge anything, however... Very soon, you all will be able to see what I can...I can promise you that. But...if I may ask you all...do you believe in demons? How about angels? Well, they exist...I assure you. However, the conflict is not two-sided between them...but, rather, they work together against us!" Once again, the crowd shuffled nervously, even the previous speaker being at loss of words.

Turning to the Memorial, the Prophet lowered his head in sad respect, then glanced at the Apocalypse Memorial that was being built on the other side of the city square. "...yes, I very well may be mad. But, just like you, I would rather not see this happen again. To be frank, I have lost much, like you...I lost my entire family during the Revolution. My sons and daughters fought each other and ended their lives at one another's hooves...no father should witness that. I was forced to endure that...but I will not endure it again!" Rounding on the crowd, he had an agonized expression and raised his hoof to the sky. More creatures began to join the crowd, listening to the old stallion's words. With a voice nearly choked by his emotional pain, the Prophet spoke again. "...I have chosen to take every living soul in Equestria as my child...and this time, I will not lose you all like I lost my old family! Each and every one of you is precious, and I will sacrifice life and limb to protect you! Today, I make my presence KNOWN!" The crowd began to cheer, raising their hooves or talons or what ever appendege they had in the air. With a determined exp<b></b>ression, the Prophet placed his cowl back over his head, and the wings he kept hidden finally emerged...revealing glowing white gems imbedded in his flesh, and a miraculous shine that seemed to hold everyone in awe.

"...let us see if they will deny our voices now, my children! Let them know our fury, pain, and hope! I demand a summons of all the leaders of the Five Factions within Equinia...for they shall hear our words! We will have our redemption... THEY WILL KNOW WHO WE ARE!" The crowd, which had grown to encompass the entire, huge city square, screamed out their approval, whipped up into a frenzy and shouting in unison as the wind began to grow.

"Hail Lord Prophet!"

"Hail Lord Prophet!"

"Hail Lord Prophet! We will be redeemed!

>Private Halftooth (RLF Tents)

The armored pegasus flew through the various flights of other pegasi and dragons alike, hurriedly and frantically trying to reach the Commander's tent. A riot was rising up in the center of Equinia, where the destruction had been its worst, and was quickly growing throughout the many districts. Ponies and nonponies alike were abandoning their work and answering the call of this mysterious 'Prophet'. Rumors of the nutjob had been going about the campsite and other areas, but he hadn't believed any till now. Landing on the ground outside of the Commander's tent roughly, he dashed over to the tent flaps and opened them swiftly, stumbling inside and stopping himself on a few inches from the table. He gave a hasty salute, looking at Free. Trying to regain his breath, he spoke out his message.

"S-Sir...we...we have a problem! Th-there's...a riot...happening...all over Equinia, sir! That madpony, the 'Prophet'...he started them! Th-things haven't gotten...violent yet, but...it is bad, sir, very bad. I saw a f-few of our own troops among them, and GEF guards too! That Prophet guy is demanding an audience with all the Faction Leaders...wh-what do we do?!"

>Twilight Sparkle (Within the Citadel, Repaired Areas)

She trotted quietly toward her bedroom, surprisingly exhausted and wanting nothing else but to get back to her bed. Seeing Rainbow Dash in a coma, and her city in ruins...she was emotionally drained. Right as her hoof touched the door, two GEF soldiers approached her, saluting her. Curious, she looked at them with an eye raised. "...at ease. What is it? Something to report?" The soldiers lowered their hooves and glanced at each other uneasily, then looked back at her. The soldier on the right spoke calmly to her, "...I am afraid that you must come with us, Lady Twilight. Important matters require your attention." Twilight narrowed her eyes suspiciously at them, lowering her hoof from the door handle. "...I see. Well, if I must, then-" She gasped when one of the soldier's struck her in the side with his rifle, driving the air out of her and causing her to crumple. They both rushed over and gingerly lifted her, the pain of the blow making her semi-conscious and light-headed. Her eyes rolled over to the guard who had remained silent, an apologetic look on his face. "Sorry, Lady Twilight...but the Lord Prophet wishes to speak with you." The words faded out, as Twilight's vision went black. One last thought drifted across the void in her mind...one that made her scream internally.

"...why am I so weak...?

[FermataTheBasse]

[colour=#b22222]Lypris [/colour][colour=#000000](RLF Tents, Alpha inForce, Free, Halftooth)[/colour]

[colour=#b22222]"Is that so?" [/colour][colour=#000000]Lyrpis stood from her place in the table, her horn suddenly glowering dimly in the light of the tent, a sickly green colour. The wards she had placed three days ago on Cadence were still as strong as ever, as Lypris had the opportunity to rest and recover her power from her previous exertions. That seen to, she sent a message through the hive mind to her Queen.[/colour]

[colour=#008000]"My Queen, there's been an incident, an uprising. I think we will be requiring your presence here."[/colour]

[colour=#B22222]"Here I was thinking that nonsense about prophecy was being ignored. It has to be some kind of magical control of the populace, which worries me. Anything that can control that large a group of sentient beings is going to be incredibly dangerous to face."[/colour]

[colour=#ffd700]Fluttershy [/colour][colour=#000000](Equina Main Square, the Prophet)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Her trek through the city ravaged by Armageddon had been mostly silent, at least until she reached a place where there had been a large gathering of mares, stallions, dragons... It was strange really. Some of these ponies reminded her of faces she had used to know in Ponyville, ones she had not seen since her flight. Fluttershy could make out the words, could hear the agitation and emotion on both sides. She suddenly felt vulnerable, wished she had not abandoned her monk's habit, for she might well stand out in the crowd. She wasn'[/colour][colour=#000000]t shy anymore, she wasn't demure. Yet she felt a twang of that old nervousness around others come to be, a twinge of fear she had not felt in quite some time. It almost seemed to make this familiar, like that day long ago when she'd been the little scared mare in a crowd learning how to be assertive. [/colour]

[colour=#000000]The glower of the gems hurt Flutteshy, she had to look away. Cowering in place, she heard the roaring of ponies about her. [/colour]

[Scythe]

[colour=#ee82ee]Princess Mi Amore Cadenza [/colour][colour=#000000](Somewhere in Equina, Chrysalis)[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Cadence held her Queen's gaze evenly, even as her countenance became evil in the framing light of the sun. She was used to her Queen's strange expressions, found them to be just as warm as her expressions of joy. Cadence took a step or two back, removed herself from her cuddling against Chrysalis, yawned. It had been a long three days. [/colour]

[colour=#ee82ee]"Well I'm sorry on behalf of ponykind, my Queen. Of all the leaders out there, I think you would perhaps be the best. You've made your mistakes, learned from them, and you do not have the blood of innocents on your hooves." [/colour][colour=#000000]Cadence trotted back to her Queen, put a hoof around her neck affectionately, reassuringly. [/colour][colour=#ee82ee]"I can be by your side, my Queen. To be honest, I would love to be by your side for the rest of my time on this world. But you cannot trust me with the crown." [/colour][colour=#000000]To make a point Cadence relinquished her warm gesture, trotted away, into the sun. Now she was framed by it, looking away, the sun illuminating her so that her shadows appeared all the greater.[/colour]

[colour=#ee82ee]"I could not- no. I will not do it."[/colour]

Chrysalis walked up to Cadence and mimicked her gesture by putting a hoof around her neck, taking care not to hurt her with the sharp edges of the holes in it. After she was certain she didn't mind it the changeling pulled her closer until their sides touched each other.

[colour=#009966]"It is fine Princess, you don't need to take the crown. I am used to one"[/colour], her eyed moved up to the small black crown that symbolized her status in the hive,[colour=#009966] "and like I already said, I would love to make this friendship of ponykind and changelings bloom, but I may need your help Cadence. If you really want me to reign... or at least make sure that I have a say in the rights of every being than ponies need to trust me, believe in me. They need to sympathize and if we can show them my suffering of the past even empathize."[/colour]

The black cheek of her was suddenly rubbing against Cadence's. [colour=#009966]"Shall we take a walk?"[/colour]

(This is so romantic!^^)