Changing of the Guard

Sparklefly was almost back to the farmhouse. It took no small amount of coughing to get there due to the polluted air. She heard a noise from the barn as she passed, which made her stop to investigate. It was LD. The stallion was doing some exercises, which had made him work up a sweat already.

"How are you not worn out from the last few days?" she asked.

He hardly glanced at her, "I kept getting assigned where nothing was happening. You know I never did anything but guard duty away from fighting during the siege? Besides, we've got to stay fit for duty, right?"

"True enough," she coughed. "I might join you later."

He nodded in reply and continued. Sparklefly walked the short distance to the house. Upon entering, she was able to breathe again. It was a welcome respite from the hazy smoke filling the air outside. Sparklefly rummaged around in the kitchen, but the pantry was bare except for a bag of oats. It looked small considering it was all the food they had to feed several ponies for the next three days. Sparklefly closed the pantry without taking any.

"You can have some; don't be shy," Apple Bloom's voice said from behind her.

Sparklefly replied, "No, thank you. I'll eat later."

"Come on, you gotta be hungry by now," Apple Bloom insisted.

"I'll wait for the others," Sparklefly said.

Apple Bloom opened the kitchen window shade, and the hazy daylight flooded in softly. A concerned look overcame her expression while looking out at the sky. She looked at Sparklefly, a bit confused.

"The Everfree forest is on fire," Sparklefly informed her.

"From that bang we heard last night?"

"I think so. Scootaloo returned after dark," Sparklefly said; she then hesitated.

Apple Bloom tilted her head to one side asking, "And?"

"They brought Sweetie Belle, Zecora, and Cloud Blazer back to Ponyville."

"Well how come you didn't tell me?" Apple Bloom asked frantically as she straightened her pink bow. "Where are they? Can I see him?"

"It might be a bit of a shock," Sparklefly searched for the right words. "He's been hurt very badly."

"I know; y'all told us that already." She finished fiddling with her bow. "I want to see him. Is he in the hospital?"

Sparklefly hesitated only a moment, and nodded saying, "I'll come with you."

The pair went back outside. Sparklefly's lungs were irritated by the noxious air. As they passed the barn, Sparklefly caught a sight that served to amuse her. LD saw them walking by and quickly darted to the door, lifting a wheel barrow over his head in a ridiculous pose. Apple Bloom saw it and rolled her eyes at him.

"That stallion," she muttered under her breath.

Sparklefly found it difficult to hold in her laughter as LD put down the weight and scurried to catch up to them.