30

Hope

A faint glow and chiming filled the dark and quiet room where Applejack and Applebloom slept. Peeking one eye open, Applejack realized with a small start it was her cutie mark. Looking outside, she saw it was still the dead of night. Trying her best to put the call's last occurrence out of mind, she got up and stretched. The cutie mark's glow lit the room, and its chiming became louder. In the bed opposite of Applejack's, Applebloom began to stir.

"Ah, shoot," Applejack muttered. Thinking quickly, she grabbed her blanket and threw it over herself, dampening the light and chime. Applebloom seemed to settle and sleep on. Softly sighing, Applejack put on her hat and walked quietly to the door. She opened it, kicking off the blanket, and took one step into the hallway.

"Applejack?"

Applejack winced at her sister's tired voice. Her cutie mark illuminated her sister. Blinking and yawning, Applebloom sat and looked at her with a wearied face. She sniffed. "Ya gotta go?"

Applejack nodded solemnly. "Mhmm."

Applebloom sighed and lied down again. "Bye."

Applejack walked over the blanket and to Applebloom, who didn't acknowledge her. She sat at the bedside took off her hat. "Are you doing okay, sis?"

Applebloom turned her head away. "No," she mumbled.

Applejack's ears fell flat. "Because I'm leaving?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry, Applebloom, but I have to—"

"Do you?" Applebloom interrupted. "Really? What happens if you don't?"

The argument painfully made itself known in her memories. "Bad things," she said quietly.

"But why do you have to go? There's like five of ya still. Get Pinkie or Twilight to go instead."

Applejack had to look down and take deep breaths not to cry. She could see Rainbow in her mind. "I-I don't know. I just know it has to be me this time."

"It ain't fair." Applebloom unsuccessfully stifled a few sobs. She turned over and looked at Applejack. "Why did any of this happen? Why did Big Mac and Granny Smith die? Why can't we just be together and happy?"

Applejack sighed deeply and feigned a small smile. "I'm not sure, Applebloom. I've thought long and hard about that myself recently." She started gently petting her sister's mane. "The way I see it, we can all make choices, good and bad. We might like to think they only affect ourselves, but they affect others, whether we mean them to or not. Now, there are some who've made bad, bad choices, and they've hit us hard. They've hit everypony hard. It's life. It just happens to be real rough right now. But, this is what I want you to remember. We also have a choice in how we react to others' actions. How we react can make us better or worse as ponies. I know it ain't easy to move on after what's happened, but I want you to have hope and endure this trial the best you can."

An example sprung to Applejack's mind. "Think of a young tree, just a foot or two tall. Its roots ain't the deepest, and its trunk ain't the thickest, but it's alright where it is. Then, out of nowhere, it gets real windy for a long time. That little tree has two choices. One, it can give up. The roots can shrivel and tear, the trunk can bend and snap, and the tree'll fall over and die. Or, two, it can grow up. The roots can burrow deeper and more spread out, the trunk can grow thicker and stronger, and the tree'll survive and be even better because of the winds. Applebloom, we're like little trees. We didn't choose to have high winds, but we can choose whether to give up or grow up."

Applejack wiped a tear from Applebloom's cheek. "Look," she continued quietly, "I know it ain't fair, Sugarcube. I know the past couple months've been bad, real bad. I know, with all that's happened, that you just want things to be normal, like they were before, and I do too. I know you miss them, and the farm, and, well, everything." Applejack sniffed and let a tear fall. "But I want you to know how proud I am of you. You've been so brave and so good these past few months. You've helped me a lot getting through all this. I want you to keep being strong. Alright? Not only for Granny Smith and Big Mac, but also for Ma and Pa. I know that they're all proud of you too, just like I am."

Applebloom smiled. "Thanks," she said a bit sleepily.

Applejack glanced at her cutie mark and sighed. "I promise you, I'll be back as soon as I can once I'm done with whatever it is I have to do. Then we can head back home with everyone and get another barn raised."

"Braeburn's staying with us, right?" Applebloom asked hopefully.

Applejack nodded. "At least through applebuck season." She chuckled. "Sorry, Sugarcube, you're gonna have to deal with him for another few months."

"No," Applebloom said. "It'll be good not to have a big barn to ourselves, at least for a little while."

Applejack blinked away a tear. "I guess you're right." She put on her hat and walked to the door. "G'night, Applebloom."

Applebloom burrowed into her blankets. "Love you, sis."

"Love you too."

The door closed with a click, and the room was dark and silent once more.

"Where's Zephyr Breeze?"

Fluttershy scanned the skies, searching for a green pegasus amongst the hundreds flying all around her. Thunderhead had finally arrived minutes before, and the giant cloud plaza just outside Cloudsdale was joyful, for the most part. The families of the fallen Wonderbolts were there as guests of honor, in a sense, but they mostly kept to themselves. Occasionally, there would be a pegasus flying from Thunderhead with a modest wooden box strapped to their chest. The flocks of pegasi flying from Thunderhead were already thinning, and Fluttershy grew visibly anxious.

"Ah, don't worry," Fluttershy's father said, a hoof on her shoulder. "He'll turn up."

Her mother chuckled. "You know how he likes to take his time."

Fluttershy nodded and smiled slightly, but a sense of unease lingered. She wondered if her parents felt it too but were hiding it like she was. Surprising her a bit, her cutie mark started glowing and chiming. Nearby pegasi looked at her for a moment, recognized who she was, and went about welcoming friends and family home. Her parents, however, were amazed.

"What's happening?" her mother asked. "What's this about?"

"Oh, uh," Fluttershy said. "It's... You know how I'm on the Friendship Council with Princess Twilight?" Her parents nodded. "Well," she continued, "this calls me to her castle. It means there's a friendship problem somewhere."

"Does that mean you have to go?" her father asked.

"Not right this minute," Fluttershy assured. "The others will understand why I'm late."

A white pegasus with one of the wooden boxes noticed Fluttershy and her parents—probably due to the glowing cutie mark—and he flew down to them. He looked to be a higher-ranking soldier, as he was one of the few who still wore a uniform. He landed in front of the three, looked over Fluttershy quickly, and cleared his throat. "You're Fluttershy, right?" Fluttershy nodded, a terrible feeling blossoming in her chest. The pegasus sighed, sitting down. "I'm Bright Feather. I was Zephyr Breeze's captain in the air force."

In an instant, Fluttershy knew, and her knees buckled. With a gasp, she found herself on her stomach, trembling. Her parents looked between their daughter and themselves, still trying to understand what he meant. Bright Feather closed his eyes, muttering, and opened the box strapped to his chest with a wing. Fluttershy forced herself to stand. Inside the box were five neatly-ordered dog tags, and the ones in the middle bore her brother's name.

Fluttershy tried her best to suppress a yelp, but most of it escaped. Her parents came to her sides and looked in the box. Fluttershy's father began shaking his head, muttering "No" over and over while tearing up. Her mother stood dumbfounded, not saying a word. Fluttershy finally found her voice and looked at Bright Feather.

"How?"

The captain cleared his throat. "Our squadron was on a mission to cut off Griffonstone's supply lines from the east. Zephyr, along with these other four, were captured during the assault. We didn't know where they were held until we found them in some prison in the mountains." He gestured with his head to the tags. "Go on. Take them."

Fluttershy looked between her parents and then at the tags. She stretched out a trembling wing and picked the tags up by the small chain. She knew otherwise, but they still felt heavy. Zephyr's name glinted in the dim light of the crescent moon. Looking at her parents again, she put the dog tags on. She then froze, looking at Bright Feather again.

"Am I allowed to wear these?"

"Oh," he nodded, "of course, of course." Fluttershy returned a smile and let the tags rest against her chest. They were like ice, and she let out a whimper. Her father hugged her, then her mother, and all three bowed their heads and closed their eyes.

"I just wanted you to know," Bright Feather said, "Zephyr was a good stallion. Complained a bit in the beginning, but that passed. He wanted to make you all proud, and I'm sure he did." He gestured to the scene around him. "His sacrifice wasn't in vain. I offer you my most sincere condolences."

Fluttershy's father looked up at Bright Feather and nodded. "Thank you," he said quietly. Bright Feather stood, saluted the three, and flew up again, searching for the families of the other four pegasi. Fluttershy and her mother looked up after him. Her father sighed and began walking somberly towards the city, and her mother followed. Fluttershy didn't move, and the other two stopped.

"Sweetie," her mother said, "aren't you coming home with us?"

"Well," Fluttershy said weakly, gesturing to her glowing cutie mark. "I better go."

"Are you sure, honey?"

Fluttershy nodded. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep. I need something to do."

"Can you fly all the way there by yourself?" her father asked.

Fluttershy hesitated. "Yes," she said, though unsure if she really could. If she had to, she reasoned, she could sleep on some clouds midway. "I'll be fine," she told her parents. "I just need some time to, uh... to be alone."

Her father nodded, blinking away tears. "We understand. We love you, dear."

Fluttershy smiled. "I love you, too." Her parents turned and again walked towards Cloudsdale, her mother's head resting on her father's shoulder. Fluttershy sighed and looked down at the dog tags. "Love you too, Zephyr."

Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich were tasked by the mayor of Las Pegasus to decorate the city's largest plaza before the pegasi returned home from the war. Pinkie finished helping somepony with a fireworks display and began walking around with a smile. This was her bread and butter. Cheese was running around, making sure the others who were helping were doing a good job. The plaza thus far was half-decorated, but at their rate, it would be done within an hour.

Pinkie felt something on her flanks and jumped. She noticed her cutie mark began to glow and chime. She looked at it in surprise, then anger. She furrowed her brow and grumbled.

"What's going on?" Cheese asked, trotting up to her. "Something wrong?" Pinkie grumbled but didn't say anything. Cheese noticed her cutie mark and tilted his head. "Why's that glowing?"

"It's nothing," said Pinkie irritably.

Cheese raised an eyebrow. "That isn't nothing." Pinkie brushed past him, and he followed her. She pretended not to notice and instead looked around at the decorations. Cheese walked beside her, getting her attention. "What's up, Pinkie? Why are you so angry all of a sudden?"

"It's none of your business."

Cheese spoke carefully. "Could you at least tell me what it means when your cutie mark glows?"

Pinkie sighed in exasperation. "When our cutie marks do... this," she gestured to it with contempt, "it means we go to the castle in Ponyville."

"Is that why you're all worked up? Because you have to leave?"

"No," she said curtly. "I'm not going."

Cheese scrunched his eyebrows. "Huh?"

"I'm not going," she repeated.

"Why not?"

Pinkie looked up at the high buildings surrounding the plaza. "I didn't leave Ponyville just to travel with you and make fun parties. I never want to go back." Cheese still looked lost, so she continued. "It's Twilight. I don't want to have anything to do with her."

"But why? I thought you two were friends."

"Not anymore."

"Is whatever happened between you two worth leaving behind everyone else?"

Pinkie groaned. "You don't get it!"

"Then help me understand!"

Pinkie stopped and stomped on the ground. "She killed Rainbow Dash!"

The helpers around them quieted and stared at the two. Cheese sheepishly looked around, clearing his throat. "Carry on!" he said. "Keep working!" The helpers slowly returned to their work and conversations, and Cheese turned his attention back to Pinkie, who now sat and looked down.

"You never told me that," he said, putting a hoof on her shoulder. "But I still don't... get it. Why do you think she killed Rainbow?"

Pinkie sniffed. "She let her go that night," she said quietly. "If Twilight had just kept her, Rainbow would be alive."

"But it wasn't Twilight who killed her, griffons did." She turned away from him, and he sat next to her. "Pinkie, you can't put blame on Twilight like that. It isn't right."

"Then who do I blame?"

Cheese thought for a moment and winced. "Maybe, and I know you're not going to like this, but... maybe it's just Rainbow's fault." Pinkie whimpered, and Cheese sighed. "Knew you wouldn't like it. But, think about it. Rainbow is the one who wanted to go. It was her choice to leave. If anypony at all, its Rainbow's fault."

Pinkie looked at Cheese. "But Twilight could have—"

"—made her stay," Cheese continued. "I know. But, aren't you Rainbow's friend too?" Pinkie froze up. She hadn't thought about that before. Her heart sank, and a tear made its way down her cheek. Cheese held her in a half hug. "Maybe you're angry with Twilight because you're angry with yourself."

Pinkie' hair deflated. Her thoughts jumbled in her mind for a moment. "I don't know," she said quietly. "I don't know anymore." She suppressed sobs, exhaling shakily. "I g-guess it is just as much my fault as it is hers that Rainbow's dead."

"No, Pinkie," Cheese said, holding her closer. "That's not what I meant. It's not your fault, not anypony's. You didn't know what would happen to her, and you couldn't have prevented it."

Pinkie shoved Cheese away, a bit angry again. "How's that supposed to make me feel better?"

"I'm saying you don't need to blame anypony for what happened, especially not yourself."

"But you just said that I could have—"

"As an example," Cheese interrupted, "of why you shouldn't blame Twilight." He sighed. "Just go, Pinkie. Go to Ponyville. If not for Twilight, then for Rarity, or Applejack, or Fluttershy. You can't just leave them. You can't let one thing ruin this friendship. I know you're better than that."

"But how do I face Twilight now?"

Cheese shrugged. "I think that's something you'll have to work out for yourself."

Pinkie looked at her cutie mark and then at the plaza. She sniffed, speaking wearily. "Okay. You win. I'll go. Just, uh," she gestured to the decorations, "you make sure everything here is alright."

Cheese smiled and saluted. "Can do."

She walked to him and hugged him. "Thank you, Cheese. And sorry for getting angry."

"Not a problem. Be safe."

Shortly after the small and happy reunion, and knowing the others wouldn't arrive until much later, Twilight had brought out three spare beds and set them up surrounding the Map. It didn't take much more convincing for everypony to rest for a while. Even with their cutie marks chiming and glowing, they all soon fell asleep. Not all slept peacefully, though. Rainbow tossed and turned, murmuring quietly, her dreams plagued by worries made manifest.

Before the sun had risen, the doors to the map room slowly opened, and Fluttershy poked her head in. She crept inside, closing the door quietly as she went. Looking at the beds and their occupants, she stopped when she saw a grey mare. Puzzled, she flew quietly over to her. The mare looked familiar, but Fluttershy couldn't place where she had seen her before. She couldn't help but wince at the scars on the mare's face. Her attention was drawn to the sheets by a glow forcing its way through accompanied by a faint chime. Her eyes widened. "Rainbow Dash?" she breathed.

She spun around and flew to the Map. She found all of their cutie marks orbiting the castle, including Rainbow's. Trying to keep herself calm and quiet, she found Twilight's bed and flew to it. Hesitantly, she shook her friend softly.

Twilight woke slowly at first but snapped awake at seeing Fluttershy, who backed away. Blinking in the dark, Twilight pushed herself up to sit. "How did you get here so fast?" she asked.

"I just flew," Fluttershy said. "Cloudsdale isn't that far."

Twilight crept out of bed, stretching. "Is Pinkie or Applejack here?"

"Um," Fluttershy said, "no, I'm alone." Twilight nodded sleepily. Fluttershy's eyes darted to the grey mare still asleep. "Twilight?" she asked cautiously. "Is that... Rainbow Dash?"

"Oh!" Twilight said, starting. She stuttered for a moment. "Yes, yes that's Rainbow!" she whispered excitedly. "She arrived just a few hours ago!"

"But the newspaper..."

Twilight shook her head. "It was wrong. Rainbow survived the attack, along with one other Wonderbolt—Soarin', I think."

"But why is she grey? And what happened with the scars?"

"She—" Twilight stopped and thought for a moment. "... would probably like to tell you herself." She saw a glint of light from the dog tags around Fluttershy's neck and winced. "She told me about Zephyr, too," Twilight continued quietly. "I'm so sorry."

Fluttershy looked at the tags and sighed. "I'll be okay." She glanced behind her at Rainbow.

"We could wake her up," Twilight said.

"Oh, no," Fluttershy said, turning back around. "I wouldn't want to disturb her."

Twilight smiled and walked towards Rainbow's bed. "Come on. I know she wants to see you as much as you want to see her."

Fluttershy followed Twilight hesitantly and stood behind her. Twilight gently roused Rainbow, and she woke with a small jerk. Twilight whispered something to her, and she stepped out of the way. Rainbow saw Fluttershy and perked up. She quickly got out of bed and walked to Fluttershy, who was wide-eyed and rigid.

Rainbow smiled. "Hey, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy studied her face for a moment. Her lips began to tremble, her eyes began to water, and she hugged Rainbow with a small cry. Twilight watched with a tired smile. Rainbow closed her eyes and hugged Fluttershy tightly.

"I missed you, too," Rainbow said.

By sunrise, everypony in the castle was awake. Their cutie marks still glowed, but they figured Pinkie and Applejack would be there soon enough. They had breakfast together with the other three occupants of the castle. Starlight, Sunburst, and Spike were all confused to find a grey mare eating with them and shocked when they realized who she was. After they ate, Rarity ran back into town, saying she had a surprise for Rainbow. A little while later, she returned with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, the latter of whom was near-hysterical with joy. With each passing minute, Rainbow's heart swelled.

Afterwards, they all returned to the map room to wait for Applejack and Pinkie. Starlight suggested waiting at the train station, but Rarity posed the map room would be much more meaningful. Spike, however, grew impatient and went to the station anyway. Scootaloo, wearing a giant grin, never left her spot under Rainbow's wing. Twilight voiced her doubt about Pinkie actually coming, but both Fluttershy and Rarity assured her she would. Spike came running back right after, telling everyone the two were on their way.

A few minutes later, the doors to the room slowly opened. Everyone turned and saw Pinkie and Applejack standing in the doorway, their flanks glowing.

"I reckon we'll go to Vanhoover," said Applejack. "I just got this feeling that—" She stopped, throwing a hoof out to stop Pinkie. The two stared at the group all looking excitedly at them. "Uh," Applejack said awkwardly, "howdy."

Rainbow sighed in relief. The two looked at the group with confusion, walking slowly over to them. Twilight tried not to stare at Pinkie. Rainbow got up, nodding to Scootaloo, and she flew over to meet her friends. She landed in front of them and was shocked at how utterly exhausted they looked. Applejack looked at Rainbow's cutie mark and gasped. "Rainbow?" she breathed. Rainbow nodded once, and Applejack ran to hug her.

Rainbow looked past Applejack at Pinkie, who hadn't moved, and she couldn't help but feel hurt. Applejack looked between the two and stepped to Rainbow's side. Pinkie studied her for a few moments more, glancing between her glowing cutie mark and at her eyes. She took a deep breath. "Are you... really... Rainbow Dash?"

Rainbow smiled, seeing a chance. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake—"

"Dashie!" Pinkie tackled Rainbow, laughing and crying. "It's you! It's really you! You're alive! You're alive! You're here and you're alive!" She continued to cry over Rainbow, loosening her hug.

Rainbow couldn't help but grin. She was finally home.