/Hey, guys! Okay, okay, I broke my promise of an earlier chapter, but I swear it is not my fault this time. My computer freaked out and I couldn't do anything on it, but I got the chapter done!/
My breaths come out shaky and burn in my throat. I feel the blood drip down my wing. I'm terrified that I'll be caught. Terrified that I'll fall and the girls won't be able to save me in time. Terrified of dying. I breathe heavily, trying to focus only on the sound of my hooves pounding on the ground. Tears stream uncontrollably from my eyes. Everypony is out to get us now. Many used to be friends of mine. Thunderlane was one of my first friends. He helped me learn to fly better when Rainbow Dash was too busy. Now he is chasing after me, thirsty for my blood. Blossomforth, my old neighbor, now wants me dead.
Dead... Dead! That's what I will be if I can't get out of here! My breathing speeds up, cold and hot and painful in my throat, as I begin to run faster. So fast my chest burns. Wind pushes against my face, forcing more tears from my eyes. I start flapping my wings as hard as I possibly can. A scream escapes me, and I push hard, passing Twilight. She stares at me in shock and awe as I soar past clumsily, pain shooting through my wing.
I hear shots firing towards me and lift myself higher, ready to give out from the aches. But I don't want to die. Not before I see Rainbow Dash. I need to see her one more time, I need her to know how much I miss her. How much I need her. But most of all, Twilight needs to come to grips with what she did. That's why I agreed to come along, to help Twilight through it. I know it was an accident. But Twilight and Rainbow Dash think differently, and they need more than anything to forgive each other.
Rarity has been blaming herself for Rainbow leaving, all to take weight off of Twilight's shoulders. It was, however, a team effort. Twilight's mistake started it off. All of us said some things, but Rarity said the worst of all.
I stood beside Twilight, who had fallen to the ground in exhaustion, crying uncontrollably. I vaguely listened to Rarity trying to defend Twilight, but all I could hear was Twilight crying until-
"Well then, Rainbow Dash, if you feel that way about Twilight then you surely feel the same way about us!" Rarity shouted. "Twilight tried to save your mother, and it is not her fault that she failed. In fact, I am absolutely positive that your mother was so sick of your pathetic attempts at trying to save her that she killed herself!"
My flashback is interrupted by a shout from below me. I look down to see Applejack trip over herself, leaving dark bloodstains on the grass. She stumbles back to her hooves and continues running clumsily.
"Applejack!" I shout, voice stinging in my throat.
"Keep goin', Sugarcube!" Applejack shouts up to me, coughing.
I clench my teeth, narrowing my eyes against the wind. If Applejack can keep going, then so can I. We run and fly, desperately trying to get away from the bloodthirsty ponies firing shots at us, but no matter how fast we run we can't seem to shake them. They don't seem to be giving up.
"Twilight!" I cry. "We can't escape!"
Twilight fires up her horn beside me. Darkness rushes before me and a splitting pain shoots through my back leg before I hit the ground. I skid across asphalt, feeling my hide scrape underneath me. Twilight lands beside me.
"Oh, dear..." She mutters. "Fluttershy was hit!"
My back leg burns. I can feel the blood drain from it. But I force myself up. All of us were hit somewhere, at least once. I focus my eyes on the girls. They're all a bloody mess. Pinkie Pie bleeds through the bandage wrapped around her torso, scratches covering her body. A long, deep gash runs across Applejack's side. Rarity's leg drags limp behind her. Blood drips down Twilight's face from her ear.
"I'm fine." I grunt, shifting weight to my front side.
"Where in tarnation did you teleport us, Twi?" Applejack asks, looking around.
Come to think of it, this place does look slightly familiar. I can't place it, however, because of all the blood everywhere and my watering eyes I have yet to wipe.
"Yes, where have we gone?" Rarity continues the question.
"We're in the Crystal Empire's castle. Anypony who is here is hiding in the castle. They're all trustworthy. I know Princess Cadence is dead, but my brother may still be alive, and if he is he's still here. We can regroup here for just a little bit." Twilight says.
I blink a few times, clearing my eyes. Looking around once again, I can recognize the towering, glimmering gems that make up the crystal castle. All now dripping with blood. Rarity and I exchange looks.
"You look for your brother, Twilight. We'll find any other survivors." Pinkie says.
Twilight nods and runs off in the direction of the throne room. The rest of us split up and run through different hallways. I trot awkwardly, back leg giving out with every step. I come before a flight of stairs, which I stumble clumsily down.
"Who is that?" A trembling voice cries.
"I'm not going to hurt you, I promise." I say, walking into the room.
A battered, bloody pegasus lies weakly on the floor, breathing heavily. I walk slowly towards her. She looks vaguely familiar.
"F-Fluttershy?" She stammers.
Oh goodness.
"Princess Cadence?"
/Aaaand another cliffhanger. Reviews and follows fuel my writing stamina, plus I will love you forever. You don't have to, though. I won't force you./