Equestria's post-war tragedy - My Little Pony in the post WW2 period Chapter 25: Destroyed lives, a my little pony fanfic

Note:

I would show an image if the occupied zones. But doesn't have the option to let us do so. If you want to see an image of the occupied zones, look me up on Wattpad. On Wattpad, my username is ARandomCasualPerson.

24th December 1945 - 3:40 AM (Equestrian time)

It continued to snow more and more outside. Coco Pommel, Spur and Biscuit had returned a few hours ago. After coming back with rations, Applejack had stored them away. Rainbow Dash quickly returned after delivering the letter that was meant for Ralph, from Adorabella.

By then, everypony fell asleep, except for...

Adorabella is laying on a sheet of hay. It isn't the most comfortable thing she slept on, but it isn't the least comfortable either. She is laying near the barn's back door, opposite the massive red and white barn doors. She is laying down near the Pie siblings, who are huddled up and are managing to sleep, but are making noises, as if they're having a dream, or more likely, a nightmare. Adorabella thought she'd rest by the Pie siblings, because out of everypony in the farm, the Pies are the most in need, especially Limestone and Marble.

Adorabella had cried quietly to herself, so she didn't wake anypony up. Her friends have been hurt terribly. So many of her friends are hurting, and are now traumatized. Adorabella hoped her friends never had to experience trauma, because she knows too well the damage trauma causes.

Adorabella has tried to get to sleep. But every time she did fall asleep, she felt like she was falling or being ripped by AA weapons or vaporized by green beams of magic. She immediately woke up each time. Since being shot by Chrysalis and almost falling to her death, she has never been so scared.

But eventually, Adorabella finally starts drifting to sleep, until...

"Agh- no! Help! Help- huh... ugh..." Marble springed up, almost leaping into the air. She then get back to lying down, breathing in and out rapidly in fright and cries, looking in all directions. She had woken up from a nightmare. She wants somepony to hug, but her sisters are asleep, and she didn't want to disturb them.

Marble then sees Adorabella is awake. Seeing nopony else available, Marble shuffles over to Adorabella, who extends out her right wing to let Marble hug it. But the grey earth pony shuffles closer until the side of her body is touching Adorabella's. Marble places Adorabella's right wing over herself. Adorabella weeps for all the friends that had just been hurt.

"I had a nightmare... I was pinned to a bed by a group of stallions and then..." Marble whimpered as tears drip down her face and drop from her jaw.

"They killed Ma and Pa... Me and Limestone were almost raped... I'm scared..."

Adorabella gently lowers her head, until her jaw is on top of Marble's head. Marble feels a little safer, as both her eyes are covered. Her own mane covers her right eye, and her left eye is shut as it's touching Adorabella's chest. Adorabella's mane also drapes over Marble's head. Marble feels safer, Adorabella's mane feels like a shield. Adorabella hugs Marble as tight as her weak body could. Adorabella couldn't give a strong hug, she isn't strong, but she did her best, and it's enough for Marble.

"You're safe now..." Adorabella gently whispered, trying to help Marble drop back to sleep.

"Is this comfortable? Do you feel comfortable?" Adorabella gently asked.

"Mmhmm- hmm..." Marble whimpered, still shaking in fright.

Eventually though, Marble falls back to asleep. Adorabella stays awake for half an hour in case Marble wakes up again and needs to vent, but the earth pony had gone back to sleep. With Marble feeling somewhat secure, Adorabella tries to force herself to get at least some sleep.

(7:30 AM)

Limestone wakes up, she couldn't sleep too well. Before she woke up, she forgot she was sleeping at Sweet Apple Acres. It disorientes her to a great degree, and then she breaks down. Waking up reminded her of last night.

"The house... the rock farm... Holder's Boulder... generations of history... Ma and Pa... gone..." Limestone murmured to herself as she wipes her tearful eyes with her right forehoof and grabs the piece of what remained of Holder's Boulder with her left. She cries more, thinking about the memories made on the farm. All of it had been stripped away. Even if they could go back to the rock farm, it just wouldn't be the same as before. For a few minutes she stares at the piece while crying.

"Hey... Limestone."

Limestone turns around, and sees Applejack. She has woken up as well.

"What do you want?" Limestone murmured as she wipes her eyes.

"I grabbed a box... so yer can put t'at rock in... so it stays safe," Applejack responded as she pushes a cardboard box to Limestone.

"Thanks..." Limestone nodded as she very carefully places the piece of Holder's Boulder in the box.

"Is t'ere uh... anythin' else I can do?" Applejack asked as she gently places her left forehoof on Limestone's right shoulder. Normally, Limestone would've responded with a storm of obscenities to being touched. But Limestone just looks at the orange hoof, and then looks away.

"No... the rock farm's gone... everything me and my family worked hard for... gone... nothing will bring it all back..." Limestone replied, tears running down from her eyes.

"I was powerless... I was powerless to- to protect my family... I- I- I..."

"Do yer wan' me to leave ya alone?" Applejack asked.

"N- no... come c- closer-" Limestone's words become unintelligible under her tears. Applejack does so, and hugs Limestone.

"Ev- everything's... gone..."

Applejack stays quiet, so she doesn't agitate Limestone. Any soft talk isn't going to help her. Applejack's shoulders being there for Limestone to cry on is enough.

"They'll pay one day... believe me. One day karma'll bite ter USSR back... hard," Applejack tried to reassure firmly. But she is definitely sure there will be a day that the Soviets will pay for what they're doing right now.

"But when's one day... when's one day!?" Limestone looks away, her voice sounding like she's getting angry. Applejack stays quiet and just continues to hug and listen to Limestone vent.

"They killed Ma and Pa... they looted the farm house... they got a group of ponies that trued raping me and Marble... and yeah sure the soldier that orchestrated it all was shot by their officer... but what about the possessions the other soldiers stole... they looted the whole house! It's not the price value... it's the sentimental value... all of the memories we made back home, all of it had been stripped away, AJ... me and my sisters... we lost everything... while those other soldiers involved are probably going to get away with it without repercussions..." Limestone is trying to pull away from the hug, so Applejack lets go. Applejack gently rubs Limestone's back.

"Do yer still need me, or yer wanna be on yer own?" Applejack asked. Limestone murmured too quietly, wiping her eyes as mire tears are made. Applejack didn't hear what Limestone said, so Applejack sit nexts to Limestone, being there to support her if she needs it. Applejack had been horrified beyond comprehension about hearing what happened at the rock farm. Everypony in the barn right had been horrified.

Soon, Maud wakes up. She too is disorientated at waking up in the farm. For nearly the past 20 or so days, she had been sleeping in a tent, working with Starlight, Trixie, Adorabella and Daring Do to help others escape occupied territory.

"Mornin' Maud," Applejack nodded.

"Hey Maud..." Limestone murmured.

"Morning," Maud responded. Applejack as well as Limestone especially can tell past Maud's blank facial expression that she is deeply hurting as well, trying to hold back from crying. Everypony is hurting.

Twilight yawns as she's next to wake up. She had slept in the back end left corner of the barn.

"Morning..." Twilight mumbled as she drags herself up, walking up to Applejack, Maud and Limestone. It is difficult to get good sleep and to get up, and it's probably going to be like that for a while.

"I am going to Ponyville Hospital to pay Mudbriar and Starlight a visit," Maud stated.

"Alright," Applejack nodded.

"I'll come with you Maud," Said Twilight. She also wants to check on Starlight. Maud nods.

"Look after my sisters while I'm gone. I will probably be back in an hour, I don't know," Maud said to Applejack as she opens the left-side back door and walks out into the snow.

"Limestone... do you want ta 'elp me find some rocks, for decorations? I want yer to feel at home t'is Hearth's Warming. I know it won' be ta same as ta how you Pies used to celebrate it at yer place... but ah want ta do ta best I can do," Applejack offerered in a gentle voice.

"I guess... and I suppose it'll take my mind off of what happened yesterday for a little while..." Limestone sighed while shrugging. She does appreciate Applejack's gestures though.

"If ya need a shoulder ter cry on, I've got ya," Applejack reassured. She can't even begin to imagine how the Pies must be feeling, especially Limestone and Marble, who didn't want anything to do with this new war and still found themselves victim of atrocities.

"Thanks... Applejack," Limestone murmured.

(7:40 AM, Ponyville Hospital)

All hospital rooms have a small Hearth's Warming tree in one of the corners as well as some tinsel on the walls. Many ponies in the hospital are going to miss out on enjoying their Hearth's Warming tomorrow as many are still recovering. The best the hospital can do is to add some festivity.

Sunburst and Trixie had stayed up all night with Starlight, who is in a hospital bed in blankets and in bandages, sleeping, and has tubes attached to her right forehoof. Ocellus are in the same room, also in a hospital bed in blankets and in bandages, also sleeping. Ocellus is in a bed that's to Starlight's left. Sunburst is sitting on the left, between Starlight and Ocellus, while Trixie is sitting next to Starlight on the right. There is also another hospital bed on the right. There are a total of 3 hospital beds for each room.

Through the door is the hallway, and opposite this room, there is a door to the room Thorax is being treated in. Thorax is in the other room, because he's a male, and most males are not allowed to be allowed around Starlight. Sunburst the only male right now that's allowed to be around Starlight.

"Are you doing... okay... how do I put it?" Trixie asked. She had also been made aware. She knows Sunburst isn't doing okay, but she wants to check on him.

"I... I felt like I could've done more, before Starlight was taken..." Sunburst sighed. They left it at that, in case Starlight wakes up.

"H... h... hello?" Starlight groaned in pain as her eyelids flutter, open and close, open and close. Her vision is blurry, and she sees a comforting orange hoof holding her right forehoof, Sunbursts right forehoof.

"Hey, Starlight," Sunburst quietly responded. He tries to be strong. Starlight in need of somepony strong backing her.

"How was your sleep?" Trixie gently asked.

"Painful... but thanks... both of you... for sticking with me..." Starlight lifts her head and looks at Sunburst and Trixie, before dropping her head back down on the pillow. Starlight holds onto Sunburst's hoof tighter.

"I'm scared..." Starlight whimpered while trembling.

"I know..." Sunburst quietly and softly responded.

"Please don't leave me..." Starlight begged while quivering.

"I won't leave you, never again you'll leave my sight..." Sunburst quietly and softly responded. Starlight feels more reassured by that statement.

"Will... will the others... be disgusted of me?" Starlight quivered in that thought.

"No, they won't. They'll be disgusted at who done it," Trixie reassured, a bit hurt by hearing that from Starlight. But anybody right after being traumatized can feel this way, afraid of what others will think.

"I'm scared... I'm scared of the future... will I even be who I was still?" Starlight trembled as the future for her seemed very bleak.

"You'll always be Starlight to me... no matter what," Sunburst meakly spoke as his eyes water. He is hurt seeing Starlight hurting like this. Trixie is also hurting for Starlight. Both of them are unsure whether they will ever have the same Starlight again.

"Morning, everypony," Nurse Sweetheart said as cheerful as she could, coming in with a trolley of food. She wheels the trolley to be in between Starlight's and Ocellus' beds. There is bowls of porridge, oatmeal bars, carrots and fruit, and other nutritious foods.

"Morning miss," Sunburst murmured.

"Hey," Trixie sighed.

"I've brought some food that will help you all feel a bit better. I have to go right now. But good news, a bat pony medic is being allocated to Ponyville Hospital," Nurse Sweetheart said as she walks out. Even though the hospital is nowhere near as busy as it was during and days after the air raid, the hospital is still rather busy, busy enough for doctors nurses having to do some work as waitresses.

"By a 'bat pony' medic... does she mean that bat pony? Screech, was it?" Trixie thought.

"If she was referring to Screech, then that's brilliant," Sunburst responded. The bat pony's healing properties in her teeth wpuld be very beneficial.

Starlight tries using her magic to lift an oatmeal bar, but as she did, she feels a massive pain in her head.

"Agh-"

"Okay okay okay okay..." Sunburst softly said as he uses his magic and levitates an oatmeal bar and levitates it in front of Starlight for her. Starlight slowly brings her head forward and nibbles on the bar. Sunburst continues levitating the bar until it's all gone. After finishing, Starlight rests her head back down.

"I... I want to forget everything..." Starlight's eyelids scrunches up, but tears still gets out through them.

"We'll help you through this Starlight. We'll be great and powerful, together," Trixie said in a firm but also soft voice.

"Thanks... Sunburst, Trixie..." Starlight weakly nodded. While still scared, she feels secure having Sunburst and Trixie by her side.

"Hey sorry to disturb you Starlight. There's two ponies here to visit you," Nurse Redheart said as she lets in a purple alicorn and a light dark grey earth pony into the room, Twilight and Maud. Twilight quietly gasps in shock while Maud's eyes widen. Meanwhile, Nurse Redheart left the room.

"Hey, Starlight," Twilight said with a forced smile. When Adorabella said Starlight wasn't doing good, Twilight didn't think Starlight would be in this much of a critical condition. Twilight's eyes water, and lifts her left forehoof and gently holds Starlight's right forehoof.

"Hi..." Starlight tried to sit up, but winces in pain that force her to lay back down.

"H- hello Starlight," Said Maud, her eyes opening wide. She is shaken to the core, in horror and fear. So shaken is Maud, it made her stutter a bit. When Maud's default facial expressions change even slightly, whatever emotion she is feeling is strong, and that fear she strongly feels... is fear and sorrow.

Maud walks to the side of Starlight's bed, right-side. Maud brings her head forward and Starlight briefly hugs her before the pain forces her back down onto the bed.

"Listen you're going to be okay. You don't have to tell me what happened, just know that me and my friends are really worried for you and we are here for you," Twilight's eyes water more. Starlight is not in good condition at all.

"Thanks Twilight- ahh! Arrgh..." Starlight howled as she felt a sharp pain as she tried yet again to get up.

"We'll make sure you'll be okay..." Twilight cried. Seeing a good friend suffering like this hurts so much. Every day, war is constantly knocking next door.

"Thank you for... everything... everything you do..." Starlight fought to get up, fighting the pain, groaning as she did, using all her strength and reach Twilight with both forehooves. Twilight steps closer, and both ponies hug each other. The pain then became unbearable and Starlight quickly lets go and falls back to lying on her back, crying in agony.

"I will be come back to you in a bit Starlight. I am going to the room Mudbriar is in," Said Maud.

"Okay..." Starlight weakly responded. As Maud was about to leave the room, a bat pony is in the way, and they enter the room.

This bat pony is slightly bigger than a regular stallion. They have sunset orange irises and the castle-slit-looking pupils look like the eye pupils of a cat. Their ears look really soft and fluffy. They have a short grey light mane and a short dark grey tail. Their coat is light black. Their cutie mark looks like a clock. Their left wing is a really hard, sharp grey bat wing, a lot harder and sharper than a normal batpony wing. But their right wing looks like a metal prosthetic pony wing that stallions would use. The batpony also have large shiny white upper fangs that stuck out. They are immediately recognized by Starlight, Trixie and Sunburst, just by the prosthetic wing alone. After the batpony came into the room, Maud walks out, to the room Mudbriar is being treated in.

"Who have I got to heal now- oh... what happened to her?" The bat pony asked, who has a feminine voice. Their eyes are wide open in shock seeing the state Starlight is in. A few days ago, Starlight was completely fine, and now the unicorn is in this state. The bat pony dreads to think what it looks like under the many bandages Starlight is in.

"Hello Screech-" Sunburst gets cut off. Before any proper introductions, without warning, the bat pony, Screech, walks to Starlight and gently bites on Starlight. Twilight was about to confront Screech, until she steps back. Starlight slowly takes off her bandages and gets out of her hospital bed, albeit, limping, but in no where near as much pain. Screech wobbles as she steps back out of the way. Trixie let's the 2 unicorns have their moment, and walks over to Screech.

"Did you just... bite her?" Twilight questioned while raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah duh... my teeth aren't nicknamed medkits for no reason... but it's beginning to exhaust me," Screech grunted as she regains her balance.

"You bite ponies... to heal them? I didn't know bat ponies could do that... until now," Said Twilight, who is a bit curious now. But she is so relieved that Screech came down.

"Not all bat ponies can do it. Only a select few can," Screech replied as she sits down on the floor to rest a little bit.

"If that's the case... would you mind waiting around for at least the next few minutes? There's somepony's wing I want to try bringing here that I want you to heal," Twilight asked Screech. Screech's magical teeth will greatly help a certain pony's burned wing.

"Yeah I'll be here... but I may or may not be able to help. I've been healing so many lately, I'm starting to ache all over my body, especially in my teeth. Yesterday, I even passed out after healing too many in a short span of time. I've been relocated to help here as my previous post was too much of a strain on me," Screech replied, tilting her head left and right, clicking her neck, stretching her left bat pony wing.

"I'll come back here if she wants to come here," Twilight stated as she leaves the room. She feels bad leaving Starlight. But with somepony like Screech coming out of nowhere, and has magic that lets her heal things, she can heal a certain pegasus.

Meanwhile...

Maud is in a room opposite the room Starlight is in. In this room there is Thorax, sleeping, as well as another pony on the right-side, also sleeping, in their hospital bed, under blankets and bandages, Thorax being in more bandages. But Maud looks at the pony on the left-side bed, the pony she's here to see...

"Morning Mudbriar," Maud said as she quickly walks to him. The stallion's nose is messed up on his right. A part of his jaw is disfigured on his right. As well, his right forehoof and leg is in bandages. His chest is in bandages as well.

"Are you doing okay Mudbriar?" Maud asked, standing next to Mudbriar's bed, left-side.

"Technically... I'm more left than right... the right side of my body had flesh torn off from the bomb that came from the sky as it landed to the right of me... therefore making me more left," Mudbriar responded. He is still in pain, but not nearly as much pain as he was initiality. Maud leans over him, almost on Mudbriar's hospital bed. Mudbriar lifts his left forehoof and puts it over Maud's back, and hugs her.

"Can we stay like this for a while?" Maud requested as her eyes start to get more watery.

"Yes, don't mind if you do," Mudbriar responded.

"Since this war started, as days went past, I've noticed I've been expressing more... emotion. I've also been... crying, a lot. My grievances are strong," Maud shared.

"I missed you," Said Mudbriar, hugging Maud a bit tighter.

"I... missed you t- too..." Maud spoke in a low tone, a lower tone than her usual monotone voice. Her eyes start to water more.

Then, being overwhelmed by knowing what happened yesterday to the rock farm, and the relief she felt seeing Mudbriar is doing 'better'... Maud's deadpan facial expression completely falls apart as she broke down into tears.

"My sisters are hurt... my friends are hurt... Ma and Pa are-" Maud's voice became very stuttery and broken as she mentions Ma and Pa.

"They are still here in there," Said Mudbriar, looking at Maud's chest, and points at it with his bandaged right forehoof, pointing at her heart. Maud hugs Mudbriar harder, but not too tight so she doesn't hurt him. They don't let go of each other for a solid half hour. Maud cried until she couldn't cry.

(Outside)

Back at Sweet Apple Acres...

Everypony had woken up by now, and have helped decorated the barn. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Adorabella, Coco Pommel, Spur and Biscuit had decorated the outside with tinsels. They can't put up lights though as they will attract any passing Soviet planes. The 3 Pies meanwhile placed various rocks and stones around the house, but they will have to wait for their other sister, Maud, to return to add final touches. Even then, the stones can't be able to reflect any light, as that too will attract Soviet planes. The barn may not look as greatly decorated this Hearthswarming without lights, or beautiful shiny reflective stones, but everypony wants to decrease the chance of not waking up the next day.

Adorabella went inside the barn to be on her own, as such a massive group is overwhelming for her. The Pie sisters break off from the group as well. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity walk off to find more stones and rocks to place around the house.

"You doing okay? Marble, Limestone?" Pinkie Pie weakly asked, walking to her 2 present sisters. Both of them shake their heads. They all know each other are struggling.

"Please... stay with us," Limestone meakly requested. Her grumpiness had been replaced by fear. Ma and Pa were killed in front of her. Marble was almost violated and then killed in front of her. Limestone is afraid of losing more of the family. Pinkie Pie and Marble are also afraid of the same thing. They wait for Maud to return, while also gritting their teeth with anxiety of another possible air raid may change those ideas.

Coco Pommel, Spur and Biscuit had been living at Sweet Apple Acres for 19 days. They struggled coming to terms with having to leave their homes. They walk over to the 3 Pies. Marble sees Biscuit, and immediately gets up. Marble quickly walks backwards, keeping a hoof's distance from him. Pinkie gets up as well, to comfort her twin.

"Sorry we didn't mean to scare them off- we wanted to check on you three," Spur deeply apologized.

"What?" Limestone muttered.

"If you wanna know how we're doing, we're not doing great," Limestone murmured, looking at the ground.

"We just wanted to... well-"

"If you wanna comfort me and my sisters, let us have our space will you!?" Limestone spoke with more force, frowning when interrupting Biscuit. Limestone gets up and walks to her sisters, and sits back with them.

"Let's leave them alone," Coco Pommel suggested. Rarity had warned her that Limestone can have a very short temper.

Adorabella is back outside, standing near the barn's door into the conservatory. She is on her own right now. The Pies appear they want time with just each other. Adorabella doesn't know Coco Pommel, Spur or Biscuit, and is anxious around them. Twilight and Maud are presumably still at Ponyville Hospital. Everypony else had wondered off to look for rocks.

Adorabella is constantly and fearfully looking at the sky, shaking as she did. She is thankful that she survived the tale of being shot down by Chrysalis and even escaped with her left wing, albeit, injured. Adorabella is aware she really shouldn't of survived, she should've been incinerated by Chrysalis. It was either divine intervention or sheer luck that saved her. Adorabella can't stop thinking about yesterday, it won't leave her mind, because she'll always remember it. Her memory is too good for the worse sometimes.

"Hey..."

Adorabella flinches, extending her wings in fright. She quickly relaxes and folds her wings back up when it's just Twilight. The purple alicorn had returned.

"I- is Starlight okay?" Adorabella asked. She is worried for Starlight, greatly.

"Physically... she is fine. Mentally, no," Twilight replied.

"What happened... Adorabella? What happened to her?" Twilight sorrowfully asked. She wants to know, so she can better help Starlight.

"I... I can't say it..." Adorabella shuddered. What happened to Starlight had really mortified Adorabella. Her initial rage had calmed down, but it still left her mortified after hearing what happened to Starlight. It scares Adorabella, it can happen to anypony... including herself.

"I understand..." Twilight slowly nods, then looks back at Adorabella.

"Also, you may wanna come with me," Said Twilight.

"Is- is something wrong- is Maud okay- is Mudbriar okay- what's wrong?" Adorabella stuttered, worrying for them.

"They're both fine," Twilight nodded.

"But, there's a bat pony who can bite to heal your wing. They healed Starlight and... they could heal your wing," Twilight added.

"B- but... there's others who need that much more than I do," Adorabella stated.

"I'm... I'm confident that I can heal my wing on my own anyway," Adorabella added.

"I- I'm... also afraid t- to leave here..." Adorabella is afraid, really afraid. If strong creatures such as Discord could be ponynapped, Adorabella stands no chance. Adorabella doesn't feel comfortable with leaving the barn.

"Okay, that's fine," Twilight nodded. Twilight respects Adorabella's selflessness as well as understanding her fear.

"I will need to go back to the hospital, as I said to Starlight I'd return," Twilight stated. Adorabella nods. Twilight flaps her wings, lifting herself up, and heads back to the hospital.

Adorabella is now on her own again. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity aren't back from gathering more rocks. Adorabella starts to worry, it has been quite an amount of time they have disappeared. But she sighs with relief when she sees them again, returning with more rocks.

"Aight, that'll do it," Applejack stated.

"This Hearth's Warming isn't going to be the same... especially without our little sisters..." Rarity is gut-wrenched at the thought of not seeing Sweetie Belle again. Rarity, while still struggling to cope, has come to terms that her younger sister wants to fight.

"After Hearth's Warming, we gotta decide what we're gonna do. We can't hide forever," Rainbow Dash stated.

"We may end up getting split though..." Fluttershy didn't want the group to be splitting off from each other.

"And I d- don't wanna split from you," Fluttershy murmured as she leans into Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy's head is under Rainbow Dash's jaw.

"Don't worry we won't," Rainbow Dash reassured, hugging Fluttershy and kisses her forehead. Both pegasuses stay glued together as one.

(Ponyville Hospital)

Sunburst and Trixie walk out of the hospital doors. Starlight very closely follows them. She doesn't want to be seperated again. When she was seperated, bad things happen.

"What now?" Trixie asked. She wants to continue helping everypony to escape occupation. But she can't do it without Sunburst and Starlight.

"Me and Starlight are going to get on board emergency transport to go to Yakyakistan. You should come with us too, Trixie. It is no longer safe for us to remain in Equestria," Sunburst replied. For him and Starlight at least, the war is over for them. They are both broken, and they no longer have the willpower to have any part of it. It's also a matter of safety. They're at high risk of being ponynapped by unreformed changelings or assassinated by the NKVD. It is obvious that Starlight is a target for the NKVD, it is safe to assume Sunburst and Trixie are also now targets.

"Wh- what's that!?" Starlight freaked, hearing some rustling in the decorative bushes outside the hospital. It was just a stray cat, now running off. Starlight relaxes slightly, but remains alert. She knows that she's probably wanted back by Chrysalis. Unreformed changelings could be lurking about. Starlight had never been this scared. She is scared of going through what she went through again. She doesn't feel safe to be alone.

"Mudbriar will be ready to leave a few days after New Years... he is scheduled for surgery that will repair his face..." Said Maud, who is walking out of the hospital, her eyes being puffy red and watery.

"Are you okay?" Maud asked Starlight in a murmur.

"I don't know..." Starlight murmured. She feels safe for the moment, but she still feels vulnerable.

"Are you okay though?" Starlight dully asked Maud.

"Yes and no... I just cried earlier... a lot. I am happy some ponies I care about are alive, but some have been hurt or killed... including my parents yesterday... Mudbriar helped me cool a little..." Maud murmured, barely able to put sentences together, wiping some tears from her red eyes. Maud doesn't normally express her emotions like this, but the past few days, she had been crying her eyes out. She has expressed her emotions so strongly in a way she hasn't done before, at least not in a way as far as she remembers.

"Wait- I only thought of this now- where is Daring?" Trixie just thought.

"Me Daring and Adorabella knew after the events of yesterday we couldn't continue. Daring said she is going to try joining the CMR. Adorabella is at Sweet Apple Acres, I don't know what she's going to do moving forward," Maud replied, her face slowly going back to its default deadpan expression, except her eyelids showing how hurt and distraught and depressed she still is with everything going.

"I also want to look after my sisters. Marble and Limestone are badly affected from yesterday. I want to be there for them, and Pinkie too," Maud added.

"Me and Starlight are going to go to Yakyakistan. When made possible, we'll be leaving Equestria all together, and we plan to seek refuge in Britain. I'm not sure what Trixie will do though. But me and Starlight can't stay here," Sunburst stated. He knows that for him him and Starlight staying in a place like Ponyville is dangerous. They must get to Yakyakistan, where the chances of and risks posed by Soviet or unreformed changeling spies, saboteurs and agents getting in are significantly low. The risk of air raids is also significantly low. Yakyakistan is the safest region in Equestria.

"I will go with you two. Trixie will lend her great and powerful attributes to help Starlight," Trixie confirmed, hugging Starlight. She too will be going to Yakyakistan, with Starlight and Sunburst.

"Right- sorry I darted off," Twilight apologized as she comes out of nowhere, landing by Starlight, Trixie, Sunburst and Maud.

"Twilight, please stay safe," Said Sunburst.

"Wait, where will you all go though?" Twilight questioned. She is glad Starlight is at least physically fine now. Twilight is worried about Starlight's head space. Twilight wants to help Starlight. Then Sunburst starts talking.

"Me, Starlight and Trixie are going to take refuge in Yakyakistan, and if we can... we'll be seeing refuge in Britain. We are probably on the NKVD's list. So uh, Cozy Glow-"

"Cozy Glow!?" Twilight exclaimed.

"She's joined them too!?"

"She did... but she appeared to of... 'regret' her decision. You can choose how you feel about Cozy, but I am not forgiving her. She deserves to die just like them Soviet scums. I'd gladly kill Cozy myself," Sunburst replied, making it abundantly clear of his cold opinion on Cozy Glow. Sunburst restrains himself from getting too angry though, because he doesn't want Starlight to feel more uneasy and on edge than she already is. Sunburst is Starlight's unbreakable shield, and Sunburst must not lower that shield, not again.

"Where is she now?" Twilight inquired. Cozy Glow can provide some critical information. As Cozy Glow had worked with the Red Army and the NKVD, she should in theory had access to who is a target and who isn't.

"She was taken to a jail hospital shortly after. I don't know where, and I don't care," Sunburst bluntly replied.

"Can... can I hop onto your back? I... I wanna hug you tight while moving..." Starlight meakly requested.

"Of course Starlight," Sunburst nodded, lowering himself so Starlight can get on his back. Once she is on Sunburst's back, he gets back up. Starlight hugs Sunburst around his neck.

"Stay safe... the three of you," Twilight wept. She gives Sunburst, Trixie Starlight a long-lasting tearful hug. It may be the very last hug they'll ever share.

"Thank you... for everything you've done over the years..." Starlight cried.

"Be great and powerful for Equestria, Twilight..." Trixie said in the strongest voice she could speak right now, the sorrow being heard in the voice.

"Not just me, but all of us... all of us need to be great and powerful," Twilight corrected.

"Yeah," Sunburst nodded.

"Is this a good bye?" Maud doesn't want her friend Starlight to leave. But Sunburst, Trixie and Starlight have to, for their safety.

"I prefer see you later... no matter what, we'll all meet again... somewhere nice, right?" Trixie said with a forced smile. It is a somewhat comforting thought. They will all one day meet again, on this world or not.

"Now you say it, that's a more preferable prospective," Maud responded.

"We'll uh... see you soon?" Twilight said with a forced smile, and in tears, holding Starlight's left forehoof, not wanting to let go.

"See you soon..." Starlight had the strength to muster a brief, meak and feeble smile. Sunburst, Trixie and Starlight say their farewells as they prepare to find a way to get to Yakyakistan.

"Stay safe out there..." Twilight wept, wiping her eyes. Maud puts her left forehoof on Twilight's right shoulder, gently rubbing.

They hear somepony coughing. Twilight and Maud turn around and sees Screech, who is walking out of the hospital.

"Are you alright?" Twilight asked, walking over to Screech.

"I'll meet you back at the barn Twilight," Maud said as she starts walking off. Twilight nods to Maud, then looks back to Screech.

"I haven't been in a hospital for ages *cough* and I forgot how smelly hospitals were *cough cough* bat ponies like me are super sensitive to smell. I tried *cough* to keep it under control but I could smell too many things that *cough* it overwhelmed my senses. I *cough* just immediately had *cough* to go outside for fresh air," Screech explained. She continues coughing and begins gagging. Twilight uses her magic to pat Screech hard on her back, which helps her slowly stopping her coughing and gagging.

"Thanks," Screech thankfully said, then sighs as she sits down.

"What's wrong?" Twilight asked as she sits down next to Screech.

"Luna was my role model... and she's gone... and now I'm seeing more ponies hurt... but that doesn't scare me. What I'm scared of is... is- I'm scared my old violent tendencies will rise up again..." Screech trembled.

"Screech... I'm sure you have come a very long way. And hey, it's okay to feel angry. I'm just as angry with the USSR as you are. Everypony is," Twilight softly reassured, offering her right forehoof. Screeches reaches for it with her left forehoof.

"Where's this friend of yours, the one with the injured wing you want me to heal?" Screech asked.

"She said she'll be fine-"

"No, she is getting her wing healed one way or another," Screech interrupted. She is adamant on healing the wing of this friend of Twilight's. Helping ponies keeps Screech's mind off of violence. Screech doesn't want to fall back into that, she terribly fears falling back into that.

"I mean... alright... but, when I told her about you... she said she rathers you to help ponies who need your teeth more than she does," Twilight stated.

"Your friend is getting her wing healed. End of discussion." Screech is very adamant on healing the wing of this friend of Twilight's. Twilight sighs, as Screech is being very insistent.

"Okay... but aren't you needed here?" Twilight responded.

"The staff told me to take half hour break while they try and find a big enough peg for my nose," Screech slightly snorted.

"Please let me heal your friend's wing. The more I wait while not healing somepony I get more anxious," Screech pleaded to Twilight, who then nods. Twilight understands that healing ponies constantly is Screech's way of coping in the war. Even if it tires her out from constantly biting

"Well, let's go and catch up with Maud," Twilight lightly smiled as she flaps her wings and flies off, to catch up with Maud. Screech flaps her bat pony wing and prosthetic wing, getting into the air, following Twilight.

At Sweet Apple Acres...

Everypony had just now went inside, as the Pies wanted time alone. They tried to get them inside to stay warm, but the Pies want to be outside in the snow. They just need time by themselves.

Although, Adorabella is outside the front door of the barn, sitting down on the ground keeping an eye on the Pies. She wants to make sure they're okay. She cares about being there for the Pies. Adorabella is so worried for them, especially Limestone and Marble.

Pinkie Pie, Limestone and Marble are sitting with each other. Limestone and Marble are afraid. While Biscuit can't help it, he is a stallion, and while he's the only one at the apple farm, it makes Limestone and Marble feel uncomfortable. They know Biscuit means no harm, but him alone reminds them about their rock farm... when their world had been dragged into the war and flipped upside down just yesterday.

Limestone and Marble don't feel safe wherever they stay. In their own home they were about to be violated and likely deported to a gulag or strapped to a pole in front of a firing squad, just for being related to Pinkie Pie. Limestone and Marble felt extremely vulnerable and unsafe in their own home on that fateful day yesterday, how are they supposed to feel safe away from their home? How are they supposed to feel safe anywhere?

Adorabella slowly steps forward. She knows the 3 Pies are struggling. She wants to comfort them.

"I know you're looking out for us Adorabella... but please just leave us alone. Stay there if you wanna look out for us," Limestone replied to Adorabella, who respects Limestone's request and stays where she is. Limestone did her absolute best to not snap at Adorabella. Limestone is more patient with Adorabella than with everypony else on the apple farm that isn't a Pie.

"I... I'm cold..." Pinkie Pie shivered. Limestone and Marble are also shivering. All 3 of them are freezing. But the 3 want Maud to join, to make an oath to one another. Then, they see Twilight and Maud returning, bringing with them an oversized female bat pony. Maud walks over to them and sits with her 3 other siblings.

Twilight knew the Pies wanted to be left by themselves, she didn't want to disturb them, so she politely walks past them. She and the bat pony walks up to Adorabella, who is very intimidated by the bat pony and starts stepping backwards. Adorabella remembers Twilight saying there was a bat pony who can heal ponies by biting, but she can't help but feel so intimidated by the bat pony.

Screech can tell this is the friend Twilight is talking about. She lunges while opening her mouth wide before Adorabella could even react. Her teeth sinks into Adorabella's left wing. She screams as she feels the teeth go in her left wing, as if the teeth were hurting, but they actually aren't, just that her brain thinks it's hurting. Then all of a sudden, any pain in her left wing disappears.

Screech steps back while Adorabella extends her left wing and turns her head to look at it. All the burned and singed feathers are completely healed, back to being the normal snow-like white colour.

"You should be a sniper. Just dye your mane and tail and nobody would even see you," Said Screech, looking at Adorabella, who looks at Screech.

"Thanks-" Adorabella responded very quickly. She awkwardly looks away and trots to the barn's front doors and goes inside.

"I'm sure she is very thankful you healing her wing. She's just not too great with new ponies," Twilight reassured Screech, who nods.

"Well, I better get back to the hospital. The hospital better have some plugs for my nose," Screech starts speaking while flapping her bat pony wing and prosthetic wing, then takes off. Twilight looks as the bat pony flies off.

"She's a good pony at heart," Twilight briefly smiled. She hasn't smiled a lot since the war started, that now every time she smiles, it reminds her how good it feels to smile.

Twilight looks at the Pie sisters. Twilight feels a bit more happy that they are doing at least marginally better with each other's presence. Twilight doesn't want to walk past them again, she doesn't want to risk accidentally disturbing their needed time. So Twilight uses her magic, her horn glowing purple, and she teleports to go back inside the barn.

Meanwhile, the 4 Pies are now have a chance to be by themselves. They shuffle close to each other and they start crying to each other. They are warm, not because of each others body heat somewhat protecting them from the snow, but because they got the chance to see each other alive again.

"B- because of yesterday... we should apologize to one another for whatever we may have done to one another in the past now... so if death does us apart at any point because it could... we don't hold any regrets or guilt..." Limestone murmured. Then one by one, the 4 Pies say sorry to each other. They are apologizing for everything they have ever done to hurt or offend their fellow siblings in the past. They don't list what they're apologizing to each other for, because they're apologizing for everything they have ever done to them, and accepting the other's apologies for what everything they did to them. They all feel a bit better, because if they're ever separated by death, they won't hold the guilt of never saying sorry.

"Wherever we go... we follow each other. Never again... never again will we separate... please... I don't want us to separate again..." Limestone cried, as the other 3 Pies did. They all nod in unison, they promise and vow to never split again. If one wants to go somewhere, they all must go to that place. If one wants to move to a different area, they all move to the same area. If one is sick, they all stay with the sick sibling as if all of them were sick as well. If one is in danger, they will all face the danger together. If one dies, they die together. All 4 of the siblings, Pinkie Pie, Maud Pie, Marble Pie and Limestone Pie, all 4 Pies promise to each other they'll be by each other's side until the bitter end.

"W- well... we're staying f- for Hearth's Warming, right?" Pinkie Pie wept. She likes to at least stay at the barn for Hearth's Warming, but if her siblings don't want to, she will be fine and go with them.

"Yeah... it'd be rude not too, especially after the lengths the others went to try to put a smile on our faces... but afterwards, we can trek north together. Everypony is going to Yakyakistan... and I think we all should go there... because it's safe," Limestone murmured.

"Mhm..." Marble mumbled as she weakly nods.

"But Mudbriar is still in hospital. I don't want to leave him behind," Said Maud. Her eyes water at the thought of leaving behind Mudbriar.

"When is he due to be discharged?" Pinkie Pie wipes her eyes as she asks.

"A few days after New Years... at earliest, next week," Maud answered while wiping her eyes.

"We'll stay here, and then we can go with Mudbriar," Limestone nodded. She, as well as Pinkie Pie and Marble, understands how important Mudbriar is to Maud. They will wait with Maud until they can leave Ponyville with Mudbriar too.

For over half an hour, they cry to one another. They hug each other tight while their crying intensifies. They have lost their parents, and all their grandparents have died of old age a few years ago, their last grandparent succumbing to their age a month before the seaborne invasion began. They are glad that their grandparents didn't live to see what is going on in Equestria right now, or to see their granddaughters hurting so badly right now.

(Inside the barn)

The rest of the mane 6, as well as Adorabella, Coco Pommel, Spur and Biscuit have gathered around in a circle. They have all finally decided on what to do after Hearth's Warming, which could very well be the last ever Hearth's Warming they'll ever celebrate together.

Coco Pommel, Spur and Biscuit have each decided they want to seek refuge in Yakyakistan. They want to get out of harms way and not get captured. They were almost deported off to somewhere. Spur also wants her pet Bloofy to stay safe, and Yakyakistan is safe. Biscuit overall just wants absolutely nothing to do with the war. Same with Coco Pommel, she doesn't want anything to do with the war.

Twilight wants to alleviate pressure off of her brother Shining Armour. Her brother is currently in charge of Equestria. Twilight feels it's now her duty to rule the country through the war, while Shining Armour would then only have to worry about the Royal Guard.

Rainbow Dash has been loud and clear on what she intends on doing, using her rainbow nuke ability on Moscow. She will then reunite with the Wonderbolts, and with them, kill more Soviets. After her experiences at one of Kolyma's gulags, Rainbow Dash had been bloodthirsty for everything she had to endure, added onto what is happening right now.

Applejack also wants to join the CMR. While she has accepted Apple Bloom's wish to fight, Applejack wants to be with her. If she is dying, she is dying while protecting her sibling.

Fluttershy had difficulty on deciding what she wanted to do. She wanted to stay by Rainbow Dash, and help her out in getting revenge. However, to help her means returning to the Soviet Union, and for many many good reasons, Fluttershy doesn't want to return there. After reassurances from Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy eventually decided she is going to seek refuge in Yakyakistan.

Rarity was also unsure what she wanted to do. She didn't want to fight, be she also wanted to join the CMR and fight alongside and look after Sweetie Belle. Eventually, she decides that she is going to go with Applejack. She is going to join the CMR.

Adorabella wants to help Rainbow Dash get revenge as soon as she can though, but she isn't sure what she wants to do after. Adorabella is scared as she'll be flying into the Soviet Union. But she wouldn't of met so the great ponies she has met over the years without Rainbow Dash. To Adorabella, helping Rainbow Dash do what she wants to do is the ultimate way to show her absolute unquestionable appreciation and gratefulness.

They all look at one another, and nods. They respect each others decisions. They are sad to split, terrified they won't see each other again, petrified of being captured alive. But they have to decide what to do now, because the Soviets aren't too far from Ponyville.

After gathering in a circle, they disperse from the circle and sit in silence. They sit in silence for a few minutes, to take their time to pay respects to all of those who are fighting. They also pay respects to the fallen as well as the scarred.

A few minutes later, the Pie sisters walk back inside through the front barn doors. They are shivering, but they feel warm together, not with body warmth, but sheer love for one another.

Adorabella gets up from where she is and walks over to them, and hugs them. The Pie sisters don't resist the hug, they want the hug, they need the hug. The Pies return the hug to Adorabella as if she was a Pie too. Seeing her fruends suffer makes Adorabella so hurt, because she knows pain too well, she hoped that her friends understood pain, and pain is what her friends have gone through... terrible, terrible pain. Then one by one, the others join the group hug, to reasure each other, that no matter what, everything will be okay. During their group hug, every one of them has cried at least once.

Just like them, everypony else is devoid of happiness and joy. They're all equally demoralized and hurting on the inside. It felt like this war has been going on for ages, when in reality it has only been just under 3 weeks. Going back 4 weeks, everypony was still super happy and joyful the world war ended and everypony was looking forward to Hearth's Warming. But this new war has ruined everything, and now this Hearth's Warming is going to be the most depressing one to date. The worst part, is that ponies trapped in the occupied territories won't even be able to celebrate at all.

In north west Ponyville...

Trixie, and Sunburst with a sleeping Starlight on his back, are walking through Ponyville, to try and find an emergency cart or carriage. But there are none of them to find. They have no choice but to find a way to leave Ponyville on hoof.

From the top of some roofs, lamposts and trees, some ponies have hanged themselves, with a sign attached to them saying 'better dead than red'. Sunburst and Trixie look down, to avoid looking at the hanging.

At best, buildings are heavily damaged. But most of Ponyville's buildings are so burned they are destroyed, or have became rubble. Almost no Hearth's Warming decorations have been put up, because there is mass fear and panic throughout the town. But there is also mass panic, most ponies are hiding wherever they can, bracing for the Soviet assault. On a lot of buildings, there are 3 words spray painted in black.

'Learn Russian quickly!'

On some buildings, there are some other words.

'Long live comrade Stalin!'

'We surrender!'

'We're anti Celestia and Luna!'

'We support communism!'

The ponies that have spray painted these words don't actually mean it. Everypony isn't anti Celestia and Luna, everypony opposes the oppression of communism, and they are petrified to the core of surrendering to Stalin.

The ponies who spray painted those words have hopes it will convince the advancing Soviets to spare Ponyville lives, which will likely be in vain. As well, there's also white flags hanging out from the windows from a lot of buildings in Ponyville. They are the flags of surrender. Equestrians don't care who rules them anymore, they just want the brutality to stop.

Sunburst and Trixie try to not let the surroundings get to them, but it gets to them anyway. They feel sorrow, sadness and anger. Hearth's Warming snow is everywhere, except nopony is playing outside in the snow.

"Why is everypony currently here staying...?" Trixie murmured, wiping her teaeful eyes. It could be a number of reasons. It could be because some ponies are reluctant to leave the town they have lived in for so long. It could be some ponies have family they are trying to rescue or convince to leave. It could be some ponies still desperately trying to find relatives or friends or special someponies under the massive piles of rubble everywhere.

As the 3 unicorns approach the north west corner of Ponyville, they can see the real reason why ponies aren't escaping.

"No... no..." Sunburst stammered in great fear. Trixie shivers and whimpers at what's in the distance ahead.

In the distance, there is a horde of unreformed changelings, standing where they are or patrolling the skys. They aren't attacking Ponyville though, they are staying in position, they are at least a good 300 metres away.

"They... and the Soviets... they're surrounding Ponyville..." Sunburst trembled.

"It's not only just the Soviets and changelings..." Trixie trembled. In the distance, there's also huge airships.

The balloon part of the airship is massive and long, and is the colour grey. The actual base, the deck of the airship, is smaller than the ballon part. The actual part of the ship where the crew resides, is made out of wood. The front of the hull has a triangle tip made of cast iron. The edges of the airship has cast iron attached. There is also cast iron in the middle that goes from the front tip of the airship and curves down, to the belly of the airship, where the shape looks like a pectoral fin. At the rear of the airship are the engines of

On each airship that's visible, on the cast iron triangle part, there are different flags. On the left side is the very well-known and recognizable Soviet flag. On the right side is the communist changeling flag. But at the very front, on the tip of the cast triangle part, is a third flag. (I wish I could add images to chapters so I could show you all what the flag would look exactly like. I will try to best explain what it will look like).

The third flag is red, a darker red than the shade of red used on the Soviet and changeling flag. In the middle of the flag is a hammer, sitting vertically up. On each side of the hammer is a compressed-dagger-looking horn. The colour of the symbol on the flag is a dark shade of topaz and gold.

Then, to make things worse, there's loud, screeching roars filling the air which makes Starlight instantly wake up.

The shrieking screeching roars are...

VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM!

VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM!

VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM!

VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM! VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM VMMM...

Note:

Just a reminder, EPWT is also available on Wattpad. As Wattpad lets you add images to chapters, you can see what the third flag actually looks like. My name on Wattpad is ARandomCasualPerson.