Autumn Leaves: Chapter 8 -The Calm Before-

Autumn Leaves

Chapter 8

-The Calm Before-

 

"I see your lips,

The Summer kisses.

The sunburned hands

I used to hold."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IkvAb6THQY&feature=BFa&list=SP880D572DF1EA418B

 

>The heat from the sand against your hooves burns with each step you take.

>The harsh, blistering wind whips at your snout.

>But you carry on.

>You have to. You have to get to him.

>You have to find Anonymous.

>You are Applejack, and you've been crossing the badlands of Equestria for a week now.

>Your fur was sandy and course from storms, your mane was tied tightly in a ponytail in order to keep it from whipping in your face, and your hat was tarnished and scored with marks from the gritty desert wind.

>Your eyes stung and burned from the sun's rays, but still you kept moving.

>You weren't far now. You had to be getting closer and closer to Las Pegasus.

>As you walked on your hoof nudges into something hard on the ground.

>When you look at it, you realize it’s part of some train tracks.

"Well Ah'll be. Looks like Ah was goin' the right way..."

>You begin trotting along the railroad, the metal of the tracks clinking softly against your hooves.

>There was a war going on, and you were literally marching towards it.

>You just had to make sure he was alright. It didn't matter that your friends told you not to go.

>It didn't matter that as soon as you got there, you would probably be shipped right back to Canterlot.

>You just had to make sure.

>After all, it was in your nature.

>Far off in the distance, you catch the first glint of a city's towers and skyscrapers.

>You'd be there soon.

 

Meanwhile...

 

"Since you've been away

The days grow long,

And soon I'll hear

Old Winter's song."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpXXfCzSmJQ&feature=BFa&list=SP880D572DF1EA418B

 

>It's been the longest week of your life so far here in Las Pegasus.

>In seven days, you and your squad have seen more death than is ever needed to be seen.

>Most crushingly, your air support in the way of the Wonderbolts has been...

>Well, you weren't getting any incoming support from them in the near future.

>The pen in your hand shook slightly as you wrote on the parchment before you.

>The letters you etched down were quick and haste, the paper smudged lightly with dirt.

>The blood on your hands was staining the paper a mix of red and green.

>You look at the words you've written, then at the blood and muck that covers it.

>You crumple the letter in your hands. You'd write another one once your hands were clean. For now though, it would have to wait.

>Soarin' sits next to you, sleeping against the wall of the alley way. Fido and Clockwork sit across from you.

"Anything yet?"

>Fido peeks his head out of the alley and snorts.

>That's a no, then. Perfect.

>Your squad has been tasked with breaking through some weaker defenses of the city and to make your way to the strip of Las Pegasus. At the moment you were all on the edge of the city's hub, but were stopped after finding that a large platoon of changelings were situated not too far from you.

>So, you four decided to stage a small ambush.

>It was a long shot, but if you could pull it off then you'd be getting rid of a general in the process.

>Soarin' stirs suddenly and jolts awake with a quick gasp.

"Whoa, you alright?"

>SOAR: "Wha-... oh,  oh yeah. Yeah I'm fine, I just... yeah I'm good."

>FIDO: "Winged pony not sleep well. Mumbled plenty."

>SOAR: "I'm fine, Fido. Really. It's no big deal."

"You dreamed about her, didn't you?"

>Soarin' doesn't meet your eyes, looking to the ground instead.

>SOAR: "I'm good."

>Clockwork lets out a quiet groan.

>CLOCK: "You better be. I don't need the only air support our squad has to start daydreaming in the middle of a fight."

>SOAR: "I said I'm good. Drop it, alright Clockwork?"

>CLOCK: "Just make sure you have your head on straight. Get over it and we'll be fine."

>SOAR: "Get over it?"

>CLOCK: "Did I stutter?"

"Not the time, guys."

>SOAR: "It's that easy, is it? I should just get over it?"

>CLOCK: "Did, I, stutter?"

"Guys."

>FIDO: "Ponies too noisy. Give away hiding spot if keep being loud."

>Clockwork and Soarin' stop their rising argument at Fido's words.

>You nod to Fido, who gives another small nod back to you as he pokes his head out of the alley way once more.

>SOAR: "...sorry."

>Clockwork doesn't answer him, opting to simply look away from the two of you instead.

"You got nothing to be sorry about, Soarin'... 'sides, there was nothing we could have done."

>Soarin' casts his eyes down to the ground again and lets out a defeated laugh.

>SOAR: "Yeah... yeah you're right..."

>You clasp a hand onto Soarin's shoulder, trying your best to reassure him.

>You can't imagine what he's feeling right now.

>Nor do you want to, at that matter.

>FIDO: "Changelings approach."

>All of you get to your feet, you and Clock work climbing the scaffolding of the building you all are hiding behind to the roof.

>Fido stays in the alley, his mace shouldered and his demeanor calm and collected as always, while Soarin' darts around the entire building in order to get behind the enemy.

>And then, you wait.

>CLOCK: "How many are there?"

>Peering over the edge of the building, you can make out a rather large platoon of changeling soldiers making their way down the street.

"Maybe twelve from what I'm seeing... there's one in the middle, kind of taller than the others, but not by much. Some kind of helmet on him..."

>CLOCK: "A general."

"Oh. Well. Great."

>You crouch by the ledge, Clockwork beside you as he readies up a spell or two.

>The silence in the air is thick and unforgiving, the only sound being that of hooves from the marching enemy below as they make their way towards your makeshift ambush.

>CLOCK: "Anon."

"Yeah?"

>CLOCK: "What if they... you know, change?"

"Clockwork, we've dealt with that before."

>CLOCK: "No I mean... I've been hearing things around the base. They're saying these things feed on love, right?"

"Right.."

>CLOCK: "So that means that they're able to sense it. They can tell where that love COMES from, where your emotions are, that sort of thing."

"What's your point?"

>CLOCK: "Well... some of the other colts say that they've been able to... never mind. Let's... let's just get ready."

"Got it."

>The platoon nears closer and closer now, and you nod to Clockwork to get things started as you ready Clockwork's bow in your hands.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg-yC0xcI9s&feature=BFa&list=SP880D572DF1EA418B

 

>With a literal flash, Clockworks sends a bright blinding spell into the center of the changeling platoon, stunning them all and dazing them.

>As you plug an arrow into the torso of a soldier, Clockwork begins firing spell after spell at others, while Fido charges from the side.

>The general, the changeling with the helmet, spots you and fires a green blast at you, striking the ledge you stand on.

>Before you can react the ledge crumbles away and you tumble down thirty feet to the road below, your body crying out in pain as you slam into the ground with a sickening thud.

>There's no time to mull over your wounds, as a few changelings have broken off into a sprint towards you.

>Scrambling to your feet, you ready your tomahawk and knife in each hand, your shield left at the roof of the building you fell from.

>The two that fly at you are the first to die, as you slam the tomahawk into one's face and catch the other with your knife, the blade sinking into its neck.

>The third fires a ray of energy into your torso, knocking you off your feet and into the wall behind you.

>The air in your lungs escapes you and the changeling rushes towards you, his fangs bared and a screech emanating from his throat.

>Before he can reach you though, a large grey paw clenches down in his head and crushes his skull. Fido lifts the body of the changeling and flings it back into the rest of the platoon, helping you up with his other free paw.

"Thanks."

>FIDO: "No thanking, yes fighting."

>You pick up your tomahawk and you charge at the cluster of changelings with Fido at your side, both of you roaring out a battle-cry as you fly into the fray.

>The changeling general unfurls his transparent wings and takes off into the air, his armor shining in the Las Pegasus sun, as he readies his magic.

>A flash of blue strikes him out of the air as Soarin' takes him down back to the ground with a slam, the two of them wrestling for control.

>As you and Fido crush your foes, and as Clockwork vaporizes them from above, you can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this will end quickly and without major issue.

>Maybe after this, all of you could find an abandoned bar and have a drink, just to calm down.

>Maybe, just maybe.

>Then you look to Soarin' and your eyes light up with fear.

 

Soarin's POV

 

>You rocket through the air directly at the changeling general, slamming into him with your hooves outstretched and bringing him back down to the ground in a plum of dust.

>The two of you roll on the ground, each of you trying to pin the other down.

>He manages to get on top of you, but you swiftly head butt him and buck him off of you.

>You wouldn't let any of these things live today.

>Not after what they did.

>Not after what they did to her.

>Your wings unfurl and you fly at the general, thrusting him into the wall of a building as you begin slamming your hoof into his face with wild abandon.

"You bastards! She didn't deserve it! She didn't-"

>A flash of green fills your vision and you're blinded. You reel back and cover your eyes, stepping away from the general.

>When the light fades, you look back and see...

>You see...

"...Spits?..."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao-Aj_I0Tzo&feature=BFa&list=SP880D572DF1EA418B

 

>There she was, standing right there in front of you.

>Her mane was just like it always was, wild and fiery in the light of the hot desert sun.

>Her soft eyes and sweet smile put you at ease like it had always done.

>"Soarin'..."

"Spits I... you..."

>You're heart aches as you see her walk towards you, her frame not bloody and broken like it had been when you had found her.

>You feel your hooves begin to walk towards her as well.

>"Why didn't you come, Soarin'? Why weren't you there for me?"

"No... no there was nothing I could have... Spitfire, I'm..."

>"It's alright, Soarin'. Just come here. Come here to me, and it will be alright."

>She smiles, and you can feel your eyes begin to get wet as you tear up from the sight of her. You thought you had lost her forever. You couldn't bare it. You just couldn't.

>You walk up to her, your snout nuzzling the side of her face, hers doing the same to your neck.

>she smelled just right.

>Her fur felt like it always had.

"Don't go... not again... I'm sorry, Spits. I'm so-"

>"Shhhh... everything's going to be alright."

>You can't help but give a smile.

>You can faintly see something running at you in the edge of your vision.

>Anonymous, maybe?

>He's screaming at you, waving madly as he charges towards you.

>It's only until long, razor-like fangs sink into your neck that you can hear what he's saying.

 

Anon's POV

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0g8Huq9eFk&feature=BFa&list=SP880D572DF1EA418B

 

"IT'S NOT HER, SOARIN'. GET AWAY FROM IT. GET AWAY FROM IT NOW!"

>You sprint at Soarin' who's currently dazed and stunned at the sight of the changeling general, who is in the form of Spitfire.

>Clockwork was right, they can sense your love and use it against you.

"SOARIN'!"

>The general eyes you, and quickly buries his fangs deep in Soarin's neck, his blood running to the ground.

"SOARIN'!"

>You bash the general away from your friend and back into the wall behind him.

"Fido!"

>Fido finishes off the last of the platoon and rushes to you.

"Grab the general. Pin him. Make sure he can't get away."

>He nods and leaps upon the general, who has now changed back to his normal form.

>You reach Soarin', bloody and sputtering on the ground, his neck torn open.

"Stay with me. Stay with me Soarin, c'mon man."

>SOARIN: "..sorry, I thought- I just-"

"It's okay, it's fine, everything is- Someone get me some bandages, something, NOW!"

>Clockwork runs up to you, his face pale at the sight of the pegasus on the ground.

>SOAR: "I didn't... so sorry..."

>His mouth is filled with blood and his speech is muddled as he splutters out at you.

>You press your hands on the gaping wound on his neck, pressing down as much as you can to stop the bleeding, but it just won't.

"Clockwork!"

>He's just standing there, eyes wide and mouth agape, his body shivering slightly.

"Clockwork! Do you know any healing magic!?"

>CLOCK: "I... I don't... I..."

"Fuck!"

>You tear away a sleeve of your uniform and rap it around Soarin's neck, but the bleeding is slowing down. At first you thought that maybe you had managed to stop it.

>Then you realize that it's slowing down because he's running out of blood entirely.

>You put your hands on Soarin's face, making him look at you.

"Stay with me, man. Stay awake. We're going to get you to a medic, it's gonna be fine. It's gonna be alright, Soarin'."

>SOAR: "..was stupid of me... should have known.."

"It's not your fault. C'mon, stay awake buddy. Don't go like this.."

>The pale blue pegasus stained crimson looks into your eyes and gives a weak smile as he gags.

>SOAR: "...sorry man *cough* looks like... looks like this is it.."

"Soarin'."

>SOAR: "Just wish I could have done more... you know?"

"Soarin' stay with me!"

>His smile stays on his face as his eyes look upwards into the sky.

>SOAR: "You know, I wish I could have had a pie before all of this... that would have been nice..."

>He looks back to you.

>SOAR: "...tell Applejack I said hi, alright Anon?"

>He closes his eyes and lets out a deep sigh.

>He doesn't breathe back in.

>...

>You rise, the broken body of your friend at your feet, a look of peaceful content on his still face.

>It almost looked like he was sleeping.

>You wipe your eyes, Soarin's blood smearing onto your face as you brush away tears, and keep staring at his body.

>You look back to the carnage you were embroiled in, the bodies of changelings littered on the ground.

>The first time you fought, it had been hard.

>But a week passes, and killing becomes easy.

>And then, these things take something you love and cherish and use it to stab you in the back.

>You reach down to the ground and pick up your tomahawk, the blade coated in a green blood.

>Finally moving away from the corpse of your teammate, you walk over to where Fido is pinning the changeling general to the ground.

>You crouch down and look into the eyes of this... thing.

>He bares his fangs and hisses at you.

"Can you talk?"

>The changeling is silent, and sneers up at you.

>You point at Soarin's body with your tomahawk.

"You killed that pegasus. Do you understand me?"

>The general looks to Soarin', and lets out a muffled laugh.

"Fido."

>Fido lets out a grunt. He knows what you want to do.

>Gripping the wings of the changeling general, Fido pulls his arms back with a quick jerk, tearing the wings from his body.

>The general lets out a high pitched screech, but you care not for his pain.

"Stand up."

>Fido releases the general, who wavers to his hooves, facing you.

>You clutch the tomahawk in your hand, your knuckles white from your grip.

>The general looks at you, then to the axe in your hand, and then he starts to back away.

>You walk towards him.

>He darts his head to Fido and Clockwork frantically, looking for mercy in the wrong places.

>You near him now.

>In desperation a flash of green flows over him, and he changes his form.

>You stop in your tracks.

>"Anon, don't do this. Please, yer makin' a mistake!"

>In front of you stands Applejack, bruises and cuts littering her body.

>"Please, sugarcube, Ah love ya. You wouldn't hurt little 'ole me, would ya?"

"You..."

>Anger rises inside you.

"You change back RIGHT now."

>"But sugarcube-"

"Change! Face me like a man, dammit, don't hide like a coward behind a false face!"

>Applejack walks up to you timidly, her eyes watery.

>"Sweetheart, it's me, really. Please, let's just go home. Back to th'farm."

"Change back you bastard!"

>Her eyes.

>They look just like her eyes...

>"Please, sugarcu-"

"Change back..."

>Another flash of green, and now a man stands before you.

>He's older than you, more disheveled.

>It's the man you saw through the door in the Everfree all those years ago.

>It's your father.

>"Son, please."

>He reaches out to you, the smile on his face sincere.

"Let's go home, son. Let's go-"

"CHANGE BACK."

>You bring the tomahawk down on your father, green blood spurting from the wound and he lets out a screech of pain.

>As you pin him down to the ground, his form changes back to the general, but you continue to hack away at his body.

>Was he pleading for mercy?

>You couldn't tell, really.

>All you could do was just keep swinging at him.

>He used Spitfire against Soarin', and he died.

>Then he tried using Applejack against you.

>He tried using your own father against you.

>You wouldn't let him continue to do this.

>No one could be trusted.

>Rage was replaced by tears as you keep slashing at the general.

>A large grey paw rests on your shoulder, squeezing slightly in order to get you attention.

>You stop, turning to face Fido standing over you.

>He looks at you with somber eyes, as he slowly nods down at you.

>Your breathing is heavy and ragged, and your face is wet from blood, sweat, and tears.

>You nod back at him, and rise from the remains of the general, your legs and arms shaking.

>You slowly make you way back to Soarin' and kneel down by his body, gently pawing into his uniform.

>You pull out his dog tags, the faded metal stained with blood.

>You wipe the crimson off the tags, the silver metal glinting in the light of the setting sun.

>Putting the dog tags in your pocket, you get back to your feet and pick up your equipment.

>Clockwork hovers your shield over to you, his expression still blank and scared.

"We're moving on. Catch your breath and meet me by the south road."

>You walk off and make your way down the street as Fido and Clockwork follow behind you.

>You'd be in the strip soon.

>Good.

>You were hoping to get this over with.

 

Meanwhile

 

"But I miss you most of all, my darling,

When Autumn Leaves start to fall."

 

>Applejack creeps through the city of Las Pegasus, slinking through alley ways and sneaking past security checkpoints on both sides.

>If the Equestrian military found her, they'd send her back to Canterlot.

>If the Changelings found her, then she'd die.

>So she trekked on alone, making her way deeper into the city.

>She'd find Anon there, she just knew it.

>And when she did, everything would be alright.

>Everything would be alright.

 

~End of Chapter 8~