Fighting for Hope

Hey, look what I've come back with! Do you remember that (very) old AU (yeah, the other one, not my usual one) in which Equestria was at war, and the Mane 6 had never met each other (at least, not all of them)... Yes, that one. I first talked about it in this picture: dawn22eagle.deviantart.com/art… And, well, yesterday I kind of looked back at my old drawings and found that one. And was suddenly hit by inspiration. So I thought "Why not?" And drew this, because you never have enough of these two, no matter in which situation <3 
This thing has been lying in my stash for more than two weeks by now... I'm terribly sorry I haven't been able to upload it so far, but I originally wanted to divide the story into two. Unfortunately, even after various attempts for the second drawing, I decided the second part would have had too little writing, so I ended up putting the whole story into this. And to say that it took me a while is an understatement ç_ç
By the way... I bet you're wondering what happened, ain't ya? Well, you have to read to find out u.u x3 (hey, deal with me and my obsession for this pairing and pretend you like my fourth attempt of a story)

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Despair.
It was the only thing I could feel as I looked at my surroundings, scared and desperate. 

Burglars had never been so violent and cruel, and this time they had actually put a lot of effort into their attack. We had to deal with ambushes on a daily basis and with bigger assaults at least a few times every month, but they were usually easy to defeat, even though some scars on our bodies may say otherwise. The farm was terribly difficult to defend, having no natural protection and being on a plain territory. That's why the farm's owner, formally Jacqueline Golden Apple but actually Mistress Applejack, had had to... employ some of the most expensive but strong and powerful mercenaries. One of them was her brother. And amongst the large group of fierce battlers, I was the only female, and the only Pegasus. The farmer had never had to take care of a winged pony's wounds, so any time my appendages were damaged I had to find a way to heal them by myself. Luckily, having lived in the dirty and dangerous streets of Ponyville since I was six had got useful and it had somehow made me experienced.
I had faced any situation a normal pony wouldn't have survived and seen enough blood, hate and violence for more than a lifetime. Because of my past, so, not even the worst injuries upset me and I had practically become the farm's medic, or corpspony, as they sometimes called me. 

But, that time, the bare sight or feeling of a fresh cut, something I was more than used to, made me sick and deprived me of any strength. I tried to keep on fighting anyway, sometimes taking off and attacking from above, some others attempting to avoid flying blades and thorny daggers. At the same time I kept an eye on my "employer", knowing that if she was harmed and I didn't protect her, I'd be dead as soon as she could stand on her hooves. Because, in her opinion, since I had wings and all, I was faster, agiler, swifter and, in few words, I had the gift of omnipresence. Of course, it was terribly hard to concentrate on both my owner and the rogues trying to assail me, but I was convinced I could cope with my two targets.

In the corner of my eye, I noticed Applejack prancing and I heard her shrieking cry of pain. Turning quickly, I saw the winged criminal still holding a studded mallet in his mouth and grinning proudly at the sight of the bigger Earth Pony lying before him. I don't really know what happened then - the only thing I remember is his raspy voice yelling at me as he was dying. Reached my mistress, I somehow managed to load her up on my back and aching wings before trotting to the back of the huge barn, where I was sure nopony was.
Unfortunately, too early my retreat was noticed and one of the criminals threw a sharp blade in my direction. The heavy weight on my shoulders impeded me from dodging the weapon, so it collided with my left frontleg. My wings opened at once at the sudden, dreadful pain, and I couldn't hold back a cry as I almost collapsed. Grasping for breath, I limped slowly to my previous destination and fell on the ground as soon as the large wooden walls covered my wobbly figure.

Still agonizing, I sat up and gasped at the improper labour I was forcing my leg to. I ruefully glanced at it and grimaced at the sight, realizing how sad the situation effectively was: dirt had already soiled the flesh, and I was sure the wound wasn't going to heal too soon even if it didn't get infected. The leg itself was covered in blood from the knee down and a few drops even dampened my hoof - I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the thought I would've had to wash it all, sooner or later. Shifting my eyes to the apparently dead pony beside me, I remembered that she was in a pretty bad state, too: the deep injury on her neck had stained in a vivid red her shoulder and chest and an ample bruise, black and claret, went from her stomach to her thorax. As I observed her severely damaged body, I noticed a blood drop falling on the orange pony's blonde mane. Without even realizing it, I brought a hoof to my cheek and discovered not even my face had been spared. Cursing under my breath, I suddenly became aware of the piercing pain coming from my sides. I glanced at my wings and found it extremely difficult to move them, but when I saw the tiny red beads on my feathers I understood why. Shifting my gaze, I also noticed most of my rainbow primaries were ruined and ripped, covered in dust and filth. Man, what a nice couple of hours awaits me. I'm gonna have so much fun cleaning and medicating my ravaged body.
Cringing and looking back at my owner, I untied the dark-green kerchief, symbol of the farm and compulsory accessory for us "Apple" mercenaries, and pressed it on her blooding wound. However, the distant metallic sound of clashing spears and cracking lances reminded me that was no safe place to pitch a first aid tent. 

My ears perked up as the sound of heavy hoofsteps got closer and closer. I stared at the corner of the barn, ready to finish off whoever it was. However, a familiar dark red muzzle appeared and smiled wearily at me, his eyes dull and his face full of scars. 
"Ah got 'em, ya take care of 'er." The large stallion lowered his ears and fought back a tear as he looked at his tortured sister, but quickly turned and galloped away back to the battle camp.
I stood up at once, willing to do as he'd said and savouring a bit of arrogance as I acknowledged my task. I was always left aside when it came to Applejack, she was often coarse and violent herself whenever she had to talk to me, so her kinder brother preferred keeping us apart. Well, mainly because I was not one to submit so easily and, any time she spat at me, I was so bold to fight and bite back. The result was always no food for the next two or three days, but at least I was sure my pride was untouched.

I honestly don't know why she hated me so. It's not like I had ever done her any harm, in fact I always tried to obey to her, respect her, do whatever she selfishly asked. The bad treatment I punctually received, however, made it seem I had purposely ignored her orders. Though, even being the mercenary I was so known as, I had sworn to myself I'd have never, ever abandoned her. My previous masters raised an eyebrow in skepticism when they heard around town that I was still "with that country lout", but I had my reasons. It actually wasn't a matter of money (she paid all of her workers little to nothing), room and board (I can't remember the last time I slept on a surface softer and smoother than a dirty ground or a wooden - and equally dirty - floor) or any advantage at all. In fact, it was for a much more important reason, at least to me: I owed her my life…

It had all started a hot, vile night and I had been roaming the streets of Ponyville for a few hours.
I was pondering what to do with my miserable life, remembering the death of my father years earlier and creating a fake portrait of my mother as I walked slowly with my head low. The only affection I had ever had was no longer with me, and would never come back, and the mare who'd given her life to let mine blossom wasn't even a blurry shadow in my troubled, worried mind. It looked like nothing was worth living anymore, but I was so coward I couldn't even find the courage to take my own life. The empty, dark streets were my house and the little money stolen from the town's orphanage, where I'd lived for one or two weeks before running away, my pass for a few apples or carrots at the market. There I always received both accusatory and sympathetic glances, but nopony ever did anything. It's not like anypony cared about me at all, anyway.

That night Ponyville was particularly silent and the starry sky threatened to burst into storm. I can't clearly recall how, but I know I had got into a fight against a small group of young stallions who'd been following me for quite a while. I'd lost my temper when one of them had asked me with a slimy grin how much I charged, and another one had insulted the Pegasus who'd given birth to me sacrificing herself. Blinded by rage, I had bucked both of them on the muzzle, but it had been a terrible move. The following series of kicks, punches, bucks and hits had numbed me to the point I couldn't see anything but their aggressive, angry faces. They had walked away some time later, laughing, and I had passed out mere moments after the thought that, perhaps, I was finally going to put an end to my despicable life.
Fortunately (even though back then I had cursed this fact), that night I was rescued by the same pony who'd do anything to liquidate me now, and taken under her protection. I always thought she was few years older than me, and I remember seeing a tear escape her eyes when I had told her about my life. Pity had never been my fondness, but I admit that that time it had actually made me feel a bit better. After she'd taken care of my wounds, we had spent the night together, our bodies pressed to one another, and even when she thought I was sleeping I had felt her head gently resting on mine in an attempt of a sweet love gesture. 

I don't know what happened then; why she started to seemingly hate me so deeply and never showed any sign of affection, not even when we were alone. It had really hurt me, it had truly left me shattered, but after some time I had simply got used to it and become the apparently ice-cold, heartless fighter anypony believed I was. It's not like there was any use showing true emotions or caring for others, anyway. 

A sudden and sharp sting in my lower stomach forced me out of my thoughts as I glanced once again at the seemingly lifeless figure lying beside me. Growling, I attempted to stand up but failed miserably as my left leg couldn't bear the weight it should have sustained. I fell on my knees but, ignoring the still present pain, I got up again, this time more steadily and on all four. I resisted the urge to kick at the orange pony and instead opted to simply curse at her, thinking back of all times I'd had to tolerate her fussy cockiness, and of all times she'd purposely punished me with no reason. I glared at her evilly, but found a bit of satisfaction when I remembered that, for once, I had the control of the situation. I was already planning on how to insult her when she couldn't hear, but another cry from one of the battlers woke me up from my vicious thoughts. 

Huffing, I loaded Applejack on my back for a second time and proceed to climb up the stairs that led to the barn's attic. There only hay bales could be found and nothing interesting would've drawn the attention of the rogues below. After painfully long minutes (and steps) that seemed to last an eternity, I finally reached what would become my (our) ward for the next hours. 

The idea of spending so much time with her made me feel disgusted and happy at the same time: she'd mistreated me for long and had never cared for me after that first night, but... But, on the other side, I was certain that part of her was still there. I knew she had felt something for me, though I couldn't tell if it was more pity or a glimpse of friendship. She'd saved me, and I had heard her telling her brother that she hadn't done it for the sake of having one more mercenary.

I had often wondered if she'd ever felt anything besides hatred or bitterness. I always hoped she had, and my thought had been confirmed once or twice, when I had seen her with her sister the day the filly had come back from Appleloosa. Applejack had let her travel there, to stay with their uncle, because rumor has it that it's a safer and freer land. The younger sister (I believe her name was Apple Bloom) came to Sweet Apple Acres only once or twice a year, usually without warning first and giving her siblings an even bigger and joyful surprise. She was very little, definitely slimmer and lighter than her sister, and spread around her such a soothing tranquility that had left me astonished the first time I'd been close to her. Well, it hadn't lasted long, for Jacqueline had kicked me out of the room moments later, but I remember seeing in the corner of my eye a sad glance coming from the yellow filly. 

Sighing, I walked to the large window and took a look outside just to then turn my head away, indignant, the next second. My gaze fell on the farm mare, still bleeding and static where I'd dropped her. My nostrils flaring, I reluctantly walked towards her and decided I might have checked her pulse, just to prepare myself for what I would have had to do for the following hours. I hadn't even put my ear on her chest, that a hoarse and low sound alerted me somepony else was in the room. My head jolted up and my eyes widened, adapting to the darkness of the place. I didn't move of an inch for the next minutes until I was sure we were alone, but even then I feared I might be wrong. I was about to lower my head again, but I saw my owner's chest hack and heard a raspy cough. Now even more scared than before, I stood up at once and backed away a few steps, just to be sure she wouldn't scold me when she woke up. But she didn't. I could hear her croaky and exhausted breath, and for endless minutes she simply lay there, motionless, as if she'd planned it all as a cruel joke and was about to jump on me at any moment to frighten me. 
Suddenly, she lifted her head a little and opened her eyes, making a great effort and trying to focus on the various lights, shadows and colours of her surroundings. I watched her, waiting for her to notice me. When she didn't turn her head towards me, I considered announcing my presence, but then decided against it for I knew it would have been a bad idea in any case. She blinked a few times, squinted some more, and finally looked around her. When she saw me, her weary eyes sparkled all of a sudden, but their shining was soon replaced with a dull (and mostly faked) annoyance. 

"W-What happened?" She tried to sit up, but gasped painfully when she felt the pain coming from her many injuries. She glanced at her stomach and shoulder, ruefully furrowing her brows at the sight of so much blood and exposed flesh. I simply stared at her, deadpan and still pondering whether to be bold as usual, or more tender and caring. What if she changes, when she sees my gentle and mild behaviour? "Ah thought Ah'd asked ya to take care of those burglars, feathered butt."

"Well excuse me if I got crippled to rescue you." I raised an eyebrow but tried to keep calm and avoid being ironical. However, seeing her mocking expression and lips curved into a sly grin, it was hard to hold back my raging desire of vengeance. "From what I could see, one of those criminals hit you with a stab and, well, you lost consciousness. I..." Her raising eyebrows and sincere surprise caught my attention. "I-I thought carrying you here would be the best thing to do, mistress."

She was probably fighting as hard as me not to comment wryly, but I noticed a soft change in her tone as she spoke rather calmly and quietly. She lowered her eyes, almost embarrassed, and murmured a low "Thank you". I inspected her carefully, but I couldn't find any sign that she was lying. Maybe, and just maybe, she was going to show me that soft side of hers again.

She spat a little blood as she coughed hard, probably feeling as much pain as I was experiencing because of my leg, if not more. "Come 'ere." Curious, I took a few steps forward. I was actually very insecure and thoughts raced through my mind as I tried to find a reasonable motive why she wanted me to help her.

Silence reigned for a long time as neither of us found the courage to say anything. Finally, after a long sigh, and patting the floor beside her, Applejack spoke. And the question she asked ignited in my heart a flame that I didn't know was asleep under the ashes. "Why are you still with me?"

I resolutely searched for her eyes as I lay down next to her, my chest barely touching the wooden boards as I rested my injured wing on the floor. However, the glowing emeralds seemed to flee away any time I was close to catch them, and I couldn't help but feel as if I somehow had the lead of the situation.

"So you've heard around town." I thought to myself for a moment, but then answered my own question. "Of course, my previous owners must be green with envy since I've never spent more than a year with them." I rolled my eyes, annoyed, and flicked my tail nervously as the memories of the past peeked out in my mind. 

"Y-Yes, Ah've heard somethin'." Her insecurity caught my attention: it was the first time I'd seen her so seemingly helpless and harmless at the same time. She coughed again. "Ya didn't answer my q-question, though." I would have really loved to inquire on why she wanted to know about it, mainly because I was sure she knew the reason I had decided to stay, but ignored the thought and spoke calmly.

"Well, you saved my life, mistress. That's enough for me."

"A-Applejack." My ears perked up in curiosity. "Call me j-just Applejack." I tilted my head to the side and looked away, foreign at the sudden friendly familiarity she was reserving me. She lowered her head and rested it on her forelegs, and I could bet she was thinking of the same thing as I. The place where we were itself was the most obvious reminder to the situation of three years earlier, and an uneasy atmosphere fell on us as we both struggled with our recollections.

I closed my eyes as, to my minimal surprise, the scene played right before me in a vague and dull mist that disappeared as soon as my eyes lifted from the floor. Suddenly, a flow of words I didn't know was hiding just beneath the surface escaped my mouth.

"It's not like my life was much different. Same job, same dangers, same wounds and same clients." I took a long breath and frowned. Here we go. "After the death of my father - I've never known my mother -, I had no place to live and no support at all. Playing the part of the apple thief was fun at first, but when your ear gets cut because of a knife sent flying by the angry stand runner, well, you understand jokes have finished.

“So, I began looking for a job. I was still very young and that's why, despite my speed and strength, no weather patrol employed me. The orphanage hosted me in complete pity, but I ran away after a couple of weeks. That was not the life I wanted to live, I always thought. Little did I know, that would have been a five star life had I accepted it.

“What was awaiting me was much worse: the first ponies who took me under their wing and defined me a mercenary have hated me since the second day I spent with them. I wasn't used to obeying to anypony at all, so of course my reactions were always... well, let's just say, not really professional. Every time I managed to escape after deciding that I would be able to find a better place. Ironically enough, each owner I was at the service of was even worse than the previous.

“My situation built to a sad climax when I started living by this rich Pegasus who'd taken me because, he said, he felt sorry for me. But those were all excuses. I knew what he wanted, but he never got it. He used to call me in his chamber almost every evening, then get closer and closer to me until I bucked him in the face and flew back to my designed guard post. And since he realized I wasn't as accommodating and compliant as the rest of his harem, well, he punished me. He left me with no food for days and days until I almost starved and made me work in the sunshine hot enough to fry eggs in June and July, from dawn to dusk. It... It was terrible. I thought I'd die in those fields, Applejack. I even reached the point I'd hope to die there."

Strong feelings suddenly prevailed on my calm appearance as I sobbed and squeezed my eyes shut, my past getting the better of the present and forcing me to look back into it. It felt like old wounds were opening again, more anguishing and painful than ever. "B-But then you came. When I thought I had lost it all, when I thought all the hurt - and my life with it - was going to end once and for all, you saved me." I glanced up at her, offering an unsure smile as she stared at me sadly. "You took care of my wounds, both in flesh and soul, and you protected me. So..." I adjusted the wings at my sides in clear nervousness, but then remembered they were still to be medicated. I winced a little, but kept my eyes in contact with hers. "...I guess it's pretty obvious why I'm still here, isn't it?"

She lowered her gaze and looked away as if she was feeling guilty, and I could easily see she was battling a fierce fight inside her. What I'd told her shouldn't have been a complete news, however, since she'd already heard part of my tear-jerking backstory the first night we had met. Then... what's troubling her? 

It was so strange to see her like that, lying beside me as my equal and not as a cold, heartless owner. In those moments, we didn't have to worry about what was happening in the outside world - we believed only the two of us existed, we both felt like living a deformed, blurred déja-vu.

And, while I hoped to recognize the same feelings of sympathy and affection she had revealed to me that night, I wasn't certain if she was going (or wanted, for that matter) to do so. I could sense her tense state of mind, her agitated thoughts racing and running as wildly as mine as I nuzzled her cheek gently, savouring her soft scent.

"You rescued a filly who'd seen nothing but violence and thievery in her short but already shameful life and you took her under your protection... You gave her hope, you granted her a second chance. You... you trusted her. And I can assure you that that filly will be forever grateful for what you've done."

The farmpony shuddered subtly and pulled away, looking away and averting my gaze. "Applejack, I don't know what could have happened if you hadn't saved me. I swore to myself I'd protect you to death, and now you're asking me to abandon you?" A mild atmosphere settled on us as I shifted closer to her, my natural instincts leading me to drape a wing over her shoulders. "I have never left you, and I never will."

She bit her lip and fought back a tear as she lowered her head and eyes. "T-That's why ya have to go away. Ah'm just a life-saver to you. Ah'm a good pony who's hiding behind a mask to appear bad and powerful to the rest of ‘er workers." Cringing, she folded her ears on her nape and furrowed her brows, staring at the floor.

“But, to me, y’re much more than an agile fighter. Y’re more than a filly who looked pitiful and helpless when I rescued her. Ya mean so much to me…” Her tranquil breath touched my muzzle as she stroked her head under mine and smiled to herself. Her demeanor suddenly changed, however, as she closed her eyes and recoiled a bit. “This… This is too dangerous. Y-You have to leave me.” Her voice now barely above a whisper, Applejack shook her head a little before lifting her gaze and looking at me straight in the eyes.

Her words entered my mind lazily and softly as my thoughts abruptly came to a halt. I raised my head and noticed how close we already were as I applied more pressure on her body with my wing and a few feathers reached her neck. She shivered slightly once more, this time offering me nothing but a somber glance as she lowered her ears. I was trying to understand that melancholy shade in her eyes when her mild and warm breath caressed me again, reminding me of how intimate the moment we were sharing was.

All of a sudden, realization slowly and painfully hit me as I blindly and thoughtlessly drew my muzzle closer and closer to hers until we were only mere inches apart.

She… She loves me.

Her lips finally met mine as I put a hoof on her chest and relished the sweet sensation of her love. Our breathing synchronized and I closed my eyes to savour every instant of our kiss, getting lost in her gentle touch and wishing those seconds would last forever.

However, one of my many injuries suddenly awoke, causing a sharp pain to spread throughout my entire body and forcing me out of the strong and mellow feeling I was experiencing for the first time in my troubled life. Applejack noticed, despite my great attempts of hiding it, and pulled away at once, worried. A look of horror was imprinted on her face as she sat up and the sound of her labored breathing resounded around the room. I folded my wings and looked at her, hurt and confused, as she managed to stutter a few words.

“This… T-This should’ve never happened… Oh, if somepony finds out… what if she finds out? W-What if…” Her head jolted up and a tear ran down her cheek as she turned to me with a scared expression. Her chest was heaving and her legs were shaking when she mumbled again in a low voice something I couldn’t hear. After a long pause, I decided to speak.

“I’ve heard you talking to your brother about Princess Twilight’s threats-“

“D-Don’t pronounce her name! Oh, Celestia… Ah’ve gotten me, my brother, and even you into trouble… What am Ah gonna do now?” The farm mare looked more terrified and frightened than I had ever seen her, and her fear soon infected me.

I knew what she was referring to – I had once eavesdropped on her and her brother, and I had heard them discussing about Applejack’s visit to the Princess the day before. They were both rather stressed and worried, I believe, for the Alicorn had threatened death to Applejack if she didn’t consign me to her guards. Of course, my owner had furiously opposed and tried to raise her voice at first, but a knife grazing her neck, she’d whispered to her brother, had made her fall silent. I hadn’t understood much about the part where Applejack explained the reason why the Princess wanted me, but I had heard something about my father being the first and only Pegasus who’d ever performed a Sonic Rainboom. So, I had supposed the purple ruler was thinking of making me, his daughter, accomplish a second one – the tyrant had always been eager for more and more magic and the rare flight trick was extremely powerful in such terms.

I had given no importance to the fact back then, but seeing my newfound beloved trembling so violently had made a shiver run down my spine. Was the situation as dangerous as she was depicting it…? I would’ve moved mountains for Applejack even before her sincere and silent love declaration, and I would’ve done even more for her after that night, so the thought of running away just to save my life didn’t even reach my mind.

“R-Rainbow… This is all mah fault, and now y’re in danger because of me… Oh, Ah should’ve never mentioned your name to her; she would’ve never discovered it otherwise… And we would’ve kept on living as we used to, Ah would’ve just hidden all o’ this from ya and ya would’ve just decided to leave sooner or later…”

“I’m never going to leave you – I’ve told you this once and I’ll tell it a thousand times more if you need to hear it, but you must believe me when I say it.” I nuzzled her gently and stroked my forehead on hers before whispering to her ear. “And no matter what, I’ll keep to my promise. I love you, and I won’t let anything in this world keep us apart.”

Smiling slightly, I kissed her once again and felt her body slowly relax and melt in the love gesture. I pressed my lips further as if to prove my pure intentions, the flame in my heart burning more and more fiercely with each passing instant. My ears lowered and I drove by instinct my wings to enclose her and caress her neck as she kissed back equally passionately.

Night had long since fallen over the paths and fields surrounding the barn, and the brisk air blowing on us made us feel as if we were reborn in each other’s warm embrace. The starry and cloudless sky watched down on us in the silent and dark atmosphere surrounding our shapes.

And in those moments, I didn’t care about anything else but keeping Applejack safe and loved by my side: only her sweet scent and touch dwelled my mind as her humble beauty enchanted me. For the first time, I believed life was finally giving me respite and offering me its most precious gift, love – and I was determined to treasure such inestimable feeling forever.