The Phoenix Queen

Casserane did lower her weapon but she kept her aim at the Alicorn incase she tried anything funny. She figured that the unicorn was no threat, but she had to be sure that the Alicorn is worth trusting, with so few trying to actually escape the Imperials.

"I wish I didn't have to be on my guard all the time, but I cannot say that I hold trust toward many anymore. Though I suppose it is a breath of fresh air to find friendly faces." She says, eyeballing the Alicorn with continued suspicion. "However, speaking about how things use to be, will not save you Alicorn. This world has turned dog eat dog thanks to that tyrant who watches our land scramble in fear at the mere thought of her looming down on them. No amount of royal blood can save one, such as yourself, if you show any disobedience to the 'Queen' of these Imperial pigs." She finishes saying with a considerable level of disgust.

 

Morningstar was slightly unnerved by the strange mare's behavior, but she tried to act natural.

"So, what brings you out here?" said Morningstar nervously, with an awkward smile. She wasn't sure that small talk would get her anywhere, but she may as well try.

 

Casserane puts away her weapon seeing no threat from Morning and Flurry. Though she does spend a moment being quiet before replying to the question.

"I'm on the run. I've had a long standing with the Imperials as a wanted pony. I lost my crew to them because they either were killed or imprisoned. So you could see why I'm less eager to meet new ponies. In fact I recently lost my encampment to Imperials and their soldiers. If I could be honest, I really shouldn't linger too much loner, considering that I have dedicated agents on my tail. So I'd keep any friendly offers for help to yourself because you'll have a big target on your head, if you don't already have one." She says looking toward the town with what looked to be dismay and sadness.

 

Casserane shrugged her shoulders. "Wish I could tell you. Most of the bases I've been to have been ransacked by the Imperials. If there are any remaining resistance bases, they are well hidden. My guess is that the hidden ones are all that remain since they want to hold out, even though it's a foolhardy attempt at hope." She says, shaking her head. "If anything I will fight to my last breath if I must. There is no reason to hide like a coward, since we all will die eventually."

 

Casserane sighs. "Look, you asked me a question and I gave you my unadulterated answer to it. Besides look at all that has been done to the rebellion. The Imperials have us in a corner. Unless we can pull something out from our flanks, the last of the resistance is going to bite the dust. I will not follow false hope if there is no hope to gain." She then stops and thinks for a moment before continuing. "But if there is a chance yet, I am willing to help out. But do keep in mind that getting my help will make you two major targets, if we are seen together. I hope you both are willing to take that risk."

 

As the group talked, a new pony walked over to them. He had the hood of his cloack on, and the sound of metal was sounding below it, making it obvious he was armed. He had managed to hear a bit of the conversation as he walked over, as they seemed to be talking in a rather loud voice given the circunstance. There was a mare that was pointing the other two with a gun, but she had holdstered it back. There also was a unicron and.. wait. Was that an alicorn? Something really odd to see, even more considering the times they are currently living in. Gods, why was he even walking to them in the first place? Even more now that he realized there is an alicorn between them.

As he get closer, his ears perked up. The alicorn seemed to be looking for the resistance, and seemed she was not going after them to take them down or something, but to actually help. He was not sure though, and for him, the resistance was mere rumors, but is this ponies could lead him to them...

He got closer over time, and from the angle of the other 3 ponies where staning, from the sides of his cloack, the outlines of what seemed two swords could be seen, but how they looked was still a mystery, as they were covered by the cloack he had on. What to say though? Or how to start a conversation? Crap, he was always bad at this. Hmm...
He kept walking as he thought, not realizing how close he was ot them now

 

Morningstar glanced down at the grass, and then back up. She hadn't really been participating in the conversation until then, but now she knew what to say.

"I'm more than willing," she said confidently. "I've spent most of my life protecting the weak, and I'm well aware of the dangers of rebelling against the Queen... but the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and I won't rest until I can see justice done."

 

Several pegasi in military fatigues suddenly landed in front of the group, although the fatigues weren't imperial looking, that much was obvious, and the pegasi silently suddenly turned around to face outward from the group, bringing their guns to the ready, with one bringing out a flashlight and pointing it skyward. Within moments, an elderly pegasus touched down, flanked by two other soldiers. "Princess Flurry Heart; I'm general Rain Shadow. We're here to bring you to a nearby safehouse. My being here is adding an incredible amount of danger to this mission but...It's appropiate. We need to move before loyalist forces realize they have a chance to capture both me and the last alicorn not named Celestia." she said quite bluntly, before looking at the group, "You all, youre coming with us. We cannot risk you running to the loyalist forces and informing them of this. However, we cannot trust you, so we must require that we blindfold you on the flight over, understood?"

 

Casserane rolls her eyes but doesn't show resistance to them. "This is why I like working alone." She says to herself under her breath. While she hates that idea of working with these militant resistance types, she doesn't have much choice. Either way, they share a common enemy with her, which is why she is willingly helping. Regardless, she knows that these military types will pull up her records in anycase and find out that she is a long standing criminal. So there is no running or hiding from it now.

"Fine." Casserane says to Rain Shadow. Waiting for them to get everyone moving and to get her blindfolded. Measures that do seem extreme but at this point, the desperation for a win will require all the extremes as it seems.

 

As anvil got closer, he noticed several ponies appeared and started to blindfold them, and he was no exception. He heard the one that seemed the leader say something but he didn't quite understood it. But anyways. Struggling for freedom perhaps was not the best option here. He was outnumbered and these seemed as professionals. He could deal with one or two royal soldiers, but this would be a thought fight.
He said nothing and let himself be taken, but keeping his hood and coat on him at all times. What a day...

 

After blindfolding and hoofcuffing the group for safety, the rebel soldiers got a hold of the group and together with Flurry and Rain, they took off in near unison. Over a couple hours of flying in random directions and constantlt taking off and landing to throw off any pursuit and to confuse the group due to general mistrust. Finally, the group landed and took off the blindfolds and hoofcuffs of the group to reveal an unassuming farmhouse surprisingly close to Canterlot, the palace visible off near the horizon. Rain lead the group into the house, "You two." She said pointing to two of the soldiers, "Keep watch, and send the signal when the contact gets here, or alternatively, if Imperials show up." she told them before leading the group to a room and opened a closet. After some digging around on the carpet, it suddenly pulled back to reveal a hatch that Rain pulled open with a grunt, "Youre about to enter one of our safehouses, one of the few we have left, so I want you strangers on your best behavior. Flurry, after you, theyre waiting."

 

Casserane was not sure what to make of all this, but it seems they're closer to what would the the home of the Imperials. This made her brow raise as they enter this barnhouse. There is something about this she didn't like, but she couldn't put her hoof on it. She kept to her thoughts as she watch Flurry go down first. She was close to heading down herself. It seems these military rebels are really banking on this Alicorn being their saving grace. She personally wouldn't have anything to do with Flurry, if it were not for these circumstances. Life is a cruel mistress.