Darkness surrounded me again. Sleep didn't come easy. Yet when it did come, I wish it hadn't. My dreams that night were plagues. Data at my side, but hurt, badly. I could not tend to her wounds as her attacker was still there. A cadre of ponies all looking at me with hunger in their eyes, fitted with armor black as night. A wall of shadows sprung up from the ground far behind them. It seemed to share a face mimicking it's minions as it began seeping towards me. I did not see the thin trail that made it's way to Data.

In a flash this thin trail of smoke expanded and engulfed her, forcing me to step back. The smoke curled and thinned, leaving her body coated in the same armor, and the same hungry look. The advance continued.

I drew my blade, holding it out at Data, torn between both protecting myself, and her. She could already be gone...but there was always hope.

“Data, please, it's me. It's dad.” I didn't even notice the others had surrounded me. The light began to fade as the wall of shadows expanded over us. Data merely grinned a wicked, toothy grin. Her teeth jagged and sharp.

“Vesssssssssssssel.....” They all chanted right before pouncing, ready to tear into me as the shadow continued to collapse on us. Before they managed a single bite, something at my neck began to glow bright.

The family amulet became brighter and brighter. It's glow blinding me, and apparently all the others. When the light finally faded a new figure stood beside me. His coat was as black as mine, and his red mane was held back in a slick style. His horn was glowing the same brilliant white as the light had before. His gaze upon those around us. His command came out strong and powerful.

“You shall not harm my descendant! He is beyond your hoof's reach, just like all his ancestors. Begone!” His horn grew brighter, and sent piercing rays of light through the masses. At this same moment I felt the world about us begin to shift, and tear apart. When nothing remained, it was myself and him in a darkness as my body faded. “The waking world awaits, go.”

Before I could even protest, it all faded, and the wiles of sleep brought me once more from the edge, and thrust me into wakefulness.

“Dad, wake up, wake up!” My eyes opened slowly as Data stood over me, shaking me. I grasped her and hugged her, tears spilling from her eyes once again.

“Shh shh, it's OK, I'm awake, but what's going on?”

“You...y-you weren't breathing, and shaking.” Oh Data...

“It's alright, I'm here. I'm fine. But we should have figured something like this. We don't know all what this cloud did to us.” I sat up with her, holding her close. The crying ebbed a bit, though she was still shaken up. “Did you have a nightmare too?” She nodded into my shoulder. “Want to tell me about it?” She shook her head this time. “They're scary, I know, but they're just dreams. They can't hurt you. But, we're up now. I don't feel like sleeping anymore....” The clock didn't work, of course. I checked my pipbuck, 3:20 am. Well, that didn't last long. “Come on, let's go see about an early breakfast.”

“OK...” I hop off the bed, and she hops on my back. We head downstairs, me keeping my steps light, so we don't end up how the guest bed did. When we get downstairs, there it is, with Rapid and Trigger sleeping on it.

“We'll let them sleep a bit longer.” Tip-hoofing around the edge of the bed, we make our way into the kitchen. Data hops off my back as I pull out a frying pan. “Check if the hay bacon's still good, will you?” I go through the cupboards. Clouded had seeped in them all, but considering we're not really harmed by the stuff anymore, the flour's a bit pink, same with the salt and baking powder. Surprisingly the sugar seems untouched. Data pulls out the hay bacon. Plastic sealed. We cook it now, it'll be fine. “OK, grab the milk, an egg, and the butter.” She goes back into the fridge, while I pulling out the vegetable oil.

Pancakes, gotta love them. The dry stuff all goes together, stirred up. Well, if anything, they'll be pink pancakes. Data sets all the other stuff on the counter, and in they go together. One bowl spills into another, and soon there's a lumpy mess of pink pancake batter. I check the pan. Bone cold. “Great...” Eh, not a problem, with a bit of magic, I have the stove on fire. Greasing the pan, the first pancake goes in. No time to mess with little ones. We're getting the big plate sized ones. A second pan comes out and I set another section of the stove on fire, working that on the hay bacon. The cabinets fly open again as their shadows push them open. This is probably gonna sear it, but if the oven won't work, I'm not going to bake this spicy hay bacon like I normally do. Honey, cayenne peppers, and the coriander comes out. Those mix together, and I hold the little bowl over the fire to heat it. Already a bit of a strain.

Meanwhile I got pancakes going in and out fast as I can. The bacon goes in the honey mix, stews for a bit, before I toss it on the pan. In and instant it begins searing. I let the flames die down a bit to cool it down. That seems to do the trick.

Within ten minutes we got a decent sized breakfast made. I'd have to remember that low heat trick with the bacon, does it so much faster. The smell got both the guests up, and they join us at the table. We hold our heads in prayer.

“Celestia, Luna, wherever you may be right now, Thank you for keeping us together. It's good to have family together, even in these dark times. Stay safe, and may the fallen have your guidance to Elysium.” With that we dig in. Midst the chewing, Rapid's the first to speak up.

“So, why didn't you mention friends in the prayer Eclipse?” Maybe now was a good time. I'd been holding it back.

“Well, truth be told I took a look at Garden's family out of curiosity some time back while doing some ancestry research. Found she was actually adopted, and the orphanage she was from had records she was left with a sister.” Rapid looked at me a bit puzzled. “Right before this whole mess, I did find her sister in the records, and filed it away. It wasn't an important detail with what else I found. It would have been on the forefront of my mind, but well, finding out the information about your ancestor being a crystal pony from about a thousand years ago, when we've been looking for this link for generations, is a big deal.”

“Just get to the point, you're making my head hurt.” I merely smile.

“As it turns out, Garden Dream's sister......was Grapevine. How's that for a shocker, brother in law?” The look on his face was priceless. Truth be told Garden's death made me slip it back to, though being able to say it now.

“You mean....that you and I, and Data's my....and Trigger's her.....” OK, big shocker apparently. Didn't happen often he was left incapable of finishing his sentences.

“Yep. Data and Trigger are cousins, Trigger's my nephew, and Data's your niece.” Data and Trigger both looked at each other for a moment. A mix of emotions seem to wash over both of them. Trigger breaks it first, going back to his food. Was he blushing? Well, I may have just crushed a crush with that statement. “So yeah, when I said family, I meant you two as well.”

Our simple meal concluded, with plenty of helpings of the hay bacon left. The others always say it's too spicy for them to eat too much, but I enjoy it. I gather up the plates, but a tug from Rapid's magic stops me.

“Let me do it. You let us stay after all.” He snatches them all up and heads into the kitchen. Before popping out of sight, he cranes his neck back . “Just...be sure to come back alive from this mission you're going on, OK? Don't think I could stand losing another family member....”

“By the sworn oath I shall.” The words echo in my head, the day we were sworn in to the guard. Memories that were too important to let go. Between the two of us, promising by the sworn oath was basically our little super promise. He nodded once, and stepped in the kitchen, leaving me to go get my things. Things including another slice of hay bacon. That spicy sweetness always got to me.

I trotted upstairs, once more gathering my things. I had yet to take the amulet off, and in truth, a part of me doesn't want to right now. My armor fitted on, the revolver and 10mm at my sides. Again I looked the role of a royal guard. It wasn't that fancy Steel Ranger armor, but it worked for what it was for. I went downstairs again, a few supplies set aside, and the remaining bacon left in a bundle. Well, can't let it go to waste, can I?

“Dad....” Data stepped in from the living room, a few tears in her eyes. She came up to me and hugged me. “Don't go. I don't want you to.”

I laid down beside her, holding a hoof under her chin. “I know you don't sweetie, but If nopony does a thing, then this cloud may spread. We both know why it has to be done....and the risk of us suffocating, we have to take it. For the good of Equestria, we have to throw our dice on the table, and hope it's a good roll.” She continued to cling on, and I pulled her in for another hug. “Now now, if anything, you've got close family still. Your uncle Rapid will watch over you for now. Also...” I pull away the 10mm and set it on the floor. “If you absolutely feel the need to, take this. We've been to the gun range a couple times, so I know you're not that good a shot. But you know the right way to use it, that's important. Your call.” The gun sits there for a moment, until the glow of her horn snatches it up in it's green aura. It levitates over and back into my holster.

“You need it more dad. Please be safe.”

“By the sworn oath I shall.” She gives me a funny look, which makes me chuckle. “Ask your uncle about it, he can tell you.” Speaking of, both Rapid and Trigger walk in. Rapid's got his rifle ready, just in case. Trigger seems to be clutching to him a bit.

With a small nod and a quick salute I'm out the door. I close it gently behind me, and make my way off. The roads again start eerily quiet. Even with that, conditions were fair enough, no busybodies going to and fro, nothing jamming up the roadways.

My trip sent me the other way, as the Radio Tower was in a section of the city closer to the Ministry Hubs. There were a couple points where a feral pony rose up, or lunged at me from the shadows. They were quickly dispatched. So many homes along the way had moans coming from them. My heart tore at me to help those trapped in there, but reality showed me it'd be worthless to do so, going hoof to hoof with them was risky, and my ammo wouldn't last forever. It didn't stop me from peeking in a few of the homes. My heart tore at my chest at the site in one in particular.

She laid there, a filly no more than six or seven, clad in a hazmat suit. She wasn't breathing, and there were definite traces the suit couldn't hold this cloud out. So young, and to have had life torn from them. I shut the window and stepped away. This was just senseless. So many lost. How many had been children, with hopes, aspirations, dreams? How many parents survived without their children? I shuddered at the thought. After having lost my wife, losing Data would have been.....

No, not the time to dwell on this. The very fate of Equestria may hang in the balance. My trip continued, sending me close to the six hubs. I could see in front of the Ministry of Peace that the three bodies lay there, the poor souls who had died to the falling glass. They were spared the cloud at least.

The corner rounded, sending me into another section of the market district. I could hear snarling and hoofs slamming into something around the next corner. Just what I needed, more ferals. I inched closer to the corner and peeked out. Three in total, all bashing on one of those valve doors. Well, their desperation pointed out one detail. Somepony with their mind intact as inside.

OK, this was worth the ammunition then. I slinked closer, my hoofsteps as silent as I could-

CRUNCH!

Of course there's an errant piece of glass, of course it's loud enough to wake the dead, and- oh look they're charging me. My guns level, but they've already closed the distance. I managed one shot from the 10mm, landing a blow in one's chest and sending it falling back. Before I could fire again I was slammed back. Both of the two remaining saw opportunity, or just were thinking lunch. My stomach was bitten into, sending waves of pain through my whole body. The other bit into my foreleg, right above my pipbuck.

This gave me a moment to draw my blade with my other leg, and slam it into the neck of the one on my stomach. My strike was true, going through the vertebrae in it's neck. It's head fell limp, and off of me.

I could hear the moan from the one I shot already. Not even thinking I slammed my foreleg into the one still biting at me. It dislodged him, giving me space to pull my....Where are my guns!?

I look back for a moment, seeing both of them slid down the road, too far to grab in this moment's chance. I turn back to both of the two remaining slowly walking up to me. The pain was still building. If I blacked out now...

One charged and I reared up, catching it by the neck with my pipbuck side foreleg,, falling onto my back with the momentum. As it started to roll with me I bucked it in the gut and made a slash at it with my blade. The buck connected, the blade didn't.

It didn't take me long to roll on my stomach, sending errant bits of glass into my wound there. My pipbuck leg wasn't liking the abuse, and refused to hold me up. I focused my magic, trying to give myself a shadowy brace to lean on. Wasn't happening. Dammit, this looked to be my end.

Flanked on two sides, no ranged weapons, and my good leg the one with the blade on it. I looked up, seeing the radio tower in the distance. With a sigh I fell to my haunches.

At that moment two things happened at once. A small flash of light came from the tower, followed by the feral in front of me suddenly standing a head shorter. The one behind me let out a groan as I felt a searing pain creep along the back of my head, just to the right of my neck, and passing out of my open mouth. It tasted of gunpowder. Oh hey, that gunshot sounded like the revolver. Woozily, I look back, seeing it dead, and a small form running up to me. All went black, and I fell.

A loud moan echoed in that alley. It again came from me. Curse Death for not letting me rest. My eyes open and regain their focus. A sudden weight glomped itself around my leg. Looking down, it was, to my own horror, Data. She was crying into my leg. I couldn't tell if it was from joy or sadness.

“D-Data, why...why did you follow me?” She just clung tighter, crying going into sobbing. I sat down, and pulled her into a full embrace, fatherly instincts taking hold. “Just let it out sweetie....”

“I thought.....I thought....and then I.....Oh daddy, what have I done?” I looked back again. The feral back there was unmoving, a clean shot through it's temple. None of the brains remained in it. The gun laid at my side. It didn't take me long to put two and two together.

“Sweetie...”

“I KILLED HIM! I'LL NEVER GET TO SEE MOM AGAIN, I'VE DONE SOMETHING HORRIBLE!” Her sobbing grew worse. “and when I....when I saw you there.....the wound on your head....”

I choked. So that's what the pain was right before I blacked. She'd shot that revolver, somehow gotten so dead on it squashed their brains apart, and the bullet continued on through my head....

“It it was trying to hurt you....and I panicked....What have I done?”

“You didn't murder him sweetie.” She looked up to me, tears still streaming, but that quiet look of confusion. “He was already lost, all you did was an act of mercy. Even if the results were a little...brutal, it was a quick death. It wasn't murder, and what happened to me was purely an accident. Besides, I survived, didn't I?” She didn't nod, she just clung tighter.

“But the Maker....all life is sacred...just like mom said.” I pulled her away slightly, looking her in the eye.

“The Maker would not frown on this Data. You did it saving me, against something that by all rights shouldn't have been alive. You likely released his soul from his body, freeing him of that torment. It was mercy. Yes, all life is sacred, but all life is also finite. He died to the cloud, he didn't deserve to have his body resurrected like that, and turn him into a feral beast, while he watched on as a shade of himself. We must preserve life when we can, and end it when to prolong it only brings more misery to the life regarded.”

“But-”

“No. Data, you have to understand. These ponies didn't choose to turn into these things. They've become dangerous to others, and in truth, they may not be able to recover. The best we can offer is a quick death.” She continued to cling to me. I sighed. This wasn't something she was going to recover from easily. “Data, we should keep moving. We gotta get to the tower, then we'll talk more about this, OK?” She nodded slightly, and let go.

I stood up, testing my leg. It felt fine now, and the bite wound on my stomach wasn't bothering me. Great so our lives gained a restart button? I gather up both the guns, and hoof one off to Data. She looks at it fearfully, and pushes it back, breaking the shadows holding it. “No...nonono...”

“Alright....” The guns go in my holsters, and we begin off. A sudden bang from the other side of the valve door shakes us.

“Hello, anypony out there!? The banging stopped...are you ready to answer me now?” That voice didn't sound screwed up. Was it a true survivor?

“Yes, my daughter and I are out here.” I stepped closer, to make sure my voice was heard. There was some shuffling.

“Oh good, is it safe to come out now? I mean, those brothers that installed this thing did a bang up job, I didn't even feel the ground shake.” No clue who he's talking about, but I sigh before calling out.

“It wasn't a balefire bomb like that, it was-”

“Oh it wasn't balefire? Good, then I'm coming out then.”

“NO WAIT-” Too late, the door popped open, and the poor pony on the other side had but a few moments before the cloud took effect. It rushed in, washing over him like a wave of steam. By the maker, his screams....his screams that quickly became blood choked as his face, melted off. He fell to the ground, parts of him beginning to fuse. He looked to me, unable to pull his body away, tears of pain evident. “I'm sorry.....” My revolver leveled on his head, and I pulled the trigger.

He went with only the gunshot. I stepped over his still bubbling corpse to look inside. Data slowly scampered in, giving the stallion a wide berth. There wasn't much to find. A radio, playing static, some canned goods, a blanket, and a bed. There was another door on the other side, still sealed. Data and I sat on the bed, thinking. She stuck real close, passing glances over to the stallion. Data was the first to speak up.

“What are we really now dad?” I look to her, then the body, mangled and warped by the cloud. Yet here we sit, mangled, yet alive. True we weren't exactly looking great now, but, that doesn't really answer her question. I don't think anypony can. We've been warped by this cloud, this very cloud that brings death. What did it truly mean, what did it make us. I breath out a sigh, watching a little spot of concentrated cloud disperse after leaving me.

“Really Data, I don't have a clue. What will it mean for us when the cloud is gone, who knows. What did it turn us into, would anypony know? Maybe a zebra could give us a clue. Doubt we'd find the answers.” I lay down further, listening to the static from the radio. No doubt everything else is dark.

There's a little crackling, and the static is replaced by a voice. Apparently a new message is getting sent out.

”-hurry. This message loops. This is Sound Byte again. At 10 past the hour I saw two ponies out there faced with some of the wild ones. Hope that sniper shot got one of the wild you got mixed around pretty good, so I couldn't tell exactly. If you're hearing this, make your way to the tower, you're not far off. Please hurry. This message loops. This is-” Data snapped the radio off with her magic.

I slid of the bed myself, letting Data jump on my back. “You heard them, let's go.” We stepped back out into the street. The tower was off in the distance, and a straight shot away. My guns came to my sides. My eyes stayed peeled for any movement around us. I gave a silent prayer for the owner of that saferoom, thanking him for the chance to rest. Off we went.

The trip didn't take too long, nothing seemed to pop out trying to kill us. The front doors of the station slipped open. A couple signs pointed us upstairs. We continued up, finding ourselves to be in the third floor recording room. A unicorn mare was sitting in there. She looked up to us, and smiled. “Finally, was waiting for somepony else to show up.”

“Umm, yeah....I thought Sound Byte was a stallion.”

“No my good colt, it's just an illusion. My idea actually. Mares go wild for the handsome voice I put on. Gets more listeners.....well, got more. You're the only two to show up since I started my message loops.” She slid out from around the counter, getting right in my face. “Hmm, yeah you'll probably do. I mean after all, you're wearing guard armor. Surely she'll talk to you.”

Data slipped off my back, and onto another chair. “Who's she?”

“Well little filly, 'She' happens to be the one that guards the Equestrian Treasury.” She smirked, looking back at me. “So you up to going to see her?”

“Wait wait wait....you mean to tell me, your plan, is for me to go talk to the dragon matriarch? The only ones she listens to are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.” The nerve of this, all this way, getting hurt. This was a waste of time. I looked to Data. “Come on, there's nothing to be done here.”

“Wait!” I turn back to Sound Byte. “Look, my reason is sound, The cloud seems to be coming from the treasury building. I was out there for a bit, tried to get to shelter before the cloud got me. I wandered about a bit in a daze. Ran across a couple of those wild ones-”

“Ferals if you ask me”

“Right, OK. Anyway, The cloud was pouring out of that building. Thick as soup, but it didn't hurt anymore, so I went in. Place seemed deserted, until I found a staircase down below. She was sitting on the pile, didn't look like she could move from it, but she looked me in the eye. Told me to get out. So I ran. Came back here, set up the message.” This was nuts, completely nuts.

“Fine, I'll go check. But...” I looked over to Data. “You need to stay here.” She dropped her jaw.

“No, I'm not staying here after you got hurt! I'm coming with you!” Well, at least I know she got this occasional stubborn streak from me. I stomp my hoof.

“And I'm your father, and I'm saying you stay here. You've not got your own weapon, and you don't want to use either of mine. I'm sorry, but if you were out there with me...I'd worry too much.” I turned my gaze to Sound Byte. “Will you watch over her while I'm chasing this wild goose?”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” She mimicked her words as she said it. I cocked an eyebrow. “What? I met the Ministry of Morale Mare Pinkie before she got that position, about when radio started getting big. I asked her if she would always listen, she said that promise. Hers apparently. Heh, first time I tried it myself, I poked my own eye. Apparently nopony gets it right the first time.” I rolled my own eyes, and turned to leave.

Data of course chimed in. “I'm coming!” Sound Byte already jumped in the way.

“No, your dad's right. You want to help, I know, but if you can't help him fight, you'd just be a liability out there.”

“But-” I turn back.

“No buts Data. It's dangerous, better to go alone than take you out there where you could get hurt more easily than I can.” She looked away. She'd remember this, I know, but I didn't want to risk her. It's why I set off alone. “What would Rapid and Trigger think if you didn't come back?” She perks up at that, realization dawning. She of course ran out on them, leaving Rapid to worry. She sat down, nodding slightly. I'll be back as soon as I can.” With that I went on my way.

Finally, edge of the market district. The Treasury Building wouldn't be too far off. I passed a couple other survivors, they gave me a cursory glance. When I didn't move to take their goods from them, they went back to gathering their own supplies. A couple were walking the same way I was. I happened to overhear a couple things.

“-not sure what you mean.”

“Sundae, how many times do I have to explain. Word's going about that there may be a way to use one of the Ministry Hubs. Given those crazy ponies out there, we gotta stick together.”

“But, just leave everything behind?”

“Not much choice on that, I mean after all.....” she shot me a death glare. “Our Royal Guard couldn't stop this horror. Now look at us...and I had a spot reserved in that Stable too....”

I glared back at her, not liking her tone. “So you blame the guard for this?”

They both stopped, the ms death stare looking me straight in the eye again. “Not like you've ever been useful. 'Oh look at me I'm in good armor but it does crap. Couldn't stop changelings, couldn't stop this pink crud!' So yeah, I blame you and your incompetent lot!” I slugged her right in the nose. She reeled back, dead, blackened blood oozing from it now. “Why I never!” My blade shot out and she cringed back

“Nopony disses the guard. Where were you when this all happened, helping evacuation procedures? I didn't see you there. No, you were probably crying like a foal in a corner. So what if our track record isn't that great. We did the damnedest we could do, which is a lot more than you can say.” My blade retracted, and she merely glared daggers, still holding a hoof to her nose.

“Umm, sir...” My eyes snapped to her friend, Sundae. “Look, I'm sorry, Mist has been a bit, on edge since this all happened. I think we all have. So, please, can we just, be on our way?”

“Thundae, thith ith no time to be apologithing to our athaulter!” Oh her nose was clearly broken. I sighed.

“Yeah, you've got a point. So get heading. I may look into what you were talking about with my family.....well what's left of it anyway.” Sundae nodded, and started walking off. Mist stuck around for a second.

“You'll pay for thith.” She ran off after Sundae, leaving me to my own thoughts again. Maybe that was a bit harsh....

Then again, why should I have to take that kind of attitude? I am part of the guard, maybe one of the few left. I have a right to pride, and defending it! She tries something like that again, I'll...

Wait, no, getting distracted. I head off for the treasury building once more.

The inside of the building is rather quiet. Not surprising in all truth. There were a few corpses here or there. No time to dwell, have to find the dragon. I checked every door in the first hall. They all lead to offices or bathrooms, or employee lounges. The end up the hall tapered off to a much smaller one. True to Sound Byte's statements, I could see the cloud flowing. I hastened in.

This led to a trip which sent me careening down a spiral staircase, rolling and fumbling, until an almighty smack signaled the end. So I made it to the bottom, perhaps not the best way to make an entrance but it'd do. I brushed myself off. When I looked up, a pair of eyes were glaring at me. Big, yellow eyes with reptilian slits.

“Who are you?” The voice rumbled through the room. I stumbled back a bit.

“E-Eclipse Flare, A squad leader in the Equestrian Royal Guard. I was advised the cloud seemed to be coming from this building.” I stood tall, as much as I could. There was a silence, broken only by laughter.

“So the Royal Guard remains faithful even in this state? I commend you little pony. But this is not the source you're seeking.” With a flick of a tail, several lights came on, and I could see the results of the cloud upon the matriarch. Scores of bits clung to her like jewelry in a tapestry. The edges blurred where they met flesh, and so many spots seemed to show nothing but bone. Only the head, tail, and forearms of the great dragon seemed free. What's more, the cloud itself seemed to be flowing from behind her. “Regardless of your intentions, you are not supposed to be here without a decree.”

“But-”

“No buts. You have thirty seconds to give me one, or leave.” I closed my mouth at that. She moved one tile aside, and pull a small hourglass out of it. The time was counting down fast. I paced a bit. My thoughts focused together, and I spun to face her once again.

“My reason for being here is important. This cloud has already claimed so many lives. If it's not stopped, it may spread beyond Canterlot's limits, suffocating so many other homes, ending so many lives. I won't let that happen. It's my duty to protect the citizens of Equestria, so I declared the day I took the sworn oath. I'm sorry, but if you will stand in defiance of that duty, I will take action.” my steps brought me closer. The time in the glass ran out. All she did was smile.

“Noble that may be, but It is my duty to protect this hoard on Celestia's behalf. Therefore I deem you an intruder, and your life forfeit.” She inhales, still with that smile on her face, and blows out. What comes is not fire, but more cloud. It passes out her mouth and over me harmlessly. I merely grin back.

“And the cloud has deemed you unfit to declare my life forfeit.” I turn to walk away. “I'll find out where it's coming from on my own then.”

“Wait....” I turn back, still grinning. “There is some flowing well from here, but it's mostly coming from the bathroom back there, that's all it could be.” I cock an eyebrow at that. “What? Even a dragon needs the little fillie's room.”

“Right, so, if it's coming from the bathroom.....maybe the sewers?” Not a comfortable thought, slogging through that mess. Who knows what could be down there.

“Perhaps....there is a ponyhole just outside.” I sigh, looks like I'm heading down. I give her a quick bow before heading out. My trip back outside was uneventful, aside from the one feral that woke up. Poor thing was still stuck to the ground, and scrambling everything to get a hold of me. One quick bullet ended that.

The ponyhole came up easily, but the second I had it out of it's slot, cloud began spewing out. Seriously, getting tired of getting more of this stuff in the face. After a minute it didn't seem to be letting up. With another sigh, I started to climb down.

The climb down wasn't too long, but I could already feel the bile of the sewer seeping into my boots. It was pink, like nearly everything else touched by the cloud. There was the occasional swirl of black, most likely deadened blood from any undesirable pests down here. The smell itself was bearable, but only because the smell of rot had gotten normal with all going on. My pipbuck flared up a bit, enough so for me to bring it to my face. Good old Stable-tec, even in a crisis you can count on download stations working.

Armed with a map, I looked over the network of tunnels, trying to discern where a bomb could have been placed. Nothing really fit. Instead, I slipped a boot off and let the airflow give me an idea. It was coming from the north. Wherever it's flowing from, I'd wager.

With a nasty squelch I had my boot back on. I don't think I'll be keeping it after this is all done. There wasn't a sign of life in the tunnels, just more flowing sludge. It didn't take long to reach the first junction. The cloud was giving itself away this time. It was clear where it was flowing from. West this time.

I check my map, looking to see how far until the next intersection. It was a ways off. The splashing of the sewage kept the silence at bay. My thoughts wandered again. How much outside of the city got hit. I already heard Cloudsdale was gone, lost to a megaspell. How many more did the zebras launch before Canterlot was consumed by the cloud? Did our forces retaliate? Slogging through the sewers wouldn't answer those questions. No, only leaving the city would.

I was broken out of my thoughts by the sound of rushing water. I looked ahead, nothing, the sound was faint, but where was it coming from? It grew louder and louder, until finally I thought to look up, just in time for a pipe above me to release the contents within straight into my face. I thought it was bearably bad to smell before, now with it drenching my nostrils and seeping into every orifice, it was overwhelming. Soon the contents of my stomach found their way in the bile at my hooves.

I groaned, partly from the feeling of vomiting, and partly from knowing this is bound to happen again. I plod on, wanting to get out of here as quickly as possible. Another bend comes up, cloud's saying to go north again, but a noise coming from the south. A voice, faint and muffled. Who'd be in the sewers now? Well, besides myself of course.

I follow the sound further down that way, eventually finding a door. Creaking it open, I can hear the voice much more clearly.

“Got away, got away but they still find me, won't leave me alone, nonono.” I look in, and the sight before me is a stallion, fused to the floor, looking all about him. Surrounding him is all kinds of vermin. Rats, mice, all sorts of bugs, all seemingly mutated by the cloud, crawling all over him, and more arriving from pipes in the walls. “Foundation said they'd help. They don't help, they come anyway, kept me locked away, can't explain a thing. Then something else escapes, I got away. They're crazy, can't figure it out, couldn't find others to help, just get sent back, thought Canterlot might be safe, but now this. Can't move, can't fight them, get bitten all the time, pass out, wake up, pass out wake up pass out wake up PASS OUT WAKE UP! Cycle doesn't end. Never ends, never will end, more keep coming.”

I decide it's best to just close the door and walk away, slowly.

Back at the prior intersection, I do head north this time. Map says there's a big room up ahead, and with how fast the cloud's flowing, I gotta be close. The path sloped upwards, and thankfully the sewage thinned out. Again I could start to hear voices as I got closer to the room. Two it seemed. I kept low, my revolver at the ready.

“Would you just cut me free already?”

“We are not done here Zuranos. The final rites must be performed.”

“There is only two of us now Essant. It takes three to perform the rites, and Zabia did not awaken. We are done.”

“We have our orders from Caesar, we do not leave until the cloud reaches across all of Equestria.” Those voices sounded zebrican to me. So we had infiltrators bring this stuff in. I burst through the doorway.

“By order of Princess Luna, freeze!” I had my guns ready. What greeted me was two zebras, both wearing shrouds, their hoods down. One had his hooves stuck to the ground, the other seemed well free. A third body lay in a corner. The center of the room had a crystal slowly spinning, cloud spewing forth from it. “You will deactivate the bomb, and face public trial, or fight and face summary execution. Either way, do not expect your lives to last much longer.” The freed one, I'm guessing Essant, started laughing. My 10mm started coming out of it's holster, and slipping away in the shadows.

“Do you really think a lone law enforcer of your pitiful country can face a true warrior?” He pulled something out from his shroud, which turned out to be a collapsible staff. Within a moment he had it spinning around him like a master, until finally he slammed it down on the ground, and pulled it back up, standing on his back legs with the end of the pole pointed at me. “Face me then.”

“Gladly.” My 10mm pops back out behind him and pops him in the back of the head. He crumples to the floor without a sound.

“Essant! Oh you fool, facing one of the cursed......” I turned to him, cocking an eyebrow.

“Zuranos....right? What do you mean, one of the cursed?” He turned his gaze from his fallen companion to me, a look of fear.

“You beckon the shadows themselves....You're cursed just like your princess. A harbinger of the stars.” Again, no clue what he means.

“Hate to break it to you, but it's just my magic.” I shake my head. “We're getting off track, how do you shut of the bomb!?” That look of fear slowly turns into a sneer.

“You just killed the only one that knew. It will take longer than planned, but all of Equestria will soon feel the cloud's wrath. When my kin find you, harbinger, you will face their judgment.” He breaks into laughter, but being stuck as he is, that's all he can do. Instead I pick up the bomb itself.

“Such a small thing, caused all this pain. All this suffering. It just amazes me how cruel the world's gotten. So many lives ended. How many do you think were actually soldiers? How many were children, foals, mothers, daughters, fathers, sons. How many survived, only to see those they cared about didn't....”

“You think you survived this?” He laughs again. “You wear one of those stupid little wrist things...pip-bucks, you call them? Does it say you're alive?” I check it once more to be sure, it does say deceased, yet it continues to show me everything. “You died, with all the others. You just were unlucky to not stay dead.” His laughter grows, until I pop him in the base of the neck with the 10mm. He crumples some and falls.

“You think honestly that makes you the winner, to kill everypony here!? This wasn't killing in war, it was murder, mass murder.” I grab his neck with a shadow and pull him up, not even watching my strength, his hooves begin tearing away from his body. He groans in pain around the bullet wound. “What of me? Or any others surviving this hell you've brought?” He begins gurgling, coughing up blackened blood, as more began to pour from the torn limbs. I bring up the crystal to his face. “You've slaughtered hundreds of thousands, without a bit of remorse!” I bring the crystal back and slam it into his head, fracturing his skull. The crystal stays intact.

He crumpled to the floor as I let him go. No movement, no signs of the cloud resurrecting him. I bring the crystal in front of me. It's polished surface gives me a perfect view of my reflection. My irises were red again. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, calming myself.

When I open my eyes again, they once more are pink. The same pink I grew up with. I always hated that color. Mother always said it was unique, for a colt like me to have pink eyes. I didn't believe her. Through school, through basic training, everything. It took her on her deathbed for her to say why she was glad I did. Because she always had this feeling from me, like I would be a dark soul, yet those eyes always said otherwise. She was right, I was a good pony. Was I really? I just executed a zebra in anger, and had, even for a moment, lost that one quality. I sigh, setting the crystal in a saddlebag.

My trip back up didn't take long, the crystal kept spewing it's filth out as I walked, leaving a trail, but only one thought pilfered my mind right now. Destroy it, and I knew just who to take it to. The doors to the building opened, and I descended once more into her lair.

“Who goes there?” I stood tall once more.

“Eclipse Flare, same as before. I come bearing the bomb itself.” I pull it out and hover it over. The Dragon Matriarch grabs it with a claw, looking it over.

“I see. Appears to be a diamond, though tainted with this cloud. Why bring it to me?”

“My thoughts were simple, destroy it, and perhaps you might, well....”

“Eat it to do so? Since it will end this nightmare, very well.” She pops it in her mouth and begins chewing. Music to my ears, this hell would end. If we are to die from lack of cloud, so be it, but so many more lives would be spared Tartarus. She swallows the remainders. “Hmm, oddly it tasted like fresh strawberry shortcake.” What? She starts laughing. “I jest. It tasted like molded strawberry shortcake.” Again, what? Her laughter begins to fade as a hacking sensation takes hold. It passes but leaves her in a severe coughing fit. More and more cloud begins pouring out of her mouth, nostrils, and a few other places where skin has flaked away. She goes wide eyed.

It becomes obvious now, we didn't destroy the source.....she became it.....Nothing could have prepared us for that. We failed. I stomp my hooves in anger. Why does the world decide now to be cruel again? She gives me a look, all it tells me is she wants to be alone. I walk out, left to my own thoughts again as I head back to the tower.

There was no point staying in this city anymore. I'd get Rapid, Trigger, Data, we'd all leave, go warn the other cities out there that they need to avoid Canterlot, or maybe a force to end up killing the dragon, maybe that would stop it. I shake my head at that one. She was a victim too. We didn't know if it'd work, we just hoped. Hope could be dead.

The doors to the tower open a bit forcefully. I head back up to the recording room, where Sound Byte and Data wait.

“-and so with that there, I can record any kind of message I want on the system, and loop it back.” Well, sounds like Byte was occupied. I step in and smile a bit weakly.

“Dad!” Data jumps off her chair and runs over, but stops before hugging me. “Ugh, you smell.” Even Byte was wrinkling her nose.

“Well for your information, I had to slog through the sewers, and it just so happens somepony flushed when I was right under their pipe. Is there a shower here?” Sound Byte shakes her head. “Fantastic.....Well, guess we'll need to head home for that.”

“Right right, but Eclipse, you were out there for a reason...” I sigh, well, time to tell the truth.

“Completely botched, found the bomb, got it to the Matriarch cause it was a diamond, now she's the source of the cloud because we had the idea to have her eat it.” I slump down, exhausted. “On top of all that, I don't think I'll ever get the smell out of my boots.” Data nuzzles me a bit, and I return the gesture. “So guess this means we need to figure out something to stop things from getting worse.”

Sound Byte taps a few things on the system. “I've got an idea, though we need a place to hole up. Get everypony in Canterlot still alive-”

“We're not alive.” She stops and turns to me, confused. I hold up my pipbuck. “There were a couple zebras with the bomb. They're dead, but...well, they only confirmed what this was saying. No vital signs. We're just, zombies with better brains.....”

“Dude....buck being called zombie. That's gonna make ponies assume things they shouldn't!” I cock an eyebrow. “Zombies always refer to brain eating monsters. We sure as Tartarus aren't that!” She taps her chin for a second. “What about.....No...Aha! Ghoul, how does that sound?”

Data chimes in before I can. “How's that any different?”

“Cause ghouls aren't regularly portrayed the way zombies are. They're usually ponies fully returned from the dead.” I shake my head. It would never catch on.

“Oh, dad, you wanna listen to something cool?” Well, what's this now, an unreleased song? I nod. Sound gives me a smirk. The vinyl hits the board, and her voice goes on, masked by her spell.

“For all you out there listening, this is Sound Byte of WYNG, here to say even in this time of crisis our Royal Guards are still ready to serve and protect. With me in the studio is Eclipse Flare and his daughter, and did he have a story to tell. Turns out a couple zebras infiltrated the city and placed a bomb. But he's already put a stop to them. In somber news the cloud isn't likely to stop anytime soon, but Don't worry folks, I'm sure something will be figured out soon. Now some of you may remember what I said about this new stuff called rock not too long ago, but I figured, why not give it a shot, so much has changed already. Again this is Sound Byte of WYNG, signing off for now, but this station's going back to tunes, we all need a pick me up.” The spell stopped, and the needle hit the track. What started was probably the weirdest mix of orchestra, that weird electronic music, and some real weird instrument, which Sound said later was actually a guitar, that despite everything sounded catchy.

I'm trying not to drown
Beneath the sound
But it's taking over
I've tried to shut it down
But it grows ever loud

Two voices in my head
And I want one of them dead
So I can focus on
Remembering the words you said

The trip back home was a bit more cheerful, considering Sound was sticking back for now to keep music going. No clue how that mare got it done, but she got several intercoms across the city on-line. They crackled some, sputtering a bit, but still, music all over. So many more heads poking out at it. Crowds gathering, what was left of the populace still had a togetherness. I think I even saw Fancy Pants in the crowd somewhere.

Regardless, we didn't stay. I wanted to get Data somewhere safer than here. Sure many more ponies were waking up finally, but this city belongs to the dead now, and the rest of Equestria needs help. There might be survivors near Cloudsdale. First plan was to get home though. Find all the supplies we'd need, weapons, food, tents. I know I have a tent in there somewhere.

Rapid's standing outside, two others dead from his shots. He was laughing about it, but I recognized both of them. The noble with the dog, and the mare I broke the nose of. I rushed over.

“Data, Eclipse, you're back! You won't believe what these two idiots tried to do. They tried to burn your house down......with lemons....” He doubled over laughing again. I looked back, and sure enough, both of them are holding lemons, fresh, non rotting lemons, like they were never touched by the cloud.

“But...but how...what?”

“I know! Bucking lemons, what are they stupid!?”

“What?”

Level up! Level 5

Rapid Recovery – you've brushed death so many times your necrotic body seems to be ready to go at all times. Re-awakening after a non true fatal blow occurs much faster.

Author's Note

Gees, longest chapter yet, and all this time fighting a writer's block, but now, things might speed up.....oh who am I kidding, I'm slow as molasses writing.