Shellshock

by Jman796

Rating: teen
Tags: Tragedy, Sad, Dark, Alternate Universe, Romance
Length: 46918

Demons from Tartarus have escaped their eternal prisons and took on a new physical form, The Corrupted. Equestria and the very planet are on the brink of a global genocide.

The rush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug

Action Side: Demons from Tartarus have escaped their eternal prisons and took on a new physical form, The Corrupted. Equestria and the very planet are on the brink of annihilation… unless the Equestran Special Operations Command has anything to say about it.

Romance Side: Meet Echo, a 25 year old bat pony that just graduated from boot camp as a Private First Class and has just been assigned to the 2nd Infantry Unit based in Ponyville. Although proud to have graduated, he has to deal with years racism and being a social outcast since the day he immigrated from Rook Isles, a small, Celestia-forsaken, anarchic chain of islands between Equestria and Gryponia. However, he managed to capture the attention of a certain unicorn mare named Ember

This is my first story, please don't just shoot it down but help me revise it to make it better.
(Ember provided by the wonderful krisprowler)
(Arc 2 written by icedude94)

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-09-01 19:34:04 UTC

Arc 1: Prologue: Shore Leave (Edited)

Name: Echo

Rank: PFC

Date: 10/01/2013

Time: 2200 Hours (10:00 pm)

Location: Club PON-3, Ponyville

Clubs, I hate clubs

Yet another thing to add to the thing I hate: Number one would have to be trying to interact with other ponies because I can't go more the 2 seconds without them running away screaming and yelling racial slurs at me just because I'm a bat pony. Number two would be foals. Now before you jump me and label me a cold hearted bastard, let me explain. Because of them, I can't show my face in town. The stares, insults, screaming and crying whether I'm just walking to the market to buy food or going for a run with my squad through town, it doesn't matter. It's always the same: I’m just minding my business when some brat starts screaming, crying and carrying on. The parents normally either try to 'politely' ask me to leave or just flat out tell me I'm not welcome in their 'fair and beautiful' town. Even the Elements of Harmony hate me. I will never comprehend how the six representatives of 'friendship' won't even give me a chance. The only ponies that tried to at least attempt to befriend me were Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash's younger sisters: Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo. Their attempts of friendship were shot down as soon as the older sisters caught wind of who their new 'friend' was. After a astounding number of death threats (mainly from Applejack and Rainbow Dash of course), not only were they arrested for threatening a soldier of the crown (didn't see that coming did they?) but also fined and were ordered to issue me a formal apology in public.

But enough of the past, lets focus on the present.

As I walk through the crowd at CLUB PON-3, I was spotted by my squad (except for Captain Shadow Fang).

They waved to me as I reluctantly made my way over to their table.

"Glad ya made it E! How y'all been?” called Master Sergeant Fuse in his usual southern accent. Fuse is a dark green earth pony with a long black mane with hints of grey and light brown eyes. His mark was a golden Master EOD Crab. He's also the team EOD tech and explosives expert. The squad calls him the 'father figure' because of his laid back attitude and friendly nature. For some odd reason, find him quite intimidating. I could never place my hoof on it, but it's either his larger build or the steel prosthetic rear left leg that replaced the original one.

I give him a unconvincing smile, "I've been good... I guess."

I didn't have the heart to tell them that all I wanted was to be left alone. That they practically dragged... sorry, 'invited' me, to be here. Let alone the fact I don't let anypony call me 'E' unless their my parents. Either they A) never noticed, or B) they just don't care and enjoy watching me suffer. My bits on option B.

"You need to relax bro; maybe gettin' some cider would help ya chill. Want anything?" asked Tech Sergeant Stunner in his surfer accent.

He's a unicorn with a very strange coat color, a black mane with light blue edges and red eyes with a white star as a cutie mark. On his front right leg was a tattoo of a parachute behind a Pegasus wrapping it’s forelegs around a planet and the words ‘That Others May Live’ on the planet.  On his other leg was another tattoo in red ink saying 'Brothers Till The End' in cursive. Stunner is also the team medic that originally came from Royal Air Force's Pararescue team. How a unicorn managed to become a PJ when the entire division is made up of pegasi is beyond me.

"Just water. I don't drink remember?” I reply back. I don't need to be labeled the new town drunk. It's bad enough having to deal with the racism.

"Ah, your no fun!" whines Senior Airman Stratus Breaker, a pegasus with a pale blue coat and a short black mane. His mark is a shield with a golden sword in the center over a globe. He's also from the Royal Air Force's Combat Air Control team. He's now the team's communications operator.

"Tell me something I don't know,” I retort while rolling my eyes.

"Alright guys, break it up. We're here to relax,” says Fuse.

"Hey, don't we still have to initiate him?” asked Stunner with a innocent look in his eyes but with a mischievous smirk.

"Huh?” I ask dumbly.

"Oh yeah, that reminds me!" Fuse says with a equally mischievous smirk, "you do know what's going on tonight, right?"

"Uh, no" I answer lamely.

The table laughs.

"It's karaoke night!" Breaker squealed excitedly.

Shit, these guys are trying to kill me!

"Seriously? You guys know I can't sing!" I whine. Desperate to avoid making a fool out of myself.

"Like we care" says Agent Specter in his monotone voice. I almost shit myself hearing him. His black coat and mane blending perfectly with the seat with the only thing standing out is the white tips of his mane and his silver eyes. His mark is a skull with a dagger through it. What worries me is the fact that he almost never speaks. While not really a soldier, he is an intelligence spook that's been attached to us.

"You do know what the alternative is right?"

I shudder. Getting knocked out, draw on by everypony in the unit, put in a slutty-ass dress and dumped in the middle of town square is the last thing I want to do.

"Ok, fine," I mutter.

"Look on the bright side: You may actually have fun!", coos Stratus in a mock comforting voice.

"Fuck you," I reply, earning a laugh from the guys.

"Easy buddy," says Fuse.

"Rules are simple: you choose what song you want to sing, but no matter how bad it is, you MUST

finish it. Or you can expect getting the 'alternative'."

"Whatever" I say as I get up to the DJ stage.

The DJ is pretty cute. Her white coat, 2-toned, spiky blue mane, and purple shade give her a laid back image. Vinyl, I think her name was.

"You're getting initiated aren't ya?" she asks nonchalantly.

"How did-" I start before she interrupts me with a giggle

"Fuse is my coltfriend. He and every other member of his unit has to do this" she replies with a smile.

At least she isn't making cracks at my race I think to myself.

Remember when I said I couldn't sing earlier to my team? Yeah, that's a lie. I actually write raps and play guitar.  I can lay down a mean rhyme when I want to. As their about to see.

As Vinyl gets the tune I requested set up, I give my team a smirk. But what catches my eye is a mare behind the bar, giving me a seductive look.

Not one of those mares again I groan to myself.

Although almost the entire town hates me, a few mares have tried to either flirt with something ‘exotic’ or just try to get me riled up and leave me high and dry.

I recognize the mare as Ember. I would be lying if I said I didn't find her attractive. Her burnt red coat, her golden mane and tail with streaks of bronze and red tied back with a simple white ribbon along with those alluring yellow eyes are what I would normally consider a living masterpiece if I do say so myself. However, I have caught wind of her being extremely clingy and loose. Another two things I hate.

Vinyl snaps me out of my thoughts on the barmare, telling me the song is ready.

Regaining focus, I look over to her, then to my table with the guys laughing at me and I swore I saw Stunner and Stratus placing bets to see if I choke.

Little did they know: I wrote a little rap on my life back in Rook Isles.

As Vinyl announced to the entire club who I was and what I was doing, I could see the crowd watching me, practical waiting for me to fuck up and become the laughingstock of Ponyville. Beyond the crowd, I can see Ember leaning on the bar while resting her head on her hooves.

As the beat started up, I began to sing.

Youtube Video

XxX

As I finish, I can see the shocked expressions of the crowd and my unit. They clearly didn't expect me to pull something off like that. Even Vinyl and Ember looked at me with a mixture of awe and respect.

I start to get uncomfortable being up on stage so I get down and make my way over to the bar.

As I sit up on the stool, she only gawks at me. I wave my hoofs in front of her face to try and get her attention.

Snapping her out of daze, she jumps in surprise before blushing slightly giving me a coy smile. I match her look with my usual look of indifference.

"That song you sang was pretty cool," she cooed in a seductive manner. Just hearing her made me almost want to get up and leave.

"Thank you ma'am" I said with as much patience as I could. Part of that comes being a soldier but most of that patience comes with being a markspony. One of the few things I pride myself in.

"I've never been called a ma’am before, such a gentlecolt~", she said with a wink.

Keep that up and I'm going on a fucking shooting spree, I mentally say with disgust

"Comes with the job ma'am," as I keep an indifferent look.

"And what job would that be?' she asks.

Dear Celestia, help me. I groan.

"Private First Class Echo assigned to the 2nd Infantry Unit at your service ma'am. I'm the team sniper and secondary medic,” I inform her with some pride leaking into my voice

"Well, ya know I have a thing for a big, strong, stallion in uniform," she says.

"With all do respect ma'am; no thanks," I say as my right eye twitches.

Her smile drops into a scowl, "What do ya mean, 'no'? You a fag or some shit?!"

I break my look of indifference for a grin.

"Me? Nah, I just don't deal with skanks!" I say with a chuckle.

She looks at me with a shocked expression before tears start brimming in her eyes.

"You’re an asshole!" she screams before storming off.

Finally, I cheer to myself.

As I make my way back to the table, I notice the look I'm getting from my team.

Fan-fucking-tastic. Now what?I groan to myself.

"Nice, one Echo. Real nice," Stunner says sarcastically

"Echo... What's gotten into ya?" Fuse asks. I know I'm in some deep shit since he almost never calls me by my full name.

"She brought this on herself. If nopony treats me with respect when I've tried countless time, why should I care?" I respond in a cold tone.

"Echo, WE set her up to flirt with you. We figured that it would've been a nice change of pace since we thought we found somepony who was willing to give ya a chance. We say how lonely you were and just thought-," Stratus Breaker tried to say but I cut him off.

"I don't need anypony," I say in a harsh tone that made everyone at the table flinch. "I've been surviving on my own since the day I arrive from Rook. What makes you think I need anything from anypony when I've handled all my problems myself? Do you honestly think anyone could ever want me to begin with? She was probably gonna stab me in the back like almost all my past 'friends'. "

My team sighed.

"Your right, E." Fuse states with his head down.

We all look at him in surprise.

"We knew what you went through. We're only trying ta help ya. Maybe we went about this the wrong way and she did come across too strongly, but still: you had no right to speak to her like that."

He looks up at me. His eyes boring holes through my soul as I start to regret telling Ember off as I did.

"Now, you have one of two options: Number one is y'all can walk straight out that door and just go home. Or option two-

you can apologize to Ember. You really don't know how badly you hurt her."

"How bad?" I ask with a guilty/ nervous expression on my face

"Her father and mother were both Royal Guards. She had a very close relationship with her father but not her mother. One day the father was on a routine patrol when all of a sudden, he just... vanished. Never seen or heard from again and presumed MIA possible KIA. After that her mother became completely immersed in her work as a guard and totally ignored her and her older sister, who moved out with her fiancé," Specter explains.

Well, shit. She was right. I am an asshole I chastise myself.

"So, what's it gonna be Echo?" Fuse asks as the entire table looked at me.

I slam my head so hard into the table that I swore I left an imprint of my face in the wood. As I pick myself up, I give them my response that will seal my fate.

"I'll do it."

XxX

Making my way back to the bar, I notice that most ponies are going home. I see my target behind the bar facing away from me, cleaning the glasses. That's when I notice her mark: a large white cross surrounded by four smaller ones in each corner.

Looking back at my table, I notice that the guys left already.

Looks like I'm on my own

I grab a seat and tap on the counter. This startles her to the point of making her jump and drops the glass she was cleaning.

Seeing this, I quickly use my wings to propel myself forward to catch her and the glass before it fell.

She doesn’t see who caught her yet.

"Thanks, sorry I-", she cut herself off, "YOU!"

"Look, I understand you’re pissed. Who wouldn't be after I disrespected somepony like that?" Her yellow eyes burning a

hole through my spliced, red ones, "Just hear me out and I promise that I'll let you beat me like a drum to your heart's content. Deal?" I ask as I hold out my hoof.

She gives me a strange look before taking it and shaking.

"Deal. But you have 30 seconds before I beat you silly," She says as she pulls a stool and sits across from me.

"Thank you," I say before clearing my throat.

Then I start.

"Look. I'm sorry I disrespected you like that. It's just that I'm so used to everypony hating me for what I am that I became paranoid, cynical, and hateful of everypony. You didn't deserve that and I don't expect ya to forgive me. It's just-"

She cuts me off by placing her hoof on my cheek before nodding in an understanding way.

"I understand," she starts, "I also heard of a certain bat pony that was hated solely on his appearance. I don't think that's cool at all and I understand."

I breathe a sigh of relief.

That wasn't bad

She then takes her hoof off of me and sets it in the bar.

"Now, about that promise where you'll let me beat you...", she says with a smirk.

Oh yeah... well shit, should've saw that one coming.

I shut my eyes, waiting for that ass-kicking....

I feel her hoof tap my cheek.

As I sneak a peak, I see her giving me a warm smile.

That was the last thing I expected.

"Whelp, that's all I got," as she gave me a wink.

I open my eyes fully and give her a smile. Not a fake or sarcastic smile, but a genuine one.

"Thank you," I say

"It's no problem," she says before getting up. "It was nice talking to ya!"

I smile before getting an idea. A stupid, crazy idea; but an idea none the less.

"Hey wait a sec," I say as he turns back around to face me.

"Yes? ~" she asks in a sing-song voice as I gulp.

"Hey I know we just met and all and but..." I shift around nervously before continuing.

"So, Ember. . .” Her ears perk up, and she gazes over at me; a cute smile on her face. “Feel free to say ‘no’, I mean, it's only been a day but . . . I kind of . . . "I cough to clear my throat and relive some of the nerves. It doesn't work "I kind of had an idea . . . maybe tomorrow we could . . . I, uhm . . . Basically, I'm asking if . . . y'know, if you're comfortable with it. Feel free to say 'no', I don't mind, but-"

"Yes? ~" she gives me that look again.

"I was wondering if your free tomorrow, if, ya know, wanna, I don't know, go to Sugarcube Corner with me for lunch?"

I look away as if a bomb was about to go off in my face. That is until Ember presses her hoof against my lips and she lets out a cute giggle while blushing.

"I'd love to."

Chapter 1: The Date (Echo and Ember's POV)

Name: Echo

Rank: -

Date: 12/01/1995

Time: 1200 Hours (12:00 pm)

Location: Rook Isles

"Watch that snip-", That was all Tank could say before a bolt from a high powered crossbow took his head clean off his shoulders and embedding itself in Dew's throat who was behind him. I saw of this happen through my scope in my sniper's nest within the clock tower at the end of Jester Street, nicknamed "Vulture's Alley".

I was the sniper and medic for my little militia christened "Silver's Savages". After tracing the shot from the fucker that killed Tank and Dew, I started calculating my shot.

Range: 1400 Meter

Wind Speed: 10 MPH, Headwind

Air Temperature: 100 FHR and 40% Humidity

I adjust my sight while waiting for the perfect moment to fire. I didn't have to wait long before that dumbass stuck his head in the window. I smile, knowing that this dude was going to fucking die.

SHUR-UNK

I watch as the bolt sliced clean through the air at 500 feet per second just before it tears into that guy's head and pinning him to the wall.

And that was number 435 I think to myself. I'll make it a point to take a souvenir from that guy before we head home.

I take grim satisfaction in his death before packing up my crossbow and taking up my secondary weapons: a set of  Kusarigamas.

As I jump from the window to the streets below; I can see the surviving members of my gang cornering the last of the rival gang members before tossing Molotov Cocktails at them. The screams of those burning alive were music to my ears.

As I touch down next to my best friend, Duster, I feel a strange tingle on my flank. I look back and see my newly formed cutie mark: a set of crossed scythes with a red cross in the middle and a crosshair over both.

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: PFC

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 0700 Hours (7:00 am)

Location: Ponyville, Echo's House

I woke up in a cold sweat.

Just another dream I tell myself.

I've been having these flashbacks every night since I got here from Rook. I see the violence, the death, and the most haunting: the wails of agony from the dying.

I get out of my bed and stumble into the bathroom and splash cold water on my face before checking myself in the mirror. My dark blue coat and spiky grey mane was dripping with sweat and water before I jumped into the shower.

I was having conflicting thoughts between my memories of committing the acts of violence during my time in the militia on Rook and what I'm gonna do on my date with Ember today.

What do I tell her? What would she think of me? Why did she agree to this? Was all of this a set up?

All of these thoughts have been floating around my head before I went to bed last night. I don't know why I had to get cold hooves about it now; I mean she did seem sincere about it. Besides, something was... different, about her compared to the other mares.

She didn't hate me; she gave me a chance and forgave me for what I did. Grrr. Why is this so difficult?

I shut off the water and towel off, my mane spiking up naturally.

"Let's get'er done."

XxX

Name: Ember

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 0900 Hours (9:00 am)

Location: Ponyville, Ember's Apartment

Sleep, beautiful, blissful sleep.

That is, until I remember my date with Echo.

I jump out of bed and rush to the bathroom.

My red coat was a hot mess and my mane and tail looked like I got stuck by lightning.

I sighed, "Time to go and look gorgeous."

Thinking back to last night and our first encounter, the way he declined the chance to have sex with me before I insulted him and when he went off on me. Then he came back to apologize and asked me out.

Nopony's ever done that before... I ponder

Normally when I flirt with a stallion one of two things happens: 1) He jumps at the chance for a one night stand, or 2) He runs off.

At first I thought he would just blow me off, think I'm a slut, then continue on his merry way like almost everypony in

college, but he surprised me when he came back to apologize. Nopony has ever done that before.

He certainly is different.

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: PFC

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 1030 Hours (10:30 am)

Location: Ponyville, Market District

I trot down the main street decked out in my urban fatigues, a set of black cargo pants, and an olive drab long sleeve undershirt, with a smile on my face.

The funny thing is that I never smiled before today. Even my team's attempts were all in vein.

I guess Ember found my soft spot, I chuckle to myself.

I had my mission: Locate and purchase a gift for Ember by any means necessary.

I considered buying her a rose from the local flower shop, but quickly dismissed that idea after remembering what happened the last time.

Yeahhh, let's NOT go through that again I sigh to myself.

I continue past the flower shop and make my through the district

What to get her, what to get her? I ask myself. Gah! Nothing!

Just when all hope seemed lost, I saw it: a beautiful phoenix amulet that matched her coat and mane colors.

PERFECT! I cheer to myself.

I take the necklace and pay extra for a black velvet box.

I check the time on my watch.

1145 hours. Ok, now all I gotta do is get to Sugarcube Corner, and I'm golden I say to myself.

XxX

Name: Ember

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 1150 Hours (11:50 am)

Location: Ponyville, Outside of Sugarcube Corner

I waited outside for my date.

What if he doesn't show up? What is he doesn't like me? I ask myself.

All of these doubts were plaguing my mind since this morning.

What if he's like Clean Cut? My eyes shrank in fear.

Clean Cut was my first coltfriend from when I was in medical school and was my 'first' if you get what I mean. He was a few years older then me, a brown earth pony with a black mane. After our 'fun time' I started to think that, love and sex was the same thing and started to crave sexual attention. Eventually my behavior drove him, and numerous other coltfriends away.

Just as I finish doubting myself, I see a familiar dark blue bat pony in his urban fatigues sprinting towards me before sliding to a stop.

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: PFC

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 1155 Hours (11:55 am)

Location: Ponyville, Sugarcube Corner

After sprinting for a good mile and a half, I finally made it.

"Sorry I'm late!", I apologize in a panicked tone before falling into a coughing fit.

She looks shocked. Either from my panicked tone, dusty appearance, or from the fact I thought I was late.

"You aren't late Echo, just calm down please." she reassures me.

I take some deep breaths to calm down and to relive the burning sensation in my lungs before looking back up at her.

"Better?" she asks.

"Better." I say with a smile. "Hungry?"

"Very." she says with a smile.

As we enter Sugarcube Corner, we can smell the sweets and other goods being cooked. I also notice the hostile stares at me from the patrons. Some of my happiness drained from me as I can hear the murmurs.

Good thing I packed my knife, just in case I mentally tell myself in an irritated tone

Pinkie comes to take our order "Hi! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! What can I get-" she cuts herself off when she notices who Ember was with. "You all." she finishes as her hair turns flat.

Here we go

Ember smiles politely before giving her order, "Hey Pinkie, I'll have the veggie burger and hay fries with a tea please." She says in a cheery voice

Pinkie writes her order down before glancing at me. Trying to avoid eye contact.

"And you?", she whispers in a voice that can rival Fluttershy's.

I try to smile, but it comes out as a grimace.

"I'll have the same. Just with a coffee. Black please."

She hastily scribbles my order down before making a bee-line to the kitchen.

So much for friendly

Looking down, I pray I didn't just embarrass Ember in public. Looking up though I can see she looks pissed.

Aw, fuck...

"That little bitch!" she snaps quietly.

I flinch. Expecting her to lay into me, to hate me like everypony else, to never want to speak to me again.

"She's an Element of Harmony. The very representation of 'friendship' and one of the friendliest ponies ever. Yet she

treated you like that!?" She says in a harsh whisper.

"Easy Ember. I'm use to it. There's no point in getting worked up over this," I say with a unconvincing smile. The hurt evident in my eyes.

"No Echo, it's not okay!" she continues, "Nopony, especially you, a soldier, deserves that!"

"It comes with the job. I fight for my fellow ponies’ freedom and this is them exercising their freedom of expression." I say

with a sad chuckle

"Echo..."

"It's fine. At least somepony likes me," I say with a warm smile which causes her to blush.

Heh, still got it

"Looks like our food's here." I say glancing over to the counter.

Pinkie comes back with our orders and that same expression on her face.

"Here you go," she mumbles before running off.

We roll our eyes as she runs back to the kitchen before digging in.

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: PFC

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 1455 Hours (2:55 am)

Location: Unchanged

We got to know each other about better over our lunch. We didn't even notice how much time had passed since we

started eating.

I never would've guessed her talent was not only being a bartender, but a part-time vet. She told me how she got her cutie

mark by helping a hurt cat. How her parents enrolled her into medical school.

I swore I saw a tear form up in her eye when she mentioned her family.

She never had a close relationship with her mother and older sister, but was extremely close to her father. Her voice

started to crack as she told me how he just vanished one day on a mission. Never to return.

I can see the hurt in her eyes. I know that feeling all to well. Never being able to see my loved ones again.

I get up from my seat and hug her, packing as much warmth and care as I can into the embrace while whispering words of sympathy to her. I can feel her tense up for a second before relaxing and burying her head in my neck.

"How?", she asks.

I lean back to look at her. Her yellow, tear stained eyes looking longingly into my red ones which are filled with

compassion.

"How do you know what it's like to lose your family?", she asks in a whimper.

I think long and hard on my response.

"Because I lost mine,” I answer.

She looks at me, wanting to ask about to ask how they died. However, I answer her before she could voice he question.

"I was nineteen. We were on a refugee boat heading from Rook Isles, the place where I'm from. They died about halfway through the trip by some waterborne virus. We didn't have any medicines, so they had to suffer. I was there to make their last few days of the trip as comfortable for them as possible.” I answer. I was trying to be strong for her, to assure her that everything was going to be alright. My faltering smile, cracking voice, and misty eyes betrayed me.

She then pulled me into another warm embrace. We were comforting each other. It was beautiful and heart-warming.

Until that prick, Thunderlane and his coltfriends fucked it up.

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: PFC

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 1400 Hours (3:00 pm)

Location: Unchanged

"Aw ain't that sweet? The freak and the slut having a heart-to-heart moment!" Thunderlane yells. His little gang of five all laughing at this.

I can feel Ember shaking in fear. She has every right to be afraid, Thunderlane and his gang is a notorious hate group.

They target any non-equines in Ponyville.

"Listen Ember,” I whisper to her, she looks up at me, "I'm gonna take these guys down. What I want you to do is get out of here and get to the base. Get Fuse, Stunner and the rest of my team. They'll know what to do."

"What? Hell no, I'm not leaving you here!"

"This isn't up for debate, as soon as I start swinging, you get out of here! I can handle these punks on my own."

"Well? Whatcha waitin' for? Turn the fuck aro-"

That was all Thunderlane could say before I spun around and caught him with a solid right hook, breaking his jaw.

"GO!", I yell.

I see Ember make it out of Sugarcube Corner, heading towards the base.

"By order of the Equestrian Military, I'm placing you under arrest for-", I was interrupted by a blue earth pony trying to bum rush me. I use my wings to jump up and somersault over him as he faceplants into the rear wall.

"Oh, now it's a party!", I yell before slipping my knife out of the hidden sheath strapped to my right hoof.

A brown pegasus tries to dive bomb me. I manage to catch him in a guillotine before performing a beautiful monkey flip and finishing with a wicked blood choke.

Another earth pony tries to buck me, but I evade and slash the tendons in his rear legs, ensuring that he won't be walking again.

Hearing him scream in agony causes me to have a flash back.

I can see the surviving members of my gang cornering the last of the rival gang members before tossing Molotov Cocktails at them. The screams of those burning alive were music to my ears.

My little flashback distracts me long enough for the blue earth pony to buck me square in the chest, sending me backwards into the wall.

Coughing and gasping for air, I start seeing doubles. I blink a few times to clear my head before taking stock of my current situation.

Ok, that's four fractured ribs, one or two are possibly broken, a mild concussion from when my head rebounded off the wall, a strained right wing, and my rear left leg is sprained, I sigh to myself, Fucking perfect.

I start to formulate a plan until the situation escalated to a whole new level.

So far, only three ponies remain Thunderlane that blue earth pony, and a light green unicorn.

Thunderlane somehow managed to take Pinkie hostage and is currently holding her as a meat shield.

Hmp, fuckin coward

"Give it up freak! I know you wouldn't risk this bitch! Especially an Element of Harmony! ", says Thunderlane. He's trying to sound tough, but I can tell he's scared shitless.

"Not necessarily.” I say nonchalantly, "to tell ya the truth: I can't care less about her, or the mane six." I'm only bluffing, but I pray to Celestia that he buys it.

Pinkie's face is the very definition of betrayal. Eyes wide in shock, tears streaking her cheeks, her lip quivering.

Come on take the bait, take it!

"Hm,” Thunderlane hums in mock thought, "so I guess you wouldn't mind if I have some fun?” he asks in a sinister voice.

SHIT! Ok, Plan B

"Listen Pinkie," I say as calmly as possible.

She looks at me, fear written all over her face.

"When I say 'now' I want you to shut your eyes as tightly as you can. Ok?"

She nods.

"I had enough of this, Bruiser, Comet, finish him!", Thunderlane bellowed.

Perfect

The blue earth pony, Bruiser, tried to splatter me all over the wall while Comet was right behind him.

"NOW!" I yell

I slash Bruiser's throat with my knife before throwing it right between Comet's eyes.

Next was Thunderlane.

I look him square in the eyes, fear paralyzing him as my eyes change from my normal sliced ones, to a strange pattern.

XxX

Name: Thunderlane

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 1315 Hours (3:15 pm)

Location: Thunderlane's Mind

Omnipresent POV

The sky swirled until it was nothing but black clouds flying across a red sky. Thunderlane was tired to a jagged steel cross via barbed wire. Everything here was a different shade of black or white. In front of him stood Echo holding a sword.

"Thunderlane." He says without emotion.

Thunderlane is completely terrified, the smell of shame wafting through the air.

"You will suffer for your crimes against the weak and helpless." Echo continues before stabbing him in the side.

Thunderlane wails in agony as the sword continues to push deeper and deeper into his flesh.

"I wonder how long you can resist…" says Echo.

Thunderlane opened his eyes and stared at the non existent wound, but the pain lingered and there were now two Echoes standing before him.

"In the Null Void..." the one on the right said as he stabbed Thunderlane,"… I control time."

"Even the mass of objects." The one on the left added as he also stabbed him.

"You will be stabbed with a sword for the next seventy-two hours; I wonder how long you can stand it?" both say in unison.

After what seemed like days and thousands upon thousands of stabs later. Echo spoke once more,

"The time remaining is seventy-one hours, fifty-nine minutes, and fifty nine seconds."

Thunderlane can only sob as over a hundred Echoes approached him. Each and every one of them had a blood lust in their eyes.

Echo was merciless, extending the Null far beyond anything he had ever done before. Thunderlane's mind was destroyed by the ten month mark, but it didn't matter, nothing he could've done would've deterred Echo from exacting his own brand of justice.

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: PFC

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 1400 Hours (4:00 pm)

Location: Ponyville, Sugarcube Corner

As I collapsed the Null Void within Thunderlane's shattered mind, I clutched my eyes in my hooves, I felt blood dipping from them as if I was crying.

Panting and with my vision was failing, I can see Thunderlane on the ground muttering to himself while rocking on the floor with Pinkie safe and sound.

Mission accomplished I sighed to myself.

As my vision started to fade to black, I collapse on my back. I can faintly see my team bursting through the door with the mane 6 and Ember right behind them.

Before my vision and strength failed me, I called for Ember.

"Ember...” I call weakly, the adrenaline wearing off.

She rushes up to me. Tears straining her cheeks as she nuzzles me.

"I'm here Echo, I'm here,” she says in a soft voice.

"I'm sorry,” I say feebly, I start to cough up blood.

“What?” she asked quietly. “Why are you sorry?”

I reach into my breast pocket, retrieving the black, velvet box that held her gift before gently placing it in her hoof.'

"That our date had to end like this,” I laugh frailly before giving one last violent, bloody cough before blacking out.

Chapter 2: CASEVAC (Stunner's POV)

It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save lives and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do, that others may live.

XxX

Name: Stunner

Rank: Senior Airman

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 1402 Hours (4:02 pm)

Location: Sugarcube Corner

"BACK UP! EVERYPONY BACK THE FUCK UP NOW!" I yell. My team and the mane 6 hesitantly complying.

"Pinkie, I need four bags of ice now! Fluttershy I need you up here!" I start barking orders.

"Will he be alright?" I look back to see Ember, eyes red and tear stained.

"He better," I mutter to myself as I start assembling the litter. My blood was boiling.

All because of his race. He's a motherfucking soldier for Celestia sakes!

Pinkie returns with the bags of ice, Fluttershy was wrapping his hoof and Specter was applying a neck brace to keep his head stable. Fuse and Lt. Shadow Fang were arresting any survivors and placing the dead in body bags to be sent to the local morgue for processing.

Ok, that's two fractured ribs,  two are broken. He has a Grade 3 concussion, a broken right wing, and his rear left leg is also broken, I assess, and he's losing blood. No external lacerations, so it has to be internal.

I turn to Pinkie, "Ok, Pinkie, Set the ice on his chest and I'll wrap 'em.", Looking over to Specter and Fluttershy, I see they're doing exactly what I need them to do.

"Rainbow Dash, I need you to set his wing." As I look over, I hear her scoff at me.

"And why should I? If anything, that freak deserves to die in a pit!" Applejack and Rarity voice their agreements as Twilight and the rest of her friends look at them in disgust.

Before I can commence the pimp's prayer or standard bitch slapping procedure, both Fuse, Shadow Fang and Ember were on her like white on rice.

"The fuck you mean 'that freak deserves to die in a pit'?! Do you even know anything about him or what he went through? Or how BOTH of his parents died in his hooves?" I can hear Ember lay into her. I try to continue working on Echo as Stratus Breaker calls for a CASEVAC.

“Why da hell should we care?", I can hear Applejack say, "Nopony cares about him anyways so-" she was cut off as Fuse starts to throttle her.

"Now you listen here and you listen good," he growls at her, "that boy over there has done way more then any of you combined. Elements of Harmony be damned, I will end you all if you so much as mutter one more thing to him."

"Now what could he have possible done to earn so much respect hm?" Rarity asks sarcastically.

"He saved my life," Everypony's head turns to Pinkie.

"Thunderlane used me as a shield after he was hurt. Even when he was injured, he still made my safety a priority over his own." she continues in a sad tone.

"Is that enough proof for you, you rasistskiy ublyudki?" sneers Lieutenant Shadow Fang in his Russian accent. He's a white earth pony with green eyes which was currently boring into their souls, and a black mane. His huge muscles rippling under his black and blue dragon scale armored vest. He had no cutie mark but there was a symbol on his right shoulder, it was an outline of a cross with strange symbols that could only be described as ancient or foreign writing, a black bodark insignia.

"CAN Y'ALL KEEP IT DOWN?!" I yell, "IF YOUR GONNA CHEW THEIR ASSES OUT THEN TAKE THAT SHIT OUTSIDE!"

I was getting so frustrated with the noise that I couldn't focus.

"Ok, Ponyville General just chopped us an ambulance. ETA 6 minutes." I hear Stratus call over

"Good" I say while inserting a chest tube to drain the blood. The tape that held the ice was a little sloppy for my taste but that was secondary to me. Stabilizing Echo was my top priority.

"Ok, that should hold until the ambulance gets here. Guys, gut his shit, his ride should be here any moment now."

The team follows my orders. I may be a lower ranking enlisted man , but my experience and role allows me to order the team around when a teammate's life is jeopardized.

We strip him of his fatigues and retreive his knife just as the ambulance pulls up.

"Alright, our ride's here, load him up. We're still in the Golden Hour."

As my team loads him up in the ambulance, I start to pack up my kit. As I was half way through, I notice all the blood on my uniform.

"Sunny, stay with me! Keep your eyes open damnit, just stay awake! ", I yelled, tears running down my cheeks.

I was operating on a 18 year old private during the Canterlot Invasion. He had a horizontal sword slash going across his torso. Blood was all over the place as I tried in vain to stuff his guts back in.

"I... I hurt Stun... I... tell my brothers... my ma... tell 'em I love 'em, and...and.."

With that his eyes start to go dull and his chest starts to slow down.

He's gone.

"DAMNIT!", I yelled with tears were pouring down my face now,  "IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO END LIKE THIS!"

"Stunner, we gotta move! Hostiles are closing in on us! ", calls Master Sergeant Nimbus, "grab his tags, we'll get his body!"

I can only nod as I take his tags.

*Name: Skies,  Sunny

SSN: 167-77-8974 RG

Blood Type: O-Neg*

I'm sorry...

My vision blurs as tears well up in my eyes. My hooves shake as I drop my equipment.

Sunny... I'm so sorry...

XxX

Date: 10/02/2013

Time: 1415 Hours (4:15 pm)

Location: Unchanged

Omnipresent POV

Fluttershy saw Stunner start to breakdown and immediately hugged him. She's his marefriend of 2 years and knows of his past.

"Shhh, it's ok. I'm here Stun, I'm here. Just let it out.", she whispers to him. Memories that were burned into his mind all those years ago flash through his mind as she continues to hold him.

The rest of the mane 6 were about to ask what was up before Fuse steps in.

"Alright boys, we're goin ta check up on Echo. Ember, your more then welcome to come with us. Stunner needs to get his psyche pills and some rest."

"I'll take care of him sir, " Fluttershy says with confidence before nuzzling Stunner.

"Spasibo, Fluttershy." replies Shadow Fang, "Let's go boys."

With that Fuse, Specter, Shadow Fang, Stratus Breaker and Ember left.

Twilight and Pinkie look at Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity with disappointed expressions.

"What?" they say in unison.

"Don't 'what' us! What was that about?!" Twilight scolds

"He's only a freak. Why should we help him?" Rainbow Dash shot back.

"I'll admit, he looks intimidating. I'll admit I tried to get Celestia to transfer him to a different city. But he's still a soldier. You three don't have to like him, but you still need to respect him."

"He saved my life from that big meanie. Doesn't that alone deserve at least a teeny tiny bit of respect?", asks Pinkie

"Pinkie dear, that brute killed two stallions, handicapped a third, and reduced Thunderlane to a babbling mess. He's a monster that needs to be sent away.", Rarity chimes in.

"Rarity, how could you?" Pinkie asks in a hurt and disappointed tone. "Sure, his methods were brutal. But he did what he was trained to do and saved my life."

All three realized their point. A look of shame spread across their faces.

"Shoot, now that you mention it, he did risk his life to save Pinkie.", says Applejack

"Indeed darling", says Rarity

"Pfft, if he was a soldier. Shouldn't he be tougher then that?" Rainbow Dash sneers

"That's because his PTSD kicked in" a voice says

That voiced belonged to the team leader of the 1st Infantry Unit, Carbon. He's a black unicorn stallion with a black, scar riddled coat, a black mane and tail with gunmetal grey highlights. His pure white eyes scanning everything. He wore fatigues in Ghostex pattern with holsters for his six throwing knives. He also wore a silver locket around his neck along side his dog tags.

"PTSD?", asked Twilight

"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder," answers Lance Corporal Highwind, a  pegasus stallion with a orange coat and a shaved mane. He was wearing a set of fatigues in Multicam pattern which is the standard uniform for the Royal Marines, "a severe condition that may develop after a pony is exposed to one or more traumatic events. In Echo's case it's caused by his time in the militia on his home island."

This shut Rainbow up as a look of guilt crossed her face.

"According to his psych files, he experiences nightmares and has flashbacks if something triggers it", Highwind continues.

"So when he froze up...",Pinkie starts

"That was him having an episode", finishes Corporal Pyro. Pyro is a unicorn stallion and, like his younger brother Stunner, has a strange coat color, light blue eyes. He had a ash grey mane and tail with a red stripe running through the center. He wore a set of fatigues in black digital camo pattern.  His cutie Mark is a red star and had a matching "Brothers Till The End" tattoo in blue ink.

"How've you been holding up baby?" he asks as he hugs her.

"I'm fine, thanks to Echo", she replies with a nuzzle

"You know, I think we should visit him. Try and make amends and thank him", says Twilight.

The girls agree, but Fluttershy interjects.

"Sorry girls, but I can't. I promised that I'll take care of Stunner while they're at the hospital", She rubs Stunner's side as he shivers.

"Damnit, he had another episode didn't he?", asks Pyro, obviously concerned for his little brother.

She nods, wincing at his cursing

"If that's the case I'll stay back to.", He says before giving his marefriend a kiss on the cheek.

"Alright everypony, let's go", Rainbow says.

Lets just hope he's the forgiving type

Chapter 3: Wake Up (Echo's POV)

Date: 10/2/2013

Time: 1415 Hours (4:02 pm)

Location: Ponyville General Hospital

Omnipresent POV

The doors of the hospital burst open as the EMTs caried the dark blue thestral. From there on, everything moved in a blur. The nurses and doctors quickly got Echo on a stretcher and ran him to the critical injuries ward.  Ember, Fuse and Status Breaker tried to follow him but were booted out while Echo was being prepared for surgery. In the mean time,  Specter and Shadow Fang were giving information to the staff. As the group waited to hear about their squadmate,  Fuse was shaking in anger, Specter was sharpening his daggers, and Shadow had the 1,000 yard stare. Ember remembered the black box that Echo have her. Upon opening it, tears started rolling down her cheeks again as she saw the amulet.

Word spread quickly across the town, alerting everypony of the events at Sugarcube Corner and Echo's heroic actions. Soon, everypony in Ponyville knew what he had done, and that he saved Pinkie's life.

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: -

Date: 9/04/1993

Time: 2300 Hours (11:00 pm)

Location: Rook Isles, Silver's Savages Hangout/Recruitment Center

I can hear the music playing faintly through the rusted, beaten up, galvanized steel "walls" (term used loosely since the material was used for other things). The dimly lit room reeked of blood and alcohol.

I can't cop out now. We need the money, I tell to myself.

My legs are shaking. I can feel every set of eyes in the room watching me, judging me. I can hear the murmurs from the other members.

'Fresh meat' and 'live bait' seems to be the favorite term for the new ponies.

I walk up to the old, wooden table with hundreds of stab marks in it. A large knife protruding from the wood. The pony seated behind the table was the leader of the Savages : Silver Slash.

He was a silver bat pony with purple eyes and a black mane. He had a large scar starting at the top of his right brow, over his eye and ending somewhere at the neck. The 46 year old militia leader donned a dusty woodland camo jacket with a tan bandanna tied around his forehead.

He started at me for a good 5 minutes. His eyes boring holes through me as I stared back.

"So you think you can just drag your sorry ass in here like you own the place?" He asks in a rough tone. I know he's trying to rattle me, to shake my confidence, but I know better.

"No sir," I reply, "I only want to take care of my family."

I pack as much respect as I can into this but stood up straight and proud.

"So you think you can be a Savage huh?" His eyes scrutinized me. Practically dissecting me to see if I have any balls.

"Put you hooves on the table," he orders.

I comply. Even though I don't know what he's going to do, I have to prove myself.

As soon as I put my hooves on the table, he gave me another order.

"Look at me. Square in the eyes boy."

I do just that.

I wasn't expecting him to take the knife and stab the table between my hooves without looking. To tell ya the truth, I almost cried and pissed myself on the spot. But I just kept looking at him. Dead in the face.

"Alright, your in," he says with a hint of respect, "welcome to Silver's Savages."

At that, the whole room cheered and toasted their newest member.

I made it.

XxX

Date: 10/23/2013

Time: 1700 Hours (5:00 pm)

Location: Ponyville General Hospital

Omnipresent POV

It had been three weeks since the incident.  Echo had slipped into a coma and had yet to awake from it. Every day, the situation looked more and more hopeless.

Ember has been practically living in his room, always going to work and then returning everyday, hoping that he would wake up. She never took off the phoenix amulet he gave her before he blacked out.

The Mane 6 all came by and offered their condolences to Ember and apologies to Echo.

The members of the 1st Infantry Unit, Carbon, Pyro, Highwind, and Rift all took shifts in guarding Echo's room, ensuring that nopony tries to pull any funny business.

By the end of the 22nd day, Fuse's temper boiled over

“The boy's been like this for three weeks now!” he laid into the doctor. “Fix him! Now!”

“Please sir,” said Doctor Stable in a calm, controlled voice. “I need you to calm down. We are doing everything that we can for him."

They turned their attention to Echo. He was hooked up to life support, I.V. tubes, sensors and brainwave monitors. Ember was cuddled next to him on the bed. Tears were pouring down her face.

Fuse could hear every word as she lay next to the young bat pony, waiting for him to wake up.

“It’s all my fault,” she moaned as she cried once again, "I shouldn't have left you."

Upon hearing this, Fuse steps in.

"Hey now, don't talk like that. E's a tough kid. It'll take more then a few punks ta take him out," he reassured her as he stroked her shoulder.

"I know, it's just... He's been asleep for so long," She says as she brushed a hoof over his cheek.

What they didn't see was Echo's slowly peeked open. His head was pounding and his body felt weak.

Guh, How long was I out? Where am I? Was that Ember?

His eyes closed again.

"I'm scared Fuse. I just don't wanna lose him."

"He's a great kid. I mean we could never get through to him, but you? He must think highly of you. He never let anypony close like that."

She started to blush.

Just as she composed herself the Mane 6, the rest of the 2nd Infantry Unit and Vinyl entered the room.

“Howdy y’all,” Applejack said sincerely. “How’s tha big guy doin?”

“Don’t know. But at least he's been doing better,” sighed Fuse as Vinyl nuzzled him.

During the Echo has been in his coma, the units reconciled with the Mane 6.

“Well, that’s good I reckon,” she said reaching in her saddle bag. “Ah know that the doctor food is rather nasty, so I brought you one of Granny Smith’s world famous apple pies!” she said pulling out a warm pie out of her bag.

"Oh, I hope he wakes up soon," whispers Fluttershy.

"The doctors are doing everything they can", assures Stunner as he kisses her cheek, "He's gonna be fine."

Slowly, Echo’s eyes started to open again. It felt like fifty pound weights were tied to his eyelids. But he wanted to see he again.

Ember

Most of the voices were faded but he was able to make out who was in the room. He took a deep breath and pried his eyes open.

Fuse was the first to notice, as he bellowed at the top of his lungs before giving the young thestral a bone crushing bear hug. “E! HOLY SHIT YOU’RE OKAY!” he cried out in relief.

“Nice to see you too, sir,” Echo said weakly. “Ya know, you’re kinda crushing me.”

“Oh, sorry!” he said, quickly letting go of him.

Echo looked around him, seeing all his team and the mane 6 around him. But more importantly, Ember

It gave him a good warm feeling inside to know that so many ponies were worried about him, even if the six mares really didn’t. Shadow Fang debriefed him to get him caught up with what happened during the three weeks he was out. How he almost died, how Stunner worked on him before the ambulance came, how he was in a coma for the three weeks and how Ember never left his side.  That last one made him think.  Why would she stay by his side the whole time? It was only their first date. She couldn't have feelings for him this quickly. He quickly abandoned this thought. She probably just felt bad or something.

“So Stun saved my life huh? Guess I owe you a 6 pack.”

“Don’t sweat it man, just doing my job. We're just glad your okay,” Stunner said.

Echo's attention shifted to the Mane 6.

"What are y'all doing here. I thought you guys hated me," he said in a slightly defensive tone.

Twilight stepped forward an addressed him.

"Echo, we're so, so sorry for what we did. We should've learned from the Zecora incident that we should never judge a pony by their looks."

Echo was surprised by this. He never though, that in a million years, that anypony would accept him.

"We're super-duper sorry E", said Pinkie in a sad voice

"Indeed darling," agreed Rarity, "our behavior was rather uncouth."

"Ditto," Rainbow added in a shamed look.

"I'm really sorry about my behavior partner," added Applejack.

"Guys, it's alright. Shit happens. I get it. I just accept it and moved on." Echo said with a small smile.

His attention drifts off to Ember.

"Hey guys," Echo said as everypony looks at him.

"Do ya think me and Ember here can speak in private for a few?"

"Sure, I got you back kid", said Fuse, "Alright, y'all heard him. Let's give these two some privacy."

As everypony left the room, Echo saw Fuse shoot him a wink.

Ember and Echo just looked at each other for what seemed like hours, but was only a few minutes before she broke the ice.

"Hey," she said with a small smile.

"Hey," he replied back.

"Ya know you really scared everyone," she says as she trots over to him.

"I heard. Hopefully that's the last time I would ever have to do that again," he says with a slight chuckle as her smile dropped.

"Something wrong?” he asked.

“Just remembered something I had to do.”

“What?”

The mare then punched him in the face.

"That was for scaring us!" she yelled

“I guess I deserved-” He started to say until she grabbed him by the back of the neck, and pulled him into a kiss

“That was for coming back.” She said with a smile.

His mind short circuited for a second before it caught back up with him.

He then looked back at her an asked, “So is that how you really feel about me?” he asked.

This was it. She knew this was her chance to finally tell him her true feelings. She took it.

She took a few deep breaths before telling him.

"Echo... I always had a crush on you since the day you first got here," she said in a nervous tone.

He stayed quiet. Letting her finish.

"When I heard of how other ponies treated you, I always stood up to them. Even if they just ignored me," she continues, "I've always loved you Echo."

Echo couldn't believe his ears, “What?”

“I said I love you.”

Echo's heart may have just exploded right there.  He wasn’t sure he just heard her correctly; it was so unbelievable he had to make sure. “Are…are you sure?” he gulped.

Ember crawled over him as she closed the small gap between herself and Echo. She stretched her front hooves around his neck. Her face was just a few inches away from his as she laid down over him. She batted her eyes and gave him a sexy little grin.

“Will this answer your question?” she cooed, as she closed the gap, placing a kiss on his lips.

Echo knew his heart exploded that time. A rush of passion took over his body as he kissed her back. The heart beat sensor beeping at a hundred miles an hour.

As the two lovers parted from their kiss, staring deeply into each other’s eyes. Ember's glowed as the moon reflected in them through the window. They looked at each other for what seemed like forever.

She spoke up first, breaking the silence with her gentle, love struck voice.

“Blue really is a nice color.”

Echo grinned. “You think?” he said in his playful tone, checking out his body.

“Of course, you made me see that,” she smiled, nuzzling Echo.

Slowly, the nuzzle evolved into another kiss.  This one was more passionate, as the two locked themselves in another embrace, the adrenaline coursing through their bodies. Echo felt a little push on his mouth, something wet. He gladly parted his lips as she stuck her sweet tasting tongue into his mouth. Soon, he had his tongue in her mouth. She let out a moan of pleasure as the kiss became more and more passionate. The two were so busy, they didn’t even notice the setting sun dipped below the horizon as Luna's night washed out the day.

“Most beautiful night ever,” Ember said, as she looking up to the sky through the window.

Echo smiled.

“Most beautiful mare ever.”

Ember turned her head back to her stallion. He had that sincere, heart melting smile that she loved. She dove back into his mouth as the star light up the night.

“I love you Ember,” he said between kisses.

“I love you too, Echo.”

Chapter 4: Recovery and Celebrations (Echo's POV)

Name: Echo

Rank: Specialist

Date: 11/6/2013

Time: 1745 Hours (5:45 pm)

Location: Ponyville General Hospital

2 Weeks Later

I was cleared to leave the hospital after two more weeks of observations tests, and physical rehab.

As Ember and I left, I couldn't help but notice that nopony was treating me like they use to. In fact they treated me like a soilder then a freak.

I was decked out in a new set of urban fatigues: pale blue cargos, a matching compression shirt with grey stitching and blue digital camo sleeves under my light tactical vest (just to be safe, my ribs are still healing).

During my last day in the hospital, Fuse and Shadow Fang promoted me to Specialist for my actions at Sugarcube Corner and my marksponyship skills. My parents and Silver would’ve been proud.

Ember and I were heading to the town library for a 'special surprise'. Ember was the one who wanted go while I was hesitant on the matter... until she used the damned puppy look on me.

Normally, it would take us about fifteen minutes or less to get to the library from the hospital, but he wasn’t focusing on getting there, just on spending time with Ember.

As we approached the library, we heard the steady beat of music in the distance as he was walking. Confused, I started to follow the noise while Ember hung back a bit. I noticed that all the lights were on and there was the strong aroma of cake in the air.

Must be another Pinkie party, I thought to myself, this should be interesting, I say as I feel for my knives, the commando dagger and one of my most prized possessions: my combat knife from Rook.

“SURPRISE!!” screamed several ponies, followed by joyful cheering.

Pinkie quickly approached me, dragging me into the house as Ember snickers at me. “Hi E! I’m so glad you could make it to your party!” she cheered. “I threw this party just for you cause you’re a hero and everypony in town wanted to come and celebrate and I was all like --GAK!!  She was suddenly gagged by a hoof full of cake that Twilight shoved in her face.

Twilight rolled her eyes and gave me a friendly hug. “I’m glad your back and feeling better,” she said.  She was happy I was out of the hospital and alive.

I smiled, hugging her back. “It’s good to be back.”

“Now come on Twi!” said Fuse, shouting over the crowd. “Let the boy go, he can’t enjoy the party with y’all holding him like that!”

“Sorry,” Twilight said as she let go of me with a red face. “It’s just that we were so worried about you.”

“It’s okay Twilight.  I'm a soldier, it's part of the work hazards,” I said with a chuckle.

Looking around I noticed the members of my team were here, but not 1st Infantry. That kind of puzzled me since they were based in Ponyville also. I also noticed that Lyra, Vinyl, Roseluck, Bon-Bon, and a ton of other ponies were here.

Pinkie had really gone all out on this party. Ponies were dancing and mingling to the steady beat of party music, and a group of ponies were at the makeshift bar taking, from what I could tell, body shots. Everypony seemed to be having a good time. I walked over to the bar and grabbed a bottle of hard cider, before walking to one of the tables Pinkie had set up. Shadow Fang was there taking shots of Stalliongrad proof vodka. As I can see, he went through about ten shots and still going strong.

Hm, guy sure does love his vodka, I laugh to myself

I hadn’t even opened his drink when an all too familiar voice whispered in my ear.

“Guess whoooooooooooo?” Ember asks as she nuzzles the back of my neck.

“Ember. Enjoying the party?” I asked my marefriend. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were trotting behind her

“You know it!” the blue pegasus said. The three took seats next to me. “So how was the hospital?”

"Don't know. I was out for three weeks, remember?", I say with a smirk as the Ember and Applejack laughs at Rainbow Dash's expence as she facehooves before laughing.

“So tell us partner, what exactly happened?” asked Applejack. “Pinkie tried to explain it, but she’s not the most... reliable.”

Sitting up straight, I take a deep breath before explaining what happened.

“Well, there we were. I was smashed up against the wall, the fucker had just busted my ribs, hoof and wing.” The three ponies gasped as they listened my story. “I tasted blood in my mouth and my vision was fading. But that punk Thunderlane had Pinkie as a shield.” My tone was getting darker and I started using military terms, the ponies were completely engulfed in my tale. “I counted three remaining hostiles and one civ. He was about to have his two butt-buddies kill me and rape her, but I had a plan."

“What?” the cyan colored pony asked, fear in her voice.

“Kill the two closest tangos and use my... lets say, special technique on Thunderlane”

"What was this 'technique'? From what I heard, you put him in an institute." asked Ember.

"I was getting to that," I say, "It's a extremely powerful psychological attack that allows bat ponies, like myself, to distort the target's perception of time, torturing their psyche for what seemed like days in a matter of seconds. Only about two percent of my race can use this ability by natural means. The reason I was in that state for so long was because I trapped him for ten months as opposed to the limit of one week."

The three mares were dead silent, impressed by my natural abilities, but also a bit fearful.

"This ability also causes user's eyesight to worsen the point of blindness. I haven't used my ability that much beforehand, so I think I'm still good," I add.

"Wait, if the limit was one week, how did you trap him for ten months," asks Dash.

"We try to limit ourselves to the equivalent of one week because prolonged use not only accelerates my blindness, but causes a psychological strain," I answer back.

Our conversation was interrupted as Vinyl and Fuse came up to us.

"Yo, Echo!" greets Vinyl, "how's the party for ya?"

"It's great. Thank ya so much. This means a lot to me," I say with a grin.

"Ya know, almost everypony heard that rap of yours back at the club right?" asked Fuse.

"I figured... y'all want me to go up there don't cha?", I ask.

"Yes, yes we do," Ember cuts in, brushing her tail under my chin.

"Fine. I've been working on a new one anyways," I say as Vinyl and I head for the booth.

"You sure your gonna be alright? Your ribs aren't too sensitive are they?", she asks me. I reply back with a laugh.

"They're fine. It only hurts if something slams into them or I twist around."

"Oh, okay, cool," she mumbles as she starts looking for the beat.

Once she finds it, she, like in the club, announced to the entire party who I was and what I was doing, I could see the crowd watching me. This time instead of waiting for me to fuck up, they're curious to see what I got in store for them. My team, Ember and the mane 6 were all were cheering me on.

As the beat started up, I began to sing.

Youtube Video

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: Specialist

Date: 11/6/2013

Time: 2100 Hours (9:00 pm)

Location: Ponyville, Golden Oaks Public Library

After I finished, the crowd started to die down. Ponies still had to go to work tomorrow. Me included.

Giving my thanks to the mane 6 and Vinyl, my team, Ember and I start to head home.

As we trot home under the starry skies, I check my watch.

2120, It's too late for her to get home by herself. I wonder if she'd wanna stay with me

Looking over, I see her trying to get closer to me and that she was shivering. Instinctively, I wrapped my wing around her (after swapping sides, my right wing was still in a cast) as she snuggled me. A blush started forming on my cheeks as her tail flicks side to side happily, unknowingly brushing the smooth hairs over my thigh.

"Hey, Ember", I call.

She looks at me, "Yes?~" She asks in that sing-song voice... Dear Celestia, I'm gonna get diabetes from that amount of cuteness.

"I notice how cold and late it was getting... and I had an idea... I mean feel free to say 'no', it won't offend me or anything... I was just wondering if-", she places a hoof on my lips, giggling softly.

"You really need to stop that. You don't have to be afraid to ask me questions. Just, go ahead and ask," she tells me as I look into her beautiful golden eyes.

"Al-alright," I clear my throat, " Ember, I noticed how late it was getting, and since my house is closer, would you wanna crash at my place?", I ask cautiously. I didn't want to creep her out.

She looks at me in a stunned expression, "Ar-are you sure? I mean I can walk. Besides I don't wanna be a burden," she says timidly.

I chuckle a bit. "I don't mind. Besides, your apartment is on the other side of town right? And the temperature is at least 20 degrees. In fact, I'd be honored if you spend the night at my house."

"Are you sure? I mean if you don't have room, I don't wanna take your-", I cut her off with a kiss.

"I'm positive."

Ten minutes later, we make to my house.

"Sorry it's not much. The army really doesn't give single soldiers a lot of room," I chuckle nervously.

My house is a two story, old school, Bay-and-Gable house with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a small kitchen/ dinning room an a finished basement.

"Babe, it's perfect." Ember look around, brushing her tail under my chin.

I blush. Thousands of thoughts (mostly dirty) run through my head.

I smiled for it was the only thing I knew how to do.

“Now hold on there cowcolt. I’m gonna run this upstairs.” as she motioned to her purse. I watched get up and walk into the bedroom, she must've known I was watching because she started to sway her hips as she trotted upstairs, not even thinking twice about it. All I could think of was smile on my face and how happy I was at that moment.

“E!” Came a cry from the bedroom a few minutes later. “I need some help here!” I had to keep myself from laughing as I got up and starting trotting to the bedroom.

“Alright Ember, what is?” I can faintly see a flickering light under my bedroom door and a sweet scent that reminds me of cinnamon. As I opened the door, I couldn’t formulate the next word. Not with what I saw in front of me.

I opened to see her sprawled out on the bed with her hair down and her front hooves cuffed to the bed, twirling a rose with her magic. She had a lustful look in her eyes.

“I was playing around with these hoof cuff and I accidentally locked myself to the bed post. Could you go and get the key, sir?” she said in an innocent voice. I trotted over to her with the key in hoof and had a smug grin on my face.

“Well what do I get if I let you go?” I said in a sly tone.

“I’ll show you.” she said.

The ambiance of the setting helped as well. A few candles gave the room a sweet smell. For lack of a better description, I was at awe.

Laying the rose down and levitated a book up from beside her. She giggled cutely, “I even studied the Pony Sutra~”

My mind was slowly trying to process what just happened. With the candles, the rose, Ember lying out in front of me looking quite beautiful, my mind froze up. Then something clicked in the back of my mind. That click told me to answer her, how to answer her, and very simply as well.

“Oh hell yes.”

As I crawled on top of her, she then wrapped her back hooves around my sides and flipped me down onto the bed. She then cuffed me to the bed. She straddled herself on my chest and looked down into my eyes and licked her lips.

“I think it’s time I finally give my hero the reward he’s deserves from me.” she said with a sly smile, she pressed her lips against mine. I was working his tongue inside of the he mouth keeping her distracted as I snuck the spare key into the lock. I then grabbed the mare's shoulders and slammed her back onto the bed with our lips still touching. Ember then looked at me in surprise and started to pant heavily as I broke the kiss.

“How was that?” I asked with a nervous grin on my face.

“Oh just shut up and buck me!” she said as she pulled me closer to her and locked me in a passionate kiss.

Chapter 5: Fast Forward (Echo's POV)

Name: Echo

Rank: Specialist

Date: 3/4/2014

Time: 1400 Hours (2:00 pm)

Location: Ponyville, Echo's House

5 Months Later

My house was no longer dark and lonely. Since that day, three months ago, Ember has moved in with me. The house has been warm and inviting and we even painted a majority of the house. We end up getting a majority of the paint on each other, laughing and chasing each other with the paintbrushes. That took a few weeks but it was well worth it though. I even helped her move stuff into the apartment. It was mostly clothes and some... let's say 'essential' mare products, but it was something we did together. It may sound like I’m moving too fast at this point, but it just felt right, I never had my heart feel this way before. I hold her every night, praying for these moments to last forever, but it’s only a matter until I get redeployed. The unit's has been stepping up the intensity in training and adding combat maneuvers. Rumors also says that we're to head up to Canterlot for our next AO. Sadly, rumors turn into truth. I have a month left before I ship out, back in the shit.

Now as I was sit here on the couch, Ember laying her head on my shoulder, I was wonder how to tackle this subject.

“Hey Emmy, I have something important to tell you.” I start.

She turns to get a better look at me. Her eyes question what I’m about to say and await more.

“What I’m trying to say is that I probably won’t be here for nine months.”

She looked confused.

“I’m being redeployed.”

She sat up and kissed me with the same feelings felt on that first kiss.

“I know, I’ve always known you would have to go back.” She wrapped her hooves around me, the smell of her fur is intoxicating. “There was no stopping you, it’s what you do.”

“Ok, I just wanted to tell you. Tell you that this solider has one last shooting match before he gets out.” She smiled at me as I rub her stomach. It's a new habit I started.

We sat there in silence for some time. It seemed right. Just let a few things settle in. I really didn’t know what to say.

Ok, I'm gonna be a gone for nine months if everything goes right. I'll be in Canterlot with my unit doing whatever mission is assigned to us. If the shit does NOT hit the fan, I'll be home with her again. I'll retire from the army, be husband-

As I'm thinking of the situation at hoof, I hear Ember's stomach start to growl. As I look at her, I see her start to blush from embarrassment.

"Sounds like somepony's hungry~" I joke in a sing-song voice, "How about we go out 'n' about and get something to eat?"

She smiles at this, standing up.

"Sounds good to me! Kind of hungry, anyways."

"Kinda?" I joke raising an eyebrow.

"Shut up!" she giggles as she punches my shoulder.

"Ok, ok," I laugh, "Just take it easy babe. I'm only teasing."

And with that, we head out.

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: Specialist

Date: 3/4/2014

Time: 1430 Hours (2:30 pm)

Location: Ponyville

We left the house at 2:30. I donned my black cargos and tan, short sleeve compression shirt, and armed with my dual kusarigamas and knives. I wasn't about to take a chance with safety; especially with Ember.

"So, where do you want to go? Tavern? Café?" I look at Ember, who's standing next to me.

Her head resting on my shoulder as we walk down the street.

"I think we should head to a nice restaurant." Ember suggests, her large golden eyes begging quietly.

I smile and close my eyes, enjoying the moment as we start walking.

About 10 minutes into the walk, we run into my team with Fuse and Vinyl along with Stunner and Fluttershy. Stratus Breaker, Specter and Shadow Fang were out making their rounds (and knowing Breaker, trying to pick up some mare).

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the lovely couple," jokes Fuse as we laugh, "How've y'all been?"

"We're doing great sir. Everything's perfect," I answer with a salute.

"E, there's ain't no need for the formalities. We're off duty, remember," he says with a laugh.

"Right. Sorry, old habits die hard ya know?"

"True that. How've ya been Ember? Echo was telling us you two moved in together."

"Yes we are and couldn't be happier", she answers him before planting a kiss on my cheek.

Vinyl d'aawed at us while Fluttershy blushed and looked away.

"So... when's the wedding?" Vinyl asks jokingly.

"..." we remain silent but have deep blushes on our faces

"I'm so happy for you two. If you don't mind me saying... Stunner and I are living together also," Fluttershy practically whispers.

We look at them in shock as Stunner holds her in a warm embrace.

"Congratulations son," Fuse says

"Congrats bro," I say

"Wow, nice Stun," Vinyl says

"Hm, looks like I won't be the only one throwing crazy house parties," Ember jokes.

We all laugh until I spoke up.

"Ok guy. It's been fun, but me and Emmy were gonna grab a bite, see y'all around?"

"Ok, just don't stay out too late. We're up for patrol tomorrow and a unit training session," Fuse reminds me.

I snap a salute and respond, "yes sir"

Ember and I left before heading to the restaurant. The Rising Sun.

As we go through the door, I can't help but feel for my weapons.

"Aw ain't that sweet? The freak and the slut having a heart-to-heart moment!" Thunderlane yells. His little gang of five all laughing at this.

I can feel Ember shaking in fear. She has every right to be afraid, Thunderlane and his gang is a notorious hate group. They target any non-equines in Ponyville.

I do a 360 degree sweep. That voice in the back of my head spouting standard room clearance procedures.

Check your sectors, watch the doorways, keep your head on a swivel, scan the faces, use your judgement on their probability of violence-

I was cut off as the greeter had to wave his hoof in my face. Shaking my head to regain my focus, I notice that I trotted right through the waiting area. Ember had a concerned look on her face as the waiter gave me a confused look.

"Sir, are you alright?" He asks.

"Yeah. Yeah I'm fine. Sorry," I try to shake off the wave of paranoia but failed.

"Are you sure? You look dazed. Would you like to take a seat and I'll get you some water?"

"Uh, sure. Thanks," I answer.

I hope I'm not losing it like the Lieutenants. I wonder to myself.

Shadow Fang and Carbon share a similar history:

From his (somewhat) declassified files, Shadow Fang was experimented on for a super soldier project codenamed "Project Titan X" during his time in Spetsnaz, the Rushian equivalent to Equestria's Special Forces, hence his Bodark mark on his shoulder. According to his files, the mark allows his to turn into a werewolf for an unlimited amount of time at the cost of fatigue and psychological damage. Rumor has it that he also suffers PTSD, caused by when he lost every member of his unit and was later captured and tortured for info for 4 months before fellow members of his SF unit saved him during the Serbneigha War. Although he tries to pass himself off as fine around us, he has been a emotional wreck since then.

Carbon on the other hoof he lost his parents in a mugging attempt at the age of 5. He was originally a member of one of the most feared special operations force in the world, the Nightstalker Unit. However, he has been sent to Ponyville for RnR for his PTSD when he was captured and tortured for 3 months. The declassified mission debriefing detailed the mission and failure.

Carbon's team, Team Guardian, was deployed to Saddle Arabia on a stallion hunt for a wanted and dangerous terrorist hiding in the mountain chain in the Frozen North. This terrorist was not only linked to detonating a bomb in Appleloosa and killed 50 ponies and cost the EOD operator his leg (Then, Sergeant First Class Fuse), but also an assassination attempt on both Celestia and the Saddle Arabian ruler.

The mission was simple, capture/kill the terrorist with the Saddle Arabian National Army acting as support. That is until until the terrorist led Guardian and the SANA into an ambush. A large IED wiped out the SANA and left Guardian disoriented where they were captured as POW.  As part of the torture: Carbon and surviving teammate Mobius were forced to watch as their team was tortured, slaughtered, and butchered. Carbon and Mobius were rescued 2 months later by the a squad under Phoenix Unit, another special operations force, the 33rd Squad "The Damned 33rd" under Phoenix Unit, consisting of SSgt. Combust, Cpl. Pyro, Sgt. Skyline and PVT. Sparky. As punishment for their resistance and defiance: Carbon's eyes were destroyed and had lacerations on most of his body and Mobius had his wings and a majority of the bones in his body broken.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I see the young waiter return with the water. I thank him and start taking small sips as I hold my head in my hoof.

"You ok?" Ember asks me.

"Yeah. Yeah, it's just a flashback," I answer back, "I just don't wanna risk your safety again."

She hugs me before whispering to me, "Don't worry, We're fine. Nopony's gonna mess with us," she says before adding in a husky tone, "Especially with my big, strong soldier guarding me, right?"

I blush. She always does this to me but damnit... I love it.

"Yes ma'am," I whisper before giving her a kiss.

After my whole episode, we get a table and place our orders.

"What're you getting?" I asked politely.

"Mmm... I think I'll get a veggie burger. Haven't had one in a while and I think I deserve it." She set down her menu, "what about you?"

"Uhhh... Probably a veggie soup and a salad. I'm not that hungry." I say with a smile.

Our waiter returns to us. It's the same kid I scared the mess out of.

"Hey everypony, how is everything today?", he asks with a smile.

"We're good, thanks" Ember says with a smile.

"Sir, are you ok?", he asks in a worried tone.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks kid. And sorry for the scare, " I say with a weak smile.

"It's no problem. It's not the first time I've had to deal with... let's say 'interesting' individuals," he reassures.

"Alright... I'll have the-" I was cut off by a series of loud gasps.

Instinctively, I reach for my knives until Ember stops me with her magic and gesturing to the commotion behind me.

A large group of ponies were crowded around a large video crystal.

"- and we are just getting word that Las Pegasus has been overran. We do not know if there are any survivors, but we do know that the death toll is currently at 300,000. The force behind the attack is said to be a large number of canine like being unlike anything we have ever seen before," the news anchor said before showing the picture of the beasts, taken from a survivor's camera.

I go over to the bar and ask what happened.

"It's these things man!" a brown earth pony stallion says, his voice shaking with fear, "Seaddle, Manehatten, and now Las Pegasus! Rumor has it that even Saddle Arabia's next!" the frightened stallion says.

Just before I can respond, a scroll appears out of nowhere with the Equestrian Military seal on it.

Upon opening it, I notice the top is stamped with the word "URGENT".

This day just keeps getting better, I sigh to myself.

Chapter 1: Bloodshed Part 1

Name: Crimson Dream

Rank: -

Date: 2/27/2014

time: 1430 Hours (2:30 pm)

Location: Manehatten, Eden University

"And that class, is why-", the professor was cut off as the bell rang, signaling the end of the day.

The class let out a collective sigh of relief as they wouldn't have to listen to the professor droning on and on about reproduction.

“You all have one week to turn in your reports on mammal reproduction. Any reports that are late will not be accepted, dismissed.” The professor announced just as class ended. “Mr. Dream, A word, now, if you would.”

Crimson Dream was a dark blue bat pony with yellow eyes, a black mane with a thin light blue stripe in the center. He was wearing a dark green EU (Eden University) sweatshirt.

He nervously walked toward what was actually more of a stool than a chair before setting his binder on the floor. He nervously stomped his hooves as the professor pulled several stapled pieces of paper out of his desk. He handed the papers to Crimson then slumped back in his chair, rubbing his eyes as if he was disappointed. The papers he handed him was his last report I turned in about plant genetics, and how they reproduced. I was about to speak before his hoof signaled him to stop. “Mr. Dream, the last report was supposed to be about the reproduction of fish. You gave me this shit instead.” He pointed disgustingly at the small stack of stapled papers that Crimson held.

“I uhh…”

“Uhhhhh.” He mocked. “Uhhhh is no excuse, you failed the assignment. Though I have to say it was well written, but it’s not what I asked. Hopefully you’ll be able to recognize your mistake and not do it on the present assignment.”

“But I couldn’t fi-”

“But? No, the grade is final and I will not hesitate to fail your next assignment if needed, dismissed.”

Pissed off at his teacher, he grabbed his book off the floor and trotted out of the room angrily.

I bet Passion never had to deal with this bullshit, muttered to himself.

Passion Dream was his 15 year old sister. The two were the best of friends and both was devastated when Crimson left for college but wrote to each other constantly.

Dear Celestia I miss them.

XxX

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 1525 Hours (3:25 pm)

Location: Bronco Bridge, Manehatten

"Our first target..." The Alpha said while standing in the outskirts of Manehatten. His legion has changed drastically: No longer were they merely phantoms. They were now muscular, canine-like being that only wanted blood.

"My brothers... Today is the day we make our presence known.... We will take this city, then the next one and the one after until Celestia's head is mounted on the top of Canterlot Castle!" He screeched.

The army behind him howled in delight in the though of a blood bath.

"Now by legion. Rise, go forth and take the city!", He roared as the army stamped towards the city.

XxX

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 1549 Hours (3:49 pm)

Location: Royal Marine Outpost: Whiskey 4-4, Manehatten

A sniper team of the Royal Force Reconnaissance Marines were facing the worst enemy of all... boredom.

An elite, recon team and a sniper element at that was stuck in the most boring places in Equestria. While other Hunter teams such as 2-1, 2-3 were active duty, Hunter 2-2 was the only reserve team in the entire Royal Marines.

"Alright, so what's going on in the city?", asks Master Sergeant "Snoop". He was a gunmetal grey unicorn with a green tinted coat and a silver and gold mane.

"The usual sir, crime is up four percent, police have their hooves full, and we're just doing the same shit. Over and over again," sighs Corporal 'Blood Raven', she was the only female in the entire military that was in a direct combat role. Her pink mane and blood red coat with a pink tint. She eased up a bit as her coltfriend embraced her from behind.

"Da this is true. But at least we are together," sighs 'Black Cloud', a Rushian thestral with a black coat and tail.

"Hey hold up... That's weird... oh shit," gasps 'Snoop'.

"What?" asks 'Black Cloud'.

""We have a large mass coming straight for us! Sound the alarm and keep the civvies safe!" orders 'Snoop'.

"OORAH!" his team yelled before arming up and heading out,

XxX

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 1625 Hours (4:25 pm)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

As the young, bat pony traveled the halls to get to his room. He tried to avoid crowds, seeing that he was the only bat pony at Eden. Many would consider him a social outcast if it wasn't for his marefriend, Diamond.

As he made it to his door and unlocked his room, he felt a soft pair of hooves cover his eyes and butterfly kisses on the back of his neck.

"Guess who~", the voice whispered seductively.

He chuckled. That sweet voice always brightening his day.

"Hey, baby," he said before turning around and kissing her passionately. As he pulled away, her white coat bore a deep blush as he ran a hoof through her long blue mane which was separated by her horn. She looked back at him with those soft, deep blue eyes that he fell in love with two years ago in high school.

"You know what today is right?" she asked as she started planting kisses around his mouth.

"Our anniversary?" he asked. His breathing became ragged as desire coursed through his veins.

"Mhm," she hummed before pushing his door open and backing into the bed.

She leaned up, wrapping her fore legs around his neck, pulling herself up nose to nose with him.  She planted a series of quick gentle kisses along his jawline, before meeting his lips with her own.  Their kiss was slow and deliberate.  Neither of them wanting to rush.  An almost electric tingle ran through Crimson as it always did from her touch.  He didn't know if it was because of her magic, or because of her being...her.  It didn't matter...

"I need this; it’s been too long..." Diamond said huskily.

Standing over him flushed, his wings beating in uncontrolled skips and jumps from the anticipation. He smiled up as she stood over him, and rolled quickly up onto his knees. His forelegs wrapped around her tight rear, pulling her forward briskly.

"Mmm, five whole weeks, far too long..."

After this she fell silent, he kissed and licked her trim, flat stomach, slowly working his way lower inch by achingly slow inch.

The two made love for hours without a break. The two laid basking in the afterglow until somepony threw the door open, effectively killing the mood.

"Hey! Didn't you two hear? Manehattens being attacked!"

XxX

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 2055 Hours (7:00 pm)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

Crimson was trotting in a rushed pace with Diamond to the gymnasium.

"Are you sure this is happening?" asked Crimson.

"Yeah bro! We have to get to the gym to get our families and get back to our rooms," his friend replied.

"Alright," he said before turning to Diamond, "You're gonna stay with me and my family right?"

"Yeah, my family's out of town so they should be safe for now," she said.

"Alright cool, so now we just gotta-" Crimson was cut of by a door opening and smashing him in the face.

"Shit! Sorry, I-", a deep, strong voice said.

As Crimson's vision cleared he saw his family: His father, Lumber Dream, was a muscular, dark blue bat pony black mane with a short, slick mane pointing to the right and a green stripe on the right side. He was wearing a red plaid shirt and had a ax strapped to his back. His sister, Passion Dream, a dark blue filly with a long smooth, curvy mane that was black with a red stripe on right side, was on her father's left. And finally his mother: Seamstress Dream, like everypony else in her family, she to had  blue coat with a long silver mane.

"Mom, Dad? what are y'all doing here?" Crimson asked as his mother picked him up and started dusting him off.

"We were ordered by the Marines to meet up here. Do you have any idea what's going on?" his father asked.

"No, but Beaker here said that we were under attack." Dream motioned to his friend.

"So is this everypony? We're going to your room right?" Seamstress asked.

"Yeah, we are. Diamond and Beaker are staying with us." Dream said.

As the group pushed through the crowd, they made out bits and pieces of information as to what was going on.

"- Marines issued an evacuation order-"

"- Taking ponies to the apartment complex-"

"- Heard it was-"

As they made it to Crimson's room, they all breathed a sigh of relief as they set their saddlebags down.

"So Diamond," asked Seamstress, "how've you been? We haven't seen you since graduation."

"Ooh, I'm fine Ms. Dream", Diamond answered.

Who was mad enough to attack Equestria?,Crimson was wondering. Exactly at that thought he heard an blood chilling horde howling that the horizon

XxX

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 2105 Hours (9:05 pm)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

Passion scooted over to her brother taking something out her saddle bags she held a bag of cookies and chocolate muffins she pushed them over as she told her brother.

"Here, this will take your mind off the stress from the exams. I was going to make your favorite blueberry muffins, but the soldiers were ordering everypony to come here. So I took what I made. i hope you are not disappointed," she said with sad puppy eyes.

Crimson smiled at his sister's innocence as well as everypony in the room.

"It's okay Passion, I wouldn't trade your sweets for the world," he answered.

This brought a sweet smile from her as he saw his gift to her: a necklace with golden wings and an ruby pile in the middle. Inscribed on the back was their father's favorite saying: " Even in the darkest hour, hope always shines though. "

XxX

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 2105 Hours (9:05 pm)

Location: Fairheights Apartments Building C-15, Manehatten

The soft ticking of the clock caused little Blossom to stir in her sleep. Her white coat and shiny pink mane and tail glowed in the dim light. She squirmed slightly before resting her neck on the soft pillow that the couch had provided. The filly had been waiting for her dad to get home so she could surprise him. But minutes turned into hours and soon enough it was almost midnight when she had fallen asleep. She didn’t like it when her dad worked too hard, sometimes she feared for his health.

Sighing with content, Blossom continued to rest before something even louder than the clock rolled in.

A few clings from the keys and the locks of the door activating finally caused the filly to wake up. Her large, blue eyes fluttered open when she saw her dad walk in through the door. It was still night from the chirps of the crickets and the cool breeze flowing inside. Little Blossom’s ear twitched when she heard her dad muttering to himself.

“I can’t lose this job,” Shocker muttered to himself as he slowly paced in front of the now closed door. “How can they do this to me? I’ll talk to Static in the morning about this, that’s for sure.”

It had been a tough day at work for Shocker. He worked for Manehatten General Hospital, he and his little brother, so it was sad to say that they were close to getting laid off if their next report wasn’t ready by the end of the week. How could they do this to him? The massive, 30 page report would take about a week and a half to complete. Shocker was always a hard worker, he tried to provide for his daughter the best he could. But he couldn’t do enough to give her everything that she needed.

If only his wife was still here…

Shocker slowly made his way to the table. On it was a small box of matches and a candle. Placing his hoof on the small table next to the couch where his daughter began to awaken, He pulled out a match and stroked it on the side of the box, igniting the flame. He reached over and lit the candle, filling the dark house with life.

Little Blossom yawned and smiled at her dad, gently rubbing her eye to get the sleepiness out.

“Hey,” Blossom said sweetly.

“Scoot,” Shocker simply muttered, settling himself where his daughter was just resting.

Blossom took this time to observe her dad. His white coat and were sopping wet and specked in blood, he was obviously working on a patient. His ratty dark red mane was in a mess as if a family of squirrels had squirmed in there when he wasn’t looking. He had a small, red beard growing that stopped at the end of his jawbone. His cutie mark, which represented a pony holding a planet on it's back, was barely visible from all the stained hairs. He definitely had been working hard today, the bags under his eyes told the tale.

After a few seconds had gone by, he sighed peacefully. He was really not in the mood to talk right now. He laid his head back on the couch and rubbed his eyes. Today had to be by far the worst in several. It was probably the worst day of his life, no…definitely not the worst...but still a bad one.

“Fun day at work, huh?”

Shocker simply moaned, continuing to rub his eyes.

“What are you still doing up?” He groaned, “It’s late.”

The filly nearly sprang off the couch.

“Oh crud!” she yelped, receiving a stern glare from her father.

He had told her countless times to not use bad language in this household. It must’ve been something really important or really dumb.

“What time is it?” Blossom asked as she looked back at the clock attached to the wall behind her.

He shook his head slightly, his eyes still closed. “It’s way past your bedtime.”

Blossom smiled deviously. The clock only read 9:50 PM. She wasn’t the smartest filly in school but she also wasn’t stupid. She knew time, she knew her math, and she could even recite all the main cities in Equestria by heart! That was pretty good for a twelve year old. Still, it was past her bedtime and getting dad angry, especially in the mood he’s in right now wouldn’t be smart. But there was still time left!

She looked back at her dad, a victorious smile adorning her face. Shocker caught her in the far sight of his left eye. He had seen that face several times before. Oh no…

“But it’s still today,” she said matter-of-factly.

Before he could answer her, Blossom had already got off the couch and went under the coffee table to fetch something. hocker groaned, “Honey, please not right now. I do not have the energy for this.”

Knowing Blossom she probably wanted to play a board game or have a late night game of cards. Shocker always tried his best to spend quality time with her, but with his job interfering and his own problems to worry about he was still amazed he had kept a roof over their heads for this long.

A slight weight of guilt washed over his aching heart. Blossom didn’t have that many friends at school and he knew that she always wanted to have some fun just to fill that little hole in her chest. She needed a father who would always be there for her…she needed a mother who would always lo-

“Here.”

Shocker finally looked straight at his daughter. She sat right next to him on the couch, an excited look clearly visible on her face. In her hooves was a gray-colored box. He looked from the box to his daughter. Her pink mane wasn’t very long, only reaching slightly past her neck. Her white coat remained clean despite his filthy one. Her gray eyes darted from his gaze to the box and back again.

“What’s this?” he asked as he slowly snatched the box away and out of her grasp. He looked it over with his right hoof, just a regular little box. It didn’t look anything like a game she so eagerly wanted to play.

“Your birthday,” she answered.

Shocker stared stupidly at the box for a few seconds before giving a slight grin. He had completely forgotten about his birthday…but somehow…his little Blossom remembered.

He lifted up the lid and stared at his present.

The ticking of the clock was the only noise heard throughout the house.

Shocker lifted up the lid fully and stared at it.

“You kept complaining about your broken watch… So I figured, you know,” Blossom said as she sat there next to her father, her eyes watching carefully as he removed the brand new watch and placed it around his left hoof. “You like it?”

He was at a loss for words at the moment. All he could really do was stare at his brand new watch his daughter had gave him for his birthday present. Finally, he found the power to speak.

“Honey, this is…” He brought his ear close to it for a split-second. He reared his head back and began tapping the glass on it.

“What?” Blossom asked, clear worry escaping her voice.

He continued to stare at it, his face broken. “It’s nice but I-I think it’s stuck. It’s not-“

Blossom was quick to react. “What? No, no, no, no,” she yelped and darted over to the watch. She grabbed her dad’s hoof and stared into it. Nothing was wrong. Just a little prank. She glared at her father but couldn’t help a tiny grin. “Oh, ha, ha.”

As she laid back on the other side of the couch, Shocker was still busy grinning like a mad-pony, both from his little joke and his new watch. This brought a good question to mind…

“Where did you get the money for this?” He asked, still observing his present.

“Drugs,” Blossom stated simply, receiving a few chuckles from her dad. “I sell hardcore drugs.”

Now most parents would flip out from an outburst like this from their kids, but Shocker knew his daughter. He knew she was a good filly and would never do anything like that. So he decided to play along.

“Oh, good,” he muttered as he reached for the newspaper lain across the table in front of him. “You can start helping out with the mortgage then.”

Blossom simply scoffed before laying her head back on the pillow. “Yeah, you wish.”

XxX

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 0000Hours ( 12:00 am)

Location: Fairheights Apartments Building C-15, Manehatten

Blossom didn’t stay awake that long. It was only about another hour before she was fast asleep. Noticing her continued silence, Shocker lowered the newspaper from his nose and gazed longingly at his daughter.

Sighing quietly, Shocker got up off the couch and slowly picked up the filly in his hooves. With a quick and yet gentle maneuver, Blossom was lying on her father’s back, still sound asleep. Shocker smiled softly when he felt his daughter’s chin lay peacefully on his shoulder, her soft breaths tickling his chin.

He slowly walked forward and out of the living room. There he made a right and slowly went up the stairs, little Blossom still asleep on his back. Soon enough, the duo had arrived to her room. It wasn’t much: A small bed, little table on the side with a candle and a box of matches. The window on the far end of the room let the full moon giving a soft glow throughout the darkness.

Lowering his neck, Shocker lifted up his one hoof and gently lifted his daughter off his back and slowly onto her bed. She never woke up. A small lock of her hair remained on her eyelid. Shocker lifted up his hoof and placed the lock behind her ear to join the rest of her mane.

Shocker stared at her for some time. She was no doubt his greatest accomplishment. Just watching his own daughter, his own flesh and blood sleep in front of him, her tiny chest rising and falling in unison to his own breaths, made his heart swell up. Maybe he did do one good thing on this planet after all.

“Goodnight, baby girl.”

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0000 Hours (12:00 pm)

Location: Manehatten General Hospital, Manehatten

Tons of injured ponies flooded into the hospital. For some reason, they all had bite wounds and paling fur. Not to mention the bloody tears leaking from their eyes.

XxX

Date: 3/02/2013

Time: 0025 Hours ( 12:25 am)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

Crimson was getting the MRE's for every pony in his room as he stumbled near the makeshift comms station in a nearby classroom. he heard two military ponies talk.

"How are other stations doing comms officer?"

"They've maxed out their spaces sir. The hospital is reported to be heavily fortified. They even put their best guards on the roof, giving sniper support and barbed wire fences outside the hospital. the apartments took more extreme measures they put sharpened sticks though the barbed fence."

"Good we can't let the ponies here down."

Crimson didn't say a word he just kept moving.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0030Hours ( 12:30 am)

Location: Fairheights Apartments Building C-15, Manehatten

Tink…

Tink…

Blossom slowly opened her tired eyes. She got up and finally noticed she was in her own bed and not on the couch.

Dad… Blossom thought.

She looked around the room noticing nothing was amiss. But what had made that noise?

Tink…

This time she swiveled her head completely around. That’s where the noise was coming from…her window. Stretching her limbs, Blossom got out of bed and slowly made her way to the window. Once she got right in front of it, a pebble flew right up and hit the glass, causing the noise she had heard earlier.

She undid the latches and lifted the window up. The filly was instantly hit with a cool night breeze, causing her mane to fly past her ears. Squinting, Blossom looked downwards to where she was met with a very familiar face…

“Uncle Static?” Blossom questioned with a raised eyebrow. “What are you doing here?”

Her dad’s brother, or better known as her uncle, Static stood at the very bottom of her house. He looked terrible, even worse than her dad did when he came home. His long, mane was even worse than her dad’s too. His light red coat was scratched and dirty. Sweat dripped from his forehead all the way down to his small beard.

He was obviously running…but for what reason?

His eyes grew larger when he spotted the filly looking down at him. “Blossom, honey, I need you to get your daddy right now,” he stated in an urgent tone.

She seemed worried for a brief moment before asking, “Uncle Static, what’s wrong?”

He shook his head. “I need to talk to your dad now. There’s some-!”

His right ear twitched. Static spun his head around in shock. Blossom followed his gaze but saw nothing in the tree lines, only darkness. Something had obviously startled him.

“Oh, shit!” Static screamed, darting away from the house and into the never-ending darkness.

Blossom followed him until he became one with the forest. “Uncle Static?! Where are you going?!” she screamed. A look of worry crossed her face. She had to get her dad. Looking away and closing the window, Blossom never even noticed the dark figure crossing right through her backyard.

“What was that all about?” Blossom questioned as she made her way over to her door. She rubbed the sleepiness from her eye with a free hoof as she gently turned the knob and entered the dark hallway.

“Dad?” Blossom quietly yelled.

No answer.

She continued down the hallway, looks of fear slowly passing her face. She had once been afraid of these hallways when she was young, but her dad taught her that fear is only in the mind. Ever since then she always tried to block out all thoughts of fear…and it worked!

He may never be around that often, he may hate the kind of music she was into, and he may even hate all the comics and stories she read because he thought they were either too violent or too sappy. Overall, he would still turn out to be the best dad every year…and she loved him.

Blossom made a right to where she entered a new portion of the hallway. The stairs that led downstairs remained on the left side of the wall, a light emanated from below, and her dad’s room stayed on the right side of the hallway at the very end, a candlelight pouring through the tiny crack in his door.

“Daddy?” Blossom said a little louder this time.

Still no answer.

With no choice whatsoever, little Blossom slowly trotted over to her dad’s room and pushed open the door with her snout.

“You in here?” she asked.

The room was empty. His bed was a tangled mess and a newspaper along with a lit candle remained on the small table by his bedside. Blossom slowly made her way to the bed and picked up the newspaper. Her dad seemed to be interested in what he was reading when he got home…time to do some sleuthing.

It read:

ADMITTANCE SPIKES AT MANEHATTEN HOSPITAL!

300% INCREASE DUE TO MYSTERIOUS INFECTION

She put down the newspaper, a creepy chill running up her spine. Manehatten Hospital wasn’t that far away from where they lived. She spun her head around and towards the window at the far end of her dad’s room.

“Where the heck are you?” Blossom muttered as she slowly approached the window.

Manehatten remained peaceful and quiet during these late hours. Small lanterns hung from the tiny houses leading up to the Town Hall in the center of Ponyville. Blossom smiled a little. She had quite a big house, bigger than her friends’ house that was for sure. Her dad’s job probably paid more than the others did.

Suddenly a small light caught her eye in the center of town. Blossom squinted and got even closer to the window. She saw a fire and several ponies running in panic. The fire quickly spread and soon enough…Blossom realized it was the other houses were on fire! Screaming erupted from the town.

“Uh…what was that?” Blossom questioned.

A massive explosion caught her attention quickly.

The filly screamed and backpedalled away from the window as fast as her hooves could carry her. Her rump hit the bed, instantly stopping Blossom from moving back anymore. All she could do was stare as the column of fire and smoke erupted from what remained of the other houses.

“Oh Celestia,” she muttered, her entire body shaking like a leaf when more screams came from outside.

“Dad?” she yelled this time, in hopes of him hearing.

He still didn’t respond.

This time she had to act. Now terrified, Blossom scrambled out of her father’s room and back into the dark hallway. Her gray eyes landed on the stairs leading down.

“Dad?!” Blossom yelled even louder down the stairs.

Nothing.

Dogs barking and ponies screaming could still be heard outside. Blossom quickly scampered down the stairs and finally arrived to the main floor.

“What is goin’ on?” she asked herself.

Candles were lit across the room. The couch, coffee table, dinner table and chairs all remained where they were. However, before she could continue on, a new sound came from outside, one that was neither barking nor screaming.

Blossom turned her head back and gazed out the window that stayed in the front of her house. There, in the night sky, she could see carriages being pulled by several tough-looking pegasi in golden armor. Inside each carriage were even more ponies encased in golden armor, all of them holding spears, swords, and crossbows. Together, all four carriages sped past her house and towards Times Square…out of sight.

Gulping in fear, Blossom stared out the window. “Celestia’s Royal Guard?” she questioned. “What are they doing’ here?”

Her questions remained unanswered. Blossom slowly backed away from the window and continued throughout her house in search for her missing dad. She looked over to the clock which read 2:15 AM. After she had passed the dinner table, the dogs barking suddenly stopped. Only sounds of yelping and whimpering came from outside.

Blossom gasped and faced the screen door that led to her backyard. They didn’t have a dog, but the neighbors did, and whatever commotion was going on certainly wouldn’t cause the dogs to stop barking right now. Something weird was going on. Not only that but…

…the tire swing connected to the tree was swinging back and forth.

The filly, her heart pounding harder than ever, quickly trotted over to her dad’s study room. She pushed open the glass doors and entered…the same time her dad did.

Shocker had entered his own study through the other screen door that led outside. Blossom sighed with relief, smiling happily at her dad. “There you are,” she breathed.

Her dad quickly looked over to her and back to the door. “Blossom,” he said in a panicked tone. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Blossom said as she approached her worried dad. He was looking through the shelves of his desk until he pulled out a rectangular box, opening it up and pulling something out. It was only until now did Blossom realize what he was covered in…

Blood.

“Has anypony come in here?” he quickly asked, placing something inside whatever he was holding, making a short clicking sound.

Blossom shook her head, her eyes landing on the door her dad had just come through.

“No. Who would come in here?” she asked.

Noticing her curious eyes, he pointed towards the door and shouted, “Don’t go near the doors. Just…just stand back there…” He brought his gaze back to whatever he was holding, sweat now dripping furiously down his neck.

“Dad, you’re kinda freaking me out,” she muttered fearfully. “What’s going on?”

Shocker continued to work on the device in his hooves. He never removed his gaze from it and answered her. “It’s the Planters,” he recalled the events of what had happened while he was outside. “Somethin’ ain’t right with ‘em. I think they’re sick.”

Blossom gulped yet again. “What kinda sick?” she asked.

Her answer came from a loud bang that echoed throughout the room.

She spun around quickly. Her eyes grew wide and her gasped joined in unison to her dad’s. Carrot Planter had literally smacked his own face against the glass door! But that’s not what scared little Blossom. The events that transpired next almost caused her to have a heart attack.

Shocker backed away from the window, finally revealing to Blossom what he was holding. It was a hoof-held crossbow, one arrow sticking out from the end. He held up his right hoof which held the small crossbow, his left hoof being planted firmly on the ground. He pointed the crossbow at the glass door that Carrot Planter continued to smack against.

“Carrot,” Shocker screamed.

“Dad?” Blossom fearfully said in almost a whisper.

He took a protective stance in front of his daughter. “Honey, c’mere, c’mere,” he muttered while Blossom held onto his hind leg for protection.

“It’s okay,” he took one last look at the door.

“Carrot!”

The door shattered in seconds, Carrot Planter erupting inside.

“Carrot, just stay back,” Shocker screamed, pointing the crossbow right at his neighbor. “Carrot, I am warning you!”

Blossom took this moment to take a quick look. Hiding behind her father, Blossom gasped when she got a good look at Carrot Planter. Blood was dripping dangerously from his mouth, his teeth painted dark red. His eyes were teary and red, a mixture of blood and tears raining down. Blood covered his once tan coat and hooves, his orange and puffy mane now deflated and wet. But that wasn’t what frightened Blossom the most…what scared her is what he did and how he acted.

Carrot lunged for them, an animalistic roar erupting from his blood-dripping mouth. This didn’t remind Blossom of the loving neighbor they have lived next to for seven years, this didn’t remind her of the kind pony who always dropped by every Sunday and delivered a bundle of carrots to them. Oh no…this reminded her of a beast…a beast that needed food. And he was fast. Really fast.

Her dad was faster.

“Don’t!”

Aiming quickly, Shocker let loose the arrow. It impacted Carrot’s skull so fast that it went straight through and stuck against the back of his head. The earth pony tumbled to the ground, even more blood coming out of his head.

“Oh my goddess…” Blossom cried, still holding onto her dad’s hind leg for dear life.

“Go…go,” Shocker ordered and backed away from his private study. He could feel Blossom’s tears hitting his back leg. He could also feel her trembling and whimpering. He pulled her off of him and set her down right in front so he could look into her eyes.

Tears were already falling down her cheeks. She sniffled and managed to say, “You…you killed him.”

“Blossom…” Shocker was saying.

“I saw him this mornin’,” she interrupted, still pretty shaken up.

He hated to see her like this. He always hated it to see her cry. He was suddenly back to where his wife was still with him, Blossom crying with a scraped foreleg. Shocker remembered laying a bandage on it and kissing her foreleg. Blossom smiled.

Now wasn’t the time. His daughter needed him and he had to act fast.

“Listen to me,” he said sternly and looked her in the eyes, “there is something bad going on. We have got to get outta here. Do you understand me?”

Blossom took a few seconds to answer. She sniffled and nodded her head.

“Yeah.”

Three loud knocks at the door caused Shocker to turn around quickly. A reflection of his little brother appeared on the other side of the window. He looked back at Blossom and pulled her along by the hoof. “Static. C’mon,” he stated.

“Okay.”

Shocker pushed open the door and pulled himself and his daughter outside. It was still very dark out, but for some reason, there were several lights in town. They were met with Uncle Static backing off and shaking his head in disapproval.

“Where the hell have you been?” he asked, following them into the dirt road, “You have any idea what’s goin’ on out there?”

Shocker tugged his daughter closer to him, letting his younger brother take the other side so they both would be able to protect Blossom…just in case.

“I got some notion,” he growled, walking even faster down the dirt road that led into Ponyville.

Static looked down at his older brother and gasped, “Holy shit. You got blood all over you!”

“Stay close, baby,” Shocker muttered, pulling his daughter in closer. “It ain’t mine. Let’s just get outta here.”

Blossom remained silent between the two earth ponies. They easily towered over her, her head only being able to reach her dad and uncle’s necks. She kept her head low and tried her best to move forward with her dad constantly tugging and gripping her hoof. They talked amongst themselves while Blossom listened in.

“They’re saying that half the ponies in this town have lost their minds,” Static told his older brother as they walked a little faster.

“Can we just please move faster?” Shocker asked, his eyes darting and observing his surroundings.

Static shook his head, continuing on, “Some sort of parasite or somethin’.”

When his brother didn’t answer him, Static stared him down and asked,

“You gonna tell me what happened?”

Static snorted. “Later.”

Noticing the obvious sign, Static looked down to his right and forced a helpful smile. “Hey, Blossom,” he began. “How you holdin’ up, honey?”

Blossom barely looked up at him.

“I’m fine,” she muttered with barely any emotion.

Static looked back to his older brother then back to the long dirt road ahead of them. The concrete and metal buildings that Manehatten was known for quickly came into view. Hopefully they would be able to make it out before…

Once they had entered the town, Blossom looked around and noticed several families scurrying about their homes and businesses. Bags were filled in the street with more and more ponies packing up and loading the bags into many carriages. It was as if the entire town was being evacuated.

“Entire town’s being evacuated,” Static said, breaking the silence. “The newly appointed Mayor, you heard of her?” When Shocker didn’t answer, he continued, “Well, Mayor Taxes wouldn’t shut up about the whole ordeal going on near Manehatten Hospital, now he’s being all hush-hush about it.”

“Did he say where to go?” Shocker finally asked.

Static thought for a second before answering, “He said, uh…the Royal Guard, police, and that Royal Marine team just blocked off the entire town and all medical personal have to go to the hospital to help with the injured.”

“That means we need to get the hell out,” Shocker stated, pointing over to his right. “We need to go right, down the path it’ll lead straight to the hospital. Hopefully that’ll be where the authorities are.”

“Then that’s where we’re headed,” Static muttered.

It was silent for a few seconds minus the constant screams emanating from the center of town. Luckily, the houses blocked off that area and the Royal Guard flying overhead meant safe travel from the area of Manehatten the three were in.

“Did he say how many are dead?” Blossom asked, finally getting the courage to speak up.

Static looked down at her and back to the road in front of him. “Probably a lot. Found this one family all mangled inside their house.”

“Static,” Shocker sternly said, giving his younger brother a wicked glare.

Static looked from his brother and back down to the little filly before finally getting it. He sighed and continued onward.

“Right,” he muttered trying hard to catch up to Shocker’s fast hoofsteps, “Sorry.”

The trio continued down the dirt road. They all came across a crashed carriage that led into a small house, it along with the house being on fire. Taking a quick left, Shocker shook his head and muttered.

“Sweet Celestia, how did this happen?”

Static shook his head. “They got no clue,” he stated nonchalantly, “But we ain’t the only town.”

This caught the filly’s attention.

“At first Mayor Taxes said it was just Manehatten. Then he was going on about, Las Pegasus, and Seattle” Static told them. He froze his thoughts down to solid ice. His body became still as did Blossom’s and Shocker’s. They all turned right and faced the burning barn.

“Holy hell,” Static gasped. “That’s the Orange’s farm.”

Blossom now stood in the grave of what once remained as the best fruit giving plantation in all of Manehatten and possibly one of the best all of Equestria. The Orange farm was burning down. Trees that once produced the best apples were shredded to ash and dust. The main house and the barn together burned in a fiery blaze, emanating Manehatten to a blood red.

“I hope the Oranges and the youngins’ made it out,” Satic said.

Shocker nodded grimly. “I’m sure they did.”

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0112 Hours (1:12 am)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

With the comms room fresh in mind, Crimson walked to his room everypony looked content.

"Crimson can you hear it?" Lumber asked his son.

"No. Everything's quiet,"  Crimson responded.

"Exactly," grunted Lumber he then trotted over to Crimson and Beaker and said "I don't like this one bit. If the shit hits the fan we have to defend ourselves. We'll have to fight to the end if necessary to protect the others."

They both nodded as Crimson saw Passion sit near their mother while eating her rations she looked over

"Crimson is something wrong? You look upset," she asked.

"No Passion, nothing's wrong. I just had a hard day in school today," he answered with a smile he could make in a short notice.

Then it happened.......there was another howling but it was massive.

"That ain't no timberwolf pack I've ever heard," Lumber said.

All three stallions looked with wide eyes as they yelled in unison.

"THE ATTACK!"

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0112 Hours (1:12 am)

Location: 4th Avenue, Manehatten

As the trio continued on, Blossom finally looked up at her dad and asked, “Are we sick?”

Shocker was quick to answer. He stared at his daughter’s pleading face and spoke quickly, “No. No, of course not.”

“How do you know?” Blossom retorted.

Static intervened, “Mayor Taxes said it was just ah, ponies in the north. We’re good.”

That got Blossom to remain quiet throughout the duration of the journey. If she could trust anypony in the world, her dad and her uncle would be the only choices. Together, all three of them had past several more families just trying to make it out of the burning town. Blossom looked up and noticed several pegasi Royal Guards flying overhead. They had already reached the outskirts of the town, and now they stopped.

There was a massive line to freeway that led to the hospital.

Static stood on the tips of his hooves and noticed a unicorn stallion covered in golden armor was in the very front of the line; his spear was touching the necks of the next group of civilians that tried to evacuate.

“Oh, this is bad,” Shocker muttered.

Static shook his head, stomping his hoof on the ground. “Everypony and their mother had the same damn idea.”

“Well…” Shocker was saying, “we could just backtrack and-“

A stallion a few rows in front of them got out of line and shouted, “Hey, what the fuck, man? Let’s go!”

Nopony in line agreed with him, they were too busy screaming and making a run for it.

Out from the bundle of burning houses, an unnaturally fast stallion in a hospital gown charged and tackled the stallion that got out of line. In an instant the stallion was down and screaming. Everypony in line backed away, a lot of them even running off.

“Holy shit,” Shocker cursed.

Blossom could only stare at the massacre in front of her. The stallion was forced to the ground to the other and was violently bitten in the throat. Blood erupted like a broken faucet from the stallion’s neck. The creature ripped off a plentiful of skin and several arteries.

“Let’s get out of here…NOW!” Shocker screamed, reaching for his daughter and placing her on top of his back. Static took off with Shocker quickly behind. Blossom looked back and noticed the entire crowd of ponies just booked it out of there. The stallion in the hospital gown was chasing them!

Blossom screamed as the stallion was mere inches from her hind leg, his mouth dripping blood and saliva. Shocker looked back for a split second and quickly bucked his back legs. His hoof smacked neatly on the snout of the infected stallion, causing him to trip and tumble in the dirt.

Blossom placed her chin on her father’s shoulder, her forelegs latched tightly around his neck.

She closed her eyes tight and listened to them speak.

“What the fuck just happened?,” Static screamed. “Did you see that?!”

“Yeah, I saw it,” Shocker responded.

“Damn,” Static cursed.

The three of them had already failed to escape where the Royal Guard had wanted them to, now they had to find their own way out. Static led Shocker left into another portion of Manehatten, this one was filled with screaming ponies.

Instantly, the three were surrounded in a sea of screaming and frightened ponyfolk. Static pushed some away but they just kept coming.

“Come on, ponies. Move,” Static agitatedly shouted, pushing more and more away so they could get through.

Blossom opened her eyes for a brief moment.

“What are they runnin’ from?” she asked, still quivering in fright.

Her question remained unanswered as Static forced himself through the terrified crowd. Shocker helped  as well but it was barely enough to make it. Once the three made it on the other side, they immediately noticed how deserted it was. They had arrived at a four way cut in the middle of the bundle of wooden houses. It was too quiet.

A bright light caught Blossom’s attention.

She turned her head left and instantly regretted doing that.

“Look out!” she screamed.

The flaming carriage had barely missed Static, but it had hit her dad with full force.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0123 Hours (1:23 am)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

Shortly, the horizon started to smoke as a police officer on a loudspeaker shouted, All combat able civilians are to report to the makeshift armory in the cafeteria we must protect this place with our lives we need more to defend the school.

Crimson looked to his fellow stallions as they nodded in agreement.

"Ladies, y'all stay here," Crimson said as Passion rushed to her brother and with sad eyes said

"Will you come back?" Passion asked.

"Of course I'll be back," he answered  before looking over to his marefriend, "I promise."

"You better," Diamond answered in a worried voice.

The way to the cafeteria was teeming ponies. each got a standard kit of armor and weapons: swords for CQB engagements spears and for barricade defense. Some carbine and high powered crossbows were handed out to, but to only experienced users.

Crimson was suiting in olive drab fatigues with old-school ALICE harness as were the other volunteers and was armed with a double edged sword.

1 Minute Later

Crimson and Beaker was placed in the atrium guarding the dorms his father was on the front lines of Eden's northern barricade.

Crimson could hear battle from the suburban area to downtown Manehatten, He heard from the radio that it was hell out there.(BG music here)

"This is apartments evacuation center: they've breached the outer defenses! WE NEED REINFORCEMENTS!"

"Apartment evac center this is Eden HQ, we can't sent more troops as we are stretched too thin nearest backup. ETA 1 hour"

10 minutes later

"HQ this is the hospital evac center we are taking heavy losses both civilian and police.....FUCK THEY JUST KEEP COMING! HOW MANY ARE THERE? WE WON'T HOLD FOR LONG! WE NEED EVAC.....oh no what the fuck happened to the patient!? GAHHHH"

"Hospital evac center are you there? Hospital evac? Answer me!....."

"It seems we lost the hospital evac centers report," the comms officer said, "This is Eden University, minimal fighting out here sir"

..... No other answers

"Is there anymore out there? What the hell is happening out there?!"

"EU, this is Hunter Team. We're expecting more hostiles is coming your way. The remaining twenty police officers and we are going to hold off these things before they hit the apartments. We recommend you dig in. You are on your own. We sent a SOS to Canterlot. Reserve Guards are being prepped to deploy from multiple towns. ETA from the nearest town is ten hours. We're moving the HQ to the college. Eden is now Manehatten HQ, I repeat: Eden is now the HQ. That's where we'll make our last stand. All units go to the new HQ and defend it until the evacuation is complete."

With this Crimson looked wide-eyed to Beaker.

"Did they basically tell us to go f ourselves?"

"Ten hours until we can get outta here..." Beaker said as a tear rolled down his eyes.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0240 Hours (2:40 am)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

It was as quiet as the cemetery at night. Reinforcements arrived 5 minutes ago and Crimson were moved to the front lines and he saw it... The unholy horde of canine demons attacking at full force.

"THIS IS BULLSHIT!" Crimson yelled.

"It must be 1500 to one of us each!" another pony replied but none faltered because they knew what was a stake. The innocents had to be protected Crimson thought of his marefriend, his sister Crimson was at the last line next to Beaker, and Lumber they were getting ready then the enemy gets to their line...

The first line was breached after an impressive one hour, stalemate. The demons were drenched in sickly, red blood.

Crimson, Lumber, and Beaker, along with twenty of the original fifty fell back to the second line. It was heavily damaged and lost over 60% of it's original fighting force as the last wave of demons retreated. The combined forces of remnant royal guards, local police force and volunteers cheered until they saw the fallen ponies but...something was wrong...VERY wrong.

They all had a giant over-grown mushrooms start growing out of their head....and the sound they made: clicked repeatedly and fast as they stumbled towards the school. They were infected with something that were not natural it wasn't long that the survivors realized that they were not friendly not after a stallion got eaten alive by his marefriend. But it was too late. It was then they found out they never EVER turned the tables around because the easy was over. The second line got ripped to shreds not two minutes after the first infected reached the barricade.

Many of the infected were missing an hoof or two but they still moved on like the didn't feel the pain they should be feeling.

Lumber managed to lodge his axe in the head of an infected then shouted: "HIT THE HEAD WHERE THE BRAIN IS, THAT'S THEIR WEAKNESS!"

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0240 Hours (2:40 am)

Location: Canterlot Castle, Canterlot

Not long was the information was passed to Canterlot that infected individuals could be killed if caused blunt trauma to the head or severe brain damage among other news. The generals, Captain Shining Armor and the Royal Sisters were receiving up to the minute updates from a communications officer stationed in Manehatten. General Apex, a black alicorn that stood about as tall as Celestia. He had a black coat with red tribal markings covering his entire body. The ones on his head looked like a skull while the rest of them just covered his body in a circuit pattern. At the center of his forehead was a spade. His mane and tail were spikey and black with silver streaks. His eyes were two different colors, his left eye was a metallic light blue while his right eye was metallic red. He was wearing a long black officers greatcoat with six throwing knives strapped to his sides, a officer's sword was strapped to his coat, and a black beret with a patch on the front of it.

"What could've done this?" wondered Luna in a disgusted tone.

"Whatever it is... They aren't getting away with this," grunted Apex.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2013

Time: 0240 Hours (2:40 am)

Location: Manehatten 5th Avenue, Manehatten

A large Stryker Class APC careened down 5th Street, not slowing down for anything. The armored, green siding was stained in soot from the rising over the buildings of Manehatten. Bold letters printed in black were on either side, showing off it's name: VENUM.

Another sharp turn to the left made everyone sway inside the carrier, but it hardly bothered them. They were all set for a firefight; wearing combat vests with the white MPD logo on their breast and the white S.W.A.T. logo to say otherwise. Combat helmets were worn along with ballistic shades to protect their eyes. To add to the protection, they all had MOPP gear in kits strapped to thighs.

Hunter 2-2 was also with them to act as the team leaders. 'Snoop' was armed with a shortened crossbow with an ACOG scope (the Designated Markspony variant of a true sniper's crossbow) and a katana with a dull red blade. 'Blood Raven' was armed with a katana with a pink and black handle and a keychain of a kitten on the end. 'Black Cloud' was armed with a high powered crossbow with a long range scope, a Naginata with red blade and black handle and KA-Bar knife strapped to his vest. All wore Marine urban fatigues with gas masks

What they were wearing was only a part of what was on the mind at the moment. They destination and the eventual battle was all I could think of. It was normal; the other five men with me would tell you the same thing. The variety of weapons were held loosely in the team's hooves, patiently waiting to defend the apartment with their lives.

These moments were best left for silence, so everypony can focus on the objective.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0245 Hours (2:45 am)

Location: Manehatten 5th Avenue, Manehatten

The first thing Shocker felt was the pain.

Then came the burning feeling from above and around him.

His hearing was quick to return. Moans and grunts from outside were nothing compared to the continued screams of the ponyfolk. For a moment he was thinking if he should just lie there. He was already in an intense amount of pain. There was really no need to get up.

“Daddy?”

Shocker found the strength to get up again.

He looked over and saw his own daughter standing over him, her eyes worried and tear-stained. A bruise was clearly seen on her cheek. Her mane was tattered and soot covered along with her once white and clean coat. She poked his shoulder again and whispered louder, “Hey…hey!”

“What?” Shocker groaned, looking over the surroundings around him.

The carriage was completely on top of them. However, it luckily hadn’t crushed them under its weight and remained only a few inches from touching his snout. Shocker looked out from under the carriage and spotted a crazed pony ripping apart another one of its victims with its bear hooves.

Screaming was all he heard.

He looked back at his daughter. “Get back, baby,” he ordered. “Get back.”

As she did what she was told, scrunching back under the carriage, Shocker slowly crawled out from underneath and arrived to the outside. All around him, ponies were screaming and running wildly past him in a crazy frenzy yelling words such as “Run” and “Look out.”

He should’ve listened to them.

As he finally got back up to his four hooves, another one of the deranged ponies charged and tackled him. Shocker’s back hit the side of the carriage, his foreleg pressed hard against the neck of the attacker. It screamed and chomped at him. Shocker roared in anger and tried his best to push it off of him. It was getting closer to his neck!

Another roar came from the side and sooner than he could’ve guessed Static had smacked a brick against the face of the pony attacking his older brother. The dead attacker lay back on the dirt ground, his forehead bleeding and painting the dirt red.

Shocker looked at his younger brother in disbelief.

“Dad?”

Instantly, Shocker bent down and held out his hoof under the carriage. “I’m here, baby. I’m here,” he assured her. “Come on, gimme your hoof.”

Once he felt the touch of his daughter, he pulled her out from underneath the carriage that had almost killed the two. But once she was out in the open, Shocker finally realized that the carriage had done more damage than he had thought.

Blossom was limping.

“What is it?” he asked in fear.

His daughter cringed in pain and noticed her hind leg was slightly bent in an awkward angle. She looked up at her father and whimpered, “My leg hurts.”

“How bad?”

“Pretty bad.”

He didn’t want this. Blossom can’t be hurt. This wasn’t a simple scrape on the foreleg, this was a broken leg. Nevertheless, no matter what…he was going to get her out of here. No matter what…he was going to protect her.

“We’re gonna need to run…”

Shocker took his worried eyes off his daughter and onto his brother. He was on the other side of the crashed carriage slowly backing off, his eyes fixated on the scene in front of him. Shocker knew it wouldn’t be good. They had to leave.

“Oh my goddess,” he muttered, hearing the several screams of hunger from the crazed ponies running down the street towards them. He pulled something out from his small bag attached to his back and handed it to his brother.

“You keep us safe.”

Static looked over the single shot crossbow and nodded.

Knowing his brother understood, Shocker lifted his hurting daughter onto his back.

“Come on, baby,” he said, reassuring her.

He could feel her forelegs squeeze his neck for safety. Confident that she wouldn’t fall off, Shocker began to start moving forward.

“Now hold on tight,” he screamed as he and Static began to make a run for it.

“Okay!”

Together, the two brothers galloped their way down the street, following the terrified crowd of ponies through the infected town. Static led the way with Shocker struggling to catch up.

“Daddy, I’m scared,” Blossom whimpered from atop his back.

The store next to them burst open and many more infected charged them. Dodging several crazed ponies tackle a family of unicorns instead, Shocker and Static continued onwards, trying their best to ignore the screams of pain from behind them.

“Just keep your eyes closed, honey,” Shocker assured her and pushed forward.

As the two ran together with the crowd of terrified ponies, a carriage with nopony driving it crashed into a burning building right in front of the two brothers. The building exploded, sending waves of fire and ash across the street.

“Oh my goddess,” All three muttered together.

“Keep running,” Static screamed, making a quick right down a new road.

Another burning building came into view. Shocker could feel his daughter quivering in fright on top of him.

“Those ponies are on fire,” he had heard her whimper. It was true. Two, three, maybe four ponies came out of the building screaming in pain, their bodies engulfed in flames. They reached outwards to try and grab something, anything to try and save themselves, but it was no use.

Shocker’s breathing increased. “Don’t look, Blossom.”

But she couldn’t seem to look away. Blossom peeked over and saw another crazed pony ripping apart a mere child, a filly. That could’ve been one of her friends, his or her body being ripped apart like a rag doll. She cried this time, her words turned into pure sobbing.

“W-why are they d-doing that?”

Shocker saw it too. “Just keep looking at me, baby!”

She did…and she could’ve sworn she saw tears swell up in his eyes.

Static was way ahead of them, though he managed to locate the two and wave them towards him.

“Over there,” he shouted, “the hospital’s over here!”

“We’re gonna get outta this. I promise.”

Right before he, his daughter, and the massive crowd of innocent ponyfolk could enter the hospital, another flamed carriage came from absolutely nowhere and rammed the front with full force. The front doors exploded just like the in as flames and glass scattering across the crowd of ponies, some of them catching on fire.

It wasn’t just the carriage.

Several more of the crazed creatures burst out from the darkness and attacked the crowd. Shocker and Static backed off quickly. Static looked over and shouted, “This way! Through the alley!”

With his daughter holding on tighter, Shocker pushed through the crowd and entered the alleyway Static had pointed out. He and his brother got between the two buildings easily. The hard part was making it on the other side…

When Static turned the corner, another one of the infected exited out of the darkness and bit him.

With Blossom screaming in fright, Shocker held out his foreleg and managed to hold off the creature for enough time so his brother could take it out.

Static bucked the creature off of his older brother. Once it had hit the ground, it looked up one last time to see an arrow fly straight into its brain.

“He’s dead,” Static exclaimed.

“Dammit,” he muttered, ripping out the arrow from the creature’s skull and placing it back inside the crossbow. He pushed through the alleyway with his older brother following right behind.

“We’re almost there. We’re almost there, baby.”

Static led the father and daughter through the dark alleyway, the only light appearing from the only opening to the outside. Shocker looked right quickly and noticed the steel fence with three more creatures on the other side clawing at it. A bright fire was behind them, which of course was the cause of the light.

“They’re getting’ through the fence,” Static screamed, doubling his speed.

They had arrived in the back alley of the tailor shop. Above the cemented fence, directly in front of them several infected were already up and over. Static took a quick right and shouted, “Keep going! Find a way outta here!”

That’s when he spotted the open door leading into the hospital’s back door.

“C’mon! Let’s go,” he screamed, waiting right inside as Shocker burst in as well.

With his brother and niece safely inside, Static slammed the door as hard as he could, but the infected had already made it. Their hooves were clawing on the slight opening in the doorway. Static struggled to keep it closed as the infected struggled to push it open.

He looked back and yelled, “Get to the top floor!”

Shocker couldn’t believe what he just said.

“What?” he asked in disbelief.

“Go! You got Blossom,” Static assured him. “I can out run ‘em!”

Blossom was tired of being quiet.

“Uncle Static!”

Shocker looked at his younger brother and at the door. He was obviously struggling against the strength of several ponies, be they infected or not. He had no choice. He had to keep moving.

“I will meet you there,” Shocker shouted as if he knew it was going to happen.

“Hurry!”

They had no choice, but to keep moving.

Shocker busted through the doors. In front of him lied a straight path to the lobby and the stair cases to the right.

“Daddy,” Blossom began, shaking uncontrollably from both fear and the momentum her dad was running at, “we can’t leave him!”

Shocker ignored the stallion being ripped apart by an infected not two feet away from him. “He’s gonna be fine.”

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0300 Hours (3:00 am)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

Crimson swung his sword to an infected mare's head, instantly killing her as screams were heard and blood and intestines were spilled. The ground was soaked in blood flowing like a river. Crimson watched as a police mare got ripped apart while she screamed in pure, untainted agony. Her heart was still pumping in the ripped upper part of the poor mare until it stopped while she got eaten her cries turning into the boogeyman's whisper.

Geez, the stallion of death must be working overtime if she had to die slowly, he thought, then mentally face-hoofed himself...hard for thinking like that in a time like that. He could feel his sanity slipping away as 70% of the line turned to fall back or got devoured by several infected by then he heard the order he desperately wanted "RETREAT TO THE ATRIUM AND BARRICADE THE DOORS!"

5 Minutes Later

Crimson was devastated. Beaker, his only non-bat pony friend was dying. His right forehoof got bit off while 3 other infected chowed down the poor stallion all while his best friend watched before Lumber and four other survivors killed the infected ponies and took Beaker back to Crimson's room.

Lumber scooted over to his son and comforted him the metal doors were banging and thumping, later Crimson heard a muffled voice.

"This is Manehatten HQ, when is that evac coming? Beak."

"Manehatten HQ, this is Ghost Eye of Task Force Rouge. I'm sorry, but Celestia denied us the use of our units, over."

"We are the only ones left! If those things breach the doors, we're fucking dead! We have women and children here Ghost Eye! Repeat, WOMEN. AND. FUCKING. CHILDREN! How copy?!"

"Copy Manehatten, we are doing everything we can, but Celestia ain't budging. We will send a espionage team to get eyes on, but that's it. I'm sorry," And with that, the transmission ended.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0300 Hours (3:00 am)

Location: Harmony Apartment Complex, Manehatten

Hunter 2-2 and the S.W.A.T team members sprinted out of the APC as soon as the ramp dropped. The roof-top snipers made short work of the infected and was working over time to cover the two teams as they ran behind the lines, but then the demon-dog-things returned like the losses they got were nothing.

"WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!"  the security guard yelled.

"They keep coming!" shouted a Royal Guard.

The little remaining morale of the combined forces dropped from slim to zero as soon as the words left the soldier's lips.

"We need to fall back!" somepony yelled as claws started to smash against the roadblocks. The last portion got into a battle stance as the demons breached the line . Yet the ponies fought one by one as were decimated.

"Everypony fall back to the top floors! Keep them safe!"  'Snoop' yelled as the S.W.A.T officers and Guards nodded and took off with volunteers.

"Hunter Team! We're gonna hold'em off! " 'Snoop' yelled he and three of the ten S.W.A.T team members went to hold off the demons.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0300 Hours (3:00 am)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

The roof-top snipers made short work of the infected, but then the demon-dog-things returned like the losses they got were nothing.

"They keep coming! When is that evac coming!?"  the highest ranking S.W.A.T officer yelled.

"They ain't coming sir! Celestia grounded all forces!" shouted the radio operator.

The little remaining morale of the combined forces dropped from slim to zero as soon as the words left the operator's lips.

"WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!" somepony screeched as claws started to smash against the doors. The last portion got into a battle stance as the doors gave in and the demons rushed in in mass. Yet the ponies fought one by one as they got slayed. Ten demons slipped by the hastily assembled fighting force.

"Crimson, We're going to fall back and protect non-combatants "  Lumber yelled as Crimson nodded and took off with volunteers.

Several rooms were forced open and organs from eye-balls to stomachs littered the dorm rooms as blood covered the paint job and dripped from the ceiling. Thankfully his room was not hit Crimson and his little team of defenders quickly dispose of the demons butchering several rooms before taken down one by one then they got back to the atrium to see only Crimson's teacher were cornered until the infected pony slashed and teared him apart.

"SHIT!" Crimson yelled the last group attacked the demons from behind and killed them but it was too late to save the professor.

The group could see out a ten strong death squad right outside the room.

Looking at the ten volunteers, he notice the four of them had carbines. Looking over to them, he told them the plan.

"Get ready to fire on my command," Crimson said as they readied their weapons. The archers took aim as the demons heard the click of carbines being shouldered.

The pause was broken as the sounded a deafening howl before rushing the survivors.

"FIRE!", Crimson shouted as the four fired bolt after bolt into the hoard. Before they reached the little band of survivors.  Four of the ten demons fell before reaching the group. As the survivors stabbed and slashed at the hoard mercilessly, but the demons slowly began to exploit their fatigue and soon overpowered the group. The last demon took a wild swing at Crimson hitting him in the left eye, giving him a horizontal, three clawed wound on his eye leaving it intact but bloodied. Looking back, Crimson saw that only him and his father were the only ones left alive. Crimson felt a hoof wrap around his shoulder as his father guided him to his room.

"Come on son, the ladies are waiting for us," Crimson nodded as he and his father stumbled back to the room, exhausted.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0310 Hours (3:10 am)

Location: Manehatten General Hospital, Manehatten

Both father and daughter pushed on, Blossom hanging on for dear life as her dad sprinted up the stairs.

He could hear them behind him, snarling, growling, and screaming. They had already made it out of the intensive care ward and through the cafeteria.

“They’re getting closer,” Blossom warned.

“…”

“…"

“Dad?”

He wasn’t listening. Shocker was too busy running for his daughter’s life…as well as his own.

A couple of stairs until they reached the top floor; behind those doors laid the unknown. Shocker pushed up the stairwell with two of the creatures’ right on his tail. When he had reached the top exhausted, the infected following him still gave on a dead sprint. They seemed to never get tired.

Right before Shocker thought he was gonna have to fight them off, a barrage of arrows flew right past him and impacted the heads of the creatures. They were down in less than a second.

Shocker let out the biggest sigh of his life.

A bright light came from his left. He looked that way and nuzzled his daughter’s chin with his snout.

“It’s okay, baby. We’re safe,” he assured her. “We’re safe.”

Shocker faced a earth pony stallion with a grey coat and a blue mane wearing a blue uniform with 'SECURITY' stitched across the back his name was Vigilante.

“Hey,” he shouted. “We need help.”

“Stop,” the guard shouted, pointing his carbine crossbow at him. Shocker looked at the weapon. A large clip hung underneath the crossbow, obviously, where the arrows were held. He was wondering how that many arrows were shot at those creatures that fast.

“Please,” Shocker begged, yes, begged. “It’s my daughter,” he motioned his hoof to his back to show the guard the petrified filly. “I think her leg’s broken.”

The guard pointed his crossbow at the two, his flashlight bathing the area in a yellow glow.

“Stop right there,” he screamed, fully on the urge to pull the trigger.

Shocker stopped in his tracks. His breathing became heavier. He looked away from the light the guard was producing from his weapon.

“Okay…” he began with his hoof held outwards. “W-We’re n-not sick,” he told the guard.

The guard looked skeptical for a brief moment. He never took the cross hairs away from the two. Right now in his mind, he was debating whether to let them in or not. Should he believe them? The sick ones looked a lot worse than they did and they couldn’t talk either. Maybe they got bitten…but if they were smart, they would’ve told him that.

He started to pull the trigger until a hoof wrapped around his in a comforting fashion.

“Vigilance, let them in. It’s Shocker and Blossom,” said a unicorn mare with a pink coated with a messy red mane and tail. She was wearing a nurses outfit, with Tender Love sewed into her dress.

“Daddy, what about Uncle Static?” The filly had asked her father.

The guard watched as the father answered her in a soothing tone.

“We’re gonna get you to safety and go back for him. Okay?” He saw as the filly slowly nodded.

His hoof slowly lowered the weapon.

Shocker watched as the guard’s face softened, his hoof bringing the weapon down

He took a step forward.

“Listen, buddy,” Shocker told him, “we’ve just been through hell. Okay, we just need-“

The guard shushed him and motioned him inside.

“Come in,” the guard said.

Just as they were about to cross the threshold, the hairs on the back of Shocker’s neck stood up straight.

“Oh, shit.”

The guard was half way through the door as an infected pony tore into Shocker’s neck. Screaming in pain as he tossed his daughter to the guard, he screamed his final request.

“KEEP HER SAFE!” He screamed as another infected pony joined in and  pulled him away from the door.

“Oh, no…” Vigilance stuttered, his eyes beginning to water.

The nurse spun around, her own eyes watering up instantly.

“No,” she cried, crawling over to Shocker’s injured daughter.

Her whimpering and crying had reached an all new level. Sobbing was a better word for it. She constantly struggled for air through each sob, as tears poured down her face.

“Okay,” she began, his own voice barely over a whisper. “Let me see your leg, honey.”

Blossom let loose another painful whimper, her tiny hoof reaching up and touching nurse’s cheek.

The nurse couldn’t hold it in anymore and began to cry herself.

“I know. I know…” she told her, feeling the same exact pain she was feeling in her heart. She cried even harder when she set the leg. She hugged the filly as she mourned the loss of her daddy.

The nurse and the guard stared to tear up.

“Listen to me. I know this hurts. You’re going to be okay, baby. Stay with me.”

All she could do was cry harder, the pain reaching to its limit.

“Alright, I’m gonna pick you up,” Vigilance told her and reached his hoof under her back. As he tried to lift her, Blossom screamed in pain and gripped his chest harder. “I know, sweetie. I know it hurts,” he cried.

“Come on, girl, please,” the nurse continued on.

“I know, baby. I know,” he continued to cry with his friend's daughter still in his hooves. The nurse looked back at her coltfriend/ guard for a quick second…but that’s when they heard it.

The crying stopped.

They looked down, heir lower lip already quivering.

Blossom had stopped crying. However, she was breathing. Her eyes were shut and puffy. Her bloody hoof was still held tightly in her guardian’s. She cried herself to sleep

The night was quiet.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0310 Hours (3:10 am)

Location: Harmony Apartment Complex Single Homes, Manehatten

The sound of crossbows and metal on flesh echoed throughout the entire house, the sound of six soldiers making stands after stands, being pushed back far into the building. Bodies upon bodies littered the floor with bolt and slash wounds in their heads and fresh blood oozing out each body. Instead in being fear and retreating by the sight of the bodies, it gave the monstrosities a reason to fight.

The infected and the demons were running across the bloody floors to kill the last remaining threat that matched their takeover.

Across the hallways and ruined rooms, the horde wiped out any life in the building that wasn't their own.

The soldiers continued to fight, even though all hope was lost.

Arrow after arrow, slash after slash made their fatal mark into each freak, killing them instantly. However, as each demon went down, two replaced it.

"Riot Control! Shield! Roadblock!" 'Snoop' said in his microphone.

The three S.W.A.T troops were supposed to be in the next room.

"Do you copy?" 'Snoop' asked again, hoping his fellow volunteers were alive, but only static answered.

"Shit..." he said, gritting his teeth as reloaded his crossbow.

"Celestia trakhat' Chert!" 'Cloud' screamed as he gave covering fire for 'Raven', "There is too many of them!"

'Cloud's' crossbow clicked as his ammunition ran dry. 'Raven' heard this and got out from her cover and shot any thing that got close to her comrade and coltfriend.

"Thanks, rebenok!" 'Cloud' replied, reloading in superpony speed.

Now concentrated on firing, he focused on killing and succeeded, reloading quickly clip after clip. Every single bolt was used well in the hooves of 'Cloud', an expert marksmen with the high powered crossbow. Each fatal shot was shot between the eyes of demos and infected.

The life from the red eyes faded away from the monsters, ending their short lives instantly on the battlefield.

The freak's numbers intensified as they closed in on the rooms, trapping the soldiers.

Just then, 'Black Cloud' came the net, "'Raven's' is down! I repeat 'Raven' is down!" 'Cloud' shouted in pain and anger, taking up her sword, he slashed through the ranks while tears poured down his cheeks.

"Fuck!" 'Snoop' said, acknowledging that 'Raven' was killed.

He then brought his sword up and slashed into the closest demons.

However, 'Snoop' wasn't aware of the demons that flanked him through the other room.

"'Snoop' get out! Fall back!" 'Cloud' yelled to him across the hallway.

It as too late. 'Snoop' never knew what him as three demons were on him like vultures. By the time they were done, only half a body and his entrails were left.

"No...no..no..NONONONONONO!" screamed 'Black Cloud'.

Pain and anger flowed from his heart as his sanity slipped away from him.

"YOU FUCKING SONS OF BITCHES!", he howled, "I'M GONNA KILL YOU ALL!"

And he carried out his promise. Screeching and howling, he slashed his way throughout the house as bodies littered the floor.

When he was done, he slowly trotted back to his marefriend's body, the hole in her throat stopped bleeding as her coat went pale.

Crawling over to her, 'Cloud' nuzzled her body until he cried himself to sleep.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0310 Hours (3:10 am)

Location: Eden University, Manehatten

As they approached the door, the can hear a pained cry coming from the other side.

"No...no, no, no, no, no, NO!" Lumber cried as he kick down the door.

Then, fast as lighting, a infected Seamstress lunged unto her husband's back as Diamond and Beaker ran after Crimson.

Noticing his fathers ax, Crimson quickly took it and prepared to split open the heads of his marefriend and best friend... no... his EX- marefriend and EX- best friend. With teary eyes and blood running from the left one, he said his final apologies and farewells before bringing the ax down on them. Instantly ending their desecrated lives. Looking to his father, he also said his final farewell to his mother before she to met the same fate. Crimson dropped the ax as the body fell on top of his father. Moving the the body, he gently rolled the body over, only to see that his father is dead.

Crimson just stood their as the last of his sanity slipped away from him. A tiny voice sounded from under the bed. Trotting over to it, he saw his sister cough and in a weakened voice asked, "Big brother where are you?"

He gently pulled her out and held her in his hooves.

"I'm here baby sis. I'm here," he answered quickly.

Passion whimpered in pain as her little hooves covered a large blood splotch on her coat.

"Big brother it hurts....it hurts so much," she whispered.

"I know it does baby girl, I know."

Passion said "I-If I live or die... P-Please promise me... Promise me you'll live on*coughs violently* and move on from what happened here" in a pool of her own blood mixed with her mothers and her brothers marefriend she lied in his hooves.

"I promise baby girl," he answered with teary eyes.

"R-remember I-I always l-love you big brother al...ways" she weakly smile before going limp.

"Passion? PASSION?! NO DON'T LEAVE ME! DON'T YOU DIE ON ME BABY SIS!" His screams of agony echoed throughout the desolate hallways, classrooms and the bloodied defensive line and over the bodies.

Crimson took the necklace he gave her the day before he got to college something to remember her by.

Only one survivor out of four thousand refugees. The school was completely soaked in blood as Crimson cried himself to sleep. The last of his sanity escaped him.

Hiatus

Hey guys jman here. I'm sorry to say but I'm putting my story on hold for a bit. Is not that I'm running out of ideas or motivation, it's just that I'm working on several long chapters that will eat up my time and halt productivity. My plan is to work on these long chapters, then publish a crap load of new chapters all at one time.

Thanks for staying loyal

-jman

Chapter 2: Bloodshed Part 2

Name: Disciple Team

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 0949 Hours (9:49 am)

Location: 253rd Engineer Company- X-Ray 2 Headquarters (Camp Blaster), Seaddle

A combat engineer/ advanced demolitions team, callsign Disciple, of Seaddle Army and Marine Reserves were running urban scenarios such as door breaching and in preparation of the reported attacks.

One could say it was a majestic and beautiful city with its skyscrapers and beautiful homes, back dropped by white capped and craggy grey mountains. The whole city was surrounded by nature’s beauty and lit from above by a hot and unobstructed sun.

However, this is not the case. Currently, Seaddle is held in a vice grip by Martial law, roadblocks, check points, restricted travel, and military support to the local police were in effect.  Everypony, down to the dogs and the cats, was ordered indoors, all civilians were been placed into military vehicles after a quick yet thorough search for explosives or weapons

Inside Camp Blaster's barracks, one soldier, Corporal Jazz, a pegasus from Manehatten with a slicked back black mane, light blue eyes, and a bright red coat, was sitting on the polished concrete floors of the steel barracks his squad racked in. He was silently grieving and raging about the destruction of his home. He had a CSS Bravo Radio Headset SEL strapped to his head, his body armor open along with his tactical vest, his desert pattern combat shirt and cargoes coated in dust and dirt as he thought of his family and friends.

"Alright, so what's going on in Manehatten?" asks Master Sergeant Shockwave. He was a dark purple unicorn with a black mane and piercing red eyes. He was wearing an olive t-shirt and black cargoes.

"No idea sir. Manehatten went dark several hours ago," sighs Staff Sergeant Diver. He had a deep green mane, grey eyes and a dark blue coat. He was wearing a coyote tan compression shirt and dark grey cargo pants with a bandana tied around his neck.

He eased up a bit as his best friend, Staff Sergeant Armored Knight, punched his shoulder playfully.

"Heh, as long as we watch each other’s backs, we got this," grins Knight. He's an earth pony stallion from Missourneigh with an orange mane, brown eyes and a red-orange coat. He wore a set of Multicam fatigues and an olive drab operator cap.

“I'm so glad I met you sweetheart,” Diver joked, a smile spread on his face, “You always know how to make my days better. Maybe tonight we can sleep together?” Knight rolled his eyes, having stopped playing games with Diver long ago.

"I just wanna find out who fucked my home up and rip their fuckin' heads off," grunts Corporal Jazz.

“Hey guys,” the voice of PFC Waxer called from across the room, his youthful face glued to the book he was reading. He was an earth pony with a red mane, white coat and soft blue eyes. “Why are we just sitting here? I mean it makes no sense to me.”

The private dog-eared the page he was on before he set it on a nearby table.

Shockwave simply shook his head, laughing inwardly to himself as designated markspony Specialist Prowler, a green earth pony with a dark brown mane and blue eyes, and Corporal Flare, a smoky grey earth pony with a red mane began to hum a tune, one that he knew quite well.

“I don’t get it. Is it something to do with what happened to Manehatten? I heard that it was some type of invasion. Is that why?” Shockwave shook his head.

“No, didn't you listen to the colonel's briefing? Our job is to set defensive positions just in case whatever hit Manehatten comes here. Remember?”

“I would've... if I stayed awake,” Waxer said absentmindedly.

Sighing loudly, Shockwave facehooved at the private's simple-mindedness.

“No, it’s because you’re possibly the biggest fuck up we have encountered.”

The private gave him a deathly glare as the team laughed, Waxer simply staring back to let him know he still outranked him.

“Well maybe he fits right in,” Knight said, his explosive tipped crossbow was balanced on his legs as he stripped and cleaned his weapon.

“I don't care. I just wanna go after whoever hurt my family,” Jazz grunted, using the bunk post for balance as he stood and walked over to the weapons locker the barracks had and pulled out his SAW.

“I would much rather have you baby…” he whispered to his weapon, pulling the charging handle back before cradling it.

“Corporal, if you keep talking to your weapon like that, then everypony is gonna think you’re a psycho,” Knight said while he keeps his eyes on his weapon.

Waxer also got his weapon, a Breechshot crossbow from the rack, adjusting the stock to his liking and fitting a few attachments to the top and fore-rails. He smiled as he tested the weight, finding the balance to his liking.

The squad resumed their bored state as the sun cooked their room.

Prowler had struck up a conversation with Flare, talking about what they were going to do when they finish their commitment contracts when a loud call signal from the radio started to blare followed by a distorted voice.

“Outgoing,” Knight asked, as he finished reassembling his crossbow.

“No, that’s incoming…” Shockwave said as the garbled message sounded over the speakers again.

“I’m telling you it’s outgoing,” Knight repeated.

XxX

Name: Clean Cut

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1000 (10:00 am)

Location: Seaddle Medical Center/ University

A light bulb flickered in the sealing over the desk full with research papers about the mysterious new "disease" that hit Manehatten. A spore sample had been taken from a corpse of a horribly disfigured pony outside the city limits by a group of medical students.

As Professor Clean Cut calculated and comparing result for a cure as ordered by the alicorn sisters in secret, he began to grow more and more frustrated as nothing seemed to effect the spores. He kept record of his progress in his leather journal and the equations to the different cures. All of them ended in failure.

"This damned thing is a nasty motherfucker, I'll give it that. These spores are the cause of the infection in which grows in the brain to such extremes it outgrows the space in the brain effectively killing over 75% of the intelligence leaving only the primal instinct like nourishment needs and location senses. The spores also breeds fungus from the skull and brain which causes it to harden into solid mushrooms from the head of the infected for all to see," he writes,

"One nasty motherfucker indeed," he said with a sigh.

XxX

Name: Law Keeper

Rank: Cadet

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1020 Hours (10:20 am)

Location: Seaddle University, Seaddle

"If your life is endanger, class, then you are cle-", the law enforcement instructor was cut off as the bell rang, signaling the end of the day.

The class packed up their belongings as Instructor Pacify reminded the class about their upcoming test.

“Remember class: y’all are due for your PT Exams on the second. Have a good weekend,” Pacify announced just as class ended. “Keeper, a word please.”

Law Keeper was a dark grey, earth pony stallion with a black mane and brown eyes. He was wearing a Seaddle Police Cadet uniform.

He nervously walked toward Pacify’s desk before setting his bag on the floor. He nervously stomped his hooves as Pacify gave him a smile.

“Mr. Keeper, the last report you did was phenomenal! You had the highest score all day.” He said as he shook his hoof.

“I-it was nothing sir…”

“’Nothing’,” he said in mock astonishment, “You have the highest grade in this class! You’ve outperformed everypony and displays excellent leadership skills! And you call that nothing?”

“My brother taught me everything. He’s a captain for the SPD’s Special Applications Task Force and he served in the Stalliongrad Military.”

“Really? He did a great job then. Give him my regards,” said Pacify as he gave Keeper a hoofbump.

Returning the bump, he grabbed his book off the floor and trotted out of the room.

XxX

Name: Kicker

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 1020 Hours (10:20 pm)

Location: EP Fuel Refinery, Seaddle

Boredom was taking its toll on the three pony team that was tasked with maintain the fuel refinery while everypony else went home to be with their loved one.

"Alright, so what's going on?” asks Kicker. He was a white unicorn with a blue mane and green eyes. He was the co-foreman and a former combat engineer.

"The usual Kick: Everything is exactly the same from the last time you asked,” Sighed Live Wire, she was a pegasus one of the few females working at the refinery. Her dirty blonde mane was tied back in a ponytail and her dull green coat was specked in grease.

"SSDD at its finest," grunts Power Plant. An earth pony from Manehatten, he had a tan coat and a black mane and tail.

Unfortunately, something is going to happen that nopony in the room would ever guess.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1035 Hours (10:35 am)

Location: Seaddle Outskirts (4 Miles Away From Roadblock A), Seaddle

"Victory shall be ours..." The Alpha said while eying the city before his army.

The army behind him howled in delight in the thought of another blood bath before sprinting towards the city.

XxX

Name: Disciple Team

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1040 Hours (10:40 am)

Location: 14th District- Shopping District, Seaddle

The team was all loading up their equipment for another inspection of the barricades and patrol of the city.

"Alright, so what's the mission?” asks Jazz.

"It's the usual move to contact patrol and inspection of the barricades we set up last night," replies Knight.

"Inspection? You mean to make sure those Guards didn't fuck up our shit right?” joked Prowler

"Obviously," sighed Waxer, "You know to never trust a Shiny with what we do. It's not their job to do it."

A low rumbling and a howl is heard in the distance.

"Hey hold up... That's weird...” ordered Soundwave.

"What?" asks Flare.

"Y'all didn't hear that? Sounds like a train approaching....

"I don't think that's a train man," Knight said.

"That doesn't sound right... let’s sound the alarm just to be safe," orders Soundwave.

"Yes sir!" the team yelled before heading out to the Central Control Area.

XxX

Name: Crack Down

Rank: Captain

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1200 (12:00 pm)

Location: Seaddle Police Station, Seaddle

It was lunch time for some of the Seaddle police department; except for Captain Crack Down, a dark grey, scar riddled earth pony stallion with a shaved mane and brown eyes. He was busy trying to decipher a rattling message from Manehatten that was from yesterday that lasted over the night.

"...is Maneha........Q...e..eed....assitanc.....re bei...overrun.......",

This is strange. We lost contact and this suddenly comes after a few minutes. The top brass did not give much detail. So much it was sustiotous.

Rubbing his temples, Crack Down sigh as his stomach rumbled.

Ah well, vremya obeda!

There was a bowl of Caviar, a dish of salted roe, often of Sturgeon, and a bottle of coffee with his name on it sitting right in front of him; that and the fact that it was a good month, with a massive narcotics bust along with catching a wanted pony trafficking smuggler, made his 'reward' that much better.

Crack Down looked at his food with joy and goofy smiles and a little bit of drool from anticipation as he devoured the eggs and took a swig from his coffee. As he chows down on his lunch, happy memories of his home in Stalliongrad and his family before the Serbineigh War resurfaced in his mind.

Suddenly an old alarm sounded off. It was so old, that dust flew from the speakers and landed on the heads on the police officers, pissing them off.

"HEY I JUST GOT THAT!"

"AW COME ON!"

The complaints stopped then they saw which alarm was triggered. A red light spinning illuminated the sign RIOT for all to see.

Suddenly the PA system sounded off as did every officer's radio.

All units please respond. We have orders to evacuate all civilians in down town Seaddle. There is a mysterious riots going on the suburban areas. Reports indicate... strange canines are leading the chaos. Military units have been dispatched to disarm the riots. All civilians are to be evacuated to the town hall as well as the West Side residential area. The university is to reunite the families with students. Only repeat this. It is an emergency evacuation protocol all-

Crack Down looked to his partner, Spike Strip, and both silently started to leave the station.

As they made it outside, they started to shove pedestrians out of their way. Some resisted, but it didn't last after they saw the modified, hoof-held police crossbows were being equipped. The ponies knew it was as serious then the local police is doing that so they left.

Crackdown ran to his house as other Special Applications Task Force members were getting armed he was going through the shopping district. The stores were boarded up as ponies were running to shelter as chaos all over Seaddle reigned.

Crack Down cut his focus at that time and looked over the city suburban was burning.

A megaphone pitched: "ALRIGHT PONIES THIS IS AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION! GO HOME AND PACK ONLY ONE BAG OF CLOTHES AND NECESSITIES AND GO TO FOLLOWING MAKESHIFT EVACUATION CENTERS: TOWN HALL HOSPITAL, AND RESEDENTUAL DISTRICTS! THE LOCAL UNIVERSITY IS FOR RELATIVES ONLY!"

Crack Down drowned the last bit of his lunch before sprinting out of the office.

XxX

Name: Clean Cut

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1220 (12:20 pm)

Location: Seaddle Medical University, Seaddle

"WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO THE DAMN PATIENTS?" Clean Cut fumed.

"How the hell did the samples get into the air vents?! Who's the fucking dead stallion that did this?!" Clean Cut raged at an intern.

"I-I-I don-," the intern was terrified. All he did was show up and now he as getting the ass chewing of a lifetime for something he had no knowledge of.

"It was hard enough to even study the complexity of the stupid thing and all the tests held no results. And NOW my sample disappeared?! WHAT?! DID THEY JUST GROW LEGS AND DECIDE TO LEAVE?! DO YOU KNOW HOW BAD THIS IS?!”

“Professor please… I don’t know anything! I just came in, I swear!” cried the scared intern, “I didn’t do anything!”

Clean Cut sighed.

“Go alert the director… She’ll know what to do.”

With that, the intern sprinted to Director Micro’s office, eager to get away from his enraged teacher.

XxX

Name: Crack Down

Rank: Captain

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1230 (12:30 pm)

Location: District 12- Residential Area 1, Seaddle

Crack Down rushed though the shopping district, trying to get home for his gear, which was at his closet back home as multiple APCs, belonging to the local Royal Guard and the SATF rolled through to the suburban areas.

As he reached his house, Crack Down's wife, Feather Touch, was awaiting his return.

"Gde tebya cherti nosili raspravit'sya?!" she demanded in a worried tone.

Where in the hell were you Crack Down!?

K sozhaleniyu mladenets, my prosto poluchili prikaz ob evakuatsii . Poni , eto poyti v bol'nitsu ili ratushi. YA khochu, chtoby ty v Semeynyy Evakuatsiya v universitete, chtoby poluchit' zakon Khranitel'

Sorry babe, we just got an evacuation order. Everypony is to go to the hospital or town hall. I want you to go to the Family Evacuation at the university to get Law Keeper

Trotting over to his bedroom closet, he pulls out a black duffel bag that holds his gear. He dons his black coveralls under a black tactical vest and a gas mask resting on his forehead.

"YA tak tebya lyublyu rebenka", Crack Down whispered in his wife's ear as a tear of worry fell from her face.

I love you so much baby.

She kisses her husband before whispering back to him.

"Tol'ko chto vernulsya bezopasnoye rebenka."

Just come back safe baby.

XxX

Name: Kicker

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 1549 Hours (3:49 pm)

Location: EP Fuel Refinery, Seaddle

“Well isn't this going smoothly!" Kicker exclaimed.

Almost at the end of his shift, a leak in the Heavy Hydrofuel Reservoir tripped a sensor. Forcing him and his crew to stay back longer.

I just can’t win… He groaned mentally.

"BOSS! THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG!" Power Plant yelled.

"What the fuck now!?” Kicker’s frustration finally boiled over, “Is there always something broken in this dump!?"

"No, it's ponies, chief! There’s something wrong with them!" Plant said in a fearful tone.

"Are you sure you didn’t drink too much coffee again? Remember last time at the Hearth’s Warming party?"

"Kick…Have you ever seen a pony walk with three legs? With the last leg fucking ripped off!?"

"Alright, alright. I’ll check it out," Kicker said as he retrieved his old hoof-held crossbow.

Sudden banging sounded on his office door.

"Yo boss there's some.....things that's trying to knock our gate down!" Live Wire yelled from behind the door

"Things? The fuck you talking about?" Kicker asked in disbelief.

XxX

Name: Disciple Team

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1430 (2:30 pm)

Location: District 10- Market Plaza, Seaddle

"AMBUSH!" yelled a guard.

Not long was he hit by a clawed paw to the right side of his head the blunt force was hard enough to break the spinal cord with a resonating CRACK!

"AW SHIT! FIRE AT THAT THING!" screamed Knight as he, and the rest of the team opened fire. It was not long until the demon hit the ground in a satisfying splat.

"Cease fire! Cease fire!” hollered Shockwave.

Not finished yet, Jazz ran up to the dead demon and repeatedly smashed the thing's head in with his SAW's butt stock.

It took Shockwave and Knight to pull Jazz from the dead thing.

After they pry Jazz off of the body, he starts to rant.

"How does it feel now, you filthy motherfuckers? Celestia-damned, dirty, motherfuckers try to fuck with me? FUCK YOU! That's what you get when you try to ambush Disciple motherfucker you get dead! Fuck bitch!"

"Jazz, shut the fuck up and stop acting like a retard. That thing's fuckin dead bro," says Prowler.

Just as he finished his sentence, a loud roar was heard from about a mile away.

XxX

Name: Tripod

Rank: Colonel

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1300 (1:00 pm)

Location: Seaddle Skyline Command Center, Seaddle

The radio was crackling as multiple voices sounded at once.

"We need back up in –static-…”

“Civi-static-lians at District-static are being ambushed by these things! Where's our -static- reinforcement?!”

“Multi-static-ple security breached at –static- the wes-“

"Somepony shut that off! And can sompony tell me what the hell is going on?" Tripod ordered in frustration before a new voice called over the radio.

"Seaddle Police, this is Predator Team. We have eyes on a massive army outside of town, please respond," a sudden voice came over the radio. It was not one of the SPD.

"This is SAD Command; repeat your last, over?”

“We say again: large forces are advancing to the suburban area.  We advise you to dig in. Celestia has grounded all forces. You are on your own."

Great, as if it was not shitty enough.

"Who is this?" Riot asked.

"Just call me...011," the voice said before the transmission ended.

"Hurry up everypony time is of the essence! I want the SPD and those reservists down there yesterday!"

XxX

Name: Crack Down

Rank: Captain

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1240 (12:40 pm)

Location: District 11- Residential Area 3, Seaddle

Crack Down, Spike Strip; a white pegasus with a shaved mane and the team markspony, Semtex, a grey earth pony with a short, dull blue mane and the team breacher and communications handler; and Asaf, a borrowed medic from Ishayel's Shin Bet Counter Terrorist Unit with a dark brown coat and a black mane, marched down the streets of District 11.

Crack Down yelled, "Anypony who lives in District 11, report to the evacuation site! The Reservists and Royal Guards will escort you to the safe zones!"

The mass of civilians ran to Crack Down and his team while the regular police officers performed a headcount.

"We got about eighty ponies here and ready to go!" Asaf reported.

"Then it's go time!" Crack Down said

XxX

Name: Law Keeper

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1640 (4:40 pm)

Location: Seaddle University, Seaddle

Law Keeper was getting the MRE's for he and his sister-in-law as he trotted near a few police officers were talking.

"Any word on Crack Down’s team?"

"Nothing man. Last I heard they were scouting out District 11 for anypony left behind."

"What, are they crazy? That place is crawling with those things!"

“Hey, he’s a good guy. Have some faith in the stallion.”

Keeper didn't say a word he just kept moving as a lump slowly started to build in his throat.

XxX

Name: Disciple Team

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1640 (4:40 pm)

Location: District 10- Market Plaza, Seaddle

SHERUNK! SHERUNK! SHERUNK!

The sound of crossbows filled the shopping district from the florist shop window and into the almost deserted streets. Prowler at looked Knight as he brought his head and Breechshot back inside.

“Keep up the pressure boys! We got this!” Knight yelled as he blasted another demon's head off.

The members of Disciple obeyed, scanning their sectors over the ruined, and burnt out ruins of what had once been Seaddle’s main shopping district.

Shockwave remembered this place from when he was a child. His mother other often brought his late brother and sister, Sand Storm, and Cloud Skipper here for ice creams. A corpse lay underneath their once favorite Maple tree, an expanding puddle of blood and moans coming from the twitching limbs before a giant over-grown mushrooms started to grow out of it's caved in head along with a rapid click as the corpse stood up and started looking in every with direction before stumbling down the road away from Disciple.

"What the fuck is that?" asked Jazz.

Hearing his voice, the reanimated body let out a loud screech which was echoed by a dozen other.

First one.

Then two.

Then a dozen more.

Dear Celestia. They're all around us, ran through every pony’s mind.

The mutilated bodies all ran towards Disciples position. Everypony started firing and tearing through the ranks, but the noise was only drawing more of the Infected towards them.

Prowler was on the top floor of the building with Jazz, providing overwatch.

Armored Knight, Shockwave and the rest of the team were on the first floor.

Waxer hugged his Breechshot tightly against his chest and looked out at the approaching mob.

They could hear the APCs from the SATF rumbling from a nearby neighborhood.

“Eyes peeled gents! Remember: aggressive, not reckless!” ordered Shockwave as everypony laid their ammo out in an easy-to-reach fashion.

Knight pulled out his map. He poured over it for a minute before growling and giving Shockwave a very grim look.

“We’re boxed in.”

Shockwave wracked his brain before Diver spoke.

“Not quite, there are tunnels underneath this place. They can get us back to Seaddle Skylines.”

The Seaddle Skylines was where the command element was based.

“Show me where,” Knight said as the three moved away from the line and deeper into the building.

Soundwave grabbed the pen he always kept in his flak jacket and scribbled on the map as Diver explained the directions aloud.

“CONTACT!” hollered Flare.

“DISCIPLE, YOU ARE CLEARED TO ENGAGE!”

The three returned to the line and gave instructions to the men.

The building was shaken by the howl of the infected ponies.

Jazz and Prowler laid down suppressive fire as the troops on the lower levels picked off surviving targets.

Flare, Waxer and Knight had already burned through three of their seven clips during the first wave of the fight. Diver, Jazz, Shockwave and Prowler had used a little of 50% of their ammunition.

The situation was looking grim for the team.

XxX

Name: Clean Cut

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1650 (4:50 pm)

Location: Seaddle General Hospital, Seaddle

“OH SHIT!" Clean Cut screamed.

He ran like hell was erupting at his hooves while the infected patients stampeded towards him.

As he ran down the halls, he witnessed his coworkers being dismembered and eaten by the reanimated ponies.

He reached his salvation, as he passed the doorstep and locked the door.

This is it. I’m going to die… might as well leave a message to the one who finds me…

With that he walked over to the desk with the diary in hoof before dipping the quill in the ink well. As he was writing his last words, he was strange he was at peace despite the tings were trying to rip the door off its hinges, yet he should have felt remorse that he couldn't find a cure.

He thought of his family, his graduation from Seaddle Medical School, becoming the head doctor, and finally that intern he took under his wing.

"Fuck it…” he muttered grabbing an emergency fire axe and readied himself.

“Sorry guys, but this is the end,” he said with a faint smile on his face.

Suddenly the door burst off its hinges as multiple infected screaming towards the doctor.

XxX

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1440 Hours (2:40 pm)

Location: Canterlot Castle, Canterlot

Again, the generals, Captain Shining Armor and the Royal Sisters were viewing the situation in Saddle.

"Celestia, please. We NEED to mobilize. Do you know how much blood is on your hooves right now? How many of your ‘little ponies’ need to die before you let us do our jobs?" pleaded Apex.

"This is a job for the ESOC princess," agreed Shining Armor.

“No, this can be handled with the local law enforcement,” stated Celestia.

“No sister! They cannot handle this! They were never trained for an invasion!” yelled Luna in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

Celestia sighed before ignoring the constant pleas of her generals and sister.

XxX

Name: Disciple Team

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1510 Hours (3:10 pm)

Location: District 10- Market Plaza, Seaddle

In the chaos, Disciple Team fired back against the overwhelming hoard with everything they had. As per the gospel of their instructors, they picked and chose their targets who they knew they could hit in order to save ammo.

They heard more shouts in the distance, guiding the others to the team’s position.

With every few shots, their number grew fewer as one finally went down under a hail of arrows and offensive spells. The crossbows thudded comfortably in the soldiers’ grasps until…

CLICK…

Silence – the loudest sound when you expect a SHERUNK.

Celestia, please, no!

More bodies ran to Disciple’s defensive perimeter.

“I’m out!” hollered Waxer.

“Same here!” shouted Flare.

“Damnit! We need to move!” yelled Diver.

SHLIK!

A horrible, burning, sensation shot through Knight’s neck. His flak jacket’s neck guard was powerless to do anything against the bite of an infected pony as it tore out his throat.

He gurgled in shock and pain. The still-armed explosive crossbow slid from his grasp, and then then both his body and weapon hit the cold checkerboard linoleum floor.

Time seemed to slow as the weapon hit the floor.

A foot... six inches... four inches... an inch...

BOOM!

XxX

Name: Crack Down

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1530 Hours (3:30 pm)

Location: District 11- Residential Area, Seaddle

"INCOMING!" a policemare yelled as the SPD and SATF opened fire on the horde.

The mare and four of the twelve pony joint team were pounced on and ripped apart by the demons.

Crack Down sprinted to a nearby roadblock which has an emplaced, belt-fed Heavy Auto-Ballista (also affectionately called the Shredder) and loaded it.

“Get down!” he screamed as he took aim and started firing.  The heavy arrows hit one demon after another.

Crack Down kept up the fire until the belt of arrows ran out of ammunition. He then switched to his Breechshot while the demons retreated.

He looked over the remaining members of his detachment of the residential area. The district was a unrecognizable shithole as fires burned a good portion of the one beautiful suburbs down and mangled corpses littered the streets.

Suddenly, the radio started to receive a strange transmission; one that wasn’t on the SPD or SATF radio frequencies.

"Special Applications Task Force and Seaddle Police Department, this is Predator Team. Interrogative: is there any out there?"

Semtex answered, "Predator Team, this is Semtex of the SATF, we could use some tactical advice."

"Understood Semtex, what's the personnel count and ammunition count?"

"We are an eight pony, joint team and about twenty four clips of bolts left between the eight of us. We also have 75 civs in District

9 Evacuation Zone."

"What kind of attack are they using?"

"Brute force. They are only a mass swarm without real battle tactics. They just attack without a thought of life."

“Roger Predator thanks for the update. Semtex out.”

XxX

Name: Kicker

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 1549 Hours (3:49 pm)

Location: EP Fuel Refinery, Seaddle

"What the fuck is that!?" Kicker then said.

"Fucked if I know boss! These things are all over Seattle!"

Power Plant then tuned on the video crystal to see what was going on while the others barricaded the doors and went through the shut off procedures to prevent and explosion.

Power Plant then found the local news station.

"This is Seattle Local News. We interrupt the normal broadcasting for this grave news on the street. We have a live look from our correspondent, Ms. Paparazzi."

"Thank you. As we see here, riots are overwhelming the city as military and law enforcement are ordered to kill, what they call, 'Infected' ponies, on sight. Here we have Colonel Tripodl who is a key commander of the police and military joint defense of the city. Sir, can you please tell the public how to do then they cross path the 'Infected'?" the news mare said Tripod came and answered, "You can identify the Infected by the big fungus on their heads and aggressive behavior. Please avoid ALL contact with Infected individuals. As a last resort, aim for the head when attacking. But ONLY use this as a last resort."

"Thank you sir. It has been stated that mass evacuations is happening all over the city the locations are the University of Seattle and the apartment complexes. Staying is not an option. Look for police officers that can point you to a safe path to either evacuation centers there will be provide protection and shelt-"

At that point an Infected threw itself against the poor mare, colonel and camera stallion as they screamed. The camera fell right at the perfect angle to show the true brutality of the Infected before the feed was cut.

"Oh Celestia, did you see that thing?!.....What?... Alright, the military states that the refinery workers are to stay at the location as  are inbound the workers are advised to barricade  the doors and defend it until the military arrives. That's all for now but we will keep updating as long as we can."

It was then that the screen skipped to the sign "EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM" took up the crystal’s monitor.

"Did they just tell us to go f ourselves?" Live Wire said to no one specifically.

“Pretty much Wire" Kicker said as he loaded his crossbow, "this is going to be one hell of a ride."

XxX

Name: Law Keeper

Date: 2/27/2014

Time: 1555 Hours (3:55 pm)

Location: Seaddle University, Seaddle

Law Keeper returned to his room where he looked like he’s been fighting back tears.

"Law, is something wrong? You look upset," Feather asked.

"No, nothing is wrong. I just… had a hard day in school today," he answered with a fake smile.

“You can’t hide from me Law, something’s eating at you. What did you hear?” she asked as she hugged her brother-in-law.

Law Keeper’s tears forced their way out as he wept for his brother.

“I-I heard that my brother’s still out there… Back in the Residential District…”, he whimpered.

The news put her on edge as well as tears started to form in her eyes.

XxX

Name: Crack Down

Date: 2/28/2014

Time: 1600 Hours (4:00 pm)

Location: Harmony Apartment Complex Single Homes, Manehatten

The sound of crossbows and metal on flesh echoed throughout the streets of District 11.

The sound of eight officers making their final stand resonated throughout the area.

Bodies upon bodies littered the street with bolt and slash wounds in their heads and fresh blood oozing out each body. Instead in being fear and retreating by the sight of the bodies, it gave the monstrosities a reason to fight.

The Infected and the demons were running across the bloody grounds to kill the last remaining threat that matched their takeover.

Across the street, the horde tried to assault Spike Strip’s team’s half of the street as Crack Down’s laid covering fire.

The officers continued to fight, even though all hope was lost.

Arrow after arrow, slash after slash made their fatal mark into each freak, killing them instantly. However, as each demon went down, another replaced it.

"Semtex, Gamma, Jackal!" Crack Down said in his microphone.

His breacher and the two officers were supposed to be building behind his.

"Do you copy?" Crack Down asked again, hoping his officers were alive, but only static answered.

"Shit..." he said, gritting his teeth as reloaded his crossbow.

"Holy shit!"  screamed Cobalt as he gave covering fire, "There is too many of them!"

Spike Strip’s crossbow clicked as his ammunition ran dry. Asaf heard this and covered his partner.

Cover me! I’m reloading!” Spike ordered as his team opened up.

Asaf silently acknowledged as he focused on the four approaching demons before mentally marking them from closest to farthest.

After doing so, he quickly took them out in rapid succession.

“Nice shot!” cried one of the officers.

Asaf didn’t say anything. He just focused on what was in front of him.

The freak's numbers intensified as they closed in on the buildings, trapping the remaining teams.

Just then, Spike Strip came on the net, "Asaf and Gunner is down! I repeat I’m the only one lef-!"

And just like that, Crack Down and his partner, Cruiser was all that remained. Taking up their weapons, the two used the both started their contingency plan.

Reaching for the detonator for the eight pounds of C4 strapped in their rucksacks, the two primed it before sling the packs on their backs.

The two then began to re-engage the demons with what little ammo they had left.

SHNICK!

SHNICK!

SHNINK!

SHNINK!

“LAST MAG!” Crack Down yelled.

“I’M OUT!” hollered Cruiser.

The demons were closing in. A sense of dread filled their hearts as there was only one option left...

They dropped their weapons and waited. As the hoard closed in on the two, they then held up the detonators and squeezed the trigger. The last things Crack Down remembered were the priceless look on demon’s face and the final thoughts of his family.

Mat',Otets. YA vozvrashchayus' domoy ...

Chapter 3: Bloodshed Part 3

Name: Gambit

Location: Las Pegasus- Mirage Hotel Presidential Suite

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 1700 (5:00 pm)

The sun was setting in Las Pegasus, The City of Sins, after yet another day of vice and debauchery.

Gambit laid in the massive king sized bed as he woke up and grumbled with a massive hangover. He stumbled into the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face before checking himself in the mirror. Gambit’s white coat was matted and reeked of sweat, alcohol and sex. His blue eyes were red and bloodshot and his usually combed blonde mane was a mess. As Gambit got off the bed for his usual morning drink, a figure moved from the bed.

"Gambit come back to bed. You need to sleep," a pink mare moaned.

He just grunted and groggily poured the shot of Applejack Daniel’s in response.

“Come on, pretty please?” a white mare asked.

Gambit only grunted in response before slamming the drink don.

"Oh come on Gambit, we can do the ‘thing’ for you" a third mare, one with an orange coat, sat up from the bed.

“CAN YOU BITCHES SHUT THE FUCK UP!? I'M TRYING TO NURSE A HANGOVER!" he bellowed before grabbing his head in pain. The volume of his own voice was like having a metal stake driven through his temples.

The mares fell silent.

"Finally some peace and quiet around here," he muttered as he gulped the drink down before trotting over to the living room.

When he turned the video crystal on, the emergency alert system was on every channel.

This is an emergency broadcast. Everypony in town must be evacuated. This is not a drill. Please use extremely caution, for an extremely dangerous canine threat has-

Just as he settled in on the sofa, the doors burst up as his two bodyguards rushed in.

"Boss, did ya hear this?" The first bodyguard, Hulk, asked in a deep voice.

“We need to get you outta here,” his second guard, Bulk, stated.

Hulk and Bulk were twin brothers. Hulk, the oldest by 2 minutes, was a charcoal grey earth pony with a dull olive mane and tail. His brother’s colors were reversed. Both were wearing navy blue coveralls had a large combat knife strapped to their hips along with a hoof-feld crossbow.

"Well dumbfuck, the TV isn’t on for nothing. Now get me outta here," Gambit ordered in a rude tone as he downed his second drink and left the suite. Leaving the three mares behind.

XxX

Name: Gambit

Location: Las Pegasus- I-35 En-Route to Evacuation

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 1745 (5:45 pm)

Deafening howls sounded through the streets of 14th Avenue as Gambit and his two bodyguards ran through the streets and shoving anypony out of their way. Together, all three of them had past several more families just trying to make it out of the burning town. Gambit looked up and noticed several dropships belonging to the local Los Pegasus Police Department’s Special Applications Unit and the Las Pegasus Aerodrome flying overhead. They had already reached the outskirts of the shopping district, and now they stopped.

There was a massive line to the freeway that led to the Cloud Weaver Aerodrome.

Gambit stood on the tips of his hooves and noticed a few unicorn stallion covered in golden armor along with multiple ponies in riot gear were in the very front of the line; his spear was touching the necks of the next group of civilians that tried to evacuate.

“Oh, this is bad,” Bulk muttered.

Hulk shook his head, stomping his hoof on the ground.

“Everypony had the same idea,” he groaned.

Gambit was not happy. He wanted to get out of town ASAP.

“MOVE IT! GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY!” he bellowed.

Everypony within earshot gave him a look that if it could kill, Gambit wouldn't be dead; he would be atomized. The spoiled high roller was stared down by not one, but over two hundred scared and angry ponies. However, a family of four caused Gambit to shiver and his two guards to step up and protect their client. The oldest son was about to say something but was stop by his father.

“C’mon Angel, he ain’t worth it,” the father said. He was an olive drab earth pony with burn scars, a shaved mane and a golden right eye. The left was completely white with a diagonal scar going from his eye to his ear. He was wearing a set of coveralls with LLPD Mechanic on the back.

“Aye dad,” Angel said. Armored Angel is an olive drab unicorn with a short white mane and blue eyes. He was wearing a set of woodland MULTICAM patterned fatigues. He is a Royal Marine Staff Sergeant.

As he and his family trotted away, Gambit tried to save his ego.

“Oh, so you think you’re a hotshot, huh?” A Gambit taunted behind him. However, given his slight stutter and sweat, nopony can take him seriously.

The Marine let out an annoyed groan.

“I never said I was,” Angel knew where this was going. He was dumbfounded that he would want to fight him after all that was happening.

The spoiled brat rolled his eyes.

“Screw you. I know I can kick your ass, so how about you get the fuck outta my way?”

Bulk and Hulk instantly ran over to Gambit’s side. Bulk started to pull him away from Angel while his twin stood between them, trying to defuse the situation.

“I’m sorry about him man,” Hulk said to Angel, “He’s just scared.”

“It’s fine, I just want my family to be safe,” Angel explained as he gave his old high school classmate a brohoof.

When they were far enough, Bulk slapped Gambit on the back of his head.

“Boss are you crazy?! Do you know who he is?!” He half screamed.

The white stallion rubbed the back of her head while frowning at his guard.

“I don’t know, let alone care. I had the situation under cont—”

“No you don’t sir,” Bulk interrupted, “That’s Armored Angel, one of mine and Hulk’s old classmates. He’s currently a Staff Sergeant in the Royal Marine and he will destroy you.”

Gambit groaned in frustration, he hated being proved wrong. But what really pissed him off is how his bodyguard told him off.

He decided against turning on his guard since he was there to protect him. He swallowed his pride and held his tongue.

“Fine,” Gambit grumbled.

Back to Angel and his family, Hulk and Angel were trying to figure their next course of action.

“Well…” Hulk was saying, “we could just backtrack and-”

He was cut off by screaming and the mob of ponies making a run for it.

Out from the row of building, an unnaturally fast stallion in rags charged and tackled a Guard. In an instant the stallion was down and screaming. Everypony in line backed away, a lot of them even running off. The downed guard’s fellow brethren and Special Applications Unit officers were swarmed as the checkpoint was overran.

“Oh shit,” Angel’s father, Treads, cursed.

His family could only stare at the massacre in front of them. The unlucky stallion was forced to the ground and was dismembered. Blood flowed unto the streets as he was screaming in agony. Members of the Guard fought back with minimal success as they were torn apart. Even the SAU officers were powerless.

“Let’s get out of here…NOW!” Angel screamed, reaching for his younger sister, Steel Bloom and placing her on top of his back. Angel, his family and Hulk gathered up Gambit and Bulk before running away.

XxX

Location: 20th Avenue, Las Pegasus

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 1815 (6:15 pm)

3 Miles Later-7 Miles to Evacuation Site

“Those ponies are on fire,” he had heard her whisper.

It was true.

Two, three, maybe ten ponies came out of a building screaming in pain, their bodies engulfed in flames. They reached outwards to try and grab something, anything to try and save themselves, but it was no use.

Angel’s breathing increased. Images of death and destruction played before his eyes as memories blurred the lines of the past and present.

“Don’t look, sis.”

But she couldn't look away. Bloom peeked over and saw another crazed pony ripping apart an elderly couple. That could be one of her friendly neighbors, the ones that always helped out around the neighborhood despite their age and always made homemade cookies for the fillies and colts. She bared witness as their bodies were ripped apart. She cried this time, her words turned into pure sobbing.

“W-why?”

Treads and Iron Bloom, her and Angel’s mother, saw it too.

“Just keep looking at me, baby!” reassured Iron.

She did…and she could’ve sworn she saw tears swell up in her eyes.

Bloom placed her chin on her brother’s shoulder, her forelegs latched tightly around his neck.

She closed her eyes tight and listened to them speak.

“What the fuck just happened?” Gambit screamed. “Did you see that?!”

“Yeah, I saw it,” Angel responded.

“Damn,” Gambit cursed.

“And watch your mouth. I got my sister and mother here and they don’t need to hear that,” her brother snarled.

“Whatever,” the gambler said.

The seven of them had already failed to escape where the Royal Guard and police had wanted them to, now they had to find their own way out. Angel and Gambit led the party into another portion of Las Pegasus, this one was filled with screaming ponies.

XxX

Location: 10th Avenue, Las Pegasus

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 1815 (6:15 pm)

4 Miles Later-3 Miles to Evacuation Site

“Come on guys. Just a little farther,” Angel encouraged.

His sister, Steel Flower, opened her golden eyes for a brief moment. Her dark grey coat was matted in her brother’s sweat as she closed them again to avoid catching motion sickness.

“What are we running from Angie?” she asked, still quivering in fright.

Her question remained unanswered as Armored Angel focused on listening for the infected ponies. Hulk and Bulk, Treads and his wife, Iron Bloom, helped as well; but there was so much chaos around them that it all blended together into a symphony of destruction. Once the group made it on the other side of the market district, they immediately noticed how deserted it was.

They had arrived at a fork in the road. The path to the left led deeper into the city. The path to the right led to the city outskirts.

It was too quiet.

The party halted at the split.

“Alright, this is as far as we go together,” Treads announced.

Gambit was taken aback.

“W-what? The fuck do you mean!?” Gambit bellowed as he reached for his switchblade.

Angel summoned a crossbow carbine as he shielded his sister. His mother summoned one of her forging hammers and Treads himself drew a small crossbow from a concealed holster.

“What he means is, you aren’t coming with us,” said Iron Bloom.

“Sorry guys. You’re my friends, but family comes first. Your boss will get us all killed,” Angel said with a tinge of regret in his voice.

“YOU FUCK-,” Gambit was cut off as his two guards came up between him and the family of four. Gambit thought that his bodyguards would teach them a lesson. Sadly, he was mistaken.

“We understand buddy,” Hulk said.

“It was nice to see you all again. I just wish it was under better circumstances,” Bulk agreed.

“Good luck,” Treads said as he shook hooves with the twins before Iron gave them both a hug.  The twins both tussled Steel’s mane before taking their boss to the path to the left. Armored Angel and his family put up their weapons before continuing down the path to the right.

Gambit and his two guards watched them trot down the path before continuing down the road to the left.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU BACK ME UP?!” Gambit roared.

Having put up with Gambit’s behavior long enough, Hulk grabbed Gambit by throat as Bulk drew his knife and pointed it at Gambit’s genitals.

“We are your bodyguards, not your goons. We are paid to protect you, not carry out hits for you,” Hulk growled.

“Try ordering us to do something like murder just because you don’t get you way again, and I WILL cut out your balls and my big brother here will feed them to you. Do you understand?” Bulk questioned.

“Y-yes,” Gambit choked out.

Releasing the spoiled high-roller, Gambit collapsed to his stomach as he gasped for air.

The two brothers looked down at the pitiful stallion before starting down the road.

Gambit quickly to his hooves and ran to catch up with the two.

Name: Gambit

Location: 10th Avenue, Las Pegasus

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 1817 (6:17 pm)

4 Miles Later-3 Miles to Evacuation Site

The silence was broken by a series of unmistakable clicks.

“Oh my goddess,” Gambit muttered while a thick layer of sweat ran down his body.

“Keep. Moving,” Hulk whisper-shouted, making a quick right down a new road.

Another burning building came into view. The twins could feel their client quivering in fright behind them.

Hulk managed to locate a familiar store.

Fine Sew.

“Over there,” he shouted, “we can hide there!”

“I’m gonna make it. I’m gonna make it,” Gambit reassured himself.

Right before Gambit and his guards could enter the store, several more of the infected ponies burst out from the darkness and attacked the trio. Bulk and Hulk backed off quickly and shielded Gambit and assessed the situation.

Bulk looked over and shouted, “This way! Through the alley!”

With the two following the younger brother, Bulk stabbed and hacked away at the horde before entering the alleyway that he had pointed out. The got in between the two buildings easily. The hard part was making it to the beacon of hope in their situation…

A single fire escape ladder that ran up to the roof of the shop.

When Bulk turned the corner, another one of the infected exited out of the darkness and bit him in the chest.

With Gambit screaming in fright, Bulk managed to hold out his forelegs and hold off the creature for enough time so his brother could take it out.

Bulk shoved the creature off himself. Once it had hit the ground, it looked up one last time to see a tanto blade stab straight into its brain.

“He’s dead,” Hulk reported.

“Dammit,” Bulk muttered, before examining his chest. The bite mark was pretty deep, however, the bleeding was slowly stopping and becoming discolored.

He shook it off and pushed through the alleyway with his older brother following right behind.

“We’re almost there. We’re almost there,” Gambit said to himself.

Hulk led the two through the alleyway and to the ladder. However, the two didn’t see Bulk lagging behind. The wound, what started as discolored, has turned from red to yellow to black. His vision was swirling and he was hearing a voice in his head.

Give in…

Fall into the darkness…

MAKE US WHOLE!!!!!

Hulk looked back and noticed his brother’s sickly state.

“Bulk… what happened to you?” Hulk asked as he checked his little brother.

“I’m fine…” grunted Bulk. The true extent of his injuries were hidden by the dim lighting.

Removing his worried brother’s grip, he stumbled to the ladder as a growing chill rippled through his chest.

Hulk quickly caught up with his little brother as Gambit’s ears perked up and noticed three more creatures on the other side of the alley staring at them.

A voice sounded off above them, which of course caught their attention.

“Up here!” the voice screamed before the fire escape latter was lowered to them.

The three ascended the ladder. Hulk led them up, followed by Gambit and finally Bulk, who was lagging behind.

As they had reached the roof of the tailor shop; a dull, rust red aura forced the three stallions to their knees as an elderly unicorn aimed a Breechshot crossbow at them. He was an elderly graphite grey unicorn with a rust red mane and a pair of heterochromatic eyes. His right eye was jasper red while the left was jade green.

“Do anything stupid, and I won’t hesitate to end you,” the elderly unicorn threatened.

Gambit nearly voided his bowels at the sight of having the weapon pointed at his face.

Bulk was panting as the veins in his body was turning black and visible.

Hulk was the only one calm, as he explained that they aren’t infected.

“Please,” Hulk begged, “W-we aren’t sick,” he motioned his hoof to his body before he motioned to his brother.

“I think he’s hurt,” Hulk pleaded

The guard pointed his crossbow at the three, as Gambit started to whimper.

“Stop right there!” He screamed, fully on the urge to pull the trigger.

Hulk stopped talking. His breathing became heavier. He looked down and made himself seem less threatening.

“Listen…” he began with his hoof held outwards, “We just went through hell and back,” he told the stallion.

The stallion looked skeptical for a brief moment. He never took the cross hairs away from the two. Right now in his mind, he was debating whether to let them in or not. Should he believe them? The sick ones looked a lot worse than they did and they couldn’t talk either. Maybe the speaker’s twin was bitten…but if they were smart, they would’ve told him that.

He started to pull the trigger until a hoof wrapped around his in a comforting fashion.

“Agate, let them in. I think their telling the truth,” said a middle aged unicorn mare with a white coat, a silver mane and tail and a pair of light amethyst eyes.

“Please,” The older brother begged.

The stallion eyed the three. Judging them.

“Fine,” Agate grunted as Bulk slowly nodded.

Agate’s hoof slowly lowered the weapon.

Bulk watched as Agate’s hoof brought the weapon down.

He took a step forward.

“Thank you,” Bulk told him.

The stallion cut him off and addressed the party.

“If you do anything to Silk here,” he motioned to the mare next to him, “the others downstairs, or anything stupid in general, I will kill you. Do I make myself clear?”

Eyeing Gambit, Hulk spoke up on his behalf.

“Crystal,” he stated.

“Good,” the stallion said before he slung up his weapon.

And with that, Agate opened the door leading into the store’s main floor.

XxX

Although Las Pegasus had no idea of the recent attacks on the cities of Manehatten and Seattle, the city’s highly trained law enforcement made evacuation and protecting the high class ponies easily for the most part. However, the mass of lower class ponies that tried to escaping Las Pegasus on foot were panicking as the demons was either picking off survivors in the streets or infecting them as they tried to reach the evacuation site.

One by one, the poor ponies were taken as they screamed as high as they could as the infected and demons slowly devour the unfortunate. Mares and stallions that were being ripped apart while their joints loudly popped off with a splat and bones cracking with a wet sound as the hoard feasted on their flesh.

The infected violently flocking the survivors as they devour their flesh. Gore splattered across the streets and alley walls as the blood flowed towards the sewage drains.

XxX

Name: Gambit

Location: 15th Avenue Fine Sew Clothing Store, Las Pegasus

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 1917 (7:17 pm)

Inside a boarded up shop, were the store owners, an elderly earth pony mare with a silver mane and a royal purple mane named Silk and her teenage assistant and granddaughter, Velvet; and a pregnant mare named Honeysuckle.

As Agate led terrified white stallion and his guards down the stairs, Silk was helping Bulk. Some whimpered and sobbed as the few survivors narrowly escaped the infected. A familiar pony was hyperventilating, trying to be as quiet as possible.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP!

"Shhhhiiiit, shit, shit, oh shit! Okay keep calm. Be calm," Gambit breathed in a rapid speed. One of his bodyguards returned.

"Gambit, you need shut up. You’ll give us away," said Hulk.

Gambit was panicking.

"Get me the fuck outta here alive and you and your brother gets a huge bonus," he bargained as he rushed to the back.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP!

"Wait!" Honeysuckle's scared voice sounded, "Please don't leave me! I’m pregnant! Please, help me!" the despair was clear with the pregnant mare.

"Bitch, I don't give a fuck. If you want to come, keep the fuck up. I ain't waiting for nopony," Gambit answered then rushed out the back door as the others followed him. The survivors quickly stood up as they struggled to keep up with the stallion. But it wasn't easy. Gambit ran as if the devil was on his ass.

XxX

Name: Gambit

Location: 17th Avenue, Las Pegasus

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 1945 (7:45 pm)

The party of six ran into a small alley to take a break from running while multiple infected ponies screeched in the distance as explosions rang through the city.

As if the blood curdling screams didn't help with the imagination.

“I really hope the guard ain't going to pussy out on their duty," Gambit said while heaving for breath.

"Come on asshole you know the cops are always first response in an emergency, It's their duty to protect us. So why don't you be a little bit considerate, jerkoff," Agate shot back.

Gambit, who is sick and tired of his situation, was reaching for his switchblade.

"Who the fuck said anything to you mother-" Gambit started but was cut off by a series of well-known clicking and sudden banging to the security gate as the Infected started to crowd the front of the store.

"Aw shit! They found us!"

“We gotta get outta here!” Velvet shouted.

Everypony silently agreed and ran as fast as they could. But fatigue and despair were slowly sapping their will to survive.

Sprinting down the alleyway and through a horde of the infected ponies, the party shoved (and in Agate’s case, blasted) their way through to shelter.

The pregnant mare, Honey Suckle, tripped and caught herself before her unborn baby hit the ground. Rolling on her side, she screamed.

"HEEELP!" she yelled as high as she could hoping to be saved by one of the other survivors. But as the infected got close one of them leaped towards the mare.

Bulk, now bordering in the final few stages of infection, lunged with his last bit of strength and pushed his way to the mare. As he pulled her out, he was caught. He was bitten multiple times before being dragged off as the horde started to eat him alive.

“NO!!!” screamed Hulk.

"GO ON AND DON'T LOOK BACK!!" Bulk yelled as he was devoured.

Silk tripped as three infected started gaining on her as she screamed.

One of the infected landed on top of her, but stopped moving. The mare screamed as she saw the bolt stuck on the infected pony's head as the other got the same fate.

The mare turned her head towards a large, 4 story terminal with several stallions on the roof. One in particular, was an olive drab unicorn stallion with a white mane wielding a high-powered crossbow.

Armored Angel waved and yelled "GET YOUR CELESTIA-DAMN ASSES IN HERE!"

The group didn’t realize it, but they made it to the extraction site. The Los Pegasus Aerodrome.

The three booked it to the main gate as the snipers on the roof covered them as they made it to the front door.

XXX

Name: Gambit

Location: Las Pegasus Aerodrome, Las Pegasus

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 2000 (8:00 pm)

The aerodrome was packed with refugees. Everyone from the rich to the poor were crammed in the main terminal.

“ALRIGHT EVERYPONY, STAY CALM! EVERYTHING’S GONNA BE FINE!” yelled one of Las Pegasus’s Special Applications Unit officer hollered into the crowd. He was a white earth pony stallion with a shaved mane dressed in riot control gear. His name was Captain Lone Star.

"FUCK! GET ME OUTTA HERE" Gambit exclaimed.

Again, the ponies in the aerodrome shot Gambit a death glare. This time though the SAU captain and his group stepped up to him.

“Gambit,” Lone Star said, “You are causing a panic. Shut. The. Fuck. Up.”

Gambit didn’t know how the captain knew him.

“H-how-“

"Sorry, about this fucking jerk captain. Don't mind him," Agate said as he shook hoofs with Lone Star.

"It’s no problem Chief, I've met worse," Lone Star answered as he saluted his former superior.

"Well Cap, what the fuck are we gonna do? I’m itching for some more action!" Agate said with a smirk.

Lone Star and his men returned the smile and nodded before issuing orders.

“Grab your ass sweetheart,” Agate said to Gambit as he checked his Breechshot, “It’s gonna get messy.”

XxX

Location: Las Pegasus Aerodrome, Las Pegasus

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 2010 (8:10 pm)

As the horizon started to brighten, the aerodrome’s loudspeaker came alive with Agate’s voice:

“This is Agate. I am the former CO of the LPPD’s Special Applications Unit. I just want you all to know that we will defend you with our lives. No more lives will be lost today as long as I have anything to say about it!”

Loud cheers erupted throughout the building.

“Now, I need everypony who knows how to use a weapon to protect the civilians. My boys will stand on the front lines and make sure those freaks don’t get one damn INCH!’

The crowd complied as SAU officers led the volunteers away.

Agate looked to his fellow stallions as they nodded in agreement.

"Ladies, stay here," Hulk said to Silk and Honey Suckle.

The two mares nodded in agreement as the stallions headed out.

XxX

Name: Hulk

Location: Las Pegasus Aerodrome, Las Pegasus

Date: 2/28/14

Time: 2015 (8:15 pm)

The way to the second floor was teeming ponies. Royal Guards, SAU, aerodrome workers, it didn't matter anymore.

The civilians that didn't have weapons were given swords, spears and basic crossbows. The advanced crossbows such as the carbines, Breechshots, and high powered crossbows were reserved for police and military.

I was given a battered sword and spear to replace my knife. As I saw my reflection in a clear, non-rusted part of the sword, I saw that my face was caked in blood and gunk from the trek.

How am I even here? Bulk was ten times the stallion I could ever be! I-it should’ve been me! I was supposed to protect him!

Bulk’s musing was disrupted when a hoof rested on his shoulder. Looking back, he saw Agate with a knowing look in his eye.

“That other fella you were with…Bulk? He meant something to you, didn’t he?

Tears welled up in Hulk’s eyes, but he tried to keep it together.

“He was my brother… my twin more specifically. He was born five minutes after me.”

Agate nodded and hugged him.

“I understand. But right now, I’m sure that he wants you to complete your assignment. We have one more fight on our hooves. Do it for him,” Agate said.

Wiping his eyes, Hulk nodded and began to gather his weapons.

As he did, one thought went through his mind:

I wanna kill them all…

XxX

Rooftops

Time: 2010 (8:10 pm)

“Razor Actual, this is Razor 2, eyes on a horde coming to us. I’m guessing….four…no, five hundred hostiles approaching,” Razor 2 reported.

“Razor 2, Actual copies all. Hold until we get the go ahead,” Actual responded.

“Roger that, holding for orders.”

Razor 2, along with ten other snipers lied in wait in the roof of the aerodrome. They were all members of the Special Applications Unit tasked with acting as an early warning/scouting team as well as the first line of defense against the horde.

XxX

Inside the Terminal.

Time: 2015 (8:15 pm)

“WHAT?! What did you just say trooper!?” Captain Lone Star voice was laced with disbelief and anger, as he seized the communications officer by his vest.

“C-c-c Colonel Tripod is d-dead sir, a-along with the r-reserve c-c-combat engineer team... t-the entire Seaddle Branch is destroyed, o-one hundred percent casualties.”

Lone Star rocked back on his flank as his white coat turned paler, his red eyes wide with fear. “What the buck happened to them? The Seaddle branch was known for being the best! W-what about the Lt. Colonel? Where is he?”

“N-no official word...”

Star glared at him with anger and frustration in his voice, “so what's the unofficial word then trooper?!”

The officer shivered in his spot, “T-the word around the unit c-co c-commander is that... that Lt. Colonel Flintlock fled the field after his team was reported KIA.”

All went rigid at his words.

Desertion.

The chain of command was in tatters, an entire military reserve and a SAU team were wiped out. The colonel, major and captain were dead, and the lieutenant colonel the commander fled. There were one Captain per division but they weren’t trained to handle the situation at hoof, and none of them had proper provisions to last. Even worse, the North Star, the only available airship that can evacuate the survivors, was still over two hours away after taking a previous batch of survivors to safety.

“Comms traffic from the command squadron said t-that their position in the north was about to be overran was here, right before it went de... uh... silent.”

“Great... just... just fucking great... what hay are we supposed to do now?!”

Everyone looked cowed and scared, but the troopers were more concerned for the civilians. They were supposed to be protecting them but they couldn't even get our own troop together.

A grey hoof came up and smacked Star upside the head.

“KEEP IT TOGETHER CAPTAIN!” Agate shouted. Anger had completely shredded his patience. The collected and confident stallion that Agate trained had disintegrated into a panicking mess that was barely able to keep his troops together.

“I-I... I don't know... I just...”

That's when Hulk saw it dawn on everyponies faces, the fact that they were going to die. The leadership was gone, the command structure was in disarray down to the bone. The horde might have been fighting on their turf and a few miles away but they were something nopony has ever seen before. These things were something from a foal’s nightmares. The feeling of panic and despondency that fell over the terminal was palpable.

“But the civilians... We can't just let them die,” Hulk cut in.

A tense silence filled the building as Lone Star tried to pull himself together.

As he was calming his nerves, Agate spoke up.

“Trooper Stargazer, where are the civvies?”

The black-maned, navy-blue earth pony jumped as he addressed him, “In the main terminal s-sir.” He responded.

“Separate the stallions from the mares and foals and move them behind the line, take the stallions and arm them. We need every set of hooves up here.”

“Yes sir!”

“You, Corporal... Raven?” an pegasus stallion with an pitch black coat, shaved mane and green eyes nodded, “Get on the comms and tell every other unit, anyone who can hear us, to rendezvous in the main terminal, we need to get everyone together otherwise they'll pick us off. It's just like a game of Castles, if all of our troops are divided we won't get anything done.”

“R-right away sir!” he leapt on the comms and began broadcasting on all general channels to the surrounding units.

“Sergeant Mint, you said you worked in the explosives? Ever construct a minefield?”

“Damn straight sir,” he answered, thumping his off-white chest with a massive hoof, relief filling his voice.

“Good, go around and collect anything you need to make improvised explosives and start building a minefield out of whatever we have. Grab whoever you need to help you and go!”

Mint nodded briskly and grabbed a couple of his buddies, a silver unicorn named Wrath as well as a white pegasus civvie, and they ran off in the direction of the outer parameter.

Agate walked over to Lone Star, who was quietly sitting in a corner away from the hubub he created.

“Captain, do you have you shit together?”

Lone Star looked up with resolve and said, “Yes sir. Let’s go get these sons of bitches!”

Agate grinned. Lone Star was back in the fight.

“Do you have any heavy weapons?” Agate asked, and he nodded with vigor.

“Good, we're gonna use the anti-material crossbows.”

XxX

Time: 2020 (8:20 pm)

Agate and Lone Star stood at the inventory he'd just brought up as they tried to figure out in their heads how they could possibly make this work.

One hundred and fifty bolts. Five heavy bows and one hundred and fifty bolts. They knew that they’d run through that amount of ammo in under an hour. Even assuming they could conserve ammo, it would never be enough. Not to mention only the special weapons certified snipers in the units had actually been trained with them despite only actually used them a handful of times.

Well, it wasn't as though we expected to survive this, thought Agate.

“Star, issue these to the snipers that are trained to use these, and figure out who has the best eyes and hand them one to, I have pretty decent aim myself so I'll take one.”

“Roger that.”

Lone Star took four of the five anti-material crossbows and the specialized bolts with him on a trolley before returning to the terminal.

The anti-material is the largest crossbow in Equestria's arsenal. It's a 57 inch long monster that weighs in at 28 pounds unloaded and 31 pounds loaded. The bolts themselves are one foot long and weighs five pounds. The anti-material crossbow uses special armor piercing, incendiary bolts to penetrate armor and live targets. This weapon has a 10x- 20x zoom scope for extreme range.  The automatic re-cocking mechanism that takes about five seconds to reset. Truly, something to be feared.

Agate stared at the weapon for a minute before taking it and leaving the room.

XxX

Lone Star ran back to the troops with the weapons. Fortunately, it seemed like the other teams were making a fighting retreat back to the terminal. Once they had a goal they'd fallen together in a professional, military-like fashion and started working doggedly towards it. Within a half hour, the main terminal had become a screaming din of activity, civilians, mostly stallions and mares, were crammed together with troopers. Luckily, the number of ponies who hadn't been able to evacuate before the attacks began was relatively small, and the vast majority of the little ones, who had been given first priority, had been taken out of the city on ferries up through the river that dumps out to the bay before circling around and sailing to Ponyville. It was the SAU’s job to hold the terminal and all the necessary supplies there until the final airship can land, and evacuate the remaining ponies to Ponyville.

Lone Star finished his rounds with the anti-material crossbows before returning to the terminal and assessing the situation.

The stallions were arming themselves with whatever weapons were available. Well, all except one. Gambit was nearly having a panic attack as he tried to follow the mares and foals.

“Gambit, what. The. FUCK are you doing!?” Lone Star shouted.

Gambit froze as he realized he was caught.

He shakily looked back as Lone Star marched up to him. Absolute fury was plastered on his face as he stared Gambit down.

“I-I-I….” Gambit started.

Lone Star slapped him upside the head.

“GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER! I know you’re a fuckin’ coward, but look,” Lone Star motioned to the terminal as everypony carried on with their tasks, “Their all afraid. Nopony here want to die. But do you see anypony else trying to hide? They have a fire in them. That fire is what drives them to protect the ones they love. So, I’ll ask you again: What the fuck are you doing?”

“But I-I-I do-”, Gambit started.

Lone Star grunted in disgust as he shook his head.

“Get the fuck out of my sight,” Lone Star ordered.

Gambit scurried off like the rat he was as Star about faced and trotted back to the front line.

XxX

Rooftops

Time: 2020 (8:20 pm)

On the roof, Razor 2 and the sniper/recon element were observing the approaching horde. In the time it took Lone Star to get his shit together and for the specialized snipers to receive their heavy weapons, the horde was about two miles away.

“Razor 2, this is Razor Actual. Captain Star just gave us the green light, you’re cleared to engage.”

“Roger that,” Razor 2, aka Officer Sharp Shot, switched his radio frequency to the team channel before keying his mic twice, indicating that they were cleared to engage.

"Target acquired," says Razor 2.

"Roger, range is fifteen hundred meters with a 20 mile per hour tailwind," Razor 2’s spotter, Razor 3 (aka Officer Quick Sight) reported.

All along the rooftop, the sniper/spotter teams took aim before the spotters gave the order.

“Fire, fire, fire.”

SHELUNK!

The entire roof opened up as regular and specialized bolts tore apart the infected ponies.

As they fell, the snipers acquired a new target as the infected froze and started looking around for the source of the noise, not even acknowledging their numbers dropping.

"Gotcha..." grinned Sharp as he sighted his target.

"3,2,1... Fire," said Quick.

As the snipers opened up on the horde, the infected ponies started to notice the glint of light that was reflecting off of the scopes and the sound of the bolts being launched. With a deafening screech, the horde took off towards the aerodrome.

More shots rang out as the horde sprinted to them. As the mass approached the terminal, more infected ponies joined them in their charge. Soon, the number swelled from about five hundred, to six hundred. Then seven hundred.

“Oh shit,” gasped Shot.

The rooftop lit up as they decimated the horde’s ranks, but it wasn’t enough. The number of infected ponies joining the rank was a lot faster than what the snipers can put down.

XxX

Inside the Aerodrome

Time: 2022 (8:22 pm)

With the mares and foals secured, the stallions prepared for the coming shitstorm.

The SAU were the first line of defense. The troopers were armed with an arsenal of different weapons: carbines, hoof-held crossbows, Breechshots, and a few even had SAWs, The second largest crossbow in Equestria's arsenal given to soldiers. Unlike the crossbows used by snipers, this weapon platform is used to provide infantry squads with the heavy volume of fire. It is 41 inches long and weighs 22 pounds. Unlike the standard bolts used by the carbine and sniper crossbows, the SAW bolts were actually smaller, only 4 inches long and weigh 2.5 pounds, but the sheer volume of bolts the SAW can spew out and the amount it holds are more then enough to compensate for the small bolts. Also unlike standard bolts, the SAW uses screw-like tip for the bolts. It also uses a different, recocking system. Instead if using mechanical crank; the SAW uses a blowback styled system.

With these, in addition to the armaments given to the civs, the airship terminal has transformed from a regular building, to a makeshift fortress.

As the defenders were making final preparations, a voice that nopony has ever heard came across the net.

“Las Pegasus Airship Terminal, be advised: the whole damn city is about to come down on you,” the voice said.

The communications operator, Lone Star and Agate all listened in as the voice continued.

“The ETA of the returning airship is two hours. Say again, two out.”

The comms operator looked back at the two senior officers as they digested the information.

Taking the receiver, Lone Star spoke up, “This is Captain Lone Star of the Las Pegasus Police Special Applications Unit and I demand to know who is on my net. We are in the middle of a fucking war here.”

“Captain Star, I am 012 of Predator Team, sent by the Equestrian Intelligence Branch. My team and I have been deployed to observe and report information regarding the threat,” 012 answered.

Who the fuck are these guys?, Star asked himself.

“We recommend you dig in. The airship WILL be there sir. If you need us, our freq is 166.9. Good luck,” 012 said as the net went dead.

The three stallions let the new info sink in. Two hours? They would be lucky if they can hold their position for one hour!

Lone Star was raking his brain for a solution until he heard the sound of the snipers engaging the horde about a mile away.

“Sir, you need to make a decision. What are your orders,” Agate asked as he checked his weapons.

Looking at the ponies he was protecting, he saw a foal, in her elementary school age Star guessed, bawling her eyes out as her mother tried to comfort her.  He say Gambit having a panic attack in the corner. Agate’s wife was cradling two babies in her hooves.

This is it. My defining moment. This is what separates the colts from the stallions. My brother said that to me before he enlisted. This my moment.

With a deep breath, Lone Star, captain of the SAU and the protector of the civilians in his charge, started to issue orders.

“SAW gunners! Set up in the windows! I want my DMs to support the gunners! Civvies with a crossbow, get to the first lower level entrance and hold the front. If shit gets too hairy, pull out and fall back to the upper level. Ponies with melee weapons, protect the mares and foal!”

As he was issuing orders, the stallions all preformed their tasks. Looking back to his mentor, he saw nothing but pride in his eyes.

“Where do you want me sir?” Agate asked.

“Get to the upper-most level of the building before you get to the roof. I need you to assist the snipers from a nest,” Star ordered.

“Yes sir!” Agate bellowed as he ran to the stairs.

XxX

General POV

Time: 2025 (8:25 pm)

ETA of evac airship: 2 hours

The snipers on the roof fell silent, all of their ammo was expended. The teams, including Agate, moved back into the building and to their secondary positions. The team’s total tally counted roughly two hundred confirmed kills, but the horde continued to grow in size.

Inside, the SAUs and able bodied stallions were making final preparations and going over final checks.

As Lone Star was making his final checks with his men, Agate reported to him.

“Sir, all snipers have fallen back to their secondary roles as DMs and are in the second story window.”

Lone Star nodded before turning his attention to the window in front of him.

The rising sun illuminated the congealed blood that stained the dirt with dark rusty hues. There were splatters here and there, in some places there were pools. According to his fellow captains, the civilians that had been found here were badly wounded from the chaos, but alive. The guard had reacted swiftly and had fortunately suffered no casualties in the move from their locations to the aerodrome.

Lone Star switched on his mic and switched to the frequency that 012 told him about, "012, this is Captain Lone Star. Can you see anything from up there?"

The operator was currently flying high above the buildings, looking out for any signs of movement. It was like having an intelligent UAV.

“I have eyes on a shit-ton of hostiles. From up here, it looks like they will reach your position in about five minutes."

“Roger that, thanks. Out,” Lone Star signed off. He let out a loud sigh as he trotted to his position.

XxX

Outer Parameter

Airship Arrival: 1 hour, 45 minutes

After making sure the mares and foals were safe, the defenders were locked and loaded, and the final preparations made, the sound of the crossbows from the outer parameter sounded.

SHERUNK! SHERUNK! SHERUNK!

The sound of crossbows filled the aerodrome from the lower level and into the streets. The appointed leader of fireteam 1, Mint, along with the other stallions, fired into the growing crowd or reanimated corpses and demons.

“Keep up the pressure boys! We got this!” Mint yelled as he blasted another demon's head off with his explosive crossbow.

The members of his team obeyed, scanning their sectors over the ruined, and burnt out remains of what had once been their city.

Mint remembered this place from when he was a foal. His mother other often walked his father to the very building he was defending before he left on business trips.

The mutilated bodies all ran towards the team’s position. Everypony started firing and tearing through the ranks, but the noise was only drawing more of the Infected towards them.

Above the team, the designated marksponies provided support.

As the team fired, Mint holstered his weapon and took up a detonator with several lit buttons from his flak jacket’s integrated assault pack. As the infected ponies crossed a single burnt out carriage with a large red line that was spray painted, Mint grinned.

“FIRE IN THE HOLE!” hollered Mint.

After a slip second delay, a cocktail of explosives obliterated the mob as a cocktail of C4, pipe and nail bombs, makeshift claymores, and dynamite detonated with a resonating blast. The shock wave itself shattered the windows on the front portion of the aerodrome as well as the surrounding buildings. The defenders were thrown on their backs as their ears rang.

Mint was the first one on the street to come to. Looking around, he saw his men and the civilians either dazed, trying to get up, or in the inexperienced civs’ case, rolling around on the ground in agony after the blast took out their eardrums.

Mint gave out a loud whoop and laugh as he reported in, “ALL CLEAR!”, he hollers up to the Captain.

The recovered SAU troopers returned to their hooves and helped up their teammates as Mint gave instructions to the men.

However, he was cut off as the howl of the infected ponies reverberated all around them.

“Oh shit…” Mint muttered.

XxX

A proud smile formed on Lone Star’s muzzle as he looked over the ponies in his charge.

We can do this, he thought.

Then, as if the universe was pulling a cruel joke on him, a series of massive howls sounded off.

First it came from the north.

Then the south.

East.

West.

Dear Celestia…Lone Star muttered.

Lone Star quickly keyed his mike to call Mint.

“Mint, fall back now! We’re surrounded!”

After a few seconds, he heard the sound of the front door of the terminal open and the pitter patter of hooves march into the main room.

“We’re all here sir,” Mint reported.

XxX

Outer Parameter

Airship Arrival: 1 hour, 25 minutes

As Mint and his team returned to the aerodrome, the howl of the infected ponies and demons once again rattled the windows.

"Alright men," Lone Star ordered, "The airship WILL be here soon. We just need to hold out a bit longer!"

"YES SIR!" the stallions hollered.

"We have the perfect position here, those fucking things are going to charge right into us, and we're gonna shoot fish in a motherfucking barrel! Got it?!"

"Aye sir!" the group yelled again as adrenaline and hope motivated them.

"Okay, get your ammo out. SAW ammo on the floor close to your hooves. Line your mags up where you can get to 'em quick. We aren't leaving until the airship gets here in about an hour."

The defenders did as the Captain said and spread their mags out and started covering sectors of fire.

As the stallions readied themselves, the radio crackled with the voice of one of the rooftop snipers.

"HERE THEY COME!"

XxX

Outer Parameter

Airship Arrival: 1 hour

The first charge came from the north. The survivors heard the sound of the howls and clicks, along with the beat of hoofsteps on rubble as the defenders braced themselves.

As the first group of twenty infected ponies and demons made it into the defenders' field of view, and an explosion of SAWs, carbines, sniper and anti material crossbow fire raked the streets. Explosions from the combat engineers' explosive tip crossbows added to the chorus of mayhem.

After a brief 3 minutes that felt like 3 hours, the attacking group were all wiped out.

After the last bolt ricochets off the ground, cheers erupted in its wake.

"Great job men," Lone Star said.

As the defenders started to reload, another deafening howl shook the place.

"Again?" Lone Star asked.

This time however, the massive horde finally reached the aerodrome.

The defenders poured everything they had into the horde for a good half an our until, one by one, they started to run out of ammo.

XxX

Captain Easy Breezy

5,000 Feet in the air and descending

Airship Arrival: 0 hours, 5 minutes

Captain Breezy, a mare with a sky blue coat and white mane, was piloting the airship, Gentle Winds.

"Ground, this is Captain Breezy of the Gentle Winds, we are on final approach. Sorry about the delay"

The communications officer radioed back

"Thank Celestia! We're running out of options here! Please step on it!"

"Roger that ground, were less the 5 mikes out."

XxX

"Alright, when the ship gets here, the mares and foals are boarding first followed by the civilian stallions, then the officers," Lone Star ordered as the defenders had fallen back from their positions. As they retreated deeper into the aerodrome, the officers used their standard issued hoof-held crossbows to take potshots at the charging infected ponies.

"It's here!" A civilian mare yelled excitedly, pointing at the landing airship.

"Alright, alright, mares and foals first!" Lone Star yelled.

As the airship landed and the ramp was lowered, the mares and foals hurried to the ship. Once there, the civilian stallions ran across followed by the officers with Lone Star and Agate bringing up the rear.

As the airship pulled away, a single infected pony made it after the two stallions turned tail and ran to make it to the ship.

As the infected pony climbed on, Lone Star tried shooting it with his service crossbow, but it was out of ammo, throwing the weapon at it, the infected pony grabbed the nearest pony, Silk.

Gambit, who was standing near the mare, panicked and kicked Silk and the infected pony off the ship's open deck. The mare screamed before the two splattered against the tarmac and undead mob under them feasted on the remains of the mare.

The crowd who witnessed this screamed in horror as Gambit tried to justify his actions.

"She was fucking dead anyways! I did what was necessary you ungrateful bastards!" he screamed as a ran for his life leaving the others shocked and horrified survivors frozen on the spot. That is until a graphite grey hoof grabbed him by the throat. Heterocromatic eyes ablaze with fury and pain as tears streaked down his face, Agate was near his own breaking point.

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!" Agate roared.

Gambit yelled back, "That fucking bitch was dead anyways! I did us a favor!"

"What did you call my wife!?" Agate screeched. He voice sounded of white hot wrath as Gambit instantly regretted his poor choice of words.

"L-l-look man, I'm sorry, I swear I didn't mean it like that! I can pay you, please!" Gambit pleaded as Agate's hoof tightened around his throat.

"Remember what I said when we first met?" Agate's voice dropped to a harsh whisper.

Nodding frantically as Agate eased up a bit on his throat to allow him to speak.

"You said, 'do anything stupid, and-" SNAP!

Agate gave a violent jerk of his hoof and let Gambit's lifeless body tumble off the airship before he to splattered against the ground.

"Yep," Agate said as he turned back and went below deck.

As the grey stallion left, the ponies all sat in silence as to what transpired as the airship flew to Canterlot.

Chapter 4: Redeployment

Name: Echo

Rank: Specialist

Date: 3/6/2014

Time: 0900 Hours (9:00 am)

Location: Ponyville, Train Station

2 Days After the Attacks Were Reported

Lieutenants Shadow Fang and Carbon turned to their squads. All of them were saying goodbye to their marefriends before they left.

Stunner, gave Fluttershy a quick kiss before grabbing his laundry bag.

“You be safe Fluttershy, I'll see you in a few months." He said with a sad smile.

Fluttershy was almost in tears, but tried her best to keep them back, "I will. I love you Stun," she said before kissing him again.

Fuse was with Vinyl.

"And don't do anything crazy! You don't need to loose your other leg," nagged Vinyl in a sad tone.

Fuse rolled his eyes but smiled.

"Babe, my job is nothin' but crazy. I know the risks but hey, I knew what I signed up for," he said with a smile before kissing her goodbye. Tears were running freely down her face as she kissed back.

"Just... Be safe. Okay?" she said with a slight hiccup.

Fuse smiled again before pressing his forehead against hers.

"Of course."

Specter was by himself, sharpening his knives. He didn't have a marefriend nor did he want one.

Echo was with Ember.

"I'm gonna miss you," whimpered Ember.

Hearing her like this broke his heart.

"Hey now, no tears. I'll be back before you know it. And when I do, I have a question for you when I get back."

Sniffling, Ember looked up to him, "Just be safe. If you get hurt, I will personally beat your ass. Are we clear?" she tries to sound livid. But if fails.

"Yes ma'am~" Echo says before kissing her again.

Carbon, to everypony's surprise, had a marefriend.

“Octavia, I’ll come back for you, I promise,” said the stallion.

Octavia gave Carbon a smile. “I know you will, I’m looking forward to it.”  and with that they shared a passionate kiss before Carbon returned to his job.

Stratus Breaker did in fact, find a mare. Her name was Roseluck. The same mare who ran the flower shop in town. They were in the middle of saying their final goodbyes.

Rift was trying to talk to Cloudchaser, but was constantly trying to get her younger sister, Flitter, to stop trying to kiss him.

"For the last time Flitter! I. DON'T. LIKE. YOU. LIKE. THAT! I'm already dating your sister!", snaps Rift.

"Aw come on! Just a kiss?", begs Flitter while her sister laughs at her antics.

Rift had enough. Stomping his fore hooves on the ground, a stone vise trapped Flitter.

"Now if you don't mind. I would like to say goodbye to my marefriend," says Rift.

Although Rift is a earth pony, he can cause earthquakes and other earth-based phenomenon such as landslides and spouting rocks from the ground with a technique called Catalyst.

Shadow Fang then addressed the two squads.  “Are we done? Can we hurry this up pozhaluysta?”

“Yes sir.”  Pyro turned back to Pinkie.  “You stay safe baby, you hear?”

“I know, you go and do your thing.”  She responded before sharing one last kiss.

With that, the two teams formed their ranks and said their last goodbyes.

Ready to face the unknown.

Arc 3: Chapter 1: Total War (edited)

Date: 3/6/2014

Time: 0500 Hours (5:00 Am)

Location: Canterlot Castle, Situation Room

Omnipresent POV

"-and we are just getting word that Las Pegasus has been overran. We do not know if there are any survivors, but we do know that the death toll is currently at 300,000. The force behind the attack is said to be a large number of canine like being unlike anything we have ever-", the video feed was cut by the general.

"Alright gents, here's the situation," says General Apex, a black alicorn that stood about about a head taller then Princess Luna. He had a black coat with red tribal markings, the markings covered his entire body, the ones on his head looked like a skull while the rest of them just covered his body in a circuit pattern. At the center of his forehead was a spade.He had no mane but he wore a black beret with a patch on the front of it.. His eyes were two different colors, his left eye was a metallic light blue while his right eye was metallic red. He was wearing a long black officers greatcoat with six throwing knives strapped to his sides, and an officer sword was strapped to his side

"We know that Manehatten, Los Pegasus, and Seaddle are taken by these... things. It took me forever to get Celestia to mobilize our spec ops teams to assist Shining Armor's Royal Guards, but we now have actionable intel, provided by our Communications Command and Task Force Rouge, to lay waste to these sons of bitches."

"HOORAH!" the other commanders howl.

"Colonel Sable, how's the status on our Nightstalkers?"

A grey pegasus stallion with light blue lines and an unkempt black mane with magenta eyes saluted before giving his report. He wore the same beret and coat as the general, but had two Kpinga throwing knives strapped to his hips.

"Sir, Hellhound Team is ready and standing by for orders. Carbon has been relieved of his position, but from what I hear, he has his own squad stationed in Ponyville."

"Excellent, Ghost Eye, Nexus?"

"Yes sir?" both say in unison with a salute.

Director Ghost Eye, an ash Grey unicorn stallion with a spiky red mane with black tips and solid red eyes surrounded by black where the whites should be, and his second in command, Vice Director Nexus was a huge, white coated earth stallion with a spiky silver mane with black streaks and deep purple eyes. Both wore black cloaks with red clouds on them.

"Status on our SOG teams?"

"Archer and Punisher teams are standing by on your word general. We just need the green light sir," says Ghost Eye.

"Sir, Predator Team is currently scoping out the cities. We have up to the second updates on all survivors, enemy movements and a way to strategically apply our forces. Operative 011 reports that their cover isn't blown and that they are still in hiding. Sir, they request clearance to aid the survivors in fighting back," says Nexus.

"Permission denied. We need them to observe and ONLY observe. Are we clear?"

"Aye sir," says Nexus.

"Good, Colonel Zippo, report."

"We're good to go and standing by. My forces can be prepped and wheels up in eighteen hours tops," replies Zippo with a salute. He is a unicorn with gold eyes, a deep red coat, and a blonde mane and tail. His mane was cut high and tight under a maroon beret. He also wore a set of CE Digital fatigues.

"Ready as usual colonel," Apex says with a smirk.

"Always ready sir," Zippo says with pride.

"Good, we'll need your unit later,", Apex says before turning to his air force generals, "And our airships?"

"Excellent conditions sir,", replies Colonel Hawker. He is a white pegasus stallion with a grey, blasted black mane. He was responsible for all of Equestria's troop transport ships.

"Same here, sir", calls Major Skyfall, a glassy grey pegasus with a long, light blue mane who was responsible for the fuel ships.

"We are go sir," says Major Razgriz, a black pegasus with red wings, black feathers, and a orange mane.He was responsible for all of the gunships.

"We are all good sir. We only have one problem" every pony looks at Captain Birdsong in confusion. Birdsong is a silver pegasus with a spiky purple mane who was responsible for the close air support airships.

"We don't have a way to move all of our troops and equipment all over Equestria," says Captain Foxhound, a pale blue stallion with a darker blue mane. He was in charge of the heavy bomber units.

All of the Air Force Commanders wore a set of olive Officer Flight Duty uniforms.

"That's why he brought me in," a voice rang out.

All eyes were on the newcomers. In walked: three stallions, all wearing custom suits and sunshades.

"General Apex, thank you for granting us the opportunity to be here. We will do everything we can to help with the war efforts," replied the dull blue unicorn.

"It's a pleasure Mr. Nimitz. Thank you again for providing us resources," replied the general with a grin.

"It's no problem sir. We figured y'all would need a carrier, that's why I brought these two," he motioned to the two other stallions: one was a black earth pony stallion with a neon green mane and the other was a light grey pegasus with a blonde mane.

"Mr. Nimbus, Mr. Cipher to what do we owe the pleasure?"

"As you may know, my company, Paladin 9 owns three of the four super airships, correct?" asked Nimbus, the grey pegasus.

"Yes, we do," replied Apex, "What of it?"

"Mr. Nimbus and myself would like to provide our carriers and air forces to aide in the war effort," Cipher deadpanned.

"For a fee right?" asked Zippo in a slightly irritated tone.

"No, we will provide the equipment and manpower, free of charge," chimed Nimitz.

He then pulled out a projection crystal that displayed the four super carriers: Behemoth, Spirit, Fortune, and Meteor.

The generals looked in awe of the massive airships as Apex grins with gratitude.

"Thank you gents. You have no idea how much this means to us," says Apex.

"No problem sir. And I also hear that other PMCs wish to aid you. Vigilant Sword of Echelon, Ice Diamond of Diamond Dog Inc., Toro of Vampiro Corp., Disruptor of Black Arrow, and Black Sands of Raven Sword all wish to send resources," replies Nimitz.

This makes Apex's smile grow as he lets the news soak in.

"Gentlecolts, I believe we have a fighting chance."

Teaser 2

The world was burning.

All around me, bodies and body parts were scattered around me. The screams of agony and wails of the dying created a symphony of death that haunted me. Ember was in my hooves. Dying and cursing my name. She said she was ashamed of me. That I've become a murderer and a monster. That she regrets giving me a chance and that I was only a freak. She started to laugh manically with what little strength she had left before dying in my hooves.

I just sat there and held her.

Was it all a lie? All this time, she never loved me?

Teaser 3

Location: Seaddle Quarantine Zone

Lieutenants Carbon, Shadow Fang and Barricade, and Staff Sergeant Combust and their respective teams observed the dome that surround the large city. Seaddle was a barren wasteland, inside the dome lay a city in ruin. Buildings lay destroyed, blood littered the ground, though the bodies were nowhere to be seen. This was all very strange.

"Remember the plan son?," asked Apex to Carbon.

"Roger sir. All teams are to clear out the hospital with the sniper team providing overwatch. Afterwards, 1st and 2nd Infantry and Hellhound is to search the residential area, 33rd Squad is to move on the refinery and prep the place to blow. Echo and Cross are to clear out the skyline and Space Needle and spot any hostiles in our way. We extract, and Blaster Element will level the place." replied Carbon.

"Good my boy. If you pull this off, you can finally get that promotion."

After saluting, the two go to their respective posts. Carbon and Barricade inspected their teams, Pyro, Fuse, Stunner, and a majority of the other operators had good luck charm pendant of their marefriend's cutie marks along side their dog tags, each with the hope and intention of bringing them home safely.Carbon takes a breath, and communicates with Apex.

"Diablo, we've arrived. Lower the shield."

"Lowering shield now."

Teaser 5

Time: 0000 Hours (12:00 am)

Location: Downtown Las Pegasus

The sky was grey. The city was a smoldering corpse of it's former beauty and vultures were everywhere.

Private First Class Crimson Dream was in the drained and blood stained Bellagio Fountain located in Royal Square in the city of Las Pegasus. He was dazed and his vision comes and goes. The fountain is filled with dead civilians, as well as fallen Corrupted.

Twenty Corrupted goes by as some of them walk into the fountain and feast on the dead.

Crimson slowly buries himself under the dead and remains still. He is not noticed.

As the Corrupted move on, he vomits then begins to crawl forward. Suddenly, one of the bodies starts to move in front of him. It was his teacher, Sergeant Echo, and his dog, Hunter.

"Over here," Echo whispers. He was dressed in a set of black urban sniper fatigues, a foliage black shemagh around his neck and black vest with his earpiece strapped to his head. Crimson was dressed similarly with his fatigues but with a black and green shemagh tied around his neck. Crimson crawls over to him, armed both were armed with high powered crossbows and their preferred secondary weapons.

"See that? To the east of us. Two of those things right in front of the casino," says Echo.

Two Corrupted were standing outside the casino. They were, what Echo and Crimson could only guess, were searching the area.

"I see them. Range is two-zero-zero meters. Wind, moving from south east to north west, speed one-zero. Adjusting scope," says Crimson.

"Got it. Cleared to engage in three...two...one."

Teaser 7

Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky.

XxX

Name: Echo

Rank: Sergeant

Date: xxx

Time: 1800 Hours (6:00 pm)

Location: Canterlot Garden, Canterlot

"Mare’s and Gentlecolts, we are gathered here today…” Celestia was standing under a white archway decorated in an assortment of jewels and flowers. They were standing outside in the Canterlot Gardens. Several plants and trees had been carefully moved to make room for all of the guest.  Not all of them ponies in the traditional sense. There were a decent amount of threstials attending the wedding, including Silver Slash, Duster, and the other surviving Spades from Rook.

"To join this stallion and mare in celestial matrimony.” She continued.

Echo blushed a little at Celestia’s words. There he was, standing in front of the crowd, about to get married to the one he loved.

He was able to find his suit: his deep green Class A dress uniform and black beret with his unit's insignia sewed to the front. His suit was equipped with all of his ceremonial patches and medals and perhaps his favorite piece, a diamond cross over his heart in the same shape of Ember's cutie mark.

Ember looked beautiful in her wedding dress, no expenses were wasted. It was a beautiful fire-like design, matching with her natural color scheme. There were rubies around the rim of the skirt leading up to the part in the dress, where the two trails of gems formed into one, trailing up the blouse of the dress, and separating again around her collar. Her dress glowed in the afternoon sun. She was also wearing her phoenix amulet proudly around her neck and her white ribbon in her mane.

“The bride and groom have written each other vows, which they will now recite to each other,” Celestia said, turning to Echo. “You may begin, sergeant.”

Echo nodded. he had memorized his vows, his hooves trembling with a mix of stress, excitement and nerves. He cleared his throat as he finally managed to recite his vows.

“Ember,” he started to say, his voice was shaky, it was really happening. “From the moment I laid down my life on our first date, you were the fire that kept me going when any other stallion would've given up. I knew I would never love another. You were the only mare that I would ever love, I could ever love. I was just a grunt then. But I knew you were the one. You steal my breath away, you make my heart race, and consume my every thought and every second away from you is a second in hell.” He took a deep breath, trying to keep his thoughts straight and organized. “I would live for you, die for you, and everything in between. Ember… I love you. With all my heart; and I will always be there for you.”

There was a low hum of sighs and aww’s coming from the guests in the gardens. “And now for the bride. Ember, if you would?” smiled the celestial princess, wiping a happy tear from her face.

“Echo…” she started to say; she had memorized her vows also, “I admit my feelings for you were like a fire. It started as a spark, but that burned and burned until my love grew into true and undying love. I admit I was scared of what others would have thought of us if we were together, but those thoughts quickly disappeared the day you saved Pinkie on our first date",  She sniffed as she dabbed a tear with a tissue that she had in her blouse. “You would have given me your heart, done anything to save us that day in the mines. I can’t stand to think of life without you in it. I love you, Echo.”

Soft cries could be heard as mares and even a few stallions and the odd Spade shed a tear to the tenderness of the speech.

"Sergeant Echo…” began Celestia after everypony had started to settle down. “Do you take this mare, to be your celestially wedded wife, to love and cherish, through good times and bad, through sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

“Yes ma'am, I do.” he said with a salute with joy filled tears in his eyes.

“And do you Ember, take this stallion, to be your celestially wedded husband, to love and cherish, through good times

and bad, though sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

Ember looked into Echo's spliced eyes.

“I do.”

“Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife! You may—"

Echo and Ember lunged at each other’s mouths; they couldn’t wait a second longer.  They were a married couple now, and the tension between them was getting far too unbearable.

“You…may kiss the bride,” sighed Celestia.

Arc 2: Prologue: Jail Break

Date: 2/4/2014

Time: 0000 Hours (12:00 am)

Location: Deep within the pits of Tartarus

4 Weeks Ago

Welcome to Tartarus, We've been expecting you

The eternal prison of demons and all things evil. Tartarus serves as not only a place of eternal imprisonment, but the place of eternal torture.

As the Cerberus constantly guards the gates, a new threat to Equestria and the very planet itself arises.

Thousands upon thousands of demons have congregated to the center of Tartarus around a once red unicorn stallion with golden eyes and a bronze colored mane is now a snow white winged unicorn with black talons replacing his legs, bat wings and a very long black mane. His mark, once the proud insignia of the Captain of the Royal Guard, is now something completely different, the mark of the Alpha.

The Alpha was basically the supreme commander of almost all the demons in Tartarus.

He scans the crowd with his glowing red eyes before addressing them.

"My legion" he hissed in a harsh whisper through razor sharp teeth.

All eyes were in him and all noise has ceased.

"Today, we will take back what rightfully belongs to us! We have massed our numbers that dwarfs the Royal Guard, became stronger then that heathen Celestia and grew powerful enough to overrun entire cities! " he continued with pride.

All of his minions applauded him.

"And now, to take back what belongs to us." he continues before leading his army toward the lone Cerberus. He didn't have a chance to defend himself before being torn to shreds by the legion.

Teaser 1

"Come on! Come on!", called Blackburn.

"We're almost there! Extraction's just up ahead!" 'Demo' yelled to his team.

"Saturated bombing run is incoming in T minus 3 minute! We gotta get the civvies past Bronco Bridge, blow it, and get home!" said 'DJ'.

Above them, the hum of  Barracuda Class bombers were enroute to level Manehatten. The military completely underestimated the number of hostiles in the city and had issued a Scorched Earth Policy (SEP) to wipe out any remaining Corrupted or Infected. 1st and 2nd Infantry, Toros Squad, and their band of civilians had made it out of Manehatten and were heading back to the Behemoth, Fortune, Meteor and Spirit.

Ahead of Hunter, Punisher, and Archer lays Bronco Bridge, the only thing connecting the piece of hell behind them to the rest of Equestria.

"We're almost there! Keep pushing!" said Garuda

The band of civilians that were with the three teams were hot on their hooves with a mob of Infected behind them.

Hunter was halfway across the bridge when they stopped and provided covering fire for the other teams. 'Demo', Talisman and Pepper were setting charges to blow the bridge.

"Hey! Bombers are on final approach! ETA 1 minute!" calls Sky Eye.

"We're working as fast as we can!" yells 'Demo'

"Almost set on my side!", yells Pepper

"Same here!" says Talisman

"Got it! Let's get the fuck outta here!", says 'Demo.'

"Bombs away! Bombs away! We gotta move!" screams 'DJ'.

They were just across the bridge when 'Demo' detonated the explosives, sending Bronco Bridge and about 200 Infected into the canal below. The blast threw everypony cross the clearing.

One by one, they all lost consciousness. Blackburn was the last to succumb to the blackness. But he had a smile on his face.

"Mission accomplished", he mumbled before he to fell into the darkness.

Teaser 4

Time: 1000 Hours (10:00 am)

Location: Canterlot Castle

The generals, the princesses and Captain Shining Armor rose theirs hoof to their heads in a salute as the casket came down the aisle. Around them, ponies were lined up in rows, each with their particular "mourning" outfits. They mostly consisted of black, and none had bright colors. To his right and left, Carbon and Shadow Fang each saluted to the casket as well, neither of them happy to be where they were. It was the funeral for the fallen. A while after the attack in Seaddle, it was decided that instead of individual funerals, the dead would all be honored in one ceremony, that would last as long as it needed to. The scent of roses hung in the air as ponies tossed them into the path of the caskets, honoring those that had passed. Ember gave a quick sniff as she tried to control her own emotions. She couldn't help but feel that she was somewhat responsible, even though everyone said she did his best.

"With great victory... Comes great sacrifice." She heard Fuse whisper to her.

She gave a slight nod, then turned her attention back to the funeral. Across from her, members of the 1st and 2nd Infantry, 33rd Squad, and the surviving members of Lifeboat saluted as well, each of them in their respective uniforms.

Another casket passed, and the name of the deceased was given, along with requests of old stories that others had with the dead pony. The priest called for anyone that had known the soldier personally, and if they had anything to say. A young light red filly stepped up, along with a mare holding her hoof. Ember recognized the filly as the one that had thanked Echo and Crimson for saving her life when they were in the mines, and nearly shed a tear. The young one had lost a family member no doubt, but who it was, she couldn't be sure. The young girl placed one brightly colored daffodil on the coffin, along with a picture of her holding the hoof of a larger pony.

"I'll miss you daddy." She said as she said a tear. The generals sigh while ponies around her cooed. Apex briefly lowered his head, overcome with guilt over watching the child carry so much grief. The filly explained how her father had been inspired to join Operation Lifeboat after Seaddle, and how he had given his life to save a younger colt at the Siege of Canterlot. She looked up to the casket and kissed her hoof, placing it on the casket."I love you."

Teaser 6

Name: Echo

Rank: Sergeant

Date: xxx

Time: 1100 Hours (11:00 am)

Location: Canterlot Castle Medical Wing, Canterlot

Beep………… beep………… beep………… beep…………

Echo’s eyes were greeted by a bright light as they slowly started to open. The steady pace of beeping was ringing next to his ear. As his senses came back to him, he was able to see where he was. It looked like a hospital room, with lots of medical machines stationed next to the small metal bed. Turning to his side, he saw something he never wanted to see: Ember in a bed, hooked up to the machines. He gasped at the sight, knowing perfectly well what happened.

“Ember....” He slowly raised his head up, a fire of determination was in his eyes.

He tried to get up, but was held down by wires and tubes.

Grunting, he forcibly removed the sensors and the IV drip. When he was done, he limped over to her bed. Tears of regret were flowing freely down his face as blood pored from the holes left from the needles.

“I'm so sorry Ember... I'm so, so sorry,” he said, looking around the room again. “I tried to fight him... I-I did!"

He was getting more and more guilty over putting her in the state she's in now.

“I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, baby! I love you, so much!", the stallion cried.

As soon as he finished, Fuse, Crimson and three orderlies came in response to Echo's screaming.

“Calm down kid! It's okay, It's okay...” said the green stallion.

“I fucking did this to her! How is it all-fucking right!?” cried Echo.

"Echo, it's not your fault! The Alpha possessed you and forced you to do it!" argued Crimson.

"I should've been stronger! I could've stopped myself!", tears were pouring from his face and his hooves trembled.

"E...", said Fuse

"It wasn't enough... I was too weak..." said Echo as he eyed a scalpel.

"E... look at me,"