Rising Shadows

James stood in the tree line and stared thoughtfully at the large purple barrier surrounding the small town of Ponyville. He had spent the last two hours following the tracks. The sun was rising in the distance casting a orange glow over the countryside.

The tracks disappeared into the long grass and James waited silently in hopes of catching a glimpse of the dogs. After waiting for over an hour he slumped back down and hid under the shade of a nearby tree.

He stared dejectedly at the dark forest before him. His attention quickly turned to his blood stained clothes. He shook his head at the memory of Twilight telling him that he ripped a pony's head off. Even the dream made no sense, and he has had some weird dreams in his life.

He looked up and could only just make out the colour of the second barrier. Unlike the one that surrounded the town, this one was a light blue colour and seemed to stretch for miles in every direction.

James cupped his head in his hands and let out a sniffle. 'how did it end up like this?' he thought as a small tear trickled down his cheek. 'After everything we had been through Matt betrays us?' James still couldn't believe it, and he was the one who shot him.

He let out a weak laugh before wiping the tears in his eyes. “Ha, Damn ninjas with onions.” He whispered quietly.

'If I'm dead, does that mean everyone else is dead as well?' He thought. The memories of the robbery came back to him. Shooting Matt in the head. Dale getting killed by the police. Then the grenade.

“To be honest.” James said to himself as he looked at the green fields in the distance. “Hell ain't as bad as I though it would have been.”

“Eeeek!” sounded from behind him, without thinking james drew his pistol and turned. Standing behind him was a small butter cream pegasus with a pink mane. She was frozen in shock and her eyes were wide.

“Hello?” He asked hopefully before lowering his pistol.

“Please don't eat me.” The pegasus whimpered before trying to hide behind her mane.

“I'm not going to eat you.” James said trying to reassure the scared pegasus. “I promise.”

This seemed to calm her a bit as she opened of her eyes. They quivered lightly and the beginning of tears were forming.  “What's your name?” James asked.

“Fluttershy...” She whispered.

James couldn't help but feel sorry for the scared little pegasus before him. Her body shook like a pneumatic drill and he could hear the cartoonish chattering of bones.

“Well my name is James.” The crack of a twig caused him to turn quickly and Fluttershy froze with shock. He scanned the tree line for a few moments for any kind of movement. “We best get out of here.” He said.

Fluttershy only nodded. Her body like that of a rabbit frozen by the gaze of a cars head lights.

“Do you know of a place we can hide?” James asked. Fluttershy didn't reply. “Fluttershy.” Her head snapped to him. “Do you know of a place where we can hide?”

“Emm, yes... we can go to my cottage, the diamond dogs haven't been to it yet.” She replied with a slight whimper.

“The lets get going.”

The walk to her cottage was longer than James had anticipated. They had to walk almost to the other side of the large blue bubble that encircled the town. The stayed near the tree line for most of the trip and would hide in the bushes at the sight of any patrols.

The more James saw of the surroundings the more confused he got. The town was encircled by large, green flowing meadows that stretched for miles, the only thing stopping them was the forest and it was impossible to see any further due to the second shield. He couldn't help but wonder. Why did they need two shields?

The local wildlife, let alone the locals all seemed to bright. Cartoonishly bright. Brightly coloured birds flew in the air and lush blue and red flowers dotted the ground. The only thing that seemed out of place was the dark forest to their backs. Or was it the other way round?

“How much further?” James whispered to Fluttershy.

“We are almost there.” She replied. He previous fear seemed to have disappeared but every so often she would glance behind her and watch James cautiously. James would often meet her eyes and she would snap her head forward again.

The cottage slowly came into view. It stood fair way from the town, at least a mile. The cottage itself was also strange, albeit fitting with the environment. It stood on a small hill with a little stream flowing around it. The roof looked as if a tree had covered it and a small paved path lead to door that looked as if it was stolen from an old western movie.

“This is where you live?” James asked as they made their way over a small bridge that joined onto the stony path.

“Yes.” Fluttershy said. “It's the only place where the diamond dogs haven’t been to yet. Most of Sweet Apple Acres is destroyed as well as the train station.”

“Why haven't they come here?” James asked

“I don't know.” She said simply before pushing a key into the lock. It seemed rather pointless as most of the windows were open, and anyone could break in.

They both walked and James couldn't help but admire the sight. The cottage could only be described as homey. A concrete stove sat on the wall to his right and a large sofa was directly in front of him. The walls were painted a light brown and at least three bird boxes hung from the walls.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Fluttershy squeaked drawing James from his thoughts.

“What do you have?”

“Only water.” She replied sheepishly.

James smiled. “A glass of water would be wonderful.” Fluttershy returned the smile and trotted through a door to his left that lead to the kitchen. His gaze caught onto a small photo sitting in a frame on a small coffee table next to the sofa.

The picture was of Fluttershy, Twilight and four other mares. He picked the frame up and examined it closer. They were all in a large huddle and looking towards the camera that took the image.

“Please don't touch that.” Fluttershy said from behind James. He quickly placed the image down and turned to her. In her hoof was a glass of water, somehow.

“Don't touch that photo.” She said again. Her voice thick with venom and entirely different form before.

“Sorry.” James said.

Her features softened instantly. “Sorry...” She said quietly. “It's just that’s the only thing I have left to remember them by.” Her lips were quivering at this point.

“I saw Twilight only yesterday.” James said confused. Fluttershy's face shot up so quick it was a blur.

“When did you last see Twilight?” She asked quickly.

“Yesterday. In some ruined old castle.” James said taking a step away from Fluttershy who was now hovering in front of his face, staring deeply into his eyes. He missed out the part about him being imprisoned though. That could send the wrong message.

“Where is she now.” Fluttershy asked, her gaze never faltering.

“A pack of dogs took her towards town. I was following them when I met you.”

Her wings stopped mid flight and she slumped to the floor. Her eyes were wide and she was beginning to tear up. “I thought she was dead... I thought they were all dead.” She whispered before breaking into tears.

James stood there unsure of what to do. Should I do something? He thought. Fuck it.! James slowly came to a crouch and pressed his hand against her head. She froze and he carefully began stroking her head.

“Don't worry. She'll be all right.” James soothed.

“But... she won't be. The dogs will take her away just like they did to the others.” She blubbered. “Then they will get me.”

James took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes closed. He le the breath go and looked at her. “I won't let that happen, I promise.” James slung his arm around her and pulled her into a hug.

The small pegasus cried into his shoulder as he slowly rocked back and fourth. She had been crying for five minutes now and she hadn't stopped once.

“Everything is going to be all right.” James said for the fiftieth time. Fluttershy was now breathing lightly into his shoulder and she had fallen asleep. He couldn't help but smile at the cuteness of it all, an soon sleep overtook him.

James could feel the warm sun play about on his skin as he slowly woke. He had no idea how long he had been sitting there for but his numb ass gave him some hints. He gave a might stretch and yawned. He basked in the warm feeling before opening his eyes.

A gut-wrenching dread filled his stomach. The living room that he had been lying In. Tables and chairs were scatted about the room and a strong stench of blood filled the air. He looked down and to no surprise Fluttershy had vanished.

James shot to his feet and drew his pistol. He didn't dare move as he expected something to jump at him any second. After a few moments of silence he decided it was safe to quietly look around. He took a few steps forwards and turned into the kitchen and it was no better. The table had been broken in half and all of the cupboards had been puled from the walls. Plates and cutlery pulled on the floor in broken pieces.

“The fuck?” He mumbled to himself as his eyes scanned over the living room for any sign of Fluttershy..

“How the hell did I sleep through all this?” The smell of blood filled his nose again. It was a horrible metallic smell and he did his best to ignore it. He moved to the front door of the house and he finally found where the smell was coming from.

Lying at the door was a large brown bear with three spears sticking in its hide. A large gash was on its throat and congealed blood pooled around the body. He felt sick, the stench of death filled his nose, he clasped a hand over his mouth to stop himself from throwing up.

Only once he was turned from the body did he notice the tracks. Dark red paw prints ran across the grass. They went in the direction of a large tree just on the edge of the shield.

If what Fluttershy said was true then they would have taken her to the town like the others. He considered turning and running back into the forest for a moment, his rage from the previous night haven't burn off. But then two words echoed in his mind. I won't let that happen, I promise.

“I promise.”